The Advocate 08-30-2025

LSU cheerleaders excitedly gatheraround Goosey, apet therapydog withBayou Buddies, during theSeason Kickoff Tailgate Partyat the BatonRougeMetropolitan AirportonFriday.The cheerleaders, therapydogsand local vendors filled therotundaonthe second levelofthe airporttogreet travelersahead of LSU’sseason opener against Clemson on Saturday. Adirect flight to the GreenvilleSpartanburg,S.C.,airportfull of LSU fans departed during the event.

ä More on the tailgate partyatthe Baton RougeMetropolitan Airport,1B.

ä More on the LSU-Clemsonmatchup inGameday, 1C

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Homeowners who signedlong-term lease agreements with solar panel installer PosiGen are searching foranswers after theLouisiana-basedcompany laid off hundreds of workers and ceased most of its operations. PosiGen, which has offices in seven states and is Louisiana’slargest solar company,notified state and local officials

ä See SOLAR, page 6A

LSU replacing dean of lawschool

Allensaysshe raised concerns about ‘irregularities’ in finances

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

LSU on Fridayannounced that Paul M. Hebert Law Center Dean Alena Allenwillend her tenure as dean at theconclusion of the academicyear.But an attorney representing Allen said the dean had not agreed to resign her position when she was asked just aday earlier —and she was considering legal action over allegedwhistleblower retaliation, racial and gender discrimination, andviolations of LSU policy In aletter to LSU on Friday,Allison Jones, Allen’sattorney,said the LSU Board of Supervisors “engagedinsystematic discrimination andretaliatoryconduct” against Allen after she raised concerns about “irregularities” in the LSU law school’sfinances. According to documents provided to TheAdvocate |The TimesPicayune, Allen said she was concerned that the school’sbudget showed it receiving the full cost of tuition when in factitgranted numerous discounts. That ledto budget shortfalls, and private donations fromthe school’sfoundation filling the gap, she said. But while she reported the

Courtfinds

ä See LAW, page 6A Allen

now

BY PAUL WISEMAN and LINDSAYWHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON Afederal appeals court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump had no legal right to impose sweeping tariffs on almost every country on earth but left in place for now his effort to build aprotectionist

wallaround theAmerican economy The ruling from the U.S. CourtofAppealsfor theFederalCircuit found Trumpoversteppedhis authority under an emergency powers law,a major legal blowthatlargely upheld a Maydecisionbya specialized federal trade court in NewYork.

“It seemsunlikely that Congress intendedto…

ä See TARIFFS, page 8A

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

U.S. revokes Palestinian leader’s, officials’ visas

WASHINGTON Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the visas of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials ahead of next month’s annual high-level meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, a step the Palestinian Authority decried as against international law

A State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss visa issues that are normally confidential, disclosed Friday that Abbas and other officials from the Palestinian Authority were among those affected by new visa restrictions. Palestinian representatives assigned to the U.N mission, however, were granted exceptions.

The move is the latest in a series of steps the Trump administration has taken to target Palestinians with visa restrictions and comes as the Israeli military declared Gaza’s largest city a combat zone. The State Department also suspended a program that had allowed injured Palestinian children from Gaza to come to the U.S. for medical treatment after a social media outcry by some conservatives.

The State Department said in a statement that Rubio also ordered some new visa applications from Palestinian officials, including those tied to the Palestine Liberation Organization, be denied.

“It is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” the statement said

China criticizes U.S. senators’ Taiwan visit

TAIPEI, Taiwan A visit by a pair of U.S. senators to Taiwan has drawn criticism from China, which claims the island as its own and objects to any contact between officials of the two sides.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, and Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer arrived in Taipei on Friday for a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, according to the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as Washington’s de facto embassy in lieu of formal diplomatic relations with the self-governing island democracy

Upon arrival, Wicker said: “A thriving democracy is never fully assured and we’re here to talk to our friends and allies in Taiwan about what we’re doing to enhance worldwide peace.”

“At a time of global unrest, it is extremely significant for us to be here,” Fischer added, noting that discussions would include “security, opportunities and progress for this part of the world.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry

spokesperson Guo Jiakun protested the visit, saying it “undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sends a gravely wrong signal to the separatist Taiwan independence forces.”

Thai court dismisses leader over phone call

BANGKOK Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ruling that she violated ethics rules in a phone call with a high-ranking Cambodian official.

The decision ends the term of the nation’s youngest prime minister and delivers the latest blow to the powerful Shinawatra political dynasty that has dominated Thai politics for more than two decades.

In a 6-3 vote, the judges found that Paetongtarn’s conduct in a June 15 call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen compromised national interests.

The call, which became public just weeks before a deadly border conflict erupted between the two countries, sparked outrage in Thailand. Audio of the conversation revealed Paetongtarn addressing Hun Sen as “uncle” and appearing to criticize a Thai army general as an “opponent” while discussing the tense border situation.

Israel declares Gaza City combat zone

War’s death toll surpasses 63,000

BY WAFAA SHURAFA, SAM METZ and JULIA FRANKEL Associated Press

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Israel declared Gaza’s largest city a combat zone and recovered the remains of two hostages on Friday as the army launched the start of a planned offensive that has drawn international condemnation.

As the military announced the resumption of fighting, health officials said the death toll in Gaza has risen to 63,025 with 59 deaths reported by hospitals over the last 24 hours.

Aid groups and a church sheltering people said they would stay in Gaza City, refusing to abandon the hungry and displaced.

The shift comes weeks after Israel first announced plans to widen its offensive in the city, where hundreds of thousands are sheltering while enduring famine In recent days, the military has ramped up strikes on the city’s outskirts.

Plumes of smoke and thunderous blasts could be seen and heard across the border in southern Israel on Friday morning.

Israel has called Gaza City a Hamas stronghold, alleging that a network of tunnels remain in use despite several previous large-scale raids on the

area throughout nearly 23 months of war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel needs to cripple Hamas’ capabilities in the city to avoid a repeat of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war

While United Nations agencies and aid groups condemned the offensive, people in Gaza City said it made little difference.

“The massacres never stopped, even during the humanitarian pauses,” resident Mohamed Aboul Hadi said in a text message from Gaza City

Some who fled south were putting together tents Friday in the central Gaza Strip, west of the Nuseirat refugee camp They spoke of the miserable conditions they have endured.

“We are thrown in the streets like, what would I say? Like dogs? We are not like dogs. Dogs are better

than us,” said Mohammed Maarouf standing in front of a shelter for him and his family of nine.

More than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war started, the Gaza Health Ministry said Friday The ministry’s count — 63,025 — does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. It also said five people had died from malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours, raising the toll to 322, including 121 children, since the war began.

The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.

Facing international criticism, Israel instituted what it called “tactical

pauses” in Gaza City and two other populated areas last month. That paused fighting from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow more aid to get through, though aid groups have said deliveries remained challenging due to blockade, looting and Israeli restrictions.

Midday Friday, the military changed course, marking the latest escalation after weeks of preparatory strikes in some of the city’s neighborhoods and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.

“We will intensify our strikes until we bring back all the kidnapped hostages and dismantle Hamas,” said Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, who urged Palestinians in Gaza City to flee south, calling evacuation “inevitable.”

Hundreds of residents began that journey on Friday, piling their few remaining possessions onto pickup

trucks or donkey carts. Many have been forced to leave their homes more than once.

The U.N. said Thursday that 23,000 people had evacuated this past week, but many in Gaza City say there is nowhere safe to go.

“We cannot find any place in the west nor in the south. Conditions are difficult. Where are we going? We don’t know,” said Saddam Yazigi as he prepared to leave.

About 440 people sheltering at the Holy Family Church of Gaza City planned to remain there along with clergy assisting them, although the church has few defenses.

“When we feel danger, people get closer to the walls or whatever, it’s more protected,” Farid Jubran told The Associated Press.

The UN’s humanitarian agency also planned to keep its staff and NGOs on the ground.

The Israeli military did not say whether it had notified residents or aid groups of its plans to resume daytime fighting before Friday’s 11:30 a.m. announcement.

The Norwegian Refugee Council, which coordinates a coalition of aid groups in Gaza, said it had no advance notice. The U.N. feared the area could lose half of its hospital bed capacity

“We cannot provide health services to 2 million people besieged in the south,” said Zaher al-Wahidi, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Health Ministry

Missouri’s GOP governor orders redraw of House map

Texas governor signs state’s new maps into law

BY DAVID A. LIEB and ANDREW DEMILLO Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo Republican Gov Mike Kehoe is calling Missouri lawmakers into a special session to redraw the state’s U.S. House districts as part of a growing national battle between Republicans and Democrats seeking an edge in next year’s congressional elections.

Kehoe’s announcement Friday comes just hours after Texas GOP Gov Greg Abbott signed into law a new congressional voting map designed to help Republicans gain five more seats in the 2026 midterm elections. It marked a win for President Donald Trump, who has been urging Republican-led states to reshape district lines

to give the party a better shot at retaining control of the House.

Missouri would become the third state to pursue an unusual mid-decade redistricting for partisan advantage. Republicanled Texas took up the task first but was quickly countered by Democratic-led California.

Kehoe scheduled Missouri’s special session to begin Sept. 3.

Missouri is represented in the U.S House by six Republicans and two Democrats Reps. Wesley Bell in St. Louis and Emanuel Cleaver in Kansas City Republicans hope to gain one more seat by reshaping Cleaver’s district to stretch further from Kansas City into suburban or rural areas that lean more Republican.

Some Republicans had pushed for a map that could give them a 7-1 edge when redrawing districts after the 2020 census. But the GOP legislative

Trump ends Harris’

majority ultimately opted against it. Some feared the more aggressive plan could be susceptible to a legal challenge and could backfire in a poor election year for Republicans by creating more competitive districts that could allow Democrats to win three seats.

Republicans won a 220215 House majority over Democrats in 2024, an outcome that aligned almost perfectly with the share of the vote won by the two parties in districts across the U.S., according to a recent Associated Press analysis. Although the overall outcome was close to neutral, the AP’s analysis shows that Democrats and Republicans each benefited from advantages in particular states stemming from the way districts were drawn.

Democrats would need to net three seats in next year’s election to take control of the chamber The incumbent president’s

Secret Service protection after Biden extended it

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has revoked former Vice President Kamala Harris’ Secret Service protection that otherwise would have ended next summer senior Trump administration officials said Friday

Former vice presidents typically get federal government protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents do so for life. But then-President Joe Biden quietly signed a directive, at Harris’ request, that had extended protection for her beyond the traditional six months, according to another person familiar with the matter The people insisted on anonymity to discuss a

matter not made public. Trump, a Republican, defeated Harris, a Democrat, in the presidential election last year

His move to drop Harris’ Secret Service protection comes as the former vice president, who became the Democratic nominee last summer after a chaotic series of events that led to Biden dropping out of the contest, is about to embark on a book tour for her memoir, titled “107 Days.”

The tour has 15 stops, including visits abroad to London and Toronto. The book, which refers to the historically short length of her presidential campaign will be released Sept. 23, and the tour begins the following day

A recent threat intelligence assessment the Secret Service conducts on

those it protects, such as Harris, found no red flags or credible evidence of a threat to the former vice president, said a White House official who also insisted on anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The administration found no reason Harris’ protection should go beyond the standard six-month period for former vice presidents, the official said.

Trump’s vice president from his first term, Mike Pence, did not have extended Secret Service protection beyond the standard six months.

Still, it is not unusual for Secret Service protection to continue well beyond the statutory six-month window particularly when former officials face credible and ongoing threats.

But Trump’s decisions to revoke the protection have stood out both for timing and for targets.

party tends to lose seats in the midterm elections, as was the case for Trump in 2018, when Democrats won control of the House and subsequently launched investigations of Trump.

Seeking to avoid a similar situation in his second term, Trump has urged Republican-led states to fortify their congressional seats.

In Texas, Republicans already hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats.

“Texas is now more red in the United States Congress,” Abbott said in a video he posted on X of him signing the legislation. In response to the Texas efforts, Democratic California Gov Gavin Newsom approved a November statewide election on a revised U.S. House map that gives Democrats there a chance of winning five additional seats. Democrats already hold 43 of California’s 52 congressional seats. Newsom, who has emerged as a leading adversary of Trump on redistricting and other issues, tauntingly labeled Abbott on X as the president’s “#1 lapdog” following the signing.

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Trumpblocks$4.9B in foreignaid Congress OK’d

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has told House Speaker Mike Johnsonthat he won’t be spending $4.9 billionincongressionally approved foreign aid, effectively cutting the budget without going through the legislative branch.

Trump, whosenta letter to Johnson, R-Benton, on Thursday, is using what’sknown as apocket rescission —when apresident submits arequest to Congress to not spend approvedfunds toward the end of the fiscal year,soCongress cannot act on the request in a45day timeframe and the moneygoes unspent as aresult. It’sthe first time in nearly 50 years apresident has used one. The fiscal yeardraws to aclose at the end of September.

The letter waspostedFriday morning on the Xaccount of the White House Office of Management and Budget. It said the funding would be cut fromthe State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, an early target of Trump’s efforts to cut foreign aid.

If the White House standardizes this move, the president could effectively bypass Congress on key spending choices and potentially throw into disarray efforts in the Houseand the Senate to keep the government funded when the next fiscal year starts in October.

The use of apocket rescission fits part abroader pattern by the Trump administration to exact greater control over the U.S. government, eroding the power of Congress and agencies such asthe Federal Reserve andthe Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention,

amongothers. The administration hasalready fired federalworkers and imposed ahistoricincrease in tariffs without going through Congress, putting theburdenonthe judicial branch to determine the limits of presidential power

AWhite House official, who insisted on anonymityonacall with reporterstodiscuss the move, declined to say how the administration might use pocket rescissions in thecomingyearsorwhatthe upper limits of it might be as atool. The official expressed confidencethe administration would prevail in any legalchallenges and said agoal of the proposed spending cuts was to make the cleanestcasepossible for these types of clawbacks.

WindingdownUSAID

Secretary of State MarcoRubio postedonXthatUSAID is essentially being shuttered and congratulated White House budget director Russ Vought for managing the process.

“USAID is officially in closeout mode,” Rubio said. “Russ is now at the helm to oversee the closeout of an agency that long ago went off the rails.”

The 1974 Impoundment Control Act gives the president theauthority to propose canceling funds approvedbyCongress. Congress can within 45days voteonpulling back thefunds or sustaining them, but by proposing the rescission so close to Sept. 30 the White House argues that themoney won’tbespent and the funding lapses.

What was essentially the last pocketrescission occurred in 1977 by Democratic then-President Jimmy Carter,and the Trump administration argues it’salegally permissible tool despite some murkiness

as Carterhad initially proposed the clawback wellahead of the45-day deadline.

Pushback

The move by theTrumpadministration drew immediate backlash in partsofthe Senate over its legality

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in astatement that the Constitution “makes clear thatCongresshas the responsibility for the power of the purse” and any effort to claw back funds “without congressional approval is aclear violation of the law.”

“Instead of this attempt to undermine thelaw,the appropriate wayistoidentify waystoreduce excessive spending through the bipartisan, annual appropriations process,” Collins said. “Congress approvesrescissionsregularlyas part of this process.”

SenateDemocratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned that

Trump’suse of the pocket veto couldundermine thenormalfunding process and risk “a painful and entirely unnecessary shutdown.”

Afterall, any budget agreements reached in theSenate couldlack authority if theTrump White House hasthe power to withholdspending as it sees fit.

Schumer said in astatement that Republican leaders have yet to meet with Democrats on apath to fund thegovernmentafter the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30 just as Trumptries an “unlawful gambit to circumventthe Congress alltogether.”

“ButifRepublicans are insistent on going it alone, Democrats won’t be partytotheir destruction, Schumer said.

‘Noexceptions’

EloisePasachoff, aGeorgetown University law professor and expertonfederal spending issues,

haswrittenthatthe Impoundment Control Act allows rescissions only if Congressacts within 45 days, meaning the the White House alone cannot decide to notspend the funds.

“Thismandatory languageadmits no exceptions, indicating that Congressexpectsthe fundstobe used as intended before the end of the fiscal year if it does notapprove the proposed rescission,” Pasachoff wrote in an academic paper last year

What’s in thefunding?

The funds in the pocket rescission packageinclude $3.2 billion in development assistance grants, $520 million forthe United Nations, $838 millionfor international peacekeeping operationsand $322 million to encouragedemocratic values in other countries.

Trump hadpreviously sought to get congressional backing for rescissions and succeeded in doing so in July whenthe House andthe Senate approved $9 billion worth of cuts. Those rescissions clawed back funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid.

The Trumpadministration has made deep reductions to foreign aid one of its hallmark policies, despite the relatively meager savings relative to the deficit and possible damage to America’sreputation abroad as foreign populationslose access to food supplies and development programs.

In February,the administration said it would eliminate almost all of USAID’sforeign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall assistance abroad. USAIDhas since been dismantled, andits fewremaining programs have been placed under State Department control.

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writers

Alawyer for Lisa Cook on Friday urged aU.S. judge to let the Federal Reserve governor keep her job while she fights President Donald Trump’sattempt to fire her in astunning assault on the central bank’s independence. The casein theU.S. District Court in Washington D.C. could provide Trump with expansive power over the Fed, whichhas traditionally been shielded from political pressure as it makes tough, complicated decisions about whether to raise interest rates to fightinflation or lower themtoencourage hiring and economic growth. Trump hassought to fire Cook over allegations that shecommittedmortgage fraudwhenshe purchaseda home andcondo in 2021, the year before President Joe Biden appointed her to the Fed’sgoverning board. Trump hasrepeatedly criticized theFed —and its chair,JeromePowell —for refusing to cut interest rates. The central bank hasleftits benchmark rate unchanged this year,partly because it is waiting to seewhether the big taxes —tariffs —that Trump is slappingonforeign productswill push inflationhigher.Cook has voted against acut,along with most board members. Argumentsinthe court Friday centered on what constitutes “cause,” which in this case arethe unproven accusations of mortgage fraud.

In an exchange with U.S. DistrictJudge Jia Cobb, Cook’s lawyer,AbbeDavid Lowell, said Trump’smotivations are clear.“He’salready said he wants amajority (on the Fed board). He’sbragged that he’sgoing to get it.” If Cook’sfiring is allowed to stand, it would likely erode theFed’s long-standing independence from day-to-day politics. No president has ever fired aFed governor in theagency’s112-year history

Continued from page1A

irregularities and worked to address them, she said she faced questions from LSU leaders that ledher to believeshe wasbeing blamed for the issues —even thoughthey had happened before her tenure.

“I am the first woman and the first person of color to serve as the permanent dean of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center.That fact is not incidental —itiscentral to whatfollows,” shewrote in one responsetoauditors. “I find it deeply troubling, and frankly difficult to ignore, that Iappear to be held to astandard far more exacting than that applied to my white, overwhelmingly male predecessors. It was they who oversaw and

SOLAR

Continued from page1A

on Monday that it was laying off 166 employees at its facilities in Jefferson and St. Charles parishes, saying it defaulted on acredit line and couldn’traise the longterm capital it needed amid rollbacks in federal renewable energy tax credits.

