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Legal experts weigh in on case against Cole What prosecutors need to prove considered BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

BURSTING

AT THE SEAMS Meta data center packing hotels, new RV parks BY TYLER BRIDGES

Staff writer

Jerry House needed a job. House had worked as a pipefitter for 10 years in Texas, but after the plant shut down last year, he called a buddy who said the giant Meta data center being built in northeast Louisiana needed all kinds of skilled laborers. House went to a union hall, took a test to determine his ability and by Easter this year had a job working on one of the biggest construction projects in the United States. House, 58, now works 50 hours a week and lives at the Cotton RV Park, a couple “I hope to Patch of miles from the data be here center, known as Hyanother perion. It’s not a glamorous three or four years.” life. The RVs are stationed on a gravel lot JERRy HOUSE, that used to be a cotton field in an unincorpoMeta data rated community called center construction Holly Ridge. The closest bars, restaurants worker and nighttime entertainment are at least 30 minutes away. But the money is very good. Workers said they are making 11/ 2 to 2 times as much as on their previous jobs but didn’t want to provide speciﬁcs. “I hope to be here another three or four years,” House said, sitting at a picnic table where workers who live at the RV park gather after quitting time

WEATHER HIGH 99 LOW 76 PAGE 8B

When Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office presented a grand jury with charges against LaMont Cole — Baton Rouge’s schools superintendent and former Metro Council leader — they secured indictments on money laundering, malfeasance in office and two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, but not bribery itself. That distinction is important, legal experts say, because it means prosecutors won’t actually have to prove that Cole received money from a bribe. Instead, Murrill’s team will need to show two things happened in order to prove the conspiracy: First, that Cole and his Cole alleged co-conspirators agreed to set up a bribe and, second, that they took some step toward executing a bribe — even if investigators can’t find the money itself. Cole’s text messages with his close friend TJ Jackson, who was also charged as a co-conspirator, were published by

ä See CASE, page 4A

SpaceX stirs real estate market STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Dunn Village, a recreation center where Meta data center workers spend their free time, features multiple recliners, sofas and televisions. TOP: A crane lifts material onto a building where crews are working on the Meta data center grounds in Holly Ridge in Richland Parish on Aug. 4. to drink beer, socialize and order meals from a food truck. House joined thousands of fortuneseeking workers who are transforming rural Richland Parish, posing an extraordinary challenge of where to temporarily house all of them for what might only be a short-term gold rush as the data center gets built. Gov. Jeff Landry announced in July that Meta is expanding its investment at Hyperion to $50 billion, from $10 billion. The data center, whose massive computational capacity is designed to power Meta during the AI revolution, will now occupy ﬁve square miles and is scheduled to be fully operational in 2036. All

Prospective buyers flocking to Vermilion

BY ADAM DAIGLE

Acadiana business editor

of this is taking place in a parish with only 19,500 residents according to a 2025 census estimate. Local ofﬁcials estimate that 8,000 to 10,000 workers are laboring to build it. Many of them live at several dozen newly created RV camps in Richland Parish that enterprising residents have established on plots of land, big and small, that they own. The Richland Parish Police Jury faced pushback after recently prohibiting residents from putting four or more trailers on their property without providing bathrooms and showers on-site.

A 14-acre tract on the north side of Kaplan has sat empty for decades, despite being ready for development. Ricky LeBlanc and a business partner bought the property several years ago and proposed building 40 mobile homes there, but city ofﬁcials rejected the plan. Nothing happened after that until LeBlanc got a call from the previous owner, longtime city engineer Gene Sellers, about six months ago that changed everything. “He said, ‘Did you hear anything about SpaceX?’” LeBlanc said. “I didn’t know if it was going to happen. He said, ‘It’s going to happen. There’s no doubt. Look, you’re going to have a hell of an opportunity.’” Now, with Gov. Jeff Landry expected

ä See META, page 6A

ä See SPACEX, page 4A

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2A ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Trump asks court to nix BBC’s bid for records

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has urged a federal judge to reject the BBC’s request for the court’s help in securing testimony and documents from three family members in response to his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British broadcaster. The BBC is trying to gain “politically-driven leverage” over Trump by serving subpoenas on daughter Ivanka Trump, son-inlaw Jared Kushner and son Donald Trump Jr., personal lawyers for the Republican president argued in a court filing Friday. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Kuntz in Miami did not immediately rule on the dispute. Kuntz, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, inherited the president’s lawsuit from another judge less than a week ago. Court filings did not immediately specify a reason for the case’s reassignment. The previous judge has set a February trial date. In May, a process server working for the BBC tried to serve subpoenas on Ivanka Trump and Kushner at their residence but encountered Secret Service agents who said they were not authorized to accept it, according to the president’s lawyers. They said the process server also visited Trump Tower in New York several days later in a failed attempt to serve Donald Trump Jr. In a court filing last week, the broadcaster asked for the court’s permission to serve subpoenas on Trump’s family members by certified mail instead of in person. Trump’s lawsuit, filed in December, accuses the BBC of deceptively editing portions of the speech that he delivered near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters attacked the Capitol to stop Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s victory over Trump. The suit claims the BBC spliced together separate parts of Trump’s speech to intentionally misrepresent what he said.

Scores kidnapped from mosque in Nigeria

A number of people were kidnapped from a mosque in a spree of abductions at several villages in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state, police said Saturday. The assailants attacked a mosque in Kpenya village after attacks in a string of villages in the remote Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state Friday, police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said. Such attacks are common in Nigeria, where multiple armed groups operate, killing and kidnapping people for ransom. The groups sometimes clash in competition with each other. No group has claimed responsibility for the Friday attacks. Abiodun did not provide ﬁgures but said no lives were lost in the Friday attacks, and said the military was deployed to the area. Residents said scores of people were abducted, with some estimating between 60 and 80 people were kidnapped. A search for survivors was underway Saturday.

Donkey jumps into van in Germany, injuring 3

BERLIN — A donkey on the loose in northern Germany attacked two motorists by jumping into their van on Friday, kicking and biting them along with a third woman who tried to help restrain the aggressive equine, police said. The incident south of the coastal city of Cuxhaven came to an end as the animal’s owner intervened to secure the animal, Cuxhaven police said in a statement. Passersby noticed the donkey, whose name is Freddy, and a horse were running loose at a roundabout in the town of Holssel. The motorists tried to secure the donkey, which “became very aggressive” and jumped into the van. The 33-year-old woman who tried to help required hospital treatment, while the motorists sustained minor injuries, the police statement said. “The reason for the animal’s aggressive reaction is still unclear,” the statement said.

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U.S., Canada fall deeper into trade war Trump imposes tariffs as talks collapse and blame is spread

BY PAUL WISEMAN and ROB GILLIES Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The United States and Canada, historic allies along an undefended border, fell deeper into a trade war Saturday marked by angry recriminations and new tariffs that are expected to raise prices for products in both countries. Each side blamed the other for the collapse of negotiations in Washington late Friday, leading the U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods and Canada setting Sept. 8 as the start of its retaliatory penTrump alties. President Donald Trump’s import taxes will hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. Prime Minister Carney said Ottawa would respond with targeted tariff protection for industries exposed to the new U.S. duties, including some steel products. He also mentioned the dairy, appliance, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper and electronics sectors.

CANADIAN PRESS PHOTO By PATRICK DOyLE

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks about Canada’s response to new U.S. tariffs during a news conference on Saturday on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. No further talks were planned. Whatever the eventual outcome, a loss of trust seems one of the earliest casualties. Carney accused Washington of using “economic integration as a weapon” and said “its signature was written in pencil.” Resorting to the language of battle, he said his country had been “attacked” by the new American tariffs. “You’re at war when you get attacked,” he said, adding that Canada had the reserves, resilience and plan to respond. But to Trump’s chief trade negotiator, Jamieson Greer, the U.S. was compelled to act after a year of

retaliation by its longtime partner. “We’ve said enough, and so we’ve taken countermeasures. Our interest is in protecting American workers and protecting American supply chains,” the U.S. trade representative told “Fox & Friends Weekend.” Carney said Canada had been willing to drop remaining retaliatory tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos if the U.S. substantially lowered its own, and to encourage provinces to restore U.S. alcohol sales. But he said Washington’s ﬁnal demands went too far. “They asked too much and offered too little,” Carney said.

Greer said the Republican administration was offering to cut tariffs on steel, autos and lumber, “things that are sensitive for them. And they’ve always had the best deal, and they still would have an even better deal, but they didn’t want that.” As a result, he said, “We’re moving forward with measures that respond to Canadian retaliation.” Carney said the U.S. added last-minute terms that would have reduced tariff relief for Canadian-made vehicles, restricted Canada’s ability to strike trade deals with other countries and weakened protections

for language, culture and sovereignty. He said such demands were “unacceptable.” The breakdown in negotiations marked a sharp reversal from two days earlier, when ofﬁcials from the two countries sounded as if they were headed toward a compromise. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who leads Canada’s most populous province, praised Carney for rejecting the deal, saying it would have hurt Ontario’s auto, steel and manufacturing sectors. Ford urged Canada to use “every tool in our toolbox” to ﬁght the U.S. tariffs. The moves also call into question the future of a North American trade agreement covering the United States, Canada and Mexico that is crucial to industry in all three countries. Carney said the breakdown was “certainly not good news” for the review of that agreement and that the failed negotiations had given Canada “a new perspective” on what Washington wants from the broader economic relationship. The political impact will likely be even bigger than the economic fallout. The countries sold each other $880 billion worth of goods and services last year. The tariffs were initially supposed to kick in at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Trump extended the deadline for three days to allow talks to continue, but the countries could not reach an agreement in time.

Iran threatens neighbors against economic measures Mohsen Rezaei was named this month as part The hard-line new lead- of senior appointments er of Iran’s Supreme Na- widely seen as hardentional Security Council ing Tehran’s political and threatened Tehmilitary stance. ONFLICT His interview with ran’s neighbors CO IRIB is his most against joining IN THE T extensive public the new U.S. ef- MIIDDLE statement since fort to hurt Iran’s AST then. economy, and ac- EAST Rezaei said Iran cused the United States of increasing glob- would target oil-shipping al nuclear insecurity with routes out of the Persian Gulf — alternatives to months of war. “If (Trump) wants to do the Strait of Hormuz — something, we will retali- if neighbors join what he ate in a seismic manner,” described as the economic he said in an interview war against Iran. Those with the state broadcaster neighbors would be conthat aired Saturday. sidered enemies and “we

By The Associated Press

will target their interests,” he said. President Donald Trump in the past week has vowed to increase Iran’s pain by imposing an “unprecedented” level of economic warfare and isolation. Iran has lived under sanctions for years. Rezaei said discussions with Oman, located on the other side of the strait, over management of it were ongoing, and said fees would be imposed. Iran asserted control over what was seen as an international waterway shortly after the U.S. and Israel attacked on Feb. 28.

Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill 10 a day after deadly mall attack BY VOLODYMYR YURCHUK Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian drone and missile strikes killed at least seven people in Ukraine, officials said Saturday, while a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Krasnodar region killed three people there. The attacks came a day after a Russian strike on a Ukrainian shopping center killed at least 16 people and wounded some 130. Moscow’s forces have recently intensified their ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, exploiting Ukraine’s chronic shortage of U.S.made Patriot air defense interceptors, the sole weapon in its arsenal able to shoot down the missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that one person was killed and another wounded in the latest attacks when ballistic missiles hit railway infrastructure in the capital, Kyiv, overnight. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that its forces had hit a locomotive depot. In a separate attack, local authorities said two people were killed Saturday afternoon in a Russian ballistic missile strike on the Kyiv region, which surrounds

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

People embrace each other Friday near a burning mall after a Russian drone attack in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. the capital. Russian drone strikes also killed one person overnight in the Zaporizhzhia region, local ofﬁcials said Saturday, and a daytime attack killed three others and wounded 15. Zelenskyy said that three people were also wounded in an attack on a minibus in the regional capital, also called Zaporizhzhia. In Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, authorities said that three people, including two children, were killed and two adults were wounded in a Ukrainian drone strike. The latest attacks came a day after Russian drones struck a shopping center in the city of Kryvyi Rih in

central Ukraine. Dnipropetrovsk regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said in the early hours of Saturday that the death toll had risen to 16. Later on Saturday he said four people remain missing after the attack, which wounded a further 130. Kryvyi Rih is the hometown of Zelenskyy, who described the attack as a double-tap strike, in which an initial wave of drones hit the area followed by a second wave as rescue workers responded. The Ukrainian leader said the ﬁre, which spread across around 97,000 square feet, had been extinguished and rescue efforts were underway.

Rezaei also vowed to make changes to Iran’s diplomacy and bring new capabilities to what he called the next war. He warned the U.S. against sending more military personnel to the region, and said the U.S. had increased nuclear insecurity because countries see that participating in international monitoring efforts, as Iran has done, is no protection against attack. Meanwhile, the top diplomats for Egypt and Iran discussed efforts to bring

Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table to settle the war, Egypt’s foreign ministry said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty also discussed the Iranian-Omani talks, the ministry said. Araghchi briefed Egypt’s foreign minister about “Iran’s view of ongoing developments, the course of negotiations and their challenges,” the ministry said, without elaborating.

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Federal judge vacates visa processing policy Rule suspended processing from 75 countries

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

A federal judge in New York has vacated a Trump administration policy that suspended the processing of visas from 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, whose nationals the Trump administration deemed likely to require public assistance in the United States. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, set aside the policy Friday as “contrary to law and in excess of statutory authority.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his authority by issuing the policy, which “runs afoul” of the Immigration and Nationality Act by mandating “the refusal of visas to eligible applicants without any basis

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By TIERNEy L. CROSS

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives on Aug. 11 at the Treaty Room at the State Department in Washington. A federal court ruled Rubio exceeded his authority in issuing a policy suspending the processing of visas from 75 countries. in law,” the judge ruled. Vargas said the policy also undermines the congressional requirement that puts consular ofﬁcers at the forefront of any visa decision. “Congress imbued these ofﬁcers with exclusive authority and discretion to

determine if an immigrant is eligible for a visa based upon review of speciﬁc and detailed criteria set forth in the statute,” she wrote. “The Policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the ap-

plicant, represents a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme.” The policy was challenged by two nonprofit organizations along with 11 individuals, including six whose family members had been refused visas. The remaining five are outside the country and had filed “employmentbased petitions” to come to the United States. “We welcome this ruling because, at its heart, this case is about keeping families together,” said Anna Gallagher, the executive director of CLINIC, a national nonprofit that provides training, resources, and support to a network of immigration legal service providers and was one of the plaintiffs. “Catholic social teaching calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and recognize the family as the foundation of society,” she said in a statement. “This decision affirms both those values and the rule of law, allowing families to once again move forward toward

reuniﬁcation.” Another plaintiff is African Communities Together, a Harlem-based nonprofit. One of its leaders called the ruling “a tremendous victory for the rule of law.” “This unlawful and racist ban caused immeasurable harm, cruelly keeping families and loved ones apart,” Diana Konate, deputy executive director for policy and advocacy, said in a statement. “Today, we are elated to tell our community members: this ban is no more.” President Donald Trump has imposed a growing list of immigration and travel bans mostly for people from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The State Department said Saturday that the Trump administration is “protecting the American people by upholding the highest standards of screening and vetting of visa applicants,” and that it would not comment on pending litigation. At the time the policy was issued, the State Department said it had instructed consular ofﬁcers to halt immigrant

visa applications from the 75 countries in accordance with a broader order in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become “public charges.” Relying on Council of Economic Advisers data, the State Department said that more than 30% of households with immigrants from these countries received some form of public assistance. A separate notice sent to all U.S. embassies and consulates said that nonimmigrant visa applicants also should be “fully vetted and screened” for the possibility that they might seek public benefits in the United States. The cable, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, noted several times that the applicant must prove they won’t apply for public benefits while in the U.S., and that consular officers who suspect the applicant might apply should require them to fill out a form proving their financial bona fides.

TikTok reaches settlement with DOJ Trump urges S.C. voters to elect Darline Graham in Republican runoff $400M deal settles suit over children’s privacy

BY BARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writer

TikTok has reached a $400 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, ending a 2024 lawsuit alleging the company violated federal children’s privacy laws. The DOJ said Friday that TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and another $100 million after an order vacates an earlier consent decree against its predecessor company, Musical.ly. “This settlement is a ma-

jor victory for American children and parents,” U.S. Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said in a statement. “The Department’s priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations. This resolution secures a substantial recovery while reinforcing the protections that families expect and deserve.” Since the DOJ’s lawsuit in 2024, TikTok has undergone major changes, most notably in the ownership structure of its U.S. arm. In January, the social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and

the Emirati investment ﬁrm MGX to form the new TikTok U.S. joint venture. Representatives for TikTok did not immediately respond to a message for comment Friday. The latest lawsuit focused on allegations that TikTok and its China-based parent company ByteDance violated a federal law that requires kid-oriented apps and websites to get parental consent before collecting personal information of children under 13. It also says the companies failed to honor requests from parents who wanted their children’s accounts deleted, and chose not to delete accounts even when the firms knew they belonged to kids under 13.

BY MEG KINNARD and DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — President Donald Trump sought Friday to boost Sen. Darline Graham’s effort to win a full term, telling thousands of supporters that the ﬁrst step toward keeping her as their senator involves helping the political newcomer triumph in a Republican runoff next week. The Republican president also begged them to pretend that he’s on the ballot Tuesday — even though he is not — if that will help get them out to vote. Voters will decide Tuesday

whether Graham or Rep. Ralph Norman will be the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate on the ballot in November. “You have to get out and vote,” Trump said about Darline Graham, who is serving out the remainder of the term of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly in July. “And we need every South Carolina patriot to go to the polls and vote for Darline Graham.” Trump nodded to the reality that Republican base voters lose interest in elections when he is not a candidate for ofﬁce, as is the case this year. Trump is serving

his second and ﬁnal term as president. “So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important,” Trump said. “So just say that I’m on the ballot one more time. You got to say it, and you got to come out and vote.” Trump, who encouraged Darline Graham to run and has given her his “complete and total endorsement,” called her to the stage as he neared the end of his remarks. “This is Trump country,” she declared before leading the crowd in chants of “U.S.A.”

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CASE

Continued from page 1A The Advocate a day after Cole was indicted Aug. 5. In the messages, Cole tells Jackson — whom prosecutors say he helped secure government contracts — and another unnamed contractor that a fourth person “knows I’m getting a kickback from both of you.” The texts also discuss various contracts awarded to Jackson and the splitting of funds between the two friends, investigators say. In one message, Cole tells Jackson “Just took care of you in a MAJOR way which means I just took care of us.” One former prosecutor says the text messages seem “damning.” “If I were the prosecutor, I’d feel extremely conﬁdent about my chances, because each of the charges appear to be serious and readily provable,” said former U.S. Attorney Brandon Fremin. Fremin, a former Baton Rouge assistant district attorney who served as U.S. attorney for Louisiana’s Middle District from 2018 to

SPACEX

Continued from page 1A to announce this week that SpaceX plans to build a multibillion-dollar spaceport in Vermilion Parish, LeBlanc said he has been contacted by multiple builders interested in developing 65 homes on the property. Once details become public — Gov. Jeff Landry has Landry called a news conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday — a deal could happen, he said. Even before an official announcement, the prospect of SpaceX coming to Vermilion Parish is beginning to stir the local real estate market. Earlier this week, two real estate agents announced sales involving buyers connected to the anticipated project. Vermilion is already the hottest market in Acadiana this year outside Lafayette Parish thanks to the new construction in the Maurice area. But now that likely will increase significantly, sources indicate, with dozens of speculative buyers expected to join the fray. “We’ve been getting a lot of activity on some properties that have been sitting for a little while,” said James Noel Jr., of Sunrise Realty in Abbeville. “When the news first broke, there was a few properties going on contract with some speculation with long closing dates. There’s a buzz around town for sure.” So far this year, 55 more homes have sold in Vermilion Parish than during the same period last year, according to data from Bill Bacque, of Market Scope Consulting. New construction sales have reached 123, approaching the 137 homes

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2021, cautioned that he isn’t privy to all the evidence. But based on the arrest warrant, he said he would feel confident trying this case before a judge or jury, particularly with the text messages in hand. “In connection with what I’ve read, it’s a nail in the coffin,” Fremin said. But criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt said a key question in a public corruption case like this is whether the alleged conduct warrants criminal charges or amounts to an ethics violation. “Because if it’s just an ethics violation, then you might argue ‘Yeah, my client did X, Y and Z, but if there was no criminal intent, there was no crime,’ ” Borghardt said. Reached Friday, attorney Steve Irving, who Cole said will lead his defense team, denied the charges and said he will “prove the allegations false when the time comes.” He declined to discuss specifics of the case. If convicted on the two conspiracy charges, Cole would face a maximum of five years in prison for each count — half the penalty for a bribery conviction. Money

laundering carries sentences of two to 20 years in prison. After a grand jury reviewed evidence against him for months, Cole was indicted on Aug. 5. All of his alleged crimes took place during his time as mayor pro tempore during his tenure as a Metro Council member. He left the council when he was appointed school system superintendent not long before the 2024 school year began.

Borghardt noted that it is much easier to get a conviction for a conspiracy charge than an actual bribe. “It’s an easier burden for the state in the sense that they don’t have to actually prove the bribe,” he said. Both result in a felony, Borghardt said, which would bar Cole from holding elected office and could keep him from an appointed public position like superintendent. “I would imagine the attorney general would say the ultimate goal is to stop pubDefense argument lic corruption,” Borghardt Borghardt said the de- said. fense could argue prosecutors have merely found evi- Who else is involved? dence of an ethics violation, As of this week, Murrill’s not a felony crime. office has charged 10 people “A good defense attorney in their sweeping corrupwho’s working this is go- tion investigation into Baing to first analyze: ‘OK, is ton Rouge government, inwhat this individual doing cluding Cole, current Metan ethics violation only, and ro Council member Cleve not necessarily a crime?’ ” Dunn Jr. and Courtney Borghardt said. Scott, a former top aide unAfter reviewing the prob- der then-Mayor-President able cause for Cole’s arrest, Sharon Weston Broome. Borghardt says one quesBorghardt sees the former council member’s texts as tion that remains unanthe driving evidence, which swered and could certainly means a jury or judge must factor into defensive stratbe shown those communica- egy is whether there is a tions constitute a crime, not “bigger fish” than Cole that the attorney general thinks just something unethical.

may have been involved in potential crimes. And if so, is anyone facing charges willing to cooperate? “Is there honor among thieves?” he said. “And if there’s no honor among thieves, and these individuals have been doing criminal activities, when the chips are down, will do what they need to do to save themselves?” On Friday, Cole’s attorneys ﬁled a motion in court challenging the validity of the grand jury that indicted him. In the filing, Cole questions whether District Attorney Hillar Moore submitted a written request for Murrill to get involved in the grand jury proceedings, which his attorneys say is required by law. He also asked the court to hold an evidentiary hearing, which Cole says should require materials to show who examined witnesses during closed grand jury testimony, who gave legal advice and who “controlled the presentation of Mr. Cole’s case.”

sold during all of 2024. A big reason is the activity in Maurice and its proximity to Lafayette. Now that demand could change, said Jim Keaty, owner of Keaty Real Estate, with the land closer to the SpaceX site being more in demand than land closer to Lafayette. “I don’t know what the demand is going to be because there’s a lot of land between Abbeville and Kaplan,” he said. “People own a lot of acreage that people could do something with instantly for construction purposes. If you can put an RV park and it’s not in a ﬂood zone, you might get $40,000 an acre. In Maurice, it’s worth $35,000 an acre of the stuff that’s selling.” Keaty expects temporary housing, including RV parks and worker camps, to be among the ﬁrst developments to emerge as construction begins. He said the region does not have enough hotel rooms to accommodate what could be as many as 1,000 workers operating around the clock. Some landowners are getting unsolicited offers for property to put RV parks on, he said. Keaty said his company is already receiving calls from people looking to buy land. “It’s going to be like an army of ants,” he said. “Anywhere they can put somebody, I assume, is going to be in high demand.” The potential demand could also revive residential developments that have been approved but stalled because of weak demand. Noel said he has a 118-lot subdivision in Abbeville that has been ready for construction for about two years. “It’s kind of been on pause waiting on the market to correct itself,” he said. “This

it. The cost of housing has doubled. I’d be lying to you if I told you I haven’t seen a change in the makeup of our community and who can afford to buy a house.” It wasn’t until 2018 or 2019, he recalled, when people started moving in and buying houses near Starbase. Yet the biggest surge came in 2021 when Musk took to Twitter to ask his millions of followers to move to Brownsville. That one tweet, Grove said, ﬂipped the real estate market on its ear. “Houses that had been sitting for four years sold ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ERIC GAy overnight,” he said. “It was insane. We had people comThe sun rises behind SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship as it is ing from Africa, Panama prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on July 24. and faraway cities in the U.S. just buying whatever could be a huge market cor- goods and bads. But a lot of they could. People were rection, you know what I locals have been hurt by buying sight unseen.” mean?”

When rockets are launched at Starbase without any issues, residents hardly notice it, he said. That can change when something goes wrong. Grove recalled one launch several years ago when a SpaceX rocket exploded. The explosion shook his house, which is 25 miles from the launch site. It was major news, but within hours, Musk had made donations of $10 million to downtown Brownsville’s revitalization efforts and $2 million to Brownsville schools, he said. “Elon did a major PR move,” he said. “It was like he had it queued up. It did create a soft landing for the drama.”

‘Act in furtherance’ State law says that a conspiracy to commit a crime occurs when two or more people agree to take part in a criminal scheme and then commit an “act in furtherance” of that crime. “It simply means that one or more of the parties who entered into the conspiracy took a step forward towards acting on the crime they intended to commit together,” Fremin said. He gave an example: If two people communicate with each other and agree to go buy a shotgun and kill someone together, purchasing the shotgun would be considered an “act in fur-

therance,” and can merit a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. That’s true even if no murder takes place, Fremin said. “You want to see conduct that fulﬁlls the elements of the crime,” he said. “In a case like this, it’s when you have a public official who is either softly or overtly steering his colleagues or staffers to ensure that (his) people get contracts and then getting kickbacks from the deal.”

Email Patrick SloanTurner at patrick.sloanturner@theadvocate.com.

Email Adam Daigle at adaigle@theadvocate.com.

What to expect What happens next in Vermilion Parish is impossible to predict. But Brownsville offered one possible glimpse of how a massive SpaceX operation can reshape a community, bringing jobs, investment and new residents while also driving up the cost of housing. Just about everything changed when Elon Musk’s Starbase opened just outside the south Texas city over a decade ago, said Craig Grove, a Realtor who has been in that market since before Starbase arrived. Announced in 2012, the site employed more than 2,000 people by 2023. The population of Brownsville increased by nearly 10,000 between 2010 and 2020, census data shows. Prices for real estate, too, have increased signiﬁcantly. “They’ve literally changed the landscape economically,” Grove said. “(There are)

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ELIMINATE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA

without the scars and expense of back surgery... Local Doctors at LeBlanc Spine Center are helping Patients eliminate pain, without dangerous medications or painful surgery. Stop Living in Pain-There’s a Better Way

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Living with chronic pain isn’t just frustrating — it can be life-altering. Whether it’s back pain, sciatica, neck discomfort, or disc-related issues, it can stop you from doing the things you love. Maybe you can’t play golf, get through a workday, or even sit comfortably in the car for 30 minutes. You can’t remember the last time you had a restful night’s sleep. You feel great mentally, but your body is holding you back. Most people don’t realize that spinal discs are often the root cause of this pain. These discs act as cushions between the spinal bones and create the necessary space for nerves to exit the spinal column. But when discs are injured, worn down, or begin to degenerate, they bulge or herniate — pressing on nerve roots and triggering pain in the back, legs, neck, and arms. This pressure doesn’t just cause pain. It can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, and even issues with balance and mobility.

It is important to note that not every patient is a candidate for Spinal Decompression, which is why we prioritize a thorough individual assessment and X-ray analysis for each person who walks through our doors.

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What does this offer include? Everything we normally do in our new patient evaluations: • An in-depth consultation about your health and wellbeing where we will listen...really listen...to the details of your case. • A complete neuromuscular examination • A full set of specialized X-rays (if clinically necessary) to identify the exact source of pain. • A thorough analysis of your exam and X-rays. You sit with the doctor one-on-one to review your findings in detail.

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We began our practice 14 years ago, and we have helped thousands of patients eliminate pain and reclaim their lives. Due to the high demand, we have 10 advanced decompression machines at our Baton Rouge and Kenner locations. Our state-of-the-art technology is proven to reverse disc herniations and relieve nerve pain in the neck, arms, low back and legs......and we love what we do! Disc issues are common, and patients suffering are usually given limited options of treatment. The most common invasive treatment for disc herniations is surgery. We run these big newspaper advertisements because we want to let people in the community know there is another option of treatment for pain.

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I have been suffering with sharp painful back aches causing immobility for years but came here when my pain was more severe. I began Spinal Decompression treatments at LeBlanc Spine Center and I am now 80-90% improved! I can still do my hobbies and work with less pain than before, I am also sleeping better and I have more mobility. I feel so much better! The staff here is always caring, helpful, and accommodating. The doctors are always assessing and evaluating issues trying to find a solution. One of the best things I like about my care at LeBlanc Spine Center is that everyone is so caring and the attentiveness I receive! I would 100% recommend LeBlanc Spine Center, the staff is always nice and helpful. Dr. Scott and Dr. Dana have always been proactive and thorough when trying to find a solution!

Cory Manuel

(Project Management) Hometown - Gonzales, LA

Before coming to LeBlanc Spine Center, I suffered from lower back pain when standing and a constant dull pain in my lower left hip for nearly three years. I had CT scans, an MRI, and even tried physical therapy, which only gave me some relief. A friend recommended LeBlanc Spine Center, and I’m so glad they did. The doctors and staff are top-notch-wonderful, competent, and genuinely interested in helping their patients. Since starting care, I’ve improved about 80%. I can now stand longer, walk, fish, and enjoy activities that were previously limited by pain. In fact, I’m even planning two vacations this year. Before my visits, I felt like my world was shrinking. LeBlanc Spine Center gave that world back to me, and I recommend them with enthusiasm.

Leonard Kleinpeter

(Retired government worker and owner of Southern Hydroseeders) Hometown - Baton Rouge, LA

I came to LeBlanc Spine Center because I had been suffering with severe pain in my low back and legs. My condition was very bad and was getting worse. I had previously tried other doctors and medication. I began Spinal Decompression therapy treatments now 70% improved! I can now tie my shoes, put on my clothes, do some cleaning in my home, and play with grandchildren! I’ve also been sleeping better, and I’ve been able to communicate with my family better. Before I began treatment here, I wasn’t able to do such things because I was in so much pain. What I like most about my care at LeBlanc Spine Center is the staff- they are very sweet and professional. The visits that I’ve had are just great! Dr. Scott and Dr. Dana treat me like I am the only patient they have- they are very caring and supportive to me. I would recommend LeBlanc Spine Center to anyone who needs help with their pain. I have already told several people about the Spinal Decompression treatments- IT WORKS!

Debra Earl

Hometown- Baton Rouge

When I came to Dr. LeBlanc, I was having lower back pain, right hip, and thigh pain. I had been suffering between 6-to-12 months. Since beginning Spinal Decompression treatments, I can now walk farther, sleep better and drive with less pain. I have more mobility and less tension. I would recommend LeBlanc Spine Center- I am treated excellent by the staff, and what I like most about the care here is they are professional and precise!

Dr. Larry Tujague, M.D.

(Retired, Radiologist) hometown - Baton Rouge, LA

6A ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Cars fill a parking lot at the south end of the Meta data center site as construction can be seen surrounded by rural farmland along La. 80 in Holly Ridge on Aug. 4.

META

The recreation center at Dunn Village, where workers spend their free time, features couches, recliners and amenities like a pool table.

Continued from page 6A the country to work on big industrial projects. Those jobs typically lasted 10 weeks. “We’d knock it out, then go home,” Austin said, while consuming brisket and a Dr Pepper on a paper plate at the Cotton Patch RV camp. On this job, he has already earned enough money to pay off 75% of the mortgage on his farm in Arkansas. “As long as work needs to be done, I’ll be here,” he said. Austin’s most memorable job came in 2015 when he worked in North Dakota during an oil field boom there. He lived in a man camp where fights over money and women were common. “The man camps were rough up there,” Austin said. By contrast, his RV camp in northeast Louisiana becomes quiet most nights by 8 p.m. because the laborers typically start work the next day at 6 a.m., and no entertainment options beckon nearby. Free time on weekends for many workers means going home. “I’m away from my wife,” said Cooper, a project manager from Kansas City who was drinking a Miller Lite at a bar in Monroe’s called Enoch’s Pub. He declined to provide his last name. “I see her every two weeks. Every flight out of Monroe is full.” Jeff Comben, a logistics coordinator who moved to Louisiana from Washington state and now lives at Cotton Patch, said he does laun- Dunn Village houses a fitness room with weights, bikes and dry and shops for groceries other machines for Meta data center workers. on Sundays, the one day of the week he doesn’t have to Food Park.” There, seven to work as roofers for higher work. food trucks serve meals just pay. off La. 183, across from HyIt’s not an easy life. They Cars flood the roads share a trailer just off La. perion. On a recent day, Leah and 80 and rarely go out after Richland Parish Sheriff Neal Harwell said the influx Hannah Childers were wait- Immigration and Customs of workers surprisingly has ing for their order to be filled Enforcement arrested three not increased crime. from Street Eats, one of the of their friends two weeks “Knock on wood,” Harwell food trucks. They stood un- earlier. Miranda drives to said in his office in Richland der a canopy that provided see his wife and son for a Parish’s five-story court- shade in the 100-degree heat. few hours every two weeks. Still, the two men are Leah Childers is an elechouse in Rayville. Harwell said his depart- trician who works 58 hours grateful for the work. “We can move forward ment is receiving 20% more a week. “A woman in a construc- and find stability here,” said 911 phone calls, but that’s mostly related to traffic tion site is tough,” said Leah, Miranda, noting that he has accidents on the two-lane who is 23 and is from Paris, co-workers from Venezuela, highways that surround Hy- Texas. “It’s a male-dominat- Guatemala, Honduras, Mexed field. You don’t get taken ico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru perion. and Costa Rica. “They’re “There are 5,000 to 7,000 seriously.” She added that her em- from everywhere.” vehicles per day enterBilly Clay has long farmed ing the site,” Harwell said. ployer does treat its women cotton and corn on 420 acres “They have an 18-wheel equally. She and her sister live in that he owns in Holly Ridge. delivery every 90 seconds. We’re seeing 70 to 80 vehicle Calhoun, an unincorporated But he moved quickly to wrecks a month. Before, it area west of Monroe. With turn 10 acres into the Cotton a 48-minute drive to work, Patch RV park after Meta was one.” Off-duty sheriff’s deputies Leah said, she wakes up at arrived. Clay now has room for 120 police traffic at nine differ- 4:30 a.m. each workday. For leisure, they visit RVs. Workers are responent spots around Hyperion, given the early morning and Surge Entertainment, which sible for bringing their own offers games and family fun, RVs and pay him $1,000 per late afternoon traffic jams. Richland Parish never had in West Monroe, or Trapp’s, month for the space and the which has Cajun food and electrical hook-up, water, a rush hour before. “It’s hard for the locals to live music. Wi-Fi and garbage pick-up. The sisters drive home to get to and from their housAnother RV park, called es,” said former state Rep. visit family on weekends Boggy Bayou, has more than 100 RVs across the two-lane Bubba Chaney, a Republi- when they can. Manuel Miranda and his country road. can from Rayville. “I guess “It’s going very well,” Clay it’s one of the costs you have brother Noel Garcia grew up in Honduras but came said. “The Meta facility has to endure.” to Louisiana “because here made so many millionaires.” Tough work we have opportunities that Asked if he is now one Every day, throngs of we can’t find in other coun- of those millionaires, Clay wouldn’t say. workers pull their pick-up tries.” trucks at lunchtime into a They worked on construcgravel lot underneath a sign tion sites in New Orleans but Email Tyler Bridges at that reads “Holly Springs came to Holly Ridge in July tbridges@theadvocate.com.

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8A ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Envoy: Israel did not warn U.S. before Syria air strike BY ANDREW WILKS Associated Press

ISTANBUL — Israel did not warn the United States before it struck an air base in northern Syria this week, despite fears of an escalation with the U.S. and NATO ally Turkey, the U.S. special envoy to Syria said. Israel usually closely coordinates its military actions with the U.S., its key backer. Washington has tried to use this influence to moderate attacks as Israel carries out operations in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon. Tom Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkey, said the attack on Tuesday on the Abu Duhur base could have been Israel “baiting the Turks … that was the serious and worrying part.” However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz contradicted the U.S. envoy’s remarks about there being no

Pope calls for dialogue over conflict

BY GIADA ZAMPANO and NICCOLÒ LUPONE Associated Press

SAN MARINO — Pope Leo XIV used a visit to the tiny landlocked San Marino and a major Catholic gathering in the Italian city of Rimini on Saturday to issue one of his strongest appeals yet against war, polarization and social division, urging believers to foster dialogue and friendship in a fractured world. Speaking to tens of thousands in Rimini, Leo warned against a culture that “rearms minds, words and nations” and argued that Christians must respond with mercy, encounter and a commitment to peace. He also delivered a message of encouragement to young Catholics, telling them they are “a sign that the future is promising, and not a threat!” Earlier, in San Marino, Leo addressed local authorities of the world’s oldest surviv-

warning, saying in a statement that Israel decided to alert senior members of the Syrian government. “Simultaneously, we transferred the intelligence reports to the relevant authorities in the U.S.,” Katz added. In the wake of the strikes, which caused damage but no casualties, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the base was attacked because Syria was “on the verge of breaching” an agreement by allowing Turkish troops to deploy there. Barrack said it was likely that Israel had intelligence suggesting Turkey may be bolstering its presence in the area and “a commander somewhere in the ﬁeld made a decision ‘We’re not going to let that happen’… What they didn’t do is tell us or Turkey.” He added that another possible reason for the attack on Abu Duhur, around 50 miles

east of the Turkish border, was a miscommunication between the Israeli military and the country’s intelligence agency. “When they (the Turkish military) see these jets coming towards the border and they don’t know what the purpose, direction or intention is, they start to say ‘We’re going to have to scramble our own,’ ” Barrack said as he outlined how close Israel and Turkey came to direct confrontation. In 2015, Turkey had shot down a Russian jet over its Syrian frontier. The ambassador’s comments were published on X late Friday by Mario Nawfal, a LebaneseAustralian entrepreneur. Barrack also said Israel “still” occupies the Golan Heights in violation of U.N. resolutions, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2019 proclamation recog-

BUNIA, Congo — Congo has received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine as the country grapples with the fastest Ebola outbreak in history, the country’s health minister said. The 16,250 doses arrived at the N’djili International Airport in the capital, Kin-

nizing Israeli sovereignty over the territory, reversing decades of U.S. policy. Katz, the Israeli defense minister, said the strike on the base was authorized after the “warning wasn’t heeded,” adding there were “clear intelligence reports”

of Turkey’s intention to use the base “to harm Israel.” He did not provide further detail. Barrack’s comments were “full of inaccuracies and positions that contradict” Trump’s position on the Golan Heights, the min-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANDREW MEDICHINI

Pope Leo XIV greets faithful Saturday as he arrives at the 47th Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples in Rimini, Italy. ing republic and reﬂected on the legacy of Saints Marino and Leone, whom he credited with helping create a society rooted in freedom, mutual respect and community. The pope said the two saints translated the Christian message into “a new community and political model, strongly characterized by the Christian principles of freedom, mutual respect and communion” — a legacy that he said continues to shape the republic today. San Marino, a nation of about 35,000 people completely surrounded by Italy, traces its origins to the fourth century. It is governed by a 60-member parliament that elects two captains regent every six months to serve jointly as heads of state, a power-sharing arrangement designed to prevent the concentration of authority. Using the micro state as

an example, Leo argued that small political communities can offer lessons in public service and social cohesion at a time of growing division and distrust. Leo is the third pope to visit San Marino, after St. John Paul II visited in 1982 and Pope Benedict XVI came in 2011. The American pontiff praised a society “built on respect for one’s own freedom and that of others and above all on respect for the sacred Will of God.” He warned that modern societies face increasing threats from violence, social fragmentation and ideologies that put self-interest ahead of the common good. “We live in a world wounded by many conflicts,” the pope said, citing growing violence, closures and fear of others. He urged Christians to respond through forgiveness, solidarity and concern for the vulnerable.

Congo gets 16K doses of Ebola vaccine By The Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By RIZA OZEL

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks April 17 in a panel during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, southern Turkey.

ister added. Two Syrian ofﬁcials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, said on Wednesday that a Turkish delegation had visited the air base in the northwestern province of Idlib a day before the air strike to review reconstruction work underway there. Israel had raised concerns about Turkish military activity at the air base but the U.S. concluded that was “not happening,” Barrack said. “The unintended consequence of a mistake could be really consequential,” he added. Turkey has been supporting Syria’s effort to rebuild its armed forces by training Syrian personnel and supplying equipment and logistical support. The two countries signed an agreement last year that formalized their military cooperation.

shasa, late Friday, as part of 70,000 doses expected from the World Health Organization and partners that were announced on Thursday. More doses are expected early next week. The current Ebola outbreak in Congo is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which currently has no approved treatment or vac-

cine. It can spread easily and go undetected because some of its symptoms are similar to other illnesses, such as malaria. The Ervebo vaccine is licensed to treat Ebola and has been effective in past outbreaks. The WHO said it may provide some protection against the Bundibugyo virus.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 9A

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European fires expose, detonate buried bombs, mines Weapons from WWI, WWII increase danger in wildfire fight

BY SAM MCNEIL Associated Press

ELSENBORN, Belgium — The wildfires burning across Europe this summer have exposed a potentially deadly threat lurking beneath the blackened landscape: rusty bombs and mines from World War I and II that threaten crews responding to the flames. Some of the weapons have exploded in the intense heat. Blasts have been reported in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, where a bomb-disposal team was dispatched to check a forest threatened by flames near a site of fierce fighting in the Limburg province in 1944. Fueled by climate change, the fires and explosions show that the continent’s “climatic luck” is running out, said Sarah Njeri, a peace and conflict scholar at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. Steady temperatures and predictable rainfall once ensured that most buried weapons stayed dormant. “Climate change is now doing the work of unburying and reactivating what was previously stable,” Njeri said. Fires can ignite old munitions but can also burn

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARIUS BURGELMAN

Smoke rises from a field scorched by a wildfire on Monday near Waimes, Belgium. away the scrub and brush that hides them. This wildfire season was supercharged by heavy rains in January that spurred vegetation growth, which became kindling when the summer heat arrived. Those temperatures, combined with drought conditions, low humidity and stiff winds, offered an ideal environment for fire, according to a study issued last month by the World Weather Attribution group. As they advanced, the flames moved over territory that has long been known to hold unexploded weapons, a lethal legacy that lingered long after the guns fell silent. In a forest in tinder-dry France, a massive wildfire outside the southwestern

city of Bordeaux uncovered a cache of what is believed to be World War II-era ammunition. In the eastern Belgian province of Liege, Gov. Hervé Jamar said “a few sporadic detonations” were recently heard and that emergency services were adapting to account for munitions buried in a fire area. He said no fire crews were in danger, but local media published photos of a firefighter handling a rusted bomb. During World War II, booby traps, bombs and mines were sprinkled throughout the province’s dense peatbog forest known as the High Fens. In the first four years after Germany’s surrender in 1945, the munitions killed six civilians, said Bernard Collard, a lo-

cal historian who runs the Truschbaum Museum near Belgium’s border with Germany that houses a collection of found objects from the war. “When you go into a forest like this, you are not sure where the explosives are,” he said. He remembers his father detonating a found bomb in a quarry. The ﬁre in the High Fens, which stretches across the border with Germany, is smoldering atop a muchbloodied battlefield where Nazis fought Allied troops. The Battle of the Bulge was fought in and around the High Fens. The ﬁre is even closer to the sites of two lesser-known skirmishes along Elsenborn Ridge and in the Hurtgen Forest, which lasted 88

days and killed about 33,000 American and 28,000 German troops. Collard is authorized to scan with a metal detector the former battlefields, now forests, pastures and farmland. He has found mortar shells, machine guns, helmets, cigarette cases, and once, a human skeleton. “You never know what you might come across, and you shouldn’t take it lightly,” Collard said while standing in a field that was once a blood-soaked site. Nearby, blueberry bushes cover old foxholes, trenches and deep craters from artillery fire. He frequently works with the Belgian demining squad. “It’s part of our history. We live with it,” Collard said. Unexploded ordnance is even more dangerous around wildfires because heat can trigger the explosives, said Jonas Tepe, a spokesperson for North Rhine-Westphalia, just across the border in Germany. The Belgian Ministry of Defense said it receives requests from the region about every week to assist in disarming explosives, yet it does not consider the area a “hot spot” compared to elsewhere in Belgium. Such requests are even more common in the west, where farmers in towns such as Ypres — infamous for harrowing trench warfare in World War I — call the annual tilling of the soil “ the iron harvest ” because it turns up

so many war remnants. Every year across the nation, Belgium’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Destruction Service responds to more than 3,000 calls and disposes of 200 to 250 tons of munitions left over from both world wars. Drought has also helped to lay the past bare by shrinking rivers and lakes to reveal old weapons. In Slovakia, the Danube River fell and exposed two naval mines that police pulled out of the water and buried in a trench for a controlled demolition. Authorities in Hungary closed Budapest’s Margaret Bridge after a bomb dating from World War II emerged at its base in receding water. As the Rhine dried up, German authorities also found a WWII-era bomb. Christina Greene, a researcher at the University of Arizona who, with Njeri, wrote an article on Europe’s wildfires and unexploded ordnance risk, said “the legacy of war keeps creeping up” because of climate change. “It’s reliving the legacies of war and conﬂict in a way that we haven’t had to deal with in a while in certain places.” Associated Press writers Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands; Sylvain Plazy in Brussels; Angela Charlton in Paris; Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin; and Stanislav Hodina in Prague contributed to this report.

Tropical Storm Moke heads toward Hawaii as winds strengthen By The Associated Press HONOLULU — Tropical Storm Moke advanced toward Hawaii on Saturday, likely bringing more heavy rainfall and strong gusts to the Big Island, where residents are still dealing with the aftermath of heavy flooding

and damaging winds from Hurricane Lala. Moke, which formed Friday in the Pacific Ocean, was located about 470 miles southeast of Hilo, moving west-northwest at 12 mph, as of 5 a.m. on Saturday in Hawaii. Maximum sustained winds were around 50 mph,

the National Hurricane Center said. As with Hurricane Lala, the Big Island is expected to bear the brunt of Moke’s rain and heavy winds as it passes south of a direct hit late Saturday into early Sunday. Moke will then continue its westward path near the

islands through early Tuesday, said Casey Oswant, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu. “There will still be impacts, especially to the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island, but it will probably be a little bit more limited

than what we saw with Lala,” Oswant said. Lala downed trees, swept buildings off their foundations, damaged roads and bridges and left roads covered in mud and rocks. One storm-related death was reported. Rainfall predictions for

this weekend for the southeast and windward sides of the Big Island were 5 to 10 inches, with as much as 15 inches in isolated areas, Oswant said. Across the rest of the island chain, 1 to 2 inches of rain was expected, though parts of east Maui could see up to 4 inches, she said.

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10A ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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LOUISIANA POLITICS Johnson, Scalise predict GOP win in congressional midterms WASHINGTON — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise — the two top Republicans in the U.S. House, who both want to keep those jobs — are barnstorming the nation to shore up GOP candidates in about two dozen states. Many campaign handicappers, pundits and bettors predict a Democratic wave will sweep Republicans out of power on Capitol Hill. Democrats need to ﬂip only Mark four seats. Ballard But, ever optimistic — and secure in their own races in Louisiana — both LSU grads are predicting Republicans will maintain the majority they’ve held in the House since 2023 and in the Senate since 2025. “This midterm election is going to be one unlike any other in the past,” Johnson, R-Benton, said Wednesday at a Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, rally called “Common Sense versus Crazy.” “I can tell you the energy on our side is incredibly high,” Scalise, RJefferson, said Thursday. “People understand, no matter where you go, that this is a contrast election. And the contrast between our party and the Democrats has never been sharper.” Last week, Scalise was in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and other Midwest states before shifting to the East Coast to campaign in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and New York. Scalise detailed for the Westside Conservative Club in Urbandale, Iowa, how the Republicans’ signature law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted last year, cut taxes and increased deductions. He recalled telling voters, many of whom are confused about the new law, about provisions like a

Trump announces Eastern District judicial nominees

President Donald Trump said last week that he will nominate Brad Kelley and Peter Mansfield as federal judges in Louisiana’s Eastern District. Kelly got his undergraduate and law degrees from LSU; Trump referred to him in his Truth Social announcement as a Capitol “Double-Tiger.” A Buzz U.S. Army veteran, STAFF he clerked for DonREPORTS ald Walter, a judge in the Western District of Louisiana, and served as chief counsel to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He is currently a partner at Littler Mendelson, a multinational law firm. “The people of Louisiana can count on Brad to always protect their Constitutional Rights, and the Rule of Law,” Trump wrote. Mansfield has been an assistant U.S. attorney in New Orleans for more than 20 years and is currently chief of the Civil Division, Trump said in his announcement. He has a law degree from Ave Maria School of Law in Florida and an undergraduate degree from Fran-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, speaks to a crowd at the Salute to Liberty event hosted by U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-S.C., on Monday in Anderson, S.C. limit on taxing some overtime wages or a higher deduction for seniors. “You know, 70% of the people beneﬁting from it make less than $100,000 a year,” Scalise recalled saying, adding that Democrats would repeal the bill if they took the majority. Local coverage focused on Scalise’s prediction that, if incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn’s “opponent is somehow able to beat him, they bring socialism, Marxism to Iowa.” Johnson and Scalise say they won’t be undone by stubborn inﬂation, an unpopular war, a sitting president whose numbers are underwater, and voter confusion over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. They contend voters see this Nov. 3 midterm congressional election as a contest between communism and common sense — a

ciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. “The people of Louisiana are lucky to have a dedicated Public Servant like Peter join the Federal Bench,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The Eastern District bench is expected to soon have two vacancies after Lance M. Africk took senior status, and Anna St. John was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. It was not immediately clear when Kelley and Mansﬁeld would be formally nominated. St. John is still on the Eastern District bench pending her conﬁrmation. Based in New Orleans, the Eastern District’s jurisdiction covers 13 parishes in southeast Louisiana.

