AGP Executive Report

Child Safety Crackdown: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill’s LBI arrested Justin Craig Bolin, of West Monroe, on Union Parish child sexual abuse charges after a tip from NCMEC; bond set at $600,000 and investigators say more victims may exist. Fraud & Pursuit: Shreveport police arrested Desmond Anderson and Jaderria Williams after an attempted check fraud at Barksdale Federal Credit Union sparked a chase and crash; charges include forgery and aggravated flight. Foster Care Shortage: DCFS held a listening session in New Orleans, citing a foster home shortage (307 kids, 180 homes) and urging better communication and timely support for caregivers. Public Safety: NOPD is seeking Chrisjen Griffin in the June 8 killing of Tejon Jones in New Orleans East. Consumer Fraud Settlement: Murrill announced Louisiana will receive $557,086.81 from a multistate Cash App settlement tied to alleged fraud protections failures. Local Politics/Infrastructure: Gov. Jeff Landry demanded a legislative audit of the Sewerage & Water Board’s Decatur Street project, blaming delays for lost business revenue. Housing Deal: New Orleans City Council approved a 40-year PILOT tax incentive for Rivana Apartments, a $100M, 220-unit River District development. Health/Diabetes Research: A pilot islet transplant approach using tegoprubart reported all 12 patients stopped external insulin.

Higher Ed Budget Cuts: LSU joined a growing list of universities laying off staff, offering buyouts, and freezing hiring as budget pressure keeps squeezing nonacademic operations. Courthouse Disruption: A portion of the historic Ascension Parish Courthouse roof collapsed in Donaldsonville; offices closed temporarily and no injuries were reported. Open Meetings Fight in New Orleans: The RTA violated Louisiana’s public meetings law when it moved to oust former CEO Lona Edwards Hankins; a judge nullified key resolutions. Public Safety: Two New Orleans inmates face aggravated arson charges after a jail fire that forced evacuations of a housing unit. Sports & NIL: Louisiana is tightening rules around high school NIL agent oversight as coaches warn families can be targeted by unqualified “agents.” Health & Food: USDA plans to add wild-caught peeled and deveined shrimp to emergency food assistance, while Louisiana continues tracking parasite-linked “explosive diarrhea” cases. Local Economy: Shreveport’s former GM plant is now fully occupied again, with SLB expanding its footprint and jobs. Statewide Snapshot: Tulane’s “State of the States” report ranks Louisiana last overall, even as it points to some areas of improvement.

Louisiana Justice & Courts: Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit secured guilty pleas and sentences for two former Camellia Drive Community Home employees in Hammond after they abused a disabled resident and recorded the assault. Public Safety & Crime: Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a Slidell man accused of using AI to create child sexual abuse material, after a cyber tip from NCMEC. New Orleans Housing: The City Council approved an affordable housing project in the River District, moving ahead on 220 units despite fights over funding and a proposed property-tax exemption. Weather: Southeast Louisiana and the Gulf Coast face another round of scattered storms Friday, with heat staying brutal and stronger storm chances building into the weekend. Health Watch: Louisiana health officials are tracking a rise in cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora), with 23 cases reported so far. Tech & Transit: Waymo is testing autonomous vehicles in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, drawing both excitement and safety concerns from residents. Local Growth: HANO opened a first-floor fast-track client services center in New Orleans East to speed up access to housing help and other resident services.

MLB & LSU Sports: Former LSU ace Paul Skenes was named to the 2026 MLB All-Star roster, keeping the Tigers’ recent pipeline to the majors front and center. Local Events: The Red River Balloon Rally returns to Louisiana Downs this weekend for its 10th year, with balloon glows, tethered rides, fireworks and a drone show. Public Safety & Courts: Ten defendants tied to a federal methamphetamine case in northwest Louisiana were sentenced in Shreveport, including Perry Willis (24 years, 4 months) and Daniel Efferson (30 years). New Orleans Justice: A judge ruled that “gifted” rings tied to ex-mayor LaToya Cantrell’s federal case can be used at trial, while other disputed material was excluded. Health Watch: Cyclosporiasis cases are rising nationwide, with Louisiana reporting between one and 10 confirmed cases as of July 1. Education: New LEAP results show 36% of Louisiana students met or exceeded state expectations statewide, with local school rankings highlighting where gains are strongest.

