The Advocate 05-05-2025

Mail carrier Aleke Kanonu Jr picks up and drops off mail in the community of Branch Kanonu covers 100 miles a day, a third of them dirt or gravel, delivering to more than 655 mailboxes, doorsteps and people’s hands.

A LIFELINE TO A SMALL TOWN

Debate over privatizing USPS could affect La.’s most rural routes

BY JENNA ROSS | Staff writer

— The white Jeep Wrangler

BRANCH

sprinting down the gravel road, stirring up dust in the early morning light, bore no markings of the U.S. Postal Service. No lights, no logos.

But everyone in this corner of Acadiana knew who was inside: Aleke Kanonu Jr., the only mail carrier in town.

Kanonu covers 100 miles a day a third of them dirt or gravel, delivering to more than 655 mailboxes, doorsteps and, pretty often, people’s hands. On a recent morning, as he turned into Marla Taylor’s long curved driveway, Taylor approached him with a wide smile, her arms extended.

As Washington types talk about remaking the postal service moving it under the Commerce Department or privatizing it — people here worry about losing their little post office and the daily delivery of the things they need. Not only bills, checks and “crap my wife orders,” as one man put it, but medications, contact lenses and a “Hey how’s it going?” on an otherwise quiet morning

“Amazon sends people from all over the country into our home, onto our property,” Taylor said, as her 2-year-old grandson scooted by on a pink toy tractor. “I just don’t know where they’re from and what they’re

Aleke Kanonu Jr chats with Marla Taylor as he delivers a package in the community of Branch on April 17

up to. Because we have children and grandchildren, right?”

She turned to Kanonu, smiling again. “But we get to know our local people.”

Earlier that morning, Kanonu

joked with a delivery driver tossing the day’s mail into a bin outside the post office in this town of 400 people, some of whom had pinned

ä See LIFELINE, page 5A

Louisiana has 1,305 rural routes, according to Louisiana Rural Letter Carriers’ Association. Nationally, Republicans and Democrats have signed onto a resolution that Congress should take “all appropriate measures” to ensure that the USPS remains an independent government agency and “is not subject to privatization.”

Foster children numbers hit record highs in La.

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD | Staff writer

On a Tuesday afternoon in Watson, Rebecca Braun was working her shift at a donation center when she received a call from the state Department of Children and Family Services: A 14-year-old girl needed a place to stay for the night. Braun, who currently fosters seven children at her Livingston Parish home, can’t bring herself to say no. The Louisiana woman has fostered nearly 100

BRIEFS

U.K. arrests Iranian men over alleged attack plot

LONDON British counterterrorism officers arrested four Iranian men over an alleged plot to attack an unspecified target and three others over a national security threat, police said Sunday. The government called them the biggest “counter state threat and counterterrorism” operations for years.

The Metropolitan Police force said five men aged between 29 and 46 were detained Saturday in various parts of England under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of preparing “a terrorist act.”

Four are Iranian citizens and the nationality of the fifth was still being established.

Police said the attack plot targeted a single location that was not being named “for operational reasons.” It said the premises was being given “advice and support.”

All the suspects were being questioned at police stations and have not been charged Police said they are searching several properties in London, the Manchester area of northwest England and Swindon in western England. Forensic officers in blue overalls were photographed at a house in Rochdale Greater Manchester, where one of the men was detained. Three of the counterterror arrests took place in the Greater Manchester area, one in London and one in Swindon.

2 accused in Lady Gaga concert attack plot

RIO DE JANEIRO Police in Brazil said on Sunday that two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.

The Rio event on Saturday was the biggest show of the pop star’s career that attracted an estimated 2.5 million fans to Copacabana Beach and had crowds screaming and dancing.

Felipe Cury, secretary of the Rio police, said authorities believed the suspects sought to target Brazil’s LGBTQ community

“They were clearly saying that they were planning an attack at Lady Gaga’s concert motivated by sexual orientation,” Cury told a news conference on Sunday Rio Police Chief Luiz Lima said the group disseminated hate speech and violent content online “aimed at gaining notoriety in order to attract more viewers, more participants most of them teenagers, many of them children.”

Trump says he wants to reopen Alcatraz prison NEW YORK — President Donald Trump says he is directing his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the notorious former prison on a hard-to-reach California island that has been closed for more than 60 years. In a post on his Truth Social site Sunday evening, Trump wrote that, “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

“That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders,” he wrote, adding: “The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law Order and JUSTICE.”

The prison — infamously inescapable due to the strong ocean currents and cold Pacific waters that surround it — was known as the “The Rock” and housed some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, including gangster Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly Alcatraz Island is now a major tourist site that is operated by the National Park Service and is a designated National Historic Landmark.

The closure of the federal prison in 1963 was attributed to crumbling infrastructure and the high costs of repairing and supplying the island facility

Trump says he doesn’t know if he backs due process

President gives interview on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’

BY AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President

Donald Trump is circumspect about his duties to uphold due process rights laid out in the Constitution, saying in a new interview that he does not know whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens alike deserve that guarantee.

He also said he does not think military force will be needed to make Canada the “51st state” and played down the possibility he would look to run for a third term in the White House.

The comments in a wide-ranging, and at moments combative, interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” came as the Republican president’s efforts to quickly enact his agenda face sharper headwinds with Americans just as his second administration crossed the 100-day mark, according to a recent poll by The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Trump, however, made clear that he is not backing away from a to-do list that he insists the American electorate broadly supported when they elected him in November.

Here are some of the highlights from the interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker that was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday Due process

Critics on the left have tried to make the case that Trump is chipping away at due process in the United States Most notably they cite the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned without communication.

Trump says Abrego Garcia is part of a violent transnational gang. The Republican president has sought to turn deportation into a test case for his campaign against illegal immigration despite a Supreme Court order saying the administration must work to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S.

Asked in the interview whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, Trump was noncommittal.

“I don’t know I’m not, I’m not a lawyer I don’t know,” Trump said when pressed by Welker

The Fifth Amendment provides “due process of law,” meaning a person has certain rights when it comes to being prosecuted for a crime. Also, the 14th Amendment says no state can “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

Trump said he has “brilliant lawyers and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said.”

He said he was pushing to deport “some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth,” but that courts are getting in his way

“I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it,” Trump said.

Canada

The president has repeatedly threatened that he intends to make Canada the “51st state.”

Before his White House meeting on Tuesday with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Trump is not backing away from the rhetoric that has angered Canadians.

Trump, however, told NBC that it was “highly unlikely” that the U.S. would need to use military force to make Canada the 51st state.

He offered less certainty about whether his repeated calls for the U.S. to take over Greenland from NATO-ally Denmark can be achieved without military action.

“Something could happen with Greenland,” Trump said. “I’ll be honest, we need that for national and international security. I don’t see it with Canada. I just don’t see it, I have to be honest with you.”

Recession forecasts

Trump said the U.S. economy

Missile from Yemen halts flights in Israel

BY OHAD ZWIGENBERG and TIA GOLDENBERG Associated Press

BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel’s main international airport on Sunday after its impact near an access road caused panic among passengers

The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify military operations in Gaza. The army was calling up tens of thousands of reserves, Israel’s chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said.

Israel’s army said it was the first time a missile struck the airport grounds since the war in Gaza began. The military said initial findings indicated the likely cause was a technical issue with the interceptor.

The Houthis have targeted Israel throughout the war in solidarity with Palestinians Israel’s paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. Multiple international airlines canceled or postponed flights. The war with Hamas in Gaza and then Hezbollah in Lebanon had led a wave of airlines to suspend flights to Israel. Many had resumed in recent months.

Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen.

Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport.

is in a “transition period” but he expects it to do “fantastically” despite the economic turmoil sparked by his tariffs.

He offered sharp pushback when Welker noted that some Wall Street analysts now say the chances of a recession are increasing.

“Well, you know, you say, some people on Wall Street say,” Trump said. “Well, I tell you something else. Some people on Wall Street say that we’re going to have the greatest economy in history.”

He also deflected blame for the 0.3% decline in the U.S. economy in the first quarter He said he was not responsible for it.

“I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he’s done a terrible job,” referring to his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.

Trump doubled down on his recent comments at a Cabinet meeting that children might have to have two dolls instead of 30, denying that is an acknowledgment his tariffs will lead to supply shortages.

“I’m just saying they don’t need to have 30 dolls. They can have three. They don’t need to have 250 pencils. They can have five.”

Third term

The president has repeatedly suggested he could seek a third term in the White House even though the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution says that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

Trump told NBC there is considerable support for him to run for a third term.

“But this is not something I’m looking to do,” Trump said “I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward.”

Israeli

Houthi rebels have fired at Israel since the war with Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023.

The missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel’s missile defense systems, causing damage.

Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen, and the U.S., Israel’s top ally, launched a campaign of strikes in March against them.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S was supporting Israeli operations against the Houthis. “It’s not bang, bang and we’re done, but there will be bangs,” he said. In a later statement, he added Israel would respond to the Houthis “AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters.”

Netanyahu said the security Cabinet was meeting Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting in Gaza

“We will operate in additional areas and we will destroy all of the infrastructure above and below ground,” Zamir said.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Israeli Army Radio he wanted to see a “powerful” expansion of the war, and demanded that Israel bomb “the food and electricity supplies” in Gaza.

Putin says he hopes there won’t be need to use nukes in Ukraine

By The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and that he hopes it will not.

In comments aired Sunday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century in power Putin said Russia has the strength and the means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a “logical conclusion.”

Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Putin said: “There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons and I hope they will not be required.”

“We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires,” he said. Putin signed a revamped version of Russia’s nuclear doctrine in November 2024, spelling out the circumstances that allow him to use Moscow’s atomic arsenal, the world’s largest. That version lowered the bar, giving him that option in response to even a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power

In the film, Putin also said Russia did not launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine — what he called a “special military operation” — in 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea, because it was “practically unrealistic.”

“The country was not ready for such a frontal confrontation with the entire collective West,” he said. He claimed also that Russia “sincerely sought to solve the problem of Donbas by peaceful means.” Putin said that reconciliation with Ukraine was “inevitable.” Russia and Ukraine, however, remain at odds over competing ceasefire proposals.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a ceasefire is possible “even from today” if Moscow is serious about ending the war Speaking Sunday at a joint news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelenskyy noted that Russia has ignored a U.S. proposal for a full ceasefire for 54 days and thanked the Czech Republic for backing Ukraine’s call for a 30-day ceasefire.

“Putin is very eager to show off his tanks at the (Victory Day) parade,” Zelenskyy said, “but he should think about ending his war.”

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“You can’tturn ablind eye once you see what’sout here, and you know that there’snot enough people out here willing to do it with you …you just stay in the trenches alot longer than you should,” Braun said.

Children enter foster care after having to leave their families due mainly to neglect or abuse. Allegations of neglect areoften connected with poverty, and Louisianahovers at thetop of thelistofstates with thehighest rates. In 2024, Louisiana officials received more than 52,000 abuse and neglect reports and conducted more than 21,500 investigations.

“I keep saying, ‘Once I get like 10 or 15 more foster parents doing this kind of work, then I’ll be able to retire,’ ”Braun said. “But as long as there’sonly21 homes in the parish, Ifeel likeit’snot reallyfair for me to throw in the towel.” She says being perfect is not arequirementtofoster

“You can be anormal person and be afosterparent. Youdon’thave to be extraordinary,” Braun said. Recovering from COVID

The need for foster homes and relatedresources is dire statewide.

While the number of children in the foster care system has largely remained consistent over several decades, anoticeable change occurred during peakCOVID years.

The rates took anosedive during the pandemic because fewer eyes were on children —not because fewerchildrenneeded foster care, DCFS Secretary David Matlock said.

When schools reopened and masks were removed, the number needing foster care quickly bounced back, as more eyes were on victims of neglect or abuse. In some parishes in the capital region and surrounding area, the demand reached record highs.

Last year East Baton Rouge Parish had the highest number of foster children in the state, with 606, anoticeable increase from 386 in 2019. In some smaller,more rural parishes around Baton Rouge such as West BatonRouge, Iberville, West Feliciana and Pointe Coupee, the numbers have more than doubled since 2019. However,atthe same time, some large parishes like St. Tammany,Ascension and Tangipahoa have had numbers fall below 2019 rates. Several state socialservice workers and child advocatessay it is hard to pinpointanexact reason for rise and fall of cases in certain areas. Causes can range from changes in unemployment and poverty rates to ebbs and flows in child welfare awareness and more mandated reporters.

Toofew foster parents

The increase was alarm-

are placed in foster care,” Traxler said. “Wehave about120 childrenonour waiting list right now.”

TheCASA of the18th Judicial District Court, which covers Iberville, PointCoupee and West Baton Rouge parishes, echoed similar sentiments. Thenumberof foster childreninall three parishesmore than doubled from 2019 to 2024. Executive Director Kendall Hebert said about half of the children have an appointed CASA volunteer.She cited rising foster rates, the newnessofthat CASA branch and astruggle to recruit.

Recently,CASA experienceda hittoits recruitmentefforts. TheU.S.DepartmentofJustice issued hundreds of terminations of federal grant awardsin late April,and the national CASA was oneofthe recipients.

Louisiana CASAExecutive Director Amanda Moody says while the cut is “notdetrimental to our survival” given diversified funding efforts, the $120,000 cut from the state impacted special projects —including onefor recruitment.

“Thatreally does hurt,” she said

Still, Louisiana CASAs hada record-breaking monthofvolunteers joining in March, according to Moody.

Retentionand recruitment

ing because COVID had already widened the gap betweenthe number of foster children and parents.

Joel Hooper,amanager of DCFS foster carerecruitment, said COVID hurt foster family recruitment due to lockdown or fears of catching the virus. Despite COVIDconcerns disappearing, recruitment has yet to fully rebound.

“Wehad less families coming in on the front end, butonthe back end, we had more families leaving theprogram duetosimilar concerns. So over time, that caught up with us,” Hooper said.

In the past two decades, the state haslaunched multiple foster parentrecruitment initiatives. Aproject in the past yearincluded hiring anew team of regionalfostercarerecruitment and retention employees led by Hooper Kellye Worley joined the team about ayear ago and focusesonspreading awareness about theneed for fosterparents.

“The need for foster parents is really, really huge

right now,” Worley told a group of about40people gathered in Baton Rouge at alocal child and family welfareleadership collaborative meeting. “Our fosterparentsare very overworked right now.”

Other resourcesfor foster children are also stretched, often operating only off volunteers, donations and grants.

Louisiana has18branches of the national Court Appointed Special Advocates Association. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to help children in thefoster system. Those volunteers provide support as children go throughthe legalprocess for abouta year

Allison Traxler,executive director of theEast Baton Rouge Parish CASA, said that before2020, her branchhad avolunteer for every child that needed one. But foster carenumbers have increased in the past three years.

“SinceCOVID, alot of the CASA programs are not beingabletokeep up with the numberofchildren who

Like CASA, other child welfareworkers and groups arebrainstorming ways to bring more people’s eyes to thefoster system with cost-efficient solutions.

Amongthe challenges are low daily rates for taking in foster children —families receive an average of $19 aday perchild.The state Legislature sets those rates andlast increased them in 2021. Theycurrentlyfall below therecommended averagefor Southern states.

“Weneed 125 more child welfareworkers, more cars …we’re resource-trapped,” Matlock, the DCFShead,

said recently In turn, local volunteer communitycollaborativesand forming support groups are prioritized. Matlock said community collaborativeslike the one in Baton Rouge are to be implemented throughout the state. Another focus is increasing faith-based collaborations, with many churchesspreading the word about foster parent recruitment and urging people to become certified.

DCFS is also testing ways to improve the registration andtraining processfor foster parents.

“We’restreamlining that andtrying to make it more friendlytofosterparents We’re just making it alittle more accessible,” Matlock said.

Some organizationsoutside of DCFS have found successinprioritizing retention when it comes to foster parents.

MethodistFosterCare, a statewide foster program

based in Monroe, has focused on support campaigns for its foster parents, said Colby Hennigan, afamily recruiter The private organization, created in 2015, is atherapeutic foster careprogram, meaning it serves children who are medically fragile or have special needs. In April, Methodist had 197 homes serving 173 foster kids acrossthe state.At the same time,DCFSrecommends about40children per month to be homed through Methodist, according to Hennigan.

Methodist prioritizes weekly in-person visits andphone calls andother extensive support services that Hennigan believes make ahuge difference.

“Werecognize that it’s notenough to just recruit foster parents, we have to retain them too,” he said. Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com

it would be the commissioner’sfault if that didn’t happen after getting those powers.

Temple warned that HB148 would give his office the right to rule arbitrarily.Business interests and numerous Republican legislators agreed,saying this possibility would discourage insurance companies from investing in Louisiana.

The bill’sopponents would normally form aformidable political coalition

In fact, they had passedat least 16 pro-industry measures in the House in the preceding days.

But Landry overpowered his opponents on the commissioner rate-setting bill, as the House passed the bill, 68-34.

