AGP Executive Report

Sports & Gambling: Florida and other states are tightening rules as college betting spreads, with NCAA eligibility fights like Texas Tech QB Brandon Sorsby’s spotlighting how addiction and “betting on yourself” can collide with athletics. Immigration Enforcement Funding: The GOP-led Senate is moving to debate a roughly $70B bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol after Trump’s allies dropped/reshaped a $1.776B settlement fund, setting up new amendment fights. Voting Rights & Redistricting: The U.S. Supreme Court let Alabama use a GOP-favoring congressional map that lower courts said discriminated against Black voters—sparking fresh backlash and renewed legal pressure. Louisiana Politics: Louisiana’s recall effort against Gov. Jeff Landry says it has thousands of signatures, while opponents call it political theater. Juneteenth in Ascension: Donaldsonville’s 31st annual Juneteenth celebration is set for June 13 with music, an author talk, and food distribution. Nursing Home Watch (EBR & beyond): CMS Q1 2026 data put St. Clare Manor among the biggest in East Baton Rouge County (overall 4/5), while multiple other parishes saw facilities ranked by size and rated from 1 to 4 stars. Culture & Community: T-Marie is teaching Cajun dance at New Marigny Theatre as part of a Louisiana Cultures Camp weekend, blending tradition with storytelling. Summer Plans: Ruston Peach Festival returns despite cold-snap crop damage, with growers bringing in peaches as a “Plan B.”

Education & Workforce: South Louisiana Community College chancellor Vincent June won a national Difference Maker Award for expanding workforce training and boosting Acadiana job impact. Local Schools Pay: Caddo Schools could see major pay changes next year as Gov. Jeff Landry pushes $2,000 teacher stipends and $1,000 support-staff stipends, while the superintendent proposes a 6% across-the-board raise—together potentially costing up to $22M. Culture & Music: Shreveport’s Highland Jazz & Blues Festival (Sept. 19) announced its date, lineup, and free public festival details, with New Orleans’ Dumpstaphunk headlining. Skilled Trades: Shreveport Area Electrical JATC (IBEW/NECA partnership) is recruiting for apprentice electrician and helper training in Bossier City. Community & Pride: Celebrate Pride Month in New Orleans with June parades and events. Justice & Voting Rights: A Baton Rouge council voting rights lawsuit has reopened after the Supreme Court’s voting-rights shift, raising new hurdles for plaintiffs. Public Safety & Health: Louisiana’s teacher-pay plan is moving via budget orders and stipends, while broader staffing and classroom needs remain a live concern. Local Crime: Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty to New Orleans battery charges tied to a Mardi Gras bar incident.

Supreme Court & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama to use a GOP-friendly 2023 congressional map, a move critics say further weakens Black voting power ahead of midterms. Local Education & Community: In Lafayette Parish, residents are still pushing back on a plan to close Comeaux High and relocate/expand a career center—after legal fights and renewed hearings. Teacher Pay Push: Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order redirecting $168M for teacher stipends, while education budget cuts and reallocation plans keep the pressure on districts. Juneteenth in Acadiana: A Juneteenth flag-raising kicked off Lafayette’s month of events, with organizers emphasizing education and community unity. Nursing Home Watch (CMS ratings): Allen Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center in Allen County got a 1-star CMS rating, while Deridder Retirement & Rehab Center earned 3 stars; Maison Du Monde Living Center led Vermilion County by beds but scored 2 stars. Culture & Food: New Orleans’ Pizza Delicious landed on 50 Top Pizza’s national list for the fourth straight year. Study Abroad (HBCUs): Qatar Foundation announced three new study-abroad partnerships with Hampton University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Prairie View A&M. Pride & Sports: The NFL’s main social accounts didn’t mark Pride Month on June 1, though the league says it will highlight Pride-related content throughout June.

Teacher Pay Push: Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order to redirect about $168M in non-instructional education funds into one-time stipends—$2,000 for classroom teachers and $1,000 for instructional staff—while directing education leaders to protect key student services like security, food, and transportation. Workforce & Campus Life: SoLAcc in Acadiana is bringing the GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) to campus for Fall 2026. Student Entrepreneurship: A Southern University student opened two beauty supply stores in Baton Rouge, aiming to make the space feel safe and welcoming for Black women. Sports Spotlight: LHSAA announced venue changes for Sugar Bowl State Championships starting 2026-27, including boys’ basketball moving to the Cajundome in Lafayette. Community Health & Access: Louisiana’s Medicaid changes are raising fears for immigrant families as renewals and work requirements roll out. Public Safety: Baton Rouge police arrested a man accused in a deadly Greenwell Springs drag racing crash, charging him with manslaughter. Education & Culture: Nicholls State University created a scholarship honoring music educators John and Beverly Stafford.

