AGP Executive Report

PGA Tour: Jackson Koivun won the 3M Open for his first PGA Tour title in 2026, becoming the latest first-time winner after a run of newcomers. Saints/Local Sports: Saints wide receivers coach Keith Williams brought NFL talent to the Gorilla Wideouts Camp in Omaha, including former Nebraska star Trey Palmer, plus Saints draftee TJ Hall and rookie Bryce Lance. NFL Training Camps: Chiefs rookies Jadon Canady, Cyrus Allen and Emmett Johnson spoke at camp, focusing on learning roles and timing with Patrick Mahomes. Louisiana Football (High School): Grand Lake Hornets begin practice Monday with a two-quarterback look, while DeQuincy Tigers open the season with a new QB and returning playmakers. Public Health: A multistate egg recall includes Louisiana, with nearly 1.6 million cartons pulled over possible Salmonella risk. Higher Ed Hunger Relief: Southeastern Louisiana University received a $5,000 Hunger-Free Campus grant to expand its Roomie’s Pride Pantry. Energy/Tech: Meta exited the RE100 clean-energy pact after funding new gas plants for AI data centers, including in Louisiana. Crime: Baton Rouge police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run on Greenwell Springs Road. Politics: GOP Sen. John Kennedy publicly broke with Trump over a controversial Saudi nuclear deal.

X Games in New Orleans: The Caesars Superdome has been transformed into an action-sports arena for the inaugural X Games League Championship, with nearly 100 top skateboarders, BMX and motocross riders competing across 20 events and a $500,000 purse. Local Sports & Community: A Louisiana teen skater earned his spot at the X Games by winning a state contest, highlighting how the event is drawing attention to the local skate scene. Housing & Evictions: New Orleans’ “right to counsel” eviction-defense program will get far less funding than planned—$575,000, about 44% of its budgeted amount—raising uncertainty for tenants facing eviction. Health & Research: Ochsner Lafayette General is expanding care through research and clinical trials, including orthopedic studies aimed at improving healing after shoulder surgery. Cancer Innovation: Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in New Orleans is pushing cancer research and early-phase clinical trials to bring advanced treatment options closer to south Louisiana patients. Midterms Politics: With 100 days until the 2026 midterms, polling shows President Trump underwater in every major battleground state, keeping control of Congress in play. Youth Justice in Southwest Louisiana: Calcasieu Parish’s Multi-Agency Resource Center approach is credited with helping steer kids away from the cycle of incarceration by connecting families to services early.

Louisiana Politics: Gov. Jeff Landry and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu traded sharp barbs on social media, with Landrieu accusing the city of lagging on crime and Landrieu arguing New Orleans is an “asset” and warning against a “war on New Orleans.” Court & Elections: A federal appeals court dealt Trump a setback, keeping an injunction in place in 23 states and D.C. that blocks parts of an election-integrity order tied to citizenship verification and mail-ballot rules. Public Safety: Baton Rouge police are investigating a fatal shooting on Oswego Street that left 16-year-old Braelyn Anderson dead, with another victim expected to survive. Health & Food: A new report says more than 1 million children nationwide lost access to SNAP benefits, and Louisiana saw nearly one in four children receiving benefits lose them. Sports Recruiting: LSU is pushing for five-star Easton Royal, with Rivals giving the Tigers an 86% chance to flip him, while LSU’s 2027 class sits No. 10 nationally. Local Sports: Calvary’s TJ Jamison, Louisiana’s No. 2 recruit, committed to Baylor.

New Orleans Bridge Fees: The City Council voted to end free customized light displays on the Crescent City Connection and start charging private groups at least $1,000 (up to $15,000) per night, with money earmarked for bridge lighting upkeep and programming. Public Safety & Health: LSU Health Shreveport researcher Nilesh Pandey became the first LSU Health Shreveport postdoc to win an NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) for lung cancer–related thrombosis work. Local Culture & Tourism: Kenner’s Laketown is moving toward construction of a $19M concert amphitheater on Lake Pontchartrain, designed for up to 15,000 attendees. Community Spotlight: A Baton Rouge art exhibition at LSU is encouraging visitors to slow down and engage with graduate student work. Housing Woes: A Lake Charles renter says a termite infestation spiraled after a maintenance issue, leaving him sleeping in his car while waiting for help. Water Bill Shock: Crowley Mayor Chad Monceaux says a spike in water bills appears tied to months of estimated meter readings followed by catch-up charges. Entertainment: Lil Wayne was selected for a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in the 2027 class.

