AGP Executive Report

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.

Grand Jury Clash in New Orleans: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill was indicted by a New Orleans grand jury on criminal charges tied to alleged intimidation of city officials over a GOP-backed local courts overhaul, with Gov. Jeff Landry promising a fast pardon and the Republican Attorneys General Association calling the move outrageous. Child Exploitation Crackdown: AG Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a Ponchatoula man for social media violations by a registered sex offender, and separately arrested a Zwolle man after an undercover operation targeting people seeking to exploit children online. Independence Day Safety & Boating Patrols: Murrill urged holiday safety across Louisiana, while LDWF is ramping up enforcement for Operation Dry Water July 3-5 to curb impaired boating. Tropical Storm Arthur Insurance Relief: Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple suspended certain cancellation and claim deadlines for policyholders in seven parishes affected by Arthur. Local Transit Input: New Orleans RTA launched a survey to improve bus service reliability in New Orleans East, with changes targeted for fall 2027. LSU Moves to Fund Research: LSU eliminated 25 administrative positions to shift money toward faculty and research.

Louisiana Politics: The feud between Louisiana AG Liz Murrill and New Orleans leaders is escalating again, with reports saying an Orleans Parish criminal grand jury is weighing whether Murrill broke laws tied to alleged intimidation of city officials. Courts & Crime: A New Orleans man’s video voyeurism charges were reinstated by the 4th Circuit, reviving dozens of counts tied to alleged nude photos and videos taken from unconscious victims. Public Safety: A 75-year-old man legally named Santa Claus was arrested in Kenner after an undercover child-exploitation sting, facing computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior charges. Health & Accountability: A Legislative Auditor report says Louisiana’s sexual assault response is still inconsistent, with gaps in coordination, advocacy centers, and access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Infrastructure: DOTD announced new nighttime lane closures for the Jimmie Davis Bridge project, starting July 10 through August 7 on Arthur Ray Teague Parkway. Economy & Jobs: Meta is bringing a workforce training push to Baton Rouge through its America’s Workforce Academy, partnering with ABC Pelican Chapter and offering a paid, short program aimed at filling skilled-trades jobs. Business: Air Products says it will not proceed with its Louisiana clean energy complex, citing financial return criteria and warning of up to $2.9 billion in pre-tax charges.

Medicaid crackdown: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced 21 arrests tied to Medicaid fraud and abuse, and elevated the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit into a standalone DOJ division, with more than $73 million in ordered restitution reported. Public safety & health: Health officials are tracking a seasonal spike in cyclosporiasis, with Louisiana among 17 states reporting cases of the “explosive” diarrhea illness. Local government & courts: Murrill said she has no confirmation that an Orleans Parish grand jury is investigating her alleged intimidation of city leaders. Environment & energy: Air Products is canceling its Lake Maurepas carbon capture project, while an environmental group criticized Louisiana’s approval of a BP-linked offshore pipeline permit. Infrastructure: DOTD outlined new nighttime lane closures for the Jimmie Davis Bridge replacement in Bossier City starting July 10. Education: UNO officially became LSU New Orleans, and LSUA broke ground on a $43M Health Education Campus aimed at boosting the nurse and allied health workforce. Crime: A man legally named “Santa Claus” was arrested in Kenner in an undercover child exploitation sting.

Entergy Under Fire: New Orleans officials grilled Entergy New Orleans over frequent power outages in New Orleans East, citing dozens of outages tied to everything from weather and damaged poles to balloons hitting lines and underground infrastructure problems. Courts & Corruption: Louisiana’s Supreme Court is being asked to weigh outside-judge options in the ex-sheriff Susan Hutson public corruption case, as nearly all Orleans Parish judges recused and prosecutors point to documents tied to last year’s courtroom showdown. AG Probe: Reports say Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is under grand jury review over alleged public intimidation tied to letters sent to New Orleans leaders. Public Safety/Traffic: DOTD is nearing completion on I-20 striping work in Caddo Parish, with nighttime lane closures scheduled; separate bridge inspection closures are planned across northwest parishes starting Monday. Crime Sting: A 75-year-old man legally named “Santa Claus” was arrested in Kenner in an undercover child predator operation. Sports & School: Baylor added Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Haley Crawford from the transfer portal, and LSU’s women’s golf program earned SEC academic honors for multiple players.

