The Acadiana Advocate 11-07-2025

La.travelers mayface delays from shutdown

Travelers arriveatLafayette Regional AirportonThursday.

STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Passengers advisedtocheck flight status in advanceasFAA begins reducing airtraffic

BY ADAM DAIGLE and JAKORI MADISON Staff writers

Things seemedtobemoving smoothly Thursday afternoon at Lafayette Regional Airport, but Jessica Wagner,who was at the airport trying to book aflight, said she was feeling the effects of the government shutdown.

“Right now,we’rehaving issues because we’re tryingtoget my stepdaughter to come homefor Christ-

ä Airlines begancanceling flights duetoFAA order to reduce traffic. PAGE 4A

mas,” Wagner said. “But there’s only this one guyworking, andwecan’t get theflight done.” Travelers around the country have faced delays as aresult of the government shutdown causingshortages of air trafficcontrollersand Transportation Security Administration employees. But on Wednesday,

theFederal Aviation Administration announced a10% reduction in air traffic to relieve work off federal employees, unveiling alist of 40 major airports impacted on Thursday morning.

Wagner said themoveisalsois raising safetyconcerns for her “People should be able tohave their jobs. It’skind of ridiculous that it’sgotten to this point,”she said. “You need people that are trained.

StateOKs plan to ease some

Public comment period openson fishingproposal

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

State commissioners at apacked meeting in Baton Rouge on Thursday approved aproposal to ease some regulations on Louisiana’scontroversial menhaden fishing industry while adding additional protections in certain sensitive ar-

eas off thecoast. The proposal sets in motion aprocess that could see thenew rules takeeffect nextyear,though the fight over the intensely scrutinized plan is expected to continue in themonths ahead, potentially drawing in state legislators. Discussion andpublic comment on theproposal stretched for aboutthree hours at Thursday’s contentious meetingof the state’sWildlife andFisheries Commission In the end, the commission voted 4-3 in favor of the

proposal that would reduce the half-milebufferzonein certain areas off thecoast wherefishing for menhaden, or pogies, is currently banned.The bufferwould be aquarter-mile in those areas under the proposal, while theno-go zone for themenhaden industry would be extended in other particularly sensitive areas. In total, banned areasfor theindustrywould increase by around 4%. Butthe issue has nonetheless sparked

ä See POGY, page 7A

Feds,La. sueplant over explosion

violations also cited

BY ALEXLUBBEN Staff writer

Federal and state regulators are suing Smitty’s Supply Inc., theTangipahoaParish oiland lubricant plant, over an Aug. 22 explosionthatsent a plumeofblack smoke towering over Roseland andforcedthe evacuationofhundreds of residents, as well as numerous previous allegedenvironmental violations.

The 65-page lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in New Orleans, calls the explosion “catastrophic” and accuses Smitty’sof“repeatedly failing” to followpollution-controllaws and maintaining “insufficient” spill-preventionplans long before the August explosion. Cleanup from the explosion is ongoing, the lawsuit states, and months later there is still arisk of additional pollution from the site of the explosion.

“Plaintiffs ask this Court to hold Defendant accountable forunlawfully polluting theNation’s and the State’swaters, and to require Defendant to take all appropriate measures to prevent future spills or discharges,” the lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency andthe Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality,states.

Theexplosion prompted an evacuation order that affected about 800 residents, including former Louisiana Gov.John Bel Edwards, wholives nearby David Sherman, an attorney for Smitty’s, said

restrictions on pogy boats

Attendees fill the meeting room for acommission meeting at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters on Thursday.

STAFFPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Swarm of wasps kills American man, son

BANGKOK An American man and his teenage son died last month after they were swarmed by wasps while zip-lining at an adventure camp in Laos and stung many dozens of times, a hospital official said Thursday Dan Owen, the director of an international school in neighboring Vietnam, and his son Cooper were attacked by the insects on Oct. 15 at the Green Jungle Park as they were descending from a tree at the end of the zip line.

The camp is located outside the city of Luang Prabang, a popular tourist site in the Southeast Asian nation that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

The two were taken to a local clinic and then transported to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital where they arrived in critical condition, said Jorvue Yianouchongteng, the emergency room physician who received them.

The doctor said both had suffered from severe anaphylactic shock after being stung more than 100 times across their bodies, but that exact cause of death had not been determined.

The Asian giant hornet, known as the “murder hornet” due to its aggressive behavior toward other insects, is found in Laos but so are several other species of wasps. It was not clear which type had stung the two.

Federal judge orders full funding of SNAP

BY GEOFF MULVIHILL and MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration Thursday to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November

The ruling by U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr gave President Donald Trump’s administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, though it’s unlikely the 42 million Americans — about 1 in 8, most of them in poverty — will see the money on the debit cards they use for groceries nearly that quickly

The order was in response to a challenge from cities and nonprofits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit, a decision that would have left some recipients getting nothing for this month.

individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday

children are immediately at risk of going hungry,” he said “This should never happen in America

In fact, it’s likely that SNAP recipients are hungry as we sit here.”

Last monkey on loose in Miss. captured

By The Associated Press

HEIDELBERG, Miss. — The last monkey on the loose among several that escaped after a Mississippi highway crash has been found and captured, authorities said Thursday

A resident who lives near the crash site called authorities to report the animal’s location and it was then “successfully recovered,” the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Rockefeller tree begins journey to New York City

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y The towering Christmas tree that will light up Rockefeller Center this holiday season is on its way to New York City

The 75-foot-tall, 11-ton Norway spruce was felled Thursday morning in East Greenbush, about 150 miles north of Manhattan. The tree was then loaded onto a 100-foot-long trailer as scores of people turned out for the occasion.

It is expected to arrive at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Saturday, where it will take its place in front of the midtown Art Deco skyscraper overlooking the plaza’s famous ice skating rink. The tree will be wrapped with more than 50,000 multicolored, energy-efficient LED lights and crowned with a Swarovski star weighing 900 pounds. It will be lit on Dec. 3 during a live TV broadcast hosted by country music star Reba McEntire. The tree was donated by homeowner Judy Russ and her family She said the tree was planted by her husband’s greatgrandparents in the 1920s.

“For this to now become the center of New York City Christmas is incredible,” Russ told the radio station 1010 WINS.

The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up by workers in 1931 to raise spirits during the Great Depression.

The comparatively modest, 20-foot-tall balsam fir was outfitted with handmade garlands made by the worker’s families.

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN

“The defendants failed to consider the practical consequences associated with this decision to only partially fund SNAP,” McConnell said in a ruling from the bench after a brief hearing. “They knew that there would be a long delay in paying partial SNAP payments and failed to consider the harms

Last month, the administration said that it would halt SNAP payments for November if the government shutdown wasn’t resolved.

A coalition of cities and nonprofits sued in federal court in Rhode Island and Democratic state officials from across the country did so in Massachusetts.

The judges in both cases ordered the government to use one emergency reserve fund containing more than $4.6 billion to pay for SNAP for November but gave it leeway to tap other money to make the full payments, which cost between $8.5 billion and $9 billion each month.

On Monday, the administration said it would not use additional money, saying it was up to Congress to appropriate the funds for the program and that the other money was needed to shore up other child hunger programs.

McConnell harshly criticized the Trump administration for making that choice.

“Without SNAP funding for the month of November, 16 million

Tyler Becker, the attorney for the government, unsuccessfully argued that the Trump administration had followed the court’s order in issuing the partial payments. “This all comes down to Congress not having appropriated funds because of the government shutdown,” he said.

The administration said in a court filing on Monday that it could take weeks or even months for some states to make calculations and system changes to load the debit cards used in the SNAP program. At the time, it said it would fund 50% of the maximum benefits.

The next day, Trump appeared to threaten not to pay the benefits at all unless Democrats in Congress agreed to reopen the government. His press secretary later said that the partial benefits were being paid for November — and that it is future payments that are at risk if the shutdown continues.

And Wednesday night, it recalculated, telling states that there was enough money to pay for 65% of the maximum benefits.

IRS kills Direct File program

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON IRS Direct File, the electronic system for filing tax returns for free, will not be offered next year, the Trump administration has confirmed.

An email sent Monday from IRS official Cynthia Noe to state comptrollers that participate in the Direct File program said that “IRS Direct File will not be available in Filing Season 2026. No launch date has been set for the future.”

The program developed during Joe Biden’s presidency was credited by users with making tax filing easy, fast and economical. However it faced criticism from Republican lawmakers, who called it a waste of taxpayer money because free filing programs already exist (though they are difficult to use), and from commercial tax preparation companies, which have made billions from charging people to use their software.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is also the current IRS commissioner, told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that there are “better alternatives” to Direct File. “It wasn’t used very much,” he said. “And we think that the private sector can do a better job.”

The Center for Taxpayer Rights filed a Freedom of Information Act request for IRS’ latest evaluation of the program and the report says 296,531 taxpayers submitted accepted returns for the 2025

tax season through Direct File. That’s up from the 140,803 in 2024.

Direct File was rolled out as a pilot program in 2024 after the IRS was tasked with looking into how to create a “direct file” system as part of the money it received from the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by Biden in 2022. The Democratic administration spent tens of millions of dollars developing the program. Last May, the agency under Biden announced that the program would be made permanent.

But the IRS has faced intense blowback to Direct File from private tax preparation companies that have spent millions lobbying Congress. The average American typically spends about $140 preparing returns each year

The Associated Press reported in April that the administration planned to eliminate the program, with its future becoming clear after the IRS staff assigned to it were told to stop working on its development for the 2026 tax filing season.

As of Wednesday, the Direct File website states that “Direct File is closed More information will be available at a later date.”

Adam Ruben, a vice president at the liberal-leaning Economic Security Project, said “it’s not surprising” that the program was eliminated.

“Trump’s billionaire friends get favors while honest, hardworking Americans will pay more to file their taxes,” he said.

It was the last monkey on the loose from the Oct. 28 crash when the truck overturned on Interstate 59 Five monkeys were killed as law officers hunted for them in the immediate aftermath of the crash. Video from officers’ body-worn cameras showed a chaotic scene as monkeys that escaped from their wooden crates dashed around the grassy interstate median, with some running toward cars and semis on the interstate. Two other monkeys that eluded officers at the crash site were later shot and killed by civilians, who said they were protecting their families and neighborhoods. Officials had warned residents not to approach the Rhesus monkeys, saying they are known to be aggressive.

The last monkey on the loose was found Wednesday afternoon near a home in the Vossburg area, just east of where the truck had wrecked. Brandy Smith saw the monkey when her dog started barking, she told WDAM-TV Her neighbors called 911. Workers from one of the companies that had been transporting the truckload of monkeys across the country arrived to tranquilize the monkey, Smith said. The monkeys had been housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, which routinely provides primates to scientific research organizations, according to the university Tulane has said it wasn’t transporting the monkeys and they do not belong to the university

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Manwho threwsandwichatagent foundnot guilty

BY MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Aformer Justice Department employee who threw asandwich at afederal agent during President Donald Trump’slaw enforcement surge in Washington was found not guilty of assault on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal intervention.

Aviral video of the sandwich tossing made Sean CharlesDunn a symbol of resistancetoTrump’s deployment of federal agents to combat crime in the nation’scapital. His misdemeanor acquittal is another setback for prosecutors,who have faced abacklashfor their aggressive chargingtacticsduring the law enforcement surge. The Justice Departmenthad initially sought afelony assault indictment against Dunn, but in ahighlyunusual move, the grand jury declinedtosign off on the felony charge. Dunn was chargedwith assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating and interfering with afederal officer

Therewas no disputeover

BY JOHN RABY and ERIK VERDUZCO Associated Press

NEWPORT NEWS,Va. AjuryinVir-

ginia awarded $10 million Thursday to aformer teacher whowas shot by a6-year-old student, siding with her claims in alawsuit that an ex-administrator ignored repeated warnings that the childhad agun.

The jury returnedits decision against Ebony Parker,aformer assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News.

Abby Zwerner was shot in January 2023 as she sat at areading table in her first-grade classroom. She had sought $40 million against Parker in the lawsuit.

Zwerner spent nearly two weeks in the hospital, required six surgeries and does not have the full use of her left hand. Abullet narrowly missed her heart and re-

whether Dunnthrewthe sandwich at aU.S. Customs and Border Protection agentonthe night of Aug. 10. Buthis lawyers argued it was a “harmless gesture”during an act of protest protected by theFirst Amendment. ProsecutorssaidDunn, 37, knew

he did nothavea right to throw thesandwich at the agent. Dunn shouted “fascists” and “racists” and chanted “shame” toward the group of agents who were in front of aclub hosting a“Latin Night.”

“Why are you here? Idon’twant you in my city!” Dunn shouted, ac-

cording to police.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a former FoxNews host appointed by Trump to be thetop federal prosecutor forWashington, said in astatement: “As always, we accept ajury’sverdict; that is the system within which we function. However,law enforcement should never be subjected to assault, no matter how ‘minor.’”

She added that “even children know when they are angry,they are not allowed to throw objects at one another.”

Dunn ran away after hitting the agent with thesandwich butwas apprehended.Hewas released from custody but rearrested when armed federal agents in riot gear raided his home.

Dunn worked as aparalegal for theJustice Department. After Dunn’s arrest, AttorneyGeneral PamBondi announced his firing in asocial media post that referred to him as “an example of the Deep State.”

Dunn lawyers urged the judge to dismiss the case for what theyalleged was avindictive and selective

prosecution.Theyarguedthatthe posts by Bondi and the White House show Dunn was impermissibly targeted for his political speech. Dunn did not testify at his trial, but the jury heard him explain afterhis arrest whyhehad confronted the CBP agents. Alaw enforcement officer’sbody camera captured him saying, “I did it. I threw asandwich. Idid it to draw them away from where they were. Isucceeded.”

After his acquittal, Dunn said he was trying to protect the rights of immigrants that night.

CBP Agent Gregory Lairmore testified that the sandwich “exploded” when it struck his chest hard enough that he could feel it through his ballistic vest.

“You could smellthe onions and the mustard,” he recalled.

Lairmore’scolleagues jokingly gave him gifts making light of the incident,includinga sandwichshaped plush toy and apatch that said “felony footlong.” Lairmore acknowledged that he kept the gifts, placing the patch on his lunchbox.

mainsinher chest

Zwerner did not address reporters outsidethe courthouse after the decision was announced. One of her attorneys, Diane Toscano, said the verdict sends amessage that what happened at the school “was wrong and isnot going to be tolerated, that safety hastobethe first concern at school.Ithink it’sa great message.”

Parker was theonly defendant in the lawsuit. Ajudge previously dismissed thedistrict’ssuperintendentand theschoolprincipal as defendants.

The lawsuit saidParker had a dutytoprotect Zwerner andothers from harm after being toldabout the gun. Zwerner’s attorneys said Parker failedtoact in thehours before the shooting after several school staff members toldher that the student had agun in his backpack.

“Who would think a6-year-old would bringa gun to schooland shoot their teacher?” Toscano told thejury earlier.“It’sDr. Parker’s jobtobelievethatispossible.It’s

her jobtoinvestigate it and get to the very bottom of it.”

Parker did not testify in thelawsuit.Her attorney,DanielHogan, had warned jurors about hindsight biasand “Mondaymorning quarterbacking” in theshooting.

“The lawknows that it is fundamentally unfair to judge another person’sdecisions based on stuffthatcameupafterthe fact. Thelaw requires you to examine people’sdecisions at the time they makethem,” Hogan said.

KenTrump,presidentofNational School Safetyand Security Services, aconsulting firmbased in Cleveland, Ohio,said the verdict should put school leaders on notice to act when they are warned about students with guns and other threats

“If you have information about a threat to student and staff safety, it is notjust ‘see something, say something,’”Trump said in astatement Thursday. “School administrators and staff need to also know how to ‘dosomething.’”

Theshooting occurred on thefirst

day after the student had returned from asuspension for slamming Zwerner’s phone two days earlier Zwerner testified she first heard about the gun prior to class recess from areading specialist whohad been tipped offbystudents. The shooting occurred afew hours later.Despite herinjuries, Zwerner

was able to hustle her students out of the classroom. She eventually passed out in the school office. Zwernertestifiedshe believed that she had died that day “I thought Iwas either on my way to heaven or in heaven,” Zwerner said. “But then it all got black. And so, Ithen thought Iwasn’tgoing there. And then my next memory is Isee two co-workers around me and Iprocess that I’mhurt.” Zwerner no longer works forthe school district and has no plans to teach again. She has since become alicensed cosmetologist. Parker faces aseparate criminal trialthis month on eight counts of felony child neglect. Each count is punishable by up to five years in prison in the event of aconviction. Thestudent’smother was sentencedtonearly four years in prison forfelony child neglect and federal weapons charges. Her son told authorities he got his mother’s handgunbyclimbingontoa drawer to reach the top of adresser,where thefirearm was in hismom’spurse.

Flight cancellationsaccelerate in shutdown

BY JOSH FUNK and RIO YAMAT Associated Press

U.S. airlines began canceling hundreds of flights Thursday due to the Federal Aviation Administration’sorder to reduce traffic at thecountry’sbusiest airports starting Friday because of thegovernment shutdown.

More than 500 flights scheduled for Friday were already cutnationwide, and the number of cancellations climbed steadily throughout Thursday,according to FlightAware, awebsite that tracks flight disruptions.

The FAAorder to cut flights at 40 of the busiest airports acrossthe

U.S. includes New York, LosAngeles and Chicago, according to a list distributed to the airlines and obtained by The Associated Press.

The FAAseeks to reduce service by 10% across “high-volume” markets to maintain travelsafety as air traffic controllersexhibit signs of strain during the shutdown. The move also comes as the Trumpadministration is rampinguppressure on Democrats in Congress to end the shutdown.

Airlines will phase in the10% reduction in their flight schedules at the airports across more than two dozen states. Justhours before the reductions went into place, airlines were scrambling to figure out where to cut and sometravel-

ers began changing or canceling itineraries preemptively Travelers with plans for the weekend and beyond waited nervouslytosee iftheir flightswould take off as scheduled.

The affected airports included busy connecting hubsand those in populartourist destinations, such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Orlando, Miami and San Francisco.

Airlines will phase in thecutsat thedirection of the FAA, eliminating4%offlightsatthe 40 airports on Friday and working up to 10%,

Trumpmay become

BY JOSH BOAK and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump got aserious warning from voters that he’sout of touch with their fears aboutadeteriorating U.S. economy Democrats cruised in key races across the country Tuesday by harnessing some of thesamepopulistfervor that helped get Trump reelected ayear ago —but also by focusing on the kitchen table issues the Republican had vowed to fix. Now,asthe incumbent, fears about the economy have made Trump the face of much of the public’sdiscontent.

“Welearned alot,” Trump acknowledged Wednesday In aFox News Channel interview,hesaid his party wasn’tdoing enough to spread thewordabout the country’seconomic progress.

“Republicans don’ttalk about it,” he said. “They don’ttalk about the word affordability.”