State honors WWII POW who was La. native

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Benton, returns to the House chamber in July. ﬁght, they say, for “the very soul of America,” which is enough for GOP voters to defy history and return Republican majorities for another two years. Scalise pointed to a series of elections in which young progressives ousted established Democratic elected ofﬁcials. The unex-

ing to an executive order by Gov. Jeff Landry lowering the ﬂags. He was captured, survived the 65-mile Bataan Death March, and was imprisoned at the Cabanatuan POW camp, where he died. Richard was buried in a mass grave. But his remains were recently recovered and returned this week to Louisiana to be buried alongside his parents, Landry wrote in the order. “His death in service to our country remains a solemn reminder of the price paid by those who fought for freedom, and the State of Louisiana honors him with the profound gratitude he deeply earned,” the order says.

Medicaid director picked for leadership institute

pected win last week in Florida of leftist state Rep. Angie Nixon over a venerable congressman to become the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate prompted handicapper Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball to change its view of the race from a possible to nearly assured GOP win. Republicans have distinct advantages, including having redrawn more seats to favor GOP House candidates, and raising far more money than their rivals. That said, some Democrats are running strong. In solid red Texas, for instance, a scandal-plagued Republican faces a school teacher who studied at Presbyterian seminary, raising the possibility of a Democratic Lone Star senator for the ﬁrst time since the 1980s. In Iowa, the entire slate of GOP state and congressional candidates

Medicaid Executive Director Seth Gold was selected through a competitive, external review process to enter the 10-month program. He joins counterparts from Alaska, Illinois, Missouri, New York and North Carolina. “At a time of signiﬁcant change and growing complexity, Medicaid leaders play a critical role in ensuring that millions of people can access the care and services they depend on,” said Mark Larson, senior vice president at CHCS. “The Medicaid Leadership Institute provides directors with a unique opportunity to develop as leaders, gain new perspectives, and learn from peers facing similar challenges across the country.”

Louisiana launches new tourism campaign

The ofﬁcial in charge of Medicaid in Louisiana is one of six from across the country selected for the Louisiana is launching a new Medicaid Leaderout-of-state marketing camFlags ﬂew at halfstaff across Louisiship Institute, an paign, “Every Moment Feeds initiative by the Your Soul,” Lt. Gov. Billy Nungana on Thursday Center for Health to honor Gurnie esser announced last week at the Care Strategies “Tutie” Richard, a Louisiana Travel Summit in New that helps state Louisiana native Orleans. leadership teams who died in a POW Featuring an original song better operate the camp during World called “Louisiana” by Lafayette multi-billion-dol- Gold War II. native Sean Bruce, the campaign Richard Richard deployed will target regional drive-in marlar program that to the Philippines with the Army helps pay for healthcare for people kets and air travelers. Air Corps in 1941 at age 20, accord- with low incomes. “We are building upon our suc-

are facing farmers who are reliably conservative voters but now are angered at tariffs and high diesel prices, which polls show have moved Democrats out of their usual “also ran” status. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter campaign analysts shifted their rating of these races from a sure Republican win to a toss-up prediction. “Republicans have an unmistakable ﬁnancial advantage that could revitalize their sagging candidates, but it may not be able to make up for the sizable voter enthusiasm gap that Democrats have on their side,” Cook Political Report wrote less than three months from the election. It’s not just House and Senate races. Democratic candidates for state legislatures scored surprising wins, including in the Pennsylvania district near where Trump survived an assassination attempt during the 2024 presidential election. And candidates supported by the hard-right House Freedom Caucus have been losing primaries at a regular clip. MS NOW television’s “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough, who had been a Republican congressman representing Pensacola in the 1990s, told Johnson Wednesday that the Republicans “got no message.” Scarborough pointed to last week’s news that investor worry over inﬂation and a $40 trillion debt has driven up bond prices to their highest level since 2008. “Mike Johnson did himself no favor by going, ‘Well, we would have had a good economy except for, well, this totally unnecessary war that we Republicans started,’” Scarborough said. Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

LOUISIANA OFFICE OF TOURISM

The poster is part of the state’s ‘Feed your Soul’ advertising campaign.

cessful Feed Your Soul brand and incorporating messaging with all the things that feed your senses here in Louisiana — our food, music, outdoors, history, culture, festivals and so much more,” Nungesser said in a news release. The state Ofﬁce of Tourism says 45 million people visited Louisiana in 2025, spending $19.5 billion. The tourism industry supports 225,600 jobs statewide, making it the state’s fourth-largest employment category, the ofﬁce said.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 11A

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Mexican ranchers prepare to resume livestock sales to U.S. Tight controls imposed over screwworm risk

BY FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ Associated Press

HERMOSILLO, Mexico — At daybreak, rancher Martín Alfonso Ibarra takes advantage of the cooler hours in northern Mexico’s desert to oversee the milking of his cows and tend to 16 prized calves. Soon, he hopes, they will be headed north to the United States as a yearlong ban on Mexican cattle imports comes to an end. The ban, imposed over concerns about a ﬂesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm ﬂy, dealt a blow to cattle and beef industries on both sides of the border, exacerbating a livestock shortage in the U.S. and hurting a Mexican ranching sector already weakened by drought and a cattle export business that generated $1.2 billion for Mexico last year. Now, the U.S. is set to resume livestock imports from Mexico beginning Aug. 24 at the Douglas, Arizona, border crossing, which borders Agua Prieta in Mexico’s Sonora state. If the reopening goes smoothly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture could allow imports through additional ports, though shipments will initially be subject to restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the parasite — which has

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By FERNANDO LLANO

A veterinarian applies antibiotics to a calf’s injured eye during an inspection for export to the United States on Tuesday at a regional cattle ranchers’ association in Hermosillo, Mexico. already crossed the border, with authorities battling cases in Texas and New Mexico. The screwworm gets its name from the maggots’ habit of burrowing — or screwing — into a wound, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Any warm-blooded animal, including wildlife, pets and occasionally even humans, can be infested. In Mexico, the screwworm outbreak was detected in November 2024 and has spread to 30 of the 32 states — most recently in Sonora, where the first case was reported Wednesday in the community of Munihuasa, near the borders with Chihuahua and Sinaloa, states where infections have also proliferated. To date, Mexico has 1,969

active screwworm cases, which represent less than half of the infections reported a year ago, a decline that authorities say shows progress in containing the outbreak. Still, they acknowledge eradication will take time. Against that backdrop, Ibarra and thousands of other ranchers in the northern state of Sonora are preparing to resume live cattle exports. But optimism is tempered by new U.S. controls expected to slow shipments across the border. “This is not over yet,” said the 58-year-old rancher, adding that the export halt cut his income by 40% last year. According to the protocol deﬁned by U.S. authorities, in the ﬁrst week of reopening, only 700 cattle per day

Army unit offers 4 bonus days off to play ‘Grand Theft Auto’ for troops who reenlist BY RUSS BYNUM

Associated Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. — A U.S. Army unit is offering its troops a special bonus if they reenlist soon: four extra days off timed around the November release of the video game “Grand Theft Auto VI.” Commanders of the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion based at Fort Stewart, Georgia, believe free time to indulge in the latest entry in the “Grand Theft Auto” series — in which players commit carjackings, battle police

THE CABILDO

in shootouts and attempt audacious heists — will sway some soldiers to extend their military commitments. The Nov. 19 release of “Grand Theft Auto VI” is expected to be one of the year’s biggest entertainment events. Game publisher Take-Two Interactive hasn’t released sales figures for preorders, but CEO Strauss Zelnick recently called them “unprecedented and astonishing.” A career counselor with the Army engineer battalion hatched the idea with commanders to tie a retention

perk to the game’s release, in part to remind soldiers of their approaching reenlistment dates, said Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a Fort Stewart spokesperson. “The idea was to have a unique incentives program that connects to what soldiers are interested in,” Tomko said Thursday in a statement. Battalion commanders wrote in a memo to soldiers that those who sign reenlistment contracts by Nov. 14 would receive “a special 4 day pass.”

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will be allowed through; this will rise to 900 in the second week and will gradually increase until reaching 1,300 cattle per day, veterinarian Arturo Ruiz, responsible for animal health for the state of Sonora, told The Associated Press. The new rules also require cattle to be fitted with radiofrequency identification tags in their ears and screened by electronic readers and trained dogs. Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct the inspections before allowing the Mexican cattle to cross into Arizona, Ruiz explained. Mexico accepted the U.S. protocols, but the restrictions have frustrated some local ranchers. “We are at a complicated moment when we need authorities to think less politically and more technically and reasonably,” said Juan Carlos Ochoa, president

of the Regional Livestock Union of Sonora, referring to tensions between the Mexican and U.S. governments when the ban was first imposed in May 2025. Ochoa said the new U.S. restrictions would limit shipments and argued that a greater flow of cattle across the border is needed to address supply shortages in both countries. Although both countries felt the effects of Washington’s decision, the impact was greater in the U.S., particularly for consumers facing record-high beef prices that led some to cut back on meat. Juan Carlos Anaya, general director of agricultural consulting firm Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agrícolas, said U.S. ranchers were unable to make up the supply shortfall, contributing to closures at some meatprocessing plants and hurt-

ing feedlot operations. Before the border closure, Mexico exported about 1.2 million head of cattle to the United States each year, mainly from its northern states. When exports were suspended, Mexican ranchers turned to the domestic market, where they sold their cattle for nearly 40% less than they had received in the U.S. — a loss of income that forced many to sell some of their cattle or cut spending and investment. Back in Sonora, in the stifling August heat of the capital, Hermosillo, Ibarra was cautiously optimistic about ﬁnally sending his 16 calves to the U.S. But he said he would temper his expectations until October, when the cattle have gained enough weight and the sale could be ﬁnalized. “There’s no need to get too excited,” he said.

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12A ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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EDUCATION A S K T H E E X P E RT S

La. librarian helps teens love reading Method helps pull students away from screens

Q&A WITH MAUREEN BARCLAy CAPTAIN SHREVE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

When picky readers walk into the Captain Shreve High School library in Shreveport, librarian Maureen Barclay uses a triedand-true method to help them find books that pique their interest. She rattles off a list of questions: What’s the last book you enjoyed? What movies do you watch? What TikTok videos? What do you do in your free time? “They start reading something, and it’s just like Netflix,” she said. “They get caught up, and once you get them started, they keep going. They keep reading, like they kept watching.” Barclay knows all too well how difficult it can be to get some students interested in reading. Recent national headlines have proclaimed that “The end of reading is here” and “Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore. Even in English Class.” Only 14% of 13-year-olds said they read for fun, according to a U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics survey released in June. That’s a decline of nearly half since 2012. Researchers often point to several factors behind decreased rates of reading in schools, including increased screen use and, in the classroom, increased pressure to teach to standardized tests. The Times-Picayune | The Advocate spoke with Barclay, longtime librarian and classroom

Captain Shreve High School librarian Maureen Barclay teacher at Captain Shreve, about how she helps students buck those trends. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Tell me a bit about yourself. This is my 21st year in education and at Captain Shreve High School. I started as a classroom English teacher and I moved to the library in 2018, largely because I had been working with the National Writing Project (a professional development network that focuses on writing) as a teacher consultant. Working as a librarian allowed me to reach more teachers and all the students in our school. As a librarian I serve about 1,400 students, helping students throughout the day and teaching research.

Why is reading important? Research tells us that a student who reads just 20 minutes a day is more likely to score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests. We have a schoolwide culture of reading, and we have a 100-million-word reading challenge this year where students and teachers can log too. So everyone is invested. What books do kids seem to be interested in? We see a wide range. It depends on the student and their background and interests. At Captain Shreve, we have a lot of students who are interested in mysteries and thrillers, just like the movies. If you’re a gamer, you’re going to like stories with a lot of action. We also have readers who only want to read graphic novels or students who will say, “The last book I ever read that I loved was ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid.’” That means that they want books that are lighthearted, that are humorous, maybe that are a break from reality. One of my colleagues says, “Oh, they want a book snack.” We want to make sure that we have everything available that a reader could want, that they can see themselves in the books that we have to offer and that they have access to those books in a variety of ways. Our students prefer physical books. They really don’t gravitate to e-books; they don’t want screens for their pleasure reading. Do you have any tips for helping teens find pleasure in reading?

PROVIDED PHOTO

Researchers often point to several factors behind decreased rates of reading in schools, including increased screen use and, in the classroom, increased pressure to teach to standardized tests. First, collaborate with a school librarian because the school librarian is trained and is an expert in matching students with books that they will love. It’s the school librarian who is wellversed in young adult literature, which is completely different from being well-versed in British literature or American literature. That knowledge is crucial to matching students with books that they will love in this culture right now. I’ve learned that more and more across our state there is a school library, there are books in it, but there is not a trained librarian in that facility. In that case, reach out to your local public library. Could you walk me through an example of how you help a student find a book they’ll enjoy? That’s what we do all day, ev-

ery day. I call them picky readers, or non-readers. Maybe they haven’t ﬁnished a book since they were really little because they’re dyslexic or they’re addicted to screens. Or maybe they just fell out of love with reading. I usually ask if there’s something they watched recently that they really enjoyed. Are you into gaming? What do you do in your free time? Tell me about what you’re watching on TikTok? Did you ever read books like “Big Nate,” did you ever read “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”? Usually that student wants a graphic novel because they’re very visual, they have a short attention span, and graphic novels are great because they’re a gateway drug to reading. Email Marie Fazio at marie. fazio@theadvocate.com.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 13A

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Sources: National park maintenance work sidelined

two of the officials said. Park service employees “were told to not expect anything on the low priority list to be contracted,” one of the officials said. “The first priority was White House priorities,” the official said. “Anywhere that is 250th-related they would have been diverting resources, some it probably planned but a lot of it pushed by the administration.” The Interior Department said many entries on the low priority list had been “misprioritized and were corrected.” It declined to say how many or which ones, or how much parks are spending on projects outside Washington. Agency officials declined to answer questions about the reflecting pool.

The 1,500 low priority projects had a combined cost estimate of more than $400 million. Maine Independent Sen. Angus King, the ranking member of the Senate’s National Parks Subcommittee, said the administration’s pursuits around Washington “are more aesthetic than strictly necessary,” even as they siphon resources from sites elsewhere in the U.S. “I don’t object to setting priorities,” King said in an interview. “I object to the White House priority list being tacked onto the top of that pyramid.” He added it could lead to “the deterioration of America’s gems” as things like sanitation upgrades and basic maintenance don’t happen. Congress during both Maintenance backlog Democratic and Republican The park service has a presidencies has pushed to third list for “high priority” address the backlog. The projects that includes more bipartisan Great American than 2,000 items, many with Outdoors Act in 2020 incontracts awarded or in pro- cluded $6.5 billion for maincess, the documents show. tenance and repairs through “In any year, the National 2025. A legislative extension Park Service must priori- is pending. tize projects most in need,” Interior spokesperson Katie Testing agency’s mission Martin wrote in a statement. The priority designations “The National Park Service came from park service has not only been focused on headquarters in Washington, beautifying the district for according to documents obthe 250th celebrations in our tained by AP and one of the nation’s capital but has also unnamed ofﬁcials. been working on many deThe park service appears ferred maintenance projects to be moving forward on at least $80 million in White throughout the country.”

WORCESTER, Mass. — An arrest warrant has been issued for a mental health advocate who remained missing Saturday, more than four days after police found the Massachusetts officer she had been married to dead in their home. Karen Solomon, 58, was last spotted in a doorbell camera video, walking down a street in a T-shirt, shorts and ﬂip-ﬂops early Tuesday morning, just minutes after Worcester police officers responded to a call from the home where Kurt Solomon

was found dead. Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said the warrant charges Karen Solomon with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Saucier said Kurt Solomon, a 31-year-veteran officer, was mortally injured with a sharp object — he wouldn’t say what. Meanwhile the city of Worcester said Friday that public spaces around Coes Pond will remain closed as a search involving dive teams and police dogs continues. “Kurt was a hell of a guy. He was an awesome police officer and an awesome

person, and he’s going to be truly missed,” Saucier said. A wake will be held on Tuesday and his funeral on Wednesday, the chief said. Karen Solomon wrote two books about the physical and psychological experiences of ﬁrst responders and helped start First H.E.L.P., an organization that advocates for their mental health. The Solomons shared a home and had been married, court records indicated, but authorities declined to discuss their current relationship, citing domestic violence privacy rules.

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By The Associated Press

Pressure to deliver on administration demands for Freedom 250 was compounded by stafﬁng cuts that made it harder to execute contracts, the unnamed ofﬁcials said.

Arrest warrant issued for Mass. woman sought in officer’s death

Contracting officers

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

Work continues Tuesday on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington.

Prior to Trump’s second term, the parks had 275 contracting officers. They’ve since been consolidated into the Interior Department, which nevertheless saw its contracting workforce drop more than 20%, public records show. About $140 million has been obligated or spent by the park service in Washington, D.C., this year, according to public data. That includes the reﬂecting pool work and the rehabilitation of fountains across the district. Interior spokesperson Martin said the Trump administration is eyeing different revenue sources for maintenance including endowments and park pass sales. Those sales rose more than $2 million, to $16.7 million, in the ﬁrst quarter of 2026 compared to a year earlier, she said.

ULE ED

BILLINGS, Mont. — The 250th anniversary of U.S. independence was just months away when National Park Service employees received a surprising directive from Washington: Maintenance projects approved for this year at sites across the nation were being relegated to a new “low priority” list. Work wanted by the White House was taking precedence, including repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and three officials from the park service and Interior Department who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. The reflecting pool repairs and other projects tied to President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative landed on a separate list for White House priorities, the documents show. Many of the administration-backed projects have advanced, though the reflecting pool repairs were botched. Meanwhile, almost all of about 1,500 maintenance and other projects on the low priority list as of last month are expected to go undone, the officials said. That will worsen a repair backlog at national parks that doubled over the last decade to more than $24 billion even as visitor numbers surged. The shelved projects, many already approved, span more than 200 sites and range from roof repairs at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, to computer upgrades at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and bulk purchases of toilet paper and garbage bags at Yellowstone National Park. Because of their low priority designation and with the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, it’s unknown when they will move forward unless park staff can find a workaround,

The park service’s mission has been tested under Trump as its employees navigate new realities. It lost at least one-quarter of its permanent workforce under Trump. Remaining employees have been ordered to revise exhibits that Trump said advanced “improper ideology,” and demolish the East Wing of the White House, which is under park stewardship, for the creation of a ballroom. Trump also reduced Bears Ears and Grand StaircaseEscalante national monuments in Utah as Republicans reshape public lands management.

BY MATTHEW BROWN

Associated Press

House priorities, including $52 million awarded, the documents indicate. Much of that work was championed by Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, such as the reflecting pool repairs and the rehabilitation of other parks in the capital with an eye toward the 250th celebrations. Trump announced his plans to paint the Reflecting Pool blue in April, aiming to address long-standing problems at the site before July 4. But the $16 million initiative faced immediate problems, including peeling sealant and a fierce return of green algae. Not all of the administration’s priorities advanced: A $70 million line item for “turf maintenance” over five years at parks in the Washington, D.C., area is among more than $80 million in work marked as “canceled” in the Interior Department data.

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14A ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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THE GULF COAST Get $25 all-you-can-eat catfish at seafood spot BY TIM THORSEN Sun Herald

PHOTOS By JACKSON RANGER/SUN HERALD

Elmore Wonsley, right, reacts as the crowd sings ‘Happy Birthday’ during a vigil for Nolan Wells at Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi, Miss., on Wednesday.

Hundreds gather to remember Nolan Wells on his birthday

By The Sun Herald Wednesday was supposed to be Nolan Wells’ 19th birthday. Instead, hundreds of people gathered for a prayer vigil mourning the beloved Ocean Springs teen’s death and celebrating his life at Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi. “As we celebrate what would have been his 19th birthday, I am reminded as a father of a 24-year-old son and the uncle of four nephews between the age of 20 and 24, how dangerous, precarious life can be for a young Black man in

America,” said Marc Morial, former New Orleans mayor and CEO of the National Urban League. After many speakers offered condolences to the family and urged for answers and justice after the teen’s death off Horn Island, his parents Christine and Elmore Wonsley spoke to the crowd. “This morning I had to ﬁght the urge to FaceTime you and sing my off-tune Happy Birthday song,” Christine Wonsley said. “I miss the warmth of your hugs, I miss hearing you say ‘I love you mom’, I miss everything about you.”

Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League, raises his fist as he gives a speech at Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi on Wednesday.

A building in Gulfport that for more than 40 years was the home of Catfish Charlie is roaring back to life with a new restaurant. Catfish Cuevas, a Southernstyle seafood spot, has opened in the building that once housed the iconic Gulf Coast catfish buffet that closed in March. The new restaurant is the brainchild of the owners who formerly operated Lloyd’s Cabin seafood buffet in Perkinston. Owners said Catfish Cuevas won’t be buffet-style, but guests can expect all-you-can-eat catfish and whole catfish made with an original recipe. The grand opening was Thursday, and the restaurant will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is adjacent to what is reportedly the largest rocking chair in the world. The menu includes all-youcan-eat catfish for $24.99 or chicken tenders for $20.99. Diners can opt for a whole catfish or filets, broiled or fried. Other food options include seafood platters, sandwiches and a plethora of side items.

Opening night was so busy the restaurant had to pause taking to-go orders, owners said on Facebook. “We are incredibly grateful for each and every person who has supported us along the way. Your love, loyalty, and encouragement have meant more than words could ever express, and we pray that you will continue to support us in this next chapter,” the post said. Catﬁsh Charlie, remembered by many for its crispy fried catﬁsh, coleslaw and buttermilk biscuits, will soon be revitalized under the new brand. Catfish Charlie opened in early 1980 and is named for the founder, Charlie Sinopoli, who opened the restaurant with his brother, Gary. Michael Sinopoli started working there with his father and uncle on weekends while continuing at his full-time job. He and Karen met at the restaurant, where she was also working. They helped keep the restaurant going for 10 years before moving to Washington state. They returned in March 2005, after Charlie died and Gary wanted to retire, and kept Catfish Charlie going another 21 years.

Why you need dental insurance in retirement. Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coverage for their entire working life, through employer-provided benefits. When those benefits end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock, leading people to put off or even go without care. Simply put — without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcare coverage.

When you’re comparing plans ...  Look for coverage that helps pay for major services. Some plans may limit the number of procedures — or pay for preventive care only.  Look for coverage with no deductibles. Some plans may require you to pay hundreds out of pocket before benefits are paid.  Shop for coverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.

Medicare doesn’t pay for dental care.1

Previous dental work can wear out.

That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it was never meant to cover everything. That means if you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.

Even if you’ve had quality dental work in the past, you shouldn’t take your dental health for granted. In fact, your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.2

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1 “Medicare & You,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2025. 2 “Aging changes in teeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov, 4/17/2022. 3 FairHealth, Inc. National average dental fees. Data current as of July 2025; subject to change.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 15A

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Campaign aims to boost Black nonprofit fundraising Initiative convinces donors of their power

NEW YORK — Black nonproﬁt fundraisers are turning to their own communities for support this month, stressing everyday donors’ power at a time when philanthropy is growing more concentrated among the affluent and some major funders have de-prioritized diversity in their grantmaking. The BackBlack initiative has directed more than $12 million toward Black-led nonprofits over the past three years, according to founder Floyd Jones. A GivingTuesday-style campaign that runs in August, the appeal invites online donation platforms to center typically underfunded, Black-led nonproﬁts. Last year’s efforts drew more than 130,000 unique donors, according to Jones, with the majority of their gifts falling under $100. This year, for the first time, organizers are also leveraging content creators to reach a new audience: Black Gen Zers. The goal is to show that philanthropy belongs to them, too — not just the historically wealthier and predominantly White charitable institutions that tend to dominate narratives about philanthropy. “Our people have always taken care of our people,” Jones said. “I want people to feel empowered.” The campaign could bring a boost for smaller,

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANGELINA KATSANIS

Floyd Jones is the founder of BackBlack, an initiative that supports underfunded Black-led nonprofits. Black-led organizations that, according to research released earlier this year, saw no significant changes to their funding after the racial reckoning of 2020. Only a subset of larger nonprofits got temporary increases in the years that followed, according to an analysis by Candid and ABFE. BackBlack aims to flip that narrative from one of “deficit” to one of abundance. Jones is heartened by the example of Madam C.J. Walker, a Black beauty entrepreneur widely considered America’s first female self-made millionaire. She supported Black educational efforts such as Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute and African American branches of the YMCA. She also contributed to the NAACP ‘s anti-lynching fund shortly before her death in 1919. Jones doesn’t care if today’s donors have millions

in their bank accounts, though. “It’s about doing your best,” he said. One of BackBlack’s creators pointed to the Free African Society. The nondenominational Philadelphia group, founded in 1787 by Black leaders Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, was one of the country’s first mutual aid organizations. “We’ve always had to pool our money and resources to help each other,” said Ernest Crim III, a former schoolteacher who posts Black history videos for his 118,000 Instagram followers. But, he added, allies must also pitch in — especially in communities that “might not have the sustainable market or income to consistently give.” Crim is asking followers to support Black nonprofits that work on issues of youth employment. Other participating pages are focused on nonprofits providing sports

San Francisco area dethroned as largest tech talent market BY QUEENIE WONG

Los Angeles Times (TNS) The San Francisco Bay Area, epicenter of the artificial intelligence boom, is home to a massive amount of tech workers employed by some of the world’s most valuable companies, from Apple to Nvidia. But for the ﬁrst time, New York has eclipsed the Bay Area as the home of the largest “tech talent workforce,” a report by real estate and investment firm CBRE shows. The ﬁrm has published the annual report for 13 years. Last year, the New York Metro Area’s tech talent workforce reached 394,300, surpassing the Bay Area’s 375,730, according to the report. Fueled by mass layoffs, the Bay Area’s tech talent workforce dropped by 6% from 2022 to 2025. New York’s tech talent workforce, on the other hand, grew by more than 8% during that period. Tech talent workers include highly skilled workers in more than 20 technologyoriented jobs, employed in industries such as health-

care, ﬁnancial services, government and more, according to CBRE. The growth of New York’s tech talent highlights how tech workers are spilling into other industries and cities as Silicon Valley companies lay off workers. Companies including Meta, Block and Amazon continue to cut workers as they focus more on AI investments. “The Bay Area is likely to remain ... the central location for the AI industry and for innovation. But as we’ve seen during past cycles, as it tends to grow, that spreads out to all the key markets,” Colin Yasukochi, executive director of CBRE’s Tech Insights Center, said during a news conference Tuesday. New York has gained tech workers in the financial services sector, which was an early adopter of artificial intelligence, said Lauren Crowley Corrinet, vice chairman of CBRE’s Consulting Group in New York. Meanwhile, AI startups have popped up in the Midtown South neighborhood and other areas. New York has a transitrich environment, making

it an attractive place for companies to purchase new ofﬁce space and workers to live in. “The size of the market, just the sheer scale of it, really does support both the early stage growth, but also that ability to just scale fast,” she said. In California, some cities grew their tech talent workforce. Sacramento’s tech talent workforce grew more than 8% from 2022 to 2025, reaching 42,970. Los Angeles and Orange County’s tech workforce totaled 227,350 last year, up by less than 1% compared to 2022. Toronto, Washington, D.C. and Dallas-Forth Worth all had more tech talent. CBRE looked at other factors beyond the size of a metro area’s tech talent workforce, such as average salary, rental prices and tech graduates, to rank the markets on a scorecard. The Bay Area still is at the top while New York is fourth. Los Angeles is ranked No. 18. The drop in tech talent in the Bay Area comes as workers grow more worried that AI could lead to fewer jobs.

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access, improving health outcomes and ensuring civil rights. Matching up to $6,000 in donations is For Good, a charitable giving platform that helps move money from more than 20,000 donor-advised funds to over a million nonproﬁts ﬁltered by ZIP code. GivingTuesday manages BackBlack’s data, Jones said. Other partners include online fundraising platforms GiveButter, Every.org, Bonterra and Fundraise Up. For Good provides back end infrastructure for consumer-based campaigns including YouTube’s fundraising pages and Patagonia’s point-of-sale donations. The creator-driven donation strategy stemmed from the platform’s success with YouTubers who launch fundraisers for the issues they discuss in their videos.

Grassroots fundraisers face competing headwinds, according to For Good interim president Tamara Mahal. The concentration of wealth has increased the share of high net worth individuals in the donor pool. But, she said, there are more ways than ever to give locally from the bottom up. She welcomes the BackBlack campaign’s efforts to include more small-dollar givers so that nonprofits aren’t overly beholden to any one individual benefactor. “The cause is important in and of itself. Find a nonprofit that’s doing work in your community,” she said. “And that will actually help us to diversify.” Kaci Patterson is the founder of Social Good Solutions, a social impact consulting ﬁrm that works with funders to build support

for Black-led organizations outside of “trend funding.” She finds that Black Philanthropy Month, celebrated in August, is a reminder that philanthropy is more than just “institutional” giving “held within the walls of wealth and power.” It was fish fries and chicken dinners, she noted, that funded alternative transportation systems during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Growing up, her own family received groceries from their community during times of hardship. “That was philanthropy. That was someone else looking at us and investing in us and wanting us to be whole and wanting us to be well,” she said. “ We’ve always had this kind of ‘we got us’ philanthropy. Let’s step into that role more confidently.”

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16A ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Downtown brawl isolated incident, police say “When we kick them out of our bar, ment’s call volume is from that area. Nightclub owner “It’s not uncommon for a club to let BRPD can make their own assessa bunch of people and the people ment,” Facey said. “I don’t have any proposes plan after fight out who had an argument inside the club authority to tell a person that they can’t

BY BLAKE LESCHBER Staff writer

After video of a ﬁght in the street outside the Violet Nightclub went viral online, some downtown Baton Rouge businesses are calling for increased security in the area. The footage from earlier this month shows a group of women brawling on Third Street in front of the nightclub while police ofﬁcers work to break it up. However, Police Chief T.J. Morse said that, while the video may look concerning, less than 1% of his depart-

are now outside and get in some kind of disturbance,” Morse said. “The difference with downtown is those arguments and fights don’t happen in the parking lot; it goes straight into the street.” Violet Nightclub owner David Facey pushed back against claims that the incidents are both frequent and solely the responsibility of his nightclub. He said this was only the second fight in front of the building in eight months. Typically, the fights start in the club but move to the street once security kicks out the troublemakers, he said.

stand on a sidewalk. I can’t even tell them to get into their car.” Morse said in most fights — like the one on Aug. 8 — people are detained, but the potential charges are typically misdemeanors, so those involved aren’t transported to jail. “There are some times where you have five or six officers there, and you have 15 people in the street fighting. Those five of six people might not be able to arrest all 10 or 15, but they’re gonna arrest the main agitators that

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

A Baton Rouge police officer stands guard at the entrance ä See SAFETY, page 2B to Violet Nightclub as a line begins to form on Thursday.

Ascension council OKs advisory committee Panel to comb through planning documents

BY ANNAKATE FREELAND Staff writer

STAFF PHOTOS By PEARL SPURLOCK

Kayson Lasyone attempts to rope a calf at the St. Francisville Summer Spectacular Rodeo on Friday.

Ridin’, ropin’, rasslin’

Ascension Parish is creating a committee to take a detailed look at the parish’s policies for new construction and infrastructure as its population continues to grow and new business development comes to the area. The Parish Council approved a resolution Thursday to create an advisory committee to review the parish’s uniﬁed development code and master plan. The move comes four years after the parish halted all new development for 11 months to retool how the local government oversees flood prevention and building projects. The resolution passed 6-4, with some council members questioning the need for the new panel. Council members made it clear that the resolution only shows support of the proposed plan, and any new ordinances must still be made and passed before the committee can be formed. The new panel will review the parish’s development regulations and long-term planning documents

ä See COUNCIL, page 2B

Rapper’s ex provides alibi for fatal drive-by Bail denied for RealBleeda in case

BY QUINN COFFMAN

Landin Shaffer, 5, watches the St. Francisville Summer Spectacular Rodeo on Friday.

Staff writer

Aaron Uriegas wrestles a steer. äSee more. PAGE 3B

head start and makes completing the degree after high school much more attainable,” said Nicole Joseph, RPCC associate vice chancellor of dual enrollment and educational services. Joseph said students don’t pay anything out of pocket to participate in these courses, because the school district covers all program-related costs. The classes

A Baton Rouge judge ruled Thursday against granting bail for 24-year-old David Catherine, also known as the rapper RealBleeda, in his ﬁrst-degree murder case in the 2024 drive-by shooting death of youth advocate Teressa Calligan. Makenzy Roach testified on Catherine’s behalf Thursday, stating that the two of them were together on the evening of Sept. 15, 2024, when Calligan was fatally shot while stopped at a red light on Airline Highway. Roach said on the stand that she and Catherine were dating at the time and had spent the night together. Roach testiﬁed she had confirmed her recollection with photos taken that night, but deleted the images after she and Catherine had broken up.

ä See PROGRAM, page 2B

ä See ALIBI, page 2B

RPCC launches dual enrollment program Iberville Parish students can learn technical training

BY ANNAKATE FREELAND

Staff writer

Iberville Parish Public School students will be able to work toward a college degree during normal school hours this school

year — and at no cost. River Parishes Community College announced last week that it is launching an early college option program with the school district for this semester at the college’s Westside Campus in Plaquemine, creating a dedicated dual-enrollment location for high school students in the parish. Dual enrollment courses allow students to simultaneously earn high school and college credits.

The inaugural cohort consists of 11th and 12th grade students who will take college courses in either one of two sectors: process technology or instrumentation and electrical technology, while continuing to attend their home high schools. “By completing the dual enrollment pathway, students can earn approximately 23 of the 60 credit hours needed for the associate degree. This gives them a great

2B ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Teen arrested in double homicide, Gonzales police say A 17-year-old has been arrested after two people were killed Friday afternoon in a shooting that Gonzales police say may be linked to illegal drug activity. Joseph Appiah, 17, was booked into the Ascension Parish jail early Saturday morning on two counts of first-degree murder, eight counts of CRIME aggravated assault BLOTTER with a ﬁrearm, and a count each of disstaff charging firearms reports in city limits, possession with intent to distribute, criminal conspiracy and principals, according to police. Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, Gonzales officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of

East Caldwell Street in response to a report of gunfire. Officers located 17-year-old Tegan Daigle and 21-year-old Jared Downey, who were pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses and video surveillance identified a black BMW leaving the residence shortly after the shooting, police said. Detectives identified individuals believed to be involved and located the vehicle. They later arrested Appiah. Police say the investigation shows illegal drug activity may have been a factor in the circumstances regarding the shooting. Two additional persons of interest have been identified, and police continue to investigate to determine their involvement and if ad-

ditional arrests are needed. “This is a senseless loss of two young lives, and the tragedy extends far beyond the two victims,” Police Chief Sherman Jackson said. “Young people are now facing life-altering consequences because of bad decisions, drugs and violence. In a matter of moments, lives were lost, futures were shattered and multiple families were forever changed.”

Baton Rouge ‘polydrug’ operation busted in raids A Baton Rouge man, described as a “polydrug trafﬁcker” by authorities, has been arrested alongside a second individual after agents seized about 14 pounds of

narcotics and multiple firearms in a series of raids. Lashalln Lagarde, 53, was identified as a “kilogram level dealer” who was primarily operating in the Valley Park area, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office said. Lagarde, also known as “Yoda,” was arrested Wednesday on a slew of charges, including four counts of possession with intent to distribute of different narcotics, two counts of illegal carrying of a firearm and a count of money laundering. Johnathan Hogan, 44, also faces two counts of possession with intent to distribute, one count of violation of a drug-free zone and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Wednesday, agents executed search warrants at four locations in Valley Park, Sherwood Forest and Ascension Parish. In those searches, agents seized about 1,820 lethal doses of fentanyl, over 9 pounds of cocaine, nearly 3 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.15 pounds of cocaine and nine dosage units of Alprazolam alongside drug paraphernalia and $35,047 in cash. Three ﬁrearms were also seized, one of which was reported stolen through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Lagarde is being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish jail, and also is currently on supervised probation in Ascension Parish, authorities said.

Olympic champ Duplantis launches anthem for competition Athlete brings together music and sports with ‘Gold’ By The Associated Press Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis is singing about his favorite color in a promotion for the ﬁrst Ultimate Championship. The two-time Olympic champion, who graduated from Lafayette High and attended LSU, released “Gold” with World Athletics on Friday as the anthem of the upcoming

meet that boasts a total prize fund of $10 million. Ultimate Championship will be staged in Budapest from Sept. 11-13, showcasing Olympic, world and Diamond League champions over three evening sessions. Gold medalists in individual events will win $150,000. Duplantis The 26-year-old Duplantis has dabbled in music for several years and released his ﬁrst single, “Bop,” in 2025.

ALIBI

SAFETY

Ryan Thompson, Catherine’s attorney, argued Roach’s testimony was evidence Catherine had an alibi for the 9:30 p.m. drive-by shooting and trumped the circumstantial evidence presented by authorities tying him to the scene. “That is a direct alibi that does not place Mr. Catherine at the scene,” Thompson said. “I would argue, judge, that there may be probable cause for an obstruction charge, possibly, but to involve Mr. Catherine in the first-degree murder charge as a principal, the evidence is just not there.” Assistant District Attorney Chaz Morgan asked Roach when she was first contacted about providing an alibi for Catherine. Roach said her family had reached out to her in June 2025 since they knew she and Catherine were together at the time. Roach told Morgan that she used a photo from Sept. 15, 2024, to check that Catherine was with her. But she also testified that she and Catherine had broken up by June 2025 and the photos had been deleted by then.

they are able to identify and apprehend,” Morse said. Despite this fight being classified as an isolated incident, some business owners in the area feel security can be improved to deter future ones. Somewhere Bar owner Daniel Unda said he feels there is a lack of enforcement and arrests for incidents that he has witnessed. Aaron Franklin, owner of Dark 30, said while he understands budget cuts and staff shortages, he wants to see more police cruisers and patrols on the street, particularly on busy nights. “Could it have been avoided if there was a cruiser on every street to make sure that it’s moved along?” Franklin asked about the Aug. 8 fight. “When (BRPD) did respond to it, it was already out of proportion.” BRPD’s goal is to deter crime, but Morse said incidents can still occur even with increased patrols. He said there are no current plans to increase patrols downtown. “Our intention is to deter people from making poor choices with our presence down there,” Morse said. “They see four police cars patrolling around or sitting in the street, then they’re less likely to make poor decisions. But at the end of the day, we could have 50 police cars there, and somebody might still make the decision to fight with someone.” Morse said three daytime officers and three nighttime officers are assigned to work downtown full-time, plus an additional squad. Additionally, on nights when larger crowds

Continued from page 1B

Airline Highway shooting Catherine, alongside codefendants Roger Parker, 21, and Robert Lewis, 20, were indicted last year on charges of ﬁrst-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Police have labeled all three as members of the “Bleedas,” a Baton Rouge gang named in part for Catherine’s stage name. The trio is accused of mistakenly targeting Calligan in a drive-by shooting at an Airline Highway trafﬁc light. As Calligan waited at the light, another vehicle pulled alongside her, which authorities have said was occupied by Catherine, Parker and Lewis. An occupant of that vehicle opened fire on Calligan’s car, striking her multiple times and killing her. Her vehicle then rolled into the intersection, crashing into a sheriff’s deputy’s cruiser. Before deciding whether to grant Catherine the chance to bail out, Hines called the ruling a “toughie” and noted that the case against Catherine is largely circumstantial. Ultimately, she denied Catherine bail, saying it will be up to a future jury to evaluate his potential alibi. Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@ theadvocate.com.

Continued from page 1B

COUNCIL

Continued from page 1B and make nonbinding recommendations to the Parish Council. It will not have the authority to change either the uniﬁed development code or master plan. According to the resolution, “the committee is established solely in an advisory capacity and shall undertake two separate, but related, assignments, with recommendations concerning the uniﬁed development code and the master plan to

PROGRAM

Continued from page 1B will be during regular school hours between 8 a.m. and 1:50 p.m., with students taking a bus to the community college campus. “By providing specialized programming in highdemand fields like p-tech and instrumentation, we are empowering our students to graduate career-ready, equipped with the technical skills and credentials needed to thrive in our regional workforce and achieve long-

Duplantis, the world-record holder, says he dreams of winning a Grammy. “Gold” was written by Duplantis with Carl Silvergran and Oscar Chase, and was produced by Chase, the World Athletics announcement said. “I wrote the song around representing something that’s a lot bigger than yourself,” Duplantis said in the announcement. “I think that’s what we all do when we’re on the track. We represent our family, our team, our coaches, and I love that concept. Music and sports are the two things that bring people to-

are expected, such as Saturdays, BRPD may add another four or five officers on overtime. BRPD is currently short about 150 officers, meaning not all areas can be patrolled as much as some residents and business owners would like. A BRPD station is located across the street from Violet and Somewhere Bar. While Unda raised concerns about availability, Morse said the station is open for about 20 hours every day. The gaps are due to shift changes, and when officers aren’t there, the districts east and south of downtown fill the shortage.

90-day plan proposed While being firm that Violet has seen fewer than 10 fights in two years, Facey went to city-parish officials with a 90-day program named the Violet Nightlife Safety & Downtown Coordination Plan. If his business is going to be blamed for fights outside the club, Facey wants “a clear, measurable standard and framework” so he can put changes in place. “If I need to tell my off-duty officers that they need to go down the block and make sure it is cleared because our patrons are just moving down the block, that’s something I could tell them to do,” he said. Facey said it is a rule of thumb that Violet has at least two security officers on hand before it opens. Violet hires off-duty officers to serve as security in addition to the BRPD officers already on the street. Facey is also proposing specific ride-share locations on Third Street, where riders must meet drivers to get picked up. “If we’re more intentional on where we send ride-sharing people,

be developed independently while recognizing that each document should remain consistent with and supportive of the other.” Council member Brett Arceneaux, one of four council members who voted against the resolution, questioned whether the new committee is necessary because the parish already has committees that review planning and development issues. “We want to review the master plan. We want to review the land code and keep that as a living document. My question is: What is the thought in not going to the Strategic Planning Committee? What are

term success,” said Louis M. Voiron Jr., Iberville Parish schools superintendent. Students who complete the process technology pathway will earn a certiﬁcate of technical studies. Instrumentation students will earn an NCCER core credential, the NCCER Instrumentation Level 1 and a certiﬁcate of technical studies. The expansion builds on other dual enrollment programs that RPCC offers in Ascension and St. John the Baptist parishes. At RPCC’s Gonzales Campus, roughly 270 students are in dual enrollment, with

gether in the best way, and ‘Gold’ is an expression of that.” The accompanying music video was ﬁlmed in the Hungarian capital and includes archival footage of Duplantis as a young athlete. The Louisiana-born Duplantis told the Olympics channel last year he uses his music “as a way of therapy. I really love to have something else to be able to do, and to kind of take myself away from sports a little bit.” At the Ultimate Championship, his new song “will be woven into the broadcast and live-event experience, connecting fans in-stadium

with audiences around the world,” World Athletics said. Duplantis is scheduled to perform “Gold” live in-stadium to close out the event. “The Ultimate is purposefully designed to showcase the talents and passions of our sport’s biggest stars, on and off the track,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said. “Mondo is one of our most recognizable and accomplished athletes, and we could not be more excited that he is the one who created the Ultimate Anthem.” The championship will be a biennial event.

we can start to divert large crowds to areas that have better sightlines for ofﬁcers that are well-lit and just remove a lot of the ambiguity,” Facey said. Franklin, the owner of Dark 30, agreed downtown needs better lighting to help deter crime. “If we put lights in the trees, that changes the whole perspective,” Franklin said. “Now you have more light on the street; everybody is moving a little different.” Additionally, the plan calls for a system to track criminal incidents and develop stronger partnerships between law enforcement and businesses. Due to crowd management, Facey said he is likely going to move out of downtown either at the beginning of 2027 or the end of the spring semester. “If we see there are no serious incidents outside what’s normal for a bar, then we’ll extend from January to May,” Facey said. “But if we do see there isn’t really a change, that you’re still having incidents and there’s no real solution for them, then this thing shuts down at the end of the year.” At the end of the 90 days, Facey plans to meet with East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards and other ofﬁcials to see how the plan is working and if any changes are needed.

Bourbon Street,” Franklin said. “We have a chance, but you don’t have a chance when you have that type of stuff (fights) popping up.” Facey said downtown continues to grow, but the infrastructure isn’t strong enough to fit the demand at this time. “I think there’s a change in socioeconomics and demographics downtown, post-pandemic, that we really need to understand what the appropriate infrastructure should be,” Facey said. “I understand everyone’s talking about violence and everything; I think this is just showing a systemic issue that the city needs to figure out that’s not really rooted in violence, but more so municipal planning.” Facey said he believes downtown lacks a brand — is the focus on residential or entertainment purposes? He said that allows violent incidents to take over the narrative. “Without clear branding, whatever narrative or event is loud enough will supersede whatever branding or lack of branding is there,” Facey said. “The identity will be assumed by the incident, and so I think this fearmongering is a direct response to the lack of cohesive identity for downtown.” Downtown businesses are trying to cater not just to Baton Rouge residents, but to people from places like Zachary and Central, Franklin said. Lack of identity downtown? “Downtown is what is supposed to Bar owners, like Franklin and be able to draw in all of these difFacey, say the reactions to isolated ferent cities,” Franklin said. “But violence are inflated due to down- as long as you’ve got all these othtown having what they call a “frag- er things going on, we can’t get to them.” ile identity.” Franklin called on residents to “We’re in a situation where the identity is so fragile here; (Third “buy into” the culture and work to Street) could possibly be a high-end change how people see downtown.

we accomplishing instead of using what we already have in place?” he asked. About 20 residents attended Thursday’s meeting in support of the resolution. Most did not speak, but residents who addressed the council said they wanted parish residents to have a role on the committee. The resolution was amended to include four private individuals, who will be selected as members by the council’s Personnel Committee. The remainder of the panel will consist of the parish planning director, three Parish Council members

and three Planning Commission members, all chosen by the chair of those commissions. The committee may review ordinances, planning documents, studies, policies and best practices; receive input from parish staff, governmental agencies, stakeholders, and the public; and develop written nonbinding recommendations for submission to the Parish Council, the resolution says. The committee will give its updates and recommendations to the Planning Commission or Zoning Commission, depending on the matter.

between 50 and 60 students manities. each year graduating high RPCC has also expanded school while also having the program at its Reserve earned an associate degree Campus, where 22 students in biological sciences or hu-

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 3B

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Obituaries

Cowboy, take me away

Bacon, Ruby Firmin

STAFF PHOTO By PEARL SPURLOCK

The sun sets on the St. Francisville Summer Spectacular Rodeo on Friday.

Custom school uniforms popular in N.O. BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

Anir Carter was determined to make an entrance on the first day at John F. Kennedy High School in Gentilly earlier this month. Not only was it her first day of senior year, it was also the first day back since Kennedy had merged with Carter’s old school, Frederick A. Douglass High School. She wanted to stand out. So Anir Carter enlisted the help of Mytrell Carter, a local designer known on Instagram as @trendzbytrell. The pair designed a custom look in Kennedy’s traditional blue plaid: shorts and a corset-style vest over a polo shirt, with plaid trim added to the sleeves and collar. She completed the look with a red beret and matching red socks. “I really wanted to be different and I was,” Carter said. “Walking in my senior year, it felt amazing.” New Orleans students have long added touches of personal style to school uniforms, which are required in nearly every public school in the city. But local seamstresses and designers said custom uniform pieces have exploded in popularity this year, a surge fueled by social media and, to some extent, the mellowing of once-harsh charter school uniform policies. Mytrell Carter and other designers said they’re overwhelmed with orders from parents and students, which haven’t abated since the first day of school. School leaders said they’ve noticed more students showing up in customized school uniforms than past years. And students said they’ve noticed an uptick among their peers, some showing up the first day with custom coats with puffed sleeves, socks with plaid ruffles or oversized hair bows. “I just felt like I was that girl,” Anir Carter said. “Like, couldn’t nobody tell me nothing about my outfit.”

History with uniforms When charter schools proliferated in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, many gained a reputation for zero-tolerance enforcement of uniform policy, violations that could result in suspensions. Students were often suspended for minor misbehavior, such as dress

Ruby Firmin Bacon, a native of Simmesport and a resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the age of 92. Before retiring, she spent her career working as a lab assistant at the Pathology Group of Louisiana. Ruby was a member of the Sunshine Band, where they played at multiple nursing homes. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. She was a well-loved woman who never met a stranger. She is survived by her children, Brenda Brown (Robert), Melanie Bacon, and Roger Bacon; grandchildren, Kristi Brown, Carl Brown (Kim), Neill Raney (Kelly); great-grandchildren, Luke Maggio, Ainsley Maggio, Aria Brown Chi, Preston Raney, Pierson Raney, and Paxton Raney; sister, Elaine Bacon; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lurry Bacon; daughter, Karen Raney and husband, Sam; parents, Lemmie and Luby Firmin, and her siblings Lurry Adams, Lemmie Firmin, Wallace Firmin, Lena Jeansonne, Marjorie Maddie, Nelda Purpera, Bernice Latino, Madeline Elliott, and Jean Firmin; and very special friend, Wade Pynes. Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA 70816, on August 24, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. until Funeral Service at 2:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. The family would like to extend their thanks to Hospice of Baton Rouge. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthav enbatonrouge.com

Barksdale, Kaleigh Havard

Mytrell Carter sews fabric at trendzbytrell in New Orleans on Thursday. code problems or being tardy to class or school, according to Recovery School District data cited by the Southern Poverty Law Center in a 2010 report. At the time, charter leaders said strict enforcement of rules would create order and a better learning environment. But over the years, after community pushback, some schools have mellowed their approach. Most charter schools still have strict uniform guidelines, but discipline varies by school and network. About 17% of public schools across the country require uniforms and 37% enforce a strict dress code, according to the latest data from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. “There was a time when we were much more strict about uniforms, and we’ve learned to listen to our families and the kids and the community,” said Read Irvin, a spokesperson for Collegiate Academies, which operates four New Orleans high schools. “Our priority is to have kids in school and learning.” Fairi Phillips also worked with Mytrell Carter to design a custom vest and tie for her first day of 10th grade at Warren Easton High School. She also got a matching gray plaid bag for essentials like lotion and lip gloss. Phillips’ mother, Janice Girod, said Warren Easton leadership told parents they couldn’t add trim to uniform shirts, so they ordered a vest and a few accessories from Carter instead. Phillips said administrators and teachers complimented her outﬁt. “I put it on for the ﬁrst day of school and everybody loved it,” Phillips said. “It made me feel like my own

Anir Carter, a student from John F. Kennedy High School, poses for a photo in her custom uniform Thursday at trendzbytrell in New Orleans. person.” Destiny Lokey said she worked with designer Raqkisha Snowton last year to design custom uniforms for her youngest daughter’s first day of kindergarten at ReNEW Moton Lakefront. Social media photos of the look — which included a cap, vest, tie and socks with blue plaid ruffles — went viral. Lokey said Moton doesn’t take issue with the uniforms “as long as it’s school appropriate.” This year, she sent her daughter to school in a beret adorned with a bow larger than her face, a double-pleated plaid skirt and monogrammed jacket. Other schools have stricter rules. InspireNOLA, which runs seven schools including Edna Karr High School, McDonogh 35 Senior High School and Eleanor McMain Secondary School, said in a July social media post that customizations and alterations of uniforms were not allowed. But Inspire CEO Jamar McKneely said the schools expect and welcome students, especially seniors, to show up on their first days in custom attire. But the schools do begin enforcing the uniform policy after the first day of school. According to InspireNOLA’s stu-

STAFF PHOTOS By ENAN CHEDIAK

Janice Girod, left, helps Fairi Phillips, a student from Warren Easton High School, put on her custom uniform at trendzbytrell in New Orleans on Thursday. dent handbook, uniform violations could result in minor infractions. McKneely said uniforms help cut down on bullying, puts students on equal playing fields and “allows us to focus on learning.” “We appreciate (first-day outfits), we celebrate them, then we go back to our uniform policy,” McKneely said. Sharon Clark, CEO of Sophie B. Wright Charter High School, said students generally comply with the school’s policy, which offers special sweaters for seniors, blue and yellow shirts for academic achievements and a special honor roll shirt that they can wear with jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays. Students who earn high scores on ACT or WorkKeys assessments are rewarded with not having to wear a uniform the entire year. “We’ve taken their need for uniform swag and incorporated it in standard uniform policy,” she said, “to give our students some differentiation and freedom.”

