Massive Data Center, Major Political Clash, and New Privacy Laws

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You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for March 31, 2026.

On this episode of American Ground Radio, we kick things off with a conversation rooted right here in Louisiana that quickly expands into a much bigger debate about privacy, technology, and the balance of power between citizens and government. A proposed bill in the state legislature would require all parties to be notified before recording an in-person conversation, raising serious questions about whether this protects personal privacy—or limits the ability of everyday people to document wrongdoing. From undercover journalism to personal investigations, we explore what’s at stake when the rules around recording begin to change.

We break down a series of major developments across the state, including a former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries head pleading guilty in a kickback scheme involving taxpayer dollars, a surprising shake-up in a parish president race as a leading candidate steps aside, and a school board member facing shoplifting charges—prompting a discussion about accountability, intent, and public trust.

We also dive into a growing political clash between Governor Jeff Landry and State Treasurer John Fleming, as both men publicly accuse each other of dishonesty over carbon capture policy. What starts as a policy disagreement quickly turns personal, and we examine what this kind of infighting could mean for voters, party unity, and upcoming elections in Louisiana.

Later in the show, we turn to a massive economic development project in northeast Louisiana—a proposed $27 billion data center that could become the largest in the world. We discuss the potential economic impact, the infrastructure required to support it, and whether this could finally bring long-overdue growth to one of the most overlooked regions of the state.

The conversation also touches on the future of Louisiana’s income tax, as lawmakers weigh whether to continue cutting rates or even eliminate it altogether. With competing proposals on the table and uncertainty about long-term revenue impacts, we explore whether now is the right time to make such a major fiscal move.

And we look at recent drug trafficking busts across Louisiana, the evolving tactics of criminal networks, and how supply and demand continues to shape the crisis.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776!