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• New jobs and energy gains helping lift US economy

  May 5, 2013 10:42 AM

  WASHINGTON - A stronger-than-expected April rebound in job creation and recent dramatic discoveries of vast U.S. oil and gas reserves are helping to lift the American economy out its long funk. The economic advances also are drawing attention to the importance of private-sector innovation rather than government policy in fostering... more »

• 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 »

• Strong housing and auto sales boost economy

  April 17, 2013 7:43 PM

  WASHINGTON- A new Federal Reserve survey says a strengthening housing recovery and strong auto sales meant moderate growth across the country in February and March. The Fed's 12 banking districts showed growth and it accelerated in two districts, New York and Dallas, in January into February. The survey found hiring... more »

• Council approves facility project in Gonzales

  April 8, 2013 9:45 PM

  GONZALES- City leaders approved plans for Emerson Process Management to build a new headquarters in Ascension Parish. It will be built on West Edenborne Parkway, off I-10 and adds about 60 jobs. It was briefly stalled because city leaders could not agree on zoning change until late last... more »

• Livingston Master Plan out

  April 1, 2013 9:45 PM

  LIVINGSTON- The parish's master plan is available for public comment. It is on display at public library locations in Livingston Parish and hearings are set for April 10th and 17th. The plan could be adopted in May. The plan calls for projecting future development areas, identifying major road... more »

• US consumer spending, income jump in February

  March 29, 2013 10:22 AM

  WASHINGTON - Consumers earned more and spent more in February, helped by a stronger job market that has offset some of the drag from higher taxes. The Commerce Department says consumer spending rose 0.7 percent in February compared with January. It was the biggest gain in five months and followed... more »

• Council backs zoning change for Emerson project

  March 25, 2013 7:56 PM

  GONZALES - City leaders were able to agree on a zoning change, paving the way for a planned Ascension Parish headquarters for Emerson Process Management. Monday night, the city council was able to settle a disagreement by making changes over the type of special use permit the facility would... more »

• Higher tax doesn't slow economy

  March 13, 2013 8:12 PM

  WASHINGTON- An economist says it looks like the impact of the higher Social Security tax that hit Americans in January "hasn't been too bad." Paul Dales of Capital Economics reacted to Wednesday's report on retail sales from the Commerce Department. It says Americans boosted their spending by 1.1 % last... more »

• Economists: Economy may be growing faster

  March 13, 2013 10:16 AM

  WASHINGTON - One economist says it looks like the impact of higher Social Security taxes and higher gasoline prices "hasn't been too bad." Paul Dales of Capital Economics is reacting to today's report on retail sales. The Commerce Department says Americans boosted their retail spending by 1.1 percent last month... more »

• US unemployment falls, jobs added

  March 8, 2013 8:04 AM

  WASHINGTON - U.S. employers ramped up hiring in February, adding 236,000 jobs and pushing the unemployment rate down to 7.7 percent from 7.9 percent in January. Stronger hiring shows businesses are confident about the economy, despite higher taxes and government spending cuts. The government's February employment report was filled with... more »

• Dow trading at new record high

  March 5, 2013 10:34 AM

  NEW YORK- With a jump of more than 100 points in early trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has moved into territory it's never seen before. The jump to an all-time high for the blue-chip average was powered in part by China's strong economic growth targets, and by a jump... more »

• Obama: may take weeks, months to fix budget mess

  March 1, 2013 11:07 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says it may take a couple of weeks or a couple of months to reach a deal to end Washington's battle over spending cuts. The president spoke after meeting with congressional leaders at the White House on $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that go... more »

• Automatic cuts will have to wait until midnight

  March 1, 2013 7:53 AM

  WASHINGTON - The White House says automatic spending reductions set to kick in will be put off until as close to midnight Friday as possible. Congress passed the law in January. It says that "on March 1, 2013, the president shall order a sequestration for fiscal year 2013."... more »

• Obama asks Congress for boost in manufacturing

  February 13, 2013 7:53 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is launching three manufacturing hubs and is asking Congress to create 15 more. Obama says the "manufacturing innovation institutes" would bring together businesses, universities and the government to create high-tech jobs. The proposal is a central element of Obama's plan to spur manufacturing, which has... more »

• Stocks slide following Dow's rally to 14,000

  February 4, 2013 11:00 AM

  Stocks are falling on Wall Street after the Dow Jones industrial average hit its highest level since the financial crisis last week. The Dow was off 118 points at 13,891 shortly before noon Eastern time. Travelers and Merck fell the most of the 30 stocks in the index. The Standard... more »

