The Advocate 08-24-2025

“In10years,you’renot goingto recognizeRichlandParish.”

AI BOOMTOWN

Themassive Meta data center emerging in northeastLouisiana is igniting agold rush of opportunity. It’s also changing arural wayoflife.

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

RICHLAND PARISH The SMart in Bee Bayou has always done abrisk business.

It’sthe only convenience store for miles amid the corn and soybean fields that line the old two-lane La. 80 in rural northeast Louisiana, and the only placetoget heaping to-go plates of fried chicken gizzards with mac andcheese But everything suddenly changed this year— ever since Facebook parentcompany Meta broke ground on a$10 billion artificial intelligence data center in the middle of acornfield in nearby Holly Ridge. Now thestore is slammed. Construction workers in neon safetyvests streaminnonstop

for food, ice, cigarettes and gas. Saleshavemore than tripled. Store manager Ann Watson, 70,aBee Bayounative,

STAFF PHOTOSBySOPHIAGERMER

can’thireenoughworkersto staff the store’sshifts.

“We’re so busy we don’tget abreak,”Watsonsaid as she boxed personal pizzasfresh out of the oven andstacked them in awarming case. “They start lining up before 6a.m.”

The boom isn’tconfinedto the SMart. Across Richland Parish, where the Meta site is located, land speculators are buying up property,paying 20 or 30 times morethan they would have ayear ago.

Recreati onal vehicle parks and “man camps” are sprouting up in small towns nearbytoaccommodatethe

See BOOMTOWN, page 10A

‘People retire; dreams don’t’

66-year-old tuba player becomes LSUTiger Band’s oldest member

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

The LSU GoldenBand from Tiger Land welcomed its new members Thursday,and oneofthem was born in 1959 —tuba player Kent Broussard. Originally from LaPlace, the 66-year-old formeraccountant and vice president of Sazerac Co. played in the band at Riverside High School forfouryearsand then for SoutheasternLouisiana University for four years, graduating in 1980. But as an LSU Tiger fan, he always wondered what it would be like to march on the field in Death Valley About five years ago, Broussard told his family that he would like to try out fortuba at LSU after he retired. They laughed. He was serious. They started cheering him on. “Wewere talking about planning for retirement when he said, ‘You know,I’ve been thinking Imight want to do something. Ithink I might go back to school and try out forthe forthe LSU band.’ And

BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer

Fred Smith spends his Wednesdays cruising Baton Rouge with acar trunkfull of second chances. Inside are boxes of Narcan,a

medication that can pull someone back fromanopioidoverdose, alongwith fentanyl testing strips, hygiene products and numbers for recovery hotlines. His first stop is asmall Mid City homeless camp, then theshelter

at St.Vincent de Paul. By 11 a.m., temperatures are climbing past 90 degrees, and the line outside for theshelter’sfree lunch is packed.

“Anybody struggling with drug addiction?It’sfree!” the53-yearold says, beckoning people toward

thebundles in his car,dozens vanishing within minutes. “We’re trying to save lives! Spread the word!”

At anearby bus stop, Eric, aman waiting on the sweltering concrete, digs through the bag from Smith.

KentBroussard practices in his livingroom for TigerBand. ä See TUBA, page 8A

He holds up abox of Narcan. “I saved my cousin’slife with that,” he says. “He was in convulsions. He wasjust still, like dead. I said, ‘Shoot it up his nose!’ All you

ä See FENTANYL, page 6A

Lyle Menendez denied parole, same as brother LOS ANGELES Lyle Menendez was denied parole Friday by the same board that a day earlier rejected his brother Erik’s appeal for freedom after serving decades in prison for killing their parents at their Beverly Hills mansion. The reason was the same: misbehavior behind bars.

A panel of two commissioners denied Lyle Menendez parole for three years after a daylong hearing. Commissioners noted the older brother still displayed “anti-social personality traits like deception, minimization and rule-breaking that lie beneath that positive surface.”

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 almost exactly 36 years ago on Aug. 20, 1989. While defense attorneys argued that the brothers acted out of selfdefense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers sought a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

A judge reduced their sentences in May, and they became immediately eligible for parole. The parole hearings marked the closest they have come to winning freedom since their convictions almost 30 years ago.

Erik Menendez, who is being held at the same prison in San Diego, was denied parole Thursday after commissioners determined his misbehavior in prison made him still a risk to public safety

A day later, Lyle Menendez told the parole board details about the abuse he suffered under his parents. He cried, face reddened, while delivering his closing statement. He seemed to still want to protect his “baby brother,” telling commissioners he took sole responsibility for the murders.

“I will never be able to make up for the harm and grief I caused everyone in my family,” he said. “I will be forever sorry.”

Truck driver accused in fatal crash denied bail

FORT PIERCE,Fla.— A truck driver accused of making an illegal Uturn that killed three people in Florida last week was denied bail Saturday.

The crash sparked a clash between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and California Democratic Gov Gavin Newsom over Harjinder Singh, a native of India, obtaining a work permit and driver’s license in the state. The Trump administration says Singh was in the U.S. illegally Singh was charged with three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations, and he was denied bail on all charges. He is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail, Lt. Andrew Bolonka from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has put a hold on him. California is one of 19 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, that issues licenses regardless of immigration status.

Newsom’s press office responded on X that Singh obtained a work permit while Donald Trump was president, which Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin disputed. Florida authorities said Singh entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2018. Singh made the illegal turn on the highway about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A minivan in the neighboring lane was unable to avoid the truck’s trailer and slammed into it, killing the minivan’s driver and two passengers 21 taken to hospitals after bus crash in Pa

ECONOMY BOROUGH, Pa. A bus carrying a junior high football team to a game crashed Saturday north of Pittsburgh, sending 21 of the 28 people on board to the hospital, officials said Twenty-five Aliquippa Junior High students and three adults were headed to a game in nearby Gibsonia. The crash occurred in Economy Borough, about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh.

A Facebook page for the football team said each player was being evaluated.

U.S. seeks to deport Abrego Garcia

Immigration officials say they intend to send him to Uganda

BY TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

— Immigration officials said they intend to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he declined an offer to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges, his defense attorneys told a court Saturday

The Costa Rica offer came late Thursday and included a requirement that he remain in jail for the time being and then serve whatever sentence he would receive for pleading guilty, according to a brief filed in Tennessee, where the criminal case was brought

After Abrego Garcia left jail on Friday Immigration and Customs Enforcement notified his attorneys that he would be deported to Uganda and should report to immigration authorities on Monday

Later on Friday, “the government informed Mr Abrego that he has until first thing Monday morning precisely when he must report to ICE’s Baltimore Field Office to accept a plea in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica, or else that offer will be off the table forever,” his defense attorneys wrote. They declined to say whether he is still considering the offer Filed along with the brief was a letter from the Costa Rican government stating that Abrego Garcia would be welcomed to that country as a legal immigrant and wouldn’t face the possibility of detention.

Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin responded to the brief with a statement saying, “A federal grand jury has charged Abrego Garcia with serious federal crimes underscoring the clear danger this defendant presents to

the community. This defendant can plead guilty and accept responsibility or stand trial before a jury Either way we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people.” Abrego Garcia’s case became a flash point in President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, despite a judge’s earlier determination that he faced a “well-founded fear” of violence there. Facing a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the U.S. in June, only to detain him on human smuggling charges.

He pleaded not guilty and asked the judge to dismiss the case, claiming that it is an attempt to punish him for challenging his deportation to El Salvador The Saturday filing came as a supplement to that motion to dismiss, stating that the threat to deport him to Uganda

Abbott says he’ll swiftly sign redistricting plan

BY JIM VERTUNO, JOEY CAPPELLETTI and HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press

AUSTIN,Texas Texas Gov Greg Abbott on Saturday promised to quickly sign off on a Republican-leaning congressional voting map gerrymandered to help the GOP maintain its slim majority in Congress.

“One Big Beautiful Map has passed the Senate and is on its way to my desk, where it will be swiftly signed into law,” Abbott said in a statement.

Texas lawmakers approved the final plans just hours before, inflaming an already tense battle unfolding among states as governors from both parties pledge to redraw maps with the goal of giving their political candidates a leg up in the 2026 midterm elections

In California, Democratic Gov Gavin Newsom has approved a special election to take place in November for residents to vote on a redrawn congressional map designed to help Democrats win five more House seats next year Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has pushed other Republican-controlled states to also revise their maps to add more winnable GOP seats.

In Texas, the map includes five new districts that would favor Republicans.

The effort by Trump and Texas’ Republican-majority Legislature prompted state Democrats to hold a two-week walkout and kicked off a wave of redis-

tricting efforts across the country

Democrats had prepared for a final show of resistance, with plans to push the Senate vote into the early morning hours in a last-ditch attempt to delay passage. Yet Republicans blocked those efforts by citing a rule violation.

“What we have seen in this redistricting process has been maneuvers and mechanisms to shut down people’s voices,” said state Sen. Carol Alvarado, leader of the Senate Democratic caucus, on social media after the new map was finalized by the GOP-controlled Senate.

Democrats had already delayed the bill’s passage during hours of debate, pressing Republican Sen. Phil King, the measure’s sponsor, on the proposal’s legality, with many alleging that the redrawn districts violate the Voting Rights Act by diluting voters’ influence based on race.

King vehemently denied that accusation, saying, “I had two goals in mind: That all maps would be legal and would be better for Republican congressional candidates in Texas.”

The Texas redraw is already reshaping the 2026 race, with Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett, the dean of the state’s congressional delegation, announcing Thursday that he will not seek reelection to his Austin-based seat if the new map takes effect. Under the proposed map, Doggett’s district would overlap with that of another Democratic incumbent, Rep. Greg Casar

U.S. releases records on Emmett Till

BY GRAHAM LEE BREWER Associated Press

Just days ahead of the 70th anniver-

sary of his killing, the federal government made public thousands of pages of records Friday on the lynching of Emmett Till.

The records in the National Archives, released by the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board, detail how the Justice Department, the FBI, and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights responded to the 1955 killing of 14-year-old Till. The records were released in accordance with the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018.

“Our thoughts are with the Till family,” the National Archives and Records Administration said in a news release.

The Chicago teenager was falsely accused of whistling at a white woman at a grocery store in rural Mississippi.

Four days later, Till was abducted from a great-uncle’s home in the predawn hours by Roy Bryant and John William “J. W.” Milam. The white men tortured and killed Till in a barn in a neighboring county, and his body was later found in the Tallahatchie River Bryant and Milam were charged with murder in Till’s death but were acquitted by an all-white-male jury Bryant and Milam later confessed to a reporter that they kidnapped and killed Till. His killing galvanized the Civil Rights Movement after Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on an open casket so that the country could see the brutality. Many of the records have never been seen by the public. They can be viewed in the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection on the National Archives and Records Administration website.

A member of the Till family did not immediately return a request for comment.

is more proof that the prosecution is vindictive.

“Despite having requested and received assurances from the government of Costa Rica that Mr Abrego would be accepted there, within minutes of his release from pretrial custody, an ICE representative informed Mr Abrego’s counsel that the government intended to deport Mr Abrego to Uganda,” his attorneys wrote in their filing.

The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. There were nine passengers in the car, and officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. However, Abrego Garcia was allowed to continue driving with only a warning. Abrego Garcia has an American wife and children and has lived in Maryland for years. Although he was deemed eligible for pretrial release last month, he remained in jail at the request of his attorneys, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed.

European postal services suspend shipments to U.S

BY DEMETRIS NELLAS and MAE ANDERSON Associated Press

ATHENS,Greece The end of an exemption on tariff duties for low-value packages coming into the United States is causing multiple international postal services to pause shipping as they await more clarity on the rule. The exemption, known as the “de minimis” exemption, allows packages worth less than $800 to come into the U.S. duty free. A total of 1.36 billion packages were sent in 2024 under this exemption, for goods worth $64.6 billion, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agency It expired Friday On Saturday postal services around Europe announced that they were suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid confusion over new import duties.

Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy said they will stop shipping most merchandise to the U.S. effective immediately France and Austria will follow on Monday

The U.K.’s Royal Mail said it would halt shipments to the U.S. on Tuesday to allow time for those packages to arrive before duties kick in. Items originating in the United Kingdom worth over $100 — including gifts to friends and family — will incur a 10% duty, it said.

“Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out,” DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, said in a statement. The company said starting Saturday it “will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US.” A trade framework agreed on by the U.S. and the European Union last month set a 15% tariff on the vast majority of products shipped from the EU. Packages under $800 will now also be subject to the tariff.

Trumpmakinggoodonpromise of revenge

He vowedtouse government power againstthose he believed wrongedhim

BY NICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press

Donald Trump ran on apromise to use the powers of the government for revenge against those he believed wronged him. He now appears to be fulfilling that campaign promise whilethreatening to expand his powers well beyond Washington.

On Friday,the FBI searched the home of John Bolton,Trump’s firstterm nationalsecurity adviserturned-critic, who recently in an interview called the administration “the retribution presidency.”

Trump’steam has opened investigations of Democrat Letitia James, the New York attorney general who sued Trump’scompany over alleged fraud for falsifying records, and Sen. Adam Schiff, DCalif., who as acongressman led Trump’sfirst impeachment.

The Republican administration has chargedRep. LaMonica McIver,D-N.J., over heractionsat an immigration protest in Newark, New Jersey,after arresting Mayor Ras Baraka, also aDemocrat. Under investigation, too, is former New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo, acandidate for New York City mayor Trump has directed prosecutors to investigate two other members of hisfirstadministration: Miles Taylor,who wrote abook warning of what he saidwereTrump’sauthoritarian tendencies, and Chris Krebs, who earned the president’s wrathfor assuring votersthatthe 2020 election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden, was secure.

The actions look like the payback Trump said he would pursue after being hit with four separate sets of criminal charges duringhis four years out of office.Those included an indictment for his effort to overturn the 2020 electionthat was gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court, which saidpresidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official actswhile in office.

“JoeBiden weaponized hisadministrationtotarget political op-

ponents —most famously,President Trump,”Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said Saturday. Trump, shesaid, “isrestoring law and order.”

In addition to making good on his promisesofretribution, Trumphas deployed the military into American cities to fight crime or help with immigration arrests. He has sent thousands of NationalGuard troops andfederal law enforcement officerstopatrolthe streets in the nation’scapital, after activating theGuard and Marines in LosAngeles earlier this year

Taken together,the actions have alarmed Democrats and others whofear Trump is wielding the authorityofhis office to intimidate hispolitical opponents andconsolidate power in away thatisunprecedented in American history

Past election investigations

Trumpbegan his second term by pardoning more than 1,500people whowere convicted of crimes duringthe Jan. 6,2021,attack on the U.S.Capitol. His Justice Department, meanwhile, has fired some federal prosecutors who had pursued those cases. Attorney General Pam Bondiordered agrand jury to look into theorigins of theinvestigationofhis 2016 campaign’sties with Russia, and Trumphas called on her departmenttoinvestigate former Democratic President Barack Obama.

The government’swatchdog agency has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who investigated Trump’sefforts to overturn the 2020 election results andthe classified documentsstashed at his Florida estate. Those cases were amongseveral that dogged Trump

in the years between his presidentialterms, including the New York fraud case and charges for election interference in Georgia brought by the Democratic prosecutor in Fulton County

Allthose investigationsled him to claim thatDemocrats had weaponized the government against him.

“It is amazing to me the number of people the Trump administration has gone after,all of whom areidentified by thefactthatthey investigated or criticized Trump in one way or another,” said Stephen Saltzburg, aformer Justice Department official who is aGeorge Washington Universitylaw professor

On Friday,Trump usedgovernmental powers in otherways to further his goals.

Trumphas been unsuccessfully trying to wrestcontrol of the independent Federal Reserve. After his housing director alleged that one of the central bank’sgovernors had committedmortgage fraud, Trumpdemanded she resign or be fired. He also announced that Chicago could be thenext city subject to militarydeployments.

‘Chief lawenforcement officer’ Vice PresidentJDVance denied that Bolton was being targeted because of his criticism of Trump. “If there’snocrime here, we’re not going to prosecuteit,” Vance told NBC’s“Meet thePress” on Friday Trumpsaidhetoldhis staffnot to inform him aboutthe Bolton search ahead of time, buthe

JudgeblocksTrump from cutting funding over ‘sanctuary’policies

BY SUDHIN THANAWALA

Associated Press

Ajudge ruled late Friday

the Trump administration cannot deny funding to Boston, Chicago, Denver,Los Angelesand 30 othercities and counties because of policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco extended apreliminaryinjunction blocking the administration from cutting off or conditioning the use of federal funds for so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions. His earlier order protected more than adozen other cities and counties, including San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. An email to the White House late Fridaywas not immediately returned. In his ruling, Orrick said

the administration had offered no opposition to an extendedinjunction exceptto say thefirst injunction was wrong. It has appealed the first order Orrick also blocked the administration fromimposing immigration-relatedconditions on two particular grant programs.

TheTrumpadministration has ratcheted up pressure on sanctuary communities as it seeks to make good on President DonaldTrump’s campaign promise to remove millions of people in the country illegally

One executiveorder issued by Trump directsAttorney General Pam Bondiand HomelandSecurity Secretary Kristi Noemtowithhold federal money from sanctuary jurisdictions. Another order directs every federal

agency to ensure that payments to state and local governments do not“abet so-called ‘sanctuary’ policies that seek to shieldillegal aliens from deportation.”

The cities and counties that sued said billions of dollars were at risk.

Orrick said the executive orders and the“executive actionsthathaveparroted them” were an unconstitutional “coercive threat.”

Thereisnostrict definition for sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe places thatlimit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces immigration laws nationwide but seekshelp from state and local authoritiestoidentify immigrants wanted for deportation and hold them for federal officers.

stressedthathehas authority over all prosecutions.

“I could know about it. Icould be theone starting it,” the president told reporters. “I’m actually the chief law enforcement officer.”

Bolton occupies aspecial place in the ranksofTrump critics. The longtime GOP foreign policy hawk wrote abookpublished in 2020, after Trump hadfiredhim theyear before. The first Trumpadministrationsued to blockthe book’srelease and openedagrand jury investigation, both of which were halted by the Bidenadministration.

Bolton landedona listof60former officialsdrawnupbynowFBI Director Kash Patel that he portrayed as atally of the “Executive Branch Deep State.” Critics warned it was an “enemies list.”

When Trumpreturnedtooffice in January,his administration revoked the securitydetail that had been assignedtoBolton, who faced Iranian assassination threats.

The FBI is now investigating Bolton for potentially mishandling classifiedinformation, according to aperson familiar with the matterwho was not authorized to discuss the investigationpublicly

In contrast, Trumpcondemned theFBI’ssearch of his own Mar-aLagoresort in 2022.

Retributioniswide-ranging

Trump hasalso targetedinstitutionsthat have defied him

The president issued orders barring several law firmsthat were

involved in litigation against him or his allies, or had hired hisopponents, from doing business with the federalgovernment. Trump cutdealswithseveral other firms to do freelegal work ratherthan face penalties. He has targeted universities forfundingcuts if they do not follow his administration’sdirectives.

His administrationfiled ajudicial misconduct complaint against ajudge who ruledthat Trumpofficials likely committed criminal contempt by ignoring his directive to turn around planes carrying people being sent to anotorious prison in El Salvador

Theactionsare amongsteps that seem to be intensifying. Trump’s defense secretary, PeteHegseth, has fired several military leaders perceived to be critics of the presidentornot sufficiently loyal, and earlier this weekthe administration revoked the security clearancesofabout threedozencurrent and former national security officials.

“It’swhat he promised,” said Justin Levitt, aformer Justice Department official and Biden White House stafferwho is alaw professor at Loyola MarymountUniversity.“It’s what bulliesdowhenno one tells them ‘No.’”

ELIMINATE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA

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Ihavesuffered with numbness in my legs for5monthsbefore goingtoLeBlanc SpineCenter. Afterthe first initial consultation, Istarted Spinal Decompression treatmentsand within 3months, Ihad ahuge differencein mobility,reduced pain,and the numbness wassubsiding. Ihave improvedabout 80%fromthe treatments. Isleep better,walk withoutpain, anddue to cervical decompression,mymigraines arealmostnon-existent. Dr.Scott listened to my symptoms and begantotreat therootofmy problems.

Thedoctors andstaff are compassionateand very caring It feelslikeafamily andtheir patient’swellbeing really matters to them.I100%recommend LeBlancSpine Center!

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IcametoLeBlancSpine Center

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Forthe next 7days, we areofferingaspecial “Decompression Evaluation”offer,atnocostto you! What does this offer include? Everything we normally do in ournew patientevaluations:

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havetodoisshoot it up his nose, wait aminute. He’ll come back to life.”

Before Smith moves on, a CATS driver asks for extra kits for her routes, for when riders slump over in their seats. Smith’steam promises to return. He is joined by Lorie Stone, 33 yearssober, and Darren Myles, who has never really touched alcohol. Smith himselfisscared to take aspirin, but all are guided by asimple goal. “I’ve just always wanted to be in aposition where Icould help people,”Smith said.

The trio’sbright orange polos promote Set Free Indeed, anonprofit ministry that for the past 21/2 years hasharnessed data from the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’sOffice and Baton Rouge Police to target the city’soverdose hot spots. For the foreseeable future, their outreach —and dozens of similarefforts citywide —will be sustained in part by money from companies held liable for fueling the nation’sopioid epidemic.

“Tohave an opportunity to fund those things under program scope, as well as answering some of the budgetary concerns, is huge for Baton Rouge,” said Kelly LeDuff, the city’sdirector of community development.

Baton Rouge recorded 311 overdose deaths in 2021 at the peak of the crisis. Since then, the number of deaths has fallen by 35%. Still,officials say new settlement money is crucial to keeping those numbersdown, relieving pressure on the legal system,and shoring up alreadystrainedcity budgets.

Tonja Myles, who cofounded SetFreeIndeed with Darren Myles, her husband, has worked in addiction treatment in Baton Rouge since 1999. Thoughher organization primarily targets lower-incomeand homeless populations, she is quickto use the adage that addiction affects everyone “from the country club to the clubhouse.” Arecovering crack cocaine addictherself,she thought shehad seen it all until opioids hit. First came pill mills, then doctorshopping and later street-sold synthetic opioids.

“It was almost like aperson was in aburningbuilding and you just watched them burn from the inside out,”Myles said. “Wewere scramblingtofigure out, fromatreatment perspective, how to deal with it.”

Evenbeforelocal overdose deaths started to climb around 2014, Myles said she was sounding the alarm. She went to District Attorney Hillar Moore, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and Coroner Dr.Beau Clark

“I’m grateful they respected me enough not to say no,” she recalled. “They knew they couldn’t police their way out of it. …They started giving us data.” By 2017, that data was fueling awave of litigation. Thousands of local governments acrossthe U.S. —including 180 in Louisiana—

sued pharmaceuticalmanufacturers, distributors and pharmacies for their role in the opioid epidemic.

“Everybodyfrom the largest parishes to Benton FireDistrict No. 4inBossierParish filed,” said Victor Franckiewicz, alawyer on Louisiana’sOpioid Abatement Task Force. In 2022, the lawsuitswere brought underone global settlementinanOhio federal court. Much likea class action, drug companies agreed to paybillions,with aformulabased on things like prescription rates and overdosedeaths determiningeachstate’sshare.Louisiana landedinthe middle of the pack, set to receive about 1.576% —ormore than $600 million— through 2038. East Baton RougeParish will take home around 10%ofthatmoney,the second-largest allocation in thestate behind Jefferson Parish.

Nearly $1 million flowed into Baton Rouge in 2023, followed by about $400,000 in 2024.

This month, Baton Rouge’s Metro Council approved its singlelargest allocation yet: more than $3.5 million. The District Attorney’s Office which helped modelmuch of the city’sopioid response —will receive the biggest share at $1 million.

The 19th Judicial District Courtand Set Free Indeed receivedthe next largest portions. Other nonprofits focused on treatment and prevention,public defenders,the juvenile court and the Coroner’sOffice also are settobenefit.

Metro Council member LaurieAdams,a Republican,saidshe welcomed both the transparency and the city’s attempt at aholistic approach,whichLeDuff says came outofmonths of coordination, including sitdowns with the mayors of Zachary,Baker,St. George andCentral.

“It was obvious to me that the administration is looking

at thestressthe crisis has putonthe courts,”Adams said. “Andtheyare working hard to get to the root causes.”

Under Louisiana’splan, 20% of opioid settlement dollars automatically goes to sheriff’soffices, with the rest divviedupamong parishes. Unlike the Big Tobacco settlements, 100% of Louisiana’smoney skips state coffers, instead going directly to localgovernments

There is someleeway in how the money can be spent, though it must addresssubstance abuse, including through treatment, prevention,recovery support,drug courts,first respondersor research.

“This is settlementmoney, notfederal money,” LeDuff said. “Weare choosing tobe transparent with the funds.” Statewide, oversight remainsawork in progress. The state task force guiding themoney acts only as an advisory body, with limited enforcement power.In May, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor foundmillions sitting unspent.Ofthe requiredannualexpenditure reports, only two-thirds of parishes submitted them. Of those, nine parishesand 19 sheriffs reported not spending adollar yet.

Leavingthe bus stop, Smithchecks adispatch on his phone from Baton Rouge police: thename and address of awoman who survived an overdose thenight before. Outside herhome, he speaks briefly with her,hands over abag stocked with Narcan andurges her to callifshe needs help. She smilesin thanks.

From 7a.m. untilmidnight, sevendaysa week, oneofSet Free Indeed’s 14 workers is on call for both fatal and nonfatal overdoses. Whenthe alertcomes, Smith drives straight to thescene, talks with the userortheir family,and offers to connect them to drug treatment and mental healthservices.

“You mayhave themcall youthree or four times (after),” he said. “Saying, ‘Hey, can you come out and let us know what to do to continue?’”

From there, Tonja Myles says the next stepisbuildingtrust. They swapnumbers and try to guide people intotreatment, starting at the Bridge Center’smental healthemergency room, then movingtomedication and a30-day recovery program. If all goes well, the path continuesinto transitional housing, jobtraining, and finally,permanent housing.

Butcompassion and resources can only go so far For Myles, who only pursued sobrietyafter multiple overdoses, it’sespecially painful to see familiar faces still unable to break free. “Wecan talk to people all day,”she said. “But some will stilltellusthey’re not

ready.And we have to respect that.”

So far,the city’sstrategy appears to be holding. In thefirst sixmonths of 2025, Baton Rouge recorded 60 confirmed fatal overdoses, with 16 more cases still underreview. At the same point last year,there were 103. Still, that is farabove what was once afull year’s tolla decade ago —and 23 more deathsthanthe city’s homicides halfway through this year “I don’twant to say we are undercontrol,but Ithink we are on the right track,” Myles said. Challenges persist. Set Free Indeed avoids needle handouts —embraced by someasharm reduction, criticized by others as enablingdrug use. For Myles, Narcan offers adifferent philosophy: asecond chance, an “aha” momentthat might push someone toward treat-

ment. But even Narcan has complications. She has heard of people stockpiling, and of dealersselling it alongside fentanyl-laced drugs. In response, she is considering renewing Crimestoppers partnerships, urging users to report dealers pushing dangerous batches.

Theexact settlement money foreach year is hard to predict. Purdue Pharma, forexample, is set to pay Louisiana $70 million over 16 years, but the money is stilltiedupinbankruptcy proceedings. “It’slikely that the future allocations are going to be less,”Frankiewicz said. “Probably they will levelout by year six or seven.” “Settlement funds are certainly helpful,”addedcouncilmember Adams. “But the amount of money that we would need to turn the tide, thesettlementfunds don’t begin to cover it.”

Still, as Baton Rouge struggles with post-St. George incorporation budgetwoes, theopioidsettlement money —paired with federal grants —could be critical to keepingMayorPresidentSid Edwards’ administration on track with campaign priorities: tackling crime, homelessness, addiction and mental illness.

“Tosay that we can answer everyone’sconcernsand check every box is not afair expectation,” LeDuff said. “Butifwehave acollective effort, and throw darts in the same place, we can see the needle move.”

Going forward, LeDuff said, the largest share of resources will go “toward boots on the ground.”

Next to apairofmotels and aWaffle House on Sherwood Forest Boulevard, Fred Smith’sbright orange sneakers are plantedonthe pavement. It is the last stop of the day,and he starts explaining how to use Narcan and fentanyl strips to two men lingering outside a Circle K. Theynod, already familiar,and thank him for the kits.

“You’re looking fresh man,”one says.“Ilikethe Air Maxes.”

Florida cities’ rainbow crosswalks in the crosshairs

BY JEFF MARTIN and JEFF MCMURRAY Associated Press

Multiple Florida cities are now facing deadlines in the coming days after being ordered to paint over or remove so-called rainbow crosswalks, brightly colored street crossings meant to celebrate gay rights and LGBTQ pride.

In letters from the state transportation department, communities are being ordered to remove them by early next month.

“I am outraged by the State of Florida’s decision to forcefully remove Pride crosswalks — symbols of love, support, and unity in our communities,” MiamiDade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Thursday

“They reflect the values we hold dear in Miami-Dade: respect, appreciation of fellow neighbors, and the fundamental right to live and love openly,” she said in a statement.

The warnings to communities across Florida come after last week’s removal of a rainbow-colored crossing marking the 2016 massacre outside the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were gunned down. It was painted over in the middle of the night by work crews.

The issue has been simmering since a July 1 directive from U.S. Transporta-

tion Secretary Sean Duffy who gave U.S. governors 60 days to identify what he called safety improvements.

“Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,” Duffy said in a statement at the time.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis on Thursday said on X: “We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.”

A statement from the Florida Department of Transportation said the agency has a duty “to ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways and transportation systems.”

“That means ensuring our roadways are not utilized for social, political, or ideological interests,” it said. Efforts to remove the crosswalks are “clearly an

Tropical Storm Fernand forms in Atlantic

BY RICHARD TRIBOU Orlando Sentinel (TNS)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Storm Fernand formed Saturday afternoon in the central Atlantic but was expected to remain over the open ocean. It was the sixth named storm of the season

According to NHC’s 4 p.m advisory, Fernand was about 405 miles southsoutheast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and higher gusts with northward movement at 15 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center

“A north-northeastward motion at a gradually increasing forward speed is anticipated during the next couple of days, followed by a turn to the northeast,” forecasters said. “On the forecast

track, Fernand should move well east of Bermuda and across the open waters of the subtropical North Atlantic.”

The forecast said some strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours and Fernand could be near hurricane strength Monday Weakening is expected to begin Tuesday

The other system tracked by the NHC was a tropical wave with disorganized showers and thunderstorms about 650 miles east of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands.

“Some development of this system could occur during the next few days while the system moves quickly westward at about 20 to 25 mph,” forecasters said.

The NHC gave it a 20% chance to develop in the next two to seven days. What had been the season’s first hur-

ricane, Hurricane Erin, which had grown into a Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds last week, turned extratropical on Friday without making landfall, although it was blamed for nine deaths in the Cape Verde Islands.

As of Saturday it no longer showed Erin on its outlook map.

It plowed across the Atlantic and turned to the north while dumping rain on the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and Outer Banks of North Carolina as it skirted the U.S. East Coast.

Swells from the storm continue to be a threat to the Atlantic coast Saturday The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently updated its season forecast to call for 13-18 named storms this year, of which five to nine would grow into hurricanes.

anti-LGBTQ push on behalf of both the federal government and the copycat version from the state government,” said Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

“They’re basically blackmailing municipalities, counties and states by saying if you don’t do this, we’re going to withhold funding,” Hoch said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

It is unclear whether other states and communities outside Florida are being ordered to remove rainbow crossings but Florida is often the vanguard nationwide in the culture wars. Those include battles over the removal of library books deemed inappropriate by DeSantis and other Republicans.

In Key West, state transportation officials said that if pavement markings downtown aren’t removed by Sept. 3, “the Florida Department of

Transportation will remove them by any appropriate method necessary without further notice.” In a letter to Key West’s city manager, federal authorities also threatened the “immediate withholding” of state funds if it finds “additional violations.” The Aug. 15 letter to Key West leaders said that many local communities in Florida “immediately began undertaking actions to ensure compliance.” It did not specify how many communities have cooperated or what steps they have taken. Miami Beach has been ordered to remove its rainbow crosswalk on Ocean Drive by the first week of September “We need to resist this action,” Commissioner Alex Fernandez told WSVN-TV “We need to protect the individuality of our community the freedom and the safety that our rainbow crosswalk expresses to the world.”

Thrive EBR is aparishwidepartnership between theEastBatonRouge LibrarySystem, Council on Aging,& Mosquito Abatement.

Thrive EBR meansastronger parish without raising yourtaxes.These arerenewalsof millages voters alreadyapproved.

Thrive EBR is an investmentinmodern drainagethatactuallyworks to reduce flooding.

Thrive EBR uses one-time fundingtopay down East BatonRouge Parish’s outstanding debt to putusinthe best financialposition.

Isaid ‘The real band? said Kent’swife, Cheryl Broussard. Despite her initialsurprise, Cheryl Broussard supported him however she could. After retirement, the Broussards movedto Baton Rouge, and he began training forhis dream.The Broussard family,including their two daughters, Lauren who lives in Houston and Jennifer who lives in Hammond, were invested in Kent Broussard’sgoal.

Cheryl Broussardhas known about her husband’s love for the LSU Tiger Band since they started datingin 1981.

“He would drag me all around the stadiumatthe end of the game to stand and watch the band play,” she said. “He always loved them —sothis is abig, big thing for him. He’ssuper excited.”

Training process

The first step toward marching formation began with acquiring atuba, which was much harder thanthe Broussards expected.Kent Broussard finally foundthe right one in California, hadit shipped to Baton Rouge and started lessons with Matt Thompson at the LSU School of Music. Next, he had to make sure he was still eligible after marching in acollege band 45 years ago. He was because he hadn’tyet marched for LSU. Then it was afull green light for him to pursue his dream.

“He has worked so flippin’ hard for this,” Lauren Broussard said. “He’sbeen practicing with atutor for over ayear.Hehad to relearn everythingthat he learned 45 years ago, and he’staken it in stride. We’re just so proud of him.”

Lauren Broussard went on to say that her father has been playing his songs outside the house whilemarching down the street, on the patio and inside daily. Shejoked that hermom

deserved this news because she has had to put up with all that tubamusic for afull year. In addition to practicing marchingand playing the tuba, Kent Broussardhas been physically training for the grueling practices and games. LaurenBroussard said he runs three miles aday fourorfive times a week, sometimes training with aweighted vest to simulate theweight of thetuba.

After training, applying to LSU, registeringasa nonmatriculating student andpracticingdaily,Kent Broussard made the 132nd LSU Golden Bandfrom Tiger Land. He is now oneof 325 bandmembers whowill march throughout the football season

Lauren Broussard has been running her father’s social media presence. She said preseasoncamphas been quite achallenge,includinglong days from 9a.m.to10p.m Marching toward adream

Kent Broussard said that, aboveall, he is so humbled to be apart of such alegacy of excellence. Theaudition week was achallenge, not only because of thephysical andmusical demands,but also because every person auditioning was being evaluated theentiretime.

“As you as you’re goingthrough everything, as you’re playing,asyou’re marching, as you’re interacting with the staff, the section leaders, andthe people in your section, youare beingevaluated as apotential member.Soit’snot justhow youplay,it’show you inter-

act.And if you’re agood fit, it’s about the people. That’s my perspective,”hesaid.

He expressed awe at how supported he has felt throughout thewhole process. He says everyone from theadministration to thedirector tothe section leaders to theband members have been 100% behind him

The audition processincluded learning songs, practicing stand routines, and learning and practicing the cheers andfight songs. After learningthe songs, then the musicians had to learn and perfect playing them “the LSUstyle.”

“Itwas an intense learningexperience, anditwas

extremely fastpaced,” Broussard said. “Wehave

averyshort periodoftime to makesure that we can all get it how LSU wants it. It’s atruly amazing experience to go through it.”

In addition to allofthe learning, practicing and marching, each potential band memberhad several different pieces of individual work they had to present, alongwithmarchingtests and playing tests.

Whenthe finalroster was released on Thursday night, the tuba sectioneruptedin elation that Broussard had made the band. The percussionsectionheardthe news and ran over to celebrate withthe 66-year-old.Jumping, hollering and screaming ensued among the excited bandmates. Although 40-plus years separated Broussard from those other musicians, their joy had no age.

“The entire environment is about building that culture of excellence, and Iwas part of it,” he said. “It’sgreat to see that this is how they’re continuing to maintain that

excellence. From the band to the color guard to the Golden Girls, everyone hasput hundreds or many,many, manyhours into this season just as everyone before us and everyone in the future will do. I’m just one little tiny piece of something that everybody sees and enjoys.” Since being interviewed on the Tingle &CoYouTube show last month, Broussard has been getting recognized around campus.Hefinds it curious that so manypeople are interested in his story, but he said that he hopeshe can inspire people his age to attain adream This weekend, Broussard practiced walking down the hill for the first time. On Monday,hestarts classes. And on Sept. 6, Tiger Tuba Kent will participate in the pregame tradition and the halftimeshow.His family cannot wait to watch him perform. Bro ussar d’sm otto throughout this journey has been:“People retire;dreams don’t.”

At itsheart,Reunion at BarclayHouse of Baton Rougeisabout family.While it offersspecialized memory care for individualswithdementiaand Alzheimer’s,itismuchmorethanaprogram.Rather it’s aphilosophyrootedinlove, respectand human connection.Every resident’s life storyishonored andwoven into theirdaily care,ensuringthatthey aretruly knownand respected.

“The care needstobepersonalizedbecause each person is differentand comesfromadifferent background.Wemakeita priority to figure out whothe resident is andtailortheir care basedon theirexperiences andinterests,” said ChrisCaire directorofsales of BarclayHouse of BatonRouge “It’simportant to discover what motivates each person,whatchallengesthemand what givesthem asense of purpose. Each dayatReunion is filledwithprogramsthat engage thesenses, encourage social interactionand helpresidentsfeelatease.MemoryandEngagement Boxesbring familiarityand comfort, reducing anxietybysurrounding residents with personal andmeaningfulitems.The physical environment is stimulatingyet calming, incorporatingall five senses in ways that promotewell-being. Meals areservedrestaurant-style, with residents having theability to choose theirfoods andsocialize with oneanother

“Wethink atypical dayinReunion needstofeel like anatural life.Residents canget up when they want,thenwestart theday with breakfast. After that,there’s time for coffee,conversation, exercise andusually some crafts,” Cairesaid. “After lunch, they areoften outside, maybetending to plants or goingforawalkinoursecurecourtyard.Westructure thedaystoresemble what they wouldnormallydo, except they mightneeda little more assistance.”

ThedesignofReunionwasmodeledafterBarclay House’slargerassistedlivingcommunity and intentionallystructuredwithrelationshipsinmind Dedicatedfamilyareasmakeiteasyfor lovedones to relax andreconnect,while thesecureyet freeroaminglayoutoffersmultiplebenefits

“Residentscanhavetheirownapartmentandhave services broughttotheir room,and they canalsobe outsideand enjoythose spaces in away that gives themindependence,safetyandcomfort,”Cairesaid.

Personalized care in Reunionstartsfromday onewithLifelongLearning, adetailedprofilethat includesaresident’spreferredroutines,hobbiesand

personal history. This allows staff to providecare that aligns with each person’s lifestyle, from meal choices prepared by thein-housecheftoactivities that matchtheir interests. It also givesguidanceto thecaregiversinReunion,all of whom areCertified DementiaPractitionerswhomaintainseveralhours of ongoingeducation each year.Acomprehensive qualityassurance checklistensures that each Reunionresidentenjoysthe higheststandardof care at alltimes Inaddition,LicensedPracticalNursesareavailable on-sitetoassistwithmedications,healthmonitoring andany medicalneeds that arise, with flexibility to accommodateeachresident’spreferences Thestaff in Reunionissupported with discreet, state-of-the-art technology that alerts them to movementordistresswithoutcompromisingprivacy This meansthata trainedprofessionalisavailable to immediatelyprovide aReunion residentwith anytypeofsupport they require, from medication management andincontinencecaretomobility

supportand chroniccondition monitoring Whilestaff keep families informed with regular updatesabout each resident,loved ones arehighly encouraged to remain regularpresences fortheir lovedones. From attendingon-site events to taking lovedonesout formeals or vacations, Reunion makesiteasytomaintainmeaningfulrelationships across generations.

“It’snot just aboutcaringfor theresident, but also aboutcaringfor theirfamily,”Caire said.“We cangivethemadviceabout howtotalktotheir lovedone or live in themomentwithout becoming frustratedoragitated. We want to providesupport andhelpthem understand what theirloved one is goingthrough andthe bestway to be therefor them.Wewanttoconnect families theway those relationshipsare meanttobe.”

Gaza City becomesfocus of famine,Israeli offensive

BY MARIAM DAGGA and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS,Gaza Strip Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 33 Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday,including people shelteringin tents or seeking scarce food,local hospitals said as afamine in Gaza’s largest city puts new pressure on Israel over its 22-month offensive.

Israel’sdefense minister has warned that Gaza City could be destroyed in anew military operation perhaps justdays away,even as famine spreads there.

Aid groups havelong warned that the war, sparkedbyHamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, and months of Israeli restrictions on food and medical supplies entering Gaza are causing starvation.

Israel hasrejected thedatabased famine declarationas“an outright lie.” Ceasefireeffortsare on hold as mediators await Israel’s next steps.

Israeli strikes killedatleast 17 people in southern Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to morgue records and health officials at Nasser Hospital. The officials said the strikes

targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis. In northern Gaza, Israeli gunfire killedatleast five aid-seekers

near the Zikimcrossing with Israel, where U.N. and other truck convoys enter the territory,health officials at Sheikh Radwan field

hospital toldthe AP The Palestinian Journalists Syndicatesaid cameraman Khaled alMadhoun was killed while covering events at the Zikim crossing, andasserted that he was targeted by Israeli troops. The local PalestineTVconfirmed his death.

Eleven people were killedin attacks elsewhere, according to hospitals andthe Palestinian Red Crescent.

Israel’smilitary said it was not aware of astrike in Khan Younis at that locationand waslooking into theother incidents.

AP journalists have seen chaos on roads leading to aid deliveries, and there have beenalmost daily reportsofIsraeli troops firing toward aid-seekers. Israel’smilitary saysitfires warning shots if people approach troops or pose athreat.

Mohamed Saada was among thousands seeking food in the Zikim area —and one of many who left empty-handed. He cited the “huge numbersofpeople,” the shootings and “trucks running over people.”

Friday’sfamine report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said nearly half a million people —about one-fourth of Gaza’spopulation —face catastrophic hunger

Therare pronouncement came after Israel imposed a2½-month blockade on Gazaearlier this year, then resumed someaccess witha focusona newU.S.-backed private aid supplier,the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’soffice assertsithas allowedenough aidtoenter during the war, while accusing Hamas of starving the hostages it holds. Many Israelis fear the assault on GazaCitycould doom the 20 hostages whoare believed to have survived since 2023. Another 30 are thought to be dead. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested a week agofor adeal to end the fighting and bring everyone home. Hamas hassaiditwill release hostages in exchange for ending the war,but rejects disarming without the creation of aPalestinian state.

Somecarried sacks of food like lentils andflour.Others carried thewounded, including on awooden pallet. They navigated fetid puddlesand therubble of war as temperatures reached above92 degrees.

Pope affirmsright of people to return home afterunjustexile

LeoXIV meets refugees from Chagos Islands

BY NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

ROME Pope Leo XIV

strongly affirmed the right of people to return to their homes after an unjust exile, issuing the message during an audience Saturday with refugees from Chagos, the Indian Ocean archipelago that is home to the strategic U.S.-U.K. military base.

“No one can force them into exile,” history’sfirst American pope said. Leo met with adelegation

U.S.

BY SUDHI RANJAN SEN Bloomberg News (TNS)

The U.S. and India continue to talk despite strained relations after U.S.President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imports from the SouthAsian nationand threatened to slap penalties for buying Russian crude, a sign that the two nations are seeking to end adeadlock.

“Negotiations are still going on” and ties are not broken, India’sExternal Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar saidinNew Delhi on Saturday Trade talks between the two countries hit aroadblock after several roundsofnegotiations overthe past few months. Trump threatened to double tariffs on Indian exports to 50%bynext week —arate that’s far higher than regional peers —partly to punish New Delhi for its Russian oilpurchases. U.S. trade negotiators deferred

of about 15 refugees from Chagos,some 2,000ofwhom whowere evictedfrom their homesbyBritain in the1960s and 1970s so the United States could build anavaland bomber base on the largest of theislands, DiegoGarcia. Displaced islanders fought for years in U.K. courtsfor the right to go home. In May,Britain and Mauritius signed atreaty to hand sovereignty over the islands to Mauritiusthat allows resettlement, while still ensuring thefuture ofthe base.

Leotoldthe refugeeshe was “delighted” the treaty hadbeen reached,sayingit represented a“significant victory” in theirlong battle to “repaira grave injustice.He

praised in particular therole of the Chagossian women in peacefully asserting their rights to go home.

“The renewed prospect of your return to your native archipelagoisanencouraging sign and apowerful symbol on the international stage,”Leo said in French “All peoples, even the smallestand weakest, mustbe respected by the powerful in their identity andrights, in particular the right to live on their land; and no one can force them into exile.”

Leo said he hopedthat

Mauritian authorities will committoensuring their return, and pledged thehelp of the local Catholic Church.

Oneofthe lastremnants of theBritish Empire, the Chagos Islands have been underU.K. control since 1814.

Britain split the islands away fromMauritius, aformer British colony,in1965, three years before Mauritiusgained independence.

