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• Job fair today for positions at Geismar plant

  April 25, 2013 10:57 AM

  GEISMAR - A chemical company with expansion plans in Geismar scheduled a job fair today for potential hires. Methanex Corp. is building a new methanol production facility which will open by the end of 2014. The facility will have 135 permanent, full-time jobs in a variety of positions around... more »

• As Rutgers sets to repair image, AD's job in limbo

  April 5, 2013 8:58 AM

  PISCATAWAY, N.J.- As Rutgers works to mend its image in the wake of this week's firing of basketball coach Mike Rice, Tim Pernetti's position as athletic director now appears to be in jeopardy as well. Pernetti dismissed Rice after a videotape aired on ESPN showing the coach using gay slurs... more »

• Jindal budget calls for $424M in one-time cash

  February 22, 2013 10:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers questioned Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration today about decisions in their proposed budget for next year. Jindal's $24.7 billion budget calls for the use of $424 million in one-time cash and college tuition increases to prevent deeper cuts to higher education. Commissioner of Administration Kristy... more »

• Hearing over Port Allen CFO job status today

  February 20, 2013 10:32 AM

  PORT ALLEN - Officials in Port Allen scheduled this morning to discuss the job status of the city's chief financial officer, whom the new mayor fired last week. Mayor "Deedy" Slaughter fired Audrey McCain a week after News 2 received financial documents requested about the mayor's travel to Washington,... more »

• Governors warn Congress over debt limit

  January 9, 2013 10:41 AM

  WASHINGTON - Governors are warning Congress that lingering uncertainty over raising the nation's debt limit could hinder their state budgets and job growth. Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin are outlining state agendas in 2013 as part of the National Governors Association. Markell says the postponing of... more »

• US economy adds 155K jobs, rate stays at 7.8 pct.

  January 4, 2013 3:13 PM

  WASHINGTON - The U.S. job market proved resilient in December despite fears that the economy would tumble over the fiscal cliff. The Labor Department reports employers added 155,000 jobs, roughly matching the solid but unspectacular monthly pace of the past two years. The gains were not enough to reduce unemployment... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  January 4, 2013 3:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Dec. 29 fell from the previous week's total, mainly because the Christmas holidays cut a day from the work week. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,505 from the... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  November 30, 2012 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Nov. 24 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,705 from the previous week's total of 2,875. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Report: Extending jobless benefits creates jobs

  November 29, 2012 3:46 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Congressional Budget Office says extending the current level of long-term unemployment benefits for another year would add 300,000 jobs to the economy. A report from the nonpartisan office estimates that preserving jobless benefits would cost the government $30 billion. But it would also lead to more spending... more »

• US employers post fewest jobs in 5 months

  November 6, 2012 12:13 PM

  UNDATED - The Labor Department says the nation's employers posted fewer job openings in September after advertising more in August than first estimated. The report suggests hiring could remain modest in the coming months. September job openings dropped by 100,000 to 3.56 million, the fewest in five months. August's openings... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  November 2, 2012 6:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Oct. 27 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,568 from the previous week's total of 2,891. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Unemployment rates fall in 95 pct. of US cities

  October 30, 2012 4:14 PM

  WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates fell in nearly all large US cities in September from August, a sign that recent jobs gains have been widespread. The Labor Department says rates declined in 355 of the 372 metro areas, the most since April. The report also shows that nearly half of cities... more »

• Weekly unemployment claims fall

  September 28, 2012 6:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Initial claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana fell for the week ending Sept. 22. Figures released Friday show initial claims decreased to 3,294 from the previous week's total of 4,873. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the declines were spread throughout many industries. The claims were above the... more »

• Louisiana jobless rate dips as labor force shrinks

  September 21, 2012 10:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Unemployment ticked down in Louisiana in August as some people left the labor force. The state's jobless rate fell to 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent in July but above the 7.3 percent unemployment rate of August 2011. Louisiana's jobless rate never rose as high as... more »

• Students searching for jobs

  September 12, 2012 10:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Thousands of college students are beginning the job search early. Southern University, along with Louisiana State University, are holding career fairs for students looking to get an edge in the job search. News 2's Adrian Pittman talks to students about their search tonight at 5. more »

