Louisiana News Roundup: 5 Deaths from Flesh-Eating Bacteria This Year, PSC Lets Meta Keep Data Center Details Private and More

Published Aug 16, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Louisiana news: five people have died this year from Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium found in warm coastal waters, with health officials urging caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers; the Public Service Commission decided Meta can keep details of its data center project private; SpaceX is developing a spaceport in Vermilion Parish; a new exhibit celebrating George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog art opened at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum in Baton Rouge; and heat advisories, extreme heat warnings and watches are in effect across the state this weekend, with heat indices around 100 degrees.

Five deaths from flesh-eating bacteria in Louisiana this year

Five people in Louisiana have died this year from Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium found in warm coastal waters, and health officials are urging caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during a surge of deadly bacterial infections. (CBS News, USA Today, CIDRAP, AP News, Aug. 13-15, 2026) The infections are linked to warm coastal waters, and officials are warning residents and visitors to take precautions when heading to the Gulf.

PSC lets Meta keep data center details private

The Louisiana Public Service Commission decided Meta can keep details of its data center project private, rejecting open-records requests. (Louisiana Illuminator, The New York Times, 24/7 Wall St., Aug. 13, 2026) The New York Times reported on how Meta got what it wanted in a secretive Louisiana data center deal, and the project is expected to create about 1,000 jobs.

SpaceX developing spaceport in Vermilion Parish

SpaceX is developing a spaceport in Vermilion Parish, and residents are trying to understand what it means for the parish. (NOLA.com, KPLC 7 News, Aug. 15-16, 2026) Elon Musk’s private jet landed in Lafayette amid reports of the SpaceX deal in Louisiana.

Blue Dog exhibit opens at Louisiana Art & Science Museum

A new exhibit celebrating George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog art opened at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum in Baton Rouge. (WBRZ, WAFB, Aug. 13-14, 2026)

Heat advisories and extreme heat warnings in effect this weekend

Heat advisories, extreme heat warnings and watches are in effect for Louisiana and Mississippi this weekend, with forecasts of higher-than-average temperatures and heat indices around 100 degrees. (WDSU, NOLA.com, Aug. 14-16, 2026)

Southwest Louisiana Credit Union hosts Back to School Resources Fair

Southwest Louisiana Credit Union hosted its fifth annual Back to School Resources Fair. (KPLC 7 News, Aug. 16, 2026)

For more on the Pelican State, see the Louisiana guide.