The latest news: During a press conference on Thursday, Governor Jeff Landry discussed the ongoing collaboration among state, local, and federal authorities in response to the attack that occurred in New Orleans’ renowned French Quarter, resulting in 15 fatalities, including the perpetrator. Contrary to prior reports, the FBI currently assesses that Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted independently, although they are investigating any formal connections and communications with global terrorist entities. Read further from The Center Square.
Budget tightening: Leaders at U.S. shale firms intend to boost expenditure this year, despite lowering their projections for oil prices in the recent energy survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The majority of executives from 134 oil and gas companies across the Southwest anticipate an increase in capital expenditures compared to 2024, based on the bank’s survey released on Thursday. Read more from Bloomberg. A subscription may be necessary.
Airlines recovery: The demand for air travel continued to rise in 2024, primarily driven by a resurgence in international journeys. From January to October alone, revenue passenger miles globally—a measure used to gauge demand—rose nearly 11% compared to the previous year, according to the International Air Transport Association. In 2025, IATA predicts aircraft departures to reach 40 million, representing a 4.6% increase from 2024. Read more from CNBC.