MAYOR-ELECT MORENO LAUNCHES TRANSITION PLAN, INCLUDING NEW JOBS 1B
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T u e s d ay, O c T O b e r 14, 2025
Hostages, prisoners freed by Hamas, Israel Complex issues remain for ceasefire in Gaza war
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LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’S QUIET DISASTER
La. summers getting hotter, lasting longer High temperatures are stretching into fall BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ODED BALILTy
People react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli hostages being released from Gaza at a plaza known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday. BY MELANIE LIDMAN, SAMY MAGDY and WAFAA SHURAFA
Associated Press
JERUSALEM — Israel and Hamas moved ahead on a key first step of the tenuous Gaza ceasefire agreement on Monday by freeing hostages and prisoners, raising hopes that the U.S.-brokered deal might lead to a permanent end to the twoyear war that ravaged the Palestinian territory. But thornier issues such as whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern ä Trump calls Gaza — and the for a new era of question of Palharmony in the estinian statehood — remain Middle East. unresolved, PAGE 3A highlighting the fragility of an agreement that for now only pauses the deadliest conflict in the history of Israel and the Palestinians. For Israelis, the release of the 20 remaining living hostages brought elation and a sense of closure to a war many felt they were forced into by Hamas, although many pledged to fight on for the return of deceased hostages still in Gaza. But with the living hostages freed, the urgency with which many were driven to call for an end to the war will likely diminish, easing pres-
Louisiana summers are not only getting hotter. They’re also getting longer. Temperatures of 90 F are lasting as much as three weeks longer in cities across Louisiana, according to data from the nonprofit Climate Central. It’s the latest example of how Louisiana summers are growing increasingly hot and dangerous, posing deadly health risks and raising electric bills to unaffordable levels for America’s poorest state. Baton Rouge is seeing the most additional days with summer temperatures in the state, as the city’s summers have gotten 21 days longer between 1970 and 2024, according to the report. Lafayette is seeing 17 extra summer days and New Orleans is experiencing 11 more days of hot temperatures each year. “Research shows and tells us if heat-trapping pollution keeps rising, summer temperatures will keep stretching later and later,” said Shel Winkley, a weather and climate engagement specialist at Climate Central and a former meteorologist for the College Station, Texas, CBS affiliate. “And that heat matters … for kids and outdoor workers when it comes to health risks. We have increased energy demand for air conditioning.” The rising temperatures are largely the result of decades of greenhouse gas emissions, which Louisiana’s
ä See HOTTER, page 4A
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEHAD ALSHRAFI
People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving on buses in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails on Monday. sure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the next phases of the agreement. Four deceased hostages were returned to Israel on Monday, and another 24 are supposed to be turned over as part of the first phase of the ceasefire, which also requires Israel to allow a surge of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza. While there was an outburst of joy in Gaza for prisoners returning from Israel and hope that the fighting may wind down for good,
Ex-Gov. Edwards says he won’t run for Senate BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
the torment drags on for war-weary Palestinians. Gaza has been decimated by Israeli bombardment; there is little left of its prewar economy, basic services are in disarray and many homes have been destroyed. It remains unclear who will pay for reconstruction, a process that could take years. President Donald Trump traveled to the region to celebrate the deal. In an address to Israel’s parliament,
Former Gov. John Bel Edwards on Monday dashed the dreams of Democrats who hoped he would jump into next year’s U.S. Senate race. Edwards said he will stay out of an election where Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, is facing a strong challenge from four other Republicans. Edwards had never shown any interest in running. “Most of the energy was not coming from his inclination to run. It was coming from our interest in him running,” said Randal Gaines, the Louisiana Democratic Party chair. “That was our first hope.” Edwards acknowledged receiving numerous
ä See HOSTAGES, page 5A
ä See EDWARDS, page 4A
Wellness complex planned for blighted block of Canal Street Developer aims to revitalize ‘Dirty Dozen’ property
BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer
One of Canal Street’s most notorious eyesores — a decaying office block once listed among the city’s “Dirty Dozen” blighted properties — could soon be reborn as a $50 million health and wellness complex. Developer David Fuselier — whose projects include the transformation of the historic Our Lady of Lourdes
WEATHER HIGH 86 LOW 68 PAGE 6B
church on Napoleon Avenue into the newly opened Josephine on Napoleon venue, operated by the Brennan restaurant group — said he and his partners have acquired about half the city block bordered by Canal, Iberville, South Prieur and North Johnson streets. The accumulated properties are centered on the graffiti-scarred building at 2025 Canal St., which has been deteriorating for decades. “We have been developing a project on Canal Street across from UMC hospital for quite some time,” Fuselier said. “It’s a health and wellness facility, and we’ve already completed most of the demo and prep work. This will be a true community health and fitness
center — a place that brings people together and offers a whole host of ways to become healthy and active.” City officials have previously described 2025 Canal as a “gateway” property that sets the tone for the approach into downtown. If successful, Fuselier’s project could finally turn one of New Orleans’ most visible symbols of urban decline into a new hub of health and vitality. Fuselier said the project is eligible for a combination of redevelopment incentives — including Opportunity Zone status, historic tax credits, a property tax abatement and a federal
STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
The building at 2025 Canal St. is one of the city’s most ä See CANAL, page 5A notorious eyesores.
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13TH yEAR, NO. 63