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For decades, Louisiana has quietly played a central role in America’s space program. Now, as commercial space companies look to expand, the state has a real opportunity to turn that legacy into a competitive advantage—and Gov. Jeff Landry is right to aggressively make that case. Louisiana isn’t trying to build an aerospace industry from scratch. It already has one. NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has been the backbone of American rocket manufacturing for more

For most Louisianans, the debate happening in Washington over cryptocurrency regulation can feel distant. But the outcome will have very real consequences — especially for the community banks that power local economies across the state. As Congress works toward advancing the CLARITY Act, one of the most important provisions taking shape is a bank-friendly approach to stablecoin regulation. That matters more than it might seem. Stablecoins are often described as digital dollar

This piece was written in response to an article in the Wall Street Journal linked here. While the FDA continues to navigate challenging headlines pointing to organizational problems and widespread criticism, one area within the agency stands out. Over the past year, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has become a notable bright spot—delivering real results for an agency working through significant institutional challenges. The CTP has been responsive to industry ex

A revealing moment during the Louisiana House Commerce Committee’s March 18 hearing made one thing unmistakably clear: political opposition to carbon capture is no longer a theoretical debate—it is costing Louisiana real projects, real jobs, and real investment. And in Beauregard Parish, that cost has already been paid. Testifying on House Bill 670, Louisiana Economic Development’s Chief Business Development Officer Paige Carter delivered a striking example. A confidential co

By Rajesh P. Narayanan | Professor of finance, Louisiana State University After months of bipartisan negotiations, Congress continues to debate crypto market structure legislation, though questions remain whether common sense investor protections will be included in a new federal framework for digital assets. These proposals address fundamental questions aimed at providing needed clarity for digital asset markets, including around agency jurisdiction, and trust and confidence

Speaking Wednesday to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge,  Louisiana Chemical Association  President and CEO David Cresson discussed the “hard truths” facing the state’s chemical industry—rampant litigation, high insurance costs and workforce shortages among them. But the point he spent the most time on was his desire to push back against what he described as “misinformation” about Louisiana’s industrial corridor, misinformation he said has tainted public opinion of one of the ke

NEW ORLEANS (WAFB) - John Miller, founder of the Country Club of Louisiana, is pitching investors on acquiring Spirit Airlines and establishing a hub in New Orleans. Miller’s annoucement comes as the airline’s stock trades at less than 3 cents per share. Miller said the proposal would boost Louisiana businesses and tax revenue by attracting visitors who would not otherwise come to the state. “If somebody is visiting Louisiana and visiting New Orleans and they would have absol

President Donald Trump’s push to modernize America’s retirement and savings system reflects a broader and increasingly clear philosophy: long-term economic security comes from early participation, financial literacy, and wider access to the wealth-building tools that have traditionally been limited to institutions and the wealthy. Recent debate over expanding permissible 401(k) investment options, including limited exposure to private equity, private credit, and other alterna

(By Alton Wallace/The Center Square) – The next sale of oil and gas leases in the Gulf of America is set for March 11, one of dozens scheduled over the next 15 years as part of President Donald Trump’s push to increase domestic oil and gas production. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by Trump in July, mandates 30 auctions in offshore waters in the Gulf and six in Alaska’s Cooks Inlet before the end of 2040. The March sale will open more than 80 million acres on the Oute

By Rajesh P. Narayanan, Ph.D., Louisiana State University The Credit Card Competition Act, sponsored by Senators Durbin and Marshall, aims to inject competition into credit card networks and lower costs for merchants and consumers. The legislation requires issuers with over $100 billion in assets to enable at least two unaffiliated payment networks and gives merchants control over transaction routing. Community banks are explicitly exempt from this threshold. Yet despite thi

Louisiana has secured Business Facilities  magazine’s prestigious Platinum Deal of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, a first in the award’s history and a clear signal that the state has entered a new era of national economic competitiveness. In early January 2026, Business Facilities  named Hyundai Steel’s $5.8 billion investment in Ascension Parish as the Platinum Deal of the Year for 2025, recognizing it as the most significant economic development project ann

Gov. Jeff Landry is turning a moment of political upheaval in America’s largest city into an opportunity for Louisiana. Days after New York City elected democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as its next mayor, Landry placed a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal urging businesses to rethink their future in the Big Apple — and to consider Louisiana instead. The headline, printed in bold above the fold, delivered the message with unmistakable clarity: “In Louisiana