AGP Executive Report

Louisiana Politics: The Louisiana Supreme Court stayed AG Liz Murrill’s indictment and signaled it could be quashed, as New Orleans officials brace for possible retaliation tied to the broader fight over court restructuring. Federal Relief for Storm Impacts: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Louisiana businesses, nonprofits, and residents affected by Tropical Storm Arthur, with physical-damage and economic-injury options across multiple parishes. Economic Development: Sci-Port in Shreveport received a $400,000 state appropriation to expand STEM programming, upgrade exhibits, and add new interactive features. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports the cheapest premium gas in Caldwell Parish at $4.19/gal for the week ending June 27, with Louisiana’s premium average easing to $4.30. Business Growth: Raising Cane’s announced new restaurant openings and remodels across the South, continuing its expansion that traces back to Baton Rouge. Local Business & Community: Patriots RV Resort in Satsuma plans a July 4 grand opening with a free amphitheater concert, fireworks, and family amenities. Sports Business Watch: Trade chatter links New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III to the Detroit Pistons as teams weigh price and roster needs.

Health & Families: A Louisiana Legislative Auditor review says the state left about $111 million in federal WIC funding unused from 2021-2024, pointing to low participation and barriers to enrollment that could be hurting outcomes for pregnant women and infants. Local Business Resilience: Gem Printing in Metairie marks 108 years by sticking with in-house production and fast turnaround while adapting to changing demand. Public Safety & Infrastructure: The U.S. Coast Guard finalized contracts for six Arctic Security Cutters, with Bollinger Shipyards Lockport set to build four—an infusion of major federal work tied to Louisiana’s shipbuilding base. New Orleans Economy & Tourism: As Essence Fest ramps up, city and festival leaders say they’re negotiating the next agreement as the current contract nears its end—an issue with real stakes for local vendors and hotel demand. Legal & Political Tension: Reports say Louisiana AG Liz Murrill was indicted by a New Orleans grand jury using letters to city officials as evidence, escalating a long-running state-city dispute. Disaster Relief: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Louisiana businesses and residents affected by Tropical Storm Arthur, including physical damage and economic injury options. Workforce & Training: TSTC highlights electrical construction career pathways aimed at building local talent for growing demand.

Banking & Markets: Business First Bancshares set its Q2 2026 earnings release and call for July 23, with b1BANK reporting $8.9B in assets as of March 31. Real Estate Distress: New owners of New Orleans’ One Canal Place filed for Chapter 11 less than three months after a $28M purchase, leaving questions about the future of a 75%-occupied tower. Insurance Relief After Storm Arthur: Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple suspended certain cancellation and deadline rules for policyholders in seven parishes affected by Tropical Storm Arthur. Public Policy & Compliance: The U.S. Department of Labor’s ESG guidance rewrite reached the White House for review, aiming to shape how retirement plans handle investment decisions. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Salmonella-related recall of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips to its most severe category. Energy & Utilities: SWEPCO highlighted summer rebates and assistance options as heat drives higher cooling demand. Local Economy & Tourism: New Orleans is projecting hotel occupancy above 80% Friday and Saturday during the Essence Fest and July 4 holiday stretch. Sports Business: Pelicans reportedly rejected Knicks trade attempts for Yves Missi, while trade chatter continues around Trey Murphy III.

Workforce & AI training: Meta’s America’s Workforce Academy is bringing a free, stipend-backed AI infrastructure training class to Baton Rouge this fall via ABC Pelican, with a fast 4–5 week format and a promised job pipeline through Meta contractors. Health & community impact: A Shreveport-Bossier blood shortage has hospitals at about half supply, prompting a July 1–3 LifeShare blood drive push tied to holiday demand. New Orleans biomedical push: Greater New Orleans Foundation CEO Andy Kopplin says the long-stalled BioDistrict’s next step—rebuilding the former Charity Hospital—could finally unlock downtown growth. NIL oversight: Louisiana’s new NIL agent law takes effect July 1, requiring registration, background checks, and training for anyone representing student-athletes in NIL deals. Local government & accountability: Beauregard Parish is reopening its trash contract to new bids after years of complaints about missed pickups. Business expansion & investment: REV Fiber and CoBank are donating $30,000 to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Food safety: FDA upgraded a Zapp’s/Dirty chip recall to Class I, the highest risk level, over potential salmonella contamination tied to a dry milk ingredient.

