The Advocate 08-22-2025

Specialsession to redraw congressionalmap eyed

to keep their schedules flexible as legislativeleadersprepare for apossible special session.

Louisianalawmakers preparing forSupreme Courtdecision

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

AU.S. Supreme Courtruling laterthis year in ahighly anticipated redistricting case could change the rulesfor how Louisiana draws its voting maps for Congress —and if it does, legislative leaders are readying for apotential special session House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, REunice, on Tuesday sent atext message to House memberstelling them to keep their schedules flexible between Oct. 23 and Nov.13.

“Hewants us to be prepared,” saidstate Rep. Beau Beaullieu, aNew Iberia Republican who chairs thecommittee that wouldoversee aredistricting effort. “He started letting membersknow today,just to putitonyourradar, just in case.”

“I don’tthink anything is adefinite at this point,” he said Tuesday Beaullieu notedthat oral arguments before the Supreme Court are scheduled for Oct. 15, and it’snot possible to know howthe high court will rule or what type of action lawmakers would have to take as aresult.Atthe sametime, there’s only anarrow window for aspecial sessionbetweenthatOctoberdateand when lawmakers start to become unavailable

withthe holidays.

“Wewanttolet theprocess playout with theSupreme Court,”hesaid. “There’s alot we don’tknow,and so Ithink this is just our way of being put on notice that we might have to take some action.”

DeVillieronTuesday confirmed he wantsstate lawmakers to be prepared to go into aspecial session should that be needed pending the outcome of the Supreme Court redistricting case, but he declined to commentfurther Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter,who chairs the Senatecommittee that handlesredistricting, said that if “Gov.Landry calls us

ä See SESSION, page 7A

City hasbeenrenting spacefrom Fire Department

BYIANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

St. George Mayor Dustin Yates is all moved in at the new City Hall building and expects other local governmentleaders will follow him in the next fewweeks.

Yatessaidthe city is still holding meetings at the St. George FireDepartment but will start meeting in its Proverbs Avenue building as early as September.Yates said he searched foranapt home forthe cityfor a long period of timebut struggled to find abuilding that required minimalmodifications, withlessthana 10-year lease.

“At the endofthe day, you’repaying to improve someone else’sstructure,” he said. Modifications to the new City Hall include painting andcleaning the carpets. YatessaidinJunethatthe building near Coursey andSherwood Forest boulevards maynot house the municipal government forthe long run.

“As we build the city and things evolve over time, Iwould venture that we’ll be in thisbuilding forsome time,” Yates said.

The city of St. George purchased

Trumpadministrationreviewing all55million U.S. visas

Violations could lead to deportation

BY MATTHEW LEE AP diplomatic writer

WASHINGTON The Trump administration said Thursday it is reviewing more than 55 million

people who have valid U.S. visas for any violations thatcould lead to deportation, part of agrowing crackdownonforeigners who are permitted tobeinthe United States.

In awritten answer to aquestion from The Associated Press, theState Department said all U.S. visa holders, which can include

ä Crackdownhas D.C. residents on edge PAGE 9A

tourists from many countries,are subject to“continuous vetting,” with an eye toward any indication they could be ineligible for permissiontoenterorstayinthe United States.

Should such information be found, the visa will be revoked, and if the visa holder is in the United States, he or she would be subject todeportation.

The U.S. also will stop issuing worker visasfor commercial truck drivers, SecretaryofState Marco Rubio said Thursday on X. He said the change was effective immedi-

ately

“The increasing numberofforeign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercuttingthe livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio posted. The department did not

ä See VISAS, page 6A

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Bodies found hidden at Colo. funeral home

DENVER State inspectors in Colorado found decomposing bodies behind a hidden door in a funeral home operated by a county coroner, who told them he may have given fake ashes to relatives who had sought cremations, authorities disclosed Thursday

The bodies were discovered Wednesday in a room behind a door hidden by a cardboard display during an inspection of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, about 110 miles south of Denver Inspectors found a “strong odor of decomposition” after arriving at the business, and Brian Cotter, an owner of the mortuary and the county coroner, had asked them not to enter the room, according to a document from state regulators.

For years, Colorado had some of the weakest rules for funeral homes in the nation, with no routine inspections or qualification requirements for funeral home operators That has allowed numerous abuses, including a pending case involving nearly 200 decomposing bodies that were found stored at room temperature in a building in Penrose, Colorado, about 30 miles from Pueblo.

Attack destroys trucks carrying food in Sudan

UNITED NATIONS — A drone attack on a U.N. convoy set fire to all 16 trucks carrying desperately needed food to Sudan’s faminehit North Darfur region and destroyed all the vehicles, the United Nations said Thursday.

U.N. associate spokesperson Daniela Gross told reporters that all drivers and personnel traveling with the World Food Program convoy are safe.

Gross said it was not yet clear who was responsibility for Wednesday’s attack, the second in the past three months to prevent a U.N. convoy from delivering to North Dafur In early June, a convoy from the World Food Program and UNICEF was attacked while awaiting clearance to proceed to North Darfur’s besieged capital, el-Fasher, killing five people and injuring several others.

Sudan plunged into conflict in April 2023, when violence sparked by long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including western Darfur Some 40,000 people have been killed and nearly 13 million displaced, U.N agencies say Nearly 25 million people are experiencing acute hunger, Gross said.

Lil Nas X jailed in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES Rapper Lil Nas X was arrested and briefly taken to a hospital for a suspected overdose Thursday after Los Angeles police say he charged at officers responding to a report of a naked man walking on a busy boulevard. Lil Nas X, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor obstructing an officer and was being held in jail.

Officers found him walking on the normally very busy Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City neighborhood shortly before 6 a.m., Los Angeles police spokesman Officer Charles Miller said. After charging at arriving police, he was taken into custody, but the officers, suspecting a drug overdose, took him to a hospital first, Miller said. There was no further word on his condition, but he was released from the hospital and taken to jail after just a few hours.

Video obtained by TMZ appeared to show him on the street wearing only underwear and boots.

CORRECTION

A story in The Advocate Wednesday about an internal memo in which Baton Rouge officials raised concerns about the soaring cost of a federal housing project incorrectly said that two other projects used as price comparisons were also government funded. Those two were privately funded. The Advocate regrets the error

a judge’s finding that he engaged in fraud.

N.Y. court tosses fraud penalty against Trump

BY JENNIFER PELTZ and MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press

NEW YORK A New York appeals court on Thursday threw out President Donald Trump’s massive financial penalty while narrowly upholding a judge’s finding that he engaged in fraud by exaggerating his wealth for decades. The ruling spares Trump from a potential half-billion-dollar fine but bans him and his two eldest sons from serving in corporate leadership for a few years.

Trump, in a social media post, claimed “total victory” in the case, which stemmed from a civil lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James

“I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision that was hurting Business all throughout New York State,” the Republican wrote James, a Democrat, focused on the parts of the decision that went her way, saying in a statement that it “affirmed the wellsupported finding of the trial court: Donald Trump, his company, and two of his children are liable for fraud.”

The ruling came seven months after Trump returned to the White House, his political fortunes unimpeded by the civil fraud judgment, a criminal conviction and other legal blows. A sharply divided panel of five judges in the

Erin

state’s midlevel Appellate Division couldn’t agree on many issues raised in Trump’s appeal, but a majority said the monetary penalty was “excessive.”

A lower-court judge, Arthur Engoron, had ordered Trump last year to pay $355 million in penalties after finding that he flagrantly padded financial statements provided to lenders and insurers. With interest, the sum has topped $515 million. Additional penalties for executives at his company the Trump Organization, including sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., have brought the total to $527 million with interest

“While harm certainly occurred, it was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billiondollar award” to the state, Judges Dianne Renwick and Peter Moulton wrote in one of three opinions shaping the appeals court’s ruling. They called the penalty “an excessive fine that violates the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution.” Both were appointed by Democratic governors.

Engoron’s other punishments, upheld by the appeals court, have been on pause during Trump’s appeal, and the president was able to hold off collection of the money by posting a $175 million bond.

Donald Trump Jr celebrated the decision by mocking James, who had periodically posted a running tally of the fraud penalty, with interest. Over a post from James in Feb-

ruary 2024, when the tally was nearly $465 million, Trump Jr wrote: “I believe you mean $0.00. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

The five-judge panel, which split on the merits of the lawsuit and Engoron’s fraud finding, dismissed the monetary penalty in its entirety while also leaving a pathway for an appeal to the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals In the meantime, Trump and his co-defendants, the judges wrote can seek to extend the pause to prevent any punishments from taking effect.

While the Appellate Division dispatches most appeals in a few pages in a matter of weeks, the judges weighing Trump’s case took nearly 11 months to rule after oral arguments last fall and issued 323 pages of concurring and dissenting opinions with no majority Rather, some judges endorsed parts of their colleagues’ findings while denouncing others, enabling the court to rule. Two judges wrote that they felt James’ lawsuit was justifiable and that she had proven her case but the penalty was too severe. One wrote that James exceeded her legal authority in bringing the suit, saying that if any lenders felt cheated, they could have sued Trump themselves, and none did. Another wrote that Engoron erred by ruling before the trial that James had proven Trump engaged in fraud.

stirs dangerous waves, moves away from East Coast

BY ALLEN G. BREED and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

RODANTHE, N.C. — Hurricane Erin kicked up big waves Thursday along the mid-Atlantic coast and began a slow march out to sea after pelting North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and swells that flooded a few places on the barrier islands.

The storm will continue to bring the threat of dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding into the weekend from the Carolinas to New England even as forecasters predict it will gradually weaken. Despite being twice the size of an average hurricane, Erin so far has managed to thread the needle through the Atlantic between the East Coast and several island nations, limiting its destructiveness.

Damage assessments were still underway on the Outer Banks and more flooding could come during high tide Thursday

evening, but it appeared the low-lying islands dodged widespread trouble during its initial brush with Erin on Wednesday

Tropical storm warnings remained active along the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia and the island of Bermuda, where residents and tourists were told to stay out of the water through Friday

Coastal communities along the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast may see tropicalstorm-force wind gusts through early Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Beaches were closed to swimming Thursday in New York City but that didn’t stop more than a dozen surfers from taking on the waves at Rockaway Beach in Queens. Scott Klossner, who lives nearby, said conditions were great for experienced surfers.

“You wait all year round for these kinds of waves. It’s challenging, really

Russian attack in Ukraine hits American factory

BY SAMYA KULLAB and ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine Russia launched a rare drone and missile attack on western Ukraine overnight, officials said Thursday, striking targets including an Americanowned electronics plant and injecting further uncertainty into the U.S.-led efforts to end the three-year-old war

The aerial assault on a part of Ukraine that has largely avoided such focused attacks was one of Russia’s biggest this year and came amid Moscow’s objections to key aspects of proposals that could end the fighting following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of its neighbor

President Donald Trump discussed the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week before hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House on Monday Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted “enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex,” including drone factories, storage depots, missile launch sites and areas where Ukrainian troops were gathered. Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilian areas of Ukraine.

But in a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote that “the Russians practically burned down an American company producing electronics — home appliances, nothing military.”

“The Russians knew exactly where they lobbed the missiles. We believe this was a deliberate attack against American property and investments in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy wrote, adding: “Telling attack, right as the world awaits a clear answer

from Russia on negotiations to end the war.”

Trump last month questioned Putin’s commitment to ending the war, saying the Russian leader “talks nice and then he bombs everybody.”

In a social media post Thursday, Trump criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for not providing Ukraine with more weaponry it needs to “fight back.”

“It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invaders country,” Trump said. “It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offensive. There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia.”

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Trump is considering changes to the types of weapons the U.S will provide to Kyiv Russia has fired nearly 1,000 long-range drones and missiles at Ukraine since Monday’s White House talks, according to Ukrainian tallies.

European countries are discussing how they can deploy military assets to deter any postwar Russian assault on Ukraine But the Kremlin won’t accept the deployment of any troops from NATO countries, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that making security arrangements for Ukraine without Moscow’s involvement was pointless. Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy to discuss peace terms, Lavrov said Thursday, but only after key issues have been worked out by senior officials in what could be a protracted negotiating process because the two sides remain far apart.

Ukrainian soldiers train Tuesday near Kharkiv, Ukraine.

hard to stay in one place because there’s a heavy, heavy, heavy rip,” he said. “But this is what surfers want — a hurricane that comes but doesn’t destroy my house? I’ll take that.”

Waves as high as 15 feet were expected to roll into the coasts of Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard from deeper waters Thursday night. High winds were forecast to stick around into Friday morning.

Coastal erosion was a big worry in many beachfront communities. In North Carolina, waves were estimated as high as 18 feet Thursday morning, according to local weather reports.

The Outer Banks essentially sand dunes sticking out of the ocean a few feet above sea level — are especially vulnerable. Storm surges can cut through the dunes, washing tons of sand and debris onto the road and sometimes breaking up pavement and creating new inlets.

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California to hold special election on redistricting

Governor signs bill calling for House map redraw to counter Texas

BY SOPHIE AUSTIN, TRÂN NGUYEN and NICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif California voters will decide in November whether to approve a redrawn congressional map designed to help Democrats win five more U.S. House seats next year, after Texas Republicans advanced their own redrawn map to pad their House majority by the same number of seats at President Donald Trump’s urging. California lawmakers voted mostly along party lines Thursday to approve legislation calling for the special election. Democratic Gov Gavin Newsom, who has led the campaign in favor of the map, then quickly signed it — the latest step in a tit-fortat gerrymandering battle

“This is not something six weeks ago that I ever imagined that I’d be doing,” Newsom said at a news conference, pledging a campaign for the measure that would reach out to Democrats, Republicans and independent voters

“This is a reaction to an assault on our democracy in Texas.” Republicans, who have filed a lawsuit and called for a federal investigation into the plan, promised to fight the measure at the ballot box as well.

California Assemblyman James Gallagher, the Repub-

California Assembly member Sade Elhawary, D-Los Angeles,

a news conference in Sacramento, Calif.,

measures to

special election.

lawmakers

the state’s congressional

lican minority leader, said Trump was “wrong” to push for new Republican seats elsewhere contending the president was just responding to Democratic gerrymandering in other states. But he warned that Newsom’s approach, which the governor has dubbed “fight fire with fire,” was dangerous.

“You move forward fighting fire with fire and what happens?” Gallagher asked.

“You burn it all down.” In Texas, the Republicancontrolled state Senate was scheduled to vote on a map Thursday night. After that, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature will be all that is needed to make the map official It’s part of Trump’s effort to stave off an expected loss of the GOP’s majority in the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections.

On a national level, the partisan makeup of existing districts puts Democrats within three seats of a majority The incumbent president’s party usually loses congressional seats in the midterms.

rymandering, only using race to redraw district lines. Texas Republicans embraced that when their House of Representatives passed its revision Wednesday

2008 ballot measure that established California’s nonpartisan redistricting commission, along with the 2010 one that extended its role to drawing congressional maps

Democrats have sought a national commission that would draw lines for all states but have been unable to pass legislation creating that system.

Trump’s midterm redistricting ploy has shifted Democrats.

That was clear in California, where Newsom was one of the members of his party who backed the initial redistricting commission ballot measures, and where Assemblyman Joshua Lowenthal, whose father, Rep. Alan Lowenthal, was another Democratic champion of a nonpartisan commission, presided over the state Assembly’s passage of the redistricting package. Newsom on Thursday con-

tended his state was still setting a model.

“We’ll be the first state in U.S. history, in the most democratic way, to submit to the people of our state the ability to determine their own maps,” Newsom said before signing the legislation.

Former President Barack Obama, who’s also backed a nationwide nonpartisan approach, has also backed Newsom’s bid to redraw the California map, saying it was a necessary step to stave off the GOP’s Texas move.

“I think that approach is a smart, measured approach,” Obama said Tuesday during a fundraiser for the Democratic Party’s main redistricting arm, noting that California voters will still have the final say on the map. The measure would have the California map last only through 2030, after which the state’s commission would draw the next decade’s map.

The president has pushed other Republican-controlled states including Indiana and Missouri to also revise their maps to add more winnable GOP seats. Ohio Republicans were also already scheduled to revise their maps to make them more partisan.

Redistricting typically occurs once a decade, immediately after a census. While some states have their own limitations, there is no national impediment to a state trying to redraw districts in the middle of the decade.

The U.S Supreme Court has also said the Constitution does not outlaw partisan ger-

“The underlying goal of this plan is straight forward: improve Republican political performance,” state Rep. Todd Hunter, the Republican who wrote the bill revising Texas’ maps, said.

On Thursday, California Democrats noted Hunter’s comments and said they had to take extreme steps to counter the Republican move “What do we do, just sit back and do nothing? Or do we fight back?” Democratic state Sen. Lena Gonzalez said. “This is how we fight back and protect our democracy.”

Republicans and some Democrats championed the

Parole board denies release for Erik Menendez

Him, his brother in prison for 1989 murder of parents

BY JAIMIE DING Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

— Erik Menendez was denied parole Thursday after serving decades in prison for murdering his parents with his older brother in 1989.

A panel of two California commissioners denied Menendez parole for three years, after which he will be eligible again, in a case that continues to fascinate the public A parole hearing for his brother Lyle Menendez, who is being held at the same prison in San Diego, is scheduled for Friday morning

The two commissioners determined that Menendez should not be freed after an all-day hearing during which they questioned him about why he committed the crime and violated prison rules. They rejected parole despite strong support from family members who have advocated for the brothers’ release for months.

“Two things can be true. They can love and forgive you, and you can still be

found unsuitable for parole,” commissioner Robert Barton said.

Barton said the primary reason for the decision was not the seriousness of the crime but Menendez’s behavior in prison.

The parole hearings marked the closest they have come to winning freedom since their convictions almost 30 years ago for murdering their parents.

The brothers were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for fatally shooting their father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. While defense attorneys argued that the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers sought a multimilliondollar inheritance.

A judge reduced their sentences in May, and they became immediately eligible for parole

Erik Menendez made his case to two parole commissioners, offering his most detailed account in years of how he was raised, why he made the choices he did, and how he transformed in prison. He noted the hearing fell almost exactly 36 years

after he killed his parents — on Aug. 20, 1989.

“Today is August 21st. Today is the day that all of my victims learned my parents were dead. So today is the anniversary of their trauma journey,” he said, referring to his family members.

The state corrections department chose a single reporter to watch the videoconference and share details with the rest of the press.

Menendez, gray-haired and spectacled, sat in front of a computer screen wearing a blue T-shirt over a white long-sleeve shirt in a photo shared by officials.

Thepanelofcommissioners scrutinized every rules violation and fight on his lengthy prison record, including allegations that he worked with a prison gang, bought drugs, used cellphones and helped with a tax scam.

He told commissioners that since he had no hope of ever getting out then, he prioritized protecting himself over following the rules. Then last fall, Los Angeles prosecutors asked a judge to resentence him and his brother — opening the door to parole.

“In November of 2024, now the consequences mattered,” Menendez said. “Now the

consequences meant I was destroying my life.”

A particular sticking point for the commissioners was his use of cellphones.

Netanyahuto push aheadwithGazaCitytakeover

Israeli leader also planstorestart talkswithHamas

BY WAFAA SHURAFA, SALLYABOUALJOUD and MELANIE LIDMAN Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he will give final approval for the takeover of Gaza City while also restarting negotiations with Hamas aimed at returning all the remaining hostages and ending the war on Israel’sterms.

Thewide-scale operationin Gaza City could startwithin days. Netanyahu’sapproval was expected during ameeting with senior security officials late Thursday,but no decision was announced before midnight in Jerusalem.

Hamas said earlier this week that it had agreed to aceasefire proposal from Arab mediators, which —ifaccepted by Israel —could forestall the offensive.

The Israeli military has begun calling medicalofficials and international organizations in the northern Gaza Strip to encourage them to evacuate to the south ahead of the expandedoperation The military plans to call up 60,000 reservists and extend

ALSHRAFI

Palestinian womencheckthe destruction on Thursday after Israeli militarystrikes in atent camp fordisplaced people near

the service of20,000more.

Israelistrikes,meanwhile, killed at least 36 Palestinians Thursday acrossGaza, according to local hospitals. Arenewed offensivecould bringevenmore casualties and displacementtothe territory,where the war hasalready killed tens of thousands and where experts have warned of imminent famine.

Many Israelisfear theoperation could also doom the remaining 20 or so living hostages taken by Hamas-led militantsin theOct. 7, 2023, attack that ignitedthe war.

During avisit to themilitary’s Gaza command in southern Israel, Netanyahu said he would approve the army’s plans to retake Gaza City and hadinstructed officials “to begin immediate

negotiations”for the release of all hostages “and an end to thewar on terms acceptable to Israel.”

“Thesetwo things —defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages —gohand in hand,” he said.

It appeared to markIsrael’sfirst public response to the latest ceasefire proposal drawn up by Egypt andQatar.Egyptian andHamas officials sayitisalmost identical to an earlier onethatIsrael accepted before thetalks stalledlastmonth.

The proposal would include the release of someof the hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, apullback of Israeli forces andnegotiationsover amorelasting ceasefire.

Israeli troops have already

Judgerules Habbaunlawfully servingasU.S.attorneyinN.J.

BY MIKE CATALINI Associated Press

Afederal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump’sformerlawyer,Alina Habba, has been unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey The court, sayingthe administration used “a novel series of legal and personnel moves,” held that Habba’s term as the interimU.S. attorney ended in July,and the Trump administration’s maneuvers to keepher in the role without getting confirmation from the U.S. Senate didn’tfollow procedures required by federal law “Faced with the question of whether Ms. Habba is lawfully performing the functions

and dutiesofthe office of the United States Attorney for the District of NewJersey, Iconclude that sheisnot,” Chief U.S. DistrictJudge Matthew Brann wrote The opinion says thatHabba’sactions since July “may be declaredvoid.” Brann, aBarack Obama appointee, said he’sputting his order on holdpending an appeal. It wasn’timmediately clear if that meant Habba wouldremainin charge of the U.S. attorney’soffice. Amessageseeking comment was senttoHabba’s office Thursday.The Justice Department said it intends to appeal the ruling. Therulingcould lead to challenges against ahandful of other U.S. attorneyswho have been similarly installed

by the Trump administration without Senate approval aftertheir temporaryassignmentshave expired. Brann’sdecision comes in response to afiling on behalf of New Jersey defendants challenging Habba’stenure andthe chargesshe was prosecuting against them They sought to block the chargesagainst them,arguing that Habbadidn’t have theauthority to prosecute thecaseafter her 120-day term as interim U.S.attorney expired in July

Thedefendants’ motion to block Habba, aonetime White House adviser to President Donald Trump and hisformer personaldefense attorney, is another highprofile chapterinher short tenure.

Uganda agrees to take deported migrants with

By The Associated Press

KAMPALA, Uganda Uganda has agreed to adeal with the United States to take deported migrants as long as they don’thave criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors, the foreign ministry said Thursday The ministry said in a statement that theagreement had been concluded but that terms were still being worked out. It added that

Ugandaprefers that the migrantssent there be of African nationalities, but did not elaborate on what Uganda might get in return for acceptingdeportees.

The U.S. embassy in Uganda declined to commenton what it called“diplomatic negotiations,” but said that diplomats were seeking to uphold President Donald Trump’s“policyofkeeping Americans safe.”

However,later inWashing-

ton,the State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio hadspoken by phone with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni aboutmigration and anumber of other issues.

Thedepartmentsaid the call focused on “migration, reciprocal trade, and commercial ties” and that Rubio had “thanked Uganda for providing amodel of regional stability including itsvaluable contributions to peacekeeping in East Africa.”

other countries.

begun more limited operations in Gaza City’sZeitoun neighborhood andthe builtup Jabaliya refugee camp, areas where they have carriedout several previous large-scale raids over the course of the war,only to see militants later regroup.

The military says it plans to operateinareas where ground troops have not yet entered andwhere it says Hamas still has military and governing capabilities. So far,there has been little sign of Palestiniansfleeing en masse, as they did when Israel carried out an earlier offensive in Gaza City in the opening weeksofthe war

The military says it controls around 75% of Gaza, and residents saynowhereinthe territoryfeels safe.

