Jeff Landry

Dr. Evelyn Griffin was named Louisiana’s surgeon general by Gov. Jeff Landry. Previously, she served on a CDC vaccine advisory panel appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., where she voted to recommend limiting access to COVID vaccines and ending universal newborn immunizations for hepatitis B. Griffin's vision is focused on shifting the health care system toward disease prevention.

Dr. Evelyn Griffin was named Louisiana’s surgeon general by Gov. Jeff Landry, despite having no background or specialty training in infectious disease or public health. Her vision is to help shift the healthcare system toward prevention rather than just treatment, reflecting a focus on eroding government mandates and limiting vaccine access.

Governor Jeff Landry stated he will not speak personally to New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno until an investigation determines who was responsible for the July indictment of Attorney General Liz Murrill. This statement reflects the deteriorated relationship between New Orleans and state leaders following allegations that the criminal proceedings were politically motivated. The core conflict relates to a grand jury indictment over letters Murrill had sent warning New Orleans officials about potential elections.

The article questions whether massive spending within large school systems guarantees better student outcomes, citing data from New York City and Chicago that show low literacy and math proficiency rates despite substantial investments. It argues that policymakers should prioritize empowering parents with educational options over simply increasing system funding. Louisiana is offered as a counter-example of academic progress achieved by expanding parental choice through programs like LA GATOR.

Louisiana signed a 10-year, no-bid contract worth $192.6 million with Motorola to provide public safety equipment and technology for law enforcement and the prison system. The deal allocates funds for upgrading the Louisiana Wireless Information Network and providing radios, body cameras, and license plate readers. State agencies receiving new equipment include the Louisiana State Police and Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted 3-1 to allow Meta to keep detailed records for its $50 billion data center project secret, overturning a judge's order for public disclosure. The ruling pertains to the calculation of job projections and electricity needs for Meta’s Hyperion campus in Richland Parish. This decision was reached despite opposition from groups like the Sierra Club, who had requested the figures from the commission.

Louisiana lawmakers plan to consider a $54 million, 10-year no-bid contract with Motorola for disaster communications and state law enforcement technology. The deal, recommended by Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration, is projected to save the state between $40 million and $70 million in locked-in discounts. However, some legislators questioned the proposal, citing concerns about the lack of a competitive bidding process.

Consumer, science, and environmental advocates are urging greater transparency from Meta and Entergy Louisiana regarding the Hyperion data center expansion in Richland Parish, Louisiana. The project, requiring 7.5 gigawatts of electricity and spanning 3,650 acres, is criticized for opaque planning, including nondisclosure agreements and expedited regulatory processes under Governor Jeff Landry's Lightning Speed Initiative.

Dozens of parish-level leaders and volunteers left Louisiana Deserves Better, a recall campaign targeting Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill, citing financial mismanagement and lack of transparency by chairperson Marian Gbaiwon. Volunteers attempted to deliver collected signatures but received no guarantees from Gbaiwon, who paused the campaign amid internal disputes.

An advisory committee established by New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno is evaluating City Hall renovation plans and considering a potential annex in New Orleans East. The committee, which held a kickoff meeting on Aug. 6, will assess the building's condition and past issues like mold, while state funding for repairs was previously vetoed by Gov. Jeff Landry.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry increased the Office of Inspector General's budget from $2.2 million to $5.5 million for the fiscal year starting July 1. Angele Davis, appointed as inspector general in January, plans to allocate $3 million to contractors to identify spending reductions, building on Landry’s LA DOGE initiative, which claims $1 billion in savings without detailed documentation. The new Louisiana Taxpayer Protection Initiative, led by Davis, will use AI and federal partnerships to detect fraud and waste.

Dozens of parish leaders and volunteers from Louisiana Deserves Better, a campaign to recall Gov. Jeff Landry and state Attorney General Liz Murrill, have left due to alleged financial mismanagement and poor leadership by the group's chairperson, Marian Gbaiwon. Volunteers attempted to deliver collected signatures to Gbaiwon's headquarters but were met with no response, following internal disputes that led to over 100 leaders and volunteers exiting the campaign.