Louisiana Politics & Education: Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session wrapped with a $47B budget, K-12 and higher-ed funding boosts, and a teacher-pay path still unresolved—lawmakers adjourned without a permanent solution, leaving educators waiting. Voting Rights & Community Impact: The Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act setback is still rippling through Louisiana, with residents and civil rights groups warning that new congressional maps and court-driven changes could reshape Black political power. Teacher Safety: Lawmakers sent the “Teacher’s Shield Act” to Gov. Jeff Landry, aiming to tighten responses when students assault school employees, including suspension and possible transfer/alternative schooling. Public Safety (Baton Rouge): Baton Rouge residents are calling for more neighborhood action as violence continues to hit communities, with some pointing to the need for stronger engagement beyond walk-and-talk efforts. STEM & Local Schools: Webster Parish School Board highlighted STEM support, including a $2,000 scholarship tied to Calumet’s grant program. Health & Workplaces: Agape Care Group was named a Top Workplace for Nursing by Nurse.com, spotlighting nurse-focused workplace support. Culture & Pride: New Orleans is gearing up for Pride Month with event guides and community celebrations. Sports (Local/Regional): LSU vet school awarded 128 DVM degrees, including graduates from South Arkansas and North Louisiana. National Watch (Cannabis): MMJ International Holdings joined a legal challenge to Trump’s cannabis rescheduling order, arguing the new framework disadvantages FDA-pathway companies.

Louisiana Politics & Courts: Louisiana lawmakers passed SB217 to shrink New Orleans Criminal District Court from 12 to 9 judges, swapping out Judge Rhonda Goode-Douglas instead of Leon Roche after a last-minute change that raised “last in, first out” questions. Redistricting & Voting Rights: The session also ended with a new congressional map signed by Gov. Jeff Landry that eliminates a Black-majority district, with recall petitions now targeting Landry and AG Liz Murrill over canceled elections. Child Safety: A lead poisoning prevention bill cleared the Louisiana House unanimously, requiring new daycares and early learning centers to complete lead risk assessments before opening, after an Algiers daycare was approved without a proper inspection. Education Snapshot: Grant Parish schools reported 310 Black students in 2025-26, making up 11.6% of enrollment. New Orleans Culture: Keith Thomas was elected Zulu King for 2027, beating Cedric Richmond by 51 votes. Arts & Community: ON Culture highlights summer reading, lively music, and more events around New Orleans. Immigration Human Stories: A young immigrant with Special Immigrant Juvenile status says ICE detained her anyway, even after years of legal protection.

LGBTQ+ Culture: The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana just opened a new exhibition space at 311 Burgundy St., with displays spanning gay Carnival, Southern Decadence, HIV history, queer journalism, and transgender history—built from the longtime work of executive director Frank Perez. New Orleans Events: The American Italian Cultural Center’s “Opera in the Piazza” returns June 5 at Piazza d’Italia, featuring opera and Broadway/pop selections plus food from local vendors (tickets start at $35). Community & Pride: Pride flags on Rampart Street are back, part of a tradition rooted in Southern Decadence resilience and a message that visitors “can be yourself here.” Education & Equity: A new report warns the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act shift could reshape school board elections, making it harder for communities of color to win seats. Health & Care: Seeds of NOLA Trauma Recovery Center marks three years expanding trauma-informed mental health support across New Orleans. Local Loss: St. Landry educator and community leader Ulysse Joubert is remembered after his sudden death at 78. Sports & Money: Dillard and Delgado men’s basketball spending in 2024 reportedly lagged Louisiana averages, spotlighting how athletics budgets vary across schools.

New Orleans Pride Month kickoff: Longue Vue House and Gardens lit up with rainbows for Family Equality Day, drawing families to crafts, face painting, and a resource fair—plus early drag performances—ahead of Pride Month events citywide. Local Health & Recovery: Seeds of NOLA Trauma Recovery Center marked three years expanding trauma-informed care across New Orleans through LCMC Health’s University Medical Center. Community & Culture: Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin, a Carnival “queen” and major New Orleans philanthropist who helped save the New Orleans Symphony, died at 93. Summer in NOLA: A roundup of 19 New Orleans area festivals and events to hit this summer, from music to cultural celebrations. Education & Equity: Woman’s Hospital is offering free support for pregnant women battling addiction via its Grace program. Voting Rights Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling is driving fresh concerns about representation and districting, with Louisiana’s case at the center. Sports & Hometown Buzz: LSU recruiting news: elite target Mekhi Williams decommitted from Florida State and reopened his recruitment.

