AGP Executive Report

Food Safety: The FDA is warning shoppers about a Walmart Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit recall tied to possible Listeria contamination, affecting 3,240 packs in 29 states; separately, the FDA upgraded a massive egg recall to its most serious Class I status, covering about 1.59 million cartons distributed into Louisiana and other states after a Salmonella outbreak link. Energy & Utilities: SWEPCO says it will suspend residential disconnections for nonpayment through the end of the week as extreme heat continues across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, while customers are urged to seek bill help early. Courts & Tax: The Fifth Circuit reversed course on who qualifies as a “limited partner” for the self-employment tax exception, narrowing it to partners with no significant role in managing or running a business. Port & Trade: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a federal permit clearing the Louisiana International Terminal on the Lower Mississippi River, advancing a major container facility plan for Port NOLA and partners. Local Business & Growth: Penn Entertainment plans a $195 million move of Boomtown Casino to shore in Harvey, rebranding as Hollywood Casino New Orleans. Public Health: Federal data show kindergarten vaccine exemptions hit another record high as measles prevention coverage slips, with policy changes cited as a driver. Outbreak Watch: FDA/CDC are investigating a multistate Salmonella Javiana outbreak tied to jalapeños, with downstream recalls reaching stores in Texas and Louisiana.

NIL Legal Fight: Jayden Daniels’ camp sent LSU a cease-and-desist over the Tigers’ use of his No. 5 jersey after D.J. Pickett was allowed to wear it, escalating a high-stakes dispute that’s now drawing major college football attention. Education & Governance: East Baton Rouge school board members say they’ll back LaMont Cole staying in charge despite corruption charges, while Jefferson Parish heads into a competitive board election amid transportation issues, teacher pay pressure and new English learner accountability rules. Private Equity & Utilities: Bernhard Capital Partners closed a $1 billion Bowman Consulting deal and a $1.25 billion New Mexico Gas acquisition, signaling continued infrastructure-focused dealmaking even as the broader private equity market slows. Industrial Growth: Hyundai Steel’s $5.8 billion Louisiana mill is reportedly set for a Sept. 4 groundbreaking at RiverPlex MegaPark in Ascension Parish, with major job and supply-chain ripple effects expected. Energy Logistics: US ports and rail are feeling the strain from AI-driven data center build-outs, with heavy equipment and power transformers creating new bottlenecks. Oil & Gas Results: Empire Petroleum reported Q2 2026 results and operational updates, including expanded Texas drilling activity and infrastructure upgrades to boost gas throughput.

Nonprofit Funding Snapshot: IRS Form 990 data show Jefferson Davis Council on Aging in Jennings led local non-profits in 2024 with government grants making up 86.7% of revenue (86.7% of $728,103). In Lafayette, Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center Foundation topped the list at 89.1% of revenue from grants; in Hammond, Southeast Spouse Abuse Program Dba Southeast Advocates for Family Empowerment hit 99.6%; and in Rayne, St Matthew Manor Inc led at 68.1%. Public Health & Compliance: FDA inspected Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank on July 15 and found “No Action Indicated.” Local Business: Original Patti’s Lafayette-area location at 505 W. Pont des Mouton Road closed permanently after a hood vent failure. Crime & Safety: Kenner police obtained a warrant for a second YouTuber tied to “urban exploration” at abandoned Esplanade Mall; investigators say the teen who died at Plaza Tower was also exploring. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports show diesel prices easing in parts of Louisiana, with Winn Parish’s lowest diesel at $4.79 (week ending Aug. 8). Extreme Heat Prep: New Orleans and Jefferson Parish opened cooling centers as temperatures could feel like 115 degrees.

