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Baton Rouge casinos hit a June swoon
Casino revenue declined across Louisiana's four gaming markets in June, including a 7.4% drop in Baton Rouge, according to the latest figures. The Capital Region's three casinos generated a combine… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Help Business Report recognize the Capital Region's most charitable companies
Baton Rouge Business Report is building a new ranking of the Capital Region’s most charitable companies—and we want your organization to be part of it. For our December philanthropy edition, we’re surveying businesses across the region to measure the scale and reach of their corporate giving. Companies will be ranked by their total cash and […]
Roundup: LNG exports / Prairieville market / GLP-1 rivalry
Predicted to double: U.S. LNG exports are expected to nearly double by 2031, becoming the country’s second-largest net export industry and contributing an estimated $1.4 trillion to the economy. The growth is driven by abundant shale gas supplies, major Gulf Coast investments and rising global demand, with LNG exports projected to support hundreds of thousands […]
New Review From American Heart Association Reveals The Optimal Daily Cups of Coffee For Your Health
Put the kettle on.
The Biggest Science Fiction Books of 2026
Browse 22 of the most exciting new science fiction books out in 2026 so far and add them to your own custom collections.
Nexus unveils first startup school cohort of companies
Nexus Louisiana introduced the inaugural cohort of companies in its Stealthmode Startup School and announced the winners of its DevDays Education Challenge during a recent showcase, highlighting the o… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
As AI spending surges, return-on-investment questions mount
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is creating major opportunities while also exposing companies to significant financial risks, The New York Times reports. Larry Ellison and his son are using Oracle-generated wealth to expand into media, with control of Paramount and a potential takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Meanwhile, Oracle is facing financial pressure […]
Industrial projects set the stage for future retail development in Ascension
Industrial investment is fueling commercial real estate growth in Ascension Parish as developers and retailers prepare for continued population and job expansion, Ascension Business Report writes. According to Charlie Colvin, president of Momentum Commercial Real Estate, major projects such as CF Industries and Hyundai’s investments are bringing new workers to the area, which is increasing […]
A commitment to reliability fuels Trash Rangers’ rapid business growth
Trash Rangers began in 2018 when Jake Poche identified a need for more reliable, customer-focused waste services in Ascension Parish, Ascension Business Report reports. Built on the promise of showing up when it says it will, the locally owned company has grown from a residential garbage service into a regional waste provider serving communities throughout […]
LSU students build AI solutions to help Baton Rouge businesses work smarter
LSU students showcased practical artificial intelligence solutions for four Baton Rouge organizations during the Spring 2026 LSU AI Showcase, the culminating event for a selective capstone course that partners technically advanced students with industry sponsors to solve real-world business challenges. Throughout the semester, student teams worked closely with representatives from MMR Group, Baton Rouge Community […]
How business ownership is once again becoming a family affair
The growing share of businesses being inherited rather than purchased among wealthy Americans reflects the broader great wealth transfer and signals a shift in how wealth and business ownership are changing across generations, Fortune reports. According to Bank of America’s 2026 Private Bank Study of Wealthy Americans, 23% of businesses owned by wealthy individuals are […]
Growing debt creates growing risks for American workers
The national debt is growing rapidly, and this trend could create serious challenges for future economic growth, job opportunities and wages, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation reports. As debt increases, the cost of paying interest on that debt takes up more government resources and can limit investments in areas that support economic growth. Rising debt […]
How Trash Rangers went from local startup to regional player
When Jake Poche launched Trash Rangers in 2018, the idea was simple: reliable service from a company that would actually show up when it said it would. Today, that same promise has carried the business from a residential garbage service in Ascension Parish into a regional waste provider that stretches across the Capital Region — […]
Apple looks to shrink AI models for iPhones
Apple is reportedly in very early discussions with PrismML, a Silicon Valley startup spun out of the California Institute of Technology and backed by Khosla Ventures, about technology that could dramatically reduce the size of powerful AI models so they can run directly on iPhones, CNBC reports. PrismML recently announced that it compressed Alibaba’s open-source […]
Why the $9.99 price tag still rules retail
The $9.99 price point remains a powerful strategy because many consumers perceive products under $10 as noticeably more affordable than those priced at $10 or higher, even though the difference is only a penny, The Wall Street Journal reports. Companies are increasingly struggling to maintain these prices due to rising costs from inflation, fuel, tariffs […]
Courts won’t settle the fight over AI and creative work: Politics will
“We’re going to live in a world where all of the capital and power concentrates into the hands of five or six companies. That’s not a free society. That’s
Roundup: Cocoa demand / ‘Funflation’ / Data center utility demand
Market instability: Cocoa demand is showing signs of recovery after a period of weakness, but the market remains unstable as prices continue to swing sharply amid uncertainty over supply and consumption. Chocolate makers are still adjusting to elevated cocoa costs, while traders are watching factors such as crop conditions, weather risks and shifting consumer behavior. […]
Better Louisiana launches health-focused leadership program
Better Louisiana launches health-focused leadership program Leaders for a Better Louisiana is expanding its longtime leadership development model into the healthcare arena with the launch of Leader… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Frontline Strategies aims to lead a changing lobbying landscape
Frontline Strategies, a Baton Rouge government relations firm launched in January through the merger of Sequitur Consulting and The Tatman Group, has quickly built a diverse client base across industries including insurance, health care, education, transportation and finance. Led by Beverly Haydel, David Tatman, Doreen Brasseaux and Evan Alvarez, the firm offers lobbying, policy research, […]
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2026 (So Far)
You'll find fantasy horror blends, samurai space opera, romantic retellings, and more in the best science fiction and fantasy of 2026 so far.
