AGP Executive Report

Immigration & Detention in Louisiana: A new ICE facility near Alexandria could start taking families with children and unaccompanied minors within a week or two, adding to Louisiana’s role as a major deportation hub. Supreme Court Watch: The Court will scrutinize Trump’s mandatory immigrant detention approach, including limits on bond hearings. Local Education & Workforce: Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College honored fire service leaders with the Joe D. May Excellence in Public Policy Award for expanding EMR and firefighter training. Health & Food: A new review links eating deli meat/processed meat to higher dementia risk, including Alzheimer’s. Arts & Culture: Lake Charles’ Rouge et Blanc Wine and Food Tasting returns Oct. 10 at McNeese State, with local chefs and live music. Sports & Community: Southern University’s homecoming week heads into Saturday’s Jaguars matchup, with events across Scotlandville. Tech & Local Impact: Amazon says it will invest $1B over five years in data-center communities and stop using NDAs with county officials.

LSU Military College Designation: Louisiana State University has been named a “distinguished military college,” giving its ROTC program priority for becoming active-duty commissioned officers, with officials saying it could also unlock more federal support. St. Tammany Leadership Shake-Up: After Superintendent Frank Jabbia’s sudden retirement, the St. Tammany Parish School Board will hold a special meeting to appoint Assistant Superintendent Steve Alfonso as interim leader. Monroe Fire Department New Chief: Timothy Williams took over as Monroe Fire Chief, pledging stronger training, modernized operations, and better community trust. New Orleans School Expansion: Holy Name of Jesus School finished a $10.3M Uptown campus expansion, adding classrooms, arts and athletics space, and a full gym with an indoor track. Arts Across the Region: The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and Meta launched a call for artists for a permanent public art collection at a Richland Parish data center. Community Tech Support: AT&T and Compudopt distributed refurbished laptops and backpacks to local students and families to help bridge the digital divide. Local Education Storytime: Dr. T.C.W. Magee’s memoir continues with vivid school-era anecdotes from Franklinton. Public Safety Update: A boil advisory was issued for parts of Caddo Parish after a water line break. Faith & Inclusion Court Fight: A Las Vegas family is in a legal dispute after Faith Lutheran High School told them not to return their autistic teen, with a judge stepping in to keep him enrolled while the case proceeds. Immigration Policy in the Spotlight: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to Trump’s mandatory, indefinite immigrant detention policy. Louisiana Legal News: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill announced a multistate Supreme Court lawsuit targeting abortion “shield laws” in New York, California, and Massachusetts. Local Crime Case: FBI accuses two Louisiana brothers of raising money for Hamas through online payment services and coded messaging.

Immigration & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a fight over Trump’s immigration detention policy, which bars bond hearings for many immigrants during deportation cases. Abortion Access & State Power: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill joined a multistate Supreme Court challenge to “abortion shield laws,” arguing they enable out-of-state abortion-pill distribution while states try to enforce their own bans. Public Safety: A Rapides Parish man died in a house fire after investigators found no working smoke alarm—another reminder of how fast tragedy can strike. Education & Choice: A new federal scholarship proposal would let nearly all kids in at least 30 states apply for taxpayer-funded help for private school and homeschooling. Community & Culture: New Orleans’ Casamento’s oyster bar reopens for its fall season amid uncertainty about whether it could be the last. Local Life: Minden is installing 20 litter enforcement signs with Keep Louisiana Beautiful, plus a hotline for reporting littering. Arts & Heritage: Baton Rouge author Rob Franklin received the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. Health & Learning: LSU’s College of Science added new faculty, while NAACP groups are pushing students to know where to go and how to advocate when they’re sick.

Local Education Leadership: St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Superintendent Frank Jabbia abruptly announced his retirement effective immediately, following recent scrutiny tied to how two former Lyon Elementary administrators handled child abuse allegations. Local Governance & Voting Rights: New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a Louisiana Supreme Court decision that eliminated Calvin Duncan’s criminal clerk seat, arguing voters’ rights were violated. Power & Neighborhood Life: Entergy paused tree trimming in Jefferson Parish after complaints that crews “butchered” the canopy, with new proposed rules and better communication on the table. Acadiana Culture: Festivals Acadiens et Créoles returns to Girard Park Oct. 8-11 with expanded history programming, a new Folklife Village, and a Smithsonian “Festival of Festivals” spotlight. Arts & Community: A Cajun horror-comedy, “The Fois: Revenge of Maw Maw Claudette,” premieres Saturday in Crowley, leaning into local gumbo debates and Acadiana storytelling. Reproductive Rights: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill joined Alabama and Arkansas in a U.S. Supreme Court challenge to abortion “shield laws” in New York, California, and Massachusetts. Higher Ed: Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson said he plans to retire at year’s end, citing health concerns.

