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• Hurricane preparation tax holiday this weekend Play Video

  May 23, 2013 10:27 AM

  BATON ROUGE - People getting ready for hurricane season will get a break if they buy supplies this weekend. The annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. On those days state sales tax will be waived on the first $1,500 of... more »

• Internet sales tax bill faces tough sell in House

  May 7, 2013 7:13 AM

  WASHINGTON - Traditional retailers and cash-strapped states face a tough sell in the House as they lobby Congress to limit tax-free shopping on the Internet. The Senate voted 69 to 27 Monday to pass a bill that empowers states to collect sales taxes from Internet purchases. Under the... more »

• Consulting firm against part of Jindal tax plan

  April 5, 2013 11:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The consulting firm hired by Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration for economic analysis of the governor's tax plan says states should not enact a key plank of Jindal's proposal. In a report released nationally, Ernst & Young economists say sales taxes on services bought by businesses are bad... more »

• City leaders approve historic alcohol law, allowing 24/7 sales

  March 13, 2013 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE- For the first time, ever, alcohol will be sold around the clock at some establishments. Wednesday evening, Metro Council approved a special permit allowing sales at casinos. It passed 7 to 4. 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 »

• Tickets still available for St. Jude Dream Home Play Video

  March 8, 2013 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - News 2 and St. Jude kicked off the annual Dream Home ticket sales recently. The tickets give people a chance to win a $395,000 dream home built by Alvarez Construction, and give back to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the same time. You can... more »

• Jindal proposes $47M in property sales in budget

  February 26, 2013 2:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Governor Bobby Jindal's budget is relying on selling six tracts of state property around south Louisiana to remain in balance. However, none of the land sales are done deals. Jindal's budget for next year assumes the state will receive $47 million from the property sales. Its... more »

• Bill could force you to pay online tax

  February 20, 2013 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The Marketplace Fairness Act, which is co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), would allow states to force online retailers to collect sales taxes on Internet purchases. The bill is intended to help small businesses that often lose out to online retailers who don't have to charge... more »

• Jindal seeking to expand sales tax to more items

  February 6, 2013 3:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Governor Bobby Jindal wants to charge state sales taxes on more services and products than there are currently provided. Items like landscaping, marina services and cable TV could be included. Governor Jindal says the increase on the state's sales tax income would help offset the loss... more »

• Illegal sales going on in Walker

  February 5, 2013 11:00 PM

  WALKER- Police took to social media Tuesday, warning about illegal door-to-door sales. "We have received several reports of the activity, as has the sheriff's office," the post on the Walker Police Department's Facebook read. Peddling is illegal inside city limits. "No 'permit' is available to allow anyone... more »

• Gun background checks drop by 10 percent in Jan.

  February 5, 2013 8:44 AM

  WASHINGTON - The number of federal background checks for firearm sales declined unexpectedly last month following a surge toward the end of the year as Washington considered new gun control measures. An Associated Press analysis of new FBI data published early Tuesday shows the National Instant Criminal Background Check system... more »

• Calmes won't get new trial, ordered to prison

  January 31, 2013 1:23 AM

  DENHAM SPRINGS- A motorcycle dealer facing prison time for money laundering will not get a new trial. Kevin Calmes asked a judge in Baton Rouge Wednesday for a new trial, sighting new evidence. The request was denied. Calmes was told to report to prison next week to begin... more »

• Livingston sales tax revenue increases

  January 18, 2013 12:49 PM

  LIVINGSTON - Livingston Parish sales tax revenue rose 7 percent in December, compared with the previous year, marking the 26th straight month that tax receipts have increased. The Advocate reports more than 70 percent of the sales taxes collected in the Denham Springs Economic Development District are still being used... more »

• ATF urges background checks in private gun sales

  January 16, 2013 2:29 PM

  WASHINGTON- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is encouraging licensed gun dealers to help private gun sellers run federal background checks. In an open letter to the country's federally licensed gun dealers, the ATF says they can "enhance public safety and assist law enforcement" by facilitating private sales... more »

• Home sales trending higher in Baton Rouge market

  December 28, 2012 5:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge housing market is ending this year with positive numbers. Home sales were up 16 percent compared to last year's numbers with the average sales price up $30,000 dollars. Realtors say there's a shift taking place in Baton Rouge from a buyers' market to... more »

