WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• Popular religious store to close for good Saturday

  April 30, 2013 10:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A popular spot for faithful to buy books and other religious materials is closing. The Bible and Book Store can't beat the competition created by the Internet and other new technology. Owners of the store on Government Street said the economy also took a toll on business.... more »

• The Advocate sold to businessman John Georges

  April 30, 2013 9:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Advocate, the city's daily newspaper, posted on its website Tuesday night, it had been sold to John Georges. "The Advocate, which dates back 171 years and serves readers from Lafayette to New Orleans, is one of the few newspapers in the United States whose print circulation... more »

• Coca-Cola to cut 750 jobs in US

  March 21, 2013 9:28 AM

  NEW YORK - Coca-Cola says it's cutting 750 jobs in the U.S. as it continues to streamline its business. The world's biggest beverage maker says the jobs cuts will be across the board and that affected individuals will be notified in coming weeks. The cuts represent roughly 1 percent of... more »

• NFL opening for business today

  March 12, 2013 10:40 AM

  UNDATED - A new NFL business year starts today at 4 p.m. ET and it's already generating plenty of excitement. We've been hearing about trades for days and many of them are expected to be officially announced later today. According to several reports, the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to ship... more »

• Leaders want parish to join trash pickup business Play Video

  February 25, 2013 2:15 PM

  NEW ROADS - For almost five years Progressive Waste Solutions has taken out the trash in Pointe Coupee Parish, but administrator Jim Bello is a part of a movement that wants the parish to handle the duties instead. "It's about $500,000 that we feel we can save if we... more »

• Reports: Microsoft may invest in Dell buyout

  January 22, 2013 12:03 PM

  NEW YORK - CNBC and The Wall Street Journal are reporting that the discussions to buy struggling computer maker Dell now include Microsoft as a potential investor. If Microsoft joins in a Dell buyout, CNBC and the Journal say the software maker would contribute $1 billion to $3 billion. That... more »

• Council committee does not back street name change

  January 16, 2013 10:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A committee of the city's Metro Council did not support renaming a street in the southern part of town. The Zoning Committee denied renaming a stretch of GSRI Ave. There has been a push to change it to Innovation Park Drive. LSU's Business and Technology Center... more »

• Baton Rouge expecting overflow, business from Super Bowl Play Video

  January 15, 2013 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge tourism officials expect hotel rooms to be at least 90 percent full when New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl next month. Visit Baton Rouge started a marketing campaign in NFL cities a few weeks ago. The focus is now centered on the remaining playoff... more »

• Gunman shoots man, himself at St. Louis school

  January 15, 2013 3:29 PM

  ST. LOUIS - Police say a gunman walked into a business school in downtown St. Louis and shot an administrator in the chest before shooting himself. Police Chief Sam Dotson said the shooting happened about 2 p.m. Tuesday. The administrator was a man in his 40s who was shot in... more »

• Water threatens popular Livingston restaurant Play Video

  January 11, 2013 10:36 PM

  LIVINGSTON - Water is threatening the livelihood of residents and business owners in Livingston Parish. Val's Marina, a well-known restaurant, was flooded out during Hurricane Isaac. After a week of rain, water is inching closer and closer to their doorstep. WBRZ's Rosa Flores does a walk-through of the... more »

• Conn. grants $500K for lost business in Newtown

  January 8, 2013 12:41 PM

  HARTFORD, Conn. - The state of Connecticut is giving $500,000 to businesses in Newtown that say they lost money because of the fallout from the school shooting there last month. The grant will help businesses that were hurt by road closings and entrances blocked by traffic, parked vehicles and crowds... more »

• Obama tax plan no small deal to small businesses

  December 10, 2012 2:47 PM

  WASHINGTON - Congressional budget experts say President Barack Obama's plan to raise taxes on top earners will have only a small impact on the economy. Don't tell that to the 940,000 small business owners who will pay more. All together, they will account for more than half the $1.3 trillion... more »