Business is booming Two decades ago, Mytrell Carter commissioned a local seamstress to make a pencil skirt and add plaid around the sleeves for her eighth grade year at Israel Augustine Middle School. But Katrina hit, and she never wore the uniform. Now Carter, who began sewing about four years ago, rents a studio space in an office building in New Orleans East. First the business started with alterations — usually making pants skinnier. Now she’s overwhelmed with custom uniform orders. “Trends always repeat themselves,” she said.

She’s not the only one seeing a boom in business. Snowton was battling breast cancer when she took up sewing as a hobby. After photos of a custom uniform she made went viral on Instagram, where she’s known as @khapter_28_by_raqkisha, Snowton found herself with more orders than she could handle. She typically asks parents to purchase official uniforms in large sizes. She then uses the fabric to create several pieces, including ruffles for socks, large bows and bags to match a school’s plaid. In previous years, uniform orders slowed down after the start of school. This year, Snowton said she’s still getting inquiries from students at schools in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Evelina Harris, a designer known as @theyenvy_designs on Instagram, sewed a vest for her daughter to wear with her school uniform in 2022. She posted first-day-of-school photos and friends began to ask for their own custom looks. This year, she’s been inundated with orders from parents and students in New Orleans, Texas and New York. “I couldn’t keep up with the numbers,” Harris said. “I started in the beginning of June and I haven’t stopped yet, not one day off. ” She did, however, find time to sew an outfit for her daughter Dasani’s first day as a senior at John F. Kennedy High School: kneelength plaid shorts and a jacket with puffed sleeves. Dasani Harris loved the look. “It boosts your confidence level and it’s more school spirit,” she said.

Kaleigh Havard Barksdale, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend passed away August 20, 2026 at the age of 30. Above all, Kaleigh was a devoted mother whose greatest love was her children, Ryleigh and Rosalie. She cherished the time she spent with them and leaves behind memories that will remain in their hearts forever. Kaleigh is also survived by her loving husband, Jacob Barksdale; her parents, Cindy McCartney and Jerry Stevens and Glenis Havard and Jackie McLean; her siblings, Kirk (Chloe) & Kory, her in laws Clay and Angie Barksdale, and Tammi Barksdale, Tyler, Cassie, Blake, Morgan, Kayla, Kenzie & Myles, Uncle Jay, dear friends Richard and Danielle Colby & girls, Danielle Moreau and many family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her brother Cody and her grandparents Joe and Judy Williams and Alvin and Sadie Havard Though her life was far too short, the love she gave will continue through her children, her family, and everyone whose life she touched. Services will be held at Charlet Funeral Home in Zachary on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 with visitation from 9am-11am with services immediately following visitation. She will be laid to rest on Barksdale Hill. Share memories at www.CharletFuneralHo me.com.

4B ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate Bates, Claudia 'Merle'

Claudia "Merle" Bates, 90, of Greenwell Springs, LA, passed away with love on August 20th, 2026. She was born in Baton Rouge and graduated from lstrouma High School in 1954. She married Raymond "Razer" Bates, her high school sweetheart, in 1953 until his passing in 2006. Merle, as she was always called, was the talk of the neighborhood in Central. She had many friends there and will be heartfelt missed by all. Merle had a heart of gold and was always willing to lend a helping hand. She is survived by three successful children: Linda B. Van Brunt, Terri Lynn Shields and Kevin Ray Bates; six grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy in Baton Rouge on Saturday August 29th at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in her honor. Merle will be greatly missed by family, friends, and all whose life she touched! Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonroug e.com.

Dayries, Esther Lessard

Esther Mae Lessard Dayries, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She will be missed greatly by all. Esther passed away August 17, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. She was a member of KC 4085 Ladies Auxiliary and St. Isidore Catholic Daughters. She is survived by her son-inlaw's and daughters, Johnny and Edana Johnson and Mike and Wynette Devillier, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, A.G. Dayries, Jr. and son, James (JED) Dayries and many more family members. A big Thank You to Mrs. Jo at the Carpenter House for all she did for Mom. Visitation will be held at St. Isidore Catholic Church, 5657 Thomas Rd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with a Memorial Mass beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Finch, Daisy 'Jeanette' Wilson

On July 15, 2025, at the age of 87, our family said goodbye to a very special woman—our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She was a woman of strong faith and was a member of Ascension Baptist Church and a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES). She loved gardening and working in her backyard tending to her lemon and satsuma trees. She would spend hours just enjoying her large Live Oak tree swing, which her brother Karl installed for her, and watching her grandchildren swing from it. Our mother enjoyed spending time with all her daughters, grandchildren and when time was allowed, her great-grandchildren. She loved receiving phone and video calls from her grandchildren, especially those who lived outside of State. She was very proud of her two grandsons who are US Marines. She was very proud of all her grandchildren who were either college graduates or had very successful careers. She often talked about how much she loved them. Survived by her four daughters, Anita Gail Wilson White, Darla Rea Wil-

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son Burge (Tray), Sara Colleen Wilson Gueho (Willie), and Insa Becnel, by a sister, and a loving brother, Karl Junius Finch (Margaret). Her nine grandchildren include Mallory Gueho, Morgan Burkhalter (Brenton), Austin Gueho, Evan White (Lauren), Dylan White, Lauren Burge, Connor Burge (Kyndall), Chase Burge, and Arlyn Gamble (Thomas). She was blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Cameron White, Owen White, McKenzie White, Jensen Burkhalter, Jasper Burkhalter, Beck Burkhalter, Adalyn Burge, Brodie Burge, and Eden Gamble. She was preceded in death by her former husband of 36 years, Billie L. Wilson, parents, William Joseph Finch, and Viola Frances Sharkey; three brothers; two sisters; and her sons-in-law, Byron James Becnel and Douglas Brian White.

Kliebert, Linda Ann 'Cookie'

Cookie, as she was known to all she loved, was born in Biloxi, MS. Her parents later moved back to Baton Rouge where she lived the rest of her life. Cookie was a proud graduate of the Redemptorist Class of 1961. She worked as a clerk, for 50+ years, at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital before she retired. Cookie is preceded in death by her Ex-husband, Paul Wiedeman, her beloved son, Troy Wiedeman, whom she missed terribly, her parents, Allen & Lucy (Marchiafava) Kliebert Sr., numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Cookie is survived by her brother, Allen & Janet (Lorio) Kliebert, niece, Cherie Favaro & husband, Keith, nephews, Joseph & Erik Kliebert. She is also survived by her Uncle Buddy & Aunt Grace Kliebert along with many, many cousins & last but not least the numerous friends she loved like family. Her family would like to thank the staff of The Parc Assisted Living for their love and wonderful care they gave her in her last year and 5 months of life. Her family would also like to thank the hospice staff of Pinnacle Home Health for their loving kindness in her last few months. In lieu of flowers please make your donations to St. Jude whom she gave a monthly donation to for years. Funeral arrangements are as follows: a visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at St. Agnes Catholic Church Parish Hall, 749 East Blvd., Baton Rouge, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow in the St. Agnes Church. Graveside services will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. The family extends an invitation to a reception following the Graveside services at the Greenoaks Memorial Celebration of Life Center, adjacent to the funeral home. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.greenoaksfuner als.com

Martin, Ellis E.

Ellis E. Martin, Jr. passed away at his home on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the age of 89. A native of Port Hudson and longtime resident of Plaquemine, Ellis was a retired riverboat captain and former owner of Plaquemine Tire. Visitation will be held at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquemine on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until the Rite of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m., conducted by Father Martin Lawrence. Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park in Plaquemine. Ellis is survived by his children, Larry Martin, and Becky Martin Hooper and husband Michael; five grandchil-

dren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, James Martin and Chuck Graham; sisters and brothers-inlaw, Maisie Ashley, Gloria Ragusa, Charles Bunch and wife Debbie, Lynn Hernandez and husband Sam, Glenn Bunch, Sue Sharon and husband Mike, Pat Bunch; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Bunch Martin; son, Harvey Martin; parents, Ellis and Effie Posey Martin; and sisters, Irma Martin, Ann Ducote, and Marie Milligan. Ellis had a lifelong passion for classic cars, especially Mustangs, and proudly showcased his award-winning cars at shows over the years. He also loved playing guitar, playing cards, and spending time with family. His grandchildren, Madison and Charles, especially cherish memories of Paw Paw visiting, pulling out the poker chips, and teaching them to play Texas Hold 'Em. Ellis was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. The family extends special thanks to Sam and Lynn Hernandez, Vickie Ashley, and Maisie Ashley for their loving care and devotion to Ellis, especially over the last year. Please share memories and condolences at www.wilbertservices.com.

McKay, Matthew George 'Matt'

With profound sadness and deep gratitude for a life exceptionally well lived, our family announces the passing of Matthew George "Matt" McKay, beloved husband, father, grandfather, businessman, philanthropist, mentor, and friend. Matt's life was defined by his unwavering devotion to family, his commitment to his community, and his belief that success carries with it the responsibility to lift others. He lived by a simple principle from Luke's gospel, "to whom much is given, much is expected." Born on October 18, 1954, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Matt was raised by his parents John W. McKay Jr. and Alice McKay Thornhill who instilled in him the values of hard work, education, integrity, and service. His parents' influence, as well as love and guidance from his maternal grandparents Wendell and Emelda Aldrich, shaped the thoughtful leader, devoted family man, and generous community servant he became. A proud graduate of Tara High School, Class of 1972, Matt continued his education at Louisiana State University, where he balanced his studies with a growing passion for the automobile business. What began as a part-time opportunity at a local dealership evolved into a remarkable career that would transform the automotive landscape throughout Louisiana. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Entrepreneurship by the LSU School of Business in 2019. In 1987, Matt co-founded with his business partner, John Noland, what would become the All Star Automotive Group, a company that reflected his entrepreneurial spirit, determination, and vision. His choice of the name AllStar reflected not only his vision for the company but also the close personal relationship with Joe Dean Jr. and his father, Joe Dean Sr., the former LSU basketball star who was the National Sales Manager for Converse, the maker of Converse AllStar sneakers who became Athletic Director for LSU. Over the decades, Matt built the organization into one of Louisiana's most respected automotive groups, leading numerous dealerships across the state and employing hundreds of people. Under his leadership, All Star became known not only for business success but also for its strong culture of service, loyalty, and community engagement. Along with his senior leadership team, he was supported by his dedicated assistant, Chris Tam. As a result, he was named TIME Dealer of the Year in 2018. While Matt's accomplishments in business

were extraordinary, those who knew him best understood that his greatest achievements were found far beyond the showroom floor. He believed deeply in investing in people and creating opportunities for others. During the devastating Great Flood of 2016, when several of his dealerships suffered catastrophic losses, Matt's first concern was not his business but his employees. He worked tirelessly to ensure workers and their families received assistance and support as they rebuilt their lives. It was characteristic of the man he was—always placing people first. Matt's impact on Baton Rouge and the surrounding region will continue to be felt for generations. Guided by the example of his educator parents, he became a passionate advocate for education and workforce development. Among the accomplishments he considered most meaningful was the creation of the McKay Automotive Technology Center, dedicated to his father, John W. "Jack" McKay, at Baton Rouge Community College. The center was a transformative initiative that provides students with pathways to rewarding careers in the automotive industry. Matt believed that every young person deserved access to meaningful work and a promising future, and he dedicated countless hours, resources, and relationships to making that vision a reality. His civic leadership was equally impressive. Throughout his life, Matt served in leadership roles with numerous organizations, including the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Woman's Hospital, the Tiger Athletic Foundation, and many others. He championed educational initiatives, community development projects, workforce training, healthcare, and philanthropic causes that strengthened the Capital Region. Beyond formal leadership positions, Matt was a generous supporter of causes that touched his heart. He helped establish educational grant programs for teachers, promoted literacy initiatives, supported organizations serving children with learning differences and autism, including The Emerge Center and the McKay Academic Center at The Dunham School, contributed to hunger relief efforts, and invested in youth athletics. He was known for his ability to bring people together around a common purpose and for his belief that meaningful change was possible when communities worked collaboratively. Yet for all his accomplishments, Matt's greatest joy was his family. For 34 years, he shared a remarkable love story with his devoted wife and best friend, Sherri Carona McKay. Their partnership was built on faith, mutual respect, laughter, and a shared passion for serving others. Together they created a loving home and built a life centered on family and community. Matt was a proud and devoted father to his children, Taylor McKay and his wife, Sarah, and Hays McKay. One of the greatest blessings of his later years was becoming a grandfather. He cherished every moment spent with his beloved grandson, Owsley McKay, whose presence brought him immeasurable

pride and happiness. He is also survived by his siblings, Mike McKay (Kim), Patrick McKay, Teri McKay Gomez (Randy), Erin McKay Meyers (Drew), and Katie McKay Simpson (Taylor). He leaves behind his cherished in-laws, Sonny and Patsy Carona; Al and Debbie (Carona) Landry and Nancy Carona; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends, colleagues, and countless individuals whose lives were enriched by his generosity, mentorship, and friendship. He was preceded in death by not only his parents and grandparents but also by his stepmother Kay Albritton McKay and stepfather Acie S. Thornhill. Matt possessed a rare gift for making people feel valued. Whether speaking with a business leader, an employee, a student, or a neighbor, he offered the same sincerity, respect, and genuine interest. He believed that success was measured not by what one accumulated, but by what one contributed. His legacy is written not only in the businesses he built and the organizations he strengthened, but also in the thousands of lives he touched through his kindness, guidance, and generosity. His was a life of purpose, service, and love. Though he will be deeply missed, the values he lived by—and the countless people he inspired—will ensure that his influence endures for generations to come. The family would also like to express our deep appreciation and love to JoAnn "JoJo" Cole for taking care of and being a part of our family all these many years. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Matt's special caretakers, Leslie "Lisa" Morris, Jerry Corbin, and Sirmetric Fields who cared for him during his extended illness. Their attentiveness, devotion, and dignity of care was exceptional. The family invites all who knew and loved Matt to celebrate a life that was truly extraordinary and to honor his memory by serving others with the same compassion, humility, and generosity that he demonstrated every day. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Elizabeth Foundation (stelizabethfou ndation.org) or The McKay Academic Center at the Dunham School (dunhamschool.org). A private funeral Mass

will be held to honor his life.

Montague, Patsy Karol

Pat passed away peacefully, at her home on August 18, 2026, at the age of 95. On November 15, 1930, Patsy Karol Harroff was born in Buchanan, Michigan, the first of eight children born to Gertrude Harroff. Pat is survived by her daughter, Laurie M. Cary, with whom she has resided for the last 6 years, granddaughter Hayden Shirley, and great grandson Tucker Hidalgo; by her son, W. Bret Montague, Sr.; grandson W. Bret Montague, Jr. (Kate) and great grandsons Marcus and Matthew Montague; grandson Treuil Montague (Jessica) and great grandsons Treuil Jr. and Turner Montague; and daughter in law, Susan P. Montague. Among her siblings she is survived by brothers Jay, and Dean Harroff, sister, Doris Miller, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and their families. She is also survived by dearest of friends who have become family, Jared, Missy, and Tanner LeBouef. Our Mother was proceeded in death by her mother, Gertrude Harroff; husband Charles C. Montague; son Charles Carter Montague, Jr.; daughter in law Judy T. Montague; brothers Bill, Bob, and Ray Harroff, sister Ruth H. Hancock. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, La.,70802, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10 am to 11:30 am, with services to immediately follow conducted by the Rev. Chris Andrews. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The First United Methodist Church, 930 North Blvd.,

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802, in her honor.

Olinde, Mary

Solomon, Waltraud 'Trudy'

Niebuhr, Robert Bryan

Bryan Niebuhr, age 70, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, due to complications from several chronic illnesses. He was born in New York, NY, on October 19, 1955, and spent his youth near Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore where he excelled in many sports, most notably wrestling and football. He received a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi where he excelled at the nose guard position. Bryan was then drafted and played for the New York Giants of the National Football League for several seasons until a series of knee injuries ended his athletic career. He then returned to Ole Miss where he graduated with a BS in Health & PE in 1982. Shortly thereafter Bryan moved to Baton Rouge and began his lifelong career in financial services. It is there that he met his beloved Diane at a Super Bowl XXI party in the home of mutual friends. (The Giants won their first National Championship that year.) They were married in the same room in which they met on July 29, 1989, thus beginning a loving and supportive marriage of 37 years. Bryan enjoyed deer hunting, LSU baseball ( until the Rebels played, of course), traveling, and most of all riding motorcycles. He dearly loved his BMW touring bike, riding long distances with friends, cruising the Smokey Mountains with Diane, and helping to produce the LA RIDER television series. He was blessed to be able to combine his financial experience with his enthusiasm for riding as a finance and insurance specialist at G.N. Gonzales Motorcycles. He also had a life-long love of English Setter dogs and music from the Seventies. Bryan was preceded in death by his parents, Robert H. Niebuhr and Marilyn Masters Niebuhr. He is survived by his wife, Diane Eslinger Rushing Niebuhr, of Baton Rouge; brothers Kevin of Seven Valleys, PA, and children Yanni and Kiki, Jeff (Jeannie) of Cincinnati, OH, and children Andrew, Sara, Megan and Erin, and Scott of Ocala, FL, and children Andrea, James, Bryan and Casey; as well as cousins Dawn Niebuhr, Patricia Niebuhr Mayo, Jayme Niebuhr Alechko, Timothy Niebuhr and Daniel Niebuhr. He also leaves behind sisters-in -law, Nancy Seal of Harrison, AR, and Karen Eslinger and her children Hannah Rice and Julia McBride, all of Dallas, TX, and Stewart Wood of New Orleans, LA; numerous friends, old and new, and his dearly beloved English Setter, Rose. Bryan and Diane had recently moved to St. James Place Retirement Community, and the family would like to thank the staff of the Healthcare Center there for their skill, patience, and unwavering love for Bryan during the last stage of his life. Many thanks to all the doctors, specialists, nurses and technicians who helped maintain his quality of life despite the challenges throughout the years. A memorial service will be held at St. James Place, 333 Lee Drive, Baton Rouge, Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Internment will be in Livingston, TN, at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Mount St. Joseph High School, 4403 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21229 or Our English Setter Rescue (OESR), c/o Paula Burrell, 3991 Philmont Drive, Marietta, GA, 30066.

Funeral Mass. Burial services will follow the mass. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Holy Rosary Food Pantry.

Mary Lambert Olinde, age 50, of Prairieville, Louisiana, passed away on August 13, 2026. Mary was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on January 4, 1976. She graduated from Belaire Medical Magnet High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from Louisiana State University. On December 4, 2003, Mary married her husband, Jason Paul Olinde. Together, they shared 22 years of marriage and built a life centered around their family. Mary devoted her professional life to children and education. She worked as an educator and later as a case manager until the birth of her children, at which time she devoted her life to caring for her children and husband. A woman of strong Catholic faith, Mary had a giving heart and a passion for volunteering and helping others. She was involved with the National Charity League and treasured opportunities to serve those around her. She loved LSU, spending time at the beach and in the mountains, and making memories with her family. A lifelong resident of the area, Mary's greatest joy was the life she shared with those she loved. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Jason Paul Olinde; her children, Matthew Thomas Olinde and Grace Elizabeth Olinde; her brother, Arthur Nicholas Lambert IV; and her sister, Aimee Lambert McGrew. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacqueline Potts Lambert and Arthur N. Lambert III. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement, Louisiana. Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. and interment to follow. Mary will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her Catholic faith, her generous spirit, and the kindness she extended to others throughout her life.

Rahmel, Joyce

Joyce Fairbanks Rahmel, affectionately known to her family and friends as "Bootsie," "Boots," and "Boo," passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on September 15, 1931, Joyce was the daughter of Louis and Ozile Guedry Fairbanks of St. Amant. She lived a long and full life, centered around her deep devotion to her family. Joyce took great pleasure in traveling, sewing, and cooking, but her greatest joy was simply being around her family, serving as an ever-present, loving figure in each of their lives. Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Frederick Rahmel, and her son-in-law, David Randall Miles. Her legacy of love lives on through her surviving family. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Miles; her granddaughter, Christy Miles White and husband Jason; her grandson, Ryan Miles and wife Lauren; and her cherished greatgrandchildren, Liam, Mollie, and Owen Bennett, and Dylenn, Brooklyn, and Quinn Miles. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Amant. Visitation will take place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed immediately by a

Waltraud "Trudy" Fischer Solomon, 85, affectionately known to her family as Oma, peacefully passed away on August 5, 2026. Born in 1941 in Nuremberg, Germany, later making Baton Rouge her home for the remainder of her life. She treasured opportunities of travel, gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Daniela Kaplan (Seth) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and her son, Patrick Solomon (Elise) of Robert, Louisiana. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Hannah, Lauren, and Sarah, and numerous grand-dogs. She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Louise; her sister, Helga; nephew, Norbert Dimanski (Hanne); and her former husband, Ted Solomon.

"Pinky" Vidrine and Susie Soileau. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alexon and Winnie Chapman; her sisters, Connie Johnson, Janet Ardoin and husband Jerry Ardoin, and Marilyn Chapman; and her sister-in-law, Alicia Chapman. Catherine will be remembered as a beloved wife of 60 years, a loving mother and grandmother, and a faithful presence whose gentle strength brought comfort to others. Mama Cat, as she was endearingly referred to, was brought a tremendous amount of happiness in her later years by her beloved Grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the kindness she extended, and the quiet grace with which she walked through the world. Relatives and friends are invited to the chapel of Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. on Saturday, September 5, 2026 for a visitation beginning at 10:00AM until a Memorial Service beginning at 11:30AM with a reception to follow. An inurnment at the Garden of Peace and memorial columbarium located at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, on Marquette St., Baton Rouge will begin at 3:00PM. In Lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made in Catherine's name either to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, or your favorite charity.

A private Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be considered for Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area (AlzBR.org) or Companion Animal Alliance (caabr.org/ways-togive).

Tolbert, William Cleveland

Thibodeaux, Catherine Chapman

Catherine Chapman Thibodeaux, 78, born January 31, 1948, in Ville Platte, Louisiana, passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2026, after a brief illness. She resided in both Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the mountains of Western North Carolina, and will be remembered with deep respect and enduring affection by all who knew and loved her. Catherine's life was marked by steady devotion—to her family, to her faith, and to the quiet, daily work of showing up for others with gentleness and patience. A lifelong learner, she graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte in 1965 and later earned a BS in Business Education from USL in Lafayette in 1973. In her work as a yoga teacher, Catherine offered more than instruction; she brought a calm presence and a generous spirit that reflected her selfless care for others. She also supported many charitable organizations, giving faithfully and consistently in ways that spoke to her loyal heart and her desire to lift those around her. Catherine was an avid reader and a lover of music, with a deep appreciation for nature and all of God's creations. She especially adored her peaceful setting in the mountains of North Carolina, a place that suited her reflective spirit and sense of wonder. A world traveler and adventurer, she embraced life with curiosity and courage, while remaining grounded in a faith that shaped her days. She was a member of numerous non-denominational churches, and her life reflected the fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To many, she was a great listener; if someone needed a shoulder to cry on, Catherine was there—steady, present, and compassionate. Catherine is survived by her husband of 60 years, Keith Thibodeaux; her daughters, Monique Thibodeaux Jackson (David Jackson) and Denise Thibodeaux; her grandchildren, Nevaeh, Daisy, Chanel and Zendaya Jackson, and Aidyn Thibodeaux; her brother, Alex "Sonny" Chapman; as well as her "sisters," Cynthia

William Cleveland Tolbert, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026, at The Woodleigh of Baton Rouge nursing home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Born in St. Joseph, Louisiana, to the late Cleveland and Grace Tolbert, William was raised in Vidor, Texas. On September 15, 1956, he married his loving wife, Billie Sue Dubose of Jasper, Texas, sharing a lifetime of devotion until her passing on November 4, 2022. After earning his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, William served on active duty as a Cryptologic Seaman in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1959, followed by a decade in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He went on to enjoy a distinguished career in electrical power transmission, distribution, generation, and operations. A member of Ascension Baptist Church in Gonzales, Louisiana, William found great joy in life's simple outdoor pleasures. He loved spending time with family and friends, freshwater fishing, and camping—a passion he cultivated as a young man in the Boy Scouts of America and later passed down as a father. Above all, William was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Affectionately known as "Pawpaw," he is sur-

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 5B

vived by his children: Sue Tolbert of Prairieville, LA; Cheryl Tolbert of Prairieville, LA; and Ritchie "Ritch" Tolbert and his wife, Christy, of Fort Worth, TX; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his sister-inlaw, wife of his late brother, in Vidor, TX. In addition to his beloved wife and parents, William was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Tolbert. A private service will be held at Carter Cemetery in Rockland, Texas.

Ward, Malcolm G.

Malcolm G. Ward, born February 23, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, leaving a legacy of a life devoted to his family, faith, service, and the passions he held dear. Malcolm was a proud graduate of Istrouma High School, Class of 1957. He continued his education at Louisiana State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1962. His LSU pride would remain a defining part of his life for decades to come. Malcolm built a distinguished career with the Louisiana Department of Insurance, where he served as an auditor for 25 years. He was respected for his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service. He also worked with the Wilbert family for many years. A man of deep faith, Malcolm was a devoted member of Community Bible Church for 58 years. His faith and church family were an important and lasting part of his life. Malcolm shared 67 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Patricia Ann Domengeaux Ward. Together, they built a life centered around family and were blessed with four children: Kevin Ward and his wife, Alyson; Kerri Chandler and her husband, Robert; Karla Jones and her husband, Kenny; and Kyle Ward and his wife, Su-

san. Malcolm was also the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren and greatgrandfather of 10 greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Elise Ward Chambers, and his brother, Steve Ward. Malcolm was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Ward; his mother, Anthonette Ward; and his sister, Marianne Averette. Visitation will be at Community Bible Church, 8354 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, on Tuesday, August 25th, from 9 am until the religious service at 10 am, conducted by Dr. Steven Foster. A private burial to follow. Pallbearers will be Hays Ward, Robert Chandler, Kenny Jones, Ricky Domengeaux, Stevie Domengeaux, and Hunter Simoneaux. Outside of his professional and family life, Malcolm was an avid LSU fan with a special passion for LSU Women's Gymnastics. For an extraordinary 40 years, he served as the score tabulator for the Tigers, becoming a familiar and valued part of the program. In recognition of his many years of dedication and service to the team, Malcolm was honored with an SEC Championship Ring in 2017, an honor he treasured deeply. Malcolm will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family, his faith, his dedication to public service, and his lifelong love for LSU. His legacy lives on through his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those whose lives he touched throughout his 87 years. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Special thanks to Baton Rouge Area Hospice for their care and compassion. Memorial donations may be made to the Community Bible Church Building Fund or the Baton Rouge Food Bank. Geaux Tigers! Please share memories online at www.wilbertservices.com.

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OPINION T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/opinions

OUR VIEWS

As LIT moves forward, it’s time for obstacles to clear The Louisiana International Terminal, which would revitalize the state’s maritime economy, got an important green light last week as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gave approval to key permits necessary for the construction of the project in Violet, about 17 miles downriver of New Orleans. For years, officials with the Port of New Orleans have argued that LIT is needed as the larger and larger container ships increasingly used to transport cargo today can no longer be handled at the current port because they can’t safely pass under the Crescent City Connection bridge. With this latest permit authorization, the focus now turns to preparing the site for construction. Building access roads and making the ground ready for heavy equipment could start as early as this fall, but even if all goes well, it could take until 2031 before the terminal is fully operational. We have supported the plan to construct the terminal as necessary to keep the state competitive for shipping traffic. So we are glad to see that the project is continuing to move forward. Significant hurdles remain. The project still needs to secure some financing, and strong public opposition in St. Bernard Parish has proved hard to satisfy. Three lawsuits in the courts seek to stop some aspects of the project. But when we look to the future, it’s easy to see what the port would give Louisiana rather than what it would take away. When complete, the LIT will span more than 600 acres with a container yard capable of holding more than 62,850 containers at any given time, according to planning documents. That would include 10 cranes capable of loading and unloading two “ultra large” container vessels at the same time. It would be a boon for the region, and the nation, as the Mississippi provides an important corridor for goods through the center of the country. A study by Greater New Orleans, Inc. puts the economic impact at $100,000 in new tax dollars per day and said that jobs at the port could increase by more than one-third. We applaud state leaders and economic development officials for making this project a priority. In particular, Michael Hecht, head of GNO, Inc, whom Gov. Jeff Landry tapped to move the LIT forward after years of little progress, and PORT Nola President and CEO Beth Branch have been tireless in their efforts to bring the project to fruition. It’s past time for everyone in the state to get behind a critical piece of infrastructure that will position Louisiana at the forefront of the global shipping economy. A rising tide lifts all boats, as the saying goes. We strongly believe that the LIT will be a beacon to draw more economic activity to our shores. And there’s no good reason not to support that.

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Discussing fertility and podcasting sky and Janney discussing religion, Monica Lewinsky has a podcast even if the story Janney told was called “Reclaiming.” In a vast sea of distressing: She remembered havpodcasts, hers stood out at the right time as she and the political ing been told by an instructor world hit upon the same genthat God was on the other side of a brick wall and it is her job eral topic: women’s fertility. to knock down the wall. Yikes. The White House press Imagine hearing that as a young secretary recently appeared person. God would look mean on Lewinsky’s podcast. Well, and unreachable. It’s no wonder the TV version of the press Kathryn that the actress pursued a less secretary, at least — Allison Jean traditional and more vibesJanney, who played that role Lopez based spirituality, as she went on “The West Wing.” Karoon to discuss. line Leavitt, Donald Trump’s But “Reclaiming” is in the news bereal-life — or what passes for it in this administration — press secretary, cause Janney and Lewinsky discussed recently announced she is stepping fertility, and, of course, because Rep. down to spend more time with her Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a two young children. And, at the same political news story and social media time, a certain left-wing congresshay out of her decision to freeze her eggs. person who may harbor presidential But the Lewinsky-Janney converambitions was sharing details of her experience with the egg-freezing pro- sation is helpful because neither of them is an ambitious politician. cess on social media. The host might understandably As Lewinsky and Janney talk about spend her entire life avoiding anyon the podcast, we often don’t know as much as we should about the most thing related to the White House fundamental, intimate things that — she even admitted that she only impact us the most. And that’s not all watched “The West Wing” once she fertility-related, of course. got to be friendly with Janney, for I, for one, was happy to hear Lewin- fear of intern jokes and, well, memo-

ries of that presidential culture. Janney and Lewinsky also discussed religion and the basic human longing to return to the eternal from which we were created. We learn about a Scientology info session (Lewinsky — and it was really for a friend) and doctorassisted ketamine therapy (Janney), and a joint desire for a silent weekend retreat (more like Monica will do it if Allison finds one — and I do have ideas for them! Probably more traditionally Christian than they are thinking, but it sounds like they have open minds). That’s probably the best thing about podcasts. We’re on our phones constantly, and sometimes we just happen upon people talking about something important, something that we may have been thinking about in our reflective moments — or hearing less reflective people argue about on social media. Sometimes, we find deep meaning and ideas that unite us in unexpected places — even from celebrities on podcasts. Email Kathryn Jean Lopez at klopez@nationalreview.com.

Regional issues rise to the fore of life. The saying used to go: Thank The newspaper’s individual newsGod for Mississippi, or we would be rooms put a strong focus on local relast in the nation on several porting, but as an organization, metrics. But recently, we are we are also committed to having seeing Gulf South states excel a broader focus on issues that in ways that would have been matter not only to our state’s unthinkable in the past. Espelargest cities, but to the entire Gulf Coast region. It’s no secret cially in education, Louisiana that there are many issues that and Mississippi in recent years Arnessa have topped the nation for transcend state boundaries — Garrett growth in scores. climate change, for example, or even surging prices for highIn addition, our economies in end real estate. this region are linked in myriad ways. There’s much that connects us as For many years, Louisiana and other a Gulf South region, and our news Gulf South states have shared similar content is including more and more of trajectories when it comes to growth those stories. We see interest in cover- and development. Major projects in Mississippi or Alabama can affect jobs age of criminal justice cases across in our state as well — and vice versa. the South. We know many of you have So we welcome letters and feedback relatives across the area or enjoy vafrom our readers across the Gulf cations in states adjacent to ours. So Coast. Our region has shared history, news from the region matters to you. traditions and culture that make us Louisiana is often compared to its neighbors — especially when it comes want to see more conversations across state lines. to education, poverty rates or quality

Turning to our letters inbox for the week of Aug. 6-13, we received 45 letters. The topic that drew the most interest was the ongoing debate over socialism and what it means. That prompted five letters. Next, we received two letters about Sen. Bill Cassidy’s vote to approve the nomination of Attorney General Todd Blanche. Then two letters on SpaceX’s reported plans to build a spaceport in Vermilion Parish. For the week of Aug. 13-20, we received 51 letters, but no topic overwhelmingly stood out. We received three letters about the ongoing fight between state officials and the city of New Orleans and three letters about President Donald Trump’s plans to build a ballroom at the White House. Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor | Opinion Page Editor. Email her at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com.

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GEORGES MEDIA GROUP JOHN D. GEORGES Owner

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ARNESSA GARRETT STEPHANIE GRACE WILL SUTTON QUIN HILLYER FAIMON ROBERTS

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 7B

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COMMENTARY Imagine Michigan’s new hide-the-grades policy in a Wolverines practice This autumn, when the student- transition to academia. Thrashing athletes who compose the Univer- OSU would be fun, but first and foremost we are “investing sity of Michigan’s football in students’ well-being and team are girding their growth by fostering a culloins in preparation for Armageddon, aka the Ohio ture of connection and colState game, suppose some laboration — rather than freshman players make competition.” mistakes in practice. They Granted, the quoted George words miss blocking assigndo not sound like Will coach-speak from those ments, fumble handoffs, responsible for filling the run the wrong pass routes. Do we think Michigan’s coaches Big House, the nation’s largest stadium (capacity 109,901). The will respond therapeutically? words sound like what they are, If they emulate the university’s an emanation of today’s academic administration, the coaches will mind. soothe their freshmen by saying: They are from the official exGolly, to err is human, to forgive is to “curb the mental health planation of why, beginning in crisis unfolding among collegeautumn 2027, classes in Michiaged individuals.” It is unfolding gan’s College of Literature, Scieven among individuals who ence, and the Arts will be pass/ will not line up across the line fail for first-semester freshmen, of scrimmage from Ohio State’s who will be spared the stress of stress-inducing student-athletes. final letter grades. The grades As your coaches, our priority is to will be given but hidden. They allow you freshmen to “acclimate will not appear on transcripts. to the demands of college and alAnd they will not be factored into low intrinsic motivations to guide grade-point averages. The least surprising news from Ann Arbor, personally meaningful academic journeys.” So, we will not respond the self-described “Athens of the Midwest,” is that students like the to your mistakes with extrinsic new policy. motivations — e.g., criticism. The word “journey” (slathered We coaches are here to help you

by the university with the adjectival “personally meaningful”) is a favorite of people ﬂuent in academic jargon. It trips effortlessly off the tongues of academics who ladle up education as a college “experience,” a rudderless fouryear sail on a boundless sea of elective choices. The rhetorical goo celebrating “connection” and “collaboration,” and disparaging “competition” (an implicit reproach of “capitalist culture”?), has a practical as well as ideological function. A pass/fail ﬁrst semester will partially obscure an embarrassing aspect of today’s “college for all” culture: the proliferation of remedial classes for students whose high school “experience” left them ill-prepared academically. The Chronicle of Higher Education is a painfully accurate recorder of campus thinking. It reports that “teaching experts” say Michigan’s new policy addresses the question of how colleges can “offer constructive criticism during one of the most formative periods of a young adult’s life without crushing their” — yes, their — “spirit (or GPA) in the

process.” The Chronicle quotes one expert who thinks Michigan’s change could relieve undergraduates of “undue” pressure. But how much, if any, pressure is proper if competition is regrettable, and collaboration and cooperation are aspirations? And if the spirits of today’s presumptively fragile freshmen can be crushed by grading their work, will they mature out of this “formative” period by second semester? Or by senior year? Other universities have or have had variations of Michigan’s new policy. Johns Hopkins University abandoned its policy when, the administration said, it delayed “development of study skills and adaptation to college-level work.” But delay is obviously Michigan’s spirit-protecting intention. Linda Nilson, founding director (emeritus) of Clemson University’s Ofﬁce of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, says what often goes unsaid in academic discourse: the obvious. She says a pass/fail policy “demotivates students,” and “learning has got to be a little bit stressful.” Is it not possible that Michigan’s

postulated “mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals” is a self-fulfilling diagnosis? Tell young people that their professors presume them to be crisis-afflicted, and young people might conform to authority figures’ expectations. And if “intrinsic motivations” are sufficient for learning, and are, as Michigan implies, somehow superior to dictated motivations, such as grades, supplied by professors, the university itself seems almost superfluous. Other than as an excuse for the football team. A president of the University of Oklahoma was presumably being droll when he said he wanted to make the university something its football program could be proud of. But say what you will about the football industry that has been grafted onto institutions of higher education, no one doubts that this industry is something that higher education is not very: serious about what it is there for. Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.

If schools must post Ten Commandments, let’s talk about them If there’s a silver lining to the appearance of posters outlining the Ten Commandments on schoolhouse walls across Louisiana this fall, it’s that they may be quickly fading into the figurative wallpaper. Gauging the initial reaction to the posters’ presence, this paper’s reportStephanie ers found little enthusiasm for or Grace even interest in the new incursion of religion into public classrooms, from kindergarten all the way up to college. Notably, they also found some STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER notes of skepticism from students A copy of the Ten Commandments, similar to the one pictured, is and educators who worry that the government mandate might required in Louisiana public school classrooms under a Louisiana state have the predictable effect of sug- law. gesting that there is a particular government-approved religion, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, legal defense of the initiative, First Amendment to the U.S. Coninsist it will somehow make a big R-Benton, on one version of the stitution notwithstanding. difference in students’ lives. posters donated by the religious “It’s one of those if we’re going “Don’t kill or steal shouldn’t be conservative Louisiana Family Foto do one (religion), we’re going controversial,” Murrill admonto do all, type things. If we’re not rum, right alongside Moses. going to do all, then we shouldn’t They’re both lawgivers, get it? ished, adding that “Louisiana just have one,” one LSU student That may or may not work, as public schools should follow the sensibly said. the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal law” — which is pretty much the Supporters of the law, of course, stayed a lower court ruling finding government equivalent of saying say they’re doing no such thing, the law unconstitutional until the “because I said so.” Yeah, that’s not really anyway. Instead, they’re posters were put up, so more litisomething kids really respond to. attempting to sidestep constituBut back to her first point. gation is expected. No, those particular commandIn the meantime, supporters of tional concerns by arguing that the Ten Commandments informed the law led by Gov. Jeff Landry ments aren’t controversial, but and Attorney General Liz Murrill, Moses and Johnson aside, they the country’s legal history. That’s whose office OK’d the posters and are already laid out clearly in law. also the rationale for featuring a who has made much of her office’s If officials are genuinely worried photo of a modern-day politician,

about any confusion, it would make more sense to post the relevant sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes — which also outline potential penalties that’d surely scare anyone on the fence straight. In the meantime, there’s a lot on the posters that doesn’t involve legality. Here’s where things could get interesting. Lower grade teachers are probably crossing their ﬁngers that their young charges won’t ask them about that four-syllable vocabulary word, adultery. But the commandments could actually spark some productive classroom discussion. It was reassuring to read in news coverage about students who embrace their own beliefs but also understand that those beliefs should not be imposed on classmates who were raised or believe differently. Good on them. As the school year gets going, perhaps the new posters might inspire some larger conversations about what the Constitution says about separation of church and state and how it’s played out over the years. For civics students, a great topic of study would be how and why the law mandating these posters passed in the ﬁrst place. The text itself presents other opportunities for teaching moments. If adultery is forbidden, then does it follow that it should be disqualifying for, say, elected leaders? Same question for bearing false

witness. And what should students think of the profusion of images of the current president, who has pasted his own face on government buildings, passports and even a coming, legally dubious Trump coin? Do they consider that a violation of the commandment against graven images, which generations of American leaders until now have understood as drifting toward idolatry? Please discuss. Also, what about all that coveting, of thy neighbor’s wife, his man or maidservant, his cattle? Here’s a perfect opportunity to delve into some unpleasant history of how both female spouses and slaves were once considered property, not materially different from farm animals. If they’re still allowed to talk about such things in school today. These posters might just offer a chance for our state’s students to learn a few things about the past and the present, and to develop some critical thinking skills. That’s deﬁnitely not the intent behind the law putting the commandments into schools. But given that they’re there, at least for now, it would be the best outcome. Even — no, especially — if Louisiana’s students learn to think critically about the people who make laws like these in the ﬁrst place. Email Stephanie Grace at sgrace@theadvocate.com.

Did ESPN’s Smith deserve the Thumbs Down award? In broadcasting, there’s something called a Q score. To put it simply, it measures brand recognition across various demographics, likability versus polarization and trust. The Q score is one of the most widely used tools in the broadcasting, digital and streaming worlds. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith’s Q score is one of the best. There are reports about Q scores, but not usually from those who have the Will keys to the data. Sutton The scores are conﬁdential. But they matter. In most high-level compensation negotiations, employers make nice comments about the employee talent, but they aren’t effusive. While negotiating with Smith last year, ESPN Content President Burke Magnus called him a “bona ﬁde superstar.” “‘First Take,’ which is his primary assignment, is a juggernaut,” he added on a podcast, “from a relevance, reach and Q score if you will…” Smith is one of the nation’s most prominent journalists. The Na-

Stephen A. Smith

PROVIDED PHOTO

tional Association of Black Journalists gave him a Thumbs Down award at the group’s Atlanta convention. There was an uproar. NABJ President Errin Haines explained why Smith deserved it. Smith explained why he didn’t. NABJ summarized why Smith got the slap, saying it was based on a “recurring public pattern of disparaging public commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.” What does that mean? n Smith criticized Texas U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett for her style, saying she uses “verbiage and rhetoric for the streets.” n Smith criticized former ﬁrst lady Michelle Obama while campaigning for former Vice President Kamala Harris because she said voting for Donald Trump

was “a vote against us,” meaning women. He called the comments divisive and unfair. n Smith commented on a Super Bowl cameo appearance by tennis star Serena Williams as Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” played, questioning why a married woman would do that with a song that disses her ex, Drake. “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his a**, ’cause clearly you don’t belong with me,” he said. I’ve talked with a number of NABJ members, including those who live in Alabama, California, Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana. There are clear, deep divides about whether it was wrong to give Smith the award. There are those who love him, those who hate him. One called the award offensive. Another called it “an unforced error.” Yet another gleefully said it was well deserved. “I have no problem with NABJ publicly criticizing one of our own,” said Beverly White, a reporter friend who retired from NBC Los Angelese after more than 40 years. She said Smith “has been vicious in his criticisms” and the award was “more than

appropriate.” Another friend, Lance Washington, told me Smith “earned” the award. Smith let NABJ have it with a response on his own podcast for more than 40 minutes. Smith also went on conservative Sean Hannity’s Fox News show to defend himself. That upset White, Washington and others. “Accountability is not supposed to be comfortable,” Haines told NABJ Vice President-Digital Roland Martin on his daily newscast, “Roland Martin Unﬁltered.” During her comments at the convention, Haines said she’d welcome a conversation with Smith. Smith said NABJ should’ve called before last week. Jemele Hill, one of the most recognized sports journalists, said Smith is not above criticism. She recognizes his incredible success, yet has concerns about some things Smith has said. But she didn’t support the award decision or reject it. “It’s complicated,” she said. It is complicated. Hundreds of Black journalists have been weighing in on the NABJ-Smith drama, whether they are members or not. Many of them don’t know the history. The

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the

award was created and ﬁrst presented in 1989. I doubt most NABJ members, or anyone else, can name more than one, maybe two, of the other Thumbs Down awardees without a web search. No matter who they were, I think there were too many, weakening the impact. Some think creating the Thumbs Down award was a bad move. Some think it’s run its course and it’s time to eliminate it. I think it was a great idea and it should continue. I have two concerns: First, it’s better for NABJ to focus on one awardee, and no more than two. Second, my beloved organization should hold itself to the highest level of accuracy and integrity, being as speciﬁc as possible, documenting actions and fact-checking everything. More than a week has passed and we’re still talking about this. I hope the key stakeholders can agree to have a civil conversation. I hope Smith understands why many cheered. I know Smith and NABJ will learn from this, survive and thrive. Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

writer’s city of residence. The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor, The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@theadvocate.com.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN HERE

8B ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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TODAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Partly sunny, a t-storm; hot

Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm

Partly sunny and humid

A stray afternoon thunderstorm

Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms

Some rain and a t-storm; humid

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

99° 76°

LOW

HIGH

95° 77°

LOW

94° 78°

Beaumont 99/76 Port Arthur 99/78

Baton Rouge 99/76

Lake Charles 99/78

New Orleans 99/79 Houma 98/78

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Hattiesburg 98/74

Alexandria 100/76

Lafayette 99/78

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

LOW

HIGH

LOW

91° 74°

YESTERDAY

Baton Rouge through 5 p.m. Saturday

Jackson 99/75 Many 100/74

HIGH

93° 75°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 106/80

-0s

LOW

Monroe 102/77

Shreveport 104/80

-10s

HIGH

95° 77°

Another heat advisory has been issued for the Baton Rouge area because while temperatures will rise into the the upper 90s to low 100s, heat index values could rise to 112 or higher. Also, we will mostly remain under an extreme heat risk today as well. If you are working or playing outdoors, be sure to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, find the shade and apply your sunscreen. Expect a few isolated storms this afternoon. Nothing in the tropics is a threat to the U.S.

60s

70s

80s

90s 100s 110s

High/low Normal high/low Last year’s high/low Record high Record low

City

Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Dallas Denver Houston Las Vegas

24-hour total Month to date Normal month to date year to date Normal year to date

HIGH

5:08p 10:43a 5:07a 6:55a 6:55a 6:07a 8:03a

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

AUG 27

Shown are areas of precipitation and high temperatures for the day.

98°/74° 92°/73° 90°/74° 103° in 2023 61° in 1961

TODAY’S TIDES Lake Pontchartrain (Tchefuncte River) Shell Beach South Point, Marsh Island Cypremort Point Grand Isle (Barataria Pass) Mississippi River (Southwest Pass) Wine Island

FULL

PRECIPITATION

6:36 a.m. 7:38 p.m. 5:01 p.m. 2:08 a.m.

LAST

NEW

SEP 4

TODAY

93 106 75 88 76 107 91 104 108

68 74 68 65 58 85 64 78 86

FIRST

SEP 10

s s sh s s s t s s

SEP 18

89 105 82 88 79 107 92 101 107

MON. Lo

69 76 62 66 60 82 63 80 84

pc s s s pc pc t pc s

FT.

LOW

0.10” 0.98” 4.47” 42.47” 41.56”

FT.

HIGH

0.8 4:37a 0.0 1.7 11:07p 0.0 2.0 6:18p 0.0 2.1 10:23p 0.3 1.4 6:34p 0.1 1.7 4:47p 0.0 1.8 7:36p 0.1

FT.

---------------

MODERATE

READING 59 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

LOW

---------------

FT.

---------------

The solunar period schedule allows planning days so you will be fishing in good territory or hunting in good cover during those times. Major periods begin at the times shown and last for 1.5 to 2 hours. The minor periods are shorter. MAJOR MINOR MAJOR MINOR

Today 8:21a Monday 9:07a Tuesday 9:51a Wednesday 10:34a Thursday 11:17a Friday 12:01p Saturday 12:25a

City

2:09a 2:54a 3:39a 4:22a 5:06a 5:50a 6:36a

TODAY Lo

Los Angeles 97 Miami 92 Nashville 89 New york City 81 Philadelphia 85 Phoenix 112 St. Louis 83 San Francisco 74 Seattle 74

72 79 63 65 66 90 64 59 56

8:47p 9:31p 10:15p 10:57p 11:40p ---12:46p

s t s t t t pc pc pc

96 92 88 79 82 109 83 72 78

2:34p 3:19p 4:03p 4:46p 5:28p 6:12p 6:57p

MON. Lo

70 79 66 64 64 88 65 58 59

s t pc sh pc t c pc s

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

N O R T H A M ER I CA’S

MISSISSIPPI Memphis Vidalia-Natchez Red River Landing Baton Rouge Donaldsonville Reserve New Orleans OHIO Cairo COMITE Near Olive AMITE Near Darlington Denham Springs Port Vincent TICKFAW Montpelier Holden ATCHAFALAYA Simmesport Melville Krotz Springs Butte La Rose Bayou Sorrel Morgan City

FLOOD STAGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

SAT. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

12.20 22.70 24.10 8.90 4.80 3.32 3.20

+0.90 +1.61 +1.53 +0.46 +0.51 +0.03 +0.17

28.78

+0.48

-1.36

+0.32

18 29 8

-1.23 10.09 1.14

-0.02 +0.05 -0.02

13 15

2.54 0.72

+0.05 -0.10

47 34 29 20 12 6

8.80 5.43 4.04 3.91 2.80 1.47

+0.56 +0.23 +0.29 +0.09 none -0.05

data as of 7 a.m. Saturday

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SPORTS

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

S u n d ay, au g u S t 23, 2026

1Cn

If LSU’s season is memorable, Weis will be key LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., right, talks with tight end Trey’Dez Green before a drill on Aug. 14 at the team’s practice facility.