Carbon capture continues to expand globally despite mounting opposition
Carbon capture continues to expand globally despite mounting opposition Global energy and research consulting firm Wood Mackenzie reports that carbon capture, utilization and storage, or CCUS, is expected to expand significantly, with global capacity projected to grow from roughly 91 million metric tons per year today to about 3 billion metric tons annually by 2060, […]
B1Bank acquires local financial consulting firm American Planning Corp.
B1Bank has acquired American Planning Corp., a Baton Rouge-based financial consulting firm.
LSU and FMOL Health award research grants targeting state’s critical health needs
LSU and FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake have awarded more than $1.6 million in research grants to seven teams through the Collaboration in Action Program, or CAP, supporting projects aimed at solving critical health challenges in Louisiana. The funded research focuses on areas including cancer, trauma care, chronic disease, obesity, sports medicine, […]
Local construction firm bets on Mid City in buying former Brew-Bacher's site
Grand Construction is giving one of Government Street's long-vacant restaurant buildings a second life. The Baton Rouge-based commercial contractor purchased the former Brew-Bacher's property last … Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Build EBR launches facade improvement program for Plank Road businesses
Build EBR is introducing a new grant initiative designed to help small businesses and commercial property owners enhance the appearance of properties along the Plank Road corridor. Funded through the JPMorgan Chase AdvancingCities Grant, the Front Door Refresh Facade Improvement Program is the final implementation initiative tied to the Reimagine Plank Road Master Plan and […]
Businesses face new trade headwinds as US deficit widens
The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services widened significantly in May, reaching $77.6 billion, as imports increased while exports declined, The New York Times reports. According to the Commerce Department, exports fell 3.2% to $317.7 billion, while imports rose 3.3% to $395.3 billion. The rise in imports was driven largely by strong demand for […]
Roundup: Walmart pricing / Recovery from Arthur / Turner Industries
Value-focused strategy: Walmart is lowering prices on thousands of items, including beef, Coca-Cola, produce and household goods, to help shoppers facing high food costs. The retailer says the cuts are part of its value-focused strategy, especially as grocery inflation remains a concern. President Donald Trump praised the move, though Walmart did not say the price […]
Thousands of acres, billions in investment: What's next for RiverPlex MegaPark?
The RiverPlex MegaPark is still years away from reaching its full potential, but the foundation is being laid for what could become one of the Gulf Coast’s largest industrial hubs, according to Ascension Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Kate MacArthur. With roughly $10 billion in announced investment already committed and thousands of acres still […]
Guest column: Louisiana’s broadband strategy is helping businesses compete
Every Louisiana business depends on reliable internet service, whether it is processing payments, managing inventory, communicating with customers or supporting employees. Broadband access now directly affects productivity, customer service, operating costs and the ability to compete in an increasingly digital economy. For years, many Louisiana communities dealt with limited internet options, inconsistent service and high […]
Do You Know Your Dementia Risk?
The risk for Alzheimer's doubles every ten years after the age of 60. Knowing your risk can potentially help you prevent dementia as you age.
Croatia criticised for ‘unambitious’ changes to 2022 science law
Croatia’s science ministry has been accused of a lack of ambition, and even incompetence, over proposed changes to the country’s 2022 science law. Critics say an opportunity has been missed to fix wider shortcomings in the research and universities system.“This law, like all the previous ones, will not significantly change the current state of science in Croatia,” Vlatko Silobrčić, a member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences, told Science Business. “A small shift here and there will not have a significant impact.”The 2022 law introduced multi-year block grant financing of research, based on results, and changes intended to boost employment and career progression for researchers and lecturers. But implementation of the law has been uneven. “It became apparent that certain of its provisions were subject to different interpretations by higher education institutions and scientific institutes,” the science ministry said in its proposal for change. “This caused legal uncertainty in the system, administrative difficulties in implementation and, in certain cases, unequal treatment of teachers, scientists and students.”Most of the proposed amendments deal with technicalities in hiring and promoting staff, such as extending the committee deadlines from 60 to 90 days, or allowing applicants to cite all of their achievements and not only those since their last appointment.Both the ministry and Croatian media highlighted changes that would raise the retirement age from 65 to 67 years and allow part-time students 15 year rather than 10 years to finish their studies.The change to retirement age has been criticised for reinforcing a weakness in the system. According to Matko Marušić, professor emeritus at the University of Split, this will “allow unproductive teachers to advance and work longer, while hindering and discouraging productive ones.”A longtime campaigner for excellence-based meritocracy, he sees little hope in the new legislation. “I am not optimistic that things will improve,” he told Science Business. “As recent changes to the law in Croatia show, the legal framework is becoming increasingly hypocritical and harmful.”For Marušić, who analyses Croatia's university system in a recently published book, the situation is “unfavourable and constantly deteriorating” due to the criteria used for academic advancement.