The vote puts Landry in a commanding position to get the Legislature to approve the limited number of the pro-industry billshesupports —then blame Temple if the rates don’tgodown.

Landry calls it a“balanced” approach to stop the sharp rise in car insurance rates that are among the highest in thecountry

But Wednesday’svictory comes at acost because it has put Landry at odds with asignificant number of Republicans in theHouse for the first time and has prompted strong pushback from some influential conservatives.

Veterancommentator

RolfeMcCollister wrotea column in the Baton Rouge BusinessReport blasting Landry as being too cozy with trial lawyers, noting thathe met with several of thematanexclusive huntinglodge in Texaslast month.

Talk radio host Moon Griffon told his listeners that Landry was trying to make Temple “a scapegoat” with the rate-setting bill.

Deep rift Meanwhile, the vote exposed adeep rift between Landry and Republicans in the House, as they voted 37-33 in favor of the bill. It took theunanimous support of Democrats to pass it.

Before the vote, Rep. Gabe Firment,R-Pollock, the chair of the Insurance Committee and astrong Landry supporter, asked his colleaguestoreject it.

“I think this bill has the potential to completely nullify all the good bills we maypassand the potential to negate all the property reforms we made last year,” Firment said in an interview the next day.“It will send achilling effect to the entire market. It could be catastrophic for our insurance market.”

Landry is under fire from Republicans after supportingfouramendmentsto the state constitution that voters overwhelmingly rejectedonMarch 29 Now that the car insurance bills have passed the House, attention will shift to the Senate, where the

pro-industrymeasures havehad less success in the past.Thatwill putaspotlight on the next step in the politicalprocess, Judiciary ACommittee, and its chair, Sen. Greg Miller,R-Norco. Miller said he expects his committee to hear the car insurance bills on May 13.

The stakes are high for consumers —and legislators.

Senators targeted

TheLouisianaAssociation of Business and Industry andthe Louisiana Committeefor aConservative Majority targeted two senators running for reelection in 2019 with attack ads because theyhad voted againstapro-industry bill that year

Then-Sen. RyanGatti, R-Bossier City,said he analyzedthat bill and concluded it wouldn’treduce rates, despite the claims of industry supporters.

“Mykids would come home from school with mailers given to them by friends sent to their parentssaying Ihad voted against reducingrates, Gatti said recently

Thepro-industry side also attackedthen-Sen. JohnMilkovich, D-Shreveport.

“The bill did not require or mandate insurance companies to reduce their premiumsa single penny,” Milkovich said recently. “It cuts rights,not rates.”

Both men,despitebeing staunch opponents of abortion, were defeated by Republicans

The trial lawyers also wieldconsiderablepolitical clout onmatters known insidethe Capitol as tort reform.

“Wehave had tort reform since 1975, and not once has there been areduction in rates,” said Brian Katz, aNew Orleanstrial lawyerwho is presidentthis year of the Louisiana Associationfor Justice. “These measures will not reduce rates either.They are selling thecitizens of Louisiana abill of goods.”

Contributionsfor Temple

Real Reform Louisiana, which describes itselfas“a consumer protection group focused on policyholders, has begun to put political heat on Templebypublicizing an analysis showing that of the campaign money Templeraisedduring the 15 monthsafter his election in 2023, nearly 75% came from insuranceindustry sources.

“Commissioner Temple hasrepeatedlypushed the industry’sagendaatthe expense of Louisiana policyholders,” saidBen Riggs, the group’sexecutive director Temple has said his efforts will create greaterincentivesfor insurancecompaniestocome to Louisiana, whichwill reducerates.

More than adozen Republicanswere electedtothe House in 2023 after promising voters they would find asolution to rising car insurancerates.Many of the Republican freshmen were elected withmoney spent by the Louisiana Committee for aConservative Majority and other conservative groups.

Over the past sixmonths, the freshmendeveloped a series of bills while working withTemple; Firment; SpeakerPro TemMike Johnson, R-Pineville; and insurance industry advocates. Those became themeasures passed by theHouse in the pastweek that supporters say would lead to fewer claims and fewer big payoutswhile tilting thecourts away from trial lawyers and their injuredclients.

What Landry is supporting

When thegovernor appeared on Griffon’sprogram Tuesday, he endorsed House Bill 450 by Rep.Michael Melerine, R-Shreveport.The bill would reverse aLouisiana SupremeCourt judicial precedent which says that if evidencepoints to a causal connection between acrash and an injury when

symptoms appear after an accident, then it’spresumed theaccident caused thesymptoms

Landryalsosaid he is supporting House Bill 519 by Rep. BrianGlorioso, RSlidell. The bill would allow drivers to use theircellphones only handsfree.

Also gettingLandry’s backing is House Bill 434 by Rep. Jason Dewitt, RAlexandria. It wouldlimit howmuch an injured driver could collect who does not have car insurance, which is mandated understate law

The governoralso endorsedthe rate-setting bill opposed by Temple.

But Landry,who received big contributions from trial lawyers when he was elected governor in 2023, has said he would support only afew of the pro-industry bills, saying no onecould guarantee thatpassage of the other measureswould bring down rates.

premiumsand would they thinkit’sagood idea to increase the authority of the commissioner on rates, they would say yes,” Wiley said in an interviewlater, adding that thegovernor offered himnothing in return for his move.

Gloriosoagreed to sponsorthe amendmenttoeffectively turn Carter’sbill into Wiley’sHB148.

Several hours before Wednesday’svote, first Temple and then Landry separatelyexplained their positions to Republicans meeting in the Capitol basement.

“I’ll guaranteeyou thatif the people’sauto insurance rates go up, there’sonly one person allowing them to go up,” he toldGriffon’slisteners. “It’snot the lawyers. It would be the commissioner.”

Landry was facing a problem with therate-setting bill. It was sponsored by Rep. RobbyCarter, DGreensburg, and, after it won committee approval, House Republicans voted in theircaucus to support only car insurance bills authored by Republicans Wiley’srole

On Tuesday, Rep. Jeff Wiley,R-Maurepas, said he told Glorioso that he could support theCarterHouse Bill 576. That set in motion aplan to takelanguage in Carter’sbill and dropitintoWiley’s HB148.

“I’m certainif Italkedto10people at Walmart about insurance

When it cametime to vote,the governorwon a 2-1majority.But he lost notonly Firment but two othercommittee chairs who would normally vote with him: Rep.Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City,and Rep. Brett Geymann, RLake Charles. Rep. Mark Wright, R-Covington,the party caucuschair,also voted against Landry In supporting the bill, Gloriosobroke ranks with agroup of 15 House freshmenwho had been working

together to pass bills that Temple andthe insurance industry supported. Glorioso said afterward that he got Landry to agree to remove a provisionfromCarter’sbill thatwould have allowed the insurance commissioner to setrates instead of just disallowthem.

“It’satough situation,” Glorioso said after the vote. “No onehas wanted to be in the middle of apolitical fight between the commissionerand the governor. This bill allows the commissionertoreject rates andinsurancecompanies can appeal the decision.”

The 31 Democrats could have torpedoed the bill if they had voted against it sinceonly37Republicans voted forit, 16 short of what was needed.

“The people of Louisiana really need relief from high andunaffordable car insurance,” Rep. Matthew Willard of New Orleans, the Democratic caucus chair, said afterward. “Wethink the commissioner should have thatauthority to protect rate payers.”

Email Tyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate. com

PUBLIC NOTICE

East Baton RougeParishMosquito Abatement andRodent Controlwill be flying thedistrict’stwo twin-engineaircraftfor MOSQUITO CONTROL in East Baton RougeParish. Bothaircraftare white twin-engineBritten-NormanIslanders,one with blackand redtrim, theother with blackand blue trim.The words“MOSQUITO CONTROL” areon theunderside of thewings of bothaircraftinlarge letters. If youhavequestions concerning theoperations of theaircraft, please call East Baton RougeParish Mosquito Abatementand Rodent Controlat(225) 356-3297 between 7:00 am and3:30pmMonday throughFriday,orwrite to:

EAST BATONROUGE PARISH MOSQUITO CONTROL, P.O. BOX1471,

adstoits bulletin board for horse training, senior care and $60-a-day barbecue pit rental.

The 50-year-old grew up 7miles away,inRayne, where his mother is from and where he and his wife are raising their teenage daughter.Heshares aname with his father,aNigerian musician, and for years he refereedlocal basketball, baseball and football games, before adoctor amputated the lower part of hisleg.

So his nicknames include “Junior” and “the referee.”

But after 22 years with the U.S. Postal Service, he said, grinning, “everyone just calls me the mailman.”

He’salso vice presidentof theLouisiana Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, the state chapterofa national union organizing protests across the country,including one last Sunday in Baton Rouge, warning that restructuring the postal service would most hurt the people who live along roads like these, some of them surrounded by crawfish ponds

Anew push forprivatization

Over the decades, proposals to privatize the U.S Postal Service, an independent federal agency older than the United States itself, have come and gone. But lately,they haverenewed strength: As head of the Department of Government Efficiency,Elon Musk has backed the idea of privatizing the agency,according to The New York Times.

In February,President Donald Trump said he was considering merging the agency with the Commerce Department. That department did not respond to interview requests.

Last month, citing six industry executives, The Washington Post reported that “private firms are preparing for apiecemeal government effort to outsource mail and packagehandling and long-haul trucking routes, while off-loading leasesfor unprofitable post offices.

Some conservatives, including those at theHeritage Foundation, believe that private companies could more effectively run the postal service, which faces hugefinancial challenges, for lowercost.

‘Service with asmile’ Kanonu knows well the postal service’sstruggles. When the price of astamp rises, he hears aboutit. When apackage arrives later than promised, he hears about it.

When Louisiana’ssurprise snowstorm held mail hostage, at hubs hundreds of miles away,customers on his route called their congressmen.

But he believes thatmail delivery is bipartisan, or should be. “Everybody wants to pick ateam, and we shouldn’t, because it’sall about customer service,” he said. “Everybody wants to make it into abusiness, and Iunderstand some things need to be abusiness —but not everything, because this is aservice. That’s

voices in Washington,” the Louisiana carriers wrote in an open letter to thestate’s congressional delegation.

“The people of this state

one of our mottos: Service with asmile.”

Like many rural carriers, Kanonu drives hisown vehicle, laughing about the cracks in thewindshield (“not that bad”), how often he has to replacehis brake pads(“every 90 days”) and life before he bought aright-handedJeep (“Everynow and then, I’d be scratching up their mailboxes.”).

Wearing shorts, Kanonu worksquickly with the goal of wrapping up his route in time for anap. But he will pause to move asnapping turtle to the sideofthe road or hop out to toss aball to abig dog named Rocco.

At the end of aroad,where grass has overtaken gravel, lives retired doctor Michael Williams.Hebuilt abig,brick home on 4acres because “nobody bothers me.” But he often visits with —and sometimestextswith —Kanonu.

On hot days, Williamsleaves bottled water in the mailbox.

TheUSPS has its troubles, Williams said, clutching solicitations from Ducks Unlimited and the Audubon NatureCenter.He recentlysent something overnight, via Priority Mail Expressservice,

and his daughter received it five days later.But privatizing the postalserviceisa “horrible” idea, he argued. “The bottom line would mean everything.Everybody looks forwardtogetting theirmail everyday and talking to people. Youknow they’d cut back if theyhad to make aprofit.”

And Williams, whoregularly did house calls, suspects that rural servicewould be cut first.

Postal fightinWashington

Louisianahas 1,305 rural routes, according to the carriers’ association. Nationally,Republicans and Democrats—including U.S. Rep. Troy Carter,D-New Orleans, and U.S. Rep.Cleo Fields, DBaton Rouge —have signed onto aresolution that Congress should take “all appropriatemeasures” to ensure that theUSPS remains an independent government agency and “is not subjectto privatization.”

Requeststointerview

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, RLafayette, whorepresents this partofthe state, were not returned.

“Louisiana is home to some of the most powerful

and the nation —are watching to see if you will stand withruralcommunitiesor allow Wall Street to dismantle the Postal Service for profit.”

In March, Kanonu was among the rural carriers lobbying his representatives in D.C. And Sunday,hewas among those protesting in Baton Rouge. But along his route, he’s just themailman, whom his customers missed when he wasgone.

Highways andbyways

Twoyears ago, while off work, Kanonu steppedon anail. It went through his sneaker,just barely, pricking his foot. He cleaned the wound with peroxide and didn’tthink much of it.But it turned black. The doctor had badnews:tetanus. Amputate or risk losing your life.

“I cried for five days,” Kanonu said.

Six weeks after thesurgery,hewas back on the road. Some of those roads are

long and empty.A private drive, shaded by oaks. A bustling county highway Alongthe way, abodyshop, aboys’ home, and amother witha TikTok side hustle Along Pointe Noir Road is amailbox with an American flag. For morethanfour decades, Bob andGayle Bouget have trained horses andraised kids on this property,which these days flies a bigTrump flag. At onepoint, theSundaynewspaper arrived on Sunday,and Bouget could sit out on her porch, reading and watching the blue jaysand cardinals. But now,the paper arrives by mail on Wednesday,if she’slucky.Soshe appreciates even moreKanonu’s stopssix days aweek “Weneed our ruralcarriers,” she said. Bouget “doesn’t do alot of theinternet stuff,” so she relies on the mail for herbankstatements, electricbills andpolitical information

If Kanonu has apackage for her,he’ll often bring it up andplace it in herhands

Offshore revenue could increase in La.

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON — Louisiana could be in line to receive hundreds of millions of dollars more for allowing offshore energy exploration and production in federal waters off the coast.

The House Natural Resources Committee attached wording in legislation that will go into the “one, big beautiful bill,” or reconciliation bill, currently being drafted. The measure has a long way to go before it is passed into law and the money is in pocket.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, has been trying for years to change the caps on what the federal government pays under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act GOMESA incentivizes states to allow for oil and gas production in federal waters.

Scalise was able to get wording put in the bill that will include legislative initiatives sought by President Donald Trump, such as additional border security, an extension of his 2017 tax cuts and $1.5 trillion in reduced federal spending.

Exactly how much more funds Louisiana receives if the reconciliation bill becomes law can’t be determined. The amounts are set by a complex formula that considers the number of platforms in the Gulf.

But applying the proposed formula to historical numbers, a reasonable estimate could be $600 million to $800 million more over a 10-year period, legislative aides say Louisiana’s 2024 cut was $163.5 million, which was split between state and parish governments. Most of the money goes to fund hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects. Texas, Mississippi and Alabama also receive money from their GOMESA shares.

“As a longtime champion of coastal restoration and flood protection, I’m glad that my language to increase the current cap of GOMESA funding that goes to the states is included in this reconciliation bill,” Scalise said Friday “I fought to include this revenue sharing language in the bill because it is critical for our nation’s energy and economic security that energy producing states are able to properly and fairly share in the revenues collected from drilling.”

Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson said, “Revenue sharing dollars from our offshore energy industry are vital to rebuilding Louisiana’s coast and building lifesaving flood protection projects in Lafourche Parish and all throughout South Louisiana.”

Until 2006, Louisiana and the other Gulf states got none of that money because the oil and natural gas was being produced in U.S. territorial waters that begin roughly nine nautical miles offshore. When GOMESA was passed, it created a revenue sharing framework to offset local impacts of an activity that raises significant money for the federal government.

About 2 million barrels of oil per day are produced in the federal waters off the coast of Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi alone. That’s about 700 million barrels annually close to 20% of all U.S. oil production, according to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement.

“Thanks to this effort by Leader Scalise,” said Gordon Dove, who chairs the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority “Louisiana and our coastal communities have the opportunity to increase our State’s share of funds generated by Louisiana’s offshore energy industry to fund lifesaving flood and hurricane protection projects throughout the state.”

But don’t count the money yet.

Eleven House committees are charged with finding savings for the reconciliation bill. Each of the 11 “titles” will be merged into a single bill that then must clear the Rules Committee and receive a favorable vote on the House floor with the language intact. That’s far from a sure thing as Republicans are split on the amount and method for cutting spending on Medicaid and food stamps, which will also be in the bill. If approved by the House, the legislation would need to clear Senate committees and be approved by a majority of the senators.

METRO NEWS

Tax renewal for schools approved

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

Livingston Parish voters narrowly approved a tax renewal for Livingston Parish public schools.

The renewal is for a 7-mill property tax for the school system’s maintenance repairs and small projects. The 10-year renewal will generate about $6 million per year. The parishwide measure gar-

nered 7,375 yes votes, or 62% of the 11,926 total votes Turnout was about 13.4% of registered voters, according to unofficial

estimates.

The funds collected from the tax are used for school repairs, maintenance and minor improvement projects of less than $100,000, said schools Superintendent Jody Purvis.

ABOVE: Protesters from several different organizations hold a May Day rally at the Louisiana State Capitol on Thursday to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration and workforce policies.

LEFT: Tia Fields, a policy associate with the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants, speaks to protesters.

