On the sidelines: Diagnosed with cancer, LSU’s live tiger mascot, Mike VI, won’t take the field during home football games this season but will remain in his habitat instead, The Associated Press reports. The university says in light of Mike’s recent cancer diagnosis, no attempt will be made to load him into his trailer. Instead, officials say he will be let out into his yard early on game day so Tiger fans can see and visit with him throughout the day. In June, Mike received treatment for spindle cell sarcoma, a lemon-sized swelling that had nearly closed one of his eyes. Since then, officials say the tumor has shrunk and his attitude, weight and appetite are normal. Still, they say Mike remains terminally ill, with perhaps up to two years to live.
Across an ocean: PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans announced this morning the opening of its first shop in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The Associated Press reports that Ballard Brands, PJ’s parent company, appointed TRG International—represented by Rick Yvanovich—as Vietnam’s master franchisee. He plans to open a second PJ’s location in December and at least 10 additional shops in the next five years. PJ’s shop in Vietnam features the company’s full menu with pastries, teas and iced, frozen and hot coffee drinks, the company says in a news release. PJ’s was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan and operates 85 coffee shops in seven states.
Paid off: Renewable Energy Group says it has paid in full $100 million in Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds it used to finance the construction of its Geismar refinery. The bonds were issued by the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority and had a 2033 maturity date. “We redeemed the GOZone bonds prior to maturity with restricted cash to reduce our long-term debt and to eliminate costs associated with the bonds,” says Chad Stone, REG Chief Financial Officer, in a news release. Renewable Energy Group acquired the Geismar biorefinery in June 2014. The plant produces renewable hydrocarbon diesel, renewable naphtha and renewable LPG. Read the full release.
