AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Watch: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic, with a potential system that could become “Fay” later this week. Teen Safety Tragedy: A 16-year-old drowned after an aluminum fishing boat flipped in a private pond off East Burton Street in Sulphur; authorities say the teens lacked permission to be there. Water + Tech in NOLA: NOLA River Fest’s 12th year included a panel on AI data-center water demand, spotlighting Meta’s Richland Parish campus and concerns about massive groundwater withdrawals. LSU + Politics: A Louisiana Illuminator piece revisits how Gov. Jeff Landry’s LSU interest echoes Huey Long—and warns it could backfire on the university’s standing. Civil Rights Legacy: New Orleans honored Jerome “Big Duck” Smith with funeral services and a final sendoff tied to his youth work in the 7th Ward. Health + Food Culture: Baton Rouge bariatric surgeon Daryl Marx discusses why weight-loss is harder in a state where family life centers on food. Community + Learning: Jefferson Parish teachers report required literacy training is lagging because they’re doing it off the clock without pay. Sports (Local Feel): The Saints kick off their 60th season Sunday against Detroit, with fans ready to focus on football after a long offseason.

LSU Game-Day Celebrity Culture: Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut is turning into a full-on Baton Rouge spectacle, with Lil Wayne, Boosie Badazz, and Tyrann Mathieu joining the Victory Hill walk and Boosie rapping on the stadium video board. Civil Rights Legacy in New Orleans: Jerome “Big Duck” Smith was honored and laid to rest after a packed memorial, with tributes highlighting his Freedom Rides work and decades of mentoring youth through Tambourine & Fan. Local Outdoors & Community Calendar: Teal season is kicking off with a forecast for cooler temps, plus a roundup of fishing and hunting dates and events across the region. Health & Compassion Spotlight: A Baton Rouge therapy dog, Goosey, is a semifinalist for the American Humane Hero Dog Award, bringing comfort to hospice and older adults. Education & Campus Updates: Adolesco Preparatory Academy received a Keep Louisiana Beautiful grant for ADA water bottle stations, and Northshore Technical Community College’s nursing program earned Nursing School of the Year at the Nightingale Awards. Local Governance & Schools: Lafayette Parish named a new interim principal at J.W. Faulk Elementary as the former leader moves into district risk management.

HBCU Culture Spotlight: New Orleans artist Keith Duncan’s “Battle of the Bands” opened at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, using bold color illustrations to capture the pageantry and swagger of Black college marching bands. Local Environment & Heritage: A new Louisiana legislative panel is tackling the Atchafalaya Basin’s declining health, focusing on sediment buildup and the water entering the swamp. Louisiana Sports (Game Day): LSU hosts Louisiana Tech in Week 2, with streaming details and a quick series history making it a must-watch in Tiger Stadium. Acadiana Tech & Growth: A look at how SpaceX could reshape the economy in Acadiana, with more hotels and roads expected as launch activity ramps up. New Orleans Remembrance: The city honored civil rights leader Jerome “Big Duck” Smith with visitation at Gallier Hall ahead of funeral services. Community & Learning: Lafayette Parish named a new principal at J.W. Faulk Elementary as leadership shifts within the school system’s risk management role. Nightlife History: A broader culture piece asks whether nightlife is headed for a “renaissance” or a “nightlife apocalypse,” tracing how going out evolved from ancient taverns to modern scenes. Voter & Immigration Headlines: Federal and DHS updates highlight alleged noncitizen voting cases and concerns about election integrity, while other coverage flags ICE enforcement and detention-related issues. Tech Safety Concern: Law enforcement agencies are raising alarms about Ray-Ban Meta-style smart glasses potentially recording inside jails and detention centers.

School Leadership Shift: Lafayette Parish schools named J.W. Faulk principal Alysia Messa as the district’s new Director of Risk Management, with Lance Abshire stepping in as interim principal—an ACE initiative update that helped the school earn its first-ever “C” rating. Local Arts & Community: Lake Charles’ Second Annual White Linen Night returns Sept. 12 with pop-up art markets, live demos, gallery openings, music, and a downtown cocktail competition. Civic Remembrance: New Orleans began funeral services for civil rights leader Jerome “Big Duck” Smith at Gallier Hall, with a Celebration of Life set for Sept. 12 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Education & Safety Concerns: A new survey of higher-ed faculty in the South finds rising fears over political pressure, including threats and intimidation in classrooms. Healthcare Access: LSUA expanded evening nursing options, now offering the full ASN pathway in evening courses. Culture & Conversation: Roland Martin weighed in on the Fat Joe N-word debate, arguing the real move is to stop using the word altogether. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested a Bahamas man with a violent criminal history who also illegally voted in 2020. Environment & Foodways: Southwest Louisiana fishers and seafood workers sued Venture Global over alleged CP2 dredging impacts, claiming oyster deaths and harm to catches. Music Spotlight: Ruthie Foster released “Just Say Yes,” continuing her Grammy-winning momentum with a new collaboration.

