AGP Executive Report

SEC-LSU Standoff: The SEC’s presidents and chancellors met Thursday but left the LSU expulsion question off the table for now, after LSU backed away from the Lane Kiffin roster dispute involving former NFL players; LSU could still face other sanctions as the legal fight continues. Gov. Jeff Landry: Landry told Fox News the SEC has “no legal standing” to sue and warned the league’s approach is “dangerous,” arguing most SEC schools are public universities. Local Justice: In Caddo Parish, a state review says a pilot home electronic monitoring program mainly helps with jail overcrowding, with limited taxpayer savings, as the jail runs about 60% over capacity. Public Safety: Simmesport police arrested Ladarius Jontrel Hartford after a domestic disturbance involving two elderly victims, including alleged strangulation and pepper-spraying. State Enforcement: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill’s office arrested a Houma woman on Medicaid fraud and public records charges tied to alleged income underreporting. Weather/Infrastructure: New Orleans-area rainfall set a daily record at the airport in Kenner, with flash flood warnings and more storms forecast through Saturday. Health Policy: The White House announced $500 Obamacare refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Louisiana, tied to alleged Biden-era exchange overcharges. City Hall/Carnival: New Orleans approved allowing Mardi Gras krewes to recruit via social media, ending the old “snail mail only” requirement. Sports & Culture: A Bourbon Street dispensary opened as the first in the French Quarter, while LSU’s SEC drama and 9/11 memorial stair climbs kept college sports and civic remembrance in the spotlight.

SEC-LSU De-escalation: LSU President Wade Rousse says the Tigers complied with SEC roster rules by locking the season without adding two former NFL players, calling the expulsion fight “moot,” while the SEC’s planned Thursday vote is now widely expected to be removed from the agenda. Federal Courts/Abortion Pills: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill returned to the 5th Circuit to challenge Biden-era FDA telehealth rules for mifepristone, arguing the pre-Biden approach should be reinstated as judges weigh limits on mail-order abortion access. Immigration & Detention: Reports say a Somali asylum seeker with work authorization was transferred to Guantánamo Bay without a warrant, adding to scrutiny of ICE transfers and detention practices. Flooding in New Orleans Metro: Strong thunderstorms triggered flood advisories and a flash flood warning around Kenner and nearby areas, with more rain possible. Politics & Campaigning: Republicans kicked off their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas with Trump and JD Vance headlining, aiming to energize voters ahead of November. Louisiana Economy/Industry: SpaceX’s Starbase plans in Vermilion Parish are drawing both job promises and environmental concerns as construction and rocket activity loom.

SEC-LSU De-escalation: LSU President Wade Rousse says the SEC fight is “moot” after the Tigers locked their 2026 roster without adding two former NFL players, and a key federal hearing was postponed. College Sports & Law: The SEC still has a Thursday meeting planned on whether to terminate LSU’s membership, but the roster decision has shifted the tone. Abortion Pills in Court: In the 5th Circuit, the Trump DOJ is challenging Louisiana’s bid to curb mail-order mifepristone while judges pressed why the government won’t defend the safety analysis behind Biden-era rules. New Orleans Cannabis: The French Quarter opens its first marijuana dispensary, using an on-site telehealth model that lets patients buy the same day. Essence Funding Scrutiny: Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser calls for more fiscal transparency from Essence as the city negotiates 2027 support and faces questions about past spending. Energy & LNG: Argent LNG filed draft FERC Resource Reports for a proposed Port Fourchon LNG export terminal, while Oxy lays groundwork for additional Gulf deepwater drilling. Public Safety: A Shreveport man was arrested after a reckless-driving video circulated online.

SEC-LSU Court Fight: A federal judge will hold the first hearing Wednesday on the SEC’s request for a temporary restraining order in its lawsuit over LSU’s eligibility dispute, after LSU backed off adding former NFL signees Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to its 105-player roster. Abortion Pill Access: The 5th Circuit in New Orleans will hear arguments Wednesday on whether Louisiana can roll back rules allowing mifepristone by mail and pharmacy dispensing. Louisiana Business & Government: Louisiana’s Secretary of State fee schedule is set to increase Oct. 1, affecting filings and business services. Public Safety: A burn ban remains in effect in Tensas Parish after dry conditions and a state fire-risk map pushed danger levels higher. Statewide Watch: Federal regulators declined further action over elevated gas pollutants at the North Landfill in East Baton Rouge.