• Gasoline prices get early start on spring surge

  February 1, 2013 5:40 AM

  NEW YORK - Gasoline prices are getting an early start on their annual spring march higher. The average retail price rose 13 cents over the past two weeks to $3.42 per gallon, and within a few days it will likely set a record for this time of year. ... more »

• Dow edges lower, still headed for stellar January

  January 31, 2013 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- The Dow drifted lower Thursday, but stayed on track for its best start to the year in more than two decades. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 23 points to 13,887 as of 11:51 a.m. The index has gained 6 percent so far this month, putting it in... more »

• Economy "paused" last quarter

  January 30, 2013 7:40 PM

  The Federal Reserve took no action after a two day policy meeting even though it says the economy paused in recent months. It did reaffirm its commitment to boost the sluggish economy by keeping borrowing cheap for the foreseeable future. Last month The Fed said it would keep its key... more »

• Fed cites "pause" in growth, stands by stimulus

  January 30, 2013 1:18 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve says growth "paused" in recent months and reaffirmed its commitment to boost a sluggish U.S. economy by keeping borrowing cheap for the foreseeable future. The Fed took no new action after a two-day policy meeting. But it stood behind aggressive steps it launched in December... more »

• Stocks edge lower after economy report

  January 30, 2013 10:58 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are little changed after a report that showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly contracted in the fourth quarter, putting the brakes on a January rally that has lifted stocks toward record levels. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 2 points to 13,952 as of midday... more »

• White House: Sandy to blame for lack of growth

  January 30, 2013 10:37 AM

  WASHINGTON - The White House says Superstorm Sandy is partially to blame for the unexpected contraction of the U.S. economy. Top White House economist Alan Krueger says the storm, which battered the East Coast, disrupted economic activity and destroyed $44 billion in fixed capital. Krueger also says federal defense spending... more »

• Stocks edge higher, pushing Dow toward 14,000

  January 29, 2013 10:52 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks edged higher on Wall Street, pushing the Dow toward 14,000, as investors digested the latest round of earnings and economic reports. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 57 points to 13,939 points. The Standard and Poor's 500 rose 4 points to 1,505 points. The Nasdaq composite dropped... more »

• GOP turns to governors in post-2012 review

  January 25, 2013 1:06 PM

  GOP turns to governors in post-2012 review Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. KEN THOMAS Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Looking for a new direction, many Republicans are turning to the states for ideas on how to come back from their 2012 election defeat. Republicans are promoting the tax and... more »

• House passes bill to defuse debt crisis

  January 23, 2013 12:29 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has passed a bill to permit the government to borrow enough money to avoid a first avoid default for at least four months, defusing a crisis looming next month and setting the stage for a springtime debate over taxes, spending and the deficit. The House... more »

• Obama stands his ground on fiscal debates

  January 22, 2013 6:56 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama devoted one word - "deficit" - to the issue that brought Washington to the brink of fiscal crises time and again during his first term. But it was the paragraph that followed in his inaugural address that foreshadowed what's to come - more hard bargaining... more »

• US economy adds 155K jobs, rate stays at 7.8 pct.

  January 4, 2013 3:13 PM

  WASHINGTON - The U.S. job market proved resilient in December despite fears that the economy would tumble over the fiscal cliff. The Labor Department reports employers added 155,000 jobs, roughly matching the solid but unspectacular monthly pace of the past two years. The gains were not enough to reduce unemployment... more »

• US economy adds 155K jobs, rate stays at 7.8 pct.

  January 4, 2013 6:56 AM

  WASHINGTON - U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs in December, a steady gain that shows hiring held up during tense fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington. The Labor Department says the unemployment rate stayed at 7.8 percent last month. November's rate was revised higher from an initially reported 7.7 percent. ... more »

• Congress gets a raise as country goes over cliff

  December 31, 2012 10:28 PM

  Washington DC - While the country braces for the fiscal cliff, congress will prepare of pay raises. On Thursday the President signed an executive order ending long time pay freezes for federal employees. It ushers in raises for the Vice President, congress, and circuit and district court judges. The VP... more »

