‘Business Report,’ councilmen sued: The contractor who worked on a new headquarters for East Baton Rouge Parish’s mosquito abatement agency is suing Baton Rouge Business Report and Metro Councilmen Dwight Hudson and Matt Watson, alleging defamation. In a story published in February, Business Report Editor Stephanie Riegel detailed the rising costs of the project under the management of Gary Beard and his company, Beard International. Business Report did issue three corrections to the story—both online and in print—after Beard brought them to the attention of the publication. “We corrected errors that Mr. Beard brought to our attention back in April, and we regret those errors,” Attorney Larry Roedel says, speaking for Business Report. “We stand behind our story.” Business Report also notes that despite allegations in the lawsuit to the contrary, time-stamped text messages between the councilmen indicate they did not receive a copy of the magazine containing the story until after it had been published and was available to the public.
Debate: Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican Eddie Rispone will square off tonight in their first and only televised gubernatorial debate ahead of the Nov. 16 runoff election. The debate will take place at the Louisiana Public Broadcasting studio in Baton Rouge and will air at 7 p.m.
New trophy home: As longtime Florida Boulevard staple Trophy House enters its 60th year in business, they’ll be moving next door, says owner Joe Stablier, who recently sold his property to All Star Catering owner Brian Medlin. Medlin also purchased the building next door, where Trophy House is moving. “He just made me a good offer,” Stablier says, adding he has arranged to lease from Medlin in the building next door. “We are not going out of business, we’ll have the same phone number, same parking lot and same sign.” Stablier says his daughter will be taking over the business and has exciting plans for the future as he heads toward retirement.