Louisiana's Office of Inspector General's budget increased by 131% to $5.5 million annually, with new leader Angele Davis planning to hire contractors to reduce state spending. The initiative aligns with Gov. Jeff Landry’s Fiscal Responsibility Program, modeled after Donald Trump’s DOGE, and a new Louisiana Taxpayer Protection Initiative using technology to detect waste.

Nunez Community College received a $1 million donation from the Lowe’s Foundation to expand technical training programs in electrical, construction, and HVAC fields. The funds will support new training spaces, equipment, and capacity increases at its main campus and a temporary site in Plaquemines Parish. Louisiana’s investment in community colleges aligns with Governor Jeff Landry’s focus on workforce training.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's administration has increasingly used NDAs, including a mutual agreement with Meta subsidiary Laidley LLC for the Hyperion data center project. Critics argue these NDAs excessively restrict transparency, allowing private corporations to control public disclosures and undermining public accountability. Over 121 state employees have signed similar NDAs since Landry took office.

More than 100 Louisiana state employees, including senior aides and agency heads, signed NDAs with Gov. Jeff Landry’s office, restricting disclosure of work-related information. The agreements, which could lead to legal action for breaches, were obtained via records requests and include individuals like Kyle Ruckert and Angelique Freel. A separate NDA with Meta’s data center subsidiary Laidley LLC was also signed by Landry.

The Trump administration highlights over 200 new signatories to the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, aiming to lower utility costs for data centers by requiring tech companies to cover energy needs and grid upgrades. The pledge, supported by governors and companies like Google and Amazon, emphasizes avoiding increased costs for American families.

Richard Nelson, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, plans to open a charter school allowing high school students to earn workforce credentials alongside their diploma. He emphasizes addressing barriers like financial costs, childcare, and transportation for non-traditional students, with expanded programs such as MJ Foster and Tops Tech to support these efforts.

More than 100 Louisiana state employees, including senior aides and agency heads, signed NDAs with Gov. Jeff Landry’s office, restricting communication about their work. Legal experts criticize the agreements as a 'gag order' that could suppress constitutionally protected speech and create a culture of fear.

President Donald Trump announced expanded support for the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which requires data center companies to cover infrastructure costs, with 23 Republican governors and tech firms like Google and Meta joining. The initiative aims to shift costs from consumers to corporations and position the U.S. as a leader in AI and high-tech industries.

President Trump expanded the 'Ratepayer Protection Pledge' to prevent data centers from increasing utility costs for consumers, with 23 Republican governors and 200 stakeholders joining. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry highlighted Meta's commitment to covering all costs for a data center infrastructure project, potentially saving ratepayers $2.6 billion. Experts noted the pledge is voluntary and requires state-level action to become effective.

President Trump announced an expansion of his 'Ratepayer Protection Pledge' to ensure data centers and tech companies cover their utility costs, with 23 Republican governors and 200 stakeholders joining. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry highlighted Meta's agreement to fund infrastructure costs for a data center in his state. Experts noted the pledge is voluntary and lacks legal enforceability but praised the involvement of stakeholders and governors.

President Trump expanded his 'Ratepayer Protection Pledge' to include 23 Republican governors and 200 stakeholders, aiming to prevent data centers from increasing utility costs for consumers. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry highlighted Meta's full funding of a data center project in his state, while experts noted the pledge remains voluntary and non-binding.

President Donald Trump expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which requires data center companies to cover infrastructure costs instead of consumers, with Republican governors, tech firms, and utilities joining the initiative. Governors from Louisiana, Georgia, Nebraska, and Idaho highlighted partnerships with companies like Meta to reduce costs and support energy projects.

A special prosecutor dismissed felony charges against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who was accused of threatening officials opposing a court overhaul in New Orleans. The dismissal followed a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling that the indictment process was flawed and pressure from local officials, with Murrill claiming the case was malicious. Political tensions between state Republicans and New Orleans Democrats over the court changes contributed to the dispute.

