The Advocate 08-15-2025

Tensions flarebetween council, Edwards’ office

Memberscomplainabout beingrushedintolast-minute actions

“This is a pattern. It’s always last minute. Always. And it’s astrategy.”

TWAHNA HARRIS East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council member

BY TIMOTHY BOONE Staff writer

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

Some East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council members are increasingly frustrated with Mayor-President Sid Edwards‘ office, which they say oftenleaves themin thedark and rushes them into last-minute actions.

That irritation boiled over into public on Wednesday when council member Twahna Harristook issue with an abrupt huddle Edwards’ Assistant ChiefAdministrativeOfficer MoniqueAppeaning called on Tuesday with only acouplehours of lead time to talk to councilmembers about an agendaitem.

“Thisisa pattern,”Harrissaid. “It’salways last minute. Always. And it’sastrategy.”

The itemcalled for thecouncil to approve thereclassifying of some positions in the administration.Harris said she was unabletomakethe meeting referenced,as

UnitedHealth Group completed its $3.3 billion purchase of Baton Rouge-based Amedisys on Thursday morning, more than two years after plans to join the nation’s two largest home health and hospice carecompanies were first announced.

The closure of the deal wasannounced in afiling with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, issued before themarketsopened. Amedisys’ stock was delisted fromthe Nasdaq exchange.

Amedisys is nowpart of UnitedHealth’sOptum health services unit.

“Home health care is acritical

she was invitedvia a2 p.m. text for ameeting at 4p.m. Harris, aDemocrat, had thestrongest wordsfor theMayor-President’sOffice. Butsome of Edwards’ fellow Republicans also hinted that the office could be doing moretokeep council members in the loop.

“There are sometimes that, hey,give us aheads up on what’sgoing on everyday,” saidRepublican council member Aaron Moak.

In astatement Thursday,Edwards said he valuesopenand honest communication with council members and saidhis team works hard to keep them in the loop to make sure they havethe information needed before making adecision.

“Wemay notalwaysagree on everydetail, but Ibelieve we all share thesame goal: doing what’s best for the people of East BatonRouge Parish,” he said. “I’m committed to keeping that conversation

“I’m committed to keeping that conversation going and working together to get things done.”

SIDEDWARDS, EastBaton Rouge Parish mayorpresident

Court upholds voidingof legislative maps

districtsdiluteBlack votes, judgeruled

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Afederal appeals court on Thursday upheld aLouisiana judge’sdecision to invalidate the state’slegislative district mapfor House and Senate races, saying they violated Section 2ofthe Voting Rights Act. But the current maps will stay in placeatleastuntil theU.S.Supreme Court issues its ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, aseparate but similarcasedisputing Louisiana’s congressional voting districts. The ruling in that case could broadly change the legal precedents for redistricting lawsuits.

U.S. District

Co urt Ju dge

ä California moves forward with redistricting effort. PAGE 3A

Shelly Dick in February 2024 enjoined district maps that Louisiana lawmakers enacted during a 2022 special session, determining legislative linesdrawn for the state seats unlawfully diluted the strength of Black votes across the state and violated the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Dick, the chiefjudge of the U.S. Middle District Court of Louisiana based in Baton Rouge, ordered elections officials to redraw the district mapsinaway that doesn’t pack high concentrations of Black voters into asmall number of majority-minority districts or fragment African American voters into separate districts to prevent them from forming powerful voting blocs.

In a54-page order published

component in Optum’scommitmenttovalue-based care, which is designed to keep patientshealthy within their own homes,” UnitedHealth said in astatement. “Together,welook forward to meaningfully improving home health andhospicecare optionsfor patients and their families.” UnitedHealth agreed to buy Amedisys for $101 per share in June 2023. Under theagreement, Amedisys will continue to operate as awholly-owned subsidiary of UnitedHealth, with an office in Baton Rouge and operations in Nashville, Tennessee.

pect thedeal will have much of an impact on the Baton Rouge economy. He doesn’texpect layoffs to result from the acquisition.

“I don’tthink it’ll be abig deal because theexecutivesmoved to Nashville,” he said.

Peter Ricchiuti, afinance professor at Tulane University who tracks regionalstocksacross the South through the university’sBurkenroad Reports, said he doesn’tex-

This is the secondsouth Louisiana-based homehealth and hospice

AMEDISYS, page 4A

DOJ worker accused in sandwich throwing fired

WASHINGTON A man charged with a felony for hurling a sandwich at a federal law enforcement official in the nation’s capital has been fired from his job at the Justice Department, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a social media post Thursday A video of Sean Charles Dunn berating a group of federal agents late Sunday went viral online. Dunn was arrested on an assault charge after he threw a “sub-style” sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent, a court filing said Dunn, 37, of Washington, was an international affairs specialist in the Justice Department’s criminal division, according to a department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel matter

“This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ,” Bondi wrote. “You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.”

Sabrina Shroff, an attorney who represented Dunn at his initial appearance in federal court, declined to comment on the allegations against her client after Thursday’s hearing.

More charges filed in Minn. lawmaker killings

MINNEAPOLIS A Minnesota man accused of killing a top Democratic state lawmaker and wounding another while pretending to be a police officer is now facing new and upgraded state charges after a fresh indictment was announced Thursday, just a week after he pleaded not guilty in federal court Vance Boelter now faces two charges of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted firstdegree murder and charges of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty for shooting one family’s dog. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the charges “reflect the weight of Mr Boelter’s crimes.” But the state case will continue to take a back seat to the federal case against Boelter where he could face more serious consequences. He was indicted July 15 on six counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations. The murder charges could carry the federal death penalty although prosecutors haven’t decided yet whether to seek that while the maximum penalty on the state charges is life in prison because Minnesota doesn’t have the death penalty Boelter pleaded not guilty in federal court on Aug. 7 Moriarty had requested the state prosecution proceed first, but federal prosecutors are using their authority to press their case, according to Daniel Borgertpoepping, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office’s public information officer Man pleads not guilty in hikers’ deaths in Ark. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The teacher who authorities say admitted to fatally stabbing two hikers at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas last month pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder charges. Andrew James McGann entered the plea during a brief hearing before a state judge at Washington County’s jail Thursday morning. Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor scheduled McGann’s next hearing for Nov 14 He’s being held without bond. McGann has been charged with two counts of capital murder in the July 26 killing of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41. The two were hiking with their daughters — ages 7 and 9 years old — and the girls were not injured in the attack. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive for the attack at Devil’s Den, a 2,500-acre tate park about 140 miles northwest of Little Rock.

McGann was arrested on July 30 at a barbershop in Springdale, about 30 miles north of the park.

McGann had not yet started his new job at Springdale Public Schools and had previously worked in Texas and Oklahoma Authorities have said he did not have a prior criminal record.

SCOTT APPLEWHITE

AG puts DEA chief in charge of D.C. police

Cole named ‘emergency police commissioner’ amid federal takeover

BY ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Trump administration, stepping up its crackdown on policing in the nation’s capital, on Thursday named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration to be Washington’s “emergency police commissioner” with all the powers of the police chief — a significant move that increases national control over the city as part of the federal government’s law-enforcement takeover

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a directive issued Thursday evening that DEA boss Terry Cole will assume “powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police.” The Metropolitan Police Department “must receive approval from Commissioner Cole” before issuing any orders Bondi said It was not immediately clear where the move left Pamela Smith, the city’s current police chief, who works for the mayor

The attorney general’s directive comes hours after Smith directed MPD officers to share information with immigration agencies regarding people not in custody such as someone involved in a traffic stop or checkpoint. The Justice Department said Bondi disagreed with the police chief’s directive because it allowed for continued enforcement of “sanctuary policies.”

Bondi said she was rescinding that order as well as other MPD policies limiting inquires into immigration status and preventing arrests based solely on federal immigration warrants. All new directives must now receive approval from Cole, the attorney general said.

The police takeover is the latest move by President Donald Trump to test the limits of his legal authorities to carry out his agenda, relying on obscure statutes and a supposed state of emergency to bolster his tough-on-crime message and his plans to speed up the mass deportation of people in the U.S. illegally

It also marks one of the most sweeping assertions of federal authority over a local government in modern times. While Washington has grappled with spikes in violence and visible homelessness, the city’s homicide rate ranks below those of several other major U.S. cities and the

capital is not in the throes of the public safety collapse the administration has portrayed.

The late-night announcement came after an eventful day in the ongoing federal operation. Smith’s earlier directive effectively brought together Trump’s moves on city law enforcement and his nationwide efforts to curb immigration, and Trump had praised it in the hours before Bondi’s announcement

“That’s a very positive thing, I have heard that just happened,” Trump said of Smith’s order “That’s a great step. That’s a great step if they’re doing that.”

A population already tense from days of ramp-up began seeing more significant shows of force across the city Thursday National Guard troops watched over some of the world’s most renowned landmarks and Humvees took position in front of the busy main train station. Volunteers helped homeless people leave long-standing encampments — to where, exactly, was often unclear

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, walking a tightrope between the Republican White House and the constituency of her largely Democratic city, was out of town Thursday for a family commitment in Martha’s Vineyard but would be back Friday, her office said.

For an already wary Washington, Thursday marked a notable — and highly visible uptick in presence from the previous two days. The visibility of federal forces around the city, including in many high-traffic areas, was striking to residents going about their lives. Trump has the power to take over federal law enforcement for 30 days before his actions must be reviewed by Congress, though he has said he’ll re-evaluate as that deadline approaches

The response before Thursday had been gradual and, by all appearances, low key But on Wednesday night, officers set up a checkpoint in one of D.C.’s popular nightlife areas, drawing protests. The White House said 45 arrests were made Wednesday night, with 29 people arrested for living in the country illegally; other arrests included for distribution or possession of drugs, carrying a concealed weapon and assaulting a federal officer

Troops were stationed outside the Union Station transportation hub as the 800 Guard members who have been activated by Trump start in on missions that include monument security, community safety patrols and beautification efforts, the Pentagon said.

Judge strikes down Trump guidance against diversity programs at schools

BY COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

WASHINGTON A federal judge on Thursday struck down two Trump administration actions aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the nation’s schools and universities.

In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland found that the Education Department violated the law when it threatened to cut federal funding from educational institutions that continued with DEI initiatives

The guidance has been on hold since April when three federal judges blocked various portions of the Education Department’s anti-DEI measures.

The ruling Thursday followed a motion for summary judgment from the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association, which challenged the government’s actions in a February lawsuit.

The case centers on two Education Department memos ordering schools and universities to end all “race-based decision-making” or face penalties up to a total loss of federal funding. It’s part of a campaign to end practices the Trump administration frames as discrimination against White and Asian American

students.

The new ruling orders the department to scrap the guidance because it runs afoul of procedural requirements, though Gallagher wrote that she took no view on whether the policies were “good or bad, prudent or foolish, fair or unfair.”

Gallagher who was appointed by President Donald Trump, rejected the government’s argument that the memos simply served to remind schools that discrimination is illegal.

“It initiated a sea change in how the Department of Education regulates educational practices and classroom conduct, causing millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished,” Gallagher wrote.

Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy firm representing the plaintiffs, called it an important victory over the administration’s attack on DEI.

“Threatening teachers and sowing chaos in schools throughout America is part of the administration’s war on education, and today the people won,” said Skye Perryman, the group’s president and CEO.

The Education Department did not immediately comment on Thursday

Putin praises Trump’s efforts to end Ukraine war

Russian, U.S. leaders to meet Friday

BY PAN PYLAS and JUSTIN SPIKE Associated Press

LONDON Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Moscow launched its invasion, as the two leaders prepared for a pivotal U.S.-Russiaummit Friday in Alaska.

Following a meeting Thursday with top government officials on the summit, Putin said in a short video released by the Kremlin that the Trump administration was making “quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities” and to “reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved.” Putin also suggested that “long-term conditions of peace between our countries, and in Europe, and in the world as a whole,” could be reached under an agreement with the U.S on nuclear arms control.

In Washington, Trump said there was a 25% chance that the summit would fail, but he also floated the idea that, if the meeting succeeds, he could bring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting.

In a radio interview with Fox News, Trump also said he might be willing to stay in Alaska longer, depending on what happens with Putin.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy and other European leaders worked to ensure their interests are taken into account when Trump and Putin meet in Anchorage.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy to London on Thursday in a show of British support for Ukraine a day before the critical Trump-Putin meeting. The two embraced warmly outside Starmer’s offices at 10 Downing Street without making any comments, and

Zelenskyy departed about an hour later Zelenskyy’s trip to the British capital came a day after he took part in virtual meetings from Berlin with Trump and the leaders of several European countries. Those leaders said that Trump had assured them that he would make a priority of trying to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine when he meets with Putin.

Speaking after the meetings to reporters, Trump warned of “very severe consequences” for Russia if Putin doesn’t agree to stop the war against Ukraine after Friday’s meeting.

While some European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, praised Wednesday’s video conference with Trump as constructive, uncertainty remained over how the U.S. leader — whose rhetoric toward both Zelenskyy and Putin has evolved dramatically since retaking office this year — would conduct negotiations in the absence of any other interested parties.

Both Zelenskyy and the Europeans have worried that the bilateral U.S.-Russia summit would leave them and their interests sidelined, and that any conclusions could favor Moscow and leave Ukraine and Europe’s future security in jeopardy Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov tamped down expectations for any breakthroughs from the Friday summit, saying there were no plans to sign documents and that it would be a “big mistake” to predict the results of the negotiations, according to Russian news outlet Interfax.

Starmer said Wednesday that the Alaska summit could be a path to a ceasefire in Ukraine, but he also alluded to European concerns that Trump may strike a deal that forces Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. He warned that Western allies must be prepared to step up pressure on Russia if necessary

California moves forward with redistricting effort

Move seeks to counter Texas’ plan

BY MICHAEL R. BLOOD and TRÂN NGUYEN Associated Press

LOS ANGELES California

Gov Gavin Newsom said Thursday his state will hold

a Nov 4 special election to seek voter approval of new congressional map drawn to try to win Democrats five more U.S House seats in 2026.

The move is a direct response to a Republican-led effort in Texas, pushed by President Donald Trump as his party seeks to maintain its slim House majority after the midterm elections.

Texas lawmakers are considering a new map that would help them send five more Republicans to Washington. Democrats who so far have halted a vote by leaving the state announced Thursday that they will return home if state Republicans end their current special session and California releases its own redrawn map proposal. Both were expected to happen Friday

Texas Republican Gov Greg Abbott is expected to call another special session to push through new maps.

“We can’t stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country,” Newsom said, joined by prominent labor leaders and Democratic politicians.

California lawmakers must officially declare the special election, which they plan to do next week after voting on the new maps. Democrats hold superma-

jorities in both chambers, and Newsom said he’s not worried about winning the required support from twothirds of lawmakers to advance the maps.

Democrats signaled that they plan to make the campaign about more than maps, tying it explicitly to the fate of American democracy and as an opportunity for voters to reject Trump’s policies.

“Donald Trump, you have poked the bear and we will punch back,” Newsom, who is seen as a possible 2028 presidential contender, said at a news conference with other Democrats.

The Thursday announcement marks the first time any state beyond Texas is officially wading into the mid-decade redistricting fight, kicking off a national standoff that could spill into more states. A number of Republicanled states appear poised to move forward with their

own new maps. In Missouri,

a document obtained by The Associated Press shows the state Senate received a $46,000 invoice to activate six redistricting software licenses and provide training for up to 10 staff members

Newsom encouraged other Democratic-led states to get involved.

“We need to stand up — not just California. Other blue states need to stand up,” Newsom said.

Republicans currently hold a 219-212 majority in the U.S. House, with four vacancies. New maps are typically drawn once a decade after the census is conducted Many states, including Texas, give legislators the power to draw maps. Some, such as California, rely on an independent commission that is supposed to be nonpartisan.

The California map would take effect only if a Republican state moves forward, and it would remain through

the 2030 elections. After that, Democrats say they would return mapmaking power to the commission ap-

proved by voters more than a decade ago.

Some people already have said they would sue to block the effort, and influential voices including former California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger may campaign against it. Newsom said he’s spoken with Schwarzenegger “Gavin Newsom’s latest stunt has nothing to do with Californians and everything to do with consolidating radical Democrat power, silencing California voters, and propping up his pathetic 2028 presidential pipe dream,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Christian Martinez said in a statement. “Newsom’s made it clear: he’ll shred California’s Constitution and trample over democracy running a cynical, self-serving playbook where Californians are an afterthought and power is

the only priority.” California Democrats already hold 43 of the state’s 52 House seats, and the state has some of the most competitive House seats. Elsewhere, leaders from red Florida to blue New York are threatening to write new maps. But none have moved as far as Texas and California. Also Thursday, U.S Border Patrol agents conducted roving patrols outside Newsom’s news conference, drawing condemnation from the governor and others. Gregory Bovino, chief of the Border Patrol’s El Centro, California, sector, was part of the patrols.

“We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place since we don’t have politicians that will do that,” Bovino told a reporter with KTTV in Los Angeles. He said he didn’t know Newsom was inside nearby

BY NADIA LATHAN and SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press

CHICAGO Texas Democrats on Thursday moved closer to ending a nearly two-week walkout that has blocked the GOP’s redrawing of U.S. House maps before the 2026 election and put them under escalating threats by Republicans back home.

The Democrats announced they will return provided that Texas Republicans end a special session and California releases its own redrawn map proposal, both of which were expected to happen Friday Democrats did not say what day they might return. Republican Texas Gov Greg Abbott still intends to push through new maps that would give the GOP five more winnable seats before next year’s midterm elections.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows has said that if Democrats don’t return the next time lawmakers reconvene on Friday, the session will end and the governor will immediately begin another one.

Abbott put redistricting on the agenda at the urging of President Donald Trump, who wants to shore up Republicans’ narrow House majority and avoid a repeat of his first presidency, when the 2018 midterms restored Democrats to a House majority that blocked his agenda and twice impeached him. It is unusual for redistricting to take place in the middle of the decade and typically occurs once at the beginning of each decade to coincide with the census

Texas House Democrats said in a statement that attorneys have told them they must return to the state to “build a strong public legislative record” for an upcoming legal battle against a new map.

“Now, as Democrats across the nation join our fight to cause these maps to fail their political purpose, we’re prepared to bring this battle back to Texas under the right conditions and to take this fight to the courts,” said state Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader At the same time, the Texas

Democrats want to wait until California Democrats file their bill to redraw the state’s maps, he added.“We want to make sure the baton is fully in their hands before we let go,” Wu said.

Texas Democrats, who are the minority in each chamber fled to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts on Aug. 3 to stop the Legislature from passing any bills.

Abbott has asked the state’s highest court to remove Wu from office, and other Republican officials have threatened their arrest U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said he asked the FBI to assist Texas authorities in locating the lawmakers, and Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked 13 members to be removed from office.

Lawmakers face fees of up to $500 each day they are absent after the House adopted new rules in 2021 after a similar walkout over voting restriction legislation.

Texas has 38 congressional districts, 25 of which Republicans hold. In California, Democrats control 43 of the state’s 52 House seats.

Cassidytoagain play keyroleinconfirmation

Previous agency chief firedbyTrump afterbad jobs

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

report

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,ofLouisiana, will once againplay akey role in the confirmation of acontroversial nominee of President Donald Trump.

Trump this week picked E.J. Antoni, the conservative Heritage Foundation’schiefeconomist, to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an agency that produces closely watched data about the economy Antoni would replace Erika McEntarfer,who Trumpfired two weeksago afterthe release of an unfavorable jobs report. That report showed weak job growth in Julyand revised earlier figures for May and June, nearly erasing the job gains previously reported during those months.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, chairs the

which must decidewhether to reportE.J.Antoni’snomination

or unfavorablytothe full Senate.

In each jobs report, the government typically revisesits previous two months’ jobs figures as more survey responses come in,but many economists were surprised at the scale of the revisions to the numbers forMay and June. Still, the bureau’s jobs data has long been considered reliable and free from political bias. It’s not the first timeCassidy has found himself entangledina controversialconfirmation process. After wavering in his support for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cassidy cast akey vote in favor of his appointment, despite Kennedy’sskepticismabout vaccines.

The Senateconfirmed Kennedy in a52-48 vote in February Cassidy, amedical doctor,has frequently defended vaccines and the science behind them

Trump claimed the figures were manipulated to make him look bad. But his critics argue there’snoevidence for that,and they fear apolitically motivated firing could cast doubt on the integrity of numbers that businessesand economists rely on to make important decisions.

AMEDISYS

Continued from page1A

company UnitedHealth has purchased in recent years. In 2023, UnitedHealth acquired Lafayette’sLHC Group in a$5.4 billion deal. But while the LHC deal went fairly smoothly,the process of buying Amedisys was far more complicated.

In May 2023, afew weeks after Amedisys announced it had reachedadeal to be acquired by Option Care Healthinastock deal,the company said it had received an offer from UnitedHealth. Underthatoffer, UnitedHealth would pay $100 ashare for Amedisys.

Before Antoni takes the job, the Senate mustvotetoconfirmhim Cassidy chairs the Senate Committee on Health,Education, Labor andPensions, which must decide whether to report Antoni’snominationfavorably or unfavorably to the full Senate.

ACassidy spokespersondid not

At the end of June 2023, Amedisys announced it had reached adeal whereUnitedHealth wouldpay $101 a share.

The deal was set to close in the second half of 2024, butinNovember,the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the purchase, citing concerns the combinationwould hinder access to home health and hospice services.

