A new variety of aromatic rice developed at Louisiana State University could become a viable competitor to the Thai jasmine rice that accounts for $350 million in U.S. business each year. Full Article.

Newly released Census estimates show that LA’s population is back to its pre-Katrina population level—and grew at a faster pace than the nation as a whole in the past year. Full Article.

Owners swimming in résumés should narrow criteria and avoid hiring overqualified workers. Take the time to find really skilled people who can add a lot to your company. Full Article.

Weaving a positive narrative cannot be an excuse for overlooking adversity. Stories that surface optimism in the face of adversity are a way to look at possibilities rather than foregone conclusions. Full Article.

The Shaw Group Inc. recently completed a $1.1 billion contract to remove sulfur dioxide at three coal power plants in Maryland. The systems will reduce mercury, nitrogen oxide and sulfur emissions at the seven units within the three plants. Full Article.

The US Army recently awarded Textron Marine & Land Systems a $10 million contract to build 27 more armored security vehicles for the U.S. Army at Textron's plants in New Orleans and Slidell. The vehicles are set for delivery at the end of 2010. Full Article.

The South Central Construction publication recently honored Gilchrist Construction Co. of Alexandria with an Award of Merit for its work on the Interstate 10 project in Lake Charles. Full Article.

Since the announcement of the closing of International Paper's Pineville plant, a group of the region's economic developers has been meeting at the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce. These meetings are intended to help chart the magnitude and nature of the economic disruption, and to plan and execute appropriate responses.

With weak growth prospects at home, firms are increasingly looking to grow in developing markets. To get things done, companies sometimes find they are expected to pay off local officials. This is, by the way, a crime here in the U.S. Full Article.

As phones get smarter, they become more vulnerable to traditional computer menaces like hackers and viruses. There are, however, companies working on software programs that protect phones against rogue programs and viruses. Full Article.

Entrepreneurs are by nature hard to please, but productivity tools just might just do the trick if you’re looking for a great gift. Full Article.

Gov. Jindal needs to close a $248 million budget deficit. The heaviest cuts are expected to fall on health care and public colleges. Full Article.

Natural Gas can help the United States fight global warming. It’s cleaner than coal, cheaper than oil and a 90-year supply is under our feet. Full Article.

Officials from ten states recently visited Baton Rouge to study La’s teacher-prep model, officially called the Value-Added Teacher Preparation Assessment Model. Full Article.

A recent Assoc. General Contractors of America report indicates that Louisiana had the second-smallest drop in construction employment in November 2009. Full Article.

Entrepreneurs are starting businesses devoted to producing and delivering food within their communities. A report, "Community Food Enterprise: Local Success in a Global Marketplace,"  highlights the role local food businesses play in economic development—creating jobs and bringing money into a community.

P&G is one of the Top 20 innovators of the Innovation Index. How they do this: Innovation. Innovation driving new business, innovation driving growth, innovative leadership by past and current CEOs. Full Article.

The first issue of Moves Magazine, a publication from the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Foundation, arrived recently.

British researchers recently confirmed something everybody in LA already knows. A careful, mathematical analysis by British researchers showed that Louisiana was the happiest state. New York is the most miserable, er, uh, least-happy state. Full Article

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council recently released its ranking for the best states to start a new business. Louisiana ranks 29th--not as bad as it might be, not nearly what we would have it be. A troubling aspect of Louisiana's score is our ranking behind other states in the region.

Eight LSU researchers were honored 12/17/09 with the rank of “Fellow” by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific organization. LSU ranks among the top 10 institutions in number of honorees. Full Article.

La’s Budget Cuts continue. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s staff will be spending the Christmas season cutting this year’s budget another $197 million in order to balance government expenditures with drops in revenue. A dramatic decline in sales tax is the main culprit. Full Article.

Oh, how we love those 13-0 New Orleans Saints! -- The ticket demand for Saturday’s (Dec 19, 2009) Saints/Dallas game is at an all-time high. Gov. Bobby Jindal petitioned the NFL to see whether a game telecast by NFL Network can also be televised on a broadcast channel in all of Louisiana like it will be in New Orleans. Full Article.

The 2009 Graduates from LA Technical College know how tight the job market is, and understand the need for higher skills and education. Full Article.

Northwestern State Univ. notified nineteen faculty and staff members that their employment will not be renewed for fiscal year 2010. NSU president Dr. Randall Webb said the personnel reductions “are part of the university’s continuing efforts to offset extensive reductions in state funding”. Full Article

Fred Baden, mayor of Pineville for 28 years, known for his generosity and big heart, passed away on 12/17/09 at the age of 75. Full Article.

The Louisiana Economic Highlights 2009 report, which LED released on 12/17/09, details LA’s Economic highlights for 2009. "Continuing a trend that began early last year, La's economy, in 2009, once again outperformed the South and the nation.” Full Report.

Facebook recently made public formerly private info such as profile pictures, gender, current city and the friends list, which means that those who want a private experience on Facebook will have to work harder at it: if you inadvertently post a comment on a friend's profile page that has been opened to the public, your comment will be public too. Full Article.

Starting January 2010, McDonald's will soon start offering free wireless Internet access at its U.S. restaurants, a move that may make it the largest provider of free Wi-Fi in the world. Full Article.