The news came as ashock to Iwona Leonard, who recently signed a20-year lease agreement with PosiGen and had solar panels installedon the roof of her doubleinthe Lower Garden District just last week.

Leonard said the person she reached on PosiGen’scustomer service hotline told her they were “waiting for more information from the higherups” on whatthe restructuring meant for customers “I’m very nervous,” Leonard said.

PosiGen’sfounderand executive chairman, TomNeyhart, did not respond to calls, texts and emails. Messages left with contacts listedin thecompany’sstatefilings were also not returned.

Founded in 2011,PosiGen specializes in marketing solar energy systemstolowto moderate-income house-

“I am the first woman and the first person of color to serve as the permanent dean of the Paul M. HebertLaw Center.That fact is not incidental—itiscentral to what follows. I find it deeply troubling,and frankly difficult to ignore, that Iappear to be held to astandard farmore exacting than that applied to my white, overwhelminglymalepredecessors. It wasthey who oversawand entrenched theverypractices Ihavesince questioned and begun to reform.”

M. HebertLaw Center dean

ALENA ALLEN, Paul

entrenchedthe very practices I have since questioned and begun to reform.”

An LSU spokesperson saidthe university “cannot comment on personnel matters.”

Jonessaid Allen asked LSU for an investigation into potential racial andgender discrimination. On Thursday,three months later,Allen was invited to ameeting with LSUinterim Executive Vice Pres-

holds and rode awaveof state and federal solar credits that allowed it to grow quicklyfor much of the past decade

But it said its ability to secure new investments, which wereneeded to fund recent expansions, were hampered by the passage in July of President Donald Trump’stax and spending bill, which cancels certain renewableenergytax credits starting next year In early August,the Trump administrationalso terminated $7 billion in grants aimed at expanding access to solarenergyfor disadvantagedcommunities. Louisiana was awarded $156 million through the Solar for All program last yearbut wasstill waiting for federalapproval of its workplan.

According to aletter to employees from CEO Peter Shaper that wasobtained by tradepublication Solar Power World, PosiGen wasn’t able to obtain enough financing to continue operating and would “dramatically reduce” the size of itsworkforce.

Jeff Cantin, the CEOof another NewOrleans panel installer,Solar Alternatives, and also serves as board president of theGulf States

ident and ProvostTroy Blanchard and Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Director Clay Jones,Jones said. Blanchard told Allen the LSU BoardofSupervisors had decided to “makeachangeinleadership at the law school” because “they were just going adifferent direction” andshe wouldbeableto serve the role until theend of the academic year,according aletter

Renewable Energy IndustriesAssociation, said some companies were preparing for therollout of the federal grant program. PosiGen, he said, may have been left in abind when it was canceled.

“The government created aprogram, announced it, startedrolling it out, asked businessestoscaleupfor it andthenpulled therug out from under it,” said Cantin. “It’sfine if theadministrationwantstochange priorities, but they need to acknowledge that businesses have respondedtothe government andneedtime to adapt.”

Under her contract with PosiGen, Leonard agreed to pay $60 per montheach for two setsofsolar panels, with no upfront cost and payments increasing $1 ayear for thenext 20 years.

In return, Leonard would be able to use the power generated tooffset her electricity bill,which shesaid can sometimes costasmuch as $600 permonth.Entergy New Orleans also credits residentswithrooftop solar for the excess power they produce for thegrid.

Leonard is still waiting for Entergyand the city of New Orleanstoinspect the panels. After that, PosiGen saiditwould turn them on

Jones sent to LSU Blanchard also said that Allen could resign and “control the messaging,” but Allendeclined to resign, Jones said.

On Friday,around 12:30 p.m., Blanchard sent an internal LSU email announcing that “Dean Allen will complete herserviceasdean andtransition to afull-timefaculty role within the Law Center.”

“In the months ahead, we will launch anationalsearch to identify thenext dean,with the process designed to ensure that new leadership is in place upon the conclusionofDean Allen’stenure,” the email said. Jones saidthat neither she nor Allenhad been given advance notice of the email.

ALouisiana native,Allenwas named dean in February 2023. She had previouslybeen deputy director of the Association of American

remotelyand begin sending her amonthly bill. It’s unclear what comes next forPosiGen. The company told state officials that an additional 92 employees

Law Schools and held several leadershippositions at theUniversity of Arkansas law school. LSUhas seen severalhigh-profile departuresthis year.Former President WilliamTateleft in June for Rutgers University; Provost Roy Haggerty departed for Oregon State in May. The university’stop lawyer, Winston DeCuir,and chiefadministrative officer also left this year

The law school attracted political controversywhena professor, Ken Levy, was recordedusing vulgar language to criticize President Donald Trump and Gov.Jeff Landry.Landry urged LSUtotakeaction against Levy for his comments, and LSU suspended him with pay Staff writer Jan Risher contributed to this report. Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse.pfeil@ theadvocate.com.

in Louisiana could be laid offinthe next twoweeksif it can’t find additionalfunding or away to sell whatremains of its business.

“It’svery uneasy not know-

ing who’sgoing to take over the lease,” Leonard said.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate. com.

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grant the President unlimited authority to impose tariffs,” the judges wrote in a7-4 ruling.

But they did not strike down the tariffs immediately,allowing his administration until mid-October to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The presidentvowed to do just that. “If allowedtostand, this Decision would literally destroythe UnitedStatesofAmerica,” Trump wrote on hissocial mediaplatform.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said Trump had acted lawfully,and “we look forward to ultimate victoryonthis matter.”

An attorney for small businesses affected by the tariffs, meanwhile, said the ruling showsTrump doesn’thave unlimited powerto impose tariffs on his own. “This decision protects American businesses and consumers from the uncertaintyand harm caused by these unlawful tariffs,” said Jeffrey Schwab, director of litigation at theLiberty Justice Center

Still, it remains unclear whether businesses will see anyeffects from the decision,said National Foreign Trade Council President JakeColvin.

“If these tariffs are ultimately struck down, it ought to serve as awake up call for Congress to reclaim its constitutional mandate to regulate duties and bring some long-term certainty for U.S. businesses and relief for consumers,” Colvinsaid.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said heplans to force votes on “repealing these harmful, regressive taxes at every opportunity.”

The ruling complicatesTrump’s ambitions to upend decades of American trade policy completely on his own. Trump has alternative laws forimposingimporttaxes, but they would limitthe speed and severitywith which he could act. His tariffs —and the erratic wayhe’srolled them out —have shakenglobal markets, alienated U.S. trading partners and allies and raised fears of higher prices and slower economic growth

Buthe’salsousedthe leviesto pressurethe European Union, Japan and other countries intoac-

cepting one-sided trade deals and to bring tens of billions of dollars into the federal Treasury to help pay for the massive taxcuts he signedinto law July 4.

“The administration could lose a pillar of its negotiating strategy,”

Ashley Akers, senior counsel at the Holland& Knight law firm and aformer Justice Department trial lawyer,said before the appeals court decision.

Adissentfromthe judgeswho disagreed withFriday’sruling clears apossiblelegal path for Trump, concluding that the 1977 law allowing for emergency actions“is not an unconstitutional delegation of legislativeauthority underthe Supreme Court’s decisions,” which have allowed the legislature to grant some tariff authorities to thepresident.

Thegovernmenthas argued that if the tariffs are struck down, it might have to refund some of the import taxes that it’scollected, delivering afinancial blowtothe U.S.

Treasury

Revenue from tariffs nowtotals

$159 billion, more than double what it wasatthe same pointthe year before. Indeed, the Justice Department warnedinalegal filing this month that revoking the

tariffs could mean “financial ruin” for theUnited States.

“For all the tariffs that have been collected under IEEPA, you’re going to see folks request refunds and more refunds,” said tradeattorneyRyan Majerus, apartner at King &Spalding and aformer WhiteHouse economic adviser

Attorney GeneralPam Bondi, meanwhile, accused thejudges of interfering with the president’s central roleinforeign policy and vowed to appeal.

The ruling involves two sets of import taxes, both of which Trump justified by declaring anational emergency underthe 1977 International Emergency Economic PowersAct (IEEPA):

n The sweeping tariffs he announced April 2—“Liberation Day,” he called it —when he imposed “reciprocal” tariffs of up to 50% on countries with which the United States runs tradedeficits and a“baseline” 10% tariff on just abouteveryoneelse. Thosetariff rates have since been revised by Trump, in some cases after trade negotiations, and generally went into effect Aug. 7.

Thenational emergency underlying the tariffs, Trump said, was thelong-running gapbetween

what theU.S.sells andwhatitbuys from the rest of the world. The president started to levy modified tariff rates in August, but goods fromcountrieswithwhich theU.S runs asurplus also face the taxes.

n The “trafficking tariffs”he announced Feb. 1onimports from Canada, China and Mexico and later refined. These were designed to get those countries to do moreto stop what he declared anational emergency: the illegal flow of drugsand immigrantsacrosstheir borders into the United States. The Constitution givesCongress thepower to impose taxes, including tariffs. But over the decades lawmakers have ceded authority to the president, andTrump has made the most of the power vacuum

But Trump’sassertion that IEEPA essentially gives him unlimited power to tax imports quickly drew legal challenges —atleast seven cases. No president had ever used thelaw to justify tariffs, though IEEPAhad been used frequently to impose exportrestrictions and other sanctions on U.S. adversaries such as Iran and North Korea.

The plaintiffs argued that the emergency power law does not authorize the use of tariffs.

They also noted that the trade deficit hardlymeets thedefinition of an “unusual and extraordinary” threat that would justify declaring an emergency under the law

The United States, after all, has runtradedeficits —inwhichit buys morefrom foreign countries than it sells them —for 49 straight years and in good times and bad.

TheTrump administration argued that courts approved President Richard Nixon’semergency useoftariffs in a1971 economic crisis that arose from the chaos that followed his decision to end apolicy linkingthe U.S. dollar to the price of gold. The Nixon administration successfully cited its authorityunder the1917Trading With the Enemy Act, which preceded and supplied someofthe legal language used in IEEPA. In May,the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York rejected the argument, ruling that Trump’s LiberationDay tariffs “exceed any authority granted to the President” under the emergency powers law In reaching its decision, the trade court combined two challenges onebyfive businesses andone by 12 U.S. states —into asingle case. In the case of the drug trafficking and immigration tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, the trade court ruled that the levies did not meet IEEPA’srequirement that they “deal with” the problem they weresupposed to address. The court challenge does not cover other Trump tariffs, includingleviesonforeign steel,aluminum and autos that the president imposed after Commerce Department investigations concluded that those imports were threats to U.S. national security Nor does it include tariffs that Trump imposedonChina in his first term —and President Joe Biden kept —after agovernment investigation concluded that the Chinese used unfair practices to give their own technology firms an edge over rivals fromthe United Statesand other Western countries. Trumpcould potentially cite alternative authorities to impose import taxes,though theyare more limited. Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, for instance, allows the president to tax imports from countries with which the U.S. runs big trade deficits at 15% for 150 days.

a motion to deferthisitem to thesecondCouncil MeetinginJune(June 24, 2025).The motion was seconded by Council Member McKinney.Pub‐liccomment:None. Vote to defer: 7yeas(Fralick, Lavergne,Lazaroe,McK‐inney, Myer,Roy and Wells), 0nays, 0absent. This item is deferred to theJune 24, 2025 Council Meeting. CouncilAction(June 24, 2025):*City Attorney Kyle Celestin,provided an update on thecon‐demnation. Mr.Thomas Gagliano hasbeen lo‐catedasanheirtothis property.Mr. Gagliano addressedthe council. Councildiscussion. CouncilMemberMcKin‐neymoved to deferthis item to theJuly22, 2025, Councilmeeting. Themo‐tion wassecondedby CouncilMemberMyer. Public comment:None. No objections.Motion passed. CouncilAction (August 12, 2025):City Attorney l i id d y y Celestinprovided asum‐mary of thehistory of this item.Council Mem‐berLazaroe movedtoap‐provethisitem. Themo‐tion wassecondedby CouncilMember Lavergne.Publiccom‐ment:None. Vote:6 yeas (Fralick,Lavergne, Lazaroe, McKinney,Roy andWells), 0nays, 1ab‐sent (Myer).Motion passed. IV.New Business (Public Hearingand Action re‐gardingthe followingin‐strument(s)): None V. NewBusiness(NonPublic Hearing): 1) Introduction of thefol‐lowing item(s)(with pub‐lichearing to be held at theAugust22,

PORTIONOFGROUND,

SITESSUB‐DIVISION,and designated as LOTNO. 14 on asurvey by Land EngineeringSer‐vices, Inc.,dated May10, 1969, on file with the ClerkofCourt,St. Tam‐many Parish,Louisiana Beingthe same property acquiredbyJames S.

BY STEVE KARNOWSKI, JOHN SEEWER and MARK VANCLEAVE Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS Moments af-

ter rifle blasts reverberated inside aMinneapolischurch, Catholic school children wearing plaid jumpers and green polo shirts duckedinto pews, some jumping atop friends to protect them from the carnage.

One girl, Lydia Kaiser,was struck shielding her “little buddy” while her father,the school’sgym teacher,helped usher children to safety and reunite them with theirparents, according to afamily friend organizing fundraising for the family

A13-year-old boy named Endre, whowas shot twice andrushedintosurgery asked the doctor “can you say aprayer with me?” his aunt said in aGoFundMe posting. Endre’sauntsaid he’snow recovering, and that surgeon told the family that Endre had inspired their medical team. Despite the horror carried out Wednesday by ashooter who authorities say was “obsessed” with the idea of killing children, stories of braveryand tragedy have emerged asfamiliesshare their accounts. At least five children andone adult remained hospitalized Friday The shootinglefttwo studentsdeadand 20 people wounded,nearly all of them children Newlaw enforcementdocumentsrevealed Friday that theshooter wentthrougha romanticbreakup not long agoand showed up at the

churchWednesdaywith threeweapons,includinga semi-automatic rifle.

Doctors and first respondersinMinneapolis this week called the students and teachersatAnnunciation CatholicSchool heroes for protecting each other and for following their active shooter training as the barrage of gunfire erupted during thefirstMass of the

school year

Matthew Stommes, who had just walked his 12-yearold daughter and 8-year-old son into the church that morning, was sitting in aback pewwhenhesaw flashesofgunfire and children screaming and covering their ears.

“Wedidn’t knowwhat was going on for those first few seconds that seemed like minutes,”hesaid. “We could see theleadersinthe church from the front starting to tell everyone to get down. Butthoseleadersin the church here, our priest, ourdeacon,our principal, they were not ducking.”

His own children were unscathed,but two of their friends remained hospitalized. Stommes and other parents were amongthose whocarriedinjuredchildrenout of thechurchas EMS arrived.

Some of those who showed up to help didn’tknow their children were among the injured.

Apediatric critical care nurse at Hennepin Healthcare arrived at work Wednesday morning to help treat shooting victims. It was thenthat she found out her 12-year-old daughter,

Sophia Forchas, wasamong the wounded, the family wrote on aGoFundMe page.

The girl, whose younger brotheralso wasatthe school but not wounded, underwent emergency surgery and wasincritical condition, aspokesperson for the hospital confirmed on Thursday

“Her road aheadwill be long, uncertain, andincredibly difficult —but sheis strong, and she is not alone,” the fundraiser says.

The father of the8-year-old boy who was killed tearfully urged others to remember his son for his love of family, fishing and cooking.

“Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act thatended his life,” Jesse Merkel said

Thursday

The parents of 10-year-old Harper Moyski, who also died in the shooting, said they want to see their daughter’smemory bring about changeswhenitcomes to gun violence and mental health issues.

“Change is possible, and it is necessary —sothat Harper’s story does notbecome yet another in alongline of tragedies,” Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin said in a statement.

Surveillancevideoshowed the shooter never entered the churchand could not see the children whilefiring, said Minneapolis police Chief Brian O’Hara. The shooter,identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, fired 116 rifle rounds through thechurch’s stained-glass windows. Search warrants released Friday showed the shooter wasarmed with apump-action shotgun, a9mmpistol and asemi-automatic rifle. The shooting has renewed calls forgun safety legislation. But getting that done may be difficult in Minnesota, astate closely split along partisan lines.

Police on Friday said investigators have talked with the shooter’smother,but declined to provide details.

The shooter’s fathertold police that Westman had been living with aromantic partner but that they broke up prior to the shooting, according to law enforcement documents.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said Thursday that videos and writings the shooter leftbehind show Westman “expressed hate toward almost every group imaginable.”

Zelenskyyseeks talkswithTrump,Europeanleaders on peaceefforts

BY HANNA ARHIROVA

Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Ukrainian officials wantto meet with President Donald Trumpand Europeanleaders next week to discuss recent developments in effortsto end the three-year war with Russia. The proposed meetings appeared designed to add momentum to the push for peace, as Zelenskyy expressed frustration with what he called Russia’slack

of constructive engagement in the process whileitcontinues to launch devastating aerial attacksoncivilianareas.

Trump hasbristledatRussian leader Vladimir Putin’s stalling on an U.S. proposal fordirectpeacetalks with Zelenskyy,and said aweek ago he expected to decide on next steps in two weeksif direct talks aren’tscheduled. Trump complainedlast month that Putin “talksnice and then he bombs everybody.” But he has alsochided Ukraine forits attacks, and amajor Russian missile

and drone attack on Ukraine overnightfrom Wednesday to Thursdaythatkilledat least23people drew no public condemnation from the Trump administration.White House press secretaryKaroline Leavitt noted Thursday thatUkraine has been striking Russianoil refineries.

Andriy Yermak,the head of Ukraine’spresidential office, met on Friday in New York with Trump’sspecial envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss preparations for upcoming meetings “The key priority is to push forward real diplomacy and

ensure the implementation of allthe agreements reachedatthe Washington summit,” Yermak said in a social media post.“We are coordinating our efforts.”

Yermak said he had briefed Witkoff on Russia’slatest attacks on Ukraine and lamented thatPutin had shown no willingnesstoengagein peace efforts despite his meeting withTrump in Alaska this month.

“Unfortunately,Russia is failing to fulfill anything necessary toend the war and is clearly dragging out the hostilities,”Yermak wrote in a

lengthy post on X. “Ukraine supports President Trump’s firm resolve, as well as that of allpartners, to achieve a lasting peaceassoonaspossible. Ukrainewelcomesall peace initiativesput forward by the UnitedStates. But unfortunately, each of themis being stalled by Russia.”

Of the meeting, aWhite House officialsaid onlythat Yermak and Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s ambassador extraordinary,gaveWitkoff astatusupdateonthe war andRussia’s strikesonKyiv this week. The official was notauthorized to comment

publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity Zelenskyy toldreportersin Kyiv that he expected “several meetings at different venues” with European leaders next week. Ukrainian negotiators have been trying to move thepeace process forward in talks in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and the United States, he said. Ukraine has accepted a U.S. proposal fora ceasefire and ameeting between Putin andZelenskyy, butMoscow has raised objections.