• GSRI could get name change Play Video

  December 7, 2012 5:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Innovation Park Drive is the name businesses leaders want on their letterhead, instead of GSRI Avenue. The name change would affect the road west of Gardere Lane where many technology companies reside, including the Louisiana Business & Technology Center. The LBTC want to expand it's hold on... more »

• Oscar maker plans layoffs in Chicago

  December 7, 2012 11:59 AM

  CHICAGO - The Chicago company that makes the familiar gold-plated Oscar statues is laying off almost 100 employees. R.S. Owens & Co. Inc. said this week in a notice to the Illinois Department of Commerce that it will lay off 95 workers on Dec. 17. The notice says the layoffs... more »

• Obama addresses CEOs, Native American leaders

  December 5, 2012 7:25 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama speaks to business leaders Wednesday morning amid the debate over how to avoid the fiscal cliff. Obama also plans to answer questions from members of the Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies. The group has been urging... more »

• Coupon site Bigtip.com shocking local businesses Play Video

  December 3, 2012 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A coupon site may be taking your money and creating problems for local business owners. Bigtip.com is a national coupon site based out of Seattle, Wash. They charge people a subscription fee to receive coupons for local restaurants and stores in Baton Rouge, including Mellow Mushroom,... more »

• Romney claims Obama doesn't understand business

  November 1, 2012 10:22 AM

  ROANOKE, Va. - Mitt Romney says President Barack Obama doesn't have a clue about how business works. The Republican presidential nominee also is taking aim at Obama for suggesting the creation of a secretary of business. Romney says "we don't need a secretary of business to understand business. We need... more »

• Obama: I've cut taxes for small business 18 times

  September 10, 2012 12:08 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says his administration has cut taxes on small business 18 times over the past four years. In an interview broadcast Monday on WPYO-FM in Orlando, Fla., the president says the Small Business Administration has expanded its lending capacity and lowered fees during the recent recession.... more »

• Many not taking Isaac's approach lightly Play Video

  August 24, 2012 4:48 PM

  CENTRAL - While forecasters are still uncertain about exactly where Tropical Storm Isaac will hit, some people around East Baton Rouge Parish aren't taking any chances. Several different tree service companies in the Baton Rouge area say business is picking up. Dale Small with Arbor Vision Tree Experts says... more »

• Magazine praises La. business climate

  July 23, 2012 9:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Business Facilities magazine has raised its ranking for Louisiana as a place to do business. The trade publication placed the state fifth in its top 10 list. A year ago, Louisiana was ranked seventh. The ranking represents measures of the state's climate for investment... more »

• Building boom in downtown Baton Rouge continues

  July 20, 2012 10:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Expect more businesses to pop up in downtown Baton Rouge. Plans are in the work to develop the area even more in the near future. News 2's Olivia LaBorde is speaking with developers. Watch her report tonight for more information on what's next for downtown Baton... more »

• Sorrento's mayor missing in action Play Video

  July 16, 2012 5:59 PM

  SORRENTO - Mayor Wilson Longanecker, Jr., who won his seat by one vote, has not stepped foot in his office for 145 days. His extended leave began in February when he took a medical absence citing a foot surgery, but since then hasn't returned any phone calls, text messages... more »

• Small biz: questions, waiting after health ruling

  June 28, 2012 5:28 PM

  NEW YORK - A big worry for small businesses who were against the Obama administration's health care law was that it would increase their costs. But now that the Supreme Court has upheld it, some small companies could opt to go a route that will save them thousands of dollars... more »

• Business robbery/shooting leaves employee dead in Baton Rouge

  June 19, 2012 10:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The city's latest murder happened Tuesday night on Plank Road at a tire shop. This is just north of Airline Highway. Police say someone tried to rob the business just after 7 p.m., then shot and killed a 21-year-old employee. Officers are not releasing the victim's name... more »