Hundreds gathered Thursdayfor arareprotest in Gaza City against thewar and Israel’splans to support the mass relocation of Palestinians to

Women and children held placards reading “Save Gaza” and “Stop thewar, stop the savage attack,save us,” against abackdrop of destroyedbuildings as Palestinian music played. Unlike in previous protests, there were no expressions of opposition to Hamas.

“Wewantthe war on Gaza to stop. We don’twant to migrate. Twenty-two months it’senough. Enough death.

Enough destruction,” said Bisan Ghazal,a womandisplaced from Gaza City

In Israel, protesters marchedThursday nightin TelAviv holding banners that read “The people will bring back the hostages” and“How muchblood will be spilled?”

Among thedemonstrators wasDudu Dotan,who said Netanyahu is endangering the remaining hostages by moving forward with the planned Gaza City offensive.

Of the50still being held in Gaza, Israel believes about 20 hostages are still alive. “This way will not bring thehostagesback,”Dotan said. “Every hostage he brought back,hebrought back through deals. And every timehetried to bring themback with military force, he causedthe hostages to be killed.” Plans for widening the offensive have also sparked international outrage, with manyofIsrael’sclosest Westernallies— but notthe United States —calling on it to end the war. At least 36 Palestinians werekilledThursday by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip, including 14 who were seeking humanitarianaid, according to local hospitals. The military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas.

AUGUST 22ND

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, RLafayette, said Wednesday he will seek to strip federal funding from the New Orleans Health Department following a social media post about COVID-19 immunizations for children.

The department shared a message from the American Academy of Pediatrics, a professional organization representing 67,000 physicians nationwide. The group released its updated recommendations Tuesday for vaccines, including COVID-19 shots for infants and children under 2, which is a departure from the current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, Higgins criticized both the agency and the Academy “State sponsored weakening of the citizenry, absolute injury to our children and calculated decline of fertility,” Higgins wrote on X.

VISAS

Continued from page 1A

immediately respond to a question about the number of foreign truck drivers working in the U.S. Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has focused on deporting migrants illegally in the United States as well as holders of student and visitor exchange visas. The State Department’s new language suggests that the continual vetting process, which officials acknowledge is time-consuming, is far more widespread and could mean even those approved to be in the U.S. could abruptly see those permissions revoked.

There were 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people in the U.S. on temporary visas last year according to the Department of Homeland Security

The 55 million figure suggests that some people subject to review would currently be outside the United States with multipleentry tourist visas, said Julia Gelatt, associate director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute. She questioned the value of spending resources on people who may never return to the United States.

The department said it was looking for indicators of ineligibility, including people staying past the authorized timeframe outlined in a visa, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity or providing support to a

“The New Orleans Health Department whoever the hell they are should be 100% defunded, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics. I will immediately pursue restriction of every federal penny that might make its way to this soon-to-be writhing band of sorcerers.”

Dr Jennifer Avegno, who leads the city’s health department, said the agency would continue to provide vaccine information to residents.

“The health department has a responsibility to provide evidence-based information to our community, and for decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics

terrorist organization

“We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential ineligibility,” the department said The administration has steadily imposed more restrictions and requirements on visa applicants, including requiring them to submit to in-person interviews. The review of all visa holders appears to be a significant expansion of what had initially been a process focused mainly on students who have been involved in what the government perceives as pro-Palestinian or antiIsrael activity

Officials say the reviews will include all visa holders’ social media accounts, law enforcement and immigration records in their home countries, along with any actionable violations of U.S law committed while they were in the United States.

The reviews will include new tools for data collection on past, present and future visa applicants, including a complete scouring of social media sites made possible by new requirements introduced earlier this year

Those make it mandatory for privacy switches on cellphones and other electronic devices or apps to be turned off when an applicant appears for a visa interview

“As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State

has provided evidencebased vaccination recommendations,” Avegno said. “We want to make sure that our community has access to those and is aware of them so that they can have the conversations that they need to have with their doctors.”

Higgins, who represents Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District, has been a vocal critic of COVID-19 vaccines and public health mandates.

It remains unclear what steps he might take to advance his defunding proposal in Congress. His office did not respond to a request for comment.

The New Orleans Health Department is funded largely through federal grants.

Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year,” the State Department said.

The vast majority of foreigners seeking to come to the U.S. require visas, especially those who want to study or work for extended periods. Among the exceptions for short-term tourist or business visits are citizens of the 40 mainly European and Asian countries belonging to the Visa Waiver Program, which grants those nationals a stay of up to three months without having to apply for a visa.

But large swaths of the world — including highly populated countries like China, India, Indonesia, Russia and most of Africa — are not part of the program, meaning their citizens must apply for and receive visas to travel to the United States.

Earlier this week, the department said that since Trump returned to the White House, it has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays and violations of local, state and federal law, the vast majority of which were assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and support for terrorism.

It said about 4,000 of those 6,000 were due to actual infractions of laws and that approximately 200 to 300 visas were revoked for terrorism-related issues, including providing support for designated terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terrorism.

The agency supports a vast number of services in the city: maternal and child health care, immunizations, HIV and STD programs, behavioral health support, anti-hunger programs, housing safety and violence prevention. It also is the agency in charge of coordinating the city’s response to hurricanes, heat waves and disease outbreaks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all children ages 6 to 23 months on Tuesday based on data that infants and toddlers face the highest risk for severe illness and should be prioritized. For children and adolescents ages 2 to 18, the Academy advised vaccination for those who are at higher risk or unvaccinated, while also supporting access for any family that wants their child protected.

“We extensively reviewed the most recently available data about COVID-19 risks in kids, as well as safety and effectiveness of available COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr Sean O’Leary, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. “It’s clear they are very safe for all populations.

Among the reasons we decided to move to a riskbased recommendation for healthy older children is the fact that the hospitalization rate for young children and children with underlying medical conditions remains high, in line with rates for many of the other vaccinepreventable diseases for which we vaccinate.”

The AAP recommendations typically align closely with the CDC. But in May, Health and Human Services

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced major chang-

es that dropped the COVID vaccine recommendation for healthy children and pregnant women. Soon after, the CDC updated its schedule to partly align with that announcement, saying kids 6 months to 17 years could still get the vaccine “based on shared clinical decisionmaking” between parents and doctors. The COVID-19 vaccine has been proven to be safe in children and adults, with minor side effects such as soreness at the injection site. Serious reactions, such as a severe allergic reaction or myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, are rare. Myocarditis is mostly seen in young males at about 40 to 70 cases per million following second doses, and is usually mild and

the20,000-square-foot building at 11207Proverbs Ave. earlier this month for $2.9 million. Before closing the deal, the city was paying just over $8,700 amonthto lease 6,000 square feetinthe building.

Administrative staff moved into the buildingafter the purchase.The property will also serve as the city’sMunicipal Services building for contracted provider the Institute for Building Technology and Safety.

For more than ayear,the new city has been renting space at the St. George Fire Department’sheadquarters on Airline Highway for its council, planning and zoning, transition district and other public meetings.

Travis ThorntonofCentury 21 Investment Realty, who represented the city in thedeal, said theProverbs Avenue building provides enough space to house the cityservices division, which was previously housed at a building on Perkins Road, and thecity chamberswhile requiring little modification.

“This building checkeda lot of boxes,” Thornton said. He said the deal closed on Aug. 5and the other tenants, strategic communications firm Covalent Logic and IT service company Sparkhound,have a30-day grace period before vacating.

Shawn Usher,president of Sparkhound and former co-owner of the Proverbs Avenue building, said the company will be relocating

ThecityofSt. Georgepurchased the 20,000-square-foot building at 11207

city waspaying just over$8,700 amonth

to the Square 46 mixed-use building on Government Street. Sparkhound no longer has aneed for private offices since partof the staff works remotely,hesaid.

Usher said thebuilding wasa“perfect gathering point” for his staff, which used to work largely in person.

“Despite havingmany greatmemories here, we’re excited aboutour next chapter in the new space,” he said in an email. For thepast two months, Sparkhound andCovalent have shared the Proverbs

Avenue building with the employees of the city of St.George, who Usher said have been great neighbors.

“I’m impressed with the team and their professionalism,” he said.

Stafford Wood, president of Covalent Logicand coowner of theProverbsAvenue building, said Covalent occupied aboutone-third of thebuildingand is relocating to Spaces at Perkins Rowe. She said her staff’s office space needs have evolved over time and there is no longer aneed for the roughly 10,000 squarefeet

of spacetheyhad in theold location.

Wood said herstaff members said they wanted a workplace where they could walk to getlunch or adrink after work, which Perkins Rowe offers. Wood plans to houseCovalent at Spaces temporarily,then decide to stayorrelocatepending staff feedback on the location

“We’re kind of hearkening back toour origins of really looking at what do, what do people need in order to be successful, and then give them that,” she said.

back in for aspecial session, Iamwilling to go back in to draw anew map.”

Landry,throughaspokesperson, declined to comment on whether he plans to call a special session for congressional redistricting this fall.

Senate President Cameron Henry,R-Metairie, didnot respond to arequest for comment Tuesday Louisiana’scongressional map is at the center of aU.S. Supreme Court case that many legal observers believe could substantially change the Voting Rights Act, a1965 federal law that sought to end discrimination against Black voters.

In that case, Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court is considering conflicting rulings from two federal district courts over how Louisiana drew its voting maps. In 2022, the Legislature approved acongressional map that had five majority-White, Republican districtsand one majority-Black, Democratic district. But agroup of Black voters sued, saying the state’s population had shifted such that the Voting Rights Act required asecond majorityBlack district —and afederal judge agreed.

Last year,atGov.Jeff Landry’surging and to comply with the federal judge’s decision, lawmakers redrew

the map to add asecondBlack district.

Thenew map eliminated then-U.S. Rep. Garret Graves’ BatonRouge-area seat in exchange for aseat that linked Black communitiesfromthe state capital to the Shreveport area. Cleo Fields, aBlack Democrat who at the time was astate senator,won electiontothat seat.

The newmap with two majority-Black districts prompted alawsuitfrom aseparate group of voters who identifyas “non-African American.” Theyhave argued the state used race as the primaryfactor for redistrictinginviolation of the U.S. Constitution. Adifferent federalcourtagreed with those voters,leaving the state in legal limbo.

While Louisiana awaits the Callais ruling, some other states areinapartisan tug-of-war over unusual “midcycle” redistricting.

Redistricting traditionally happens onceevery 10 years, using results of the

census. But multiple states are moving to redistrict halfwaythrough that cycle as control of the U.S. House of Representatives hangs in thebalance.

At Republican President Donald Trump’surging, Republicans in Texas called a specialsession to redraw that state’scongressional maps, buttheir initial attempt failedafter Democratic lawmakers left thestate.

This week,daysinto asecondspecial session in Texas, one Democrat refused to leavethe chamber because Republicans ordered around-the-clock escorts for theminorityparty in an effort to prevent them from leavingthe state againto delay theredrawing of congressional districts.

Some blue states, most notably California, have respondedbygearing up for their own redistricting sessions. The California Legislature Thursdayapproved aproposedcongressional mapand declared aNov.4

special election to getrequired voter approval.

Leaders in anumber of other states arealso considering redistricting in an efforttoinfluence which party controlsCongress. TheAssociated Press contributed tothis report. Email AlysePfeilatalyse. pfeil@theadvocate.com.

Crackdownleaves D.C. residentsonedge

Federal agents setup checkpointsas part of Trump’s takeover

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN and JACQUELYN MARTIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Federal authorities have set up checkpoints around the nation’s capital, sometimes asking people for their immigration status and detaining them, as President Donald Trump’s crackdownensnares more residents each day Trump claimed that acrime crisis required his Republican administration’sintervention in the Democraticled city this month, brushing aside statistics that showed the problem was already waning. However,immigration enforcement appears to be apriority, as more than a third of people arrested in the last two weeks were in the country illegally,according to the White House. Hundreds of federal agents and National Guard soldiers have surged into Washington, leaving some residents on edge and creating tense confrontations in the streets. Aday care was partially closed on Thursday when staff became afraid to go to work because they heard about federal agents nearby An administrator askedparents to keep their children at homeifpossible.

Other day careshave stopped takingkids on daily walks because of fears about encountering law enforcement. The White House said there have been 630 arrests, including 251 people whoare in the country illegally, since Aug. 7, when Trump began surgingfederal agents into the city.Trump has been ratcheting up the pressure since then, seizing controlof the D.C. police department on Aug.11and deploying more National Guard troops, mostly from Republican-led states.

On Thursday evening, Trump visited with officers

and troops at aU.S. Park Police facility in the latest show of force from theWhite House.

“We’re not playing games,” he said

Trumpsuggested that operationsinthe city could be drawn out and serve as a model for others around the country

“We’re goingtomakeit safe, andwe’re goingtogoon to other places,but we’re going to stay here for awhile,” he said

Earlierthis week, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethvisited some of thetroops at Union Station, showing their supportwhile protesters chanted “free D.C.”

Soldiers have been largely stationed in downtown areas,such as monuments on the NationalMalland transit stations.However, federal agents areoperating more widelythrough the city D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged the proliferation of traffic checkpoints on Thursday.

“Thesurge of federalofficers is allowing for different types of deployments, more frequent types of deployments, like checkpoints,” Bowser said.

Acrowd ofpeoplegathered outsideamunicipaloffice buildingatthe corner of 14th and UStreetsNWto protest Trump’scrackdown, waving signsand cheering speakerswho denounced the president’s plans.Several police cars and NationalGuard troops were parkednearby On Thursdaymorning, as Martin Romero rodethrough Washington’sRock Creek Park on hisway to aconstruction jobinVirginia, hesaw policeonthe road up ahead. He figured it was anormal traffic stop, but it wasn’t. Romero, 41, saidthat U.S Park Police weretelling pickup trucks with company logos to pull over,reminding themthat commercial vehicles weren’tallowed on park roads. Theychecked for licenses and insurance information, and then U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcementagents came over Romero said there were two agents on one side ofhis

truckand threeonthe other

He started to getnervousas the agents asked wherethey werefromand whether they wereinthe country illegally

“Wejust came here to work,” Romero said afterward. We aren’tdoing anything bad.”

Twopeopleinhis truck were detainedand the agents didn’tgiveareason,hesaid. He also saw three other people taken from other vehicles.

“I feel really worried because theytook twoof our guys,” he said. “They wouldn’tsay where they’re taking them or if they’llbe able to come back.”

Romero said he called his boss, whotoldhim to just head home. They wouldn’t be working today

Enrique Martinez, asupervisor at the construction company,came to the scene afterward. He pondered whether to call families of the detained men.

“This has never happened to ourcompany before,” Martinez said.“I’mnot really sure what to do.”

TheSupreme Court hasupheld theuse of law enforcementand government checkpoints forspecific purposes, such as for policing theborderand for identifying suspected drunken drivers.

But there are restrictions on that authority,especially when it comes to general crime control.Jeffrey Bellin,a formerprosecutor in Washingtonand professor at Vanderbilt Law School who specializes in criminal law and procedures, said the Constitution doesn’t allow “the government to be constantly checking us and stopping to seeifwe’reuptoany criminal activity.”

He said checkpoints fora legally justifiablepurpose —like checking for driver’s licenses andregistrations —cannot be used as “subterfuge”orapretext for stops that would otherwise not be allowed. And though the court has affirmed theuse of checkpoints at the border, andevensome distance away from it, to askdrivers aboutimmigration status, Bellin saiditwas unlikely theauthoritywould extend to Washington.

BY MICHAEL CASEY, HOLLYRAMER and MATT SLOCUM Associated Press

VILLANOVA,Pa. False reports of active shooters at Villanova Universityand theUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Thursday led to panic and temporary lockdowns at the two campuses as they kicked off their fall semesters.

In Pennsylvania someone called 911 at about 4:30 p.m. reportinga shooter in aVillanova law school building with at least one wounded victim.Students received texts from the school’salert system saying“ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus. Move to securelocation. Lock/barricade doors.” The school’spresident later said it was ahoax.

“Today,asweare celebratingOrientation Mass to welcome ournewestVillanovans and their families to our community,panic and terror ensued,” the Rev.Peter M. Donohue said in astatement.“Mercifully, no one wasinjured and we now know it was acruel hoax.”

About four hours earlier theUniversityofTennessee at Chattanooga locked down its campus, telling students: “Possible active shooter in theUniversity Center or Library.Run. Hide. Fight. More info forthcoming.”

Aftermultiple lawenforcement agencies including the FBI responded alongside local fireand emergency crews, the lockdown was lifted less than an hour later.School officials saidthere was no evidence

of any threat. At Villanova,where new student orientation was underway and classes begin next week, acallcame in reporting aman with an AR-15-style weapon,Delaware Countyspokesperson Michael Connolly said in astatement. There were also “multiple” calls with gunshot-like sounds in the background, andabout 30 minutes after the initial call, someone called to report agunshot wound. The initial report sent policescouring thecampus and even had somelaw enforcement officials suggesting they believed there was ashooter

“I know today wasevery parent’snightmareand every student’sbiggest fear,” Pennsylvania Gov.Josh Shapiro said on thesocial platform X.

Tariffs increase Cohn school costs

New WBR building will cost $7M more than expected

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

The guaranteed maximum price

of the new Cohn Intermediate School in West Baton Rouge Parish has jumped from $18 million to over $25 million, an increase the superintendent said could not be avoided amid high tariffs and the rising cost of steel.

“Tariffs could go up in six months, and we’re still guaranteed

this,” Superintendent Chandler Smith said to the School Board about the $25 million price tag.

“It’ll never be as cheap as today.”

President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports that took effect in June. His administration added over 400 derivative products to the list Tuesday And it isn’t foreign steel alone getting costlier — domestic producers also announced price increases, according to The

New York Times, as a result of the protectionist measures.

Trump administration officials say the tariffs will even the playing field for American steel producers and help bring production back to the U.S., which they argue is important for national security

But critics say the tariffs are distorting the market and needlessly increasing prices.

Smith said the district was able to negotiate down the overall cost

by $500,000. If it had gone any lower they would have had to start cutting planned features for the building, he said.

The project will combine Cohn Elementary and Port Allen Middle School. The new Cohn Intermediate campus will feature a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math lab; library; gymnasium; music room; and playgrounds.

The elementary wing is set to open next year, and middle school is set to open in 2027-28.

“We’ve made any cuts that we possibly could, but we wanted it to

FLYING COLORS

still be an amazing campus we can be proud of,” Smith said.

Board member Matthew Daigrepont said the project is coming in slightly below market per square foot, at around $344. But costs are “steadily creeping,” he said. “Brusly High was $302 a foot before COVID, and that had all the bells and whistles,” Daigrepont said. “So, if you want to see inflation at work $302 to $344 in five years.”

Email Haley Miller at haley miller@theadvocate.com.

A helicopter flies past a flag of Baton Rouge in downtown on Tuesday

New federal law targets fentanyl

Family members tout measure’s impact

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Hannah Pedigo, a 22-yearold senior at LSU who is set to graduate in December, stood before families, public officials, community leaders and reporters gathered in Baton Rouge on Thursday

overdose.

“I can see clearly that everything I do is shaped by the lessons of my father’s life and his loss,” she said.

She described her dad as “hardworking, empathetic and kind.”

Cassidy

“He ran his own business, lit up every room, and never met a stranger,” Pedigo said. “However he also struggled with addiction for my entire life.”

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

A former gymnastics coach who once worked at a Prairieville gym has been arrested in connection with allegedly producing child sex abuse images in Mississippi, prompting the FBI to ask any Louisiana victims to contact the agency Sean Gardner is charged with producing child sexual abuse images at a Mississippi gym, according to an Aug. 14 criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. An affidavit written by an agent of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation attached to the complaint also

She wasn’t there to celebrate her title as Miss Baton Rouge 2025. She was there to talk about losing her father to a fentanyl

“Let’s never forget that behind every statistic is a child, a parent, a loved one,” she said.

The soon-to-be college gradu-

ate was one of several people who joined U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, to highlight passage of a new federal law he sponsored, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, or HALT Fentanyl Act for short.

“All of us have been affected by fentanyl,” Cassidy said Thursday, flanked by a group of two dozen constituents, many of whom held portraits of loved ones who had died from fentanyl overdoses. “We’re all connected to this. It is so pervasive.”

Two mothers and a father also spoke at the event, sharing their stories of losing a family member to the drug, a potent synthetic opioid.

“It is still very hard to grasp that something so small could be so powerful, so deadly and so devastating,” said Christy Sonnier, a Lafayette woman whose 22-year-old son Hunter Clemons died in 2022 from an overdose.

“Mistakes that once could be learned from are now mistakes that you don’t survive,” Sonnier said.

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

Plaqueminesofficialsseeknew bridge

Parish haswanted access over Intracoastal Waterway to Jefferson fordecades

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

State Rep. Jacob Braud walked to the end of an accessroad south of the Naval Air Station in PlaqueminesParish and stepped from smooth asphaltonto agravel path.

“It’sliterally aroad to nowhere,” said the Belle Chasse Republican as he surveyed apile of trash dumped at the deadend. “Would Texas build aroad to nowhere?”

It’shere, about amile and ahalf away from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway,where Louisiana spent more than $16 million on an access road forwhatwas supposedtobe anew bridge. The span,adream of localsfor decades, would have traversed the man-made canal that divides much of Plaquemines from Jefferson Parish. The road opened in 2014. Then work stopped. The bridge was neverbuilt.

Now,there’snew momentum around finishing the job

Traffic snarls from the construction of the Venture Global LNGexportterminalnearPort Sulphur exposed bottlenecksin Plaquemines’ infrastructure. With the facility slated to undergo an $18 billion expansion as soon as 2027, there’s fresh fears that without anew bridge,the parish’sroads will once again become jammed up by thousands of construction workers.

At the same time, there’sthe chance that even moremultibillion-dollar investments are on the

way.Gulfstream LNG is exploring building its own export terminalupriverfromVenture Global. Andthe Plaquemines Port has said it wants to build anew containerterminal.

Gov.JeffLandry,who has touted Venture Global’sinvestment as an example of Louisiana’senergy leadership, told agroup of West Bank business leaders in April that he agrees anew bridge is needed.

“Whenwethink aboutthe numberofworkers that we have to move back and forth, theopportunity exists down the riverfor further economic development,” Landry said. “Itmakes sense to have another bridge.”

In July,acommission created by the state Legislature to coordinate spending on portinfrastructure listed the bridge as the second most importantport project in the state, behind the Port of New Orleans’ $1.8billion containerterminal proposed for St. Bernard Parish. And in August, the Louisiana Department of Transportationand Development signed a contract withanengineering firm to redesign the bridge.

StateSen. Pat Connick, aMarrero Republican who represents Plaquemines Parish andalsosits on the port investment commis-

State Rep. Jacob Braud, R-Belle Chasse, stands at the end of Peters Road in Belle Chasse on Aug. 15.

sion, said that recognition will hopefully carry weight when it comes time for lawmakers to divvy up funding for infrastructure projects.

“We’re headed in the right direction. We have alongway to go, but it’s not on the back burner anymore,” Connick said.

Plansand setbacks

As far back as the1980s, residents andpolitical leaders in Plaquemines have argued thata new bridge connecting La. 23 to theWest BankExpressway via Peters Road was needed to create another route for commerce and evacuationsthrough Jefferson Parish. At first, the intention was to ease access to Venice, which at the time was amajor hub for offshore oil and gas activitybut hassincebeen eclipsedbyPort Fourchon.

“This bridge hasbeen talked aboutsinceIwas kid,” said Braud, 48.

Construction on thefirst phase of theproject, the accessroad on WalkerRoad andPeter Road off La. 23 in Plaquemines, began in 2012 and was finished twoyears later.Atthe groundbreaking event,then-Gov.Bobby Jindal pledged to support the full project.

It’sunclear whythe project stalledafter that.Bythe time Jindal left office, the state was broke. Still, Gov.John Bel Edwards made acommitment in 2016 to finish the job.

In anyevent, focusturned farther up the canal toward the replacement of the Judge Perez vertical-lift bridge and Belle Chasse tunnelwitha newtollbridge. Demand forthe PetersRoad bridge reemerged with the congestion caused by the simultaneous construction starting in 2021 of thetoll bridge and Venture Global export terminal.

“What used to be a10-minute commute became atwo-hour commute because the traffic was that bad,” Braud said.

