AGP Executive Report

Louisiana Politics & Courts: A New Orleans grand jury is reportedly weighing whether Attorney General Liz Murrill violated laws tied to letters she sent to city leaders, escalating a feud over a court clerk dispute. Public Safety & Justice: The 4th Circuit reinstated dozens of video voyeurism counts against a New Orleans man accused of secretly recording women while they were unconscious. Child Exploitation Crackdown: Kenner police arrested a 75-year-old man legally named “Santa Claus” in an undercover dating-app sting; he faces charges including computer-aided solicitation of a minor. AG Enforcement: The AG’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation announced another arrest in its undercover child predator operation, plus a separate Hammond case involving alleged Snapchat child sexual abuse materials. Education: St. Landry Parish voted to close six schools, including Krotz Springs Elementary, after a TRO fight. Workforce & Economic Development: Meta’s Workforce Academy is coming to Baton Rouge-area training this fall, aiming to feed skilled-trades hiring. Sports Law: Louisiana’s new NIL agent registration requirements take effect, with a state portal and background checks. Infrastructure: DOTD announced new nighttime lane closures for the Jimmie Davis Bridge project starting July 10. Elections & Voter Rolls: Republicans now outnumber Democrats in Louisiana registered voters for the first time, according to Secretary of State numbers.

Medicaid crackdown: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced 21 arrests tied to Medicaid fraud or abuse/neglect, and elevated her Medicaid Fraud Control Unit into a standalone DOJ division, touting more than $73 million in ordered restitution. Athlete agent rules: Murrill also launched Louisiana’s Athlete Agent Registration Portal under SB 389, requiring registration, background checks, and mandatory training for agents representing NIL-focused athletes. AG-New Orleans friction: Murrill said she has no confirmation of an Orleans Parish grand jury probe into whether her May letters to city officials amounted to intimidation. Child exploitation sting: Kenner police arrested a 75-year-old New Orleans man legally named “Santa Claus,” accused of soliciting a minor via a dating app after an undercover operation. Environment & industry: Air Products canceled its controversial Lake Maurepas carbon capture project, with Tangipahoa leaders calling it a win; separately, environmentalists criticized Louisiana’s approval of a BP offshore pipeline permit. Higher ed: UNO officially became LSU New Orleans, returning to the LSU system as officials cite enrollment and financial stability goals. Politics & government: Louisiana Republicans officially outnumber Democrats in voter registration for the first time in modern history. Public safety/justice: A former LDWF secretary was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for kickbacks tied to a no-bid state contract.

Orleans Parish Courts: New Orleans is asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to appoint an outside judge in the Susan Hutson ex-sheriff corruption case after a recusal letter says nearly all criminal district judges stepped aside because a judge is a witness. Privacy & Policing: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled cellphone location data is protected by constitutional privacy limits, a decision tied to a geofence warrant used in a bank robbery case. SCOTUS Term Fallout: The court’s 6-3 pattern closed out major fights on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes in girls’ sports, and parts of immigration enforcement. Louisiana Politics & Governance: House Republicans deadlocked over Trump-linked election overhaul demands, sending lawmakers home early and leaving the SAVE America Act in limbo. Louisiana Federal Aid: President Trump approved $8.6 million for Louisiana disaster recovery after Tropical Storm Arthur, including help for multiple parishes with uninsured home damage. Public Safety: LDWF is ramping patrols for the Fourth of July with Operation Dry Water, warning boaters against impaired operation and reminding about required navigation lights and life jackets. Economy Watch: Air Products canceled its $4.5 billion Louisiana Clean Energy Complex in Ascension Parish, citing return criteria, drawing mixed local reactions. Local Crime: Kenner police arrested a man legally named “Santa Claus” in an undercover child predator sting.

Local Leadership: Abbeville swore in Anita Levy as its first Black mayor, promising a shift in city hall culture toward transparency and “how,” alongside new council leadership. Library Expansion: Lafayette unveiled designs for a Northeast Regional Library, shaped by 1,200 community responses and planned for a 2028 opening. Public Safety & Courts: A New Orleans judge removed from the bench is suing state officials over Act 748, a law that cuts Orleans Parish criminal court judges. Drainage Reliability: New Orleans City Council grilled Entergy and the Sewerage and Water Board after the city’s $300 million drainage power complex failed during Tropical Storm Arthur. Federal Politics: House GOP holdouts blocked most floor progress again over demands tied to the SAVE America Act, sending lawmakers home early for the Fourth of July recess. U.S. Supreme Court: The court upheld birthright citizenship in a 6-3 ruling and also turned away challenges to firearm age restrictions for 18-to-20-year-olds. Louisiana Justice: An LSU former player was arrested after a Baton Rouge crash killed two people; police records cite intoxication and red-light running. Child Exploitation Sting: Kenner police arrested a man legally named Santa Claus in a child predator sting, alongside dozens of other suspects. Energy & Environment: Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte praised a decision affecting carbon capture plans beneath Lake Maurepas.