Food & Retail Recalls: Walmart-linked Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits are being pulled after possible listeria contamination, while a broader salmonella-driven egg recall has been upgraded to the highest risk level—another reminder for Louisiana shoppers to check labels. Energy & Utilities: Louisiana’s Public Service Commission is set to vote next month on a “nuclear tariff” that would add a 20-cent monthly fee to Entergy Louisiana, Cleco and SWEPCO bills to fund early work on small modular reactors. Public Safety Tech: New Orleans police are expanding their drone response program after a $500,000 donation to buy three more emergency-response drones, aiming to speed up on-scene assessment. Business & Banking: LSU New Orleans hired an ex-NOPD chief for safety and emergency preparedness and named a new police chief, while a local PR firm launch and new bank officers signal continued hiring in the metro. Transportation & Tourism: Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Mardi Gras service is celebrating a strong first year of ridership growth, even as safety concerns at rail crossings remain in focus. Local Economy & Community: Southwest Louisiana Credit Union’s Back to School Resources Fair handed out free shoes and connected families with local resources. Space & Tech: SpaceX set a record by launching two Falcon 9 rockets 38 minutes apart, including a mission for Louisiana-based Globalstar. Agriculture: Northwest Louisiana farmers say cotton remains a constant even as conditions keep changing.

Consumer Protection: Louisiana’s new ban on debit card surcharges took effect Aug. 1, stopping retailers from passing those fees to shoppers—but critics warn the costs may still show up through higher prices since banks and card networks still charge merchants. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque soup kits in 29 states, including Louisiana, over possible listeria contamination; separately, FDA upgraded a major shell-egg salmonella recall to Class I, affecting cartons sold across multiple states with sell-by dates now expiring soon. Energy & Costs: Reports say the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at record-low levels, raising concerns that ongoing withdrawals tied to the Iran conflict could damage storage caverns—while AAA shows gas prices remain elevated. Local Business Support: The Louisiana Small Business Development Center highlights its no-cost, parish-by-parish consulting and training for startups and established firms. Public Safety & Privacy: Flock Safety says it’s tightening license-plate reader retention and sharing controls amid growing backlash and contract pullbacks. Workforce/Tech Policy: The DNC approved competing ICE proposals—abolish vs. reform—underscoring political uncertainty ahead of midterms. Local News: New Orleans police say a teen died after falling inside the abandoned Plaza Tower during “urban exploring,” renewing scrutiny of unsecured properties.

Greenland Oil Push: A longshot drilling plan tied to Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and “Dr. Phil” is sparking backlash in Greenland over profit splits, chemicals, and impacts on local wildlife and hunting. Superdome Economy: The Saints’ 60th season kicks off with a $6 value menu and expanded local vendor partnerships at Caesars Superdome, aiming to boost fan value and keep dollars local. Convention Center Hotel Roadblock: New Orleans’ planned Omni “headquarters” hotel faces a Senate Bond Commission fight, with Senate President Cameron Henry saying the financing and deal terms aren’t ready. Public Health Recalls: FDA upgraded a massive egg recall to Class I (highest risk) for salmonella, and Walmart tomato bisque soup kits were recalled over possible listeria contamination. Local Business & Growth: Jefferson Parish is moving forward on a $70M aquatic center redevelopment at the former Hope Haven orphanage site, with private donations expected to fill funding gaps. Sports Business: LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he’ll keep D.J. Pickett in the No. 5 jersey despite legal threats tied to Jayden Daniels’ NIL dispute. Food Safety in Stores: H-E-B removed select products after a salmonella-linked jalapeño recall connected to NatureBest Precut & Produce. Corporate Results: Conrad Industries reported Q2 2026 results and said backlog rose to $292.8M, with new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work added.

Food Safety: Walmart’s Marketside tomato bisque soup kits are being recalled in 29 states, including Louisiana, after Kettle Cuisine found presumptive Listeria during testing; no confirmed illnesses reported. Food Safety: FDA also upgraded a salmonella egg recall to Class 1, covering about 1.6 million dozen eggs distributed into Louisiana and other states, warning of serious health consequences. Public Health & Consumer Risk: Oma’s Pride is voluntarily recalling frozen raw dog food in 11 states, including Louisiana, after FDA testing confirmed salmonella; officials warn pets and people handling the product face risk. Energy & Infrastructure: Entergy Louisiana has started a $270M Jefferson Parish grid-hardening project, replacing or reinforcing 500+ poles along Veterans Boulevard and targeting thousands more to cut storm outages. Local Economy & Hospitality: The Saints and Legends Global are rolling out a 2026 Superdome concessions overhaul, including a $6 anniversary menu and more Louisiana craft beer and local food partners. Climate Adaptation: A growing number of communities, including Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles, are turning to managed retreat as land loss accelerates. Tech & Regulation: The U.S. 5th Circuit in New Orleans sided with healthcare providers in a No Surprises Act dispute over qualifying payment amount calculations, a win that could reshape insurer payment fights.