Then abig political shift clearedthe wayfor the mergertohappen.While the Biden administration took ahard line on antitrust issues, theTrump administration has been more willing to cut dealswithcompanies to allow acquisitions to proceed.

say whether the Louisiana senator supported Antoni’snomination. “BLS’s yearslong failuretoproduce reliable data —especially when that data has broad marketmoving implications —isunacceptable,” thespokesperson said in astatement. “Weneed aBLS Commissioner committed to producing accurate, unbiased economicinformation to the Ameri-

Last week, the DOJsaid it had proposedasettlementrequiring Amedisys andUnitedHealthGroup to divest164 home healthand hospice facilities —the biggest divestiture of outpatienthealthservices —to clear the way for amerger That ended thelegal battle. ThedepartmentalsoproposedthatAmedisys pay $1.1 milliontothe United States for falsecertification that they provided accurate documentstothe U.S. The divestiture impacts home health andhospice locationsin19states.The only affected locationinLouisianaisAmedisys Hospice in Lake Charles, according to amap of divestiture locations. In total,the 164 pro-

can people. Chairman Cassidy looks forward to meeting with Dr Antonitodiscuss how he will accomplish this.” Late last year,Cassidy sent a letter to McEntarfer complaining about frequent revisions to the Bureau of LaborStatistics’ jobs data. Theagency ought to produce data that is moreaccurate at thetime of its release, said the letter

posed divestiture locations account for $528 million in revenue. The facilities will be acquired by The Pennant Groupand BrightSpring HealthServices. Amedisys was founded in 1982 by thelate Bill Borne, aregistered nurse whosaid he saw numerous cases of people who were hospitalized but didn’tneed to be. Patients generally recover faster anddobetter at home, given theright medical support,hesaid.

He is also hoping for Trump’sendorsementinwhat couldbea close reelection fight next year

Sincetaking up the helm of the U.S. Department forHealth and Human Services, Kennedy has canceled about $500 million in funding for vaccine research and firedthe membersofa top vaccine advisory committee, replacing some of them withappointees whoquestioned vaccine safety.

The business went through significant ups and downs in the1990s andcame closeto filing forbankruptcy.Borne said he didn’tfile for bankruptcy at that time because he didn’thave the money to pay the legal fees. To keep Amedisys going, Borne essentially dismembered his company,selling off the moneymaking lines, including nurse staffing and doctor practice management He kept homehealth nursing and used the money he

raised to buy home health agencies. In the2000s,Amedisys grew througha series of acquisitions andbecame oneofthe country’slargest homehealth operators. The company opened a 114,000-square-foot headquarters in aradically remodeled former Schwegmann’ssupermarket on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard. Staff writer Ianne Salvosa contributed to this story.

Honoring

TheGoldenDeeds awardisthe most prestigiousaward in theGreater BatonRouge area Sinceits inceptionin1942, it hasbeen awardedtoonlyone outstanding recipienteach year forphilanthropic servicetothe community. Theactions andservice of therecipients have made thecommunity abetterplace to live andwork. TheGoldenDeeds Awardnominations includethe nine-parishBaton RougeMetropolitan StatisticalAreawhich covers East BatonRouge,WestBaton Rouge, Iberville, Ascension, Livingston,St. Helena,EastFeliciana,WestFeliciana andPointe Coupee

Explainwhy your nomineeshouldreceive theGoldenDeeds Award. Tell us in your ownwords aboutthe most memorable things they’vedoneinservice to thecommunity Tell us howtheir actionstouched your heart; howtheymadea difference Give specificexamplesofwhatthey’ve done Maximumof750 words. Nominationsmust meet specificrequirements to be considered.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 CROWNPLAZA EXECUTIVECENTER 4728 CONSTITUTIONAVE.• BATONROUGE Tickets$50 each •Group tables available

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Thursday afternoon, ajudicial panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit affirmed Dick’sruling last year

Dick, in her 2024 ruling, found that 18 House districts and seven Senate districts were “cracked” or “packed,” drawn in amanner that diluted the Black vote. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, acting on behalf of the secretary of state, appealed Dick’sruling on seven fronts. Among the state’sarguments was that Dick misapplied what are known as Gingles principles, athree-pronged legal framework for analyzing the plaintiffs’ claimsof voter dilution. Elections officials also said her ruling was unconstitutional.

Fifth Circuit judges James Dennis, Catharina Haynes and Carrillo Ramirez rejected all of the state’schallenges and seconded Dick’s reasoning.

“In forty-one pages of detailed analysis, the district courtparsed through expert testimony,madeand explained its credibility determinations, and balanced the factors to assess compactness as required by our case law,” theappellate judges wrote in Thursday’sorder “Someone had to lose, and someone had to win. Any

TENSIONS

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going and working together to get things done.”

After Harris questioned Appeaning for several minutes and others shared their views, Edwards responded with his most confrontational —yet still respectful remarks in aMetroCouncil meeting since taking office eight months ago

“Wecalled the meeting becausethere was arequest that people had afew questions,” Edwards said, explaining that hisoffice emailed council members weeks beforewith information regarding the agenda item.

“All this information was sent out ahead of time, so this is in your hands,” he said. Harris said she understood Edwards’ needto move quickly but added that “emailing is one thing, but actually meeting and sitting with adialogue” is another thing.

Harris said she was not tryingtodirect him on how to run his office. She said she is just asking for more communication on items the mayor-president is asking to be approved, though she did take ajab at one of his senior staffers.

“I’m not trying to stand in your way of you doing what you do. So, we’re good,” Harris said to the mayor before turning to Appeaning with amuch more combativetone. “But with Monique, you know how we get down.”

Republican Mayor-Pro

U.S. District CourtJudgeShelly DickinFebruary2024 enjoined district mapsthat Louisiana lawmakersenactedduring a2022 special session, determining legislativelines drawn for thestate seats unlawfully diluted the strength of Black votes across the state.

argumentthat the district court applied the incorrect legalstandard at Gingles 1 is meritless.”

The lawsuit challenging the state’s2022 legislative maps wasfiledMarch2022 in the Middle District federal court. It came weeks after the Legislature passed SenateBill 1and HouseBill 14 to enactthe House and Senatemaps.

Agroup of Black voters wholived in packed and crackedvotingdistricts across the state were the plaintiffs, along with several votingrights groups like the American Civil Liberties

“Just putting an agenda item on here and expecting us to fall in line and move forward without having conversations, it opens upthe risk of potentially notgetting those seven votes.”

JEN RACCA, East BatonRouge Parish Metro Council member

Tempore Brandon Noel said he shared some of Harris’ concernsand had spoken to Edwards’ office aboutit. He also said former MayorPresident SharonWeston Broome’steam used alack of communication as apolitical strategyattimes, and he did not want that to surface again

Union and the NAACP

When theLegislature redrew themaps, it added just one new majority-Black district,according to the lawsuit. But the plaintiffs arguedtoadequately represent thegrowthofthe Louisiana’sBlack population, where Blackresidents made up aboutone-third of thestate’s population,the Legislature shouldhave added three new majorityBlack districtsinthe Senate and between six and nine such districts in theHouse. Afterthe mapsapproved by theLegislature were challenged in courtin2022,

Council memberJen Racca, another Republican, told Edwards’ team that,ifthey want seven votes on amajority item, they need to do moretomake sureeveryone on thecouncil hasthe information to makeadecision.

“Just putting an agenda item on here and expecting us to fallinline andmove forwardwithouthaving conversations, it opens up the risk of potentially not getting those seven votes,” she said.

Anthony Kenney,aDemocrat representing District 2, said it is getting more and more important for theMayor-President’sOffice and the council to getonthe same page, as bothbranches need the Thrive! BatonRouge plan to pass. Cityleaders

NOTICE OF PUBLICHEARING

In compliance with LA 39:1307, theCityofBaker School Boardwillholda public hearingprior to the considerationofadoptionofthe2025-2026General FundandSpecialRevenueFundsBudgets. Thepublichearingwillbeheldinconjunctionwiththeregularscheduled boardmeeting on Tuesday, September 2,2025at6:00p.m.intheBoardRoomoftheCityof BakerSchoolBoard Office 14750Plank Road,Baker, Louisiana70714

ThebudgetwillbeavailableforpublicinspectionbeginningThursday,August14,2025throughTuesday, September2,2025atthe City of BakerSchoolBoard Office

In compliance with the AmericanswithDisabilities Act, individualsneeding specialaccommodations during this meetingshouldnotifyCatrina Blackmore,AdministrativeAssistant,atleast threeworkingdayspriortothemeetingat(225)774-5795.

was stayed just last week by JudgeDickpending the outcome of the Supreme Court,” Johnson said. “Although the ruling from the 5thCircuit CourtofAppeal hasimportance to the case, Judge Dick herself recognizes that this case can’tgo forward until theSupreme Court rulesonCallais.”

Earlier this month, Dick issued astay in the Nairne case, postponing akey evidentiary hearing wassupposed to take place Aug. 25. During that hearing,the state and plaintiffs would have hadthe chance to propose alternative legislative maps for the state races Dickhalted proceedings in the case to await the Supreme Court’supcoming Callais decision and pending the outcome of the state’s appeal in Nairne.

andSenateseatsare up for election.

Plaintiffs hope theredrawn lines include three brand-new majority-Black Senate districts and six new majority-Black districts in the state House. “This case hasbeen pending alongtime,and we’re very happy because we got a positive decision,” saidSarah Brannon, an attorney for theAmerican Civil Liberties Union Foundation. “This is certainly astep in the right direction toward getting a victory forBlack voters in Louisiana so that they will have an equal opportunity to elect theircandidates of choice.

“Weare quite pleased that the5th Circuit understands the issues that Black voters in Louisiana have been facing formany, many years,” she added.

they were still used for the 2023 state House and Senate races.

State Rep. Mike Johnson, aPineville Republican who was on the committee that handled redistricting in 2022, said the current maps will remain in place while theU.S. SupremeCourt considers Louisianav.Callais.

The Callais and Nairne cases deal with manyofthe sameconstitutional issues, he said.

“The actual creation of new maps,ifthat were necessary,ordealing with what would be correct maps, that portion of the case

are asking voters in November to approve rededicating part of thelibrary system’s propertytax, among others, to theparish general fund in order to address significant budget issues.

Some see the measure passing as an upward hill, and thecouncilmember said aunified message will be crucial.

“It is making sure as a council and the mayor we’re all on the same page and giving the same message,” Kenneysaid. “Wedon’t need to be disjointed headed toward November.”

Attorneys forthe plaintiffs sought to block the stay because they worry it won’t leavetime fornew maps to be implemented before October 2027, the next cycle when all of the state’sHouse

TheSecretary of State’s Office declined to comment on pending litigation.

Staff writer Alyse Pfeil contributed to this story.

Groups call on Israel to end‘weaponization’ of aid

BY WAFAA SHURAFA and SAM METZ

Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip

More than 100 nonprofit groups warned Thursday that Israel’s rulesfor aid groups working in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank will block much-needed relief and replace independent organizations with those that serve Israel’spolitical and military agenda —charges that Israel denied. At thesametime, hospital officials reported more deathsfrom Israeli airstrikes and an increasing toll from malnutrition.

Themountingbacklash over aid restrictions and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza have been cited by several countries as afactor in their moves toward recognizing Palestinian statehood. YetonThursday, Israel advanced plans for a new settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, with one far-right government minister describing the moveasaway to “bury the idea of aPalestinian state.”

The nonprofit groups,in-

Palestinian children sell bags of drinking water during ahot summer daywithtemperatures reaching 97 degrees on WednesdayinDeir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip

cluding Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders andCARE, were respondingtoregistrationrules announced by Israel in March that require organizations to hand over full lists of their donors and Palestinianstafffor vetting Theycontenddoing so could endanger their staff andgive Israel broad grounds to block aid if groups are deemed to be “delegitimizing”the country or supporting boycotts or divestment.

The aid groups stressed on Thursday thatmost of them have not been able todeliver “a single truck” of lifesaving assistance since Israel implemented ablockade in March. Their letter called on other countries and donors to pressure Israel “to end the weaponization of aid, including through bureaucratic obstruction.”

The aid that the groups provide supplementsassistance from the United Nations,air-

Justices allowMiss. to require ageverificationonsocialmedia

BY MARK SHERMAN and LINDSAYWHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Thursday refused for now to block enforcement of aMississippi law aimed at regulating the use of social media by children, an issue of growing national concern.

The justices rejected an emergency appeal from a tech industry group representing major platforms like Facebook, Xand YouTube NetChoice is challenging laws passed in Mississippi and other states that require social media users to verify their ages, and asked the court to keep the measure on hold while alawsuit plays out.

There were no noted dissents from the brief, unsigned order.JusticeBrett Kavanaugh wrote that there’s agood chance NetChoice will eventually succeed in showing that thelaw isunconstitutional, but hadn’tshown it must be blockedwhile the lawsuit unfolds. NetChoice argues that the Mississippi law threatens privacyrightsand unconstitutionally restricts the free expression of users of all ages Afederal judge agreed and prevented the 2024 lawfrom taking effect. But athreejudge panel of the5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appealsruled in July that thelaw could be enforced while the lawsuit proceeds It’sthe latest legal devel-

opmentascourt challenges play out against similar laws in states across the country

Parents and even some teenagers are growing increasingly concerned about theeffects of social media use on young people. Supporters of thenew laws have said they are needed to help curb theexplosiveuse of social media among young people,and what researchers sayisanassociated increase in depression and anxiety. Mississippi AttorneyGeneral Lynn Fitch told the justices thatage verification could help protect young people from “sexual abuse, trafficking, physical violence, sextortion andmore,” activities that Fitch noted are notprotected by the First Amendment.

drops organized by foreign governments andthe Gaza Humanitarian Foundation —the new Israeland U.S.backed contractor that since May has been the primary distributor of aid in Gaza. Despite those channels, the amount of aid reaching Gaza remains farbelow what the U.N. and reliefgroups previously delivered.

Meanwhile, the U.N. agency helping Palestinianrefugees, known as UNRWA,said Thursday thatdehydration is increasinginGazaamid limited water supplies and aheat wavethathas pushed temperatures above 104 degrees.

U.N. agencies and asmall numberofaid groups have resumed delivering assistance, but say thenumber of trucks allowed in remains far from sufficient COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, denied the claims in the NGOs’

letter.Itsaid 380 trucks entered Gaza on Wednesday And on Thursday,the Israeli military said, 119 aid packages containing food forGaza residents wereairdropped by six different countries.

During the two-month ceasefire,aid groups demanded Israel allow entry for 600 trucks per day

“The allegeddelay in aid entry …occurs only when organizations choose not to meet the basic security requirementsintendedtoprevent Hamas’sinvolvement,” COGATsaid.

Israel has pressed U.N. agencies to accept military escorts to deliver goods into Gaza, ademand they’ve largely rejected, citing their commitment to neutrality Thestandoff hasbeenthe source of competing claims: Israel maintains it allows aid into Gaza that adheres to its rules, while aid groups that have long operated in Gaza

decrythe amount of lifesavingsuppliesstuck at border crossings.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff hadmet with U.N. humanitarian officials in New York about the “need to, speedily,scale up aid into Gaza.”

Hospitals throughout Gaza on Thursdayreported casualties from Israeli strikes on Gaza City,which Israel identifiedasamilitantstronghold last week when it announced plans to launcha newoffensive against Hamas. An Israeli strike on Gaza City killed one person and wounded three others, an official at Shifa Hospital said. Aseparate strike killed fivepeople in Gaza City on Thursday morning, according to al-Ahli hospital,whichreceivedthe casualties.

Israel’s militarydid notimmediately respond to questions about the strikes.

BYJUANA.LOZANO Associated Press

HOUSTON Ajudge on Thursday granted arequest by federal prosecutors to dismiss twoofthe 14 counts against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar,ofTexas, and his wife, as part of afederal bribery and conspiracy indictment. The judge alsoordered that their trial, which had been set for September, be rescheduled for next year Prosecutors with the U.S Justice Department had asked U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal to dismiss two counts that Cuellar and his wife had each faced related to violatingthe prohibitiononpublic officials actingasagents of aforeign principal Federal authorities have charged Cuellar, 69, and his wife, Imelda Cuellar,with accepting thousands of dollars in exchangefor the congressman advancingthe interests of an Azerbaijancontrolledenergy company and abankin Mexico.Cuellar is accused of agreeing to influence legislation favorable to Azerbaijan and deliver apro-Azerbaijan speech on the floor of the U.S. House. Thepayments to the couple initially went

through aTexas-based shell company owned by Imelda Cuellarand twoofthe couple’s children, according to theindictment.

Cuellar has said he and his wife are innocent.

Prosecutorssaidthey were dismissing the two counts following aFebruary memorandum from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi that shifted the focus of charges filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Thelaw is aimed at ensuring transparency aboutlobbyingefforts done in theU.S.atthe direction of foreign governments or principals.

State sues online site Roblox

Murrill says gaming platform is not protecting children from predators

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD

Staff writer

Louisiana is suing the popular online gaming site Roblox for allegedly failing to implement basic safety controls and not protecting children from predators Attorney General Liz Murrill made the announcement at a news conference Thursday afternoon in Livingston Parish. Signs reading

“Roblox prioritizes profits over child safety” and depicting instances of internet crimes on the site were displayed around the podium “It created and perpetuated an online environment where child sex predators thrive,” Murrill said The state alleges that Roblox is in violation of state law and is seeking permanent injunctive relief.

In the lawsuit, Louisiana is prohibiting the platform from engaging in any activity in violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act, prohibiting it from representing that it has adequate safety features and is asking for restitution to the state, legal fees and any additional civil penalties and damages.

Murrill said she believes Louisiana is the first state to sue Roblox.

Roblox has more than 380 million monthly active users, with over 50% of U.S. children younger than 16 playing monthly, and almost 30% of active users being younger than 13, according to Roblox.

Roblox was launched in 2006, but did not begin reporting incidents of child exploitation to the National Center for

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

ABOVE: U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, takes part in a roundtable discussion Thursday at The Grove Recovery Center in Sorrento to discuss how to help Louisianans overcome homelessness and drug addiction. RIGHT: Trevor Thompson gives a presentation on the center’s programs on Thursday STAFF PHOTOS By HILARy SCHEINUK

WBR jail inmate dies, Sheriff’s Office says

staff reports

An inmate at the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center died after suffering a medical emergency Wednesday night despite lifesaving measures by deputies and medical personnel, Sheriff Jeff Bergeron said. Two other inmates also experienced medical emergencies but recovered, the sheriff said in a statement. The three male inmates were discovered ill about 8:15 p.m inside a dorm. The Sheriff’s Office said investigators suspect the incident may be related to a drug overdose; however, the cause of death has not been confirmed. The official cause will be determined by an autopsy The inmate who died, Jer-

emy Paul, was being housed for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and had been at the West Baton Rouge Parish jail since September

A criminal investigation is underway the Sheriff’s Office said.

BR man accused of running over girlfriend

A Baton Rouge man was arrested Sunday, accused of running over his girlfriend as she fled from him during a domestic dispute, then keeping her from seeking help from onlookers. Christian Coleman, 35, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on counts of attempted second-degree murder and domestic abuse

More than 200 attend Fields town hall in BR

Residents urge congressman to do more against Trump’s bill

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

An 11th grader expressed concerns over cuts to the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO program, which provides educational support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A woman with a disabled daughter worried about cuts to Medicaid waiver programs. A 23-year-old man urged Democrats to mobilize outreach to young people and more forcefully oppose President Donald Trump’s administration. These and several dozen other people spoke to U.S. Rep. Cleo

Fields

Fields, D-Baton Rouge, during a Wednesday town hall attended by more than 200 people at Baton Rouge Community College. “I have watched democracy in this country diminish and being pulled out from under us repeatedly and over and over again,” said resident Michael Hopping. “I’m not a big political activist type person but I came here because I want to find out what I can do. I, personally, have got to do something, and I feel like we all do, and I hope I’m not sounding too radical.” Fields’ town hall, the last in a series he held across 10 parishes, was part of a political tug-of-war playing out across the country.

ä See TOWN HALL, page 2B

Missing and Exploited Children until 2019, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

The office stated that reports from Roblox regarding these incidents account for less than 1% of cases received in Louisiana over the past five years. Considering the number of children playing on the site monthly, this points to

Man takes plea deal in killing

Girlfriend’s father shot to death

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Four years ago, a Zachary father of four found his oldest daughter’s teenage boyfriend hiding in her closet after the boy climbed through the girl’s second-story bedroom window for a predawn visit. When Dezmon Hamilton, 34, confronted the 17-year-old, it led to an exchange of gunfire between the two and Hamilton was killed inside his home.

Nicholas McQuirter, the boyfriend, was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder two years later after his case was transferred from juvenile court to the 19th Judicial District Court. On Tuesday, McQuirter pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to five years of probation. The plea and sentencing came during an emotional hearing in a courtroom packed with family members of both the victim and McQuirter At least 10 deputies stood guard inside the courtroom to keep the two sides separated. Afterward, Hamilton’s family expressed disappointment with an outcome that spared McQuirter of any prison time.

“Through this whole process, we have not received justice,” Danita Cage, the victim’s mother, said outside the courtroom. “We have not only lost a loved one, my grandkids have lost a provider and a father. Someone that was supposed to be there for their graduations, their games, their weddings.”

McQuirter pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and illegal use of weapons on Tuesday The combined sentence for the two offenses ranged from 10 to 30 years, according to District Judge Colette Greggs.

Neither of the felony charges is considered a crime of violence, according to state law Following the recommended terms of the plea deal that prosecutors and the defendant’s attorney negotiated, Greggs deferred McQuirter’s prison stint under Article 893 of Louisiana’s criminal code, which allows courts to set aside prison sentences for noncapital felony offenses.

