Back in black: The state Treasury’s investments for fiscal year 2010-11 paid bigger dividends than comparable market investments, says state Treasurer John Kennedy. The Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund saw a 3.93% return on its investments, while the Medicaid Trust Fund for the Elderly netted 3.47%, the Millennium Trust Fund 3.24% and the State General Fund 2.05%. By comparison, yields on U.S. Treasury Notes were 0.53% for the year. The Department of the Treasury is responsible for investing the state’s idle cash in the General Fund daily, as well as managing investment of nearly $3 billion in trust funds constitutionally dedicated to health care and education costs.
Going commercial: A coalition of business groups is launching a statewide advertising campaign, seeking new legislative momentum to put limits on civil lawsuits like those for asbestos claims. Two organizations representing a host of business lobbying groups and others are putting $70,000 into 30-second radio commercials and online ads to garner attention for what they call “frivolous” lawsuits that they claim are hurting Louisiana’s business climate.
Action! Parkview Baptist School is hosting partial filming of the Warner Brothers film Switch for two weeks beginning today. The film is a G-rated family production about a young boy fulfilling his dream of playing competitive basketball. In a letter to parents today, school director of advancement Joni Owens says filming will require some adjustments to the high school senior parking area, but adds the overall flow of carpool will not change.
Tiger bait: LSU’s Oct. 8 matchup against No. 12 Florida will be televised by CBS with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff, the SEC announced today. CBS has selected every biennial matchup between LSU and Florida schools in Tiger Stadium since 1999. No. 1 LSU will take on unranked Kentucky on Saturday at 11:20 a.m. at home.