• Entrepreneurs gaining attention in BR Play Video

  June 1, 2012 9:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Entrepreneurs in the Baton Rouge area are getting their business pitches out to more possible investors thanks to an organization called SeNSE. The group started Pitch Night forums three years ago, and more than 35 hopeful business owners have taken advantage of the chance to share their... more »

• Legislature passes document privacy bill

  May 14, 2012 3:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Economic Development will be able to continue shielding records from public view, if the documents are involved in active negotiations to attract or keep companies to Louisiana. House Bill 208 by Rep. Erich Ponti, R-Baton Rouge, to extend the public records exemption indefinitely received... more »

• Obama signs small business legislation

  April 5, 2012 3:07 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed legislation that will help small businesses and make it easier for startups to raise capital. Obama says it's a "potential game-changer" for American entrepreneurs hoping to build and sell the next big thing. The legislation had bipartisan support, with backers saying it would... more »

• La. ranks 13th in growth of women-owned businesses Play Video

  March 30, 2012 11:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE - U. S. Census data shows women in Louisiana made gains when it comes to owning businesses. The data showed the number of women-owned businesses increased 60.9 percent since 1997. That puts it 13th in the nation for that type of growth. More than 100,000 businesses... more »

• Walker chips in for business program

  March 18, 2012 10:09 AM

  WALKER - The Walker Board of Aldermen has agreed to renew the city's $10,000 annual contribution to a program aimed at bringing new business to Livingston Parish. Reports say the board voted 3-1 this past week to approve the funding for the Livingston Economic Development Council's promotional program called Livingston... more »

• LSU's new business complex holds ribbon-cutting today

  March 2, 2012 11:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning for its new home, the Business Education Complex. The event started at 10:30 in the courtyard of the new facility. Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, served as the event's... more »

• Long-delayed plant to open in Hammond

  February 29, 2012 11:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE- A long-delayed manufacturing operation in Hammond is scheduled to begin operating late this year. According to the Advocate, Intralox chief executive Lawrence Oertling told a state board Tuesday that the plastic conveyor belt manufacturer plans to open during the fourth quarter. The Louisiana Commerce and Industry Board agreed... more »

• New bridge bringing new life to New Roads

  February 24, 2012 9:44 PM

  POINTE COUPEE- People in New Roads say they're seeing more traffic, more business and more interest since the Audubon Bridge opened nine months ago. The crossing connects Pointe Coupee Parish and West Feliciana Parish, where a ferry once was the only way across the Mississippi River there. Even... more »

• Geithner: Obama seeks 28 percent corp. tax rate

  February 22, 2012 11:06 AM

  WASHINGTON- Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says the current business tax system is bad for business and for job creation and says a plan by President Barack Obama to reduce corporate tax rates would make the tax system more globally competitive. The Obama administration is proposing to lower the corporate tax... more »

• China faces conflict of law, business in iPad dispute

  February 17, 2012 6:57 AM

  BEIJING - Chinese officials face a choice in Apple's dispute with a local company over the iPad trademark - side with a struggling entity that a court says owns the name or with a global brand that has created thousands of jobs in China. Experts say that means Beijing's political... more »

• Powerhouse Gym delay explained

  February 16, 2012 1:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Internal business issues appear to be the main reason for the opening delay of Powerhouse Gym on Sherwood Forrest according to the owner. The gym was scheduled to open several weeks ago. Some customers are frustrated with the delay. News2's Rob Krieger talked with the... more »

• Owners of Hammond personal care business indicted in Medicaid fraud scheme

  February 14, 2012 3:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A Baton Rouge grand jury has returned indictments against the owners of a Hammond personal care business for their role in operating a criminal enterprise designed to siphon dollars from the Louisiana Medicaid Program. Several of the owners family members were also charged for their involvement in... more »

• Synthetic marijuana consequences now include liquor license suspensions Play Video