“The key criterion for advancement should be scientific productivity,” he said. “In Croatia [. . .] scientific criteria are increasingly lowered, and ineffective and absurd criteria such as waiting times for promotion and age limits for remaining in a job are promoted.” He would also like to see better criteria for the quality of teaching at universities. “In practice, teaching is not monitored or evaluated,” he said, estimating that up to a third of teaching simply does not take place. “Under the guise of university autonomy and bad laws, universities and faculties are allowed to earn additional money by increasing enrolment quotas that have nothing to do with the needs of the labour market.” Lack of ambitionDora Kršul, a reporter at Telegram.hr who covers science policy in Croatia, finds the rationale for changes “bizarre.” “The ministry responsible for supervising the uniform application of the law is changing the law because it is being implemented unevenly,” she said. “This primarily speaks to the power relationship in the sphere of science and higher education in Croatia, that is, the question arises as to who actually manages this system.”Rather than raising quality, she continued, the changes appear to be designed to help vocational and applied universities who have not been complying with the law.The Independent Union of Research and Higher Education Employees of Croatia said that the changes were “unambitious” and represent a missed opportunity for more important changes. “We think some of the changes are even negative,” it said in its statement on June 25. One of these is introduction of an “assistant” job title that allows people to be hired only for the duration of a project. Related articles: Elections to top science bodies test Croatia’s gender equality in researchSlovakia revises R&D approach to increase focus on competitivenessLatvia pilots citizen engagement in research grant evaluationsThe union’s president, Tvrtko Smital, who was part of the 15-member working group tasked with drafting the changes, told the local media there was a “worrying lack of ambition” in the process, and “lack of competence” in terms of research experience and understanding the problems in the system.“There is no clear will to deal with the problems,” said Smital, an assistant professor of marine and environmental sciences at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb. “It’s a combination of unambitiousness and incompetence,” he went on, expressing his “deep frustration” with the situation. “There is no strategy, no clear thinking, and money is not being spent optimally.”Croatia’s science ministry has not responded to requests for comment.
FMOL Health pegs Cancer Institute investment at $70M, shares timeline
FMOL Health expects to invest roughly $70 million to transform the former Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge building into a new home for the Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, according to E.… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Who’s building and who’s buying in Greater Baton Rouge
Here are the latest issued permits and property transactions in East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes. East Baton Rouge Parish The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office purchased the pr… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
What are the Numbers for Ideal Heart Health?
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States so Dr. Roshini Raj, associate professor at NYU Langone Health, joins TODAY with a look at the five categories, and the ideal numbers for each, linked to optimal heart health.
AI is rewriting the political competitive landscape
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a central infrastructure layer in political campaigns, reshaping how elections are financed, contested and influenced, The New York Times reports. Campaigns and affiliated political groups are increasingly investing in AI-driven tools for voter targeting, message optimization and large-scale content generation, turning modern elections into capital-intensive, technology-enabled competition. This shift is […]
An out-of-state private equity firm just paid $8.6M for a local apartment complex
North Carolina-based private equity firm Emerald City Associates has purchased the 246-unit Magnolia Trace apartment complex on North Harrell's Ferry Road near Sherwood Forest Boulevard and Interstate… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Visit Baton Rouge’s new headquarters project hits a snag
Visit Baton Rouge's plans to relocate its headquarters into a historic downtown building on Lafayette Street have been delayed after construction bids exceeded the organization's previous estimates by… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
How six venture capital giants are reshaping startup financing
The venture capital landscape is becoming increasingly concentrated, with six megafirms— Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, Thrive Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Founders Fund and General Catalyst—now raising more capital than all other U.S. venture firms combined over the past two years, Inc. reports. Their growth has been fueled by the enormous capital requirements of AI startups, […]
Roundup: Shift in NIL / BlackBerry transitions / Agriculture aid
More inclusive: A recent NCAA rule change is shifting name, image and likeness opportunities away from only the biggest star athletes to a wider range of student-athletes. The update gives schools more structured involvement in managing and facilitating NIL deals, which reduces some of the previous free-for-all environment. As a result, athletes who are not […]
How Elifin is reshaping the commercial real estate playbook
Elifin is leveraging a decade's worth of proprietary commercial real estate data as well as artificial intelligence to reshape how properties are marketed, analyzed and sold. The Baton Rouge-based … Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
FMOL Health’s E.J. Kuiper touts $500M in capital spending, strong financials
FMOL Health has committed more than $500 million to capital investments since E.J. Kuiper took over as president and CEO.
