AGP Executive Report

New Orleans Courts: Louisiana lawmakers passed a last-minute rewrite cutting New Orleans criminal judgeships, swapping out the judge slated under a “last in, first out” plan and raising questions about how the decision was made. Congressional Redistricting: The Legislature approved a new U.S. House map that eliminates a Black-majority district, with Gov. Jeff Landry signing it as Democrats and civil rights groups warn of legal challenges. Marijuana Policy: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill withdrew from a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling move. Teacher Pay: A new comparison ranks Louisiana near the bottom for teacher pay, with the state listed as the fifth-lowest in the U.S. Hurricane Prep: As the 2026 Atlantic season begins, Louisiana agencies and FEMA-style guidance are urging residents to review insurance, document belongings, and build survival kits. Northshore Business: Chopin Law Firm opened a new Covington office to expand personal injury representation across the Northshore. Sports & Local Interest: The Eagles signed former Saints/Packers WR Samori Toure; and Louisiana Volleyball released its 2026 schedule.

LGBTQ+ History in New Orleans: The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana opened a new exhibition space at 311 Burgundy St., with panels on gay Carnival, Southern Decadence, HIV, queer journalism and transgender history. Hurricane Readiness: New Orleans officials outlined 2026 hurricane preparations under Mayor Helena Moreno, including a new coordination structure and citywide emergency planning. Storm Prep Funding: Louisiana’s Fortify Homes Program opens June 1 at 8 a.m., offering grants up to $10,000 for fortified-roof upgrades aimed at lowering storm damage and insurance costs. Local Safety Updates: Baton Rouge reported two separate shootings Sunday that left two people injured. Sports—Cajuns Season Ends: Mississippi State hammered Louisiana 19-5 in the Starkville Regional final, ending the Cajuns’ run. Education & Voting Rights: A Chalkbeat report warns a Supreme Court decision in Louisiana could make it harder to challenge school board election rules that affect Black representation. Quick Hits: New Orleans events for June 1-7 include the Creole Tomato Festival and Purple Takeover.

Sports & Local NFL Buzz: Seahawks are reportedly looking at a trade for New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara as June roster moves loom, while the Cowboys’ June 1 OTA date is also being framed as a possible “pivot” moment for veterans. LSU Recruiting: LSU is making another push for Louisiana’s top 2027 prospect, Easton Royal, after a strong weekend visit, and an elite LSU target Mekhi Williams reopened his recruitment after decommitting from Florida State. New Orleans Community & Culture: Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin, a Carnival queen and longtime New Orleans philanthropist tied to saving the New Orleans Symphony, died over the weekend. Mental Health in NOLA: Seeds of NOLA Trauma Recovery Center marked three years expanding trauma-informed care in the city. Education Workforce: East Baton Rouge advocates are urging a long-term teacher retention plan after data point to high turnover challenges. Storm Prep: Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant registration opens June 1 for roof upgrades that can qualify homeowners for insurance discounts. Pride Month: Family Equality Day kicked off Pride Month events in New Orleans. Politics & Voting Rights: A Supreme Court ruling weakening Voting Rights Act protections is driving fresh legal and political fallout ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Hurricane Season Watch: Southeast Louisiana is already feeling summer heat, with New Orleans hitting 90 degrees and a heat index in the mid-90s; storms are possible Sunday and through the week as hurricane season begins Monday, June 1, with Gulf moisture being monitored for heavy inland downpours. NCAA Baseball (UL): Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns were knocked into the losers’ bracket after a 12-2 loss to Cincinnati in the Starkville Regional and now face elimination Saturday vs. Lipscomb. NCAA Golf (UL): Cajuns golfer Malan Potgieter kept his bogey-free run going, carding a 68 to sit tied for fifth at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship. Local Law & Safety: Louisiana is tightening drug penalties around schools and buses under a new law taking effect Aug. 1. AG Investigation: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill is investigating allegations involving St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith and an alleged attack on a critic at a Madisonville steakhouse. Transportation: The Pierre Part Bay Bridge is closed to marine traffic due to mechanical issues. Sports (LSU/ Saints): Ed Orgeron is landing recruiting momentum for LSU, and PFF is highlighting Saints edge rusher Chase Young as an All-Pro candidate for 2026. Crime: A second suspect was arrested in a fatal Florida Boulevard shoe store shooting in Baton Rouge. Weather/Community: Mental health experts in Baton Rouge are urging people to seek help and not suffer in silence.

