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Why Trump wants US oil companies back in Venezuela
President Trump says he wants U.S. oil giants to move back into Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, promising billions in investment...
‘LaPolitics’: Lawmakers question Venezuela action
While most Republican lawmakers publicly backed the Trump Administration’s overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Democratic members of Louisiana’s delegation have suggested, or outright...
Investar closes on its acquisition of Texas-based First National Bank
Investar Holding Corporation has completed its acquisition of Wichita Falls Bancshares Inc., the holding company for First National Bank in Wichita Falls, Texas, expanding...
Roundup: Health care costs / Nancy Landry / Oil prices
Credits expire: Enhanced tax credits that have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordable Care Act enrollees expired...
Target buys land for its new Livingston Parish location
Target has purchased land for a proposed new store in the Juban Crossing development.
The retailer acquired the roughly 11.8-acre tract near the northwest corner...
‘LaPolitics’: US House Speaker Johnson said to oppose Trump’s pot policy
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport pushed back hard against President Donald Trump’s plan to change federal cannabis policy, according to National Public...
Meet the teenagers leading their own AI companies
A new wave of teenage entrepreneurs is building real businesses around artificial intelligence—often before they can drive a car, The Wall Street Journal writes.
Armed...
How did Baton Rouge’s casinos fare in November?
After a revenue surge in October, Baton Rouge’s casinos had another solid month in November.
Collectively, the casinos posted $22.7 million in revenue in November,...
When passion isn’t enough: Why new ventures fall apart
Only about half of new businesses survive their first two years, and just one-third make it to five.
The reasons go far beyond bad luck.
A...
Oil markets close 2025 in retreat as glut fears grow
Global oil markets are closing out 2025 with their steepest annual decline since the pandemic, as swelling supplies overwhelm a year dominated by wars,...
Roundup: M&A deals / Market update / State Rep. Paula Davis
Looking ahead: After a record 68 global megadeals above $10 billion in 2025, Wall Street banks expect another blockbuster year in 2026, fueled by...
Can Mayor Edwards’ vision for Baton Rouge endure when his budget is shrinking?
On the campaign trail, Sid Edwards spoke in the language of possibility. A longtime football coach and political outsider, he pitched himself as a...
US initial unemployment claims dip below 200,000
Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week with layoffs remaining low despite a weakening labor market.
U.S. applications for jobless claims fell to 199,000...
Here’s what local auto dealers expect the market to look like in 2026
After years of volatility driven by supply shortages, rising prices and shifting consumer behavior, Baton Rouge-area auto dealers say the region’s car market has...
Gov. Landry fast-tracks special elections for Supreme Court and BESE seats
Gov. Jeff Landry has set a compressed special-election schedule to fill two Northshore vacancies on the Louisiana Supreme Court and the state Board of...
Roundup: Diversity hiring / Climate change / US materials companies
Under investigation: The Trump administration has opened civil investigations into corporate diversity hiring programs, using the False Claims Act—a law historically aimed at billing...
Louisiana’s rural hospitals set to get help from a federal funding initiative
Louisiana is set to receive $208 million in new federal funding aimed at stabilizing and modernizing rural hospitals, Louisiana Illuminator writes.
The money is a...
‘LaPolitics’: Democratic candidates slowly emerging in US Senate race
Now that former Gov. John Bel Edwards has officially dashed any hopes that he will run against U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy in 2026, the...
Jefferson Highway retail and office complex sells for $4.4M
Bocage Square, an eight-building retail and office complex on Jefferson Highway, has changed hands.
David DiVincenti purchased the property from The Settlement at Bocage LLC...
As Corporate America thrives, small businesses tighten their belts
America’s economy is booming—if you’re big enough, The Wall Street Journal writes.
While corporate giants are riding record profits and the artificial intelligence rally, many...