Sail 250 New Orleans: The nation’s 250th birthday celebration kicked off with Sail 250, bringing thousands of sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and tall ships to the Mississippi River for ship tours, outreach, and community events through Sunday. LSU Football Recruiting: Ed Orgeron’s quick start at LSU is already paying off, landing official visits from top recruits within days of joining the staff. Clergy Abuse Fallout in Louisiana: After a Texas conviction of Nigerian-born priest Anthony Odiong for sexual assault, a Luling healing chapel removed his name—leaving survivors’ names and benefactor lists as a stark reminder of what happened. Local Education Snapshot: New data shows Union Parish schools enrolled 624 Black students (24.8% of enrollment) in 2025-26, while Terrebonne Parish had just 7 Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students (under 0.1%). Community & Culture: JazzFest announced its 30th anniversary lineup, and Pride Northshore returns to Mandeville for a third year.

Louisiana Politics: Gov. Jeff Landry signed Louisiana’s new U.S. House map after the Legislature approved it, eliminating one majority-Black district and reshaping lines that Democrats say will dilute Black voting power—while Republicans argue it boosts GOP chances in November. Voting Rights & Courts: The changes follow the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision, which weakened race-based districting rules and set off a fast redistricting scramble across the South. Local Impact: The map redraw splits parishes and shifts places like Grant Parish fully into a new district, with court challenges expected before the midterms. Immigration & Community Safety: In Lafayette, the sheriff’s office released video after questions about a woman detained at an ICE checkpoint despite her claim of U.S. citizenship. Culture & Heritage: Cajun music legend Wade Landry was inducted into the Acadian Museum in Erath. Education & Access: Elite Charter Academy is set to open this fall in Lake Charles, sparking debate over public funding and curriculum. Family & Health: A new report from U.S. Catholic bishops says more than 1,000 child sexual abuse allegations were reported in 2025, alongside concerns about diocesan oversight.

Redistricting & Voting Rights: Louisiana lawmakers approved a new U.S. House map that erases a majority-Black district, shifting the state toward five Republican seats and one Democratic seat; Democrats call it racist and say it disenfranchises Black voters after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the prior map. Culture Spotlight: Dua Lipa’s “date night” favorites include New Orleans’ Preservation Hall, praised as a loud, no-seats, pure-live-music kind of place. Local Law & Lifestyle: Louisiana’s balloon-release ban kicks in Aug. 1, making it illegal to organize intentional releases of 12+ balloons, with exemptions for kids, accidents, biodegradable balloons, and certain scientific or government uses. Education & Workforce: Lawmakers moved to expand TOPS-Tech eligibility by adding an early-college-credit pathway and allowing students to keep awards part-time or full-time. Community & Care: A Salvation Army renovated Eloise Hart Temple Client Choice Marketplace, bringing a dignified “shopping” model for food and household essentials. Health & Tech Watch: A new report says water is becoming a key constraint for AI data centers, with cooling demands pushing projects into tougher local planning fights. Sports: Southeastern Louisiana’s Onyah Favour advanced at the NCAA East First Round after a school-record 400 prelim.

Redistricting Fight: Louisiana’s GOP-backed congressional map is moving fast after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision, with the House voting to eliminate a majority-Black district and pack Black voters into one New Orleans-area seat—setting up more legal challenges as the bill heads to the Senate and Gov. Jeff Landry. Civil Rights & Voting Rights: Across the South, courts are still blocking or reshaping maps—Alabama’s 2023 congressional plan was again rejected by a federal panel, keeping the region’s voting-rights fight front and center. College Sports Transparency: A Louisiana bill would limit public access to records on how college athletes are paid, sparking debate over student-athlete privacy versus transparency. Healthcare Access: Baton Rouge Community College is launching an Ochsner-funded mobile healthcare training lab to expand phlebotomy, medical assistant, and CNA pathways in high schools and rural communities. Local Culture & Community: JAMNOLA announced new summer nonprofit partnerships supporting youth, arts education, and LGBTQ+ advocacy in New Orleans. Family-Friendly Fun: The Great Louisiana Fair returns to Bossier City with rides, live entertainment, and classic fair food through June 14. Sports Spotlight: Hammond High Magnet named Willie Chaney its new head basketball coach.