Voters in the Virginia and New Jerseygovernor races, the New York City mayoral contest and theCalifornia ballot proposition all citied economic concerns as the top issue. Democrats swept those elections,and it was difficult to point to any major race, anywhere, where Republicans had akey victory The reversal of fortune from ayear ago was stark.

Back then, voters returned Trump to the White House on the promise that he could quickly bring down inflation, jump-start factory hiring and shower the country in newfound wealth from steep

tariffs he imposed on U.S. allies the world over Instead, voters now are expressing concerns that high prices for groceries, electricity bills and housing are draining their bank accounts.Trump hasbeen defiant in insisting that he’s strengthened theeconomy, so —his early reactions aside—it’snot clear he’ll internalize the need to take on thesame inflationary challenges that became adrag for his Democratic predecessor,Joe Biden

The elections were largely in areas that have recently favored Democrats, so there are limits to interpreting what theresults could mean for nextyear’sbroader midterm races.But the size of Democraticmargins indicated the degree of frustration with economic conditions under Trump.

There are few signs that the public is putting much confidence in Trump’s claims about an American “golden age,” nor his assertion that inflation has been tamped down into submission. Recently pressed on Americansstill worried about high groceryprices, Trumppointed to thestock market.

“Look,401(k)s. People have 401(k)s,” thepresident saidinaninterview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes that was broadcast Sunday Trump said grocery prices are falling, but the most recent inflation reportshows they’re up2.7% from ayear ago.

Overall consumerprices have risen 3% over thepast 12 months, which ishigher than therategoing into Trump’s2024 election win. TheFederal Reserve targets

according to three people familiar with the plans who werenot authorized to discuss them publicly

Delta Air Lines said it planned to cancel roughly 170 flightsFriday. By late Thursdayafternoon, UnitedAirlineshad calledoff 145 flights andAmerican Airlineshad canceled 32 for Friday,according to aviation analytics firm Cirium

Someairlines planned to focus on slashing routestoand from small and medium-size cities.

“This is going to have anoticeable impact across the U.S. air transportation system,” industry

analyst Henry Harteveldt said.

The flight reductions just weeks beforethe busy holiday season prompted sometravelers to change their plans or looking at other options.

FallonCarter canceled her Fridayflight from New York to Tampa, Florida, where she planned to spend the weekend at the beach. Shewas worriedabout making it back to Long Island to be abridesmaid at her best friend’swedding.

“I don’tknow if Iget there, will I get home?” Carter said.

The FAAisimposing the reductions to relieve pressure on air trafficcontrollers whoare working without payduring theshutdown, which began Oct. 1, and have been increasingly taking sick days.

Most controllers work mandatory overtime six days aweek, leaving little time forside jobs to help cover bills unless they call out.

In recent weeks the FAAhas delayedflightswhenairports or its other facilities are short on controllers.

United, Delta and American were amongcarriers thatsaid they would offer refunds to passengers whoopt not to fly,even if they purchased nonrefundable tickets.

The head of Frontier Airlines recommended thattravelers buy backuptickets with another airline to avoid being stranded.

The cuts also could disrupt

package deliveries because two airportswithmajor distribution centers are on the list— FedEx operates at the airport in Memphis, Tennessee, and UPSinLouisville, Kentucky,the site of this week’s deadly cargo plane crash.

The cuts could affect as manyas 1,800flights, or upward of 268,000 passengers, per day,according to an estimate from Cirium Airlines are used to dealing with canceling thousands of flightson short notice during severe weather,but thedifferencenow is that these cuts during the shutdown will last indefinitely until safety data improves. The shutdownisputting unnecessary strain on the system and damaging confidence in theU.S airtravelexperience, said U.S. Travel AssociationPresident and CEO Geoff Freeman.

Kelly Matthews, who lives in Flat Rock,Michigan, andfrequently flies forwork, said she has canceled most of herupcoming trips and understands whyfederal airportemployeeshave stopped showing up.

“You can’texpect people to go in to work whenthey’re not getting apaycheck forthe continuation of over amonth now,”she said. “I mean it’snot amatter of them not wanting to do the job—but you can’t afford to payfor gas, your day care and everything else.”

thefaceofeconomicdiscontent

inflation at 2%.

Atop Trump political aide told PoliticoonWednesday that the election showed the importance of focusing on thecost of living. “Why does ZohranMamdanidosowell last night? He relentlessly focused on affordability,” James Blairsaidinthe interview,adding that Trump planned to focus on prices in his messaging, too.

TheAPVoter Poll showed that anxiety about theeconomy helped theDemocrats on Tuesday

Roughly half of Virginia voters said “the economy” was the top issue, and about 6in10ofthese voters picked Democrat Abigail Spanberger for governor,powering her to adecisive win.

In New Jersey,Democrat Mikie Sherrill won about two-thirds of voters who called “the economy”the topissue facing thestate. Republican Jack Ciattarelli secured about 6in10New Jersey voters who said the top issuewas “taxes.”

More than half of New York City voters saidthe cost of living wasthe top issuefacing the city,and Democrat Zohran Mamdani won about two-thirds of this group.

Slightly fewer than half of California voters said “the economy” was thetop issue facing the state,and roughly two-thirds of those voters backed Prop 50.The measure’sapproval allows Democrats to redraw congressional maps more favorable to theirparty in the nation’s largest state and keep up with Republicans who have moved to add potential new red Houseseats in Texas and elsewhere.

In the run-up to Tuesday’s

elections, Trump focused his messaging on mass deportations of immigrants in the countryillegally and apush to reduce crime by deploying National Guard troops to cities with Democratic leadership. But the AP Voter Poll found that few of those casting their ballotsconsidered crime or immigration atop priority.

Trump did notactively campaign forhis party ahead of Election Day 2025. With votesstill being counted, he was already ducking blame,posting that he “WASN’T ON THE BALLOT.”

The morning after,while hosting Senate Republicans at the White House, Trump was morereflective. “Last night, it wasnot expected to be avictory,” he said.

“I don’tthink it was good for Republicans,” Trump said. “I’m not sure it was good for anybody,but we hadaninteresting evening, and we learned alot.”

LaterinFlorida, Trump laid out hiseconomic successes foranaudienceof business leaders andathletes, saying: “Wehave the greatesteconomy right now.Alot of people don’t see that.”

Featherweight Scooter

He suggestedhis supporters simply needed to talk more aboutfavorable economic statistics andvoters would see the economy as improving. That strategy is similartowhatthe Biden administration deployed without ever turning around public sentiment. “It’sreallyeasy to win elections when youtalk about the facts,” Trumpsaid. Insteadofoffering new ideas, however,Trump hitthe familiarthemesof combating crime,opposing transgenderrightsand imposing tough immigration policies in his Miami speech.

They control the safety of people who are flying. I’m sure theones still working are tired.”

Despitethe cuts,itwas mostly business as usual Thursday,according to StevenPicou, Lafayette Regional’s executive director However,Delta has canceled a 10 a.m. Friday flight to Atlanta.

“That’sthe first one thatI’m awareof,”Picou said.“Idon’t know why and Idon’tmake those decisions.”

Passengers need to check with their airlines for the most up to date information regarding their flight, Picou said.

He reassuredtravelersthatTSA employees, who are considered essential, are still working.

“We’re kind of (thinking) let’s wait and see what happens,”Picou said. “It’sunprecedented.”

Lafayette Regional Airport and all other Louisiana airports are safe from the FAAcuts. But airports that Lafayette services, including Houston, Atlanta and Dallas, are expected to reduce air traffic starting Friday

However,onThursday afternoon, Lafayette Regional was calm. Travelers moved through ticketing and security,withno major lines for each stop.

The government shutdown has stretched past the one-month mark, making it the longest shutdown in U.S.history.For thepast month, federal monies have been frozen, docking pay for government employees.

TSAagentsand airtrafficcontrollers have shouldered the im-

EXPLOSION

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that the company “remains committed to following all applicable laws and regulations.”

“Aug. 22 was the resultofan unforeseen industrial fire,” he said. “Wecontinue to be actively engagedwith theEPA andLDEQ. We are implementing our siteremediation plan that was developed in coordination with both agencies, supporting response and cleanup activities, and implementingmeasures to help prevent future incidents to protect our waterways and neighbors.”

The regulators areseekingwhat could amount to millions of dollars in civil penalties under bothfederal and state laws.

“As aresult of this catastrophic event, oil and other pollutants flowed from the Facility into adjacent waterbodies and the Tangipahoa River,” the lawsuit states. “Once in the river,the pollutants

pactofthe shutdown at airports.

Theshutdown has forced air traffic controllers to take jobs as Uber or DoorDash drivers in order to bringinincome.TSA Mediasaid in astatement that delays at security checkpoints aretobeexpected. But as the shutdown continues,the stress on TSA agents

traveled approximately 47 miles downstream.

The EPAdeployed “vacuum trucks and skimmers”tocollect and dispose of pollution after the explosion.Sofar,the lawsuit says, respondershavecollected 11 million gallons of oil and other pollutants.

As of September,cleanup costs hadsoared to over $39 million, with theEPA leading the effort. The agency saidSmitty’s wasnot paying for the cleanup due to “financial solvency issues.”

In October,the EPAentered into aconsent order with Smitty’sunderwhich thecompany assumed responsibility forcleanup at the site of theexplosion to prevent further pollution.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in astatementThursday that the state intends “to hold Smitty’saccountable forthe damages caused andcosts incurred as aconsequence of thisevent.”

Smitty’s, meanwhile, sued companies last monththatmanufactured and installed aboiler that

working without pay will worsen, they said.

United and Delta Air Lines have said thatthey intend to reduce domesticflights that do nottravel betweentheir hubs,orairports serviced by multiple airlines to increase passenger capacityand lessenthe numberofaircraft

needed.

Robbie Bush, owner of Associated Travel in Lafayette, said they haven’tseen clients canceling travel plans because of uncertainty of theair travel schedule following the cuts.

However,Bush said the flight reductions will cause major rebook-

ings and delays. He recommended travelers reconfirm flights at least 24 hours in advance as well as the day of travel.

“Ifoffered an earlier flight, consider taking it,” he said.

Email Adam Daigle at adaigle@

DAVID SHERMAN,anattorney

caught fire at thefacility in August. In thatlawsuit,Smitty’salleged that it is notatfault for the fire. Smitty’s is alsobeing suedbya privatefirefighting company that alleges that Smitty’s hasnot paid its $6 million bill. The government is taking Smitty’s to task notjustfor August’s

explosion, but also forwhat it says are unlawful discharges, alack of safety planning, and permit violations that stretch back years. Per the lawsuit, Smitty’swas in violation of astate permit aimed at limitingpollution,failedtoconduct required daily inspections of parts of its facility,and was repeatedly polluting into the TangipahoaRiver,even before the explosion. Under federal law,Smitty’swas required to maintain a“facility response plan” —anEPA-required plan that lays outsafety andspillresponse measures at the plant. Whenfederal regulators asked the company to share its plan, Smitty’ssent the EPAan“emergency response plan,” adifferent plan that the EPAalso requires, which “didnot containall of the required elements for aFacility ResponsePlan,”the lawsuit alleges While the lawsuit does not allege that the earlier violations directly contributed to August’sexplosion, the complaint describes acompany that was lackadaisical in its

attitude toward environmental regulations.

Under President Donald Trump, the federal government has initiated fewerlawsuits against companies over environmental violations than previous presidential administrations, according to data analyzed by theEnvironmental IntegrityProject, an advocacy group.

Rather,the EPAhas offered polluting companieswaystobecome exempt from regulations under the Clean Air Act and other Bidenera environmental rules, according to The Associated Press. And earlier this year,the U.S. DepartmentofJustice dropped alawsuit againstanotherLouisianaplant, Denka Performance Elastomer, which produced neoprene,over cancer risks.

The Denka plant has since shuttered due to “extraordinary loss in its financial results,” the company said in astatement in May

Email AlexLubbenatalex. lubben@theadvocate.com.

Delays expected after UPS cargo plane crash

NEW YORK The UPS cargo plane crash on Tuesday at the company’s global aviation hub in Kentucky which killed at least 12, will temporarily disrupt the supply chain and result in some shipping delays.

The plane crashed Tuesday as it was departing for Honolulu from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Package sorting at the center was halted late Tuesday and the halt continued on Wednesday About 416,000 packages can be sorted at the facility per hour, according to a UPS fact sheet. UPS has not released details about how many and what type of packages were on the plane.

Consumers who want to check on their UPS packages can wait to hear from the company or look up tracking details online.

UPS has a claims process for lost or damaged packages, but it is unclear if people and businesses with packages on the downed plane will have to go through that process. UPS will likely reach out to affected customers in coming days They did not respond to a request for comment.

Tom Goldsby, professor of supply chain management at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, said UPS will most likely step up flights to its regional hubs to offset Worldport’s closure.

The hubs are “going to take on a greater burden until that critical operation in Louisville gets back to the full capacity,” he said UPS said in a statement that it has contingency plans in place to help ensure that shipments arrive at their final destinations as quickly as conditions permit, but did not give specifics on what the plans were.

Goldsby said UPS will be under pressure to resolve any delays before the peak holiday season.

“It’s an issue that they quickly want to resolve, but they are going to have to do their due diligence in resolving the current crisis,” he said ESPN reaches gaming deal with DraftKings

ESPN has reached a gaming deal with DraftKings to be its exclusive sportsbook and will end its partnership with Penn on Dec. 1.

“Our betting approach has focused on offering an integrated experience within our products,” ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro said Thursday in a statement. “Working with DraftKings, a leader in the space, will allow us to build upon that foundation, continue to super-serve passionate sports fans and grow our ESPN direct-to-consumer business.

The network and Penn announced they mutually agreed to an early termination of their 10-year agreement that began in August 2023.

“Although we made significant progress in improving our product offering and building a cohesive ecosystem with ESPN, we have mutually and amicably agreed to wind down our collaboration,” Penn Entertainment CEO and President Jay Snowden said.

Average U.S. long-term mortgage rate ticks up

The average rate on a 30year U.S. mortgage ticked up for the first time in five weeks after falling to its lowest level in more than a year last week

The average long-term mortgage rate moved up to 6.22% from 6.17% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday A year ago, the rate averaged 6.79%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also rose this week. The average rate rose to 5.5% from 5.41% last week A year ago, it was 6%, Freddie Mac said. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage has been stuck above 6% since September 2022, the year mortgage rates began climbing from historic lows. The housing market has been in a slump ever since.

Record holiday season predicted

American shoppers expected to spend more than $1T

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP retail writer

NEW YORK American shoppers are expected to spend more during this holiday shopping season than last year despite economic uncertainty and rising prices.

The 2025 forecast from the National Retail Federation on Thursday estimates that shoppers will col-

lectively spend between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion in November and December, an increase of 3.7% to 4.2% compared with last year

Retailers rung up $976 billion in holiday sales last year or a 4.3% increase from the prior year, the group said.

“We’re seeing really positive behavior and engagement from consumers, ” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay told reporters on a call Thursday “In fairness, that’s been somewhat of a surprise.”

But Shay said more Americans are growing selective and they’re focused on discounts. And while

spending is expected to be up again, the growth of that spending may be in decline.

That is still greater than the average increase of 3.6% between 2010 to 2019. Americans ramped up spending after that during the coronavirus pandemic. Holiday season sales rose 8.9% in 2020 and soared 12.5% in 2021, according to the NRF

The group’s holiday forecast is based on economic modeling using various key economic indicators including consumer spending, disposable personal income, employment, wages, inflation and

previous monthly retail sales releases. NRF’s calculation excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants to focus on core retail.

Holiday spending accounts for 19% of annual sales for the retail industry, though for some retailers the number is a lot higher, according to the NRF

The forecast this year, however, arrives during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history

There has been no government data released on the jobs market or retail sales since the shutdown began 37 days ago.

Trump unveils deal to expand coverage, lower costs on obesity drugs

BY TOM MURPHY, AAMER MADHANI and JONEL ALECCIA Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump

unveiled a deal Thursday with drugmakers

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to expand coverage and reduce prices for the popular obesity treatments Zepbound and Wegovy

Known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the drugs have soared in popularity in recent years but patient access has been a consistent problem because of their cost around $500 a month for higher doses — and insurance coverage has been spotty More than 100 million American adults have obesity, according to federal estimates.

Coverage of the drugs for obesity will expand to Medicare patients starting next year, according to the administration, which said some lower prices also will be phased in for patients without coverage. Starting doses of new, pill versions of the treatments also will cost $149 a month if they are approved.

“(It) will save lives, improve the health of millions and millions of Americans,” said Trump, in an Oval Office announcement in which he referred to GLP-1s as a “fat drug.”

Thursday’s announcement is the latest attempt by the Trump administration to rein in soaring drug prices in its efforts to address

cost-of-living concerns among voters. Pfizer and AstraZeneca recently agreed to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid after an executive order in May set a deadline for drugmakers to electively lower prices or face new limits on what the government will pay As with the other deals, it’s not clear how much the price drop will be felt by consumers. Drug prices can vary based on the competition for treatments and insurance coverage. The obesity drugs work by targeting hormones in the gut and brain that affect appetite and feelings of fullness. In clinical trials they helped people shed 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. Patients usually start on smaller doses and then work up to larger amounts, depending on their needs. They need to stay on the treatments indefinitely or risk regaining weight, experts say

The medications have proven especially lucrative for Lilly and Novo. Lilly said recently that sales of Zepbound have tripled so far this year to more than $9 billion.

But for many Americans their cost has made them out of reach.

Medicare, the federally funded coverage program mainly for people ages 65 and over, now covers the cost of the drugs for conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular

disease, but not for weight loss alone. Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, proposed a rule last November that would have changed that, but the Trump administration nixed it.

Few state and federally funded Medicaid programs, for people with low incomes, offer coverage. And employers and insurers that provide commercial coverage are wary of paying for these drugs in part because so many people might use them.

The $500 monthly price for higher doses of the treatments also makes them unaffordable for those without insurance, doctors say.

Trump, who has a history of commenting on people’s appearance, asked the officials who joined him in the Oval Office whether they have used the weight-loss medications

“Do you take any of this stuff, Howard?” Trump asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick “Not yet,” Lutnick replied “He’s taking it,” the president said of Steven Cheung, who is the White House director of communications.

Another senior administration official said coverage of the drugs will expand to Medicare patients starting next year The program will start covering the treatments for people who have severe obesity and others who are overweight or obese and have serious health problems, the official said Those who qualify will pay $50 copays for the medicine.