• Claims for unemployment benefits fall

  July 27, 2012 10:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in Louisiana for the week ending July 21 fell from the previous week's total. State labor department figures released Friday show initial claims fell to 3,080 from the previous week's total of 3,675. The figure was lower than it was for... more »

• Obama signs student loan, road-building bill

  July 6, 2012 5:52 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says a bill to keep construction workers on the job and prevent a spike in interest rates on new loans to college students "will make a real difference" for millions of Americans. Obama signed into law legislation allowing more than $100 billion to be spent... more »

• Louisiana 1st-time jobless claims increase

  June 15, 2012 5:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending June 9 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 4,272 from the previous week's total of 4,177. The figure was below what it was... more »

• Study: Job growth if BP fines used for coast

  June 6, 2012 2:42 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A study commissioned by two non-profit groups says thousands of jobs would be created along the Gulf Coast if money from BP oil spill penalties and other sources is dedicated to coastal restoration. The report by the research firm Mather Economics comes as Gulf interests press Congress... more »

• LSU Chancellor takes new job Play Video

  May 25, 2012 10:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE- LSU is now searching for two top leaders. Chancellor Michael Martin is leaving for a job at Colorado State University. He says the move will fulfill personal career goals and avoid uncertain leadership changes at LSU. He'll remain at LSU until August. His new job has a... more »

• LSU Chancellor Martin says he will accept CSU job

  May 25, 2012 4:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU Chancellor Michael Martin announced this afternoon he will accept an offer to be chancellor of Colorado State University, beginning this fall. LSU released a prepared statement from Martin this afternoon ahead of a scheduled conference call with Martin and the chairman of the CSU Board... more »

• State 1st-time jobless claims increase

  May 25, 2012 11:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE- First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending May 19 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 3,547 from the previous week's total of 3,394. The figure was lower than it was for... more »

• Stocks lower as Europe overshadows jobs data

  May 17, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are slipping as unease about Europe overshadows an encouraging report on unemployment claims and good results from big retailers including Wal-Mart Stores. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 65 points at 12,533 just before noon Thursday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell nine points to... more »

• New casino hosts more job fairs

  May 15, 2012 1:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The new L'Auberge casino in Baton Rouge announced two new job fairs this week for people interested in working at the attraction. Tomorrow, May 16, L'Auberge will hear for food and beverage positions. This Friday, May 18, they'll hold another event for hotel and hospitality positions.... more »

• LSU chancellor talks about being finalist CSU job Play Video

  May 10, 2012 5:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A formal offer to lead another university could soon be on its way for LSU Chancellor Mike Martin. Colorado State University announced Martin is the finalist for the same position at their school. Martin publicly expressed his interest in the position earlier this week, saying he'd... more »

• Treasurer, Jindal Administration disagree over job report Play Video

  April 26, 2012 4:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State Treasurer John Kennedy says the state workforce has been cut by about 7 percent over the past six years, but state employment costs have risen $650 million. The treasurer says proof is in a state audit made public in February. He says the only solution... more »

• Jobless figures disappoint

  April 26, 2012 11:30 AM

  WASHINGTON- Economists say the jobs picture might not be as bad as it sounds, despite today's news that the number of people applying for unemployment benefits is stuck near a three-month high. The Labor Department says applications for unemployment aid dipped by about 1,000 last week, less than economists expected.... more »

• Faulty background checks hurting job hunters

  April 11, 2012 6:14 PM

  WASHINGTON - Consumer advocates say thousands of U.S. job hunters are losing out because employers use faulty background-check data drawn from shoddy records. They want the government to make sure people know what information prospective employers see so errors can be corrected and abusive companies can be held responsible. The... more »

• Prison job, tedium await Blagojevich

  March 15, 2012 7:12 AM

  CHICAGO - Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is trading in his Oxxford-label suits for prison khakis and a new identity: Inmate Number 40892-424. The impeached one-time golden boy of Illinois politics famous for his trademark thick hair and penchant for television cameras is set to begin Thursday his 14-year term... more »

• Jindal budget critic removed from her job

  March 7, 2012 2:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La.- Gov. Bobby Jindal has fired the head of his Office of Elderly Affairs, a day after she staunchly criticized his budget plans for the agency. The governor's spokesman, Frank Collins, confirmed that Martha Manuel, executive director of the office for a year, was removed from the position.... more »

• Visual effects studio announces $1.2 mil. Baton Rouge facility

  February 29, 2012 3:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Pixomondo LLC, which won an Academy Award this year, says it will spend $1.2 million to create a visual effects studio in Louisiana, creating 75 jobs in film, television and commercial production. Plans call for the company to use about 6,000 square feet at the Celtic Media... more »

• BRAC seeks resumes for new database

  February 28, 2012 12:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is asking for people relocating to Baton Rouge to send their résumés for a new database. They plan to use the résumés to build "a diverse talent database that can be accessed when regional companies are searching for candidates for hard-to-fill positions."... more »

• 1st-time claims decline in La.

