Business

Homebuyers: The average long-term mortgage rate in the U.S. ticked back down this week following several weeks of increases. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported...

Being disconnected from employees can make them feel isolated, something one Midwest coffee shop CEO learned the hard way. 

The unemployment rate for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area fell to 4.2% in September compared to 5% in August, according to preliminary estimates the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. 

Many private employers beginning in January will have to ensure their workers either are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they will undergo weekly testing and wear a face covering, under a new federal rule announced by the White House this morning.

The city-parish is getting ready to begin construction on a new bridge on Bob Pete Boulevard, which crosses Bayou Fountain between Nicholson Drive and Tigerland.

Caterers have been waiting over a year in anticipation of the holiday season after events last year were postponed or canceled.

The CEOs of three Louisiana startups will be grilled on their business plans and development potential next week in the PitchBR finals, marking Nexus Louisiana’s first in-person pitch event since before the pandemic.  

Almost every small business took major hits during the pandemic, much of it through no fault of their own. But some owners made their troubles worse—by acting out of fear, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

Some of the most interesting new food and drink businesses are sidestepping independent brick-and-mortar locations and opening in mobile or co-located spots.

LSU has issued a request for information from large health care organizations interested in pursuing a long-term partnership with the university that would be centered on LSU sports medicine and LSU athletics sponsorship opportunities, but also include other areas of health and wellness across the system.

Game Coin, a digital currency founded by Baton Rouge entrepreneurs, has officially completed its security audit, the company announced today. 

The pandemic meant no more crowds, which meant no more live music for many Baton Rouge venues. As COVID-19 case numbers drop and the mask mandates have been lifted, some concert spaces have been able to reopen, but they’re still drawing smaller crowds than before the pandemic. 

As Baton Rouge restaurateurs deploy design as a way to tell their stories, their messages are carried through every element, from memorable menu typography to bespoke bathroom details.

Startups and Fortune 500 firms are rethinking the structure of paid time off, and extending company-wide vacations, as part of efforts to reduce burnout and stem the flow of resignations. 

Louisiana’s U.S. senators have joined several colleagues in proposing legislation to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for five years while making changes that would include capping annual price increases at 9%.

If you know someone like this, nominate her to be featured in the January 2022 issue here. The deadline for submissions is Friday.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Division of the Arts today announced the launch of a new platform called Culturalyst, which is designed to bridge the gap between artists and consumers.

Andy’s Frozen Custard filed an $850,000 permit on Tuesday for construction of a second Baton Rouge location, this one on Highland Road, near the intersection with Old Perkins Road East.

Dr. David Carmouche is leaving his executive post at Ochsner after six years of helping grow the health system’s risk- and value-based care delivery models, to lead Walmart’s national expansion into retail health care.

The National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, or CAE-CO, recently selected LSU as the sole university allowed to apply for CAE-CO designation this year, LSU announced Monday.