AGP Executive Report

9th Ward Stadium Deal: Orleans Parish School Board approved licensing for the Raising Cane’s 9th Ward Stadium at LCMC Health Field, with construction set to start this summer and a 2027 opening; the stadium is expected to seat about 3,700 and anchor George Washington Carver High School. Public Safety & Courts: Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill that requires immediate notification when an inmate is mistakenly released, building on last year’s jail break response. Homelessness Enforcement: A new Louisiana law would make sleeping on public property a misdemeanor, directing police to arrest violators and courts to order counseling and treatment. Crime Updates: Police say a second arrest was made in the May 24 shooting outside Thibodaux night clubs, while Louisiana State Police detailed a Crowley man’s alleged crime spree that included an officer-involved shooting and a chase. Immigration: Rep. Wesley Bell says a Maplewood-Richmond Heights janitor was deported to Nicaragua after an ICE case. Local Economy: GasBuddy reports midgrade gas hit a low of $3.76 in East Baton Rouge Parish for the week ending May 30. Health Policy: FDA launched a study of the abortion pill mifepristone, a move that could shape future access rules.

College Sports Policy Fight: Nick Saban testified as Congress weighs the Protect College Sports Act after LSU’s Lane Kiffin hire reignited debate over NIL, transfers, and in-season coaching changes. Supreme Court, FCC Fines: In an 8-1 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court backed the FCC’s in-house penalty process, upholding major fines against wireless carriers including AT&T and Verizon. Louisiana Law & Safety: Gov. Jeff Landry signed bills including tougher repeat DWI penalties and a new QR-code replacement for Louisiana vehicle inspection stickers, with ticketing paused starting June 30. Acadiana Aerospace Push: Landry also signed four bills aimed at attracting aerospace firms to Acadiana, offering tax incentives and confidentiality for early-stage planning. Infant Loss Support: “Angel’s Law” expands perinatal bereavement care across Louisiana hospitals. Local Crime: Shia LaBeouf was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery in a New Orleans Mardi Gras bar incident. Energy & Growth: Delfin Midstream announced a $5 billion floating LNG project off Louisiana’s coast.

Louisiana Politics: House GOP leaders lost a bid to block a War Powers resolution aimed at forcing President Trump to withdraw from the Iran conflict and requiring congressional sign-off for further action, a rebuke that drew bipartisan support (including four GOP members) and leaves next steps uncertain. Redistricting & Voting Rights: A new push to redraw congressional maps is driving fresh protests in the South, with civil rights groups warning that changes to Black political representation could trigger election chaos. Homelessness Policy: Gov. Landry is set to decide on a controversial homelessness bill that would make camping on public property a crime, routing some people into court-supervised housing, treatment, and job programs. Local Government & Courts: Louisiana lawmakers advanced major changes affecting Orleans Parish courts and judgeships, while broader legal fights over maps and representation continue. Public Safety & Health: Louisiana is ending vehicle inspection stickers and shifting to a QR-code system, and a new blood test in Acadiana is being promoted as a simpler colorectal cancer screening option. Sports & Culture: Saints OTAs drew attention with Alvin Kamara’s surprise appearance, while Donaldsonville is gearing up for its 31st annual Juneteenth celebration.

Immigration & Child Safety: A toddler in ICE detention’s aftermath died after alleged abuse by a Florida Panhandle uncle; ICE officials criticized the mother, while prosecutors say the child suffered broken bones and sexual assault before dying. Local Justice: An Orleans Parish grand jury indicted five people in the April 7 crossfire killing of New Orleans Marines veteran Michael Garcia, charging second-degree murder and obstruction. Politics & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama to use a GOP-favored congressional map that eliminates one majority-Black district, citing its Louisiana v. Callais ruling. Baton Rouge Sports: Professional hockey is getting a fresh start in Baton Rouge under new owner Andreas Johansson after the Zydeco folded. Local Government & Industry: A parish council unanimously approved the first zoning rules for data centers, setting limits on setbacks, landscaping, buffering, screening, and noise. Public Health: Parts of New Orleans’ Lake Shore–Lake Vista are under a boil-water advisory after a water main repair dropped pressure. Culture & Community: Playmakers of Baton Rouge opens “Newsies Jr.”, and the Literary Lights series will feature Naira Kuzmich’s “Fearcatcher.”

