AGP Executive Report

Louisiana International Terminal Clears Key Federal Hurdle: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the federal permit authorizing construction of the Louisiana International Terminal at Violet on the Lower Mississippi, moving the project past environmental and permitting steps and into physical delivery. The site is designed for container ships over 16,000 TEU and avoids Crescent City Connection bridge-height limits that constrain upriver facilities. Northwest Louisiana Data Center Boom: Amazon announced an expanded $18 billion plan for its Shreveport-area Resilient Technology Park, adding a third campus across Caddo and Bossier parishes and projecting hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, as debate continues over power, water, and public scrutiny of incentives. Child Welfare Scrutiny: Louisiana lawmakers pressed DCFS officials over claims of progress in reducing child welfare caseloads, with skepticism about staffing moves and foster-pay policy changes. Local Governance: Grayson Town Council advanced a truck-traffic ordinance restricting 18-wheelers and semi-trucks on Highway 850 West, alongside updates on grant-funded projects. Veterans in Poverty: A new analysis finds Louisiana has the nation’s highest rate of poor military veterans, though state officials say the figures reflect older census snapshots. New Orleans Public Safety Tensions: Vendors under the Claiborne Avenue overpass say a recent triple shooting highlights the need for better organization and safety measures as they plan to raise concerns with City Council.

Amazon Expansion: Amazon says it will add a third data center campus in Shreveport, bringing its Northwest Louisiana investment to $18 billion and projecting about 2,500 jobs across three sites. Redistricting Fight: A second lawsuit targets a proposed Maryland constitutional amendment tied to redistricting, with Republicans alleging the effort should be blocked. Courts & Elections: A judge cleared 23rd JDC Judge Steven C. Tureau to stay on the November ballot after a tax-filing challenge. Public Safety: Baton Rouge police will keep searching a North Landfill for Ja’Derrius Minnieweather after human remains were found, while LSU home games add a strict no-drone zone around Tiger Stadium. School Heat Concerns: Parents in St. Tammany are pushing for air conditioning on school buses as extreme temperatures raise safety worries. Justice System: In a federal staged-wrecks trial in New Orleans, a witness described how defendants allegedly planned a mentor’s murder and how the scheme unraveled. Transportation: Amtrak’s Mardi Gras service marked its first anniversary, touting strong ridership and customer satisfaction on the New Orleans–Mobile route. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices are climbing again nationally, with AAA citing crude oil pressure and ongoing Middle East risk.

Firetruck Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Shreveport sued firetruck manufacturers, alleging a conspiracy to suppress supply and inflate prices in Louisiana, naming Ferrara Fire Apparatus and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association. Local Government Compliance: A Carencro audit flagged a $3,000 city loan to a festival as a possible constitutional violation, citing missing ordinances and required agreements. Election Watch (St. Tammany): A new analysis says three elections over the next year will test whether St. Tammany can break political inertia, starting with a heated sheriff race. Public Safety & Surveillance: Livingston Parish is weighing a ban on privately owned Flock cameras and automated license plate readers on parish roads. Ten Commandments in Classrooms: Louisiana colleges are moving to comply with the state’s required displays, as the issue heads back to the U.S. Supreme Court in Texas. New Orleans Property Accountability: After a teen’s death at Plaza Tower, the city says police patrols are increasing but the owner must secure the building. Veterans & Poverty: A new analysis finds Louisiana has the nation’s highest rate of poor military veterans. Major Port Progress: The U.S. Army Corps cleared the Louisiana International Terminal, advancing a new deepwater container port project. Health Policy: The AAP and allied groups condemned a White House executive order on childhood vaccines as undermining science-based guidance. Weather: Burn bans are in effect across 17 Louisiana parishes due to hot, dry conditions.

Southern University Fundraising: Southern University’s Give Day on Aug. 27 aims to raise $25 million for campuses statewide, including SU A&M, SU New Orleans, SU Shreveport, the Law Center and research/extension. School Board Tax Lawsuit: A judge rejected a challenge to East Baton Rouge School Board member Patrick Martin, who said his wife forgot to mail his tax filings before qualifying. Public Safety & Health: The Alzheimer’s Association is offering free dementia training for Louisiana first responders as dementia cases are expected to rise. Local Justice & Accountability: New Orleans says the owner of the Plaza Tower high-rise must keep the building secured after a teen died in a fall during “urban exploring.” Housing Oversight: A new owner of Parc Fontaine apartments in Algiers says it will improve conditions after years of tenant complaints. Port & Trade: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted a federal permit for the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal in St. Bernard Parish, moving the project toward construction. Immigration & Public Health: A tuberculosis investigation at the GEO Aurora ICE facility remains stalled as deadlines loom and officials say they can’t share details. Courts & Elections: A Baton Rouge school board candidate can stay on the ballot after a judge found his late tax filing was a good-faith mailing mistake. Legal/Community Safety: A former officer accused of plotting a mass attack on Black people in New Orleans was released after a grand jury declined to indict.