Local Government: Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards and Mayor Pro-Tem Brandon Noel are trying to reset relations after a public fight over the parish attorney’s move to pull the city-parish into the St. George lawsuit, with a new proposed process aimed at giving council members earlier input. Public Safety & Courts: Cajun Navy 2016 sued United Cajun Navy leaders for defamation, saying false claims hurt fundraising and emergency response during disasters. Health: Federal officials say nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs were recalled over salmonella concerns, with illnesses reported across multiple states including Louisiana. Reproductive Rights: A federal judge ruled FDA restrictions on mifepristone were unlawful, adding pressure to ongoing legal battles over abortion access. New Orleans Infrastructure: The city secured bond money to repair the long-closed South Broad Street on-ramp, with reopening targeted for 2027. Community & Education: Lafayette’s ACE school turnaround program is getting a $3.1 million boost to expand to middle school students. Sports & Culture: Angel Reese brought her “Barbie” moment back to Chicago for the WNBA All-Star Game, while New Orleans prepares for major X Games activity.

Tropical Storm Bertha: Bertha made a second landfall in southern Louisiana and brought heavy surf and some flooding before weakening to a depression, with officials urging residents to stay alert for rain and possible flash flooding. Public Safety Tech: Louisiana lawmakers are questioning a $54 million, no-bid Motorola contract for police bodycams, dashcams and radios, with critics saying the deal needs more public scrutiny. Local Government & Land: New Orleans’ blight task force is targeting adjudicated properties in the Lower 9th Ward and Hoffman Triangle, but heirs’ property issues could slow who gets land back. Energy & Data Centers: President Trump announced a pledge aimed at shielding consumers from AI-driven electricity costs, but critics call it an empty promise. Health Care Costs: A new state-by-state map shows Louisiana’s per-capita health care spending at about $10,148 in 2024. Sports: The Saints invested in special teams after a last-place 2025 finish, and New Orleans is preparing for X Games action at the Superdome. Community Events: Baton Rouge churches are hosting back-to-school and community meals, including a revival, a Back 2 School Bash, and a free “Grill & Chill.”

Tropical Storm Arthur recovery: LDH says USDA approved Louisiana D-SNAP for eligible households hit by Tropical Storm Arthur, with automatic supplemental SNAP for current recipients; Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne areas are included. Disaster help access: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Avoyelles will permanently close July 25 at 4 p.m., but residents can still apply online through Aug. 31. Food safety alert: Midwest Poultry Services recalled nearly 19 million eggs sold at Kroger and Brookshire stores across multiple states, including Louisiana, due to possible salmonella; consumers are told not to eat and to return for a refund. Back-to-school scams: IRS Criminal Investigation warns Louisiana families to watch for fake school supply sites, scholarship scams, and requests for gift cards or personal info. Truck parking shortage study: DOTD won a $640,000 federal BUILD grant to study truck parking demand on I-10 and I-12 after crashes involving parked commercial vehicles. New Orleans courts fight: Gov. Jeff Landry floated a special session to reshape New Orleans’ court system after felony charges against AG Liz Murrill were dismissed. Education innovation: A new Louisiana charter school is integrating film and TV production into core classes. Local sports tragedy: Louisiana State Police investigated a fatal Nicholson Drive crash involving a disabled SUV and a Kia; the 19-year-old driver died.