Spooky Season in Metairie: The East Bank Regional Library hosts a horror/sci-fi author evening Oct. 5 with local and visiting writers, including New Orleans–based SueBird Sparrow. Bayou Weekend Plans: Tour du Teche returns Oct. 2–4 for a 135-mile paddle race from Port Barre to Berwick. Arts & Community: Livingston Arts Council opens “An Eclectic Show” through Oct. 30, mixing contemporary fiber art with high school work. Outdoor Fun: Bogue Chitto State Park’s Roller Coaster of Love Mountain Bike Festival rolls Oct. 2–4 with racing, jumps, music, and family activities. Education Watch: Louisiana AP scores are rising fast, but access to AP courses still lags for many students. Elections & Civic Life: A Louisiana forum highlights candidates clashing over inflation and affordability, while an editorial urges voters to show up early for Nov. 3. Immigration & Daily Life: DHS claims deportations are linked to rent drops, while ICE leaders vow to intensify enforcement in sanctuary cities. Health/Local Impact: Federal student loan borrowers get more time to enroll in autopay for a 1% interest-rate discount.

AI & Politics: House Speaker Mike Johnson backs voluntary AI safety over heavy regulation, while a growing slate of November candidates pushes for tougher government guardrails as Trump touts “self-policing” after a White House meeting with top AI executives. New Orleans Budget: City council members press Mayor Helena Moreno’s team for clearer details on a controversial 2027 property tax millage “roll forward” as officials face a $77 million gap. Campus Life: Southern University students report repeated power outages during Homecoming week; leaders blame deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure. Road Safety: Louisiana’s “Buckle Up, Phone Down” campaign targets teen distracted driving, pairing education with school programs. Culture & Film: Acadiana-made horror-comedy “The Fois: Revenge of Maw Maw Claudette” heads to theaters after a sold-out premiere. Community Events: Tangipahoa Parish Library hosts its Free Book Festival Oct. 10, and Lafayette’s Maddie’s Footprints 5K closes part of Camellia Boulevard Oct. 3. Sports (Local): Tulane basketball gets a Louisiana transfer point guard who says you can “make it happen right here,” and the Pelicans open training camp with a healthy roster and a new defensive mindset.

New Orleans Culture & Nightlife: Mid-City’s new Hawaiian barbecue spot, Little Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, is turning heads with Spam musubi, “Spam sushi,” and dive-bar pricing—plus tropical drinks and grilled-style Hawaiian plates. Community Health: The Association of Black Cardiologists and Executives Alliance Fund are expanding the Brother to Brother: Know Your Numbers campaign nationwide to push Black men to track heart health early. Education & Schools: Louisiana’s BESE agreed to erase a March 2025 vote that would have taken over two Baker schools after a court said the public wasn’t properly alerted; meanwhile, New Orleans’ Leah Chase traditional public school could face stricter accountability rules that may lead to closure or new management. Hispanic Heritage: Gonzales hosted a Hispanic Heritage Fest with mariachi, food trucks, crafts, and folklore—aimed at building bridges across cultures. Local Grants: Slidell’s Lakeshore Beautification Corp. won $10,000 to beautify an I-10/Oak Harbor roundabout with a stainless-steel pelican sculpture. Arts & Events: St. Tammany’s Cutting Edge Center will kick off a Halloween run of Little Shop of Horrors starting Oct. 2. Wellness in the Park: WellNXT New Orleans is bringing a free wellness festival to City Park in November.

LGBTQ+ Rights in the Workplace: A former Navy worker in Belle Chasse, openly gay, sued the Navy alleging anti-gay slurs, harassment, retaliation, and a hostile work environment. Local Education & Safety: LSU is investigating hazing allegations at two fraternities, with claims including broken bones and waterboarding; both chapters are on interim suspension. Women’s Rights & Campus Accountability: An LSU student’s Title IX case is prompting a state lawmaker to push for a closer look at how universities handle sexual misconduct reports. Health & Community Needs: Northeast Louisiana parents and child care providers met in Monroe to flag affordability and after-school gaps for 2027 planning. New Orleans Mobility: The city launched a federally funded e-bike rebate program offering up to $1,200, with safety training required. Culture & Food: HNOC’s 2026 Food Forum spotlights gumbo on Nov. 7, featuring chefs and food historian Jessica B. Harris. Space & Jobs Watch: Louisiana is among states being considered for a new Space Academy, with workforce training groups preparing for possible opportunities. Sports & Lifestyle: Fall festival season gets a boost with a Thibodaux/south Louisiana guide, plus “Cruisin’ the Coast” returns Oct. 4–11.