U.S. Supreme Court Redistricting: The court let Alabama use its 2023 GOP congressional map for 2026 elections, pausing a lower-court ruling that said the plan intentionally diluted Black voting power; Justice Sotomayor blasted the move as “wrong twice over,” warning of election chaos. Louisiana Voting Rights Fallout: The decision lands in the wake of Louisiana v. Callais, which reshaped how voting-rights challenges to maps are judged—prompting more redistricting fights across the South. Louisiana Public Safety Policy: Louisiana lawmakers are moving toward a task force to review whether electronic ankle monitoring improves public safety, after cases where suspects on monitors were blamed for deadly crimes. Baton Rouge/LSU Sports: LSU baseball’s transfer portal churn is underway, with at least one notable pitcher already entered, as the Tigers rebuild after missing the NCAA Tournament. New Orleans Community Update: NORDC announced its CEO will step down June 12, with interim leadership taking over, as recreation center visits continue to rise. Louisiana Environment & Consumer Rules: A new balloon release ban takes effect in August, with fines for large outdoor releases. Seafood Transparency: New shrimp testing in Baton Rouge finds mixed results, with some restaurants misrepresenting imported shrimp as American wild-caught.

Teacher Pay Fight: Gov. Jeff Landry says he’ll address the future of teacher pay after the 2026 budget left out up to $2,000 stipends, promising an executive-order mechanism to redirect funds into a permanent raise—while insisting it won’t cut school funding or raise taxes. Capitol Wrap-Up: Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session ended after lawmakers pushed through a new congressional map tied to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais decision, plus major Orleans Parish judicial changes; about 400 bills were signed, but teacher stipends remain unresolved. Local Government & Voting Rights: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill met with mayors in Morgan City, discussing how Callais could affect local districting and fielding concerns about bot-driven public records requests and costly legal-ad publication rules. Anti-Litter Crackdown: A new Louisiana law (Act 196) bans intentional outdoor balloon releases and treats planned releases as littering, with exemptions for certain uses and biodegradable or scientific balloons. Elder Fraud Warning: Louisiana Blue is urging seniors to watch for Medicare fraud during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, stressing urgency scams and personal-information traps. Coastal Resilience Push: H&B Young Foundation awarded $100,000 to St. Mary Excel for the Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub in Morgan City. Gulf Beach Threat: Sargassum seaweed blooms are expected to worsen along Gulf Coast beaches, threatening tourism and cleanup costs.

Louisiana Politics: The 2026 Regular Legislative Session wrapped up Monday with a $47 billion balanced budget, boosting K-12 and higher education funding, pushing road and infrastructure work, and setting up a task force aimed at a longer-term teacher pay path. Elections & Voting Rights: Lawmakers also closed out the session amid national fallout over voting rights, after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision further weakened key protections—sparking fresh protests from voting-rights groups. Public Safety & Courts: The House advanced a bill to strengthen school employee protections after student assaults, while lawmakers also voted to cut Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judges from 12 to 9, a move Democrats called an assault on the parish. Hurricane Readiness: Forecasters say the Atlantic could stay below normal, but Louisiana residents are being urged to prepare anyway, as even a quiet season can still bring one devastating storm; the National Hurricane Center is also expanding its inland warning cone. Local Governance: In Minden, the City Council moved forward on sports tourism planning, road safety grant applications, and tough decisions involving condemned properties.

Louisiana Redistricting Fight: Gov. Jeff Landry signed Louisiana’s new congressional map into law after the GOP-led Legislature approved it, a move that NAACP Louisiana says weakens minority representation and prompted calls for Sen. John “Jay” Morris III to resign. New Orleans Courts Overhaul: The Legislature advanced changes to reduce New Orleans judges, keeping all 14 Civil District Court judges safe while targeting Criminal District Judge Rhonda Goode-Douglas under the latest version of the bill now headed to Landry. Supreme Court on Orleans Clerk Seat: The Louisiana Supreme Court upheld Act 15, ending Calvin Duncan’s Orleans clerk seat and backing a merged clerk structure—4-3, with three justices dissenting. Hurricane Season Prep: Louisiana officials and the Red Cross are urging residents to get ready as 2026 hurricane season approaches, with guidance on survival kits and planning. Local Business & Community: Northshore Technical Community College hit a record 987 graduates at commencement, and Baton Rouge’s LSU arena debate continues as critics press for transparency and voter protections. Sports & Culture: The Pelicans say they’re open to trades with only two “untouchable” players, while New Orleans marks D-Day with a free June 6 ceremony at the National WWII Museum honoring “Rosie the Riveters.”