• Fed survey: US economy growing at steady pace

  November 28, 2012 1:06 PM

  WASHINGTON - A pickup in consumer spending and steady home sales helped lift economic growth in October and early November in most parts of the United States, according to a Federal Reserve survey. The one exception was the Northeast, which was slowed by Superstorm Sandy. The Fed says growth improved... more »

• Record Powerball jackpot boosted to $500M

  November 27, 2012 12:55 PM

  DES MOINES, Iowa - The record Powerball jackpot is now even bigger. Powerball officials say they've boosted the jackpot for Wednesday's drawing to $500 million from the previously posted $425 million. Huge ticket sales nationally are pushing the payout higher. A single winner choosing the cash payout will take home... more »

• Record Powerball result of changes to boost sales

  November 27, 2012 11:00 AM

  DES MOINES, Iowa - The historic $425 million Powerball jackpot was all part of a plan lottery officials put in place early this year to build jackpots faster, drive sales and generate more money for states that play the game. Their plan appears to be working. Powerball tickets doubled in... more »

• Holiday shoppers head online in droves to pick up Cyber Monday deals

  November 26, 2012 2:17 PM

  NEW YORK - Cyber Monday appears on track to becoming the biggest online shopping day ever, and web traffic isn't expected to peak for another several hours. IBM Benchmark says, as of noon Eastern time, sales were up more than 24 percent compared with last year. And ComScore says nearly... 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 »

• Tips to survive 'Black Friday'

  November 22, 2012 8:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Planning to brave the crowds Friday to get the big deals? Remember to stay calm, and be nice. Other advice from experts: - Plan your route based on what you need to buy, and stores' opening hours. - Do your research. - Check websites. You might be... more »

• Gun sales up following election Play Video

  November 8, 2012 5:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Two days after President Barack Obama was reelected to his second term, some gun stores have seen increased sales, especially for high powered rifles. Gun enthusiasts are fearful another assault weapon ban is looming, so there's a run on everything. C.J. Hebert, owner of Hebert... 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 »

• Apple sells 3M iPads after Mini launch

  November 5, 2012 10:38 AM

  NEW YORK - Apple says it sold 3 million iPads of all kinds in the first three days it sold the new Mini model. Apple started selling the Mini on Friday, starting at $329. It's a third smaller than the full-size iPad. The sales figure compares with 1.5... 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 »

• Council approves letting EBR bars open on Sundays

  October 24, 2012 5:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Metro council members approved an ordinance tonight allowing bars to stay open from 11 a.m. until midnight on Sundays. The ordinance passed 8-3, with Council members Ronnie Edwards, Tara Wicker and Mike Walker voting against it. Council members Trae Welch, Ulysses Addison, Chandler Loupe, Scott Wilson,... more »

• US home sales dip 1.7 percent on tight inventory

  October 19, 2012 10:15 AM

  WASHINGTON - Americans bought fewer previously occupied homes in September after hitting a two-year high in August. The National Association of Realtors says sales dipped 1.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.75 million. That's down from a rate of 4.83 million in August, which was the highest... more »

• No decision on Sunday alcohol sales in Baton Rouge

  October 10, 2012 10:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Metro Council did not make a decision on changing the Sunday alcohol sales law. After debating for more than an hour, city leaders decided to push the discussion back to the next meeting- in two weeks. Councilwoman Alison Gary proposes easing regulations on Sundays, making that... more »

• Closing times could affect alcohol sales Play Video

  October 10, 2012 5:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A new ordinance introduced at Metro Council could allow bars and restaurants with a Class A License to stay open until 4 am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The ordinance would allow eligible establishments to apply for permits to stay open an extra two hours. Though,... 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 »

• Livingston sales tax receipts trend upward

  September 26, 2012 7:45 AM

  LIVINGSTON - For 22 consecutive months, Livingston Parish has shown increases in sales tax receipts when compared with the same months a year earlier. August sales tax collections jumped 12 percent compared with August 2011. Parish officials say the added income arrives at an opportune time. They are... more »

• Gas prices, cars push US retail sales up 0.9 pct.