SEC vs. LSU: The SEC filed an amended federal lawsuit seeking authority to remove LSU from the conference, escalating its eligibility fight tied to Lane Kiffin and former pro players; LSU is still in court while a formal SEC membership review is set for this week. Louisiana Courts & Law Enforcement: New Orleans’ fired NOPD officers may face tougher hiring prospects after a Fox 8 probe prompted the department to explain firings to a state oversight council that can decertify officers. Consumer Protection: A new Louisiana law (Act 553) requires utility companies to reimburse overcharged customers within 90 days. Economic Development: Hyundai Steel broke ground on a $5.8 billion electric arc furnace mill in Ascension Parish, with production targeted for 2029, pending air-permit approval. Cybersecurity: IDScan.net disclosed a breach affecting 170M identity documents, including 153M driver’s licenses. Sports Business: LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11, listing major players among its unsecured creditors and planning a 2027 return. National Politics: The U.S. Supreme Court rebuffed Missouri’s push to use a Trump-backed congressional map, while lower-court rulings added more confusion over which districts apply in November.

LSU-SEC Eligibility Fight: A Louisiana court and the SEC are locked in a fast-moving legal standoff over whether former NFL preseason participants can return to college football, with the dispute now tied to athletes’ NIL and economic rights. College Football Playoff Picture: After Week 1 results, LSU’s 51-10 win over Clemson has it climbing into CFP projections, with ESPN’s early postseason bracket shaping the national conversation. Louisiana Courts & Crime: A Louisiana judge’s ruling in the LSU eligibility case is part of a broader week of courtroom action, including an appeals court decision in a Shreveport domestic violence murder case and a mistrial declared in Massachusetts’ Lindsay Clancy triple murder trial. Energy & Industry: ONE Nuclear is advancing a Louisiana SMR project into technical and environmental review, while Hyundai Steel’s Louisiana mill continues to draw scrutiny and attention. Local Politics: The East Baton Rouge DA race is heating up as Ryan Thompson challenges incumbent Hillar Moore, and Pearl River voters will choose a new police chief on Nov. 3. Coast & Conservation: The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana honors two lifetime advocates, including a former NPS official and an LSU AgCenter retiree, for decades of restoration work.

LSU–SEC Eligibility Fight: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill and district attorney Tony Clayton won an all-day Baton Rouge court hearing supporting athletes seeking to return to college rosters, while Orleans DA Jason Williams argued for the SEC’s authority to block former pros. Criminal Justice: Former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts was released after serving 90 days of a suspended 10-year sentence for sex with a 16-year-old boy at a pool party, with the judge citing an error in sentencing assumptions. Cybersecurity & Identity Theft: Louisiana’s IDScan.net faces a growing wave of federal class actions after an alleged dark-web listing claimed access to 153 million driver’s license records; the FBI is investigating. State Government & Transportation: Gov. Jeff Landry appointed Rep. Mark Wright as DOTD Commissioner of Multimodal Commerce, expanding oversight of ports, rail, aviation, trucking and public transit. Local Economy: Gonzales businesses say LA-30 construction has caused major sales losses and closures, even as DOTD says the project will improve safety and traffic flow. Public Safety Training: Louisiana State Police said the state police academy is expected to resume in October after pausing classes over culture and training concerns. Civic Life: More than 1,000 people turned out for New Orleans’ AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic, with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser highlighting hospitality workers.

LSU–SEC Eligibility Fight: A Baton Rouge judge cleared the way for LSU to add former NFL players, but the SEC is still suing and the legal fight is shaping LSU’s season-opening chaos, including roster decisions and a public back-and-forth over what the court order actually changes. New Orleans Tech & Privacy: The FBI is investigating a reported 153 million U.S. and Canadian driver’s license data breach tied to IDScan.net, and class-action lawsuits are now targeting the company. Aviation & Logistics: The FAA and Louisiana DOTD tested a remotely piloted, hybrid-electric cargo aircraft at Houma-Terrebonne Airport—an early step toward pilotless delivery for time-sensitive medical supplies. Immigration Enforcement: ICE deported more than 100 people to Liberia, including a Venezuelan man who says he learned of his removal only hours before departure. Energy & Prices: Trump’s plan to open Venezuelan oil fields to U.S. control could eventually benefit Louisiana refineries, though experts warn details and hurdles remain. Local Politics: Zachary school board District 4 candidate Mackie seeks re-election, touting 12 years on the board and a background in education and public administration. Business/Community: CopyPro marked Area Service Manager Pete Lipford’s 25th anniversary with the company.

