The Advocate 08-02-2025

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Trump fires official over bad jobs report

Economists say tariffs have triggered slowdown

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Friday removed the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures after a report showed hiring slowed in July and was much weaker in May and June than previously reported.

Trump, in a post on his social media platform, alleged that the figures were manipulated for political reasons and said that Erika

McEntarfer the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, should be fired. He provided no evidence for the charge.

“I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump said on Truth Social. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.”

Trump later posted: “In my opinion, today’s Jobs Numbers were

RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.”

U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported Friday, short of the 115,000 expected.

Worse, revisions shaved a stunning 258,000 jobs off May and June payrolls. And the unemploy-

ment rate ticked higher to 4.2% as Americans dropped out of the labor force and the ranks of the unemployed rose by 221,000.

The charge that the data was faked is an explosive one that threatens to undercut the political legitimacy of the U.S. government’s economic data, which has long been seen as the “gold standard” of economic measurement globally Economists and Wall Street investors have long accepted the data as free from political bias.

Trump’s move to fire McEntarfer

SU launches radio station

Southern University Chancellor John Pierre beamed as he signed the Federal Communications Commission document marking the transition from WTQT to WSUB, the new call sign of the university’s very own radio station A banner emblazoned with the new station logo, a Southern jaguar wearing headphones, hung in the crowded office space on Government Street, along with posters for old NAACP marches and gos-

pel music flyers. Observers cheered when the transfer was final in the eyes of the FCC, at 12:34 p.m. Friday

“This is the kind of opportunity that can transform the lives of our students,” Pierre said. “This is all part of the transformation of Southern University to become the institution that is looking outward to the community.”

It was a blazing August day and celebratory moment for Southern and Baton Rouge community leaders who gathered to formally unveil the new station, which will offer programming 24 hours a day,

seven days a week and be operated by students from the largest historically Black college in Louisiana.

Students in the Department of Mass Communication will work at the station, called WSUB 106.1 LPFM “The Bluff.” It will replace the gospel station WTQT and offer a blend of genres, including hip-hop, R&B and pop as well as gospel.

Nicolette Gordon, operations manager for the new station, said students will have the opportunity to develop their

ä See RADIO, page

represented another extraordinary assertion of presidential power He has wielded the authority of the White House to try to control the world’s international trade system, media companies, America’s top universities and Congress’ constitutional power of the purse, among other institutions.

“Firing the Commissioner when the BLS revises jobs numbers down (as it routinely does) threatens to destroy trust in core American institutions, and all

See TRUMP, page 6A

Hurricane season has quiet start

Past two months least active in 16 years

The first two months of what is expected to be a busy 2025 hurricane season have already come and gone without much brewing in the Atlantic Ocean. But don’t let your guard down just yet.

“So we stay vigilant and don’t let the early whims of the hurricane season fool us.”

Miami-based meteorologist and hurricane specialist Michael Lowry wrote in his weather and climate newsletter this week that July 31 closed out the least active start to a hurricane season in 16 years, a quiet two months that feel even more unusual when compared with the theatrics of the last few summers.

MICHAEL LOWRy meteorologist and hurricane specialist

But Lowry and other hurricane forecasters are warning that the worst of the season is yet to come, and how a storm season starts is not an indicator of how it will end.

“So we stay vigilant,” Lowry said, “and don’t let the early whims of the hurricane season fool us.”

Data collected by Colorado State University shows that June and July 2025 saw more named storms than average during the last 30 years, though just barely: Three named storms had formed by Thursday

Angola lacks beds for violent offenders, Landry says

Executive order calls for shuttered facility to house prisoners

Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola doesn’t have enough beds to house violent offenders, Gov Jeff Landry said in an executive order declaring a state of emergency that will allow the prison to swiftly reopen a notorious part of the facility that was shuttered due to significant safety concerns. The order, which took effect July

25 and will last until Aug. 23 unless extended, allows the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to suspend procurement and public bidding rules to hasten repairs to Camp J, which was closed in 2018.

The order indicates the state will transfer violent offenders “who require the highest degree of security” to Angola, but that Angola currently lacks adequate bed space to accommodate them.

Camp J was once one of the most restrictive segments of Angola, used to discipline inmates who fought with weapons or otherwise committed serious offenses. It had four cell blocks that held more than 400 individual cells for soli-

tary confinement. In the first seven months of 2017, dozens of weapons were found at Camp J, Landry’s executive order says. Within a year about 85 corrections officers assigned to the complex resigned, retired or were fired “due to the complex challenges presented there.”

Locks for cells in Camp J malfunctioned, allowing inmates to jam cell doors and circumvent security checks, the order says.

“Camp J and the surrounding infrastructure requires facility improvements to adequately hold any violent offenders and to protect

ä See ANGOLA, page 6A

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola because of
of beds to house violent offenders.
‘The Bluff’ will be operated by students and offer a mix of programming
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Southern University administrators, WSUB staff and members of the media gather around the new sign in front of the building during the grand opening event at the WSUB radio station on Government Street on Wednesday.
7A

Epstein’s ex-girlfriend moved to prison camp

WASHINGTON Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been moved from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas as her criminal case generates renewed public attention.

The federal Bureau of Prisons said Friday that Maxwell had been transferred to Bryan, Texas, but did not explain the circumstances Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, also confirmed the move but declined to discuss the reasons for it

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the disgraced financier, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She had been held at a low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida, until her transfer to Texas.

Prosecutors have said Epstein’s sex crimes could not have been done without Maxwell, but her lawyers have maintained that she was wrongly prosecuted and denied a fair trial.

Maxwell’s case has been the subject of heightened public focus since an outcry over the Justice Department’s statement last month saying that it would not be releasing any additional documents from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation

Maxwell was interviewed at a Florida courthouse over two days last week by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Uribe is sentenced to 12 years house arrest

BOGOTA, Colombia Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was sentenced Friday to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and bribery in a historic case that gripped the South American nation and tarnished the conservative strongman’s legacy

The sentence, which Uribe said will be appealed, followed a nearly six-month trial in which prosecutors presented evidence that he attempted to influence witnesses who accused the lawand-order leader of having links to a paramilitary group in the 1990s.

“Politics prevailed over the law in sentencing,” Uribe said after Friday’s hearing.

Uribe, 73, has denied any wrongdoing. He faced up to 12 years in prison after being convicted Monday

The former president governed from 2002 to 2010 with strong support from the United States. He is a polarizing figure in Colombia, where many credit him for saving the country from becoming a failed state, while others associate him with human rights violations and the rise of paramilitary groups in the 1990s.

Heredia on Monday said she had seen enough evidence to determine that Uribe conspired with a lawyer to coax three former paramilitary group members, who were in prison, into changing testimony they had provided to Ivan Cepeda, a leftist senator who had launched an investigation into Uribe’s alleged ties to a paramilitary group.

Uribe in 2012 filed a libel suit against Cepeda in the Supreme Court. But in a twist, the high court in 2018 dismissed the accusations against Cepeda and began investigating Uribe. Hot dog spill becomes drivers’ wurst nightmare

SHREWSBURY,Pa. A truckload of hot dogs spilled across a Pennsylvania interstate Friday after a crash that briefly clogged the heavily traveled artery in both directions.

“Once those leave the truck and hit the road, that’s all garbage, and it’s still pretty warm,” Shrewsbury Fire Company

Chief Brad Dauberman said State police said the tractor trailer had an unspecified mechanical problem on Interstate 83 a few miles north of the Maryland line as morning rush hour was wrapping up, causing it to push into a passenger vehicle. When the truck scraped along a concrete divider, its trailer was ripped open and the contents scattered.

A front-end loader was used to scoop up the hot dogs and drop them into a dump truck.

“I can tell you personally, hot dogs are very slippery,” Dauberman said. “I did not know that.”

Some fast-track deportations blocked

Immigrants entered via process called humanitarian parole

WASHINGTON A federal judge agreed on Friday to temporarily block the Trump administration’s efforts to expand fast-track deportations of immigrants who legally entered the U.S. under a process known as humanitarian parole a ruling that could benefit hundreds of thousands of people.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., ruled that the Department of Homeland Security exceeded its statutory authority in its effort to expand “expedited removal” for many immigrants.

The judge said those immigrants are facing perils that outweigh any harm from “pressing pause” on the administration’s plans.

The case “presents a question

of fair play” for people fleeing oppression and violence in their home countries, Cobb said in her 84-page order “In a world of bad options, they played by the rules,” she wrote. “Now the Government has not only closed off those pathways for new arrivals but changed the game for parolees already here, restricting their ability to seek immigration relief and subjecting them to summary removal despite statutory law prohibiting the Executive Branch from doing so.” Fast-track deportations allow immigration officers to remove somebody from the U.S. without seeing a judge first. In immigration cases, parole allows somebody applying for admission to the U.S. to enter the country without being held in detention.

Immigrants’ advocacy groups sued Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to challenge three recent DHS agency actions that expanded expedited removal. A surge of arrests at immigration courts highlights the lawsuit’s high stakes.

The judge’s ruling applies to any noncitizen who has entered the U.S. through the parole process at a port of entry She suspended the challenged DHS actions until the case’s conclusion.

Cobb said the case’s “underlying question” is whether people who escaped oppression will have the chance to “plead their case within a system of rules.”

“Or alternatively will they be summarily removed from a country that — as they are swept up at checkpoints and outside courtrooms, often by plainclothes officers without explanation or charges — may look to them more and more like the countries from which they tried to escape?” she added.

A plaintiffs’ attorney, Justice Action Center legal director Esther Sung, described the ruling as a “huge win” for hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their families Sung said many people are afraid to attend routine immigration hearings out of fear of getting arrested.

“Hopefully this decision will al-

Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization

Friday in the Gaza Strip.

Envoy visits Gaza aid site

Efforts to deliver food have been marred by violence and controversy

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — U.S. President

Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy on Friday visited a food distribution site in the Gaza Strip operated by an Israeli-backed American contractor whose efforts to deliver food to the hunger-stricken territory have been marred by violence and controversy

International experts warned this week that a “worst-case scenario of famine” is playing out in Gaza. Israel’s nearly 22-month military offensive against Hamas has shattered security in the territory of some 2 million Palestinians and made it nearly impossible to safely deliver food to starving people.

Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee toured a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution site in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, which has been almost completely destroyed and is now a largely depopulated Israeli military zone.

Hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while heading to such aid sites since May, according to witnesses, health officials and the United Nations human rights office. Israel and GHF say they have only fired warning shots and that the toll has been exaggerated.

In a report issued on Friday, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said GHF was at the heart of a “flawed, militarized aid distribution system that has turned aid distributions into regular bloodbaths.”

Witkoff posted on X that he had spent over five hours inside Gaza in order to gain “a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.”

He did not request any meetings with U.N. officials in Gaza during his visit, U.N deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.

Chapin Fay, a spokesperson for GHF, said the visit reflected Trump’s understanding of the stakes and that “feeding civilians, not Hamas, must be the priority.” The aid group says it has delivered over 100 million meals since it began operations in May

All four of the group’s sites established in May are in zones controlled by the Israeli military and have become flashpoints of desperation, with starving

people scrambling for scarce aid.

More than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli fire since May while seeking aid in the territory, most near the GHF sites but also near United Nations aid convoys, the U.N. human rights office said last month.

The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots at people who approach its forces, and GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding.

Officials at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza said Friday they received the bodies of 13 people who were killed while trying to get aid, including near the site that U.S officials visited. GHF denied anyone was killed at their sites on Friday

The Israeli military said its forces had fired warning shots hundreds of yards away from the aid site at people it described as suspects and said had ignored orders to distance themselves from its forces. It said it was not aware of any casualties but was still investigating.

Another 23 people were killed and dozens wounded near the Israeli-run Zikim Crossing, the main entry point for aid to northern Gaza, according to Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the director of Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies. He said the vast majority of injuries were from gunfire.

The Israeli military said it struck several armed militants in northern Gaza but that the strike “was not conducted near the passage of the humanitarian aid trucks and no damage was caused to them.”

The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said 11 people were killed at another aid distribution point in Gaza City There was no immediate comment from the military on those deaths.

Human Rights Watch said in its report that “it would be near impossible for Palestinians to follow the instructions issued by GHF stay safe, and receive aid, particularly in the context of ongoing military operations.” It cited doctors, aid seekers and at least one GHF security contractor

Building on previous accounts, it described how thousands of Palestinians gather near the sites at night before they open. As they head to the sites on foot, Israeli forces control their movements by opening fire toward them. Once inside the sites, they race for aid in a frenzied free-for-all, with weaker and more vulnerable people coming away with nothing, HRW said.

Responding to the report, Israel’s military accused Hamas of sabotaging the aid distribution system, without providing evidence. GHF did not immediately respond to questions about the report

leviate that fear,” Sung said.

Since May, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have positioned themselves in hallways to arrest people after judges accept government requests to dismiss deportation cases After being arrested, the government renews deportation proceedings but under fast-track authority President Donald Trump sharply expanded fast-track authority in January, allowing immigration officers to deport someone without first seeing a judge. Although fast-track deportations can be put on hold by filing an asylum claim, people may be unaware of that right and, even if they are, can be swiftly removed if they fail an initial screening.

“Expedited removal” was created under a 1996 law and has been used widely for people stopped at the border since 2004. Trump attempted to expand those powers nationwide to anyone in the country less than two years in 2019 but was held up in court. His latest efforts amount to a second try

Manhunt launched after 4 killed in bar shooting in Montana

A shooting at a Montana bar left four people dead Friday, prompting a lockdown in a neighborhood several miles away as authorities searched for the suspect in a wooded area.

The shooting happened at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the investigation. The agency confirmed four people were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, who was identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, lived next door to the bar according to public records. Authorities said his home was cleared by a SWAT team and that he was last seen in the Stump Town area, which is just west of Anaconda.

More than a dozen officers from local and state police converged on that area, locking it down so no one was allowed in or out. A helicopter also hovered

over a nearby mountainside as officers moved among the trees, said Randy Clark, a retired police officer who lives there. Brown was believed to be armed, the Montana Highway Patrol said in a statement.

At Caterpillars to Butterflies Childcare, a nursery a few blocks from the shooting scene, owner Sage Huot said she’d kept the children inside all day after someone called to let her know about the violence.

“We’re constantly doing practice drills, fire drills and active shooter drills, so we locked down the facility, locked the doors, and we have a quiet spot where we play activities away from all of our windows and doors,” Huot said. Anaconda is about 75 miles southeast of Missoula in a valley hemmed in by mountains. A town of about 9,000 people, it was founded by copper barons who profited off nearby mines in the late 1800s.

PHOTO PROVIDED By U.S EMBASSy IN JERUSALEM
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, center, visits a food distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian
approved by Israel,

5childrenamong 31 killed in strike on Kyiv

KYIV,Ukraine The Ukrainian capital Kyiv observed an official day of mourning Friday,aday after aRussian drone and missile attack on the city killed31people, including five children, and injured more than 150, officials said.

The youngest victim in Thursday’sstrikes was2 years old, and 16 of the injured were children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

It was the highest number of children killed and injured in asingle attackon Kyiv since aerial attacks on the city began in October 2022, according to official casualty figures reported by The Associated Press. It was also the deadliest attack on thecitysinceJulylastyear, when 33 were killed.

The death toll rose overnight as emergency crews continued to dig through rubble. The Russian barrage demolishedalarge part of a nine-story residentialbuilding in the city,while more than 100 other buildings were damaged, including homes, schools,kindergartens, medical facilities and universities, officials said. Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent months, ignoring calls from Western leaders including U.S. President Donald Trumptostop striking civilianareas aftermore thanthree years of war.The Russian tactic aims to spread terrorand weardown public appetite forthe war.

Russian forces arealso pressing on withtheir grinding war of attrition along the front line, where incremental gains over thepast year have come at thecost of thousands of soldiers on both sides.

Appeal formoresanctions

Zelenskyy saidthatin July,Russia launchedover 5,100 glide bombs,more

than 3,800 Shahed drones, and nearly 260 missiles of varioustypes, 128 of them ballistic, against Ukraine.

He repeated his appeal for countries to impose heavier economic sanctions on Russia to deter the Kremlin, as U.S.-ledpeace efforts have failed to gain traction.

“No matterhow muchthe Kremlin denies (sanctions’)

effectiveness, they are working and must be stronger,” Zelenskyy said.

Putinsaid Friday the conditions that Moscow set out last year fora long-term ceasefire agreement still stand. Putinhas previously made it clear that he will only accept asettlement on his termsand will keep fighting until they’re met

“Any disappointments arise from excessive expectations,” Putin said of negotiations. He did not mention Trumpbyname.

Putin said that he regards recent direct talks in Istanbul between delegations from Russia and Ukraine as valuable,eventhoughthey made no progress beyond exchanges of prisoners of war, and madenoreference to next week’sdeadline imposed by Trump.

In what Ukrainians may see as an ominous note, Putin said that Russia has started production of its newest hypersonic missiles. The Oreshnik’smultiplewarheads that plunge to atarget at speeds up to Mach 10 and cannot be stopped by air defenses, he said.

Ukraine called for an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting to be convened Fri-

day, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybihasaid, in an effortto push Putin into accepting “a full, immediate andunconditional ceasefire.”

Keycityfaces pressure

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are under heavy pressure in thestrategic hilltopcity of Chasiv Yar, in the eastern Donetsk region where Russia is making a concerted push to break through defenses after some 18 months of fighting.

Zelenskyy said that Russian claimsofcapturing Chasiv YaronThursday were “disinformation.”

“Ukrainian units are holding ourpositions,”Zelenskyy said in hisdaily videoaddress on Thursday evening. Even so, the Institute for theStudy of Warsaidthat Ukraine’shold on the key city is weakening.

“Russian forces will likely complete the seizure of Chasiv Yarinthe coming days, which will open several possible avenuesfor Russian forces to attack Ukraine’s fortress belt —a seriesof fortified cities that form the backbone of Ukraine’s defensive positions” in the Donetsk region, theWashington-based think tank said.

U.S. nuclearsubsrepositionedafter Russianofficial’sremarks

WASHINGTON In awarningto

Russia,President DonaldTrump said Friday he’sordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines “based on thehighly provocative statements” of the country’sformer president, Dmitry Medvedev,who has raised the prospect of war online.

Trump posted on his social media site that, based on the “highly provocative statements” fromMedvedev,hehad “ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriateregions,justincase these foolish and inflammatory

statements are more than just that.”

Thepresidentadded, “Words areveryimportant, and can often lead to unintended consequences, Ihope this will not be one of those instances.”

It wasn’tclear what impact Trump’sorder would have on U.S. nuclearsubs,which areroutinely on patrol in the world’shotspots, but it comes at adelicate moment in the Trump administration’srelations with Moscow.

Trump has saidthatspecial envoy SteveWitkoff is heading to Russia to push Moscow to agree to aceasefire in its war with Ukraine and has threatened new economic sanctions if progress is not made.

He cuthis 50-daydeadline foraction to 10 days, with that window set to expire next week.

Thepost aboutthe sub repositioning came after Trump, in the wee hours of Thursday morning, had posted that Medvedev was a “failedformer President of Russia” and warned himto“watch his words.” Medvedev responded hourslater by writing, “Russiais right on everything andwill continue to go itsown way.”

And thatback-and-forth followed earlier this week, whenMedvedev wrote, “Trump’s playingthe ultimatumgame with Russia: 50 days or 10” and added, “He should remember 2things: 1. Russia isn’tIsraelor

even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is athreat anda step towards war Not between Russia andUkraine but with his own country.”

Askedashewas leaving the White House on Friday evening foraweekend at his estate in New Jersey,aboutwhere he was repositioning thesubs,Trump didn’t offer any specifics.

“Wehad to do that. We just have to be careful,” the president said. “A threat wasmade, and we didn’t thinkitwas appropriate, so Ihave to be very careful.”

Trumpalso said, “I do that on the basis of safety forour people” and “we’re gonna protect our people” and later added of Medvedev,“He

was talking about nuclear.”

“When you talk about nuclear,we have to be prepared,” Trumpsaid. “And we’re totally prepared.” Medvedev was Russia’spresident from 2008 to 2012, while Putin was barred from seeking asecond consecutive term, but stepped aside to let him run again. Now deputy chairman of Russia’sNational Security Council, which Putin chairs, Medvedev has frequently wielded nuclear threats and lobbed insults at Western leaders on social media. Someobservers have argued that Medvedev is seeking to score political points withPutin andRussian military hawks.

ALEXANDRIA,Va.— Federal judge T.S. Ellis III, whoselegal scholarship andcommanding courtroom presence wasevident in numerous high-profile trials, died Wednesday after along illness. He was 85

Ellis oversaw the trials of former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and former U.S.Rep. William “DollarBill” Jefferson as well as the pleadeal of “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh across ajudicial career that lasted more than 35 years. Ellis died at his home in Keswick, according to the Cremation SocietyofVirginia Thomas Selby Ellis III was born inColombia in 1940. He joined the Navyafter receiving an undergraduate degreefrom Princeton, and completed graduate studies at Oxford. He received his law degreefrom Harvard, graduating magna cumlaude. He was appointed to the federal benchby President Ronald Reagan in 1987. His penchant for speaking freely drew raised eyebrows at the prosecution of Manafort, on charges of tax and bank fraud

related to hisworkadvising pro-Russia Ukrainian politicians beforemanaging Trump’scampaign.

Ellis delivered a47-month sentence, and said as an aside that Manafort appearedto have lived “an otherwise blameless life,” a phrase he often usedatcriminalsentencings. Critics who found much to blamein Manafort’s long career working forclients including the tobacco industry and international despots wereoutraged by thecomment.

In 2009, EllissentencedJefferson, aformer Louisiana congressman, to 13 years in prison for taking bribes, including $90,000 foundhidden in his freezer.The case threw multiple curveballs at Ellis, including asexual relationship between akey witness and an investigating FBI agent.

In 2017,Ellis reduced Jefferson’ssentence to time served after aSupreme Court case changed the rules for what constitutes briberyofpublicofficials. He made clear,though, that he believedJefferson’sactionswere criminal,and called his conduct “venal.”

“Publiccorruption is acancer,” he said at the time of Jefferson’sresentencing. “It needs to be prosecuted and punished.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EFREMLUKATSKy
Rescuerslay toys and flowers on thesite of Russia’s Thursday night missile strikethat hita multistoryresidential house killing31civilians including five children in Kyiv,Ukraine, Friday.

Corporationfor Public Broadcasting to shut down

WASHINGTON— The Corpora-

tion for Public Broadcasting, acornerstone of American culture for generations, announcedFriday it would take steps toward its own closure after being defunded by Congress —marking the end of anearly six-decade era in which it fueled the production of renowned educational programming, cultural content and even emergency alerts.

Thedemise of thecorporation, known as CPB, is a direct result of President Donald Trump’stargeting of public media, which he has repeatedly said is spreading political and cultural views antitheticaltothose the United Statesshould be espousing.

The closure is expectedto have aprofound impact on the journalistic and cultural landscape —inparticular public radio and TV stations in small communities across the United States.

CPB helps fund both PBS and NPR, but most of its funding is distributed to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations around the country

May2

The corporation also has deepties to much of the nation’s most familiar programming, from NPR’s“All Things Considered” to, historically,“Sesame Street, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”and thedocumentaries of Ken Burns.

Thecorporation said its end, 58 yearsafter being signed into law by President LyndonB.Johnson, wouldcomeinan“orderly

wind-down.” In astatement, it said the decision came after thepassagethrough Congress of apackagethat clawed back itsfunding for the next twobudget years —about $1.1 billion. Then, theSenate Appropriations Committee reinforced that policy change Thursday by excluding funding for the corporation for the first time in morethan 50 years as part of abroader spending bill.

“Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, andpetitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult realityof closing our operations,” said Patricia Harrison,the corporation’spresident and CEO Democratic members of on theSenate AppropriationsCommitteemade a last-ditch effort this week to

save the CPB’sfunding.

As part of Thursday’scommitteedeliberations, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., authored but then withdrew an amendment to restore CPB funding forthe coming budgetyear. Shesaid shestill believedthere was apath forward “to fix this before there are devastating consequences for public radioand television stations across the country.”

But Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., sounded a less optimistic tone. “I understand your concerns, but we all know we litigated this twoweeksago,” she said. “Adopting thisamendment would have been contrary to what we have already voted on.”

CPB said it informed employees Friday that most staff positions will endwith the fiscal year on Sept. 30. It saida smalltransitionteam will stay in place until Januarytofinish anyremaining work —including, it said, “ensuring continuity for musicrightsand royalties that remainessential to the public media system.”

NPR stations use millions of dollars in federal money to paymusic licensingfees. Now,manywillhavetorenegotiate these deals. That

could impact, in particular outlets that build their programming around music discovery.NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher estimatedrecently,for example, that some 96% of all classical music broadcast in the United States is on public radio stations. Federal money for public radio andtelevision has traditionally been appropriated to the Corporation forPublic Broadcasting, whichdistributes it to NPRand PBS. Roughly 70% of themoney goes directly to the 330 PBS and 246 NPRstations across the country,although that’s onlyashorthand way to describe its potential impact. Trump, whohas called the CPB a“monstrosity,” has long said that public broadcasting displays an extreme liberal bias, helped create the momentum in recent months forananti-public broadcasting groundswell among hissupporters in Congress and around the country.Itispart of alarger initiative in whichhehas targeted institutions —particularly culturalones— that produce content or espouse attitudes that he considers “un-American.” TheCPB’s demise represents apolitical victory forthose efforts.

future and updated exhibit will in-

NEWYORK— The Smithsonian Institution has removed from an exhibit areference to President DonaldTrump’s twoimpeachments, adecision that comes as the White House exerts pressure to offer amore positive —and selective —view of American history.Aspokesperson said the exhibiteventually“will includeall impeachments.”

Alabel referring to impeachment hadbeenaddedin2021tothe National Museumfor American History’s exhibitonthe American presidency,ina section called “Limits of Presidential Power.” Smithsonianspokesperson Phillip Zimmerman said Fridaythatthe section, which includes materials on the impeachment of President Bill Clintonand theWatergate scandal that helped lead to President Richard Nixon’sresignation, needed to be overhauled. He said thedecision cameafter the museum was “reviewing our legacy contentrecently.”