• Obama invites congressional leaders to cliff talk

  December 27, 2012 11:18 PM

  WASHINGTON - With the "fiscal cliff" clock winding down, President Barack Obama will meet with congressional leaders at the White House on Friday. The last-minute gathering will apparently attempt to reach a compromise to avoid a year-end across-the-board tax increases and deep spending cuts. Word of the meeting came after... more »

• Obama cuts vacation short as 'fiscal cliff' looms

  December 26, 2012 6:43 AM

  HONOLULU - President Barack Obama is cutting short his traditional Christmas holiday in Hawaii, planning to leave for Washington on Wednesday evening as he and lawmakers consider how to prevent the economy from going over the so-called fiscal cliff. Obama was expected to arrive in Washington early Thursday, the White... more »

• Lawmakers see 'fiscal cliff' deal as elusive

  December 24, 2012 8:11 AM

  WASHINGTON - Lawmakers say it'll be time to get back to work when they and President Barack Obama return to Washington on Thursday following the Christmas holiday. Time is running out to avert the fiscal cliff of tax increases and domestic program cuts in January, and some members of... more »

• Boehner on averting fiscal cliff: 'God only knows'

  December 21, 2012 9:33 AM

  WASHINGTON - House Speaker John Boehner says he's still open to talks with President Barack Obama on avoiding the double economic hit of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts but he needs Obama to compromise more. Boehner spoke to reporters Friday morning, hours after his rank-and-file Republicans handed him... more »

• Leading conservative says Obama will win tax fight

  December 13, 2012 10:08 AM

  WASHINGTON - A leading conservative who's resigning from the Senate is predicting that President Barack Obama will win the battle over raising taxes. South Carolina Republican Jim DeMint calls it "a political trophy" within Obama's grasp. He says, quote, "The president's proposal is not a plan, it's not a... more »

• House GOP press Obama for balanced fiscal deal

  December 12, 2012 9:54 AM

  WASHINGTON - House Republican leaders are pressing President Barack Obama to come up with plan they can accept for spending cuts and tax revenue to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" of automatic tax hikes and budget reductions. Speaker John Boehner tells reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference that... more »

• Fiscal cliff stalemate spurs anxiety in states

  December 10, 2012 12:35 PM

  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A potential plunge over the federal "fiscal cliff" is causing anxiety for many state officials - not only because of prospective federal funding cuts, but because of the confusion surrounding the ongoing stalemate in Washington. The longer the White House and Congress remain at odds, the... 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 »

• Stocks mixed as investors work through jobs report

  December 7, 2012 11:52 AM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are trading mixed on Wall Street as investors work through the government's latest jobs report. It turns out Superstorm Sandy didn't have as much of an impact on the employment picture last month as economists had expected. The government says the storm played only a minimal... more »

• Boehner: No progress in fiscal cliff talks

  December 7, 2012 10:28 AM

  WASHINGTON - House Speaker John Boehner says there's been no progress in negotiations on how to avoid the fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts and called on President Barack Obama to come up with a new offer. Boehner told reporters outside his Capitol Hill office Friday that the... more »

• US economy adds 146K jobs, rate falls to 7.7 pct.

  December 7, 2012 9:05 AM

  WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy added a solid 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures. The Labor Department report offered a mixed picture for the economy.... more »

• Oil down with Cushing inventory nearly flat

  December 5, 2012 11:34 AM

  NEW YORK - Oil prices are lower Wednesday after the government reported that stocks of crude are still running much higher than usual for this time of year. Benchmark crude fell 24 cents to $88.26 in midday trading. Oil prices were higher earlier in the day. But the weekly report... 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 »

• White House rejects GOP fiscal cliff counteroffer

  December 3, 2012 4:47 PM

  WASHINGTON - The White House is rejecting a Republican counteroffer aimed at averting the "fiscal cliff," saying it does not meet what the White House calls "the test of balance." White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer says the GOP proposal would lower tax rates for the wealthy and stick the... more »

• GOP proposes new 'fiscal cliff' offer to Obama

  December 3, 2012 2:16 PM

  WASHINGTON - House Republicans negotiating with President Barack Obama on avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff are proposing to increase the eligibility age for Medicare and to lower cost-of-living hikes in Social Security benefits. The proposal is a response to Obama's offer last week to hike taxes by $1.6 trillion over... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  November 30, 2012 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Nov. 24 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,705 from the previous week's total of 2,875. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Obama to paint Republicans as obstacles to a deal

