AGP Executive Report

LSU Sports & NIL: A cease-and-desist from Jayden Daniels’ reps is putting LSU’s use of his name and likeness under the microscope, even as No. 5 jerseys stay on shelves—raising questions about what’s allowed under NIL deals. Saints Injury Update: Rookie WR Jordyn Tyson is reportedly facing a hamstring setback that could sideline him for about two months after a joint practice injury. NFL Training Camp: Jaguars coach Liam Coen is limiting Travis Hunter to cornerback work to keep him from missing mental reps, and Hunter says the extra focus is helping. New Orleans Entertainment: PENN Entertainment is moving the Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans to adjacent land in a $195M onshore plan, rebranding it as Hollywood Casino New Orleans (pending approval). Music: Jon Batiste drops three new albums in his Batiste Piano Series, including Black Mozart and two Monk-inspired releases. Local Arts: Hammond photographer Robby Klein debuts a Hammond-centric photo gallery at the Hammond Regional Arts Center. Community Events: The LHSAA is bringing back cheer and dance state championships for 2026-27 at the Lake Charles Event Center.

LIV Golf: The Saudi-backed league is ending its season early, canceling next week’s Michigan team championship and crowning the team champion this week at LIV Golf Indianapolis (New Orleans was previously postponed). Saints Football: New Orleans rookie WR Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss about two months with a hamstring injury after a joint practice with Jacksonville. Southern University: SU Give Day is set for Aug. 27 with a $25 million goal for campuses across Louisiana. Media & Culture: NABJ handed DuJuan McCoy a “Thumbs Down” over alleged mistreatment of Black employees and newsroom shakeups at WISH/WRTV. Arts & Music: BlackAmericana Fest announced its full 2026 lineup in New Orleans, themed “Still We Sing,” with multiple roots and protest-music acts. Community & Safety: SWEPCO is suspending residential disconnections for nonpayment through the end of the week amid extreme heat. Outdoor Hunting: LDWF opened applications for 2026-27 deer and waterfowl lottery hunts on state WMAs.

Local Education Budget: Iberville Parish School Board approved a $153.8M 2026-27 operating budget, including Gov. Landry-linked stipends ($2,000 for certified staff, $1,000 for support) plus security and major roof/stadium work. Saints Football Watch: New Orleans’ offense finally clicked in a joint practice vs. Jacksonville, setting up more tests vs. Dallas and the Rams before preseason ramps. Fantasy Football Focus: With preseason underway, managers are tracking key injuries—especially Malik Nabers’ ACL recovery—while workload questions shift week to week. Sports Culture & Community: LSU baseball legend Skip Bertman has died at 88, leaving behind five national titles and a championship culture that reshaped the program. Music & Pop Culture: Greg Dulli and the Afghan Whigs are back with “Soft Control,” and a separate roundup spotlights what makes the greatest guitar solos unforgettable. Public Safety: Baton Rouge police launched an after-hours club crackdown using drones, leading to arrests and firearm recoveries, including closure of the Little Blue House. Health Story: LSU goalie Rylie Kuyper is battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with her treatment and recovery journey drawing national attention.

Louisiana Vintage Festival: The House of Blues in New Orleans hosts the expanded Louisiana Vintage Festival Aug. 22-23, adding more vendors and an outdoor tented area plus a tropical throwback bar; Sunday spotlights Halloween and Mardi Gras costumes. Local Sports & Community: Southeastern Louisiana University’s fall sports week kicks off with soccer vs. Troy (7 p.m. Thu) and Spring Hill (1 p.m. Sun), while SLU students gear up for Strawberry Jam and Lionpawlooza. Charity Spotlight: LSU’s Mason Braun joins Smallcakes Baton Rouge for an Autism Society fundraiser. Sports Culture: Louisiana’s Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz make AVP Manhattan Beach Open history with a three-peat. Entertainment & Media: Adult Swim’s “President Curtis” airs episode 4 (“Purchase”) Aug. 16, with the plot tied to a hidden clause in the Louisiana Purchase. Food & Giving: Hunters For The Hungry Louisiana asks hunters to “Clean Out Your Freezer Day” donations Aug. 17-19 in Monroe for the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. Local Arts History: WWII Museum’s traveling exhibit “Drawn to Combat” spotlights cartoonist Bill Mauldin’s war-era work through April 18, 2027.

