Here’s the plan: The public is invited to see a preliminary draft of LSU’s comprehensive and strategic master plan during an open forum, taking place from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday in the Memorial Tower. Seattle-based NBBJ was hired to create the master plan, and representatives will present a draft at the meeting. Input received at the meeting will be used to craft the development of the plan’s final version. LSU Student Government also is sponsoring a forum from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday for students. Get complete details on the meetings and the master plan.
More time: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has again extended a program that covers hotel or motel rentals for Louisiana flood victims who cannot yet return to their homes. The Associated Press reports it’s the fifth time FEMA has granted a 30-day extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which will now end on March 11. The state requested the extension due to a lack of rental resources and because of significant, widespread damage to homes throughout Louisiana. FEMA also has extended the Proof of Loss deadline for National Flood Insurance Program policyholders affected by the August flood. Policyholders now have 270 days from the date of their loss to return Proof of Loss forms to their flood insurance carrier.
Turning around: Sears Holdings Corp soared 52% to $8.40 in early trading this morning after CEO Eddie Lampert vowed to fix the troubled retailer, saying he would lower its debt burden and cut annual expenses by at least $1 billion. Bloomberg reports the cost savings will be part of a push to reduce overhead and more tightly integrate the Sears and Kmart operations, the company says. Lampert also plans to slash debt and pension obligations by $1.5 billion. It had been down 40% this year through Thursday’s close, battered by concerns about mounting losses and declining sales. Sears plans to close dozens of stores nationwide, including its anchor location at Cortana Mall. Read the full story.