Aftera nearlyyearlong delay,the Belle Chasse toll bridge finally opened to motoristsin March, relieving someofthe traffic congestion. But the drawn-out construction timeline and new tolls have left anegative feeling amongresidents and the sense that Plaquemines “deserves” the secondbridge, Braud said.

Bridge redesign,funding

When it was designed morethan adecade ago, thePeters Road bridge project had an estimated price tag of around $250 million.

Under aDOTD contract signed in August, Burk-Kleinpeter Inc. will redesign thebridgefrom its originalheight of 100 feet down to 73 feet —the same height that the CoastGuard allowed for the toll bridge. The state is paying the engineering firm alump sum of $3.4 million to perform the work. Braud said he’sbeen told the redesign should cutcosts by 25% and takeabout 18 months to complete.

On Tuesday, alegislative committeegave DOTD approval to usearound $5 million in fines— leviedagainst thecompanythat

builtthe toll bridgeafter it failed to finish its work on time —topay for constructionworkonthe Jefferson Parish end of the Peters Road project.

That funding will supplement a$7.4 millionfederal grant the PlaqueminesPort receivedin2024 and$17.5 million the state Legislature set aside in its construction budget.

DOTD SecretaryGlenn Ledet said the total cost of the Jefferson Parish endofthe improvements is around $23 million. He saidthe contract should be letbythe end of the year Once the bridge is redesigned, it’sunclear where Louisiana will find the money to build it. Connick previously suggested that Venture Global chip in.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, said at campaign stop on the West Bank earlier this month that he hopes Congress passes anotherinfrastructure bill under Trump, which could fund the project.

Braudnotedthat over the past four years, Plaquemines has contributed around $245 million in severance taxrevenue to state coffers. Thestate constitution capped theparish’sshare of thosefunds at around $1.3 million last year

“If we gotour fair share of that, we could go build this bridge ourselves,” he said.

Louisianacouldbeonthe hook for more than just construction costs. DOTD agreed to pay Plenary,the company it contracted with to build and operate the Belle Chasse toll bridge, forany lost toll revenue from another bridge being built within 5miles.

The Peters Road bridge would be 4.8miles away fromthe toll bridge, Braud said.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

Womankilledinpolicechase afterfleeing carcrashes

An attempted traffic stop Wednesday evening in Baton Rougeled to atwo-minute police chase, ahastily ditched illegally modified gun, and acrash that killed a 24-year-old woman.

CRIME BLOTTER staff reports

JanaeFieldings, 24, died shortly after 10 p.m. when her Honda Accord crashed into the brick back wall of the Fast Stop convenience store on North Foster Drive while shewas fleeing police, according toanews release from the Baton Rouge Police Department. Fieldings was pronounced dead at the scene, and two other occupants in the vehiclewere transported to ahospital withinjuries.

Policesaid the pursuitbegan on Lobdell Avenue in the Melrose East neighborhood, when Fieldings allegedlyrefused to stop for an officer trying to pull her over andsped away During thebrief pursuit, which took theHondaand BRPD cruiser from LobdellAvenue to Greenwell Springs Road, someoneinside the Honda threw agun outthe window,according to police.When theweapon was recovered,itwas found to be aGlock handgun with aMachine Gun Conversion device. Speeding down Greenwell Springs Road, the Honda lost control, hit acurboutside the Eden Park Branch parish library,struck awater main’saboveground valves and pipes, drove through and splintered awoodenfence andfi-

nally crashed intothe back wall of theFast Stop where it caught fire.

Officers took Fieldings and the wounded occupants out of the car, thenattemptedtoextinguish the burning car

Aspokesperson for the department was notable to tellThe Advocate howmanypolicecars were involved in thepursuit or how many ultimately responded to thecrash. The incident is under investigation,but theBRPDspokesperson said preliminaryfindingsshow thatnoofficer broke department pursuitpolicies.Moredetails, including the maximum speed of the fleeing Honda, are expected tobe released following the investigation Theofficer who initiated the chase has been placedonadmin-

Newthriftshopnow open in Gonzales

Staff report

Anew,larger Goodwill store opened Thursday in Gonzales.

“Weneeded alarger facility,” said Ken Jones, vice president of community relations andpublic affairs for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana. The nonprofit has had apresence in Gonzales for 20 years, through its store at 306 South AirlineHighway The new,26,000-square-foot

FENTANYL

Continued from page1B

Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director KevinCobb saidthe devastation anddestruction caused by the fentanyl crisis is unparalleled.

“Whether it’sthrough addiction or whether it’sthrough aone-time situation,”Cobb said, “fentanyl, in my mind, it’sahope-taker and a hope-killer.”

“There’svery few second chances,” he said.

In 2023, about105,000 people died from drug overdoses —and aboutthree-quartersofthose deaths involved opioids, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That year, an average of 217 people died every day from an opioid overdose.

Provisional data from the CDC shows that in 2024 overdose deaths fell to about 80,000. The majority of those deaths involved synthetic opioids.

Goodwill store is nearby at 419 South Airline Highway Goodwill Industries International, founded in 1902 and based in Rockville, Maryland, supports its workforce development and job placement programs through its more than 3,000storesinNorth America, as wellasothers overseas.

In Louisiana, Goodwill stores can be found in 11 parishes, Jones said, but the services of Goodwill —such as workforce develop-

Howthe lawischanging

Cassidy’sbill permanentlyclassifies all“fentanyl-related substances” as ScheduleIdrugs,which areconsideredto have ahigh risk of abuse and no recognizedmedical use. Possession of aSchedule I drug is considered afelony and can be prosecutedasdrug smuggling. Fentanyl, incontrast, is aSchedule II drug, aclassification that indicatesa high risk of abuse butthat it also hasanacceptedmedical use. Fentanyl-related substances are structurally related to fentanyl but have been modified slightly Asked how the drug classification change helps combat fentanyl trafficking, Cassidy explained: “The person pushing thedrug would make something that was like fentanyl but technically,chemically is not fentanyl. They would change it just enough so taking them to court,theywould say, ‘You can’tbust me for fentanyl, because this is chemically different.” He added,“That’swhere Igo backand say, if it addicts like fen-

ment —operate in 23 parishes,in nonretail locationswiththeir own computer labs for job training. Goodwill has seven other stores in metroBaton Rouge.

Thestoresare knownfor their gently used itemsand discount prices,but “87% of allthe revenue goes to workforce development,” Jones said.

The Goodwill store in Gonzales will be open from 9a.m. to 8p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Sunday

tanyl, if it kills like fentanyl, you go to prison like it’s fentanyl.”

Some fentanyl-related substances had been listed as Schedule I drugs on atemporary basis since 2018, andthe classificationwas set to expire earlier thisyear.The HALT Fentanyl Actmakes theclassification permanent for all fentanyl-related substances.

The Schedule Iclassification makes it easier for prosecutors to build cases against traffickers.

President Donald Trumpsigned the HALTFentanyl Actinto law lastmonth at aceremony in Washington where Cassidy andGov.Jeff Landrywereinattendance.

On Thursday, Cassidy lauded Trumpfor his work to crack down on fentanyl, saying that the president’ssupport of his bill, shutting down the southern border,and using tariffs to push Mexico and China to take strongeraction against production and trafficking have all been effective.

“The presidentistaking this on, and he’smade it apriority,” Cassidy said.

istrative leave, as is department policy East BatonRouge Parish Library’sEden Park Branch was closedThursday due to having no running water after their water mainwas struck by Fieldings’ vehicle.

Livonia High has had 3unrelated fights

Arrest warrants have been issued for seven peopleinconnection with afight Monday at Livonia High School,whena student was stabbed twice in the head with a sharp object, Pointe Coupee ParishSheriff RenéThibodeauxsaid Thursday TheSheriff’s Officeisalso investigating two other fights at the

MEAT

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wasstealing themeatbystuffing it in his pants, according to witnesses. Ardoinisfacing felony charg-

COACH

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starting in 2018. Gardnerworked at the Athletes In Motion gym in Prairieville between 2004and 2014, the FBI said in anews release. The FBI said it believes he mayhave targeted children at thefacilityand asked victims to share information with the bureau. An attorney forGardnerwas not listed in court records. Athletes in Motion addressed the situation in aFacebook post Wednesday

“Weare not aware of the details of theinvestigation andthis individual has notbeen employed by ourfacilityinover10years. We are cooperating withthe authorities, and we will continue to do so,” the post stated.

“Athlete safety is apriority at Athletes In Motion,” it continued.

“Wehavecoached athletesinour community for over 40 years and care deeply about the safety of allathletesinour sport. AIMis amember of USAGymnastics and ourcoaches are SafeSport certified.”

The FBI said that, after working at thePrairieville gym,Gardner coached at Jump’In Gymnastics &Tumbling in Purvis, Mississippi,

high school over thepast week oneFridaywithnoinjuries, anda “brutal” fight on Tuesday in which astudent’s nose wasbroken and stitches were required for acut on his face, Thibodeaux said. None of the three fights are related, he said.

The seven warrants issued for the fight on Monday,when astudent was taken to the hospital after he was stabbed in the head, are for six juveniles and one17-year-old, Thibodeaux said.

During the most recent fight on Tuesday,astudent suffered abroken nose and acut on the face when he waspunched, Thibodeaux said. “His parents notified me about hisinjuries and that he required medical attention,” Thibodeaux said.

es due to his history of theft convictions, LPSO said.

The Sheriff’s Office returned thebeef to thestores,but it had to be destroyed and was not sold. Email ClaireGrunewaldat claire.grunewald@theadvocate. com.

between 2014 and2018, and then at Chow’sGymnastics in West Des Moines, Iowa, from 2018 to 2022. In May,the West Des Moines Police Department seized several electronic devices fromGardner’sresidence and found child sex abuse images on them,the affidavit alleged. It added that the bureau identifiedsome of the images as beingproducedatthe Mississippi gym.

BUSINESS

REPORTS

Tesla’s delayed crash reporting under scrutiny

NEW YORK Federal auto safety regulators are investigating why Tesla has repeatedly broken rules requiring it to quickly tell them about crashes involving its self-driving technology, a potentially significant development given the company’s plans to put hundreds of thousands of driverless cars on U.S. roads over the next year

Report: Growth in U.S. business activity is accelerating BRIEFS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a filing on Thursday that Tesla’s reports on “numerous” incidents involving its driver assistance and self-driving features were submitted far too late — several months after the crashes instead of within five days as required.

The safety agency said the probe will focus on why Tesla took so long to report the crashes, whether the reports included all the necessary data and if there are crashes that the agency still doesn’t know about.

Cracker Barrel unveils new logo for its rebrand

NEW YORK Cracker Barrel is marching forward with an ongoing makeover To the dismay of some fans, the chain’s new logo now ditches the barrel itself Or rather, the drawing many have associated with Cracker Barrel over the years. The man leaning on that barrel is also gone, as are the words “Old Country Store.” Instead, the new emblem features a simpler design with just “Cracker Barrel” written on a gold background, which also has a semiupdated shape

“Anchored in Cracker Barrel’s signature gold and brown tones, the updated visuals will appear across menus and marketing collateral,” the Tennessee-based company wrote in a Tuesday announcement. Cracker Barrel added that its logo is “now rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all.”

According to Cracker Barrel, this latest look marks the brand’s “fifth evolution” of its logo to date. It was unveiled as part of a campaign from the company called “All the More,” which also advertises some new fall menu items.

U.S. home sales rose in July, as did sale price

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in July as homebuyers were encouraged by a modest pullback in mortgage rates, slowing home price growth and the most properties on the market in over five years. Existing home sales rose 2% last month from June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.01 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Sales edged up 0.8% compared with July 2024. The latest sales figure topped the 3.92 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet Home prices rose on an annual basis for the 25th consecutive month, although the rate of growth continued to slow The national median sales price inched up just 0.2% in July from a year earlier to $422,400. That was the smallest annual increase since June 2023. Even so, the median home sales price last month is the highest for any previous July, based on data going back to 1999.

This year’s spring homebuying season, which is traditionally the busiest period of the year for the housing market, was a bust as stubbornly high mortgage rates put off many prospective homebuyers. Affordability remains a daunting challenge for most aspiring homeowners following years of skyrocketing home prices.

Walmart helps drag markets to another loss

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK — Wall Street fell to a fifth straight loss on Thursday, hurt by a drop for Walmart and dampened hopes for coming cuts to interest rates.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.4%. All its losses have been relatively modest, but it has not risen since setting an all-time high last Thursday The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 152 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%.

Walmart was one of the market’s heaviest weights and dropped 4.5% after reporting a profit for the spring that came up short of analysts’ expectations, while Nvidia and other Big Tech stocks held a bit steadier following two days of sharp swings.

The moves were stronger in the bond market, where Treasury yields rose after a report forced Wall Street to scale back hopes that the Federal Reserve may soon deliver relief by cutting interest rates.

The report suggested growth in U.S. business activity is accelerating and hit its fastest rate so far this year That’s good news for the economy but the preliminary data from S&P Global also said tariffs

helped push up average selling prices at the fastest rate in three years. That’s a discouraging sign for inflation.

Taken all together, such data has historically aligned more with the Federal Reserve considering a hike in interest rates, rather than a cut, according to Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

No one expects a rate hike to happen, but the overwhelming expectation on Wall Street has been for coming cuts. Traders are betting on a nearly three-in-four chance that the Fed will lower its main interest rate at its next meeting in September, according to data from CME Group. On Wall Street, Walmart dropped

even though it reported encouraging growth in revenue during the latest quarter and raised its forecast for profit over its full fiscal year

Analysts said the market’s expectations were high coming into the report. The Bentonville, Arkansas, company’s stock came into the day with a gain of 13.5% for the year so far, more than the rest of the market.

Coty tumbled 21.6% after the beauty products company reported a loss for the latest quarter when analysts expected a slight profit. The company, whose brands include CoverGirl and Joop!, said uncertainty about tariffs and the economy are making retailers cautious in their orders.

Powell set for major speech

Fed chief to address annual

economic symposium

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON Just three weeks ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spoke to reporters after the central bank had kept its key interest rate unchanged for a fifth straight meeting and said the job market was “solid.”

His assessment was important because if the job market is healthy, there is less need for the Fed to cut its key interest rate, as President Donald Trump has demanded. Two days later, the Labor Department issued a report that cast doubt on that assessment, showing hiring was weak in July and much lower than previously estimated in May and June.

So, there will be a lot of attention paid by Wall Street and the White House to Powell’s high-profile speech Friday at the Fed’s annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If the famously data-dependent Powell shifts gears and takes a gloomier view of the job market, that could open the door for a rate cut at the Fed’s next meeting in September

Powell could also stick to the cautious approach he’s maintained all year and reiterate that the central bank needs more time to evaluate the impact of Trump’s sweeping tariffs on inflation.

Most economists expect Powell to signal that a rate cut is likely this year, but won’t necessarily commit to one next month. That could disappoint Wall Street, which has put high odds on a September cut.

Powell’s speech, his last address at Jackson Hole as chair before his term ends in May, will occur against a particularly fraught backdrop About a week after the jobs numbers, the latest inflation report showed that price growth crept higher in July Core prices which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose 3.1% from a year ago, above the Fed’s 2% target.

Stubbornly elevated inflation pushes the Fed in the opposite direction that weak hiring does: It suggests the central bank’s shortterm rate should stay at its current 4.3%, rather than be cut. That would mean other borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and business loans, would stay elevated.

“So the plot has thickened,” said David Wilcox, a former top Fed economist and now director of economic research at Bloomberg Economics and also a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute. “The dilemma that the Fed is in has become, if anything, more intense.”

Powell is also navigating an unprecedented level of public criticism by Trump, as well as efforts by the president to take greater

control of the Fed, which has long been independent from day-to-day politics.

Most observers credit Powell for his nimble handling of the pressures. An iconic moment in his tenure was Trump’s visit to tour the Fed’s renovation of its office buildings last month. Trump had charged that Powell mismanaged the project, which had ballooned in cost to $2.5 billion, from an earlier estimate of $1.9 billion.

With both the president and Fed chair in white hard hats on the building site, in front of cameras, Trump claimed the cost had mushroomed even further to $3.1 trillion Powell shook his head, so Trump handed him a piece of paper purporting to back up his claim.

Powell calmly dismissed the figure, noting that the $3.1 billion included the cost of renovating a third building five years earlier

“That was just such a classic Powell,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG. “He just doesn’t get fazed. He’s got a humility that oftentimes I think is lacking among my colleagues in economics.”

Powell appeared to at least temporarily assuage Trump during the tour, after which the president backed off his threats to fire the Fed chair over the project.

On Wednesday Trump called on Fed governor Lisa Cook to step down, after an administration official, Bill Pulte, accused her of mortgage fraud. Pulte is head of the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae

and Freddie Mac. Cook said in a statement that she wouldn’t be “bullied” into resigning and added that she was preparing to answer the charges. For Powell, there’s a difficult decision to make on interest rates. The Fed’s “dual mandate” calls for it to keep prices stable while seeking maximum employment But while the weak jobs data suggest the need for a cut, many Fed officials fear inflation will get worse in the coming months.

“There is still a fair amount that’s still outstanding,” Raphael Bostic, president of the Fed’s Atlanta branch, said in an interview, referring to tariff-led price hikes “One feedback we’ve gotten both in our surveys and from direct conversations (with businesses) suggests that many still are looking to see the price that they charge their customers increase from where we are today.”

Other economists, however, point to the sharp slowdown in housing as a sign of a weak economy The housing market remains mired in a slump partly due to elevated mortgage rates, even though sales of existing homes did rise in July Consumer spending has also been modest this year, and growth was just 1.2% at an annual rate in the first half of 2025

“There’s not a lot to like about the economy right now outside of AI,” said Neil Dutta, an economist at Renaissance Macro. “The weakness in the economy isn’t about tariffs,” but instead the Fed’s high rates, he added.

U.S., EU detail trade deal with 15% tariff, but key areas left blank Talks continue on wine and spirits, steel

BY SAM MCNEIL, DAVID McHUGH and FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press

BRUSSELS American and European Union officials released a bare-bones account Thursday of their trade deal that imposes a 15% import tax on 70% of European goods exported to the United States, but they left blank key areas such as wine and spirits as well as steel and indicated that talks would continue on those and a slew of other important sectors. The two sides said the document was only “a first step in a process that can be further expanded to cover additional areas.” They are dealing with the vast range of goods traded between the two economies in what is the largest

bilateral trading relationship in the world involving $2 trillion in annual trans-Atlantic business.

The 3½-page text represents a political commitment and is not legally binding. It contrasts with the typical format for trade agreements, which can be hundreds of pages long and carry legal force.

The key provisions are the 15% tariff on most EU goods, a zero rate on U.S. cars and other industrial goods exported to the 27-member EU, and a range of exceptions to the 15% rate for aircraft and aircraft parts, generic pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, with other sectors to be added for goods crucial to each other’s economies. Those goods would face lower tariffs from before President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught.

“The EU has agreed to open its $20 Trillion market,” Trump’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick,

said on X. “The second largest in the world behind the great USA.” He said the deal was “a major win for American workers, U.S. industries, and our national security. Tariffs should be one of America’s favorite words.”

European officials have had to defend the deal against dismay from businesses and member governments at the higher tariffs and criticism that the EU gave away too much. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sold the deal as granting quick relief from the even higher U.S. tariff on EU cars of 27.5% and as opening the way for further negotiations that could exclude more goods from the 15% tariffs. The deal provides that the lower tariff on cars would apply retroactively from Aug. 1 if the EU can introduce legislation to implement its part of the deal by then, which EU officials say they will do.

“Faced with a challenging situation, we have delivered for our member states and industry and restored clarity and coherence to transatlantic trade,” von der Leyen said. “This is not the end of the process.”

One category of goods not excluded from tariffs on EU goods was wine and spirits, which had enjoyed zero tariffs on both ends since a 1997 trade deal. Sefcovic, said EU officials had not won an exemption “yet” but hoped to in future talks and that “doors are not closed forever” on that issue. That means American distillers face zero tariffs in Europe the short term, but also the possibility of EU retaliation down the line, said Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

The EU has suspended retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods including wine and spirits until Feb. 5, 2026.

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Obituaries

Antoine, Freddie'Heavy' Freddie"Heavy" Antoine entered into eternalrestat St. ClareManor on August 10, 2025. He wasan84-year old native andresidentof PortAllen, Louisiana. View‐ing at SunriseBaptist Church,Rev.Phillip Joseph onSaturday, August 23, 2025 at 9:00 am until Cele‐bration of Life Service 11:00 am conductedby Rev.JeromeBridgewater; interment at Mt.Pilgrim B.C.Cemetery, Ventress, Louisiana.Survivors in‐clude hiswife, Ceola Bridgewater Antoine, seven children,a sister,20 grandchildren,seven great-grandchildren,and fourgreat-grandchildren; precededindeath by his parents,a daughter and five siblings.Arrangements entrusted to Miller & DaughterMortuary.

Born in Cali, Colombia, Luz was the daughter of Elvia Rengifo Muñozand ArturoMuñoz and sister to CarlosAlberto and Alfredo At herbaptism, her mother was too illto attend, so her father gave the priestthe name "Gloria Luz,"while her godmother insisted her motherwanted"Luz Marina." The priestcombined them, unknowingly bestowing on her names that wouldfully reflect her radiantspirit. In 1958, Luz Marina married herdance partner, Dr. NarsesBarona,onChristmas Day.Together, they builta beautiful liferooted in love,resilience, and generosity. They moved to the United States in 1962 with their young son,Narses Jr., ultimately settling in Baton Rouge, where they welcomed their daughter,Luz Elisa, who became known as Lisa. Luz was atrailblazer among women, completing collegeand beingone of the first women in her communityofSan Nicolás to vote and holda job. She began her careerasanelementary teacher and went on to serve as atechnical draftswoman, primarily in theCollege of BasicSciences at Louisiana State University. Luz also had a creative mind thatcould transformordinarymomentsinto magic—from a Cinderella birthday carriage made of vegetables, embroidering beaded wedding gownstorecreating Colombian dance costumes. Her energy was boundless and her generosity endless. Luz openedher homewith dozens of relatives,internationalstudents, and neighbors, teaching Englishand American customs to newcomers. Throughfood, music, dance, andstorytelling, she also educated countless Americans about the cultureand traditions of her beloved home country, Colombia. Luz and Narses traveled extensively, appreciating culture,people, architecture, and art aroundthe world. She also inspired those around her to experiencelife'sbeautyinthe ordinary—from appreciating native floratowatching pelicans migrate over the LSU lakes. Hersteadfastfaith and unwavering optimism were nothing short of miraculous. As ayoung mother, she was diagnosed with asarcoma,a rare cancer,which she survived with exceptional care at M.D. Anderson. In the last decadeofher life, shefaced and overcame kidney cancertwice,affordingher theopportunity to fulfill adream of seeing the RoseParade in Californiaand an extended visit to Colombia with Carmen and Jim Board prior to losing her sight. Above all, Luz was devoted to her family. She cared tenderly forher husbandduring his long battle with Alzheimer's, wielding patience and sacrificial love as remarkable strengths. She adoredher grandchildren, who called her NaNa. Throughouther life, she connected with dozens of nieces, nephews,cousins, and friends around the world. Herinfluence shaped their livesprofoundly, as she had shaped so many otherswith her compassion and faith.

Luz is survived by her children, Narses Barona, Jr.,and Dr.Lisa Barona McRoberts Lewis, her sonin-law Errin Lewis; grandchildren, DavidAlexander Barona,Tori(Victoria Anne) McRoberts Hoffpauir and herhusband David, ChristopherMichael

Barona, Neal Lane McRoberts; and greatgrandchildren: Joshua, Ana Lucia, Haven, Glory, Merit, Giovanni, and Esperanza. Her family expressessincere gratitude forthose who cared for Luz at home and throughout her life Lisa, Crystal (Pinnacle Hospice), Kristen (Davita), Carmen Board,and HenryHurtado;provided transportation, meals, and/or hospitality, Luz Marina and Chris Plater,Jeannie LeBlanc, Michael Liffmann, Victor Sanchez, Mariela Restrepo, Jackie Conque; and emotional support Norma Sardi, Diane and Bobby Leche, her rosary group, and international family and friends. We are eternally grateful fortheir love and dedication

AMemorial Mass willbe celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, at St JosephCathedral.Friends and family willgather to pray arosaryat10:30 a.m. Arepast will be held after Mass in the parish hall to visit with thefamily and friends.

