Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Will Green is outlining the priorities he believes will shape Louisiana’s economic future as the 2026 Legislative Session approaches. Green continues to push for pro-growth policies that strengthen the workforce, improve the state’s tax climate, and create a competitive environment for businesses of all sizes.

District 6 Councilman Cleve Dunn now faces a long list of charges tied to an alleged $50,000 CATS contract scheme, including bribery, money laundering, public contract fraud, illegal split commission of commodities, malfeasance in office, and multiple conspiracy counts. Investigators say he used his position to connect key players, push the contract through, and route more than $33,000 back to Core Group LLC, a business linked to him.Legal analyst Franz Borghardt calls the case a “kitchen sink indictment,” noting prosecutors stacked every possible charge. He says Dunn is presumed innocent and may argue this is an ethics issue rather than a criminal one. But the broader investigation is not over. Officials expect more Baton Rouge names to surface as lower-level individuals begin cooperating.Dunn remains on both the Metro Council and the CATS board unless those bodies take action. This case marks the start of what could become a larger public-corruption shakeup in Baton Rouge.

Campaign season is heating up in Louisiana, even if you couldn’t tell from Washington Mardi Gras. Despite the usual buzz in D.C., political chatter stayed surprisingly quiet as candidates focused on early primaries instead of big announcements. Attendees described the weekend as strategic rather than headline-driven, with many contenders already deep in campaign mode. The lack of “bulletin board material” signals a shift toward disciplined messaging as 2026 races pick up speed. With the calendar moving fast, Louisiana’s political landscape is entering a new phase — one shaped more by groundwork and less by spectacle.

Brian Haldane was joined by Zachary Kilshaw with Echo Box Communications at Washington Mardi Gras 2026.

Brian Haldane was joined by Brett Gordon & Bailey Morse from LOPA at Washington Mardi Gras 2026.

Brian Haldane was joined by Executive Director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy Kristi Trail at Washington Mardi Gras 2026.

Brian Haldane was joined by Chris Csonka with The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council at Washington Mardi Gras 2026.

Brian Haldane was joined by Adrian Owen Jones from Success Labs at Washington Mardi Gras 2026.

Brian Haldane was joined by Veteran Policy Advisor Paul Sawyer at Washington Mardi Gras 2026.

Washington Mardi Gras 2025 delivered a fast-paced and highly productive environment for Baton Rouge leaders. This year’s event felt especially focused, with nonstop meetings and meaningful conversations. Metro Councilwoman Jen Racca used every opportunity to advocate for East Baton Rouge Parish and secure resources that can make a real impact back home.