Lake Charles man sentenced to life in 1988 attack

DNA identified when evidence retested

BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN Staff writer

A Lake Charles man has received a life sentence for a 1988 case in which he broke into a woman’s home and beat and raped her Dartanyan Breaux, 59, was sentenced to life in prison on a

count of aggravated rape, according to a news release from the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office. He had been found guilty by a jury on April 11. In 1988, the assailant broke into the woman’s Lake Charles home through her bedroom window “brutally beat the victim and raped her,” the release states.

No one was charged in the case at that time However, fol-

lowing a 2023 retesting of the rape kit, analysts identified DNA from Breaux, according to the release. He was subsequently arrested.

District Attorney Stephen Dwight said advancements in DNA technology made it possible to prosecute Breaux.

“The successful prosecution of this cold case reinforces our unwavering commitment to seeking justice, no matter how much time has passed,”

Dwight said in the release. “We are grateful that the victim now has the closure she so rightfully deserves, and that this predator is finally being held accountable for his heinous crimes.” Breaux’s sentence is without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension, the release states.

Email Courtney Pedersen at courtney.pedersen@ theadvocate.com.

Man drowns while swimming across Amite River

Authorities recovered the body of Timothy R. Carey 24, Saturday evening after he drowned while trying to swim across the Amite River near Central.

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an address near the Amite River Beach about 5 p.m. There, witnesses told officers that Carey successfully swam from the East Baton Rouge Parish side to the Livingston Parish side of the river, but began struggling on his return across the river

According to officials, Carey became distressed near the midpoint, fighting to keep his head above the water line before disappearing beneath the surface.

At least two people with Carey tried to rescue him but had to be rescued themselves. After nearly two hours of searching, Carey’s body was recovered by the Sheriff’s Office’s Maritime Division and Central Fire Department at 6:47 p.m

“The river was high with a very swift current,” Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks wrote in a news release.

Although the Amite River typically averages 3 feet to 4 feet in depth, some sections can reach up to 10 feet.

Over the years, the river has gained a reputation as one of Louisiana’s deadliest bodies of water, due to its popularity for recreation, strong undertows and large amounts of debris that accumulate in its waters.

Since 2009, more than a dozen fatal drownings have been reported on the Amite, and Hicks noted that emergency crews are frequently called to incidents on the Amite, Mississippi and Comite rivers.

“Unfortunately this happens a few times a year,” Hicks said. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Two die in house fire; three others escape

Three people escaped a house fire in White Plains early Sunday morning, but two men were killed

in the blaze. The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded at 7:25 a.m. to a call at 5151 Hollywood St., where firefighters found flames pouring from every window and door

Crews entered the burning home in an attempt to rescue the two occupants who remained inside, but both men had already succumbed to their injuries.

Three other residents managed to escape before firefighters arrived. According to a statement from the Fire Department, one survivor reported that he had left something cooking unattended, and returned to find the kitchen on fire.

Investigators say his account matches evidence found at the scene. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties, including the Hollywood Street Church of Christ next door The home was declared a total loss.

Three booked on suspicion of DWI

Three people were booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Pris-

on on Sunday, accused of driving while intoxicated. Those booked and the counts against them are:

n Robert Cochiran, 60, of Baton Rouge, one count each of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, criminal property damage and resisting an officer

n Thomas Burton, 40, of Baton Rouge, one count each of firstoffense DWI and missing insurance.

n Peter Ferrari, 22, of Prairieville, one count each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving over a median and driving without headlights on.

Theodore (Ted) Eugene Guyton, 84, left this world to be with God, his Beloved Charles and Family on Thursday, April24, 2025. Ted passed peacefully aftera shortillness; Close Family and his Loving Care Provider were with Tedas he passed.Ted, born in Dallas, Texas, March 20, 1941;raisedinBig Sandy Texas considered Big Sandy, Houston, Dallas, New York City and his MostLoved Maui hishome. Ted is in the Loving Arms of His Mother, Helen Belo Ponder Guyton, hisFather, Forrest Newton Guyton, Sister: Carolynn Reed Guyton: Brothers Forest Newton Guyton Jr.JamesLouis Guyton and HisSoulmate Love of his Life, Charles Ashe Oldham, theyshared

aLoving58Years together and are nowonce again Planning tripstoMaui and NewYork City. Ted is survivedbyhis nephew, Jeffry Guyton, Jeff's wife Lisa Karen Guyton; beloved cousins of Oregon, Robert Johnstone,Penny Johnstone, Michael Johnstone, MattJohnstone;cousins of Monroe, LA,OliverShultz and wife Sylvia; cousin of Houston, Carol Ann Holdam; PamDaker and Trent Daker of Dallas; Russell Gribble of Palestine; care provider, Miguel Acostawho was devoted to Ted and most importantly his friends. Ted madeanimmediateimpact on everyone'slife and will be remembered and missed for years to come. Stories and talesofTed will be spun for many years. Ted attended North Texas StateUniversity (now UNT) as well as ColumbiaUniversity. He managedthe WestTexas Oiland Gas Concerns for his family;a Former Long Time Sales/Marketing TeamMember of his Loved Braniff Airlineswhere he met Friends that haveremained love and closefor over 60 Years; Ted was a Real Estate Investor,witha Vast Portfolio from New

York City to Texas (Houston, Dallas, Galveston, East Texas and WestTexas), Honolulu and Maui as well as an Entrepreneur;with many Business'sthat he cherished.Ted and Charles travelledthe Worldtogether many times, He Adored Broadway with Charles; Never saw an EstateSale that he could pass on; Family and Friends were always first in Ted's Heart; he was LovedbyAll,never met astranger that didn't become hisFriend;a Heart with unlimited capacity for Love and Tenderness, a Long Time Episcopalian, he thanked Godeach and every dayfor allofhis Blessings. Ted LivedLifetoits Fullest! he was Never just aParticipant. Never forgot his rootsinBig Sandy, LovedCharles from the moment they met;talked endlessly abouthis Family and is now HOME. Services forTed were heldatCroley Funeral Home in Gilmer, Texas on Saturday, May 3, 2025. He was laidtorestat ChiltonCemetery

Judges being targeted for just doing theirjobs

We have been experiencing a surge of criticism of the federal district court judges who have granted injunctions temporarily delaying anumber of the president’sexecutive orders. Federal district court judges are the first stop for plaintiffswho may be citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizationsorstate governments.

All constitutional matters begin with acase filed in district court, the only judicial forum that hears the facts in acase. Higher courts can only consider how the law has been applied. The judge does not file cases that challenge the constitutionality of apresidential executive order or any other federal government action. Plaintiffs bring cases to the judge. When adistrict court judge grants atemporary injunction to temporarily stopa presidential executive order,the judge has determined that the party filing has enough facts to merit afurther acourt hearing. The judge may rule apause tohalt any damage that could result from the executive order. There canbeatrial on the factsand appeals, which lead to afinalresolution. The judge is areferee,not alitigant. Currently,there seem to be many national injunctions by variouscourts.Itisthe result of the surprisingly large number of executive orders issued recently. Presidential executive orders have been typical in our democracy for decades. If district court judges are barred from granting nationalinjunctions, cases with the same facts would be filedin multiple courts, thus clogging thedockets.

Members of our Congressional delegation now support legislation to stop “nationwide injunctions” and target the judges who have granted them. Congress should draft legislation that meets the needs of its citizens rather than attack the judicial system and take away the citizens’ right to challenge potentially unconstitutional measures. Contact Congress if you agree.

LINDAM.WALKER NewOrleans

YOUR VIEWS

Dean of the CollegeofCardinals Giovanni Battista Re spreads

Pope gave Catholics whodrifted away hope

GrowingupaRoman Catholic who has constantly faced an inner battle with faith andtraditional religious beliefs, Pope Francis’ death sits with me. Ihave struggled with theinnerturmoil of my religious beliefs my entire life, and Ihave found myself driftingfurtheraway from my faith due to my differingbeliefs with thechurch, but Pope Francisalways served as alight of sorts. Overall, herepresented something that Itoo closely believe in, love and kindness to all and aservant leader mindset.Pope Francis showed us that the traditions of the Catholic Church arenot the end-all be-all. He showed kindness and love to those who neededit, taking up his name for theimpoverished,helping to move the catholic church toward aplace of acceptance for same-sex marriage, showinglove and acceptance to nonbelievers, and preaching the importance of servingand helping others. Pope Francis

practiced what he preached in manyways.

Idon’tbelieve Ican ever call myself a Catholic in good faith as my viewsrun contrary to thechurch in most ways, but Pope Francis did show that alife of acceptance, love and service are the core tenets we should follow.I’m deeply saddened by his passing. Ibelieve Pope Francis was helping movethe church in the right direction and was building amore loving andaccepting religious environment.

Iworry now his successor will movethe church back to its moretraditional, rigid, conservative ways, pushing morepeople, like myself, away from faithand service. I will continue to help and serve others, lift my communityand love and acceptthose around me, andIhope others, both religious and nonreligious, can do thesame.

ROYRANCANTORE JR. NewOrleans

Iagree with Quin Hillyer that Louisiana’ssales tax is too high. I do not, however,think that this is bad policy in need of rebalancing in favor of property taxes.

Hillyer argues that sales taxes do not provide stable funding in times of economic turbulence and that property taxes provide amore stable source of revenue.

Stable forwho? Government? Government should not be shielded from tough economic times that its citizens must endure. Aperson who loses his job in arecession pays less in incometaxes because he makes less income. He pays less in sales taxes because he consumes less. He has to pay the sameamount (or morefollowing reassessment) in property taxes even when his situation is precarious. How is this fair and equitable? As forsales taxes being regressive and harming the poor more, even renters pay property taxes. The renter might not pay it directly, but rents certainly increase when the owner’scosts go up.

The key is keeping all rates —income, sales and property taxes as low as possible.

GARRETT MONTI Luling

This is arebuttal to the thoughts expressed in the April 15 letter by Scott“Alex”Peyton of Opelousas.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR

AREWELCOME.HEREARE

OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name and the writer’scity of residence.The Advocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@theadvocate.com. TO SEND US ALETTER, SCAN HERE

Peyton is correct in saying that the Catholic Church runsonthe financial support of its members, but beyond that, his logic is completely offbase. Churchgoing Catholics do financially support thechurch, but we, as well as thepresent-day clergy,have demanded andreceived real reform from theunfortunatemistakes of the past clergy who have since died or been purged from our church. The Catholic Church was forced to legally try to protect itself from theactions of the attorneyswho represent theunfortunate individuals who have been abused by former clergy. Thechurch has spent just shyof$50 millionofsavings and from divested assets on attorney fees fighting thegreedy attorneys of the abusedwho madeunreal promises to their clients —like they could each be awarded about $1 million. Although Iques-

tion if any amount of financialaward could ever adequately compensate the abused individuals, thelegal cost to the Catholic Church to datewould have amounted to about $100,000 per abused individual.

Well over 80 years ago, when Iwould complain about somethingthat seemed to injure me or be unfair,mymother would repeat to me that in this life, oftentimes the good have to suffer for the bad. Unfortunately, that couldn’tbemore true than in the case of these sexually abused individuals. On the other hand, our church recently celebrated Holy Week, which of course, included Good Friday.AsIwritethis letter,I wonder where theCatholic Church, we churchgoers or even these abused individuals would be if Our LordJesus Christ had filed alawsuit against theJews and Romanstopreventhis passion and horrible death on thecross. LEON TOUPS Metairie Catholicswho

Ithink tenure should be abolished. It’s aridiculous situation where theinstitution loses control of theemployee, and they know it Theemployee can then begin takingadvantageofthe situation.

It’sastupid position for employers to put themselves in What we don’tneed in our colleges and universities are professors pushing their own thoughtsonthe way this world should run instead of teaching the subject they are beingpaidtoteach. Agood example is Robert Mann, who is aleft-wing, politically correct liberal who was well known for his actions. Having to listen to his political thoughtsin class cheated his students out of aproper ed-

ucation. Andsince he was tenured, it would have been difficult to get rid of him.Thank goodnesshequit Aguest columninthe paper on April 14 by Suzanne Marchand and Eugene Turner toutingthe benefitsoftenure madeitsound like agreat thing. What really happens is it gives theperson achance to back off from agood job they may have been doing and gives them the opportunity to slow downand possibly insert someoftheir ideas into their classroom teachings. If the management didn’tlike it, they would have ahard time correcting the situation.

TOMLINGONI JR. Marrero

Insurancelobbying behind closed doors is more of thesame

It looks like Gov. Jeff Landry is catering to the trial lawyers just like every other Louisiana governor (and Legislature) fordecades. Sorry,Landry,but we average citizens can’tlobby you forcommonsense, affordable auto insurance at the exclusive private clubs, luxury restaurants and lavish hunting camps. We’re just trying to live from paycheck to paycheck. And you know what’sreally sad? Landry and his minions in the Legislature think the people of Louisiana are stupid. Maybe they are right because we keep electing turkeys.

PAUL FORBES Hammond

Ihave aconservative estimate of my homevalue at $400,000, and my insurance payment is about $2,500 annually.For my automobile, which is 13 years old, my coverage is $3,000 annually.Does that make any sense?!

COMMENTARY

POTHOLE LIFEGUARD

There have been endless examples of people decorating the potholes we allnavigate regularly.In2023, some folks in the French Quarteractually took adip in one. Looks like this mom’staken it to ahigher level.What’sshe telling thesekids? youtell me. Be witty,funny, crazy,absurd or snarky —justtry to keep it clean.There’sno limitonthe number of entries.

Thewinningpunchline will be letteredinto the word balloon and runonMonday, May12, in ourprint editions and online. In addition, the winner will receivea signed print of the cartoonalong with acool winner’s T-shirt!Somehonorable mentions will alsobelisted. To enter,emailentries to cartooncontest@theadvocate.com

Allentries mustinclude aname, homeaddress and phone number. Cellnumbers are best.

Thedeadline for all entries is on midnight,Thursday, May8

Have fun, folks! —Walt

Mid-Baratariapermitcontroversy raises existentialquestionfor SouthLa.

Last month’snews thatthe Army Corps of Engineers had pulled the permit for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion was disappointing for many reasons.

Looseningrules on

producersisa bad idea

On Feb. 21, Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth B. Murrill, along with the attorneys general forTexas and Mississippi, sent arequest to President Donald Trump and Secretary of Interior DougBurgum to suspend and revoke recent amended federal regulations on offshore oil and gas production in federal waters. The rules were implemented after several high-profile bankruptcies and their multibillion-dollar fallouts leftthe American government behind other creditors in bankruptcy proceedings to decommission the orphaned platforms, unplugged wells and subsea pipelines leftbehind. Between 2009-2018, there were 22 bankruptcies impacting 490 properties on the outer continental shelf Eligibility to acquire aOCS lease is to have apulse and an American signatory,in no particular order.(It is noteworthy that the eligibility foroffshore wind operators is considerably higher,and it includes financial capability to decommission future offshore wind projects.)

Because essentially any firm can acquire a lease, the American government must determine and reduce risk after the fact. It’s like athemepark that does not establish height limits at its roller coasters, but instead parks ambulances outside each ride.

In the request, Murrill said, “the American taxpayer did not absorb asingle cent of decommissioning liability,” from recent bankruptcies, but just last year the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement spent millions in contracts to plug nine wells off the coast of Texas. Those samewells produced millions of dollars fortheir owners, and now you are paying to clean them up. The rules were the result of amultiyear effort, and above all else, anegotiated compromise to protect the American public from the risk of these defaults. When companies enter an OCS lease contract with the American government, they contractually agree to permanently remove and secure infrastructure and clear the seafloor of all associated obstructions.

But it may also be the final push the state needs to face critical coastal questions already fast approaching due to increasing climateimpacts: Is it still possible to have a functionaland habitable large coastal zone, or is it time to turn our effortsto amanagedretreat south of U.S. 90 and reducing risks due to storm surge north of there?

The corps alleges the state“deliberatelywithheld information” during the permitting process.

The “whistle blower” is the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority installed by Gov. Jeff Landry,which went to the corps with documentssupporting its claims that thecostswere underestimated by theprevious administration of Gov.John Bel Edwards. Edwards issued astatement calling theclaims misleading and politically motivated by Landry

If proven, the corps’ claimwill damage the plan’s scientific credibility Landry and team have been supporters of the project’smain opponents, some in the fishing industry.They oppose the plan because the amount of river water needed to move marshbuilding sediment will drop salinity levels, pushing their brackish water target species southward. They would rather see the marsh rebuilt by just pumping mud from the river,aprocess that would not dramatically change salinities.

They say the more than$300 million setaside to help them make the transition is too little.

That’saself-defeating position.

The dredge-and-fill method will not stop the increase in marsh salinitylevelsthat have been climbing as the Gulf drowns the sinkingmarshes. Louisianaresearch shows that as brackish marshes become salty,the production of estuarine shrimp, oysters and fish species such as speckled trout and redfishfalls.