Startup’s strategy challenges EV industry assumptions
A new EV startup led by a former Amazon executive is betting that a low-cost, highly customizable pickup starting at just under $25,000 could help it achieve something that has eluded many EV startups: profitability, CNBC reports. The central goal for Slate Auto and CEO Peter Faricy is to make a full-size, practical truck accessible […]
Urban League targets business growth with new Ascension-St. James training cohort
The Urban League of Louisiana is expanding its entrepreneurial development efforts in Ascension and St. James parishes through a new cohort of its Scale Up! Louisiana program, designed to help established small businesses grow and become more profitable. Wednesday is the last day to sign up for the summer 2026 cohort, which will run from […]
Samsung Unveils Industry’s Fastest UFS 5.0 Solution for Next-Gen On-Device AI Applications
Samsung’s UFS 5.0 solution achieves the industry's highest data transfer speed of 10.8GB/s, enabling faster storage and processing in mobile memory Enhanced power efficiency and smaller package to provide optimal mobile AI experiences
Who’s building and who’s buying in Greater Baton Rouge
The latest issued permits and property transactions in East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston parishes. East Baton Rouge Parish Denham Springs holding company Top Holdings purchased the To… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
China’s rare earth dominance highlights global supply chain vulnerabilities
China’s dominance in rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing has given it significant influence over global supply chains for products ranging from electric vehicles and wind turbines to consumer electronics and advanced defense systems, The New York Times reports. Although rare earth minerals are mined in several countries, China controls much of the refining and […]
Wealth management firm is the latest to announce a new Towne Center location
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a Bank of America company, plans to open a new location in Towne Center. Media reports surfaced early Friday that Bank of America would open its first Louisiana bra… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Roundup: Oil shock / AI receptionists / Warsh’s style
‘Baked-in’ damage: Even though the Strait of Hormuz has reopened in principle, analysts say the economic damage from the earlier disruption is already largely “baked in,” since supply chains, inventories and energy markets have already adjusted to shortages and higher costs. Oil prices have eased from their peak, but inflation pressures are expected to persist […]
South Tampa Chamber announces 2026 Business Award winners
South Tampa Chamber honored businesses, nonprofits and professionals during its 2026 Business Awards and named 13 winners.
Study Reveals Optimal Number of Daily Steps to Offset Sitting Down
"An important public health message."
Stuart Gilly on leading through uncertainty: Why moving forward is the key
In June’s episode of “Strictly Business”, entrepreneur, investor and leadership coach Stuart Gilly shared a powerful message about leading through uncertainty. His central insight is that great leaders are not defined by certainty, but by their willingness to move forward when certainty is impossible. Gilly’s leadership journey began at age 15 when he started a […]
Financing, regulatory concerns stall SunGas’ Louisiana biofuels ambitions
SunGas Renewables has halted development of its Beaver Lake Biofuels Project near Alexandria, ending plans for a major renewable fuels facility that would have converted sustainably sourced wood fiber into low-carbon methanol, 10/12 Industry Report reports. The project was expected to produce more than half a million metric tons of methanol annually while capturing and […]
'Sopranos' star Joe Pantoliano shares his unconventional recipe for optimal mental health
Joe Pantoliano revealed his three secret weapons for mental and physical health while discussing addiction: masturbation, medication and meditation.
Roundup: BREC millage / New gas pipeline / Screwworm in pets
Partnership backing: The Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership supports renewing BREC’s parks and recreation millage on the June 27 ballot, saying parks and trails are key to quality of life and economic growth. Leaders say the renewal will help maintain a valuable community asset while BREC undergoes a leadership transition. They emphasize the importance of […]
Roundup: Small business owners / Elevated car prices / Teacher bonuses
Content creators: Some 73% of small business owners now identify as creators, showing how entrepreneurship is increasingly tied to content creation. These owners are building businesses through social media, audience engagement and personal branding alongside traditional operations. Overall, this reflects a shift where being a “creator” is becoming a core part of running a small […]
Tickets are now on sale for Business Report's Excellence in Health Care Awards
Tickets are on sale now for the inaugural Excellence in Health Care Awards, where Business Report will honor the leaders, clinicians and organizations strengthening care delivery across the Capital Region. Finalists and honorees will be celebrated at an awards dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge. The evening will bring […]
What voters need to know about BREC’s millage renewal
The millage funding BREC's maintenance and operation of parks, facilities and recreation services throughout East Baton Rouge Parish is heading to the ballot for renewal, with early voting set to begi… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Roundup: Existing home sales / Faith Technologies / University Lakes update
A May surge: U.S. existing home sales rose in May to their highest level since December, reaching an annual pace of about 4.17 million. The increase was driven by slightly lower mortgage rates and stronger buyer activity. However, affordability remains a challenge as home prices stay elevated and supply is still limited. CNBC has the […]
Here’s what’s impacting the Ascension land market
Industrial expansion and retail demand are the main drivers in Ascension Parish’s land market as residential developers become more selective, according to Peter Laville with Elifin. Laville says Ascension’s strongest momentum is currently tied to industrial growth in Geismar and along the west bank, where major projects such as Hyundai Steel are creating demand for […]
Business Report's Excellence in Health Care Awards spotlight the leaders redefining care in the Capital Region
Some of the biggest names in health care will be honored this summer as Business Report hosts the inaugural Excellence in Health Care Awards, recognizing the leaders, clinicians and organizations strengthening care delivery across the Capital Region. Finalists and honorees will be celebration at an awards dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Crowne Plaza […]
