State’s revenue share falls: The Louisiana Lottery transferred $194 million to the state in fiscal 2026, up $12.5 million from the previous year, as total ticket sales rose 8.1% to $628 million, driven largely by Powerball. However, the share of each lottery revenue dollar reaching the state fell to 30.8 cents, down from 31 cents in fiscal 2025 and 31.9 cents in fiscal 2024, with proceeds primarily supporting Louisiana’s public school funding program. Despite the lower lottery contribution, the decline does not necessarily mean schools received less funding, as the state budget offset a projected $5.17 million reduction in lottery support with about $10.37 million in additional state general fund dollars. The Center Square has the full story.
South Korea not sold: South Korea is taking a cautious approach to a proposed $50 billion Alaska LNG project, despite President Donald Trump presenting it as part of Seoul’s broader $200 billion U.S. investment package. The project would offer South Korea a shorter shipping route but faces high construction costs that could make its LNG more expensive than supplies from Australia, the U.S. Gulf Coast and Qatar. South Korean buyers are weighing cost overruns, long-term gas demand and financing risks before committing, with government support and the project’s final LNG price likely to be key factors. CNBC has the full story.
Renaming to Skydance: Paramount Skydance will rename itself Skydance after completing its planned $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery next week. CEO David Ellison says the new name is intended to give the combined company its own identity while keeping Paramount, Warner Bros. and their brands prominent. The merger cleared a major regulatory hurdle this week after a federal judge approved a settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 state attorneys general. Bloomberg has the full story.
