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S u n d ay, J a n u a ry 25, 2026
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MINNEAPOLIS
Federal agent shoots, kills man during protests as tensions escalate, Minnesota deploys National Guard to scene
staFF PHotos By MICHaeL JoHNsoN
Mike VII lounges in the grass at LsU’s tiger habitat in Baton rouge on Monday. Daily care for the only live tiger mascot in the U.s. is entrusted to two LsU veterinary school students.
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MINNEAPOLIS — A federal immigration officer shot and killed a man Saturday in Minneapolis, drawing hundreds of protesters onto the frigid streets and ratcheting up tensions in a city already shaken by another fatal shooting weeks earlier. Family members identified the man who was killed as Alex Pret- ä Man killed ti, a 37-year-old intensive care in Minneapolis unit nurse who had protested was ICU nurse, President Donald Trump’s im- family says. migration crackdown in his city. After the shooting, an angry PaGe 5a crowd gathered and protesters clashed with federal immigration officers, who wielded batons and deployed flash bangs. The Minnesota National Guard was assisting local police amid growing protests at the direction of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, officials said. Guard
‘A strong bond’
Inside the LsU vet student job responsible for live tiger mascot Mike VII BY HALEY MILLER staff writer
The tiger stalked his caretaker, fixing his gaze on her while her back was turned. Then he froze. Wiggled his hindquarters. Waited a breath ... And bounded forward, stopping just short of the towering metal fence surrounding his enclosure. “Sweetie, I love you, I love you,” the caretaker cooed as she touched his muzzle through the fence. Mike VII chuffed, a happy snorting sound to show, despite his predator stance a moment ago, they were all friends. The relationship between human and tiger developed with time, care and sacrifice — necessary for one of the most demanding jobs on the LSU campus. Baylee Weems and Madison Vicknair, students at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, will pass the torch this spring to the next duo responsible for the wellbeing of the only live tiger mascot in the U.S. “We formed such a strong bond,” Weems said. “I can’t really say he’s my pet, but I love him as if he were my pet.” Though many veterinary students
BY JACK BROOK, STEVE KARNOWSKI and REBECCA SANTANA
ä see MINNEAPOLIS, page 4A
Corruption arrests cast shadow on BR politics Four people indicted; sitting council member implicated
BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER staff writer
LsU student Baylee Weems, one of two caretakers, takes a moment with Mike VII at the tiger habitat on Monday. express interest in the tiger keeper role, the realities of the job tend to narrow down the candidate pool, LSU Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Ginger Guttner said. One student must always be within 30 minutes of Baton Rouge in case of an emergency. In addition to feed-
ing and socializing with Mike, the caretakers pick up trash in his enclosure, manage his food and supplies inventory and provide enrichment activities. The students juggle those tasks
ä see BOND, page 3A
The arrests and indictments have come fast. The investigation behind them has not. In a one-week span, four people have been indicted and a sitting council member has been implicated in an investigation of allegations that Baton Rouge public officials accepted bribes and used their positions to funnel government funds. The recent events come six weeks after Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office charged a local developer with financial crimes related to public funds and document fraud.
ä see SHADOW, page 3A
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