Wall Street loses ground under weight of falling tech stocks

BY DAMIAN J. TROISE Associated Press

NEWYORK Wall Street lost ground Thursday as influential technology stocks fell and once again steered the broader market The technology sector has been the driving force behind the market’s direction, whether up or down, all week. Thursday’s losses pushed nearly every major index solidly into weekly losses. The biggest weights on the market included Nvidia, which fell 3.7%, and Microsoft, which fell 2%. Their huge values give them outsized influence over the market’s direction. Other big stocks dragging down the market included

Amazon, which slumped 2.9%. Corporate earnings and forecasts remained the big focus for Wall Street on Thursday The latest round of results and statements from executives could help shed some light on the condition and path ahead for the economy amid a lack of broader information on inflation, employment and retail sales because of the ongoing government shutdown. DoorDash sank 17.5% for one of the sharpest drops on Wall Street The food delivery app warned investors that it will be spending significantly more on product development next year CarMax slumped 24.3% after giving investors a disappointing fi-

nancial update and announcing that CEO Bill Nash is stepping down in December Software company Datadog jumped 23.1% after its latest earnings beat analysts’ forecasts. Rockwell Automation rose 2.7% after turning in results that easily beat analysts’ forecasts. It has been a wobbly week for major indexes, which set record highs last week. The broader stock market has had a record-setting year but that has raised worries that stocks could be overvalued Those concerns are even more focused on big technology companies that have been leading the market higher amid the focus on artificial intelligence advancements.

Another week of unemployment data was missing Thursday because of the federal government shutdown. It has already resulted in a lack of monthly employment data for September and will likely result in missing employment data for October, along with a lack of data on consumer prices for October Outside of company updates, Wall Street is relying more on economic updates from other private sources. Private payrolls rose more than expected in October, according to a report Wednesday from ADP, and the services sector expanded in October, according to the Institute for Supply Management. The data can vary widely, however

deep controversyamong recreational fishermen, charter captainsand conservation groups who say there is toomuchatriskalong Louisiana’seroding coast to again allow the industrialscale fishing closer to shore.

The industry argues that the current buffer zones have cut deeply into its profits, putting at risk jobs and taxrevenue. Industry officials have pointed to abycatch study recently carried out showing that the effects of menhaden boats werenot as badassomehad feared

One of the authors of the study told commissioners that the buffer zone reductions are unlikely to affect bycatch, or fish caught besides menhaden, on aper-net basis, meaning if the same amount of fishing occurs. Opponents argued the buffer zone changes would increase fishing, and bycatch as aresult.

The current rules are the result of acompromise reached last year at the behest of Gov.Jeff Landry. The industry has been consistently urging the stateto ease them, saying it faces a15-25% reduction in its catch.

Apublic comment period willnow follow until Jan. 23. State legislators will also have the option of weighing in and can reject the proposal. The earliest the new rule could take effect is March 20.

‘Thatwas thedeal’

An overflow crowd packed Thursday’smeeting, which featured along successionof speakers on various sides of the issue. Recreationalfishing and conservation groups opposed to the changes had spent the last few weeks mobilizing their membership to turn out in force, while menhaden industry employ

Caplinger,chairman of the Louisianachapterofthe

Coastal Conservation Association, said of last year’s half-mile compromise, which followed apushto increase thebuffer zone to afullmile. “Andnow we’re back here again, rehashing all of this alloveragain. This is about money.”

Caplinger echoedthe concerns of many speakers at themeeting, with charter captainssayingthe recreational fishing industry’s economic contributions were being given short shrift.

But Francois Kuttel,president of the Westbank Fishingmenhaden operation, based in Empire, argued that theimpacts of the pogy boats were being exaggerated,pointingtothe recent study.Heand others in the industry have also spoken of thesome800 direct jobs and $25 million in state and localtax revenue it contributes, warning that could be risk

but their assumption that our vessels can simply fish farther offshore to makeup the lost volumehas proven false,” said Kuttel.

The plan would see thefollowing changes to the rules:

n The buffer would be reduced to aquarter-mile from ahalf-mile from the Cameron Jetties to Rutherford Beach; fromthe Mermentau RivertoRollover; from PointAuFer to Bayou Grand Caillou; and from Bay LongtoSouthwest Pass.

n The 3-mile buffer around Grand Isleand the 1-mile bufferaround Holly Beach would remainin place.

n Additional buffer areas would be addedonthe inside

of theChandeleur Islands and around Isle Dernieres.

Studyofbycatch

The current buffer zone is theresult of an evolving process that was contentious at every step, with much at stakefor themenhaden industry,which utilizes motherships,spotter planes and purse seines that stretch several hundred yards. A series of spills involving millions of fishhelpedlead to an initial quarter-mile buffer for most of the coast afew years ago, whichwas increased to ahalf-mile with last year’scompromise.

Conservation groups argue the buffer has helped greatly reduce net tears and resulting spills, while the industry saysthe reduction is because it hasspent substantial money upgrading to stronger nets. It also says it hasimproved excluder devices to help prevent bycatch.

The vast majority of the Gulf’s menhaden fishing occurs offLouisiana. Other Gulf states, moredependent uponbeach tourism, have

stricter regulations. Louisiana’sriver-fed marine environment also provides ideal habitat forpogies.

The bycatch study showed that it was not as bad for certain popular species, such as redfish, as badassomehad assumed.

The survivability of redfish released from industry nets was also high, helped by excluder devices that keep larger fish from being sucked up in hoses. Redfish bycatch was about 30,000 in 2024, farbelow what was killed by recreational anglers, which was around 850,000. The study also notedthatthe industry’s total bycatch forall species remained significantly below the 5% threshold in state law But the numbers were still deeply concerning forrecreational organizations. Beyond redfish numbers, they also pointed outthe tens of millions of smaller fish, such as croaker,important to the food chain that are killed by the industry

Fields callsfor bipartisan compromise

Congressmansayspeopleare ‘fed up’overshutdown

BY JOEL THOMPSON Staff writer

“It’ssoeasy to solve this problem. You’ve got to give. Youcan’t be stubborn.”

U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, sounded off on the recordbreaking 36-day government shutdown at atown hall in Lafayetteon Wednesday

“This is not my firstshutdown,” Fields said. Fields was sworn in as the representative for Louisiana’s

LUS suspends late fees, it says

Officialswillwork with residents during shutdown

BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer

Under the directionofMayor-

President Monique Boulet, Lafayette Utilities System is temporarily suspending late feesfor its customers. Until the end of the month and on acase-by-case basis, LUS utilitycustomerscan call customer service and request apayment arrangement for aportion of their outstanding balances.

“Our focus is ensuring customers facing furloughorfinancial hardship have aclearpathforward to maintain essential utility services,” Boulet saidThursday

“Recognizing the potential financial hardships many may beexperiencing as aresult of theongoing federal shutdown,” the fees are beingsuspended through Nov.30, officials said in anews release.

Gov. Jeff Landry recently signed astatewide emergency declaration for Louisiana in response to theshutdown’seffects.In alignment with thedeclaration, LUS will work with affected customers individually to establishflexible payment arrangements fora portion of their outstanding balances, according to the release

Opelousas woman killed in St.Landry crash

An Opelousas woman died in a two-vehicle crash in St. Landry Parish, police said.

Thecrash claimed thelifeof 52-year-old Sonya McClendon

On Wednesday,shortly after 7a.m., Louisiana State PoliceTroop

CRIME BLOTTER

Advocate staff reports

Iresponded to a two-vehicle fatalitycrash on La 754 near Jessie Richard Road in St. Landry Parish

The preliminary investigation revealed that McClendonwas drivinga2015Nissan Versa west on La. 754. At the same time, a2023 Ford F-150 was traveling east. For reasons still underinvestigation, theNissan crossed the center line andstruck

6th District earlier this year,but he first served in Congress during theClinton administration, when the Republican-led Congress feuded with thepresident over budgetary issues. Fieldssaid things have been drasticallydifferent thistime around “Half of mystaff hasbeen furloughed, and the other half is currently working without pay,” Fields said. “We’ve neverhad this problem before, because we’ve never had ashutdown this long

before.” Fields hassaidhewill not takepay during theshutdown. “Members of Congress ought not to havestaff go to work with no paywhile they getpaidtostay home,” Fields said. Fields expressed optimism that theshutdown will end soon, despite negotiations between party leadersbeing sparse and unfruitful so far “I thinkpeopleare fedup,”he said. The shutdown is primarily over

theextension of subsidiesunder the Affordable Care Actthataim to keep health care premiums lower.Republican leadershavearguedthatthe extension should not be debatedduring ashutdown, and that those negotiations should not take place until the government is funded. Fields argued that congressional Republicansare merely acting on behalf of theTrumpadministration.

“Leave the White House outof this entirely,” he said. “Democrats and Republicans in the House and theSenate control the shutdown. We need to work out acompromise, and that compromise should be anywhere from aone- to 10-year extension of the ACA subsidies.” Fields wassharply critical of Speaker of the House andfellow Louisianan Mike Johnson, although he stopped shortofsupporting a measure to declare the speakership vacantwhenasked by aconstituent. Specifically,Fields criticized

ENDINSIGHT

BY JOEL THOMPSON Staff writer

For Acadiana residents weary of the continued construction along the Evangeline Thruway near AmbassadorCafferyParkway,mark your calendars. Spring 2026 is when theLouisiana Department of Transportation and Development anticipates wrapping up thefinal pieces of the $136 million project

The project, which was first announced in 2022, is now 80%ofthe way to completion, according to DOTDofficials Theestimated fulfillment of the project hasstayed roughly consistent with what the DOTD predicted when it was announced in August 2022. The pastthreeyears have seen the interchange go from afour-lane stoplight to asixlaneexitwithon-ramps and an overpass. When the project began, localofficials were hopeful that the intersection couldsoon become an economic driver for the region, withBroussard Mayor RayBourque expressing avision that it could somedaylook like the“Thruway’s”

BYANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

intersection with Albertson Parkway.Suchaneconomic development would be amassiveboontothe area,which recently sawone of its largest employers, PPE manufacturer SafeSource Direct, shutter its doors.

Theupgrade of theU.S. 90-Ambassador Caffery interchangeispart of amuch larger project to upgrade the Evangeline Thruway to interstate highway standards. Thereisstill significant work to be done, withthe U.S. 90-Ambassador Caffery intersection project nearing completion.

While it’snot clear yet which portion of thehighway will see constructionnext, DOTD officials hope to secure funding for frontage road projects in Broussard, with sections studied between Albertson Parkway and Southpark Road andbetween Ambassador Caffery Parkway and Captain Cade Road. The state transportation department is aiming to open bids for construction on the Kaliste Saloom Roadinterchange in the2027-28 fiscal year and for the Verot School Road interchange during the 2028-29 fiscal year; however,

theschedule is preliminary, withfunding notyet approved by the state Legislature.

TheKaliste Saloom Road interchange is part of the larger Interstate 49 Connector project that would connect the I-49/I-10 interchange near Lafayette Regional Airport.

Adepartment spokesperson said plans forwhen future I-49 south projects will be initiated will likely be dependent on state allocation of funding. The department saidithopes to have apublic hearing on the project in January.Nofirm date or confirmation of the event has been established.

Educationtax credit programhelps businesses in La.

In August, The Washington Post highlighted “the two reasons Americans aren’thaving babies”: the rising cost of raising children,especially child care, and the lack of time and support for families. It’sasobering, data-driven look at anationalchallenge with very real local consequences. If New Orleans and southeast Louisiana want to thrive, we must stabilize and grow our workforce. That starts with ensuring families can find and affordhigh-quality childcare and early childhood education.

can’t function without reliable workers. When child care falls through, shiftsgo uncovered, projectsstall andcustomers wait.

when national literacy rates are slipping, Louisianaisseeing gains —thanks in part to stronger early childhood investments.

LegerIII

We pride ourselves on being remarkable, unique and welcoming We are built to host —not only major events, but everyday life. Yeteven the best-run operation

In Louisiana, businesses lose an estimated $816 million annually from absenteeism and turnover tied to child care breakdowns, with ripple effects of roughly $1.1 billion across the state economy.Those aren’t abstractfigures; they show up as missed revenue, overtime costs and stalled growth for employers of every size. Child care is aworkforce issue. Reliable care keepsemployees on thejob,while quality early education from birth to age four boostskindergartenreadiness andlong-term success. At atime

In thelong run, high-quality early education fuels the talent pipeline for our hospitals, shipyards, studios, hotels, labs and logistics hubs.

That’swhy,during my time in theLegislature, Ichampioned thecreation of the Early Childhood Education Fund. For New Orleans, thefund is transformative: Every dollar we raise locally through our early childhood propertytax —about $21 million ayear —ismatched by thestate, doubling theimpact for families.

The return on that investment is clear: Parents get to work, and children get astrong start in school.

Butthe opportunity doesn’tstop

Educationprogresshas

been good,but there is more work to do

We read alot of surveysthat rank Louisiana near the bottom on measures we would prefer to be at thetop.These days, Louisiana education is often leading in innovation and results. There are some definite pride points for us to consider

Last year,the Nation’sReport Cardoneducation noted that Louisianawas number one of the50states in reading growthineach of the last two-year cycles as assessed by National Assessment of Educational Progress testing. Louisiana’s current accomplishments are aresult of areturn to basics approach emphasizing phonics as well as our state’slong-termdedication to early childhood education, school choice and individualized tutoring of students. This year,the Heritage Foundation released astudy that ranked states on their success in bringing educational freedom to families. Researchersdeveloped methodology to rank states basedonthe assessment of data in thecategories of education choice, transparency,teacher freedom, community return on investment and civicseducation.

with the government. Businesses themselvescan step up —atno cost —through Louisiana’sSchool Readiness TaxCredits. These 100% refundable state tax credits allow companies to contribute up to $5,000 ayear to their local Child Care Resource &Referral agency.The state then reimburses every dollar CCR&Rs, like Agenda for Children here in Orleans and 10 neighboring parishes, invest those fundsinteacher retention incentives, classroom upgrades, curriculum support and other tools that directly improve child care quality and early educational opportunities. Even nonprofits and businesses with no tax liability can participate and receive thefull refund. Here’sthe bottom line: We can keep wringing our hands about

labor shortages, or we can invest in the infrastructure that keeps parents on the job today and prepares their children to succeed tomorrow.Quality early childhood education is not only how New Orleans remains agreat place to live, workand visit —it’show southeast Louisiana competes for talent and opportunity in the decades ahead.

At atimewhen costs for young families are rising, the School Readiness TaxCredit is a straightforward, high-impact way forevery business to strengthen the workforce.

The tool is there. The need is urgent. And the solution is hiding in plain sight.

Walt Leger III is thepresident andCEO of NewOrleans & Company

Crewmembers break down a scene to set up for another angle during the filming of amovie being made in 2019.

ency in education by improving efforts to keepparents informed in making the best decisions for their children. This category includes development of parent-teacher organizations, school board participation, parents’ Bill of Rights and accountability in creating parental access to their child’scurriculum Louisianaranked No. 16 among states concerning school choice. This category includes ranking charter,privateand homeschooling participation, policy design, funding and legal environment. The improvement in rankings here is due primarily to Louisiana’sexpanding charter school movement and the recent developmentofeducation savings accountsin ourstate.

Louisiana ranked No. 6nationwide in civics education. This category includes thepromotion of classical education schools, mandated civics requirements and nationally based civics testing as incorporated in Louisiana’srecently developed “Louisiana Freedom Seal” diploma certification.

La.needs film industry, anditneeds Louisiana

Louisianahas long been astoryteller’s dream.From our historic architecture and moss-draped oak trees to the warmth of our people, this state offers something unique to every lens that captures it. For decades, thefilm and television industry has been an important part of that story, creating jobs, supporting small businesses and sharing Louisiana’sculture with the world.

around the world. It’s asimple but powerfulreminder that creativity and resourcefulness are part of whoweare.

Each production filmed here brings far morethan cameras. It brings contracts for caterers, jobs forlocal crews, carpenters, electricians, costume designers and hotel staff.

In the cumulative overall rankings, Louisiana ranked No. 5among allstates. In every one of the five subcategories noted above, Louisiana placed inthe top 20 of all states.

Louisiana ranked No. 4in community return on investment. This speaks to the efficiency and effectiveness of our schoolsystems. Among other datapoints this category includes per-pupil spending, increasing teacher-to-nonteacher ratios and funding formulas based on academic results.

Louisiana ranked No. 5among states in teacher freedom. This category includes reducing barrierstoalternate certification as well as ease of reciprocityfor outof-state teachers. Louisiana has recently designed statewide and local programs to encourage retirees andother professionals to consider teaching as asecond profession. To attract people to the teaching profession, Louisiananow has ateacher pathwaywith degree paths at any Louisiana communitycollege.

Our state has been seriousabout continued improvement efforts based on recommendations of adiverse group of outstanding teachersinLouisianaon theissue of“Let Teachers Teach.” This is aLouisiana DepartmentofEducation effort to concentrate at thestate and local level on reducing interruption from administration bureaucracy,paperwork and student behavior interruption.Improving the learning environment has alsobeenaided by astate law that prohibits smartphonesinour classrooms. Louisiana ranked No. 15 in transpar-

Recent test scores in social studies have fallen lower than Louisiana student scores in reading, math and science. Our state has recently turned around decades of deficiency in providing afoundational understanding of history and civics by developing a“Freedom Framework based on amore rigorous set of K-12 social studies standards.

The frameworkisbuilt on learning aboutthe totality of events that have made America atruly exceptional nation. Students learn about the last 250 years of building, maintaining and improving a free society

The new curriculum standards provide afoundation for students to understand thepast and learn from our nation’striumphs and her mistakes

There is no doubt Louisianaisrapidly advancinginits efforts to excel in the twin foundations of economic development and education. We should all be tellingthat story— to be ambassadors of progress and expressers of gratitude. With that said, there is much to be done to provide more opportunity for our families and to makeour statemore attractivetoothers. However,weare our own worst enemywhen we pass along the negative stories and forget thepositive ones. We can all be part of the positive momentum in today’smovement to build aLouisiana that is abetter place to live and work.

Phillip Rozeman is acardiologist in Shreveport and current board co-chair of Leaders foraBetter Louisiana.

In recent years, as production has become increasingly competitiveacross the nation and world, we’ve had to reminddecision makers why Louisiana remains such astrong partner for film.Earlier this month, our organization, Film Louisiana, joined state and local leaders in Los Angeles to do just that. The event we hosted —Crawfish Étouffée and Cocktails —was moreabout connection than just celebration. It was about strengthening relationships, sharing updates on our strengthenedfilm incentiveprogram and reaffirmingthat Louisiana continues tobeareliable, creative homefor production.

Louisiana’sfilm industry is grounded in legislation that makes long-term planning possible. The modernizationofour Motion Picture Production TaxCredit, knownas Act 44, ensures stability through 2031 and offers competitive credits that help productions stretch their budgets while keeping spending local. That predictability is key.Inabusiness that operates project to project,knowing aprogram is consistent helps producers and studios committo coming here again and again.

When we talk to studios, one of the biggest surprises is how versatile Louisiana truly is. Ourstate can stand in fornearly any location ascript calls for—from urban to rural, historic tofuturistic. To make that easier for producers to visualize, Film Louisianarecently released anew LocationsLookbook, highlighting real Louisiana places that have doubled forsettings

It helps young people see that creative careers can thrive right here at home. And it reminds those of us wholive here how much our state has to offer beyond what’s already visible on screen.