Scotland, with which he maintained aclose researchrelationshipover many years. He was instrumental in establishing thePenningtonBiomedical Research Center, and maintained a researchprogram there, eventuallyretiring as Vice President of AcademicAffairs Emeritus and ProfessorEmeritus. But what he was most proud of were thehundredsofstudents he assisted,and with whom he conducted research, publishedresearch papers, and mentored as their professor. Nothing brought him greaterjoy than seeing thesuccess of his students.

HughDouglas Braymer, Ph.D. Hugh Douglas Braymer was born March 28, 1933, in Oklahoma City to Hugh John Braymer and Faye Campbell Braymer, and was their onlychild. Doug spent his formativeyears in Oklahoma graduating fromCapital Hill High School, and attending the University of Oklahoma on aPhillips PetroleumCompany scholarship,where he earneda B.S. and Masters degree in Chemistry, and aPh.D. in Bio-Chemistry. While at OU Doug married Marilyn Province, and they had their first child, John Allen. In 1960 he left Oklahoma to serve his military commitment in theUnitedStatesAir Force as aresearchscientist stationed at Brooks AirForce Base in SanAntonio. He achievedthe rank of First Lieutenant, and also served on thegraduate faculty at TrinityUniversity. During his time spent in Texas hisdaughter, Joffa Lyn, was born. After completionofhis military service, he moved hisfamily to Palo Alto,California where he held aNational InstituteofHealth Postdoctoral Fellowshipat Stanford University. In 1966, Doug was hired by Louisiana StateUniversity as an Assistant Professor in the Microbiology Department,a movethatforever changed hislifefor thebetter. He spent the next 34 years at LSU achieving therank of full professor, holding ajoint appointment withthe LSU Agricultural Center, and servingasthe Vice President of AcademicAffairs forthe LSUSystem. Ahighlight of his tenure at LSU was his sabbatical time spent as visiting professor of molecular biology at the University of Edinburgh,

Doug was alifetime member of theMethodist Church, with most of his adultlife spent at University United Methodist Church, in Baton Rouge, where he contributedin leadership positions, chaperoning choirtrips, and fund raising efforts to improvethe church's musical programs, particularlythe acquisitionofthe pipe organ. He was along-time proud member of theSunrise Rotary where he served as President,and laterasa Lieutenant Governor. He was apassionate fan of LSUMen'sBasketball havingbeena season ticket holdersince 1967, LSUWomen'sBasketball and LSUSoftball. In his youthheloved to flyfish and camp in theColorado Rockies Conejos Rivervalleywithhis parents, who predeceased him. He is survivedbyhis and Marilyn's children, John AllenBraymer and his wife Lorilin Gibbens Braymer; Dr. Joffa Lyn Braymer; grandchildren Ben and Jack Braymer; Betsy Webb and her husband Mitchell;Arden Smith Whitleyand her husband Chi of Austin,Texas; Mitchell Smith of Orlando, Florida; and great-grandchildren Lydiaand Alice Webb; and former wife Marilyn Braymer. His wife Gail Braymer survives him alongwithher children Courtney LeaNelson, Allison DixieSamrow, Summer Sunshine Domingue, Jonathan FranklinKilroy, and Catherine Ellen Kilroy. The family wouldliketo thank special caregivers Rani Peters,Tiffany Davis, Daci Royal and Jearlin Dunn. Services willbeon Friday August 22 at University United Methodist Church, with visitationbeginning at 10am and the serviceat11am. Honorary donations can be madeto St.JudeChildren's Hospital in his memory.

Joan

Joan Campbell,age 70, passed away peacefully at her home in Baker, Louisiana, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.A dedicatedand passionate educator, Joan servedthe studentsofEast Baton Rouge Parish for an extraordinary 50 years. She leavestocherish her memory her devoted husband, Weldon Campbell;her beloveddaughters, Mya Georgeand Michaela George; her cherishedgrandchild, Cameron Rogers; herlovingsisters, Vanessa Morris and Clyma

Hopkins; andher brother, Michael Vaughn Joan wasprecededin death by herparents, Wellington andGloria Vaughn,and hersister, YolandaVaughn. Familyand friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at True LightBaptist Church,3836 North Street, Baton Rouge,LA, from9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the Funeral Service immediately following. Reverend Dennis Hebert willofficiate. Joan will be laidtorest at Heavenly Gates Cemetery in Baton Rouge Servicesentrusted to Hall Davis and SonFuneral Services. Herlegacyoflove, wisdom, andservice will live on in thehearts of all who knew her.

Ms Debbie Faye Comager transitionedtobe with theLordonAugust 13, 2025, at home surrounded by herfamily. Sheissurvived by her2 daughters Taquincia(Anthony) Plain andChristy (Joseph) Smith,5grandchildrenand 5great-grandchildren,5 sistersand 2brothers. She is reunited with herdaughter Antoinette Comager, Mother Geraldine Wilson, Father AlbertComagerJr., andbrother Frederick Comager. ViewingwillbeAugust 23, 2025 at Hall Davis andSon Funeral Home. 9348 Scenic Hwy. Baton Rouge,La70807 from 8am to 10 pm withthe service to follow immediatelyafter.

JoyceM.“BooBoo” Cooksdepartedthislife Sunday, August 10, 2025, at her residenceinThibo‐daux, LA.She was74, ana‐tiveofThibodaux,LA. Visi‐tationonSaturday, August 23, 2025, at Williams & SouthallFuneralHome, Thibodaux,LA, from 9:00 amtoreligious services at 11:00 am.Arrangementsby Williams &SouthallFuneral Home, 1204 ClevelandSt., Thibodaux,LA70301, (985) 447-2513. To sign guest book or offercondolences visit ourwebsite at www williamsandsouthallfune ralhome.com.

Cordell, Rosalyn Sue

"Let us never consider ourselves finishednurses. We mustbelearning allof our lives."-Florence Nightingale. Rosalyn Sue Cordellpassedawayon Friday, August 8, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana afterher battle with Parkinson's. Shewas bornon November 23, 1944 in Bauxite, Arkansas to Herbert Williamand Dorothy Dunmire Cordell; sheenjoyed saying that she was brought by theturkey, but not by thestork! ShegraduatedfromLittleRockCentral High School in 1962 andfrom theUniversityofArkansas in Fayetteville with aBachelor of Science in Business Administrationin1966. Shemarried DexterLeake Rollins of Dallasand moved to Baton Rouge, Louisianain1969. Rosalyn made agracioushome for theirtwo sons, serving as CubScoutden mother part time substitute teacher,and realtor. Hercalling to healthcare ultimately ledher back to her studies, graduating fromSoutheastern LouisianaUniversityin 1987 with aBachelor of ScienceinNursing.She then embarked on afulfilling career in theSurgical IntensiveCareUnitofOur Lady of theLake Hospital andatWoman's Hospital. Knownaffectionately as "Hurricane Roz," her strengthand caring nature were memorable. Beyond her work in themedical profession,Rosalyn's creativeoutlet wasthrough her catering company, "Cakes by Roz," known for her specialtyrum cake. Rosalyn served in the Junior LeagueofBaton Rouge, on theVestry of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, andasa Lay Eucharistic MinisteratSt. James Episcopal Church. Sheloved to entertain at her home, and shetraveledwidely. She found immensejoy in playingtennisatBocage Racquet Club and in learning to scuba dive.

Rosalyn is survivedby her sisters MyrleneTedford (Robert) andKaren Cordell, both of Benton, Arkansas; herbrotherHerbert WilliamCordell (Becca) of Lousiville, Colorado; her son DavidCordell Rollins (Julie)ofBaton Rouge; her son Michael DexterRollins of Montreal Canada; hergranddaughters SophieRae Loubiere Rollins andLillianSteele Rollins of Baton Rouge; her granddaughter Lila Rose Rollins of Westwood, Kansas; andmanybeloved nieces and nephews, Robin TedfordPerry (Roger), CharleenTedfordFrancis (Michael), Mark Rollins Olson (Tisha), Will Cordell, andAlexCordell (Linsey) Thefamily wouldliketo extend heartfeltgratitude to Carmen Darensbourg, R.N.,and KristyMays, YorchaLeatherman,and Jeannette Ruffin,the gentlest andmost patientcaregivers.They also wish to express deepgratitude to theresidentsand staff of theWilliamsburg Senior Living Community fortheir support over the past years.

Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Friday, August 22, 2025 at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton

Rouge, followedbya service andreception at 11:00 am.Anadditional receptionwill be heldat4:00pm at WilliamsburgSenior LivingCommunity.Inlieuof flowers,donations maybe made to theBauxiteHistoricalAssociationand Museum:6707 BentonSt., Bauxite, AR 72011.

Laurina Killeen Geraci 82,a native of New Orleans, passed away peacefully August 16, 2025 after a prolonged illness. She was the eldest daughter of Eugene and Maxine Sandrock Killeen, as their third childofsix. She graduated from Annunciation High School whereshe was selected for Pelican State and received the AmericanLegion award. Shemet the love of her life, Leon Philip Geraci, as afriend of her brothers. They married in June of 1963 and soon welcomed their daughters, Mary Elizabeth(Liz),and the following year, Lori Ann. Laurina was adevoted homemaker, school volunteer, and caregiver for her aged parents. "Ms.Lee" as she was known by her patrons, worked for many years in retail in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. She worked at D'Avanti Fashions, then B &B Pharmacy until it was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. She and Leon then relocated to Baton Rouge where she was adevoted caregiver to her family. Though relocating from New Orleans was hardest thing, she knew it was the safest optionfrom all the evacuations they had endured living in the city. Leon and Laurina celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013 with a trip for the whole family to the Inn by the Sea Resort in Pass Christian, MS. On the trip, their marriage was blessed by Fr. Cuddy at St. Clare Catholic Church in Waveland, MS Laurina was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Michael, John, and Eugene Thomas, Jr She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Leon, her loving daughters Liz (Sterling) Core of Baton Rouge, and Lori Ann (Ozgur) KaraosmanogluofBethesda, MD. She was adevoted "Granny" to her five grandchildren: Trey and Andy Core, and Leyla, Alex(Cristina)and Sara Karaosmanoglu. She is survived by her loving brother and sister, Patrick Killeen and Mary L. Killeen. Also survived by her lifelong friend, Haroleen West. Services Saturday, August 23, 2025 at St.Thomas More Catholic Church, with Visitation at 10am anda Funeral Massat11am. Private Internment at St.Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans at alaterdate Ourfamilyextendsour thanks to Dr.Todd Cooley and Laurina's caregiver, Shamyra Lee.

Memorial Garden 3012 Blount Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Cami D. Jonesentered intoeternal rest at herres‐idenceinDenhamSprings, Louisiana on August 15, 2025. Shewas a33-year old nativeofBaton Rouge, Louisiana.Viewing at Inter‐denominationalFaith As‐semblyonTuesday,August 26, 2025 at 8:00 am until Celebration of Life Service at10:00 am conductedby PastorGuevara Johnson. Survivors includeher fi‐ancee',Garrick Ellois,Sr.; children, Sam'MyriaJones and GarrickEllois, Jr.; mother, Paulette Jones; fa‐ther, Earl Davis, Sr.grand‐mother, BeverlyAnn Nero Spurlock; nieces,nephews other relativesand friends. Arrangementsentrusted to Miller& Daughter Mortu‐ary

Aretired school teacher of East Baton Rouge Parish, she diedonThursday, August 14, 2025,atthe ageof83. Visiting on August 23 at Mount Pleasant BaptistChurch, 1743 ConventionSt. Baton Rouge, La., 9amuntil religious servicesat11am. Conducted by Pastor Donald Green. Interment in Roselawn Memorial Park. Survived by her brotherDonaldV Lee. Services areentrusted to DesselleFuneral Home 263 Eddie RobinsonSr. Drive, Baton Rouge,La. 70802

5414 Hwy. 1, Napoleonville, LA, (985) 369-7231. To sign the guestbook or offer condolences,visit ourweb‐siteatwww.williamsand southallfuneralhome.com.

Newton Jr., EddieL. Funeralservicesfor EddieL.NewtonJr. will be heldSaturday, August 23 2025 at Promised Land Baptist Church,7234 Plank Rd. Apublicvisitationwill beheldfrom9:00a.m.until 11:00 a.m. with religious servicesbeginning at 11:00 am. Interment: Southern MemorialGardens.Profes‐sionalservicesentrusted toCharles Mackey Funeral Home.

Gilbert Roberts,age 60, passed away peacefully at hishome on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving family Gilbert was adedicated Supervisorwiththe United States Postal Service and was respected and admiredbyhis colleagues and communityalike. He is survivedbyhis belovedwife,Nancy Roberts,and his cherished son, Micaiah Roberts. Family and friends are invitedtoattend thevisitation on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at United Christian Faith Ministries, 9229 N. RidgewoodDr. Baton Rouge, LA from11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Funeral services willimmediatelyfollow, withDr. Mark Ellis officiating.Gilbert willbelaid to rest at theLouisianaNational Cemetery Gilbert will be remembered forhis unwavering dedication,kindspirit, and thelovehehad forhis family and friends.

It is withprofound sorrowthat we announce the passing of Ms. Mary Cador Spencer, who departed this earthly life on the12th of August,inthe year of our Lord 2025, at thedistinguishedage of 79. Apublic viewing shall be held in her honoronFriday, the22nd of August, from4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at WinnfieldFuneral Home.A second viewing willtakeplace on Saturday, the23rd of August, commencing at 9:00 AM The celebration of life services shallfollow at 11:00 AM. Herearthly remains shall be laid to rest at at WinnfieldMemorial Park The distinguished & solemnarrangements havebeenentrusted to the care of WinnfieldFuneral Home of Baton Rouge &C D. Slaughter, FDIC.

Venison left this earthlylife on August 10, 2025 in Dallas, TX. She is preceded in death by her husband,Lee Venison. In her beloved Gamma Eta Omega ChapterofAlphaKappa AlphaSorority, Inc., she joyfully celebrated 50 years of sisterhood and service.Visitation on August 23, 2025 at St. Francis XavierCatholicChurch at 1120 Myrtle Walk, Baton Rouge, LA.70802. Viewing is from8-9AM; IvyBeyond theWallCeremony from 99:30AM followedbythe

Martin,SidneyLee Sidney LeeMartin, ares‐ident of Jackson, passed awaypeacefully on August 8,2025 at LouisianaWar VeteransHome. He was79 years oldand wasa US Armyveteran.Memorial VisitationwillbeonSatur‐day,August23, 2025 at Sec‐ond BaptistChurch Fellow‐shipHallinJackson from 10:30am until 1:30pm.Heis survivedbyhis daughter, Ingrid Ogea anda son, Jur‐gen Martin andwife, Heather.Sister, Velva Stricklandand brother, Allen Martin andwife, ShellyGrandchildren,Kat‐rinaMartin, B.J. Whitting‐ton,Jr.,ShelbyWiley, Alyssa Martin,and Kate‐lynnMartin. Greatgrand‐children, Jonathan Whit‐field, Jr Tara Harris,Jor‐dan Hobgood,Lil Ron Wiley, Amelia Moeand AubreeMoe.Great great grandchildren Jaliyah Whitfieldand JasonSan‐toyo, Jr.Heisprecededin death by hisparents,AJ and LucilleMartin, son-inlaw,Darren“Deno”Ogea, brother,DewyMartin, brother-in-law, Roland Stricklandand hislifepart‐ner,BillieJeanMartin. Share sympathies,condo‐lencesand memories at www.CharletFuneralH ome@gmail.com.

Sims III, Robert 'Nunnie' Robert “Nunnie”Sims, III departedthislifeWednes‐day,August13, 2025, at Thibodaux Regional Med‐icalCenter. He was63, a nativeofNew Orleans, LA and aresidentofThibo‐daux, LA.Religious ser‐vices on Saturday,August 23, 2025, at Williams & SouthallFuneralHome, Thibodaux,LA, at 1:00pm Intermenttofollow. ArrangementsbyWilliams & Southall FuneralHome, 1204 ClevelandSt.,Thibo‐daux, LA 70301. (985) 4472513. To sign guestbook or offercondolences,visit our website at www.william sandsouthallfuneralhome. com. Hall,Marion Services forMarionHall willbeheldSaturday, Au‐gust23, 2025 at Antioch FullGospelBaptist Church, 5247 Ford St.A public visi‐tationwillbeheldfrom 9:00a.m.until 10:00a.m withfuneral services be‐ginning at 10:00 a.m. Inter‐ment: Private. Professional servicesentrusted to Charles Mackey Funeral Home.

Singleton, KarenA. KarenA.Singleton,a residentofWhite Castle LA, passedawaySaturday, August9,2025 at Ochsner Medical Complex-Iberville atthe ageof68. Visitation onSaturday, August 23, 2025 from 9a.m.until reli‐gious serviceat11a.m.at Greater ProgressiveBap‐tistChurch,32580 Leona Ave., WhiteCastle, LA 70788. Rev. RoyalWilliams, Pastor. Arrangements en‐trusted to Pugh’s Mortu‐ary,Plaquemine, LA (225) 687-2860. Johnson, Curtis Lee

Curtis Lee Johnson. He peacefully passedaway Tuesday, August12,2025 in Baton Rouge, La. He was born June 7, 1953 in New Orleans, LA. Acelebration of his life will be held on August 23rd at Wilson WooddaleFuneral home, 1553 Wooddale Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.Visiting from 10-11am. Service starts at 11am. Interment will be held at Southern Mills, WilliamLane'Will'

William“Will”LaneMills departedthislifeonMon‐day,August11, 2025, at his residence in Plattenville LA. He was26, anativeof Napoleonville,LA. Visita‐tiononSaturday, August 23, 2025, at St.Charles Bap‐tistChurch from 9:00 am religious services at 11:00 am. Intermentinthe church cemetery.Arrange‐ments by Williams& Southall FuneralHome,

recitation of therosary untilthe funeral mass at 10AM. Sheissurvived by herson Marcus Venison hiswife Erica andtheir childrenCharleeVenison andCarter Dotson;and a host of otherrelativesand friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to TheVenison Memorial Fundat Southern University at https://foundation.sus.edu /venison-memorial dens in Baton Rouge Louisiana.

Watterson,Lois Funeralservicesfor Lois Watterson will be held Sat‐urday,August23, 2025 at Greater King DavidBaptist Church,222 Blount Rd.A publicvisitationwillbe heldfrom9:00a.m.until 10:00 a.m. with funeralser‐vices beginningat10:00 a.m.Interment:Robinson Cemetery, Varnado, LA Professionalservicesen‐trusted to CharlesMackey FuneralHome.

Deborah Denise Drew Webb,age 65, passed away peacefullyather home in Zachary, Louisiana, on Friday, August 15, 2025, surrounded by herlovingfamily.

Sheleaves behindher devotedhusband, Clarence Webb,Jr., andher cherished daughters: Kadron Webb,Lauren Webb,and Clarissa Webb.Deborahis also survivedbyher belovedbrothers, Otis (Theryl) Drew,Jr. andDeAngelo D. Drew;thirteengrandchildren; anda host of other loving relativesand friends whose lives she toucheddeeply. Deborah was preceded in death by herparents, Rosieand Otis Drew,Sr.,as well as abrother andsister. Herlegacyoflove, strength,and kindness will live on through themany lives she influenced. She will be laidtorest at Southern Memorial Gar-

Williams Jr., Eddie EddieWilliams, Jr., a residentofPlaquemine, LA passedawayWednesday, August6,2025 at theage of 81. Visitation on Saturday, August23, 2025 from 10 a.m.until religiousservices at1 p.m. at Faithand Abun‐dance Strong TowerKing‐dom Center,58126 Plaque‐mineStreet,Plaquemine, LA70764. ApostleSterling Batton, Sr Officiating. Arrangementsentrusted to Pugh’sMortuary, Plaquem‐ine,LA(225) 687-2860.

OPINION

Cassidyshouldlooktothe past on hispolitical future

In June, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, announced he was retiring afteropposing President Donald Trump on the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, due to myriad concerns about the bill and how the vote was handled. Tillis was unsparing in his criticism of the culture he’d decided to leave.

“Too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics who really don’tgive adamn about thepeoplethey promised to represent on the campaign trail,” he said. He followed up by saying that,for the remainder of his term, “I look forward tohaving the pure freedom to call the balls and strikes as Isee fit.”

His stinging indictment of Washington was uncharacteristically blunt. But in choosingnot to run for reelection, he’d removed most real consequences.But it raisesthe question: Why only now call balls and strikes? Is an office worth keeping for its own sake alone?

On Oct. 9, 1964,atime no less

polarizedthan now,President Lyndon Johnson raised theseissues to every major officeholder in Louisiana in atoo-little remembered speech at the Jung Hotel in New Orleans. Johnson was running for reelection, having signed the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act months earlier Johnson knew the bill was toxic in Louisiana at the time. Instead of dodging the issue, he decided to call out thecowardice and hypocrisy ofhis fellow Southern politicians.

Alluding to the Civil RightsAct, Johnson said,“The people that would useusand destroy us first divide us allthese years they have kept their foot on our necks by appealing to our animosities, and dividing us. We have aConstitution and aBill of Rights, and we have the lawofthe land. And twothirds of the Democrats in the Senatevotedfor it, and three-fourths of the Republicans.I signedit, and Iamgoing to enforce it and Iam going to observe it.”

Johnson then told the story

of an old senator,“whose name Iwon’tcall,” who once asked Speaker Sam Rayburn for encouragement to make one last speech for thegood of his troubled state.

“I feel like Ihave one in me,” Johnson quoted the unnamed senator.“The poor old state, they haven’theard aDemocratic speech in 30 years. All they ever hear at election timeisN*****! N*****! N*****!”

Johnson’suse of the N-word shocked the audience. The word was common at the time, but none would use it openly in such asetting.

The Times-Picayune quoted him as saying “Negro! Negro! Negro!” Johnson himself corrected the record in his own memoirs. His speech addressed the ugliness of theword but subverted its power, using it to call out the hypocrisy of the politicians and their enablers who knowingly channeled our worst impulses.

Johnson’smeaning was as clear as it was indirect: Toomany of his fellow politicians were wasting their political careers by ignoring thereasons they sought office in

In today’scollege sports landscape, it’s time forTitle IX to evolve

Let me say this clearly andupfront: I’m all in on women’ssports. I’ma proud girl dad. Ibelieve women deserve every single opportunityand scholarship that menget in college athletics.Just look at LSU women’sbasketball,right here in my home state, and how it’stransformed the school’s athletic brand. Or the rise of elite women’ssoccer across the country.Weshouldbeinvesting in that momentum, not slowing it down. But while we’ve reimagined nearly every aspect of college sports, Title IX remains largely untouched. It’sbeen acritical vehicle for progress —nodoubt about that. But it has also shut down opportunities for men in ways that don’talways make sense anymore, especially now that money is flowing into college sports like never before.

thefirst place, and engaging in thebasest prejudices just to hold office. His unnamed senator only realized in his last days that he’d had theopportunity to do good but chose theeasy path instead.

Louisiana’sU.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy has publicly struggled with this dilemma. After alandslide reelection in 2020, Cassidy boldly voted in thesecond impeachment proceedingtoconvict President Donald Trumpfor his clear misdeeds on Jan.6,2021, but Trump’s surprisingrebirth put him in a bind. Cassidy was clearly trou-

bled by the nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr.for secretary of health and human services, but he ultimately supported him But recently,Cassidy expressed frustration at Kennedy forcutting mRNA vaccine funding, something Kennedy strongly implied he would not do during his confirmation hearing. It’s something Cassidy could have stopped by withholding his confirmation vote. Repeatedly,Cassidy and Tillis have faced the samedilemma as Johnson raised in the ‘60’s —take the easy path by playing to people’sprejudices and tribal instincts, or take risks, and hopefully do somegood. Iwouldn’tpresumetotell Cassidy or Tillis what to do. But I would remind them of Johnson’s warning: Useyour time in office forthe good of your state and your country.Don’tend your careers regretting the good you could have done, but failed to do out of fear

Cliff Smithisalawyer,a former congressional stafferand a freelancewriter

Let’sbring back modern independentfilms to BR

Just because Louisiana’sbestand brightesthavehad an oversized influence on the world of entertainment doesn’tmean they have to be ourstate’s No. 1export.

