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‘An example to

DA moves to execute man in 1995 double killing

spearhead the industry’

Todd Wessinger’s appeal denied in death of BR co-workers

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore plans to seek a death warrant for convicted killer Todd Wessinger after a U.S. appeals court on Monday denied a request to rehear his appeal. Found guilty of shooting and killing two former co-workers at a Baton Rouge restaurant in 1995, Wessinger has tried to have his death sentence Moore overturned for decades. In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit denied his most recent request to be taken off death row, reversing a lower court’s decision. The court denied a request for a rehearing this week. On Monday, Moore said he planned to apply for a death warrant, the legal order that sets the date, time and location for the state to execute a death row inmate, to “move forward the jury’s decision for the death penalty.” If a judge signs off on the warrant, an execution will be scheduled. Wessinger would likely move from his cell on death row closer to the death chamber at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. It is still possible that courts could stay an execution after a warrant is issued, or that the warrant could be recalled. Wessinger is suing the state in federal court to halt his execution, arguing the nitrogen gas

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Crews on Monday work on the trestles for the electrical bridge that will carry all the cables from the substation to the Hut 8 River Bend data center in St. Francisville.

Phase 1 of St. Francisville data site set to be ready in next 18 months BY BLAKE LESCHBER

based Hut 8 by early 2027, with the full site of Phase I ready in the next 14 to 18 months. On Monday, Hut 8 hosted a site tour Down a winding dirt road in what used to be a hunting site in St. Fran- of the future data center, drawing cisville sits the under-construction ofﬁcials like Donald Trump Jr. and River Bend Campus data center, Gov. Jeff Landry to St. Francisville. The first phase includes a 600,000 inching closer to opening. The ﬁrst of four data halls is ex- square foot data center. At least two pected to be completed on the more other buildings may be added in the than 600-acre site owned by Miami- future. Staff writer

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Currently, more than 1,200 workers ranging from electricians to roofers are operating on site at all times, said Brennan Church, Hut 8 director of engineering, procurement and construction. Hailey Miller, senior director of public affairs for Hut 8, said once the data center’s construction is

ä See DATA SITE, page 5A

ELECTION

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ä See DEATH, page 5A

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‘I needed those signs from the Lord’ Tragedy, faith led Julia Letlow to run for Senate BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

It was Dec. 11, 2020, only six days after Luke Letlow had won an open seat to represent the 5th Congressional District that stretched from Monroe south to the Florida Parishes. He was still on a high as he sat for an interview, having fulﬁlled an ambition that was 20 years in the making as he

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became an increasingly consequential player in Republican circles. “I did not run for Congress to go up there and be one of the folks who screams at the other side,” Luke told WDSU-TV reporter Travers Mackel from his kitchen in rural Richland Parish. “The reason I’m going to Congress is to get things done.” Afterward, Luke told his wife, Julia Letlow, that he was running a fever. He died 18 days later from COVID-19. Julia Letlow buried her husband in a country cemetery near their home and almost immediately afterward faced the most consequential decision

ä Editor’s note: This is the second of two profiles on the candidates for U.S. Senate.A profile on Democratic candidate Jamie Davis appeared in yesterday’s edition. of her career: Now a widow with two children younger than 5, would she run for Luke’s congressional seat? Unlike her husband, Letlow had no hankering for elected ofﬁce. A senior administrator at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, she expected to

STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, stands outside the Ascension Parish Courthouse in Donaldsonville. She is running ä See LETLOW, page 4A for U.S. Senate.

Business ......................6A Commentary ................5B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................6D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-5D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C

102ND YEAR, NO. 98

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Former ‘American Idol’ contestant sentenced to life

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

2 killed after Fla. school bus rolls over in crash

A Florida school bus carrying nearly 40 people overturned after being struck by an oncoming car on the way to a high school early Monday, killing a student and the driver of another vehicle that caught fire, authorities said. A heavy presence of emergency responders rushed to the crash site in Winter Haven, south of Orlando, and 26 students were transported to a hospital, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. At least one person was in critical condition. The crash left the bus upsidedown on the side of the road. The front end was a mangled mess of metal and one of its four back tires appeared to be missing. “It was a horrible crash,” Judd said. “It was a terrible, tragic morning. We had a beautiful 10th grade girl lose her life.” The bus was headed to Winter Haven High School when an oncoming car crossed the center line and struck the side of the bus near the rear wheels, Judd said. The sheriff said the impact ripped the tire off the bus, which then crashed head-on into an oncoming Jeep that caught fire. Most of the 39 people aboard the bus were high school students, along with the bus driver and the driver’s daughter. Judd said first responders spent the first several hours getting people to the hospital, identifying them and reuniting students with their parents. “I think this is the most horrific bus tragedy we’ve had in decades, as far back as I can remember,” Judd said. Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid said students practice drills on how to leave a bus that is involved in an accident. Last month, another Polk County school bus was also involved in a crash but authorities said no students were on board at the time.

Woman charged in Chicago girl’s stabbing

CHICAGO — A woman has been charged with murder for allegedly stabbing to death a 7-yearold girl who was walking along a sidewalk in a Chicago neighborhood, police said. Shavon Gayden, 48, was charged with one felony count of first-degree murder in connection with the death, Chicago police said in a statement Sunday. Police said the girl was walking in the Chatham neighborhood Saturday morning when a woman carrying an unspecified sharp object approached her and stabbed her multiple times in the back. Bystanders chased after the woman and detained her, police said. Television networks showed a commercial strip lined with a restaurant, a nail salon and a market cordoned off by police tape afterward. Gayden, who is from Chicago, was initially scheduled to appear for a hearing Monday morning but was hospitalized and was not going to appear, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said in an email. Her injuries were not considered lifethreatening. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the child as Edi Mari Hernandez Chacon. She was pronounced dead at Comer Children’s Hospital.

Australia investigates FlyDubai co-pilot

Australian authorities launched a probe into an Omani FlyDubai co-pilot’s time in Australia after he was detained over an alleged attempt to seize an Israel-bound aircraft and crash it, Australian Federal Police said. The FlyDubai pilot is in custody in the United Arab Emirates after he allegedly attempted to take control of the Israel-bound plane. A police statement on Monday said a joint counterterrorism team, including federal and state police and Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, “is investigating the man’s links to Australia.” New Zealand’s police agency also said the co-pilot had spent time in New Zealand and that the authorities would investigate.

Caleb Flynn convicted in wife’s killing

BY JULIE CARR SMYTH and PATRICK AFTOORA-ORSAGOS Associated Press ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY ADRIAN KRAUS

Demonstrators protest Monday against Cornell University’s handling of the 2024 fraternity house alleged gang rape at the campus in Ithaca, N.Y.

Students protest Cornell’s response Demonstrators decry school’s handling of gang rape allegations

BY LEAH WILLINGHAM and TASSANEE VEJPONGSA Associated Press

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell students thronged a campus plaza to protest the university’s response to allegations of sexual assault at a fraternity house, and the school’s main administration building was splashed with graffiti and damaged overnight. At a demonstration that overflowed the large space in front of the school’s student center, students, faculty members and others wore purple ribbons and held signs with such messages as “support survivors, expel rapists” and “Justice 4 every Jane Doe” — the name by which the woman who reported the assault is known in court papers. Others watched from pathways, windows, and a nearby hill. “Too often, we are met with silence, we are met with statements, we are met with procedures, but not enough support,” student Athena Holloway told the crowd. “How much does it take for our university to stand with survivors?” Hispanic studies professor Julia Chang added to applause: “Rape should not be inevitable.” Speakers faulted fraternities, the university trustees and Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff, saying he and his administration have prioritized protecting the university’s reputation over students’ safety. “Kotlikoff, resign!” demonstrators chanted, among other slogans, as they marched to the damaged administration building to present a list of demands. The Ivy League school has been trying to quell a firestorm — on campus and beyond — over its handling of the alleged 2024 gang rape. Early Monday, the university found signs of the anger on the very walls of its administrative headquarters. Holes were knocked into one of the building’s glass doors, and the walls beside them were marked with red-painted messages condemning patriarchy and the Ivy League school’s handling of sexual assaults, news media photos showed. Later Monday, the graffiti was removed and the door was boarded up. Cornell spokesperson Kyle Kimball

said in a statement that the university was investigating and that “damaging property is not the answer” to Cornellians’ “frustration and strong emotions.” Campus police referred questions to his office, which declined to provide more detail on the incident. The woman known as Jane Doe alleges that she was sexually assaulted by multiple Chi Phi fraternity members in October 2024 after being pressured into drinking and taking drugs. She was a Cornell student at the time. The woman recently sued the university, seven former students, the fraternity and others. Her lawsuit said that she became fully incapacitated as fraternity members assaulted her, and that one man sent others a message inviting them to participate. “I felt like bait. I felt like lions around me. It just was a totally debilitating place to be in,” she told Cornell investigators last year, according to records reviewed by The Associated Press. Lawyers for two of the former students denied they participated in a sexual assault. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach the other men or their representatives have been unsuccessful. Court records show that some of the accused students, when interviewed by Cornell investigators, described the sexual activity as consensual. Shortly before she went to Cornell police in November 2024, Jane Doe recorded a phone call with one of the men she says raped her, ABC News reported Monday, saying it had obtained the recording. The network played portions, containing only what it said was his voice, and recounted other parts of the conversation in writing. According to ABC, the man told her that after dancing with her for five minutes or less, he suggested a three-person encounter. He maintained that she agreed to it, and that he then fetched the second Chi Phi member from the dance floor. Her lawsuit says she was too intoxicated to give consent. On the call, she tried to pinpoint who else later came into the room, ABC said. The man suggested both he and she might be misremembering something that’s “not true,” but she countered that she recalled looking up and seeing “too many people” there. “What y’all did would be classified as gang rape,” she told him at one point, according to the network, which said she had provided the recording to the university.

Officials say Yemeni forces expel Houthis from areas around strait BY AHMED AL-HAJ and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

ADEN, Yemen — Forces of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen have recaptured several key areas around Bab elMandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Yemeni officials said Monday. The officials said forces allied with the internationally recognized government have retaken the crucial town of Dhubab just north of the strait. They also captured the towns of Bab and Hadeid, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. Witnesses said they saw government tanks and forces entering the towns. The government push came as part of a major offensive launched early Monday under air cover by a Saudi military coalition. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that it was expected that the Saudi-backed government in Yemen would hit back at the rebels to reclaim territory. Asked if the Saudi-led coalition coordinated the action with the United States, Rubio said that Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have a defense agreement but

wouldn’t offer more details. The Yemeni government was ousted from some of its territory by a Houthi campaign and the Saudis have come under attack, and “they have a right to defend themselves,” Rubio said. The U.S. has provided support to Saudi Arabia in its ongoing campaign against the Houthis, according to a regional official and a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to reporters. U.S. support included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the offensive, said the officials. The U.S. had supported the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis early in the Yemen war, before quitting the coalition in recent years. The U.S. Embassy in the Saudi capital of Riyahd warned U.S. citizens on social media to be vigilant about possible drone or missile attacks. The offensive came just after the rebels said they had captured more territory in the southwestern part of Yemen, taking a key town in a blow to the Saudibacked forces as they advanced toward a strategic provincial capital in the region.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former music pastor in Ohio who appeared brieﬂy on “American Idol” was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Monday after a jury convicted him of murdering his wife while he was having an affair. Prosecutors said Caleb Flynn, 40, staged a home invasion in February after shooting Ashley Flynn, a 37-year-old schoolteacher and volleyball coach, then claimed she was killed by a burglar. In his 2013 appearance on “American Idol,” Flynn told TV viewers about how his wife had encouraged him to chase his dreams on the singing competition. He did not advance to the main competition in Hollywood. With tears rolling down his cheeks, Flynn apologized in court to his family, starting with his two daughters. “I made vows to Ashley on our wedding day. I failed in those vows,” he said. Although he admitted he lied about many things, Flynn remained adamant that he was innocent. “As I stand here before God, who is my ultimate judge, I am not lying when I say I did not kill my wife,” he said. Miami County Common Pleas Judge Jeannine Pratt said she was deeply disturbed that Flynn used his faith to hide his “deceit”

and “lust.” She quoted a victim statement from one of the daughters, read aloud moments earlier by a family member, asking: “What did Ashley ever do to make you hate her so much?” During closing arguments, prosecutors told jurors that Flynn wanted out of his marriage when he shot his wife at their house in Tipp City, a suburb north of Dayton. The couple’s two daughters were home with their father when police arrived. He sent a text message to his lover the night before the shooting, saying, “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow,” prosecutors said. During the trial, Alleigha Botner testified she met Flynn in 2022 while she was a 20-year-old intern at his church and had an affair with him for more than a year. She told jurors that Flynn said he hated his wife and had thoughts of killing her. Jurors also heard AIgenerated love songs that prosecutors said he made for Botner. Flynn didn’t testify on his own behalf, nor did anybody else. The gun used to kill Ashley Flynn was not found at the scene, and his attorney told jurors that investigators found no evidence that Caleb Flynn fired a gun that day. Prosecutors said his fingerprints and DNA were at the scene and that his devices showed him moving around the house, even though he claimed he was asleep at the time of the shooting. The jury found him guilty of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

Caleb Flynn listens to court proceedings on Sept. 28 at the Miami County Court of Common Pleas in Troy, Ohio. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

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Trump signs diesel order at rally

President campaigns for GOP candidates in Nebraska BY NICHOLAS INGRAM and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — President Donald Trump on Monday took his Republican midterm rescue mission to Nebraska, where he signed an executive order to ease limits on the tax-free use of red-dyed diesel, a decision he said would save “millions” for farmers and drive down the cost of all goods with just four weeks to go until the elections. “Pete and Jim, this should absolutely ensure your election, I guarantee you that,” Trump said, addressing GOP Gov. Pete Ricketts, who is running against an independent candidate backed by national Democrats, and Gov. Jim Pillen, who is seeking a

BY DAVID A. LIEB

Associated Press

Some of Tennessee’s top Republicans said Monday they want to explore alternative ways of executing condemned prisoners after the failed execution of Christa Pike, which relied on a large dose of pentobarbital. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the state’s Republican candidate for governor, said Pike’s unsuccessful execution last week “should not be grounds to halt carrying out the death penalty.” Rather, she said, Tennessee needs

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order on Monday at a campaign rally at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center in Grand Island, Neb. second term. Diesel fuel prices have spiked in the aftermath of the Iran war, rattling voters and putting pressure on Republicans. Diesel fuel that is intended for off-road uses such as agriculture is exempt from federal and state excise taxes, and it is dyed for law enforcement purposes, the White House explained in a fact sheet. Temporarily removing the limits would reduce cost pressures on the businesses that rely on diesel. “The typical trucker will save more than $100 every time they fill up,” Trump said, signing the executive order onstage before a crowd in Grand Island, Nebraska, located in the solidly conservative south-central part of the state. “Farmers will also save millions and millions of dollars, and this order will also drive down

the cost of all goods and to go to grocery prices very substantially.” Trump’s trip is part of what the Republican president says is a 32-day blitz of rallies ahead of Nov. 3 that so far has taken him to rubyred territory such as Oklahoma and Alabama. On Wednesday, he’ll make his second stop in two weeks in Texas with a rally in San Antonio. Ricketts, a former governor of the state, was appointed then later elected to ﬁll Sen. Ben Sasse’s seat when he left to run the University of Florida in 2023. Now Ricketts is running for his ﬁrst full six-year term against independent Dan Osborn — a race that initially was not expected to be competitive but is now being watched by the national parties. Voters across the country

are frustrated with Trump’s handling of the economy, including persistently high costs for fuel and groceries. It’s a major issue for rural voters who have backed the president and his party in recent elections. The administration’s plan to allow more imports of foreign beef has particularly roiled the agriculture-rich state of Nebraska. Trump wants to lower beef prices for consumers, but ranchers have rebelled against the import proposal, arguing it would undercut them. “The plan to import lowquality foreign beef is not helping Nebraska ranchers,” Ricketts told the AP. “I would advise the White House to change that policy and look for longer-term things that will help us build the size of the herd and ultimately bring the price of beef down for consumers.”

to reevaluate the way it does executions. “If it’s lethal injection, if it is electric chair, what we do know is we have to ﬁnd a way to do this — and do it successfully,” Blackburn told The Associated Press. Top legislative leaders have already spoken with Blackburn about potential changes to state execution laws during their 2027 session. “We want to broaden it, include more methods,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton said. “What those are as of today, I’m not sure. But I don’t think there’s any method that’s off the table at this point.” Most U.S. states that allow executions use lethal injection as their primary means, though South Carolina sets its default as electrocution and Idaho the ﬁring squad,

according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Some states give prisoners a choice of execution methods. Death by electricity or gas is authorized in nine states, including five that specify nitrogen gas, the center said. Five states authorize a ﬁring squad. Florida, which leads the nation in executions this year, uses a three-drug lethal injection that includes a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart. Tennessee’s execution procedures have been in the national spotlight since Wednesday, when prison ofﬁcials gave Pike two doses of a barbiturate that were supposed to be lethal but didn’t ultimately kill her. Pike has remained hospitalized under guard, left unconscious and on a ventilator with blisters and burns

on her arms from the drug, her lawyers have said. Pike, now 50, was sentenced to death for the 1995 torture and slaying of a classmate, Colleen Slemmer. Pike was age 18 at the time and became one of the youngest women sent to death row. Republican Gov. Bill Lee, whose term ends in January, halted the one remaining execution scheduled for this year and ordered an independent investigation into the state’s capital punishment system after Pike’s failed execution. He said Saturday the commissioner of the Department of Correction will step down. Blackburn said comprehensive change is needed — “it is personnel, processes, procedures, protocols that are all going to need to be addressed.”

No arrests announced in Ga. party shootings By The Associated Press VIENNA, Ga. — Whoever opened ﬁre at a sprawling block party in rural southern Georgia over the weekend, killing two people and leaving nearly three dozen others injured, remained at large Monday as authorities offered no new information about the shootings.

No arrests have been announced in Dooly County, where the sheriff says more than 50 shots were fired early Sunday in the small city of Vienna as more than 1,000 celebrated a homecoming football victory long after midnight. Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy identified the two people killed as Ja’Quavion Jackson, 21,

of Cordele, and Macaleb Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville. The two men don’t appear to be related, said Sara Lue, a spokesperson for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. An additional 35 people were injured — most of them by gunfire, though others were hurt in the chaotic scramble to flee, authorities told reporters at

a Sunday news conference. The sheriff said an unspeciﬁed number were hospitalized with critical injuries. Authorities haven’t said what may have motivated the shootings or whether they’re looking for a lone gunman or multiple shooters. They also have not said precisely how many people were shot.

Anger grows in Japan after U.S. Marine arrested in killing of woman in Okinawa BY MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press

TOKYO — The arrest of a U.S. Marine on suspicion of robbing and killing a local woman on Okinawa has drawn condemnation from Japan’s leaders and renewed protests against the heavy American military presence on the southern island. The alleged killing could complicate Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to strengthen Japanese military defense on the island and to work more closely with the U.S. military to deter China in the region. Okinawa prefectural police said they arrested Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who is stationed at Futenma Air Station, on suspicion of strangling Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in the island’s capital

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A nurse prepares a combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for a patient on March 17 at a pediatrics clinic in Easley, S.C.

Tennessee eyes more execution options Discussions come after Pike lethal injection fails

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city of Naha early Saturday and stealing her wallet and backpack. He has denied the allegations, according to Japanese media. Security camera footage showed a man wearing a black top, trousers and white sneakers entering the hotel with the woman and later leaving alone. Ballard was arrested when a patrolling officer saw him walking later Saturday in an entertainment district in Okinawa City, about 15 miles northeast of Naha. His shaved head and the tattoos on his arms matched those of the man in security footage, Kyodo news agency reported. “I’m outraged and ﬂabbergasted to hear that a suspect came to the (entertainment area) after committing a murder,” Kenji Higa, who

lives in Okinawa City, told the Okinawa Times. People in Okinawa have long been wary of the U.S. presence on the island but many have come to see its strategic value due to what is widely viewed as a growing threat from China. Okinawa was under U.S. occupation from World War II until 1972. Today it hosts 70% of America’s military facilities and most of the 50,000 U.S. troops based in Japan today. There has been anger over increasing crime linked to the U.S. military on the island. The number of U.S. military-related criminal cases rose to 101 last year from about 40 in 2020, according to prefectural police. About 160 people gathered at a protest Sunday in Naha, condemning the crime and

KYODO NEWS PHOTO

Devin Jacob Ballard, a U.S. Marine who was arrested in an alleged robbery and murder of a woman on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa, is sent over to the Naha prosecutors’ office Monday.

renewing demands that U.S. military bases be removed from the island. One sign read: “We’ve had enough of this!”

Measles outbreak in Pa. largest in decades in U.S.

BY MIKE STOBBE AP medical writer

NEW YORK — Pennsylvania has surpassed 1,000 measles cases this year, state health officials said Monday, making it the largest state outbreak in more than three decades. The U.S. is enduring its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 reported cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nation has seen eight reported measles-associated deaths in the past two years — more than the combined total of reported deaths over the previous three decades. Since the beginning of last year, large outbreaks have been reported in several states, including Texas and Utah, as well as South Carolina, which had the largest with 997 cases reported. The governor of New York on Monday declared a disaster emergency because of measles cases in neighboring states and in rural areas of New York. The executive order extends the pool of people who can administer measles vaccines to include paramedics, midwives and others, and allows nurses to join doctors in ordering testing. The state has more than 100 cases this year. Health officials say Pennsylvania’s current outbreak started in April, west of Philadelphia. There have been 1,004 cases, including 198 hospitalizations and five deaths, state officials said. Health experts attribute

such outbreaks to low vaccination rates. It’s been decades since a U.S. state has seen an outbreak surpass 1,000 cases, stretching back to a multiyear outbreak in New York City in the early 1990s that infected more than 4,500 people. The nation eliminated the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but those rates have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. In November, international health ofﬁcials will meet to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status. Measles is highly contagious. It spreads when people who have it breathe, cough or sneeze, and through contaminated surfaces. It also can linger in the air for two hours. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the CDC. U.S. measles infections have been surging in recent years, as fewer kids get routine vaccines due to parental waivers, healthcare access issues and rampant disinformation. Pennsylvania and New York are not the only states with a growing problem. Another is Ohio, with more than 200 cases this year. Like in Pennsylvania, some of the hardest-hit Ohio counties have signiﬁcant Amish populations, which tend to have lower vaccination rates.

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LETLOW

she would have the strength to do so after the loss of her husband. She met with her parents to seek their assent to run for Luke’s seat. “We said, ‘Go for it. You can do this,’” remembered her father, Terry Barnhill. “We felt like she would be good for the state.” “Julia is a thinker,” said her mother, Kathi Barnhill. “She really tries to check all angles with things. Running through her mind was that she had two little babies, and she was the sole breadwinner.” Then she met with Luke’s parents. “I didn’t want somebody who just showed up to run,” recalled Johnny Letlow, Luke’s father. “A local politician did a poll a day or two later. We told her she had our blessings.” “I told Julia, ‘You know right from wrong. I think you can handle it,’” said Dianne Letlow, Luke’s mother.

Continued from page 1A continue working in higher education. But Ralph Abraham, a veterinarian and doctor who had held the congressional seat for six years before Luke, asked her to consider running for the seat. Letlow conH H H H H H sulted others, including her parents and Luke’s, and she prayed. Her decision was clinched while at home when she heard a song that she thought was a sign from the Lord. Today, Letlow has served five years in the U.S. House and is considered the heavy favorite to become Louisiana’s next senator. Endorsed by President Donald Trump, Letlow knocked Sen. Bill Cassidy out of the race in the Republican primary. She faces off on Nov. 3 in the general election against Jamie Davis, a farmer from Tensas Parish who is the Democratic candidate. After five years in the public eye, Letlow steps onto a stage and strides from one event to another with conﬁdence. But she never acts like a big shot. She doesn’t always seem at ease playing the part of a politician, still laughs nervously at times and retains a sense of: Golly, how did I get here?

ELECTION

‘Talent for a reason’ As she readily acknowledges, Letlow wouldn’t be in this position but for her husband’s tragic death. “I happen to be a woman of faith,” she said in a March 2021 speech as she first campaigned for Luke’s seat. “I believe that the good Lord doesn’t waste an experience, good or bad. I happen to feel that and see that so clearly in my life now as I walk this path that I never dreamed that I would be walking.” Luke and Julia had known each other casually at Ouachita Christian School in Monroe — he was one year ahead of her — but they had been out of touch. Then they attended the same party before an LSU football game while both were in college. A mutual friend pointed Luke out and said, “He’s Baton Rouge’s most eligible bachelor now.” They became a couple. Months later, Letlow invited him to her home in Monroe for dinner. She

‘Let’s go do this’ STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, inside the Ascension Parish Courthouse in Donaldsonville, says she is a ‘woman of faith. I believe that the good Lord doesn’t waste an experience, good or bad. I happen to feel that and see that so clearly in my life now as I walk this path that I never dreamed that I would be walking.’ made lasagna and thought he would ask her hand in marriage. Instead, he broke up. “It was devastating,” Letlow remembered. “It was one of the lowest points in my life.” But a year later, he sent her a contrite email, saying he had been immature. He asked for forgiveness. They married six months later. In 2014, Luke managed Abraham’s campaign for the 5th Congressional District and became his chief of staff after Abraham won the election. In 2020, Luke was well-positioned when Abraham decided not to seek a fourth term in Congress. Letlow campaigned with her husband whenever she was free, serving as his biggest champion. “Honey, you’ve got this,” she would tell him. “God gave you this talent for a reason. It’s a blessing to see you utilize this.” Luke ran ﬁrst in the nine-candidate primary and then crushed his runoff opponent on Dec. 5, 2020. The next day, Luke turned 41, and they had their daughter baptized at the local Presbyterian Church. But after Luke told her he was running a fever five days later, Letlow drove him to the hospital in Monroe, checked him in and was then given the agonizing news that she couldn’t be by his side because COVID-19 was so contagious and

dangerous. When Luke worsened, an ambulance took him to a hospital in Shreveport. Luke developed a blood clot. The doctor called Julia to tell her that an operation had been successful. “Then everything kind of went nuts, and he hung up,” Letlow said. “It was about an hour later that I got the call.” Letlow had been through tragedy before. When she was 20, her 17-year-old brother Jeremy died in a car crash. When she got the news then, she fell to her knees and cried uncontrollably. But later that day, when her sister was too inconsolable, Letlow collected herself enough to break the news to her parents. Afterward, she learned to live with the grief by interviewing people who also had lost brothers and sisters — and how they coped with it — for her doctoral dissertation at the University of South Florida. Now, 20 years after Jeremy died, she had to deal with more heartbreak with Luke’s death. “The minute your spouse dies, yes, you’re overcome with incredible grief and shock and loss,” she said recently. “But the ﬁrst thought that went to my mind was, ‘Oh, no, I’m solely responsible for two babies. I’m going to have to keep going for them.’”

U.S. high court weighs climate change suits against oil and gas companies BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST and MATTHEW DALY Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court grappled Monday with whether local governments can sue oil and gas companies in state court to help cover costs associated with climate change, an issue with potentially billions of dollars at stake. Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex questions of federal and state law raised by the case. Officials in Boulder argue their lawsuit is an attempt to hold energy companies Suncor and ExxonMobil accountable for their contributions to climate change. They say that worsening disasters such as floods and wildfires put a heavy financial burden on local communities, and the industry should bear part of that cost. The city and county of Boulder first sued the oil companies in 2018, years before the 2021 Marshall Fire destroyed nearly 1,100 homes and left two people dead. Total damage was estimated at $2 billion, the costliest wildfire in Colorado history. The companies say that a flurry of lawsuits in state courts is not the way to deal with the global issue. Governments from largely blue-leaning areas around the country have filed similar lawsuits seeking damages that could total billions of dollars, part of a wave of legal action worldwide seeking to leverage action through the courts. “Presumably, if you prevail, the next day, a municipality in every single state will file a lawsuit,” said Chief Justice John Roberts. “How do you think that will work out on the ground?” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said a win by Boulder could bankrupt the oil companies

and other potential defendants. “I mean, anyone is a potential defendant for a suit like this. Any manufacturer, any business,” he said. A win for the oil and gas companies at the Supreme Court, meanwhile, could shut down dozens of similar cases ﬁled in recent years. Suncor and Exxon argue that the Clean Air Act gives the federal government — not the states — the power to regulate emissions. They have the support of the Trump administration, which argues the lawsuits are an unconstitutional attempt to regulate planetwarming emissions and impose Colorado’s state law beyond its borders. But Roberts and other justices pointed out that state courts consider lawsuits about a myriad of issues that have nationwide reach. “I guess I’m not quite sure what makes this situation different from those,” Roberts said. The court is also weighing a jurisdictional question that could allow it an “off-ramp” to avoid deciding the issues right away. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson seemed like a vote in favor of that path. “Why shouldn’t we wait and hear all of these claims once the state courts are done?” she asked. The case was heard without Justice Samuel Alito, who recused himself just a week before arguments after facing calls to step aside because he owns stock in oil companies. That raises the possibility of a tie vote. A deadlock would leave in place a decision from Colorado’s highest court allowing the case to proceed. Attorney Kannon Shanmugam, representing the industry, urged the justices to reverse that ruling. He said the Boulder case was attempting to use the courts to decide a public policy issue that is properly up to Congress and

other elected ofﬁcials. “Climate change is certainly one of the most pressing issues” facing the country, but the lawsuit “is exactly the wrong way to go about” addressing it, he said. Principal Deputy Solicitor General Sarah Harris said Boulder’s case “egregiously exceeds” the state’s authority. The county essentially declares itself a victim of actions that occurred largely out of state, she said. But Kevin Russell, an attorney representing Boulder, argued that state lawsuits can address damage in Colorado, regardless where the fossil fuels are produced. Boulder is not trying to regulate greenhouse gas emissions or stop the companies from continuing to produce oil and gas, Russell said. Instead ofﬁcials are seeking to hold the companies accountable for allegedly misleading the public about their contribution to global warming by burning fossil fuels, he said. Justice Elena Kagan compared the climate case with previous state-based lawsuits against the tobacco industry and opioid makers. “This is chapter three,” she said, noting the similarities of states claiming harms from products produced nationally and even internationally. “This is a different book,” replied Shanmugam, the industry lawyer. Harms claimed by Boulder “are diffused nationwide and indeed worldwide,” he said. The conservative-majority Supreme Court has been skeptical of environmental regulations in the past, including in a 2022 decision limiting the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. A decision is expected in the coming months. Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this story.

‘I just had this peace’ After Luke was buried, Abraham said he wanted to discuss something with Letlow: She ought to consider running for his seat. “Julia, you were by his side,” someone else told her. “You learned from him. You saw what public service looks like. If there’s any desire in your heart to continue his legacy, we’d like for you to continue.” Letlow would later say that never in a million years had she thought someone would encourage her to run. But she trusted Abraham, Luke’s mentor, and warmed to the idea. Letlow remembered that she and Luke had held many conversations about the need to act as a humble servant to others. She also remembered a lesson from the siblings who had lost a loved one: Find a way to get outside of yourself every day and serve other people. Find a way to get up, get dressed, put your makeup on and get outside of yourself. “If you’re just in a fetal position in a dark room somewhere, it’s harder to keep moving forward,” she said. “Then to have these two small children who were depending on me to move forward in some way, I just had this peace about it.” Having found a way forward after Jeremy’s death, Letlow knew

Letlow was at home a short time later when a song by the band Mercy Me began playing. The uplifting tune, “Say I Won’t” told the story of a friend of the band who lost parts of his arms and legs to septic shock but refused to be kept down afterward. “I’m gonna run,” went one of the lyrics. That resolved Letlow’s final doubts. She was gonna run. “I know it sounds a bit out there,” Letlow said. “But at that time in my life, I needed those signs from the Lord that this was the right act, to continue moving forward.” She called Abraham. “OK, Doc, let’s go do this,” she said. Letlow had to move quickly. The qualifying period was less than two weeks away. She immediately faced pushback from people who said she couldn’t campaign for and represent a sprawling district in Washington as a single mother with two small children. “Her attitude was: I’ve got to have a job,” said her mother Kathi, and friends and family could help with the children. Today, favored to become one of the 100 senators, Letlow believes she made the right choice to run for the House seat ﬁve years ago. “I know there will be future valleys,” she said. “But there are also mountaintops. Joy is a choice. I wake up every day determined to choose joy. I hope people see it in me and can feel it when they interact with me.”

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Continued from page 1A

asphyxiation method the state has chosen is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. In July, a federal appeals court blocked the execution of an Alabama inmate by nitrogen gas; Louisiana modeled its execution protocol after Alabama’s. Louisiana deployed the method for the ﬁrst time last March, using nitrogen for the death of convicted killer and rapist Jessie Hoffman Jr. It was Louisiana’s ﬁrst execution in 15 years. Hoffman had also argued against the use of nitrogen in his execution, and sought in federal court for the state to use a different method. A divided 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court allowed Louisiana to move forward

with using the method on Hoff- sought a new trial. In 2017, the 5th Circuit Court man. of Appeals revived his death senDecades of legal battles tence, a decision later upheld by In 1995, Wessinger, a former the U.S. Supreme Court. Wessinger has had some success employee of Calendar’s Restaurant that was located on Perkins in his arguments. U.S. District Road in Baton Rouge, shot three Judge John deGravelles vacated co-workers with a pistol, killing Wessinger’s death sentence in Stephanie Guzzardo and David 2022, finding his court-appointed attorneys were ineffective during Breakwell. Investigators say he took $7,000 the original trial. He wrote that the jury at the time received “inaccufrom the restaurant and fled. Since 1997, he has faced a death rate and incomplete information.” sentence and has appealed several The judge remanded the case back times. The state Supreme Court to district court and ordered a new denied his first attempt at an ap- penalty phase. The decision was peal in 1998 and a district judge overturned on appeal, with the 5th shot down a request for a retrial Circuit reinstating the death senin 2003. tence. This would be the second time In August, the appeals court that a death warrant has been is- denied Wessinger’s most recent sued for Wessinger. In 2012, he request to avoid his execution, a was issued a death warrant that decision Louisiana Attorney Liz was later stayed as Wessinger Murrill called a “huge victory” for

The Advocate n theadvocate.com n Tuesday, October 6, 2026 n 5A

the victims’ families “who have waited decades to see justice.”