Local Arts & Music: Baton Rouge Symphony League honored 17 seniors from Les Jeunes Amies at its fall luncheon, with the group’s volunteer work tied to music education and the upcoming Bal de la Symphonie on Nov. 28. Human Rights & Writing: Sister Helen Prejean, 87, keeps pushing against the death penalty—helping produce a graphic-novel adaptation of “Dead Man Walking” and writing a new book about Louisiana death row inmate Manuel Ortiz. New Orleans Media: A media rights group calls “outrageous” the handcuffing of WWL Louisiana producer Danny Monteverde and outlet lawyer Elana Beiser during a courthouse incident tied to the AG’s indictment case. Community Culture: Gueydan Duck Festival marks 50 years with duck-calling contests, music, and events running Aug. 15-30. Public Safety Tech: The New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation pledges $500,000 for three more emergency-response drones for NOPD, building on French Quarter funding. Arts & Entertainment Picks: TVLine’s Sunday watch list spotlights HBO’s “Lanterns” debut and a Disney Princess concert special. Sports (Local Flavor): Saints’ preseason opener vs. Jaguars ended 24-20 after a halftime lead slipped away; rookie Michael Heldman celebrated sacks with a Dr. Strange-inspired move. Food & Fun: Hunters for the Hungry’s Clean Out Your Freezer Day is set for Aug. 23 with drop sites across Louisiana.

Saints Preseason Opener: New Orleans kicked off the 2026 preseason at the Caesars Superdome vs. the Jaguars, jumping out fast and leading 20-6 at halftime—then Jacksonville rallied for a 24-20 win, with late-drama plays and backup QB action shaping the roster talk. Local Sports Calendar: Louisiana athletics launched its fall season with Fan Day at Blackham Coliseum, featuring coaches, player meet-and-greets, and a first look at upcoming football, volleyball, and Cajuns soccer dates. Collectibles & Community: The C2 Show returned to D’Iberville, bringing together 80 vendors and thousands of card and collectible fans—plus a reminder that the hobby’s future is built by getting kids involved early. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Lafayette alt-rock band Cashier is getting a surreal boost after a “Frank” share of their song “Beginner,” turning DIY momentum into mainstream buzz. Family-Friendly Festival: Gueydan’s Duck Festival is gearing up for 50 years of tradition, with duck-calling competition starting Aug. 15 and the four-day festival running Aug. 27-30. Tech & Safety: The U.S. Senate opened an investigation into Roblox over child-safety concerns.

LSU Football & NIL Drama: LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he’s standing by cornerback D.J. Pickett wearing the No. 5 jersey tied to Jayden Daniels, even after Daniels’ camp sent a cease-and-desist—while LSU removed Daniels replicas from its store and Pickett insists the number has been his since childhood. New Orleans Sports Spotlight: The Jaguars and Saints kick off their preseason Saturday at the Caesars Superdome, with Jacksonville leaning on backup QB Carter Bradley and New Orleans looking to test key offensive matchups. Arts & Culture Calendar: Catch this weekend’s Louisiana arts picks, from theater and music listings to local entertainment roundups. Maritime Arts Event: Savannah’s Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum will stage “Celestial Seafarers” with light-and-sound installations Nov. 5–6. Local Book Culture: New Orleans book shops are doubling as bars and cafes, with Uptown’s Octavia Books and Café Malou standing out for the “read + bite” vibe. Health Policy Watch: Trump signed an order pushing split pediatric MMR shots across separate visits, drawing pushback from pediatric experts.

Sports & Culture: Tulane’s Mardi Gras City Edition uniforms and helmets for the Sept. 12 home opener against South Alabama have gone viral, with 120 jerseys selling out in 24 hours and proceeds supporting Tulane NIL. Local Faith: “Welcome Home Sunday” is bringing people back to Mass across the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with churches in Slidell and beyond inviting friends and former parishioners to return. LSU Legacy: LSU baseball icon Skip Bertman has died at 88, remembered for five national titles and for building a dynasty that reshaped college baseball. High School Spotlight: The LHSAA is bringing cheer and dance back to its championship calendar as a non-sanctioned event in Lake Charles on Nov. 30–Dec. 1. Pro Football Watch: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald says signing cornerback Terrion Arnold is worth the risk despite serious felony charges, while the Saints host the Jaguars in their first preseason game. Health & Safety: LDH urges families to talk to students about vaping risks as youth use remains high. Arts & Entertainment: Baton Rouge’s “Positively BR” spotlights a sci-fi collectibles collector, a crown-chasing pageant story, and a capybara farm visit.