The entire landscapehas shiftedover the past few yearswith thearrival of NIL and the paying of college “amateur” athletes. What used to be one of the great taboos in collegesports —punishable by suspensionsand resulting in scandal —isnow wide-open Instead of carefully regulated compensation, it’s become afree-for-all. And in some ways, there are even fewerrestrictions than in professional leagues, because these players aren’tunder contract. The transfer portal has only addedtothe chaos,giving athletes the freedom to chase winning programs, preferred coaches or better systems Men’ssoccer is ExhibitA.Did you know that not asingle SEC school has avarsity men’ssoccer team? Think about that. Florida, Alabama, Georgia —massive athletic brandswithpassionate fanbases—don’tfield men’s teams. Many of their club teams could probably compete with varsity squads elsewhere. Do you think Vermontwins the national title in 2024 if the SECisin themix? With the North American World Cup around the cornerand growing concern over the U.S. Men’s National Team, it’sworth asking: Wouldn’tmore scholarships, more programs andmore investment help raisethe level of play? It might not be the silver bullet,but it certainly wouldn’thurt.

And it’snot just about soccer.Wrestling tells asimilar story.States like Texas, Florida and Louisiana have elite highschool programs, but those athletes often have to leavethe region to find ahandful of scholarship opportunities at schools like Iowa. Auburn won the SEC title in wrestling in 1981. That same year,itcut theprogram LSUfinished in theTop 10 in 1983 and 1984, then dropped the sport shortly after,again due to Title IX compliance pressures. It doesn’tend there. Men’s gymnastics, crew,weightlifting —sports that don’trequire huge budgets— havebeen cut at schools across thecountry.These aren’tluxury sports. They’re opportunities for student-athletes who train just as hard and dream just as big. And here’sthe thing:The money is there now.NIL deals, big booster clubs and collectives with deep pockets have changed theequation. Awell-organized collectivefocused on soccer or wrestling in amajor sports state could absolutely fund avarsity program, maybe even several, without taking anything away from women’sathletics.Infact, support for women’sprogramscould be built in as arequirement when launching or restoring these men’s teams. That’sthe kind of practical, modern framework we should be discussing No one is suggesting we undo Title IX. Butmaybeit’stime to evolve it —just as everything else in college sports has evolved. Let’sbuild asystem that continues to champion women while also making room for men in places where there’sreal interest, tradition and potential national impact

Compared to themultimillion-dollar NIL chaos and the anything-goes transfer portal, this feels like apretty reasonable conversation. Title IX was writtenwith great intentions, and it’s accomplished alot. Butitdeserves a thoughtful,modern look —one that ensures themission lives on while keeping pacewith the realityoftoday’s college sports landscape.

Seth Bloom is aNew Orleans attorney and former president of the Orleans Parish SchoolBoard.

The inaugural Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival, happening this week, is more than just achance to escape intothe gloriously air-conditionedManship Theatre. Its significance goes far beyond offering filmmakers, producers and cinephiles the chance to connect and experience amazing films most will never seeonthe big screen anywhere else.

For the city and Louisiana’screative economy,BRUFF is important stuff —and it deserves thesupportofour community and local leaders.

While Baton Rougeisrightfully leaning intoour growing reputation as the“College Sports Capital of America,” it’sprobably asurprisetomany that we have alegitimate claim to another impressive title: The Birthplace of Modern Independent Film. The current state of the industry in Louisiana and throughout thenation underscores whyleaning into that title could be more importantthan ever Butfirst, let’s look at how we earnedthat title. Wayback in 1988, ayoung University High graduatenamed StevenSoderbergh shot afilm in Baton Rouge called “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” completely outside thetraditional Hollywood studio system.

Like many states, Louisiana invested heavily in the film industry by incentivizing production through tax credits over the past 20 years. That investment bore many fruits in the form of thousands of jobs created from hundreds of productions, generating billions in economic impact andwindfalls forlocal businessesand payrolls forlocal residents. Our local crews grew so experienced andskilled, we produced sevenfilms thatwerenominatedfor Best Picture in just over adecade. But we let ourown content creators—like TylerPerry and the Duplass brothers —move away,and we grew way toodependent on outsiders to bring us production work. Today, corporate Hollywood mostly greenlights rebootsand sequels of past hits while making fewer original projects —manyfilmedoverseas to cut costs and avoidour unions. Sound stagesfromLouisiana to California sit empty as skilledfilm crews across the nationwaitfor work that never seems to come.

The film was widely credited with putting thenow-prestigious Sundance Film Festival on the map when it screened there in 1989 and won thecoveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film FestivalinFrance that same year.Withaproductionbudget of just $1.2 million, the film was acquired by Miramax and grossed over $36 million at the box office.

“Sex, Lies, and Videotape” is often cited as the film that kicked off the “modern independent film movement” in America, in addition to catapulting Steven Soderbergh’scareer

While his films have gone on to gross over $2.3 billion, Soderbergh movedaway from Louisiana decades ago Baton Rouge would be wise to nurture and supportthe next Soderberghs, whoever they might be.WithLSU,Southern andBaton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge is still that samecollege town that produced the famous director.College towns are often fertile grounds forproducing brilliant minds,creative ideas and collaborations between greatstorytellers. Austinhelped establish the careers of Richard Linklater,Robert Rodriguez, TerrenceMalick, Mike Judge and numerous others. More importantly,itbuilt the support systems to keep them there.

Incredible scripts with great stories and wildly originalideas collect dust as talentedactorsprayfor their phones to ring. Toomanyhavesimply given up on their dreams andmoved on.

With its “Welcome, Underdogs” slogan andits mission to champion filmmakers who areboldenough to find the resources to greenlight their ownprojects, BRUFF can be arallying point —ifnot the beginning of anew movement —todisrupt the Hollywood system that is currently failing Louisiana andmany other states. With Louisiana’s $125 millionannual tax incentive program, state officials, industry insiders andcommunity leaders should attend as many BRUFF industry panels as possible to understand whatneeds to happentoget ourcrews back to work here andresiduals flowing back to Louisiana investors andcontent creators. If modern independent film was born in BatonRouge just over 35 yearsago, BRUFF givesusthe opportunity to bring it back home —and this time,build the support systemtokeepithere for generations to come.

Patrick Mulhearn is theCEO of Baton Rouge-basedfilm finance company Irrevocable Designee, LLC.

COMMENTARY

President Donald Trump metwith hisRussian counterpartVladimir Putinata summit in Anchorage,Alaska,lastweek as part of Trump’songoing efforts to find asolution to the war in Ukraine.While initially Ukraine and its allies hoped the summit could help bring forth acease-fire so peace negotiations could moveforward, Russia appears to have balked at theidea. Instead,itwantstopursue awide-ranging peacedeal. Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelenskyyand European leaders met with Trumpafter the summit to determinewhat their next stepswouldbe. Some remain uneasy about Trump’s willingness to takePutin at his word, arguing that the Russian leaderisjuststalling so he cangrab more land on the battlefield.What did theAlaska meeting achieve?Hereare twoperspectives:

Nowit is theOld World’sturntorescuethe U.S.

As flaccid as aboned fish, Donald Trump crumpled quicker than even Vladimir Putin probably anticipated. The former KGB agent currently indicted for war crimes felt no need to negotiate with the man-child. The president’sthunderous demands —a 50-day deadline, a10-day deadline, “severe consequences,” a ceasefire before negotiations—all were just noise.

clarity about Trump.

Foranation,more dangerous than an enemy’s hatred is his contempt, which makes him reckless andimplacable. Speaking to some of his generals in August 1939, Hitler said, “Our enemies are little worms. Isaw them at Munich.” Andthe war came days later

As Mark Twain said, thunder is impressive butlightning does the work. Into Trump’s post-Alaska vagaries aboutprogress and agreements on “many points,” an old question intrudes: Can the phrase “insipidbeyond words” be applied to words?

Alaska clarified what wasunclear only to the obtuse: Putin wants to win the war,Trump wants to end it, and as GeorgeOrwell said, the quickest way to end awar is to lose it. Putin insolently did not suppress his smirk while on the red carpet that Trump rolled out for him. He almost certainly already had dangerous

Letus hope that America’sdomestic political degradations have not rendered it incapable of embarrassment, which is aprerequisite for recuperation.

Alaska was not just another drop in our overflowingbucket of mortifications.Itwas proof that for the next 41 months, no interlocutor can believea wordthe U.S.president says. The problem is not that he is endlessly cynical, which would be animprovement. Rather,he seems promiscuously sincere, believingeverything equally,no matter howdiscordanthis beliefs today are with yesterday’s. It has been well said that our most im-

portant ideas are those that contradict our feelings.Does Trump have any such? Does he have an inkling of the coarse culture that produced Putin?When Dwight Eisenhower asked Gen. Georgy Zhukov,the foremost Soviet hero of World WarII, how theRed Army cleared minefields, Zhukov replied that it marched through them. Putin has been marinated in lore about that war,and about “the West”trying “tocancel a whole 1,000 year culture, our people.” He is delusional, but serious. He articulates his seriousness while his U.S. adversary advertises his lack thereof. Hence Trump’sinabilitytorecognize thecontinuity between the Soviet Union and Putin’sRussia.

Speaking last week on Russia statetelevision, Konstantin Zatulin, aleader in Putin’spolitical party, said of Ukraine: “Everywhere that aRussian soldier has put his feet will undoubtedly be kept by Russia.”The Brezhnev Doctrine has been tweaked. This doctrine was enunciated

by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1968, three weeks before Soviet forces intervened to crush the “Prague Spring” liberalization in Czechoslovakia. It was: Wherever socialism had been planted, socialist regimes had aduty to preserve it. Putin’s yearning to restore the supposed grandeur of the Soviet Union’sdecrepitude is worse than mere nostalgia, as sociologist Robert Nisbet defined it: “a rust of memory.” Acorrosion. The Soviet nomenklatura, of which Putin and some of his satrapswere members, derived psychological as well as material income from the U.S.S.R.’s status as asuperpower.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived at his Alaska hotel wearing a “CCCP”sweatshirt, the Cyrillic initials for the U.S.S.R. Trump, too, resembles afly in amber,frozen decades ago. Speaking on Fox News,referring to nuclear arsenals, he said of Russia, “Weare number one and they are number twointhe world.” They,however,have one-

third of the European Union’s population and one-tenth its GDP As this is written, leaders from acontinent thickly planted with military cemeteries have come to Washington, soon to go home. Then we shall learn whether,at long last, “Europe” is morethan a geographical expression. Eighty-five summersago, the United States, which began as an emanation of Europe, was saluted by Britain’sprimeminister in the House of Commons. On adark day (June 4, 1940) he anticipated the day when “the NewWorld, with all its power and might, steps forward to the rescue and the liberation of the old.” Now it is the Old World’sturn to rescue the United States. It needs to be liberated from the chimera that it has no substantial stake in the outcome of high-intensity, state-on-state violence inflicted by anuclear power obedient to aman whohas actual beliefs: crackpot, but real, and menacing. Email George Will at georgewill@ washpost.com

DidDonaldTrump getrolledbyPutin in Alaska?

Promising severe consequenc-

es if Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’tagree to aceasefire with Ukraine and then apparently reversing himself is what sends asignal of weakness,not only to Putin, but to the world.

On Saturday,Trump posted this on Truth Social: “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to apeace agreement, which would end the war, and not amere CeasefireAgreement, which often times do not hold up.” Given Putin’strack record of lies, he is unlikely to uphold another agreement (see below).

the Donbas region and freeze the front lineselsewhere for an agreement withUkraine, aEuropean diplomat confirmed to Fox News. Donbas had aprewar population of around 6.5 million andincludes the Luhanskand Donetsk regions.

“After meeting with Putin on Friday in Alaska, Trump told European allies that the Russian president reiterated that he wants the key Luhanskand Donetsk regions, but that he appeared open to the possibilityof ending the stalemate in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson alongwitha freeze along the frontlines.”

Fox News reported Sunday “... Trump supports Russian leader Vladimir Putin’sproposal for Moscowtotake full control of

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected the idea of surrendering the territory in the Donbas.

If the president succumbs to Putin’sposition, even partially,

and asks Zelenskyy to give up some territory,thiswould be seen by many,including Putin, as capitulation and an encouragement to Putin to finishthe job in Ukraine and eventually try to claim the former Soviet Republics It appears that extreme sanctions, including secondarysanctionsoncountries that buy oil from Russia, are off the table. Don’tlook for HillaryClinton to nominateTrump for theNobel Peace Prize, as she cheekily told podcaster Jessica Tarlov she might do, if Trump concluded a favorable peace deal. Unless it somehow miraculously happens. Effective responses might have included selling U.S. arms to NATO,which Trump once suggested,sothat NATO could ship them intoUkraineand theU.S. would not be footing thebill. Putin is about as unreliable a

partner as some celebrity marriages. Anyone who believeshe will honor anyagreementhe might sign to pause or stop the war he startedhasn’tbeen paying attention. AUkraine government webpage sums up whatUkraine and others have had to endure from Russia: “Russia’smodern history is built on afoundation of lies and broken promises about peace.

It’salong list of violated treaties, fake ceasefires, and deceptive guarantees of ‘friendly relations’ Forevery act of military aggression thatRussia has committedinthe last 30 years, there is acorresponding Russian lie about peace talks, peacekeeping, or negotiations. The Russian invasion of Georgia resulted in a so-called peace settlement that threatensGeorgia’s borders to this day.Russia’s fake ‘peace-

keeping’ missioninMoldova turnedanentire region of the country into an isolated island with no prospects. The peace agreement promised by Moscow to Ichkeria (known as Chechnya in Russiansources)ended with 50,000 to 80,000 people dead underbrutalshelling. The complete list of horrific consequences of ‘Russianpeace’ could fill an entire book.” Adeal thatinvolvesUkraine ceding land to Putin is likely to be rejected by Zelenskyy,who would seeitassurrender President Ronald Reagan used to saywhendealing with Soviet Union leaders: “Trust but verify.” Trump’sand Zelynskyy’sattitude toward Putin should be “don’t trust andconsider sanctions” if a peace deal can’t be reached Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com

SEC moving to nine-game conference schedule

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

The SEC will begin playing anine-game conference schedule in football duringthe 2026 season,anew format that includes three annual opponents for every team.

The decision was approved by the league’s presidents and chancellors Thursday after arecommendation from the athleticdirectors. It followed achange to thestrengthof schedulemetric used by the College Football Playoff that was supported by the SEC.

“Adding aninth SEC game underscores ouruniversities’ commitmenttodelivering the most competitive football schedulein thenation,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in astatement. “This formatprotects rivalries, increases competitivebalance, and paired with our requirementto play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”

Under the new format, the SEC will continue to play without divisions, which it scrapped last year with the additions ofTexas and Oklahoma.Itwill implement thethree annual opponents, and the other six games will rotate among the remaining schools

ä See SEC, page 5C

Nov. 9atTiger Stadium.

It took toolong, butSEC made rightchoiceon football schedule

SOUT HERN VS.NOR TH CAROLINA CENT RAL• 6:30 P.M. SATURDAy •ABC

Southernrunning back Trey Holly runs the ball during ateam scrimmageonAug.9 at A.W.Mumford Stadium.

STARTINGLINE

Alookathow Southern will select itsstartingRB, rotate lineup

BY TOYLOY BROWNIII Staff writer

The Southern football team hasn’tannounced who its starting quarterback will be againstNorth Carolina Central at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Atlanta

Coach TerrenceGravessaid Tuesday he isn’tsure who will be the startingrunning back or what therotation might look like. Regardless of whether he’s withholding that information for gamesmanship, he’s allowing his assistants to take control of that decision.

“I work for thefootball coaches, the assistant coaches,” Graves said. “Those guys aregoing to tell me how we’re going to do this thingand, you know,Itrust them. And again, if youdon’t trust your assistant coaches,then whyhave them?”

Graves did share who he thinks was themost likely to start

“Mike (Franklin)has been getting thebrunt of the payload the last couple of days,”hesaid. “So if Iwas to say, it would probably be Mike starting off.”

The6-foot-2,225-pound Franklinisa Jacksonville State transfer and the only senioratthe position. Last

year,heappeared in four games and finished with 55 yards on eight carries.

Franklin is theJaguars’ heaviest back andweighs30 more pounds than all but twoplayers in the room

Running backs coach Marcus Bradley said the starter for the opener hadn’tbeen determinedduring the last week of preseason camp.

“The guy that gets the snaps will be earnedeach week throughout practice,” the first-year assistant coach said. “Those guys know that Idon’tgive anything, and so they’ll have to come in and put in the work throughout the weekofpractice and we’ll see who trots out there first.”

Southern has eight running backs, including five transfers and one true freshman. Graves was confident, saying thatthe Week 0game would be “running back by committee.”

The biggest name in the committee is LSU transfer Trey Holly.The 5-foot-7, 192-pound redshirt sophomore was the last addition at the position to join before camp and Graves said thatdespite joining later, he’s been learning quickly

ä See SOUTHERN, page 5C

Common sense often flows likemolasses in this world, especially within an entity as large as the now 16-team Southeastern Conference. Finally,however,the SEC’smembership has cometogether aroundthe bargaining table and donethe right thing when it comes to football scheduling. The smart thing. Startingin2026, the SEC will shift from eightto nine conference games. Like alot of people,I’m not ahuge fan of enormous change. Butonce theSEC stepped foot into the reality of an expanded 16-team conference with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, nine gamesmadethe most sense for all sorts of reasons: n Nine games, with three permanent opponents per school and six rotatingopponents (divisional play remains arelic of thepast) laythe framework foreverySEC school to play every otherschool within a four-year period. It also allows schools to preserve primary and secondary rivalries as

to the prospect of one permanent per school with eightgames. Texas

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

place that raised him The City of NewOrleans honored Tyrann Mathieu forhis contributions both as acitizen and as afootball player Thursday afternoon at CityHall, giving himakey to the city andproclaiming August 21 to be Tyrann Mathieu DayinNew Orleans. “I

WNBA silences critics, breaks attendance mark

With 21/2 weeks left in the WNBA’s regular season, the league has already broken its single-season attendance record.

League officials announced Thursday that the league’s 13 teams have drawn a total of 2,501,609 fans over 226 games this season, surpassing the previous mark set in 2002 when the league had 16 teams. It also took the WNBA 256 games to reach the milestone in 2002.

Henley leads at Tour Championship

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

ATLANTA Russell Henley hardly missed a putt. Scottie Scheffler hardly missed a fairway They led a parade of players who seized on the soft conditions at East Lake to begin the race for the Tour Championship and the season-ending FedEx Cup title.

Henley one-putted six of his last seven holes and made three birdie putts from 40 feet or longer and, with three straight birdies at the end, had a 9-under 61 to build a two-shot lead over the world’s No. 1 player Scheffler didn’t miss a beat from last week — really the last

five months and finished with a 25-foot par save on the 16th and two birdies for a 63 That’s his lowest round by two shots in his six appearances at East Lake.

The entertainment came from Rory McIlroy, who bladed a bunker shot on the par-5 18th hole over the green and off the grandstands, and then back onto the green. He made an 18-foot putt for a most unlikely birdie. Scheffler was rooting hard for McIlroy, not so much for the birdie but so they could avoid a length ruling to finish. Seconds after Scheffler holed his 4-foot birdie putt, the horn sounded to stop play because of approaching storms that led to East Lake being evacuated.

Left behind was a leaderboard filled with red numbers in a tournament that has a $40 million purse in official money for the top 30 players, all of them with an equal chance. Only two players were over par Rain hammered East Lake on Wednesday — and again after the first round ended leaving the course soft enough that players could lift, clean and place their golf balls in the short grass.

“I felt like with it being lift, clean and place and somewhat

soft compared to last year when the greens were brand new, it was a little bit softer, so it was just a little bit more gettable,” Henley said.

There was also that no-so-small matter of putting Henley already has a great reputation with the putter, and on this day he holed some 207 feet worth of putts.

“Probably the most I’ve ever made,” he said Three of the five players who got in at 64 was enough to wonder which cup was on their minds.

Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay all finished outside the top six who qualified for the Ryder Cup and have to wait on being one of six captain’s picks.

All three are seen as likely picks.

“I don’t think you’re ever comfortable until you get that call and you’re on the team,” Morikawa said. “Look, I hope I’ve done enough. We’ll have to wait and see. But I think, yeah, my focus right now is to try and go out and win this golf tournament. I think if I do that, then hopefully that’s enough, and we’ll see how everything plays out.”

Scheffler is coming off his fifth victory of the season last week at the BMW Championship and didn’t miss a step. All that slowed him was some swirling wind as the storm approached, making it a little tougher to get close for birdie chances with a wedge in hand. The only fairway he missed — except for No. 18, in which the ball rolled through the middle into the first cut was

at the 16th, and that left him in his biggest predicament. From the rough he went down a deep swale to the right, the one place he knew to avoid.

“I knew going down there right of 16 was a huge penalty We had talked about it in the practice rounds,” he said. “And our job was just to get the ball back on the green, which I did, and it was nice to hole that long putt. But it was a reminder of how key it was to keep the ball in play

“I missed one (fairway) on 16 and all of a sudden I’m almost playing for bogey,” he said “It’s pretty important around this place.”

Tommy Fleetwood, who keeps giving himself chances at his first win on the PGA Tour, also was at 66, along with BMW Championship runner-up Robert MacIntyre, who is ready for a return to Scotland given how hot has been in Memphis, Baltimore and Atlanta.

“I wear as much sun cream as I possibly can. I look like Casper the Ghost out there, to be honest.

I get a lot of shouts about my sun cream,” MacIntyre said.

It beats the shouts he got last week at Caves Valley when he lost a four-shot lead to Scheffler in the final round and was hearing from the pro-American crowd along the way MacIntyre was as upset about how he handled the crowd as he was his golf, but figures it will be a great teaching moment for him at Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup next month.

“There’s a couple of things that I know that I’m going to change, but do you know what it’s really going to help me for? Bethpage,” he said. “I’m always going to be fiery, I’m always going to yell, swear yell, get angry

“But just the way I interacted with the crowd, I was trying to keep them out of the way, but instead of doing what I did on Saturday and bringing them into it.”

‘Sincaraz’ rules men’s tennis as U.S. Open nears

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer

NEW YORK OK, sure, maybe it wouldn’t be rational to say there’s no point in actually holding the full U.S. Open and instead just fast-forwarding to the inevitable matchup for the men’s championship between Jannik Sinner — assuming he’s healthy and Carlos Alcaraz on Sept. 7. Seems reasonable, though.

“We know,” Novak Djokovic acknowledged, “they’re the dominant force right now.” When singles action begins Sunday at Flushing Meadows, a change from the usual Monday start, there are cases to be made for various players to make their way to the women’s final. The top three in the rankings — No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 3 Coco Gauff — have won the past three U.S. Open titles, for example. Other past major champions such as Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina have performed well lately; maybe a new face will emerge.

Sinner, Alcaraz have won last 7 titles

When it comes to the men, there really is just one name that matters in this post-Big Three era, and that name is “Sincaraz,” the silly, made-up, “Fedal”-style mashup of the guys who are ranked No. 1 (Sinner) and No 2 (Alcaraz) and have claimed seven Grand Slam trophies in a row and nine of the last 12. Djokovic took the other three in that span. There is nothing quite like it in the women’s game at the moment. The past five Slams were won by five players: Swiatek (Wimbledon in July), Gauff (French Open in June), Madison Keys (Australian

Open in January), Sabalenka (last year’s U.S. Open) and Barbora Krejcikova (last year’s Wimbledon).

‘Sincaraz’ a cut above

“Sinner and Alcaraz,” said Marcos Giron, an American who has been ranked 37th and faced both, “are bringing a ridiculous level, week in and week out.”

Look at the ATP rankings, which either could lead after the U.S. Open. Look at the titles.

Look at the past two Grand Slam finals, with Alcaraz erasing a two-set deficit and saving three championship points to win the French Open in June, before Sinner won in four sets at Wimbledon in July Look at the most recent Masters 1000 tournament, the Cincinnati Open, where Sinner didn’t drop a set en route to Monday’s final but quit because he was feeling ill, ceding the trophy to Alcaraz.

