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U.S. sinks Iranian warship
Fans pack ballpark in Lafayette for showdown between UL and LSU
Iran vows widespread destruction in region BY JON GAMBRELL, ELENA BECATOROS and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran launched missiles at Israel early Thursday as aerial attacks in the Middle East commenced for a sixth day after an American submarine sank an Iranian warship and Iran threatened the destruction of military and economic infrastructure across the region. Israel announced multiple ä More incoming attacks, coverage of and air sirens the conflict. sounded in Tel PAGE 5A Aviv and Jerusalem shortly after the Israeli military said it had begun new strikes in Lebanon targeting the Iranianbacked Hezbollah militant group in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The fighting continued after the U.S. and Israel intensified their bombardment of Iran on Wednesday. The tempo of the strikes on Iran was so intense that state television announced the mourning ceremony for Iranian Supreme Leader
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE
A sellout crowd fills the seats at M.L. ‘Tigue’ Moore Field in Lafayette on Wednesday to watch the University of Louisiana at Lafayette host LSU. The Cajuns gave the fans something to cheer about as they jumped on LSU for three runs in the first inning and never trailed, earning a 7-2 victory over the No. 2 ranked Tigers. ä Complete coverage in Sports, 1C.
ä See WARSHIP, page 7A
Federal program changes could squeeze La. budget Medicaid, food stamps overhaul generating concerns
the alarm about how the Trump administration’s public benefits overhaul could squeeze Louisiana’s budget — both during the coming year and in future budget cycles. Top Louisiana lawmakers say BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN the state’s congressional delegaStaff writer tion is working to minimize the Louisiana is expected to spend financial burden of the One Big an extra $42 million to adminis- Beautiful Bill Act, and some exter food stamps next year under pressed skepticism that all the a provision in President Donald law’s provisions would stand in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill the long-term. Act. “Before I would hit the panic And another $1.1 billion in button, I would call our congresMedicaid funding could be at sional delegation, call our folks risk because of the law, accordä See BUDGET, page 8A ing to critics, who are sounding
WEATHER HIGH 83 LOW 68 PAGE 6B
Cassidy
Senate race heating up with flurry of attack ads BY TYLER BRIDGES
ELECTION 2026
Staff writer
Letlow
Fleming
First impressions count, and that explains why U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and an allied group are launching attacks on U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow now that the Senate campaign is formally underway. A pro-Cassidy super PAC has been hitting Letlow for a month with TV, radio and digital ads that tie her to former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because of stock trades she failed to disclose and to former President Joe Biden because of some votes in Congress. The early beneficiaries of the attacks appear to be Cassidy and Treasurer John
U.S. SENATE
Fleming, who is pitching himself as the most conservative among the three Republican candidates. The pro-Cassidy ads label her “Liberal Letlow” in an effort to tarnish her conservative credentials in advance of the May 16 Republican primary. Letlow has responded with an ad that plays her strongest card, her endorsement by President Donald Trump. For now, Cassidy’s side has a huge money
Business ......................4A Commentary ................5B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................6D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-5D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
ä See SENATE, page 7A
101ST yEAR, NO. 248
UNCAGED: BUILDING BEYOND THE BLUFF Carlos Funchess: Head Coach - Women’s Basketball
JAG-A-THON
MARCH 27, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM LEON R. TARVER II CULTURAL & HERITAGE CENTER
JAGUARS STAND UNITED
Kevin Johnson: Head Coach - Men’s Basketball
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT Gojagsports.com
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