Louisiana
Williams Wins Court Case for Louisiana Energy Project
Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB), a U.S.-based oil and gas storage and transportation company, has won a major legal battle against rival Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET). The clash centered around WMB’s Louisiana Energy Gateway (“LEG”) project, a massive infrastructure project, aimed at improving gas transportation from the Haynesville shale field to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The project, under construction in Texas and Louisiana, faced staunch opposition from ET, objecting to the pipeline’s planned crossings over its systems.
Details of the Court Ruling
Louisiana’s 36th Judicial District Court Decision: The legal battle concluded in a decisive ruling by Louisiana’s 36th Judicial District Court of Beauregard Parish. The court’s decision was unequivocally in favor of Williams, granting the company rights over all seven disputed crossings.
This ruling effectively enjoins ET from interfering with the pipeline’s construction, operation and maintenance. A spokesperson from Williams praised the decision, highlighting its importance in the LEG project’s timely completion and operational success.
Implications for Pipeline Operations: This court victory not only allows WMB to proceed with its ambitious pipeline project, but also sets a precedent for future disputes in the energy infrastructure sector. The ruling highlights the legal protections available to operators seeking to expand critical infrastructure amid competitive and regulatory challenges.
However, there is one limitation to the court’s decision. ET successfully argued against WMB using the open-cut method for construction at its crossing point. This method involves trenching to lay pipes and the court has limited its use at this specific location.
The Louisiana Energy Gateway Project
Project Scope and Objectives: The LEG project is a key initiative designed to transport 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the prolific Haynesville shale field to the U.S. Gulf Coast. This region is a strategic hub for gas processing and export, making the LEG project integral to meeting domestic and international energy demands.
Construction Timeline and Challenges: This project was initially scheduled for completion in 2024, but delays have pushed the operational start date to the second half of 2025. These delays are primarily due to the legal dispute with ET, which demonstrates the significant impact of regulatory and legal barriers on major infrastructure projects.
Strategic Importance: The successful completion of the LEG project is important to increase the capacity and efficiency of gas transportation in the region. By connecting the Haynesville shale field to the Gulf Coast, the pipeline will increase production, reduce obstacles and meet the growing demand for natural gas exports.
Energy Transfer’s Opposition
Reasons for the Dispute: ET’s opposition to the LEG project was rooted in concerns over the pipeline’s crossings of its existing systems. The company argued that these crossings posed risks to the integrity and safety of its infrastructure. This contention led to a protracted legal battle, ultimately resolved in WMB’s favor.
Impact on ET: The court’s decision is a setback for ET, as it is now obliged to accommodate the LEG project’s crossings. This decision will have an impact on the company’s future strategy and approach to similar disputes, highlighting the importance of legal preparedness and strategic planning in the energy sector.
Broader Implications for the Energy Industry
Legal Precedents and Future Disputes: The outcome of this legal battle establishes an important precedent for future disputes between energy infrastructure companies. It points out the judiciary’s role in resolving complex regulatory and operational conflicts, reinforcing the importance of strong legal strategies and compliance measures.
Regulatory and Operational Considerations: For pipeline operators and energy companies, the ruling underscores the importance of navigating regulatory landscapes and securing necessary approvals. It also emphasizes the critical role of judicial decisions in shaping the operational and strategic environment of the energy sector.
Market and Industry Impact: The resolution of this dispute and the subsequent progress of the LEG project are expected to have far-reaching implications for the energy market. Enhanced gas transportation capacity should support increased production and export capabilities, which can influence gas prices and market dynamics.
Conclusion
The legal victory for WMB in its dispute with ET marks a milestone in the development of the LEG project. This decision not only benefits WMB but also sets an important precedent for the energy industry, highlighting the critical role of legal frameworks in supporting infrastructure development and operational success. However, WMB awaits decisions on the permits required for multiple pipeline crossings.
Zacks Rank and Key Picks
Currently, WMB and ET carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each.
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like Sunoco LP (NYSE:SUN), sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and SM Energy Company (NYSE:SM), carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
Sunoco is valued at $5.67 billion. It is a major wholesale motor fuel distributor in the United States, distributing over 10 fuel brands through long-term contracts with more than 10,000 convenience stores, ensuring consistent cash flow.
SUN’s extensive distribution network across 40 states provides a robust and reliable source of income and the Brownsville terminal expansion should add to its revenue diversification.
Denver, CO-based SM Energy, is valued at $5.21 billion. The company currently pays a dividend of 72 cents per share, or 1.59%, on an annual basis.
SM, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil, gas and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas.
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Louisiana
Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins made chilling remarks about ‘demons’ weeks before killing his 7 kids and their cousin
The deranged Army vet dad who gunned down his seven children and their cousin confessed he was drowning in “dark thoughts” and told his stepdad that some people “don’t come back from their demons” just weeks before the heinous killings, according to a report.
Shamar Elkins, 31, killed eight children — five girls and three boys ages 3 to 11 — and seriously wounded two women believed to be his wife and girlfriend when he went on a shooting rampage through Shreveport following an argument with his spouse around 6 a.m. Sunday.
Just weeks ago, on Easter Sunday, Elkins called his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and his stepfather, Marcus Jackson, and chillingly told them he was drowning in “dark thoughts,” wanted to end his life, and that his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, wanted a divorce, the New York Times reported.
“I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,’” Jackson told the publication. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’”
Mahelia Elkins said she was unclear what problems her son and his wife, who were married in 2024 and had four kids together, were dealing with, the Times reported.
But a relative of one of the wounded women said the couple was in the middle of separation proceedings and was due in court on Monday.
They had been arguing about their relationship coming to an end when Elkins — who was later killed by cops — opened fire, Crystal Brown told the Associated Press.
The killer father worked at UPS and served with the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist, according to the Times.
A UPS coworker described Elkins as a devoted dad, but said he often seemed stressed and would pull his hair out, creating a lasting bald spot, the publication reported.
Elkins’ mother noted that she had reconnected with her son more than a decade ago after leaving him to be raised by a family friend, Betty Walker. She had Elkins when she was a teenager and struggling with a crack cocaine addiction.
Walker said that she did not witness the shootings on Sunday morning but knew that Elkins shot his wife several times in the head and stomach, the paper reported.
She last saw the deranged father when his family came over for dinner just last weekend — but noted he did not appear off at the time.
“I was getting up this morning to make myself some coffee, and I got the call,” Walker recalled. “My babies — my babies are gone.”
Elkins also had two previous convictions, including for driving while intoxicated in 2016 and for the illegal use of weapons in 2019, the outlet said.
In March 2019, a police report detailed that the National Guard vet had pulled a 9 millimeter handgun from his waistband and shot at a vehicle five times after a driver pulled a handgun on him — with one of the bullets being discovered near a school where children were playing.
The victims killed by Elkins have been identified as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. Seven of the eight were his own children, and the eighth was their cousin. They were all found dead inside their home in Shreveport.
Most of the victims were shot in the head while they slept, Shreveport Police Department spokesman Christopher Bordelon told NBC News.
One child was killed on the roof while trying to escape, police said.
Elkins, who was later killed by police during an attempted carjacking, also shot and wounded two women — the mothers of his children — during his murderous rage.
He shot his wife in the face at the home with the eight kids, Bordelon told the outlet. The other injured victim is believed to be Elkins’ girlfriend, who was shot in a separate house nearby, the police spokesperson added.
Elkins shared four of the slain children with his wife and three with the other injured woman, according to Brown.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
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