N O L A.C O M
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T h u r s d ay, s e p T e m b e r 11, 2025
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Activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot Governor says it was ‘political assassination’
BY HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
OREM, Utah — Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination carried out from a rooftop. “This is a dark day for our state.
It’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear this is a political assassination.” No one was in custody late Wednesday, though authorities were searching for a new person of interest, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss the situation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Authorities had earlier provided evolving information on the status of the manhunt, with FBI Director
Kash Patel initially saying on social media that a “subject” had been taken into custody, only to later say that the person had been released after being questioned. Authorities did not identify the person who had been in custody, a motive or any criminal charge. But the circumstances of the shooting drew renewed attention to an escalating threat of political violence in the United States that in the last several years has
THE DESERET NEWS PHOTO By TESS CROWLEy
Charlie Kirk hands out hats Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem, ä See ACTIVIST, page 7A Utah. Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot and killed shortly after.
Saints set to sign long-term lease for Dome Deal could keep team in N.O. for at least another decade
BY JEFF DUNCAN, ANTHONY McAULEY and TYLER BRIDGES STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
Mayor LaToya Cantrell arrives at the Hale Boggs Federal Building for her Wednesday arraignment on corruption charges.
Cantrell pleads not guilty to federal corruption charges
a gold bird-shaped pin, Cantrell police bodyguard of spending more Appearance marks first with stood silently before federal Mag- than $70,000 in taxpayer dollars on Judge Karen Wells Roby as leisurely trips to Scotland, Martha’s time a N.O. mayor has istrate a prosecutor listed the 11 criminal Vineyard and Napa Valley. Cantrell she now faces, including wire and the officer, Jeffrey Vappie, then had to answer criminal counts fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice schemed to cover up signs of an illicit affair they were pursuing, including allegations in office and lying to a federal grand jury.
BY JAMES FINN Staff writer
Mayor LaToya Cantrell appeared in federal court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to a host of corruption charges, setting up a monthslong court battle that’s poised to overshadow her final months as New Orleans’ top official. Wearing a royal blue dress affixed
Cantrell made eye contact with the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, as he read the maximum penalties she faces if convicted of those crimes: dozens of years of prison time and thousands of dollars in fines. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest she will face more lenient penalties if convicted. The charges stem from an Aug. 15 grand jury indictment in which prosecutors accused the mayor and her
by lying to FBI agents and the grand jury and deleting evidence, prosecutors say. In court, Cantrell spoke only to acknowledge that she understood the penalties she faces and to answer when Roby asked how she wished to plead. “Your honor, I plead not guilty,” Cantrell said.
ä See CANTRELL, page 7A
Landry scolds Cassidy on COVID vaccine
the COVID vaccine, Senator suggested ways to tering which many pharmacies interpreted as requircircumvent new hurdles have ing prescriptions.
district office and anyone can swing by and get one! I am sure big pharma would love you for that one!” Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, BY MARK BALLARD As state attorney general recommended Surgeon Genand governor, Landry has Staff writer opposed federal policies eral Ralph Abraham write a regarding the use of the WASHINGTON — Gov. Jeff Landry took excep- “blanket prescription” that Cassidy Landry COVID vaccines. tion to U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy’s suggestion would allow drugstores to He led efforts by other Republican-run that the state surgeon general could easily handle the inoculations as they did in the past. Landry, a Republican, wrote on X: “The states to set aside mandates that health care get around recent federal hurdles for people last time I checked you have a prescription workers get vaccinated. trying to access the COVID vaccine. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last pad, why don’t you just leave a prescripä See VACCINE, page 7A week proposed new restrictions for adminis- tion for the dangerous Covid shot at your
WEATHER HIGH 93 LOW 72 PAGE 14D
Staff writers
The New Orleans Saints and Gov. Jeff Landry’s team are closing in on a new long-term lease of the Caesars Superdome that aims to keep the franchise rooted in New Orleans for at least another decade. The deal, which three sources familiar with the talks said could be announced as soon as next week, culminates more than a year of grueling, often contentious negotiations between the Saints and the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, the board that oversees the state-owned Superdome. Neither the Saints nor the district, known as the Superdome Commission, have announced specifics publicly. But the sources close to the negotiations said the agreement calls for a 10-year lease followed by four five-year extensions, with the Saints retaining the right to exercise each extension. If all the extensions are agreed on, it would run through 2055. The deal adds a new provision — absent from the Saints’ current lease — requiring arbitration and potential “equitable damages,” measures designed to discourage any future owner from moving the team out of New Orleans. The exact amount of that relocation penalty hasn’t been finalized, but the sources said it could reach $250 million. The deal also involves other key provisions, which could be modified as the sides hash out final details. Among them: the Saints’ share of revenues from stadium concessions on game days; terms of the state lease for offices at Benson Tower; and other future revenue streams and costs. The two sides have wanted to sign the lease by Sept. 17 because that’s the day an NFL owners subcommittee on special events will meet to begin considering who will host Super Bowls beyond 2028. After receiving broad acclaim for hosting the game in February, New Orleans hopes to be invited to bid on the 2031 Super Bowl. But it can do so only if the Saints have a signed lease agreement in effect for the year of the game, according to league policy.
Business ......................6A Commentary ................5B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................7D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-6D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
ä See SAINTS, page 7A
13TH yEAR, NO. 30