Business Report's Excellence in Health Care Awards spotlight the leaders redefining care in the Capital Region
Some of the biggest names in health care will be honored this summer as Business Report hosts the inaugural Excellence in Health Care Awards, recognizing the leaders, clinicians and organizations strengthening care delivery across the Capital Region. Finalists and honorees will be celebration at an awards dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Crowne Plaza […]
Who's building and who's buying in Greater Baton Rouge
A look at the latest property transactions and issued permits in East Baton Rouge Parish. Los Angeles investor Andrew Fay purchased an industrial property at the corner of South Choctaw Road and … Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Baton Rouge brick company rebrands through Ascension acquisition
Cocreham Brick has rebranded as The Brick Company and acquired Gonzales-based Economy Brick, a move that expands the Baton Rouge company’s footprint into Ascension Parish and strengthens its position in Louisiana’s building materials market. The company, which has operated in Louisiana under the Cocreham Brick name for more than 75 years, announced the rebrand and […]
US consumers are rethinking their spending, retailers say
U.S. consumers haven’t stopped spending money since the Iran war drove up fuel prices, but many shoppers are reassessing what they buy and where, according to company executives and retail analysts. The behavior changes observed so far are subtle, such as altered routines for buying gasoline and fewer visits to clothing and furniture stores. They […]
How Elon Musk is redefining executive compensation
CEO pay packages have reached extraordinary levels, and Elon Musk stands far above everyone else with a compensation package valued at roughly $132 billion, The New York Times reports. Musk’s compensation is almost entirely stock-based rather than salary or cash bonuses, receiving shares only if Tesla achieves a series of ambitious long-term performance targets tied […]
Business Report launches the AI Academy to help business leaders move from understanding to implementation
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the business landscape, Business Report’s training division is launching the Business Report AI Academy, a new executive education experience designed to help small and mid-sized business leaders move beyond uncertainty and into practical implementation. Sponsored by Pellerin Technology, the five-session Academy provides a structured leadership learning path that guides participants […]
A doctor and neurologist's staple routines for longevity: 'To protect the brain, you have to protect the rest of the body'
Keeping your brain healthy requires a holistic approach, says neurologist and longevity expert Dr. David Dodick. Here are his practices for optimal health.
Level Homes eyes new corporate headquarters in Towne Center Business Park
Homebuilder Level Homes plans to build a new corporate office on land it purchased earlier this year in Towne Center Business Park.
LABI’s Will Green talks session wins and losses
Louisiana’s top business lobby scored several workforce and economic development wins during the recently concluded 2026 legislative session.
Baton Rouge’s economy is booming, report says
Baton Rouge is outperforming many of its regional competitors on several key economic measures, from job growth and pay to housing affordability and worker productivity. That’s according to the G… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Why the National Science Foundation is ripping monitoring instruments out of the ocean
A spokesperson for the National Science Foundation pointed to a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics report as justification for the 'descoping,' but a co-chair of that group said they never wanted to see the program disbanded.
REV launches new communications platform for businesses
REV Fiber for Business has launched a cloud-based communications platform designed to help employees collaborate and stay connected with customers through a single mobile and desktop application. “As workplace communication needs evolve from traditional offices to hybrid and remote environments, our business customers need platforms that remove friction,” Tressy Leindecker, REV’s executive vice president of […]
What's being built, bought and planned in Ascension Parish
Here are the latest property transactions, issued permits and upcoming business-related events in the parish. Issued permits A new construction permit for a 12,000-square-foot office and warehouse building on Copperhead Road in Geismar. The project is valued at $400,000 with RW Construction Inc. as the contractor. A demolition permit for the demo of the gym […]
Straight Talk with Ascension Chamber President and CEO Donnie Miller
Ascension Parish is in the midst of a significant growth period, fueled by billions of dollars in industrial investment, rapid population gains and a diverse business landscape. As businesses navigate workforce shortages, infrastructure demands, rising operating costs and new opportunities tied to major projects, the Ascension Chamber of Commerce is working to help employers stay […]
More Optimal Cardiovascular Health Linked to Lower Risk for Severe COVID-19
Researchers examined whether the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 metric and its components were associated with severe COVID-19.
The wasting disease threatening US science and ‘Patient Earth’
Ignorance is a wasting disease, a death of a thousand cuts. A gradual “falling behind” the rest of the world, not only in the ability to advance basic science, but also in the ability to educate, innovate, and retain the best and the brightest minds.
Roundup: US retail industry / Anthropic / Business opportunity
Facing challenges: The retail industry emerged from a choppy first quarter relatively unscathed, but higher-than-usual tax refunds likely helped to buoy spending. The second quarter could offer a clearer view on consumer health and just how much gas price increases and persistent inflation have disrupted the economy and put more pressure on household budgets. The […]
Roundup: Harvard Business School / Nvidia / Benny’s
Recognition: The Harvard Business School on Friday announced the recipients of its 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards, described as “the school’s highest honor.” One of the recipients, Jennifer Eplett Reilly, is a familiar name in Baton Rouge. Reilly received her MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1990 and chaired the Baton Rouge Area Foundation from […]
Former St. Pete Science Center to become AI and startup campus
Plans for a $25 million redevelopment would transform the former St. Pete Science Center into an AI and startup campus.
Scientists found the optimal robot body, and it has 20 legs — watch it scale walls and move through trees
A sea-urchin-like robot could offer a new blueprint for making more versatile robots, research suggests.