Advocating forLouisiana’sfilm industry isn’tabout chasing fame.Itisabout sustaining opportunity.When we invest in creative industries, we invest in local talent, entrepreneurship and amore diversified economy that benefits everyone. The trip to Los Angeles wasone step in amuch larger effort to keep Louisiana competitive and connected. We know this work takes collaboration among state agencies, local communities and industry professionals. We also know that the same creativity that drives filmmaking drives progress in our state.

Louisiana has weathered manyups and downs in this industry,but what continues to set us apart is resilience. The stories we tell —onscreen and off —come from that sameplace of strength.

At its core, Film Louisiana’smission is moreabout than economics; it’sabout voice. We wanttogive Louisiana aplatform to tell its own stories —stories shaped by our culture, our people and our creative spirit. By keeping productions here, we ensure those stories are told with authenticity and pride, by Louisiana talent with Louisiana heart. And as we continue to share that message across the country,our goal is clear: To remind the world that Louisiana isn’t just agreat place to film —it’sthe best place to film,period.

JasonWaggenspackisthe president of Film Louisiana, atrade organization dedicated to growingthe entertainment industry in thestate.

ISSUE OF THE WEEK CARBON CAPTURE MORATORIUM

Louisiana has become aleader inthe burgeoning carbon capture and storageindustry.The newtechnologyisseen as achance to diversify our energy economy, while the worldseeks ways to address climate change.But it has faced criticism recently,with somequestioning its environmental impact and whether enough safeguards are in place. Last month, Gov. Jeff Landryannounced apause on applications for newprojects, respondingtocomplaints from residents wholivenearplanned injectionwells.Itasks for companies to seek input from thepublic and local governments.Will that be enough to quellgrowing public unease, or will it puta chill on an industrythat many see as an economic driver of thefuture? Here are twoperspectives.

Landry’s action undermines state’senergy leadership

Energy security is vital to ourcountry’s nationalsecurity.America cannot,and should not, rely on foreign sources of energy if we are going to continue to be the leader of the free world. Nowhere is this connection between energy and securityclearer than in Louisiana. WhenAmerica flips on the lights, Louisianamakes it possible. The Pelican Stateisalso aleader in providing the fuel that powers the world in asafe, environmentally responsible way, and carbon capture and sequestration will play an important role in maintainingthis leadership. Unfortunately,Louisiana’smomentum is now at risk under the recentexecutive order by Gov.Jeff Landry to place amoratorium on new carbon captureand sequestration projects.

also strengthens our existing oil, gas and manufacturing sectors.

More than amoratorium needed to stop what’s coming

On Oct. 14, Gov.Jeff Landry announced apause on new applications for permitstoinject CO2into deep storage wells.

Louisiana was the firststate alongthe Gulf Coast to secure primacy from the federal government to permitand regulate CCS projects, temporarilygivingour statea competitive edge to review pendingCCS applications with greater efficiency.However, thegovernor’smoratoriumeffectively neutralizes Louisiana’shard-earned primacy status while Texas is securing the green light on primacy

This moratorium —combinedwithTexas securing primacy —effectively places abig red stop sign at Louisiana’sborder fornew CCSprojects. According to Louisiana Economic Development, over $23 billion in carbon capturerelatedcapital investmentshas beenannounced to date and over 4,500 jobs and greater tax revenuesare estimated to result from CCS-related projects. These projects provide direct and indirect benefits such as job creation during construction andoperation, increased property tax revenue for local governments and enhanced long-term viability for existing industries like liquefiednatural gas.

It’salso important to recognize the importance of CCStoachievinga moresustainable energy future while scalingdemand for American-produced energy.CCS works by capturing the carbon dioxide emissions produced from electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing CO2 from entering the Earth’satmosphere and reducingemissions without shutting down critical operations.

In short, CCSallows us to safely store CO2 underground while simultaneously meeting global demand for energyproducts. CCS

The current moratorium on new CCS project applications could impact existing CCS projects as well, creating regulatory uncertainty as companies navigate the already complex permitting process. Louisiana has billions in potential investment —including CCSenableddata centers, LNG facilities and manufacturing and energy infrastructure projects— thatare facing new challenges and uncertainty.For example, as companies like Meta establish large data centers across the state to support AI technology, the moratorium on CCS makes many of our private sector goals harder to achieve.

Landry just signed onto abipartisan letter throughthe National Governors Association to improve federal permitting and regulatory processes.Amongthe policy priorities mentioned in theletter,the governors are callingonthe U.S. Congress to streamline federal agency reviews, reform the National Environmental Policy Act to broaden fast-track programs and reduce legal uncertainty.Yet,amoratorium on CCS is alarge dose of uncertainty for Louisiana that gives other states the lead on attracting new investments

In closing, Landry could tackle permitting reform, streamlining and prioritization, as outlined in his executive order,without imposing aharmful, anti-business moratorium.

TheAmerican PetroleumInstitutestrongly shares the governor’sgoal of addressing the backlog of CCS project applications and supports his effortstostreamline the permittingprocess around energy exploration and production. Butanindefinitemoratorium on CCS undermines Louisiana’seconomic status as an energy leader and sets adangerous precedent of uncertaintythat could kill innovation and job creation.

It is our hope that the CCS moratorium will belifted as soon as possible, and we can collectively get back to workonpolicies that maintain Louisiana’senergy dominance goals.Louisianamust remain competitive with Texas,which is charging ahead with CCS and attracting more investment during this moratorium.

We must send asignal to the state and the nation that Louisiana is proud to be the heartbeat of energy securityinAmerica.

Gifford Briggs is anative of Louisiana and the executive director for the Gulf Coast region at theAmericanPetroleum Institute

The seemingly overnight pivot from his historic “drilling =jobs” hard stance was quickly called a “sly” and “tone-deaf response” by agrowing contingent of landowners and residents from Vernon to Calcasieu to Ascension parishes, all of whom are organizing against carbon capture technologies and CO2injection.

all while the governor issues orders that give with one hand and take with the other In someways, it wasobvious Louisiana would wind up here. The fanfare and breathless announcements about industrial investments that would include CCS over the last five years mean Louisiana is now seen by industrial investors across the country and world as aprimedumping ground forCO2 waste.

It’snot hard to reach thesame conclusion when every “whereas” in themoratoriumindicates support for drilling and carbon capture.

The part that made the executive order truly toothless is that it does nothing to slow thework underway by the state to approve the more than one hundred permit applications for CCS wells that have already been submitted.

In fact, theorder directs the DepartmentofConservation andEnergy to prioritize certain permits with agoal to movethem forward more quickly,not pausing them to address local concerns.

This order is clearly intended to urge CCS developers to beef up their public relations effortstocalm the widespread outcry from communities across the stateand to convince those folks to welcome waste injection and dangerous pipelines intotheir parishes.

The elephant in theroom is Louisiana’slong history of allowing neglect and abandonment of pipelines, wells and other infrastructure required forboth oil and gas and CCS.

Further eroding confidence, acommunityinSulphur has alreadyexperienced thefirst reported CO2leak in the state, and the response was grossly mismanaged. These are not smallconcerns, particularly given that manyofthese CO2 projects are intended for“permanent”storage are require oversight and enforcement from astate agency that has often allowed industry to violate its permits, usually without meaningful consequences.

While communities in different parishes have different reasons foropposing CCS, thething that knits them together is adesire for clean air and protected water resources, andafundamental lack of trust in industry and government promises to protect them,

As soon as the state was given the right to issue these permits itself without federal oversight, aflood of applications rushed into the state agency now empowered to oversee the process, apparently overwhelming the office’scapacity to do its work.

When groups, including the Alliance forAffordable Energy,challenged the EPA’splan to grant Louisiana the power to issue permits forCO2 injection wells within the state, acore argument was that the state not only had abad track record forindustrial oversight and enforcement, but that it did not have particular expertise or capacity needed to permit these new wells and pipelines. While manyindustry representatives like to claim that Louisiana’sgeology is well-suited to CCS, the fact of the matter is that our “perfect geology” is riddled with holes from past oil and gas wells —some of which are orphaned or abandoned and totally unaccounted for. There is areal risk that what is injected underground in one place does not stay there, and those are risks that Louisiana’sstate agencies have not proven themselves to be adept at managing or ameliorating.

The fact is, even with this pause on new applications, Louisiana is slated for dozens of CCS projects, including aplan from Entergy to incorporate carbon capture in their Lake Charles power station to support the Meta data center in Richland Parish. Areal stop to this looming disaster is completely within the power of our governor and state. This “moratorium” will not provide it, however We need our leaders to do moretoprotect Louisiana.

KD Minor is community solutions manager of the Alliance for Affordable Energy

Xavier leader says cuts ensure its future

School is on ‘strong footing,’ despite layoffs

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

Xavier President Reynold Verret reassured university supporters and alumni on Thursday that Xavier was on “strong footing” after the university abruptly laid off about 50 employees last week, citing federal funding cuts.

Speaking at an invitationonly breakfast event for top university donors during homecoming week, Verret said the cuts were meant to help ensure Xavier’s longterm viability with pending changes to federal student financial aid and cuts to research funding.

“We’ve had to make some difficult decisions in the last few weeks,” Verret said.

“The federal government is

BLOTTER

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decreasing its support and possibly its commitment to higher education.”

Verret has served as president of Xavier since 2016, when he was hired to succeed Norman Francis, who stepped down after 47 years. Last week, Xavier — the country’s only historically Black Catholic university laid off 46 employees, about 6% of the university’s total workforce Verret said the cuts were made proactively to “ensure our future.”

“We do not want to actually act out of crisis, out of emergency,” he said, so what we’ve done will really protect ourselves to weather the storm.”

Xavier, which enrolls about 3,200 students, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Verret said the cuts were

the Ford head-on McClendon, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ford, who was restrained, sustained moderate injuries. Standard toxicology samples were collected from both drivers and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Officials: Texas man dies after crashing at refinery

A Texas man was killed early

RODEO

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but a new, engineered-forscale entertainment brand. Launched in Phoenix, it was conceived as a hybrid: professional rodeo competitions by day; major, ticketed country concerts by night — all wrapped in a highproduction, festival-style atmosphere.

Its inaugural run drew strong crowds, positive reviews for production value, and the attention of sportsvenue operators in other markets. Organizers have since begun expanding Hondo as a traveling megaweekend, similar to the way large EDM or country festivals replicate their format across cities. For New Orleans, that expansion comes at an opportune moment.

“I think the country music concerts — big name acts that haven’t been announced yet — are something that will help draw in everybody to fill the Superdome,” said Jay Cicero, GNOSF president and newly inducted member of the GNO Sports Hall of Fame. “When you pair that with a three-day rodeo, you get a destination weekend that appeals to a broad fan base.”

While the country acts for New Orleans haven’t yet been announced, Cicero said the lineup for the Hondo Rodeo Fest running this weekend at Chase Field in Phoenix gives an idea of what to expect. On Friday, Nickelback and Treaty Oak Revival will be playing, followed by Kid Rock and Jon Pardi on Saturday and closing on Sunday with Jason Aldean and Riley Green.

A big hit WrestleMania’s cancellation in New Orleans landed hard. When the event came in 2014 and 2018, it delivered some of the largest tourism spikes of the decade tens of thousands of out-of-town visitors, massive hotel demand, and a weeklong series of ancillary wrestling shows.

City officials had expected an even larger impact in 2026 Instead, they were left with a vacancy in what is normally one of the most lucrative travel periods of the year

GNOSF spent months surveying potential replace-

made in anticipation of changes to federal financial aid, including the reduction of Pell Grants for low-income students — which support 56% of Xavier students — along with new limits on federal loans, including those for graduate students.

On top of that, Verret said, the university expects significant cuts to funding it receives from federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, which supports indirect costs associated with research, such as laboratories and staff. In the past, Xavier negotiated a 50% split for indirect costs, but now the NIH and other federal agencies will cover only 15%, he said.

“You don’t have to be an accountant to figure that has an impact,” he said.

Meanwhile, Xavier is in the midst of a $500 million fundraising campaign, the largest the university has ever undertaken. When the campaign was launched

Wednesday when the truck he was driving ran off a road and struck a group of steel pipes on Citgo property in Calcasieu Parish, State Police say John Acosta, 33, of Navasota, Texas, was southbound on La. 108 in a 2025 GMC Denali pickup about 2 a.m. when the truck failed to negotiate a curve near Ron Hall Drive and went off the road, according to a news release from Louisiana State Police Troop D. State Police spokesperson Henry Perez said the truck came to a stop after it hit the pipes. Acosta was pronounced dead at the scene. A routine toxicology sample was submitted for analysis, and the crash remains under investigation, according to the release.

ments: sports, music, festivals, and branded entertainment weekends. Hondo was attractive not only because of Phoenix’s early results, but because its formula mirrors what WrestleMania does well: multiple days, diverse programming and a fan culture willing to travel.

Nungesser said Louisiana’s existing rodeo culture — from the Angola Prison Rodeo to dozens of regional events — provides a built-in marketing base.

“We’re going to make sure every one of those rodeo fans knows that Hondo is in New Orleans next April,” he said Big acts coming

While Hondo has not yet revealed its musical lineup for New Orleans, the plan is to announce headliners in phases beginning later this year

Tourism officials say the concert component is likely to be the decisive driver for hotel bookings, just as it was in Phoenix.

Though the 2026 event is a single-year booking for now, GNOSF and state officials have said the event will be booked for the subsequent two years if all goes well. The Superdome provides an indoor, weatherproof environment that gives New

the university said it would use funds to help cover the cost of tuition for students, as well as recruit and retain faculty and improve campus infrastructure.

Xavier recently built a new parking garage and has broken ground on a residence hall that will house about 800 students and is expected to be completed by 2027. The university is also in the process of opening its own medical school in partnership with Ochsner Health.

Leo Seoane, founding dean of the Xavier Ochsner School of Medicine, said at the breakfast that the institution was recently awarded candidate status by an accrediting body, clearing another hurdle on its path to opening as the only medical school in the South attached to an HBCU.

Seoane said the school, which was announced in April 2024, could begin recruiting, interviewing and accepting students this time next year

Police say victim intentionally stepped into path of truck

A person was killed after getting hit by an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 West between Duson and Scott, according to Louisiana State Police.

Troopers said the preliminary investigation shows the person intentionally jumped in front of the truck in an apparent attempt to take his own life.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development first reported the incident around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday I-10 West was closed to traffic until just after noon.

Troopers reported there was also a crash in the traffic jam created by the incident. The Scott Police Department is investigating, and the investigation is ongoing.

Orleans an advantage over many major-rodeo markets

If Hondo succeeds in New Orleans, it may become part of a second wave of anchor events the city is cultivating: large, multiday, high-production weekends that aren’t tied to traditional local culture but can reliably fill tens of thousands of seats.

For now Hondo’s first New Orleans outing will serve as a large-scale test both of the young rodeo festival’s ambitions and of the city’s evolving tourism strategy New Orleans may have lost WrestleMania, but sports and tourism leaders are betting that a well-packaged mix of broncs, bulls and country music stars can

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Email Anthony McAuley tmcauley@theadvocate. com.

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Johnson, R-Benton, for not having sworn in U.S. Rep.elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona’s 7th District.

“Speaker Johnson should swear in the gentlelady from Arizona. She’s been duly elected, the vote has been certified, and there’s just no reason to deny and withhold that congressional district’s representation.”

Under the current rules for the House of Representatives, a resolution requires 218 members, or a majority of the chamber’s members, to sign a discharge petition in order to force a vote. Presently, a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related documents sits at 217 signatures. Johnson says he will not swear in Grijalva, who has said she will sign the petition, until a compromise on the government shutdown is reached

The petition currently has the signature of the Democratic minority, with four Republicans also lending their support.

Fields was also asked questions regarding the ongoing redistricting case being heard by the Supreme Court, which if upheld, could see Fields’ district redrawn substantially and threaten his chances at reelection.

“I think questions are fair,” Fields said. “I do not think the lines were drawn

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LUS said it will work with affected customers individually to establish flexible payment arrangements for a portion of their outstanding balances.

Boulet added, “LUS remains committed to being responsive in providing the stability our residents need while this situation

based on race. A Black person has never been elected to Congress in the history of Louisiana from a majority-White district It just hasn’t happened. I think the Supreme Court will see through it. There’s a reason why we have the Voting Rights Act,” Fields said. “If you tell me I have to run faster, I can do that. I can jump higher, but if you tell me I’ve got to be White to be a member of Congress, I can’t do that. I need help from my government.” Congressional redistricting has become a hot-button issue in recent months and could come to define the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Republican-led Texas approved a new congressional map that will likely favor Republican legislators, while voters in California overwhelmingly approved a proposal to remove their state’s nonpartisan redistricting commission and allow their state’s Democratic Legislature to redraw districts to favor Democratic legislators.

The Louisiana case being upheld would result in a change in judicial precedent that would give state legislatures significantly more leeway in drawing districts. An appeals court had previously ruled a Louisiana congressional map with five majority-White districts violated the Voting Rights Act, and ultimately resulted in the creation of Fields’ current district. To contact Fields’ office, visit fields.house.gov

continues.”

Those who can continue making regular payments are encouraged to do so through one of the following methods: online at www.lus. org, by mail, telephone at (337) 291-8280, or in person at 1875 W. Pinhook Road and 2701 Moss St., or drive-thru on Moss Street to keep their account balance current. Email Ja’kori Madison at jakori.madison@ theadvocate.com.

SPORTS

Set for big return

Tight end Jensen back to boost Cajuns’ running game

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

At least for one week the injury report isn’t as frightening for the UL Ragin’ Cajuns. Last week, left tackle Bryant Williams returned and this week tight end Caden Jensen is expected to return out of concussion protocol for Saturday’s 4 p.m. game against Texas State at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

“It’s really important,” coach Michael Desormeaux said of Jensen’s return. “I mean, he does a really good job for us in the run game. He’s really an extension of the O-line. He’s a smart player.”

Jensen’s understanding of the game is almost like being a coach on the field.

“I think he’s wise way beyond his years,” Desormeaux said. “As a starter and key contributor, he plays really physical and his leadership is really unmatched.”

Even better, Brock Chappell and Trey Miller performed well in Jensen’s absence, which should make the position even stronger Elsewhere, right guard Matt Broussard returns as a starter, which sends Jax Harrington back to right tackle, according to Wednesday’s depth chart. Mackey Maillho is listed as the backup to Broussard at right guard.

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

played

When the New Orleans Saints traded a pair of draft picks that included a fourth-round selection in next year’s draft for Devaughn Vele in August, the expectation was that their new wide receiver would play more than a midround prospect would have, anyway But through nine games, that hasn’t gone according to plan.

This season, Vele has played just 152 snaps — a low number considering what the Saints sent to acquire him from the Denver Broncos. In fact, of the 36 players taken in the fourth round of this year’s NFL draft, 17 have received the same or more playing time than Vele.

“We obviously have got to get him on the field,” coach Kellen Moore said. The path to do so was made easier this week. The Saints’ decision to trade Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday created a spot that Vele could step into. The two receivers have different skill sets, and Shaheed wasn’t necessarily an obstacle blocking Vele from seeing the field, but Moore said Vele, Brandin Cooks and Mason Tipton would be among those who the Saints would count on to fill Shaheed’s absence.