School Governance: Iberville Parish School Board approved a $153.8M 2026-27 budget, including Gov.-mandated pay stipends ($2,000 certified, $1,000 support), plus $2M for school security and $3.5M-plus for capital work like roofs and stadium upgrades. Local Accountability: East Baton Rouge school board members say they’ll keep LaMont Cole running day-to-day operations despite his corruption charges, citing due process and interim control changes. Education Policy: The Trump administration is expanding “Returning Education to the States” waivers, letting states including Louisiana consolidate federal education dollars for more flexible use. Parent Responsibility in Juvenile Crime: A new Louisiana law lets courts fine parents or guardians up to $5,000 when a youth 14+ is convicted of making a school threat, adding to existing tougher parent-prosecution rules. Tech & Government: Louisiana’s push for offshore wind is stalled under Trump, while a proposed SpaceX launch site in Vermilion Parish raises environmental and public-input concerns. Public Safety & Infrastructure: DOTD announced lane closures and a weeklong eastbound off-ramp closure on LA 3132 to Linwood Ave in Shreveport for pavement base and surface work. Business Watch: Bernhard Capital Partners announced major utility and consulting acquisitions, including a $1B Bowman Consulting deal and a $1.25B New Mexico Gas purchase. Space & Defense: SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets 38 minutes apart, including a classified US Space Force mission.

Public Safety: A Louisiana grand jury declined to indict a former North Carolina officer accused of plotting a New Orleans mass shooting, and the suspect was released from custody. Child Protection: In St. Tammany Parish, a jury convicted Jamonte Keenan Crosby of sexual battery involving a child under 13 and indecent behavior involving a child under 13. Local Crime & Courts: A Kenner YouTuber tied to “urban exploration” of abandoned sites is under investigation after police sought a second suspect connected to a fatal fall at New Orleans’ Plaza Tower. Healthcare Oversight: The FDA inspected Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank on July 15 and found “no action indicated.” State Politics: Sen. Bill Cassidy dodged whether he regrets confirming RFK Jr., while also calling Trump’s vaccine overhaul “stupid policy” and criticizing the push to split MMR into separate shots. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reported the cheapest E85 in East Baton Rouge Parish at $2.79 (week ending Aug. 8), with other parish price snapshots showing diesel and premium gas still volatile. Government Funding Watch: IRS filings show Jennings and Lafayette-area nonprofits relying heavily on government grants, with multiple local groups topping city-by-city grant-share rankings for 2024. Space & Defense: SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 missions 38 minutes apart, including a classified U.S. Space Force payload.

Sewerage & Water Board Accountability: An editorial argues City Hall finally has to stop dodging responsibility for the S&WB’s chronic failures, citing major losses in treated water and ongoing infrastructure breakdowns. New Orleans Politics & Media: Columnist Stephanie Grace says Gov. Jeff Landry’s latest attacks on New Orleans look timed for election politics, while a media rights group condemns “chilling” handcuffing of a WWL journalist during a high-profile AG courtroom fight. Public Safety & Courts: A teen died after falling inside the abandoned Plaza Tower in downtown New Orleans, and separate coverage highlights how local justice programs like Baton Rouge’s Teen Court are putting teens in real courtroom roles. Immigration & Military Families: Reports say an Army soldier’s wife was removed from a deportation flight and returned to Louisiana after ICE intervened mid-trip. Energy & Regulation: Louisiana regulators postponed a vote on a proposed “nuclear tariff” that would add a small monthly fee to fund early work on small modular reactors. Education & Religion: Ten Commandments posters are now up in Louisiana classrooms as the school year begins, with students and educators reacting to the rollout. Infrastructure & Growth: Amtrak’s Gulf Coast route is celebrating a strong first year of ridership gains, even as deadly rail-crossing crashes keep pressure on safety improvements.

Immigration & Military Families: A U.S. Army staff sergeant’s wife, Maisa Lopes Eliaser, was removed mid-flight from a deportation trip to Brazil and returned to Louisiana, then released from ICE custody after more than a month in federal detention—while Democrats press for answers about how military-family cases are handled. Party Politics: At the DNC in Austin, Democrats split between abolishing ICE and pursuing reforms, with Louisiana member Michele Johnson backing abolition while others argued for a narrower approach. Local Elections: In East Baton Rouge Parish, a lawsuit challenges the candidacy of reelected school board member Patrick Martin V over alleged failure to file state income taxes for 2024 and 2025, setting up a Monday hearing. Privacy & Policing Tech: Flock Safety is tightening rules for its license plate reader network, including shorter data retention and limits on data sharing, as scrutiny grows over surveillance and alleged misuse. Consumer Protection: Louisiana’s debit card surcharge ban took effect Aug. 1, but critics say the fees may still show up indirectly through higher prices. Public Health: The FDA upgraded a salmonella egg recall to its highest risk level, affecting about 19 million eggs, as illnesses continue to be reported.