That ended Sinner’s 26-match winning streak on hard courts; Alcaraz was responsible for the previous defeat, too. Alcaraz collected his tour-leading sixth trophy this season and has won 39 of his most recent 41 contests.

Since Sinner returned in May from a three-month doping ban, Cincinnati was the fourth event both entered — and they met to decide the title in all four

What makes ‘Sincaraz’ so good?

They hit the ball as hard as anyone. Sinner’s returns rival Djokovic’s for best in the game. Alcaraz’s drop shots are unrivaled. The athleticism displayed by both is remarkable. Alcaraz might be the fastest guy around. Sinner’s long limbs reach everything. What sets them apart from oth-

ers?

“Their confidence. Their ballstriking. Their movement is basically perfect,” said Sam Querrey, a former player who made it to Wimbledon’s semifinals and the U.S. Open’s quarterfinals. “It seems like they hit the ball with just a little extra force when they need to.”

It leaves other elite players such as Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American who is ranked No. 6, soclose-yet-so-far at majors.

Shelton’s 2025 Grand Slam resume includes losses to Sinner at the Australian Open, to Alcaraz at the French Open and to Sinner at Wimbledon.

“Frustrating,” Shelton said. “Two very different players and challenges.”

How big is Alcaraz vs. Sinner

The sample size is, admittedly, small, but these two are

producing the sort of riveting points and thrill-a-minute matches that Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, or Nadal vs. Djokovic, used to.

“The rivalry is real. It’s there,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s two coaches. “And hopefully it’s going to be there and real for the next 10 or 12 years.”

Not sure? Head to YouTube and check out Alcaraz vs. Sinner whether at Roland-Garros this year or at the U.S. Open in 2022 or pretty much any of their 14 showdowns ( Alcaraz leads 9-5).

“You have to earn every point, every game He makes you suffer (from) the first point of the match until the last ball,” said Alcaraz, a 22-year-old from Spain. “It’s really tough to find holes in his game.”

Sinner’s take?

“We try,” the 24-year-old from Italy said of their matchups, “to push ourselves to the limits.”

The popularity explosion in women’s college basketball, spurred initially by the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry, carried over to the WNBA last season when Clark and Reese were rookies.

While Clark and Reese have both been hurt this season, ticket sales haven’t slowed thanks to the arrival of rookie guard Paige Bueckers in Dallas and expanded television coverage.

NFL increases security after Manhattan shooting

The NFL has increased security at its offices following a shooting last month at a Manhattan building by a gunman authorities say was targeting league headquarters.

“We are working with the building and the other tenants within the building on building security,” NFL executive Jeff Miller said Thursday

The league previously recommended enhanced security measures at team and league facilities. The recommendations will be reviewed at a special league meeting on Aug. 26.

NFL employees are back in their offices after working remotely in the weeks following the shooting that killed four people and injured a league employee.

Ravens QB Jackson ‘fine’ despite not practicing

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh says star quarterback Lamar Jackson is “fine” after his foot was stepped on this week.

That’s the same thing the Ravens told reporters Wednesday, but after Jackson wasn’t at practice Thursday, Harbaugh was understandably asked for an update.

“Got his foot stepped on, like we said yesterday,” Harbaugh said. “They did a quick X-ray, and there’s no damage or anything like that. I’m sure it’s a little sore today, so we just kept him in, but he’s fine. He’s going to be good.”

The Ravens play at Washington on Saturday, but Jackson hasn’t appeared in a preseason game since 2021 and there was no sign that would change this year

Zilisch cleared to race, will return at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — JR Motorsports driver Connor Zilisch will attempt to race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, less than two weeks after breaking his collarbone during a nasty slip-andfall accident in victory lane.

The Xfinity Series points leader said Thursday he has been cleared to return and will be in the car for qualifying and will attempt to race all 100 laps at Daytona. He will have Parker Kligerman on standby Zilisch, a 19-year-old driver who expected to compete in the Cup Series next year for Trackhouse Racing, had surgery last week to insert a plate to stabilize the broken bone. His foot caught on his window net at Watkins Glen on Aug. 9, causing him to fall headfirst onto the concrete.

Program flagging online abuse to tennis players

The ATP Tour announced on Thursday that its Safe Sport initiative has flagged more than 162,000 abusive social media comments directed at players in its first year

The tour stated that more than 3.1 million comments were scanned, with the most severe ones hidden from the 245 players who were targeted. Andrew Azzopardi, ATP’s director of safeguarding, said the initiative has “fundamentally changed how we protect our athletes online.” Safe Sport uses real-time AI to detect and hide social media comments from players’ accounts. It launched in July 2024 and is available to the top 250 players in singles and top

FOOTBALL PREVIEW n DISTRICT 8-2A

Dunham, Episcopal remain favorites

QB Haven could put Tigers over the top again

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

Dunham and Episcopal enter the season with their usual high expectations as programs with proven track records of playoff success.

It’s clear that Dunham is after more than just a district title this season. The Tigers are coming off a Division III select state championship appearance after an undefeated regular season led by highly recruited quarterback Elijah Haven. Haven, a junior rated as the nation’s top quarterback, threw for more than 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns in 14 games as a sophomore.

“(Haven) has had a great offseason,” coach Neil Weiner said. “He’s still working on improving his skills as a quarterback Against real competition, he responded really well.

“He was phenomenal for us and had a record-setting year.” Dunham has four returning starters at wide receiver led by senior Jarvis Washington, a South Alabama commitment. Senior running back JJ Harris is back from injury alongside last season’s leading rusher Colin Pecue.

Senior leaders on Dunham’s defense include defensive lineman Eliot Trahan, linebacker Trevor Hamen and senior cornerback Richard Montgomery, a three-year starter While Dunham appears to be the 8-2A favorite, Weiner said he isn’t taking the rest of the district lightly

“The district should be much improved across the board,” Weiner said. “Episcopal is always going to be at the top of the heap, and Slaughter was fantastic last year East Feliciana has some great young players returning and Baker has a new coach.”

Episcopal has one of the longesttenured coaches in Travis Bourgeois, who enters his 31st season

The Knights have reached the quarterfinals in each of the past eight seasons but have a lot to replace with only six returning starters on offense and defense. Senior quarterback Zach Hu is one of the returners.

Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven looks to pass against Catholic-New Iberia during the

Caesars Superdome. Rated the nation’s top quarterback for the Class of 2027, Haven

“Zach is a three-year starter for us,” Bourgeois said. “It’s really big to have that with the big changes within the roster He can really calm things down and use his leadership to get this team where it needs to go.”

Episcopal’s offensive line has four returning starters, and senior Taj Callahan is moving to running back after starting at linebacker the past two seasons. The defense consists of 11 new starters, but the expectation to contend for a district title remains.

“The ability (Haven) has puts Dunham at the top,” Bourgeois said. “Slaughter has a good quarterback and East Feliciana is a good challenge. Baker is always physical and Capitol looks improved. This district will get you ready for the playoffs.”

Slaughter Charter was the newcomer to the district last season after moving up from Class 1A but was able to finish third in the district and win a playoff game. The

Women flocking to D.C. to take part in pro baseball tryout

League set to debut next year with draft scheduled for October

BY ALANIS THAMES AP sportswriter

Hundreds of women will flock to Washington on Friday to take their first swings at turning pro baseball dreams into reality

Some at the historic tryout will be seasoned veterans and trailblazers in the women’s game Plenty others are beginners chasing a shot at the pros. They’ll meet on the same field in a camp organized by the Women’s Pro Baseball League. Set to debut next year the league is holding the first pro women’s baseball tryouts in more than 80 years this weekend in partnership with Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals. The U.S. hasn’t had a pro women’s league since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — the one immortalized in “A League of Their Own” dissolved in 1954.

Players will take part in drillfocused sessions, athletic performance testing and player evaluations at the Nationals’ Youth Baseball Academy over the first three days, and the showcase will culminate in a live game at Nationals Park on Aug 25. In the end, 150 players will advance to the league’s inaugural draft in October

For co-founder Justine Siegal, the tryouts mark a crucial step in creating a true arena for fe-

male baseball players to compete against one another, which was the driving force behind her vision for the league.

“I didn’t get to grow up and play girls baseball. I had to play baseball with the boys,” said Siegal, the first woman to coach for an MLB team with the Oakland Athletics in 2015.

“We have players who have been waiting a lifetime for an opportunity not to just have a chance to try out for a professional women’s baseball league, but to be seen and to be given a chance.

“It’s very important to us that women know that we see them.”

More than 600 players registered for the four-day camp.

Here are three notable competitors to keep an eye on:

Mo’ne Davis: RHP, OF

At 13, Davis became the first girl to earn a win — and pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series. She drew national attention and became an instant celebrity, gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated and earning AP Female Athlete of the Year honors in 2014. Davis later played softball at Hampton University, where she last played competitively in 2020 before graduating in 2023. With few professional baseball avenues available, she sometimes wondered if her baseball career had ended.

“A lot of times I’ve talked to people in school,” Davis told The Associated Press, “and they just kind of assume that I have everything planned out in life, which

Knights return 13 starters

Ty’Kimion Ford started at quarterback last season but will shift into a two-way role at wide receiver and cornerback. Carson Baxter will be Slaughter’s starting quarterback, with Thomas Carter another experienced two-way starter at both wide receiver and free safety

“We have about 49 kids on the roster, which is the most we’ve ever had,” Slaughter coach Patrick Clarkston said. “If our offensive line comes together, we’ll be able to compete with the teams in our district.”

East Feliciana returns a two-year starter at quarterback in junior Markus Cannon. Senior Kayden Wilson and junior Ryan Moore are expected to impact both sides of the ball.

Baker will look to take a step forward this season with first-year coach Marc Brown, a Baker alum. Junior Stevenson Claiborne is the favorite to start at quarterback.

isn’t true at all.”

Davis, now 24, has provided commentary on ESPN for Little League games but recently has explored other career options, including flag football, basketball and content creation.

She hopes the next chapter of her career begins with the WPBL, where she will try out as a pitcher, shortstop and center fielder

“I’m excited to get out there with all the women,” Davis said.

“Very excited just to play with each other, to share the field, to bring our love to each other and also to the fans watching.”

Kelsie Whitmore: P, OF Whitmore became the first female player in an MLB-partnered league when she suited up for the Staten Island FerryHawks in the Atlantic League in 2022. She first played on the U.S women’s national baseball team as a 14-yearold, helping earn a silver medal at the 2014 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s World Cup and gold at the 2015 Pan American games

The 27-year-old’s pursuit of a pro baseball career has largely meant finding opportunities to compete alongside men. In 2016,

she and Stacy Piagno played for the Sonoma Stompers of the independent Pacific Association, and last year, she became the first woman to play for the Pioneer League with the Oakland Ballers.

Whitmore debuted with the barnstorming squad Savannah Bananas earlier this month.

Ayami Sato: RHP Sato, 35, has led the Japan national team to six women’s baseball World Cup championships and is widely considered one of the best female pitchers ever with a nearly 80 mph fastball and a precise curveball.

A three-time MVP, Sato earlier this year debuted for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Canada’s Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) as the first woman to play professional men’s baseball in Canada.

Sato also grew up playing baseball alongside or against boys — but longed for a career on the mound even when she played girls basketball in middle school.

Now, she’s a special adviser to the WPBL and was featured in the baseball documentary “See Her Be Her,” which chronicled the paths of seven female baseball players from around the world.

BY JENNA FRYER AP auto racing writer

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By DAVID ZALUBOWSKI

Why Saints traded for wide receiver Vele

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

The national reaction to the New Orleans Saints‘ trade for wide receiver Devaughn Vele was far from kind.

“Saints WHY are you like this,” ESPN’s Benjamin Solak tweeted

“Saints loading up for the Week 18 win that gives them the 6th pick instead of the 2nd,” wrote The Athletic’s Robert Mays.

“Under no circumstances should the Saints be trading draft picks right now,” Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema noted on X.

And that’s just a sample.

Under general manager Mickey Loomis, the Saints have a tendency to deal mid-round picks in an attempt to either shore up the roster on the margins or include them as part of an aggressive trade up. And on Wednesday, that pattern continued: The Saints sent two picks — a 2026 fourth-rounder and a 2027 seventh-rounder — to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Vele, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who is coming off a nice 41-catch, 475-yard rookie season.

Vele’s acquisition finally addressed New Orleans’ glaring lack of size at wideout. But that didn’t stop the criticism.

The Saints, critics argue, again surrendered draft capital in what they viewed as an unnecessary, short-sighted move. If coach Kellen Moore’s first year turns out to be the start of a multi-year rebuild, as many expect, then why are the Saints trading a pick that could end up in the top 125 of next year’s draft?

The Saints don’t see it that way “That’s always the tricky part,” Moore said. “You identify players you really want and then obviously there’s a cost associated with it. He’s a younger player This is his second year obviously so he’s on his initial contract in the NFL There’s some value associated with it from a roster management, healthy standpoint.

Continued from page 1C

the food, the faith, the resilience, and most of all, the people. To be recognized by the city that has given me so much is truly overwhelming.”

About a dozen friends and family accompanied Mathieu to City Hall on Thursday afternoon, including his newborn daughter, Zadie Mathieu announced his retirement a day before the New Orleans Saints opened training camp in July a decision he made, in part, because of the arrival of his newborn.

He spent the final three seasons of what may be a Hall of Fame career with the Saints, accumulating 10 of his 36 career interceptions with the black and gold. Mathieu was expected to play another key role with the Saints this year before his retirement.

Certainly, we anticipate him being with us for a while. We feel like we’re adding a really big piece that’s going to contribute in a lot of ways.”

To Moore, the cost control aspect of Vele’s contract can’t be overlooked. Drafted in the seventh round, he’s set to make around $1 million per season over the next three years And Vele was productive as a rookie Moore said the wide receiver played “really tough downs” that resulted in big plays. Statistically, Vele caught 74.5% of his targets last season and converted 26 first downs.

But Vele’s age has also come under scrutiny Because he served a two-year Mormon mission after high school that delayed his football career, Vele is 27 and will turn 28 in December. He is older, for instance, than Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens — who was traded from Pittsburgh this offseason in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick.

Still, the situations aren’t the same. Pickens, in this case, is in the final year of his contract and is in line for a big raise in 2026 — whether from the Cowboys or elsewhere. That sort of situation mattered to the Saints, particularly at a position in which starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are also going to be in need of new deals soon

Moore said the Saints aren’t concerned about Vele’s age, nor are they worried about the knee injury that sidelined him for a portion of training camp. Vele did practice Thursday, but he passed his physical

The Saints, too, appeared to give up what they did because of the competition to acquire Vele. Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters in Denver that one other team was “more than serious” in their pursuit of the wide receiver He said Vele was one of the toughest trades of his coaching career

“He’s going to be a real good

player for them,” Payton said.

“Those are the tough ones. Really, I was only able to come up with two (trades) that were like that (Trading) Darren Sproles was a real tough decision, and I later regretted it.”

It also shouldn’t be glossed over how much Vele’s size fills a need for the Saints. As of late May, they were just one of two teams to not have a receiver taller than 6-foot2 on the roster. That lack of size has been plenty apparent in the preseason, such as when Mason Tipton failed to run through a slant and was boxed out by a cornerback who picked off Spencer Rattler Vele also intriguingly has done a lot of his damage from the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, 62% of his snaps came from that area. And according to Next Gen Stats, the 27-year-old caught 27 of his 41 catches from the slot, resulting in 316 yards.

Moore said Vele will play in a variety of spots in New Orleans, “which is key for us because we want to move our other pieces.”

At the same time, it is fair to wonder that, if it was so obvious that the Saints needed to beef up at wide receiver, then why didn’t the team act sooner? Signing a big-bodied receiver or drafting one with one of the team’s nine selections last April would have spared the Saints from coughing up future assets.

The specifics might have dictated why In free agency, the market was sparse with receivers who matched Vele’s frame. And after the draft, Loomis said they wanted to take a wide receiver, but the timing didn’t pan out.

“If something presented itself, it would have been awesome,” Moore said Thursday “It (didn’t).

Through the entire offseason, we just tried to build this thing as we went.

“And this certainly was a valuable opportunity we didn’t want to miss on.”

said in his prepared remarks. “Words cannot describe how special it was to play here and to serve as team captain.”

After starring at LSU, where he was a 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist, Mathieu played for the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs before finishing his career in New Orleans. He made three Pro Bowls, was named a first-team All-Pro three times and was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s all-decade team for the 2010s in his professional career

Now, he’s just figuring out what to do with his free time as a retiree. Mathieu said he went through a few television auditions as an NFL analyst, and he recently landed a gig as a studio analyst for YouTube’s Week 1 broadcast between the Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.

“It’s been good,” Mathieu said with a grin. “I’m trying to get used to it.”

SAINTS NOTEBOOK

Banks showing why he was worth

a top-10

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

If the preseason is any indication of what the real thing is going to look like, the New Orleans Saints appear to have landed their left tackle of the present and future in Kelvin Banks. The No. 9 overall pick has performed admirably in the first two preseason games, but especially in his Superdome debut last week, when he did not allow a single pressure in 10 pass blocking snaps.

More than half of those snaps came against the Jacksonville Jaguars excellent edge rusher duo, TravonWalker and Josh Hines-Allen, a pair that combined to record 18.5 sacks last season.

“They’re different styles of rusher, there’s multiple things they can throw at you,” Banks said of going up against Walker and Hines-Allen. “… Just getting that little taste of it is helping me out a lot, for sure, just being able to get ready for the regular season.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Banks has been the highest-graded pass blocker among NFL offensive tackles through the first two weeks of the preseason, checking in with an 88.1 grade (out of 100)

The scouting service has not credited a single pressure or hurry against Banks in 22 opportunities in pass protection.

Banks has locked down the starting left tackle job since the moment he arrived with the Saints. While there are still areas he needs to work on — PFF, for instance, has not graded him well as a run blocker — Banks said the biggest thing he’s learned about himself as a pro is his “determination to get better.”

“There have been ups and downs, I’ve lost reps, I’ve won reps, just understanding when you do lose you’ve got to learn from that mistake and move on,” Banks said.

Rattler to start Saturday Spencer Rattler will start the Saints preseason finale against the Denver Broncos, head coach Kellen Moore announced Thursday Rattler started the first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, then played the second half last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He enjoyed a strong performance against the Jaguars, particularly late in the game, when he led a dramatic game-tying drive in the closing minutes.

In two preseason games, Rattler is completing 71.2% of his passes, with 252 yards, a touchdown and an interception. His main competitor, rookie Tyler Shough, has thrown for 234 yards with a score and an interception.

The Saints are the last NFL team to declare a starting quarterback

selection

for the regular season.

Another O-lineman injured Saints’ tackle Taliese Fuaga missed Thursday’s practice with a knee injury, marking yet another offensive lineman to get hurt for the Saints in recent weeks.

Moore said Fuaga’s injury was “nothing major,” but that he got hurt near the end of Wednesday’s practice in the Caesars Superdome. After playing left tackle as a rookie, the Saints moved Fuaga to right tackle his position in college this offseason.

“He had a little something happen, we’ll just keep an eye on him,” Moore said, later adding, “He practiced pretty much all of practice (Wednesday).”

If Fuaga can return quickly, New Orleans will have been fortunate to avoid another significant injury up front.

Left guard Trevor Penning suffered a foot injury — reportedly turf toe in a Aug. 10 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that will keep him out a reported 4-6 weeks. Moore was noncommittal when asked if Penning would be ready for the team’s Sept. 7 season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, though he added they would take the next few weeks to monitor his progress. Penning was seen at Wednesday’s practice with a walking boot on his right foot. The Saints have also experienced two season-ending injuries along the offensive line. The team put third-year guard Nick Saldiveri on injured reserve with a knee injury and veteran center Will Clapp was lost for the year due to a foot injury The blow to the Saints’ depth caused the team to acquire center Luke Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars and sign guards Shane Lemieux and Mike Panasiuk. Last year, the Saints were decimated by injuries in the trenches — notably losing center Erik McCoy for most of the season with groin and elbow injuries. Guards Cesar Ruiz and Lucas Patrick also missed at least four games each.

NFL will crack down on violent and sexually suggestive gestures

BY ROB MAADDI AP pro football writer

The NFL wants players to have fun within the rules. That’s why the league will be emphasizing sportsmanship and cracking down on violent and sexually suggestive gestures this season.

often entertaining ways so we want them to focus on those and not the inappropriate areas.”

“The opportunity to wear black and gold was one of the greatest blessings of my life, to play for the team I grew up watching in the city that raised me,” Mathieu

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

“Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis,” NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson said Thursday “The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It’s just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on. There are plenty of ways for players to be able to celebrate, and they come up with some very unique and

In April, the NFL expanded prohibited acts to include banning the “nose wipe” gesture that league executive Troy Vincent said is affiliated with gangs. The unsportsmanlike conduct rule now states: “any violent gesture, which shall include but not be limited to a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the ‘nose wipe’ gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.

“There’s no place in the game to be standing over your opponent,” Vincent said in a video that’s sent to teams. “There’s no place in the game to have violent gestures. That’s not the game of football. We just have to play by the rules, respect your opponent, respect your teammates and play the game in between the whistles.”

LSU GM talks collectives, NIL and QB recruiting

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

When Austin Thomas began his

first job as a top-level college athletics administrator, he was working in a much different world than the one he’s navigating now Thomas, LSU football’s general manager, must now operate like an NFL executive. He has to manage a salary cap. He has to negotiate with agents. He has to scout players on rival teams, just in case he and the program he represents one day encounter an opportunity to sign one of them out of the transfer portal.

“I never thought it would get here this fast,” Thomas said Thursday Luckily for LSU, few are more qualified to tackle those new responsibilities than Thomas, the administrator who’s believed to be the first person ever hired to work as the general manager of a college football program. LSU gave him that title in 2016 — in the middle of the first of his three stints in Baton Rouge. Thomas met with reporters on Thursday to discuss the future of NIL collectives, how he manages the day-to-day operations of a modern college football power and what he and his staff needed to do before it could build LSU’s 20252026 roster

Here’s what stood out from his 20-minute news conference.

Future of collectives

Coach Brian Kelly said Thursday on his weekly radio show that LSU spent around $18 million to build its roster It couldn’t have spent that much without a boost from Bayou Traditions, its collective.

In the offseason, Thomas and Kelly worked with the donor group to raise funds for the 2025-2026 football roster Then they distributed that new money among players in deals finalized before July 1, the date at which collectives across the country had to begin abiding by restrictions meant to curb “payfor-play” deals.

How much can collectives assist

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

schools in the future? Thomas said he’s still trying to figure it out.

“We don’t have all the answers right now,” he said The College Sports Commission (CSC) the newly created group tasked with enforcing the parameters of the House settlement — initially said that athletes could not sign deals with collectives because those agreements did not constitute a “valid business purpose.”

By July 31, lawyers representing House plaintiffs had successfully pushed the CSC to loosen that guidance. The new, now clarified policy allows athletes and collectives to work together

But industry leaders such as Thomas are still trying to figure out exactly how heavily they can lean on collectives in the future. LSU, Thomas said, is trying to “test the

can play Oklahoma and Texas A&M every year. Alabama can play Auburn and Tennessee Auburn can play Bama and Georgia. And LSU can play well we’ll come to LSU in a minute.

n Nine games put the SEC in step with the other power four conferences The Big Ten and Big 12 already had ninegame conference slates in place. The ACC is expected to follow the SEC’s example Nine games (plus at least one Power Four non-conference game) means the SEC will be on equal footing with the other conferences for College Football Playoff consideration.

n Nine games mean each school will have one less rent-a-win for its season ticket holders to endure.

n Nine games mean more inventory for the SEC’s TV partner, ESPN/ABC, and almost certainly will mean a bigger rights contract for the conference.

The new format isn’t perfect. Nothing is Every other year, half the SEC schools will only get four conference home games

SEC

Continued from page 1C

SEC teams are also required to schedule at least one nonconference opponent every year from either the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 or Notre Dame.

LSU administrators have long supported the nine-game schedule, which was debated for years within the conference. LSU head coach Brian Kelly previously said he wanted to play nine SEC games.