“Because the other topics in this

sectionhad not been updatedsince 2008, the decision was made to restore the Impeachment case back to its 2008 appearance,” Zimmerman said in an email.

He said that in September 2021, the museum installed atemporary label on content concerning Trump’simpeachments. “Itwas intendedtobeashort-term measure to addresscurrent eventsat the time,” he said. But the label remained in place.

“A large permanent gallery like TheAmerican Presidencythat opened in 2000 requires asignificantamount of time and funding to updateand renew,” he said. “A

clude all impeachments.”

WhiteHouse spokesperson Davis Ingle said the Smithsonian has “highlighted divisive DEIexhibits whichare outoftouch withmainstream America” fortoo long.

“Weare fully supportive of updating displays to highlight American greatness,”hesaidina statement that did not address the missing reference to Trump’simpeachments.

Trump is only the president to have been impeached twice —in 2019, for pushing Ukraine President Volodymyr ZelenskyytoinvestigateJoe Biden, who would

defeat Trumpinthe 2020 election; andin2021 for “incitement of insurrection,” areference to the Jan. 6siege of theU.S.Capitol by Trump supporters attempting to halt congressional certification of Biden’svictory The Democratic majority in the House voted each timefor impeachment.The Republican-led Senate each timeacquitted Trump. In March, Trump issued an executive order entitled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” in which he allegedthatthe Smithsonianwas beholden to “a divisive,racecentered ideology.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KATIEOyAN
Oneofthe control roomsatthe Arizona PBS offices at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass CommunicationinPhoenix is seen

Texas accordionist FlacoJimenez,86,

He

HOUSTON Flaco Jimenez, the legendary accordionist from San Antonio who won multiple Grammys and helped expand the popularityofconjunto, Tejano and Tex-Mex music, died Thursday.Hewas 86.

Jimenez’s death was announced Thursday evening by his family on social media. He was surrounded by family members when he died in the San Antonio home of his son Arturo Jimenez. “Dad was in peace when he left. He started saying his goodbyes several days before. He said he was proud of himself for what he had doneand he just leaves memories forthe publicto enjoy.Hesaid he was ready to go,” Arturo Jimenez told The Associated Press in a

phone interview on Friday Arturo Jimenez said a cause of death has not yet beendetermined. Hisfather had been hospitalized in January after getting a blood clot in his leg. Doctors then discovered he had some vascular issues. Born Leonardo Jimenez in 1939, he was known to hisfans by hisnickname of Flaco, which means skinny in Spanish. He was the sonofconjunto pioneer Santiago Jimenez. Conjunto is amusical genre that originated in South Texasand blends different genres and cultural influences.

According to the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, thedevelopmentofconjunto “began more than acentury agowhenTexansofMexican heritage(Tejanos) took an interest in the accordion music of German, Polish, and Czech immigrants. The ensuing Tejanoaccordion music, accompaniedbythe bajo sexto (replacingthe European tuba)sooncametorepresent the Tejano way of life, which

was closelyassociated with working in the agricultural fields. The musicremains unchanged andservesasa symbol that bindsmany Tejanocommunities in South and Central Texas.”

Jimenez refined his conjuntomusical skills by playinginSan Antonio saloons anddance halls. He began performinginthe 1960s with fellowSan Antonio native Douglas Sahm, thefounding member of the Sir Doug-

las Quintet. Jimenez would later play with BobDylan, Dr.John, Ry Cooder and the RollingStones. Throughout his career

Jimenez added other influences into conjunto music, includingfromcountry,rock and jazz.

“He always wanted to try to incorporate accordion intoall sorts of different genres and how to makethe accordionblend in. Thatwas always afascination of his

and he was able to,” Arturo Jimenez said. In the1990s, Jimenez was part of the Tejano supergroup theTexas Tornados which includedSahm,Augie Meyers and Freddy Fender

The group won aGrammy in 1991 forthe song, “Soy de San Luis.”

Jimenezalsowon another Grammy in 1999 as part of another supergroup, Los Super Seven.

Jimenez earned five Grammys and wasawarded a Grammy Lifetime AchievementAward in 2015.

He was also inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame and NYCInternational Latin Music Hall of Fame and was named aTexas State Musician in 2014.

Arturo Jimenez said his father was ahumble man who neverwantedtobeashowman and wasfocused on playing music forhis fans.

“I’ve seenwhere fans come up to him and they literally cry and they thank my dadfor allthe good music and how dad’smusic has been therefor them in multiple situations, either hap-

piness or sadness,” Arturo Jimenez said. When Jimenez wasnamed a2022 NationalMedal of Arts recipient, the White House said he was being honored for “harnessing heritage to enrichAmerican music”and that by “blending Norteño, TexMex, and Tejano music with the Blues, Rock n’ Roll, and Pop Music, he sings the soul of America’sSouthwest.”

“Weappreciate thegift of your musical talent, which brought joy to countless fans. Your passing leaves a void in ourhearts,”the Texas ConjuntoMusic Hallof Fame and Museum said in a post on social media. Kyle Young, theCEO of the Country Music Hall of Fameand Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, said Jimenez “was aparagon of Tejano conjunto music” who “drew millions of listeners into arich musical world they might not have discovered on their own.” Jimenez lived all his lifein San Antonio, acity that was “very close to his heart,” his son said.

JeannieSeely,Grammy-winningsoulful countrysinger, dies

NEW YORK

Jeannie Seely, the soulful country music singer behind such standards like “Don’tTouch Me,” has died. She was 85. Her publicist, Don Murry Grubbs, said she died Friday after succumbing to complications from an intestinal infection.

Known as “Miss Country Soul” for her unique vocal style, Seely was atrailblazer forwomen in country music, celebrated for her spirited nonconformityand for astring of undeniable hitsin the ’60s and ’70s. Her second husband, Gene

Ward,died in December. In May,Seely revealed that she was in recovery after undergoing multiple back surgeries,two emergency procedures and spending11days in the ICU. “Rehab is pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter and last night, I saw alight at the end ofthe tunnel.And it was neon, so I knew it was mine!”she said in astatement at thetime. “The unsinkable Seely is workingher way back.” Seely was born in July

1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, about twohoursnorth of Pittsburgh and raised in nearby Townville. Her love of country music was instant;her mother sang, and her father played thebanjo. Whenshe was achild, she sang on local radio programs and performed on local television. In her early 20s, she moved to Los Angeles to kick-start acareer,taking a job at Liberty andImperial Records in Hollywood. She kept writing and recording. Nashville was next: She sang on PorterWagoner’sshow; she got adeal withMonument Records Her greatest hit would arrive soon afterward: “Don’t

TouchMe,” thecrossover balladwritten by Hank Cochran. The song earned Seelyher only Grammy Award,for best country & western vocal performance in the female category Cochran and Seely were married in 1969 anddivorced in 1979. Seely broke boundaries in her career —atatime when country music expected a kind of subserviencefrom its women performers, Seely was abit of arebel, known for wearing aminiskirt on the Grand Ole Opry stage when it was still taboo. And she hada number of country hitsinthe ’60s and ’70s,including three Top10

hits on what is nowknown as Billboard’shot country songs chart: “Don’t Touch Me,” 1967’s“I’ll Love You More (Than YouNeed)” and 1973’s“CanISleep In Your Arms?”, adapted from the folk song“CanI Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister?” In theyears since, Seely continuedtoreleasealbums, perform, andhost, regularly appearing on country music programming. Her songs are considered classics, and have been recorded by everyonefrom MerleHaggard, Ray Price and ConnieSmith to Ernest Tubb Grandpa Jones and Little Jimmy Dickens. AndSeelynever stopped

working in country music. Since2018, she’s hostedthe weekly “SundayswithSeely” on Willie Nelson’sWillie’s Roadhouse SiriusXM channel. That same year,she was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame. She appeared nearly 5,400 times at the Grand Ole Opry, which she has been amemberofsince1967. Grubbs said Saturday’sGrand Ole Opry show would be dedicated to Seely She released her latest song in July 2024, acover of DottieWest’s“Suffertime,” recorded at the world-renowned RCAStudioB.She performed it at the Opry the year before.

Seely
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MARK ZALESKI
Flaco Jimenez performs during the Americana Music Honors and AwardsshowSept. 17, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn.

government statistics,” Arin Dube, an economist at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, said on X. “I can’tstress how damaging this is.” After Trump’sinitial post,Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said on Xthat McEntarfer was no longer leading the bureau andthat William Wiatrowski,the deputy commissioner,would serve as the acting director

“I support the President’sdecision to replace Biden’s Commissioner and ensure the American People can trust the important and influential data coming from BLS,” Chavez-DeRemer said McEntarfer was nominated by Biden in 2023 and became the Commissioner of theBureau of Labor Statistics in January 2024. Commissioners typicallyserve four-year terms but since they are political appointees canbefired.

The commissioner is the only political appointee of the agency, which has hundreds of career civil servants.

The Senate confirmed McEntarfer to her post 86-8, with nowVice President JD Vanceamong the yea votes.

Previous months revised

Trump focused much of his ire on the revisions the agency made to previous hiring data. Job gains in Maywere reviseddown tojust 19,000 from apreviously revised 125,000, and for June they were cut to 14,000from 147,000. In July, only 73,000 positionswere added. The unemployment rate ticked up to astill-low 4.2% from 4.1%.

“Noone canbethatwrong?We need accurate Jobs Numbers,”

Trump wrote. “She will be replaced with someone much more competentand qualified. Importantnumbers like thismustbefair andaccurate, they can’tbemanipulated for political purposes.”

Trump questioned the bigrevisions, but they are astandard part of the monthly jobs report. The Labor Department revisesits numbers as moredatacomes in. Particularly since COVID-19, businesses have taken longer to respond to the government’s survey on hiring. As more data has come in later than in thepast, the potentialfor large revisions has increased.

The monthly jobs report has

ANGOLA

Continued from page1A

the lives of any employees contractors,ormembers of the public who may be within Camp Jatany time,” Landry’sorder says Thestate of emergency applies to Camp Jand its surrounding infrastructure within Angola, accordingto the order

Aspokesperson for Landry declined to comment on this story

The Department of Public Safety &Corrections did not answer questions Friday about its plans for CampJ, instead issuing astatement

“The reasons for the repairs needed at Camp Jare set forth in the Governor’s Executive Order,JML-25084,” the statement said

“The Department is working to develop atimeline for the necessary structural repairs pursuant to the Executive

long been closelyguarded within the BLS, with early copies held in safes under lock andkey to prevent any leaks orearly dissemination.

Slowdown‘is here’

Economists have been warning that the rift with every U.S. trading partner will begin to appear this summer,and the Friday jobs report appeared to sound thebell.

“We’re finally in the eyeofthe hurricane,” said DanielZhao, chief economist at Glassdoor

“After months of warning signs, the Julyjobs report confirms that the slowdown isn’tjustapproaching —it’shere.”

U.S.marketsrecoiled at thejobs report and the Dow tumbled more than600 pointsFriday

Trump has sowed uncertainty in the erratic way he’srolled the tariffs out —announcing, then suspending them, then coming up with new ones. Overnight,Trump signed an executive order that set new tariffs on awide swath of U.S.trading partnersthatgointo effect on Aug. 7, and that comes after aflurryofunexpected tariff-

Order.”

When Camp Jshut down in 2018, criminal justice advocates praised the state’s decision to close it. ThenCorrections Secretary James LeBlanc said the move alignedwith aplan to improvehow Louisiana prisonssecurelykeep inmates separated from each other.

On Friday,criminal justice advocates said prison overcrowding was apredictable result of aset of “tough-oncrime” laws theLouisiana Legislaturepassed last year at Landry’s behest.The new laws lengthened prison sentences and eliminated parole foradults whocommitted crimes after Aug.1,2024

Advocates also had qualms aboutthe possible reopening of Camp J.

“Not only will men continueto swelter at CampJ, but they will alsoendure either overcrowdinginsolitary cells or be kept in isolation —asevere punishment thatextensive research has

related actions this week.

“There was aclear,significant, immediate, tariff effect on the labormarketand employment growth essentially stalled, as we were dealingwith so much uncertainty aboutthe outlook for theeconomy and for tariffs,” said BlerinaUruci, chief U.S. economist for the brokerage T. Rowe Price.

Still, Uruci said the datasuggests we could be past the worst, as hiring actually did pick up abit in July fromMay andJune’s depressed levels.

“I’m not overly pessimisticon theU.S.economy basedonthis morning’sdata,” she said, though shedoes think that hiring will remain muted in the coming months as the numberofavailable workers remains limited due to reduced immigration and an aging population.

“Becauseofimmigration policy, labor supply growth has nearly ground to ahalt,” said GuyBerger,seniorfellowatthe Burning Glass Institute, which studiesemployment trends. “Sowe’re going to have very weak employment

growth. Andwelook like southern Europe or Japan.”

Sharpreversalfrom2022

Trump hassoldthe tariffs hikesasa way to boost American manufacturing, but factories cut 11,000 jobs last month after shedding 15,000 in June and 11,000 in May.The federal government, where employment has been targeted by the Trump administration, lost 12,000 jobs. Jobs in administrationand support fell by nearly20,000.

Companies have been warning investors thatthe policy, with some tariffsalready in effect while others changeorget extended, hasmade it difficult to make forecasts. Walmart,Procter &Gamble andmany others have warned aboutimport taxes raising costs, eating into profits andraising prices forconsumers.

The weak jobs data makes it more likely that Trump will get onething that he mostfervently desires: Acut in short-term interestrates by theFederal Reserve, which often —though not always

—can lead to lowerrates for mortgages, car loans, and credit cards.

The current situationisa sharp reversal from the hiring boom of just threeyearsago whendesperate employers werehanding out signing bonusesand introducing perks suchasFridays off, fertility benefits and even pet insurance to recruit andkeep workers. The rate of people quitting their jobs —asign they’re confident theycan land something better has fallen from the record heights of 2021 and2022 andisnow weaker thanbeforethe pandemic

Drees Homes, ahomebuilder based outside Cincinnati in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky,has hired about 50 people over the past year, bringing its workforcetoaround 950. Pamela Rader,Drees’ vice president for human resources, it’s“gotten alittle bit easier” to find workers. Acouple of years ago, Rader said jobseekers werefocused on getting morepay.Now,she said, they emphasize stable employment, a better work-lifebalance, and prospects foradvancement.

shown to be tantamount to abuse, torture,and is dangerous andineffective,” Samantha Kennedy,executive director of the Promiseof Justice Initiative, saidina statement

The PromiseofJustice Initiative is aNew Orleansbased group that advocates for incarcerated people.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJACQUELyN MARTIN
President DonaldTrump speaks withreporters before departing the White House on Friday

communication skills and learn how to use the radio equipment.

The station will provide hands-on training for students interested in podcasting, audio production, radio and media careers, according to a university release.

“We want to prepare our students to compete in any market as it pertains to communications and finding and gainfully keeping employment,” Gordon said.

Students also will gain knowledge of the ins and outs of FCC regulations and media management, said Ernest Johnson, president of the Louisiana Community Development Capital Fund, which owns the license for the station and entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Southern “I think that the students should become aware of the ownership of the broadcast stations, how they operate, how the board of directors operates, how offices operate,” Johnson said. “I think they should get a full teaching and understanding and appreciation of one of the most major industries that we have which is media.” For Johnson, also former president of the NAACP in Louisiana, there is a connection between mass communication and justice work.

He recalled growing up in Ferriday, where he and his siblings — 14 all together — read out loud to his

illiterate grandmother The experience, he said, taught him about the power and necessity of words.

“I just think it could be a better world if we can get everybody to

understand each other,” Johnson said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

The sentiment lingers around the radio station, once the office where

without our first hurricane.”

afternoon, compared with the historical average of 2.7 named storms But the first two months of the year were below normal in all other parameters, including the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or more that had formed, and the number of days that named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes were active. This season is also behind so far in accumulated cyclone energy, or ACE, a metric scientists use to quantify a season’s intensity that considers the duration and strength of each named storm that forms in a season.

While seasons of the last three decades would have garnered an ACE of 9.6 by the end of July, this season had only accumulated a score of 1.5, according to CSU. A near normal season would end on Nov 30 with an ACE score of 73 to 126, according to NOAA’s definition.

Paul Miller, an associate professor of coastal meteorology at LSU, said that despite all the analytics, this season’s start is still fairly close to the historical norm. It’s really the last few hurricane seasons, which ranked among the most active on record and kicked off with massive storms, that have made this year’s near-normal start feel abnormally quiet

“If you think about last year, we had Hurricane Beryl, which was a Category 5 storm, in June,” Miller said. “And here we are on the verge of August and we’re still

Though Louisiana made it through last year largely unscathed, it was dubbed an ”extremely active” season by NOAA, with 18 named storms and 11 hurricanes, five of which were major

Before that, the 2023 season was one of the busiest in the last 70 years, though El Niño, a climate pattern typically associated with fewer Atlantic storms, helped turn most of the cyclones away from the U.S. La Niña had the opposite effect in the two years before that, helping to foster more tropical activity than normal, including Hurricane Ida in 2021.

All of those seasons saw named storms before the end of June. But Miller said that’s unusual, not the so-called quiet start to this season so far A vast majority of tropical activ-

state NAACP members organized.

“One of the things I learned in the early stage of the NAACP was you’ve got to be able to communicate,” Johnson said. “You’ve got

ity happens after Aug. 1, Miller said In the last 30 years, more than 80% of named storms formed after Aug. 1, according to data collected by NOAA, along with 90% of hurricanes and 96% of major hurricanes.

On average, the first Atlantic hurricane of the season forms on Aug. 11, Miller said.

“About 85% of hurricane season is still yet to come,” he said.

“So even though school might be starting in a couple weeks and college football season is ramping up, that’s really when the tropics start to wake up.”

Along with help from La Niña, Miller said near-record-breaking sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic contributed to heightened storm activity in recent years. Warm ocean water is, after all, a hurricane’s fuel.

get

people understand. Because

understanding is the worst

in the world, right?”

While water temperatures are slightly above average this year, he said they’re not ”shock and awe warm” like they were in 2024. That could be contributing to this year’s slower start.

But Miller and other researchers have warned that tropical activity in the Atlantic could start to pick up in the coming weeks, as a climate cycle known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation shifts to a pattern often associated with an uptick in storms.

Some global hurricane models, he said, are showing the possibility for activity somewhere in the Atlantic during the first half of August.

“So reading the tea leaves,” Miller said, “it looks like we’re going to have some additional activity here coming up in the next couple of weeks.”

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Nicolette Gordon, operations manager for WSUB speaks during an interview in a studio room at the grand opening event for WSUB radio station on Wednesday.

Askabout thePremier

Louisiana abolishes Independent Party

Effective

Friday,

Are you a registered Independent in Louisiana? Heads up, you are now without a party

On Friday, the Independent Party of Louisiana ceased to exist in the state. That means voters actively registered Independent in the state — more than 150,000

voters’ affiliation removed and switched to ‘no party’

Louisianans — will have their affiliation removed and automatically switched to “no party” by the Secretary of State’s Office. Already, 658,000 Louisiana voters are listed as “no party,” according to voter records provided by the office.

Affected voters will receive a notification by mail, including an updated voter information card, and

residents can check their registration status online at the GeauxVote Online Registration System. State lawmakers decided to abolish the Independent party months ago during the 2025 Legislative session after voting to close the state’s party primary system in 2024. Officially, the legislation bars any political party in Louisiana from calling itself “Independent Party” or “Independent.”

Previously, under Louisiana’s open primary elections process, any person could vote for any candidate regardless of party affiliation. But under the new system that will go into place next spring, voting in primaries is limited only to those registered Democrat, Republican or no party The switch would have left

Playing the market

thousands of Independent voters locked out of the primary process. Officials have billed the change as necessary, saying most Independents in the state don’t consider themselves to be a member of a party

“Many Louisiana voters who are registered as Independents mistakenly believe they are unaffiliated with any political party when in fact they are members of the

Singer and songwriter Abby Gourgues

The

Police: Arrest made in South Sherwood double fatal shooting

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two men who were shot while sitting in a parked vehicle on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard, Baton Rouge police said. Raheem Starwood, 26, was booked Friday into East Baton Parish Prison on two counts of first-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon, police said. The shooting happened shortly after 2:30 a.m July 13 in the 6000 block of South Sherwood. Both shooting victims were transported to the hospital. The driver, Bryon Howard, 44, died of his injuries that day The passenger, Jordan Scott, 22, died in the

Louisiana forests part of carbon credit deal

Program would help with emissions reductions over next 10 years

deal with the Arkansas-based NativState to enroll in 13 long-term forest management plans across 247,000 acres in Louisiana and three other states, officials with both companies said.

Flesh-eating bacteria cases rise in Gulf

Caution urged as 4 deaths are reported in Louisiana

ä See BLOTTER, page 2B

More than 63,000 acres of north Louisiana forestland are part of a new 10-year deal to sell carbon credits to a French petrochemical and natural gas exporter with operations in the Baton Rouge area and southwest Louisiana. And the chief executive officer of the carbon credit company that was part of the deal says he expects continued interest from big industrial companies in voluntary credit sales involving Louisiana forests, though U.S environmental policy is beginning to shift away from climate regulation. TotalEnergies has inked the

TotalEnergies says it is trying to avoid or cut greenhouse gas emissions where it can including with permanent underground carbon storage — and offset the rest by investing $100 million annually in projects that will be able to generate at least 5 million metric tons of carbon credits per year by 2030.

The NativState deal, the value of which was not disclosed, is part of TotalEnergies’ buildout of that carbon offset portfolio, which is also expected to include agriculture and wetlands protection projects, company officials said in a statement.

“We are working to build a high-quality portfolio and are

CRIME BLOTTER staff reports ä See DEAL, page 2B

Thirty-two people across the Gulf Coast — Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida — have contracted infections this year from a flesh-eating bacteria spread through salt water and raw shellfish, according to state health officials. Eight have died. The infection, called Vibrio vulnificus, is one of a dozen species of Vibrio: a bacteria found in coastal waters when the weather is warm and in raw shellfish, especially oysters. The Louisiana Department of Health said Thursday morning that it is seeing a higher number of cases and deaths than typically reported. So far this year there have been 17 cases and

four deaths in the state. Seventyfive percent reported seawater exposure as the cause. This is a noticeable spike compared to previous years. Between 2013 and 2023, there was an average of 13 cases per year, according to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Thirteen cases and four deaths have been reported to the Florida Department of Health. The state has been a hot spot for Vibrio vulnificus infections in prior years. In 2022, 74 people were infected and 17 died — “an abnormal increase in cases,” the department said at the time. Many were linked to Hurricane Ian, which brought bacteria-laden floodwater into homes. Both Mississippi and Alabama have had only one recorded case. Neither was deadly The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 5 people who become

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
performs the Carrie Underwood song ‘Before He Cheats’ while at the Red Stick Farmers Market in Baton Rouge on July 19.
farmers market is held in downtown from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
ä See VOTERS, page 2B

N.O. turns off all speed cameras

City hashing out deal over revenue

All speeding cameras in New Orleans have been turned off for the foreseeable future as Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration works to comply with a new state law and as it continues to hash out a deal with the Orleans Parish School Board to split camera revenues.

As of Aug. 1, the city will not issue speeding tickets from any camera locations, including ones in school zones, officials said Thursday Red-light cameras, however, will still be operational.

The changes come as Act 107, new legislation that bans enforcement cameras in areas other than school zones and at red lights, goes into effect. The law also adds additional requirements to school zones with cameras, including a requirement that city crews must paint road stripes that signal to drivers that they are nearing or entering school zones

Meanwhile, after months of negotiations, the Cantrell administration and the School Board have not finalized an agreement to split revenues from school zone cameras as required by a 2024 state law that forbade municipalities from collecting fines until such agreements were in place.

“This change is due to a new state law that restricts automated speed enforcement to school zones that meet strict compliance requirements and are governed by a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA),” city officials said in a statement. “As of now, those requirements have not been finalized, and physical adjustments to school zones are still needed.”

Speed cameras in New Orleans school zones were turned off ear-

DEAL

Continued from page 1B

paying close attention to the integrity and permanence of the emissions reductions and sequestration achieved by the activities financed in this way,” said Gabin Poizat, a TotalEnergies spokesperson.

‘Some give and take’

The company, which has the world’s largest combined styrene and polystyrene manufacturing plant in Carville, says it already has 1 gigawatt of renewable energy under development to supply electricity to U.S. petrochemical sites, including in Carville, a Port Arthur, Texas, oil refinery, and plastics manufacturing in LaPorte, Texas.

NativState aggregates smaller timber properties to create economies of scale and, in long-term deals reached with landowners sets up reduced harvesting practices to create a net savings in carbon emissions.

The deal with TotalEnergies involved more than 280 landowners in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee in a portion of the nation where there is aggressive timber harvesting, NativState officials said.

Landowners agreed to 40-year sustainable management programs with help from NativState’s forest-

VOTERS

Continued from page 1B

Independent Party,” State Secretary Nancy Landry said in a statement. “This proactive change will allow voters formerly registered as Independents to participate in closed party primaries next year, preventing voter confusion while maximizing participation.” Independent Party of Louisiana Executive Director William Bryan endorsed the dissolution of the party while the legislation was being debated in April, calling it an “act of fairness.”

“We’re in support of this bill so that these voters are eligible to vote,” he said at the time The new closed party system will be in effect for spring contests, including those for U.S Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary & Secondary Education.

What does no party mean?

A no party registration means someone registered to vote but

lier in the summer after the end of the 2024-25 school year Officials did not say when they expect them to be turned back on or how long it would take to get them in compliance with the new rules.

As for speed cameras in other parts of the city, they will be turned off permanently

Those who have received a speed camera ticket before Aug. 1 will still have to pay the fine regardless of whether it is due after the start of the month, city spokesperson Lesley Thomas confirmed.

Concerns about the agreement

Earlier this month, the City Council approved an agreement with the School Board to split camera revenue, per the law

That agreement offered the board 40% of net revenue generated from camera tickets, money the board would then divide among its schools. It was a larger percentage than the 90/10 split the city originally proposed more than a year ago, which the board rejected

But last week, board members raised concerns about the agreement, including timeline for payments and how revenue will be shared when a school zone covers a public and a private school

They deferred a vote on the deal to next month’s meeting.