Underthe Mayagreement, the U.K.willpay Mauritius an average of $136 million a year to leaseback thebase for at least99years. It estab-

lishes atrust fund to benefit the Chagossians and says “Mauritiusisfreetoimplement aprogram of resettlement” on the islands other than Diego Garcia.

However,the deal does notrequirethe residentsto be resettled, andsomedisplaced islanders fear it will be even harder to return to their place of birth after Mauritius takes control.

Louis Olivier Bancoult, the head of the Chagossian delegation who hasfought for more than four decades for the right to go home, said the

meeting had cometogether very much at thelastminute thanks to the bishop in Port Louis, Mauritius.

Speaking to the AP at a cafe near the Vatican, he marveled that ever since the treaty had been signed, he had met for the first time with officials from the U.S. EmbassyinPortLouis.He also receivedrepresentatives of the British high commission in the capital. “For me its amiracle,” he said. “After the U.S., the U.K. and now the pope. Who will be next?”

their visit to Delhi thathad been scheduled for later this month, Bloomberg News reportedearlier Jaishankar’sstatement suggests that both nations are trying to find away out of thestalemate, just days ahead of the tariffs entering into force.

“Theapplication tariffs for tradeissues is novel,”the ministersaid, adding that “wehave not seen aU.S. President who has conducted foreign policy as publicly as the current one.” The ministerdefended Indiadecisiontobuy discounted crude from Russia adding New Delhi had no discussion on the energy purchase with the Trump administration sinceitassumed office in January TradeMinister Piyush Goyal said at thesamemediaevent on Friday thatIndia is approaching U.S. trade relationships“with avery open mind”and “a positive outlook.”

5,000temporary workers beginning to arriveina parish with a population of 20,000.

New business permits have tripledsince the beginning of the year. Three new hotels and aDollarGeneral areinthe works.And all day, everyday,construction vehicles,big rigs pulling flatbed trailers and deep-bladdered dump trucks rumble up and down the country roads.

“The traffic and the noise don’t stop,” said Watson.

In aplace where life hasalways moved slowly,residents say the rapid change is at once exciting andunsettling. No one ever thought Richland Parish would be aboomtown. No one,theysay, ever thought much aboutRichland Parish at all.

Now,parish Assessor LeeBrown says everyone wants apiece of the action.

“It’schanging fastand we might as well get used to it,” Brown said “In 10 years, you’re not going to recognize Richland Parish.”

Opportunityand concern

The scale of the Meta project is hard to fathom, evenasittakes shape. Sitting on 2,250acres, it will consist of several buildings totaling 4million square feet—about the equivalent of 70 football fields —each lined with racks of powerful computers racing to outsmart thehumanbrain.Itwillconsume an estimated three times more electricity in ayear than the entire city of New Orleans.

It will also create some 5,000 construction jobs andupto500 permanent ones. The project has been championed by everyone from Gov.Jeff Landry to local public officials, who say any number of new jobs is welcome in aparish that ranks amongthe poorest in the state. But thepotentialenvironmental impacts are raising concerns from advocacygroups and some residents. They worry about the area’swater supply,and whether residents will face problems if the localaquifer is tapped to cool the powerful computers. They also fear that ratepayers will ultimately be saddled with higher electricity bills.

The project has been on afast track since early 2024, when Landry’sadministration began working behind closed doors to woo Meta to the site. Landry is focused on the potential benefits that the data center will bring to the area.

Powell remembers riding around as atinychild in “Mr. George” Franklin’s Jeep Wagoneer, back when the community was so tightknit that the richestman in town looked after asharecropper’skid.

He remembers his family always having enough corntoeat.

He remembers the old Thompsonstore up theroad —recently sold to make way for what locals say will be a24-hour liquor store where kids would go for ice cream or aCoke.

Andheremembers beingskeptical when he heard rumors that Meta was planning something bigfor the Franklin Farms site, apiece of land he knewlike his own.

“The development taking place in Richland Parish is the start of an economic renaissanceinnorth Louisiana and throughout the entire state,” Landry said in astatement. “The investment by Metais aonce-in-a-lifetime transformational opportunity.Iamconfident that we will look back at thisproject as the catalyst that truly diversified Louisiana’seconomy.”

Back in theold days

Ronnie Powell, 68, has been watching the transformation from thefront porch of histrailer,which sits directly across atwo-laneroad from the Meta construction site.

He grew up in Holly Ridge on landwhere hisfamilyhas lived for more than 80 years.His grandfatherwas asharecropper for theFranklins,the wealthy,landowning family that soldwhat is now the Meta site to the state of Louisiana in the early 2000sinan ultimately unsuccessful effortto lure aToyota plant to the state.

In the months since, he’s watched as the field he overlooks was cleared, the ground excavated,utilitypoles installed and cables buried. Modular buildings and massivecranes dotthe landscape.

Construction vehicles kick up a constantswirl of dust and the twolane road that onceaccommodated mostly tractorshas already been re-paved.

“I hate to see the times changing,” Powellsaid over theroar of an oversized backhoe. “I loved the smallfarms.Everybody helped one another.”

‘Peoplewanttobehere’

Truth be told, the timeshave beenchanging in Richland Parish for decades, it just wasn’thappeningatsuch abreakneck pace and was largelya study in stagnation and decline.

Farming is no longer tenable except for thewealthiest farmersand largest farms. Thepopulation in the parishhas remained flat since 1990.Seven of theeight cotton gins in operation back then have sinceclosed down.There’s still plenty of corn and soybeans, but fewer smallfarmsand fewer farm-related jobs.

Economic development officials in theparish, with amedianannual income of $30,000, have been tryingtojump-start the local economy for years. The Meta project is the supercharge they’ve been

waiting for

“Our leads have morethan doubled sincethe beginningofthe year,” said Rob Cleveland, president andCEO of Grow NELA, the regional economic development organization. “People want to be here because of Meta.” Examples abound. AHoustonbased subcontractor on the proj-

ect is leasing a100,000-square-foot warehouse in Monroe to build a new pipe fabrication facility

Another Texas company,4-Horn Trench andShoring, is opening a Shreveport office to supply equipment and workers to the site and otherspinoff businesses,creating 10 new jobs in the short term and more, the companysuggests,in

the future.

Southern States Equipment of Ruston is leasing construction equipment to subcontractors. Baton Rouge-basedFive S, which does heavycivil construction, is filling thesitewithcrush aggregate it hasbrought down from its quarry in Missouri.

The rooftop baratthe newHotel Monroe in downtown Monroe is apopular gathering spot forthe managers and executives overseeing the project.

“On any given night, they may have 15 or so rooms,” said developer andownerMike Echols, who openedthe hotel in June. “Wethink that will pick up dramatically.” Gold rush mentality

In arural community where everyone knows one another,the newcomers stand out. Their accents are different. Their T-shirts and baseball caps bear the logos of national firmsand faraway employers.

Jason Mageearrivedinmid-July and was the first to laydown his stake in the Bee Bayou RV Park, whichhad opened for business just days earlier ABirminghamnative, Magee is

a mechanical contractor who has followed opportunity around the country Jobs have taken him out west to build nuclear power plants and back east to work on refineries. The Meta site will keep him in Richland Parish for the next two to three years, he thinks.

“They pay a travel package, so it’s good money,” said Magee, who lives in a souped-up RV he bought from his dad and stepmom.

He can sense the gold rush mentality that has taken hold of the area. The owner of his RV park is planning to invest several million dollars to build up to 70 pads as well as single-family homes, he says.

He’s already conversant in the local gossip about the eye-popping prices speculators are rumored to be paying for raw dirt.

“A lot of people are making money around here,” he said.

Getting overwhelmed

Soon, much larger lodging sites will open. A mile or so down the road, construction is underway on Mammoth Industries’ Holly Ridge Lodge and RV Resort, a 130acre workforce housing development that will accommodate 300 RVs and 1,000 workers in modular buildings. Its amenities will include soccer fields, basketball courts, a barbershop and a theater.

Monroe-based developer John Lauve’s company, Corporate Mobile Housing, is also building one in nearby Dunn, an unincorporated area that consists of an interstate exit, a church, some long-abandoned weather-beaten structures and a potato processing plant.

Lauve’s Dunn Village and RV Park is directly across from the potato plant in the shadows of a water tower. Workers have begun clearing the grassy field to make way for the RV pads and modular buildings that will eventually accommodate 550 workers and include a cafeteria and workout facility

“The infrastructure around here is going to get overwhelmed pretty quickly,” said Lauve, who scouted out seven or eight sites before landing on the parcel in Dunn earlier this spring. “That’s why they need people like us to build personnel facilities.”

The activity is spawning a real estate frenzy. Farmland that averaged $2,500 an acre a year ago is being offered for $50,000 to $60,000 an acre today, according to listings Property owners have put giant “for sale” signs up in the yards of their homes, farms and vacant lots.

Locals spread the word about who got what for their property Verifying the information is difficult, Brown, the assessor said. Many sale prices are being recorded as a nominal amount, like $100 “and other valuable considerations.” Some real estate brokers are being asked to sign nondisclosure agreements.

Powell recently fielded an offer for his 5-acre property for $54,000 an acre. Most of his friends have already sold and moved away

“We haven’t really decided what we’re going to do,” said Powell, who lives on the property with his wife, daughter, two grandchildren and one of his five great-grandchildren. “This property belongs to the whole family.”

Hope for the future

Shelbie and Jeffery Stephenson see opportunity and hope in the Meta project.

They’ve set up their Hebrews Coffee and Eats Food Truck across the road from the entrance to the construction site. With its menu of specialty lattes and pressed paninis, it looks like it belongs in a trendy big city neighborhood.

In the middle of Holly Ridge, it looks like a mirage.

“When I heard Meta was coming, I said, ‘We gotta be there,’ ” said Shelbie Stephenson, who bought a franchise and the used food truck in a matter of weeks last December from the owner of the original Hebrews brick and mortar store in nearby Rayville.

Things came together for the couple quickly They opened in February, not long after contractors had begun clearing the fields. Shelbie Stephenson went up to the construction trailers menus in hand.

The first week, they sold out of

pastries every day The second week, they got a call from the catering director of one of the big contractors, asking if they could do 500 breakfast burritos.

“I’m not a ‘no’ kind of person, even though I wasn’t sure how we’d make it happen,” she said.

They made it happen. Now, they cater lunch twice a month for the contractor and do a bustling daily breakfast business.

The Stephensons see this as their one shot to stay in north Louisiana. Until they bought the food truck, Jeffery Stephenson was working offshore, FaceTiming their three young daughters before bed every night. Now he can tuck them in.

“Times are changing,” he said.

Either you adapt or get left behind.”

Nearby Chris Beard is selling hamburgers and daily lunch specials from his Chillin’ Out food truck. He’s also grateful for the influx of new customers. But he is a generation older than the Stephensons and worries about the changes

“It’s progress,” Beard said. “But the sense of community is gone.”

Getting out

Greg and Jeanne Thompson have decided they want no part of it.

Thompson’s family has owned land all around the project site for decades, and he’d planned to spend his retirement in the spacious ranch-style home his parents built for $18,000 in the early 1960s. Now he’s selling his land as fast as he can, and fetching more than $50,000 an acre for some parcels.

“I don’t want to spend my retirement years across the road from a natural gas turbine,” said Thompson, 66, who doesn’t know yet where they’ll go. The Thompsons are bitter that locals didn’t have a say in the project, though there isn’t much they could have done to stop it. The state had secured the site years earlier for the Toyota plant, and there aren’t any zoning rules in Richland Parish anyway Jeanne Thompson worries that the new development — hotels, man camps, dollar stores won’t create good-paying jobs or sustainable wealth and will leave the parish with a lot of junk real estate when the boom is over and things settle down.

“The kind of jobs they’re creating won’t help the folks who live out here,” she said. “They’re farmers. That is all they have ever known.”

Greg Thompson is sad his four grandsons, who live in Monroe and come visit on weekends, won’t be able to enjoy the land he and his brothers grew up on. He understands that things change This is more than change.

“Our way of life is fixing to disappear,” he said.

Brown, the assessor, is philosophical about it. He feels bad for the families that have lived on the land for generations. He also thinks Meta is creating opportunities for the parish.

“There is good and bad in everything,” Brown said. “It is change. Some people have accepted it easier than others.”

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

Former banker teaches kids to manage money

‘This

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO

Staff writer

Tiffany Murray took an unconventional path to becoming a high school finance teacher

A banker for more than two decades, Murray spent her early career at Total Choice Federal Credit Union in Laplace and Hahnville. She was a loan officer and branch manager before working her way up to vice president of business development, then vice president of operations.

But when the bank decided to open a branch at Destrehan High School in St. Charles Parish in 2018, Murray said she found a new calling: helping young people learn how to manage their money “A lot of kids had no idea how to even open or balance a checking account,” she said. “They’re not getting that at home, so I decided I wanted to teach it.”

After a year working with students at Destrehan and another year at a credit union branch at East St. John School in St John Parish, Murray became a substitute teacher, which only solidified her desire to become a full-time educator, she said.

She decided to enroll at the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans to work toward her teaching certification.

This month, she began her first full year as a finance teacher at L.W. Higgins High School in Jefferson Parish, where she’s ready to put 20 years of banking knowledge to use as she helps with the districtwide rollout of Jefferson’s new financial literacy curriculum, which aims to equip students for real-life financial situations

Q&A WITH TIFFANy MURRAy FINANCIAL LITERARy TEACHER

like paying bills, applying for a credit card or buying a home. The course’s launch coincides with the start of a new state law that requires high schoolers to complete a financial literacy course in order to graduate.

Whether young people are trying to make sense of the latest economic news or preparing to enter the workforce, they “need to know how to manage money,”

Murray said

She recently spoke about what it means to teach financial literacy The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity

Why is financial literacy important for teens?

You always need to know how to manage your money You have to understand how money works and how to make your money work for you

We hear a lot from students who say they want to have generational wealth, but the next generation needs to know how to manage their money to have that wealth.

That starts with financial literacy

What was it like working at high schoolbased credit unions?

We would train students to work as tellers and show them how to count money We also had class time where we would talk about understanding credit. What does it look like to manage money, budget, save, apply for a loan?

A lot of students hadn’t even seen a check before, so we would need to tell them that when someone asks for your signature on one, you have to actually write it in person Simple stuff.

A lot of them are also really into Cash App (a digital platform for sending and receiving money), but wouldn’t know that every

time they withdraw their money, Cash App charges them a fee. They like using Cash App cards, but I wanted to get them to open a checking or savings account and build a relationship with a bank.

Having worked at one, I know how important that relationship is.

Why should students get familiar with their local banks?

You get to know who’s in your community and who’s working in your community

You go into a bank and they know your name, and they can help you apply for a car or your first home loan.

Do the students you work with have a foundation of financial literacy at home? Or are many of them learning alongside their parents?

A lot of them do not get it from home. Parents will say that a child needs to stay in their lane and not ask about things like that.

But you can engage (kids). You have to tell them why you’re doing something. You have to tell them things like, “Turn off that light if you’re not using it, because guess what? It’s going to have an impact on your electric bill.”

Things like that are important.

What will you be teaching in your class this year?

This year, we’re talking about money personalities and behavioral economics. Are you a saver? Are you a balancer?

We’ll go in-depth to realize how they’re actually spending their money It’s also about understanding the behavior of the economy and what drives spending.

We’re in a recession, and I’m telling my students where prices are rising. For instance, I may

WE’RE ASKING EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE HOW TO TACKLE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING LOUISIANA

take this class now

tell them that the price of eggs is higher, so I may not buy eggs this week. When you understand how you spend your money, it might make you spend less.

The state recently passed a new law requiring high schoolers to complete at least one finance course before they graduate. Do you want to see more policies like that in the future?

Definitely

Not everybody is going to a four-year college. Some may be just going for (an associate degree) or going straight into the workforce, so requiring kids to

-David M.

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Redistrictingcasemay enddecades-old civilrightslaw

WASHINGTON —Legal scholars say it’spossible the U.S. Supreme Court could use the redistricting case that will determine whether Louisiana sends one or two Black representatives to Congress as a vehicle to invalidate 60-year-old civil rights protections.

Mark Ballard

Last year,the Supreme Court heardarguments in Louisiana v. Callais on how best to balance Section 2 of the VotingRights Act, which allows configuringdistricts in away that minorities have an opportunity to elect one of their own, and theEqual Protection Clause, which forbids creating districtsbased on race.

The high court punted adecision last term andasked fornew arguments on whether Section 2, theremaining legal tool to enforce the Voting Rights Act,is now obsolete,thusviolating the 14thand 15th amendmentstothe U.S. Constitution.

“As sad as it is, it makes perverse sense that the conservative Supreme Court of this era will use this moment to kill Section 2ofthe VRA,” wrote Marc Elias of Democracy Docket, aliberalleaning group that trackselection law If the court does as Elias suggests it might, Louisiana could lose both of its Black-majority congressional districts —the 2nd District represented by U.S. Rep. Troy Carter,D-New Orleans, and the 6th District representedby U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge —and revert to six congressional districts configured to ensure the election of six White Republicans.

“If that happens, it would likely amount to the largest decline in minority representation” since the late 1800s, when Southern Whites reassumed government authority after the Civil Warand promptly disenfranchised Black voters, said Harvard LawSchool Professor NicholasStephanopoulos during apodcast hosted by the National ConstitutionCenter, anonpartisan, nonprofit chartered by Congress to increase awareness of the U.S. Constitution.

“I’m not sure if people have really come to terms with how seismic this change could be,” Stephanopoulos said. “The court looks like it’snow interested in a broader holding in Callais, butall of the narrower options still re-

Nungesser seizes on shrimp controversy

mainavailable and maybe hopefully will look more attractive to thecourt when it really stares at theprospect nullifying Section 2.”

Nobody will know the full result until the nine justices release their decision.

Still, observers who follow the Supreme Court closely say the tealeaves of judicial actions often suggest possible outcomes. Certainly,that wasonthe mind of LouisianaHouse Speaker Phillip DeVillier

The Eunice Republican texted Louisiana House members to keep their schedules flexible between Oct. 23 and Nov.13incase the Supreme Court decision requires statelegislators to redraw election district maps.

Legalscholarssay the high court’sdecision —particularly setting an early Oct. 15 hearing signals that the 6-3 conservative majority might be readytoset asideone of the last major civil rightsprotections from the 1960s. “Did they rush the argument in this case to increase theodds of a decisionthat wouldenable more anti-Democratic racial gerryman-

dering before the2026 midterm elections? We cannot rule that out,” Katherine AnnShaw,aprofessor at theUniversityofPennsylvania Law School, said on the Strict Scrutiny podcast

The 14th Amendment tothe U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868, ensured citizenship and due process for the formerly enslaved population. The 15thAmendment followed in 1870 to protect those rightswith prohibitions against denying theright to votebased on “race, color,orprevious condition of servitude.”

Butthose amendments weren’t enforced in the South for another century In 1965, abipartisan Congress passed theVoting RightsAct focused on policies and procedures that kept African Americans from registering and voting. As time passed and the more overt forms of racism subsided, courts began finding that parts of the VotingRightsAct were no longer necessary Section 2doesn’trequire minority-majority districts. What is mandated, under provisions

pushed by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1982, is that states with histories of polarized voting and diluting minority voices must allow minority-majority districtsif, generally,voters with like interests live close enough together Section 2only kicks in if astate meets alist of conditions, such as ahistory of White majorities never electing aBlack candidate —asisthe case in Louisiana.

When conditions such as segregated communities and polarized voting cease to exist —ashas happened in parts of the Northeast and West —Section 2nolonger applies. Similar provisions are in other laws, and dumping Section 2 could lead to legal challenges to protectionsfor employment, housing anddisabilities, which may be abridge too farfor the SupremeCourt at this point, legal scholars agreed across several different podcasts and seminars.

Still, Justice Brett Kavanaugh has indicated —and Justice Clarence Thomas has stated outright —that theConstitution doesn’t

allow forrace to be apart of any legal decisions, even though for ashort timerace wasincluded to ensure Black participation in government and politics where state policies had previously forbidden any Basically,the argument is that “racial relations are generally better and it no longer can be justified under our constitutional separation of powers, the general authority that states have to redistrict and the fact that the 14th Amendment prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,” said Bradley Smith of Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, and chair of the Federal Election Commission under Republican President George W. Bush.

“Classifying voters on the basis of race and requiring it by law would seem to violate the 14th Amendment and in away that is no longer justified. That’s the $64,000 question facing the court,” Smith added.

Email Mark Ballardat mballard@theadvocate.com.

thecompany that provides it.

gerous productscauseseriousharm to the American people,”hewrote.

where Nungesser wasonce the chairman, also supports the fee.

Lt. Gov.Billy Nungesser has seized on arecent FDA warning that some shrimp imported from Indonesiamay be contaminated with aradioactive substance, urging the federal government to implement aseafood inspection fee he has long supported. On Tuesday,Walmart announced arecall on certain Great Value raw frozen shrimp after the FDA detected cesium-137, aradioactive isotope, on ashipment from

CAPITOL BUZZ staff reports Nungesser

In aletter to President Donald Trump andLouisiana’scongressional delegation, Nungesser said the incident showed the need for tougher regulation of imported seafood.

“With millions of pounds of seafood imported into our country each year,much of it grown under unsafe and unsanitary conditions, it is only amatteroftimebefore dan-

Nungesser proposesanew fee of 10 cents per pound on imported seafood. He argues that fee would generate about $600 million ayear, which could be used to hire tensof thousands of additional food inspectors.

“This fee would notonly help protect consumers, but alsolevel the playing field for our domestic seafood producers whoalready meet the highest standards of safety and quality,” Nungesser wrote.

Nungesser has advocated for the seafood fee for years, backedby theLouisiana Seafood Promotion andMarketing Board andstate fishing associations. The National Lieutenant Governors Association,

Landry digs LSU for ‘twerk performance,’housing

Jeff Landry scoldedLSU on social media last weekover twocontroversies on campus as students arrived for the fall semester

“Classes haven’tevenstarted at LSU and students have been welcomed with adegenerate twerk performance and rodents in their living spaces,” Landry wrote on X.

“Wemustdemand excellence at LSUand we must get anew President as soon as possible.”

Landry wasreferencinga welcome weekevent at LSU where a crowd of students gathered outside

the Pete Maravich AssemblyCenter. Videosspread widely on social media of awoman perched on a high railing, dancing provocatively He was also referencing reports that theuniversity ran out of oncampus housing spaces, and some students were placed in an apartment complex thathad pestproblems.

LSU is searching foranew president after WilliamTate left for Rutgers in June. Asearch committee said last week it hopes to select his replacement by December Landry has aimedhis social media ireatLSU before, including in two cases where he called for discipline against professors who criticized him or President Donald Trump.

THE GULF COAST

Mockingbird Cafe is the ‘living room of Bay St. Louis’

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

When Mockingbird Cafe opened in 2006, a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated Bay St. Louis, it was meant to be nothing more than a quaint coffee shop. Today, in a white house with a gable roof in downtown, it is now a restaurant that draws both locals and vacationers traveling along the Gulf Coast.

The cafe quickly became known as “the living room of Bay St Louis,” said its owner Alicein Schwabacher, attracting everyone from day workers to families

“It just became like a hub for the community,” she said, “And we were happy to be a part of it.

The outdoor area feels like a hip backyard, with wooden picnic tables and dusty barrels sitting on gravel, beneath a shed-style roof decked with strings of twinkling lights.

And inside, the cafe resembles a home more than a business. Canvases from local artists line the walls, with acrylic scenes of animals and cloudy landscapes Tucked between an empty brick fireplace and two teal couches for customers to sit at the coffee bar, where baristas serve drinks, pastries and full meals Schwabacher originally hadn’t planned for her establishment to offer such a lengthy menu. That changed when her friend Jeff Hinson, a Bay St Louis native who co-owns Flour Moon Bagels in New Orleans, encouraged her to expand the cafe into a restaurant.

“When it first opened, I just wanted a coffee shop. I wanted to serve soup and pie and coffee,” Schwabacher said, laughing. “And then it grew into a restaurant.

The food service started on the cafe’s side porch, where her uncle would flip burgers cleverly dubbed the “Mockingburger” — on the grill. Over time, the menu gradually expanded to include Southern dishes like biscuits and gravy and pulled pork and grits

The cafe also cooks up classic breakfast dishes such as burritos stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, spinach, avocado and cheddar cheese, with sides of salsa and sriracha sour cream. It offers a meatless version of the breakfast burrito with fillings like zucchini, squash, onion and mushrooms.

Beyond breakfast, customers can choose from a wide range of healthy and hearty lunches, including sandwiches and salads. One standout is the turkey quinoa wrap, which combines shaved turkey quinoa, feta and sun-dried tomatoes covered in homemade basil aioli.

Mockingbird Cafe’s evolution from a small coffee shop to a popular eatery points to a larger trend in Bay St. Louis a community that’s dining scene withered after Katrina but has since come back to life.

States rethinkpracticeofsetting speedlimits

BY JEFF McMURRAY Associated Press

Rose Hammond pushed authorities for years to lower the 55 mph speed limiton atwo-lane road that passes her assisted living community,achurch, two schools anda busy parkthat hosts numerous youth sports leagues.

“What are you waiting for somebody to get killed?”

the85-yearold chided officialsin northwest Ohio, complaining that nothing was being done about the motorcycles that race by almost daily

Amid growing public pressure, Sylvania Township asked county engineers in Marchtoanalyze whether Mitchaw Road’sposted speed is too high. The surprising answer: Technically, it’s5mph too low

The reason dates back to studies on rural roads from the 1930s and 1940s that still play an outsized role in the way speed limits are set across the U.S. —evenin urban areas. Born from that research was awidely accepted concept known as the 85% rule, which suggests aroad’s posted speed should be tied to the 15th-fastest vehicle out of every 100 traveling it in free-flowing traffic, rounded to the nearest 5 mph increment.

Butafter decades of closely following the rule,some states —with anudge from thefederal government —are seeking to modify if notreplace it when setting guidelines for how local engineers should decide what speed limit to post.

The concept assumes that aroad’ssafest speed is the one most vehicles travel— neither too high nor too low

If drivers think thespeed limit should be raised, they cansimplysteponthe gas and “vote with their feet,” as an old brochure from the Institute of Transportation Engineers once put it.

“The problem with this approach is it creates this feedback loop,” said Jenny O’Connell, directorofmem-

an advocacy organization for drivers,said following the 85% rule is usually the safest way to minimize the variationinspeed between driverswho abide by the posted limit and those who far exceed it.

“It doesn’treally matter what number you put on asign,”Beeber said. “The averagedriver drives the natureofthe roadway.It would be patently unfair for agovernmenttobuild aroad to encourage people to drive 45 mph, put a30mph speed limit on it, andthenticket everyone for doing what they built theroad to do.”

berprograms for the National Association of CityTransportation Officials. “People speed, and then the speed limits will be ratcheted up to match that speed.”

Theassociation developed an alternative to the 85% rule known as “CityLimits,” whichaimstominimizethe risk of injuries for all road users by settingthe speed limit based on aformula that factorsina street’sactivity level and the likelihoodof conflicts, such as collisions.

The report pointsout the 85% ruleisbased on dated research andthat“these historic roads are afar cry from thevibrantstreetsand arterials thattypify city streets today.”

Amid arecent spike in road deaths across thecountry,the FederalHighway Administration sentasubtle but important message to states that the 85% rule isn’t actually aruleatall andwas carryingtoo much weightin determining local speed limits. In itsfirst update since 2009 to amanual that establishes national guidelines fortrafficsigns,the agency clarified that communities shouldalso consider such things as howthe roadis used, therisktopedestrians,and the frequency of crashes.

Leah Shahum,who directs the Vision ZeroNetwork, anonprofit advocating for street safety,said she wishes the manual had gonefurther in downplayingthe 85% rule but acknowledgesthe changehas alreadyimpacted theway some states set speed limits. Others, however,are still clinging to the

simplicityand familiarityof the long-standing approach, she said.

“The 85th percentile should not be theHoly Grail or the Bible, and yet over and over again it is accepted as that,” Shahum said.

Under its “20isPlenty” campaign, the Wisconsin capital of Madison hasbeen changing signs across the citythis summer,lowering thespeed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph on local residential streets.

When Seattle took asimilar step in apilot program seven years ago, notonlydid it see anoticeable decline in serious injurycrashes but also a7%drop in the 85th percentile speed, according to theVision ZeroNetwork.

California embraces the 85%rule even more than moststatesasits basisfor setting speed limits.But legislators have loosened the restrictions on local governments abit in recent years,allowingthemtodepart from the guidelines if they can cite aproven safety need. Advocatesfor pedestrians and bicyclists saythe change helps, but is not enough.

“Westill have alongway to go in Californiainterms of putting value on allroad users,”saidKendra Ramsey, executive directorofthe California Bicycle Coalition. “There’sstill averyheavy mindsetthatautomobiles arethe primarymethodof travel andtheyshould be given priority andreverence.”

ButJay Beeber,executive director for policy at the National Motorists Association

Fearsabout oil prices prompted Congress in the 1970s to set a55mph national maximum speed limit, which it later relaxed to 65 mph before repealing the lawin1995 andhanding theauthoritytostates.Since then, speed limits have kept

climbing, withNorth Dakota this summer becoming the ninth state to allow drivers to go 80 mph on somestretches of highway There’seven a40-mile segmentinTexas between Austin andSan Antonio where 85 mphisallowed. Althoughhigh-speed freewaysoutside major population centers aren’tthe focus of most effortstoeasethe 85% rule, a2019 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety —aresearch arm funded by auto insurers —illustrates the risks. Every 5mph increase to astate’smaximum speed limit increases the chance of fatalities by 8.5% on interstate highways and2.8% on other roads, the study found.

“Maybe back when you were driving aModel T youhad areal feel forhow fast youwere going, butin modern vehicles you don’t

have asense of what 80 mph is.You’re in acocoon,”said Chuck Farmer,the institute’svice president forresearch, whoconducted the study If elected officials in Sylvania Township, Ohio,got their way,Mitchaw Road’s posted speed limit would be cutdramatically —from 55 mph to 40 mph or lower.The county’sfinding that the 85% rule actually calls for raising it to 60 mphsurprised the town’sleaders, but not the engineers who ran the study “If we don’tmake decisions based on data, it’svery difficult to make good decisions,” Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski said. For now,the speedlimit will remainasitis. That’s because Ohio law sets maximumspeedsfor 15 different typesofroadways,regardless of what the 85% rule suggests.

BY JOHN HANNA Associated Press

The U.S. plans to build a $750 million factory in southern Texas to breed billions of sterile flies, ramping up its efforts to keep flesh-eating maggots in Mexico from crossing the border and damaging the American cattle industry

Secretary Brooke Rollins announced earlier this month that the U.S. Department of Agriculture hopes to be producing and releasing sterile male New World screwworm flies into the wild within a year from the new factory on Moore Air Base outside Edinburg, Texas, about 20 miles from the border

She also said the USDA plans to deploy $100 million in technology such as fly traps and lures, and step up border patrols by “tick riders” mounted on horseback

and train dogs to sniff out the parasite

In addition, Rollins said the U.S. border will remain closed to cattle, horse and bison imports from Mexico until the U.S. sees that the pest is being pushed back south toward Panama, where the fly had been contained through late last year through the breeding of sterile flies there. The U.S has closed its border to those imports three times in the past eight months, the last in July, following a report of an infestation about 370 miles from the Texas border American officials worry that if the fly reaches Texas, its flesh-eating maggots could cause billions of dollars in economic losses and cause already record retail beef prices to rise even more, fueling greater inflation. The parasite also can infest wildlife, household pets and, oc-

casionally, humans.

“Farm security is national security,” Rollins said during a news conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin with Texas Gov Greg Abbott. “All Americans should be concerned. But it’s certainly Texas and our border and livestock producing states that are on the front lines of this every day.”

The pest was a problem for the American cattle industry for decades until the U.S largely eradicated it in the 1970s by breeding and releasing sterile male flies to breed with wild females. It shut down fly factories on U.S. soil afterward.

The Mexican cattle industry has been hit hard by infestations and the U.S. closing its border to imports.

Mexico’s Agriculture ministry said in a statement that Mexico Agriculture and Rural Development Secretary

tory in Texas would be the first on U.S. soil in decades and represents a ramping up of the USDA’s spending on breeding and releasing sterile New World screwworm flies.

Julio Berdegué Sacristán and Rollins signed a screwworm control action plan. It includes monitoring with fly-attracting traps and establishing that livestock can only be moved within Mexico through government-certified corrals, the statement

said. And on the X social media platform, Berdegué said, “We will continue with conversations that lead to actions that will permit the reopening of livestock exports.”

The new fly-breeding fac-

Poll revealsAmericans arerethinkingalcohol

More appearto be heeding health warnings

BY LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press

WASHINGTON— FewerAmericans are reporting that they drink alcohol amid a growingbeliefthateven moderate alcohol consumption is ahealth risk, according to aGallup poll released earlier this month.

Arecord highpercentage

of U.S. adults, 53%, now say moderate drinking is bad for their health, up from 28% in 2015.

The uptick in doubt about alcohol’sbenefits is largely driven by young adults the age group that is most likely to believe drinking “one or two drinks aday” can cause health hazards —but older adults are also now increasinglylikely to think moderate drinking carries risks

As concerns abouthealth impacts rise, fewer Americans arereportingthatthey drink.

The survey finds that 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcoholic beveragessuch as liquor,wine or beer.That’s lower than at anyother point in the past three decades.

The findingsofthe poll, which was conducted in July,indicatethatafter years of many believing that moderate drinking was harmless —oreven beneficial —worries about alcohol consumptionare taking hold. According to Gallup’s data, even those who consume alcohol are drinking less.

The federal government is updating new dietary guidelines, including those aroundalcohol. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, government data showed U.S. alcohol consumption was trending up. Butother

government surveys have shown adeclineincertain types of drinking, particularly among teenagers and young adults. This comesalongside a new drumbeat of information about alcohol’srisks. While moderate drinking was once thoughttohave benefitsfor heart health, health professionals in recent yearshave pointed to overwhelmingevidence thatalcoholconsumption leads to negative health outcomes and is aleading cause of cancer

Younger adults have been quicker than older Americans toaccept that drinking is harmful, but older adults are comingaroundtothe same view

About two-thirds of 18- to 34-year-olds believe moderatedrinkingisunhealthy, according to the poll, up from about4in10in2015.

Olderadults are less likely to see alcohol as harmful —about halfof Americans age55orolder believe this —but that’s asubstantial increase, too.

In 2015, only about 2in 10 adults age 55 or older thought alcohol was bad for their health.

In the past, moderate drinking was thought to have some benefits. That ideacame from imperfect studies that largely didn’t include youngerpeople and couldn’tprove cause and effect. Now the scientific consensus has shifted, and several countries recently loweredtheir alcoholconsumption recommendations.Earlier this year,the outgoing U.S. surgeon general, VivekMurthy, recommended alabel on bottlesof beer,wine and liquor that wouldclearly outline the link between alcohol consumption and cancer

Thefederal government’s current dietary guidelines recommend Americans not drink or,ifthey do consume alcohol,men shouldlimit

among women and young adults.

Young Americans’ alcoholconsumption hasbeen trending downward for years, accelerating the overall decline in alcohol consumption. In sharp contrast with Gallup’sfindings two decades ago, when young adults were likeliest to report drinking, young adults’ drinking rate is now slightly below middle-aged andolderadults.

Americans’ reported drinking is among the lowest since the question was first askedin1939. Formost of the last few decades, at least 6in10Americans have reported drinking alcoholic beverages, only dipping belowthat point afew times in the question’shistory

some adults to give up alcoholentirely, these worries could be influencing how often they drink.

themselves to two drinks a dayorfewer while women should stick to one or fewer Gallup’sdirectorofU.S. social research,Lydia Saad, said shiftinghealthadvice throughout older Americans’ lives may be areason they have been moregradual than young adults to recognize alcohol as harmful.

“Olderfolks may be a little more hardened in termsofthe whiplashthat they get withrecommendations,” Saad said. “It may take them alittle longerto absorb or acceptthe information. Whereas,for young folks, this is the environment that they’vegrown up in in many cases,itwould be the first thing young adults would have heard as they were coming into adulthood.”

The government is expected to release new guidelines later this year, under the directive of healthsecretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr who has promisedbig changes. Kennedy has not hinted at how the alcohol recommendations may shift.

Drinking ratesfall

Slightlymore than half

of Americans, 54%, report that they drink alcohol alow in Gallup’sdata that is especiallypronounced

Consuminglessalcohol

Even if concerns about health risks aren’t causing

The surveyfound that adults who think moderate drinking is bad for one’s health arejust as likely as people who don’tshare those concerns to report that they drink, but fewerofthe people with health worries had consumed alcohol recently Abouthalfofthose who worry moderate drinking is unhealthy said they had a drink in the previous week, compared with about 7in10 who did not think drinking wasbad fortheir health. Overall, only about onequarter of Americanswho drink said they had consumed alcohol in the prior 24 hours, arecord low in the survey.Roughly 4in10said that it had been morethan a week sincethey had poured adrink.

Hurricane season collides with immigration agenda

Fears increase for those without legal status

BY GABRIELA AOUN

ANGUEIRA Associated Press

If a major hurricane approaches Central Florida this season, Maria knows it’s dangerous to stay inside her wooden, trailer-like home. In past storms, she evacuated to her sister’s sturdier house. If she couldn’t get there a shelter set up at the local high school served as a refuge if needed. But with accelerating detentions and deportations of immigrants across her community of Apopka, 20 miles northwest of Orlando, Maria, an agricultural worker from Mexico without permanent U.S. legal status, doesn’t know if those options are safe. All risk encountering immigration enforcement agents.

“They can go where they want,” said Maria, 50, who insisted The Associated Press not use her last name for fear of detention “There is no limit.”

Natural disasters have long posed singular risks for people in the United States without permanent legal status. But with the arrival of peak Atlantic hurricane season, immigrants and their advocates say President Donald Trump’s robust immigration enforcement agenda has increased the danger Places considered neutral spaces by immigrants such as schools, hospitals and emergency management agencies are now suspect, and advocates say agreements by local law enforcement to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement make them more vulnerable and compel a choice between being physically safe and avoiding detention.

“Am I going to risk the storm or risk endangering my family at the shelter?” said Dominique O’Connor, an organizer at the Farmworker Association of Florida. “You’re going to meet enforcement either way.” For O’Connor and for many immigrants, it’s about storms. But people without permanent legal status could face these decisions anywhere that extreme heat, wildfires or other severe weather could necessitate evacuating, getting supplies or even seeking medical care.

Federal and state agencies have said little on whether immigration enforcement would be suspended in a disaster It wouldn’t make much difference to Maria: “With all we’ve lived, we’ve lost trust.”

Efforts by Trump’s Republican administration to exponentially expand immigration enforcement capacity mean many of the agencies active in disaster response are increasingly entangled in immigration enforcement.

Since January, hundreds of law enforcement agencies have signed 287(g) agreements, allowing them to perform certain immigration enforcement actions. Most of the agreements are in hurricaneprone Florida and Texas. Florida’s Division of Emergency Management oversees building the state’s new detention facilities, like the one called “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades. Federal Emergency Management Agency funds are being used to build additional detention centers around the country and the Department of Homeland Security temporarily reassigned some FEMA staff to assist ICE. The National Guard, often seen passing out food and water after disasters, has been activated to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations and help at detention centers. These dual roles can make for an intimidating scene during a disaster After floods in July, more than 2,100 personnel from 20 state agencies aided the

far-reaching response effort in Central Texas, along with CBP officers. Police controlled entry into hardhit areas. Texas Department of Public Safety and private security officers staffed entrances to disaster recovery centers set up by FEMA.

That unsettled even families with permanent legal status, said Rae Cardenas, executive director of Doyle Community Center in Kerrville, Texas. Cardenas helped coordinate with the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio to replace documents for people who lived behind police checkpoints.

“Some families are afraid to go get their mail because their legal documents were washed away,” Cardenas said.

In Florida, these policies could make people unwilling to drive evacuation roads. Traffic stops are a frequent tool of detention, and Florida passed a law in February criminalizing entry into the state by those without legal status, though a judge temporarily blocked it.

SEPTEMBER 10-12

There may be fewer places to evacuate now that public shelters, often guarded by police or requiring ID to enter, are no longer considered “protected areas” by DHS. The agency in January rescinded a policy of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to avoid enforcement in places like schools, medical facilities and emergency response sites.

The fears extend even into disaster recovery On top of meeting law enforcement at FEMA recovery centers, mixed-status households that qualify for help from the agency might hesitate to apply for fear of their information being accessed by other agencies, said Esmeralda Ledezma, communications associate with the Houston-based nonprofit Woori Juntos.

“Even if you have the right to federal aid, you’re afraid to be punished for it,” Ledezma said. In past emergencies, DHS has put out messaging stating it would suspend immigration enforcement.

The agency’s policy now is unclear

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in an email that CBP had not issued any guidance “because there have been no natural disasters affecting border enforcement.”

She did not address what directions were given during CBP’s activation in the Texas floods or whether ICE would be active during a disaster Florida’s Division of Emergency Management did not respond to questions related to its policies toward people without legal status. Texas’ Division of Emergency Management referred The Associated Press to Republican Gov Greg Abbott’s office, which did not respond.

In spite of the crackdown, local officials in some hurricane-prone areas are expanding outreach to im-

migrant populations. “We are trying to move forward with business as usual,” said Gracia Fernandez, language access coordinator for Alachua County in Central Florida.

The county launched a program last year to translate and distribute emergency communications in Spanish, Haitian Creole and other languages. Now staffers want to spread the word that county shelters won’t require IDs, but since they’re public spaces, Fernandez acknowledged there’s not much they can do if ICE comes.

“There is still a risk,” she said. “But we will try our best to help people feel safe.”

As immigrant communities are pushed deeper into the shadows, more responsibility falls on nonprofits, and communities themselves, to keep each other safe.

Hope Community Center in Apopka has pushed local officials to commit to not requiring IDs at shelters and sandbag distribution points. During an evacuation, the facility becomes an alternative shelter and a command center, from which staffers translate and send out emergency communications in multiple languages. For those who won’t leave their homes, staffers do door-to-door wellness checks, delivering food and water

“It’s a very grassroots, underground operation,” said Felipe Sousa Lazaballet, the center’s executive director Preparing the community is challenging when it’s consumed by the daily crises wrought by detentions and deportations, Sousa Lazaballet said.

“All of us are in triage mode,” he said. “Every day there is an emergency, so the community is not necessarily thinking about hurricane season yet. That’s why we have to have a plan.”

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Plant explosion ignites health concerns

Oily residue coats cars, homes in Roseland

BY EMILY WOODRUFF and BOB WARREN Staff writers

Smoke rose from the stillburning tanks at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland on Saturday and although the thick plumes had eased since the explosion the day before, a strong chemical smell permeated nearby communities in Tangipahoa Parish, an oily sheen coating many of the cars, homes and other outdoor surfaces.

“You got oil on the ground, oil on the road,” said Gerri Stout, 66, who evacuated to Amite City with her husband under a mandatory order for residents within a mile of the

automotive lubricant manufacturing plant. “We got oil on our car, and we brought our car with us to the shelter.”

Waiting in line to wash his Chevy Silverado pickup at a car wash near Interstate 55 in Amite City on Saturday morning, Ross Cutrer said he’s trying not to fixate on the black substance covering everything or what it might mean for his health.

“I don’t dwell on it But I did have a sore throat last night,” he said.

“You can kind of taste it in the air.”

Later Saturday night, State Police said the fire was 90% contained.

State and local officials ex-

pressed relief that no injuries or deaths were reported. But they do not yet have answers for what caused the blast, what materials caught fire, when it might be extinguished or what the health and environmental implications of the explosion could be.

“It’s still a very active scene,” Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller told reporters at an at-times contentious news conference Saturday morning. “We know there are a lot of questions. We’re working to get answers.” Miller said the main focus so far has been, and remains, bringing the

cooler weather soon

NOAA, farmers’ almanacs make predictions

BY JULIA GUILBEAU Staff writer

After the latest bout of high heat in Louisiana, fall weather can’t seem to come soon enough

Though the state’s subtropical climate keeps many Louisiana residents from experiencing a full autumn season, September and October typically bring some relief from the sweltering 90-degree summer temperatures.

For those eagerly awaiting that fall feeling, seasonal forecasts are now out from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other weather predictors.

Already this August, temperatures in Louisiana have remained slightly above average, with the monthly average high leveling out to around 93.7 degrees, according to Megan Williams, a forecaster Don’t expect

‘Overwhelming ... encouraging’

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

For local historian and activist Shelton Berry, July 9, 2020, was divinely planned. It was the day his son was born.

It coincided with the day, in 1776, when a group of American revolutionaries in New York City tore down a gilded statue of King George III to signify liberation from the British monarchy And it was the day, nearly 250 years after that declaration of resistance, that the West Baton Rouge Parish Council voted down Berry’s petition to move the statue of Louisiana Confederate Gov Henry Watkins Allen out of a public square and into the local museum. Berry didn’t waste time feeling angry He became more involved with the West Baton Rouge Museum, where visitors can tour preCivil War and Reconstruction cabins from the nearby Allendale and Westover plantations for an unvarnished

view of how enslaved people lived. During one of those tours, he discovered something remarkable: his ancestors’ names on the wall. They had

worked on Allendale Plantation, perhaps slept under the roof above him now He felt an overwhelming responsibility to tell and preserve their stories.

“Instead of so much concentrating on Gov. Allen and his history, I started to do the research on those who have been forgotten,” Berry said.

Five years later, his research is coming to fruition. In conjunction with the museum’s exhibit on the Allen statue, Berry will publish the beginning of an oral history and genealogy project, documenting the history of enslaved people in West Baton Rouge Parish and their descendants.