“I just always thought it was for the best of the game, and I think best for our fans wanting to see competitive games,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward told The Advocate.

“I think there’s a huge fall-off on some of our nonconference games that fans viewed as not good competition. I think that this will really help continue to foster and continue to get fans’ support when they have a strong home schedule and a strong conference schedule.”

market.”

“I think there’s some gray there right now,” Thomas said, “and so we’re trying to maximize the space that we’re able to work in there as far as the parameters that have been given. But at the end of the day, the true answer is we don’t know exactly what that looks like yet.”

The next quarterback Who will play quarterback for LSU after Garrett Nussmeier?

The Tigers once thought they had a clear answer to that question.

Then five-star recruit Bryce Underwood flipped his verbal pledge from LSU to Michigan last November, forcing Kelly and Thomas to hatch a new succession plan.

“There’s gonna be a void there,” Thomas said. “We’re gonna have a

while the other half will get five. Alabama will, of course, always get five. (I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Probably). And it means one more game that will be a potential loss, thus hampering someone’s CFP chances, though once the CFP expands to 14 or 16 teams that handicap will be lessened. That means Auburn’s chances of claiming yet another fake national title are intact

Overall, this is a win-win-win-win for the SEC. From an LSU perspective, it’s also a multi-faceted victory LSU athletic director Scott Woodward and coach Brian Kelly have long lobbied for nine games. Now the question is, which nine?

When this process began, LSU said its permanents were likely to be Bama, Ole Miss and A&M. Whether that is how it will turn out for LSU remains to be seen. One has to believe that teams like Mississippi State — the team LSU has played more than anyone — or Arkansas could be possibilities because of geography Could LSU’s annual clash with Florida, which has produced so many great games over the years, be preserved?

We’ll find out in December For now it’s enough that the SEC finally cleared its logjam and picked a football schedule format for the future. The right format.

cause of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now at 16 teams, the SEC continued to play an eight-game schedule the past two seasons. The Big Ten and the Big 12 already switched to a nine-game conference schedule, and ACC leaders reportedly said they would likely follow suit if the SEC changed its format.

“It affects our positioning in the CFP, it affects our fan attendance,” Woodward said.

“It affects everyone in our conference. Everyone had to take a look at it differently.”

LSU has two non-conference games already scheduled in 2026 against Clemson and McNeese State. It will need to add one more opponent to fill out its schedule. The only upcoming season that will need to be adjusted is 2029, when the Tigers are currently scheduled to play Arizona State, Rice, McNeese State and SMU.

“I think that this will really help continue to foster and continue to get fans’ support when they have a strong home schedule and a strong conference schedule.”

SCOTT WOODWARD LSU athletic director

A couple of years ago, the expectation was LSU’s three annual opponents in a ninegame schedule would be Alabama, Texas A&M and Ole Miss. Whether or not that changes is to be determined. Sankey said on the Paul Finebaum Show that the schedule would be released in December.

The SEC began playing eight conference games per season when it implemented divisions in 1992 after the additions of Arkansas and South Carolina expanded the conference to 12 teams The only exception was in 2020, when the SEC played a 10-game conference-only schedule be-

LSU has at least one power conference opponent scheduled every year through 2032. It opens next season at home against Clemson, and it plays the 2027 season opener against Houston in NRG Stadium. The Tigers have homeand-home series scheduled against SMU (2028-29), Arizona State (2029-30) and Utah (2031-32). A lot of people want to come to Baton Rouge and experience it,” Woodward said.

“We want to have good games, but we also want to be smart on how we schedule our team and how we do it. We’ll continue to have an emphasis on in-state teams. Obviously, to not only selfishly help our attendance, but also to help their programs come in and play in Tiger Stadium.”

new starting quarterback.”

The two quarterbacks on scholarship behind Nussmeier could compete for the job next season. Michael Van Buren — a sophomore who started eight games as a freshman last year at Mississippi State — could step into the job, but he’d likely have to fend off Colin Hurley, the redshirt freshman who reclassified and enrolled in 2024 as a four-star prospect.

LSU did not sign a quarterback to its 2025 freshman class, and it does not yet have one committed to its 2026 crop.

The Tigers are, however, hoping to land a high-profile recruit in the 2027 class. It’s pursuing prospects such as Elijah Haven, Colton Nussmeier or Malachi Zeigler Haven is a Baton Rouge native and the nation’s consensus

SOUTHERN

Continued from page 1C

Other ball carriers who have been noted for their explosiveness during the offseason have been redshirt sophomore Princeton Cahee (Louisiana Tech transfer), redshirt freshman Jason Gabriel and sophomore Barry Remo.

Graves did not indicate how many tailbacks will be given a chance to play He said the team will be willing to make whatever in-game adjustments are necessary

The initial running back plan that his assistants craft could be unrecognizable depending on how the game unfolds. It’ll all be based on the “flow of the game.”

“There’s no secret to how that works, you know, it’s the flow of the game and a hot back,” Graves said. “The hot back will always continue to get the carries and that’s the thing that we do We try to make sure that we don’t outthink or outsmart ourselves

“You’re gonna have a number of guys carrying the ball, but if the guy’s hot, you’re gonna run them until they adjust, and then you go to something else.”

The players in the running back room understand that process and are focused on proving.

“Those guys understand that it’s a long season, and it’s going to take each of us and all of us to obtain our common goal,” Bradley said.

Remo, one of two returners, is content with his coaches’ approach and is excited to be a part of a talented group.

No. 1 quarterback. Nussmeier is Garrett’s younger brother And Zeigler is a top-200 recruit from Benton.

“We feel really good about what we have here as well,” Thomas said, “and we’re really excited about the future of those guys. Give them an opportunity to compete and earn that position and then we’ll kind of assess as we move forward.”

Working with Kelly

In this new era of college football, head coaches have to work with general managers.

Kelly didn’t think the sport would ever progress to that point. If he did, as he joked on Tuesday, he might’ve taken a coaching job in the NFL at one point during his long career

“For 34 years, I’ve effectively signed the checks, the scholarship checks,” Kelly said “Been primary in the roster and putting together a roster It’s been such a centralized operation for my entire career, right? It all revolved around what my thoughts were and my decisions. I’ve abdicated some of that to a front office, if you will.”

Now, Kelly said, LSU has staffers who can scout players, manage money and negotiate contracts so he has more time to focus on his coaching responsibilities.

“I appreciate coach Kelly,” Thomas said. “He’s extremely bright, extremely adaptable. That’s the one thing I’ll say about him is he’s done this for 34 years as a head coach, and you don’t get here without the ability to adjust and adapt in everything that you’re doing.

“He and I have a great relationship. We work together on a daily basis.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

“Our running back room is everything somebody can imagine,” Remo said. “The competitiveness that we go through right now, we push each other every day and (try) to get an edge on one another Really strive to be the best that we could possibly be.” As much as they will continue to fight for playing time, they are also getting better, stealing each other’s moves, for example, Remo said.

Whichever running backs are in the backfield against North Carolina Central, the No. 2 team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason poll, they’ll have to use all they learned to contribute to a victory

CANYOU FEEL IT?

LSU School of Art’s2025 Summer Contemporary: “FELT” will closewitha reception from 6p.m. to 8p.m. Saturday in Glassell Gallery at the ShawCenter for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. Thirty-one artists takeanexpansiveapproachtofeel,feeling and felt in their works.design.lsu.edu/ news-and-events/exhibits.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

JAM TIME

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

Yes, temps are still in the 90s, butwith the Live AfterFive lineupannounced,it’s time to think fall.

Seven acts on six dates will takethe stage at Davis S. Rhorer Plaza,200 St. LouisSt. in Baton Rouge, from5 to 8p.m each Friday but one between Sept.12and Oct. 24.

Here’swho youcan see and hearfor free during the outdoor concerts:

SEPT.12

ChubbyCarrier and the Bayou Swamp Band

SEPT.19 The Walrus: A NOLA Beatles Experience

SEPT.26 TimothyWayne featuring the Lauren Lee Band

OCT. 10 NewOrleans Suspects

KEEP THE FUNGOING

BREC’ssummer camps are over,but at Camp Unite, youcan find out about upcoming programs and events for all ages from 4p.m.to7p.m.onFriday at Milton J. WomackPark Ballroom, 6201 Florida Blvd. BREC says there’s always something newtoexplore.Free. youthenrichment@brec.org

SWAP IT OUT

In need of artsupplies for aspecial project or need to clear out some gently used supplies younolonger use? The Bluebonnet Regional BranchLibrary, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., will host an art supplies swap at 3p.m.Saturday. Meet fellowartists and help find anew home forpaints, pencils, paper and more. ebrpl.com.

24 The Mixed Nuts

LA5, Inc., partnering with the Downtown Development Districtand Visit BatonRouge, presents themusic series, thelong-runningand largestsuchevent in the city

BobOdenkirk

BYKATIE WALSH Tribune News Service (TNS)

Just about anyone can beanaction hero when production company 87North —the team behind the “John Wick franchise —isbehind thecamera. They provedthat in 2021 when they made comedian and “Better Call Saul” star Bob Odenkirkasurprise badass in the hyper-violent dadsploitation flick “Nobody.” Odenkirk played Hutch,a suburban dad and corporate stoogewith asurprising past, who is unable to keep alid on his instincts, like akettleboiling over, when his family is threatened.

TBYJOHN WIRT Contributingwriter

he mid-20th century’smost renowned American film and theater director,EliaKazan, crafted thecinema landmarks “A StreetcarNamed Desire,” “On the Waterfront” and “East of Eden.” Kazan’sstageand screen productions of works by playwrights Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and William Inge and novelist John Steinbeck presented Marlo Brando, James Dean, Vivian Leigh, Karl Malden, Warren Beatty andNatalie Wood in their most memorable screen moments.

Ason of Greek immigrants, Kazan carriedaclass-conscious chip on his shoulder throughout his life. His 19 films also include1947’sOscar-winning “Gentleman’s Agreement” and 1957’sdamning portrait of apopulist demagogue, “A Face in theCrowd.”

Beyond his knack for transposing thewords of great contemporary writers intovivid performances, Kazan evolved from astage-bound director of theater to amaster filmmaker.The transition happened mostofall in New Orleans during themaking of “Panic in theStreets.”

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,Aug. 22, the 234th day of 2025. There are 131 days left in the year

Todayinhistory On Aug. 22, 1851, the schooner America outraced more than adozen British vessels off the English coast to win atrophy that came to be known as the America’sCup.

Also on this date: In 1791, the Haitian Revolution began as enslaved people of Saint-Domingue rose up against French colonizers.

In 1922, Irish revolutionary Michael Collins was shot to death, apparently by Irish Republican Army members opposedtothe Anglo-Irish Treaty that Collins had co-signed In 1965, a14-minute brawlensued between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers after Giants pitcher Juan Marichal struck Dodgers catcher John Roseboro in the headwith a baseball bat. (Marichal and Roseboro would later reconcile and become lifelong friends.)

In 1972, John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile took seven employees hostage at aChase Manhattan Bank branch in Brooklyn, New York,during abotched robbery; the siege, which ended with Wojtowicz’s

arrest and Naturile’skilling by the FBI, inspired the1975 movie “Dog Day Afternoon.”

In 1989,Black Panthers cofounder Huey P. Newton was shot to death in Oakland, California.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed welfare reform legislation that ended guaranteed cash payments to thepoor and demandedwork from recipients In 2003,Alabama’s chief justice, RoyMoore, wassuspended for hisrefusal toobey afederal court ordertoremove his Ten Commandments monument from the rotunda of his courthouse. Today’sbirthdays: Author Annie Proulx is 90. Baseball Hall of FamerCarl Yastrzemski is 86. ProFootball Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells is 84. Writer-producer DavidChase is 80. Retired CBS newsmanSteve Kroft is 80. International Swimming Hall of FamerDiana Nyad is 76. Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is 69. Rock guitarist Vernon Reid is 67. Country singer Collin Raye is 65. Rock singer Roland Orzabal (Tears For Fears) is 64. SingerTori Amos is 62. International TennisHall of Famer Mats Wilander is 61. Rapper GZA/The Genius is 59. Actor Ty Burrell is 58. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis is 55. Actor Rick Yune is 54. Singer HowieDorough (Backstreet Boys) is 52.

SHOWSTOWATCH —ACADIANA

Bridge, 8a.m

FRIDAY

LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan CompanyPie Bar New Iberia, 5p.m

SATURDAY MORNING JAM

SESSIONS: Savoy Music Center, Eunice,9 a.m.

Arts Center,Lafayette, 8p.m.

CHARLES &WENDY

TRICHE: Whiskey& Vine Lafayette, 8p.m.

Prejean’s Restaurant Lafayette, 6p.m.

MICHALIS: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

PROVIDED PHOTO By ED AND SUSAN POOLE/HOLLyWOODONTHEBAyOU.COM

Shown in acolorized lobby card, from left,New Orleans actor Emile Meyer(Capt. Beauclyde), Paul Douglas (Police Capt. Warren) and RichardWidmark (Dr. Clinton Reed) are aboardthe Nile Queen merchant ship in ‘Panic in the Streets.

‘PANIC’

Continued from page1D

Afilm-noir thriller,“Panic in theStreets”madeits Southern premiere 75 yearsago,Aug.26, 1950, at theSaenger Theatrein New Orleans. Following “Gentleman’s Agreement” and 1949’s“Pinky,” Kazan expressed dissatisfaction with the films he’d made so far: “I said to myself, ‘I’m not making films, I’m photographing plays.’ …Isaid, ‘I’m going to make a film that’sall action and use the camera to tell the story.I’m going to try to make something specifically filmic.’ ”

“A Streetcar Named Desire,” “On the Waterfront” and other Kazan films are far better known andregraded than “Panic,” but thedirector himself believed “Panic” is his only “perfect”film. More importantly, an emphasis on visual storytelling; dailycowriting with screenwriter RichardMurphy; and Kazan’srecognition that the camera is,hewrites in hisautobiography,“notonlya recording device but apenetrating instrument,” prepared him forhis masterpiece, 1954’s“On the Waterfront.”

“I don’tthink Icould have made ‘Onthe Waterfront’ if Ihadn’t done ‘Panic in the Streets,’ ”Kazan said. “I got ahell of alot out of it for future films.”

“Panic in the Streets” stars Richard Widmark as Lt. Cmdr Clinton Reed, auniformed doctor with the U.S.Public Health Service. Reed works valiantly to protect the peopleofNew Orleans after hediscovers thepneumonic plague virus in an unidentified murder victim.

“Panic” gets some of its tension from Reed’sstruggle to convince city officials of the urgent need to contain the virus.

“I’ve seen this disease work,” thedoctor warnsskeptical localauthorities.“If it ever gets loose, it can spreadover the entire country,and the result will be more horrible than anyofyou canimagine.”

Joining Widmark in the“Panic” cast are JackPalance as themenacing Blackie; the usually comedic Zero Mostel in adramatic role as Blackie’ssweaty lackey,Fitch; Paul Douglas as Reed’sreluctant police captain ally; and Barbara BelGeddes as Reed’swife, Nancy

From mid-December 1949 through January 1950, Kazan happily led “Panic” production in the distinctive city where the film’svirus-spawned action is set.

“I wandered around thatcity night and day,soIknewitwell,” he told interviewer Jeff Young.

“It’ssoterrific andcolorful. I wanted boats, steam engines, warehouses, jazz joints —all of NewOrleans —inthat picture.”

Kazan enhanced his authentic “Panic” locations, The Times-Picayune reported, by casting “111 policemen, taxi drivers, bond salesmen,teachers, housewives andpersonsrepresenting acrosssectionofNew Orleans in speaking roles.”

“I found it most exhilarating to go into policeheadquarters, a union hiring hall, acheap café or an oldhotel, andweavethe characters and general atmosphere into the script,” he told thenewspaper.“ThepeopleinNew OrleanswhomIchose forminor partswerewonderful. Their actingwas natural and honest.”

Principal cast memberMostel, speaking to The New York Times in 1950, recalled filming acrowd scene at the National Maritime Union headquarters.

“The place is full of tough characters,” Mostelsaid. “Theylook as though they do not like movie actors. We are all nervous, thinking somebody is going to get slugged.ThenGadge (Kazan’s nickname)comes in,startsordering themaround withcurses. They think he is wonderfuland do everything he says.Wethink he hassavedour lives.”

In a1993 interview, leading manWidmark remembered shooting“Panic.” He described Kazan as “a Svengali —henever talked to any two actors thesame way.”Widmark addedthatJack Palance, aformer boxer making his filmdebut,knockedhim out during an action scene andbeat Mostel before every scene“to get in the mood.”

The lessons Kazan learnedin New Orleans also included the importance of music in film.

“New Orleans was full of the music Ilove,”hewritesinhis autobiography.“Itried to fill the soundtrackofthe filmwiththis music.” Themusicalscore, he added,“often it’sasimportantas anythingexcept the sequence of pictures that tell thestory.”

Email John Wirt at j_wirt@msn. com.

MARLON G.: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m

MYLES AND BRENNAN OF THE GOOD DUDES: Adopted DogBrewing, Lafayette, 6p.m

DAVE TRAINER: Charley

G’sSeafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery,Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson,6 p.m.

THE CAST: Agave, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

CONNIE G: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.

DOYLE TAUZIN: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

JAMBALAYA TRIO: Randol’sCajun Restaurant, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

DUSTIN RAY: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7p.m

SUPERCOLLIDER-SUPERSIZED XXL EDITION!: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.

AMIS DU TECHE: Blue Moon Saloon,Lafayette, 8p.m

ANDREW WAIN JAZZ: Whiskey &Vine, Lafayette, 8p.m

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m

HURRICANE ROAD: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m.

CLAYCORMIER: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m

SATURDAY

TROYLEJEUNE BAND: Fred’s, Mamou,8 a.m.

LEROYTHOMAS ZYDECO: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux

‘NOBODY’

Continuedfrom page1D

CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9a.m

IMPROVBREAKFAST JAM!: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 10 a.m.

CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC

JAM: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m

DUSTIN SONNIER: Cypress Cove Landing,Breaux Bridge, 3p.m

SWAMP BLUES REVIVAL: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville, 4p.m

KENNY WADE: Lakeview Park,Eunice, 5p.m

JACK WOODSON: Charley G’sSeafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m

MATT GARY: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6p.m.

PRENTICE JAMES: Prejean’s,Broussard, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery,Lafayette, 6p.m.

CAJUN BREAKFAST: Naq’sn-Duson,Duson, 6p.m.

CASEY COURVILLE: The TapRoom, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

GREGG MARTINEZ: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

THE CAST: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. THE TROUBADOUR: Agave Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Pat’sAtchafalaya Club,Henderson, 7p.m

ORYVEILLON BAND: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7p.m. ZACH EDWARDS AND THE MEDICINE: Blue Moon Saloon,Lafayette, 8p.m. ONE VISION OF QUEEN

FEATURING MARC MARTEL: HeymannPerforming

Inthe sequel, “Nobody 2,” Hutch has found his groove, and once again he’sfallen into aroutineofquotidian drudgery, delivering brutality day in and day out, in an attempt to pay off his debt —not that the script by Derek Kolstad and Aaron Rabin recaps anything from the first film.

Butall you need to know is that Hutch is adad, his job is violence, and he needs abreak.

Desperate to save his marriage and family,Hutch decides to take his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), and kids Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) and Brady (Gage Munroe), as well as his wacky former FBI agent dad (Christopher Lloyd),on asummer break trip to one of his beloved childhood haunts: Plummerville Tiki Rush, aramshackle water park somewhere in theUpper Midwest. He’strying to get away from it all, but as his handler The Butcher (Colin Salmon) reminds him, “Whereveryou go, thereyou are.” Andthere Hutch goes. Tryas he might to takeabreak from himself, he can’tescape his true nature when ascuffle breaks out at an arcade and asecurity guard swatsSammy The resulting brawl, set to the Offspring’s“Come Outand Play,” is one of the best moments of “Nobody 2” —funny,colorful, innovative.

Hutch’sgreatest strengthis his MacGyver-like abilitytouse every tool and random object

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m.

THE TAILGATORS: Toby’s Lounge,Opelousas, 8:30 p.m

ADAM LEGER: Whiskey Tales, Henderson, 9p.m.

ROCK SHOWNOLA

(JOURNEY): Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m.

SUNDAY

GLENN ZERINGUE: Whiskey &Vine,Lafayette, 11 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TanteMarie, BreauxBridge,11a.m.

CAJUN JAM: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville, 2p.m.

PRENDSCOURAGE: Cypress Cove Landing, BreauxBridge,3 p.m

ARTBASH LIVE MUSIC &ART FESTIVAL: Feed’N’Seed, Lafayette, 4p.m.

SINGER/SONGWRITER OPEN MIC: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 4p.m.

CHUBBYCARRIER: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 5p.m. FORET TRADITION: Pat’s Atchafalaya Club,Henderson, 5p.m.

MICHALIS: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

MONDAY

PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Café Habana City, Lafayette, 11 a.m.

JACK WOODSON: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

BLUEGRASS JAM: Citédes Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m

TUESDAY

TERRYHUVAL &FRIENDS:

‘NOBODY2’

HH

STARTING: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen,ChristopherLloyd, John Ortiz, RZA, Sharon Stone,Colin Hanks

DIRECTOR: Timo Tjahjanto

MPARATING: R(forstrong bloody violence and languagethroughout)

RUNNING TIME: 1:29

HOWTOWATCH: In theaters

around him in service of violence, and he plays Whack-a-Mole with theguard’s head.

Much like that other Kolstadscripted character,John Wick, Hutch is areluctant warrior,desperatetoavoid using his skills, but seemingly unable to stop, whether by obligation or training. But where Wick is brooding and operatic, “Nobody” is cheeky and irreverent, because 87North shapes their action franchises to thestar,not the other wayaround.

“Nobody 2” maintains that sense of humor,now with Timo Tjahjanto taking over directing duties from Ilya Naishuller But87North also has ahouse style now,both aesthetically and thematically,and both “Nobody 2” and Tjahjanto fall prey to that formula.

There areafew great action sequences that utilize Hutch’s inventive thinking and emphasize theincongruity of his skills. The camera will follow the impact of asmash, the swing of apunch, and the violence is satisfyingly crunchy as usual.

Butthe script itself feels dashed off like an afterthought,

KILLER KARAOKE: Freetown Boom Boom Room, Lafayette, 8p.m.

WEDNESDAY

DULCIMERJAM: St. Landry VisitorCenter,Opelousas, 10 a.m.

ANDREW WAIN JAZZ: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 6p.m.

MICHALIS: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

VIEILLE MANIERE: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6p.m.

DYLONERVIN: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m

CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.

THURSDAY

PAUL TASSIN: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

DAVE TRAINER: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson, 6p.m.

KIP SONNIER: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m

BLAKE LUQUETTE: Agave Youngsville,6:30 p.m

JUSTIN CORNETT: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m JON MELANCON: Whiskey Tales, Henderson, 8p.m.

Compiledby Marchaund Jones

Want yourvenue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. Thedeadline is noon FRIDAY forthe following Friday’spaper.

reverse-engineered around afew key set pieces in the amusement park.

What works about these movies is Odenkirk, his pained expression as he resorts to inflicting pain and destruction, his blackout rage modewhen protecting his family

The first antagonist they introduce, abootlegger named Henry (John Ortiz), whoisalso an overprotective dad, matches that energy perfectly

So why, then, do Kolstad and Rabin jettison that villain whofits the rural setting foraslick, glamorous gangster that is Sharon Stone in athree-piece suit?

As apsychopathic mob boss with aFrench bulldog puppy, Stone is certainly having fun, but her character,Lendani, feels wildly out of place.

“Nobody 2,” which plays on the juxtaposition of the suburban and the super-violent, works when it’s Hutch facing off with the redneck good ol’ boys on aduck boat, not when he’sgoing through the motions with an elite villain who feels like she’s“from the world of John Wick.”

It’s like their wires got crossed in the writing, and the Lendani plot feels forced, sludgy and totally unnecessary

However,everyone seemstobe having agood time, from Stone to Ortiz to Colin Hanks as amean sheriffwith abad haircut, and especially RZA as Hutch’sbrother Harry,infull ninja nerd mode. All the elements were there to make “Nobody 2” agreat sequel —it just seemslike nobody really thought about what makes the original really work.

