Louisiana

Top official for Louisiana’s environmental agency resigns, adding to list of high-level departures

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2024

Top official for Louisiana’s environmental agency resigns, adding to list of high-level departures

Another top official for Louisiana’s environmental agency has resigned, adding to a list of high-level departures over the initial eight months of department secretary Aurelia Giacometto’s controversial tenure.

Christian T. Griffiths, budget chief for the state Department of Environmental Quality, left late last week for a job with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness that he is expected to start this week, officials with both agencies confirmed. The officials described his departure after five months on the job as an opportunity that he wanted to pursue.

Griffiths, who spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army and Louisiana Army National Guard in logistics, human resources and planning, served overseas during that military career with Jacques Thibodeaux, GOHSEP’s director, a spokesman said.

As undersecretary of DEQ’s Office of Management and Finance, Griffiths didn’t last six months at the agency after replacing Giacometto’s former budget chief, Chandra Pidgeon, who left on March 1 after two weeks on the job.

Christian Griffiths, former undersecretary for Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of Management and Finance

Photo provided by Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

Griffiths had been appointed DEQ undersecretary on March 28 and received his Senate confirmation on May 23, the same day Giacometto and three assistant DEQ secretaries also received their legislative blessings, legislative minutes say. An April 1 statement announcing Griffiths’ appointment was still on the DEQ website Wednesday afternoon.

Giacometto, a lawyer and biologist who was former President Donald Trump’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director, has taken charge of DEQ promising to modernize the $160 million agency and create a setting in Louisiana that’s attractive to new business while balancing environmental protection.

But internally, she has faced heavy criticism from department employees about her allegedly harsh management style and early attempts to tightly control standard agency activities and external communications.

On her way out of the budget job, Pidgeon wrote of witnessing “atrocities,” accusing the DEQ leader of harassing employees and trying to make her a “hatchet man” who would push workers out of the 720-person agency.

In early June, following other top departures, the Legislative Auditor’s Office announced a workplace survey of DEQ employees. The audit was expected to include asking them if they are concerned about unethical behavior, have experienced workplace retaliation and what their perceptions of agency morale are.

Since Friday, Griffiths, a Madisonville resident and New Orleans native, has not responded to requests for comment. No one answered the door at his home or responded to a note left there as well.

In an interview Tuesday, Giacometto said Griffiths had a chance to work in another state agency and that she wasn’t going to stand in the way of someone who had an opportunity.

“He had an offer letter. I know that he has worked with people there before, so I’m excited if someone has another opportunity to go ahead and move forward with that, so I wish him the best,” she said.

She added that she appreciated his time with DEQ.

Mike Steele, spokesman for GOHSEP, said Griffiths had initially applied for an opening at the office when the Landry administration began. He was hired at DEQ instead, but recently Thibodeaux, remembering Griffiths’ earlier application, reached back out about an opening managing a backlog of post-disaster recovery projects sought through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Steele said that based on their past experience together in the military, Thibodeaux knew Griffiths would be an asset in handling the FEMA projects, which finance a variety of repairs or upgrades to public infrastructure in Louisiana. He added that he also spoke with Griffiths, who told him the job at GOHSEP was a better opportunity because he was working with someone he knew and because of the new position’s portfolio.

Gov. Jeff Landry has portrayed the criticisms of Giacometto as the words of entrenched bureaucrats resisting needed changes at a department “stuck in the Stone Age.”

Some complaints have come anonymously from DEQ employees, who are fearful for their jobs. But the high-profile departures in DEQ’s leadership and other criticisms of Giacometto have come from new political appointees brought in by her and the Landry administration since the new year.

During her time over DEQ, Giacometto has lost two chiefs of staff, two leading communications officials and, with Griffiths, two undersecretaries of management and finance.

As Griffiths is doing, some of these other appointees who left DEQ have also moved to different spots in state government. Pidgeon, who left LSU to join DEQ, moved back to the university.

Others who have left the department were Communications Director Megan Molter, Chief of Staff Justin Crossie, and Director of External Communications Myles Brumfield.

Molter moved to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services; Crossie to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority; and Brumfield returned to the Department of Transportation and Development, where he previously worked. Molter had been hired away from the Louisiana Chemical Association.

Stacey Holley, who replaced Crossie as chief of staff and also served as a spokeswoman for Giacometto, also resigned earlier this year. Holley did not say why she left.

Though Giacometto and Landry have come in promising to transform DEQ into a more pro-business outlook, in more recent comments, the DEQ secretary has taken to praising the agency’s workforce.

