Sewerage & Water Board Overhaul: New Orleans’ City Council took oversight of the Sewerage and Water Board on Aug. 1, shifting control of projects, budgets and contracts to the city and setting up a new accountability fight as Mayor Helena Moreno and council members push reforms. New Laws Take Effect: Louisiana’s Aug. 1 rollout includes AI protections for children (deepfake/CSAM limits), a balloon-release ban, and a ban on debit card surcharges—plus other changes tied to voter-roll investigations and restaurant worker protections. Courts & Elections: The Louisiana Supreme Court upheld New Orleans court reform under Act 748, clearing the way for the election process after the court dismissed a challenge to reducing Orleans Criminal District Court judgeships. Public Safety Leadership: Gov. Jeff Landry named Lafayette Homeland Security director Chad Sonnier as state fire marshal, promoting Bryan Adams into a top DPS role. Local Justice Watch: New Orleans criminal court judges warned that cutting three judgeships will likely mean delays as caseloads rise. Immigration & Legal Limits: A federal appeals ruling blocks the Trump administration from denying detained immigrants access to bond hearings, adding pressure to immigration enforcement rules. Crime & Prosecution: AG Liz Murrill announced LBI arrests of a Ponchatoula man on 33 counts of child sexual abuse material possession.