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Attacks begin in race for U.S. Senate
Cassidy releases ad targeting Letlow as polls put her in lead BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
SEN. BILL CASSIDY R-BATON ROUGE
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow are suddenly engaged in a pitched battle as Cassidy tries to fend off her and other Republican challengers in his race for reelection this year. On Saturday, a super PAC supporting Cassidy launched a TV ad that slammed “liberal Letlow.” The ad linked Letlow to two leading Democrats — former President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — and accused her of voting with Biden more than any of the other four Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. On Sunday, Letlow responded by playing her strongest card. “I am so proud to have earned the endorsement of President Donald Trump, and now I’ll continue fighting alongside him to secure our borders and to continue to grow our economy,” Letlow posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. She also said: “Well, it didn’t take long for Bill Cassidy and his never-Trumper, pro-impeachment allies to begin attacking me.” The opening salvo by the pro-Cassidy super PAC, Louisiana Freedom Fund, and Letlow’s response took place nearly two weeks before candidates qualify for the race over a threeday period beginning on Feb. 11. The closed Republican primary — which also allows unaffiliated voters to participate Fleming — is on May 16. Three different polls show Cassidy trailing in head-to-head races against Letlow and another Republican challenger, state Treasurer John Fleming. Besides Letlow and Fleming, three other Republicans have also announced intentions to run in the Senate race: state Sen. Blake Miguez, Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta and St. Tammany Parish Council member Kathy Seiden. No major Democratic office holder has announced plans to run yet. Pearson Cross, a political science
Steakhouse will be at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel
Staff writer
REP. JULIA LETLOW R-BATON ROUGE FILE PHOTOS
Staff writer
Emeril Lagasse is partnering with L’Auberge Casino & Hotel to open a steakhouse in Baton Rouge. Famed chef and restaurateur Lagasse was raised in Massachusetts and has cooked in kitchens across the world, from Paris, France, to New York — and, of course, in New Orleans, where his current restaurant earned two Michelin stars. Set to open later this year, Emeril’s Chop House in L’Auberge will be his take on the classic American steakhouse. The new restaurant will have 175 seats with a private dining room, bar and lounge area.
WEATHER HIGH 69 LOW 47 PAGE 6B
BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer
STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge is partnering with chef Emeril Lagasse to open a steakhouse. “With Emeril’s Chop House, we are excited to create a restaurant that delivers the very best — exceptional steaks, the freshest seafood, signature dishes you won’t find anywhere
else, and handcrafted cocktails that complete the dining experience,” Lagasse said in a news release. “It’s about the best
ä See EMERIL, page 5A
Two of the inmates who broke out of a north Louisiana prison last week — both being held there for crimes committed in Baton Rouge — took a school bus and led officers on a high-speed chase into Arkansas before being apprehended, authorities said. An East Carroll Parish resident says he later “They lost held another two escapees at gunpower; point until deputhey lost ties arrived to everything. take them into As a result of custody. that, those Two more were found nearby in inmates Mississippi, one were there in Alexandria and without another within a heat, without few miles of the electricity.” facility. Louisiana State KOFI DARDEN, Police said all East Carroll eight inmates Parish Police who broke out of Jury vice Riverbend Detenpresident tion Center near Lake Providence early Friday morning were considered violent offenders, including four being held on murder charges. Four were accused of crimes in East Baton Rouge and one in Lafayette. East Carroll Parish Sheriff Wydette Williams said Sunday that the ice storm that swept through the region days earlier played a role in the escape. The detention center had lost power but was running on generators at the time, he said. Williams declined to release additional details, but one local official said the breakout may have begun with a disturbance after the
ä See ESCAPEES, page 5A
More arrests coming after parade shooting 16-year-old charged as an adult
BY MADDIE SCOTT
Weather may be to blame for East Carroll jailbreak
BY AIDAN McCAHILL
ä See SENATE, page 7A
Emeril opening restaurant in BR
Officials: North La. escapees stole bus
The 16-year-old arrested in the shooting at the Clinton Mardi Gras parade on Saturday — which injured five people, including a 6-year-old girl — will be charged as an adult, while a fourth person was arrested Monday in the incident. At a court hearing Monday, it was determined that Malik Liggins would be moved to an adult detention center, according to East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis. “Considering the nature of the offense and the charges that were presented under the children’s code, Article 305, we’re able to
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move the proceeding from a juvenile court to an adult court,” Travis said. Liggins is accused of counts of attempted second-degree murder, reckless discharge of a firearm at a parade or demonstration, and obstruction of justice. Phillip “Choppa” Williams, 25, was arrested in Baton Rouge on Monday by the Louisiana State Police Fugitive Task Force on the same counts, Travis said. Williams has prior convictions of aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated criminal damage in Baton Rouge. Williams is the fourth person to be arrested in the shooting. Noah Basquine, 19, of Ethel, was arrested Saturday on the same counts as Liggins and Williams.
ä See SHOOTING, page 7A
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