Meta Data Center Transparency Fight: Louisiana’s Public Service Commission voted to overrule an administrative judge and keep Meta’s Richland Parish power-use and job figures under wraps, drawing fresh criticism that Gov. Jeff Landry’s economic pitch is being sold without the public data residents deserve. New Orleans Hotel Roadblock: New Orleans’ planned Omni “headquarters” hotel faces a key Baton Rouge vote next week, with Senate President Cameron Henry signaling he’ll oppose it unless financing is fully in place. Landry vs. New Orleans Leadership: Landry says he won’t speak directly with Mayor Helena Moreno until a Louisiana State Police investigation clarifies who drove the July indictment of AG Liz Murrill. Election Integrity Challenge: A St. James-area lawsuit seeks to remove a judge from the November ballot over alleged failures to file state taxes on qualifying paperwork. Public Safety Push: St. Tammany deputies join the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign ahead of Labor Day, emphasizing impaired driving enforcement. National Health Policy: Trump signed an order pushing pediatric vaccines to be split into separate visits, prompting concern from public health experts about disease risk.

New Orleans Court Fight: Calvin Duncan, the former Orleans criminal court clerk whose elected seat was wiped out by Act 15, filed a fresh federal challenge asking a judge to declare the law unconstitutional and halt enforcement. Immigration & Military Families: An Army staff sergeant’s wife detained by ICE was removed midflight from a deportation trip to Brazil and has now returned home, while another asylum-seeker released on bond after being held and transferred through Louisiana. Gun Law Push: AG Marty Jackley joined a multi-state letter urging the DOJ not to appeal a ruling striking down parts of federal firearm registration rules. Healthcare Policy: The 5th Circuit in New Orleans ruled against the government’s No Surprises Act payment calculation method, a win for providers. Louisiana Energy: Interior transferred historic federal land at the Calcasieu River mouth to support Venture Global LNG expansion in Cameron Parish. Public Safety: Louisiana State Police issued 26 left-lane citations for commercial trucks on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, with enforcement continuing. DNC Strategy: The DNC announced a Southern States Resource Hub to boost staffing, fundraising, and voter data ahead of 2026.

School Funding Overhaul: Louisiana’s task force kicked off a top-to-bottom review of the Minimum Foundation Program, with a Jan. 1 deadline to recommend a revised or replacement formula—after teacher and support staff bonuses became a flashpoint. Public Safety & Courts: A Louisiana grand jury declined to indict a former New Orleans officer accused of plotting a mass shooting targeting Black people, and he was released from custody. Local Government: Caddo Parish’s next move could pause data-center permitting and incentive deals for two years, as a commissioner calls for a moratorium over energy use concerns. Education Politics: Baton Rouge school board races are set to test whether Republicans keep control and whether a Black majority can emerge in key districts. Crime & Surveillance: Flock Safety says it will tighten its camera-search rules after backlash over license-plate tracking and misuse concerns. Energy & Economy: Louisiana leaders are weighing the role of data centers as AI demand grows, while federal offshore lease sales continue to bring in tens of millions for Gulf production. Sports & NIL: Jayden Daniels’ camp sent LSU a cease-and-desist over NIL use tied to the jersey-number controversy. Community & Health: Louisiana’s oyster industry is set for an Aug. 19 task force meeting, including stock assessment results and hurricane grant updates.

BRPD Lawsuit: A federal judge granted qualified immunity to three former Baton Rouge Police officers in the “BRAVE Cave” strip-search case, but sent one alleged rib-kicking claim to a jury. Sheriff Race: Scott Illing formally kicked off his campaign for St. Tammany Parish Sheriff, arguing his long public-safety career fits a field of experienced law-enforcement candidates. NIL Fight at LSU: Jayden Daniels’ camp escalated the dispute over LSU’s No. 5 jersey by sending a cease-and-desist, while LSU coach Lane Kiffin said he’s standing by the decision. New Orleans Surveillance Debate: A New Orleans-based nonprofit’s “NOLA” camera network is expanding in Petal, raising fresh questions about surveillance and how long footage is kept. SpaceX Buzz in Lafayette: Elon Musk’s private jet landed in Lafayette as reports swirl about a potential SpaceX spaceport deal in Vermilion Parish. Elections & Courts: A New Orleans magistrate judge challenge centers on whether incumbent Juana Lombard properly filed state taxes, with a hearing sought quickly. Public Safety Tech: New Orleans opened a code enforcement case on a blighted I-10 property after Fox 8 scrutiny, citing funding limits and abatement options. Energy Policy: Louisiana regulators postponed a vote on a proposed “nuclear tariff” that would add a small monthly fee for early small-reactor feasibility work.