In addition to the five years of probation, Greggs ordered McQuirter to serve 100 hours of community service, get mental health and substance abuse evaluations and undergo any recommended treatments. She also placed McQuirter, now 21, on a nightly curfew and told him he is allowed to go out after 8 p.m. only for work, school, church or to complete his community service hours. He is next expected to be in court Oct. 9 for a probation review McQuirter’s trial was set to begin next week. Had a jury convicted him of second-degree murder, he faced a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of

parole. McQuirter’s Baton Rouge attorney, Ryan Beaulieu, maintained that the teen was invited to the home by his then-girlfriend and was defending himself when he shot and killed Hamilton. McQuirter was also shot during the incident.

Beaulieu said McQuirter pleaded guilty in his best interest, unwilling to risk the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars.

“This is a travesty on both sides of the fence. Anytime there’s a loss of life, no one wins,” the attorney said after Tuesday’s hearing. “However, this was a matter where I believe justice was served because my client was acting in total self-defense.”

A loving father

Hamilton was a Southern University grad with an entrepreneurial spirit. State records show he started several local businesses in East Baton Rouge Parish. He was also a supervisor at the ExxonMobil lube station in Port Allen.

During Tuesday’s court proceedings, Hamilton’s children remembered him as a doting father and loving family man who was very active in their lives and instilled

TOWN HALL

Continued from page 1B

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are out of Washington, D.C., and back in their districts for August recess and the One Big Beautiful Bill, which enacted much of Trump’s domestic agenda, is dominating conversations.

Speaking with their constituents, Republicans have trumpeted the bill’s massive tax breaks that they argue will be “jet fuel” for the economy, an addition of $45 billion in immigration enforcement spending and regulatory rollbacks that they say will help Louisiana businesses. They also are playing up a provision that lets Louisiana keep more money from offshore

BLOTTER

Continued from page 1B

battery Coleman has a history of domestic battery arrests, one which includes alleged strangulation. Several of those arrests are from earlier this year, and Coleman still had an active warrant out for another On Sunday afternoon, Coleman arrived at a residence in the 5000 block of Cheryl Road to confront his live-in girlfriend about an ongoing dispute, according to an arrest affidavit. The girlfriend attempted to flee, at which point Coleman began striking her in the face with his fist, the report states. The victim continued to

strong values like faith in God and hard work.

His youngest daughter, Deziré Hamilton, shed tears as she lamented the fact that he won’t be around to help guide her through her adolescent years and beyond.

“My dad was a very good father,” she said “He wasn’t here when I went to middle school. He wasn’t here when I went to high school. I know he would’ve been right there beside me, but now he’s gone and I can never get him back The memories I have of him are slowly fading away because someone took him away from me.”

Diamon Hamilton, the victim’s oldest daughter, gave the most powerful and emotionally jarring moments. She recalled watching her father take his last breaths as she and her mother attempted to perform CPR to save him after the shooting. She disputed claims that Dezmon Hamilton initiated the gunbattle with acts of aggression toward her thenboyfriend.

“My dad would never even hurt a fly,” she said “If my dad really had the intentions to hurt the defendant, why didn’t he do it once he first saw him in my closet?”

Facts of the case

Diamon Hamilton told detectives she texted McQuirter, inviting him over around

oil production to spend on coastal restoration efforts.

“As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill, Louisiana will see more funding to protect our coastline and ramp up our energy security,” U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, a Republican whose district stretches from Baton Rouge to Monroe, wrote in a post on X. “Louisiana is leading the way in unleashing American-made energy!”

But speaking in their districts, Democrats have seized on the bill’s cuts to Medicaid, which provides health insurance for low-income families, and SNAP, or food stamps. “I represent Louisiana. I’ve got a lot of people on Medicaid. I’ve got a lot of people on SNAP And they’re not lazy and shiftless; they work every day,” Fields said “And

attempt to escape at which point Coleman got in a red Chrysler Sebring and drove after her, police said He then struck and ran over her with the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Vehicle track marks ran for approximately 200 feet to where the victim was struck, deputies estimated in the affidavit. The woman survived, but Coleman continued to block her from fleeing to a nearby business, police said. However, customers in the business called 911 to report the attack.

Coleman fled the scene, stashing the Chrysler in a wooded area nearby and concealing it, the report says. He was captured shortly after by East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office

6 a.m. on July 18, 2021. When he arrived, he propped a ladder against the house and climbed to the roof, then sneaked in through her bedroom window while Dezmon Hamilton was sleeping in another room, the police report stated.

Once inside McQuirter took off his red hoodie, wrapped it up and put it in Diamon Hamilton’s closet. Moments later, an irate Dezmon Hamilton began beating on his daughter’s door When she opened it, he was standing there in his boxer shorts armed with a gun, the girl told detectives. Dezmon Hamilton ordered the boy to grab his things and escorted him to the living room area downstairs, according to Diamon Hamilton’s statements to detectives.

Once downstairs, Dezmon Hamilton called Diamon Hamilton’s mother and her maternal grandmother and told them to rush to the house. The two women arrived about 20 minutes later, and tempers flared as they disciplined the girl and confronted McQuirter about sneaking into the house, reports state.

But Diamon Hamilton’s mother said she pulled her daughter and mother out of the living room to calm things down and told Dezmon Hamilton to deal with the situation. As Di-

when people say, ‘You always oppose things that the president puts forward.’ Well, let me just tell you, I don’t represent the president I represent you.”

Fields’ district, created last year as part of a legal battle over the number of majorityBlack districts in Louisiana, is solidly Democratic: He won with 51% of the vote to Republican Elbert Guillory’s 38%.

Worries about the bill

Many of those who spoke Wednesday night feared the impact of the One Big, Beautiful Bill on Louisiana, which has roughly 32% of its population on Medicaid.

Nancy LeBlanc, 68, said her family had to take out a second mortgage to pay for her disabled daugh-

deputies In a statement to deputies after being arrested, Coleman said he drove after the victim but did not hit her with the vehicle.

3 men arrested for possessing child porn

Three Livingston Parish men were arrested on counts of possessing online child sexual abuse material, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday

The arrests each came from tips passed to the Sheriff’s Office and the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

After investigations conducted through July and August, the Sheriff’s Office

detectives stated.

amon Hamilton and the two women were walking into an adjacent hallway, they told detectives they heard multiple gunshots ring out. When they rushed back into the living room, they saw Dezmon Hamilton and McQuirter both on the floor, bleeding. Dezmon Hamilton was sliding down a couch near the kitchen stool where McQuirter had been seated. The teenage boy was crawling across the hallway floor, clutching a pistol as he shouted that Dezmon Hamilton shot him, the report stated.

Police officers recovered a Glock pistol on a couch sitting atop McQuirter’s hooded sweatshirt, detectives said. Another Glock that had been reported stolen was lying near McQuirter’s outstretched hands, according to an arrest affidavit.

Detectives questioned Diamon Hamilton, her mother and grandmother Neither of the women said they saw Dezmon Hamilton holding a pistol when they exited the living room. Diamon Hamilton said it had been tucked in the shorts he was wearing. According to the report, Diamon Hamilton said she believed McQuirter secretly stashed a gun in his red hoodie, although she never saw him holding it. She said she believed McQuirter fired at Dezmon Hamilton first,

ter’s health care before her daughter was accepted into the Medicaid waiver program.

“This is an optional program. In Louisiana, when there are Medicaid shortfalls, they will look at the optional programs to cut,” she said. “So, when people say, ‘Oh, your daughter’s not going to be affected. It’s just for waste, fraud and abuse, or it’s only for people who are not working, et cetera.’

That’s not true. And we need to get that word out.”

Following a comment by Fields about the importance of next year’s midterm elections, 23-year-old Dylan Hamilton worried voting wasn’t enough.

“As a person who’s been keeping up with everything that’s been going on, it

arrested:

n Austin Fridge, 30, of Maurepas, on a count of distributing pornography involving a juvenile under 13 years of age and for filming the sexual abuse of an animal.

n John Gabriel Sullivan, 51, of Holden, on 15 counts of pornography involving juveniles under 13 years of age.

n Caleb Blayne Yates, 22, of Livingston, on 22 counts of pornography involving juveniles.

The three men were processed and detained in the Livingston Parish Detention Center

“Additional charges are possible on these suspects pending further forensic investigation,” said Sheriff Jason Ard.

Cage, the victim’s mother, said the family wanted to take the case to trial. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore released a statement on Wednesday responding to questions about prosecutors’ decision to offer McQuirter the plea deal:

“While the state could prove that Nicholas McQuirter shot and killed Mr Hamilton, we could not establish beyond a reasonable doubt who was the aggressor,” he said. “Forensic evidence, including ballistic and trajectory analysis, could not provide the answer as to whether or not McQuirter acted in self-defense. While there were eyewitnesses to what happened at the house prior to the shooting, no one actually saw McQuirter and Mr Hamilton fire their weapons and McQuirter declined to make a statement to law enforcement officers.

“We met personally with the Hamilton family on multiple occasions and are deeply aware of the pain this family continues to endure,” he continued. “The plea agreement reflects the limits of what could be proven at trial, not the value of Mr. Hamilton’s life. The risk of pursuing a murder conviction and securing no conviction at all would have been a total miscarriage of justice.”

doesn’t even feel like we’re going to have another one,” he said about the election.

“Because they seem intent on bending the rules so they can stay.”

Fields emphasized the need for people to remain hopeful and encourage those they know to vote and organize. “I do think people are going to get fed up, and right now all members of Congress are at home,” he said. “… And hopefully people are talking to them. If they do not hold town hall meetings, they’re talking to them hopefully in the grocery store, the barbershop, everywhere. Let people know how you feel.”

Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate. com.

The Sheriff’s Office also shared a list of possible signs that a child in your life might be involved with a predator online. They are as follows:

n Child becomes distant and less communicative.

n Child spends more time on the internet.

n Child is secretive about online conduct.

n Child switches screens when parents walk in the room.

n Child starts using sexual language that hasn’t been used before.

Parents or guardians interested in learning about the dangers of internet crimes against children may request a free presentation from a member of the Sheriff’s Office’s task force.

To schedule a presentation, call (225) 435-1365.

potential underreporting, the Attorney General’s Office said.

“If you compare their numbers they’re not even attempting to protect the children of Louisiana,” said David Ferris, a supervisory special agent with the Attorney General’s Office, about Roblox’s report numbers compared to other platforms. Murrill said she believes that if the site did limit children’s interactions, it would lower engagement Murrill also said she wishes the site would be shut down.

“It’s basically open season for sex predators on this app,” Murrill said. A Roblox spokesperson said the company can’t comment on pending litigation but that the platform dedicates substantial resources, including advanced technology, to preventing and detecting inappropriate content.

“While no system is perfect, Roblox has implemented rigorous technology and enforcement safeguards, including restrictions on sharing personal information, links and user-to-user image sharing. The safety of our community is a top priority,” the spokesperson wrote in an email.

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office personnel were on hand to support the lawsuit. LPSO has been actively involved with the statewide Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard said his office has had a few cases involving Roblox, but it has not made an arrest.

Ard said his investigators did have a search warrant for a child pornography suspect who was on Roblox.

“Suspect was on Roblox posing as a 14-year-old girl,” he said.

The Attorney General’s Office has significantly intensified its efforts through the statewide task force because the state has seen tips for these crimes reach record highs in recent years. Tips for these crimes against children in Louisiana have sharply increased, soaring from 171 reports in 2010 to 16,000 in 2024.

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BUSINESS

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Applications for jobless benefits fell last week

The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell modestly last week, remaining in the historically low range since the U.S economy emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for unemployment benefits for the week ending Aug. 9 fell by 3,000 to 224,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday That’s below the 230,000 new applications that economists had forecast. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are seen as a proxy for U.S. layoffs and have mostly settled in a historically healthy range between 200,000 and 250,000 since COVID-19 throttled the economy in the spring of 2020.

Most U.S. stocks fall after a disappointing inflation update DOW

Big Tech keeps Wall Street steady

dipped 11 points, or less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite dipped by less than 0.1% from its record set the day before.

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK — Most stocks fell on Wall Street Thursday after a disappointing report said inflation was worse last month at the U.S. wholesale level than economists expected. But gains for Amazon and some other influential Big Tech companies helped mask the losses. Seven out of every 10 stocks within the S&P 500 fell, though the index edged up by less than 0.1% to set another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average

The inflation data forced traders to second-guess their widespread consensus that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next meeting in September Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment, but they also risk worsening inflation.

“This doesn’t slam the door on a September rate cut,” but it may raise some doubt, according to Chris Larkin, managing director trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley Traders now see a 7.4% chance

that the Fed may hold rates steady in September, according to data from CME Group. A day earlier, they were betting on a 100% certainty that the Fed would cut its main rate for the first time this year

Higher interest rates drag on all kinds of companies by keeping the cost to borrow high. They can hurt smaller companies in particular because they often need to borrow to grow The Russell 2000 index of smaller U.S. stocks tumbled a market-leading 1.2%.

On Wall Street, Tapestry tumbled after the company behind the Coach and Kate Spade New York brands showed it’s feeling the pressure of tariffs. It detailed how much profit it could lose in its upcoming fiscal

year because of tariffs and duties, and its forecast for profit fell short of analysts’ expectations, even though its forecast for revenue came in above. Its stock fell 15.7%, despite it also reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Deere fell 6.8% even though the machinery maker likewise delivered a better profit than expected. There, too, the focus was on where profits are heading. It cut the top end of its forecasted range for profit this fiscal year and said its customers “remain cautious amid ongoing uncertainty.”

On the winning side of Wall Street was Fossil Group, which jumped 29.8% after the seller of watches and other accessories reported better profit than expected.

Two weeks ago, a grim July jobs report sent financial markets spiraling, spurring President Donald Trump to fire Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tallies the monthly employment numbers. The BLS does not contribute to the weekly unemployment benefits report except to calculate the annual seasonal adjustments.

U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs in July, well short of the 115,000 analysts forecast Worse, revisions to the May and June figures shaved 258,000 jobs off previous estimates and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2% from 4.1%.

Average mortgage rate drops to 6.58%

The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage fell this week to its lowest level in nearly 10 months, giving prospective homebuyers a sorely needed boost in purchasing power that could help inject life into a stagnant housing market.

The long-term rate fell to 6.58% from 6.63% last week mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday A year ago, the rate averaged 6.49%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell. The average rate dropped to 5.71% from 5.75% last week. A year ago, it was 5.66% Freddie Mac said.

Elevated mortgage rates have helped keep the U.S. housing market in a sales slump since early 2022, when rates started to climb from the rock-bottom lows they reached during the pandemic. Home sales sank last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years.

Kellogg to end use of artificial dyes in cereals

WK Kellogg Co. plans to remove artificial dyes from its breakfast cereals in the next two and a half years, according to the company and the attorney general of Texas. The maker of Froot Loops and Apple Jacks gave the timeline as U.S food producers face increasing pressure from the U.S. government and consumers to phase out synthetic colorings from their products.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Wednesday that Kellogg had signed an agreement assuring his office that the Michigan-based company would “permanently remove toxic dyes” from its cereals by the end of 2027.

Paxton launched an investigation earlier this year into whether Kellogg violated state consumer protection laws by continuing to use blue, red, yellow, green, and orange artificial dyes. Around the same time, U.S. health officials said that they would urge foodmakers to voluntarily work toward removing petroleum-based colors

Both Kellogg and General Mills, another major U.S. cereal maker, said they would. General Mills later joined Kraft Heinz, Nestle, Smuckers and some other food manufacturers in announcing target dates for making all their products without artificial dyes.

But Paxton’s office said Kellogg was the first to sign a “legally binding” agreement.

Producer prices surged in July

Trump

tariffs push costs higher

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON

U.S. wholesale in-

flation surged unexpectedly last month, signaling that President Donald Trump’s sweeping taxes on imports are pushing costs up and that higher prices for consumers may be on the way

The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which measures inflation before it hits consumers rose 0.9% last month from June, the biggest jump in more than three years. Compared with a year earlier, wholesale prices rose 3.3%.

The numbers were much higher than economists had expected.

Prices rose faster for producers than consumers last month, suggesting that U.S. importers may, for now, be eating the cost of Trump’s tariffs rather than passing them on to customers.

That may not last.

“It will only be a matter of time before producers pass their higher tariff-related costs onto the backs of inflation-weary consumers,” wrote Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at fwdbonds, a financial markets research firm.

Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core producer prices rose 0.9% from June the biggest month-overmonth jump since March 2022.

Compared with a year ago, core wholesale prices rose 3.7% after posting a 2.6% year-over-year jump in June.

Wholesale food prices rose 1.4% from June, led by a 38.9% surge in vegetable prices. The price of home electronic equipment gained 5% from June. Both are heavily imported in the U.S.

But some aspects of Thursday’s producer price report were puzzling, including a big jump in profit margins at retailers and wholesalers. Economist Stephen Brown at Capital Economics found the increase “to put it lightly, counterintuitive given the anecdotal evidence that firms are absorbing the lion’s share of tariff increases in margins.”

Trump’s tariffs have generated considerable uncertainty about the U.S. economy, the world’s largest, which could explain some seemingly contradictory trends. Trump has negotiated trade agreements with several major U.S. trading partners, including the European Union and Japan. But the details have not been published, leaving businesses uncertain about where tariff rates will end up and, therefore, whether and how they should adjust their own prices.

The fallout from the tariffs has also been delayed because many importers stockpiled products before the taxes took effect.

Those inventories are diminishing, however

The wholesale inflation report two days after the Labor Department reported that consumer prices rose 2.7% last month from July 2024, the same as the previous month and up from a postpandemic low of 2.3% in April. Core consumer prices rose 3.1%, up from 2.9% in June. Both figures are above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The new consumer price numbers suggest that slowing rent increases and cheaper gas are partly offsetting the impacts of Trump’s tariffs. Many businesses are also likely still absorbing much of the cost of the duties instead of passing them along to customers via higher prices.

The producer and consumer inflation numbers are both issued by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is already in Trump’s crosshairs.

After the BLS issued a disappointing jobs report for July, Trump fired the director of the

BLS, groundlessly accusing the bureau of rigging the numbers for political reasons. Trump then nominated a partisan ideologue to replace her, raising fears of political interference in economic data that investors, policymakers, businesses and the Federal Reserve rely on to make decisions.

Thursday’s report is likely to complicate decisions for the Fed After an ominous July jobs report, the central bank was widely expected to cut interest rates at its meeting next month in a bid to recharge hiring. The Fed has drawn Trump’s ire for not cutting interest rates already Under Chair Jerome Powell, it had been delaying rate cuts until it better understood the impact of Trump’s tariffs on inflation. “This report is a strong validation of the Fed’s wait-andsee stance on policy changes,” Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a commentary Thursday

Swift’s economic pull makes orange the new green for big brands

BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP business writer

Taylor Swift’s upcoming album release and her love of all things orange isn’t lost on her fans or brands that are seeking a ride on what has become an enormous economic tailwind

On Wednesday after Swift went on the “New Heights” podcast cohosted by her boyfriend and NFL football star Travis Kelce to announce the imminent release of her 12th studio album “The Life of a Showgirl,” major companies went into marketing overdrive.

The reason? Swift’s ability to generate buzz and draw dollars.

Swift’s tour appearances have become economic events. The singer’s Eras Tour two years ago was the first such tour to cross the billion-dollar mark, according to Pollstar’s 2023 year-end charts. Cities and their surrounding areas registered a sizable economic boost after Swift appeared, with thousands of fans making the pilgrimage and spending money at hotels, restaurants and elsewhere.

Companies are no longer waiting to capitalize on Swift’s gravitation-

al pull and orange-themed memes from big brands began rolling out almost immediately

That is because Swift appeared onstage wearing orange numerous times toward the end of her Eras Tour and she discussed her feelings about the color on the Wednesday podcast. Numerous corporations, from

United Airlines to Olive Garden, began posting orange-hued memes on their own social media accounts soon after the new album was announced. Shake Shack, FedEx, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cinnabon, Walmart and Netflix did, too. More than a dozen NHL teams followed with posts on social media acknowledging Swift’s new al-

bum, both north and south of the border

Even X got in on the action, declaring that it had a new profile pic: a glittery orange X. The post has garnered 5.5 million views so far Google is using its search engine to celebrate the October release of Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl.” Users search for “Taylor Swift,” are greeted with a stream of orange digital confetti, along with a flaming orange heart and the phrase, “And, baby, that’s show business for you.”

Many, it seemed, saw value in tying their brand to Swift.

Swift mentioned during the Wednesday podcast that she had Lasik eye surgery The X account for LASIK.com wasted no time promoting the fortuitous namedrop.

“i got LASIK, i have incredible vision,” they posted, accompanied by a video of Swift giving a shout out to the procedure on the “New Heights” podcast. “TAYLOR SWIFT EVERYONE (red heart emoji). WE’VE PEEKED!!!!!!!!” The post currently has more than 389,000 views and 15,000 likes.

Beamon, Bobbie NewLifeWorship Center on Hospital Road in NewRoads,Louisianaat11am.

Lejeune,Clara Greenoaks FuneralHomeand Cemetery, 9595 FloridaBoulevard,at 11 a.m.

