Opening arguments: State lawyers are headed to a federal appeals court in hopes of reviving a law requiring doctors who perform abortions in Louisiana to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. A federal district judge in Baton Rouge blocked enforcement of the law, and now a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans will hear arguments on the case today. The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a similar Texas law. Supporters say abortion doctors need to be able to admit patients to a hospital within 30 miles in case of medical complications. Opponents, however, argue the law would make it very difficult or impossible for many women to obtain abortions.
Working on a deal: Galenfeha Inc., a Texas-based publicly traded engineering firm, says it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Fleaux Services of Louisiana, a six-year-old oil and gas company based in Shreveport, for $18 million. The acquisition is contingent on Galenfeha’s ability to raise the funds to finance the deal, a news release says. Fleaux Services founder Trey Moore is expected to assume the role of Galenfeha’s chief executive officer if the deal goes through. Fleaux Services is a provider of oil and gas measurement, automation, and control equipment. The company reported first quarter 2018 revenues of approximately $12 million. Read more.
In and out: Record exports trimmed the U.S. trade deficit in March, the first drop in seven months in a massive gap that President Donald Trump is determined to shrink with an aggressive America first policy. The Commerce Department says the trade deficit—the difference between what America sells and what it buys in foreign markets—slid to $49 billion, down from $57.7 billion in February and lowest since September. Exports rose in March to a record $208.5 billion, led by shipments of civilian aircraft and soybeans. Imports slipped 1.8% to $257.5 billion. Read more.