Healthcare Workforce Push: LSU Alexandria broke ground on a $43M Health Education Campus aimed at doubling the region’s nurse and allied-health graduates. Public Corruption & Contracts: Former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet was sentenced to 27 months for steering a no-bid contract to DGL1, LLC in exchange for kickbacks. Medicaid Crackdown: AG Liz Murrill announced 21 arrests tied to Medicaid fraud, including providers accused of billing for services not delivered. University System Shift: UNO officially became LSU New Orleans, returning to the LSU System after 15 years in the UL System, with leaders citing enrollment, research and workforce goals. Tech & Privacy/Consumer Rules: Louisiana delayed its app-store age verification enforcement to 2027, as similar laws face federal court fights elsewhere. Legal & Tax Enforcement: A New Orleans tax preparer was jailed over alleged fabricated W-2s and false refunds. Energy/Industry: Air Products scrapped its Louisiana clean energy project, while Comstock Resources set its Q2 earnings call date. Business Compliance: Louisiana’s Office of State Fire Marshal urged safer holiday fireworks practices statewide.

Louisiana Courts & Corruption: New Orleans officials asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to appoint an outside judge in the Susan Hutson public corruption case, arguing nearly all Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judges should testify and have recused. Privacy & Tech: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled constitutional privacy protections cover cellphone location history, limiting police use of geofence warrants. Infrastructure & Logistics: DOTD said nighttime lane closures begin tonight on I-20 in Caddo Parish as crews finish striping and reflectorized marker work. Immigration Fraud Case: A Louisiana police chief pleaded guilty to kickbacks for bogus reports tied to a visa fraud scheme, with all five defendants now having pleaded guilty. Energy & Jobs: Air Products canceled its $4.5 billion Louisiana Clean Energy Complex in Ascension Parish, citing returns that didn’t meet criteria. Local Business Impact: French Quarter businesses renewed complaints over Decatur Street construction delays, saying losses and uncertainty continue. Sports & Economy: Nicholls State named Darion Brown head men’s basketball coach, a move likely to affect recruiting and local sports spending. Higher Education: SLU’s marketing office won multiple graphic design and videography awards.

Data Center Policy: Gov. Jeff Landry’s new “ratepayer and community protection” framework for data centers may not apply to the biggest Louisiana projects already certified for the state’s tax break, raising questions about who pays for power, transmission and water upgrades. Energy Project Fallout: Air Products is scrapping its Ascension Parish clean hydrogen plan that would have injected carbon dioxide under Lake Maurepas, citing rising costs and reduced clean-energy credits. Local Economy Watch: A new report says downtown New Orleans office occupancy stayed under 80% in 2025 for the third straight year, with higher operating costs and shrinking inventory weighing on the market. Hospitality Business Moves: Common House New Orleans has switched management and rebranded as 420 Julia, signaling uncertainty for the members-only club model. Construction Deals: Louisiana M&A activity in late May to mid-June was dominated by construction services, including roofing and overhead door acquisitions. Public Safety/Access: LDWF says the Bodcau and Woodworth shooting ranges will close July 3 for Independence Day, then reopen July 4-5.

Louisiana Senate race: Rep. Julia Letlow and farmer Jamie Davis won their runoff matchups and will face off in November to replace Sen. Bill Cassidy, with Letlow outraising Davis ($5.3M vs. $1.2M through early June) and leaning on a Trump endorsement. Higher ed finance: UL Lafayette says it’s entering the new fiscal year July 1 with a $3.6 million surplus after earlier deficit projections, citing recent cuts and state funding. Flood recovery: Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met flood-affected farmers in Opelousas, urging detailed documentation to unlock state and federal disaster aid as crop losses climb. Energy & LNG: Thailand’s state energy firm PTT is reportedly in early talks with developers for long-term LNG supply, including Louisiana LNG work tied to Woodside. Local business spotlight: Chef Don Bergeron, a Donaldsonville native, was named Best Local Chef (and his company won Best Caterer) in the 2026 Best of 225 awards. Public works issue: New Orleans East residents report a sinkhole incident that left a woman stuck for hours, prompting city scrutiny of how it happened.

