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Louisiana GDP tumbles 5.5% in 2020
Louisiana’s gross domestic product dropped by 5.5% in 2020 when compared to 2019, a steeper drop than the rest of the country, which declined...
US jobless claims fall to lowest level since pandemic began
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a...
Louisiana House speaker proposes centralized sales tax amendment
Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder filed legislation Wednesday to streamline state sales tax collection.
The change would require amending the state constitution, meaning at least...
Louisiana’s personal income grew in 2020 but fell sharply in Q4
Louisiana’s state personal income grew by 5.4% from 2019 to 2020, but below the national average of 6.1% for the year, according to estimates...
Metro Council will weigh whether to adopt disparity study
The Metro Council on Wednesday will decide whether to formally adopt the city of Baton Rouge’s disparity study.
Specifically, the legislation—brought forth by Mayor Sharon...
BRAC economic indicators show leisure and hospitality job gains
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber recently released a special economic indicator report, looking at the impact of COVID-19 on the regional economy.
“We’re a full...
Louisiana state senators worry federal aid could inflate budget
Louisiana senators opened their latest budget hearings today with concerns about using short-term federal coronavirus aid to pay for ongoing services and programs since...
Louisiana violent crime rate ranks fifth highest among states
Violent crimes in Louisiana numbered 549.3 per every 100,000 residents of the state as of 2019, the fifth-highest rate among the 50 states, according...
Baton Rouge reports 6.7% unemployment rate in January
The Baton Rouge metro area saw a 6.7% unemployment rate among its civilian labor force in January 2021, according to not seasonally adjusted data...
Rising layoffs drive US weekly unemployment claims
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to 770,000, a sign that layoffs remain high even as much of the U.S....
Global oil demand won’t reach pre-virus level until 2023
Global demand for oil won’t climb to pre-pandemic levels until 2023, and growth will be subdued thereafter amid new working habits and a shift...
GOP attorneys general question stimulus provision barring tax cuts
Republican attorneys general from 21 states, including Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, are questioning a provision in the $1.9 trillion pandemic rescue plan that...
Does the American Rescue Plan ban state tax cuts?
Many are concerned that states accepting money from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds could be prohibited from implementing tax cuts between now...
Baton Rouge hospitality industry slowly rebounding
With declining rates of COVID-19 and the state now in phase three, the local hospitality industry is enjoying an uptick in activity.
Hotel occupancy rates...
Lawmakers looking to grow Louisiana’s international trade
New money coming into the state, including federal stimulus and disaster recovery dollars, could help Louisiana seize an opportunity to be more competitive in...
US weekly initial jobless claims fall as pace of layoffs eases
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 712,000, the lowest total since early November, evidence that fewer employers are cutting...
Report: Baton Rouge among most dangerous cities for pedestrians
A new report by a national group that advocates for walkable communities ranks Louisiana among the most dangerous states—and Baton Rouge among the most...
‘Here we are again’: Louisiana 50th in ‘U.S. News’ ranking of best states
Not for the first time, Louisiana has scored dead last in a ranking of the 50 states published by U.S. News. In its annual Best States Rankings, the publication draws on “thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens,” and concludes that Louisiana is failing in all the major areas that count.
Baton Rouge weekly initial unemployment claims rise
After weeks of decreases, initial unemployment claims in East Baton Rouge Parish rose for the week ending Feb. 27 as the economy continues to struggle amid the pandemic.
New EBR schools superintendent wants grads to earn associate’s degree at same time
Newly appointed East Baton Rouge Parish schools Superintendent Sito Narcisse wants every student who graduates with a high school diploma from the school system to also earn an associate degree.
