 BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer Representatives from Entergy and groups opposed to the plan for powering Meta's $10 billion dollar AI data center in Northeast Louisiana began a multiday hearing before a judge on Tuesday. The tech giant is touting the airport-sized facility as a centerpiece in its race to build "superintelligent" technology. Entergy has proposed building three new gas-powered plants to power the facility. Groups opposed to Entergy's plan say the vast majority of the benefits will go to Meta and the utility, while everyday people and large industrial customers alike could endure all the risks. Read about the first day of the hearing.
An area of low pressure is making its way through the Gulf and could become a tropical depression, triggering a flood watch for the Baton Rouge area from the National Weather Service. The watch runs from Wednesday afternoon through at least Friday night, as the storm could produce as much as 10 inches of rain. Read more about how to prepare.
Today is World Snake Day, and local experts want you to think about the slithery creatures and the key role they play in the Louisiana ecosystem. “If we didn’t have snakes, we’d be up to our eyeballs in rats and mice,” said Baton Rouge Zoo education curator Jennifer Shields. Read more about your scaly neighbors and why they are important. | 
