LSU Athletics Funding Plan: LSU wrapped up meetings with top donors hosted by Gov. Jeff Landry to outline a proposed LSU-controlled limited liability corporation aimed at generating steadier revenue as athlete pay costs rise. Public Health Leadership: The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director, ending months of leadership churn as the agency faces major outbreaks and immunization challenges. Education Safety Law: Louisiana’s “Teacher Shield” (Act 141) took effect Aug. 1, requiring mandatory alternative school placement for students who assault teachers or staff, with added behavioral and mental health connections. STEM Campus Upgrade: Livingston Parish opened a new $22 million South Fork Junior High campus with a dedicated maker space for computer science, engineering, 3D printing, and hands-on science. Data Centers Debate: A new look at data center sprawl asks whether operators truly need massive campuses, as Louisiana’s Hyperion project keeps fueling local power and transparency concerns. Gulf Ecology: NOAA measured a Gulf “dead zone” near Louisiana at about 1,332 square miles—smaller than expected—highlighting the role of nutrient runoff in oxygen loss. Gun Violence Trends: CDC-linked reporting shows U.S. shooting deaths fell in 2025 for the fourth straight year, while gun suicides hit a record high.