From May 2024 to March 2025, the school zone cameras generated $1.375 million in net revenue, NOLA Public Schools Deputy Counsel Candice Forest told board members. The city has been holding those funds in escrow while the city and the board finalized the deal. Under the agreed-upon split, the city would take $800,000 and the remaining $500,000 would be split between public and private schools, Forest said.

“My biggest concern about this document is, right now there is no date by which the city needs to distribute this money to NO-

ers and wildlife biologists that will reduce but not eliminate harvests.

Those carbon savings are sold as voluntary credits to companies and are verified by third-party auditing.

Landowners earn credit royalties while still being able to harvest some of their timber, NativState officials said.

“So, there’s some give and take there, but, in the end, in most cases, that landowner is getting as much, if not more, between the carbon credits and timber revenues on these properties,” said Stuart Allen, founder and chief executive officer of NativState.

‘Political pressures’

The TotalEnergies agreement is NativStat’s fourth large credit deal. Louisiana landowners have already started earning royalty payments from earlier deals, company officials said.

The companies announced the latest deal late last month shortly before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it was planning to rescind the so-called endangerment finding for greenhouse gases known to contribute to climate change.

The finding is a key underpinning for the climate regulations that have followed in the 16 years since it was reached in 2009. The proposed change is part of a wider deregulatory effort by the Trump administration to spur energy and industrial production and cut consumer prices.

not affiliated with any political party

When it comes primary time in April, no party voters can choose to vote in any party’s primary

However, once a voter decides to vote in that party’s primary, they have to stick with their choice if there is a primary runoff in spring, officials say “The most important thing to remember is you can choose which party primary you want to participate in, or you can choose not to participate in either party’s primary and just choose to vote on local races if there are any on your ballot,” said Joel Watson, deputy secretary for communications, outreach and promotions for the Secretary of State. “However the party you choose in that first round — Democrat or Republican you have to stick with in the second round.”

A no party voter’s ballot selection for a primary does not change their party affiliation in the voter’s registration recording, according to the state.

Other third parties

In addition to the more than

New operator to take over The Dungeon in New Orleans

LA-PS,” said board member Olin Parker, noting delays with regular payments from the city and the still unpaid $10 million of a major settlement deal a judge ordered the city to pay to the board earlier this year

“This is an administration that has had trouble paying contractors, paying lifeguards. And I would love to see some remedy in this document that gives me a little more comfort that they’re going to pay us the revenue on time.”

Kathy Moss, general counsel for NOLA Public Schools, told board members last week that it was “our understanding” that if a camera was in front of a public school then revenue generated by it would go to the board, but that if it was in front of a private school, the money would go to the governing authority of that school The city has yet to hash out payment arrangements with various private schools or the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The proposed agreement leaves other matters in the air, such as whether the district would collect an administrative fee and how they would ensure the city paid the school district the correct amount. Parker posed a hypothetical: If the camera catches a speeding driver in a Canal Street school zone that includes the public Success at Thurgood Marshall and the private Christian Brothers School, which school gets the money?

Moss said that although not explicitly stated in the agreement, “in determining our portion, logically speaking, if the city has an agreement with each of the entities for 40% and the camera is serving both, then they’re going to split it down the middle. That was the understanding in negotiations.”

Email Julia Guilbeau at jguilbeau@theadvocate.com.

Allen, the NativState CEO, said Thursday that while shifting U.S. regulations may affect interest in carbon credits from smaller, domestic companies, it’s not affecting the large international companies with which he is dealing. They have 25-year planning horizons, he said, that extend past any single administration and face different business pressures than in the United States. Corporate officials from Indonesia, Japan and other countries have visited Arkansas and Louisiana prospecting for carbon deals, he said.

“And we bring groups in and their view on carbon and climate change and the political pressures on them or corporate investor pressures are considerably different than what we’ve seen here in the U.S., in some cases. And so I think the majority, we’re not seeing any lack of demand from global players,” Allen said. Based in Paris, TotalEnergies has a mix of renewable and fossil fuel operations across the United States and the globe.

Also invested in solar, wind and related battery operations in the United States, the multinational has interests in Gulf oil platforms and is a leading exporter of U.S. natural gas with a stake in the Cameron LNG facility in Hackberry in southwest Louisiana.

David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

150,000 registered Independents, thousands more Louisiana voters are registered under hundreds of “unofficial” parties, including wellknown third parties like the Libertarian Party, Green Party and the Tea Party As of July, 14,976 voters were registered as Libertarian and another 2,779 were registered as Green Party, according to voting rolls. Those voters and others will not be allowed to participate in the state’s closed primaries because only officially recognized political parties — those that have received at least 5% of the vote in an election for statewide office or in the last presidential election — can hold closed primary elections in Louisiana.

Only Democrat and Republican parties are currently officially recognized in Louisiana. Candidates who want to run in these races not as a Republican or a Democrat can only run in the fall general election. Staff writer Alyse Pfeil contributed to this report.

Email Julia Guilbeau at jguilbeau@theadvocate.com.

French Quarter dive bar to stay in the family

The Dungeon, a late-night French Quarter dive bar known for its Goth, heavy-metal vibe is getting a new operator after its longtime owner, Art Wilcox, has decided to retire.

Denizens of the dark and spooky Toulouse Street haunt, which has been a fixture of the neighborhood since the late 1960s, need not worry about a new proprietor spiffing up the place or turning it into a daiquiri shop.

Wilcox is passing the reins to his son, Damien Wilcox, who will continue to operate the Dungeon as-is for the foreseeable future, according to an attorney for the bar’s landlord.

“The lease is for years, not months, and he has options to renew,” said attorney Stephen Bruno, who represents the Caracci family, which has owned the Dungeon building for decades.

The development puts to rest, for now at least, concern over the bar’s future. Earlier this month, word began spreading in French Quarter night life circles that Art Wilcox was retiring when the Dungeon’s lease expires in November, and that the bar would close.

Wilcox, reached by phone on Monday confirmed he is retiring, saying, “I love the joint and it has been there forever and so many people have been affected by it, but it is time to retire.”

He declined to comment further

Bruno, meanwhile, said the Caraccis were looking for a new operator to take over, insisting there were no plans to close the bar or sell the twostory building.

“We are not going to let this thing close down,” he said Monday “We have lots of people who want to take it over in its current form.”

Late Tuesday, in a follow-up email, Bruno said the Caraccis had finalized a new long-term lease for the site with Art Wilcox, and that Damien Wilcox will take over operations from his father Damien Wilcox could not be reached for comment.

‘Rock ‘n’ roll scene’

In a city known for dark characters and haunted spaces, the Dungeon is in a class of its own, with a dedicated local following and a national reputation proliferated by out-of-town visitors who ventured down its narrow alley for a latenight experience. It was opened in 1969 by Howard

BACTERIA

Continued from page 1B

Clark, according to its website, and bills itself as “the rock ‘n’ roll scene of New Orleans.”

“Everyone from Kiss, Queen, ZZ Top, 38 Special and Bad Company would come here to hang out,” the site states.

While those claims to heavy metal greatness couldn’t be independently verified, Mötley Crüe rocker Nikki Sixx recalled in his memoir, “The Dirt” that the Dungeon was the scene of a bloody brawl that he, a bandmate and the late shock rocker Ozzy Osbourne got into in 1984 while in town for a concert.

“Ozzy’s disciplinarian wife, Sharon, was not amused,” Sixx wrote, according to a 2018 review of the book by Keith Spera in The TimesPicayune.

Allan Kagan was a subsequent owner of the bar court records show, and Wilcox took over in the 2000s. He registered the Dungeon’s name with the Louisiana Secretary of State in 2004.

Colorful history

The building that houses the bar was home to a popular nightclub in the 1940s and 1950s — Tony Bacino’s Bar, which was known at the time as a welcoming hangout for gay patrons, according to local media reports. The bar closed in 1958 and the building was later sold. In 1964, Rosemary Graffagnini Caracci, wife of the late Frank Caracci, bought the building from Hibernia Homestead and Savings Association, according to court records. She transferred the property in 2001 to the family trust that still owns it today Frank Caracci was a well-known French Quarter bar owner in the mid-20th century and associate of mob boss Carlos Marcello, though he personally was not an owner of the 738 Toulouse St. property A twice-convicted felon, Frank Caracci always denied any mafia connections. He died at age 72 in 1996.

Rosemary Caracci died in 2021.

infected die, while many survivors undergo limb amputations Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and chills. People with open wounds should be cautious when swimming in brackish or warm coastal waters Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis — a severe bacterial infection that kills the flesh around an open wound, which is why it is called a “flesh-eating” bacteria, health officials said. People with weakened immune systems should also be careful when eating or handling raw seafood.

BLOTTER

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hospital from his injuries a week later, police said. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call BRPD’s Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 3894869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

Holden man sentenced in fatal Tickfaw boat crash

A Holden man was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for a fatal boat accident on the Tickfaw River in 2024 that killed two people.

Jason Chaisson, 35, entered a plea of no contest a month ago to two counts of negligent homicide and five counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injury, according to court records.

He received five years for each negligent homicide charge, with all but one year suspended on each charge, for a total of a two-year term, District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said. Chaisson was given six-month sentences on each of the other charges; those will be served concurrently with the negligent homicide sentences, leaving his total time behind bars at two years.

He also faces three years of probation upon his release, and he will be required to undergo a substance

abuse evaluation, as well as attend a driving improvement program and a victim impact panel.

Chaisson was arrested in August 2024 after authorities said he was operating a 25-foot Sea Fox vessel that collided with a 25-foot pontoon boat at night. The collision resulted in two deaths and a handful of people being injured.

A passenger of the boat Chaisson was said to have been operating, 31-year-old Thuy Gustin, of Springfield, died in the accident The operator of the pontoon boat, 36-yearold Chase Sharkey, of Greensburg, also was killed. Two other people on the boat with Chaisson and three passengers on the pontoon boat were treated for serious injuries, authorities said at the time.

Chaisson previously had pleaded not guilty to all charges before agreeing to plead no contest. Before the sentencing Friday at the Livingston Parish courthouse, 12 victim impact statements were read by family members and those injured in the boat collision, Perrilloux said.

JULY 31, 2025

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER A new operator is set to take over the French Quarter dive bar The Dungeon.

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Obituaries

Decongé Watson, Dr. Mary Lovenia

Dr. Mary Lovenia DeCongé Watson, known as Vivienne,a nativeofWickliffe andresident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana,passed away on July 26, 2025,at the age of 91. Born on October 4, 1933, to Adina Rodney DeCongé and Alphonse Francis DeCongé, Jr., she was the seventh of nine children. Lovenia dedicated her life to serving her church, community, and the teaching profession. She was amember of the Sisters of the Holy Family from 1949 to 1976 and remained active in Immaculate Conception Church. She held the title of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Southern University.In1983,she married Roy F. Watson, and together they traveled the world, touching many lives. After Roy's passing in 2014, she continuedher devotion to service, especially supporting young people Lovenia is survived by herfour stepchildren, several step-grandchildren, brother-in-law Edgar Williams, sisters-in-law Delrine DeCongé, Brenda Durden, and Gwen Doaks twenty-two nieces and nephews, and numerous great-nieces, greatnephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents, and her siblings.

ACelebration of Life Christian Mass will be held on Monday, August4,2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Baton Rouge,LA. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment willbeprivate. MJR FriendlyService Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

PalmerSr.,Burnell 'Boonie'

Earl, age 81, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.Earlwas anativeand recent resident of Albany, LA Throughout his lifehelived allover the country; from AlaskatoLouisiana.Earl was a'Jack ofAll Trades', everythingfromcarpentry, woodworkingand even cooking. He enjoyedgoing huntingand fishing with his family and friends. Earl was aloving husband, father, grandfather,brother, uncleand friend who is already dearlymissed by all who knewand loved him. Earl is survivedbyhis by his children, Robin Kinchen, Kevin Kinchen (Susie); Joshua Kinchen, Jennifer Kinchen Jones (Brian), and Dylan Kinchen; brother,Jerry Kinchen (Essie);grandchildren, Amanda Holton (Ryan), Kevin Kinchen (Jillian), Autumn Kinchen(Ferlin),and Brooke Jones; great-grandchildren, MelodieHolton, Andrew Holton,Isaiah Kinchen, Harper Kinchen, Hayden Lock, HayvenLock, Dakota Solomon, and GresynMulkey; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Earl is precededin death by his parents, Pink and Inez BlountKinchen, and step-father,Joe Stafford;siblings, Annie Carpenter, Pinkie DelatteHutchinson, Joyce Baker Collins, AlexKinchen, and Elmer Kinchen; granddaughter, Summer Kinchen; along with wife, Ruth GatlinKinchen.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Visitation from the Chapel of Brandon G. ThompsonFuneral Home, 12012Hwy 190 West Hammond, LA. on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 10:00a.m. until the startofthe Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. Pastor EddieKoch will officiate with interment to follow in Kinchen Cemeteryin Holden.

Travis Wade McCray, a lifelong resident of Livingston, Louisiana,passed awayathis home on July 21, 2025,atthe ageof44. A devoted father,son, brother,uncle,and friend, Travis willberememberedfor his generous heart,his infectiouspersonality, and his unwavering willingness to help others. Travis wasthe proud owner of McCray Flooringand was well known in his community forhis hardwork and dedication. He had atrue gift forcooking and was especially known forboiling some of the bestcrawfish around. Whetheritwas a family gathering or alocal fundraiser, Travis was alwaysreadytolenda hand and share his talent—often donating his time and culinary skillstosupport those in need. He is survivedby his loving children, Chelsea, Alexis, Dylan McCray, and Jolie Hanna; mother, Joyce McCray;siblings, Shane McCray, David Sibley, KelvinTigner, and StacySibley;and greataunt,HazelLott. He also leavesbehind numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends who will miss him deeply.Travisis preceded in death by his father, Kelvin Sibley;maternalgrandparents,Ray and Norma McCray; paternal grandparents, W.H.and Dorothy Sibley; sister,Debbie Sibley; and uncles, RogerMcCrayand John Sibley. To knowTraviswas to love him. His presence litupa room,and hisabsence leavesa void that cannever be filled. Hewill be foreverremembered and deeply missed by all who knewand lovedhim. Relatives and friendsare invited to attend aCelebrationofLifeservice at 2 PM on August 3, 2025,at the Livingston Country Club. Arrangements have beenentrustedtoMcLin Funeral Home. Onlinecondolencesmay be sharedat www.mclinfuneralhome.co m

ImmaculateConception CatholicChurch from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Mass will beginat10:00am. Father RajAmrit, Officiating. She willbelaid to rest in Chenal Cemetery, Jarreau LA.Services Entrusted to Hall Davisand SonFuneral Services. www.halldavisandson.com

Burnell Palmer, Sr.was born in NewOrleans, Louisiana on October 12, 1963. He departedthis life on July18, 2025, surrounded by lovedones. He was a followerofthe Most High. "Boonie"leaves to cherish his memories 3Children;Burnell Palmer,Jr. (New Orleans, LA)Brianna Sordenand TaylorFoster (Baton Rouge, La). 1grandson; Sire L. Palmer; 4sisters; PeggyP.Bates (Shawn), SharonL Williams (Corey), Clara Louding,Delores L. Watts 1brother, PhillipLouding, Jr.; ahost of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special friend, Denice Dolly; Visitation at 9:00am11:00am. Celebrationof Life Service at 11 a.m.,Saturday, August 2nd,2025 at St.Mary's Baptist Church, 1252 N. Acadian Thruway E., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802. Rev. James Grayson, NewLight Baptist Church Officiating Pastor; Funeral Arrangementsentrusted to SchafferFamily Funeral Home 15990 Highway 77, Rosedale, La.70772

It is withgreat sadness that we announce the passing of Rebecca (Becky) Ulmer Poarch,61, who passed away on Tuesday, July29, 2025 at her residence. Becky willbefondly remembered for her boundless love forher grandchildren,who were thelight of her life.She approached every daywitha joyful spirit, always ready witha smileand ahelping hand forthose in need. Her selflessness and ability to put others before herself left a lasting impressiononall who had thepleasureof knowing her. She is survivedbyher husband of 23 years: Mark Poarch; mother: Bonnie Edmonson; children: Shaun Gallagher, MichelleGallagher and Holli Smith; grandchildren:Jamie, Charlee, Melodi and Oliver; sister: Cindy Angelloz (Robby); and nieces: Whitney Chustz, Bethany Martello and AmyAngelloz. She is preceded in death by her father, John Ulmer.

Mary Alice Decuir

Robert passed away peacefully in thecomfort of her own home surrounded by her lovedones on July 24, 2025 after 82 years of love and servicetothe Lord.She was born to the late Clydeand Catherine Collins Decuir, of Erwinville,LAonMarch 1, 1943. She is survivedbyher loving husband of 61 years, James Ronald Robert, Sr.; daughters, BrendaRobert Hurst and her husband Mark and Jennifer Robert Jones and her husband Ervin "Chip" ;son, James "Jimmy"Robert, Jr.and his wife Deidre; sisters, Sally Ann Brooks, CherylWright, Kathy Butler and Tarlyn Henry; brothers, Lucas Decuir,LukeDecuirand Rickey Decuir; grandchildren, Alex Hurst, Lauren Hurst Fontenot, LeslieHurst Green, Desiree'Jones, Danielle Jones, James Robert, IIIand Jude Michael Robert.

Sheispreceded in death by her parentsand immediatefamily,Clyde Decuir, Jr., Gloria Ann Decuir, LottieBellDecuir, Oliver and Beatrice Robert, Lester Robert and Benny Butler. Family and friendsof Mary Alice are invitedto attend theVisitation on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at

Town,Albert Hays

Albert Hays Town,Jr. passed away during the early morning of Friday, July 25, 2025, at theage of 90. He died as he lived,wellgroundedinhis Christian faith and surrounded by family.Hays wasbornon February 3, 1935, in Jackson, MS,the secondchild of Albert Hays Town and Blanche Anita Scharff Town.Helived most of his life in Baton Rouge where he graduated from Louisiana StateUniversity. He wasa member of Kappa Sigmafraternity. At LSU, Hays methis wife of 68 years, Marguerite Gay MayTown, whopredeceased him.

Throughout hislife, Hays wasbeloved and well -known in thecommunity forhis tireless dedication to service and charitable work. In 1988, he and his wife started theSt. ElizabethFoundation, anon-

profit adoptionagency, providingsupport andcare to pregnantwomen in Louisianathathas placed morethan600 babies since itscreation. While earning hisMaster of Science in Geography fromLSU in 2013, Hays establishedthe Baton Rouge Citizens to Save ourWater organization,dedicated to preservingBaton Rouge ground water. He positivelyimpacted countlesspeopleallinmeaningful ways, bothsmall andlarge. For thelast several years, Hays spent his mornings between Thanksgiving and Christmasvolunteeringfor theSalvation Army ringing thebell.

Hays earnedmanyhonorsoverhis lifetime,includingMan of theYear fromthe national chapter of theAssociated Builders andContractors,Angel in AdoptionAwardfrom Congress, and theLeadership forLife Awardfrom LouisianaRight to Life Hays was honoredasan LSUdistinguished alumni in 2019, forhaving made significant contributions in hiscareer,personal achievements, andcivic responsibilities.

Hays wasknown forhis integrity, moral character, compassion, generosity andstrongleadership.

Hays is survivedbyhis 6 children: A. Hays TownIII, George Wilton Town (Emily Hanchar), Christopher AshleyTown (Lisa Files), GregoryHarrell Town(Tammi McCallie),MargueriteGay MayTown Caryl (Theodore Caryl), and JonathanAdam Town(Molly LaPrairie).He is survivedbyhis 21 grandchildren: MariaTown (Cheryl Lovelady), A. Hays TownIV, John HenryTown (AnaArnone),Nanette TownSaia(BartSaia), George Wilton Town,Jr. (Rachel O'Malley), Amelie

TownBernhard (Patrick Bernhard), Mignon Town Kastanos (Jonathan Kastanos), Gabrielle TownOllendike(Phillip Ollendike, ), MargoTownMathews (Michael Mathews),LindseyTown Hardy (Elliot Hardy), ForrestTown (Stefanie Gillett),MaryClaire TownStickle (Will Stickle), GregoryHarrell (Hal) Town, Jr Robert(Beau) WebsterTown, Leigh Ann TownPodorsky (Micah Podorsky), Matthew Town, MargueriteGay Mott Baruch(Satyam Baruch) JonathanAdam Town,Jr. (Caroline Marks), Martha Buckner Town,and Sarah MayTown. Hays is also survivedbyhis 28 great grandchildren, his3 sisters -in-law,PatriciaMay Dalton(John Dalton,Jr.), George MayJeansonne (Richard Jeansonne),and Mary MayStelly (Harry Stelly)aswellashis sister, BlancheAnitaGladney.

Funeral serviceswill be heldonThursday, July31st andwill includevisitation from9:00 to 11:00 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, followedbymass. In lieuof flowers,please senddonationstoSt. Elizabeth Foundation,8054 Summa Avenue, SuiteA,Baton Rouge, LA 70809. https://stelizabethfoun dation.org/donate/

Poarch,Rebecca
McCray, Travis Wade
Robert,Mary Alice Decuir

BUSINESS

BRIEFS

Wall Street tumbles on jobs report

The U.S. stock market had its worst day since May on Friday after the government reported a sharp slowdown in hiring and President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports from a number of U.S. trading partners.

The S&P 500 fell 1.6%, its biggest decline since May 21 and its fourth straight loss. The index also posted a 2.4% loss for the week, marking a sharp shift from last week’s record-setting streak of gains.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.2%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 2.2%.

“What had looked like a Teflon labor market showed some scratches this morning, as tariffs continue to work their way through the economy,” said Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

“A Fed that still appeared hesitant to lower rates may see a clearer path to a September cut, especially if data over the next month confirms the trend.”

Federal Reserve governor steps down

WASHINGTON The Federal Reserve announced Friday that governor Adriana Kugler will step down next week, opening up a spot on the central bank’s powerful board that President Donald Trump will be able to fill.

Kugler, who did not participate in the Fed’s policy meeting earlier this week, would have completed her term in January Instead, she will retire Aug. 8. She did not provide a reason for stepping down in her resignation letter Kugler was appointed to the Fed’s seven-member board of governors by former President Joe Biden in September 2023. She was the first Hispanic Fed governor, and before joining the Fed, was a professor at Georgetown University and was the U.S. representative to the World Bank. She will return to the Georgetown faculty in the fall. In her last speech as a Fed governor two weeks ago, Kugler expressed support for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s view that the central bank should keep rates unchanged while officials monitor the economy to see how Trump’s tariffs affect inflation and the economy If Powell doesn’t “substantially” lower rates, Trump posted, “THE BOARD SHOULD ASSUME CONTROL, AND DO WHAT EVERYONE KNOWS HAS TO BE DONE!” Apple has strong quarter, despite tariffs

SAN FRANCISCO Apple shook off a thicket of tariffs and a botched entry into artificial intelligence to accelerate its revenue growth during its springtime quarter, but the trendsetting tech company still faces a bumpy road ahead that could lead to higher iPhone prices. The Cupertino, California, company earned $23.4 billion, or $1.57 per share, during its fiscal third quarter, a 9% increase from the same time last year Revenue climbed 10% from a year ago to $94 billion. The company’s iPhone sales surged 13% from a year ago to $44.6 billion. In another positive development, Apple’s business in China showed signs of snapping out of a prolonged malaise with a 4% bump in revenue from the same time last year. Before Thursday’s report came out, Apple’s stock price had plunged by 17% so far this year to wipe out more than $600 billion in shareholder wealth and knock the company off its perch as the world’s most valuable company Meanwhile, the shares of AI chipmaker Nvidia have surged 32% this year and the shares of AI pacesetter Microsoft have gained 27%, propelling the market value to $4 trillion

Tesla must pay $240M in deadly crash

Jury says car company partly responsible for accident

MIAMI A Miami jury decided that Elon Musk’s car company Tesla was partly responsible for a deadly crash in Florida involving its Autopilot driver assist technology and must pay the victims more than $240 million in damages.

The federal jury held that Tesla bore significant responsibility because its technology failed and that not all the blame can be put on a reckless driver, even one who admitted he was distracted by his cellphone before hitting a young couple out gazing at the stars. The decision comes as Musk seeks to convince Americans his cars are safe enough to drive on their own as he plans to roll out a driverless

taxi service in several cities in the coming months.

The decision ends a four-yearlong case remarkable not just in its outcome but that it even made it to trial. Many similar cases against Tesla have been dismissed and, when that didn’t happen, settled by the company to avoid the spotlight of a trial.

“This will open the floodgates,” said Miguel Custodio, a car crash lawyer not involved in the Tesla case. “It will embolden a lot of people to come to court.”

The case also included startling charges by lawyers for the family of the deceased, 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon, and for her injured boyfriend, Dillon Angulo They claimed Tesla either hid or lost key evidence, including data and video recorded seconds before the accident.

Tesla has previously faced criticism that it is slow to cough up crucial data by relatives of other victims in Tesla crashes, accusations that the car company has denied. In this case, the plaintiffs showed Tesla had the evidence all

along, despite its repeated denials, by hiring a forensic data expert who dug it up. Tesla said it made a mistake after being shown the evidence and honestly hadn’t thought it was there.

“Today’s verdict is wrong,”

Tesla said in a statement, “and only works to set back automotive safety and jeopardize Tesla’s and the entire industry’s efforts to develop and implement lifesaving technology.” They said the plaintiffs concocted a story ”blaming the car when the driver from day one — admitted and accepted responsibility.”

In addition to a punitive award of $200 million, the jury said Tesla must also pay $43 million in compensatory damages, bringing the total borne by the company to $243 million. Tesla said it will appeal.

It’s not clear how much of a hit to Tesla’s reputation for safety the verdict in the Miami case will make Tesla has vastly improved its technology since the crash on a dark, rural road in Key Largo, Florida, in 2019. The plaintiffs’ lead lawyer,

Brett Schreiber, said Tesla’s decision to even use the term Autopilot showed it was willing to mislead people and take big risks with their lives because the system only helps drivers with lane changes, slowing a car and other tasks, falling far short of driving the car itself.

