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JR Ball: Why is Baton Rouge dedicated to failure?
If we’ve learned anything in Baton Rouge over the past few years, it’s this: Dedicated taxes—and independent taxing authorities—are a waste of taxpayer money.
Such,...
Riegel: Living in an era of digital distractions
My Twitter feed recently sent me a “rare family photograph of Kim Kardashian West and clan.” I didn’t want to click on it but...
Publisher: Alton Sterling videos shocking and painful
“The facts of the event are not much in dispute,” says international police union president Sam Cabral. “The officers were called to the location...
JR Ball: LSU initiative should tackle poverty
LSU is out to solve the state’s problems.
For reasons we’ll get into later, those running our flagship university—as part of its Strategic Plan 2025—have...
Riegel: Questions raised by the Baton Rouge Zoo debate
(Editor's Note: This column has been updated from an earlier version to include new information since its original publication.)
The debate over moving BREC’s Baton...
Publisher: Enough of the trash talking Baton Rouge
Our recent cover story was titled “Blight Rouge.” It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. Some might say there are bigger issues...
JR Ball: St. George is just another Baton Rouge taxing district
What does the disaster known as Louisiana’s special legislative session and the second go-round of the St. George incorporation movement have in common?
Both are...
Riegel: Once again, Louisiana is dead last
On the same late February day that economic development officials from across Louisiana were gathering at L’Auberge Casino for the third annual Statewide Economic...
Publisher: Who’s responsible for St. George?
There are many critics of those who want to organize the city of St. George. But let’s look back and see who is really...
JR Ball: Making dollars-and-cents of the Louisiana Legislature
This much seems certain: There will be no meaningful budget or tax reforms in Louisiana as long as there’s a Democrat living in the...
Riegel: DPW reorganization revisted
In 2014, former Mayor Kip Holden’s administration decided the citizens of Baton Rouge would be better served if the Department of Public Works was...
Publisher: North Baton Rouge…make something happen
We often hear about all the needs or complaints of north Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge North Economic Development District was approved by voters...
JR Ball: A lesson in budget cutting … Louisiana style
Bill John Edmunds, a 30-something hipster, and his fabulous wife Daniella have a budget problem. The cool couple—with two equally hipster kids, a Cavalier...
Riegel: A moment of truth for the business community
About this time last year, many—though not all—of the Capital Region’s business leaders and organizations came out in support of a proposed gasoline tax...
Publisher: LSU: Louisiana’s franchise player
In pro sports, a franchise player is the best player on the team. Someone who leadership builds their franchise around to win in the...
Publisher: The Louisiana budget war has begun—again
When Gov. John Bel Edwards presented his budget, he claimed he had already cut $600 million since he took office. State Sen. Sharon Hewitt...
Riegel: Realities of the Louisiana budget situation
The state’s current budget situation—as much as a $1 billion revenue shortfall come July 1—is troubling, not in the least because lawmakers have known...
JR Ball: The brutal Baton Rouge truth according to Jim Bernhard
God bless Jim Bernhard for having some serious chutzpah.
The driving force behind Shaw Group becoming a Fortune 500 company and the guy launching another...
JR Ball: The TOPS of Louisiana’s political pyramid
TOPS is the most important entitlement program in Louisiana. We know this because every year when Gov. John Bel Edwards and state House Republicans...
Riegel: Bayou Café owner Frank Brown is making a difference in north Baton Rouge
Recently, I wrote a Daily Report story about a new social enterprise being launched by Frank Brown, the longtime owner and executive chef of...