Local Culture & Food: New Orleans visitors get a guide to iconic eats and the history behind Creole and Cajun flavors, plus festivals and seasonal stops that turn dining into a cultural tour. Community & Education: Iberville Parish School District hosted a Career & College Day, connecting students with colleges and employers, while St. George leaders pivot toward charter schools instead of running traditional public schools. Sports & Local Pride: Benton resident Ty Christiana won a Savannah Bananas on-field race at Globe Life Field, bringing Ark-La-Tex energy to Banana Ball. Workplace/Tech & Public Life: WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans spotlighted collaborative delivery strategies for water and wastewater infrastructure. Race & Accountability: Louisiana Tech fraternity Sigma Nu apologized after an N-word rant video; the university says it’s investigating and will hold people accountable. Health & Inspiration: A Baton Rouge teen wrote a book about her father’s kidney transplant to encourage organ donation, sharing the story with students. Arts & Media: John Georges says Meta AI deals could “save journalism,” tying Louisiana’s media future to new tech partnerships.

Local Crime & Community Impact: The mother of a 15-year-old killed in a Lake Charles shooting is speaking out, describing her son as a typical teen and pushing for accountability as the investigation remains active. Culture & Events in New Orleans: New Orleans has a packed weekend of lifestyle fun, from the National Fried Chicken Festival and Swampus to Abita Fall Fest and more. Music & Intergenerational Joy: #JazzReignited spotlights how Joy of Jazz made room for elders and younger voices, keeping the festival’s energy wide open. Sports & Local Pride: Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is cleared to return for the Saints game, adding a major weapon for Las Vegas as it aims for a strong start. Public Policy & Daily Life: Louisiana’s Department of Education is seeking partners for the Child and Adult Care Food Program for 2027, expanding access to meals for kids and adults. Health & Safety: A survivor’s account of rape at LSU is prompting renewed attention to campus sexual assault and institutional failures. Local Lifestyle & Wellness: Geaux Ride marks a decade of bike tours in Baton Rouge, aiming to make downtown riding feel safer and more popular.

Diabetes Cost Crisis: A new paid piece from the American Diabetes Association spotlights how many Louisianans are rationing insulin because prices have become “untenable,” warning that delays can be deadly. Voting Rights Fight: Baton Rouge activists are mobilizing after Louisiana v. Callais wiped out parts of the Voting Rights Act and left Black voters facing new map-driven limits as midterms loom. Civil War History: LSU Press highlights “Death or Victory,” a book on the Louisiana Native Guard and how Black soldiers were pushed into labor and guarded under Union “liberators.” Kids & Health: Louisiana schools are leaning harder into movement, with updated physical education standards aiming to make exercise fun and measurable from early grades. College Job Market: Loyola grads and other Louisiana universities are rethinking how they prepare students as the job market tightens and programs face possible cuts. LSU Culture & Sports: LSU President Wade Rousse is profiled as a Golden Meadow native shaping the system’s direction, while the Ragin’ Cajuns roll to a 34-7 defensive win over Charlotte. Weekend Picks: Metro New Orleans fall festivals are in full swing, plus free outdoor concerts in Shreveport and family outdoor fun in Woodworth for National Hunting and Fishing Day.

LSU vs. Texas A&M: LSU hosts the top-20 SEC showdown Saturday night, aiming to bounce back after a Week 3 loss to Ole Miss while Texas A&M looks to avoid falling further behind in the College Football Playoff race. Saints Culture: The Saints Kickoff 5K returned to New Orleans with a sold-out field, raising support for the Louisiana National Guard Foundation and sending runners through the CBD and French Quarter. Immigration & Community Pushback: Opponents of a proposed ICE detention center near Alexandria held a forum after a public meeting was canceled, keeping pressure on local leaders. Women’s Sports Policy: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill joined a coalition urging Congress to add women’s sports protections to the Protect College Sports Act. Activism & the Environment: Greenpeace protesters boarded New Zealand’s research vessel Tangaroa in a seabed-mining protest, with police considering charges after removing activists. Local Education Numbers: Lafayette Parish colleges conferred 7,779 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, highlighting continued growth in credentialing. Second-Line Season: New Orleans’ second-line parades are in full swing, with weekly celebrations running through mid-June.

