Louisiana governor, attorney, Republican
Trump-backed Julia Letlow has won the Louisiana Senate runoff, consolidating support for his slate in Republican primaries. The race highlights Trump’s continued influence while Democratic challengers eye a path to regain control of Congress.
The Louisiana attorney general has been indicted on 16 counts related to alleged intimidation and malfeasance as part of a clash over a law that eliminates the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk’s post. The state supreme court has paused proceedings for now, citing procedural defects, while Governor Landry vows a swift pardon if warranted.
Meta has expanded its Hyperion AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana to at least 5 gigawatts of compute capacity at a cost surpassing $50 billion. The project, already a major AI infrastructure push, is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and bring billions in local contracts and infrastructure investments.
The Sunshine Protection Act has passed the House to make daylight saving time permanent in most of the United States. Senate consideration is uncertain and health experts warn permanent DST could disrupt sleep, while some communities push for permanent standard time. The decision hinges on balancing public health, regional impacts, and the logistics of time-zone alignment.
The Louisiana Supreme Court has paused the July 2 indictment against Attorney General Jeff Murrill, citing procedural flaws by the local court and the special prosecutor. A federal-style response from state authorities includes calls for pardons and ongoing political tensions between Republicans and New Orleans Democrats. The case is ordered closed while further review occurs.
Greenland Energy plans to drill in Jameson Land amid warnings from Greenlandic regulators. The government says landings require mineral resources approval, while a drilling effort linked to US interests faces political pressure as local authorities weigh conservation commitments against potential oil reserves.
SpaceX has pledged $100 billion to build a 125,000‑acre Starbase in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, that it says will support thousands of Starship launches a year, add about 3,000 direct jobs and include propellant production, power generation and deep‑water shipping. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027; SpaceX targets initial launches by 2029 while state officials give a 2030 timeline.
Lillian Smart has died after being diagnosed with Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater. Health officials say the infection is rare and nearly always fatal; the likely exposure occurred at Lake Claiborne. The Louisiana Department of Health confirms the state's first PAM case since 2013. Authorities warn swimmers to keep heads out of water and use nose clips.
SpaceX has announced plans to develop a 125,000-acre wetlands site on Pecan Island, Louisiana, into a self-sustaining spaceport for Starship launches, methane production, power generation, and on-site processing. Construction starts next year with first launch in 2029, creating over 3,000 jobs with an average salary around $92,600. The project faces environmental and regulatory challenges but aims to expand SpaceX’s solar-powered satellite and Starlink ambitions.