Pontchartrain Center Shake-Up: Kenner will take over operations of the Pontchartrain Center starting July 1 after Caesars’ operator Legends Global backed out of a decades-long management deal, with city officials saying the contract terms weren’t financially workable. Child Exploitation Crackdown: Kenner police arrested 11 suspects in an online child predator sting, including a man using the legal name “Santa Claus,” while Louisiana’s LBI also announced a separate Metairie-area arrest tied to child sexual abuse material. Marijuana Penalties Near Campuses: A new Louisiana law raises penalties for marijuana use within 2,000 feet of schools and college campuses, expanding officers’ ability to arrest rather than issue summonses. Election Law Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states may count mail ballots arriving after Election Day if they’re postmarked by then—another setback for Trump-backed efforts to tighten voting rules. Flood Recovery for Farmers: Louisiana’s agriculture commissioner met with flood-affected farmers in Opelousas, urging detailed documentation to unlock state and federal disaster aid. Drug Pricing Fight: States are moving to rein in pharmacy benefit managers as prescription costs stay a top political issue.

Teacher Pay Fight in Court: A Baton Rouge judge dissolved a temporary restraining order, clearing the way for Gov. Jeff Landry’s one-year teacher stipend plan—$2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for most support staff—funded by diverting $168 million from the Minimum Foundation Program, with the plan set to start July 1. Orleans Criminal Court Challenge: New Orleans Judge John T. Fuller sued the state and Landry over Act 748 cutting three Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judgeships, arguing the law didn’t get the required two-thirds votes. Workplace Violence & Workers’ Comp Changes: In Lafayette, a legal breakdown highlighted new laws taking effect in August, including tougher penalties for workplace violence and workers’ compensation reforms aimed at updating a medical fee schedule that hasn’t been revised in decades. Staycation Push: Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Office of Tourism launched a statewide “Louisiana Staycation” campaign running June 22 through Labor Day to boost in-state travel and local spending. Public Safety & Enforcement: AG Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a Metairie man on 33 counts tied to child sexual abuse material, and federal prosecutors sentenced a New Iberia man to 12 years for Snapchat enticement of a minor. Local Infrastructure: Opelousas won $17 million for water system upgrades to reduce leaks and improve service for about 6,500 customers.

Louisiana Senate Race: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff Saturday, beating state Treasurer John Fleming, while farmer Jamie Davis won the Democratic nomination—setting up a November matchup for Bill Cassidy’s seat and cementing Trump’s influence in state politics. Election Security: A new memo shared with USA TODAY warns federal agencies may no longer be a reliable hub for election threat information, raising fresh questions for how states prepare for November. Civil Rights & Policing: A two-part series revisits the 1951 killing of NAACP founder John Lester Mitchell in St. Landry Parish, highlighting how hard it is to prove “willful” intent in civil-rights cases tied to police misconduct. Local Government & Economy: GNO, Inc. CEO Michael Hecht announced he’s stepping down at year’s end, with a transition plan aimed at keeping economic development momentum in the New Orleans region. Culture & Tech: Louisiana’s film industry is leaning into “Mandalorian”-style virtual production, bringing LED-stage technology to local studios and universities. Homelessness Policy: Two years after Grants Pass, more states and cities have tightened street homelessness enforcement, including Louisiana’s new Homelessness Court program.

Louisiana Senate Race: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won the GOP nomination for Louisiana’s U.S. Senate seat, beating state Treasurer John Fleming in the June 27 runoff, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Jamie Davis. Election Numbers: Turnout fell sharply in the runoff—about 316,538 GOP ballots (down 21% from May) and 196,190 Democratic ballots (down 43%), with overall turnout around 17%. Housing Fight in Congress: House Speaker Mike Johnson says he’ll send a bipartisan housing affordability bill to President Trump on Monday after Trump refused to sign it, linking the dispute to the stalled SAVE America Act voting measure. Social Security Warning: Outgoing Sen. Bill Cassidy says Social Security is nearing insolvency and warns benefits could be cut by 22% to 25% under current law. Flood Recovery: The American Red Cross will open a disaster assistance center in Raceland for residents affected by Tropical Storm Arthur, with no appointments needed. Public Safety/Infrastructure: New Orleans East’s boil water advisory was canceled after a water main break. Law Enforcement: Federal authorities say they dismantled the biggest prison drone-smuggling operation in history, charging a dozen people tied to contraband drops. Education & Workforce: Southeastern Louisiana University named a new communication and media studies department head and added concentrations in applied artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

