AGP Executive Report

Healthcare Costs & Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide that they’re not posting required pricing info, with penalties up to $2 million per hospital for failing to create plans—aimed at helping patients know costs for things like blood work and imaging. Louisiana Law & Families: A new Louisiana Safe Haven requirement will put instructions for anonymously surrendering a newborn in middle and high school bathroom stalls, inspired by a teen’s case where awareness could have changed the outcome. Public Safety & Courts: A first-degree murder suspect in the run-down death of Baton Rouge Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, Gad Black, was found unfit for trial after a sanity commission report overturned a prior competency ruling. Local Economy & Jobs: C&C Forest Products will invest more than $21 million to rebuild its Coushatta sawmill after a 2025 fire, aiming for specialty lumber production and creating dozens of direct jobs. Sports (Louisiana ties): LSU signed four players for the 2026-27 season as the program continues building under Will Wade.

Education Wins: Lafayette Parish School System posted the state’s biggest K-3 reading gains for 2025-26, with 66.2% of students reading at or above grade level by spring—up from 49.7% at the start. Local Elections: Baton Rouge voters head to the polls June 27 on two tax renewals, including a 10-year, 9.5-mill property tax for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System. Public Safety & Infrastructure: New Orleans officials are pressing the Sewerage and Water Board to assess rust in the city’s pump system as hurricane season ramps up. Tech & Retail: Walmart and Wing say drone delivery is coming to New Orleans, with items lowered to customers’ yards or porches. Health & Food Access: Louisiana Carrot Initiative expands statewide at Walmart, boosting SNAP purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sports (Saints): Saints’ voluntary OTA practice drew media, with key players managed carefully—Olave and Tyson limited in 11-on-11 drills, while Cameron Jordan’s return remains open with a contract offer out.

Vehicle & Safety Policy: Louisiana is phasing out the windshield inspection sticker requirement for personal, non-commercial vehicles starting Jan. 1, 2027, and state troopers have stopped citing drivers for expired or missing inspection stickers during the transition period (June 30, 2026–Jan. 1, 2027). Education: Lafayette Parish School System students in K-3 posted major reading gains in 2025-26, with LPSS showing an 18.7% jump in students reading on or above grade level. Public Safety & Courts: The 3rd Circuit upheld the murder conviction and life sentence of Damien Dashaun Bernard in the 2021 fentanyl death of a UL Lafayette student. Hurricane Readiness: Louisiana officials are raising concerns about whether FEMA is staffed and ready as hurricane season opens. Local Crime: Shreveport police are seeking a former caregiver accused of identity theft after a fraudulent utility account was opened in a victim’s name. Tech & Jobs: Meta is rolling out a $115 million skilled-trades training push tied to AI data center growth, including Louisiana. Community & Culture: Hell’s Gala won’t return in 2026, with Freaky Deaky NOLA set to take over Halloween weekend in New Orleans.

Healthcare Costs & Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide—including several in the Philadelphia area—that they must post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million per year, as officials push tougher enforcement of price-disclosure rules. Public Safety & Emergencies: Louisiana officials are also watching FEMA staffing and leadership as hurricane season opens, with emergency managers meeting to review evacuation plans and capabilities. Local Crime & Missing Teens: Shreveport Police are asking for help finding a missing 15-year-old girl, while a separate report highlights multiple child disappearances across Louisiana this year. Education & Workforce: Acadian Ambulance is offering $400 EMT classes in Lafayette starting July 13, and Meta is rolling out a workforce training push in Louisiana tied to its broader America’s Workforce Academy. Economy & Jobs: Acadiana Regional Airport announced a $74M hangar expansion expected to create 845 new jobs. Sports & Community: Loyola University New Orleans is set to return to NCAA competition through Gulf South Conference membership, and Red River Revel is gearing up for its 50th festival lineup.

