AGP Executive Report

Disaster-Ready Computing: LSU Health Shreveport and the Cyber Innovation Center launched a strategic partnership, with CIC providing secure high-performance data center space to boost research and analytics as LSUHS joins the federal National Disaster Medical System Pilot. Healthcare Capacity: Ochsner Health doubled operating room capacity at The Grove in Baton Rouge, adding new surgeons and radiology staff to cut wait times. STEM & Education Tech Access: AT&T and Compudopt delivered refurbished laptops and backpacks to local students to help close the digital divide. Space & Science: A new lunar study explores how water behaves under moon gravity—key for future plant growth and life support. AI in Defense Procurement: JIATF-401 is using agentic AI to speed counter-drone data review and inform what equipment to buy after Falcon Peak. Cybersecurity & Privacy: A court blocked Utah’s anti-VPN law, citing the technical impossibility of forcing VPN detection. Local Tech Governance: Monroe County, Mo. plans a public meeting on Flock license-plate reader cameras amid growing pushback.

Defense & Robotics: The U.S. Navy plans to buy 30 unmanned surface vessels in a $1.2B deal, with production starting at Louisiana shipyards and first deliveries expected in 2027. Autonomous Warfare: The Pentagon also unveiled an Autonomous Warfare Command (AutoWarCom) to scale drones and AI, with groundwork starting now and a target start date of Oct. 1, 2027. Health Tech & Research (Louisiana): Ochsner opened a new $120M neuroscience institute in New Orleans for brain health care, while multiple eye-focused biotech updates point to major AAO 2026 activity in the city, including first-in-human ER-100 glaucoma interim data and new surgical/retina tech presentations. Energy & AI Infrastructure: Tulane’s energy forum highlighted how AI data centers are reshaping Louisiana’s power conversation, as Meta’s AI data center tax-credit strategy faces scrutiny. Public Safety: A Louisiana fatal house fire investigation found no working smoke alarm, underscoring ongoing alarm coverage gaps. Policy & Elections: Supreme Court voting-rights rulings and a new push around the Comstock Act keep election and health policy in the spotlight.

Military Tech & Command Reshuffle: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s “State of the Force” at Quantico announced an Autonomous Warfare Command for scaling drones/robotics, plus plans for a new U.S. military base (site TBD) and cuts to top brass. Energy & Grid Modernization: Entergy won $13.7M in federal funding to deploy advanced transmission tech across 1,000+ miles in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, aiming to boost reliability and move more power. Space & Louisiana Growth Pitch: Gov. Jeff Landry highlighted major Louisiana investments, including aerospace momentum tied to SpaceX and the push for a Louisiana Space Academy launch site. Local Water Costs: Jefferson Parish approved an LSU New Orleans audit of water meters after residents reported extreme bills, with officials pointing to possible private-side leaks. Autonomous Defense at Sea: The Navy ordered 30 drone ships to expand autonomous operations. Health & Science: A study found only 60% of liver transplant recipients are vaccinated against hepatitis B, leaving many at risk. Legal Tech/Justice: Prosecutors in the Jimmie Duncan case seek a DNA search warrant, arguing multiple DNA profiles on items from the night of the crime. Education & Workforce: ULM’s construction management program received a $229,000 donation from the state contractors’ licensing trust fund to support training aligned with industry needs.

Driver’s License Tech Upgrade: Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles replaced its decades-old system with a new CHAMP Titles platform, aiming to cut hours off getting a driver’s license or ID. Autonomous Navy Buildout: The U.S. Navy ordered 30 medium unmanned surface vessels, with production agreements starting in Louisiana shipyards and expanding modular autonomous operations. AI Data-Center Tax Strategy: A New York Times report says Meta is classifying Louisiana data centers as research and experimentation to slash federal taxes, spotlighting how AI infrastructure intersects with state and federal policy. Healthcare Tech in Louisiana: Ocugen and Harrow both announced upcoming scientific presentations tied to gene therapy and ophthalmic treatments, including AAO 2026 in New Orleans. Wastewater Reuse Technology: LiqTech’s QureFlow™ ceramic membrane system is set to recover over 95% of wastewater for reuse at a new Texas facility, building on LiqTech’s Louisiana experience. Education Access Gap: Louisiana’s AP results rose sharply, but the state still lags on students’ access to AP courses. Public Safety & Health Guidance: DHS claims deportations are lowering rent, while CDC expanded COVID vaccine guidance beyond FDA-approved risk groups.

