Upgrade: Cleco announced today a two-year, $130 million project to update its core technology and shift to one primary system, Louisiana Economic Development says. The Strategic Alignment and Real-time Transformation, also known as START, is the largest technology project in the company’s history. The project will operate out of a 40,000-square-foot facility in Alexandria, create 221 jobs and generate approximately $1.5 million in state and local tax revenues. Read more.
‘Tis the season: Four teens are accused of damaging or destroying 62 Christmas trees at a Louisiana farm. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says several trees were split in half Sept. 4 at the Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River. More damage was found Sept. 24. Two 16-year-olds, one from Mississippi, and one from Pearl River, Louisiana, face a felony charge of criminal damage to property worth more than $1,000; misdemeanor criminal damage to property under $1,000 and two counts of criminal trespassing. Two 17-year-olds also were arrested on similar charges, with the exception of the misdemeanor. Read more.
Going viral: Southwest is the latest airline to apologize for a passenger being dragged off an airplane. NBC News reports a viral video posted Tuesday shows a passenger being pulled off a Los Angeles-bound flight after she told the flight crew she had a life-threatening pet allergy. One pet and one service animal were aboard the airplane. Southwest policy says a customer, without a medical certificate, may be denied boarding if they report a life-threatening allergic reaction and cannot travel safely with an animal on board. The passenger in the video refused to deplane, a Southwest spokesperson says. Read more.