Obituaries

Allen, Willie Jean Williams

"She is clothedwith strengthand dignity, and she laughs withoutfearof the future." –Proverbs 31:25.WillieJeanWilliams Allen,a longtime resident ofJackson,Louisiana,and nativeofTangipahoa, passedawaypeacefullyat her home on Wednesday, August13, 2025, sur‐rounded by herlovingfam‐ily.She was85years old. Mrs.Allen retiredfrom Eastern LouisianaMental HealthSystemafter 30 years of dedicatedservice and hadenjoyed herretire‐mentfor thepast30years She wasa devotedwife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother,and great-great-grandmother whosegreatestjoy was caringfor herfamily. Known forher Sunday din‐ners, herskill in sewing, and herlovingpresenceat countless sporting events for herchildrenand grand‐children, sheembodied strength, love,and gen‐erosity.She also cherished her quietmorningswitha cup of coffee andthe daily newspaper.Visitationwill beheldatFirst Baptist Church,where shewas an activemember, in Jackson, Louisiana,onSaturday, Au‐gust16, 2025,from9:00 a.m.until thefuneral ser‐viceat1:00p.m., officiated byRev.Joe Nesom. Inter‐mentwillfollowatSecond Baptist Church Cemetery She leaves to cherishher memorythree daughters, BrendaAllenBrian of Clin‐ton,LA, DebbieAllen Nor‐sworthy of Jackson, LA, and TracyAllen Stevens (James“Peanut”Stevens) ofEthel,LA; andone son, BillyRoy AllenJr. of Centre‐

ville, MS.She is survived by seven grandchildren: Jason Allen,whomshe lovingly raisedasher own, andhis wife, CarlaConnell Allen, and theirchildrenRileigh Allen Darden (JakeDar‐den), Olivia Allen, and Jason “Jace” AllenJr.,all of St. Francisville,LA, Josh Perkins (Jenny Perkins) of Slaughter,LA, Jeana Perkins Peterson (GlenPe‐terson) of Slaughter, LA, James AllenStevens (Erika Stevens)ofAngola, LA,Jaci Stevens Vannoy of Jack‐son,LA, Adam AllenofCen‐treville, MS,and Anna Allen Carrier (Stonewall Carrier) ofNorwood,LA. Sheisalso survivedbyseventeen great-grandchildren,two great-great-grandchildren and herbeloved cousin and “sisterinlove,” Paulette Williams Holden She wasprecededindeath byher husband of 52 years, Billy Roy“Woodsie” Allen Sr.;her parents, Helen Fontenotand Collins Williams;her sons-in-law, HavardBrian and James Jimmy” Norsworthy, and her great-grandson,Wat‐son JamesStevens.Pall‐bearers will be Josh Perkins,James Allen Stevens,AdamAllen,Jason “Jace”AllenJr.,Woodsie Perkins,and Laiken Peter‐son.Honorarypallbearers willbeJ.D.Noland, Joe Schwartz, JoeBueche, Mitch Allen, Glen Peterson JakeDarden, andBrian Hurst.The familyextends their heartfeltgratitude to Feliciana Home Health,St. Joseph’sHospice,and her granddaughter JeanaPe‐tersonfor theirlovingcare duringher finaldays.

Sharon WashingtonApplewhite transitioned peacefully on Friday, August 1, 2025,inBaton Rouge,LA. Shewas born on December 27, 1968,to the late Ellis and Ella Mae Washington. Sharon leaves to cherish her memoryher loving and

devotedhusband, Johnny Applewhite, Jr.; four sons, Corey and Jarred Washington, and Jordan and Stephon Applewhite; three grandchildren, Jayce and JaydeWashington, and SevenApplewhite.She is also survivedbyher sisters, PauletteRoss, Brenda Green, Joyce Mullins, and Jewel Washington; sistersin-law,Natalie Washington, Sarah M. Green, Candance Applewhite, and KristiApplewhite;brotherin-law,Kevin Applewhite; and mother-in-law, Betty JohnsonApplewhite. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives, and dear friends also mourn her passing She wasprecededin death by her parents; her sister, Charlotte Washington; and her brothers, LeonardD.Washington, Sr. and Cleveland Green, Jr. Family,friends, and members of theCapital SeniorHighSchool Class of 1986 are invited to attend a visitationonSaturday,August 16, 2025, at Hall's Celebration Center, 9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge, LA, from10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services willimmediatelyfollow, withPastor Lauthaught Delaneyofficiating Servicesentrusted to HallDavis and SonFuneral Services www.halldavisandson.c om

With heavy hearts and much love, thefamily of SamuelJosephCrifasi, Jr, announces hispassing from thisworld and into theopenarmsofhis, Lord and Savior, JesusChrist on August7,2025. Sam "Buddy" Crifasi Jr.was born on August24, 1950 to Sam and Mary LouCrifasi. He was thesecond born of eleven children. Fromthe beginApplewhite,Sharon Washington

ning, Buddystood out to us as someone trulyspecial. He waskindinhis words, adventurous in hisspirit, andcaringinhis actions. Whether it wasinthe church or out in public, Buddy lived hisfaith with a sinceritythat touched everyone he met. Sam met hiswife, Debbie, in church where they bothserved. Their meeting quickly turned intoa love that has endured alifetime. Sam wasa long-time member and deaconatWestminster Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge. He wasthe owneroftimberconsulting firm,Forest Eco Systems, and waswidely respected forhis knowledgeofthe timberindustry. Sam built thecurriculum and instructed thefirstForestry Technicianprogram in the stateofLouisiana. An avid outdoorsman by trade, his worktook himfromthe mountains of southeast Oklahomatothe coastal plains of Virginia. Sam was always serving others and helping peopleintheir timeofneed. In hisolder years,Sam enjoyed spoilinghis grandsons, Samuel and William, teaching them about the forest and enjoying thegreat outdoors. Sam Crifasi is sur-

vived by his wife of 50 years, Debbie, daughter April,and son Aaron (Christine) andgrandsons Samuel andWilliam. 7siblings andtheir spouses: Linda(Tibor), Jim(Margaret), John (Nancy), Jeff (Terri),Philip(Robin), Joey andJan (Jamie); nieces andnephews, Julian, Yvette (Scott),Monica, Adrian, Nathan, Josh (Hillary), Jonathan (Heather), Christina(Ben), Kylie,Thomas(Charlsey) Nina,Trent (Colette), Cody, Dillon,Luke, Joanna and Adam,great nieces and nephews Gracie Cassey, Rubyand Samuel Keys, Kailyn, Parker, Axel,Giovanni and Luca. In-Laws Jesse andTerrell Bennett; cousin Eloise Parrott, nieces and nephews inlaw, Glenn, Bernard,Karan Sharlet, Mindy, Dylan,Jess, Jacob, Rachel,Nicole, Drew,Ashley, Andrea, Renadaleand Charidee. Pallbearers will be Jason Lee; Matt Jennings;Joey, Jonathan, Thomas, Josh, Trent andAdam Crifasi Honorarypallbearersare Samuel and WilliamCrifasi. Visitation at WestminsterPresbyterianChurch on Friday, August 15 from 5pm to 7pm andfrom10am to 11am on Saturday, Au-

1998 graduate of Broadmoor High School. From a young age, Caleb loved the outdoors—whether it was hunting, fishing, or cheering on LSU Baseball,he found joy in the simple things and shared that joy freely with others. In 2002, Caleb joined the Baton Rouge Police Department, entering the 66th Basic Training Academy. He quickly distinguished himself, graduating near the top of his class. He began his career on the 2nd District evening shift, where his fellow officers became asecond family. In 2008, Caleb transferred to the Motorcycle Division, where he found his true calling. Over the next 17 years, he became one of the most respected Motorcycle Officers in BRPD history. He earned numerous awards in skills competitions and was deeply involved in supporting the Dream Day Foundation. Caleb's proudest professional accomplishment was earning his Wheel and Wing insignia and the honored titleof MotorMan. Known for his sense of humor and generosity—especially behind agrill—Caleb was the kind of colleague and friend who made every day alittle brighter. In November 2008, Caleb married the love of his life and best friend, Darla.Together, they embraced life with laughter, love, and adventure. Their greatest joy came in 2013 with the birth of their daughter, Saydee From that moment on, Caleb's world revolved around her. Despite his dislike for roller coasters, he became aregular at Disney World—just to see the smiles on Saydee and Darla's faces. Caleb will be remembered for his fierce loyalty, deep love for his family, and the pride he took in his workand community. He leaves behinda legacy of service, laughter and unwavering devotion. Caleb is survived by his devoted wife of 18 years, Darla; their beautiful daughter, Saydee; parents, Dennis and StephanieEisworth and Michelle and Renee Jackson; brother,Jacob Eisworth and wife Sarah; sister-in-law, Tessie Wiseand husband Mike; grandparents, Allen and Judy Martin,and Goldie Eisworth;nephews, Cody Eisworth (Morgan) and Caden Cooley; nieces, Laney Camille and AbigailEisworth, and Kaitlyn Cooley; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves behind his Baton Rouge Police Motors Division. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Sammie L. Eisworth and Juanita Peyton; beloved sister, Gabriella Eisworth; uncle, Allen F. Martin "Bo"; and he and Darla's beloved dog, Bella. Visitation will be held at Istrouma Baptist Church, 10500 Sam Rushing Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70816,on Saturday,August16, 2025 from 9amuntil funeral servicesat12pm. Pallbearers will be Baton Rouge Police Motors Division. Honorary pallbearers are his nephews,Caden and Cody Burial willfollow in Greenoaks Memorial Park In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his honor to Tunnels for Towers.

DeborahThrasher Firesheets, age 67, of Greenwell Springs, Louisianapassedawayon Saturday, July 26, 2025. She wasa member of St Paul Lutheran Church for over 20 years. Deborah wasa bigfan of LSU sports andSaintsfootball. She lovedjigsawpuzzles and crosswords.Deborahwas apre-k andkindergarten teacher atBlackwater PDO for15years. She loved teachingkidsand making them laugh while seeing them learnand grow.Deborah wasa loving wife and mother,toknow herwas to have afriend and she will be greatly missed She is survived by her husband Karl Firesheets; son, Austin Firesheets and wife Allie Firesheets; older sister,Linda Mundinger and husband John Mundinger;youngersister, Martha Tabarletand husband Joey Tabarlet; nieces, KathrinMundinger McGregor andhusband Mike,and Libby Tabarlet; as well as nephews,JTMundinger with wife Kristinaand JamesTabarletwithwife Vana.

Deborahispreceded in deathbyher parents,Don MillerThrasherand Mary Louise Wagner Thrasher. Thefamily askany donations to be made to Blackwater United Methodist or St.Paul Lutheran. The family also sends a specialthanks to St JosephHospice

Freeman Sr., Harvey Glenn

Harvey GlennFreeman, Sr.was borninFerriday, Louisiana,onMarch22, 1948,tothe late Calvin C. Freeman and Lula Jackson Freeman. He peacefullyentered his eternal rest on Monday,August 11, 2025. Harvey attended schoolin Catahoula Parishand graduated as salutatorian of the Jonesville Consolidated High School Class of 1966. He went on to earnhis degree from SouthernUniversity and A&M College in 1970.Devotedtohis profession, he dedicatedhis career to the Information Systems Departmentat SouthernUniversity, where he served faithfully until his retirement in 2012 Harvey was alongtime memberofLittle Zion Baptist Church, serving as a deacon under the leadershipofthe late Rev. Morris Jackson,Jr. In2015,he joined Be hG Ba tist

reading the Bible, enjoying science fiction, collecting rare items, traveling, and tending to his belovedgarden. He leaves to cherish his devotedwife of 32 years, Anniet B. Freeman; children,Dr. Jocelyn Freeman Bonvillian (Gregory)of DenhamSprings, LA,HarveyG.Freeman, Jr.(Yolanda)ofZachary, LA, Phillip D. Freeman(Laurel)of Maurice, LA,and Kenderick FreemanofBaton Rouge, LA;two bonus children, Gary C. Bowman of San Diego,CA, and Enesa Bowman Stewart (Edmond)of Baton Rouge,LA; siblings, Doristine Patrick (William) of Baltimore, MD, Velma AndersonofMansfield, OH, Diane FreemanForkner of Baton Rouge,LA, Deridra FreemanofMonroe, LA Sharon FreemanHarrell (Willie)ofGarland,TX, and David Freeman(Joyce) of Baton Rouge,LA; sister-inlaw, Francis Freemanof Ferriday, LA; godchild, ChristopherFreeman (Sharicka) of Stafford, TX; grandchildren, bonus grandchildren, and bonus great-grandchildrenwho affectionately called him "Poppie"; alongwitha host of nieces, nephews, cousins,church family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and LulaFreeman, and his brother, JamesL Freeman. Visitation willbeheldon Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with funeral servicesto follow at Beech GroveBaptist Church, 890 LA-68, Jackson, LA 70748.

LedricHall, 63, aresident of BatonRouge, native of Plaquemine Louisiana, passed away on Sunday August 10, 2025. He is survivedbyhis wife Karen Georgetown Hall,his daughtersCharlene (James) April, Natasha and ason Jason, brothers, Lawrence and Tyrone,Sisters, Doris, Kitty, Katie and Helen. Funeral serviceswillbe held at Congregation Church of God,22215 Hwy. LA-1, on Sat.,August 16th at 11AM Officating Pastor Howard Georgetown. Intermittent at St Raphael Cemetery Point Pleasant

Hayes, KyraRichelle

Avisitationwillbeheld from1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on 2025-08-16 at GlobalNetwork Outreach, 9466 GreenwellSpringsRd. BatonRouge,LA. 70814

Acelebration of life will be held from 2:00 PM to 3:00

Haynes, Jack It is with greatsadness we announce thedeath of Jack Haynes. He is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Ruby Haynes. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Haynes, daughter Aimee Haynes (Michael Noonan), son PeterHaynes (Doris Ding), and twograndchildren Sarah Haynesand OliviaHaynes. He is survivedbyhis brothersand sisters Harold Haynes, Ronald Haynes, Elaine Lawson, Larry Haynes, and Paula Mason. He received degrees in landscape architecture from Louisiana StateUniversityand theUniversity of Michigan. He served in theAir Forcefor several years. He taught landscape architecture at theUniversity of Georgia and LSU. He served as associatedean and acting dean for the LSUCollege of Design, where was instrumental in establishing theCADGIS laband served as its directorfor many years. Family and friends are invitedtoattend thevisitation at 3:00-5:00onAugust 16, 2025 at theRabenhorst Funeral Home East on FloridaBoulevard. In lieu of flowers,please donatetothe Baton Rouge food bank.

Sr., Earl

Earl “Early Boo” Jacobs Sr. departed this life on Tuesday,August5,2025, at Our Lady of theLakeRe‐gionalMedical Center in Baton Rouge, LA.Hewas 75, anativeand resident of Paincourtville, LA.Visita‐tiononFriday, August 15, 2025, at Williams and SouthallFuneralHome from4:00pmto6:00pm. VisitationonSaturday, Au‐gust16, 2025, at Beulah Baptist Church from 9:00 amtoreligious services at 11:00 am.Interment in the church cemetery.Arrange‐ments by Williams & SouthallFuneralHome, 5414 Hwy. 1, Napoleonville, LA70390, (985) 369-7231. To signthe guestbook or offercondolences,visit our website at www.william sandsouthallfuneralhome. com.

School andwas an em‐ployeeofDow Pipeline Grand BayouOperations. Rashendahad alarger thanlifepersonality.She was outgoing andfriendly and nevermet astranger. She wasanavidsportsfa‐natic andwhennot work‐ing on weekends,could al‐waysbefound at either a professionalorcollege football or basketball game. Rashenda is sur‐vived by herparents Nathan(Pamela)Price and Kim (Tommy)Hilliard; chil‐drenKhilarPrice and MarkhiMartin; devoted companion Mark Martin; sisters IndiaPrice and Lashun Johnson; brothers Rocshand(Markeisha) Johnson,Tommy Hilliard Jr.,ThomasHilliardand TonyHilliard; greataunts Diane Jacque andLillian Price;unclesThomas (Thelma)Price Jr Charles (Sandra)Johnson,Johnny Price andEdwin Price; auntsSharonBradstreet, GailBrown, Jacquelyn Johnson,InezWalker, Son‐dia (Isaac)Chatman TavishRussell andKim‐berly Price; anda host of nieces, nephewsand many devoted cousinsand friends.Funeral services willbeheldonSaturday, August16at11:00 am at St Michael’s Catholic Church, 6476 LA Hwy. 44, Convent, Louisiana 70763; visitation beginning at 9am. Final careentrusted to Trea‐sures of Life FuneralSer‐vices,315 E. AirlineHwy., Gramercy, LA 70052. “When someone youlovebe‐comes amemory, that memorybecomes aTrea‐sure”

Netric Latimore VaughnScott enteredeternalrest on July 30th 2025 at 4:45 am at theage of 63. Leavingher earthly body, movingintoher spiritual body. Netric leaves to cherish hermemory herson,Justin ChristopherVaughn and daughterJasmineRechel Vaughn;grandsons, Zaiden E. Lewis, Jackson ChristopherUgolini Vaughn andZaccur Zoen Issac;sisters, Terrie L. Cryer (Greg), Curtisa S. Baker (Mark), Curtressa Seymore; brothers, Reginald Pickett(Tina), Donald Pickett(Nicole)and CurtisSeymore, Jr.; alovingfather figure,David Wanen Searcy; acousin she reared into adulthood, Shameika Johnson Wade anda host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousinsand friends.

Visitation:Friday, August 15 at Hall Davisand Son, 9348 Scenic Hwy. from 5pm-6pm. Visitation will resume on Saturday, August 16 at NewHome Ministries, 3000 Tecumseh St from 10am-11am with the Funeral Service to immediately follow.Final resting place will take place at RoselawnMemorialPark. ServicesEntrusted to Hall Davis andSon Funeral Ser-

vice www.halldavisandson.com

Warren,Etheldra Gravesideservicesfor EtheldraWarrenwillbe heldSaturday, August 16, 2025 at BeechGrove Ceme‐tery, 890 Hwy. 68, Jackson, La. 70748 with services be‐ginning at 10:00 a.m. Visita‐tionserviceswillbeheld Friday, August 15, 2025 at HourofPrayerMinistries, 5211 Ford St.The visitation willbeheldfrom5:00-7:00 p.m.Professionalservices entrusted to Charles MackeyFuneral Home

Wax, DorothyHood'Dot' Dorothy Hood Wax, affectionately knownas "Granny"toher grandchildren,passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at FlanneryOaks GuestHouse. Born on March30, 1939, in Denham Springs to Garneyand VioletHood. She was86years old. Sheissurvivedbyher daughterand son-in-law, Jerryand Darryl Mack.She is also survived by her grandson, Michael B. Wax andJosie andthree greatgrandchildren, Wesley,Delylah, andTabitha,along with theirmotherSarah Wax. Sheisalso survived by hersister,Barbara (Bob) Fulton andbrother Garney (Toby) Hood, asister-in-law,Sylvia T. Wax, as well as numerous nieces, nephews,and cousins. Shewas alifelongmemberofHebronBaptist Church Sheispreceded in death by herhusbandof61 years, Floyd Gay Wax, her daughterFrances(Jean) Wax, herparents, 8brothers-in-law, and 5sisters-inlaw

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 AM untilthe service at 1:00 PM at Hebron Baptist Church.Interment to follow in the church cemetery. We wouldliketothank thestaff at Flannery Oaks Guest Housefor thelove andcareshown to Mom for thelast threeyears. Arrangements with Church Funeral Services

Wilson,Chiquitta H. Chiquitta H. Wilson,a nativeofPlaquemineand a residentofBaker,LA passedawaySaturday, Au‐gust9,2025 at Lane Memo‐rialHospital, ZacharyLA. VisitationonSaturday, Au‐gust16, 2025 from 9a.m until religiousservicesat 11a.m.atGreater Pilgrim RestBaptist Church,23030 TalbotDr.,Plaquemine, LA Rev.Clyde E. McNell,Sr., Pastor. IntermentinSt. JosephBaptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Pugh's Mortu‐ary,58233 Plaquemine Street,Plaquemine, LA (225)-687 2860.

OPINION

Sessiona winfor some reformsbut more areneeded

My team and Ispent thepast year,including actively participating in 14 autoinsurance committee hearings before thelegislative session, working with legislators to draft acomprehensive package of regulatoryand legal reform legislation aimed at reducing the cost to drivers in our insurance system —many of which ultimately passed during session.

Of the 20 insurance and legal reform bills Isupported when session began, eight became law

These new laws includea limit on the ability for aperson who is mostly at fault for an accident to recover damages,the requirement for aplaintiff in apersonal injury lawsuit to prove the accident caused the injury andclearer proof of loss requirements that can simplify the claims process.

The Legislature also passed Act 466, which says that in lawsuits involving an accusation of negligence that resulted in an injury, juries may hear and consider

theamount actually paid to the medical providerasopposed to only theamountoriginally billed —and weall know the amountpaid is rarely as high as theamount billed. In cases where health insurance is used, Act 466 limits recovery to the amountpaid by ahealth insurer Act 466 is agood step toward fixing our medical billingtransparency problem. However,westill must address themajor issue of inflated providerbilling when the patient does not usehealth insurance.

Theemphasisonlegal reform did not limit our focus on strengtheningthe propertyinsurance market for home and business owners. Of the19regulatory and property insurance bills I supported when session began, 13 became law

Twoofthese newlaws work together to create apermanent source of funding from the insurance industry for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP),

while three others create or increase existing tax incentives for fortified roofs.

Outsideofsolidifying theLFHP, theLegislature also passed several bills to improve policyholders’ experience in our market. These changes include required training on new insurance laws for agents, adjusters and public adjusters. This will help makesure consumers receive the best guidance. The changes also include increasing the notice period for cancellationsand nonrenewals to 60 days for most policies and requiring that nonrenewal notices include thecause for the nonrenewal so policyholders can address the issue and improve their insurability.Finally,italso contains stiffer penalties for insurers that do not provide rental car benefitstopolicyholders in atimely manner

While theLegislature passed manygood bills this year,Iam disappointed by thegovernor’s vetoofSenate Bill 111 and by theSenate’srejection of 12 other reform bills Isupported —10of which failed to pass theSenate Judiciary ACommittee. These

CancelingMid-Barataria Sediment Diversionwas theright

move forstate

For over 30 years, Ihave dedicated myself to the protection andrestoration of Louisiana’s coast. As alegislator for12 years serving as chairman of theNatural Resources and Environment Committee, a Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority board member representing the House of Representatives as well as parish president of Terrebonne Parish for eight years,I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs of coastal management. It is crucial that we maintaina balanced and strategic approach to coastal restoration.