Schreiber acknowledged that the driver, George McGee, was negligent when he blew through flashing lights, a stop sign and a T-intersection at 62 miles an hour before slamming into a Chevrolet Tahoe that the couple had parked to get a look at the stars.

The Tahoe spun around so hard it was able to launch Benavides 75 feet through the air into nearby woods where her body was later found. It also left Angulo with broken bones and a traumatic brain injury

But Schreiber said Tesla was at fault nonetheless. He said Tesla allowed drivers to act recklessly by not disengaging the Autopilot as soon as they begin to show signs of distraction and by allowing them to use the system on smaller roads.

Expanding cattle has challenges

Ranchers want to benefit from high beef prices, but it’s not so simple

MINNEAPOLIS In a period when retail beef prices are at an all-time high and consumers are still willing to pay, South Dakota rancher Calli Williams would love to cash in. But it’s not so simple.

Williams and her husband, Tate, raise about 70 cow-calf pairs near Letcher in southeastern South Dakota, roughly 18 miles north of Mitchell. They own about 80 acres and rent additional pasture.

Between the drought that hit cattle country hard over the last few years, still being maxed out on the grass available to feed their animals and with land prices rising she said, they simply can’t yet make the financial investments that they’d need to raise production.

“It is a goal of ours to expand,” she said.

“I’m just not sure if that will be in the 10year plan or even longer.”

Farmers and ranchers across the U.S. would love to take greater advantage of the high prices, but with the U.S. herd at record lows, they can’t meet the demand quickly

It’s basic biology.

“It takes three years to get more cows — between making a decision, having that gestation period, having the calf born, raising the calf until it, too, can have a calf,” said Michael Swanson, chief agricultural economist for the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute in Minneapolis.

Impacts persist

The Williamses’ county was hard hit by drought over the previous few seasons. Because of the lack of their grass and uneconomically high hay prices, they had to sell all their young females last year that could have produced more calves for them this year, she said.

Their area has caught some rain lately, though. It has improved to just “abnormally dry” in recent U.S. Drought Monitor reports But Williams said they’re simply playing catch-up Swanson said some of the main cattle areas in North America — from Saskatchewan

Farmers and ranchers across the U.S. would love to take greater advantage of the high beef prices, but with the U.S. herd at record lows, they can’t meet the demand.

and Manitoba in Canada down to Texas in the U.S. are just naturally prone to drought. It’s often boom or bust.

Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said a lot of cattle country has had good rain this summer, but it’s a cyclical business.

“Sometimes we have good times, and sometimes we don’t,” Woodall said. “And we are just coming off what was a pretty significant negative hit to the cattle industry in ’19, ’20 and ’21, with the height of the pandemic. So we have a lot of producers who are still trying to pay off bills from those times.”

Fear of future drought is also a factor

And Woodall said his members are still leery They’re asking how long the better weather will last.

“We’re getting some good moisture now But will it be that way in the fall? Will it be that way next year?” he said. “Because the last thing you want to do is pay to rebuild your herd and then just have to liquidate them again in six months to a year.”

Although it’s difficult to attribute any single weather event, such as a drought, directly to climate change, scientists say that ris-

ing temperatures stoked by climate change are increasing the odds of both severe droughts and heavier precipitation, which wreak havoc on people and the environment. When extreme weather collides with tight margins, farmers and ranchers feel the squeeze.

Herds have shrunk

The total U.S. cattle herd is the smallest it has been at midyear since the government began keeping those figures in 1973, and probably since the 1950s. There were few signs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture data released last Friday that producers have begun rebuilding herds.

As of July 1, the U.S had 94.2 million cattle and calves, down from the last midyear peak in 2019 of nearly 103 million. Critical for the future supply 2025 calf production is projected at 33.1 million head, down 1% from last year

Derrell Peel, a livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, said if producers were planning to grow their herds, the USDA reports would have shown them keeping heifers — female cows that haven’t given birth yet.

Google loses appeal in antitrust battle with Fortnite maker

SAN FRANCISCO A federal appeals court has upheld a jury verdict condemning Google’s Android app store as an illegal monopoly, clearing the way for a federal judge to enforce a potentially disruptive shakeup that’s designed to give consumers more choices. The unanimous ruling issued Thursday by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals delivers a double-barreled legal blow for Google, which has been waylaid in three separate antitrust trials that resulted in different pillars of its internet empire being declared monopolies since late 2023. The unsuccessful appeal represents a major victory for video game

maker Epic Games, which launched a legal crusade targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps and Apple’s iPhone app store nearly five years ago in an attempt to bypass exclusive payment processing systems that charged 15% to 30% commissions on in-app transactions. The jury’s December 2023 rebuke of Google’s app store for Androidpowered smartphones began a cascade of setbacks that includes monopoly judgments against the company’s ubiquitous search engine last year and the technology underlying its digital ad network earlier this year

Although not as lucrative as Google’s search engine or ad system, the Play Store for Android apps has long been a gold mine that generated

billions of dollars in annual revenue by taking a 15% to 30% cut from inapp transactions funneled through the company’s own payment processing system.

Following a monthlong trial, a nine-person jury determined that Google had rigged its system to thwart alternative app stores from offering better deals to consumers and software developers. That verdict resulted in U.S. District Judge James Donato ordering Google to tear down digital walls shielding the Play Store from competition, triggering the company’s appeal to overturn the jury’s finding and void the judge’s mandated shakeup.

But a three-judge panel that heard Google’s appeal in February rejected its lawyers’ contention that

Donato erred by allowing the case to be determined by a jury that deviated from the market definition outlined by another federal judge who mostly sided with Apple in Epic’s case against the iPhone maker’s app store.

Epic’s lawsuit “was replete with evidence that Google’s anticompetitive conduct entrenched its dominance, causing the Play Store to benefit from network effects,” the judges wrote in the decision.

The ruling “will significantly harm user safety, limit choice, and undermine the innovation that has always been central to the Android ecosystem,” Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland said in a statement.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH

OPINION

JD Vance’s complicatedpath to thepresidency

Last week, we handicappedpossible Democratic candidates for president.Now,the Republicans. There won’tbeanincumbent president in the 2028 race, but there willlikelybeasitting vice president in the running. That’s whyany assessment of Republican presidential prospects begins and ends with JD Vance.

And of course, his prospects begin and end with Donald Trump. The current president gothim elected U.S. senator and then, twoyearslater,picked him to be his running mate, elevating Vance to MAGA’s crown prince —and the nomination front-runner Vance can learnalot of lessons from othervice presidents who have sought the presidency. Theytend to be stronger nominationcandidates than general electioncontenders. While vice presidents have many advantages,they’re usually weighted down by the negativesofthe incumbent president in addition to their own negatives, making for aheavy load to carry. It is atricky positiontobein.

When presidents are popular —aswere Dwight Eisenhower in 1960,RonaldReagan in 1988 and Bill Clinton in 2000 —theirvicepresidents still have to carry on their backs the administration’s record, butthe lift is lighter.Ike’sVP, Richard Nixon,lost by only arazor-thin margin, as did Clinton’sVP, Al Gore. Reagan’sVP, George H.W.Bush, won his race to become the first incumbent vice president to be elected president since Martin VanBuren. Whenpresidents areunpopular,aswere Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and Joe Biden in 2024,itcreates a complex hazard for vice presidents to maneuver. While they want to show loyalty to the president, they also havetoaccommodate the public’sdesire for change. Squaringloyalty with change is the toughest move in the business. Just askHubert Humphrey and Kamala Harris, vicepresidentswho were handed presidential nominations by insiders (neither entered state primaries)and then lost general elections. If Trump is popular in 2028,Vance will proudly run on Trump’srecord.But if Trump is unpopular, Vance will have amuch toughertask—bringing to mind the curious story of Thomas Topham, the Englishmanwho hadtolift an 800-pound tablewith his teeth.

What do voters think of Vance? There arethree polling numbers to watch: his rating among all voters, his rating amongRepublicansand his rating among independents. The first tells us wherehe standswiththe nationalelectorate; the second measures hisability to win his party’snomination; the third provides clues as to strengths andweaknesses among potential swingvoters.

Vance’srating, according to the average offour recent polls, is 42% favorable and 51% unfavorable. That’s nine points net negative

Digging deeper,wefind that Republicans love Vance; they rate him 80% favorableto11% unfavorable, according to the Economist/YouGov poll. Not surprisingly,Democrats despise him; he rates 4% favorable, 89% unfavorable among them. Independents, who often determine winnersinclose elections, are less positive than negative,28% favorable to 53% unfavorable.

An Emerson College poll conducted in late June found Vanceleading theGOP nomination racewith 46%ofthe vote. He was followedbySecretaryof State Marco Rubio at 12%, Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis at 9% and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.at5%. Eight other prospects polled 2% or less For the general election, Emerson’slateJuly survey shows close contests with Vanceasthe Republicanstandard-bearer.Heleads Democrat Pete Buttigieg, the former transportationsecretary,byasingle point, 44% to 43%. Vancetopstwo otherDemocratsbythree points: He leadsGavin Newsom, California’sgovernor, 45% to 42%, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, aNew York memberof Congress,44% to 41%. An OvertonInsights poll from late June has Harris— who,interestingly,now trails Buttigieg for the Democratic nominationin the Emerson poll —leading Vance45% to42% While Vance is in the hunt, the race startsclose National and world events —inflation, tariffs, immigration, deficits,Ukraine, Gaza, China,Iran, Epstein —could change these numbersinaflash.

Regardless of the Republican name on the 2028 ballot, it will be Donald Trump’srecordthatwill be topofvoters’ minds. On that, we can all agree

Ron Faucheux is anonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writerbased in Louisiana

Thanks forsupporting Trump’stax cuts

At atime when manyAmericans are struggling to stay afloat,Sen. Bill Cassidy,Speaker Mike Johnson and theentire Louisianacongressional delegation stepped up to do theright thing:They delivered tax relief when it mattered most. By supportingPresident Donald Trump’stax agenda and voting to extend the 2017 tax cuts, they prevented what would have been one of the largest tax hikes in American history

Lettingthose cutsexpire would have hurt working families already burdened by record inflation, rising interest rates and the consequences of reckless federal spending. Without action, over 90% of Americans would have faced higher taxes. Six million jobsand morethan atrillion dollars in GDP were at stake. This wasn’tjust about numbers —that’s real people, real paychecks and real pain. Thankfully,Louisiana’sleaders in Washington didn’tlet that happen.

By passing this bill, they have reignited the samerocket fuel that launched our economy under Trump. The 2017 tax cuts gave businesses

theconfidence to hire, grow and invest. The results spoke forthemselves: Fivemillion jobs created, record-low unemployment forevery demographic and historic lowsin poverty. Wages rose. Small businesses expanded. Contrary to pessimistic predictions, revenues rose. The faster economic growthdriven by the TCJA brought in $1.6 trillion morethan projected, with$3trillion expected over ten years. Growth works. Raising taxes doesn’t. Someargue we can’t afford tax cuts because of the national debt. Butthe real issue isn’talack of revenue —it’srunaway spending in Washington. This bill is just the beginning. With Trumpand Republican leaders pushing for fiscal reform, we now have a pathforward. Johnson, Cassidy and their colleagues deserve thanks for protecting Louisiana families and reigniting hope for astronger,more prosperous America.

TRACY WELLS president, Louisiana Propane Gas Association

Texas flooding highlights fossil fuel follies

On July 3, an assembly of very intelligent people, with many having advanced degrees, voted to pass a900-page bill. Oneofthe major features of thebill was to promote by every possible means the use of fossil fuels.

Approximately 36 hours later,in central Texas, an “extremeweather event” occurred —adownpour in theGuadalupe River basin. This resulted in aflash flood and the loss of dozens of lives. Adultsand preteen girls drowned in thedark, with some swept away,probably never to be found.

Why did this extreme weather event occur? Most likely due to climate change —awarming of the atmosphere which allows for more moisture to be retained. Why did the warming occur? Due to thegases released by theburning, production and transportation of fossil fuels?

If predecessors of thesame assembly had 10, 20 or 50 years ago passed legislation deemphasizing fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy

sources, would that extreme weather event still have occurred? No one knows how exact thecorrelation is between legislation andanextreme weather event.

Butitseems likely that with less gases produced by fossil fuels, the atmosphere would have been cooler and would hold less moisture. Perhaps that extreme weather event would not have occurred,and dozens of adults and children would be alive today

Extreme weather events are occurring moreand morefrequently Intelligent and educated members of the same assembly as mentioned above would surely take whatever steps they could with legislation to reduce theuse of fossil fuels and promotethe use of renewables. They would surely do the right thing when their opportunity came up. They would never be so foolish as to continue promoting fossil fuels versus renewables.

Let’snot pretend collegerecruits aren’t in it forthe NILmoney

The piece about Lamar Brownfrom University High who was signedby LSUfor next year’s(2026) recruiting class was heartwarming. Iwas so glad he chose LSUbecause he “loves playing formystate andmycity,”and he has“supreme comfort withLSU. Are youkidding? The dayprior, thenewspaper ran astory aboutan upcoming high school senior(like Lamar)who signedwithTexas Tech for a$5.1 million NIL package.

Do youreally thinkthatLSU wasn’t anything other than thehighest bidder forhis services? The story hadnot one mentionofany NIL agreement, which Ibelieve wasthe determining factor in his decision. AndIdon’tblame him. In fact, I’mhappy forhim. Ihaveyet to see areport in print or hear one on theradioorsee oneonTV where areporter at the news conference asksthe recruit andthe school, “Whatkind of NIL deal did youget?” Why is that?

BOBWILSON

Metairie

Targeting law-abiding citizens isn’twantTrump voters wanted

Mandonna Kashanian, a47-year Louisiana resident, was taken away from her husband and 32-year-old daughter by ICE agents on June 19. She has since been released, but she had no criminal history,volunteered at Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild people’shouses after Hurricane Katrina, wasamember of the PTA when herdaughter wasinschool and teaches people how to cook.

When we voted for Donald Trump, his three biggest selling points were: lowering supermarket prices on his first day in office, getting rid of foreign criminals/thugs who are not U.S. citizens and lowering taxes for the middle class Trump did not say he would cut Medicaid, virtually eliminate the promotion of vaccines and take good people who are paying taxes away from their families. We have the entire country living in fear STEVE PASTER NewOrleans

TITLE

LSUlooks to win firsttitle with significant portal power

After LSU’sfirst preseason practice Wednesdaymorning, Brian Kelly pulleda copyofthe roster from hisback pocket, wanting toshowit’stoo early to make definitive conclusions.

“I’m trying to figure out who’sgot what jersey on,” Kelly joked.

The moment also illustrated how many new players are on the team. With 18 transfers and 23 freshmen, 48% of LSU’sscholarship playerswere not on the roster last year.While the majority ofthempracticed in the spring, alot of new piecesneed to fit together in ashort period of time.

“If we were putting theteam togetherfor the first time today,I’d be nervous. Ireally would,” Kelly said. “But we’ve been doing this for seven months with this group.”

Going into his fourth season, Kelly repeatedly has expressed confidence in what LSU can accomplish. He

thinksthe Tigers blended astrong foundation of returning players with the No. 1transferportal class in the country,according to 247Sports.

The thing is, history is not on LSU’sside. At least not yet Sincethe transferportal beganinOctober 2018, the eventual national champion never hasbeen built like this. Roster construction has changed because of NIL and unlimited transfers, but thebest teams have not leaned as heavily as LSU did on the portal. Overthe past six years, the national champion never signed double-digit transfers theyear it won the title.

That’sbound to change at some point. Transferring has become common,and the NCAA letsplayers changeschoolsasmanytimes as they wantduring their careers without sitting out. It hasbecome increasingly difficult for coaches to manage rosters the way they usedto.

VeteranSouthern O-line in search of left tackle

Experience. That’sTerrenceGraves’ favorite word during preseason camp

The second-year Southern footballcoach views it as an indispensable resource, anecessity to wininthe SouthwesternAthletic Conference as well as the team’sseason opener at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23 against North Carolina Central in Atlanta. The position group with arguably the most experience and continuityisthe offensive line. Out of the15linemen listed on the roster,Southern has sevenupperclassmen and 11 returners,including four starters from the SWAC championship game. Those players are sophomore right tackle Bryan Wallace, redshirt junior right guard Jeron Lewis, senior left guard Chris Garcia and graduate student center Juan Gonzales.

“It’salways good to have experienced linemen,”GravessaidatThursday’spractice

“Anytime youcan get an offensivelinethat played together and gel together, it only bodes well for your team. And those guys

forming opinions on 2025 Saints

The NewOrleans Saints are athird of the waythrough training camp. There’sstill a long way to go, including three preseason games, but we’ve had enough time to draw someconclusions.

The Saints have conducted eight practices, three in full pads. So it’s still early,especially forthe young players and rookies. Ivividly recall how lost rookie receiver Marques Colston looked early in 2006 training camp. Then, two weeks in, the light bulb turned on, and Colston emerged as arookie starter and future star

Iknowitcan be difficulttoreservejudgment while monitoring breathless 24/7 coverageofcamp, but remember that someof these youngplayers have hadonly tworuns through thesystem sincejoining theteam. Patience is avirtue.

With that in mind, here’swhat I’ve liked, loved and loathed from Airline Drive: Camp standouts

The best players I’ve seen so far, in no particular order,are Erik McCoy,Kool-Aid McKinstry,Rashid Shaheed, Chase Young, Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson. These six have stood out, both in the quality and consistency of their play

ä See DUNCAN, page 4C

The NewOrleans Saints wereoff from practice Friday,which gives aconvenient excuse to take abeat and measure what we’ve seen alittle morethan aweek into training camp. Who is having the best camp? Which quarterback is winning the QB battle? Who’srising and falling? It’s timefor somesuperlatives.

Best camp WR Rashid Shaheed: Shaheed’sphysicality has stood out all camp—something you wouldn’texpect from areceiver listed at 6feet, 180 pounds. But the fourth-year wideout told reporters he’sgained 10 pounds, and that has paid off in the way that Shaheed has snagged contested catches. Notably, he has not lost any speed in his attempt to beef up. This coaching staff seems enticed by Shaheed’sability and has used him on avariety of new routes that the previous coaching staff didn’t. He could be in store for abig year,ifhestays healthy Runner-up: CB Kool-AidMcKinstry

See

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed catches the ballduring adrill on Wednesday at the team’spractice facility
PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSU wide receiver Barion Brown dances in between drills during aspring practice on March
theLSU practice facility.Brown transferred from the University of Kentucky in January. STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

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2p.m.Minnesota at Las VegasABC

Pittsburgh’s future treads murkywaters

GM Cherington believes deadlinemoves create options, butposition-player production aproblem

PITTSBURGH The Pittsburgh Pirates arrived at springtraining six months ago stressing that it was time to win. They talked abouturgency.Theytalked about internal improvements. They talked about returning to playoff contention for the first time in adecade. Then the games began, and the losses, both on and off the field, mounted.Quickly

Even the brilliance of superstar ace Paul Skenes and the fresh,no frills approachofmanager Don Kelly —promoted afterDerek Shelton was fired in May couldn’tstop the last-place club from being sellers at the trade deadline again.

In the span of 24 hours, general manager Ben Cherington sent away former franchisecornerstones Ke’Bryan Hayesand David Bednar in exchange for prospects, most of whom are years away from reaching the majors, if they ever even get there.

LSU football gains pledge, abrother of current Tiger

LSUfootballadded acommitment FridayafternoonfromDarryus McKinley, athree-star defensive lineman out of Lafayette. McKinleyisthe No. 556 overall recruit in the2026 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and the No. 19 prospect in Louisiana.Hegoes to Acadiana High. McKinley is the younger brother of LSUsophomore defensive lineman Dominick McKinley, who signedasa five-star recruit in the2024class. McKinley established himself as acoveted recruit in hisown right. Listed at 6-foot-3 and270 pounds, he also considered Florida, Tennessee and Texasasfinalists forhis commitment. He joins Baton Rouge five-star Lamar Brown and New Orleans four-star RichardAnderson as highly rated defensive linemen.

Former LSUwalk-on guard

Ward joins Mulkey’sstaff

season were to acquire first baseman Spencer Horwitz while taking one-year flyers on Pham and AdamFrazier,who has already been traded to Kansas City

The results have hardly been surprising. Horwitz has been steady (.252) since missing the first month-plus of the season due to awrist injury,but thepower Pittsburgh hopedwould come along remains awork in progress. Pham has emerged from amassive funk to boost his average to .273.

In away,the Pirates offense mirrors enigmatic centerfielder Oneil Cruz, whosometimes dazzles with his physical gifts but just as frequently draws attentionfor his inattentiveness.

Meanwhile, the inability to score runs has marreda remarkable season by thepitching staff. The Pirates entered Friday’sgame at Colorado in the topseven in the majorsinERA, led by Skenes and his major-leaguebest 1.83 ERA. The23-year-oldisa Cy Young candidatedespite entering the weekend with a6-8 record.

Awalk-on guardwho played on the LSUwomen’s basketball2023 national championship team is joining coach Kim Mulkey’sstaff.

Emily Ward, aBossier Citynative who played with the Tigers from 2019-23, is now the director of operations, the team announced Friday She’sfillingthe role left vacant by Jordin Westbrook, aMulkeystaff member who’sleaving the program to pursue other opportunities. After Ward’splaying career ended, she worked as acommunications staffmember with LSU athletics. That job included afew fill-in assignments as acolor analyst on the women’sbasketball radio broadcast. Hernew role will include marketing work, travel logistics coordination and other responsibilities.

Pels add 2021 first-round pickSpringer to backcourt

It’sa pattern that has repeated itself during Cherington’s fiveplus years on the job. Yet, unlike theearlydaysof his top-to-bottom overhaul —when Cherington tore the major league roster down to the studs while accumulating as many bodies as he couldtoreplenish the club’sbereft minor-league system —itcomes at atimewhen expectations both internally and externally are considerablyhigher YetCherington believeshis approachchecked all threeboxes required to help Pittsburgh win in 2026,sayingthe Pirates added asignificant group of young players, most notably, catcher/first baseprospect Rafael Flores, who has 16 homers between Double-A and Triple-Athis season. The departure of Hayesat third base, Bednar,atwo-time All-Star closer,and left-handedstarter Bailey Falter will create opportunities for others down thestretch. Cherington also pointed out the expected exit of veterans currently on one-year deals —infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, outfielder Tommy Pham and pitcher Andrew Heaney most notably —will create considerablefinancial flexibil-

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PittsburghPirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes walks to the dugout against the Minnesota Twins on July 11 in Minneapolis Cherington

ity asPittsburgh tries to upgrade an offense currently mired near the bottom of the majorsinmost offensivecategories.

“There’salways more things like that that you want to do,soI feel really good aboutthe things we did do,” Cherington said. “I do believe we put ourselvesina stronger position going intoAugust,September andthe offseason.”

Yetwhen pressedonwhat that fiscal flexibility might look like in practice for ateam that regularly begins each season with among the bottomfive clubs in terms of payroll,Cherington offered only vague answers.

“We’llbeopen-minded about free agency,” he said. “We’ve pursued legitimate major-league position players in the pasthere since I’ve been hereand I’m sure we’ll do it again. It’s never going to be onething that solves that issue and helps us figure out the offense thatleads toawinningteam. It’s alwaysgoing to be lots of things and alot of that has to happeninternally.”

Where will help come from?

Therein lies oneofPittsburgh’s biggest issues, for allofthe success Cherington andhis staff have had in identifying and developing young pitchers —there’savery real chance 22-year-old righthanderBubba Chandlermakes hismajor league debutlater this summer —the results when it comes to positionplayers is far moremiss than hit

While 19-year-old shortstop/ outfielder Konnor Griffin is currently consideredperhaps the topprospect in all of baseball, he is currently in Class A. Termarr Johnson, afirst-round pick in 2022, is having asolid but not exactly spectacular year at Double-A. They will both eventually be everydayplayers in Pittsburgh, but having that happen by next summer is astretch. So it leaves thePirates in afamiliar place: playing out the string knowing exactlywhattheyneed to do to be better next year.Pittsburgh was in the same spot last summer,and Cherington’sonly significant moves during theoff-

Just as importantly,Skeneshas consistently said and done all the right things since the Pirates took him first overallinthe 2023 draft. He brushed off the idea the club should tradehim now withhis value so high,saying simply “anybody can play GM.”

Yethis patiencemight already be wearing thin. Skenes —who will becomearbitration eligible after 2026, which will likely mean aheftyraise— toldthe club’s radio networkoverthe weekend that while he thinks Pittsburgh is “very close” to contending, it must “consciously andintentionally make moves to get us better” at the deadline.

Cherington —whose status beyond this season is uncertain as Pittsburgh eyes asixth straight losing season on his watch —may have finally said the quiet part out loud late Thursday as the Pirates eye another pennant race going on without them. Yes, they’ll have moneytospend over the winter

Just don’texpect agold rush.

“(Improving) in Pittsburgh is going to be acombination of taking chances,making bets on young players who are unproven,” he said. “And we’ve got to continue to do that and be right moreoften than we’re not right on those.”

Theclock is ticking. In more ways than one.

BristoltohostTennessee’s first MLBgame

BRISTOL, Tenn. Bristol Motor Speedway is ready to make history by hosting the first Major League Baseball game in Tennessee. The stage, or in this case the racetrack, has been set forthe biggest crowd for aregular-season baseball game at Saturday night’sMLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

“The way the venuelooks really is somethingthat youcan puton paper,but you really can’tget a true vision of it until you actually put grandstands on the infield of the track, and you put 3,500 seats in the middle of 87,000 seats,” MLB senior vice president of global events Jeremiah Yolkut said Friday “Those things just don’t become areality until you actually see them.”

What fans will see Saturday is abaseball diamond tucked inside the infield of the half-mile bullring at Bristol. Atemporary

grandstand wraps around both sidelines with apress box at the top. Thetrack’sColossus videoboard hoversoverfoulterritory along the third base line. Any balls hit off Colossus will be foul.

Three-timeAll-Star Sean Casey played in aMarch 2008 exhibition betweenthe Red Sox and Dodgers with 115,300 at theLos Angeles Coliseum for thelargestcrowd ever to see abaseball game. Casey said Friday that the energyfrom thefansthatday was “incredible.”

“I thinkthe Reds and the Braves taking this field with 90,000-plus people atBristol Motor Speedway,the energy for this game is going to be off the charts,” Casey said after spending time on this field broadcasting withMLB Network.