LSU/SEC Eligibility Fight: LSU opened its season with a 51-10 rout of Clemson while Lane Kiffin kept two former NFL players off the roster for now, even as the legal fight over SEC rules and NCAA eligibility continues. Federal Courts & Reproductive Rights: A key 5th Circuit panel in New Orleans is set to hear arguments next week in a case that could further restrict mifepristone distribution, with Louisiana challenging FDA telehealth rules. Cybersecurity/ID Theft: The FBI launched an investigation into the alleged sale of scans of 153 million stolen driver’s licenses, tied to a Louisiana-based ID verification firm. Louisiana Higher Ed/Infrastructure: Southern University reported a second round of intermittent power outages on its Baton Rouge campus as crews repair a transformer issue, warning of possible internet and Wi-Fi disruptions. Public Safety/Local Justice: A Monroe police officer was placed on leave after being arrested for DWI by Louisiana State Police. Politics: U.S. Sen. John Kennedy criticized the Trump administration’s Ukraine approach on Meet the Press, arguing Putin won’t respond to “pretty talk.” Sports & Community: The Old Governor’s Mansion hosted a “Fall Into History” event with local museums partnering for hands-on history programming.

LSU–SEC Eligibility Fight: Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut against Clemson ended in a 51-10 rout, but the bigger story is still the legal fight over whether former NFL players can return—LSU left Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off the roster for now while a Baton Rouge judge granted eligibility to other plaintiffs, and the SEC is weighing next steps. Voter Purge Court Ruling: A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to pause a block on the SAVE voter purge database, saying the system risks inaccurate citizenship data and could lead to cancellations ahead of the midterms. Tech & Privacy: LSU students are raising concerns as Flock license-plate cameras spread around campus and Baton Rouge, pointing to privacy worries after prior misuse cases elsewhere. Louisiana Cost of Living: A new national affordability ranking finds Louisiana is the least affordable state for both auto and homeowners insurance, driven by two separate problems hitting at once. Economic Development: Federal and state officials marked Hyundai Steel and POSCO’s $5.8B Louisiana electric arc furnace mill, pitching it as a manufacturing and jobs milestone. Public Safety/Crime Tech: A separate report says a dark web service is selling scanned driver’s licenses tied to a Louisiana-based identity verification provider, prompting an FBI inquiry. Sports Culture: The “Lane Kiffin Show” also brought viral controversy and nonstop hype in Death Valley, with fans and media fixated on his remarks and sideline moments.

SEC-LSU Eligibility Clash: LSU’s Lane Kiffin opened his tenure with a legal mess still hanging over Baton Rouge. After a Louisiana judge cleared former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, LSU still left them off the Clemson roster for now, citing uncertainty about what penalties could follow if the SEC wins its fight. Coach vs. Conference Fallout: The decision sparked national backlash, with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum calling Kiffin “a child” and arguing LSU’s leaders haven’t acted like “adults in the room,” while Kiffin said he made the call for the program’s “big picture.” Game Night Disruption: LSU vs. Clemson kicked off later than planned after lightning forced a delay at Tiger Stadium, with kickoff pushed back to about 8:40 p.m. CT. Local Public Safety: In Lafayette, a driver fleeing police crashed on West Pinhook Road early Saturday, killing a passenger and injuring three; the driver was booked and facing additional charges. Immigration Politics: Milo Yiannopoulos—who backed mass deportation rhetoric—was reportedly arrested at MSY and deported to the U.K. after overstaying a visa.

LSU–SEC Eligibility Fight: A Baton Rouge judge cleared the way for LSU to add former NFL players after issuing an injunction against the NCAA, setting up a fast-moving legal showdown as the SEC presses its case in federal court. College Football Governance: The CFP said it “strongly supports” conference rules blocking NFL-return players, even as courts keep forcing eligibility questions into the open. Roster Update for Clemson Opener: LSU still left Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off the submitted roster for the Clemson game, despite earlier court wins, with the school signaling they could be added later if enrolled. Privacy & Surveillance: Livingston Parish debated limits on private security cameras in parish rights-of-way, with residents and council members split between privacy fears and public-safety concerns. Cybersecurity: FBI scrutiny is growing after reports that a dark-web service offered tens of millions of driver’s license scans, raising alarms for identity theft risk. State Politics: Louisiana officials are facing fresh scrutiny over a proposed Amendment 6 that could shift property tax exemptions and potentially squeeze school funding.

