BRAF to manage rig relief program

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has been selected to manage a $100 million relief program that will help oil rig workers who face financial hardship from the current federal ban on deepwater drilling. The program is funded by a contribution from BP. The Gulf Coast Restoration and Protection Foundation, a BRAF support organization, plans to release the guidelines for the program by mid-August and to start taking grant applications Sept. 1. John Davies, BRAF president and CEO, says the program's goal is to get the most money to people under financial pressure due to decisions beyond their control. Rig workers who believe they are affected by the moratorium are urged to call (866) 577-8141. A press conference, which will offer more details about the relief program, will be held Monday morning.

LaPolitics by John Maginnis: Drill ban fight goes to D.C.

After last week's send-off at the Cajundome rally, the effort opposing the Gulf of Mexico drilling moratorium hit Washington this week. Gulf Citizens United, a group newly formed by the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, placed ads in Roll Call, The Hill and Politico, opposing the moratorium. Backing LABI's argument are two national polls by Rasmussen and Bloomberg Financial News showing over 70% support for resuming exploration in the gulf. No response has come, however, from where it counts: the White House or the Interior Department. The oil spill response bill, set for vote this week in both houses, might also build pressure against the moratorium. Yet any momentum forward for that effort in Washington gets suspended next week when Congress begins its August recess.

— With four weeks to go before the Republican primary, Sen. David Vitter is just starting to crack into his $5.5 million war chest to run ads on radio, as his campaign holds back for now on TV and direct mail. After two tumultuous weeks following qualifying, challenger Chet Traylor is trying to put the controversy over his romantic involvements behind him and to focus on raising enough money to get on TV and stay up. The late-coming candidate will show what he has on Aug. 15, the next FEC filing deadline, which will include all financial activity up until Aug. 8. Vitter supporters are eager to learn whether any Democratic money lands in Traylor's coffers.

They said it: "We went to every room in the house and broke every piggy bank and put that money in the budget this year." —Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, in The (Monroe) News Star

(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)

Pennington researcher: Drug combo promotes weight loss

A researcher at Pennington Biomedical Research Center has found that a combination of an antidepressant and an addiction drug caused people to lose weight. Dr. Frank Greenway, chief of the outpatient clinic at Pennington, found that people lost 5% or more of their body weight while taking the drug combination of bupropion and naltrexone, eating a healthy diet and exercising. Greenway published the results of his study in the medical journal The Lancet. The combined drug regimen taps into the brain's craving and reward system and curbs appetites. It may help people whose food cravings keep them from sticking to a diet, Greenway told WebMD Health News. The FDA is slated to review the drug later this year.

Editor: B.R. lacks desired quality of life, loses grads

Baton Rouge lacks the quality of life that young entrepreneurs desire, says Business Report Executive Editor JR Ball. That's causing a mass exodus of our best and brightest to cities such as Austin, Dallas and Houston. "Every year, LSU and other area institutions of higher learning churn out graduates ready to redefine the concept of a knowledge-based economy, and every year an alarming—and increasing—number of those best-of-the-best choose to live someplace other than here," Ball says. Read the full column here. Send comments to editors@businessreport.com.

Recovery wanes as wary consumers exercise caution

The recovery lost momentum in the spring as growth slowed to a 2.4% pace, its most sluggish showing in nearly a year and too weak to drive down unemployment. Consumers spent less, companies slowed their restocking of shelves, and the nation's trade deficit dragged more on the economy in the April-to-June quarter. In a separate report, the Commerce Department said the recession was deeper than previously estimated.

Together, the reports raise doubts about whether employers will hire enough and consumers will spend enough to invigorate the economy. As unemployment remains near double digits, Congress could feel pressure to pass more stimulus measures. So far, Republicans and some Democrats have blocked additional spending because of their concerns about deficit bloat.

The Commerce Department report released today did offer some encouraging news, though. Businesses invested the most in 13 years on equipment and software during the second quarter. For the first time in two years, builders boosted spending on commercial projects. And homebuilders spent the most in 27 years, although many expect that surge to fade now that government home-buying tax credits have expired. The report also showed that the economy grew at a 3.7% pace in the first three months of this year. That was better than the 2.7% pace estimated just a month ago.

'Dine' spotlights cool summer salads

In the heat of summer, hot food can lose some of its usual allure. We often find ourselves craving instead something cool and crisp. Save sipping soups for when the cool weather comes, and lunch on some of the leafy green concoctions we recommend in this week's 225 Dine. Also this week in Dine, a profile of local haunt Joe's Dreyfus Store, an interview with Gaye Sandoz of "product incubator" Edible Enterprises, and a favorite recipe for a sweet summer drink that'll knock your socks off. To read the newsletter, click here.

Area newcomers include JKL Salon and second Petz Plaza

Husband-and-wife styling team Janie Koger-LaPrairie and Ken LaPrairie are set to bring their award-winning talents to Baton Rouge with the opening Sunday of JKL Salon on Highland Road, next to French Market Bistro. On their fashionable service menu: hair design, customized color, keratin treatments, special occasion styles, cosmetic application and waxing. JKL Salon will also offer private salon reservations for those who require VIP services. JKL Salon is offering a special deal for Avenue Rouge subscribers: Bring a printout of this week's Avenue Rouge newsletter to your appointment and you'll receive $10 off any service. (Limit one per person; first-time customers only.)

Petz Plaza has opened its new location on Jefferson Highway, offering grooming and daycare services for cats and dogs. Your pups will enjoy plenty of TLC and lots of diversions to keep them busy, including a tunnel, a slide and a pool full of tennis balls. In the coming weeks, this location will also start to offer boarding. For the latest fashion, home and beauty news, turn to the new Avenue Rouge here.

Poll: Majority agree with pulling 'One Baton Rouge'

Sixty-one percent of people who responded to a Daily Report poll say the Metro Council did the right thing in pulling the "One Baton Rouge" item from its agenda. Thirty-two percent disagree with the decision not to take a vote on the tolerance measure, and 7% were unsure. Nearly 1,150 people participated in the poll. Supporters took the measure off the Metro Council agenda after they realized they lacked the votes to get it passed.

Today's question: How will the New Orleans Saints do in the upcoming NFL season?

Sports roundup: Saints sign rookie Patrick Robinson … LSU men's basketball team will play in Bossier City

First-round pick inks deal: The New Orleans Saints have signed their first-round draft choice. Saints spokesman Greg Bensel says Patrick Robinson has agreed to a five-year contract and is expected to report when training camp workouts begin today. Robinson, a cornerback out of Florida State, was the last of the Saints' six 2010 draft picks to reach a deal. Robinson, who is 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, will give the Saints another potential nickel back behind their starting cornerback tandem, Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer.

First trip to area in nearly seven years: The LSU men's basketball team will face Wichita State Dec. 18 in the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, reports The Shreveport Times. This will be the first game the Tigers have played in Shreveport-Bossier since January 2004, when they took on Centenary. Eddie Nunez, LSU associate athletic director, told The Times the game fits in with Coach Trent Johnson's plans to spotlight the Tigers across Louisiana.