In 2024, Iwas appointedbyGov Jeff Landry and confirmed bythe Senate to serve as board chairman of CPRA.

project area after construction.

Mitigation and adaptive management costs are not fully funded by Deepwater Horizon settlement funds. These escalating costs threatened to derail CPRA’s ability to fund other vital projects across ourcoast and obligate future funding streams, and 50 years to build land for coastal protection is just too long. We need, and can build, cost-effective projects that produce benefits within ourlifetimes.

bills would have provided meaningful legal reforms, including a cap on general damages, limiting attorney contingency fees and more.

Worse, Act 11, which went through several iterations while being pushed through the legislativeprocess by Gov.Jeff Landry, threatens theprogress we’ve madebygiving the insurance commissioner unilateral authority to disapprove rate requests and publish proprietary and/or confidential information forpurely political, personal and other subjective reasons.

Act 11 makes Louisiana’sinsurance industry moreheavily regulated than California’s, harming our efforts to create apredictable regulatory environment that fosters competition, protects consumers and ensures the financial stabilityofinsurers. This is not theright path forLouisiana.

In April, Iwrote that Iwould explore other options if we didn’t get true legal reform passed and signed into law.Because of how mixed this year’sresults are, I plan to explore one of those other

options, specifically the Louisiana Commercial Automobile Corporation.

Based on the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation which solved the workers’ comp crisis in the 1980s and 1990s, the LCAC would provide affordable insurance forbusinesses that have no realistic commercial auto options and demonstrate the degree to which our legal system is corrupting the market. Iplan to study this option and, depending on the results, may propose future legislation to establish it.

Iappreciate the sponsors of the above-mentioned bills and their serious focus on improving our insurance market this year As we begin the hard workof implementing the reforms that have just passed, my staffand I are already looking forward to working with legislators next session to continue strengthening Louisiana’sinsurance markets to the benefit of the citizens of our great state.

TimTemple is theLouisiana commissionerofinsurance.

Reclassifyingcannabisfor medicalpurposesisoverdue

Life with severe spasticity fromcerebral palsyisfar from easy.Spasticity is an abnormal muscle tightness from contraction that is related to damage to the body’sneurological system.

when Ifirst met state Sen. FredMills andtestifiedinfavor of his bill, which was designed to allowpatients with spasticity andcancer access to medical marijuana,which was alreadylegal for themfor over 20 years.

Iimmediately began reviewing the costly $3 billion-plus Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Prior to Landry’stenure CPRAleaders assured thepublic thatno tax dollars would be used forthis project. Funding for the project was cappedat$2.8 billion in Deepwater Horizonoil spill settlement funds from the Trustee Implementation Group through funding of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundationand the NaturalResource Damage Assessment. In both business and governance, making tough decisions is adaily reality. As chairman, Iunderstand the importanceof operating withinour financial means. This principle is not just soundbusiness sense; it is essential for effectivegovernance.

The recent decision by theLandry administration to cancel the diversion projectexemplifies this approach. Along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a decision was made to suspendthe Corps permit and reachanagreement with the Trustee Implementation Group resolution to terminate the Mid-Barataria Diversion project. The project aimed to address coastal erosion in alimited area andits initialconstructioncosts were envisioned at approximately $700 million. However,as theproject evolved, costs rose to over $3 billion Thisfigure would have escalated because of mitigation issues that would havebeen caused by construction. There would have been post-construction andother costs, in the form of adaptive management (known as “pay as you go”). Recent engineering estimates suggested an additional $1 7billion could be needed for maintenance dredging of navigable waterways in the20-mile

For example, thestate announced intent to pursue thecongressionally authorized diversion approved for engineering and construction in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act, known as Medium Diversion at Myrtle Grove, with dedicated dredging. This projectwill result in moreland being built faster at lower cost and with fewer impacts than the Mid-Barataria diversion.

It will leave Louisiana with more money available to fund other vital projectsalong thecoast.

Thedecision to halt thediversion project was not made lightly.Considering the uncertainties andquestionable environmentaloutcomes recognized by various agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TIG, as well as thelatest scientific modelingreport, it was necessary to abandon the current project.

This ensures that no single project jeopardizes CPRA’s mission to deliver acomprehensive, coast-wideprotection and restoration program. By stopping the financial bleeding, we can advance numerous other projectsthat will protect our communities without compromisingthe financial health of ourcoastal program. Leadership requires making difficult choices, and Icommend Landry for prioritizing fiscal responsibility.This decision allows ustoreturn to acommon-sense approach, focusing on projects that offer tangiblebenefits without breaking thebank. It is areminder that while environmental ambition is important, it must be balanced with practicality and foresight.

As we move forward, let us embrace this opportunity to protect and restore our coast with arenewed commitment to fiscal prudence. The future of our communities depends on it.

Gordon E. Dove is chairman of the board of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority

Spasticity treatments are often invasive andrequire a team of caregivers. Treatments include physical therapy,intrathecal drugs or surgery.Despite these available treatments, it remains an area ripe for medical research,asnone of the available treatments provide the necessary relief for some spasticity patients.

Despite more than adozen years of physical therapymultiple times aweek, Istill suffer from significant ambulatory problems While credible medical authorities such as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and theJournal of the American Medical Association have released publications indicating that evidence exists formarijuana’sabilitytotreat spasticity,the U.S. remains behind in medical marijuanaresearch for the condition.

This is largely due to marijuana’s statusasaSchedule Idrug. Schedule I drugs,defined as having “no accepted medical use,” face significant research barriers, includingspecial DEA license registration,limited funding options, special federal funding barriers and a significant limitation in federally legal places for researchers to acquire marijuanafor medical research.

Despite bipartisan calls for easing medical marijuana research restrictions, promises made during the Biden Administration,campaign promises from President Donald Trump, approximately 30,000 public letters of support for rescheduling and even afederal budget amendment that prevents the DOJ from pursuing medical marijuana cases, legal barriers to marijuana research continue to block medical research

It’slong past time for the federal government to act andremove marijuana from Schedule I, as suffering constituents were promised.

While American innovationhas been stifled, UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals, now JazzPharmaceuticals, developed a marijuana-based nasal spraytreatment for spasticity available in 29 countries —but not theUnited States.

Ihave been working on medical marijuanapolicy in Louisiana since2014

Sincegraduating law school andhelping to legalize medical marijuana in Louisiana, Ihave worked acrossthe country and at home in the marijuana industry Ihaveseen andexperienced the life-changing powerofcannabisbasedtreatments, as well as the devastating consequencesofmarijuana’s outdated classification under federal law. Ihaveseen the limited research, patient access, insurance coverage and otherbarriers thatcannotbeallowedto continue Despite the support for rescheduling, little progress hasbeenmade. While the Department of Health and Human Services recommended medical marijuana rescheduling in 2023, the DEA subsequently canceled the marijuana rescheduling hearing.

Marijuana’smedical research now againremains stalled, and Iamcalling on leadersinour federal agencies to make achange

Rescheduling cannabis would begin aprocessofremoving regulatory hindrances.Research institutions would be able to study cannabis the same as any othersubstance

Schedule III would bring cannabis into the same regulatory frameworks usedtoevaluate other medicines, instead of drugs like heroin andmeth, finally allowing researcherstoapply for federal grants andconductclinical trials.

Rescheduling means increased protectionfor patients as many remain concernedabout legalgrayareas Veterans using cannabis through state programs risk losing benefits. Professionals worry about liability.Banks and credit cardprocessors often won’twork with retailers.

I’ve spent yearsfighting for asystem where people don’thavetochoosebetween treatment andlegality.Rescheduling cannabis is aboutrecognizing what so many of us already know: Cannabis hasmedical properties that need to be researched immediately.This isn’t just policy—it’spersonal.

Jacob Irving is an attorney basedin Baton Rouge.

COMMENTARY

APPLEWHITE

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJ.SCOTT

Militarypersonnel departthe District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters as President Donald Trump implements hisorder to use federallaw enforcement and theNational Guardtoexpel homeless people and rid the nation’scapitalofviolent crime in Washington on Tuesday

ISSUE OF THE WEEK D.C. TAKEOVER

President Donald Trumpsent the National Guard into Washington, D.C., and federalized the city’s police force this week in an efforttocombat violent crimeinthe nation’scapital.The troops would also tackle homelessness, whichhas become an increasing problem.Somecritics saythe administration’seffort goes toofar,pointing to statistics that showinrecentyears crime has dropped in D.C.,asithas in otherbig cities. Still, othersargue the city’s crimeratesremain unacceptably high.Will the federal government stepping in makeadifference? Hereare twoperspectives.

Crimeisabig problembut National Guardisn’t needed

Imake apoint of agreeingwithPresident Donald Trump whenever heis right about something, and I’m afraid he is right that in D.C., crime and disorder is amajor problem.

It is not as big aproblem as it wasa few yearsago,but with crime, as withcancer, “somewhatless of aproblem thanitwas” is not really very good news.

This does not justify Trump’s harebrained scheme to deploy the National Guard to patrol thestreets, an idea that marries sinister overtones with very limitedeffectiveness. Nor is the problem likely to be solved by federalizing D.C. law enforcement and prosecutions, as he suggested at aMonday news conference. But Trump’scritics will not talk him out of these plansbyconjuring the specter of afascisttakeover,nor by arguing that he shouldn’t be worried about crime, because after all, lookhow much it’sfallen!

federal prosecutions? For starters, D.C.’s progressive establishment needs to show aserious commitment to solving theproblem, which means beefing up thecriminal justice system, not just hunting for “root causes” that can be addressed by social workers.

National Guardjusta temporaryfixfor issues

ega McArdle M n

D.C. had 187 homicides in 2024, or about 27 for every 100,000 residents.That is, to be sure, amassive 32% drop from the273 people who werekilled in 2023, butthat probably wasn’tmuch comfort tothose187 people or theirgrievingfamilies. And it’s horrific comparedwith Boston,whichhad 3.7 homicidesper 100,000 residents during thatsametimeframe, New York City (4.7) or Los Angeles (7.1). Even afurtherreduction in 2025 —year-to-date homicides have fallen 12 percent compared with thesame period last year —won’tbring those numbers anywherenear where theyshould be. This is the capital cityofour country Disorder,such publicdruguse or homelessness, is also aseriousissue. It does not endangerlifeor property, but it does make publicspacesless usable, frayingthe civic fabric that knits acity together.AsTrump said in his news conference, “Washington D.C. should be one of thesafest,cleanest and most beautiful cities in theworld.”At themoment it is not. So, how to solve thoseproblems, if not with the NationalGuard andtougher

writer’scity of residence.TheAdvocate|

published. Letters are not to

As Christopher Lewis andAdaner Usmani argued in a2022 paper,America is underpoliced but overincarcerated. Because we don’thave enough police to control crime, violent crimeishigh compared to the rest of the developed world, and clearance rates are low.Wehave tried to compensate for this by handing down moresevere sentences for those who are caught. Unfortunately,the sort of people who are goodatcalculatingthe expected value of their actions tendnot to become criminals, so this doesn’twork very well —especially in the case of juveniles, who have been involved in some horrific, high-profile crimes in recent years.

We don’tneed harsher sentences, but morecapacity to ensure that some sentence, any sentence, will result from acrime. Staffing fell at the D.C. police department post-pandemic, and so did stops and arrests. Though thesituation has stabilized, and crime is now falling from its pandemic highs, thelevel of violence remainsunacceptable.

Those who are opposed to Trump’srecentmoves should argue not that they constitute incipient fascism, but that they aren’t areal solution. The department needs moremoney to hire moreofficers; better training, management andadvancement opportunities for those officers; and theassurance that the people they catch will beprosecuted. Andthe D.C. Department ofCorrections needs to pioneer new approaches that Republicans and Democrats can live with: sanctions focused on deterrence and incapacitation, not retribution or political showmanship. Megan McArdle is on X, @asymmetricinfo.

Iwas borninWashington, D.C., at theend of 1942. Growing up in the suburbs there was so little crime it made the front page in the city’sthree newspapers. Today,unless someone who works on Capitol Hill is murdered, or associated withaprominent business, stories are usually buried in the Metro section. Then, you could walk the streetsatnight and feel safe. Now, you take your life in your hands.

President Donald Trump has ordered National Guard troops into the citytohelp D.C. policecontrol violent crime.

As U.S. Attorneyfor D.C. Jeanine Pirro notedataWhite House news conference, many teen criminals are assignedtofamily court where “they aresent to yoga and art classes. That changes today.” There are facts, lies and statistics, as the saying goes, and Democrats are claiming statistics show violent crime is down in D.C.

n The White House has issued alist comparing actual DC crimestatistics withothercities and countries:

n In 2024, Washington, D.C., saw ahomicide rate of 27.3 per 100,000 residents. Thatwas the fourth-highest homicide rateinthe country —nearly six times higher than NewYork City and alsohigher than Atlanta, Chicago and Compton.

n If Washington, D.C., were astate, it would have thehighest homicide rate of any state in the nation.

n In 2012, thehomicide rate in Washington, D.C. was just 13.9 per 100,000 residents.

n Washington, D.C.’smurder rate is roughly threetimes higher than that of Islamabad, Pakistan, and 18 times higher thanthatofcommunist-run Havana, Cuba.

n The number of juveniles arrested in Washington, D.C., hasgone up each year since 2020 —many of whom have had prior arrests for violent crimes.

n There were 29,348 crimes reported in Washington, D.C. last year, including 3,469 violent offenses, 1,026 assaults with adangerous weapon, 2,113 robberies, and 5,139 motor vehicle thefts.

n So far in 2025, there have already been nearly 1,600 violent crimes and nearly 16,000 total crimes reported in Washington, D.C.

These statistics are not only troubling on their own, but they also likely significantly understate the level of crimeinWashington, D.C.

n Many residents don’tfeel safe reporting crime.

n More than half of all violent crime in the U.S. goes unreported.

n WUSA-TV:“D.C. residents voice frustration over rising violence, questioning police stats and demanding real action to make neighborhoods feel safe again.”

CNN notes: “Extending the takeover for alonger period requires Trump to formally notify the chairs and ranking members of congressional committees handling DC affairs. Any control lasting more than 30 days would need congressional approval and must be passed into law,a highly improbable scenario given the current gridlock in aclosely divided Congress.” Area residents know what needs to happen in addition to swiftpunishment of the perpetrators. They include employed fathers in the home and school choice to free especially poor kids from failing public schools that give them nothing on which to build alife. Without these the National Guard will only be atemporary fix.

Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com

SPORTS

STANDOUTS

Five Tigers making an impact throughthe firsthalfofLSU preseason

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

When the LSUfootball team wakes up on Saturday,only twoweeks will separate it from its seasonopening showdown on theroad against ClemsononAug. 30.

The Tigers have spent the last two weeks sorting through position battles on theoffensiveline and in thesecondary,while searching for the best ways to deploy each of the18transfers it signedinthe offseason. Notall ofthem will start, but coach Brian Kelly and hisstaff are counting on most of them to fill some key roles.

Having trouble keeping track of all the new names andfaces? We’ve got you covered.

Here are five players who have caught our eye inthe first half of LSU’spreseason camp, with returning stars such as Garrett Nussmeier and Harold Perkins excluded.

1. CB MansoorDelane Delane, aVirginia Tech transfer, certainly looks the part. He’sbig, physical and competitive in all his one-on-one reps against LSU receivers. In team drills, Nussmeier has hardly thrown in his vicinity But he’sstill made afew stand-out plays,such as the interception he almost securedinthe endzoneon Monday andthe scoop-and-score touchdown he found on Tuesday In the spring, Delane said he joined the Tigers largely because he wanted to boost his draft stock.

The New Orleans Saints need Trevor Penning.

Yes, you read that right.

Forget the past three seasons of Penning’scareer

The Saints’ offensive line is better with him than without him

This timeaweek ago, I would have called the Saints’ O-line the team’s strength. Maybe it still is.

But the foot injury left guard Penning suffered in Sunday’spreseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers leaves agaping 6-foot-7, 325-pound hole in the line. At least fornow Areport by the NFLNetworksays Penning will miss afew weeks.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore didn’tsay how long Penning’sinjury would have him sidelined, only saying “a little while.”

How long that is remains to be seen. What we do know though, is Penning will miss somepractice time—avaluable commodity foraplayer making the transition from tackle to guard this season. There was atime whennews of Penning missing time wouldn’thaveseemed

So far,sogood for the senior He’s used preseason camptosolidifyhis standing as LSU’stop outside cornerback.

2. TE Trey’Dez Green

In LSU’sTexas Bowl win over Baylor,Green caught six passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Now he’spicking up where he left off —and he’snot only flashing in the red zone. In team drills and 7-on-7 work between the 20-yard lines,

ä See LSU, page 5C

Southern’s WR room impressing in camp

Jaguars receiverslooking to be team’s ‘tone-setters’

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

Coach Terrence Graves has sensed a different energy from Southern football’s offensethroughout preseason camp.

The second-year coachfelt that side’s motivationtooutperforma more established defense.

“Everybody knowsaboutthe defense,” the second-year coach said.“Theoffense is taking it (like), ‘Hey,wegot to stepour game up.’ Anytime you see that mindset and that work ethic, you get excited because those guys reallywanttoshowand prove what they can do.” No offensivepositiongroup wants to stand out more than the widereceivers.

“We’ve got to be the tone-setters,” wide receiver Cam Jefferson said. “We’vegot to make the quarterbacks look good and when they’re not feeling confidentorthe running backs are not feelingconfident or the defense is giving up some big plays, we’ve got to be the guys whostep up.”

The 12-playerwide receiver room has six additions, including five freshmen.

The biggest departures were seniors Chandler Whitfield and Tyler Kirkwood, whohad thesecondand fourthmostreceivingyards, respectively Whitfield had 23 catches for 411 yards and ateam-highfour touchdowns in 10 games. Kirkwood had 18 catches for 273 yards.The Jaguarswill miss the duo, but they anticipate thatredshirtjunior Darren Morris will be exceptional. Although he led the 2024 team with 37 receptionsfor 434 yards and three touchdowns, Morris and coach Graves agreed at theSouthwestern Athletic Conference media day that he hasn’thad his breakout season yet. His teammates feel that it’s comingin2025.

“Welost abig guy in Chandler Whitfield, but D-Mo stepped up alot,” wide receiver Cam Jefferson said. “Just leadership, his work ethic, everything.” Morris is a6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver with the physical traits and route-running skills to be aSWACstar. Graves said he’sprobably the most

ä See SOUTHERN, page 5C

WALKER Staff writer

October22ndcan’t getheresoonenough forthe New Orleans Pelicans. That’swhen the Pelicans will be in Memphis, Tennessee, to play their season opener against the Grizzlies. It’ll be the first of 82 opportunities the Pelicans will gettoremove the bitter taste from one of theworst seasons in franchisehistory The Pelicansfinished21-61 last season and missed the playoffs in aseason filled with farmore injuries than wins. Will this season, the first one with Joe Dumars calling the shots as the team’s executive vice-president of basketball operations, be better? Time will tell. For now,weknow the path the Pelicans will be on afterthe NBAreleased theupcoming season’sschedule on Thursday Here are five takeaways from the Pelicans’ schedule as they try to get back on track after awoeful 2024-25 season.

BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS

MacIntyre leads at BMW Championship

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Robert Ma-

cIntyre seized on a softer Caves Valley after a two-hour storm delay and rode the best putting round of his year with six straight birdies to post an 8-under 62 for a three-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood in the BMW Championship on Thursday MacIntyre finished it off with a 5-foot birdie putt on 18th hole, and that was the easiest of his final six birdies. He holed a 65-foot birdie putt on the 12th and followed that from 40 feet. And he kept right on going until he matched his low round on the PGA Tour and left everyone chasing after the opening round of the penultimate postseason event.

“The last six holes is probably as good as I’ve ever putted in a stretch of holes,” he said Scottie Scheffler was tied for the lead when he returned from the delay and birdied three of his final four holes for a 66. Rickie Fowler was another shot behind, a big step toward making the Tour Championship for a shot at the FedEx Cup. MacIntyre looked to be unstop-

pable except that he ran out of holes.

“When I went back out, I had a 7-footer for birdie which was going to set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, and I rolled that in nicely,” said MacIntyre, who then rolled along quite nicely

It was a different course when the top 50 in the FedEx Cup arrived to Caves Valley, which hosted the BMW Championship in 2021. Patrick Cantlay won in a playoff over Bryson DeChambeau after both finished at 27-under 261.

It has gone through a big renovation, changed to a par 70, and it was playing tough enough that Viktor Hovland at 67 had the low score of the morning before a bank of dark clouds and heavy rain pounded the course.

Softer greens made all the difference, but the 62 by MacIntyre was no less impressive. The Scot also shot 62 at the Travelers Championship last year

“The course was a lot softer so we did have a chance of shooting a score,” Fleetwood said, who was on the 16th hole when MacIntyre finished. “Did he finish with quite a few birdies maybe?” Six of them.

“That helps,” Fleetwood said with a smile. It was a nice start for Fleetwood, too, particularly after another tough ending last week when he had a two-shot lead with three holes to play and finished one shot out of a playoff at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in his bid for his first PGA Tour title.

The goal was to get back into contention as quickly as possible. This was only one round, but it was a good start. Fleetwood had one of only two bogey-free rounds, the other belonging to Hideki Matsuyama (69).

“I’ve been a pro for — I don’t know how long, I’m not going to do the math — but I’ve had my fair share of playing rubbish,” Fleetwood said. “I’ve spent weeks playing terrible. So playing well and being in contention is a privilege. You’ve got to enjoy those times So while I’m playing well, I’m kind of enjoying it as well.”