Prasugrel after PCI outperforms other common antiplatelet drugs
"Prasugrel provided the optimal balance between efficacy and safety," researchers noted in a new meta-analysis.
After years of delays, BREC gets current on audits
BREC is now up to date on its annual audits following the release of its 2024 report, marking the completion of four audits within an 18-month period.
CEO compensation grows 6% as worker pay gap widens
The typical CEO compensation package rose nearly 6% in 2025 to $17.7 million.
Inside the program shaping Ascension’s next generation of leaders
For 30 years, Leadership Ascension has worked to develop the next generation of civic and business leaders in one of Louisiana’s fastest-growing parishes, pairing leadership training with hands-on community impact projects. The Ascension Chamber-affiliated program, which runs from January through November, accepts a class of roughly 30 to 36 participants each year representing businesses of […]
A US maritime revival? Venture capital fund launches a $200M bet
The American Bureau of Shipping and Prologis will anchor a $200 million venture capital fund betting on a U.S. maritime revival.
Garden Grows into Therapeutic Space at Kettering Health Behavioral Medical Center
To boost the behavioral health experience of patients, a therapeutic garden was created at Kettering Health Behavioral Medical Center.
Out of this Prairieville family's hardest moment, a $1M company was born
What began as a deeply personal challenge for Jordanna and Louis Coleman has grown into a fast-scaling logistics business—one built not only on strategy and resilience, but on faith. LC Transport Services, founded in February 2022 and headquartered in Prairieville, started with a single truck, a home office and a determination to create stability for […]
Plan Baton Rouge III takes next step toward reality
A plan to reimagine the Mississippi riverfront in downtown Baton Rouge is headed to the Planning Commission for review Monday. Commissioned by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and developed by i… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
How FMOL Health has positioned Baton Rouge at the forefront of sepsis diagnostics
FMOL Health has become the first health system in the world to deploy a breakthrough sepsis diagnostic technology across its entire network of hospitals. Executives say the Baton Rouge-developed i… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
National Science Board a victim of the Trump administration’s cancel culture
The proposed cuts to basic science threaten to cede our longstanding leadership to other countries, most notably China.
The latest on FMOL Health’s $30M renovation of its Ollie Steele nursing facility
A $30 million renovation of Ollie Steele Burden Manor on Essen Lane is expected to be completed in late spring 2027, bringing upgrades aimed at modernizing the facility and enhancing spaces for bo… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Where might Venu build a $350M entertainment venue?
Fort Collins and Greeley are among the municipalities being eyed by Colorado Springs-based Venu Holding Corp. (NYSE American: VENU) for a new $350 million, 12,500-capacity entertainment venue, but other communities also are in the running.
Venu eyes Northern Colorado for $350M entertainment venue
Venu Holding Corp. (NYSE American: VENU), a Colorado Springs-based developer of entertainment venues, said Thursday that it is “in active discussions with several Northern Colorado communities” about construction of a $350 million entertainment venue in the region, with a capacity of 12,500.
Straight Talk with Matt Percy and Jamie Schutte of Percy Law Firm
As Ascension Parish continues to rank among the fastest-growing areas in the state, demand for legal services is evolving alongside new residential, commercial and industrial development. In a Q&A with Ascension Business Report, Matt Percy and Jamie Schutte of Percy Law Firm discuss how the longtime parish-based firm is adapting to that growth, the rising […]
Ascension’s small businesses are gaining an edge through free training and certifications
The Microbusiness Enterprise Corporation of Ascension is working to position small businesses to capitalize on the region’s industrial growth, while providing entrepreneurs access to free resources designed to help them scale. Connect with the Microbusiness Enterprise Corporation of Ascension at mbeca.org. “We are a nonprofit organization, very much like the small business development centers located […]
$7.85M Sony PlayStation Store class action settlement
Sony Interactive Entertainment agreed to a $7.85 million class action settlement to resolve claims it violated federal antitrust laws by monopolizing the PlayStation digital game market.
Clearwater left in the dark on Scientology-linked entertainment project
Clearwater officials say a $50M EVO project lacks approvals or a formal proposal, despite public messaging that suggests it is moving forward.
Voices of Influence: Meredith Eicher
Influential Women honoree Meredith Eicher shares insights on leadership, resilience, personal growth and empowering others through adversity.
Meredith Eicher’s clients come for strategy. They stay for the truth.
Executive coach Meredith Eicher draws on a remarkable journey of reinvention to help business leaders grow through honesty, accountability and empathy. From accounting practice to CEO peer coaching, her work centers on human transformation and second chances.
‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field
‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field ‘The reality, for better or worse’: Columbia comp sci students and faculty grapple with AI’s disruption of the field A field that once seemed like a direct path to stable, lucrative work is becoming less certain under AI, students and faculty told Spectator. By Ria Vasishtha and Arjun Menon May 3, 2026 Shanying Liu / Deputy Illustrations Editor Asia Genawi, SEAS ’29, first encountered artificial intelligence during her sophomore year at her high school in Indiana. Back in 2023, policies on AI varied widely—even within the same district—and some schools had no guidance at all. As Genawi began to see the effects of AI trickle into her classroom, she turned to guidance from her home state’s Department of Education, which she said she found “outdated and inaccessible.” Genawi spent the rest of her high school career dedicated to the issue, including writing a 15-page memo exploring varying AI policies across Indiana schools, which she sent to every Indiana state senator and representative whose contact information she was able to find. She later helped draft a bill that would have required public high schools to establish and share their own AI policies with students in an accessible format. But with so many other bills already awaiting referral, hers never made it to committee. When Genawi arrived at Columbia to study computer science, she found that the gaps she had spent years trying to address in Indiana had followed her there. Many students and professors were also grappling with what AI meant for the field. Across Columbia’s undergraduate schools, computer science has become the most popular major—accounting for around 11 percent of degrees awarded in Columbia College, 32 percent in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and 12 percent in the School of General Studies in 2024. While the number of computer science majors in SEAS grew from 166 to 173 during the 2024-25 academic year, the total number across the three schools fell around 4.5 percent from 393 to 375, driven by declines at Columbia College and General Studies. At Barnard, it has grown to become the second most popular major as of 2025, up from third the year prior. The number of degrees awarded have grown fivefold since 2016. Faculty members and students in the department told Spectator that the surge in the major’s popularity has been driven in large part by its apparent promise of a secure, well-paid career path. However, they noted that the recent rise of generative AI has compromised the sense of stability that once defined the field, even as interest in technical skills among students persists. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2024, out of 74 majors tracked, computer science had the fifth highest unemployment rate among majors at 7 percent, while computer engineering had the second highest at 7.8 percent. “Anecdotally, people are moving away from CS as a major,” Daniel Bauer, a senior lecturer in the computer science department, said. “They’re still taking some of our classes, right, because they think they need that, but they’re instead majoring in other things.” Bauer described a field that had shifted from what he called a “nerdy outlier discipline” to one that “everyone needs,” a sign that technical skills have become a baseline expectation across industries with the emergence of AI. “A lot of people thought, ‘Oh, it’s a guaranteed path to a stable income. You get a six-figure job right out of your undergrad,’” Bauer said. Now, companies may see AI as a way to reduce demand for entry-level programmers, especially in what he calls “code monkey jobs,” roles where a large number of employees are “just writing out code nine-to-five.” Chris Murphy, a senior lecturer in the computer science department, described the current moment as the convergence of two forces: the downturn of the job market and generative AI coming onto the scene. “Things kind of started to really pick up in 2014, 16,” he said, recalling the years after the weaker 2010 market. Murphy added that this was also a period where “students were getting more experience outside of class than they were inside of class” through internships, jobs, and side projects. Murphy suggested that the earlier momentum helped make computer science feel like both an academic program and a reliable pathway into work. That feeling is harder to sustain now as the industry reconfigures, which is a shift that students are seeing firsthand. Rebecca Yu, SEAS ’27, said that during a recent internship in Big Tech, she saw that “every single tech company was racing to integrate” large language models. She added that her manager said her intern class was the first to complete their assigned projects, which she attributed to the increased efficiency that comes with AI. Frank Liu, SEAS ’29, said that with AI lowering the barrier to coding, companies now expect everyone to write code. “A lot of companies outright say if you’re not using coding in your job, you might get fired for not being productive enough,” Liu said. Yu similarly expressed that students increasingly have to accept AI being a part of industry workflow, adding that many also “make use of it to maximize their productivity.” Richard Li, CC ’28, described a “franticness” among his peers as the pace of change accelerates. He explained how “some new tool” is released regularly, noting that tools rise and fall in prominence within weeks. He has come to believe that he doesn’t need to “match that speed all the time” and keep up with every development. Li has learned that AI tools allow him to “take a breath” and “get back into the loop much easier than before” when he needs to. While some companies specifically target Columbia when hiring, sending representatives to campus career fairs and recruiting large numbers from Columbia, a computer science degree cannot be treated as a static credential, Yu described. “You can’t just get your degree and stop learning after that. You have to always be learning,” Yu said. “That is something you basically have to expect for your job.” AI has not only affected students’ decisions to major in computer science, but also reshaped how the subject is taught. Across departments, faculty members no longer treat work done outside the classroom as a reliable measure of understanding, shifting instead toward in-person exams, quizzes, and attendance checks. While homework once made up as much as 60 to 70 percent of a student’s grade in computer science classes, Murphy said that breakdown has since flipped, with exams and quizzes now accounting for the majority. “The assumption—especially among pessimists—is that they’re using it to do their homework,” Murphy said. “They take the homework assignment. They put it into generative AI. Out comes the solution. Submit solution. The end.” Murphy said that faculty members ranged in their responses from fully prohibiting AI use to actively teaching students how to effectively work with AI. He said he shifted his approach this year after his teaching assistants called his belief that students weren’t using the technology “naïve,” and now permits students to use AI on assignments. His surveys of students in his introductory classes have told a more complicated story than the one so-called