Restarting executions Monday’s news puts Wessinger on track to be the second man executed in Louisiana since the state restarted the death penalty in recent years. The state had halted executions for 15 years because it could not obtain the drugs necessary to carry out lethal injections. Drug companies had threatened to withhold necessary medications for the state’s prison population if Louisiana were to use their drugs for executions, ofﬁcials from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections have testiﬁed. But the Legislature, with the backing of Gov. Jeff Landry and Murrill, expanded the list of legal methods in 2024 to include nitrogen asphyxiation and the electric

chair, although prison officials have said they do not have the necessary equipment to use the latter technique. The state also passed laws shielding the release of information about who supplies equipment for executions. Wayne Guzzardo, the father of Wessinger victim Stephanie Guzzardo, advocated at the Legislature in 2024 for lawmakers to expand death penalty methods. He has also repeatedly testiﬁed at the Capitol over the years against attempts to repeal the death penalty, telling lawmakers about the pain of losing his daughter and the drawn-out legal process. “They can electrocute him, they can hang him, they can shoot him,” Guzzardo said in 2024 about having no preference on how Wessinger is put to death. “Or they can go the easy way out and put him to sleep.”

DATA SITE

Continued from page 1A

complete, there will be about 250 permanent positions. Miller said these jobs will range from everything from HVAC technicians to security operations. Hut 8 hosted a job fair and open house in July, where Miller said she saw a lot of excitement from area residents. “We need to make it our utmost importance to hire folks locally,” Miller said. “We’re working with the high school and making sure the curriculum is in line to teach certain skills that might be needed for the trade positions.” The River Bend Campus will run on a closed-loop system, meaning Hut 8 will cool the data center using over a million gallons of a water-based chemical that can circulate for about four to seven years until being taken off-site to be cleaned and brought back in, Church said. Despite being next to the Mississippi River, Church said they will not pull from the river to cool computers or other equipment. “The only local water that’ll be used is for things like the restrooms, and that’s about 10,000 gallons a day, which is probably the size of a small restaurant,” Miller said. Miller said the site's insulated location will keep noise levels minimal and unnoticeable to local residents. Giordano Albertazzi, chief executive ofﬁcer of Vertiv, said his company provides electricity and cooling for the data center campus. He said the River Bend site will be a “modular” center with a majority of the pieces built off-site and then delivered for installation. “The entire data center is looked at as a product, designed as a product,” Albertazzi said. “I think this approach is certainly an example to spearhead the industry, and (River Bend) is certainly a phenomenal showcase for that and a very advanced one.” Albertazzi said River Bend is very efficient energywise, and he believes the site will stand the test of time as the industry continues to modernize.

Donald Trump Jr., son of President Donald Trump, greets Gov. Jeff Landry during a first look at the Hut 8 River Bend data center on Monday in St. Francisville.

STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Crews work Monday to install piping and concrete structures for cable to be run underground and into the Hut 8 River Bend data center in St. Francisville. “What is important is that when you build something today, it’s going to be futureresilient,” he said. “We are pretty excited about this site.” In a speech, Landry called data centers “digital factories,” and said digital factors, which are provided by these centers, are the “heartbeat of a modern economy.” “They connect us, they empower us to live our lives safer and more efﬁciently,” Landry said. “Without them, our world would feel extremely small, extremely slow and extremely less secure.” Trump praised Landry for helping make it possible for Hut 8 to move to West Feliciana Parish, saying it was “awesome” to see the community support the data center. “It’s amazing to see what happens when you have great leaders working with great companies to build companies, but also work in the local community,” Trump said. Committee defers action The West Feliciana Planning and Zoning Commission met Monday night to discuss recommending the approval of a rezoning request and a site plan for Phase II of the River Bend data center project. Phase II would develop

about 180 acres of the site, with the remaining amount staying untouched to act as a “barrier,” Matias DuRei with Hut 8 said. It would build two buildings of about 568,000 square feet each, with substations and a switchyard. DuRei said potential benefits for residents include funding about $16 million in water improvements and working with the Department of Transportation and Development to improve U.S. 61, including the La. 964 intersection. “These efforts are intended to serve residents well beyond the campus gates,” DuRei said. “Alongside these beneﬁts, our goal is to be a considerate neighbor and a positive part of the everyday life in West Feliciana.” Zed Howell, managing member of Howell Foundry, said that while he likes that Hut 8 is currently bringing positive impacts to the parish, he is nervous about changing one of the zones close to a residential subdivision to heavy industrial. “We have a lot of acreage that is not being used that is already zoned as heavy industrial,” Howell said at the meeting. “Do we have to rezone this? Or is there some kind of compromise that we can make to where we can keep them 2,000 feet from

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one of our older residential subdivisions?” Multiple members of the public, as well as Tom McVea on the commission, opposed rezoning areas that Hut 8 would not immediately develop. They feared rezoning now would allow

Hut 8 to build even closer to residential areas, as Phase II will be less than a mile from the closest residence. “I’m not going to vote for it until we get some guarantees; it’s that simple,” McVea said. Officials with Hut 8 said the site plan provides a buffer that they cannot develop on unless they have separate council approval. Community members were also concerned that zoning closer to residences

could result in people being able to hear the data center. Hut 8 members present could not provide an answer at the meeting because the noise study was conducted more than 2 miles from residences. The commission deferred action on both, because commissioners want the parish attorney present to answer questions from members and the public. The next meeting will be the first Monday of November.

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DEATH

Continued from page 1A asphyxiation method the state has chosen is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. In July, a federal appeals court blocked the execution of an Alabama inmate by nitrogen gas; Louisiana modeled its execution protocol after Alabama’s. Louisiana deployed the method for the ﬁrst time last March, using nitrogen for the death of convicted killer and rapist Jessie Hoffman Jr. It was Louisiana’s ﬁrst execution in 15 years. Hoffman had also argued against the use of nitrogen in his execution, and sought in federal court for the state to use a different method. A divided 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court allowed Louisiana to move forward

The Advocate n theadvocate.com n Tuesday, October 6, 2026 n 5A

the victims’ families “who have waited decades to see justice.”

DATA SITE

Continued from page 1A complete, there will be about 250 permanent positions. Miller said these jobs will range from everything from HVAC technicians to security operations. Hut 8 hosted a job fair and open house in July, where Miller said she saw a lot of excitement from area residents. “We need to make it our utmost importance to hire folks locally,” Miller said. “We’re working with the high school and making sure the curriculum is in line to teach certain skills that might be needed for the trade positions.” The River Bend Campus will run on a closed-loop system, meaning Hut 8 will cool the data center using over a million gallons of a water-based chemical that can circulate for about four to seven years until being taken off-site to be cleaned and brought back in, Church said. Despite being next to the Mississippi River, Church said they will not pull from the river to cool computers or other equipment. “The only local water that’ll be used is for things like the restrooms, and that’s about 10,000 gallons a day, which is probably the size of a small restaurant,” Miller said. Miller said the site's insulated location will keep noise levels minimal and unnoticeable to local residents. Giordano Albertazzi, chief executive ofﬁcer of Vertiv, said his company provides electricity and cooling for the data center campus. He said the River Bend site will be a “modular” center with a majority of the pieces built off-site and then delivered for installation. “The entire data center is looked at as a product, designed as a product,” Albertazzi said. “I think this approach is certainly an example to spearhead the industry, and (River Bend) is certainly a phenomenal showcase for that and a very advanced one.” Albertazzi said River Bend is very efficient energywise, and he believes the site will stand the test of time as the industry continues to modernize.

Donald Trump Jr., son of President Donald Trump, greets Gov. Jeff Landry during a first look at the Hut 8 River Bend data center on Monday in St. Francisville.

STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

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Dennis Hastert dies at age 84 Longtime GOP House speaker went to prison for misconduct

BY MICHAEL TARM and HERBERT G. MCCANN Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel are shown on the screen Monday as they are awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine during a news conference at the Nobel Forum at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden.

3 scientists win Nobel for medicine Trio’s work lead to tool that uses light to unravel how brains work

BY KOSTYA MANENKOV, LAURAN NEERGAARD and ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN Associated Press

STOCKHOLM — The Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works. Dr. Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel carried out research that opened a new ﬁeld with the wonky name optogenetics, combining light with genes to switch on and off neurons in living brains. Separate research from the trio — one of whom lives in the U.S. and two in Germany — resulted in a technique that helps to identify neural pathways responsible for behavior and disease. It could lead to treatments, such as restoring some vision in people with a genetic form of blindness. Experts said the advancements greatly expanded the understanding of how the brain is organized. “It has let us go from a ‘Rand McNally’ road atlas of the brain to something more akin to ‘Google Earth,’” neuroscientist Patrick Forcelli of Georgetown University said in an email. Deisseroth, 54, is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and Stanford University professor in California. Hegemann, 71, is at Humboldt University in Berlin, and Nagel, 73, most recently worked at the University of Würzburg, also in Germany, the assembly said. The breakthrough began when Hegemann explored how a single-cell type of green algae can swim toward light. He and Nagel discovered a particular protein that, when illuminated by blue light, opens a channel to create an electrical impulse. Putting that protein into other cells makes them light-sensitive. Brain cells use electrical signals to communicate with each other, but nor-

mally they don’t respond to light, Deisseroth told The Associated Press. He used what he calls “a trick from nature,” putting the gene that controls that microbial protein into certain cells in the brains of living mice. Beaming light at those cells — first by using tiny fibers, now with noninvasive methods — can turn neurons on or off while animals do various tasks. “People usually think about light as a way of collecting information to observe things,” he told the AP. “But this is the opposite of that. This is using light to control things, to make things happen, and to do it in a very precise way.” Optogenetics is mostly a research tool to learn how specific neurons and neural circuits work. That “gives you, inevitably, ideas for how to correct things that go wrong,” Deisseroth said. “Once you know the cells that are causal, that actually matter for a symptom or for correcting a symptom, you can devise medications or other methods that target those cells.” Already companies have studies underway trying to treat inherited blindness called retinitis pigmentosa by inserting a light-activated protein into a patient’s retina and then outfitting the person with special lightemitting glasses. Deisseroth, a physicianscientist, pointed to other scientists pursuing possible treatments for autism and schizophrenia based on information gleaned from optogenetics, he said. Experts say optogenetics has transformed neuroscience around the world, becoming a mainstay in labs trying to understand the brain pathways involved in behavior and disease — and hopefully leading to ways to fix those that go awry. “It’s a very precise set of tools for doing experiments about how the brain works that are pretty hard to do any other way,” said the University of Pittsburgh’s Jeremy Berg. He was at the U.S. National Institutes of Health in the early 2000s when it awarded Deisseroth major funding for “this vision of optogenetics that was pretty much spot-on the way it played out.”

Spain’s prime minister calls snap election BY SUMAN NAISHADHAM and JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press

MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday announced an early general election, seeking to seize momentum from housing protests that have roiled the country and frame the vote around issues that are favorable to his Socialist party. The election is scheduled for Nov. 29, and will come roughly eight months earlier than originally planned. Spaniards have staged repeated protests in cities across the country in recent weeks, demanding action on the entrenched housing crisis amid outrage over the widely publicized eviction of an 87-year-old woman in

Madrid last month. Sánchez’s government suffered a bruising legislative defeat last week when right-wing opposition parties voted down emergency decrees introduced by his government to address evictions and real estate speculation. The setback sparked wide speculation that Sánchez would move forward the general election and use the momentum on the housing issue against his rightwing opponents. If Sánchez’s gamble backﬁres, it could pave the way for a right-wing coalition of conservatives and the farright Vox party, bringing an end to one of Europe’s most prominent progressive governments, led by a vocal critic of the Trump administration.

CHICAGO — Dennis Hastert, whose congressional legacy as the longest-serving Republican House speaker was later fouled by allegations that he had molested high school athletes during his prior career as a teacher and wrestling coach, has died, a coroner said Monday. He was 84. Hastert, who was speaker from 1999 until 2007 and spent more than a year in prison later in life, died Saturday of natural causes at his home while receiving hospice care, according to Kendall County Coroner Jacquie Purcell. When he was sentenced in 2016 to more than a year behind bars, the former history teacher became one of the highest-ranking American politicians ever ordered to prison. In the late 1990s, Hastert was a little-known Illinois lawmaker with a reputation for congeniality that had helped him ascend the ranks of congressional leaders. When Newt Gingrich lost support because of ethics violations and the GOP’s poor showing in an election, Republicans elected Hastert to succeed him. In his ﬁrst weeks on the job in 1999, he presided over the House while the Senate conducted then-President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial. After the GOP reclaimed the White House, Hastert helped pass then-President George W. Bush’s legislative agenda. In 2015 he was accused of evading banking regulations as part of a plan to pay hush money to conceal

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., gestures during a news conference on June 29, 2005, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Hastert has died at age 84, a coroner said Monday. unspecified “prior misconduct.” Nearly a year later, prosecutors said Hastert’s alleged misconduct involved the sexual abuse of teenage boys on his wrestling team in Yorkville, a small town west of Chicago. Prosecutors said Hastert sexually abused at least four team members during his coaching career, which lasted from 1965 to 1981. The person Hastert was paying, identified in court papers only as Individual A, said the abuse occurred in a motel room when he was 14 on the way home from wrestling camp. Hastert allegedly touched other wrestlers in a locker room after saying he would give them massages. Two wrestlers said Hastert performed sexual acts on them. Prosecutors also described a recliner where Hastert often sat in the locker room with a direct view of the stalls where the boys showered. Hastert agreed to plead guilty to evading banking laws. In all, he paid more than $1.7 million out of $3.5 million that he had promised to Individual A, sometimes in lump sums of $100,000

cash. At the sentencing hearing, where he received 15 months behind bars, the visibly angry judge called Hastert a “serial child molester.” In a statement, Hastert said he was “deeply ashamed” and admitted that he “mistreated” some of his athletes. But he never referred directly to sexual abuse. When he became House speaker, Hastert was aware of the pitfalls of holding the powerful position. “You know, in this business, especially in a job like this, you can get your head someplace where it shouldn’t be,” Hastert said in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press. “But you come back home, and you’re home. You’re back where you’ve always been, and your feet are back on the ground.” As the recount of the 2000 presidential election dragged on, Hastert’s aides briefed him on the possibility that he might become acting president in the event of an Electoral College deadlock. “I really didn’t want to be president, temporary or otherwise,” Hastert wrote in a

2004 memoir. Hastert’s journey to Congress from his boyhood farm appeared to be the result of fate and luck. In 1980, he ﬁnished third in an Illinois House primary. But the incumbent became fatally ill, and GOP leaders chose Hastert to take his place on the November ballot, where he won in a traditional GOP stronghold. Hastert became a congressional candidate in 1986 and beat the Democrat with 52% of the vote, his smallest margin of victory in a congressional race. In Washington, Hastert served quietly in House leadership, working closely with Gingrich and then-House Majority Whip Tom DeLay after Republicans took control in 1995. Hastert became wealthy largely through a complex web of transactions that coincided with one of his own highway earmarks increasing the value of land he had purchased in his district. He was forced to step down as speaker in 2007, when Democrats gained control of the House, and he resigned his seat later that year.

California woman accused of spying for China BY JAIMIE DING, HUIZHONG WU and JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The FBI arrested a California real estate agent as she prepared to fly to China, accusing her of secretly working for Beijing to surveil the president of Taiwan’s family in the U.S., federal officials said. The case comes at a fraught moment for U.S.China relations, with Taiwan persistently at the center of their military and diplomatic rivalry. Beijing claims the island as part of its own territory. The FBI and federal prosecutors allege Wanying Zhang surveilled the house of the president’s son and sent photos, videos and license plate information for his vehicles to a Chinese government official. The federal criminal complaint does not name the alleged target, but the FBI’s rapid response account on the social media platform X said it was the president’s son. Ting-Yu Lai, the president’s elder son, lives and works in the Seattle area as an engineer. Zhang, a 34-year-old real estate agent from Irvine who also went by the name Heather, was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport and charged with working for China as an unregistered agent, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Zhang is a naturalized U.S. citizen, said Shawn Lewis, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office. It wasn’t immediately clear if she had an attorney who could speak on her behalf. She was due to appear Monday afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles.

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1BN

Former detainee starts over in Canada Jan Risher

Reading the cards Last Friday, I was in New Orleans planning to go to the Pharmacy Museum to write a column. The afternoon was perfect. My husband and I walked a mile to the museum, only to ﬁnd it closed for a special event. So I went to Plan B — Faulkner House Books in Pirate’s Alley behind St. Louis Cathedral. It had closed early. We ended up in Jackson Square sharing an oversized cup of lemonade. We made the loop, then sat on a bench enjoying the breeze and the music from the musician in the corner. As a Louisiana friend once told me after enjoying early-morning beignets and coffee at Café Du Monde, “There’s a reason why some things are cliché. It was wonderful.” I was thinking the same thing. For about 20 minutes, I watched the fortune teller in front of us wearing a West African-style head wrap, contemplating what I would do about not yet having an experience to write a column about. She sat at her small table, eating green grapes from a basket in her wagon, with no takers. I resisted approaching her for as long as I could. Finally, I said to my husband, “I guess I need to know what it’s like to be a tarot card reader for strangers on Jackson Square.” She was one of seven tarot card readers on the plaza in front of the cathedral. Her name is Fiﬁ Laurent. She grew up in the New Orleans area, went to Destrehan High School and is in her “second season on Jackson Square.” She described a season as running from September “until it gets too hot to sit outside.”

LSU nursing graduate self-deported last year

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

In her bedroom at her grandma’s house in Olanchito, Honduras, in May, LSU nursing graduate Vilma Palacios was checking her email when she noticed a new message in her Canadian immigration portal. Her hands trembled as she clicked on the notiﬁcation. “I didn’t want to get my hopes

up,” Palacios said. In the back of her mind were the scenes from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Basile, where she was detained for six months last year before self-deporting. She remembered those long hours in the facility where there was nothing to do but watch the news and try not to think about her case. But the email contained lifechanging good news: approved.

“I felt overjoyed and blessed,” Palacios said. “This was everything that I wanted living in the States.” She would be leaving HonduPalacios ras and moving to Canada to work as a nurse, one year after graduating from LSU and one year since ICE agents arrested her while she was trying to get a vehicle inspection sticker.

She immediately called her parents. Her mom started crying from happiness, she said. “I still can’t believe that this is actually my life now,” Palacios said. “This is real life. How lucky I am to be granted this opportunity, especially being a Latina and the ﬁrst generation in my family to move to Canada and be on my own and succeeding. Everything that I had dreamed is what I am getting, but even better.”

ä See NURSE, page 2B

TRYING FOR PAR

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Jack Massey drives the ball off the tee on hole nine while golfing with friends Ian Barber and Kade Breaux on the historic City Park course on Thursday in Baton Rouge.

STAFF PHOTO BY JAN RISHER

Fifi Laurent, a tarot card reader on Jackson Square in New Orleans

She said she has given readings professionally for nearly ﬁve years. “I was born and raised into it,” she said. “It was never a, ‘Oh, we go home, and then we do the voodoo.’ It was just a way of life.” She said it was the way her grandmother lived. “It’s how she swept the house,” Laurent said. Even so, Laurent said she didn’t anticipate being on Jackson Square doing readings. “It’s just now that it’s the cool thing to do, so now we can attach the label back to it,” she said. “I just woke up one day, and people were talking about voodoo.” She doesn’t deny there’s a show element to the readings on Jackson Square, but she’s happy that more people have access to the tradition. She said that her grandmother was forced to speak English at school, so English was all she passed down. Now Laurent speaks Creole. Doing so, she said, gives her great joy. I asked what she believes people get from her readings. “Honestly, I think they get a therapy session,” she said. Even with no one waiting, I knew time was money. I asked

ä See RISHER, page 6B

Pediatrician: Community is key Convicted rapist to fixing chronic absenteeism Last year, 143K La. students missed 21.8% of school

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

Partway through her slideshow, Dr. Heidi Schumacher displayed a bar chart of eight high schools in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. It showed the percentages of students who have missed so much school that they are considered chronically absent. The numbers ranged from 60.2% to 81.9%. “That effectively means the norm of everyday attendance has collapsed,” said Schumacher, an expert in student absenteeism. In Louisiana, a student is counted as chronically absent if they miss 10% of school. For most schools that is roughly 18 days a year, or two days a month. Nearly half the students in East Baton Rouge high schools, 47.4%, earn that label. “When they attend regularly, they are seven times more likely to graduate from high school,” said Schumacher, an associate

professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont. By contrast, some schools have high attendance. For instance, at Baton Rouge Magnet High, which was not on Schumacher’s slide, less than 10% of the students are missing that much school. “I was in Washington, D.C., for a very long time,” Schumacher said. “We had exactly the same thing. This is not unique.” Schumacher then asked the room, filled with members of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, how alarmed they are by this educational divide: “Is this something we will tolerate or will we say we must do something about this as a community?” Schumacher’s recent trip to Louisiana was organized by the nonprofit group, Attendance Matters Louisiana, and was capped by a talk at Rotary this week. Schumacher serves on the advisory board for a similarly named national organization, Attendance Works. She previously served as chief health officer and assistant superintendent for Washington, D.C., Public Schools and the district's education agency. The ranks of chronically absent

students doubled nationwide in the wake of COVID-19. “We have seen an explosion in chronic absence,” Schumacher said. In Louisiana, 21.8% of public schoolchildren last year missed that much school, or about 143,000. Those numbers have improved over the past two years. but they are still well above pre-COVID levels. Louisiana has been in the news for being one of the only states to recover academically from COVID in English and math, but not everyone is reaping the beneﬁts. “You in Louisiana have seen tremendous growth. You should be celebrated for that,” Schumacher said. “And those kids can’t access those things if they are not in school. Every day.” Absent children not only fall behind in school, but their health suffers because they lose daily access to healthy meals as well as school nurses, she said. Their absence also stresses teachers and classmates. “When a child is coming and going, the teacher is reteaching,

ä See ABSENT, page 6B

sentenced to 15 years

Man pleaded guilty to crimes in Baton Rouge, Livingston BY GIGI LIMAN Staff writer

A Walker man will spend 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to raping and beating two women in Baton Rouge and Livingston Parish. David Coutee, 40, attacked the women in separate incidents in 2024, according to prosecutors. He beat one with a hammer and a ﬂashlight and locked her in an attic, and he choked the other with a belt, forcing both to engage in unwanted sexual acts. Coutee initially faced eight charges across both parishes, including first-degree rape and false imprisonment. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 28 to

ä See SENTENCE, page 2B

2B n Tuesday, October 6, 2026 n theadvocate.com n The Advocate

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La. family accused of torching Worker dies at chemical rental homes in insurance scam plant in Plaquemine Authorities: Yearslong fraud netted over $1M

BY JAMES FINN

Staff writer

The fires, prosecutors say, all started in similar places — usually in a child’s bedroom or the kitchen areas of more than a dozen residential properties clustered within a few square miles in north Louisiana. Almost all of the 13 homes were total losses. The fires ignited late at night, starting with the first one in April 2019 and the last in January of this year. There were other similarities: Renters’ insurance policies on each of the properties all traced back to a single family in the communities of Monroe and West Monroe, last name Whitlock. Lists of items lost to the fires, later sent to an insurance company, were nearly identical. Prosecutors say it was all a setup. In an indictment unsealed late last month, mother LaShaundalyn Whitlock Brown, her children LaQuadra Whitlock and Latricia Whitlock, and Brown’s sister, Romenique Whitlock, were charged with intentionally setting the fires, then pocketing more than $1 million in bogus renters’ insurance claims for belongings they said the flames had destroyed. They’re accused of stealing thousands more from a charity intended to help struggling renters after apartment fires, obtaining and laundering the money through hidden bank accounts as well as a Walmart payment service known as “Direct2Cash.” The 31-count grand jury indictment accuses the relatives of wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and using fire to commit a federal felony. Also charged in the indictment are Jonika James, Iesha Alexander and Travericka Williams, whom prosecutors described as friends the Whitlocks enlisted to take out renters’ policies and manage accounts they

used to move stolen cash. The picture painted by the indictment, plus statements from state and federal officials about the case, is one of a family whose members sought to enrich themselves through a brazen, yearslong scheme that hinged on burning down unwitting homeowners’ properties. The indictment names as the scheme’s victims a large insurance company that wrote renters’ insurance policies and a Washington, D.C.-based humanitarian organization that helped make fire victims whole. But the scheme had more localized impacts, too, officials said. “These fires affected whole neighborhoods,” said Zachary Keller, the U.S. attorney for Louisiana’s Western District, as he addressed reporters after the indictment was unsealed last week. “These fires affected first responders. These fires affected people who actually owned the homes that these people were renting.” Lawyers for each of the seven defendants did not respond to inquiries. Court records show all of them have pleaded not guilty. All were released on bail save for Brown, whom a magistrate judge ordered detained due to her prior criminal history, records show. Court records say the Whitlocks would first rent properties, either in their names or those of the three additional defendants, whom prosecutors said the Whitlocks paid to illegally use their identities. (The indictment suggests they may have enlisted additional people to sign leases, too.) Then they would take out renters’ policies through a large insurance company identified in the indictment as “Victim 1.” The indictment says the company maintained a headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois — the home of State Farm’s corporate offices. A State Farm office in Monroe did not respond to a phone message about the case. Within about two months of the Whitlocks taking out a renter’s policy, each of the 13 properties

NURSE

States, or maybe they’re in the United States on some kind of temporary immigration status and don’t feel comfortable there for a variety of reasons,” Brunner said. “Those are some of the groups that we’re seeing particularly interested in these pathways in Canada.”

Continued from page 1B For Palacios and her friends and family, the conclusion of her journey brings nuanced emotions. They wonder why, in the middle of a worsening nursing shortage in Louisiana and the U.S., she was sent away at all. “That makes no sense, and we all suffer for that,” said Matthew Reese, a nursing instructor at LSU Health New Orleans who taught Palacios. “Our parents and grandparents are definitely suffering by experiencing shortages. Good for Canada for recognizing an opportunity here to grow their country stronger.” President Donald Trump has intensified the focus on border security in his second term. His administration says that looser immigration policies cost U.S. citizens jobs and enable drug and sex trafficking. The Deportation Data Project at UCLA and UC Berkeley found that ICE arrests more than quadrupled from the last six months of former President Joe Biden’s administration to March 2026. Voluntary departures and returns, like the case of Palacios, became 28 times more common. A statement from the Department of Homeland Security said that Palacios was released from U.S. Border Control under the administration of former President Barack Obama despite having entered the country without authorization. “We do not pick and choose which laws to enforce or where to enforce them,” the statement said. “We will continue to enforce our nation’s laws and remove illegal aliens from American communities. Hiring illegal aliens is a choice, and a bad one.”

Canada recruiting After she left the U.S., Palacios knew she still wanted to be a nurse. “I didn’t really see myself staying in Honduras for a long time,” Palacios said. “I wanted to move somewhere else where I can just gain as much experience and knowledge in regards to my

would burn. The defendants would file with the insurance firm lists of items they’d lost. The lists were often identical down to the same typos, the indictment says. The defendants would also file claims for hotel stays and other relocation costs. Though claims often originated in others’ names, the Whitlocks would route the money to several bank accounts they controlled, the indictment says. One Jan. 20, 2024, wire transfer from the insurance company to an account controlled by Brown totaled $33,354. Another the next year was nearly $70,000. The defendants sought additional payments from a “nonprofit humanitarian organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.” that maintained chapters in Louisiana, the indictment says. The organization, which is not identified further in the indictment, offered funds for food, clothing and other essential goods to people displaced by fires. The Whitlocks collected thousands of dollars’ worth of bogus claims from the nonprofit, the indictment says. Many of the payments flowed through Walmart’s “Direct2Cash” service, which allows customers to send and receive money and pick it up from store locations. A Walmart spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the case. Officials said the investigation began when the Louisiana Department of Insurance and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an industry group that tracks insurance fraud, began communicating about suspected fraudulent claims. Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Monroe Fire Department, Louisiana State Police and the FBI also investigated the case. Keller, who was born and raised in West Monroe and recently returned to the region after working as a federal prosecutor in Florida, is prosecuting the case alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy J. Miller.

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

A chemical plant worker at Westlake Corporation in Plaquemine was found unresponsive and died after being rushed to the hospital Saturday night, the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce said. Payton Triche, 31, was found unresponsive in the plant’s chlorovinyls unit at 7:44 p.m. Saturday. Onsite emergency response teams provided aid until he was taken to

SENTENCE

Continued from page B1 second-degree rape and seconddegree battery in the Baton Rouge case, and to third-degree rape and aggravated battery in his Livingston case, receiving a sentence of 15 years in prison. The plea deals were coordinated between the two judicial districts, according to 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux. “This defendant deserves every second he spends in prison,” Perrilloux said. “We were glad to work with the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Ofﬁce in concluding this case.” The attack in Baton Rouge began in June 2024 when Coutee grew violent after speculating another man was present in the home of a woman with whom he had a relationship, according to court records. His arrest warrant stated that he dragged the woman through her home by her hair, repeatedly beat her and raped her multiple times over the course of several hours. “At some point, the victim was struck with a hammer over various parts of her body,” an investigator wrote in the warrant. Shortly after Coutee was arrested that month, a Livingston woman came forward to report similar crimes, according to court records.

to not affect me, especially with my mental health,” Palacios said. “I don’t want to go back to that place where I just felt very hopeless in so many ways.” While she is pursuing Canadian citizenship, she hopes to eventually return to the

the local hospital and died. Sheriff Brett Stassi said his ofﬁce was contacted that night about an individual who had been taken to the hospital and never recovered. Stassi said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is on-site investigating what happened at the plant located at 26100 La. 405. “Westlake is conducting a thorough investigation and will cooperate with all appropriate authorities,” the company said in a statement.

The woman said she and Coutee had known each other for years and developed a sexual relationship after reconnecting on Facebook. She told law enforcement ofﬁcials that he forced her into sexual acts, slapping and choking her with his hands and a belt and refusing to let go. “I’m scared of what might happen to me if he gets out,” she wrote in her report to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce. Coutee's trial in the Baton Rouge case began in May, but it ended in a mistrial after the judge found that prosecutors had failed to turn over relevant evidence to the defense. These included medical records from the victim and previously recorded statements from witnesses, according to court transcripts. Coutee was previously arrested in Livingston in 2021 on charges of battery of a dating partner and false imprisonment. In that case, authorities accused him of hitting his girlfriend in the face and strangling her during unwanted sex, then holding her in a room until she performed sexual acts. He pleaded guilty to an agreedupon amended charge of seconddegree battery in April 2023, receiving three years of probation, which, if violated in any way, would trigger a sentence of eight years in prison. A year and two months after he pleaded, he ended up back in jail on rape charges in connection with the Baton Rouge case.

LOTTERY

U.S. to be with her family. “Despite everything, I will never and can never forget the way I was blessed in being able to receive my education over there and the opportunities that I had,” Palacios said. “I do want to give back.”

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Local nursing shortage PROVIDED PHOTO BY VILMA PALACIOS

Vilma Palacios, a graduate of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, takes a selfie at her new job in Vancouver, Canada.

career.” She started talking with a former student of Reese who had used a program recruiting healthcare workers to Canada. Those conversations led her to Health Match BC, a public employment agency in Vancouver focused on bringing more physicians and nurses to British Columbia. She received a job offer from a hospital in Vancouver and then obtained her visa and work permit. In July, she made the international move, starting her job a month later. “It doesn’t feel like I’m actually going to work,” Palacios said. “The patients here, they’ve just been so lovely and nice to me. Everyone’s just been so welcoming. It makes me feel good, every time I walk into that hospital.” Because of its low birth rate and high wait times for services, Canada has long made a concerted effort to attract healthcare workers from other countries, said Lisa Brunner, a research associate at the University of British Columbia Centre for Migration Studies. Since 2025, the country has focused increasingly on bringing in professionals who practiced in the U.S., Brunner said. “I think there’s an explicit recognition that there are people in the United States that are looking for options to live and work elsewhere, whether they’re LGBTQ workers in the United

Reese said Louisiana needs more nurses like Palacios. “Outside of the personal dynamic between me and her, I feel like that’s the most frustrating part,” he said. “We’re sending nurses away. We’re educating them here. These are people that grew up here. And then we’re telling them they don’t belong, and we’re losing that. It just seems so counterproductive.” The lack of nurses and healthcare professionals generally is particularly acute in the Bayou State, said Brenda Douglas, dean of the nursing program at the Tulane University School of Medicine. She said she cannot comment on the case of Palacios speciﬁcally. According to a report published by the Health Resources and Services Administration in 2025, Louisiana is ninth in the list of the 10 states with the largest projected nursing shortages by 2038. When there are fewer nurses, Douglas said, patients suffer. Outcomes like infection rates and how long someone has to stay in the hospital go up, she said. “If you don’t have enough nurses, or the nurses have too many patients to take care of, they can’t give the time they need to an individual patient,” Douglas said. “So, things get missed sometimes. That causes problems to happen for the patient.”

A new life in Canada Palacios said she is making friends in Vancouver and ﬁnding her community. The move has been an adjustment, she said, but eased by the similarities between the U.S. and her new country. She often avoids the news, she said. “It brings back a lot of bad memories and a lot of things that I have really worked on

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First Baptist Church, Zachary at Noon.