Drone Delivery Expansion: Walmart and Wing are adding New Orleans to their next drone-delivery rollout, with eligible customers able to get select items in as little as 30 minutes once service launches. Public Safety: NOPD arrested five suspects tied to the 2024 Republic NOLA mass shooting that killed Jezreel Poleate and injured 11 others. Violent Crime Update: Baton Rouge police arrested Dexter Reed after he was extradited from Texas prison in connection with a 2021 double homicide that killed a 22-year-old and his 5-year-old nephew. Education Funding: Gov. Jeff Landry’s order to cut $168 million from Louisiana’s public school funding formula would reduce district aid by about 5% on average, with the money aimed at one-time stipends for some staff. Workforce/AI: Meta’s America’s Workforce Academy is launching in Louisiana as the first cohort, training people for data-center construction jobs with pay and no prior experience required. Environment & Community: The Louisiana Bayou Society removed more than 12 tons of litter from the Atchafalaya Basin over the past year. Health/Insurance: Louisiana’s insurance commissioner says more rate decreases are coming as competition grows.

Planned Parenthood Funding Fight: A key one-year federal provision blocking Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding is set to expire July 4, 2026, and Students for Life Action is threatening to punish members of Congress with failing scores unless the ban is extended for a decade. Louisiana Education Policy: Louisiana higher-ed systems say they’re posting Ten Commandments displays in classrooms after state law and Republican lawmakers’ orders. Elections Staffing: Louisiana election officials are urging residents to sign up as poll workers as parishes report major shortages, including understaffed precincts in Caddo. AI Jobs in Louisiana: Meta is launching America’s Workforce Academy, a $115 million skilled-trades training push with job guarantees, with Louisiana listed as a pilot location. Public Safety: NOPD is searching Lake Pontchartrain after a possible drowning where a swimmer may have come into contact with an alligator. Health & Community: DeSoto EMS was named 2026 Louisiana Municipal EMS Service of the Year.

Health Workforce: Louisiana Department of Health announced a second round of H.E.R.O. Fund grants, approving 15 awards totaling $4.66 million to train 541 new health care professionals statewide. Wildlife & Hunting: LDWF says commercial alligator lottery harvests will run Aug. 26, 2026, across 23 WMAs, 28 public lakes and one USACE property, with applications due June 15. Education & Voting: Early voting starts Friday for Louisiana’s U.S. Senate primary runoffs, with Julia Letlow vs. John Fleming in the Republican runoff and Jamie Davis vs. Gary Crockett in the Democratic runoff. Public Safety & Courts: A man accused in the killing of East Baton Rouge school administrator Marcus Spears was found incompetent to stand trial and ordered into a 90-day restoration process. Sports & Local Colleges: LSU added 4-star WR Cade Cooper to its 2027 class, and Loyola University New Orleans announced it’s moving from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2027. Environment & Health Alerts: A national report says U.S. measles cases are on pace to surpass 2025’s record high.

Redistricting Watch: A national redistricting fight is moving beyond Congress and could soon reshape statehouse and local maps, with Georgia set for a June 17 special session that may redraw state House and Senate districts. Iberville Lawsuit: The widow of slain Iberville Parish deputy Charles Riley filed a lawsuit alleging negligence inside the sheriff’s office, claiming a supervisor failed to secure a firearm before a suspect used it. Diabetes Research Clash in New Orleans: Police removed researchers from the American Diabetes Association meeting after they distributed an editorial criticizing the Trump administration’s NIH cuts, escalating tensions over biomedical research. Louisiana Lottery: Pick 3 and Pick 4 results for June 7, 2026 were released by the Louisiana Lottery. Shreveport Road Work: DOTD announced intermittent lane closures on LA 3036 (N. Common) starting June 11 for about two weeks, weather permitting. Local Sports & Community: UALR baseball coach Chris Curry praised the team after reaching the NCAA super regional for the first time in program history. New Orleans Business: French Quarter restaurant Café Sbisa is closing permanently after months of construction disruption on Decatur Street. Nursing Home Data: CMS reports mixed results across Louisiana facilities, including a Shreveport-area nursing home rated 4 and others rated 2, with fines and penalties noted for some.

