Declining dollar: The U.S. dollar weakened for a seventh straight day Thursday, the longest losing streak since April 2011, after Federal Reserve policy makers indicated they’re in no rush to raise interest rates amid slowing growth. The losses cap the U.S. currency’s first monthly decline since June. The drop has surprised speculators who were the most bullish on the dollar in at least six years, leading investors to question the $5.3 trillion currency market’s biggest one-way trade. Read the full story from Bloomberg here.
Storming the Capitol: More than 1,700 LSU students, faculty and community members are set to protest proposed funding cuts to higher education at a rally at the State Capitol at 1 p.m. today, according to the Make the Change March the Capitol Facebook page. After a slim turnout at an April 15 protest for higher ed funding, the university is expected to have a wider presence at today’s rally. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple and gold, and arrive with signs demonstrating the change they want to see from their legislators. Read more from The Daily Reveille.
Honoring excellence: The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is issuing its final call for applications from Baton Rouge area educators for its BRAC Excellent STEM Educator Award program. Through the awards process, BRAC will recognize teachers who demonstrate STEM excellence through teaching, creating connections to the workplace and student engagement. BRAC will confer five awards to winning teachers at a special ceremony in conjunction with its Signature Speaker event on May 12. The deadline for applications is Friday; eligible educators are encouraged to apply here. brac.org/stemeducator.