AI Power & Data Centers: Two hearings are set to decide whether Entergy Louisiana can build the power and transmission needed for Meta’s Richland Parish data center campus, with commissioners weighing electricity demand, generation plans, and who pays for the infrastructure. AI Policy: House Speaker Mike Johnson backs industry-led AI safety over heavy regulation, while Trump endorses voluntary self-policing with internal and outside reviews—an approach that’s drawing backlash from candidates calling for tougher guardrails. Cybercrime Funding: DOJ awarded Louisiana’s AG $1M to help victims of technology-facilitated abuse, including sextortion and deepfakes, with a statewide response protocol. Maritime Tech/Defense: HII won a U.S. Navy contract for 10 ROMULUS unmanned surface vessels, and the Navy plans 30 drone boats under its Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel program. Coastal Science: An LSU co-authored study warns Louisiana’s barrier islands are losing storm-scoured sand offshore, with only 16% recovered after five years—pushing calls to redesign restoration. Health & Policy: Federal Medicaid payment cuts could reduce access as states trim reimbursements; Louisiana also reported a statistically significant adult obesity drop. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Lafayette launched public engagement for an 8.5-mile Johnston-Louisiana Avenue corridor overhaul focused on drainage, utilities, and safety.

Cardiovascular Health in Louisiana: The Association of Black Cardiologists and Executives Alliance Fund are expanding the “Brother to Brother: Know Your Numbers” campaign nationwide, using community storytelling and trusted messengers to push earlier heart health checkups for Black men. Energy Affordability: A record hot summer is driving a surge in electricity shutoffs, with utilities disconnecting more households as bills climb and protections fall short. Solar Growth in the Bayou: ibV Energy Partners and Exus Renewables North America announced Exus acquired four solar projects totaling 715 MWp, including Bayou Teche (125 MWp) and Bayou Chicot (280 MWp) in Louisiana. AI Safety Watch: Anthropic says advanced AI could pose “catastrophic or existential risks” in its IPO materials, as OpenAI delays a new model release over security concerns. Rural Health Tech Funding: Louisiana is investing $20M per year for five years to seed health tech startups aimed at improving rural outcomes, drawing more than 200 applicants. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Smith & Loveless is debuting new wastewater pumping, headworks, treatment, and control tech at WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans.

AI policy & safety talks: President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson will meet AI executives at the White House, as OpenAI delays a new model release over security concerns—showing how fast AI is moving and how hard lawmakers are trying to keep up. Louisiana energy & LNG buildout: Tulane’s Future of Energy Forum drew major industry voices, while Tecnimont USA signed an FEED contract for Argent LNG’s Louisiana export facility, advancing permitting and engineering toward construction. Local healthcare expansion: Ochsner expanded pediatric and women’s care at The Grove in Baton Rouge, adding new physicians and clinical space for specialized services. Space & STEM pipeline: Indiana is pushing to host the new U.S. Space Academy, and Louisiana Tech’s broader STEM audience will likely watch how states compete for the program’s jobs and training benefits. Public health research: A large study links loneliness and social isolation to fewer healthy years, and another review ties ultraprocessed foods and processed meats to worse brain health outcomes. Education workforce: Northwestern State University launched/expanded an accelerated 16-month BSN pathway in Alexandria and Shreveport for career changers. Tech infrastructure debate: Johnson dismissed AI data-center opposition as a “Chinese psyop,” even as communities raise concerns about impacts and safeguards.

Space & Launch: SpaceX attempted its first Starship Earth-orbit mission, aiming for six laps and deploying 26 Starlink satellites—an important step toward Artemis-era lunar missions. Water Tech & PFAS: StreamGo unveiled a nanobubble system to capture, concentrate, and destroy PFAS, while Green Steel Environmental brought full-scale wastewater pilot results to WEFTEC in New Orleans. Industrial Engineering in Louisiana: Tecnimont signed a FEED contract for Argent LNG’s export facility at Port Fourchon, and MELTRIC promoted switch-rated plug-and-receptacle tech for safer water and wastewater equipment at WEFTEC. Biotech/Health: Pharmazz completed enrollment in a 160-patient Phase 4 trial of sovateltide for acute ischemic stroke, and Dexcom released a new Type 2 diabetes access report ahead of EASD. Energy & Power Demand: One Nuclear Energy pitched Ascension/Iberville projects combining gas plants, small nuclear reactors, batteries, and possible solar to support data-center-driven load growth. Local Tech/Business: Bonita Payments invested $1.5M in Clover POS hardware for New Orleans-area small businesses.