On Sept. 7, the museum will host the Allendale-Westover Reunion for descendants to connect with each other, tell stories and meditate on themes of reckoning and reconciliation Berry hopes it will open the door for more people to share with him their testimonials and family histories.

“There are a lot of the descendants of those who were enslaved that still reside in the Port Allen and West Baton Rouge community, and

fireunder control.

“We’re fighting abig fire,” he said. “It’snot as big as yesterday,but it’sstill big.”

Once the fire is completely suppressed, cleanup operations will begin and ahotline will be established for cleanup inquiries,State Police said.

Health concerns

Stout, who has asthma and lung disease, said she was already feeling the effects.

“It’sbeen really bad on me, yesterday and today,too,” she said.

Smitty’sofficials told state regulators in 2023 that the facility’sstorage tanks can typically hold ethanol, charcoal lighter fluid,gas oilmixture, motoroil, lubricants and hydraulic fluids, diesel, brake fluid, greaseand a variety of unnamed waterbased chemicals, according to the report.

During the news conference Saturday morning, Sgt. William Huggins, of the State Police, said air monitoring in the area has shown“nondetect levels or results below any actionable thresholds.”

Other communities hit by lubricant plant fires have seen agap between official readings and what residents experienced. When aLubrizol facility caught fire in France in 2019, monitors picked up onlybrief spikes in chemicals, and officials said overall pollution levelsstayedwithin safe limits. Even so, residents reported foul smells, anxiety and alower quality of life, and some firefighters later showed changesinroutine health tests.

A2021 fire at aChemtool plant in Illinois brought similar concerns.Government agencies said the air was mostly safe, but surveys

from page1B

with the National Weather Service’sNew Orleans office.

Despite that, heat advisoriesand other extreme heat watchesand warnings in New Orleans and Baton Rouge have been lower than previous years, likely thanks to awetter summer and near-dailyrainstorms.

But despite the less oppressiveAugust heat, cli-

found morethan half ofresidentshad new or worsening symptoms,including coughs, headaches andeye irritation, while others reported fatigue andtrouble sleeping.

An EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyaircraft is monitoring the area for benzene, smallparticlesand volatile organiccompounds. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Qualitysaid that in addition to air monitoring, it is collecting water samples thatwill be analyzed, with results expectedwithin the next 48hours DanielHarrington, acerti-

mate forecastersand weather predictorsdonot expect Louisiana to see significantly cooler temperatures in September,October and November Climate scientists at NOAA’s Centerfor Weather and ClimatePredictionexpect Louisiana and much of the contiguous United States to seetemperatures that lean aboveaverage over thenext three months. The statehas a40-50% chance of seeing abovenormal temperatures in September, October and

fied industrial hygienistand assistant professor at LSU’s School of Public Health, said those are importantcompounds to monitor,but they may not cover the full range of chemicals burning in the plant that hasled to theoily residue.

Harrington said exposures arelikely to affect vulnerable groups most— including children, seniors and people with asthma or other respiratoryconditions —and recommended treating contact with oily deposits as you would with spilled motor oil. While tightly fitted N95 masks

November,accordingtothe latest predictions released on Aug. 21. Forecasterssay that La Niña, aweather pattern that brings warmer wintertemperatures to the South, is expected to return briefly in thefalland early winter, contributing to the potential for awarmer season.

Rain-wise, Louisianaisexpected to avoid anydrought potential this fall. Nearly thewhole state has an equal chance fordry or wet conditions, though thefar southeastern corner —including

can help with fineparticles, theywill not protect against chemical vapors.Contamination could lingerinhomes andonsurfaces,especially during calm nightslike the oneforecast for Saturday The mental health impacts to people dealing with job uncertaintyand loss of propertycould also be significant, he said.

“Thereisa long tail tothese disasters,” said Harrington. Past safety concerns Smitty’suseslarge heaters to warmmotor oil and other products. In at least

theNew Orleansarea—is likely to seeabove-averagerainfall, according to NOAA.

Besides utilizing climatology,weather enthusiasts and others whorelyonseasonal forecasting have turned for decades to farmers’almanacs for their predictions.

TheOld Farmer’sAlmanac, which has been predicting weather trends since 1792, expects Louisiana and theDeep South to see aboveaveragetemperatures this fall, on par with NOAA’s predictions.

one instance in November, overheated oil created afoul odor that drew complaints from residents, according to documents from the DEQ. At that time, thecompany shut off aheater,which took aweek to cool to the correct temperature.

State Rep. Kim Coates, RPonchatoula, said she had spoken with DEQ, whichwas placing boomsinwaterways andsandinditchestocontain oiland fire debristhat landed in the Tangipahoa River

“With rain falling alongside the fire and fire water,this is atough fight forcrewson

Meanwhile, aseparate but similarly named publication,the Farmers’ Almanac, saysthisfall is expectedto “keep us on our toes.” Their writers predictearly chills in the northern part of the country but lingering heat in the South.

In Louisiana and its neighboring states to the west, the Farmer’s Almanac expects fair temperatures.

Muchofthe eastern and midwestern portions of the U.S. areexpected to see below-average temperatures in thecoming weeks,

the ground,” she said by text message.

Capt.RussellGraham, commanderofState Police Public Affairs Section, said seven people wenttothe emergency room afterthe blast but were evaluated and released.

Residents should be able to return to their homes SundayorMonday, said Tanya Mabry,director of housing for Tangipahoa Parish. They were still sheltering people at an evacuation shelter in Amite City.About 200 signed up for the shelter and 46 slept there Friday night as people started to makearrangements to stay with family and friends.

Gov.JeffLandry said in a social media post that he and hiswife,Sharon, have residents in their prayers.

“Weare workingclosely withlocal officialstoextinguish the fire,” he said. “This is still an ongoing situation, and we urge all in the area to continue following evacuation.”

With roughly 450 employees, Smitty’s is an anchor in Tangipahoa Parish.Robertsonsaidmanyofthemwere in touch, and while they are grateful no one was killedin the explosion, they are mentally shaken and wondering howlongtheywillbeemployed.

Covering about 20 acres, Smitty’sblends and distributes oil and other lubricants underthe SuperS, Shell, Quaker State, Castrol, Exxon, Valvolineand many other brand namesand also providescontract oil, lubrication and treatment product manufacture.

The facility,which has 20 separate tank farmsholding acombined 8.7 million gallons, also makes its own plasticbottles formotor oil and other products and manufactures grease.

Staff writers Willie Swett and David Mitchell contributed to this report.

but unfortunatelyfor South Louisiana, those cooler temperatures won’t makeitthis fardown, Williamssaid. In the lower half of the state, it is only expected to cool off afew degrees in the next six to 10 days. The humidity,however,isexpected to drop,givingresidentsa little bit of relief Cold fronts typically stall out just north of the state around this timeofyear,and WilliamssaidLouisianaisn’t likely to see atrue cold front untilclosertothe endofSeptember or October

NEXUS

Continued from page 1B

Ex-officer arrested in hotel shooting

Police say 1 killed after fight

Staff report

A former Lafayette police officer was arrested in a fatal Friday afternoon shooting in the 200 block of Hugh Wallis Road.

HISTORIAN

Continued from page 1B

so now I feel like it’s almost my life mission to tell the story through the descendants,” Berry said. “That’s what the Allendale-Westover Reunion is going to be about.”

Parallel histories

While Berry tells the story of the enslaved, an exhibit inside the museum will also provide context on the statue of the Confederate governor and its famous sculptor, Angela Gregory

The statue still stands across from the West Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse, on a small, well-manicured lawn. Allen is captured in a sitting position, with his hand pressed against his face in a pose redolent of “The Thinker.”

The monument was unveiled on Confederate Memorial Day in 1962, according to “Chronicles of West Baton Rouge.” The Legislature appropriated $15,000 for its construction.

The exhibit will include artwork and artifacts about Port Allen’s history and explore the statue’s place in Gregory’s artistic legacy, according to a museum release. It is the final installment of four years of exhibits on Gregory following the heated parish dispute over whether to remove the statue.

Berry has complex emotions about the statue. Though he organized the petition to remove it from the public square, he never wanted to see it torn down, just properly interpreted, he said “That would be an erasure of history,” he said. “You can’t change history History is what it is, good, bad or ugly, but you can teach the next generation.”

The monument also occu-

Jagneaux is a former Lafayette police officer, according to Robin Green, a Lafayette Police Department spokesperson. Although Green did not pro-

Police said 39-year-old Kyle Jagneaux, of Lafayette, fatally shot 44-year-old Phillip Francis Jr also of Lafayette, after an altercation about 2:20 p.m. at the Woodspring Suites Hotel.

vide employment details or Jagneaux’s termination date, reports indicate he left the department in 2021.

Jagneaux was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on Friday on one count of manslaughter His bail has been set at $50,000, according booking information.

The hotel, near Lafayette

Regional Airport, is Lafayette’s largest extendedstay hotel. Last year when the University of Louisiana at Lafayette contracted with the hotel to house students, dozens of families, including nearly 30 students enrolled in the Lafayette Parish school system, were displaced with little notice

pies a strange and innocent place in his memory. When he was in elementary school, Berry and his brother would play on the statue, oblivious to who it depicted “I can remember sitting on the side, posing like him, thinking like him, not knowing at the time that this guy, Gov. Allen, was responsible for enslaving some of my ancestors,” Berry said. Now, his research will contribute to the ongoing education about the statue in the community. Along with holding the exhibit and the reunion, the museum will be installing a bronze plaque at the memorial with a QR code for visitors to learn more about Allen and the Allendale-Westover descendants.

“The monument is not teaching the history,” the museum’s executive director, Angelique Bergeron, said.

Bergeron said Berry is the

perfect person to preserve the histories of the enslaved people at Allendale and Westover

“If we’re going to tell this story, we need your voice to tell it,” she said to Berry during a joint interview “You’re of the community, you’re a descendant, you’re a veteran, you’re a father, you’re from all the angles that this needs to be told.”

The job is one that Berry sees as critical in preventing the loss of generational knowledge and legacy He has spoken with descendants as old as 103 for the project

“My job is to record these elders and get their stories,” Berry said. “There’s an African proverb, ‘Every time an elder dies, a library burns down,’ because so much information and wealth is passed traditionally in our community through oral tradition but not written history.”

Standing in the Allendale cabin on a sweltering day in August, he again felt the weight and honor of his responsibility.

“Sometimes it’s overwhelming, because I know what they endured,” he said. “But it’s also encouraging, because I know what they endured.”

Email Haley Miller at haley.miller@theadvocate. com.

Research Park Corp., the forerunner of Nexus Louisiana, even owned a stake in the building at one time. But the business center was purchased in May by DartPoints, a Dallas-based data center operator, for $9.4 million. Shortly after the sale closed, DartPoints told Nexus Louisiana officials their lease would not be renewed when it expires on June 30.

Tony Zanders, Nexus Louisiana president and CEO, said the organization was looking at a space downtown because of the proximity to IBM, LSU and Southern University

“Successful startup hubs have a specific set of ingredients that make them work,” Zanders said in a statement. “440 on Third offered the perfect mix of walkability, access and proximity to partner organizations that our founders need to reach their potential.”

Nexus Louisiana has eyed a move downtown for several years. At one point, the organization was set to take over the entire State National Life building at 263 Third St., but the deal fell apart due to leadership changes with the organization.

The downsizing from 47,000 square feet in the Bon Carre Technology Park to 28,000 square feet at 440 on Third will slightly reduce the amount Nexus spends on rent per year The organization is currently paying $40,729 a month in rent for its spot in Bon Carre and will pay $40,626 a month for 440 on Third during the first year

Zanders plans to adapt to the smaller space by evaluating which of the businesses are ready to graduate from the incubator

“We’re using this opportunity to not just continue to carry status quo, ev-

erything we’ve been doing, but rather just to get back to first principles, get back to our statute, and just make sure that we’re delivering on what the legislators originally intended us to do,” he said. Nexus Louisiana will share a building with Matherne’s Market. Being upstairs from a grocery store and near restaurants downtown make it easier for Nexus staff to grab a bite during work, he said The new location will also make the organization equidistant to LSU and Southern, both of which are members of Nexus’ board. Zanders said Nexus’ relocation will add a space for people who work in economic development, students and investors alike downtown that currently does not exist in Baton Rouge but is present in other cities. While he will have a feeling of nostalgia for the tech park, it is reminiscent of the “culture around secrecy” in technology, and he wants to move forward into a space that will allow “creative collisions” with others.

Whitney Hoffman Sayal, the executive director of the Downtown Development District, said Nexus’ move is a display of confidence and commitment to downtown. She said Nexus can spark opportunities and momentum downtown and in the whole state in their relocation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nexus and look forward to the energy and growth their presence will bring,” she said in an email. Staff writer Timothy Boone contributed to this report.

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Funerals Today

Salter, Joe

FirstBaptistChurch,Florien,LAat 3pm

Simmons,Kenneth CharletFuneralHome, Inc. in Zacharyat4:00pm Obituaries

Clothier,Arte' Elisabeth

Arte'Elisabeth Clothier, 55, aresidentofBaton Rouge,wenttoher eternal homeonAugust17, 2025 Visitationwillbeheldon Monday, August 25, 2025 at Zachary United Methodist Churchfrom10:00 am until memorialservice at 11:00 amconducted by Rev. AustinRinehart. Sheissur‐vived by herson,Joshua Edelen, sister,Marcel Clothierand brother, Dou‐glasClothier(Starley).She isprecededindeath by her parents,Robertand Julie Clothier. Arte'graduated fromSoutheasternUniver‐sityinHammond with aBS inNutrition.She waswith ClothierInsurance for15 years.She enjoyed fishing withher parents. Shewill bedeeply missed by all who knew andloved her.

Thais "Sissy"

Fekete Crawford, resident of Gonzales, LA, passed away on August 21, 2025 at the age of 63. She was born in Baton Rouge, LA on March 17, 1962 to parents Everet Fekete, Sr. and Thais LeBlanc Fekete. Sissy was aretired loan officer and attended Southeastern Louisiana University in pursuit of a degree in Social Work. She spent the vast majority of her life in Gonzales, LA and enjoyed traveling and riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Mrs. Rhonda is survived by herhusband, Brian Crawford; children, Amber Gorham, Scott Gorham, Jr., Cody Crawford, and Tyler Crawford; brothers, Everet Fekete, Jr., Eric Fekete and Evan Fekete; and grandchild, Molly Katherine Crawford. She is preceded in death by her parents, Everet Fekete, Sr. and Thais LeBlanc Fekete; and grandparents, Joseph & Theresa Fekete and Claude &Anna ScanlanLeBlanc

Thevisitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home, located on 13533 Airline Hwy, in Gonzales, LA on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 from 5:00-8:00 PM. A graveside burial will take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Hungarian Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Albany, LA

Thefamily would liketo thank the services of The Hospice of Baton Rouge for all their help and assistance during this time.

Dupuy, Dorothy McDempseyBerthelot 'Sister'

DorothyMcDempsey Berthelot Dupuy, also known as “Sister”,passed awayather home in Brusly onFriday, August 22,2025 atthe ageof95. Shewas a nativeofBayou Pigeon “Sister”was ahomemaker and worked many yearsat areapharmaciesinthe Bruslyarea. Funeralser‐vices will be privatewitha burialtofollowinGrace MemorialParkinPlaquem‐ine."Sister"issurvivedby three children,Doris Morales,AlbertBerthelot and wife Linda, Donald Lee Berthelot andwifeDana, 7 grandchildren,10great grandchildren and2 greatgreat grandchildren; three sisters,Shriley Dupree MarySarradet, Sara Grady and husbandSkipper."Sis‐ter"was preceded in death byher husbands, Adolph J. Berthelot,LoganDupuy; threebrothers, Louis, Dave

and CharlesMcDempsey and sister,BerthaMiller; son-in-law, Donald Morales;daughter-in-law JackieBerthelot.The fam‐ily wouldlike to thank Comfort Care Hospice. Pleaseshare memories at www.wilbertservices.com

Martin,Bettye Louise Morgan

Bettye Louise Morgan Martinpassedawaysud‐denly andtragicallyonJuly 31, 2025, in Longboat Key, Florida,asthe result of a swimming accident.She was born in BatonRouge, Louisiana,onDecember16, 1948, to Virginia Strader Morganand Woodrow Richard Morgan.Bettye was asocialstudies teacher formanyyears in the East BatonRouge ParishSchool System first atScotlandville High School and lateratBelaire HighSchool.After retire‐mentfromteaching, she moved with herhusband, Andrew, to WestFeliciana Parishwhere sheimmedi‐ately involved herselfwith the WestFeliciana Food Pantry, of which shesoon becamethe director.Bet‐tye wasdevoted to her clients andfellowvolun‐teersatthe pantry,work‐ing tirelesslyday andnight toserve themorethan350 families who depended on the food andother neces‐sitiesthatthe pantry pro‐vided.She wasalsoanen‐thusiasticworld traveler, and alongwithAndrewvis‐itedChina,New Zealand, Hawaii, Europe,Egypt and the Middle East,aswellas Mexico, Cuba,the Caribbean,and many statesinthe U.S, many of which were on thebackof their BMWmotorcycle. Bet‐tye wasprecededindeath byher parents, Virginia and W. RichardMorgan. She is survived by Andrew Charles Martin,her hus‐bandof53years,one son, Dr. Seth AlexanderMartin (Milena), andtwo grand‐daughters,Laurenand Lily Martin. Also,a brother, W. Richard Morgan (Barita). She is also survived by a nephew, Adam Morgan (Kelli,and theirtwo sons Kaeland Luka;a niece, Anne Morgan (Ryan) and their threesons, GavinAyo, Johnnyand Ruckus Schaubert.A memorial ser‐vicefor Bettye will be held onTuesday,August26, at Charlet FuneralHome, 4230 HighStreet, Zachary, Louisiana,withvisitation beginning at 10 a.m.,fol‐lowed by theservice at 11 a.m conductedbythe ReverendJerry Martin.In lieuof flowers, donations inher memory will be gratefully acceptedatthe WestFeliciana Food Pantry, P.O.Box 1357, St.Fran‐cisville, LA 70775. Share sympathies, condolences, and memories at www.Cha rletFuneralHome.com.

Quebedeaux, Chester

Chester Quebedeaux, resident of Central, Louisiana,passed awayon August 21, 2025atthe age of 84. Visitation will be held at Central Funeral Home on Sunday, August 24, 2025from4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and again at Central Funeral Home on Monday, August 25, 2025starting at 9:00 am untilthe funeral service begins at 11:00am. Burialwill take place at St.Charles BorromeoChurchCemeteryin Grand Coteau at 2:00 pm. Central Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Schneider, John Leonard

John Schneider,who flew planes, DJ'dasa BatonRouge teenager, served his country in Korea, climbed mountains, cooked French food and sourdough bread, keptup thoughtful correspondence with friendsand family, played fiddle and banjo, and always served his neighbors and co-workers well, diedSunday. He was 77.

His family and friends, and theamazing team at Huntsman at Homehospice services confirmed his death. He had liveda wondrous life

John was 15 when he gothis pilots license, taking to the skies before he legally tooktothe road.He lovedhighplaces, climbing 15 of Colorado's fourteeners, soaring with hawks in agliderto15,000 feet. For thepast20years, he could be seenhiking, climbing and riding his mountain bike up and down thehills in and around Salt Lake City.

John served hiscountry with an Army tour in Korea in 1969. He patrolledthe DMZ and learned that magpies can noisily give away your position, leading to alifelong dislike

After his tour he traveled afew years and landed in Chicago, found work with theUnitedAirlines baggagecrew. He worked outdoors on the ramp for Unitedfor 37 years, in Chicago, Denver, Portland and finally Salt Lake City, experiencing all4 seasons to thefullest. After atwo week'retirement', he was hiredbythe city of Salt Lake to keep us allmoving in theairportpick-up zone, and,for atime,drove the parking shuttle bus. He madeand maintained many strong and supportivefriendshipsamong the airlines and airportworkers, travelers, plus the many people he met as they didtheir dailyjobs, at grocery store, delivering themail, waiting his table, or setting up his infusion at theHuntsman Center

John Leonard Schneider was bornJune 18, 1948, in BatonRouge,Louisiana, theyoungest of 4children of William Charles Schneider, an engineer with Standard Oil, and Emily Elizabeth (Williamson) Schneider, who triedtoget John to come home early, or at least bring thecar back with gasinit.

John was quick to recall days,placesand people growing up in B.R. He carried and shared thebestof his Louisianaroots,which go generations back, especially on his mother's side. He couldmake greatgumbo,playa cajun fiddle,and was happy to tell and share storiesaboutgoing to Ourso's store, Tony's Donuts, and the Whataburger.

John, as many havesaid recently,was 'one of a kind'. He was so comfortable and at peace with the life he livedand was an island of calm for so many of us. Toward theend,as cancer worehis body down, he was readyfor his last journey Home.Hefelt so prepared forthe transition fromthis life to death. In his words,hewas casting off on his next adventure on anew ocean, boarding aboat 'fashioned with hisfamily and friends' to keep him secure. Cancer wore his body out, butnot his soul John is survivedbyhis brotherBillSchneiderand hiswife Geraldine, in Port Allen, LA,and his sister, ElizabethMcCusker, in Durham, NC,his cousinTim Schneider in Littleton, CO, as well as nieces and nephews and other relations in Louisiana, Connecticut, North Carolina and Vermont.

Friends and family will gather at O'Donnell Funeral Home at 11 AM Tuesday fora Celebration and Remembrance, followedbya Graveside serviceat1 PM at Salt Lake City Cemetery. We will gather at John's house afterwardsfor food and more stories. He'd love that.

Schwendimann, Holly Jane Brown

HollyJaneBrown

Schwendimannpassed awaypeacefully on August 19, 2025 at theage of 78 She wasbornonNovember 2,1946 in Vivian,LAand grewupinGilliam,LAas the thirdchild of KirbyLee Brown, Sr.and IreneHolley Brown. Shemarried J. RobertSchwendimann, Jr onMay 7, 1966 andmoved tothe BatonRouge area, eventuallysettlingin Zachary,LAwhere shewas a resident for48years.She had twodaughters,Lisa and Dana,whomshe loved beyondmeasure.She workedasa salesorder clerk fora numberofyears beforehavingher children and then stayed at home asa devotedmotherand homemaker,volunteering asa room mother to each ofher daughters’ teachers and going on each and every school trip.Onceher daughters were grown, she enjoyed travelingwithher husband andspending timeattheir camp on ToledoBend, which she, in good fun, dubbed“Hollywood.” Hertenaciously happy spirit andsweet heart permeatedher every encounter.She wasincred‐iblycreativeand crafty, personalizing anything and everythingwithpainted names,monograms,and pictures. Therewas noth‐ing shecouldn’ttransform withher hotgluegun and paint pens in hand.She was extremelythoughtful and kind,alwayswanting to find theperfect gift or trinket to brighten some‐one's day. Holidays and birthdays were especially fun if youknewHolly There wasnolimit to the amount of balloonsshe’d use to make sure youfelt celebratedand wouldeven mischievously hide con‐fetti in thecards shewould giveasanextra bitofsur‐prise.Her evenings were spent as an avid backyard birdwatcher andshe loved sitting in herswing and catchinguponthe daily activitiesofher feathered friends.She also loved keepingintouch andplan‐ningget togetherswiththe Girlsof’64” NorthCaddo HighSchool Ladies’Group She is survived by herhus‐bandof59years,Robert Schwendimann, daughters LisaBoudreaux andDana Guilbeau(Joshua), grand‐daughterEmeliaLecoq, sisters Jo AnnQuarrierand Dorothy Thetford (Alan) brother KirbyBrown, Jr., brother-in-lawDuane Schwendimann, sisters-inlaw SueDee Hodges and Carolyn Schwendimann, and numerous nieces and nephews.She is also sur‐vived by herlifelongbest friendofover70years, Carolyn LeeFestervand. She is preceded in death byher belovedparents, whomshe hasnodoubt not stoppedhugging since her heavenly arrival, broth‐ers-in-lawJohnQuarrier and Jeffry Schwendimann and sister-in-lawKeith Schwendimann. Thefamily would also like to extend a special thankyou to Molly Capone, forher unwaver‐ing support, friendship, and Christ-likeloveshe gaveHolly over thelast30 years.Funeralserviceswill beheldatCharlet Funeral HomeinZachary,LAon Monday, August 25, 2025 at 1:00pmwithPastorJimmy Babin officiating. Aprivate interment will follow at Louisiana National Ceme‐tery. Atimeofvisitation willbeheldprior to the servicesfrom11AMto 1PM

an Obituary Notice

a

OPINION

Twenty

yearslater, what Katrinarevealedabout us

Twodecades is alongtime. Long enough foranew generationto havegrown up with no memory of that terrible day in 2005 when the floodwalls broke and waterbegan rising so suddenly,soawfully and so devastatingly Yetfor those wholived through it, cane Katrinacan feel likeyesterday It’shard to forget thepanic and the uncertainty.The surreal scenes of desperation and grief, playing out in familiar but alsobarelyrecognizable places. The smell of damp, moldy Sheetrock and freezers that had been stuffed withseafood before the power wentout

Thelives lost and foreverchanged.

It’s also hard to forget in the weeks and months that followed the worry etched on the faces of friendsand neighbors grappling with questions that would determinethe fate of acity,astate and aregion. Would we rebuild? Can we rebuild? How torebuild?

But perhaps the20th anniversaryofKatrina this week is theperfect vantage point to see the answers to those thorny questions, to assess notonlywhatwas lost but what’s been built.Perhapswecan finally take abreath from all theorganizing, planning andmaking ourcase —tostop and see clearly what we’ve achieved and what is left to do NewOrleans —then, nowand forever —is the creativeventure of thepeoplewho live hereand who love it.And 20 yearsafter Katrina, we can say,unequivocally,that when all seemed lost, New Orleanians, with the help of fellow Louisianans andpeople all over the country and world,loved it back to life.

It’s still here because of countless people whose names we didn’t know back then, and forthe most part still don’t.It’shere because of big decisions, yes, butalso countless small ones.

Lest we forget, in thoseearly days, it was a leapoffaith to bet on New Orleans’ ultimate survival. And indeed, some on thenational levelquestioned whether acitysopoor,lowlying and vulnerable to extreme weather should exist at all.

The city was still dark andempty then, with evacuated residents just starting to wrap their heads aroundwhat thelong, difficultroad back would look like

There would beangry political fightsin thosefirst years, over which areas should be prioritized and how tofairly rebuild communities where manydidn’t haveenough

insurance coverage, over replicating what was lost versus seizing theonce-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform —all against the backdrop of grief for those who didn’tsurvive and who were struggling wherever they to find their way home.

In theend, thefederal government came through with ahard-fought $120 billion to remakeschools, improve and fortify flood protection and create from scratch atroubled but ultimately massive residential rebuilding program.So did stateleaders, as well as Louisiana’s Congressional delegation and local officials. The national and international philanthropic community stepped up beyond all expectations.

But, with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that New Orleansisnot still here because of them. The real heroes of the recovery were individuals who rolled up their sleeves, put pencils to paper and slept in cramped trailers while they put thepieces back together They’re thepeople who refused to give up on their homes, their people, their culture and their neighborhoods —even if outside planners suggested turning them intogreen space.

They’re theresidents of Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Alexandria, Shreveport and all over Louisianawho offered temporary shelter and achance to regroup. They’re thefolks who volunteered more hours than theycould count to haul families’soggy possessions to thecurb or dream up reform plans. They’re also thefriends and strangers who made up thesecond wave, those who saw thesuffering, flocked here to help from just about everywhere, injected desperately needed new energy and, in many cases, never left

There were communal touchstones, starting with theSaints’ epic return to theSuperdomein2006. Butthere also were amillion private, intimate ones: the return of electricitytoa rebuilt home, aconversation with student volunteers who justwanted to let the people here know someone cared, neighbors coming together on Saturday mornings to plan out what they wanted their little corner of the community to be. The amount of work done, of sweat equity invested over these two decades to get us to this point, is mind-boggling, when you think

about it.

Butstill, so much moreisneeded.

For as much as the past 20 years have been atriumph of will and of intent, fartoo many of the challenges that Katrina revealed to the world still vex us.

The education system has been promisingly revamped, but chronic infrastructure shortcomings and the dearth of well-paying jobs still drive our young people to seek opportunity elsewhere.

The cost of living —particularly when it comes to housing and insurance —has skyrocketed,exacerbating the factors that kept toomany in what has long been alow-wage service economy from returning in the first place.

There’ve been spectacular flood control improvements since the storm,but in the age of climate change and extreme weather,weremain frighteningly exposed to the elements. And often lately,the can-do spirit of the early post-Katrina years seemstohave morphed into malaise.

For awhile after Katrina, the area grew Now it’sshrinking, alarmingly,just as it was before that fateful Aug. 29. Census figures peg greater NewOrleans as the fastest shrinking metro area in the country,with population downnearly 4% between 2020 and 2024. Statewide, census estimates show that two-thirds of Louisiana parishes lost population in 2024.

This anniversary comes as New Orleans is at an inflection point. It has seen somestunning successes in recent months, attracting business, hosting aSuper Bowl. But there is also asense that we’re forgetting someofthe hard-won lessons we learned after Katrina. Letthis anniversary be areminder of what can happen when we all set our minds to a larger cause. Because if we get the basics right, we’ve got so much to offer.We’re apeople who cook together,play music together anddance together in thestreet. We greet strangers instead of looking past them,honor creativity and embrace eccentricity.The lowscan be awfully low,but no place can match our highs. And when the chips are down, we fight for this place that we love, aplace that, 20 years ago, we simply refused to let die.

That’swho the people of this region were after Katrina.

That’swho we still are.

COMMENTARY

Amtrak MardiGrastrain awin forall

The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is abig winner

The train route between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, is a winner for Amtrak, awinnerfor NewOrleans, awinner for Mobile, awinner for the Mississippi Coast, awinner for riders and awinner for public safety For safety,it’sawinner to the extent that it reduces the number of drivers on Interstate 10, which has become ahaven for rude and dangerous motorists. It’sanobvious winner for all the places along the route because it surely will increase thenumber of visitors to and from each place, thusdriving economic developmentand aspirit of community

no complicated security hassles. There is plentyoftime to board, and parkingavailability seems nearlyadequate

Lifts for handicapped riders are available, although passengers withmobility issues should call ahead (yes, areal phone call) for arrangements. And theprices, starting as low as $15 on some weekdays, are terrific

Those points need no complicated explanations. Acceptingthem as agiven, then, let this column describe why the new passengerrail service is such awinnerfor riders. To get afeel for the whole experience, Irode on both theceremonial inaugural ride from Mobile to New Orleans on Aug. 16 and the initial public ride from New Orleans to Mobile on the early morning of Aug. 18.

To begin with, consider the logistics. The whole process of takingthe train is remarkably easy (although Ihope Mobileprovides moreprotection from inclement weather,which right now is impermanent at its end). There are

The only two small hiccupsare aWi-Fi system that is spotty between New Orleans andthe Slidell area (but otherwise seems good), and the possibility that the freight lines, which by law should give “preference” to Amtrak,might ignore the law andblock thetracks (temporarily) anyway.Myadvice: Allow an extra half-hour foryour plans at yourdestination,just in case. As expected for abrand-new service, the trains arebright, clean and comfortable. Even when sold out, they aren’t cramped

The ride is usually much smoother than it is jerky.The train employees all seem friendly, helpful andindeedhappy to be there and to havethe trains in operation

Best of all, though, was afeature that was somewhat of a surprise. Namely,the wonderful scenery.Trains in this nation’s Northeast have areputation for unappetizing vistas: junkyards,

abandoned industrial sites, urban blight.Well, except for one section just east of New Orleans, that’snot the case with theMardi Gras line. Instead, the view out thewindows usually ranges from interesting to pleasant to absolutely lovely The stretch between Pascagoula and Mobile, for example, is lush, green, wooded and interspersed with streams. Then, for those who long have frequented theMississippi Coast, thechange in viewpointsfrom theusual roadways is fascinating: Crossing both theBiloxi River and Bay St.Louis from atrain’s-

eye perspective, forexample, seemsnew andpretty.And right near thedepot in Bay St. Louis, ascenic pondand park are adelight. The best part, though, is south of what we know as New Orleans East and then Slidell, in marshes stretchinginto Mississippi. The wetlands, spreading out for miles,are gorgeous. Waterfowl are plentiful, floating or skimminglow across the waters and grasses. In places of open water, dolphins splash. And at the Rigolets, even moredramatically than from the(closed) U.S. 90 bridge, thesudden opening to the Gulf on

one side with fishing skiffs in the shallowsonthe other,iswonderful. Meanwhile, the journey isn’t the only worthwhile thing. Louisianans might wonder about the destination, too. The Mississippi parts are familiar: the white sand beaches, the bustling beach-town vibe of Bay St. Louis. But what about Mobile?

Well, the train lets out right at the riverfront there, with good sightlines to where Austal builds U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels. Within easy walking distance are four good museums: The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, the History Museum of Mobile, the Mobile Exploreum (especially but not exclusively good for children) and (for preservationists) the Conde-Charlotte House. All up and downwalkable Dauphin Street (or nearby) are good lunch places and (for dinner) two restaurants that can compete with NewOrleans’ fine dining standards, The Royal Scam and Noja’s.

And, foraninexpensive ride share, ajaunt to the USSAlabama Battleship Memorial Park can easily provide twoorthree hours of inspirational exploration. Much morecould be said, but fornow: Take the train. It’s not such abad thing, as it turns out, to be run out of town on arail.

Email Quin Hillyer at quin hillyer@theadvocate.com

Thestory behind La.’suniquelegal framework

Among Louisiana’smany quirks is alegal one: Its laws, ratherthan being based on English Common Law like those inthe other49states, areinstead based on the Napoleonic Code.

Iconfess that Ihave repeated this on countless occasions, without ever reallyunderstanding why it is that way The answer,itturns out, comes down to the remarkable achievement of three men more than 200 years ago. They produced the first Louisiana CivilCode, and in so doing, enshrined one of our state’smost enduring eccentricitiesinto its legal system.

The three were an interesting mix: Pierre Derbigny,who was born in France, Louis Moreau-Lislet, born in St Domingue, and one New Yorker, Edward Livingston.

took effect in 1825. And it has, for nearly twocenturies, remained the crowning achievement of Louisiana’slegal history

First, we have to understand something about the legal situationin Louisianain the early part of the 19th century.Itwas, in aword, chaotic.

Many of the lawsthat existed were written in Spanish, whichwas no longer widely spoken. Others were writtenin French, and some tracedtoRoman civil law. Adigestproducedin1808 helped,but it wasn’t enough.

That’swhy,in1822,the Legislature appointed three men as “jurisconsults”and taskedthemwith coming up with anew system.

The governorsofWest Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee have sent National Guard troops to help President Donald Trump deal with what he says is acrime infestation in Washington, D.C. Add Louisiana Gov.Jeff Landry to that list. After completing some in-processing paperwork and processes, our Louisiana National Guard peeps will join National Guard troops from other red states to deal with Trump’sfederal crime crackdown in the nation’scapital

Each was already legally trained and accomplished; Moreau-Lislet had been one of the drafters of the Digestof1808, the earlier attempt to bring some order to Louisiana’s civil law. They immersedthemselves in not just Louisiana’slaw but also those of otherjurisdictions. That included studying the Napoleonic Code, which was published in 1804 —one year after the Louisiana Purchase —but in the ensuing decades had becomeaninfluential legal document in Europe.

Napoleon’scode, the drafters noted, was “nearer to perfection thanany which preceded it” and a“great work” bestowed by the French Republic not just to France but also to the rest of the world, accordingtoanessayontheir work prepared by Tulane Law Professor Ronald Scalise.

Not surprisingly,their final draft, presented in 1824, relied heavily on European civillaw,including Napoleon’scode. The Legislature adopted the code, and it

There have been revisions, of course, one in 1870 to remove references and laws pertaining to slavery and another,ongoing one since 1976.

The latterofthe two is incomplete and has engaged far more lawyers than the threewho crafted the 1825 version. But the revisers have been careful to stay within the guardrails and traditions of the original.

So how does the work of Derbigny, Moreau-Lislet and Livingston influence us today? IaskedScalise, an expert on Louisiana’s legal history

The civil code, he explains, governs all interactions between private persons.

So if you purchase acup of coffee, or a house, or get in acar accident or have to run asuccession, the rules you will have to follow in Louisiana derive from the civil code. And there are important differences from English Common Law Forinstance, in Louisiana, aperson cannot disinherit achild under the age of 23 or who is permanently disabled. The age provision was inserted in the 1990s, Scalise said. Beforethat, it was generally not

allowed to disinherit achild of any age, something that comes straight from the European civil law In Common Law,there is no such provision.

There are also differences in what sellers of, say,houses, are required to tell buyers beforehand. Common law uses the phrase “buyer beware,” whereas the European civil law puts the onus on the seller to disclose any potential defects ahead of time.

The state might have ended up with a completely different legal tradition if not for Derbigny,Moreau-Lislet and Livingston.

Yet, outside of the state’smajor law schools and legal institutions, there has been little public celebration of their momentous achievement’sbicentennial this year.That’sashame.

We in Louisiana love to celebrate what makes us different.

Alegal code maynot have acatchy beat, but any innovation that still plays a role in our lives after 200 years deserves asalute.

Faimon A. Roberts III canbereached at froberts@theadvocate.com.

proud to support this mission to return safety andsanity to Washington DC andcitiesall across our country,including right here in Louisiana.”

as Jefferson Parish and places including Franklin and Natchitoches. Constables,marshals and others have pitched in to help.

Theidea of additional help isn’tnew.Onthe home front, New Orleans and other Louisiana communities have had law enforcement help from the feds, neighboring parishes and the Louisiana National Guard for years.

Based on recent reports, West Virginia is sending 300 to400 troops; South Carolina hasn’t said how many it will send but its guv has authorized sending 200troops; Mississippi is sending about 200 troops; Tennessee is sending 160 troops and Ohio has committed to deploying 150 troops. Our guv is sending 135 Louisiana National Guard troops.

“Wecannot allow our cities to be overcome by violence andlawlessness,” our guv postedonthe Xsocial media platform.“Iam

When there are large enough activities, events, games or festivals, Baton Rouge, Bossier City Lafayette, Lake Charles,Monroe, Shreveport and other cities have requested and received help.

As the state’slargest single economic driver,New Orleans has far more need for additional help far more often.

In recent years, more than 150 Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies have worked the carnival season, especially the two weeks leading to Mardi Gras.

So have about 150 Louisiana State Police officers from across the state and scoresofofficers from neighboring parishes such

The Louisiana Departmentof Public Safety and Corrections has such federal agencies as the ATFand theFBI. In many of those cases, those agencies didn’tmake the officers pull Carnival duty. They asked for volunteers. The City of New Orleans covered their pay to help with parade and other duties as well as local accommodations and meals. In each of these cases, theNew Orleans Police Department and theOPSO have asked for help. Though thefederal government is covering thecost to have our National Guard and other troops in D.C., Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser didn’task Trump for federal intervention. That’slike inviting afriend to your home for acasual visit and the friend returning withanarmy of household cleaners, janitors and window washers becausethe friend decided that your place needs sprucing up. Before Trump became presi-

dent,hetalkedabout the need for federal actioninWashington. As Trump issuedthreats about theneed to take over D.C., the mayor stayed mum. Earlier this year,inFebruary,Trump told journalists aboardAir Force Onethat the federalgovernment should “should take over the governance of D.C.” He raised thestakes in recentmonths and made his first move earlierthis month. Bowser spoke up, calling theaction “unsettling.” More recently, she hascalled the move “un-American,” in part because federalized troopsare patrolling an American city’sstreetsasif there’sawar or amajor crime problem. As if it’s reasonable to compare cities abroad to Washington, Trump citedcrime in other places as agood reason to attack a nonexistent probleminD.C. “The murder rate in Washington today is higher thanthatofBogotá, Colombia, MexicoCity,some of theplaces thatyou hear about as being theworst places on Earth,” thepresident said. The chart he shared had been displayedon aFox commentator’sshow,one

thatisn’tknown for accurate reality.For starters, it was old, inaccurate data

By comparison, the U.S. Department of Justice issued areleaseinJanuary saying “Violent crime for2024 in the Districtof Columbia is down 35% from 2023 andisthe lowest it hasbeen in over 30 years.” Those aren’tmy words. Read the release foryourself. Check the DOJ data, too. It shows thatWashingtonhad 187 homicidesin2024, down from 274 homicidesin2023.

Yes, still far toomany homicidesfor D.C., New Orleans or anyothercity,but let’scall Trump’scrime exaggeration what it was: alie Irealize ourLouisiana National Guard folks aredoing their job. Theysignedupfor duty.They take orders. Theygowhere they’re sent. But this is acase where areal leader should admit amistake,rescind his directive andtellour menand womento return home. Theyhavebetter things to do Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

MANNING MADE

The untold story of Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s bond with grandfather Archie, his ‘role model’

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

On Sept. 14, Archie Manning sat in the study of his St. Charles Avenue condo and flipped on the TV to watch the University of Texas play Texas-San Antonio.

The study, lined with built-in bookshelves displaying family photos and keepsakes from Manning’s legendary playing career, is his happy place, his favorite spot to watch football games in his septuagenarian years.

Decked in a burnt-orange Texas hoodie, Manning and his wife, Olivia, hoped their grandson, Arch, would receive some playing time for the No. 2-ranked Longhorns in what figured to be a blowout. As a backup quarterback, Manning had played only sparingly in his first two seasons at Texas. Sure enough, early in the second quarter, he trotted onto the field after the starter, Quinn Ewers, was injured.

On Manning’s first play, he fired a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore. One drive later, he faked a handoff to running back Tre Wisner and raced 67 yards down the right side of the field for a touchdown, leaving a parade of stunned UTSA defenders in his wake. The scintillating run brought the sellout crowd at Texas Memorial Stadium to its feet and left Archie and Olivia speechless. “We looked at each other and didn’t say anything,” Archie said. “I just laughed.”

It was a déjà vu moment for Archie, the former New Orleans Saints star. Fifty-six years earlier, he made an eerily similar 44-yard run in his collegiate debut for Ole Miss. In that 21-7 win at Memphis State, Archie passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, displaying the dual-threat ability that eventually would make him a folk hero in Oxford, Mississippi. The run would prove to be the longest of his career, college or the pros.

“I immediately thought of that play,” Archie said, recalling his scamper around left end. “And I hadn’t thought about that play in years. It was unbelievable.”

The pride was evident in Manning’s voice. The oldest of his four grandsons — the latest quarterback from the royal line of America’s first family of football wasn’t just his namesake. He was also his play-alike.

Family and football

When Cooper and Ellen Manning welcomed their first son into the world at Baptist East Hospital on April 27, 2004, they had no way of knowing he would become a football star

Prescience had nothing to do with their decision to name him Archibald Charles Manning. Family names were a tradition for the Mannings and Heidingsfelders, and it was simply their way of honoring Ellen’s late brother (Charles Jr.) and the couple’s fathers: Archibald Manning and Charles Heidingsfelder

Since Archie was taken, Ace seemed too flashy and, as Cooper said, “No one wants to be called Archibald,” the family called him Arch for short.

Paradoxically, Arch took after the Heidingsfelder side of the family with his bushy brown locks, wide smile and large, deep-set eyes. In turn, his younger brother, Heid, looked more like a Manning, with his straight hair, narrow face and long nose

“Obviously, we got it all wrong with the names,” Cooper said, tongue-in-cheek.

Arch was a quiet kid, even shy to a degree He wore glasses as a toddler and preferred to be a bystander rather than the center of attention May was the bossy older sister Younger brother Heid took after Cooper brandishing an extroverted personality and wry sense of humor

“Arch,” Ellen said, “was a great audience for Heid.”

Arch came out of his shell when sports were involved As fate would have it, he revealed himself to be a gifted athlete hardly a surprise given his lineage. Ellen was a track sprinter and star volleyball player at Sacred Heart Academy. Cooper was a standout receiver at Newman and Ole Miss before ending his career early because of a back condition called spinal stenosis.

From an early age, Arch would beg Cooper to play pitch and catch with him in the front yard of their Uptown home. Video of Arch dunking on a mini-goal as a bespectacled preschooler has been preserved for posterity in the Manning household.

Day One on the football field. Arch’s flag football teams would win by such lopsided margins Cooper often subbed Heid in for him at the end of games.

Archie and Olivia were at every game, just as they were for May and Heid. And once Arch started playing varsity football at Newman, Archie made every practice.

I

immediately thought of that play. And I hadn’t thought about that play in years. It was unbelievable.”

Archie learned the importance of family support from his parents, Archibald “Buddy” Manning and Jane “Sis” Manning, while growing up in Drew, Mississippi, a farming community of 2,000 in the Mississippi Delta.

ARCHIE MANNING, former Saints quarterback, on grandson Arch Manning scoring a running touchdown

From age 6 on, the red-haired, freckle-faced Archie was immersed in sports, changing with the seasons basketball in winter track in the spring, baseball in the summer and football in the fall. He excelled in all of them. Sports served as a bonding agent for the family, a vehicle to create shared history When I was playing peewee baseball, my mother would bring a chair from the house and sit all day watching me play,” Archie said. “Sometimes we’d have games morning, afternoon and night. If we were winning, the mothers wouldn’t want to change dresses. It was hot, of course, so they’d go home to throw them in the washer between games.”

St. Francisville, he asked Archie whether he could impart any wisdom from all those years under center at Ole Miss and with the Saints.

Archie seiz ed the moment. He launched into a soliloquy on the importance of leadership at the position, starting with his huddle presence during practice and games. Lower your voice. Speak with authority. Don’t let anyone else talk. Look everyone in the eye. Sell the play call. Be in charge. Command the huddle.