Cash App Settlement: Louisiana will receive $557,086.81 from a $45 million multistate deal with Block over Cash App’s alleged fraud and misleading safety claims, with AG Liz Murrill saying the company failed users when problems hit. Robocall Crackdown: Murrill joined 48 other attorneys general urging the FCC to tighten rules so scammers can’t access legitimate phone numbers, after Americans lost nearly $2 billion to scam calls and texts. New Orleans Stormwater: A new discussion on NOLA’s aging stormwater system highlights a looming funding gap as a stormwater tax expires next year, with residents and experts pushing for a fee solution. Local Politics: The Caddo Commission advanced a resolution opposing Louisiana’s new congressional map after it eliminated a predominantly Black district. Sports & Business: LSU coach Lane Kiffin landed at No. 4 in an SEC coaching ranking; Business First agreed to buy a community-bank consulting firm to deepen its services. Weather & Safety: Forecasters warn of spotty downpours with vivid lightning across southeast Louisiana.

College Sports Fight: LSU point guard Jada Williams is using her platform to push back on Congress’ Protect College Sports Act, arguing lawmakers shouldn’t set the rules for college athletics. Energy & Industry: Yokogawa was named main automation contractor for the $13 billion Commonwealth LNG project near Cameron, with phase 1 targeted for 2030. New Orleans Finances: A new state audit finds New Orleans’ general fund deficit was smaller than first projected, but it flags ongoing firefighter pension shortfalls and budget pressure from overtime and sanitation costs. Legal Clash: After the Louisiana Supreme Court stayed AG Liz Murrill’s indictment, both sides traded claims of ethical conflicts and asked to remove attorneys tied to the case. Public Safety & Schools: Iberville officials discussed a Bayou Sorrel regional flood pump station, and the parish school board set an Aug. 18 deadline to hire a new superintendent. Health & Consumer Alert: ALDI recalled kimchi and tofu kimbap due to an undeclared tuna allergen. Local Life: Shreveport opened a rebuilt Airport Park pool with a big water slide and splashpad.

Public Safety & Rescue: LDWF enforcement agents rescued two stranded boaters after their vessel took on water and capsized in Southwest Pass near Venice; both were taken to the Venice Marina and didn’t need medical attention. Drugs & Enforcement: A Lafayette man, Javon Robertson, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for meth trafficking, forfeiting $79,805 and a 2023 Corvette. In Alexandria, a RADE operation netted heroin, cocaine, marijuana, guns, and $12,000-plus after a Howard Street search warrant. Attorney General Watch: AG Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation re-arrested Kenneth Shane Harris, adding 200 counts of child sexual abuse material after forensic review of seized devices. Local Government & Flooding: A proposed reform could move police oversight from the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East to Louisiana State Police, after concerns about budget growth and authority. New Orleans Development: Demolition work has started on the blighted Lindy Boggs Medical Center, beginning with asbestos remediation and setting up a stormwater retention pond. Weather: Spotty late-day thunderstorms and heat advisories continue, with locally heavy rain and gusty winds possible. Community & Culture: Tales of the Cocktail returns to New Orleans with a new “Tales Passport” program, plus Gris-Gris restaurant announced it will close at the end of July.

Disaster Recovery & Insurance Relief: A Disaster Recovery Center opened in Avoyelles Parish (Mansura) to help people apply for FEMA and SBA disaster aid after Tropical Storm Arthur, with no appointment needed, plus Louisiana’s insurance commissioner has suspended cancellations/non-renewals in multiple Arthur-impacted parishes through July 22. Storm Damage & Power Outages: Severe storms in the ArkLaTex knocked out power for tens of thousands in Shreveport-Bossier and surrounding areas, with crews still working to restore service after damaging winds and downed trees. New Orleans Construction Fallout: French Quarter business owners sued the Sewerage & Water Board over months of Decatur Street work, saying it hurt sales and caused property damage, even as the city offers grants to impacted small businesses. Essence Festival Aftermath: Essence Festival organizers say the event ran smoothly despite heat and a Saturday French Quarter explosion, highlighting weekend sales gains for local businesses while contract talks continue. Public Safety & Courts: A Baton Rouge jury found a man not guilty after backing his self-defense claim in a cousin’s death case. Health Watch: Louisiana health officials are tracking a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, with cases reported across multiple states including Louisiana. Local Food Pride: A New Orleans bakery’s king cake earned a spot on Food Network’s list of top sweets.

