Speaking out: Mayor Sharon Weston Broome has joined Alton Sterling’s family in calling on Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. to discipline the police officers involved in the shooting death of Sterling last July. In a statement issued late Wednesday, Broome says she has expressed her concerns to Dabadie about the employment status of officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, who have both been on paid administrative leave since the incident. Noting she does not have the authority to discipline or terminate the officers, Broome says both officers should be disciplined for the severity of their actions. She adds that Salamoni’s actions toward Sterling warrant his termination. The U.S. Justice Department earlier this month declined to charge the officers for violating Sterling’s civil rights, and an investigation by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is underway.
Doors open: Swimwear boutique La Mer Luxury Swim and Resort Wear is hosting a soft opening today for its new store at Ann Connelly’s Studio Park development near the intersection of Lobdell Avenue and Jefferson Highway. The store, at 1680 Lobdell Ave., is a new concept by owner Amy Radle, who opened The Market at Magazine & Sixth in New Orleans last year. La Mer will feature upscale lines for women sizes 0-16 with a limited stock of children’s swim apparel. “As a 42-year-old mother of three, I thought it was important to showcase some great, exclusive, sexy brands in different styles to everyone,” says Radle in a statement. A grand opening is planned for the weekend of June 9-11.
Money in the pot: Washington D.C.-based Venture Global LNG says it has raised $81.4 million during the sixth round of equity investment for its planned LNG export facilities in Plaquemine and Cameron parishes. The company says the recent round of investment brings the total amount raised for the proposed facilities to $361 million. In a joint statement, co-CEOs Mike Sabel and Bob Pender say they expect to launch commercial operations for Calcasieu Pass and deliver the lowest cost LNG from North America to the global market by 2021. Read the full statement.