“I don’t think I have a photographic The story on new LSU offensive coordimemory,” he said Friday, meeting with nator Charlie Weis Jr. — other than being media covering LSU for the first time. the son of a famous coach like his boss He does, however, remember the Lane Kiffin — is that he has a photographdowntown Tuscaloosa restaurant ic memory. where they met 11 years ago — a While interviewing Weis over dinplace called Chuck’s Fish that’s ner back in 2015 when Kiffin was still there. And he impressed Kifoffensive coordinator at Alabama, Kiffin decided to put the want-to-be fin enough to land his first big job young coach to the test. as an offensive analyst on Nick “I’m like, ‘All right, I don’t buy Saban’s staff. Scott into this photographic memory “The job was on the line,” Weis Rabalais said, stuff,’ ” Kiffin told CBSSports.com “so I had to come through.” in 2018. “I get my credit card and There was no question that Weis license and give them to him for five minhad the offensive coordinator job at LSU if he wanted it when Kiffin came here from utes. Ole Miss. Now Weis has to come through “I start asking questions about what was for the Tigers this season as their offenon there. He knew everything. The next day, he still knew it.” sive play-caller. Weis smiled and batted away the notion ä See RABALAIS, page 3C that he possesses some sort of sixth sense.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Saints look lost in LA after long week

NFL PRESEASON RAMS 34, SAINTS 0

California trip leaves team tired, hurt, with work to do

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RyAN SUN

Saints quarterback Zach Wilson, center, is tackled by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Alex Johnson, right, and linebacker Darryl Peterson during the first half of a preseason game Saturday in Inglewood, Calif. The Saints lost 34-0.

POCKET PRATFALLS

The best thing about the New Orleans Saints’ trip to California is that it’s over. Yeah, coach Kellen Moore may like the work his team got in during joint practices in much cooler temperatures this week on the West Coast. But his Saints also took their share of L’s, including Saturday’s 34-0 preseason debacle against the Los Angeles Rams. “It was ugly,” said quarterback Zach Wilson, who got Rod the start. Walker Ugly was an understatement. Truth be told, there was plenty more ugliness in a costly week ﬁlled with losses. Among the other losses? Saints owner Gayle Benson lost a halfmillion dollars, the amount of the check she has to write to the NFL after her team’s brawls with the Dallas Cowboys in Tuesday’s joint practice. The Saints also lost a few more key players to injuries, which has been an ongoing theme of training camp. Moore is probably scratching his head, and not just because of the way the game Saturday played out. Does he want the regular season to hurry up and get here before more injuries pop up? Or does he want time to slow down so some of the walking wounded can heal and ﬁx some of the sloppiness that was on full display Saturday? The season opener is still three weeks away. The Saints have to survive one more preseason game Friday against those same Cowboys they couldn’t get along with last week. Then the real games begin, and the Saints will start their quest to try to get back to SoFi Stadium — site of Super Bowl LXI — on the second Sunday in February. The team in white jerseys Saturday, also playing their backups, is one of the favorites to get to the Super Bowl on their home

ä See WALKER, page 4C

Saints QBs struggle in franchise’s first preseason shutout since 2000 BY MATTHEW PARAS

Staff writer

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kellen Moore entered Saturday’s preseason game with a simple plan to evaluate the New Orleans Saints’ backup quarterback battle. Zach Wilson would start the ﬁrst half. Spencer Rattler would get the second. The order was a change in the status quo. The coach turned to Wilson to see whether the 2021 second overall pick could carry over the momentum from his impressive Saints debut a week ago. Perhaps Moore wanted to put some pressure on Rattler to see how the 26-year-old would respond to the threat of his backup job suddenly being in danger. Neither passed the test.

Wilson and Rattler each underwhelmed in an ugly 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Issues across the board contributed to the one-sided drubbing, the franchise’s ﬁrst shutout loss in the preseason since 2000. New Orleans was undisciplined, sluggish and sloppy, leaving Moore as animated as the second-year coach has been on the sideline of his Saints’ tenure. The quarterbacks did little to ease those emotions. “Your gut reaction is we want to accomplish more as an offense,” Moore said. “Those guys got some really good work throughout this entire week. Obviously as a team collectively, we didn’t take advantage of the opportunity.” Here’s a closer look at the two quarterbacks’ performances and why the battle must continue for another week:

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

AP PHOTO By CAROLINE BREHMAN

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett lunges into the end zone to score a touchdown during the first half of a preseason game against the Saints on Saturday in Inglewood, Calif.

2C ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV

AUTO RACING 8 a.m. F1: Dutch Grand Prix Apple TV 8 a.m. IndyCar: Warmup FS1 9 a.m. FIM Motocross: MX2 CBSSN 10 a.m. FIM Motocross: MXGP CBSSN 11 a.m. Michelin GT Challenge NBC Noon IndyCar: Freedom 250 Grand Prix Fox 1 p.m. ARCA Menards: Calypso 100 FS1 2 p.m. NASCAR Cup: Dollar Tree 301 USA WOMEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER Noon Michigan St. at North Carolina ACCN 1 p.m. Florida St. at Florida SECN WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL Noon Texas A&M vs. SMU ESPN2 3 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky ESPN GOLF 11 a.m. PGA: BMW Championship Golf 1 p.m. PGA: BMW Championship CBS 1 p.m. LIV Golf: Final Round FS2 1 p.m. Korn Ferry: AdventHealth Champ.Golf

2:30 p.m. LIV Golf: Final Round Fox 4 p.m. Champions: Rogers Charity Classic Golf 6 p.m. LPGA: CPKS Women’s Open Golf HORSE RACING Noon Saratoga Live FS1 2:30 p.m. Saratoga Live FS2 3 p.m. Saratoga Live FS1 LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES 8 a.m. Tacoma vs. Henderson ESPN 10 a.m. Tijuana vs. Leon ESPN Noon Davenport vs. Bayonne ABC 1 p.m. Willemstad vs. Seoul ESPN MLB 12:35 p.m.St. Louis at Philadelphia MLBN 2:15 p.m. San Francisco at Boston NBC 3:15 p.m. Cincinnati at Arizona NBCSN 6 p.m. Atlanta vs. Milwaukee ESPN NFL PRESEASON 7 p.m. Seattle at Tennessee Fox RODEO 11 a.m. PBR: Team Series CBS

IN BRIEF

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

2 p.m.

PBR: Team Series CW SAILING 7 a.m. Sail GP: Event 9 CBSSN MEN’S SOCCER 8 a.m. Aston Villa at Brighton NBCSN 8 a.m. Bournemouth at Man. City USA 9:55 a.m. Villarreal at Madrid ESPN2 10:30 a.m.Liverpool at Newcastle United USA 2:25 p.m. Barcelona at Elche ABC WOMEN’S SOCCER 1 p.m. Louisville at Chicago CBSSN 3 p.m. Orlando at Washington ESPN2 5 p.m. Houston at Bay CBSSN 7 p.m. NJ/Ny Gotham at Angel City ION SOFTBALL 7 p.m. Team Klinger vs.Team Palacios MLBN TENNIS 1 p.m. Cincinnati-ATP/WTA Tennis WNBA 3 p.m. Seattle at Dallas NBATV 6 p.m. Indiana at Chicago NBC

If Pels want respect, they must go earn it Respect is earned, not given. If the New Orleans Pelicans want the league ofﬁce and players around the league to respect them, they need to make them do so. There’s no need to complain about the NBA schedule that came out last week. And there’s no reason to be upset about what Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said last week, which we’ll get to in a minute. The only way for a franchise that has won two playRod Walker off series in team history to change the narrative is to start winning. It’s as simple as that. The Pelicans’ schedule, which was announced last week, has just two games set to be broadcast nationally. Both of those games are during a January trip to Europe (France and England) against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. If the Pels weren’t playing in Europe and against Wemby, who knows if they would have even received two national games. There are four other teams that only have two national games. The Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets. What do all those teams have in common? None of them made it to the postseason last season and none of them are expected to this season. Good teams get TV time. Bad teams don’t. Just ask the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, who weren’t awarded a prime-time game last season or this season despite drafting quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in 2025. The Pelicans’ number of national games has dwindled over the years, going from 30 in 2019 when Zion Williamson was drafted to 18 games four years ago. Three years ago, they had 12. And 13 the season before that. Last season and this season, that number has been reduced to two. People who watch the Pelicans regularly know that talented

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy, left, and guard Jeremiah Fears, right, play defense as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell passes the ball during a game March 21 at the Smoothie King Center. players like Williamson, Trey Murphy and Dejounte Murray along with promising rookies like Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen are good enough to be seen nationally. It’s up to them to convince the rest of the basketball audience. The Pelicans also have 16 backto-back games on the schedule, tied with four other teams (Nets, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks) for most in the league. All NBA teams have at least 13 back-tobacks. So the Pelicans, one of the worst teams in the league the past two seasons, having just three more than that isn’t a big deal. The Pelicans also have the most stretches of three games in four nights in the league (27). One of the league’s most storied franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers, is second with 26. No, the NBA — despite Pelicans top executive Joe Dumars having worked in the league ofﬁce for three years — didn’t do the Pels any favors with the

schedule. And I imagine Dumars doesn’t want any favors. The Pelicans will have to get out of the mud by clawing and scratching their way out of their doldrums and into the spotlight. Now to Haliburton, the Pacers’ star player who missed all of last season while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton will make his return this season. He expressed disappointment last week when he found out that his ﬁrst game back was not going to be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana’s home arena. The NBA could have, and probably should have, given a player of Haliburton’s caliber (two All-Stars, two All-NBA selections and leading his team to the NBA Finals) his ﬁrst game back in front of his home fans. Instead, the Pacers open on the road in the Smoothie King Center against the Pelicans. Haliburton felt disrespected by them, then proceeded to disrespect the Pelicans in the process while speak-

ing on a podcast last week. “Think of a player you could compare to my level of basketball, someone who’s torn their Achilles tendon and been out for 16 months,” Haliburton said. “That wouldn’t be nationally televised, right? Do you think the game would be at home if it wasn’t being broadcast? Do you think that game should be in New Orleans? I looked at the schedule and thought ‘Wow.’ Nothing personal, my guy Trey Murphy is there. I love NOLA, but I was kind of shocked… but we’ll move on.” Pelicans, don’t move on. For the next two months, let it marinate that the NBA doesn’t ﬁnd you worthy to be on TV. Let Haliburton’s diss be fuel leading up to the Oct. 21 season opener. There’s no need to respond to Haliburton’s comments (or anyone else’s) before then. Let your play on the court do your talking. It’s the only way to get respect. Email Rod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

Raffle offers sports fans chance to hit jackpot Annual Premier Season Ticket Raffle drawing is Aug. 30 BY ROD WALKER

Staff writer

Kristi McKinney doesn’t consider herself an avid sports fan. But that didn’t stop her from entering last year’s Premier Season Ticket Rafﬂe held by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. “I had heard about it in years past, and it sounded like a fun thing to do,” McKinney said. “People were making fun of me because I’m not a huge sports fan. But I wanted to help the Sports Foundation. It was more of a charitable thing for me.” Turns out, McKinney’s name was pulled in the rafﬂe and she won the smorgasbord of season tickets. “First of all, I was in shock,” McKinney said. “I was excited. Like any prize, you don’t think you’re going to be the winner.” Now it’s time for someone else to win two season tickets to some of the top sporting events in south Louisiana. This year’s drawing will be held on Aug. 30. The winner will be announced on “The Final Play,” the Sunday night local

STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

New Orleans Saints fans smile and cheer in the second half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7 at the Caesars Superdome. sports show on Fox 8. The winner receives a pair of season tickets to all of the following: New Orleans Saints regular-season games; New Orleans Pelicans regular-season games; LSU football, men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics and baseball; Tulane football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball; LSU-New Orleans baseball and men’s and women’s basketball. The winner also receives two tickets to the New Orleans Bowl, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the

PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic, as well as WWE’s Money in the Bank event. Raffle tickets are $100 each. Only 2,000 tickets will be sold. The money raised helps the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s efforts to bring major sporting events to New Orleans. Some of the recent events hosted in New Orleans were Super Bowl LIX in 2025 and the X Games in July. The Sports Foundation also assisted Legends Global in getting the Savannah Bananas base-

ball team to Caesars Superdome in March. “The raffle is a significant fundraiser for the Sports Foundation,” said Jay Cicero, president and CEO of the Sports Foundation. “It helps us with our business and supports our business of bidding upon and managing sporting events for the economic benefit of Louisiana. It’s much-needed operational fund support for everything that we do.” There is one change to this year’s raffle. In years past, the winner had to pay taxes on the tickets. That’s no longer the case. “The Sports Foundation will now pay the taxes on it,” Cicero said. “So the only expense to the winner is the money for the raffle ticket itself.” McKinney took her son to Tulane’s season opener last season. She also attended Saints and Pelicans games. “But gymnastics and LSU baseball were the highlights,” McKinney said. “And I really enjoyed the golf tournament.” McKinney’s advice to anyone considering entering this year’s raffle? “If you’re an avid sports fan, I would recommend it,” she said. To enter the raffle, visit gnosports.com/win.

Ohtani takes step toward return to Dodgers’ mound

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani faced teammate Will Smith in live batting practice on Saturday, but there’s no deﬁnitive timeline for the two-way superstar to return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wearing long sleeves, Ohtani threw 30 pitches under a blazing sun in 93-degree heat and ended the session by giving a thumbs-up. Among those looking on were pitching coach Mark Prior and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, fellow MVPs Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, and some of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3 because of lingering soreness in his left knee, which is his landing leg while pitching.

Brewers RHP Woodruff says surgery not needed

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff says his latest shoulder injury won’t require surgery, a notable change of plans for a two-time All-Star who has dealt with multiple arm issues. This development creates at least a slight chance Woodruff could pitch again this season, though the prospect remains unlikely. Woodruff, 33, said he will play catch on Wednesday to begin a throwing progression. That represents a major departure from his initial expectations. He had indicated in mid-July that he would be undergoing anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder. He had a similar procedure in October 2023 and didn’t pitch again until July 2025. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this year.

Yankees DH Stanton strains calf running bases

NEW YORK — Giancarlo Stanton suffered another setback in his recovery from a strained right calf when he strained his left calf while running the bases earlier this week, putting his return to the New York Yankees by the end of the season in doubt. Stanton has not played since tweaking his right calf running between second and third base during New York’s 12-4 win at Houston on April 24. Stanton was nearing a return in mid-June when he felt soreness in his right calf while running the bases. The ﬁve-time All-Star and 2017 NL MVP has been plagued by injuries since being acquired from the Marlins in December 2017 and has not played a full season since 2018.

Serena, Alcaraz paired for doubles at U.S. Open

NEW YORK — Serena Williams will team up with Carlos Alcaraz to create a powerhouse mixed doubles pair in her return to the U.S. Open. The U.S. Tennis Association announced Saturday that Williams and Alcaraz had been given a wild card into the tournament. The mixed doubles main draw begins Tuesday, with the winning team sharing $1 million. It will be Williams’ first time playing at the U.S. Open since 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion returned to tennis this summer. Williams is not planning to play singles in New York.

Yamashita up by six shots at CPKC Women’s Open

EDMONTON,Alberta — Miyu Yamashita rebounded from a bogey on the par-3 17th with a birdie on the par4 18th to take a six-stroke lead Saturday in the CPKC Women’s Open in a bid for a wire-to-wire victory. Yamashita shot a 5-under 65 in calm conditions to get to 19-under 191 at Royal Mayfair, the treelined layout — and mosquito hot spot after record summer rain — tucked in a bend in the North Saskatchewan River. The 25-year-old Japanese player — one of professional golf’s shortest players at 4-foot-11 — won the Meijer LPGA Classic in June in Michigan after taking the Women’s British Open and Maybank Championship last season as the rookie of the year. Gina Kim (64) and Yuri Yoshida (66) were tied for second at 13 under, a shot ahead of Jennifer Kupcho (64) and two ahead of Somi Lee (65).

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 3C

lll

SCOREBOARD Odds

Cincinnati 27, Chicago 9 New England 24, Philadelphia 21 Tampa Bay 16, Kansas City 15 Dallas at Arizona, n

Sports Betting Line NFL

Sunday’s Games

Seattle at Tennessee, 7 p.m.

Sunday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at TENNESSEE 3 4½ (37½) Seattle

MLB

Golf BMW Championship

Sunday

Saturday

American League FAVORITE LINE Tampa Bay -118 at N.Y YANKEES -146 at HOUSTON OFF at KANSAS CITY OFF at TEXAS OFF National League FAVORITE LINE at PHILA -217 at MIAMI -166 at LA DODGERS -290 at ARIZONA -181 at MILWAUKEE -135 Interleague FAVORITE LINE at WHITE SOX OFF Cleveland -140 at BOSTON OFF Chicago Cubs -113 at SAN DIEGO -139

UNDERDOG LINE at BALTIMORE -104 Toronto +119 Athletics OFF Detroit OFF LA Angels OFF UNDERDOG St. Louis Washington Pittsburgh Cincinnati Atlanta

LINE +169 +134 +235 +159 +110

UNDERDOG LINE N.Y Mets OFF at COLORADO +123 San Francisco OFF at SEATTLE -110 Minnesota +122

Pro basketball WNBA Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE Indiana Atlanta New York Washington Chicago Toronto Connecticut

W 24 23 22 21 15 11 9

L 13 13 15 15 22 25 26

Pct GB .649 — .639 ½ .595 2 .583 2½ .405 9 .306 12½ .257 14

x-Minnesota x-Golden State x-Las Vegas Dallas Portland Phoenix Los Angeles Seattle

W 31 25 25 21 15 13 12 7

L 7 11 13 16 21 23 24 30

Pct GB .816 — .694 5 .658 6 .568 9½ .417 15 .361 17 .333 18 .189 23½

WESTERN CONFERENCE

x-clinched playoff spot Friday’s Games

Minnesota 94, Washington 84 Chicago 73, Golden State 70 Toronto 82, Portland 79

Saturday’s Games

New York 109, Indiana 102 Connecticut at Los Angeles, 8 p.m. Atlanta at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Sunday’s Games

Seattle at Dallas, 3 p.m. Indiana at Chicago, 6 p.m. Las Vegas at Toronto, 6 p.m

Monday’s Games

Golden State at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Los Angeles, 9 p.m.

Pro football NFL glance Thursday’s Games

Las Vegas 22, Houston 20 San Francisco 41, L.A. Chargers 17

Friday’s Games

N.Y. Jets 17, Pittsburgh 0 Carolina 34, Jacksonville 17 Green Bay 33, Denver 13

Saturday’s Games

Detroit 17, Washington 13 Atlanta 34, Indianapolis 6 Baltimore 13, Minnesota 3 Buffalo 31, Cleveland 7 L.A. Rams 34, New Orleans 0 N.Y. Giants 26, Miami 3

At Bellerive Country Club Saint Louis, Mo. Purse: $20 million Yardage: 7,448; Par: 70 Third Round Wyndham Clark 64-64-65—193 Patrick Cantlay 67-65-66—198 Rory McIlroy 64-69-65—198 Chris Gotterup 64-67-68—199 Gary Woodland 64-65-70—199 Collin Morikawa 68-65-67—200 Sungjae Im 67-64-70—201 Eric Cole 67-68-67—202 Ryo Hisatsune 65-70-67—202 Maverick McNealy 67-66-69—202 J.J. Spaun 64-66-72—202 Michael Brennan 69-65-69—203 Russell Henley 67-66-70—203 Jacob Bridgeman 66-72-66—204 Akshay Bhatia 67-68-70—205 Ryan Gerard 70-66-69—205 Robert MacIntyre 68-69-68—205 Alex Noren 71-69-65—205 Scottie Schefﬂer 72-65-68—205 Justin Thomas 67-67-71—205 Cameron Young 71-65-69—205 Ludvig Åberg 66-70-69—205 Sam Burns 71-67-68—206 Matt Fitzpatrick 65-72-69—206 Viktor Hovland 71-63-72—206 Aaron Rai 68-71-67—206 Sepp Straka 73-68-65—206 Matthew McCarty 70-67-70—207 Xander Schauffele 70-66-71—207 Adam Scott 68-68-71—207 Alex Smalley 69-68-70—207 Michael Thorbjornsen 66-66-75—207 Kurt Kitayama 72-68-68—208 Kristoffer Reitan 67-67-74—208 Alex Fitzpatrick 66-72-71—209 Rickie Fowler 71-69-69—209 Ben Grifﬁn 68-73-68—209 Nicolai Højgaard 73-71-65—209 Si Woo Kim 70-69-70—209 Tom Kim 72-69-68—209 J.T. Poston 70-70-69—209 Justin Rose 69-67-73—209 Bud Cauley 73-69-68—210 Hideki Matsuyama 72-68-70—210 Ryan Fox 71-69-71—211 Min Woo Lee 69-72-70—211 Sahith Theegala 71-72-68—211 Tommy Fleetwood 69-69-74—212 Jake Knapp 67-72-76—215 Nicolas Echavarria 69-74-73—216

CPKC Women’s Open

-17 -12 -12 -11 -11 -10 -9 -8 -8 -8 -8 -7 -7 -6 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -2 -2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 E E +1 +1 +1 +2 +5 +6

Saturday

At Royal Mayfair Golf Club Edmonton, Alberta Purse: $2.8 million Yardage: 6,452; Par: 70 Third Round Miyu Yamashita 62-64-65—191 Gina Kim 66-67-64—197 Yuri Yoshida 65-66-66—197 Jennifer Kupcho 66-68-64—198 Somi Lee 69-65-65—199 Aphrodite Deng 70-67-63—200 Sei Young Kim 68-68-64—200 Kiara Romero 64-67-69—200 Ruoning Yin 65-67-68—200 Laney Frye 66-67-68—201 Ariya Jutanugarn 66-68-67—201 Dongeun Lee 68-69-64—201 Soo Bin Joo 68-63-71—202 Natasha Andrea Oon 68-65-69—202 Ana Belac 73-65-65—203 Manon De Roey 71-67-65—203 Nataliya Guseva 67-71-65—203 Nasa Hataoka 63-69-71—203 Brooke Henderson 67-68-68—203

-19 -13 -13 -12 -11 -10 -10 -10 -10 -9 -9 -9 -8 -8 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7

Anna Huang Yan Liu Mao Saigo Na Rin An Ayaka Furue Gurleen Kaur Jodi Ewart Shadoff Nanna Koerstz Madsen Riley Smyth Amy Yang Pajaree Anannarukarn Nicole Broch Estrup Karis Davidson Gemma Dryburgh Chizzy Iwai Nelly Korda Alison Lee Brooke Matthews Cassie Porter Ashleigh Buhai Robyn Choi Hye Jin Choi Lindy Duncan Grace Kim Yuna Nishimura Chiara Tamburlini S. Vinijchaitham Carlota Ciganda Melanie Green Hyo Joo Kim Lydia Ko Mi Hyang Lee Mary Liu Gaby Lopez Olivia Cowan Michelle Xing Briana Chacon Soﬁa Garcia Maude-Aimee Leblanc Michelle Zhang Hailee Cooper Clairey Lin Jenny Shin Kelly Zhang Allisen Corpuz Savannah Grewal Jennifer Chang Amanda Doherty Benedetta Moresco Kum Kang Park

65-68-70—203 67-69-67—203 66-67-70—203 70-68-66—204 68-66-70—204 68-66-70—204 70-68-67—205 68-67-70—205 70-66-69—205 69-70-66—205 69-68-69—206 69-67-70—206 69-67-70—206 67-67-72—206 69-70-67—206 67-70-69—206 69-70-67—206 68-69-69—206 69-68-69—206 72-68-67—207 71-66-70—207 71-68-68—207 71-69-67—207 67-69-71—207 72-68-67—207 71-69-67—207 68-68-71—207 69-71-68—208 69-69-70—208 68-72-68—208 70-69-69—208 71-68-69—208 66-69-73—208 71-69-68—208 68-72-69—209 65-73-71—209 71-65-74—210 71-68-71—210 68-71-72—211 73-67-71—211 69-68-75—212 68-72-72—212 73-67-72—212 72-66-74—212 71-68-74—213 70-69-74—213 70-69-75—214 70-70-74—214 70-70-74—214 69-71-74—214

Rogers Charity Classic

-7 -7 -7 -6 -6 -6 -5 -5 -5 -5 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 E E +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +4

Harrison Frazar Matt Gogel Paul Goydos Søren Kjeldsen Timothy O’Neal Mario Tiziani K.J. Choi Mark Hensby Tim Herron Rod Pampling Tom Pernice Ken Tanigawa Kirk Triplett Boo Weekley Stephen Ames Cameron Beckman Kevin Sutherland Charlie Wi Steve Allan Bernhard Langer Brett Quigley Vijay Singh Heath Slocum Stuart Appleby Shane Bertsch Woody Austin Brandt Jobe Chris Devlin Carlos Franco John Senden Paul Stankowski Olin Browne Wes Martin Michael Brown David Duval Tommy Gainey Scott McCarron Steve Pate Esteban Toledo

67-68—135 68-67—135 70-65—135 67-68—135 69-66—135 68-67—135 71-65—136 67-69—136 69-67—136 70-66—136 68-68—136 69-67—136 70-66—136 70-66—136 70-67—137 70-67—137 70-67—137 70-67—137 70-68—138 69-69—138 73-65—138 69-69—138 71-67—138 70-69—139 70-69—139 71-69—140 71-69—140 71-70—141 71-70—141 71-70—141 71-70—141 70-72—142 72-70—142 76-67—143 71-72—143 69-74—143 68-75—143 76-69—145 76-70—146

-5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -3 -3 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 E E +1 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +3 +5 +6

Collge football AMERICAN CONFRENCE Saturday’s Games

TCU vs. North Carolina at Dublin, 11 a.m. NC State at Virginia, 2:30 p.m. Hawaii at Stanford, 6 p.m. New Mexico St. at Florida St., 6 p.m

BIG 12 CONFERENCE Saturday’s Games

TCU vs. North Carolina at Dublin, 11 a.m.

Saturday

At Canyon Meadows G&CC Calgary, Alberta Purse: $2.5 million Yardage: 7,068; Par: 70 Second Round Ryan Armour 65-63—128 Steven Alker 68-61—129 Michael Block 65-65—130 Brian Gay 66-64—130 Richard Green 63-67—130 J.J. Henry 68-62—130 Miguel Ángel Jiménez 64-66—130 Zach Johnson 68-62—130 Rob Labritz 63-67—130 Bo Van Pelt 68-62—130 Michael Wright 66-64—130 Y.E. Yang 67-64—131 Jason Bohn 67-65—132 Ricardo Gonzalez 67-65—132 Retief Goosen 66-66—132 Jerry Kelly 65-67—132 Mark Wilson 71-61—132 Jason Caron 65-68—133 Steve Flesch 69-64—133 Thongchai Jaidee 65-68—133 Tom Lehman 69-64—133 Tim Petrovic 66-67—133 Warren Pineo 67-66—133 Tag Ridings 66-67—133 John Rollins 66-67—133 Vaughn Taylor 67-66—133 Mike Weir 67-66—133 Michael Allen 65-69—134 David Bransdon 68-66—134 Jamie Donaldson 71-63—134 Mathew Goggin 66-68—134 Robert Karlsson 69-65—134 Scott Parel 68-66—134 Greg Chalmers 68-67—135 Chris DiMarco 67-68—135 Ken Duke 69-66—135

BIG SKY CONFERENCE Friday’s Games

Weber St. at N. Colorado, 8 p.m. Idaho at Cal Poly, 9 p.m. -12 -11 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -9 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -5 -5 -5

Saturday’s Games

UC Davis at Portland St., 2 p.m. E. Washington at N. Arizona, 4 p.m. VMI at Idaho St., 5 p.m. Sacramento St. at E. Michigan, 5:30 p.m. S. Utah at Montana, 8 p.m. Montana St. at Utah Tech, 9 p.m.

BIG SOUTH Thursday’s Games

Charleston Southern at Lindenwood, 6 p.m. Northwestern (IA) at W. Illinois, 6 p.m. E. Illinois at Murray St., 6 p.m. Gardner-Webb at Austin Peay, 6 p.m. Cent. Arkansas at UT Martin, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

SE Missouri at Indiana St., 5 p.m. Monmouth (NJ) at Tennessee Tech, 6 p.m. Jackson St. at Tennessee St., 7:30 p.m.

BIG TEN CONFERENCE Saturday’s Games

San Jose St. at Southern Cal, 2 p.m.

COASTAL ATHLETIC Thursday’s Games

Maine at Towson, 5 p.m. Stony Brook at Delaware St., 5 p.m. Glenville St. at Elon, 6 p.m.

Friday’s Games

William & Mary at Villanova, 5 p.m. Rhode Island at Merrimack, 5 p.m. New Hampshire at Albany (NY), 7 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Campbell at ETSU, 4:30 p.m. Morgan St. at NC A&T, 5 p.m. Va. Lynchburg at Hampton, 5 p.m. Bryant at Stonehill, 5 p.m.

Monmouth (NJ) at Tennessee Tech, 6 p.m.

CONFERENCE USA Saturday’s Games

Jacksonville St. at N. Dakota St., 4:30 p.m. New Mexico St. at Florida St., 6 p.m.

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE Saturday’s Games

Sacramento St. at E. Michigan, 4:30 p.m.

MOUNTAIN WEST Saturday’s Games

San Jose St. at Southern Cal, 2 p.m. Hawaii at Stanford, 6 p.m. Memphis at UNLV, 9 p.m.

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE Thursday’s Games

Mercyhurst at Youngstown St., 5 p.m. LIU Brooklyn at North Dakota, 7 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Robert Morris at Wagner, 11 a.m. CCSU at South Dakota, 1 p.m. Bryant at Stonehill, 5 p.m.

PAC-12 Saturday’s Games

Oregon St. at Houston, 11 a.m.

SWAC Thursday’s Games

MVSU at Nicholls, 6 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Alabama St. vs. Southern U. at Birmingham, Ala., 2 p.m. Miles at Alcorn St., 6 p.m. NC Central at Texas Southern, 6 p.m. Albany St. (Ga.) at Florida A&M, 6 p.m. Clark Atlanta at Grambling St., 6 p.m. Ark.-Pine Bluff vs. Morehouse at Little Rock, Ark., 6 p.m. Howard vs. Alabama A&M at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m. Jackson St. at Tennessee St., 7:30 p.m. Prairie View at Tarleton St., 8 p.m.

Tennis Western & Southern Open Results Saturday

At Lindner Family Tennis Center Cincinnati Purse: $9,415,725 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Results Saturday from Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center (seedings in parentheses):

Men’s Singles

Semiﬁnals Arthur Fils (21), France, def. Flavio Cobolli (7), Italy, 6-3, 6-4. Frances Tiafoe (17), United States, def. Brandon Nakashima (27), United States, 7-5, 6-3.

Women’s Singles

Semiﬁnals Jessica Pegula (3), United States, def. Iga Swiatek (7), Poland, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

Men’s Doubles

Semiﬁnals Robin Haase, Netherlands, and Constantin Frantzen, Germany, def. Marcel Granollers, Spain, and Horacio Zeballos (2), Argentina, 6-3, 3-6, 10-5. Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz, Brazil, def. Edouard Roger-Vasselin, France, and Hugo Nys, Monaco, 6-4, 2-6, 10-2.

Women’s Doubles

Championship Marie Bouzkova and Linda Noskova, Czechia, def. Alexandra Panova, Russia, and Magali Kempen, Belgium, 6-1, 6-2.

Transactions Major League Baseball American League

MINNESOTA TWINS — Agreed to terms with RHP Ron Marinaccio on a minor league contract. SEATTLE MARINERS — Designated LHP Jhonathan Díaz for assignment. Selected the contract of LHP Kade Anderson from Arkansas (TL).

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C Kiffin is credited with crafting an offense that was highly successful at Alabama and was the most productive offense in the FBS during his six seasons at Ole Miss. But Weis is a major part of that success. In fact, for all the focus on Kiffin and his retention of LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker from Brian Kelly’s staff, Weis may be flying under the radar in terms of what he means for the Tigers’ chances of being a College Football Playoff contender in 2026. Well, under some radars. Not Kiffin’s. “I try to let coordinators do their job,” Kiffin said recently. “I have an overview of who we play and our overall philosophy.” That certainly applies to Baker, since Kiffin’s background isn’t defense, but also to Weis. The trust built from their one season together at Alabama, two seasons when Weis was Kiffin’s offensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic and the past four seasons when Weis served in that same capacity at Ole Miss is clear. “It frees me up so much,” Kiffin said during LSU’s first week of preseason camp. “I spent 30 minutes this morning on a call with this transfer/compliance thing, which is something I couldn’t have done a few years ago because there was an offense (staff) meeting. “The Charlie benefit is huge for our program.” The influences on the Weis playbook are numerous. There’s his father, Charlie Weis Sr., a longtime NFL offensive coordinator and head coach at Notre Dame when the Tigers beat the Fighting Irish in the 2007 Sugar Bowl. There was a year spent on Steve Sarkisian’s staff with

The

CADILLAC Commute CAR CARE TIPS

Engine overheating warning? Scan to see why pulling over immediately saves your engine. STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. watches passing drills during preseason practice on Monday at the team’s practice facility. the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 before Weis went to FAU. Then there is the Kendal Briles factor. Briles was the play-caller in 2017 during Kiffin’s first season at FAU, his up-tempo “veer and shoot” offensive style making a big imprint on the Kiffin offensive attack. Weis added pro-style layers and run-pass options to the offense at FAU and later at Ole Miss — he spent two seasons in between at South Florida, where the offense scuffled by comparison. That created the offense that helped lead Ole Miss to an 11-1 regular season in 2025 under Kiffin and a trip to the CFP semifinals with Weis still calling the plays after accepting the LSU job. “It’s a really cool system,” Weis said. “I got to be at FAU for a little bit with Kendal Briles when he first got there. Got to learn when he was installing it with the offensive staff. A month or so. “It was so cool to see how different they saw the game. My dad was a prostyle guy, super NFL. Coach Kiffin was very similar at

Alabama and at previous spots. It was cool when we got to see some of the wide split elements, the tempo elements that allow them to play really fast. Over time, we’ve molded this thing where there are some more pro-style concepts within it, but the bones still exist from that (Briles) system.” Weis is just 33, but if the LSU offense this season has success similar to what Ole Miss had — since 2022 the Rebels have ranked eighth, 13th, second and third nationally in total offense — he could be fielding multiple head coaching offers in a few months. He could find himself in a similar position to where Kiffin was with the LSU job this past November. “It speaks a lot to Charlie,” Kiffin said. “You’re doing that in the SEC. It’s why he’s so sought after.” Good bet Weis won’t be asked to take another memory test ever again. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate. com/lsunewsletter

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4C ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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SAINTS THREE AND OUT: JEFF DUNCAN’S TOP THREE TAKEAWAyS FROM SAINTS’ UGLy PRESEASON LOSS TO RAMS

UGLY, EVEN BY PRESEASON STANDARDS Preseason games are traditionally marred by sloppy play, but this one was particularly ugly. The Saints committed three turnovers, including two in the red zone, and 12 penalties for 96 yards. The Saints were twice called for having 12 defensive players on the field. The Rams’ 20-0 halftime lead reflected their domination. They outgained the Saints 272-98 in yards and 19-4 in first downs. The Saints had more penalties (six for 57 yards in the first half than first downs (four). Saints coach Kellen Moore likes to maintain an even-keel demeanor on the sidelines, but even he couldn’t hide his frustration.

THE QUARTERBACKS STRUGGLED Zach Wilson failed to capitalize on his starting assignment and follow up on his strong performance in Week 1. In four first-half drives, he managed to produce only four first downs and failed to march the Saints past the Rams’ 40-yard line. He completed 6 of 12 passes passes for 55 yards and an anemic 28.1 passer rating. Wilson’s interception came as the result of a miscommunication with Bub Means on an option route. Spencer Rattler didn’t do much better. In addition to a pick-six, he failed to march the Saints to a score in five second-half series. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 141 yards.

RAMS TARGETED EMERSON The Rams went after Martin Emerson early and often. The veteran cornerback’s coverage was not terrible, but he surrendered the bulk of the yardage on the Rams’ second possession, a 14-play, 63-yard drive that ended in a field goal. In all, Emerson was targeted six times on the first two Rams’ possessions, surrendering three catches for 24 yards. He was also called for a defensive holding penalty. With Quincy Riley sidelined by a groin injury, Emerson is being counted on to provide depth at cornerback. The veteran has flashed in coverage throughout camp but was picked on by the Rams.

GAINING GROUND

RB Miller ‘felt good’ in first game action in 300-plus days BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It had been more than 300 days since Kendre Miller suited up for the New Orleans Saints for a game. Preseason or not, it was meaningful for Miller to be back on the field in his No. 5 uniform Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams in his first game action since he tore his ACL against the Chicago Bears in Week 7 of last season. “I felt good just to get out there in a game,” Miller said. “I didn’t even know it had been that long.” Injuries have driven the narrative of Miller’s career to this point. Now entering his fourth NFL season, he has never appeared in more than eight games in a given year. Even in this year’s training camp, he’s been set back by a back injury that cost him more than a week of practice time. But Miller returned to the field for the pair of joint practices the Saints participated in against the Cowboys and Rams this week, and Saturday he finally got a chance to show what he could do in a live setting after recovering from his major knee injury. “I definitely needed the work, just because I’ve been out with the knee — I missed OTAs and I to needed catch up,” Miller said. “So the work was really good for me, getting a feel of everything. But I feel good out there, it doesn’t feel

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RyAN SUN

Saints running back Kendre Miller, center, carries during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday in Inglewood, Calif. like I missed a step, I just need to clean up a couple things.” While the results for the team as a whole were disappointing, Miller showed some of the promise that he’s displayed whenever he has been healthy since the Saints selected him in the third round of the 2023 draft. His ﬁrst two carries went for 5 and 6 yards, and he also had gains of 10 (on a reception) and 12 negated by penalties. Miller also got a look as a kick returner, and he took

SAINTS

WALKER

Continued from page 1C

Continued from page 1C field. Meanwhile, the team in black and gold is just trying to claw its way back into the playoff picture after missing out the last five seasons. Saturday didn’t really tell us much of anything about the 2026 Saints. Most of the guys who suited up won’t make much of an impact. For the second straight preseason game, Moore decided not to play any starters. Instead, he’s letting the work the starters get in joint practices suffice. That’s been the approach many NFL teams have adopted since the league reduced the number of preseason games from four to three in 2021. Tyler Shough looked sharp in the three joint practices against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cowboys and Rams. I’d imagine Moore will let him and the other starters get a series or two in the preseason finale. But for now, the only thing we’ve seen from Shough during the preseason are his fiery pre-game speeches. “This week, we have elevated the standard of our team,” Shough said prior to Saturday’s kickoff. “We have laid the foundation of who we want to be. We have laid the foundation of where we’re going.” That foundation looked shaky in Saturday’s sloppy performance. Anything Moore may have liked in the joint practice Tuesday against the Cowboys and Thursday against the Rams didn’t translate to the game. There is a saying that it never rains in California. That obviously doesn’t include the puddle of penalty flags that fell all game long on the turf. The Saints were penalized 12 times for 96 yards. “It shows you the discipline and details (needed) for foot-

his lone return back for 29 yards. His overall numbers (six carries, 22 yards) were not especially reﬂective of how hard he ran. “There were some physical runs in there. I was proud of him hopping in there,” coach Kellen Moore said. “I think he did have some runs where he was taking advantage of opportunities. They were not all perfect runs; there were some dirty runs that he was able to get some positive yards.” But for Miller, it wasn’t about the

How Wilson performed

AP PHOTO By RyAN SUN

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler runs with the ball during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday in Inglewood, Calif.

ball,” Moore said. Saints players continued to fall, too. Running back Devin Neal and tight end Moliki Matavao left the game early with injuries, adding to a week that also sidelined Alvin Kamara (knee) and cornerback Quincy Riley (groin). The Saints lost defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (knee) for the season on the ﬁrst day of camp and rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is out for at least two months after getting injured in last week’s joint practice in Metairie against the Jags. Some of this sloppiness should have been expected. A team traveling 1,900 miles to have two joint practices and a game in a ﬁve-day span can take its toll. Moore didn’t make any excuses. “Regular season or preseason does not matter,” Moore said. “Those (games) aren’t the ones you want. That was a big-time missed opportunity for us.” The good news for the Saints is they don’t travel west of the Mississippi during the regular season. One of the most memorable scenes from this latest trip was a frustrated Erik McCoy tossing the helmet of a Cowboys’ player during one of Tuesday’s many brawls. If only McCoy could throw Saturday’s game away, too.

This was Wilson’s best opportunity to steal a job that clearly had been Rattler’s for months. But the 27-year-old wasn’t nearly as sharp as he was in last week’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Against the Rams, Wilson completed 6 of 12 passes for 55 yards. And like Rattler last week, he committed a turnover that set up a touchdown for the other team. On his turnover, Wilson was picked off at LA’s 49-yard line by cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton. But the error seemed to be more about miscommunication with wide receiver Bub Means, one of Wilson’s favorite targets all summer. Wilson threw inside while Means cut outside, resulting in the easy takeaway. In these situations, Moore often says he wants to see how the quarterback bounces back. Wilson said he didn’t feel as if the turnover lingered, but he didn’t have a moment that overshadowed it. He settled, for instance, on a 7-yard scramble in which targets Moliki Matavao and Bryce Lance were briefly open down the field. On that same drive, Wilson couldn’t capitalize on a fourth and 2 as his intended pass was knocked out of Kevin Austin’s hands. The turnover on downs led to another Rams touchdown, putting New Orleans in a 17-0 hole. The deficit wasn’t just the fault of the quarterback. As a team, the Saints nearly had as many penalties (12) as first downs (13), and had more penalties (six) than first downs (four) in Wilson’s half. Rams backup quarterback Stetson Bennett feasted on rookie corners Lorenzo Styles and T.J. Hall. The Saints were outmuscled in the trenches. But trailing all game created opportunities to throw the ball

offseason — he said he managed to keep a positive mindset despite his previous injury history. The way Miller looked at it, he was in the midst of one of his better seasons as a pro, he’d shown the coaching staff what he could do, and he felt like he’d given it everything he had. “When the injury happened, I didn’t feel any regret like I left anything on the ﬁeld, so I went into rehab with that (mindset),” Miller said. When training camp opened, he was one of three backs vying for either one or two spots on the active roster. But attrition has made that math a little more difﬁcult as camp has progressed. Alvin Kamara was present for Saturday’s preseason game, but he will likely miss the next several weeks with an MCL injury. Audric Estime had appeared to gain a secure grip on the No. 3 running back job before leaving the preseason opener with an ankle injury. Devin Neal, who like Miller had dealt with his own injury in camp, left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury. Miller has heard rumblings from the outside about whether he will be on the 53-man roster by the end of training camp, but he said he lets it go in one ear and out the other. He is back on the field, doing everything he can to prove he belongs, and that is all he can do at this point. “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” Miller said. “I’ll just know that I left it all out there when I had the chance.”

statistics. He was just happy to be back on the ﬁeld. He injured his knee in October of last year. After the game, Miller was optimistic that he wasn’t dealing with anything too serious — and then he learned the severity. Miller has missed a lot of time as an NFL player, but never with something like this. His ﬁrst two seasons were beset by hamstring and ankle issues. When he learned he’d be shelved for the rest of the Email Luke Johnson at season — and most of the ensuing ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

L.A. Rams 34, New Orleans 0 New Orleans L.A. Rams

First Quarter

0 3

0 17

0 7

— —

0 34

LAR — FG Mevis 26, 3:55.

Second Quarter

LAR — Bennett 1 run (Mevis kick), 10:22. LAR — Bennett 8 run (Mevis kick), 2:53. LAR — FG Mevis 26, :00.

Third Quarter

LAR — Cook 100 interception return (Mevis kick), 9:06.

Fourth Quarter

LAR — Hunter 12 run (Mevis kick), 3:41.

A — 71,206.

First downs Total Net Yards Rushes-yards Passing Punt Returns Kickoff Returns Interceptions Ret. Comp-Att-Int Sacked-Yards Lost Punts Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Time of Possession

NO 13 293 26-105 188 1-22 4-91 0-0 20-35-2 1-8 4-45.0 2-1 12-96 28:12

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

LAR 28 405 30-151 254 2-15 1-25 2-103 27-43-0 0-0 2-48.5 0-0 7-60 31:48

RUSHING — New Orleans, K.Miller 6-22, Rattler 5-21, Chandler 6-21, Z.Wilson 4-19, Donaldson 3-15, Neal 2-7. L.A. Rams, Hunter 12-68, Waters 10-54, Simpson 3-10, Bennett 2-9, Presley 1-5, Connors 2-5. PASSING — New Orleans, Rattler 14-23-1-141, Z.Wilson 6-12-1-55. L.A. Rams, Bennett 19-310-181, Simpson 8-12-0-73. RECEIVING — New Orleans, Donaldson 4-51, Matavao 3-34, Moreno-Cropper 2-34, Lance 2-16, Welch 2-11, Austin 1-10, Chandler 1-10, Bell 1-7, Hardy 1-7, Mitchell-Paden 1-6, Means 1-5, Rechsteiner 1-5. L.A. Rams, Daniels 8-68, Bachman 4-48, Presley 4-35, Klare 4-12, Edwards 3-27, Scott 2-36, Villari 1-24, Waters 1-4. MISSED FIELD GOALS — New Orleans, T.Brown 39.

as much as possible, and Wilson didn’t take advantage. He squandered a classic two-minute drill with 2:31 left in the half, running just six plays before the Saints punted with 1:42 left. Wilson’s biggest missed chance on that series came on second and 3, when he fired at the feet of a wide-open Means in the middle of the ﬁeld. “I absolutely think it can be better,” Wilson said. “It’s something we’ll watch the ﬁlm and see.”

How Rattler performed

ing a 25-yard pass interference penalty on another. To open the second half, Rattler led the Saints inside the Rams’ 10-yard line, and they were just 6 yards away from scoring. Then Rattler threw a pick-six. Rattler’s interception was returned for 100 yards by Rams safety Alex Cook, marking yet another costly turnover for the former fifth-round pick. This always had been the rub with Rattler. He lost his starting job last year when he had six combined turnovers in back-to-back games. Against the Rams, Rattler’s pain wouldn’t end there. His next drive was eerily similar to his first — except it was running back Ty Chandler who produced the costly turnover when he fumbled at the 2-yard line, wiping out a 32-yard completion. The saving grace? The Rams fell on it and had nowhere to go. On the stat sheet, Rattler was more efficient than he was last week. His 6.1 yards per attempt was better than the 3.8 he mustered against Jacksonville. He spread the ball around to a variety of targets, good for 141 yards with a 60.9 completion percentage (14 of 23). “I played good today,” Rattler said. “I just wanted to go out there and be better than I was last week, for sure.” Still, Rattler’s five series resulted in zero points. On the final series, Tanner Brown missed a 39-yard field goal — a perfect cap on a day when everything went wrong. “Regular season, preseason, it does not matter — those ones aren’t the ones you want,” Moore said of the Saints’ performance. “That was a big-time missed opportunity for us. It starts with me. We didn’t respond the right way. “It’s really frustrating. At the end of the day, film is your resume in this league.”

At first, Rattler looked as if he were about to change the narrative. The third-year quarterback drove the Saints efficiently down the field, hitting Jalen Cropper for Email Matthew Paras at matt. a 24-yard gain on one pass, draw- paras@theadvocate.com

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ 5C

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SAINTS NOTEBOOK

NFL PRESEASON ROUNDUP

Sanders throws TD pass as Watson hears boos in Browns’ loss

The Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOOT By RyAN SUN

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bryce Lance makes a catch next to Los Angeles Rams defensive back Tanner Ingle during the first half of a preseason game on Saturday in Inglewood, Calif. Lance committed one of the Saints’ 12 penalties on Saturday.

Sloppy Saints litter ﬁeld with ﬂags BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — If the preseason is a time to get the bugs out of the system, the New Orleans Saints might need to get an exterminator on the line for their return trip to the Gulf South. The Saints played an incredibly sloppy brand of football in a 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday in their second preseason contest, committing 12 penalties for 96 yards while turning the ball over three times — two of which occurred inside the Rams’ 10-yard line. “Just a lack of discipline, lack of detail,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said. “A lot of them are under our control. Twelve penalties in a football game, you’re not going to win. We talked a lot about that and it was obviously a step back from the progress that we feel like we’ve made.” It didn’t really matter who was on the field. The offensive “starters” for Saturday’s game — the Saints, for the second straight week, rested all of their regular firstteam players — committed three drive-killing penalties within their first 10 plays. Rookie guard Jeremiah Wright was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after drilling a Rams player late, negating a 5-yard gain. Bryce Lance also wiped out a 5-yard gain with an offensive holding penalty, and while the Saints were able to overcome Lance’s hold by converting a first down, Kevin Austin then committed an offensive pass interference to wipe away a 10-yard

gain on a screen. The defense had some especially egregious penalties. Even if there is some room for debate on rookie Lorenzo Styles‘ defensive pass interference that allowed the Rams to convert a fourth and 3, New Orleans was also penalized twice for having 12 defensive players on the field. Finally, with the offense in desperation mode midway through the fourth quarter, the Saints had a fourth-and-1 conversion from their own 33-yard line negated by an illegal formation. “We weren’t aligned correctly,” Moore said. “The officials were right, 100%.” The final accounting for the Saints’ 12 penalties: two for offensive holding, two for defensive pass interference, two for 12 men on the field, and one each for false start, unnecessary roughness, illegal formation, offensive pass interference, defensive holding and ineligible receiver downfield.

Injuries pile up Two members of the 2025 draft class left Saturday’s game against the Rams early with injuries. Tight end Moliki Matavao was having an impressive ﬁrst half against the Rams, hauling in each of his three targets for 34 yards — including an impressive contested catch down the sideline that went for a gain of 14. But at the end of a 12-yard catch and run in the second quarter, Matavao took a hard shot to his lower leg. He tried to walk it off on the sideline but ultimately walked off the ﬁeld and into the locker room with a knee injury.

Devin Neal was making his preseason debut after missing the opener with a hamstring injury, but the second-year running back came up limping after a 4-yard run near the end of the first quarter. He was briefly examined in the medical tent on the sideline before making his way back to the locker room with another hamstring injury. Neal had just returned to the practice field this week for joint practices. He had an opportunity to solidify his claim for a roster spot as the Saints were already dealing with injuries in the backfield to Alvin Kamara (knee) and Audric Estime (ankle), but he left after rushing for 7 yards on two carries. Several other players also left the game early with injuries, including Styles (calf), offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins (concussion), wide receiver Bub Means (hamstring) and defensive lineman Brian Taylor (stinger).

