Covington-based Pool Corporation, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related backyard products, reported its 2024 first quarter earnings this morning, announcing Q1 earnings of $78.9 million, and first quarter net sales of $1.1 billion. “For the fourth consecutive year, we exceeded $1 billion of net sales in the first quarter despite headwinds that included challenges from current macroeconomic conditions and mixed weather,” said Peter D. Arvan, Pool Corp. President and CEO. “We also posted strong cash flows from operations of $145.4 million, a 41% improvement from ..read more

The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) will join hundreds of economic development organizations across the country with their own series of public events from May 6-10 for Economic Development Week. Economic Development Week is a global initiative created by the International Economic Development Council to recognize and honor the dedicated work of economic developers and their contributions to communities around the world. Mixers, networking events and a seminar are planned in Jefferson Parish to generate meaningful discussions, build relationships and answer ..read more

Southwest Airlines will limit hiring and stop flying to four airports as it copes with weak financial results and delays in getting new planes from Boeing. Both Southwest and American Airlines reported first-quarter losses Thursday. Demand for travel remains strong, including among business flyers, but airlines are dealing with higher labor costs, and delays in getting new aircraft from Boeing are limiting their ability to add more flights. Southwest said it lost $231 million. CEO Robert Jordan said the airline was reacting quickly “to address our financial underperformance,” including by slo ..read more

The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city’s port. The Balsa 94, a bulk carrier sailing under a Panama flag, passed through the new 35-foot (12-meter) channel headed for St. John, Canada. Its voyage marked an important step in the ongoing cleanup and recovery effort as salvage crews have been working around the clock to clear thousands of tons of mangled steel and concrete from the entrance to Baltimore ..read more

Wednesday was a mixed bag of reported good news and bad news for Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans and publicly trading on the New York Stock Exchange as ETR. Entergy reports 2024 first quarter earnings are below the same period last year, but the company cites regulatory process and the recent approval by the Louisiana Public Service Commission of its $1.9 billion resilience and grid hardening plan. Entergy reports Q1 2024 earnings of $75 million, or 35 cents per share on an as-reported basis and $1.08 per share on an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis. GAAP stan ..read more

The House Health and Welfare Committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would require seafood sellers to clearly market whether the seafood is local or imported from other countries such as China. Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, showed an image of a package of frozen crawfish sold at a local supermarket. Connick explained that the item named “Boudreaux’s Crawfish” was not from Louisiana but instead a product of China. “They are using our label, our name, our image, our culture,” Connick said. “But it’s Chinese shrimp, Chinese crawfish.” Connick, understanding that lawmakers cannot infringe upo ..read more

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday new rules that will put refunds quickly back into air travelers’ pockets for canceled or delayed flights. The agency estimated that the new regulations will save consumers over a half billion dollars every year in airline fees. Under the new rules, which will go into effect beginning in late October, airlines must issue full refunds including imposed taxes and fees within seven business days for credit card purchases, and within three weeks for other payment methods. In 2022, 39 attorneys general urged Congress to pass leg ..read more

Ryan C. Toups, Partner, Chaffe McCall — Chaffe McCall proudly announces the return of distinguished attorney Ryan C. Toups to its New Orleans office. Ryan has significant experience in complex transactions and taxation. He is a Tax Law Specialist certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He received his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law degree from LSU Law School in 2005 and BA from LSU in 2002. Toups, Ryan C. Announce your new employees, promotions, board positions, community notes and leaders in your organization to our influential audience. The information in the Pr ..read more

Estelle C. Eiserloh, Associate, Chaffe McCall — Chaffe McCall proudly announces the arrival of accomplished Associate Estelle C. Eiserloh. Estelle’s background in insurance litigation complements the firm’s diverse practice areas. Estelle obtained a BS degree in Business from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2018. She earned her JD from Tulane Law School in 2022, specializing in Civil Law. Estelle Eiserloh Announce your new employees, promotions, board positions, community notes and leaders in your organization to our influential audience. The information in the Professional An ..read more

In an effort to engage more City Park users in the master planning process, City Park Conservancy (CPC) has decided to delay its fourth meeting. CPC hopes to conduct more public outreach and incorporate their finding in the planning process. “While we have made great strides in the current planning process and talked to so many individuals and stakeholders, we are continuing to listen to public feedback and further deepening our outreach to the community at large. This extension will help us do that,” City Park Conservancy President and CEO Cara Lambright said in a news release. “We also want ..read more