“He’s going to carry a healthy role the rest of the way through this thing,” Moore said. “He’ll be very involved and I’m excited about that.”

At his locker, Vele said his mentality won’t change now that a bigger role is in store. The second-year wideout said he’s tried to take advantage of every opportunity given to him, adding later he wasn’t worried about his snap count. That mindset helped him excel in Denver where the 27-year-old rose the ranks as a seventh-round rookie to become a go-to target in the slot.

new president to cast some doubt on the permanence of that title and then reaffirm it within a couple of days.

out a mailbag call. You asked about Kelly the coaching search, contracts and what changes might be made under interim coach Frank Wilson against the Crimson Tide.

winding down? — Arthur J. That depends on who the LSU search committee wants to hire, and I don’t know for sure who that is yet.

Last season, Vele had 41 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns. His 6-foot-5 frame not only created mismatches in the red zone, but it was partly why the Saints were attracted enough to trade for him. But Vele’s production has yet to translate to New Orleans. Moore said Vele’s usage was “not my best” coaching job, though he suggested his team’s lack of trips to the red zone was a “big factor” in him not seeing the field.

If you’re an LSU fan, you might feel exhausted right now You went through the firings of coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Scott Wo odward. You watched Gov Jeff Landry insert himself into the process. You saw Verge Ausberry promoted to full-time athletic director, only for LSU’s

All of that happened in less than two weeks And oh yeah, LSU plays No. 4 Alabama on Saturday night, a game that almost never flies this far under the radar

We figured some of you may have questions about everything that has taken place, so we put

Some of the questions have been edited for length and clarity Here are the responses from lead LSU football beat writer Wilson Alexander

What do you think is a realistic timeline for a new football coach to be named? Around signing day next month or in January with the playoff

If the target isn’t going to be in the College Football Playoff, then a hire should be made not long after the end of the regular season. Remember that Kelly was hired the Monday after the last game. The coach would then come right before the early signing period Dec. 3-5. There would

That doesn’t completely pass the smell test, however The Saints have had 60 red-zone snaps this season — and Vele has only played 18 of them, far behind Chris Olave (54), Cooks (45) and Shaheed (43).

“Logistically it’s tough when you have Olave and Sheed and Juwan (Johnson) ä LSU at Alabama, 6:30 P.M. SATURDAy ABC

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

An LSU spokesperson reaffirmed Thursday that Verge Ausberry is the school’s athletic director, a day after comments made by new LSU president Wade Rousse made the permanence of the title unclear

“Verge Ausberry is the athletic director at LSU,” LSU vice president of marketing and communications Todd Woodward said in a statement. “He has the president’s full support to lead the athletics department and to identify the next coach to lead our storied football program.” LSU also updated Ausberry’s online biography Thursday to identify him as the athletic director Ausberry was tabbed as the in-

terim athletic director last week when LSU parted ways with Scott Woodward, and Rousse decided to lift the interim tag Tuesday on his first day in office with LSU in the midst of a search for its next football coach.

On Wednesday, Rousse made several comments that set off questions about the permanence of the title. In part, he told Piper Hutchinson of the Louisiana Illuminator he would lift the interim tag and “then we’ll assess the situation.” He added: “I don’t know what permanent means versus removing the interim.”

“I removed the interim tag,” Rousse said later on WWL radio.

“He’s the acting AD. He has my full authority to go find us a coach for the best job in America.”

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Cajuns coach excited about home opener

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

The UL Ragin’ Cajuns have been on the road early this season.

But for a first-year coach, there’s nothing like that first home game.

That day arrives Friday for Quannas White when his Cajuns (0-1) take on Southeastern Louisiana (0-1) at 7:30 p.m. in the Cajundome.

“I’m looking forward to having 12,00 people in there,” White said. “We’re disappointed that we lost that first one on the road, but we will be better on Friday and we’ll continue to get better throughout the season.”

The Cajuns fell 75-64 at Ball State on Monday in the season opener It was a closer game throughout than the final indicated, but UL showed some spots to improve upon.

The Cardinals shot 52.2% from the field and 53.3% from 3-point range.

“I just felt like we could not put consecutive stops together,” White said. “Putting those guys on the line 28 times — the free throws were a little bit lopsided — but you don’t make excuses You have to be more disciplined on defense.

“I thought when they ran a ball screen, I did see improvement there. But they were able to spread us and isolate us. When we got spread, we weren’t in a position to help.”

On the flip side, the Cajuns struggled to make baskets, shooting 42.4% for the game and 32.1% from 3-point range. After making only two 3-pointers in the exhibition loss to North Texas, though, UL made nine at Ball State

“I didn’t think our overall shot selections was bad, but I do think we can maybe shoot fewer 3s and attack more,” White said. “That’ll be something we’ll adjust moving on to the next game, but I didn’t think our shot selection was bad. Our problem was on the defensive end.”

Jamyron Keller led the way with 21 points on 4-of-11 shooting behind the arc, while Jaxon Olvera added 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting.

The visiting Lions defeated Mississippi College 101-83 in an exhibition before falling at Ole Miss 88-58 in the season opener

“Southeastern looks like a scrappy, hardnosed tough team on film,” White said. “They’ve got a lot of new faces on the team, but it’s a scrappy well-coached team.”

Isaiah Gaines, a 6-foot-8 forward who previously played at Radford and Florida Atlantic, had 25 points and seven rebounds in the exhibition, but wasn’t one of two doublefigure scorers against Ole Miss.

Likewise, Jeremy Elyzee had 16 points and four rebounds in the exhibition, but only got one basket in the opener

Women

DELTA STATE AT UL: UL coach Garry Brodhead knew it would be a process molding this year’s squad with all newcomers making up the roster Step two comes at 5 p.m. Friday against Delta State at the Cajundome.

“I’m ready to go back to practice,” Brodhead said after Monday’s 82-67 loss to Bowling Green. “I’m ready to go back in and kind of start all over building and again. It takes a process. Sometimes we get too far ahead of ourselves.”

The next step is to see some consistency from a talented freshman group.

Amijah Price stood out in the opener with 17 points and six rebounds.

Imani Daniel had eight points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes, while Arionna Patterson didn’t score with three rebounds in 13 minutes.

“Imani can rebound and she’s going to continue to rebound for us,” Brodhead said “I thought she took some tough shots for her Sometimes you have to do it you have to go and make those mistakes. She just needs to correct that and be a little bit more patient on the offensive side.”

In addition to Price’s ball handling and playmaking abilities, senior transfers Sierra Jones and Jazmyne Jackson have shown the ability to help with floor leadership

This will be Delta State’s first game of the season. A year ago, it finished and was 0-2 against Sun Belt teams falling to Arkansas State 68-45 and South Alabama 63-56.

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Grudge match

District title on line when rivals Carencro, Acadiana collide

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

Any time Acadiana and Carencro high schools meet in football, it’s a big deal.

Adding a district championship to the mix makes it even bigger

That’s why Friday’s game will be huge when the Bears travel to face the Rams at 7 p.m. with the District 3-5A title on the line.

“The message has been it is Carencro-Acadiana. Enough said,” Bears coach Gavin Peters said. “Since the beginning of time, these two teams have battled each other, and both teams have had their share of wins throughout its history You’re talking about two great storied programs and there is a lot on the line.”

With a win, the Rams (6-3) would win the district title outright, while a win by the Bears (6-3) would forge a three-way tie between Acadiana, Carencro and Southside.

“I don’t think it gets any bigger,” Rams coach Doug Dotson said. “Playing your rivals for the chance to be undisputed district champions and they are playing for a share of it if they win. I think there’s a

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Another missing name on the depth chart is running back Steven Blanco.

“We thought he was going to be out probably earlier in the week,” Desormeaux said of Blanco. “He got rolled up pretty good in the game, but he practiced (Wednesday) So I think he’ll be able to go if we need him.”

If not, freshman Darrell Smith will serve as the No. 3 back because he hasn’t exhausted his four games played yet to keep his redshirt season.

Fite progressing

The first thing UL junior linebacker Drenon Fite had to overcome this season was to get everyone used to his real name.

When he first joined the team as an SMU transfer, he went by the nickname Trey, because he’s Drenon Fite III.

During the offseason, he decided he wanted to be called by his given name.

“It’s been a little bit of a struggle,” Fite said with a laugh. “Everybody has called me Trey since I was little. So

lot at stake and it is not lost on our kids what we’re about to experience on Friday.”

And as if the matchup needed any more fuel it’ll also be a return to what had been home for a handful of Bears assistant coaches, headlined by Kyle Seibold, who left Acadiana in the offseason.

“This isn’t about me, this is about our kids and our football team,” Seibold said. “This is about getting our kids prepared to go play a district championship game against a historic rival in a tough environment.”

“I definitely think it has added to it,” Peters said. “There’s always a lot on the line with Carencr-Acadiana This year there’s some different elements with the coaches that have kind of flipped, but it’s no different than any other year It’s a heated rivalry and it’s going to be a big night of football. But this game is about the kids that are going to be playing on that field.”

While it may be an emotional return for some, the Bears’ coaching staff admits it is easier to “keep the main thing, the main thing” after allowing 70 points and nearly 700 yards rushing in a 70-35

everybody calling me Drenon kind of pumps me up. It’s like, ‘This is me, I’m Drenon. I’m not Trey anymore.’”

The next step is steadily improving to earn more playing time.

“I think my biggest thing is getting bigger,” said Fite, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 261 pounds. “From last year to this year, I’ve gotten bigger, which I think has played a big part of it. For me being able to get strong in the weight room that translates on the field where I can knock people back.”

The other vehicle to more playing time was mastering the playbook, Fite said.

The result is Fite has seven tackles and a quarterback hurry

In Saturday’s 31-22 win at South Alabama, Fite was in the middle of a defense that put together the goal-line stand late to preserve the win. “That was a big play that really changed the momentum of the game,” Fite said. “We had practiced that over and over and that same play We came out of the huddle and we were like, ‘We got one play, we’ve got to stop them. Give it all you’ve got.’

“It was just so crucial and

Cowboys’ Kneeland found dead of apparent suicide FRISCO, Texas Police in a Dallas suburb say 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead of an apparent suicide after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing the scene of an accident on foot. Frisco police said Thursday they are investigating the possible suicide. They said Kneeland didn’t stop for Texas Department of Public Safety troopers over a traffic violation in a chase that was joined by Frisco police on Wednesday night Authorities lost sight of the vehicle before locating it crashed minutes later During the search after Kneeland fled the crash site on foot, officers said they received word that Kneeland might be suicidal. He was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound early Thursday morning, about three hours after the crash, police said without specifying where Kneeland’s body was found.

Sabalenka KOs Gauff to reach WTA Finals semis

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka earned a third straight group-stage win at the WTA Finals by beating Coco Gauff 7-6 (5), 6-2 on Thursday, eliminating her American opponent from the tournament in the process. Sabalenka’s win means Jessica Pegula advanced to the semifinals from the group along with the Belarusian No. 1. Pegula beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3 earlier to take her record to 2-1. Gauff, the reigning champion, finished 1-2 while Paolini went 0-3 at the season-ending tournament for the world’s top eight players. Sabalenka will take on Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals, while Pegula plays Elena Rybakina.

Padres hire former reliever Stammen as manager

loss to Southside a week ago.

“Had we won that game against Southside, who knows. We all may have been too emotional this week,” Peters said. “It’s cool to have emotions, but it is not cool to be emotional. I definitely think the tough loss we took last week has kind of eased our emotions a lot going into this week.”

The Bears’ defense will get an opportunity at redemption against the Rams, who, like Southside love to run the ball. Offensively, the Rams are led by running backs Troy Kennerson (78 carries for 703 yards, 10 TDs), Dion Simon (86-616, nine TDs) and Syrian Joseph (78-517, six TDs).

“I think they’ve done a great job of developing their offensive line,” Peters said. “Their offensive line is extremely athletic. They come off the ball well and they’ve done a really good job of resetting the line of scrimmage.”

Offensively the Bears are led by quarterback Carson Gurzi, who has passed for 2,481 yards and 27 touchdowns, and receiver Chantz Babineaux, who has 1,160 yards and 13 touchdowns on 46 receptions.

it really just fueled the whole defense.”

Jackson returns When safety Tyree Skipper suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, redshirt freshman safety Kody Jackson filled in with both consistency and big plays.

So when Jackson was called on to help fill in when senior Jalen Clark couldn’t continue, he was again ready for the challenge.

“It’s pretty much kind of like how coach Salgado says, ‘You work while you wait,’” Jackson said. “It’s every week just going out and prepping myself like a starter At any point in time, an opportunity could come.” Jackson contributed three tackles and a pass breakup. For the season, he has nine total spots, a tackle for loss and the pass breakup.

“I think the communication was great,” Jackson said “Playing alongside Jalen and Tyree — those are my guys — we’ve had great communication because the bond is so great. I was fighting for my guys. I’m doing it for them and they’re doing it for me.”

Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@theadvocate.com.

SAN DIEGO The San Diego Padres have hired former reliever Craig Stammen to be their manager Stammen got a three-year contract Thursday to begin his first managerial job at any level of the sport. The longtime right-handed reliever retired from his playing career with the Padres in August 2023, and he spent the past two seasons as an assistant to the major league coaching staff and the baseball operations department headed by general manager A.J. Preller The 41-year-old Stammen replaces Mike Shildt, who retired Oct. 13 after just two seasons in charge following the Padres’ painful playoff elimination in a tight three-game wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs.

Former NFL star Brown arrested in Miami shooting

Former NFL star Antonio Brown was arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a shooting after a celebrity boxing event in Miami, police confirmed Thursday Brown, 37, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Dubai, said Miami police spokesman Mike Vega. He was flown to Essex County, New Jersey, where he is being held pending extradition to Miami, Vega said. According to an arrest warrant detailing the May 16 shooting Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer after the boxing match and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told investigators one of the bullets grazed his neck.

More than $87M in NIL deals have been OK’d

The College Sports Commission released statistics Thursday saying it has approved 12,175 thirdparty name, image, likeness deals for athletes worth $87.5 million while rejecting fewer than 400. The latest snapshot, which includes data from June 11 through Nov 1, also provided an update on turnaround time. It said 53% of deals submitted to NIL Go were resolved within 24 hours and 74% of deals that reached resolution did so within seven days following submission of all required information. Third-party deals, often with organizations with close ties to the schools called collectives, are a way for athletic departments to go beyond the $20.5 million they’re allowed to pay players directly this academic year as part of the courtapproved House settlement.

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

and Cooks on arotational basis,” quarterback TylerShough said “But at the same time, there is a bunch of stuff that was schemed to go to him and sometimes it just doesn’thappen that way —it’s football, you know.” Another reasonthatcouldexplain Vele’slack of playing time is his health. After dealing with a

AUSBERRY

Continued from page1C

Ausberry,aNew Iberianative, played middle linebackeratLSU and has worked in theathletic department for24years.Hehas already been selected to lead the search committeefor LSU’snext coach after Brian Kelly was fired in his fourth season.

Verge Ausberry said in an email sent to fans that new LSU president Wade Rousse “formalized my appointment” as the school’sathletic directorThursday afternoon, aday after comments made by Rousse led to questions about the permanence of Ausberry’snew role.

The message came about two hours after Rousse said in asocial media post he had finished ameeting with Ausberry

“Stewardship of LSU’sathletics is an honor and the work of my entire lifetime,” Ausberry said. “I will not fail you. Thank you for your strong commitmenttoLSU –I know we’re going to continue to do great things together.”

LSU also updated Ausberry’sonline biography Thursday to identify him as the athletic director

“Verge Ausberry is the athletic director at LSU,” LSU vice presidentofmarketingand communications Todd Woodwardsaid in astatement to The Advocate earlierThursday. “Hehas the president’sfull support to lead the athleticsdepartment andto identify the next coach to lead our storied football program.” Ausberry was tabbed as the interim athletic director last week when LSU parted with Scott Woodward, and Rousse decided to lift the interim tag Tuesday on hisfirst day in office with LSU in the midst of a search forits next football coach. On Wednesday,Roussemade several comments that created doubt about the permanence of the title. In part,hetoldPiper Hutchinsonof the Louisiana Illuminator he would lift the interim tag and “then we’ll assess the situation.” He added: “I

SCOREBOARD

Mtkvc10:16 1-2 0-0 0-2 02 2 Totals 240 39-91 13-16 14-56 18 18 101

Percentages: FG .429, FT .813. 3-Point Goals: 10-31 323 (Bey4-6, Alvarado 3-5, Hawkins 1-4, Fears 1-6,MurphyIII 1-6, Looney 0-1, Peavy0-1, Jones0-2). Team Rebounds:4.Team Turnovers: 3. BlockedShots:3(Jones, Looney,MurphyIII) Turnovers: 13 (Fears 3, MurphyIII 3, Queen 3, Jones 2, Alvarado, Bey) Steals: 10 (Queen 3, Hawkins 2, Jones 2, MurphyIII 2, Fears) Technical Fouls:None. FG FT Reb

DALMin M-AM-A O-TA PF PTS Flagg 35:02 8-19 3-3 0-92 120 Wshgtn38:04 5-13 4-7 3-11 10 15

Gafford24:44 6-8 3-3 4-8 03 15

Christie27:28 5-12 0-0 1-3 11 12 Russell 20:42 3-10 1-10-0 33 9 Mrshll 25:52 2-5 3-40-5 53 7 Thmpsn21:25 4-7 0-00-4

Cisse 3:31 0-0 0-00-0 00

Totals 240 37-89 15-20 10-44 18 15 99 Percentages: FG .416, FT .750. 3-Point Goals: 10-32 313 (Thompson

Russell 2-4, Christie2-6, Washington

Williams 1-3, Flagg 1-5, Marshall0-2,Hardy 0-3). Team Rebounds:9.Team Turnovers:None. BlockedShots:7(Flagg 2, Gafford2,Washington 2, Russell). Turnovers: 15 (Washington 4, Thompson 3, Flagg 2, Gafford2,Russell2,Marshall, Williams). Steals: 11 (Flagg 3, Gafford2,Williams 2, Christie, Marshall, Thompson, Washington) Technical Fouls:None. New Orleans 29 23 26 23

Dallas 19 30 28 22

A_18,925 (19,200).T_2:11 Pro football

knee injury this summerinDenver,Vele suffered ahip injury that caused himto missa Week 3loss to the Seahawks. Moore saidthe ailment “slowed alittle bit of the installation” of the offense for Vele. Still, neitherMoore norVele has used that as an excuse. And given what Vele could add to the field —the Saints neededa bigbodiedreceiver to make contestedcatches —itwas curious that he was relegatedtobeing the fourth receiver in whathas large-

don’tknow what permanent means versus removing theinterim.”

“I removedthe interim tag,”

Roussesaidlater Wednesday on WWL radio. “He’sthe acting AD. He has my full authority to go findusacoach forthe best job in America.”