Odds and ends The Saints captains for Saturday’s game in Los Angeles all had ties to California: Matavao (UCLA), linebacker Jackson Sirmon (University of California), receiver Jalen Cropper (Fresno State) and safety Jordan Howden (San Diego native). … The Saints now have played seven games in SoFi Stadium since it opened in 2020 (counting both preseason and regular season). They are 2-5 in those games and have been outscored by 11 points per game on average. Against the Rams specifically, the Saints are 0-3 in SoFi and have been outscored 98-32.

CLEVELAND — As thunder rumbled around Huntington Bank Field following Saturday’s game, the Browns’ confusing quarterback competition grew stormier. Shedeur Sanders threw a touchdown pass and made good decisions in the Browns’ 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills in perhaps his last chance to convince coach Todd Monken that he — and not Deshaun Watson — should be Cleveland’s starting quarterback. Sanders, competing with Watson to be the No. 1 QB and start against Jacksonville on Sept. 13, completed his first eight passes. He finished 9 of 11 for 74 yards with an interception on a ball he threw behind tight end Jermaine Terry, got tipped and picked by Damar Hamlin. Watson played poorly in the second half and was booed repeatedly by Cleveland’s sparse crowd. Afterward, the 30-yearold, who has been a polarizing figure almost since his arrival in a 2022 trade, fired back at his detractors. “I think the whole world knows. It has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit more personal than that,” said Watson, who was playing his first home game since tearing his Achilles tendon in 2024. “I think that’s a disrespectful thing.” Watson dismissed the possibility that if he played better he would be treated more fairly. “Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt,” Watson said, referring to the game against Cincinnati on Oct. 20, 2024. Watson played into the fourth quarter and went 5 of 12 for 35 yards with an interception. He started last week’s exhibition opener as the Browns (0-2) lost in Chicago. Monken is nearing a decision on whether to start Watson, who due to his injuries and an NFL suspension, has started just 19 games for Cleveland since 2022 or go with Sanders, the wildly popular fifth-round pick who showed potential last season. RAVENS 13, VIKINGS 3: In Minneapolis, J.J. McCarthy had an erratic start for the Minnesota Vikings, completing 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards in a exhibition loss to Baltimore on Saturday, while undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano threw a touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester for the Ravens. McCarthy played four series with the second-team offense before yielding to 11-year veteran Carson Wentz, leaving the picture unclear about who will be the No. 2 quarterback behind Kyler Murray. “We want to keep giving those guys opportunities,” said coach Kevin O’Connell, who’d planned to give McCarthy a little more playing time but decided to pull him after a couple of hard hits left him walking gingerly off the field. FALCONS 34, COLTS 6: In Indianapolis, Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Jack Strand took advantage of perhaps their last opportunity to shine this season.

They’re about to be upstaged by the return of Michael Penix Jr. Rush, who was signed last month, and Strand, an undrafted rookie, completed 16 of their first 17 throws while leading the Falcons to scores on five of their first six drives in a rout of the Indianapolis Colts, snapping Atlanta’s eight-game preseason losing streak. After the game, coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix, who started nine games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury, would return to team drills Monday. “He is cleared, he is cleared for 11-on-11,” Stefanski said. “He’ll practice Monday in team periods.” LIONS 17, COMMANDERS 13: In Detroit, Joshua Dobbs ran for a 50yard touchdown and the Detroit Lions held on for a preseason win against the Washington Commanders on Saturday. Dobbs, expected to back up quarterback Jared Goff this season, was 7 for 12 for 74 yards with an interception and a fumble. He had two carries for 53 yards. Detroit (1-1) played a few starters, but none of its biggest stars. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, AmonRa St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Penei Sewell sat out on offense, and Aidan Hutchinson was among the defensive absences. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels started, but he and much of the starting offense left after going three-and-out on the first series. Daniels was sacked once and threw an incompletion on his only pass attempt. BENGALS 27, BEARS 9: In Cincinnati, with Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco and the rest of Cincinnati’s starters and key backups watching in street clothes, 40-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson led the Bengals to a preseason victory over the Chicago Bears on Saturday night. After directing a 14-play, 67yard drive against Chicago’s starting defense to open the game, Johnson threw a pair of touchdown passes late in the second quarter to give the Bengals (2-0) an 11-point lead and ending his night. Johnson went 15 of 23 for 156 yards with touchdown passes of 17 yards to rookie wide receiver Colbie Young and 6 to veteran tight end Tanner Hudson, the latter coming with 23 seconds left in the first half. GIANTS 26, DOLPHINS 3: In Miami Gardens, Florida, the New York Giants appeared to be the better team during their joint practice with the Miami Dolphins this week. New York validated that performance in Saturday’s preseason game. Jameis Winston threw for 150 yards and ran for a touchdown while playing the first half, and the Giants cruised to a victory over the Dolphins. Devin Singletary ran for a touchdown and finished with 40 yards on eight carries. The Giants (1-1) got the rest of their points on two field goals each by Dominic Zvada and Ben Sauls. “Every single day we’re looking to be a better team,” Winston said. “Every practice. Every rep, we’re striving to be better.”

Bills offer support to Oliver, whose son, 2, died in June BY TOM WITHERS AND JOHN WAWROW Associated Press

CLEVELAND — The Buffalo Bills are giving defensive tackle Ed Oliver support and space after the accidental death of his 2-year-old son. Oliver has been grieving throughout training camp and many of his teammates only learned about the tragic accident on Friday. After Saturday’s 31-7 preseason win over the Browns, Bills quarterback Josh Allen said the team is standing with Oliver. “Obviously, very unfortunate what happened and as a teammate of him, as someone in this locker room, all we can do is love on him,” Allen said. “There’s nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there in whatever ways he needs. “That’s what we’re going to continue to do. That’s what teammates

do. You love up on each other when we’re down, and I can’t imagine what he’s going through. But the way that he’s dealt with it has been unbelievable.” Oliver has asked for privacy and prayers while still mourning his son, who was also named Ed. The toddler was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in a residential pool in Harris County, Texas, on June 28, a person briefed on what happened told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team and player have not revealed that information. Without providing many details including names or ages, the Harris County sheriff’s ofﬁce posted a note on its Facebook account that evening regarding the drowning of a toddler in a neighborhood community north of Houston. “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the toddler’s

family during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation is ongoing,” the post read. A sheriff’s official told The Associated Press on Saturday that a report was not immediately available. Before Saturday’s game, Bills general manager Brandon Beane issued a statement expressing his and the organization’s condolences. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we grieve this tragic loss,” Beane said. Bills first-year coach Joe Brady was equally compassionate toward Oliver, who is in his eighth season with Buffalo. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MARIA LySAKER “Ever since I found out the news, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver arrives for a game against the I can’t fathom what he’s going Houston Texans on Nov. 20 in Houston. through,” Brady said. “As a coach and a father, there really aren’t words to describe it. It’s all about “It’s hard when I see him. I don’t The 28-year-old Oliver was seus loving him and giving him the have the words, but all I can do is sup- lected by the Bills in the first round privacy that he deserves. port him in whatever way he needs.” of the 2019 draft out of Houston.

6C ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Notre Dame QB Carr trying to ignore hype BY CURT RALLO Association Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr spent the summer playing ping-pong and golf, hanging out with teammates and, of course, reﬁning his football skills. He was too busy competing to pay attention to what everyone else was saying — that he could be a Heisman Trophy candidate and that the fourth-ranked Fighting Irish could end their national championship drought. “I think 90% of that’s coming from social media,” Carr said. “That’s where 80% of the noise comes from, and then you’ll have your mom calling you on a Saturday like, ‘Did you see this?’ And it’s like, ‘All right, relax.’ If you delete the noise, then it’s not Carr there anymore.” But when you’re the starting quarterback at a storied program, high expectations are just part of the job. And in today’s college world, returning for the second year as the starter means it’s virtually impossible not to be mentioned in those conversations, especially after the kind of season Carr had in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior started all 12 games and threw at least one touchdown pass in each one. And though he was far from perfect, he steadied the ship following an 0-2 start with 10 straight wins while leading an offense that ﬁnished second in the Bowl Subdivision in scoring (41.8 points). Carr threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, routing Arkansas by throwing for 354 yards and four TDs. Now he gets to do it all over again, this time as a veteran with a new mindset after Notre Dame missed last year’s playoff and spending the offseason trying to build more chemistry with his receivers. “It’s not just an on-the-field thing,” Carr said, noting they traveled to Jacksonville, Florida, for some team-building activities.

“It’s, ‘Let’s go play ping-pong and eat lunch and hang out.’ There’s a ton of time throughout the summer and camp to do that. So you become really close with these guys off the field. Then, in a way, you can kind of read their minds on the field.” Receivers Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse are both back with Carr for another season, and Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter add more than depth to Notre Dame’s offense. Together, the quartet could emerge as game-changers. “It makes my life easy,” Carr said. “I wouldn’t want to play us in man coverage because it’s pick your poison. It makes it easy with a bunch of guys who understand football and are really talented.” Carr understands football better than most. His father, Jason, played football at Michigan and his grandfather, Lloyd, was Michigan’s longtime coach who led the Wolverines to the 1997 national championship. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman believes Carr’s lineage gives him a leg up on the competition. “He’s almost like a version of a coordinator on the field,” Freeman said. “The coach-to-player communication cuts off in 15 seconds, and he’s able to see a defense and anticipate what the defense is going to be and put our offense in a position to not have a negative play. That’s more important, probably, than the explosive plays.” While the football IQ has always been there, the processing part consistently sped up as Carr gained experience last season. But Greathouse believes Carr’s progression has continued through the spring and summer. “Obviously, last season was his first season,” Greathouse said. “You know you’re going to get smarter as you keep going. You can definitely see that throughout practice. The way he leads the team, the way that he leads the offense, I definitely think he’s taken a step up and so that means our chemistry is going even stronger.” The first test comes Sept. 6 against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEFF ROBERSON

Wyndham Clark hits from the fourth fairway at the BMW Championship on Saturday in St. Louis.

Clark takes 5-shot lead McIlroy, Cantlay are tied for second at Bellerive

BY DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — Wyndham Clark was doing everything right until it all went wrong Saturday at the BMW Championship. Just not for long. Bogey-free through 36 holes, he went from the bunker left of the fairway to the right rough on the opening hole at Bellerive. He came up short of the green, chipped to 7 feet and missed the putt, taking a double bogey that cost him the lead. The conversation on the second tee included a few choice words and a message from his caddie to embrace the challenge and move on. Clark wound up finding another gear. He had five birdies in an eight-hole stretch and turned a bad start into a big lead. Even closing with a bogey, Clark had a 5-under 65 and a fiveshot lead.

“Hit a bad shot on 2, but then really made a nice recovery and then got into a nice groove after that,” Clark said. It was the second time this year Clark has led by at least five shots going into the final round. He had a six-shot advantage at the U.S. Open and held on to win by one for his second major. Rory McIlroy ran off three straight birdies late in the round and saved par from a bunker on the 18th for a 65. Patrick Cantlay birdied the 18th for a 66. They were tied for second, a position far more relevant to Cantlay. He is at No. 43 in the FedEx Cup and needs a high finish to be among the top 30 who advance to the FedEx Cup finalem which starts Thursday in Atlanta. “That’s a lot to make up,” McIlroy said of his deficit. “But if I focus on myself, try to shoot a good score — I shot a 64 and a 65 this week — shoot something similar tomorrow, you never know.” Gary Woodland, trying to cap off his remarkable year with a return to the Tour Championship, only managed two birdies in a round of 70. He was six shots

behind, perhaps too far back to challenge Clark but high enough to extend his season another week. He was tied with Chris Gotterup (68). Clark made a tough par save from the bunker on No. 6. Then after hearing the crowd erupt for Woodland’s 15-foot birdie on the par-4 seventh, Clark followed with a 10-foot birdie, and that was the start of a one of those hot streaks where he looks like he can’t miss. He hit a 5-wood to 12 feet for eagle on the par-5 eighth. He holed a 30-foot birdie putt on the 10th, another birdie on the 11th from about 15 feet. And then he made a pair of birdie putts from the 12-foot range on the 13th and 14th to start pulling away. “You start seeing the lines and you’re so much more committed,” Clark said of his putting. “You’re like, ‘OK, that’s exactly it.’ And then you just stroke it and the ball goes in.” Clark is going for his third win this year, which would put him in the conversation for PGA Tour player of the year with his major championship.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kade Anderson walks back to the dugout after being pulled in the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday in Seattle. The former LSU star made his MLB debut as Seattle’s starting pitcher.

Former LSU ace Anderson makes major-league debut Former LSU ace Kade in the NL wild card. Seattle starter Anderson Chicago struck first made his muchmajor league against Anderson in the fifth gets no-decision anticipated debut, yielding three earned inning on a sacrifice fly by runs across 5 / innings. He Kevin Alcántara. Seattle led as Mariners struck out five and walked twice before the Cubs’ threerally in 9th inning two. run sixth inning, first taking 2

The 22-year-old Anderson entered the evening as one of the top pitching prosAssociated Press pects in baseball. AnderSEATTLE — Randy Arozarena son, the third overall pick in hit a walk-off two-run home 2025, became the first player run as the Seattle Mariners from his draft class to make beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4 on his major league debut on Saturday. Saturday. Arozarena took Cubs Mariners reliever Michael closer Jacob Webb (6-3) 404 Rucker (1-4) earned his first feet to straightaway center win of the season. to secure the victory for SeSeattle (62-68) improved to attle. The Mariners trailed 3.5 games behind Houston in 4-2 entering the ninth inning the AL West and two games and pulled within one run on back for the final wild-card a two-out RBI single by Leo spot. The Cubs (74-56) dropped to a 4.5-game lead Rivas.

BY ANDREW DESTIN

Or show your support for our journalists with our Advocate coffee mugs and tote bags.

a 1-0 advantage on a leadoff home run by Arozarena and then on an RBI groundout by Dominic Canzone in the ﬁfth inning. Mariners utilityman Brendan Donovan was a late scratch because he was hit in the head by a baseball in the batting cages before Saturday’s game. Weston Wilson started in his place at third base and batted eighth. Mariners RHP Bryce Miller (4-7, 3.71) will start opposite Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga (8-9, 3.77) in Sunday’s series ﬁnale.

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PRO BASEBALL LOUISIANA PROS

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STANDINGS American League

Major league hitters Player Alex Bregman Dylan Crews Jake Fraley Jake Rogers David Fry Hunter Feduccia Tommy White Josh Smith

State ties LSU LSU LSU Tulane NW State LSU LSU LSU

Pos 3B OF OF C 1B C 3B 2B

Team (Organization) Cubs Nationals Rays White Sox Guardians Dodgers Athletics Blue Jays

G 126 78 28 46 71 75 30 59

AB 500 286 82 118 143 172 113 164

R H 71 129 40 60 6 19 16 21 16 26 20 40 12 28 16 36

2B 24 11 7 4 4 9 2 3

3B 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1

HR 18 10 2 4 6 3 2 3

RBI 66 27 5 13 13 13 4 11

SB 3 8 3 1 0 0 0 4

Avg. .258 .210 .232 .178 .182 .233 .248 .220

OPS .765 .633 .690 .616 .639 .656 .592 .608

Minor league hitters Triple A

Name Drew Avans Jacob Berry Tre’ Morgan Hayden Cantrelle Julian Brock Carson Roccaforte

State ties Pos Southeastern LF LSU 3B LSU 1B UL SS UL C UL OF

Team Albequerque (Rockies) Jacksonville (Marlins) Durham (Rays) Iowa (Cubs) Round Rock (Rangers) Omaha (Royals)

G 90 81 55 90 60 114

AB 307 273 206 237 211 450

R H 51 63 43 69 29 49 42 54 31 44 81 113

2B 9 17 8 9 9 19

3B 2 0 1 5 1 5

HR 1 7 14 3 6 30

RBI 39 38 35 23 35 81

SB 24 18 1 22 3 22

Avg. .205 .253 .238 .228 .209 .251

OPS .583 .764 .806 .699 666 .852

Kyle DeBarge Jacob Burke Edgar Alvarez Taylor Young Jorge Corona Miguel Useche Colin Tuft Luke Hill

UL U-High Nicholls La. Tech La. Tech UNO Tulane Episcopal

SS OF 1B 2B C C C 3B

Wichita (Twins) Birmingham (White Sox) Knoxville (Cubs) Tulsa (Dodgers) Birmingham (White Sox) Knoxville (Cubs) Chesapeake (Orioles) Akron (Guardians)

101 73 91 61 49 70 78 60

389 259 285 217 159 237 263 201

63 48 43 45 25 43 47 46

82 64 53 71 35 64 59 51

21 14 13 14 5 13 14 16

1 2 1 0 1 1 5 1

12 5 9 5 7 11 12 11

43 25 37 33 21 43 40 45

28 15 1 15 1 6 24 12

.211 .247 .186 .327 .220 .270 .224 .254

.679 .691 .662 .886 .699 .846 .803 .899

Cade Doughty Kyle Walker Daniel Dickinson Ethan Frey Teo Banks Jared Jones

LSU Rummel LSU LSU Tulane LSU

2B 2B SS OF OF 1B

Rome (Braves) Asheville (Astros) Wisconsin (Brewers) Asheville (Astros) Wilmington (Nationals) Greensboro (Pirates)

52 85 103 70 78 84

164 331 339 267 235 308

27 53 66 45 36 62

40 81 93 77 60 95

10 20 24 16 13 11

1 2 1 1 1 0

4 4 9 10 6 17

22 36 61 56 34 61

3 32 50 19 14 0

.244 .245 .274 .288 .255 .308

.705 .695 .857 .845 .731 .920

Connor Rasmussen Brady Marget Conner O’Neal

Tulane SS Tulane 1B Southeastern C

Columbia (Royals) Charleston (Rays) Ontario (Dodgers)

76 67 64

236 237 218

41 48 32

62 81 50

11 18 11

3 0 0

3 5 8

33 62 34

11 1 1

.263 .342 .229

.763 .919 .742

Cardell Thibodeaux

Southern

FCL Braves

.190

.658

Double A

High A

Single A

Rookie

Major league pitchers Player Paul Skenes Seth Lugo Kevin Gausman Will Warren Aaron Nola Spencer Arrighetti Grant Taylor Jake Latz Brandon Young Gage Jump Hogan Harris Bryan King Alex Lange Grant Anderson Jaden Hill Phil Maton Cade Gibson Jacob Waguespack Will Dion Paul Gervase Cam Sanders Tanner Rainey

State ties LSU Centenary LSU Southeastern LSU UL LSU LSU UL LSU UL McNeese LSU McNeese St. LSU La. Tech La. Tech Dutchtown McNeese St. LSU LSU St. Paul’s

Team Pirates Royals Blue Jays Yankees Phillies Blue Jays White Sox Rangers Orioles Athletics Athletics Astros Royals Brewers Rockies Cubs Marlins Tigers Nationals Dodgers Orioles Tigers

G 26 26 26 25 26 18 49 46 21 16 58 51 48 47 33 31 31 21 17 4 17 3

GS 26 26 26 24 26 17 4 1 21 16 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

IP 139.0 145.1 143.1 122.0 137.0 91.1 67.0 58.0 117.2 82.0 54.2 53.0 49.2 51.1 27.2 27.2 36.2 27.2 31.2 7.2 18.1 3.2

W-L 9-11 5-7 6-11 8-6 5-9 7-6 5-2 3-1 9-3 5-8 3-2 2-3 2-7 3-3 0-2 0-1 2-0 1-1 1-0 0-0 1-1 0-0

SV 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 25 0 0 12 6 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

H 118 155 146 128 148 71 46 26 117 84 51 57 49 36 27 34 38 14 26 7 14 1

ER 61 76 73 60 78 48 15 11 46 44 25 28 33 20 15 19 22 6 10 2 13 0

BB 41 46 40 43 46 52 22 17 42 40 35 19 26 20 17 16 17 9 7 5 13 4

SO 171 111 143 122 146 91 87 63 96 88 72 44 53 45 30 31 32 16 38 8 23 4

ERA 3.95 4.71 4.58 4.43 5.12 4.73 2.01 1.71 3.52 4.83 3.79 4.75 5.98 3.51 4.88 6.18 5.40 1.95 2.84 2.35 6.38 0.00

WHIP 1.14 1.38 1.30 1.40 1.42 1.35 1.01 0.74 1.35 1.51 1.57 1.43 1.51 1.09 1.59 1.81 1.50 0.83 1.04 1.57 1.47 1.36

East Division Tampa Bay New York Boston Toronto Baltimore

W 76 73 70 64 63

L 53 56 59 67 67

Pct .589 .566 .543 .489 .485

GB — 3 6 13 13½

Chicago Cleveland Minnesota Detroit Kansas City

W 67 64 63 61 57

L 62 66 66 68 74

Pct .519 .492 .488 .473 .435

GB — 3½ 4 6 11

Houston Texas Seattle Los Angeles Athletics

W 65 64 62 52 50

L 65 66 68 78 80

Pct .500 .492 .477 .400 .385

GB — 1 3 13 15

Central Division

West Division

Friday’s games

Baltimore 5, Tampa Bay 3 N.Y. Yankees 3, Toronto 1 Boston 6, San Francisco 4 Chicago White Sox 6, N.Y. Mets 4 Kansas City 5, Detroit 2 Houston 4, Athletics 0 Texas 2, L.A. Angels 1, 10 innings Cleveland 9, Colorado 1 San Diego 6, Minnesota 2 Seattle 6, Chicago Cubs 5, 10 innings

Saturday’s games

Player Grant Rogers Jackson Nezuh Chase Solesky Eric Reyzelman Ricky Castro Kyle Keller Brendan Cellucci Cole Henry Brian Metoyer Aidan Anderson Eric Orze

State ties McNeese UL Tulane LSU Tulane Southeastern Tulane LSU LSU-Alexandria McNeese UNO

Team Buffalo (Blue Jays) Sugar Land (Astros) Louisville (Reds) Scr./Wil.-Bar. (Yankees) St. Paul’s (Twins) Worcester (Red Sox) Buffalo (Blue Jays) Rochester (Nationals) Syracuse (Mets) Charlotte (White Sox) St. Paul (Twins)

G 23 19 27 33 27 23 40 23 41 28 9

GS 23 17 7 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 0

IP 107.1 88.0 60.2 39.0 62.2 31.1 45.2 22.0 46.0 42.0 9.1

W-L 3-10 3-2 5-6 2-3 6-2 3-3 6-2 2-1 4-2 1-1 0-0

SV 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 4 0 3

H 132 71 74 34 75 27 39 24 33 37 4

ER 70 40 44 31 37 14 18 15 21 18 2

BB 34 39 24 24 27 22 22 2 25 15 1

SO 65 105 58 62 72 39 48 21 73 24 7

ERA 5.87 4.09 6.53 7.15 5.31 4.02 3.55 6.14 4.11 3.86 1.93

WHIP 1.55 1.25 1.62 1.49 1.63 1.56 1.34 1.18 1.26 1.24 0.54

Kade Anderson Kenya Huggins Anthony Eyanson Fidel Ulloa Beau Blanchard Keagan Gillies Nathan Blasick Tayler Montiel

LSU St. Augustine LSU LSU ULM Tulane UNO Tulane

Arkansas (Mariners) 18 Midland (Athletics) 25 Chesapeake (Orioles) 19 Hartford (Rockies) 31 Chattanooga (Reds) 23 Chesapeake (Orioles) 28 Hartford (Rockies) 33 Amaril. (Diamondbacks) 36

18 9 18 0 13 0 0 0

93.1 76.0 85.2 40.2 85.0 31.2 56.2 54.1

10-1 1-4 6-1 5-2 5-7 2-0 10-5 3-2

0 3 0 7 1 2 6 4

47 96 48 30 94 28 46 50

11 56 15 11 56 16 23 26

13 44 31 24 36 9 23 28

135 81 118 42 85 38 64 72

1.06 6.63 1.58 2.43 5.93 4.55 3.65 4.31

0.64 1.84 0.92 1.33 1.53 1.17 1.22 1.44

Justin Loer L.P. Langevin Jarret Whorff Christian Little Andrew Landry Chase Shores Jackson Lancaster Ty Floyd Jacob Mayers Dylan Carmouche Chandler Welch Blayne Enlow

LSU UL La. Tech LSU Southeastern LSU La. Tech LSU LSU Tulane Tulane St. Amant

Spokane (Rockies) Quad Cities (Royals) Rome (Braves) Everett (Mariners) Hud. Valley (Yankees) Tri-City (Angels) Bowling Green (Rays) Dayton (Reds) Greenville (Red Sox) Win.-Salem (White Sox) Wisconsin (Brewers) Rome (Braves)

31 36 35 35 32 13 27 10 19 18 24 20

0 0 0 0 0 13 0 8 12 5 1 1

60.1 49.1 45.2 48.0 42.1 54.0 35.0 32.0 58.0 41.1 59.1 24.1

3-3 5-3 1-4 3-5 3-3 3-2 1-1 0-2 2-3 2-3 7-4 1-2

3 2 3 8 2 0 1 0 1 0 2 0

51 21 59 27 41 51 47 19 35 53 56 28

37 17 45 16 20 27 40 11 26 36 35 22

45 38 16 23 19 24 27 18 55 29 33 13

60 5.52 95 3.10 46 8.87 60 3.00 49 4.25 57 4.50 37 10.29 37 3.09 80 4.03 44 7.84 57 5.31 27 8.14

1.59 1.20 1.64 1.04 1.42 1.39 2.11 1.16 1.55 1.98 1.50 1.68

Michael Lombardi Brennan Stuprich Sam Brodersen Luke Holman Thatcher Hurd Logan Forsythe Kade Woods Stephen Still

Tulane Southeastern Louisiana Tech LSU LSU La. Tech LSU Dunham

Columbia (Royals) Tampa (Yankees) Fredericksb. (Nationals) Daytona (Reds) Tampa (Yankees) Augusta (Braves) Augusta (Braves) Frederick (Orioles)

21 10 24 4 11 26 24 15

16 7 0 4 11 5 0 13

84.1 41.1 29.1 6.2 43.0 49.1 26.1 61.0

2-3 2-2 1-1 0-0 1-5 2-3 2-3 2-6

0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0

65 37 31 5 25 36 33 53

31 21 15 2 19 23 21 32

49 13 26 1 25 43 25 31

121 38 38 9 53 52 26 77

3.31 4.57 4.60 2.7 3.98 4.20 7.14 4.72

1.35 1.21 1.94 0.90 1.16 1.60 2.20 1.38

Grifﬁn Herring LSU ACL Rockies 16 5 31.1 3-2 0 29 25 30 42 Note: For omissions and corrections to Louisiana Pros, please email the Advocate sports desk at sports@theadvocate.com

7.18

1.88

Double A

High A

Single A

Rookie

BOX SCORES Milwaukee 4, Atlanta 1

Seattle 5, Chicago Cubs 4

Athletics 4, Houston 3

Atlanta

Chicago

Athletics

Milwaukee ab r h bi ab r h bi Baldwin c 2 1 0 0 Chourio lf 3 0 0 0 Acuña rf 4 0 0 0 Turang 2b 4 0 0 0 Olson 1b 4 0 1 0 Contreras c 4 1 2 1 Harris cf 4 0 2 1 Bauers rf-1b 3 1 1 2 Albies dh 4 0 2 0 Vaughn 1b 2 0 1 0 Dubón 2b 4 0 2 0 Mitch. pr-cf 1 0 1 0 Yastrzem. lf 3 0 0 0 Yelich dh 4 0 0 0 Thomas ph 1 0 0 0 Ortiz 3b 4 1 1 0 Riley 3b 3 0 0 0 Lara cf-rf 4 0 2 0 Jarvis ss 3 0 0 0 Pratt ss 2 1 0 1 Totals 32 1 7 1 Totals 31 4 8 4 Atlanta 100 000 000 — 1 Milwaukee 003 100 00x — 4 E—Pérez (1). DP—Atlanta 0, Milwaukee 2. LOB—Atlanta 7, Milwaukee 8. 2B—Harris (30), Ortiz (12), Contreras (19). HR—Bauers (23). SF—Pratt (5). S—Pratt (1). IP H R ER BB SO Atlanta Pérez L,8-8 4 4 4 1 3 2 Mederos 1 2 0 0 0 2 Suter 3 2 0 0 0 1 Milwaukee Hender. W,8-2 6 5 1 1 2 4 Patrick H,9 1 0 0 0 1 0 Hall H,5 1 0 0 0 0 2 Ashby S,2-8 1 2 0 0 0 0 ABS Challenge—Yastrzemski (StrikeOverturned to Ball); Henderson (BallConﬁrmed). Umpires—Home, John Tumpane; First, Adam Hamari; Second, Clint Vondrak; Third, Todd Tichenor. T—2:39. A—42,298 (41,700).

Seattle

ab r h bi ab r h bi Crw-Arm. cf 4 0 1 0 Arozarena lf 4 2 3 3 Suzuki dh 4 0 1 0 Canzone rf 4 0 0 1 Bregman 3b 4 1 1 1 Rodríguez cf 4 0 0 0 Busch 1b 4 1 1 1 Naylor 1b 4 0 0 0 Hoerner ss 3 1 1 0 Ward dh 4 0 0 0 Taylor rf 2 1 1 1 Raleigh c 3 0 1 0 Ramirez 2b 4 0 1 0 Young 2b 4 0 0 0 Alcantara lf 1 0 0 1 Wilson 3b 4 2 2 0 Happ ph-lf 1 0 0 0 Rivas ss 3 1 2 1 Amaya c 4 0 00 Totals 31 4 7 4 Totals 34 5 8 5 Chicago 000 013 000 — 4 Seattle 100 010 003 — 5 DP—Chicago 0, Seattle 1. LOB—Chicago 5, Seattle 6. 2B—Crow-Armstrong (26), Hoerner (27), Taylor (10), Rivas (3), Wilson (4). HR— Bregman (19), Busch (16), Arozarena 2 (19). SB—Taylor (2), Hoerner (21). SF—Alcantara (1). IP H R ER BB SO Chicago Peterson 6 4 2 2 2 8 0 0 0 1 Thornton H,5 11⁄3 1 2 ⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 Rolison H,7 2 ⁄3 3 3 3 0 0 Webb L,6-3 BS,9-14 Seattle 3 3 2 5 Anderson 52⁄3 5 1 1 1 2 Vargas 11⁄3 2 Domínguez 1 0 0 0 0 3 Rucker W,1-4 1 0 0 0 0 1 HBP—Peterson (Rivas), Domínguez (Hoerner). Umpires—Home, Ryan Blakney; First, Ben May; Second, Chris Conroy; Third, Brennan Miller. T—2:37. A—45,681 (47,929).

Houston ab r h bi ab r h bi Bolte cf 3 0 0 0 Peña ss 4 0 11 McNe. 2b-1b 5 1 2 0 Alvarez dh 3 0 00 Gelof 3b-lf 3 1 0 0 Paredes 3b 4 0 00 Cortes lf 2 0 1 0 Altuve 2b 4 0 00 Willi. ph-ss 0 0 0 0 Walker 1b 3 1 10 Butler rf 3 1 2 1 Varsho cf 4 1 21 White 1b-3b 4 0 3 0 Diaz c 4 0 11 Heim c 4 0 0 1 Smith rf 4 0 00 Walt. ss-2b 4 1 1 1 Wade lf 3 1 10 Muncy dh 4 0 1 0 Trammell lf 1 0 00 Totals 32 4 10 3 Totals 34 3 6 3 Athletics 001 000 030 — 4 Houston 000 100 200 — 3 E—Gelof (8). DP—Athletics 0, Houston 3. LOB—Athletics 7, Houston 6. 2B—White (3), Diaz (10), Wade (5). HR—Walton (4), Varsho (9). S—Williams (3). IP H R ER BB SO Athletics Lopez 6 3 1 1 1 9 Medina W,5-3 1 3 2 2 1 2 Harris H,11 1 0 0 0 0 1 Alvarado S,3-4 1 0 0 0 0 2 Houston 7 1 1 3 4 Brown 52⁄3 0 0 0 0 2 Blubaugh 11⁄3 1 2 3 3 1 0 Sousa L,1-2 BS,0-1 ⁄3 1 0 0 1 2 Abreu 12⁄3 WP—Sousa. Pitch timer violations—Medina (pitcher). Umpires—Home, Will Little; First, Ryan Wills; Second, Ryan Additon; Third, Jonathan Parra. T—2:50. A—31,009 (41,000).

THIS DATE IN BASEBALL Aug. 23 1906 — On their way to the American League pennant, the Chicago White Sox beat the Washington Senators 4-1 for their 19th straight victory. 1931 — Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia Athletics was beaten 1-0 by Dick Coffman of the St. Louis Browns, snapping a personal 16-game winning streak. A misjudged fly ball by outfielder Jim Moore led to the winning run. 1936 — In his first major-league start, 17-year-old Bob Feller struck out 15 Browns as the Cleveland Indians beat St. Louis 4-1. Feller gave up six hits and allowed four walks. 1952 — During a game against the Cardinals at the Polo Grounds, the Giants’ Bob Elliott complained and kicked dirt arguing over a called strike. Umpire Augie Donatelli ejected him from the game. Bobby Hoffman finished the at-bat by being called out on strikes and was also ejected by Donatelli for arguing the call. 1982 — Seattle pitcher Gaylord Perry was

ejected in the seventh inning for allegedly throwing a spitball against the Red Sox. It was the first ejection for Perry, who was subsequently suspended for 10 days. 1989 — Rick Dempsey’s leadoff homer in the 22nd inning gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 1-0 victory against the Montreal Expos in the second-longest shutout in major league history. 1992 — There were no hits in Clearwater’s 1-0 victory over Winter Haven in the Class A Florida State League. In what appeared to be the first professional game in 40 years without a hit, Andy Carter and the Clearwater Phillies beat Scott Bakkum and the Winter Haven Red Sox. The only run scored in the seventh inning on a pair of walks and a pair of sacrifice bunts. 1998 — Barry Bonds became the first player in major league history to hit 400 home runs and steal 400 bases when he homered off Florida’s Kirt Ojala in the second inning of San Francisco’s game at Florida. Bonds, who hit his 26th homer of the season, had 438 steals.

2001 — Randy Johnson struck out 16 in seven innings to become the first pitcher to strike out 300 in four straight seasons, only to see his eight-game winning streak end as Kevin Young’s two-run homer led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-1 victory over Arizona. 2006 — The Kansas City Royals became the second team in major league history to have a 10-run first inning and not win the game. At Kauffman Stadium, the home team took a 10-1 lead, but were defeated by the Indians in 10 innings, 15-13. 2017 — Dodgers lefty Rich Hill lost his perfect game on an error in the ninth inning, then lost his no-hitter on a leadoff home run in the 10th by Josh Harrison that sent the Pittsburgh Pirates over Los Angeles 1-0. Jordy Mercer led off the ninth with a sharp grounder that smacked off third baseman Logan Forsythe’s glove for an error. Hill retired the next three batters. Hill returned for the 10th and Harrison sent his 99th pitch into the first row of seats in left field, just out of the reach of left fielder Curtis Granderson. Hill struck out 10 without a walk.

East Division Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington New York

W 75 72 66 61 59

L 55 58 64 70 71

Pct .577 .554 .508 .466 .454

GB — 3 9 14½ 16

Milwaukee Chicago St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati

W 81 74 66 63 61

L 49 56 65 68 68

Pct .623 .569 .504 .481 .473

GB — 7 15½ 18½ 19½

Los Angeles San Diego Arizona San Francisco Colorado

W 79 69 68 52 50

L 51 60 61 77 79

Pct .608 .535 .527 .403 .388

GB — 9½ 10½ 26½ 28½

Central Division

West Division

Friday’s games

Milwaukee 2, Atlanta 1 Philadelphia 7, St. Louis 6, 10 innings Boston 6, San Francisco 4 Chicago White Sox 6, N.Y. Mets 4 Miami 3, Washington 2 Cleveland 9, Colorado 1 San Diego 6, Minnesota 2 Arizona 9, Cincinnati 0 Seattle 6, Chicago Cubs 5, 10 innings L.A. Dodgers 5, Pittsburgh 4, 10 innings

Saturday’s games

Toronto 4, N.Y. Yankees 3 L.A. Angels 3, Texas 0 Baltimore 3, Tampa Bay 2 Athletics 4, Houston 3 N.Y. Mets 10, Chicago White Sox 5 Seattle 5, Chicago Cubs 4 Kansas City 3, Detroit 1 Boston 3, San Francisco 2 Cleveland 4, Colorado 3 Minnesota at San Diego, n

Milwaukee 4, Atlanta 1 Miami 4, Washington 2 Philadelphia 12, St. Louis 3 N.Y. Mets 10, Chicago White Sox 5 Seattle 5, Chicago Cubs 4 L.A. Dodgers 5, Pittsburgh 3 Boston 3, San Francisco 2 Cincinnati 11 Arizona 5 Cleveland 4, Colorado 3 Minnesota at San Diego, n

Sunday’s games

Tampa Bay (Martinez 12-4) at Baltimore (Baz 4-13), 12:35 p.m. Toronto (Soriano 10-6) at N.Y. Yankees (Rodón 4-2), 12:35 p.m. Athletics (Perkins 2-9) at Houston (Javier 1-4), 1:10 p.m. Detroit (Valdez 8-8) at Kansas City (Lynch 4-4), 1:10 p.m. N.Y. Mets (McLean 9-8) at Chicago White Sox (TBD), 1:10 p.m. L.A. Angels (Klassen 2-1) at Texas (Quantrill 5-4), 1:35 p.m. Cleveland (Grifﬁn 14-4) at Colorado (Sugano 12-6), 2:10 p.m. San Francisco (Wilkinson 0-0) at Boston (Bennett 7-6), 2:15 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Imanaga 8-9) at Seattle (Miller 4-7), 3:10 p.m. Minnesota (Ober 7-4) at San Diego (Buehler 7-6), 3:10 p.m.

Minor league pitchers Triple A

National League

Sunday’s games

St. Louis (Leahy 10-4) at Philadelphia (Sánchez 16-4), 12:35 p.m. Washington (Kent 0-1) at Miami (Junk 6-8), 12:40 p.m. N.Y. Mets (McLean 9-8) at Chicago White Sox (TBD), 1:10 p.m. Cleveland (Grifﬁn 14-4) at Colorado (Sugano 12-6), 2:10 p.m. San Francisco (Wilkinson 0-0) at Boston (Bennett 7-6), 2:15 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Imanaga 8-9) at Seattle (Miller 4-7), 3:10 p.m. Minnesota (Ober 7-4) at San Diego (Buehler 7-6), 3:10 p.m. Pittsburgh at L.A. Dodgers, 3:10 p.m. Cincinnati (Abbott 6-8) at Arizona, 3:15 p.m. Atlanta (Mahle 4-10) at Milwaukee, 6:10 p.m.

WILD CARD STANDINGS American League New York Boston Texas Toronto Cleveland Minnesota Baltimore Detroit Seattle

W 73 69 64 64 63 63 62 61 61

L 56 59 65 67 66 66 67 67 68

Pct .566 .539 .496 .489 .488 .488 .481 .477 .473

WCGB +9 +5½ — 1 1 1 2 2½ 3

National League Chicago Philadelphia San Diego Arizona Miami St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati Washington

W 74 72 69 68 66 66 63 61 61

L 55 58 60 61 64 65 68 68 70

Pct .574 .554 .535 .527 .508 .504 .481 .473 .466

WCGB +5 +2½ — 1 3½ 4 7 8 9

Dodgers OF Tucker ﬁghting long slump BY BETH HARRIS AP sportswriter

LOS ANGELES — Kyle Tucker is searching at the plate, looking for anything to escape an offensive slump that has made the four-time All-Star outfielder a liability in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ chase for a third consecutive World Series championship. He took batting practice on the field Friday, ahead of going 0 for 4 with a walk in a 5-4 win in 10 innings over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Usually, Tucker hits in the indoor cage. “Just feel a good swing, try and find something that I can repeat with good ball flight, whether it’s hit the other way or pulled,” he said. “Just try to do something like that and carry it over to the game.” That didn’t happen Friday, but nevertheless fans cheered him as he came to the plate. “I loved hearing the support. I know he felt it. That’s what fans should do,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s grinding, he cares as much as anyone. He’s got to take these oh-fers home, so it’s good that the fans understand that.” Tucker’s average dropped to .230 with 11 home runs, 55 RBIs and an OPS of .689. His 92 strikeouts are close to surpassing his career high of 95, set with the Houston Astros in 2022. “I loved his at-bats tonight and that’s one of the things I’m going to make sure I do is encourage him,” Roberts said. “I thought he really competed, I thought he controlled the strike zone with some aggression and intent. That was really a positive all night long.” Tucker recently worked his way out of an 0-for-26 skid, going 3 for 9 with a double and an RBI in his last two games at Colorado. But over his previous 10 games, Tucker was batting a measly .108 with four hits, two RBIs and four runs. Defensively, Tucker got booed at home last weekend after he lost a shallow fly ball in right field, resulting in a two-base error against Milwaukee. At Colorado, he dropped another shallow fly. It’s all added up to a difficult debut with the Dodgers after he

AP PHOTO By DAVID ZALUBOWSKI

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker singles off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland in the second inning of a game Wednesday in Denver.

signed a $240 million, four-year deal in January, raising expectations that Tucker would add another big bat to go along with former MVPs Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. “Everyone here is super supportive of everything and everyone,” Tucker said before the game. “So, regardless of how I feel or whatever, I’ve got to go out and play and perform.” The soft-spoken, low-key Tucker paused a beat when considering the mental toll his slump is exacting. “It’s been a struggle in the sense that I’d like to help our team win and perform better for the guys in the clubhouse and the fans that come to the games,” he said. “In that aspect, I wish I would’ve done better this year.” Roberts can’t put his finger on specifics, but he feels Tucker has turned a corner. “Mentally and emotionally, I think that he’s freed up,” Roberts said before the game. “We’re in a fight and I think that he understands that there’s no other alternative but to keep going forward. I don’t know how to articulate it, but I just feel good about some of the things I’ve seen.” With 1 1/2 months to go, the Dodgers (78-51) are battling the Brewers (81-49) for the best record in the National League. “It’s not over yet,” Tucker said. “Just got to keep grinding every single day and just keep moving forward and just try to get better every single day. Just looking forward to finishing out the year strong.”

8C ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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OUTDOORS CALENDAR SUNDAY

CLEAN OUT YOUR FREEZER DAY: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Acadiana area; 1-4 p.m., most of the 17 Louisiana sites and in Natchez, Mississippi. Collection of frozen game & ﬁsh for distribution by local food banks. A Hunters for the Hungry project. Website details: cleanoutyourfreezer.com

MONDAY

RED STICK FLY FISHERS FLY-TYING SESSION: 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Regional Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. Brad Dunne featured tyer. Open to the public. Materials and tools available for beginners. Website: www.rsff.org

MONDAY-THURSDAY

GULF COUNCIL MEETING: Golden Nugget, Biloxi, Mississippi. Public comment 2-5 p.m. Wednesday. Final action on electronic reporting rules for federal for-hire reef ﬁsh/ migratory pelagic permits; amendments offered for for-hire red snapper management. Website: gulfcouncil.org

TUESDAY STAFF FILE PHOTO By JOHN BALLANCE

Roux, a 4-year-old English setter, is on a point at Covey Rise near Husser during a quail hunt in a 2015 photo. Quail populations across the South are at all-time lows, with some blaming agricultural practices, fire ants invading nests, predators and forestry management.

Forgotten bird

Efforts underway to help revitalize declining quail populations BY JOE MACALUSO

with the full program beginning at 6 p.m. Sponsorships are available. For tickets and to reserve a place at the dinner table, email Guercio: ch3089@qfofﬁcers.org.

Contributing writer

Maybe you have to be old to remember what a bobwhite quail’s call sounds like — bob-WHITE. Nothing in nature makes something even approaching that melodious sound. Fact is, not many of us hear that call now. Quail populaNotebook tions across the South — except for some places in Texas — are at alltime lows. Some folks blame this disheartening decline on agricultural practices, others on ﬁre ants invading nests and killing chicks, predators and forestry management. While all of that matters, maybe the most pressing issue is habitat. Quails need heavy cover to survive. Native “bunch” grasses and cover surrounding agricultural ﬁelds have been shrinking for decades. Vast stretches of longleaf pine forests have fallen to the chain saw, and the U.S. Forestry Service folks working in our state’s Kisatchie National Forest came up with a program to re-establish longleaf, a species of tree best suited to provide quail habitat. Quail numbers are now increasing in the reforested areas. There’s more on state and local levels. And, this week, there is a resurgence of private efforts with the resurrection of the Atchafalaya Chapter of Quail Forever. This chapter’s initial four-year run ended with COVID-19, and earlier this year impetus came from those interested in restoring upland hunting to what it once was. Thursday’s banquet will tell more of their story. “Our first priority is to raise awareness about upland bird hunting and conservation of this species,” said newly installed chapter president Joseph Guercio. “The money

PROVIDED IMAGE

This specialized Louisiana license plate helps generate money for state Wildlife and Fisheries’ upland game biologists to use to re-establish bobwhite quail in suitable habitat across Louisiana. Programs are in place to increase quail populations on state and private lands with help from federal programs under the guidelines of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

we raise will stay local in the state and augment the work by state biologists with their boots on the ground. “We know there’s a huge push to bring back quail.” State Wildlife and Fisheries upland game biologists work with landowners and on state wildlife management areas to restore quail populations in suitable habitat. They use dedicated federal funds and revenue generated through a “Bring Back the Bobwhite” prestige license plates. One push, though not widely known, is a move to dedicate a speciﬁc WMA for quail hunting, and private landowners along with the LDWF are working in the federal National Resources Conservation Service’s programs to restore quail habitat. “We wanted to bring back the banquet,” Guercio said. “We have a lot of great auction and raffle items and getting support from the Woodcock Society and national Quail Forever folks.” Thursday’s 5 p.m. banquet is set for The City Club in Baton Rouge

Hunters helping This is a special day across our state when hunters are given a chance to a) help a needy neighbor, and b) clean out the freezer in anticipation of filling it during the upcoming hunting season. It’s Hunter for the Hungry collection. You can find location and specific times on the H4H website: cleanoutyourfreezer.com One story from the first such event in the early 1990s came when a sweet elderly little lady driving a large sedan (the kind you don’t find on car lots these days) into the parking lot across from the original Alex Box Stadium. She opened the trunk to reveal five 48-quart Igloo ice chests and begged us to quickly empty the truck and the chests holding more than 200 pounds of frozen game. “Hurry. Hurry, please. I have to be home before my husband gets back,” she said running to an explanation. “He’s at the camp getting ready for another hunting season and I’ve told him for months to clear out the freezer from last season, but he never did, and I read about this in the newspaper, so here I am, and that’s what we have for you.” This slight woman could not have hefted a 40-pound ice chest into that trunk. As determined as she was, she had to have made countless trips from the freezer to car to fill those chests. The 12 of us, husbands and wives in that parking lot on a sunny September Sunday afternoon, wished we could have the video rights to the scene unfolding in this kindly woman’s home when her husband returned from the camp.

LA. CRAB TASK FORCE MEETING: 10 a.m., Terrebonne Parish Council Chambers, 8026 Main St., Houma.

THURSDAY

LA. OUTDOORS FOREVER PROJECT SELECTION BOARD MEETING: 9 a.m., state Wildlife & Fisheries headquarters, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge. ATCHAFALAYA REGION/QUAIL FOREVER BANQUET: 5 p.m., City Club, Baton Rouge. Supports quail habitat conservation. Sponsorships available. Email Joseph Guercio: ch3089@qfofﬁcers.org ACADIANA BUGS & BREWS: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Casual ﬂy-tying and local beers provided. Open to the public. Email Darin Lee: cbrsandcdc@gmail.com. Website: www.packpaddle.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

RIDE THE BULL XV: Bridgeside & Wakeside Marinas, Grand Isle. Kayak ﬁshing for redﬁsh in Caminada Pass. Registration/check-in 3 p.m. Friday. Fishing 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday. Registration website: FishingChaos.com. Rodeo website: ccalouisiana.com/ridethebull

ONGOING

STATEWIDE TOURNAMENT & ANGLERS RODEO/S.T.A.R.: Through Sept. 7, Coastal Conservation Association’s summer-long ﬁshing event. Tagged redﬁsh, coastal/ offshore species categories & youth division. CCA membership required. Website: ccalouisiana. com/star

RED SNAPPER SEASON TO REOPEN FOR FOUR DAYS Private recreational red snapper fishermen and state-permitted charterboat operations will have an Aug. 27-30 season to finish Louisiana’s 882,439-pound annual quota.The season was closed Aug. 9 for an assessment of this year’s estimated catch. This Thursday-Sunday opening comes after the state marine fisheries staff determined there was 4% of the quota remaining — 35,109 pounds — after the private recreational season opened May 1.A second opening is set to run Sept. 4-7 to cover the Labor Day weekend. If catches during those two periods exceed the annual quota, our state’s 2027 allotment will be cut by that overage.The season for federally permitted charter operation is closed. Joe Macaluso Sports Hunter License. Website: wlf.louisiana.gov/page/recreational-alligator-hunting WMA DEER/WATERFOWL YOUTHONLY HUNTS: Ages 10-17. Application deadline Aug. 31 for youth-only deer hunts; Sept. 30 for waterfowl hunts on Sherburne Wildlife Management Area. Application fee $8.50. See Wildlife & Fisheries lottery hunt webpage. Email David Hayden: dhayden@ wlf.la.gov

AROUND THE CORNER

SEPT. 3 — LA. WILDLIFE & FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETING: 9:30 a.m., Joe Herring Room, state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters, Quail Drive, Baton Rouge. SEPT. 3 — NATIONAL DEER ASSOCIATION SUMMER SEMINAR: 6 p.m., state Wildlife & Fisheries headquarters, 2000 Quail Dr., Baton Rouge. NDA South Louisiana Branch event. State deer management, CWD update, habitat & deer survival. Preregistration requested. Email: Emily. boyd@louisianalandbank.com

FISHING/SHRIMPING

LOTTERY HUNTS

BLACK BEAR DECEMBER SEASON: Applicaiton period ends Aug. 28 for 42 tags in seven areas plus secretary tag to be auctioned. If drawn mandatory bear hunter training course attendance. Applications website: wlf.la.gov with $50 application fee. Email David Hayden: dhayden@wlf.la.gov RECREATIONAL ALLIGATOR SEASON: Entries accepted through Aug. 30 in eight “harvest” zones running Oct. 1-31. Nonrefundable $50 application fee for each zone. Must be legal Louisiana residents, 16 and older and have hunter education certiﬁcate. If drawn additional $25 Resident Alligator

SHRIMP: Fall inshore season open statewidecept for Breton/Chandeleur sounds; all outside waters open. OPEN RECREATIONAL SEASONS: Gray triggerfish; flounder; lane, blackfin, queen and silk snappers & wenchmen among other snapper species; all groupers except closed for goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters. CLOSED SEASONS: Private recreational red snapper; recreational/ commercial greater amberjack (recreational season Sept. 1-Oct. 13); bluefin tuna; gag (Sept. 1-30 season), goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters.

