Research ambitions: Grambling State University President Martin Lemelle is pursuing R2 research university status, which would expand the school’s research activity, graduate programs and industry partnerships. Grambling secured more than $12 million in research funding last year, including $7 million from the National Science Foundation, but must increase annual research spending to $5 million and produce at least 20 qualifying doctoral graduates annually to achieve R2 status. Lemelle plans to initially give eight professors more time for research while seeking additional federal and private funding and building partnerships to support economic mobility in north Louisiana. Louisiana Illuminator has the full story.
Gulf Coast on alert: A tropical system developing in the Bay of Campeche could reach the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend, but the current forecast suggests it will skirt the heart of offshore oil and gas production and avoid many major refineries and processing facilities in Texas and Louisiana. The system has a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Isaias, with landfall most likely near the Alabama-Mississippi border Saturday. While heavy rain and potential tornadoes pose risks, stronger wind shear is expected to limit the storm’s intensity and reduce the threat to Gulf energy infrastructure. Bloomberg has the full story.
Iran targets more ships: Iran has intensified attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, with nearly 20 commercial ships targeted over the past month, putting the recent recovery in Persian Gulf oil exports at risk. Crude shipments have increased as U.S. forces protect a southern shipping route and tankers use costly ship-to-ship transfers, but volumes remain below prewar levels while freight, insurance and security costs have surged. Despite more oil reaching global markets, continued attacks and elevated risks are keeping Brent crude near $100 a barrel and raising questions about whether current flows can be sustained. CNBC has the full story.