It’swhy the daily limit for speckled trout in Texas and Florida has been

three for years. That’salsowhy we’ve spent millions over decades on projects bringing river water into those oyster grounds at the request of the industry.Infact, these opponents still want adiversion —but only large enough to help oyster reefs, not large enough to build and maintain marshes. So, while today’sfishers push to make as muchmoney as long as they can, their success likely means theirgrandchildren will havemuch lesstofish for Finally,the project includes funds to buildlevees and raise roadsincommunitiesaround theedge of the Barataria Basin. Thatcould also be lost. Killing the project largely over the economic hit to onestakeholder group would be foolish, especially after almost half of its estimated $3 billion cost has already been spent —and the state might have to pay back $1 billion of that.

Yes, the diversion is an experiment Butit’sone needed to verify what years of research suggestisthe only sustainable way to maintain functional, habitable wetlands— even if they will need to be further north than they are today Which brings us back to that critical question facing the state: Is it already

too latefor most of the landscape south U.S. 90?

That´s becausethe major cause pushing thecoastal zonetoextinction —the fossil fuel emissions driving therecord acceleration of sea levels —still has not been effectively addressed. The average elevation of our coastal wetlands is 2.5 to 3feet. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration saysthe worst-case scenario for our coast in just 25 years is 1.5 to 2feet of rise, not including therate of subsidence. Butwiththe Trump administration declaring war on all climateregulations,that worst-case has become more certain. Is there enough time or sediment and funding to keep ahead of that pace over alarge enough area of the coast to make adifference? Or should we start moving communities south of U.S.90, and begin building higher floodwalls north of there to reduce theriskofstorm surge, and perhaps insurance premiums? Thesequestionsmustbeaddressed. Bob Marshall, aPulitzer Prizewinning Louisiana environmental journalist,can be reached at bmarshallenviro@gmail.com, and followed on X, @BMarshallEnviro

Lessees must also acquire abase bond and furnish additional security if the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management determines it is necessary.IfCompany Asells its lease to Company B, Company Aremains “jointly and severally liable” forthose decommissioning obligations in perpetuity In several of the recent bankruptcies, the Government’sauthority to “move up the chain” meantthat the companies that had previously mademoney from these wells were ordered to clean up. The other option wasthe federal treasury But what if there are no other doors to knock on? Enter “sole liability” properties. Asubstantial amount of offshore liability, approximately $14.6 billion, is associated with these types of companies. The new financial assurance rules look at companies’ credit ratings and proved reserves (remaining production on their leases) and require additional security if either metric is found lacking.

Just as abank might require mortgage insurance forarisky borrower,sotoo, did the Department of Interior establish new standards based on the level of risk presented by the firmsthemselves. Again, these rules constituted acompromise.

Murrill claims that the repeal of these regulations would “create and maintain highpaying American blue collar jobs,” but that claim falls short. First, companies extracting oil and gas do not employ as manypeople as they once did, with Louisianans losing 20,000 upstream jobs in the last ten years alone. Second, removing no longer in use infrastructure creates morejobs. A2021 National Ocean Industry Association study estimated over 200 job categories to carry out offshore decommissioning.

Whether you call it the Gulf of Mexico or the Gulf of America, the American outer continental shelf is sovereign American territory.Nolaw forces private companies to conduct business in American federal waters. Youhave the freedom to not enter this market. Meanwhile, the American federal government has the authority and obligation to set the termsand conditions of that market to maximize the benefit to the American public.

MeganMillikenBiven is the founder of True Transition, whichadvocates for energy workers.

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Flipped the script

Texas A&M rallies late to take down LSU, earn series win

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

COLLEGE STATION,Texas — Two weak hits and a blast.

That’s all it took for Sunday afternoon’s game to flip on its head for LSU The Tigers were an out away from escaping it, leading 4-2 in the eighth inning of Sunday’s rubber match with Texas A&M.

Ultimately, it was Texas A&M right fielder Caden Sorrell’s three-run home run with two outs in the eighth that gave the Aggies a 6-4 win and was the difference between a series victory and a series defeat for LSU at Blue Bell Park.

“To win in this league, you win when your best players play good,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said, “and that’s what happened for them today.”

To start the eighth inning, LSU redshirt sophomore right-hander Chase Shores got a pair of strikeouts but came out with a runner on third base for junior left-hander Conner Ware. Ware, in the game to face Aggies left-

handed slugger Jace LaViolette, surrendered an infield single that drove in a run, cutting the LSU lead to 4-3 before exiting for junior right-hander Zac Cowan.

Cowan allowed a bloop single that put two runners on base and let Sorrell come to the plate. Sorrell, who has 10 homers in 22 games, worked the count to 2-1 and then blasted a ball over the wall in left field.

After allowing just four earned runs in Southeastern Conference play before this weekend, Cowan surrendered three runs and recorded just two outs in two appearances against the Aggies (27-20, 10-14 SEC)

“Zac’s Trevor Hoffman to me, (he’s) one of the most reliable guys you can have,” Johnson said. “We obviously worked our tail off to get the ball to him in that situation, and he’s been amazing for us all year long.” LSU (38-11, 15-9) had originally taken the lead on a two-run homer in the sixth inning from senior Luis Hernandez, handing them a 4-2 advantage. Hernandez was

ä See LSU, page 4B

Sanders’ NFL draft snub sends lasting message

BY OMAR KELLY Miami Herald (TNS)

MIAMI Shedeur Sanders showed up to the “2Legendary” draft day party he was hosting in a white Bentley, but not the one he purchased/leased and was being driven around in during college, and had a diamond-encrusted dollar sign necklace the size of a paper plate around his neck.

The Colorado quarterback had a musical artist, dancehall’s Shenseea, on his arm, and accepted a briefcase full of $1 million dollars as a gift while his own personal camera crew documented his slide down the 2025 NFL draft.

Sanders, the son of legendary Hall of Fame football player turned college coach Deion Sanders, was living his best life on his worst day It was at that moment I realized the accomplished, but entitled draft prospect, who had never had to compete for his starting role because he had always been coached by his pops, was going to slide out the first round. Throughout the years the NFL has shown that they will employ murderers, thieves, abusers and accused rapists.

If a football prospect can score touchdowns, or sack quarterbacks, helping your favorite football team win games, like Tyreek Hill can, the NFL will usually look the other way at his transgressions. But the bar is higher, much higher, for quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks are the face of the franchise, and usually the tone-setter for the entire organization.

So the last thing most NFL teams want to do is hand the keys to an immature, entitled prima donna, and that’s exactly how Sanders’ behavior got him labeled in the draft process. Shedeur’s father Deion, entered the NFL with the same amount of bravado. But his talent was objectively transcendent. Sanders

ä See SANDERS, page 4B

With Preakness looming, plans unclear for Derby winner

Saturday

Louisville, Ky

BY GARY B GRAVES

Press

Two-time Triple Crown-winning

to Churchill Downs after a four-year suspension with two entries but scratched Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez, pointing him toward the Preakness rather than Citizen Bull, who finished 15th. Fellow Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher scratched his lone Derby entrant, Grande, on

ä See PREAKNESS, page 3B

Celtics’ Holiday expected back for Game 1 vs. Knicks

BOSTON — Celtics guard Jrue Holiday is expected to return from a strained right hamstring when Boston opens its Eastern Conference finals series against the Knicks on Monday night.

Baby, what a tournament

Scheffler ties PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record by winning Byron Nelson

BY SCHUYLER DIXON AP sportswriter

McKINNEY Texas Scottie Schef-

fler

cradled his year-old son Bennett — the reason he missed his beloved hometown CJ Cup Byron Nelson in 2024 — and struggled to keep his emotions in check for a TV interview, just as he did a few minutes later during the victory speech.

The top-ranked player had time to prepare for the moment because of the giant lead he took into Sunday’s final round, and he even added a little drama by chasing the PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record.

Scheffler matched that mark of 253 set by Justin Thomas at the 2017 Sony Open and equaled six years later by Ludvig Aberg at the RSM Classic, closing with a 63 to finish at 31 under par

The runaway victory came 11 years after his PGA Tour debut at the Nelson as a high school senior and 22 years after a photo was taken of then-6-year-old Scheffler with the tournament namesake.

Scheffler couldn’t help but think about that day in 2014, when his now-wife, Meredith, was his girlfriend — not yet the mother of their first child and sister Callie, now a mother of two, was his caddie.

“My family was all able to be here, and it was just really, really special memories, and I think at times it all comes crashing down to me at once,” Scheffler said. “We have a lot of great memories as kids coming to watch this tournament. I just dreamed to be able to play in it, and it’s more of a dream to be able to win it.”

Scheffler was in position to break the tour scoring record before a flubbed chip that led to bogey on the par-3 17th hole and a par from a greenside bunker on the par-5 closing hole. His 8-foot putt for birdie and the record slid by the left side of the hole.

Hideki Matsuyama has the lowest score in relation to par this season, 35 under on the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua.

Scheffler tied the 54-hole Nelson record with an eight-shot lead, and nobody got closer than six during the final round. Erik van Rooyen of South Africa matched Scheffler’s 8-under 63 to finish at 23 under, three shots ahead of Sam Stevens and four ahead of another hometown favorite, Jordan Spieth.

“We spoke last night, and I told you it was going to be a steep mountain to climb, and it was,” van Rooyen said. “Scottie was practically flawless, which is kind of what you expect from the world No. 1. Really proud with the golf I played.”

Scheffler and Spieth finished with the two lowest rounds of the tournament. Scheffler opened with a 10-under 61 on Thursday at the defenseless par-71 TPC

Craig Ranch in a suburban community about 30 miles north of Dallas.

Spieth shot 62 in the final round, knowing his friend and fellow Texas alum was about to become the first of the pair to win the event they both cherish.

Spieth was the first to make his tour debut at the Nelson, four years before Scheffler On top of that, Spieth contended as a 16-year-old in 2010, leading many to believe that surely he would have won it by now

Scheffler stole those bragging rights.

“I think I’ll take it easy on him,”

Scheffler said with a chuckle.

Spieth played with Scheffler the first two days and was 12 shots behind him going into the weekend, so he understands how things have changed. They started the tournament with 13 PGA Tour wins apiece. Now Spieth trails for the first time.

“It wasn’t that long ago I was definitely better than him, and now I’m definitely not right now,” said Spieth, a three-time major champion. “I hate admitting that about anybody, but I just watched it those first two rounds, and, like, I’ve got to get better It’s very inspiring.”

It was the first victory this year for Scheffler after he won a to-

tal of 10 times before May in the previous three years combined, including two Masters victories.

Scheffler’s previous best Nelson finish was a tie for fifth in his most recent appearance two years ago. Now he’s the first wire-to-wire Nelson winner since Tom Watson 45 years ago.

“I’m not jealous of him winning this event over any other,” Spieth said “I’m jealous of anyone that wins any week. When Scottie wins, I’m happy It doesn’t matter where it is. If I’m not going to win, I like when he wins.”

Scheffler shattered the previous Nelson scoring record of 259 set by Steven Bowditch in 2015. That tournament was played at the TPC Four Seasons. Normally a par 70, that course had a par-69 layout the final three days when heavy rain forced officials to convert a par 4 into a par 3. Bowditch finished 18 under The margin of victory was the second-largest at the Nelson behind Sam Snead’s 10-shot win in 1957, when it was known as the Dallas Open Invitational.

“This is a golf course where you can kind of make a run, and I knew that I couldn’t just coast to the finish line today,” Scheffler said. “I knew I had to put together a good round.”

Because of heavy rain Wednesday and Friday, players were allowed to lift, clean and replace their golf balls in the fairway for the first three rounds, but not in the final round. Aberg had so-

called preferred lies during the first rounds at the 2023 RSM Classic.

LIV Golf

DeCHAMBEAU HOLDS OFF HOWELL

FOR WIN: In Incheon, South Korea, Bryson DeChambeau held off a big charge from Charles Howell III with birdies on his last two holes for a 6-under 66 on Sunday for a two-shot victory at LIV Golf Korea, his first title since winning the U.S. Open last summer DeChambeau, who played in the final group at the Masters and lost a 36-hole lead at LIV Golf Mexico City last week, started the third and final round at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club with a four-shot lead and was even par for the round through nine holes. Howell, his Crushers teammate, closed with a 63. They were tied until Howell made a bogey on the 16th hole, and DeChambeau rolled in a long birdie putt at the 17th for a two-shot cushion going to the par-5 18th. They both birdied.

DeChambeau finished at 19-under 197 and won $4 million for his first LIV Golf League title since September 2023 and his third overall. Crushers won the team title by nine shots over Smash.

DeChambeau next joins what likely will be 13 other players from LIV Golf in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 15-18. DeChambeau was runner-up to Xander Schauffele in the PGA Championship last year

Ryu pulls away for a wire-to-wire

ish at the

Championship last

sharing the

at the first major of the

until closing with a 76. This one was closer than the five-shot margin indicated. Ryu was clinging to a one-shot lead over Esther Henseleit of Germany going into the back nine She missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the 10th — her third straight miss from short range for birdie. But then she made a 15-foot

birdie putt at the 11th, and her eagle at the 13th put her ahead by four shots.

“Incredible day,” said Ryu, who now has won at least one tournament the past seven years dating to her first win as an 18-year-old on the Korea LPGA.

Henseleit, who started three shots behind, went out in 31 to get within one shot. She cooled off on the back nine, not making another birdie until the 18th hole for a 66. She tied for second with Ruoning Yin (67) the final challenge to Ryu.

“Started out great on the front

No Celtics players were listed on the injury report Sunday, meaning they could be at full strength when Game 1 tips off. It’s the first time Holiday hasn’t been on the injury report since he missed the final three games of Boston’s firstround series win over Orlando in five games.

Coach Joe Mazzulla said Holiday was able to “work on everything he wanted to work on” during Boston’s practice session Saturday Holiday averaged 10 points and 5.5 assists in the opening two games of the Magic series.

Ruud to climb rankings after winning at Madrid

MADRID Casper Ruud has become the first Norwegian to win a Masters 1000 title after beating Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the Madrid Open final on Sunday

The former second-ranked Ruud rallied from 5-3 down in the first set and sealed the victory after capitalizing on his lone break at 2-2 in the third.

The 26-year-old Ruud yelled and thrust both arms into the air after clinching the win on his first match point on the Caja Mágica clay court.

The 15th-ranked Ruud will reach No. 7 in the rankings on Monday

The 13-time tour champion is the first Norwegian to lift a Masters 1000 trophy since the series was introduced in 1990, according to the ATP.

Struggling Rangers fire offensive coordinator

ARLINGTON,Texas — The Texas Rangers have fired offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker after the team’s extended struggles scoring runs. The decision was announced after the Rangers won 8-1 on Sunday in their series finale against AL West-leading Seattle. Even with that outburst, the Rangers were last in the American League with 113 runs.

Before the win over the Mariners, the Rangers had scored just 30 runs during a 2-9 stretch, and half of those runs came when they had a season-high 15 against Oakland on Tuesday They opened the series against Seattle with losses of 13-1 and 2-1.

The 39-year-old Ecker was in his fourth season as the club’s offensive coordinator after being hired on Nov 1, 2021. He helped the Rangers win their only World Series title in 2023.

White Sox’s Benintendi leaves game with injury

CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi left Sunday’s win over the Houston Astros because of left calf tightness. Benintendi went 0 for 3, but he reached on an error in the fifth. He scored on Josh Rojas’ bases-loaded walk with two down.

Brooks Baldwin hit for Benintendi in the sixth, then remained in the game as the left fielder Benintendi is day to day He is batting .224 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 24 games.

nine and then couldn’t quite keep up on the back,” Henseleit said.

“Haeran played amazing and she really deserved to win it today.” Yin, who got back into the mix with a 62 on Saturday, was four shots behind at the turn. She ran off four straight birdies starting at the 11th, all of them inside 8 feet. The last one got her to within three shots of Ryu.

The South Korean responded with an approach within 3 feet on the 15th for a birdie to restore her lead to four shots, and Yin fell back with a double bogey from the bunker on the 16th.

“I play 70 good holes,” Yin said.

“I made a triple on the first day and then a double on 16 today But overall, I think my game is really solid.” Yan Liu closed with a 65 to finish alone in fourth.

Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia finished with the shot of the day

a fairway metal on the par-5 18th that rolled in for an albatross, giving her a 67 to tie for sixth.

Ryu is the 10th winner in 10 tournaments on the LPGA Tour this season.

Sunday’s game was cut short by rain in the seventh inning. The White Sox won 5-4 to secure their first series win over Houston since 2021.

Mets OF leaves game after hurting arm on throw

ST LOUIS Mets left fielder Jesse Winker had an MRI after leaving the first game of New York’s doubleheader at St. Louis with right side discomfort.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Winker was injured while making a throw in the third inning of Sunday’s 6-5 loss.

Mendoza acknowledged there’s always concern when the word oblique is mentioned.

The 31-year-old Winker was making his first start in left field this season. He had played just two innings in left this year while serving mainly as a designated hitter

Winker had a walk and a sacrifice fly in his two plate appearances.