New Orleans Nightlife Support: Starting in September, Frenchmen Street performers can get discounted parking through a new Musician’s Discounted Parking program tied to the city’s Downtown Discount effort, with rates averaging 60% off at two Decatur lots and 73% off at Elysian Fields. Riverfront Planning: Audubon Nature Institute is gathering public input for the next phase of Goldring Woldenberg Park, aiming to open a 2.5-acre stretch by early 2029 while adding revenue-generating features to help maintain the riverfront. Uptown Development Update: After Uptown outcry over a proposed Ted’s Frostop demolition, the Robert family revised plans to preserve the diner and build a smaller three-story, 26-unit apartment complex beside it. Sports & Community: LSU baseball legend Skip Bertman has died at 88, leaving behind five national titles and a Baton Rouge baseball boom. Heat Alert: South Louisiana braces for dangerous heat in the days ahead, with highs in the upper-90s and heat indices potentially topping 110. Arts & Entertainment: G Herbo released the official video for “How Can I Lose,” filmed in New Orleans, and Martha Reeves debuted “To Know You is to Love You” (Eric Kupper Power Remix).

Sports & TV Buzz: The NBA’s 2026-27 schedule is out, with the Knicks, Spurs, Lakers and 76ers each landing the max 34 national TV games, while the Pelicans get just two. Local Pride in the Spotlight: Shreveport’s Independence Stadium hosts the Stars & Stripes Border Classic Sept. 3-4, with ESPN livestreaming a Friday doubleheader featuring an LSU commit. Music & Pop Culture: Jon Batiste “NOLA-fies” classic video game tunes with a second-line flair in a viral Mario Bros jingle remake. Nightlife Upgrade: Beau Rivage’s EIGHT75 lounge reopens after a multimillion-dollar renovation, now set for live bands seven nights a week. Fashion in Louisiana: Aritzia opens its first Louisiana store at Lakeside in Metairie, teaming with St. Pizza for limited merch and soft-serve perks. Arts Access: Baton Rouge’s Manship Theater joins the Check Out Louisiana program, letting library cardholders request free passes. Sports Drama: Jayden Daniels’ cease-and-desist over LSU’s No. 5 jersey sparks pushback from LSU and DJ Pickett. Entertainment Calendar: This weekend’s Louisiana listings include music, theater, and community events across the state.

Louisiana Arts & Culture: Hadestown is heading to UK cinemas for a limited run starting Oct. 13, 2026, with the original Broadway cast returning for the filmed-live experience. New Orleans Music: Jon Batiste has canceled his Friday show at the Highmark Mann Center, citing “personal circumstances,” with refunds available. Local Sports & Community: New Orleans Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley spent Tuesday giving free haircuts and school supplies to local kids at a barbering shop—an off-court push that’s quickly becoming his signature. Louisiana Tech & Policy: Louisiana regulators voted 3-1 to keep Meta’s Hyperion data center details private, overturning a judge’s order that would have forced more disclosure. Louisiana Food & Fun: Lake Charles’ second annual Black Pot Cook-Off is set for Sept. 19 at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, with Wayne Toups performing afterward. Louisiana Entertainment Calendar: Arts Listings for the week of Aug. 13 are out, plus more weekend picks for what to do across the state.

Sports & Style: Tulane unveiled its 2026 “City Edition” uniforms, Mardi Gras-themed with a Jester Angry Wave helmet design, bead details, and hand-painted helmets—perfectly timed for the Green Wave’s preseason-uniform buzz. Community Fundraiser: New Orleans-area families can lace up for the Rexy Run/Walk (Aug. 15) benefiting Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope, with 5K/10K races plus a kids’ Dino Dash and Dino Fest. Local Arts & Dining: Chef Yoshi Okai debuts Kira Omakase in the Warehouse District—an intimate six-seat, 20-course omakase built around Japanese techniques and Gulf Coast ingredients. Arts in the Spotlight: Jon Batiste canceled a Philadelphia concert due to “personal circumstances,” with refunds available—still a big Louisiana-born music moment to watch. Coast & Culture: Louisiana’s Barataria Basin wetland restoration is showing early wins, with shrimp, blue crab, and red drum returning a year after 1,170 acres were restored. Sports Preseason (NOLA): Saints vs. Jaguars preseason kicks off Aug. 15 at the Superdome, with starters expected to sit as first-team work shifts to a joint practice. Public Records & College Sports: Journalists dropped their LSU revenue-sharing records lawsuit after a new state law shielded the details from disclosure.