Scheffler played with Rory McIlroy as the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in the FedEx Cup, which means nothing at this stage because every one of the 30 players who advance to East Lake will start from scratch as they play for the FedEx Cup.

McIlroy struggled off the tee, had three bogeys in six holes and pulled it together for a 70 that included eight straight pars at the end. Scheffler wobbled a bit at the turn, twice missing greens and failing to get up-and-down. But he had three birdies in four holes at the start, and three birdies in four holes at the end.

“Golf course definitely got a bit easier but did a good job of taking advantage of the holes I had left,” said Scheffler, who posted his 14th consecutive round in the 60s. Hovland came into the BMW Championship at No. 28 in the FedEx Cup, right on the bubble for being in the top 30 to reach the Tour Championship. He figures good will take care of that. It was a more significant start for Fowler, who barely got into the top 50. Ditto for Michael Kim and Jason Day, both outside the top 40. They each shot 68. Xander Schauffele, who has never missed the Tour Championship since he won it as a rookie in 2017, might see that streak end. He was at No. 43 and is searching, and it showed. He opened with four bogeys in six holes, battled back and closed with a double bogey for a 74.

Tour Championship now offers richest prize in golf

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

Browns QB Sanders sidelined with injury

PHILADELPHIA Cleveland rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders remained sidelined from practice Thursday with an oblique injury, and it is unlikely he will play in the Browns’ preseason game against the Eagles. Sanders suffered the injury during drills ahead of practice Wednesday. Sanders and the Browns were in Philadelphia for a pair of joint practices ahead of Saturday’s preseason game.

The Browns said Sanders is day to day Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said ahead of Thursday’s practice that Sanders would be out “for a little bit” and the team wanted to be smart with his health because the former Colorado standout is “a thrower.”

Lakers to honor HOF coach Riley with statue

LOS ANGELES

The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Pat Riley on Feb. 22, as the Hall of Famer joins the likes of former team greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant in bronze outside their downtown arena.

The Lakers will fittingly honor Riley against their long-time rival, the Boston Celtics.

Riley coached the Lakers from 1981 to 1990 during the team’s “Showtime” era and won four NBA championships (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). With Johnson and AbdulJabbar leading an exciting roster with a groundbreaking fast-break offense, the Lakers went 533-194 (.733) in Riley’s tenure and added 102 playoff victories over nine seasons.

Social justice messages to continue in end zones

The NFL is continuing its onfield social justice messaging for a sixth straight season.

All 32 teams will feature an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love,” or “Inspire Change.” Once again, “It Takes All of Us” will be stenciled in the opposite end zone for all games.

These messages will complement the league’s other cause campaigns such as Salute to Service and Crucial Catch, which will appear in end zones during select dates.

“We’re working hand-in-hand with players, and alongside our clubs, to amplify player voices and underscore what is most important to them,” Anna Isaacson, the NFL’s senior vice president of social responsibility, said.

Medalist Stout rallies to advance at U.S. Amateur

SAN FRANCISCO Top-ranked amateur Jackson Koivun didn’t make a birdie until his final hole for the second straight round in the U.S. Amateur The difference Thursday was he was eliminated at The Olympic Club, along with three others from the top 10 in the world amateur ranking.

will not be official money But now that the player with lowest score wins the Tour Championship — and FedEx Cup

place gets $3,705,000. Last place gets $355,000. The last time East Lake had an official purse was in 2018 at $9 million, and Tiger Woods won $1.62 million. Justin Rose won the FedEx Cup without winning a postseason event and got the $10 million bonus. Patrick Cantlay was among several players who liked the change away from starting strokes, and he said winning the Tour Championship — even if a player was at No. 30 was still worthy of being the FedEx Cup champion.

Oklahoma State junior Preston Stout, the medalist in stroke-play qualifying and the No 4-ranked amateur became the only player from the top 10 to advance, taking the lead for the first time on the 13th hole before winning, 2 and 1, over David Liechty Koivun squeaked by in his opening match. He wasn’t so fortunate in the second round, as Max Herendeen took the lead on the seventh hole and led the rest of the day

Brewers fans earn free burgers with 12th win Brandon Woodruff has pitched some of the most important games in Milwaukee Brewers history but even he felt a little additional pressure as he took the mound Wednesday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Not only would a victory maintain his perfect record on the season and extend Milwaukee’s winning streak to 12 games, free hamburgers for the entire city of Milwaukee were on the line.

“There was a little bit more at stake today,” Woodruff said “I wanted to win those burgers bad. Who doesn’t want a free burger?” The Brewers beat the Pirates 12-5 to extend their winning streak to 12.

TheNew Orleans Pelicans’ schedule for the 2025-’26 season was released Thursday.The Pelicans will be looking to getback on track after finishing 21-61 last season. Here are the 10 most intriguing games on this season’sschedule.

Oct. 22: Pelicans at Grizzlies The bad news is the Pelicans enter the season on a seven-game losing streak. The good news is they have done well in season openers. The Pelicans have won their last three season openers, including two by double digits. They’ll open this season against the Grizzlies as they try to get the Joe Dumars era off to agood start. The Pelicans and Grizzlies have played 22 times since Zion Williamson and Grizzlies guard Ja Morant went 1and 2inthe 2019 draft. But the two stars have only played against each other eight times. Bothshould be available for the opener

Oct. 24: Spurs at Pelicans

What better way to open things up at home than aZion Williamson vs. Victor Wembanyama matchup. The Pelicans didn’t give the Smoothie King Center crowd much to cheer about last season, winning just 14 games at home. This will be the first time fans get aclose glimpseof all the new pieces Dumars assembled.

Oct. 27: Celtics at Pelicans The Pelicans haven’thad much luck against the Celtics in recent years. The last win against Boston came in the 2020-21 season. That’seight straight losses, including one last season when a CJ McCollum shot at the buzzer didn’t stay down. Can the Pels finallyend their eight-game skid? Maybe catching them early will help.

PELICANS

Continued from page1C

Spotlightdimming

The Pelicans were mustsee TV after drafting Zion Williamson with the No.1 overall pick in 2019. The NBA awarded the Pelicans with 30 nationally televised games that season. That number has dwindled since then as the Pelicans have beengiven about halfas many national TV games in recent years. ThePels had 18 nationallytelevised games on the schedule three years ago. Twoyears ago, they had 12. And 13 last season. This year,they have been given just twonational TV games: vs. the Spurs at home (Dec. 8onPeacock) and vs. the Grizzlies (Jan.30 on ESPN).

This will also be the fifth consecutive season the Pelicans don’tget ahigh-profile Christmas Day game. Bah humbug.

Back-to-backs

The dreaded back-toback games are always one of thefirst thingsto look for on aschedule. It’s even more important for teams like the Pelicans, especially if they continue to be cautious with playing Williamson two games in a row.The Pelicans had16 back-to-back dates on last season’sschedule. They went6-26inthosegames. This season, they have 15 back-to-backs.

Toughest stretch

Nov.14: Lakers atPelicans

This is the Pelicans’ second game in group play of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.It’ll be the first time LeBron James and Luka Doncic have played as teammates in New Orleans.The Smoothie King Center should be rocking for thisone

Nov.17: ThunderatPelicans

Last season’sNBA champs come to the Smoothie King Center.OKC is trying to become the first team to repeat since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. The Thunder have owned the Pelicans in recent years. Ledbylast season’s MVPShai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC has won ten straight games against the Pelicans, including asweep in thefirst round of the playoffs in the 2023-24 season.

Nov. 21: Pelicans at Mavericks

The third game in group play of the In-Season Tournament has the Pelicans on theroad against Anthony Davis andthe Mavericks. The Pelicans were hoping to win the draft lottery after last season,but it was theMavs who won and selected Duke superstar Cooper Flagg.

Dec. 18: Rockets at Pelicans

The Rockets have added Kevin Durant to their roster and look to be aserious contender in the West after finishing as the conference’s No. 2seed last season. This will be agood test for the Pelicans, who are trying to turn things around the same way theRockets did last season.

March 8:Wizards at Pelicans

CJ McCollum, who spent the past 31/2 seasons withthe Pelicans, returns to New Orleansfor the first time since theoffseason

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson dunks the ball during agameagainst the L.A. Clippers on March 11 at the Smoothie King Center

Easieststretch

There really isn’tone. But since we have to put something here, let’s go withthe back-to-back home games in March against theWashington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors.

Double dipping

Twoseasons ago, the Pelicans were the best road team in the NBA. They won 28 games away from the Smoothie King Center that year.But roadwins (heck, any wins) werehard to come by last season. These two road stretches are the most difficult. First, there is athree-game trek starting in late October against theNuggets, Clippers and Thunder And in late February,there is asix-game road trip out West to play Utah (twice), both Los Angelesteams, Sacramento andPhoenix. Also,there’s a tough five-game homestand in mid-November that includes theLakers, Warriors, Thunderand Nuggets Playing the Clippers(Halloween night), Lakers,Clippers, Mavericks and Grizzlies in group play of the InSeason Tournament won’tbe an easy task either

If you’re afan of both the Pelicans andthe football team that plays next door, get thebatteries for the remote ready for thesegames Here are the twoSundays the Pels and Saints play on thesame day this season. Nov.2: (Pels at OKC, Saints at L.A. Rams) Nov.30: (PelsatL.A.Lakers, SaintsatMiami Dolphins). There is apossible third one on January 4when the Pelicansplay at the Miami Heat. The Saints will play therival Atlanta Falcons in the regular season finale on either Saturday or Sunday that week. By theway,there were sixsuch occasionslastseason when New Orleans’ two pro franchises played on thesameday.The Pels and Saintscombined to go 2-10 in those days.

Email Rod Walkerat rwalker@theadvocate.com.

trade. McCollum lefthis markon thecourt and in the city and most certainly will get avideo tribute in his first return. Pelicans’ newcomers Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey,acquired in the trade, will face their old team.

March 11: Raptors at Pelicans Brandon Ingram hasn’t played in agame since getting injured last December against the OKC Thunder.The Pels traded him to Toronto before the trade deadline last season.

Ingram makes his return to New Orleans, the city he called home for51/2 years.

March 19: Clippers at Pelicans Who knows how long Chris Paul will keep playing? He signed a one-year,$3.6 milliondeal this offseason to return to L.A. after playing last season with the San

Antonio Spurs. Paul, considered by most to be the best player in franchise history,returns to New Orleans for what very well could be his final season.

April12: Pelicans at Timberwolves Last season, the Pelicans shut down their star players by the time they reached the finish line. Playoff hopes were dashed long before the regular season finale. Pels head coach Willie Green, in his fifth season, has alternated making the playoffs in his first four years. He made it his first and third season and missed it in Years 2and 4. Teams in the Western Conference have typically been jockeying for postseason position up until the last game. The Pelicans need this game to have somemeaning.

PRESEASONCAMP

Saints O-line off to slow start; QB battle continues OFFENSE

CARSON, Calif. Three weeksinto training camp, Erik McCoy had gotten used to the way defensive coordinator Brandon Staley likes to dial up pressure. So when the New Orleans Saints center participated in Thursday’sjoint practice against the Los Angeles Rams, andthe looks the defense gave pre-snap differed significantly from the ones he had been regularly seeing, he said it took him aminute to adjust But he was hardly alone in that regard.

“I thought we started off alittle slow,” McCoy said. “Let’scall a spade aspade.”

So much of the focus on the Saints’ training camp this year hascentered on New Orleans’ quarterback competition. But against the Rams, it was the Saints’ offensive line thatcouldn’t be ignored. Facing one of the best fronts in football, the results weren’talways pretty.Across83 reps, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough would have been sacked at least five times if contact wereallowed, and the offensive line contributed to many of the six penalties that were called.

There’snoneed to overreactto just one practice, but at the very least, the Rams provided greatexperience for New Orleans’ offensive line. At tackle, in particular, rookie Kelvin Banks and second-year Taliese Fuaga had their hands full with Byron Young and Jared Verse.But highs and lows are to be expected as Banks adjusts to the NFL and Fuaga movesfrom left tackle to right tackle, his collegeposition.

The near-constant pressure added awrinkle to the Saints’ evaluation of their quarterbacks.

“It’sgot to be process-focused,” Saints coach Kellen Moore saidwhen asked how he evaluates the quarterbacks when the offensiveline struggles. “You just have tomake surethey are going through the right process. Acouple of those plays —sack or no sack, certainly there may have been —you’ve just got to finish the play.”

That said, the Saints’quarterbacks were game even withall the pressure.

Here were the stats from a mostly scripted session: Rattler: 12-18 (123-184 overall)

Shough:13-22,not including spike (109-176)

Jake Haener:5-6 (78-115)

Rattler and Shough —both fighting for the No. 1spot— settled in well and looked sharp when responding to mistakes. The two alternated first-team reps again, but it was Rattler who started first and was ready to let it rip.

Rattler began the morningby hitting his first seven consecutive passes.Hefound tight end Juwan Johnson —who had areally nice day with six catches —onback-

Young, Blackmon highlightSaints’ defensevs. Rams

like abig deal. The first three years of his NFL career have been underwhelming, especially consideringthe Saints selected him withthe No 19 overall pick in the 2022draft. But things seemed to bepointing in theright direction for Penning this training camp as he moved to aposition that played to his best assets.

Penning’sstrength is his strength.

All that brute power he has is muchbetterutilized inside at guard as opposed to theathleticism required at tackle.

It’sbeen obvious that Penning, entering the final year of his rookie contract, is more comfortable and more confident at guard

The position switch is one of the most important moves Kellen Moore made since taking over as head coach. It helped transform a unit that was aquestion mark this time last year

Erik McCoy is rock solid at center.Cesar Ruiz is steady on McCoy’sright side. And there is the

to-back throws and then later hit Rashid Shaheed over Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes

After theyonly shared the field for one regular-season game last year,Rattler and Shaheed have built impressive chemistry as camp has progressed. Rattler’sbest throw Thursday was again on abomb to the speedy wide receiver, who got behind two Los Angelesdefenders and sprinted to the end zone for atouchdown. Shough, though, made sure he wasn’t left behind.His top moment was arguablyonashallow crosser to Mason Tipton —whose speed appeared to take the Rams’ defensebysurprise as he hit just theright angles to take off for a really long touchdown. Shough also hit BrandinCooks near thesideline to gain afirst down on what appeared to besecond-and-20.

Both quarterbacks, however, struggled in the red zone.

While Shough stood calmlyand hit Cedrick Wilson for a10-yard touchdown on his first passing attempt of the series, it was downhill from there. He then hadfour straight incompletions and took asack.

Rattler wasn’t much better.A double-blitz up the A-gap got to the quarterback immediately,and Rattler went1-of-4 across his two series of red-zone reps. Haener,it turned out, looked the sharpest of the Saints’ quarterbacks in the red zone, though his reps wereagain limited to only the thirdstring. The third-year signal-caller hit Clyde Edwards-Helaire

promise of the two tackles taken in the first round of the last two drafts: Taliese Fuaga last year andKelvin Banks this year

All of asudden, the Saints seemed to have finally assembled the puzzlepieces up front. Then Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium happened

In additiontothe Penning injury, theSaints also lost backup interior linemanWill Clapp on the first series. Clapp, aNew Orleans native whoreturned to the Saints this offseason after spending the past threeseasons with the Chargers andthe Buffalo Bills, was going to be akey reserve for the Saints. Now he’sout for the season, removing depth from aunit thatdidn’t have awhole lot to begin with.

This Saints’ offensive line is probablyonly going to be as good as thefirst fiveofFuaga, Ruiz, McCoy, Penning andBanks. That quintethad taken allthe reps with thefirst-team offense throughout camp before thePenning injury

We saw last season just how quicklythings can go downhill with onemissing piece up front.

Remember last year?

Thecity was buzzingwhen the Saints steamrolled theCarolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys to

in the flat and then found tight end Treyton Welch for atouchdown. Still, theSaints were pleased with how they closed practice —and how thelast few series unfolded determined why.Inaddition to Rattler’s standout deep ball to Shaheed, Shough led the Saintstowhat would have likely been agame-winning field goal during thefinal set of team drills. Down 23-21 with 1:20 left from their 35-yard line, Shough hit three straight passes to get into field goal range. Then, after a spike, Shough found Johnson on an out route to quickly get out of bounds for a10-yard gain. After one more throwaway to burn another four seconds, the drill ended with Moore yelling, “Nice job!” to his celebrating offense. Just as notableonthat drive, the offensive lineheldup. They didn’tseem to allowpressure outside of thefirst play of the 10-play drive. Even on that play,which resultedinShough accidentally hittingBanks’ helmet with apass because of the oncoming rush, Shough and the offense didn’tlet themistake derailthe drive.

“When you play in someunscouted situations, it’s great work,”Moore said. “You’ve got to respond. You’ve got to trust yourself. You’ve got to react.And so there’splenty of opportunities to grow,first and foremost.But they did respond, they kept fighting and kept making some plays.

“It’ll be great film for our guys to watch.”

CARSON, Calif. It took only a few plays into acompetitive period of Thursday’sjoint practice between theNew Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Ramsfor Chase Young to makehis presence felt. The Ramswere trying to set up areceiver screen to the leftside of their formation —a design that in theory should eliminate talented edge rushers like Young from the play’sequation.

Except Young quickly recognized what washappening and got his hands up in the air,battingthe pass away That was one of three passes Young broke up against the Rams —two knocked downat theline of scrimmage, and another when he crunched atight end as he was in coverage. And that’snot even getting into what Young did rushing the passer

“He’s looking all-world right now,” said defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. “It’sbeen great to workwith him. His motor,his energy …isunbelievable, bar none. He’srelentless getting after the quarterback; Ithink he probably had like six sacks today.And we’regoing to need that.”

Six sacksisoverstating Young’simpact in Thursday’s scrimmage, but it’snot that far off. Young wasanear constant presence in the Ramsbackfield, either killing plays outright or forcing rushed throws.

The Saints defense did not get achance to test its mettle against the Rams’ true A-team, because quarterback Matthew Stafford continuestomiss practice with a back injury.Still, with players like Young playing at agamewrecking level, it’snot hard to seethe Saints defense being an improved unit this season.

“He has an ability to makea huge impact on this gamefor us,” coach Kellen Moore said. “We expect alot of things out of him; it’sawesome to see him getting after people.”

AndYoung wasn’tthe only one making plays.

Threeinarow

Interceptions are fairly notable things during training camp practices because they don’t happen very often.

Unless your nameis Julian Blackmon The Saints’ safety, signed at the outset of trainingcamp after Tyrann Mathieu’s surprise retirement picked off a Jimmy Garoppolo pass in Thursday’s practice, giving Blackmon at least five interceptions in trainingcamp andone in each of the last three practices.

Blackmon hasconsistently made plays when the ball is in

get off toa2-0 start. Then on the first drive of Week 3against the Philadelphia Eagles, McCoy went down withagroin injury,and theSaints were never quite the same. There were plenty of other

injuries along the way, but it all started with the loss of McCoy Offensiveline play will be even more critical this season fora team with unproven quarterbacks vying for the starting job. The

the air throughout training camp, whichisn’tsurprising when considering his résumé: He’s intercepted 10 passes since his 2020 rookie season, ranking 13th among NFL safeties in that span. It’sthe rest of his game that he’sbrought along with his playmaking skills that has been such apleasant surprise. In addition to the interception, Blackmon made several plays as arun defender, crashing hard from his place in the deepest part of the secondary to support the run. He also showed his physicality as apass defender,again crashing hard from his deep safety position to hit receiver Davante Adams right as the ball arrived, jarring it loose and incomplete in the process. “Julian is the ultimate pro,” Moore said. “A quick transition forhim,and I’mreally impressed with how quickly he was able to acclimate himself to the system,tothe team.He’s just doing an exceptional job.” Odds andends

With Alontae Taylor sidelined by agroin injury,the Saints let both UgoAmadi and Terrell Burgess take first-team snaps as the slot cornerback, with Amadi taking the first crack at it …Young and CarlGranderson werethe first edge rushers to take the field, but Cam Jordan and Chris Rumph also took first-team snaps. That’sprobably the rotation they’ll start the year with …The secondteam run defense didn’thave a great showing in the preseason game, and that wastrue again Thursday Jarquez Hunter,the Rams’ fourth-round rookie back, broke free forseveral big plays against the backups, including one that would’ve likely gone for aroughly 60-yard touchdown A2-minute drill to close things out wasthe only non-scripted part of Thursday’spractice, and it waseasily the worst part of the day forthe Saints defense. The first team allowed Adams and PukaNacua to get free forbig chunks of yardage on the first twoplays, while the second team did the samefor rookie receiver Konata Mumpfield

Saints need to be able to run the ball effectively to makethings easier forSpencer Rattler or Tyler Shough. That starts with the guys blocking up front. They also need to be able to protect Rattler or Shough.

The Saints have plugged in veteran Dillon Radunz in Penning’s spot during practice. Radunz has played mostly at tackle in camp, including in Sunday’sgame against the Chargers.

The best-case scenario is fora speedy return forPenning.

“Any player whocan keep participating would be awesome,” Moore said. “But things like this happen. Trevor will do everything he can to prepare himself for when the opportunity presents itself again. We feel good with where he’satright now.”

Where the Saints need him most though is on the field.

Any chance the Saints have of exceeding the low expectations that manypeople have forthis season depends on how well the Saints play up front.

Penning plays abig 6-7, 325 part in that.

Email RodWalker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

BETTER TOGETHER

LSU cornerbacks entering season with

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Last August, LSU’s cornerbacks room was in a state of flux.