  September 14, 2012 8:11 AM

  WASHINGTON - U.S. retail sales rose in August from July because consumers paid higher gas prices and bought more cars and trucks. They were more cautious elsewhere, suggesting the weak economy has made many selective about spending. The Commerce Department says retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 0.9 percent.... 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 »

• Livingston predicts deficit for school system

  August 22, 2012 10:48 AM

  LIVINGSTON - Increases in sales tax revenue and state funding based on student enrollment will not be enough to keep the Livingston Parish school system's 2012-13 budget from running a deficit. That's according to a draft presented to School Board members Tuesday. The Advocate reports the School Board's Budget/Goals Committee... more »

• Council set to decide on permit for sales people

  August 21, 2012 10:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE- City leaders will discuss a crackdown on door-to-door sales people later Wednesday. If the ordinance is approved, it would require people who knock on doors and sell items to have a special permit. Councilman "Smokie" Bourgeios says people have complained about pushy salespeople. "You don't... more »

• DC Comics delays Batman comic after Colo. shooting

  July 24, 2012 2:41 PM

  PHILADELPHIA - DC Comics is asking retailers to postpone sales of a Batman comic book out of respect for victims of the shooting at a theater showing "The Dark Knight Rises" in Colorado. In an email sent to shops, DC Entertainment asked retailers to delay sales of "Batman, Incorporated" No.... more »

• US retail sales fell 0.5 percent in June

  July 16, 2012 8:45 AM

  WASHINGTON - Americans cut their spending at retail businesses for a third straight month, as a weak job market has made consumers more cautious. The Commerce Department says retail sales fell 0.5 percent in June from May. That followed declines of 0.2 percent and 0.5 percent in the previous... more »

• Realtors say boom underway in Baton Rouge area Play Video

  June 20, 2012 5:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Realtors say home sales in the greater Baton Rouge area are up 20 to 25 percent over this time last year. They credit a number of factors. They include the market leveling out after prices soared artificially high after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. From a financial standpoint,... more »

• Livingston Parish sales tax collections up Play Video

  June 7, 2012 6:27 PM

  LIVINGSTON - People are buying more in Livingston Parish, a trend parish leaders say could continue. April was the second-best month for sales tax revenue ever in the parish. The spike carried over to May, as a new Walmart opened near Watson. A Sam's Club opens this month, almost... more »

• Countdown is on for LSU Super Regional ticket sales

  June 7, 2012 3:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Tickets for the LSU-Stony Brook Super Regional go on sale to the general public in just a couple of hours. Tickets can be purchased from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight by the general public the following ways: Online at LSUTix.net By phone... more »

• Livingston sales taxes soaring

  June 7, 2012 10:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE- April was a record breaking month for Livingston Parish sales tax collections. In fact, it was the highest April on record. That may only be the start of the good news. The parish opened a new Walmart in the Watson area. Sales from that store have not... more »

• Baton Rouge gets a sales tax bonus

  May 27, 2012 11:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Sales tax revenue for the first quarter of the year rose 7.5 percent over last year in East Baton Rouge Parish, suggesting the city-parish could end up with additional money above its budget for the year. Some council members are encouraging Mayor-President Kip Holden's administration to free money... more »

• Hurricane sales tax holiday set for May 26-27

  May 7, 2012 6:15 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Stocking up on flashlights, batteries and other items to get ready for hurricane season this summer? You might want to wait until May 26 and 27, when the state holds a sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness items. That weekend, Louisiana residents won't have to pay the... more »

• School board authorizes West Feliciana sales tax

  April 25, 2012 9:47 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. (AP) - The West Feliciana Parish School Board has adopted an ordinance to begin collecting a new half-cent sales tax that voters approved Saturday. The 10-year tax, which raises the school board's total sales tax levy to 3 percent, passed by a vote of 1,331 to 568.... more »

• Public comment opened for offshore sales

  March 20, 2012 7:05 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is opening a public comment period for two proposed offshore petroleum lease sales in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. No firm dates have been set for the sales, but federal plans call for the sales to be held between... more »

• Foreclosed home sales up in Baton Rouge

  January 27, 2012 10:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- People in the Capital City area are cashing in on foreclosures. One in ten houses that were sold last Fall were foreclosure purchases. Some homes are going for half the value. Right now, more than 400 are on the market in Baton Rouge. Realtors say the... more »

• US online holiday sales up 15 percent to $24.6B

  December 11, 2011 4:15 PM

  NEW YORK - U.S. online sales in the holiday season to date are up 15 percent to $24.6 billion, according to comScore. The Reston, Va., research firm says sales on six individual days during the first 39 days of the November-to-December shopping season have exceeded $1 billion, led by Cyber... more »

• Proposed tree fee delayed by Dept. of Agriculture

  November 9, 2011 12:02 PM

  WASHINGTON - A fee on Christmas trees that was scheduled to go into effect today has been delayed by the Obama administration, after backlash against the program from organizations who called it a tax. The program would have charged some growers 15 cents per tree to pay for nationwide... more »

