AGP Executive Report

Congressional Race: Four candidates in the Baton Rouge-based 6th District debated the Iran war, high prices and National Guard deployments, less than four weeks before the Nov. 3 primary. Republican Blake Miguez skipped the debate. Sulphur Government: A no-confidence measure targeting Mayor Jacob Stutes remains on the Oct. 13 council agenda, alongside a request for the state attorney general to investigate city hiring and firing practices. Louisiana Courts: The state Supreme Court declined to hear a dispute over the Wisner Trust, a century-old land bequest near Port Fourchon. A commentary argues the decision leaves heirs without a hearing on a case involving substantial property interests. Abortion Policy: The FDA says its safety review of abortion pills will not be complete until March 2027, after a Louisiana judge ordered an update. November Ballot: Voters will decide 10 proposed constitutional amendments, in the first election under Louisiana’s redrawn congressional map.

Hurricane Isaias: The storm made landfall in Florida as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing dangerous surge and flooding risks along the Gulf Coast. Louisiana was under storm warnings, with about 2,800 customers without power. Murrill Indictment Fallout: An Orleans Parish sheriff’s internal review found two deputies acted on their own when they handcuffed a reporter and a lawyer after a grand jury indicted Attorney General Liz Murrill; one deputy was cited for violating department policy. Abortion Pill Review: The FDA told a Louisiana federal judge its mifepristone safety review will not be complete until March 2027, leaving mail-order access in place in the meantime. Southern University: The search for a new system president narrowed to Brian Bridges, Roscoe Jones and Larissa Littleton-Steib, who will be interviewed by the Board of Supervisors. Local Government: East Baton Rouge residents could pay up to 75 cents more a month for 911 service under a proposed fee increase. Thibodaux candidates also debated drainage, public safety and transparency ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Hurricane Isaias: The Category 3 storm is tracking toward the Alabama-Florida coast, but forecasters warn of life-threatening surge from southeast Louisiana eastward, along with heavy rain and flooding. Rural Hospitals: Four North Louisiana hospitals owned by Allegiance Health Management are up for sale after six Minden Medical Center board members resigned over financial concerns. The company faces more than $30 million in IRS tax liens. Election Watch: Louisiana voters face a Nov. 3 ballot with 10 proposed constitutional amendments and races under the state’s redrawn congressional map. Online voter registration closes Oct. 13; early voting runs Oct. 20-27. Officials say human error moved 67,000 voters to inactive status, but inactive voters can still cast ballots. Abortion Lawsuits: Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review challenges to abortion shield laws, while separate Louisiana litigation targets providers accused of facilitating access to abortion pills. Broadband Buildout: REV Fiber has begun a state-funded project in Central that aims to connect 2,840 East Baton Rouge Parish locations.

Hurricane Response: Isaias strengthened to Category 2 as it headed toward the northern Gulf Coast, with storm-surge warnings reaching the mouth of the Mississippi River. Louisiana officials urged residents to prepare as evacuations began elsewhere along the coast. Election Watch: Louisiana’s Nov. 3 election will use its redrawn congressional map, while officials say human error mistakenly moved about 67,000 voters to inactive status. Medicaid Fraud: Five St. Tammany Parish residents were arrested over alleged fraud totaling more than $224,000; two brothers also face federal charges tied to a Hamas fundraising network. New Orleans Governance: NORD commissioners chose Patrice Bell, a Plaquemines port executive, as the recreation agency’s next CEO. She starts Dec. 1 at a salary of $200,000. Open Meetings: Attorney General Liz Murrill says Kenner council members violated state law in connection with a letter about the airport board.