Education Wins: Louisiana students hit a record-high LEAP Mastery+ rate, with 36% scoring Mastery or Advanced across grades 3-12—plus gains in 28 of 31 assessed grades and courses. Public Finance Watch: A new New Orleans audit warns of a $700M-plus firefighter pension gap and ongoing concerns about sanitation fees, even as the city narrows its deficit. Courts & Politics: A legal expert says the Louisiana Supreme Court’s rapid stay of AG Liz Murrill’s case may have effectively “killed” the criminal proceedings. Immigration Facility: The Trump administration plans a new 528-bed holding site in Alexandria to speed deportations, drawing criticism from advocates. Local Life & Safety: Clearview Mall demolition begins for a $100M redevelopment; Northshore residents report more bear sightings; and LDWF is seeking hunter-education instructors plus running dove and teal lottery hunts. Food & Culture: New Orleans’ Gris-Gris restaurant will close at the end of July, while Delacroix represents the U.S. in Paris for America’s 250th.

Pelicans Offseason: New Orleans is still searching for a real center and floor spacing, with only DeAndre Jordan re-signed so far—leaving fans uneasy about a quiet summer. NFL Roster Watch: ESPN’s preseason rankings roundup highlights how teams are stacking up heading into 2026, with analysts weighing talent, age, and production. Severe Weather & Utilities: Storms hit southeast Louisiana hard, knocking out power and causing water-pressure problems in Youngsville after a water-plant disruption. Louisiana Courts: The Louisiana Supreme Court has paused the criminal case tied to Attorney General Liz Murrill’s indictment, keeping the legal fight in motion. Essence Fest & New Orleans Transit: Essence Festival’s run continues as New Orleans officials weigh renewal, while a Mardi Gras streetcar plan for 2027 is now off the table. Local Business & Growth: Clearview’s $100M overhaul moves toward demolition of the old mall, and a new Popeyes location is “opening soon” in the New Orleans area.

Severe Weather & Flooding: Flash flood warnings hit East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, and Pointe Coupee as storms dump 1–3 inches of rain, with gusts over 40 mph and hail possible; New Orleans also saw a flash flood warning and power outages during the July 4 storm surge. French Quarter Power Disruption: An underground transformer explosion sparked a fire and led to Bourbon Street and Conti Street evacuations and closures; power was restored by Sunday morning. Public Safety: A Shreveport officer was shot and wounded during a downtown disturbance early Sunday; Louisiana State Police took over the investigation after the suspect was killed. Baton Rouge Shooting: A Calumet Street dispute on July 4 ended with one man dead and a woman arrested on negligent homicide charges. Louisiana Politics in Courts: The Louisiana Supreme Court paused an arrest warrant tied to Attorney General Liz Murrill, keeping the legal fight in motion. Insurance Relief: Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple suspended certain insurance rules for parishes affected by Tropical Storm Arthur, extending deadlines and protections for policyholders. Community & Culture: Essence Fest night 2 featured Patti LaBelle as crowds pushed through heat, while the Amistad Research Center in New Orleans marked 60 years preserving Black history. Travel & Local Economy: Breeze Airways is extending Embraer E190 service on select routes, and Frontier is taking over former Spirit routes that include New Orleans.

French Quarter Safety: An underground electrical transformer exploded near Bourbon and Conti streets late Saturday, triggering a fire, billowing smoke, evacuations of nearby blocks and a power outage that hit parts of downtown; no injuries were reported as Entergy and first responders worked to restore service. Independence Day Politics: Louisiana Democratic leaders held a July 4 emergency summit at Dillard University, blasting Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration over congressional map changes and new laws they say target Black voting rights and Orleans Parish court operations. Health Warning: A Baton Rouge physician says indoor tanning beds are trending again, citing higher UV exposure and increased melanoma risk—especially for people who start young. Coastal Restoration: Louisiana moved forward on a major plan to restore the Chandeleur Islands, with a final $90.8 million funding tranche for North Chandeleur aimed at rebuilding habitat and protecting wildlife. Community & Culture: Essence Fest continued at the New Orleans Convention Center over the weekend, drawing large crowds for shopping, music and health-focused programming. Sports & Local Pride: Central Louisiana FC advanced to the Gulf Coast Premier League championship after a penalty shootout win, setting up a title match against Baton Rouge Soccer Club.