President Donald Trump announced the expansion of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which requires data centers to cover their infrastructure costs to shield consumers from higher utility bills. Republican governors and tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta joined the initiative, aiming to lower electricity costs for families and businesses.

Louisiana school districts can now use locally-funded teacher pay increases to offset state funding cuts intended to cover mandated stipends. The updated plan, approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, allows districts to reduce required stipends and state funding cuts if they provide local pay hikes, even as small as $500.

Donald Trump announced that nearly 200 entities have signed a non-binding 'Ratepayer Protection Pledge' to prevent US consumers from bearing AI datacenter costs. The pledge was discussed at the EPA headquarters with Lee Zeldin, Chris Wright, and governors including Brian Kemp, Mike DeWine, Spencer Cox, and Jeff Landry.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill stated that New Orleans officials should face consequences following the withdrawal of criminal charges against Murrill. The charges, related to a letter Murrill sent to city leaders, were dropped by a special prosecutor, but Murrill claimed the indictment was politically motivated and warned of broader implications for the grand jury system.

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana, moving west toward Texas with sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm posed threats of wind, storm surge, and localized flooding, though heavy rains remained offshore. Southern Louisiana faced a rare combination of tropical storm and extreme heat warnings.

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana's St. Bernard Parish and moved west toward Texas, bringing wind gusts up to 45 mph (75 kph) and storm surges of up to 3 feet (1 meter). The storm, which closed Gulf Coast beaches and issued tropical storm warnings from Alabama to Louisiana, was forecast to dissipate in Texas by Friday with minimal widespread damage expected. Southern Louisiana experienced a rare combination of tropical storm and extreme heat warnings.

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, with 45 mph winds, posing threats of storm surge and flooding. The storm, the second of the Atlantic season, prompted coastal closures and warnings, though officials deemed the impact manageable. Louisiana's governor noted an 'encouraging' forecast but warned of potential flooding.

Rep. Clay Higgins has requested the FBI to investigate the Orleans Parish grand jury that indicted Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. The charges were later dismissed, and Louisiana's governor ordered a state police investigation into the same proceedings.

A special prosecutor dismissed felony charges against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who faced accusations of threatening New Orleans officials over a court overhaul. The case was previously put on hold by the Louisiana Supreme Court due to procedural issues. Political tensions between state Republicans and New Orleans Democrats, including accusations of intimidation, were central to the dispute.

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and other officials allegedly threatened by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill requested a special prosecutor to dismiss a 16-count felony indictment against Murrill. The charges stem from letters Murrill sent to city officials allegedly threatening removal if they opposed a state law consolidating court clerk positions. The request for dismissal cited concerns about public interest and legal viability, with the Louisiana Supreme Court having issued an emergency stay.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry stated not all school districts must use state funds for $2,000 teacher stipends if they use local taxes to raise teacher pay by the same amount. School district leaders await clarification on exemption criteria, as the state did not allocate additional funds for stipends this year due to revenue shortfalls.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated New Orleans is no longer as crucial to the state's economic success as previously believed, amid tensions between state Republicans and New Orleans Democrats. Landry criticized New Orleans for its political stance and blocked a city loan, while New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno defended the city as Louisiana's largest economic engine.

Gov. Jeff Landry ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Louisiana to honor the late State Sen. Larry Selders. The flags were flown at half-staff on Tuesday.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced a major data center expansion by Meta in Richland Parish, increasing investment to up to $50 billion and creating thousands of jobs. The project, part of Louisiana's strategy to lead in AI infrastructure, includes tax incentives for Meta and other companies like Amazon and Hut 8, with projects in historically underserved areas.

Governor Jeff Landry claims New Orleans is no longer as economically central to Louisiana as it once was, amid tensions with New Orleans Democrats. Landry criticized the city's special status and blocked state approval of a loan, while New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno defended the city as the state's largest economic engine. Landry also eliminated funding for New Orleans-based projects and positions, citing unfair resource distribution.