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LEGENDARY ROCKER OZZY OSBOURNE DIES AT 76 3A
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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 23, 2025
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Judge rules Horton suit will stay in state court
‘I hope I made you proud out there’
Homebuilder had sought to move dispute over mold, water intrusion to arbitration BY MATT BRUCE
Staff writer
A lawsuit that alleges one of the nation’s largest homebuilders erected single-family residences with mold and water intrusion issues across south Louisiana will remain in state court for now, a Baton Rouge judge has ruled. Donald Johnson, the 19th Judicial District Court’s chief judge, meted out the judgment in a 22-page order released late Tuesday afternoon. He determined the sales “The Dixons contract that West and Alicia Dixon signed to buy always knew their Youngsville home in that if given 2014 “is not legally binding the opportunity or enforceable.” to present the The ruling means the Dixevidence in a ons’ lawsuit won’t be relegated to arbitration, where fair forum, the plaintiff attorneys said evifacts would dentiary rules of disclosure carry the day.” are more restrictive and the expense to litigate could cost LANCE UNGLESBy, the Dixons tens of thousands attorney for the of dollars. Instead of arbitraplaintiffs tion, the case will remain in district court, where it could proceed to trial for a jury to decide whether D.R. Horton should pay the couple damages. That remains a long way off. Johnson’s decision is almost certain to be challenged in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal, and possibly the Louisiana Supreme Court. Attorneys and spokespersons for D.R. Horton were not immediately available for comment Tuesday evening after the ruling came in.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE
Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu celebrates after an interception last season against the Eagles.
Saints and LSU star Tyrann Mathieu retiring
BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer
There aren’t many football players who have meant more to Louisiana than Tyrann Mathieu. A native of New Orleans, born in the 7th Ward, Mathieu was an outright star at St. Augustine. He was a sensation at LSU, where he earned “Honey Badger” as a nickname. And he thrived
ä Rod Walker: Tyrann Mathieu played football for more than himself. PAGE 1C
ment Tuesday on a day when he was supposed to report for training camp. Instead, the 33-year-old decided to hang up his cleats after 12 seasons — stepping away from a in the NFL, winning accolade after decorated career that saw Mathieu accolade on his way to eventually earn three All-Pros, three Pro Bowls playing for his hometown team. and win one Super Bowl. Now, he’s calling it a career. The decision took the Saints The New Orleans Saints safety ä See MATHIEU, page 7A unexpectedly announced his retire-
Coffee Call founder Cannatella dies at 91 BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer
Vincent Cannatella always reminded his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that everyone has worth. “He always told us that everyone is the same,” said his daughter, Debbie Cannatella. “He strove to respect everyone. He felt like all humans should be loved, valued and honored. He taught me about the fallibility of humanity and that none of us are any better than the other.” It didn’t matter if patrons had been formerly incarcerated or were future presidents of the United States, if they Cannatella walked through the doors of Coffee Call, they would be treated like family. Cannatella stuck by his philosophy until his death on Tuesday at 91. The coffee shop owner was at home
ä See CANNATELLA, page 6A
WEATHER HIGH 97 LOW 78 PAGE 8B
ä See JUDGE, page 8A
Epstein issue prompts early break for House Speaker trying to avoid vote on releasing files BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
WASHINGTON — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson sent U.S. representatives home a day early as a debate over whether to release records ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE from the federal investigaSpeaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Benton, tion into convicted sex predajoined by Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, tor Jeffrey Epstein continues blames Democrats, former President Joe Biden, and to roil Congress. For more than a week, DemRepublican lawmaker Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, ocrats and a handful of Refor the Jeffrey Epstein situation during a news publicans in Congress have conference on Tuesday. repeatedly pressed for a vote
Business ...................11A Commentary ................7B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................7D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................6B Comics-Puzzles .....4D-6D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
to demand the release of the Epstein files. Those demands have haunted proceedings in both chambers of Congress. House leadership had hoped to vote on an immigration measure and a bill on environmental regulation this week. But that can’t happen without the House Rules Committee first clearing the legislation, and that panel has bogged down as Democrats repeatedly try to force a vote on releasing the files. Johnson, a Republican from the Shreveport area, made clear the House would not vote on resolutions involving the Epstein files until the
ä See HOUSE, page 8A
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