NBA Coaching Shakeup: The Orlando Magic are finalizing a deal to hire Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney, replacing Jamahl Mosley, with Sweeney expected to finish the postseason in San Antonio. NCAA Baseball (Louisiana): The No. 25 Ragin’ Cajuns were eliminated from the NCAA Starkville Regional hunt after falling to No. 22 Cincinnati 12-2; Louisiana now faces a win-or-go-home matchup vs. Lipscomb on Saturday. Louisiana Politics/Redistricting: Gov. Jeff Landry signed Louisiana’s new congressional map after the GOP-controlled Senate approved changes that eliminate a Black-majority district, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the prior map. Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to allow states to purge voter rolls of alleged noncitizens close to elections, a move critics say could disenfranchise eligible voters. Local Justice/ICE: In Lafayette, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office released video after questions about a U.S. citizen detained at an ICE checkpoint. Public Safety: A second suspect was named in a deadly Baton Rouge shoe-store shooting outside The Athlete’s Foot on Florida Boulevard.

Congressional Redistricting: Louisiana Republicans approved a new U.S. House map that eliminates one majority-Black district, sending it to Gov. Jeff Landry for signature after the Supreme Court struck down the prior map over racial gerrymandering. Local Airports & Infrastructure: Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is set to receive nearly $11M in federal grants for terminal and baggage system upgrades. Energy & Industry: Air Products says it’s still weighing options for its stalled Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, while Air Products and Bechtel are moving forward on LNG expansion work tied to Sabine Pass. Wildlife & Environment: LDWF biologists are restoring fish habitat on Toledo Bend by planting native eelgrass in targeted areas. Sports & Entertainment: LSU recruiting heats up as Northwest’s Markez Davis takes an official visit to LSU; and Preservation Hall in New Orleans made Dua Lipa’s global date-night favorites list. Legal & Public Safety: The Louisiana State Bar Association opened a process for members to object to portions of dues tied to activities they consider inconsistent with constitutional standards.

Louisiana Congressional Redistricting Fight: The Louisiana House passed a new congressional map that would remove one majority-Black district, sending the amended plan back to the Senate as legal challenges mount after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais ruling. Local Politics & Representation: House Speaker Mike Johnson stayed publicly neutral while urging fair representation during Spirit of Louisiana Awards stops in Bossier City. Voting Rights Backlash: A Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act is drawing fresh calls for Congress to act, with advocates warning it could accelerate rollbacks in representation. Healthcare Access: Baton Rouge Community College is set to launch an Ochsner-funded mobile healthcare training lab in spring 2027 to expand phlebotomy, medical assistant, and CNA training. Public Safety Training: ExxonMobil delivered carbon dioxide pipeline incident training to Ascension Parish first responders. Community Events: The Great Louisiana Fair returns to Louisiana Downs in Bossier City through June 14, and “Braille and Brew” raises awareness for the Louisiana Association for the Blind on June 4. Sports: Alex Smalley surged early at Colonial, while Louisiana’s spring turkey season hit a record with 4,024 birds harvested.

Louisiana Redistricting: The Louisiana House unveiled a new congressional voting map that keeps one Democratic-leaning district linking Black communities from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, while Republicans say it’s the likely final version as the Legislature moves toward a vote. Hurricane Readiness: St. Tammany officials urged residents to make plans now for the June 1 start of hurricane season, stressing that even a single major storm can mean evacuations and dangerous storm surge. Angola Prison Lawsuit: A federal judge ruled Louisiana can’t be forced to fix “farm line” working conditions at Angola under the current legal standard, after a related appeals decision changed what inmates must prove. New Orleans Jail Break Fallout: One of the men accused in last year’s Orleans Justice Center escape was sentenced to life without parole for a 2021 murder. Underage Drinking in Lafayette: Lafayette officials say cracking down on underage drinking downtown is improving, but it “takes time,” as citations continue to show the problem persists. Essence Festival Funding: Essence Festival organizers asked New Orleans for $10M to $12M annually as a city contract nears expiration, pitching “Festival 365” as a year-round cultural engine. Weather: DOTD warned drivers to avoid flash flooding and “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” during heavy rain.