New Orleans Courts: A judge removed from the bench after Gov. Jeff Landry signed a law cutting Orleans Parish criminal court seats is suing state officials, arguing the Legislature didn’t meet required voting thresholds when the bill’s judge list was changed at the last minute. Drainage & Power Reliability: City Council members grilled Entergy and the Sewerage and Water Board after the new $300 million drainage power complex failed during Tropical Storm Arthur; S&WB now says it will use backup in-house turbines during major storms. Public Safety: Louisiana’s Office of State Fire Marshal is urging safer July 4 fireworks use, warning sparklers and misuse drive thousands of injuries statewide. Health: Louisiana marked a major sickle cell milestone with the first successful cure in the state. Crime: New Orleans police are investigating a Central City death reclassified as homicide after a woman’s body was found wrapped in a blanket. Local Business: Triplet’s Blue Store near Southern University is closing July 4 due to structural issues, with plans to relocate nearby. Sports (Louisiana tie-in): Former Pelicans player Keion Brooks Jr. is set for Pacers Summer League action, and Louisiana native Jean-Paul Bourgeois is competing on Food Network’s “Chopped Castaways.”

U.S. Supreme Court: The court ruled states can count mailed ballots that arrive after Election Day as long as they’re postmarked by then, a win for election rules in more than half the states. Digital Rights & Kids Online: A federal appeals panel ordered Ohio’s parental-consent rule for kids under 16 to be restored, reviving a fight over children’s social media access. Local Governance: Kenner will take over the Pontchartrain Center in-house after Caesars’ operator Legends Global backed out of a long-running contract. Northwest Louisiana Funding: Louisiana’s capital outlay budget sends nearly $200 million to Shreveport and Bossier City for roads, healthcare, and community projects. Public Safety & Courts: Louisiana wildlife agents cited people for illegal fishing and selling recreationally caught fish, including a St. Tammany case involving speckled trout. Trade: Sen. Bill Cassidy introduced a bill to raise duties on imports of shrimp, crawfish, and catfish once quotas are hit. New Orleans Area: A sinkhole in New Orleans East trapped a woman’s car for hours, prompting an investigation into how it happened. Sports & Culture: UNO is preparing to join the LSU system, while UL baseball standout Jonathan Lucroy was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Teacher Pay Fight: A Baton Rouge judge lifted a temporary block on Gov. Jeff Landry’s $168 million teacher stipend plan, clearing $2,000 stipends for teachers and $1,000 for many support staff starting July 1. Courts & Power in New Orleans: A New Orleans criminal court judge sued the state and Landry over Act 748, arguing lawmakers didn’t hit the required two-thirds vote to cut three Orleans Parish criminal court judgeships. Local Crime: New Orleans police are investigating a short-term rental shooting in Central City that left a man wounded early Sunday; the suspect is still at large. Public Safety & Weather: Heat stays intense with humidity and a returning storm chance late Tuesday through the holiday weekend. Statewide Water Upgrade: Opelousas is getting $17 million to upgrade water mains, wells, and storage tanks, aiming to cut leaks and improve pressure for about 6,500 customers. Sports & Culture: The Saints’ No. 76 jersey spotlight begins as training camp nears, and the Louisiana Staycation push kicks off for summer travel.

Louisiana Senate: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff Saturday, powered by President Trump’s backing and a flood of late campaign spending, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Jamie Davis. Public Transit: New Orleans RTA riders may see big changes soon as the agency searches for a new CEO, with leadership expected to focus on improving reliability for a system many residents depend on. Health & Research: LSU and Pennington Biomedical researchers are studying how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs affect muscle and metabolism—because Louisiana’s obesity rate means more patients will need safer long-term outcomes. Crime & Courts: Investigators are piecing together the last hours of Eddie Tillman Jr., whose remains were found at a Marrero home, with multiple suspects now in custody. Local Economy: Louisiana gaming revenue neared $215 million in May, a 9% jump, signaling a strong stretch for casinos. Weather Watch: A bright fireball lit up south Louisiana early Sunday, captured by cameras across the region.

Louisiana Senate: Rep. Julia Letlow won the GOP runoff for Louisiana’s U.S. Senate seat, beating state Treasurer John Fleming 57% to 43%, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Jamie Davis. Public Safety: Baton Rouge police reported one person killed and four injured in a Saturday shooting on Osceola Street; investigators said a teen argument escalated to gunfire. New Orleans Water: The Sewerage and Water Board canceled a precautionary boil-water advisory for parts of New Orleans East after tests showed the water is safe. Hurricane Watch: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a developing system off Florida’s coast that could bring rain and higher heat indices. State Police Hiring: 49 cadet hopefuls started Louisiana State Police Cadet Class 109, beginning a 24-week academy. Local Higher Ed: Southeastern Louisiana University named Caroline E. Sawyer as head of Communication and Media Studies and added new AI and cybersecurity concentrations. Disaster Recovery: The American Red Cross will open a disaster assistance center in Raceland for residents affected by Tropical Storm Arthur.

