STRAIN GUILTY: In just over five hours, a St. Tammany Parish jury convicted Jack Strain on all eight counts of sex crimes Monday night, and the powerful former north shore politico who spent two decades as sheriff now faces mandatory life in prison. Sara Pagones and Marie Fazio have been covering the trial since it began and were there for the verdict and statements made by the district attorney after the trial wrapped up.
REFINERY CLOSING: Houston-based Phillips 66 announced it will shutter its refinery in Plaquemines Parish and convert it to a storage terminal, a move that jeopardizes 900 jobs. Business reporter Tony MacAuley has a look at the factors that contributed to the decision.
REGULATING RENTALS: Budget hearings got underway Monday and New Orleans City Council members spent much of the time discussing the difficulties the city is having enforcing its laws governing short-term rentals.
Houston-based Phillips 66 said Monday that it plans to shut its Alliance Refinery in Plaquemine Parish and convert it into a storage terminal, threatening as many as 900 jobs in the latest hit to Louisiana's refining sector. Read more
Illegal business was a major focus of New Orleans City Council’s first day of annual budget hearings on Monday, with city officials admitting they have been unable to reel in rogue short-term rental operators and unlicensed street vendors. Read more