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Prosecutors fight self-defense claim

Murder suspect’s trial strategy draws pushback

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

Prosecutors are seeking to prevent a Prairieville man charged with murder from claiming selfdefense. Yet the district attorney’s argument, which uses a 2024 state law, says the defense should have complied with the law more than a year before it took effect. Jerome Lilly, 40, is charged with second-degree murder in the July 2022 shooting of Tarrence Wil-

liams, another Prairieville resident. His trial was set to begin Wednesday, the same day the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office introduced a motion to prevent the defense from arguing Lilly acted in self-defense.

La.

TIGER TAKEOFF

According to Mayer’s testimony, the state moved for discovery on April 6, 2023. The law took effect more than a year later, in August 2024.

The motion from Assistant District Attorney Brant Mayer cites a new state law that requires any defendant intending to argue selfdefense to notify the district attorney in writing within 10 days of the state moving for discovery According to the transcript of Wednesday’s hearing, Mayer said Lilly’s defense team did not provide such a notification within the required time frame. Judge Cody Martin granted the motion

Baton Rouge airport sends LSU fans off to South Carolina with tailgate

BY MADDIE SCOTT | Staff writer

The Baton Rouge airport hosted a tailgate party Friday morning to send off Tiger fans traveling to LSU’s football season opener against Clemson.

“We wanted to send the Tiger fans off in style,” said Mike Edwards, BTR’s director of aviation.

In the second-floor terminal building, passengers were welcomed with big purple and gold balloon displays before going through security Some were greeted by the spirited LSU cheerleaders as they led chants to hype fans for the big day

A circle of vendors offered free treats like lemonade, PJ’s coffee, mini beignets, fried chicken and cookies, and travelers also indulged in activities like face painting and a photo booth.

Rogers, left, and Rosslyn Stone, LSU fans traveling for the Clemson game, look over their plans together during a season kickoff tailgate party at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport on Friday.

LEFT: Thomas Boregard, 2, rides a mini motorized Mike the Tiger with the help of Jeanetta Taylor with you Fork’n Right at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS ä See TIGERS, page 2B

deputy had woman tracked, authorities say

A former communications deputy in the Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office allegedly misused her position by falsely claiming another employee was reported missing in order to track her location. Ashlie LeBlanc was arrested on counts of malfeasance in office, unlawful use of a cellular tracking device and obstruction of justice, according to an arrest affidavit. The Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred on June 15. According to the affidavit, LeBlanc was upset that Deputy Kristin Austin had called in sick to work. LeBlanc is accused of falsely stating that Austin’s family had reported her missing so she could obtain a live GPS ping.

In the affidavit, Sgt. Jordan Higgins said LeBlanc also deleted every email since her employment with the department, “leading me to believe she was hiding evidence of the incident.”

CRIME BLOTTER staff reports

The affidavit said obtaining a GPS ping without authorization is a violation of the Fourth Amendment, protecting an individual from unlawful search and seizure. The Fourth Amendment “also establishes a ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’ that extends to the digital data,” the affidavit states.

Once she knew her co-worker’s whereabouts, LeBlanc allegedly sent Deputy Gina Denova to that location.

Hoverboard battery caused BR house fire, firefighters say A malfunctioning hoverboard battery caught fire while charging and caused a Wednesday afternoon house

fire in Baton Rouge that displaced five residents. At 2:10 p.m., firefighters were alerted of a fire in a single-family home in the 10300 block of Toledo Bend Avenue, according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department. All the residents had managed to make it out of the house by the time firefighters arrived and saw light smoke coming from the roof. There were no injuries, firefighters said. The owner directed firefighters to the garage, where a fire was spreading into the attic. The fire was contained by 2:42 p.m. and fire damage was limited. However the rest of the home had smoke and water damage. A Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson said

BY IANNE SALVOSA | Staff writer

SafeSource Direct cites soft market in closure

China dominates manufacture of personal

BY ADAM DAIGLE Acadiana business editor

The market for American-made personal protective equipment remains soft because China and other countries continue to dominate the industry, according to data.

Broussard-based SafeSource

Direct cited market conditions for PPE when it announced Aug. 22 it would suspend operations at its nitrile glove and man-made fiber PPE plants in 60 days, a move that will put 541 people out of work.

On Tuesday, a company spokesperson declined to elaborate on those conditions, but national reports in recent weeks paint a dim picture for an industry that was supposed to limit the nation’s reliance on foreign-made PPE

The company hopes to resume operations when market conditions improve and sustained demand for American-made PPE increases, the spokesperson said. It has no immediate plans to resume operations but is continuing on construction of a plant for production of nitrile medical gloves

PROSECUTORS

Continued from page 1B

Attorney Bobby Hjortsberg, who represents Lilly, said the state’s motion was “a desperate attempt to avoid going to trial in a case they knew they were going to lose.”

“We hope that the court of appeal will make a swift ruling so our client can finally have his day in court,” he said. “Justice delayed is justice denied.” Appeal pending

Tyler Cavalier, public information officer with the District Attorney’s Office, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon. In court, Mayer claimed it

as part of its contract with the government.

It’s unknown how many employees will remain after operations halt Oct. 21.

SafeSource and others in the industry are trying to survive as Chinese companies are still making PPE cheaper while offering a larger variety of products, according to a report from the Washington-based American Medical Manufacturing Association.

Demand from American companies, too, has largely returned to pre-pandemic purchasing patterns, according to the report.

It’s unfortunate the industry has taken this hit since there was a significant effort to develop a manufacturing process in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, AMMA director Eric Axel said. But American manufacturers are struggling to compete with countries that also have looser labor and environmental standards With nitrile gloves, China can get them made and shipped at a cost of a penny per glove. In the U.S., a quality glove costs at least a nickel a glove “and that’s scraping every efficiency possible,” he said.

Buyers, he said, are going for the less costly option.

“The big buyers in this country, whether it’s distributors or hospi-

was difficult for the state to ascertain the defense team’s argument planned for trial.

“We don’t know if we need to retain an expert witness as to defense of self, defense of others, defense of property,” Mayer said, according to the transcript “And under the code, it simply is mandatory language that they should have provided us, and they didn’t.”

Martin said via an assistant that he could not comment because it is a pending matter before him in court The hearing transcript shows him say he was granting it based on the text of the law

Martin said it “seems clear from the record that no written notice of a self-defense claim was provided,” or attorneys were unable to produce a written notice. “I mean,

TIGERS

Continued from page 1B

“All of our airport vendors have come together to make this tailgate happen,” Edwards said.

Airlines are offering nonstop flights throughout the football season to select home and away games. On Friday, football fans flew to Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina — a flight of less than two hours Maribeth Andereck, of Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy, brought her 4-year-old border collie, Malarkey, to interact with passengers and brighten their days before boarding their flight.

“She’s been doing this since she was about 8 weeks

old,” Andereck said about Malarkey “We go to about 54 places in town, and the Baton Rouge airport is just one of them.”

About seven more Bayou Buddies volunteers walked around with their canines before and after security Travelers oohed and aahed at the lovable dogs, some stopping for greetings and pats before rushing to board the plane.

Am ong passengers was former Lt. Gov Jay Dardenne, who was traveling with the LSU Alumni Association. He crossed paths with Malarkey and snapped a picture with the border collie before boarding his flight. Dardenne tries to attend at least one away game every year It’ll be his first time in Clemson University’s Death

PLANT

Continued from page 1B

motors for companies like Hyundai and infantry weapons for government agencies. SNT Energy manufactures products like air coolers and surface condensers for the energy industry, supplying equipment for the $17.5 billion Woodside Energy liquefied natural gas project in Calcasieu Parish. “By prioritizing site readiness, talent and innovation, we are positioning Louisiana to capture projects of this caliber that strengthen our manufacturing, energy and process industries while creating new high-wage job opportunities for our people,”

tal systems, have just gone back to being 100% price conscious,” Axel said, “and less concerned about where they’re going to get their products from. A lot of the behavior has just gone back to, ‘Hey, where’s the lowest price?’”

SafeSource Direct Vice President Paul Booth, interviewed in a report by industry website Manufacturive Dive, indicated the industry needs to find efficiencies to reduce costs and increase margins. He noted that “we don’t expect someone to buy the products just because there’s an American flag on something — everybody may have a want to but it still comes down to a price point.”

Tariffs on Chinese products by the Trump administration were set up to benefit domestic manufacturing, but that has not been a cure-all. China responded with tariffs of its own, and that has left many suppliers uneasy The New York Times reported.

“This situation reinforces the importance of supporting domestic manufacturing capabilities, particularly in critical sectors like health care supplies,” said Mandi Mitchell, president and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority “LEDA will continue working with federal state and local partners to advocate for policies that enable American manufacturers to compete fairly

it is a ‘shall.’ It is mandatory under the law,” he said according to the transcript.

No one at the hearing mentioned the date the law took effect, according to the transcript.

Hjortsberg and attorney Alex Laird, who also represents Lilly, requested a stay in the case to appeal the decision to the Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of Appeal Martin granted the stay and continued the trial to a further date.

The appeal is currently pending. Attorneys argue that upholding the ruling would violate Lilly’s Sixth Amendment right to testify in his defense and his 14th Amendment right to due process.

‘We can’t argue anything’

The case has stretched more

A wave of arriving travelers pass by an inflatable Mike the Tiger during the season kickoff tailgate party at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport on Friday.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Valley stadium.

“We’re Death Valley No. 1,” Dardenne said of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. “Hopefully we’ll be able to take care of business at Death Valley ‘Two.’”

The airport has grown dramatically over the years, Dardenne noted, and he thought it was a great idea to have this tailgate as a sendoff.

This is the airport’s second year hosting the tailgate party This season, nonstop flights will be available for away games, including Vanderbilt, Alabama and Oklahoma, Edwards said.

“We’re just really excited for the upcoming season,” Edwards said, “and wanted to show our airline partners and all our Tiger fans how much we appreciate them.”

LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said in a statement SNT is expected to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and HighImpact Jobs Programs.

in global markets while maintaining the jobs and economic security our communities depend on.”

It’s a downfall for a company that leaders boasted as one still standing after others like it had either reduced operations or just given up during a 2022 tour Employment numbers rose quickly at its operations set up inside a 400,000-square-foot facility in the Spanish Trail industrial park in St. Martin Parish and 80,000-squarefoot former Weatherford International facility off St. Nazaire Road.

Economist Loren Scott last year forecast the company to employ over 1,500 by the end of 2026. Now 454 of the job losses will be at the industrial park location and 87 at the St. Nazaire Road location, according to documents filed with the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Over half were categorized as either manufacturing team members or production team members.

In a statement to KADN, Broussard Mayor Ray Bourque indicated the city will stand by the company and its employees during the time of transition.

“While I am saddened by this announcement, SafeSource Direct has been a good partner with the City of Broussard,” he said. “I am encouraged by the company’s commitment to finding a solution

than three years during which Lilly has remained incarcerated.

In court Wednesday, Laird said the defense team’s argument rested on self-defense.

“I think it’s clear from the evidence, like, a man came into his house and then he shot him. I think it’s obvious that it’s self-defense,” Laird told the court, according to the transcript. “So, to try to do this gamesmanship on the morning of trial and try to cut us off at the knees so we can’t even defend him, I think that is good cause, because if we can’t argue self-defense, we can’t argue anything, judge.”

At the time of the killing, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office said Williams was found dead at a home on Cherry Creek Drive after deputies responded to a call. In-

within the next 60 days to maintain manufacturing in Broussard. Made in America is worth fighting for.”

LEDA officials sprang into action at the plant’s announcement Friday, including working with the state’s rapid response team and with St. Martin Parish officials to connect displaced workers with comparable job opportunities.

LEDA is also in discussions to host a job fair especially for SafeSource Direct’s affected employees, Mitchell said.

Acadiana has long been a strong and competitive region for manufacturers thanks to its skilled workforce and supportive business climate, LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said.

“While SafeSource Direct’s decision to suspend operations reflects national challenges in health care manufacturing, it does not diminish Acadiana’s advantages,” Bourgeois said. “Louisiana has come a long way in the past 19 months strengthening our overall business environment, and we will continue to make improvements that keep our state attractive to new employers and allow our existing businesses to grow and thrive.”

Email Adam Daigle at adaigle@ theadvocate.com.

vestigators said Lilly fired a shot at Williams following some type of altercation.

In court, Hjortsberg said the District Attorney’s Office knew Lilly’s attorneys would use a selfdefense argument.

“This has been out there for a year plus, and the State never said a single word about it, and they come in here on the morning of trial,” the transcript quotes him as saying. “This could have been done days ago, and then we could have not wasted the court’s time and had an opportunity to take a writ, if that’s what they wanted to do.”

Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@ theadvocate.com.

Please visit sealefuneral.comfor the fullobituary. Avisitation willbeheldfrom5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on 2025-08-31 at SealeFuneral Home, 1720 S. Range Ave. Avisitationwillbeheld from10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on 2025-09-01atSealeFuneral Home,1720 S. Range Ave. Afuneralservicewillbe held from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on 2025-09-01 at Seale Funeral Home,1720 S. RangeAve.

BRIEFS

More shrimp pulled for potential contamination

More companies are recalling tens of thousands of packages of imported shrimp sold at Walmart, Kroger and other U.S. stores because they may contain radioactive contamination, according to federal notices.

AquaStar USA Corp. of Seattle is recalling more than 26,000 packages of refrigerated cocktail shrimp sold at Walmart stores in 27 states between July 31 and Aug. 16. The company is also recalling about 18,000 bags of Kroger-branded cooked, medium peeled, tail-off shrimp sold at stores in 17 states between July 24 and Aug. 11

At the same time, H&N Group Inc., a wholesale seafood distributor in Vernon, California, is recalling more than 17,000 cases of frozen shrimp sold to grocery stores on the East Coast, according to a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That recall began on Aug. 12. The products have been pulled because they may be contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope that is a byproduct of nuclear reactions. The risk appears to be small, but the shrimp could pose a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of Cesium-137 over time, FDA officials said.

Delta settles after jet dumped fuel on schools

LOS ANGELES Delta Air Lines has agreed to pay $79 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed in 2020 after one of its airplanes that was experiencing engine trouble dumped its fuel over schoolyards and densely populated neighborhoods near Los Angeles. The Delta jet had departed from Los Angeles to Shanghai on Jan. 14, 2020, when it needed to quickly return to Los Angeles International Airport. The Boeing 777-200 landed safely after circling back over Los Angeles while dumping 15,000 gallons of fuel to reach a safe landing weight.

Los Angeles County firefighters were called to schools in the city of Cudahy, where nearly 60 schoolchildren and teachers were examined for minor skin and lung irritations. None required hospitalization. Shortly after, teachers from Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy filed a lawsuit against the airline, saying they were exposed to jet fuel that drizzled down like raindrops with “overwhelming” fumes. Later, several Cudahy homeowners filed a class-action suit. The teachers said they sought medical treatment after the incident and experienced physical and emotional pain.

780,000 pressure washers under recall

NEWYORK About 780,000 pressure washers sold at retailers like Home Depot are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada due to a projectile hazard that has resulted in fractures and other injuries among some consumers. According to a Thursday recall notice published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, TTI Outdoor Power Equipment is recalling certain models of its Ryobi-branded electric pressure washers because the products’ capacitor can overheat and burst, “causing parts to be forcefully ejected.” Consumers in possession of the now-recalled pressure washers are urged to stop using them immediately and visit Ryobi’s recall website to learn about how to receive a free repair kit, which includes a replacement capacitor

The Ryobi washers under recall have model numbers RY142300 and RY142711VNM. About 764,000 were sold in the U.S., in addition to 16,000 in Canada.

In the U.S. these products were sold at Home Depot and Direct Tools Factory Outlet between July 2017 and June 2024, the CPSC notes, for about $300 to $400 in stores and online.

Key inflation gauge holds steady

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge mostly held steady last month despite President Donald Trump’s broad-based tariffs, but a measure of underlying inflation increased.

Prices rose 2.6% in July compared with a year ago, the Commerce Department said Friday, the same annual increase as in June. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, prices rose 2.9% from a year earlier, up from 2.8% in the previous month and the highest since February

The figures illustrate why many officials at the Federal Reserve have been reluctant to cut their key interest rate. While inflation is much lower than the roughly 9.1% peak it reached three years ago, it is still running noticeably above the Fed’s 2% target. At the same time, the report showed that consumer spending picked up last month and could boost economic growth, which weakened considerably in the first six months of the year

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% from June to July, down from 0.3% the previous month, while core prices increased

0.3% for the second month in a row

The figures are similar to those reported earlier this month in the more widely followed consumer price index, which has risen 2.7% from a year ago. The core CPI increased 3.1% in July compared with a year earlier Separately, the Friday report showed that consumer spending jumped 0.5% in July, the biggest increase since March and a sign that many Americans are still willing to open their wallets despite high interest rates. Spending jumped sharply for long-lasting goods such as cars, appliances and furniture, many of which are imported.

Incomes rose 0.4% from June to July, boosted by a healthy gain in wages and salaries, the report showed.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said the central bank will likely cut its key rate at its meeting next month. But policymakers are expected to proceed cautiously Trump has relentlessly pushed Powell and the Fed for lower interest rates, calling Powell “Too Late” and a “moron” and arguing that there is “no inflation.” On Monday he sought to fire Lisa Cook, a member of the Fed’s governing board, after allegations of mortgage fraud were revealed.

Trump cancels $679M in wind projects

Administration continues attacks on reeling industry

BY MATTHEW DALY Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Transportation Department on Friday canceled $679 million in federal funding for a dozen offshore wind projects, the latest attack by the Trump administration on the reeling U.S. offshore wind industry Funding for projects in 11 states was rescinded, including $435 million for a floating wind farm in Northern California and $47 million to boost an offshore wind project in Maryland that the Interior Department has pledged to cancel.

“Wasteful, wind projects are using resources that could otherwise go towards revitalizing America’s maritime industry,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.

“Thanks to President Trump, we are prioritizing real infrastructure improvements over fantasy wind projects that cost much and offer little.”

The Trump administration has stepped up its crusade against wind and other renewable energy sources in recent weeks, cutting federal funding and canceling projects approved by the Biden administration in a sustained attack on clean energy sources that scientists say are crucial to the fight against climate change.

President Donald Trump has vowed to restore U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market and has pushed to increase U.S. reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.

California Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, called Duffy’s action “outrageous” and deeply disappointing.

“It’s

an

attack on our jobs. It’s

an

attack on our energy. It’s an attack on our families and their ability to pay the bills.”

DAN McKEE, governor of Rhode

Island

Trump and his Cabinet “have a stubborn and mystifying hatred of clean energy,” Huffman said in an interview “It’s so dogmatic. They are willing to eliminate thousands of jobs and an entire sector that can bring cheap, reliable power to American consumers.”

The canceled funding will be redirected to upgrade ports and other infrastructure in the U.S., where possible, according to the Transportation Department.