Louisiana Higher Ed: Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson says he’ll retire at the end of 2026, thanking students, staff, and the Ruston community. New Orleans Culture: Second-line season is in full swing, with weekly parades running through mid-June—plus a weekend schedule spotlighting what to catch. Local Education: NOLA Public Schools hosts a free IGNITE High School Showcase (10 a.m.-noon) at the Louisiana Children’s Museum to help middle school families explore high school options, dual enrollment, and career/technical tracks. Public Safety & Health: New Orleans City Council committee action moves forward a Neighborhood Power Plan to subsidize backup batteries for 1,000+ homes and businesses during outages. Sports & Community: The Saints’ home opener and the Alligator Festival headline a busy New Orleans weekend, including the Saints Kickoff Run. Immigration & Rights: A federal judge held DHS in contempt for deporting a teen asylum seeker to El Salvador despite court orders, ordering his return to pursue his claim. Voting Access: A Supreme Court ruling lets a Trump administration voter-screening database proceed, raising alarms about errors and midterm purges. Politics Close to Home: East Baton Rouge DA candidate Ryan Thompson faces a state Board of Ethics fine for missing a campaign finance deadline, while fundraising trails remain in focus.

Voting Rights & Privacy: U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin blasted the Supreme Court’s move to let the Trump administration use an error-prone voter screening database ahead of midterms, arguing it risks wrongly purging eligible voters. Public Safety & Health: Louisiana’s Department of Health warns asthma attacks and ER visits often spike in September as kids return to school, urging families to use action plans and keep rescue inhalers handy. Local Education & Community: East Feliciana Parish police jury backed a $90 million nuclear life cycle innovation campus proposal that could bring research, training, and jobs tied to used nuclear materials. Culture & Faith: Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge welcomed its new director, highlighting how different faith traditions can coexist in everyday life. Sports & New Orleans Pride: The Saints’ Domecoming legacy gets a fresh look as New Orleans prepares for another big home-weekend moment, with Saints’ early-season momentum in focus. Workforce Training: Bossier Parish Community College is offering free Basic Construction Crafts bootcamps in Natchitoches and Sabine Valley this fall. Arts & Entertainment: Lucinda Williams is touring off her new album “World’s Gone Wrong,” bringing Louisiana roots and political bite to the road.

Dolly Parton Day, Louisiana-style: A Louisiana lawmaker plans a Dolly Parton-themed license plate, with a $25 fee to fund Parton’s Imagination Library—monthly free books for kids from birth to age 5. Cancer Alley and data centers: An oncology nurse in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” warns that the push for gas-powered AI data centers could worsen pollution and harm patients already dealing with cancer. Immigration in the courts: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in over “third-country” deportations, after a flight tied to Louisiana was canceled amid legal fights over notice and destinations. Local business pressure: Shreveport-Bossier liquor stores say Total Wine’s expansion is hitting sales and forcing independents to adapt. Faith and voting rights: In New Orleans, multifaith leaders link the loss of Black-majority districts to a renewed civil-rights-style push to turn out voters. Culture & community: A state audit says Louisiana’s tourism office is keeping guest names secret for a French Quarter apartment tied to museum purposes. Women’s conference: A Baton Rouge event spotlights “Breaking Barriers Walking Boldly” on Oct. 3.

Pop Culture & Local Art: Peli Con 2026 lands in Denham Springs this Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Anthony Dugas Recreation Center, with artist-first vibes and headline inker Roland Paris. Education & Careers: Thrive Academy’s relaunched digital media program is training students on Adobe Photoshop (with plans to expand to Premiere and Illustrator) and building real-world credentials. Immigration & Community Safety: DHS is calling out sanctuary politicians after assaults on ICE officials jumped more than 1,600% since 2025; meanwhile, a Haitian pastor, Molis Augustave, was deported to Haiti despite legal fights and a U.S. citizen family. Health & Family Focus: Louisiana’s opioid deaths are down sharply, but leaders stress more work on misuse and mental health access. Local Learning Access: AT&T opened a Connected Learning Center in Shreveport’s MLK Neighborhood Association with free fiber internet, computers, and mentoring. Arts & Culture Calendar: Fall is ramping up in New Orleans with NOLAxNOLA and more music-driven events. Workforce & Education Infrastructure: Construction continues on the Avoyelles Community Education Center, funded through ConnectLA GUMBO 1.0. Higher Ed Spotlight: Loyola University New Orleans earned top national rankings in U.S. News & World Report.