Louisiana Senate Runoff: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won the GOP nomination for Louisiana’s U.S. Senate seat, beating state Treasurer John Fleming in a runoff and setting up a November matchup with Democrat Jamie Davis—another high-stakes test of how strongly Trump’s endorsements are reshaping Louisiana politics. New Orleans Crime: NOPD says violent crime is at its lowest level since the 1960s, with 38 murders recorded through June 25 and a pace that could keep 2026 near historic lows. New Orleans Public Safety & Courts: A federal trial featured testimony from former boxer Fouad Zeton in a corruption case involving an ex-NOPD officer accused of inflating stolen art values for insurance claims. New Orleans East Redevelopment: Property owners in New Orleans East say they need real help to move redevelopment forward as blight and vacant commercial land remain major obstacles. State Policy Watch: Louisiana lawmakers advanced a bill to revise sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, aiming to give judges clearer options for life sentences in certain cases. Health & Education: Dyslexia advocate Laura Cassidy highlighted Louisiana Key Academy’s mission to get students diagnosed and supported—plus a push for better help for dyslexic learners statewide.

Storm Recovery: Gov. Jeff Landry asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration after Tropical Storm Arthur’s historic rain, flooding, and tornadoes. He’s seeking Individual Assistance for Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne, citing “thousand-year” rainfall in Avoyelles and 14 confirmed tornadoes. Water Safety: A boil water advisory was issued for parts of New Orleans East after a water main break dropped pressure; officials say it’s in effect until testing is completed. Politics: Trump made a final push for Rep. Julia Letlow ahead of Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff against state Treasurer John Fleming, calling her a “great star” and “total winner.” Local Help for Flood Victims: Avoyelles Parish opened the CORE Center, a one-stop site for flood recovery services including SNAP/Medicaid help, insurance assistance, and connections to volunteer mucking and gutting crews. Sports (Louisiana): Ruston’s Ahmad Hudson was named MaxPreps Louisiana Male Athlete of the Year after standout football and basketball seasons, and LSU baseball pitcher Marcos Paz entered the transfer portal after one season in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana Senate Runoff: Louisiana voters head to the polls Saturday in the GOP Senate runoff between Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming, with the race seen as another test of President Trump’s endorsement power after Sen. Bill Cassidy’s primary loss. New Orleans Sports: In NBA news with local ties, Jose Alvarado is set to return to the New York Knicks on a three-year deal worth $14-plus million after declining his $4.5 million option; Alvarado was acquired from New Orleans during the season. Louisiana Politics & Policy: A separate national spotlight is on social media age-verification laws, with Illinois moving forward on a children’s online safety measure while similar efforts face First Amendment fights in other states. Weather & History: Saturday’s forecast shows mostly clear skies around Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and today marks the anniversary of Hurricane Audrey’s 1957 landfall in coastal Louisiana and Texas.

Data Center Costs: Gov. Jeff Landry says his new executive order is meant to shield Louisiana household utility customers from paying for power-hungry data centers, even as he argues the state should keep courting big projects. New Orleans Flood System Turmoil: A Louisiana AG-commissioned report says the East Bank levee board is “chaotic and dysfunctional,” with allegations of misconduct; the authority fired Levee Police Superintendent Joshua Rondeno. Local Government Overhaul: The Louisiana Supreme Court refused to revisit a law merging New Orleans clerk of court offices, and the city is weighing a U.S. Supreme Court push. Public Safety & Courts: A federal jury convicted former New Orleans police officer Christian Claus on corruption counts tied to a stolen-paintings scheme. State Politics: Louisiana enacted a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the prior one, aiming to help Republicans pick up a seat. Transportation: Kenner repealed its vehicle inspection sticker program, ending brake-tag-style checks for most drivers starting Jan. 1, 2027. Weather Watch: Forecasters warn of a hot, mostly dry weekend with dangerous heat indexes in the 100s.

Louisiana Politics & Courts: A judge in Catahoula/Concordia, John C. Reeves, agreed to an unpaid suspension after a “$100 handshake” case and additional ethics allegations. New Orleans Business Relief: Mayor Helena Moreno announced a Business Stabilization Fund for Decatur Street shops hit by the long-delayed road project, offering $2,500 to $5,000. Health & Science: Louisiana’s first functionally cured sickle cell patient, Daniel Cressy of Metairie, received the CRISPR therapy Casgevy. Public Policy: A federal court struck down SNAP restrictions in multiple states, and Louisiana’s candy/soda/energy drink limits are expected to be affected. Economy & Development: A study warns Louisiana could lose billions in tax revenue tied to Meta’s Richland Parish data center incentives. Sports & Local Talent: LSU’s Ty Benefield is getting major NFL buzz, and LSU continues recruiting momentum with a push for top defensive line target Jalen Brewster. Culture & Community: Grambling State and Southern University Law Center launched a 3+3 accelerated law program to cut time and costs to a law degree.