  February 24, 2012 11:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE- First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Feb. 18 declined from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims fell to 3,007 from the previous week's total of 3,143. The figure was lower than it was for... more »

• Miller to start job as BRCC head next week

  February 9, 2012 7:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE - New Baton Rouge Community College Chancellor Andrea Lewis Miller is taking over the job next week after interim Chancellor Jim Horton wraps up his duties on Friday. Miller, who is moving from her job heading SOWELA Technical Community College, says she is "extremely excited" about the new... more »

• Two casinos hold job fairs for eager employees Play Video

  January 16, 2012 3:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Two casinos in Baton Rouge are looking for eager employees at job fairs this week. The Belle of Baton Rouge will hold a job fair tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The casino is looking to fill management positions and front-line positions. "We are going... more »

• More women climbing into big rigs than ever before

  September 14, 2011 4:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The truck-driving industry is on the move and heading for a sunny outlook on jobs. The industry is in need of at least 200,000 jobs this year and is expected to double that need next year, according to Suzan McCaskill at the Coastal Truck Driving School in... more »

• Annual job growth up in Louisiana

  August 24, 2011 4:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Workforce Commission says annual job growth in Louisiana sped up in July as the state registered 32,100 more non-farm jobs than a year ago. From June 2010 through June 2011, the state had 11,600 more non-farm jobs. The May-to-May comparison showed a gain of... more »

• Job growth slows a bit in Louisiana

  July 27, 2011 2:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Annual job growth in Louisiana slowed a bit in June. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 11,600 more non-farm jobs last month than in June 2010. In May, the state had 15,000 more non-farm jobs than in May 2010. The figures are not adjusted for... more »

• More than 1,000 apply for few DeSoto teaching jobs

  July 2, 2011 1:02 PM

  MANSFIELD, La.- More than 1,000 people have applied in recent months for a handful of available teaching jobs in the DeSoto Parish school system. "We have more applications than we know what to do with," schools Superintendent Walter Lee said. DeSoto Parish is the highest paying school system... more »

• Cleared guard wants job back

  March 30, 2011 1:56 PM

  HOUMA, La. - A former guard cleared of sexual misconduct with inmates wants his job back at the Terrebonne Juvenile Detention Center. Fifty-one-year old Floyd Howard, an 11-year detention center employee, was fired in 2009 after he and six other guards were accused of offering teen girls at the... more »

• Arkansas man in line for state's top higher ed job

  February 19, 2011 11:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The top college policymaker in Arkansas is the front-runner to become Louisiana's next commissioner of higher education. Jim Purcell, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, told The Times-Picayune on Friday that he has submitted his application for the job. State officials cleared a major... more »

• Edwin Edwards' new employer talks about job

  January 14, 2011 10:45 PM

  News 2 was the first to report Edwin Edwards post-prison job with state Democratic Party Chairman Buddy Leach. On Friday, Leach detailed the reason for the hire and the requirements of the job. Leach says Edwards has only been hired as a consultant to talk to him about the... more »

• Edwards to start job next week

  January 13, 2011 10:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- News 2 has learned former Governor Edwin Edwards will start a job next week. The work is a condition of the home-confinement he'll be serving for the next six months to finish out his prison sentence. State Democratic Party Leader Claude "Buddy" Leach will be Edwards'... more »

• Hiring for new wind turbine plant begins

  January 11, 2011 3:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Job openings are beginning to trickle out of the new wind turbine plant being built at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. According to Louisiana Economic Development, Blade Dynamics will begin hiring 40 technical operators through their website. The salaried positions are the first of 600... more »