• Apple sells over 4 million new iPhone models in 3 days

  October 17, 2011 2:16 PM

  NEW YORK - Apple says it sold more than 4 million units of the new iPhone model in three days. It's selling more than twice as fast as the previous model did when it launched last year. Apple Inc. and its phone company partners started selling the iPhone 4S... more »

• Economists say consumers still aren't able to lift the economy

  October 14, 2011 3:18 PM

  WASHINGTON - One private economist says today's retail sales report shows that "households are not completely down and out." Paul Dales of Capital Economics is reacting to news that sales rose 1.1 percent last month, as consumers spent more on cars, clothing and furniture. But Dales warns that weak... more »

• Metro Council deciding on bars opening Sundays

  October 12, 2011 4:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle wants to lower the food sales requirements of bars and restaurants in order to stay open on Sundays. Currently food sales must meet 60 percent of a restaurants total monthly sales. Marcelle wants to lower that number to 55 percent in the... more »

• WBR bars allowed to stay open late on Sundays again

  June 30, 2011 10:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A ban on Sunday night alcohol sales is dead days after it started in West Baton Rouge Parish. Parish leaders pulled the ordinance because of legal questions. Last month, the West Baton Rouge council made it illegal for bars and clubs to be open past 10... more »

• Shreveport, Bossier City ban fireworks sales

  June 26, 2011 12:23 PM

  SHREVEPORT, La.- Shreveport and Bossier City have banned fireworks sales through the end of June because of a drought and a forecast that calls for more hot, dry conditions. Shreveport Fire Chief Brian Crawford told The Times that it was a difficult decision because of the tradition of shooting... more »

• Gov. Jindal signs oyster sales measure

  May 21, 2011 10:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed his first bill of the regular legislative session into law, a measure that the governor said will ensure oyster safety. The bill by Rep. Girod Jackson, a Democrat from Harvey, will require that for raw oysters to be sold from May 1... more »

• That Santa feeling hasn't quite left shoppers yet

  December 27, 2010 4:10 PM

  NEW YORK - Forget the returns line: Americans hit the stores after Christmas to buy stuff, indulging the rediscovered retail appetite that may have made 2010's holiday shopping season the biggest ever. Revenue for the holiday season is on track to grow at its strongest rate since 2006. Total spending... more »

• Holiday 2010: The year the shoppers came back

  December 25, 2010 9:43 AM

  NEW YORK - Shoppers came back in force for the holidays, right to the end. After two dreary years, Christmas 2010 will go down as the holiday Americans rediscovered how much they like to shop. People spent more than expected on family and friends and splurged on themselves, too, an... more »

• New home sales rise 5.5 percent in November

  December 23, 2010 10:43 AM

  WASHINGTON - More people purchased new homes in November, but not enough to signal better times are ahead for the battered housing industry. The Commerce Department says sales of new homes rose 5.5 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 290,000 units. That gain came after sales... more »

• Sales tax increase approved to pay for Juban Crossing

  December 20, 2010 7:28 PM

  LIVINGSTON - The Livingston Parish Council has approved a one-cent sales tax increase to help pay for development of a new retail center. Developers of the Juban Crossing retail center asked the parish for the increase after being turned down by the state. Supporters of the tax said... more »

• Wholesale inventories and sales rise in September

  November 9, 2010 9:39 AM

  WASHINGTON D.C. - Inventories haled at the wholesale level rose for a ninth consecutive month in September while sales rose for a third month, encouraging signs that the economic expansion will continues. Wholesale inventories rose 1.5 percent in September, a much bigger gain than had been expected, after a... more »

• Baton Rouge school board scales back construction

  October 12, 2010 6:02 AM

  The East Baton Rouge Parish school system is scaling down plans for construction because of a sharp falloff in sales tax revenue. Superintendent John Dilworth released some initial proposals callin for closing three elementary schools in May, and drastically rewriting construction plans. Dilworth said the ideas are preliminary and may... more »

• State revenues drop by $140 million in September

  October 11, 2010 11:15 AM

  State revenues are down eight percent as compared to this time last year, according to the state treasury department. They report that total state revenues from July to September are down $140 million for a total collection of $1.707 billion. It’s another drop for the state, which had recorded a... more »

• Parish agencies file lawsuit

  October 6, 2010 7:13 AM

  Nearly every government agency in Concordia Parish has filed suit against Louisiana Machinery Rentals, LLC and Louisiana Machinery Company, LLC for sales tax dollars totaling approximately $626,546. According to Wednesday's Natchez Democrat, the Concordia Parish School Board, the Concordia Parish Hospital District 1, the Concordia Parish Police Jury, the City... more »