Opelousas Water Fight: Opelousas residents are pressing the city council over rising water bills and alleged quality problems tied to a $20 million infrastructure loan and CPI-based rate hikes, turning the mayor’s race into a flashpoint. Flood Insurance Court Battle: The Trump Justice Department is defending Biden-era flood insurance rate increases in a Louisiana-linked lawsuit by 10 Republican attorneys general, arguing the higher premiums better reflect risk. Homeland Security Contract Scrutiny: DHS spent $464 million on no-bid used planes for deportation flights, but many sit idle—raising questions about rushed contracting and taxpayer value. Healthcare Tech Upgrade: A Baton Rouge hospital is using magnet-based surgery to reconnect parts of the digestive tract, aiming for more consistent healing than stitches or staples. Education Power Shift: The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board faces potential political change in November, with Democrats challenging long Republican control and a possible Black majority in at least one district. Data Center Debate: A guest column argues Louisiana should embrace data centers as AI “factories,” pairing them with cleaner power and workforce development. Gulf Energy Dollars: Oil and gas lease sales keep rolling, with companies bidding about $83 million for new drilling rights in the Gulf, sending royalties to Louisiana. Public Safety Tech Contract: Louisiana lawmakers are set to consider a $54 million no-bid Motorola deal for disaster communications and body/dash cameras. Food Safety Alert: The FDA upgraded a multistate egg recall to Class I after Salmonella concerns, affecting more than 38 million eggs. Local Business & Community: Smith Family Farms donated about 500 pounds of beef to the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana through restaurant partnerships. Surveillance Oversight: Flock Safety says it’s changing its camera platform to address privacy concerns and misuse complaints. Sports Business Angle: The NBA schedule highlights LeBron James’s 76ers season with 34 nationally televised games, including opening-day matchups.

Insurance & Courts: A federal murder-for-hire trial in New Orleans has started for disbarred attorney Sean Alfortish and alleged hitman Leon “Chunky” Parker, tied to an FBI-exposed staged-crash insurance fraud scheme and a witness killing. Energy Policy: Louisiana’s Public Service Commission postponed a vote on a proposed “nuclear tariff” that would add a 20-cent monthly fee to Entergy Louisiana, Cleco and SWEPCO bills to fund early work on small modular reactors. Tech & Power Demand: Louisiana regulators voted 3-1 to block nonprofits from forcing Meta to turn over details tied to a Richland Parish data-center plan, even after an administrative judge sided with the groups. Public Safety & Privacy: Flock Safety says it’s changing its camera platform after backlash over license-plate reader misuse, as New Orleans also faces scrutiny over surveillance practices. Local Governance: New Orleans opened a code enforcement case on a blighted I-10-area property after Fox 8 raised concerns, while the city’s firefighters union sued over assignments and pay tied to training/qualification disputes. Business & Growth: Elon Musk’s jet landed in Lafayette as reports swirl about a potential SpaceX spaceport deal in coastal Vermilion Parish. Food Safety: Whole Foods expanded salmonella-related recalls tied to jalapeños, and a separate pet food recall pulled 639 bags of frozen raw dog food over salmonella risk. Community Investment: NORD distributed nearly $294,000 in stipends to 670 New Orleans teens through summer career and sports programs.