Space & Tech Watch: SpaceX’s Starship is set for its first orbital attempt, aiming to deploy a new batch of Starlink satellites—an inflection point for reusable rockets and next-gen space internet. Health Policy: A new Health Affairs analysis says federal Medicaid payment rules could force about three dozen states to cut doctor and hospital reimbursements by $50B+, risking fewer providers willing to treat Medicaid patients. Food Security: SNAP losses are accelerating as Congress debates food-stamp cuts; USDA data shows 330,000+ Americans lost SNAP access between May and June, with Louisiana enrollment down about 173,000. Louisiana Infrastructure & Jobs: Meta’s massive data center plan is reshaping Richland Parish near Holly Ridge, with major construction and housing pressure as the project ramps up. Local Science & Culture: Baton Rouge’s Louisiana Art & Science Museum is rolling out the Honey Gold immersive planetarium show and relaunching video production training through its workforce program. Coastal Science: A Louisiana coastal preservation review highlights measurable land gains since 1984, even as the state continues net marsh loss. Maritime History: A nor’easter uncovered possible 19th-century Nantucket shipwreck remains, likely tied to the Warren Sawyer.

AI & Health Policy: A Henderson juvenile faces charges after alleged AI-generated nude images of classmates were shared at school, echoing a broader national pattern and underscoring the push for prevention and reporting tools. Data Centers & Housing: Meta’s massive data-center build is driving a housing crunch in Richland Parish, with local residents scrambling to meet demand as construction and operations ramp up. Space Tech: SpaceX is preparing Starship’s first orbital attempt to deploy new Starlink satellites—an inflection point for launch tech and next-gen space services. Earth Science: LSU-linked researchers report direct observations of how a subduction zone “dies” off the U.S./Canada coast, using sound-wave imaging to map cracking plates. Coastal Science: A Louisiana-focused coastal editorial points to USGS findings that preservation projects have helped slow land loss, arguing for science-led, locally tailored wetland and flood strategies. Wildlife: Scientists warn osprey breeding failures are spreading beyond the Chesapeake, with starving chicks showing a troubling new trend.

Fisheries Policy: President Trump’s executive order on saltwater angling is being hailed as a major win for recreational fishermen, aiming to modernize federal ocean and coastal management and strengthen state partnerships. Deep-Sea Mining Protest: Greenpeace activists boarded New Zealand’s research vessel Tangaroa in Wellington to protest seabed mining linked to Pacific mineral exploration, with police removing protesters and weighing charges. AI Safety & Kids: A Henderson, Kentucky juvenile faces charges after police say AI-generated sexually explicit images of classmates were shared at school, echoing a broader national pattern and renewed calls for prevention. AI Governance: California’s push for an AI “kill switch” is raising tough questions about whether an emergency shutdown can actually work in practice. Energy & Tech in Louisiana: Tulane’s Energy Forum spotlights Louisiana’s role in U.S. energy and tech, with “all pipelines lead to Louisiana” framing the state’s influence. Louisiana Tech Leadership: Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson discussed research growth goals and what it takes to reach R1 status, ahead of his retirement at the end of 2026. Public Health Research: New Tulane/UC San Diego research finds violence against women and trans people is worse than previously thought, using a national survey approach. Wildlife Science: A blind chimp at Chimp Haven regained sight after cataract surgery, highlighting how animal care and training support complex medical procedures.

Grid resilience in New Orleans: City Council advanced a $26.6M “Neighborhood Power Plan” to subsidize backup batteries for 1,000+ homes and businesses, aiming to cut outage pain and peak strain after Entergy-related settlement funds. Public health & tech: Tulane Ventures backed Cabana with $250K to bring behavioral health support into Louisiana care through “Connected Care,” building a local clinical team. Cancer & rural strain: Iowa’s cancer burden is rising in rural counties, with patients and hospitals describing a system under pressure as incidence climbs. School safety tech debate: A drone-based “Campus Guardian Angel” pilot is set for schools in Colorado, Florida, and Georgia, but safety experts question cost and real-world practicality. Night light and heart health: A Tulane-led study links higher light exposure during sleep to subtle heart changes, urging darker bedrooms. Nuclear future in East Feliciana: The parish police jury backed a $90M DOE nuclear life-cycle innovation campus proposal focused on recycling used fuel and workforce training. Opioid alert: A new synthetic opioid, cychlorphine, has been detected in 18 states, tied to dozens of deaths in East Tennessee. Deep-sea mining protest: Greenpeace activists boarded New Zealand’s research vessel Tangaroa in protest of seabed mining plans.