Election 2026: Lafourche voters can cast early ballots Oct. 20–27 ahead of the Nov. 3 Senate and House contests. A separate report says human error marked 67,000 Louisiana voters inactive, raising questions about voter-roll accuracy. Hurricane Readiness: Isaias is forecast to reach the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday. Storm-surge warnings extend from the Mississippi River mouth eastward, and Gulf residents are urged to prepare. City Oversight: New Orleans’ inspector general says handling illegal-dumping cleanup in-house could save more than $1 million a year as officials weigh budget cuts. Open Meetings: Attorney General Liz Murrill says Kenner councilmembers violated state law with a letter about the airport board. Public Aid: Louisiana food-aid enrollment has plunged following SNAP rule changes. Energy Costs: Entergy defended a proposed Meta data-center expansion at a hearing, while opponents questioned who would bear the costs. Federal Charges: Five St. Tammany residents are accused of Medicaid fraud totaling more than $224,000; two brothers also face charges tied to alleged Hamas financing.

Open Meetings: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says four Kenner council members violated state law by privately nominating candidates to the New Orleans airport board, potentially making their letter voidable in court. Election Watch: Shreveport mayoral candidates are entering the final campaign stretch, with Mayor Tom Arceneaux reporting $332,252 on hand; a candidate forum is set for Oct. 15. In DeSoto Parish, a new redistricting map was filed in court, but the Police Jury says it has not endorsed the proposal. Schools and Taxes: Treasurer John Fleming says trimming unnecessary school spending could help fund teacher raises. His office referred about $12.1 million in expenses for further review, while stressing that the referrals do not establish wrongdoing. Voter Guide: PAR has published a nonpartisan guide to the 10 constitutional amendments on Louisiana’s Nov. 3 ballot. Storm Watch: Isaias is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and approach the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday; Louisiana remains under watch as forecasters track the storm east of the state.

Election Administration: A “human error” changed 67,000 Louisiana voters’ status to inactive, while election workers say a faulty system is slowing registration processing ahead of November’s vote. Voters will also decide 10 constitutional amendments. State Policy: Gov. Jeff Landry renewed the gas-tax suspension and expanded untaxed diesel use for farmers. Separately, SNAP enrollment in Louisiana fell by about 170,000 people—21%—after federal rule changes. Local Races: Campaign finance reports are in for Shreveport’s mayoral race, where candidates are making transparency and city services key issues. Energy & Infrastructure: Landowners and elected officials challenged Entergy over a proposed high-voltage transmission line, questioning its public purpose and the project’s transparency. Courts & Elections: Louisiana is pressing a lawsuit against federal rules allowing abortion pills to be prescribed by telehealth and mailed. The state is also among three challenging other states’ abortion shield laws. Political Watch: Sen. John Kennedy is weighing a 2028 presidential run, while Louisiana’s November ballot includes a proposed governor’s term-limits change.

Homelessness Response: Hope Connections unveiled “Downtown to Home” in Shreveport, aiming to move 51 identified people off streets and into shelter and long-term housing by May, using QR-code wristbands to coordinate with nonprofits and police. Midterm Politics: One month out from the Nov. 2026 midterms, a University of Chicago “Monday Outlook” lays out what’s shaping the races and turnout, with control of Congress and the 2028 presidential path on the line. Local Government Turmoil: Sulphur’s next city council agenda includes a vote of no confidence in Mayor Jacob Stutes, a request for a state AG investigation, and moves to reshape city leadership roles amid months of unrest. Elections & Voting Rights: Louisiana AG JB McCuskey joined a bipartisan Supreme Court filing seeking financial judgments for 9/11 victims from frozen Taliban funds. Campaign Watch: Julia Letlow released a new TV ad focused on flood insurance costs ahead of her Senate race. Public Safety & Health: Louisiana health officials warned about cychlorphine, urging naloxone and 911 response for suspected overdoses. Housing & Permits: New Orleans co-owners sued the city over alleged arbitrary short-term rental permit denials. Community Life: Broadmoor’s Christmas Parade was canceled again due to police security and traffic-control costs.