New Orleans–Greece ties: Greece is reestablishing an honorary consular presence in New Orleans, covering Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi, led by local Greek-American businessman John D. Georges—an update that leans into the city’s deep Greek Orthodox and consular history. 9/11 in Louisiana classrooms: Louisiana starts teaching 9/11 as early as second grade under the state’s “Freedom Framework,” with lessons continuing through later grades to keep the context age-appropriate. Baton Rouge church milestones: Two local congregations marked big anniversaries—Greater Sixty Aid Baptist Church celebrated 150 years, while Effectual Words Ministries held its first anniversary program. Immigration and journalism: A federal judge dismissed claims by a Nashville Spanish-language reporter who alleged ICE detained her in retaliation for her reporting, though the case highlights ongoing tensions around press freedom. Local culture economy: NOLAxNOLA returns with 300-plus shows across 50 venues, aiming to keep musicians working and bringing visitors into the city. Sports + community: The Saints open their season with Tyler Shough in the spotlight as New Orleans looks to build on last year’s momentum.

New Orleans Cannabis: NOLA Cannabis opened the first French Quarter dispensary on Bourbon Street, offering 16,000 sq. ft. across three floors with patient services, education, and telehealth for medical-card eligibility. Coastal & SpaceX: Coastal advocates want more details on SpaceX’s marsh and shoreline plans near the proposed Starbase site, where erosion is reported at up to 23 feet per year and wildlife habitat is at stake. Inner-city Youth Support: 2X Game Changers and Team Hope NOLA announced a partnership to expand “Save Our Kids” programming into schools, linking education, mentorship, and health sciences across New Orleans and Kentucky. Arts & Community Giving: The Jewish Community Foundation’s Tranin Fund highlighted 50 years of multigenerational giving, with $250,000 distributed since creation. Health & Safety at Home: LDH’s Recovery Month Celebration is set for Sept. 18 in Baton Rouge, and a fall-prevention event spotlights simple home changes to help older adults stay independent. Local Education: Louisiana Delta Community College reported a 2% jump in fall 2026 student credit hours, with growth in welding, dual enrollment, and criminal justice. Sports & Culture: A 9/11 commemorative run in New Orleans honors a fallen Marine, while a Squeeze the Day 5K in Lake Charles supports the Methodist Children’s Home.

9/11 Remembrance: Retired Louisiana Lt. Col. Kenny Cox, who helped at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, says younger Americans are losing awareness of what happened—and why it still matters. Community Health: Mid South Liver Alliance hosts a free Liver Patient Summit in Gonzales (Sept. 12) with talks on liver health, living donor transplants, and caregiver support. Local Schools & Education: A Southwest Louisiana report points to Madison Parish School District as the “worst” in a ranking—while noting the underlying data is older than it looks. Public Safety & Policing: New Orleans Police Department separations are shifting, with resignations down and firings up since Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick took over. Immigration & Due Process: A Somali asylum seeker with a work permit says he was sent to Guantánamo Bay without a warrant, raising fresh questions about how immigration enforcement is carried out. Food & Giving: The Boiling Crab returns for its third year with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, funding pediatric cancer research through Sept. 14–Oct. 11. Food Access: YMCA of the USA and Instacart team up to expand food access and disaster response nationwide, including support for local Y programs. Culture & Arts: Mississippi Museum of Art adds new permanent-collection works tied to the region, including photography and Choctaw baskets. Healthcare Facilities: IFHE World Congress lands in New Orleans Oct. 17–20, bringing global health facility experts together. Sports & Lifestyle: Saints-focused NFL coverage includes a look at how the team found Tyler Shough and what to expect as the season kicks off.

New Orleans Cannabis: NOLA Cannabis Co. opened the French Quarter’s first marijuana dispensary on Bourbon Street, with a three-story setup for retail plus education and patient services, including same-day purchases via an on-site telehealth clinician. Essence Fest Accountability: Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser urged Essence Festival leaders to provide clearer public financial reporting as city-state talks continue over 2027 funding, while also weighing the festival’s broader economic impact. Northshore Carnival Milestone: Slidell’s Krewe of Dionysus named 7-year-old Ruby Anderson its first female grand marshal, spotlighting the krewe’s move to co-ed membership and expanded float-riding for women. Acadiana Local Food Push: The SOLA Food Summit returns to Lafayette this weekend to connect farmers, buyers, businesses, nonprofits, and educators working to grow the region’s local food economy. Family Faith in St. Charles: St. Charles Borromeo launched its Family Faith Formation lunch-and-learn program for families across Catholic and public schools, emphasizing parents as children’s first faith teachers. Community Grants: The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge opened applications for its $5,000 Evertt G. Powers Fund for Creativity, supporting innovative projects across arts and beyond. Sports & Health Watch: Saints RB Alvin Kamara returned to practice while Cameron Jordan remains ruled out for Sunday’s opener; meanwhile, Delta reported two separate cabin fume/odor incidents on different routes with safe landings. Louisiana Lifestyle Notes: A Lafayette-area roundup flagged many low-paying jobs in the region, and Louisiana Christian University will host the Rapides College and Career Fair Sept. 17-18.