  November 30, 2012 7:47 AM

  WASHINGTON - During his visit to the Philadelphia area today, President Barack Obama is planning on insisting on higher taxes for the top two percent of earners. That's according to White House officials, who say Obama will cast Republicans as an obstacle to a deal that would avoid the "fiscal... more »

• Report: Extending jobless benefits creates jobs

  November 29, 2012 3:46 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Congressional Budget Office says extending the current level of long-term unemployment benefits for another year would add 300,000 jobs to the economy. A report from the nonpartisan office estimates that preserving jobless benefits would cost the government $30 billion. But it would also lead to more spending... more »

• Republicans accused Democrats of moving closer to the 'cliff'

  November 29, 2012 1:28 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republican congressional leaders are accusing Democrats of moving the nation closer to the "fiscal cliff," by refusing to outline possible spending cuts. After a meeting with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner today, House Speaker John Boehner said there'd been "no substantive progress" -- and no "specific plan for cutting... more »

• Congress returns, effort to avert tax hikes and spending cuts resumes

  November 26, 2012 5:05 PM

  WASHINGTON - Efforts to avoid the "fiscal cliff" have resumed in Washington following the long holiday weekend. Congress and President Barack Obama have until the end of the year to avoid tax increases and automatic spending cuts. White House and congressional aides say Obama spoke separately over the weekend with... more »

• White House warns impending 'cliff' could hurt holiday spending

  November 26, 2012 3:16 PM

  WASHINGTON - As Washington gets back to work on avoiding the automatic spending cuts and tax hikes that would take effect in January, White House economists are warning that the uncertainty facing U.S. taxpayers could cause consumers to rein in their spending during the current holiday season. The report... more »

• Oil prices fall as Israel-Hamas truce holds

  November 26, 2012 3:07 PM

  NEW YORK - Oil is back below $88 per barrel after a slow day of trading. Analysts are giving two reasons for the decline. One is that the truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip appears to be holding. The second is that traders are worried that negotiations... more »

• Dow climbs 172 in a Black Friday rally

  November 23, 2012 3:57 PM

  NEW YORK - Stocks rallied in an abbreviated session on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average shot up 172 points to 13,009. That's the first close above 13,000 for the Dow since Election Day. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 18 points to 1,409. The S&P also racked... more »

• US new home starts jump to fastest pace in 4 years

  November 20, 2012 12:27 PM

  WASHINGTON - The government reports that the nation's home builders began construction last month on the most homes and apartments since July 2008. It is fresh evidence that the housing recovery is gaining momentum. The Commerce Department says builders broke ground on homes in October at a seasonally adjusted annual... more »

• Bernanke warns Congress to avoid "fiscal cliff"

  November 20, 2012 12:25 PM

  WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (bur-NANG'-kee) is warning Congress and the Obama administration to strike a budget deal to avert tax increases and spending cuts that could trigger a recession next year. Without a deal, the measures known as the "fiscal cliff" will take effect in January. Speaking... more »

• Buffett says fiscal cliff won't trigger recession

  November 14, 2012 3:28 PM

  OMAHA, Neb. - Investor Warren Buffett says there won't be a recession if Congress can't resolve the so-called fiscal cliff before the automatic tax increases and spending cuts take effect in January. Buffett told CNN on Wednesday that the U.S. economy is very resilient, and it won't collapse if lawmakers... more »

• Obama: US can't afford across-the-board tax hike

  November 14, 2012 12:58 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says the economy cannot afford a tax increase on all Americans and is calling on congressional Republicans to support an extension of existing tax rates for households earning $250,000 or less. Obama says he is confident that he and Congress can reach an agreement that... more »

• Deficit talks will test GOP focus on tax rates

  November 12, 2012 4:16 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republican leaders say the government can raise tax "revenues" without raising tax "rates." But they have yet to detail how they would pursue it. The distinction might mean little to Americans who end up with larger tax bills even if their tax rates don't change. This politically tricky... more »

• Congress faces agenda of unfinished business

  November 12, 2012 2:36 PM

  WASHINGTON - Congress returns Tuesday to a crowded agenda of unfinished business overshadowed by the urgent need for President Barack Obama and lawmakers to avert the economic double hit of tax increases and automatic spending cuts. One week after the elections, Republicans and Democrats face a daunting task in a... more »