Separately, Trump’s Energy Department said Friday it is withdrawing a $716 million loan guarantee approved by the Biden administration to upgrade and expand transmission infrastructure to accommodate a nowthreatened offshore wind project in New Jersey

The moves come as the administration abruptly halted construction last week of a nearly complete wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut. The Interior Department said the government needs to review the $4 billion Revolution Wind project and address national security concerns. It did not specify what those concerns are.

Democratic governors, lawmakers and union workers in New England have called for Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reverse course.

Trump has long expressed disdain for wind power, frequently calling it an ugly and expensive form of energy that “smart” countries don’t use.

Last week, with U.S. electricity prices rising at more than twice the rate of inflation, Trump lashed out, falsely blaming renewable power for skyrocket-

ing energy costs. He called wind and solar energy “THE SCAM OF THE CENTURY!” in a social media post and vowed not to approve any wind or solar projects.

“We’re not allowing any windmills to go up unless there’s a legal situation where somebody committed to it a long time ago,”

Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Energy analysts say renewable sources have little to do with recent price hikes, which are based on increased demand from artificial intelligence and energyhungry data centers, along with aging infrastructure and increasingly extreme weather events such as wildfires that are exacerbated by climate change.

Revolution Wind’s developer, Danish energy company Orsted, said it is evaluating the financial impact of stopping construction on the New England project and is considering legal proceedings Revolution Wind was expected to be Rhode Island and Connecticut’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, capable of powering more than 350,000 homes.

Trump has made sweeping strides to prioritize fossil fuels and hinder renewable energy projects. Those include reviewing wind and solar energy permits, canceling plans to use large areas of federal waters for new offshore wind development and stopping work on another offshore wind project for New York, although construction was later allowed to resume.

Some critics say the steps to cancel projects put Americans’ livelihoods at risk.

“It’s an attack on our jobs,” Rhode Island Gov Dan McKee said of the move to stop construction of Revolution Wind. “It’s an attack on our energy It’s an attack on our families and their ability to pay the bills.”

Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, said his union is “going to fight (Trump) every step of the way, no matter how long it takes.”

BY ALEX VEIGA

Street closed out an-

winning month Friday, even as stocks gave back some of their recent gains, pulling the market below its latest all-time highs. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% a day after climbing to a record high. The benchmark index ended August with a 1.9% gain, its fourth straight month of gains. It’s now up 9.8% so far this year The Dow Jones Industrial Average also came off its own record high, slipping 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite closed 1.2% lower

“The reason the market is down today is primarily because we are heading into a long weekend, and a lot of traders don’t like to have a hefty exposure over a long weekend because of the news that could come out and take them by surprise,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA. Mixed economic data may also have given traders an excuse to sell and pocket some profits following the market’s milestone-setting week A closely watched measure of inflation showed prices mostly held steady last month, and a survey of consumer sentiment suggested Americans’ worries about the economy and prices intensified since July Losses in technology weighed on the market, offsetting gains in health care and other sectors.

Dell Technologies slid 8.9% for the biggest decline among S&P 500 stocks a day after the company reported second-quarter revenue that exceeded analysts’ expectations, but noted margin pressures and weakness in PC revenue. Among other tech companies that ended the day in the red: Tech giant Nvidia fell 3.3%, Broadcom dropped 3.6% and Oracle slid 5.9%. Treasury yields were mixed in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.21% late Wednesday The yield on the two-year Treasury, which more closely tracks expectations for Federal Reserve action, slipped to 3.62% from 3.63%. Among the stocks that weighed on the market Friday were Ulta Beauty and Marvell Technology Ulta fell 7.1% despite posting second-quarter earnings and revenue that topped analysts’ estimates, while Marvell slid 18.6% after its third-quarter guidance fell short of what Wall Street was expecting. Petco Health & Wellness and Autodesk bucked the broader market slide after reporting better-thanexpected quarterly results Petco jumped 23.5% and Autodesk climbed 9.1%. U.S. markets will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday

OPINION

ANOTHERVIEW

What’s happening with FEMA is seriousbusiness

The time to worry about natural disasters is before, not after,they happen.

That’swhy Louisiana has reason to worry about what’shappening at the Federal Emergency Management Agency We’ve seen the consequences when FEMA doesn’twork.

swift execution of ourmission.” It cites the dismissal of “experienced staff whose institutional knowledge and relationships are vital to ensure effective emergency management.”

Ron Faucheux

Aslow response to Hurricane Katrina, bureaucratic failures and lack of vigorous coordination brought addedmisery to already unbearable conditions. Red tape and silly rules often thwarted efforts of first responders, local officials, charities and church groups to provide badly neededassistance.

One-third of FEMA’s full-time staff, according to the letter,has left so far this year,either voluntarily or not.The actingdirector of theagency,accordingtoThe Wall StreetJournal, acknowledged just two weeks before the currentAtlantic hurricane season began that he didnot haveafully formed disaster-response plan

FEMA was created in 1979 to bring together federal agencies dealing with disaster assistance, state preparedness, flood insurance, weather services,fire prevention and other functions. Later,the Stafford Act was passed, authorizing the president to act on emergency preparedness and pre-disaster mitigation assistance.

Hours after Katrina hit, FEMA became the poster child for bureaucratic incompetence. That’swhy President George W. Bush’s infamous comment about FEMA’s then-director Michael D. Brown —“Brownie, you’re doing aheck of ajob —was an embarrassment, especiallyfor aformer Gulf Coast governor who should have known better Since then, changes have been proposedtofixFEMA. Bipartisan legislation introduced this summer in Congress(HR 4669) includes a host of reforms —reducing paperwork, improving transparency and strengthening coordination among agencies. According to the bill’sauthor,House Transportation Committee chair Sam Graves of Missouri, it’sintended “to cut through the bureaucracy,streamline programs, provide flexibility,and return FEMA to its core purpose of empowering the states to lead and coordinating the federal response when it’sneeded.”

This all sounds good. Reshaping FEMA into avigilant, nimble and smooth-running operation is essential. But fixing the problem isn’tjust agoal for the future; it must be done now,during the current hurricane season.

This is why apublic letter of protest, recently signed by more than 180 FEMA officials and employees,must not be ignored.

The letter claims that, since January,“FEMA has beenunder the leadership of individuals lacking legal qualifications, Senate approval, and the demonstrated background required of aFEMA Administrator.” It says the current FEMA management hinders “the

In addition,the letter is critical of theTrumpadministration’s impoundment of FEMA funds and transfer of assets, which led to problemsduring theJuly floods in Kerrville, Texas. “Mission assignments were delayed up to 72 hours,” claims the letter

Theletter also warns against efforts to eliminate pre-disaster mitigation programs, whichoften benefit Louisiana.“As disasters growmore frequentand costly,removingmitigation initiatives is fiscally irresponsible and puts American lives andpropertyatunnecessary risk.” The letter points out that, on average, FEMA mitigation grants save taxpayers $6 for every $1 spent.

AFEMA Review Council, co-chaired bysecretaries of the homelandsecurity and defensedepartments, is now exploringways to restructure disastermanagement The council’smembership is heavily weighted toward members from Southern states that are frequently in hurricane paths. It includes currentand former governors ofVirginia, Texas andMississippi, as well as Tampa’smayor.Mark Cooper,who was chief ofstaff to former LouisianaGov JohnBel Edwards, is also amember.Afinal report is due by Nov. 16. The Trumpadministration’splan to abolish FEMA and rechannel funding directlytothe states isa complex issue, requiringa formula to determinewho gets what,when and how Can we trust Washington to do this right?Will Louisianabeleft holdinganempty bag? If it comes to that,let’s hope our state’spowerful congressional delegation canprotect us. Improvingthe performance, management and structure of any government bureaucracy is agood thing.FEMA reformcould work, if done properly Given what we’veseen, that remains abig “if.”

Ron Faucheux is a nonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana.

EC IC SHIFT

Bythe time Tamarcus Cooley decided to transfer to LSU in mid-January,the former North CarolinaState safety knew quite well the Tigers’ portal train was steamingtoward something big.

“I was definitely aware” of the other players LSU was pulling in, Cooley said. “I knew for afact we could build somethinghere. It was amajorfactor.”

Bythe timeCooley picked LSU on Jan.13, the Tigers already hadgotten players such as Florida edge rusher Jack Pyburn, Virginia Tech center Braelin Mooreand cornerback Mansoor Delane, Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson andKentucky receiver/kickreturn specialistBarion Brown. All those players are expected to play significant roles for No. 9LSU as it begins the season Saturday in ablockbuster opener at No.4Clemson (6:30 p.m., ABC).

LSUGAMEDAY

BROADCAST INFORMATION

LSU at CLEMSON

6:30 p.m. Saturday,MemorialStadium,Clemson,S.C

TV: ABC| Line: Clemson by 4

Radio: WDGL-FM, 98.1; WWL-AM, 870; WWL-FM,105.3; KLWB-FM,

SCHEDULES

LSU

Continuedfrom page1C

Also by the timeCooley picked LSU, the Tigers had lost the pledge of high school quarterback BryceUnderwood to Michigan, his homestate school.

Thetwo eventualities —the flipofthe nation’sNo. 1prepprospect and the attraction of agroup of players thateventually would comprise the nation’stop-ranked transfer portal class —reflect the newrealities of attracting talent and building rosters in present day college football. And neither are mutually exclusive of each other

According to previous Advocate reporting, LSU was prepared to offer Underwood $1.5 millionper season to play in Baton Rouge. The prospect of walking the same path as recent LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks Joe Burrowand Jayden Daniels resonated withUnderwood, who was committed to the Tigers for ayear

But in November,Michigan swooped in with adeal worthy of “The Godfather” —anoffer Underwood could not refuse. Oracle founder Larry Ellison (worth$282 billion, according to Forbes) teamed withBarstool Sports founder and Michigan alum Dave Portnoy(not worth nearly as much, but also filthy rich) to help Big Blue reportedly offer Underwood $12 million for his college career

Having already given away the ending, you know that LSUcouldn’torwouldn’tcompete withsuch an offer.LSU spent only (only being arelative term in today’shigh-priced talent market) $5.5 milliononits roster forthe 2024 season and acombined $11 million over the previous three seasons.

The phrase “youget what you pay for” applies here, for better or worse. LSU was unable to compliment astar-studdedoffense in 2023 led by Daniels and receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas witheven amediocre defense. That team missed out on aberth in the four-team College Football Playoffbecause of it

In 2024, LSU was not quiteasgood offensively but somewhat better defensively and got taken out of contention for the now 12team CFPbyamidseason three-game losing streak, winding up 9-4 after aTexas Bowl win over Baylor.

It was anice way to finish. But if playing in the CFPisthe equivalent of playingon Broadway,the Tigers were doing community theater in the Texas Bowl.

LSU coach BrianKelly mincedfew words

ipped hiscommitment from LSUtoMichigan in November

about where LSU was with its roster-building capabilities during his first three seasons in Baton Rouge.

“Everyone talks about iron sharpening iron,” Kelly said Wednesday on the SEC coaches’ media teleconference. “Wedidn’t have iron. It was iron versus butter.”

Harsh words, perhaps, but honest ones. Clearly,tobuild up its roster to be able to contend in the SEC and for one of those coveted CFP berths, LSU had to have the financial means to do so. Maybe LSU couldn’tquite get to aposition to lavish $12 milliononthe career of one player such as Underwood, but to borrow aterm from the movie “Moneyball,” perhaps LSU could re-create him in the aggregate Sometimesyou have to lose to win. In the case of the Underwood flip, that mayturn out to be the scenario for LSU.

Kelly realized the program had to do more to attract talent. He pledged $1 millionfrom his compensation package (money that by rule had to go to the Tiger Athletic Foundation’s scholarship fund, not to LSU’sNIL efforts) to get boosters to kick into afundraiser called the “Million Dollar Match Challenge.” The campaign netted $3.23 millionindonations, and LSU was well on its way Through Kelly’scommitment and some highly motivated fundraising from boosters who want to see the Tigers back on top, LSU spent the equivalent of aCaribbean island nation’sGDP to stock its roster with top-shelf transfers and high school talent. On his first weekly radio show of the new season Aug. 21,

STAFF PREDICTIONS

REED DARCEY

CLEMSON 30, LSU 26

Clemsonis flushwithreturning talent,and it’s playingathome. Thosefacts make it toughto find apathtoanLSU upset, even though preseason camp hasshown that this roster,onpaper,isthe strongestone BrianKelly’s builtsofar in histenure in BatonRouge.T.J.Parkerand PeterWoods have theirway with an unsettledoffensive line,forcing GarrettNussmeier outofrhythm.

ZACH EWING

LSU 31, CLEMSON 28

Clemsonreturns alot,but let’snot forget that it wasnot aplayoff team last year untila dramatic winoverSMU in theACC championship game Clemsondidn’tbeatanyonein2024asgoodas this LSUteam, andthe purple andgold Tigers have spentthe offseasonrestockingtheir roster and overemphasizingthisgame. LSU finally findsa way to endthe season-opening drought.

SCOTTRABALAIS

CLEMSON 27,LSU 24

If this game were played in TigerStadium —Death Valley Sr., as BrianKelly wouldhaveit— Iwould pick LSU. As it is,it’saskinga lotofLSU to break itslosingstreakinits firsttruetop-10roadseason opener.I thinkLSU keepsitclose,withGarrett Nussmeierconnectingonatleast acoupleof bigplays,but theroadTigersfallshort trying to overcome a10-pointfourth-quarterdeficit.

KOKI RILEY

CLEMSON 21,LSU 17

LSUcan winthisgameifthe offensivelineholds itsown againstanelite Clemsondefensive front. Butit’shardtobankonthat, givenLSU’s question marksatleftguard andright tackle,the group’slack of experience playingtogetherand thechallenges of havingtodoitall on theroad. KeepingGarrett Nussmeieronhis feet will be achallenge throughout thenight

MICHAEL JOHNSON

STAFF FILEPHOTO By

LSU head coach Brian Kelly stands at midfieldwatching drills during aspring practice on April 12 at TigerStadium.

Kelly revealed that figure to be $18 million.

Kelly agreed that losing Underwoodwas a catalyst for raising the moneytohelpbuild this year’sroster through the portal and with high school recruits such as five-starcornerback DJ Pickett, achallenger for astarting role.

“All those things play into what Ihavesaid from Day 1,” Kelly said. “Inthis new model you have to be able to adapt to current circumstances. Certainlythat (Underwood) was abig one we had to address and adaptto.

“At the end of the day,itwas our fanbase that stepped up and said we need to be part of this.Withthe gift Imade and over 1,500 gifts to support ourroster,everybody had their ear to the ground and were ready to adjust and be attuned to what’sgoing on in college football.”

LSU ended up with 18 transfers, many of whom likely will play key roles against Clemson. It was important, Kelly said, not just to pull talented players out of the portal, but the right players. The unstated conclusion being that LSU finally had the means going into this season to do just that.

“We’ve been at this for the past nine months,” Kelly said. “You make sure you recruit the right guys. This is ateam we were very intentional about in terms of going out and getting mature playerswho can stand up to those moments” against a team such as Clemson.

“When you’re putting together the DNA of afootball team, it’snot just about talent acquisition. It’smaking sure you have the piecesnecessary to compete in thosemoments. When there’saturnover.When there’sasudden change. Whenmomentumis not going your way.What is the makeup of your team?

“I want to have the conversation after the game that we competed the right way.That our composure was amazing. And that we played with great confidence.”

Underwood definitely would havehad to sit at least one year at LSU, waiting for his turn to be the starting quarterback behind established star and fifth-year seniorGarrett

Nussmeier.AtMichigan, he has been thrust into astarting role. At theexact same time as LSU’stough-as-nails opener with Clemson kicks off, Underwood and the Wolverines will ease into 2025 at home against five-touchdown underdog New Mexico. Things don’t get real for Michigan and its$12 million man until next week at No. 18 Oklahoma.

Losing out on Underwood may have spurredLSU and itswell-heeled boosters to help build acontender rosterthis year,but recruiting is an annual thing. Nussmeier will leavefor the NFL after this season —LSU clearly made it worthhis while to stay for 2025. That means the Tigers will look to recently transferredquarterback Michael VanBuren from Mississippi State or current redshirt freshman Colin Hurley to be their quarterback in 2026. Just as likely,LSU will head back into the portal to try to entice aprovenquarterback to transferinfor next season. Quarterbacks bounce all over the college football mapthese days, but you don’tfind areally good one in the discount aisle. If LSU wants/needs to go thatroutefor next season, it will cost dearly That’s aconcern for another time. Fornow,the focus is on making the CFP this season. Perhaps in the end it will all work out for LSUand Michigan, which happens to be the one traditional power program the Tigers never have played in football. Who knows?

When you’re puttingtogether theDNA of a football team, it’s notjust about talent acquisition It’smaking sure youhavethe pieces necessaryto compete in those moments.When there’saturnover. When there’sa sudden change. When momentum is not going your way.What is the makeup of your team?”

BRIAN KELLy, LSU coach

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Maybe LSU and Michigan, who have won twoofthe past sevennational championships and are eager to getthere again, will end up facing each other in the CFP come December or January Like it or not, it takesthe kind of financial commitment LSU and Michigan made to get to the topthese days. No guarantee of success, of course, but not trying will guarantee you won’tmake it LSUknows that as well as anyone.

For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/ lsunewsletter

4p.m.

Murray St. (0-0) at ETSU (0-0), 4:30 p.m.

Weber St. (0-0)atJames Madison(0-0),5 p.m.

New Hampshire(0-0) at NC Central(1-0),5 p.m.

Coastal Carolina (0-0)atVirginia (0-0),5 p.m.

Webber International (0-0)atStetson(0-0),5 p.m.

Presbyterian (0-0)atMercer (0-0), 5p.m.

Gardner-Webb (0-0)atW.Carolina (0-0), 5p.m.

Allen YellowJackets (0-0)atMoreheadSt. (0-0),5 p.m.

Wofford(0-0) at SC State (0-0), 5p.m

North Alabama (0-0)atW.Kentucky (1-0), 6p.m.

LIU Brooklyn (0-0) at Florida(0-0), 6p.m.

Charleston Southern(0-0)atVanderbilt (0-0),6 p.m.

AustinPeay(0-0) at MiddleTennessee (0-0),6 p.m.

Morgan St. (0-0)atSouth Alabama (0-0), 6p.m.

Georgia St. (0-0) at Mississippi (0-0), 6:45 p.m.

MIDWEST

Texas(0-0) at OhioSt. (0-0), 11 a.m.

Ball St. (0-0)atPurdue (0-0), 11 a.m.

Merrimack (0-0)atKent St. (0-0), 11 a.m. Va.Lynchburg(0-0) at Valparaiso (0-0),1 p.m.

Butler (0-0)atN.Iowa(0-0),

THENATION

THINGS TO WATCHINWEEK1

Tide turns to newquarterback No. 8Alabama is turning to longtime backup quarterback Ty Simpson to makehis first start when the Crimson Tide opens coach Kalen DeBoer’ssecond seasonat Florida State. Simpson will be tasked with gettingthe ball to asupporting cast led by receiver Ryan Williams.The Tide will be withoutrunning back Jam Miller (collarbone). Florida State is debuting a$265 million stadium renovation, arevamped offense and aretooled defense under sixth-year coach MikeNorvell aftera 2-10 campaign.