Arts & Education Fundraiser: LASM’s 41st Annual Gala returns Sept. 25 in Baton Rouge with live entertainment, open bars, a silent auction, and a new exhibition debut, “Off the Wall: Louisiana Untamed,” supporting STEAM learning for 22,000+ students each year. Adult Learning Access: SOWELA is offering free adult education classes across Southwest Louisiana to help learners prepare for the HiSET (GED) exam, with placement testing and an option to double credits through its Adult Career Pathways Scholarship. Workforce Pipeline: CaddoWorks launched its Fall 2026 internship cohort with 32 students placed with 20 local employers, giving real-world experience in fields like healthcare, construction, business, hospitality, and public service. New Orleans Dining: Thai’d Up is expanding—its second location is planned for 4520 Freret St., targeting an October opening and a debut tied to the Freret Street Fall Festival. Community & Faith in Corrections: Orleans Sheriff Michelle Woodfork is asking faith leaders to volunteer inside the Orleans Justice Center, saying spiritual support can help people reintegrate. Culture Calendar: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gets a boost with a “Steel Magnolias” sing-along screening at The Zeiterion on Sept. 12.

French Quarter Dining: Chef-and-witch Cristina Quackenbush’s Tatlo (absinthe bar + spell-themed menu) is reopening Oct. 16 in its original Old Absinthe House-adjacent spot. Local Arts & Community: Lafayette’s LFT Fiber is hosting a free Second Saturday ArtWalk reception (Sept. 12) spotlighting Louisiana artists, with pieces also set to appear during Festival Acadiens et Creoles. Education & Support: EBR Schools launches “Eighteen Under 18,” asking the public to nominate 18 standout students (deadline Sept. 18; winners announced in November). Health Access: Ochsner LSU Health Monroe holds a no-cost Men’s Health Lunch and Learn Sept. 11 with free PSA and A1C screenings. Food Culture: Bywater’s Stuph’D Beignets & Burgers won Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” taking home $50,000. Mental Health: Louisiana marks National 988 Day with awareness events for the 24/7 hotline. Higher Ed Watch: UL System Board of Supervisors adds Ryan Furby, and Louisiana’s marine research politics continue as leaders weigh LUMCON’s future.

NBA Returns: Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) and Kyrie Irving (Mavericks) are both set to rejoin their teams as the 2026-27 season nears, with other stars’ health timelines still under watch. Nicholls Recruitment: Nicholls State kicks off five days of Panhellenic sorority recruitment, leaning into the “home away from home” tradition behind Greek life. College Sports & Money: LSU’s SEC eligibility fight is framed as an economic-rights issue for athletes, with courts weighing whether athletes can return after NFL preseason activity. Local Education Pressure: East Baton Rouge schools start the year down 5.8% in enrollment, while many Louisiana parents still face long waits for childcare assistance. Community & Culture: Livingston Parish Library launches a free four-part Master Gardener series, and Abita Springs Opry announces its fall opener with roots music plus nonprofit food sales. Energy & Industry: ONE Nuclear advances its Louisiana SMR Project Amberjack into technical and environmental review. Constitution Day: Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sept. 17 lecture tackles how recent Supreme Court cases are reshaping American law. Sports History & Lifestyle: A look back at Sept. 7 moments in sports history, from the Pro Football Hall of Fame opening to boxing’s modern heavyweight model.

Education & Equity: Lincoln Parish reports a 37.9% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black or African American students (cohort entered 2018), with gains over the prior cohort—one more sign of momentum in local higher-ed outcomes. Public Health & Community Care: The Northeast Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation hosts its annual fundraiser Thursday in Monroe, pushing awareness while highlighting ongoing barriers to specialized care. Local Schools: East Baton Rouge Parish schools show early literacy lift, with kindergarten through third grade reading on/above grade level rising to 62% by year-end. Health Tech Access: Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Hammond holds a community ribbon cutting Sept. 16 to showcase new technology and local treatment options. Culture & Pride: New Orleans food truck Stuph’d Beignets and Burgers wins $50,000 on Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race.” Civic Life: Southeastern Louisiana University’s Constitution Day Lecture (Sept. 17) tackles the impact of recent Supreme Court cases. Safety & Planning: Tony’s Fencing urges Louisiana homeowners to map septic tanks, drainfields, and private utilities before fence installs to avoid costly damage. Sports Spotlight: Miss Louisiana Shelby Bordelon finishes first runner-up at Miss America 2027, narrowly missing the crown.