Its lone returning starter, Zy Alexander, was working his way back from a torn ACL. Sage Ryan, who started at corner in 2023, had moved back to safety PJ Woodland and Ashton Stamps were having strong camps, playing their way into potential starting roles, but had to battle with veteran transfers JK Johnson and Jyaire Brown for playing time.

In Stamps’ eyes, the competition and unknowns within the room made building camaraderie and chemistry more difficult

“It was hard as a corner group to gel together,” Stamps said “Because everybody felt like they were going against each other.” Flash forward 365 days and Stamps believes the opposite is now the case. LSU’s cornerbacks room is more adept at helping each other this year than it was a year ago. That, in turn, has made everyone better.

LSU

Continued from page 1C

the sophomore is creating enough separation on his short and intermediate routes to draw consistent targets from Nussmeier Green still needs to improve as a blocker before he can become a complete tight end who can play on every down. But LSU is lining him up everywhere: in-line, in the slot and out wide. Expect him to at least play a large role in the passing game.

3. DT Bernard Gooden

LSU’s interior offensive linemen have had their hands full with Gooden, the 6-foot-1, 268-pound South Florida transfer He’s not a physically imposing defensive tackle — a fact that adds weight to what he’s accomplished in camp. His quick get-off and competitive motor are erasing size advantages. Gooden’s had an unusual career He’s a fifth-year senior, but he’s played only two full seasons one at Wake Forest and another at South Florida.

So it was a bit of a surprise when Gooden kept flashing early in camp.

SOUTHERN

Continued from page 1C

talented player on the team. He has a knack for making vertical plays, which the team wants to actualize with more deep balls than last season his longest catch was 40 yards. The Jaguars demonstrated their desire during Saturday’s scrimmage when Jalen Woods threw a 51-yard touchdown to Morris in the first half. Jefferson knows Graves’ philosophy on the meaninglessness of preseason awards, but it still bothered him that Morris didn’t get a men-

“This year, we’ve been working together as a group, getting each other better,” Stamps said. “No jealousy none of that.”

Much of the change in lockerroom tenor at the position is a result of LSU overhauling its personnel over the offseason.

The Tigers brought back Woodland and Stamps, but they were aggressive in the transfer portal, adding Mansoor Delane from Virginia Tech and Florida’s Ja’Keem Jackson. They also signed freshman five-star recruit DJ Pickett, the No. 2 cornerback in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite.

The additions of Delane and Jackson, in particular, have created a more structured hierarchy in the room. Their proven experience has begun to rub off on Woodland, Stamps and especially Pickett.

“Being able to have Mansoor help me out. I help Mansoor (Us) helping DJ out, PJ. Just being able to do that gets us better,” Stamps said. “It gets us all better to where we (are) all eating on the field.”

The new faces have also created more depth. Last year, Stamps and Alexander played the vast majority of snaps, making it difficult for either of them to stay fresh throughout the season.

“I felt like death,” Stamps said.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane jogs up the field during the team’s spring practice on April 12 at Tiger Stadium.

He’s now seeing significant snaps on LSU’s first-team defensive line.

4. WR Barion Brown

You can count on Brown to make a highlight-reel catch in just about every practice. He and Nussmeier have struck up a nice connection.

On the first day of camp, they linked up for a deep touchdown pass. On Monday, Nussmeier found Brown for a roughly 30-yard

tion on a SWAC preseason team

“Really, I think he’s an all-conference guy, honestly,” Jefferson said. “I thought it was disrespectful that the SWAC didn’t put him somewhere in the all-conference. This guy — he’s going to make a lot of noise.” Jefferson, a redshirt sophomore, should be a beneficiary of the attention Morris draws as he’ll be the receiver often alongside him.

He proved himself a solid rotational player with 169 receiving yards, the fourth most of all returning wideouts and tight ends.

“He understands the system played last year so I expect a big role from him this year,” offensive

PREDICTING THE PLAYOFF

A way-too-early guess at who will make the College Football Playoff

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

It is a well-versed group of athletic directors, former coaches and players along with a sports writer, who will be armed with statistics, analytics charts and graphs and enough highlights to start their own college football network as they settle into their work on the College Football Playoff selection committee.

win a conference in which at least six teams, including defending champ Arizona State, have a chance.

Group of Five: If Boise State, sans Ashton Jeanty, wins at Notre Dame on Oct. 4, the Broncos are in. If not (more likely), then let’s assume Tulane takes care of business at home against both Duke and Northwestern and makes the playoff.

At-large and in charge

Texas: Longhorns split against Bulldogs with another matchup potentially in store?

“It was really hard for us. Me and Zy we took damn near all the snaps last year.”

Already LSU hasn’t been afraid to rotate cornerbacks in and out of the first team defense during camp Stamps, Jackson and Delane have earned the majority of firstteam reps, but Woodland has also made numerous plays in coverage since the start of practices. Pickett, after a slow start, has shown incremental improvement ever since.

A lower-body injury to Jackson that sidelined him during Monday’s practice tests LSU’s depth, at least in the short term. But given the room’s obvious improvements on paper and on the field, the Tigers are stronger at cornerback this year than ever before under coach Brian Kelly

“Some people may think it’s Mansoor versus me, Mansoor versus DJ, (Ja’Keem) versus PJ, or something. It’s none of that,” Stamps said. “You know, we’re just all working.

“The only way (we’re going to) win the national championship is if we help each other Because if we help each other, we’re all going to do good.”

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

score in tight coverage near the corner of the end zone. Brown might be the fastest player on the team. He can outrun anybody, and Nussmeier has the arm strength to deliver him accurate deep balls.

LSU’s offense already looks more explosive, and Brown is a large reason why

5. CB PJ Woodland

An injury or two in the secondary would force LSU to rely on Woodland, a sophomore who appeared in all 13 games of his freshman season. If practice is an indication, then Woodland would provide serviceable production in place of an LSU starter In camp, he’s blanketing receivers and breaking up passes thrown mostly by secondteam quarterback Michael Van Buren.

Woodland enrolled at LSU as a three-star recruit from Mississippi.

Now he’s working behind only Delane, Stamps and Florida transfer Ja’Keem Jackson. Five-star freshman DJ Pickett has taken most of the second-team reps at corner opposite Woodland.

Email Reed Darcey at reed darcey@theadvocate.com

In the end, though, the sport’s method of determining a champion — or at least deciding who gets the right to play for the championship comes down to a matter of opinion. Now in its second year with an expanded bracket, 12 teams will make the playoff to close out the 2025-26 season. Five of those slots will go to conference champions. The rest will be at-large bids to be handed out by the 13-person committee. Here’s a far-too-early prediction at where they will end up, and what the toughest choices will be before the bracket comes out on Dec. 8.

Conference champions

There’s no debate over this — the five conference champions with the best ranking from the committee will make the playoff. But in a change from last year the top four won’t be guaranteed first-round byes. Best guess here says these will be the champions.

Southeastern: Texas, with Arch Manning, is the favorite. But Georgia wins a rematch of a Nov 15 showdown with the Longhorns in the SEC title game that won’t have all that much riding on it, CFP-wise, since, after all, these both look like top-four teams.

Big Ten: Penn State coach James Franklin is 1-10 against Ohio State Buckeyes have two Heisman Trophy hopefuls in Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin. Game is at the Horseshoe and Ohio State is the reigning national champion. Another Michigan upset could factor in all this, of course, but Ohio State wins the conference.

Atlantic Coast: Miami is a dark horse. Clemson has the goods and quarterback Cade Klubnik.

Big 12: Let’s assume, just because they’re a Power Four conference, that this league will produce one of the four bestranked conference champions. But not by much. Kansas State has QB Avery Johnson returning, which could be enough to

Alabama: Hard to imagine the Tide losing four games again this season (or the committee overlooking any ugly number in the ‘L’ column if they do, regardless of their strong schedule.)

Oregon: QB Dante Moore chose Oregon, then UCLA, then Oregon again, and if he lives up to expectations, the Ducks could go far Penn State: CFP semifinalists last season, the Nittany Lions try to, once again, take advantage of the second chance the playoff offers. Miami: QB Carson Beck came over from Georgia, but this defense will need to improve.

Notre Dame: The Irish game against better-than-expected USC on Oct. 18 will be the equivalent of a playoff play-in.

Mississippi: If only to save us from another Lane Kiffin social media barrage. But seriously, this program had one of the best transfer-portal hauls in the country The Rebels are also getting used to winning 10 games a year and you can’t ignore that forever And the matchups are

The bye teams: No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Clemson.

The first-round matchups, on campus: No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Alabama: This will be the conspiracy theory game. Tulane, probably ranked about 16th, will take the spot that could’ve gone to yet another SEC team. (Did you know Tulane was once in the SEC?) Meanwhile, Alabama might be good enough to be ranked fourth but the committee wanted to assert its independence by not handing byes to three SEC teams. No. 11 Kansas State at No. 6 Oregon: The fifth, final and probably most decisive of the Big 12 vs. Big Ten matchups in 2025. No. 10 Mississippi at No. 7 Penn State: They met in the Peach Bowl in 2023 Now, Ole Miss gets a cold welcome to the big time. No.9 Notre Dame at No.8 Miami: They play a regular-season game Aug. 31. You can’t ever get enough of a good thing.

“Really, I think he’s an all-conference guy, honestly I thought it was disrespectful that the SWAC didn’t put him somewhere in the all-conference. This guy — he’s going to make a lot of noise.”

on

coordinator Mark Frederick said of Jefferson. The 5-10, 190-pound wide receiver has complemented his speed with a more cerebral approach on the field, improving his film study and his mastery of the playbook.

Kobe Brown is another 5-10 returner who has improved in the offseason. The sophomore has all the makings of a shifty playmaker after he kept his spot in the receiver rotation in Week 6 last year Freshman Jerrod Hicks and senior Khalil Harris are also a pair of speedsters who can contribute. “We’re all multi-sport athletes,” Jefferson said, smiling. “We ran track at some point during our careers.” Southern’s lone transfer at the position is Malachi Jackson from Navarro College. The 6-2 junior has been noted for having good

hands and agility for his size.

When Graves was asked about the biggest advantage for this year’s wide receiver group, he said it’s self-belief

“Those guys are playing and practicing with a lot of confidence,” Gravessaid. “They’re making plays. And the thing about it is, when guys see themselves making plays, they want to make more plays.

“That’s what you see You see a lot of guys really going out and doing well and getting comfortable with the system. So I’m excited for them.”

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

Tough waytoscore

Men’s singles

of 16 Ben Shelton (5), United States, def. Jiri Lehecka (22), Czechia,6-4,6-4 Quarterfinals Jannik Sinner (1), Italy, def. Felix AugerAliassime (23), Canada,6-0,6-2. Women’s singles Round of 16 Coco Gauff (2), UnitedStates, def. Lucia Bronzetti, Italy,6-2,6-4 Jasmine Paolini(7),Italy, def. BarboraKrejcikova, Czechia, 6-1, 6-2. VarvaraGracheva, Russia, def. Ella Seidel, Germany, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1. Men’s doubles Round of 16 Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury (5), Britain def. Sadio Doumbia, France, and Brandon Nakashima, United States,6-4, 7-6 (3). Lucas Miedler, Austria, andFrancisco Cabral, Portugal, def. EdouardRoger-Vasselin France, and Hugo Nys(8),Monaco,6-3, 3-6, 10-7. Mate Pavic, Croatia, and Marcelo ArevaloGonzalez (1), El Salvador, def. MarceloMelo, Brazil, and AlexanderZverev, Germany, 6-2, 7-6 (3). Women’s doubles Quarterfinals Lyudmyla Kichenok,Ukraine,and EllenPerez (6), Australia, def. Nicole Melichar-Martinez United States, and Liudmila Samsonova Russia, 6-4, 6-1. GabrielaDabrowski, Canada, and ErinRoutliffe (2), New Zealand, def. Caty McNally United States, and Linda Noskova, Czechia, 6-2, 7-6 (3). AlexandraPanova,Russia,and Hanyu Guo, China, def. BarboraKrejcikova, Czechia,and Jelena Ostapenko,Latvia,walkover. SaraErraniand Jasmine Paolini(1),Italy def. Marketa Vondrousova, Czechia, and Peyton Stearns, United States, 6-4, 6-3. Youth baseball Little LeagueWorld Series At Williamsport, Pa Wednesday’s games Game 1: Venezuela 5, Puerto Rico 0 Game 2: Nevada 16, Illinois1 Game 3: Panama 7, Brisbane 2 Game 4: Fairfield (Conn.) 1, Richmond (Texas) 0 Thursday’s games Game 5: Tokyo(Japan) 12, Brno (Czechia) 0 Game 6: Irmo (S.C.) 13, Braintree (Mass.) 0 Game 7: Taipei (Chinese Taipei) 3, Chihuahua (Mexico) 0 Game 8: Sioux Falls (S.D.) 2, Upper Uwchlan Township(Pa.) 0 Friday’s games Game 9: Vancouver (British Columbia) vs Barquisimeto (Venezuela), 1p.m. Game 10: BonneyLake(Wash.) vs.Las Vegas (Nev.), 3p.m Game 11: Santa Cruz (Aruba) vs.Arraijan (Panama), 5p.m. Game 12:

SHERIFF VS. MAYOR

AriAster setshis western/drama/dark comedy“Eddington” in the midst of the pandemic as astandoff escalates between two town officials, pitting neighbor against neighbor.Check out the new Joaquin Phoenix-starring film at 7:30 p.m. Fridayatthe Manship Theatre. $11.50. manshiptheatre.org

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

WEAR YOUR WHITE

Love Notes will present its “All White Summer’sNight Love Affair” from 7p.m to 9p.m.SaturdayatOxbowRum

Distillery, 760 St. Phillip St. Expect an evening of hot music and cool drinks, with aportion of the proceeds going to St. Vincent de Paul. $35. tickettailor com/events/lovenotes/1688392.

EXCITING FIND

Journeying through acreek in West

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

“Grab your ticket and get youroutfit ready for oneofthe most exciting nights in Baton Rouge this summer,”Mid City Redevelopment Alliance posted on Facebook on Monday The event, “MidCity’s Got Talent,” hits the stage for the

time at 6p.m. Friday at HiltonCapitol Center’sfirst-floor RiverviewBallroominBaton Rouge. In addition to thelive performances,the gala evening will include abanquet, openbar, silent auction and localcelebrity judges Mayor-President SidEdwards, singer Quintana Lynell, NeighborWorks’ JamesRoss and WAFB’sJohnny Ahysen.

By

Blues and jazz singer Quiana Lynell will be one of the celebrity judges for the first ‘MidCity’sGot Talent’ on Fridaynight.

The selection process yielded seven performers who will entertain the crowd while competing for the $1,000 prize. They are:

n Lynn A. Anselmo, aseasoned songwriter who’s been honing his craft for more than 50 years, and with adeep-rooted passion for music, continues to perform original songs weekly throughout south Louisiana; n Audi, The Artist, who, for over 20 years, has poured her heart into music, with songs spinningonbothdigital platformsand local radio stations; n Chassyd,a vocalist and mother of five, who says music holds aspecial place in her soul;

n Gwenda Phoenix Bourgeois, an accomplished belly dancer whohas diveddeep into thedynamic Bohemian Blade style;

n Issy Mathes, asinger-songwriterblendingalternative rock and soul with raw emotion and lyrical depth, she’salsoleadvocalistofher six-piece band, ISSY; n Randy Martono-Chai (Randy MC), aclassically trained pianist and soulful vocalist who blends the elegance of Western classical music with the energy of pop, R&B and gospel; and n Autumn Percival, 16, who studies theater arts and performance at theNew OrleansCenter forCreative Arts.

All proceeds from “MidCity’s Got Talent” will go to supportMid City Redevelopment Alliance. Tickets are priced at $108.55 and available at MidCityRedevelopment.org.

Mid CityRedevelopmentAlliance is anonprofit organization providing homeownersupport and fosteringcommunity engagement throughits homeownercenter and community building and engagementteam.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate com

Going Underground

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

The countdown is on forthe inaugural Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival, which runs Thursday-Sunday,Aug.

21-24, packed with film screenings, panels,workshops and more.

It all celebrates theartistic and cultural value of the indie andgenre-focused talent surrounding Baton Rouge while also fostering avibrant, interconnected independent film community,according to the BRUFF’smission statement.

“The festival is gearing up to be amagnificent event.Everything is coming together,and nowall we needisyou!” said JoeCarlton,Baton Rouge filmmaker and the festival’s financialdirector. “Join us downtownaswekickoff theresurgence of the indie film spirit in Louisiana.” In the spotlight on Sunday,Aug.

Fromleft,RubyDupré is Rusty, Tori Broussard is Urleen, Annalee Templet is WendyJoand Syndle LeJeune is Ariel in Playmakers of Baton Rouge’sproduction of the musical,‘Footloose.’

24, will be Morgan Cityfilmmaker Matison LeBlanc and her short film, “Ada andthe Doc.”Audiencemembers unfamiliarwith this Louisiana story will,inthe few short minutes, watch theshocking tale unfoldofthe first woman executed in Louisiana in 1929. AdaLeBoeuf and the town physician, Dr.Thomas E. Dreher,were both hanged for the grisly murder of LeBoeuf’s husband, Jim LeBoeuf. Thekillings took place near Lake Palourde, outside Morgan City.

Here, the 24-year-old LeBlanc, who now lives in New Orleans, discusses “Ada,” her ambitious Savannah College of Art andDesign mandatory senior film project. She graduated from SCADin2023. Tell us alittle about the film. So we made what’scalleda proof of concept. Andsoit’skind of like the first 15 minutes of what thefeature would be like, what it

would look like.

And the shortrecently screened at the CannesFilm Festival.How didyou pull that off?

Ihad an internship last year with the American Pavilion in Cannes, a giant film market, you know.Ifound out that they also held an emerging filmmakers competition. So Iapplied for that. And then Ialso won acontest that allowed me to attend the festival asecond time. Interning again, it was like avideo contest where youhad to talk about how the programchangedyourlifeand all that stuff. And Iwon second place. So they covered almost all of it for me to return. And so Ireturned as both afilmmaker and an intern. Igot to intern with Lionsgate, their international sales team, while Iwas there this past May. And thenwe

BY ROBIN MILLER

writer

2D ■ Friday,August 15, 2025 ■ theadvocate.com

*All events take place at the Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St., unless otherwise indicated.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21

n 5 P.M.-6 P.M.: Lobby/Gallery, Baton Rouge Film Trail Ribbon Cutting presented by Visit Baton Rouge

n 6 P.M.-8

P.M.: Lobby/Gallery, Opening Night Gala — Red carpet event (formal attire)

n 8:30 P.M.-10:30 P.M.: Main Theatre, screening of “Schizopolis” from former Baton Rouge director Steven Soderbergh, followed by a Q&A with several of Soderbergh’s collaborators

FRIDAY, AUG. 22

n 11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M: Main Theatre, screening of “Crossword”

n 12:30 P.M.-2 P.M.: Hartley/Vey Theatre, Animation & Documentaries Shorts Block featuring “Candy Lady,” “Glowing Pulse,” “Jan Beaubouef: The Creative Spirit,” “Shakespeare for All Ages, “Gorgeous Journey,” “Amber” and “Relax”

n 12:30 P.M.-1:30 P.M.: Workshop Studio, “From LA to LA — Filmmaking in and from the South,” panel presented by NOVAC

n 2 P.M.-3:30 P.M.: Main Theatre Shorts and Pilots Block, including “R&R,” “BOYS,” “Ayo, Check Up!”, “The Warmest Color Is Blue,” “This Is Us,” “Flavor of the Month” and “Gary Screams for You”

n 2:30 P.M.-4 P.M.: Hartley/Vey “Why We Need a Federal Film Office,” panel presented by Film USA

n 4:30-6 P.M.: Hartley/Vey, “Louisiana Film Tax Incentives — Legislative Updates.” panel presented by Film Louisiana

n 5 P.M.-8 P.M.: Hartley/Vey Workshop Studio, “Directing Independent Films,” workshop presented by NOVAC

n 6 P.M.-8 P.M.: Main Theatre, “Senior Prank” film screening

n 6:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M.: Hartley/Vey Studio Theatre, Student Shorts Block with “Orientation,” “There Are Flowers Outside the Door,” “Lucid,” “When a Doveweed Blooms,” “Contact” and “Cinephiles”

n 8:30 P.M.-10:30 P.M.: Main Theatre, “Off Ramp” screening

n 10 P.M.-12:30 A.M.: Hotel Indigo (hotel sponsor), BRUFF After Hours event

UNDERGROUND

Continued from page 1D

were also screening my film three times twice with Film USA and Katie Pryor, who runs the Baton Rouge Film Commission, orchestrated that; and then once in the emerging filmmakers showcase. What kind of reaction did your film get there?

Oh, it was a great reaction. We even got a standing ovation for one of them. It was very, very well received, especially with how, you know, how young we all are.

I know you’ve done a few different things since graduating Can you elaborate? So fresh out of graduating, stuff was looking a little bleak because the film and TV industry went on strike. There was an entire year where nobody was working because the (Screen) Actors (Guild) and the Writers’ Guild were both on strike, that was the year that I graduated.