Hurricane prep: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill is urging residents to get ready now for the 2026 season, even as NOAA forecasts a below-normal year—she highlights insurance checks, evacuation plans, and disaster supply kits. Storm readiness in New Orleans: Local leaders say they’ve finished infrastructure upgrades and finalized evacuation planning, including pump readiness and catch-basin cleanouts, ahead of peak season. Fortified roof grants: Registration opens June 1 for homeowners to apply for Louisiana’s fortified roof program, with a lottery selecting 3,000 participants. Louisiana politics & voting rights: Louisiana’s new congressional map is signed into law after fierce battles, eliminating a majority-Black district and setting up legal challenges. Local safety: A 19-year-old died after a motorcycle crash in Ascension Parish; investigators say impairment wasn’t suspected. Tech & energy: Argent LNG keeps advancing its Port Fourchon LNG export terminal permitting with four more FERC resource reports. EV supply update: Tesla withdrew a termination notice on its graphite supply deal with Syrah’s Vidalia plant in Louisiana. LSU sports: LSU’s Dan Hayes surged in the NCAA men’s golf championship, while LSU’s run to make the cut was a standout.

Voting Rights & Redistricting: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling is reverberating across the country, narrowing when race-conscious districting is allowed and raising fears that Black representation could shrink. Local Politics: Louisiana’s own congressional map fight is still in the spotlight as lawmakers move to redraw districts and voting-rights groups warn of legal challenges ahead of November. State Policy & Courts: A separate wave of election-related litigation is building nationwide, with Republicans pushing cases that could further reshape mail-ballot rules and campaign money limits. Economy & Cost of Living: New reporting highlights growing trouble paying bills, with delinquency rates rising in major states and young adults struggling to build financial independence as housing and other costs stay high. Louisiana Community & Culture: New Orleans is gearing up for Sail 250, with tall ships and Navy vessels bringing rare public access to historic vessels along the riverfront. Public Safety: A fatal shooting in Broadmoor is under investigation by NOPD, with police still working to identify a suspect and motive.

Louisiana Politics: Gov. Jeff Landry signed a new congressional map into law, eliminating one majority-Black district and splitting St. Landry Parish between two districts instead of three—setting up fresh legal fights over voting power. Courts & Public Safety: A judge ruled surveillance gathered by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office can be used at trial in a case against a man accused of running gun and drug operations tied to the 5400 Boys gang. Health: “Flesh-eating” Vibrio vulnificus cases are rising in Florida as warm, brackish water hits peak season, a reminder for Louisiana residents to be cautious with raw shellfish and open wounds. Economy & Policy: Three Republican state attorneys general, including Louisiana’s, asked a federal appeals court to block the Trump administration’s medical cannabis rescheduling push. Community & Lifestyle: A local RV market story points to a surge in certified pre-owned camper interest ahead of summer road trips. Weather: Heat and humidity are expected to keep conditions near 90 degrees in the region, with hurricane season starting June 1.

Congressional Redistricting: Gov. Jeff Landry signed Louisiana’s new U.S. House map after the GOP Legislature approved it, a plan that eliminates one of the state’s two majority-Black districts and is expected to help Republicans pick up a seat. Voting Rights Backlash: The changes follow the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which struck down the prior map as an illegal racial gerrymander and weakened the Voting Rights Act. Local Impact in Baton Rouge: The new map is part of a broader Southern redistricting push tied to the midterms, with Democrats warning it dilutes Black voting power. Immigration Courtroom Fight (Regional): A federal appeals court cleared the way for Texas to enforce parts of a law allowing arrests and deportation of people suspected of illegal border crossings. Public Safety: New Orleans police said a man barricaded himself inside a federal courthouse office, damaged windows, and was taken into custody after officers used a Taser.