Broadband Fight: A Lake Providence community says a fiber project stalled midstream, leaving residents furious after federal rule changes and a dispute involving Louisiana’s broadband office. Voting Rights in the Courts: Alabama asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let it use a Republican-favored congressional map for 2026 even after a lower court found intentional discrimination against Black voters, a fresh flashpoint after Louisiana’s Voting Rights Act setback. Hurricane Readiness: FEMA’s acting administrator Bob Fenton says the agency is ready for the 2026 season as FEMA rehearses response plans and faces pressure to reshape disaster response. Reentry After Long Sentences: A Sentencing Project report says people released after decades often get blocked from programming and struggle to get basic documents and tech skills needed to rebuild, with Louisiana included in interviews. Sports Betting Regulation: Attorneys general led by Dave Yost urged the CFTC to keep sports-related prediction markets under state control, arguing they function like unregulated sportsbooks. Local Notes: Shreveport-area student Sanil Thorat advanced in the Scripps National Spelling Bee; Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Math held its graduation.

Rural Healthcare Push: Gov. Landry and state health and economic leaders are set to announce a new rural healthcare initiative aimed at boosting innovation and investment across Louisiana. New Orleans Courts: A newly elected Orleans Parish Criminal District Judge, John Fuller, took the oath as lawmakers advance a bill that could reduce the city’s court system and eliminate judges. Voting Changes: Louisiana lawmakers approved a stricter voter ID law that ends the affidavit option and requires conditional ballots plus photo ID within two days; voters also face a constitutional amendment to tighten governor term limits to two total terms. Redistricting Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court is again in the spotlight as Alabama asks for emergency action over a GOP map tied to claims of racial discrimination, following Louisiana’s voting-rights ruling fallout. Weather: Southwest Louisiana saw a stormy Wednesday with heavy rain and gusty winds, with a second wave possible before conditions ease. Sports & Local: The Saints signed rookie WR Brandon Hayes, and the Pelicans introduced new head coach Jamahl Mosley, emphasizing a defense-first approach. Business/Tech: Meta began charging for its AI chatbot with paid tiers starting at $7.99/month. Food & Culture: New Orleans is hosting major culinary and cultural buzz, including North America’s 50 Best Restaurants event and ongoing Jazz Fest-related coverage.

Medical Research in New Orleans: Zealand Pharma says it will share late-breaking Phase 2 obesity data on petrelintide at the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Scientific Sessions at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center June 5–8. Local Business & Jobs: Safepoint is moving forward with a planned IPO that could raise up to $283.3 million, with the filing noting its coastal insurance focus that includes Louisiana. Sports Spotlight: Many High’s baseball and Winnfield High’s softball swept top honors on the 2026 All-District 3-2A lists, with Payton Hyden and Karley Caskey named MVPs. Public Safety & Courts: A Covington woman accused in elderly theft cases was ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution as part of a suspended 10-year sentence and probation. Big Picture Politics: Redistricting battles kept hitting setbacks nationwide, with Alabama and South Carolina maps blocked in court. Louisiana Watch: State leaders unveiled a $3.6 billion AI data center campus planned for Rapides Parish, targeting mid-2027.

