Business News

Plaza Tower under contract to potential buyer, but the deal isn't done yet

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Sep 29, 2023

An out-of-state investor has signed a purchase agreement with developer Joe Jaeger to buy the Plaza Tower, the blighted high rise and prominent eyesore on the edge of the Central Business District.

Biden administration calls for 3 oil and gas auctions in 5 years, all in Gulf of Mexico

BY ROBERT STEWART | Staff writer
Updated 18 hrs ago

More than a year after the initial draft was released, the Biden administration’s latest five-year plan for offshore drilling calls for a maximum of three oil and gas auctions in the next five…

In First NBC bank scandal, three more sentenced to prison

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Sep 28, 2023

A federal judge on Thursday handed prison terms to two former First NBC Bank executives and a businessman, each of whom pleaded guilty and cooperated with federal prosecutors in their case aga…

20,000-acre carbon capture hub planned for Calcasieu, Beauregard parishes

BY ROBERT STEWART | Staff writer
Updated Sep 28, 2023

A Houston midstream firm and a Mississippi timberland management company are partnering on a carbon capture hub in southwest Louisiana, the two businesses announced Thursday.

Resources

Key permit for big Koch Methanol expansion approved; some residents fear pollution risk

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Updated 19 hrs ago

The St. James Parish Council unanimously approved a plan to expand the Koch Methanol complex's production capacity by 25% after plant workers spoke to its safety and economic importance, while…

Orleans Parish property transfers for Sept. 18-22, 2023. See a list of home and other sale

Staff report
Updated Sep 28, 2023

Below is a compilation of properties sold in Orleans Parish for?Sept. 18-22, 2023. Data is compiled from public records.

East Jefferson property transfers for Sept. 8-14, 2023. See a list of home and other sales

Sep 28, 2023

Below is a compilation of properties sold in East Jefferson Parish for Sept. 8-14, 2023.?

West Jefferson property transfers for Sept. 8-14, 2023. See a list of home and other sales

Sep 28, 2023

Below is a compilation of properties sold in West Jefferson Parish from Sept. 8-14, 2023.?Data is compiled from public records.

St. Tammany property transfers for Sept. 5-11, 2023. See a list of home and other sales

Sep 28, 2023

ST. TAMMANY

LCMC Health clears legal hurdle in move to consolidate Tulane hospitals

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Sep 27, 2023

A federal judge in New Orleans has sided with LCMC Health in a fight with federal regulators over its acquisition of three Tulane-branded hospitals, ruling that the local health system sought …

White House declares emergency, pipeline planned as salt threatens drinking water

By MIKE SMITH | Staff writer
Sep 27, 2023

The White House declared an emergency Wednesday for four Louisiana parishes threatened by salt intrusion in drinking water and officials warned that barges would be insufficient to deal with t…

New Orleans preparing for three months of salt water in drinking water supply

By MIKE SMITH | Staff writer
Sep 27, 2023

New Orleans may need to deal with?salt threatening local drinking water supplies for as long as three months, meaning through January according to current forecasts, a top city official said W…

Water barges won't be enough for salt water intrusion in east bank New Orleans, Jefferson

By MIKE SMITH | Staff writer
Sep 27, 2023

Water barges will be insufficient to deal with salt intrusion at New Orleans' Carrolton plant and for the east bank of Jefferson Parish and construction of a pipeline to deliver water from fur…

Luxury metro homes range from brand-new to vibrant vintage

BY VICTOR ANDREWS | Staff writer
Sep 27, 2023

The New Orleans-area real estate portfolio is a dazzling mix of dwellings of all types, drawing on the city's rich heritage of influences, from the Old World styles of France, Spain and Englan…

As salt water moves upriver, New Orleans area hospitals, schools, stores ready preparations

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Sep 27, 2023

As a wedge of salt water makes its way up the Mississippi River, New Orleans area hospitals, school systems and other essential service providers are busy making preparations for the slow-movi…

State adds 8,500 jobs in August, majority of gains in Baton Rouge

BY TIMOTHY BOONE | Business editor
Updated Sep 26, 2023

The number of jobs in Louisiana rose by 8,500 from July to August, with more than half of the gains coming from the Baton Rouge metro area.

Five companies look to hire 70 at LED job fair

BY TIMOTHY BOONE | Business editor
Sep 26, 2023

Five companies are teaming up for a Louisiana Economic Development FastStart online job fair, which will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Salt water in the river: Will a government shutdown complicate the response?

By MIKE SMITH | Staff writer
Sep 26, 2023

Congress and the White House must meet a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government. But the Corps' efforts to protect drinking water fall under a different category.

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry names new CEO; see who it is

By JAMES FINN | Staff writer
Sep 26, 2023

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, widely viewed as the most powerful lobbying group in Baton Rouge, has tapped auto lobbyist Will Green as its new chief executive?after forme…

Appeals court gives feds more time for Gulf of Mexico oil auction; here's when it will be

BY ROBERT STEWART | Staff writer
Updated Sep 26, 2023

A New Orleans-based appeals court has given the Biden administration more time to hold the next Gulf of Mexico oil and gas auction, though it rebuffed the federal government's attempt to block…

Civil Rights museum "inaugural experience" space unveiled at convention center

BY ANTHONY MCAULEY | Staff writer
Sep 25, 2023

The first-ever permanent museum exhibit dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement in Louisiana was formally opened at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Monday by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser,…

Blue Cross backs off plan for $2.5 billion sale to Elevance Health

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Sep 25, 2023

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, the nonprofit that provides health insurance to more than 40% of the state's residents, is scrapping — for now —?its plan?to sell to Elevance Health, a…

Why Baton Rouge's drinking water isn't at risk from salt water like New Orleans' is

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Sep 25, 2023

A wedge of saltwater is moving up the Mississippi River a mile and half each day, but the largest Baton Rouge-area drinking water provider says their customers' drinking water will be fine.

Talking Business: After hiring struggle, IBM official says Baton Rouge center is continuing to grow

BY ROBERT STEWART | Staff writer
Sep 25, 2023

Amid much fanfare a decade ago, state officials announced a public-private partnership with IBM that led to a shiny, new downtown Baton Rouge complex that would house, among other things, a “c…

Underreporting of Olin leak called a breach of trust; $600K settlement keeps answers secret

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Sep 25, 2023

An Olin Chemical subsidiary that had a large chlorine leak and fire last year near Plaquemine, sending 39 people to the hospital, has agreed to pay $600,000 to state regulators to settle alleg…

A new exhibit will be a 'baby step' on long road to New Orleans civil rights museum

BY ANTHONY MCAULEY | Staff writer
Sep 24, 2023

A new $2 million permanent exhibit opening next month at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be the first concrete result from a decades-long push to build a civil-rights museum in New…

Promotions at OnPath, new hires at Kean Miller, Water Institute

Sep 24, 2023

New Orleans

Loyola president, Pennington head named to committees

Sep 24, 2023

John Kirwan, executive director of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been selected to serve on the Committee on Reducing Diet-Related Chronic Disease.