Tropical Storm Bertha: Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish with 45 mph winds, prompting tropical storm warnings across southeast Louisiana and beach closures from the Florida Panhandle to Mississippi. The storm was moving west toward Texas, with officials urging residents to stay alert for flooding and storm surge even as impacts were expected to lessen. Infrastructure & utilities: Volt Broadband and ConnectLA finished a northeast Louisiana high-speed internet expansion, connecting nearly 7,000 locations. In Jefferson Parish, leaders approved a $20 million sewer upgrade bond workaround after a prior bond rating loss. Road work: LADOTD began a $3.9 million I-20 bridge overlay project in Richland and Madison Parishes, with lane closures one at a time and an October 2026 target. Courts & schools: A state appeals court ruled BESE’s attempted takeover of two Baker schools violated Louisiana’s open meetings law. Public safety & health: A Monroe woman was arrested after a Fire Marshal investigation tied an insurance claim to damage that happened before her policy began. Weather/heat: Hot, increasingly humid conditions continue across the region while Bertha moves away.

Tropical Storm Bertha: Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish with about 45 mph winds, prompting coastal closures and warnings across the New Orleans area as the storm weakened but still brought gusty weather and offshore-heavy rain. New Orleans Utilities: City council members grilled Sewerage and Water Board leaders over July 11 flooding and whether the agency needs an executive director, with questions about chronic complaints and pump failures. State Health & Food Safety: Louisiana’s whooping crane program hit a record spring milestone with 10 chicks fledged, while federal updates tied to a Taylor Farms lettuce recall continued amid the broader cyclosporiasis outbreak. Public Safety & Courts: A special prosecutor dismissed felony charges against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, closing the case after local officials asked for it to be dropped. Local Economy & Education: Louisiana Tech launched a new applied behavioral analysis certificate to meet growing autism-support workforce needs. Sports: LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton visited Ochsner LSU Health Monroe for employee appreciation, highlighting expansion plans.

Tropical Storm Bertha & Heat Safety: Louisiana agencies and local weather teams are tracking Bertha’s approach while warning that extreme heat is still the main danger today, with heat index values pushing into the 110s and advisories/heat warnings in parts of the state. Public Safety & Justice: East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says two inmates allegedly raped another inmate at the East Baton Rouge Prison; both face first-degree rape charges. Forensics Upgrade: North Louisiana Crime Laboratory in Shreveport adopted STRmix DNA software to better interpret complex or degraded DNA profiles, including for violent crimes and cold cases. Politics & Money: As Louisiana’s congressional races take shape, campaign finance reports show Republican Sen. Rick Edmonds has declared in the new 6th District while Rep. Cleo Fields announced he won’t seek re-election; in the Senate race, Jamie Davis touts $1.6 million raised in the latest quarter versus Julia Letlow’s larger total. Louisiana Growth Update: A new migration analysis says Louisiana’s population grew in 2024 for the first time since 2017, driven mainly by fewer people leaving.

Storm Readiness: GOHSEP has started 24-hour operations at the State Emergency Operations Center as Tropical Storm Bertha moves west, with Tropical Storm Warnings/Watch affecting parts of Louisiana and threats including storm surge, tropical-force winds, and heavy rain. Local Utilities & Safety: New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board crews are prepping for flooding, and East Baton Rouge EMS is seeking Metro Council approval to loan automated CPR devices to fire departments. City Services: New Orleans is raising booting and towing fees starting next Monday. Food Safety: A multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak has triggered a recall of certain iceberg lettuce products sold in 27 states, including Louisiana. Sports & Community: The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule, reshuffling rivalries; locally, Louisiana Tech highlights its first I-Bowl All-Time group and L-JC 18U won a second straight world series title. Politics: A Shreveport mayoral candidate has withdrawn, while Central Metro Council member Aaron Moak says he’ll run for mayor.

Tropical Storm Bertha: The National Hurricane Center says Bertha is strengthening in the Gulf with 50 mph winds and slow northwest movement, bringing storm surge risk, gusty winds, and heavy rain that could cause flash flooding across parts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Local Preparedness: Louisiana agencies and the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board are ramping up as watches and warnings expand, with officials urging residents to review insurance and get ready for possible flooding. Health & Community: Northshore Technical Community College held an inaugural Patient Navigator Summit to build a regional workforce pipeline and improve care coordination across Louisiana’s Northshore. Public Safety & Scams: Acadiana residents report a spike in spoofed local-number scam calls, with one scam tied to alleged Medicare grocery benefits. Food Recall: General Mills issued a voluntary recall of more than 730,000 Pillsbury bread rolls sold at Walmart due to possible glass fragments, including Louisiana among affected states.