Giacometto answered questions about Griffiths’ departure in Carencro Tuesday afternoon. She had just finished the second of six town hall meetings planned on Louisiana’s chronic problem with the illegal dumping of waste tires.

During the town hall and the later interview, she emphasized the importance of the department’s workforce, saying she wanted DEQ employees to use their brainpower and institutional knowledge to help meet hers and Landry’s long-term goals.

She pointed out that it is DEQ’s highly trained workforce that is helping lead her initiatives on problems with waste tires, red mud bauxite tailing ponds in Burnside and other longstanding environmental problems.

She also spoke about her desire to build a pipeline of employees to be DEQ’s future leaders.

“So that when people leave in retirement, there’s people that are able to carry on the mission of DEQ,” Giacometto told a collection of local officials at the Carencro Community Center.

While Landry has spoken of wanting a more pro-business DEQ, the agency has faced accusations for years from environmental and community activists of being too close to business and industry. It has, at times, sided with industry in opposing or seeking to lessen new pollution standards proposed by federal regulators.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Children’s Museum hosts fifth annual Mud Fest

Published

9 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana Children’s Museum hosts fifth annual Mud Fest

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — For the fifth consecutive year, the Louisiana Children’s Museum hosted its annual environmental festival, Mud Fest, on Saturday, March 28.

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., parents and their little ones had the opportunity to have fun in the sun and enjoy the “highlight” of the museum’s spring season.

This event was inspired by the iconic New Orleans festival culture which includes good food, live music and a nice, high-energy atmosphere. Mud Fest is tailored for the “youngest environmental stewards” to have fun and make all the mess they want with mud.

Due to the Crescent City being surrounded by wetland habitats, we interact with water daily in both our rural and urban communities.

The festival generates positive associations with our region and also builds critical thinking skills for future educators, engineers, fishermen and farmers. According to LCM, engaging with nature, water and plants “builds a child’s confidence and fosters a lifelong connection to the Earth.”

“As the Louisiana Children’s Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary, events like Mud Fest reflect our long-standing commitment to hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and connects children to the world around them,” LCM CEO Tifferney White said.

This year, Mud Fest had performances from young musicians of the School of Rock, the Louisiana Sunspots and more. There were also a storytelling stage and various family-friendly activities for visitors to engage in.

Mud Fest partnered with Pontchartrain Conservancy, STEM NOL, Whimscapes and Sugar Roots to put on the event.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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Lana Del Rey gives rare look at modest Louisiana life

Published

21 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Lana Del Rey gives rare look at modest Louisiana life

Lana Del Rey has enjoyed a low-key life with her gator tour guide husband Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana and the talented singer recently gave an intimate peek into their relationship.

The 40-year-old Young And Beautiful hitmaker (born Elizabeth Grant) took to her Instagram to post a gallery celebrating the swamp guide’s 51st birthday.

The couple looked just as in love as ever following their wedding in September 2024.

Del Rey shared several recent videos from their modest life together including a cute selfie of the couple by the ocean while she let her natural beauty show by going make-up free.

She also posted a cute video of Dufrene loading up the truck with plants they had just purchased from Home Depot and when he realizes he is being filmed, the Louisiana native flashed a big smile and proudly posed with a Jack-o’-lantern pot.

Del Rey also shared a snap of her hand gripping his wrist as her massive engagement ring could be seen in full view.

Lana Del Rey has enjoyed a low-key life with her gator tour guide husband Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana and the talented singer recently gave an intimate peek into their relationship as she shared a tribute to him on his 51st birthday

Another snap showed Del Rey wearing one of Dufrene’s tour guide shirts featuring his name embroidered above the pocket.

Weeks ago the musical artist gave what appeared to be a glimpse into her married life in her new video.

Del Rey’s Insta Stories video opened with footage from the 1933 Betty Boop cartoon Snow-White, though it focused on a section starring the character Koko the Clown as he’s turned into a ghost.

Then the video abruptly cut to shaky handheld footage of Del Rey dancing with an ecstatic smile plastered on her face.

The two have kept a relatively low profile since their wedding day but did make a notable appearance last month at the pre-New York Fashion Week Ralph Lauren show on February 10.

The happy couple even stopped for a romantic kiss as they walked the red carpet for the iconic designer.

The couple first met in 2019 during one of Dufrene’s swamp excursions and reconnected years later, before tying the knot in September 2024.

In August, Del Rey revealed how she fell for her husband, a Louisiana bayou tour guide who spends his days surrounded by alligators.

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What do you think Lana Del Rey’s choice to marry a swamp guide says about fame and real love?