Louisiana Hemp Policy: A Cygnal survey for the Louisiana Hemp Beverage Coalition finds 70% of likely voters back regulating hemp beverages rather than banning them, with 60% opposing a federal ban on products already regulated by the state. Food Safety & Retail Impact: Whole Foods expanded a salmonella recall tied to jalapeños, now affecting products sold in 27 states, including Louisiana; the recall follows earlier Taylor Farms actions and centers on prepared dips, salsas and guacamole. Energy & Jobs: The EIA forecasts U.S. marketed natural gas production will hit a record 122.5 Bcf/d in 2026, with growth concentrated in the Permian and the Haynesville region that includes Louisiana. Local Business & Construction: New Orleans City Council approved a Sewerage & Water Board oversight and budget framework, while the River District’s Rivana Apartments cleared a PILOT path for 220 affordable units. Banking/Tech & Regulation: Louisiana regulators sided with Meta in a secrecy fight over Hyperion data center details, keeping key information from disclosure as the power debate grows. Hospitality: Summit Hotel Properties reported stronger Q2 performance, with RevPAR and hotel EBITDA gains driven by rate growth and cost controls. Local Economy & Community: Hunters For The Hungry Louisiana will hold its annual “Clean Out Your Freezer Day” Aug. 23, collecting game and fish donations for food banks statewide. Business Risk Watch: Tsunami Sushi’s Baton Rouge Highland location has closed amid the company’s federal bankruptcy filing.

Energy & Markets: The U.S. is on track for record natural gas output in 2026, with EIA forecasting 122.5 Bcf/d for the year, helped by growth in the Permian and Louisiana’s Haynesville. Offshore Oil & Gas: The federal BBG3 Gulf lease auction pulled in $82.7 million in high bids across 59 tracts, keeping Gulf energy development in the spotlight. Louisiana Data Centers: Louisiana regulators declined to force Meta to disclose energy use and job numbers tied to its $50 billion Hyperion project, a move consumer groups say limits transparency. Local Economy & Growth: Baton Rouge broke ground on a $28 million Nicholson Drive lane expansion to ease traffic near LSU. Coastal Restoration: One year after Louisiana restored 1,170 acres of wetlands in the Barataria Basin, NOAA says shrimp, crabs and red drum are returning. Business & Courts: A Louisiana man sued Pepperidge Farm over a distributorship buyout, alleging bad faith on the “fair” value. Public Safety & Health: Whole Foods expanded a jalapeño-linked salmonella recall affecting multiple states, including Louisiana. Community Watch: Shreveport arrested a pastor again for contractor fraud, alleging more than $310,000 taken for an unfinished home. Tech & Education: Georgetown University ranked ITI Technical College #1 in Louisiana for 10-year return on investment.

River Center Shake-Up: Visit Baton Rouge will serve as interim manager while the city-parish searches for a new operator to run day-to-day business and support redevelopment of the Raising Cane’s River Center. Ascension Schools Turnover: Term limits are forcing new leadership on the Ascension Parish School Board, with several seats unopposed and one remaining race headed to the fall. Baton Rouge Retail Growth: Rancher Hat Bar is opening its first Louisiana store in Baton Rouge, bringing customizable western and trucker hats to a Perkins Road shopping center near LSU. New Orleans Hospitality Reuse: A long-vacant Magazine Street sno-ball stand is being converted into an all-day cafe with indoor/outdoor seating, keeping the site’s distinctive sno-ball design. Hard Rock Fallout: A judge approved a $106 million settlement tied to the 2019 Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans, ending a yearslong fight. Cybersecurity Watch: Credit unions are pushing back in a data breach case involving Snowflake, as a judge let key claims move into discovery. Flood Planning: Iberville officials are exploring a regional floodwater pumping station concept near Bayou Sorrel Locks to reduce bottleneck flooding risks. Local Food & Community: Glass Half Full, founded by Tulane students, is turning discarded bottles into sand to test for Louisiana wetland restoration.

Meta & Louisiana Utilities: The Louisiana Public Service Commission will decide Wednesday whether Meta can keep details secret about its Hyperion AI data center expansion in Richland Parish, as consumer and environmental groups push for firmer power-cost and job figures and worry ratepayers could get stuck with bills. Public Health Fight: President Trump signed an executive order narrowing the “gold standard” childhood vaccine list to 11 core immunizations and directing DOJ action against states that conflict with parental and religious exemptions, drawing sharp criticism from public health experts. Housing & Real Estate: New Orleans-area home sales showed early-2026 momentum, with closed sales up 6.6% in the 10-parish market, though buyers appear concentrated at the higher end. Nursing Home Oversight: A Baton Rouge nursing home was labeled a Special Focus Facility by federal regulators, triggering required improvements after allegations of delayed care and serious harm. Economic Development Watch: Demolition has started on the former Mercy Hospital complex in New Orleans, clearing the way for redevelopment and a stormwater retention system aimed at reducing flooding. Business & Consumer Safety: Authorities arrested a Lake Charles gas station owner accused of selling illegal THC products and Kratom to minors, seizing firearms and tens of pounds of THC. Local Business Growth: Buc-ee’s got a building permit for its Lafayette store, a $72.05 million project with construction now set to begin. Food Safety: Taylor Farms’ jalapeño-linked salmonella recall continues to widen, with downstream product alerts reaching more states and retailers.