Obituaries Breaux, Paul Joseph

Paul Joseph Breaux, who was born on March 11, 1942, a longtime resident of Lafayette, the first son of Sydney Joseph Breaux and Irene Bodin Breaux of Franklin, Louisiana, husband of Ann Jones Breaux, who preceded him in death, and father of Jason Emile Breaux and James Paul Breaux, died at his home on October 3, 2026. Jason and James suggest that flowers not be sent. Should you wish to remember Paul and pay your respects, please do so in a personal manner. Dad, you were much loved and will forever be remembered. Paul Joseph Breaux and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.

D'Armond, Bobbie St. Romain 'Nana'

In Loving Memory Bobbie St. Romain Bush D'Armond, age 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was also a woman of deep faith and a true servant at heart. Her greatest joy in life was loving the Lord and serving others. She grew up in New Roads, Louisiana, surrounded by her family. She was one of seven children and her Louisiana roots remained an important part of who she was throughout her life. She was married twice and was blessed with five children: Greg Bush (Joan), Keith Bush (Robin), Joel Marie Bush, Bradly Bush (Kim), and Van Bush (Paula). She is preceded in death by her previous partners and her beloved daughter, Joel Marie Bush. She was a loving mother and took great pride in her family. She leaves behind 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, who will carry her love and memory with them for generations to come. Bobbie had a true servant's heart. She never hesitated to help others, whether it was hanging clothes, cooking and serving meals, or simply being there when someone needed her. She loved people and took pleasure in helping others. Most of all, she loved talking about Jesus. Her faith was not simply something she believed; it was something she lived every day. She spent many years attending Woodlawn Baptist Church, where her love for the Lord and her desire to serve others were an important part of her life. When asked about some of her fondest memories, she would always mention her trip to the Holy Land with her church. It was a special experience that stayed in her heart and was something she loved remembering and sharing with others. Bobbie worked for Baton Rouge City-Parish for many years before retiring. She was also a devoted LSU and New Orleans Saints fan, and she loved cheering for her teams. Bobbie valued her friendships and relationships; one of the most special friendships in her life was with Terry Rockhold, her best friend of over 50 years. Terry was a constant and loving presence in her life and stood by her through so many seasons. Their friendship was a beautiful gift. Our family is deeply grateful to the staff at Glenncrest at Siegen and In His Care Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and care they gave her and our family during her final days. We will always be thankful for the love and dignity they showed her. While our hearts are broken by her passing, we find comfort in knowing h h i i h

that she is now in the arms of Jesus, whole and at peace, and reunited with her beloved daughter, Joel Marie Bush. Her love, her faith, her servant's heart, and her beautiful example will live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to a charity of your choice. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

follow this fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the LSU Department of Chemical Engineering, in honor of Doug Harrison's enduring passion for an and dedication to the department.

Metz, Francis H. 'Chip'

Until we meet again.

Harrison, Douglas Patrick

Douglas Patrick Harrison died September 26, 2026 in Baton Rouge where he had lived for 56 years. He always had a deep attachment to Texas, and in particular the small town of Frost, where he was born on November 19, 1937. Frost is a no-stoplight town of 600 people 90 minutes south of Dallas, and Doug graduated from high school there having lettered in baseball, football, and basketball. His mother, Lura Wren Harrison, was a school teacher there, and his father, William Vergil Harrison, was superintendent of Navarro County Schools. Douglas never missed (the very small) high school reunions of fellow Frost Polar Bears. He attended Navarro Junior College before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his Ph.D. in 1966 in chemical engineering. As a graduate student, he met and married Kay Farquhar Harrison of Dallas. She was teaching at Southwest Texas State University while studying for her PhD in history at the University of California-Berkeley. Douglas was a loyal Texas Longhorns fan, and in the days before cable television, he and Kay would drive with their family across the border to Beaumont to watch an important football game on television. In later years, he would watch any Longhorn sport that was on TV. He began his career with Monsanto at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. In 1969 he joined the Chemical Engineering department as an assistant professor. He served as department chair from 1976 to 1979 and held the Alexis and Marguerite Voorhies Endowed Professorship. He is the only professor to have received the Dow Chemical Excellence in Teaching Award four times - in 1988, 1995, 2000 and 2002. His research focused on gas-separation techniques associated with reducing pollution and on greenhouse gas removal from coal-fired power plants. He supervised dozens of master's and PhD students who are now working as engineers around the world. He was a visiting professor of engineering in the early 1980s at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, and a visiting scholar at the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation in Cheltenham in 2004. He retired from LSU in 2005 after 38 years with the university. In retirement he and his wife Kay traveled around the world. Closer to home, he enjoyed spending time with his two children and grandchildren, who knew him as "Chief." He was a fine woodworker who built much of his own furniture. He was also an avid stamp collector. He is preceded in death by his older sister, Dorothy (Dot) Moore of Maxwell, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kay Farquhar Harrison; two children, Carol Harrison (Thomas Brown) of Columbia, SC and Stephen Harrison (Hannah) of Charlotte, NC; and three grandchildren, Alex Harrison, Kate Harrison and Lily Harrison. He was also close to his four nieces: Kay Moore, Ann Grant, Jane Moore and Jill Moore. Grant, Jane Moore and Jill Moore. The family wishes to thank the Caring Companions of St. James Place, especially Javetta Queen, Dietra Warner, and Annette Grimes, for their care in his last weeks. A memorial service will

Dr. Francis Harold "Chip" Metz Jr., 87, of Morgan City, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Ochsner St. Mary, surrounded by his family and friends. Chip was born on April 13, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Dr. Francis Harold Metz Sr. and Earleria "Dupie" Duplantis Metz. He was a lifelong resident of Morgan City and a proud graduate of Morgan City High School, Class of 1956. From an early age, Chip had a warm, social spirit and a gift for connecting with people. Growing up, he and his siblings shared plenty of laughter and mischief, much of it dreamed up by Chip and his older brother, Donald, with his sister Teresa often on the receiving end of her big brothers' antics. He loved his mother tremendously. He tested her patience more than once, and she met him with understanding, becoming one of the first people to truly know him. Among his fondest childhood memories were the house calls he made with his father to visit patients. He would often come home with a dirty shirt, a full belly, and containers of food for his mom, an early glimpse of the life of service that lay ahead. After high school, Chip attended Louisiana State University before receiving a scholarship to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Though his time there was brief, he left a lasting impression on those around him. He returned to South Louisiana, graduated from LSU, and went on to medical school in New Orleans. It was there that his lifelong love of sailing began, fittingly, with a bet on a long shot mare, Tom's Gable, at the New Orleans Fair Grounds that paid off by 16 lengths and he bought a beat-up, sunken boat at the Pontchartrain Marina. Most importantly, it was during these years that he met his lifelong best friend, Patsy, a spirited Delta Airlines flight attendant from North Louisiana. They were married on August 20, 1966, at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, and made their first home in New Orleans while Chip completed his residency at Charity Hospital. He quickly introduced Patsy to all his curiosities and knew he had found his lifelong partner for every adventure. She was the ultimate trooper and loved him beyond measure. After completing internships across the country, Chip and Patsy returned to his hometown, where he followed in his father's footsteps as Dr. F.H. Metz Jr. and opened his Family Medicine practice. It was in these years that his deep devotion to serving his community truly took root. He was known to accept a mess of fish as payment at times, and his care for his patients reached well beyond the walls of his office. Many described him simply as a good man, a great doctor, and a kind person, though he never sought recognition. In 1989, he transitioned to emergency medicine at Lakewood Hospital, and in 1990 he was elected St. Mary Parish Coroner, a role he faithfully held for 28 years. "Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves." Philippians 2:3. Chip and Patsy raised their three children, Chuck, Margaret, and Gwen, in the same home where he grew up, filling it with his zest for life, love of nature, and endless curiosity about people. However busy his h d l h

schedule, he was a present father, whether on the sidelines chasing the perfect action shot, standing in the gym doorway in his scrubs to catch the last set, or catching a quick nap in his sunglasses at a tennis match after a long shift. Chip and Patsy didn't shy from exposing their children to the way they experienced and saw life. In addition to being with the entire family, Chip took many one-on-one trips with each child, allowing for an up close and personal view of his vision. He never strayed from meeting new people, he would always strike up conversations with the locals, and an adventure off the beaten path was a must. He taught them to live life to the fullest, to not waste time, but also to be present in the moment and to be kind. Both he and Patsy would often remark their greatest masterpiece was raising these kids. A natural teacher, Chip loved to ask questions and share what he knew, always hoping others could see the world the way he did. His curiosity was boundless. He was a man of many hobbies, and with each one he immersed himself fully. Most would see him as mastering them, but he was never satisfied and always wanted to better himself. Above all, he was rarely without a camera, always searching for the one photograph that captured a moment perfectly. Photography became a family tradition, with Patsy, Chuck, Margaret, and Gwen, or even a random passerby as his favorite subjects. Countless hours were spent in his dark room developing his own masterpieces with his children and sometimes even their friends. His love of nature created a space for him to disconnect and more often than not, he could be found with a fishing rod in hand on a boat somewhere near the Atchafalaya Bay, in a Louisiana marsh duck blind, in a random open field training his labs, in the virgin woods of St. Francisville or right in his own backyard gardening, raising orchids, planting fields of wildflowers or growing vegetables. His family and friends were always along for the experience. A new audience emerged when his grandchildren came into the picture. He was one of the best storytellers, most likely because they were the stories he lived. During family gatherings, his stories would captivate them, make them chuckle, and would leave them in awe, sometimes even shaking their head in disbelief. They adored him almost as much as he adored them. Chip's faith in the Catholic Church was always present. Maybe in a more unconventional way, while in nature, he felt the presence of God: in an Atchafalaya River sunrise, a sunset over Bayou Teche, or the morning dew on an open field. It wasn't until life slowed down, that Chip made his way back to church, becoming a regular at Saturday afternoon masses and receiving the Holy eucharist at Sacred Heart Church.

cis and Dupie Metz; brother, Donald Joseph Metz. The family would like to extend appreciation to the nurses and doctors at the Medicine Clinic of Morgan City, the entire staff at Ochsner Medical of St. Mary, and to his loyal and loving caregivers Darlene Carter, Christina Williams, and Leisha Babin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 12, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father John officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, October 12, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m., until the time of Mass. Pallbearers will be Martin Metz, Sanders Foreman, William Foreman, Nathan Theriot, Bennett Foreman, Thomas Theriot, Ayden Metz, Scott Theriot, John Foreman, Stephen Theriot, and Joe Metz. Honorary pallbearers will be Peter "Dutch" VandenAardweg, Dr. Michael Kadair, Pat Butler, Dr. Quentin Falgout and Greg Smith.

Redman, Brian F.

Brian Franklin Redman, a native and resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away at his home on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the age of 56. Born September 12, 1970, Brian was a graduate of LSU, where he earned a bachelor's degree, and was the owner of Red Stick Sports. Brian had a lifelong love of sports and especially enjoyed football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. An avid golfer, he won numerous long-drive competitions and enjoyed visiting some of the country's most prestigious golf courses, including Augusta, Pebble Beach, and Spyglass Hill. Travel was another great passion of Brian's. Of the many places he visited, London, England, became one of his favorites. He was also an

avid reader and enjoyed volunteering and coaching youth sports, sharing his enthusiasm for athletics with others. Brian is survived by his parents, Jon F. Redman and Joy Jumonville Redman; his sister, Erin Katherine Redman Bruner; his brother-in-law, Joseph Scott Bruner; and his nephews, Jon Thomas Bruner, Joseph Winford Bruner, and Henry Wells Bruner. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Peggy Smith Jumonville; maternal grandfather, Irwin Cyril Jumonville; paternal grandmother, Esther Kettring Redman; and paternal grandfather, Horace Edward Redman. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 11000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A committal service will follow at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Columbarium by Deacon Kirk Duplantis. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Bruner, Jon Thomas Bruner, Ford Bruner, Gary Womack, Brad Womack, and Henry Bruner. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of Baton Rouge or St. Lillian's Academy in Baton Rouge.

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Chip lived a vivacious life, never wasted a moment just watching the bushes grow and wanted anyone in his circle to experience his life with him. Those lucky enough to be a part of his adventures were impacted and walked away with their own stories to tell. As Chip's life began to slow, his adventures became fewer, but he wasn't removed from the action. He was able to sit back and observe what he and Patsy had created together. In the end, listening to his children and grandchildren tell their stories of adventure and mischief became his final hobby. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his devoted, loving, and patient wife of 60 years, Patricia "Patsy" Crawford Metz; three children, Dr. Francis Harold "Chuck" Metz III and wife Erin, Margaret Metz Theriot and husband Scott, Gwendolyn Metz Foreman and husband John, grandchildren, Martin Metz, Sanders Foreman, William Foreman, Nathan Theriot, Bennett Foreman, Thomas Theriot, Ayden Metz, Shannon Theriot Artigue, Mary Grace Theriot, Stephen Theriot; sister, Theresa Fraser, nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Rocky. Chip was preceded in death by his parents, Frani d i b h

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4B ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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

OUR VIEWS

Proceed with caution on AI in the classroom There’s no question that artificial intelligence is reshaping our world faster than many thought possible. AI tools are transforming entire industries and could make some jobs obsolete in the next decade. And it’s also changing the way we teach our kids. Louisiana schools have embraced AI in the classroom with technology that can tailor lessons to each kid’s abilities, help teachers create lesson plans and more. The state Department of Education has issued guidance saying Louisiana wants to be a leader in leveraging AI. We are not Luddites. We recognize that AI has the potential to bring tremendous benefits to teachers and students. However, when it comes to AI in the classroom, we are with the parents who are calling for educators to slow down and think carefully about the long-term effect of having kids stare at screens and read to AI “tutors” rather than real human teachers. Let’s recall that our state’s recent reading gains that have been the talk of the nation have come not because of some fancy new technology. They have come from a back-to-basics approach that emphasizes phonics and trains teachers to spot which students are struggling and get them remedial help. The strategies adopted by education leaders have relied on data and evidence of what works. So far, little solid research exists on which AI tools work best in the classroom. Particularly for younger students, there should be thoughtful discussion before AI apps are used as a substitute for human interaction. That’s why we are encouraged that more parents are starting to force this conversation in school districts. In St. Tammany Parish, for example, a group of moms banded together to form a local chapter of Schools Beyond Screens, a national group that is advocating for restrictions on AI use in schools. One of their first steps is a survey on how devices are used in schools. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers says it is conducting a similar survey among teachers. This is important. Before we can discuss issues with AI, we need to understand exactly how it is being used. Some of the country’s largest school districts, including New York and Los Angeles, have issued moratoriums on AI use in K-12 schools. While we would not go so far as to call for a ban, we do advocate for a slowdown in the adoption of this technology. We understand that some large tech companies are making a lot of money peddling tablets, apps and AI education tools to school districts. And that makes us even more wary. After all, the oft-quoted mantra in Silicon Valley is to “move fast and break things.” That may be well and good when it comes to developing the newest phone or software. But if we break our kids, there isn’t any quick fix.

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identifying name, occupation and/or title and the 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.

YOUR VIEWS

Criminal defense is vital and guaranteed by the Constitution

Tackle the root causes of chronic school absenteeism In a recent conversation about truancy, I was asked, “Can we make school fun again?” Given the chronic absenteeism our schools face, there is alarm and a real need to examine root causes and solutions. The research shows that the biggest correlations to chronic absenteeism are: poverty/low socioeconomic status; health and mental health conditions; disabilities and special needs; lack of belonging and school climate; and structural and logistical barriers, such as inadequate transportation. There has been such an emphasis on testing and accountability that other areas have lost attention as we focus on academic struggle. Baton Rouge schools have a bus driver shortage, leaving families guessing about when or if a bus will arrive. Some absences are due to legitimate health concerns, whether physical or mental. Our school system serves a population of students who deal with the effects of poverty, such as housing instability, food insecurity and community

stress, all leading to absenteeism. When I ask people what they want to see in our schools, the answers are remarkably consistent: warm, inviting schools close to home where the classroom environment is conducive to learning, teachers are valued and supported, safety is prioritized, interesting electives are available (art, music, theater, shop) and there are ample sports opportunities, all in addition to strong academics. I appreciate the current East Baton Rouge schools superintendent’s focus on enriching the high school experience. As a Baton Rouge Youth Coalition mentor, I am taught to help students “ﬁnd their thing.” We have to improve connections with trusted adults, foster a sense of belonging and make school relevant and engaging. First, we have to make sure the buses show up consistently. Then we have to make school both challenging and fun to keep students eager to be there.

Recently, I received a campaign flyer in the mail from someone who suggested that her opponent in a judicial race could “not be trusted to keep our families safe.” This conclusion came from the fact that he “chose to defend” people accused of rape, murder, child pornography and fentanyl distribution. I take umbrage at this cheap shot. The candidate noted that she had started her career at the Louisiana Supreme Court and done much scholarly research. But she apparently missed both the law school classes and the Louisiana (and United States) Supreme Court opinions stressing that the system can only work with the vigorous efforts of defense attorneys, as guaranteed by both the Louisiana Constitution and the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Like the candidate who circulated the flyer, I also started work clerking at the Louisiana Supreme Court after going to a highly regarded law school. Like her, I have written law review articles. She probably also taught — as I have— some law school classes and some continuing education courses in both substantive law and procedure. She has devoted “countless hours” to pro bono service, just as I chose to become a public defender for almost 47 years. She may have worked for her church, just as I have worked as both a eucharistic minister and Boy Scout leader. I have represented countless fellow citizens accused of rape, murder, child pornography offenses and drug distribution. But if any candidate — anywhere, anytime — were to suggest that my devotion to the ideals of the Constitution disqualified me from serving as a judge, what would that show? It would show that the candidate is so saturated with prejudices against fellow citizens accused of crime that the candidate herself cannot be trusted to rid herself of those prejudices, as would be required when taking office.

HANNAH AMOROSO Baton Rouge

We need unbiased review of 15-year roof rule I just read the article concerning the fortified roof program the state of Louisiana offered and how the rules changed midstream for those who purchased a fortified roof (“How a change in fortified roof program could cause homeowners to lose discounts after 15 years,” Oct. 3). Everyone should have seen that coming, since the Institute for Business and Home Safety board that makes the rules is nothing but executives from major insurance companies. IBHS is wholly supported by the property insurance industry. Where did the 15-year rule come from? Why

not 20 years? Are there engineering studies out there to support the 15-year rule? It seems to me that there should be an independent body outside the insurance industry that could review the rule and make a decision since the state has invested so much in the fortiﬁed roof program. Has the newspaper or Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple even asked that question? Please explain to me how the state came up with 15 years.

GARY GIFFEL Geismar

Two identical plays, two rulings — both against Saints TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN HERE

Anyone who doesn’t think there is something corrupt with the NFL must not be watching the New Orleans Saints this year. Game 1: Saints sack Lions quarterback, his arm straight in the air — the ball comes loose, the Saints pick it up and score a touchdown. The ruling is an incomplete pass, and the Saints don’t have the ball. On Sept. 27, an identical play: The Saints have the ball, with quarterback Tyler Shough’s arm in the air to pass. A Raiders player hits him; the ball

comes out of his hand and the Raiders recover. The ruling is a fumble. Two identical plays, two different rulings, and both are against the Saints. Here is the catch: The NFL has a gag order in all players’ and coaches’ contracts, banning any bad talk about ofﬁciating or the NFL. If they do so, they will be ﬁned or suspended. And people pay very good money to see this corruption.

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COMMENTARY Britain bails out possible terrorists Republicans President Donald Trump says he was after he was accused in a German ter“surprised” that Britain released five ror plot. suspected terrorists on bail. The susOne might think that Britain, which pects were arrested after a farmer saw suffered its own “9/11” on July 7, 2005, when terrorists targeted London’s the masked men and several vans 100 public transportation system, yards from a British air base the killing 52 people, might take U.S. has used to conduct bombsubsequent threats more seriing runs on Iran. British authorities said tests ously and not release the five on the vehicles did not reveal suspects on bail. Human nature any “viable explosives.” Maybe and their ideology suggest not, but such suspicious behavior these men are unlikely to show Cal might have been a test run ahead up for their court date and Thomas could flee the country. of an attack on the base. PredictThough America has not ably, Iran, which has threatened to retaliate against any nation aligning experienced another terrorist attack on the scale of 9/11, Britain has been itself with the U.S. attacks, has denied the target of several other catastrophic any connection to the men. Did we exattacks. Unfortunately, the power of pect Iran to tell the truth? political correctness and not wanting Why not wait until the investigation to call the motivation behind these atis complete before considering the release of the suspects on bail? The pubtacks for what it is, overcame common sense. lic doesn’t know the names of the five There was the Manchester Arena men because British laws restrict such Bombing on May 22, 2017, at an Ariana disclosures, so their backgrounds canGrande concert. Twenty-two people not be independently investigated. were killed. More evidence that Britain is letting On March 22, 2017, there was an atits guard down – if it ever had it sufficiently up – comes with news that Lon- tack on London’s Westminster Bridge. The driver of a vehicle struck people don granted refugee status and later walking on the bridge. He then got out citizenship to a former bodyguard of and stabbed others. Five people died. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, though Then there was the attack on London his ties to terror groups were publicly known. They kept on hosting him even Bridge on June 3, 2017 — A van and

knife attack on London Bridge and in Borough Market killed eight people. It appeared to be a copycat of the March 22 attack. What does it say about Britain’s seriousness in ﬁghting terrorism when it took a farmer, not the police, to discover suspicious activity so close to an air base? Did the base not have cameras or military patrols? Was anyone paying attention besides the alert farmer? Britain has been in decline for years. As in other European countries, London has had issues with high levels of cross-border asylum-seekers. The border policy of the Biden administration also contributed to the immigration crisis at America’s southern border. To his credit, President Trump effectively closed the southern border to asylum seekers and unauthorized migrants and has deported thousands of criminals who violated U.S. immigration laws, potentially making the country safer. Letting these ﬁve suspects out on bail was a major mistake that could come back to haunt the British government. If terrorists, or any like-minded people manage to attack the air base and people are killed, it will be the government that will have blood on its hands. Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY ALASTAIR GRANT

A B1 bomber prepares to take off as police officers man a checkpoint near RAF Fairford air base, in Fairford, England, on Sept. 29.

Stop buying votes, everybody It would be hard to find a more insult- proval but questioned the mechanics of handing out all that dough. Rep. Beth ing offer than to exchange money for Van Duyne, R-Texas, said, “The devil’s your vote. That’s exactly what Presialways in the details.” dent Donald Trump did in announcing Actually, the devil is in the offer. It is that if voters keep Republicans in a buying of votes. If Republicans power come the midterms, attempt a partisan comeback by he’ll send every adult citizen a arguing that Democrats do it, too, $5,000 check. they have a point. Democrats do Now, one would not put monbuy votes, though they usually ey on that promise. Even if couch the exchange in less vulgar Republicans do retain control terms. of both the House and the SenFroma Was Joe Biden buying votes ate, the promise will surely Harrop when he promised to help pay off be thrown in the same manila student loans? He was. He anfolder as the vow to release the Epstein files, all of them. nounced his student-debt cancellation Of course, Trump would not be payplan, which would have erased up to ing us five grand — the federal govern- $10,000 in debt for qualifying borrowment would. ers, shortly before the 2022 midterms. That would cost around $1.2 trillion. Helping pay for education sounds Trump says the money would come nice on the surface. But it raised refrom his tariff collections. The math sentment in families who saved money doesn’t work. The tariffs so far have for college. One middle-income father, raised only about $270 billion after sub- ordinarily a devoted Democrat, comtracting the court-ordered refunds to plained to me that he sent his highimporters. achieving son to a community college To be fair to Republicans, the offer for the first two years because it was has turned a number of their stomachs. free. “I disagree with it,” said Rep. Ralph Has New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Norman, R-S.C. “It’s pay-to-play ... Plus, put votes on the auction block by mailwhere are you getting the money? I ing checks of up to $200 “to help famithink we’re in debt $40 trillion.” lies keep pace with the rising cost of Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, was less energy”? Of course. diplomatic: “Some of us think depenA Democrat up for reelection, Hodency is evil and soul-sucking, in all its chul is in a surprisingly close race with forms.” Republican Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau Others skipped the moral disapCounty executive.

Her pitch is pretty blatant: “You don’t have to do a thing. No application, no paperwork ... If you’re eligible, the check is coming to you.” She pretties it up by calling the payments an investment. These days, Vice President JD Vance sees himself as Trump’s sander, smoothing the abrasive edges of his policies without sounding overly critical, important if he harbors his own presidential ambitions. Vance also suggested that wealthy Americans wouldn’t get those $5,000 checks. “What the president is saying,” Vance explained, “is if you keep us in power and allow us to continue to do these things, then you’re going to share in some of the beneﬁts ...” Which of “these things” is he referring to? Surely not the tariffs, the Iran war, the government borrowings that have made life in America a lot more expensive. There’s the argument that farm subsidies and tax cuts are also payoffs for votes. One difference is that the farm money goes mainly to farmers and the tax cuts go mostly to the upper incomes who least need the help. All politicians should be called out for vote buying with taxpayer dollars. Trump’s $5,000 bid just adds insult by being so blatant. Froma Harrop is on X @FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com.

don’t own religion

For more than 50 years, voters of faith have aligned strongly with the Republican Party. In the last election, White evangelical Christians accounted for almost 1 in 4 voters, and they backed Donald Trump by an astounding 82% to 17%, according to exit polls. Voters with no religious ties, also about one-fourth of the electorate, supported Kamala Harris 71% to 27%. This year, that vast imbalance is starting to shift. A small but vocal Steve number of Democratic candidates Roberts for the House and Senate are emphasizing their religious origins and values. Often, they cite scripture to explain their embrace of liberal doctrine. A typical campaign argument is voiced by Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran minister and state legislator who is challenging the incumbent Republican, Zach Nunn, in Iowa’s third district. “Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan,” she preaches. “Everyone is your neighbor. Anyone who is overlooked and left behind and forgotten — that’s who you are called to help, and that is the calling of government.” “When you say that a candidate is religious, most voters then assume that they’re Republican, that they’re pretty conservative,” David Campbell, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame, told Reuters. “What you’re seeing now is a small group of Democrats who are using religious language to speak about issues on the left.” Those faith-based Democrats don’t have an easy path. Their party is deeply rooted in highly secular institutions, like universities, and coastal urban centers where words like “God” and “prayer” are seldom invoked — even disdained. “If you’re a Democratic candidate, you actually have a pretty tricky road to navigate, because on the one hand, you do have a very secular base, people who are not very comfortable with religion,” says Campbell. “But on the other hand, there are a lot of moderate voters out there who are up for grabs who are very comfortable with religious language.” The modern connection between observant voters and conservative politics obscures a long and important dimension in American history. Liberal religionists have played major roles in many righteous crusades, from abolishing slavery and enacting women’s suffrage to the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. A major change started with the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 that legalized abortion and energized right-wing religious leaders to enter politics. Progressive court rulings on issues like gay rights and school prayer further inflamed many observant voters, and Republican candidates generated support by promising to appoint federal judges who would reverse those opinions. Donald Trump is hardly a paragon of religious values. He’s been married three times, seldom goes to church, brags about abusing women and stands convicted of sexual assault and paying hush money to a porn star. But he’s remained popular among religious conservatives by appointing about 280 judges, including three to the Supreme Court, who all voted to overturn the Roe decision. He’s also cloaked himself in religious imagery, posting memes that depict him as the pope and even as a Jesus-like healer. In his latest TV ads, he calls the fall election the “final battle” and vows to “cast out” his enemies — clear references to Biblical paradigms. The faith-based Democrats running this fall are trying to shift the focus away from these cultural issues to economic ones, where Trump and the Republicans are far weaker. A good example is Lindsay James, a Presbyterian chaplain and state legislator who decided to run for Congress in Iowa after Republicans slashed federal healthcare spending and offended her Christian values. Voters tell her about having to choose between paying for utility bills or winter clothing, rent or food. “These are the kinds of impossible choices that people are making, and they’re doing it in the wealthiest country in the world,” James said at a political rally. “And I think all of us can agree that that is not right.” “For the first time in a long time, Democratic candidates are making faith voters a priority and making sure they know that they’re an essential part of the party,” Doug Pagitt, an evangelical pastor and executive director of Vote Common Good, writes in The Hill. “Just as Republicans don’t own what it means to be American, Republicans don’t own religion. Democrats should embrace our religious diversity and firmly declare that people of faith belong in our party.” In letting Republicans “own religion,” Democrats have been making a major mistake. The candidates who are reclaiming the historical connection between strong faith and progressive ideals are doing “good works.” Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail. com.

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TODAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny and warm

Intervals of bright sunshine

High thin cloudiness and warm

Some rain and a thunderstorm

A couple of showers possible

Clouds yielding to sun

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

90° 69°

LOW

HIGH

88° 67°

LOW

90° 66°

Beaumont 89/71 Port Arthur 88/74

Baton Rouge 90/69

Lake Charles 90/71

New Orleans 85/74 Houma 85/71

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

Hattiesburg 87/65

Alexandria 89/68

Lafayette 89/69

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

LOW

HIGH

LOW

85° 67°

YESTERDAY

TODAY

READING 38 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

Baton Rouge through 5 p.m. Monday

Jackson 87/65 Many 88/64

HIGH

81° 65°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 87/61

-0s

LOW

Monroe 91/66

Shreveport 89/63

-10s

HIGH

86° 68°

From the mouth of the Mississippi to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and into the Gulf, the National Weather Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory due to winds of 25 to 35 mph and 6 to 9 foot seas. Otherwise, expect a mostly sunny to partly cloudy, warm and breezy day. Temperatures this afternoon will rise to the upper 80s to low 90s. The winds will be northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph, bringing more dry air into the Baton Rouge area. There is no rain in the forecast today through Thursday.

60s

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

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today NEW

OCT 10

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Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Dallas Denver Houston Las Vegas

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

84°/74° 84°/63° 85°/73° 97° in 2006 43° in 2010

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

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

HIGH

5:26p 10:58a 3:05a 5:39a 7:06a 6:25a 8:14a

7:01 a.m. 6:44 p.m. 2:53 a.m. 4:29 p.m.

FIRST

OCT 18

78 88 62 75 72 85 86 90 96

TODAY Lo

60 62 45 51 58 62 55 70 75

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OCT 25

s s s s s s s s s

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80 90 67 79 77 86 83 91 99

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PRECIPITATION

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60 64 55 53 54 63 54 69 74

s s s s pc s s c s

FT.

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0.20” 0.02” 0.76” 46.40” 48.64”

FT.

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0.8 4:01a 0.1 1.9 10:10p 0.6 2.3 7:02a 2.0 1.9 11:19a 1.5 1.4 5:54p 0.4 1.8 4:08p 0.6 1.8 6:56p 0.5

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SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

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FT.

--- ----- ----- ----- --12:04p 2.1 6:16p 0.6 1:26p 1.5 10:17p 0.5 --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---

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 8:31a Wednesday 9:14a Thursday 9:55a Friday 10:36a Saturday 11:19a Sunday 12:28p Monday 12:31a

City

Los Angeles 101 Miami 90 Nashville 82 New York City 62 Philadelphia 65 Phoenix 99 St. Louis 79 San Francisco 82 Seattle 67

2:18a 3:02a 3:44a 4:25a 5:07a 5:53a 6:43a

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75 77 57 49 47 79 59 58 51

8:56p 9:38p 10:17p 10:58p 11:41p ---12:55p

s t s s s s s s pc

99 90 87 68 72 102 88 78 69

2:44p 3:26p 4:06p 4:47p 5:30p 6:16p 7:07p

WED. Lo

73 77 58 56 55 78 57 58 50

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

s t s s s s s s pc

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

RISHER

Continued from page 1B her price and Venmoed her $45. She asked me to pick from cards she shuffled and kept in her basket. She covered the cards with rocks — I wasn’t sure if that was because of the wind or if the rocks meant something to her. According to the first card I picked, she told me there were parts of me that wished I spoke up with more confidence. I wasn’t certain of a correct response since I feel like I speak up aplenty. My husband, friends and coworkers can testify. That said, I do sometimes try to limit myself so I don’t cross the line into obnoxiousness. And yet, I recognized that I used to speak up more. I explained that I stopped speaking up all the time because it is exhausting.

ABSENT

Continued from page 1B relationships get disrupted,” she said. “The whole milieu of a school environment is altered.” Contrary to popular thinking, poor student attendance starts as early as prekindergarten and gets worse over time, she said. “Children who are chronically absent in prekindergarten or in kindergarten are much less likely to be reading on grade level by third grade, which sets up their entire educational trajectory,” Schumacher said. Poor school attendance is so problematic that the medical community has been steadily elevating its importance in child health diagnoses. “There is a growing movement to consider school attendance as a vital sign,” she said. Chronic absenteeism is a relatively new way to measure whether kids are in

Somewhere along the way, I realized that I can’t ﬁx everything. That, she said, was her point. The more she talked, the more I realized that what she and I do overlaps. She listens to people to help them ﬁnd insights about their own stories. I listen to people to tell their stories. We both take on the stories of others — which, she said, has its costs, something I had not considered. Laurent said she has her rituals and routines to not take on too much of another person’s story. “Like I keep my head covered,” she said. I have no head wrap. Until that moment, it hadn’t occurred to me that I might need one. Other people’s stories generally stay with me. Something someone said to me in an interview 21 years ago will just pop into my head at the strangest moment. I still remember an Iraqi refugee I inter-

viewed in 2005 who told me about being in prison in Iraq. He said, “Oh, all the most interesting people were in prison in Iraq.” Taking in thousands of stories has changed me. I’d like to believe all of those stories have worked together to make me more empathetic — and maybe, occasionally, more impatient. Laurent and I have different ideas about the need to protect ourselves from other people’s stories. Maybe the difference comes down to our thoughts on how much one person’s spirit can touch another’s. Laurent was raised in a tradition with a clear answer. I’m still working on mine. The exchange reminded me of the great joy of being a journalist. It is the gift of walking up to someone, even a tarot card reader on Jackson Square, and saying, “Tell me your story.” And they do.

school. Schumacher considers it a superior measure. Public schools have long tracked daily student attendance as well as truancy. Both attendance and truancy grew worse after COVID and have improved since but have yet to return to pre-COVID levels. A child in Louisiana is counted as truant if they have five or more unexcused absences, or tardies, during a semester. Excused absences, however, can add up — as many as ﬁve days of school with a note from a parent and more days if the child has a doctor’s note. In contrast to truancy, chronic absenteeism counts all absences, whether they are excused or not. “Really any absence, excused or unexcused, results in the child not being in school and has a similar impact in the long run,” Schumacher said. Community effort is key to turning the problem around, she said. Schumacher ended with a success story: a 13-year-

old boy named Paul in rural Vermont whom she has been working with for the past two years. The year they met he had missed 75 days of school. He was isolated in a house that had no running water or heat, and food wasn’t always available. His parents and grandparents had bad experiences in school themselves. He suffered from anxiety. After he entered therapy, the boy ended up transferring to a smaller, alternative learning program. A local health center helped with his mental health issues. He had mentors who visited with him. He began developing trusting relationships. The biggest help was a local horse farm that set up a therapeutic horseback riding program for students at the school, and Paul loved it. His school attendance steadily improved to the point where this school year he hasn’t missed a single day. “This school didn’t do it alone,” she said. “They had community partners.”