FISHING RESULTS Bassmaster Elite PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Final top five from the four-day Bassmaster Elite held on Lake Champlain with anglers, their hometowns, number of bass weighed in parentheses (5-bass daily limit), total weight in pounds and ounces and prize winnings. Also listed are Louisiana anglers, the big-bass & contingency winners. Only the top 50 in the 99-angler field moved to the third round, and only the top 10 advanced to the final round: Top 5: 1, Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Maryland (20) 81 pounds, 7 ounces, $100,000. 2, Chris

Johnston, Peterborough, Canada (20) 80-7, $20,000. 3, Seth Feider, Elko New Market, Minnesota (20) 79-12, $15,000. 4, Caleb Sumrall, New Iberia (20) 79-1, $12,500. 5, Drew Cook, Cairo, Georgia (20) 79-0, $11,250. Other Louisiana anglers: 37, Tyler Rivet, Raceland (15) 52-5, $5,500. 42, Greg Hackney, Gonzales (15) 51-10, $5,500. Phoenix Boats Big Bass: Sumrall, 6-10, $3,000. Rapala Crushcity Monster Bag: Sumrall, 24-4, $2,000.

Embracing his roots, Preece seeks last spot in playoffs By The Associated Press

LOUDON, N.H. — Amid the attention and pressure of racing for NASCAR Cup Series title stakes this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Preece is hanging loose with his hometown crowd. The Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver is on bubble for makNASCAR the ing the field of 16 drivers who will compete in the Chase, the 10-race championship run that closes the season. With two races remaining in the regular season, Preece is ranked 50 points behind Shane van Gisbergen for the ﬁnal spot in the Chase. “We need a home run,” Preece said. “That’s the plan.” But he scoffs at the idea of walling off the outside world to focus solely on his No. 60 Ford. Preece instead has embraced the frenzy of racing around his roots as a

across the region (including Saturday’s Modified Series race at New Hampshire). Ryan Preece Motorsports has a crew full of locals with nicknames like “John the Plumber” who have been helping the driver since he was a teenager. “We have nicknames for each and every one of them,” said PreAP FILE PHOTO By JEFF CHIU ece, 35. “It’s an opportunity to race with guys that I’ve known forever. With two races remaining in the They just enjoy racing and having regular season, Ryan Preece is some fun. I live for getting behind 50 points behind Shane van the wheel of a race car, not sitting Gisbergen for the final spot in for in a room analyzing what people the NASCAR playoffs. are going to do. Because if you race enough, you can predict what ä Dollar Tree 301. 1 P.M. SUNDAy, USA people are going to do. So I think it’s important to race more. I don’t rallying point for his last-ditch think it’s a distraction.” New Hampshire’s flat 1.058-mile charge at the Chase. The Berlin, Connecticut, native oval is a critical opportunity for has spent the week in New Eng- Preece, who finished 17th at Richland competing with his family- mond Raceway last week and fell owned team at minor league races 21 points further behind 16th in the

Chase standings. Ford drivers have been dominant recently at New Hampshire, leading 275 of 301 laps last year while taking three of the top four spots. Preece has 40 NASCAR starts at the track known as “The Magic Mile” vs. two NASCAR races at New Hampshire for van Gisbergen, who has only a few seasons of oval experience after a career of racing on road and street courses before entering NASCAR. “When I go to New Hampshire and the feel that I look for, that there are certain things I can do pretty well, where Shane is still trying to ﬁgure out,” Preece said. “There are things that Shane does phenomenally on road courses. We all have tendencies that we’re better at than others, but going into New Hampshire, I feel like being from New England, it’s my people. It’s a place that I’ve been racing at since I was 16 years old.”

His career highlight at New Hampshire was a Modiﬁed Series victory on a last-lap pass in 2021. “I’ve deﬁnitely had a lot of memories, and it would be nice to add one with a win in the Cup Series here,” Preece said.

Lobster tales After winning in September at New Hampshire, Ryan Blaney will receive his trophy on Sunday — a 20-pound lobster mounted on a plaque. Teammate Joey Logano said he started the tradition for the “Loudon the Lobster” trophy in 2009 when he scored the ﬁrst of his 39 Cup victories. “They were like: ‘What do you want to do with the lobster? We’ll just ship it to you,’” Logano said. “I was like: ‘Alive? Why don’t you just put it on a plaque?’ I’ve got a couple on the wall. It’s a good icebreaker when people come to your house and see a lobster on the wall.”

LOUISIANA INSPIRED: How three friends tur ned a conversation into a mission to ser ve their community 7D

LIVING

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

S u n d ay, au g u S t 23, 2026

1dn

Jan Risher

Sailing from Louisiana to Morocco and all the places between I’m planning a trip to Morocco — by ship from New Orleans — for next year. I had thought arriving there would mark my 50th country. It will not. And still, I count countries. Yes, it will take a long time to get there. Yes, that is a statement about the journey being the thing — not the destination. Counting has been on my mind lately, as we prepare to move back into our house after the fire and figure out what survived. I started keeping track of states when I was a kid. My country list started in 1992 when I went to Mexico, my second country. Truth be told, I had never flown on a plane until August 1987, after I drove a U-Haul truck to move across the country to Reno, Nevada. The trip home for Christmas was not up for discussion.

STAFF PHOTOS By ENAN CHEDIAK

A variety of religious themes are hidden throughout the Chauvin Sculpture Garden in Chauvin.

Hurricane Ida left a bayou town’s enchanting sculpture garden in ruins. Here’s how it was saved. PROVIDED PHOTO

Jan Risher in 1993 in the main square of S’tara L’ubovna, Slovakia, having a snowball fight with local students who were learning English.

I remember my best friend and college roommate telling me, “Someone told me that the first time you take off in a plane, you can’t help but smile.” Whoever told her that was right — I smiled. For the next five years, the only place I flew was home — with the exception of my first business trip. In 1988, I flew from Reno to Los Angeles. I remember walking into my hotel near the airport and seeing a lot of really tall guys. Like, really tall guys. I eventually learned they were the Detroit Pistons who were playing the Lakers in the NBA Finals. For a 24-year-old from small-town Mississippi, the experience felt otherworldly. During the next decade, my world got considerably larger. I moved to Europe and visited 10 more countries. I went to all sorts of places in the Caribbean. I visited six countries in West Africa. Once you’ve been to a dozen or so countries, you have to start being pretty deliberate about where you’re going next. For years, I thought I was at 44 countries. Then I went to India and Nepal. Then Scotland. Then Türkiye and Greece. I had used an app called Been to count countries since right around the time apps started. My country count stood, I believed, at 49. For the joy of a round number, I’ve been excited about getting to my 50th. One day, I visited the app and it said I had not been to 49 countries.

ä See PLACES, page 5D

BY VIOLET BUCARO Staff writer

CHAUVIN — When Hurricane Ida’s 150 mph winds ripped through this small Cajun town ﬁve years ago, dozens of statues in the Chauvin Sculpture Garden toppled, cracked and broke apart. Some were beCHAUVIN headed, others lost SCULPTURE limbs. A year later, GARDEN shoulder-high in tall Open daily from grasses, three re8 a.m. to 5 p.m., tired art professors their 70s meanat 5337 Bayouside in dered through the Drive in Chauvin l garden, wide-eyed (985) 594-2546 at the devastation. The sculptures were on their way to decaying into the banks of Bayou Petit Caillou. “When we came out, we all three looked at each other and said, ‘This cannot get destroyed. We need to ﬁgure out a way to keep this,’” said Greg Elliot, a sculptor and former Nicholls State University professor. The narrow garden looked “beyond repair,” said Dennis Siporski, who was a professor of ceramic

Amanda Voisin, left, and Megan Champagne, upper right, look at an hourglass made of old Crystal Hot Sauce bottles with Eliza and Rylee, lower left to right, at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden.

arts at Southeastern Louisiana University. The sculptures — more than 100 of them — sprung up here more than 30 years ago on a patch of land near the water in Chauvin, a small ﬁshing community of 2,500 people

ä See GARDEN, page 4D

‘THE CONFIDENCE TO TRUST MYSELF’

Former sorority members reflect on rush week Nancy Bennett Theisen, center, is pictured with her Alpha Phi sorority sisters Becky Othold, left, and Ann Siddall, right. The trio were on the way to Disney World for their senior spring break in April 1976. PROVIDED PHOTO

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

Every year, right before the jitters of the first day of school set in, young women across the country get butterflies for something else, possibly more stressful than the first day of college: the first day of sorority recruitment, or rush. They show up in TikTok-ready fashions prepared to gab, smile and clap their way through the process.

At LSU, women stand in line on the sidewalks of “the row” on campus in the August heat. The 12 traditional Panhellenic sorority houses are decked out in themed decorations looking out over University Lake. Throughout the recruitment process, potential new members are sorted into different schedules and visit an array of sorority houses for parties. The women mingle in line with other

ä See RUSH, page 5D

2D ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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COMMUNITY Livingston leaders cut ribbon on new junior high school

School leaders for Livingston Parish Public Schools and South Fork Junior High School celebrated the opening of the district’s newest campus, South Fork Junior High School, on Aug. 13. The new school is located at 23312 Walker South Road. Gathering in the school library, remarks were given by Principal Jeffery Watts, Assistant Principal Brandy Hoch, Superintendent Jody Purvis and Walkerarea school board members Jeff Cox and Katelyn Cockerham, as well as former school board member Bo Graham. The new $22 million, 80,000-squarefoot campus replaces the old Walker Jr. High School campus, which was originally built in 1921 as the ﬁrst Walker High School. It was later converted into a junior high campus. The new campus serves grades 6-8 and features a new gymnasium and modern classrooms, modern electrical and lighting services, a library and dedicated room for computer science. The school shares a cafeteria with the neighboring South Fork Elementary campus. The new school’s mascot is the Bronco.

PROVIDED PHOTO

America at 250 Community members, leaders, scholars and representatives of local churches gathered Aug. 11 at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., for ‘America at 250: From Faith to Formation — Three Historic Churches, One Community Conversation.’ More than 140 people participated in the discussion exploring the relationship among faith, history, civic responsibility and the future of the Baton Rouge community. Shown are, from left, Lori L. Martin, Walter K. Williams, Dr. J.C. Richardson, André Moreau, Melvin I. Britten IV and the Rev. René F. Brown.

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Randall Westpack, director of Catholic Charities, left, and board member of Catholic Presbyterian Apartments met with Albert Mitchell Torregano III, of Shiloh Missionary PROVIDED PHOTO Baptist Church and Lakeshore Lions Ladies a social justice advocate on Aug. Also gathered at the tournament are, from 18. They discussed left, Bill Jeansonne, Lion tournament vicehousing and chair; Brandi Davis and Jena Vavasseur, community issues for the homeless population. 3.5 bracket winners; and Joe Nicolosi, tournament chairman.

PROVIDED PHOTO

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES PROVIDED PHOTO

Lakeshore Lions Ladies Members of the Lakeshore Lions Ladies held their ladies charity double tennis tournament on Aug. 15 at the yMCA Lamar Tennis Center. Fifty-six women participated in brackets from 4.0 to 2.5, raising money for various vision-related charitable needs. Shown are, from left, front row, Aubrey Williams and Margaret Douglas; back row, Dan Braun, Lion member; Courtney McGraw and LeAnne Payne, 4.0 bracket winners; and Joe Nicolosi, tournament chairman.

BRYC names new executive director Chief of Staff Josh Howard will succeed Lucas Spielfogel as the next CEO of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition on Jan. 1, 2027, after which Spielfogel FYI BR will remain as the staff full-time CEO Advisor through June 2027. reports Spielfogel recently shared his decision with the board, after 15 years of service. Howard has served alongside Spielfogel for nearly 10 years, co-leading BRYC as it has grown.

Louisiana Walk for Parkinson’s is Oct. 3 The 13th annual Louisiana Walk for Parkinson’s will take place 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at Lafreniere Park, 3000

Submissions should be sent by noon Monday to run in the upcoming Sunday column. If submitting digitally, we prefer JPG files 300KB or larger. Identify those pictured by first and last names as viewed from left to right, row by row.We prefer emailed Community column submissions to features@ theadvocate.com.We also accept submissions by mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge LA 70821.A phone number must be included.

Downs Blvd., Metairie. This family-friendly community event features live music, a silent auction, prizes, children’s activities and more. There will be two handicap-accessible walking routes — all while raising critical funds to support the Parkinson’s Foundation and the local Parkinson’s community. Adult Registration is $35 and includes one T-shirt, coffee, donuts, fresh fruit and lunch from over 15 local restaurants. Price increases to $40 after Oct. 1. Children 12 and under get in free. Child T-shirts are available for purchase. Everyone attending must register, including children. For more information, visit parkinsonswalk.org

Paws for Pickleball will be held Sept. 12 Companion Animal Alliance is in-

viting the community to take to the courts for Paws for Pickleball, the organization’s ﬁrst charity pickleball tournament. Held in partnership with Electric Pickle and Red Stick Social, the event will feature pickleball enthusiasts, adoptable dogs, local businesses and community partners. The inaugural tournament will take place from 7 a.m. to noon Sept. 12, at Electric Pickle, 1509 Government St., Baton Rouge. Participants will compete in a charity round-robin tournament. Players of all skill levels are encouraged to register — registration is $50 per player. Team spots are limited. Tournament winners will receive prizes including tickets to Cap City Beer Fest, one of Companion Animal Alliance’s signature annual fundraisers. Register at tinyurl.com/y6myu7j8.

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TRAVEL Historical Dallas neighborhood full of charm Trip also includes side of Sarah McLachlan

concert space. For dinner, we chose the Yard House, which served quality food in a lively environment. The Yard House has over 100 dishes BY JOY HOLDEN made from scratch daily, handStaff writer crafted cocktails and a massive selection of draft beer with 130 In the 1990s, I was a teenager taps. singing my heart out to Sarah I ordered the grilled chicken McLachlan with my friends in and avocado sandwich, which our cars. I wanted to go to Lilith included Swiss cheese, roasted Fair so badly, but I never got tomatoes, arugula and lemon bathe chance. McLachlan was a consistent soundtrack for me all sil aioli on a toasted brioche bun through college and early adultserved with house fries. The porhood. tions were large, and the flavors In May, I watched “Lilith The Texas Watermelon and Tomato were even bigger. It fueled me Fair: Building a Mystery,” the Salad from Garden Cafe in Dallas up for the concert. documentary about McLachlan’s After the meal, we walked to woman-led music festival in The Pavilion, which holds more PROVIDED PHOTOS gredients and high-quality fare. the 1990s, and I turned into that than 8,000 spectators and has teenage girl once again. The next Munger Place, a neighborhood located in Dallas, is full of prairie-style Out back is a lovely patio and the walls that can retract to create few days, all I listened to was restaurant’s garden, perfect for a an open-air space with additional craftsman houses built in the early 1900s. McLachlan’s comforting sounds. seating for 4,000 people. The stroll after the meal. So, on a whim, I looked up her Pavilion was sold out that night I ordered a special summer Sarah tour dates. with the walls up as Dallas was in salad — the Texas watermelon McLachlan The closest she would get to me the middle of a heat wave. and tomato salad — which was performing bright and refreshing. The salad this summer was Dallas, Texas. The lobby space is wide and on July My college roommate from roomy with many vendors, but included watermelon, cherry toBaylor lives in Dallas, so I texted what stood out the most to me 26 at The mato, red onion, cucumber, feta her: “I am coming to stay with and mint vinaigrette. The sweet- were the refillable water stations. Pavilion you, and we are going to see ness, the acidity and the saltiness Concert-goers can bring their in Irving, Sarah McLachlan together.” She combined to create quite a Texas- own water bottles and fill them Texas. was on board. The concert was in for free. sized celebration for my palate. two months. During the concert, the acousFor a taste of brunch, I also At the end of July, I drove from ordered one of Garden Cafe’s tics of the venue were sublime. Baton Rouge to Dallas on a Saturfamous biscuits and jam. The McLachlan sounded amazbiscuit was light and fluffy, with day morning. My drive clocked ing, and her band was fantastic. nice layers. The house-made in at around six and a half hours. There’s not a bad seat in The strawberry jam was the perfect I knew I was in Texas the minute Pavilion because of a shallow accent to the breakfast staple. I started seeing huge Texas flags incline and close proximity to the After some rest time and back- stage. everywhere. When I arrived, I entered a After the McLachlan concert, yard pool floating, it was concert neighborhood full of historic our roommate reunion was altime. prairie-style home community. my friend in her restored home, prairie-style homes. We drove from East Dallas Listed on the National Register most complete. I was sent off on there are short-term rentals I often associate Dallas with to Irving, which was about a of Historic Places, the neighborMonday morning with a homeavailable in the area on Airbnb. glitz and flashiness, but this pris- hood was planned with paved 20-minute drive. McLachlan’s For other options on where to made breakfast sandwich and stay, two historic boutique hotels show was at The Pavilion at the roads, electric streetlights and cardamom chai, and on cloud tine block of early 1900s homes are The Joule, and The Magnolia. Toyota Music Factory, an entersidewalks. nine the entire drive home. and leafy trees contrasted with Both hotels were constructed in Staying there for the weekend The weekend in Dallas surmy previous notions of the city. tainment complex with restauthe late 1920s. was like stepping back in time. Munger Place is located in East rants and multiple venues. prised me in more ways than one, On Sunday, we walked to The homes have expansive Dallas, which has historic archiThe Toyota Music Factory and I left with a greater affection porches and exquisite craftsman Junius Heights, an adjacent opened in 2017 but just underfor the city and a greater appretecture and cute places to shop detail. The area is ideal for walk- historical craftsman and Tudor and eat — a more understated went a grand renovation and ciation for friendship. neighborhood, to have brunch Dallas, which is my style. reopened in December 2024. The ing with friends and looking at at Garden Cafe. The cafe has a Founded in 1905, Munger Place houses. entertainment area includes 20 Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ reputation for its fresh-grown in- restaurants and bars near the was and still is Texas’ largest Although I was staying with theadvocate.com.

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER By Christopher Elliott

Rental’s bald tires blew out, and damage fees are charged I recently rented a Mercedes SUV through Turo for a friend’s birthday trip to New Hampshire.While driving in the mountains at about 40 mph, the front right tire blew out. I called Turo immediately.A representative told me I could use their tow service for $199. Since I have been a AAA member since I was 16, it made no sense to pay extra Christopher for a tow, so I used AAA instead. Elliott AAA towed the vehicle to our vacation rental. The tow driver asked us to look underneath the vehicle. Both front tires were so worn that the metal threading was visible and protruding.The vehicle was unroadworthy. I had to pay $680 to tow the Mercedes back to Connecticut and $1,000 for a car service to transport my group home. I reported this to Turo.At first, the company said the damage was due to preexisting wear and that I was not responsible.About

one hour later, I received a second email stating that the claim had been reopened and that I was financially responsible. Turo charged my card $500 in damage fees. I’m out more than $2,000 for renting a car with bald tires. Can you help me get my money back? — Brent Marcelino, New Britain, Conn. Your Turo host should have given you a vehicle with safe tires. And if the tires were bald, you shouldn’t have to pay a dime for the blowout. But this case is a little complicated. Let’s look at what happened. You rented a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class. You assumed the car was safe. But when the tire blew, you discovered the truth. You did the right thing by contacting Turo immediately. But then things went a little sideways. Turo initially agreed with you. It sent you an email conﬁrming that it had determined the damage

was “preexisting” and that you weren’t responsible. Then, Turo’s claims department did a U-turn. An hour later, it told you the claim was reopened. Turo’s position was that while you weren’t “at fault,” you were still “ﬁnancially responsible.” How can you be responsible for damage you didn’t cause on a car that shouldn’t have been on the road? Turo says it reviewed the pretrip photos and decided the tire was in “good condition.” But standard walk-around photos don’t always show the inner tread wear. You were also stuck with a $1,680 bill for towing and a car service because you declined Turo’s roadside assistance. When you go off-platform for repairs or towing, you usually pay out of pocket. Turo’s terms are clear about that. If you want the company to pay, you have to play

by its rules. “Guests have the option to purchase enhanced roadside assistance when booking their trip to reduce out-of-pocket costs like towing,” a Turo spokesperson told me. Still, charging you a $500 deductible for a tire that was clearly worn out seems wrong. You might have appealed this to an executive at Turo. I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of key customer service managers at Turo on my advocacy site, Elliott.org. I contacted Turo on your behalf. I shared your photos of the bald tires. Turo reviewed your ﬁle again. “After reviewing all available information related to this incident, we can conﬁrm the guest was fully refunded for the trip and any related damage charges,” the spokesperson said.

Turo returned your $500 damage deposit and refunded the $304 cost of your rental. But it did not cover the towing or car service expenses, sticking to its policy on roadside assistance. I’m glad you got some of your money back. But there is a lesson here for everyone: Before you drive a rental car off the lot, check the tires. Turn the wheel so you can see the tread. If it looks worn, ask for a different car. And consider paying a little extra for roadside assistance. It might cost a little more up front, but it can save you a small fortune in the long run. Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a nonproﬁt organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.

4D ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

Gary LaFleur points to an old photograph of Kenny Hill, the creator of the Chauvin Sculpture Garden.

GARDEN

Continued from page 1D in Terrebonne Parish about 20 miles southeast of Houma. The garden appears like a maze from a surreal Acadiana adventure movie or twisted fairy tale, populated by bizarre, lean figures: wide-winged angels, Jesus, musicians. Cowboys and Native Americans clinging to a 45-foottall lighthouse tower made of some 7,000 stacked bricks. Life-sized self-depictions of its creator, Kenny Hill, appear around every turn, in what seems to be his own version of a Nativity scene. To the right of the entrance, a blonde-headed, eyeless sculpture of Hill holds his own bleeding heart in the hands of his long arms. At his feet, a misspelled quote reads: “IT IS EMTY.” “He didn’t explain things a lot,” said Gary LaFleur, a bayou studies professor at Nicholls State University who heads Friends of Chauvin, the garden’s advisory board. “But it ends up being a blessing,” he said. “Everybody can take a different type of meaning from their visit.” The real-life Hill is from Springfield, in Livingston Parish. He abandoned the garden in 2000. Though his whereabouts are unknown, locals believe he is still alive. Among those who have worked to preserve it — and the academics who study folk art — Hill’s work is a prime example of “outsider art,” a style that is self-taught and often driven by the artist’s inner visions. After Hill left, Siporski contacted the Kohler Foundation, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that focuses on art restoration. (And yes, with roots in Kohler Co., maker of plumbing fixtures.) The arts foundation soon purchased the abandoned lot and restored it into a public park within two years. It was its first large-scale preservation project outside of Wisconsin. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped reconstruct the site. Hill’s homemade house, which was ready to fall into the bayou, was demolished. The waterfront bulkhead was stabilized. Overgrown grass and banana trees were cleared, and a permanent gallery was built across the street. The garden was gifted by Kohler to Nicholls State, which has continued to preserve the site since 2002. The preservation project was not for money or recognition, said Terri Yoho, director of the Ruth Foundation of the Arts. It was inspired by the “inner gratification” that the late billionaire philanthropist Ruth DeYoung Kohler II found in supporting the arts and education, often projects that are unconventional. Yoho and Kohler agreed to invest $1 million. “Going back, it is a success story,” Yoho said. “It’s inspiring kids, young artists, families.” After Ida hit in 2021, the site fell into ruins. The garden flooded, sculptures shattered. Contractors estimated it would take nearly $500,000 to

PROVIDED PHOTO

One of the pieces damaged during Hurricane Ida in 2021

A variety of sculptures stand at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden in Chauvin.

Eliza, from left, Rylee and Colin look up after entering the lighthouse. repair, which neither the professors nor the university had. LaFleur called the Kohler Foundation. Although Ruth Kohler had died a year before the hurricane, her legacy fund has given hundreds of thousands to the Chauvin restoration effort, LaFleur said. No lawyers. No contracts. The work commenced with a written description and a handshake.

Bringing it back Elliott, a skilled sculptor, presented a master plan. “We were all pretty competent artists,” he said. “It’s just one of those things where the almost coincidence fell in place to make sure that it happened.” Using cranes, scaffolding and hoists, they drilled rebar into concrete and metal anchors into the ground. Then they repainted each sculpture. Suspended sculptures were secured and reinstalled. “I’d be damned if he didn’t do it,” Siporski said of Elliott’s plan. “If you would’ve seen what it took to do it, you would have said it was impossible to repair, and he did it all.” Kimberly Arp, a printmaker and former art professor at Louisiana State University who joined Elliott and Siporski in the effort, said he had never worked with concrete figures. A sculpture of a large eagle had face-planted into the ground, with loose rebar hanging out. Fixing it was one of the group’s biggest feats. “It’s kind of magnificent that it was able to get back to its original state,” Arp said. “We are probably most proud we overcame that and got it back up right and in place.” The work was finished in April, in time for the region’s annual “Blessing of the Fleet,” a tradition rooted in prayers for a successful fishing season. As for Hill, stories vary on whether he is aware of any of this. Some say he has been invited to come back and finish his work. “He just chose not to,” said Andrew Cuneo, who grew

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK wood along the bayou. “You can kind of tell that it was made with whatever he had on hand, you know? But it was a sizable house that was right here,” Cuneo said, pointing between two oleander trees. In January 2000, Hill got an eviction notice. He had a week to vacate. With only the clothes on his back, Hill left his magical world behind without saying goodbye. “He literally walked away from the garden. People saw him walking down the road that day and offered him a ride. He said, ‘No, I’m walking,’ ” said LaFleur. Perhaps he walked all the way to Arkansas to be with his brother. He may be in Baton Rouge with family. But no one at the garden seems to know exactly where he is now. (No one seems to need to ﬁnd out either.) “This labor of love is a gift to the people on the bayou, but it’s a double back gift to me,” Hill said, according to a Vieux Carré STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK Courier newspaper clip from 1993. He hoped to “wake the brains of people looking at it.” One recent visitor, Amanda Voisin, said, “It looks like an outlet for a lot of pain.” At the same time, she said it is a great place to bring her kids to explore another world.

Beckoning visitors “It’s never been better,” Siporski said. Busloads of visitors have traveled from faraway places to see the sculpture garden — China, Denmark, Brazil. “It would take an hour to list all the places,” Elliott said. LaFleur occasionally guides visitors. One Sunday afternoon, wearing a baseball cap to shield his face from the sun, he walked with children and their mothers STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK who stopped by for a visit. He One of the many self-portraits of Kenny Hill stands at the sculpture crouched down to point to a hidden symbol. garden. Perhaps one of the most inA dark ash path twists through triguing sights of the garden up two houses down. the garden toward a ﬂowered isn’t a sculpture. It is the layout Who was — or is — Kenny Hill? area. A group of tortured souls itself. From an aerial view, nine The artist is almost as enig- weep and crawl toward a rain- circles, some big, some small, matic as his creations, but this bow-colored road. Angels are are arranged in a particular ormuch is known, or believed to suspended above. der, like a map. Tiny versions “Every single person on this of the layout are sprinkled be known: Kenny Hill was born in the path is getting touched by an throughout the garden. 1950s, although documentation angel in some kind of way,” LaF“It’s for us to decide what it is missing. He was raised Pente- leur said. means,” LaFleur said. Some believe the symbol is the costal and left his wife and order of the planets or an kids before he moved to astrological prophecy. Chauvin, according to the Perhaps it’s the celestial artist docents and physialignment to a Second cal records. He began Coming, said local Madsculpting after the death of his mother, Dovey Hill, dison Scott, who works who loved rose bushes. as an artist docent. In the 1980s and into “A lot of people think the ’90s, he spent his he was a weird guy that free time building this was building sculptures. other world on the small I just think he was trying lot he rented. He used to get through his life, STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK trying to get through his one 5-gallon bucket of homemade concrete at a Gary LaFleur points to various artifacts at the struggles,” Scott said. time. He used leftover, nearby museum. Raegan Boudreaux, mismatched paint from who grew up down the his friend’s paint store, metal Another sculpture depicts street, said that some of the mesh, iron rods and miscella- Hill stepping from darkness to kids she rode with on the school neous objects. Textured details light, one leg painted black and bus believed that the sculptures the other in color. Elliot said he would come to life at night. came from a fork or spoon. “The energy depends on In the middle of his garden, thinks Hill is time-traveling to where you are. It is both heavy an angel carries an hourglass salvation. “Some people say he was and peaceful,” she said. made from two Crystal Hot Siporski said that each time he Sauce bottle necks cut in half. crazy. I don’t think so. It’s way Behind her, there’s a sculpture too rational and thought out,” visits, he sees something new. of Hill carrying a large wooden Elliott said. Hill built his house off the Email Violet Bucaro at violet. cross. He is shackled to a boat base of a trailer and collected bucaro@theadvocate.com. anchor behind him.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 5D

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TODAY IN HISTORY By The Associated Press Today is Sunday, Aug. 23, the 235th day of 2026. There are 130 days left in the year. Today in history: On Aug. 23, 1970, the Salad Bowl strike began, organized by farm labor leader Cesar Chavez; between 5,000 to 10,000 laborers walked off the job, leading to the largest farmworker strike in U.S. history. Also on this date: In 1305, Scottish rebel leader Sir William Wallace was executed by the English for treason. In 1775, Britain’s King George III proclaimed the American colonies to be in a state of “open and avowed rebellion.” In 1914, Japan declared war against Germany in World War I. In 1927, amid worldwide protests, Italian-born anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed in Boston for the murders of two men during a 1920 robbery. (On the 50th anniversary of their executions, then-Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis issued a proclamation that Sacco and Vanzetti had been unfairly tried and convicted.) In 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to a non-aggression treaty, the MolotovRibbentrop Pact, in Moscow. In 2000, a Gulf Air Airbus crashed into the Persian Gulf near Bahrain, killing all 143 people aboard. In 2003, former priest John Geoghan, the convicted child molester whose prosecution sparked the sex abuse scandal that shook the Roman Catholic Church nationwide, died after another inmate attacked him in a Massachusetts prison. In 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake centered near Mineral, Virginia, the strongest on the East Coast since 1944, caused cracks in the Washington Monument and damaged the Washington National Cathedral. In 2013, a military jury convicted Maj. Nidal Hasan in the deadly 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, that claimed 13 lives; the Army psychiatrist was later sentenced to death. In 2020, a White police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, shot a Black man, Jacob Blake, seven times as officers tried to arrest Blake on an outstanding warrant; the shooting left Blake partially paralyzed and triggered several nights of violent protests. In 2022, a jury convicted two men of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, a victory for prosecutors in a plot that was broken up by the FBI and described as a rallying cry for a U.S. civil war by anti-government extremists. Today’s Birthdays: Actor Vera Miles is 97. Actor Barbara Eden is 95. Ballerina Patricia McBride is 84. Singer-songwriter Linda Thompson is 79. Author and motivational speaker Rudy Ruettiger is 78. Actor Shelley Long is 77. Actor-singer Rick Springfield is 77. Noor al-Hussein (Queen Noor of Jordan) is 75. Film composer Alexandre Desplat is 65. Actor Jay Mohr is 56. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is 55. Actor Ray Park is 52. Actor Scott Caan is 50. Rock singer Julian Casablancas (The Strokes) is 48. Actor Joanne Froggatt is 46. Olympic gold medal swimmer Natalie Coughlin Hall is 44. Musician Lil Yachty is 29. NBA basketball player Devin Vassell is 26.

PLACES

Continued from page 1D The trouble started with Scotland. Originally, Been and I counted it separately, the way plenty of travelers do, because it feels separate — a different ﬂag, a different accent, an underdog identity that I understood, what with growing up in Mississippi. Hong Kong — same thing. Yes, it was previously a British colony. Then it was a Chinese special administrative region. It was never sovereign. I knew that. I counted it anyway. I’m not completely certain why lists like this matter. How accurately can geography be measured, but the honest number sits south of 49. Plenty of places are

Voracious teen strains goodwill he eats a lot. Dear Miss Manners: Our family is fortuGentle Reader: If your hospitality is to nate to have a beach house. The last continue, Miss Manners suggests you couple of years, we have allowed our set some rules — for both the parents boys, ages 15 and 13, to invite friends and the children. for a week to 10 days. When you issue the invitaThe ﬁrst year, we didn’t expect or ask for money to cover any tion, tell the parents, “We would of the friends’ expenses. In one love to have Spencer join us case, the family sent the child for the week, but he will need with no spending money whatsosome spending money. You may also want to send him with the ever. We covered all of his meals, snacks he prefers, since we may drinks and entertainment. Judith not have enough supplies on That summer, this friend ate Martin hand.” us out of house and home. He MISS Once on vacation, tell Spenordered the most expensive MANNERS dinner on a menu — which we cer the rule that if he is to act allowed once, then nixed his like one of the family, with all future expensive orders. He ordered the advantages that entails, he must appetizers before his dinner at restaualso take on the responsibilities. Treat rants, and had total disregard for shar- him as you would your own children: ing the food at the house. He would eat expecting him to help with cleanup, limiting expensive treats, adhering to it all if we didn’t monitor or stop him. family rules and curfews, etc. This child has been friends with my You will be doing the boy a favor, and son since kindergarten, so obviously his parents as well. Surely, even with he feels very comfortable being one contributing to vacation expenses, it of the family. However, he made me will be less expensive than having him incredibly frustrated with his attitude home — and bored — for a week. of entitlement. Dear Miss Manners: Is it proper to send Upon returning home, I mentioned out children’s birthday party invitahis impressive eating habits to his mother; she blushed and agreed that tions with requests NOT to buy certain

Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@ gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

A deal-making system for vacation planning keep an open mind and make Dear Heloise: My husband an effort to enjoy the place. and I used to argue over We’ve been to many excitwhere we would vacation every year. In fact, it was the ing places and made friends only thing that we argued all over the world. It was the about. We sat down best decision we’ve and ﬁgured out a ever made. — Paula and system, and it’s since Chad G., in Tulsa, Oklahoma stopped the annual Basement dampness ﬁght. One year, he picks the place we’ll Dear Heloise: My husgo, and the next year, Hints from band and I decided to I pick the place. our basement Heloise remodel I told him that I had and use it as a hobby/ three stipulations: crafts/half-bath/extra First, no camping trips; I re- TV room, where our teenagfuse to live in a tent. I want ers and their friends can a hot shower and a comfy enjoy themselves or where bed. A second no-go was that we can gather as a family to we wouldn’t keep going to watch movies. Since my dad the same place every year. had been a builder all his life Four years had to pass beand knew what to look for and how to do things, we asked fore we went to a place that we had already been to. The him how we should test for third stipulation was that we dampness. There are kits that wouldn’t complain about the you can buy, but he likes an old-fashioned method where other’s choice; instead, we’d

asterisked. Borders move. Unions dissolve. South Sudan did not exist until 2011. Czechoslovakia does not exist anymore. A person can visit a destination in good faith, write it down and come back 20 years later to ﬁnd the label gone. Still, it existed. It was there — so was the visitor. Which brings me to Mary Pettibone Poole, a woman I may never be able to verify existed beyond a small 1938 book called “A Glass Eye at a Keyhole.” One line attributed to her is: “He who laughs, lasts.” I like that sentiment a lot right about now. Yes, earlier versions of the saying existed. She likely didn’t say it ﬁrst. But almost nothing else about her appears to have lasted. There’s no reliable biography or easy-

we save plastic dry cleaning bags, cut them into 14-inch squares, and tape them to the walls. We taped all around the edges so that air couldn’t get in or out. After six days, we reached in to test for moisture on the plastic and the wall surface. We found dampness in only one part of the basement and took steps to seal off the wall to avoid any problems. This was 10 years ago, and we still have a dry basement. — Charlotte W., in Delaware

Using starch to apply fabric Dear Heloise: I was told that starch could be used to apply fabric to the wall. If so, how’s it done? — Cathy E., in Warwick, Massachusetts n Clean the wall(s) where you want apply the fabric. Make sure that the fabric is lightweight and smooth.

Remove all outlets that are covered by a switch plate. This isn’t an ideal project for velvet or other heavy fabrics. n Wash and iron your fabric panels, leaving a 1- to 2-inch excess on all sides. Temporarily pin or tack panels to the wall at the top. Then coat the wall by using a roller and putting liquid starch in a paint tray. Use a heavy coating of the starch, working in 3-foot sections. n Smooth out the fabric by using your hand or a squeegee to get rid of bumps and air bubbles. Once the entire panel is on the wall, roll the liquid starch onto the surface of the panel. After the fabric is saturated with starch, trim off the excess. — Heloise Send a hint to heloise@ heloise.com.

to-find birth date. Strangely, I find that somewhat comforting and another reminder that permanence, as it turns out, is negotiable. As we prepare to unbox the things that apparently survived our house fire, we have no idea what we will find. The parallels to my country list are clear. I’ve spent a lot of my life keeping track of what I’ve seen. Now I’m about to find out what we still have. I am trying to rewire my brain not to care about how many countries I have visited. I am not there yet. The trouble with counting is that eventually we have to decide what counts. Either way, here’s to Morocco. Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

The Hong Kong skyline

RUSH

Continued from page 1D potential members, helping each other keep their makeup pristine or chatting about shared experiences at other houses. Sometimes it’s those little moments in between parties that stick, with people they meet by chance who become lifelong friends. Other times, memorable moments are made once the parties start with the other young women who eventually become “sisters.” The sorority experience runs the gamut, and recruitment is vastly different than what it was even ﬁve years ago. The SEC has more eyes on it than ever, and the phenomenon of RushTok continues to take over social media feeds. In 2023, HBO chronicled the rush experience at the University of Alabama with its documentary “Bama Rush.” There are people who have made entire careers out of preparing young women for rush. Trisha Addicks, who owns a national rush consultancy, was featured in “Bama Rush,” and she released a new book with Simon & Schuster this year, “The Rush Bible: Secrets to Crush Sorority Recruitment and Find Your Forever Greek Home.” But one thing reigns true in the sorority recruitment experience in 2016 and 2026: Many people learn

gifts? I received an invitation that stated, “no Barbies, please.” I would not have bought one anyway, as I would have assumed a 6- or 7-yearold girl would have some already. What are your thoughts on this? Gentle Reader: Solicitations, recommendations or restrictions for presents should never be stated explicitly, and certainly not in invitations. Friends and relatives can be put to use, however, making suggestions when asked. If this host had an aversion to the doll, she could have spread the word to her intimates, who would then galvanize to tell the other guests. But it does make Miss Manners wonder what happened to inspire the rule, and what could be said to convey it. She imagines something like, “I guess Kennedy has thousands of them, and she keeps dismembering them and leaving the parts in unexpected places. Her mom is at her wits’ end.”

PROVIDED PHOTO

Alpha Phi sorority sisters Nancy Theisen Bennett, from left, Becky Othold Del Rio and Ann Siddall in October 2022. The friends enjoyed a glass of wine from the sorority’s The Original Ten series, which includes wines that honor the 10 founders, on their way to a sisters weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 50 years after they joined the sorority. lifelong lessons amidst the bouncing and clapping. In 2019, Olivia Vercher went through recruitment at LSU. She says her rush week was far from perfect, adding that she even considered withdrawing from the process altogether multiple times. At the start of the week, recruitment counselors emphasize “maximizing your options,” or ranking as many houses as possible each round.

“Most rounds, I didn’t even have enough houses to ﬁll out my preference card, so I simply ranked every house I had left and hoped I would make it to the next day,” Vercher wrote in an email. When it was time for the last round, which is called preference, Vercher did the one thing she was told not to do. She ranked one house. At the time, she said she felt like she made a mistake. But her risk came with reward,

and she was accepted into Delta Zeta. “I had gone against all the advice I had been given,” Vercher wrote. “Looking back, though, that decision became one of the best lessons I could have learned. It gave me the confidence to trust myself and reminded me that sometimes going for what you truly want involves taking a risk.” When Mary Ellen Hart rushed at LSU in August 1972, she veered from her Lake Charles high school classmates, who stayed in the city to attend McNeese State University. “I had to figure things out on my own,” Hart said. At the time, there were 16 sororities at LSU, and the first round, ice water, was held on one day. “So I drank water from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” Hart said. “There was no time to go back to my dorm to change clothes/freshen up — so I looked pretty haggard, and my face hurt from smiling by the end of the day.” The same year, Nancy Theisen Bennett rushed at LSU. The night before preference, she went out with friends to get ice cream. As the group returned to Miller Hall on campus, a “scrawny white kitten” appeared in the parking lot. Bennett snuck the kitten into the dorm, thinking she could find it a home the next day. “The kitten spent the night, and early the next morning, myself and a couple of new friends headed

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

into a nice neighborhood just south of campus off Highland Road where we went door to door looking for a home for the kitten — so naive!” Bennett said. “After many rejections, the kitten jumped out of our arms and raced away, never to be seen again.” After the kitten kerfuffle, she mixed up her ﬁrst and third parties for recruitment. But her second party was correct, and that’s where she became a member. “All of this because of attempting to rescue a cat,” Bennett wrote. “In today’s world, maybe a phone would have saved me on the scheduling.” Bennett has been a “proud and active” member of Alpha Phi for nearly 54 years since. She and other sisters gather every year for a girls weekend, and Bennett organized a 50-year reunion for her initiation class in St. Francisville in 2023. The friendships made through sororities can have lasting impact, but the experience can also enhance existing relationships as well. Hart, who pledged Kappa Delta at LSU, says her daughter joined the same sorority in 2007. “Her pledging KD was really special for me,” Hart wrote. “Neither of us has a biological sister, so I think being a member of KD ﬁlled that void.” Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate. com.

6D ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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BOOKS

Enjoy home reading with these 6 Louisiana children’s books

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

School is back in session. With the return of early mornings comes the return of home reading time mandated by teachers. To help with book selection for home reading time, here are a few local books for children under the age of 10. “Boudin Boy Meets Cracklin’ Dog,” written and illustrated by Paul Schexnayder This bayou-based book picks up where “The Adventures of Boudin Boy” left off and tells the story of how Boudin Boy met his bayou buddy, Cracklin’ Dog. When Boudin Boy hears a cry for help, he runs “fast-fast at full blast” to rescue a tiny pup with a strong, quick kick. Using his swamp know-how and courage, Boudin Boy and his new friend Cracklin’ Dog outwit dangerous, wild hogs. Full of swampy illustrations, rhyme and alliteration, “Boudin Boy Meets Cracklin’ Dog” is a Louisiana celebration worthy of reading time. “Good Day, Louisiana Children’s Museum,” written by Shannon Kelley Atwater This board book takes you through a day of fun at the Louisiana Children’s

Museum in New Orleans. Follow along as the children in the book pretend to be a turtle, chef, veterinarian, boat captain and more. The illustrations featured throughout the book were created with help from museum guests. Each page includes drawings and color additions from real kids and their caregivers. “A Sprinkle of Library Fun: Let’s Get a Cookbook,” written by Stacey L. Dempsey and illustrated by Lexi Renard In this educational and interactive book, Amy and her pup, Charlee, go on an adventurous walk to the nearby library in search of a cookbook. This book encourages young readers to use their manners, share, exercise and accomplish a goal. It also introduces them to things they may see outside and at the library. For added fun, readers get to search for Charlee as he hides throughout the book. “Sweet Dreams: Poems and Paintings for the Child Abed,” written by Rick Telander and illustrated by his artist friends This anthology of bedtime poems is an easy-to-read collection in the fashion of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic, “A Child’s Garden of Verses.”

Started when the author was sick in bed many years ago, this book is about caring for young boys and girls who must spend time in bed recovering. The 42 illustrations are unique for each poem and were created by Telander’s friends from four different countries. “Where Do Beignets Come From?” written by Erin Rovin and illustrated by Madi Hannan Another board book to cuddle up and read with the kids, “Where Do Beignets Come From?” creates a story of a coffee couple using love and ingredients to make their beignet children. The book is full of bright and colorful illustrations as the reader follows along with the recipe. A nice rhyme scheme gives a musical ﬂow to the reading. “Where Y’at, Jockamo?” written and illustrated by Madi Hannan In this colorful tale, Jockamo the puppy is on a journey to ﬁnd the best festivals in the state. The Australian Shepherd frolics from gumbo cook-offs to festival parades for his quest. Hannan is also the author of “Scrim on the Run” and “The Little Lost Alligator.” Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ theadvocate.com.

Dannny H eitman Danny Heitman

Seeds of reading program will help students continue to grow Among the reading items on my nightstand this summer was The Atlantic magazine’s recent cover story, glumly titled, “The Age of Reading Is Over.” In a long article, staff writer Rose Horwitch cited a number of sobering statistics, including the news that only 2% of Americans read to a child on a given day. Obviously, the country has much to do in expanding its circle of readers, especially the young ones who can carry a culture of books into the next generation. That cause involves special urgency in Louisiana, which has historically ranked near the bottom for literacy. Luckily, this summer brought happier tidings about the future of reading. I work across the street from a public library, and in this vacation season as in others, I saw the parking lot swell with visitors. Many of the patrons were youngsters attending Louisiana’s summer statewide reading program. The theme of this year’s program, “Plant a seed, read!” was an apt reminder that engagement with books outside of school can be the start of something that continues to grow even after children return to school. It’s an encouraging thing to consider now that another school year has begun. Participation numbers across Louisiana for this year’s summer reading program are still being tabulated. But according to the State Library of Louisiana, which helps coordinate and support each year’s summer reading program in parish libraries, more than 430,000 children and teens attended summer reading programs at Louisiana’s local libraries last year. Public libraries hosted more than 11,000 different events and sessions statewide during the summer reading program in 2025. “Summer reading programs give libraries a structured way to fulﬁll their most essential purpose: connecting people with books and building the habit of reading,” State Librarian Meg Placke pointed out. Summer reading programs were a happy part of my Louisiana childhood when I was growing up, and I missed them when I got too big to participate. In recent years, though, many local library systems, including my own, have offered companion summer reading programs for adults. It’s a nice way to extend the fun — and a good reminder that if grown-ups want more children to read, we should model how it’s done. I tackled three books for this year’s program, starting with “A House in Flanders,” a charming memoir by Michael Jenkins about an eventful summer he spent at an old estate in Belgium. I followed with “Lark Rise,” the Flora Thompson novel inspired by her childhood in rural England. July ended for me with “Ordinary People,” Judith Guest’s novel about a family’s struggles to recover from a life-changing tragedy. What did I get for being a three-book reader this summer? A staff librarian gifted me with a new book bag, a pocket journal and, in a nod to this year’s theme, some seeds for my garden. The biggest reward? The reading itself, which no summer should be without. Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com.

THIS WEEK’S BESTSELLERS FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY HARDCOVER FICTION

1. “The Calamity Club” by Kathryn Stockett 2. “The Unknown” by Riley Sager 3. “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke 4. “Whistler” by Ann Patchett 5. “The Lion & the Deathless Dark” by Carissa Broadbent 6. “Daggermouth” by H.M. Wolfe 7. “You’ll Be Sorry” by Lisa Gardner 8. “A Trade of Blood” by Robert Jackson Bennett 9. “The Amateur” by Chris Bohjalian 10. “The Country Road Murders” by Patterson/Lupica

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. “Regime Change” by Haberman/ Swan 2. “Welcome to Your Life” by Roland Orzabal 3. “Your Fellow Americans” by Peter Santenello 4. “You Can Do Beautiful Things” by Galey Alix 5. “How Lucky Am I” by Christian Watson 6. “Strangers” by Belle Burden 7. “Biological War” by Annie Jacobsen 8. “More, Please!” by Rachel Mansﬁeld 9. “London Falling” by Patrick Radden Keefe 10. “The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery” by W. Lee Warren

TRADE PAPERBACK

1. “Adversary to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer 2. “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi 3. “Dungeon Crawler Carl” by Matt Dinniman 4. “Carl’s Doomsday Scenario” by Matt Dinniman 5. “Just for the Plot” by Meghan Quinn 6. “Death Row” by Freida McFadden 7. “The Divorce” by Freida McFadden 8. “The Widow” by John Grisham 9. “Kagurabachi, Vol. 8” by Takeru Hokazono 10. “Murdoku” by Manuel Garand

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ 7D

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LOUISIANA INSPIRED

Friends turn conversation into mission to uplift others Tournament raises awareness, brings community together

BY BRIANNA MEEKS

Contributing writer

The squeaks of sneakers echoed across the basketball court at Team Sportsplex in Baton Rouge on a recent Saturday as players took to the floor for “Hoops For A Cause,” a threeon-three charity basketball tournament. Basketball fans filtered in, paid the $10 admission fee and grabbed their Sour Punch candy from the concession stand before finding seats near the court. Teams came from all over the city to compete, but the purpose of the event was bigger than a win on the court. Baton Rouge residents Kirklan Parms, 21, Justin Collins, 22, and Erick Hitchens, 20, planned the tournament to unite the community, raise awareness about social issues, and donate to a charitable cause. The tournament was one of several community initiatives hosted by Built from Stone, an organization they founded. The men say they came together at a time when each was looking for a higher purpose. “We were each other’s help,” said Parms, who plans to attend Louisiana State University. A troupe dressed in black uniforms cheered on the players, while children joined in with their hands in the air and smiles on their faces. The group, Baton Rouge Hotties, made up of women ages 18 to 24, was created by Kaitlyn Gleason to bring the women together to dance and have a positive impact on the community. “People are not just doing the worst in Baton Rouge,” Gleason said. “There are good people like myself and the person that put this event together.” Organizers said they hoped to raise awareness as much as money. Proceeds from “Hoops For A Cause” were donated toward the legal defense of Karmelo Anthony, the African American teenager sentenced to 35 years in prison for stabbing a White teenager to death during an altercation at a school track meet in Texas. Anthony’s legal team has claimed the stabbing was in self-defense and that the stiff sentence was motivated by race. The family of the victim, Austin Metcalf, has denied those claims. Each team in the Hoops tournament was named after an individual whom organiz-

PROVIDED PHOTO

From left, Justin Collins, Kirklan Parms and Erick Hitchens are the organizers of ‘Hoops For A Cause,’ a three-on-three basketball tournament to raise money for charitable purposes. The tournament is among the community programs sponsored by Built From Stone, an umbrella organization the three men created to support the community.

jail. But for them to overcome it and come out of that situation and be like, ‘I’m better than that. I’m more than that. I have more to give.’ I love it,” said Johnson. Parms grew up in Scotland Square projects in Scotlandville, where his family could afford to pay rent. Even then, he was taught to look beyond his circumstances and believe he could accomplish what he set out to do. The foundation of Built from Stone began long before the organization had a name. Sitting side-by-side beneath the stairway at the LSU Student Union, the three founders laughed, looked at one another and occasionally paused to let someone else ﬁnish a memory before explaining how it all began. Parms and Collins met through mutual friends while they were in high school, but one conversation became a defining moment in their friendship. Collins recalled a time of uncertainty in his life, when he returned from Arkansas State University, where he had played Di‘I have more to give’ vision I football. After suffering a shoulder “To see him as a grown man and the things injury, he transferred to LSU. Parms encouraged Collins to trust what that he’s involved with now, I’m just so proud,” she said. “They could have been in God had in store for him and keep his head

ers say suffered from systemic injustice. But the event was more than a series of basketball games. Young men who needed professional attire for a job interview or new job also had access to free clothing through Threads to Thrive, a service project founded by Southern University student Elise Doomes. Individuals were also able to register to vote and get help with college applications and scholarships. “No matter if you came for the basketball, the cheering, the food or the clothes, you came for a reason and that’s because of what’s going on in the world right now,” said Corey Scott, a construction management student at LSU. Sitting on the bleachers watching the game, Parms’ mother, Danielle Johnson, recalled a time when her son was in elementary school and how everyone wanted to be in his presence. He was born with a birthmark on his face, and she told him he was special.

up. Collins said the conversation stayed with him. In the fall of 2025, another friendship began. Collins met Erick Hitchens while the two worked together at Zara clothing store in Baton Rouge. What started with Collins complimenting Hitchens’ army green GShock watch quickly turned into hours the men spent joking and exchanging ideas in Collins’ living room. Those conversations would eventually become the foundation of Built from Stone. They shared a common goal — creating opportunities for young people and encouraging them to dream beyond the expectations placed on them. “You don’t meet a lot of people with the same mindset,” said Parms. From there, their first project was to give back to St. Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit organization that provides food services and shelter in Baton Rouge. They passed out 40 boxes of pizza in October 2025. Growing up in the Glen Oaks neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Hitchens said his experiences inspired him to pursue a career in law and eventually create a space to speak up about issues in society; he is now majoring in political science at LSU. “I’m always inserting myself in rooms that may not look like I have a seat … but I’m gonna make my own seat,” he said. Collins’ mission was shaped by his own journey through football. After injuries changed the direction of his athletic ambitions, he said he wants young people to know success isn’t limited to sports. “Football was something that originally put eyes on me. Now, I use it to show young people that’s not the only route they have,” Collins said. Inspired by the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Parms hopes to one day become mayor of Baton Rouge. He believes leadership begins with serving others. Growing up in Scotland Square fueled his passion for activism and community outreach, values he said remain at the core of Built from Stone. “I feel like stone is the strongest thing you can come across … from a solid core, unity, just the whole concept of being together,” Parms said. Meeks is a journalism student at Southern University. This story was reported and written with the support of the nonprofit Louisiana Collegiate News Collaborative, an LSU-led coalition of eight universities funded by the Henry Luce and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundations.