Underwood set for debut No.14Michigan opens the season at home againstNew Mexico. Former LSU commitment andNo. 1overall high school prospect Bryce Underwood is expected to takethe Wolverines’ first snap, becoming the fourth freshman quarterback to startinprogram history. Michigan beat No.11 Alabama 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl,closing the season with three straight wins to finish 8-5. Thewinning streak included afourth straight win over rival OhioState in coachSherrone Moore’sdebut season.

Lotoforange in Atlanta No. 24 Tennessee and Syracuse openthe season at Mercedes-Benz StadiuminAtlanta. TheVolsare 3-0 all-time against theOrange. The last time the teams faced offwas in 2001 when Tennessee downedSyracuse 33-9 in Knoxville.Tennessee openedits 1998 national championship season with avictory over the OrangeatSyracuse.Both Tennessee and Syracusewent 10-3 last season.TennesseecoachJosh Heupel has a7-0 record in season openersduringhis coaching career

Inside ‘1-0’mentality

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

In BrianKelly’s first year as LSU coach, preseason camp was meant to establishanew culture.

Year 2was about reinforcing those habits. Last season,anemphasis wasplaced on improving ahistorically poor defense from the prior year This preseason, the tone was different again. Kelly and the Tigers’ sole focus has been going 1-0.

“I feel like our mentality is just 1-0, it’sClemson,” redshirt junior linebacker Harold Perkins said. “It’snot (Louisiana Tech) it’snot nobodyunderneath them. Our main focus and our mentality is to go 1-0 in Week 1.”

Winning the first game of the season has become amajor obstacle for LSU. The Tigers haven’twon aseason opener since 2019. Losses to Mississippi State and UCLA under Ed Orgeron havebeen followed by twodefeats to Florida Stateand afifth consecutive losslast year against Southern Cal. Breaking that trend will be anythingbut easy Saturday when No. 9LSU facesNo. 4 Clemson on the road (6:30 p.m., ABC). Clemson enters the matchup with athird-year starting quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate in Cade Klubnik, and two potential firstroundpicks on the defensive line.

“Whatever poll you’re looking at, it’satop-five team,” Kelly said. “They reached the(College Football Playoff last year). Iknow coach (Dabo Swinney) very well. Thirteen seasons at 10 wins. They’re the epitome of consistency at the highest level.” When it comes to emphasizing the importance of winning the first game, Kelly hastranslated his words into actions by adjustingLSU’spreseason practice schedule.

In years past, it wasseemingly randomized until the week of thefirst game.This preseason, LSU has been on aconsistent game-weekschedule for three weeks before the first game of the year

“Usually in camp, it’s kind of choppy,” junior linebacker Whit Weeks said. “You’ll go three days on, have aweird off day, like on aWednesday. Butfor the past three weeks, we’ve been practicing Monday throughSaturday, andthen(have an)off day on Sunday.” The game-weekschedule also has included night scrimmages under the lights at TigerStadi-

LSUrunning backCaden Durham,right, talks withquarterback Garrett Nussmeier,center,during practice on Aug. 5. This preseason, LSUhas been on aconsistentgame-week schedule for three weeks beforethe firstgameofthe year

um the past two Saturdays. Both practices have been at 6:30p.m., thesametime LSU will face Clemson this weekend.

“It really feelslike you’re goinginto agame,”Weeks said.

“All day you’re preparinglike it’sagame.”

Gettingintoits game-week routine weeks earlierhas helped

LSU develop stronger habits heading into this Saturday.For example,atypical Tuesdayfor Kelly’steam during game week is called “Attitude Tuesday.” Before it faces Clemson, LSU will have had threeAttitude Tuesdays. “I think coach Kelly and (strengthand conditioning

coach Jake Flint) did an unbelievable job putting together a practice schedule,” fifth-year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier said, “just as faras allowing us to get intoroutines, (to) build (and) start to build routines, something we talk a lot about here.

“And so Ithink it’sbeen extremely beneficial, andIthink it’sgoing to pay off.”

Kelly isn’tready to take avictory lap. Whether the schedule changesactually worked won’t be determined until Saturday’s gameisover

ButasLSU inchesclosertoward its massive showdown with Clemson, Kelly is happy with how his team prepared for thebig game.

“This was really about trying to get intoa routine, so game week didn’tfeel so unusual,” Kelly said. “And Ithink our guys really adapted well to understanding that even in camp, each day of the week. waslaid out.”

“And Ithink that allowedthem to be alot more intentionalabout their work each and every day.”

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

BY JOE REEDY Associated Press

COLUMBUS,Ohio— Texasand Ohio State are used to dealing with pressure. The expectationsfor both programsgoing into Saturday are at fever pitch as the top-ranked Longhorns and defending national champion No. 3Buckeyes meet in oneofthe most-hypedopeners in recent memory.

“It is agreat way to start the year It’sjust different. There’spositivesand negatives to everything, but what agreat game to kickoff the season with against agreat opponent,” Ohio State coach Ryan Daysaid. This will be the fifth meeting between thevaunted programs.Inthreeofthe past four meetings— includingthe two times they have met in the regular season —the winner has gone on to play for the national title.

The last matchup was Jan. 10 in aCollege Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, when the Buckeyes pulled away in the second half for a28-14 victory In the232 days sincethe teamslast met, 26 players fromthat game were selected in the NFLdraft(Ohio State 14, Texas 12) with only 17 of the 44 combined starters on offense and defense forboth sides returning.

“At the end of the day,that stung walking outofthe Cotton Bowl last year.But this is anew challenge, anew journey, anew mission we’re on,” Texascoach Steve Sarkisian said.

Arch Madness

Heisman Trophy contender Arch Manning will make histhird collegiate start. He playedin10games last season,including twostarts, and made abrief appearance against the Buckeyes and had an 8-yard carry.Eventhough thesophomore hasreceivedthe most attention, Manning realizes that thegame will not only come downtohim

“I always have to remind myself it’s not about me,it’sabout the whole team,” he said. “Wehave to play the situations well, not give them short fields andtake care of the ball. Our receivers have gotten together every practice.”

Ohio State’sJeremiahSmith gets all the hype at wide receiver,but Texas has abudding playmakerreadyfor abreakoutseason.RyanWingo had29catches for472 yards and two touchdowns last season as freshman. Like Smith, Wingo can be aphysical mismatch forsome defensive backs at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds with speed.

TheOther QB

Ohio State’s JulianSayin will be making his first start. The sophomore took 27 snaps in four games last season and was 5for 12 for84yards and one touchdown. Sayin is thefifth quarterbackunder Day to makehis first start, joining Dwayne Haskins (in 2018 when Daywas the offensive coordinator), Justin Fields (2019), C.J. Stroud (2021) andKyle McCord (2023).

What aboutthe defenses?

Matt Patricia takes over as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator and inherited a unit that hadonlythree returningstarters. One of those is safety Caleb Downs, whommany have as one of the top-ranked defensive prospects for next year’sdraft. Aconcern remainsthe defensiveline, which has four new starters. Texas has six starters returning but lost two in the secondary,includingcornerback

Haven not a typical top-notch recruit

Dunham QB takes analytical approach to intense interest

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

About five or six years ago, Elijah Haven sat down and penciled out his future

His plan?

Pursue a career in computer engineering and found his own company. He didn’t have all the details sketched out, but he did have a name — Haven Tech — and he made sure to include it in the essay he submitted for a middle school award.

But plans can change and priorities can shift, especially for someone as athletically gifted as Haven.

“As early as fifth grade,” his mother, Ebony Haven, said, “he knew that’s kind of what he wanted to do.” Haven, a junior at The Dunham School, might still grow up to represent a large company He’s still on track to work as an engineer but not in the traditional sense or at least the way he envisioned it when he wrote that essay in middle school.

Haven’s a quarterback now, both for the present and foreseeable future.

The consensus among recruiting services is that Haven is the nation’s top signal caller in the Class of 2027. He was once the next big thing on the Baton Rouge high school sports scene. Now, he’s a household name with the power to alter the trajectory of a major college football program.

“I can’t recall a single quarterback that, especially from the Baton Rouge area in particular, has drawn the eyes of so many offensive coordinators and coaches around the country quite like Elijah,” said Sam Spiegelman, a recruiting analyst for On3 and Rivals, Everyone wants to know what Haven is thinking. Scouts. College coaches. Agents. Reporters. Anyone lucky enough to get a piece of the 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior will meet a 16-year-old with the talent to one day

a practice on Aug. 20. Haven is the nation’s top signal caller in the Class of 2027.

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

What did Southern do immediately after its season-opening 31-14 loss to North Carolina Central?

Coach Terrence Graves and his staff put the team through one of its hardest conditioning sessions two days later at practice.

Upping the level of intensity and focus is the only way the team knows how to bounce back from the loss ahead of its first Southwestern Athletic Conference game against Mississippi Valley State at 4 p.m. Saturday at Rice–Totten Stadium in Itta Bena, Mississippi.

“I told them, to get the bitter taste out of their mouth, gotta win this week,” Graves said. “I think they’re hungry and chomping at the bit.”

recently, an XFL coach in 2023.

They had zero players picked to make a preseason SWAC team on offense or defense. MVSU didn’t retain its starting quarterback, running back, top two receiving leaders and seven leading tacklers from last season.

Regardless of the new staff and prognostications in polls, Graves refuses to have his team underestimate the competition.

“You gotta put people on that team some way and somehow. It doesn’t matter if you’re not on preseason teams,” Graves said. “They still have football players, and whether they are recognized or not, you gotta go out and play And our guys understand, we respect everybody Don’t fear anybody, but we respect everybody.”

With this being MVSU’s first game of the season with a new staff, Southern doesn’t have relevant film to study, but the Devils have film of Southern’s season-opening loss.

The Jaguars’ next foe is an MVSU team that went 1-11 last year and was predicted to finish last in the East division in the 2025 SWAC preseason poll.

The Southern coaches aren’t concerned about that. They prepare a game plan by studying the schemes Southern ‘chomping at the bit’ to

The Delta Devils are led by new coach Terrell Buckley, who is a former NFL Pro Bowl cornerback and, most

Grizzled NFL coach Belichick adjusts for ‘rookie’ season

BY AARON BEARD

AP sportswriter

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina bet big on Bill Belichick to elevate its football program beyond decades of also-ran status and midtier bowl appearances More simply, it was a bet Belichick could do something he never has before.

The 73-year-old with six Super Bowl titles as an NFL head coach is now a college rookie. He’s traded rosters of 30-somethings for recruiting teenagers yet to emerge from under their parents’ wings. He’s greeted donors at fundraising gatherings, and he’s working amid a wildly evolving landscape of player empower-

ment across college athletics.

The first on-field look comes Monday night when the Tar Heels host TCU.

“I’ve been through a lot of opening days,” Belichick said, “and every one is the same in that there’s some things you kind of feel good about, there’s some other questions that you have.” The setting

The spotlight will lock on Belichick taking the field as he pushes a vision of building the NFL’s “33rd team” at a school better known for its storied men’s basketball program. ESPN will host a pregame show from Kenan Stadium. UNC has sold out season tickets (at higher prices, no less) and single-

game seats. And beyond Monday, streaming provider Hulu will feature the program in a behind-the-scenes show TCU coach Sonny Dykes has experience with spectacle, at least Two years ago, his ranked Horned Frogs hosted Colorado in retired NFL star Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes debut and lost.

“Never thought I would, no,” Dykes said of facing Belichick. “Just assumed he would aways coach in the NFL and assumed I’d always coach in college, and didn’t really consider that possibility One thing I’ve learned about college football though is never say never.”

ä See BELICHICK, page 8C

Pelicans guard Alvarado injured in FIBA AmeriCup

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was injured Thursday night during a game in the FIBA AmeriCup in Miami.

Alvarado, playing for Puerto Rico, was carried off the court on a stretcher in the third quarter of the game, according to a video posted on X. On the play, Alvarado appeared to fall on his tailbone. Puerto Rico was playing against Argentina, which won the game 8277. Alvarado posted on Instagram, “Appreciate the love y’all,” Alvarado wrote. “But your boy good. God got me.”

Alcaraz wins despite knee problem

Shelton quits during third-round match with shoulder injury

BY HOWARD FENDRICH and BRIAN MAHONEY AP sportswriters

NEW YORK Carlos Alcaraz was cruising along in the U.S. Open’s third round, leading by a set and a break after taking 10 of the first 14 games in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, when an awkward step while striking a forehand caused an issue with his right knee

The No 2-seeded Alcaraz, who won the first of his five Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows in 2022, got broken for the first time in the tournament, then took a medical timeout and had his leg massaged by a trainer Problem solved: Alcaraz rolled through the rest of the match, never dropping another game, and beat No. 32 Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0

It was the first, brief hint of any trouble for the 22-year-old Alcaraz this week — well, other than the hair-cutting mistake by his brother that led to a shaved head

He didn’t let teasing from Frances Tiafoe about that bother him, and Alcaraz didn’t seem too concerned about what went on with his knee against Darderi, a 23-year-old Italian who was making his debut as a seed at a major “I just felt something that was not working good in the knee, but after five, six points, it was gone,” Alcaraz said, describing the visit from the trainer as precautionary “I’m going to talk with my team, but I’m not worried about it.”

Other than that blip, his play was terrific in the 1-hour, 44-minute match.

He delivered 31 winners to just 12 unforced errors and won 70 of the 105 points that lasted four shots or fewer

“It’s too bad that I ran into Carlos in the third round, because right now it’s impossible to play against Jannik (Sinner) or Carlos. They are the two whose level is above everyone else’s,” Darderi said “Everyone knew going into today that my chances were not the highest.” Alcaraz, who faces Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round, improved his career Grand Slam record to 80-13 Only Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal were younger by a month or two

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, returns a shot to Luciano Darderi, of Italy, during the third round of the U.S Open on Friday in New york.

when they got their 80th match win at majors.

Meanwhile, the No. 6-seeded Ben Shelton, a two-time major semifinalist, stopped because of an injury after dropping the fourth set against Adrian Mannarino to force a fifth set. His shoulder injury was perhaps caused when he landed on his left arm after tracking down a ball in the corner on the final point to win the third set.

But early in the fourth, the 2023 U.S. Open semifinalist began wincing and said to his coach’s box: “I did something to my shoulder I don’t know what it is.”

He received treatment in the middle of the set, where the trainer rubbed some cream on his left shoulder and tried to shorten the points afterward by consistently attacking the net. But after Mannarino won the set, Shelton was visited again by the trainer and called off the match, leaving the court with a towel over his head and tears in his eyes.

Mannarino, a 37-year-old from France, ended up with his first victory in 23 career against matches against top-10 players in Grand Slam tournaments.

“When he started to have pain, he

was leading in the match,” Mannarino said. “Honestly, he would have probably won that match.”

Shelton was certainly a heavy favorite in it after coming in with a 14-2 record this summer on hard courts and winning the title in Toronto, where he routed Mannarino early in the tournament

Shelton was one of the best hopes to give the U.S. its first men’s major champion since Andy Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open. Another of them, No. 17 seed Frances Tiafoe, who had reached the semifinals in Flushing Meadows in two of the previous three years, was eliminated with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) loss to German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.

Shelton’s left-handed serve is one of the most powerful in tennis, and his 140-mph ace in the first set matched the third-fastest of this U.S. Open. He still was able to crank up some hard ones after the injury, but repeatedly grabbed at the shoulder after — or even in the midst of points.

Bryan Shelton, his father and coach, told the 22-year-old to come forward, hoping to end the points quickly Shelton had 13 serve-andvolley points in the fourth set after

only three in the first three sets, and he was at the net for a missed volley when Mannarino broke him for a 4-3 lead in the fourth. Shelton fought off four set points in his next service game before Mannarino held to win the set.

Other events

The 82nd-ranked Rinderknech reached the fourth round at a Slam for the first time by defeating Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Bonzi had won both of his first two matches in five sets, including in a wild one against 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who was fined $42,500 by the tournament for his meltdown after play was delayed when a photographer wandered onto the court. Emma Raducanu’s best run at Flushing Meadows since her 2021 trophy ended with a 6-1, 6-2 loss to No. 9 Elena Rybakina. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and 2024 runner-up Jessica Pegula advanced, while Barbora Krejcikova beat No. 10 Emma Navarro in three sets. No. 17 Frances Tiafoe was eliminated, leaving just two American men remaining. Cam Norie lost with a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3, against No. 7-seeded Djokovic.

Townsend in spotlight after confrontation

BY STEPHEN WHYNO AP sportswriter

NEW YORK Taylor Townsend is in the spotlight at the U.S. Open as a result of an interaction she wishes never took place.

Townsend said Jelena Ostapenko told her she had “no class” and “no education” during a face-to-face argument after their secondround match Wednesday A huge crowd cheered her on in doubles on Thursday and now Townsend is set to be front and center in prime time at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night against fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva.

Going into this Grand Slam, Townsend had nowhere near the star power or the name recognition of fellow Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, and she is not even seeded in single’s play Yet the 29-year-old who is half of the top-ranked women’s doubles team in the world and was No. 1 as a junior player has become one of the biggest stories of the tournament through no fault of her own. Still, Townsend hopes the attention around the confrontation and her calling attention to it can be a positive for the U.S. Open and tennis in general.

“If I’m someone who can draw huge crowds into the stadiums as a name that can bring people to

States, returns a shot during her doubles match against Aldila Sutjiadi, of Indonesia, and Nadiia Kichenok, of Ukraine, in the second round of the U.S Open on Thursday in New york.

come and buy tickets and support the game, then that’s a crown that I’ll gladly wear,” Townsend said. “Whatever that it is, whatever type of attention that it brought, it’s doing the right things, which is bring people to see the sport and bringing people in to support and that’s what it’s all about.”

Townsend, who is Black, and Ostapenko who is from Latvia, had an intense back and forth af-

ter Townsend won in straight sets.

When asked if she thought the comments had racial undertones, Townsend said she didn’t take it that way but acknowledged, “That has been a stigma in our community of being ‘not educated’ and all of the things, when it’s the furthest thing from the truth.” Gauff and Naomi Osaka were among those who publicly came to Townsend’s defense. Osaka called what Townsend reported Ostapenko saying “one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority white sport.” Even privately, Townsend said other players came up to her to broach the subject and express their support. Online, she gained thousands of social media followers. “It’s cool to know that people see you and people are watching and more than anything,” Townsend said. “I was hoping that it was received a certain type of way and it was, so it was just external validation that I handled things the right way and that’s what I’m the most proud of and the most happy with. I wasn’t looking for that and in my answers and when I decided and I spoke and I said what I said I wasn’t looking for those things, but it’s nice to know that I made people proud.”

Townsend is in the third round

at the U.S. Open, along with Gauff, Osaka and Pegula, more than a decade after the U.S. Tennis Association decided to hold her out of junior competition over concerns about her fitness. The organization in 2012 withheld funding her tournament appearances while she focused on getting in better shape.