Louisiana Shrimp Fight: The Louisiana House unanimously approved a resolution urging the USDA to buy Louisiana shrimp under Section 32, arguing foreign shrimp and rising costs are squeezing local producers and threatening the industry’s future. Redistricting Power Play: With the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais ruling still reshaping the map, Louisiana’s GOP-controlled Senate is set to vote on a plan aimed at keeping Republicans in control of the U.S. House—another move that could further reduce majority-Black districts. Wildlife Protection Law: Louisiana has banned intentional balloon releases starting Aug. 1, citing balloon litter that can harm wildlife and livestock and even interfere with power lines. Local Politics & Campaigns: Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Julia Letlow picked up endorsements from top Louisiana lawmakers as she heads into a June 27 GOP runoff. Weather Watch: New Orleans-area forecasts point to a hot, humid weekend with mostly dry conditions and a small chance of pop-up storms, with hurricane season starting June 1. Business & Growth: A new downtown coworking hub opened as TrayAway expands, signaling continued demand for flexible work space in New Orleans.

Louisiana Redistricting: The Louisiana House approved a new U.S. congressional map that would erase one majority-Black district, voting 66-35 after hours of debate and protests; the bill now heads back to the Senate for final approval before Gov. Jeff Landry signs it. Voting Rights Fight: The NAACP is urging Caddo Parish voters to focus on local elections amid redistricting concerns, warning low turnout can quietly shape everyday life. Hurricane Outlook: NOAA forecasts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with 8 to 14 named storms and 3 to 6 hurricanes—still a reminder for South Louisiana to prepare. Public Safety: A 26-year-old woman died after falling from a third-story balcony at an apartment complex near LSU; police say the case is under investigation. Energy Reliability: Monroe leaders say Louisiana’s power grid is among the least reliable in the U.S., with outages lasting longer as data centers drive demand. Local Crime: Louisiana State Police arrested a Kenner woman accused of running an illegal auto title business, alleging more than $100,000 in fraudulent collections. Sports: Mississippi State hosts the Starkville Regional this weekend, with Louisiana set to face the Bulldogs in the opener.

Teacher Pay Plan: Gov. Jeff Landry says Louisiana will make teacher and school employee stipends permanent after voters rejected a prior constitutional amendment, aiming to fund raises without new taxes. Child Safety Charges: Covington police charged two E.E. Lyon Elementary administrators under Louisiana’s mandatory reporting law, alleging failures to promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect. Coastal Oil Deal: Landry announced a deal with ExxonMobil to resolve “coastal land disputes,” including steps tied to orphan wells, as details remain pending. Voting Rights Fight: Plaintiffs behind Louisiana’s voting-map ruling say they may challenge the new congressional districts again, arguing the latest map still dilutes Black voting power. Marijuana Lawsuit: Nebraska, Indiana and Louisiana AGs sued to block the Trump Justice Department’s marijuana reclassification, saying it bypassed required federal procedures. Rural Delivery Race: Walmart and Amazon are accelerating faster online deliveries in rural areas, with Abbeville, Louisiana cited as a target for quicker service. Local Education Milestone: Northshore Technical Community College celebrated a record 987 graduates at commencement, topping prior years.

Fortify Homes Expansion: Gov. Jeff Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced a major boost to Louisiana’s Fortify Homes Program, adding $50 million to expand fortified-roof grants and aiming to help bring down insurance costs as more homes get hurricane-resistant upgrades. Domestic Violence Response: Shreveport City Council approved a new coordinated response agreement to improve how agencies and advocates respond to domestic violence, with the sheriff’s office serving as the central contact for participating law enforcement. Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force: Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill creating a survivor-led task force to improve services, training, and protections for sexual assault survivors statewide. Marijuana Lawsuit: Nebraska, Indiana and Louisiana AGs sued to block the Trump Justice Department’s marijuana reclassification, arguing the change bypassed normal rulemaking. Local Safety Alerts: St. Landry Parish reported a teen seriously injured after an ATV was struck by a car, and Louisiana State Police and others are searching near Lawtell tied to a decades-old missing person case. Crime in the Region: A Lafayette neighborhood is asking for help after doorbell footage showed a suspect trying to enter vehicles and a home early one morning.