U.S. Senate Power Shift: Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff Saturday, beating former state Treasurer John Fleming and setting up a November matchup with Democrat Jamie Davis—another win for President Trump’s endorsement strategy as the GOP tries to replace Bill Cassidy. Statewide Ballot Results: Voters also advanced PSC and BESE races: Stephanie Hilferty won the GOP PSC District 1 primary, and Joseph Cao edged Ellie Schroder in the BESE District 1 GOP runoff. Local Governance & Taxes: East Baton Rouge voters overwhelmingly approved library and other parish-wide millage renewals, while multiple local propositions cleared in Caddo, Bossier, and elsewhere. Education Funding Fight: Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed $500,000 for an Opelousas charter school, a move tied by critics to education-stipend politics. Public Safety & Law: The Senate advanced a bill to revise sentencing for second-degree murder, expanding when judges can impose life in prison. Human Rights Watch: The UN’s top rights official called for an independent probe into deaths in U.S. immigration detention, citing concerns about transparency and preventability.

Disaster Response: Gov. Jeff Landry asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration after Tropical Storm Arthur dumped historic rain and triggered flooding and tornadoes, seeking Individual Assistance for Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. Recovery Help: Avoyelles leaders launched the CORE Center in Mansura as a one-stop site for flood victims, with state and parish services plus SNAP/Medicaid, insurance help, DCFS support, and volunteer crew requests. Water Safety: New Orleans East crews responded to a 12-inch water main break near Lake Carmel/Oak Island, prompting a boil-water advisory for about 26,000 residents. Election Countdown: Louisiana voters head to the polls June 27 for key Senate runoffs, including Julia Letlow vs. John Fleming on the GOP side, and Jamie Davis vs. Gary Crockett on the Democratic ballot, plus other statewide and local races. Gun Rights Court Fight: A Supreme Court ruling tied to Hawaii’s concealed-carry limits drew fresh attention to a Louisiana “Black Code” law cited in the case. Public Safety: Shreveport police arrested Walter Evans, 66, on child sexual abuse charges tied to allegations from when the victim was 9 to 12.

Louisiana Senate Runoff: President Trump’s preferred candidate, Rep. Julia Letlow, faces state Treasurer John Fleming Saturday in the GOP Senate primary runoff, with turnout a major wildcard after Letlow led the May 16 field and Trump’s endorsement campaign aims to keep Louisiana aligned with his agenda. Election Day Watch: Polls open 7 a.m. and close 8 p.m., with the biggest races on the ballot being the closed U.S. Senate runoffs plus other parish contests in Acadiana. Civics for Students: LSU Shreveport hosts the Louisiana Civics Bee state finals, bringing together student finalists from across the state to compete on local civic knowledge and solutions. Homelessness Policy: Lafayette police begin enforcing the state’s new anti-camping law Jan. 1, but advocates say key questions remain about where people will go and how diversion and “homelessness court” will work in practice. Flood Recovery: USDA is offering disaster assistance to Louisiana agricultural producers hit by recent flooding, including livestock and feed-loss support programs. Legal/Politics: Louisiana’s electoral-map fight is framed as a Voting Rights Act test, with the stakes for Black voters tied to how courts handle redistricting.

Juneteenth: A new wave of reflection on the federal holiday’s meaning and the long fight for freedom after Emancipation Proclamation enforcement. Redistricting & elections: Louisiana Republicans signed a new congressional map aimed at protecting GOP chances and removing one of the state’s two majority-Black House districts after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the prior map. St. Tammany sheriff race: With Sheriff Randy Smith’s resignation now official, attention turns to who will run next, including interim Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau and other rumored contenders. New Orleans court fight: The city will seek U.S. Supreme Court review after Louisiana’s high court denied its request for oral argument in a clerk-election dispute. Immigration detention fallout: After Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” closed, detainees were scattered to facilities including in Louisiana, while the UN’s human rights chief called for an independent probe into rising migrant deaths in U.S. detention. Defense innovation: Four Navy commands launched the Gulf Coast Defense Catalyst partnership at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans to speed tech from labs to operations. Hurricane readiness: A Lake Charles visit highlighted the “Miss Piggy” hurricane-hunting plane as a flying research lab used to track storms. Flood recovery: USDA announced disaster assistance options for Louisiana farmers and livestock producers after recent flooding. Education: Ben Franklin High School will lease UNO space to expand classrooms and avoid capping admissions. Primary runoff: Louisiana voters head to Saturday’s Senate runoff between Julia Letlow and John Fleming, plus other statewide and local races.