FRIDAY

DON POURCIAU & KONSPIRA-

CY: Pedro’s-Siegen, 6 p.m.

ROCKIN’ ROUGE: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

RACHAEL HALLACK & ERIC

CANTRELLE: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 6 p.m.

KASEY BALL: Tallulah at the Renaissance, 6 p.m.

TOBY TOMPLAY: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 6 p.m.

SAM RUSSO: Court To Table, 6 p.m.

THE LONGNECK SOCIETY: Papi’s Fajita Factory, Watson, 6 p.m.

SOUTH OF CENTRAL: Blue Iguana, 6 p.m.

HOT TUNICA: Curbside Burgers, 6:30 p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

KYLE WILSON: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

SHANE MADERE & LAURIE

WHITNEY: Bin 77, 7 p.m.

THE LEE SERIO BAND: The Legacy, 7 p.m.

WILL WESLEY: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

PHIL CHANDLER: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

KICKS BAND: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Pelican Point, Gonzales, 7 p.m.

CAM PYLE DUO: Crowne Plaza, 7 p.m.

JOEL COOPER & SCOTT JORDAN: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 8 p.m.

BLUE CRAB REDEMPTION: Court To Table, 8:30 p.m.

SARIAH & THE STORM: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 9 p.m.

TRUE SPIN: Locals Central, 9 p.m.

THE SOUTHSIDE ROOSTERS: The Texas Club, 9 p.m.

3HG: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge, 9 p.m.

SUBFLUENCE: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 9 p.m.

THE DRUNK UNCLES: Fred’s on the River, Prairieville, 9 p.m

CHRIS PRYOR & THE MAIN EVENT: The Basin Music Hall, 9 p.m.

HONKY TONK PLAYBOYS: Southern Rhythm, Denham Springs, 9 p.m.

SWEET SOUTHERN HEAT: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.

RHETT GUILLOT: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.

LAUREN LEE BAND: Icehouse Tap Room, 9 p.m.

JERRID KELLY: Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill, Denham Springs, 9 p.m.

3RD STREET BAND: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St. Amant, 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

ASHLEY ORLANDO: LSU Rural Life Museum, 10 a.m.

LJ NELSON & ROCH SHEARER: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m.

BRITTON MAJOR: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5:30 p.m.

OLD DAWGS: T’Quilas, Zachary, 6 p.m.

STASH HOUSE: Pedro’s-Siegen, 6 p.m.

BRIAN RITTENHOUSE: T’Quilas, Denham Springs

6 p.m.

JIMMY DELATTE BAND: Papi’s Fajita Factory, Watson, 6 p.m. AL D’AQUIN: Court To Table, 6 p.m.

DANIEL BAILEY: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

FLOYD BROWN BAND FEATUR-

ING JODY MAYEUX: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

CAM PYLE: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

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

JOVIN WEBB: Bin 77, 7 p.m.

BRYAN SOUTHWICK: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Listen to a variety of music from guitarist and vocalist Joel Neely at 7 p.m Saturday at La Caretta in Denham Springs.

JOEL NEELY: La Caretta, Denham Springs, 7 p.m.

JAMIE BERZAS & CAJUN

TRADITION: Ric Seeling Dance Studio, 7:30 p.m.

NATHAN BROWN & DEBO: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 8 p.m.

2 DOMESTIC 1 IMPORT: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m.

TAYLOR RAE: Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill, Denham Springs, 8 p.m.

THE MAIN EVENT TRIO: Frozen Assets Daiquiris, Gonzales, 8 p.m.

UNSELFISH LOVERS OF THE BLUES: Phil Brady’s, 8 p.m.

THE MOJOES: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St. Amant, 8 p.m.

HENRY TURNER JR. & THE LISTENING ROOM ALL-STARS WITH CARA VAN THORN: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.

KYLE HARRIS: Court To Table, 8:30 p.m.

IAN WEBSTER & TAYLOR

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

TRUE SPIN: Fred’s on the River, Prairieville, 9 p.m.

ESSENTIALL GROOVE: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.

BLUE CRAB REDEMPTION: Southern Rhythm, Denham Springs, 9 p.m.

DAMON KING & BO JAMISON: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.

WAYNE TOUPS/JUSTIN CORNETT: The Texas Club, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

ROBERT CALMES: Cocha, 11 a.m.

CHRIS LEBLANC: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 11 a.m.

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

CONNOR UNDERWOOD: Crowne Plaza, 11 a.m.

CHRIS ALLEN: Red Stick Social, noon.

3RD STREET BAND: Fred’s on the River, Prairieville, 3 p.m.

ACUTE INFLECTIONS: HARLEM

RENAISSANCE: Logan’s Place, 4 p.m.

MIKE HOGAN: Icehouse Tap Room, 4 p.m.

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

THE JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Pizza Byronz, 5:30 p.m.

THE ANDY PIZZO PROJECT: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge, 6:30 p.m. OPEN MIC JAM: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

MONDAY

RACHAEL HALLACK & ERIC

CANTRELLE: Superior GrillMidCity, 6 p.m.

NICK PERKINS: Pedros, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

ACOUSTICRATS: Phil Brady’s, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY

RALPH DAIGLE: Rio Verde Mexican, 6 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Superior GrillMidCity, 6 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY

BRYCE BROUSSARD: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 5:30 p.m.

ERIC CANTRELLE: BLDG 5, 5:30 p.m.

CHRIS LEBLANC: Tallulah at the Renaissance, 6 p.m.

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

THOMAS CAIN: Papi’s Fajita

Factory, Watson, 6 p.m.

JOSIE OLIVA: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC W/

HEATH RANSONNET: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 7 p.m.

ANDY PIZZO TRIO: Hayride

Scandal, 7:30 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

DOMINICK MICHAEL/JOHN RUIZ JR.: Southern Rhythm, Denham Springs, 5:30 p.m.

STEVE LEVINE: La Divina Italian Café, 6 p.m.

IAN WEBSTER: Tallulah at the Renaissance, 6 p.m.

2 DOMESTIC 1 IMPORT: Thai Kitchen, 6 p.m.

BRIAN RITTENHOUSE:

T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

BO BURKES: T’Quilas, Zachary

6 p.m.

KYBALION: El Paso-Sherwood, 6 p.m.

DON POURCIAU & KON-

SPIRACY: La Carreta, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

BRANDON NICHOLSON: Superior Grill-MidCity, 6 p.m.

PAUL SHELTON TRIO: Pedro’sSiegen, 6 p.m.

WILL WESLEY: Mike Anderson’s, Gonzales, 6 p.m.

WILLIE STONEMORE: El Paso, Gonzales, 6:30 p.m.

CHRIS OCMAND: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

RHETT ANTHONY: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

ENUF: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St. Amant, 7 p.m.

GARRETT REMSON DUO: Fred’s on the River, Prairieville, 7 p.m

THE BISHOP ELLIS TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7 p.m.

HENRY TURNER JR. & ALLSTARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.

BRITTON MAJOR: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m.

RHETT GUILLOT: Icehouse Tap Room, 8 p.m.

N’TUNE: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.

BLUES JAM: Phil Brady’s, 9 p.m.

RYAN PATTERSON & FREDDY

BOZAS: The Vineyard, 9 p.m. OUTLYING

FRIDAY BLIND AMBITION: El Mejor. St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

HOT TUNICA: Feliciana Brewing, St. Francisville, 4 p.m.

KEEPIN’ TIME BAND: El Mejor, St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m.

WILL WESLEY: Big J’s Side Porch, Clinton, 7 p.m.

COMEDIAN CRAIG SHOEMAKER: Club Mezazz at Paragon Casino, Marksville, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY

GENEVIEVE BAILEY: El Mejor, St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m.

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s music listed? Email info/ photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper

PROVIDED PHOTO The first Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival will continue through Sunday at the Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Feature film and short screenings, such as ‘Ada and the Doc,’ above, will be offered, along with panels and other events. For dates and times, visit batonrougeunderground.com.

FRIDAY FAMILY DINNER IMPROV

COMEDY TROUPE: 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.

READ & CREATE: 10 a.m., Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Storytime, followed by a hands-on summer-themed craft that’s perfect for little ones and their grown-ups. Regular admission applies. lasm.org.

FAMILY-HOUR STARGAZING:

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. Family-friendly 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.

KICKOFF CLASSIC CAJUN

DANCE: 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Ric Seeling Dance Studio, 10776 N. Harrell’s Ferry Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and free dance lessons (after paid admission) begin at 6:45 p.m. Featuring the live music by Jamie Berzas and Cajun Tradition. Bring snacks and beverages. $10, CFMA members; $15, nonmembers; $10, students with ID; free, children 12 and younger. batonrougecajundance.com.

TUESDAY

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

SIP & FLUTTER: AN EVENING WITH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS: 6 p.m.-8 p.m., LSU Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. A program celebrating butterflies, moths, and the plants that support them. $15, students, Friends of Hilltop and

AROUND BATON ROUGE

Louisiana Master Naturalist members; $20, general public. www.lsu.edu/hilltop/.

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 MAR-

KET: 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 MAR-

KET: 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. 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.

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) 336-2422 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

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to contributetosomeoneelse's glory. It'supto youtotakecare of yourself and achieve thegoals that best suit your needs. Step intothe spotlight, and you'll gain ground.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Change only what's necessary. Refuse to let anyone talkyou intosomething you don't need or want. Take control instead of being controlled.

LIBRA(Sept.23-Oct. 23) Participate, be theone to bring about change and make adifference. Apassionate approach to life,loveand happinesswillencourage you to recognize and let go of what isn't working for you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Emotions will fluctuate as youreact to what's happening around you. Acreative project will bring out the best in you. Your discipline andhard work will pay off unexpectedly.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't skip abeat; learnasyou go, and conquer whatevercomes your way. Change comes fromwithin. Be observant and make moves that accommodate your needs.

CAPRICORN (Dec.22-Jan. 19) Take time out to do something for yourself.Pampering yourself,establishingaschedule, and engaging in activitiesand events that stimulateyour mind will change your perspective on the meaning of life

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Acommanding demeanor will draw attention and

position you foradvancement. Change is within reach,and pushing for what you want will play in your favor.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Anger is never theanswer; however, ashow of appreciation and awillingness to compromise will bring youcloser to your goal. Preparation will be your ticket to success.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) If you plan to make adifference, don't hold back. Indulgent activity won't bring about positive change, but acts of kindness andconsideration will helpyou reach your destination without malice.

TAURUS (April 20-May20) Monitor events carefully. Instead of testing others, focus on yourself, your needs andwhat's necessary to achievethe lifestyle you desire. Personal growth is your best option.

GEMINI(May 21-June 20) Avoiddetours. Connectthe dots and maximize your chance to get the most out of your day and theexperience youdesire. Something someone says will make adifference in how you think.

CANCER(June 21-July 22) Put your energy into something creative. What you discover will help youexplore newpossibilities at home or in theworkplace. Change begins within and can jumpstart your ambition.

Thehoroscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the Sudoku increases fromMonday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BY PHILLIP ALDER

Confucius, whose real name was Kong Qiu, said, “Hewho learns but does not think is lost. He whothinks but does not learn is in great danger.” Bridge players who do notthink lose alot of contracts unnecessarily. Bridge players who think but do not wonder about what might go wrong will also lose some contracts. In today’sdeal, Southisinsix spades How shouldheplay after West leads the heartqueenaround to declarer’s ace?

WouldSouth’s best play be different if dummy had only K-5-4 of spades?

Istronglyapprove of North’s threeclub positive response, showing eightpluspointsandfiveormoreclubs.(When responder, holding astrong hand, begins with two diamonds waiting, he either never showshis full strength or is forced to take control.)

On the third round, after North raised spades, Southused the Grand Slam Force, asking partner to bid seven with twoofthetopthreespadehonors.(Nowadays, this convention has almost died out because Roman Key-Card Blackwood uncovers the top trump honors.)

South can afford only one trump loser. If the spades are 3-2, there are no problems. He needs to worry about 4-1and 5-0. The correct play is alow spade to dummy’s eight. When it loses, South wins thenext trick and leads aspade to theking, heregettinghome.Hewillbe successful more than 94 percent of the time. If dummy has only K-5-4, South should start with dummy’s king, then play low to his 10. His chance has shrunk atad, to nearly 90 percent.

©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles

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

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional

are notallowed.

toDAY’s WoRD oMIssIBLE: oh-MIS-ih-bul: Able to be left out or unmentioned.

Averagemark 26 words

Time limit 45 minutes

Can you find 39 or more words in OMISSIBLE?

YEstERDAY’s WoRD— WALtZInG

wail

MINUTES CITY COUNCILMEETING CITY OF BAKER PARISH OF EASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA COUNCILCHAMBERS

3325 GROOM ROAD,BAKER, LOUISIANA 70714

www.youtube.com/@bakerforward August 12, 2025 -6:00p.m

TheCity Councilofthe City of Baker,Louisiana, metinregular session on August 12, 2025, with the following membersinattendance at the meeting: MAYOR

Darnell Waites

COUNCILMEMBERS

Desiree Collins Rochelle Dunn Cedric Murphy Dr.CharlesVincent Robert Young

CALLTOORDER –Mayor Waites presided.

The invocation wasgiven by CouncilMember Murphy

The Pledge of Allegiance wasled by CouncilMember Young. ***Public commentswill be allowedonall agenda items.Such commentsshallnot exceed3 minutes and shallbeconfined to the agenda item and any proposed disposition thereof.***

DISPOSITION OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The motion wasmade by CouncilMember Vincent,seconded by Council Member Murphy to approvethe minutes of themeetingheldonJuly22, 2025.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Themotion passedwithavoteof5-0.

The mayor distributed copies of thecontract forspecial counsel to council members. Aneatra Boykinintroducedherself and provided an overview of her qualifications.

The motion was madebyCouncil Member Murphy,seconded by Council Member Vincent to move item “7.Presentation by ConnectivityTwo Designs regardingthe city’s updated website (Mayor)” under New Business up on theagenda so that it falls under Recognitions.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Themotion passedwithavoteof5-0.

RECOGNITIONS

7. Presentation by ConnectivityTwo Designs regardingthe city’s updated website (Mayor) TrinardFranklin,Connectivity TwoDesigns, provided an overview of the city’sproposed new website and itskey features.

1. EssbieCustoms, LLC Location–14424 PlankRoad, Baker,Louisiana 70714 EssbieCustoms,LLC wasrecognized as anew business in the City of Baker

2. AdventuresChildren’sLearning Academy, LLC Location –3101 SingletaryDrive, Baker,Louisiana 70714 Adventures Children’sLearning Academy, LLC wasrecognized as anew business in theCityofBaker

PLANNING AND ZONINGMATTERS

1. ResubdivisionRequest:Plank Road, Baker, Louisiana Owner: Bethany Church Name of Applicant: Jared Stockstill 10877 Reiger Road BatonRouge, Louisiana 70809

Lots: 8-A-1-A-1& Z-1 Subdivision: Bethany CooperativeCommunity Create Lots: 8-A-1-A-1-A and 8-A-1-A-1-B

PropertyZoned: R-1

Discussion regarding theagenda item washeld.

The motion wasmade by CouncilMember Vincent,seconded by Council Member Collinstoaccept therecommendationfromthe Planning and Zoning Commission and approve theresubdivision request forBethany Church.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

Themotionpassedwithavoteof5-0.

RESOLUTIONSAND PROCLAMATIONS

1. Proclamation declaringAugust 2025 National Eye ExamAwareness Month in theCity of Baker (Vincent) The proclamationwas read by Aneatra Boykin.

Themotion was made by Council Member Vincent,seconded by Council Member Dunn to accept theproclamation.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

Themotionpassed with avoteof5-0.

2. Proclamation declaringAugust 2025 PsoriasisActionAwareness Monthinthe City of Baker(Vincent) The proclamationwas read by Aneatra Boykin.

The motion wasmade by CouncilMember Vincent,seconded by Council Member Murphy to accept theproclamation.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

Themotionpassed with avoteof5-0.

3. Resolutionrequesting an opinion of theState of Louisiana Attorney General on business permits forthe City of Baker (Vincent) Council MemberVincent explained thereason forseekinganAttorney General’s opinion on this matter. He thinks that as thelegislativebody of theCity of Baker the Baker City Council shouldbeinvolved in amajor way in theapproval of allbusinesses comingintothe city

The motion wasmade by CouncilMember Vincent to adopt theresolution.

The resolution was read by Aneatra Boykin. Council Member Vincent’s motion to adopt theresolutionreceived no second.

The motion to adopt theresolutionfailed.

Extensive discussionregarding theagenda item and thecity’sformerand present process forapprovingbusiness licenses washeld.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Introduce Ordinance 2025-14 Sales &Use Tax(Mayor) Aneatra Boykin read thetitle of theordinance.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Young, seconded by Council

Member Murphy to introduce Ordinance 2025-14.

Themayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young NAYS:None ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

2. Introduce Ordinance 2025-15 Insurance License Tax(Mayor)

Aneatra Boykinread thetitle of theordinance.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Murphy,seconded by Council MembersDunn/Young to introduce Ordinance 2025-15.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young NAYS:None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

3. Introduce Ordinance 2025-16 Occupational License Tax(Mayor)

Aneatra Boykinread thetitle of theordinance.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Dunn, seconded by Council

Member Murphy to introduce Ordinance 2025-16.

Themayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Young NAYS: Vincent

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof4-1

4. Introduce Ordinance 2025-17 Chain StoreLicense Tax(Mayor)

Aneatra Boykinread thetitle of theordinance.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Dunn, seconded by Council

Member Young to introduce Ordinance 2025-17.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Young

NAYS: Vincent

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof4-1

5. Introduce Ordinance 2025-18 Alcoholic Beverage Tax(Mayor)

Aneatra Boykinread thetitle of theordinance.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Murphy,seconded by Council

Member Young to introduce Ordinance 2025-18.

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young

NAYS:None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

6. Authorizemayor to executecontract with Faulk&Winkler to complete fiscal year 2025 financial audit(Mayor)

Finance Director MarySue Stages stated she spoke with arepresentative from Faulk& Winkler and they do not have theengagement lettertogether however,itwill be ready tomorrow.She stated that if councilmembers would prefer to wait until thenext councilmeetingtovoteonthismatter, doingsowouldnot negativelyimpact theauditschedule.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Dunn, seconded by Council Member Murphy to tableauthorizingthe mayor to executea contract with Faulk&Winkler to completethe fiscal year 2025 financial audit.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

7. Presentation by ConnectivityTwo Designs regarding thecity’s updated website (Mayor) Thisagenda itemwas previously addressed.

PUBLIC MEETING

1. Adopt Ordinance 2025-6, regulations regarding automobile repair workand oilchanges in residential and subdivision areas and to provide forother matters regarding to thesame(Mayor) (Introduced 7/22/2025)

Public meeting washeld.

Aneatra Boykinreadaportionofthe proposed ordinance.

Discussion regarding theproposed ordinance washeld. Several residents expressed theirconcerns regarding thewording used in theordinance and asked that theverbiage be changed so that homeownersare not penalized.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Dunn, seconded by Council Member Collinstodefer Ordinance 2025-6.

Themayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Dunn, seconded by Council Member Young to add schedulea worksession to discuss Ordinance 2025-6tothe agenda.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Dunn, seconded by Council Member Collinstoscheduleaworksession to discuss Ordinance 2025-6

on Monday,August 18, 2025, at 4:45 p.m

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

2. Adopt Ordinance 2025-13, an ordinance to regulateunauthorized camping, lodging, and/or squattingonpublic property and to provide forother matters regarding to thesame(Mayor) (Introduced 7/22/2025)

Public meetingwas held.

Aneatra Boykinread aportionofthe proposed ordinance.

Dr.ToniJackson, 931 Husband, expressed her concerns regarding the wordingofthe proposed ordinance and asked that thecouncilconsider tablingthisagenda itemaswellsothat thecurrent language can be assessed.

Discussion regarding theproposed ordinance and theconcerns raised followed.

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Young, seconded by Council Member Dunn to adopt Ordinance 2025-13 subject to legal review

The mayor calledfor public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalledfor YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent,Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0

ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS

1. Newprogramming at AlabamaStreet park (Collins)

Council MemberCollins provided an overview of thenew programs beingoffered at thefacility on Alabama Street. Some of theprograms offeredinclude Pickleball, Zumba,ballroomand linedancing. Council MemberCollins encouraged everyone to take advantage of these new opportunities.

Admon McCastle, 14056 Brantley Drive, commendedthe mayor and council for the work beingdone on Lavey Lane 2. District 2announcements (Dunn)

Council MemberDunn thanked everyone who participated in theFish & Fun Day,HookedonFishingwith Families. She thanked all thesponsors who helped make theeventpossible andthe committee that worked diligently to facilitate such asuccessfulendeavor. Council MemberDunn expressed hergratitude for all that wasdone to bringthiswonderfulevent to thecitizensofBaker.

Council MemberVincentcongratulated themayoronbeingelected first vice-presidentatthe recentLMA meeting. He announced the10thannual sickle cell anemia eventRyan’s Runisbeingheld Saturday,August23, 2025. He distributed16-monthcalendars to all that were interested

Council MemberDunn asked Kamari Stinson to speak about an upcoming eventinDistrict 2. He announced volunteers will be in Bakerfield subdivision on Thursday,August14, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in an effort to collect signaturessothatspeed bumps can be placed throughout theneighborhood.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

The mayor remindedeveryonethatdogs aretobekeptbehindfences and on leashes whenout.Hesaid residents should call AnimalControl to deal with problemsconcerning animals.

The mayor announced they metwith Waste Proand again asked that residents not put woody waste in thetrash cans.

The mayor implored everyone to sign up for GovDelivery,sayingitisthe mostefficientway to remain up to date on all informationregarding the City of Baker.Text LA Baker Updates to 888-401-5972.

The mayor announced theBuffalo Festival will be held September18– 20, 2025.

APPOINTMENTSTOBOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

CONDEMNATIONS

REPORTS ON BOARDS ANDCOMMISSIONS

1. Planning andZoning Commission

2. AnnexationReview Committee 3. Economic Development Team 4. HeritageMuseum/Related Committees

5. ABCBoard

Committees

ADJOURN

The motion wasmadebyCouncil MemberVincent, seconded by Council MemberMurphy to adjourn

The mayor called for public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalled for YEAS:Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

The motion passedwith avote of 5-0.

CITY OF BAKER PARISH OF EASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Angela Canady Wall, certify that IamClerk of theCouncil for the City of Baker,Louisiana,and that theabove andforegoing is acopy of the minutes of aregular meetingofthe Council for the City of Baker, Louisiana held on August 12, 2025.

Angela Canady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council

MINUTES BOARDOFCOMMISSIONERS HILLCRESTMEMORIAL GARDENS CITY OF BAKER PARISH OF EASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA 3325 GROOM ROAD BAKER, LA 70714 August 12, 2025

The City Council of theCity of Baker, Louisiana, sittingasthe Board of Commissioners for Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, metinregular session on August 12, 2025, with thefollowing members in attendanceatthe meeting: COMMISSIONERS Desiree Collins Rochelle Dunn Cedric Murphy Dr.Charles Vincent Darnell Waites Robert Young

CALL TO ORDER –CommissionerWaites presided.

DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The meetingwas called to orderand themotion wasmadeby Commissioner Waites, secondedbyCommissionerMurphy to approve theminutes of themeetingheld on July 22, 2025.

Commissioner Waites called for public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalled for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Waites, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passedbya vote of 6-0.

PUBLICNOTICE

NEW BUSINESS

OTHER NECESSARYBUSINESS

1. Monthly Business Report

2. OtherReports

3. ItemsRequiringAction

ADJOURN

There wasnoother business to come beforethe commission. The motion wasmadebyCommissionerWaites, seconded by Commissioner Dunn to adjourn

Commissioner Waites called for public commentsorquestions.

Vote wascalled for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Waites, Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passedbya vote of 6-0.

CITY OF BAKER

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Angela Canady Wall, certify that IamClerk of theCouncil for the City of Baker,Louisiana,and that theabove andforegoing is acopy of the minutes of aregular meetingofthe Board of Commissioners for the Hillcrest Memorial Gardensheld on August 12, 2025.

Angela Canady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council