Defense Manufacturing: Gulf Coast Tactical is expanding its New Iberia facility with a $6.1M investment to boost production of unmanned surface vessels and patrol craft, targeting 65 new direct jobs and up to 137 total jobs. Energy & Permitting: Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order setting new requirements for power-intensive data center projects, aiming to protect ratepayers and natural resources while pushing grid reliability and local investment. Local Infrastructure: Ouachita Parish Police Jury received $6M from FEMA for an $8M drainage project along I-20 Frontage Road near Monroe, with construction expected to start in about three years. Food Safety: Lafayette-area restaurants were cited with critical health violations in recent LDH inspections, including issues like improper cold holding, cross-contamination, and labeling/storage problems. Public Health: Raw milk is again under scrutiny after more than 80 Americans fell ill in the first half of 2026, including a Louisiana cluster tied to unpasteurized dairy risks. Business & Tech: TigerConnect rolled out AI-powered scheduling and upgrades to its Smart Room tools to automate hospital staffing and coordination workflows. Agriculture/Workforce: Louisiana’s crawfish industry continues to feel pressure from labor shortages, with attention on efforts to address the 2026 season impacts. Consumer/Policy: Seventeen states, including Louisiana, sued California over its single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it raises costs and overreaches into interstate commerce.