Italian Night Out in Shreveport: Frank’s Pizza Napoletana is leaning into old-school dough, imported San Marzano tomatoes, and a wood-fired brick oven—plus live music and a patio—for a full-on date-night vibe. Theater & Music Calendar: The Columbia Theatre is kicking off its season with a David Bowie tribute (“Golden Years”) and already has a packed run of screenings, mystery dinners, and live performances through spring. Local Business Growth: QMS2GO was picked for the Source Louisiana Accelerator Program, aiming to help manufacturers become “buyer-ready” for big procurement opportunities. New Orleans Halloween Plans: The city’s 2026 Halloween schedule is out, including the free Krewe of BOO! parade (Oct. 24) and more family-friendly events. Sports & Culture Crossover: A look at what NFL rookies are spending their first paychecks on—featuring New Orleans Saints sixth-rounder Barion Brown’s “save every penny” approach. Community & Schools: EBR Schools addressed a circulating Scotlandville High fight video, saying students were disciplined and more supervision/counseling is being added. Health Watch: Louisiana is again in the spotlight for flesh-eating Vibrio risk as officials warn beachgoers and raw shellfish fans.

Business Buzz: Nearly 20 Capital Region companies landed on Inc.’s 2026 list of America’s fastest-growing firms, led by Slaughter-based Omega Foundation Services (No. 145) with 2,152% revenue growth. Local Relief: A Denham Springs family facing an 11-year-old’s terminal brain cancer got a $300,000 boost after a social media personality shared their story. Public Safety & Crime: New Orleans police arrested Allen Harris, accused of deliberately setting two men on fire in the Seventh Ward. Tragic Wildlife Moment: A Kenner woman says a 10-foot alligator killed her 6-year-old pit bull during a lakefront walk, despite warning signs nearby. Health Policy Fight: A Shreveport pediatric leader called Trump’s childhood vaccine changes “makes no sense,” especially the move to split MMR into separate shots. Arts & Culture: The U.S. Air Force Band of the West is touring north Louisiana and east Texas in September with free, ticketed shows. Community Preservation: Efforts continue to save New Orleans’ First African Baptist Church, with structural engineering support provided at no charge.

Local Arts & Community: White Linen for Public Art is spotlighting how creative partnerships can turn into long-term connections, with local artists Howard Harper III (Black Flower Apparel and Records) and Mary Ann Bonura (MBonura Fine Art Studio and Gallery) building a shared creative space. Local History: A Livingston Parish historian shared new research on a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the piney woods, including plans to consider a historical marker. Public Events (Zachary): The Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival runs Aug. 14-15 with food trucks, arts and crafts, games, and balloon glow; plus a reminder to Pack the Trailer for the Zachary Food Pantry. Arts & Entertainment (Music): Tooth announced a UK and European autumn tour, with dates including stops in Glasgow, Nottingham, Bristol, and London. Sports (LSU): LSU’s new QB Sam Leavitt is taking the podium as fall camp continues, with updates on his health and fit in the offense. National Health Policy: Trump’s executive order on childhood vaccines—spacing shots and splitting MMR—has drawn sharp backlash from public health experts and medical groups. True Crime/Media: A Rolling Stone true-crime feature revisits a high-stakes alleged fraud case involving a wealthy heir and a bank loan scheme.

LSU Football: Sam Leavitt says he’s healthy and “loving Louisiana” as LSU’s fall camp rolls on under Lane Kiffin, with former coach Brian Kelly projecting a 10-2 season and a key Ole Miss game hinging on QB play. LSU Schedule Talk: A new look at the top quarterbacks on LSU’s 2026 slate spotlights Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor and other passers LSU will have to contain. Southland Conference: Nicholls is pegged to finish seventh in the 2026 SLC preseason poll, while Stephen F. Austin tops the league. New Orleans Nightlife: Phoenix Bar in the Marigny will finally accept credit cards starting Aug. 24—right in time for Southern Decadence. Grand Isle Politics: Joshua Martin files as an Independent to challenge longtime Grand Isle DA Doug DiSabito. Sports & Community: Little League International disqualified Tulsa National for an ineligible player, but a Texas judge later granted Tulsa a chance to play again. Health Watch: Louisiana officials warn beachgoers about a surge in vibrio vulnificus cases, urging wound protection and caution with seafood.