“Red,” Arch replied, using his nickname for his grandfather, “we don’t ever huddle.”

A chagrined Archie thought to himself, “Well, I’m old.”

A different game

The brand of football Arch plays today is exceedingly different than the one Archie played at Ole Miss in the late 1960s.

During Archie’s first year as the starter at Ole Miss, the Rebels passed only 40% of the time, and Archie threw eight touchdown passes in 10 games. By comparison, Texas last year was a true 50-50 run-pass split, and Arch threw nine TD passes in only 90 attempts as Ewers’ backup. The average offensive lineman on Archie’s Ole Miss teams was 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. Arch’s starting left tackle at Texas, Trevor Goolsby, stands 6-7, weighs 312 pounds and can reverse dunk a basketball.

“But he’ll still remind me of simple things: being a leader, being a good teammate, run from drill to drill, take care of your linemen. Mostly, he just reminds me to be a good guy.”

While the game has changed, the respective games of the two Mannings are actually quite similar

The speed and all-around athleticism Cooper inherited from Archie has been passed on to Arch. He reportedly clocked a time of 4.6 seconds in the 40yard dash during his high school days and was recorded going 20.7 mph on the 67-yard run against UTSA, according to Reel Analytics and Next Gen Stats. That’s significantly faster than his Super Bowl-winning uncles, Peyton and Eli, who ran times of 4.8 and 4.9, respectively, at their NFL scouting combines. “Arch got his grandpa’s athleticism,” Sarkisian said. “He can move.”

As a junior at Drew, Archie ran the mile relay and sprints where he clocked a time of 11.5 seconds in the 100-yard dash. In baseball, he hit .425 and attracted the interest of the Atlanta Braves as a shortstop prospect In basketball, he averaged more than 20 points a game.

At Ole Miss, Archie put on 20 pounds of muscle but didn’t lose his speed. As a junior, when he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, he passed for 1,762 yards and rushed for 502 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns. His dual-threat ability was so rare at the time, Ole Miss head coach Johnny Vaught predicted he would “revolutionize the professional game.”

“Archie Manning played the game with an unmistakable flair,” wrote former Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger columnist Rick Cleveland in “The Mississippi Football Book.” “He was a strong-armed passer who could run when the situation called for it. And, both on and off the field, he always — always — conducted himself with equal parts class and dignity.”

Archie wants nothing more than for folks to say the same about his three sons and nine grandchildren. Without fail, he sends a text to Arch and the other Manning grandchildren and children every morning. The “Marvelous Mannings” thread serves as the family grapevine, and Archie kicks it off daily with a positive thought or aphorism.

“A kind word sure brightens someone’s day!!!!”

“Today is a good day to have a Really Great Day!!!”

“BE NICE to people for no reason!!!!!!!”

“His advice to me and, really all of us (grandchildren), is just be a good person,” Arch said. Archie said his oldest grandson doesn’t need much guidance.

“He’s a sweet kid,” Archie said. “As an old coach used to say, he doesn’t have crap in his neck.

Blessed with the speed and athleticism of his parents and grandfather, Arch starred in Carrollton Little League games at the Fly and flag football games at Avenger Field Because of his speed, he played shortstop and center field and always batted leadoff on the diamond. He was the quarterback from

Ellen and Cooper showed similar dedication to their children, often splitting chaperone duties for travel team events across the Southeast. In addition to the big three sports, Arch also played tennis and swam at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club. Archie and Olivia substituted as drivers whenever their services were needed.

In the summer before Arch’s sixthgrade year at Newman, Archie had his first serious quarterback-to-quarterback talk with him It would be Arch’s

Archie realized quickly the most valuable role he could play for Arch would be as a supportive grandfather rather than a quarterback whisperer Unless Arch initiated it, he would leave the football advice to his coaches at Texas, head coach Steve Sarkisian and A.J. Milwee, the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

When Archie was 14, he penned an essay for his ninth-grade class about life in Drew He closed the piece with a pronouncement: “I have been blessed with a healthy body and mind. I stand five feet six inches tall and weigh one hundred-twenty pounds. I don’t know what I intend to be but plan to enter MANNING Continued from page 1C ä See MANNING, page 11C

first season of tackle football, and, during a drive to a Little League game in

“Receivers were in three-point stances when he played, so the game’s changed so much,” Arch said of Archie.

“I love my relationship with Arch because it’s not coaching. It’s not an old pro quarterback and a college quarterback. It’s just grandfather and grandson. That’s where it’s always been.”

Dodging the spotlight

SPORTS

Southern’s early flairnot enough

N.C. Centraldominates second half vs.Jaguars

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

ATLANTA— Southern football dialed up the right explosive plays early Saturday inits seasonopener.

On the first drive of the game, Jaguars starting quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy ripped off a69-yard carry up the middle against North Carolina Central for atouch-

down. Theelectricplay by thejunior Jackson State transfer was then outdone by LSU transfer running back Trey Holly in thesecondquarter On third and 2, the redshirtsophomore also split the middle of the defense and wrestled out of an ankle tackle to go 80 yards to the end zone. The dynamic scores gave Southern a14-10 lead and ignited the Jaguarsfan base, but they weren’table to sustain that effort in the second half. Southern lost 31-14 to North Carolina Centralinthe MEAC/SWAC Challenge atCenter ParcStadium. Southern lost its season opener for athird

straight season andnow trails itsall-time series against North Carolina Central 0-2. The Eagles won 27-20 on the road on Sept. 23,2006. McCoy finished thegame completing 9of 14 passesfor 71 yards and rushing for98 yards and atouchdown on nine carries. Holly had eight rushesfor 112 yards and a touchdown. The team’sleading tackler was safetyHoracio Johnson with 11. Southern wonthe coin toss andelected to defer,making fans wait to see who its newquarterback andstarting running back Mike Franklin, aJacksonville State transfer

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

BarionBrown realized he wasfastasa sophomoreat Pearl-Cohn High in Nashville, Tennessee. Why then?

“Uh, Iwon state in the 100, 200 and the 400 (meters), Brownsaid. Thatspeed helpedmake Brown one of thebest kickoffreturners in the country at Kentucky.In three years, he scored an SEC-record five touchdowns and set the school markfor career kickoff return average at 30.33 yards.

knowledge that we havegamebreakers,”LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “Weknow that they can flip the field.”

“I’m fast, but you’vegotta havea little patience,” Brown said. “Then hit the hole and see daylight.” Brown’sarrival hasgivenLSU anotheraccomplished kickoff returner, and it already had aproductive one in senior Zavion Thomas. With the two of them, plus redshirtjunior Aaron Anderson, LSU mayhave an advantage on specialteams.

SEASON PREVIEW

“I will tell you that we are working diligently with the

That’snot the only reason why Kelly thinks LSUcould improve on special teams. Afteranother season with special teams problems in 2024, LSUmadeafew changes. It parted with analyst Lester Erb —who Kelly had credited withdesigning schemes on special teamsfor the past threeyears —and defensive analyst BobDiaco becamethe defensive line coach at North Carolina after helping with special teams during his two LSUseasons. LSUthenhiredGrambling specialteams coordinatorAmanAnand as asenioranalyst.Last year,Grambling tied forsecondinthe FCSwith seven blockedkicks andfourblocked punts. It finished 14th nationally in kickoff coverage at 16.75 yards allowed perreturn.

“Whatever coach (Anand) got for me, I’vejust been takingthe coaching, listening,”Brown said. “But any opportunitythatI gettotakeitout, best believeI’ll be taking it out.

NorthCarolina Centralwas prepared as it methodically marched down the field 80 yards and founda way into theend zone, taking 6:31 off the clock. The Eagles’ attack washighlighted by its stout, experienced offensive line, which returned all five starters. The offensive line imposed its will, creating gaps for redshirt senior running back Christian Mosley who had 174 yards rushing and atouchdown on 15 carries —and giving redshirt senior quarterback Walker Harris plenty of time to throw

Saints end preseason with loss,no decision at quarterback

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Spencer Rattler had his chance to lock down the NewOrleans Saints’ quarterback competition. Tyler Shough had his chance to steal the spotlight. Instead,the twoquarterbacksremained neck and neck after the Saints’ 28-19 preseason loss Saturday to the DenverBroncos in the Caesars Superdome. Neither quarterback definitively created the separation that coach Kellen Moore was hoping to see, andnow the Saints endthe preseason with achoice on their hands. Does New Orleans start Rattler or Shough when it plays for real Sept. 7against the Arizona Cardinals? After three preseason games, the stats reflect the tightness of the competition. Rattler posted an 86.9 passer rating in three games to Shough’s81.8. On Saturday,Rattler went5of8for 43 yards while Shough went 12 of 20 for 102 yards with one rushing touchdownand one fumble.

I’ve seen enough.

Kellen Moore might not be ready to namethe NewOrleans Saints starting quarterback, but Iam. Spencer Rattler is the guy He’searned the right to start the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals in two weeks.

The second-year signal callerfrom South Carolina hasbeen themost consistent, efficientand productive quarterback on theroster since theSaintsstarted training camp amonth ago. He opened camp as thestarter with theones, andhis primary competitor,Tyler Shough, has been unable to unseat him. Ifully expect Moore to nameRattler the starter when he and the Saints brain trust get around to making the decision later this week.

“Ultimately,I know Ihave to makea Jeff Duncan

On TV

AUTO RACING

6:30 a.m. FIM MotoGP: GP ofHungary FS2

10:30 a.m.IndyNXT Series: The IndyNXT FS1

12:30 p.m. FIM MotocrossWorldChamp.CBSSN

1p.m. IndyCar:MilwaukeeMile 250 FOX

1p.m. The Michelin GT ChallengeUSA

4p.m. FIM MotocrossWorldChamp.CBSSN GOLF

6a.m. DP WT: Betfred British Masters Golf

11 a.m. PGA Tour:The TOUR Champ. Golf

noon LIV Golf League: Team Champ. FS1

12:30 p.m. PGATour Champ.:Ally Chall. Golf

BROADCASTHIGHLIGHTS

12:30 p.m. PGATour:TOURChampionship NBC

3p.m. LPGA: CPKC Women’sOpen CBS

3:30 p.m. LIV: Team Championships FOX

7p.m. U.S. Senior Women’sOpen Golf HORSE RACING

noon NyRA: SaratogaLiveFS2

4:30 p.m. NyRA: SaratogaLiveFS1

LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

9a.m. LLWS:Third-PlaceGame ESPN

2p.m. LLWS: ChampionshipABC MLB

12:30 p.m. N.y.Mets atAtlanta MLBN

3:30 p.m. L.A. Dodgers at San DiegoMLBN

6p.m.Boston at N.y.yankees ESPN MEN’S SOCCER

8a.m.EPL: Brighton &HoveAlbionUSA

10:30 a.m.EPL: Man. U. at Fulham USA

1:45 p.m.Serie A: ParmaatJuventusCBSSN

8p.m.MLS: Kansas City at SeattleFS1 TENNIS

11 a.m.

ATP/WTA:The U.S. Open ABC

2p.m.ATP/WTA: TheU.S.Open ESPN2

6p.m.ATP/WTA: The U.S. Open ESPN2 WNBA

6p.m.Indiana at MinnesotaCBSSN

Bechtstars forIowaState in win

By The Associated Press

DUBLIN RoccoBecht passed for twotouchdowns andran foranother score, helping No.22Iowa State beat No.17Kansas State 24-21 in theAer Lingus Classic on Saturday Becht was 14 for 28 for 183 yards. He found DominicOverby for a23-yard TD in the first quarter and passedtoBrettEskildsen fora24-yard scoreinthe third quarter

With 2:26 to go, Iowa State coach Matt Campbell had his team go foritonfourth and3atthe Kansas State 16-yard line.Becht found CarsonHansen for 15 yards and iced the game.

“He called agreat play,he gave me twoplaysand letme decide andIknew we were going to have achancetoget it,” Bechtsaid

“We’ve worked on it in practice and it’sbeen working for us and we’re confidentwithitand Ihave trust in my guys.”

The Cyclones (1-0, 1-0 Big12) opened a24-14 lead in the fourth quarter after aturnoverondowns by Kansas State at its own30yard line. Becht finished the short drive with a7-yard touchdown run with 6:38 left.

Avery Johnson passedfor 273 yards and two touchdowns for Kansas State (0-1, 0-1).Healso hada 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter

“I mean that’sthe thing, regardless of theoutcome we have 11 games to play,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We have our back against the wall, but now we’ve got to reset and regroup and get ready to play.”

Johnson threw a65-yard touchdown pass to Jerand Bradleywith 6:23 remaining, but the Wildcats never got the ball back.

Both teams struggled to deal with wet conditions in thefirst half. Kansas State had two turnoversand aturnover on downs while Iowa State committed two turnovers in the first 30 minutes.

“Wejust made some great adjustments,” Campbellsaid. “We saw some thingsdifferent in the

1

STARTING QB SURPRISE

Rocco Becht celebrates after scoring atouchdownduring agame between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin on Saturday.

first game and the opportunity to make some adjustments and to have the ability to do that,to havethe staff that’s been together for so long that we have the confidence to makethose adjustments.”

TheCyclones grabbeda 14-7 lead when Becht found Eskildsen in the corner of the end zonewith 1:07 left in the third quarter Johnson respondedwitha 37yard touchdown pass to Jayce Brown, tyingitat14with14:09 remaining in the game

Carson Hansen led Iowa State with 71yardsrushing on 16 carries. Joe Jackson had 51 yards on 12 carries for Kansas State.

“I thought that the (offensive line) did areally great job in the second half,” Campbell said. “Our

tight ends and o-line did agreatjob of execution andman Carson is a really greatplayer so we’re really proud of him.”

Iowa State hasbeat Kansas Stateinfive of thepast sixseasons. “I think those are great wins, any time youcan beat qualityopponents that’sawesome,” Campbellsaid. “Wegot alongway to go, it’sonly game one and there’s alot of football left and we’regoingtohavetosee if we’re tough enough as aprogram and team to go home and get ready for agood South Dakota team next week.”

Pop-Tartsunite

The matchup featured the past twochampions of thePop-Tarts Bowl. To celebrate, the Frosted

Wild Berry andFrosted Hot Fudge Sundae Pop-Tarts were on thesidelinesfor the showdown in Ireland.

Edwardsinjured

Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards wasinjured in the first quarter on apunt that he muffed. He didn’treturn to the game.

Thetakeaway

Becht looked like aveteran quarterback in thesecondhalf, leading his team with his arm and legs in acrucial opener

Up next

IowaState hosts South Dakota on Aug. 30, and Kansas State hosts North Dakota the sameday

Despite the 31-14 defeat, the Jaguarsplayedwith an edgeand aggression that stood out in the first half. LB Vincent Paige’sforced fumble and several powerful tackles by safety Horacio Johnson were examples of that. Southern competed well fora half against atitlecontending MEACteam, whichisa good sign the Jaguars will be competitiveinthe SWAC THREEAND OUT: TOyLOy

While Southerncontinuously said how competitivethe quarterback battle was in thepreseason, almosteveryone assumed Terrence Graveswould go withthe returner Jalen Woods, aredshirtsophomore, as the starter He instead allowedjunior Cam’Ron McCoy to runthe show.The JacksonState transfer was stunning with his legs as his first carry was a69yard rush to the end zone. Southernappearedto have chosen dynamism oversteadiness, and it doesn’t seem likethe wrong decision.

SOUTHERN

Continued from page3C

North Carolina Central did more of the same on its second drive until it reached Southern’s 4-yard line. On aquarterback scramble, Southern linebacker Vincent Paige forced afumble on the 1-yard line and Southern defensive back Elijah West pounced on the loose ball in the end zone for atouchback.

The Jaguars didn’tcapitalize on the takeaway after McCoy overthrew adeep ball that grazed wide receiver Darren Morris’ fingers. If caught, atouchdown was likely

The Jaguars did make up forthe missed opportunity as Holly got free with 1:57left before halftime for his touchdown to give Southern its only lead of the game.

The Eagles responded with a 49-yardrushing touchdownby Mosleyontheir first play of the next drive, takinga17-14 lead into halftime.

The Jaguars got the ball to start the second half and had an oppor-

2

ELECTRIC RB ROOM

Southern must love itsrunning back talent. Senior Mike Franklin and redshirtsophomore Trey Holly did exactly what the team hoped when they added them this offseason. Franklin, a transfer from Jacksonville State, looked every bitof6-foot-2,225 pounds and was aload up the middle. Holly,a transfer from LSU showedhis explosiveness with his 80-yard TD run. The duo clearly has the potentialtofeast in the SWAC

3

SOUTHERN’S POTENTIAL

Nicholls records bigwin vs. rival IncarnateWord

Ty Marsh returned an interception foratouchdown, Nicholls Stateheld Incarnate Word to 204 yardsofoffense, andthe Colonels defeated the Cardinals 20-6 on Saturdayinthe debut of Tommy Rybacki as coach of the Colonels. Nicholls prevailed in aclash between the two teams that have won sixofthe pastseven Southland Conference championships. Late in the second quarter,Marsh broke up aRichard Torres pass intended for Timothy Carter.Asthe ball caromed into the air,Marsh hauled it in andraced untouched the last 29 yards for a13-3 lead. Nicholls quarterback Deuce Hoganlater hit Karaaz Johnsonfor a 55-yard touchdown anda 20-6lead The Colonels defense did the rest for the win.

Henderson shares lead at CPKC Women’sOpen

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario— Canadian star Brooke Henderson holed out foreagle from agreenside bunker on the short par-4 17th to the delight of her large partisan gallery and shot a6-under 65 on Saturday forashare of the lead with Minjee Lee in the CPKCWomen’sOpen.

The 2018 champion at Wascana in Saskatchewan, Henderson had theeagle, sixbirdies andtwo bogeys in breezyand cloudy conditions at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club.

Lee shot a65tomatch Henderson at 11-under 202. The Australian player chipped in for birdie on the par-4 eighth, made alongeagle putt on the par-512th. She ranin an 8-footer for another eagle on the 17th, then chipped in again to save par on the par-4 18th.

Philliesace Wheeler set forseason-ending surgery

PHILADELPHIA— Philadelphia Philliesace Zack Wheeler was diagnosedwithvenousthoracicoutlet syndrome and will require additionalsurgery that’sexpected to sidelinehim forsix to eight months, the team announced Saturday Wheeler hada follow-up evaluation following asurgery on Aug. 18 to remove ablood clot from his upper right arm. After receiving asecond opinion, it was recommended Wheeler undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery in the coming weeks. Sucha surgery would threaten Wheeler’sability to start the 2026 season on time. Wheeler,35, was10-5 with a2.71 ERAin24starts in 1492/3 innings this season.His 195 strikeouts lead theNational League andhewas widely considered atop candidate in this year’sNLCyYoung race.

Xfinity Seriespointsleader

Zilisch lands aCup ride

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Connor Zilisch paused to compose himself before wiping away tears, then spent the next 20 minutes using his shirt as ahandkerchief. It wasanemotional promotion at Daytona International Speedway,even if it was one of the worst-kept secrets in NASCAR this season.

tunity to recapture thelead in the back-and-forth contest, butthey wentthree-and-out as the momentum permanently shifted to the Eagles. On fourth down, Southern ju-

nior punter Kenny Pham poorly

the ballfrom his own 27-

The Eagles capitalized on the

position and promptly scored witha3-yard passing touchdown

from Mosley to Kyle Morgan to takea24-14 lead.

TheJaguars’aerialattack

benefited from acouple of pass interference penalties called on their foe in the secondhalf, but Southernnever connected for a pass of more than 12 yards in the game Southern also wasn’table to recapture the magic it hadonthe ground in thefirst half as the defensive line forNorth Carolina Central was on high alert. The Eagles tackedonone more touchdown in the third quarter for a17-point lead, and neither team scored in the final quarter Returning redshirt sophomore quarterback Jalen Woodsrelieved McCoy with 6:12 left in the game.Hecompleted4 of 5 passes for 21 yards.

Southern will play atrue road contest next week when it faces fellowSouthwestern Athletic Conference opponent Mississippi Valley State at 4p.m. Saturdayat Rice–Totten Stadium in Itta Bena, Miss.

Email Toyloy BrownIII at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com.

Zilisch, a19-year-old phenom who has seven victories in NASCAR’ssecond-tier Xfinity Series, officially landed aCup ride for 2026 on Saturday.Itwas long expected to happen, so much so that Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks joked that “we’re here to shock theworld withan announcement that nobody saw coming.” Marks said Zilisch signed amultiyear contract to drive full time forTrackhouse next year

Ronaldo makes history with100 goalsfor 4clubs CristianoRonaldo becamethe first player to score 100 competitive goalsfor four clubs on Saturday,though Al-Nassr lost to Al-Ahli in apenalty shootout after the Saudi Super Cup final ended 2-2. The first-half strike at Hong Kong Stadium took the 40-year-old to hiscentury forthe SaudiArabian club, which he joined in December 2022.

It adds to his 450 goalsfor Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United and 101 for Juventus and moves Ronaldo ahead of the threeplayers who hadscored 100 times for three clubs: Isidro Langara, whoplayed in Spain from 1930 to 1948, as well as Brazilian stars Romario and Neymar

Browns beat Rams on a late field goal

By the Associated Press CLEVELAND — Andre Szmyt hit a 37-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Cleveland Browns to a 1917 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday

Jordan Waters scored on a 2-yard run with 2:08 remaining to put the Rams up 17-16, setting the stage for the Browns’ late drive.

Tyler Huntley came in after Shedeur Sanders struggled. Huntley drove the Browns 46 yards in six plays, which was capped off by Szmyt’s winning kick.

touchdown pass for the Texans (2-1). Allen was 5 of 5 for 66 yards and a score for Detroit (1-3).

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

As LSU’s players stretched before the last practice of preseason camp, videos about Clemson played on the screens inside Tiger Stadium. They showed coach Dabo Swinney leading Clemson’s pregame ritual of touching Howard’s Rock before running onto the field, then cut to highlights from LSU’s win over Clemson in the 2019 national championship game.

The practice Saturday night took place around the same time that No. 9 LSU will play No 4 Clemson in the season opener Saturday And with only a week until the game, LSU played things safe

The Tigers did not tackle live, and several key players were either limited or did not practice.

n Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier did not throw After a practice Aug. 15 when Nussmeier also did not throw, coach Brian Kelly said it was a case of load management. Nussmeier handed off several times Saturday, and he kept a zone read at the goal line against the scout team defense for a touchdown.

n Linebacker Whit Weeks participated in some drills, but he did not do everything. Kelly previously said LSU wanted to manage Weeks’ workload as he comes off an ankle injury that required surgery n Senior cornerback Mansoor Delane and senior defensive tackle Bernard Gooden did not do much n Redshirt junior center

Braelin Moore, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Nic Anderson and freshman offensive lineman Carius Curne did not practice. Moore did drills off to the side, while Curne and Anderson rode stationary bikes before practice. Anderson had KT tape on his lower left leg. All three are expected to

have key roles.

n Sophomore defensive tackle Dominick McKinley did not practice. McKinley, a projected starter, was not seen on the field. Here’s a rundown of everything else we saw during the practice, which was the last one open to media until the Clemson game.

Offensive takeaways

On the offensive line, LSU had Tyree Adams at left tackle, Paul Mubenga at left guard, DJ Chester at center, Josh Thompson at right guard and Weston Davis at right tackle. But without Moore and Curne, it was impossible to know if LSU has finalized the starting offensive line.

Barring an injury, that is not expected to be the starting five. Kelly has said Moore will play center It’s still unclear who will play left guard as Mubenga, Chester and redshirt freshman Coen Echols compete for the position Mubenga has taken a lot of the firstteam snaps in recent open periods.

Backup quarterback Michael Van Buren spent a lot of time with the first-team offense as Nussmeier rested his arm a good sign after Van Buren did not practice Monday Van Buren had jammed his right index finger last Saturday, Kelly said, but he was a full participant a few days later Van Buren struggled, missing several receivers. But he did complete a deep ball down the middle of the field for a 65-yard touchdown to wide receiver Zavion Thomas.

Defensive takeaways

LSU mixed its first- and second-team defense around a lot Saturday night. A handful of cornerbacks

got playing time as LSU figures out who will start on the other side of Delane. Junior Ashton Stamps, freshman DJ Pickett and sophomore PJ Woodland all got work.

Redshirt sophomore transfer Ja’Keem Jackson and redshirt freshman Michael Turner also saw snaps with the backups.

When Whit Weeks was not on the field, sophomore Davhon Keys played linebacker next to senior West Weeks. Harold Perkins played a lot of snaps at the Star position, and he either blitzed or rushed off the edge several times.

At safety, it has become abundantly clear that Houston transfer AJ Haulcy and NC State transfer Tamarcus Cooley will start. Sophomore Dashawn Spears and junior Javien Toviano played on the second-team defense.

Up front, LSU gave defensive end Jack Pyburn some rest, so Nebraska transfer Jimari Butler had more playing time. Sixth-year senior Jacobian Guillory and sophomore Ahmad Breaux played more at defensive tackle as South Florida transfer Bernard Gooden rested most of the night and McKinley did not practice.

Sophomore defensive end Gabriel Reliford had several nice pass rush reps as he continues to impress heading into the season.

Other participation notes

Freshman linebacker Keylan Moses, redshirt freshman edge rusher CJ Jackson and junior safety Austin Ausberry did not practice. Jackson wore a walking boot on his right foot.

Freshman offensive lineman Solomon Thomas continues to recover from a broken bone in his left foot, which sidelined him throughout the preseason. Thomas did not have to use a scooter, as he has for the past few weeks. He’s still wearing a walking boot.

Huntley was signed to Cleveland’s roster after injuries at quarterback early in training camp. He moved the Browns 46 yards in six plays, completing his only pass for 7 yards. The veteran also had a 9-yard scramble to the Rams 24yard line.

Dresser Winn went the distance for the Rams (21) and completed 15 of 23 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. Waters finished with 41 yards on six carries.

TEXANS 26, LIONS 7: In Detroit, Kyle Allen threw a 33yard, go-ahead touchdown pass late in the first quarter to rookie Isaac TeSlaa, solidifying their roles with the Lions in a loss to the Houston Texans.

Allen has established himself as Jared Goff’s backup, beating out Hendon Hooker, and TeSlaa earned a spot in the receiver rotation behind AmonRa St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

Rookie quarterback Graham Mertz was 14 of 16 for 145 yards with a 6-yard

COLTS 41, BENGALS 14: In Cincinnati, third-string quarterback Riley Leonard completed 15 of 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown as the Indianapolis Colts beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Neither team played its starters. Bengals quarterback and former LSU star Joe Burrow, who completed 18 of 24 passes for 185 yards and three TDs this preseason, sat this one out, as did his backup, Jake Browning. Desmond Ridder started for the Bengals (1-2) and completed 8 of 20 passes for 75 yards with an interception and a rushing TD. Colts safety Daniel Scott picked off Ridder’s pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to put Indy (1-2) ahead 10-0 in the first quarter

RAVENS 30, COMMANDERS 3: In Landover, Maryland, Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop made all three of his field goal attempts — including one from 61 yards — as the Ravens routed the Washington Commanders.

Sam Hartman threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in the second quarter for Washington (0-3).

Keyon Martin, who contributed a safety in the Ravens’ previous preseason game against Dallas, picked off a pass and ran it back 26 yards for a touchdown to give Baltimore a 24-3 lead over the Commanders.

Washington, which is trading running back Brian Robinson to San Francisco, gave Chris Rodriguez a few carries early He gained 34

yards on five attempts. Cooper Rush completed all five of his passes for Baltimore, and Rasheen Ali opened the scoring with a 9-yard run. D’Ernest Johnson made it 14-0 with a 1-yard run in the second quarter

PACKERS 20, SEAHAWKS 7: In Green Bay, Wisconsin, Malik Willis bounced back from an early interception and threw a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs as the Green Bay Packers defeated the Seattle Seahawks. Green Bay (2-1) forced four turnovers and sacked rookie Jalen Milroe five times. With the Seahawks (1-11) resting starting quarterback Sam Darnold and backup Drew Lock, Milroe played the whole game and lost three fumbles. The third-round pick from Alabama went 13 of 24 for 148 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 31 yards on seven carries.

DOLPHINS 14, JAGUARS 6: In Miami Gardens, Florida, Tua Tagovailoa threw a 25yard touchdown pass and was sacked twice in his only action of the preseason, and the Miami Dolphins beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mike Boone ran for a 7-yard touchdown for Miami (2-0-1), and Jacksonville’s Cam Little kicked field goals of 59 and 43 yards. While the Jaguars (0-2-1) rested their starters, many of the Dolphins’ regulars played into the second quarter in the teams’ preseason finale. Tagovailoa completed 4 of 8 passes for 49 yards. After the TD, he connected with reserve tight end Pharaoh Brown for a 2-point conversion.

Anand does not have the title of special teams coordinator, but that is essentially his job. And Kelly said he changed how LSU coaches special teams. It now organizes players into specific position groups, so gunners and upbacks get individual coaching. Then, the pieces are reassembled to practice an entire unit.

“I think he breaks special teams down to its fundamental form,” Kelly said. “Many coordinators that I’ve had at the position were much more unit-driven. Meaning, you send your 11 guys out on punt and you work on punt Or you send your 11 guys out on kickoff return, and all you do is kickoff return We’re much more in pods.

“It has really resonated with our players in the sense that they really feel like they’re being coached from a technical standpoint.” LSU needs the changes to work.

Some parts of its special teams improved last season.

LSU had an actual threat in the return game for the first time in Kelly’s tenure with Thomas, who finished

second in the country with 633 kickoff return yards and scored a touchdown in the Texas Bowl. Anderson also returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and kickoff specialist Aeron Burrell was an almost automatic touchback. But, once again, LSU had issues. It ranked 112th in the FBS in punt return average with no touchdowns, unable to spring Thomas loose. When Burrell did not kick a touchback, LSU allowed 22.38 yards per return, which ranked 103rd in the country There were multiple malfunctions with the field goal team, and LSU was last in the SEC with an average of 39.6 yards per punt.

“Other than a couple of returns we had, we didn’t flip the field with our feet,” Kelly said. “In other words, we didn’t flip the field very often with the punt game. We need to flip the field and put the pressure on offenses. We didn’t do a very good job of that last year

“So, as much as it is about returns, we gotta flip the field, too. And then let our defense get the ball back for our offense on a short field Those are some of the things we’re really focused on.” LSU tried to address its punting issues by signing

Grant Chadwick, who averaged 43.4 yards per punt as a freshman last season at Middle Tennessee State. Kelly said Chadwick “has been really good all camp,” adding that he thinks Chadwick will be able to pin offenses deep the way LSU needs him to.

Chadwick also has a role on a field goal unit with two new players. Chadwick replaced Peyton Todd, who transferred to UL-Monroe after spring practice, as the holder And LSU has a new long snapper in fifth-year senior Jonathan Ferguson. They have to make things smooth for senior kicker Damian Ramos, which did not happen in a few critical moments last season. Using a Trackman simulator, director of performance innovation

Jack Marucci helped Ramos increase his leg speed from 67 mph to 71 mph while trying to improve his distance.

At the root of everything, Kelly thinks the specialists will be helped by the way the new coaching improves the rest of the players around them.

“Then, plug in some playmakers, right?” Kelly said. “They all become, now, better because we’re so much more technically sound in all those areas.”

SAINTS PRESEASON

ROD WALKER SHARES WHAT HE LEARNED DURING SAINTS’ PRESEASON FINALE VS. BRONCOS

WHO’S QB1?

Kellen Moore said the race to land the starting quarterback job was “really, really close.”We didn’t really see anything change that Saturday. Ideally, Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough would have played well enough to make you say “OK he’s the guy.” Neither did that. Shough had the better day, leading a scoring drive in the second half. Rattler seemed to have the lead going into the game, but he didn’t seal the deal. Best guess here is Rattler (30-43-295, 1 TD, 1 INT in preseason) will get the nod over Shough (36-53-333, 1 TD, 1 INT) for the season opener 2

THE GOOD AND BAD For the first time this preseason, we got a good look at the first-team defense. Most of the starters were held out of the first two games, but they got some work this time against Sean Payton’s offense. They forced a three-and-out on the first series and allowed just 4 yards rushing on their three series. They did give up a big 43yard pass, though. Also on the bad side of things is an injury to yet another O-lineman. Swing tackle Landon young had to be carted off the field, a big blow to a unit that has struggled in the preseason.

SAINTS NOTEBOOK

3

JUST

FOR KICKS

If you play fantasy football, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to draft kicker Blake Grupe. Two years ago, the Saints had a training camp battle between Grupe and Wil Lutz. The Saints chose Grupe, a decision that many (myself included) questioned. But Grupe has proven himself. That’s been even more evident this training camp. Grupe made three field goals, including a 56-yarder, Saturday. He missed just one field goal throughout the entire training camp. With the way the Saints offense looks, Grupe may be counted on often.

Injuries mount on Saints offensive line

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

A New Orleans Saints offensive line that already has been beset by injuries this month may have suffered another blow in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Denver Broncos.

Landon Young, who filled in as the team’s starting right tackle for regular starter Taliese Fuaga (knee), had to be carted off the field in the second quarter Coach Kellen Moore said after the game that Young injured his ankle, but he didn’t offer any insight as to the severity of the injury Young likely was going to be the swing tackle this season, serving as the primary backup at both offensive tackle spots. If his injury requires a lengthy recovery, the Saints could be in the market for a new player in that role.

New Orleans already has lost two backup offensive linemen to injuries in Will Clapp and Nick Saldiveri, both of whom already were placed on season-ending injured reserve. Starting left guard Trevor Penning is also dealing with a right toe injury that puts his availability for the start of the 2025 season in doubt.

Entering his fifth season, Young has provided depth at both tackle and guard since the team selected

Continued from page 3C

decision, and it’s a challenging one, because these guys have put everything into this,” Moore said “They’ve been very, very close.

“We’ll watch (the game tape) tomorrow We’ll navigate it, and we’ll make the decision early.”

As has been the case throughout the preseason, the Saints’ 28-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Saturday did little to delineate the competition. Rattler didn’t exactly light up the Denver defense, completing 5 of 8 passes for 43 yards for a 76.6 passer efficiency rating. More importantly, he managed

him in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. He appeared in 56 games with 12 starts during his first four years in New Orleans.

Neal impresses Rookie running back Devin Neal had to wait until the preseason finale to show what he can do in a New Orleans Saints uniform, but he made a positive impression.

Neal turned his seven touches into 30 yards — five rushes for 20 yards and two catches for 10 yards.

His first carry as a professional went for 5 yards up the gut, and he added a 9-yard catch and run to move the chains on third down on the team’s lone touchdown drive.

“He’s a beast,” quarterback Tyler Shough said “His savviness is what stands out to me. In the run game, he’s really a power runner but he’s got some finesse. And he’s also extremely capable in the pass game as we’ve seen in practices running some of these choice routes, he’s been getting open almost every single time.”

Neal missed several weeks of training camp and the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury — a crucial time for a sixthround rookie trying to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster before cuts next week As far as first impressions go, his

the offense well against the Broncos starting defense and avoided negative plays. As much as anything, that might be the recipe for success this year because this Saints team figures to have little margin for error

“Obviously, it’s not my decision to make,” Rattler said when asked about the QB battle. “I’m just trying to put my best foot forward. I feel confident (in my ability), but obviously there’s more out there to get.”

If this QB competition were a boxing match, it would be decided on points. No one recorded a knockout. Three preseason games and weeks of workouts did little to separate the two In three exhibition games, Rattler completed 69.7% of his

went well.

“It was great for Devin to get in there,” Moore said. “I thought from a protection standpoint — a pass-catching, run game — I thought he had a couple on that drive with Tyler late in the game, in the fourth quarter, he had some big-time plays.

“You can just tell he’s a really smart player He’s a very heady player He did some good things for us.”

Vele debut on hold

Devaughn Vele didn’t get a chance to play against his former Denver Broncos teammates.

Vele, whom the Saints acquired from the Broncos on Wednesday in a trade, did not play in the preseason finale in the Superdome.

New Orleans acquired Vele for a pair of future draft picks, but he did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

Vele is one of several Saints players who did not dress out for Saturday’s contest, joining Alontae Taylor (groin), Penning (toe), Fuaga (knee), defensive tackle John Ridgeway (pectoral), safety Terrell Burgess and defensive back Rico Payton

Alvin Kamara made his preseason debut but played just one offensive snap before yielding the field to Kendre Miller

passes (30 of 43) for 295 yards with one touchdown pass, one interception and one lost fumble. Shough completed 67.9% of his passes (36 of 53) for 333 yards and a touchdown. He also had an interception, a lost fumble and a rushing touchdown, which came Saturday on an 11-yard keeper around left end against Denver

“Obviously, it’s close, because we haven’t made a decision yet,” Shough said. “I think both of us have done a really good job, as far as week to week, day to day just competing. We’ll see. Whatever the case may be, I’m going to be happy.”

It’s a difficult call no matter which way Moore goes. As I see it, Rattler has two things working in his favor His experience from

Saints finally turn starting defense loose

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

It took until the last day of the preseason, but the New Orleans Saints defense is no longer a theory

After resting the overwhelming majority of the defensive starters for the first two weeks of the preseason, the Saints turned them loose for three defensive series against the Denver Broncos starters in Saturday’s 28-19 loss.

It wasn’t perfect, and the box score wasn’t especially impressive Denver scored 10 points in three possessions against the Saints starters — but that side of the ball offered a glimpse of hope for a team many are considering an afterthought before the 2025 season begins.

The Denver starting offense ran 19 plays against the Saints defense. Twelve of them gained 2 or fewer yards, including six run stuffs.

“Love the energy, love the effort, love the physicality,” coach Kellen Moore said. “I feel like our guys were in position to compete each and every play.”

The only projected starter not to play Saturday was Alontae Taylor, who is expected to play a crucial role as the star position in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme once he returns from a groin injury The rest were on the field making things challenging for a talented Denver offense.

The Saints forced the Broncos to go three-and-out on their opening possession — with key offseason acquisition Davon Godchaux doing the thing he was brought in for: stuffing a run. Denver was set up for success on its next drive after a 47-yard kick return but found the going tough again.

The Broncos had to convert a third and 9 and a fourth and 5 to keep that drive going, with the latter being converted by an expertly placed Bo Nix throw to Courtland Sutton for 14 yards. No other play on that 11-play drive went for more than 3 yards, and

the Broncos had to settle for a short field goal.

Even Denver’s touchdown drive probably should have been a threeand-out. Saints linebacker Demario Davis showed he hadn’t lost a step at 36 years old, chasing receiver Marvin Mims sideline to sideline on a jet sweep to make a tackle for no gain

An incompletion on the ensuing play set up a second and 20 from deep inside Denver territory, but the referees issued a questionable penalty on Davis for unsportsmanlike conduct, gifting Denver a new set of downs. Two plays after the penalty, Sutton lost Kool-Aid McKinstry with a corner route, and Nix hit him for a gain of 43 yards to flip the field. Three plays after that, Sutton beat safety Julian Blackmon on a contested catch for a 19-yard score. It was an imperfect debut, but one that left the defensive players and coaches pleased, especially because this was their first time to play in live game action together

“It was very exciting to get out there and see how prepared we were to go against a Denver team that some headlines say is going to be in the Super Bowl,” Davis said. “To be that ready to go is very exciting.”

The main goal is to get as many of those starters to Week 1 as possible, but those players also have to be ready

“You have to be careful with your older guys and your starters, because you do want them to get those live reps, but you really don’t want to lose anybody with bullets that don’t count,” Davis said. “So there’s a lot that has to go into the management of it, and I think they’ve done a good job of making us as prepared as we can be for Week 1.”

Barring something unforeseen in the next week, the Saints appear on track to have most everybody available against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7.

“We’ve warmed the water,” defensive end Cam Jordan said. “Hopefully it’ll be boiling in 15 days.”

a year ago is an important trump card for a veteran offensive unit that probably isn’t enamored with the idea of waiting for a starting quarterback to figure things out. Likewise, Rattler’s ability to extend plays with his legs will be crucial for an offense that might have issues upfront. Starting left guard Trevor Penning and right tackle Taliese Fuaga are nursing injuries, and the starting offensive line has looked ominously leaky at times throughout the preseason. While Shough has shown steady growth and improvement, he’s still not quite there. You can see the traits that led the Saints to select him in the second round. The athleticism. The arm talent. The poise and maturity There’s a lot to like,

but understandably, he’s still a little rough around the edges. Throwing Shough to the wolves right now would be a mistake. At the risk of using a Dennis Allen analogy, Shough needs more time to bake in the oven. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Patrick Mahomes didn’t start as a rookie. Neither did Jalen Hurts. Those two guys have combined to win the last three Super Bowls. Shough eventually might be the man for the Saints, but he’s not now His time will come. Nothing he has done so far should diminish your or the Saints’ opinion of him. But, at least for now, Rattler should be the starter He’s earned it. No. 2 is No. 1.

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

The last time Donaldsonville beat St. James was back in 2020, with the recent results of this District 7-3A rivalry being in favor of the Wildcats

St. James has been one of the best teams in the state recently, having reached the Division III nonselect state championship game in backto-back seasons. The Wildcats cruised to a 3-0 district record in 2024, with Donaldsonville finishing runner-up in Darnell Lee’s first season as the Tigers coach Donaldsonville enters 2025 with a more experienced roster and a new offensive play caller in Sterling Mobley Lee, a veteran coach in the Baton Rouge area, will call the plays on defense.

“We have some experience returning but are still young,” Lee said. “You should see a difference with our new offensive coordinator I’m liking what I’m seeing.”

St. James returns several players from last season’s state runnerup team, including senior running back Kani King-Young and senior wide receiver Jakias Villanueva. King-Young was the Wildcats leading rusher with over 1,000 yards, and Villanueva was the leading receiver

“Kani King-Young is a great running back with a high football IQ,” St. James coach LaVanta Davis said. “He’s a well-rounded back We’re expecting great things from Jakias (Villanueva). He plays big, so we’ll be looking to stretch the field.”

King-Young and Villanueva also serve as key pieces on special teams. King-Young is the Wildcats kicker and punter, and Villanueva is a return specialist

Another important piece returning for St. James is sophomore quarterback Ja’Juan Jackson, who started under center as a freshman last season.

“Ja’Juan (Jackson) is a humble kid with good energy and a positive attitude,” Davis said. “He progressed throughout the year last year, and we’re looking for him to take the next step “

Other key skill players for St James include seniors Landon Gravois and Kanye Zenon. The Wildcats have multiple two-way players along the offensive and defensive lines, such as junior Kain Graviois.

The St. James defense returns senior linebacker Nolan Zenon and strong safety Jye Blaine, a junior Zenon recorded 23 tackles in the state championship game, just two shy of the state title game record.

“Nolan (Zenon) was really good last year,” Davis said. “He and Jye (Blaine) are our vocal leaders on defense.”

Sophomore Skyler Garrison took over at quarterback for Donaldsonville down the stretch as a freshman and is set to be the fulltime starter under center

Garrison has dual-threat ability and ideal size at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. Khy Jones is among the top returning skill players and currently holds an offer from Southern Jones, a junior, is a two-way starter at wide receiver and cornerback. Senior Donald Brown also goes both ways at wide receiver and safety

Senior Quinnton “Tank” Dabney was the team’s second leading receiver from last season but is expected to play more at running back in 2025. Anthony Johnson is another running back expected to

see significant work.

The offensive line has four returning starters. Twins Rayshawn and Tre’Shawn Dunham are senior anchors at guard and center and start on defense.

“The twins are four-year starters at guard and center who also start at defensive tackle,” Lee said. “We have a new strength coach, so

Nevada set to face Taiwan in Little League World Series final

BY ALEXANDRA WENSKOSKI

and AMANDA VOGT

Associated Press

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa

Garrett Gallegos homered and pitched five innings to help Nevada beat Connecticut 8-2 in their Little League World Series semifinal on Saturday, setting up a title game against Taiwan.

The Las Vegas team is looking for Nevada’s first title, and Taiwan is going for its first since 1996 and No. 18 overall. It lost the title game last year to Florida.

The teams play Sunday for the championship.

“Really haven’t taken a moment to data dump right now on Taiwan,” Nevada manager T.J. Fescher said.

“They’re a great, standout group of kids.” When Garrett crossed home plate after hitting the first pitch of the fourth inning over the fence in right

field, teammate Jayden Lee lifted Garrett’s helmet off him and they walked back into the dugout. The crowd chanted his name.

Grayson Miranda had a key at-bat in Nevada’s three-run first. With the bases loaded, he battled through an 0-2 count, fouling off several pitches. After a wild pitch scored Nevada’s first run, Grayson on the at-bat’s 12th pitch — drove in two more with a dribbling single into right field. Connecticut cut into the lead with its aggressive baserunning With runners on second and third on the move, Jimmy Taxiltaridis hit a bouncer to third base.

Infielder Cache Malan was indecisive and S.J. Taxiltardis crossed home. Down 4-2 in the fifth, the Fairfield, Connecticut, team put runners on first and second with one out But Ben Herbst, rounding third, got caught in a rundown. Garrett then recorded his eighth strikeout, ending the inning.

Nevada added four more runs in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single for Cutter Ricafort. In the international semi-

final at Lamade Stadium, Liu Wei-Heng pitched 5 1/3 innings to help Taiwan to a 1-0 win over Aruba.

The game’s only run came after Chen Shi-Hong opened the third inning with a fullcount walk. He advanced on a passed ball and a single, then scored on an errant throw from third baseman Liam Peña Caraballo.

Facing runners on second and third with nobody out, Aruba pitcher Jayderick Wederfoor limited the damage by escaping the jam.