Local Elections: Zachary voters will choose among three candidates for school and council seats—Mark Miles (District 4 City Council), Kenneth R. Mackie (School Board District 4), and Andrea Graves (School Board District 8)—with backgrounds spanning firefighting, education leadership, nursing, and faith-based community service. LGBTQ+ Culture: New Orleans’ Southern Decadence returned for its 54th year, drawing huge crowds to the French Quarter with a message of creativity, freedom, and welcoming everyone. Community & Environment: The Louisiana Wetlands Education Center and Museum is hosting an Annual Marsh Mixer in Jean Lafitte (Oct. 2) to support coastal education and wetland restoration. Education & Research: Louisiana Tech won a $954,000 NSF grant to expand engineering research capacity and train graduate fellows. Immigration & Daily Life: A report highlights how ICE deportations are disrupting lives, including a case involving a charter flight to Liberia after detention. Sports & Entertainment: Tyler Junior College marks 100 years, while NFL season buzz ramps up with Week 0 power rankings and local game-day excitement.

Music & Heritage: New Orleans hip-hop icon Master P looks ahead to a hometown No Limit/Cash Money tour stop, spotlighting how the labels shaped the city’s national sound. Politics & Community Impact: Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy’s push for Trump to engage in Texas politics comes as MAGA Inc. ramps up $10M in spending to help Ken Paxton hold his seat—showing how national money moves local outcomes. Local Culture & Arts: Baton Rouge is taking applications for a Mid City–Old Goodwood utility box art walk, commissioning street-level designs that reflect neighborhood history and businesses. Health & Food: A Walmart recall expands an E. coli O145 outbreak risk tied to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in Louisiana and 15 other states. Education Equity (Parish Data): Lafourche’s Nicholls State shows white bachelor’s completion at 58.2% by 2024, while Natchitoches reports Black student completion at 39%—numbers that keep the spotlight on access and support. Faith & Family Calendar: Multiple parishes across Louisiana publish this week’s adoration and confession schedules for Sept. 6–12.

Ethnic Fest Spotlight: Internationally known alphornist Dr. Peggy DeMers is set to return, strolling and performing up close with the long, distinctive Swiss instrument. Local Education & Equity: At University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 42.2% of Black or African American students who entered in 2018 had earned a bachelor’s by 2024, outpacing the statewide 37.1%. LSU Football Culture: Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut at Tiger Stadium came with a lightning delay and a 51-10 rout of Clemson, while the SEC-NFL player controversy simmered in the background. Insurance Costs in Louisiana: A new national affordability ranking says Louisiana is the least affordable state for both auto and homeowners insurance, pointing to two problems colliding. Tech & Jobs: Data centers are becoming a major new insurance opportunity, with global premiums projected to surge by 2030. Community Leadership: Warren Easton’s new principal, “Dr. Mac” Kendall McManus-Thomas, is pushing screen-time limits, higher expectations, and student voice to lift academics. Sports Off the Field: A Louisiana teen’s story of bullying prevention in Bogotá highlights how emotional well-being and peer-led conflict resolution can cut incidents to zero. Politics & Power: Louisiana Republicans face fresh scrutiny over party endorsements and election maneuvering as voters head toward fall races.

College Football (LSU/Clemson): Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut vs. Clemson got delayed by lightning, and two former NFL signees were left off the roster as the SEC’s eligibility rule stays tangled in court. Immigration & Civil Rights: Milo Yiannopoulos—who backed mass deportations—was deported from New Orleans to the UK and now says he’s “ashamed,” while other reports highlight ICE detentions and families left scrambling for legal help. Local Culture & Community: A sold-out 5K in New Orleans honored alleged hazing victim Caleb Wilson and pushed for an end to campus hazing. Education Outcomes (Parish-by-Parish): New data spotlights six-year bachelor’s completion rates for Hispanic/Latino and multi-race students across Louisiana parishes, with mixed results. Arts & Books: “Paper Man: Chasing the Truth in the Mississippi Delta” lands in bookstores, tracing Jim Abbott’s fight against racism in the Mississippi Delta. Sports & School Pride: Southeastern Louisiana named Rob Dugas its 2026 Alumnus of the Year, and SLU cross country opened the season at the Battle for New Orleans.