That’s entertainment: Gov. John Bel Edwards is the keynote speaker for the inaugural Louisiana Entertainment Summit taking place Tuesday, March 27, at L’Auberge Casino and Hotel. Edwards will outline his vision for state’s entertainment programs, a news release says. Louisiana Economic Development also will provide an overview of the live, digital, film and interactive activities taking place in the state. Other speakers include LED Secretary Don Pierson, CBS Studios executive Jerry Brandt, and Sam Viosin of SMG. Get more information.
Death watch: Ascena Retail Group, the parent company of mall and strip center women’s clothing chains like Ann Taylor, Loft and Lane Bryant, is on the brink of financial disaster, Bloomberg reports. Ascena had 4,690 stores at the end of the latest quarter, but the chain’s financial problems are wide-ranging. The company still carries debt from the 2015 acquisition of Ann Taylor, and it has struggled with product misses at Ann Taylor and Loft chains in the last quarter. Ascena has been on a store-closing spree since the end of the latest fiscal year and has hundreds of more closures planned. Read more.
Rising interest: The Federal Reserve at its meeting today lifted its key interest rate from 1.5% to 1.75%, the highest level since 2008, reports The Washington Post. The move was widely expected as the economy continues to strengthen and the stock market remains near record highs. The central bank also boosted its forecast for U.S. economic growth this year and next. The economy is on track to expand 2.7% this year and 2.4% in 2019, Fed officials say. Read more.