Pharma Supply Chain Security: Louisiana AG Lynn Fitch joined a 20-state push urging federal leaders to stop low-quality or unsafe Chinese drug ingredients from slipping into the U.S., pointing to GLP-1-related risks and FDA’s “Green List” effort. AI Governance: Oregon issued an executive order requiring state procurement safeguards for “frontier” AI models, relying on independent third-party safety review—another sign states won’t wait for Washington. Nuclear Innovation in Louisiana: East Feliciana Parish police jury backed a $90M DOE nuclear life-cycle innovation campus bid, aimed at recycling waste and recovering usable isotopes, with Louisiana among the finalist states. Coastal Tech Meets Reality: A new WWNO/WRKF “Sea Change” episode examines SpaceX’s Louisiana Starbase expansion and what it means for Pecan Island communities already facing coastal change. Port of New Orleans Moves Ahead: Port NOLA approved up to $8.2M for preliminary demolition and engineering work tied to the Louisiana International Terminal in Violet. Local STEM & Workforce: BPCC will offer free Basic Construction Crafts bootcamps in Natchitoches and Sabine Valley, building a pipeline into skilled trades. Education Leadership: Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson announced he’ll retire at the end of 2026.

AI & Health in Louisiana: An oncology nurse in “Cancer Alley” warns that gas-fired plants powering proposed AI data centers could worsen pollution exposure for patients and neighbors. Data Centers & Regulation: Former EPA officials say the Trump EPA weakened pollution safeguards and oversight since Jan. 2025, raising health risks as about 3,000 data centers exist and 1,500 more are planned. Grid Upgrades for Data Centers: The DOE announced $1.9B for 31 transmission projects under SPARK to speed connections for data centers and other large loads, aiming to unlock 23GW. Local Privacy Fight: Livingston Parish restricted where Flock automated license plate readers can be placed on parish roads, limiting future installs on public right-of-way. Space & Louisiana Industry: SpaceX’s Starbase Louisiana plans drew new details from company reps to Vermilion Parish residents, including estimates about vibration felt by nearby homes. Energy & Carbon Capture: ExxonMobil began storing CO2 captured from a Louisiana Nucor facility, adding to its CCS footprint. Earth Science: LSU geologist Brandon Shuck led research showing the Cascadia subduction zone is tearing apart piece by piece over millions of years. Courts & Firearms IP: A Shreveport-area distributor faces a patent-infringement suit over forced reset trigger mechanisms.

Rural Health Tech: BETA Technologies launched all-electric flight operations in North Carolina’s eLIFT program, running simulated deliveries of medical supplies to rural access points to test faster, lower-cost care logistics. Louisiana Public Tech: Louisiana OMV is rolling out CHAMP to replace decades-old driver services systems, aiming to cut processing from hours to minutes and reduce outages. FDA & Vaccines: Senators grilled Dr. Heidi Overton, Trump’s FDA nominee, over childhood vaccine changes and claims about MMR safety, while she insisted FDA-approved vaccines are safe and effective. Louisiana Health: Pennington Biomedical hosted a childhood obesity conference in Baton Rouge, highlighting obesity as a chronic disease and pointing to environment and access gaps. Data Centers & Community Impact: Bossier Lions heard how data center growth in Northwest Louisiana could bring jobs while raising local questions about water, noise, and land use. Veterans Care: New Orleans East is set to get a $78M VA residential treatment facility, with construction targeted to start in summer 2027. Healthcare Policy & Fraud: Federal agencies advanced healthcare fraud enforcement using data analytics and AI, signaling more scrutiny for providers. Immigration Rights: Amnesty International called for abolishing ICE, citing alleged abuses across multiple U.S. cities.

FDA Confirmation Watch: The U.S. Senate health committee is set to question Heidi Overton, President Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, as lawmakers zero in on vaccines, the abortion pill, and drug approvals after major staffing losses and political trust issues. Broadband Fight in Louisiana: The FCC’s proposal to override local broadband rules is drawing pushback from cities and towns, including Lafayette, where municipal networks argue local control helps close the digital divide. New Orleans Health Tech: Medevise Consulting will host an “Robotics in Ophthalmology” workshop during AAO 2026, with FDA perspectives on what it takes for surgical robots to reach patients. Green-Economy Workforce: Frontline Gig secured $250,000 from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to expand paid pathways into clean-energy and community resilience careers, with plans to grow into New Orleans. Biotech in the Spotlight: Merck reported positive Phase 2b/3 BRUNELLO results for remigromig in diabetic macular edema, to be discussed at AAO in New Orleans. Local Science Question: An Iberville Parish study on low-frequency sounds and vibrations near Plaquemine found no ground vibrations outside normal ranges, but residents are calling for more follow-up. Public Health & Policy: Louisiana is among states moving toward default 50-50 child custody in divorce cases, as more states adopt shared-parenting presumptions.