Returning in 2027: Louisiana is planning to bring back its recreational alligator hunting season in 2027 after 3,606 hunters harvested 1,817 alligators during the inaugural October 2026 season. The hunt ran Oct. 1-31 across eight zones, with resident participants paying at least $75 for an application and hunting license. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries credited decades of conservation efforts for restoring the state’s alligator population, while noting that the separate commercial alligator industry contributes more than $250 million annually to Louisiana’s economy. The Center Square has the full story.
$34.5M investment: GE Vernova Transformers Shreveport LLC will invest $34.5 million to expand its Shreveport manufacturing facility, creating 175 direct jobs and retaining 637 existing positions. The upgrades will add manufacturing equipment and improve production capacity for industrial and renewable energy transformers, including those used in data centers and battery energy storage systems. Construction and equipment installation will continue through 2027, with full production capacity expected in 2028.
Rate watch: Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller says the central bank may need to raise interest rates by half a percentage point in December if inflation remains elevated, rather than the more typical quarter-point increase. October data shows core consumer prices rose 0.3% and overall prices increased 0.4% from September, exceeding economists’ expectations. A larger rate hike would increase borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, including mortgages, auto loans and business financing, as the Fed continues efforts to control inflation. The Washington Post has the full story.
Who should bear the cost of road improvements needed for SpaceX’s planned Louisiana spaceport?