She posted a cute video of Dufrene loading up the truck with plants they had just purchased from Home Depot and when he realizes he is being filmed, the Louisiana native flashed a big smile and proudly posed with a Jack-o’-lantern pot

Del Rey also shared a snap of her hand gripping his wrist as her massive engagement ring could be seen in full view

Another snap showed Del Rey wearing one of Dufrene’s tour guide shirts featuring his name embroidered above the pocket

Del Rey also posted a video of the cover of their wedding album

‘Like many people who work with large, dangerous beasts, Jeremy has a calm, strong presence,’ Del Rey told W magazine.

‘When we met, I realized pretty immediately that I loved him, but that it might get difficult because of what I was bringing to the table,’ she continued.

Del Rey added that Dufrene reassured her from the start: ‘I work with alligators — I have tough skin.’

And true to his word, he listened through all the drama: ‘All the things that made me upset — and there were so many! — he would just listen and say, “You be you — and I’ll just love you more.”’

Weeks ago the musical artist gave what appeared to be a glimpse into her married life and her new video

The two have kept a relatively low profile since their wedding day but did make a notable appearance last month at the pre-New York Fashion Week Ralph Lauren show on February 10

The happy couple stopped for a romantic kiss as they walked the red carpet for the iconic designer

The couple first met in 2019 during one of Dufrene’s swamp excursions and reconnected years later, before tying the knot in September 2024

Tying the knot in 2024 didn’t make the spotlight any gentler.

Del Rey recalled the intense scrutiny they faced, with drones reportedly hovering over their home to snap photos of their wedding and early days as newlyweds.

‘If I was him, I would have been nervous — my emotions were more overwhelming than usual, and my usual emotions can be quite overwhelming!’ she said with a laugh. ‘But Jeremy was fine. He told me, “Don’t worry about me.”’

And when it comes to music inspired by love, fans have already heard a peek. ‘Stars Fell on Alabama. I open my show with that song — that’s it, so far,’ she revealed.

‘Jeremy is the most impactful person in my life. He’s quiet in public, but around me he talks all the time.’

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Meta orders 10 gas-fired power plants for its Hyperion AI campus in rural Louisiana—more than triple the initial plans | Fortune

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

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Meta orders 10 gas-fired power plants for its Hyperion AI campus in rural Louisiana—more than triple the initial plans | Fortune

Meta will pay for a total of 10 gas-fired power plants—enough to power more than 5 million homes—to electrify its rapidly expanding plans for its massive AI data center complex in northeastern Louisiana, dubbed Hyperion.

Meta’s agreement with New Orleans–based Entergy, announced March 27, is to build and finance seven new power plants in Louisiana. That comes on top of plans approved last year to build three gas power plants for the sprawling AI hub. The 10 power plants with 7.5 gigawatts of capacity would represent a more than 30% increase to Louisiana’s entire grid capacity, not even counting up to 2.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, including battery storage, that Meta also agreed to help fund.

Meta initially announced plans for a $10 billion investment in December 2024 for a 2,250-acre data center campus in northeastern Louisiana in rural Richland Parish. But Meta recently, and quietly, acquired an additional 1,400 acres, as Fortune reported in February. In October 2025, Meta entered a joint venture with funds managed by Blue Owl Capital to finance, build, and operate the Hyperion campus with up to $27 billion in total development costs, seemingly ensuring the mega-campus will serve as a long-term, multiphase AI hub.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said Hyperion would cover a “significant part of the footprint of Manhattan.”

“Our Richland Parish data center serves as a symbol of the ambition and scale of next-generation AI infrastructure,” said Rachel Peterson, Meta vice president for data centers, in a statement. “We are building foundations for the future of AI innovation right here in the United States. We’ve been working closely with Entergy since early on-site planning to ensure our power needs are met and, importantly, so that Entergy’s other consumers aren’t paying our costs.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will still need to approve the projects. The previous three power plants received regulatory authorization last year.

Entergy’s stock jumped 7% on March 27, lifting its market cap to a new record high of about $50 billion. The stock has risen almost 125% in two years.

Entergy is emphasizing that Meta is paying for the projects, rather than shifting the costs to other ratepayers. Entergy argues that the deals will save Louisiana taxpayers billions of dollars over several years.

The 10 power plants are estimated to cost nearly $11 billion. Critics contend ratepayers could be stuck with the bill after 15 years, which is the length of the contractual terms, if Meta no longer requires so much power after that span.

“This agreement reflects what’s possible when strong partners align around long-term growth and value,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, in a statement. “Working with our customers, regulators, and state leaders, we are making targeted investments that strengthen reliability, support economic development, and deliver meaningful benefits to customers—all while keeping energy rates affordable.”

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