  February 13, 2012 10:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Fines and arrests are not the only thing on tap for businesses caught selling synthetic marijuana in Louisiana anymore. The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is getting involved in the crackdown on the illegal products by throwing in a new consequence that includes suspending liquor and... more »

• Gov. Jindal proposes new business tax breaks

  February 2, 2012 2:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal is proposing to expand business incentive programs in a bid to attract new industry and corporate headquarters to Louisiana. Among the proposals are a rewriting of the corporate tax laws, expansion of a local property tax exemption program, a new incentive for... more »

• Lawn maintenance crews, nurseries booming Play Video

  January 20, 2012 5:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Velton Ross says his lawn service normally has a lull for about three weeks during the winter. The mild weather conditions prevented that from happening this year. Ross says that is good financially and good for his physical condition. He says he has not gained weight... more »

• Livington business cashes in on BCS fever

  January 9, 2012 5:47 PM

  LIVINGSTON- BCS Championship fever is paying off for businesses all over Louisiana. Wayne's BBQ in Livingston is definitely cashing in. Reece Key tells News 2 he brought the whole family down to Wayne's on game day for some of their famous ribs and a little football. He... more »

• La. couple arrested in Texas theft

  December 28, 2011 8:16 AM

  OAKDALE, La. (AP) - A Louisiana couple faces a theft charge in Texas. Louisiana State Police detectives arrested 38-year-old Daniel Orr of Elizabeth and 36-year-old Candice Orr of Oakdale after an investigation into an alleged theft of $200,000 from a Texas business. Detectives assisted the Houston Police Department with... more »

• Strong earnings, takeovers send stocks higher

  October 24, 2011 10:56 AM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are rising strongly after a round of corporate takeovers and reports that Europe's bailout fund will be larger than anticipated. Mattel and J.M. Smucker were among companies that rose after announcing acquisitions. Caterpillar jumped 5.5 percent after it raised its profit forecast for the year.... more »

• Truck crashes into Clinton business

  October 20, 2011 2:46 PM

  An auto parts store in Clinton is picking up the pieces after a truck crashed into their business Thursday afternoon. Police say an elderly man drove a truck into Clinton Auto Parts, after he stepped on the gas accidentally. There was one employee in the store at the... more »

• Business owner says ABC board member deserves arrest

  October 17, 2011 10:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A business owner, authorities say was caught up in an extortion and bribery scheme, says the appointed official accused of the crimes, deserved to get caught. Ralph Johnson, an almost-two year member of the ABC Board in Baton Rouge was arrested on one count of each charge... more »

• La DEQ waste permit applications online

  October 11, 2011 4:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says it has put most of its waste permit applications online, as part of its E-business initiative. A statement Tuesday said landfill, surface impoundment, wood waste processing or separation and Type I/II Processing are online. It says it's working to... more »

• New businesses coming to New Roads

  September 27, 2011 6:19 PM

  NEW ROADS-- New Roads has commitments from at least three businesses to build in the city within the next 18 months. "Home" for them will be what is now a soybean field. A new million-dollar road will connect Major Parkway and Hospital Road, something that attracted a super Wal-Mart... more »

• Ad campaign seeks limits on civil lawsuits

  September 26, 2011 1:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A coalition of business groups is launching a statewide advertising campaign, seeking new legislative momentum to put limits on civil lawsuits, like for asbestos claims. Two organizations representing a list of business lobbying groups and others are putting $70,000 into 30-second radio commercials and online ads... more »

• Business swoon as shipyard shutdown gets closer

  July 27, 2011 1:41 PM

  AVONDALE - Darcy Adams can't believe she used to make enough in tips to go shoe-shopping. Adams, bartender at O'Reilly's in Bridge City, now is among businesspeople in the Avondale shipyard area who've seen their business plummet in the past year. Since previous owner Northrop Grumman announced last July... more »

