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THE
ACADIANA
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T H E A C A D I A N A A D V O C AT E.C O M
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M o n d ay, S e p t e M b e r 22, 2025
$2.00X
‘It’s a tough market’
THE NEXT WAVE OF
CONSERVATION
Possible KATC and KADN merger could radically change TV in Acadiana BY ADAM DAIGLE
Acadiana business editor
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
Chef Philippe Parola, left, talks about the bighead carp as Dennis Riecke looks on in Baton Rouge on Sept. 10. Louisiana scientists are developing artificial intelligence recognition software that can help biologists detect new populations of carp before they get out of control, offering a peek into the next wave of conservation.
Chefs, fishermen and AI programmers join Louisiana’s fight against invasive fish BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer
Philippe Parola slaps a 40-pound slab of raw fish onto his cutting board, then brandishes a small saw to begin the fillet. The chef, environmental advocate and showman is holding court on a backyard patio in Baton Rouge, where discussion of nature’s delicate balance flows as freely as the wine provided to his 20 or so guests, many of whom came unaware of what was
on the menu. “This is the very first time in this country that we’re going to be cooking this fish,” said Parola, pointing to the massive black carp, caught two days before in Simmesport. “No one else has the balls to go out there and do it.” As the fish begins to sizzle on the grill, his French accent thickens with urgency as he explains a grim reality: The black carp is the latest species of Asian carp to spread through Louisiana’s major river systems,
ä See TV, page 4A
inundating the Mississippi, Atchafalaya, Red and Ouachita rivers, along with their tributaries. It joins the bighead, grass and silver carp — the last notorious for transforming rivers into minefields, with entire schools leaping from the water when startled, sometimes injuring unsuspecting boaters. Helping Parola that evening were Dennis Riecke, a retired biologist from the Mississippi Department of
nent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance. The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew BY JONATHAN J. COOPER, tens of thousands of mournEUGENE GARCIA, AAMER MADHANI and MEG KINNARD ers, including Vice President JD Vance, other senior adminAssociated Press istration officials and young GLENDALE, Ariz. — President conservatives shaped by the Donald Trump praised Char- 31-year-old firebrand. “He’s a martyr now for lie Kirk as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freeä See KIRK, page 3A dom as he and other promi-
WEATHER HIGH 89 LOW 73 PAGE 12C
ICE wields Angola’s ‘notorious’ reputation
ä See FISH, page 5A
Charlie Kirk’s faith praised at memorial Officials, supporters pay tribute at service in Arizona
The pending changes in ownership at two Lafayette television stations will likely change the landscape for broadcast journalism across Acadiana and could even result in the two merging news staffs. Gray Media, a major player in the broadcast journalism industry that has stations in every Louisiana market except Lafayette, has deals in place to acquire KATC from E.W. Scripps Co. and KADN/KLAF from Allen Media Broadcasting in what would become a full-power duopoly for the Atlanta-based broadcasting company. Both deals are pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission, which could come by the end of the year. But until then those involved are wondering what will happen once each deal gets an expected approval. Station officials are not speculating and a Gray spokesperson said it’s too early to say, but analysts who follow the industry say a likely result will be job losses and possibly one news team. Hank Price, now a columnist after 30 years in the industry in administrative positions, said these situations often follow a similar playbook: The two
President Donald Trump embraces Erika Kirk at a memorial for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN LOCHER
Part of state prison used for immigration crackdown BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer
For Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is “legendary.” “This is a facility that’s notorious,” she said, as she stood beside Gov. Jeff Landry to unveil the “Louisiana Lockup” for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainees in a disused wing of the prison that was once used to punish misbehaving inmates with solitary confinement. “That’s a message that these individuals that are going to be here that are illegal criminals need to understand,” Noem continued. “If you come into this country and you victimize someone, if you take away their child forever, if you traffic drugs and kill our next generation of
Classified .....................4B Living............................7C Nation-World................2A Comics-Puzzles .. 9C-11C Lottery..........................4B Opinion ........................2B Commentary ................3B Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
ä See ANGOLA, page 3A
101ST yEAR, NO. 84