In the intervening time, she has become dominant in doubles, winning Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open earlier this year with partner Katerina Siniakova, and the pair is the top seed in Flushing Meadows. Townsend has not gotten past the fourth round in singles at a major If she does so this time, she wants the lesson to be that it is OK to stand up for yourself.

“Sometimes I feel like in society, especially people of color, we are expected to be silenced, or sometimes there are times where we have to decide and be very strategic as to when we speak up, and in these type of moments, it’s important for me to speak up, not only for myself but for my culture,” Townsend said. “No matter what, no matter what attention comes or whatever, I think it’s about being unapologetically yourself, be happy in who you are and never allow anyone to take you out of your character and who you are as a person.”

The Pelicans didn’t have any further updates on Alvarado’s injury Friday evening. Alvarado is entering his fifth season with the Pelicans. He averaged a career-high in points (10.3), assists (4.6) and rebounds (2.4) last season.

Florida baseball coach reprimanded for profanity

The NCAA Division I Baseball Committee issued a public reprimand to Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan on Friday for aggressive behavior and profanity-laced language directed at site administrators for the regional in Conway, South Carolina.

The committee said O’Sullivan’s actions violated an NCAA misconduct bylaw during a championship event. O’Sullivan publicly apologized June 2, the day after his tirade. Florida also suspended O’Sullivan for the first three games of the 2026 regular season. O’Sullivan was upset because the start time of his team’s elimination game against East Carolina — an 11-4 loss — was pushed back an hour. East Carolina’s previous game had ended at midnight.

Patriots release safety Peppers during shuffle

The New England Patriots released safety Jabrill Peppers on Friday marking the latest shakeup of the team’s roster under new coach Mike Vrabel. The 29-yearold Peppers, who was entering his fourth year in New England, made the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster and was expected to start alongside Kyle Dugger in the Patriots secondary in their revamped defense. Instead, Peppers’ departure is the latest turn away from holdover players and contracts that were dolled out under former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo. Cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive tackle Deatrich Wise weren’t re-signed this offseason, and receiver Kendrick Bourne and offensive lineman Cole Strange were both recently cut.

Red Sox release pitcher

Buehler, calling up Tolle

Walker Buehler who got the final out in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series victory last season and was expected to be a key member of the Boston rotation this year, was released on Friday after the Red Sox concluded he couldn’t help their playoff push from the bullpen.

Buehler, 31, has struggled since signing a $21.05 million contract with Boston, going 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA. He made 22 starts before he was demoted to the bullpen last week; in his only relief appearance since earning a save in Game 5 of the Series.

To fill Buehler’s spot on the roster, the Red Sox called up top pitching prospect Payton Tolle to make his major league debut against Pirates ace Paul Skenes.

Miami LB Hayes charged with vehicular homicide

Miami linebacker Adarius Hayes has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving with serious bodily injury, all of which followed the investigation into a May crash that killed three people.

Hayes surrendered to police Friday morning in his hometown of Largo, Florida, and records show he was booked into the Pinellas County Jail before bonding out a few hours later Miami said Hayes “has been indefinitely suspended from all athletic related activities” in response to the charges.

Police previously revealed that the three people who died as a result of the crash — a 78-year-old woman, plus two children ages 10 and 4 — were all in a Kia Soul, which collided with a Dodge Durango being driven by Hayes.

GAMEDAY

Everybodyis chasingJackson St.

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN Staff writer

Footballis officially back in the Southwestern Athletic Conference after Southern played in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off last Saturday.Hereare the first SWAC power rankings of the season after Week 0action:

1. JacksonState 2024 record: 12-2 overall, 8-0

SWAC

Thisweek: vs.Hampton, 2p.m. Saturday (HBCU GO)

Extra points: TheTigers are at the top of the conference as the reigningCelebration Bowl champions. SeniorquarterbackJaCobian Morgan returns for coach TC Taylor aftercompleting 163 of 256 passes for 2,236 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season.

2. FloridaA&M

2024 record: 7-5 overall, 5-3 SWAC

This week: vs.Howard, 3p.m. Saturday (ESPNU)

Extrapoints: FAMU is led by senior running back Thad Franklin, who rushed for 653yards lastseason.

SOUTHERN 31,MISSISSIPPI

VALLEYSTATE 17: Southern has oneofthe most imposing rushing attacksinthe Southwestern Athletic Conference with running backsTrey Hollyand Mike Franklin.MVSUhas a newcoachingstaff aftergoing 1-11 last year andwillneedtimetogel TheJaguars have aheadstart in formingtheir identity andare extra motivatedafter theirseason-opening loss to NorthCarolinaCentral Toyloy

The Rattlers also feature preseason All-SWAC first-team members in offensive linemen Charles Davisand AshtonGrable,defensive lineman Davion Westmoreland, linebacker Nay’Ron Jenkins and defensivebackTJHuggins.

3. AlabamaState

2024 record: 7-5 overall, 5-3 SWAC

This week: Lost 52-42toUAB on Thursday

Extra points: The Hornets feature senior defensive back Keane Lewis, who finished last season with 16 solo tackles, three pass deflections, two interceptions and aforced fumble. Offensive lineman Desmond Daniels was also an All-SWACfirst-team selection.

4. Southern

2025 record: 0-1 overall, 0-0 SWAC

Last week: Lost 31-14 vs.North CarolinaCentral

This week: at Mississippi Valley State,4 p.m. Saturday

Extrapoints: The Jaguars showed some of thesamestrengths from ayear ago in a31-14 season-opening loss to North Carolina Central. Their runninggame, especially with the addition of LSU transfer Trey Holly,could be the best in the conference. There are plenty of other areas to be addressed, includingquarterback.

5. Alcorn State

2024 record: 6-6 overall, 5-3 SWAC

This week: Lost 20-10atNorthwestern State on Thursday

SOUTHERN

Continued from page5C

coaches used at their last stops. For example, the defensive coaches looked at the concepts the opposing offensive coordinator ran at Ferris State when he was arungame coordinator and offensive line coach.

The positiongroup thathas the biggestreason togrind tapeisthe defensive line after having alackluster performance last Saturday In the postgame news conference, Graves said thegroup “got alittle toocaught up reading thenewspaper clippings and watching the videosabout howgreat we are defensively.”

Stardefensive end Ckelby Givens was given themostattention in the trenches but was limited to twotackles,which he didonlyonce last year.Hewas mostly anonfactor in pressuringthe quarterback. Whenthe senior was denied the backfield, therest of his linemates didn’t win their matchups.

MVSU likely will try to followa similar blueprint against Givens, the reigning SWAC co-Defensive Player of theYear. Graves said Givens needs others to step up.

“Wegot to play better.Wegot to beat one-on-one protections,” Graves said.“Those guys slid to CkelbyGivens all night and chipped him. So when they’re doing that,somebody else has to make plays and that’sjust howitis. Yougot to makeplays. If they keyinonone guy,somebody else has to step up to make plays.” Southern’s needed improvements are more technique-based than scheme.This applies to vet-

Extrapoints: Thedeciding factor between ranking theBraves and Jaguars comes down to comparing the twoteams’ offensive backfields. If youhad to pickbetween Holly and AlcornRBJacorian Sewell, Holly gets theedge. Offensive linemanRonaldBrown and linebacker Stemarion Edwards werepreseason All-SWAC first-team selections.

6. PrairieView

2024 record: 5-7 overall, 3-5 SWAC

This week: at TexasSouthern, 7p.m. Saturday Extrapoints: Thereisanew energy at Prairie View thanks to new coach Tremaine Jackson. He has woneverywherehe’sbeen, including his last gig at Division II juggernaut Valdosta State. Now back in hishomestate of Texas, Jackson has established anew culture in his first offseason.

7. AlabamaA&M

2024 record: 6-6 overall, 4-4 SWAC

Thisweek: at Arkansas, 3:15 p.m. Saturday (SECN)

Extrapoints: First-year coachSam Shade haswon at each of hisprevious stops. He led PinsonValley High School to an Alabama 6A statechampionship in 2020, and MilesCollegetoa SIAC championshiplast season. Shade played eight seasons in the NFL with Cin-

cinnati andWashington.

8. TexasSouthern

2024 record: 5-6 overall, 4-4 SWAC

This week: vs. Prairie View,7 p.m.

Saturday

Extrapoints: Coached by Cris Dishman, the Tigers are coming offa .500 conference performance last season and have preseason AllSWAC second-team defensive end Damarcus Thompson returning. He had 12 tackles and two sackslast season. Wide receiver TrentonLeary and punter Jeremy Ramirez also madethe preseason all-conference second team

9. Grambling

2024 record: 5-7 overall, 2-6 SWAC

Thisweek: vs. Langston, 7p.m.Saturday

Extra points: The Tigers struggled in coach Mickey Joseph’sfirst season at the helm with a2-6 finish in conference play last year

Grambling does return senior defensive lineman Bryce Cage, who had 25 solo tackles, four sacks and aforced fumble last season.

10.Bethune-Cookman

2024 record: 2-10, overall, 2-6 SWAC

erans as well as first-timestarters such as sophomore defensive tackle Jayden Rogers and junior defensive end JeromeWallace.

The Southern secondary also didn’tfeel absolved in the roleit playedinthe loss. TheJaguars forced only fiveincompletions out of 27 pass attempts in the season opener,and they didn’treliably bring skill players to theground.

“Wegotta be better open-field tacklers,”redshirtsophomore safety Herman Brister said. “I think we missed alot of tackles. I thinklast year,first gameagainst McNeese, we missed alot of tacklesaswell. That’swhatwe’re

working on this week at practice.”

One of thepositivesondefense that Southern wants to carry over is theplayofits linebackers. Senior VincentPaige,the team’s leadingtacklerfromlastyear,had nine tackles and aforced fumble that Southern recovered. Redshirt senior Michael Jones, who only played in three games last year, hadsix tackles and atackle for loss. Another pivotal area Southern has to clean up is special teams, Graves said. The team gifted North Carolina Central great field position and atouchdown to open the third quarter.Junior Kenny

This week: at Florida International, Friday (n)

Extra points: The Wildcats offensive duo of quarterback CamRansom and wide receiver Maleek Huggins returns. Huggins reeled in 37 passesfor 543 yards and threetouchdowns last year.Defensive back AntwoneWatts was theteam’sloneAll-SWAC preseason first-team selection. 11.Arkansas-Pine Bluff

2024 record: 3-9 overall, 2-6 SWAC

This week: at Texas Tech, 6:30 p.m Saturday (ESPN+) Extrapoints: The Golden Lions are led by junior running back BJ Curry,who ran for 509 yards and fourtouchdowns on 123 carries last season. Kicker Trey Glymph was also apreseason All-SWAC second-team selection. He went7 for7onfieldgoalattemptsin2024. 12.MississippiValleyState

2024 record: 1-11 overall, 1-7 SWAC This week: vs. Southern, 4p.m. Saturday Extra points: Mississippi native and formerNFL defensive back TerrellBuckley is now theDelta Devils head coach. He last coached the Orlando Guardians in the XFL in 2023.

The Guardians finished 1-9under Buckley’sdirection.

Pham punted the ball only 7yards to the Jaguars’ 34-yard line after there was abreakdowninprotection.

On offense, Southern’squarterback battle between redshirt sophomore Jalen Woodsand junior Jackson State transfer Cam’RonMcCoy,who started the last game, continues. Graves said to expect both of them to get time on the field, but the matter of who starts andplays themajorityof thecontest won’tberevealed until Saturday McCoy showed flashes of brilliance with his mobility,including a69-yard rushing touchdownon the first drive. He also had mistakes, including ared-zone fumble in the fourth quarter While he completed 9of14passes, it was foronly 70 yards.

The Southern passing attack didn’tfeature muchofAll-SWAC player DupreeFuller.The graduate tight end had just twocatches for 9yards and wasn’ttargeted during an open seam route.

“Wehavetoget himmore involved in the game,” Graves said.

The Jaguars’ brightest spot on offense was the running back tandem of LSU transfer Trey Holly and Jacksonville State transfer Mike Franklin, a6-foot-2, 225-pound senior Graves andMarkFrederick, the offensive coordinator,will want to see howtheir “thunderand lighting” duo looksagainst aconference opponent after the pair combined for148 yards rushing on 19 attempts last week.

Southern doesn’tknowexactly who MVSU will rely on to make big plays, but theJaguars feel great knowing moreabout who they are as ateam when they try to fix their “correctable” mistakes on the field.

Corso’s emotional farewell

ESPN personality to pick his final mascot head on Saturday broadcast

BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

COLUMBUS, Ohio It is rare for a sports broadcasting figure to retire on his own terms or to be able to accept the tributes or adulation of colleagues and fans.

Lee Corso gets to experience that on Saturday Corso makes his final appearance as part of ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew before No. 3 and reigning national champion Ohio State hosts top-ranked Texas. Since announcing his retirement earlier this year, Corso has received his share of acclaim and send-offs. He was honored at the ESPY Awards in July and received a standing ovation before boarding his flight in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday

“It’s a gamut of different emotions. I’m trying to stay in the celebratory lane this weekend ” said GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who has sat next to Corso since 1996 “We don’t want to be emotional or sad when it’s his last show We can be sad next week. But this weekend, we need to be celebrating him. Everything he’s meant to us and to the sport.”

Corso, who turned 90 on Aug 7, has been a part of “GameDay” since its start in 1987 and has made pregame shows entertaining un-

HAVEN

Continued from page 5C

play in the NFL, the polish to deftly traverse a high-stakes, modern recruitment, and the focus to lead his Dunham team back to the Division III select state championship.

Haven has games to win, endorsement deals to fulfill and colleges to visit. He also has honors, advanced placement and dual-enrollment classes to pass. All those responsibilities will set him up for a whirlwind junior season — perhaps the most important portion of a recruitment that sprung up organically, shifting him off course from the engineering career he originally wanted to pursue.

“There was no blueprint to the NFL for Elijah growing up,” said Matt Bowers, the New Orleansarea car dealer who signed Haven to an NIL deal in January

“He’s incredibly mature and smart. I mean, he’s more mature and socially adept than I was at 31 years old. He’s 16.”

‘One in a million’

Chad Myers was sure the kid would play college hoops. All the Dunham boys basketball coach needed to see was the time Elijah Haven dunked in a tournament for eighth graders, prompting kids to ask him to sign autographs after the game. At the time, he was in seventh grade.

This middle-schooler, Myers figured, would one day lead the Tigers to a state title or two, ride off into the sunset and begin playing college basketball somewhere — probably at a power-conference school.

Then Myers saw Haven start his first game at quarterback for Dunham.

“Oh crap,” he said then “Never mind.” That night, Haven accounted for 534 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns in a 52-46 loss to Parkview Baptist. Neil Weiner, the Dunham football coach, noticed that his new quarterback was navigating the pocket to avoid pressure and moving safeties with his eyes. Some passers never learn how to truly operate an offense, but Haven had most of the controls figured out by the first game of his freshman season

“Statistically speaking,” Weiner said, “it was the best game I think I’ve ever had a quarterback have.”

Then the wheels on the recruiting train started to spin. Offers rolled in slowly at first, then accelerated once Haven picked up an invite to OT7 — the summer seven-on-seven league that puts high-level recruits in front of scouts and plasters their highlights all over social media. The recruiting services, of course, were there too, and they could see exactly how Haven compared to some of the country’s top quarterbacks. Before long, the 2027 class had

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By TED S WARREN ESPN ‘College GameDay’ host Lee Corso puts on the mascot head of the Oregon Ducks on Oct. 12, 2013, during a TV broadcast from Red Square on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.

der a simple philosophy: “Football is just the vehicle. It’s entertainment, sweetheart.”

“Almost everyone, no matter what they accomplish in our industry, sort of gets dragged out boots first. They don’t really get a chance to say farewell,” GameDay host

Rece Davis said on Friday after a production meeting. “I think it’s a real blessing that we’re able to give Lee his flowers on a day when he’s feeling great, doing great, and excited for a game.”

GameDay’s 26th appearance in Columbus also marks a fullcircle moment for Corso. It was outside Ohio Stadium on Oct. 5, 1996, where Corso’s popular headgear prediction segment began.

Corso donned Brutus Buck-

a new No. 1 quarterback. And he hadn’t even begun his sophomore season.

Haven’s parents, Kwame and Ebony, knew their oldest son was talented. But the recruiting world was new to them They’re more academics than athletes.

Kwame — a pharmacist by trade with a doctoral degree — was a high school swimmer who grew up in suburban Atlanta. Ebony

a Baton Rouge native who now serves as the executive director of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council has two graduate degrees from Tulane.

The couple met as undergrads at Xavier-New Orleans. Once they married, they set up shop in Prairieville, had three kids and decided to enroll their oldest, Elijah, at the private Dunham school for its academic rigor, not its Class 2A football program Now Kwame Haven applies his clinical background to his son’s recruitment.

He uses a spreadsheet to keep track of all the variables It’s grown to 20 or 30 columns, he said, one for every program that’s courting Elijah. The corresponding rows sort teams by categories such as style of offense, alumni in the NFL, head coach and professional quarterbacks who have played for its head coach.

“And then we rank those schools in different tiers of how we feel about them,” Kwame said. “There’s gonna be a subjective component, but let’s try to at least categorize or organize the objective components that we can empirically see, right?”

Kwame hopes the process eases some of the pressure on Elijah, allowing him to focus on football, school, his social life and basketball, too Since eighth grade, Haven also has starred for the varsity hoops team after football season.

“It’s a one-in-a-million type situation for us with him,” Myers said. “He’s been dealing with this for a while, but you would never know You would never know he was a superstar He’s just another student out here, and that’s the way he likes it.”

A decision to make

Yes, Haven is already a quasiprofessional quarterback Today,

Corso has a 66.5% winning rate on his headgear predictions (286144), which is much better than his 73-85-6 mark in 15 years as a coach at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois. His final headgear pick will be on the field at Ohio Stadium. Besides airing across all of ESPN’s networks, Fox Sports may show part of it. The final hour of both pregame shows will also take place in the Horseshoe. Tom Rinaldi and Chris Fallica — former GameDay crew members now with Fox Sports are also expected to give their thoughts on Corso’s retirement.

joined in 2022, and Nick Saban last year after retiring from Alabama. Fowler who will call Saturday night’s game between No 9 LSU and fourth-ranked Clemson, will also be a part of the GameDay crew on Saturday Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the beauty of Corso and “College GameDay” is that they allow fans to experience the flavor of being at a game at Texas or Alabama on television.

eye’s head before Ohio State faced Penn State, and the rest is history Corso has worn 69 different schools’ mascot headgear and has dressed up as Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish leprechaun, the Stanford tree, and historic figures James Madison and Benjamin Franklin. However, Brutus remains Corso’s first love, wearing it 45 times.

“When we looked at the schedule, the obvious place was to try to go to Tallahassee, where he played (at Florida State), but this game is so big. The fact that it’s a noon game. It became a no-brainer to have it here,” Herbstreit said. “It is very kind of storybook. The fact that we started with this and and end it here in Columbus.”

most recruits of his caliber are.