Saints Special Teams: New Orleans is overhauling punting after signing Vikings punter Ryan Wright on a four-year, $14 million deal, a move aimed at fixing a major net-punting problem heading into 2026. LSU Recruiting: LSU added Georgia edge rusher K.J. Green to its 2027 class, while also dealing with the loss of another top target, as Lane Kiffin’s staff keeps stacking commitments. Obesity & Liver Health Research: New Orleans hosted fresh Phase III and head-to-head obesity drug updates at the American Diabetes Association meeting, including survodutide results showing targeted visceral and liver-fat reductions, plus new data on next-generation GLP-1 options. Local Closings & Community: Sammy’s Grill on Highland Road in Baton Rouge will close June 14, while Uptown Music Theatre’s summer camp returns to train young performers at the Contemporary Arts Center. Public Safety: A deadly house fire in Livingston Parish killed a 74-year-old woman; investigators are still working to determine the cause. Food Access: Makin’ Groceries Mobile Market is set to stop in Houma June 10, offering fresh groceries with SNAP/EBT accepted.

College Sports: Troy baseball is headed to the College World Series after sweeping Little Rock in the Super Regional, winning 12-2 and 7-2 behind strong pitching and timely hitting. High School Sports: Jena’s Kiette Cooper and Westlake’s Hadley Hardesty were named Most Outstanding Players on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A all-state list, with Sterlington’s Jeff Tannehill also earning Coach of the Year honors. Public Safety: Louisiana State Police arrested two drivers in connection with a fatal April crash in Church Point that killed 18-year-old Marlee Norse; toxicology showed both were impaired. Health & Research: At the ADA Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, new studies highlighted continuous glucose monitoring benefits for non-insulin type 2 diabetes and more weight-loss and diabetes results from retatrutide. Long-Term Care: CMS ownership and ratings updates showed Resthaven Nursing & Rehab Center in Calcasieu County held a one-star overall rating in Q1 2026, while Our Lady of Wisdom Community Care Center in New Orleans had a four-star rating. Politics: A national redistricting fight is moving beyond Congress toward statehouses and local elections, with Georgia set for a special session focused on new voting maps. Education: Louisiana’s U.S. Department of Education waiver approval and state education scorecard results point to continued focus on reading and math gains.

Immigration Courts Under Strain: A new Associated Press investigation says the Trump administration separated dozens of children from parents again, despite a legal settlement meant to reunify families. Local Crime: A federal grand jury indicted a Mid-City bank robbery suspect accused of threatening a teller with a bomb in New Orleans. Saints Buzz: ESPN’s Adam Schefter calls New Orleans a sleeper team, while another report links Alvin Kamara to the Bengals and Packers as the Saints reshape their backfield. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest regular price in St. Mary Parish hit $3.63 (week ending May 30), with Louisiana’s regular average at $3.90. Education Numbers: Lafourche Parish schools enrolled 1,470 Hispanic students in 2025-26 (11.2% of enrollment), and Jefferson Davis Parish reported 227 Hispanic students (4.4%). Health & Tech: Dexcom’s CONNECT study adds support for CGM benefits for type 2 diabetes patients not using insulin, with results presented in New Orleans. Sports Calendar: HFC Thunder’s home opener is Saturday, June 6, with free admission and themed game nights.

Homelessness Crackdown: Louisiana lawmakers sent Gov. Jeff Landry a bill that would make overnight camping on public property a crime, with fines up to $500 for first offenses and up to two years in jail for repeat violations—critics say it targets people instead of fixing the lack of affordable housing. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data for Q1 2026 show a mix of Louisiana nursing home performance, including 1-star ratings for New Iberia Manor South and The Summit, while some facilities scored higher, spotlighting ongoing staffing and care gaps. Public Safety & Courts: A Louisiana case update includes a 40-year sentence for a 2022 “brutal” murder, while other court coverage continues to shape local legal outcomes. Health Policy: The FDA launched a safety study of the abortion pill mifepristone, a move that could affect how it’s distributed as legal fights continue. Local Culture: Essence Festival chief curator Teyana Taylor says she wants to “tighten it up” while keeping what made Essence iconic. Weather & Preparedness: Coverage also keeps an eye on Gulf moisture and West Nile activity in New Orleans as summer ramps up.