Liu allowed four hits and struck out seven, leading his team from Taipei to its third shutout in four games at the tournament.

Aruba threatened in its last at-bat when Emerson Mercado hit a leadoff single and advanced on a passed ball. Liam drew a one-out walk, and the runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt. But Chen Qi-Sheng struck out Prinze Kingsale, ending the game.

Taiwan plans to start Lin Chin-Tse, who can throw 80 mph, in the final.

SAINTS

we’re hoping to see the difference from the kids.”

The rest of the district consists of St. Mary Parish programs Patterson and Berwick.

“Coach (Darnell) Lee does a great job (at Donaldsonville),” Davis said. “Patterson played us tough last year.”

This year’s district matchup between St. James and Donaldsonville is scheduled in Week 8 on Oct. 24 at St. James.

“Berwick will be much improved,” Lee said. “They were young last year Our district will be tough.”

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

Continued from page 3C

“I know I have to make a decision, and it’s a challenging one because these guys have put everything into this,” Moore said. “They’ve been very very close.” Entering Saturday, signs pointed to Rattler being in pole position to win the job. WhileMooredownplayedthe significance of the secondyear quarterback getting another preseason start with the first team, the reality was that Rattler was picked to start two of the team’s three preseason games If he had done well enough to earn those reps, the logical assumption was Rattler could secure his status with a splashy performance.

But in three drives, Rattler didn’t have the kind of defining moment he had last week — when he led a game-tying touchdown drive in the final minutes of a tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Against the starting Denver defense, Rattler managed to lead the Saints to two field goals. Chris Olave appeared to be his favorite target as they connected on three passes for 29 yards.

The Saints first settled for a 56-yard field goal by Blake Grupe and later a 48-yarder But there were opportunities that Rattler missed. On the Saints’ opening drive, his third-down pass to Brandin Cooks was broken up by AllPro cornerback Patrick Surtain — a play that could have benefited from Devaughn Vele’s size, though the recently acquired 6-foot-5 receiver did not play against his former team. On the next series, Rattler was behind on a post route that Rashid Shaheed potentially could have taken for a touchdown if it had been completed.

Rattler’s third drive wasn’t better He was stopped short of the first down on a fourthand-1 quarterback sneak, resulting in a turnover on downs. The Broncos soon kicked a field goal to take a 13-6 lead. If Rattler’s performance opened the door for Shough, the rookie didn’t sprint through it.

It took Shough a few drives to settle in. Before his fourth series, Shough was spotty on throws, opted for checkdowns and committed a costly turnover when he fumbled inside the Saints’ 20-yard line. Shough’s strip-sack fumble

led to a Broncos’ touchdown when running back Audric Estime hit the hole for a 5-yard score. Shough did find a rhythm. Just as he did after his picksix in New Orleans’ preseason opener two weeks ago, the second-rounder bounced back impressively Over the next 12 plays, Shough diced the Denver secondary as he methodically led the Saints down the field.Shoughcompleted6of8 passes for 57 yards, with the two incompletions the result of a throwaway and a drop. To finally get New Orleans in the end zone, Shough took off on a read-option for an 11-yard touchdown. On the play, Shough scanned the defense and saw two defenders crashing in on running back Devin Neal creating the opening for Shough to pull it. The rookie’s instincts on such plays have been a constant all summer, and the ability adds an extra layer to the run game.

Shough’s score, which cut Denver’s lead to 22-16, was what Moore needed to see. Rather than let the quarterback lead a potential comeback drive on the following series, the coach opted to put inthird-stringerJakeHaener Now Moore is left with one big decision.

OUTDOORS

Time to prepare for hunting

Dove season kicks things off Sept. 6

BY JOE MACALUSO

Contributing writer

Time flies, maybe not fast enough to shake this summer’s heat, but fast enough that the opening of our monthslong hunting seasons is days away

Yep, the first day of the first of three segments of the dove season is Sept. 6, and hunters might want to use this week to make sure their shotguns are ready and they have the right shotshells to take afield Hunters 18 and older need the proper licenses, which include a no-fee Harvest Information Program certificate for hunting all migratory birds and waterfowl.

The HIP is available when purchasing hunting licenses or on the Wildlife and Fisheries website att wlf.louisiana.gov

If you’re planning to hunt during teal season, get the proper federal and state waterfowl stamps. Remember there’s a check-off for donating to the Hunters for the Hungry program when getting licenses, and grab the Louisiana Hunting Regulations pamphlet from the license vendor for information on hunting seasons and regulations on both private and state/ federal public lands.

Dove hunting has an unusual bag limit. It’s 15 per day for mourning and whitewing doves (yes, we have whitewings showing up in our fields), and a possession limit of 45 after your third hunting day

There’s a provision made for two nonnative dove species — the Eurasian collared dove and ringed turtle dove. There is no limit on

these two species as long as the hunter leaves a fully feathered wing and head on the birds when taking them from the field and transporting them home. If you fully dress either or both species, then you have to count them in your 15-bird daily limit.

Make sure you’re not hunting over bait or in a field that could be considered as “baited.” There are lots of eyes around, and federal and state enforcement folks will patrol throughout the season. There’s always a few baiting cases made every year, and violators face federal courts, not state courts, for penalties.

Leased fields Wildlife and Fisheries has leased fields near DeRidder and Colfax only for the Sept. 6 opening day of dove season. Other hunting opportunities are available on 12 wildlife management areas and on the U.S. Forest Service Calcasieu Ranger District Vernon Unit. Hunts on the two leased fields begin at half an hour before sunrise. Hunters 18 and older must pay a $10 fee (plus a “convenience” fee) to get an access permit. The $10 fee is waived for hunters 17 and younger The agency’s registration website is la.accessgov.com/ dove-hunts/Forms/Page/dovehunts/registration/. Hunters can bring only nontoxic shot No. 6 size and smaller to the leased-field hunts — no lead shot — and retriever dogs are allowed. ATVs will be allowed but might be restricted to roads if fields are wet. The 365-acre DeRidder site is

limited to 285 hunters and is on U.S. 190 about 5 miles west of the intersection with La. 171 and La. 27. Fields are on the north and south side of the highway Call LDWF’s Lake Charles field office at (337) 491-2575 for more information. The 200-acre Colfax hunt is on the south side of La. 492 about 2.5 miles west of the U.S. 71/La. 492 intersection. Call the Pineville field office at (318) 487-5885 for more information.

Both fields will open at 5 a.m. Wildlife management areas with dove fields or dove hunting opportunities are Bodcau, Boeuf, Clear Creek, Elbow Slough, Esler Field, John Franks, Pointe-auxChenes, Richard Yancey, Russell Sage, Sabine, Sandy Hollow and West Bay For details on these areas, go to the agency’s website at wlf.louisiana.gov/page/dovefields.

Ticks off

With dove and teal seasons ahead — and deer hunters venturing out to tend to food plots, and getting stands and blinds ready — it’s no secret that in swamps and marshes little critters are ready to make a hunter’s life miserable. Rain and heat have increased the chance to run into ticks and mosquitoes in the coming weeks, and no promise of cooler weather will shake these insects’ thirst for blood.

The folks who stay up to date with these things tell us this year’s emergency room visits are the highest since 2017 for diseases such as West Nile Virus, which are carried by mosquitoes. Ticks are second on the list for transmitting diseases.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR

To protect yourself, wear the proper clothing in dove fields, in the woods and in the marshes. No shorts, please, and long-sleeved shirts, properly tucked, with long pants tucked into boots are good ways to protect against ticks Also, use repellent to deter mosquitoes.

Get started, moms Wildlife and Fisheries is offering its annual mother-child FUN (Families Understanding Nature) Camp on Oct. 10-11 at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center in Baton Rouge. It’s a time for mothers to bond in the outdoors with children ages 10-13.

This camp usually fills up fast Space is limited and preregistration is required. There’s a $50 registration fee for a mother and one child, with a $25 fee for an additional child. The limit is two children per family Meals, lodging and supplies — including tents — are included in the fee, but families need to bring bedding and sleeping bags. The agency’s registration website is wlf.louisiana.gov/page/funcamp. Need more info? Email Kaleib Taylor at ktaylor@wlf.la.gov or Zachary Bell at zbell2@wlf.la.gov

Snapper count

Through Aug. 10, Wildlife and Fisheries marine fisheries managers estimate the private recreational red snapper take stands at 630,445 pounds. That’s 70.4% of our state’s 894,955-pound annual allocation, and it shows an increase of 18,692 pounds from the Aug. 3 estimate take in LA Creel surveys

Cantlay, Fleetwood tied for PGA lead

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

ATLANTA By the time Patrick Cantlay wrapped up his fourth birdie in the last five holes for a 6-under 64 to take the lead, and Tommy Fleetwood dried himself off from a double bogey with a pair of birdies for a 67 to catch him, the Tour Championship was left with tantalizing possibilities.

At stake on the final day of the season was the FedEx Cup. And the Ryder Cup. There was Fleetwood, embracing yet another chance to get his first PGA Tour title. There was Scottie Scheffler, who wins all the time.

And right in the thick of it was Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, one of five Americans among the top nine players at East Lake under consideration for a captain’s pick.

As if he hasn’t been weighing this possibility enough already, Bradley registered for the tournament next to a room celebrating the 1963 matches at East Lake. There was the bag of Arnold Palmer, the last one to be a playing captain.

“It was really weird looking at it,” Bradley said Saturday after a 63, which he called his best round of the year “Like really strange. Because I’m nowhere in the world of Arnold Palmer and somehow I’m in this with him right now.” Saturday was plenty entertaining, even on a dreary day when rain was never far away Fleetwood seized control with four straight birdies early, only to lose the lead when a 6-iron in the water on the 220-yard 15th hole, where the back tee and peninsula green added to 10 shots in the water — eight more than the opening two rounds combined.

As he crouched to read his bogey putt, a video board in front of him showed him he was about to lose his lead — unaware Cantlay was about to bury a bending, 25-foot birdie on the 17th.

“It was just one bad swing on a very tough hole and that’s what can happen,” Fleetwood said. He responded by hitting pitching wedge from a bunker to 12 feet for birdie and wedge to 9 feet for a birdie on the next, allowing him to catch Cantlay at 16-under 194.

They were two shots ahead of Henley, who birdied the 18th for a 69. Fleetwood endured a two-shot swing on the final hole to Bradley that cost him at the Travelers Championship. He lost a two-shot lead with three to play at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. This is his third time with at least a share of the 54hole lead in his last six events.

All he wanted was another chance, and this is another great one.

“That’s what everybody wants,” Fleetwood said.

“I am lucky enough that I get to be one of those guys, so I’m having the time of my life out there and I’m playing great and I’ve got to enjoy it while it’s happening. You never know

“Tomorrow might be my time, it might not, but I’ll still have a great time doing it.”

Cantlay looked to be all business dressed in black and wielding the control off the tee and a reliable putter that has made him such a consistent threat over the years. He began working with putting guru Phil Kenyon a few weeks ago, mainly on setup, trying to get an edge. It appears to be working. His low round of the year coming into East Lake had been 65 He has shot 64 twice in three days.

“It’s nice to close the way I did, especially the last two days,” Cantlay said “I’m pleased with where I’m at.”

Cantlay, winless in three years might have assured his spot at Bethpage Black. Even at 15th in the Ryder Cup standings, he was seen as logical choice given how he performed under pressure in Rome and at the Presidents Cup last year in Montreal.

Now he has a chance to win the FedEx Cup for the second time.

“It’s always nice to have your game shape up at the end of the year, but like I said, I’m focused 100% on this week, and we’ll worry about the Ryder Cup a little later,” he said.

Orleans 3. NO_FGGrupe 49, 2:39.Drive: 8plays,31 yards, 3:39. KeyPlays:V.Jones kick returnto New Orleans 38; Rattler 10pass toOlave on 3rd-and-14. New Orleans 6, Denver3 Second Quarter Den_Sutton 19 pass from Nix (Lutz kick), 13:34. Drive: 7plays,97yards, 4:05. Key

SCOREBOARD

Plays:C.Jackson kick return to Denver 23; Nix 43 pass to Sutton. Denver10, New Orleans6 Den_FGLutz 29, 6:35. Drive: 8plays,36yards, 4:58. KeyPlays:Watson 4run on 3rd-and-5; Ehlinger 19 run on 4th-and-1; Watson 5run on 3rd-and-16. Denver13, New Orleans 6. NO_FGGrupe 48, 1:56. Drive: 11 plays,40 yards, 4:39. KeyPlays:Price kick returnto New Orleans 30; Shough 12 pass to Stoll; Shough 4pass to Tipton on 3rd-and-3; Shough 3pass to Wilson on 3rd-and-10. Denver13, New Orleans 9. Den_FGLutz 25, :13. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 1:43. KeyPlays:Badie kick returntoDenver 30; Ehlinger 13 pass to Newton; Ehlinger 11 pass to Krull on 3rd-and-9; Ehlinger 27 pass to Krull. Denver16, New Orleans 9. ThirdQuarter Den_Estime 5run (pass failed), 3:00.Drive: 4plays,19yards, 2:11. KeyPlay: Ehlinger 14 pass to Bryant on 3rd-and-10.Denver22, New Orleans 9. Fourth Quarter NO_Shough 11 run (Smyth kick),13:19 Drive: 13 plays,77yards, 4:41. KeyPlays: Daniels kick return to New Orleans 23; Shough 11 pass to Austin; Shough 10 pass to Matavaoon3rd-and-3; Shough 14 pass to Austin;Shough 9pass to Neal on 3rd-and-5; Neal 1run on 3rd-and-1. Denver22, New Orleans16. NO_FGSmyth 52, 7:09. Drive: 7plays,16 yards, 2:27. KeyPlay: Akers2 runon3rdand-1. Denver22, New Orleans 19.

Den_Rowan 5pass from Ehlinger (pass failed), 2:14. Drive: 12 plays,84yards, 4:55

KeyPlays:Watson kick returntoDenver26; Ehlinger 11 pass to Rowan; Ehlinger 20 pass to C.Jackson; Ehlinger16pass to Rowanon 3rd-and-6. Denver28, New Orleans 19. A_70,078. DenNO

FIRST DOWNS 22 16

16

KICKOFFRETURNS_Denver, Badie 2-72

C.Jackson 3-59, Watson 1-18. New Orleans Price2-55, Jones1-39,Pettis 1-20, Daniels 1-16, Dixon1-16. TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS_Denver, Pickett 4-0-0, Hufanga 3-0-0, Reid 3-0-0, Uwazurike

2-2-1, Bailey 2-2-0, Locke2-0-0, J.Robinson

2-0-0, Turner 2-0-0,Turner-Yell 2-0-0, S.Franklin 1-2-0, Cooper 1-1-1, Q.Robinson 1-1-1, Elliss1-1-0, Surtain1-1-0, S.Jones 1-0-1, Abrams-Draine 1-0-0, Barron 1-0-0, Dwumfour 1-0-0, Key1-0-0, Mathis1-0-0, McMillian 1-0-0,J.Jackson0-1-0, B.Jones 0-1-0, Nelson 0-1-0, Roach 0-1-0, Tillman 0-1-0. New Orleans,Wright 7-2-0, Sanker 6-3-0, Yiadom 3-1-0, Werner 3-0-0, Howden 2-3-0, Riley 2-20, Ford 2-0-0, McKinstry 2-0-0, Jackson 1-2-0, Price1-2-0, J.Davis 1-1-1,Broughton 1-1-0, Foskey 1-1-0, Powell 1-1-0, Boyd 1-0-1, Williams 1-0-1, Blackmon 1-0-0, D.Davis 1-0-0, Davison 1-0-0, Godchaux 1-0-0, Granderson 1-0-0, Rumph 1-0-0,Thomas 1-0-0,C.Young 1-0-0, Peevy 0-3-0,Bullard 0-2-0, Diggs 0-1-0, Shepherd0-1-0, Stalbird 0-1-0.

INTERCEPTIONS_Denver, None. New Orleans,Riley 1-4. MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.

OFFICIALS_Referee John Hussey,Ump Duane Heydt, HL Max Causey,LJCarl Johnson, FJ AnthonyFlemming, SJ Allen Baynes, BJ Matt Edwards,ReplayAndrew Lambert. Pro basketball

WNBA EASTERN CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE

0-0 1-1

36:51 23:09

AL STATISTICS RUSHING_Denver, Estime 8-45,Ehlinger 6-25 Badie 4-14, Watson 4-13, Harvey 3-4,Prentice 1-2, Mims 1-0. New Orleans,Shough 2-20, Neal 5-20, Miller 3-15, Haener 1-10, Akers 2-5 Edwards-Helaire2-4, Jones 1-2,Rattler 1-0. PASSING_Denver, Ehlinger 22-31-1-198, Nix 10-14-0-110. New Orleans, Shough 12-20-0102, Rattler 5-8-0-43, Haener 5-9-0-37

RECEIVING_Denver, Sutton 4-83, Rowan4-33, Badie 4-31, Krull 3-49, Newton 3-19, Watson 3-9, Bryant 2-19, Bandy 2-6,T.Franklin 2-5 Lohner 1-23, C.Jackson 1-20, Estime 1-8, Trautman 1-2, Harvey1-1. New Orleans, Austin 3-34, Olave 3-29, Matavao3-23, Shaheed 2-14, Neal 2-10, Wilson 2-8, Welch 1-21,Yarns 1-13, Stoll 1-12, Green 1-5, Pettis1-5, Akers 1-4, Tipton 1-4. PUNT RETURNS_Denver, None. New Orleans, Pettis 1-9.

Nola picksupfirstwin sinceMay 3for Phils

BY ANTHONY SANFILIPPO Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA Edmundo

Sosa hit athree-run homer, Trea Turner also went deep and Aaron Nola earned his first win since early May as the Philadelphia Philliesdefeated the Washington Nationals 6-4 on Saturday night. Nationals starter Mitchell Parker (7-14) held Philadelphia hitless through three innings, but Sosa’sseventh homer capped afive-run fourth for theNLEast leaders. J.T.Realmuto and Alec Bohm each had an RBI double. Turner made it 6-1 with a solo shot in the fifth, his second home run at home this week. Before that, he hadn’t

hit one at Citizens Bank Park all season.

Nola (2-7) pitched six solid innings, allowing two earned runs andfive hits while striking out six in his first start athome since May 14. The former LSU star’spreviouswin came on May3 against Arizona, before the righthander missed three months with asprained right ankle.

After blowing asave chance for thefirst time with thePhilliesanight earlier,JhoanDuran worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 23rd saveofthe year Luis Garcia had ahomer and an RBI double,and CJ Abramsalso wentdeep for

the last-place Nationals, who hadtheir three-gamewinning streak snapped.

Parker didn’tallowahit to his first 11 batters, but he endedupyielding six runs andsix hits in five innings.

With the potential tying runs on base in theeighth, Sosa made anice defensive play on ahard grounder by by former LSUstar Dylan Crews to get thePhillies out of trouble.

David Robertson, 40, didn’t sign withPhiladelphia until July 21 and didn’tmake his season debut until Aug. 11. But afterstriking out three battersinthe eighth,hehas 10 strikeoutsin52/3 innings for thePhillies.

Hovland 68-71-67—206 -4

Novak70-68-68—206 -4 Brian Harman67-71-69—207 -3

Rose 69-70-69—208 -2 Jacob Bridgeman67-67-75—209 -1

J.J. Spaun 68-71-71—210 E

Sungjae Im 68-67-77—212 +2

Hideki Matsuyama69-69-76—214 +4

Sepp Straka74-65-77—216 +6

CPKCWomen’s Open

Saturday At Mississaugua Golf &Country Club

Mississauga, Ontario

Purse: $2.8million Yardage: 6,661; Par: 71

ThirdRound

BrookeHenderson 71-66-65—202 -11

Minjee Lee69-67-66—202 -11

AkieIwai64-69-72—205 -8

Jeeno Thitikul 66-70-69—205 -8

Jeong Eun Lee5 68-71-67—206 -7

Yu Liu 72-67-67—206 -7

Manon De Roey 72-67-68—207 -6

Aphrodite Deng 66-73-68—207 -6 Grace Kim 71-69-67—207 -6

Mao Saigo 68-72-67—207 -6

Pajaree Anannarukarn70-71-67—208 -5

JennyBae 68-69-71—208 -5

Katsu 71-67-70—208 -5

Khang 66-71-71—208 -5

Ko 70-70-68—208 -5 GabyLopez 66-72-70—208 -5

Maguire66-70-72—208 -5

-5

-5

-4

Lee71-70-68—209 -4

-4

-3

-3

MANNING Continued from page 2C

some college. I hope to be someone my friends, teachers and parents won’t be ashamed of.”

His parents made sure he lived up to those words. His father instilled the Manning Way at an early age. He had four rules: Archie couldn’t talk back, he couldn’t bad-mouth anyone, he couldn’t brag about himself, and he couldn’t quit anything that he started He fulfilled his commitments, looked people in the eyes when spoken to and always replied “yes, sir” or “no, ma’am” to his elders. For 13 consecutive years, he never missed a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church.

Archie shunned the spotlight during his playing days at Drew High School and Ole Miss. When he led Drew to a thrilling 18-14 upset of archrival Cleveland in his final high school game, he nixed his sister Pam’s plan to hold a reception line at the postgame house party. During the height of Archie Mania at Ole Miss, he asked Olivia to refrain from wearing “Archie for Heisman” buttons to games. When Oxford restaurants played “The Ballad of Archie” on their sound systems after he and Olivia walked in to dine, he would cringe inwardly with embarrassment To escape the hoopla in Oxford and Memphis, he and teammates would sneak away to Natchez or other small towns in the region.

Arch has lived a similar experience at Newman and Texas, where by virtue of his famous last name — he has been a celebrity since junior high school when he was tabbed as the nation’s No 1 overall football prospect in the Class of 2023

At Newman, Arch earned the starting quarterback job as a freshman but still rode the freshman bus to games with his fellow ninth-grade classmates and declined invitations to the upperclassman dinners. He intentionally hid near the back of the pack during the team’s pregame entrance to the field. Likewise, at the family-run Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux each summer he sat in the stands with the other high school campers during the Friday Night Lights skills competition rather than exert his VIP status to get access to the field.

At Texas, star cornerback Jahdae Barron said Arch persisted in performing traditional freshman duties by carrying Barron’s laundry to the equipment room after practice.

“He wanted to show me that he wasn’t better than anybody else, that he was still a part of this team and was only a freshman,” Barron said at the NFL combine in February. “He’s the humblest kid I know.”

Out of respect to Ewers, Manning declined to participate in the passing skills competition at the Manning Passing Academy with the other college quarterbacks until he moved into a starting role at Texas this offseason.

“That’s his nature,” Cooper said. “It’s always been kind of important to him to not get special treatment or be treated differently. He just wants to be treated like a normal guy That’s his comfort zone.”

Arch tries his best to avoid the spotlight, but it’s more difficult today with the ubiquity of cellphones and social media. His every move generates headlines and internet traffic When he lost his student ID as a freshman, the news went viral He is stopped regularly for autographs and selfies while walking to

class or going out in Austin. Wherever he goes, he is hyper-cognizant of being video-recorded surreptitiously

“It gets uncomfortable at times,” Ellen said “There are a lot of benefits that come with being a Manning and there are also detriments.”

Managing the mania

Arch Madness only will intensify this year Not only is he the starting quarterback but the Longhorns also are ranked No. 1 in preseason national polls. Vegas oddsmakers have installed him as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s all part of what Arch calls “undeserved attention.”

“I’ve only (started) two games, so I have a lot to prove,” he said. “I’m ready to play, I’ve always dreamed of playing in the SEC, so it’s a dream come true. Got to go play well.”

Few doubt that he will play well. He was so impressive in his limited appearances last season that many Longhorns fans wanted him to remain the starter after Ewers returned to health in Week 7 last season. His career statistics are 63 completions in 95 pass attempts for 969 yards and nine touchdowns, along with two interceptions. His passer efficiency rating of 184 would have led the nation if he had played enough snaps to qualify last season. He also ran for 108 yards and four touchdowns.

“He’s a great guy. He’s a great teammate He’s got an unbelievable work ethic,” Sarkisian said. “And I think, if he stays true to himself, that’s going to help him navigate these waters as they present themselves.

We’ve got to do a great job of supporting him around him, as coaches, as players,

and ultimately I think he’s prepared for the moment. But now it’s just time for him to go do it and enjoy doing it, quite frankly.”

He’s such a great guy and just the perfect role model for me, the way he carries himself and cares about others.

To that end, the Mannings and Texas officials have tried to prepare him for the craziness ahead. They have strategically limited his media interviews and public appearances this offseason He knocked out his duties for the multiyear endorsement deal he signed with Red Bull earlier this spring and has conducted media interviews at only official settings such as the MPA and SEC media days. Undaunted, ESPN, The Athletic and Texas Monthly already have published or scheduled major profile stories on him. Undoubtedly, more are on the way as the Longhorns’ opening showdown against reigning national champion Ohio State approaches Aug. 30 One thing Texas won’t have to worry about is a self-inflicted social media crisis. Arch spends little time on any platform, his aversion perhaps a byproduct of his upbringing. Ellen and Cooper made the kids turn in their cellphones at 9 p.m. and charged them each night. Since opening his accounts five years ago, he’s posted five times on X and 19 times on Instagram, despite having more than 550,000 combined followers.

I was taught that good things happen to good people who work hard and put their head down, and that’s what I’m focused on right now. ”

ARCH MANNING, Texas quarterback, on grandfather Archie Manning

“I don’t really care about all that stuff,” Arch said. “I’m not a big media guy.” After two years on the sidelines, he is relishing the opportunity ahead of him. He spent the offseason honing his leadership skills and building a rapport with teammates. In May, he asked new Texas basketball coach Sean Miller for permission to sneak into the on-campus Moody Center so he and teammates could play pickup games.

In June, he flew to St. Louis to attend a football camp in support of teammate Ryan Wingo. And in recent weeks, he’s led post-practice walk-through sessions on the Texas practice field with teammates.

“He loves being ‘the dude,’ because now you’re supposed to speak out, you’re supposed to fuss at someone when they’re not doing something right, to talk to someone on the side,” Cooper said. “That’s all the things that he loves. And now he’s been able to do it without anyone looking over his shoulder going, ‘Hey, it’s not your team.’ ” When Arch needs football advice, Cooper, Peyton and Eli are just a text away He joked about how he reached out to Peyton for advice on the two-minute offense earlier this summer and received a multipart, 30-minute voice text from his detail-obsessed uncle.

“He’s got a good head on his shoulders, so he doesn’t necessarily need my advice,” Peyton said at the MPA in June. “I’m very proud of him, how hard he’s worked. He’s put in a lot of time. He’s been patient He’s enjoying college. My advice is, enjoy the journey I’m looking forward to seeing him out there this year.”

Opportunity knocks

Archie purposefully has taken a step back as the big season approaches. An off-hand comment to a reporter about Arch’s draft status went viral for 24 hours earlier this month, and Archie was so dismayed by the kerfuffle it caused that he decided to shut down all future interviews and media appearances.

He knows firsthand the challenges that await Arch in the season ahead. The last thing he wants to do is exacerbate the challenge by causing a distraction.

“The SEC is going to be tougher than it’s ever been, so it’ll be a yo-yo, and the haters will come out,” Archie said. “I told him, just control what you can control. He’s pretty good about that. Peyton always put people in two categories: You get it or you don’t get it. Arch gets it. He’ll be fine.”

Archie’s final reminder to Arch this summer was a simple one: Don’t forget to have fun He knows how quickly the college years go by and wants Arch to embrace every aspect of the journey — the highs, the lows and everything in between

“He’s such a great guy and just the perfect role model for me, the way he carries himself and cares about others,” Arch said about his grandfather “I was taught that good things happen to good people who work hard and put their head down, and that’s what I’m focused on right now.”

Archie hopes to attend a game or two this season, but traveling has become more difficult in recent years. His severe neuropathy requires him to walk with a cane, and crowds can be problematic even with Texas supplying golf carts and suite accommodations. Still, he hopes to catch an early nonconference game in Austin and perhaps the Longhorns’ game against Mississippi State in Starkville He and Olivia will watch the Ohio State game from the comfort of his study

“What I pray for is that Arch stays healthy,” Archie said. “Mainly, I just want him to really really enjoy his college experience.”

No matter how it turns out, the messages in the Marvelous Mannings text chain will remain the same.

Newname. Aboldnew chapterfor kids.

Ourlegacyisdefinedbycaring forall children,and only children –with afoundation of innovation and compassion that has fueled themission of Children’s Hospital NewOrleans since1955.

Nowinour newchapteras Manning FamilyChildren’s,we move intothe next 70 yearswith a bold vision to make Louisiana anational leader in child health andwellbeing.

Announced in February, our extraordinarycollaboration with the Manning family –Olivia, Archie, Cooper,Peytonand

Eli –unites twochampionsof excellencewho shareadeep commitmenttoinnovation, compassion, andthe care and wellbeing of kids.

Together with the ongoing supportofour community, we will makeanevengreater impact on kids’health movingforward, helping ensurethat allchildren haveaccess to the expertand oftenlifesavingcaretheyneed, close to home

Discovermoreat manningchildrens.org

LIVING

Boogie down with thebest during the Zydeco Fest

For everyone else, Aug. 3031 is Labor Day weekend.For zydecomusic fans, these are holy days of festival obligation. Seismic cultural shifts take root that weekend. St. Landry Parish and the surrounding countryside serve as the soil, where generations of accordionplaying families were born and continue to live.

The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music planted the seed in 1982. The Treasures of Opelousas, a social group affiliated with Holy Ghost Catholic Church, were concerned that the music’spioneers were dying.

Aflatbed trailer in asoybean

field in rural Plaisance served as the stage. Four hundred people came for an event they had never heard of —azydeco festival. Thenext year,4,000 people showed up. Forty-three years later,there are zydeco festivals across the United States and Europe.

The roster includes “TheBig Weekend,” held earlier this month in North Shropshire, England. The event featured Opelousas native and thirdgeneration accordionist Koray Broussard, RubenMorenoof Houston and at least ahalf dozen zydeco and Cajun bands based in theUKand Ireland.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Rockin’ Dopsie Jr left, and the Zydeco Twisters perform at Festival International de Louisiane in 2023.Atrightis AnthonyDopsie.

That’sanother mission accomplished for the Zydeco Fest. Now,the big weekend that blazed atrail from the music’scradle to the world celebrates with these events: n Aug.30: The Original SWLA Zydeco Fest,Opelousas —After 43 years, the 12-hour,Saturday event is indoors at the Yambilee Building. The festival honorsits past and present with Grammy winner Chubby Carrier,C.J.Chenier,Geno Delafose, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr and the Zydeco Twisters,Leroy Thomas, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas and Rusty Metoyer.“Zydeco Unplugged,” anew feature, hosts aheritage tent for jam sessions,storytelling, Creole conversations, genealogy,dancelessonsand more.Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Playboys play the kickoff dance Friday night at Evangeline Downs Racetrack &Casino in Opelousas

n Aug.31: Creole Renaissance, Rayne —zydeco and its predecessor,Creole La La, go back

ä See ZYDECO FEST, page 4D

ALLABOARD!

CBY

ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

ue Johnny Cash:

Ihear that train a-comin’, acomin’ round thebend

Only, at the Baton Rouge Zoo, the train deliversa different kind of spectacle.Whatcomes around the bend is agang of white geese, marching single file and looking for trouble Wait, that’snot averse in Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” but it is what riders on BREC’sBaton Rouge Zoo train see when roundingthe bend somewhere near the giraffe habitat.

“There are days when they get in there with thegiraffes and won’tleave,” Brittany Tullysaid.

“They’re kind of alittle gang around here.

Tully is thezoo’ssenior communication manager. She’staken this ride before, and she’sthe first to admit that it never gets old.

There’sjust somethingabout takingthe traintriparound the zoo, how it gives you abehind-thescenes tour of its universe andhow its wheels beat out arhythm on the track that does, indeed,bring the first verse of Cash’sclassic tune to mind.

Butit’sthe notorious geese that seem to rule at this moment, scowling at thevisitors, letting them know that passersby are treading on their territory They’rethe ones wholiveon these grounds, after all. And Tully can’thelp but laugh. She knows them well, and they’ve become apart of theshowthat is this train ride.Even conductor David Mills pointsthem out alongthe way,and he’sprobably the person who knows theroute best.

Millshas been ridingthe zoo’s train sincechildhood. He became oneofsix conductorsin2019, when he helped zoo personnel write the script. After all, atrain ride through any park setting would be incomplete without narration. Visitors love a story about thetour,and Millsdelivers plenty of tales about the animals, their habitats and the history of the zoo.

Longtime customers Dallas Granger,from left, Kenneth Potier and CurtComeaux enjoylunch at Laura’sIICafe in Lafayette.

BY JOANNABROWN Staff writer

Lafayettehas long been home to acelebrated restaurant scene. Acadiana’slargest cityisthe acknowledged capital of Cajun and Creole dining, offering some of the mostexciting foodie experiences in the world. Lafayette diners can try Anthony Bourdain-approvedturkey wings from Laura’sII, alittle plate lunchspot helmedbyaJames Beard-nominated chef. Theycan expe-

TRAVEL

‘Revitalized retro’ town of Bunkie agreat touriststop

Selfies,sweets andmorefound in Avoyelles Parish

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Bunkie, the city said to be named after atoy monkey is now atourist destination.

Yes, the same Bunkie that bordered either side of U.S. 71 with shuttered buildings not so long ago —the same place whose name was mocked by people throughout the state.

Now those same people are stopping for Instagram shots and selfies in frontof the city’sdowntown mural, eating homemade cakes in the cafe at Griffin’sAntiques &Main StreetMarket and parkingtheir RVsat Gator Grounds while their kids swim the lazy riverin the resort’swater park.

That’sright. There’s an RV resort in Bunkie, andit also hasagolfcourse.As for the downtown, everything’sopenfor business these days. And one of the major businesses flowing through Bunkie is tourism.

The city isn’tthe butt of anyone’sjoke anymore.

“I’ve been calling Bunkie arevitalized retro town,” said Wilbert Carmouche, director of theAvoyelles Commission of Tourism “I think it’sthe perfect description, because that’sexactly what it is.”

Carmouche is right.

Though new businesses occupy the once closed buildings, the buildings still bear theoriginal proprietors’ names.Asfor the downtown businesses themselves, most are the same kindof novelty establishments that attract travelers on vacation. Or local travelerslooking for day trips.

Bunkie’srevitalization

startswith businessman Gregory B. Kojis, owner of Gibko Signs on theedgeof town.

“Greg’ssign shop builtall of this,” said Leslie Jusselin, owner of Griffin’sand Kojis’ business partner.“We have pictures of the beginning. There was nothing in here.”

Not so today.Jusselin and business partner Claire Pilgreen operate acafe at the front of Griffin’sat228 S.W Main St., where avariety of pies are made fresh daily The menu also includes a complete selectionoflunch items with po-boys on bread baked in-house.

The building nextdoorto the antique shop operatesas the market’sbakery

“The building next door used to be Mr.Fattie’sbarbershop,” Jusselinsaid.

“So, we kept the name. It’s abakery now,but it still has Fattie’sname on it, and we bake and cook all of our food there.”

As for Griffin’s, it’snamed for the 1904 department store that originally operated out of the building. And Hoover’sdown the street? It was onceHoover’s

Dry Cleaners at 202 S.W Main St but nowitoperates as Hoover’s5 &10, an old-fashioneddimestore, where shelves arefilled with retro candies, toys, soft drinks and other items from yesteryear

Through aselectionof novelty retro soft drinks, one in particular stands out: Bacon Soda

Tryitifyou dare.Then again, alot of customers are game to trya lotofthingsin this store,simply because it reminds them of the old five-and-dime stores from their childhoods.

“Greg told us that he visitedthe five-and-dime store in olddowntown Branson, Missouri, and askedhow they put theirs together,” Carmouche said. “Then he modeledhis store on theirs.”

Branson’s store, Dick’s 5&10, bills itself as the “Last of an American tradition.”

But Kojis’ Bunkiestore debunks that statement Griffin’s on the corner also houses an antiques and handicrafts mall behind its cafe and in itssecond story The store is one of several antiques shops located in the city’sdowntown area, but it’sthe only one that stands across from Griffin’s ServiceStation at 302 S.W. Main St. This isn’tjustany gas station —itoffers full service,meaning an attendant willgas up customers’cars while also wiping down windshields.

That’s notsaying customers can’tget out and

explore. In fact, Kojis, also the benefactor behind this enterprise, designedthe stationjust forthat.

Gaspumps stand on the backdropofa wall-sized postcardmural spelling out“Bunkie,” belowabannertouting the70vendors in the antique mall. Each letter in theBunkie spelloutfeaturesa landmark in thecity,and it’s allpictureready for group shots and selfies.

Alongside the station stands arow of retro gas station signs for the Shell, Standard Oil, Sinclairand Mobilcompanies, their placement just right for family group shots.

And on top of the pavilion sheltering the gaspumps is arestored blue ’57 Chevy, complete with tail fins and headlights that come on when thestation lightsup at dusk.

“They stagedagrand opening forthe station in early August, where they chargedonly 25 cents agallon forgas,” Carmouche

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

said.

“They’ve also erected a large crossonthe edge of the station, which is lit up at night,and it’s absolutely beautiful. The gas station definitely is afavorite photo spotfor travelers.”

Forvisitors who want to spenda littletime exploring more of the area, there are severalovernight options. Of course,theycan take the 18-mile trek along La. 115 to Marksville,where accommodations usually are readily available at the Paragon Casino Resort’shotel or the Hampton Inn across the street

Along the same highway there’s also the Knights Inn Bunkie,3541 La.115, which offers42rooms, apool, gym andlaundry facility

For those wanting to stay within the Bunkie area, the Evergreen Bed &Breakfast, 1461 La. 29, offers eight bedroom rentals at prices ranging from $200 to $600. The establishment is a reproduction of the National Landmark Evergreen Plantation main housethat stands in near Wallace in St. John the Baptist Parish, its trademark feature being thewinding staircases on eitherside of its entrance. For RV campers, there’s Gator Grounds, 200 Golf Course Road, with its waterpark, indoor swimming facility andgolfresort. The park also offers acouple of cabins fortravelers without RVs. Both Evergreen andGatorGrounds areowned and operated by Kojis. And for both day-trippers andovernight travelers, Bunkie offers avariety of locally owned eating options, including Rocky’s Tails &Shells at 126 Lyle Ave.,DugoutNeighborhood Grill at 124 Lyle Ave., Zapote Mexican Grill at 1023 N.W.MainSt.,Bunkie Pizza Shack at 412 N.W.Main St., Bernice’sSandwichShopat 911 S.W.Main St. and Sammy’sTruck &Auto Plaza, 3601 La.115.

The Facebook page, Bunkie Buz, makes it easy to plan atriptoBunkie,as thepagepromotes thecity’s Main Street tourist destinations andhappenings. Visitors can also stop by the restored Bunkie Train Depotalong Main Street operated by the Bunkie of Chamber of Commerce, whichhas informationon all events in thearea,especially the annualLouisiana Corn Festival that place the second full weekend in June

Finally,for those interested in the area’shistory, there’sSt. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 409 St. John St. The parish was founded in 1904 to support Italianimmigrants in the area.

“Peopleare rediscovering Bunkie,” Carmouche said. “The city really does have a lottooffer.”

For more, visit travelavoyelles.com.

Email Robin Millerat romiller@theadvocate. com.

Christopher Elliott

Irented a2015 Hyundai Sonata from Turo in Myrtle Beach for three days. During my rental,the paint started to bubble, crack and peel, with flakes flying off while Idrove.The car wasn’tinvolved in anycollisions or struck by anything.This was clearly due to apoorquality paintjob,not any actions on my part. Iimmediately reported the issue to thecar owner and Turo. But instead of acknowledging the problem,Turo blamed me and charged me $500 for anew paint job.Turo insists Iwas responsible because the peelingoccurred during my rental period. This experience has shaken my trust in Turo’scommitment to fairness andcus-

tomer satisfaction. Can you help me getmy money back? —Latisha Thompson, Groton, Connecticut

Idon’t see how you could be held responsible for peeling paint on acar you rented from Turo. Imean,ifyou had collided with another vehicle and thepaint was peeling, then yes, perhaps then. Butyou showed me pictures of your car, anditlooked like apaint job gone wrong. So what happened? Your recordsshowthat Turo had charged youa$500 deposit when you rented the vehicle.

After you returned theSonata, Turo’sclaims team sentyou an email that said the owner had filed aclaim to repair the paint on

theroof. Since you declined Turo’soptional protection, you were liable for the damage, according to Turo.

Yousigned an agreement that said you arefinancially responsible for “all physical damage toor theft of abooked vehicle that occurs during atrip” including any additional costs and fees resulting from damage, regardless of who is at fault. In other words, while thedamage wasn’tyour fault, you were still responsible.

Turo strongly recommends that you take“before” and “after” photos of your car.Iteven has afeature on its app called Trip Photos that allows you to do that

and store the image in your app. Ithink this is brilliant, because if you can prove the car wasdamaged before you rented it, you’re far less likely to face asuccessful claim by yourhost. Why didn’tyou spot this damage when you picked up the car?

Yousay the vehicle looked “very glossy and shiny” as if someone recently painted it. The paper trail between you and Turo shows that the company was unconvinced. Abrief,polite email sent to one of the Turo managers Ilist on Elliott.org, my consumer advocacy website, might have led to a reversal of this $500 charge. Ithink there wasenough reason for Turo to take another look at

this claim. It’s hard to imagine you did anything to the vehicle to cause the paint to peel like that. Something just felt off about it. So Icontacted Turo on your behalf In response, Turo sent you an email that it had decided to drop the matter “Weare pleased to inform you that we will be closing the claim and you will not owe anything for damages at the present time,” it added.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.

Musiccensus

The Arts CouncilofGreater

Baton Rougeannounces the Baton RougeRegion Music Census, anew regional initiativeaimed at understanding and strengthening the area’s musicecosystem. Set to begin in September, the project will gather comprehensivedata from individuals and organizations involved in all parts of the music ecosystem —creators, venues, educators, producers and businesses. Those interested in getting involved can sign up at brmusiccensus.org

‘Overthe Top!’

Tickets areonsale for “Over the Top!,” the first production in OperaLouisiane’s 2025-26 season, featuring three high-flying sopranos

—Rainelle Krause,Kelly Curtin and Sarah McHan singing to prove which is the greatest diva.The performance will be at 3p.m. Sept. 28, at the Manship Theatreinthe Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. Tickets are$51.50. Visit operalouisiane.com.

‘Nutcracker’ auditions

The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatrehas scheduled children’s auditions for “The Nutcracker: ATale from the Bayou” for Sept.14, in the Dancers’ Workshop, 10745 Linkwood Court,Baton Rouge. Times vary by age. Audition fees are$15 prepayand $20 on-site. Formoreinformation, call (225) 766-8379or visit batonrougeballet org/nutcracker-auditions, whereaudition registration paperwork and schedules can be found.

1920scelebration

Tickets areonsale for the Louisiana Art &Science Museum’s Art AfterHours program, “Fascinate Me: A1920s Chapeaux Affair” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, at the museum, 100 S. River Road, Baton Rouge. Get ready to embrace the glitz and glamour of the Roaring 20s at this event in celebration of the museum’s train station home’s 100th anniversary Tickets are$60 for museum members, $70 for nonmembers and can be purchased by visiting tinyurl.com/ LASMFascinateMe.

At thePoydras Center

The PoydrasCenter, 500 W. Main St., NewRoads, is showing “Plein Wild,” acollaboration exhibit between L. Charleville and Ellen Ogden, through Sept. 30 Hours arefrom9a.m.to 2p.m. Mondaythrough Wednesday. Formoreinformation, call (225) 638-6575 or visit pointecoupeehistoricalsociety.org.

At Nunu NuNu Arts &CultureCollective, 1510 Courtableau Highway,Arnaudville, will open twoart exhibits, Charles Chaisson’s “Written in the Veil” and Ralph Schexnaydre’s “Blue Blue Blues,” with areception from 6to9 p.m. Sept. 12. The showruns through Nov. 2. Hours are10a.m. to 2p.m. Wednesdaythrough Sunday. Admission is free. Visit nunucollective.org.

COMMUNITY

Central Chamber of Commerce

The CityofCentral Chamber of Commerce held aluncheon at Kristenwood Restaurant on Aug. 13.Mayor-PresidentSid Edwards was the guest speaker.Shown are, from left, Sarah Holliday James, Lawrence ‘L.J.’ Baker and Sashika Baunchand.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

The Community column runs Sundays in the Living section andaccepts submissions fornewsofevents that have taken place withcivic,philanthropic, social and religious auxiliary organizations,aswell as academic honors.

If submittingdigitally,weprefer JPG files 300KBorlarger.We prefer emailed Community column submissions to features@ theadvocate.com.Wealsoaccept submissions by mail at P.O. Box588, Baton RougeLA70821.Aphone numbermust be included.

ContemporaryViews of a Castellated Capitol

FYIBR staff reports

To celebratethe Old State Capitol’s175thanniversary,the State Capitolwill host an art exhibit that includes paintings, photographs, garmentsand jewelry celebrating the ingenuity and enduring legacyofthis iconic building. Many of the worksare original, and some will be for sale.

The exhibit will be ondisplay untilSept. 20 andfeatures worksfrom more than 20 well-known Louisiana artists. The exhibit will be open during museum hours from 10 a.m. to 4p.m.Tuesday through Friday and9 a.m. to3 p.m. on Saturday at 100 North Blvd., Baton Rouge.

Dear Harriette: Overthe pastthree years, my ex and Ihave found our way back to friendship.

When we first broke up, we left each other alone, whichwas probably for the best. Lately,wecheck in from time to time and cheer each other on in new endeavors.