MLB didn’ttry to top that 2008 mark for attendance, blockingoff seatsinTurns 3and 4atthe track with aracing capacity of 146,000.

Officials announced Monday thatmore than 85,000 tickets had been sold to top the previous paid attendance of 84,587 set Sept.12, 1954, when Cleveland Stadium

hosted theNew York Yankees Yolkut said adifference between now and the 2008game is this is aregular-season game andnot an exhibition. This game wasn’tabout simply packing peopleintoset arecordand telling some fans to just watch thegame on the videoboard.

“Wethought it was important to have as minimal obstruction seats as possible and tomake sure that the fans coming were going to have agreat experience,” Yolkut said.

TheRedsheld off theBraves 3-2inCincinnati on Friday afternoon.Thatgaveeveryone at Bristol time to preparefor Saturday’s spectacle.

The teams have separateclubhouses,with the Reds behind the baseball field’sgrandstand and the Braves just past theright field fence next to thetrack wall. Afew miles away,the Braves threw awatch partyatthe Bristol Paramount Theater for Friday’s game. Admission was free with souvenirs available and the concession standopen with the big screen view

The MLB FanZonejust outside the speedway’stowering walls featuresa110-foot Ferris wheel, food trucks, pitching tunnels and batting cages and team mascots.

TimMcGraw and Pitbull will headline abig pre-game concert inside Bristol.Chipper Jones and Johnny Bench will handle the first pitch.

The chance to see history had fans arriving Thursday to take advantage of Bristol’scampgrounds.A group of Braves’ fans came from Charleston, South Carolina, and setuptents.

The124,000 square feet of AstroTurf will be donated after the game to East Tennessee State University as part of MLB’sBetter Together social responsibility initiative. ETSU has had 45 players taken in the MLB draft.

“Wealsoget the opportunity to investinthe community that’s hosting us,” said April Brown, MLB’ssenior vice president of social responsibility.“So this is incredibly important to our MLB Togetherpillars because education andpartnerships arekey to what we want to invest in.”

The New Orleans Pelicans signed guard Jaden Springer on Thursday.Springer,who played collegiately at Tennessee, was a late first-round pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 draft. He’s playedwith the 76ers, Boston Celtics and mostrecently with the UtahJazz. He wasa member of the Celtics’ championship team in the2023-24 season after being traded to Boston from Philly Springer has played in 110 games, including six starts, since arriving in the NBA. He’saveraging 2.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists. He scored acareer-high19 points in his secondseason with the 76ers. The signing of Springer cameaday after the Pelicans signed guard Bryce McGowens to atwo-waydeal.

Yankees releaseveteran right-hander Stroman

TheNew York Yankeesreleased veteran right-hander Marcus StromanonFriday,aday after making aflurry of moves at baseball’strade deadline.

Stroman,who is in his11th season in the majors, was cut ahead of the opener of athree-gameseries against the Miami Marlins. Stroman signeda two-year deal worth $37 millionwith New York before the start of last season and is still owed the rest of his $18.5 millionsalary

He has an $18 millionconditional player option for2026 that would be exercised if he pitches 140 or more innings in 2025. Stroman has pitched only 39 innings so far this season,missing21/2 months with leftknee inflammation. Stromanis 3-2 with a6.23 ERA.

Ex-LSU sprinter Richardson arrested, but case dropped Former LSUsprinter andOlympic medalist Sha’Carri Richardson wasarrested Sunday after an altercation with herboyfriend at the Seattle-Tacoma InternationalAirport, according to apolice report. The case since has been dropped, as her boyfriend, American sprinter Christian Coleman, chose not to press charges. The incident described in the report occurred at theTSA security checkpoint where Richardson arguedwithColeman.The arresting officer saw Richardsonpush Colemanmultiple times as he walked away.Coleman told police he was in a“heated”argument with Richardson, whom he said washis girlfriend of more than two years. He “deniedanythingphysicalhad occurred” and that he “declinedto be avictim.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KIN CHEUNG

round of the Women’s British Open on Friday

Yamashita, Takeda pull away at Women’s British Open

PORTHCAWL,Wales Miyu Yamashi-

ta started and finished with short birdie putts and was flawless in between as she posted a 7-under 65 on Friday to build a three-shot lead over Rio Takeda going into the weekend of the Women’s British Open.

The Japanese players, both among the top 15 in the women’s world ranking, played in the same group at Royal Porthcawl and put on a show in the second round, matching great shots and big putts that left the rest of the field far behind.

Takeda was the only player within seven shots of Yamashita. Nelly Korda (72) and rising English star Lottie Woad (70) were among the top 10 on the leaderboard and still nine shots behind at the halfway point.

Woad was on the cusp of contention until a triple bogey on the par4 16th.

“There was a lot more good in it than bad,” Woad said. “Played really well for 17 holes, just that one hole cost me a bit.”

Yamashita was bogey-free and did most of her damage with four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn as she took advantage of an early start before stronger wind arrived.

“I didn’t make any particular adjustments to my swing, but the wind was strong, so I think shots are important, as well as club selection and the direction I aim at the target,” Yamashita said. “So

SOUTHERN

Continued from page 1C

have really grown and matured and they’re really working hard together to be on the same page.”

The starting left tackle spot is the only place that doesn’t have a returner as Cameron Foster transferred to Incarnate Word. Graves isn’t worried about who will replace him.

“We got some guys there, (offensive line) coach (Damon) Nivens is doing a great job of moving guys around,” Graves said. “Juan is going to play center again. He’s doing a good job. And hey, you got enough experienced offensive linemen, guys with game experience that they’re interchangeable. I’m not concerned about who is playing where.”

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Gonzales — who is entering his third season

LSU

Continued from page 1C

This year, the power conference teams plus Notre Dame signed an average of 21.4 transfers, according to data pulled from 247Sports’ class rankings. Only eight teams — Florida, Tennessee, Iowa State, Clemson, Duke, Iowa, Penn State and Notre Dame — added less than 10 transfers. Even Clemson took its first-ever defensive transfer At first, transfers hardly affected the eventual championship teams. A few LSU players in 2019 began their careers at other schools, including Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, but they had transferred before the portal was created. At the time, undergraduate transfers still had to sit out for a year

things like that are important, so I played while keeping in mind the image I’ve been practicing so far.”

Takeda, whose two LPGA Tour titles include the Toto Japan Classic last year before she was a member, was slowed by a pair of bogeys.

Takeda atoned for that with a superb approach into the par-5 ninth that settled within tap-in range for eagle. She shot 69.

“I was able to play calmly today, and I hope to focus on my game and play calmly again tomorrow,”

Takeda said.

Yamashita, who celebrates her 24th birthday on Saturday, was at 11-under 133.

Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland and Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand each shot 69 and were tied for third at 4-under 140, along with American Lindy Duncan (70) and Laura Fuenfstueck of Germany, who had a 71. The cut was at 2-over 146. Brooke Henderson of Canada was right on the cut line until missing a 4-foot par putt on the windblown 17th, and then failing to make birdie on the par-5 closing hole. Also missing the cut were world No. 4 Ruoning Yin (77), Rose Zhang (76) and U.S. Women’s Open champion Maja Stark (78).

Yani Tseng of Taiwan, a two-time Women’s British Open champion and former No. 1 player in the world, shot 73 and made the cut in a major for the first time in eight years. It was her first made cut in an LPGA event since the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Champion-

at Southern after starting his career at McNeese State — said multiple players have been trying out for left tackle.

“We got young guys like (freshman) Clifton Webb, we got Bryan Wallace, a returner,” Gonzales said “I like the young guys. We’re gonna give everybody a shot.”

When asked whether there are more question marks surrounding the offense than the defense because of an influx of new pieces, especially at running back, Gonzales said that he’s confident in the unit.

“There’s always going to be a question mark on the offense,” Gonzales said “I think we’re explosive, and I think it’s a good group of guys. Coming in at the start of camp, we didn’t really know each other, but we’re on practice nine now and it’s a brotherhood. We get better every day.”

ship in 2018.

Korda remains the No. 1 player in women’s golf despite not winning this year, and she now faces a tall order with a nine-shot deficit for the last 36 holes.

“Honestly didn’t really capitalize on anything in the calmer conditions on the front nine, then kind of got really windy on the back,” Korda said. “Made a few more mistakes but bounced back with some birdies. Overall, I’m not going to complain with even par.”

PGA Tour

YOUNG LEADSWYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE RAIN HALTS PLAY: In Greensboro, North Carolina, Cameron Young made two straight birdies to move ahead of reigning champion Aaron Rai and then stuffed his tee shot on the par-3 16th into 6 feet when storm clouds gathered and halted play

The second round was to resume at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and the third round would be played in threesomes starting on both nines at Sedgefield Country Club.

Young is considered among the best players to have not won on a major tour, twice contending into the final hour of major championships He has seven runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour, including the British Open at St. Andrews.

Young was at 14-under par Rai, who won his first PGA Tour title a year ago at the Wyndham Championship, was at 13 under and had just missed the green to the left on No. 14.

Big 12, ACC hope new rules ‘level playing field’

MAC ENGEL Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TNS)

FORT WORTH, Texas An elderly white-haired gentlemen “with means,” who is a longtime TCU benefactor and been around and around, recently said it best about this new era of college sports: “Now’s when the cheating really starts.”

This person was around in the 1980s, when the now-defunct Southwest Conference made the Wild West look refined and orderly When rich guys sprayed money at college football players through hoses of cash, brazenly ignoring the NCAA’s bloated rulebook and draconian enforcement of its regulations about amateurism.

It’s 2025, and the NCAA still exists, but its precious rulebook has been thrown into the shredder by the U.S. Supreme Court. College sports’ biggest governing body now exists because of March Madness and its massive media right’s package that keeps the NCAA afloat.

It’s 2025, players are paid directly by schools, there is a soft “salary cap,” a new College Sports Commission and the hope that people will follow a “new and improved” rulebook. For the Big 12 and the ACC, they are not only counting on it but the enforcement of these new rules may be the only way they can win a football title in a world ruled by The BigSECTen.

Those two leagues operate with the security provided by the following: 1. They have the full support, and bigger contracts, from broadcast right’s partners ESPN and Fox. 2. They tell the NCAA what they are doing, not the other way around. Last year, leaders from the Big Ten and SEC met with the suits from the NCAA to tell them, “This is how you are going to govern us.”

You will notice that any time the leadership from the Big 12 or ACC call for a nationwide meeting to discuss a topic or trend, the people from the Big Ten and SEC blow it off. Despite these considerable obstacles, the Big 12 and ACC play on in a tilted field.

“The one thing that no one is talking about is that (House v. NCAA) settlement should create a level playing field,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said to a small group of reporters at Big 12 media days last month. “If enforcement works, and it will;

Outside of building camaraderie, the offensive line most recently has been working on identifying blitzes, which could help them remain an above-average team in prevent-

Transfers did not fill the next three championship teams, either. Alabama won the 2020 national title after signing two, neither of whom made an impact. Georgia added three before it won in 2021, the same year the NCAA allowed underclassmen to transfer once without losing a year of eligibility

Though Georgia targeted some transfers the next offseason it didn’t sign any before winning the championship again. Things began to change with Michigan in 2023. Its roster was still built on experienced, homegrown players, but the Wolverines signed nine transfers. Most importantly they panned out at a high rate. All but one of them, a backup quarterback, played in at least 13 games that season Ohio State followed a similar blueprint last year The Buckeyes famously spent $20 million in NIL,

helping them sign Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, Alabama safety Caleb Downs, Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins and Alabama center Seth McLaughlin. But the money also went toward retaining key veterans, who formed the backbone of the team. There nearly have been some exceptions, especially the past three years. TCU went to the 2023 national championship game after signing 14 transfers, and Washington added 10 before going to the College Football Playoff and finishing runner-up to Michigan a year later Florida State, one of the most consistently active teams in the portal, signed at least 10 transfers every year from 2020-24. The strategy worked in 2023, when the Seminoles went 13-1 and won the ACC, only to be left out of the playoff after an injury to quarterback Jordan Travis.

I have a lot of faith in (College Sports Commission CEO) Bryan Seeley

“This should create a level playing field. I am not giving that up.” This hope is rooted in the rule that the Power Four conference teams, plus Notre Dame, are now only able to spend up to the $20.5 million limit to distribute however they want to all of their players, in all sports. Anything above that must be cleared by a third party as a legitimate name, image, likeness contract that is not just pay-to-play

These new rules were finalized over the summer; college sports is now in its first recruiting cycle where there will be a new watchman over the money, the CSC (College Sports Commission). In theory, this soft salary cap that isn’t called a cap will function in college football like the NFL, and talent will be dispersed among the “power names” as opposed to just a few If it works, it could create scenarios where non-traditional schools can move up the rankings and win playoff games.

If it works, it would allow the Big 12 and ACC to have a legit chance to contend with the familiar rich names that have traditionally run this sport unlike any other major league in America. Since 1970, the top of college football’s pyramid remains mostly unchanged.

Of the 33 teams that play in the ACC and Big 12, three have won national titles this century: Miami, Florida State and Clemson. The only current members of the Big 12 that have won a national title in the modern era are Colorado (1990) and BYU (1984). There are 34 teams that play in TheBigSECTen. Most of them haven’t sniffed a national title, either That means you Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Kentucky, UCLA, Rutgers, Maryland, Vanderbilt and Northwestern and the rest who mooch off Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, LSU and the other elites. This “level playing field” has a prayer only if this new college sports commission has real incisors and can actually enforce punishment when the violators are caught. The boosters who violated the rules in the 1970s and 1980s may be gone, but their legacies and practices will live on in this new era of college sports.

Because now the cheating really starts.

Valley State, which played one less game than the Jaguars. Graves said that working on everything each practice is the aim for the offensive line in the preseason.

“Every day you’ve got to get better, there’s no one thing,” Graves said. “I want them to be better at every phase of the game. Run, pass protection, covering, screens Because if you’re gonna call it, you have to work it every day.”

Outside of the returning starters, no one has stood out to Graves, but that’s not a bad thing at this point.

“The vets are doing a good job,” Graves said. “Those young guys are doing a good job. It’s still early so we’ll see. Nothing beats game experience. Practice is good to see those guys move around, but once we start teeing it up a bit, then we’ll know more.”

ing sacks. The Jaguars allowed the fourth-fewest sacks in the SWAC last season, tying with Mississippi

But last year, after signing 17 transfers and the nation’s No. 7 class, they plummeted to 2-10. The first team to win a title with double-digit transfers could come soon. In the inaugural 12-team playoff last year half the field had signed at least 10 transfers going into the season. Only two teams, Clemson and Penn State, signed less than eight. Oregon, the No. 1 overall seed and Big Ten champion, assembled the second-ranked transfer class in the country behind Ole Miss, but the Rebels showed a top portal class doesn’t guarantee anything.

Starting with the 2022 class, Ole Miss began to build its roster through the transfer portal. It has signed four straight classes with at least 20 transfers, and it has won 10-plus games in three of the past four seasons. It also hasn’t made the CFP

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com.

After signing the No. 1 class in the country last year the Rebels went 9-3 in the regular season. That’s what LSU is trying to avoid. 247Sports has ranked transfer classes for the past four years, and the other teams that finished No. 1 — Southern Cal (2022), Colorado (2023) and Ole Miss (2024) — have yet to reach the playoff.

Perhaps LSU can be the first to win it all this way If it does, it could show something has changed about roster building.

“I love what I’ve seen about this football team,” Kelly said. “That’s why I’ve been bullish on our team. Now, we’ve got to go play You’ve got to go win the games and execute when you need to execute. But I like where we’re at.” For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Southern offensive lineman Juan Gonzales speaks during an interview after practice Thursday at A.W Mumford Stadium.
Miyu yamashita, left, and Rio Takeda smile after their second
in Porthcawl, Wales.

Star DE Parsonsblasts Cowboys, demandstrade

The Associated Press

OXNARD,Calif. Micah Parsons requested atrade from the Dallas Cowboys on Friday while suggesting the club has refusedtonegotiate anew contract forthe star edge rusher Parsons reported to training camp in California with the Cowboys last week and tried to stay upbeat in ameeting with reporters.

Histone changed dramatically in amessage posted on X.

“I did everything Icould to show that Iwanted to be aCowboy and wear thestaronmyhelmet,” Parsons wrote in asocial media post. “Unfortunately, Inolongerwantto be here. Inolonger want tobeheld to close door negotiations without my agent present.”

Parsons finished the lengthy note by saying he had told executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones he wanted to be traded. TheCowboysdeclined to comment on Parsons’ request.

The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his five-year rookie contract with asalary of $24 million but wants along-term deal that almost certainly would exceed $40 million in average annual value. Sincesacks became an official stat in 1982, Parsons and Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White arethe only players to record at least 12 in each of their first four seasons. The 2021 first-round draft pick has 521/2 for his career Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Joneshad alengthy chat on the field whilethe teamwas practicingduringmandatoryminicamp in June.

About three months before that, Parsons said, Jerry Jones turned another conversation about leadership into what amounted to a negotiation.

“Yes,Iengaged in aback and forth in regards to what Iwanted from my contract, but at no point didIbelieve this was supposed to be aformal negotiation and Iin-

DUNCAN

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Still waiting

Among the veteranplayers I’d like to see more from are Cam Akers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Cedrick Wilson, Donovan PeoplesJones,Nathan Shepherd andKhalen Saunders.

Of veterans, Sean Payton used to say he didn’tneed to see it all the time, but he needed to see it at some point. That’swhereIstand with each player in this group.

QB battle wide open

The quarterback competition is highly competitive. Spencer Rattler has made the most explosive plays and looked the most decisive of the trio. But Tyler Shough and Jake Haener also havehad days where they’ve performed the best.

Iobviously was being hyperbolic on social media when Icalled Shough’swork in the two-minute offenseThursday “the worst in NFL history.” It was arough session for the rookie, albeit not entirely his fault. But I’m not sure I’ve seen an offense lose yardage on three consecutiveplaysto start atwo-minutedrill.That’snot what’ssupposed to happen.

With Shough, you can see the traits that led the Saints to select him high in the second round of the NFL draft. But he remainsa work in progress, which is to be expected from arookie in his second week of camp.

The preseason games could prove decisive in the competition. If this were apolitical race, it would be too close to call.

Rookie run

This rookie class will see more playing time than groupsfrom recent years. Kelvin Banks is cemented as the starting left tackle. At times, classmates Shough, Vernon Broughton, Quincy Riley and Danny Stutsman also have worked with first-team units. At the very least, thelast three will start the seasonasprimary backups.

Jonas Sanker has worked with the second team at safety,and running back Devin Nealissolidly in the mix as Alvin Kamara’s backup.

Backup backs

The backup running back spots are up for grabs. No one has emerged as the No. 2orNo. 3 back behind Kamara yet. With this in mind, the preseason

Indianapolis

formed Mr.Jones my agent would reach out thinking this would get things done,” Parsons wrote.

Instead,Parsons said, arepresentative of the Cowboys told agentDavid Mulugheta that adeal already had beenreached. Parsons said the Cowboys then stonewalled hisagent and that “uptotoday,” theteam and Mulugheta haven’t discussed anew contract.

“Not one demand has been made by my agent about money, years or anything else,” Parsonswrote.

“Still, Istayed quiet but again afterrepeatedshots at myself and allthe narratives, Ihave made the tough decision Inolonger want to play for theDallas Cowboys.”

Ayear ago, 2023 All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb was in the same situation entering the finalyear of hisrookie contract andstayed away from theCowboys the entire offseason and training camp. The

games will be bigfor this group. Look for all of the backup runners to get extended run, starting with theexhibitionopener against the Chargers next week.

Areasofconcern

Depth is amajor issue at tight endwith Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill sidelined.Johnson needs to stay healthyuntil they return from thephysically unable to perform list.

The Saints pursued Noah Fant, but the veteran tight end signed with Cincinnati on Thursday.He would havehelped this team. Other thin positions are cornerback, receiver,nose tackle and offensivetackle.

Look for the Saints to trytoaddress allofthese areas before thestart of theseason, especially after roster cuts occur

Dizzying D

New defensivecoordinator

Brandon Staley’s3-4 scheme is fun to watch. Thescheme is complicated andusesa lot of post-snap movement to stress the offense and createconfusion in blocking assignments.Attimes, it can create havoc. Thedefense is throwing alot at theyoung quarterbacks.

Likewise,the Saintshave mixed andmatched their pass coverages throughout camp and have been aggressivewith their blitzpackages.They’ll primarily be amatchzone schemeinthe secondary Nickel competition

The thirdcorner spot is a work in progress. Isaac Yiadom has helddown thestarting role throughout camp,but Riley is nipping at hisheels. This position battle could godown to the wire. Whoever winsthe job will stay outside in coverage, opposite McKinstry,with Alontae Taylor manning the slot or Star position in Staley’sscheme.

Thenickel package could have as manyasthree new faces in the personnel package with Riley and safeties Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon,sothisarea of defense might take some time to gel. Improved rundefense?

Expect the rundefense to be improved —and it needs to be after rankingNo. 30 in the league

ayear ago. Team officials identified this as an area of weakness and invested significant resources this offseason to address it. Free agents Reid,Blackmon, Jonathan Bullard, Davon Godchaux, and rookies Broughton, Stutsman and

INDIANAPOLIS Tyler Warren still appreciatesthe blue-and-white team colors. Everything else has changed his number,the shade of blue he wears, even his new decals-laden helmet.

This is what happens when the best tight end in college football turns pro. Warren, Penn State’s mostversatile player in 2024, now finds himself on asteep, speedy and increasinglysteady learning curve at training camp with the Indianapolis Colts.

“I think it’s been kind of normal installing and learning the offense, just taking your time andtrying to understand it,” he said after just a couple of workouts.“It does take stuff (to do) on my own, right? We go through it in themeeting, but when Igoback to the hotel room looking overitagain,doing walk-throughs with somebody is, I think, is the most helpful.

Indy took him No. 14 overall in the draft and it hasn’ttaken long forWarren to showcase his skillsincamp, including Thursdaynight when he made an offbalance,one-handedstabwhile falling down for afirst down. Theplaydrewa loud roar from the crowd and praise from coach Shane Steichen.

sides agreed on a$136 million, four-year extension abouttwo weeks before theseason.

The request from Parsons comes two days after Cincinnatiedge rusher Trey Hendricksonended aholdout by reportingtotraining campdespitenoprogress on anew contract.

In his meeting with reporters when campstarted, Parsons expressed frustrationover other pass-rushing stars getting deals done. Twoweeks ago, Pittsburgh made T.J. Watt the highest-paid defender with a$123million,threeyear extension for an annual averageof$41 million. Maxx Crosby of LasVegas signed a$106.5 million, three-year deal in March.

Jerry Jones rarelyhas let star players get away amid stalled contract talks, and it’sbeen equally as rare for oneofthemtogopublic with atrade request

Sanker are all solid run defenders. On their first day in pads, the Saintsopened team drills with three straight runs, and the defense stuffed each one. Agood early sign.

Speaking of Bullard,his late signing went under theradar,but theveteran defensive end is challenging for astartingspot.He fills arole as asituational run defender at theother end opposite Bryan Bresee.

Situationalrole

Cam Jordan has started 225 of 226 games in his career,but the veteran end’sdays as afull-time player might be over.Helooks to have areduced role in his 15th season.

With Young and Carl Granderson locked into the starting outside linebacker spots, Jordan has worked primarily as abackup outside linebacker and defensive end. His primary role likely will be as asituational pass rusher in passing situations when the Saints switch totheir nickel and dime packages.

At this stageofhis stellar career,less is probably morefor Jordan.

Undraftedrookies to watch

Three undrafted rookies have caught my eye: guard Easton Kilty,running back Marcus Yarns and defensive end Jasheen Davis. All three have flashed ability in team and seven-on-seven drills. Undrafted rookies always have an uphill battle for aroster spot, but Iexpect them to get extended playing time during preseason games. It wouldn’tbeasurprise if each landed on the practice squad.

Sign of thetimes?

This is definitely thelightest training camp I’ve experienced in my 26 years covering the Saints. The practices are lively but short, and with very little hitting. The Saintsstill haven’tconducted alive tackling session, and I haven’tseen one set of gassers or conditioning runs. At therisk of sounding like a dinosaur,I’m not ahuge fan of the new CBArules that limit contact during thepreseason. It complicates the evaluation process, especially for running backs and linebackers, when there’snolive tackling.

No one is asking to return to full-contact two-a-days, but there’sa happy medium to reach between the Junction Boys days and 2025. Just my two cents.

Starting over isn’teasy foranyone, though Warren seemssuited to makeasmoothtransition. He played centerand quarterback as aprep star in Virginia. He played fullback at Penn State before moving to tight end. Then last season the Nittany Lion coaches threw out the vanilla playbook and tailored it to Warren’sunusual skill set. It seemed there wasnothing he couldn’tdo. Warren setasingle-season school record with 104 receptions, topped the 1,000-yard mark, emerged as ashort-yardage rushing beast and became the first Big Tentight end to rush for four scores in one season since 1956. He even threwaTDpass and returned akickoff. The resume was so impressive, he earned the John Mackey Award and All-American honors, helped Penn State reach the CFP and improved his draftstock.

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

Best quarterback

QB Spencer Rattler: Is Rattler starting to separate himself in this race? The second-year quarterback has looked decidedly more comfortable than Tyler Shough and has been more accurate than Jake Haener.Rattler has thrown the ball well, and he appears to have taken astep forward ahead of his second season. That said, Rattler’sinterceptions and consistencywill be areas to monitor before the first preseason game. The 24-year-old has thrown three picks in camp, and his second one really seemed to affect his play thatday

Runner-up: Haener

Biggestsurprise

GTrevor Penning: Penning’sposition change has gone surprisingly smooth so far. The preseason games will be the real test to see whether he can hold up, but he’s done well in apractice setting.

Teammates and coaches have praised his aggressiveness, often noting the switch inside better suits his playing style. And Penning has agreed with that framing, telling reporters that he has feltcomfortable since moving on from tackle.