Ausberry,aNew Iberianative, played middle linebacker at LSU andhas worked in the athletic department for24years. He had already been selectedtolead the search committee for LSU’snext coach after BrianKelly was fired in hisfourth season.

“Weare already quietly assessingcandidatesfor head football coach,” Ausberry said, “and we will accept nothingshort of finding acoach who will make the Tigers anational championship contender yearinand year out.”

Kelly’s finalmessage

Brian Kelly has one last message for LSU.

Kelly,who coached the Tigersfor 31/2 seasons and wasfiredthe day after LSU’sloss to TexasA&M in Tiger Stadium on Oct. 25, delivered afinal statement to LSU and its fans on social media Thursday

“Moving toBaton Rouge four years ago, my family andIwere clear.There would be no halfway We wouldbe all-in for LSUand forLouisiana,” Kellywrote.“This journey began with great expectations with my own vision of how to get there. Sometimes the journey doesnot endthe way we hope.”

Kelly’smessage continued by highlighting theaccomplishments LSUmadeduring his time as coach, including thewin over Alabama in 2022, the Heisman Trophy winner he coached in Jayden Daniels, and the dozen-plus players he coached at LSU who are now in the NFL, amongother accomplishments.

Kelly’stenure inBaton Rouge endedwith a34-14 record but no appearancesinthe College Football Playoff. LSU had a5-3 mark thisseason before the program decided to part ways with acoach who arrived from Notre Dame after the 2021 season.

ly been athree-receiver offense. There’s ascenario, of course, in which theSaints simply got fleeced. While Broncos coach Sean Payton calledtrading Vele one of the toughest moves of his career,perhaps that wasjust a ruse to makehis former team feel good aboutthe deal.It’shard not to wonder whether the reality of Vele’slimited rolehas to do with what theSaints’ coaching staff hasobservedfrom the wide receiver every week. But players andcoaches saythey

“The losses will always hurt, but Iwillremember allofthe wins,” Kelly wrote. “I don’t need to tell anyofyou howspecialSaturday nights in TigerStadium are. Iam honoredtohavewornthe purple and gold and been apart of it.”

He finishedhis statement wishing LSU interim coach Frank Wilson andthe rest of theteam the best of luck for this Saturday’s game againstAlabama (6:30 p.m., ABC), beforewriting onelast sentence.

“This journey mayhave ended, but it’sa journey thatwill stay with me and my family forever,” Kelly wrote. “Geaux Tigers.”

Weeksdoubtful

LSUjunior linebacker Whit Weeksremains doubtful to play on Saturdayagainst Alabama (6:30 p.m., ABC),LSU interim coach Frank Wilson saidThursday.

Weeks was listed as questionable to play on Wednesday’sSoutheasternConference availabilityreport.

“He tried to give it agotoday,” Wilson said.“He bounced around alittle bit. We’lllook at him again (Friday). But in transparency, he’sprobably doubtful for (Friday).”

Weekshas missed LSU’spast two games witha bone bruise in his ankle. It’saninjury he aggravated during the Tigers’ loss to OleMissinWeek5 andstems from thebrokenankle he suffered during LSU’swin over Baylorin theTexas Bowl.

Likely withoutWeeks, LSU will turn to sophomore Davhon Keys andfifth-year senior West Weeks at linebacker

Besides Whit Weeks,freshman offensive lineman Carius Curne waslistedasprobable to playSaturday.Freshman linebacker Zach Weeks, on theother hand, is doubtful for Saturday,per the report.

Advocatestaff writer Koki Riley contributed to this report.

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

like what they’ve seen. “His selflessness, his willingness to go in there and get dirty in the run game, even protection,”Cooks said. “When his number is called to make aplay in thepassgame he does it. To see his growth every week —obviously not being here during camp—(to) see how fast he’s been able to pick up the offense,every week,he’sjust continuing to get better.”

“He hasn’thad the big, breakout game catch-wise, but when youlook at the things he’sdone,

MAILBAG

thenbeamonth to get mostof the staff together and prepare for the transferportal to open from Jan.2-16. That would be the ideal timeline for thesakeofthe roster,but is it realistic? If there’sacoach on the playoffbubble, LSU probably wouldn’tbeable to finalize the hire until after selection Sunday.And if LSU wants Lane Kiffin, it would probably haveto wait untillate December at the earliest.

Ausberry said in an interview with WNXX-FM, 104.5 that LSU is willing to consider someone who reaches theplayoff, even if that means not making aformal hire until January.Thatwould extend the timeline even further, but at least by then, the target would become obvious.

Is anyone asking JoeBrady to be thenext LSU football coach? —Paul S. They can ask all they want, but the answer is almostcertainly no Brady didn’treally like recruiting. He doesn’thavetonow,and he’s on track to getanNFL head coaching job at some point.

What changes do youthink we will see this weekend? —EdT LSUwilltry to runthe ball more.Wilson (not thisone, the interim coach) has emphasized that for the past two weeks. Philosophically,itmakes alot of sense thatLSU would do that after promoting its running backs coach to interim head coach and its run game coordinator to play-caller Up untilthis point, bringing in AlexAtkins as the run-game coordinatorhasn’t made adifference. LSU ranks last in the SEC for the second-straight season in yardsrushing per game. It has abandonedthe run at times, especially in the second half of a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. Iwould be surprisediffreshmanrunning

when he hasbeeninthe football game, it’sbeen productive,” offensivecoordinator DougNussmeiersaid. Vele, who has fivecatches for 39 yardsand atouchdown, will now get an extended look to have that big, breakout game. To this point, it hasn’tbeen there “Whenopportunitiescome, Ijust have to make the most of them,” Vele said.

Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com

back Harlem Berry has one carry in the second half again. Schematically,Atkins might call morecounter runs. That has been his bread and butter during his career Idoubt we seemuchofa two-quarterback system.Wilson (again, not this one) floated the possibility and said backup quarterback Michael VanBuren hastaken more practicereps than usual. Maybe he gets used in certain situations, butI’llbe surprised if Garrett Nussmeier isn’tonthe field almost the entire game.

Will LSU insistonZEROguaranteed money and/or language that includesa winning percentageasabasis forterminationfor cause,considering that Brian Kelly had two 10-win seasons and anine-winseason in histhree full seasons, and if so, what will that metric be? —Dannie G. That’saninteresting idea, but it would be unprecedented for acoach to have aclause in their contract that allows theschool to firethem for cause based on their winning percentage.The standard language in LSU’s contracts saysacoach can be fired forcause because of off-field things like violating school policies, breaking NCAA rules or committing acrime.

There could be performancebased metrics in the contract if Landry andsome others with influence gettheir way.His idea is to give the coach higherincentives forwinning games and championships, thus reducing the amount of guaranteed money and the potential buyoutinthe contract. It’s asound idea, butLSU wouldhavetoget an agenttogo along with it. That could be tricky in the current market.

What

‘I CAN’T SING’

Pianist Marcia Ball cancelsall shows afterALS diagnosis

BY KEITHSPERA Staff writer

Marcia Ball, thepianist and singer who grew up along the Louisiana/Texasborder,has enjoyed a longstanding loveaffair withNew Orleans music and musicians, and is afavorite at local festivals But Ball, 76, announced recently that her decades-longperforming career has come to an end following her diagnosis with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’sDisease. She has canceled all scheduled performances, including herbackto-back voyages aboard the Sandy Beaches Cruise andthe NewOrleans-themed Big Easy Cruise, both of which sail out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in January Astatement released by Ball read in part, “As many of you may know or have heard, over recent months, Ihave been struggling with voice issues and have not been able to perform as Ihavealways done.”

ä See BALL, page 6C

PROVIDED PHOTOByMARC POKEMPNER

Pianist Marcia Ball performs during the 2015 WWOZ Piano Night at the House of Blues.

LIGHT THE LAMP

TheBaton RougeZydeco ice hockey team will takeonthe Biloxi Breakers at 7p.m. Fridayinthe RaisingCane’sRiver Center Arena, 275 S. River Road.The home team is coming off atwo-game loss to theColumbus River Dragons last weekend. Ticketsare $25 and up. ticketmaster.com.

‘MISSBENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY’

Louisiana Inspiredisall about shining alightonpeople andorganizations who are working toward solutions in Louisiana neighborhoods, communities, towns, cities and throughout the state —it’swork that takes extra effort by special people, demonstrating the good stuffofthe humanspirit. Nominate someone you know whoismaking apositive difference in the lives of others at www.nola. com/site/forms/the_inspirit award/ by Nov.17. We encourage nominations of people of all ages —those who systematically go about doing their best to make the world abetter place. The nomination process focuses on people who are workingtoward solutions in their workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, communities and state. Be sure to include stories of impact and details of personal stories that inspire change. Award recipients will be announced in December in Louisiana Inspired.

Marie Sáenz as Mary,

Jane listen in SwinePalace’s‘Miss

AUSTEN INSPIRED

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Arthur deBourgh is socially awkward, but that doesn’tmatter to Mary Bennet.

In fact, she finds this characteristic to be an appealingfitfor herintroverted personality,whichmostlyrevolves aroundbooks.

But does he feel the same way? Well, this is aquestion best answered at LSU’s Reilly Theatre on Friday, when Swine Palace opens “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly.”

Butafter witnessing her sister,Elizabeth, wedMr. Darcy two yearsago,Mary wantssomething more —a life beyond her books, yet withthe promise of agood story.And she believesshe can find this in Arthur,who, she discovers, shares her love of books.

The story is set two years after Elizabeth Bennet’shappy ending in “Pride andPrejudice.” Of course,she’s known as Mrs. Darcy in this setting, withmost of the characters calling her “Lizzie.”

“So, Lizzie is newly married and has come up in her station in life,” said Nicole Lovince, whoportrays her

Playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon penned their 2016 drama as asequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” focusingonthe often-overlooked middle Bennet sister,Mary

ASwine Palace production ● Friday-Sunday; Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 12-14; and Sunday, Nov. 16. Sundaymatinees startat 2p.m.All other performances begin at 7:30 p.m ● Reilly Theatre, 10 TowerDrive, LSU campus ● $9-$32 ● (225) 5783572orlsu.edu/cmda/ events/index.php ä See AUSTEN, page 6C

Marc BroussardchannelsBobby Darin

Single‘DreamLover’ released Nov. 2

BY JUDY BERGERON Staff writer

Louisiana soul singer-song-

writer Marc Broussard channels Bobby Darin for his new single, “Dream Lover,” released Nov.2

“His distinctive interpretation of this Bobby Darin classic captures the spiritofthe original arrangement while infusing it with hissignature gritty,bluesy vocals, resulting in aversion that staystrue to the originalwhile also reflectingBroussard’sbeloved, soulful sound,” anews release states.

Carencro native Broussard says replicating the sound of iconic 1950s-’70s singer Darrin would be impossible for him.

“So, Ichose to approach it differently. Iknowthatreinterpreting aclassic can upset some fans, but Ihope that Bobby himself would appreciate the libertiesItook. Attempting to sound like him was too tall an order,” he says.

“Dream Lover”will be featured on Broussard’snew studio album, “S.O.S. V: Songs of the ’50s,” due out Jan. 23.

The 11-song ArtistTone Records project will include renditions of soul, blues, rock and pop classics from the ’50s,two hits from the early ’60s and aBroussard original.

The new album is Broussard’s latestentry in hisphilanthropic album seriesbenefiting the nonprofit organization, Love of People, based in Lafayette.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate.com.

FRIDAY

VETERANS DAYCONCERT:

Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette, 3p.m.

KYLE AND DAVID: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette

6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s, Lafayette,6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson, 6p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6p.m.

DOWNTOWNALIVE! FEATUR-

ING JOURDAN THIBODEAUX: Parc Sans Souci,Lafayette, 6p.m.

HUVAL AND TRAHAN TRIO: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6p.m

HOLYGHOSTCREOLE

FESTIVAL GOSPEL NIGHT: Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Opelousas, 6p.m.

THE TROUBADOUR: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.

BLAKE LUQUETTE: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6:30 p.m.

LEIF MECHE: Silver Slipper Arnaudville, 7p.m.

DOOGIE, KALAMITY,EFFIGY: Feed NSeed, Lafayette, 7p.m.

ROUGAROU STOMP: Gloria’s Bar &Grill, Lafayette,8 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m.

BORDERLINE: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m.

BELIEVER –OZZY OSBOURNE

TRIBUTE: Rock ’n’ Bowl,Lafayette, 9p.m

SATURDAY

LIL POOKIE &ZYDECO SENSATION: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 8a.m.

DONNY BROUSSARD BAND: Fred’s, Mamou, 8a.m.

CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9a.m.

SATURDAY MORNING JAM

SESSIONS: Savoy Music Center, Eunice, 9a.m.

CAJUN JAM: TanteMarie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC JAM: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m

ZYDECO CAPITAL JAM: St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, Opelousas, 1p.m

DRUM CIRCLE: NUNU Arts and CultureCollective, Arnaudville, 2:30 p.m.

DON HAYES: Café Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 6p.m.

GENO DELAFOSE &FRENCH

ROCKIN’BOOGIE/RUSTY

METOYER &THE ZYDECO

KRUSH: Holy Ghost Creole Festival, Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Opelousas, 6p.m.

NICKI NEEDHAM: Adopted

AUSTEN

Continued from page5C

“She’sthe mistress of this very fine home, yet she’s a bit out of her comfort zone in this situation, because she’shaving the wholefamily over for Christmas at her house —her single sister, her pregnant sister,her married sister’shusband.”

Lovince, aNew Orleans native, is afirst-yearstudent in the LSU Schoolof Theatre’smaster of fine arts program. She was working as an actress and singerin Los Angeles when she decided to return to Louisiana to earn her master’sdegree.

“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” she said. “If you remember the movie ‘Pitch Perfect,’ it was filmed in Louisiana, and there were scenes in the Reilly Theatre. It was the firstmovie I worked on with my (Screen Actors Guild) card. Allof these little pieces are coming together,and I’m really excited to be actinginthis play in this theater.”

As for Lizzie, she may feel outofher elementasfamily hostess, but she’sused to being in the story spotlight, unlike her younger sister, Mary,played by Christine

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Jourdan Thibodeaux will performfor this week’s Downtown Alive! at 6p.m Friday in Parc Sans Souci in

Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Lafayette, 6p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.

COWBOY KEN: Prejean’s, Broussard, Broussard, 6p.m.

RORYSUIRE: SHUCKS!, Abbeville,6:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Youngsville,6:30p.m.

DYLAN AUCOIN: SilverSlipper Arnaudville, 7p.m.

BAJAAJAZZ QUINTET: Whiskey&Vine,Lafayette, 7p.m.

NEXT GEN ZYDECO: Artmosphere, Lafayette,8 p.m.

GENO DELAFOSE &FRENCH

ROCKIN’ BOOGIE: La PoussiereCajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 8p.m.

CHRISHIMEL &JEFFMENARD: The Barrel of Broussard Broussard, 8p.m.

CLIFTONBROWN &THE RUSTY BUCKET BAND: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30p.m.

ORYVEILLON: Rock ’n’Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m.

SUNDAY

HOLYGHOST CREOLE FES-

TIVAL: Holy GhostCatholic Church, Opelousas, 10 a.m

BRUNCH SHOW–KELLI JONES, CHAS JUSTUS &TREYBOU-

DREAUX: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 11 a.m

GLENN ZERINGUE: Whiskey & Vine, Lafayette, 11 a.m

LIVE MUSIC: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

LES FRERESMICHOT:

Prejean’s, Carencro, 11:30 a.m

LE BALDUDIMANCHE –BLAKE

MILLER &THE OLD FASHIONED ACES: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m.

CAJUN JAM: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville,2 p.m.

RUSTY METOYER: Cypress Cove Landing, BreauxBridge, 3p.m.

Sáenz. And Mary readily steps into her own spotlight with the entrance of Arthur “Wedon’tknow much about Mary in ‘Pride and Prejudice,’and she’skindof the protagonist, and this is reallyabout herstory, trying to determine what kind of life she’sgoingtohave available toher as the middle daughter,” directorSharon Graci said. “And will she ever havea choice to, tolive an idea of her life thatisas grand as what she reads in herbooks? That’s what this story kind of unfolds in this lovely tale for the holidays.”

Gruci came to SwinePalace from Charleston, South Carolina, where sheiscofounder and artistic director for Pure Theater

“I have adeep appreciationfor Jane Austen’sstorytelling and devotionthat she’scommanded over all this time,” Graci said.

“And we have agreat cast. They’resoengagedwithone another,and they’re having funwith this.”

Cast member MichaelHyatt is especially havingfun with his role as Arthur.

“He’skind of nerdy,soI canrelatetohim,” Hyatt said, laughing. “Arthur is Darcy’s cousin,and just as Elizabethand Darcy did in

JUSTIN CORNETT: Pat’s

Atchafalaya Club, Henderson, 4:30 p.m.

MIKEBROUSSARD: O’Darby’s Pub&Grill, Carencro, 5p.m

VETERANS DAYCELEBRATION: City of Scott, 5p.m

STOP THE CLOCK COUNTRY

JAZZ: Feed NSeed, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m

MONDAY

PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Café Habana City,Lafayette, 11 a.m.

DAVE MOUTON EXPERIENCE: The Brass Room, Lafayette, 7p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m

BLUEGRASSJAM: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

TERRYHUVAL &FRIENDS: Prejean’s, Lafayette, 6p.m

PAUL TASSIN: Whiskey&Vine, Lafayette, 6p.m

GROOVE ROOM: Blue Moon Saloon,Lafayette, 6p.m

WEDNESDAY

DULCIMER JAM: St.Landry Visitor Center,Opelousas, 10 a.m.

SPECIAL DANCE SHOW&

PERFORMANCE FROM MICAH AND MADAME DIVAH: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 4p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m

CHARLES &WENDYTRICHE: Whiskey &Vine, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

GEESCOTT’SBIRTHDAYJAM!: Gloria’s Bar &Grill, Lafayette, 8p.m

CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon,Lafayette, 8p.m

THURSDAY BROUSSARD SESSIONS

FEATURING SIDEQUEST,ZACH

EDWARDS,GINO V&JOSH MENARD: Central Pizza&Bar, Broussard, 6p.m

DONALD WRIGHT PIANO: Whiskey &Vine, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson Duson,6 p.m.

MIKEBROUSSARD: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m

HORACE TRAHAN: Rock ’n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.

‘Pride and Prejudice,’ Arthur and Mary are butting against the social norms.”

Hyatt is astudent in the School of Theatre’sMFA program. He comes to the universityfrom Chicago, whereheworkedfor eight years as an actor

“AndIamreally excited to playArthur with his idiosyncrasies,” he said. “He’s not only nerdy,but anxious, which Isee in his navigation to behave in arules-based society, whichissomething very specific to this time.”

This story isn’twithout its complications. Then again, what Jane Austen-related story ever is?

While Arthur is forming a strong attachment to Mary, he’salsobetrothed to his cousin, Anne de Bourgh, through an arranged engagement Does he want this? No. Maybe the more important question is,has he ever wanted it? Never.But he doesn’twant to hurt his cousin.