He’s hitting .239

with

games.

Piastriismakinginroads

F1 driver wins at Miamiafter finishingsecond-to-lastthere twoyears ago

BY JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

MIAMI GARDENS,Fla. The first time OscarPiastri arrived at the Miami Grand Prix as aFormula 1driver he was in the slowest car in the field and only narrowly avoided finishinglast.

Fast-forward twoyears andPiastriand McLaren Racing have come full circle.

Piastri maintained his advantage in the F1 championship fight by winning at Miami on Sunday for his fourth win through six racesthis season. Piastri has won three consecutive F1 races for McLarenRacing, whereheand teammate Lando Norris are trying to dethrone four-time defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.

McLaren has won Miamithe last two years, with Norris on top last season for his first career F1 victory

“It’sjust incredible, the hard work that’s gone in,” Piastrisaid of McLaren. “I remember two years ago here in Miami, we were genuinely the slowest team Ithink we got lapped twiceand to now have won the Grand Prix by over 35 secondstothird is an unbelievable resultofthe hard work of every single person.”

Piastri is the first McLaren driver to win three consecutive F1 races in 28 years; Mika Hakkinen did it with awin in the 1997 season finale and then victories in the first two races of 1998. He widened his lead over Norris in the driver standings to 16 points, while Verstappen trails Piastri by 32 points.

Norris’ win at Miami last season snapped Verstappen’stwoyear winning streak at the course surrounding HardRock Stadium Norris also won the sprint race on Saturday —Piastri dominated but alate safety car cost him the victory —but Verstappen won the pole in qualifying.

Verstappen, who announced the birth of his firstchild Friday morning, has been determined to disprove themyth thatfatherhood would make him amoreconservative driver. It wasevident as he darted away at the start and then aggressively held off Norris’

challenge forthe lead.

TheRed Bull and McL aren were side-byside and Norris was trying to edge ahead of the Dutchman, but he ran off track and lost four spots. Norris said Verstappen forced him off track and there was nothing he could do but try to avoidrunning into awall —but F1 took no action against Verstappen.

“What can Isay? If Idon’tgo for it, peoplecomplain. If Igofor it, peoplecomplain,” Norris said.

“You can’twin. But it really just how it is with Max —it’scrash or their pass.”

Verstappen was unapologetic after fading to fourth and insisted he raced within the rules

“I mean, Ihad nothing to lose, so Ialso wanted to havea bitoffun out there,” Verstappen said, addingMcLaren’s strong starttothe season is “not frustrating at all.”

“Weare here to winand today we weremiles off that, so it doesn’treallymatter,”Verstappen said. Norris recovered from the early incident and picked his way back toward thefront, but not before Piastritook control away from Verstappen on the14th of 57 laps.McLaren has decided it will allow Piastri and Norris to race each other cleanly without team orders, andNorriswas cleared to challenge his Australian teammate for the victory In thewaning laps, Norris was able to closethe gapbut could nevercatch Piastri andsettled for second in a1-2 finish for McLaren. Thetwo held anearly40-second advantage over George Russell of Mercedes, whofinishedthird. Alex Albon of Williams was fifth, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes was sixthand Charles Leclercwas seventh afterFerrari orderedLewis Hamilton togive his teammate the positioninthe closinglaps. Hamilton was eighth. Carlos Sainz Jr.was ninth for

Williams and Yuki Tsunoda was 10th for Red Bull. Jack Doohanran intoanother car on the opening lap and then crashed on the second lap —a showing that won’tquiet chatter therookieisonthe verge of being replaced at Alpine by Franco Colapinto.

Therehave been media reports in Argentina that Colapinto will replace DoohanatF1’snextrace, laterthismonthinItaly. It wasdismissed at the start of the Miami weekendbyAlpine team principal Oliver Oakes, who indicated “as it is today”the Australian would still be in the seat at Imola.

“I think it was asponsor from Argentina off-camera giving his view on Franco, when he’sgoing to be in thecar.I’m sure there’sa lotofpeople in Argentina who’d like him in thecar this Sunday, Oakes saidabout the speculation. “We’vebeen pretty open as ateam that that’sjust noise.Jack needsto continue doing agood job. Butit’s natural that there’salways speculation there.

Logano gets 1stwin this season

He gets victoryafter restart anddespite leadingfor 7laps

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS AP sportswriter

FORTWORTH,Texas Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Joey Logano stayed in front on arestart in overtime at Texas on Sunday to gethis first victory this season. Logano led only seven of the 271 laps, four more thanscheduled at the 11/2-mile track. He had started 27th in the 11th race this year It came aweek after Team Penske teammate Austin Cindric’s win at Talladega,where Logano had afifth-place finish that became 39th after apostraceinspection found an issue with the

NASCAR

spoiler on hisNo. 22 Ford.There wasalso Logano’sexpletive-laden rant onthe radiotoward his teammate in themiddleofthatrace that thetwo smoothedout during the week.

On the final restart after the 12th caution, Logano wasonthe inside of his other teammate, Ryan Blaney,but surged ahead going on the backstretch andstayed easily in front the final11/2 laps. Ross Chastain thenpassed Blaneyto finish second ahead of him Loganogot his 37th career victory,gettingthe lead for thefirst timeonlap 264. He went low to complete apass of Michael McDowell, who ona cautionwith47 laps left took onlytwo tiresand moved up 15spotstosecond.

McDowell got loose afew laps after that beingpassed by Logano and crashed to bringout the caution that sent the race to overtime. He finished 26th.

DennyHamlinhad finished on the lead lap in 21 consecutive rac-

es, but afiery finish on lap 75 ended thatstreak thathad matched theeighth-longestinNASCAR history.Hewas the first car out of therace.

After theNo. 11 Joe Gibbs RacingToyotalostpower,something blew up when Hamlin recycled theengine.There were flames coming out from under thecar anditwas engulfed in smoke by time it rolledtoastop on the inside of thetrack and Hamlin climbed out unharmed.

Carson Hocevar,the 22-year-old driver who is McDowell’steammate with Spire Motorsports, was the youngest to get the pole ever in Texas. He led only the first 22 laps of the race, losing it while pitting during thefirst caution. He finished 24thafter alate accident. Both in-race stages finished undercaution. Cindricwon Stage 1 after Hamlin’sissues and Kyle Larson took the second after a yellow flag came out because of debris on the track after the right

rear tire on Chris Buescher’scar came apart. Larson gothis 68th overallstage win and his sixth at Texas, with bothmarks being records. He has won astageineach of the last five Cup races at Texas, starting in his 2021 win there.

Odds andends

Chase Elliott left Texas last spring with hisfirst victory after 42 races and 18 months without one. He hasn’twon since, and now has another long winless drought —this one 38 races and nownearly13monthsafter finishing 16th. Acrew member forChristopher Bell crawledin through the passengerside of theNo. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and was fully in the car to reconnect an airhosethe driver’s helmet during acaution in the secondstage. It took two stops during that caution, and twice climbing into the car,toresolve the issue

Falcons, Cousins maybe stuckwith oneanother

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERYBRANCH, Ga. Kirk Cousins would rather be playing elsewhere so he has arealistic chance to start at quarterback. The Falcons are open to trading Cousins if they could get some value for their backup.

Neither party can get what they want right now —they are stuck togetherunless thetrade market changes.

It doesn’tlook strong after the draft, but keep an eyeonPittsburgh. The Steelersinsist that Aaron Rodgers will sign with them eventually.The truth is that no one can predict what Rodgers, 41, will do. Retirement is apossibility The Steelers can’twait forever on Rodgers. If they move on, then they’ll surely call the Falcons aboutCousins.Hemight still be a viable starterafterhe’stwo years removed from Achilles surgery Cousins certainly is abetter option for the Steelers than Mason RudolphorWill Howard. They would be motivated to makeanofferfor Cousins if they miss out on Rodgers.

The calculation forFalcons general manager Terry Fontenot is the value of what he can getfor Cousins in trade vs. Cousins’ value as abackup to Michael Penix Jr Fontenot could use another draft pick. He only madefive selections in last week’s draft— theFalcons lost one pickbecause of tampering violations related to Cousins —and Fontenot traded away first- and fifth-round picks in 2026 on draft night.

In themeantime, there’s no hurry for the Falcons. The situation would be more difficult if Cousins raiseda ruckus abouthis unmet request fora trade. Cousins hasn’t said adisparaging word about the Falconspublicly.Heshowedupfor voluntary workouts this week. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinsonsaidall is good withthe team’s backup quarterback.

“Kirk hasbeen great in the building, the timeshe’sbeen here,” Robinson said. “You guys know Kirk as aperson. He’s notdivisive.I would anticipate, when he’shere, he’ll be the best teammatefor the guys, be the best forthe coaches. He’ll just try to improve as a player.”

Cousinshas incentives to be professionalabout his situation

He’sdue $27.5 millionin2025, whether he’sonthe roster or not, but whygive theFalcons areason to try to claw any of it back?

Teams also might be less inclinedtotrade for Cousins if he makes afussabout being the backup. He mayhave to compete forthe starting job if he lands elsewhere.

Fornow,the Falcons areemploying Cousins as the most expensivebackup in NFLhistory His salary is set to count $40 million against the team’s salary cap in 2025.That figure is higher than all but five players in the NFL. All but one of them are good-to-great quarterbacks.

PREAKNESS

Continued from page1B

Friday.There’s also alargegroup of hopefuls who earned Derby points during qualifyingand could try other Triple Crown stops.

The Preakness is the shortest race at 13/16 mile, but its quick twoweek turnaround from the11/4mile Derbyoften gives pause for trainers and ownership groups. With theBelmontStakesset for June 7, fiveweeks after the Derby andseparated three weeks from the Preakness, that race is viewed by many as apreferred option. That finaljewelofthe Triple Crown, taking placeatSaratoga Race Course in upstate New York for asecond consecutive year features the same distance as the Derby because of the shape of thetrack instead of itstraditional 11/2-miles. Redemptionmight be in order for Derby runner-up Journal-

ism, who fell short as the 3-1 favorite. Trainer Michael McCarthy said in anewsreleasethat

“We’ve got no complaints” and praised his colt’seffort to rally into thelead briefly before Sovereignty,the 7-1third choice,

overtook him in the stretch and won by 11/2 lengths.

“With afield this size in arace like this, it’sall aboutthe trip,” McCarthy said. “It didn’tquitework outthe way we hoped, but he ran agood race againstagood horse.”

Baezafinished third but trainer John Shirreffs pointed to the Belmont for his California-based horse.Final Gambit chargedfrom last to finish fourth among 19 horses, and trainer Brad Cox said, “This gives us confidence to try a fast dirt surface in the future.” Mottand Godolphin LLC ownership group representative Michael Banahan expressed the same faithinSovereigntyfor his next step.

The newest Derby champion emerged brieflyonthe shed row formedia and onlookers, and his handlers feltgood aboutthe horse’s initial condition. They plan to watch himthe next fewdays before makingadecision aboutthe immediate part of his bright future.

“We’re just doing the right thing forthe horse, whatheneeds to do,” Banahan said. “He has abig year,hopefully to continue down theroad here. There’s an awful lot of nice races that you’d like to put on his resume,aswell. So,we’re just doingthe rightthing forhim.”

DallasQBDak Prescott ($50.5 million cap hit) is the exception. Cincinnati’sJoe Burrow ($46 million) and Baltimore’sLamar Jackson($43.5million) are elite. Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s($47.5 million) performance slippedlast season, but he’sstill solid. Arizona’s Kyler Murray ($43.3 million) had abounce-back year in 2024. AfterFalcons team owner Arthur Blank didn’tpursue Jackson as afree agent, he said he didn’t want to commit 25% of his team’s cap to oneplayer. Well, Baltimore will use 16% of its cap space on Jackson, atwo-time MVP. The Falconswill use14% of theircap space on Cousins, who lasted 14 games as their starter Fontenot’s spin is that theFalcons are using the samecap space on QBs as they’d always planned. The only thing that’schangedis whichone starts. If that’sthe way Fontenotwants to look at it,then he’s committing $47.2 million in cap space to the quarterback position, and his starter is unproven. Noneofthe four teamswho’ve committed morecap space to quarterback is facing that circumstance. Only the Browns are getting less bang for their QB bucks (they saved Blankfrom making a huge mistake with Deshaun Watson).The Falconsare thechampions of wasteful spending at the position.

THE VARSITYZONE

Doyle’sHaleyStewart, left,jumps intothe arms of pitcherIsabella Collins after the

in the DivisionIII nonselectchampionship on SundayatFrasch Park in

Savant delivers keyhit to help Doylewin title

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

SULPHUR— When Kylee Savant came to the plate with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning, her objective was clear

“I was on time (with the pitches) during my last at-bat,” Savant said.

“My plan was to see ball, hit ball.

…Hit the ball as hard as Icould.”

The senior catcher delivered, smashing athree-run double down the third-base linetogive

fifth-seeded Doyle what it needed to beat Jena 4-3 in the Division III nonselecttitle game at the LHSAA softball tournament on Sunday at North Frasch Park..

It is the first LHSAA softball title for the Tigers (26-9) since 2018, but it didn’tcome without someanxiousmoments.

Doyle pitcher Bella Collins yielded just three hits and struck out seven.Two of those hits were home runs, including Bailey Durham’sone-out home run in the bottom of the seventh that made it a one-run game.

“I had to make the next batters earn it,” Collins said. “I was not going to give it to them. They were going to have to earn it.” Collins got agroundout and a flyout to end the game, triggering acelebration the Tigers had worked toward since losing to

Sunday’s finals

Nonselect Division I: No. 1Sam Houston3,No. 3Dutchtown 2 Division II: No. 1North DeSoto 6, No. 3As-

sumption 5 Division III: No. 5Doyle 4, No.3 Jena 3

No. 1LaSalle 11, No. 3Logansport

No. 4John Curtis, No. 2St. Thomas

II: No. 1Vandebilt 7, No.6 St. Charles 5

III: No. 1Calvary Baptist 12, No. 2 D’Arbonne Woods 0 Division IV: No. 5Menard4,No. 2Opelousas Catholic 1 CLASS B: No. 1Quitman 10, vs.No. 2Stanley 0 CLASS C:

SamHouston edgesDutchtown forDivisionI title

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

Dutchtown scored first and held itsown in apitcher’sduel that definedthe Division Inonselect title game.The Griffins had one more hit But Taelyn Droddy’sRBI single in thebottom of the sixth inning and the seventh-inning moxyof pitcher Kailyn Mire lifted topseededSam Houston to a3-2 victoryonSunday at the LHSAA softball tournament played at North Frasch Park.

“Wemadeafew mistakes and they made mistakes,” Dutchtown coach Nancy Ensmingersaid. “It could have gone either way. Iam so proud of my girls.

“The biggest thing foruswas gettingthe timingdowntohit againsther (Mire).She changed speeds alot, and that was very effective for them.”

TheGriffins (26-10) did notgo quietly after Mazlin Authement scored the go-ahead run on Droddy’shit off Dutchtown’sAbby Froelich, who gave up just three hits and struck out four

Houston pitcher yielded four hits and struck out one.

For Sam Houston (30-2), it is the first LHSAA softball title in adecade. Coincidentally,the Broncos beat Dutchtown 3-1 in the 2015 final.

“This just meantalot to us …to be out here and step on this field,” Dutchtown’sJenna Blanchard said. “It was truly amazing, even though we did not get the result we wanted.

“Wedid not get off to the best start this season. This shows how farwewere able to come.”

Dutchtown scored first, striking for two runs in the top of the third. VanHaverbeke walked and Caroline Johnsonfollowed with a single. ABroncos error put runners on secondand third. Ahit by Madalyn Keller scored one run. Sophia English hit intoa fielder’s choice that scored the second run.

Sam Houston countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Audrey Portie walked and scored from firstona double to the leftfield cornerbyLayla Landry.Aubrey Hobbs’ popup to right fell in fora hit andscored the secondrun.

Continued from page1B

the lone Tiger with multiple hits on Sunday

“I was looking fastball but he gave me aslider down the middle,” Hernandezsaid regarding his homer.“Igot agood swing and it went out.” Before Hernandez’sblast,LSU’s offense got off to aslow start,not scoring through the firstthree innings and failing to drive in arunner in scoring position in the first and third.

The Tigers wouldn’tbreak throughatthe plateuntilthe fourth inning when they took advantage of some poor Texas A&M defense to plate apair of runs.

With arunner on and two outs, Hernandez ripped adouble off the top of the top of the wall in left-center field to drive in senior Michael Braswell from first base. Braswell would’ve been easily thrown out at the plate, but Texas A&M catcher Bear Harrison dropped the ball at home and couldn’tcorral it in time totag Braswell. Hernandez then scored three pitches laterona run-scoring single from sophomore Steven Milam. He also would’ve been out at the plate by ahealthy margin if it weren’tfor third baseman Wyatt Henselerdropping left fielder Terrence Kiel’sthrow on the relay towards home.