Runner-up: KBlakeGrupe

Biggestdisappointment

RB KendreMiller: Here’sapositive for Miller: He hasn’tgotten hurt after an injury-plaguedstart to his career. But the Saints have the third-year running back going fourth in individual reps behind Alvin Kamara,Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie Devin Neal —and has spent time with the third-team offense during team drills. Perhaps the coaches aretrying to send Miller amessage by keeping him lower in the pecking order,but if they are, it hasn’tappeared to take hold. This isn’tmeant to write off Miller he’ll have arep or two in which he bursts through the line —but he hasn’tcreated separation in the team’scrowded running back room.

Runner-up: DE Isaiah Foskey

Threerisers

WR Mason Tipton, LB DannyStustman, TE Jack Stoll: Just like last year, Tipton has been atraining camp star.The former Yale receiver madethe team’s 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent last year because he wasatarget machine, and he’sbeen ago-to for all three quarterbacks this

“It was an incredible catch,” Steichen said. “But Idid get some backlash because some of the guys thought it was asack and it mighthavebeen. I’ll take that back. It probably,definitely was, but Iwas watching the route. It was aheck of acatch,and you saw that on his college tape.”

It’s amajor improvement from Warren’sfirst few practices when he struggled to holdontothe passes thrown by Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, whoare battlingtobe the Colts starting quarterback. Indy has plenty of depth with seven tight ends on the roster and five with NFLexperience, but they’ve not had areliable go-to playeratthe positionsince two-time ProBowler Jack Doyle retired after the 2021 season.

“We’re putting alot on his plate, and sometimes you push them a little bit beyond their threshold,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said.

year as well. The big question: Can his practice production translate to games? It didn’tlast year,with Tipton catching only 14 passes for99yards in 11 appearances. Stutsman and Stoll have had good moments. Stutsman made agreat read when he picked off Rattler early in camp and has since earned steady work with the starters when either Demario Davis or Pete Werner sits. Stoll has taken advantage of a light tight end room that hasn’t seen Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) practice yet.

Runner-up: RB Velus Jones

Threefallers

WR Bub Means, CWillClapp, KCharlie Smyth: Outside of awide-open touchdownfrom Haener on Day 2, Means has had avery quiet camp. That’sbeen an unexpected development after he had a strong spring. It might be worth noting he also had aslow summer last year,but he wascoming off an unspecified injury to open camp. As forClapp’sinclusion, the veteran offensive lineman hasn’tbeen the mostconsistent snapper this summer.He had twobad snaps Thursday that arguably contributed to both of Shough’sinterceptions. Clapp previously played for the Saints from 2018-21, and he was brought back this offseason because he played under Kellen Moore in 2023 when they were with the Los Angeles Chargers. Given that familiarity,his struggles have been surprising. Smyth hasn’tpushed for Grupe’sstarting job because of inconsistency.He’smissed seven kicks to Grupe’sone.

Runner-up: CKyle Hergel

Tightest competition

Interior defensive line: Jonathan Bullard’ssigning to this group complicated what has been a competitive race. Someone will be the odd man out, but it’sfar too early to tell whoitwill be. In four-front sets with the first team,the defensive tackles mostly have been Bryan Bresee and Nathan Shepherd. But the Saints have experimented with Bullard, Davon Godchaux, Khalen Saunders, Vernon Broughton and Jonah Williamsinthose spots. The Saints will have three interior linemen in their 3-4 base defense, and Bresee and Godchaux seem to have locked up two of those spots. But looks from nickel and other packages seem to be up forgrabs.

Runner-up: Punter

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTByMARK J. TERRILL
Coltstight end Tyler Warren runs during practice at the team’strainingcamp on Friday in Westfield, Ind
AP PHOTO By MICHAEL CONROy Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren runs during practice at the team’straining camp on Fridayin Westfield, Ind.

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, right, talks with second baseman Willi Castro during agame against the Boston Red Sox in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

MAJOR LEAGUEBASEBALL

Padres make waves at deadline again

Seattle, Houstonalso make notablemoves

Twinshit huge resetwith nine pre-deadline trades Analysis

The franchise in Minnesota has been up for sale since lastfall. This week, the Twins sold the roster. With nine trades, including seven over the final fivehours before the deadline on Thursday,the Twins stunninglyjettisoned nearly 40%of their team —including Carlos Correa and four high-leverage relieverswho were allatleasttwo years from free agency

“It’shard, but it’sabout making sure that you’re constantlytrying to find away to not just sitonyour heels, hope that it all goes better, and keep you fingers crossed,” president Derek Falvey said. “It’s away to actually go invest in the future of the team, hopefully the short-term and the long-term.”

Starting pitcher Chris Paddack oneofsix impending free agents, was the first to go on Monday He was sent with right-hander Randy Dobnak, who has spent the majority of the last fourseasons in Triple-A,tothe DetroitTigers for rookie league catcher Enrique Jimenez.

Closer Jhoan Duran, who hada .216 opponent batting averageand a2.47 ERA with 292 strikeoutsover 2332/3 innings in fourseasons,was dealt on Wednesday to the Philadelphia Phillies in thefirst signthatthe Twins were serious about selling. DuranfetchedTriple-A startingpitcher Mick Abel and High-A catcher Eduardo Tait. Then came the dizzying parade of tradesonThursdayall across themajor leagues, with theTwins uncharacteristically at theheart of the activity.Outfielder Harrison Bader followedDuran to thePhillies for Double-A outfielder Hendry Mendez and rookie leaguestarting pitcher Geremy Villoria.

Reliever Brock Stewart was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder James Outman,who’d been in Triple-A most of this season but

has logged230 major league games

RelieverDanny Coulombewent to the TexasRangers for Low-A startingpitcherGarrett Horn.

First baseman Ty France and reliever Louis Varland were packaged to theTorontoBlue Jays for Triple-A outfielder Alan Rodenand Triple-A starting pitcher Kendry Rojas.

Popular multiposition player Willi Castrowent to the Chicago Cubs for Double-Astarting pitchers Sam Armstrong and Ryan Gallagher RelieverGriffin Jax was sent to the TampaBay Rays for startingpitcher TajBradley,who’d recently beensent to Triple-A but has shown flashes of dominance over 67 major league starts. Then came the headliner.Correa went back to his original team, theHoustonAstros, in whatamountedtoa salarydump while also bringing back High-A startingpitcherMattMikulski.

“While painful and difficult at timestotrade away playerswho have beenwith us forawhile .I think we felt like we added players that notonly are great prospects, andguyswho are maybepart of alonger term future, but we were abletoactually access alot of playerswho aregoing to findtheir ways up tohelpthis team really soon,” Falvey said.

After languishinginthe standings all summer,following a1227 collapse down the stretch last yearthatkept themout of the postseason,Twinsplayers found themselves in an increasingly uncomfortable clubhouseafter the All-Star break as trade speculation intensified.

Their mostrecent home game grew tense, evenchaotic, when managerRocco Baldelli removed the popular Castro in theninth inning ofa 13-1 loss to the BostonRed SoxonWednesday to recognizehis effort, amove that ignited immediate speculation he’d been dealt. Turned out he was, justnot then.

Less than 22 months ago, the

Twins were celebrating at apacked TargetField after Duran closed out atwo-game sweep of the Blue Jays in the wild-card round for theirfirst serieswin in 21 years and the end of their record 18-gamepostseason losing streak.

Paddack,Bader,Coulombe, France and Castro were impending freeagents unlikelytobere-signed. Though Duran and Jax made afrequently dominant late-inningduo, Stewart hadbeensolid,and Varland won’tbeeligible for free agency for five moreyears, hard-throwing relievers wereinhigh demand across the game and fetching high prices with so many clubsincontention forwild-cardspots if notdivision titles.

Even the mostaggressive scenarios theTwinsenvisioned prior to thedeadline didn’tinclude Correa, who signed therichest contract in club history as afreeagent after the2022 season.

But the Astroswanted him back and were willingtoeat most of the roughly $103 million remainingon his deal through 2028, and Correa was willing to waive his no-trade clause to return to the teamthat drafted him. TheTwinsagreed to cover$33 million, dueinfourinstallments each Dec. 15.

Falvey was adamant that the Twinsaren’ttryingtobottom out with this rebuild like some other clubs have done with varying degrees of success. Theykept both of their All-Stars, center fielder Byron Buxton andstarting pitcher Joe Ryan, who had plenty of suitors.

They’re still confidentinthird baseman Royce Lewis, who has followed aseries of injuries with inconsistency at theplatethisseason. Starting pitcher Pablo López, whoseshoulder injury preceded a skid in June the Twins nevercorrected, will be back sooner than later

“Wejust got deals we felt we had to sayyes to,” Falvey said, “forpart of the future.”

Chicago’sWrigley Fieldset to host 2027 All-Star Game

CHICAGO TheFriendlyConfines are set to host The Midsummer Classic. Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred made it official, announcingduring anews conference Friday at home platethatthe 2027 All-Star Game will be held at Wrigley Field.

Baseball’ssecond-oldest ballpark hasn’thosted an All-Star Game since 1990. Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg, who died Monday of cancer, won the Home Run Derby that year. Wrigley also hosted All-Star Games in 1947 and 1962. Manfred, who was joinedby Cubs chairman TomRicketts, Illinois Gov.JBPritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson,cited the “amazingtransformation” of the ballpark andsurrounding streetsin the past decade as part of amassive renovation by the Ricketts family The Cubs first approachedthe league about hosting an All-Star Game eight years ago. But for avariety of reasons, including competition from other cities and safety concerns with theballpark in abustling neighborhood, they

weren’tawarded one until now.Chicagocleared abig hurdle in June, whenthe city passed an ordinance allowing sidewalks alongAddison Street to be widened and removable bollards to be installed around the ballpark

“I thinkwe’re probably overdue in terms of being atWrigley,”Manfred said. “The Ricketts family, city of Chicago and state of Illinois made atremendous investment notjust in the ballpark but thearea around it. Ithink it’ll be afantastic venue for our All-Star celebration. WrigleyField is set to joinCleveland’sMunicipal Stadium andthe oldYankee Stadiumasthe onlyballparks to host four All-StarGames. ThecityofChicagowillhostthe event for the eighth time, second only to New York with nine. Pritzker,a Cubs fan, called Wrigley Field “the perfect place to host the All-StarGame.”

“For over 100 years, this has been the beating heart of the baseball world and ashining emblem of our nation’sfavorite pastime,” he said.

“There’snoplace like it.”

Ricketts lived in theneighborhood thelast timethe Cubs hosted the All-Star Game. But he wasn’t

able to attend. “I didn’thave dough,” he said. Ricketts figures to have an upclose viewthis time, assuming the game is playedasscheduled. There is some doubtwithbaseball’scollectivebargainingagreement set to expire following the 2026 season, though Manfred expressed confidence the owners and players will avoid alengthy workstoppage. Asked about apotential contingencyplan if thereisastrike or lockout, he said: “My contingency plan is to makeanagreement with theplayers and play the 2027 season.”

Manfred andPhiladelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper had aspirited exchange last week during a question-and-answer session between thecommissioner andthe team.Inthatmeeting,Manfred spoke about the media landscape andworking together to growthe sport, according to apersonwith knowledge of the conversation. At some point,Harper toldManfred if he was there to talkabout asalary cap, he could “get the (expletive) out” of the clubhouse. Philadelphia hoststhe 2026 AllStar Game.

For the second timeinfour years, A.J. Preller turned the San DiegoPadres into the biggest stars of baseball’strade deadline. In 2022, the San Diego general manager snagged slugger Juan Soto, sending James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams and three others to Washington in an eight-player blockbuster ThenonThursday,the aggressive Preller pulled off aslightly less seismic version of that deal, trading top prospect Leo De Vries to the Athletics and bringing back closer Mason Miller Prospects that highly touted arerarely dealt anymore. De Vries, ashortstop, is ranked No. 3overall by MLB Pipeline. Last year at the deadline, none of Baseball America’stop 100 prospects were traded. By the time this year’sdeadline passed, Preller had traded 14 players and acquired eight. Lefthanders JP Sears and Nestor Cortes, first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and outfielder Ramón Laureano were among those the Padres landed in addition to Miller,anAll-Star last season who is underteam control through 2029. Here’s adivision-by-division look at this year’sdeadline:

AL East

Toronto leads the division by 31/2 games, but the Blue Jays have dropped four of five. They took agamble, albeit one with some upside, in acquiring 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber,who has made several rehab starts as he works toward areturn from Tommy Johnsurgery.The second-place Yankees added All-Star relievers David Bednar and Camilo Doval to their bullpen and acquired some more power in third baseman Ryan McMahon. Boston’s deadline was less inspiring, unless oft-injured right-hander Dustin May can get hot down the stretch. Baltimore has shown it can build astrong farm system of position players, but poor pitching hasthe Orioles in last place this year.They did add some interesting minor league armsover the past week while selling off more than ahalf-dozen players. Tampa Bay is 31/2 games out of aplayoff spot and added reliever Griffin Jax andstarting pitcher Adrian Houser, but the Rays also traded away adependable starter in Zack Littell. Just assumethe unorthodox Rays know what they’re doing and move on.

AL Central Kansas City is ahalf-game behind Cleveland in the standings, and both have about a13% chance of making the postseason, according to FanGraphs. But they went in opposite directions at the deadline. The Royals largely stayed the course, making some underthe-radar additions like outfielderMike Yastrzemski and left-hander Bailey Falter,while the Guardians —who are three games out of aplayoff spot dealtaway Bieber and reliever Paul Sewald. Of course, that’snothing comparedtothe way Minnestoa tore apart its roster,trading Jax, infielder Carlos Correa, reliever Jhoan Durán and more than a half-dozen others.

Detroit didn’thave aterribly sexy deadline but added starters Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack along with afew bullpen arms The White Sox held onto out-

fielder Luis Robert. He has club options for the next two years, so perhaps we haven’theard the last about his potential trade value.

AL West

Seattle threw down the gauntlet Wednesday night by acquiring slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez. Then Houston answered Thursday by bringing Correa back to the team that drafted him. The difference between these moves is that Correa is under contract through at least 2028, while Suárez can become a free agent this offseason. But the Mariners can worry about that later

Texas, which is five games behind the first-place Astros but just agamebehind Seattle for the final wild card, added Merrill Kelly to its rotation. He mayhave been the best starting pitcher dealt —but pitching hasn’tbeen the problem for the Rangers this year

The Angels are the worst team in the American League that didn’tmake aclear move toward selling. And they didn’tdoanything likely to move the needle muchasthey try to make up ground. The Athletics are finally making news for reasons other than their nomadic existence. Add De Vries to an organization that already has two of the game’stop rookies in the majors, and the future looks alittle brighter

NL East

The Mets lead Philadelphia by ahalf-gameatop this division, and both teams went big on bullpen help. New York went for quantity with Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley, while the Phillies made one huge move in adding Duran. Miami held onto Sandy Alcantara. Perhaps his value will improve by the offseason —right now he has a6.36 ERA in his first season back from Tommy John surgery Washington sold in fairly predictable fashion, but Atlanta —currently 16 games under .500 —curiously held onto Raisel Iglesias despite no shortage of teams looking for late-inning relievers.

NL Central

Milwaukee and the Cubs boast the game’stwo best records, and they appear reasonably satisfied with what they have. Both added some bullpen help. Cincinnati was more aggressive, acquiring Littell from the Rays and Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from Pittsburg. Trading Hayes within the division was a gamble by the Pirates, given that he’sunder team control through 2030, but he has an OPS well under .600 for the second straight year.Pittsburgh is under pressure to improve while former LSU star Paul Skenes is young and cheap.

St. Louis looked like abuyer amonth ago, but the Cardinals have lost 17 of 25 and are now a .500 team

NL West

San Diego’sflurry of moves didn’tdraw aparticularly brazen response from the Dodgers, who were actually on the prospect-receiving end of the deal that sent May to Boston. San Francisco certainly looked like abuyer when it acquired Rafael Devers earlier this season, but now the fading Giants are under .500 and will hope the haul of prospects they received —particularly from the Mets and Yankees for Rogers and Doval —pan out. Arizonahad twoofthe best trade chips on the market in Suárez andKelly and cashed in both. Colorado’sassets were less enticing, but theRockiesdid unload McMahon and his contract.

Pitcher Mason Miller is now with San Diegoafter Oakland traded him for top prospect Leo De Vries on Thursday.

AP PHOTO By MATT KROHN

Howbestto handle the complicated livesofteens

If you’ve spent any time around teens —boysorgirls you’ve probably heard or used the word “drama” to describe teens’ angsty and emotionally reactive behavior. Drama most often occurs when teens experience awkward, hostile and uncomfortable social behaviors within relationships

Howcan youhelpa teen?

Understand that social relationships today are much, much more complex than they werewhen you were that age Social media has made communication easier,but it has made accurately interpreting pictures, texts and in-person behavior much more difficult and complex. When Iwas in school in the ’80s, teens were much better at interpreting social cues becausewespent more time in face-to-faceinteractions. Today’steens are on screensnine or more hours per day,leaving themwith less time in person with each other They are navigating hundreds of relationships and thousands of interactions on social media, especially on Snapchat and Instagram. Those “likes,” not “liking” or “hearting” something; reading or leaving someone “unread” are powerful ways they communicate that can leave teens feeling hurt and left out.

Youcan’t ‘fix’ theirdrama

Most often, teens don’twant you to fix their drama, and chances are, you probably cannot.

Not that there aren’ttimes when matters are very serious, and parentsand other adults should get more involved.But in general, teens want you to be present andwork harder at understanding what is going on and, more importantly,how they feel about it. Advice, even if it’sgood, from people who don’treally understand their experience is usually unhelpful

Practice active listening

In addition to focusing on the content of what the teen is saying, try to understand howthey feelabout it. Are theyhurt, scared, embarrassed, nervous, ashamed or feeling left out?

Listening calms down the amygdala and engages the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which can generate solutions,alternative considerations and amore accurate interpretation of the events. So if ateen has been leftunread by afriend for several hourswhen they normally respond instantly, listening to them mayhelpthem gainperspective and generate alternative scenarios, such as, “Maybe theirphone died.”

When we listen welland ask genuinely curious and clarifying questions it can help them see the event more objectively

Askclarifyingquestions

When you don’tunderstand something,ask aboutit. You might say,“Iknow it can be frustrating to have to ‘catch me up,’ but you are important to me and so is what you’re going through right now.Ireally want to understand. Can you explain ______?”

Even if the teen expresses frustration, it’smostly about the situation, and they interpret this subconsciouslyasyou caring about them. Additionally,when there’s apart that you’re not clear about, chances are the teen isn’tfullyclear about it either.Asking about it helps them form amore

LIVING

ROLLINGON THERIVER

NewBRcruisebringscocktails,brunch andabit of historytothe Mississippi

Ahoy! Ahoy! Louisiana boat enthusiasts andbrunchloversalike can now embarkonaMississippi River cruise in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge Cruises, captained by ownerDuncan Armentor,hosts hourlong sightseeingrides along theBaton Rouge shoreline every day Armentor,a lifelong boater and previous river cruise captain in New Orleans, bought the Jacqueline Queen paddle wheel boat in Baltimore and thought Baton Rouge could usethe business.

The paddle wheel boat offers something foreveryoneinterms of its menu of cruises, but its most popular event is the narrated tour

Theone-hourridefloatsnorth along the Mississippi, featuring information on local landmarks such as Louisiana’sOld State Capitol.

“It’sa really nice educational cruise for people locally andfor people that aren’t familiarwith Baton Rouge,” Armentor said. “We havefamiliesthatcomeonboard andbring their children. We have hadseniors. We’ve had college patrons andkids, andLSU sororities have found us already.”

Cocktail cruises bring aslice of

are availableonthe Sunday

downtown nightlife to the river tours, where guests can sipcocktailsonThursdayand Friday nights —orwatch thesunset with afull buffet on Saturday nights.

“It’s atwo-hour,basically,booze cruise,”Armentor said. “Yourfirst cocktail is on us.”

Sunday rides bring bottomless mimosas andbreakfast on the paddle wheel boat

Theadventure starts with complimentary pickup from Baton Rouge Cruises’ parking lot, at 900

GLOBAL TIES,LOCAL IMPACT

River Road, Baton Rouge. Passengers are dropped offwhere the vessel is docked. The $36.50 boating experience is gaining attention online and with event groups. On board, visiting boaters have access to asnack and drinks menu ranging from $2 to $9.

The two-hour “booze cruises” on weekends include: n The Friday night cocktails cruise, at $45 per person, includes

LSUhosts youngAfrican leadersduringinitiative

DergueneMbaye of Senegal, a2025 Mandela Washington FellowatLSU, stands withHannah Sensenbrenner Morrow, aprogram presenter,at thefellowship’sclosing ceremonies at LSU on July 25.

From mid-June through the end of July,24young leaders from 18 sub-Saharan countries became LSU Tigers —even joining in thecampus celebration afterLSU’s baseball team wonthe College World Series. Many said theenergy andsense of community that night made them feel like true Tigers. Selected from apool of 58,000

applicants, theMandela

PROVIDED PHOTOS
Baton RougeCruises, captained by owner Duncan Armentor,hosts hourlong sightseeing rides along the Baton Rougeshoreline every dayaboard the Jacqueline Queen.
Pastries and ahot brunch menu
rides on the paddle-wheel boat (as well as mimosas and cocktails)
Roy Petitfils
Armentor

Congregation screens newdocumentary

Afree in-person screening of the new documentary

“October 8” will start at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge, 3354 Kleinert

Ave. “In the aftermath of the Oct. 7Hamas attacks, adisturbing wave of antisemitism surged across Americancampuses, streetsand social media. ‘October 8’ confronts this alarming trend head-on—through survivor testimony,student accounts, and hard-hitting footage rarely seen in mainstream media,” anewsrelease states. “It doesn’tdebate foreign policy; it asks why,inthe face of terror, so many turned their anger toward Jews.”

The event is part of the yearly Tisha B’AvJewish day of mourning. It marks the destruction of the Tem-

ple and other major tragedies in Jewish history

Pre-registrationisrequired. Parents, note that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. To pre-register, go to https://ujcbr.shulcloud.com/ event/tish-b39av-program. html.

NewPilgrim 2025 Women’sConference

TheSWIFF Women’sMinistry invites all women to the 2025Women’s Conference from 9a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 16, at NewPilgrim Baptist Church,4277 Old Weis Road, Zachary Join for amorning of spiritual renewal,empowering teachings and joyful fellowship centered on Proverbs 3:5-6.

Featured speakersinclude theRev.Linda Johnson and Dr.Linda Fontenot. Acontinental breakfast will be

served during check-in, and boxluncheswill be provided.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m

Free venue parking is available.

All arealso welcome to return at 10 a.m.Sunday,Aug. 17, for aworship service featuring guest speaker,the Rev.Dr. MaryWhitleyMoss.

St.Joseph Baptist plans annual festival

St.JosephBaptist Church will hostits eighthannual Everybody’sBirthday Taste Fest at 4p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at theAddisCommunity Center,7828 La. 1, Addis.

The afternoon will be filled with food, funand fellowship as everyone’sbirthday is celebrated together Ticketsare $15. Children ages 5and youngerattend free.

Allare invited.Visit eventbrite.com for more information

CRUISE

Continued from page1D

one free cocktail, aPaddlewheel punch and access to soft drinks and snacks on board. n Saturday sunset cocktails and appetizers, at $89.50 per person, includes an array of bite-sized foods, one free cocktail and access to soft drinks and snacks on board.

n Sunday breakfast brunch and mimosas, at $85 per person,includesbottomless

TEENS

Continued from page1D

accurate narrative as well.

To summarize

Repeat back what you’re hearing the teen say.This simply means providing a summary of what you’re hearing them say and how they feel about it.

This makes them feel “heard” and understood

I’ve learned over the years that people don’tlistenuntil they feel heard.

Connection is thegoal

Teens know you can’tfix their problems. What they want most from adults is to be with them in their situation.

When I’ve listened well to ateen, I’ve heard countless times now: “I just don’t

mimosas, pastries, various breakfast foodslike bacon andscrambled eggs and access to soft drinks and snacks on board. The boat cruise offers private charter options with food packages starting at $36.99 per person, availablefor events like wedding rehearsals andcorporate events. Equipped withStarlink internetaccess and movableseating, thecruise is fully customizable for whoever is on board.

“I’ve always had alove forthe passenger-carrying vessel,” Armentor said. “So

feel as alone in this,” or “It helps to know someoneunderstands,” or “I knowyou don’tknow whatit’slike to be me right now,but it means alot that you really tried to understand me and what I’m going through.”

When people feel heard, they feel connected, which is amajor goal for parents and teensthroughout adolescence as they begin to pullaway

‘How canIhelp?’

In addition to this, you might also ask, “Are you wantingany advice or anythingelse from me?”This gives theteen thechanceto recognize that you appreciate thedifficulty of their situation

Before giving advice, acknowledgethat their experience is far different from yours at their age. You might even add, “You know,

when my wife and Iwere traveling around in Baltimore, we spotted one for sale, and we justtook ashot at bringing it into Baton Rouge harbor.”

To celebrate the holiday, Armentor andBaton Rouge Cruisesare hostinga Labor Day partycruise on Aug. 31 —boarding starts at 5p.m., the boat departs at 6p.m. and docks back to shore at 8p.m. For more information on upcoming tours and booking, find it on Instagram, call (225) 377-5958 or email book@ batonrougecruise.com

as Ilisten to you, Ican honestly say my experiences were different from yours. It’sa lot harder in some ways being ateen today.”

This validates their unique experience. Most of the time, teens will say, “Nothing you can really do, but thanks for listening.”

At that point, you might say,“If there’ssomething you thinkIcan do to help, please let me know.”

If you really think offering advice would help, you might say,“Ihave some ideas about this situation. If and when you’dlike to hear them, let me know.” Then, when you do, keep your comments brief and to the point

These tipswon’tstop all thedrama, but practicing them will deepen your relationship with them and help them navigate these tumultuous and uncertain years.

Dear Heloise: When hanging up pictures, it is best to drill apilot hole into the plaster for the nail before hammering it in. If one does not drill ahole, theplaster surface will splinter,creating patch work if thepicture is to be moved or taken down in thefuture.

—Ray,via email

TheArmyway

Soak thebeans

This method can be used on any size bed using two flat sheets, eliminating the need forafitted sheet.