Water Infrastructure Funding: Opelousas is getting $17 million to upgrade water mains, service lines, wells and storage tanks, aiming to cut leaks and unaccounted-for water loss for about 6,500 customers. Local Business Legal Fight: French Quarter businesses are suing the Sewerage & Water Board over the Decatur Street project, alleging blocked access, lost revenue and property damage and asking for court-ordered changes. Public Safety & Oversight: DeRidder fired its transportation director after cash collected by drivers allegedly wasn’t deposited, triggering a Louisiana Legislative Auditor report and a criminal investigation. Economic Policy Watch: Speaker Mike Johnson sent a housing bill to the White House after Trump refused to sign it, with a 10-day path to law even without his signature. Health Care Access: Planned Parenthood Great Plains says it will restart Louisiana services, with telehealth later this summer and an in-person New Orleans clinic reopening this fall. Business & Community Growth: Louisiana tourism and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser launched a statewide “Staycation” campaign to drive local spending through Labor Day. Real Estate: Vals is opening a second location in Baton Rouge, expanding the New Orleans Mexican restaurant brand. Energy & Environment: LSU-linked researchers say the Gulf’s “dead zone” could be larger than average this summer, while efforts continue to shrink it over time.

New Orleans Transit Leadership: RTA board chair Ann Duplessis says the next CEO must “heal” an agency riders rely on, with demand at a 10-year high but service quality still a sore spot—Moreno is pushing major changes and wants a new leader by late August. Louisiana Politics & Markets: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff decisively with heavy Trump backing and spending, setting up a November matchup against Democrat Jamie Davis. Health & Research: LSU Pennington Biomedical researchers are studying how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs affect muscle mass and metabolism—aiming to reduce “metabolic adaptation” risks as Louisiana’s obesity rate stays high. Film & Tech in Louisiana: “The Mandalorian”-style virtual production is spreading, and Louisiana companies/university programs are investing in LED stages and tracking tech to cut costs and speed shoots. Economic Development Leadership: GNO, Inc. CEO Michael Hecht is stepping down at year’s end, moving to CEO emeritus as the search begins for his successor. Local Environment & Infrastructure: Plans for Bayou Grosse Tete focus on preserving its critical drainage role as conditions change. Public Safety: Investigators are piecing together the last hours of Eddie Tillman Jr., with multiple suspects in custody after remains were found at a Marrero home. Data Centers & Power Costs: New reporting highlights how data centers are reshaping electricity demand and local review processes, with Louisiana watching closely as policy tightens.

Louisiana Politics: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, backed by President Trump, won the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in Louisiana’s runoff, beating state Treasurer John Fleming and setting up a November matchup with Democrat Jamie Davis. Local Governance & Public Safety: The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans lifted a precautionary boil-water advisory for parts of New Orleans East after a water main break dropped pressure below 20 psi. Disaster Recovery: The American Red Cross will open a disaster assistance center in Raceland for residents affected by Tropical Storm Arthur, with no appointments needed. Education & Workforce: Southeastern Louisiana University named new department heads for Communication and Media Studies and Music and Performing Arts, and added concentrations in applied artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Energy & Offshore Industry: SLB won a BP contract for subsea boosting equipment work at the Thunder Horse field in the U.S. Gulf. Business & Consumer Tech: A cashless “pay-to-use” restroom system is expanding, including in New Orleans, as small businesses look for new ways to manage access and costs. Sports & Community: Joe Horn was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, while Essence Fest’s big-name lineup is set for New Orleans’ Superdome.

Louisiana Senate Race: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won the GOP nomination for Bill Cassidy’s seat, beating state Treasurer John Fleming in the runoff and setting up a November matchup with Democratic farmer Jamie Davis—both races reflect how Trump’s endorsement continues to reshape Louisiana politics and, by extension, the policy agenda businesses will watch. Public Utilities & Data Centers: Republican Rep. Stephanie Hilferty won the Louisiana Public Service Commission District 1 primary, a key post as regulators weigh power reliability and affordability amid new industrial and data center demand. Energy & Oilfield Activity: A Dallas Fed survey found a sharp jump in oilfield business activity in Texas and neighboring states, with executives citing higher oil prices tied to the Iran conflict. Orphan Wells Oversight: An editorial flags new scrutiny on Louisiana’s orphan-well cleanup, pointing to a Legislative Auditor report alleging conflicts and self-dealing in the plugging effort. Homelessness Response: Lafayette is expanding its homelessness response with a new pilot program while preparing for enforcement of the state’s anti-camping law in 2027. Food & Benefits Policy: Arkansas is set to restrict SNAP purchases for soda and certain other items starting July 1, a move that also highlights Louisiana’s similar waiver approach. Local Business: Blue Store Chicken in Baton Rouge will close its original location July 4 due to building condition, with plans to relocate nearby.

