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Iran names son to succeed slain leader
Assembly of Experts, a group of clerics over all matters of state. He will serve Mojtaba Khamenei backed as war toll grows that selects the supreme leader. State as commander-in-chief of the military TV read a statement from the assembly and powerful paramilitary Revolution-
BY JON GAMBRELL, SAM METZ, KAREEM CHEHAYEB and SAMY MAGDY
M. Khamenei
The younger Khamenei, who had not been seen or heard from publicly since the war started, had long been considAssociated Press ered a contender for the post, even beDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Mojtaba fore an Israeli strike killed Ayatollah Khamenei, a son of Iran’s late supreme Ali Khamenei, and despite never being leader, has been named his successor, elected or appointed to a government Iranian state TV announced early Mon- position. The announcement came after signs day, as the war that began a little over a week ago with his father’s killing took a of a rift among Iranian officials as the country awaited a decision by the 88-seat dramatic turn.
saying he was selected based on “strong” votes and urging the nation to unite behind him. The station broadcast scenes of people celebrating in parts of Tehran. There has been only one other transfer of power in the office of supreme leader since the Islamic Revolution almost a half-century ago. A secretive figure, the 56-year-old Khamenei now stands at the heart of Iran’s theocracy and will have final say
‘People will remember his music forever’ Lafayette artist Dege Legg honored with mural
ary Guard. He also has authority over a stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be used to build a nuclear weapon, if he chooses to decree it. The selection of Khamenei faces the likelihood of U.S. criticism. “(Ali) Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” President Donald Trump has said. “We want someone that will bring harmony
ä See LEADER, page 4A
Does higher education in La. need overhaul?
Colleges struggling with enrollment stagnation, budget challenges
BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer
Dege Legg still receives mail at his studio on Garfield Street in Lafayette, according to the late artist’s neighbor, painter Herb Roe. His band, Brother Dege & The Brethren, is getting ready to release a new album with Legg’s final songs. Last year, the documentary “A Hard Row to Hoe” was released to fans around the world, shining a light on the eloquence of the rocker’s music and philosophy. And on Sunday, a mural featuring Legg’s signature craggy stare and Dobro guitar was unveiled in Lafayette, giving fans, friends and family a place to permanently memorialize the musician, because two years after his death, it’s clear that Brother Dege won’t be disappearing any time soon. Sunday was the two-year anniversary of the artist’s death at the age of 56. Legg lived and worked at the motley collection of studios at 625 Garfield St., where his portrait
BY HALEY MILLER and MARIE FAZIO
Staff writers
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
Artists Kathy Dumesnil, from left, Herb Roe, Miguel Lasala, Susan David, Roz LeCompte and John Zant stand in front of their mural of Dege Legg before the ä See LEGG, page 4A dedication Sunday at Warehouse Studios in Lafayette.
Between the LSU system, the University of Louisiana system and the Southern University system, students have 18 public schools — and 12 more within the Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges System — to choose from when considering where to earn a degree in the Bayou State. Some Louisiana officials and higher education leaders say it’s time to reevaluate: Is that simply too many colleges, at least in their current form, for a state of approximately 4.6 million people? “If you look at those metrics per pupil, it’s hard,” LSU system President Wade Rousse said at a news conference in February. “It’s hard to understand how it all works and how it’s sustainable.” As the purpose and return on investment of higher education faces scrutiny on the federal and state level, Louisiana legislators have debated what to do with the state’s sprawling system of postsecondary options. And that debate could play a role in the upcoming legislative session that starts Monday. “As someone born and raised in Louisi-
ä See HIGHER, page 5A
Opelousas Junior to merge with high school Poor performance results draw state intervention
School Board voted to make the decision during a Thursday meeting. The motion to merge passed with near-unanimous support, with one abstention from District 5 board member Bianca BY JOEL THOMPSON J. Vedell. The two schools are Staff writer planned to merge into a consoliOpelousas Junior High School dated school beginning in the will officially be merging with 2026-27 school year on OpelouOpelousas Senior High School sas Senior High’s current camafter the St. Landry Parish pus on Judson Walsh Drive.
WEATHER HIGH 80 LOW 67 PAGE 10C
The School Board was initially given an ultimatum by Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley to either consolidate the two schools or have Opelousas Junior High taken over by the state through its Recovery School District program. The junior high received an F letter grade from the Louisiana Department of Education for six consecutive years, making it eligible for state intervention
through the RSD. Many schools taken over by the RSD become charter schools, which many local education leaders in St. Landry Parish said they found unacceptable. “We don’t want to lose our students to the RSD,” said District 2 board member Joyce Haynes. “We do have to realize the school
ä See MERGE, page 5A
STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
University of Louisiana at Lafayette students cross St. Mary Boulevard on campus in the rain.
Classified .....................5A Deaths .........................4B Nation-World ................2A Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Opinion ........................2B Commentary ................3B Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
101ST yEAR, NO. 252