On the dotted line: Gov. John Bel Edwards administration on Thursday signed paperwork for the renegotiated terms of of the Biomedical Research Foundation’s contract to operate the state’s safety net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. The Associated Press reports that all parties have agreed to the deal. The renegotiated arrangement appears to address most of LSU’s ongoing disputes with BRF. The hospital operator will provide $37 million in additional payments to LSU doctors in this budget year. The hospital operator also will pay at least $6.9 million LSU says it is owed in unpaid bills. Another $5.3 million for disputed billings will be placed into escrow, while an outside arbiter determines whether LSU should receive that money. Edwards’ executive counsel Matthew Block announced earlier this week that a deal had been struck with the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana.
Moving through the court: Louisiana officials want a new location for a federal lawsuit challenging the state law aimed at making 21 the minimum age for working as a stripper. The Associated Press reports that the lawsuit was filed in New Orleans, but lawyers for the state’s alcohol control commissioner—the defendant in the suit—say it should be moved to Baton Rouge. That’s where lawmakers approved the law earlier this year. The state notes the commissioner is based there and that two of the three dancers challenging the law work there. The motion also says key witnesses are in Baton Rouge. It’s unclear whether the plaintiffs will agree to the move or when U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier will decide. Barbier has blocked enforcement of the law pending further proceedings.
Windfall: Higher oil prices on Thursday gave energy stock investors a boost to the tune of $316 billion, USA Today reports. Oil closed at $50.44 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since June as Hurricane Matthew barreled toward the United States. Traders are expecting oil prices to swing higher if the hurricane disrupts oil supplies in the southeast U.S., the newspaper writes. Oil prices were already rising since last week following a pact with members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to pull back on production. Read the full story.