• Boehner says debt limit should be part of talks

  November 9, 2012 10:54 AM

  WASHINGTON - House Speaker John Boehner says any deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff should include lower tax rates, eliminating special interest loopholes and revising the tax code. Speaking to reporters Friday, the Ohio Republican insisted that changing the tax code and making it more efficient would lead to... more »

• House speaker says he'll consider tax increase

  November 7, 2012 6:02 PM

  WASHINGTON - House Speaker John Boehner is offering to pursue a deal with a victorious President Barack Obama that will include higher taxes "under the right conditions" to help reduce the nation's staggering debt and put its finances in order. Boehner tells reporters a day after the president's clear re-election... more »

• Biden: Dems ready to compromise on 'fiscal cliff'

  November 7, 2012 4:29 PM

  WASHINGTON - Vice President Joe Biden says he and President Barack Obama are anxious to move forward on a bipartisan solution to the looming "fiscal cliff" that could force tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts next year. Biden told reporters Wednesday the real question is what Republicans in Congress will... more »

• Fitch Ratings warns Obama must get deficit deal

  November 7, 2012 10:54 AM

  WASHINGTON - Fitch Ratings says President Barack Obama must pivot off his re-election victory and quickly forge an agreement with Congress to prevent a series of tax increases and spending cuts that kick in next year. The credit rating agency issued a news release Wednesday - hours after Obama won... more »

• Exit poll shows economy still the top concern

  November 6, 2012 5:04 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Preliminary results of an exit poll conducted for The Associated Press show that the presidential election hinges once again on the economy. The survey of voters as they leave polling places shows 6 in 10 voters say the economy is the top issue facing the nation, with... more »

• Sandy knocks off big chunk of retail sales

  November 6, 2012 3:32 PM

  NEW YORK - A retail data service says Superstorm Sandy knocked off nearly $4 billion of retail sales last week in the hard-hit Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, nearly 20 percent of the usual total. MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse says Tuesday that the region, which accounts for about 24 percent of retail... more »

• US employers post fewest jobs in 5 months

  November 6, 2012 12:13 PM

  UNDATED - The Labor Department says the nation's employers posted fewer job openings in September after advertising more in August than first estimated. The report suggests hiring could remain modest in the coming months. September job openings dropped by 100,000 to 3.56 million, the fewest in five months. August's openings... more »

• Romney seizes on uptick in unemployment rate

  November 2, 2012 9:21 AM

  NORFOLK, Va. - Mitt Romney says the one-tenth-of-a-point increase in the unemployment rate to 7.9 percent is, quote, "a sad reminder that the economy is at a virtual standstill." The Republican presidential nominee says voters will decide Tuesday between what he calls stagnation and prosperity. He made the... more »

• Superstorm may end up slowing US economy slightly

  October 30, 2012 12:30 PM

  WASHINGTON - Superstorm Sandy could mean higher gas prices and a slower economy in coming months, though reconstruction will help cushion the economic blow. The storm will end up causing about $20 billion in damages and an additional $10 billion to $30 billion in lost business activity, according to IHS... more »

• US home prices rise in August at faster pace

  October 30, 2012 10:35 AM

  WASHINGTON - Home prices rose in nearly all U.S. cities last month, the latest evidence of a steady recovery in housing. The Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller index reports that national home prices increased 2 percent in August compared with the same month a year ago. That's the third straight... more »

• Analysts say Sandy unlikely to damage US economy

  October 29, 2012 2:27 PM

  WASHINGTON - Hurricane Sandy has already caused the cancellation of thousands of flights, stranding travelers. Insurers are expecting to have to pay up to $5 billion. Retailers are expecting smaller sales. But for the overall economy, damage from the storm is expected to be limited, and analysts say any economic... more »

• Economy in focus as Romney faces new questions

  October 26, 2012 7:27 AM

  DEFIANCE, Ohio - Republican Mitt Romney is renewing his focus on the economy as Democrats question his silence on a Senate candidate's controversial abortion comments. Romney is also trying to ignore new questions about a prominent supporter's divorce case. The GOP presidential nominee is scheduled to deliver an economic... more »

• Ample supplies push oil down 1 pct

  October 18, 2012 10:19 AM

  NEW YORK - The price of oil is falling on expectations that China is less likely to roll out a stimulus program for its improving economy. U.S. benchmark oil fell 94 cents, or 1 percent, to $91.18 a barrel in morning trading. Brent crude, which many U.S. refiners use to... more »