Pharma & Jobs: Keenova Therapeutics reported Q2 2026 results, highlighting stronger-than-expected Acthar Gel growth and progress on its XIAFLEX pipeline, while tightening guidance and moving toward planned late-2026 filings. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded a jalapeño-linked salmonella recall across major retailers, including Louisiana stores, urging consumers to check “best if used by” dates and stop eating affected products. Energy & Infrastructure: Williams agreed to buy Momentum Midstream in a $5.5 billion Haynesville growth deal that adds thousands of miles of gas gathering and transmission feeding Gulf Coast LNG and power demand, including southwest Louisiana hubs. Local Economy & Housing: A $31 million New Orleans apartment complex near the Mississippi River is nearing completion to fill the “missing middle” gap for middle-income renters, with partial state and federal support. Higher Ed Leadership: LSU New Orleans named a 14-member search committee to find the next chancellor, with candidate review starting Aug. 25 and a finalist recommendation by December. Public Works: La. 1 upgrades through White Castle are nearing completion, including drainage, concrete repairs and restriping—work tied to the broader timeline for the Hyundai Steel plant. Governance & Risk: A Louisiana Legislative Auditor review of the Town of Melville found multiple financial-control deficiencies, including payroll tax remittance and utility billing practices.

Food Safety & Recalls: Taylor Farms and its parent, Taylor Fresh Foods, are recalling 20 jalapeño-containing products after a Salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican-grown jalapeños has sickened more than 340 people across 27 states, with major retailers including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods named. Banking Regulation: Regulators including the FDIC and Louisiana’s Office of Financial Institutions ordered First Guaranty Bank to restrict lending to certain borrowers as it works through credit-quality problems; the bank reported $6.2 million profit in the first half of 2026 and is also completing a branch sale that could strengthen capital. Local Government & Courts: A St. Tammany judge ruled the parish can’t dodge Justice Center security costs, setting up how much the sheriff’s office gets paid for deputies; in Lafayette, an audit details alleged embezzlement by a city marshal’s employee involving unauthorized transfers and debit-card use. Public Works & Development: New Orleans says demolition of the long-vacant Lindy Boggs Medical Center is set to begin Tuesday, with the project expected to take months. Business & Growth: Landstar appointed Vallie Dugas as VP, General Counsel and Secretary, adding leadership depth to the transportation-management firm. Community: United Way of Central Louisiana kicked off its 2026 campaign with “The Art of Community,” and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe announced its Healing Tribal Strong 5K to benefit the Mary Bird Perkins Foundation.

Health Care & Insurance: Louisiana hospitals are seeing a sharp rise in uninsured patients after Affordable Care Act subsidies expired, with enrollment down about 26% in the state—raising pressure ahead of the Nov. 3 elections. Food Safety: Taylor Farms issued a salmonella recall tied to potentially contaminated jalapeños, with major retailers including Walmart, Target and Whole Foods affected; regulators also flagged additional recalled jalapeño-linked prepared foods. Energy & Utilities: Entergy says it has spent more than $900M hardening Louisiana’s grid since Ida, pointing to fewer outages during severe weather as new poles and lines prove out. Local Real Estate: Off-campus student housing near LSU is booming and getting pricier, with luxury complexes near campus driving a big share of Baton Rouge multifamily sales. Business & Tech: One Click SEO rolled out AI appointment scheduling for its real estate CRM, aiming to automate booking and calendar syncing. Legal & Public Policy: A Louisiana case highlights the fight over compensation for the wrongly imprisoned—while the AG argues claimants are still guilty. Energy Markets: Seadrill reported stronger results and added backlog via new Gulf and Malaysia contracts.