Louisiana Constitutional Amendments: Voters head to the polls Nov. 3 on 10 proposed changes, including new rules for disabled veterans’ property tax exemptions, local millage authority, bail, retirement debt, and drinking-water line protections. Election & Governance: Louisiana’s voter registration backlog and a system election officials say doesn’t work are still complicating preparations for the Nov. 3 vote. State Politics: Sen. John Kennedy says he’s considering a 2028 presidential run if Republicans field “weak” candidates, while also emphasizing his plan to seek reelection. Campaign Finance Clash: JD Vance defended taxpayer-funded Trump ads as “not partisan,” then Trump said he’d pay for the ads himself after backlash. Public Safety & Schools: Louisiana is distributing grants to boost school security, and the state’s Keep Louisiana Beautiful program awarded more than $500,000 in litter-prevention funding, including to Zachary and East Feliciana. Local Government: Public meetings are set for October on replacing closed bridges, including the West Pearl River crossings.

Election Integrity: DOJ charged 3 New Orleans-area green card holders with illegal voting in the 2024 election, adding to a broader federal crackdown on noncitizen voting and false citizenship claims. Criminal Justice: Louisiana is moving forward with an execution for a man convicted of killing two co-workers at a Baton Rouge restaurant, as the case continues through the courts. State Government & Courts: A new U.S. Supreme Court term takes up whether local governments can sue energy companies over climate-change harms, a fight that could reshape liability rules nationwide. Local Government: New Orleans Public Works is using bond money to fund positions after doubling its workforce, raising questions about how long the staffing model can last. Education: St. Tammany Parish named Steve Alfonso interim superintendent after Frank Jabbia’s retirement. Public Safety: A Vivian officer killed in the line of duty is among Louisiana’s Medal of Honor honorees. Business/Community: Southern University received $1.275 million to launch a rural business center aimed at expanding financing and contracting opportunities.

Belle Chasse Toll Bridge: Sen. Pat Connick renewed pressure on DOTD and Gov. Jeff Landry, urging tolls stay suspended while lawmakers negotiate a fix for the Plaquemines Parish crossing. Federal courts & politics: Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy signaled he’s open to a 2028 presidential run, while also delivering a sharp critique of President Trump’s daylight-saving feud tactics. Public safety & health: HHS named eight communities—including Tangipahoa Parish—for a new $96 million STREETS program to expand addiction and mental health care for people experiencing homelessness. Local government: East St. Tammany voters will choose among three candidates for City Court, with the race drawing attention to residency and jurisdiction disputes. New Orleans & infrastructure: Uniti Fiber and the Saints announced a fiber-backed partnership aimed at boosting connectivity across Caesars Superdome and Saints operations. Community life: More than 200 people gathered for St. Tammany Health System’s “Walking with Angels” remembrance event for pediatric loss.

Redistricting Fight: A new wave of partisan congressional map changes is reshaping races ahead of the 2026 midterms, with GOP leaders in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Missouri moving to redraw lines. 2028 Presidential Buzz: Sen. John Kennedy says he’s weighing a 2028 White House run if the GOP field is weak, while also warning Republicans can’t ignore cost-of-living anger. Supreme Court Pressure: Justice Samuel Alito pushes back on calls to expand the court, saying reform talk is meant to intimidate justices. Louisiana Transportation: The Louisiana Transportation Authority approved privatizing Cameron Ferry operations and maintenance under LabMar Ferry Services, aiming for more reliable service. Campus Safety & Accountability: National focus returns to how universities handle sexual assault reports, with LSU’s Title IX process and a Cornell case both cited in the debate. Local Public Safety: A drive-by shooting investigation continues in Independence after a birthday party attack left one dead and another injured. Community & Culture: St. Charles Parish students used music from the American Patchwork Quartet to create art at Lafon Performing Arts Center.

