May 7, 2018

Entergy reportedly hired actors to support New Orleans power plant

Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Paid actors were reportedly hired to wear shirts and, at times, provide scripted public testimony at a public hearing in support of a $210 million power plant that Entergy Corp., a Louisiana energy company, wants to build in New Orleans, reports The Lens. Entergy publicly denied paying actors or authorizing any other entity to do so in order to boost support.

Why it matters: Axios' energy expert Amy Harder said "types of reports like this about astroturfing stoke mistrust of all fossil-fuel companies. This suspicion comes despite Entergy denying being involved."

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Jeff Tracy

27 mins ago - Economy & Business

BodyArmor takes aim at Gatorade's sports drink dominance

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

BodyArmor is making noise in the sports drink market, announcing seven new athlete partnerships last week, including Christian McCaffrey, Sabrina Ionescu and Ronald Acuña Jr.

Why it matters: It wants to market itself as a worthy challenger to the throne that Gatorade has occupied for nearly six decades.

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Dion Rabouin

56 mins ago - Economy & Business

S&P 500's historic rebound leaves investors divided on future

Data: Money.net; Chart: Axios Visuals

The S&P 500 nearly closed at an all-time high on Wednesday and remains poised to go from peak to trough to peak in less than half a year.

By the numbers: Since hitting its low on March 23, the S&P has risen about 50%, with more than 40 of its members doubling, according to Bloomberg. The $12 trillion dollars of share value that vanished in late March has almost completely returned.

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Sara Fischer

3 hours ago - Economy & Business

Newsrooms abandoned as pandemic drags on

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Facing enormous financial pressure and uncertainty around reopenings, media companies are giving up on their years-long building leases for more permanent work-from-home structures. Others are letting employees work remotely for the foreseeable future.

Why it matters: Real estate is often the most expensive asset that media companies own. And for companies that don't own their space, it's often the biggest expense.