Powering Progress A New Home for Discovery, Research and Collaboration at LSU

Shell Research Laboratories

Pictured L to R: Rob Stuart, LSU Real Estate and Facilities Foundation President & CEO; Wade Rousse, LSU President; Rochelle Touchard, Shell, Corporate Relations Regional Lead; Colette Hirstius, Shell USA, President; Lee Stockwell, Shell, General Manager, Carbon Capture and Storage North America; Krista Raney, LSU Foundation President & CEO; Robb Brumﬁeld, LSU College of Science Interim Dean

“The opening of the LSU Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building is a testament to the power of partnership and what can be achieved when industry and academia come together around a shared vision.

Shell USA, Inc. committed $2.5 million to the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building as part of a $27.5 million investment in energy-related initiatives at LSU. Shell Research Laboratories offers advanced research environments to enable faculty and students to work together on complex, real world challenges.

We are proud to support a space where students, faculty and industry can collaborate to drive discovery, explore new frontiers and develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and energy leaders.” – Colette Hirstius, President, Shell USA

shell.us/louisiana | #PoweringProgress

8D ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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AT THE TABLE

Cooking, freezing macque choux was a family ritual BY DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN Contributing writer

The morning dew was thick, and the summer heat was on the rise. “We are all going to be shucking corn this morning,” Momma said. “Gram and Lillian will help to make corn macque choux to put up in the freezer.” It was our yearly event of getting fresh, just-picked corn from the farmer a few miles down the road. Unlike corn of today that has been bred to resist becoming hard from the corn’s sugar turning to starch once picked, the corn we picked had to be processed on the same day — a day that was always a planned affair requiring coordination with the corn farmer, my whole family, Gram and Lillian, who worked with us. By this time in summer, our garden was producing tomatoes, green bell peppers and banana peppers in abundance. These vegetables would be needed to add to the macque choux, or as the old Cajun people called it, “maize tendre,” meaning tender corn. In my father’s youth, corn was grown on the farm, but it was used to feed farm animals. Some of the dried corn was, however, ground into cornmeal and used to make cush cush, a Cajun breakfast dish. It is most likely that the local Indians taught the Cajuns how to make this dish. In the early morning, Daddy and my two brothers went out to the cornﬁeld. The farmer and my dad broke the cobs off the stalks, and my brothers helped to load the whole back of the pickup truck with corn cobs. They then returned to the farm and the processing began. We were each given a task. Daddy stood at the back of the truck with the tailgate down. Using a cleaver and a cutting board, Daddy cut off both ends of each cob. He gave

them to my mom, my sister and me to shuck. My brothers then brought the cobs into the house. Gram and Lillian were in the house chopping tomatoes and peppers, getting ready to combine them with the corn. Once we ﬁnished shucking, Momma, my sister and I went into the house to wash the cobs. My sister and I then scrubbed each cob, using a vegetable brush to remove any corn silk that remained. Momma manned the stove, cooking the macque choux, while Gram and Lillian cut the corn off the cob. I always wanted to do that task, but they said I was too young. They used small, sharp knives to cut halfway through each kernel. They then scraped each cob with the blade of the knife to “milk the cob” — a technique that created a milky texture. Large Magnalite roasters were used to cook the macque choux. Once cooked, the corn was spread out on large trays and fans were set out to help quickly cool the corn so that it could be placed into plastic bags for the freezer. There was great satisfaction at seeing all the processed macque choux stacked in the freezer — a yearlong supply of corn for Sunday lunches, or as we around here call it, Sunday dinner. As you might imagine, an appreciation of food runs deep in my family. When you plant a seed, watch it grow, harvest its fruit and cook and eat it, you develop an appreciation for what you eat. Little food was wasted at our house. We all understood and had experienced the labor involved in getting food on the table. I encourage you to make this corn macque choux for “Sunday dinner.” Bake a good beef roast, make some fresh cooked rice and slice up some tomatoes and cucumbers. Celebrate life’s bounty.

PHOTO By DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN

Corn Macque Choux

Serves 4 to 6. Recipe is by Debra Broussard Taghehchian. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped medium dice 4 ears of fresh corn, shucked, washed and corn silks removed (cut corn off each ear, then scrape cob to collect juice) 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped medium dice 1. Place 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a 4-quart saucepan. 2. Layer the next ingredients in the order listed: onions, corn, green bell peppers, tomato, banana pepper, salt, red cayenne pepper and granulated garlic. 3. Cover with lid and cook on medium-high heat. Check every 5 minutes. Do not stir until you see that

1 Roma tomato, chopped medium dice 1 banana pepper, chopped medium dice (optional) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon red cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic the corn has released its juices and the onions have begun to become slightly golden. 4. Stir the corn mixture and add water, approximately 1/4 cup at a time, if needed. 5. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes. 6. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

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TALKING BUSINESS How CEO Verret keeps Campus Federal ‘near the forefront’ 3E

ACROSS THE REGION Amazon’s third La. data center brings area investment to $18B 4E

BUSINESS T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

S u n d ay, au g u S t 23, 2026

1En

Breathing

room

Hoda Kotb’s new wellness business, Joy 101, lands Ochsner partnership, launching festival in New Orleans BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Former “Today” show co-host Hoda Kotb tried her ﬁrst “breathwork” training session a few years ago on the advice of a friend — and she said the experience was transformative. “I followed the instructions, did the exercises, and suddenly I just exploded in tears from the stress relief,” she said last week during a phone interview. “The next time I arrived at work at my usual 4 a.m., it was like someone had taken a squeegee to my brain and got rid of the fog. It was like a magic trick.” Kotb’s experience with one of the fastest-growing practices in the wellness world proved so powerful that after she left “Today” last year to spend more time with her kids, her next big project was partnering to launch an app called “Joy 101,” a clearinghouse for “bite-sized” lessons from experts on breathwork, meditation, stretching and other activities designed to improve physical, mental and emotional well-being.

IDEAS &

INNOVATION

ä See KOTB, page 2E

ABOVE: Former ‘Today’ show co-host Hoda Kotb has begun a new venture, and it has led her back to New Orleans. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

LEFT: Kotb in a partnership launched Joy 101, an app providing ‘bite-sized’ lessons from experts on breathwork, meditation, stretching and other activities designed to improve physical, mental and emotional well-being. PROVIDED IMAGE By JOy101

State economists eye bids on Gulf Coast drilling leases BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

Companies bid nearly $83 million for the right to drill for oil in Gulf waters off the coast of Louisiana, a sign that demand may be steadying even though the continuing war with Iran is keeping oil prices high. The sale volume of the recent lease deal is slightly concerning, said Loren Scott, a retired LSU economist. Prior sales ﬁve or six years ago generated more than $120 million. Scott said he expected sales similar to or higher than that level because of the support the Trump administration has for fossil fuels, the resumption of a lease sale schedule that was discontinued during the Biden administration and reduced royalty rates. “The prospect for really strong growth in the Gulf is not quite there,” he said.

The $83 million also suggests the offshore industry is not declining either but staying steady, he said. The sale earlier this month was the third out of 30 mandated by the One Big, Beautiful Bill backed by President Donald Trump. Trump’s reinstatement of the leasing schedule restores the limit for drilling deals that was in place since the 1950s. The Biden administration discontinued the lease schedule and allowed only three sales over five years. “Everything is a lot more certain,” Scott said. Certainty is a key tenet in the oil and gas industry, so companies can gauge their investments. From the point of the lease sale to producing oil can take about a decade, the time between dedicated to exploration of the area, construction and determining if there even is oil beneath the surface.

The ﬁrst lease sale in December drew more than $300 million from 148 bids. But the March sale saw activity plunge to $47 million from 38 bids. The recent sale may be where the sale volume settles, said Tommy Faucheux, president of Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, an energy industry group. “I think now what we see is companies getting their stride,” Faucheux said. Greg Upton, executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, said the December volume could have been boosted by “pent up interest” since there had been few lease sales. The energy sector employs more than 306,000 in the state, according to a 2025 economic impact study conducted by Stephen Barnes, an

PROVIDED PHOTO By HESS CORP.

Experts say that activity or job levels for Gulf Coast oilfield service companies won’t have dramatic upswings or downswings in the ä See DRILLING, page 2E near future as the industry remains steady.

2E ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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How much would you spend to extend your dying pet’s life? Simba stopped chasing his squeaky toys. He wouldn’t run after the tennis ball or play our evening game of hide-and-seek. These were the ﬁrst signs that our nearly-14-year-old shih tzuYorkie mix’s health was failing. The decline came fast. Late last year, during a routine checkup, the vet detected a heart murmur in Simba and recommended a cardiac ultrasound. “How much will that cost?” I asked my husband, who had taken Simba to his appointment. “Does it matter?” he said. “How much are you willing to spend to keep him alive?” My husband said the scan and assessment could be about $1,000. In an attempt to inject levity into a heartbreaking situation, I said, “Well, Simba’s had a wonderful life with us.” “You’re joking, right?” my husband asked, genuinely concerned. Despite my affection for Simba, I did debate internally how far we should go to extend his life — and at what cost. We opted not to purchase pet insurance years ago. The policies my husband and I reviewed didn’t cover wellness exams, vaccines or dental cleanings. They also wouldn’t cover preexisting conditions. For us, there were so many ﬁne-print conditions and exclusions that

Michelle Singletary THE COLOR OF MONEy

we were concerned pet insurance wouldn’t pay off in the end. Now, facing steep vet bills, I was worried about our little guy and our budget. What if the specialist recommended an expensive heart surgery? We have the savings for a big bill, but at almost 14, Simba is already at the average life expectancy for his small breed. I’ve gone back and forth about whether it’s cruel to take that into account. Paying for an animal’s treatment is a difficult choice, made even harder when you’re making life-and-death decisions for a companion who can’t tell you what they want. Where do you draw the line between comfortable end-of-life care and costly medical interventions? The decision to treat a pet is especially difficult for families already struggling financially. Higher prices for gas, groceries and utilities make it hard to justify spending their savings on their pet’s vet bills.

A 2025 poll by Gallup and PetSmart Charities of pet owners found that more than half of them — 52% — have declined recommended veterinary care or skipped a visit entirely, often citing ﬁnancial concerns. Lower-income households earning $60,000 or less struggle most with basic affordability, while higher earners are more likely to forgo treatments they don’t consider worth the cost. A third of pet owners earning $90,000 or more have skipped care because it was too expensive. A second Gallup and PetSmart Charities poll of veterinarians released in early 2026 found that nearly all veterinarians, 94%, said their clients’ budgets sometimes or often prevent them from following through with recommended treatment. Then there are owners who go into debt for their pets. In a 2024 LendingTree survey of nearly 2,000 Americans, 37% of pet owners reported doing this. In most cases, it was because of a medical emergency. When a co-worker heard about Simba, she reached out with her own story about facing a health crisis affecting her 9-year-old rescue dog. The border collieGreat Pyrenees mix, Gracie, needed emergency abdominal surgery to remove a mass. “Where do I draw the line both

on what I’m willing to put her through to give her a chance and on what I can afford?” she asked. Without knowing whether her pet insurance, which cost her about $1,600 annually, would reimburse her, she put the $10,000 bill on a credit card. Thankfully, her plan covered 80% of the surgery’s cost. We took Simba to see the specialist late last year. A few months later, in April, he became lethargic and began coughing constantly. After several more visits and X-rays, his condition had worsened. He has chronic heart disease that has progressed to congestive heart failure. He’s now on a regimen of cardiac medications. Some days Simba is like his healthier self, dropping his yellow tennis ball at my feet, ready to play fetch. Even then, he can only manage a round or two of the game. Other days, he’s listless and just wants to curl up at my feet. My husband and I are fortunate to have a ﬁnancial cushion that allows us to give Simba the best care possible. But we care about his comfort, too: We’ve agreed not to pursue extraordinary measures at the expense of his quality of life. Here’s what I can say if you ﬁnd yourself in the situation we are in now.

If you decide to pay for care with a credit card, make a plan to pay off that debt. Get help from a nonprofit credit counselor who can help you work the new expense into your budget. You can find a counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at nfcc.org or by calling (844) 865-2828. If you have a hard-stop spending limit for whatever reason, it doesn’t mean you love your pet any less than someone who is willing to take on significant debt. Choosing not to pursue aggressive, high-cost interventions for a pet can be a humane decision that prevents prolonged medical trauma and suffering. If you have a healthy pet, start saving now before a crisis hits. You can self-insure or purchase a pet insurance policy, but be sure to shop around and read every plan’s fine print. I’ve spent much of my career advising people to live within their means and avoid unmanageable debt. Yet I know how hard it is to focus only on the numbers when your pet is the one suffering. Watching Simba snooze contentedly in the sun, I know keeping him comfortable is worth every dollar we’ve spent. Email Michelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost. com.

KOTB

DRILLING

Now, a little more than a year after unveiling the platform, Kotb and her Joy 101 co-founders — including her longtime friend and former WWL-TV anchor Karen Swensen — are announcing plans to scale up. And New Orleans features prominently in those plans. On Thursday, the startup announced a partnership with Ochsner Health that will provide all of the health system’s roughly 40,000 employees access to Joy 101’s content. Kotb and Swensen also announced this week that next year New Orleans will be the site of their company’s biggest-ever event, called “Joy Fest.” Contributors to Kotb’s startup include Harvard University’s “happiness” professor Arthur C. Brooks and designer and HGTV personality Joanna Gaines, among dozens of other experts and household names, but Kotb also relied heavily on her New Orleans connections, forged during her 1990s stint as an anchor at WWL, to get the project off the ground. Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, for instance, is one of the venture’s investors. Now, with this week’s announcements, she’s leaning further into those ties. “All roads lead to New Orleans, and that’s the way it’s worked for me my whole career,” Kotb said. “That’s why hardly a day on the ‘Today’ show went by where somebody didn’t hold up a Who Dat sign outside the window.”

economist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The industry contributed $25.5 billion to the Louisiana economy via direct, indirect and induced impacts. Oil and gas extraction is the second largest share of jobs employing more than 28,000, the first spot notched by chemical and plastic manufacturing. Experts say that activity or job levels for local oilfield service companies won’t have dramatic upswings or downswings in the near future as the industry remains steady. The continuation of regularly scheduled Gulf lease sales indicates stability and will likely mean Louisiana will still have an “all of the above” energy strategy, that incorporates traditional sources like oil, nuclear and renewable sources such as solar or wind power. The oil and gas industry in Louisiana is in a mature state, said Barnes, executive director of the Blanco Public Policy Center, and though sweeping federal policies on oil extraction may be eye-catching, their effects on the industry’s presence tend to be muted due to long periods between policy enactment and drilling activity. “Policy can accelerate or slow the pace of any one piece, and we’ve seen significant swings recently, especially at the federal level,” Barnes said. “But the underlying economics point toward diversification over time.” As of Tuesday, oil was priced at nearly $86.50 a barrel, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That’s up nearly 34% from the same time a year ago, when oil was trading at nearly $64.60 a barrel. But despite the price jump caused by the war with Iran, Gulf drilling activity is holding steady. There are currently 38 oil rigs operating off the Louisiana coast, according to data from energy technology company Baker Hughes. That’s just slightly up from 36 at this time last year. “It’s important to sustain the level we have right now,” Barnes said of the oil industry activity. With the war in Iran straining oil from the Middle East, companies’ attention may turn toward liquefied natural gas as an alternative, he said. The Gulf Coast already leads the country in LNG export capacity and more investment is on the way in Cameron Parish. Barnes said the Gulf Coast could also see more refinery investment as a result of damage caused by the war to petroleum processing facilities in the Middle East. “It does move the needle,” he said.

Continued from page 1E

PROVIDED PHOTO

Kate Spies, from left, Noel yerington, Hoda Kotb, Karen Swensen and Annorelle Nevarez pose for a photo at Cannes Lions, an international marketing, media and advertising conference, in June. All five are members of the Joy 101 team. meditation, breathwork, positivity, movement, personal growth and longevity. Users can upload details about their age, stress levels, goals and time constraints to receive custom programs and checklists. The company hasn’t released a current subscriber count, but last September, one of its investors, CapStone Holdings, reported the startup signed up 5,000 paying customers in its first week of operation while securing $2 million in brand partnerships. Kotb has leveraged her trademark warmth and good cheer to grow that number by making regular

leagues. In addition to the multipronged media approach, Kotb is prioritizing in-person events. “Being with people is what lights me up and makes me come alive, so we had to have experiences where people can look each other in the eye,” she said. Massive marketplace Last year, Kotb appeared at a free retreat for New York Kotb stepped away from her City public school teachers, “Today” co-anchor role in Janufollowed by a paid event in ary 2025 and unveiled Joy 101 February in Scottsdale, Arizoabout five months later. Now, instead of showing up na. Next up is a fall retreat at at Rockefeller Center at 4 a.m. a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Amelia every day, the veteran anchor Island, Florida. Tickets startoversees the new company’s ing at $3,300 are on sale now. growth strategy Plans for Joy Fest and about 20 mostly “All roads lead to New Orleans, and that’s next year in New remote employees the way it’s worked for me my whole career. Orleans are still from a second-floor coming together, office above a bank That’s why hardly a day on the ‘Today’ show but Kotb said she i n We s t c h e s t e r went by where somebody didn’t hold up a expects between County, just north 1,500 and 2,000 peoWho Dat sign outside the window.” of New York City. ple to attend. Gaines, the HGTV Swensen said she HODA KOTB d e s i g n e r, g a v e and Kotb were inthe place a maspired by another jor makeover before Joy 101 appearances on the app, intro- longtime New Orleans-based moved in. ducing experts, delivering pep gathering as they chose the loKotb gets help from Sw- talks and offering personalized cation. “Hoda and I remember the ensen, who lives in New Or- messages. Since the launch, she’s also first Essence Fest, the original leans’ Lakeview neighborhood, and several other co-founders, focused on bringing Joy 101’s ‘party with a purpose,’ and we watched them grow,” she said. including her sister Hala Kotb. content to new places. In January, she launched the Together, the partners are fine tuning a strategy to compete mobile interview show “Joy New Orleans connections in the $6.8 trillion — yes, that’s Rides” on Joy 101’s YouTube Kotb’s Joy 101 collaborators trillion with a “T” — global channel, which already has include many prominent nawellness industry, which has more than 200,000 subscribers. tional figures, like neurosciengrown 35% since the pandemic In June, she launched the “Joy tist Wendy Suzuki, a professor as interest in health and well- 101 with Hoda Kotb” podcast, at New York University; and being has increased worldwide. talking to experts about how Maria Shriver, the journalist, One of their more established to find happiness during major former California first lady and competitors in the app space life changes and challenges. member of the Kennedy famis Calm, a 14-year-old digital Both shows bring in sponsor- ily. The startup’s co-founder wellness company valued at $2 ship revenue. and executive chair is Mike billion. Kotb published the book Xenakis, one of the founders After a free trial, Joy 101’s “Jump and Find Joy” last year. of the successful technology members pay about $17 per She also hosts live “happiness company Open Table. month or a $100 annual fee to hours” online that sometimes But Joy 101 has a lot of New access content about sleep, feature her former TV col- Orleans connections as well, all

tracing back to Kotb’s stint at WWL from 1992 to 1998. Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste — two New Orleans icons — are advisers. And because of relationships like this, Swensen believes the city is the perfect place to kick-start the venture’s ﬁrst “enterprise” partnership, selling bulk subscriptions at a discount. She and Kotb met Ochsner CEO Pete November several months ago to successfully pitch the idea, with help from Benson, who said the app “gives people practical tools they can use every day.” Swensen said Joy 101’s bitesized exercises make sense for the fast-paced environment of a healthcare system that’s also the region’s biggest private employer. “People are encouraged to use it on the clock because it gives a moment to recharge and refocus,” she said. “We want to help people in highstress, high-performance environments perform better.” Now Kotb, Swensen and their partners and investors are hoping the Ochsner deal will lead the way for more companies in more cities to buy in — but Kotb said she wants the growth to happen organically. “I don’t know where we’ll wind up in the end, but I believe it will be a great place because we’re helping people,” Kotb said. “Karen is my best friend and one of the smartest people I know, and to bring in Gayle, Drew and Jon into the equation, it all makes sense. We’re going to go where the energy ﬂows.” Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

Workforce impact The predictability of the lease sales will have impacts reaching far beyond big industry, Faucheux said. With predictable sales comes predictable jobs, he said, because people can count on offshore energy jobs being available in about 10 years from the recent sales. “It is a reminder for us that not only is the industry strong, but that we have now created another decade of opportunity for kids,” Faucheux said. Most of offshore energy production is serviced out of Port Fourchon in Lafourche Parish, which leases waterfront space to companies that provide services like vessel cleaning or repairs, powering the Gulf drilling that provides 15% of U.S. crude oil. Progress in the offshore energy sector is contingent on the concurrent growth of infrastructure to support it, he said. Ensuring Port Fourchon’s channels are dredged to proper depths and permitting new pipelines is necessary to support the industry, he said. “We’re headed in the right direction,” Faucheux said. Email Ianne Salvosa at ianne.salvosa@ theadvocate.com.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ 3E

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TALKING BUSINESS A S K T H E E X P E RT S

Nearing $1B in assets, credit union is not done growing Staff writer

Q&A WITH JANE VERRET

Campus Federal Credit Union CEO Jane Verret has her eyes set ahead of the curve. The financial services industry is constantly changing, she says, with developing technologies, fluctuating interest rates and evolving customer needs. As the credit union has grown from about $150 million in assets when she joined the company in 1997 to nearly $980 million in assets today, she’s positioned Campus Federal “near the forefront” to find ways to increase efficiency and access to members while being cautious about their investments. Campus Federal was founded in 1934 and serves LSU faculty, staff, students and members of alumni associations. In 2023, the credit union opened a branch on Siegen Lane in Baton Rouge with a hub for mortgages, lending options and business services. An Airline Highway branch is set to open by the end of the year, replacing the Long Farm Village location. The southernmost part of East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes is becoming a hot spot for bankers, targeting the area due to Ascension’s burgeoning business opportunities like Hyundai’s steel mill. The credit union says it has more than 44,000 members and operates 11 branches in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport. Campus Federal’s accessibility and community connections set them apart, Verret said. “It’s a challenge because Louisiana is a takeaway market in banking,” Verret

We can help you with that, too, and we’re here to tell you about the path forward when that happens. Making it an educational process has relieved some fears and some nerves about the interest rate environment. You said people who were waiting are getting into it now. What changed? They’re running out of patience. It’s just realizing that life goes on, and there are options regardless of how things seem at that moment, and rates seem really high to us because they’ve been so low for so long. I’d love to talk now about your LSU roots and partnerships. Can you tell me what that relationship looks like today? We do a lot of ﬁnancial literacy training for students, for faculty, for staff. We sponsor and support a lot of events on campus and try to stay as plugged into that community as possible. We have ambassador groups on each of those campuses, and they are really telling us what needs we can meet for people who are in the LSU community. They are singing the praises of Campus Federal to their co-workers and to new people that come to campus. They’re really great conduits of information for us to know if something’s going wrong with a product or if there’s something that people don’t like about something that we’re doing. I was reading in Forbes that Gen Z is really starting to use credit unions more so than banks, and this might be par for the course for you guys

BY IANNE SALVOSA

CEO OF CAMPUS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

STAFF PHOTO By PEARL SPURLOCK

CEO Jane Verret has positioned Campus Federal Credit Union ‘near the forefront’ of the financial services industry to find ways to increase efficiency and access to members while being cautious about their investments. said. “Some people view it as a commodity, so positioning yourselves to be unique and to provide a unique service is a difﬁcult challenge.” In this week’s Talking Business, Verret discusses banking industry trends, Campus Federal’s LSU roots and banking with Gen Z. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How have banking standards changed over time? Banking is a complicated business because people expect all the latest and greatest with technology and ease of access and convenience from a digital standpoint, but they also like to have a location close to them where people can be the expert and give them advice. We’ve tried to evolve

both with where we put our physical locations for convenience, and also with the digital technologies. It’s an expensive proposition to do both at the same time. But doing the things we’ve done digitally makes it so much easier, and we’ve really focused on are what technologies are the most important for making our lives easier of our members. Does it make it easier on your employees as well? It does. They have to adapt, of course, to the changes, but it allows them to be those problem solvers when a member comes in. What have you noticed in terms of lending trends? It’s been interesting watching people’s reaction to the rate environment

changing. Are they going to go up? Are they going to go down? Should we wait to make a purchase? I think for a little while, while rates have been a little bit higher, most consumers we’ve seen hold off, and we saw lending kind of pull back a little bit to say, “Oh, I don’t. I’m going to wait. They’re going to come down. Then I’ll buy that house. Then I’ll buy that car. Then I’ll do whatever.” But we’re seeing the people who were waiting now going, “I’m going to get into it now.” We explain to them how they can go ahead and buy that house, get that mortgage and how refinancing in a few years if rates do go down is not that difﬁcult.

since you have the LSU connection. But have you noticed a strengthened need from that demographic? Definitely. That group looks for meaning. The things that the credit union offers that are more based in doing the right thing for people really resonates with that group, and it’s great to see that happening because our ability to gain new members as students come onto campus has greatly changed as things have evolved. Once upon a time when I ﬁrst started at the credit union, we would set up tables in the union every August, and students would come in and open their accounts as part of their cometo-campus process, and then it got to where they don’t need that anymore because they can bank electronically with Mom and Dad’s bank in Kalamazoo, Michigan, or wherever they’re coming from, all across the nation, all across the world. That made it a little more challenging. How do we make them know that they can and should bank with us because we’re right here? Being creative in how we tell our story, making sure our website is good and says who we are and what we offer, has become even more meaningful because they’re looking and they want to bank with someone that has similar values or supports things that they care about. It’s really changed the way we approach that group. Email Ianne Salvosa at ianne.salvosa@ theadvocate.com.

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4E ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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ACROSS THE REGION

Amazon plans third northwest Louisiana data center Shreveport announcement delayed by lawsuits BY LIZ SWAINE Staff writer

Amazon Web Services announced plans to build a third data center in northwest Louisiana, bringing its total investment in the area to $18 billion. The new west Shreveport data center at Resilient Technology Park will join two facilities already under construction: one in Bossier Parish near Benton, the other in Caddo Parish near Blanchard, each costing an estimated $6 billion. “We’re growing here because of our confidence in the region’s infrastructure, workforce and leadership,” said Keith Klein, AWS director of data center supply solutions. The west Shreveport data center was set to be announced in February by Gov. Jeff Landry, along with the other projects. But it was pulled from the event STAFF PHOTOS By JILL PICKETT after a lawsuit filed by three Caddo Parish residents created enough Keith Klein, Amazon Web Services director of data center supply uncertainty to warrant a delay. solutions, speaks during an economic development announcement The three residents claimed the Tuesday at Government Plaza in Shreveport. Amazon is planning a city “violated its constitutional and statutory obligations” when the third data center in northwest Louisiana. The new west Shreveport data City Council voted to overturn the center at Resilient Technology Park will join two facilities already under Metropolitan Planning Commis- construction: one in Bossier Parish near Benton, the other in Caddo sion’s denial of a Special Use Per- Parish near Blanchard, each costing an estimated $6 billion. mit for the proposed data center. Though the lawsuit is still working “We’re growing here because of our confidence in the region’s its way through the courts, AWS infrastructure, workforce and leadership.” was confident enough with the outcome to move forward. KEITH KLEIN, Amazon Web Services director of data center supply solutions “It’s still pending, it’s on appeal,” Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux North Louisiana Economic Partsaid. “We’re just very confident construction jobs will be created, in the result. Of course, it’s their Klein said. nership CEO Justyn Dixon said judgment, it’s their billions of dolThe permanent jobs will be for the permanent jobs will be paying skilled trades like electricians, 150% of the statewide average, or lars.” HVAC, network specialists, engi- $90,000. New center, new numbers “I think that checks the box, and neers, operations managers and that’s what it’s about. It’s about The third campus will add to the security professionals. “These are jobs with competitive jobs, folks,” he said. 250 jobs to the northwest LouisiMore than half the subcontracana AWS jobs total, bringing the pay and comprehensive benefits,” total to 750. An estimated 2,250 said Klein. tor and vendor contracts award-

Matt VanderZanden, CEO of STACK Infrastructure, which is developing the centers for AWS, said ‘this project will pay for and construct all of the infrastructure needed to support the development.’ ed so far had gone to local firms, said Matt VanderZanden, CEO of STACK Infrastructure, which is developing the centers for AWS. Residents of the neighborhoods near Resilient Park have shown up in number at City Hall and community forums to share their concerns publicly. VanderZanden gave a nod to community concerns when he said the firm has reduced the overall development footprint by 14% making sure to preserve more green space and natural buffers around the campus. Documents filed with the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission show plans are for more than a 1 million-square-foot data center and a 104,000-square-foot office building in the 313-acre technology park. “As noted previously, this project will pay for and construct all

of the infrastructure needed to support the development,” said VanderZanden, referencing a variety of water improvements. AWS will cover all expenses for new infrastructure and upgraded needed to power operations at the facility. “We’ve worked closely with SWEPCO to ensure the grid is prepared for future demand, and that the cost of serving our facilities are not passed on to ratepayers,” he said. Dixon said businesses already in northwest Louisiana are uniquely positioned to play a role in data center infrastructure. “We have multiple companies that play in that data center ﬁeld,” Dixon said. “You know, we recruited SLB out to the old GM plant with 600 plus jobs, and they build systems for data centers. We have Fibrebond, just bought by Eaton. They provide power systems for data centers. We have Gordon Inc. We have Module x. These are all companies that right now, you know, work with data centers, so we have a supply network built in already.”

The timeline is tight The construction of the west Shreveport data center is going to be a fast build. “We expect the first building to come up quick by the middle of next year, by mid-2027,” said VanderZanden. All ﬁve buildings will be completed by 2028. Susan Bourgeois, Louisiana Economic Development secretary, said speed to market is what is driving the whole push toward data center construction and the AI industry. “So we at the deBourgeois partment are trying to become, more than anything, making sure that there aren’t barriers in the way of the private sector investing and creating jobs because speed is what matters to them most,” she said.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ 5E

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6E ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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NATION & WORLD

Chuck E. Cheese reinvents itself with a new era of play “If you have not been in a Chuck E. Cheese in the last four years, you have no idea what today’s Chuck E. Cheese is.”

BY ZOE KOLENOVSKY

The Dallas Morning News (TNS)

Everyone knows Chuck E. Cheese. For newly minted CEO Scott Drake, that’s been a blessing and a curse. The Irving, Texas-based kids’ entertainment giant has an undeniably iconic brand identity. The eponymous mouse behind the pizza-and-arcade-games empire has been a household name for decades. And with 550,000 birthday parties a year, the company has a good reason to call itself the “birthday capital of America.” But as Drake likes to say, “If you have not been in a Chuck E. Cheese in the last four years, you have no idea what today’s Chuck E. Cheese is.” That’s because the company has been undergoing a total refresh. It’s invested millions in renovating its hundreds of U.S. locations and has implemented revamped pricing packages designed to meet families where they are. These initiatives are all intended to maximize customer value, and Drake said the company has seen an incredible boost in sales as a result. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Almost seven years ago, Chuck E. Cheese was in the hole. In its annual financial report for fiscal year 2019 (the last time one was filed publicly), Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company CEC Entertainment reported losses of $28 million. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced families to stay home, strangling revenues across industries that relied on in-person customers. The party powerhouse was hit hard. In June 2020, CEC Entertainment filed for bankruptcy. Chuck E. Cheese’s fiscal woes trace back even further than its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. It had been carrying a debt burden of close to $1 billion for years after private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc. took CEC Entertainment private in a leveraged buyout. That debt, first reported at

SCOTT DRAKE, CEO of CEC Entertainment

CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS PHOTO By BRIAN CASSELLA

The animatronic band performs in 2017 at Chuck E Cheese in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. The Irving, Texas-based kids’ entertainment giant has an undeniably iconic brand identity. The eponymous mouse behind the pizzaand-arcade-games empire has been a household name for decades. $998 million in the company’s annual financial filing for fiscal year 2014, had only diminished by $76 million five years later. Drake was no stranger to tricky corporate finances. He’s been balancing the books at major players in the North Texas business scene for decades, having previously led financial planning teams at Farmer Brothers Coffee Co., GameStop and 7-Eleven. “I’m usually that person. I’m coming in, and I’m restructuring,” Drake said. “I’m either peeling off parts that don’t make sense, I’m adding parts that could make sense, or I’m finding cost savings and avenues and all of that kind of creative destruction to save money or make operations better.” But when he got to Chuck E. Cheese, he found that things were already running pretty smoothly.

A huge part of the company’s business is games — Drake says Chuck E. Cheese operates more video games than anyone in the world. And in almost 50 years, it has gotten good at it. There’s a technician based in almost every store to step in when games break down and minimize lost play time, keeping efficiency scores up. Employees are also highly knowledgeable. When Drake was first getting acquainted with the business before taking the job, he visited several locations almost “Undercover Boss”-style to get the lay of the land. Drake came away from his backgrounding with the impression that Chuck E. Cheese’s workforce was talented, tenured and efficient. He also felt that the leadership team was incredibly strong. All in all, Chuck E. Cheese was

presenting a foundation that Drake could work with. But it also meant he had to get creative if he wanted to shore things up even further. Step one was to revamp the brand. As Drake put it, “We’ve got to ﬁx the box before we invite people in.” The company spent $350 million on revamping all its U.S. stores — an investment that was made possible by the debt restructuring in 2020. Much of the focus was on modernizing operations. It did away with physical tickets that kids have to keep track of after they win a game, digitizing the process with Play Passes and Play Bands. It also built large video walls in every store to stream kid-friendly content alongside an interactive dance ﬂoor, making it easier for the team to craft narratives

around a certain party theme or update decor for holiday seasons, while opening an opportunity for partnerships with brands like Kidz Bop and the Harlem Globetrotters. Step two was to drive trafﬁc. As a self-proclaimed “numbers guy,” Drake turned to the data for answers. Throughout the company’s history, customers have tended to visit a Chuck E. Cheese location once or twice a year, on average. Drake immediately saw that building the frequency of those visits would be “an enormous ﬁnancial unlock.” In 2024, the company rolled out new membership models to incentivize families to come more often. It relaunched a revamped summer fun pass, which now gets families two months of unlimited gameplay and visits plus discounted food for $54.99. Previously, the most passes Chuck E. Cheese had ever sold in a year was 75,000. In 2024, it sold over 400,000. Folks are now coming in between 14 and 18 times a year, on average. Drake noted that the company’s traditional customer makes less than $100,000 a year — a cohort that has had less wiggle room in their wallets lately as the rising cost of living eats away at their disposable income. So, Chuck E. Cheese has leaned into being “the treat down the street.” “Normally they would go to the beach for the weekend, or they would go to an amusement park for a few days. They’re like, ‘Hey, we can’t get away and spend those bigger amounts of money, but we want to go do something for the kids,’ ” Drake said. “Chuck E. becomes that getaway.”

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TECHNOLOGY

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 7E

Feeling sick? More people are asking AI what to do BY GIRI VISWANATHAN

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS) While traveling to Portland, Peggy Dahl developed a cough so bad it left her gasping for breath after each bout. Far from her doctor, and with a sneaking suspicion of bronchitis, the Minneapolis resident turned to ChatGPT. This wasn’t the first time she had used the artificial intelligence chatbot as a medical sounding board. During a visit to her daughter in Georgia, the chatbot had correctly flagged symptoms of a urinary tract infection. On the Portland trip, ChatGPT ruled out bronchitis and urged her to find a professional. An X-ray at a nearby urgent care soon confirmed a case of pneumonia. Without ChatGPT, Dahl said, she probably would have delayed getting treatment. “It was really good,” Dahl said. “It just talks to you like your best friend.” Like Dahl, 29% of American adults say they use AI tools or chatbots for health information each month — nearly double the number two years ago, according to June survey data from the health research firm KFF. Medical experts see helpful and harmful outcomes from AI in consumer health. A health chatbot could provide clarity and more individualized guidance to patients. However, early research suggests an overreliance on AI could pose privacy risks or prevent people from seeking care when needed. “There’ve been many technological innovations in healthcare in the last few decades, but this is by far the fastest adoption of anything I’ve seen,” said Dr. Andrew Olson, a physician and professor at the University of Minnesota who has studied artificial intelligence in health care. A decade ago, Olson said, patients were searching for symptoms on Google. Now, he sees AI tools loaded on their personal devices in the exam room. Some of the systems are designed to ex-

GETTy IMAGES PHOTO By OLIVIER MORIN/AFP

Medical experts see helpful and harmful outcomes from artificial intelligence in consumer health. A health chatbot could provide clarity and more individualized guidance to patients. However, early research suggests an overreliance on AI could pose privacy risks or prevent people from seeking care when needed. plain diagnoses, evaluate symptoms and inform patients, so they come to appointments with questions. Tech companies are looking to cash in. Earlier this year, OpenAI and Amazon both launched healthfocused chatbot features for uploading medical records, test results and fitness tracker data. In June, Microsoft announced a partnership with the Mayo Clinic to develop its own health-focused AI product. Those AI models can be “empowering” when they distill dense medical data to provide accurate personalized information, triage new injuries and clarify obscure medical terms, said Martin Michalowski, an AI-focused researcher at the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing.

But he’s wary of the limitations: Models like ChatGPT work by predicting the most likely next words in a sentence based on the texts used to train them, not by holistically generating knowledge about a topic. And he advises patients to be cautious about providing data to a chatbot they might not be comfortable sharing publicly. Besides privacy concerns, the medical results so far have been mixed. One study testing OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health model found it underdiagnosed emergency cases about half the time. Last month, a Florida pastor sued OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT led him to delay care for a critical blood clot in his lungs. Olson shares the concern that patients might blindly trust tools not designed for healthcare. He’s wary of bias in chatbots that agree with

whatever a user suggests, even if it’s not medically accurate. But he’s also optimistic about new uses for AI in the clinic, especially when it can help patients better understand their own health or decide whether to make a long drive to a hospital. “I think we should encourage people to advocate for their own health,” Olson said. “You should look stuff up. And then you should talk about it with your healthcare provider.” When lawyer Marc Berris started feeling brain fog, he thought his clinical depression was getting worse. Swapping antidepressants didn’t change his symptoms, and his primary care doctor was stumped. But an AI tool ﬂagged an important caveat. The 57-year-old from

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suburban Minneapolis had recently seen other specialists who’d prescribed the drug topiramate for weight loss, and they hadn’t warned him that brain fog was a possible side effect. He brought this AI-powered theory to his primary care physician, who helped him swap topiramate for a GLP-1 medication. Soon after, Berris’ brain fog lifted. Since then, he’s used ChatGPT to build workout plans and ﬁnd recipes to manage the nausea that can accompany the drugs. “What I think (AI) is doing is creating more informed patients,” Berris said. “Even if the information that I get through an AI tool is not spot-on, it’s at least getting me to ask the right questions of my providers.” Berris doesn’t think ChatGPT will replace his doctor anytime soon. He still trusts providers with a traditional medical school education over a machine learning model, he said. But other patients are embracing AI to make healthcare decisions. Bryan Hayes, 62, has accumulated a lot of healthcare data over nearly a decade of dabbling in the DIY longevity movement known as biohacking. Before, each test result was locked behind its own patient portal; now he has AI pore over his blood work, MRI results and lung scans together. Hayes used Anthropic’s Claude tool to build his own website, themed after the science fiction novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” where he could upload and store his results. Hayes feeds in new data, and the website uses a Claude-powered agent named “Eddie” to analyze it and provide recommendations. When he brought his AI-generated health report to a cardiologist to obtain a prescription for an uncommon cholesterol medication, he said the physician was intrigued. “In 30 years, he had not ever seen anything quite like that,” Hayes said.

8E ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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PEOPLE IN BUSINESS Staff report South Louisiana businesses and nonproﬁt groups recently announced the following promotions, new hires and resignations.

Baton Rouge Jim Knipe has opened a new law firm named Knipe Law Firm with its office in Baton Rouge. Knipe has more than 20 years of trial and courtroom experience, Knipe practicing criminal defense and personal injury. Ross Talbert has joined Campus Federal Credit Union as chief experience officer. Talbert has more than 17 years of leadership experience in member experience, retail operations, marketing and strategic growth in the

credit union cle management for healthcare providers. industry. He previDr. Gina Wilson joins the Mary ously worked for Kinetic Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington Credit Union as a radioloand Louisiana Federal gist. Talbert Credit Union. Wilson previously New Orleans spent the last seven The New Orleans Foundayears worktion for Francophone Cultures, also Wilson ing in Memcalled the phis, TenNous Foun- nessee, at Baptist Memorial dation, hired Hospital for Women, and Etosha McGee before that, she worked at as its devel- Our Lady of Lourdes Breast opment and Center in Lafayette. programs Acadian ofﬁcer. McGee Ambulance She will be promoted responsible for overseeing Brivan Garcia culture programming and to operaother work that promotes the Cajun, Creole and Indigtions manenous communities. ager, a role McGee is also a co-founder Garcia that includes and vice president at McGee overseeing a and Associates, a consulting team of more than 250 paraﬁrm focused on revenue cy- medics, emergency medical

Fool’s Take: Mmm, mmm ... profits? The Campbell’s Co. (Nasdaq: CPB) fell to a 23-year low this spring in response to disappointing ﬁnancial performance and a reduction in projections. But shaping up to Motley it’s be a compelling Fool high-yield dividend stock for ultralong-term value investors. Strained consumer spending is heavily affecting Campbell’s results, especially in salty snacks. But despite promotions and pricing adjustments, the snacks segment may not turn around anytime soon. The good news is that the meals and beverages segment is holding up better; its decent proﬁt margins are driven in part by growth in Rao’s tomato sauce and in soups and broths that are used as cooking ingredients rather than as stand-alone meals. Campbell’s

is also responding to consumer trends, such as with its new highprotein soups. Campbell’s has said it won’t increase its dividend anytime soon, although it remains committed to the payout. That’s good news, because the stock recently sported a hefty dividend yield of 6.9%. Some investors may prefer to wait to buy Campbell’s until it shows signs that the worst of its slowdown is over. But risk-tolerant investors may want to buy now, given the stock’s compelling valuation — a price-to-earnings ratio of 11 — and dividend income. (The Motley Fool recommends Campbell’s.)

Fool’s School: Debit vs. credit cards If you have debit or credit cards or are considering getting one or the other, read up on their differences and their pros and cons. As you might know, when you pay with a debit card, the payment is taken directly from your

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high credit score to qualify for them. (Note that how you use your credit card(s) can boost or lower that credit score; paying bills on time, for example, can beef up your score.) Some credit cards provide additional warranties or insurance on items you buy beyond what the manufacturer or retailer offers. If you’re concluding that credit cards are the way to go, remember that if they’re not used responsibly, they can leave you deep in debt — and can hurt your credit score, affecting your ﬁnances in other ways. If you’re disciplined, credit cards do offer some compelling upsides. For example, with cards that offer cash back, it’s like getting a small discount on almost everything you buy. To learn more about credit cards, visit the “Personal Finance” nook at fool.com.

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— G.R., Greenville, South Carolina It’s one way to measure a company’s worth. You might think that a company’s market capitalization reﬂects its total value, as it’s the value of all outstanding shares. But what if its market cap is, say, $100 billion, but it’s also carrying $20 billion in debt? If you wanted to buy the whole company, you’d be taking on a lot of debt. The “enterprise value” metric attempts to offer a clearer valuation of the company. It starts with market capitalization, adds preferred equity and then adjusts for total debt relative to cash and cash equivalents. The result is what buying the whole company would actually cost you. On top of the $100 billion you’d need to acquire all common shares, plus other equity, you’d also be on the hook for its $20 billion in debt, so its enterprise value would be at least $120 billion. If it had $5 billion in cash, that could drop what you’d need to $115 billion.

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as it expands its portfolio of research technology, data quality and expert services. Goddard most recently served as head of growth, EMEA at Walr.

Lake Charles Memorial Health System hired Ryan Killebrew to its pediatric intensive care unit. He recently completed his pediatric residency at Baylor Killebrew College of Medicine-San Antonio, and training at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the University of Adam God- Texas Health Science Center. dard has been Beier Integrated Systems hired as vice Do you have personnel made some recent execupresident of changes to share or other sales, EMEA ideas for our business tive changes, including hir- Goddard for Rep Data. coverage? Drop us a line ing Kory Beier as president and He will support the compa- at biztips@theadvocate. CEO. Beier previously owned ny’s growth across Europe com. KID smART, a New Orleans nonproﬁt that focuses on making art accessible to kids, appointed Terrence Sanders-Smith to its board of directors. He is also Sanders-Smith an artist, gallerist and editor-in-chief of Artvoices Magazine, Turnstile Magazine and other publications.

bank account. If the payment exceeds what’s in the account, you could face an overdraft fee. With a credit card, whatever you charge on it is tapping your line of credit. You can pay your monthly credit card bill in full each month (and you should!); if you don’t, interest starts accruing, increasing the balance you owe. Using debit cards doesn’t help you build a credit history or affect your credit score, and they typically offer no rewards. They have no annual fees and no interest rates, but not much fraud protection. They do let you withdraw cash from your bank’s ATMs with no fee. Credit cards, on the other hand, often offer fraud protection, along with rewards in the form of points, miles or cash back. Their interest rates are often quite high — recently averaging nearly 24%, per LendingTree.com — but they generally offer strong fraud protection. Some good credit cards charge annual fees, and you may need a

Y’all see Jan Risher’s new story?

and led Beier Construction, a general contractor, before joining Beier Integrated Systems, a marine engineering and manufacturing company. James Jenniskens was promoted to Jenniskens vice president and chief operating ofﬁcer. He previously worked as the director of projects.

technicians and staff, and service in Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard parishes. Garcia previously worked in a number of roles for Acadian over the last 13 years, including as an EMT and paramedic. Beier

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ 9E

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ONE BIG QUESTION

What nonprofit do you support and why? BY GRACE MAYER

Staff writer

Company executives are often vocal about the corporate milestones they’ve achieved — from reaching higher revenue figures, growing their employee headcount and landing new clients or projects to investing in major expansions. They’re typically more circumspect about discussing the charitable causes and nonprofit organizations they support through financial contributions and volunteer hours — behind-the-scenes work that plays a big role in shaping and reflecting a company’s culture and mission. For this month’s One Big Question feature, we asked business leaders from across south Louisiana: What nonprofit organization or cause does your company support and why? Their answers underscored their commitments to the many worthy FILE PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER organizations doing difficult and Periodically on Sundays, New Orleans artist and musician Nesby Phips has been hosting Reset at Sunset often unglamorous work, and events at Breakwater Park on the lakefront. The focus is on Black mental health, bringing people together to served as a reminder of the valuable role corporate support can watch the sunset, eat, dance and relax, before the start of the week. play in our communities. space to local non- effort as a tremendous way for our The organization also offers Responses have been edited for classes that help students prepare length and clarity. profits around the employees to engage with and give for ACT and SAT tests. country, selected back to their local communities. ANGELICA RIVERA As a board member for the orby the local execuCEO, president and co-founder, ganization, I get to see the numtives working out JARRETT COHEN Colmex Construction, New Orleans of our 200 offices CEO, chief investment officer ber of students we impact each around the country. and founder, JECohen & Co., As a Latina-founded company, I year. There are many kids who go New Orleans Our company’s like to focus my company’s non- through the program who go on to Reilly corporate office profit efforts on graduate from high school and get Our philanthropy at JECohen has also selects one nationwide non- evolved over the years, and lately lifting the Latino into good colleges. We also support YouthForce profit to support each year, which I’ve focused on donating to indicommunity up. We donate to Ecco NOLA, which has an internship in the past has included Dolly Parviduals and comCommunity Cen- program for rising high school se- ton’s Imagination Library and the munity events. Make-A-Wish Foundation. One of the local ter, a nonprofit niors. This year, our company picked events we donate For the last two years, Colmex that supports high to is called Reset at schoolers, first- Construction has hosted interns Ronald McDonald House, which Sunset, led by Nesgeneration college through the program. One of our is receiving free ad space through Rivera students, their par- goals is to expose them to career our company, and several of our by Phips, a local paths in the construction industry. 4,000 employees are participating rapper and artist. ents and immigrants. in volunteer opportunities through Cohen This is a commuThe nonprofit specifically offers the nonprofit’s local operations. programs that help high school- SEAN REILLY nity wellness event Our goal is to help these nonprof- Phips hosts at Lake Pontchartrain ers navigate and apply for college, CEO and president, Lamar scholarships and financial aid, Advertising, Baton Rouge its advertise their initiatives and where anybody in the community which can be especially challengEach year, our company gives missions so they can attract vol- can gather for a free picnic, meet ing for some students due to their away tens of millions of dollars’ unteers, personnel and donations. other people in the community and worth of free advertising billboard We also see this companywide listen to music. immigration status.