• Les Miles meets with Michigan AD in Baton Rouge

  January 10, 2011 9:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU Athletics officals confirm football coach Les Miles spent a portion of this evening meeting with Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon. Brandon flew into town from Dallas this afternoon, and reportedly left following his meeting with Miles, and then returned to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Miles and... more »

• Les Miles confirms he will meet with Michigan

  January 10, 2011 11:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU head coach Les Miles has confirmed he will be meeting with Michigan representatives about the head coaching job there. Miles made a short statement after Tigers cornerback Patrick Peterson's announcement he will be going into the 2011 NFL draft. Miles said that "distant conversations"... more »

• Councilwoman wants public input in police chief search

  October 27, 2010 10:33 PM

  An East Baton Rouge Parish councilwoman is asking for the mayor and administrators to get the public involved in picking a new police chief. Denise Marcelle wants a public advisory committee to weigh in on candidates for the job. "...Not trying to do anything but give the citizens of... more »

• EPA names director for oil spill restoration panel

  October 26, 2010 4:44 AM

  A Florida native and consultant on environmental and land issues has been given the job of executive director for a panel set up to handle ecosystem restoration from the BP oil spill. John Hankinson Jr. will handle the daily affairs of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, a panel... more »

• Warden not ruling out yesterday's escape as 'inside job'

  October 20, 2010 5:51 PM

  Catahoula Parish Correctional Center Warden Pat Book is not ruling out the idea that yesterday's courthouse escape in Baton Rouge could have been an inside job. Book said Demond Cook managed to break free of handcuffs and shackles on his way into the court for a sentencing hearing. ... more »

• Obama: job numbers 'positive', but not enough

  September 3, 2010 11:08 AM

  President Barack Obama says that a new jobs report showing private sector growth in August is positive but more needs to be done for the economy. He renewed his call Friday for the Senate to pass a bill that would increase lending and reduce taxes for small businesses. Obama said... more »

• Donations help women in the workforce

  August 26, 2010 10:01 PM

  A job interview can be stressful, especially for women worried about not having the proper attire. News 2’s Sylvia Weatherspoon found out how members of Women in Media in Baton Rouge came up with the perfect fit to make a difference. more »

• 4 apply for La. higher ed. commissioner job

  August 25, 2010 2:26 PM

  Four candidates have applied so far to be Louisiana's new higher education commissioner. Among those who already have applied for the job are: David J. Dzielak, an associate vice chancellor and professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center; Donald A. Edwards, former vice... more »

• Security Jobs available along La. Coast

  June 14, 2010 9:52 AM

  The Louisiana Workforce Commission's Morehouse Business & Career Solutions Center will hold a job fair Tuesday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bastrop Municipal Center in Bastrop, La. on behalf of Hub Enterprises, a Louisiana-based security company. Hub Enterprises is looking to recruit 100 qualified applicants... more »

• Ex-U.S. Attorney Dugas joins McGlinchey Stafford

  April 27, 2010 9:46 AM

  Former U.S. Attorney David Dugas is going to work for the national law firm of McGlinchey Stafford starting May 1. Dugas will work out of the New Orleans-based firm's Baton Rouge office. He will be the chair of the firms national practice in energy and he will co-chair its governmental... more »

• U.S. Attorney David Dugas' last day

  April 23, 2010 9:37 AM

  U.S. Attorney David Dugas joined Whitney Vann this morning on 2une In to reflect on his career and last day on the job. more »

• Corps critic fails to win job back

  April 14, 2010 7:02 AM

  A scientist fired by LSU will not be getting his job back. A federal judge refused to immediately reinstate Ivor van Heerden, who was stripped of most of his duties last year. The judge denied the request for a temporary restraining order, and a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for... more »

• State opening search for Grambling State president

  February 10, 2010 8:39 AM

  A public forum at Grambling State University will formally open the search for the university's next president. The search committee will hear Thursday from faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members about what qualifications and priorities they want in the historically black university's next leader. Horace Judson resigned Oct. 31... more »

• Judge refuses to halt noose lawsuit

  February 9, 2010 10:56 AM

  A state judge refused Monday to put the brakes on a lawsuit against a Baton Rouge man accused of putting a hangman's noose in a black colleague's work area in 2008. Reginald Drummer sued Reggie Parent in October on the anniversary of Parent's arrest under Louisiana's new anti-noose law that... more »