I moved home, and then I worked as a barista. So I kind of bounced between different food service jobs, trying to figure out what I was gonna do, how I was supposed to get a job in my field when everything was so slow At the beginning of this year, I moved to New Orleans because the film industry here is usually pretty busy It’s not right now, unfortunately And so there’s kind of this new attitude, which is really good for us, which is like, we can’t wait for Hollywood to bring us work; we have to make it ourselves. And we’ve really been hammering

SATURDAY, AUG. 23

n 10:30 A.M.-NOON: Hartley/Vey “Funding Your Short Film: Crowdfunding, Fiscal Sponsorship & Building Creative Resources,” panel

n 10:30 A.M.-NOON: Main Theatre, Genre Shorts Block with “The Traveler and the Troll,” “Platanero,” “Captain Bartleby,” “Nervous Ellie,” “Indian in the Box” and “Paloquemao: The Vampire Market”

n 11 A.M.-2:30 P.M.: Workshop Studio, “Filmmaking with Puppets,” workshop

n 12:30 P.M.-3 P.M.: Main Theatre, “Time Travel is Dangerous” screening

n 1:30 P.M.-5 P.M.: Hartley/Vey, Panavision Camera Demo, workshop

n 3:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.: Main Theatre, Louisiana Genre Shorts Block with “No One Goes Unseen,” “Holy Roller,” “Red Tops, “TRIP,” “Evangeline” and “Benediction”

n 7:30 P.M.-10 P.M.: Hartley/Vey “Ruggo — A Cinematic Staged Reading,” panel

n 7:30 P.M.-10 P.M.: Main Theatre, “F*CKTOYS” screening, mature audiences only

n 10:30 P.M.-1 A.M.: Main Theatre, Secret Screening (An out of the box experience!)

SUNDAY, AUG. 24

n 10:30 A.M.-1 P.M.: Main Theatre, Louisiana Shorts Block with “Emergency Contact,” “Ruby,” “Hardhead,” “Vice,” “Donor,” “Almost Forgot to Swim” and “Ada and the Doc” n 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.: Workshop Studio, Workforce Development Panel presented by NOVAC n NOON-2:30 P.M.: Hartley/Vey, “Gamma Rays” screening n 1:30 P.M.-4 P.M.: Main Theatre, FanBoy screening n 2:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.: Workshop Studio, Producing Indies Workshop presented by NOVAC n 4 P.M.-5:30 P.M.: Hartley/Vey, “Finance in the Film Industry,” panel n 5 P.M.-6:30 P.M.: Main Theatre, “Re-Election” screening n 8 P.M.-10 P.M.: Main Theatre, BRUFF Awards n 10 P.M.-12:30 A.M.: Main Theatre, Closing Night Party

home our own project for the past year It’s really ramped up progress since going to the Cannes Film Festival in May So we’ve piqued a lot of interest with it. We’re planning to go into production in May 2026. I’m also an early morning radio show producer on Radio Nemo, a satellite radio station, and I’m also a tattoo artist.

I also got to work on Gypsy Rose (Blanchard’s) Lifetime show, on Season 2 and worked on Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show (February Super Bowl in New Orleans) Back to“Ada and the Doc,”growing up,did you hear people talking about or telling you this story? Or how did you first hear about it?

I had no clue about this story, which is why I was so enamored by it. I worked a summer job at the Morgan City Public Library, and one day my boss came in with this old black medical bag full of equipment, and I was digging around in it, and he comes up to me and he is like, ‘You know, you’re touching the bag of a murderer, right?’ And I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And he asked me if I’d ever heard the story of Ada and the Doc.

So he gave me his personal copy, the only book (by Charles M. Hargroder) ever written about the story I read the book and I was fascinated and I was flabbergasted that I had never heard of it because it’s incredibly important and relevant, especially with the climate of everything going on right now.’

Ticket prices to the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival range from $15-$75, with a complete festival pass also available. For more info, visit www batonrougeunderground.com.

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday, Aug. 15, the 227th day of 2025. There are 138 days left in the year

Today in history: On Aug. 15, 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York; more than 460,000 people attended the threeday festival, which would become a watershed event in American music and culture.

Also on this date: In 1057, Macbeth, King of Scots, was killed in battle by Malcolm, the eldest son of King Duncan, whom Macbeth had slain.

In 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened as the SS Ancon crossed the just-completed waterway between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

THEATER

Continued from page 1D

the Louisiana Shakespeare Company’s “The Tempest” and Sullivan Theater’s comedy, “Noises Off!”.

This means there are lots of options this week in local live theater, beginning with a 25-member cast to kick off Playmakers’ 43rd season.

‘Footloose’

Yes, 25 kids make up Playmakers’ cast for “Footloose,” where teens even play the adult parts. So, don’t be startled at seeing 14-yearold University High freshman Grayson Morgan in the role of the Rev Shaw Moore.

“I feel like I’m an older person in a young person’s body,” the Playmakers veteran said.

“That’s what we tell him, too,” director Joni Duhe said.

Other cast members in the room laugh. Most of them have seen the original 1984 film on which the musical is based. Some have even seen the 2011 remake, to which they give less than glowing reviews.

It’s the original movie they like best, and the musical not only follows its story but includes songs from the original soundtrack, including “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and, of course, the title track, “Footloose.”

Along with Morgan, the play features 16-year-old Connor Swillie, a sophomore at Episcopal High School, as Red; 15-year-old Syndle LeJeune, a junior at Baton Rouge Magnet High School, as Ariel; 14-year-old Donovan Clark a freshman at Zachary High School, as Willard; 16-year-old Ruby Dupré, a junior at Baton Rouge Magnet, as Rusty; 17-year-old Tori Broussard, a senior at Liberty Magnet High School, as Urleen; and 14-year-old Annalee Templet, a freshman at University High School, as Wendy Jo.

“This has been one of our most close-knit casts at Playmakers,” Duhe said. “I think that little sense of community we’ve built over the years has led up to this show, and it’s been fun to watch them. I’ve been doing Playmakers since 2018, and I’ve known some of these kids since they’ve been little bitty.”

The sense of community will spill over into the story as Ren and the Rev Shaw come to terms, bonding as they realize that each has suffered loss and neither has all the answers Performances for “Footloose” are 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. SaturdaySunday; 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22; and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Aug. 23-24, in the Reilly Theatre, Tower Drive, LSU. Tickets are $20 for students and children and $30 for

In 1947, India gained independence after nearly 200 years of British rule.

In 1961, as workers began constructing a Berlin Wall made of concrete, East German soldier Conrad Schumann leapt to freedom over a tangle of barbed wire.

In 1989, F.W. de Klerk was sworn in as acting president of South Africa, one day after P.W. Botha resigned because of a power struggle within the National Party

In 1998, 29 people were killed by a car bomb that tore apart the center of Omagh, Northern Ireland; a splinter group calling itself the Real IRA claimed responsibility

In 2003, bouncing back from the largest blackout in U.S. history, cities from the Midwest to Man-

hattan restored power to tens of millions of people. Today’s birthdays: Actor Jim Dale is 90. Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 87. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is 87. Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 81. Songwriter Jimmy Webb

adults. Visit playmakersbr.org

‘The Tempest’ Louisiana is in the peak of hurricane season, and there’s a Shakespeare story for that.

The bard was familiar with vicious storms, and one with hurricane strength winds will take center stage on Friday when the Louisiana Shakespeare Company opens “The Tempest” in the Virginia & John Noland Black Box Studio at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center

The timing couldn’t be more perfect.

“So, when we were talking about doing ‘The Tempest,’ the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina was in the back of my mind,” Executive and Artistic Director Jennifer Bouquet said. The Tempest’ is all about a storm that causes a shipwreck and maroons people on an island. So, there are a lot of feelings of being left behind or marooned, figuratively and betrayed. There’s also a small love story in it, and in the end, it’s about coming together and forgiveness.”

The theme mirrors the emotions many in New Orleans and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast were feeling in the wake of the hurricane.

“We really wanted to like put ‘The Tempest’ in a storm-ravaged city, but we’re not specifically saying it’s Katrina,” Bouquet said. “But we know because there have been hurricanes that have decimated not just New Orleans but all other parts of the Gulf Coastal South, we decided to set it in a modern day damaged city.”

The story opens with powerful sorcerer Pospero, who uses his magic to conjure a tempestuous storm that lands all of his sea-traveling enemies on an island. From there, he engineers situations to force his enemies to face their misdeeds and sins.

Shakespeare wrote the play between 1610 and 1611, and it’s believed to be one of the last works

he wrote alone.

The cast features Shane Stewart as Stephano, Antoni Rogers as Ariel, Timmie Callais as Prospero, Carlyle Runfalo as Antonio, Julie Roundtree as Sebastian and Chad Harelson as Alonso.

Performances of the Louisiana Shakespeare Company’s production of “The Tempest” are 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug 22-23, in the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St. Ferdinand St. Tickets are $26.50. Visit lashakes.org ‘Noises Off!’

Sullivan Theater in Central offers up some comic relief to counter the August heat with its production of Michael Frayn’s play within a play, “Noises Off!”. Madalyn Mullins directs this three-act show which centers on a theater company’s 10-week run of a farce titled “Nothing On.” The production deteriorates as cast relationships sour, devolving into a hilarious show of improvisation. Called “the funniest farce ever written,” “Noises Off” presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called “Nothing On.” Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play

The play opens with a touring company dress-rehearsing the conventional farce. Mixing mockery and homage, Frayn heaps into this play-within-a-play a hilarious melee of stock characters and situations. “Noises Off” is intended for adult audiences, with strong language, comedic sexual themes, and staged violence. Parental guidance is advised.

Performances of “Noises Off!” are 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday Aug. 23; and 2 p.m. Sunday Aug. 24, at Sullivan Theater, 8849 Sullivan Road, Central. Tickets are $23-$29. Visit sullivantheater.com

7:30 p.m., Manship Theatre’s Hartley/Vey Studio Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. A night filled with unscripted hilarity and surprises. Rated R-ish due to improv content. $14 manshiptheatre.org.

FRIDAY NIGHT LECTURE:

7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., BREC’s Highland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road. Skygazing tips, physics phenomena, space programs and famous events are covered. For ages 14 and older. Free. hrpo.lsu.edu. Also, evening sky viewing from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

SATURDAY

RED STICK FARMERS MAR-

KET: 8 a.m. to noon, Fifth and Main streets, downtown. Farm-fresh produce, goods, cooking demonstrations. breada.org.

FAMILY-HOUR STARGAZ-

ING: 10 a.m., Irene W Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Learn about the stars and constellations in the local nighttime sky followed by an all-ages show. lasm.org.

MUSIC EXPLORATION DAY: 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana, 2041 Silverside Drive. Familyfriendly event welcoming individuals of all ages and abilities for a day of music-based activities, special acoustic performances and talent showcases. Presented by BR Music Studios, in partnership with EAL. $10. eventbrite.com.

TUESDAY RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 3 p.m.-6 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Farmfresh produce, goods, cooking demonstrations breada.org.

TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 18303 Perkins Road. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom.ly/y-CKtQ4

WEDNESDAY RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 9 a.m. to noon, ExxonMobil YMCA, 7711 Howell Blvd. Farm-fresh produce, goods and more www.facebook.com/redstickfarmersmarket

TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 27350 Crossing Circle, Suite 150, Denham Springs. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom.ly/y-CKtQ4

THURSDAY RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 8 a.m. to noon, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce, goods and more facebook.com/redstickfarmersmarket.

WEEKLY SOCIAL BIKE RIDE: 7 p.m., Geaux Ride, 521 N. Third St., Suite A. Free. https://fareharbor.com.

TRIVIA NIGHT: 7 p.m., Bayes Oyster Bar, 315 North Blvd. Test your trivia skills with your friends and family. Free.

ONGOING ART GUILD OF LOUISIANA: Independence Park Theatre, 7800 Independence Blvd. “55th Annual River Road Show,” a national, juried show, Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, through Sept. 23. Reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 21. (225) 773-8020 or artguildlouisiana.org.

BATON ROUGE GALLERY CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: 1515 Dalrymple Drive. Group exhibit by Mary Ann Caffery, Jessica Sharpe, Michaelene Walsh and Beth Welch, through August. batonrougegallery.org.

CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM: 660 N. Fourth St. “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend,” through Jan. 10.

“Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation” and “The Louisiana Experience: Discovering the Soul of America,” permanent exhibits. (225) 342-5428 or louisianastatemuseum org. CARY SAURAGE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER SHELL GALLERY: 233 St. Ferdinand St. “Dress Rehearsal,” invitational group exhibition featuring seven master of fine arts candidates from LSU and Tulane University, through Aug. 22. Artists’ reception 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. artsbr.org.

ELIZABETHAN GALLERY: 680 Jefferson Highway Call (225) 924-6437 or follow the gallery’s Facebook page.

LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE

MUSEUM: 100 S. River Road. “Threads of Evolution: Engineering a Community That Sparkles,” engineering meets imagination through the work of Jaime Glas Odom, founder and creative director of fashion brand Queen of Sparkles, through Nov. 9. “Discoveries on the Nile: Exploring King Tut’s Tomb and the Amin Egyptian Collection,” through Oct. 31. (225) 344-5272 or lasm.

org.

LSU MUSEUM OF ART: Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. “Carved and Crafted: The Art of Letterpress,” through Sept. 21. (225) 389-7200 or lsumoa.org.

MANSHIP THEATRE GALLERY: 100 Lafayette St.

“Michalopoulos: Happy Times, Summer in the City,” through Oct. 10. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

LSU TEXTILE & COSTUME MUSEUM: Human Ecology Building, Tower Drive, LSU campus. “Color Me Fash-

ion,” more than 45 looks with related accessories spanning approximately 100 years of fashion history from c. 1890 to 1990. Exhibit runs through Friday. (225) 578-5992 or email textile@lsu.edu.

MAGNOLIA MOUND MUSEUM + HISTORIC SITE: 2161 Nicholson Drive. Guided and self-guided tours. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. brec.org/facility/ MagnoliaMound.

OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION: 502 North Blvd. Open for tours. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MondayFriday. Free admission. oldgovernorsmansion. com.

OLD STATE CAPITOL: 100 North Blvd. “Contemporary Views of the Castellated Capitol,” exhibit celebrating the 175th anniversary of the OSC and featuring the works of 19 well-known Louisiana artists. Opening reception, including tours, 4:30 p.m.7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21. Free. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.

USS KIDD VETERANS MUSEUM: 305 S. River Road. Displays of a variety of artifacts that celebrate veteran and naval military history. Note: Vessel is in Houma for dry dock repairs. usskidd.com.

WEST BATON ROUGE

MUSEUM: 845 N. Jefferson Ave., Port Allen. “Radbwa ê tire tik-layé: The Art of Jonathan Mayers,” through Oct. 12. (225) 3362422 or westbatonrougemuseum.org.

Compiled by Judy Bergeron. Have an open-to-the-public event you’d like to promote? Email details to red@theadvocate. com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday for the following Friday’s paper

FRIDAY MATT HOLT: City Café, 5:30 p.m.

SOUTH OF CENTRAL: Papi’s Fajita Factory Watson, 6 p.m.

ERIC BASKIN DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 6 p.m.

CAM PYLE: Tallulah at The Renaissance, 6 p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: T’Quilas, Zachary, 6 p.m.

HISTORICAL HAPPY HOUR FEATURING FA-

VORITE FRIEND: West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen, 6 p.m.

PEYTON FALGOUST: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 6 p.m.

MIKE ESNEAULT: Stab’s Restaurant, 6 p.m

DON POURCIAU & KONSPIRACY: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

KYBALION: Pedro’sSiegen, 6 p.m.

DRAMA KINGS: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

TROUBADOURS: Court To Table, 6 p.m.

VICTORIA LEA: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

THE DRUNK UNCLES: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

TOBY TOMPLAY DUO: Crowne Plaza, 7 p.m.

STUDIO4: Curbside Burgers, 7 p.m.

CHRIS LEBLANC: Bin 77, 7 p.m.

BUBBA PLAUCHÉ: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

RHETT GUILLOT: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

ACOUSTICRATS: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.

KEEPIN’ TIME BAND: Charlie’s Lounge, Addis, 8 p.m.

SUBFLUENCE: Phil Brady’s, 8 p.m.

FLOYD BROWN BAND

FEATURING JODY MAYEUX: Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill, Denham Springs, 8 p.m.

SHADOW ROAD: Court To Table, 8:30 p.m.

BRIAN RITTENHOUSE: Moonlight Inn, French Settlement, 9 p.m.

DOWNBEAT LOUISIANA: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge, 9 p.m.

SAM FORSHEY BLUES BAND: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 9 p.m.

THE DUPONT BROTHERS: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.

RUSTY YATES TRIO: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

MICHAEL GIBNEY: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m.

IAN WEBSTER DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5:30 p.m.

KAITLYN WALLACE

DUO: Agave Blue, Gonzales, 6 p.m.

BRYAN ROMANO: T’Quilas, Zachary, 6 p.m.

OLD DAWGS: T’Quilas Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

FLOYD BROWN BAND

FEATURING JODY MAYEUX: Pedro’s-Siegen, 6 p.m.

ARNETT HAYES: Stab’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

TAYLOR RAE: Court To Table, 6 p.m.

STONE SOBER: Papi’s Fajita Factory, Watson, 6 p.m.

CORDON BLUEZ BAND: Blue Iguana, 6 p.m.

DERRICK LEMON: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

CHRIS OCMAND: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

SHANE MADERE & LAURIE GRIMES: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

WALT WHITAKER: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.

LOVE NOTES: Oxbow Rum Distillery, 7 p.m.

BRIAN & THE BANDITS: Just Wingin It, 7 p.m.

GRAND COUNTRY

JUNCTION: Suma Crossing Theatre, Satsuma, 7 p.m.

CAKE MIXX: Bin 77, 7 p.m.

MATT TORTORICH: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

REANIMATION/THE

CLINCHER: The Basin Music Hall, 8 p.m.

SHOT TIME: Court To Table, 8:30 p.m.

DOWNBEAT LOUISIANA: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St. Amant, 9 p.m.

SPANK THE MONKEY: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 9 p.m.

DAMON KING & BO

JAMISON: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 9 p.m.

LA GROOVE: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.

BRENT ARMSTRONG: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY KENDALL SHAFFER: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 10:30 a.m.

ROBERT CALMES: Cocha, 11 a.m.

LONGNECK LITE: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 11 a.m.

JUSTIN BURDETTE TRIO: Superior Grill MidCity, 11 a.m.

ASHLEY ORLANDO AND JOHN AUTIN: Jubans, 11 a.m.

ERIC WHITFIELD: Crowne Plaza, 11 a.m.

SETH LECOQ: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m.

ERIC GAUTREAUX: Red Stick Social, noon

CAJUN MUSIC JAM WITH JONNO FRISHBERG AND KATIE REES: West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen, 3 p.m

SONGWRITER SUNDAYS: La Divina Italian Café, 5 p.m.

GEORGE BELL AND FRIENDS: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge, 6:30 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 7 p.m

MONDAY

JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Superior Grill MidCity, 6 p.m

ACOUSTICRATS: Phil Brady’s, 6 p.m.

NICK PERKINS: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY CAM PYLE: Superior Grill MidCity, 6 p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS NIGHT: Phil Brady’s, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

TAYLOR RAE: BLDG 5, 5:30 p.m. CAM PYLE: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 5:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs,

6

p.m. TREY MORGAN: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

ED PERKINS & FRIENDS: Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 6:30 p.m. KIRK HOLDER: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS

THURSDAY

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Set the stage for success and dominate situations that require leadership. To stay in control, you must first take hold of whatever you face and combat problems with solutions.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Compromise if necessary, and you will make headway. Lending a helping hand will position you for a pleasant surprise or reunion with someone special. A trip, seminar or networking event looks promising.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Pick up the pace and apply what you know to get things done on time Set a budget, get organized and work diligently to ensure you achieve the success you desire.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Pay more attention to what you do and how you do it, and less to conversations that tug on your emotions and throw you off course. Personal improvements that lead to knowledge, growth and validation are favored.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Spend more time at home; fix up your space to suit your needs, declutter and lower your overhead by upgrading and replacing faulty equipment Avoid emotional drama.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Domestic changes will place you in a better financial position. Make special plans with someone you adore, and it will bring you closer together. Don't shy away from opportunities.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Your interest in money will mount as you focus more

on investing in something you want to pursue. A change at home can lead to positive results and increased financial flexibility.

PIscEs (Feb 20-March 20) Sit tight and watch. A social event that allows you to reconnect with people from your past will offer insight into how to use your skills more effectively to boost your finances.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Reorganize your thoughts about your professional direction. Refuse to let negativity cause you to disengage. Get involved, take on problems and be true to yourself.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Decline invitations that don't appeal to you, cost too much or involve indulgent practices. The peace of mind you gain from wiping your slate clean will be well worth it.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Listen, verify information and focus on victory. You have plenty to gain if you are willing to make changes on the fly. Be the powerhouse you are and soar to the forefront.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Take an interest in what's happening in your neighborhood and volunteer to help. The people you meet and the information you gather will help you make better lifestyle choices.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, Inc. dist.

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's cLuE: G EQuALs c

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers1 to 9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Michel de Montaigne, a 16th-century French essayist who was well-known for combining intellectual exercises with casualanecdotes,said,“Inninelifetimes, you’ll never know as much about your cat as your cat knows about you.”

In bridge, nines (and 10s) can be valuable cards. If your hand has several of these intermediates, as they are known, be optimistic in the bidding. In this deal, South is in five diamonds. What should he do after taking the heart-queen lead with his ace?

North made a game-invitational limit raise. South’s decision to plunge into five diamonds worked well. If he had rebid a scientific three hearts, trying to reach three no-trump, West might have deduced that his opponents were weak in spades and led that suit. Then five diamonds would have failed.

South has three potential losers: two spades and one club. He has 10 winners: two hearts, six diamonds and two clubs. So it seems as though he needs the club finesse to work. However, South can improve those odds considerably.

Declarer should draw trumps, cash his secondheartwinner,andcastadriftwith a spade. The defenders take two tricks in the suit ending with West. (If East is on lead, he must either play into dummy’s club king-jack tenace or concede a ruffand-sluff.) When West shifts to a club, South plays low from the dummy. Here, East has to put up the queen, so the contract is home. But if East can play the 10, declarer still has the

By Andrews McMeel Syndication