Endorsed: U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond has endorsed Democrat Sharon Weston Broome in the Baton Rouge mayor’s race. In a statement, Richmond, who retained his House seat in the Nov. 8 primary election, praises Broome, a former state senator, for her style of leadership and their ongoing working relationship. “Baton Rouge is at a critical juncture and I believe Sharon Weston Broome is best qualified to lead the entire parish through these difficult times,” Richmond says. Broome’s opponent, Republican state Sen. Bodi White, also has received a notable endorsement, though from an unlikely source. Metro Councilman John Delgado, a former foe, threw his support behind White earlier this week. Delgado had previously criticized White for legislation the councilman says impeded progress of the Comite River Diversion Canal, an accusation White has denied. Delgado now says he believes White is the best candidate to lead Baton Rouge into the future. The runoff election is on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Permission granted: The Louisiana Public Service Commission has given Entergy Louisiana approval to build a new natural gas-fired, combined-cycle power plant in St. Charles Parish, The Associated Press reports. Entergy says in a news release that today’s PSC vote clears the way for the company to move forward with construction on the 980-megawatt unit in Montz, roughly 30 miles from New Orleans. The plant will cost approximately $869 million to build, including transmission and other project-related costs, and is expected to be in service by June 2019. Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO, says the new plant will provide southeast Louisiana with a reliable source of clean, affordable energy to meet customer demand and help drive economic growth.
Open for business: Patient Plus Urgent Care’s newest clinic opened today at 7353 Jefferson Highway, next door to City Pork Brasserie & Bar. The Bocage spot is the urgent care’s second Baton Rouge location to open. Another Patient Plus Urgent Care is located in Mid City. “Our Mid-City clinic on Florida Boulevard filled a much-needed health care void in the area, and we look forward to continuing to serve communities through our convenient neighborhood locations,” Patient Plus Chief Medical Officer Rubin Patel says in a statement. Patient Plus Urgent Care treats most common illnesses and injuries such as sniffles, rashes, fevers, aches and breaks. Additional clinics are scheduled to open in the Southdowns neighborhood on the corner of Perkins Road and Lee Drive and at 4343 Sherwood Forest Blvd.