—Joyce Williams, in North Little Rock,Arkansas Shower safety

Dear Heloise: Ispent nearly 25 years in theArmy, and one of the first thingsyou learn in basic training is how to makeabunk with two flat sheets. The Army doesn’tuse fitted sheetsfor mattresses.

To makeyour bed the Army way,you take aflat sheet and place it even with the foot of the bed. The excess sheet goes at thehead of the bed, and you tuck it under themattress and do hospital corners. The top sheet is done theoppositeway so that thesheet is even withthe head of the bed and the excess is tucked in at the foot of the bed.

Dear Heloise: When Iget ready to take ashower when I’malone, Iplace a towel on the closed toilet seat with someofithanging over the edge. Ilay my cellphone on the towel. If Ifall getting out of the shower,I can just pull the towel downwith my cellphone on it to call forhelp. Ienjoy your column every day along with my breakfast. —Frances, viaemail

Moistbread

Dear Heloise: When Imake cornbread whether from scratch or abox mix, I replace one-fourth of the milk calledfor witheither plain yogurtorsourcream (reduced fatworksfine) andbakeasdirected. This makes the cornbread moister,and it won’tdry outafter cooling. —Susan M.,via email

Dear Heloise: For gas-free beans, soak 1pound of beans overnight with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1tablespoon of castor oil. The next day,drain well, rinse twoorthree times, and cook like you usually do. There’snogas at all and no change in the taste. —Johnny, in Texas Valetparking ticket

Dear Heloise: My wife and Irecently stayed at anice hotel in Florida where they had valet parking. While we were out to dinner,I managed to lose my valet parking ticket. Thankfully, Ihad taken apicture of it with my cellphone, which helped the valet locate my car.Otherwise, I’dhave waited along time before they finally found my vehicle. —VernonG in Holland, Michigan Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Duncan Armentor,a lifelong boater and previousriver

In constant search of precious alone time

Dear Miss Manners: Iattendasmall college of about 550 students. Although Iamonfriendly terms with many of them, my close friend group is about fivepeople.

Lately I’ve been dealing with clingy folks who don’t give me space. They will demand conversations as late as 11 p.m., walk with me wherever Igo, and whenever they see me, they want to talk for over an hour.When Itry to set boundaries by gracefully excusing myself to study,they sometimes still follow me. It’snot just studying for which I excuse myself, either.Sometimes

LEADERS

Continued from page1D

and networking.

Oliver “Ozzie” Crocco

was the administrative director of theprogram on LSU’scampus, along with SarahBecker, whowas the academic director.Thisyear wasthe university’ssecond year hosting the fellowship, and Crocco says they hope to host it again in the future.

“The fellows participated in aLeadership Institute for Civic Engagement. It was truly atwo-way exchange where they learned from leaders of organizations in BatonRouge andshared their expertise,” he said.

For example, Moses Echodu, afellow from Uganda, shared his agricultural expertise during aservice visit to the urban farming organization Baton Roots At the program’sclosing ceremony,Crocco sangthe young leaders’ praises.

“For the last six weeks youhavetrulymade Baton Rouge and the USA abetter place,” he said.

Crocco wentontoquote Frederick Buechner,an Americanauthor and theologian, to remind the young leaders of the intersection of societal needand personal joy: “Your place in the world is where yourgreat gladness and the world’sgreat hunger meet.” LSU was one of 26 U.S. educationalinstitutionsin 21 states to host Mandela Washington fellows. Roughly 620 Fellows are leaders in agriculture, business, civil society, education, energy, health care, social work, technology, trade, security and other fields.

The program at LSU concluded with agraduation ceremony on July 25 at the Global Community Center on campus where each fellow was introduced with ashort, thoughtful speech highlighting their strengths and experiences in Louisiana.

For example, when Brandon Dixon, one of the LSU program’sadministrators, introducedIngiphileZwane

Iwould just appreciate sometime alone to read or call afriend. Is wanting time alone alegitimate reason for excusing myself?And if they still refuse to give me that time alone, what are your suggestions?

Gentle reader: Telling someonethat you would rather be alonethan havetoendure their companionship is discourteous. Butthe good news is you do not needanexcuseatall.

“I’m sorry,but Ireally have to go. Iwill catch up with youlater,” is all Miss Manners suggests you say And then run.

Dear MissManners: Do Ineed to

place afresh, unusedbar of soap in the guest bathroom for every new guest Ihost? Sometimes people stay for justone night. Tossing soap that’sonly been used once seems wasteful. Doesn’tsoap “clean” itself withevery use?

Gentlereader: Does it? Miss Manners has often wondered about themechanics of that herself.

As longasthe soap is adequately inspected and cleared of debris, she sees nothing wrong with reusing it.Just promise not to let it devolve intothat weird splinteringthing it becomes when it has clearly seen too many guests.

Dear Miss Manners: Likemany old women, Iobject tobeing called “young lady” and Ifind it offen-

sive. (I do not wantanyone to call me this, but only older men tend to do so.)When Ipoint out to them that Iamnot young, they either argue with me or scold me for not being “young at heart.”

My mother used to tell such men to getnew glasses. That was not successful, either.Itseems harsh to inform them that if they persist in calling me “young lady,” Iwill try to avoid them. Do you have anysuggestions?

Gentlereader: “IfI,atmyage, am ayoung lady,then what does that makeyou?”

Dear Miss Manners: Ilive in ahighrise in alargeretirementcommunity.Irun intovariousneighbors in the lobby, on thestoop andinthe

2025 LSU Mandela Washington Fellows at LSU included: Israel Baelongandi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Emma Kariuki, Kenya;Alidp Alli, Nigeria; Angemito Adel, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Skohar Samb, Senegal; Jessy Lugya, Uganda; Valerie Chingonzo, Zimbabwe; Alpha Kabine Camara, Guinea; Ingiphile Zwane, Eswatini; Khadijah AbdulSamed, Ghana; Goitsemodimo Ditsele, Botswana; SerwaaBonsu Essel, Ghana; Chrystelle Murielle Ibiyemi Edjo, Benin; MulengaGraciano, Angola; KareyMwangi, Kenya;Fridolin Tranquille Abadet, Central African Republic; Martin Manyozo,Malawi; Ladi Musiba, Tanzania; Ahmed Moumine, Cameroon; Moise Wassete Mugnouna, Togo;OngeziweNxokwana, South Africa;Moses Echodu, Uganda; DergueneMbaye,Senegal; Bilqees Shebby,Nigeria.

of Eswatini,hesaid: “This person truly carries their country withthem —not just in their passport, but in their voiceand values. She made it her missiontomake Eswatini known to theworld, and she certainly set that precedenthere. Sheknowshow to tune into aroom, making sure voices are heard sincerely —whetherthrough storytelling, strategiccommunication,orher thoughtfulpresence. She reminds me that real leadership often starts with listening.” IntroducingSerwaa Bonsu Essel of Ghana, Dixonsaid, “Ifyou ever doubt the power of one persontochange lives, meet this next fellow They’re aclinical force, a maternal health advocate and thekindofpersonwho builds bridges between communities, literallyworking across the gateway to Africa to make health care happen They believethat giving a mother and baby hope is giving hope to ageneration.”

In total, thefellowscontributedmore than 16 hours of communityservice each in Louisiana at various or-

ganizations where they also learnedaboutleadership, service andcommunity development

Several fellows expressed thedeep affection they felt toward Louisiana, developed over the six weeks this summer.They noted strong ties between the Bayou state and sub-Saharan Africa, especially in addressing poverty, health care, water andilliteracy

“Overall, I’d say that learning about leadership and civic engagement cannot simply comefrombooks or lectures; it must be lived acted out andpracticed,” Crocco said. “Thisfellowshipallowed theseyoung leaders from across Africa to grow and serve Louisiana in the process.”

Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

hallwayevery time Iamleaving or returning. Iamalways asked whereI am going or where Ihave been.I am notcomfortable sharing this information,but Idon’t want to be rude.How can Irespond?

Gentle reader: With acheery “Just out!” or “Running errands!” accompanied by asmile and awave —and no attempt to slow your gait forfollow-up questions.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.

Today is Saturday, Aug. 2, the 214th day of 2025. There are 151 days leftinthe year

Todayinhistory

On Aug. 2, 1921, ajury in Chicago acquitted seven former members of the Chicago White Sox baseball team and two others of conspiring to defraud the public in the notorious “Black Sox” scandal (though they would later be banned from Major League Baseball forlifeby Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis).

Also on this date: In 1790, the first United States Census began under the supervision of Thomas Jefferson; atotal of 3,929,214 people were counted in the census, nearly 700,000 of whom were enslaved.

In 1876, frontiersman “Wild Bill” Hickok was shot and killed while playing poker at asaloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory,byJack McCall, who waslater hanged.

In 1923, the 29th president of the United States, Warren G. Harding, died in San Francisco; Vice President Calvin Coolidge becamepresident. In 1934, GermanPresident Paul von Hindenburg died, paving the way for

Adolf Hitler’scomplete takeover

In 1945, President Harry S. Truman, Soviet leader Josef Stalin and Britain’s new primeminister,Clement Attlee, concluded the Potsdam conference. In 1974, former White House counsel John W. Dean III wassentenced to one to four years in prison forobstruction of justice in the Watergate cover-up. (Dean ended up serving four months.)

In 1985, 137 people were killed when Delta Air Lines Flight 191, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, crashed while attempting to land at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, seizing control of the oil-rich emirate. (The Iraqis were later driven out by the U.S. in Operation Desert Storm.)

Today’sBirthdays: Author Isabel Allende is 83. Actor Butch Patrick (TV:“The Munsters”) is 72. Rock music producer/drummer Butch Vigis70. Actor Mary-Louise Parker is 61. Filmmaker Kevin Smith is 55. Actor Sam Worthington is 49. Actor Edward Furlong is 48. Actor Lily Gladstone is 39. Singer Charli XCXis33. Olympic swimming gold medalist Simone Manuel is 29.

STAFF PHOTO By JANRISHER

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) It's up to you to create opportunities that help achieve your vision. Waiting for someonetodo things for you will be your downfall,as it givesothers the chance to upstage you.

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scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Participate in something thatconcerns you. Force isn't the answer,but showing up to support yourbeliefs canmakea difference. Achoice will lead to confusion.

sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Putmore time and effortinto your surroundings. Maintaining acost-efficient and functional home will giveyou the incentive to share your space with friends and family.

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the path that feels bestfor you. Refuse to let anyone railroad you into something you don't want to do. It's time to take responsibility for your happiness.

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ARIEs(March21-April19) Concentrate on health, finances and paperwork. Reaching out and helping someoneor addressing acause that concerns you will get you in touch with fascinating insight and information.

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cAncER (June 21-July 22) Askquestions, andrefrain fromagreeingtosomething you cannot deliver.Focus your energy on home improvements andaddressing issues that make lifedifficult.

Thehoroscope, an entertainmentfeature, is notbasedonscientific fact. ©2025 by NEA, Inc dist.

FAMILY CIrCUS
beetLe bAILeY
Mother GooSe And GrIMM
bIG

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placingpuzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers The object is to place the numbers1to9inthe emptysquares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains thesame number only once. The difficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

MattDrudge, creator of the Drudge Report, said, “The Internet feeds off the main press, and the main press feeds off the Internet. They’re working in tandem.” That sounds like good defenders, who work in tandem to defeat declarer.

The contract is three no-trump. West leadsfourth-highestfromhislongestand strongest, the diamond four. How should East and West card after that?

South starts with seven top tricks: two spades and five clubs. And since there arethreewinners available from hearts, things look promisingfor him. However, with diamonds 5-3, not 4-4, the defenders can succeed.

Suppose South plays low from the board at trick one. After East wins with his queen, he must return the diamond seven,thehigheroftworemainingcards. Southshouldnowplayhisjack,thehigher of touching honors from the closed hand. But Westshould not be fooled. He should knowthatifEasthadbegunwithQ-10-7-2 of diamonds, he would have led back the two, low from aremaining tripleton. So West, since he has no entry, should duck this trick, playing his three and keeping communication with his partner.

South wins on the board and calls for aheart, but East should grab the trick withhis ace and lead his last diamond, giving his side one heart and four diamonds.EvenifSouthwinswithdummy’s diamond king at trick oneand calls for theheart jack, trying to look likesomeoneplanningafinesse,Eastshouldnotbe fooled. He should winwith his ace, cash thediamond queen, and play histhird diamond.

©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist.

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name,place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previousanswers:

word game

InsTRucTIons: 1. Words mustbeoffour or moreletters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,”are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

ToDAy’s WoRD ATHLETIc: ath-LET-ik: Of or relating to persons skilled or trained in sports or exercises.

Average mark 37 words Time limit60minutes

Can you find 55 or more words in ATHLETIC?

yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —BuMPTIous

today’s thought

“Then shall he sayalso to them on thelefthand, Depart from me,you cursed, intoeverlasting fire, prepared for the devil andhis angels:”Matthew 25:41

wuzzles
marmaduKe
Bizarro
hagar the horriBle
Pearls Before swiNe
garfield
B.C.
PiCKles

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF BAKER PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

3325 GROOM ROAD, BAKER, LOUISIANA 70714

www.youtube.com/@bakerforward July 22, 2025 -6:00 p.m.

The City Council of the City of Baker,Louisiana, metinregular session on July 22, 2025, with the following members in attendance at the meeting: MAYOR Darnell Waites

COUNCIL MEMBERS Desiree Collins Rochelle Dunn Cedric Murphy

Dr.Charles Vincent Robert Young

CALL TO ORDER –Mayor Waites presided.

The invocationwas given by Council Member Murphy

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Young. Public commentswill beallowed on all agendaitems. Such commentsshall not exceed3 minutes and shall be confined to the agenda item and any proposed dispositionthereof.***

DISPOSITION OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Young to approve the minutes of the meeting held on July 8, 2025.

The mayorcalled for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

The motionwas made by Council Member Murphy,seconded by Council Member Collins to move item “1. Joshua Stutes, DOTD, toprovide an update on Lavey Lane project (Mayor)” and item “2. Update on Groom Road MoveBR project (Mayor)” under New Business up on the agenda so that they fall under Recognitions.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

The motion was made by Council Member Young, seconded by Council Members Murphy/Vincent to add item “2. Add 4331 Amerest to the condemnation list (Mayor)” under Condemnations on the agenda.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

The motion was made by Council Member Young, seconded by Council Member Murphy to add item “4. Recognize D-Day (Young)” under Recognitions to the agenda.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

RECOGNITIONS

1. Honoring Pastor DeWayne Gavin of Greater First Church of Baker for 5years of service (Collins) CouncilMember Collins recognized PastorDeWayne Gavin of Greater First Church of Baker for5years of service.

2. Joshua Stutes,DOTD, to provide an update on Lavey Lane project (Mayor) Joshua Stutes, District 61 Engineer Administrator,provided an update on the Lavey Lane project. Mr.Stutes reported that Barber Brothers is doing agreat job, the project is going quite well, and that it is on schedule to be completed by September

Aquestion-and-answer period was held and discussion regarding various aspectsofthe Lavey Lane project followed.

3. Update on Groom RoadMoveBR project (Mayor) Kevin Gravois and Gabby Wright, PEC, provided an overview of the status of the GroomRoad MoveBRproject. Ms. Wright stated the improvements have been broken into four separate projects –three areMoveBR and one is FEMA (hazardmitigation). The first project is fromMcHugh Road to Plank Road and will be up for final approval at the MetroCouncil meeting on August 13, 2025. The second project, from Highway 19 to McHugh Road, has been approved for final design and constructionisexpected to begin in the summer of 2026. The thirdproject, signal modifications at the intersection of Groom Road and Plank Road, is currently in permitting at DOTD. Once the permit has been approved, the job can go out for bidding and awarding and start construction. The final project, FEMA (hazard mitigation), is from Alabama Street to Johnson Street and will be submitted to FEMA next week.

Aquestion-and-answer period was held and discussion regarding various aspects of the Groom Road MoveBR project and related drainage issues followed.

4. Recognize D-Day (Young) CouncilMember Young surprised the mayor –recognizing him and wishing him ahappy birthday PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS

RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

1. Resolution adoptingthe Louisiana Compliance Questionnairefor the year ending June 30, 2025 (Mayor) The resolution was read by Jana Rogers. Discussion regarding the agenda item was held. Themotion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Murphy to adopt the resolution.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

2. Resolution of theBaker City Council authorizing the mayor to execute and sign all agreements required in the application and acceptance of agrant award pertaining to the Carbon Reduction Program federal grant (Mayor) Daryl Blacher provided an overview of the resolution.

The resolution was read by Daryl Blacher

Council Member Vincent asked that the verbiage of the resolution be amended to include “with council awareness” in the last paragraph. He stated council members should be made awareofwhat is being signed with regardtothe city and the city’sobligations prior to action being taken. Discussion regarding the agenda item and Council Member Vincent’s

concerns followed. Ms.Blacher stated the following corrections shouldbemade to the resolution –the wordform should be from, and it should read City of Baker,not City of Baton.

Discussion regarding the agenda item and Council Member Vincent’s concerns resumed.

The motion was made by Council Member Murphy,seconded by Council Member Young to adopt the resolution with the corrections noted by Ms.Blacher

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins,Dunn, Murphy,Young NAYS: Vincent

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN:None The motion passed with avote of 4-1.

3. Resolution acknowledging that the mayor will execute acontract for legal counsel (Mayor)

The resolution was read by Jana Rogers.

Council Member Vincent stated he cannot support this resolution, saying the city’scharter requires the city attorney to be aresident of Baker.He saidhefeels the charter wouldprohibit Ms. Boykin from being the city attorney,asshe is aresident of Baton Rouge.

The mayor stated thereare no attorneys in the city who want the position of city attorney.The mayor said the resolution does not say “city attorney”

–itsays contracting out for legal services.

Discussion regarding the city’sneed for legal services and staffing of the legal department was held.

Dr.Toni Jackson expressed her concerns regarding the vagueness and legalityofthe agenda item and asked that the council consider tabling the item until such timeasthey have morespecificity and greater detail regarding the contract.

Discussion regarding the city’sneed for legal services and staffing of the legal department resumed.

The motion was made by Council Member Murphy,seconded by Council Member Dunn that the mayor will execute acontract for legal counsel, so that the city council and the city will be covered.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Council Member Collins initiateddiscussion regarding the specifics of the contract with Ms.Boykin. The mayor said specifics have not been discussed, but reiterated the city’s need for legal services.

Dr.Jackson suggested the council change the resolution’sverbiage to saythat the mayor be allowed to enter into negotiation and discussion regarding acontract for legal services, and once said negotiation and discussion has been completed submitthe contract for councilapproval, thus giving the mayor the authority to execute the contract at that time. She saidbyadopting the resolution as it is currently worded, the council is granting the mayor authority to executeacontract that does not exist, thus working backwards.

Discussion regarding the proposed changes followed.

The motion was made by Council Member Murphy,seconded by Council Member Dunn to amend his previous motion to state that the mayor will go into negotiation and discussion for acontract and will bring it back to the council beforeexecution.

Themayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Young NAYS: Vincent ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN:None The motion passed with avote of 4-1.

4. Proclamation declaring July 2025 Group BStrep Awareness Month in the City of Baker (Vincent)

The proclamation was read by Jana Rogers.

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent,seconded by Council Member Murphy to accept the proclamation.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins,Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young

NAYS:None ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN:None

The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Joshua Stutes, DOTD, to provide an update on Lavey Lane project (Mayor)

Thisagenda item was previously addressed.

2. Update on Groom Road MoveBR project (Mayor)

Thisagenda item was previously addressed.

3. Introduce Ordinance 2025-6, regulationsregarding automobile repair work and oil changes in residential and subdivision areas and to provide for other matters regarding to the same (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent,seconded by Council

Member Murphy to introduce Ordinance 2025-6.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins,Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young

NAYS:None ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN:None The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

4. Introduce Ordinance 2025-13, an ordinance to regulate unauthorized camping, lodging,and/or squatting on public property and to provide for other matters regarding to the same (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council

Member Murphy to introduce Ordinance 2025-13.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN:None The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

5. Schedulework session to discuss the selection of auditor (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Murphy,seconded by Council

Member Vincent to schedulea work session to discuss the selection of an auditor on Wednesday,August 6, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN:None The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

6. Schedulework session to discuss Article VI Section 24-203 and 24205 of the Baker Code of Ordinances (Mayor)

The motion was made by Council Member Dunn, seconded by Council

Member Murphy to scheduleawork session to discuss Article VI Section 24-203 and 24-205 of the Baker Code of Ordinances on Thursday,August 7, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

The mayor called for public comments or questions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy, Vincent, Young NAYS: None ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

7. Schedule worksession to approve seeking AttorneyGeneral opinion on amending Article 6-21 of the City of Baker Code of Ordinances relative to business permits (Vincent) Council Member Vincentstatedthis action is aresult of his opposing the change in the ordinance regarding the issuanceofbusiness licenses in the City of Baker.The ordinance removed the city council from the process, meaning applicants arenolonger required

must be approved by the taxing authority,the legislative branch, of city government. Council Member Vincentalso said council involvement in this process takes pressure offofthe mayor andhis administration. Council Member Vincentwould like an attorneygeneral’s opinion to verify thatwhatwas done, the change in the ordinance regarding the issuance of business licenses, is in accordance with the city’scharter

The motion wasmade by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Collins to schedule awork session to discuss seeking an AttorneyGeneral opinion on amending Article 6-21 of the City of Baker Code of Ordinances relative to business permits. Discussion

of Baker Code of Ordinances relative to business permits on Monday,August 11, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

The mayor calledfor public comments or questions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Vincent, Young NAYS: Dunn, Murphy ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None The motion passed with avote of 3-2.

The mayor recognized Mayor-President Sid Edwards who arrived at the meeting. Mayor-President Edwards said he wasjust here to visit andto letBaker residents know he is here for them. To assure themheisproud of Baker,hesupports Baker andisheretohelpthe city anyway he can Mayor-President Edwards said he is looking forward to meeting with the mayor andcouncil to see how his administration can assist the City of Baker

PUBLIC MEETING

ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS

1. District 2announcements (Dunn)

Council Member Dunn announced the Fish &Fun Day,Hooked on Fishing with Families, will be held on Saturday,August9,2025, at the park on North Magnolia from 8:00 a.m.to1:00p.m., andthanked allthe sponsors who have participated so far. She announced aback-to-school giveaway is being held Saturday,July 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.tonoon at the MunicipalAuditorium. She thanked the Buildings andGrounds andPublic Works Departments for their workonthe walking trail. Council Member Dunn announced workonthe baseball fieldatthe park on North Magnolia will begin soon.

2. Announcements/Comments:Thanks to the mayor andPublic Works Department for cutting grass, post completion andcity assistance in upkeep, thanks for support of back-to-school supplies, etc., upkeep of Lavey Lane(Vincent) Council Member Vincentthanked the mayor andPublic Works Department for cutting grass throughout the city andasked thattheynot forget Thomas Road. He thanked the participants from District 1, especially Mr.Bobby, for the wonderfulback-to-school giveaway held this past weekend. The giveaway washeldatfour different sites throughout District 1and was aphenomenalsuccess. Council Member Vincentalso expressed his gratitude for the work being done on Lavey Lane

Council Member Young addressed Mayor-President Edwards saying he may be contacting him for assistance with the walking path next to city hall at some point in the future.

Council Member Collins thanked the participants of Let’sTake aWalk, a regularly scheduledevent in District 3heldevery first andthirdTuesday of the month. Council Member Collins said each week the walk will be held on adifferent street,and thatitprovides an opportunity for people to check on their neighbors, address their health, build better friendships, andshare resources andinformation with the community.She announced thatthe Rotary Club of Baker/Interact of Greater Baton Rouge will provide ACT prep, college tours, andcommunity service initiatives, free of charge, for allinterested high school students.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

The mayor asked thatcouncil members check their emails to ensure they receive allthe information being disseminated.

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

CONDEMNATIONS

1. Add 6204 Molino to the condemnation list (Mayor)

The motion wasmade by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Murphy to add 6204 Molino and4331 Amerest to the condemnation list.

The mayor calledfor public comments or questions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy, Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

2. Add 4331 Amerest to the condemnation list (Mayor)

This agenda itemwas previously addressed.

REPORTS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

1. Planning andZoning Commission

2. Annexation Review Committee

3. Economic DevelopmentTeam

4. Heritage Museum/Related Committees

5. ABC Board

6. OtherSpecial Committees

a. BuffaloFestival

b. Prayer Breakfast

c. Strategic Planning Committee

d. Citizens Advisory BoardtoLaw Enforcement

e. MainStreet District Committee

ADJOURN

The motion wasmade by Council Member Dunn, seconded by Council

Member Murphy to adjourn.

The mayor calledfor public comments or questions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy, Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

CITY OF BAKER

PARISH OF EASTBATON ROUGE

STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Angela Canady Wall, certify thatIamClerk of the Council for the City of Baker,Louisiana, andthatthe above andforegoing is acopy of the minutes of aregularmeeting of the Council for the City of Baker, Louisiana held on July 22, 2025.

Angela Canady Wall, LCMC

Clerk of Council

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passed by avoteof6-0.

CITY OF BAKER

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Angela Canady Wall, certify that IamClerk

Councilofthe City of Baker,Louisiana, sitting as the Boardof Commissionersfor the Baker Consolidated Utilities System, met in regular session on July 22, 2025, with the following members attending:

COMMISSIONERS Desiree Collins Rochelle Dunn CedricMurphy

Vincent Darnell Waites

RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE Special Meeting –5:00 p.m. BREC Administration Building 6201 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana Commission Minutes July 8, 2025

Call to Order Aspecial meeting of the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) was held at BREC’sAdministrative Offices on July 8, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Commissioner Pointer,CommissionerDwayne Rogers offeredthe invocation and Commissioner Pointer led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was taken and aquorum of Commissioners was present, including Kenneth Pointer,Treasurer; Mike Polito; Dwayne Rogers; Lon Vicknair; Mayor Wade Evans, Mayor David McDavid, Carl Stages and Nathan Browning. Commissioners Donna Collins Lewis, Clarice Gordon and Collis Temple, III, wereabsent. Staffmembers present wereJanet Simmons, Interim Superintendent; Reed Richard, Assistant Superintendent of System Planning; Aneatra Boykin, Chief Administrative Officer; Maurice Velasquez, Interim Chief Operating Officer; Johanna Landreneau, Interim Chief Human Resource Officer; Andrea Roberts, Chad Brewer,Jim Fleshman, Angela Harms, RaHarold Lawson, Mike Raby,Steven Knight and Ebony Allen. Murphy Foster,legal counsel, was also in attendance. The rest of the audience consisted of other BREC staff, sign language interpreters, media, and the public.