• Gov. Jindal to make economic development announcement

  October 12, 2012 10:42 AM

  GONZALES - Gov. Jindal's office announced he scheduled an economic development announcement this afternoon in Gonzales. The office would not comment on what the announcement would entail, but it's happening at Hebert Steel on Highway 74 in Gonzales. The announcement is scheduled to take place at 1:50 p.m.... more »

• Oil rises slightly on unrest in the Middle East

  October 12, 2012 10:35 AM

  NEW YORK - The price of oil is slightly higher as worries about unrest in the Middle East are offset by new predictions of falling demand. Benchmark oil rose 1 cent Friday to $92.08 per barrel. Brent crude fell 83 cents to $113.84 per barrel in London. Oil prices... more »

• Fed survey: Most US regions show moderate growth

  October 10, 2012 4:26 PM

  WASHINGTON - Nearly all regions of the United States are reporting that stronger housing markets have helped boost economic growth since the middle of August, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve. The Fed says growth improved in 10 of its 12 regional banking districts, while leveling off in... more »

• Oil prices fall after warning from World Bank

  October 8, 2012 10:44 AM

  NEW YORK - A strong warning from the World Bank that growth in Asia may slow further is dragging down the price of oil Monday. The World Bank signaled the possibility of a "more pronounced slowdown" in China, the world's second largest economy after the United States. It also cut... more »

• The unemployed: attorney can't find work Play Video

  October 6, 2012 2:15 AM

  WATSON- Ask the people who are out of work, and they'll tell you that a drop in the national unemployment numbers doesn't mean a thing. They're still looking, trying to find the job that will change their numbers- the ones in the bank account. Davonna Ponthieu, is one of... more »

• Fed chose mortgage bonds to bolster economy

  October 4, 2012 7:29 PM

  The Federal Reserve chose buying mortgage bonds after members agreed that helping the lagging housing recovery was a good way to boost the economy. The Fed also says it would keep buying mortgage bonds until the job market showed substantial improvement. Minutes from the Fed's meeting in September also show... more »

• Economic recovery likely, benefiting election winner

  October 1, 2012 12:27 PM

  WASHINGTON - Eventually, the economic recovery seems likely to pick up steam - whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney is in the White House. That's what many economic outlooks project. And the president - and the party - occupying the Oval Office will reap some of the benefits. But first,... more »

• Weekly unemployment claims fall

  September 28, 2012 6:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Initial claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana fell for the week ending Sept. 22. Figures released Friday show initial claims decreased to 3,294 from the previous week's total of 4,873. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the declines were spread throughout many industries. The claims were above the... more »

• Mortgage rates hit all-time low Play Video

  September 27, 2012 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Mortgage rates are at a national all time low at 3.4% on a 30-year fixed rate. The low rates come as the Federal Reserve continue to stimulate the housing sector. "The rates have stayed historically low, which has allowed quite a few people to refinance, cutting their... more »

• Older voters look beyond Medicare, Social Security

  September 27, 2012 12:45 PM

  WASHINGTON - Get in line, Medicare and Social Security. Seniors, like just about everyone else, have money on their minds. Seniors vote at a higher rate than any other age group, so they'll be a deciding factor in the presidential election. Seniors backed the Republican candidate in the last two... more »

• Contracts to buy US homes fell slightly in August

  September 27, 2012 10:27 AM

  WASHINGTON - The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy previously occupied homes fell in August from a two-year high in July. The National Association of Realtors says its index of sales agreements dropped 2.6 percent last month to 99.2. In July, the index rose to 101.9. That was... more »

• Oil rises as consumer confidence hits 7-month high

  September 25, 2012 10:14 AM

  NEW YORK - The price of oil is rising on news that U.S. consumer confidence is at the highest level since February. Benchmark oil gained 92 cents to $92.85 per barrel Tuesday in New York. The Conference Board's latest survey shows Americans are more optimistic about the availability of jobs... more »

• Emerson Processing Management delayed in Gonzales Play Video

  September 24, 2012 6:13 PM

  GONZALES - A company that could bring dozens of jobs to Ascension Parish may have to wait to build a $10 million regional campus on Orice Roth Road. Emerson Processing Management, whose parent company Emerson Electric is a Fortune 500, plans on building a campus to house sales, engineering,... more »

