The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Good morning! Let's get you caught up on some Baton Rouge's biggest news.

Cutting-edge energy tech

A new $4.5 billion project in the Baton Rouge are was always going to be huge news, but the plans unveiled Thursday are particularly interesting. A company wants to build one of the world's largest carbon-capture facilities, where methane would be drawn from natural gas to create a new source of energy.

It is touted as a way to create fuel while putting less greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. This story walks through the economic and environmental imapcts the plant could have. 

In related news, Shell's announcement earlier this year that it was closing its Convent refinery was a hammer blow to that part of Louisiana's economy. But now the company says it's considering retooling the plant to handle alternative fuels. 

And, while major solar power plants are controversial in some places, St. Helena Parish appears ready to welcome one. You can read about where, why and how here. 

New rules for tubers

After two Tiki Tubers died a bunch more had to be rescued in the Amite River this summer, the Livingston Parish Council has been working on rules they hope will prevent similar problems.

Last night, they passed the new ordinance. This story explains what's changing.