For the last two years, he’s hosted the event around six times each year. He creates the vibe, organizes it, sets the date, and he also pays for and provides food from a local chef and security, because the event has grown to include hundreds of attendees. The goal is to promote happiness and wellness. New Orleans is called the Big Easy, but it’s not the easiest place to live, when you think about the infrastructure, the wages, all these things that compound on top of people’s lives. You need to reset with friends and loved ones.

JOHN WOODARD

Vice president, Stirling Properties, Covington

We’ve had a long relationship with Ochsner Health and their leadership, and they’ve consistently been an organization we donate to each year. This year, we’ve committed $50,000 to Ochsner’s annual Moonlight & MiraWoodard cles Gala, which is on par with how much we typically donate to that event each year. We also donate to a number of other health care causes, including the American Cancer Society and Hogs for the Cause, an annual barbecue and music festival that raises money for kids who have pediatric brain cancer. We focus a lot of our giving on these types of causes because we have many employees and family members who have been helped by the work that these nonproﬁts do. Our donations also extend across all the markets we work in. Last year, we donated over $275,000 across all our markets, which includes Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida. This year we’re on track to donate $125,000 in stewardship giving for this year. Email Grace Mayer at grace. mayer@theadvocate.com.

10E ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Why Louisiana? The Risk and Reward Behind a $32 Billion Data Center Push

In less than 18 months, Louisiana has transformed from virtually no hyperscale data center presence to hosting three of the largest projects in the country, led by major digital leaders. A $10 billion campus in Richland Parish,1 a $12 billion investment across Caddo and Bossier Parishes,2 and a $10 billion River Bend facility in West Feliciana Parish1 represent a combined $32 billion commitment that places Louisiana at the center of the national data center boom. Construction is now underway. Developers chose Louisiana for good reasons. The state’s industrial

With conﬁrmed projects now spread across the northwest, northeast

contractors have spent decades building reﬁneries, chemical

and southeast of the state, underwriters are watching how that

plants and LNG facilities — complex, high-stakes work at scale.

geographic concentration accumulates across their books.

This expertise transfers directly to data center construction, and

Power and water draw are legitimate community concerns. Data

it’s a meaningful edge. Louisiana contractors are already building

centers consume both at a scale that strains local grids and utility

data centers across the country because they’re among the best

capacity. Some Louisiana power companies are already planning

at this type of work. Siting a project in the state keeps that talent

upgrades to support the new demand. Longer term, on-site

close, resulting in faster project delivery and tighter cost control.

generation, including small modular reactors, may reduce grid

Site selection also reﬂects a clear-eyed insurance calculation. Two of the three major projects sit in North Louisiana, near the Arkansas border. Locating away from the Gulf Coast hurricane corridor materially changes the underwriting math.

dependency for future builds. These aren’t unsolvable problems. But they need to be part of the project plan from day one.

Building success: What it takes to get it right Done right, projects of this scale bring lasting returns. The tax revenue will ﬂow into Louisiana communities over decades, into

“

These facilities are in North Louisiana because it’s more affordable to secure the coverage and limits required — it’s an insurance decision as much as a location one.

”

Troy Wagener, Area Executive Vice President, Gallagher

education, infrastructure and economic development, well beyond what direct employment from a data center operation alone would deliver. Louisiana moved early in this cycle and secured a strong position. Getting that right starts before ﬁnancing closes, with construction risk, supply chain exposures, power strategy and operational coverage all aligned from day one. That includes parametric triggers for business interruption — coverage that activates without a

The risk picture in Louisiana

physical loss — which matters when a grid failure or supply chain

Louisiana’s broader property and casualty market, by Wagener’s

delay can cost millions before a single claim is ﬁled.

current read, is stable. The insurance market is absorbing an

Gallagher’s Data Center Solutions team works with developers,

unprecedented volume of high-limit construction requests as data

contractors and operators across the full project lifecycle. To

center builds accelerate nationwide. Excess liability and commercial

connect with our Louisiana team, visit AJG.com/louisiana.

automobile liability for contractor ﬂeets — already under pressure in large construction programs — face genuine capacity constraints when a single site is worth $10 billion to $15 billion. In Louisiana speciﬁcally, those pressures are sharper: commercial automobile liability rates for construction rank among the highest in the country, and excess liability capacity for large industrial programs is genuinely constrained. That friction shows up in pricing, deductibles and what carriers will actually put on the table.

Troy Wagener

Area Executive Vice President

Scan the code to connect with us.

Climate perils compound that scrutiny. North Louisiana avoids the worst of the Gulf Coast hurricane corridor, but major storms still push wind and rain well inland. Inland ﬂooding and severe convective storms are live perils across all three project locations.

1“Louisiana’s Growing Data Center Pipeline,” BIZ Magazine, 3 Mar 2026. 2“Amazon Selects Louisiana for $12 Billion Data Center Campuses in Major U.S. Expansion,” Louisiana Economic Development, 23 Feb 2026.

AJG.com/Louisiana | The Gallagher Way. Since 1927.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 1F

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2F ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Announcements Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Alana Leach please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 906-0050. 198188-Aug 22-24, 3t $64.90

ANYONE knowing the whereabouts of any property owner, heir or other related person, in regard to the properties listed below, please contact the East Baton Rouge CityParish, Department of Development – Neighborhood Revitalization Ofﬁce at 225-389-8680. 8034 KINGFISHER AVE JESSEE J DEMER 859 GOOSE ST EDDIE ADAMS BROWN 4449 CANNON ST THE ESTATE OF LEROY L FRANKLIN, SR JOANN H FRANKLIN 4188 MOHICAN ST ONE HUNDRED FOLD II, LLC 5238 WINBOURNE AVE MELISSA A HEATLEY 3247 SHELLEY ST TARRON R AND DENISE JAMES 3128 CHIPEWA ST JOHN T ROBINSON 1021 S 15TH ST EDDIE ROY SPEARS 822 N 28TH ST CAREY L FORD 2427 KAUFMAN ST ANGELA MACHEN 4936 LINDEN ST JAMES A GILMORE, JR 3062 EATON ST NEW FOUNDATION, LLC 1154 N ACADIAN THWY E LOURETTA MILTON 865 N 39TH ST ESTELLA NICHOLAS

3609 CLAYCUT RD JAMES MURRAY WATSON 2237 YAZOO ST JOSEPH WILLIAMS 8227 BAYOU FOUNTAIN AVE PALMETTO 24, LLC NORTHWEST REGISTEREDED AGENT LLC 5763 HARTFORD AVE JESSIE B STEWART 1375 KENNON DR ROY YOUNGBLOOD 3468 RIDGEMONT DR TRAVIS THOMAS 9749 SPIKE RIDGE AVE RHONDA PENNINGTON VIOLA 4588 CORAL DR JAYDEN MARTINEZ 5215 SYCAMORE ST SCHORTEN PLACE, INC C/O ROY HEBERT, CPA 1965 72ND AVE TTDS INVESTMENTS, LLC 2033 CURTIS ST JAMES BYRD JR 9677 JONES ST / 9665 JONES ST JONES STREET REDEVELOPMENT, INC 1150 SHERWOOD FOREST BLVD TRIBE OF MOSES IRREVOCABLE (FOREIGN) SPENDTHRIFT TRUST 1576 SWAN AVE CMG REAL ESTATE FUND, LLC 4987 PACKARD ST LEVI BRADLEY 6150 LOTUS ST THE ESTATE OF MADIE C WRIGHT LANGLEY 9410 GREENWELL SPRINGS RD MOUTAIN PORTFOLIO OWNER LA 2, LLC C/O BLUE OWL REAL ESTATE CAPITAL 2806 EATON ST TAYLOR WILLIAMS 2924 72ND AVE THE ESTATE OF RICHARD R GRADNEY, SR 205 SONORA ST MICHAEL MATROODNEJAD 6833 VAN GOGH AVE MARJOE SANCHEZ HOLMES, SR 3517 CHIPPEWA ST

Join Our Nursing Team For a complete list of opportunities and beneﬁts, visit BRGeneral.org/Careers or call Human Resources for more information at 225-381-6464.

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CAB ENTERPRISES, INC 3874 CHIPPEWA ST AARON ARDOIN 2536 DAYTON ST RICHARD AND GLADYS TAYLOE WALLS 205 TAFT ST LILLIE MAE K EDWARDS 1455 W ROOSEVELT FPH S 16TH ST, LLC 2872 INDIANA ST CHARLES E WILLIAMS TORLIEF ERIC WILLIAMS 7750 GREENWELL SPRINGS RD BUILDERS CENTER, INC C/O GATEWAY PROPERTIES, INC 2956 WASHINGTON AVE THE CHARLES EDWARD HOLLIS SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUST 2738 MICHELLI AVE EARNEST ROBERTSON 1715 N 24TH ST MARY L ALEXANDER 2803 DUKE ST RARE PROPERTIES, LLC 1734 W CATALPA DR CHASITY ROTINA BLAKES 2503 TORREY PINE DR DWAYNE N HINTON, JR 845 ELIZABETH DR THE ESTATE OF ROSE ETHELDA MACLEAN 10723 RED OAK DR RYAN CHASE LOCICERO 905 N 38TH JAMES BERNARD ROBERTSON 9154 REDBUD ST LAURIE ANN MCNEIL 738 N ACADIAN THWY E LILLIAN K GARNER 5241 MONARCH AVE HUGHES CONSULTANT GROUP LLC 425 E BUCHANAN ST VIOLET SCOTT RUSSELL 2816 75TH AVE FELICIA ANN MYLES 4237 PROVOST ST CARY WESTON 2880 PLANK RD ARTHUR G MURRAY 2960 MADISON AVE DAVID J EVERITT 3115 MONROE AVE KELVIN L TURNER 6265 GREENWELL SPRINGS RD ETHEL HARRIS 4265 WOODLAWN AVE CHERRIE R LEWIS 2108 THOMAS RD TOMMIE E SMITH 12844 WARFIELD ST GWENDOLYN FAYE CAGE 2693 VANDERBILT DR GOULD PROPERTIES OF BATON ROUGE, LLC BRIAN E GOULD 1855 KANSAS ST IRMA FUENTES 1847 KANSAS ST EUGENE NILES PRESTLEY 1960 HELM DR KENDALL VONKEITH FONTENOT 786 FAWN LAKE DR SHANDA RENEE TROTTER 6765 AUTUMN AVE FRED MARVIN BUTLER, SR 4582 STEARNS ST FELTON WHICKER 2966 69TH AVE

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ROSA MOORE 2219 70TH AVE ADRIAN J SPURLOCK 4639 EVANGELINE ST DAVID J EVERITT 1984490Aug 22-28, 7t $4,271.62 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Boun Siripanyo please contact Atty Benjamin Beychok at (225) 9060050. 198191-Aug 22-24, 3t $64.90 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Cedric Antonio Williams, Deborah R Williams and Cynthia Williams Wells please contact Benjamin Beychok at (225) 906-0050. 198194-Aug 22-24, 3t $79.60 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Charles Chenier, the Estate of Joseph Chenier, Gladys Lemelle, the Stephanie Lemelle Living Trust and Ronald Stevenson please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 9060050. 198216-Aug 22-24, 3t $96.40

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of DEONTE CRYER (DOB: 12/02/06), please contact attorney at law A.J. Sabine at 255-259-0052 or aj@sabinelawﬁrm.com. 198445-Aug 22-24, 3t $75.40 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Harriet Duncan Ford and Joe Nathan Ford please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 906-0050. 198205-Aug 22-24, 3 $75.40 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Leola Collins, Annie Collins, Charles Edward Collins, Patricia Collins, Melvin Dewayne Collins, Sharon Denise Collins and David Louise Collins please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 906-0050. 198209-Aug 22-24, 3t $75.60 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Mary Patin and the Estate of Joe Johnson please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 906-0050. 198203-Aug 22-24, 3t $77.50

Employment BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Positions Available: * Accounting * Bookkeeper * Account Coordinator * Finance * Payroll Officer * Sales Representatives * Customer Service * Business Admin Representative As part of our ongoing expansion, we are seeking part-time, work-fromhome candidates. The position offers a monthly salary of $1,300, in addition to benefits, and requires minimal time commitment. The role involves just 2-3 hours of internet access per week. Requirements: * Must be computer literate * Must have 2-3 hours of internet access per week * Must be efficient and dedicated Interested candidates may reach out via email at michelle.appliedit@gmail.com for further information GENERAL HELP The Diocese of B.R. Child Nutrition Pro‐ gram is seeking FT school Cafeteria Mgrs., Cooks, & Porters. HS Diploma or Equiv. and BG Check req. Apply at www.cnpbr.org/employment

For Sale: (Crypts) 2 Double Depth, Double Companion Niches(Crypts). Located-Lake Lawn/Metairie. $5500 ea. 757-647-6748 cq5280@aol.com I am interested in purchasing old United States currency. For example, looking for star notes, silver certificates, Series 1928 and Series 1934 notes, etc. Cash upon sale. Call 225-229-5070.

Automotive Auto Dealerships are NOT WELCOME TO CALL ME Gray exterior and interior, turbo eco boost titanium, keyless entry. No dents or dings. No wrecks. Excellent condition. One owner. $19,500.00 985-513-1775 terribird2023@protonmail.com

Reporting you can trust on stories that matter

Merchandise CEMETERY PLOTS 2 Burial Plots in Baton Rouge, Green Oaks Memorial. Sec 17, Lots 146-2 & 146-4, Side by Side. $4300 each, negotiable 803-215-0456.

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Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Ollie Richardson and the Estate of Jessie Richardson Sr please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 9060050. 198196-Aug 22-24, 3t $79.60 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Steven Jerome Gray please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 906-0050. 198199-Aug 22-24, 3t $67 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the Estate of Florence Chambers and the Estate of Peter Chambers please contact Atty. Benjamin Beychok at (225) 906-0050. 198207-Aug 22-24, 3t $83.80

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Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --Public Hearings will be held at Zachary City Hall 4700 Main St. during a regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission meetingMonday, September 14, 2026 – 6:00 pm and the City Council meeting Tuesday – September 22, 2026 - 6:30 pm for the purpose indicated:

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Legal Notices

Petition of Annexation 19900 & 20100 Samuels Road , Zachary, La 70791 Tracts CA-1 & CA-2 of the J.N. Lipscomb Tract, T-4S, R-1-W, Sect 73 & T-5-S, R-1-W, Sects 65 & 88

p p ject to design, construct, and operate a high-qual‐ ity recreational vehicle campground and related amenities. For more in‐ formation go to opportu‐ nitiesinlouisiana.com.

PUBLISH: August 22, 23, 24, of year 2026 198258-aug 22-23-24-3t $54.46 PUBLIC NOTICE --The Louisiana Ofﬁce of State Parks is requesting proposals for a PublicPrivate Partnership pro‐ j d i

192994-jul 2-aug 31-t

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UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA IN RE:

§ § Case No. 26-10678 CROSBY MARINE § SECTION: A 1 § TRANSPORTATION, LLC § Chapter 11 Debtors. § Complex Case § ________________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF BAR DATE FOR FILING PROOFS OF CLAIM TO ASSERT A MARITIME LIEN NOTICE: Your rights may be affected. You should read these papers carefully and discuss them with your attorney, if you have one in this bankruptcy case. If you do not have an attorney, you may wish to consult one. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE on March 23, 2026 (“Original Petition Date”), Crosby Marine Transportation, LLC (“Transportation”), Crosby Tugs, LLC (“Tugs”), Crosby Dredging, LLC (“Dredging”), and Bertucci Contracting Company, L.L.C. (“Bertucci” and collectively, “Original Debtors”), as Debtors in Possession, each filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code thereby commencing these cases (the “Chapter 11 Case(s)”). PLEASE TAKE NOTICE on July 16, 2026, (“Additional Debtor Petition Date”), Crosby Inshore Marine Services, LLC, Crosby Marine Repair, L.L.C., Crosby Offshore Marine Service, LLC, Kurt Crosby, LLC, Tala Marine, LLC, Webb Crosby, LLC, Crosby Inland Marine, LLC, Crosby Real Estate, LLC, Tala Real Estate, LLC, and Crosby Enterprises, L.L.C. (the “Additional Debtors” and together with the Original Debtors, the “Debtors”), as Debtors in Possession also filed for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, commencing the Additional Debtors’ chapter 11 cases. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE on August 5, 2026, (“Additional Debtor Petition Date”), Susan Marie, LLC; Vinton Crosby, LLC; Tara Crosby, LLC; and Crosby & Son Towing, LLC (the “Additional Debtors” and together with the Original Debtors, the “Debtors”), as Debtors in Possession also filed for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, commencing the Additional Debtors’ chapter 11 cases. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Court previously set July 30, 2026, (the “Original Bar Date”) as the deadline for any person or entity that holds a claim against the Original Debtors as of the Petition Date (referred to as “Creditor” or “Creditors”) to file a Proof of Claim as modified by the Order establishing the Original Bar Date. The Original Bar Date applies only to those Creditors who are not listed in the Original Debtors’ Schedules, unless such Creditor asserts a lien (other than preferred ship mortgage) under the Commercial Instrument and Maritime Lien Act (46 U.S.C. §§ 13101–13143 (“CIMLA”) against an asset owned by an Original Debtor, or whose claim is scheduled as contingent, disputed,

Legal Notices

or unliquidated. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Court has set August 31, 2026 (the “Additional Bar Date”) as the deadline for any person or entity that asserts a lien (a “Maritime Lien”) (other than preferred ship mortgage) under the Commercial Instrument and Maritime Lien Act (46 U.S.C. §§ 13101–13143 (“CIMLA”) against a vessel owned by an Additional Debtor as of the Petition Date (referred to as “Creditor” or “Creditors”) to file a Proof of Claim as modified by the Order establishing the Additional Bar Date. The Additional Bar Date applies only to those Creditors who assert a Maritime Lien against an Additional Debtor’s vessel. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that if you previously filed a proof of claim against an Original Debtor and are now asserting a lien against an Additional Debtor’s vessel, you must file an additional proof of claim and identify the information above. Further information, including how to file a Proof of Claim and all forms and attachments, is available at https://cases.stretto.com/ crosby/file-a-claim/. The website also contains a copy of the Order approving this Notice. IF YOU ARE NOT ASSERTING A MARITIME LIEN, THIS NOTICE DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU. _____________________________ The Court entered an Order directing joint administration of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Crosby Marine Transportation, LLC [No. 2610678], as lead case, with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of (i) Crosby Tugs, L.L.C. [No. 26-10679], (ii) Crosby Dredging, LLC [No. 26-10678], and (iii) Bertucci Contracting Company, L.L.C. [No. 26-10681], on March 24, 2026, [No. 26-10678, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-10679, ECF Doc. 4; No. 26-10680, ECF Doc. 4; No. 26-10681, ECF Doc. 4]. The Court entered an Order directing joint administration of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Crosby Marine Transportation, LLC [No. 26-10678], as lead case, with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of (i) Crosby Inshore Marine Service, L.L.C. [No. 26-11734], (ii) Crosby Marine Repair, L.L.C. [No. 26-11735], (iii) Crosby Offshore Marine Service, L.L.C. [No. 26-11736], (iv) Kurt Crosby, L.L.C. [No. 26-11737], (v) Tala Marine, L.L.C. [No. 26-11738], (vi) Webb Crosby, L.L.C. [No. 26-11739], (vii) Crosby Inland Marine, LLC [No. 26-11740], (viii) Crosby Real Estate, LLC [No. 26-11741], (ix) Tala Real Estate, LLC [No. 26-11742], and (x) Crosby Enterprises, L.L.C. [No. 2611743], on July 21, 2026. [No. 26-10678, ECF Doc. 663; No. 26-11734, ECF Doc. 10; No. 26-11735, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-11736, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-11737, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-11738, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-11739, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-11740, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-11741, ECF Doc. 9; No. 2611742, ECF Doc. 9; No. 26-11743, ECF Doc. 9].

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HEALTH

LOUISIANA

N O L A.C O M & T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

S U N D AY, AU g U S t 23, 2026

Molly Kimball 1 1N

A1C test tells us more than glucose level Dr. Curtis Chastain, a boardcertiﬁed internist practicing at FMOL Health in Baton Rouge, joins this occasional series of columns from Louisiana doctors sharing topics for patients of all ages, including prevention, wellness tips and everyday strategies to help people stay healthy.

STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Stella Furby, right, and her mother, Erin, talk about a dress that would help conceal Stella’s differing shoulder heights caused by spinal curvature. The walker Stella used during recovery from the spinal fusion surgery she had last year stands nearby.

ON THE ROAD TO HEALING

How one La. teenager decided to have surgery for a curved spine — and what happened next BY MARGARET DELANEY

Staff writer

Stella Furby’s back pains and aches started when she was 13. In her annual checkup before another season of school sports began, her primary physician in Lafayette noticed curves in her back and ordered Xrays immediately. Her long limbs made her a great swimmer, according to her mom, Erin Furby. “I just thought it was swimming aches and pains,” her mom said. “I just thought her body was tired from all the swim meets. I feel terrible that we didn’t notice it.” At that point, when Stella bent over, there was already a visible hump on her back. When she sat up straight, as much as she

was able, her shoulders settled at different heights. The scans of her spine showed a complete curve from the neck down, an Scurve. Scoliosis is diagnosed if there is greater than a 10-degree curve of the spine in the coronal plane, or the perspective when facing another person or patient head on. Stella’s spine curved from 18 degrees to the right at the top of her spine, 43 degrees to the left at the center of her spine and 52 degrees to the right at the bottom of her spine. “We don’t really know why this occurs,” said Dr. Patrick Farmer, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Ochsner Health and Stella’s doctor.

ä See SPINE, page 2X

PROVIDED PHOTO

Stella Furby, center, recovers in the hospital after her spinal fusion surgery in 2025. Her mother, Erin, is behind her.

A patient came in for his annual checkup feeling ﬁne. No complaints. No symptoms. Just the kind of man who shows up every year because he knows he should. DR. His fasting gluCURTIS CHASTAIN cose came back at 114. That’s not DOCTOR SAyS normal, but it’s not diabetic either. It falls in that uncomfortable middle ground where many people get mislabeled and leave the ofﬁce with a diagnosis they may not actually have. So I ordered a different test, one most people have heard of but few truly understand: the hemoglobin A1C. Here’s the part that matters. Your red blood cells live for about 120 days, and sugar in your bloodstream attaches to their surface as they circulate. The more sugar present, the more sugar attaches. An A1C test measures exactly that — how much sugar has been riding along on your red blood cells over the past four months. Think of it like investing. If a stock is trading at $35 today, is that a good price? You have no idea without context. It could be up from $20 last month, or down from $60. A smart investor doesn’t make decisions based on a single day’s price. They look at the 90-day trailing average — the trend, not the snapshot. That’s exactly what an A1C does for your blood sugar. A single fasting glucose reading is one moment in time. It’s affected by many variables like stress, poor sleep, or even the coffee you had on the way to the lab. It tells you what your blood sugar was doing at 7:42 on a Tuesday morning. Nothing more. The A1C tells you what your blood sugar has been doing for the past four months. You cannot cheat it with one good morning. You cannot fool it by skipping breakfast. It sees through all of it. My patient’s A1C came back at 5.4. That’s completely normal. The elevated fasting glucose was simply noise, not disease. He didn’t have diabetes. He didn’t have prediabetes. He had one borderline number

ä See DOCTOR, page 2X

Louisiana strong. Ochsner proud. ochsner.org Bo and Brett Bordelon | Ochsner Patients

2X ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Exercise, good music, conversation set healthy example Group at Metairie yMCA aims to stay ‘Fit 4 Life’

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

Three mornings a week, eight exercisers lay out black yoga mats in a circle in a mirrored exercise room at the YMCA in Metairie. They place long-backed chairs at their individual setups along with tension bands that will go around their ankles, knees and thighs throughout a 50-minute workout class. Stretches begin promptly at 6:30 a.m. with Patt Smith 73, giving instruction over chatter about many things: the parking woes at doctors’ ofﬁces. A particularly harrowing display at church the previous Sunday in which a churchgoer fainted and got blood on the altar’s newly-installed carpet. The latest New York Times Wordle solutions. And a long, thoughtful consideration about the right word for someone who speaks multiple languages. It’s a polyglot, said Linda Walker, solving it for the group. “The boys like to chat all the way through class,” said Walker, 72. “It helps us get through it.” Walker taught high school science for 27 years in Jefferson and St. Charles parishes. In her retirement, she worked in the advocacy center for nursing homes in New Orleans. Now she’s a member of three gyms in the city and never misses a workout day. “I do something every day,” Walker said. “I like the workout. I like the people.” The need to continuously exercise as the body ages is no myth. Some form, any form, of daily movement is key to staving off both physical and mental issues

STAFF PHOTO By MARGARET DeLANEy

Linda Walker stretches using a chair in a 6:30 a.m. Fit 4 Life class at the yMCA in Metairie. that come with getting older. “Study after study after study shows that humans need to be active,” said Dr. Andrew Gottschalk, a primary care sports medicine physician at Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute. “At what age does that go away? It doesn’t.” Physical and strength decline naturally starts around age 35, but working out at any age slows this loss. Data shows that adults doubling or tripling moderate exercise recommendations, between 300 to 599 minutes weekly, lowers mortality risk by 26% to 31%, according to a 2024 study in the

American Medical Association. This class at the Y is just one example of how to do that. Building and maintaining muscle mass helps the body continue to move. Learning knew workout skills activates the brain and staves off dementia. Stretching and holding poses increases and sustains balance. “It also feels good,” Gottschalk said. “There is this positive feedback loop where we’re doing the body good. We’re increasing longevity, and not just how long you live, but the quality of that life.” While listening to The Beatles, Smith walks the Fit 4 Life class through toe-taps from left to right,

years,” one class-goer said. “That’s not nearly as long as some others here.” Carl Batura once led the class himself from 1989 to 2000 at the original YMCA location behind East Jefferson Hospital. When the Y didn’t have a home for a few years, Carl Baturataught the class at Lafreniere Park in Metairie. “I’d bring my boombox. There was mostly men in the class then, but it was the same kind of class,” Batura said. “(Patt’s) a good instructor, takes a lot of time to show new people how it goes.” He just completed renovation of an in-house recording studio featuring an 83-inch television and a pair of khaki-colored recliners after a ﬂood destroyed everything but the walls in his former ofﬁce. On the side, Batura records himself reading novels, news clips and magazines for WRBH Reading Radio, a 24/7 station for the blind and hearing impaired. While setting up his new suite, a member of his family accidentally dropped a drill on his foot. “I fell, but I saved the wine,” he said. “All the balance work in this room came to fruition.” Smith took over the classes at the Y 15 years ago and since then, the crew have formed a routine tradition that matches their workouts to their playlists: n Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. they listen to soft rock while working on their core strength. n Thursdays at 6:30 a.m. they listen to The Beatles and stretch their joints. n And Fridays at 6:15 a.m., they listen to hard rock while strength training with weights. “I’m more fit than I would be without it,” Batura said. “I came for the balance exercises, I stayed for The Beatles.”

stepping sideways in a lunge around the room with a resistance band around the upper thighs, squats over long-backed chairs for support, leg raises and stretches, full-body sit-ups, varying straightarm and elbow planks for two minutes and calf raises. “The calves are the second heart of the body,” she said. “It’s the way the blood gets to the lower half of the body.” Many have been repeat customers to Smith strengthening session over the decades at the YMCA, although she teaches 19 classes each Email Margaret DeLaney at week in the New Orleans area. margaret.delaney@theadvocate. “I’ve been coming for eight com.

SPINE

DOCTOR

“We’re pretty convinced that there’s a genetic component to (scoliosis) because it does tend to run in families.” This all started after Stella grew 41/ 2 inches in one year. Growth spurts, especially quick ones, are often the trigger for scoliosis to become visible, according to Farmer. “We hope that it gets noticed after growth spurts in the primary care ofﬁce because usually at that point it’s not so bad that we can start treating it non-operatively,” Farmer said.

on one morning that, without the A1C, might have followed him into his medical record for years. This distinction matters more than people realize. In many ofﬁces, a single elevated fasting glucose gets stamped as “prediabetic” without any conﬁrmatory tests. Patients leave with a label, and sometimes a prescription that they don’t actually need. That label affects how they’re coded in insurance systems, how they’re rated by life insurance companies and the conversations that happen at every future appointment. More importantly, it affects how patients see themselves. One number almost changed my patient’s morning. But the A1C told the truth. If your fasting glucose ever comes back borderline, ask your doctor about checking your A1C before accepting any diagnosis. The single blood glucose rarely tells the whole story. But the trend always does.

Continued from page 1X

Choosing surgery Scoliosis is a 3D deformity of the spine that does not simply affect the spine from front to back or side to side. There’s a rotational piece to it as well. Treatments for scoliosis largely depend on severity of the curvature and the age of the patient. Curves under 20 degrees are typically monitored for both progress and pain. The ﬁrst step for most patients with curves between 20 and 45 degrees is to wear a brace. These braces are typically worn up 23 hours a day to physically correct the curve of the spine. For Stella, now 17, it was unbearable. “There was a little heat sensor (on the brace) so they could tell if I was wearing it,” she said. “But I never wore it.” Little black hash marks on the straps of the brace indicated how tight it needs to be to progress in her treatment. The brace sat underneath her chest and had a hole on one side where her rib “was completely sticking out,” Furby said. “Her ribs had nowhere to go.” Her smushed rib cage impacted how much the caged bones could grow as well as the development of her lung. Stella was often shortwinded as a result, and could not walk Cookie, her chocolate Maltese. “It felt like torture,” she said. For severe cases, with scoliosis curves over 45 degrees, surgical interventions are highly considered. “Those studies have been done. Those studies demonstrate that curves over 45 degrees typically get worse as someone gets older, usually at about a half a degree to a degree per year,” Farmer said. “The general feeling is that if we take care of those curves at a younger age at a smaller curve magnitude. One, we’re preventing progression. Two, we’re hopefully providing folks with a better quality of life as they get older.” Stella was more than eager to get in line for surgery. Her sloped shoulders had become an insecurity. Her mom

STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Stella Furby and her mother, Erin, talk about Stella’s recovery at their home following spinal fusion surgery in Lafayette.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Stella holds her dog Cookie. The Furbys show the back brace Stella wore before her spinal fusion surgery. had started to sew alternate strap lengths for dresses to homecomings and dances. “I always wanted the surgery,” Stella said. “I knew it was the only thing to make me really conﬁdent, feel better, at 100%. There was nothing else I thought would make me feel better in life than ﬁxing what was my biggest insecurity at the time.” Last year, Stella had spinal fusion surgery. Lasting 10 hours, it connected the vertebrae in her spine with two titanium rods and 21 screws.

appointments to help her regain mobility, like tying her shoes and carrying a backpack between classes. While she’s not back in the water swimming competitively, Stella is preparing for prom and a few more dances this year, with lots of dresses that show off her shoulders. “They all fit beautifully,” Furby said. “Her confidence is something that you can’t put a price on. As much as you want your daughters to have great confidence, it really has to come from them.”

She made TikToks while she was in the hospital recovering. “She found humor in the silliest things, like trying to take her hands off the walker,” Furby said. Stella came home from the hospital after four days, recovering in her father’s recliner, covered in blankets and pillows watching and rewatching her favorite movies (“The Bee Movie” and “White Chicks”) while cuddling Cookie. Now that her spine is “one big bone,” Farmer said, Stella is navi- Email Margaret DeLaney at gating her ﬁnal year of high school margaret.delaney@theadvocate. with afterschool physical therapy com.

The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state. This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and re-examining tried and true methods on ways to live well. Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana. Do you have a health story? We want to hear from you. Email margaret. delaney@theadvocate. com to submit health questions, stories and more.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Sunday,August 23, 2026 ■ 3X

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Eat Fit Live Fit

Molly Kimball RD, CSSD

B R O U G H T TO YO U BY

– Eat Fit Inspiring Stories – From Oaxaca to Louisiana: Chef Gabriel Balderas cooks with intention

alk into one of Chef Gabriel Balderas’ restaurants and everything feels natural, almost effortless. The spaces are warm and beautifully designed. The food is thoughtful without feeling fussy. Conversations aren’t rushed. Neither are the meals. Everything simply feels ... right. Spend a little time talking with Chef Gabriel, though, and you begin to realize none of it happened by accident. “There has to be a reason,” he said during a recent conversation for the FUELED Wellness + Nutrition podcast. “There has to be a need. We have to have a greater motive.” This philosophy touches every decision he makes.

A Childhood Surrounded by Food

Gabriel grew up in the rainforest of Oaxaca, Mexico (pronounced wah-HAHkah), where his childhood playground was also a pantry. “I grew up climbing guava trees, mango trees, tamarind trees and getting avocados and oranges,” he said. “Everybody prepares their own food. They process their own ingredients. So that was my upbringing.” Oaxaca is known for its extraordinary biodiversity and heirloom ingredients, including corn, beans, cacao, peppers and vanilla varieties that families have continued growing for generations. Gabriel calls it “the cradle of food.” “For me, as someone who cooks, who has a passion for ingredients and traceability of ingredients — where my food comes from — that’s paradise.”

full conversation. “It was an adjustment period,” he said. “I think everybody goes through a culture shock.” He began working in restaurant kitchens around age 17, first in Nashville, Tennessee and later in Birmingham, Alabama. The restaurants became more than a career. They became the place where he learned a new language, sharpened his craft and met the woman who would become his wife, Brooke. He worked in the kitchen. Brooke supervised the front of the house. “At first, we didn’t really get along,” he said with a laugh. Gabriel described restaurant culture at the time often meant the front and back of the house blamed one another when things went wrong. “The front of the house would say, ‘You guys are so slow.’ We’d say, ‘Your people make a lot of mistakes.’” Somewhere along the way, those debates became conversations. A year later, they were married. Today, Brooke is his business partner as well as his wife. Her influence is woven throughout the design and feel of their restaurants.

Why Shreveport?

Gabriel was preparing to move to New Orleans to help lead the kitchen of another restaurant with the company – but Katrina

Building a Life in a New Place

At 16, Gabriel moved to the United States with his older brother. He knew basic English, but not enough to hold a

changed those plans and he was sent to Shreveport instead. He stayed in Shreveport and within 18 years, he and Brooke raised four children, built two acclaimed restaurants and became deeply invested in the community. Earlier this year, Gabriel returned to Oaxaca to open his third restaurant, Papalotl (pah-pah-LOHTL), which means “butterfly.” Alongside the restaurant is something less familiar to most Americans — a food lab, what he first described as a “center of origin.” It’s where ingredients are transformed so every part has a purpose. “We have the idea of utilizing 100% of the ingredients, not having any waste,” he said. An orange becomes juice, pulp, citrus oil and eventually citrus salt. Native cacao becomes chocolate, drinks, savory dishes and more. Even the reclaimed wood tables in his restaurants, many hand-built by Gabriel and his team, reflect the same philosophy. “We’re intentional with the things we make.”

Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, is a registered dietitian with Ochsner Health and founder of Ochsner’s Eat Fit nonproﬁt initiative. For more wellness content, tune in to Molly’s podcast, FUELED Wellness + Nutrition, and follow @MollykimballRD and @EatFitOchsner on social media. Email nutrition@ochsner.org to connect with Molly or schedule a consult with her team.

Brittany Strickland Photography

The Lesson Behind the Experience

Talking with Balderas always leaves me thinking about how often we mistake something that feels effortless for something that came easily. Whether it’s a remarkable meal, a beautiful space, a meaningful career or a strong relationship, the things that feel most natural are often the result of countless thoughtful decisions no one else ever sees. To hear the full interview with Chef Gabriel Balderas, tune in to Molly’s podcast, FUELED Wellness + Nutrition.

BY THE NUMBERS

NEARLy 2 OUT OF 3 KIDS REGULARLy CONSUME CAFFEINE Between August 2021 and August 2023, 62.6% of youth consumed caffeine on a given day. The top five sources of caffeine consumed by youth included both food and beverage items, including sweet bakery products and soda, according to data released in July from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caffeine consumption in youth can disrupt sleep patterns and habits, increase

levels of added sugar and affect growing cardiovascular systems. On average,American children consumed 19.4 mg of caffeine on a given day, with the mean intakes increasing with age: 5 mg for ages 2 to 5; 12 mg for ages 6 to 11; and 30.7 mg for ages 12 to 19, according to CDC data. Caffeinated products are increasingly available to youth while guidelines for safe levels of caffeine

intake are based on adults. age group. The American Academy For children ages 2 to 11, of Pediatrics discourages sweet bakery products were caffeine consumption for kids. the top sources of caffeine However, Canada does have at 28.1% of total caffeine some basic guidelines.They intake, followed by flavored recommend the following milk (17.4%), candy (16.3%), daily limits on caffeine: soda (11.7%) and tea Ages 4 to 6: 45 mg, about a (9.6%). half cup of coffee; Among youth ages 12 to Ages 7 to 9: 62.5 mg; 19, soda (20.3%) and sweet Ages 10 to 12: 85 mg; bakery products (19.1%) and adolescents: 85 to 100 were the top sources of mg. caffeine, followed by tea The top sources of caffeine (14.6%), coffee (14.0%) and consumed by youth varied by candy (10.7%).

Caffeine consumption The mean caffeine intake on a given day among youth ages 2 to 19 in the U.S. from August 2021 to August 2023:

IN MILLIGRAMS

30.7 19.4

12 5 Ages 2 Ages 6 Ages 12 Total to 5 to 11 to 19 (avg.) Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Staff graphic

Study: Threat of mold-associated illnesses may be underappreciated BY MIKE STOBBE Associated Press

NEW YORK — A first-of-its-kind U.S. study suggests invasive mold infections may be an underappreciated — and potentially deadly — threat. The researchers detected about 450 cases in Atlanta-area hospitals over five years. About a third of the patients died in the hospital. The findings, published this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, come from an attempt to better gauge how common these kinds of illnesses are. The government does not require doctors to report the illnesses. “It’s kind of the first time we’ve had an estimate like this,” said the CDC’s Dr. Jeremy Gold, the study’s senior author. And it’s important to understand it now, because the problem may grow in the future, he added. Mold exposure is a recurring problem in the wake of hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters influenced by climate change, researchers have found.

“I agree that the frequency of fungal infections will likely increase with climate change,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jenks, an infectious disease researcher at Duke University. Meanwhile, there’s a growing population of older people who are more susceptible to such illnesses, Gold said. Invasive mold diseases are rare infections caused by certain species. Most people who get infected inhale mold spores, but they can also enter the body through cuts or wounds or from contaminated medical equipment. The spores don’t cause health problems for most people, but they can be life-threatening to some, including the elderly, cancer patients and others with weakened immune systems. Previously, CDC researchers ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON estimated more than 15,000 hos- Mold grows in 2007 on the walls of a home damaged by the floodwaters pitalizations a year could be tied from Hurricane Katrina in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. to invasive mold disease. To better understand how common cases might be at a local ics to look for potential cases from nowed the number down to about level, the research team worked 2020 to 2024. 450 by ruling out patients who with four Atlanta-area hospitals They initially identiﬁed nearly may have had signs of exposure and their afﬁliated outpatient clin- 1,000 potential cases, but win- but didn’t qualify as having inva-

sive mold disease. The researchers found that hospitals can expect to see 3 to 5 cases per year for every 100 inpatient beds. The rates were higher at larger academic hospitals that tend to see more complicated illnesses. Most patients had impaired immune systems or — in a number of cases — were weakened after falling sick from COVID-19. Mold exposures can occur in hospitals or other healthcare facilities, but the study did not try to determine where each patient was ﬁrst exposed, Gold said. It’s hard to generalize what was seen in the Atlanta area to other parts of the country where mold may be more or less of a problem, he said. But it should give hospital administrators at least a rough idea about whether the number of cases they see is what might be expected or whether it’s an outbreak, Gold added. Jenks called the study’s findings “valuable,” but said “seeing results from similar studies done in different parts of the United States would be helpful.”

4X ■ Sunday, August 23, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Louisiana strong. Ochsner proud.

Bo and Brett Bordelon | Ochsner Patients

Louisiana is built on strong families, strong communities and people who show up for one another. That’s something we’re proud to be part of every day. At Ochsner, we’re honored to care for generations of Louisianans—helping them stay healthy, pursue their passions and keep doing what they love. We’re proud to care for the people who make Louisiana home. Learn more at ochsner.org

SUNDAY, AUgUSt 23, 2026

CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley

SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr.

GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne

ROSEBUDS / by Supr Dee

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters

ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson

SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe

ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE / by Stephan Pastis

wonderword

scrabble grams

word game

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

instructions: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters 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 words are not allowed.

For more information on tournaments and clubs, email NASPA – North American SCRABBLE Players Association: info@scrabbleplayers.org. Visit our website: www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzle inquiries contact scrgrams@gmail.com. Hasbro and its logo SCRABBLE associated logo, the design of the distinctive SCRABBLE brand game card, and the distinctive letter tile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in the United States and Canada. ©2026 Hasbro. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

cryptoquote AxyDLBAAxR iS LONgFELLOW One letter stands for another. in this sample, A is used for the three L’s, x for the two O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of the words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different.

AnsWers to ALL PuZZLes Are on inside BAcK PAGe

todAY's Word — neuritis: nu-RYE-tis: Inflammation of a nerve. Average mark 44 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 58 or more words in NEURITIS?

Sudoku

ken ken instructions: 1 - Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 - The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 - Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

instructions: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

hidato directions: Complete the grid so that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

AnsWers to ALL PuZZLes Are on inside BAcK PAGe

Los angeLes Times sunday Crossword puzzLe — Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis “generaTion X” By yiJing CHen aCross 1 Purple or green herb 6 Discovery org. 10 “Bye-bye!” 15 Electronic music duo __ Punk 19 Skybox setting 20 North __ Sea: Kazakh lake 21 Finnish tech giant 22 Finnish currency 23 Cowboy boots, saddles, etc.? 25 Linen-lined outerwear? 27 Feed adequately 28 Drama produced in a recording studio 30 Birds associated with the Egyptian god Thoth 31 Part of BTW 33 South, south of the border 34 Broccoli part 35 Child’s complaint to Father Time? 42 “So helpful!” 46 Wee bits 47 Backless slippers 48 “Pretentious? __?” 49 Roman moon goddess 50 Get ready 51 Entourage 52 Transparent layer in the eye 55 Swine 56 Unit of corn 57 “I need to install brighter lights later”? 60 Reacted to a chill 62 Fragrant chain 63 Unwanted giveaway? 64 D-backs, in box scores 65 Not in favor 69 Printer supply 70 West Indies

country also known as the “Island of Spice” 74 Produce, as an egg 75 “Unfortunately, yes” 80 Common finds in a salmon smokehouse? 84 Mender’s target 85 Furisode sash 86 Field with a trolley problem 87 Decided 88 Window shade 89 Howler with four legs and teeth 91 Having four sharps 92 Bad look 93 Start of a religious title 94 In hot water? 97 Country known for its devotion to a General Mills cereal? 99 Currency of Vietnam 100 Kung __ tofu 101 Sargasso Sea fish 102 Bert’s favorite bird, on “Sesame Street” 105 Doozy 110 Icelandic saga 114 Charon? 116 High-strung Latin ruler? 118 Father 119 All fired up 120 “Can’t argue with that” 121 Comic-Con event 122 Name in a Chinese American dish 123 Superhero who says, “For the honor of Grayskull!” 124 Some tennis shots 125 Gave one’s word down 1 Softball clubs

2 Geographic region 3 Exchange heated words? 4 Certain closeup 5 Cantopop star Andy 6 Cabbage variety called “big white vegetable” in Chinese 7 Three-time AL MVP in the 2000s 8 South Asian wrap 9 Palo __, California 10 Mass arrival 11 Grinding tooth 12 “All right” 13 Jam 14 Dish served in a sizzling skillet 15 __ point 16 Arctic seabirds 17 Available for a meeting 18 Kiddos 24 Grade before grades, for short 26 Lie for, say 29 Trident-shaped letters 32 Possesses 34 Waxes, maybe 35 “Holy cannoli!” 36 Marine Corps cry 37 Ultrasound targets 38 Be theatrical 39 Can’t-miss activity 40 Otherwise 41 Oracle 42 Like favorite jeans 43 Schoolkid 44 “One Piece” medium 45 Pilsner, for one 48 Pluck 51 Green gem 52 Stage signals

53 Like last month’s deals 54 Discordant, musically 57 Badger 58 Fallingwater architect Frank __ Wright 59 Polynesian carving 61 Converse rival 66 Spot 67 Chef’s collection 68 Speedy fish

goren Bridge

70 Exhibits brilliance 71 K9 of “Doctor Who,” for one 72 Cast out 73 Like postmarathon muscles 76 French brother 77 “This is not a __!” 78 Exodus mount 79 Eye-related 81 Mattress choice 82 Fillet’s lack

wuzzLes

83 Peak 88 Cutter with four legs and teeth 90 Ships overnight, in a way 92 Wearing 47-Across, perhaps 93 Expected 95 [And it’s gone!] 96 Some belly buttons 97 GoPro product 98 Spanish “but”

100 Less polluted 102 Furtive “C’mere!” 103 “For real?” 104 Greek wrap 105 Mammoth 106 Like some LAX flights 107 Roman emperor after Claudius 108 Wormlike larva 109 Holiday precursors 111 James Bond’s first movie foe

112 Trail cam regular 113 Soap Box Derby rod 115 Cry of exasperation 117 __ and downs

super Quiz

Careful timing

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

North had a terrible problem in the auction. His partner had shown a preference for hearts over spades, but he had not promised any high cards, or any particular length in hearts. North bravely gambled and bid a slam. South had a reasonable hand and the slam had play, but it required careful handling. Declarer must anticipate bad splits after an opponent pre-empts. If the trumps split 4-0, South would need a 3-2 split in spades. A 5-0 spade split can probably not be handled, but there are chances against a 4-1 split. South ruffed the opening club lead in dummy and tested the trumps by cashing the ace. When both opponents followed suit, South cashed the ace of spades and led a diamond to his ace. He led his remaining spade toward the dummy. West could not gain by ruffing, so he discarded a club. Dummy’s king of spades won the trick and South then ruffed a spade with the queen of hearts! Had he ruffed with the nine, West could have over-ruffed and led another heart, leaving South a trick short. South ruffed a diamond in dummy and now ruffed

SUBJECT: CANADA (Example: How many provinces are there in Canada? Answer: 10.) FRESHMAN LEVEL 1. What is the capital city of Canada? Answer________ 2. Which province has the most people? Answer________ 3. What is at the center of the Canadian flag? Answer________ 4. What three oceans border on Canada? Answer________ 5. What is the most populous city in Canada? Answer________

a spade with the nine of hearts. West over-ruffed and led a club, but the spades were now established. South ruffed in dummy, drew the last trump, and claimed his slam. Good work! Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny. 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2026 Tribune Content Agency

ANSWERS TO ALL PUZZLES ARE ON NEXT PAGE

GRADUATE LEVEL 6. Name the only country larger than Canada by area. Answer________ 7. What is the national anthem? Answer________ 8. Canada’s government is not headed by a presi-

dent but by a _____. Answer________ 9. In addition to its provinces, Canada has three _____. Answer________ 10. What is Canada’s smallest province? Answer________ PH.D. LEVEL 11. Who was the first prime minister of Canada? Answer________ 12. For what does “NAFTA” stand? Answer________ 13. What is the name of the one major league baseball team in Canada? Answer________ 14. Which province extends farthest to the east? Answer________ 15. What is the name of the large island off the coast of British Columbia? Answer________

zodiaC VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Pay attention to detail, and engage in activities that enrich your life. An active lifestyle will lead to better choices, less stress and fewer illnesses. Spend more time and effort doing the pastimes you enjoy most. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Move forward cautiously. The right move will lead to happiness and prosperity; the wrong one will lead to regret. You’ve got time to do your research, so don’t let anyone pressure you into taking a leap of faith. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Divvy up what’s on your agenda, and rearrange your plans to ensure you

get time for self-care. Taking care of matters that reduce stress will make you aware of what’s best for you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put more time and effort into your home, relationships and learning how you can improve your life and daily routine. A chance to network will help you recognize an opportunity you didn’t realize was feasible. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Pay attention to detail when dealing with money, health and contracts, and you’ll figure out how to maintain a budget and enjoy what life has to offer. Be patient.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) If you look for the good in everything and everyone, you’ll prosper. An unusual opportunity to fulfill your professional dreams looks promising. Don’t buy into someone else’s plans. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Participate in events that get you moving, engaging and meeting new people. Explore what’s available to you and how you can take advantage of situations that develop. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Discipline versus impulse will sum up your day. If you let your emotions lead the way, you’ll probably face setbacks

and regret. Take time to address the pros and cons of every situation before you make a move. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Be brave, not gullible. Critique every choice before you launch your next move. Dedicate more time and effort to self-improvement and realizing what’s best for you and your budget. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You can’t buy love. A change of heart will coax you into bringing about personal and lifestyle changes. Check your finances before you commit to or buy into something that may stretch your budget.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Emotional situations will mount if you or someone close to you withholds information. Be forthright, and if you are suspicious of what someone is telling you, be blunt. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Live and learn. How you address love and personal incentives will determine the outcome. Rise to whatever occasion brings you the most joy. The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

dustin / by Steve Kelley & Jeff Parker

Answers to puzzles super quiz 1. Ottawa. 2. Ontario. 3. A (red) maple leaf. 4. Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean. 5. Toronto. 6. Russia. 7. "O Canada." 8. Prime minister. 9. Territories. 10. Prince Edward Island. 11. Sir John A. Macdonald. 12. North American Free Trade Agreement. 13. The Toronto Blue Jays. 14. Newfoundland and Labrador. 15. Vancouver Island. SCORING: 24 to 30 points — congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points — honors graduate; 13 to 17 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 5 to 12 points — you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 4 points — enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points — who reads the questions to you?

Cryptoquote Answer Saturday's Cryptoquote: Friends, sun, sand and sea, that sounds like a summer to me. — Unknown

word GAme Answer nest niter nurse etui unit unite unrest unset untie urine ursine user rein rent resin rest rinse

rise risen rite ruin runt ruse rust inert insert inset insure inter inure iris tern tier tine

tinier tire tries trine triune true tune tuner turn sent sine sire siren site snit stein stern

stir stun suer suet suit suite sure

sudoKu Answer jumble Answer

Crossword Answers

jeFF mACnelly’s shoe / by Gary Brookins & Susie MacNelly

sCrAbble Answers

FoXtrot / by Bill Amend

wuzzles Answers

Ken Ken Answers

hidAto Answers