But no, he won’t reclassify to speed up the process of becoming a full-fledged professional athlete. Haven’s mom, Ebony is OK with him enrolling a semester early at whichever school he chooses. But skipping out on his entire senior year of high school is a bridge too far for her even if her son has the academic record to do so.

“He’s already having to grow up a little bit faster,” she said.

NIL deals such as the one Haven signed with Bowers, the New Orleans car dealer, are part of the reason why Once that partnership was announced, social media buzzed with comments that accused Bowers of using the agreement to lure the prized quarterback to Ole Miss, his alma mater Bowers wants to set things straight. He doesn’t care where Haven goes to college, he said. In fact, he’s known the quarterback since before he was a quarterback. As a pre-teen, Haven played for the EYBL basketball team Bowers runs. He and Kwame Haven struck up a friendship over food orders they would make to hotel lobbies during basketball tournament trips.

“The genesis of the relationship was really over basketball,” he said. “We’re just friends, you know?

I don’t want anything from them.”

Bowers is one of the folks who has offered broader “guidance and counsel” to Haven and his parents as they navigate the recruiting process, Kwame said. The family also seeks legal advice from Baton Rouge lawyer David Fleshman and marketing support from NIL agent RJ Harris.

“He’s a very polite, nice kid,” Bowers said of Haven. “You ask him to go sign an autograph, he’ll do it. He’s just a nice kid. So, I think he’s handled it fairly well, but I think it’s gonna get really really intense locally for him. I feel bad for him to some degree, you know what I mean? Like, people expect him to go to LSU. Why?”

Haven can play wherever he wants. All the SEC powers — LSU, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Ole Miss — are after him. So, too, are some more academically rigorous schools such as Cornell, Stanford, Duke and SMU.

On Aug. 11, On3’s Steve Wiltfong predicted Haven would choose Florida, not his hometown Tigers.

But there’s still time for things to change, especially because Haven and his parents are treating his choice of a college football team like it’s an engineering project. An organic, new-age recruitment, they think, demands a slow, clinical approach.

“I think that we’ve already sped up his teenage years as much as I would like to,” Ebony said, “and I want him to be a true kid, a high school kid, and enjoy those experiences because you’ll never get them back.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com.

“Now that his career, obviously coaching but now as a broadcaster, is ending, you look back on the impact that you made. And he certainly made a major impact on a lot of people,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “For him to be here for his last mascot game in his last year means a lot to all of us.”

When GameDay started, Corso was the analytical one known for hot takes, while the late Beano Cook was the funny one who made game predictions a production.

The show took place at ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut, until it went on the road for the first time in 1993, before Notre Dame hosted Florida State in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. The show has been on the road regularly since 1995.

Chris Fowler was the host from 1990 through 2014 before Davis took over Besides Herbstreit, Desmond Howard has been with the show since 2006, Pat McAfee

BELICHICK

Continued from page 5C

College pivot

Belichick’s NFL career featured a 24-year run leading the New England Patriots, producing six world titles alongside star quarterback Tom Brady When Belichick and the Patriots split in January 2024, he held 333 regular-season and playoff wins, trailing only Don Shula (347) for the NFL record.

Belichick was later linked to NFL jobs but nothing materialized. That led to the unlikely pairing with UNC when the school moved on from Mack Brown At the time, Belichick said he “always wanted” to try college coaching and cited his late father Steve’s connection as a Tar Heels assistant in the 1950s.

In the months since, he’s popped up at men’s basketball and baseball games and can rattle off a list of stops Atlanta, New York and Chicagoincluded—onthedonorcircuit.

“It’s really fun to be part of a school,” Belichick said last month.

“I grew up in Annapolis at the Naval Academy and there’s only one team: there’s Navy It didn’t matter if it was Navy baseball, Navy lacrosse, Navy football, Navy swimming, Navy this, Navy that — you always root for the same team. So you’re really part of a community.”

UNC gave Belichick a five-year deal, the first three guaranteed at $10 million in base and supplemental pay, to spark a program that last won an ACC title in 1980 It comes as the sport’s role as the revenue driver in college athletics never has been more important, particularly with July’s introduction of revenue sharing.

In a recent athletics department podcast, chancellor Lee Roberts pointed to early returns in added buzz from Belichick’s mere presence.

“I’d say, in a lot of ways the experiment has already been successful,” Roberts said.

Coaching relationships

Of course, questions followed. Among the biggest: Would the NFL lifer known for terse and gruff responses in Patriots news conferences really hit the recruiting trail?

Rolesville High coach Ranier Rackley quickly was convinced.

His school, about 40 miles east of Chapel Hill, was an immediate stop for Belichick with the Rams featuring multiple prospects, including four-star senior edge rusher Zavion Griffin-Haynes.

“There was a situation for me with my schedule that I had to change the dates of him originally coming,” Rackley said. “He was like, ‘No, we’ll make it around your schedule.’ And he did that.

For me, I’m like, ‘Wow, this is Bill Belichick adjusting to my schedule to come see my kids.’

Rackley recalled Belichick spending two hours in his first visit “talking about ball, talking about life” while working to build relationships. Rackley said there’s an

“Coach Corso was able to bring the aspect of a coach and a very analytical approach to the games being played, but then the entertainment and doing the headgear at the end of every show,” Sarkesian said. “I know that was something we all used to look forward to. What was he going to do? Like that was going to determine who would win the game or not, but that was the beauty of the show, getting people excited about every Saturday for college football.”

GameDay producer Jim Gaiero thinks Corso may still have a surprise or two for Saturday No one would be surprised if he led on that he was picking with Ohio State and ended up going with Texas.

But even though Corso will no longer be a part of Saturday mornings for college football fans, his impact will continue to be felt.

“His ability to bring entertainment to a preview show helped get away from seriousness. You can be outrageous and still do your job, but you can still have fun,” Gaiero said. “I think other shows have tried to do that, even political shows.”

“open-door policy” for him to visit or talk with the UNC staff, and that Belichick had been receptive to Rackley’s observations.

That included a tip to look at defensive lineman Xavier Lewis, landing the former Austin Peay recruit on the UNC roster as a freshman Rackley said six of his players have UNC offers with three committed: Griffin-Haynes; his brother Jayden, a linebacker and fellow senior; and junior running back Amir Brown.

“Even when I go out to practices, when (Belichick) sees us, before he goes to anybody else, he’ll come talk to us,” Rackley said “That means something to me. Not saying other coaches haven’t done that, but the fact that I know my guys will be in good hands, that makes me settled in my spirit, in my heart, that they’re going to be OK.”

Convincing a mother

Winning over Mom is a tougher sell And Latara Griffin, mother to the Griffin-Haynes brothers, wasn’t going to be easily swayed by numbers on a résumé.

“I am really a football mom,” she said. “I care about my kids. I care about being able to lay my head down at night and know my kids are good and being taken care of.” So she didn’t hold back when questioning Belichick, including how he’d go from coaching grown men to teenagers who never have lived away from home. Or whether this was a one-year pitstop before returning to the NFL.

Griffin said she sensed some nervousness from the coaching great in early conversations, though that faded into a welcoming vibe. She described establishing a strong connection with the UNC defensive coordinator — Belichick’s son, Steve, and his family and appreciated the elder Belichick’s effort to understand the importance of the brothers to play together

After prayer-filled days for her, the brothers announced their commitment to UNC in June for a January enrollment.

“I think after being around us a little bit more, I’ve seen him kind of be a little bit more open: telling jokes, laughing and smiling,” she said with a laugh. “When you see Bill Belichick on pictures, you don’t really feel like he’s funny and cool like that. But he is.”

What’s ahead

Belichick’s current players have had time to get past star-struck first encounters with a man they grew up watching at the sport’s highest level.

“It’s pretty normal now,” receiver Alex Taylor said. That doesn’t mean Belichick’s presence has lost its luster, or that friends and family have stopped inquiring about what Belichick is like.

“Honestly, it’s just every meeting I walk into, every new day,” Boise State transfer linebacker Andrew Simpson said, “I just sit there and I understand that I’m in front of greatness.”

The only thing left now? Actually winning games.

St.Amant relyingonexperienced QB

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Dutchtown football coach Guy Mistretta knows how balanced District 5-5A is every season. Although he expects another competitive year,hesaid this season might be the first witha true favorite —St. Amant.

For the Gators, thepreseason buzz starts under centerwith senior quarterback Cooper Babin.

He returns for his fourth season starting for the Gators after he guided them to a7-3 record in 2024. Babin earned an all-state honorable mentionand first-team all-district honors last season

“There’snothing like an experienced quarterback whocan run the offense and knows what your expectations are for each play,”St. Amant coach DavidOliver said Four teamsinthe district finished with awinning recordin 2024, but the Gators are theonly one to return their startingquarterback.

On the defensive side, senior outside linebacker Anden Millet is a standout player who moved from safety to linebacker

“He’sjust like amagnettothe football,” Oliver said. “He’svery aggressive, and moving him closer to the ball has been arevelation.”

Another advantage forSt. Amant is its size along the trencheson both sides of the ball. Oliver said the team has more depthand size on the offensive and defensive lines than it has had in years.

The Gators have two players at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds in juniors Jacoby Davis and JeremyWhatley on defense. On the offensive line, there’sjunior Ethan LeBeau, who is 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, and sophomore Caden Tassin, who is 6-foot-6, 305 pounds.

Dutchtownfinished 8-2 last season and fell in the first round to Walker.The Griffins return just three starters, all on offense.

Mistrettaexpects bigthings from histhree returning seniors, wide receiver Martell Rogers, tight end Zach Dotter and center England Phillips. However,finding players to step up into leadership roles will be critical.

The Griffins’ starting quarterback battle is between senior Clay Walker-Vice andjuniorOwen Fletcher

“Choosing between them isn’t going to be based on skill and talent as much as it is on how they handle thepressureand how their leadership abilitiespan out,”Mistretta said.

Denham Springs also brings in a new quarterback, but the Yellow Jackets don’tlack in experience.

The roster consists of 43 seniors comingoff a6-5 record in 2024.

SeniorDa’Jean Golmond will take overatquarterback. He split time with anotherquarterback last season, and coach Brett Beard is excited to see him take the reins.

“He’severything you want in

your quarterback room,” Beard said. “Thatmixedwithwhatwe have, we have achance to be really special offensively.”

Despite slotting in as the new starter,he’ll have his twin brother Da’Sean Golmond at outside receiver as abig-play threat.

“As twins, they’re kind of synced up and make us look goodascoaches,” Beard said.

Senior tight end Brayden Ray will also be athreat as apass catcher Beard called him one of the top two tight ends in the state who can be a game-changer for the team. Beard views the defensive line as the team’sstrength. Led by seniors Darreyus Scottand Devan Mack, Beard believes the group will demand alot of attention from opposing teamsand cause chaos in games.

After a7-5 season and asecondround playoffexit, Walker looks to continue to build toward competing fordistrict championships. The team returns just three starters on offense and three on defense, including anew quarterback.

JuniorJayce Evans will take over at quarterback.Wildcats coach Chad Mahaffeysaid Evans may lack experience, but he has shown the ability to lead the offense.

Helping Evans will be an experienced offensive line,anchored by seniors Charlie Ward andMcNeese State commitment Miguel D’Angelo. Both are 6-foot-6 or taller and around 300 pounds.

Mahaffeybelievesinthe talent his team has, but he knows the competition won’tget any easier “I tell everybody,I think it’sjust averybalanced, competitive district,” Mahaffeysaid. “You’vegot to be ready to play each and every week.”

Leaping catch

Glen Oaks defensivebackJaquan Jackson, right, makesaone-handed interception on a pass intended for Capitol wide receiver Deon Dixon, left,during the Battle on the Bluff on FridayatA.W.Mumford Stadium.

LB Parsonssayshe welcomes high expectations in GreenBay

NewPackerhas sights setona championship

MEGARGEE

BYSTEVE

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. Micah Parsons is embracing the expectations that come from joining the Green Bay Packers with arecordsetting contract.

“I just want to do whatever Ican to help the Packers win achampionship,” Parsons told The Associated Press on Friday, aday after the edge rusher was traded from the Dallas Cowboys and agreed to acontract that makeshim thehighest-paidnon-quarterback in league history Parsons received afouryear,$188million contract with $136 million guar-

anteed.The Packers sent two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackleKenny Clark to Dallas inexchange for Parsons, who already has52 1/2 career sacks through his first four NFL seasons. Parsons’ newteamcould result in anew uniform number.AtDallas, Parsons had No. 11, which wide receiver Jayden Reedcurrentlywears for Green Bay The26-year-old Parsons hinted at anew numberFridaywhen he went on Xand asked, “ShouldIgo0or1!” Adding Parsons makes the Packers among the league’stop Super Bowl contendersafter they reached the playoffs with theNFL’s youngestteam each of the past two years. Parsons shoresupa pass rush that wasn’t reliable last season,when thePack-

ers went 11-7 and lost at Philadelphiainthe NFC wild card round. Parsons should make up aformidable pass-rushing tandem with RashanGary,who has 39 career sacks in six seasons. Although the Packers had 45 sacks to tie foreighthin the NFL, morethanhalf of them came in four games. Parsonshas recorded at least 12 sacks each of his four seasons, whereas the Packers haven’thad anyonecollect that manysacks in aseasonsinceZa’Darius Smith had12 1/2 in 2020 Fora franchise that is known for traditionally building itsroster by developing itsown draft picks, this representsa true swing forthe fences. This Packers team had plenty of solid players but lacked star power.Parsons instantly providesthat.

Catholic slipspastMadison Prep in RedStick Rumble

BY CHARLESSALZER

Contributingwriter

The final outcome was in doubt until theclosing seconds of the RedStick Rumble Jamboree between Madison Prepand Catholic High on Friday at Parkview Baptist Catholic’sTaylor Goldsmithintercepted Dylan Reed’spassatmidfield with 54 seconds left, allowing the Bears to slip pastthe Chargers 14-6.

The teams combined for fiveturnovers, twobyCatholic and threebyMadison Prep. The Chargerswere also flagged seven times for 64 yards.

In the end, the Bears defense came up with thestops it needed. MPAwas held to three first downs and93 yards of offense. Morethan half of thattotal came on a 50-yardpassplay that setup the Chargers’ only score.

“A lot of things came up situationally,”Catholiccoach Hudson Fuller said. “We have to learnthatwecan’t turn the ball over.I think you

can seethe potential of our defense,especially if they can limit the big play.”

Madison Prep usedup the first five minutes of the secondhalftopost itsonly score. The Chargers were stalled after taking the kickoff but gained new lifewhen they recovered amuffed punt at midfield. Fromthere, Reed connected with Landon Johnson on a50-yard catchand-run to the CHS 2.

J’on Profit scored over right tackle on the next play

Profit took another handoff on the 2-point conversion attempt,but Catholic’s Liam Myers pulled himdown from behind, leaving the score 14-6.

After forcing Catholic into athree-and-out, Madison Prep moved into scoring position again. Reed had a21yard completion that moved the Chargers into Catholic territory,but a36-yard touchdown pass to Johnson was called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield. The penalty pushed MPA back into its ownterritory,

and the Chargers didn’t cross midfield again. “Itwas agood game,” MPA coach Landry Williamssaid. “Now it’sjust back to work forus. Whenyou playa team of thiscaliber,one that’salways in thestate championship area, it’sagood test for us. Ilooked forward to the challenge.” Catholic had five first downs on the night, allin the first half when it took a 14-0lead.The Bears used two quarterbacks, seniors Turner Goldsmithand BaylorGraves. Goldsmith completed 6of11passes for84 yards with aTD. Graves was 1for 3for 5yards and rushed sixtimesfor ateam-high 22 yards and atouchdown. Catholic scored thegame’s first touchdown on Graves’ 1-yard run following a27yard punt return to theMPA 12. Goldsmith directed Catholic to itssecondscore with an eight play,60-yard drive. Goldsmithhad a14-yard completion to Beau Thomas, then found Dyer Chambers on the left side for a31-yard TD.

Drago’s has new spot in Perkins Rowe

BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

Drago’s is bringing charbroiled oysters back to Baton Rouge. After the seafood restaurant closed its Baton Rouge location in January, Drago’s is bouncing back with a new spot in Perkins Rowe. The restaurant will host a grand opening at 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at 10111 Perkins Rowe.

“We’re so blessed to have a second opportunity to make a first impression,” said Drago’s owner and manager Tommy Cvitanovich

The Metairie-born seafood chain started in 1969 and became famous for its charbroiled oysters It has six locations five in Louisiana and one in Jackson, Mississippi.

The Baton Rouge location, near the Interstate 10-College Drive interchange, opened three weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, and business never recovered, Cvitanovich said. Hotel occupancy rates on Constitution Avenue plunged, a big point of business, and ongoing construction on College Drive didn’t help either, he said.

When golf simulation bar Loft 18 offered to buy out the lease, Cvitanovich saw an opportunity, leading to the location’s closure in January He always had the plan to eventually reopen another location in the city, but it took longer than expected.

“This restaurant is going to have that same magic in Metairie, and I’m not going to tolerate anything less,” he said.

The 7,300-square-foot spot sits right on Perkin Rowe’s Town Square.

ä See DRAGO’S, page 2D

HI NADERS!

Joe and Tammy Burns show off a Communicator Award ‘Rock School’ received in 2017. This award is often described as the radio/podcast equivalent of a TV Emmy

ROCK SCHOOL

Respecting each other’s talking space is vital to a good radio show, the

BY JUDY BERGERON Staff writer

Joe Burns is in his backyard recording studio chatting with Les Paul, Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Rik Emmett of the Canadian rock band Triumph.

Then Burns wakes up. Yes, it’s all been a dream, but dreams are good, right?

As Burns and his co-host/wife Tammy Burns surpass 900 “Rock School” radio shows, the Southeastern Louisiana University department head still has a dream list of interviewees rattling around his rock ‘n’ roll brain. No mind

”Rock School” airs on 90.9 The Lion at 5 p.m.Thursdays and 4 p.m. Sundays. It is also available on the station’s website, https://www2.southeastern.edu/kslu/ rock_school/, the Public Radio Exchange network (PRX) and at the American Archive of Public Broadcasting

that all these electric guitar masters have passed on, save for 72-year-old Emmett — it’s a dream, remember?

Back to reality, former disc jockey and

Baton Rouge’s famous sisters give behind-the-scenes insight as show premieres

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

After a long summer, the Nader sisters Brooks, Mary Holland, Grace Ann and Sarah Jane — are ready to share their lives with the world. From Baton Rouge to New York City these young women are living boldly in their new television series, “Love Thy Nader.”

The show premiered Thursday on Freeform and is streaming in its entirety on Hulu. The series captures the four sisters’ professional, familial and romantic lives in the glamorous world of modeling in Manhattan.

Speaking on a Zoom call from New York, the sisters

said they were excited about the premiere. They watched the first three episodes with their parents, Breaux and Holland Nader even the awkward scenes.