Louisiana Courts: The Louisiana Supreme Court vacated and recalled an arrest warrant for Attorney General Liz Murrill after it had stayed her Orleans Parish indictment, ordering the warrant removed from law enforcement databases while the case pauses. Public Safety: A man drowned while trying to rescue his grandchild after the child fell into a lake in Lacombe; officials say a woman got the child out, but the rescuer went under and died. New Orleans & July 4: NOPD is investigating a car crash into a French Quarter building as the city braces for hot holiday weather and large crowds. Health Watch: CDC is warning about an “explosive” diarrhoea parasite outbreak (cyclosporiasis) with cases reported across multiple states, including Louisiana. Local Life & Culture: Essence Festival kicked off in New Orleans with major star power, including Cardi B and Michelle Obama, drawing tens of thousands to the Superdome. Environment & Outdoors: Louisiana swamps are highlighted as critical habitat for a wide variety of native bird species, from herons and egrets to birds of prey.

Louisiana Supreme Court: The state’s top court halted the criminal case against Attorney General Liz Murrill, citing procedural flaws in her Orleans Parish indictment and ordering an arrest-warrant recall, as the feud between state Republicans and New Orleans Democrats escalates. Public Safety: Baton Rouge Police is building a large training simulator in Zachary for active-shooter, domestic violence, and hostage scenarios, aiming to bring agencies statewide for realistic drills. Local Life (Independence Day): New Orleans-area celebrations rolled on with events like Uncle Sam Jam in Metairie and fireworks in Donaldsonville, as families packed parks for America’s 250th. Health Alert: CDC is warning about an “explosive diarrhea” parasite ahead of July 4, with Louisiana cases reported. Food & Community: Shreveport’s Bayou Deli is drawing attention for its big sandwich menu and build-your-own options, including the Swamp Dip. Sports (Saints): Tracy Porter’s Super Bowl-winning interception was highlighted as the Saints Play of the Day.

Courts & Politics: Louisiana Supreme Court temporarily halted Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Orleans Parish indictment, citing “disturbing defects” in grand jury and trial-court handling, after a judge argued “open court” doesn’t mean public access. Public Safety: Louisiana wildlife officials joined Operation Dry Water to target impaired boaters over the holiday weekend. Weather: A major heat wave pushed records across 21 states, with the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast still bracing for the hottest stretch. Local Government & Culture: New Orleans judge Leon Roche defended the grand jury process tied to Murrill’s case in filings, while the state’s legal fight escalated. Sports (New Orleans): Saints countdown coverage continued with No. 74 Xavier Truss and the No. 72 jersey history, as the team heads toward its Sept. 13 opener. Education: Sci-Port in Shreveport received a $400,000 state appropriation to expand STEM programming and upgrade exhibits. Community & Travel: Baltimore will spend about $7,500 to send Mayor Brandon Scott and staff to New Orleans for Essence Festival.

Indictment Fallout in New Orleans: A former Orleans Criminal Court judge, Laurie White, says a grand jury indicted Louisiana AG Liz Murrill on 16 felony counts—8 for malfeasance and 8 for intimidation—linked to letters sent to Mayor Helena Moreno and DA Jason Williams threatening removal over a court-clerk overhaul. Public Safety & Infrastructure: The Sewerage & Water Board pushed back on claims its $300 million power complex is unreliable after Tropical Storm Arthur, calling those statements “inaccurate” and saying key components performed as designed. Local Governance & Flooding Questions: Kenner residents are pressing Jefferson Parish officials on whether drainage pumps truly worked during Tropical Storm Arthur, after flooding stalled cars and left key facilities inaccessible. Air Quality Confusion: Louisiana ended inspection-sticker tickets, but Baton Rouge-area drivers still face emissions tests under federal rules, leaving shops calling it a “gray area” with no clear state plan yet. Health Funding Gap: A state audit finds Louisiana left about $111 million in federal WIC funding unused from 2021–2024, citing low participation and barriers to enrollment. America 250 in Louisiana: Louisiana Downs is set for an America’s 250th celebration July 3 with racing, a free kids’ zone, and fireworks. Sports: Former Saints linebacker Keith Mitchell died at 51. Business & Community: Baton Rouge’s Zeeland Street owner Stephanie Phares shared her recovery journey after Stage 3 lung cancer.