College Sports Court Fight: A Louisiana judge granted a preliminary injunction letting 31 athletes get a fifth year, clearing the way for LSU to add former NFL camp participants Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris as the SEC pushes back with a federal lawsuit in Alabama. SEC/CFP Context: The College Football Playoff said it “strongly supports” conference rules on returning players with pro ties, but won’t add new rules while legal proceedings continue. State Politics & Law: The LSU eligibility fight is also drawing national political attention, with Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond calling the ruling a “slap in the face” and Louisiana AG Liz Murrill backing the state’s position. Public Safety: A Washington Parish man, Derrick Fairley, was sentenced to life after a fentanyl distribution conviction tied to a fatal overdose. Consumer Protection: A Tangipahoa Parish woman says a scam text led to the loss of her life savings after she was tricked into believing her identity and Social Security were compromised. Economic Development: Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana Steel held a $5.8 billion groundbreaking in Ascension Parish, but construction can’t start until an air permit is approved.

LSU-SEC Eligibility Fight: A Baton Rouge judge cleared the way for LSU to add former NFL players for a fifth year, enjoining the NCAA and SEC from punishing schools that sign the athletes; LSU President Wade Rousse says the school will respect the judicial process while warning college football “does not deserve this kind of ambiguity,” as the SEC immediately appealed and sued in federal court. Flood Watch: The National Weather Service warned of flash flooding risk in parts of western Orleans Parish and northwestern Jefferson Parish ahead of Labor Day, with 1–3 inches possible in warned areas. Insurance Update: Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple and Sen. Kirk Talbot will brief northshore business leaders Sept. 9 in Mandeville on insurance availability and affordability. ICE Detention Scrutiny: Families and advocates say two men detained in Oregon were transferred to Louisiana, raising concerns about access to counsel and transparency. Cybersecurity: The FBI is probing a dark-web marketplace listing 153 million driver’s license scans, with Louisiana-based IDScan.net implicated. Local Government: New Orleans won’t apply for a Trump Model Cities grant after concerns about federal oversight and conditions tied to immigration enforcement. Business/Construction: Shreveport’s new $100M-plus state office building is progressing toward a 2027 opening.

SEC vs. LSU Eligibility Fight: In Baton Rouge, former pros Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright testified as a state judge weighed whether the NCAA and SEC can block athletes returning after turning pro; the SEC also filed a federal lawsuit in Alabama accusing LSU and Lane Kiffin of recruiting NFL-linked players and seeking to stop the Tigers from rostering them. New Orleans Courtroom Fallout: A federal jury in New Orleans returned a split verdict in a staged-wrecks fraud and murder trial—convicting Sean Alfortish on multiple fraud and obstruction counts, but deadlocking on murder-related charges, leading to a mistrial on those counts. Immigration Enforcement: The U.S. deported more than 100 people to Haiti on a flight that departed from Louisiana, with activists criticizing the shift to weekly removals amid ongoing gang violence. Louisiana Campus Tech: Louisiana Christian University says its digital student ID switch to the LA Wallet app is still on hold despite a new state law taking effect Aug. 1. Local Governance: Sterlington will use a state grant to install surveillance cameras targeting illegal dumping and littering, while West Monroe approved a downtown entertainment district that expands open-container rules for outdoor alcohol in a defined area.

LSU-SEC Eligibility Fight: A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments Thursday on whether court protections blocking the SEC from punishing schools over former pro athletes should stay in place, with LSU facing a Friday roster deadline for Clemson and two former NFL signees (Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris) at the center of the dispute. Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Louisiana is set to receive at least $180.9 million from a multistate Meta settlement over alleged harm to children online, with more money possible if other platforms adopt similar safeguards. Identity Theft Alarm: The FBI is probing a reported breach tied to “Nexus,” a dark-web service selling scans of more than 153 million U.S. and Canadian driver’s licenses, with Louisiana-based IDScan.net named as a likely source. Hurricane Ida Legal Fallout: In a case tied to Hurricane Ida insurance work, the 14th Court of Appeals reversed an attorney-fee award for Daly & Black against a public claims adjuster. Flood Agency Leak Probe: A New Orleans-area flood protection agency spent $23,000 on a private investigation after concerns about improper email access and possible listening devices, according to internal documents. Bossier City Economic Development: Bossier City advanced ordinances for its first Economic Development District, “The Row,” setting up a path toward a final vote later this month. Domestic Violence Warning: Even as overall homicides drop in some cities, domestic-violence-related killings remain high nationwide, with advocates citing continued needs for housing and legal help. Louisiana State Police on AI Hoax: LSP warned a viral “booster seat law” graphic was AI-generated and fake, despite real booster-seat requirements for children.