“It was a perfect depiction of our lives and our dynamic,” said Brooks Nader “It was actually quite funny to have our dad and mom sitting next to us and making us answer them during the episodes.”

The first episode begins with the sisters moving in together in a luxe SoHo apartment. They are adjusting to living together while Brooks Nader’s then-boyfriend, Gleb Savchenko, and their parents visit at the same time. Interesting conversations and situations ensue. When it came to the film

crew following them around, the Nader sisters all said they became like family In fact, when they visited Maringouin, where their mother’s family is from, the family urged the crew to put their cameras down and have some crawfish, Brooks Nader said.

The Nader sisters filmed from April to June, so the storylines are fairly recent and relevant to their current lives. Throughout the process, they learned each other’s weird habits and how they all had changed since they’d lived in the same house as teenagers.

One Louisiana moment featured Holland Nader, their mother, shopping for ingredients with Mary Holland and preparing gumbo for the

family meal. To keep up Louisiana traditions, Holland Nader froze some gumbo and brought it with her to Los Angeles for the premiere, the sisters said Even though they may be far from Louisiana, Louisiana is not far from them in their hearts. The sisters said that even with their new fame, they still plan to come home for “the Louisiana seasons” — football, Christmas, Mardi Gras and crawfish. Before the call ended, all four of the Nader sisters wanted Baton Rouge to know that they love their hometown, and they can’t wait to come home for an LSU game.

Email Joy Holden at joy holden@theadvocate.com.

longtime guitarist Joe Burns has created 60-minute nuggets of music and talk featuring musicians, authors and more so entertaining and informative that “Rock School” is now part of the American Archive of Public Broadcasting, a project of the Library of Congress and WGBH in Boston.

The goal is to preserve for posterity the most significant public television and radio programs of the past 60 years.

”We’re one of the featured shows, which is mind-boggling,” Joe Burns said after settling into his comfy living room

ä See ROCK, page 3D

Drago’sowner and managerTommy

DRAGO’S

Continued frompage1D

On Thursday,the restaurant bustledwithopening day preparation. Line cooks practiced making dishes, dollies wheeled packages inside,managersbounced from section to section, bartenders stocked shelves and waiters-in-training gathered in the dining area

The building wasformerly Kona Grill, whichclosed about six years ago in 2019, andlocalsmay remember its massive fish tanks. One got knocked out for the Drago’stakeover,aspot now housing the iconic openconcept oyster station.

“It took everything in me not to make it alobster tank,” he said.

The other fish tank, which still stands, is located beside the host stand.

“I wanted to put trout and redfish in here,” he said. “Wildlife and Fisheries won’tallow it, but Idid get part of what Iwanted. Ido haveoyster shells in here. I really wanted it to be indigenous to this area.”

CvitanovichsaidDrago’s may have the best patio area in all of Baton Rouge.

“I’m really looking forward to the patio atmosphere of this restaurant,” he said.“Youknow, opening up the square to this restaurant on Perkins Rowe, where youhave beautiful sunlight and trees. We have abeautiful fountain, abandstand.” The gardens are manicured, and the buildings are

beautiful.

“This is going to be as closetohaving arestaurant in the French Quarter without being in the French Quarter,” he said.

There’sone big thing Cvitanovichwill debut in Baton Rouge: He’sadding agraband-gobreakfast section in partnershipwith PJ’sCoffee. It’ll open about aweek after the grand opening.

The menu is amix of PJ’s Coffee drinks (about15-20 options) and three PJ’sCoffeebreakfastsandwiches: sausage, eggand cheese on abiscuit; bacon, egg and cheeseonabiscuit;and turkeysausage,egg and cheese on an English muffin.

The grab-and-goisseparatefrom the regular breakfast menu for those dining in. That menu includes dishes like salmon toast, chicken andwaffles and king cake pancakes.

Cvitanovich says the new sectionwas inspired by his lovefor thecoffee shop atmosphere. If everything goes well, he may bring the idea to theMetairielocation as well.

“I’m acoffee shop kind of guy,” Cvitanovichsaid. “I go to coffee shops almost every morning. Ilovecoffee.”

The restaurant will have the same menu as the Metairie location, including staples like charbroiled oysters, gumbo, lobster and barbecue shrimp.

Cvitanovich has afew favoritedishes: the Fleur Des Lis shrimp, whichismade with fried shrimp, roasted redpepperaioli and horse-

RELIGION BRIEFS

Brass Sunday Service at Unitarian Church of BatonRouge

The Unitarian ChurchofBaton Rouge, 8470 GoodwoodBlvd., will host its annual Brass Sunday Service on Aug.31, featuring two performances by theMichael Foster Project.

Services will be held at 9a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Those unable to attend in person can watch the 9a.m. live stream at youtube. com/@UnitarianBR.

All guests are welcome to enjoy coffee, snacks and fellowship between services Gospel singing in Tickfaw

The Rev.Mike Vaughn will lead a“Southern and Country GospelFest”at5:30 p.m. Friday,Sept.5,atGoodNewsFellowship Church, 13101 La. 442 West in Tickfaw. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and singing will start at 6:30 p.m. withVaughn.The Har-

radish.

Steak is among his favorites,too.

“For aseafood restaurant, we do areally good job with steaks,” he said. “Ourbonein rib-eye is outstanding.”

Everysteak is sous vide’d, aFrench cooking method wheremeat is sealed in a bag, placed in acirculating water bath and slow-cooked at alow temperature of 130 degrees

There’salsothe Shrimp Ruth, adish with cooked tomatoes,lightly seared shrimp, butteredrisotto and sautéed spinach. It was named after its inventor an employee at theoriginal location in Metairie named Ruth Jenkins,but people called her Mama Ruth Jenkins made the dish to feed various members of theCvitanovich family,and it was eventually added to the menu. To this day, Cvitanovichloves adding seared tomatoes to anyhot seafood po-boy,oreven just achicken club on ciabatta,because of Mama Ruth

Therestaurantwill be dinner-only for thefirst few days,but by theend of September, Cvitanovich hopes to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner

The Baton Rouge staff includes amix of new hires and longtimeveteran staff from other locations. Cvitanovich hopes to have afamily member working at the location everyday,whether that’sone of his twosons, daughter or nieces

“I love what Ido,” he said. “I enjoy being around people.Ienjoyserving people Ienjoy talking to people.”

rells will sing at 7:30 p.m.This is afree concert, buta love offering will be received. A concession stand will serve desserts. For further information, contact Barbara Vaughn at(985) 974-0507 or mvmgoodnews com.

GriefShare fall session at First Baptist Church

The fallsession of GriefShare,a13-week program offering hope and healing for those grieving the loss of aloved one, begins Wednesday,Sept.10, at First Baptist Church, 529 Convention St. in Baton Rouge Meetings are held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Free parking is available, andanoptionallunch follows each meeting. Theonly cost is $20 for the workbook. For more information,call the church officeat(225) 343-0397 or JohnWestbrook at (225) 768-8863.

Dear Harriette: My boyfriend and Ihave been dating for almost ayear now,and for the mostpart, things have been going really well. He’skind and supportive,and he makes me feel valued. There’sone thing that’sbeen bothering me moreand more lately: how often he talks about his ex. He brings her up in casual conversation, shares storiesfromwhen they weretogetherand still texts and hangs out with heroccasionally.Heinsists they’re just really good friends and that there’s nothing romantic between them anymore. Iwant to trust my boyfriend, and Idon’t want to be thekind of person who tells someone who they can or can’tbefriends with, but at the same time, Ifeel this constant unease. Idon’tknow if it’sagut feeling or just my insecurities getting the best of me. I’ve mentioned it afew times, but he brushes it off and tells me I’m overthinking things. Is it unfair for me to feel uncomfortable? How do Itellthe difference between alegitimate concern and my own insecurity? Is it possible to set boundaries here without sounding controlling or jealous? —Competing With Ex Dear Competing With Ex: Tell your boyfriend you would like to meet his ex-girlfriend. Explain thatifheisset on having herbea part of his life, you need to know her,too Be open-minded when you meet. Genu-

inely look to see whatkind of person she is and whatquality of relationship theyhave. Youcannot control whether he keeps her in his life; you can evaluate what yousee and decide if you can live with that fact.

DearHarriette: Ihave recently befriended alovely group of women who are slightly older than me —and exponentially wealthier.Wemet naturally and have struckupa lovely friendship, but the truth is, they are way out of my league, financially.They are all talking about taking atrip togetherthis winter and have invited me to comealong. Ican’timagine that Ican afford it, but I want to try.Iwas told that once we getto the destination, there are afew additional expenses. Do Itell anyone there that I can’thang the waythey do? I’m worried Iwill be getting in too deep and won’tbe able to be their friend. —Off-Balance

DearOff-Balance: Whoisyour closest confidant? Let that person know that you appreciate being included and want to be able to go on the trip with them, but you do have limited resources. Ask what the expectation would be forexpenses during the trip. This mayfeel awkward, but it’sway better to learn now than to be away and unable to participate or contribute fully.Ifthis is a group with whomyou are supposed to be friends, there will be enough awareness of your circumstances that they will be inclusive.

Send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com

couch after aday at the office last week. He explained that each of his shows had to be converted into avery specific audio format and uploaded to the archive. Visitamericanarchive.org, click on “special collections” and there you’ll find “Rock School.”

In addition to its home station, the university’s KSLU (also known as 90.9 The Lion), “RockSchool’ is picked up by 30 otherpublic radio stations worldwide, among them stations in Colorado, Alaska, California, the UK, Spain,and yes,Joe Burns’ alma mater,Westminster College.

In session since 2007, “Rock School” was recorded at KSLU until afew years ago.

Ashowisborn

Aself-professed“radio rat,” Joe Burns gave those running an on-air fundraiser at KSLU in 2007 an ultimatum: If he were to be on air for an hour as requested, he’d put together hisown playlist and talking points.

“So Iwent in and just off the top of my head, said a bunch of stuff, and apparently we raisedmoremoney than any other hour,” Joe Burns said. “And we did it twice in arow.That’swhen we said, ‘I think there’sa show here.’

The teacherand one of his master’sdegree students, Chad Pierce, who collaborated in the show’searly days, are fuzzy on who should take credit for “Rock School’s” name.

“Because ‘SchoolofRock’ was taken. And Ithink it was just as simple as ‘School of Rock’ is amovie. Well, let’s go with ‘Rock School.’ There we go, now we have it,” Joe

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday,Aug. 30, the 242nd day of 2025. There are 123 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Aug. 30, 1916, on his fourth attempt, explorer Ernest Shackleton successfully returned to Elephant Island in Antarctica to rescue 22 of his stranded crew members, who had survived on the barren island for four and ahalf months after the sinking of their ship, the Endurance.

Also on this date:

In 1941, during World WarII, German forces approaching Leningrad cut off the remainingrail line out of the city In 1945, U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters.

In 1963, the “Hot Line” communications link be-

Burns recalled Butdon’tbotherthinking it’sjust an hour of himspinning hisfavs. “It starts with rock,” he said.“But the point is alecturefor an hour each week aboutsome rock topic ” The genre of tunesthatlisteners hear correlates to the subject of the hour. Take these, for instance: n Where is artificial intelligence headed? n Concernssurrounding music concerts

n Rock stars whohave had heartattacks(inspired by Joe Burns’ own) n Hottest 100 Australian songs

“There is no wall that we won’tcross. We playjazz from theearly 1900s if it fits thetopic. I’ve played stuff from ‘Porgy and Bess.’ I’ve played stuff from ‘Showboat,’ ”hesaid. “Wehave beaten TaylorSwift to death. It’s just,she breaks records and breaksrecords.”

Prep,prep, prep

Burnsand Burns say they’ve gottenproduction of the weekly show down to an art.

“Wedoshows in bursts, meaning one weekendwe’ll blow out four and thenwe won’t do another one for two weekends,” he explained “One of the concerns is it being atopical show.We don’twant to gettoo far out in front. But on the sameaspect,something has to happen for ashow to occur.”

In addition to overseeing the Department of Communication and Media Studies and his teaching duties, he scours entertainment websites, email subscriptionsand news of theday in search of subject matter. Timewise, each show generally takes fourhours to puttogether,with at least two hours of that being research. Ascript is written, song list com-

tween Washington and Moscow went intooperation.

In 1967, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 2005, aday after Hurricane Katrina hit, floods covered 80% of New Orleans,looting continued to spread and rescuers in helicopters and boats picked up hundreds of stranded people.

In 2021, the United States completed itswithdrawal from Afghanistan, ending America’s longestwar with the Talibanback in power, as Air Force transport planes carried aremaining contingent of troops from Kabul airport. After watching the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky over Afghanistan, Talibanfighters fired their guns intothe air,celebrating victory af-

when it’stime to head out to the cozy studio, which her husband hasdecked out with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Blues Brothers posters, alongsideone of Hank Williams. Collectible figures andother musictchotchkes decorate awooden table holding the soundboard and keyboard. Mic stands, lighting, awall-mounted monitor andJoe Burns’guitarcollection complete the scene.

“I am thedumbperson walking in,”his wife says withagrin. “I don’twant to knowthe topic because what Idon’t know makes me ask questions and be surprised Idon’twant to go in knowing anything.”

sametime,” Joe Burns said. They’ve been doing the radio show together foryears, and they trust each other, the couple agreed.

It takestwo

Although the couple met while working at an Alabama radiostation soon after college, Tammy Burns eventually moved on to a career in pharmaceutical sales. Her husband returned to school forhis master’s and doctorate degrees, tradingthe disc jockey life for an academic one. Nevertheless, they share alove of rock music, and aficionado

yes, no, yeah, nay,” Tammy Burns said. “Most of the time it’sstuff Idon’t know anyway, so it’s notlike it’s an argument.”

The10national and international Communicator Awards (often described as the radio/podcast equivalent of aTVEmmy)honoring the show,which are found throughout thehome, and the Library of Congress recognition seemtocontradict Burns’ modest self-assessment. On thebright side,there’s always teaching.

piled, and then around an hour to record it, followed by ahalf-hour forediting.

Tammy Burns joins in

“She’sthe audience member. Thepoint of being a good sidekick is understanding that it’stwo people talking, but they can’ttalk at the

TODAYINHISTORY

ter a20-year insurgency

In 2022, Mikhail Gorbachev,who was the last leader of theSoviet Union, and waged alosing battle to salvage acrumbling empirebut produced extraordinaryreforms that led to

theend of the Cold War, died at age 91. Today’sbirthdays: Investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett is95. Actor ElizabethAshley is 86. Actor John Kani is 83. CartoonistRobert Crumb is 82.

Joe Burns emphasizedthat doing the show solo isn’tan option forhim

“He’sjustgot to have somebody standing there with him,you know,tolook at andIdisagreeorsay

“I’mnever happierthan when I’minfront of aclass,” he said. Or possibly in front of his wife and amic.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

Olympic gold medalskier Jean-Claude Killy is 82. Comedian Lewis Black is 77. Basketball Hall of Famer Robert Parish is 72. U.S. SenatorThomTillis, RN.C., is 65. ActorMichael Chiklis is 62. ActorCam-

eron Diaz is 53. TV personality/journalist Lisa Ling is 52. Former MLB pitcher AdamWainwright is 44. Former professional tennis playerAndy Roddick is 43. Singer-songwriterBebe Rexha is 36.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Eliminate frustration over money matters by avoidingjoint venturesorshared expenses. Channel your energy into personal and physical pursuits that promoteyour health, happinessand overallwellbeing. LIBRA (sept. 23-Oct.23) Setyoursights on your goal, and don't look up or back until youreach your destination. The journey you embark on will help you discard what'snolonger purposeful.

scORPIO (Oct. 24-nov. 22) Mapout your path before you take off. Look at every angle, and abidebythe rules to avoid gettingcaught up in someoneelse's misfortune. Sticktowhatyou know and do best.

sAGITTARIus(nov. 23-Dec. 21) You're ready to take the plunge, updateyour image or change your direction.Keeping up with the times will offer aboost to your confidence, helping you find your way.

cAPRIcORn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Rethink what's important to you, and choose to useyour money to benefityou. Research will help revise your plans to ensure youbenefit from the results. Don't overreact;work quietly toward reachingyour objective.

AQuARIus(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Don'tbe afraidtoapplypressure when necessary.Ifyou believe in something, followthrough. Your money will serve youbest if youinvest in yourself.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Finishwhat youstart. Pour your energyinto doing

and add your unique touch to ensure you get thecredit you deserve. Emotional turmoil will arise if youallow someone to use criticism to make you feel inadequate.

ARIEs(March 21-April 19) Put your energy, discipline andingenious ideas to work for you. Enjoy physical challengesand strive for victory. Balance and equality are necessary to your success. TAuRus (April 20-May20) Protect your health,wealth and emotional wellbeing. Refuse to letwhat others do ruin your plans.Get what youwantin writing, and don't mixbusiness with pleasure.

GEMInI(May 21-June 20) Review your situationand be theone to initiate change. Adomestic change will touch youemotionally. Be sure to follow through. Concentrate on what youwanttoachieve. cAncER(June 21-July22) Focusonopportunity and investing more time and effort into simplifying your life. Walk away from those whohold youback or complicate your life. Happiness is a choice. Do your best.

LEO(July 23-Aug.22) If you'refun to be with,everyonewill wanttobearound you. Keep your emotionsand troubles to yourself. Smile,behappy, andlet go of the past. Choose fitness, notindulgence.

The horoscope, an entertainmentfeature, is notbasedonscientific fact. ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

C.J. Cherryh, ascience fictionand fantasy authorwho has an asteroidnamed after her, said, “Trade isn’t aboutgoods. Trade is about information. Goodssit in the warehouse until information moves them.”

Forthe last two weeks, we have been using the acronym “trade”tohelp find theright plays. We track the tricks, read the lead, auditionthe auction, deduce the danger, and eye theentries.

Hereisonemoreexample.Howshould Southplayinfourspadesafter West guesses well to lead afourth-highest club five?

When North raises three spades to four, he knows thatthere could be four top losers, but it might make or be agood sacrifice againstamaking four-heart contract for East-West.

This deal is East’s problem. He should realize that if thedefenders are going to win four tricks, they will be either three clubs (West started with queen-fourth) and the heart ace, or two clubs (West started withfive clubs) andtwo hearts.

So, East takesthe first trickwithhis club king and cashes the club ace, noting that West plays the two, indicatingthat West started with five clubs. Now East must shift to alow heart. If West hasthe king, cashing the ace first works fine; but not here. The question is: Will South guess correctly?

Finally,ifWest wins the third trick with theheart queen,how does he know to return aheart, not give East aclub ruff?

BecauseifEasthadbegunwiththeaceking-doubleton of clubs, he would have won the first trickwith the ace, then cashed the king.

©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying,

Previous answers:

InsTRucTIOns: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,”

TODAy’s WORD DEFERMEnT: dih-FER-ment:Official postponement of military service.

Averagemark 38 words

Canyou find50ormorewords in DEFERMENT?

yEsTERDAy’s WORD —GROunDWORK