Both runshanded LSUa 2-0 lead. Tigers third base coach Josh

SophiaEnglishRBI; SAMHOUSTON:Layla Landry 1-2, RBI, 1run; Taelyn Droddy 1-2, RBI. Records: Sam Houston 30-2; Dutchtown 25-10

Sterlington in the 2024 final. McLin and Shelby Taylor finished 2for 4toleadDoyle.Kaylee Hardie hitasolo home in the bottom of thefourthtogive thirdseeded Jena (26-7) a2-1 lead that Savant’s triple erased.

“Wewant to execute alittle better,play alittle better witha competitive mindset (that) is one of a team that’scapable of accomplishing a lot of things.”

JAyJOHNSON, LSU coach

Jordan madethe aggressive decision to sendBraswell home, but he had thestop signupfor Hernandez. Theveteran just missed thelate signal. It was the third time in the series in which LSU was aggressive in sending arunner homewith two outs.

“Hitsinthe series were tough to comeby,”Johnson said. “So sometimes it’sbetter to roll the dice on making them make aplay than expecting your next guy to get a hitwith two outs.”

LSU’soffense had another quiet day overall. TheTigers had just seven hits,two walks and went 3 for 11 with runners on base. However,theydid excel with two outs, scoringall four oftheir runs in those scenarios.

“Wewant to execute alittle better, playa little better withacompetitive mindset (that) is one of a team that’scapableofaccomplishing alot of things,”Johnson said. Freshman right-hander Casan Evansmade his secondcareer

Taylor fouled off two buntsto lead off the game. She launched an 0-2 pitch into the right-center field gapfor atriple. Adoubleby McLin scored Taylor Jenaanswered quickly.The Tigers committed two errors, leadingtoanRBI sacrificeflyby Triniti Williams that tied the game in the bottom of the first After Hardie’sgo-ahead homer, Doyle loaded the bases for Savant. Regan Anthony singled andEmily Edler reached on an error. Next, Taylor beat out abunt to bring Savant to theplate. The Tigershad dubbed the season the “Revenge Tour.” Aquarterfinalvictory over Sterlington and a13-1 win over top-seeded Kaplan set thestagefor Sunday’s victory “Kylee Savanthas been doing it allyear,” second-yearDoyle coach Kyle Wieck said. “She rose to theoccasion day in and day out. When we needed aspark, she has been there.

“She doesn’th av et o have the long ball to win agame. Adouble down theline …we’ll takeit.”

Wieck added, “Jenaisagreat team.We’ve followed them all year.Weknew what we were facing, and we prepared well yesterday.Iamjust so proud of these girls for buying intothe process.” LHSAAsoftball tourney

start on Sunday and it was an odd one. TheTexas native allowed just one earned run but he only lasted 31/3 innings, throwing aseasonhigh 93 pitches.

Evans walked threebatters, surrenderedthree hitsand only recorded two strikeouts. After he allowed arun-scoring single with oneout in the fourth, he exited the game for redshirt sophomore lefthander DJ Primeaux.

Primeaux was on the mound to face LaViolette and struck himout beforeredshirt sophomoreright-hander Jaden Noot endedthe inning with afielder’s choice groundout. Noot allowed asolo homer in the fifth inning but lasted until thesixth. He was replaced withone out andtwo on by freshmanleft-handerCooper Williams so he could also face LaViolette. Williams struck out LaViolette andthen handedthe ball to Shores. Shores hit the first batter he faced to load the bases, but he forced aflyout to left field on a 100mph fastball to end the sixth.

“I thinkthey may have changed thedynamic of our team today,” Johnsonsaidwhenasked about thebullpen, “with some of the guys taking astepforwardthe way that they did.”

LSU faces Grambling State for its final midweek game of the year on Tuesday.First pitch from Alex Box Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be available to stream on SEC Network+.

Email Koki Riley at Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com.

Anna White singled with one out in thetop of theseventh.Kaitlyn VanHaverbeke singled off the gloveofthirdbaseman Carolina Eidson. Afielder’schoice put runners at secondand third withtwo outs.

Mire then got aflyout to right field to clinch the win. The Sam

“Wehad adversity this season, but we managed it and it pulled this team together,” Ensminger said. “Webecame abetter team all around.

“I am proudofthat. Abby has been an awesome leader on the mound. Losing the last gamewon’t define this season.”

SANDERS

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was atwo-sport athlete who split his time between the NFL and Major League Baseball early in his career Given the draftslide, it sure sounds like NFLteams decided Shedeur’stemperament vastly outweighed his talent. Shedeur “rubbed teamsthe wrong way” and leftanunfavorable impression on several executives and coaches during the monthsleading up to the draft. Beforethe draft, reports surfaced about Shedeur being considered “entitled” and“arrogant” in privateinterviews. He was allegedly unprepared for team meetings with teams. His demeanor turned off one quarterback-needy team that met with him multiple times, according to asource. The quarterback-less Pittsburgh Steelers, which is led by two minorities in general manager Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin,passed on Sanders three times,and selected quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round. Andkeep in mind this is afranchise that employedformer Dolphins coach BrianFlores when therest of the NFL was blackballing him forsuing the league

My point is the Steelersdon’t scare easily,but were scared of Deion’sson Sanders wasunprepared foran offensive install with Giants head coach Brian Daboll and when he was questioned he got into aheated exchange, according to draft analyst Todd McShay’ssources. There is areport Sanders took aFaceTime call during ateam meetingwith coaches and execu-

Dutchtown’sAbby Froelich delivers apitch against Sam Houston in the Division Inonselect championshipon Sunday at Frasch Park in Sulphur

MICHAEL JOHNSON

tives forone team at the combine. Put that with his father’scomments leading up to the draft, where he openly vowed to make sure Sanders didn’tjust end up with just any franchise, flat-out saying he wouldn’tallow him to play forthe very team that drafted his son (Cleveland Browns), and it’sunderstandable whySanders slid to the fifth round.

The Dolphins, whoneeded a third quarterback to serve as the backup to TuaTagovailoa and Zach Wilson, openly admitted they discussed selecting Sanders in the fifth round. Clearly that discussion didn’tgo in Sanders’ favor because Miami used pick No.143 on Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, whowas taken one pick before Sanders’ nightmarish draftexperience came to an end with Cleveland trading up to select him at 144 in the fifth, tworounds after drafting Oregon’sDillon Gabriel. Sanders clearly didn’tfall into afifth-round selection due to a lack of talent. Youwould struggle to findanevaluator whohad Gabriel, or Tyler Shough (whom the NewOrleans Saints took), rated higher than Sanders.

He slid in the draftbecause of how entitled he came across, treating NFLteams like they were recruiting him instead of interviewing him fortheir most important job opening.

Sanders did not give the predraftprocess the respect it deserved, and the NFLsent him,his father,and all the athletes coming up the collegiate pipelines with an artificially inflated ego because of their million-dollar NIL deals, a much needed message.

Playing in the NFLisaprivilege, not aright, and players better start acting accordingly

Safety Haulcy choosesLSU over Miami

BY WILSON ALEXANDER

Staff writer

LSU football landed acommitment Sunday from Houston transfer safety AJ Haulcy,according to his representatives at A&P Sports Agency,reinforcing its secondary ahead of the 2025 season.

Haulcy,asenior,was afirstteam All-Big 12 selectionlast year after posting 74 tackles, five interceptions and 13 passes defended. He chose LSU over Miami after entering the transfer portal earlier this spring As he considered his options, Haulcy took avisit to LSU on Sunday.HevisitedMiamiearlier this week, going on atrip thatincluded apolice escortand time spent with rapper Rick Ross, but momentum builttowardLSU as the week continued.

Haulcy’sagents saidhewanted to play in the SEC, win anational championship and improve hisdraft stock. They described LSU’sfinancial offer as “competitive” with otherteams, but declined to specify how muchthe Tigers offered.

AHouston native, Haulcy began hiscareer at NewMexicoafter leaving high school as athree-star recruitwho wasrankedNo. 1900 overall in the country,according to the247Sports composite.He played in 12 games as afreshman, starting nine times, before trans-

ferringcloser to home.

Haulcy started all 24 games for theCougars over thepast two seasons.Heled theteam with 98 tackles in 2023,and his pass coverage numbers improved last year.Haulcy’sfive interceptions tied for the most in the Big 12. He has made 259 career tackles

Haulcy became the18th player to transfer to LSUthis offseason, the most in oneyear under coach BrianKelly.Heisthe secondsafety in theclass along with former NC Statedefensive back Tamarcus Cooley

LSU landed two transfersin the spring portal window with Haulcy and former USF defensivetackle Bernard Gooden. The Tigers have the No. 1transfer class in the country,according to 247Sports, afterbeing passed by Texas Tech at one point this spring.

Haulcy has one more year of eligibility.Heisexpected to compete to startwith Cooley, fifth-yearsenior Jardin Gilbert, junior Javien Toviano and sophomore Dashawn Spears.

Gilbert started nine games last season after transferring fromTexas A&M. With him out this spring as he recovered from shoulder surgery,Cooley and Toviano oftenplayed on LSU’sfirstteam defense. Spears, aformer top 100 recruit, also got significant reps heading into his second season.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH

Houston Astrosstarting pitcher Lance McCullersJr. throws against the ChicagoWhite Sox during the firstinning of their game on Sunday in Chicago.

McCullersJr. has scorelessstart in return to Astros

The

CHICAGO Thirty months after his last appearance, Lance McCullers Jr.finallymadeitbacktothemound in amajor league game.

The 31-year-old McCullers started Sunday for the Houston Astros and threw 32/3 scoreless innings in his firstouting since Game 3ofthe 2022 WorldSeries in Philadelphia. McCullers had surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and to remove abone spur.Then he was shut down after asetback lastyear

He kept the Chicago White Sox off the scoreboard in his first game back, allowing three hits and three walks with four strikeouts. TheAstros lost 5-4 in agame shortened to seven innings by rain.

“I was happy with the overall stuff. Physically,Ifelt strong through the game,” McCullers told reporters. “Very grateful to just be back out with theteam and be an active member.” McCullers stranded runners on second and third in the first inning and pitched out of abasesloaded situation in the second. Aftera 1-2-3 third, he gottwo outs in the fourth but also allowed a double and awalk. He was taken out after 87 pitches.

“A lot of foul balls, alot of highstress moments there, but Ithink he pitched out of them,” Espada said. “So he’ll get ready for the next one.” McCullers is 49-32 with a3.46 ERA in his career,which has

Haliburton,Pacers stun Cavs in Game 1

BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

CLEVELAND Tyrese Haliburton madea go-ahead 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter that sparked adecisive burst for the Indiana Pacers, who stunned the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 121-112 on Sundaynight in Game 1ofthe Eastern Conference semifinals.

Haliburton finishedwith 22 points and13assists, andhealso made key plays on the defensive end, blocking a3-point attempt

by Max Strus with 2:12 left and converting it into alayup fora 10-point lead. Andrew Nembhard added 23 pointsand madefive 3-pointers for thefourth-seeded Pacers, who finished 19 of 36 beyond the arc. Cleveland, which wassecond in the NBA during the regular season with 15.9 3s per game, was 9of38.

Donovan Mitchell ledCleveland with 33 points andbroke Michael Jordan’sNBA playoff recordwith his eighth straight game of at least 30 points in aseries opener

Evan Mobley added 20 points and 10 rebounds forthe Cavaliers, whotrailed mostofthe game, took the lead in thefourth and then couldn’tclose it out. Indiana had a12-point lead in the third before Cleveland rallied. The Cavs went ahead 102-101 on afree throw by Strus before Haliburton’s 3ignited a15-4 run.

All five Indiana starters scored in double figures.Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam had 17 points apiece. Game 2isTuesdaynight in Cleveland.

HealthyCeltics look to extend recent dominanceoverKnicks

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER AP sportswriter

BOSTON To saythe Celtics have dominated the Knicks over the pasttwo seasonswould be an understatement New York lost allfourofits meetingswithBostonthis season by an average of 16.5 pointsper game. That cameafter the Celtics won four of the teams’ five matchups during their 2023-24 championship season.

It’smore than enough reason for thedefending NBA champs to feel confident heading into their Eastern Conference semifinals pairing with theKnicks, whichtips off Monday night

Just don’ttell thattoBoston, which isn’ttaking anything –or anyone –for granted at this point of the season.

lot of different guys to try to slow him down.”

While Boston swept the season serieswith NewYork, it took a 119-117overtimewin thatincluded late 3-pointers by Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum forthe Celticstoprevail in the final regular season meeting on April 8. Brunsonbelieveshow they learnedand adjusted fromthe first three meetings showed up in that game. But he also knowsprogress isn’tenough at this point.

“I feel like we played better in that game. Obviously still not getting it done,” Brunson said. “Played and competed better than the first three games, so that’s something we can look at andbuild off of.”

Magicblueprint?

been entirely with Houston. He went 13-5 with a3.16 ERA in 2021, the last time he pitched anything resembling afullseason.

“It hasbeen avery long road for me. It’sbeen agrind to get back to this point,” McCullers said. “I know thatIhave to do abetter job of controllingthe pitch count and gettingquick outs and thingslike that, but from where I’ve come from over the last couple years, especially where Iwas early this offseason,I would lie to you guys if Ididn’tsay Iwas pretty proud of myself.”

Boston RedSox

ACECROCHETIS‘FINE’ AFTER LINE

DRIVE GRAZES HIS NOSE,GLOVE: Boston Red Sox ace GarrettCrochet had aclose call Sunday when aline driveskippedoff his glove and nose on its way to second basefor agroundout.

Red Sox managerAlex Cora rushed to the mound withateam trainer after the left-hander narrowly missed adirecthit off the bat of Minnesotashortstop Carlos Correa in the fourth inning. The ballskimmed off Crochet’sglove as heturned his head before it hit hisnose andcontinued its path.

Cora and the trainer asked for atowel and Crochet hadasmall trickle of blood comingout as he blew hisnose.

“Fine,”saidCrochet after Boston’s 5-4loss to the Twins. “It barely grazed me, obviously,just more shooken up at the initial impact than anything

“This is the playoffs. So everythingwedid in theregular season doesn’t really mean awhole lot now,” Celtics guard Derrick White said. “Not like we get to start up 1-0. So just understandit’sthe playoffs. They’re here for areason.”

Abig part of thereason whyBoston is on guard againstNew York is the play of All-Star Jalen Brunson.

The recently named NBA clutch playerofthe year is averaging 31.5 points, 8.2 assists and four rebounds per gamethis postseason. It includesa40-point performance andwhat proved tobethe

winning3-pointerinNew York’s 116-113 Game 6closeout win over Detroit.

“Big-time player.Seems to make all the big plays for them,” White said. “Andhe’shad an unbelievable year.And obviously this playoffs he’s takenittoanother level. So it’s going to be agroup effort to try to slow him down, and to understand that he’s areally good player,he’s going to make tough shots, but just trying to make it as difficult as we can for 48 minutes and just have a

Though Orlando proved to be overmatched in their 4-1series loss to Boston, one thing they were successful at was limiting theCeltics’ success from the 3-point line. Boston connected on an NBA record for3-pointers made(1,457) and attempted (3,955 total and 48.2 per game) during the regular season. But the Celtics averaged only 31.2 3-point attempts pergame and only once hit at least 10 3-pointers in their series with the Magic. Knicks coach TomThibodeau said replicating that blueprint is the challenge forhis team.Healso said they don’tmind being aheavy underdog in this series.

BY CLIFFBRUNT AP sportswriter

OKLAHOMA CITY Shai

Gilgeous-Al-

exander and the young Oklahoma City Thunder must go through a DenverNuggets team that already has done it all if they want to cap off their fantastic regular season with an NBA championship.

Nikola Jokic andJamal Murray led the Nuggets to the title in 2023, and they helped Denver outlastthe Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 in thefirst round of theWestern Conference playoffs. The Nuggetsrolled past the Clippers 120-101 in Game 7onSaturday night.

Though Oklahoma City hadthe league’sbestrecordat68-14, that

won’tmatterwhen the Thunder host theNuggets in Game 1ofthe West semifinals on Monday night.

“Theyhavechampionship-caliber players, Hall of Fameplayers,” Thunder reserve guard Alex Caruso said. “They’re experienced, they’ve been there. Ithink thatshowed in Game 7the other night.They didn’tblink. They kind of rose to the occasion. We’re going to need ourbest, obviously,tobeat them. We’relooking forward to the challenge.” Denver must recover quickly to face arested Thunderteamthat swept Memphis in the first round.

“Feel blessed to get out of this thing,”Denverinterim coachDavidAdelman said Saturday.“This is amemorableseries. We just don’treally have timeright now to remember it.”

TherealMVP

Gilgeous-Alexander andJokic are MVP finalists, and there’sa good chance the winner will be announced during this series. Both teamsbelieve their star deserves to win. Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring 32.7 points per game on 52% shooting.Oklahoma City’sChet Holmgren noted the conventional wisdomthat says the team with thebestplayer wins the series.