GOOD

FLOOD STAGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

MON. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

5.00 26.30 28.10 12.40 7.10 5.46 4.70

-1.43 +0.42 +0.70 +0.60 none +0.29 -0.15

16.60

-2.39

-1.40

+0.23

18 29 8

-1.20 9.96 3.45

+0.03 +0.18 +0.08

13 15

2.52 0.58

+0.05 -0.11

47 34 29 20 12 6

12.02 7.75 6.35 5.58 4.30 2.74

+1.50 +0.74 +0.56 +0.45 +0.50 -0.10

data as of 7 a.m. Monday

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

T u e s d ay, O c T O b e r 6, 2026

1cN

Fans honor, learn at feet of Gleason statue

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Cooper Landry never had seen the play that was immortalized by the statue in front of Landry and his grandfather as they stood in line Monday. So roughly two hours before kickoff, before his grandson attended his first-ever New Orleans Saints game, Frank Crawford wanted to make sure the 13-year-old understood. So the two, like many others near Gate D of the Caesars Superdome, waited in line to take a picture in front of the “Rebirth” statue — the larger-than-life bronze tribute to Steve Gleason’s famous blocked punt. Paying respect to Gleason on this day, for this anniversary, was a must. “When I think of football, and I think of things that have happened to this team,” said Crawford, the 89-year-old who has been a season-ticket holder for 53 years, “that moment is No. 1.” A raucous atmosphere filled Monday’s game between the Saints and the Atlanta Falcons, one that could be felt inside and outside the Superdome. From honoring Gleason in Lafayette Square with a second line parade to fans erupting when Drew Brees appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem, the 20th anniversary of the Saints’ return to the Dome after Hurricane Katrina was thoroughly remembered. But the celebration wasn’t complete without fans stopping at Gleason’s statue to appreciate the legendary moment. The pictures served as another way to ensure Gleason’s play never would be forgotten. “It’s a moment frozen in my mind,” said David McClain, a 36-year-old Saints fan from Chalmette. “I’ll never forget it. I’ll be on my deathbed, I’ll remember. Being able to celebrate tonight being the homecoming game and have my children here with me and my family, it’s one I’ll hopefully never forget.” Many of the fans who attended Monday’s game were also in the building 20 years ago. Lance St. LeBlanc, for instance, commemorated the anniversary by wearing the same jersey he wore back then: Scott Fujita’s No. 55. But this time, rather than sitting in Section 618 with his close friend, he was with his two sons and two of their best friends. Others made trips from all over to be on hand. Lavarus Henderson and his wife ﬂew in from Davenport, Iowa, while Nick and Amanda Graziano and their two children made the eight-hour journey via airplane from Hawaii to New Orleans. The Grazianos’ itinerary included a trip to Gleason’s statue. “It was deﬁnitely a priority for me,” Nick Graziano said. “My kids aren’t as die-hard as I am, having grown up in Hawaii. You know, they don’t quite fully understand the seriousness of the Saints and what it means to this region. “But I think, hopefully, when they get in the Dome, they’ll get it.” Even all this time later, the impact of Glea-

ä See GLEASON, page 5C ä See more coverage of the Saints home game vs. the Falcons. GO TO THEADVOCATE.COM

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU linebacker TJ Dottery, left, defensive end Jordan Ross, back, and safety Ty Benefield celebrate with safety Tamarcus Cooley, right, after Cooley’s interception against McNeese State on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.

Happy thoughts Kiffin pleased with how LSU is performing after five games

BY KOKI RILEY

ä LSU at Kentucky. 6 P.M. SATURDAY, ESPN

Lane Kiffin is mostly happy. Through five weeks, his first LSU team has met lofty expectations. The Tigers are nearly halfway through the season with a 4-1 record, averaging 43.6 points and allowing just 15.2 points per contest. The first-team defense has surrendered one second-half touchdown while the offense has scored nearly twice as many rushing touchdowns (19) as it had in 13 games last season (10). Their only loss came on the road to a top-10 team (Ole Miss), and they beat Texas A&M and Clemson by a combined score of 86-16. Kiffin has little to pick at heading into this weekend’s matchup against Kentucky (6 p.m., ESPN), the first of a seven-game stretch against Southeastern Conference competition. “I feel really good about our team,” Kiffin said on Monday. “We’ve had a lot of times where we’ve played as well

as anybody in the country.” The numbers back Kiffin up that LSU has played like one of the best teams in the country. The Tigers are No. 10 in the AP Top 25 poll and No. 7 nationally in SP+, ESPN’s predictive efficiency metric. They also have the nation’s top defense in terms of efficiency, according to ESPN’s College Football Power Index. The only downside, according to Kiffin, has been the injuries. Losing tight end Trey’Dez Green, linebacker Whit Weeks and safety Dashawn Spears has weighed heavily on his mind. Quarterback Sam Leavitt’s hamstring injury hasn’t quelled any of his concerns, either. Green and Weeks could return this season, but Spears is out for the year with a torn ACL. Kiffin said Monday

Staff writer

Backup QBs proving tough to beat in NFL

Mosley era set to begin in Pelicans’ preseason opener BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears admits the ﬁrst six days of training camp have been different from his rookie season a year ago. “A lot more competitive, a lot more teaching,” Fears said. So after six days of grueling defensefocused practice and the trash talking that has come with it, Fears and his teammates are looking forward to competing against someone else. The Pelicans play their preseason opener Tuesday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the BOK Center. It’ll be the ﬁrst glimpse of the Pelicans under head coach Jamahl Mosley, hired in May to turn things around for a team that has struggled in a big way the past

two seasons. “(This game) gives you a real test to be able to see what you’ve done,” Mosley said. “What you’ve put in and what feels good against your own team is great. (But) going against a different opponent where you will see different coverages and they are guarding you a little different is all great to see in real time.” OKC is one of the NBA’s elite teams, having won the championship two seasons ago and reaching the Western Conference Finals last season. The Thunder hang its hat on defense, much like Mosley. “I think it’s a great opportunity to continue to improve to see where we stand,” Mosley said. “The opponent shouldn’t matter. It has got to be about

ä See PELICANS, page 3C

ä See LSU, page 4C

BY ROB MAADDI

AP pro football writer

AP PHOTO BY GERALD LEONG

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks to pass against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears, center, and center Derik Queen on Jan. 27 in Oklahoma City.

Backup quarterbacks are seeing plenty of action and several are having success. The way NFL players are going down at an alarming rate, more teams likely will need reliable backup QBs to stay competitive. Lamar Jackson became the latest quarterback to go down Sunday. His status is uncertain after he suffered an ankle injury in Baltimore’s 24-18 home victory over Tennessee. Jaxson Dart already went down for the season. Jayden Daniels has missed the past two games. Baker Mayﬁeld is out at least a few weeks. Sam Darnold and Kyler Murray each missed a start, and Caleb Williams has missed two.

ä See BACKUP, page 5C

2C ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Losses pile up for Colorado Coach Sanders is still capturing hearts in Boulder, but wins aren’t following

who should want Sanders and CU to ﬂounder, if not outright fail — shows up with his kid. “I love him,” Campbell says of Sanders. “I think he understands the part of developing boys into men,” Campbell said. “Ninety-plus percent of these guys aren’t going to go play in the NFL. They’ll go on and do something else. He’s preparing them for that. I wouldn’t have brought my son to a place where they didn’t have that vision.”

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

BOULDER, Colo. — One of Colorado’s biggest boosters loves him. One of his most daunting opponents does, too. Deion Sanders is still capturing his share of hearts at the Colorado program he put back on the map when the coach arrived before the 2023 season. But wins aren’t following. Examining the before and after of CU’s most recent loss — a 29-7 home setback against Texas Tech on Saturday that dropped Sanders to 18-24 at CU — shows there aren’t any clear-cut answers for the Buffs, who are 2-3. Yes, they could use more money to stay on pace in the college sports arms race. Even if they got it, there is mixed evidence as to whether “Coach Prime” and his staff are up to the task of winning big.

Failing experiment at QB

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY DAVID ZALUBOWSKI

A key booster finds a lot to like

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders argues for a call during a game A booster named Rob Wilhite against Texas Tech on Saturday in Boulder, Colo.

was among the hundreds hanging out Saturday on a lawn in the shadow of Colorado’s Folsom Field. On autumn Saturdays, the football-sized field becomes “Ralphie’s Corral,” named after the buffalo that leads the Buffs onto the gridiron. Wilhite is the official personal injury attorney for CU athletics. “Look what he’s done for our program,” he says of Sanders as he points at the hundreds of people milling, sipping and waiting for a pregame appearance from Ralphie herself. “Before he came, there was no one out here. It was like half this crowd.” Wilhite grew up in Dallas watching Sanders play for the Cowboys on Sundays. On Saturdays, he loved watching Eric Bieniemy lead the Buffs to their only national title in 1990. The day the attorney officially fell in love with CU football was Jan. 1, 1996, at the Cotton Bowl. “I got to see Rick Neuheisel play his guitar,” Wilhite said of the magnetic former coach. “My mom was so mad I wouldn’t go to Emory or Georgia or anywhere else. I wanted to go to Colorado.” Colorado is lucky he came.

Wilhite didn’t want to disclose and, frankly, probably couldn’t even nail down how much money he has poured into the school’s athletic department over the years. Generous as he is, Wilhite is also well aware CU football could use 10 or 20 more folks just like him. He loves Sanders, whose .429 win percentage at Colorado would get a coach ﬁred at Michigan or Alabama, no questions asked. But in the hours before the Texas Tech game, Wilhite was talking about getting more help for the coach, not ﬁring him. “We need more people to come out and understand that we’re a young program and we need to develop it more,” Wilhite said. “I think part of the problem is, we can’t get a lot of donors to donate.”

Texas Tech billionaire No one seemed surprised to see Cody Campbell hugging it out with Sanders on the visitors’ sideline before the game. Campbell is the billionaire head of the Texas Tech board of regents and also one of college football’s most influential voices. He has

worked tirelessly to promote a bill in Congress — the Protect College Sports Act — that could shift the out-of-control spending dynamics in college sports. One of the ironies is that if the bill passes and puts guardrails around what schools can spend, that would most likely help the Colorados of the world — the schools that don’t have billionaire donors — at the expense of the Texas Techs, the schools that do. Campbell was wearing more than his regent’s hat at this one. He was here with the family. His son, Carson, an offensive lineman at All Saints’ Episcopal in Fort Worth, was on a recruiting visit. Part of the beauty of Sanders — whose most recent contract extension was worth $54 million through 2029, and who got CU to revamp its admission policies so he could recruit a wider range of players — is that he stirs the pot and generates almost endless headlines about the once-lost brand known as CU football. But then something like Saturday happens: A formidable leader from a conference rival — a man

The Texas Tech score sounds like a blowout but was, in fact, something quite different for more than three quarters. This game did not play out like the physical mismatch that some might have expected when one team, with every resource in the world available to recruit top talent, plays another with a star coach but not as much money to spend. Colorado, a 14-point underdog, did not get blown off the line of scrimmage. The Buffs actually gained 60 more yards than Tech. Sometimes, the best coaches figure a way to lead their teams to upsets in games like these, especially at home. Diving deeper into the stat sheet and the play calls, it’s clear this was not the CU coaching staff’s finest moment. Most of CU’s of the problems, however, stem from one issue: quarterback. Sanders started Isaac Wilson, a transfer from Utah, in an offense designed for 5-star recruit Julian Lewis, who was supposed to be the heir to the position that Sanders’ son, Shedeur, revived at Colorado. Sanders hired Brennan Marion from Sacramento State as offensive coordinator and Marion brought his “Go-Go Offense” to Boulder. But Lewis struggled at times over his first three and a half games and Sanders made a change that, so far, has not worked. Over his 20 minutes with the media after the game, Sanders was unflinching about the quarterback issue, somehow identifying the obvious problem without throwing his QBs directly under the bus himself. The Buffs are on a threegame skid in which they’ve scored 7, 13 and 7 points. “We’ve been horrible,” Sanders said. “Don’t sugarcoat it anymore, just tell what it is. You’re not going to win. You know darn well what it is. Write it yourselves. You know what it is. It’s blatant. Ain’t no ifs ands or buts about it.”

ACC’s quest for respect in football is longstanding BY WILL GRAVES

AP sportswriter

PITTSBURGH — Pat Narduzzi is tired of ACC football being a punching bag in the polls and seemingly everywhere else. The pathologically unfiltered Pittsburgh coach is ready for the league to start punching back. Narduzzi landed the first but likely hardly the last salvo of the season just moments after the Panthers fended off Virginia Tech on the road Friday night, a game decided on a missed 36-yard ﬁeld goal as time expired. In the frantic aftermath, the longest-tenured coach in Pitt history encouraged AP Top 25 voters to “wake your (butts) up,” just as Narduzzi promised ACC commissioner Jim Phillips he would after the Panthers improved to 5-0. Narduzzi wasn’t just stumping for Pitt, which did sneak in at No. 25 when the latest poll was released on Sunday, but the entire conference. What else is there to do after being told before the showdown with the Hokies that it marked the ﬁrst time two Power Four programs entered a game with identical 4-0 records and neither was ranked? “It’s disrespectful to the ACC,” Narduzzi said Monday. If Narduzzi sounds a little touchy, maybe it’s because he has grown increasingly annoyed about repeatedly hitting the same talking points to an audience not particu-

AP FILE PHOTO BY MATT FREED

Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi argues a call during a game against Miami on Nov. 29 in Pittsburgh.

larly interested in listening. While he leans into the ﬁght, part of him wonders why one always seems to be necessary. Well, actually maybe he doesn’t wonder. “I think it’s all the brands,” Narduzzi said, seemingly alluding to the Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference. “Everybody wants to look at the logo and gets all infatuated with logos and all that stuff.” The Big Ten has six teams ranked this week. The SEC has nine. The ACC? Just three: No. 4 Miami, with SMU at 24, one spot ahead of the Panthers.

Narduzzi knows there’s a part of him that is trying to have it both ways. He repeatedly said during September that the early season polls don’t matter. Yet he knows he’s in the minority, and it’s much easier for him now at 60 to put the poll in what he considers the proper perspective. As if to prove a point, he made a not-so-veiled reference to an unnamed program that had a number next to its name earlier in the season, a number that has since vanished. “I mean, you look at the school down the road gets into the Top 25, and what did they really do to get into the Top 25?” he said. Asked later who he was referring to, Narduzzi just laughed, though longtime rivals West Virginia and Penn State both fit the profile. The Nittany Lions and first-year coach Matt Campbell started the season ranked 18th and rose after opening with three uneventful wins against lesser competition. Two conference losses later and Penn State is out of the polls, and Campbell’s honeymoon at his alma mater is over. West Virginia made a cameo in the Top 25 after throttling past Virginia on Sept. 18, only to have its defense implode in back-to-back weeks. The ACC would like the conversation around the league to evolve to the point where an in-conference loss doesn’t send a team’s stock tumbling, a courtesy voters

extended to Mississippi State this week, which dropped just one spot after getting drilled at home by SEC rival Alabama by 33. It doesn’t appear to be there yet, as the bid for national relevance instead of national curiosity drones on. Three years ago, the CFP committee left unbeaten Florida State out of the then-four-team playoff after quarterback Jordan Travis was hurt late in the season. Two years ago, SMU received the lone ACC bid as the 11th seed when the CFP expanded to 12. Last year, Miami shook off a pair of midseason losses to SMU and Louisville that cost the Hurricanes a spot in the ACC Championship to make the CFP as the 10th seed and make it all the way to the title game. By the time the Hurricanes reached the final, the nip/tuck nature of their at-large bid was largely forgotten. Yet rather than Miami’s success serving as a stamp of approval that the league as a whole is legit, it seems to merely have certified the impression that “The U” is back. The rest of the conference it plays in, seemingly not so much. Asked if he feels his almost defiant stance is as much about saying the quiet part out loud for an entire league as it is for the program he’s run for 146 games and counting, he nodded. “Absolutely,” the fourth-longest tenured Power Four coach said. “Absolutely.”

Captials’ Ovechkin says 22nd season will be his last

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin said Monday that his 22nd season in the NHL will be his last, beginning the farewell tour for the longtime Washington Capitals captain who holds the league’s career goalscoring record. Ovechkin addressed teammates to deliver the news before the team posted a message from him on social media. Ovechkin signed a one-year contract this past summer and turned 41 on Sept. 17. All signs pointed to this being the end, and he said he and his family decided as much in recent months. “I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” the Russian star said in a statement released before the Capitals’ home opener Wednesday night.

Medvedev disqualified after hitting spectator with ball

BEIJING — Daniil Medvedev struck a spectator with a ball and was disqualified from his semifinal against Novak Djokovic at the China Open on Monday. The spectator was helped out of the arena holding a hand over his left eye. “I feel terribly sorry for him actually and I just hope he’s OK,” Medvedev said. “Hopefully I can meet him and make up for it somehow.” Djokovic was serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3 when Medvedev hit the ball into the stands in apparent frustration. After a forehand volley winner from Djokovic, the ball bounced off the advertising boards and back toward Medvedev, who smacked a backhand that sailed into the front row.

Ravens coach: QB Jackson’s injury won’t be long term

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter had little in the way of an update Monday on star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s injured ankle. “We’re still gathering a lot of the information and the imaging and things like that. Just dealing with a little bit of an ankle and we’ll kind of see where that shakes out,” Minter said. “I really don’t think it’s going to be crazy long term, but we’ll see what happens.” Jackson took a sack late in the ﬁrst half of Sunday’s 24-18 win over Tennessee. His left ankle seemed to roll under a defender. Baltimore (3-1) held on to win the game but didn’t score a point with Tyler Huntley playing quarterback in place of Jackson.

NFL suspends official for swearing at Arizona TE

NEW YORK — The NFL on Monday suspended a line judge two games for swearing at Arizona tight end Trey McBride. Jeff Seeman was caught on camera cursing at McBride during the Cardinals’ loss at the New York Giants on Sunday. The incident drew the ire of union leader JC Tretter, a retired offensive lineman who played eight seasons. “This kind of behavior from an ofﬁcial towards a player is unacceptable,” Tretter, the NFL Players Association’s executive director, said on social media along with a video clip of the incident. “Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold ofﬁcials to the same standard.”

Hornets’ White to miss preseason with calf strain

Charlotte Hornets point guard Coby White suffered a left calf strain during training camp and will miss the entire preseason, the team announced. It’s unclear if White will be available for the regular-season opener Oct. 21 at Brooklyn. The Hornets said updates on White will be provided when more is known about the extent of the injury. White had been expected to take over the starting point guard spot after the team traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota earlier this offseason. In 21 games with the Hornets last season White averaged 15.6 points, three rebounds and three assists per game. Charlotte’s ﬁrst preseason game is Tuesday night at home against the Nets.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ 3C

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THE VARSITY ZONE

Unbeaten St. James stays No. 1; Madison Prep rises BY JACKSON REYES

to 3-2. In Class 3A, St. James (5-0) remained unbeaten after its 42-6 Midway through the regular win over L.B. Landry. The Wildseason, the LSWA poll saw more cats received eight first-place shakeups entering Week 6. votes and are still No. 1. UniversiMadison Prep (3-2) rose one ty High (3-2) won its third straight spot to No. 6 in the LSWA Class game after a 28-7 road victory 4A poll after a 46-0 win over against Teurlings Catholic. The McKinley. Plaquemine also re- win helped the Cubs rise to No. entered the top 10 at No. 10 after 4. West Feliciana (5-0) also rose defeating Brusly 42-36 to move from No. 10 to No. 8 in Class 3A

Staff writer

after its 40-8 win over St. Helena. Dunham dropped two spots to No. 6 in the LSWA Class 2A top 10 after its 37-7 loss to Parklane Academy (Mississippi). In Class 1A, Ascension Catholic (5-0) moved up one spot to No. 2 after its 51-8 win over Assumption. No. 5 Southern Lab (4-0) and No. 6 Kentwood (5-0) each moved up a spot after both sides remained unbeaten.

LSWA FOOTBALL POLLS Class 5A School (ﬁrst-place votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. 1. Karr (9) 5-0 129 1 2. Ruston (1) 4-1 118 2 3. St. Augustine (1) 5-0 115 3 4. Rummel 5-0 98 4 5. Brother Martin 4-1 80 5 6. Alexandria 4-1 73 7 7. St. Thomas More 4-1 64 8 8. Acadiana 4-1 50 9 9. Jesuit 4-1 45 NR 10. John Curtis 2-3 31 6 Others receiving votes: Catholic-Baton Rouge 21, Barbe 10, West Monroe 10, Central 6, Mandeville 6, Ouachita 1, Thibodaux 1.

Class 4A

School (ﬁrst-place votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. 1. Westgate (8) 5-0 128 1 2. Neville (2) 4-1 123 2 3. North DeSoto (1) 5-0 108 3 4. Shaw 4-1 102 4 5. Franklin Parish 4-1 87 6 6. Madison Prep 3-2 69 7 7. John F. Kennedy 4-1 64 8 8. Lake Charles Prep 4-1 55 5 9. Lafayette Renaissance 3-2 40 NR 10. Plaquemine 3-2 27 NR Others receiving votes: Opelousas 19, Belle Chasse 17, Cecilia 5, Salmen 4, Leesville 5, Tioga 1.

Class 3A

School (ﬁrst-place votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. 1. St. James (8) 5-0 129 1 2. St. Charles (3) 4-1 124 2 3. University 3-2 107 4 4. Sterlington 3-2 95 5 5. Jena 3-2 83 3

6. Marksville 5-0 77 8 7. Eunice 5-0 59 9 8. West Feliciana 5-0 42 10 9. Jewel Sumner 3-2 40 6 10. Loyola Prep 3-2 35 7 Others receiving votes: Vandebilt Catholic 32, Iowa 22, Jennings 4, Northwest 4.

Class 2A

School (ﬁrst-place votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. 1. Calvary Baptist (11) 5-0 132 1 2. Notre Dame 5-0 119 2 3. Mangham 4-1 111 3 4. Amite 4-1 91 6 5. Newman 4-1 80 7 6. Dunham 2-3 73 4 7. Lafayette Christian 3-2 68 5 8. Catholic-New Iberia 3-2 53 8 9. Lake Arthur 5-0 45 9 10. Mansﬁeld 4-1 34 10 Others receiving votes: Loreauville 20, Oak Grove 11, Vinton 6, West St. Mary 6, Country Day 3, Green Oaks 3, Kinder 2, Caldwell Parish 1.

Class 1A

School (ﬁrst-place votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. 1. Ouachita Christian (11) 5-0 131 1 2. Ascension Catholic 5-0 115 3 3. Riverside Academy 4-1 112 2 4. Haynesville 4-1 97 4 5. Southern Lab 4-0 84 6 6. Kentwood 5-0 72 7 7. Westminster-Lafayette 5-0 56 9 8. Jeanerette 4-1 52 8 9. Cedar Creek 5-0 47 10 10. Logansport 4-1 40 5 Others receiving votes: East Feliciana 23, Ascension Episcopal 14, South Plaquemines 9, St. Mary’s 4, Elton 2.

REPORT Week 6 football schedule All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.

Thursday’s games

McKinley at Broadmoor Donaldsonville at Episcopal Dutchtown at Live Oak Catholic vs. Liberty at Olympia Stadium Baker vs. Helix Mentorship Academy at Belaire High Scotlandville vs. Madison Prep at Memorial Stadium Livonia at Beau Chene Lutcher at Berwick Port Allen at Collegiate Baton Rouge Northeast at Dunham Slaughter Community Charter at Springﬁeld Kentwood at Varnado

Friday’s games

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

University High quarterback Knox Kiffin, right, hands the ball off to running back Corbin Odell in the first quarter against Plaquemine on Sept. 17 in Plaquemine.

East St. John at Denham Springs Istrouma at Belaire East Iberville at Ascension Christian White Castle vs. Southern Lab at A.W. Mumford Stadium Plaquemine at St. Michael Ben Franklin at Central Private Prairieville at East Ascension St. John at North Iberville West St. John vs. Ascension Catholic at Floyd Boutte Memorial Stadium West Feliciana at Parkview Baptist Zachary at Central Catholic-PC at East Feliciana

Thrive Academy vs. Capitol at Memorial Stadium Walker at St. Amant Woodlawn at St. Martinville Tara at Brusly North Vermillion at Glen Oaks Albany at Jewel Sumner University High at Kaplan St. Charles at St. James

Volleyball Monday’s results Central 3, Denham Springs 1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-23) Live Oak 3, Episcopal 0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-9) Madison Prep 3, Southern Lab 0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-13) University 3, St. Amant 0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-17) Walker def. Baton Rouge 25-19, 19-25, 25-17, 25-15

Golf Boys Location: City Park Team results: 1. Baton Rouge, 191. 1. Southern Lab, 191. Individual results: 1. Hunter Brister, Southern Lab, 40. 2. Austin Vela-Vick, Baton Rouge, 44. 3. Brooks Landry, Ascension Catholic, 45. 4. Brock Bernard, Baton Rouge, 47. 5. Kalen Williams, Southern Lab, 48.

At midseason, here are 10 area football standouts BY JACKSON REYES

touchdowns. He’s averaging 143.4 rushing yards per game, which is an improvement on the 101.3 yards The prep football season hits its per game he averaged last year. Hickerson has also been a threat midway point, and several players in the Baton Rouge area have al- in the passing game with two reready made a name for themselves ceiving touchdowns and 184 rethrough five games. ceiving yards. From high-profile recruits to breakout stars, the area has been Xavier Johnson, St. James, Jr. filled with talented athletes putting The Wildcats have dealt with inup dominant performances. juries to key players, but St. James The following list is of 10 Baton is still unbeaten and No. 1 in Class Rouge area prep football standouts 3A. One reason for the sustained five games into the year. success is Johnson’s breakout year. The junior has run for 587 yards Jayden Miles, Catholic, Sr. on 85 carries and has eight rushThe Bears running back is a four- ing touchdowns. He’s also totaled star Florida State commitment and 191 receiving yards and three has shown why he’s one of the ar- touchdowns on eight receptions. ea’s top-rated recruits through five He’s currently on pace to shatter games. He has run for 697 yards on his previous season of 608 rushing 71 carries, averaging an impres- yards. sive 9.8 yards per carry. He’s run for more 100 or more yards in all JaMyris Allen, Madison Prep, Sr. five games. The Chargers are loaded with Miles has also run for six touch- talent and should have several downs. The senior running back players earning postseason honstill has plenty of season left, but ors. One who has been a consistent his impressive numbers have standout is Allen, an edge rusher. helped position him as an early fa- The senior has recorded seven vorite for All-Metro MVP for Class sacks and 16 total tackles. The Nicholls State commitment 5A and Class 4A. has anchored one of the top deRyan Moore, East Feliciana, Sr. fensive lines in the area, helping The do-it-all senior is putting Madison Prep to a 3-2 record. up another monster year for the Tigers. He’s caught 21 passes for Ashton Stark, Lutcher, Sr. 402 yards and six touchdowns. The Bulldogs’ two-way player is He’s run the ball 11 times for 174 a ball hawk in the secondary. The yards and two touchdowns. three-star Kansas State commitDefensively, Moore has tallied ment is toward the top in the state 29 total tackles and one sack. He’s in interceptions with five picks. also recorded three interceptions, He’s also tallied three pass deflectwo pass deflections and one fum- tions. On offense, Stark has caught ble recovery. The East Feliciana senior has a hand in every facet of 28 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns. His efforts have the Tigers’ 4-1 start. helped Lutcher start the year with Jourden Hickerson, St. Amant, Sr. a 3-2 record. The Gators senior running back has shown out this year with 717 Brody Diel, Central, Sr. rushing yards and seven rushing The Wildcats receiver has been a Staff writer

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C us and what we are trying to accomplish and what we are trying to improve on. As the preseason goes along and the training camp continues, I think that’s the most important piece for us. It is great that we get to go against a different opponent, but it’s going to be about us and our

progress.” Center Karlo Matkovic is eager to get started. “I haven’t played an NBA game since April, so I’m really excited,” he said. Making it even more rewarding is starting the preseason against a team of OKC’s caliber. “They are known as a defensive team, but it’s an NBA game,” Matkovic said. “Every game is different. It’s a good test, for sure. We

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Catholic running back Jayden Miles cuts through the University High defense in the Capital City Kickoff on Aug. 28 at Memorial Stadium.

for loss as the Cubs defense has with a 4-1 record and are 2-0 in Discontinued to improve, allowing trict 5-5A. just 14 combined points in the Champ Williams, St. Michael, Jr. Cubs’ past two games. The junior edge rusher moved Tanner Koerner, back to the outside of the defensive line this year, and it’s paid off Denham Springs, Sr. with big numbers. Williams leads Denham Springs had to replace the Warriors in tackles (35), tackseveral key starters off last year’s les for loss (7) and sacks (5). Mackie Musgrove, U-High, Sr. team that won a share of the DisWilliams’ stellar season has The Cubs linebacker has been trict 5-5A title. One player who’s helped St. Michael start the year 4-1 and 2-0 through two weeks of a tackle machine for U-High stepped up quickly is Koerner. The running back has carried the District 6-4A play. The 6-foot-5, through ﬁve games. Musgrove has totaled 55 tackles to help the team ball 72 times for 547 yards and 12 224-pound junior offers size and rushing touchdowns. He’s helped speed on the edge that has been sit at 3-2 entering Week 6. He’s racked up multiple tackles the Yellow Jackets start the year difﬁcult to stop this year.

threat any time he catches the ball for Central. The three-star Rice commitment has 449 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 26 receptions in four games played. Central is 3-2 on the year and lost the lone game he missed. The senior receiver has been an integral part of the Wildcats offense.

as a team, we want to start on defense like coach Mosley wants. And we want to get more wins and get back on track.” The Pelicans travel to Tulsa with a healthy roster. Mosley’s plan is to play all of his players. His main objective? “Just getting our system in,” he said. “Guys understanding going in that it’s a different opponent. Our principles sticking and land-

ing. The communication. “The foundation has been laid, so going against a different opponent, we get to see a bit more.” It’s the first of four preseason games for the Pels. They will travel to play the Miami Heat on Thursday and the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 14. Their ﬁnal preseason game is at the Smoothie King Center against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 16. The regular-season open-

er is Oct. 21 at home against the Indiana Pacers. “This is a pretty big test for us,” Fears said about OKC. “Obviously the guys aren’t going to play a lot, but just being able to see what we look like in the minutes we do play together will be big. We’re going out there and having fun and competing. “(We want to show) our competitive edge and how we go out there and com-

pete. No matter who is on the floor, no matter who we’re playing against.” Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate. com.

4C ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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THREE AND OUT: SCOTT RABALAIS’ TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM LANE KIFFIN’S NEWS CONFERENCE

STAND AND DELIVER LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt has been a more effective passer the past two weeks while limited as a runner by a hamstring injury. Against Texas A&M and McNeese State combined he’s 35-of-46 passing for 489 yards with five touchdowns, one interception and no sacks. “With the injury, when someone comes free he’s not just taking off and running,” Kiffin said. “He’s saying, ‘OK, I’m going to step in and throw this one and take the hit.’ ”

NIGHT CLASSES Kiffin has talked previously about how difficult road night games are in the Southeastern Conference. On Monday, he said he hoped his Tigers learned some lessons from their 32-24 loss on Sept. 19 at Ole Miss: “I hope in that you learn that, hey, it doesn’t matter how the first or second quarter goes. It may go great, it may go badly. You’ve still got to play the game and win the game in the fourth quarter.”

NAMES SOUND FAMILIAR The Kentucky offense has an LSU flavor because its new offensive coordinator is Joe Sloan, who was OC under Brian Kelly here. Wide receiver Nic Anderson — third on the team with nine catches for 120 yards and a touchdown — spent 2025 with the Tigers. “They’re really well coached,” Kiffin said. “They’re really sound on defense and run really cool, problematic plays. He (coach Will Stein) has got them playing with a lot of confidence.”

