Author: Andrew Rogers

Baton Rouge small businesses are turning to artificial intelligence to drive economic growth and improve their operations. This year’s local business event focused heavily on technology and how entrepreneurs can use AI tools to succeed. At the Renaissance Hotel, Lakeisha Robichaux, a business strategist and CEO of an organizational development firm, shared helpful advice with a room full of small business owners. She emphasized the importance of using AI in everyday business management. Howard White, owner of Top Choice, a retail shop serving Southern University fans and the Greek community, spoke about his own experience with AI. He said, “I’ve…

Asian shares mostly dropped on Tuesday as fears over new U.S. tariffs from President Donald Trump weighed on investors. Markets showed mixed moves with some gains, but overall cautious trading continued. Japan’s Nikkei 225 inched up 0.1% to 39,507.28 in early trading. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.4%, reaching 8,602.70. On the other hand, South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.2% to 3,195.72. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.1% to 24,172.79, while China’s Shanghai Composite declined nearly 0.9%. The slide in China’s market followed government data showing slower growth amid the escalating U.S.-China trade conflict. China’s economy grew at a 5.2% annual pace…

Australia and China are working to strengthen their trade relationship, even though major differences remain on regional security and human rights. During a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, both countries’ leaders agreed to focus on shared goals to benefit their nations. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for wide-ranging talks. This marked a key step in rebuilding ties after years of strained relations. At the meeting, Xi said it was important to find common ground while respecting disagreements. He added that this method reflects the long-term interests of both countries. Albanese agreed with Xi’s message.…

The U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, dismissed the Justice Department’s top ethics adviser on Friday. This move adds to a growing list of firings amid efforts by Donald Trump and his allies to target civil servants in the department. Joseph Tirrell, who led the Justice Department’s ethics office since 2023, announced his firing on LinkedIn. He posted the termination letter from Bondi, which misspelled his name and gave no reason for his dismissal. Tirrell and the Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment. In his LinkedIn post, Tirrell said, “My public service is not over, and my career…

A 25-year-old disabled U.S. Army veteran has been released without charges after being held for over three days following a federal raid in Ventura County. The man, identified as George Retes, was taken into custody during an immigration enforcement operation at a cannabis facility in Camarillo. Retes, who works as a security guard at Glass House Farms, was caught up in the raid that took place on Thursday. According to his family and the United Farm Workers Union, he is a U.S. citizen and had no legal reason to be detained. The situation unfolded as tensions rose between federal agents…

The family of Nathaniel “Nate” Fejerang is asking for justice after bodycam footage showed a police officer shooting him in the back of the head. The 19-year-old was killed during an arrest attempt in West Humboldt Park, Chicago, on May 29. His family is demanding that the officer responsible face charges. This week, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability released the bodycam video. It shows the moments before and during the fatal shooting. However, the footage does not clearly show who fired the first gunshot, which injured an officer and led to the shooting. Police claim Fejerang had a gun…

A Texas summer camp leader waited more than an hour after receiving a severe weather warning before starting an evacuation. The delay led to the deaths of 27 children and staff as floods hit Camp Mystic in the early hours of July 4. Richard “Dick” Eastland, the 70-year-old leader of the all-girls Christian camp on the Guadalupe River, died while trying to move a group of young girls to safety. His truck was swept away by the rising floodwaters. The National Weather Service sent a warning to Eastland’s phone at 1:14 a.m., alerting him to life-threatening flash flooding. But it…

The Brooks Wallace Award is one of college baseball’s most respected honors, awarded each year to the nation’s top shortstop. It recognizes not only elite athletic performance but also character, leadership, and defensive excellence. The award is named after Brooks Wallace, a former Texas Tech shortstop and assistant coach whose legacy lives on through the players who earn this distinction. Brooks Wallace played at Texas Tech in the late 1970s and early 1980s and later served as an assistant coach for the Red Raiders. Known for his dedication to the sport and his leadership on and off the field, Wallace…

The term “Freshman All-American” is one of the highest honors a college athlete can receive in their first year of NCAA competition. It recognizes standout performance, consistency, and significant contributions by freshman athletes across various college sports, including baseball, football, and basketball. For many student-athletes, this distinction marks the beginning of a highly promising collegiate and professional career. A Freshman All-American is typically a player in their first year of eligibility who has shown exceptional talent and skill, standing out among peers nationwide. The recognition is awarded by different sports media and organizations that evaluate players based on individual statistics,…

The Oakland Athletics, one of Major League Baseball’s oldest and most historic franchises, are currently undergoing a significant transformation. Originally founded in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics, the team has changed cities twice—moving to Kansas City in 1955 and finally settling in Oakland, California, in 1968. Over more than a century, the Athletics have carved out a legacy of success, innovation, and adaptability, while also facing persistent financial and attendance challenges. The franchise has won a total of nine World Series titles. Five of those championships came during their early years in Philadelphia, in 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930.…