Video games: When Planned Parenthood supporters protest outside the Louisiana governor’s mansion, they’ll be greeted by a movie screen showing hidden-camera videos targeting the organization. The Associated Press reports that Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office says it will play videos released by an anti-abortion group showing Planned Parenthood officials describing how they provide aborted fetus tissue for medical research. Those videos have provoked fierce criticism of Planned Parenthood. Jindal cited them when ending Medicaid payments to the organization’s clinics. The Planned Parenthood protest is Thursday afternoon, with supporters saying Jindal’s decision to cut off Medicaid payments limits health services for the poor. Federal officials have warned states that blocking Planned Parenthood from Medicaid could violate the law.
Gaining steam: U.S. home resales rose more than expected in July to their highest level since 2007, a sign the U.S. housing market was heating up and could provide more support for the overall economy. As Reuters reports, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday existing home sales increased 2% to an annual rate of 5.59 million units. June’s sales pace was revised slightly lower to 5.48 million units from the previously reported 5.49 million units. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast home resales falling to a 5.44 million-unit pace last month. Sales were up 10.3% from a year ago. A string of strong reports on the U.S. housing market supports the view that the U.S.economy is building up steam and closing in on the point when the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates to keep it from overheating. Read the full story.
Grounded: Bearing Point Properties, a Baton Rouge-based development company owned by John Buzzell and Deane Bryson, announced today that it has broken ground on a 168-unit upscale apartment community in Walker. The complex, which will be named Creekside Crossing, will be located on an 8-acre tract on Walker North Road just north of its intersection with U.S. 190. The first units are expected to open in early summer 2016. The gated community will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units with amenities such as high ceilings, quartz countertops and large walk-in closets, Bearing Point says in a news release. Planned community amenities include a fitness facility, a state-of-the-art clubhouse overlooking a resort-style pool and a deck with an outdoor kitchen.