LIVING

Smashhit

Pickleball is here to stay.Why this sportismore than just atrend

BY AVERYNEWMARK

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

ATLANTA— Pickleball isn’t just a passingtrend —it’safull-blown wellness movement,bringing people together like never before.

Since its pandemic-eraboom,the sport has more thantripled, with almost20million Americansenjoying its physical and mental benefits in 2024, according to theSports & Fitness Industry Association

ChrisWolfe, director of pickleball operations at Pickle andSocial in Gwinnett County,Georgia, has been at the heart of the Atlanta pickleball scenefor morethana decade. Aco-founder of the AtlantaOpen, he startedplaying in 2011and hassince helpedorganize some of the country’s earliest leagues and tournaments

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution caught upwith Wolfe tochatabout what makes pickleball sospecial, who he’smost excited to watch play and the best tips for beginners lookingtoget in on thefun.

Whyeveryoneloves pickleball

Pickleball may have startedasa

David Maheu sendsthe balloverthe net duringa

the ExchangeinNew Orleans.

favorite pastimefor retirees, but it hassinceevolvedinto agame for everyone. Today,playersofall agesare hitting thecourts, with the average age now around 35.

“Anyone can pickitupquickly,” Wolfesaid. “The paddle’s small, scoring is uncomplicated,and you don’thave to run long distances like in tennis.”

The sport blends elements of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong, offering afun,low-impact workout that’seasyonthe joints —perfect for players of all ages.

Physical health benefits

Experts agree that pickleball’s

accessibility is amajor draw.A 2018 study from Western Colorado University found that regular play canboostcardiorespiratory fitness by 12%, lowerbloodpressureand improve cholesterol levels. Plus, it strengthens muscles and sharpens hand-eye coordination.

Mental wellness on thecourt

But thebenefits aren’tjust physical. Wolfe credits pickleball with helping his mental health, too.

“Getting on the court helps me disconnect from life’sstresses,” he explained. “It’s been ahuge

WatchLouisiana actoron‘Good American Family’

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

Have you seen “Good American Family” yet?

The Hulu drama starsMetairie native Mark Duplass (“The Morning Show,” “Room104,” “The Long Long Night”) alongside “Grey’sAnatomy’s” Ellen Pompeo, and relative newcomer Imogen Faith Reid. The miniseries is inspired by real-life eventssurroundingthe case

of Ukrainian-born Natalia Grace Mans, born with dwarfism, adopted by an American family in 2010 at age 7, and allegedly abandoned by themthe next year But there’smuch more to the real story and “Good American Family,”which unfolds from multiple points of view “As they begin to raise her (Natalya) alongside their three

What is an Alzheimer’sadvocate?

ImogenFaith Reid stars opposite Louisiana actor Mark Duplass in the Huludrama miniseries ‘Good AmericanFamily.’

Alzheimer’sadvocates play an important role in improving the quality of care and quality of lifefor people with Alzheimer’sdisease and their families by conveying their message to elected officials at the federal, state and local levels. David, forinstance, is a Louisiana caregiver whotakes care of his wife.David wasmet with twochallenges through her Alzheimer’sjourney: getting an official diagnosis of her condition (which took him almost seven years), and finding financial help forher care and general support forhim For David, and mostcaregivers like him,hefound it very difficult to navigate on his own the myriad available resources that he could use. According to the 2025 Alzheimer’sAssociation Facts and Figures, Louisiana has around 168,000 caregivers like David trying to navigate the services available fortheir loved ones. Louisiana caregivers forthose living with dementia spend 256 million hours caring fortheir loved ones, and morethan 50% navigate their own chronic health conditions. Currently,roughly 94,700 people live with Alzheimer’s, and Louisiana has aprojected increase between 17.4% and 22.6% in the number of people with Alzheimer’sdisease between 2020 and 2025. For David and other overwhelmedcaregivers in Louisiana, Alzheimer’sadvocates are crucial not only to assist in the journey but, more importantly to be apublic voice for those who are not able. Advocacy raises awareness and can improve care and support for individuals living with the disease and their families. Advocate volunteers can also help influence policies, regulations and public opinion to create amore supportive environment for those affected by the disease. The focus of advocacy this year at the State Advocacy Day on Tuesday is the push to establish aDementia Care Specialist Program by the Alzheimer’sAssociation/LA Chapter.Families facing this diagnosis fortheir loved one often encounter isolation and alack of coordinated support systems. ADementia Care Specialist Program is vital to support the caregivers and connect loved ones to community resources. Additionally,education plays acrucial role in mitigating the risk and impact of Alzheimer’s disease. It empowers individuals to manage their condition moreeffectively,including caregiving, understanding treatment options, looking at financial considerations and having opportunities to participate in research. Educational components would also be a part of the Dementia Care Specialist Program.

The Alzheimer’sand Related Dementias Awareness Dayin

Poor balance? Treadmillexercisenot recommended

Dear Doctors: Iaman85-year-old man with congestive heart failure. Ihave almost totallylost my balance. My treadmill quit working and my daughter,aphysical therapist, thinks Idonot need to replace it. She thinks it is dangerousfor me. My only alternative is awalker.Can you address this issue?

Dear reader: Your daughter is correct that in certain circumstances, exercising on atreadmill can pose dangers. Thisistruefor someone with poor balance, for people living with certain heart conditions and for older adults who arefrail or who are not physically fit. In the personal information you have shared, you appear to fit into those categories. That said, there is also evidence that, when used with medical su-

TV NOTES

Continued from page1C

biological children, mystery emerges aroundher age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is,” a Hulu synopsisstates. “As they defend their family from the daughter they’ve grown to believeisa threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what herfuture holds, in ashowdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.”

Dulé Hill (“The West Wing,” “Psych”), Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Sarayu Blue (“Blockers”) and Jenny O’Hara (“Transparent”) are recurring guest stars. All episodes are now available for streaming.

Nowcasting If you’regoingtobein southern California in the next few weeks,aspot on the syndicated game show “Let’s Make aDeal” could be yours, as well as cars, cash and trips.

Dr.Elizabeth Ko Dr.Eve Glazier ASK THE DOCTORS

pervision and in addition to other types of equipment, walking on a treadmill can behelpful. We’ll return to that in amoment. Butfirst, let’slook at whya home treadmill may no longer be anappropriate option for you.

Atreadmill is anarrow,motorizedwalkway that moves continuously beneath the user’sfeet. For someone with poor balance, walkingonsomethingthat dictates

your pace can lead toafall. The danger of the resulting impact is compounded by the chance of becoming entangled in the stillmoving mechanism. Falls area major cause of injury and disability in older adults, particularly those who are frail. It’strue that many treadmills include handrails; however,using those alters the mechanics of walking. This can adversely affect the alignment of the spine, exacerbate back pain and have an adverse effect on balance. The perpetually flat surface of atreadmill alsoremoves an important factor in balance training, which is the small andconstant changes we encounter when walking on natural terrain. Finally,for people living with congestive heart failure, exercising on atreadmill can

PROVIDED PHOTO By SER BAFFO/DISNEy

In the fourthepisode,‘Right There in Black and White,’of Hulu’s‘Good AmericanFamily,’ Michael (Louisiana-born Mark Duplass) and Kristine’s (Ellen Pompeo)marriagereaches abreaking pointastheir differing perspectives on adopted daughter Natalia threatentotear them apart.

The casting agency says there will be more chances to play,asthe audience will be smaller.There’stwo months of taping remaining for the season. Applicants cannot havedone another game show in thepast year or “Let’sMakeaDeal” in the last three years. To apply,gotofremantle. formstack.com/forms/ frem ant le_game show _2024_sp.

PICKLEBALL

Continued from page1C

anxiety reliever for me.”

Research backs him up. Studies show pickleballcan help reduce anxiety and depression, making it as much amental health boost as it is aworkout.

Abuilt-insocialscene

Beyond the fitness benefits, pickleball is naturally social. With smaller courts and alaid-back vibe, it’seasy to strike up aconversation betweenpoints.

ADVOCATES

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Senate resolution, and advocates will meet with state lawmakers and officials to highlight critical priorities for supporting people living with Alzheimer’s.

Key details include:

n Location: Louisiana State Capitol.

n Purpose: To raise awareness and advocate for better services and support for

ByThe Associated Press

Today is Monday,May 5, the 125th day of 2025.There are 240 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On May 5, 1961, astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr.became America’sfirst space traveler as he made a15-minute suborbital flight aboard Mercury capsuleFreedom 7. On this date: In 1821, Napoleon Bonaparte, 51, died in exile on the island of St. Helena. In 1862, Mexican troops repelledFrench attacks on the city of Puebla de los Ángeles in the Battle of Puebla, also known as the Battle of Cinco de Mayo.

In 1925, schoolteacher John T. Scopes was charged in Tennessee with violating astate law that prohibited

“You’re always close to your opponents,”Wolfe explained. “That makes it natural to chat, joke around and build connectionswhile you play.”

Socializing is made even easier at venues like Pickle andSocial, combining food, drinks and livemusic with indoor and outdoor pickleball courts.

“It’simpossible notto have fun,” Wolfe said.“Nobody’s worried about being the best. It’s aboutgettingout there, enjoying yourself and meeting new people.”

Stayingsafeonthe court While pickleballisbegin-

thoseimpacted by dementia.

n Activities: Advocates andvolunteers will meet with state lawmakers and officials.

n Involved:The Alzheimer’sAssociation/LA Chapter,Alzheimer’sImpact Movement (AIM) and other advocates.

n Contact: TatianaGonzales Quiroga, tgquiroga@ alz.org;(504) 662-9314 ext. 1965E.

n Wear purple, theofficial color of Alzheimer’sawareness.

TODAYINHISTORY

teaching thetheory of evolution. (Scopes was found guilty,but hisconviction was later set aside.) In 1945, in the only fatal attack on theU.S.mainland during World WarII, aJapanese balloon bomb exploded on Gearhart Mountain in Oregon, killing apregnant woman and five children In 1973, Secretariat won the KentuckyDerby, the first of his Triple Crown victories, in atime of 1:59.4 arecord that still stands. In 1981, Irish Republican Army hunger-striker Bobby Sands died atage 27 at the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland on his 66thday withoutfood

In 1994, Singapore caned American teenager Michael Fay for vandalism, aday after the sentence was re-

Casting is alsotaking place for anew competition series for long-lost families of three or more. Alarge cash prize goes to thewinners. To apply,visit pitman castinginc.formstack.com/ forms/family_gameshow

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

ner-friendly,Wolfe hasa few safetytips.

“A lot of injuries happen because players aren’t used to moving backward,” he said. “Start slow,learn the basics, and give your body time to adjust.”

Whether you’re looking for anew workout, asocial hobby or just away to shake off stress, pickleball might be exactly what you need.

And if you’re readytotake it to thenextlevel, Wolfe suggestskeeping an eye on rising stars like Anna Leigh Waters —a sign that thefuture of pickleball is just gettingstarted.

Other volunteer opportunities are available at Alzheimer’sServices of the Capital Area, alzbr.org, and theAlzheimer’sFoundation of America, alzfdn.org.

Dana Territo is an Alzheimer’s advocate and author of “What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease. She hosts“The Memory Whisperer.” Emailher at thememorywhisperer@ gmail.com.

duced from six lashes to four in response to an appeal by President Bill Clinton.

In 2016, Lonnie Franklin Jr.was convicted of 10 counts of murder in the “Grim Sleeper” serial killings in Los Angeles that targeted poor,young Black women over two decades. Today’sbirthdays: Actor Lance Henriksen is 85. Comedianactor Michael Palin is 82. Actor Richard E. Grant is 68. R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn is 50. Actor Vincent Kartheiser is 46. Actor Danielle Fishel is 44. Actor Henry Cavill is 42. Singersongwriter Adele is 37. R&B singer Chris Brown is 36. Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka is 27. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Nathan Chen is 26. Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz is 22.

Youare fortunate to have a physical therapist in the family —perhaps she’swilling to help you explore someofthe options discussed here. Youmay be able to do the treadmill exercise you desire and also give her peace of mind.

Send yourquestions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla edu, or write: Ask theDoctors, c/oUCLA HealthSciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd.,Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024.

worsen symptomssuch as fatigue and shortness of breath. That brings us to the topic of medical supervision. If you are determined to incorporate atreadmillinto your exercise routine, first talk to your cardiologist.They will let you know if it is an option. If so, you would move forward with aphysical therapist who specializes in cardiac rehabilitation. They would schedule regular sessionsinwhich your treadmill use, along with your vital signs —including heart rate, blood pressure andbreathing would be carefully monitored. Aharness to allow an upright posture during exercise may be incorporated into the therapy Studies have shown that regular sessions of medically supervised treadmill exercise can be helpful in building up the leg, hip and core strength needed for older adults to improve their balance. When the exercise program included the use of awalker or acane, the study participants showed even greater improvement.

Dear Heloise: Ilike to use parchment paper when baking, especially when somethingmight bubble over onto abaking pan. However,the paper is difficult to lay without it curling up. My solution is to just crumble it up abit, straighten it out, and lay it on thebaking sheet. The wrinkles don’t matter.Then after you’re done, just pick thepaper up and throw it away.It’svery helpful when lining the bottoms of loaf pans. —Marlyn W.,inHedgesville,West Virginia Marlyn, Ilike to use paper weightswhen Ican to hold down curly parchmentpaper —Heloise Eggsliceruses

potatoes as well as some onions, then reached for the manual hard-boiled egg slicer.I used it to cut six hard-boiled, peeled eggs. Nextwas acan of large pitted whole black olives. Idecided to try the egg cutter on the olives. Iput twooreven three on the slicer, and it sliced them perfectly.I sliced the whole can of olives in less than aminute. It saved me so much time! Maybe this might help others whoare in arush. Diane C., via email Diane, an egg slicer is also good forartichokes, cherry tomatoes, and afew other vegetables. It makes preparation faster and easier —Heloise Artphoto book

Dear Heloise: My husband and Iread your column everyday in our local newspaper.Welove it! Lastnight, Iwas rushing to finish cooking the fixings for potato salad. Ihad cut the cooked and cooled

Dear Heloise: Idid what your hint said forshowcasing children’smany pieces of artwork that come home from school, but Iwent one step further.When they were adults, Itook

photos of someart pieces from each grade and made aphoto book foreach of them.Then, forChristmas, Igave each grownchild their photo book and their box of artwork. They all thoroughly enjoyed looking at their book and reminiscing over the memories of creating the pieces. Nowthey can keep the box of art pieces or the photo book, and my husband and Idonot have to store these boxes forever! Thanks forthe hint! —Theresa W.,Kirkwood,Missouri Theresa, something like this is often amost cherish keepsake foradults. I’ve hadpeople tellmethat their children drew pictures of events such as theirfirst time at the beach or at a circus, anditbrought back happy memoriesoftime spent withaparent. There comes apoint in ourlives when memoriesare allwe have left of events, people andplaces. —Heloise Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Take refuge in spaces that allow you the freedom to work without someone lookingover your shoulder or criticizing everything youdo. Leavenothingtochance.

GEMInI(May21-June 20) Look at documents involving institutions or your possessions, assets or joint ownershipsituations.Aim to broaden your perspectiveand enhance your opportunities.

cAncER (June 21-July22) Slow down. Breathe deep,consider your situation and take apass if something appears sketchy. Focusinward, hone your skills andadjust your talents to accommodate whatyou wanttopursue.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Liveand learn. Concentrate on what matters to you and what you must do to fulfill your dreams. Learn new skills and associatewithpeople whohave similarinterestsand goals.

VIRGo (Aug.23-sept. 22) Achange may be in order, but micromanagement is necessary to avoid excessivebehavior andletting others take advantage of you. Make decisions guidedbycommon sense, not by emotions.

LIBRA(sept.23-oct. 23) Holdwhat and who you love closeand manufacture an environment around youconducive to independenceand achieving your goals. Fuelbusiness or personal relationships with endless possibilities.

scoRPIo(oct. 24-nov. 22) Settle down andsettle in forthe long haul.Change begins with you. Discipline and apas-

sionate attitude will give you the edge in competitive situations.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Leap forward.Refuse to let fear stifle your plans. Invest in yourself and find a pathleading to monetary rewards andsatisfaction.Makehome improvements and ahealthylifestyle your priorities.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec.22-Jan.19) Be careful what you say and do. Take care of emotional or health issuesbeforethey have achance to wreak havoc on your life. Put yourselffirst.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Being proactive can lead to good or bad, depending on your approach. An opportunity is apparent if you network. Attend events, travel and gather informationthat can help you advance your interests.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Making big decisions will backfire unless you've done the proper legwork to ensure your plan is solid and fair. If you embellishortake on toomuch, your strategy will crumble.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Aphysical challenge will motivate you to take better care of yourselfand become more active in your community or group functions.Doyour part, and you won't be disappointed.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is notbasedonscientific fact. ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By AndrewsMcMeel Syndication

FAMILYCIrCUS

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 gridwith several given numbers The object is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Saturday’s Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Bridge hassurvived all these decades forseveral reasons. For example,there aredeals, like this one,thatdonot follow anormal course. What woulda textbook adviseWesttolead against four spades? But what would he lead if he couldsee all52cards?

