On time: Vibrant and colorful works of art by Baton Rouge artist Christopher Turner are now wearable. Turner has partnered with custom watchmaker Modify Watches to launch The Turner Collection watch line. The waterproof watches feature abstract designs with colorful schemes. Their faces and straps are interchangeable. The watches are priced at $35 to $95 and can be purchased online. In a statement, Turner says he intends to release more designs in the winter. “My art career hasn’t been the norm,” he says. “Starting off with live painting, everything I’ve done from Final Four to the LSU pregame, the mission was to bring art to the people.” Other Modify Watches feature sports teams and designs by other artists.
Plunging: Riverboat casinos in Baton Rouge fell by 9% in May, as all of the parish’s riverboat casinos reported a decline in their winnings. Hollywood Casino experienced the largest decline—down 14.6% from the same year prior. The casino’s winnings declined from $6.4 million in May 2015 to $5.5 million for the same month this year. Belle of Baton Rouge also saw a double-digit drop in winnings in May. The riverboat reported a 10.4% decline from $5.6 million for the same time last year to $5 million this year. L’Auberge Baton Rouge’s May winnings declined by 5.6%, from $13.3 million for the same month in the previous year to $12.5 million in May of this year. In all, Baton Rouge riverboat casinos’ winnings totaled $23 million in May. See the full report Louisiana State Police released Monday.
Election news: Metro Councilman LaMont Cole has announced his candidacy for the District 7 Metro Council seat. In a letter issued Monday, Cole says his decision did not come lightly and that he has learned much since he was approached in December about being appointed to fill the post. “I take being a member of the council very seriously and I have enjoyed working with the members of the council during this very short period of time,” the statement says. “The level of support, effort, and time from each member has been truly humbling. I am honored to consider them colleagues.” Cole says he envisions that Baton Rouge will have equitable access to emergency health care, 24/7 crime prevention, equitable infrastructure and a diverse economic development program, and that its neighborhoods will become more connected. Cole was appointed to replace C. Denise Marcelle, who was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and is now seeking to become mayor.