Louisiana Senate runoff: President Trump made a final push for Rep. Julia Letlow ahead of Saturday’s GOP Senate runoff against state Treasurer John Fleming, framing Letlow as a pro-growth, pro-energy “TOTAL WINNER” after she led the May primary with about 45% of the vote. Drug pricing fight: States are moving to lower prescription costs by targeting pharmacy benefit managers that manage insurer drug coverage, with new laws aimed at compensation limits, minimum payments to pharmacists, and more disclosure—setting up more legal and regulatory battles. Energy & schools: SWEPCO delivered a $49,505 incentive check to Kilgore ISD for energy-efficient lighting and HVAC at a new high school, projecting nearly 400,000 kWh in annual savings. Public policy & homelessness: Commentary highlights Louisiana’s “Streets to Success Act,” arguing criminalizing sleeping in public worsens homelessness and adds barriers to work and housing. Data privacy: Louisiana’s new comprehensive privacy law is set to take effect in 2027, requiring businesses to assess high-risk activities and tighten rules around sensitive data disclosures.

Louisiana Politics: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming face off in Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff, with Letlow aiming to lock in Trump’s backing after finishing first in the May primary. Flood Recovery: USDA is urging Louisiana agricultural producers hit by recent flooding to apply for disaster assistance, including livestock and feed-loss programs. Coastal Watch: Cameron Parish’s disappearing marsh is being blamed for shifting shrimp and oyster patterns and raising hurricane-season risk as saltwater moves inland. Energy & Growth: A new push to expand AI data centers is drawing fresh scrutiny over who pays for power and how costs land on ratepayers. Legal & Governance: Louisiana’s electoral map fight is now being framed as a Voting Rights Act challenge, putting Black political representation at the center of court battles. Business Climate: Louisiana’s privacy-law rollout continues, adding compliance pressure for companies operating in the state.

Data Centers vs. Ratepayers: Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order requiring data center benefits be weighed against electricity demand, with the Public Service Commission holding final say on Entergy’s controversial power-plant plan. Higher-Profile Politics: Louisiana enacted new congressional districts after the Supreme Court struck down the prior map, aiming to help Republicans pick up a seat. Coastal Louisiana + AI: A new look at how AI could help monitor erosion and fisheries—while also raising workforce and automation concerns—lands as the coast faces mounting pressure. Education Expansion: Ben Franklin High School will lease space from the University of New Orleans to add classrooms, offices and a gym, easing capacity fears. Agribusiness Demand Shift: Domestic biofuels production is boosting soybean crushing at home, with EPA biodiesel blend levels expected to keep demand rising. Local Business Deals: Fortune Fish & Gourmet is acquiring Inland Foods’ Houston and New Orleans operations, expanding its regional footprint. Real Estate Watch: Greater New Orleans top weekly sales included a $2.85M Garden District mansion and two Four Seasons Private Residences. Construction Jobs: An AGC analysis finds construction employment rose in some metros including Baton Rouge, but losses still outnumber gains overall. Sports Business: X Games is moving toward a year-round, city-based league format, with a championship in New Orleans. Retail Growth: Clarks opened at Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, adding another national brand to the mall’s lineup.

War Powers Showdown: President Trump escalated his feud with Senate Republicans after they backed a vote to block his Iran war powers push, with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy among the GOP senators who shifted—setting up a messy, election-year fight over foreign policy. Data Centers & Power Costs: Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order laying out new requirements for electricity-heavy data center projects, aiming to protect ratepayers and the grid while defending Louisiana’s bid to attract AI-driven investment. Maritime Defense Expansion: Gulf Coast Tactical is expanding its New Iberia facility with a $6.1 million project to boost unmanned surface vessel and patrol craft production, targeting 65 new direct jobs. Local Infrastructure & Utilities: Ascension Parish installed new water meters and locking lids in Donaldsonville to improve security, while Ouachita Parish received $6 million from FEMA for drainage work tied to future growth along the I-20 corridor. Healthcare Workforce: North Oaks Health in Hammond graduated its first class of a one-year residency program to grow the northshore physician pipeline, and Lakeview Hospital in Covington named a new chief medical officer. Business & Community: New Orleans City Council advanced an Omni hotel proposal and French Quarter business relief efforts as construction pressures mount. Sports Business: The Charlotte Hornets completed a major trade sending LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves for Naz Reid and picks, reshaping roster strategy and market buzz.