Iota Master Chapter

Members of the Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma PhiInternational donated school supplies to Shenandoah Elementary, which started the newschool year with 550 students. Gathered are, fromleft, Ellie Jones, executivesecretary; Elizabeth Callegan, principal of Shenandoah Elementary, and PatButurla,Iota Master Chapter of Beta SigmaPhi International,service chair.

Renaissance Festival to hold job fair

To participate in bringing historytolife, attend theLouisiana Arts and Renaissance FestivalJob Fair from 9a.m. to noon Sept.13, at 46468 River Road in Hammond.

Avariety of positionsare open

The festival is also looking for:

n People withtheir own tools to do simple construction projects.

n Thosefamiliarwith farm equipment, like abox grader,orcan back up atrailer

n People to work outsidetohelp with cleanup and preparations.

n Administrative support

n Bartenders.

n Grounds crew members.

n Parking crew members.

n Souvenir shop employees.

n Ticket booth workers.

n Security n Servers. Visit renfest.net for more information

Anniversary screening of Spanish Moon doc

Crane Films celebrates 20 years of their award-winning documentary,about theSpanish Moon ’80s Night,called “Just What INeeded.”

Thescreening will take placeat 7p.m. on Sept.11, at the Manship Theater,100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. This eventwill benefit the Baton Rouge Food Bank, so bring anonperishableitem or donate at the door

After the film, there will be an ’80sNight Reunion at The Radio Bar with DJ Bird, whowill be spinning ’80s tunes.

EBR Council on Aging Healthy Aging Conference

The East BatonRouge Council on Agingishosting atwo-day conference from 9a.m. to 3p.m. Sept. 18-19, at theRaising Cane’sRiver Center that will focus on empoweringseniors with resources,fitness tips and funactivities to improve overall wellness. The Healthy Aging Conference will offer dedicated educational wellness tracks with seminars, hands-on demonstrations, interactive games andvendors, allcatering to the senior community.The event is open to East Baton Rouge Parish seniors aged 60 years old and older Sign up at eventbrite.com/e/ healthy-aging-conference-agingwell-mindbodyspirit-tickets.

secondyear living offcampus.

About amonth ago,Ifound myself in ajam: My car broke down late at night, and Ineeded alift. Icalled my ex in hopesthat he was out He was, but he did not appreciatemecalling while “in need.”

Ifound my own way home, but he eventually reached out after weeks of us not speaking to tell me how confused he is. Apparently, conversation is OK, butasking for favors sends adifferent message. Is it possible to

have ahealthy friendship with this person,given our history and our current misunderstanding, or are theretoo many complex emotions for asimple friendship to be possible? —It’sComplicated Dear It’sComplicated: Clearly,there are still some lingering feelings in theair between you two. Even though you have moved on, the heartisafunny thing. The confusion points to thepossibilitythat something may be stirring. That said, when you were clearly in need, thefact that your ex left you hanging is terrible. He could have picked you up and dropped you off without opening theway for any other type of interaction.Toleave you stranded seems selfish. This suggests that he cannot handle being yourfriend. My advice is to back off —for now, anyway Dear Harriette Iamheading back to college soon,and this will be my

During the summer, Isubletmy room and came home for apaid internship. I’ve been saving up my money so that Ican be preparedonce I’m back on campus andminimize my loans In preparationfor the upcoming semester,mydad let me know how proud he wasofmeand my first paid internship at amajor company,and he offered to help me with rent for the next few months.

He madeitclear thathewon’t be paying in full, andImade it clear that Iintend to find at least apart-time jobonceIget back to school. For some reason,though, my mom seems against it.

She hasn’tsaidsoexplicitly,but whenever my dad reminds her to write the check or Zelle me,she avoids doing it in the moment and seems to conveniently “forget.” Ireally don’tlike asking, but my

dadsayswhensomeone offers yousomething, it’simportant for me to showupand do my part to take it. Ifeel awkwardasking repeatedly,and I’m not sure why my mom is making me —Rent Assistance DearRent Assistance: Why nottalk to your momdirectly?

Remind herofwhatyou are doing andofthe agreement you made with your dad. Point out thatyou arenot expecting them to fully cover your expenses, but youmadeyourplans based on your dad’spromise,and their support is crucialtoyour life for these next months.

Ask herwhy she is reluctant to help andifthere is something youcan do to make herfeel more comfortable

Sendquestions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/oAndrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.

Areyou walkingyourcat?Why,yes,I

BY STEVE MARDON Contributing writer

While everyone knows who the quintessential New Orleans dog is, it’sless clear which cat best captures our city’sspirit. Ihumbly nominate my cat, Buddy.While Buddy hasn’tleaptoff any second-floor balconies, he is charismatic and well known, at least in my MidCity neighborhood.

Buddy’sorigins aren’tclear, but we first encountered him in the fall of 2008 when he joined a colony of feralfelines livingunderneath the apartment my wife and myself were renting Uptown on Valmont Street. Unlike the other post-Katrina strays, Buddy didn’tflee when humans approached, instead welcoming ascratch on the topofthe head. Aneighbor started calling him Buddy,which quickly stuck. When temperatures neared freezing that winter,wedidn’thave the heart to leave him outside, so we started taking him in overnight. Before long, he was ours. He was young but already full grown, making him about 18 today The next year,webought a house in BayouSt. John, and

TRAIN

Continued from page1D

It’s ahistory that includes the train, which began running in 1970, the year the zoo opened in north Baton Rouge nearBaker.In those days, the train’sdepot was locatedatthe originalzoo entrance on Thomas Road.

Remnants of the originalride can be seen in old tracksleading to nowhere from the former ticket booth across from asign marking theCypress Bayou Railroad Station. It washerethat the train beganrunning with adiesel engine

That entrance was closedin2024 after the zoo redesigned its park withanew entrance at Greenwood Park. The train had stopped

CURIOUS

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largely been lost to time.Ithas beenrepeated withoutcitation by the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and by national organizationslike Livability,which tracks quality of life in small-to-medium cities. Three months ago, the topic popped up again on the Foodies of Lafayette Facebook page, where commenters indicated that they were given that information in statistics courses at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in the early 1990s. However,Lafayette has acompetitor for the crown. According to a2009 article that ran in Baton Rouge’s225 Magazine, “it is often said there are more restaurants per capitainBaton Rouge than any American cityits size.” So this is apopular claim —and adisputed one. Back in 2015, The Advocate’sMegan Wyattexplored the data in areport forThe Daily Advertiser.She found that at that point, Lafayette had445 restaurants and apopulation of 124,276, giving the city3.58 restaurantsper 1,000 residents

This ranked Lafayette No.4 in the state for restaurantsper capita,behind Houma, Baton Rouge and Monroe, but ahead of New Orleans, which held theNo. 5spot. We’re taking another look.What does Lafayette’srestaurant sector look like today,and has it now claimed the banner of “most restaurants per capita?”

The Lafayette of the 1980s and 1990s had asharply different restaurant scene, according to chef Patrick Mould, who has cooked at notable Lafayette institutionslike

Buddy adjusted well to his new neighborhood. Through the2010s, he wasthe classic indoor/outdoor cat, roaming theadjoining streets during the day and (usually) cominginatnight.Hewasn’tone to prey on miceor birds,but he did once haveaminor scuffle with a neighbor’sescaped chicken. Here Ihave to admit Idropped the ball as acat dad, failingto notice that as theyears went by, Buddy —who was alwaysa big guy —was gradually getting even larger.Around the pandemic, he transitioned to being mostly an indoor cat, just lolling on the porch

running in 2021 during theCOVID pandemic, so the redesign’sgrand openingalso marked thetrain’s return, complete with anew route.

“The train runs clockwise now, butitran counterclockwisewhen it started out,” Tully said.

Thediesel engine gave waytoa gas engine in 2010. Today,the train is pulled by anelectric engine.

“The locomotivewas manufactured between 2021 and2022,” Mills said. “But ourcars are older We haveahandicappedcar built in 2012, and theother threeare from the old FunFair Park.”

Any mentionofthe late amusementpark at thecorner of Florida Boulevard and Airline Highway will spark memories for many Fun FairParkoperated from 1963 to 1999, featuringsuchpopular attractions as the Galixi and Wild Mouse roller coasters.

And, of course, there was the BayouSafariTrain, operated by park owner Sam Haynes,which hosted countlessbirthday party rides through the years.

Many of theattractionswere moved to Dixie Landin’ after Fun Fair Park’sclosure, but the zoo enginepulls three of theformer park’strain cars, each withsix seats that can hold two to four riders. For a$3ticket, riders experience arelaxingride around the zoo and relive afew childhood memories made at abelovedBaton Rouge amusementpark

And theyhave opportunitiesto

Charley G’s, Cafe Vermilionville, Hub City Diner and City Club at River Ranch

“Back in the day,itwas all independentrestaurants,” he said. “You hardly had any other kind, outsideofMcDonald’sand Burger King.” During theoil boom years, Lafayette was also reported to have alargenumber of wealthy citizens. A1981 article from The New York Timescalled Lafayette the “home of athousandmillionaires.”

So,it’spossible that Lafayette didatone pointhave themost restaurants percapita —oratleast, themost independently owned restaurants. Today,the numberslook alittle different.According to data compiled in the 2024 Lafayette Parish Business List by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority,the city of Lafayette has around289 restaurants in total —both full-service restaurants andlimited-service spots like Subway,Taco Bell andother fast food joints.

Those numbers don’tinclude placeslike meat markets,specialty grocery stores, home businesses andfood trucks that offer great meals, showing how complexitistotrack every place where you can finddelicious food in Acadiana.

LEDAsees Lafayette restaurants as akey,but often overlooked, economic engine for the region.According to Mandi Mitchell, LEDA president and CEO, “restaurants aresophisticated entrepreneurial ventures that require tremendous skill in operations, finance, marketing andcustomerservice.”

“For residents looking to support local business, dining at our locally owned andoperated establishments is oneofthe simplest

when he ventured out.

Things came to ahead acouple of years ago, when, with Buddy now pushing 20 pounds, avet seeing him for thefirst time said he needed to start losing weight ASAP.Ibelieve his exact words were: “If we’re measuring obesity on ascale of 1to10, he’san11.”

Coincidentally,Iwork as a healthcoach, helping people develop better healthhabits and lose weight, with theemphasis on nutrition and exercise.

So Iaccepted thevet’schallenge andset to work getting Buddy into better shape. We shiftedto“weight management” food and carefully measured the serving size.

Getting him moreactive was harder.Athis age, traditional cat toysnolonger held his attention, and making him walk from one end of the house to his food bowl would not be enough.

So Idecided to see how he would react to going for awalk outside. From prior experience, Iknew he hated collars and wouldn’ttolerate the traditional dogwalking experience.

Instead, Icarriedhim several blocks from our house, put him on the sidewalk, and watchedtosee if he would follow me home. He did!

Andsoadaily routine was born. We head out mornings around

9or10, to one of ahalf dozen nearby corners, andBuddy walks back home. His pace is not exactly acheetah’s,oreven adonkey’s. Agood word to describeitis“lumbering.” But it is pretty steady,with occasional pauses to literally smell the roses. If he gets too distracted, ajingle of my keys gets him back on course.

Locals seeing us for the first time are often perplexed and amused. “Are you really walking your cat?” When Isay yes and tell them why,responses have ranged from “Well, good forhim!” to “Never seen that before” to “That is so New Orleans!”

While grown-ups are uniformly encouraging —and also accommodatinginkeeping their dogs at adistance —early on acouple of unruly teenagers called out: “That cat is so fat…you should give him asalad!”

Andthe coaching has worked. Slowly,his weight dropped …19, 18, 17, 16 and currently in the mid-15s,aloss of morethan 20% of his starting weight.

To weigh him,I stand on the scale withhim in my arms, and subtract my weight from our combined weight, aritual that has given me insight into the joys and frustrations that can come on a

make new memories everyhalf hour between 10 a.m. to 4p.m. each day Mills stands next to theengine at the train depotjust beyond the newzoo entrance. Once riders have boarded, he takes his place in the engine seat, instructs riders to keep their hands inside thecar and takes off.

This is also the starting point of his narration, beginning with the thrill of along tunnel, then moving on to the tortoise enclosure, where the shelled reptiles escapeinto tunnels of their own at the train’s approach.

Though it seems they eventually

and most enjoyable ways to keep dollars circulating in our local economy,” she said.

Lookingattotal restaurants, today Lafayette has 2.38 restaurantsper 1,000 residents —down from adecade ago, when Wyatt found 3.58 restaurants per 1,000 residents. Wyatt tracked total numbers, including chains and fast food restaurants.

Removingthe fast-casual chains in the limited-service category,Lafayette goes down to 1.82 restaurantsper 1,000 people.

Total restaurant datafor the sameperiod was not available for Baton Rouge, but Visit Baton Rouge has compiled an updated list that putsthem at 2.02 restaurantsper 1,000 people.

According to 2018 datacompiled by the newspaper’sIan McNulty and Jeff Adelson, Orleans Parish had 1,216 restaurants and apopulation of 362,701, which means it has approximately 3.35 restaurants per1,000 people. Of those, 605 werefull-service restaurants, 476 counter-service or fast-food eateries and 135 barsserving food from their own kitchens.

Lafayette Travel also maintains arestaurant guide. Using their data, centered on locally significant spots and excluding fast food chains, Lafayette is at 1.51 restaurantsper 1,000 people.

“Our food is part of who we are and how we live,” said Ben Berthelot, CEO of Lafayette Travel.

“Our locally owned restaurants play akey role in thevisitor experience. They are thereason we have been named best food cityin theU.S., tastiesttown of the south and many other accolades.”

There may be aclue thereasto why people aresoeager to believe thatLafayette has themostrestaurants percapita. We don’tlack for places to grab ameal, fastorsitdown, and we have arobustfood

weight loss journey.Heplateaued several times but always eventually broke through. One open question is Buddy’s opinion on his morning constitutional. Afriend once referred to it as his “forced march.” Ilike to think he enjoys it, or at least doesn’tmind. Ihave noticed that if I’mlate to take him out, he’ll often start brushing against my knees while Iwork, but it’spossible he just wants asnack. In December,Buddy hadanunrelated medical issue: Hisright eye cloudedoverand didn’trespondto antibioticeye drops. After thevet removed it,Buddy was back to his daily walksinafew days.

So now I’mthe proud owner of a geriatric one-eyed cat. If you see us strolling on Bell, North Dupre or DeSoto, feel free to say hello and give Buddy apat on the back or two. Nowadays it’scommon for cats to live into their 20s, so presumably he has manymiles to go …three blocks at atime.

—Mardon lives in NewOrleans. HumanConditionsubmissions of 600 wordsorfewer may be emailedtofeatures@ thedvocate.com. Stories will be kept on file and publication is notguaranteed.There is no payment forHumanCondition

small reproduction of aC.P.Huntington.

The original C.P.Huntington engine wasbuilt in 1863, purchased by theCentral Pacific Railroad and named for Collis P. Huntington, third president of the railroad’s parent company,Southern Pacific Railroad.

“The C.P.Huntington was used in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and is now on exhibit at theCaliforniaState Railroad Museum in Sacramento,” Mills said.

Chance Rides of Wichita has been building reproductions since 1961. More than 400 operate today, making it the most popular park train reproductions are in operation, making the model the most popular park train.

would become usedtothe clackityclack of wheels and the call of the whistle,the turtles simply don’t like the noise, but that’sOK.

The train passes them quickly andenters thezoo’sNorth American sector,where Boudreaux’s BaitShop stands in the wooded areabehind animal habitats. There’snoreal Boudreaux and no bait for sale —it’sjust aprop.

Next up is the South American section with its maned wolves and swimming tapirs.

While passing the Capital One Pavilion, where thezoo serves up cupcakes at birthday parties, Mills tells thestory behind the engine, a

culturewith strong local pride in the wide range of Cajun and Creole restaurants. In that category

Lafayette is truly the hub city

“People are genuinely excited about Lafayette’srestaurant scene because it offers something unique,” said Jason Stoner,one of theco-directors of the Foodies of Lafayette Facebook forum.“This area is the only place where you can find authentic Cajun food. Ourchefs andrestaurant owners are not just cooking, they are preserving aculture.”

Mould agrees. He said, “It’s amazing how,after all these decades of Cajun food being hot, it’s still hot.Wehave areputation for great restaurants in Lafayette, and Ithink it all goes back to our original Cajun and Creole cuisine, thanks to guys like Paul Prudhomme who becamesohot. We’re still riding that wave.”

AndLafayette has something else in its corner: adeep bench of restauranttalent that continually brings new energytothe dining scene.

Said Mould: “Generationally, we’re still producing chefs in this region. We have awhole cadre of young talent that keeps coming up through the ranks, and that keeps thefood fresh and dynamic and appealing to folks. And if you know how to produce good, high-quality food, you can be successful in Lafayette owning a restaurant.”

Louisiana culture editor Jan Risher contributed to thisreport. Email JoannaBrownatjoanna. brown@theadvocate.com. Do you have aquestionabout something in Louisiana that’s got you curious? Email your question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com. Include your name, phonenumber andthe city where you live.

The BatonRouge Zoo’smodel continues its trek through the park’sRealm of the Tiger and African sections before ending at the Giraffe Overlook or,asitcould be calledonthis day, NotoriousGoose Gang Hangout. They strut around with “don’t mess with us” in their eyes, though riders mostly just laugh and snap photos. Andsomewhere, at leastone rider hears Johnny Cash singing about atrain coming ’round the bend.

For more information, visit brzoo.org.

Email RobinMilleratromiller@ theadvocate.com.

ZYDECO FEST

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to the 1800s in the family of the ever-popular “Zydeco Boss” Keith Frank. Frank headlines the Sunday event, which also includes his father Preston Frank, NextGen Zydeco, Horace Trahan, Poncho Chavis, Zydeco Force, Step Rideau and J. Paul Jr.Veteran players Jude Taylor,Major Handy and Morris Ledet are honored in the annual “Creole Stomp” segment. n Sept.1: LaborDay Jam Lebeau —Morethan30years ago, StepRideau left his St. Landry Parish hometown of Lebeau for Houston. Rideau andhis zydeco Outlaws band helpedtoestablish the region as azydeco hotbed. Rideau goes home for anew,Labor Day Jam thatstarts at 11 a.m. Mondayonthe Immaculate Conception Church Grounds. Performersalso include Andre Thierry,Eric Singleton and C. J. Vedell. Happy zydeco weekend.

HermanFuselierisawriter, broadcasterand tourism director living in Opelousas

AT THE TABLE

Memories andmorefrom7steak andgravy recipe

BY DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN Contributing writer

My siblings and Iweresome of the first kids to get on the businthe morning and the last to get off in theafternoon. Because our home was located on the outer edges of the school zoningarea, our trip was long, and we couldn’t wait to getoff of the hot, bumpy bus ride at home.

Mr.Bouillion, our bus driver,dropped us off at the end of our longgravel driveway,and we walked up the slight hill to our old Acadian home on the farm. After alengthy day at school and that ride home, we were usually hungry

At about 200 feet away from the doorway,like agenie’sfingers pulling us in, the aromas of dinner drew ustothe kitchen. On tonight’smenuwas riceand gravy,Ijustknew it. There is nomistaking that delicious scent.

“Hey Momma, what are we havingfor supper tonight?” Iasked anyway

“I made rice and gravy.Wehavesome smothered okra, corn macque choux and cabbage, too,” she replied

Now,itmight be calledrice and gravy by everyone from around thissouthwest Louisiana area, but we all know we are talking about meat that has been browned and braised in aheavy aluminum pot or acast-iron Dutch oven Diced onions and bell peppers are added and sautéed. Add water,and themeat is braised until tender. The meat with its gravy is then served over abed of white rice.

The cut of choice for this braise is locally referred to as “7 steak.”Its namesake comes from the boneshaped like the number seven. The cutofmeat is beef shoulder steak. On ourfarm, we raised our own cattle for beef, and we chose younger cattle to slaughter. The meat, referred to as babybeef, was slightly sweeter and more tenderthan heavybeef, making it thebestchoice for this braise.

If you are in our area andhappen upon alocal restaurant servingriceand gravy,just know that you areabout to have astick-to-your-ribs kind of delicious meal. Along with the rice, gravy and meat, sides are usually beans, black eye peas, corn or other vegetables. My family liked to serveasimple, fresh cabbage slaw dressed lightly with vinegar and seasoned withsalt andpepper along with this entrée.

7steaks in agravy with rice

7Steaks in aGravy

Serves 4

2tablespoons vegetable oil

2beef “7 steaks” (shoulder steaks)

1teaspoon red cayenne pepper

2teaspoonssalt

1teaspoon granulated garlic

1large onion, mediumdiced 1medium green bell pepper,medium diced

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1. In alarge,heavybottomed potoracast-iron Dutch oven, addoil to the pot and heat over medium-high heat until hot.

2. Season the steaks with red cayenne pepper, salt and granulatedgarlic

3. Add meat to the pot in a single layerand brown the beef on both sides until the meat is deeply caramelized. Remove meat andset aside

4. Addthe diced onions and bell peppers. Sautéthe vegetables. Scrap thebottom of thepot as yousauté the vegetables.

6. Cook covered,adding water as needed until the meat is tender. This maytake about1 hour,depending upon the ageofthe beef being prepared.

7. The gravyshould notbe too watery.Cook to reduceto agravythatwill coat therice.

5. Return themeat to the pot, placing steaksontop of the vegetables. Addwater to just cover themeat, then cover thepot andreduceheat to medium.

Newbookcharts life of Mississippi, otherrivers

Thanks to “Ol’ Man River,” the Broadway showtune madefamous by Paul Robeson, many of us grewup thinking of the Mississippi River not merely as apiece of geography but a giant personality.That idea resonates with special meaning in Louisiana, where the river defines thelandscape. Is it really true, though,thatrivers live in this way? Robert Macfarlane explores the question in “Is aRiver Alive?,” his new book about theessence of waterways around the world. There’snoquestionthat healthy rivers hum with life: fish andplants, birds and wildlife, the pulse of people coming and going. But Macfarlane, acelebrated British naturalist, wonders if rivers are such acomplex presencethat they might be regarded as fellow beings.

At the very least, he suggests, rivers look alive,asevidenced bytheir tendency to move.

“The ghosts of rivers lie all about us,” Macfarlane tells readers, noting the traces they leave behind when they change course. He shares the story of Harold Fisk, ageologist and cartographer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who found away to map how theMississippi had meandered over many years. The shifts had created “river ghosts” —deposits of sediment and other evidence that revealedwhere the current had once flowed.Working from south Illinois to southLouisiana Fisk “mappedthe Mississippi’smem-

Dan an ny Heitm DannyHeitman

ories,” creatingimages that Macfarlane hails as artistic masterpieces.

“In them,” he writes, “the Mississippi comes to life: twisting like matingsnakeswrithing with river ghosts.Seen inFisk’scartographic imagination, plotted colorfully across both time and space, theMississippi becomesanitinerant, wandering being.”

TheMississippi River,grand though it may be, is one of many rivers that figure into Macfarlane’s narrative. The three headliners of his bookare Río Los Cedros in Ecuador the“watery city” of Chennai in India andCanada’sMagpie River

Macfarlane’sbook has arrived at a time of heightened interest in river life. Earlier this summer,Rien Fertel, oneofour newspaper’sfrequent reviewers, wrote about Boyce Upholt’s“The Great River: The Making and Unmakingofthe Mississippi.” In 2022, we shared news here about “Lifeonthe Mississippi,” Rinker Buck’s colorfulaccount of his travels down The Big Muddy on aflatboat Macfarlane’s case for the person-

PROVIDED PHOTO

RobertMacfarlane is the author of ‘Is aRiver Alive?,’which explores the roles of rivers such as theMississippi in shaping life on the planet.

hood of rivers is moreofapoetic argument than ascientific one, but his poetics hum withalyrical urgency

LikePhilip Hoare, another British naturalist very much worth reading, Macfarlane often steps outside the frame of ordinary perspective, nudging us to see thealien beautyofa world we sometimes takefor granted. He writes of aforest in Ecuador, for example, “where bright-red bromeliadswith their red-spiked flowers flared like open penknives.”

Macfarlane says that when his young son learned about the title of “Is aRiver Alive?,” the boy told him, “That’s going tobeashort book then, Dad, because theanswer is yes!

Email Danny Heitman at danny@ dannyheitman.com

Poetry collection by La.writers,artists

BY SERENA PUANG

Contributing writer

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at20:

An AnthologyofLouisiana Poetry and Art, Edited by MonaLisa Saloyand John Warner Smith, Black Bayou Press

“They say ‘You’re eithergoing to astorm, going througha storm, or coming out of one.’// That’swhat they say,” begins apoem by J. Kevin Chavis in a new anthology commemorating the 20th anniversaryofhurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“So, we wait. //Wait to go to. // Wait to go through.//And once you’re through, you pick up the pieces and rebuild.”

The collection, titled “Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at 20:

An Anthology of Louisiana Poetry and Art” contains poetry and artwork from 44 Louisiana writers and/or artists,all of whom were impacted bythe hurricanes and had to rebuild their lives. It’spublished by Black Bayou Press,and itwas edited by two Louisiana poet laureates: John Warner Smith, who was the secretary of labor during Katrina, and Mona Lisa Saloy,who is from New Orleans and was displaced by the storm.

“Weboth felt very strongly that no one can better capture the tragedy of the stormsand the resilient spirit of our state than the poets of Louisiana,” Smith wrote in the introduction.

Smith reached out to Saloy to work on the project together in 2024. They had done readings together and knew each other, since they were both deeply impacted by the storm. Saloy said that it took 16 moves in 14 and ahalf years to get hometo New Orleans.

The poems, sorted in alphabetical order by author’slast name, include contributors such as Alison Pelegrin,the Poet Laureate through 2025, Peter Cooley and Julie Kane. Both editors also contributedto the collection.

“I know people still not in their homes, struggling. Iknow peoplewho want to return but cannot because thecost of livingissohigh,” Saloy said. “I know tradition bearers, the Black Masking Indians, who have hadtomoveout of the city because thecostissohigh.”

But in themidst of these losses and hardship, she said, it’simportant to remember and celebrate theway no disaster haseclipsed New Orleans. People, as Chavis’ poemsays,get throughit, pick up thepieces and rebuild

“Weare evolving, and we are here,and we’re still creating culture,” Saloy said. “We’re still beingour wonderfulSouthern selves.”

Her first of three poemsin the collection, titled “New Orleans: Broken Not Dead,” honors thepoet Claude McKay, who wrote the sonnet “If we must die” in responsetomob attacksbyWhite Americans against Black Americans during the Red Summer in 1919.

Both Smith andSaloy see poetry as away of preserving history and evoking memory

“It might be alittle cliché, but it (poetry) feeds the soul,” Smith said.“It nurtures.It inspires. If we really take the time to read and let it just do its thing.”

Smith hopes that putting stories in print will help to preserve the memories.

“I think it can be part of the legacy just helpingusnever forget —never forget how devastating thosestorms were, lives destroyed, millions of dollars of property,”Smith said.

“It’sjust something we wanted to be around forever.”

‘feeds thesoul’

By The Associated Press

Today is Sunday,Aug. 24, the 236th day of 2025. There are 129 days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On Aug. 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew smashed into Florida; the storm resulted in 65 deaths and caused more than $26 billion in damage across Florida, Louisiana and the Bahamas.

Also on this date:

In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., setting fire to the still-underconstruction Capitol and the White House, as well as other public buildings

In 1912, Congress passed ameasure creating the Alaska Territory

In 1932, Amelia Earhart embarked on a19-hour flight from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey,making her the first woman to fly solo, nonstop, from coast to coast.

In 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty came into force.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Communist Control Act, outlawing the Communist Party in the United States.

In 1989, Baseball Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti banned Pete Rose from the game for betting on hisown team, the Cincinnati Reds.

In 1991, in response to a coup attempt by hard-line Communist leaders attempting to reassert control over the Soviet Union, Ukrainian parliamentarians voted to approve aDeclaration of Independence for the state of Ukraine.

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union declared that Pluto was no longer afull-fledged planet, demoting it to the status of a “dwarf planet.”

In 2012, aNorwegian court found Anders Behring Breivik guilty of terrorism and premeditated murder for twin attacks on July 22, 2011, that killed 77 people; he received a21-year prison sentence that can be extended as long as he is consid-

ereddangeroustosociety In 2018, thefamily of ArizonaSen. John McCainannouncedthat he haddiscontinuedmedical treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer;McCain died the following day In 2019, policeinAurora, Colorado, responding to areport of asuspicious person, used achokehold to subdue ElijahMcClain, a23-yearold Black man; he suffered cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and was later declared brain dead and taken off life support.

In 2020, Republicans formally nominated President DonaldTrump for asecond term on the opening day of ascaled-down convention; during avisit to the conventioncity of Charlotte, North Carolina,Trump tolddelegates that“ the only way they can take this election awayfromusisifthis is a riggedelection. ”

Today’sBirthdays: ComposermusicianMason Williams is 87. R&B singer Marshall Thompson(The Chi-Lites)is 83. WWE co-founder Vince McMahonis80. Author Paulo Coelho is 78. Actor Anne Archer is 78. Author Alexander McCall Smith is 77. ComposerJean-Michel Jarre is 77.AuthorOrson Scott Card is 74. Poet Linton Kwesi Johnson is 73. Actor KevinDunn is 70. Former Arkansas governor and political commentator Mike Huckabeeis70. ActorwriterStephen Fry is 68. Actor Steve Guttenberg is 67.BaseballHallofFamer Cal Ripken Jr.is65. Actor JaredHarris is 64. Talk show hostCraigKilborn is 63. Actor MarleeMatlin is 60. Basketball Hall of FamerReggie Miller is 60. Film director AvaDuVernayis53. Actor-comedian DaveChappelle is 52.Actor James D’Arcyis51. Actor Carmine Giovinazzois52. Actor AlexO’Loughlin is 49. AuthorJohnGreenis48. Actor Chad MichaelMurray is 44. Actor Rupert Grint is 37. Basketball playerKelsey Plum is 31.

Go aheadand reciprocate, already!

Dear Miss Manners: We have afriend who frequently invites us by for brunch. She has alovely,immaculate, pet-free and pristine home. We feel as though we should reciprocatethe invitation. However,our home is the antithesis of hers: small, cluttered and quite pet-friendly We want to invite her over,but we feel that she would not be comfortable in our home. Plus, she often doesn’t even eat much of the food that she serves at brunch, so we aren’teven sure of her dietary preferences. Should we not worry too much about these things and go ahead with an offered invitation? We don’twant to put her on the spot,but we also don’twant her to thinkweonly want to see her in her own home.

Gentlereader: Presuming that one’s homeorfood will never be good enough for an exceptional host has left manyanexceptional host exasperated and resentful that their generosity is never reciprocated.

Dear Heloise: Inoticed

Miss Manners therefore insists that you invite this friend over immediately.Clean your house, inquire about allergies (both pet and food) and do your best. Your friend will no doubt appreciate theeffort. Because for all you know,the minuteyou leave her pristine house, the crammed closets burst open and the critters run fortheir lives.

Dear Miss Manners: My husband and I were going on vacation forour anniversary.When our neighbors learned we were renting atwo-bedroom,twobathroom condo, they invited themselves along. We didn’tknow how to say no, but were abit encouraged by thethought that our rental would be cheaper shared. The couple, unknown to us, thought thetrip was free forthem.They kept tellingeveryone we metthat they were on afree vacation,when we’d paid nearly $3,000 forthe accommodations. They did not pay apenny, nor have they offered.

Arewewrong forthinking this was rude? How can we politely ask them to pay aportion of the costs?

Gentlereader: First, Miss Manners must teach you how to say no po-

litely Inviting oneself on an anniversary trip is already appalling. Expecting it to be paid forisbonkers. What you could have said at the timewas, “This is an anniversary trip, but we would be happy to figure out an occasion to vacation with you. Perhaps when it is the anniversary of us being neighbors?”

But if you really feel that you had no choice and now want somecompensation out of the deal, you can still tell them,“Youknow,I should have said so in the first place, but we were not expecting to have guests forour anniversary trip. However, since you came along, your half of the condo is XYZdollars.”

Do not pose this as aquestion. And if they balk at it and push back? Tell them the polite no that you should have told them in the first place.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO64106.

several people have written about items that you can give to agraduating student to taketocollege (a hammer,nails, atool kit, etc.). Has everyone forgotten that thecollege will have maintenance people who already have these tools and will help studentsif they need to assemble things?

People mean well, but don’toverload kids with thingsthat they’ll most likely never need or use. They are only atemporary resident of their college dorm.It’snot as though they’re going to be needing abunch of tools, abig first-aid kit,and abunch of other things.

Think in minimal terms: alaundry bag, an alarm clock, soap (for both laundry and their body),and other things that are easy to pack and cause less clutter.After thefirst month, thestudentswill have a better idea of what they really need. —Scott W.,inLubbock,Texas

Doggydoo-doo

Dear Heloise: Ilove dogs and have two rescue babies. Every time Iwalk my dogs, Ipick up after them instead of leaving poo on aneighbor’syard. Yesterday one of the neighbors walked their dog past my yard and let their dog use my frontlawn as his bathroom.Then they just walked off. Iknew where he lived, so Itook ashovel and scooped up thedog droppings. (And

it was rather large, but so wasthe dog!) Idumped it on his front porch. Just as it slipped off my shovel, he opened his door,and I pointed to the poo and said, “You forgot something.”

I’mtired of people who do not pick up after their dogs. If you walk your dog, then makesure to pick up after your pet. It’s not the pet’sfault; it’sthe owner’s responsibility —WalterF., in Flagstaff,Arizona

Walter,I agree with you. If you have apet, you need to take responsibility fortheir actions, which includes picking up poo!

Heloise

Scrubbingcarrots

Dear Heloise: About peeling carrots, whypeel them unless they are severely blemished? Ijust scrub them with avegetable brush, and they don’tget

Dear Heloise: Ilive in aCalifornia, where every drop of water must be saved. When Ineed ahot cloth for wiping, instead of waiting forthe faucet to produce hot water,I soak it in cold water and put it in the microwave for10-15 sec-

BY ALICIA RANCILIO Associated Press

In Starz’s“Outlander,”

Caitriona Balfe’sClaire Fraser is bold and brave. She can also thinkon her feet in high-pressure moments. Her husband Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan, is protective and empathetic In anew prequel series out now,called “Outlander: Blood of My Blood,” we see how they each got that way

“BloodofMyBlood” tells the love story of Jamie’s parents, Ellen and Brian, and Claire’sparents, Julia and Henry.The characters are inspired by the stories of Diana Gabaldon but there are no novels for showrunner MatthewB.Robertsto follow.Healso is the showrunner of the original series, which debuts its final season early next year

With no source material, “there’salot more room to

playin,” explainedRoberts. In “Outlander,” “there are allthese tentpole moments that we havetowrite to becausethat’swhat ouraudience wants from thebooks.” In the books, Gabaldon mentions Jamie’sparents in “breadcrumbs,” said Roberts.“We sticktothose,but

the freedom is what can we do after that to get to essentially where‘Outlander’ begins.”

The big obstacle facing Jamie’sparents, Ellen and Brian, who meet in 18th-century Scotland —isthat they come from families that “don’tget on,” saidHarriet Slater,who

plays Ellen. “They don’tmix. It’scompletely forbidden. My father’sworst enemy was Brian’sfather so I’m sure he’d have had some strong wordstosay aboutthe whole thing.”

Jamie Roy,who plays Brian,enjoys the duality of his character.There’sthe “tough, stoic, Highland warrior” who he says“rides aroundonhorses and swings swords and stuff.”Then there’sthis “lovely,gentle, poetic,romantic guy who wants nothing morethan to takecare of other people.”

Afew monthsago Roy went back and rewatched episodes fromseasonone of “Outlander,” because he wanted to watch Heughan as his TV son.

“There’ssomany people who had said there wasresemblances aboutour performancesand such.I was like, ’Well, let me seewhat Sam’s journey was like right

at the start. And Ikind of see what they mean.”

Claire’sparents Julia and Henry are mentioned even less in the books. They died in acar accident when Claire was young. We see them meet in “Blood of My Blood” during World War I. Henrywas asoldier and Julia worked in postal censorship.

“Whenwemeet him, he’s pretty much given up,” said Jeremy Irvine,who plays Henry.“Ithink he’saccepted death really and doesn’t have anything to live for andsends this onelast lifeline out in the form of an open letterback to England.” Julia finds his letter at work and feels compelled to respond. The two end up falling in love while writing back and forth.

Aseries of events send Julia and Henry,like their daughter,back in time. Theyend up in the1700s,

where Irvine explains they are “trying to live second by second.”

“The time they’ve gone back to is not afriendly time to be an outsider at all. Beinganoutsiderwouldlikely mean death. Henryand Julia, as is Claire, are very quick-witted, fast-thinking, intelligent people. They survive by the skin of their teeth.”

The castisalreadyinproduction on season two of “Blood of My Blood.” Hermione Corfield, whoplays Julia, says it’sbeen nice filming“in our ownlittlesecret bubble.”

Promoting the series has been tricky because they have to remember what happenedinseason oneversus season two.

“You almost forget what youdid in season onebecause you’re alreadyonto that next journey and storyline,” said Corfield.

Localprivate equity firmsputting southLouisiana

ON THE MAP

BY STEPHANIERIEGEL Staff writer

Four longtime southLouisiana companies have been acquiredinthe past three months, all by out-of-state privateequity firms, raisingalarms among civicleaders aboutthe loss of corporate decision-making in the local economy

But flying under the radar are a small group of homegrown private equity firms that inrecent years have raised billions of dollars, bought their ownout-of-statecompanies and are startingto create a local investmentecosystem thatis turning heads outsideofLouisiana.

Bernhard Capital Partners, founded adecade ago in Baton Rouge, is by far thelargest. It has raised more than $5.5 billion in five investment funds and owns 21 companies, including Delta Utilities, whichrecently bought Entergy’s natural gas business.

New Orleans-basedBlack Bay Partners launched its third fund earlier this year after raising more than $500 million in less than adecade and currently has 15 energy-focused companies in its portfolio.

Carr’sHill Partners, founded by former Bernhard partner David deLaureal, raised $210 million in its initial fund, which closed in March, on top of some$200 million ithad previously raised to fund four com-

panies it owns. And LongueVue Capital in Metairie, whichwas foundedin2001, has raised more than$850million from five funds withaportfolio that in-

cludes more than adozen “middlemarket”companiesina varietyof industries. Compared with the largest private equity firmsinthe country

“National endowments, pension funds and foundations are coming to New Orleans and Baton Rougetoinvest with these firms, in the sameway they would a firm in New York, ChicagoorHouston.”

GARy SERNOVITZ, New Orleans-based financial writer and managing directorwithHouston-based Lime Rock Partners, a$10

First row, fromleft, are Matt Schovee, Michael LeBourgeois and Julie Isacks; and second row, TomAmbrose, Guy Cook and John Lancaster with Black BayPartners. The NewOrleans-based private equity firm launched itsthird fundearlier thisyear after raising more than $500 million in lessthan a decade and currently has 15 energyfocused companies in itsportfolio.

STAFFPHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

—Blackstone has morethan $1 trillioninassets under management the local firmsare small. But some ä See PRIVATE EQUITY, page 2E

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Lizbeth Montelongoloved her custodial job at Lake Forest Elementary Cha r te r School, where she worked for more than adecade. Her co-workers had become exten ded family,supporting her side hustle designing balloon decorations for birthdays, graduations and other specialevents. But in 2022, Montelongoleft her longtime position behindinhopes of turning her hobby into afulltime career

The bet paid off. In 2023, she opened Balloons Creations by Liz in aChalmette storefront. Twoyears later,she’s planning amove to abiggerlocation. And her gigs now rangefrom providing dozens of balloons for ababy shower to installing thousands of them for events in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center One of Montelongo’sfirst stops after deciding to go into business for herself was El Centro,anow 7-year-old nonprofit that offers free financial wellness training

way,” she said.“Theyhelped me find the ladder up.”

Montelongo’sballoon business is just one example of the type of company El Centro wasbuilt to serve. In ametro area wherethe overallpopulationisshrinking butthe Latino demographic is growing, the nonprofit business incubator aims to provide “culturallycompetent” training thatwill speed up the process of launching new businesses, boosting tax revenue andjobsacross the region in the process. That means teaching classes in Spanish while encouraging entrepreneurs to learn English as quickly as possible to

“Wewant to do everything we can to help people understand the mechanicsofthe financialsystem here in the United States,” said Lindsey Navarro,aLoyola University MBA grad whocreated El Centro in 2018after leaving behindher ownlongtime jobwith the Texasbased nonprofit lender LiftFund. “And we have to prepare them to compete in this marketplace.” Now, on designated weekdays, staffers host one-on-one coaching sessions at El Centro’sheadquarters on Earhart Boulevard,

PRIVATE EQUITY

Continued from page 1E

market watchers say they are proving themselves in institutional and private investing — a slice of Wall Street that’s never really been present in south Louisiana and creating opportunities that could help attract other investment firms to the area.

“National endowments, pension funds and foundations are coming to New Orleans and Baton Rouge to invest with these firms, in the same way they would a firm in New York, Chicago or Houston,” said Gary Sernovitz, a New Orleans-based financial writer and managing director with Houstonbased Lime Rock Partners, a $10 billion private equity firm.

“These are not just local, boosterish ventures,” he added. “These firms have shown they can win in the competition for capital.”

Proof of concept

Private equity has been around since the 1940s, but it didn’t become widely used as an investment vehicle until the 1980s, when Wall Street firms began taking over vulnerable companies in leveraged buyouts, often selling them for parts or merging them into other companies at great profit.

Many private equity firms today avoid the strategies that earned the industry its corporate raider reputation, with some focused on rolling up industries into national brands or buying midsized companies and bringing in experienced managers to boost growth. They’ve also evolved into an alternative to stocks or bonds for wealthy investors because of looser regulatory restrictions and higher returns. There are plenty of critics, who point to instances where regional companies are swallowed up and higher profits are eked out of longtime customers

But the industry’s success at generating returns has meant continued growth. Over the past decade,

private markets have seen assets under management increase from just under $3 trillion in 2010 to $11.7 trillion in 2022, according to EQT, which tracks the industry

During the same time, private equity firms have expanded into a broader array of industry sectors, buying up medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies, fitness chains and local media groups, to name a few.

While the largest national firms have multiple funds that invest across industry sectors, local and regional firms in south Louisiana are narrowly focused, mostly around energy and industrial services, which works to their advantage, Sernovitz said.

“They’ve all said, ‘This is a market where we can invest in reasonable valuations and generate returns that investors expect,’” he said. “The fact that they are now on second, third and fourth funds proves they are successful.”

Focused approach

Black Bay Partners has built its

firm investing in energy and chemical companies in North American that are focused on innovation, according to Michael LeBourgeois, who founded the firm in 2016 with Guy Cook and Tom Ambrose. Its companies are involved in things like recycling fuel stockpiles so they can be reused by in-

dustry, developing more effective capture-carbon methods and using artificial intelligence to squeeze more oil and gas out of rocks and shale.

Most of Black Bay’s investments are between $10 million and $50 million, and include not only a capital infusion but a growth strategy and management expertise.

“We put seasoned executives in place, introduce the companies to new customers and help them find other businesses to buy,” LeBourgeois said. “When you’re a specialist and backing companies in high-growth mode, there are a lot of ways to help your portfolio companies.”

Carr’s Hill has a similar approach, though it’s not specifically focused on the energy sector Employing a strategy deLaureal learned at Bernhard Capital nearly a decade ago, Carr’s Hill targets regional companies, many family owned and operated, that haven’t kept up with the times and are losing ground or, perhaps, need a succession plan and exit strategy

“We bring a management team to the table on day one to help them manage growth,” deLaureal said. “There is a ton of sweat equity that

INCUBATOR

Continued from page 1E

not far from the new Five O Fore Golf and Entertainment complex. In the evenings, the space houses workshops.

Since its inception, the organization has hosted more than 400 events with more than 7,000 participants and more than 2,000 individual coaching appointments. About 140 businesses have completed El Centro’s six-week “Impulsate” accelerator program, which combines classes and coaching to grow businesses.

These programs, administered by a staff of seven, are supported by an annual budget of about $640,000, cobbled together from public and private sources.

“We’re doing a million dollars of work with those funds,” said Navarro, who stretches the budget by partnering with other organizations Propeller, the nonprofit business incubator located nearby, sometimes hosts events, as do banks and other local partners.

“Despite a small budget, Lindsey has done a great job of making entrepreneurship accessible to a growing part of the population,” said Jon Atkinson, CEO of The Idea Village, a tech-focused business accelerator that’s another El Centro collaborator

The nonprofit’s clientele is nearly 80% women, the majority of whom are under 40. They come mostly from Honduras, followed by a long list of Latin American and Caribbean nations. Most live

in Jefferson Parish.

Two of El Centro’s clients are now tenants in its small co-working space. One is a college prep service and the other a staffing company that’s already cracked $1 million in annual revenue, according to Navarro.

Other success stories include Hilda Alvarez, owner of Hilda’s Construction, who credits El Centro’s business accelerator program with creating new opportunities for her company.

Cafétomas owner Saul Alcazar has established three locations of his Latin American restaurant concept with support from Navarro’s team

Ingrid Ferguson, owner of three Variedades Ceibeña markets, credits El Centro for helping her establish a successful sales incentive program for her employees.

Big dreams, a lot of paperwork

El Centro’s clients work in many industries, including catering, construction, janitorial services, housekeeping, and professional services. Despite the variety, Navarro said most of them have one thing in common.

“They want to open their own businesses so they can control their own destiny and create opportunities for others,” she said.

