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Some La. leaders back Trump plan to close Education Dept. “I have always suggested that the department should not exist. I trust people in Louisiana to make decisions based on the educational needs of the state of Louisiana.” CADE BRUMLEy, Louisiana Superintendent of Education
STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE
Move could have impact on federal funds for Louisiana BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer
As President Donald Trump seeks to shut down the U.S. Department of Education, some of Louisiana’s top education officials say they are eager to bid the agency adieu. Echoing Republicans who have long opposed the Cabinet-level federal agency’s existence, Louisiana education leaders see the department as inefficient and an example
of federal overreach, arguing that school policies should be left to states and local communities. “I have always suggested that the department should not exist,” Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in an interview Thursday. “I trust people in Louisiana to make decisions based on the educational needs of the state of Louisiana.” After repeatedly calling for the Education Department’s elimina-
tion, reports this week said Trump is preparing to issue an executive order instructing his newly confirmed education secretary, Linda McMahon, to shut down the agency. In an interview Friday, McMahon said Trump “certainly intends” to sign an order, but did not say when. Abolishing the department and shifting some of its functions to other agencies could reduce
BY ANDREA GALLO
of his life on death row over the 1996 abduction, rape and execution-style killing of Mary “Molly” Elliott in rural Jessie Hoffman Jr., who is scheduled St. Tammany Parish. He appeared in to become the first person Louisiana court in Baton Rouge on Friday in an puts to death using nitrogen gas, testi- orange jumpsuit, one hand shackled fied in federal court on Friday to ask and surrounded by security guards. Hoffman recently filed a lawsuit that the state find another way. Hoffman, 46, has spent the majority against the state, alleging that the plan
Arrest made in hazing death
Two more suspects sought in case involving Southern student BY QUINN COFFMAN and MATT BRUCE Staff writers
to use nitrogen hypoxia to execute him on March 18 constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the U.S. Constitution. Louisiana Middle District Chief Judge Shelly Dick, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, is
Baton Rouge police said they are preparing warrants to arrest two additional suspects in connection with last week’s hazing death of Southern University junior engineering student Caleb Wilson, 20. Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. said during a Friday news conference that the two suspects are expected to turn themselves in. “Additional warrants can’t be ruled out,” Morse told reporters, noting it remains an “active, ongoing” investigation involving his department and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office with cooperation from Southern University. Late Thursday, former Southern University student Caleb McCray, 23, surrendered to Baton Rouge police. McCray’s attorney said in a statement Friday his client is innocent. McCray marked the first arrest tied to the fatal Omega Psi Phi fraternity hazing ritual Morse said occurred Feb. 27 in a warehouse at 3412 Woodcrest Drive. McCray was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish jail Thursday night on one count each of manslaughter and hazing. McCray made his initial court appearance Friday afternoon, where his bond was set at $100,000, his attorney said. “I maintain my client’s innocence and urge the public to withhold rushing to judgment until all
ä See INMATE, page 5A
ä See HAZING, page 4A
ä See EDUCATION, page 4A
Inmate challenges nitrogen gas usage Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Baton Rouge Chief of Police Thomas Morse Jr. speaks to the media during a news conference Friday regarding the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson.
Hackman, wife died of natural causes a week apart, authorities say Experts believe actor was impaired due to Alzheimer’s disease BY MORGAN LEE, SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN and LISA BAUMANN
Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. — Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO unaware that she was dead because Actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, attend he was in the advanced stages of Althe Golden Globe Awards in 2003. zheimer’s disease, authorities revealed
WEATHER HIGH 76 LOW 64 PAGE 6A
Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. “Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.” Authorities didn’t suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last
known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman’s pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. “It’s quite possible he was not aware
Business ......................3B Deaths .........................2B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................2B Living............................5C Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
ä See HACKMAN, page 5A
100TH yEAR, NO. 251