• Protection businesses seeing more customers

  September 27, 2010 4:50 PM

  Protection businesses are starting to pick up in the Baton Rouge area. Custom Security Systems sales reps said the spike started before any recent high profile crimes. The reps said a downturn in the economy often causes crime to increase. That actually started the current sales boom. They said... more »

• GM auto sales drop 7 percent in August

  September 1, 2010 9:56 AM

  General Motors says its August sales dropped 7 percent compared with July, as the shaky economy discouraged customers from buying new cars and trucks. U.S. auto sales in July were a strong point for the economy, helping to boost consumer spending. But high unemployment and a declining stock market have... more »

• Previously occupied home sales fall to 15-year low

  August 24, 2010 10:34 AM

  Sales of previously occupied homes fell to the lowest level in 15 years last month as the economy weakened. The National Association of Realtors says July's sales fell by more than 27 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.83 million. It was the largest monthly drop on records... more »

• East Baton Rouge tax collections down in June

  August 17, 2010 6:15 AM

  Sales and vehicle tax collections in East Baton Rouge Parish fell by just over 5 percent in June compared with the same month a year ago. The latest numbers are bad news for local government officials, who drafted a 2010 budget forecasting a 1 percent increase in combined sales and... more »

• Sales of previously occupied homes fall 5.1 pct.

  July 22, 2010 11:01 AM

  Sales of previously occupied homes fell in June and are expected to keep sinking, indicating that the housing market's troubles are likely to drag on the economic recovery. The National Association of Realtors says last month's sales fell 5.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.37 million.... more »

• Local businesses' sales drop due to oil spill

  June 30, 2010 5:36 PM

  The owner of Ascension Marine says his boat sales have plummeted since the oil spill crisis. Owner Joel Campanile says May and June are normally his best months, but his boats sales are down about 50 percent. Parts and service sales are also down. Campanile says he's hired an... more »

• About 100 school employees to be reassigned

  June 3, 2010 6:05 AM

  The Rapides Parish School District plans to cut about $4 million from the budget, and will reassign about 100 employees. The plan calls for using consolidation and attrition to eliminate positions, but it does not require any layoffs of existing employees. The plan, designed by Superintendent Gary Jones, is in... more »

• Tax holiday set for weekend

  May 28, 2010 9:34 AM

  The 2010 Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday starts tomorrow and ends Sunday. Louisianians can get a tax break when buying emergency supplies, including self-powered light sources like flashlights and candles; portable self-powered radios; two-way radios and weather-band radios; tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting. Other state-tax exempt items include... more »

• Livingston tax revenue rises in April

  May 17, 2010 5:55 AM

  There's good news for Livingston Parish. Sales tax collections for April were the highest since Christmas. Sales tax revenue collections were up $1.4 million from the previous month for a 31 percent increase. The latest collections are still down 5 percent from last year, but that is the lowest percentage... more »

• Sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies

  May 12, 2010 5:23 AM

  Louisiana residents can get a tax break when buying emergency supplies on May 29 and 30. The tax holiday exempts the 4 percent state sales tax on the first $1,500 on the items' cost. Local sales taxes still apply. Hurricane season starts June 1. For a list of the... more »

• People stock up on Gulf Coast seafood

  May 3, 2010 7:05 PM

  The fear of oil contaminated seafood has prompted some people to buy now. Greg Miller took off from work to stock up on seafood today. He bought 40 pounds of shrimp, crab meat, crawfish and other seafood. "I see a possible need for it with the oil spill... more »

• W. Feliciana sales taxes to increase by half-cent

  April 28, 2010 7:49 AM

  Starting July 1, West Feliciana Parish sales taxes will increase by a half-cent. The school board officially counted the returns from a March 27 special election in which voters approved a new half-cent sales tax for the school system and 11 mills in new property taxes. The taxes will be... more »

• J & J posts higher first quarter profit

  April 20, 2010 9:33 AM

  The world's biggest maker of health care products is on the mend, with a slight increase in sales and profit after the recession dragged results down last year. Johnson & Johnson said its first-quarter profit is up 29 percent, to $4.53 billion, but that's mainly due to a one-time... more »

