Meta is committing another 50-billion dollars to its Richland Parish data center, expanding the campus to nearly ten million square feet and five gigawatts of IT capacity. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you need a job, the “help wanted” sign is out in West Feliciana Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Meta is doubling its AI data center in Richland Parish. President and Vice Chairman of Meta, Dina Powell McCormick, says they now plan to spend as much as 50-billion dollars on the project and related infrastructure, up from the ten billion it originally planned

Cut 3 (12) “…Richland Parish and beyond.”

Governor Landry says artificial intelligence continues to accelerate worldwide , the infrastructure powering it is expanding to meet the growing demand. He says with this investment, Meta is establishing the Richland Parish Data Center as the cornerstone of its global infrastructure and it puts Louisiana in a great spot too…

Cut 4 (10) “…the world.”

The site will encompass more than 32-hunred acres, more than four times larger than New York City’s Central Park. Landry says his administration has created an environment were companies can move quickly and build at scale..

Cut 5 (14) “…150 billion investment.”  (applause) 

The project will support 75-hundred construction jobs, one-thousand permanent jobs once it becomes fully operational in 2036.

There are concerns this massive AI data center in north Louisiana will increase electricity bills for residents, because of the amount of power it takes to run one of these facilities. But Landry says Meta and Entergy have come up with a plan for ratepayers not to bear the extra costs.

Cut 6 (12) “..infrastructure”

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It’s a wet start to the work week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says some parts of Louisiana had six to seven inches of rain on Saturday alone, and that rainy pattern will continue today and tomorrow.

Cut 7 (11) “…the same area.”

Keim says the prolonged rainfall raises the potential for certain major conditions, but other forms of severe weather are not expected for the time being.

Cut 8 (10) “…of weather conditions.”

Keim says the rain will clear out by the middle of this week; but that will not by any means make it any more comfortable to be outside.

Cut 9 (10)  “…be pretty oppressive.”

With that high humidity, heat index values will enter the triple digits in the latter half of this week.

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The “help wanted” sign is out at the Hut 8 data center in West Feliciana Parish, and there will be a job fair tomorrow afternoon to fill scores of positions. Parish President Kenny Havard says the positions cover both immediate and future positions.

Cut 10 (06) “…15-hundred construction jobs.” 

Havard says the job fair will be from three to six tomorrow afternoon at West Feliciana High School in St. Francisville.

Cut 11 (10) “…involved in it.”

Havard says the permanent jobs Hut 8 will be interviewing for are for skilled technical workers, and the salaries are quite lucrative.

Cut 12 (07) “…dollars a year.” 

(The average salaries are between 130-thousand and 150-thousand dollars a year.) And Havard says in the months since, those figures have actually gone up from there.

Louisiana is one of 29 states to report cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Those using artificial intelligence in political ads must now clearly disclose that fact. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Three former LSU Tigers were taken on the opening day of the Major League Baseball Draft. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Over 20 cases of the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis have been reported in Louisiana; that’s above average for this time of year. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says typically those cases come from those who become infected when traveling abroad, but this year’s outbreak is domestic.

Cut 4 (09) “…the parasite.”

Previous outbreaks have been linked to bagged salads, fresh cilantro and basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions.

Louisiana is one of 29 states reporting cases of the parasitic infection. Sokol says dying from cyclosporiasis is extremely rare, but the infection is more than just your average upset stomach.

Cut 5 (12) “…loss of appetite.”

She says if you notice symptoms lasting more than a few days, you should contact a health professional. Sokol says cyclosporiasis can be treated with antibiotics.

Cut 6 (11) “…they can relapse.”

Sokol recommends you wash your hands before and after you eat and wash all fresh produce thoroughly to best reduce your risk of becoming infected.

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From now on, groups releasing political ads using A-I technology must disclose that fact. That’s due to a bill authored by New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry and signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry. Representative Landry says her bill walks a fine line between protecting people’s right to free speech and holding people accountable for using deceptive means to hurt others.

Cut 7 (10) “…harm our reputation?”

Nowhere was that more evident than in the runup to the runoff election in the Republican U.S. Senate primary between Julia Letlow and John Fleming, both of whom had A-I attack ads made against them. Representative Landry says such A-I content is something that will likely be addressed next year.

Cut 8 (11) “…to push it.”

Mandie Landry says those who violate the new law face substantial penalties when it takes effect on August 1st.

Cut 9 (10)  “…years in jail.”

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New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno asks for a face-to-face meeting with Governor Jeff Landry after exchanging letters and social media posts about the city’s finances. Knowing the State Bond Commission would have rejected it, Moreno withdrew the city’s request to seek a 110-million-dollar loan from a third party. Moreno says New Orleans will take a different approach, but it is a more painful path forward…

Cut 10 (08) “…as well.”

Moreno inherited a financial crisis left behind by her predecessor, LaToya Cantrell.

In Moreno’s latest social media post, she asked the governor to work with her administration to be successful so the state is successful…

Cut 11 (06) “…our conversation”

Landry has been critical of New Orleans’ spending and has accused the city of treating Louisiana as an ATM. Moreno responded by saying the bond request would not have resulted in New Orleans receiving more money in the state and that she’s more than happy to discuss the city’s finances in person…

Cut 12 (04) “…ATM machine.”