• Debit card charges on businesses to drop

  June 29, 2011 10:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Small business got a win against banks Wednesday, but you may get caught in the crossfire. The Federal Reserve told banks no more excessive fees for businesses accepting debit cards for payment. Businesses, like restaurants and retail outlets, were paying up to 44-cents per swipe, but... more »

• Highland Rd. construction nearly complete

  June 17, 2011 6:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A major widening project on Highland Road in south Baton Rouge is almost complete. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the stretch between Airline Highway and I-10. It'll open in less than a month, cost nearly $15 million and took two-and-a-half years to complete. ... more »

• Judge upholds denial of Suthern Kumfort license

  June 15, 2011 1:37 PM

  GONZALES - A judge in Ascension Parish has upheld the denial of a sexually-oriented business license for a troubled gentleman's club in Prairieville. The Suthern Kumfort's license was originally not approved by Councilman Pat Bell, after a clerical error delayed the license from reaching his desk by a few... more »

• Fire continues to burn at New Iberia chemical plant

  June 15, 2011 2:47 AM

  NEW IBERIA- A fire at a chemical plant in Iberia Parish continues to burn after a series of explosions Tuesday afternoon. The first blast occurred just before 4 p.m. at at a facility owned by Multi-Chem Group LLC. It was followed by several more explosions, resulting in a large... more »

• Explosions rock La. chemical plant; no injuries

  June 14, 2011 4:45 PM

  NEW IBERIA, La. - State police say no one was injured in explosions that rocked a chemical plant in a southern Louisiana industrial park, forcing evacuations within a mile of the factory. Trooper Stephen Hammons says all employees are accounted for. He says Iberia Regional Airport was closed Tuesday... more »

• Rumors of flooding hurt business in Butte LaRose

  June 8, 2011 5:18 PM

  BUTTE LaROSE - Business is slower than usual at Frenchman's Wilderness Campground in Butte LaRose. The camp's owner says that's because of rumors about flooding. "Everyone thinks that there's water everywhere around here, and there's absolutely nothing on the ground here, nothing at all," Marcus Ruiz said. The... more »

• Denham Springs improves fire rating

  June 7, 2011 9:56 AM

  DENHAM SPRINGS - Denham Springs officials say the city's fire rating improved to a Class 2 - which means businesses and homeowners could save some money on their insurance. Ratings range from Class 1, which is the best, to Class 10, and a city's rating is reviewed every five... more »

• Business owner says oil spill claim caught in "Catch-22"

  April 25, 2011 10:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Some companies in the oil industry haven't seen a dime of BP claims money. They're in a "catch-22" as lawyers argue over if they lost business because of the spill, or due to the deep-water drilling moratorium that followed. BP set up a $20 billion fund... more »

• Three arrested after marijuana found at business

  April 22, 2011 3:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Narcotics detectives found more than 36 pounds of marijuana and thousands in cash during a search of a Baton Rouge carpet-cleaning company this week. Sgt. Don Stone said detectives arrested 50-year-old Charlie Robins, 51-year-old Renee Sonnia Lee, and 52-year-old Gaylord G. Lee as a result of... more »

• Businesses say claims process unfair, failing

  April 20, 2011 10:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- While some big companies got millions in payments for BP claims, a lot of little guys are still waiting. Even though $4 billion has been handed out, people we talked to say nothing seems to be good enough to Claims Administrator Ken Feinberg to get their fair... more »

• Grand Isle still suffering one year after oil spill

  April 20, 2011 2:53 PM

  GRAND ISLE - Restaurants on Grand Isle are still feeling the pain of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, one year later. The Starfish Restaurant hardly serves a breakfast some mornings, compared with the packed chairs they would normally expect this time of year. That is because most of the... more »

• Startup Weekend gives kick-start to businesses

  April 10, 2011 7:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Dozens of hopeful entrepreneurs turned out to the city's first ever "Startup Weekend" at Pleasant Hall at LSU. The program is a virtual incubator for fresh business ideas and gives would be startups the fuel they need to hit the ground running. "There are lots of programs... more »

