Bally’s Completes $30 Million Purchase of Sam’s Town; Rebrand Coming
Bally’s Corporation has completed its $30 million purchase of Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport from Boyd Gaming, following Louisiana Gaming Control Board approval in July.
Sam’s Town briefly closed at 10 p.m. July 31 and reopened under Bally’s ownership at noon August 1. The property — a 29,000-square-foot casino, 514-room hotel, multiple restaurants, and live entertainment venue — will be rebranded under the Bally’s name.
The acquisition gives Bally’s unified ownership of two neighboring riverboat casinos on the west bank of the Red River for the first time. Combined, the two properties now represent nearly a quarter of the Shreveport-Bossier gaming market.
Bossier Police Jury Sets Sept. 2 Public Hearing on Restroom Ordinance
The Bossier Parish Police Jury voted Wednesday to advance a proposed ordinance that would criminalize transgender individuals using parish-owned public restrooms that correspond with their gender identity rather than biological sex as defined under state law. A public hearing has been set for Sept. 2 at the Bossier Parish Courthouse in Benton. No final vote was taken.
The ordinance, which cleared the Police Jury unanimously on July 15, sets three penalty levels — fines up to $250 for a first offense, fines up to $500 and 30 days imprisonment for a second offense, and fines up to $500 and up to six months imprisonment for a third offense. It applies to libraries, parks, courthouses, and other parish-owned facilities.
The ACLU of Louisiana has challenged the introduction process, contending the July 15 agenda lacked the specificity required under Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law. Louisiana Trans Advocates submitted a letter signed by 22 organizations and 277 individuals urging the jury to reject the measure.
UPDATE — Blanchard Area: Amazon Data Center
Following Monday’s packed Natural Resources Committee meeting, two resolutions tied to the proposed Amazon Web Services data center near Blanchard are now being prepared for the full Caddo Parish Commission. One calls for an independent environmental study; the other requires rainwater harvesting and advanced water filtration standards for the facility. No vote date has been set.
LSU Shreveport Formally Becomes Branch Campus of LSU Flagship
LSU announced Tuesday that the LSU Health Sciences Centers in Shreveport and New Orleans have officially joined the flagship LSU campus in Baton Rouge as branch campuses. The move is expected to strengthen academic and research ties between the institutions and expand opportunities for students and faculty at LSUS.
Bossier Schools Open Today; Pupil Progression Plan Vote Today
Bossier Parish students return to class today for the start of the 2026-27 school year. The Bossier Parish School Board is scheduled to vote on the 2026-27 Pupil Progression Plan at its regular meeting this evening.