• Furniture prices going up

  April 16, 2010 8:53 PM

  Some furniture companies are raising prices now that consumers are showing signs they're willing to start spending again. Industry insiders say they expect more price increases after buyers and producers meet in High Point, North Carolina for the annual furniture mart. It's the world's biggest furniture trade show. The companies... more »

• St. Landry Parish sales taxes slide

  April 12, 2010 8:09 AM

  St. Landry Parish's sales tax collections continued their downward trend in March but, at least, at a slower pace. The Daily World reports sales tax collections, which fell 16 percent parish-wide in January and another 12.6 percent in February, where down again in March, but this time by only 6.6... more »

• Alcohol petition count officially under way

  April 5, 2010 1:23 PM

  UPDATE: We could know by next week whether voters will head to the polls. Voting officials accepted petitions today signed by more than 1,200 people. Now, those signatures must be checked. Voting officials need to make sure each signature is valid, that the person lives within Walker's town limits... more »

• Teachers could see smaller 13th check

  March 15, 2010 6:04 AM

  Teachers in Ouachita and Monroe City Schools could see less money in their extra paychecks at the end of the school year. That's because of decreased sales tax collections. Ouachita Parish business manager says it looks like teachers would receive about $200-$300 less this year than last. In previous... more »

• Tangi council sets hearing on liquor sales

  March 11, 2010 6:52 AM

  The Tangipahoa Parish Council plans a public hearing on proposals to change its regulations on early morning sales of alcoholic beverages. One proposal would keep the ban on sale of alcohol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily, with some wording changes. The other would allow alcohol sales to continue... more »

• Ascension exempts facilities tax

  February 19, 2010 7:28 AM

  The Ascension Parish Council has adopted sales tax exemptions on concessions and other limited kinds of sales at all public facilities in the unincorporated areas of the parish. Officials have said the proposed changes, if enacted in concert with other parish taxing bodies, would eliminate the 8.5 percent in state... more »

• Tangi considers lifting alcohol of ban

  February 10, 2010 6:29 AM

  Tangipahoa Parish's ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages at retail businesses and bars on Sundays may be permanently lifted for professional football's three's biggest games. The parish council agreed Monday to consider proposed amendments to the parish's alcohol sales ordinance that provide window exceptions for Super Bowl Sunday as... more »

• Donaldsonville looking at sales tax hike

  January 27, 2010 4:25 PM

  Donaldsonville city leaders are finalizing a tax proposal that could go before voters in May. The plan includes a half cent sales tax that would generate almost $50,000 a year. The money would pay for road projects, law enforcement, and recreation. A portion would also support downtown development. ... more »

• Livingston Parish sales tax drops

  January 25, 2010 5:59 AM

  A weak second half of 2009 wiped out the year's strong start in Livingston Parish and left sales tax revenue collections below those of 2008. Records show collections by local government dropped 14.5 percent in November and 7.3 percent in December, compared to the same months in 2008. For the... more »

• New Central schools could include tax break

  January 21, 2010 4:15 PM

  The costs for two new schools in Central may be lower than expected. That could mean a break for taxpayers. Plans call for a new intermediate and elementary school to be built on Sullivan Road north of Hooper Road. Voters in Central approved a 20 year property and sales... more »

• Business inventories rise unexpectedly in October

  December 11, 2009 11:28 AM

  Businesses unexpectedly increased their inventories in October, halting a slide of 13 consecutive declines. The Commerce Department said businesses increased inventories 0.2 percent in October, and that was better than the 0.3 percent drop economists had expected. The small gain, along with a fifth straight increase in sales,... more »

• Early retail reports suggest sluggish November

  December 3, 2009 8:07 AM

  Retailers reported sluggish sales results for November as a modestly positive start to the holiday shopping season wasn't strong enough to offset weak spending the rest of the month. According to early results Thursday, stores including teen merchant Wet Seal Inc., Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. and discounter Fred's... more »

• FEMA plans trailer auction in Gonzales

  December 2, 2009 6:55 AM

  The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center will host a public auction of about 400 FEMA trailers and mobile homes on Saturday. The auction is a small part of Ascension Parish government's developing strategy to find revenue-producing events for the equestrian and events facility near Gonzales. It's is expected to generate $7,400. more »

• Black Friday shoppers brave big crowds

  November 27, 2009 11:19 AM

  Stores were crowded and lines were long as shoppers hit the doors of the Mall of Louisiana on Black Friday. Some department stores opened at 4 a.m. Even though the mall itself didn't open until 6 a.m., shoppers were itching at the doors to get in. "I couldn't... more »