Kiffin gives update on injuries BY REED DARCEY and JON BLAU Staff writers

LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Monday that tight end Trey’Dez Green and linebacker Whit Weeks will “hopefully” be able to return to the field “at some point” this season. Both Green and Weeks are out indefinitely with injuries they suffered in September. Green suffered “some sprains and bruises” in his knee in the Tigers’ Sept. 19 loss to Ole Miss, according to his mother, and Weeks fractured his lower leg in LSU’s Sept. 26 win over Texas A&M, according to multiple reports. “That will make us feel a lot better,” Kiffin said as part of an answer to a LSU Notebook question about the overall state of his program. “Because those guys not just are great, All-American players. They were the (number) sevens for a reason. They’re dynamic leaders on the field.” Kiffin said that LSU does not have a target date for Green’s return. The junior is out of a brace and moving around freely on his injured knee. “If there’s anybody that’s gonna come back sooner maybe than what people thought, it would be him,” Kiffin said. “He’s getting closer.” As of Saturday, Weeks was still moving around on a scooter with a heavy wrap on his injured leg. He watched LSU beat McNeese State from a suite in Tiger Stadium, not the sideline. Their absences have not hurt LSU too badly yet. LSU routed the Aggies 35-6 in Week 4 and steamrolled the Cowboys 63-14 in Week 5. Junior Davhon Keys started at linebacker in place of Weeks, while a mix of transfer tight ends played in place of Green, including Malachi Thomas, Zach Grace and Roman Mothershed. Mothershed, a Troy transfer, hauled in a 1-yard touchdown pass against McNeese. Keys recorded four tackles.

A QB did what? LSU did something unusual Saturday when it forced McNeese State to punt. The Tigers made their thirdstring quarterback, Husan Longstreet, a punt returner for a stretch. He wound up ﬁelding ﬁve of McNeese’s

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green, top, spins out of a tackle attempt in the third quarter against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 12 at Tiger Stadium. 10 punts, in large part because Kiffin likes to drum up unconventional ideas purely for the sake of drumming up unconventional ideas. “I think we do that as much as anybody, probably,” Kiffin said, “when it comes to creating news boxes, thinking outside the box, players playing different positions.” Kiffin compared the Longstreet experiment to something he tried during his tenure at Ole Miss. Defensive lineman JJ Pegues, a 6-foot-2, 325-pound nose guard, moonlighted as a running back because Kiffin thought the Rebels needed someone to run up the middle in shortyardage situations. He wound up finishing his collegiate career with 31 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. Kiffin likes to think outside the box to make sure not to miss a so-

straight night games to open the 2026 season, including this weekend at Kentucky. The Tigers will have two straight 11 a.m. kickoffs because an Oct. 24 contest at Auburn already has been set for that time. The Tigers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) have a road trip to Kentucky (4-1, 2-1 SEC) this weekend before facing Mississippi State and Auburn to close out October. The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1) just suffered their ﬁrst conference loss to Alabama after beating South Carolina and Missouri to open a ninegame SEC slate. Mississippi State has a bye this weekend. Kickoff time set Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor The Tigers’ Oct. 17 game at Tiger has been one of the most dynamic Stadium against Mississippi State playmakers in the country, throwis set for an 11 a.m. kickoff. The ing for 1,450 yards and 17 touchgame will air on ABC or ESPN. downs. He’s also rushed for 159 This breaks LSU’s streak of six yards and a score.

lution to a potential problem. “Sometimes the answers are right in front of you,” he said, “and you don’t realize them because you’re not open to them. So we really have a program like that, where anybody can bring up ideas, and we challenge old ways of thinking all the time to try to ﬁnd things like that.” Longstreet has not returned a punt. He called for fair catches in all of his chances Saturday. The redshirt freshman got to play his normal position, too. He completed 6 of 9 pass attempts for 62 yards in mop-up duty.

LSU

Continued from page 1C that Green is closer to returning than Weeks. Green, who suffered a knee injury against Ole Miss, is out of his brace and able to move his knee around. “I think I feel really good apart from the injuries,” Kiffin said. “I hope you guys are figuring out I don’t make excuses; I just see how things are.” LSU has been tested only once through five games. Few people expected the Tigers to blow out Clemson and Texas A&M, but both teams have been below their usual standard through five weeks. The Aggies lost to Kentucky at home, and Clemson has struggled offensively against everyone and got blown out by Miami at home Saturday. LSU’s lopsided wins over Louisiana Tech and McNeese State were no surprise. And in the only game when the Tigers played a quality opponent, they fell behind by 17 points at halftime and lost to Ole Miss. So the quality of competition seemingly has played at least some role in LSU’s dominance, even as Kiffin bemoans the SEC’s decision to implement a ninegame conference schedule. “Once you’re at nine, it’s another SEC game,” Kiffin said last week. “It feels like we’ve played a whole season already and we still have seven SEC games to go.”

MVSU pulls off SWAC shocker vs. reigning champs BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

The most eye-opening result in the Southwestern Athletic Conference happened in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on Saturday. Prairie View led 24-0 at the 9:38 mark of the second quarter, looking like the team that won the SWAC championship last year. But Mississippi Valley State didn’t accept its plight, clawing back to beat Prairie View 28-27 as Terrell Buckley‘s team achieved the biggest win of his two-year tenure. “We have been in a few of those games it SWAC Notebook that hadn’t turned out well,” he said on Monday’s SWAC coaches call. “For the young men to respond … making the adjustments that we needed to and keeping that same positive attitude is priceless. That’s what we’ve been preaching. That’s what we’ve been talking about, and ﬁnally to see it come to fruition, it was a special feeling. The go-ahead touchdown for MVSU (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) was a 35yard pass up the middle to Caleb Brownlow with 2:11 remaining. The 5-foot-9 sophomore beat his defender and caught the ball in stride thanks to a soft pass from Josh Brown. The ﬁfth-year quarterback went 13-of-25 passing for 144 yards and a touchdown, and he ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. The Delta Devils limited Prairie View (2-4, 2-1) to only 62 yards passing and had three sacks. Defensive lineman Christ Kore led them with nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Last year, MVSU went 2-10 overall and picked up its lone SWAC win in the season finale against Florida A&M.

Unbeaten Jackson State Coach T.C. Taylor‘s Jackson State squad played its first nail-biter since the opener and once again refused to lose. Jackson State took down Alabama A&M 31-28 on the road, rallying from down 11 points with 8:22 remaining. The go-ahead score came from wide receiver Kobe Paul, who caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jared Lockhart. Jackson State (5-0, 2-0) fifthyear wideout Nate Rembert had seven catches for 108 yards, showing why he’s second in the SWAC in receiving yards (430). The Tigers also leaned on their ground game, scoring twice and running for 236 yards. Starting running back Nate Blount, who had 88 yards rushing, didn’t play in the fourth quarter because of an injury. Taylor didn’t share any details on the injury Monday. Alabama A&M (4-2, 1-1) is a vastly improved team in its second season under coach Sam Shade. The Bulldogs have matched their win total from last year and competed at a much higher level against Jackson State than last year, when it fell 57-24.

Grambling’s two QBs

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU wide receiver Jayce Brown, left, escapes the McNeese defense on Saturday at Tiger Stadium. The next three weeks may give a better indication of how good the Tigers are, but Kentucky, Mississippi State and Auburn aren’t College Football Playoff contenders or the kinds of teams a program like LSU should be measuring itself against. Kentucky has two road SEC wins, but it got blown out by Alabama. Mississippi State also got boat-raced by the Crimson Tide, and Auburn might fail to make

a bowl game again. Mississippi State, thanks to star quarterback Kamario Taylor, is ranked and likely the toughest team of the bunch, but the Tigers will get to play them in Death Valley. Winning all three contests is a must before LSU has a week off before Halloween weekend and faces Alabama the following Saturday in Tiger Stadium. But Kifﬁn may not have a clear sense of his team’s true quality until the

matchups against the Crimson Tide and Texas in November. Those two games could make or break LSU’s playoff chances. “I feel great about the future. I know what that is,” Kifﬁn said. “If we can put together this team in that short amount of time without any background with them. I know what next year and the year after will look like, but that has nothing to do with how this season is going.”

Grambling survived a shootout Saturday. It took down Alcorn State 63-59 at home, overcoming a 17-point deﬁcit with 10:18 remaining. The last score in Grambling’s 28-point fourth quarter was an 11-yard touchdown pass to the right corner of the end zone to Tyson George. Fifth-year senior Ashton Frye, who didn’t start, made the delivery with 19 seconds remaining. “When adversity set in on Saturday, it brought us together because our defense hadn’t given up that many points in the SWAC in three years,” coach Mickey Joseph said. “When that happened, the offense had to step up. So when the offense stepped up, hey, adversity set in, but it didn’t divide us. It brought us closer.” Grambling (3-2, 1-1) played two quarterbacks who combined to complete 24 of 35 passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns. Frye ran for 61 yards and two touchdowns in a game that had four lead changes. Joseph explained when he’s comfortable substituting his signal-callers. Despite the loss, Alcorn State (3-3, 2-1) quarterback Jaylon Tolbert played spiritedly. The 6-2 senior completed 18 of 31 passes for 411 yards, ﬁve touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ 5C

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Burrow not panicking despite loss, wide receiver injuries BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY SCOTT KINSER

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young walks off the field after his team beat the Detroit Lions in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday. Young is off to a huge start this season.

Panthers QB Young posting MVP-like numbers early BY STEVE REED AP sportswriter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After Bryce Young rifled a 9-yard pass to Darren Waller on fourth-and-4 in the fourth quarter Sunday night during what became Carolina’s sixth straight scoring drive, the chants cascaded down from the upper deck at Bank of America Stadium. “M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!” Young finished off the Panthers’ 32-26 win over the Detroit Lions with yet another impressive stat line. He completed 29 of 41 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns while playing without two of his top three receivers. Granted, it came against the league’s worst pass defense. But the idea of Young, who was benched two games into his second season in 2024, being an MVP candidate may not be far-fetched. Through four games, the numbers put him among the league’s best quarterbacks. Ahead of Monday night’s Falcons-Saints game, Young led the NFL in yards passing (1,268), passing first downs (63), completions of 10-plus yards (55), completions of 25-plus yards (13), deep passing yards (321), and was tied for third in touchdown passes (nine). He’s on pace to throw for 5,389 yards and 38 touchdowns, which would shatter franchise records. Young has thrown for at least 287 yards in all four games, a huge leap for a player who struggled to

eclipse 175 yards passing for the better part of his first two seasons. Now in his fourth season and third in the same offense, he is looking comfortable and confident. If Young took any satisfaction from hearing those chants, he wasn’t about to let on. The 5-foot10 quarterback may lack size, but he’s never been short on humility. “Obviously, the support is a huge blessing. I’m super grateful for this community, for the fan base,” Young said. “But again, it doesn’t affect us as a football team. It doesn’t give us any extra yards, any extra points. We have to earn those.” With Jalen Coker (quadriceps) and Xavier Legette (knee) sidelined with injuries, Young leaned heavily on Tetairoa McMillan against the Lions, and last year’s AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year didn’t disappoint. McMillan turned in one of the best single-game performances in franchise history with 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He nearly broke Christian McCaffrey’s team record of 15 catches and Steve Smith’s mark of 201 yards receiving after a week of practices in which he and Young struggled to connect. “Everything was clicking for us tonight, and that’s all you can ask for,” McMillan said. Behind a strong run-pass option game, the Panthers also were finally able to get Chuba Hubbard going.

Hubbard ran for 122 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns, and he helped open up passing opportunities for Young. It was the first time this season the Panthers were able to use the run game to set up the pass. “It was great to have a little bit of balance there with some of the RPOs and playing off the runs,” coach Dave Canales said. “As you know, we’re trying to get our run game going and we saw that happen (Sunday). The RPO loosens it up a little bit and allows you to have some optionality. You can start to dictate to the defense whether they can play zone or man and how they try to attack those things.” The run game has the potential to take another step forward once the Panthers get their starting offensive tackles back. Ickey Ekwonu (knee) and Taylor Moton (lung clots) have yet to play this season. Moton could return after the bye this week, but Ekwonu remains at least a few more weeks away. The Panthers need to find some answers at cornerback, which could mean bringing in help from outside the organization. Carolina placed starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve last week. Both are expected to miss about eight weeks. Rookie Will Lee and Akayleb Evans filled in Sunday night, but both struggled. Jared Goff threw for 412 yards and the Lions piled up 452 yards on offense.

BACKUPS

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD

A statue of Steve Gleason’s blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons is seen along with a message congratulating Drew Brees on his entry to the NFL Hall of Fame that is projected on the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 6.

GLEASON

Continued from page 1C So far, backup quarterbacks are 7-4 in starts, including 2-2 in Week 4. That doesn’t include wins by Drew Lock and Carson Wentz after they entered in the ﬁrst quarter and led their teams to victories in Week 1. It includes Cooper Rush’s 0-2 mark with Atlanta as he started the ﬁrst two games with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix sidelined. Jameis Winston won another up-and-down game for the Giants, throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns along with two picks in a 36-24 victory over Arizona on Sunday. He’s 2-0 as a starter for the NFC East-leading Giants (3-1) since Dart suffered a knee injury in Week 2. “I just feel like that, man, I’m heating up and I’m starting to get better, better and better,” Winston said. “Last week, I was questioning if I could even throw. This week, I’ve got people talking about the Jamis Winston experience again. “So, I’m just still so curious and I’m so inspired to be the best me every single day. And that alone pushes me. Not another man, not another teammate, just my desire to be what I would love.” Tyson Bagent had a career-best 268 yards passing to help the Bears beat the Jets 23-12. Case Keenum was impressive in Chicago’s win over the Eagles the previous Monday night. The Bears (3-1) are 2-0 since Williams went down with a hamstring injury two weeks ago. “I thought the guys rallied behind me,” Bagent said. “I felt extreme faith from the coaches towards me and that’s just hats off to all the hard work that’s been put in. So, I was really appreciative of that, and I think it allowed me to go spin it at a higher level. So, all hands on deck, it’s a group effort to get these wins.” Lock stepped in when Darnold

Joe Burrow doesn’t want to panic after the Cincinnati Bengals lost their second straight game to fall to 2-2 for the second straight season. The veteran quarterback might have second thoughts in a couple of days if he is without star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for this week’s game at Miami. Chase remains in concussion protocol and Higgins is questionable with a groin strain. Both were injured in Sunday’s 22-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. “We’ve got experience enough with this stuff where it happens before the week to where we kind of know where to set the plan and work them in as needed as that point comes,” coach Zac Taylor said Monday. “It’s probably easier, quite frankly, when you don’t think you have them and you build the plan and then you add them in later. I don’t have any concerns with how we’ll put the plan together this week. We’ll make it work and emphasize the guys that we think will be available.” The Bengals were already thin at receiver with Andrei Iosivas (thumb) on injured reserve and Colbie Young sidelined with a knee injury. If Chase and Higgins are both inactive, it would be the ﬁrst time since Chase was the ﬁfth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft that Burrow would not have at least one of them in the lineup.

Continued from page 1C

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY JASON BEHNKEN

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels aims a pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. got hurt early in the NFL season opener on Sept. 9 and led the Seahawks over the Patriots. He defeated the Cardinals the next week. Wentz replaced Murray early in Minnesota’s opener and led a comeback win against Green Bay. He guided the Vikings to a road win in a defensive struggle at Chicago the next game. Marcus Mariota and undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels had the two losses Sunday. Mariota was impressive ﬁlling in for Daniels in Washington’s victory over Seattle last week but got hurt in the ﬁrst quarter, and the Commanders turned to rookie thirdstring QB Athan Kaliakmanis in a 30-13 loss to the Colts in London. Jalon Daniels couldn’t prevent the Buccaneers from starting 0-4. He tossed two picks that led to 10 points in Tampa Bay’s 17-14 loss to Green Bay. Tyler Huntley replaced Jackson and went 8 of 9 for 63 yards, but the Ravens didn’t score in the second half. A total of 63 quarterbacks started games in 2025. Forty QBs have made starts through four games this season.

That number will increase. Will teams continue to maintain a winning record with backups? That depends on the teams, the coaching staffs and the backups.

Critical comeback wins Drake Maye, Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford each led their teams to comeback wins on the road with touchdowns in the ﬁnal two minutes to avoid 1-3 starts. Maye and the Patriots beat Josh Allen and the Bills 29-26. Prescott and the Cowboys defeated C.J. Stroud and the Texans 34-30. Stafford and the Rams knocked off the Eagles 24-20.

Chase for No. 1 pick The Dolphins, Buccaneers, Titans, Chargers and Texans are 0-4. Houston is too talented to start looking ahead to next season. Los Angeles was supposed to be a contender and should win some games. But Miami, Tampa Bay and Tennessee seem headed for a threeway race for the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Texas quarterback Arch Manning are the early favorites projected to go No. 1 overall.

Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said Chase going out in the second quarter affected the game plan against the Jaguars, but he liked how other players picked up the load. “Any time you lose your best player not named Joe Burrow, it’s going to impact what you’re able to do but I do think we had guys step up,” Pitcher said. “I thought there was a really commendable effort from other skill players and guys like Dohnte Meyers, Mitch Tinsley, Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson, who all played signiﬁcantly elevated snap counts and did good things.” Besides injuries, the Bengals need Burrow to eliminate turnovers. Both of his interceptions came when the Jaguars didn’t blitz. “Obviously, we had our opportunities in the last two weeks, but this isn’t Armageddon or anything,” Burrow said. “That’s what the NFL is all about. You can’t ride the roller coaster week-toweek. You’re going to win some; you’re going to lose some. Obviously, you want to win every single one (and) you’re going to ﬁght like hell to make it happen, but we’re not going to ride that roller coaster.” Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence had a sack for the second straight game along with two quarterback hits and three pressures. The Bengals rushed for only 23 yards, tied for the third-fewest in a game in franchise history, and averaged a mere 1.5 yards per carry. Chase Brown had nine carries for 10 yards.

watched the poses and pictures in front of the statue, Adams spent a few minutes explaining the significance of Gleason’s block to his 17-year-old son. He explained the uncertainty of whether the Saints would stay in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, how Gleason and the Saints provided hope. After seeing Gleason on stage in Champions Square, where the former linebacker’s second line parade ended, Adams and his family decided to walk over near Gate D. “We (said), ‘Let’s go say hi to Steve,’ ” Adams said.

son’s play can bring tears. Andrew Krosp started to cry as he recalled sitting on his couch and watching Gleason’s block. “I ran outside, I opened the garage and I screamed, ‘The Saints are back!’ ” Krosp said. The line around Gleason’s statue Monday was manageable. Crawford and Landry had to wait only ﬁve or so minutes, with Crawford noting he was prepared to wait much longer. Some, like Justin Adams, were there with their families just Email Matthew Paras at matt. to take in the scene. As they paras@theadvocate.com

6C ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

White Sox surge past Guardians

BY JOE REEDY

AP sportswriter

CLEVELAND — Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line, Sean Burke allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings of splendid relief and the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series. The surprising White Sox improved to 4-0 in these playoffs — all on the road — and are one win from advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005. Chicago became the first team to reach the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, including a post-1900 record 121 defeats in 2024. Jo Adell hit an RBI triple in the eighth and Chase DeLauter had two hits for the Guardians. Starting pitcher Gavin Williams struck out 11, tied for second-most in a Cleveland postseason game.

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straight save. The best-of-five series shifts to Chicago for Game 3 on Wednesday. Kyle Teel got Chicago’s first hit with a single up the middle leading off the fourth. He advanced to second on Miguel Vargas’ walk and scored on Munetaka Murakami’s base hit to pull Chicago within 2-1. The White Sox went ahead with a three-run sixth. Vargas led off with a base hit to chase Williams and advanced to second on a groundout. Randal Grichuk drew a walk before Erik Sabrowski’s wild pitch with Tommy Pham at the plate advanced the runners to second and third. Pham flied out to shallow left before Montgomery jumped on a first-pitch fastball to drive in the ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY SUE OGROCKI go-ahead runs. Montgomery celebrated at first Chicago White Sox batter Braden Montgomery watches his two-run base before scoring on Chase double during the sixth inning of Game 2 of the American League Meidroth’s single to right. Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday in Cleveland. Williams allowed two runs and The White Sox won 4-3. four hits in five-plus innings. Burke came on with one out But the offense failed to produce Grant Taylor worked 1 1/3 innings in the third. After Travis Bafor the second straight game. and allowed one hit as he got his second zzana walked with one out in the

fourth, the right-hander retired 13 straight until DeLauter had a base hit to left to end Burke’s night. Burke struck out six and threw 83 pitches, including 53 strikes. Taylor entered and allowed an RBI triple to Adell before Nathaniel Lowe flied out to end the inning. After getting shut out on Saturday, the Guardians struck quickly with a pair of runs in the first inning. Steven Kwan led off with a base hit and José Ramírez drew a walk before Chase DeLauter’s grounder off opener Anthony Kay moved the runners to second and third. Sean Newcomb came on and intentionally walked Adell to load the bases. Lowe hit a high chopper to drive in Kwan, but Newcomb threw it wide of the bag at first, allowing Ramírez to score on the error. It marked the first time in four games this postseason the White Sox were behind. Kay faced three batters and threw 17 pitches, including eight strikes.

SCOREBOARD Odds

Pro football

Cleveland, 4 p.m. (TBS/TruTV/HBO Max)

Sports Betting Line NFL

NFL Glance AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Thursday

East

Saturday, Oct. 3: Tampa Bay 1, N.Y. Yankees 0 Monday, Oct. 5: N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay, n Wednesday, Oct. 7: Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees, 7 p.m. (TBS/TruTV/HBO Max) x-Thursday, Oct. 8: Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees, 7 p.m. (TBS/TruTV/HBO Max) x-Saturday, Oct. 10: N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. (TBS/TruTV/HBO Max) National League (FOX, FS1)

FAVORITE at DALLAS

OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 3½ 9½ (47½) Tampa Bay

FAVORITE at JAX at NE at NY JETS at WASH Cincinnati at PITTS Houston Minnesota Chicago Denver Detroit at SEATTLE Baltimore

OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 1½ 5½ (42½) Phila 8½ 3½ (45½) Las Vegas 2½ 2 (40½) Cleveland 2½ 3½ (44½) NY Giants 5½ 7½ (42½) at MIAMI 2½ 2½ (44½) Indianaplis 3½ 6½ (39½) at TEN 1½ 1½ (42½) at N.O. 3 2½ (45½) at G.B. 2½ 3½ (42½)at CHARGRS 8½ 4 (54½) at ARIZ 3½ 3 (47½) San Fran 4½ 2½ (45) at ATLANTA

Sunday

Monday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at LA RAMS 3 2½ (54½) Buffalo

College Football Tuesday

FAVORITE at TROY

OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 9½ 10½ (50½) South Miss

Tampa Bay 1, N.Y. Yankees 0

W Buffalo 3 New England 2 N.Y. Jets 1 Miami 0

L 1 2 3 4

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .750 .500 .250 .000

PF 127 65 76 46

PA 107 77 84 101

Jacksonville Indianapolis Tennessee Houston

W 3 2 0 0

L 1 2 4 4

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .750 .500 .000 .000

PF 104 102 55 84

PA 53 104 83 109

Cleveland Baltimore Pittsburgh Cincinnati

W 3 3 2 2

L 1 1 2 2

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .750 .750 .500 .500

PF 81 116 77 97

PA 95 96 87 85

Kansas City Las Vegas Denver L.A. Chargers

W 4 3 2 0

L 0 1 2 4

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .750 0 .500 0 .000

PF 118 115 74 67

PA 77 84 94 106

South

North

West

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday

East

Thursday

N.Y. Giants Philadelphia Dallas Washington

W 3 2 2 1

L 1 2 2 3

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .750 .500 .500 .250

PF 82 75 122 88

PA 79 93 112 122

Carolina New Orleans Atlanta Tampa Bay

W 2 1 1 0

L 2 2 2 4

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .500 .333 .333 .000

PF 121 81 51 76

PA 109 83 68 96

Minnesota Chicago Detroit Green Bay

W 4 3 2 2

L 0 1 2 2

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .750 0 .500 0 .500

PF 86 112 119 73

PA 51 65 127 105

W San Francisco 4 Seattle 3 L.A. Rams 2 Arizona 1

L 0 1 2 3

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .750 0 .500 0 .250

PF 122 105 85 87

PA 64 73 83 117

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Jaxville St 2½ 3 (50½) at KNSW ST at FLA INTL 4½ 6½ (46½) New Mex St

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at W. KENT 2½ 2½ (55½) Missouri St at LIBERTY 13½ 13½ (52½) Sam Hou at UTSA 6½ 7 (50½) S. Florida at ARKANS ST 1½ 1½ (57½) S. Alabama

Friday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at LOUSVLLE 7½ 3½ (58½) Florida St at SJSU 6 6½ (43½) Wyoming at WASH 1½ 3½ (41½) Iowa at UTAH ST 1½ 5½ (43½) Wash St at BYU 14½ 10½ (46½) Iowa State

Saturday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Indiana 8½ 7½ (52½) at NEBRSKA at ARMY 6½ 3½ (47½) Tulane at PITT 4½ 4½ (47½) N. Carolina at B. GREEN 6½ 7½ (44½) Sac. St at MISSOURI 1½ 3½ (48½) Texas A&M Arizona 3½ 3½ (61½) at W. VA at OKLAH ST 9½ 9½ (54½) UCF Wake Forest 2½ 3½ (60½) at NC STATE at NWSTRN 34½ 35½ (52½) Ball State at FLORIDA 14½ 13½ (62½) S. Carolina at APP ST 5½ 9½ (51½) Old Dom Miami (OH) 2½ 2½ (46½) at UMASS Va Tech 11½ 9½ (53½) at CAL E. Michigan 5½ 7 (50½) at AKRON at KANSAS ST. 1½ 2½ (56½) Houston Illinois 2½ 2½ (49½) at MSU at W. MICH 13½ 13½ (43½) Kent State Duke 5½ 7 (49½) at GA TECH at N. TEXAS 24½ 27½ (58½) Charlotte at OREGON 12½ 11½ (59½) UCLA Ole Miss 10½ 9½ (59½) at VANDER at TOLEDO 17½ 20½ (55½) Buffalo at OHIO 3½ 3 (46½) C. Michigan at NAVY 3½ 2½ (48½) Tulsa at N.D. 35½ 37½ (54½) Stanford Texas 6½ 7½ (39½) at OKLAH at TEMPLE 3 4 (54½) UConn at E. CAR 9½ 10 (49½) Rice Tennessee 14½ 13½ (50½) at ARKAN at OHIO ST 37½ 34½ (56½) Maryland at ORGN ST. 14½ 14 (55½)San Dego St. LSU 10½ 9½ (54½) at KENT Nevada 9½ 8½ (49½) at UTEP N. Dakota St 1½ 3½ (48½) at UNLV at MEMPHIS 16½ 14½ (57½) UAB at MARSHALL 2½ 3 (58½) C. Carolina at PENN ST PK 1½ (54½) USC at LA TECH 1½ 3 (48½) UL Air Force 12½ 7½ (47½) at N. ILL James Madsn 10 7½ (54½) at GA SO at VIRGINIA 6½ 9½ (50½) Syracuse at ALABAMA 2½ 1½ (55½) Georgia Minnesota 5½ 2½ (51½) at PURDUE at UTAH 13½ 15½ (52½) Kansas Boise State 10½ 6½ (48½) at FRESNO at ARIZ ST 17½ 20½ (51½) Hawaii

MLB

Tuesday

National League FAVORITE LINE LA Dodgers OFF at SAN DIEGO -136

NHL

Tuesday

FAVORITE LINE Minnesota -112 Carolina -128 at TORONTO -160 at NEW JERSY -132 Ottawa -112 at N.Y RANGRS -146 St. Louis -127 Vegas -169 Florida -129

South

North

West

Thursday’s Games

Cleveland 27, Pittsburgh 24

Sunday’s Games

Indianapolis 30, Washington 13, London, GBR Baltimore 24, Tennessee 18 Chicago 23, N.Y. Jets 12 Dallas 34, Houston 30 Green Bay 17, Tampa Bay 14 Jacksonville 22, Cincinnati 17 L.A. Rams 24, Philadelphia 20 N.Y. Giants 36, Arizona 24 New England 29, Buffalo 26 Minnesota 15, Miami 10 Kansas City 30, Las Vegas 27 San Francisco 24, Denver 14 Seattle 30, L.A. Chargers 23 Carolina 32, Detroit 26

Monday’s Games

Atlanta at New Orleans, n

Late Sunday Carolina 32, Detroit 26 Detroit 3 13 3 7 — 26 Carolina 7 9 13 3 — 32 First Quarter Det_FG Bates 54, 12:05. Car_Hubbard 15 run (R.Fitzgerald kick), 1:50. Second Quarter Det_FG Bates 43, 12:37. Car_McMillan 32 pass from Young (kick failed), 8:08. Det_Gibbs 1 run (Bates kick), 2:14. Car_FG R.Fitzgerald 47, :28. Det_FG Bates 41, :00. Third Quarter Car_McMillan 10 pass from Young (kick failed), 9:33. Det_FG Bates 26, 6:21. Car_Hubbard 2 run (R.Fitzgerald kick), 2:47. Fourth Quarter Car_FG R.Fitzgerald 33, 8:59. Det_LaPorta 8 pass from Goff (Bates kick), 3:38.

A_73,436.

UNDERDOG at ATLANTA Milwaukee

LINE OFF +113

UNDERDOG LINE at BUFFALO -110 at MONTREAL +104 Nashville +130 Utah +109 at DETROIT -110 N.Y Islanders +120 at CHICAGO +103 at SEATTLE +141 at LOS ANGELES +105

Pro basketball WNBA Playoff Glance (x-if necessary) Semiﬁnals (Best-of-5)

Golden State 1, Las Vegas 0

Sunday, October 4: Golden State 71, Las Vegas 60 Wednesday, October 7: Las Vegas at Golden State, 8:30 p.m. Friday, October 9: Golden State at Las Vegas, 8:30 p.m. x-Sunday, October 11: Golden State at Las Vegas, TBA x-Wednesday, October 14: Las Vegas at Golden State, TBA

Atlanta 1, New York 0

Sunday, October 4: Atlanta 92, New York 82 Wednesday, October 7: New York at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m. Friday, October 9: Atlanta at New York, 6:30 p.m. x-Sunday, October 11: Atlanta at New York, TBA x-Wednesday, October 14: New York at Atlanta, TBA

Det Car First downs 24 28 Total Net Yards 452 445 Rushes-yards 15-46 28-127 Passing 406 318 Punt Returns 0-0 0-0 Kickoff Returns 5-107 6-153 Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0 Comp-Att-Int 32-52-0 29-41-0 Sacked-Yards Lost 1-6 3-11 Punts 2-40.5 3-44.667 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0 Penalties-Yards 9-67 8-60 Time of Possession 26:45 33:15 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING_Detroit, Gibbs 15-46. Carolina, Hubbard 20-122, Young 3-3, Dillon 5-2. PASSING_Detroit, Goff 32-52-0-412. Carolina, Young 29-41-0-329. RECEIVING_Detroit, LaPorta 8-84, St. Brown 8-75, J.Williams 6-102, TeSlaa 4-95, Gibbs 4-31, Vaki 1-17, Wright 1-8. Carolina, McMillan 14-192, Tremble 4-12, Metchie 3-37, Waller 3-36, Tremayne 2-32, M.Evans 1-8, Hubbard 1-7, Dillon 1-5. MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.

Major League Baseball MLB Postseason Glance

L.A. Dodgers 1, Atlanta 1

Saturday, Oct. 3: L.A. Dodgers 5, Atlanta 3 Sunday, Oct. 4: Atlanta 3, L.A. Dodgers 2 Tuesday, Oct. 6: L.A. Dodgers (Yamamoto 149) at Atlanta (Sale 14-9), 5:08 p.m. (FOX/FS1) x-Wednesday, Oct. 7: L.A. Dodgers at Atlanta, 5 p.m. (FOX/FS1) x-Friday, Oct. 9: Atlanta at L.A. Dodgers, 7 p.m. (FOX/FS1)

Milwaukee 2, San Diego 0

Saturday, Oct. 3: Milwaukee 3, San Diego 2 Sunday, Oct. 4: Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3 Tuesday, Oct. 6: Milwaukee (May 7-9) at San Diego (Pivetta 3-2), 8:38 p.m. (FOX/FS1) x-Wednesday, Oct. 7: Milwaukee at San Diego, 9 p.m. (FOX/FS1) x-Friday, Oct. 9: San Diego at Milwaukee, 3:30 p.m. (FOX/FS1)

Late Sunday Atlanta 3, L.A. Dodgers 2 Atlanta

Los Angeles

ab r h bi ab r h bi Baldwin c 2 0 0 0 Betts ss 2 0 0 0 Acuña rf 5 1 1 0 Ohtani dh 4 0 1 0 Olson 1b 4 1 1 0 Smith c 4 0 0 0 Albies 2b 4 0 0 0 Freeman 1b 4 1 2 1 Harris cf 5 1 3 1 T.Hernández lf 4 0 0 0 Dubón ss 3 0 1 1 Tucker rf 4 0 1 0 Murphy dh 1 0 0 0 Pages cf 3 0 0 0 Tellez ph-dh 1 0 0 0 Rojas 3b 1 0 1 0 Hicklen dh 0 0 0 0 Muncy ph-3b 3 1 1 1 Riley 3b 3 0 0 0 Edman 2b 3 0 0 0 Thomas lf 2 0 0 0 De Paula ph 1 0 0 0 Ystrzmski lf 1 0 0 0 Totals 31 3 6 2 Totals 33 2 6 2 Atlanta 100 010 100 — 3 Los Angeles 000 100 001 — 2 DP_Atlanta 0, Los Angeles 1. LOB_Atlanta 11, Los Angeles 7. 2B_Harris (1), Rojas (1). 3B_Harris (1). HR_Freeman (1), Muncy (2). SB_Acuña (1). S_Yastrzemski (1). IP H R ER BB SO Atlanta 2 0 0 1 4 Kerr 2 2⁄3 2 ⁄3 2 1 1 1 0 Holmes 2 ⁄3 1 0 0 1 1 Lee W,1-0 Suarez H,1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 3 Fuentes H,1 3 2⁄3 1 ⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 Iglesias S,1-1 Los Angeles 3 1 1 5 5 Snell 3 2⁄3 1 ⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 Stewart 2 ⁄3 1 1 1 1 0 Bubic L,0-1 1 ⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 Phillips Díaz 1 0 0 0 0 2 Henriquez 1 2 1 1 0 2 Sasaki 2 0 0 0 2 1 HBP_Sasaki (Riley). WP_Bubic. ABS Challenge_Lee (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Sasaki (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Smith (Strike-Conﬁrmed); Freeman (StrikeOverturned to Ball); Tucker (Strike-Overturned to Ball). Umpires_Home, Chris Guccione; First, James Hoye; Second, Tripp Gibson; Third, Jim Wolf; Right, Roberto Ortiz; Left, Mike Estabrook. T_3:18. A_50,729 (56,000).