• Severe storms damage homes and businesses

  April 5, 2011 5:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Severe storms uprooted trees and downed power lines across the News 2 viewing area Monday night, leaving a lot of damage to clean up today. In a neighborhood near College Drive and South Foster some residents compared the fallout to Hurricane Gustav. "Within a matter of... more »

• Victims identified in Baton Rouge business shooting

  March 28, 2011 2:18 PM

  UPDATE: BATON ROUGE - Sheriff's deputies released the names of the men killed in a shooting at a Baton Rouge business over the weekend. Major Lawrence McLeary says Randy Cheney and Edward Gurtner were shot inside the Carquest Auto Parts store near the intersection of Airline Highway and Siegen... more »

• Smash-and-grabs taking more than just initial steal from BR businesses

  March 25, 2011 9:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A series of "smash and grabs" have police in Baton Rouge working to get the thief off the streets. Seven businesses were targeted this week. Another five were hit last week. Now investigators are looking to see if they're all connected. The businesses burglarized say the... more »

• Lemonade Day Announced

  March 17, 2011 12:07 PM

  Baton Rouge - If you're a lemonade fan mark May 7th on your calendar. That's because on that day 5,000 children in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette will be running their own lemonade stands as part of an initiative to teach children how to start, own and operate their... more »

• Jindal proposes renewal of business tax breaks

  February 16, 2011 2:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - Despite state budget gaps, Gov. Bobby Jindal is proposing to renew several tax breaks for businesses, including one that gives companies rebates for creating high quality jobs. Also on the governor's list are the extension of tax breaks for research and development and technology commercialization... more »

• School, business closings for Friday, Feb. 4

  February 3, 2011 12:10 PM

  Friday, Feb. 4 Closures: Note: Catholic Diocese schools close when their respective civil parish schools are also closed. SCHOOLS ACS Montessori Preschool Advance BR Charter Schools Amite County Public Schools Amite Christian School Ascension Public Schools Ascension Prepatory School Assumption Parish Schools Baker Schools Baton Rouge International School... more »

• Fires destroy office, home in Baton Rouge

  January 24, 2011 11:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Two fires that happened within minutes of each other destroyed a home and a business office this weekend, according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department. The office of an auto repair shop at 7300 Scenic Highway was completely destroyed Sunday night, while investigators think a stove left... more »

• CATS cuts could affect BR businesses

  January 18, 2011 10:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Users of Baton Rouge's transit system say if major changes are made to routes and services, they could get fired. And business owners argue, the city can't run without a bus service. Employers and employees say you may not ride the bus, but many people who work... more »

• Businesses, families still struggling after oil spill

  January 11, 2011 10:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Many say a one-time payment months ago from the Gulf Coast Claims Center isn't helping anymore. And without any more money, they're without work and struggling to survive at home. That's what hundreds on the coast have told claims administrator Ken Feinberg at town hall meetings... more »

• Fire at Baton Rouge carpet seller ruled arson

  January 6, 2011 4:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Investigators say a fire that damaged a well-known carpet business in north Baton Rouge this morning was caused by arson. Firefighters were called to Carpet Kingdom and Interiors around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, and flames were showing through the building’s roof when they arrived. The fire destroyed the... more »

• Governor talks business at latest stakeholder meeting

  December 13, 2010 8:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Economic development held the table at Governor Bobby Jindal's stakeholders meeting Monday, part of a series of talks on budget issues facing the state. The governor has said at each of these meetings he does not plan to raise taxes or roll back any tax exemptions,... more »

• Businesses not balking at new sewer system

  December 2, 2010 6:07 PM

  GONZALES- Several businesses in Ascension Parish are backing a planned sewer system that could be installed on the East bank of the parish. The Ascension council is voting on a plan tonight. The vote comes after the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality warned the parish of their water quality... more »