Election 2026 Louisiana Redistricting: A new AP report spotlights how Louisiana’s congressional map reshaped Black representation again, focusing on Scotlandville—an almost all-Black Baton Rouge community—being moved into a majority-white district twice, including after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key Voting Rights Act protection. Courts & Elections: A separate roundup says election disputes are already multiplying ahead of Nov. 3, with hundreds of cases over voter rolls, citizenship checks, mail voting, and election administration—setting up a legal fight that could run through certification. Public Meetings Law: Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law gets a plain-language explainer, including what counts as improper “walking quorum” behavior. Public Safety & Federal Enforcement: The FBI’s “Operation Summer Heat 2.0” reports nearly 9,000 arrests and locating or identifying 1,410 children in violent-crime investigations. Local Schools: New Orleans public school closure fears return as enrollment drops, with alumni and officials pressing to keep specific campuses open. Health Policy: A federal rural data center tax-break debate is landing in Louisiana politics as lawmakers weigh whether incentives will spur real local jobs or just development elsewhere.

Midterm Countdown: Louisiana’s final 30-day push is underway with U.S. Senate and House races driving attention, and analysts say independents often decide late as candidates ramp up ads, mail, and street outreach. Local Elections Watch: Orleans judges’ races and multiple parish contests—including school board and municipal seats—are heating up, with the St. Tammany sheriff’s race drawing extra scrutiny. Wildlife & Fisheries: The state Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is set to consider a proposal that could tighten hen mallard and hen northern pintail harvest limits for the 2027-2028 season, alongside other agency updates. Flood Risk: A flood watch covers the New Orleans metro and Northshore through Sunday evening as thunderstorms threaten heavy rain totals. Legal/Justice: A federal judge ruled a deputy’s license-plate reader search violated the Fourth Amendment, ordering suppression of improperly obtained location records. LSU Title IX Fallout: The East Baton Rouge DA says it’s seeking records after an LSU football punishment was reduced to probation in a rape case, while the investigation continues. Public Safety: Baton Rouge police are investigating a shooting that hit three cars leaving Southern University’s homecoming parade, injuring two men and leaving suspects sought.

U.S. House GOP Anxiety: Four weeks from Election Day, a CNN report says more House Republicans privately fear they’ll lose the majority, with some already discussing pulling money from races they see as too tough. Louisiana Senate Race: Democrat Jamie Davis is calling for a data center moratorium in Louisiana, arguing the state knows too little about the water demands needed to cool the facilities. School Spending Scrutiny: Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming has referred about $12.1 million in school expenditures for further review, including items tied to meals, gifts, and possible political or lobbying costs. Abortion “Shield Laws” Fight: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill is part of a Supreme Court bid by GOP AGs to block blue-state abortion drug “shield” laws that protect providers from out-of-state prosecution. Diesel Relief Pressure: With record diesel prices hitting farmers, Louisiana’s ag commissioner is urging the governor to pause restrictions on untaxed farm diesel. Data Center Backlash: Amazon says it will invest $1B over five years in communities around data centers, as opposition over electricity and water use keeps growing. Local Government Watch: A Louisiana walking-quorum explainer highlights how serial private discussions can violate public meeting rules.

Education & Courts: Arkansas AG Tim Griffin says a federal judge terminated the Camden-Fairview consent decrees that blocked white students from transferring to Harmony Grove, calling it a constitutional violation. Environment: Griffin also announced a $32 million (up to $80 million) settlement with Monsanto over PCB contamination claims, with funds earmarked for water quality. Higher Ed & Sports Law: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill moved to intervene in NCAA litigation seeking a fifth season for ULM players, arguing the NCAA’s five-season eligibility rule harms Louisiana student-athletes and public universities. Elections: Louisiana voters have key deadlines for the Nov. 3 vote, including Oct. 5 for mail/in-person registration and Oct. 13 for online registration. Public Safety: Two New Orleans airport baggage handlers were arrested for allegedly stealing a $79,050 watch from a checked bag. Health & Housing: Minden Medical Center is being put up for sale as its corporate owner divests, amid local board concerns. Crime & Justice: A Washington Parish jury convicted two men of second-degree murder in a 2021 Bogalusa shooting tied to “Instagram rap beef.”