Chicago White Sox 4, Cleveland 3 Chicago

Cleveland

ab r h bi ab r h bi Antonacci lf 4 0 0 0 Kwan cf 4 1 1 0 Teel c 4 1 1 0 Ramírez 3b 3 1 0 0 Vargas 3b 2 1 1 0 DeLauter rf 4 1 2 0 Murkmi 1b 4 0 1 1 Adell dh 3 0 1 1 Bnintndi dh 2 0 0 0 Lowe 1b 4 0 0 1 Grichuk dh 1 1 0 0 Martínez lf 4 0 0 0 Peters cf 2 0 0 0 Bazzana 2b 3 0 0 0 Pham ph 1 0 0 0 Bailey c 4 0 0 0 Doyle cf 1 0 0 0 Rocchio ss 3 0 0 0 B.Mtgmry rf 4 1 1 2 Meidoth 2b 4 0 2 1 C.Mntgmry ss 3 0 0 0 Totals 32 4 6 4 Totals 32 3 4 2 Chicago 000 103 000 — 4 Cleveland 200 000 010 — 3 E_Newcomb (), Gaddis (). DP_Chicago 0, Cleveland 1. LOB_Chicago 5, Cleveland 5. 2B_B.Montgomery (1). 3B_Adell (1). IP H R ER BB SO Chicago 1 ⁄3 1 2 1 1 0 Kay Newcomb 2 1 0 0 1 3 6 Burke W,1-0 5 1⁄3 1 1 1 1 0 Taylor S,2-2 1 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 Cleveland Williams 5 4 2 2 3 11 2 ⁄3 1 2 2 1 0 Sabrowski L,0-1 BS,0-1 Gaddis 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 Armstrong 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 C.Smith 1 0 0 0 0 0 Newcomb pitched to 2 batters in the 3rd, Williams pitched to 1 batter in the 6th, Gaddis pitched to 2 batters in the 7th. WP_Sabrowski. ABS Challenge_Williams (Ball-Confirmed); Antonacci (Strike-Confirmed); Burke (BallConfirmed). Pitch timer violations_Newcomb (pitcher). Umpires_Home, Gabe Morales; First, Todd Tichenor; Second, Jansen Visconti; Third, Vic Carapazza; Right, Cory Blaser; Left, Tom Hanahan. T_3:06. A_32,050 (34,788).

x-if necessary

College football

(Best-of-5) x-if necessary American League (TBS, TruTV, HBO Max)

College Football Schedule

DIVISION SERIES

Chicago White Sox 2, Cleveland 0

Saturday, Oct. 3: Chicago White Sox 3, Cleveland 0 Monday, Oct. 5: Chicago White Sox 4, Cleveland 3 Wednesday, Oct. 7: Cleveland at Chicago White Sox, 3 p.m. (TBS/TruTV/HBO Max) x-Thursday, Oct. 8: Cleveland at Chicago White Sox, 4 p.m. (TBS/TruTV/HBO Max) x-Saturday, Oct. 10: Chicago White Sox at

All Times Central (Subject to change)

Tuesday’s games SOUTH

Southern Miss. (1-3) at Troy (2-2), 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s games SOUTH

Jacksonville St. (3-2) at Kennesaw St. (1-3), 6 p.m. New Mexico St. (2-3) at FIU (2-2), 6:30 p.m.

Thursday’s games

SOUTH

Sam Houston St. (1-3) at Liberty (4-1), 6 p.m. Missouri St. (1-3) at W. Kentucky (1-4), 6 p.m.

SOUTHWEST

South Florida (4-1) at UTSA (4-1), 6:30 p.m. South Alabama (3-2) at Arkansas St. (2-3), 6:30 p.m.

Friday’s games EAST

Columbia (2-1) at Marist (3-2), 6 p.m.

SOUTH

Florida St. (3-2) at Louisville (2-3), 6 p.m.

FAR WEST

Wyoming (2-3) at San Jose St. (3-2), 8 p.m. Iowa (4-1) at Washington (3-2), 8 p.m. Washington St. (1-4) at Utah St. (1-4), 8 p.m. Iowa St. (3-2) at BYU (4-0), 9:15 p.m.

Saturday’s games EAST

North Carolina (2-2) at Pittsburgh (5-0), 11 a.m. Dartmouth (1-2) at Yale (2-1), 11 a.m. Tulane (2-2) at Army (2-2), 11 a.m. Bryant (4-1) at Brown (1-2), 11 a.m. Stonehill (1-4) at Sacred Heart (2-3), 11 a.m. Robert Morris (3-2) at Morgan St. (4-1), 11 a.m. Arizona (4-1) at West Virginia (3-2), 11 a.m. Princeton (2-1) at Wagner (1-4), 11 a.m. Bucknell (1-4) at Georgetown (0-4), 11:30 a.m. LIU Brooklyn (1-5) at Duquesne (1-3), noon Harvard (3-0) at Cornell (2-1), noon American International (0-0) at CCSU (1-3), noon Howard (2-3) at Penn (1-2), noon Franklin Pierce (0-1) at Delaware St. (3-3), noon Miami (Ohio) (2-3) at UMass (4-1), 1 p.m. Richmond (5-1) at Fordham (1-5), 2:30 p.m. Tulsa (3-2) at Navy (1-3), 2:30 p.m. UConn (2-3) at Temple (2-3), 2:45 p.m. Stony Brook (3-2) at Towson (0-6), 3 p.m. Coastal Carolina (1-4) at Marshall (3-2), 6 p.m. Southern Cal (5-1) at Penn St. (3-2), 6:30 p.m.

SOUTH

Wake Forest (4-1) at NC State (3-2), 11 a.m. New Hampshire (2-4) at NC A&T (1-5), 11 a.m. South Carolina (2-3) at Florida (4-1), 11:45 a.m. William & Mary (2-4) at NC Central (2-4), noon Old Dominion (1-4) at Appalachian St. (3-1), noon Samford (1-4) at Chattanooga (3-3), noon Wofford (3-3) at Elon (4-2), 1 p.m. Va. Lynchburg (0-3) at Norfolk St. (3-3), 1 p.m. ETSU (4-2) at The Citadel (2-3), 1 p.m. Arkansas Baptist (0-1) at Alcorn St. (3-3), 2 p.m. W. Carolina (3-3) at Mercer (4-2), 2 p.m. E. Illinois (1-4) at Gardner-Webb (2-4), 2:30 p.m. Duke (4-0) at Georgia Tech (1-3), 2:30 p.m. Mississippi (3-1) at Vanderbilt (3-2), 2:30 p.m. UT Martin (1-4) at Tennessee St. (1-4), 2:30 p.m. Furman (2-4) at Tennessee Tech (4-1), 2:30 p.m. Florida A&M (1-4) at Alabama St. (3-2), 3 p.m. Rice (1-4) at East Carolina (2-2), 3 p.m. Jackson St. (5-0) at Grambling St. (3-2), 4 p.m. Northeastern St. (0-2) at West Florida (3-2), 4 p.m. Davidson (2-4) at Presbyterian (2-3), 4:30 p.m. SC State (5-1) at Charleston Southern (2-3), 5 p.m. West Georgia (1-4) at E. Kentucky (1-4), 5 p.m. Tarleton St. (5-0) at Austin Peay (5-1), 6 p.m. UAB (3-2) at Memphis (4-1), 6 p.m. Bethune-Cookman (3-2) at Alabama A&M (4-2), 6 p.m. LSU (4-1) at Kentucky (4-1), 6 p.m. James Madison (5-0) at Georgia Southern (2-3), 6:30 p.m. Syracuse (2-2) at Virginia (3-2), 6:30 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette (4-1) at Louisiana Tech (2-2), 6:30 p.m. Georgia (5-0) at Alabama (5-0), 6:30 p.m.

MIDWEST

Indiana (5-0) at Nebraska (5-0), 11 a.m. Sacramento St. (1-4) at Bowling Green (1-4), 11 a.m. Texas A&M (3-2) at Missouri (4-1), 11 a.m. Morehead St. (1-4) at Dayton (3-1), 11 a.m. Ball St. (1-4) at Northwestern (3-1), 11:30 a.m. San Diego (2-3) at Butler (4-1), noon Youngstown St. (4-2) at Indiana St. (2-4), noon S. Illinois (3-3) at South Dakota (4-2), 1 p.m. Drake (2-3) at Valparaiso (2-3), 1 p.m. SE Missouri (2-3) at Lindenwood (Mo.) (1-3), 1 p.m. Stetson (1-4) at St. Thomas (Minn.) (4-2), 1 p.m. E. Michigan (3-3) at Akron (1-4), 2:30 p.m. Stanford (2-3) at Notre Dame (5-0), 2:30 p.m. Houston (4-1) at Kansas St. (3-1), 2:30 p.m. Illinois (2-3) at Michigan St. (2-3), 2:30 p.m. Kent St. (2-3) at W. Michigan (3-2), 2:30 p.m. Buffalo (2-3) at Toledo (4-1), 2:30 p.m. Cent. Michigan (3-2) at Ohio (3-2), 2:30 p.m. Maryland (2-3) at Ohio St. (4-1), 3:15 p.m. North Dakota (5-1) at N. Iowa (2-2), 4 p.m. Air Force (3-1) at N. Illinois (0-4), 6:30 p.m. Minnesota (4-1) at Purdue (2-3), 7 p.m.

SOUTHWEST

UCF (3-2) at Oklahoma St. (3-1), 11 a.m. MVSU (2-4) at Texas Southern (1-4), 2 p.m. Southern U. (2-4) at Prairie View (2-4), 2 p.m. Oklahoma (2-2) vs. Texas (4-0) at Dallas, 2:30 p.m. Charlotte (0-5) at North Texas (3-2), 2:30 p.m. Incarnate Word (2-3) at Lamar (4-1), 3 p.m. Tennessee (4-1) at Arkansas (2-3), 3:15 p.m. Nevada (1-3) at UTEP (1-4), 6 p.m. Cent. Arkansas (2-3) at Abilene Christian (2-4), 7 p.m. SE Louisiana (3-2) at UT Rio Grande Valley (2-3), 7 p.m.

FAR WEST

Idaho (1-4) at Weber St. (3-3), 2 p.m. Virginia Tech (4-1) at California (2-3), 2:30 p.m. UCLA (4-0) at Oregon (3-1), 2:30 p.m. Utah Tech (0-6) at Portland St. (1-4), 3 p.m. Montana (5-1) at N. Arizona (4-2), 4 p.m. Cal Poly (3-3) at Idaho St. (4-1), 5 p.m. San Diego St. (2-3) at Oregon St. (3-2), 5 p.m. N. Dakota St. (5-0) at UNLV (3-2), 6 p.m.

N. Colorado (2-4) at E. Washington (1-5), 6 p.m. Kansas (2-2) at Utah (4-0), 9:15 p.m. Hawaii (1-4) at Arizona St. (2-2), 9:30 p.m. Boise St. (4-1) at Fresno St. (4-1), 9:30 p.m.

FCS Top 25 Poll

Rank Rec. Pts. Prev. 1. South Dakota St. (24) 5-1 648 2 2. Tarleton St. (1) 5-0 614 3 3. Montana (1) 5-1 570 4 4. Stephen F. Austin 6-0 558 5 5. Lehigh 6-0 528 6 6. Montana St. 5-1 509 1 7. North Dakota 5-1 496 7 8. Austin Peay 5-1 472 9 9. Youngstown St. 4-2 454 10 10. Lamar 4-1 408 13 11. UC Davis 4-2 358 15 12. South Dakota 4-2 338 16 13. Illinois St. 4-2 288 11 14. Northern Arizona 4-2 287 19 15. Richmond 5-1 277 17 16. Tennessee Tech 4-1 255 8 17. Idaho St. 4-1 197 14 18. Mercer 4-2 194 21 19. Harvard 3-0 180 22 20. Campbell 5-1 171 24 21. South Carolina St. 5-1 152 12 22. Jackson St. 5-0 147 23 23. Colgate 4-2 78 20 24. Monmouth (N.J.) 4-2 48 NR 25. Southeastern Louisiana3-2 41 NR Dropped Out: West Florida (18), Southern Illinois (25) Others Receiving Votes: West Florida, 37; Bryant, 32; Yale, 24; Southern Illinois, 19; East Tennessee St., 15; Elon, 15; Idaho, 14; Stony Brook, 9; Abilene Christian, 8; Dartmouth, 3; Morgan St., 2; Alabama St., 1; Central Connecticut St., 1; North Alabama, 1; Robert Morris, 1.

Auto racing Late Sunday NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 Results Sunday

At Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas. Lap length: 1.50 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (4) Chase Briscoe, Toyota, 267 laps, 75 points. 2. (6) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 267, 36. 3. (5) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 267, 41. 4. (7) Austin Cindric, Ford, 267, 48. 5. (20) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 267, 47. 6. (8) William Byron, Chevrolet, 267, 34. 7. (13) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 267, 34. 8. (9) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 267, 39. 9. (25) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet, 267, 28. 10. (23) Joey Logano, Ford, 267, 32. 11. (15) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 267, 28. 12. (10) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 267, 28. 13. (14) Chris Buescher, Ford, 267, 26. 14. (11) Daniel Suárez, Chevrolet, 267, 28. 15. (19) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 267, 22. 16. (1) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 267, 22. 17. (2) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 267, 20. 18. (22) Riley Herbst, Toyota, 267, 19. 19. (28) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 267, 18. 20. (36) Noah Gragson, Ford, 267, 17. 21. (18) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 267, 17. 22. (33) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 266, 0. 23. (3) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 266, 31. 24. (16) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 266, 13. 25. (21) Erik Jones, Toyota, 266, 12. 26. (35) Josh Berry, Ford, 266, 11. 27. (24) Cole Custer, Chevrolet, 266, 10. 28. (12) Ryan Preece, Ford, 265, 9. 29. (32) John H. Nemechek, Toyota, 265, 8. 30. (17) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 265, 7. 31. (29) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 265, 6. 32. (26) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Chevrolet, 264, 5. 33. (27) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 264, 4. 34. (34) Cody Ware, Chevrolet, 263, 3. 35. (31) Connor Zilisch, Chevrolet, 262, 2. 36. (30) Zane Smith, Ford, 262, 1. Race Statistics Average Speed of Race Winner: 147.365 mph. Time of Race: 2 hours, 43 minutes, 4 seconds. Margin of Victory: 1.376 seconds. Caution Flags: 4 for 21 laps. Lead Changes: 12 among 7 drivers. Lap Leaders: D.Hamlin 0-34; T.Reddick 35; B.Wallace 36; R.Blaney 37-41; D.Hamlin 42-46; C.Briscoe 47-128; C.Bell 129-130; A.Cindric 131-162; C.Briscoe 163-215; A.Cindric 216; R.Blaney 217-221; C.Bell 222-227; C.Briscoe 228-267 Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led): C.Briscoe, 3 times for 175 laps; D.Hamlin, 2 times for 39 laps; A.Cindric, 2 times for 33 laps; R.Blaney, 2 times for 10 laps; C.Bell, 2 times for 8 laps; T.Reddick, 1 time for 1 lap; B.Wallace, 1 time for 1 lap. Wins: T.Reddick, 5; D.Hamlin, 4; J.Logano, 3; R.Blaney, 3; K.Larson, 2; C.Briscoe, 2; T.Gibbs, 2; C.Elliott, 2; S.Van Gisbergen, 2; C.Bell, 1; C.Hocevar, 1; D.Suárez, 1; R.Preece, 1. Top 16 in Points: 1. K.Larson, 2318; 2. D.Hamlin, 2278; 3. C.Bell, 2263; 4. J.Logano, 2247; 5. R.Blaney, 2238; 6. C.Briscoe, 2234; 7. T.Reddick, 2212; 8. T.Gibbs, 2208; 9. A.Cindric, 2190; 10. B.Wallace, 2181; 11. C.Hocevar, 2160; 12. W.Byron, 2158; 13. C.Elliott, 2155; 14. D.Suárez, 2123; 15. C.Buescher, 2122; 16. R.Preece, 2118. NASCAR Driver Rating Formula A maximum of 150 points can be attained in a race. The formula combines the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish.

Transactions BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association CHICAGO BULLS — Waived G Isaiah Stevens. ORLANDO MAGIC — Waived G Mike Sharavjamts. TORONTO RAPTORS — Waived G Andre Jackson Jr. WASHINGTON WIZARDS — Waived G Jazian Gortman.

FOOTBALL

National Football League NFL — Suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games and referee Adrian Hill for one game for unprofessional conduct toward a player. DALLAS COWBOYS — Designated G Tyler Smith to return from injured reserve.

LIVING

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

T u e s d ay, O c T O b e r 6, 2026

1dN

Rise and shine

Wondering what those cheery yellow blooms along La.’s backroads are? Here’s your answer. If you take a drive down the highways and byways of Louisiana in the coming weeks, you might notice large masses of golden-yellow flowers on the side of the road. This very likely is Helianthus angustifolius, better known as the swamp GARDEN sunflower. NEWS Native to Louisiana and much of the United States, swamp sunflower is one of our most reliable flowering perennials. It blooms from early to mid-fall, peaking in October. This plant will grow almost anywhere. It favors wet environments — such as the roadside ditches where it’s so often seen this time of year — but is highly adaptable. It’s an outstanding performer in both natural settings and home gardens, where the towering plants work well in the back of beds.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Josh Carley, sitting in the pew, films a promotional video for his new short film, ‘Sin on a Sunday.’ Zach Walnau is behind the camera.

‘A TRUE STORYTELLER’

Baton Rouge native goes from high school projects to assistant editor on Emmy-winning series BY JOY HOLDEN

aspect of ﬁlm enticed him because he realized that where and how the editor puts the pieces together makes the work engaging. “It’s one of my favorite parts, and it didn’t occur to me that people didn’t actually enjoy that part of it,” Carley said.

Staff writer

hen Josh Carley was a high school student at Parkview Baptist School and Dutchtown High School, he was known as the resident cinephile. He amassed such a large collection of DVDs that his classmates would “check out” movies from him, with a policy that one person could only take two movies at a time. Throughout his time in school, Carley was the “director” that everyone wanted to work with for their movie projects. His love for film eventually turned into a career. Carley, 38, has worked on the editing team for several television series, including the second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” which was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series in 2025. The series won that Emmy for the ﬁrst season in 2024. He’s currently the editor for the second season of “The Terminal List,” a military thriller series on Amazon Prime starring Chris Pratt. “Editing is part mechanics and part storytelling,” said Tommy Talley, who worked with Carley on a music video for his production company tommysTV. “Anyone disciplined can learn the mechanics, but Josh has reached the top be-

LSU AGCENTER PHOTO BY OLIVIA McCLURE

Instead of a single flowerhead at the top of a stalk, swamp sunflower stems tend to be branched and display multiple flowers.

Swamp sunflower’s daisylike flowers typically measure 2 to 3 inches across — smaller than the blooms you’ll see on the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Their yellow color is just as cheerful, however, and they’re highly attractive to seed-loving birds and pollinators seeking nectar and pollen. A couple of other features distinguish swamp sunflower from other sunflowers. Instead of a single flowerhead at the top of a stalk, swamp sunflower stems tend to be branched and display multiple flowers. And its foliage is strappy, almost needlelike, with a rough texture. Swamp sunflower can reach 6 to 8 feet tall, sometimes even more. It looks its best and puts on the most blooms when grown in full sun. In the shade, plants become leggy. Propagation is easy. If you look at the base of swamp sunflower plants, you’ll likely see a number of plantlets emerging. You can divide these from the mother plants in late winter or early spring to plant in a new area or to share with friends. Swamp sunflower also is a prolific seed producer, a trait that allows it to regrow year after year in nature. If you want to collect the seeds to plant in a specific location, cut off mature flowers and allow them to dry for a few days. Then, shake out the seeds and store them for planting. Like many native perennials, planting the seeds in late fall or early winter is best.

A tight-knit film community Carley says he caught the film fever while he was a student at LSU from 2006 to 2010, which led him to like-minded people who energized him, he said. “I learned from them, and they learned from me, which is the best thing in the world for a community. That was where the bug truly bit me,” Carley said. Although LSU didn’t have a film major at the time, Carley did take a screenwriting class that was one of Josh Carley, right, and his wife, his favorites. He graduated with a Jamie Dean Carley, stand on the degree in advertising, but filmmaking was still his passion. In 2018, he red carpet at the Emmys. Josh Carley was assistant editor on ‘The made a short film titled “Samantha,” a horror mystery about a woman’s Last of Us’ which was nominated transcendental experiences. for the award for Outstanding During his time in Baton Rouge, Picture Editing for a Drama Series. Carley worked with different film industry professionals and crews on various sets. When he made “Sacause he’s a true storyteller.” After working with Talley on mantha,” many of them showed up Webbie’s “My People” music video to help. in 2011, Carley began editing com“I would not have a shadow of mercials, web videos, other mu- a career in postproduction if it sic videos, documentaries, short wasn’t for the amount of support films, feature films and behind-theä See CARLEY, page 2D scenes work. The postproduction

Author Sarah Jakes Roberts to headline summit BY JOY HOLDEN

2 p.m. on Oct. 11. The summit is an immersive experience deNew York Times bestsigned to uplift, equip and connect women from selling author, entrepreacross Louisiana. neur and internationally All proceeds go to acclaimed speaker Sarah YWCA programming, Jakes Roberts will headJakes Roberts including domestic violine YWCA Greater Baton Rouge’s Women’s Empowerment lence advocacy and one-on-one Summit at the River Center The- services for survivors, early atre for Performing Arts in Baton learning programs for children Rouge. The event will be held at aged birth to 3 years old, teen de-

Staff writer

velopment, emotional assistance and housing. “For nearly 60 years, YWCA Greater Baton Rouge has been committed to empowering women, strengthening families and creating opportunities for those who need them most,” said YWCA CEO Dianna Payton in a news release. “Sarah Jakes Roberts, CEO of Woman Evolve, has inspired millions of women around the world to embrace healing,

purpose, and faith through life’s greatest challenges. We are honored to welcome her to Baton Rouge.” This event will be Jakes Roberts’ ﬁrst trip to Baton Rouge. She serves women in her organization Woman Evolve in Dallas, which serves to equip women through spiritual and practical development, and is a co-pastor alongside

ä See SUMMIT, page 2D

2D ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

Rational or not, age questions remain taboo DEAR MISS MANNERS: Why is it con- ple who would beneﬁt from it are sidered rude to ask an adult his or offended by any such courtesies. Miss Manners agrees her age? with you about how riIt’s a fact of life, just one aspect of a whole person, diculous and even psychoand it’s not like keeping it logically damaging that is. a secret is going to prevent Nevertheless, you would the onset of old age. cause offense by ignoring GENTLE READER: The sad that convention. Judith answer is that our society DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m Martin terribly old-fashioned and considers growing older MISS to be a misfortune, if not a judgmental, but if you MANNERS personal failing. have been living together People, especially ladies, and have offspring tooften go to great lengths to conceal gether, why should you expect a their age, and it is deemed rude big wedding? to inquire about, or even to defer GENTLE READER: You probably to, age. On the contrary, ﬂatterers miss the old days, when people think it charming to pretend to would speculate about whether mistake maturity for youth. a bride was “entitled” to wear a Age is a fair precedence system white wedding dress. to use, as the one based on gender Miss Manners does not. The is fading. Yet often the very peopremise, which had to do with a

part of the bridal body inside the dress, was vulgar then, just as it would be vulgar now to decree who does and who does not deserve a big wedding. But this does suggest an interesting question: Why do couples even want big, expensive weddings, when the events no longer mark important changes in their lives? Time was, weddings changed things dramatically. The newlyweds took up residence together. The bride changed her surname. Any children they had would be recognized by the law. Now, one can no longer assume that life is any different for bridal couples after the wedding than it was before. They already live together. She may not change her name. They may already have children.

And yet weddings are bigger and splashier than ever. Miss Manners attributes this, in part, to the almost mandatory casualness of today’s lifestyles. Weddings may be the only occasions when adults can experience the stylistic lavishness they ogle when watching awards shows. For once relieved of the general requirement of condemning formality as elitist, they discover that dressing up is actually fun. But they have to cram it all into one occasion, which explains why brides have taken to scheduling dress changes during the course of the day. Another inﬂuence of awards shows is the chance to experience stardom. Modern weddings are less about the couple entering into civic and often religious

traditions than about crafting biographic epics about themselves. But perhaps the biggest reason is the opposite of what Miss Manners had thought. Perhaps it is exactly because there are not such changes in their everyday lives that a major occasion is required to celebrate and to make public the fact that there actually is a difference between being married and not. What Miss Manners fails to understand is why anyone would begrudge them that. 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.

Dry-cleaned jeans stay bright Facial scarring leaves Dear Heloise: For folks who want er errand that she’d probably like to keep their jeans bright, stop to skip. For those who have more washing them. I’ve had my jeans time and money on their hands, dry-cleaned for years, and though, dry-cleaning could their colors stay as bright be a good option. — Heloise as they did when they Oh, my aching back! were new. — R.J.B., via email R.J.B., yes, you’re right Dear Heloise: I purchased that it does help. However, two twin sofa beds. Defor many of my readspite the nice mattress, Hints from a 2-inch foam pad on it, a ers, it’s very expensive Heloise nice white pad, and a ﬁtted to constantly dry-clean bottom sheet, it’s uncomtheir jeans when they have working washing machines fortable! Suggestions are needed that can do the job. It also means on how to make this more comwearing the same pair of jeans fortable. — K.P., in Virginia longer than they’d normally be K.P., perhaps a thick mattress worn. In addition, it’s one more pad on top of the foam pad might thing on your to-do list. help. But if you sleep with your For busy people, such as a head toward the sofa, try reversing mother who gets off work and it so that your head’s at the end of needs to make one or two stops on the sofa bed. At the present time, a the way home before ﬁxing dinsofa bed will never be a comfy as our own mattresses at home. ner for her family, it’s just anoth-

Readers, if you have a sofa bed, what do you do to make your guests comfortable? Please write to Heloise@Heloise.com and let us know which solutions you use to make a sofa bed feel more comfy. — Heloise

The parrot speaks Dear Heloise: My friend bought a parrot and wanted to teach it to talk, but also wanted something more clever and less prosaic than “Polly want a cracker?” I suggested a good start would be: “Help, they have turned me into a parrot!” — Stanley F., via email Stanley, this is certainly a clever suggestion! Thank you for sharing such a funny idea; it gave me a good laugh. — Heloise Send a hint to heloise@heloise. com.

CARLEY

Continued from page 1D and encouragement and creativity that I experienced professionally in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette,” he said. “The film community in general is very tight-knit. They’re very supportive.” After “Samantha,” Carley and his wife moved to California so that he could edit scripted material. To be a successful editor, Carley says one must be fluent in all aspects of filmmaking. Moving to Los Angeles has allowed him to do that. Because editing is about creating the narrative of a visual story, editors have to understand good writing and bad writing, pacing, performances and why certain shots work the way they do. The editor is the first audience member, he said.

reader uncomfortable

a serious accident. While it is Dear Harriette: I got into a car a blessing for you to have surcrash eight months ago, and it has left my face permanently vived, your scars are real and scarred. I am still not used to the clearly emotionally impactful. I way my face looks, and have a couple of recomI’m extremely insecure. I mendations. First, speak can tell my husband isn’t to your doctor about as attracted to me as he plastic surgery. Find out used to be, and my todwhether it is possible to do any facial reconstrucdler looks at me like I am Frankenstein’s monster. tion to restore your face Harriette to its previous state. You I want to find ways to Cole be more confident, but should also get a theraSENSE AND it hasn’t been working. pist who can work with SENSITIVITY I used to love getting you to find peace at this dressed up and going out stage in your life. You with my husband, but now I find have been through a lot. You myself avoiding social situalook different, and people are retions because I don’t want people acting to you in different ways. staring at me. I rarely take picLearn how to accept and love the new you — the brave person who tures anymore because I don’t survived the terrible accident. recognize myself when I look at Dear Harriette: I need to lose them. My husband tells me he still loves me, but I can’t help but weight. I recently spoke to my feel like something has changed doctor about going on one of those GLP-1 regimens. But when between us since the accident. I told my daughter, she pointed I also worry that my toddler’s out I don’t eat that much. She reactions mean my child is said what GLP-1s do is reduce scared of me or doesn’t recogyour desire to eat. Since I don’t nize me anymore. Some days I feel like I am constantly compar- eat a lot anyway, it’s probably not my solution. Whatever. I just ing my face now to the way it want to lose weight. My work looked before the crash. I have is very sedentary. I don’t move tried telling myself that my much, but I need to get healthier. scars are a reminder that I survived, but that mindset has been What should I do? — Need to Lose Dear Need to Lose: While you can difficult to maintain. I know I should focus on healing emotion- get GLP-1 meds online now ally, but I don’t know how to stop without a prescription, I would advise against that. Go to a feeling embarrassed about my weight-loss clinic and get evaluappearance. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin again ated. Share all your medical hisand be present for my family tory with the doctors, and work without constantly worrying together to discover a viable soabout how they see me. How can lution to reach a healthy weight. I feel like the old me again? — Deformed Send questions to Dear Deformed: First, I am so askharriette@harriettecole. sorry that you experienced such com.

TODAY IN HISTORY

Back to movie making Jordan Lewis, another Baton Rouge editor who worked with Carley at tommysTV, said that Carley is someone who delivers real and honest criticism that makes a project better. “He has a good brain for that and a ton of experience that helps to be able to offer that type of feedback,” Lewis said. Today, Carley is adding screenwriter, director and producer to his résumé with his horror/pulp crime anthology “Parish Lines,” which is set in different parishes in Louisiana. One of the stories, titled “Sin on a Sunday,” follows a faith leader who has a dark secret. “The idea is to make ‘Sin on a Sunday’ as a really cool short but also as a way to approach investors and show them what ‘Parish Lines’ will be like. ‘Parish Lines’ is the feature I hope to make,” he said. Even though Carley lives in California now, everything he writes

SUMMIT

Continued from page 1D her husband at The Potter’s House Church in Dallas. But Jakes Roberts is coming off the heels of an accident that threatened her life. She broke her neck and compressed her spinal cord while jumping on a trampoline with her daughter. After several months of healing, she is feeling ready “to live again and plan again.” “I think a lot of women have been feeling that life takes our breath away, and we’re wondering, ‘Is it okay for me to have a dream, to have hope, even if I’ve had some

youth fencing team. In 1979, Pope John Paul II, on Today is Tuesday, Oct. 6, the a weeklong U.S. tour, became 279th day of 2026. There are 86 the first pontiff to visit the White days left in the year. House, where he was received Today in history: by President Jimmy Carter. On Oct. 6, 1981, Egyptian PresIn 2007, British adventurer Jaident Anwar Sadat was shot to son Lewis completed the first hudeath by members of the Egypman-powered circumnavigation tian Islamic Jihad while review- of the globe, spanning 13 years and more than 46,000 miles. ing a military parade. In 2014, the Supreme Court unAlso on this date: In 1927, the era of talking picexpectedly cleared the way for a dramatic expansion of same-sex tures arrived with the opening of “The Jazz Singer” starring Al marriage in the United States Jolson, a feature film containing as it rejected appeals from five states seeking to preserve their both silent and sound-synchrobans, effectively making such nized sequences. marriages legal in 30 states. In 1949, Iva Toguri D’Aquino, In 2018, in the narrowest Sena U.S. citizen commonly known as “Tokyo Rose” for participatate confirmation of a Supreme Court justice in nearly a century ing in Radio Tokyo propaganda broadcasts during World War II, and a half, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed by a 50-48 vote; he was sentenced in San Francisco to 10 years in prison for treason. was sworn in hours later. In 2023, Iranian activist She was released from prison in 1956 and pardoned by President Narges Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition Gerald Ford in 1977. of her tireless campaigning for In 1973, war erupted in the women’s rights and democracy, Middle East as Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Is- and against the death penalty. raeli forces in the Sinai Peninsu- Mohammadi kept up her activla and the Golan Heights during ism despite numerous arrests by the Yom Kippur holiday, starting Iranian authorities and having a nearly three-week conflict that spent years behind bars. would become known as the Yom Today’s birthdays: Actor Britt Kippur War. Ekland is 84. Irish politician GerIn 1976, Republican President ry Adams is 78. Pro Football Hall Gerald R. Ford, in his second of Fame coach Tony Dungy is 71. presidential debate with DemoBowler Walter Ray Williams Jr. crat Jimmy Carter, asserted that is 67. Actor Elisabeth Shue is 63. there was “no Soviet domination House Majority Leader Steve of Eastern Europe.” Carter went Scalise, R-Jefferson, is 61. Acon to narrowly defeat Ford. tor Emily Mortimer is 55. BasIn 1976, two bombs exploded ketball Hall of Famer Rebecca on a Cubana de Aviacion flight Lobo is 53. Actor Ioan Gruffudd off the coast of Barbados, killis 53. Actor Jeremy Sisto is 52. ing all 73 on board, including the Football Hall of Famer Richard Seymour is 47. 24 members of Cuba’s national

By The Associated Press

PROVIDED PHOTO

‘Sin on a Sunday’ follows a faith leader who has a dark secret. Josh Carley is currently working to get the short film financed. is Louisiana based, because “it’s a part of you forever and ever,” he said. He even credits the ﬁlm industry in the state for the opportunities he’s received thus far. He urges anyone in Louisiana with hopes of working in ﬁlm to take advantage of the people in the community. “There are a lot of really awesome, talented, wonderful people

in Baton Rouge who make and work on film,” Carley said. “If you want a career in film, find them. Get to know them. Listen to them. Learn from them. I promise you, you will see all kind of doors open — both from a career standpoint but also within you.”

disappointments?’ I understand ﬁrsthand what it’s like for life and everything you’ve known about yourself and about your purpose and identity to change. Empowerment looks like starting where we are.” Jakes Roberts is looking forward to meeting the women at the summit where they are. She hopes to help them ﬁgure out what it means to build from there. “I’m really looking forward to creating connection in the room,” she said. “I want the women to see the woman sitting next to them. I’ll be going back to Texas, but it’s the women who are in the room that they’ll be able to build communities, businesses and support

systems with. And so I’m looking forward to being a connector.” The VIP Floor Experience, priced at $150, is sold out, but supporters may purchase tickets for $75. YWCA hopes the event will become a gathering for community, leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, students and others in the community. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at ywca-BR. org/womens-empowerment-summit and through Ticketmaster. For more information, contact YWCA Greater Baton Rouge at 225-3830681.

Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ theadvocate.com.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ 3D

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FrAnK And erneSt

roSebUdS

zItS

zodIAC LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Discipline will pay off. Think about the possibilities, and implement ideas that help turn your vision into something concrete. Don't expect everyone to agree with you. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Choose to get along. A little charm will help you bypass those looking for a debate. Protect your reputation and your relationships with associates. Put more thought into your beliefs. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) You're sitting in a better position than you realize. Open your eyes and ears, and what you discover will help protect you against scammers and those who try to take advantage of you. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Having a laidback attitude will help you get things done without interference. Be aware of misdirection and bad information. Verify everything you hear before passing it along. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Channel your energy wisely. Discipline and patience are necessary. If you let what others do or say bother you, ego and emotions will bring drama, leaving you in an awkward position. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Matters concerning investments, health and contracts are best dealt with swiftly. Refuse to let inexperience cost you. Go to the experts who can provide you with the facts. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Set high goals, and push forward with enthusiasm. Clear up mixed messages by being con-

cise regarding how you feel, what you are willing to do and how to improve situations that aren't working well for you. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Rethink your plans, choose your words carefully and stick to the script. If you embellish situations, you'll be labeled as difficult; if you back down, you'll be vulnerable and weak. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Embrace your dreams, hopes and wishes, and see what transpires. You'll never know what's possible if you don't try. Meet any challenge you encounter with discipline and a plan. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Get active. Using your mental and physical attributes will help you get back in the game. It's time to flex your muscles and strengthen any vulnerability you've allowed to seep into your life. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Disruptions will require attention. You can resolve a domestic dispute if you compromise. Don't let ego get in the way or words put a wedge between you and what you are trying to achieve. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Pay attention to detail and proper protocol when dealing with institutions. A networking event can lead to professional and financial opportunities. How you present yourself will determine the outcome of a meeting. The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

For better or For WorSe WonderWord

peAnUtS

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY CeLebrItY CIpher Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

TODAy'S CLUE: C EQUALS A

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

4D ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

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Sudoku 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 Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday. Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

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La TimeS CroSSword

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ 5D

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B.C.

Bridge BY PHILLIP ALDER Trent Reznor, a singer-songwriter, composer and record producer, said, “Being a rock and roll star has become as legitimate a career option as being an astronaut or a policeman or a fireman.” That is an interesting list of comparisons when you contemplate the various incomes from those professions. In this deal, though, the key word is “option.” Which option should South choose? He is in three no-trump. West leads the heart jack and East plays his seven. How should South continue? West has a textbook weak two-bid, North has a textbook takeout double, and South has a clearcut jump to three notrump. It is just a pity that the contract isn’t laydown. South has only eight winners: four spades, one heart (trick one) and three diamonds. He has to establish a club trick, but that will involve losing the lead twice and will give the defenders a chance to run the heart suit. If West has a high club, the contract is unmakable. So South must assume that East has the club ace and king. However, if declarer takes the first trick and immediately plays a club, East will get in and return his second heart. Then South will go down three, losing five hearts and two clubs.

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

South has another option at trick one: Let West take the trick. Now the contract makes; declarer will lose only two hearts and two clubs. You will often have two options at the bridge table, whether in the bidding or play. Analyze both and hopefully you will realize that one is better than the other. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

PiCKles

Previous answers:

mallard fillmore

word game 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.

toDAY’s WoRD — ELEGAncE: EL-ih-gence: Dignified gracefulness.

Bizarro

marmaduKe

Average mark 16 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 21 or more words in ELEGANCE? YEstERDAY’s WoRD — LEXIcon lice

ilex

oxen

lien

clone

nice

line

coil

noel

lion

coin

loin

cole

lone

cone

icon

once

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “But our God is in the heavens: he has done whatever he has pleased.” Psalms 115:3

This is God’s world and He is in charge. — G.E. Dean

6D ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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classifieds.theadvocate.com Search Search& &Place PlaceAds AdsOnline Onlineatatclassifieds.theadvocate.com classifieds.theadvocate.com* Call * Call -Friday Us Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111

Announcements 3GYFNAEY7BS622388 CADILLAC is stored at 31643 N Corbin Rd, Walker, LA, 70785. If all current charges are not paid and vehicle claimed by the owner by October 21, 2026, a Permit to Sell may be obtained. 203125-Oct 6-7, 2t $81 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. 5653 BEECH ST RIO LINDO, INC, C/O JOHN A E DAVIDSON 1130 ROSENWALD RD C B DAVIS 5224 SYCAMORE ST THE ESTATE OF ALFRED J BRADY 4036 TUSCARORA ST SANDRA VERONICA LARA RAMIREZ 968 N 23RD ST BETTE BARANCO BLAND GREGORY T AND RAPHAEL A BARANCO SR. 2556 DAYTON ST PHARES FISHER 311 S 21ST ST DEBRA DENISE MILLS 4106 UNCAS ST SANDRA NETTLES 854 N DONMOOR AVE BATON ROUGE MULTI-FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC 11384 CATALPA DR CHAD ERIC CHRISTY 5103 WOODLYN DR KEJAMLEA R HOWELL 2255 E SMILEY AVE JESSIE LEE WILLIAMS 2331 JEFFERSON AVE EVLIN STERLING 2847 ADAMS AVE PREPETUAL PROPERTIES, II LLC 3235 SYCAMORE ST CEDRIC LAMPTON 4265 WOODLAWN AVE CHERRIE R LEWIS 6424 SILVERLEAF AVE DEANDRE M AGNEW 7522 MAPLEWOOD DR THE ESTATE OF CHARLIE EDWARD BOWERS 4026 TUSCARORA ST GERALDINE ROSS GALLOWAY CLECELAND, JR AND CHARLES JAMES WALLACE 2720 TECUMSEH ST BAHC PROPERTIES, LLC 8155 ALBERT DR TIMOTHY LANE JOINER 2116 LOUISIANA AVE QUENTIN WARNER

Public Notices

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived for the State of Louisiana by the Division of Administration and shall be directed to the Office of Facility Planning and Control, 1201 North Third Street, Claiborne Office Building, Suite 7160, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802 or P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70804-9095. The deadline for receipt of bids is 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 04, 2026, at which time bids will be opened and read aloud in a public meeting in the Claiborne Office Building, Confer‐ ence Room 1-145. FOR: Waterproofing and Roof Replacement United XII Building and Garage Baton Rouge, Louisiana PROJECT NUMBER: 01107-26A-OFC, F.01004739 Complete Bidding Docu‐ ments for this project are available in electronic form. They may be ob‐ tained without charge and without deposit from Centerline BidConnect (www.centerlinebidco nnect.com). Printed copies are not available from the Designer but arrangements can be made to obtain them through most repro‐ graphic firms. Plan hold‐ ers are responsible for their own reproduction costs. Questions about this pro‐ cedure shall be directed to the Designer at: Didier Architecture: Derryl Didier, Architect & Associates, LLC 17531 Old Jefferson Hwy., Suite C Prairieville, LA 70769 Telephone: 225-744-0008 E-mail: derryl@ didierarch.com All bids shall be accom‐ panied by bid security in an amount of five per‐ cent (5.0%) of the sum of the base bid and all al‐ ternates. The form of this security shall be as stated in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. The successful Bidder shall be required to fur‐ nish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instruc‐ tions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD at 8:30 AM on Wednes‐ day, October 21, 2026 at XII United, United Plaza, Third Floor Conference Room (Southeast corner of building - enter through the back/east entrance), 8585 Archives Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA. R.S. 37:2150-2166 for the classification of Building Construction. Bidder is required to comply with provisions and require‐ ments of LA R.S. 38:2212(B)(5). No bid may be withdrawn for a pe‐ riod of forty-five (45) days after receipt of bids, except under the provisions of LA. R.S. 38:2214. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In ac‐ cordance with La. R.S. 38:2212(B)(1), the provi‐ sions and requirements of this Section and those stated in the bidding documents shall not be waived by any entity. When this project is fi‐ nanced either partially or entirely with State Bonds or financed in whole or in part by federal or other funds which are not readily available at the time bids are received, the award of this Con‐ tract is contingent upon the granting of lines of credit, or the sale of bonds by the Bond Com‐ mission or the availabil‐ ity of federal or other f d h h ll

6545 SUMRALL DR JAMAL OVETE 5111 LINDEN ST JAMES HOWARD CARR 6456 CALLAHAN ST GERTIE B HOUSTON 2828 ILLINOIS ST ADDIE L BRYANT 2803 CONVENTION ST EVA MAE BUCKNER 3105 SLATE ST ECLECTIC BUILDERS, LLC 4871 BEECH ST DELISA MORRISON 9798 AVENUE C JOHN H SMITH, SR 818 MALLARD ST LIBERTY BANK & TRUST COMPANY 5044 CLAYTON ST ROBERT CHARLES DUHE' 4057 MADISON AVE DARLINGTON COURAGE IDUSUYI 3036 OSWEGO ST CONNIE DENTS 9838 SCENIC HWY THE ESTATE OF MARY GEAN HALFORD 9188 SCOTLAND AVE JAMES GRAY 10481 BIRCHWOOD DR STEELES SMALL REPAIR, LLC 2057 70TH AVE GWENDA STEWART STEVENS 5521 S LEIGHTON DR KATIE N MULE 1548 GWEN DR JOHN JEFFREY SEIGEL III 2343 ERIE ST MITCHELL FAMILY LIVING TRUST 9566 RAINFORD RD BAYOU ENTERPRISES II, LLC 2040 PICKETT AVE RICHARD LEONIDAS BILES, III 1628 STARBOARD DR EMERSON DOMINGUEZ MOLINA 8271 STERN AVE KENDALL VONKEITH FONTENOT 3126 MADISON AVE LEONARD HOLLINS, JR 5465 LINDEN ST ANGEL D BONILLA VELASQUEZ 5061 WASHINGTON AVE STAACY LAMONT ELLIS 3928 SCARBOROUGH DR THE ESTATE OF TERRY G & CAROLYN M CRAWFORD 1592 SNIPE ST CHERYL A GREEN 1082 SWAN AVE HARRELL W LONDON 4640 GLEN OAKS DR THOMAS & SONS ENTERPRISES OF LOUISIANA, INC 3731 CANYONLAND DR TONY INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, LLC / TONY DO 2125 69TH AVE FREDRICK J BOUDREAUX 7522 MAPELWOOD DR THE ESTATE OF CHARLES EDWARD BOWERS 3030 72ND AVE JOHNNIE MAE ANDERSON FAURE CO SHANNONNE CRYER 1570 79TH / 1520 79TH & PELICAN PROPERTIES

Public Notices Bids/Proposals y funds. The State shall incur no obligation to the Contractor until the Con‐ tract Between Owner and Contractor is fully exe‐ cuted. Facility Planning and Control is a participant in the Small Entrepreneur‐ ship (SE) Program (the Hudson Initiative) and the Veteran-Owned and Service-Connected Dis‐ abled Veteran-Owned (LaVet) Small Entrepre‐ neurships Program. Bid‐ ders are encouraged to consider participation. Information is available from the Office of Facility Planning and Control or on its website at https:// www.doa.la.gov/doa/ fpc/. If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please con‐ tact Cheryl Schilling at Cheryl.Schilling@la.gov or (225) 342-6060 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. STATE OF LOUISIANA DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION FACILITY PLANNING AND CONTROL MATTHEW H. BAKER, DIRECTOR 202483-oct 6-13-20-3t $166.50 PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived for the State of Louisiana by the Division of Administration and shall be directed to the Office of Facility Planning and Control, 1201 North Third Street, Claiborne Office Building, Suite 7160, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802 or P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70804-9095. The deadline for receipt of bids is 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at which time bids will be opened and read aloud in a public meeting in the Claiborne Office Building, Conference Room 1-145. FOR: Roof Replacement Basic Science Building L Louisiana State Univer‐ sity Pennington Biomed‐ ical Research Center Baton Rouge, Louisiana PROJECT NUMBER: 19-671-22-01, F.19002493 & 01-107-24-03, F.01004762 (Supplement) Complete Bidding Docu‐ ments for this project are available in electronic form. They may be ob‐ tained without charge and without deposit from Gros Flores Positerry, LLC. Printed copies are not available from the Designer but arrange‐ ments can be made to obtain them through most reprographic firms. Plan holders are respon‐ sible for their own repro‐ duction costs. Questions about this pro‐ cedure shall be directed to the Designer at: Gros Flores Positerry, LLC 12032 Bricksome Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70816 Telephone: 225-293-6964 E-mail: Brian Falcon (bfalcon@gfpdesign. com) All bids shall be accom‐ panied by bid security in an amount of five per‐ cent (5.0%) of the sum of the base bid and all al‐ ternates. The form of this security shall be as stated in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. The successful Bidder shall be required to fur‐ nish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instruc‐ tions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD at 9:00 AM on Thursday, October 08, 2026 at Louisiana State University Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Build‐ ing L Gathering Space Room L-1036, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA. R.S. 37:2150-2166 for the classification of Building Construction or Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding. Bidder is required to comply with provisions and requirements of LA R.S. 38:2212(B)(5). No bid may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after receipt of bids, except under the provisions of LA. R.S. 38:2214. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In ac‐ cordance with La. R.S. 38:2212(B)(1), the provi‐ sions and requirements of this Section and those stated in the bidding documents shall not be waived by any entity. When this project is fi‐ nanced either partially or entirely with State Bonds or financed in whole or in part by federal or other funds which are not readily available at the time bids are received, the award of this Con‐ tract is contingent upon the granting of lines of credit, or the sale of bonds by the Bond Com‐ mission or the availabil‐ ity of federal or other funds. The State shall incur no obligation to the Contractor until the Con‐ tract Between Owner and Contractor is fully exe‐ cuted. Facility Planning and Control is a participant in the Small Entrepreneur‐ ship (SE) Program (the Hudson Initiative) and the Veteran-Owned and Service-Connected Dis‐ abled Veteran-Owned (LaVet) Small Entrepre‐ neurships Program. Bid‐ ders are encouraged to consider participation. Information is available from the Office of Facility Planning and Control or on its website at https:// www.doa.la.gov/doa/ fpc/.

If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please con‐ tact Cheryl Schilling at Cheryl.Schilling@la.gov or (225) 342-6060 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. STATE OF LOUISIANA DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION FACILITY PLANNING AND CONTROL MATTHEW H. BAKER, DIRECTOR 201174 Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 2026 3t $169.08 PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) will receive electronic or paper bids for the construction of the following project: SB 1878 MELVIN KIP HOLDEN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS AT HARDING BLVD 2750 HARDING BLVD BATON ROUGE, LA 70807 Project Description: Fur‐ nish and install a prefab‐ ricated pedestrian bridge, approximately 8’ x 110’ which crosses Monte Sano Bayou and will also include demoli‐ tion of previously exiting bridge structures, rip rap installation in the chan‐ nel, concrete paving to tie-in to existing path‐ ways on either side of the bridge, and other misc. work associated with the new bridge in‐ stallation. Electronic OR Paper bids will be received until 2:00 PM CT, October 27, 2026, by the BREC Finance De‐ partment, BREC Adminis‐ tration Building, 6201 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All electronic bids will be downloaded and publicly read aloud, along with all paper bids received, im‐ mediately after the 2:00 PM bid closing in Room 1501 of the BREC Admin‐ istration Building. Bid‐ ders or their authorized representatives are in‐ vited to be present. No bids will be received

INVESTMENTS INC JESSE JAMES GLASPER JR. 12533 LA MARGIE AVE B & E INVESTMENT PROPERTIES LLC 9085 N PARKVIEW DR RODNEY MICHAEL BRANDENBERG 10374 N HARVEY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD P SMILEY III 1727 JADE AVE TERRY LEWIS BROWN 1976 FOUNTAIN AVE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIR 1885 FOUNTAIN AVE MARY BETH COTE' 202976-Oct 3-9, 7t $3,734.86

Employment

APARTMENT 3060 N. Acadian Thrwy (Wtr/Swr Pd) 1BR/1BA, Rent $500, Dep $100 225-357-6436

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Merick Lalin is requested to contact Attorney Raushanah S. Hunter in reference to a pending legal matter at (225) 356-5252. 203129-Oct 6-8, 3t $85.90

NOW HIRING Galleyhands Night Cooks Must hold TWIC card, pass drug test & physical. 985-851-0727 or email: personnel@sontheimeroffshore.com

APARTMENT 655 North St Subsidized Efﬁciency Apartments cpabr.org 225-383-5551 TDD/TTY 711 RELAY

Merchandise

MOBILE HOME 1, 2 & 3 BR mobile homes, $675 & up 6061 Plank Rd. CALL 225-978-4653

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.

CLASSIFIEDS WORK

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Oliver Cage, II is requested to contact Attorney Raushanah S. Hunter in reference to a pending legal matter at (225) 356-5252. 203127-October 6-8, 3t $88

HOUSE 9620 Alder Dr. BR La 70817 Lovely Garden Home. 3 br, 2 bth, 2 Car garage - New (floors, bathroom, Kitchen counters) Move in ready. All appliances $2,175.00 281-419-1904 perryrjcr@sbcglobal.net; Featured on Zillow

APARTMENT AREA 5 1BR $600, 2BR $700 Tigerland. $500 Deposit. 225-475-1737

MARINE

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

after 2:00 PM on same day and date.

the

Bids, amendments to bids, or requests for withdrawal of bids, re‐ ceived after the time specified for bid opening shall not be considered for any cause whatso‐ ever, except as required by law. Bids shall be firm for a period of forty-five (45) days from the date of the opening of bids and no bid shall be with‐ drawn for any reason during this period of time except as allowed per LSA-R.S.38:2214.C. Bid‐ ders shall obtain an orig‐ inal set of bidding docu‐ ments from BREC as fol‐ lows. Complete bid documents are available on disk for purchase for Ten Dollars ($10.00) at the BREC Pur‐ chasing Department, 6201 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, 70806. Any Ad‐ denda, if issued, will be e-mailed to prospective bidders who have pur‐ chased plans and regis‐ tered with the BREC Pur‐ chasing Department. Plans may be picked up or BREC will overnight / mail plans at bidder’s ex‐ pense. Contact the BREC Purchasing Department at (225)273-6421. Complete bid documents are available in elec‐ tronic format at www. bidexpress.com. Ques‐ tions about this proce‐ dure shall be directed to Bid Express Customer support@ Service at bidexpress.com. Toll Free: (888) 352-BIDX (2439), Phone: (352) 3814888, Fax: (888) 971-4191, Monday through Friday, 6am - 7pm CT. Bidders are responsible for their own reproduc‐ tion costs. A set of docu‐ ments can be printed by most reprographers. Electronic bids and elec‐ tronic bid bonds must be submitted through www. bidexpress.com prior to the bidding deadline. Electronic bid bonds will be downloaded by the BREC Finance Depart‐ ment immediately after the 2:00 PM bid closing. Bidders utilizing the elec‐ tronic bid process are re‐ sponsible for confirming that all documents are properly submitted and received by Bid Express. Questions about this pro‐ cedure shall be directed to Bid Express Customer support@ Service at bidexpress.com. Toll Free: (888) 352-BIDX (2439), Phone: (352) 3814888, Fax: (888) 971-4191, Monday through Friday, 6am - 7pm CT. Paper bid forms must be submitted in a sealed, opaque envelope and en‐ dorsed SB 1878 MELVIN KIP HOLDEN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS AT HARDING BLVD for the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge along with Con‐ tractor’s license number as required by LSA-R.S. 37:2151-2165. Bids with no license number will be rejected. One (1) copy of the bid form shall be submitted. Bid form blanks must be duly filled in by the Bidder. Bidders are cautioned not to attach any condi‐ tions or provisions to their proposals. Any for‐ eign conditions will ren‐ der the proposal invalid and may cause its rejec‐ tion. A Certified Check or Cashier’s Check, payable to the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge or a satisfactory Bid Bond, in compliance with LSA-R.S. 38:2218.A&C, executed by the Bidder and an ac‐ ceptable surety, in an amount equal to five per‐ cent (5%) of the total bid, shall be submitted with each paper bid. BREC is an Equal Oppor‐ tunity Employer. The Bid‐ der is encouraged to uti‐ lize minority participa‐ tion in this contract to the extent possible through the use of small, disadvantaged and women-owned busi‐ nesses as suppliers or subcontractors. All Contractors bidding on this work shall com‐ ply with all provisions of the State Licensing Law for Contractors, LSA-R.S. 37:2150-2163, as

CATS RAGAMUFFIN & RAGDOLL KITTENS www.CatsByFrancy.com/kittens $1500up! Reg. Shots & Guaranty 337-230-3150

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

amended, for all public contracts. It shall also be the responsibility of the General Contractor to as‐ sure that all subcontrac‐ tors comply with this law. Contractors must be licensed in the proper category of work. If re‐ quired for bidding, Con‐ tractors must hold an ac‐ tive license issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors in the classiﬁcation of "HIGHWAY, STREET, AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION” and must show their li‐ cense number on the face of the bid envelope and the Uniform Public Works Bid Form. BREC reserves the right to reject any or all bids for just cause as allowed by LSA-R.S. 38:2214. Bids shall only be ac‐ cepted by Contractors who have formally ob‐ tained a complete set of the contract documents and in whose name the proposal forms and/or speciﬁcations were is‐ sued. The construction esti‐ mate will be read aloud at the bid opening. A pre-bid conference will be held at 9:00 AM CT, October 14 at 3280 Hard‐ ing Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70807. The pre-bid con‐ ference is non-manda‐ tory. Bidders should re‐ view the bid documents and drawings prior to this meeting. RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ____________________ /s/ Dr. Brooks Williams, Superintendent THE ADVOCATE BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA To be Published Three Times: 9/30/26, 10/6/26, 10/12/26 END OF SECTION 202309 Sept. 30, Oct. 6, 12, 2026 3t $290.22

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISMENT September 30, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Purchasing Department, GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY, Gram‐ bling, La. On October 20, 2026 at 2:05, P.M. for: “50018-270005” HVAC Labor Services. At which time and place the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Any bid received after closing time will be returned un‐ opened. Copies of the specifica‐ tions may be obtained in electronic format by vis‐ the State of iting Louisiana, Office of State Purchasing, LaPAC Web Site, https://wwwcfprd. doa.louisiana.gov/osp/ lapac/dspBid.cfm?sea rch=department& term=53 Copies of speci‐ fications are on file in the Office of the Director of Purchasing, GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY, Gram‐ bling, La. To obtain a copy of the specifica‐ tions from Grambling State University, call (318)-274-3280 or e-mail walkere@gram.edu. Bids must be returned to the Purchasing Office at purchasingbids@gram. edu by the due date and time referenced. Bids must be submitted on the forms enclosed with the bid specification, and in strict conformity with the intent of same with‐ out modifications. Bids must be signed in ink, dated, and title of person signing the bid should be shown on the bid.

Public Notices Bids/Proposals g j y all bids, and to waive any informalities. Evidence of authority to submit the bid shall be required in accordance with R.S. 38:2212(B)(5) and/or R.S. 39:1594(C)(4). An Equal Opportunity Employer. GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA Erin Walker Director of Purchasing TO APPEAR: 9/30/2026 BID DUE: 10/20/2026 202854 Oct. 6, 8, 13, 2026 3t $85.89 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS RECEIPT OF SEALED BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE OWNER, McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY, PUR‐ CHASING DEPARTMENT, SMITH HALL, ROOM 120, 150 LAWTON DR., LAKE CHARLES, LA 70605, or MSU BOX 92415, LAKE CHARLES, LA 70609, UNTIL THE DATE AND TIME INDICATED FOR THE FOLLOWING BID: BID NO. S2700020 DATE DUE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2026 TIME: 10:00 A.M. CAMPUS GATEWAYS, McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA 70607 PROJECT NO. 19-627-21-01, F.19002583, 01-107-05B-13, F.01004545 MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 7, 2026 AT 10:00 A.M. A NON-MANDATORY SITE VISIT CAN BE ARRANGED BY CONTACTING RICHARD RHODEN AT 337475-5887 or email facilities@mcneese.edu.

FRONT-END BIDDING DOCUMENTS MAY BE OB‐ TAINED AT THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WEBSITE VEN‐ DOR CENTER, LaPAC, AT https://doa.louisiana. gov/doa/osp/vendorresources, LaPAC Bids Opportunities from State of Louisiana and local agencies. FOR ADDI‐ TIONAL ASSISTANCE AND TO OBTAIN PLANS, SPECI‐ FICATIONS, DRAWINGS, etc., EMAIL REQUEST TO facilities@mcneese.edu. FEES FOR SET OF DOCUMENTS: NONE A CASHIER’S CHECK, CER‐ TIFIED CHECK, OR AC‐ CEPTABLE BIDDER’S BOND PAYABLE TO Mc‐ NEESE STATE UNI‐ VERISITY IN AN AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN FIVE PER‐ CENT (5%) OF THE BID SUBMITTED MUST AC‐ COMPANY EACH BID AS A GUARANTEE THAT, IF AWARDED THE CON‐ TRACT, THE BIDDER WILL PROMPTLY ENTER INTO A CONTRACT AND EXECUTE SUCH BONDS AS MAY BE REQUIRED. THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE REQUIRED TO FURNISH A PERFOR‐ MANCE BOND IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 100% OF THE CONTRACT AMOUNT AND IN ACCOR‐ DANCE WITH R.S.38:2219.

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WORKS Public Notices Bids/Proposals

DIRECTOR dslate1@mcneese.edu Phone: (337)475-5090 201386 Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 2026 3t $115.05

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS SP# 179 Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Procure‐ ment Section of the Divi‐ sion of Administration, 1201 N. 3rd. St., 2nd. Floor, Suite 2-160, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 10:00 A.M. for the follow‐ ing: RFx No. 3000026683, Cargo Trailers - DPS, 10/14/26 RFx No. 3000026733, Tan‐ dem Axle Dump Trucks – DOTD, 10/28/26 RFx No. 3000026740, Kawasaki Motorcycles – DPS, 10/28/26 RFx No. 3000026751, 8Yard Single Axle Dump Trucks – DOTD, 10/28/26 RFx No. 3000026753, 16Yard Tandem Axle Dump Trucks – DOTD, 10/28/26 RFx No. 3000026754, Bucket Truck Crew Cab – DOTD, 10/28/26 Bid proposal forms, in‐ formation and speciﬁca‐ tions may be obtained by accessing the bid num‐ ber in LaPac at www.doa. la.gov/doa/osp/ or from the procurement section listed above. No bids will be received after the date and hour speciﬁed. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids and to waive any infor‐ malities. Amy Vincent Director of State Procure‐ ment FAX (225) 342-8688 202985-OCT 6-1T $15.77

PUBLIC NOTICE -- The Louisiana Ofﬁce of the State Museum is re‐ questing proposals for a Public-Private Partner‐ ship project to design, build, furnish, operate, and maintain an in‐ door/outdoor café at the New Orleans Jazz Mu‐ seum. For more informa‐ tion go to opportuni‐ tiesinlouisiana.com. 202696-oct 2-20-t $93.29 PUBLIC NOTICE --VOUCHER #2026-13-1200 BIDS TO BE OPENED 11/13/26 NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by City of Baton Rouge and the Parish of East Baton Rouge until November 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST in Purchasing Division, Room 826 of City Hall, 222 Saint Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 for: RFP 2026-13-1200 LIBRARY PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Mandatory prebid con‐ ference/site visits will be necessary and will be of‐ fered for two days. The initial site visit will be on October 20,2026 at 9:00 am CST at the Goodwood Library at 7711 Good‐ wood Boulevard – 3rd Floor Board Room. Only companies represented at the the prebid confer‐ ence and all site visits shall be considered for award. Copies of the Request for Proposal may be ob‐ tained from LaPAC (https://wwwcfprd.doa. louisiana.gov/osp/lapac/ dspBid.cfm?search=dep artment&term=102), Central Bidding (http:// www.centralauctionh ouse.com) or by email re‐ quest to email: RFP2026131200LibLand‐ scaping@brla.gov *Note: The City-Parish has elected to use LaPAC, the state’s online electronic bid posting and Central Bidding noti‐ fication system, in addi‐ tion to its standard means of advertising this requirement. LaPAC is resident on State Pur‐ chasing’s website at https://wwwcfprd.doa. louisiana.gov/osp/lapac/ pubmain.cfm and is available for vendor selfenrollment. NOTE: This RFP is not available to submit online via Central Bidding; submissions MUST be mailed or hand delivered to the address mentioned in the RFP. In that LaPAC and Central Bidding provides an im‐ mediate email notifica‐ tion to subscribing bid‐ ders that a solicitation and any subsequent ad‐ denda have been let and posted, notice and re‐ ceipt thereof is consid‐ ered formally given as of their respective dates of posting. Though not re‐ quired if receiving solici‐ tation and addenda no‐ tices from LaPAC and Central Bidding the CityParish will email ad‐ denda to all vendors con‐ tacting our office and re‐ questing to be put on our office Vendor Listing for this solicitation. The deadline for receiv‐ ing written inquiries is October 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM CST. Proposals received after the above specified time will not be considered. The right to reject any and all proposals and to waive irregularities and informalities is reserved. All questions concerning the Solicitation and Con‐ tract Documents MUST be received in accor‐ dance with the Schedule of Events cited in the So‐ licitation documents. Though not required if receiving solicitation and addenda notices from LaPAC, the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge will email or mail addenda to all ven‐ dors contacting our of‐ fi d i b

Public Notices Bids/Proposals g ﬁce and requesting to be put on our ofﬁce Vendor Listing for this solicita‐ tion. 202250-sep 29-oct 6-13-3t $139.62

Public Notices Conservation

PUBLIC NOTICE ---2ABBEVILLE FIELD 26-338 LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DE‐ PARTMENT OF CONSER‐ VATION AND ENERGY, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA. In accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, and with par‐ ticular reference to the provisions of Title 30 of Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, a public hearing will be held in the Hearing Room, 1st Floor, LaSalle Building, 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9:00 a.m. on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026, upon the application of DUNN EXPLORATION COMPANY, LLC. At such hearing the De‐ partment of Conserva‐ tion and Energy will con‐ sider evidence relative to the issuance of Orders pertaining to the follow‐ ing matters relating to the 5650 Zone, Reservoir A, in the Abbeville Field, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. 1. To permit the applicant to designate and utilize its Adles Mailhes No. 5 Well as an additional al‐ ternate unit well for the 5650 RA SUA, said well to be at the location shown on the plat submitted with the application. 2. To permit the operator to produce the unit al‐ lowable from the existing unit well, the existing al‐ ternate unit well, the pro‐ posed additional alter‐ nate unit well, or from the combination of the wells at its option. 3. To find that the pro‐ posed additional alter‐ nate unit well is neces‐ sary to economically and efficiently drain reserves from the 5650 RA SUA which cannot be eco‐ nomically and efficiently recovered by any exist‐ ing well within such unit. 4. Except to the extent herein designated, to continue in full force and effect the provisions of Office of Permitting and Compliance Order No. 155-BBBB-2 and the 155BBBB Series of Orders. 5. To consider such other matters as may be perti‐ nent. The 5650 Zone, Reservoir A was fully defined in Order No. 155-BBBB-2, ef‐ fective March 27, 2018. A plat is available for in‐ spection in the Depart‐ ment of Conservation and Energy in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana. http://dnr.louisiana.gov/ conshearings All parties having inter‐ est therein shall take no‐ tice thereof. BY ORDER OF:

BIDS SHALL BE ACCEPTED ONLY FROM CONTRAC‐ TORS WHO ARE LICENSED UNDER LA. R.S.37:21502163 FOR THE CLASSIFI‐ BUILDING CATION OF CONSTRUCTION. NO BID MAY BE WITH‐ DRAWN FOR A PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF BIDS, EXCEPT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF LA. R.S.38:2214. THE OWNER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS AND TO WAIVE ANY INFOR‐ MALITIES INCIDENTAL THERETO.

Evidence of General Lia‐ bility Insurance, Auto Li‐ ability Insurance, and Workers Compensation Insurance required for this contract. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for at least thirty (30) days.

EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT THE BID SHALL BE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH R.S.38:2212 (A)(1)(C) AND/OR R.S. 39:1594 (C) (2)(D).