When adefender hasfourtrumps, it is usually best to try to make declarer ruff something. The defender hopes to reduce declarer’s trumplength down to his own,or, even better, shorter than his.Hewants declarertolosetrump control

Thinkingalongthoselines,Westledthe heart ace. When East signaled enthusiastically withthe nine, West led another heart. South tried dummy’s queen,but East covered withthe king. After ruffing, South wastemptedto play on trumps, but he mused about West’s lead.West surely had notstarted with ace-doubleton.And if not, it was a dangerous lead, suggesting that he had long trumps.

Declarer cashed his diamondace, ruffed adiamond on the board, leda club to his king, and ruffed hislast diamond.

Then he played atrump. West won andled another heart, but South ruffed, cashed his two top trumps, and played on clubs, still havingone trump to retain control.Declarer lost only one heartand twospades.

wuzzles

Onthisdeal,Westhastoleadhissingletontodefeatthecontract.Then,ifdeclarerattackstrumps,Westwinsandreturns the suit. Or, if South exits with aheart before or after ruffing adiamond on the board, East wins andgives his partnera club ruff. Then Westcashes the spade ace andplays anotherspade ©2025 by NEA, Inc dist.

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. Forexample: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters.

www.bid4assets.com/ EBRSOsheriffsales, offer forsaleatpublicauction thefollowing described mortgagedpropertybe‐longingto: BENJAMIN ZERINGUE,AKA BEN‐JAMINM.ZERINGUEAND JENNIFER ZERINGUE,AKA JENNIFER LYNNE ZERINGUE One(1) certainpiece or portionofground, to‐gether with allthe build‐ings andimprovements thereon, andall of the rights,ways, privileges servitudes,appurte‐nances andadvantages thereuntobelonging or anywiseappertaining, situated in theParishof East BatonRouge,State of in Louisiana, in that subdivisionknown as NORTHWOODS,SECOND FILING,and designatedon theofficial plan thereof, on file andof record in theofficeofthe Clerkand Recorder of the

Parish of East Baton Rouge, Stateof Louisiana, as LOTNUM‐BERONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN (127) said lothavingsuch measurements anddi‐mensions andbeing sub‐ject to such servitudes as aremoreparticularly describedonsaidsubdi‐vision map; subjecttore‐strictions,servitudes, rights-of-wayand out‐standing mineralrights of record affectingthe property

TERMSOFSALE: Cash to thehighest bid‐der, at Public Auction WITH Appraisement and accordingtolaw SidJ.Gautreaux,Sheriff East BatonRouge Parish ADVERTISED DATE April04, 2025 May05, 2025 $257.67

RougeState of Louisiana Acting under andby virtue of Writ of Seizure andSaleissuedout of thehonorable court aforesaid,inthe above entitled andnumbered cause, dated, October04, 2024 andtomedirected Idid seizeand will,be‐ginningat10:00 o'clock a.m. on May07, 2025, via an online auctionsiteat www.bid4assets.com/ EBRSOsheriffsales, offer forsaleatpublicauction thefollowing described mortgagedpropertybe‐longingto: MELANIE AMELIA LIVIOUS A/K/A MELANIEA.LIVIOUS A/K/AMELANIE LIVIOUS One(1) certainpiece or portionofground,to‐gether with allthe build‐ings andimprovements thereon, andall of the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,appurte‐nances andadvantages thereuntobelonging or in anywiseappertaining situated in theParishof East BatonRouge,State of Louisiana, in that sub‐division knownasHoli‐dayHills,and designated on theofficial plan thereof, on file andof record in theoffice of the clerkand recorder of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Stateof Louisiana, as lotnumber

seven(7),saidsubdivi‐sion,saidlot having such measurements anddi‐mensions andbeing sub‐ject to such servitudes as aremoreparticularly describedonsaidsubdi‐vision map.

TERMSOFSALE: Cash to thehighest bid‐der, at Public Auction WITH Appraisement and accordingtolaw SidJ.Gautreaux,Sheriff East BatonRouge Parish

ADVERTISED DATE April04, 2025 May05, 2025 $229.60

SHERIFF'SSALE Suit No:(17) 753827 CV3ALPHA RE,LLC SOLELY IN ITSCAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE FORCV3 ALPHATRUST vs JBJREALTY, LLC

2024 andtomedirected Idid seizeand will,be‐ginningat10:00 o'clock a.m. on May07, 2025, via an online auctionsiteat www.bid4assets.com/ EBRSOsheriffsales, offer forsaleatpublicauction thefollowing described mortgagedpropertybe‐longingto: JBJREALTY, LLC One(1) certainlot or par‐celofground,together with allbuildings andim‐provements thereon, sit‐uatedinthe Parish of EAST BATON ROUGE, StateofLouisiana,inthat subdivisionthereof knownasSARASOTA PLACEand beingdesig‐natedonthe official sub‐division map, AS RE‐VISED, on file in theoffice of theClerk andRecorder forsaidparishand state, as LOTTWENTY(20),said subdivision. Said lot measuring70.00 feet frontonSarasotaDrive by adepth between equaland parallel lines of 150.00 feet,and being subjecttothose servi‐tudesand dedicationsas more fullyshown on said map, including2'servi‐tude across therearim‐mediatelyadjacentto the7.5'servitude for overhang andclearing rights (the "Property")

TERMSOFSALE: Cash to thehighest bid‐der, at Public Auction WITHOUTAppraisement andaccording to law. SidJ.Gautreaux,Sheriff East BatonRouge Parish ADVERTISED DATE April04, 2025 May05, 2025 $229.60

forsaleatpublicauction thefollowing described mortgagedpropertybe‐longingto: VALENCIA L. PATTERSON ONE(1) CERTAINLOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND,to‐gether with allthe build‐ings andimprovements thereon, situated in that subdivisionofthe Parish of

Therewerenoitemstoconsider at this time.

13. CONSIDER STATUS REPORT, CHANGEORDER AND/OR OTHER MATTERS AS REQUIRED ON CURRENT PROJECTS

A. Accept/Reject Change Order No. 1for the Arena Well No. 2 Project Mr.Adrian Genre, Director of Utilities, was recognized and explained the ChangeOrder being presented and noted that line item #9 for the generator wouldberemoved from this contract for atotal of -$553,696.00 which brings the Contract Price to $3,029,792.00.

1.

2.

3.

4. LOG ATTENDANCE

The following members wererecorded as being present: Messrs. Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Kenneth Gordon, CareyDenstel, Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph.

Absent: Mr.Brady Hotard, Mrs. Katherine Andre. Also, present wereMr. Jason Manola, Parish President, Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne, Executive Assistant, Mr.Chance Stephens, Director of Finance, Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne, Director of Public Works and Mrs. Michelle Tullier,Council Clerk

5. MINUTES APPROVAL

A. Approval of Minutes from the Regular Meeting of March 27, 2025 Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Alan Crowe to approve the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of March 27, 2025.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS:7 (Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph) NAYS:0 (None)

ABSENT:2(Brady Hotard,Katherine Andre) ABSTAIN:0 (None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

6. CONSIDER ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr.Anthony Summers was recognized and expressed his concerns about the way that Volunteer Firefightersare currently being treated. Mr.Summers brought up training, uniforms, and communication as someofhis concerns. Multiple Council Members had questions for Mr.Summers, and at the end of the discussion Mr.Summers was instructed to attend the upcoming Fire BoardMeeting to express his concerns when the FireChief is in attendance

8. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT Parish President Jason Manola was recognized and covered the following items: Updated everyone on the recent Drainage and Library millage renewals that failed, noting that these itemswill be back on the ballot for the November 15th Election.

9. COMMUNICATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND/OR ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne, was recognized and brieflyreviewed the report for recent drainage work in the Parish.

10. NEW BUSINESS

A. Consider Approving The Following Item As Scrap: Tag#3069 2013 ChevyVan Vin#1GAZGZFG5D1178121

Mr.Chance Stephens was recognized and asked the Councilto designate the aforementioned item as scrap.

Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin to approve The Following Item As Scrap:Tag#3069 2013 Chevy VanVin#1GAZGZFG5D1178121.

The vote was recordedasfollows:

YEAS:7 (Kirk Allain, Daryl Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None)

ABSENT:2(Brady Hotard, Katherine Andre) ABSTAIN:0 (None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

B. Consider Appointment to fill open seat of Constable for Ward 2. Chairman Denstel opened the floor asking for any nominations for appointment to fill the current open seat of Constable for Ward

2. Councilmember Kirk Allain nominated Mr.Michael Dupuy for appointment to the aforementioned seat. No other nominations werereceived at this time.

Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin to approve the appointment of

Mr.Michael Dupuy to fill the open seat of Constable for Ward 2.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS:7 (Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:2(Brady Hotard, Katherine Andre) ABSTAIN:0 (None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

C. Proclamation Calling for Special ElectiontoFill Seat of Constable Ward 2, Parish of West Baton Rouge

Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Kenneth Gordon to approve the Proclamation Calling for aSpecial Election to Fill the Seat of Constable Ward 2, Parish of West Baton Rouge.

The vote was recordedasfollows: YEAS:7 (Kirk Allain, Daryl Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. 11.

ABSENT:2(Brady Hotard, Katherine Andre) ABSTAIN:0 (None)

Amotionwas made by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin, seconded by CouncilMember Kirk Allain to approve with amendment/s ChangeOrder No.1for the Arena Well No.2 Project fora Contract total of $3,029,792.00.

The votewas recorded as follows: YEAS: 7(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,Alan Crowe, GaryJoseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 2(Brady Hotard, Katherine Andre) ABSTAIN:0 (None)

As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed.

14. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES

Mrs.Tullier,CouncilClerk read by title the below proposed ordinance/s being introduced and publicized by title, and considered for adoption following apublic hearing as specified below,at5:30 pm in the CouncilChambers, located at 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen, La.:

A. An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances, PartIII (“Unified Development Code”), Appendix A. “Purchase/Donation Of Real Property”,Section1 “Descriptions”, And Further Authorizing The Parish President To Sign The Necessary Documentation To Accept Donation of Four (4) Acres at the corner of LA Hwy.190 West and Rougon Road, PortAllen, LA and Accept Donation of 0.712 AcreWater Well Site

Located on Section Road near its intersection with Poydras Bayou Road. Public Hearing Date: April 24, 2025

B. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map, And Section 111-78 (Special, Conditional Use Requirements And Procedures) Regarding Property Located at 12450 Section Road, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-09: Described by the WBRAssessor as: LOT 3CONT66.0 AC SEC 13 T6S R10E 6A-55. Rezoning from AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) to AG-1 (Agricultural SmallScale) with aSpecial Use Permit for Utilities, Minor Services. Public Hearing Date:May 8, 2025 C. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of West Baton Rouge Parish. Regarding Property located at 3605 Rougon Road, PortAllen, La 70767. File #2025-10: Described by the WBRAssessor as: 3065.546 AC DESIGAS: 619.60 AC IN SEC 4T7S R11E 617.80 AC IN SEC 5 T7S R11E 145.66 AC IN SEC 6T7S R11E 160.00 AC IN SEC 8 T7S R11E 247.00 AC IN SEC 9T7S R11E 634.886 AC IN SEC 29 T6SR11E 640.600 AC IN SEC 32 T6S R11E 15-2 C. Rezoning From AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) and C-1.3(Regional Scaled Commercial)toPF(Public Facilities). Public Hearing Date: May8, 2025

D. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapRezoning Request of Carolyn BlanchardETALS C/O Teri B. Bergeron. Regarding Property located at 1906, 1916, 1926, 1936, 1946, 1950, 2018, 2028, 2038, 2048, 2110, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2150, 2180, 2244, Plantation Ave. Port Allen, La 70767. File #202511: Described by the WBRAssessor as: TRACT A-2 CONT 1.81 AC 43B-34 ,TRACT A-3CONT1.06 AC 43B-35, SD CLINE BLANCHARD PROP: LOT 343B-18, LOT 443B-19, LOT 643B21,LOT 743B-22, LOT 843B-23, LOT 943B-24, LOT 10 43B-25, LOT1143B-26, LOT 12 43B-27, LOT 13 43B-28, LOT 14 43B29, LOT 15 43B-30, LOT 16 43B-31, LOT 17 43B-32. Master Plan Change. Rezoning fromR-SF-3 and C-1.3toR-SF-2 with waivers Public Hearing Date: May 8, 2025 E. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of TMIEnterprises, LLC. Regarding Parcel #045100004401 Lot#JA-1A-2B Safe Energy Dr.Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-06: Described by the WBRAssessor as TRACTS JA-1A-2B CONT 5.00 AC IN SEC 50 T7S R12E P/O POPLAR GROVE PLTN 51-44A. Rezoning from I-2 (Industrial Moderate Scale) to I-3 (Industrial Large Scale). PublicHearing Date:May 08, 2025

15. CONSIDER SUBDIVISION PLATS, CONDEMNATIONS, WAIVERS AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO Therewerenoitemstoconsider at this time.

16. ALCOHOL PERMITS

A. PortAllen Ventures LLC. dba Silvers Travel Plaza located at 6742 Hwy 190 West Port Allen, La 70767, Class BLicense, change of ownership. Mrs.Tullier was recognizedand explained this was achange of ownership only,and the current applicant has met all the qualifications of West Baton Rouge Parish foranAlcohol License.

Amotionwas made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by CouncilMember Kenneth Gordon to approve Port Allen Ventures LLC. dba Silvers Travel Plaza located at 6742 Hwy 190 West Port Allen, La 70767, Class BLicense, change of ownership.

The votewas recorded as follows: YEAS: 7(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,AlanCrowe, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 2(Brady Hotard, Katherine Andre) ABSTAIN:0 (None)

As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed.

B. PortAllen Ventures LLC. dba Silvers Casino located at 6742 Hwy 190 West Port Allen, La 70767, Class ALicense, change of ownership. Mrs.Tullier was recognizedand explained this was achange of ownershiponly,and the current applicant has met all of the qualifications of West Baton Rouge Parish foranAlcohol License.

Amotionwas made by Council Member KennethGordon, seconded by Council Member Gary Joseph to approve Port Allen Ventures LLC. dba Silvers Casino located at 6742 Hwy 190 West Port Allen, La 70767, Class ALicense, change of ownership.

The votewas recorded as follows: YEAS: 7(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 2(Brady Hotard, Katherine Andre) ABSTAIN:0 (None)

As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed.

offer

17. CORRESPONDENCE REPORT CorrespondenceReportfromCouncil Clerk, Mrs. Michelle Tullier includedthe following items: •Council to sign

elections set forth in R.S.18:402; NOW,THEREFORE, the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, in regular session calledfor this purpose on April 10, 2025, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution andthe laws of the State of Louisiana,dohereby orderand direct as follows:

SECTION 1: Aspecial primary andaspecial general election shall be held throughout the jurisdiction of West Baton Rouge Parish Constable, Ward 2, for the purpose of electing a Constable for Ward 2to fill the vacancy in the office.

SECTION 2: Any qualified person desiring to become acandidate shall file anoticeofcandidacy,accompaniedbya qualifying feeora nominating petition, as required or authorized by law, with the appropriate election official in the mannerand formand underthe proceduresand conditions provided by R.S. 18:461, et seq., andall other applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code,R.S. 18:1, et seq., during the period commencing Wednesday, July 9, 2025 andending at 4:30pm Friday, July 11, 2025.

SECTION 3: The special election shall be held andconductedunderthe applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code,R.S. 18:1, et seq.

SECTION 4: The primary election shall be held Saturday,October11, 2025 andthe general election shall be held Saturday, November15, 2025, at the timesand places andinthe mannerprescribed by law.

SECTION 5: The Secretary of State,CommissionerofElections, Parish BoardofSupervisors, Clerk of Court, Registrar of Voters, andall otherpersons charge with anypower, function, right, duty or responsibility in conducting elections in the jurisdiction of the West Baton Rouge Parish,Constable Ward 2, areherebyauthorized, requested, directed andempowered to exercise every lawful function andtodo every act necessary to conductthe special election, to cause the returns to be made, to canvass andpromulgate the results, andtoperform allrelated andincidental functions.

The Foregoing Proclamation Has Been Read And Considered, Upon Motion By Council Member Kirk Allain, Which WasSeconded By Council Member KennethGordon, And AVote Being Taken, The Following Result WasHad:

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS:7 (Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, GaryJoseph) NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:2(Brady Hotard, Katherine Andre) As aresult of the votes,the motion Passed.

As aresult of the votes said proclamation was adopted by those members present.

In Witness Whereof, Ihave hereunto setmyhand officially and caused to be affixedthe Great Seal of the ParishofWestBaton Rouge, in the City of Port Allen, Louisiana, on this 10thday of April, 2025.