Wetlands Under Pressure: A new satellite-based study says U.S. coastal wetlands are vanishing faster than decades of protections predicted, with extreme weather and rising seas driving the acceleration. Louisiana Politics: Lawmakers are weighing a constitutional convention in 2028 and governor term limits, including a proposal that would let voters decide whether governors can run again after more than 1.5 consecutive terms. Pelicans Coaching: New Orleans is hiring former NBA player God Shammgod as an assistant coach under Jamahl Mosley. Energy Lawsuit Fight: Georgia AG Chris Carr, joined by Louisiana and others, urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a case arguing one city can’t set national energy policy. Sports & Community: Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns baseball is headed to the NCAA Starkville Regional, and a Slidell police “hide-and-seek” ended with a piglet taken to the animal shelter. Health & Safety: A nursing home in New Orleans-area Orleans Parish, Willow Wood at Woldenberg Village, received a CMS overall rating of 2 in Q1 2026.

Texas Senate Runoff: President Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the GOP runoff, a move that could reshape Texas politics heading into November and further strain the GOP’s relationship with the Senate establishment. Louisiana Lottery: For May 25, Powerball numbers were 17-32-48-60-64 (Powerball 10, Power Play 2) and Louisiana Pick 3 was 0-6-5. Memorial Day Across Acadiana/BR: Communities held ceremonies honoring fallen service members, including a Baton Rouge lemonade-stand tradition raising money for children who lost a parent in the line of duty. Education Gains, Still Work to Do: Louisiana reports major reading progress, and lawmakers are pushing bills aimed at tutoring and expanding access to books. Sports & Local Pride: Zachary High athletes shined at the Star of Stars awards, while Louisiana’s NCAA baseball picture continues to shift as teams chase regionals.

Lakers Front-Office Overhaul: The Los Angeles Lakers made their first big offseason move by hiring Rohan Ramadas as an assistant general manager under Rob Pelinka, with the role focused on “cap, analytics and data.” Ramadas previously worked for the New Orleans Pelicans, including strategy and operations work that ESPN describes as rocket-scientist-level. Memorial Day Weather: Storms are pushing south for Memorial Day, with flooding risk flagged for parts of Louisiana and the broader Lower Mississippi Valley. New Orleans DWI Case: Former councilman Jared Brossett faces another DWI allegation, according to Orleans Parish court records. Local Business: Red Lobster’s Baton Rouge location at the Mall of Louisiana has closed; the only Louisiana spot is now in Monroe. LSU Tragedy: An LSU student died in a crash on LA-190 near Jennings Road in St. Landry Parish. NCAA Baseball: UCLA is the No. 1 overall seed for the 2026 tournament, and Louisiana is set for regional play in College Station.

Hurricane Watch: Louisiana’s top climatologist says the 2026 season should be about average—roughly 13 named storms, half reaching hurricane strength, and three major hurricanes—but warns El Niño could also mean storms intensify faster, so don’t let your guard down. Memorial Day Travel: AAA reports Louisiana gas is back above $4 a gallon for the third straight week, with the statewide average around $4.05. Sun Belt Baseball: Southern Miss beat Louisiana 11-7 to win the Sun Belt title and secure an NCAA spot, ending the Cajuns’ run just short of the championship. Local Safety: Baton Rouge police say one person is in critical condition after a shooting Sunday night. Community & Culture: Gonzales’ father-son team Tyler and Tim Bourque won the 59th Jambalaya Festival, and the Blessing of the Boats on False River honored fallen service members.

Sun Belt Baseball: Southern Miss is one win from the championship after beating Troy 6-2 and then pouring it on in the title-game chase, while Louisiana’s Cajuns kept their run going with a 7-4 elimination win over Texas State behind a ninth-inning blast from Lee Amedee. Sports Spotlight: Alvin Kamara turned heads at the Savannah Bananas game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville—pinch-running, scoring, and adding star power to the viral “Banana Ball” spectacle (though the Bananas fell 8-7). Memorial Day Plans: Baton Rouge and across Louisiana are lining up ceremonies and concerts for May 25, including events at LSU, the Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary, and a free Baton Rouge Concert Band show. Public Safety: A Baton Rouge pediatrician urged close water supervision and proper life jackets, warning drowning is a top risk for young kids. Local Education: Ouachita and Tangipahoa parishes reported their 2025-26 Black student enrollment counts, with both parishes showing slight year-over-year declines.