Tropical Storm Bertha Watch: A Gulf system tied to Tropical Depression Two is stalling but strengthening slowly, and Louisiana is now under tropical storm and storm surge watches, with forecasters warning of flash flooding, 40 mph gusts, and possible life-threatening surge along parts of the coast into Friday. Extreme Heat Response: St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge is opening weekend cooling centers during dangerous heat, plus a weekday cooling site, to protect seniors, people experiencing homelessness, and others at higher risk. Search Update in Baton Rouge: The landfill search for missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather has entered its second week, with investigators sifting through thousands of pounds of trash in a targeted area. Student Loan Pressure: A new Associated Press analysis says student loan defaults have surged nationwide after pandemic-era protections ended, with Louisiana among states seeing high default concentrations. Local Safety & Law: A Louisiana youth pastor was arrested over alleged child sexual abuse from decades ago, highlighting how cases often surface years later. Sports/LSU: LSU’s 2025-26 season is being framed as a “regime change,” while LSU football news continues to roll out from SEC Media Days.

Tropical Threat for Louisiana: Tropical Depression Two is strengthening in the Gulf and is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha today, with forecasts pointing toward impacts for the New Orleans area tomorrow into Wednesday and possible landfall across Louisiana as a rainmaker. Severe Weather Watch: Hot, muggy conditions and scattered severe storms are possible Monday, with officials urging residents to stay alert as the tropics and local storms overlap. Education Funding Pressure: Louisiana school systems are preparing for a state funding cut averaging about 5%, with districts weighing options like pausing raises, delaying projects, or freezing positions to cover teacher stipends. Housing & Homeownership: A bipartisan housing bill is framed as a step toward expanding homeownership, but advocates warn it must go beyond building more homes to address affordability and wealth-building. Local Economy: North Louisiana is seeing major financial gains tied to the Meta project, with a new sales-tax tracking site showing the impact across the region. Louisiana Weather/Travel Updates: DOTD plans a northbound I-49 lane closure in Caddo Parish Wednesday for maintenance. Food Safety: The FDA says a Cyclospora lettuce sample tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive, while the broader investigation and recalls continue.

Tropical Weather Watch: Tropical Depression Two has formed in the northeastern Gulf and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha, with Louisiana and Acadiana watching for mostly wind impacts and, more importantly, scattered tropical showers that could bring flash-flooding risk through midweek. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora, listing shipments to 27 states including Louisiana, and urging consumers to discard affected products. Local Dining: La Petite Affaire Café in Marksville is adding permanent lunch service and dinner three nights a week, plus rotating seasonal menus and a monthly Sunday brunch. Community & Education: CHANGEMAKERS, run by Baton Rouge Alliance for Students, is taking applications for its 2026-27 cohort through July 31. Public Safety: Three boats crashed on the Amite River, sending multiple people to hospitals and prompting multi-agency response. Sports & Culture: McNeese’s Hayden Stringfellow is earning a reputation for walk-off heroics, while New Orleans rapper Alfred Banks is looking back and moving forward with his “YesterMonth” EP.

Public Health: Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary recall of shredded iceberg lettuce in 27 states, including Louisiana, after it was linked to a Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands nationwide. Energy & Local Control: Iberville Parish approved a two-year moratorium on industrial battery energy storage systems, likely delaying Entergy and NextEra projects after residents raised safety and environmental concerns. Weather & Tropics: Forecasters are watching Gulf development tied to Invest 91-L while warning of dangerous heat and possible weekend storms, with localized flooding possible. Environment: New reporting highlights how the Gulf of Mexico is warming faster than the world’s oceans, boosting risks for stronger storms and worsening impacts on fisheries and sea levels. Sports (Local Interest): The Saints’ countdown continues with Pat Swilling honored as Player of the Day 56, while LSU football media days put Lane Kiffin in the spotlight. Arts & Community: LSU’s School of Art announced its Summer Contemporary exhibition “SLOW,” running through Aug. 22 in Baton Rouge. Lottery: Powerball for July 18: 09-14-44-50-56, Powerball 03 (Power Play 4); Pick 3: 4-1-5.