Underage Drinking Watch (Lafayette): Officials say cracking down on underage drinking downtown takes time, even as citations for bars and convenience stores continue to surface. Culture & Foodways: LSU Press spotlights Shelley Ingram’s research on gas station and roadside cuisine across the South, tying food to stories, identity, and everyday rituals. Coastline & Climate Debate (New Orleans): Mayor Helena Moreno pushes back on a study predicting New Orleans could be underwater by 2100, arguing it underestimates the city’s resilience and cultural stakes. Voting Rights & Redistricting: Louisiana’s redistricting fight stays in the spotlight as courts weigh racially gerrymandered maps and the Voting Rights Act’s future. Community & Safety: Volunteers removed a record 566 tons of litter during Love the Boot Week, while a Hammond officer faces federal charges tied to a Bay St. Louis cockfighting sting. Arts & Nightlife (NOLA): Lyrica Baroque brings Bryan Batt to Christ Church Cathedral, and the Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré readies “Once” plus a Queer Comedy Fest lineup. Education & Equity: Jackson Parish school enrollment data highlights how Black students make up large shares of local classrooms, amid broader concerns about Louisiana education outcomes.

Broadband & Rural Life: Lake Providence residents are furious after a fiber rollout that reached the edge of town stalled, tied to federal rule changes and a fight between a contractor and Louisiana’s broadband office—leaving a small community still waiting on reliable internet. Public Safety & Community: Baton Rouge is one step closer to a DHS-funded violent-crime task force at BRPD headquarters, aimed at gang and other violent investigations (not immigration enforcement). Healthcare Access: Gov. Jeff Landry’s Rural Tech Catalyst Fund could help northeast Louisiana hospitals expand services, reducing the need for patients to drive for basic care. Education Spotlight: Lafayette Parish celebrates two educators named finalists for Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year. Culture & Events: New Orleans is gearing up for X Games League Championship weekend at the Superdome with major concert nights at the Smoothie King Center. Food & Local Life: Checkers & Rally’s is reopening in Kenner after repairs, bringing back a familiar late-night drive-thru option. Sports Policy: A bipartisan U.S. Senate push would reshape college sports rules on pay, transfers, and eligibility. Civic Rights: Louisiana’s voting-rights fight continues to ripple after the Callais ruling, fueling fresh organizing across the South.

Local Libraries & Learning: Lanesville Community School Corp. is set to spend more than $19,000 on library renovations, aiming to turn the space into a future-ready media center with flexible study areas and more student-focused resources. Sports & Community Pride: McNeese State softball coach James Landreneau adds Barbe alum Halie Pappion, a left-handed pitcher transferring in as a graduate student with one year of eligibility left. Adoption & Animal Welfare: Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana spotlights adoptable dog Gary on KTBS’s “Paws to Care,” sharing how the shelter matches pets with long-term homes. New Orleans Dining: The Grill Room at The Windsor Court launches weekly specials, including Wine Wednesday and Thursday oyster/prime rib pairings. Pride Month in Baton Rouge: Baton Rouge Pride events kick off with a Pride drag brunch and a Pride Court announcement, with the big PRIDE FEST set for June 27. Education Recognition: Two Louisiana principals—Casey Cheramie and Terez LeBlanc—were named finalists for Louisiana Principal of the Year. Bayou Weekend Picks: Jean Lafitte Seafood Festival runs May 29-31, and the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival is May 30-31 at the Jazz & Heritage Center. Politics & Voting Rights Watch: Alabama Republicans ask the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a ruling blocking a GOP electoral map tied to claims of racial gerrymandering, as the national redistricting fight heats up ahead of midterms.

Louisiana’s House races reset: Louisiana’s six U.S. House elections—delayed after the Supreme Court struck down the map—are now set for Nov. 3, with Louisiana’s open primary rules and a possible Dec. 12 runoff if no one tops 50%. Redistricting uncertainty: Lawmakers are still debating what the new district lines will look like, and a voter-outreach push is being urged so people aren’t blindsided by ballot changes. Regional politics ripple: Across the South, Alabama’s GOP map fight hit another snag as courts blocked it, while South Carolina lawmakers rejected a Trump-backed redraw. Local education spotlight: In Lafayette, two educators—Alysa Leblanc and Holly Boffy—are named finalists for statewide honors. Community support: Rapides Parish Library and the Food Bank of Central Louisiana are teaming up for free summer meals for kids.