• Portion of S. Harrell's Ferry Road to reopen this week

  November 14, 2010 11:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE – After two months of delays, drivers and business owners in Baton Rouge were relieved to hear a portion of South Harrell’s Ferry Road is scheduled to be reopened this week. Officials with the Department of Public Works said workers are planning to reopen one lane of the... more »

• Car crashes into Baton Rouge business

  November 3, 2010 6:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police said one woman was taken to the hospital after her car crashed into the front of a business this afternoon. Cpl. L'Jean McKneely with BRPD said the woman told EMS that she was driving in the parking lot and had a pain in her leg... more »

• Small business owners seek opportunities at summit

  October 28, 2010 1:06 PM

  Small business owners filled the Baton Rouge River Center today to find out how they could take advantage of new tax cuts and other measures that were recently signed into law. Speakers at the Baton Rouge Small Business Summit included Senator Mary Landrieu, the chair of the Senate Small Business... more »

• Entergy expects growth, says they're complying with probe

  October 15, 2010 11:41 AM

  Power provider Entergy Corp., which is currently under federal investigation for its business practices, is expecting double-digit earnings growth. Entergy announced Friday that they expect third-quarter earnings per share to grow 13 percent from the same period last year, which beats Wall Street's expectations. Entergy attributed the forecast to a... more »

• Business owners react to new crime initiative

  October 7, 2010 5:34 PM

  There are mixed emotions today from downtown business owners about the plan to curb crime in Baton Rouge. Some business owners support the plan but question whether it will work. Law enforcement will have to prove it with their actions. Freddie Taylor, the owner of Po Boy Lloyds,... more »

• Documents claim BR, Lafayette officials took bribes

  October 6, 2010 4:25 PM

  New documents in a federal case involving a crime camera business claim the owner paid thousands of dollars in kickbacks to technology coordinators in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The documents allege that starting in 2006, Mark St. Pierre, the owner of NetMethods, “showered” Baton Rouge’s Director of Information Services,... more »

• Fire at sandblasting company evacuates nearby homes

  October 4, 2010 3:15 PM

  A fire at an Ascension Parish business forced several nearby homes to be evacuated early this afternoon. Fire crews were called to Double-S Sandblasting & Paint on state highway 74 in Gonzales this afternoon. Witnesses said the company's warehouse where paint and chemicals are stored caught fire, and that... more »

• Learn more about social media at Coastal Social

  September 27, 2010 7:15 AM

  Learn more about how to use social media in your business or group at Coastal Social. Coastal Social is a one-day summit for regional social media professionals, enthusiasts and business owners. Come meet the South's leaders in social media marketing and learn from the best in the business. Coastal... more »

• Credit, small business bill sent to President's desk

  September 23, 2010 2:15 PM

  Democrats controlling Congress are sending President Barack Obama a long-delayed bill to help struggling small businesses with easier credit and give them other incentives to expand and to hire new workers. The legislation passed by a 237-187 vote that split along party lines. It establishes a $30 billion government fund... more »

• SBA says it's ready to handle next disaster

  August 24, 2010 10:39 AM

  The federal Small Business Administration says over the past five years it has upgraded technology and streamlined the entire loan process to improve how it helps disaster victims. But questions linger about whether the agency is prepared to handle storms on the scale of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which caused... more »

• Gov't says expect new oil spill claims regulations

  August 23, 2010 5:20 PM

  The federal government's lead man for oil spill related claims said to expect new regulations in the claims process. Spill compensation fund coordinator Ken Feinberg said there will be clean lines drawn to determine who qualifies for benefits and who doesn't. 154,000 claims have been filed since the Deepwater... more »

• Fire truck business boosts parish finances

  August 9, 2010 9:40 PM

  The national unemployment rate is still lagging, but business is firing back up at a fire truck company in Livingston Parish. Ferrara has a $3 million order, and that's helping the parish out of hard economic times. "We're looking at it with guarded optimism right now, but we're happy... more »