• Oil drops below $92 on gloomy economic outlook

  September 24, 2012 10:35 AM

  UNDATED - The price of oil is lower on more doubts about global economic strength. Optimism about recent stimulus measures by central banks in Europe, Japan and the U.S. has given way to pessimism about the global economy's prospects. When economic growth slows, so does demand for fuel. The news... more »

• Pump prices fall; oil prices up slightly

  September 21, 2012 11:25 AM

  NEW YORK - The average price for gas dropped about 4 cents since last Friday, the biggest weekly decline in about three months. Louisiana's average gas price remained stable at $3.637. Analysts say motorists should see further declines through autumn. But they warn that the decreases will happen... more »

• Louisiana jobless rate dips as labor force shrinks

  September 21, 2012 10:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Unemployment ticked down in Louisiana in August as some people left the labor force. The state's jobless rate fell to 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent in July but above the 7.3 percent unemployment rate of August 2011. Louisiana's jobless rate never rose as high as... more »

• Louisiana has $180M left over from last year

  September 20, 2012 10:27 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Legislature's chief economist says Louisiana closed the last fiscal year with a surplus of $180 million. Greg Albrecht gave the news to the state income forecasting panel, the Revenue Estimating Conference, on Thursday. Albrecht says the better-than-expected financial performance for the budget year that ended June... more »

• Fed to spend $40B a month on bond purchases

  September 13, 2012 11:40 AM

  WASHINGON- The Federal Reserve says it will spend $40 billion a month to purchase mortgaged-back securities because the economy is too weak to reduce high unemployment. The Fed says it will keep buying the securities until the job market shows substantial improvement. The Fed also extended a plan to keep... more »

• Burnside alumina plant in danger of closing again

  September 11, 2012 4:56 PM

  BURNSIDE - More than a year after announcing plans to reopen an idled alumina plant in Ascension Parish, Ormet Corporation announced today they could layoff many of the plant's 250 workers or even close it. Ormet said a recent Ohio public utilities ruling not to exempt the company's aluminum... more »

• Early Isaac damage estimate to La. crops: $100M

  September 11, 2012 11:09 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says good weather over the next several weeks could do a lot to reduce a preliminary estimate of $100 million in crop damage from Hurricane Isaac. He says the preliminary figure is less than damage from last year's drought. Some farmers lost all... more »

• Last days of summer push up gasoline prices

  September 11, 2012 10:27 AM

  NEW YORK - The price of gasoline is seeing the biggest gain in two weeks Tuesday. But relief should be in sight by the time autumn arrives. AAA says the national average price rose 1.5 cents to $3.843 per gallon. That's up 15 cents from a month ago. Motorists... more »

• 13 defense executives bemoan uncertainty of cuts

  September 10, 2012 1:12 PM

  WASHINGTON - Thirteen defense executives are complaining that the threat of automatic, across-the-board cuts to military spending is creating uncertainty that's already affected their industry. Seven senators released copies of the executives' letters on Monday. The six Republicans and independent Joe Lieberman are trying to ratchet up the political pressure... more »

• Storm soaks Charlotte hours before Obama's speech

  September 6, 2012 3:51 PM

  WASHINGTON - The jobs outlook in the U.S. brightened a bit Thursday just before President Barack Obama was to make his case for re-election to the American people. Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government reported. And companies boosted hiring in August, according to a private survey.... more »

• Realtors: US homes selling at faster pace

  September 5, 2012 4:05 PM

  LOS ANGELES - U.S. homes are taking less time to sell than a year ago, reflecting more homebuyer demand and fewer bank-owned homes and other properties available for sale in some markets. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that the median time a previously occupied home was listed for... more »

• Ryan: Obama has had enough time

  September 4, 2012 12:00 PM

  UNDATED - Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan says four years should have been enough time to fix the economy. In a series of TV interviews today, the Wisconsin congressman said with millions struggling to find work, it's too late for President Barack Obama to ask people "just to be... more »

• Stocks fall on weak construction, factory reports

  September 4, 2012 10:59 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are falling on Wall Street following reports that construction spending and manufacturing have weakened in the U.S. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 86 points at 13,004 shortly before midday Tuesday. The broader S&P 500 index fell seven points to 1,399 and the Nasdaq composite fell... more »

• Facebook stock near half of public offering value

  August 17, 2012 11:01 AM

  NEW YORK- Facebook's stock has come a penny short of hitting $19 for the first time, meaning it has nearly lost half of its market value since its public offering in May. It hit $19.01 on Friday, a day after the expiration of a lock-up period that has provided some... more »