So,will he marry Anne or be true to hisheart and choose Mary? Drive over to the Reilly Theatre and find out.

Email RobinMiller at romiller@theadvocate. com.

BALL

Continuedfrom page5C

“Thishas been frustratingfor me sinceperforming with my bandand my musical friends has been my life.

“So, Imustnow share this with my fans and friends: I had avisit to theMayo Clinic in Rochester,Minnesota recently,and Ihave finally received some answers, though not theones Ihad hopedfor.I have ALS (Lou Gehrig’sdisease), and Ineed to share thatwith my family, friends, fans and many music collaboratorsand associates.”

She continued, “It is impossible to predict how this ALS diagnosis will impact my life fully.Atthis early stage however,Iknowthatperforming is something Ican no longer do. Ican’tsing.

“Sadly,Ihave canceled all the shows Ihad confirmed for theforeseeable future. The absolute lastthing I wanttodoistocancel shows. My sincere apologies.”

She plans to enter atreatmentprogramatthe University of Texas at San Antonio.

“I am hopeful that the progressionofsymptoms is slow to appear,” shesaid in her statement.“ALShas no

By The Associated Press

TodayisFriday, Nov 7, the 311th day of 2025. There are 54 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Nov.7,1916, Jeannette Rankin of Montana won election to theU.S. House of Representatives,becoming the first woman elected to either chamber of Congress.

Also on this date: In 1917, Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution took place as forces led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin overthrew the provisional government of AlexanderKerensky In 1940, Washington

known cure at this time, but there are afew drugs that may be prescribed.

“My family,circle of friends, and bandmates are providing me support as this news sinks in. Adjustments will be necessary but one thing that won’t change is my love and support for the music community,and you can be sure Iwill be out listening to music every chance Iget.

“Thank youfor your understandingand allowing me the time and space Ineed to make these unexpected life adjustments.”

Ball has for decades lived in Austin, Texas, where she and her husband operated the music club La Zona Rosa. But she hasa long affiliationwith the music of New Orleans. Twoofher formative musical influences were singerIrma Thomas andpianistProfessor Longhair.

Ball formedher first band as an Englishmajor at LSU in Baton Rouge. She would go on to release morethana dozenalbums underher own name, mostly forRounder Records and Alligator Records. She won aslew of BluesMusic Awards. She was aregular at the NewOrleansJazz& Heritage Festival and theJazz Fest-week WWOZ Piano

TODAYINHISTORY

state’soriginal Tacoma Narrows Bridge, nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” collapsed into Puget Sound during awindstorm just four months after opening to traffic.

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented fourth term in office, defeating Republican Thomas E. Dewey In 1972, President Richard Nixon was reelected in alandslide over Democrat George McGovern.

In 1989, L. Douglas Wilder won the governor’s race in Virginia, becoming the first elected Black governor in U.S. history; David N. Dinkins waselected

THROUGH FRIDAY

FANFARE: Southeastern LouisianaUniversity,Hammond. The university’s annual fall festival of the arts, humanities andsocial sciences wraps up on Friday with twoevents: the second night of “The Magic Flute” from SLU’s Opera/Music Theatre Workshop, 7p.m., Columbia Theatrefor the Performing Arts; and Friends of Sims Library17thannual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction, 6:30 p.m Sims Library.https://www.columbiatheatre.org/ fanfare.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY; NOV. 15-16, 2223,28-30 ANDDEC.6-7

LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: 46468 River Road, Hammond.Travel back to 14ththrough 17th-century Europe, an experience with more than 600artisans,entertainers and educational demonstrations. Ticketsstartat $20. larf2023.org.

Night benefit

On the 2007 album “Goin’ Home: ATribute to Fats Domino,” she teamed up withThomas to sing “I Just Can’tGet New Orleans Off My Mind.”

The night before Thanksgiving 2024,she wasamong the featured performers at aThomas tribute concert at Tipitina’s In January,she joined New Orleans-based pianists Jon Cleary,John “Papa” Gros and Oscar Rossignoli fora “Pianorama” show aboard thesecond annual BigEasy Cruise. In the theater aboard the Holland AmericaLine’s Nieuw Amsterdam, she and the other three came onstage one by one for a15-minute interview and solo performance. Then all four joined forces, on four keyboards, to cut loose on apair of Mardi Gras standards.

Duringthe 2025 Jazz Fest, she took part in asalute to zydeco legend Clifton Chenieratthe FairGrounds. Shealsoperformedatthis year’sWWOZ PianoNight and at a“Midnight Preserves” late-night show at Preservation Hall. Email KeithSpera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

New York City’sfirst Black mayor In 1991, basketball star Magic Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and was retiring. In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden clinched victory over President Donald Trump. Today’sbirthdays: Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Kaatis 87. Former singer Johnny Rivers is 83. Singer-songwriterJoni Mitchell is 82. Retired Army general and former CIA Director David Petraeus is 73. Actor Christopher Knight (TV:“The Brady Bunch”) is 68. DJproducer David Guetta is 58. Actor Yunjin Kim is 52. Rock singer Lorde is 29.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY ANTIQUE TRADEDAYS: 9a.m.-5 p.m.,commuter parking lot, East Pine Street at SE Railroad Avenue,Ponchatoula. Morethan 200 local and national vendors with antiques, crafts, artand collectibles; food vendors. https://ponchatoulachamber.com/antique-trade-days/. HOLYGHOST CREOLE FESTIVAL: 788 N. UnionSt., Opelousas.Experience foods likefried catfish or barbecue pork steak, gospel hymns and the Creole FestivalParade; bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. hgcatholic.org BERWICK LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL: 6p.m.-11p.m. Friday,9 a.m.-11 p.m.

sCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov 22) Be aware of people trying to buy or win your favor. Respond honestly and openly, and don't lead anyone astray. Love is on the rise, but so is indulgence. Make healthy physical, emotional and financial choices.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Expect situations to be erratic. Raise your profile by leveraging technology or attending networking functions.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) New beginnings are within reach. Venture out, strut your stuff and connect with people who share your vision. A change of plans will lead to an exceptional source of information.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb 19) A change at home will add to your comfort and encourage you to host a gathering or use your space to suit your needs. Be passionate and outspoken, and you will thrive.

PIsCEs (Feb 20-March 20) Weigh the pros and cons before you make decisions. Work on self-improvement rather than trying to change others. Pay more attention to health and wellness.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Initiate change that puts your mind at ease. Cap your spending, attend to unfinished business and address medical issues. Do what's best for you. Beware of indulgence.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Domestic expenditures that make life easier are favored. Don't sit idle when positive steps are available. Follow your heart

instead of letting someone else dictate what you can and cannot do.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Emotional confusion requires immediate attention or intervention from loved ones. Partnerships can profoundly impact how you proceed. When in doubt, trust whoever has the best track record.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) Implement caution when spending. Don't fall for gimmicks or ads that promise the impossible. Refuse to let emotions stop you from fulfilling your responsibilities.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Step up and out. Explore what life has to offer. Indulge in activities or events that provide mental stimulation and insight into how you can use your skills, assets and experience to raise your profile.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) You may want a second opinion before you make a move or a purchase. Verify information and go through the motions to ensure someone isn't trying to scam you. Don't buy into overpriced products or sales pitches.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Keep your eyes and ears wide open. Take precautions when dealing with joint ventures or shared expenses. It may be in your best interest to move forward on your own.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

CLuE: D EQuALs C

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject 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. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

J.M. Barrie, aScottish author and dramatist who created Peter Pan, said, “I have always found that the man whose secondthoughtsaregoodisworthwatching.” Ahard contract to play correctlyhas anobvious-lookinglinethatdoesn’twork, andanalternativeapproachthatcanalso be tried—which actually does succeed. This deal, as if youcouldnot guess, is an example. South is in threeno-trump. Westleadsthespadequeen.Whatshould declarer do?

That South hand, withall of those aces and kings and the five-card suit, is easily worthatleast24points.NorthusedStayman, thensigned off in three no-trump when Southdenieda four-card major. Yes,fivediamondswouldhavemade,but do not go pastthree no-trump unlessyou areeithersurethatgamecannotmakeor contemplatingaslam in your minor

Southstartswith eight top tricks: two spades, twohearts, three diamonds and one club. And many players, taking one look at that gorgeous diamond suit in the dummy, would win the first trick, cash the diamond ace, play another diamond and go down one. Is there away to win nine tricks even if diamonds do not break3-2? Yes, the heartsmight be 3-3. South, after taking the first trick, shouldlead hislow

heart(or cashhis top hearts and,when both opponents followsuit, play athird round).

Thedefenders take theheart trickand leadanotherspade,butSouthwins,cashes his top hearts and the diamond ace, plays another diamond, and hereclaims nine tricks.

©2025 by NEA,Inc., dist.

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuCtIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAy’s WoRD ZEPPELIns: ZEP-ih-lins: Rigid airships supported by internal gas cells.

Average mark20words Timelimit 45 minutes Can you find 38 or morewords in ZEPPELINS?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —JuBILAnt

PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE PARISH OF LAFAYETTE,STATEOFLOUISIANA, TAKEN AT AREGULAR MEETINGOFNOVEMBER 4, 2025 HELD AT 705 W. UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA.

ATTENDANCE

COUNCIL:Donald Richard(Vice-Chair,District 2), Bryan Tabor (District 1), KenStansbury (District 3) and JohnGuilbeau (District 4)

ABSENT:ABRubin (Chair,District 5)

COUNCIL STAFF:Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of the Council), Jeremy J. Swiney (Associate Clerk for Legislative Affairs) and Cindy M. Semien (Assistant Clerk for Legislative Affairs)

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:Monique B. Boulet (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Financial Officer), Patrick S. Ottinger (City-Parish Attorney) and Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney)

(4:31:00) COMMENCEMENT

Call to order

Vice-Chair Richardcalled the Regular Parish Council Meeting of November 4, 2025 to order

AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Vice-Chair called upon Councilmember Guilbeau to cite the invocation and called upon Councilmember Stansbury,tolead the Pledge of Allegiance.

WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-Chair Richardmade the following announcements:

•Chair Rubin is unable to attend today’smeeting, as Vice-Chair,I will preside; •Inaccordance with La. R.S. 42:19A(1)(b)(cc), an addition of Item 14.5, announcement of Constable vacancy will be requested at the end of the vacancy announcements.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS No Council Announcements were made.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: EXECUTIVE/MAYOR-PRESIDENT’S REPORT

a. Budget-to-ActualComparison of Major Parish Funds –September 2025 Preliminary

Boulet noted that the monthly Budget-to-Actual Comparisons areto comply with statewide auditing procedures.

b. Audit Findings Update –October 2025 Boulet noted that they arerequired monthlytogive an update to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor on the report findings.

Boulet announced that Salute to Service will be held at Moncus Park on November 9th from 3PM– 6PM. She stated that this event is to honor veterans.

Boulet indicated that the E. Broussardand Robley Street groundbreaking willbeheld on November 19th at 10:30 AM.

Boulet stated that therewill be aPARCS GIVINGFood Drive anddonations arebeing collected now until November 20th. Dropoff locations areat theGirardPark Recreation Center,City Hall and all other LCG recreation centers.

Boulet affirmed that Paper Shedding Day will be November 15th at the Robichaux Recreation Center at 1919 Eraste Landry Road.

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: JR-037-2025 Ajoint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council declaring those holidays to be observed by employees of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government for the calendar year 2026, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Stansbury,and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: JR-038-2025 Ajoint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council acknowledging receipt of, and approving the FY 2026 budget submitted by the Lafayette Airport Commission, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Stansbury, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

REPORTS AND/OR DISCUSSION ITEMS

AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Millage Renewal Discussion

Godeaux gave a10-page PowerPoint presentation to the Council. She listed the roadways that the Road &BridgeMaintenance Millage will fund in 2026. Godeaux stated that the Public Health &Safety Millage will fund drainage, animal control, mosquito control, public health units andunincorporated fire protection. She announced that election day is November 15th with early voting going on from November 1st –8th. Godeaux encouraged that citizens go to lafayettela.gov/millage to learn more about theeach millage.

Boulet thanked the Council for their support and efforts.

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: PO-051-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council merging Precinct 61 into Precinct 58, merging Precinct 129 into Precinct12, merging Precinct 131 into Precinct 98, and consolidating Precinct 130 with Precinct 60, all as aresult of and following cavass and confirming the polling places for said precincts as authorized by and in accordance with La. R.S. 18:532 and La. R.S. 18:532.1 of the Louisiana Election Code, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Stansbury, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

JOINT ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA

School Road Extension, Planning and Construction Project No. 50-J28-23-10 in the amount of $2,425,000 and accounting for the required match of $833,333 and appropriating within the Public Works Department,motion to adopt by Tabor,seconded by Stansbury,and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: JO-057-2025

Louisiana Facility Planning and Control for Heymann

Planning and Construction Project No.50-J28-19-02 in the amount of $800,000 and accounting for the required match of $124,834 and appropriating within the PARC Department, motion to adopt by Tabor seconded by Stansbury, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.10: JO-058-2025 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by transferring funds from Lajaunie Road BridgeReplacement Project to existing Frem Boustany Extension Project and transferring funds from Millcreek Drainage Improvements Project,Becky Lane Cross Drain Replacement Project and River Oaks Detention Project to create new Frem Boustany Extension Project, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Tabor,and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY ON BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

AGENDA ITEM NO.11: Avacancy will exist on the Lafayette Parish Library BoardofControlfor a five-year term effective 12-01-2025.

AGENDA ITEM NO.12: Avacancy exists on the Keep Lafayette Beautiful Committee forthe remainder of an unexpiredtwo-year term thru 02-28-2026 and the following two-year term effective 03-01-2026.

AGENDA ITEM NO.13: Twovacancies will exist on the Industrial Development Boardfor six-year termseffective 02-01-2026.

AGENDA ITEM NO.14: Avacancy will exist on the Parish Planning and Zoning Commission for a five-year term effective 02-01-2026.

Individuals wishing to submit aresume for the above volunteer vacancy must be aregistered voter and aresident of Lafayette Parish. Yearly ethics training forall appointees is required as is financial disclosureunder certain circumstances. Resumes aretobeforwarded to Joseph Gordon-Wiltz, Clerk of the Council, P.O. Box 4017-C,Lafayette, LA 70502 or emailed to BCLafayette@LafayetteLA.gov no later than noon, Tuesday,November 18, 2025 with appointment(s) to be made at the Tuesday,December 2, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Lafayette Parish Council. Resumesubmissions arepublic record.

New item added to agenda –Constable Ward 2: The Vice-Chair then announced: “In accordance withLa. R.S. 42:19A(1) (b)(cc) Iamrequesting an item be added to the agenda, by unanimous approval of the members present,toadd Item #14.5, announcement of constable vacancy.”

Motiontoadd item #14.5, Announcement Of Vacancy,inorder to meet thestatutory timeframes for the Parish Council making an appointment to fill the vacancy on November 18th by Tabor,seconded by Stansbury,and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Rubin

ABSTAIN: None

Motion to add item #14.5 was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.14.5: ConstableWard2 Due to resignation, the Parish Council will consider filling avacancy,effective immediately upon appointment, for the Office of Constable for Justice of the Peace Ward 2, Parish of Lafayette. The temporary term is to be filled through the remainder of the current unexpired term,until such time as anew Constableiselected, which is scheduled for November/December 2026.

Individuals wishing to submit aresume for the above vacancy shall be of good moralcharacter,beable to read and write the English language, possess ahighschool diploma or its equivalent as determined by the State BoardofElementaryand SecondaryEducation, and be an elector and resident of the ward or district. Yearly ethics training for all appointees is required as is financial disclosureunder certain circumstances. Resumes aretobeforwarded to Joseph Gordon-Wiltz, Clerk of the Council,P.O Box 4017-C,Lafayette, LA 70502 or emailed to BCLafayette@LafayetteLA. govnolater than noon, Friday,November 14, 2025 with appointment to be made at the Tuesday,November 18, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Lafayette Parish Council. Resume submissions arepublic record.

Guilbeau questioned what necessitated the need to add this item to the agenda.

Richardanswered that the previous constableresigned.

Ottinger explained that Ward 2ConstableBryan Guidry did not notify the SecretaryofState until November 3rdand the appointment must be made by November 24th. He reported that the Council has 20 days to appoint anew constable or the Parish Council will need to call aspecial meeting to announce the vacancy and fill it on November 18th. Ottinger further explained that the Council can also do nothing and allow the Governor to fill the vacancy under R.S. 18:602D.

CONSIDER APPOINTMENT(S) BY THE COUNCIL, AS AWHOLE, TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

AGENDA ITEM NO.15: Appointment of John O’Meara to the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission for afour-year term effective 01-012026. Nominationlist supplied by the Louisiana Restaurant Association. Guilbeau nominated O’Meara, and the vote was as follows: O’MEARA: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau

NAYS: None ABSENT: Rubin ABSTAIN: None John O’Meara was appointed.

AGENDA ITEM NO.16: Appointment of Dr.Vincent June to the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission for afour-year term effective 01-012026. Nominationlist supplied by One Acadiana. Guilbeau nominated June, and the vote was as follows: JUNE: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Dr.Vincent June was appointed.

AGENDA ITEM NO.17: Appointment of Simone Angelle Ancelet to the Lafayette Conventionand Visitors Commission for afour-year term effective 01-01-2026. Applicants must reside in the unincorporated area of the Parish of Lafayette.Tabor nominated Ancelet, and the vote was as follows: ANCELET:Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Simone Angelle Ancelet was appointed.

APPOINTMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/ORANY OTHER DIRECT APPOINTING AUTHORITY

AGENDA ITEM NO.18: Donald Richard, District 2, appointed Johnafort Bernardtothe City-Parish Recreation Advisory Commission for a4-year term effective November 1, 2024.

AGENDA ITEM NO.19: Local Area Mayorsappointed Gerald Breaux to the Lafayette Conventionand Visitor’sCommission for a4-year term effective January 1, 2026.

AGENDA ITEM NO.20: Monique B. Boulet,Mayor-President, appointed

KarenHailtothe Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District for a4-year term effective October1,2025.

AGENDAITEM NO. 21: Monique B. Boulet, Mayor-President, appointed Angelle Pearce to the City-Parish Recreation Advisory Commission for a 4-year term effective November1,2025.

INTRODUCTORYORDINANCES

Amotion to introduce, in globo, items 22 thru 24 wasoffered by Tabor seconded by Stansbury.

22. PO-052-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to enterinto a Cooperative Endeavor Agreementand ActofDonation by and between Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernmentand the FireProtection District No. 6ofthe Parish of Acadia, State of Louisiana concerning the donation of asurplus 2003 tanker fire truck.

23. PO-053-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council providing for the abandonment of acertainportion of aculde-sac right-of-way andthe adjacent five (5’) utility easement bordering said cul-de-saconTract 4ofthe Clark Sherwood Farms Subdivision,located at 121 Smith-Reed Road.

24. PO-054-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operatingbudgetofthe Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by increasing the use of Parishwide FireProtection Fund Prior Year Fund Balance to increase externalappropriations for payroll shortages incurredin October2025.