New Orleans Development: State lawmakers passed on funding for the redevelopment of the former Six Flags park in New Orleans East, but developers with Bayou Phoenix say they’re still on track while they close a major private financing deal. Local Culture & Community: Teche Center for the Arts in Breaux Bridge ran a hands-on cooking camp teaching kids Louisiana flavors and traditions, and Vermilionville will honor Dr. Ernest W. Kinchen Jr. with the 2026 Richard Catalon Sr. Creole Heritage Award. Arts & Entertainment: New Orleans actor James Landry Hébert talks about his “Euphoria” role and why it’s been “a hell of a ride for a Cajun kid,” while the Human League, Soft Cell and Alison Moyet are set for the Saenger Theatre. Sports: Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss says he’s stepping into a bigger role by staying himself as the defense adjusts after Demario Davis’ departure. Public Safety & Health: Louisiana’s ESA program is under review as the state treasurer looks for stronger auditing and oversight to curb misspending and fraud. Hate Crime Lawsuit: A lawsuit was filed in Central alleging a 13-year-old vandalized a woman’s home with hate symbols, including KKK-related imagery and slurs.

First Amendment Watch: A national explainer on “jawboning” highlights how government pressure on private companies can raise First Amendment concerns. Workforce & Training: River Parishes Community College is expanding evening process technology classes at Donaldsonville High School starting fall 2026, aiming to feed petrochemical and manufacturing jobs. Local Politics & Courts: St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith turned himself in on a felony battery charge tied to an alleged restaurant altercation. Public Safety: Police say a second arrest was made in the Thibodaux nightclub shooting investigation. Health & Aging: CMS data spotlights nursing home performance across Louisiana, including a 5-star rating for the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home and 1-star ratings for multiple facilities. Environment & Wildlife: Louisiana approved Chronic Wasting Disease management zones, setting rules for baiting and feeding tied to sampling goals. Education: East Baton Rouge school teachers could see pay increases as early as August under a new budget proposal. Community & Food Security: Second Harvest Food Bank opened a new community kitchen in Houma built to keep meals running during hurricanes. Sports: Little Rock and Troy meet in a College World Series super regional with a trip to Omaha on the line.

Local Infrastructure: A proposed private Red River Express road in the Shreveport–Bossier area is moving toward approval, with Shreveport Council already approving a key 99-year property lease and officials spelling out remaining steps like speed limits and final sign-offs. Public Safety & Justice: St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith turned himself in after an alleged steakhouse assault; the case is tied to an investigation by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Bureau of Investigation. Immigration Detention Oversight: A DHS watchdog report says a Louisiana ICE facility fell short on sanitation, food handling, use-of-force reporting, and detainee medical records, raising fresh questions about conditions. City Budget: New Orleans is seeking state approval to sell $110 million in bonds to address its budget crisis, with state oversight continuing as the city borrows to stabilize finances. Sports & Community: LSU baseball is active in the transfer portal, while Southern University football adds a new quarterback via a junior college transfer. Outdoors & Health: Louisiana expands privacy protections for hunters and fishers under new laws, and the ADA’s 2026 Scientific Sessions is set to bring major medical programming to New Orleans starting June 5.

Sports & Gambling: The University of Florida and SEC are discussing safeguards around sports betting as college athletics faces new integrity risks. Local Sports & Community: Saints fans got an unexpected jolt when Alvin Kamara showed up at Saints OTAs in New Orleans, even as his future with the team remains a question. Public Safety & Courts: Actor Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty to simple battery tied to a Mardi Gras bar fight in the Marigny and received probation plus an alcohol treatment requirement. Immigration Policy: The U.S. Senate is moving ahead with a bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies, starting debate after changes tied to a settlement fund. Traffic & Infrastructure: Thibodaux is proposing a two-lane roundabout at Louisiana 648 and Acadia Road, aiming to cut congestion and improve safety, with construction targeted for 2028. Energy & Industry: Delfin Midstream won a major green light for the first U.S. floating LNG project off Louisiana, with Samsung Heavy cleared to proceed on the $2.9 billion Delfin FLNG 1. Weather Watch: Forecasters are warning of a wetter weekend for Louisiana with flooding concerns from tropical downpours. Utility Costs: A New Orleans letter urges stronger protections for electric ratepayers, calling for transparency and fair cost-sharing before major grid upgrades. Nursing Home Snapshot: CMS data highlights wide variation across Louisiana facilities, from top-rated homes to low-rated ones, underscoring ongoing staffing and care concerns statewide.