Meta Secrecy Fight: Louisiana regulators voted 3-1 to let Meta keep key details about its Richland Parish Hyperion data center expansion secret, overturning a judge’s order that would have forced disclosure of how job projections and power needs were calculated. Public Safety & Health: Louisiana health officials reported nine Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, with five deaths, warning beachgoers and anyone with open wounds to avoid coastal water and be careful with raw shellfish. Local Governance & Growth: Ascension Parish planners are preparing for potential Donaldsonville-area growth tied to major development, using a West Bank Resilient Community Overlay to guide housing, commercial, and industrial expansion. Higher Education & Law: A hazing prevention push is back in focus after an LSU hazing victim’s mother urged parents to research clubs and watch for warning signs. Politics & Justice: Three states—Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma—are set to carry out lethal injections on the same day, the first such triple execution in nearly 16 years.

Staged-crash trial in New Orleans: Federal prosecutors opened the case against two men accused of killing an FBI informant tied to a scheme staging 18-wheeler wrecks, with the victim’s mother describing the shooting as her son yelled “Mama, fall down on the floor.” Shreveport elections: City Marshal James Jefferson will be reelected unopposed after both challengers—Anthony Johnson and Councilman Grayson Boucher—dropped out, leaving Jefferson as the lone candidate. Meta data-center fight: Louisiana regulators blocked a push for public disclosure of Meta’s Richland Parish data center job and power-demand calculations, siding with Meta and limiting what advocates can see. Cullen fiscal control: Cullen officials are moving toward consenting to a state fiscal administrator as the town faces water-system failures, overdue audits, and cash shortfalls. Human trafficking warning: A North Shreveport Business Association briefing highlighted how state data identified 969 child trafficking victims last year, stressing supervision gaps as a top risk factor. LSU revenue-share records: Journalists ended their lawsuit seeking LSU athletics revenue-sharing records after a new state law shielded the information from disclosure. Energy and infrastructure: Louisiana’s Legislative Auditor report says state agencies under-enforced truck size/weight rules, and crews are preparing I-12 barrier drainage upgrades a decade after the 2016 flood.

AI & Public Safety: New Orleans is rolling out AI to triage some 911 calls amid staffing shortages, and critics warn even narrow mistakes could be deadly. Police Accountability: The New Orleans City Council voted to require quarterly public reports on NOPD drone flights after policy changes loosened oversight. Local Governance: Westwego is ending its brake tag inspection sticker program to match other jurisdictions and reduce confusion, while commercial vehicles and school buses still face inspections. Elections: Louisiana’s Nov. 3 ballot is set after qualifying, including the crowded race for the 5th Congressional District seat. Courts & Health Costs: A federal appeals court struck down a formula used under the No Surprises Act to prevent surprise medical bills. Public Works/Local Economy: Visit Baton Rouge will serve as interim manager for the Raising Cane’s River Center as the city-parish searches for long-term operators for redevelopment. Education Funding: The Trump administration granted Louisiana and other states waivers to consolidate federal education funds with more flexibility.

Heat Safety: Baton Rouge braces for dangerous above-average heat with feels-like temps topping 108 and heat alerts likely as rain chances drop and a Gulf high-pressure “lid” traps humidity. Public Safety Tech: Baton Rouge Police say solar license-plate cameras (Flock) are helping solve crimes and recover stolen property, while privacy critics push back. Parks & Crime: BREC says it’s taking steps after reports of drug use and litter at a Baton Rouge park, including more coverage and coordination with law enforcement. Courts & Energy Policy: The 5th Circuit struck down Biden-era stove and oven efficiency rules, siding with Louisiana and other states over improper public-process steps. State Law & Fraud Controls: AG Liz Murrill highlights a new law requiring citizenship verification for NGOs administering taxpayer-funded public assistance. Childhood Vaccines: New Orleans officials say Trump’s executive order on vaccine recommendations doesn’t immediately change school requirements, even as parents raise concerns. Local Justice: A St. James Parish correctional deputy was fired and arrested over alleged sexual conduct with an inmate. Immigration: A Russia-born asylum seeker detained by ICE is set for a bond hearing after separation from her mother. Little League Fallout: Tulsa National’s disqualification for an ineligible player was upheld by a Texas court, sending Boerne to the Little League World Series.