The University reserves the right to reject any or ll bid d i

DANITA SLATE ASSISTANT PURCHASING

McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY

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8D ■ Tuesday, October 6, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate Public Notices Conservation

DUSTIN H. DAVIDSON, SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND EN‐ ERGY Baton Rouge, 10/1/26;10/6/26 L lck

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE AT THE HEARING, PLEASE CON‐ TACT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY AT P.O. BOX 94275, BATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9275 IN WRITING WITHIN FIVE (5) WORK‐ ING DAYS OF THE HEAR‐ ING DATE. 202975 Oct. 6, 2026 1t $59.35 PUBLIC NOTICE ---2ABBEVILLE FIELD 26-338 LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DE‐ PARTMENT OF CONSER‐ VATION AND ENERGY, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA. In accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, and with par‐ ticular reference to the provisions of Title 30 of Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, a public hearing will be held in the Hearing Room, 1st Floor, LaSalle Building, 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9:00 a.m. on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026, upon the application of DUNN EXPLORATION COMPANY, LLC. At such hearing the De‐ partment of Conserva‐ tion and Energy will con‐ sider evidence relative to the issuance of Orders pertaining to the follow‐ ing matters relating to the 5650 Zone, Reservoir A, in the Abbeville Field, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. 1. To permit the applicant to designate and utilize its Adles Mailhes No. 5 Well as an additional al‐ ternate unit well for the 5650 RA SUA, said well to be at the location shown on the plat submitted with the application. 2. To permit the operator to produce the unit al‐ lowable from the existing unit well, the existing al‐ ternate unit well, the pro‐ posed additional alter‐ nate unit well, or from the combination of the wells at its option. 3. To find that the pro‐ posed additional alter‐ nate unit well is neces‐ sary to economically and efficiently drain reserves from the 5650 RA SUA which cannot be eco‐ nomically and efficiently recovered by any exist‐ ing well within such unit. 4. Except to the extent herein designated, to continue in full force and effect the provisions of Office of Permitting and Compliance Order No. 155-BBBB-2 and the 155BBBB Series of Orders. 5. To consider such other matters as may be perti‐ nent. The 5650 Zone, Reservoir A was fully defined in Order No. 155-BBBB-2, ef‐ fective March 27, 2018. A plat is available for in‐ spection in the Depart‐ ment of Conservation and Energy in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana. http://dnr.louisiana.gov/ conshearings All parties having inter‐ est therein shall take no‐ tice thereof. BY ORDER OF: DUSTIN H. DAVIDSON, SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY Baton Rouge, 10/1/26;10/6/26 L lck

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE AT THE HEARING, PLEASE CON‐ TACT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY AT P.O. BOX 94275, BATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9275 IN WRITING WITHIN FIVE (5) WORK‐ ING DAYS OF THE HEAR‐ ING DATE. 202921 Oct. 6, 2026 1t $59.35 PUBLIC NOTICE ---2BAYOU SAN MIGUEL AND ZWOLLE FIELDS 26-339 and 26-340 LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DEPARTMENT OF CON‐ SERVATION AND ENERGY, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA. In accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, and with par‐ ticular reference to the provisions of Title 30 of Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, a public hearing will be held in the Hearing Room, 1st Floor, LaSalle Building, 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9:00 a.m. on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026, upon the application of EXPAND OPERATING LLC. At such hearing the De‐ partment of Conserva‐ tion and Energy will con‐ sider evidence relative to the issuance of Orders pertaining to the follow‐ ing matters relating to the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Bayou San Miguel and Zwolle Fields, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. 1. To dissolve an existing drilling and production unit for the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Bayou San Miguel Field, designated as HA RA SUAA created under Of‐ fice of Permitting and Compliance Order No. 1513-B-2, effective March 9, 2010, which is shown on the plat submitted with the application and made a part hereof. 2. To simultaneously cre‐ ate a drilling and produc‐ tion unit for the explo‐ ration for and production of gas and condensate from the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Zwolle Field, with said additional unit to be des‐ ignated HA RA SUII as shown on the plat sub‐ mitted with the applica‐ tion, and made a part hereof. 3. To force pool and inte‐ grate all separately owned tracts, mineral leases and other prop‐ erty interests within the proposed unit with each tract sharing in unit pro‐ duction on a surface acreage basis of partici‐ pation. 4. To find that the pro‐ posed unit is reasonable and should be adopted, is necessary to insure or‐ derly development, to prevent waste and to avoid the drilling of un‐ necessary wells; and that said unit encom‐ passes the maximum area which may be effi‐ ciently and economically drained by the well or wells designated by the Office of Permitting and Compliance to serve said unit as the unit well, sub‐ stitute unit well, or alter‐ nate unit well, and that creation of said unit should reasonably as‐ sure to each separate tract included therein an opportunity to recover its just and equitable share of the contents of the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A. 5. To provide that if the horizontal portion of a well is cased and ce‐ mented back above the top of the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, the distance to any unit boundary and offset well(s) will be calculated

Public Notices Conservation

based on the distance to the nearest perforation in the well and not on the penetration point or ter‐ minus of the well. 6. Except insofar as set forth above, to confirm and continue in full force and effect the provisions Order No. 628-B, effective November 3, 2009; as amended and supple‐ mented by the 628 Series of Orders, Order No. 1513-B, effective October 28, 2008; as amended and supplemented by the 1513 Series of Orders, and of all applicable Statewide Orders. 7. To consider such other matters as may be perti‐ nent. The Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Zwolle Field, was defined in Order No. 628-B, effective November 3, 2009. The Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Bayou San Miguel Field, was de‐ fined in Order No. 1513-B, effective October 28, 2008. Plats are available for in‐ spection in the Depart‐ ment of Conservation and Energy in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana. http://dnr.louisiana.gov/ conshearings All parties having inter‐ est therein shall take no‐ tice thereof. BY ORDER OF: DUSTIN H. DAVIDSON, SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND EN‐ ERGY Baton Rouge, 10/1/26;10/6/26 S lck

Public Notices DEQ Permits

PUBLIC NOTICE --Notice is hereby given that the West St. Mary Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District, P.O. Drawer 601, Franklin, LA 70538, has applied for a 401 Water Quality Certifi‐ cation to conduct main‐ tenance dredging in the West St. Mary Port, Har‐ bor and Terminal District Canal and the Intra‐ coastal Waterway and deposit dredged material in a nearby site off Louisiana Road. All work will occur southwest of west of Franklin in St. Mary Parish. The West St Mary Port, Harbor and Terminal District is ap‐ plying to the Louisiana Department of Environ‐ mental Quality, Office of Environmental Services for a Water Quality Certi‐ fication in accordance with statutory authority contained in the LAC 33:IX.1507.A-E and provi‐ sions of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Comments concerning this application can be filed with the Water Per‐ mits Division within 10 days of this notice by ref‐ erencing WQC 260805-01, AI 252382 to the following address: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Water Permits Division P.O. Box 4313 Baton Rouge, LA 708214313 Attn: Water Quality Certi‐ fications Comments may be sub‐ mitted by email to DEQWaterQualityCertifica‐ tions@la.gov. A copy of the application is available for inspec‐ tion and review at the LDEQ Public Records Center at 602 North Fifth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the available in‐ formation can also be ac‐ cessed electronically on the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) on the LDEQ pub‐ lic website at www.deq. louisiana.gov. 203106-OCT 6-1T $219.38

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --Burns & McDonnell on behalf of Cloud Connec‐ tor, LLC is requesting au‐ thorization to construct a natural gas pipeline be‐ tween an interconnect station near Melville, Louisiana in St. Landry Parish, and Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC and Plaquemines Ex‐ pansion, LLC Terminals in Plaquemines Parish. The U.S. Army Corps of Engi‐ neers (CEMVN) will be accepting public com‐ ments on the project until October 8, 2026. To further review and/or provide comments, addi‐ tional information and plans related to the pro‐ posal may be obtained at the following website: www.mvn.usace.army. mil/missions/regulatory/ public-notices (see Ref#: MVN-2026-00308-BV). If you have any questions or would like additional information, please con‐ tact Courtland Vice with CEMVN, Regulatory Divi‐ sion at (504) 862-1349 or at courtland.l.vice@ usace.army.mil. A certiﬁ‐ cation that the proposed activity will not violate applicable water quality standards will be re‐ quired from the LDEQ be‐ fore a Department of the Army permit could be is‐ sued. 201952-SEP 28-OCT 8-11T $1,405.06

PUBLIC NOTICE --Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Ac‐ tivity in a Flood‐ plain/Wetland To: All interested Federal, State, and Local Agen‐ cies, Groups, and Individ‐ uals This is to give notice that the Assumption Parish Police Jury (APPJ) under 24 CFR Part 58 has deter‐ mined that the following proposed action under the Community Develop‐ ment Block Grant-Mitiga‐ tion (CDBG-MIT-LWI) pro‐ gram is located in the 100-year floodplain/Fed‐ eral Flood Risk Manage‐ ment Standard (FFRMS) riverine floodplain/wet‐ land, and the APPJ will be identifying and evaluat‐ ing practicable alterna‐ tives to locating the ac‐ tion within the flood‐ plain/wetland and the potential impacts on the floodplain/wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Or‐ ders 11988 and 11990 and in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Proce‐ dures for Making Deter‐ minations on Floodplain Management and Protec‐ tion of Wetlands. The proposed project loca‐ tion is along Bayou St. Vincent at 29°56'9.07"N, 91° 8'31.50"W to

lll

Legal Notices

29°57'25.97"N, 91° 6'20.17"W, 29°57'10.17"N, 91° 6'46.22"W to 29°57'5.36"N, 91° 5'59.35"W, 29°57'5.36"N, 91° 5'59.35"W to 29°58'2.02"N, 91° 3'40.98"W, and associ‐ ated water crossings at 29°57'5.46"N, 91° 5'56.12"W; 29°57'4.09"N, 91° 5'45.00"W; 29°57'7.89"N, 91° 5'34.13"W; 29°57'7.37"N, 91° 5'23.75"W; 29°57'3.52"N, 91° 5'24.12"W; 29°56'58.73"N, and 91° 4'59.93"W. The Bayou St. Vincent Drainage Improvements Project is a watershed restoration and flood risk reduction project in‐ tended to improve drainage conveyance within the Bayou St. Vin‐ cent watershed and re‐ duce flood risk to nearby residences, agricultural wetlands, and lands, transportation infra‐ structure. Existing nat‐ ural and beneficial func‐ tions of the floodplain are floodwater storage and conveyance. The project area extends ap‐ proximately 7.8 miles along Bayou St. Vincent from its downstream reach near Lake Verret upstream through the Plattenville and Paincourtville areas and is approximately 102 acres. The proposed im‐ primarily provements consist of channel dredg‐ ing, spoil placement, and debris removal. In addi‐ tion, six water crossing improvements are pro‐ posed, including replace‐ ment of undersized cul‐ verts and rehabilitation or replacement of exist‐ ing bridges. The project would potentially impact approximately 92 acres of FFRMS floodplain and 45 acres of wetlands. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain and those who have an interest in the protection of the nat‐ ural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Com‐ menters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the [floodplain/wetland]. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important pub‐ lic educational tool. The dissemination of infor‐ mation and request for public comment about the floodplain can facili‐ tate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associ‐ ated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fair‐ ness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in ac‐ tions taking place in the floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by Tim Soileau at the following address on or before Oc‐ tober 22, 2026: Tim Soileau, 607 W. Morris Aveneu, Hammond, LA 70403 and (985) 662-5501 Attention: Tim Soileau, Environmental Scientist. A full description of the project may also be re‐ viewed from 7:30 AM to 5:00PM at the address above. Comments may also be submitted via email at tsoileau@ elosenv.com. October 6, 2026 202983-OCT 6-1T $477.15 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO RE‐ QUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS October 6, 2026 Town of Farmerville 1024 Sterlington Highway Farmerville, Louisiana 71241 318-368-7242 These notices shall sat‐ isfy two separate but re‐ lated procedural require‐ ments for activities to be undertaken by the Town of Farmerville. REQUEST FOR OF FUNDS

RELEASE

On or about 10/22/2026 the Town of Farmerville (TOF) will submit a re‐ quest to the Louisiana of‐ fice of Community Devel‐ opment – Disaster Recov‐ ery (LOCD-DR) for the re‐ lease of Louisiana Water‐ shed Initiative (LWI) funds under Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds made available under the further Addi‐ tional Supplemental Ap‐ propriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (Public Law No: 115123); in Federal Register Docket No. FR-6109-N-02 to undertake a project known as James Addition Drainage Improvements for the purpose of Im‐ proving storm drainage for the purpose of flood risk reduction, at an esti‐ mated cost of $1,433,400 in the Town of Farmerville. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFI‐ CANT IMPACT The TOF has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environ‐ mental Impact Statement under the National Envi‐ ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not re‐ quired. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Re‐ view Record (ERR) on file at 1024 Sterlington High‐ way, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit writ‐ ten comments on the ERR to the TOF Town Hall. All comments received by 10/21/2026 will be considered by the TOF prior to authorizing sub‐ mission of a request for release of funds. Com‐ ments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTI‐ FICATION The TOF certifies to LOCD-DR that John Crow in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Fed‐ eral Courts if an action is brought to enforce re‐ sponsibilities in relation to the environmental re‐ view process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. LOCD-DR’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and al‐ lows the TOF to use Pro‐ gram funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS LOCD-DR will accept ob‐ jections to its release of fund and the TOF’s certi‐ fication for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request ( hi h i l ) l

Legal Notices

q (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not exe‐ cuted by the Certifying Officer of the TOF; (b) the TOF has omitted a step or failed to make a deci‐ sion or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other partici‐ pants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by LOCD-DR; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be pre‐ pared and submitted in accordance with the re‐ quired procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to LOCD-DR at Murilo. Martins@la.gov or mail to LOCD-DR at: Gina Campo Executive Director Office of Community De‐ velopment – Disaster Re‐ covery 617 N. Third Street, 6th floor Baton Rouge, LA 70802

y will be excavated and placed onsite during line removal/replacement ac‐ tivities.

y g and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Uniﬁed Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 17590 Florida Boule‐ vard To amend the Com‐ prehensive Land Use Plan from Agricul‐ tural/Rural to Commer‐ cial, located on the south side of Florida Boulevard, east of Old Hammond Highway, on property now or formerly known as 19.56 Acre Tract of the Herbert Born Tract. Sec‐ tion 73, T7S, R2E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 9 - Hudson) PA-6-26

Potential objectors should contact LOCD-DR to verify the actual last day of the objection pe‐ riod. John Crow, Mayor 203130-OCT 6-1T $510.33 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE the Louisiana De‐ partment of Conserva‐ tion and Energy, Office of Permitting and Compli‐ ance (OPC) has received the following applica‐ tion(s) for a Coastal Use Permit (CUP) in accor‐ dance with La. R.S. 49:214.21 et seq., and the rules of the Coastal Man‐ agement Program. Appli‐ cations for coastal use permits may be in‐ spected at 617 North 3rd Street, Room 1078, Baton Rouge, LA or on the OPC webpage at: https:// www.dce.louisiana.gov/ page/coastalmanagement-publicnotices. Copies are avail‐ able, costs apply. Written comments are solicited from the public and must be received within 25 days of the date of this notice. Comments must be uploaded directly to our electronic record through the OPC web‐ page or mailed to: OPC Administrator, Kyle Balkum, and P.O. Box 44487, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4487. All comments must contain the appro‐ priate CUP number and the commenter's full name and contact infor‐ mation. Below are the referenced applica‐ tion(s): *************** CUP NUMBER: P20260789 Name: Blanda, Nicholas Andrew c/o Miller Engi‐ neers & Assoc., Inc. 601 MAIN STREET FRANKLIN, LA 70538 Attn: Matthew Fore Location: Saint Mary Parish, LA; Lat 29- 433.1N, Long -91-52-27.6W; Section 19 T15S R6E; Lot# 12A; Parcel# 1034364193.00; Sub Name CYPREMORT PT PLAT 5 AUXILIARY; 178 Sunset Blvd Cypremort Point, 70538 Description: Pro‐ posed construction of bulkheading and boat‐ shed at existing camp. Approx. 382 CY of exca‐ vation will be required for the proposed boat slips, 204 CY will be used as backfill material along Bayou Cypremort (178 CY will be hauled offsite). Additionally, approx. 9 CY of rock rip rap and 31 CY of concrete will be placed onsite. CUP ***************** NUMBER: P20260828 Name: Collins Pipeline Company c/o Matrix New World Engineering 6717 COMPLEX DRIVE BATON ROUGE, LA 70809 Attn: Lee Womack Location: Saint Bernard Parish, LA; Project Center @ Lat. 2957-23.14N / Long. -89-5551.34W (see plats for ad‐ ditional coordinates); Section 41, T12S-R13E; near Chalmette and Mer‐ aux, LA. Description: Pro‐ posed removal and in‐ stallation of approxi‐ mately 1,205 linear feet of 16-inch diameter pipeline segment. Con‐ currently, the new pipeline segment will be welded and assembled onsite and floated through the workspace in preparation for instal‐ lation. Following removal of the existing segment, the new pipeline seg‐ ment will be lowered into the prepared pipeline trench and welded to the existing pipeline at both tie-in locations utilizing caisson boxes. Approxi‐ mately 7,990.03 cubic yards of native material will be propwashed for access and approxi‐ mately 6,759.44 cubic yards of native material ill b d d

203113-OCT 6-1T $35.49 PUBLIC NOTICE --Public Budget Hearings will be held for the following Public School Academies: Advantage-14740 Plank Road, Baker-225-774-3111October 23, 9am Willow-14740 Plank Road, Baker-225-774-3111October 23, 9am A copy of the Budgets for the listed Public-School Academies will be available at the school office. 203071 Oct. 6, 2026 1t $95.92

PUBLIC NOTICE --PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The City of St. Gabriel City Council will hold a Public Hearing Meeting on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at St. Gabriel City Council Chambers – Room 32 – 5035 Iberville Street, St. Gabriel, La 70776 at 6:00 pm. During the public hear‐ ing, all interested parties will be given the right to appear and be heard on the matters of: 1. Ordinance establishing film production regula‐ tions and guidelines for the City of St. Gabriel Advertisement Date: 9/29/26, 10/6/26 & 10/13/26 202339 Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 2026 3t $33.51 PUBLIC NOTICE --REQUISITION 11297786 OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE REGULAR ZONING MEETING OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE Notice is hereby given to all citizens of the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge and to all other interested per‐ sons, of the introduction at the regular meeting of the Metropolitan Council of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, held on September 23, 2026, of the proposed ordinances, the titles of which are set forth hereinafter, and that public hearing will be held thereon by the Metropolitan Council at 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the Council Chambers (Room 348) on the third floor of the City-Parish Govern‐ mental Building in this City, these proposed or‐ dinances being entitled as follows: ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 17060 Florida Boule‐ vard To amend the Com‐ prehensive Land Use Plan from Residential Neighborhood and Com‐ mercial to Commercial, located on the south side of Florida Boulevard, east of South Stevendale Road, on property now or formerly known as a por‐ tion of Tract LL of the A. J. Melancon Tract. Sec‐ tions 70 and 73, T7S, R2E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 4 - Moak) PA-5-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 17060 Florida Boule‐ vard To rezone from Rural to Light Commer‐ cial Two (LC2) on prop‐ erty located on the south side of Florida Boulevard, east of South Stevendale Road, on property now or formerly known as a por‐ tion of Tract LL of the A. J. Melancon Tract. Sec‐ tions 70 and 73, T7S, R2E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 4 - Moak) Case 28-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge d i h f

ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 17510 and 17590 Florida Boulevard To re‐ zone from Rural to Heavy Commercial One (HC1) on property located on the south side of Florida Boulevard, east of Old Hammond Highway, on property now or formerly known as 19.56 Acre Tract and a portion of Tract 12 of the Herbert Born Tract. Section 73, T7S, R2E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 9 – Hud‐ son) CASE 32-26 ORDINANCE FUTUREBR Transporta‐ tion Element Amend‐ ment- Major Street Plan To amend the Compre‐ hensive Plan so as to amend the Major Street Plan by reducing the right of way width shown from 125 feet to no less than 100 feet for the seg‐ ment of Burbank Drive between Gourrier Avenue to 125 feet south of Jen‐ nifer Jean Drive. Section 66, T7S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 12 Racca) PA-7-26 ORDINANCE Heyday Baton Rouge To rezone from Light Com‐ mercial One (LC1) and General Residential (A4) to Infill Small Planned Unit Development (ISPUD) for a high den‐ sity multi-family residen‐ tial development on property located north of Burbank Drive and East Boyd, south of Janet Av‐ enue, on property now or formerly known as Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Univer‐ sity View Homesites Sub‐ division, Square 6. Sec‐ tion 66, T7S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 12 - Racca) ISPUD-1-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 536 West Irene Road To rezone from Rural to Heavy Industrial (M2) on property located on the north side of West Irene Road, west of Samuels Road, on property now or formerly known as a por‐ tion of the J. Glynn Tract. Section 80, T5S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 1 – Noel) Case 3026 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 7117 and 7127 Florida Boulevard To rezone from Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (bar and lounge) (C-AB-2) to Heavy Commercial Two (HC2) on property lo‐ cated on the north side of Florida Boulevard, west of Lobdell Boule‐ vard, on property now or formerly known Tract N1-A-1-A-2 of the Bahlinger Inc. Property. Section 72, T7S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 6 – Dunn Jr.) Case 31-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 7565 Jefferson High‐ way To rezone from Light Commercial (C1) to Com‐ mercial Alcoholic Bever‐ age (restaurant) (C-AB-1) on property located on the east side of Jefferson Highway, north of Corpo‐ rate Boulevard, on prop‐ erty now or formerly known as a portion of Lot Y-1-A of the Levi Dillon Tract. Section 91, T7S,

REQUISITION 11297785 NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DECLARE ADJUDICATED TAX PROPERTY SURPLUS AND TO SELL SAME UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF LSAR.S. 33:4712. Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan Council has received a request to declare the following listed property surplus and no longer needed for public purpose. These properties have previously been adjudicated to the Parish of East Baton Rouge for unpaid taxes. Anyone wishing to offer an amount greater than the minimum bid for the property shall bring a certified check or money order payable to the Parish of East Baton Rouge in the amount of the administrative fees/certified funds indicated below, BEFORE 2:00 pm on the day of the Auction taking place October 21st, 2026 at 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, 9th FLOOR. For additional information, contact the Parish Attorney’s Office, Property section at 389-3114. Lot 96, Woodaire 73rd Avenue (2569) Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 297, Brookstown Place Hammond Street Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 38-A, Square 18, University Place Avenue C (9879) Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 11-A, Square 34, Istrouma Plank Road Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 20, Square 38, South Baton Rouge Tennessee Street (2305) Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 31-A, Square 32, Bank 72nd Avenue (2252) Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 34 & 35, Square 6, Bank 69th Avenue Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds):

Kevin Cook $ 100.00 $ 500.00 LaShonda Dunbar $ 300.00 $ 500.00 Nakeya White $ 100.00 $ 500.00 Nakeya White $ 100.00 $ 500.00 Darren Patterson $ 100.00 $ 500.00 Kevin Cook

Legal Notices

R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Coun‐ cil District 11 - Adams) Case 33-26

Planning Commission S-26-0018: . Request for a prelimi‐ nary/ﬁnal plat to com‐ bine two lots (4-A-1 and 4-B-1, Beatrice Wright Property) into one. Com‐ prising 6.58 acres in the R-1 (Single-Family Resi‐ dence) (proposed R/A (Rural/Agricultural); Case No. Z-26-0004) zoning dis‐ trict. (Applicant/Owner: Natasha Vargas)

ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Uniﬁed Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 228 West Chimes Street To rezone from Heavy Commercial (C2) to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (restaurant) (CAB-1) on property lo‐ cated on the north side of West Chimes Street, west of Highland Road, on property now or for‐ merly known as a portion of Lot 6 of the Campanile View Subdivision, Square 1. Section 54, T7S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 10 - Coleman) Case 35-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Uniﬁed Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 5762, 5862 and 5894 Hooper Road To rezone from Single Family Resi‐ dential (A2), Light Com‐ mercial (C1) and Heavy Commercial (C2) to Heavy Commercial One (HC1) on property lo‐ cated on the south side of Hopper Road, west of Mickens Road, on prop‐ erty now or formerly known as Lee Davis Tract, Tract A and Tract B of E. Martherne Tract. Sections 40 and 90, T6S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Coun‐ cil District 5 - Hurst) Case 41-26 202263 Oct. 6, 13, 20, 3t $377.86 PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Central Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on Thurs‐ day, October 22, 2026, at 5:00 pm at Central City Hall at 11530 Sullivan Road, Central, LA 70818, to consider the follow‐ ing: V-26-0013: Variance at 14006 Lovett Road. Re‐ quest to allow a rear yard of 5 feet where 35 feet is required for an ac‐ cessory building (App. 1, Sec. 12.3.B.4) on Lot A-1A, Charles D. Bourke Tract, in the R/A (Rural/Agricultural) zon‐ ing district. (Appli‐ cant/Owner: Alvin Bourke) V-26-0014: Variance at 14211 Hubbs Acres Av‐ enue. Request to allow a roof pitch less than 6:12 (App. 1, Sec. 3.3.E) on Lot 1, Hubbs Acres Subdivi‐ sion, in the R-1 (SingleFamily Residence) zoning district. (Appli‐ cant/Owner: Nick Saucier) V-26-0015: Variance at 12858 Devall Road. Re‐ quest to allow a new ac‐ cessory structure: 1) with a side yard of 5 feet where 15.883 feet is re‐ quired (App. 1, Sec. 3.3.B.3); and 2) less than 10 feet from existing structures (Sec. 7:3.21(b) (1)). On Lot 2, Central Es‐ tates Subdivision, in the R-1 (Single-Family Resi‐ dence) zoning district. (Applicant/Owner: Kris‐ tine Valencia) V-26-0016: Variance at 6254 Thibodeaux Road. Request to allow a new accessory structure: 1) in the front and side yards where only the rear yard is allowed (App. 1, Sec. 2.2); and 2) with a side yard of 10 feet where 23.78 feet is required (App. 1, Sec. 3.3.B.3). On Tract D, William E. Ben‐ nett Tract, in the R-1 (Sin‐ gle-Family Residence) zoning district. (Appli‐ cant/Owner: Kelly Smith) V-26-0017: Variance at 20382 Greenwell Springs Road. Request to allow: 1) lot area of 0.5 acre where minimum 1.0 acre is required (App. 1, Sec. 12.3.A.1); and 2) lot width of 125 feet where mini‐ mum 150 feet is required (App. 1, Sec. 12.3.A.2). For proposed Tract 1-A, Fred Smith Property (Case No. S-26-0009), in the R/A (Rural/Agricultural) zon‐ ing district. (Applicant: Professional Land Sur‐ veyors of Louisiana LLC, for Cynthia Mire and Firmin Properties LLC) 203067 Oct. 6 13, 16, 2026 3t $94.17 PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Central Plan‐ ning & Zoning Commis‐ sions will hold public hearings on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Central City Hall, 11530 Sullivan Road, Cen‐ tral, LA 70818, to consider the following:

S-26-0020: Exchange of Property at 9145, 9217, and 9319 Sullivan Road. Request for a prelimi‐ nary/final plat to ex‐ change property be‐ tween three lots (A-1 and F-1, Isham H. Gorenflo Property, and A-1-A, McLaughlin & Mont‐ gomery Property). Com‐ prising 21.57 acres in the R-2 (Single-Family Resi‐ dence) zoning district. (Applicant: Gina Romero, for Kenneth C. Mont‐ gomery Sr, Mary Eliza‐ beth Coarsey Mont‐ gomery, and James T. Gorenflo) S-26-0021: Subdivision at 9178 Hooper Road. Re‐ quest for a prelimi‐ nary/final plat to subdi‐ vide one lot (A, O.K. Sharp Tract) into two. Comprising 3.4889 acres in the B-2 (Neighborhood Business) zoning district. (Applicant: Richmond W. Krebs & Assoc. LLC-PLS, for Joe Silvio Enterprises, LLC) S-26-0022: Exchange of Property at 9217 and 9221 Smith Road. Request for a preliminary/final plat to exchange property be‐ tween two lots (4-B-1-A and 4-B-1-B, W. Edgar Smith Estate). Compris‐ ing 8.235 acres in the R/A (Rural/Agricultural) zon‐ ing district. (Applicant: C. Mistric Surveyors, Inc., for John Hargroder and Casie Browning) Zoning Commission CU-26-0007: Conditional Use Permit at 15862 Frenchtown Road. Re‐ quest for a conditional use permit to construct a new wireless communi‐ cation tower and facility (to replace the existing tower and facility) with waivers to maximum height and minimum set‐ backs. On Tract W, Eliza‐ beth K. Spence Property. Comprising 4.76 acres in the R/A (Rural/Agricul‐ tural) zoning district. (Applicant: LLC Telecom Services, on behalf of Vertical Bridge LandCo, LLC) Z-26-0006: Rezoning at 20382 Greenwell Springs Road. Request to rezone Tract 1, Fred Smith Prop‐ erty, and a 0.217-acre portion of Tract A-1, James R. Kelly Property (proposed Tract 1-A, Case No. S-26-0009), from R/A (Rural/Agricultural) to R-1 (Single-Family Res‐ idence) zoning district. Comprising 0.500 acre. (Applicant: Professional Land Surveyors of Louisiana LLC, for Cyn‐ thia Mire and Firmin Properties LLC) T-26-0007 Base Zoning Districts. Amend Title 7 Unified Development Code (UDC) and Appen‐ dix 1 Comprehensive Zoning Code (CZC) to move base zoning dis‐ tricts from the CZC to the UDC, make minor adjust‐ ments, and provide for related matters. 203069 Oct. 6, 13, 16, 2026 3t $132.54

WBR Public Notices

WBR Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLIC NOTICE --AGENDA WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING GOVERNMENT BUILDING 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen Thursday, October 8, 2026 5:30 PM 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER & REQUEST ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES BE SILENCED 2. OPENING PRAYER 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. LOG ATTENDANCE 5. MINUTES APPROVAL A. Approval of Minutes from the Regular Meeting of September 24, 2026. 6. CONSIDER ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA 7. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS 9. COMMUNICATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND/OR ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS 10. PUBLIC HEARING ON

Lot 12, Square 18, New Dayton Ozark Street Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds):

WBR Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PREVIOUSLY INTRO‐ DUCED ORDINANCES A. An Ordinance Amend‐ ing Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Sec‐ tion 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Ofﬁcial Zon‐ ing Map For Rezoning Re‐ quest Of Tamara Harvey. Regarding Parcel# 071600001400 located on Rosedale Road Port Allen LA 70767. File #PJ 260024: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT 4B-1A CONT 8.74 AC IN SEC 8 T7S R11E & 1.00 AC M/L TAKEN FROM LOT 4-B-1A Book 16-14. Rezoning Ap‐ proximately 9(+-) AC from AG (Agricultural) to R-MH (Mobile Home Park). MASTER PLAN CHANGE. B. An Ordinance Adopt‐ ing the 2026 Council Amendments to the Li‐ brary Budgeted Rev‐ enues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year begin‐ ning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026. C. An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances, Part II (General Code of Ordi‐ nances), Chapter 34 (“Garbage, Trash and Refuse”), Article I (“In General”), Section 34-1 (“Garbage Pickup”). 11. NEW BUSINESS A. Accept/Reject Change Order No. 4 and Certiﬁ‐ cate of Substantial Com‐ pletion for Arena Well No. 2 Project. 12. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES 13. CONSIDER STATUS RE‐ PORT, CHANGE ORDER AND/OR OTHER MATTERS AS REQUIRED ON CUR‐ RENT PROJECTS 14. RESOLUTIONS 15. CONSIDER SUBDIVISION PLATS, CONDEMNATIONS, WAIVERS AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO 16. CORRESPONDENCE REPORT 17. ADJOURN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT MICHELLE TULLIER AT (225) 214-4242, DESCRIB‐ ING THE ASSISTANCE THAT IS NECESSARY ALL MEETING INFORMA‐ TION INCLUDING MIN‐ UTES AND VIDEOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE WBRPARISH.ORG UNDER THE AGENDA AND MIN‐ UTES TAB.

Publish in The Westside Journal October6, 2026 202991 Oct. 6, 2026 1t $43.51

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Parish Council Meeting October 22, 2026 5:30pm COMMERCIAL SITE PLAN APPEAL REQUEST File #C2026-2: Applicant: Bradford Engineering and Services, LLC. c/o PARR Industrial Complex Location: 1161, 1181, & 1233 Cajun Dr. Port Allen, La 70767 Request: Appeal for a Waiver for rear setbacks and Fencing Require‐ ments when I-1 is abut‐ ting an AG district or zone. A PUBLIC HEARING will be held by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council relative to the aforementioned re‐ quest(s). Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026 Time: 5:30 pm All Public hearings will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the West Baton Rouge Parish Council Meeting Room, 880 N. Alexander, Port Allen, LA 70767 Run in The Advocate- 3 times- September 29, Oc‐ tober 6 & 13, 2026 202243 Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 2026 3t $53.73

HOME-DELIVERED

EVERY DAY

NOLA.COM/SUBSCRIBE

Caleb Turner $ 500.00 $ 500.00

Lot 27+, Square 3, St Irma Lee Camden Street (12889) Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds):

Rich LaMar LLC

Lot 5 & 6, Square 208, Istrouma Pocassett Street (3862) Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds):

Lamont Jack

Lot 50, South Dayton Elm Drive Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 10PT, Plank Road Tunica Street Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 17, Square 3, Plank Road Wyandotte Street Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 6, Square 34, Scotland Addition Finch Street Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 12, Swart Addition Howard Street Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds): Lot 11, Swart Addition Howard Street Initial Bid Amount Advanced costs required (certified funds):

$ 100.00 $ 500.00

$ 100.00 $ 650.00 Dolgi Enterprises LLC $ 100.00 (Mow to Own) $ 200.00 Shandra Powell $ 100.00 (Mow to Own) $ 555.00 Aaron Boone $ 100.00 (Mow to Own) $ 555.00 Glen Neal $ 100.00 (Mow to Own) $ 200.00 First Emm Mis Baptist $ 100.00 (Mow to Own) $ 200.00 First Emm Mis Baptist $ 100.00 (Mow to Own) $ 200.00

$ 100.00 $ 500.00 Kevin Cook $ 100.00 $ 650.00

202254-692157-Oct. 6, 13, 20-3t $ 565.53