Iran War Powers Rift: President Trump’s closed-door lunch with Senate Republicans turned into a shouting match over a vote to block war powers against Iran, with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy defending his earlier “rebuke” vote before later shifting course after a White House briefing. SNAP Fight: A federal judge struck down state SNAP restrictions on what people can buy, likely knocking out Louisiana’s limits on candy, sodas and energy drinks unless a higher court pauses the order. Immigration & Courts: The Supreme Court cleared the way to end temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians, while a federal appeals court upheld Michigan’s limits on sharing voter data with the Trump administration. Louisiana Runoff Politics: Louisiana voters head to the June 27 Democratic U.S. Senate runoff between Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis, with both candidates facing questions on carbon capture. PFAS Settlement Update: Bridgeport, Louisiana’s neighboring case, received another $116,995 installment from 3M tied to PFAS contamination, with the village already netting hundreds of thousands. Local Government: Ascension Parish installed new water meters with locking lids in the Donaldsonville area to improve security.

Iran War Powers Showdown: Vice President JD Vance hosted GOP senators after President Trump’s clash with Sen. Bill Cassidy helped flip Cassidy’s vote on an Iran war powers measure, with the Senate later rejecting the resolution again in a symbolic rebuke. New Orleans Flood Fight: Gov. Jeff Landry went on WWL Radio to demand a report on alleged wrongdoing at the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East and defended his push to expand policing as board turmoil continues. Landry vs. New Orleans Funding: Landry vetoed $32M+ in state money for New Orleans projects, including a new City Hall, Habitat for Humanity housing, and an integrated healthcare hub, drawing criticism from Mayor Helena Moreno. Public Safety Law: Landry signed the Behind the Counter Protection Act, setting penalties up to two years in prison and $2,000 fines for extreme violence against restaurant workers, effective Aug. 1. Health Fraud Crackdown: DOJ charged a New Orleans doctor and a Shreveport lab sales rep in separate schemes tied to millions in alleged Medicare and government health-plan billing. Planned Parenthood Returns: Planned Parenthood announced it will reopen in Louisiana with a New Orleans clinic and telehealth services (no abortion services), while AG Liz Murrill attacked the plan. Aviation/Tech: Louisiana became the latest state to ban ADS-B-based billing, and Delta announced a new Austin-to-San Jose route while cutting Memphis and New Orleans service.

Iran War Powers Clash: Senate Republicans reversed course again after Trump’s Capitol Hill blowup, rejecting a bid to limit his Iran war powers—one day after a similar measure passed with four GOP votes, including Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy—leaving the party split and the White House pushing back hard. Housing Bill Standoff: Trump canceled a planned signing of a bipartisan affordable housing bill, tying it to passage of his “SAVE America Act” voting overhaul, as lawmakers trade barbs over election rules and war policy. Louisiana Runoff Voting: Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry urged voters to show up Saturday despite weather and confusion from the state’s new closed-party primary system; flooding also forced polling location changes in Avoyelles and St. Landry parishes. U.S. Senate Race Tightens: In Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff, treasurer John Fleming is closing the gap on Rep. Julia Letlow amid an attack-ad barrage and low-turnout concerns. Entergy Outage Tools: Entergy rolled out an enhanced online power outage map with easier restoration updates across devices.

War Powers Clash in Washington: Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy and President Donald Trump traded sharp words in a closed-door GOP lunch over the Iran war powers resolution, with reports saying Trump even told Cassidy to “sit down” during the tense exchange. Teacher Stipends Court Fight: Louisiana lawmakers cleared Gov. Jeff Landry’s teacher and support worker stipend plan, but a court order paused implementation as a lawsuit challenges whether $168 million can be diverted from K-12 operations. Local Government Funding Fight: A Baton Rouge judge ordered several cities, including St. George, to be added to a lawsuit over district attorney funding, escalating the long-running question of who pays in a parish packed with municipalities. Public Utilities Election: Voters in parts of the New Orleans region head to June 27 runoffs for seats on the Public Service Commission, a post that can shape major utility and telecom decisions. Jefferson Parish Jobs Boost: Loop Linen broke ground on a $25.1 million Avondale expansion expected to retain 125 jobs. Federal Justice: A Ruston-area meth trafficking case ended with 13 defendants sentenced after a federal investigation.