Before they can do that, they have to cut through a lot of red tape, which is where El Centro comes in.

Navarro said a big part of her team’s job is helping clients understand and complete all sorts of paperwork, ranging from articles of incorporation to occupational li-

censes and, even, parade permits

A major focus is teaching clients to correctly file tax returns, which Navarro said can help build credit and unlock opportunities, such as qualifying for home and car loans.

El Centro also teaches entrepreneurs about the differences between the financial systems in the U.S. and Latin America. Navarro said her team often has to explain the fundamentals of amortization and how the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is in place to guarantee bank deposits are safe.

“Credit access in Latin America is based on your family name,” she said. “It’s kind of like an old boy’s club. And there’s a sense you should pay it back immediately, which makes it hard to build credit.”

‘Original American dream’

Navarro believes a successful small business like Montelongo’s balloon shop combined with many more like it — can create economic benefits for the community at large.

She’s especially focused on getting that message out in the current political climate with its anti-immigrant bias. The entrepreneurs El Centro helps are citizens or are here legally with visas and work permits Still, they face challenges because of the chill that immigration raids have put on the area.

“There’s a fear now even for citizens, but it hasn’t stopped them from opening businesses because they want to create opportunities,” she said. “Latinos are very entrepreneurial.”

ter and wastewater utilities, with another utility deal in New Mexico pending regulatory approval.

Despite its growing national footprint, nine of Bernhard Capital’s companies are based in Louisiana, which is home to 6,000 of its total workforce of 25,000.

“Across Louisiana and the southeast we see thousands of thriving businesses that want access to growth capital,” Jenkins said.

“We’re glad to support those businesses and to also see a growing trend of investment firms in Louisiana that can be partners in providing that critical capital.”

‘Less exotic’

goes into it.”

The firm targets companies valued between $20 million and $200 million and is focused on the South — a region where its team knows the culture and has the advantage of personal and professional connections.

“We acquire things between Texas, Florida and the Carolinas, deLaureal said. “I can be in front of people quickly.”

Growing trend

Bernhard Capital started out with much the same approach, when former Shaw Group founder and CEO Jim Bernhard and his partner and co-founder Jeff Jenkins, launched the firm in 2015.

Initially, Bernhard Capital had just four portfolio companies under its umbrella, each comprised of smaller companies like E.P. Breaux Electrical in Lafayette and MCC in Metairie, the late Joe Jaeger’s mechanical construction company Over the decade, its growth has outperformed even its founders’ expectations, Jenkins said recently In recent years, it has branched beyond energy and industrial services into regulated public utilities. Today, it owns seven natural gas, wa-

Benson Capital Partners, Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson’s investment arm, is among the investment firms providing capital to regional businesses. Founded in 2020, the firm has raised more than $100 million across two funds. One is focused on venture capital — making small investments to help startups — the other is a real estate fund.

New Orleans also has several smaller venture funds, including the Louisiana Fund, Tulane Alumni Ventures and 1834 Ventures, focused on seeding and growing local tech companies and small, innovative startups.

All of them are valuable to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, experts say, but they provide a different function than the more traditional private equity firms, such as Bernhard Capital.

Having private equity firms in south Louisiana with successful funds and robust portfolios helps attract other investment firms to the area — and the high-end attorneys and accountants that serve them, Sernovitz said.

“Having a community invites community,” he said. “The more there are, the more that will come and the less exotic being in New Orleans will seem.”

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

As a kid growing up in Houma, where her Panama-born parents moved for her dad’s engineering job, Navarro loved traveling to New Orleans to visit all the great Latin-owned restaurants and markets, which were lacking in her hometown.

“It’s beautiful,” Navarro said. “It’s like Ellis Island. It’s the original American dream, and we’re helping people pursue that.” Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

Now she’s proud to be a part of the ecosystem that’s creating more businesses just like them. She said she’s not the only one who gets emotional at graduation ceremonies for El Centro program participants, where graduates share one cap and one gown, taking turns to wear them for photos.

TALKING BUSINESS

ASK THE EXPERTS

Post-Katrina visionary says city is ready for next steps

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Q&A WITH DAVID DIXON

David Dixon, a Boston-based architect and urban planner with Stantec, is nationally renowned for reimagining strip malls into new suburban downtowns, launching innovation districts in urban corridors and rethinking the role of density in building more livable, walkable, resilient and equitable communities.

Around these parts, however, Dixon is best known for helping draft New Orleans’ post-Hurricane Katrina master plan, which was completed in 2007 and became law in 2010. In the years since, the plan has been influential in guiding growth and development in the city, including projects like the Lafitte Greenway and the conversion of historic downtown office buildings into hotels and apartments.

Earlier this month, Dixon was back in New Orleans to deliver the Jacob Haight and Mary Meek Morrison Memorial Lecture, presented in partnership with the Historic New Orleans Collection, Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents and Associates and the Vieux Carre Commission Foundation.

We caught up with him for coffee at Croissant d’Or in the French Quarter to discuss where he sees New Orleans 20 years after the historic flood. In this week’s Talking Business, he discusses what New Orleans got right, what needs improvement and why he’s optimistic about its future.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity

Two decades after you helped lead the master planning process here, what stands out?

Halfway through the process, the late Bill Borah, preservationist and civic leader, launched a referendum to give planning the force of law. We realized at the time that if we couldn’t develop a plan that everyone owned, it wouldn’t be

tem matters. New Orleans is not fully there. It’s better than when I got here right after Katrina, but it’s not where it needs to be. Third, there is a perception here that city services are not on par with other cities and that matters. It’s also important to recognize that having a strong innovation economy does not compete with having a tourist economy They work well together and should complement each other So, how do we get there?

New Orleans needs to do more to support investment by innovation companies. It needs to be known as a real player It needs to be out at every venture capital conference in the country

There also has to be a great focus on equity Buffalo has a great Black mayor, who has done a lot to revitalize that city He had to convince the voters that for each new job they created in biotech research or whatever — the high education, high-wage jobs — it created five

valid, whether it had the force of law or not In the end, the referendum passed and so it does have the force of law

How would you summarize the plan?

The master plan is not a highly detailed plan. That’s not what New Orleans needed. It was a plan that demonstrated the value of planning as opposed to constant political confrontation, which is what had happened before. There was no common vision, no common understanding as to what New Orleans as a whole was trying to achieve. It was literally a confederation of neighborhoods, each functioning on its own, working to see what their council member would support and what could get approved. So looking back 20 years later,what did the master plan achieve?

What the plan said is, you have to do planning, the City Planning Commission matters, here are design guidelines for the city, you need to constantly support your culture bearers, reinforce the legacy, the living culture and living legacy you have because that is New Orleans’ future as well as its past. Why does this matter?

Because New Orleans desperately needed to diversify its economy and companies are competing for talent. New Orleans didn’t compete very well in that arena 20 years ago but, boy, does it compete today

And that’s because the kind of workers you need to attract love living in places that are walkable, which means a city with places people want to walk to — places

with food, beer places to run into friends. They also want places that have authenticity — where you feel like you are in a place that grew organically in a way that reflects the local history and culture and in a place with diversity

This all sounds great. Makes sense Why is there still so much pessimism in the business community? So little growth in the local GDP? Because there are so many obstacles that still stand in the way to progress And the opportunities are so great it’s worth addressing the obstacles. So, first, it has to be a place that people feel is safe in the face of climate change You need more maintenance and investment in levees and storm gates. Second, companies have to serve families with kids, so the quality of and confidence in your school sys-

com.

Beyond isn’taplace —it’samindset. Andit’sabeliefthathas poweredusfor over 80 years. We areJones Walker LLP,a firmdrivenbyanentrepreneurial spirit,adeepsense of community, and afierce determination to deliverexceptional serviceand valuefor ourclients

Since1937, our firmhas been committed to workingwithcommunityleaders to develop business opportunitiesacrossthe state. We aresteadfast in continuing ourdedicationtogobeyondinadvising clientsand supportinginitiatives andorganizations that make Louisiana abetterplace to live andwork

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201St. CharlesAvenue NewOrleans,LA70170-5100

Beatinginflation meansknowing what type of saveryou are

Your emergency fund needs to getelevated to “stat” status.

As Iwrote back when inflation hit a40-year high in the summer of 2022, you need arainy-day fund —because it’snot amatter of if you’ll have afinancial emergency, but when. For millions of Americans, that when is now

Inflation has come down significantly since it skyrocketed to 9.1% three years ago. Still, the recent consumer price index report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed inflation standing at 2.7% in July.Core inflation, which excludesvolatile food and energy,rose 3.1%.

Dig down into the numbers, and you can see why people’sbudgets are being stretched. The cost of milk, eggs, meats, fish, cereals, bakery products and used cars wasupyear-over-year.Notably, the price of eating out increased by 4.4%.

The recent data has financial experts on high alert, with some warningof“stagflation,” an economic condition characterized by high inflation, slowgrowth and high unemployment.

“The consistent upward trend in inflation is the latestsign that President Trump’sreckless trade war and the resulting economic uncertainty are wreakinghavoc on family budgets and the American economy,” Natalie Baker,director of economic analysis at the Center for American Progress, said in astatement soon after the

BatonRouge

inflation report wasissued.

The CPI report, taken together with a“lackluster” jobs report, “is aclear warningsign that the president’spoliciesare raising pricesand squeezing consumers,” said Baker,calling it a“chilling reminder that the risk of stagflation is growing by the day.”

As inflation rises, cutbackswill be necessary for many consumers. But the time tostart your pullback—tobuild an emergency fund —is now, notwhenthings getworse.

So,whatkind of saver are you? Here’swhatIrecommend if you’reinone ofthese categories.

Can’tsee your wayto save: Iknowit’s frustrating to many people when they hear advice about cutting expenses to save. For them, there isn’tmuchto trim.

Formore than adecade, Iwas thefinancialprotector for my disabledbrother.Hehad epilepsy, and despite his efforts to maintain ajob, he couldn’tstay employed becausehis medication didn’t completelycontrolhis seizures.

Iwas 21, just three years older than my brother,whenI began helping himmanage his money

University of KentuckyMedical Center

My brother’sonly income was from his Social Security disability payment, whichbarely covered necessities.

It was hard to tell him he couldn’tafford to splurge on eating out. We even fought once over the use of his ATMcard. He kept incurring fees because he was withdrawing money from machinesnot affiliated with hisbank. Those fees addup. The average total ATMfees reached a26-year high of $4.77 in 2024, according to aBankrate survey

Whensomeone’sincome is as lowasmybrother’s, it may notbe possible to save the recommended three months’ worth of livingexpenses. But even asmall cushion can help cover higherprices.

In my brother’scase, he finally saw that by sweating the small stuff, he could build amodest savings stash. Imanaged to get him to see that he could set aside alittle money by changing some habits.

Iworkedwith him to use coupons, shopsales at thegrocery store andeat almostexclusively at home.

He switchedtoafree banking account that allowed for alimited numberofATM transactionsoutside of his financialinstitution’s network.

Can’tstopraiding your emergency fund: Trysome financialtruth-telling. Is this you?

Your savings account that’s supposed to be earmarkedfor

PEOPLE IN BUSINESS

emergencies is aslush fund that is tapped regularly for expenses like happy-hour drinks with friends or alate-night Uber Eats treat.

Youswear: “I don’teat out much.”

Youopen the refrigerator or cabinets, and although there’s food in there, you say: “There’s nothing to eat.”

Isee this financial fibbing all the time.

With consumer prices rising, do this onething: Go back six months to ayear and examine your bank andcredit card statements. You need hard evidence to replace your false memories of your spending habits.

Add up all the unnecessary spending, and use that as abenchmark for how muchyou can afford to save.

Can afford to save but lack the discipline: There’sone tip that can be the saving grace for folks who have trouble prioritizing saving for emergencies.

Have your employer automatically split your direct-deposit paycheck into adedicated emergency savings account. When trying to build an emergency fund, it’sbest to set it and forget it.

Ialso recommend the savings portionbesent to adifferent financialinstitution from the one where youkeep the account to payyourhousehold bills. The separation usually results in less temptation to transfer funds into the household account to make up

for overspending. If you need more help, Irecommend two websites, AmericaSaves.org and nfcc.org, run by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

On the America Saves site, click the link to take apledge to save. Once you do, you’ll be encouraged to set asavings goal, and the organization will send you messages of encouragement.

The NFCC has nonprofit counselors who can help you budget better to find money to save.

Can save and you do: If you find yourself in this category,please take amoment to be grateful.

Although you don’tlike having to deal with inflation, you can handle the increases because you’ve been agreat saver.For this, you should be congratulated.

But Ialso challenge you to give generously from your abundance. Consider something that my husband and Ido: We have afamily-and-friends emergency savings account that holds money we give to others in need (notice Ididn’t say “lend”), especially during economic downturns.

One of my mantras, taken from Luke 12:48, is: “Towhom muchis given, muchwill be required.” If you can afford to help others who may be struggling right now Iencourage you to do so.

EmailMichelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost. com.

Dr.Andrew Bishop hasjoined Baton RougeGeneral Heartand VascularSurgery Bishop,a cardiothoracic surgeon, specializes in heart valve and heart bypass surgery,and treating coronary artery diseaseand thoracic cancer

He earned his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and then completed acardiothoracic surgery residencyatthe

NewOrleans

Lauren Keating hasbeen promoted to director of financial planning and reporting for the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Keatin gh as been part of the Convention Center’sfinancial team since early 2023 and has served in avarietyofroles,mostrecentlyas directorofpropertyaccounting.

Before that, sheworked for Ernst &Young, where sheled financial audits for private and publicly listed clients. She earned abachelor’sinfinance anda master’s in accounting, bothfrom Tulane University

Kent Lambert and Noah Kressler have been appointed to leadershiproles with Baker Donelson Lamberthas been named chair of thefirm’s Logistics, Energy and Manufacturing Litigation Group. He was previouslymanaging shareholder of the New Orleans office and leader of theBusiness Litigation Group. Lambert has

more than 30 yearsofexperience in trial and appellate law. He earned abachelor’s, magna cum laude, from Denison University and alaw degree, cum laude, from Tulane University Law School. Lambert replaces BradleyE.Chambers,who was recentlynamed by

LonestarElectric Supply to serve as its general counseland chief administrative officer Kressler wasnamed managing shareholder.Hehas anational practice advising clientson mergers and acquisitions, debt andequityfinancings,securities matters, andcorporate governance. Before joining Baker Donelson,hespent nearly adecade practicing lawfor Weil, Gotshal &Manges in New York and London.

He earned abachelor’sfrom Vassar College and alaw degree, cum laude, from Tulane University LawSchool

‘Most likely to invest in Louisiana’

State revises foreign investment plan, puts focus on fewer countries

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration is launching a new strategy to convince foreign businesses to invest in Louisiana, scrapping a broad-based approach that tried to win business in nearly a dozen countries to instead focus on companies in Japan, Australia and parts of Europe.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, who has led the changes, said in an interview last month that those markets are where there’s the most opportunity for growth in energy, aerospace, logistics and other sectors that were identified as areas deserving of special attention in LED’s economic development strategy adopted earlier this year. LED, Bourgeois said, was focused on the “sectors that the plan said we had the best opportunity to win in” and the “countries or regions that have the most need for or opportunity in that space.”

The targeted approach, which was discussed Wednesday at the meeting of the Louisiana Board of International Commerce in Baton Rouge, is a departure from years past, when Louisiana contracted with consultants in China, Brazil, Austria, Taiwan and several other countries LED terminated those contracts in October “It was really more of a spaghetti on the wall approach,” Bourgeois said of the past strategy “That was a lot of places without a specific, ‘We’re here because of A, B and C.’” Gregory Rusovich, chair of the Louisiana Board of International Commerce, in an interview ahead of Wednesday’s board meeting, said the markets selected are the “most likely to invest in Louisiana.” LED is contracting with the World Trade Center of New Orleans to manage the new consul-

tants once they’re hired. Louisiana has allocated $550,000 to the foreign marketing efforts.

Japan is already one of Louisiana’s top foreign investors, with companies like Shintech, the U.S. subsidiary of Japanese plastics giant Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd, operating manufacturing plants in Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes. Harrison Crabtree, executive director of the World Trade Center of New Orleans, said during the meeting that Japan was chosen for its leadership in energy logistics, precision manufacturing and robotics.

In February, the Japanese chemi-

cal company UBE broke ground on a nearly $500 million plant that will make electric vehicle battery ingredients. Because of the time zone difference, Japan is also a market “where having a physical presence is really important,” Crabtree said. Louisiana’s representative in Europe will work in Italy, Germany and France, with a focus on businesses in manufacturing and energy, Crabtree said.

BASF, the German chemical company, already operates three manufacturing sites in Louisiana, Rusovich noted.

In June, Landry led a delegation to the International Paris Air Show

Integrity in Motion.

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Paige Carter, chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, said that trip resulted in around a dozen leads on potential investments. Australia is investing heavily in “the future of energy,” and looking to the U.S to grow their companies, Crabtree said, adding that Louisiana is among the first states in the South to tap into that market.

There’s also opportunity for investments from Australian companies in the defense and aerospace sector, Crabtree said

The consultants selected must agree not to represent any other U.S. states. “We will be having a global pres-

ence that’s loyal to Louisiana and that’s focused on Louisiana,” Rusovich said.

Carter recalled a company calling her to say that one of Louisiana’s previous representatives had given them his Arkansas business card Louisiana’s new strategy doesn’t mean it will ignore the rest of the world, Crabtree said, pointing to an upcoming trade mission to Norway centered on maritime innovation.

“Wherever there’s an international lead, we’re going to pursue it,” he said

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

Founded in 1939 on thebanks of theMississippi River, IMTT is NorthAmerica’s leader in storingbulkliquids that travel thecountry andthe world, supplying people andcommunities with theproductstheyneed in theireverydaylives

Gallagher: ALouisiana StoryofGrowth, Community andResilience

Gallagher,one of the world’slargestinsurancebrokerage,risk managementand consulting firms, has asignificantpresencein Louisiana, with arich history andadeep commitmenttothe local community. With roots in the statedatingback decades, Gallagher has grownintothe largest broker inLouisiana, providing awide array of services to businesses of allsizes acrossvarious sectors

“WhereIthink we areuniquelypositioned is thatwedon’t have that institutional mindset. We haven’talwaysbeen big.We’vealwayshad to be alittle morenimble, creativeand client-centric, said” Numa “Bumpy” Triche,regional president. “The result isthatwehavethe sizeand scale of anybody in the world, with robustdataanalytics and modeling capabilities. But our local operations arevery much integrated within the local market.”

Founded in 1927,Gallagher has expanded globally and reports $11.3 billion in total adjustedbrokerage andrisk managementrevenues in 2024 and amarket capitalization of $76.1billion as of January 30,2025.

Thecompanyhas aworkforce of nearly56,000 employees worldwide morethan 970officesglobally,and servesclients in over130 countries.

In Louisiana, Gallagher’s journeybeganwithanacquisition in Baton Rouge,which led to theestablishmentofofficesinNew Orleans and Monroe,Louisiana. Thecompanyhas strategically acquired local firms overthe years, integrating their employees and maintaining alocal focus. This growth has resulted in 18 officesstatewide and asignificant regional market share. Thecompanyhas grownits businessbyworking withpeople and organizations who sharecommon values and vision. “Gallagher has one of thelargest operations within ourSoutheastregion in terms of our footprint acrossthe stateand the various markets, Triche said. “Atthe same time, we arealwaysclient-focused, withthe people in the statebeing the ones who work with the local teams and businesses. People work with us because we provide awhite-glove service experiencewitheasyaccessibilitytoour team and our broader tools and resources. We have invested heavily in areas relatedtodata analysis and forensicaccounting in order to provide the technical and detailed support to our teams.Whatwedoisoffer ourclients access to global expertise tailored to their needs.”

As proud as Gallagher is of its growth,theyare prouder to have been able to maintainits unique culture. This cultureissummed up in 25 tenets called TheGallagher Way, aset of shared values thatemphasize ethics, integrityand aclient-centricapproach. These values were articulatedbyRobert E. Gallagher backin1984and have sinceguided the company’soperations and relationships. Keyprinciples include providing excellentrisk managementservices,supporting and respecting colleagues, pursuing professional excellenceand fostering open communication. Thecompanyculturevalues empathy, trust, leadership and teamwork, with astrong emphasis on treating everyone with courtesyand respect

Gallagher’s commitmenttoLouisiana goes beyond business. The companyhas alocalpresence, with employees deeply embedded in the community.

“Our employees see theirclients at church on Sundays,play golf with them on Saturdays,and go to lunch with them on Wednesdays,” said William Jackson, ExecutiveVicePresidentof Gallagher’s SoutheastRegion and leader of the NewOrleans operation and the region’s specialtyproducts.Our local connection is akey differentiatorfor Gallagher,combining the resourcesand capabilities of alarge global firmwith the personalized serviceofa communitybroker.

“Weteam up withlocalpartnerstomakeevery communitywejoin a morevibrantone.Fromfundraisersfor localcharities to crawfishboils and hurricane relief,our officesgivebacktothe peopleand places in whichwelive. As we grow larger,wemaintain close ties to the communities we serve.

Gallagher serves adiverse range of industries in Louisiana,including manufacturing, agribusiness, public sector,higher education, aerospace, energy,entertainmentand lifesciences. Thecompanypositions itself as athought leader when it comes to riskmanagementguidance on topics suchascyber risks, healthcare,marine construction AI, social inflation and other influences thatimpactinsurance claim costs, leading to higher premiums and impacting the insuranceindustry’srisklandscape.The team prides itself on providing expertiseand insights on keyindustries and currenteventsimpacting this region.

WILLIAM JACKSON ExecutiveVicePresidentSoutheast Region, Gallagher

Gallagher is poised forcontinued success in Louisiana,driven by its strong values, localfocus and expertise in keyindustries. Thecompany’s emphasis on client-centric service, combined with its global resources, positions it as atrustedpartner forbusinesses andindividuals seeking insurance, risk managementand consulting solutions.AsGallagher continues to grow and adapttothe evolving needsofthe market its commitmenttothe local communities remains acornerstone of its identity

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Abilityto operatevarious farmeqpmt &knowl of eqpmtmaintenance &repair, incl en‐gines, pumps, &electricmotors. MUST follow thesespecificapplication in‐structions in ordertobeconsidered: Send CV &cvr ltrtobrooke.merrick10@ gmail.comorBrookeMerrick,T&M Farms, LLC, PO BOX700,New Roads, LA 70760 w/in 30 days

HEALTH CARE PulmonaryCriticalCarePhysician: BatonRouge,LA. MD or ForeignEquiva‐lent;CompletionofInternalMedicine Residency, PulmonaryDisease and Critical Care Fellowship;B/C in Internal Medicine andPulmonary Disease; B/E or B/CinCriticalCareMedicine. Pos‐sess or be eligible fora LA MedicalLi‐cense. Employment at multiple work‐sitesisrequired. Mail CV to:Lauren Eastep,Physician Recruiter, Franciscan Missionaries of OurLadyHealthSys‐tem, Inc. (FMOLHS),5959S.Sherwood Forest Blvd.Baton Rouge, LA 70816

PUBLIC NOTICE

Anypersonknowing the whereabouts of thefol‐lowing describedpromis‐sory note:Thatcertain promissory note dated July 29,2020 by Racquel Wheeler payabletoFirst ConsumersFinancial of Carencro,LLC in the amount of $2070.00 to‐gether with interest at therateof35.82%%until paid,payable in 18 equal monthlyinstallmentsof $115.00 each.Pleasecon‐tact RichardD.Bankston, 427 SouthFosterDrive BatonRouge,LA70806, (225) 346-1999. 155207-aug23-24-25-3t $202.30

PUBLIC NOTICE

EXHIBIT“A” NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

Pursuant to theprovi‐sionsofthe resolution adoptedBythe Boardof CommissionersofCon‐cord EstatesCrime Pre‐ventionDistrict(“Gov‐erning Authority”), the “Governing Authority”) acting as thegoverning authorityofConcord Es‐tatesCrime Prevention District on Saturday Oc‐tober11, 2025, andthat at thesaidelectionthere will be submittedtoall theregisteredvotersin theDistrictqualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the constitution andlawsof theState of Louisiana andthe Constitution and laws of theUnitedStates, theFollowing proposi‐tion.ToWit: PROPOSITION ShallConcord Estates CrimePreventionDistrict (the “District”)levyand collectanannualparcel feeofSixty Nine and 50/100 ($69.50) on each lot, subdivided portionof ground,orindividual tractnot meaning a “condominium parcel (Withrespect to theCon‐dominiumsare situated andnot on individual condominiumunits)as definedinR.S.9:1121.103 in theDistrictidentified by an individual assess‐ment numberofthe rolls of East BatonRouge Parish,for theperiodof four (4)years beginning with theyear2026, with proceedsofthe parcel fee($20,433 estimatedto be collectedfromthe ini‐tial collection), forthe purposeaidingincrime prevention andadding to thesecurityofthe dis‐trict?

Thesaidspecial elec‐tion will be held in accor‐dancewiththe applica‐bleprovisionsofChapter 5and Chapter6-A of title 18 of theLouisiana re‐visedStatutesof1950, as amendedand constitu‐tional and statutoryau‐thority, andofficers ap‐pointedtoholdthe elec‐tion,asprovidedinthe Notice of SpecialElec‐tion,orsuchsubstitutes thereforeasmay be se‐lected as designated in accordance with La.R.S 18:1287, will make there‐turnsthereof to said GoverningAuthority,and NOTICE TO HEREBY FUR‐THER GIVENthatthe Gov‐erning Authoritywill meet at itsregular meet‐ing place, on Wednesday October22, 2025 at SEVENO’CLOCK (7;00) P.M. andexamine and canvassthe returnsand declarethe resultsofthe said SpecialElection. All registered voters of the district areentitledto vote at said specialelec‐tion andvotingmachines will be used

Thespecial election will be held at thefollowing partialpolling situated within theDistrict, which pollwill be open at six ( ) d l

OF MERGER OF BANKS Notice is hereby given that b1BANK,500 Laurel Street,Baton Rouge, Louisiana70801, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Business FirstBanc‐shares,Inc Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has filedanapplicationwith theFederal DepositIn‐suranceCorporation for itswrittenconsent for Progressive Bank,1411 N. 19thStreet,Monroe, Louisiana71201, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive Bancorp, Inc.,Monroe, Louisiana, to mergewithand into b1BANK.b1BANKwillbe theresulting entity from thebankmergerand the separate corporateexis‐tenceofProgressive Bank will cease. Follow‐ingthe bank merger b1BANK will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Business FirstBanc‐shares,Inc

It is contemplated that allofficesofProgressive Bank andb1BANKwill continue to be operated following theproposed merger transactions

This notice is published pursuant to Section18(c) of theFederal DepositIn‐suranceAct Anypersonwishing to comment on this applica‐tion is encouraged to submit comments throughthe FDIC’s web‐site at https://cra.fdic gov/.Any person wishing to comment on theappli‐cation may file hisorher comments, in writing, with theRegional Direc‐torofthe FederalDeposit InsuranceCorporation at itsDallasRegionalOffice at 600 NorthPearl Street Suite700, Dallas,Texas 75201, notlater than Sep‐tember 23, 2025. Thenonconfidentialportionsof theapplication areon file in theregionaloffice andare availablefor in‐spection during regular business hours. Photo‐copies of thenon-confi‐dentialportionofthe ap‐plicationwillbemade availableuponrequest 155185-aug24-sept 5-183t $646.45

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I, MichaelWayne Lowe, have been convictedof14:81Indecent Behavior with Juveniles Date Convicted: 01/14/2013 14:81 -Indecent Behavior with Juveniles Date Convicted: 07/17/2019.

TheWilliamsCenteratSouthern University at Shreveport hasbeen a cornerstoneofmycollege journey providingmethe support,opportunities, and asense of community that has helped me grow both personally and professionally

Jaden G.York

SouthernUniversity and A&M College

Sophomore PoliticalScience

St.Gabriel, LA

WhatIlove most about Southern University is the family cultureand the constant supportfrom everyone around me.Since Istarted here, I’ve been pushed to step outside my comfortzone, connect with new people, and try thingsI never imagined.Southern has helped me grow -not just academically,but personally -and shaped me into aleader among my peers.

Scan to hear moreofhis story:

TriniteeThyssen

Southern LabSchool‘25

2024-2025 Miss SouthernLab

Baton Rouge, LA

As Miss SouthernLab,I encourage others to build their own legacy starting with education. Southern University and the Lab School shaped whoIam by nurturingmeand pushing me to be my best.Giving back helpsprovide students with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Join me in supporting the “Are YouIn?” campaign and Southern’s continuedsuccess.

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Maya R.Jones

SouthernUniversity Law Center

J.D. Candidate and 3+3 Candidate Southern University Law Review

Editor-In-Chief

BatonRouge, LA

Ichose Southern to follow in my parents’ footsteps, but along theway,I found my own path, my purpose, and aplace Iproudly call home. At theLaw Center,I’m becoming the leader Iwas born to be.The energy hereis unmatched. When you give, youinvest in legacy, leadership,and afutureworth believing in.

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DomoineD.Rutledge

Vice Presidentand General CounselatCSRS

Southern University Law Center ‘97 Southern University andA&M College ‘92 Chairman Emeritus,Southern UniversitySystem BoardofSupervisors Member,Southern University System Foundation BoardofDirectors

Ourprimarygoal is to be student centered.Frankly, everything we do is forour students.We endeavor to provide them withanenvironment that is safe,caring, and academically rigorous.

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GETTINGBACK TO THEMSELVES

Occupational therapyhelps patients regain function in theirdaily lives

BY SHANTELL GOMEZ

Contributingwriter

ForJessieDevillier, thepathtobecoming an occupational therapistwasn’t straightforward— but it was the right choice.

“As an undergraduate, Istruggled to decide what to do withmylife,” sherecalled. “I wanteda career that would hold my interest, fulfill and challenge me, and not ultimately feel like adead end.”

Shefound heranswer in occupationaltherapy —a field that offers bothdepthand flexibility

“We’re trained to help peopleadapt to life at any stage, and we can choose to focus on any age group,” she explained. “That variety was,and still is, so appealing.”

Devillier works in an acutecare settingatLafayette General and Ochsner University Hospital, whereoccupationaland physical therapistsare often among the first to help patients regain mobility after trauma, illness or surgery

“We’re trained to move our bodies without injuring ourselves so we can safely help othersmove theirs,” she said.

Even somethingassimpleashelpingapatientsit upright after days or weeks in ahospital bed can be a turning point.

“Just that step can takedays —especially forpatients recovering from astroke or prolonged ICU stay,” Devillier said

Where physical therapytypically focuses on mobility and strength, occupational therapy emphasizes function —particularly the kind thatsupports independence.

“Wetarget recovery based on essential needs ADLs, or Activities of DailyLiving,” Devillier explained. “Getting dressed, feeding yourself, going to the bathroom —these are thebasicthings you need to be able to do to return home.”

The impact goesbeyond thephysical.

Expert discusses rise of greens powders

BY AVERYNEWMARK

If you’ve spent anytime scrolling social mediaorshoppinggrocery aisles, you’ve likely spotted greens powders or gummies promisingto boost everything from brain health to your immune system.

But can these trendy supplements really replace the benefits of eating real vegetables?

To find out, we talkedtoLuisa Hammett, the Atlanta-based dietitian behind Peaches to Pearls, alifestyle blog filled with dreamy farm scenes and homemade meals. Beyondthe charming aesthetics, Hammettisalso apediatric registered dietitian with amaster’sin clinical nutrition.

“I think that calling them supplements is the important part because they should never replace a healthy diet,” Hammett explained. “Wewant to still eat our fruits and veggies, and Ithink that’ssomething that powdered greens sometimescan be amisconception— like,‘Oh,this will, youknow, I’m not eating vegetables so I’ll just do the greens,’whereas it should never take the place of them.”

Accordingtothe U.S. Dietary GuidelinesofAmericans, adults should aimtoconsume around 21/2 cups of vegetableseachday as part of ahealthy diet. This includes fresh, frozen, canned and driedoptions.But arecent report shows that almost 90% of the U.S. population do not meet the recommendation forvegetable intake.

Powdered greens typically combine leafygreens, fruits, algae and herbs, providing aconcentrated dose of micronutrients and antioxidants, Healthline reported. They’re convenient, easy to add to smoothiesand appealing forbusy lifestyles.

But, according to Hammett, there’sone big drawback.

“At the end of theday,you’re going to getthe best nutrients most importantly,fiber— from eating your veggies, and also it’s so much cheaper,” she explained.

Regarding the safety and selection of greenspowders, Hammett emphasized the importanceof third-party testing whenchoosing supplements.

“Supplements are not regulated by theFDA.Literally,Icould put whatever Iwant into ajar and say, ‘This green supplement is going to help your skin look better,lose weight, no bloating,’ and Idon’t have to back it up. So that’sthe dangerous world of supplementation.”Although shedoesn’t personally reach fora greenssupplement in her day-to-day,Hammett understands their appeal.

“Somepeople do wantthat extra

Dietitiancautionsnot to ditchveggies yet ä See POWDERS, page 2X

HEALTH MAKER

Tulane researcher focusesonAlzheimer’s disease

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

The Healthy Brain Aging Initiative was developed by Tulane’sNeurology Chair, Dr.Demetrius Maraganore, in response to the notably high incidence of Alzheimer’sdisease and dementiain Louisiana.

The research from this programisfocused on Alzheimer’sand dementia prevention and memory disorder treatments using the latest evidence-based research and movement disorders treatment, like Parkinson’s, related to brain aging.

Maraganore, aChicago native born to Greek immigrant parents, graduated from Northwestern and spent much of his career at Mayo Clinic. He moved acrossthe world for ayear to study Parkinson’sand genetics in London as part of his training at Mayo. After 24 years at Mayo Maraganore got the itch to move back home and began work as the chair of the department of neurology at community health systems associated with the University of Chicago, where he spent the next nine years of his career While he was working in Chicago, Maraganore’s father developed Alzheimer’sdisease —the same condition that plagued his grandmother and greatgrandmother

”Here Iamasthe fourth generation, and Iwas starting to sweat alittle bit,” Maraganoresaid. “Whyis there so much Alzheimer’s in my family.And what can we do to prevent Alzheim-

er’s disease.”

So,Maraganore pivoted again. This time,heopened the Center forBrain Health in Chicago— aplace where people couldgoand learn about their modifiable risks He found that thereare more than 20 modifiable risk factors forAlzheimer’s disease, and theycould be found using geneticstests.

Patients at the brain health center can get genetically tested to determine their risk for Alzheimer’s and receive personalizedinterventions to try to reduce their risk.

Maraganore hopesthe newbrain aging centerin New Orleanscan provide the same care forLouisianans, aglobally known hotbedfor Alzheimer’srisk and prevalence.

”Myideawas to come here and developa four-pillared program: prevention, treatment, researchand support,” Maraganore said. “If you canprevent Alzheimer’s in New Orleans and Louisiana, you can prevent it anywhere in theworld.”

How did you design the newresearch center? What principlesdid you use?

Iwantedsomething concrete, bricksand mortars —aunique partnership of expertcare stakeholders, something thatwould provide arange of services to all people in ourcommunity. Initially,itwas Tulane-only, but partnering withLCMC Health, University Medical Center and LSU has helped us go bigger. We have eightdifferent experts. We have neurologistsspecializingin movement disorders and

PHOTO PROVIDEDByTULANE UNIVERSITy

Dr.Demetrius Maraganore, aneurologist at Tulane University, is one of ahandful of Louisiana doctors whohavetreated patients withanew Alzheimer’sdrug.

memorydisorders, including Alzheimer’sprevention. We have advanced practice nurses. We’ve got social workers, geriatricians and we’reall in thesame space withaverylarge staff thatsupport us. We areable to seepatients there,and we provide them careinamultidisciplinary way,incorporating holistic approaches,but also evidence based medical approaches.

Who are ‘super-agers’? What can researchers learnfrom them?

We’redoing studies of special populations across thenation of people who are over age 90. They are super-agers. Andwe’re beginning to learnwhat’swhat. Where’sthe fountain of youth? What are the factors that allow you to get to be 90-plus free of Alzheimer’s, even when carrying agenetic risk for Alzheimer’s?

Growing up in aGreek household and spending

mostofmychildhood summersinGreece with my relatives, Iwas exposed at a very early age tothe Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is the diet of Greece, SouthernItaly and Spain. For research purposes, we use asnapshot of the diet common on the island of Crete in Greece in 1961. That’s the benchmark reference.

That particular dietary pattern has been studied for severaldecades,now in observational studies and in randomized clinical trials, as the only diet that, at any age, cutsyour risk for death in half.

It cutsrisk of cancer in half, heart disease in half, risk of stroke in half and risk of dementia in half.

It’s not only aneuroprotective diet, but it’sa neurorestorative diet. It restores brain health.

Whyaren’tweall eating the Mediterranean diet then?

Well, we learned to love

‘Japanesewalking’promisesbig

Health experts skeptical

BY ASPEN ANDERSON Los Angeles Times (TNS)

It promises the benefits of a10,000-step walk in just 30 minutes. No gym membership required. Just apair of shoes and awillingnessto alternate between brisk and slow-paced walking in threeminute bursts.

Dubbed “Japanese walking,” the latest viral fitness trend is all over TikTok and has people wondering whether this short-interval workout can improve health more efficiently than atraditional stroll.

The trend has spread across social mediaand beyond, with bloggers, online articles and major media outlets all jumping in on the walking routine.

The protocol traces back to a2007 Japanese studythat tested the effectsofhighintensity interval walking on middle-aged and older adults. But the recent buzz started with apunchy video from Australian contentcreator and fitness coach Eugene Teothat surpassed 10 million views on TikTok and 17 million views on YouTube Known to his over 426,000 TikTok followers and 1.22 million YouTube followers

as “Coach Eugene,” Teorebranded the science-backed routine into an accessible, algorithm-friendlyidea: “Japanesewalking ”

“People don’tlike fitness jargon,”Teo,33, said in a recent interviewwith The Times. “They don’tlikescientificterms… andifIwant to impactmillions globally Ilike to make fitnessadvice and scientific jargon alot more accessible.”

In hisvideo explainer, Teo describes the method: Walk fast for three minutes, slow down forthree minutes and repeatthe cycle five times.

According to the small study of 186 womenand 60 men, participants who followed this routinefour or more days aweek sawgreater improvements in blood pressure, leg strength and aerobic capacity than those in the moderate-intensity continuouswalking group “It’sthatcardioworkthat alot of peopleare missing,” Teosaid.

Teo, alongtime coach and nutritionist, didn’tinvent the protocol,but he did helpit reach millions. He saidhis viral video resonated with people overwhelmed by the pressure to hit10,000 steps aday —a goalTeo himself oftenfinds out of reach.

He’s been following this protocol on and offfor years, ever since hecame across

According to the U.S. DietaryGuidelines of Americans adults should aimtoconsume around 21/2 cups of vegetables each dayaspartofahealthydiet. This includes fresh, frozen, canned and dried options. But arecentreport shows almost 90% of the U.S. population do not meet the recommendation for vegetableintake.

the study.Usually,hedoes his walking on atreadmill.

“A lotofpeople have this all-or-nothingapproach wherethey think, ‘Oh, Ican’t hit 10,000 steps.I’ve failed,’” he said. “It’s about just changing the stigma people have andthatall-or-nothing mentality of what fitness should be about.”

He emphasizes effortover perfection: Walk fast enough to get outofbreath, but not so fast that you can’tfinish thethree-minuteinterval. The recovery periodsare as slowasneeded to reset.

Butisthe sciencebehind the trend as strong as the messaging?

Dr.Helga VanHerle, acardiologist with Keck Medicine of USC, noted flaws in theoriginalstudy’s design —namely,that only the highintensity walking group was monitoredwith accelerometers, not themoderateintensitygroup, abias that could have skewed results.

“This creates amajor bias in the monitoring and compliance and could potentially skew theresults in favorof the high-intensity training group,”she said in an email, pointing to the Hawthorne effect,aphenomenon in which people alter theirbehavior because they know they’re being watched.

Dr.Parveen Garg, also with Keck Medicine of USC,

POWDERS

Continuedfrom page1X

supplementation, or they’re on the go too much or they’rebusy moms.I completely understand that, but Ithink theimportantpart is justitshouldn’treplaceit. We should still aim to try to eat whole veggies and whole fruit.”

In the end, no powder can fully replace aplateofreal veggies —but for some, it might just be thepush to eat alittle greener

Curious about tryinga greens powder? Here are threepopularoptions reviewed by experts: n Live it Up Super Greens: Registered dietitianEstelle

the things that aren’tgood for us. We have developed this Westernized pattern of diet that’svery inflammatory and that promotes gut dysbiosis, which promotes an unhealthy composition and overgrowth of bacteria in the gut. That triggers a whole cascade of immune events and neural events that lead to inflammation in the brain and increase the odds for dementia.

The reality is, that even in the affluent, primarily white suburbs of Chicago, where Ihad been practicing, only 25% of this privileged population was adhering to the Mediterranean diet.

So imagine how things might be. Youknow,here in the South, probably avery small proportion of people are adhering to the Mediterranean diet.

In the years that I’ve been doing healthy brain aging efforts, we teach people about the Mediterranean diet. We even give them weekly diaries that they can keep to track their eating habits. But, it’svery hard for people later in life to change how they eat.

So, as researchers, we asked ourselves: “Do we have to change the way we eat? What if we just change our gut bacterial composition?”

We’ve been doing experiments in aging rats and also in miceengineered to get Alzheimer’s, feeding them the Western diet versus the Mediterranean diet. We’re finding that the animals receiving the Mediterranean diet have healthier gut compositions of bacteria and are smarter than the animals that are fed the Western diet.

Then, we looked at taking the gut bacteria from the healthy Mediterranean animals and fed it by mouth to the Western diet animals. Couldweimprove animals’ gut composition and couldweimprove their cognitive performance?

The answer is, yes. We are actually developing aMediterranean diet-derived probiotic that people will be able to take as acapsule to improve their cognitive performance and to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. It’ssomething that we hope to bring to clinical trials very soon, after December 2025.

Iknow we’re not going to stop eating po-boys or fried catfish in Louisiana anytime soon. But, Idobelieve that we can continue eating foods that we’re accustomed to eating while also converting the gut to ahealthy gut that will then lead to a healthy brain.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

Ipicked up the harmonica. Every Saturday for the last eight years, I’ve been taking lessons with aguy in Dublin, Ireland. I’m aguy born in Chicago, living in New Orleans, being taught the blues harmonica online by aguy in Dublin. That’sthe definition of globalization. We’re exploring the blues and jazz and American standards and rock and folk and country —all expressions of the harmonica. Ilike Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen or Rolling Stones. Ihave anumber of songs that are in my repertoire.

health

said he doesn’tsee intense intervalwalkingasa standout recommendationamong physicians.The study,he said, was small and meant to be thought-provoking and encourage further research, not to support sweeping conclusions

He supports any activity that getspeople moving but cautions againstover-hyping Japanesewalking benefitsor ease.

“It’skind of onerous,”he said, explaining that remembering to switch gears every three minutes, walking fast andslow andnavigating technology isn’teasy foreveryone.

He said it’spossible to get similar benefitsbywalking continuously at avigorous pace for ashorter time. But there isn’tenough evidence to confirmthat Experts agreethatvigorousactivity,eveninshort spurts, is beneficial.David Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropologyatUSC, saidshortintervals of increased effort even just walking briskly for afew minutes— canyield meaningful healtheffects.

“There’ssomethingtothe ideathatsmallamounts of vigorous activity arereally beneficial,” Raichlen said.

Raichlenalsonotedthat calling high-intensity interval walking “Japanesewalk-

Benoit described this option as “by far the best-tasting productItried,” adding, “I felt really great after drinking it daily for 30 days: more energized, focused and ready for myday.” n Lemme GreensGum-

gainsin30minutes

ing” simply because of the study’sorigin is problematic.

Yasuyuki Suzuki, acardiac imaging specialist from Tokyo, is awareofthe trendand the associated study.Hesaid that while there is some new interestinthe topic,itisnot trending in Japan the way it appears to be in other parts of the world. He also said he does not feel any discomfort or concern about it being referred to as “Japanese walking.”

As forwhether this method is better than 10,000 stepsor continuouswalking, Raichlen is hesitant to say —the research just isn’tthere yet.

Higher walking cadence has been linked to lowerdementia risk, Raichlen said.

Also, walking in generalhas been tied to lower mortality, reduced cancer risk and improved cardiovascular health.

“I do think there’salot of good from encouraging people to think aboutwalking as exercise,” Raichlen said. “Finding ways to sort of makewalking work better for you is,you know, not abad thing.”

Still, the simplicity and catchy name may be why it took off.

“Pretty much anybody in Los Angeles can go outside and walk around,” said Sarah T. Roberts, aUCLAassociate professorand internetcul-

mies:According to Dr.Kathleen Valenton, board-certified doctor andowner of Rodeo Women’s Health and Wellness, these gummies offer “a convenient wayto increase daily intake of essential nutrientsthathelp

ture expert. Roberts sees the trendas areflection of broader social forces, including medical mistrust and the rising cost of health care and fitness. “We’re in amoment of economic uncertainty,” she said. “For most people,a $300-amonth membership at Equinox is not areality.” That, she said, makes lowbarrier trends like “Japanese walking” especially appealing. But Robertscautioned againstthe risksofturning to TikTok andothersocial media platforms for medical advice.

“Stuff doesn’thappen in a vacuum,” she said. “There’s abigger social and political context to all of these things, andthe backdroptothese kinds of trends is not great.” Roberts encouragesviewers to critically evaluate where theirhealth advice comes fromand who profits fromit. “People with big followings often have something to sell,”she said. “They’re not really acting in the public interest.”

