David Murray

Farmers are thinking about planting more soybeans and cotton and less corn and wheat. That was the message of the planting intentions reports released March 31, by the U.S.

The Corps of Engineers 2026 Work Plan, which lays out allocations of and additions to already-appropriated money, didn't contain many surprises when it was released April 7 but did include updates on some projects closely followed by some inland constituencies.

In early April, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) released its navigation work plan for FY2026.

May 22, 2026 By David Murray Listen to this Article The opening evening of the Inland Marine Expo May 27 in Nashville, Tenn., features demonstrations by Maritime Throwdown.

Effective Jan. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented new requirements for the voluntary “Product of USA” label for meat, poultry and egg products.

Ken Eriksen, managing member of Polaris Analytics and Consulting, delivered the recommendations of a unified marketing plan that Polaris developed for the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission May 14. The marketing plan covers the five port systems in the Lower Mississippi River—the Port of Baton Rouge, Port of South Louisiana, Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), the St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District and the Louisiana Gateway Port (Plaquemines Port).

Cunningham's district encompasses most of Lake Houston, which was created when an earthen dam constructed by the City of Houston began impounding water from the San Jacinto River in April 1954 to serve as a municipal water supply. The dam is located on the southern bank, spanning 3,160 feet. Including the San Jacinto, eight rivers flow into the lake.

Isha (left) and Shenelle, college students from Kingston, Jamaica working in Cedarville, are offering summertime coiffures with Jamaican Summer Braiding.(David Murray/St. Ignace News)

The story of America is the story of its rivers and waterways and the commerce they enable. It's also a story of partnership between private enterprise and government support for the infrastructure that allows that enterprise to flourish.

Earning a towboat captain's license is a career landmark. It follows years of experience and study, resulting in a high-paying job with regular time off. Many towboat captains are comfortable spending their careers on the water until retirement, and their experience remains sorely needed by the industry.