Public Comment Commissioner Pointer announced that public comment would be allowed prior to avote being taken on any agenda action item and explained the process to be observed.

Adoption of Minutes Commissioner Pointer read the following resolution: Resolved, that the reading of the minutes of the Recreation and Park Regular Commission Meeting of May 22, 2025, and the minutes of Special Commission Meeting of June 10, 2025, be dispensed with, and that they be approved as written.

Beforeavote was taken,Commission Pointer announced that he has been advised that an opinion came in fromthe Attorney General’soffice whereoneach agenda item he will ask “Those in favor say aye” instead of doing aroll call vote every time and he will ask if therewereany objections after that.

After no discussion, Commissioner Pointer continued by asking “All in favor of the approval of the minutes say aye.” The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The minutes wereapproved unanimously Consent Calendar

Resolved, that the Commission approve the routine Personnel Transactions from May 16, 2025 to June 10, 2025.

After reading the resolution, Commissioner Pointer asked, “All in favor of the approval of the minutes say aye.” The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The Consent Calendar was approved unanimously Presentations

The Commission viewed abriefvideo highlighting various upcoming eventsthroughout the parish during the month of July Reports of Officers and Standing Committees

Interim Superintendent Simmons began by explaining the May 2025 monthly attendance report whereshe pointed out that the YTD numbers for Recreation weredown duetothe delayed opening of Liberty Lagoon. She recognized Robert Dowey,CEO of SELA, who has helped BREC get Liberty Lagoon ready for opening.

Interim Superintendent Simmons then read the first item under Administrative Matters.

Resolved, That the Commission approve designating July as National Park and Recreation Month in East BatonRouge Parish and encourage all citizens to celebrate by taking park in their favorite spots, visiting the outdoors, or spending time and relaxing with family and friends.

Commissioner Pointer asked, “All in favor of the approval of the minutes say aye if you oppose you can say nay.” He followed up by asking if therewereany objections. The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0

The designation of July as National Park and Recreation Monthwas approved unanimously

Interim Superintendent Simmons provided an overview of her activities during her first five weeks. She stated that she conducted an initialreview of the parks throughout the parish and mentioned that she was impressed by North Sherwood Park, afacility she had not previously known about. She noted that this discovery highlighted a“messaging problem,” as she believes the general public may also be unawareofsuch facilities. Shealso visited the Baker Arboretum, which she described as abeautiful site, and again expressed surprise that she was previously unawareofits existence.

She shared that she spoke with employees across various departments, particularly those working in the field. Following arecommendation from Reed Richard, she made it aprioritytoconnect with staffin construction and maintenance, as they areconsidered to have “boots on theground” andcould offer valuable feedback on operational challenges. She reported receiving helpful insight from these conversations.

Interim Superintendent Simmons explained that she has created a private email account to receive direct communication from the public regarding concerns or issues. She stated that through this channel, she was able to immediately resolvethree or four problems simply by visiting the site, assessing the issue, and contacting Park Operations to address it that same day.She emphasized that she began receiving positive feedback from residents thanking BREC for its responsiveness.

She announced the hiring of two interim leadership positions to assist with current organizational assessments: Maurice Velasquez as Interim Chief Operating Officer and Johanna Landreneau as Interim Chief Human Resources Officer.She referred to the three of them as “The Key Three,” notingthat their role is to help identify and address existing challenges within the agency

She shared that her team is currently reviewing BREC’sstructure, conducting an HR audit, and working to revise the organizational chart in an effort to make operations morebusiness-oriented. She mentioned the development of aRapid Response ticketing system in collaboration with the IT Department, as well as plans to launch acall center to the public on September 8th, with asoft launch planned beforehand to test its efficiency

Interim Superintendent Simmons addressed concerns about employee morale, stating that many employees feel they areunable to do their jobs without fear of retaliation. She expressed acommitment to changing the culturewithin BREC by fostering transparency,encouraging open communication, and focusing on how employees aretreated. She also mentioned her intent to host town hall meetings throughout the parish, with the first scheduled in Zachary,tohear directly from residents about their desires and needs for the park system.

Commissioner Evans commented on the call center initiative and suggested the implementation of an artificial intelligence model to monitor calls. He proposed that the AI be trained using real call interactions with the long-term goal of minimizing the need for human operators.

Commissioner Browning asked in regards to listening to the cities about their wants from their parks, if that would put ahold on current projects underway for restructuring parks.

Interim Superintendent Simmons responded “Possibly…we aregoing to be talking about that tomorrow inour directors meeting.”

Commissioner Rogers thanked Interim Superintendent Simmons for her report and reminded BREC leadership and the boardnot to forget about the unincorporated areas of East Baton Rouge Parish. He noted that while the conversation had referenced theneeds of the five cities, many residents reside in unincorporated areas whereparks still require attention and investment. Hestated that he and his family live only 200 yards within acity limit and the parks they use areinthe unincorporated areas. He pointed out that BREC advertises having established twelve community parks, but in reality,only eleven have been established. He clarified that the twelfth park, which remains unestablished, is located in an unincorporated area in the northeast partofthe parish.

In response to Commissioner Rogers’ comments, Interim Superintendent Simmons stated that she and agroup would be taking aday trip on July 11th beginning at 7:30 a.m. The group plans to

Mississippi to visit the arboretum located there.

Commissioner Polito inquiredabout the status of the CAYL cooperative endeavor agreement. Interim Superintendent Simmons responded that therewas no update at thattimebut confirmed it was on schedule to be discussed during ameeting on Thursday,July 10.

Commissioner Polito then asked if she knew how much CAYL currently owes BREC.InterimSuperintendent Simmons shook her head to indicate “no,” and reiterated that the matter wouldbeaddressed during “tomorrow’smeeting.” She added that The Key Three had discussed the agreement earlier thatmorning and planned to go into further detailduring the Thursday meeting.When Commissioner Polito asked whether CAYL had been notified, InterimSuperintendent Simmons responded, “no.”

Commissioner McDavidshared that he has apersonal connection to BREC, noting that his mother worked for the organizationfor over 50 years. He added that he recently discovered apark in Zachary and expressed interest in walking the park with Interim Superintendent Simmons. He stated that his goal is to help ensurethat BREC becomes the best park and recreation organization in the UnitedStates, and that he is looking forwardtocontributing towardthat. He also mentioned that during arecent visit to Frenchtown, he was walking the trails but was unable to access the building.

Commissioner Pointer introduced Don Johnson, Chief Financial Officer,topresent the action items for Finance.

Mr.Johnson mentioned that since theydid not have the regular meeting in June, he will be presenting the budget status report for May, and the June report will be present at the regular meeting at the end of the month. He presented the Budget Status Reportand read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission accept the unaudited monthly Budget Status Reportfor the monthending and fiscal year-to-date period ending May31, 2025.

Commissioner Pointer opened the floor for discussion.

After no discussion, Commissioner Pointer asked “All those in favor say aye, those who opposed say nay” The results areasfollows: Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The May31, 2025 Budget Status Reportwas approved unanimously.

Mr.Johnson then presented the first item under Contracts and Bids and read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve awarding SB 1851 Magnolia Mound Historic House HVAC to the lowest responsive bidder,White Group Partners, LLC for the base bid of $330,000.

Commissioner McDavidasked if the bid under discussion was to replace the entireHVACsystem at Magnolia Mound.

Mr.Johnson acknowledged Mr.Richardtorespond. Mr.Richard confirmed that the project is intended to completely replace the system, including installingnew condenser units, new ductwork, and removing the sprayed insulation currently in the attic and underneath the house, which has been causing moistureissues.

Commissioner McDavidthen asked whether BREC is considering adding HVAC systems to park facilities thatdonot currently have them

Mr.Richardresponded that this is part of BREC’s IYP3 (Imagine Your Parks 3) plan, which includes identifying anew facility model that reduces overall inventory.Headded that the facilities that remain in operationwill be modernized and include new air conditioning systems.

Commissioner Pointer asked, “All in favor say aye.” The results are as follows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0

The awardofSB1851 was approved unanimously

Mr.Johnson continues under Contracts and Bids presenting items#2 and #3 together reading following resolutions:

Resolved, That the Commission awardSealed Bid #1848 –BREC Annual Contract for Trash Dumpster Services to the lowest responsive bidder,Waste Management of Louisiana, LLC. For items#1- #6. The total estimated contract amount is $150,666.80. The contract will be for 12 months, starting July 1, 2025 –June 30, 2026, with the optiontorenew for two additional 12–month terms, at the same prices, terms, and conditions, not to exceed 36 months.

Resolved, That the Commission awardSealed Bid #1850 –BREC Annual Contract for Recycling Dumpster Services, to the lowest responsive bidder,Waste Management of Louisiana, LLC. For items #1#6. The total estimated contract amount is $177,653.36. The contract will be for 12 months, starting July 1, 2025 –June 30, 2026, with the optionto renew for two additional 12– monthterms, at the same prices, terms, and conditions, not to exceed 36 months.

Commissioner McDavidasked what the scheduled days werefor garbage and recycling pickup.

Mr.Johnson acknowledged Dr.Lawson to respond. Dr.Lawson stated that the pickup schedulevaries based on location.Heexplained that the Womack facility receives pickup twice aweek, while some of the sporting venues receive pickup three times aweek.

Commissioner Rogers then asked Dr.Lawson to confirm whether recycling costs have historicallybeen higher than garbage pickup costs, and if so, why.Commissioner Rogers noted that with City-Parish services, recycling had been cheaper than garbage pickup, and he wanted to understand why it was different for BREC.

Dr.Lawson confirmed that recycling has always been moreexpensive forBREC He added that althoughthe transition from RepublicServices to Waste Management resulted in an overall cost savings, recycling still remains moreexpensive than regular garbage pickup. He mentioned that BREC is notcurrently recycling as much and stated that he is working to improve messaging across the parish to encourage morerecycling and reduce overall waste.

Commissioner McDavidasked whether the same-sized bins were being used for both garbage and recycling. Dr.Lawson confirmed that they were.

Commissioner Browning inquiredabout cancellation clauses in the Waste Management contract. Specifically,heasked whether the contract would automaticallyrenew if notcanceled within six months.

Dr.Lawson responded that the contract includes aprovision requiring awritten notice within 30 days of expiration; otherwise, it will automatically renew

Commissioner Browning then asked whether the contract pricing increases each year

Dr.Lawson stated that the contract pricing has remained the same over the years.

InterimSuperintendent Simmons added that in her prior experience, Waste Management has increased pricing without providing asix-month notice. She advised Dr.Lawson to “read the fine print” of the contract to be sure.

Dr.Lawson said he wouldfollow up with the Finance Department to confirm the terms.

Aneatra Boykinthen confirmed that the contract requires a30-day notice for cancellation and that thereisnolanguage allowing Waste Management to increase pricing without prior notice.

Commissioner Pointer opened the floor foradditional questions. With no further discussion he asked “Those in favorsay aye” “Any opposed?” The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The awarding of SB 1848 and SB 1850 wereapproved unanimously.

Mr.Johnson continues under Contracts and Bids presenting the final item reading following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approves the sourcing of Cintas Corporation State Contract #4400018930 for the rental, cleaning, and replacement of Agency uniforms. The total contract amount is not to exceed $100,000.00. The contract will be for 12 months, starting July 1, 2025 –June 30, 2026, with the optiontorenew fortwo additional 12–month terms, at the same prices, terms, and conditions, not to exceed 36 months.

Commissioner Pointer opened the floor for additional questions. With no further discussion he asked, “Those in favorsay aye” “Any opposed?” The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The approval of the sourcing of Cintas Corporation State Contract

#44000018930 wasapproved unanimously

CommissionerVicknair asked aboutthe bids submitted for the HVAC replacement project at Magnolia Mound andnotedthatabid from Calcasieu Mechanical Contractors wasnot selected. He requested an explanation for why their bid wasnot considered.

Mr.Richard responded thatCalcasieu Mechanical Contractors did not have the proper licensing required to meet the bid specifications.

CommissionerPointernotedthatHumanResources hadonly the routine transactions on the Consent Calendar.

CommissionerPointerstatedthatthe Zoo, Golf, andRecreation Committees hadinformation items only andnoaction wasneeded.

CommissionerPointeracknowledgedCommissionerPolito for the first itemunderSelection of Professionals. CommissionerPolito read the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve Amendment No. 1tocontract 2023000169with CSRS, LLC.,the design professional for Airline Highway Turn Lane Improvements, for anot-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $34,690 for increased DOTD requirementand changestopermit procedures and CEArequirement.

CommissionerBrowning asked if this resolution wasonly addressing the turnlanes.

Mr.Richard confirmed thatitwas only addressingthe turn lanes.

CommissionerPointerasked, “Those in favor say aye” “Any opposed?” The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The approvalofAmendment #1 to contract 2023000169 was approvedunanimously

CommissionerPolito continuedwith itemB underSelection of Professionals reading the following resolution: Resolved, That the Commission approve utilizing Louisiana State Contract No. 4400031912 with Custom Security Systems to furnish and install Physical Access Control systems at various Recreation facility locations for atotalcontract amount of $146,783.36, as described on project proposals.

CommissionerPointeropened the floor for additionalquestions. With no furtherdiscussion he asked, “Those in favor say aye” “Anyopposed?” The results areasfollows: Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The approvalofutilizing Louisiana State Contract #4400031912was approvedunanimously

CommissionerPolito continuedwith itemC underSelection of Professionals. CommissionerPolito statedthatthe committeeisnot recommending moving forward andinstead sending it back to BREC staff to schedule with the top three firmstointerview.Hethenmade amotion to defer

CommissionerPointerasked, “Those in favor say aye” “Any opposed?” The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The motion to defer wasapproved unanimously UnfinishedBusiness and General Orders CommissionerPointerannounced thatthere will be apublic hearing to adopt aresolution to levy the ad valorem taxmillage for the 2025 parish-wide assessment roll for the Recreation andPark Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge for general operationsand capital improvements.

CommissionerPointeracknowledgedMr. Johnson.

Mr.Johnson explainedthatatthe last meeting in May aresolution wasintroduced andthatanamendment to thatresolution will also be presentedtoday.

Mr.Johnson continuesbyreading the originalresolution presentedatthe May 22nd regularmeeting. It reads as follows:

RESOLUTION as Introduced at May 22, 2025 meeting Ad ValoremTax Levy

BE IT RESOLVED by the Recreation andPark Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (the“Commission”), in legalsession convened, as follows:

Thereare hereby levied in the Parish of East Baton Rouge,the following described ad valorem taxmillagesonthe 2025 taxroll on all property subject to taxation by the Recreation andPark Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge:

atax authorized by the electorate in aspecial election conductedOctober 28, 1947, underthe authority of Article 14, Section 3(b) of the 1921 Louisiana Constitution; ratified by Article 6, Section 31; for development, operations, andmaintenance; and0.59mills

atax authorized by the electorate in aspecial election conductedJune 22, 1954, underthe authority of Article 14, Section 3(b) of the 1921 Louisiana Constitution; ratified by Article 6, Section 31; for development, operations, andmaintenance; and

atax authorized by the electorate in aspecial election conductedNovember5,2024, underthe authority of Section 4570.4B of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutesof1950, as amended; to purchase, acquire, construct, develop, improve,operate andmaintain public parks, playgrounds andrecreationalproperties andfacilities; and

atax authorized by the electorate in aspecial election conductedNovember5,2024, for operationsand maintenance andcapitalimprovements; and

atax authorized by the electorate in aspecial election conductedNovember5,2024, to provide funds for maintaining andoperating its public parks, recreational properties, andfacilitiesand making available funds for the operatingbudget; and

atax authorized by the electorate in an election conductedNovember8,2016, to provide funds for maintaining andoperating the public parks, recreationalproperties, andfacilitiesand making available funds for the operatingbudget; and

as

andcollection

by

the

The foregoing resolution wasread in full andwas movedby seconded by The roll wascalledonthe adoption thereof, andthe resolution was adopted by the following votes: YEAS: NAYS: ABSTAINED: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution wassignedand approvedbythe

approve the resolution.

CommissionerPointerread the resolution as follows:

Resolved, That the Commission approve contract with SELA Aquatics, LLC to provide management andongoing operational support at Liberty Lagoon Waterpark, assisting BREC stafffromJuly 4, 2025, through September 2, 2025, for atotalcontract amount of $60,000.

Motion by Mr.Evans Second by Mr.McDavid

The foregoing resolution was read in full and was moved by seconded by

The roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

YEAS: NAYS:

ABSTAINED: ABSENT:

The foregoing resolution was signed and approved by the Chairman, attested by the Superintendent and Ex-OfficioSecretary and declared to be adopted on this the 8th day of July,2025.

Attest:

Janet C. Simmons, InterimSuperintendent and Ex-Officio Secretary

CommissionerEvans asked if this contract wasa staffaugmentation.

Interim Superintendent Simmons explainedthatthe goalwas to open Liberty Lagoon as safely as possible andbringing in SELA to assistwas the best option.

CommissionerPointeropened the floor for additionalquestions. With no furtherdiscussion he asked, “Those in favor say aye” “Anyopposed?” The results areasfollows:

Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 The motion passed by unanimousconsent.

MurphyFosterasked to speak with CommissionerPointerand Ms. Boykinbriefly.

Donna Collins Lewis, Chairwoman

Commissioner Pointer opened the public hearing and asked if anyone from the public would like to speak on the matter.Hearing none,

Commissioner Pointer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Pointer then called fora roll-call vote.

Commissioner Rogers asked fora point of order concerning motions being made on the agenda items. He stated that he didnot want anything to be adopted if it wasn’tdone appropriately. He asked, “Does not a Commission member need to move the resolution and then asecond on each of these items?”

Commissioner Rogers’ questionwas not answered directly before Commissioner Polito made amotiontoadopt the recommended resolution. It was seconded by Commissioner Vicknair.

The roll was called on the adoption thereof,and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

YEAS: 8Mr. Pointer,Mr. Rogers, Mr.Polito,Mr. Vicknair,Mr. Evans, Mr McDavid, Mr.Stages, Mr.Browning

NAYS: 0

ABSTAINED: 0

ABSENT: 3Donna Collins Lewis, Clarice Gordon, Collis Temple, III

Beforecasting his vote in favor, Commissioner McDavidasked Mr Johnson whether,inyears past, everything that was included in the budget was voted on. Mr.Johnson confirmed that yes, everything in the budget was voted on in previous years.

The motion was approved unanimously

Commissioner Pointer announced that he would like to add an item to the agenda for the approval of the SELA Aquatics, LLC contract, in the amount of $60,000, to provide operational support at Liberty Lagoon.

Murphy Foster provided guidance, stating that in order to add the item to the agenda, aunanimous roll call vote wouldberequired. Following that, aseparate vote would be needed for the approval of the item itself.

Commissioner Polito made the motiontoadd the item to the agenda, which was seconded by Commissioner Evans.

Arollcall vote was taken. The results areasfollows:

Yeas: 8Mr. Pointer,Mr. Rogers, Mr.Polito,Mr. Vicknair, Mr.Evans, Mr McDavid, Mr.Stages, Mr.Browning

Nays: 0

Abstained: 0

Absent:3Donna Collins Lewis, Clarice Gordon Collis Temple, III

tax elections above referredto. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, StateofLouisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of saidParish forthe year 2025, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority,according to law,and that the taxes hereinlevied shall become apermanent lien and privilege on allproperty subject to taxationasherein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceablein the manner provided by law

Murphy Foster further advised that avote must now be taken to

Duringthis brief discussion, CommissionerMcDavid left at 5:54 p.m. Adjournment

CommissionerPointerstatedthattheywould not be going into executive session andrequested amotion to adjourn.

Mr.Rogers interjected, statingthatheintendedtomove to go into Executive Session andasked if there should have been avote on that motion.

Mr.Foster, serving as the board’slegal counsel, explainedthatitishis recommendation thatthe matterinquestion does not meet the exception required to enterinto Executive Session.

CommissionerEvans asked if the discussion would take place during the public meeting, to whichMr. Fosterresponded, “no, we do not need to discuss it here.”

CommissionerRogers thenmotionedtogointo Executive Session in order to have the reasonexplainedtohim privately,ashebelieved it could not be explainedinpublic.Interim Superintendent Simmons asked Mr Foster to provide clarification

Mr.Fosterthenaddressed CommissionerRogers, explaining thathis objection wasbased on the OpenMeetings Law. He clarified thatthe exception citedinthe agenda item—“for the discussion of the character professional competence, or physical or mentalhealth of aperson”—did not apply in this case. He added thatmerelyreferencing the statute was not sufficientfor the itemtoqualify

Mr.Rogers thankedMr. Fosterfor the explanation andstatedthat he wished this issue hadbeen addressed prior to the meeting. He then formally withdrew his motion to go into Executive Session.

CommissionerPolito made amotion to adjournthe meeting. The motion wassecondedbyCommissionerEvans. CommissionerPointer adjournedthe meeting at 6:00 p.m. without objection.

Janet C. Simmons, Interim Superintendent Kenneth Pointer, Treasurer andEx-OfficioSecretary

DRAFT

152223-532860-aug2-1

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Co-hostedbyEBRPL andThe Alliance,this free session is ledbyThe Alliance CEOStuart Gillyand features real advicefromsuccessful featur localbusinessowners.

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Upcoming series session Wednesday, August 27 SmartCapital:How to Fund Your Business with Grants,Investors & Banks

Thrive!EBR LibraryPresentations

Join theEastBaton RougeParishLibrary as we

aboutthe

AugustPresentationLocations andDates

BakerBranch

Saturday,August23-2pm

BluebonnetRegionalBranch

Thursday,August14- 7pm

Tuesday, August 19 -10am

Wednesday, August 27 -2pm

Carver Branch

Monday,August18-10am Friday, August 29 -2pm

CentralBranch

Monday,August18-2pm

DelmontGardens Branch

Tuesday, August 5-10am

Tuesday, August 5-6pm

Eden Park Branch

Sunday,August24-2pm Monday,August25-2 pm Monday,August25-6 pm

Fairwood Branch

Wednesday, August 6-10am

Wednesday, August 6-2pm Wednesday, August 6-6pm

GreenwellSprings Road Branch

Wednesday, August 20 -10am

JonesCreek Regional Branch Wednesday, August 20 -7 pm

Main LibraryatGoodwood

Monday,August11-2pm Thursday,August21-7pm

Pride-ChaneyvilleBranch

Wednesday, August 13 -10am

RiverCenterBranch

Thursday,August28-10am Thursday,August28-6pm

Scotlandville Branch

Tuesday, August 26 -12pm

SouthBranch

Friday, August 15 -10am Friday, August 15 -2pm Sunday,August17-2pm

ZacharyBranch

Thursday,August7-7pm Monday,August25-10am Saturday,August30-2pm

SeptemberPresentationLocations andDates

BakerBranch

Friday, September19-10am

BluebonnetRegionalBranch

Wednesday, September10-7pm

Tuesday, September16-10am Wednesday, September24- 2 pm

Carver Branch

Friday, September5-2pmThursday, September11-2 pm Tuesday, September30-6pm

CentralBranch

Tuesday, September16-2pmSaturday, September20-2pm

DelmontGardens Branch

Wednesday, September3-12pm Wednesday, September3-5pm

Eden Park Branch

Thursday,September 25 -10am

Saturday,September 27 -10am

Saturday,September 27 -2pm

Fairwood Branch

Tuesday, September2-10am

Tuesday, September2-6pmSunday, September7 -2pm

GreenwellSprings Road Branch

Wednesday, September10-2pm

JonesCreek Regional Branch

Monday,September 22 -7 pm Sunday,September 28 -2pm

Main LibraryatGoodwood

Monday,September 8-2pm Thursday,September 11 -7 pm

Wednesday, September17- 10 am

Wednesday, September17- 3pm

Saturday,September 20 -10am

Tuesday, September30-10am

Pride-ChaneyvilleBranch

Monday,September 15 -10am

RiverCenterBranch

Monday,September 22 -10am

Monday,September 22 -2pm

Scotlandville Branch

Tuesday, September23-12pm

SouthBranch

Thursday,September 4-10am

Thursday,September 4-2pm

Thursday,September 4-6pm

ZacharyBranch

Saturday,September 6-10am

Thursday,September 25 -6pm Monday,September 29 -10am

• Households will paythe SAME millageasin1995, 2005, and 2015

• This is NOTanew tax

• TheLibraryretains aDEDICATED annual millageof8.3 mills; this annualrevenueis sufficient to continue all hours of operation at all locations forthe next 10 years

• This annual revenue maintains avarietyofLibraryprograms,services,collections,and resources

• TheLibraryretains$60 Million in Fund Balance, which preservesthe Capital Improvements Plan and supports futureoperational and insuranceneeds

UseofFunds

•Thisrenewal is RevenueNeutralfor taxpayerswho will paythe same rate as in 1995,2005, and2015

• 2.8 millsofthe annual millage will be re-allocated to "Parish General Purposes,"withanet $16.24 Milliontobeapplied annually to parish-wide Infrastructure needs forthe Storm WaterMaster Plan and Street MaintenanceProjects

• TheLibrarywill makea one-time re-allocationof$52.4 Million from itsFund Balance which willbeused to paydownParish-Wide General Fund Debt

• MARC willrenew &collect 1.0mills

• MARC willre-allocate 0.5mills from thatrenewal to the General Fund

• Anet funding impact of $2.9 Million annually willgotoCity-Parish forInfrastructurefor theStorm WaterMaster Plan and Street Maintenance

• MARC willre-allocateanadditional $6 Million in funds to the GeneralFund to stabilizethe City-Parish budget Council on Aging (COA)

• COAwill renew and collect2.25 mills

• COAwill re-allocate 0.25mills from thatrenewal to the General Fund

• Anet funding impact of $1.45 Million annually will go to the City-Parishfor Infrastructure forthe StormWater Master Plan and Street Maintenance

• No otherCOA funds arere-allocated

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