Still, Roberts said, with every health trend, social media companies are profiting. Although some platforms have tried to crack down on medical misinformation, Roberts said such content moderation has fallen out of favorbecause it affects revenue.

thebodyfunction properly and feel its best.”

n AG1 Next GenPouch: In Women’sHealth, St. Louis-based dietitian Sydney Lappe praised its design “to fill nutritional gaps and enhance whole-body health.”

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

TheLouisiana Health section is focusedonproviding in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This sectionlooks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state andnational health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to livewell.

Health editions will also profile people whoare advancing health for the state of Louisiana. Do youhavea health story? We want to hear fromyou. Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.

EatFit LiveFit

BROUGH TT OY OU BY

Fresh from the Gulf: Light, bright shrimp salad

Shrimpsaladmakesfortheperfectdishwhenyou’recraving boldflavorsfromamealthatcoolsyouoffanddoesn’t weighyoudown.Caffe!Caffe!—aMetairieneighborhood favorite—gaveusaspinontheirtraditionalrecipethatis creamyANDEatFitapproved.Oneheapingscoop (oneserving)oftheirshrimpsaladlettucecups withraspberrymintvinaigrettehasless than200caloriesandonly4gramsof carbs.

FreshGulfshrimpandahintof cayennelendthatSouthLouisiana kick,andservingitinlettucecups keepsthingslightandgluten free.Thevinaigretteisaversatile recipeyou’llmakeonrepeat.Tryit drizzledovergrilledfish,chickenor vegetables.

Thedishisn’tcurrentlyonthe restaurant’smenu,soyou’llwant tosavethisrecipe,whichisstraight fromTheEatFitCookbook

NutritionNotes:

Theoliveoilinthe vinaigretteaddsheart-healthy monounsaturatedfats,whilethe raspberriesandmintprovideplant compoundslinkedtoreduced inflammationandimproved vascularhealth.Bonus:pairing leanshrimpwithhealthyfatsisa satisfyingcombinationthathelps youfeelfulllonger.

A3-ounceservingofboiledshrimp packsabout20gramsofleanproteinfor under100calories,withvirtuallynosaturated fat.They’realsorichinselenium,vitamin B12,iodineandthepowerfulantioxidant astaxanthin,whichgivesthemtheirpink hueandmayhelpreduceinflammation. Andyes,shrimpdocontaincholesterol,but researchshowsthatdietarycholesterolhas farlessimpactonbloodcholesterolthan saturatedfatsortransfats.Aswithany meal,moderationiskey.

ShrimpSaladLettuce CupswithRaspberryMint Vinaigrette Makes6servings

1¼poundsmediumshrimp,boiledand cleaned

¾cupdicedcelery

½tablespoondicedgreenonion

¼teaspoonseasalt

¼teaspoonfreshlygroundblack pepper

¼teaspooncayenne

1/3 cupmayonnaise 6heartsromainelettuceorcurlylettuce leaves

6tablespoonsRaspberryMint

Vinaigrette(recipefollowing) 1lemon,cutintowedges

Inalargebowl,combineshrimp,celery, greenonion,salt,pepperandcayenne. Addmayonnaiseandmixthoroughly. Serveassingle-serving“cups”inside oflettuceleaves,eachdrizzledwith1 tablespoonofvinaigretteandgarnished withalemonwedge.

Perserving:190calories,9gramsfat, 1.5gramssaturatedfat,220mgsodium, 6gramscarbohydrate(6gramsnet carbs),0gramsfiber,3gramssugar (0addedsugar),23gramsprotein

MollyKimball,RD,CSSD,isaregistereddietitian withOchsnerHealthandfounderofOchsnersEatFit nonprofitinitiative.Formorewellnesscontent,tuneinto Molly’spodcast,FUELEDWellness+Nutrition,andfollow @MollykimballRDand@EatFitOchsneronsocialmedia Emailnutrition@ochsner.orgtoconnectwithMollyor scheduleaconsultwithherteam.

BY THENUMBERS

RaspberryMint

Vinaigrette

Makesapproximately1cup

½cupraspberryblushvinegar

½tablespoonhoney

1tablespoonchoppedfreshmint

½teaspoonSwerveGranular

½cupextravirginoliveoil

Addallingredientsexceptoliveoiltoa blender.Blendwhileslowlydrizzlingin oliveoiltoemulsify.

Perserving(2tablespoons):90calories, 9gramsfat,1gsaturatedfat, 0sodium,4gramscarbohydrate (4gramsnetcarbs),0fiber,3grams sugar(<1 gramsaddedsugar), 0gramsprotein

ServingTips:

•Foranextrapopofflavor,try tossingtheshrimpwithasqueeze oflemonbeforemixingintothe salad.

•Ifyoucan’tfindraspberryblush vinegar,useredwinevinegarwith afewfreshorfrozenraspberries blendedin.

•Makethevinaigretteahead flavorsdeepenafteradayinthe fridge.

•Speakingofleftovers,shrimp arebestenjoyedfresh,butthey alsofreezebeautifully.Thekey isfreezingfresh,uncookedGulf shrimpinone-poundbagswiththe shellsontolockinmoistureand flavor.Defrostintherefrigerator

Foralistofretailersortopurchase TheEatFitCookbookonline,visit EatFitCookbook.com.

CIGARETTESMOKING IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOWINLOUISIANA

Cigarette smoking, long-known for its adverse health effectsand connection to lung cancers, is at its lowest usageacross the UnitedStatessince officials started tracking rates in 1990, according to America’sHealth Rankings.

Louisiana still ranks sixth highest in the nation forthe percent of adults whosmokecigarettes.

Both national and statewide use of cigarettes is at an all-time lowwith only 15.7% of adults reporting cigarette use.

Nationally,overthe past decade,the percentageof adults whoreported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smokedaily on somedays in thenation has been on asteadydecline.While in Louisiana, the numbers have been up and down from year to year,between 2013 and 2023, the overall rate is down is nearly 8percentagepoints.

The data for the U.S. is asfollows:

n In 2013, 19% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2014, 18.1% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2015, 17.5% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2016, 17.1% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2017, 17.1% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2018, 16.1% of U.S. adults reported smoking

Continued from page1X

“When your therapist comesinand tells you today is the day you can stop using abedpan andget up to the toilet, it’sa pretty sweet relief,” she said.

For many patients,regaining these small daily routines becomes ahuge psychological shift.

Occupational therapists tailor their therapytoreallife, personal goals. For one person, it may mean brushing their teeth at asink instead of in bed. For another, it mightinvolvecooking again, returning to work or modifying their home environment with adaptive tools.

“Wewant to know what’s important to them,” she said.

That individualized approach is especiallyvital in

smoking declines nationwide Percentage of adultsinthe U.S. compared to Louisianawho reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in theirlifetime and currentlysmokedaily or some days from2013to2023.

n In 2019, 15.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2020, 15.5% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2021, 14.4% of U.S. adults reported smoking

n In 2022, 14% of U.S. adults reported smoking

stroke recovery.After aneurological eventlikeastroke, occupational therapy often involves neuromuscular reeducation —retraining the brainand body to workto-

gether again.

According to theAmerican Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy practitionerscan help those that have hada strokeregain function and learn new ways to perform everyday activities.

Devillierpointedtoevidence-based techniques like task-specific, repetitivemotiontherapy,which studies show can improve upper-limb function andindependence when linkedto patient-driven goals.

Twelve yearsago, a 28-year-old Lafayette woman experienced astroke shortly after giving birth, believed to be causedbya clot followinga C-section. She wasunable to move the right side of her body

With acombination of therapies —particularly occupational therapy —over threeyears, she worked

n In 2023, 12.1% of U.S. adults reported smoking

The data forLouisiana is as follows:

n In 2013, 23.5% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2014, 24% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2015, 21.9% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2016, 22.8% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2017, 23.1% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2018, 20.5% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2019, 21.9% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2020, 18.3% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2021, 19.5% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2022, 16.7% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

n In 2023, 15.7% of Louisiana adults reported smoking

diligently to reclaim her independence. Today, she functions at nearly 100%, and mostwouldn’tnotice a difference between whoshe is now and who she was before. In outpatient settings, occupational therapists also support people recovering fromorthopedic injuries like rotator cuffrepairs or carpal tunnel surgery

Beyond physical healing, occupational therapy can touch every corner of aperson’sdaily life —helping stroke survivors regain fine motor control in their hands, or teaching someone with a neurological conditionhow to adapt their routine safely

The workgoes farbeyond hospitals.

“OTs are doing really cool therapyyou might noteven realize is OT,” Devillier said.

She highlighted local colleagues like Simonne Boul-

lionSaab at OneOnOne Physical and Occupational Therapy Services, who is certified in neurodevelopmental treatmentand vestibular rehabilitation. Susan Mouton at Rise Therapy combines diet and lifestyle coaching with aRock Steady Boxing program designed to support those with Parkinson’sdisease —all in Lafayette.

Thereaches of occupational therapy are broad, from pediatrics to geriatrics to mental health andchronic illnesses.

“It’sa career that’shard to summarize in one sentence —which is exactly what makes it rewarding,” Devillier said. “Most OTs I know genuinely love what they do.It’sa profession that’s provided me withvariety,challenge and the kind of fulfillment Icouldn’t find anywhere else.”

AtOchsnerHealth,ourprimarycareteampartnerswithyou andyourlovedonestoprovidepersonalized,compassionate careateverystageoflife.Whetheryourchildneedsanannual physical,yourteenrequiresasportsclearance,oryou’re managingalong-termhealthcondition,we’reheretoguide andsupportyourpathtobetterhealth.Withsame-dayand next-dayappointments,gettingthecareyouneedhasnever beeneasierormoreconvenient.

Visitochsner.org/primarycaretolearnmoreorto scheduleanappointment

NEVERTOO FAR

N.O. native founda waytohelpinFrance afterKatrina struck

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

When Carol Allengets frustrated, her anger prompts her to want to hit something—a pillow,a door or acar steering wheel, whatever’shandy.

In 2005, Allen was living inProvence, France, when sheheard the news that Hurricane Katrina was destroyingher beloved hometown. Every morning, she watched CNN International and “cried her eyes out.” She was overcome with sadness and defeat, so she hitthe steering wheelofher carone afternoon while she was driving into town to get groceries.

“I was ahomesick woman, watching my city and my fellow citizens die anddrown,” Allen said. “I justhit the steering wheel, andI said, ‘Do something!’

Her act of ferocity ledher to two women who introduced her to the Rotary Club of Vaison-La-Romaine in Provence, whichincluded people of all nationalities. Allen had landed in the region after marrying aFrenchman, who she is now divorced from.

After hearing aboutthe news of evacuees in need,volunteers conducted what the French call a“collecte” in 15 villages over athree-day period Allen says the mayors of every village opened up their city halls to collect items forhurricane victims.

“I just said, ‘Help,’ and everybody jumped,” Allensaid.

The volunteers in France collected

over 550 boxestobedelivered to the school.

After atriage of discardingunacceptable items, Allen panicked. She cold-called FedEx and explainedwhat they were trying to accomplish— and, frankly,how much they had. The company agreed to ship everything free of charge to New Orleans,towhich Allen asked for ashipping company to provide boxes.

Afan of the cold call, Allen contacted Grospiron, an international moving andrelocationcompany.The call resultedina truck delivering free boxes andshipping labels to Allen’shome in Provence

“When we finishedpacking, we had filledmygarage andaneighbor’s,” Allen wrote in an email.

Allencalleda friend at LSU who told her about 100 families living near East Iberville High SchoolinSt. Gabriel.

Some of the itemsthe volunteers collected included jeans, aminkcoat, toys, new clothes from sporting goods stores, and agiant grey teddy bear that Allen last saw sitting on asofa in thelibrary at East Iberville High School in St. Gabriel, whereabout 100 NewOrleansfamilies wererelocated

At the time, the principal at East Iberville High School was Lionel Johnson Jr.Today,heisthe themayor of St.Gabriel Around late October,employees with Grospiron loadedupthe boxes and delivered themtoCharles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, where threeFedEx airplane containers were filled and shipped to New Orleans. Once in the States, Grospirondelivered thepackages to East Iberville Elementary and High School.

“I didn’thaveaneed. Ijusthad such afeeling of hopelessness, helpless-

ness, nothing,” Allen said.“That’sbasically what Isaidtothese people, ‘What can Ido?’ Andtheytook it from there. That’swhatitbecame. Threeairplane containers.”

Allensaid seeing the distribution of items to the familieswas life changing.

AlsoinFrance at the time wasKaren Fawcett, fromWashington, D.C. She arrived in France in 1988, and her planned, six-month stay turned into 30 years. She is theoriginal founder and former presidentofbonjourparis. com, the first English-language website about France

She met Allen in Paris at the ContinuingEducation Center,and when the Hurricane Katrinaefforts began, Fawcett jumpedintohelp.

“New Orleans was really Carol’s home. As much as both of us loved Provence, your home is where you’re from,” Fawcett said. “Everybody jumped becauseitwas Carol. Carol really engendersall kinds of loyalty.”

She noted that the French have a better government-responsesystem to disastersthat doesn’trequire the same kind of charityasthe States. Instead, she says thatAmericans are more philanthropic with grassroots movements andwillingto“get their hands dirty.”

“When atragedy happens, Americans are there,”she said.“Franceis amuch smaller country in so many ways, and I’m not saying that when there was aterrible flood, that the residents didn’tpitch in and take people in.But (helpingwithKatrina) somehowfeltdifferent to me.”

On April 4, 2006, Allen hosted athank youdinneronthe terrace of her home in Provencefor all the people whoassisted in the project to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Today,inher New Orleans

ä See KATRINA, page 2Y

JanRisher

LONG STORy SHORT

With abanjo on herknee

This is astory aboutthe strange intersectionofDNA and digitalaudio,science andsong.

Background: I’ve been fascinated by DNA mapping and identifying relativessincethe HumanGenome Project was declared complete in 2003. Once Ancestrystarted offering DNA testing andmatches,I was an early adopter.These days, on Ancestry, Ihaveamere87,520 geneticrelatives, withthe most distant onebeing ahalfthird cousin once removed.

Of those masses, Iknow28people —frommyparents, brother, nephewand acouple dozenclose cousins. Afterthat, things get murky.Still, I’ve enjoyedgetting messages from distant cousins through theyearsand figuring outthe connection In July,I receiveda message fromawoman in Austin who is my third cousin. Ihad nevermet her, but when she explainedthat she was Julia Greer Maréchal’s great granddaughter, Icould connect thedots. Maréchal was my great-grandfather’syounger sister. Ihad heardher name allmy life,asmygrandfather frequently referredto“Aunt Julia.”

My “new” cousin andImessagedseveral times until she toldmeafascinating story about aman named ByronArnold, a folklorist with the University of Alabama who spent the summers from1945 to 1947 visiting and recording singers in theirhomes acrossAlabama.

Arnold collected more than 600 ballads, spirituals, work songs, frolic tunesand children’ssongs frommen andwomen,young andold, richand poor,Black and White Along theway,herecorded my great-great aunt Julia,then 94, singing. Aftermorethan30 songs, Arnold is said to have asked, “I hate to tire you, but will yousing just onemore? She responded, “Singing doesn’ttire me!” Arnold usedselected recordings to create asongbook called “Folksongs of Alabama,” publishedin1950. Yearslater,the UniversityofAlabama produced aCDwith his originalrecordings called“BullfrogJumped” thatfeatured42songs Arnold hadgatheredacrossthe state Of those, four of my great-great aunt’s songs were included. “Julia Greer was born in Jones Bluff (Sumter County,Alabama) on theTombigbeeRiver. She was eight yearsold whenthe Civil Warbegan.Whenshe married Edwin LesleyMaréchal,she moved to Mobile andraiseda large family,” according to the CD’slinernotes.“She learned many of hersongs at the family home in Sumter County from herUncle Johnny McInnis who fiddled, sang andwrote poetry.” Iorderedthe CD minutes after learning aboutit. Icouldn’timagine hearing this woman so far removed from my life but still so connected.WhenIread thescant words abouther life,I couldn’t

ä See RISHER, page 2Y

Contributing to agrowing community

Lafayettenative uses herfamily foundation to help hertownthrive

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

Lafayette native Emily Hamner runs the Pinhook Foundation, which her father started in 1987 to serve the community.Hamner dedicates her time and the foundation’sresources to organizations that focus on Lafayette’ssocial issues, with the goal of making the citya better place to live and visit The PinhookFoundation collaborates with other family foundations to increase their impact.

This interview was edited for length and clarity

When did you decide it wasagood time to getinvolved with yourfamily’s foundation?

Igraduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2000 with a business degree. Icame to run the family real estate business. After both of my grandparents passed away, most of their assets were put into the foundation, and so we had alot more money to give away

We needed more of aprofessional mechanism to do that. Igot connectedwith Scott Brazda, who was running the Stuller Family Foundation. He took me under his wing and took me to meetings with local nonprofits —and it took off from there.

Ijoined the Junior League andLeadershipLafayette and Istartedgetting more involved in the community My dad was always involved in civic life, church, PTA andthe boardfor ourhigh school.

Iguess the acorn didn’t fall far from that tree. What inspiresyou to keep doing this job,especially in the midst of so manychanges in the nonprofit sector?

It’stwofold. Ilove Lafayette. Lafayetteismyhome, born andraised. Istayed here for college,and Iwork

Q&A WITH EMILyHAMNER

with the nonprofitshere to betterour community for the children who aregrowinguphere.

That’sone of my big drivers. This is just agreatplace to live. Ilove volunteering. I serve on anumber of boards and commissionsintown.

It’svery fulfillingfor me.

Connecting people and then workingwith some of theother family foundations helps to really make alarger impact. We’reall about partnerships.Wedon’t want to sail the ship by ourselves.

What kinds of nonprofits does the foundationworks with?

We primarilyfocus on social service nonprofits. We help fund theBoys and Girls Club, Big Brothers BigSisters, the St. Bernadette’sclinicofOur Lady of Lourdes Foundation, which is amedicaland dental clinic for thehomeless in our community,Acadiana Animal Aid, Catholic Charities and Moncus Park.

We helped Cathedral-CarmelSchool with acapital campaign.We’ve partnered with some of Hospice of Acadiana’snew programs. Oneofmydad’spassions is ChristianYouthTheater, anonprofit that is making a big impactinour community with anamazing amount of kidswithunbelievable talent.

Arethereany specificareas that you personally have apassion for?

When Iwas in the Junior

League, Igot associated with the Boys and Girls Club, and we usedtohold aprogram that wascalled“Kids in the Kitchen.” We went to theBoys and Girls Club and cooked simple meals for the kids. Throughthe Junior League, Iwas acoach for Girlsonthe Run.I metthis young lady whowas on my team for thatsemester,and we hit it off. She was how I got involved withBig Brothers Big Sisters, because we needed an outlet to do mentoring. I’ve been on the board for over 10 years now Do you do anyout-of-the-box programminginthe community?

Ialso love animals, so Acadian Animal Aid and Spay Nation are passions of mine because Idon’t have children, Ihave fur children.

Severalyears ago, Isaw a news articleonABC News about this woman who decided to hostbirthday partiesinhomeless shelters. I wonderedifwecould do that here.A coupleoffriends from theJunior League and Icreated aprogram that endedupoperating underneath ourfoundationcalled “My Special Day ” We startedhaving birthdaypartiesinthe homeless shelterthatCatholic Charitiesran in Opelousas. Oncea month we would go over and have birthdaycakes, presents andgames forall the kids and the moms. Onehiccup in life could put people in aplace wheretheydon’t have ahome. So, when Catholic Charities moved their facility here in Lafayette, we continueddoing birthday

Inspired Book Club to meet in person

TopiconPaul Prudhomme’s ‘Louisiana Kitchen’

BY JANRISHER Staff writer

The Louisiana InspiredBook Club haschosenthe legendary Louisiana chef Paul Prudhomme’sfirst cookbook, “Louisiana Kitchen,” published in 1984, as the fall book club selection.

The Louisiana InspiredBook Club will be hostingalive panel and discussion at noononOct. 16 at the Main Library’slarge meeting room at 7711 Goodwood Blvd. in BatonRouge. Louisiana culture editor Jan Risher will facilitate the conversation with a panelofLouisiana chefs and experts on Prudhomme and Cajun/ Creolecooking. Prudhomme’sCajun and Creole cookbook profoundly impacted American cuisine and food culture in general, both nationally and internationally.When it comes to Cajun andCreole food, there is be-

RISHER

Continued from page 1y

help but notice more familiar threads. My favorite, much-loved uncle, “Uncle Mack,” whosefull name was McInnis, was named in honor of my great-greatgrandmother —her mother and her uncle Johnny’ssister The trickiestpart of this tale occurred once the CD arrived at my house —Inolonger have a way to play aCDand neitherdid

STAFF FILE PHOTO By KATHy ANDERSON

Paul Prudhomme stands on the balcony of K-Paul’srestaurant on Chartres street in the NewOrleans French Quarter May16, 2005.

forePrudhomme’sbook and after His recipes —particularly fordisheslike blackened redfish, gumbo and jambalaya brought the bold flavors of Louisiana into kitchens across the country

The chef was born on afarm in Opelousas. In his early career,heworkedinkitchens in New Orleans, including Le Pavillon hotel and Maison Dupuy

We invite readers to join us in revisiting Prudhomme’s first cookbook. Make the recipes. Remember the heyday of

the friends Iasked. Instead, one fellow journalist remembered that there was an old CD player on along-agodesk.I sat down, put on my headphones and started listening,hopingthatIwould know one of the songs. Listening through the decades to the slightly crackly voice of a 94-year-old woman singing felt like an almost-supernatural experience. Her first songwas called, “Too Daddle Addle.” Then came “Paper of Pins,” “Allthe Pretty Horses,”and finally,“WhenI

restaurant scenes withblackened everything. Take aculinary trip down memory lane. Leaf through its pages and create the dishes according to Prudhomme’s specifications. Then,join thelivediscussionin October

Sign up fornotices forthe LouisianaInspired Book Club, which selects abook to read and discuss quarterly,here Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ theadvocate.com.

Wasa Young Girl.” Iknewnone of thesongs she sang, but that didn’tdiminish the experience of hearing the songs of someone long gone Thespiritfelt familiar.It’sthe same stubborn joy in storytelling that I’veknown in generations of my family,the same spirit in singing that I’veheardinmy daughterGreer’ssong. Themagic of DNA shines through.

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

parties. Does your father stayinvolved beyond CYT?

My dad is also very passionate about the St. Bernadette’sclinic that is downtownonSt. John Street. We have expanded their dental program, which has been a gamechanger forpeople. Something as simple as pulling teeth andprovidingdentures can be agame changer forpeople.

When you think of Lafayette and Pinhook Foundation, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Making ourcommunity a better place.

Iknoweverybody probablythinks their hometown is the best place, but we’ve traveleda lot, andthere’sa different feeling when you cometoLafayette. There’s something about our com-

munitythatweband together.I don’tknow if that’s Cajun culture or if that’sjust how we are. We take care of our own people. We love our community.Wewant to see Moncus Park thrive and be this beautiful 100 acres in the middle of our city so that our kids and our grandkids can enjoy it. It takes alot of people working together across this town to make our community better.Itdoesn’timpact me, or may notimpact me directly, but it makes our community better —and we want to see the goals we are working toward cometo fruition and thisplace be the best it can be.

Email Joy Holdenatjoy holden@theadvocate.com.

homeinNew Orleans.

KATRINA

Continued from page1y

apartment, 20 years since the aftermath of Katrina, Allen still gets teary-eyed when shelooks at the scrapbook she created about the experience. Shehas filled the book with items she kept: newspaper article cutouts

photos,flyers, lettersand more She insisted she wasnot the leader of the humanitarian operation,onlythe instigator.She said thevolunteers were the true leaders. “It only takes aspark,” Allen said, “to get acandle burning.”

Email Lauren Cheramieat lauren.cheramie@theadvocate. com.

‘TailoredTiger Closet’helps students gain professional attire

saidJesse Downs, the directorof the Olinde CareerCenter.“The dignityofstudents in this process wassomething at thecore of this.”

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

The transition from acollege wardrobe to awork wardrobe can be achallenge for many university students.Insomecases, the individual is from out of state. Other times, they have limited finances. Regardless of the reason some college students need help dressing up their closet to aprofessional level.

In thefall of 2024, the LSU Olinde Career Center opened theTailored Tiger Closet for students pursuing any LSUdegree —whether undergraduate, graduate or doctorate —touse as aresource for job interviews, career fairs or even internships.

On the third floor of the LSU Union, at the end of aserpentine hall, sits the closet’smicro-boutique and adressing room. The layout feels like thetiniestmall department store possible.

Last school year,from 20242025, The Tailored TigerCloset served438 students with personal shopping experiences and free professional clothing. From August to May,1,250 articles of clothingwere given outtostudents.

TheroadtoProject Tailored Tiger

In 2022, LSU Student Body President Lizzie Shaw proposed theidea of aprofessionalclothing closet to the vice presidentof Student Affairs, Jeremiah Shinn, who then asked around for adepartment to sponsor the closet.

That fall, the Olinde Career Center took on the sponsorship role, and the following year,LSU Student Government successfully proposed the career closet to theStudent Sustainability Fund to cover the start-upcosts. By spring and summer 2024, theCareer Center and StudentGovernment locatedthe location in the Union, renovated the space to reflect aboutique style and collected clothing donations.

“When we were in the creation of it, it was very important to our staff, and just in general, that studentsfeltgoodinthe experience,

Upon entry,the Tailored Tiger Professional Clothing Closet looks like awell-curated boutique with uniform hangers, clear divisions of garment style, visible sizing and clean organization.

The lighting and clothing rods aresimple and evokeamalldepartment storemorethan asecondhandshop

On the oppositewall, asize guide formen andwomen, amirror and ameasuring tape are available for shoppers.

Liv Tees, amass communication seniorand career center studentworker,has managedthe closetsinceits opening in September2024. Students make oneon-one appointments with Tees for aconsultation and personal shopping experience.

“I can kind of get the vibe of when they wanthelp and when theydon’twant help,” Tees said “People don’talways know their ownsize, especially with women’s clothing, so it’sbest to just try everything.”

Students are allowed to select four garmentstokeep per semester,choosing from full suits,blazers, sport coats, slacks,buttondown shirts,ties, skirts,blouses, pants, dresses and jackets

Downs said the Tailored Tiger Closet’sgoal is forpeople to be authenticin who they areand confidentintheir clothes.

“Weknow our students are really talented,and they’vegot great skills,and they’re highly marketable, but they don’talwayshave theconfidenceinthat,” Downs said. “So some of it is as simple as when you when youlook good, youfeel good. And forsomestudents, it’s notasmuchabout looking good as it is fitting in to the work environment.”

Downs and Tees sort all of the donations, and they choose what they will keep andwhatthey will donate to the Purple Cow,alocal thrift storeinBaton Rouge.

Tees maintainsthe inventory, selects the pieces for the closet, steams the clothes and even sometimes mends small repairs or missing buttons in an Olinde

Career Centerofficeroomacouple of floorsdown from the actual closet

“I find that students,when they come in andsee thattheyget to take this clothing home forfree —and some of them arereally nice brands from people who are well established in law firms or business —they are so happy,”

Tees said. “Maybe they’ll remember, ‘I got my first internship, and Iworea suit from Tailored Tiger, and that’show Igot it.’”

Howtocontribute

The Tailored TigerCloset accepts gently used business professional items,which mustbe cleaned and free of damage, stains,tears, etc. Requested garments include:

n Businesssuits

n Dresspants n Button-up shirts

n Blouses

n Dresses

n Skirts

n Ties andbelts

Those whowould like to contribute items maydropoff donations at the CareerCenter Main Office, 158 Student Union, on LSU’scampus

Monetary donations can be made to theAshley GrantCareer Closet Fund through theLSU Foundation. Grant,aLSU College of Agriculture employee, establisheda pop-upcareer closet for ag students. She was instrumentalinthe early planning days of the OlindeCareer Center closet. Granthelped guide the Career

Center team in their planning and preparation for the Tailored Tiger Closet.When she unexpectedly died in February2024,her family set up this fund in her memory

This fall, the Career Center will hostseven recruiting events,includingthe Fall Career Expoon Sept. 10, which should bring over 200 companies to campus. LSU students willneed to be outfitted in their best professional attire forthese events,and the Tailored Tiger Closet is ready for it.

For more information, visit lsu. edu/career/dress-for-success. php.

Email Joy Holdenatjoy.holden@ theadvocate.com.

FAITH & VALUES

Chaplains changing spiritual care understanding

BY RACHEL BERKEBILE Contributing writer

Religiously unaffiliated Americans represent about 28% of the country’s population, according to 2024 Pew Research Center data. As this demographic has grown, so, too, have the number of religiously unaffiliated chaplains.

Chaplains often sit with patients and families in hospitals as they face some of the most difficult moments of their lives. They work on university campuses providing a listening ear and guidance to students as they maneuver young adulthood. And for the last 250 years, they have offered spiritual support to their fellow service members in the U.S. military Regardless of the setting, chaplains provide spiritual or pastoral care. As religious demographics overall shift, so too do the religious identities represented amongst chaplains.

“I think one of our primary (roles) is accepting and acknowledging things the way they are,” said Mariela Gonzalez, a hospital chaplain at Advocate Aurora Health in Downers Grove, Illinois. “Then, inviting a patient to reflect on what might connect them to goodness, or love or hope in those difficult moments. But not moving them toward that if it’s not where they are.” Gonzalez identifies as a humanist, a belief system that drives her chaplaincy work in combating dehumanization in the health care system — “the idea that a person is a commodity in the hospital, or you know, a cog in the machine of the health care industrial complex,” she said. She described her work as being “able to have a sense of (a patient’s) personhood and their wholeness.”

Many employers expect chaplains to either be board certified or at least working toward it. There are a number of requirements to receive board certification including, among other things, a master’s degree in either theology philosophy or psychology, completed units

Downers Grove, Ill., combats

of clinical pastoral education and endorsement or recognition from a faith group recognized by the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. While the list of faith groups recognized by BCCI is extensive, the options for nonreligious chaplains are still limited.

One of the few endorsing bodies for nonreligious chaplains is the Humanist Society, which was started by a group of Quakers in 1939 and is led by values based on the principles of humanism. It has been recognized by BCCI since 2014.

Ben Iten, president of the Humanist Society, said successful chaplaincy applicants meet BCCI criteria, completing CPE units and receiving a Master of Divinity or an equivalent degree like other faith organizations that certify chaplains However, the applicant also needs to show they are a humanist.

“When we are endorsing folks, a lot of our dividing lines right now (are in) the humanist manifesto, (which) talks about that humanism believes that humanity is able to live moral and ethical lives without

supernaturalism,” Iten said. “… ‘Without supernaturalism’ has kind of been our dividing line lately that has kind of become our boundary for who we let in and who we let out.”

The Humanist Society, which is active throughout and beyond the U.S., currently endorses 139 chaplains, Iten said. It receives, on average, four applications for endorsement a month, which he anticipates will grow closer to six a month in the next year

Gonzalez said the issue of endorsement has been a prominent topic of conversation for chaplains, particularly nonreligious ones. While some in the industry question whether endorsement is needed, she believes having institutional community connection is important for a chaplain’s self-orientation.

“I think if smaller communities could form that would have some structure of accountability and participation, that would help for people to have that accountability, have that grounding, have community,” she said. “More (endorsing bodies) would form, just grassroots.”

Iten also works as a hospital chaplain with OhioHealth, a nonprofit health care system in Central Ohio affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and is a certified educator with the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. He defines his religion as humanism and says his work is about providing community and human connection.

Most patients Iten and his students see say they are religious. He estimated that only about 1% to 2% of patients in his hospital identify themselves as nonreligious. He thinks that number is actually higher but said in the presence of a chaplain, patients often conceal nonreligious identities.

In most settings a chaplain works in, regardless of their spiritual or religious orienting system, they meet with care recipients of all faith backgrounds. As such, chaplains who don’t follow any one religion are well-poised to adapt to any

type of spiritual support sought. Gonzalez acknowledged that some patients want a chaplain to perform more overtly religious or spiritual rituals, such as prayer, which nonreligious chaplains can also facilitate. In those moments, she asks them, “How do you want to pray?” and follows their lead. For example, when a patient told her, “We pray in the name of Jesus,” Gonzalez invoked Jesus’ name in the prayer she offered. Two prominent nontraditional chaplains include Greg Epstein and Devin Moss. Epstein works as a humanist/agnostic/atheist chaplain at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology On his bio page at Harvard, it is noted that New York Times Magazine described him as ”a ‘godfather to the (humanist) movement.’” Moss’ work with fellow atheist and convicted killer Phillip Hancock was highlighted in the Times last year Vanessa Gomez Brake, university chaplain at the University of Southern California, said growing up Catholic, she saw priests as spiritual authorities. Now, she identifies as a secular humanist and culturally Catholic, and her work represents these interfaith dynamics of chaplaincy She said when it comes to helping others create ritual spaces, she can do anything — and does. On USC’s campus, she helps organize everything from Ramadan festivities to Diwali celebrations, aiming to ensure students of all faith traditions can access their sites of worship. She also advocates for recognizing whatever belief systems students identify with. At her hospital in Downers Grove, Gonzalez estimates she meets with one to two patients weekly who self-disclose as nonreligious. She said when patients hear she is a chaplain, they will sometimes use language like, “well, I used to be this” religion. In those moments, she tries to let them know, “It’s OK to be where you are now,” she said. Iten said he teaches his students that when someone shares they are

nonreligious, to treat that moment as a sort of coming out. “Thank the patient for trusting you with that,” he said. “Give them some sort of empathetic reflection like, ‘I hear it’s hard to be atheist in America these days. What’s that like for you?’”

Gomez Brake said that a solid third of students she meets on campus identify as nonreligious, pointing to a generational trend toward religious disaffiliation in younger adults. That doesn’t mean her role is any less significant.

“I think people are just as spiritual and religious as they’ve ever been,” she said, “but we’re finding new terminology for it because we don’t trust the institutions. We don’t want to be affiliated with them, but folks still have needs for their spiritual well-being and health.”

Asked about having to defend their nontraditional belief systems in a traditionally religious industry, each of the chaplains RNS spoke with had different experiences. Gonzalez said she doesn’t feel she has to defend herself, but rather works to educate others about and advocates for nontraditional chaplains. Iten, however, said, “The higher up I got in certification, the more I had to defend myself.” While as an intern, having to defend his spiritual route was minimal, as he worked toward chaplaincy board certification and then took on the process to become an educator, his humanism often seemed to come into question.

For Gomez Brake, the experience has been different. “Students don’t care,” she said, noting, however, that some of the religious affiliates she works with have been surprised to learn an atheist has a Master of Divinity degree. She also said she doesn’t believe nonreligious chaplains are as new of a phenomenon as many people think.

“There have always been people of every worldview who have been serving in these chaplain roles,” she said. “It’s just the stereotypes of a chaplain are always very Christian.”

Warming climate is changing growing conditions

Planting zones shifting northward

BY OLIVIA COHEN

Contributing writer

This story, created by Olivia Cohen for The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, is part of the AP Storyshare. Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalism stories that provide tangible evidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities — solutions that can be adopted around the world.

A few years ago, Holly Jones started studying the micro-climate and the topography on her family farm in Crawfordsville, Iowa, about 40 miles south of Iowa City Jones said learning more about the landscape of her fifth generation flower farm helped her recognize some of the ways weather and climate change could affect her operation.

“There are some areas of our land that are a little higher than others,” Jones said. “That’s going to impact, for example, when we’re looking out for frost advisories or frost concerns really early in the season or the end.”

Around this time the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its plant hardiness zones map, which divides the United States into 13 zones based on average annual minimum temperatures in a given time period.

Todd Einhorn, an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, said simply put, plant hardiness zones help gardeners and farmers determine which plants are most likely to survive winters in a specific location.

Jones’ farm, called Evergreen Hill, is currently in zone 5b. The USDA found that for her area the temperature had increased by one degree Fahrenheit between 2012 and 2023 – a trend experts say will continue in the Upper Midwest.

In response to the changing climate and her deeper understanding of her land, Jones created “crossover plans” for the farm, planting flower varieties with overlapping bloom times. If one species is late to flower or runs its course early, she has other plants that can fill in as the farm’s “focal flower” at any given time. She said she and her team have

PHOTO By JIM SLOSIAREK

Dean Colony of Colony Acres Family Farm 1150 Front St NE checks on his pumpkin crop in North Liberty, Iowa, on July 9. Colony grows around 40 varieties of the fall-harvest gourds. Colony checks on the health of the plants as well as what insects are on the plants and flowers.

learned that they must be flexible when it comes to farming in a changing climate since she does not have control over growing conditions.

“We can prepare as much as we want, but there’s so much variability now in growing, especially in the ways that we grow that you just have to be prepared to pivot and adapt,” Jones said.

Jones won’t be the only one adapting.

Plant hardiness zones are shifting northward nationwide as the country continues to warm, affecting farmers, gardeners and producers across the country The biggest changes in the coming decades are predicted to be in the Upper Midwest. The Midwest produces 27% of the nation’s agricultural goods. What are plant hardiness zones?

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map has 13 zones, which serve as guidelines for growers on what kind of plants will grow well in their area.

“Hardiness zones are meant to at least delineate which species or cultivars of species could be planted based on their survival,” Einhorn said, who specializes in plant hardiness science, particularly with fruit tree species.

Each zone covers about 10 degrees for example, Iowa lies primarily in zone 5, which means its coldest temperatures range from -20 degrees to -10 degrees Fahrenheit on average Each zone is further divided into five degree half zones — the northern half of Iowa is in 5a,

the southern half in 5b.

Madelynn Wuestenberg, an agricultural climatology extension specialist with Iowa State University, said that plant hardiness zones are defined by their average coldest temperatures. The averages are calculated over 30 years.

In 2023, using new averages, the USDA updated the map, moving about half of the country up by half a plant zone, meaning average minimum temperatures rose by zero to five degrees in the affected places

Zones shifting north

Climate Central, a non-profit researching climate change and how it affects people, analyzed 243 locations around the United States and found that about 67% of the locations studied based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data have already shifted to warmer planting zones from the mid-1900s to present.

The researchers found that the Northwest and the Southwest, along with Alaska, have been the most affected to date.

With unabated climate change about 90% of locations examined will likely shift to warmer planting zones by the middle of this century The Upper Midwest is predicted to be affected most.

Wuestenberg said winter temperatures in the Midwest are becoming warmer on average, compared to decades past.

“What we saw from the 1981 to 2010 climatology versus the 1991 to 2020 climatology is we’re really

starting to see warming across the U.S.,” Wuestenberg said. “And this has been observed for a long time, and really it’s a pretty consistent overall warming, but the specific amount of warming varies region to region across the U.S.”

Of the cities with the highest predicted temperature change between now and mid-century, a majority of the top 25 are in the Mississippi River Basin. Madison, Wisconsin, for example, is projected to switch from zone 5b to 6a as the average coldest temperature is expected to increase by 8.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Jefferson City, Missouri, will likely change from zone 6b to zone 7b, as the area’s average cold temperatures are projected to increase by 8.3 degrees Fahrenheit

In Dubuque, Iowa, the average coldest temperatures are expected to rise by 8.3 degrees Fahrenheit and producers will go from zone 5a to 6a.

Average cold temperatures in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are on course to warm by 8.2 degrees Fahrenheit and the region is expected to jump an entire planting zone to 6a.

The shift in plant hardiness zones could force some growers across the country to select plants that are adapted to a wider and warmer range of temperatures to survive warmer winters and earlier frosts and thaws. In some cases, that could mean new opportunities.

Dean Colony runs Colony Acres Family Farm in North Liberty Iowa. On his 200-acre farm, he grows pumpkins, corn, soybeans and zinnias. His farm is currently in plant hardiness zone 5, but Colony said it could be a matter of time before Iowa is able to produce peaches like Missouri and Kentucky can.

“How many more years is it going to be? I mean, we could grow peaches in Iowa, but it seems like they grow them way better down there,” Colony said. “So is it a matter of time before that comes here?”

Wuestenberg said one challenge with the shifting zones is that they are based on climatological averages and do not take atypical and significant frost or freeze events into account, which can be challenging for producers.

Who will be most affected? Wuestenberg said gardeners and

fruit tree producers will likely be more concerned about the shifting zones, rather than row crop producers.

Fruit trees and vines need a certain number of chilling hours, which is the minimum period of cold weather a fruit tree needs to blossom.

For example, Einhorn said most apple trees require about a thousand chilling hours in the winter to break their dormancy period and bloom in the spring.

But with winters warming, even by a few degrees, apple trees will want to break dormancy earlier

“Instead of being at 30 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, maybe now the days are at 34 (degrees Fahrenheit) and that little bit of warming actually has a humongous effect on a tree,” Einhorn said.

The apple trees could start flowering in late February or early March.

“Unfortunately, what can happen is overall, winter may have been warmer but we still might get a March, April frost. And once that happens, those buds, those flowers, are exposed to that cold temperature, and then it kills them,” Wuestenberg said.

This could lead to reduced fruit yields later in the season.

But Einhorn said there are ways that producers can work within the unpredictable conditions.

For example, there are various methods for raising temperatures for trees during a freeze, including using fans to pull warm air out of the atmosphere and running water over plants. There are also research efforts underway breeding new plants that have either delayed blooms or can withstand the new conditions.

Meanwhile, farmers will continue to adapt Jones, the flower farmer, has noticed strong winds and storms coming through the Eastern Iowa region. She’s planted sunflowers in windier areas of the farm because they can withstand stronger gusts. More delicate flowers go near trees for natural protection. She also uses netting to help stabilize flowers from winds, rains and storms.

“At the end of the season, we’re at the mercy of our climate and the weather,” Jones said. “And that can greatly impact what we have in any given season.”

SUNDAY, AUgUSt 24, 2025

grams

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

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 words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

todAY's Word — reGiMent: REJ-ihment: A military unit consisting of several battalions.

Average mark 53 words Time limit 60 minutes

Can you find 67 or more words in REGIMENT?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

By zHouQin

goren Bridge

Polish ingenuity

South in today’s deal was Polish World Champion Katarzyna Dufrat. She found herself in a poor slam after a highly competitive auction that forced North to make a key decision at a high level. North made the aggressive choice and now Dufrat had to play it.

She won the opening heart lead with her ace and led a club to dummy’s 10. This won, but East’s discard on the ace of clubs was a disappointment West’s opening heart lead was certainly a singleton,soDufratcouldbereasonably sure about the distribution. She discarded a diamond on the ace of spades and ruffed dummy’s remaining spade, cashed her two high diamonds, and led a club to West. She ruffed the forced spade return and started to run her clubs. This was the position with one club left to cash:

She cashed her club and discarded a diamond from dummy East was finished. WhateverEastdiscardedwould allow Dufrat to take the last two tricks. Beautifully played!

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

super Quiz

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2025 Tribune Content Agency

VIRGO (Aug.

SAGITTARIUS(Nov.23-Dec.21) Distance yourself from situations before you let your emotions step in and take charge.Directyourenergyintohoning your skills, improving your lifestyle and exploring ways to increase your income.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Keep the momentum flowing. If you limit what you can do, you’ll encounter regret. Refuse to let anger set in if something erupts beyond your control. Work with whatever comes your way and show your true potential.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Go undercover to do what you’ve got to do. In solitude, you will discover you have talents you didn’t know about. It’s up to you to follow your instincts and to live the life that brings you joy SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Participation will lead to a fabulous learning experience. Embrace conversations with a positive attitude. A change of perspective will encourage you to research your options.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb 19) How you handle others, use your money and present yourself will lead to attractive offers and the chance to improve your lifestyle Discipline andingenuityareyourwayforward. Enjoy the ride.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Focus on your happiness and do something thatbringsyoujoy Personalgrowth, pampering and self-improvement are favored, along with events that allow you to network or socialize.

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2

SUBJECT: LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE (e.g., Who was the last left-handed president of the U.S.? Answer: Barack Obama.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL 1. Baseball star nicknamed the “Bambino” and the “Sultan of Swat.”

Answer________

2. Businessman best known as the co-founder of Microsoft.

Answer________

3. Tom Hulce portrayed this famous composer in the film “Amadeus.”

Answer________ 4. Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the British throne.

Answer________

5. He starred on TV along with Michael Richards, Jason Alexander and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL 6. Baseball pitcher nicknamed the “Left Arm of God.”

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Go where the action is and use your insight, discipline and experience to bring about change. A unique approach will seal the deal and put you in a position of power TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Opportunity knocks; receive the message and turn the information into something meaningful. It’s up to you to interpret and react as you see fit. You have plenty to gain through networking, interviewing and marketing. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Change requireshands-onhelp Don’texpect things to fall into place without nurturing on your part. You’ll have to walk a fine line and be precise to make headway Trust your instincts, stamina and charisma.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Know your boundaries, set rules and rethink schedules. Use your voice to clarify yourposition,whatyouarewillingto do and what you expect in return. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to make changes that will jeopardize your financial position or lifestyle. Look for the best alternative and do the legwork to ensure you come in under budget. wuzzLes The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

Saturday's Cryptoquote: The wilderness holds answers to questionswehave notyet learnedto ask. —Nancy Wynne Newhall

1. Babe Ruth. 2. Bill Gates. 3. WolfgangAmadeus Mozart. 4. Prince William.5.Jerry Seinfeld. 6. Sandy Koufax. 7. Rafael Nadal. 8. Oprah Winfrey.9.Judy Garland. 10.JimiHendrix. 11. GordonRamsay.12. Buzz Aldrin.13. Paul McCartney.14. Julia Roberts. 15. Hugh Jackman. Crossword