Will go to Washington, D.C., for competition: Carrie Ingerman, a sophomore at Episcopal High School, has been named Louisiana’s top high school youth volunteer for 2011 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Ingerman, 16, was honored for founding Cliks4Kidz, a nonprofit that donates laptops to hospitals so young cancer patients can stay in touch with family and friends while they are undergoing treatment. She received $1,000 and an engraved silver medallion as well as a trip to Washington, D.C., in May. At that time, Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, will name America’s top 10 youth volunteers for the year. Ingerman and Neil Nathan, of Shreveport, the state’s top junior high volunteer, will represent Louisiana at the event.
Utility company blames increased expenses, higher income taxes: Entergy Corp. says its fourth-quarter profit dropped 27% from a year ago due to increased operational and maintenance expenses and higher income tax and interest expenses. Net income fell to $228.3 million, or $1.26 per share, for the quarter that ended Dec. 31, compared with $313.8 million, or $1.64 per share, in the year-ago quarter. The New Orleans-based company has reported a one-time special item of four cents per share during the fourth quarter for non-utility nuclear spin-off expenses. Without the expenses, it would have earned $1.30 per share on an operating basis. Revenue edged up to $2.53 billion from $2.5 billion in the same period of 2009. Shares of Entergy fell $1.39, or 1.9%, to $72.52 in morning trading. Entergy has affirmed its 2011 earnings guidance in the range of $6.35 to $6.85 per share and says its utility net income would grow 6% to 8% per year through 2014. Analysts expect 2011 earnings of $6.59 per share.