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Thanks to a grant of more than 170-thousand dollars, LSU Health Shreveport is helping to address healthcare shortages in rural areas. Dr. Sharon Dunn, the dean of the School of Health Professions and Sciences, says the Louisiana Department of Health is offering scholarships after being awarded the Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity, or HERO, grant.

Cut 13 (10)  “…into rural communities.”

Up to six physician assistant students will receive scholarships covering tuition and fees in exchange for a two to three year commitment at participating rural hospitals upon graduation. Dr. Dunn says the longer the scholarship, the longer the hospital commitment will be. 

Cut 14 (11) “…August of 2029.”

Dunn says these grants are a win for everyone involved.

Cut 15 (14) “…these rural communities.”

Hospitals participating in this innovative partnership are matching the grant funding.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates selected LSU All-American outfielder Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. Curiel had two sensational seasons at LSU, and the California native says he would not be where he is now if it were not for Jay Johnson and the Tigers’ coaching staff…

Cut 16 (11) “…LSU.”

Curiel was named freshman of the year in 2025 as the Tigers won the national championship. He led LSU in hitting this past season and was named a Third-Team All-American. Curiel on what he plans to bring to the Pittsburgh organization…

Cut 17 (20) “…do that.”

The Pirates are an improving team led by former LSU star Paul Skenes. Last year, Pittsburgh drafted former LSU slugger Jared Jones, and he’s been doing well in High A-Ball. Curiel is looking forward to being teammates again with “The Bear”…

Cut 18 (25) remember him a lot.”

In the second round, Seattle selected former LSU right fielder Jake Brown from Sulphur.

The Gulf of Mexico is seeing an increase in its shark population. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The political dispute between the city of New Orleans and Louisiana continues to intensify as the city withdraws a loan request to the State Bond Commission for 110-million dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Gulf of Mexico is seeing an increase in its shark population. Dr. Dean Grubbs, the associate director of research at the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, says while some species continue to decline in population, others are recovering due to warming water temperatures.

Cut 3 (12) “…for bull sharks.”

Dr. Grubbs says while shark populations are in bad shape in most of the world, it’s a different story in the U.S., with the country starting to manage shark populations back in 1993.

Cut 4 (11) “…the populations recovering.”

With an increase in shark population comes an increase in the likelihood of a beachgoer encountering a shark. Grubbs points out, however, that sharks aren’t the only ones increasing in number.

Cut 5 (07) “…30 years ago.”

Grubbs says if you encounter a shark, the best thing to do is not to panic as you make your way back to the beach, because the species which populate the Gulf want nothing to do with humans, just as humans want nothing to do with sharks.

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The MLB Draft is this weekend, and a few Tigers will definitely hear their names called. Koki Riley covers LSU baseball for The Advocate and says this year’s LSU group is not as deep as past years.

Cut 6 (07) “…tenth round.”

Outfielders Derek Curiel and Jake Brown are projected to go in the first and second rounds.

Riley says most of the other players who have a chance to leave Baton Rouge for pro ball are older right-handed relief pitchers.

Cut 7 (09) “…definitely go.”

Jay Johnson and his staff will keep an eye on the draft to see where the top LSU prep signees end up. Riley says there are reports that six-foot-seven right-handed pitcher Jensen Hirschkorn of California would need a big-time signing bonus to go pro.

Cut 8 (12) “…with his fastball.”

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Cash-strapped New Orleans has withdrawn its 110-million-dollar bond and loan request from the State Bond Commission. Mayor Helena Moreno says the city pulled the application because it would have been denied amid the ongoing political dispute. Tulane political science professor Mike Sherman says the relationship between New Orleans and the Landry Administration is not good…

Cut 9 (13)  “…is expanding.”

In a statement, Mayor Moreno says the city has found another path to fund city services, but warned there will be cuts and delays. She went on to say the state of Louisiana needs New Orleans just as much as New Orleans needs the state.

Landry responded by saying no one has done more for the city of New Orleans than him, but he will not allow New Orleans to utilize the state as an ATM.

Sherman says eventually the political war of words will come to an end…

Cut 10 (09) “…off ramp.” 

In May, Governor Landry and New Orleans officials did not see eye-to-eye on a new state law that combined the city’s criminal and civil courts. The conflict grew last week when an Orleans Parish Grand Jury indicted Attorney General Liz Murrill on accusations she violated state law by publicly threatening the mayor, city council members and district attorney Jason Williams.

The Louisiana Supreme Court issued an emergency stay on the indictment and it’s possible the indictment will eventually be dismissed. The governor has ordered State Police to investigate to see the grand jury committed any improprieties in handing down an indictment against Murrill.

Sherman says the state’s dispute with New Orleans will likely not end until Murrill is exonerated and someone takes the fall for the indictment of Murrill..

Cut 11 (10) “…coming together.”

Moreno says she would like to meet with Governor Landry face to face to talk about the city’s finances.

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Get ready for a wet start to the week next week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Carly Kovacik (ko-VAH-chick) says a front will be moving into the state starting Sunday.

Cut 12 (08) “…also pushing south.” 

Kovacik says that’s going to bring some precipitation to areas throughout the state, particularly in the northern half.

Cut 13 (09) “…exist with that.”

But Kovacik says we shouldn’t see a whole lot in terms of rain accumulation like what we saw last month.

Cut 14 (08) “…up setting up.”