pessimists offer: Around 60 to 70 percent of students who reported using AI said they used it to have concepts explained to them, to clarify assignment instructions, to generate test cases, or to create practice questions. “Those are all ways that you might have had a tutor in the past to do that, and now you have this AI essentially as your tutor,” he said. Bauer has taken a different approach, teaching students how to use AI productively without sacrificing the core principles of the discipline. “People who are trained to actually use AI tools productively, while being in charge of designing the overall project, will be very much in demand in the next couple of years,” he said. Over the past year, a working group of computer science faculty has been redesigning the introductory and intermediate programming sequence to integrate generative AI as both a subject and a tool, representatives from SEAS wrote in a statement to Spectator. The effort is “coordinated” across the department, “not course-by-course,” with a systematic assessment of how AI integration is affecting student outcomes underway to shape the next round of changes. The goal, the department explained, is for students to be able to “read, verify, and reason about code, whether they or a model wrote it.” Tony Dear, senior lecturer in the computer science department, is piloting individualized AI feedback in a discrete mathematics course, while a machine learning course is also testing a Socratic AI dialogue system designed to “guide inquiry rather than supply answers,” the statement reads. Beyond individual courses, SEAS funded seven cross-departmental faculty projects in generative AI this past academic year, spanning biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and computer science, according to the statement. This phenomenon extends beyond the computer science department. SEAS’ new AI minor, which it announced in November 2025, reflects the University’s attempt to adapt. The minor is specifically designed for noncomputer science majors and aims to provide “essential AI knowledge” while emphasizing practical and responsible use across disciplines, according to the SEAS website. At the center of the minor is AI in Context, a course taught by a team of faculty from the departments of computer science, applied mathematics, philosophy, music, literature, and the Writing Center, the representatives told Spectator. Bauer described it as targeted at students who want to bring AI into fields like economics or biology, rather than as a path into software engineering itself. At the graduate level, SEAS announced a new Master of Science in artificial intelligence in February, with the inaugural cohort starting in the fall. While recognizing how AI has helped them navigate coursework, students also described its rise as isolating, even among members of the Application Development Initiative, one of Columbia’s largest computer science clubs. “As people start to ask AI for questions that they would normally ask students and members, it starts to isolate people” Li said. Alexa Kafka, BC ’27, echoed Li’s sentiment, pointing out that computer science has always been a collaborative discipline with code reviews and pull requests, even as AI makes independent work easier. Despite this, Kafka noted that she hasn’t been to office hours “in at least a year.” Bauer added that faculty are exploring long-term solutions to the assessment problem. “One of the things that we’re trying to do at the department or school level is to maybe move towards computerized testing facilities,” Bauer said, referring to ideas in the department to revitalize computer labs as an alternative to pen-and-paper exams. “We have to accept that this is the reality, for better or worse.” But more exams, students say, does not mean better learning, nor does it reflect how computer science is actually done. “Code is so variable and can be approached in so many directions, there’s never just going to be one correct answer. There can be multiple optimal solutions,” Kafka said. Students also expressed concern that the shift toward exam-heavy grading pulls focus away from the applied, project-based work that better reflects both discipline and industry expectations. ADI has tried to respond more quickly than the curriculum can. Through a vibe coding workshop this past semester, club members said they wanted to help students understand not just that AI exists, but how to use it deliberately. “Vibe coding” refers to the practice of prompting AI to write code for a task or project, and has become widespread enough that ADI felt the gap in formal instruction was worth addressing, according to Sophia Huang, BC ’29. The workshop introduced students to the concept of context engineering, which Shaina Sahu, SEAS ’27, described as not just writing a prompt, but optimizing “the rest of the relevant information that you would feed into the model.” Without that, students said that AI-generated code can fail at scale or introduce difficult-to-detect bugs. Genawi said the shift toward AI has changed what it means to be good at computer science. “I think the shift has kind of gone towards what can you create and what can you do, instead of, what do you know,” she said. Indeed, during ADI DevFest, its annual hackathon, Li said more teams are trying to complete their projects than in years past. While sign-ups have historically outpaced submissions, Li said this is beginning to change because teams “have a tool that completes the vision for them.” While many students see AI as an equalizer that lowers the barrier to entry for coding and technical work, Murphy said it also creates new equity concerns inside the classroom around who can afford stronger tools and who already knows how to use them. “The equity issues I worry about are students who have access to paid versions of things versus free versions of things,” he said. Although popular AI models like ChatGPT and Claude have free versions available, both have paid models that can reach over $100 per month, which output different qualities of code. Murphy also pointed to differences in prior exposure to AI literacy itself. “Students who go to high schools or K-12 education, where they’re taught AI literacy, prompt engineering, context engineering, they understand how to do this, as opposed to students who go to schools who don’t teach that,” he said. “Then they come in, and then they’re somehow expected to know how to use these tools.” For Genawi, those disparities begin long before students arrive on campus. “It’s very interesting to consider how lucky you were geographically,” she said. “To be born where you were is influencing your ability to get access to these spaces.” Students like Yu, though broadly apprehensive about the future of computer science, are not without hope. “I’m optimistic, because I think if you’re truly passionate about CS, there will definitely be a place in the field to do something you want to do,” she said. Senior Staff Writer Ria Vasishtha can be contacted at ria.vasishtha@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on X @ColumbiaSpec. Staff Writer Arjun Menon can be contacted at arjun.menon@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on X @ColumbiaSpec. Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter and like Spectator on Facebook. Produced with Spectate by Emily Ta