The Vice-Chair thencalledfor avote to introducethe ordinances (items 22 thru 24),inglobo, andthe vote wasasfollows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard,Stansbury, Guilbeau NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None

Motion to introduce, in globo, was approved.

Item #23 –JeffSpence announced thatitisnot acul-de-sac. He informed the Council thatheand his neighbor maintain the area. Spencestatedthat emergencyvehicleshave access to the area.

JOINT INTRODUCTORYORDINANCES

Amotion to introduce, in globo, items 25 thru 32 wasoffered by Stansbury, seconded by Guilbeau

25. JO-059-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget andadjusting manning tables of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by increasing Fund 6070’suse of Prior Year Fund Balance in the amount of $904 andappropriating within the Office of Finance& Management

26. JO-060-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing the Lafayette MayorPresident to enterinto an agreementbetween the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment andthe State of Louisiana Department of Transportation concerning bridge replacements for State Project No. H.015511 (E. Martial Ave. overcoulee), State Project No. H.015514 (Sarah Dee Pkwy overcoulee) and State Project No. H.015515 (Andover Road overIndianBayou Lateral).

27. JO-061-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernmentby authorizingthe transferof$111,600 in Community Development BlockGrant(CDBG) funds within the Community Development andPlanning Department to Lafayette Public Trust Finance Authority for deferred maintenance at UptownLofts.

28. JO-062-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernmentby authorizing the transferof$120,000 in Community Development BlockGrant(CDBG) funds within the Community Development andPlanning Department to Faith House,Inc.for domestic violence shelter improvements.

29. JO-063-2025A joint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernmentby authorizing the transferof$175,000 in Community Development BlockGrant(CDBG) funds within the Community Development andPlanning Department to Lafayette Habitat for Humanity for improvements to their Housing Construction Center.

30. JO-064-2025A joint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council andthe Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operatingbudgetofthe Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by authorizing the transferof$90,000 in Community Development BlockGrant(CDBG) funds within the Community Development andPlanning Department to SterlingGrove Housing Development, Inc., for improvements to Ed Washington Place Apartments.

31. JO-065-2025A joint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizingthe Lafayette MayorPresident to enterinto aCooperative Endeavor Agreementwith the State of Louisiana andthe Road Home Corporation DBA Louisiana Land Trust for the purpose of participating in the Louisiana Watershed Initiative Mitigation Buyout Programas administeredthrough the State of Louisiana Office of Community Development –Disaster Recovery for the purpose of mitigating repetitive loss structuresnear Graham Brown Memorial Park.

32. JO-066-2025A joint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council andthe Lafayette Parish Council amending the Lafayette CityParish ConsolidatedGovernment Code of Ordinances Chapter 34, “Environment,”Article IV,“Noise

COMMENT(S)

(5:09:00) ADJOURN

There

PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCILMEETINGOFTHE

CITY OF LAFAYETTE, STATEOFLOUISIANA, TAKEN AT AREGULAR

MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2025 HELD AT 705 W. UNIVERSITY

AVENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA.

ATTENDANCE

COUNCIL:Kenneth P. Boudreaux (Chair, District 5),Liz W. Hebert (ViceChair,District 3), Elroy Broussard(District 1), Andy Naquin (District2)and Thomas Hooks (District4)

ABSENT:None

COUNCIL STAFF:Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of the Council), Jeremy J. Swiney (AssociateClerk for Legislative Affairs) and Cindy M. Semien (Assistant Clerk for Legislative Affairs)

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:MoniqueB.Boulet (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Financial Officer), Patrick S. Ottinger (City-Parish Attorney),Paul Escott(Assistant City-Parish Attorney) and Warren Abadie (PublicWorks Director)

(5:31:00) COMMENCEMENT

Call to order

Chair Boudreaux called the Regular City CouncilMeeting of November 4, 2025 to order

AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Chair called upon Councilmember Naquin to cite an invocation and uponCouncilmember Broussardtolead thePledge of Allegiance.

WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Boudreaux recognized Love Our SchoolsExecutive Director Millicent Nugent. Nugent gave updates and informed the Councilofthe Education All Stars Program. She stated that finalists will be revealed in January 2026, andwinners will be honored during Education All-Stars Night at the UL Basketball game on February 7th.

Boudreaux thanked Nugent for the work they aredoing.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCILANNOUNCEMENTS

Naquin announced that LUS’sexpanded customer payment options. He stated that payments can be madeatWalmart’sMoneyCenter, Dollar General, CVS, Walgreens and Office Depot. Naquin reportedthat payments can also be made through PayPal and other digital wallets.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: EXECUTIVE/MAYOR-PRESIDENT’S REPORT

a. Budget-to-Actual Comparison of Major City Funds –September 2025 Preliminary Boulet noted that the monthly Budget-to-Actual Comparisons areto comply with statewide auditing procedures.

b. Audit Findings Update –October 2025

Boulet noted that they arerequired monthlytogivean update to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor on the report findings.

Boulet stated that late fees for LUS customers will be waived for furloughed federal workers and SNAP recipientswho arenot receiving theirbenefits at this time.

Boulet announced that Salute to Service will be held at Moncus Park on November 9th from 3PM–6 PM.She stated that this event is to honor veterans.

Boulet noted that the E. Broussardand Robley Street groundbreaking will be held on November 19th at 10:30 AM.

Boulet stated that therewill be aPARCS GIVING Food Drive and donations arebeing collected now until November 20th. Dropoff locations areat the GirardPark Recreation Center,City Hall and allother LCGrecreation centers.

Scott Feehan, Executive Director of Festival International de Louisiane announced that Festival International is celebrating40yearswith a commemorative book. He stated that he wouldpresent abook to the Council.

RESOLUTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: CR-019-2025A resolution of the Lafayette City Council approving adisbursement of fundstothe Cajundome, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS:Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: JR-037-2025 Ajoint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Councildeclaring those holidays to be observed by employees of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government for the calendar year 2026, motion to adopt by Hebert, seconded by Naquin, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: JR-038-2025 Ajoint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Councilacknowledging receipt of, and approving the FY 2026 budget submitted by the Lafayette Airport Commission, motion to adopt byHebert, seconded by Broussard,and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

REPORTS AND/OR DISCUSSION ITEMS

AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: MillageRenewal Discussion

Hebert stated this week is early voting week that allshouldtake advantage of. She requested the media team to sharethe word with thepublic Godeaux gave a10-page PowerPoint presentation to the Council. She announced that election day is November 15th. Godeaux noted that the millages wereunsuccessful when they wereplaced on theballot in the spring.

Naquin stated that the millages help to lower the fire ratingand it also benefits the quality of life for residents.

Broussardstressed that this is not anew taxbut arenewal tax.

AGENDA ITEMNO. 8: Lafayette Mardi Gras ParadeRoute

Boudreaux requested that the Administration reroutethe Mardi Gras parades through the downtown area. He stressed that the new route is impacted on many issues.

Boudreaux requested the Clerk of the Council to draft aletter that includes:

-Budget impact of the route change

-Budget impact of 90 trees that need to be trimmed

-Budget impact for cleanup

-Budget impact for landscaping replacement

-Budget impact on the anticipated damage to businesses in the area

-The person or groupwho has the authority to change the paraderoutes

-A request to delay consideration of the change

Boudreaux proposed aconsideration for astraight parade routestarting from Holy Rosary,continuing down Johnston Street and ending at Blackham Coliseum. He noted that thiswouldincrease the standing capacity by 30%.

Ottinger informed all that there is no ordinance relativetothe route of parades.

Boulet stated that the Council is welcome to the discussionsand that the decision to change the route was not made to leave out the Northsidebut about enhancing the Mardi Gras experience in the most logistical way Broussardstressed that thereisanaversion to change.

Naquin stated that he agrees with Boudreaux and the Administration should take astep back beforemoving forward.

Paul Trouard, Interim Chief of Police, announced that therewill be 22 officers placed in the downtown area and that the Police Department is prepared if any situation arises.

Three (3) citizens signed in support but did not wish to speak.

Bill Leyendecker

William Kaufman signed in but passed his turntospeak. Kevin Blanchard, CEO of Downtown Development Authority,noted that thereare good opportunities but concerns about the barricades and sidewalk usage.

Albert Babineauxstressed that communication could have been better ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: CO-119-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Councilauthorizingthe Lafayette Mayor-President to enter into an Act of Donation by and between the Friends of the Lafayette Police Mounted Unit and the City of Lafayette accepting the donation of the horse namedSouth Ridge Augustus(Gus) to be used by the Lafayette Police Department (Police Horse), if necessary,motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, andthe vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: CO-120-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Councilamending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Government by increasingrevenues in the amount of $22,155 received from the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration “DEA” in reference to an existing taskforce agreement and appropriating within theLafayette Police Department, motion to adopt by Broussard, seconded by Naquin, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS:None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: CO-121-2025 An ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Councildeclaring the Bertrand Drive Project apublic necessity and authorizing the acquisition of the necessary rights-of-way,immovable property and other property rights requisite to the construction of said project, either on an amicable basis or through the proper use of the expropriation process, if necessary,,motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded byHooks, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 12: CO-122-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Councilamending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasingrevenues in the amount of $30,620 received from the National Park Service through the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development Division of Historic Preservation appropriating Comprehensive Plan Implementation Funds within the Community Development &Planning Department in the amount of $20,072 as the required match for the Historic Preservation Fund Grant, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, andthe vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

JOINT ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 13: JO-056-2025 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette City Counciland the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing reimbursementrevenues from State of Louisiana Facil ty Planning and Control for Lake Farm to VerotSchool Road Extension, Planning and Construction Project No. 50-J28-23-10 in the amount of $2,425,000 and accounting for therequiredmatch of $833,333 and appropriating within the Public WorksDepartment, if necessary,motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, andthe vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 14: JO-057-2025 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette City Counciland the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasingreimbursement revenues from State of Louisiana Facility Planning and Control for HeymannPark Improvements, Planning and Construction Project No. 50-J28-19-02 in the amount of $800,000 and accounting for therequiredmatch of $124,834 and appropriating within thePARCDepartment, motion to adopt by Broussard, seconded by Naquin, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 15: JO-058-2025 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette City Counciland the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by transferring funds from Lajaunie Road Bridge Replacement Project to existing Frem BoustanyExtension Project andtransferringfunds from Millcreek Drainage Improvements Project, Becky Lane Cross Drain ReplacementProject andRiver OaksDetention Project to create new Frem BoustanyExtension Project, motion to adoptbyHebert, seconded by Hooks, andthe vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

AGENDA ITEM NO. 16: Five (5) vacancies exist on the Transportation Policy Committee (thegoverning board for the Metropolitan Planning Organization)effective immediately Applicants must be either 1) local elected officials, 2) officials of public agencies that administer or operate major modes of transportation in the metropolitan area, including representation by providers of public transportation.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 17: Avacancy will exist on the BoardofZoning Adjustment for athree-year term effective 02-01-2026. This is an alternate appointment. Applicants must own property in the Parish of Lafayette and reside within the City of Lafayette.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 18: Avacancy will exist on the City Planning and Zoning Commission for a five-year term effective 01-07-2026. Applicants must reside within the City of Lafayette Individuals wishing to submitaresumefor the abovevolunteer vacancies must be aregistered voter and aresident of Lafayette Parish. Yearly ethics training for allappointeesisrequiredasis financial disclosureunder certain circumstances. Resumes aretobeforwarded to Joseph Gordon-Wiltz Clerk of the Council, P.O. Box 4017-C,Lafayette, LA 70502 or emailed to BCLafayette@LafayetteLA.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, November 18, 2025 with appointment(s) to be made at the Tuesday, December 2, 2025 RegularMeeting of the Lafayette City Council. Resume submissions are public record.

CONSIDER APPOINTMENT(S) BY THE COUNCIL, AS AWHOLE, TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

AGENDA ITEM NO. 19: Appointment of Phillip Rollins to the Keep Lafayette Beautiful Committee for the remainder of an unexpiredtwo-year term thru 11-30-2026. Naquinnominated Rollins, and the vote was as follows: ROLLINS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Phillip Rollinswas appointed.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 20: Appointment of Benjamin St. Cyr to the Boardof Zoning Adjustment for theremainder of an unexpired five-year term thru 06-30-2029. Applicants must own property in the Parish of Lafayette and reside within the City of Lafayette Hebert nominated St. Cyr,and the vote

was as follows: ST.CYR: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Benjamin St. Cyrwas appointed.

APPOINTMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/ OR ANY OTHER DIRECT APPOINTING AUTHORITY

AGENDA ITEM NO. 21: Andy Naquin, District 2, appointed Louis“T-Boy” Gilbert to the Lafayette Commission on Crime Prevention for afour-year term effective September 1, 2024.

AGENDA

term effectiveJune 1, 2025.

Hebert requested additional informationabout meeting times forthe Lafayette Commission on Crime Prevention. She stressed that the commission is defunct as meetingshave not been held forseveral years. Boudreaux questioned if it is still alegitimatecommission within our government INTRODUCTORYORDINANCES

Amotiontointroduce agenda items 23 thru 28, in globo, wasoffered by Hebert,seconded by Hooks.

23. CO-123-2025 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending theLafayette Development Code so as to reclassify Case No. 2025-10-AZONPontiacPoint to Louisiana Avenue, and Surrey Street to East Simcoe Street AdministrativeRezoning, located generally northofLouisiana Avenue, east of ParkAvenue, and southofEast Simcoe Street;1000, 1002, 1002 1/2 ,1102 &1106 East Simcoe Street,229, 307, 313, 319, 323, 401 &407 Surrey Street,1007, 1011, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1023, 1024 &1026 EighthStreet,1012, 1014, 1018, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1030, 1035 & 1050 NinthStreet,800 Block, 803, 805, 807, 809, 903, 905 &907 Louisiana Avenue being rezoned from CH (Commercial-Heavy) to MN-2 (Mixed-Use Neighborhood) and 1000 Block (1), 1000 Block (2), 1006 &1008 East Simcoe Street,217 SurreyStreet,and 1046 NinthStreet being rezoned from CH (Commercial-Heavy) to CM-2 (Commercial Mixed).

24. CO-124-2025 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending theLafayette Development Code so as to reclassify the property of Case No. 2025-20-REZ 520 SouthMagnolia Street Rezoning, located generally northofTenth Street,west of South Magnolia Street,and southofLouisiana Avenue; being rezoned from RS-1(ResidentialSingle-Family)toMN-1(Mixed-Use Neighborhood).

25. CO-125-2025 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending theLafayette Development Code and theofficial map of theCity of Lafayette,providing forthe annexationofadditional land into thecorporatelimits of theCity of Lafayette, Louisiana, Case No. 2025-21-REZ 100 Block TarponStreet Annexation, located generally northofArchangel Drive, west of Harvest Drive, and southofVieux Orleans Circle;and assigning azoning classificationofRS-2(ResidentialSingle-Family)(District 4).

26. CO-126-2025 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending theLafayette Development Code and theofficial map of theCity of Lafayette,providing forthe annexationofadditional land into thecorporatelimits of theCity of Lafayette,Louisiana, Case No. 2025-23-REZ 204 Sweet RitaLane Annexation(Lot 5-A), located generally northofCassandraLane, east of theYoungsville Highway,and southofSweet Rita Lane; and assigning azoning classificationofRS-1(ResidentialSingle-Family)(District 4).

27. CO-127-2025 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending Ordinance No. O-236-2017 of theLafayette CityParishCouncil to provide veterans residing in Lafayette Parish with a25% discount on weekday green fees at themunicipal golf courses, namely: Jay &Lionel Hebert Municipal, Les Vieux Chenes, and theWetlands.

28. CO-128-2025 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil to amend Section82-111 “Generally,” of Article III, “City of Lafayette Sales and Use Tax,” Division 3, “Exemptions and Exclusions” of Chapter 82, “Taxation” of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government Code of Ordinances to exempt from local sales and use taxeslevied by theCity of Lafayette as to repairs and maintenance performed on aircraft at Lafayette Regional Airport. The Chair then calledfor avotetointroduce theordinances (items 23 thru 28), in globo, and thevotewas as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

Motiontointroduce, in globo, was approved.

Item #23 –Boudreaux stressed that allresidentsand ownersimpacted need to be informed of therezoning.

JOINT INTRODUCTORYORDINANCES

Amotiontointroduce agenda items 29 thru 36, in globo, wasoffered by Naquin, seconded by Hebert

29. JO-059-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil amending theFY25/26 operating budget and adjusting manning tables of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing Fund 6070’suse of Prior Year Fund Balance in theamount of $904 and appropriatingwithin theOffice of Finance &Management

30. JO-060-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil authorizing theLafayette MayorPresident to enter into an agreement between theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government and theState of Louisiana Department of Transportationconcerning bridge replacementsfor StateProject No. H.015511 (E.MartialAve. over coulee),State Project No. H.015514 (Sarah Dee Pkwy over coulee) and State Project No. H.015515 (Andover Road over IndianBayou Lateral).

31. JO-061-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil amending theFY25/26 operating budget of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by authorizing thetransfer of $111,600 in CommunityDevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) funds within theCommunityDevelopment and Planning Department to Lafayette Public Trust Finance Authorityfor deferred maintenance at UptownLofts.

32. JO-062-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil amending theFY25/26 operating budget of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by authorizing thetransfer of $120,000 in CommunityDevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) funds within theCommunityDevelopment and Planning Department to FaithHouse, Inc.for domestic violence shelterimprovements.

33. JO-063-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil amending theFY25/26 operating budget of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by authorizing thetransfer of $175,000 in CommunityDevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) funds within theCommunityDevelopment and Planning Department to Lafayette Habitat forHumanityfor improvementstotheir Housing ConstructionCenter

34. JO-064-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil amending theFY25/26 operating budget of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by authorizing thetransfer of $90,000 in CommunityDevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) funds within theCommunityDevelopment and Planning Department to Sterling Grove Housing Development, Inc., forimprovementstoEdWashington Place Apartments.

35. JO-065-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil authorizing theLafayette MayorPresident to enter into aCooperativeEndeavor Agreement with theState of Louisiana and theRoad Home CorporationDBA Louisiana Land Trust forthe purpose of participatinginthe Louisiana Watershed InitiativeMitigationBuyout Program as administered through theState of Louisiana Office of Community Development –Disaster Recoveryfor thepurpose of mitigating repetitiveloss structuresnear Graham BrownMemorialPark.

36. JO-066-2025 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil amending theLafayette CityParishConsolidated Government Code of Ordinances Chapter 34, “Environment,” Article IV,“Noise Control,” Section34-370, “Enforcement and Penalties” to hold persons who own, manage, operateorotherwisecontrolpropertyresponsible fornoise violations.

The Chair then calledfor avotetointroduce theordinances (items 29 thru 36), in globo, and thevotewas as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motiontointroduce, in globo, was approved. (7:45:00) ADJOURN Therebeing no furtherbusiness to come beforethe Council, Chair Boudreaux declared theRegular Meeting adjourned.

/s/Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL