The Acadiana Advocate 02-27-2026

Push is on to speed up Corps of Engineers work

right, and Assistant Secretary of the Army Adam Telle, back

Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project during a visit to the work site on Thursday.

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

A high-level delegation from Washington visited south Louisiana on Thursday as part of a new initiative aiming to speed up projects built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, whose vast dredging and flood protection programs are vital for the state.

Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Assistant Secretary Adam Telle joined Gov Jeff Landry and others at the site of a multibillion-dollar levee project in LaPlace to talk about the initiative. They pledged to cut red tape to address the Corps’ enormous backlog of projects na-

tionwide, but the initiative remains short on specifics so far, and there are questions over the amount time frames can be reduced without violating laws, regulations and procedures.

The plans will be closely watched here, with the Corps’ New Orleans district home to the agency’s biggest civil works and dredging programs due to Louisiana’s strategic — but vulnerable — location along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

The delegation gathered amid the dirt and heavy equipment being used to build the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee system, a project to protect 60,000 people

in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes that is expected to cost $3.4 billion, including future levee elevations.

The area lies outside the newly rebuilt protections surrounding the New Orleans area. Parts of LaPlace suffered devastating flooding from Lake Pontchartrain storm surge in both 2012’s Hurricane Isaac and 2021’s Hurricane Ida.

The original cost estimate was $760 million, but the price has skyrocketed due to mitigation requirements, supply chain issues and inflation. The state must pay for 35% of the project, which is on track to

UL board agrees to sell properties

Proceeds would help close budget deficit

BY MEGAN WYATT Staff writer

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette received board approval Thursday to sell five properties in an effort to close the remaining $12 million of a $50 million deficit that came to public light last year Interim UL President Ramesh Kolluru, who is expected to be appointed Friday as the permanent president after being named the lone finalist for the position earlier this week, asked the UL system board during a Thursday meeting to approve the sale of five properties. They include:

n A 600-acre experimental research farm in St. Martinville n A 50-acre ecology center near Carencro n A residential home near UL’s research park campus n A small, empty lot near the main campus n A fraternity house near UL’s sports and entertainment plaza

The UL system board unanimously voted to approve the advertising and auctioning of the first four properties and the sale of the final property to the fraternity’s alumni association at the recommendation of the board’s facilities planning committee. There was no comment from board members or the public before the vote.

The university will seek permission from the Louisiana Legislature’s House and Senate natural resources committees for the approval of the sale of each property except for the fraternity house, before publicizing the sale and conducting a public auction The appraised value of each property will establish the minimum bid. UL graduate student Maddy

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL

RICH COLLINS Staff writers

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

World Economic Forum

head steps down

GENEVA World Economic Forum head Børge Brende said Thursday that he is stepping down after facing pressure over his contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, said in a statement that he had decided “after careful consideration” to step down as president and chief executive of the forum, known for its annual January summit in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos.

Brende was Norway’s foreign minister from 2013-17 and is one of several prominent Norwegians who have faced scrutiny following the latest release of Epstein files.

He didn’t refer directly to that controversy in Thursday’s statement, but the WEF announced earlier this month that it was opening an internal review into Brende to determine his relationship with Epstein after files indicated the two had dined together several times and exchanged messages

Brende told Norwegian broadcaster NRK at the time that he was cooperating with the investigation, that he only met Epstein in business settings and that he had been unaware of Epstein’s criminal background.

Man arrested after snowball fight in N.Y.C.

NEW YORK — A 27-year-old man was arrested Thursday after New York City police said officers were hurt when they were pelted with snow and ice during a massive snowball fight in Washington Square Park this week.

The man, Gusmane Coulibaly, has been charged with obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor and harassment, a noncriminal violation, according to online court records Police had arrested Coulibaly on a charge of assaulting a police officer, a felony, but prosecutors declined to pursue that. Monday’s snowball fight, which appeared to be organized by social media content producers, caused a chaotic scene as a large crowd amassed at the popular park to wing snowballs at each other during a winter storm. Police said officers arrived at the park after a 911 call about a disorderly group there. A video shows two officers getting bombarded by snowballs as a rowdy crowd yells and films with their phones. The officers shoved at least two people to the ground as they paced a walkway in the park while getting hit from all directions by snowballs

The department said multiple officers were hit in the face with snowballs, and a spokesperson for the union has said two police officers were treated at a nearby hospital for face, head and neck injuries.

Fire at farm complex kills about 6,000 hogs LONDON, Ohio A fire at an Ohio hog farm complex killed about 6,000 pigs and unleashed a large plume of smoke that could be seen for miles across the rural landscape, an official said Multiple fire departments responded amid sustained winds of about 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 35 mph, which accelerated the fire’s spread, and because water supplies in the area were limited, extensive water shuttle operations were needed. Two of five large agricultural buildings were “heavily involved in fire,” and it took five hours to bring it under control, Chief Brian Bennington of the Central Townships Joint Fire District said. About 1,500 hogs survived and were taken elsewhere, he said No people were hurt. Bennington said the hog waste stored below the buildings was contained, with no concern for impacts on surrounding groundwater

An Associated Press reporter visited Fine Oak Farms on Thursday, a day after the fire A little bit of smoke could still be seen rising from the burned down area. A darkened structure was partially collapsed, and charred debris was piled beside several darkened metal silos where flames had ripped through. But the impact appeared concentrated in one area of the farm complex.

Netflix declines to raise offer for WBD

Paramount now has path to take over Hollywood studio’s operations

BY WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS Associated Press

NEW YORK — Netflix is declining to raise its offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming business, in a stunning move that effectively puts Paramount in a position to take over the fellow storied Hollywood giant.

On Thursday, after Warner’s board announced that Skydanceowned Paramount’s offer was superior to the agreement it had previously struck with Netflix, the streaming giant said the new price that would be required to buy Warner would make it a deal that is “no longer financially attractive.”

Unlike Netflix’s bid, Paramount wants all of Warner’s operations, including networks like CNN and Discovery. That would put CNN under the same roof as Paramount’s CBS and combine two of Hollywood’s last five remaining studios.

The owner of HBO Max, DC Studios and popular titles like “Harry

Potter” had backed Netflix’s proposal for months. But after Skydance-owned Paramount upped its rival bid for the entire company to $31 per share, in addition to other revisions, Warner’s board on Thursday said that the offer “constitutes a ‘company superior proposal.’”

A Paramount buyout of Warner’s business would vastly reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape. Paramount’s CBS has seen significant editorial shifts, notably with the installation of Free Press founder Bari Weiss at CBS News, under new Skydance ownership. And if Paramount’s acquisition of Warner is successful, many expect the reach of those changes to only grow

A Paramount-Warner combo would also combine two of Hollywood’s five legacy studios that remain today, in addition to their theatrical channels. Beyond “Harry Potter,” Warner movies like “Superman,” “Barbie,” and “One Battle After Another” — as well

as hit TV series like “The White Lotus” and “Succession” — would join Paramount’s content library Today Paramount’s lineup of titles include “Top Gun,” “Titanic” and “The Godfather.” And beyond CBS, it owns networks like MTV and Nickelodeon, as well as the Paramount+ streaming service.

Executives at Paramount have argued that merging will be good for consumers and the wider industry But lawmakers and entertainment trade groups have sounded the alarm — warning that a Warner takeover would only further consolidate power in an industry already run by just a few major players. Critics say that could result in job losses, less diversity in filmmaking and potentially more headaches for consumers who are facing rising costs of streaming subscriptions as is.

Combined, that raises tremendous antitrust concerns. The U.S. Department of Justice has already initiated reviews, and other coun-

Chicago mourners pay respects to Jesse Jackson

BY SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press

CHICAGO A line of mourners streamed through a Chicago auditorium Thursday to pay final respects to the Rev Jesse Jackson Sr as cross-country memorial services began in the city the late civil rights leader called home.

The protégé of the Rev Martin Luther King Jr and two-time presidential candidate will lie in repose for two days at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition before events in Washington, D.C. and South Carolina, where he was born.

Family members wiped away tears as the casket was brought into the stately brick building. Flowers lined the sidewalks where people waiting to enter watched a large screen playing video excerpts of Jackson’s notable speeches. Some raised their fists in solidarity Inside, Jackson’s children, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Rev Al Sharpton were among those who stood by the open casket to shake hands and hug those coming to view the body of Jackson, dressed in a suit and blue shirt and tie.

“The challenge for us is that we’ve got to make sure that all he lived for was not in vain,” Sharpton told reporters. “Dr King’s dream and Jesse Jackson’s mission now falls on our shoulders. We’ve got to stand up and keep it going.” Jackson died last week at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and ability to speak in his later years.

Remembrances have already poured in from around the globe, and several U.S. states, including Minnesota, Iowa and North Carolina are flying flags at half-staff in his honor

But perhaps nowhere has his death been felt as strongly as in the nation’s third-largest city, where Jackson lived for decades and raised his six children, including a son who is a congressman.

Bouquets have been left outside the family’s Tudorstyle home on the city’s South Side for days. Public schools have offered condolences, and city trains have used digital screens to display Jackson’s portrait and his well-known mantra, “I am Somebody!”

His causes, both in the United States and abroad, were countless: Advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues including voting rights, job opportunities, education and health care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders and through his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms, pressuring executives to make America a more open and equitable society

“We honor him, and his hard-earned legacy as a freedom fighter, philosopher and faithful shepherd of his family and community here in Chicago,” the mayor said in a statement. Next week, Jackson will lie in honor at the South

Carolina Statehouse, followed by public services. Jackson spent his childhood and started his activism in South Carolina.

Details on services in Washington have not yet been made public. However, he will not lie in honor at the United States Capitol rotunda after a request for the commemoration was denied by Benton Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office.

The two weeks of events will wrap up next week with a large celebration of life gathering at a Chicago megachurch and finally, homegoing services at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Family members said the services will be open to all.

“Our family is overwhelmed and overjoyed by the amazing amount of support being offered by common, ordinary people who our father’s life has come into contact with,” his eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., said before the services began.

Mourners of all ages — from toddlers in strollers to elderly people in wheelchairs — came to pay respects.

Video clips of his appearances at news conferences, the campaign trail and even “Sesame Street” also played inside the auditorium.

tries are expected to do so, too.

Netflix, Warner and Paramount have spent the last couple of months in a heated, public back and forth over whose deal has a better regulatory path — and offers more value for Warner shareholders. Thursday’s announcement arrived shortly after Paramount upped the ante on its offer Beyond increasing its proposed purchase price for Warner the company also agreed to a regulatory termination fee of $7 billion. And Paramount pledged to move up a previously-promised “ticking fee.” The company initially said it would pay 25 cents per share for every quarter the deal drags on past the end of the year Now it’s agreed to pay that amount if the deal doesn’t go through by the end of September, Warner said.

But Paramount is taking on billions of dollars in debt to finance its offer And David Ellison’s father, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, is heavily backing the bid for

Brother of man killed by Cuban troops says he had ‘obsession’ to free island

BY DÁNICA COTO and JOSHUA GOODMAN Associated Press

MIAMI — Word from the Cuban government of a deadly encounter between its troops and a boat carrying armed expatriates is casting a spotlight on Cubans living in the U.S. who still harbor aspirations of a counterrevolution 67 years after a guerrilla uprising ushered in communism.

Cuban soldiers confronted a speedboat carrying 10 people as the vessel approached the island and opened fire on the troops, who fired back, killing four and wounding six, Cuba’s government says.

One of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova a man on an “obsessive and diabolical” quest for Cuba’s freedom from current circumstances, according to his brother in Miami.

Misael Ortega Casanova said that his brother Michel is an American citizen who has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years and still agonizes over the suf-

fering that Cubans endure.

“They became so obsessed that they didn’t think about the consequences nor their own lives,” Misael told The Associated Press.

Misael said that he did not recognize any of the names that the Cuban government released in connection with the boat incursion. “No one knew,” Misael said of his brother’s plans. “My mother is devastated.” Cuban authorities, meanwhile, say Michel Ortega Casanova was accompanied on the boat by two men who are wanted “based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission” of terrorism, speaking of Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez. The Cuban government said the watercraft was a Florida-registered speedboat, and officials who searched it found assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms.

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Iran nuclear talks end without deal

BY FANNY BRODERSEN, JON GAMBRELL and MELANIE LIDMAN Associated Press

GENEVA Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations Thursday over Tehran’s nuclear program but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Mideast war on the table as the U.S. has gathered a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr alBusaidi, who mediated the talks in Geneva, said there had been “significant progress in the negotiation” without elaborating.

But just before the talks ended, Iranian state television reported that Tehran was determined to continue enriching uranium, rejected proposals to transfer it abroad and sought the lifting of international sanctions, indicating it was not prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands.

Trump wants a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran also hopes to avert war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its longrange missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Al-Busaidi said technical talks involving lower-level representatives would continue next week in Vienna, the home of the International Atomic Energy Agency The United Nations’ atomic watchdog likely would be critical in any deal.

In an interview with Iranian state television, Iran’s foreign minister said the talks with the U.S. were some of the country’s “most intense and longest rounds of negotiations.”

Abbas Araghchi offered no specifics but said “what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

‘A very terrible scenario’

The stakes could hardly be higher

If America attacks, Iran has said U.S. military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service mem-

center, and Jared Kushner as part of the ongoing Iranian-American negotiations Thursday in Geneva Switzerland.

bers. Iran has also threatened to attack Israel, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East.

“There would be no victory for anybody — it would be a devastating war,” Araghchi told India Today in an interview recorded Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva.

“Since the Americans’ bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario.”

Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group, said it was a good sign that the Americans did not walk away immediately Thursday when Iran presented its latest proposal.

“There might still not be a breakthrough at the end of this day, but the very fact that the U.S. team is returning shows that there is enough common ground between the two sides,” he said.

Third meeting since June war

The two sides held multiple rounds of talks last year that collapsed when Israel launched a 12day war against Iran in June and the U.S. carried out heavy strikes on its nuclear sites, leaving much of Iran’s nuclear program in ruins even as the full extent of the dam-

age remains unclear

Araghchi represented Iran at the talks. Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Trump who serves as a special Mideast envoy, headed up the U.S. delegation with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner The talks again were mediated by Oman, an Arab Gulf country that’s long served as an interlocutor between Iran and the West.

The two sides adjourned after around three hours of talks and resumed the discussions later

During the break Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the Iranians felt there were “constructive proposals” offered on both nuclear issues and sanctions relief.

Trump wants Iran to completely halt its enrichment of uranium and roll back both its long-range missile program and its support for regional armed groups. Iran says it will only discuss nuclear issues, and maintains its atomic program is for entirely peaceful purposes.

Uranium enrichment

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Wednesday that Iran is “always trying to rebuild elements” of its nuclear program. He said that Tehran is not enriching uranium right now, “but they’re

New Afghan penal code sets 15 days in prison for wife-beating, 5 months for animal fights

By The Associated Press

ATHENS,Greece A new penal code issued by decree in Afghanistan sets harsher punishments for the mistreatment of animals than for domestic violence against women and solidifies into law inequality based on gender and social status.

The decree, which was signed by Afghanistan’s Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada in January, “defines several crimes and punishments that contravene Afghanistan’s international legal obligations,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said Thursday in remarks to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Comprised of 119 articles, the 60-page Decree No. 12 lays out penalties for women who visit their relatives without their husband’s

permission, and allows husbands and the heads of households to determine and mete out punishment in their own homes.

“It provides for the use of corporal punishment for numerous offenses, including in the home, legitimizing violence against women and children,” Turk said. “And it criminalizes criticism of the de facto leadership and their policies, in violation of freedom of expression and assembly.”

The decree states that a man who beats his wife severely enough to cause a visible cut, wound or bruise faces 15 days in prison if his wife can prove her case to a judge. But a woman who goes to her father’s house and stays there without her husband’s permission is punished by three months in prison, as are her relatives if they do not return her to

her husband.

Penalties are harsher for mistreating animals than women. Five months in prison is the punishment for anyone having animals or birds fight. Animal and bird fighting, particularly cockfights and fights between partridges, is a popular pastime in Afghanistan but was banned after the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Afghan authorities have often issued laws laying out various prohibitions, including bans on education for girls beyond primary school, on women working in most jobs, and mandates on how women should dress and behave. But the decree is the first full penal code issued by the government.

In murder cases, anyone found guilty faces the death penalty The other capital offense is insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

trying to get to the point where they ultimately can.”

Iran has said it hasn’t enriched since June, but it has blocked IAEA inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have shown activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there.

The West and the IAEA say Iran had a nuclear weapons program until 2003. After Trump scrapped the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran ramped up its enrichment of uranium to 60% purity — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to restart a weapons program, but has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.” Some Iranian officials have spoken openly about the country’s readiness to produce a bomb if that decision is taken. Threat of action sparks war fears If the talks fail, uncertainty hangs over the timing of any possible U.S. attack.

If the aim of potential military action is to pressure Iran to make concessions in nuclear negotiations, it’s not clear whether limited strikes would work. If the goal is to remove Iran’s leaders, that will likely commit the U.S to a larger, longer military campaign. There has been no public sign of planning for what would come next, including the potential for chaos in Iran. There is also uncertainty about what any military action could mean for the wider region. Tehran could retaliate against the American-allied nations of the Persian Gulf or Israel. Oil prices have risen in recent days in part due to those concerns, with benchmark Brent crude now around $70 a barrel. Iran in the last round of talks said it briefly halted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil passes.

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Lidman reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Will Weissert in Washington and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

EU expands funds for abortion access

BY SAM McNEIL Associated Press

BRUSSELS The European Union said on Thursday it would back efforts to financially support women seeking access to abortions, after a multiyear campaign by more than a million citizens across the 27-nation bloc to expand support for women in nations with conservative laws.

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, said on Thursday that the EU’s 147-billion-euro European Social Funds Plus can be used by EU nations to treat and defray costs of an abortion for women regardless of where they come from within the bloc.

“Nearly half a million unsafe abortions take place in Europe every year,” Lahbib said.

She praised the My Voice, My Choice campaign, saying organizers had brought her boxes full of letters from women across the bloc.

The initiative had called for the EU to set up a separate fund for women to travel outside their home nations to secure safe abortions. And while the commission did not do that, organizers said the decision achieves their aims by other means.

“This is not symbolic. It is a political commitment to women’s rights,” said Nika Kovac, coordinator of the My Voice, My Choice initiative.

“It establishes beyond doubt that access to safe abortion is a matter of public health and social justice,” Kovac said. “For the first time, the Commission confirms unequivocally that EU funds can be used to guarantee access to safe abortion care, particularly for women in vulnerable situations, regardless of where they come from in Europe.”

HillaryClinton testifies before Housepanel

Shehad no knowledgeofJeffrey Epstein’scrimesand didn’t recall ever meetinghim

BY STEPHENGROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON— Former Secretary of State Hillary Clintontold members of Congress on Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’sorGhislaineMaxwell’s crimes, starting off two days of depositions that will also include former President Bill Clinton “I had no idea about theircriminal activities. Idonot recall ever encountering Mr.Epstein,” Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement she shared on social media. The closed-doordeposition concluded Thursdayafter over six hours of Hillary Clintongiving an answer to every question

The depositions in the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, atypically quiet hamlet north of New York City,come aftermonths of tense back-and-forth between the former high-powered Democratic couple and the Republican-controlled House OversightCommittee as it investigates Epstein, who killed himself in aNew York jail cell in 2019 whileawaiting trial. It will be the first time that aformer president has been forced to testify before Congress.

House lawmakers.

Yetthe demand for areckoning over Epstein’sabuse of underage girls has become anear-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond.

President Donald Trump, aRepublican who has expressed regret that the Clintonsare being forced to testify, bowed last year to pressure to release case filesonEpstein. The Clintons, too, agreed to testify after theiroffers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the Oversight panel and its chairman,

Rep.James Comer,R-Ky., threat-

ened criminal contempt of Congress charges against them.

“Like every decentperson,” HillaryClintonaddedinher opening statement,“Ihavebeen horrified by what we have learned about their crimes.”

She haspreviouslysaid that her husband flew with Epstein for charitable tripsbut that shedid not recall ever meeting Epstein. She hadalso interacted with Maxwell, Epstein’sformer girlfriend and confidant, at conferences hosted by theClinton Foundation. Maxwell, aBritish socialite, also attended the 2010 wedding of their daughter,Chelsea Clinton.

As she exited the event center wherethe deposition was held, Hillary Clinton told reporters that Maxwell had come to thewedding as aguest of someone else and thatshe had told the committee she only knewMaxwell“as an acquaintance.”

Bill Clinton, however,has emerged as atop target forRepublicansamid the political struggle over who receives the most scrutiny fortheir ties to Epstein. Several photos of the former president wereincluded in thefirst tranche

of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in January including anumber of himwith women whose faces were redacted. Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Comer hasalsopointed to Hillary Clinton’swork as secretary of state to address sex traffickingasanother reason to insist on herdeposition. Clintondefended herwork to address sex trafficking around the world, saying that it remained important to help the millions of survivors of sex trafficking.

The committee’sinvestigation has also sought to understand why the DepartmentofJustice under previous presidential administrationsdid not seek further charges againstEpstein following a2008 arrangement in which he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitutionfroman underage girl but avoided federal charges.

Hillary Clinton accused Comer of running aone-sided investigationthat has failed to hold Trump and other Republican officials to account. “This institutional failure is designed to protect one political

party and onepublic official,” she said. Yetconspiracy theories,especially on theright,haveswirled foryears around theClintonsand their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who arguesshe was wrongfully convicted.Republicans have long wantedtopress the Clintons foranswers.

Hillary Clinton said that one Republican lawmaker asked her a line of questions about “vile, bogus conspiracy theories.”

The depositionwas also paused afterRep.Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., sent aphoto of Hillary Clinton in the private proceeding to aconservative influencer whoposted it on social media, violating the committee’srules fordepositions. Democratssaidthatthe incident underscored how important it wasfor there to be aclear publicrecordofthe deposition.Rep Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on theOversight panel, said that Hillary Clinton,after theincident, repeated her longstanding demand thatthe deposition be made public, and Democrats called for avideoand transcript of the complete proceedings to be released quickly

Comersaidthathewould work quickly to releaseavideoand transcript of the deposition.

with his former colleagues.

In alawsuit filed Feb. 20 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, First Horizon alleged that Byrd’scompany,DMMS Holding, and Karl Hoefer,a former First Horizon executive now working with Byrd at DMMS, worked to “gain an unfair competitive advantage over First Horizon” by improperly seeking out the bank’semployees and customers.

The suit claims that 27 First Horizon employees have been hired away by Byrd’sgroup since the beginning of theyearand that FirstHorizon hasspent more than $5 million paying bonuses and raises to retain existing employees.

The suit comes two months after Byrd, 72,stunned the local business community by announcing that he was comingout of retirement and forming DMMS to raise money to acquire MCBank Joining him in the venture were several former IberiaBankcolleagues, including Mark Tipton, Michael Brown and Scott Price.

In astatement Wednesday, Byrd said, “Weunequivocally deny these unfounded allegations and will defend ourselves fully against this lawsuit. Our response will be filed this week and will be accessible through the federal court’spublic record. We remaincommitted to advancing our plans while vigorously defending our interests.”

The statement notes that “the lawsuit was filed in the midst of our successful capital raise.” The developments underscore howthe reentry

ofByrd, alegendarylocal banker, into south Louisiana’stight-knit banking community,isalreadyreshaping the localfinancialservices landscape and prompting aresponse from competitors.

First Horizon is far larger than MCBank.Ithas nearly 360branchesacrossthe south,including 55 in Louisiana, andisthe state’sfifthlargest bank with nearly $8 billionindeposits and almost 6% of the market share, accordingtothe FDIC.

MC Bankis thestate’s 50th-largest bank with nine branches, less than$385 million in deposits andlessthan 0.3%ofthe state’smarket share.

Peter Ricchiuti, aprofessor at Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, said that despite the disparate sizes, Byrd’s track recordatIberiaBank shows he can make waves in the market.

“Everybody suspected when Daryl announced this afew minutes agothathe planned todo something big,” said Ricchiuti. “This definitely has potential to inject fresh competition into the market.”

Attorneys for First Horizon did not respond to arequestfor comment.

Though the suitiscentered around Byrd’scompany,itdoes not name him personally.Rather it targets DMMS andHoefer, another former Byrd colleague from IberiaBank who stayed on at First Horizon as aregional presidentuntil he resigned in December In January,hejoined DMMS as aspecial consultant and is expected to be named regional president forLouisiana and TexasatM CBank once thepurchase is finalized later this year,the suit says.

First Horizon paid Hoefer over $1 millionoverthe years, conditionedonhis agreement not to recruit away First Horizon employees in the event he left the company,the suit says.

The 24-page document says Byrd or Tiptonwould make an initial call to a targetemployee of First Horizonthendirect the employeetocallHoefer for more details. Hoefer would subsequently “talk up”the DMMS deal, offering “above market salaries and bonuses.”

The suit names several FirstHorizonexecutives whohavebeen approached by Hoefer inrecentweeks, including avice president in the bank’sHouston office, who was offered a$750,000 signing bonus plus $1 million equity in MCBank, the suit says.

Hoefer also targeted a privatebanking manager in Baton Rouge, offering him $30,000 abovehis current salary,a$40,000 signing bonus, $150,000 in additional bonusesand $6,000incountry club dues if he would join MCBank.

Both bankers, as well as others named in the suit, declined the offer

The suit says attorneys forFirst Horizonwarned Hoefer in early February that he wasviolating his covenants with the bank. An attorney for Hoefer denied the allegations in aletter cited in the lawsuit.

“Mr. Hoefer has notdirectly or indirectlysolicited, hired, or encouraged any person who is an employee of FHC to terminate their employmentwith FHC,” the lettersays, adding that Hoefer “has no authority to hire contractors or employees for DMMS Holdings.”

Hoefer did not respond to arequest for comment.

First Horizon’ssuit asks the court to enjoinHoefer andDMMS from recruiting additional bank employees and alsoseeksunspecified damages.

During his two-decade career at IberiaBank, Byrd builtareputationfor making smartacquisitions and growingquickly.After takingthe reinsin1999, he led roughly two dozen bank buyoutsthat transformed the smallinstitutionintoa multi-state lender.The bank moved into theNew Orleans market in 2011 by acquiring OmniBank.

His final deal withIberiaBank was the 2019 sale to First Horizon forroughly $3.9 billion. While discussing the MC

Bank acquisition in December, Byrd said he “failedat retirement.” His moveback into banking comes at atime when lowoil prices anda struggling housing market have created weakloan demand, but those conditions mean there could be smaller banks readytosellatgood terms.

Ricchiuti said Byrd and hisnew team haveacouple of potential advantages over First Horizon and the other larger banks that now dominate the market, alistthat includes JPMorgan Chase, CapitalOne,Regions and Hancock Whitney “Byrd knowsalot about bank acquisitions andhow to getthe culturestoalign, which is difficult,” Ricchiuti

said Also, someemployees at First Horizonmay miss working foralocally owned bank.

“Now, theyworkfor this giant bank headquartered in Tennessee,” he said. “The idea of going to astartup is really appealing.” Ricchiutihad notseen the lawsuit and could not commentonspecific allegations. Buthesaid, in general, alleged violations of noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements are frequent in the corporate world and seldom derail deals.

“Whenever there is a suit, it oftenworks out,” he said. “It’snot like robbing a bank.”

CORPS

Continued from page 1A

be completed in 2030. Construction began in 2021, though discussion, evaluation and efforts to secure funding stretch back decades.

“Our goal is to cut paperwork and get back to building for the American public,” said Telle. “The project we are standing at right now, West Shore Lake Pontchartrain, took far too long to get done and in progress, but it’s getting close to completion.”

Driscoll said “we are getting after the government getting in the way of caring for its citizens.”

The initiative has been labeled “Building Infrastructure, Not Pa-

GATOR

Continued from page 1A

expansion before lawmakers head to Baton Rouge for this year’s legislative session next month.

“GATOR is not going to grow,” Henry R-Metairie, said, flatly rejecting Landry’s proposal last month to double spending on the program to $88 million. “It’s unsustainable financially.”

The remarks from Henry, the powerful leader who has repeatedly raised concerns about the program’s costs, could foreshadow a repeat of last year’s budget battle, when the state Senate agreed to appropriate just half of what Landry wanted for LA GATOR despite pressure from conservative advocacy groups and Republican donors who want to help more children attend private schools or homeschool.

During an interview Wednesday, Henry said he will push to keep LA GATOR funding flat at $43.5 million, enough to keep supporting the nearly 5,600 students who received stipends this school year He argued that if the Legislature agrees to double funding this year, providing vouchers to an estimated

PROPERTIES

Continued from page 1A

Moore started a petition at change.org Thursday in an effort discourage decisionmakers from selling the university’s experimental research farm and ecology center Moore, a master’s student studying environmental resource science and a graduate of the university’s environmental science program, called both properties “essential learning spaces.” She said the program depends on hands-on field experience where students learn soils, plant identification and local ecosystems by working directly in the field.

“Selling these locations would weaken the quality of education and research at UL Lafayette,” Moore wrote “These spaces support student learning and faculty research. They are part of what makes our environmental programs strong

perwork,” and Telle said the plan is to implement changes that do not require congressional approval. That will include better planning to avoid duplicating efforts, revisiting certain older environmental restrictions on dredging and “good management that we haven’t been doing,” he said Telle said the initiative aimed to be the biggest “transformation” of Corps civil works plans since at least 1986, when key changes were made to cost-sharing arrangements and local input on projects.

Asked how the initiative might have benefited the West Shore project, Lt. Gen. William Graham, the Corps’ commanding general, said completing more of the engineering before asking Congress to authorize it could shorten time

4,000 to 5,000 additional students, then every year the state will be on the hook for those students and new participants until the program’s cost swamps the state budget.

“Every year, it’s going to double from the previous year,” he said, adding that taxpayers would be stuck with the bill. “Once you start paying for something, you can never stop paying for it.”

In a statement Thursday Landry called Henry’s remarks “disappointing” and said that students who received LA GATOR stipends this year saw their attendance and academic performance improve while bullying decreased. It’s not clear what data Landry was citing on the program. Nearly 90% of LA GATOR participants previously received state vouchers, meaning they already attended private schools.

“That’s what happens when families have options and students are in environments that work for them,” Landry said “We hope we can work with the Legislature and the Senate President to address concerns and keep moving this program forward for our students and families.”

When Landry persuaded the Legislature in 2024 to

and distinctive.”

Kolluru said this week that the university has reduced its $50 million total deficit $25 million of which represented a recurring structural deficit — to about $12 million. A UL spokesperson on Wednesday said the $12 million deficit is a combination of the existing and structural deficit.

In December, Kolluru said in a packed town hall meeting that he expected to end the fiscal year on June 30 with a $10.5 million deficit. During interviews this week, those projections changed: Kolluru said he expects to end the fiscal year without a deficit.

Instead of turning to more budget and staff cuts, Kolluru said this week that he will focus on revenue generation in the form of property sales and a fundraising campaign to close the remaining gap by the end of June.

“We are going to the board for approval for the disposal of some properties,” Kolluru said. “The appraisals are be-

frames, since that may avoid later reassessments and resulting cost increases.

Corps officials said the initiative may help speed dredging of shipping channels by expanding the seasons when it is carried out. That would be done in consultation with other agencies involved in overseeing enforcement of the Endangered Species Act, which the Corps must comply with.

Landry lauded the initiative and said Louisianans should do the same considering the importance of Corps projects to the state and the nation. He said environmental restrictions were important, but shouldn’t be unnecessarily burdensome.

“Let me ask you this: You’d rather protect a snail or you’d rather

establish the LA GATOR program, Louisiana joined a growing number of Republican-led states that give students tax-funded scholarships to pay for private education Unlike past voucher programs, the new scholarships or “Education Savings Accounts” can pay for expenses like laptops or tutoring in addition to tuition, and most are no longer limited to low-income families

Proponents say such programs empower parents to put their children in an education setting that meets their needs. Critics say voucher programs and new iterations like LA GATOR divert needed funding from public schools while subsidizing unaccountable and sometimes poor-performing private schools.

Henry, who like Landry, supports giving parents different school options, expressed practical rather than ideological misgivings about LA GATOR.

Last year, the program drew nearly 40,000 applications. If the state continues to expand the program to meet demand, its price tag will grow exponentially, Henry said, pointing to Texas, which allocated $1 billion for the first two years of its new voucher program.

Henry argued that it’s better to keep the program at

ing done so that we can make sure that those are current And if we were to exercise that option, we have the approvals from the board to use as one of the tools in the tool kit.”

UL spokesperson Eric Maron said the university is only getting appraisals and seeking permission to sell at this point. It is unclear what would happen to staff at the research farm and ecology center should those properties sell.

“These are properties they are considering, but no decision has been made,” Maron said. “This is the first step if they do decide to sell the properties. They’re still being evaluated, and nothing’s been decided on if they’re going to sell any or part of them.”

The board will hold a special meeting Friday at the UL system office in Baton Rouge, where members are expected to approve Kolluru as the new president of the system’s largest university

protect a child?” the governor said.

“That’s the question today, and we can be able to balance that.”

But any Corps changes risk running up against the volumes of laws, rules and procedures governing projects. Many of those rules and procedures are designed to ensure projects are cost-effective, protect against environmental risks or safeguard historical sites.

The lengthy historical and environmental evaluation processes have been frequently criticized by political leaders, though the Corps has said it has had success in reducing time frames in recent years while cautioning that, in the end, it must follow the law

Environmental concerns related to Corps projects in Louisiana extend far beyond the Endangered

its current size than to keep adding students until the cost is so high that the program must be cut.

“The moment that you open it up to new people and you have to take it away, then you have a problem,” he said Wednesday during an interview with The Times-Picayune | The Advocate ahead of the 2026 legislative session, which starts March 9.

Any additional funding for LA GATOR should come from the $4.6 billion that Louisiana already spends on education through state and local sources, Henry argued. Otherwise, the state will have to pull money from other priorities, such as lowering taxes or helping homeowners fortify their roofs, to cover students’ private school tuition, which he said most taxpayers do not want.

“There’s a whole bunch of money that needs to go to a

Species Act. Changes to the river can have cascading effects ranging from drinking water to coastal erosion.

Haley Gentry assistant director of the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy, which closely follows Corps activities, noted that she wants to see more specifics on the new initiative before attempting a detailed analysis. She said the Corps, like other agencies, has already introduced congressionally mandated time and page limits for reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act.

“Compliance with the law is red tape, and we’re always looking for ways to be more efficiently compliant,” she said. “But I’m not sure what this all will do.”

whole bunch of other places,” he said.

He also argued that allowing families to spend the stipends on expenses other than tuition dilutes the program’s purpose, which he said should be getting every student into a good school.

“Is the goal to get every kid a computer?” he asked. “I wouldn’t say that’s the goal.”

Despite the large number of LA GATOR applicants and polling that show most Louisiana voters support school vouchers, Henry said he has not heard from parents or other lawmakers looking to expand the program.

“I’ve yet to have a single member come to me and say, ‘You know what? We need to double it,’” he said, adding that it’s mainly advocates and private schools or vendors pushing for more funding.

Henry and other lawmak-

ers wary of ramping up LA GATOR are likely to face another public pressure campaign. Last year, a national advocacy group that promotes school vouchers paid for TV commercials attacking Henry and other lawmakers who balked at Landry’s request for $94 million for LA GATOR. One ad that aired across the state accused the lawmakers of “dashing the hopes of 6,000 low-income kids.”

Landry also led dozens of private school students in a chant of “Please support the GATOR scholarships!” at a rally across from the state Capitol building last spring. It was organized by a Louisiana advocacy group backed by Republican megadonor and Landry ally Eddie Rispone and a national group affiliated with the conservative billionaire Koch family

Spring is shapinguptobeavibrant andbusyseason in NortheastLouisiana,witha packed calendar of live music, outdoorfestivals anddining destinations giving visitors plenty of reasonstoplanagetaway At Landry VineyardsinWestMonroe, theweekends areanchoredbyarotatinglineupoflivemusic andrelaxed vineyard gatherings.The winery’s popularLagniappe Saturdaysoffer free patioperformances from 3p.m.to6:30p.m paired with wine by thecup,bottleorflight,plusguidedtastingsand amultitude of food offerings such as 12-inchpizzas, cheese blocks andsummersausage.Guestscan bring theirown food or snacks,but no pets,beeroroutside alcoholisallowed

Upcoming LagniappeSaturdays at Landry Vineyardsinclude:

•March 14:MikeMcKenzie(solo patioperfor mance)

•March 28:Mason andShannon Granade(duo)

•April 11:Clayton Maza

•April 18:DaveGore

•April 25:Encore(trio)

•May 2: Coyote PinesBand

•May 23:Murphy’sLaw (duo)

Guests arewelcome to arrive earlyfor theregular 2p.m.vineyardand winery tour,enjoy wine tastings then settle in with lawn chairs or blankets for hours of live music.

Otherspringconcertsplanned at Landry Vineyardsinclude:

•March 21,4p.m.to7:30p.m.: Flashback5 (Top 40 covers, classicrock, greatdance music)

•April 4, 4p.m.to7:30p.m.: TheMikeMcKenzie Band (classic rock,country,great dancemusic)

•May 9, 4p.m.to7:30p.m.: Encore andFriends (classic country, pop, greatdance music)

Just down theroadinDowntownWestMonroe, Ouachita RiverFestreturns April24and 25 with afullslate of family-friendlyactivities, live music andart vendors. Recently namedthe Festival/Event of theYearbythe LouisianaTravelAssociation, RiverFestcontinues to grow as oneofthe region’s signaturespringattractions.Thisyear’scelebration willinclude live duck races,a rubber duck drop and thefirst-ever Miss Ouachita RiverFestPageant,open to contestantsage zero to 18 With a$50 entryfee,aneveningwearcompetition only andcontestants askedtoanswerone simpleon-stagequestion, thepageant is designed to be simple,fun andconfidence-buildingfor young womenfromacrossthe region RiverFestweekend will also featurethe Full BlownPinkCar Show on April25, showcasing classiccarsand custom builds whilesupportingbreast cancer awareness. Aviation fans cancap off thespringatthe Red, White&BlueAirshow,takingplace May1-3 at

Monroe Regional Airport. Gatesopenat3p.m.May 1and May2,and at 11 a.m. on May3.Thisyear’s airshowcelebratesAmerica’s 250th anniversary with historic warbirds,modernaircraftand precision acrobatics.Someofthe highlights for2026 willinclude: •Jet Waco Radmotorsports: Fast-paced sequences,high-speed passes anddynamic climbs that blend thenostalgia of classic aviation with theexcitementofjetpoweredaerobatics.

•Frank Kimmel: Kimmel brings the iconic F4U-5Corsair,known for its distinctiveinvertedgull wingsand powerful performance.

•Ben Ausbrooks: Ausbrookswilldeliver a high-energyperformanceinthe SuperSteen Skybolt,a powerful biplanethatallowsfor crisprolls,loops anddynamic transitions.

•Titan AerobaticTeam: It’s precision formation flyingatits finestthankstoteam work,disciplineand aerodynamic control. Each performancefeaturestight formations, smooth transitionsand carefully choreographedsequences •NathanHammond: Hammondwillperform anight show Friday andSaturdaywithhis GhostWriteraircraft, delivering speed precisionand avisualspectacle unlike anyother WhilespringeventsinMonroe-West Monroe continue to expand,win awards anddrawvisitors, itsfoodscene is keepingeveryoneontheir toes year-round.The latest addition to therestaurant spaceisSushi Koko from JamesBeard semifinalist Cory Bahr.Openedearlier this year andinspired by Tokyo’sGinza district,Sushi Koko hassushi crafted with fishflowninfromJapan,Asian-inspireddishes andlive-fireyakitorigrilling–addinga globally-influenced diningoptiontodowntownMonroe. SushiKokojoins alonglistofother localrestaurantsthathaveemerged as some of thebestinthe region,including Parish,another eatery helmed by Bahr that is knownfor inventivedishesfeaturingseasonalingredients andthe best of Louisiana cuisine. Otherfavorites includeEnoch’s Pub(guests rave aboutits gourmetburgers andIrish comfort fare), Trapp’s(classicCajun food with

Lawsuitalleges religiousdiscrimination

Ex-library boardpresident targetsLafayette official

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Former Lafayette Public Library

Board President Robert Judge in federalcourt documentsstressed

he is suing Parish Councilmember AB Rubin for allegedly discriminating against him over his religious beliefs.

Judge, inDecember, fileda lawsuitagainst Rubin and Lafayette ConsolidatedGovernment alleging defamation anda violation of his First Amendment rights. LCG and Rubin filed amotion to dismiss the lawsuit and Judge has filedamotion opposing the motion to dismiss. In that latest motion, Judge

writes that he is not suing because of acouple of remarks made by Rubin, as LCG’smotion to dismiss alleges.

Instead, Judge alleges amultiyear campaign by Rubin to remove Judge from thevolunteer libraryboard “because of his religious beliefs, culminating in public humiliation, explicit admissions

of animus” and Judge’s“forced resignation.” Judge alleges the caseisnot aboutdefamation alonebut about “religious discriminationand retaliation” by a government official.HesaidRubin created ahostile environment for himasa board member

His motion states that arguments in Judge’slawsuit are sufficient at this point in the judicial process to warrant not dismissing the case. Judge was appointed to the boardinearly 2021 by the Parish Council out of seven people who applied forthe volunteer position, including university professors. Parish Council members for several years appointed pastors and

ThirdWinsor Drive shooting suspect arrested

Lafayette police made athird arrest in connectionwith a man founddead from gunshot wounds near Winsor Drive. Xzavier Dyson, 27, and Martina Mouton,21 were previously arrested. Ronnie Thomas, 23, of Lafayette wasarrested Wednesday as the third suspect in the homicide. On Feb. 11, the Lafayette Police Departmentresponded to the 100block of Winsor Drive

Advocate staff reports ä See BLOTTER, page 4B

‘TILLEARTH AND HEAVEN RING’

ABOVE: Guest speaker and retired educator Jaunita Hall performs the Black national anthem, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ to students duringastudent-produced Black History Monthprogram at Carencro MiddleSchool in Carencro on Wednesday LEFT: Carencro High band membersperform during theevent on Wednesday STAFF PHOTO By LESLIEWESTBROOK

Inventorytax to return to voters in Mayelection

It is oneof five amendments on ballot

BY ADAM DAIGLE Acadiana business editor

State lawmakers will ask voters asecondtime whether or not they wanttogivelocal government the power to eliminatethe inventory tax later this spring. The item is one of five constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot May 16 andisa repeat of sortsafter voters turned it down as part of acomprehensive proposal last year

Now thelanguageissimplified to allow parish governmentstoeitherlessenoreliminate property taxes on business inventory

Speaking atanevent hosted by One Acadiana on Wednesday ahead of theregular session of theLegislature thatstarts March

9, Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council said Louisianaisone of ahandful of states that taxes inventory for businesses. If the amendment passes,parisheswill be offeredanincentive payment from the state to either eliminate it or lower it, she said. That payment would range from $500,000 to $15 million.

Determining how much revenue the taxcurrently generates statewide is hard to determine, she said. In LafayetteParish, that tax generates about $72 million a year,according to an earlier report “I think thelast time Iheard aboutthisinthe Legislature,” Deslatte said, “there was theexpectationthata largemajority of parisheswould take thestateup on getting rid of this tax if they are allowed to and getting the incentive.”

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

As enrollment and the number of applicants to LSU soars, the Board of Supervisors is weighing whether to abandon its testoptionalpolicyand reinstatethe use of standardized test scores for admission to the flagship campus in Baton Rouge. The amendment to admissions policies, attached to theFeb 27 Board of Supervisorsmeeting agenda, said thetest score requirement supports “student success initiatives” andfollows thetrendofother state flagships andpeersinthe Southeastern Conference. Currently, theBaton Rouge

campus offers prospective studentsthe option to includetheir SATorACT scores in their applicationfor admissionand university-administered scholarships

The LSU website says the policy is in accord with an “admissions philosophy of full-file comprehensive review.”

“The best indication of student successona collegiate levelis theirhigh school performance —the grades they earn and the rigor of their coursework,” aFrequently Asked Questions page about the policy reads.

Theboard initiallywaivedstandardized testing requirements in December 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The test-optional policy was formalized in June 2022 as part of awave across higher education questioning the utility of test scores andwhetherthey

Admissionchange considered for flagship campus ä See LSU, page 4B

LSUcan be both excellentand accessible

In Louisiana, higher education has asurplus of blessings —accessible universities, groundbreaking research, meaningful industry partnerships and students who excel at the highest levels. Yet, for far too long, our state’sinstitutionshave sufferedfrom adeficit of ambition

While Louisianans refuse to accept middle-of-thepack results in athletics, we have quietly embraced them in the academic arena.Wehave been content to remain on theoutside looking in to the fraternity of elite academic institutions. We have allowed the infrastructure of our universities to deteriorate, while our resources have been depleted by duplicative programs and unfocused management. The Louisiana State University System is charting anew course. When the Board of Supervisors approveda restructuringofour leadership last December,it was not simply achange to an organizational chart. It was an effort to consolidate —and grow —LSU’s

extensiveresearch portfolio so that we could takeour rightful place amongthe nation’s elite universities. It was also aclear signal that we will no longer accept“theway things have always been done. Instead, the LSU System will embrace an ambitious path forward —one that elevates theway we educate Louisiana and embraces excellence as our north star The debate aboutLSU’srole in our state has long focused on whether theuniversity should pursue elite academicrankings or focusonremainingaccessible to Louisiana students.That is afalse choice. Excellence and accessibility can, andmust, coexist. We are committed to elevating our flagship enterprise —includingour Baton Rouge campus, our health centers in Shreveport and New Orleans, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the LSUAgCenter —tobeamongthe nation’s top 50 research institutions.

This will require us to grow our research funding, toimprove our facilities and to set admissions standards that reflect our ambition for excellence. We will prioritize retaining Louisiana’sbest and brightest, and we will work to attract top students and faculty from around thecountry As an institution with aunique relationship to thestate, we must also create avenues for all Louisiana students who want to advance their education and economic standing. We are well-positioned to do just that.

From Eunice and Alexandria to Shreveport,Baton Rouge and New Orleans, our institutions are as distinct as the communities where they are located. Each has unique strengths and programs. For studentsthat wish to pursue atwo-year degree, afour-year degree, agraduatedegree, aprofessional certification or who need apath to transfer to the flagship, there is an LSU institution to meet their needs. That is amessage we will amplify to every corner of this state, as we recruit Louisianans to join the LSU family

Drug pricingreforms cannot neglectindependent practitioners

Drug prices are too high. On that point, nearly everyone agrees. Patients across Louisiana and the nation struggle with the cost of specialty medicines thattreat cancer,autoimmune disorders and other serious diseases.

Higher education in Louisiana is in aparadigm shift. The cost of higher education continues to increase, as does the percentage of that cost being borne by studentsand their families. As a result,prospective students are demandingatangible return on their investment.

Acollege education must make financial sense. It must not only elevate astudent’sintellect, but their station in life. Institutions that ignore this basic market fact will wither; those that embrace it will thrive At LSU, we plan to thrive by pursuing excellence AND meeting our students where they are. That means building degree pathways that are transparent, timely and aligned with real opportunity It means expanding experiential learning —internships, clinical rotationsand co-ops —sostudentsgraduate with both knowledge and arésumé.

Ourambition is to be among thenation’sbest universities while also expanding access for all Louisianans. This will require fiscal discipline and strong man-

agement. We will be honest about which programsare working and which are not. We will allocate resources wisely,avoiding unnecessary duplication of programsand investing heavily in disciplines where Louisiana can lead the nation. We will makeinfrastructure investments worthy of an elite university system.And, most importantly,wewill measure success in outcomes that matter: research competitiveness, graduation and job placement. Louisiana has everything it needs to compete and winin higher education. What we have lacked is aunified commitment to aim higher and deliver more. At LSU,weare setting anew standard: excellence that is measurable, access that is meaningful and stewardship that is disciplined.

If we do this work together,LSU will not only rise in reputation. We will liftLouisiana’speople, economy,and prospects forgenerations to come.

Wade Rousse is the president of the LSU System.

Louisianashouldlet disabled people live at home

But while reform is urgently needed, many of the current proposals from Washington and Baton Rouge threaten to make a bad situation worse. Policies like pricecontrolsin Medicare, “most favored nation,” or MFN, pricing —which would tie American drug prices to the prices paid overseas and even tariffs on imported medicines are being sold as ways to bring down patient costs. In practice, they risk doing little for out-of-pocket spending while creating new threats to access, especially for patients who rely on independent doctors forlife-saving infusions.

In Louisiana, oncologistsand rheumatologists oftenadminister specialty drugs through asystem known as “buy-andbill.” The practice purchasesthe drug up front, stores and prepares it andthen bills theinsurer once it is administered. This model allows patients to receive treatment in their doctor’s office rather than in ahospital, reducing infection risk.

It is also far cheaper for the healthcare system. Hospital outpatient departmentstypically charge 129% to 211% more for drug administration than physician offices. That difference translates into billions in savings when patients can be treated locally But buy-and-bill only works if practices can reliably cover their costs. Medicare currently reimburses physicians for Part Bdrugs at the average sales priceplus 6%. That 6% helps infusion centers offset the expenses of storage, staff, preparation and insurance against drug spoilage.

Today’sdrug pricing proposals overlook this fragile balance. If Medicare price controls or MFN models drive down reimbursement rates while acquisition costs staythe same— or climb higher due to tariffs —independent practices will be left underwater Margins are already razor-thin. Pushing them lower may force practices to close their infusion sites.

For patients, that means fewer places to receive treatment and higher costswhen they are pushed into hospitalsettings. For rural communities, it could mean travel-

ing for hoursfor care that used to be available justdown the road

Timely access to medication is critical in cancer care and in treating autoimmune conditions.

Delays of even weeks can mean worse outcomes.

If independent practices can no longer afford to administer these drugs,patients will lose the option of lower-cost, communitybased treatment. That is theoppositeofwhat reform should achieve.

Thankfully,thereare solutions that balance affordability with access. Republican Reps. Greg Murphy of North Carolina, and Neal Dunn of Florida, and Democrat Adam Gray of California, have introduced abill that would safeguard physician reimbursementfor infusions under theAverage Sales Price model.

We arefortunate in Louisiana to have two leaders in theHouse, Speaker Mike Johnsonand Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who should remember that local patients relyon independent practices for convenient and lifesaving treatments. Louisiana’sdoctors are on the front lines, offering care close to home in settings that are safer andmore affordable thanhospitals. Undermining those practices would only shift costs elsewhere andlimit patients’ options.

Lower health care costs and stronger access to care are not mutually exclusive. With careful, collaborative policymaking, we can achieve both.

Butifreforms continue to ignore the realitiesofindependent practices, independent physicians and thepatients they servewill be collateral damageinthis drug pricing battle.

Dr.Madelaine Feldman is arheumatologist based in New Orleans. Kathy Oubre is a board member for Community Oncology Alliance.

My son Connor is ayoung man with severe disabilities. He lives at home because he receives services through aHome and Community-Based Services, or HCBS, waiver.That waiver is not abonus program. It is what allows him to wakeupinhis own bed, spend evenings with his brothers playing video games and remainpart of our community instead of living in an institution.

On Jan. 23, Louisiana and eight other states renewed their attack on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act —this timetargeting a core disability civil rights protection knownasthe integration mandate. The lawsuit, Texas v. Kennedy,claims the Biden administration’s2024 update to Section 504 is unconstitutional, objecting to therequirement that states provide services in the “most integrated setting.”

venient. Supporters of the lawsuit warn of budget strain. Yetresearch consistently showsthat homeand community-based services are generally less expensive per person than institutional care. States have expanded HCBS not just because families want them,but because they are fiscally responsible. When community services shrink, institutional costs rise. This lawsuit is not about fiscal prudence. It is about weakening alegal standard that protects families when systemsare under pressure.

The states argue the rule exceeds congressional authority,improperly expands federal control over Medicaid systemsand could require costlyrestructuring.

Butthe integration mandate is not new.Section 504 has prohibited disabilitydiscrimination since 1973.

Federal regulations have required integrated settings for decades. In 1999, theU.S. Supreme Court confirmed in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation is discrimination

The 2024 update did not invent this principle. It clarified how it applies in modern Medicaid and health systems. Claims that it “upends decades of federal disability law”ignore that the integration mandate has been settled law fornearly half a century

The law does not require communityplacement in every case. It recognizes that what is appropriate depends on the individual and allows states to consider available resources. It does not demand changes that would fundamentally alter programs.

Butitdoes set aboundary: Segregated settings cannot be the default,and policies cannot create aserious risk of institutionalization simply because community services are underfunded or incon-

Connor’slifeisnot abstract policy.Itistherapy scheduled around family routines. It is adaptive equipment in our living room.Itis belonging. It is dignity Families like mine know how fragile these supports can be. Waiting lists are long. Providers struggle. Budgets tighten. Civil rights protections matter most when trade-offs are being made. They are the guardrails that prevent cost-cutting from turning into segregation.

Louisiana should be strengthening community services, not joining lawsuits that question the legal foundation that protects them

This is not about partisanship. It is about whether our state believes people with disabilities belong in their homes and communities, or whether that belonging becomes conditional when budgets get tight. Connor deserves to live at home. He deserves to grow up surrounded by family.Hedeserves the samecivil rights protections as anyone else.

Guardrails exist for areason. Weakening them may not cause immediate harm.But over time, it changes the direction of the road. For my son, and for thousands of Louisiana families, that direction matters.

Louisiana should withdraw from this lawsuit and choose adirection that affirms, clearly and without qualification, that people with disabilities belong in their homes and communities.

Katie Corkern is adisability rights advocate wholives in Amite.

COMMENTARY

ISSUE OF THE WEEK BLACK HISTORy

As BlackHistoryMonthcomestoa close, we take the timetoreflectonthe contributions of African Americans to our stateand nation.This year marks the 100th anniversaryofthe annual celebration, but manyfeel that this is afraught timefor Black history, withplaques being removedfromlandmarks and attempts to erase stories from historybooks. Discussions of our shared past and the struggles of those whocamebefore remain important to our identity as a nation. Here are twoperspectives.

Controversieshighlight why BlackHistory Monthcametobe

This year marks the 100thanniversary of Black History Month, first proposed as aweeklong celebration byAfrican American scholar and activist Dr.Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson had founded the “Associationfor the Study of Negro Life and History” in 1915. The organization continues today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History,promoting the study and dissemination of information about the experience of people of African descent in schools, colleges and universities, andfor the wider public. Woodson and his peers lived in an era when Black people in the UnitedStates facedsegregation, widespread discrimination,political exclusion, economicmarginalization and widely accepted legal and extra-legalviolence. Manypeople outside of Black communities believedthat African Americans were inferior culturally and intellectually,and that their history and culture were not importantfor the United States or the world.Woodson sought to create an annualoccasion for the promotion of the studyofBlack history and the appreciation of theaccomplishments of African American people ASALH publishes onlinedetailed descriptions of the warm reception which the initial “Negro History Week”received, quickly becoming acommemorativeevent in African Americancommunities over the first half of the 20th century.Educator Mary McLeodBethune proposed theidea for the Negro History Bulletin, whichpublished material for use in these commemorations and promoted an annual theme. Black History Week thenexpanded into Black History Month in 1976, on the50th anniversary of theoriginal commemoration. In succeeding decades, Black History Month became an increasingly recognized national celebration.

tributions in arts, literature, science, civic life and multiple other spheres.

To overcome discouragement, look to Blackhistory heroes

Laura Rosanne Adderley GUEST COLUMNIST

YetinU.S. public life, in Louisianaand nationally,weregularly encounter attempts to oversimplify,minimize or even deny thefundamental roles that theexploitation of Black people and anti-Black racism have played in the making of the United States and theentire modern world. Additionally,wehave seen direct and indirect questioning of the importance of studying African American experience as adistinct and valuable pursuit, which will enrich learning for all and strengthen our common life.

Wendy A. Gaudin GUEST COLUMNIST

Therecent removal of books, photographs or exhibitions on Black enslavement and freedom are but three prominent examples of formal opposition to the public dissemination of materials focused on African American Life andHistory.Black people facedgrim obstacles in seeking safety,well-being and inclusion in the United States in the early 1900s. In the early 2000s, we see different— but not unrelated —political, social and economic struggles. The founders of Black History Monthinsisted that carefully researched, public-facing andcomplex discussions of African Americanlife and history were essential to the buildingofa United States where Black peoplecould thrive as well as anyone else. Historical context is critical.

We must insist that our history is an integral partofwhat madethis nation what it is, and we must insist that Black History Monthcontinue as an annual, constant reminder of the many contributions of African Americans as we strive to makethis nation better We cannot, and must not, make do withoutBlack history —orBlack History Month.

As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of celebrating Black History Month, we must remember this is a time to reflect and rededicate ourselves to atradition of persistence and resistance, particularly in the face of the current attempts to erase the innovations of African Americans in this country.The celebration of Black history is about the contributionsofAfrican Americans despitethe tenacious presence of anti-Black racism. The denial of Black history will only rob this nation of the advancements AfricanAmericans have madeinthe world. There is no greater example of Black history than one of the longest-serving presidentsofany collegeoruniversity, Dr.Norman C. Francis. After his death on Feb. 18, we remember his dedication and commitment to Xavier University of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans.

Today,many students of allbackgrounds are introduced to the study of Blackhistory and life throughout the year.Many public and private organizations join educational institutions in sponsoringprograms that embrace Black history andBlack con-

Laura Rosanne Adderley is an associate professor of African diaspora history at Tulane University.Wendy A. Gaudin is an assistant professor of history, specializing in race and racial mixture in the Americas,atXavier Universityof Louisiana.

Xavier,which celebrated its centennial last year,isnot only an institution of higher learning butalso acommunityofcare that fosters space for flourishing and leadership formation in aworld that is hostile to Black intelligence. As an alumnus of Xavier,I often remember watching Francis walk across thecampus, well-dressed in a suit and fedora, and carrying anewspaper and abriefcase. He had such a regal presence. Histemperament was always pleasant, and he never seemed to mindbeing stopped by students fora brief conversation. He wasthe personification of servant leadership, and his example defined campus life.

We were surroundedbystaffand facultywho supported our academicand personal pursuits. Beyond the faculty, someofthe mostinstrumental people were theadministrators in campus ministry,the counselor’soffice, the graduate center and the career office. The professors and administrators worked with us, listened to us, motivated us and inspired us. We were encouraged to be knowledgeable about thepast and skillful in transforming the future. Xavier was awelcoming campus cen-

tered on aspirit of care and community that expected students to excel academically and offered manyresources to ensure our success. As afirst-generation undergraduate, Ioften think about the diversity of the students on campus. There werestudents from Chicago, Detroit, California, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, NewYork, Africa and the Caribbean. Our diversity of thought and experience challenged each other.Wesharpened one another in discussions, group projects and study groups. There were so manystudents aspiring to be pharmacists, dentists, doctors and psychiatrists that Inever questioned my ability to pursue adoctorate. The lessons Ilearned at Xavier went beyond attaining professional degrees. Ilearned the importance of servant leadership and using my intellectual skills to address the needs of the world, particularly the elimination of poverty and racial injustice. My studies exceeded workforce development. Iwas taught how to think critically about the problemsI saw in my community and use truth and justice to guide me toward solutions.

In our current moment, Francis’ life journey should be an example of how we move forward. He assumed the role of president on the day of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.It is possible he felt the wind taken from beneath him,like manyofusfeel with the rollback to DEI, the reversal of affirmative action and the rise of Black joblessness. But, like him,wemust direct our frustration and anger toward a future hope and promise. Francis used his timeand energy to fortifythe minds of Black youth. We must also take our place in history to build institutional power to strengthen and protect impoverished and marginalized communities. And maybe we too, like Francis, after morethan 47 years of service, will have alegacy worth replicating.

Javian Bakerisascholar,writer and advocate of marginalized communitiesand children

La. regulators reject investigation into data center

Request for probe of Meta’s financing denied

BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer

Louisiana regulators re-

jected a request Wednesday from environmental and consumer advocacy groups to investigate Meta’s financing for its massive data center in the state’s northeast The tech company’s new financial arrangement has left a separate company rather than Meta itself, as the majority owner of the data center in Richland Parish. The advocacy groups allege the arrangement increases the risk that other ratepayers will be forced to cover the costs of three new natural gas-fired plants being built to power the facility, which will be the tech company’s biggest data center worldwide.

Two nonprofit groups, the Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists, urged the state’s utility regulators to probe how the financing setup could affect ratepay-

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ers and whether Meta or Entergy misled elected officials during the controversial power plan approval process.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission, the elected body responsible for regulating utilities, greenlit the plan to construct the electricity plants and other infrastructure to serve the giant AI data center.

Entergy which is building the electricity infrastructure, called the allegations from the nonprofits “nothing more than baseless conjecture” in the company’s filed response. Entergy leadership stressed that the new financing structure does not affect Meta’s previous commitments.

“At the end of the day, I owe it to my customers to make sure they don’t pick up the tab,” Larry Hand, a vice president at Entergy, told the regulators at Wednesday’s commission meeting. “That’s why we have that guarantee from Meta. It is unconditional and irrevocable.”

The regulators decided to not take up a probe into the issue. Davante Lewis, the sole commissioner on the

Doing away with the tax would make the state more competitive and continue an effort from state officials to become more businessfriendly, said Will Green, president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Louisiana, he said, no longer has one of the highest corporate income tax rates among Southern states. Lawmakers have passed more than 100 bills to help that effort, which has dropped its ranking among states for the best tax climate. Car dealerships are the

LSU

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can predict future performance Critics of standardized testing argued that the practice disadvantaged students without access to test preparation resources and discounted other indicators of academic potential. But LSU now says the data does not support disregarding test results entirely “From 2021-2024, average retention rates for students who were admitted as testoptional applicants were 4.3% lower than test-inclusive students,” the proposed policy says. “Similarly, average first-term GPAs for

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after reports of an unresponsive man lying in a driveway, police said. Upon arrival, officers determined that Clarence Hypolite, 23, of Lafayette had died from gunshot wounds.

Investigators said Hypolite was shot inside a vehicle while attempting to conduct a narcotics transaction.

The suspects then removed Hypolite from the vehicle and placed him in a nearby driveway. As the suspects fled the scene, the victim was hit by the suspect vehicle. Investigators were able to identify the suspect vehicle, which was later located traveling in Jennings and resulted in Mouton and Dyson being arrested.

Man arrested on felony charges

A Breaux Bridge man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly making threats that prompted a lockdown at schools in the Cecilia area. Anthony Potier, 33, of Breaux Bridge, was arrested in connection with unlawful disruption of the operation of a school (felony), terrorizing (felony), aggravated assault (felony) and unlawful communications.

Deputies responded around 8:50 a.m. to a 911 call from a residence in the 1000 block of Will Angelle Road in Arnaudville.

five-person body who opposed Entergy’s power plan for the facility, noted that the regulators can investigate the issue in the future if new information arises.

The nonprofit groups called the decision a missed opportunity to fully examine the impacts of the financial setup.

“By dismissing this motion, the PSC is giving the green light to more tech companies to use this kind of financial maneuvering to maximize profits while evading public accountability,” said Susan Miller an attorney for the environmental firm Earthjustice representing the nonprofits.

A spokesperson for Meta could not be reached for comment.

The data center project has been welcomed by Gov Jeff Landry and other officials as an economic boon to an impoverished part of the state. Concerns have however persisted over its electricity and water use, among other issues.

Meta’s new financing

On the day the Louisiana regulators approved Meta’s power plan, the tech compa-

some of biggest payers per capita of inventory tax, he noted. Since the 1990s lawmakers have offered a credit to businesses for the tax, but it has not been consistent, he said.

“It’s such a bad tax,” Green said. “It’s been anything but certain, predictable and transparent. It’s something we’ve got to ultimately deal

ny “fundamentally changed” the financial setup of the data center, Miller said. Meta teamed with a private equity firm, Blue Owl, in a deal to help it offset financial risk and guarantees a profit for Blue Owl, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The restructuring essentially gives the private equity company majority ownership of the data center and makes Meta a tenant able to exit the lease every four years for up to 20 years.

Key to the nonprofits’ concern is that a new entity majority owned by Blue Owl — is now the parent company of the Meta subsidiary, called Laidley, that originally entered into the agreement for the electricity plants. As a result of the new financial structure, the nonprofits argue, various ratepayer protections that had been guaranteed by Meta are now called into question.

The four-year term is a fraction of the 15-year contract that the Louisiana regulators approved, though that length also worried opponents. The three gas plants that Entergy is building have a lifespan of up to

with if we’re going to move the state forward.”

Other constitutional amendments on the ballot include:

n A measure to raise the minimum retirement age of judges from 70 to 75.

n Create a breakaway school district in East Baton Rouge Parish in the city of St. George.

40 years, the nonprofits argued over a monthslong approval process, potentially leaving ratepayers on the hook for some costs of the new infrastructure if the tech company leaves.

Entergy maintains the new structure changes nothing about the contract with the subsidiary company or any of the already established ratepayer protections. The 15-year contract remains in full force, Hand told the regulators, as do other financial backstops intended to safeguard ratepayers.

Meta has agreed to cover the full annual cost of the power plants for at least 15 years, though the costs of other electricity infrastructure will be shared by all of Entergy’s ratepayers.

Hand, the Entergy vice president, also said he did not know about Meta’s deal with Blue Owl until the announcement, but that the issue of financing routinely comes up for large industrial projects.

“I can’t say I am completely unaware or surprised that Laidley endeavored to do some sort of financing that happens all the time,” Hand said.

n Authorize additional positions in the unclassified state civil service law

n Fund a $2,250 teacher pay raise and $1,125 support staff pay raise by utilizing the remaining savings from paying down debt from the state teachers retirement system.

Email Adam Daigle at adaigle@theadvocate.com.

conservative and Christian people to the board at a time when book censorship was spreading across the state and nation.

Judge’s term expired in September He was eligible for reappointment but did not seek a second term.

In August 2023, Judge stepped down as board president under pressure from council members and the public following a series of controversial events, including attempting to fire an outspoke library manager in 2022 without following civil service laws.

In an August 2023 meeting, Rubin said he wanted Judge off the board. Rubin said so again in May after Judge talked the board, against its attorney’s advice, into not going into executive session to consider settling a lawsuit that accused Judge of violating the First Amendment rights of residents The lawsuit was settled shortly thereafter against Judge and Lafayette Consolidated Government.

Before he was on the board, Judge publicly opposed a move to allow Drag Queen Story Time at the library, later having one of the organizers of the event arrested for speaking out of turn at a board meeting when he was president. He also wanted to remove books from the library about LGBTQ+ topics and remove “equal access” from the library’s mission statement.

test-optional students are 0.29 points lower than their test-inclusive counterparts with comparable GPAs.”

If the board votes to recenter test scores in admissions, LSU would join a host of institutions reversing course on pandemic-driven testing policies.

The amendment would apply only to the Baton Rouge campus. LSU at Eunice and LSU at Alexandria are currently test-optional, while LSU in Shreveport maintains a testing requirement. Test scores are still mandatory for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, the state scholarship program run by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, regardless

The caller reported that her estranged boyfriend had threatened to damage her home.

When deputies arrived, they found no damage to the residence. The caller told deputies the suspect had also threatened to harm her child, who was attending a local school at the time, according to Sheriff Becket Breaux. Out of caution, schools in the Cecilia area were placed on lockdown while deputies responded to the campus and began searching for the suspect.

Deputies soon located Potier traveling in the 1000 block of Anse Broussard Highway in Cecilia. He was detained without incident and taken into custody

Authorities said no bond had been set as of Wednesday

Rayne man faces murder charge

A Rayne man is facing a second-degree murder charge and multiple drugrelated offenses following a fatal overdose, police said. Joseph Roy Jr was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, cruelty to juveniles and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Rayne Police Department. He was booked into the Rayne City Jail and was awaiting bond. Police said the investiga-

of institutions’ individual testing policies.

The proposal comes as LSU sees skyrocketing interest from prospective students across the country

Over 62,000 potential incoming freshmen have applied this cycle, university officials say, compared with 18,122 in 2016. A staggering 82% of applicants reside out of state.

As numbers climb, the university can afford — and in fact is forced — to be more selective, officials have said recently

“We are on track to not only continue but increase our recruitment of and attraction of literally the top talent, not only just within the state of Loui-

tion began over the weekend after officers responded to a series of drug overdoses in Rayne, one of which resulted in a man’s death. The victim’s name was not released.

Authorities said officers later executed a search warrant at a home on Crandall Avenue, where they found methamphetamine, cocaine, a 9 mm handgun, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia Police said drugs were accessible to children.

“The Rayne Police Department remains committed to removing dangerous drugs and those who distribute them from our streets,” Police Chief Carroll Stelly said. “The inclusion of fentanyl in street drugs is a deadly epidemic, and we will use every legal tool available — including murder charges — to hold those responsible for the loss of life in our community accountable.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

LOTTERY

siana but also across the country,” LSU Provost Troy Blanchard said earlier this month about LSU’s recordbreaking application numbers. The reinstatement of test

scores would roll out in two phases, according to the proposed policy. For the summer 2027 semester potential students with cumulative weighted GPAs below 3.5 would need to submit

test scores with their application. Starting for the summer of 2028, all applicants would be required to include test results. The policy goes to a vote on Friday

ON THEROAD

Cajuns seekingmoreconsistency at TexasA&M tourney

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

Throughthe first threeweeks of UL softball’s season, there are still alot of unknowns

Some stretchesseem to indicate the Ragin’ Cajuns could be an offensiveclub. Others seem to indicatearelianceonpitching.

UL coach Alyson Habetz is hoping to have abetter idea after the TexasA&M Invitational thisweekend in College Station, Texas.

The Cajuns will play St. Mary’sat2 p.m. Friday,followed by Texas A&M at 7. On Saturday,ULwill play Kennesaw State at 11:30 a.m.and St.Mary’sat 2. It’s Texas A&Magain at 1:30 p.m.Sunday.

“Playing at aconsistentlevel,”Habetzsaid.“That’s the goal.Whenweget to conference play,I want sweeps.I don’tjust want twoout of three every weekend. We have to be abletoplayataconsistent level,not kind of aroller coaster.”

As aresult, only three regul Mia Liscano (.447, 6RBIs),Ha

Keygymnas be champion

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

LSU sophomore KailinChio has establi herself as not only LSU’stop gymnast in butone of the topgymnasts in the nation Ranked No. 1nationally on vault and ance beam —events she had perfect10 this past Friday at Oklahoma—Chiois No. 2nationally in the all-around be only former Olympic gold medalist Jor Chiles of UCLA. Her 22 individual event tories this season in just sevenmeets a remarkable achievement.

“She’soperating at such ahigh l there’snot awhole lot you can say o than ‘Wow,’ ”LSU coach Jay Clark said But LSU cannot maintain its top-two tional ranking as achampionship prog this season —onthe SoutheasternCon ence or NCAA level —withjustChioal

RBIs)and DayzjaWilliams (.375, 3RBIs).

So Habetz isn’tasconcerned withestablishing an everyday lineup. In fact,she kind of likes to keep her players guessing and motivated.

“Tome, that fostersamore competitive,full team mentality,”Habetz said. “I might not play today,but somebody else is goingtowin thegame. ButI’m goingplay tomorrow andI have achance to win thegame tomorrow, and it’sa whole team concept. That’s so important.”

Of late, sophomore Mia Norwood (.462, 2HRs, 7RBIs) shined at the plateand senior right-hander Bethaney Noble (3-0, 1save, 0.35 ERA) in the circle.

“It’salot more fun when youcelebrate other people who are winning games and then Iget my shot the next day,” Habetzsaid.

Norwood thinks that approach is working.

rs are batting over .300 –leyHart (.420, 4HRs, 17 one s being selfish

“There’snoone on thebench that we can’tput in the game,” she said. “I feel like we’re just really fighting for thenameacross our chest and the person next to us, and no one’sbeing selfish.”

ä See CAJUNS, page 3C

ts LS needs to s ip contenders

and putting big scores out there.” As LSUgoes from one SEC showdown meet to another a No 1 versus No 2 battle atOU last week, No. 2 LSU versus No. 3Alabama on Friday —let’s identify some of those key gymnasts for the Tigers Gymnasts who will be neededagainst the Crimson Tide (8:30 p.m , SEC Network) and againstBama, North Carolina and Arizona at 3p.m.Sunday in the Podium Challenge at theRaising Cane s River Center  KALIYALINCOLN

UL takes winning streak into series vs. Tritons

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

The at-bat seemed to be heading in the wrong direction, but UL third baseman Drew Markle certainly endeditwitha bang. Markle smasheda one-outhome run to left field to allow theRagin’ Cajuns to collect their third walk-offwin of the season in a3-2 win over Kansas State in 11 innings Wednesday at Russo Park. “There’s no greater feeling than awalk-off home run, but,I mean,it’s good to do it in front of these guys, my boys,” Markle said. “I do anything for those guys.” The victorymadeitseven straight wins forthe Cajuns, who improved to 7-2, while Kansas State slipped to 6-3. UL will nowopena three-game series against UC San Diego at 6p.m. Friday The Tritons come in 3-4, including an 8-7 win over UCLA. UC SanDiego is hitting .201 as a team witheight homersand twostolen bases. On the mound, the Tritonshavea 6.39 ERA. UL coach Matt Deggs said to expect the samepitching rotation of Ty Roman on Friday,Andrew Herrmann in gametwo and JR Tollett on Sunday

“What we can’tdoisbecomesodepen on her to do (what she didatOklahoma the time so that it puts pressure on h Clark said. “Wehave plentyof athlete our team capable of performingatthat leve

A2024 U.S. Olympic team alternate Lincoln is theonly LSU gymnast besides Chio ranked in the top 10 nationally, tied for seventh on floor,including a season high 9 975 Lincoln won’tcompeteonfloor for the second straightweekend, however as LSU tries to conserve her becauseofan Achilles tendon inflammation. The sophomore from Dallas didvault and beam at OU, posting 9 95 and 9.925, respectively,underscoring her

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BY MATTHEWPARAS Staff writer

INDIANAPOLIS Der that he would come right situation. At the NFL scout that rightsituation ing The NewOrlean among those shock on his cleats for20 not guaranteed, the tinued to get loude dan Schultzreporte ous” about un-retiri Carr, whoplaye Saints before retiri shoulder injury,sai he’d only un-retire i for a Super Bowlco Those options Carr’s market, but teams on the verge criteria Notably,M Kevin O’Connell an Kevin Stefanski de young starting quar

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Tigers’ Edwards ‘growing into her own’

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

As an established softball player coming into an established SEC program, LSU infielder

Kylee Edwards learned early to keep grinding and not check her stat line.

Sure enough, Edwards had seven hits in her past 14 at-bats after starting the season 5 for 35 and her path is mirroring that of the No. 17 Tigers as they prepare for the LSU Invitational beginning Friday

LSU plays Nicholls State at 4 p.m. Friday followed by a 6:30 p.m. game with Memphis. On Saturday, LSU plays Iowa at 4 and Memphis again at 6:30 at Tiger Park.

After struggling past Howard 1-0 on five hits Sunday, the Tigers’ offense was far more efficient in a 9-3 win at McNeese with 10 hits and 11 walks. Edwards had three of those hits and Char Lorenz hit a pair of solo home runs.

Both transfers brought in to beef up the LSU attack are adapting to a new program and learning a system in which controlling the strike zone is a buzzword.

“It’s a long season; there are going to be ups and downs, so I knew my time was coming sooner or later,” said Edwards, who started two seasons at Mississippi State. “It’s getting comfortable in a new place, new teammates, new coaches, learning about myself and who I am here, getting comfortable in the box and finding my confidence. Confidence is a huge thing in our sport.” Edwards had her first game-

winning hit with a triple to beat UL 2-1 in 10 innings Saturday.

She said the adjustments she’s made under assistant Bryce Neal, who handles the offense, are starting to bear fruit “I love everything he’s done with my swing so far,” Edwards said. “I’ve been working with him all fall, making major adjustments to my swing for the better I had a really uphill swing I missed under a lot of pitches.

I’ve got a flat swing now It’s going to pay off in the long run.”

LSU coach Beth Torina’s confidence in Edwards hasn’t wavered. Although she’s been moved from sixth to eighth in the batting order she’s started every game at shortstop

“Looking at her numbers from last year, she was a little bit of a slow starter (at Mississippi State), too,” Torina said “This is a little bit of her M.O.

“She’s been super solid defensively She’s a fun player, a fun human being to have around. She’s growing into her own.”

Torina was pleased with her team’s response between the Howard and McNeese State games, using a story by Olympic gold medal skater Alysa Liu and how she stepped away from the hard work of her sport to try and recapture her joy

“We did a much better job of controlling the strike zone,” Torina said. “It’s a fundamental part of this offense. We drew 11 walks that set the tone. That started us in the right direction and we were able to capitalize on that.

“(Against Howard) we swung out of the zone a lot, chasing pitches, things we’d like to have back. She (Howard pitcher Aiko Conaway) did a nice job, didn’t throw a lot of stuff over the plate. Everybody wants to hit, put up big numbers, score runs and hit it out of the park. But you also have to be given pitches to hit and attack the right pitches That’s the balance we’re trying to find.”

Bergeron questionable

Torina said senior catcher Maci Bergeron is questionable this weekend after missing the past two games. Bergeron took a foul tip off her facemask in Saturday’s victory against Michigan State. Torina said Bergeron is “day-to-day” and is being “conservative” with her availability, with SEC play beginning in one week

LSU catcher Arrambide set to return Friday

Tigers coach Johnson hopeful Stanfield is back next weekend

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson anticipates that sophomore catcher Cade Arrambide will return to the field for Friday’s game against Dartmouth (6:30 p.m., SEC Network+).

Arrambide exited Tuesday’s game against McNeese State in the fourth inning with a foot injury He has three home runs and a 1.216 on-base plus slugging percentage to begin the year.

“He’s fine,” Johnson said on Thursday “I expect him to play fully tomorrow.” Meanwhile, senior left fielder

Chris Stanfield, who has been out since the third game of the year with a left-hand injury, is not expected to hit this weekend against Dartmouth or Northeastern.

Johnson hopes that Stanfield returns to the lineup next weekend when the Tigers host Sacramento State.

“(We’re) advancing what he’s doing in practice today,” Johnson said “… He’ll be back in the mix as soon as he’s able to play at full strength.”

Without Stanfield, LSU has turned to High Point transfer Brayden Simpson, freshman

Mason Braun and fifth-year senior Tanner Reaves in left field Freshman Omar Serna took over for Arrambide after he exited Tuesday’s game.

Simpson had never played the outfield in college before Stanfield’s injury, while Braun and Reaves have more experience out there defensively Serna has impressed Johnson with his defense, despite starting the year just 4 for 16 at the plate.

“I would give him high, high marks across the board,” Johnson said. “And not a surprise. Just as Cade has improved, he will improve.”

Email Koki Riley at koki.riley@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL

LSU catcher Cade Arrambide races to second against Milwaukee in the eighth inning on Feb 14 at Alex Box Stadium.

NCAA rules panel proposes new targeting stipulation

By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Division I football rules makers have proposed a one-year trial rule allowing a player disqualified for targeting for the first time to play in his team’s next game regardless of which half the penalty was assessed, the NCAA announced Thursday Currently, players disqualified for targeting must miss the rest of the game and, if the penalty occurs in the second half, sit out the first half of the next game. Under the Division I Football Rules Subcommittee’s proposal, a player disqualified for targeting a second time during the season would miss the first half of the next game. A third targeting ejection in the same season would cause the offending player to miss the entire next game. Targeting is forcible contact with an opponent’s head or neck

area where the offending player often uses the crown of his helmet to make contact or launches his body into the opposing player above the shoulders.

Oversight committees for the Bowl Subdivision and Championship Subdivision must approve proposals before they become official. Those committees meet next month.

“This continues the evolution of our targeting rule and balances the important safety impact with an appropriate penalty structure,” said A.J. Edds, rules subcommittee chair and vice president of football administration for the Big Ten. “We will closely monitor this one-year adjustment, and the committee believes it is important to enhance the progressive penalty to ensure proper coaching and player education.”

Dress code

The rules subcommittee pro-

posed that players wear leg coverings from the top of their shoes to the bottom of their pants. Players would have to wear the same covering style and colors for that particular game. Players out of compliance with the rule would have to leave the game for at least one down and correct the issue A team would receive a warning for the first offense.

If a team has a second offense under this proposal, the offending team would be given a 5-yard penalty Any subsequent violations of the rule would result in a 15-yard penalty

“The current look of the uniform is clearly not meeting the expectations of the college football community,” Edds said. “This will take a collective effort by administrators, coaches and officials to communicate expectations to players and equipment managers. This proposal, we be-

Imai throws scoreless inning during Astros debut

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai threw a 10-pitch scoreless inning and was struck by a comebacker in his spring training debut for the Houston Astros on Thursday against the New York Mets. Imai allowed a leadoff single to Marcus Semien, whose sharp hit ricocheted off the pitcher’s lower right leg and went into foul territory Imai was checked by an athletic trainer and stayed in the game.

The 27-year Imai was a threetime All-Star in Japan before agreeing in January to a $54 million, three-year contract with the Astros. Houston lost Framber Valdez when he left as a free agent and signed with Detroit.

Eight of Imai’s 10 pitches were strikes, and he threw only sinkers and changeups.

Jets trade rusher Johnson for Titans tackle Sweat

The New York Jets have agreed to trade pass rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday Johnson will be reunited with Titans coach Robert Saleh, who was the Jets head coach when New York drafted the defensive end in the first round with the 22nd overall pick out of Florida State in 2022. He’ll also be back with defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who was his position coach with the Jets his first three seasons.

The trade of Johnson leaves the Jets with just one of their firstround picks from 2022: wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was taken 10th overall that year

Scherzer returns to Blue Jays on $3M, 1-year deal

NEW YORK — Max Scherzer is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays. Two weeks into spring training, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed with the reigning American League champions on a $3 million, oneyear contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press early Thursday

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.

The 41-year-old Scherzer can earn another $10 million in performance bonuses, starting with 65 innings pitched. He gets $1 million for 65 innings and each additional 10 through 155.

Ethiopia’s Welteji banned over a missed drug test

LAUSANNE, Switzerland One of the world’s top middle-distance runners has been banned for two years in a dispute over a missed drug test which overshadowed the opening of last year’s world championships. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, the silver medalist in the women’s 1,500 meters at the 2023 world championships, was ruled to be “negligent” in failing to comply with an attempt to collect a doping test sample last year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Thursday World Athletics wanted a fouryear ban but CAS reduced the sanction, accepting Welteji’s rules violation wasn’t intentional. The two-year ban ends in June 2027, when Welteji will be 25, and means she could qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

lieve, is definitive and gives us a chance for consistent enforcement across Division I football.”

Fair catch kick

Under a proposal, a team could choose to attempt a fair catch kick after a completed or awarded fair catch. The kick would be a field goal place kick with a holder or a drop kick from the spot where the returner caught the ball. The defense would be at least 10 yards from the spot of the kick. If the ensuing kick goes through the uprights, it would be worth three points.

Subcommittee members believe adding the rule would align Division I rules with those in the NFL and high school football. The rarely used play came up in 2024 in the NFL when the Los Angeles Chargers’ Cameron Dicker converted from 57 yards against Denver

No. 1 Thitikul struggles in first round of championship SINGAPORE Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul struggled during the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship on Thursday shooting a 1-over 73 to trail the leader by seven strokes.

Thitikul won last week’s tournament in her native Thailand and is among nine out of the top 10 players entered in the Singapore LPGA stop on the Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course. American Auston Kim birdied two of her final three holes for a 66 and a one-stroke lead over China’s Yan Liu. Five players were tied for third with 68s, including No. 12-ranked Haeran Ryu. Defending champion Lydia

“Yeah, but you’ve got to earn it every weekend, and I think there’s definitely guys that are nipping on some heels,” Deggs said. “You’ve got to earn that thing. So it’s a big weekend for us against a good ballclub.” Lee Amedee led off the bottom of the 11th with a walk. On the first pitch to Markle, Amedee took off and Markle hit a shot just inches away from a double down the left field line. The next pitch was a curveball away He swung and missed as Amedee was caught stealing at second base.

“It’s baseball,” Markle said. “Every pitch is different, and every situation they come and go. So you just kind of have to bounce back and be ready for anything ” Markle was certainly ready for the fastball he got later in the at-bat, hitting it long and deep to left for the game-winner “It was a heater right down the middle,” Markle laughed.

UL coach Matt Deggs was pleased to watch Markle seize the hero’s role.

CAJUNS

Continued from page 1C

In addition to Hart on offense, junior transfer righthander Sage Hoover (2-2, 3.26 ERA) has made the biggest jump to being the Friday night starter come Sun Belt play Host Texas A&M is the most accomplished team in the tournament with a 10-6 record and a ton of good losses. Those six setbacks are to Oregon 2-1, Nebraska 8-2, Texas Tech 3-2, UCLA 157, Oklahoma State 9-8 and Duke 8-6.

The Aggies are hitting .352 as a team with 22 homers –led by Kennedy Powell (.480, 1 HR, 8 RBIs), Mya Perez (.447, 4 HRs, 15 RBIs) and Micaela Wark (.320, 8 HRs,

LSU

Continued from page 1C

importance to the Tigers’ title hopes. Clark said no dual meet was worth the prospect of losing Lincoln at championship time because of a fullblown Achilles injury “We have to be cautious with Kaliya,” Clark said. “We need that floor routine for the postseason.”

 AMARI DRAYTON

An explosive and dynamic gymnast, Drayton had some issues on floor early in the season, similar to what former LSU gymnast and 2024 Olympian Aleah Finnegan experienced in 2025. Drayton posted three floor scores of 9.775 or lower in three of the Tigers’ first four meets. But Drayton appears to have fixed those problems, going 9.95, 9.95 and 9.925 on floor the past three meets, tying for first at OU in that event with Chio and Lexi Zeiss. In all, the junior from

NFL

Continued from page 1C

Year 3 after disappointing seasons that saw both clubs narrowly miss out on the playoffs. And if Aaron Rodgers decides to call it quits, the Pittsburgh Steelers — who did make the postseason — would be another potential landing spot for Carr

There seems to be no consensus yet on whether the interest in Carr is mutual.

Any team pinning its hopes on Carr in 2026 would have to feel comfortable enough with a signal-caller who hasn’t played football in a year and had a shoulder injury that caused “significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff,” according to the Saints. Carr also turns 35 in March. That said, Carr could benefit from what appears to be a relatively weak free agent quarterback class.

“He’s a guy that’s always been tagged, and, and, you know, you can wear it like a weight around your neck sometimes with that word ‘potential’ and ‘prospect’,” Deggs said. “I think something like that goes a long way for him, because all the tools are there. It’s just a matter of putting it all together

He’s a big piece of clay, man — meaning he’s got a really, really high ceiling.”

Markle opened last season at shortstop and then broke his hand. He returned and showed some encouraging signs.

“Coming off of last year, we don’t really like to talk about last year, but, I mean, that did happen and we just had to keep working,” Markle said “We worked our butt off all off-season, and to come out here and, you know play our best baseball.

“And not even our best yet I don’t think we’ve played our best baseball yet.”

This year, Markle opened at third base.

“He’s figuring it out defensively, and hopefully this will givehimaboostinconfidence, and we’ll get some of that offense going,” Deggs said.

Amedee began the scoring with a double in the first inning and scored on Rigoberto Hernandez’s sacrifice fly.

21 RBIs). In the circle, A&M has a 3.75 team ERA with only 26 walks and 108 strikeouts in 102.2 innings.

Sidne Peters (4-1, 2.77, 35.1 IP, 42 K) has the most appearances and Sydney Lessentine (4-1, 3.21, 32.2 IP 30 K) has made the most starts.

St. Mary’s enters the tournament 8-5, including wins over Long Beach State 13-10 and Hawaii 4-2 and a loss to No. 22 South Carolina 4-2.

St. Mary’s is hitting .271 as a team with eight homers, led by a trio of hitters in outfielder Hannah Ferguson (.455, 1 HR, 4 RBIs), designated player Braxton Brown (.393, 3 HRs 12 RBIs) and shortstop Sam Buckley (.381, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs) In the circle, the Gaels have a 3.71 ERA with 33 walks and 60 strikeouts in

Spring, Texas, has posted scores of 9.90 or better in eight of her past 12 routines. “She’s as confident as I’ve ever seen her,” Clark said.

 KONNOR MCCLAIN

It’s been an up-and-down season for McClain, the 2021 U.S. gymnastics all-around champion who has perfect 10s on bars and beam on her resume.

The junior has been good to great on bars in 2026 with a 9.975 and a 9.95 and nothing less than a 9.825. But she’s been surprisingly wobbly on beam with just two scores above 9.80. Adding more uncertainty to the mix, McClain injured her forearm in warmups on bars at Oklahoma and was held out of the meet entirely Clark had his initial concerns — McClain required an X-ray when the Tigers returned home but he said Thursday she is cleared to compete in all events How well she competes and in how many events, remains to be seen. McClain may be LSU’s most purely talented

And if a team wants Carr, the Saints still hold his contractual rights — meaning the sides would have to hammer out a trade for a deal to happen.

The saga is far from over In the meantime, here’s what else the Times-Picayune has heard during various conversations at the league’s busiest convention: Taylor mix

If New Orleans cornerback Alontae Taylor hits the open market once his contract expires in March, as is the current expectation, keep an eye on the Las Vegas Raiders for his services. There would be familiarity there after the Raiders hired Klint Kubiak and retained Joe Woods Taylor’s former defensive coordinator — to be on the new coach’s staff. Eric Stokes, the Raiders’ No. 1 corner is also set to be a free agent, and so if Las

Kansas State doubled and scored on Grant Gallagher’s RBI single in the sixth.

The Cajuns got a gift run in the eighth on a throwing error after a throw to first to complete a strikeout.

Gallagher’s solo homer to center to lead off the ninth, though, forced extra innings.

The Wildcats’ two runs kept UL starter Tyler Papenbrock from being a winner after only allowing no runs on one hit, one walk and three strikeouts over 69 pitches.

“I was just trying to stay the course, doing what Coach Sandy’s (Taylor Sandefur) asking us to do — pound the zone, get ahead, keep that defense active,” Papenbrock said. “So, yeah, just same mindset.

“I was maybe a little more heavy on the fastball tonight. I’m just trying to get in favorable counts and keep the ball in play.”

He was followed by Cole Flanagan, Parker Smith and Bryce Wilson Smith gave up one run in three innings with three strikeouts, while Wilson got the win with two shutout innings.

“What a great job by him,” Deggs said of Wilson. “I call him the pirate, little Bryce Wilson, man. Don’t sleep on him, man.”

85 innings.

Odhi Vasquez (2-2, 3 saves, 2.49 ERA) is a closer with opponents only batting .136 against, while the most starts made by Mia Nishikawa (3-0, 3.05, 20.2 IP) and Ella Thurman (2-1, 3.41, 24.2 IP).

Kennesaw State is 3-9 with losses to Appalachian State 9-3 and Nicholls 12-2 in five innings.

The batting order is only hitting .257 with four homers. The pitching staff has a 5.88 team ERA with 103 hits, 68 walks and only 39 strikeouts in 72.2 innings.

“What we’ve learned so far is that everybody is good enough to beat us,” Habetz said. “You can’t show up with ‘Cajuns’ across your jersey and expect that people are going to roll over They want to beat you.”

gymnast, but needs to show it more consistently in the second half of the season.

 LEXI ZEISS

The sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, has emerged as one of the Tigers’ most solid and consistent performers, competing in three events in each meet. She only has three of 21 scores above 9.90, though that includes the 9.925 at OU in her first floor performance this season, but just two scores below 9.80.

 MADISON ULRICH

The junior transfer from the University of Denver was expected to be a big contributor to this team after earning three All-American honors at last year’s NCAA Championships. Ulrich hasn’t disappointed. She won the all-around title at Georgia — the only LSU gymnast other than Chio to compete as an all-arounder — and took first place on bars earlier this month against Penn State. She’s become a standout on bars, posting four straight scores of 9.90 or better

Vegas can’t re-sign him, its need for a top corner would become even more magnified. But even if Stokes returns, Taylor could slot in at nickel.

Moore’s staff

Saints assistant special teams coach Kyle Wilber interviewed for Green Bay’s special-teams coordinator vacancy after the Packers saw Rich Bisaccia surprisingly step down. Though Wilber, a former linebacker, was coached by Bisaccia and worked under him in 2024 in Green Bay, the expectation is that he’s likely to stay with the Saints next season. If that happens, it would be yet another sign that coach Kellen Moore’s staff is staying almost entirely intact. Jahri Evans remains the lone departure, as the assistant offensive line coach made a lateral jump to the Steelers. The Saints plan to fill Evans’ role soon.

LSU topples Lady Vols

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Tennessee shifted over toward Mikaylah Williams. So the LSU women’s basketball team’s star junior peered across the lane and roped a pass over the defense and down to Flau’jae Johnson, who buried a 3-pointer from the corner That bucket was an important one. It didn’t just give the No. 6 Tigers a 12-point lead in the third quarter It also marked the point at which they

took control of their 89-73 win over the Lady Vols on Thursday — a victory orchestrated by their threestar guards. Williams tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 18 points, grabbed six boards, blocked four shots and assisted three others. Johnson, on her senior night, shot only 3 of 10 from the field and 3 of 9 at the free-throw line but still finished with 10 points, becoming one of four LSU contributors to score in

double figures. The Tigers have now clinched a double bye in the SEC Tournament for the fifth year in a row Tennessee runs a unique system. Second-year coach Kim Caldwell makes hockey-style line changes, engages a full-court press for the whole game and encourages the Lady Vols to let their 3-pointers fly They’re certainly dangerous But they did enter Thursday’s matchup with losses in seven of their last nine games.

Ascension Episcopal falls to Northlake Christian

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

It wasn’t supposed to end this way In what has been a rollercoaster season for Ascension Episcopal, it appeared the Blue Gator boys were playing their best soccer Looking to hoist its first soccer state championship trophy on Wednesday, the Blue Gators were beaten 2-0 by Northlake Christian in the Division IV title game at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond.

“I think we played well,” senior captain Cameron Foret said. “We weren’t nervous like last year’s final. We played with confidence. It’s a rough sport and sometimes the team who has more possessions loses the game and I think that’s what happened.”

“I would say we played very well overall,” senior Hayes Trotter said. “I believe that there were periods of the game where we were the superior team, dominating the game. I thought we started kind of slow and lacked some in-

tensity at time. Overall, we played very hard, but it just didn’t go our way.”

It’s the second consecutive year the Blue Gators finished as the state runner-up.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of,” Foret said.

“This group of guys, the coaches and myself built this program into something special in just four years. It hurts bot winning, but you have to smile a little when you think of where we brought this program.”

“There is a sense of accomplishment making the state championship back-toback, making school history two years in a row,” Trotter said. “It still does hurt that we couldn’t get the big one. I know that’s what the team and myself really wanted.”

The Blue Gators (13-9), who had a five-match win streak snapped, held their opponents in the postseason to five goals. Two of those goals came Wednesday against a Wolverines team that hadn’t lost since Dec. 29.

“You can’t magically make a state final; we knew they would be good,” Foret

said. “But so were we It was an amazing matchup.” It’s the Wolverines’ fourth state championship and their first since 2019.

After a scoreless first half, Northlake Christian’s junior Harry Wall gave the Wolverines a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute after beating the Blue Gators’ goalkeeper to the ball and heading it into the net. It was a bit of a controversy goal, as it appeared Wall was offsides.

“If you ask an Ascension fan, they say ‘offsides,’ ” Foret said. “If you ask the Northlake fans, they say ‘onside.’ It’s hard to tell whether he was on or off, but after the goal went in, I just tried to keep everyone calm.” In the final minutes of the match, Northlake Christian’s senior Gaven Clasen extended the Wolverines lead to 2-0 when he put a pass from Gabriel Gonzalez in the back of net in the 77th minute. The Blue Gators entered the final averaging more than five goals per match in the playoffs but found shots hard to come by against the Wolverines’ defense.

Teurlings hoping to sweep soccer titles

Boys, girls to play back to back for championships

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

It’s always special when a team gets to play for a state championship. When a school has a boys and girls team of the same sport with a chance to win state titles it’s even more special.

Teurlings Catholic’s soccer teams have that chance Friday in Hammond in their respective Division II championship games at Strawberry Stadium.

“It’s a great feeling,” girls coach Dave Lapeyrouse said. “It’s awesome to also reach the final at the same time as the boys. They were there last year and we were close, but we lost in the semifinals. For both programs to get to the final and be able to play back to back, you know it is going to be a fun atmosphere.”

The No. 5-seeded Teurlings girls will face No. 2 St. Scholastica at

Teurlings Catholic’s Justyse George, left, and Ben Franklin’s Elodie Colon battle for the ball during their quarterfinal playoff on Feb 10, 2025, at Teurlings. George is hoping to help the Rebels win a girls state soccer title Friday in Hammond.

5 p.m. followed by the No. 3 Rebels boys playing No. 4 Prairieville at 7:30 p.m.

It will be the first year since 2009 both programs have reached the final.

“I remember when I was coaching the girls at ESA and both of our

teams made it to the finals,” boys coach Stephen Devine said. “It was awesome. We didn’t play on the same day, but it was an awesome experience, and it was in Lafayette

“I think we are going to have that same type of support in Hammond. Even people that don’t have kids at

Teurlings are going to be willing to make the drive to support the soccer community.”

Teurlings’ girls will face two-time reigning champion St. Scholastica, which ended St. Thomas More’s title streak last season. St. Scholastica won the Division I title two years ago.

“They have a winning tradition,”

Lapeyrouse said of the New Orleans school. “They’ve got a great coach (Glenn Benjamin) over there, so I know they are going to be prepared. It’s going to be a battle.”

The match provides an opportunity for Teurlings (15-6-3) to win the program’s first state title since 2019 and avenge last year’s semifinals loss to SSA.

“It’s going to be one of those things where if we can go in and just play our game and put together a good performance, we’re going to hang around and make it competitive,” said Lapeyrouse, whose team is 7-0-1 in their past eight matches.

“If we can make some plays, we can shock somebody and get a good result. I like our chances.”

The Rebels boys are facing a Prairieville team that has only been around for two years.

“Prairieville has some decent size,” Devine said “They’re fairly

athletic and I know they have had some really good wins this year They are going to try everything they can to win the state title this year.”

Prairieville has allowed just one goal in the playoffs and only two goals in its past nine matches.

However, Devine has been pleased with the way his team is playing.

“We’ve been doing a lot of good things at the right time,” Devine said. “We’ve got some players that are really experienced. Things are coming along for us I hate saying that we are peaking at the right time, because I don’t want to jinx us. But we’ve been doing a lot of good things.”

Devine said the experience his team received from last year’s runner-up finish was valuable.

“The thing we noticed about Holy Cross last year was their body language. The way they acted, they weren’t fazed at times,” Devine said. “You could tell that their experience helped them in that game. So if that experience from last year’s loss helps us be successful, then I’ll take it.”

Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.

12 Acadiana area baseball position players to watch this season

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

The high school baseball season is underway, and several Acadiana-area teams are viewed as title contenders in their divisions.

The area had three state champions — Teurlings Catholic (Division II select), Catholic-New Iberia (Division III select) and Vermilion Catholic (Division IV select) — last season. Add in state runner-up Erath (Division III nonselect), semifinalist

St. Thomas More (Division I select) and another six quarterfinal teams a year ago, and it’s safe to say expectations are high again in 2026.

Here are 12 area position players to watch this season.

Landon Granger, Acadiana (Sr.)

The Nunez Community College signee, who has the versatility to play shortstop and in the outfield, had a big season as a junior after hitting 378 with six doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs, 28 runs and 18 stolen bases for the Rams, who reached the Division I select quarterfinals

Preston Peebles, Ascension Episcopal (Sr.)

A multisport athlete, Peebles is one of the team’s top hitters. As a junior the shortstop hit .424 with eight doubles, 18 RBIs, 31 runs and 25 stolen bases and was named the District 6-1A Most Valuable Player

Will Power, Teurlings Catholic, (Sr.)

One of the team’s top hitters, Power was clutch in leading the Rebels to the state championship. He hit .460 with one home run, nine doubles, one triple, 36 RBIs, 45 runs and nine stolen bases in 2025.

Griffin Doucet, Notre Dame (Sr.)

Another multisport athlete, the outfielder is one of the Pios’ top bats. As a junior, Doucet hit .368 with a double, a triple, 13 RBIs, 26 runs and 19 stolen bases for a team that advanced to the Division III select regionals.

Will Simon, Vermilion Catholic (Sr.)

Known for his versatility on the football field, Simon has also been stout at shortstop. As a junior, he hit .329 with one home run, seven doubles, one triple, 28 RBIs while scoring 28 runs and stealing 15 bases to help the Eagles win the state championship.

Sebastian Rideaux, Acad. Renai (Jr.)

Arguably the Eagles’ best all-around player, Rideaux established himself as one of the area’s top pitchers. As a sophomore, Rideaux hit .305 with a .463 on-base percentage. He had four doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs, 42 runs and 25 stolen bases for ARCA, which lost in the second round of the Division II select playoffs. On the mound, the left-hander went 6-2 with a 2.40 ERA.

title run last season. As a junior the Nicholls State quarterback signee hit .333 with a .475 on-base percentage. Of his 36 hits, Landry had four home runs, seven doubles, 25 RBIs and scored 29 runs.

Alex Landry, North Vermilion (Sr.)

The Gulf Coast State (Florida) College signee is a key to the Patriots’ lineup. As a junior outfielder, Landry hit .296 with two home runs, nine doubles, 33 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and 23 runs as North Vermilion reached the quarterfinals.

John Parker Trahan, Opelousas Cath. (Sr.)

A cornerstone of the Vikings’ lineup, Trahan is among the area’s top college prospects. Although he remains uncommitted, Trahan showed off his talents as a junior when he hit .347 with 10 doubles and 31 RBIs to help the Vikings reach the quarterfinals.

Lannie Reed, St. Edmund (Sr.)

Aiden Lebouef, St. Thomas More (Jr.)

The Cougars’ first baseman is off to a fast start this season. In 10 games, the junior is batting .562 with a .632 on-base percentage. He also has three doubles, one triple, five RBIs and five runs for the 7-3 Cougars.

Jack Landry, Erath (Sr.)

One of the better hitters in the area, Landry was a tough out in the Bobcats’ state

A dynamic outfielder who affects the game with his bat, speed and glove, Reed hit .284 with 11 RBIs and 21 stolen bases last year as a junior

Bryce Stelly, Eunice (Jr.)

Stelly roams center field for the Bobcats, but has shown the ability to play anywhere on the field. As a sophomore, he hit .398 with 17 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and scored 47 runs. Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@ theadvocate.com.

Friday

DIVISION II No. 24 Woodlawn-Shreveport at No. 9 Opelousas, 6 p.m. Friday No. 25 Rayne at No. 8 West Feliciana, 6:30 p.m. Friday No. 28 Iota at No. 5 Franklin Parish, 6 p.m. Friday No. 21 North Vermilion at No. 12 Abbeville, 7 p.m. Friday No. 20 St. Martinville at No. 13 Assumption, 6:30 p.m. Friday No. 22 Cecilia at No. 11 Sterlington, 6 p.m. Friday No. 27 Breaux Bridge at No. 6 DeRidder, 6:30 p.m. Friday No. 2 Northwest (bye)

DIVISION III No. 28 Winnfield at No. 5 Mamou, 6:30 p.m. Friday No. 27 Crowley at No. 6 Red River, 6:30 p.m. Friday No. 18 Church Point at No. 15 Port Allen

DIVISION IV No. 24 West St. John at No. 9 North Central, 6 p.m. Friday No. 22 White Castle at No. 11 Jeanerette, 6:30 p.m. Friday No. 26 Mangham at No. 7 Midland, 6 p.m. Friday Select playoffs

DIVISION I No. 20 Pineville at No. 13 Lafayette High, 7 p.m. Friday No. 18 Bonnabel at No. 15 Carencro, 6 p.m. Friday No. 4 St. Thomas More (bye) No. 5 Teurlings Catholic (bye)

DIVISION II No. 24 Sophie B. Wright vs. No. 9 David Thibodaux (at Comeaux), 6 p.m. Friday No. 21 Haynes at No. 12 Northside, 6:30 p.m. Friday DIVISION III No. 24 Sarah T. Reed at No. 9 Catholic-NI No. 21 Pope John Paul II at No. 12 Lafayette Christian, 6 p.m. Friday No. 18 Notre Dame at No. 15 Jefferson Rise Charter, 6:30 p.m. Friday No. 5 Lafayette Renaissance (bye) DIVISION IV No. 20 Hanson at No. 13 Westminster Christian No. 19 Ascension Catholic at No. 14 JS Clark, 7 p.m.

On another level

Chal 3p.m. is de

Watch theLSU gymnastics team compete in the 2026 NCAAPodium lenge, apremierwomen’smeet takingplace on an elevated podium,at Sundayinthe Raising Cane’sRiver Center Arena. The neutral-site event signed to simulate the postseason atmosphere of conference matchups and nationals.$24-$46. ticketmaster.com

NEW YORK CAT FILM FESTIVAL

Presented by the Manship Theatre, in partnership with CatHaven 2p.m. Saturday l Manship Theatre in the ShawCenter for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. l $12.50 l manshiptheatre.org

PROVIDED PHOTOS FROM GETTy IMAGES/ STAFFILLUSTRATION By CHRISTOPHER MARTIN

La.’sMarc

Broussardreleases double single ahead of newalbum

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

BY ROBIN MILLER | Staff writer

And the Meowscar goes to Well, you be the judge on Saturday when theManship Theatre plays host to the eighth annual NewYork Cat Film Festival. The eventwill include 21 short films from throughout the world, allwithcats on thetop bill.

The festival will runfrom 2p.m.to4p.m., and though therewon’t be an actual awards show at theend, you’re welcome to decide on afavorite worthyofyourpersonal Meowscar Will it be the twogingersdelivering theweather report in “Cats EyewitnessNews” or “Alfred Hitchcat Presents ‘Banquo’sChair,’”where acat detective investigates amysteryat amansion inhabited by feline ghosts?

ä See CATS, page 6C

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

Feature-length films get most of theOscarattention, butthere are little gems to be foundinthis year’snominated short films, or shorts. In advance of the 98th Academy Awards at 7p.m. Sunday, March 15, on ABC, Films at Manship is once again rolling out the Oscar-NominatedShowings Series, and that includes twoeveningsand one afternoonofshorts screenings in the categories of animation, live action and documentary ShortsTV and Magnolia Pictures are presenting the series for the 21st consecutive year All

‘The Three Sisters’ tells the storyof atrioofsiblings wholiveona remote island.

COM

Prolific Louisiana singer-songwriter Marc Broussard released adouble single last weekfrom his upcoming “Chance Worth Taking” album,due out April 17. Thefirstsong,“No More, is described as “a sweeping cinematic blues ballad framing Broussard’syearning vocal with stately strings and(Joe) Bonamassa’ssoaring guitar,” according to anewsrelease. “‘Fever’ delivers aslinky,modern roadhouse groove, driven by funky rhythm guitars, punchy horns, (Josh) Smith’sstinging leads, and an insistent beat.” The newalbum,Broussard’s first all-original blues soul project, unites the Carencro native with producerBonamassa, along with Smith and Calvin Turner.It’sa14-track collection featuring guitar solos on 10 tracks, including three songs co-written with Broussard.

“The songwriting felt like a fever dream of creativity and inspiration. Joe and his band areamong thebestmusiciansin the world, and everything came together seamlessly,” Broussard said. “It was an incredible weekwith an amazing group of people.” Formerly soul-focused Broussard said he’sgetting his education in the blues from veteran blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Bonamassa, and blues guitarist Smith.

“Whenwegot into the studio, Joe wasn’tfully convinced we hada bluesalbum, so he added to the songs we alreadyhad,and we wrote three others together In the end, we got to thepromised land,” Broussard also said in the newsrelease.

Among the album’s tracks are:

n The jaunty,swinging “Let Me Take YouOut Tonight” n The horn-riff-driven “Blame,” which brings in Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Reese Wynans n The ’80s-inspired ballad “These Walls” n Soul ballad “Chance Worth Taking,” withagospel-tinged chorus n The brassy,booty-shaking “Laissez Les Bons TempsRouler,” co-written by Trombone Shorty and Broussard Broussard and Bonamassa previously teamed up on their 2023 release, “SOS 4Bluesfor Your Soul.” The blues and soul classics collection debuted at No. 1onBillboard’sBlues ä See BROUSSARD, page 6C

Find healthysnacksfor children

Dear Heloise: To Susan L., as aretired registereddietitian who specialized in pediatrics, Iabsolutely do not recommend popsicles as asnack. They are high in simple sugars and can be high in added sugar,with limited vitamins and minerals and no fiber.There are numerous other healthy snacks that are not high in sugar,such as hummus withvegetable sticks or cheese with wholegrain, low-sugar crackers. Although fresh fruit contains natural sugar,itisnot sticky and has vitamins and fiber —Dena G., viaemail

Hints from Heloise

used barofsoaps as opposedtoshowergel. Every time Ibuy asix-pack of bars, Iopenthe box at oneend and leave it in my linencloset. It hardens the bars, and they last longeronce I use them. It alsogives offa nicefragrance in the closet! —Janet B. in Ohio

Janet, Ihavetoadmit, I love bars of soap. They usually carry such anice scent, andonce they are wet (even after drying out), they still smellnice. —Heloise No processedfoods

Hardened bars of soap

Dear Heloise: I’dlike to add my two cents to the “bar of soap” saga. Ihave always

Dear Readers: We have another reader whopresented their view on sticky sweets for children.Take alook below —Heloise

Dear Heloise: At home, Isee to it that my children eat

only healthy food. Since I’m astay-at-home mom, Isee to it that junk food never crosses our threshold. However,you can’tstop kids from buying candy sodas and chips when they are away from home. Some children may not really like someofthe junk food that their friends eat, but they “go along toget along. Iusually point out tomy family that none of them have ever had asick day, not even when COVID was rampant.They see adentist annually,and of mythree children, only one has a filling in her back molar Genetics may play arole in their health, but Ibelieve that diet is very important. —Grace H., in Sioux City,Iowa Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Cat Havenwill be conducting onsitecat adoptions during the Newyork CatFilm Festival on Saturdayatthe Manship Theatre.

CATS

Continued from page5C

Or it couldbe“DailyTabby,” amockumentary focused on acat who happens to be an emotional support animal at a collegecampus and her point of view about the students and their activities But it doesn’thave to be one of those three. There are plenty from which to choose. Who knows? Youjust may like them all. And that’spart of the fun of this festival that not only presents felines as actors but also as animated characters.

“This year marks areturn of the film festival to the Manship Theatre,” said Kelly Swift, the theater’s film programming manager and social media curator “Wehaven’tpresented it in afew years. It’sthe eighth annual New York Cat Film Festival, but we screened it over fouryears in arow then we missed acouple years. So, it’sexciting to bring it back to the theater, because it’salways really a popular event.”

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,Feb. 27, the 58th day of 2026.There are 307 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Feb. 27, 1933, Germany’sparliament building, the Reichstag, was gutted by fire; Chancellor Adolf Hitler,blaming communists, used the fire to justify suspending civil liberties. Also on this date: In 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began during World WarII; Imperial Japanese naval forces scored adecisive victory over the Allies. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting apresident to two terms in office, was ratified In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai issued the Shanghai Communique, ahistoric joint statement that called for normalizing relations between their countries, at the conclusion of Nixon’shistoric visit to China.

The theater is hosting the eventinpartnership with Cat Haven, which will be conducting cat adoptions onsite.

“They’re going to have actual cats onsite for adoption, and we’re giving someofthe proceeds from thefestival to CatHaven for their operations,” Swift said. As for the lineup,Swift said 70 filmsfrom 14 countries weresubmitted to the New York CatFilm Festival from which the 21 best were chosen. The films run between fourand seven minutes.

Thefestival was founded by TracieHotchner,a nationally acclaimed petwellness advocate and author Since 2006, she has been producing andhostingher own hour-long radio show “Dog Talk (and Kitties, Too!)” from WLIW-FM, 88.3, the only NPRstationonLong Island, where she interviews petexperts and authors aroundthe world

She also produced and hosted her own live call-in show,“CatChat,” on the Martha Stewart channel of SiriusXM until it was canceled,then continued pro-

TODAYINHISTORY

In 1973, members of the American Indian Movement occupiedthe hamlet of Wounded Knee in South Dakota, thesite of the1890 massacre of Sioux men, women and children;the occupation would last forover two months. In 1991, Operation Desert Storm came to aconclusion as President George H.W.Bush declared in a White House address that “Kuwait is liberated,Iraq’s army is defeated,” and announced that the allies would suspend combat operations at midnight,Eastern time. In 1997, Ireland became one of thelast countries in the world to legalize divorce. Divorce remains illegal in just two countries: thePhilippines andVatican City In 2010, in Chile, an 8.8 magnitudeearthquake and subsequent tsunami killed 525 people andcaused upto $30 billion in damage and a majorpower blackout.

In 2022, Russian Presi-

PROVIDED PHOTO

Catch CurleyTaylor &ZydecoTrouble starting at 8a.m. SaturdayatBuck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge

SHOWSTOWATCH —ACADIANA

FRIDAY

LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan CompanyPie Bar,New Iberia, 5p.m

ALL HAPPENING: Adopted DogBrewing,Lafayette, 6p.m

AUDREY BROUSSARD: Charley G’sSeafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m

KATIE KENNEY: Prejean’s Broussard, 6p.m

FRIDAYNIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson,6 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s

Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery Lafayette, 6p.m

DOYLE TAUZIN: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

RON &BUBBAMEAUX JO

EXPERIENCE: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.

BREAUX MUNHOZ BRAZILLIAN JAZZ: Whiskey and Vine,Lafayette, 7p.m

STEVE RILEY: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7p.m

SUPERCOLLIDER (COMEDY): Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.

ducing it as apodcast.

Hotchner alsoisfounder of the New York Dog Film Festival.Boththe dogand catfestivalspremierein New York in the fallthen travel the country

The New York Cat Film Festival website, catfilmfestival.com, describesthe inspirationbehind its format this way:

“Cats have their own unique and indescribable bond withpeople —even when living independently as community cats. For far too long, felines have been the ‘invisible’ part of the human-animal bond and it’s time to shine the spotlight on these magnificent creatures and the humans devotedto them.”

Swift is alreadyseeing that spotlight shining on the festival’sstopatthe Manship Theatre.

“Ticketsare selling fast,” she said. “It’s apopular event, andit’scomeclose to selling out in the past. And we’ve already solda lotof tickets for this year’s event.”

Email RobinMiller at romiller@theadvocate. com.

dent Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated EastWest tensions by ordering nuclear forces put on high alert while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to talks with Moscow as Russia’stroops and tanks drove deeper intothe country

Today’sbirthdays: Actor Joanne Woodward is 96. Football Hall of Famer RaymondBarry is 93. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is 92. Broadcast journalist Charlayne HunterGault is 84. Rock musician Neal Schon (Journey) is 72. Actor TimothySpall is 69. Democratic U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire is 68. Basketball Hall of Famer James Worthy is 65. Actor Noah Emmerich is 61. Jockey Kent Desormeaux is 56. Singer Chilli (TLC) is 55. Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez is 50. Author Chelsea Clinton is 46. Singer Josh Groban is 45. Actor Kate Mara is 43. Pop singer Ten is 30.

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m.

THREE AM: Rock ‘n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9p.m

SATURDAY

CURLEY TAYLOR &ZYDECO

TROUBLE: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 8a.m

TROYLEJEUNE BAND: Fred’s, Mamou,8 a.m.

CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9a.m

SATURDAY MORNING JAM

SESSIONS: The SavoyMusic Center,Eunice,9 a.m.

CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC JAM: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m

CAJUN JAMSESSION: Touchet’s Bar,Maurice, 2p.m THE MINTLLYILLBILLIES: Adopted DogBrewing,Lafayette, 5p.m

JACK WOODSON: Charley G’sSeafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m

SHORTS

Continuedfrom page5C

at the Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. Tickets are$12.50 at manshiptheatre.org.

Animated shorts 6p.m.Saturday

The lineup, with synopses from theManship, features:

“The Three Sisters”: “A whimsical slice of life in simple 2D animation about three sisters who live on aremote island. When aburly sailor becomes theirunexpected tenant, the storyunfolds in wordlesssight gags and quiet moments, exploring routines, subtle humor,and humanconnectionsinsmall domestic spaces.”

“Forevergreen”: “A touching nature-centered fable about the bond between an orphaned bear cub and anurturing tree that becomes its surrogate parent.What begins as ajoyful and serene

BROUSSARD

Continuedfrom page5C

Album Chart.Continuing his “SOS” philanthropic album series, Broussard also released “SOS 5: Songs of

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery Lafayette, 6p.m.

PRENTICE JAMES: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m.

JADA AND KEVIN: TapRoom, Youngsville,6:30 p.m

JIM AND SLIM: Buck & Johnny’s, BreauxBridge 6:30 p.m THE TROUBADOUR: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m THE GOOD DUDES: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 7p.m.

KURTMETZGER: Club 337, Lafayette, 7p.m.

NEXT GEN ZYDECO: Silver Slipper,Arnaudville,7p.m.

TET DUR: Pat’s Atchafalaya Club,Henderson, 7p.m.

BAJAAJAZZ QUINTET: Whiskeyand Vine,Lafayette, 7p.m.

DYLAN AUCOIN& THE JUDICE

RAMBLERS: La PoussiereCajun Dancehall, BreauxBridge 8p.m.

AMIS DU TECHE: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m.

ONE TRICK PONY: Lakeview Park, Eunice,8 p.m

TRAVIS MATTE: Toby’s Lounge,Opelousas, 8:30 p.m

CHEE WEEZ PLUS FEWBLUE: Rock ‘n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9p.m.

SUNDAY GLENN ZERINGUE: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 11 a.m.

JAMBALAYA ACOUSTIC MUSIC JAM: Tom’s Fiddle&Bow Arnaudville, 12:30 p.m

LEROYTHOMAS &THE ZYDECO ROADRUNNERS: Vermilionville,Lafayette, 1p.m.

CAJUN JAM: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville, 2p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

MONDAY

PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Cafe Habana City, Lafayette, 11 a.m.

FILM SCREENING AND Q&A WITH DIRECTOR SIMON

MOUTAIROU: University of Lafayette —College of Liberal Arts, Lafayette, 5p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

woodland journey grows intoastory abouttemptation, danger, andthe selfless sacrifices that shape life.”

“The GirlWho Cried Pearls” (“La jeunefillequi pleurait desperles”):“Ahaunting fairytalelike fable set in early 20th century Montreal, where agirl’stears literally turn intopearls. Blending wonder with melancholy,this visually rich story explores the interplay of innocence, love, grief, and howpeople respond to beauty andloss.”

“Butterfly”: “A poeticand emotionally powerful short that followsthe life of Olympic swimmer Alfred Nakache, aJewish athlete who competed before, during and after World WarII. Through aseriesofmemory-like sequences tied to his last swim, the film traversestriumphs, heartbreak,traumaandresilienceagainstthe backdrop of history’sdarkest chapters.”

“Retirement Plan”: “A playful yet thoughtful animation that followsa mandaydreaming about all the grand

the’50s” this month. “SOS 5” benefits the nonprofit Love of People,basedin Lafayette.

After Marchtourdates across Germany, The Netherlands, France and the UK, the Louisiana singerreturns stateside for several

BLUEGRASS JAM: Citédes Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m

TUESDAY

KID’SCAJUN JAMNIGHT: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

TERRYHUVAL &FRIENDS: Prejean’s Restaurant,Lafayette, 6p.m.

GREENLIGHTSESSIONSOPEN MIC: Jefferson Street Greenroom, Lafayette, 7p.m.

WEDNESDAY

DULCIMERJAM: St. Landry VisitorCenter,Opelousas, 10 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

WANTED WEDNESDAY KARAOKE NIGHT: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Youngsville,6:30 p.m

OUR LADYOFLOURDES FOUNDATION CONCERTWITH ANDREW RIPP: Acadiana Center for theArts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.

THURSDAY LADIESNIGHT WITH DJ DONOVAN IN THE MIX: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 6p.m. ACOUSTIC LIVE MUSIC

THURSDAYS—LEIFMECHE: Calvary Creek,Broussard, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m. KARAOKE PARTY—PANDA ENTERTAINMENT: Black Bull, Youngsville,8p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Lafayette, 8p.m.

CompiledbyMarchaund Jones.Want yourvenue’s music listed? Email info/ photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY forthe following Friday’s paper

thingshe’llfinally do once he retires. With humor and gentle insight, the film reflects on aging, ambition, everyday reality andthe bittersweet gapbetween expectations andlife’s unpredictable path. Live action shorts

4p.m. Sunday n “The Singers” n “A Friend Of Dorothy” n “Butcher’sStain” n “Two People Exchanging Saliva” n “JaneAustin’sPeriod Drama” Documentaryshorts

7p.m. Wednesday n “Perfectly AStrangeness” n “The Devil Is Busy” n “Armed Only With ACamera:The Life And Death Of Brent Renaud” n “All The Empty Rooms” n “Children No More: Were And Are Gone” Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

tour stops in the South. Broussard’s nextLouisianaappearance will be May 1atthe NewOrleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

Trader Joe’s fried rice recalled over glass

LOS ANGELES Handle this with care: there could be glass in fried rice at Trader Joe’s.

The manufacturer, Ajinomoto Foods North America, recalled more than 3 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice that “may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically glass,” according to an alert issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food safety division.

The recall applies to batches of Trader Joe’s private-label chicken fried rice with soldby dates between Sept. 8 and Nov 17. The product, which contains stir-fried rice, vegetables, seasoned dark chicken meat and eggs, was sold nationwide in approximately one-pound plastic bags.

Trader Joe’s said that customers with recalled products can return them to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund.

Ajinomoto notified the USDA’s food safety division after receiving four consumer complaints about finding glass in their fried rice.

There have been no confirmed injuries tied to the product, according to the alert, which recommends consumers to return it or toss it out.

Ajinomoto did not respond to a request for comment

Trader Joe’s had 10 product recalls in 2025 affecting items like peaches, turkey wraps, and Cajun-style fettuccini alfredo, all recalled due to possible listeria contamination, according to a list on the company’s website.

Cottage cheese recalled from Walmart

Three varieties of cottage cheese sold under Walmart’s Great Value brand got yanked from stores in 24 states, including Louisiana and Mississippi, on potential pasteurization problems.

Manufact urer Saputo Cheese USA said while doing “pasteurizer troubleshooting exercises” with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the company and agency found “there’s the possibility liquid dairy ingredients used in the items (were) not being fully pasteurized according to state regulatory standards.”

Here’s what’s recalled, which should be returned to the store for a refund or thrown into the garbage :

n Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 4% milkfat minimum, 16-ounce containers, best by April 2; 24-ounce containers, best by April 2 or 3; 3-pound containers, best by April 1 or 2.

n Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 2% milkfat, 24-ounce containers, best by April 1, 2, or 3.

n Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24-ounce containers, best by April 1 or 3.

Frozen meatballs recalled nationwide

Nearly 9,500 pounds of ready-to-eat frozen, Italianstyle meatballs have been recalled nationwide after a consumer reported finding metal fragments inside the product according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The recall involves 32-ounce bags labeled “Bremer Family Size Italian Style Meatballs,” produced July 30, 2025 The packages carry a “Best By” date of Oct. 30, timestamps between 17:08 and 18:20, and the establishment number “EST 4286B” inside the USDA inspection mark. The issue surfaced after a consumer complaint about small pieces of metal found in one of the bags. No injuries or illnesses have been confirmed, federal officials said. Consumers are urged not to eat the meatballs. Instead, they should throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase.

BUSINESS

THEADVOCATE.COM/news/business

Decrease comes as spring home-buying season gets rolling

BY ALEX VEIGA Associated Press

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate slipped this week below 6% for the first time since late 2022, good news for home shoppers as the spring home-buying season gets rolling.

The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 5.98% from

6.01% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday One year ago, the rate averaged 6.76%.

The average rate has been hovering close to 6% this year This latest dip, its third decline in a row brings it to its lowest level since Sept. 8, 2022, when it was 5.89%.

Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.

Mortgage rates have been trending lower for months, helping drive a pickup in home sales the last four months of 2025, but not enough to lift the housing market out of its slump dating back to 2022 when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes remained stuck last year at 30-year lows. And more buyerfriendly mortgage rates this year weren’t enough to lift home sales last month. They posted the biggest monthly drop in nearly four years and the slowest annualized sales pace in more than two years.

However with the average rate on a 30-year mortgage now below 6% as the annual spring home-buying season begins, it could encourage prospective home shoppers who can afford to buy at current rates to shop for a home this spring “Assuming rates stay below 6%, buyers and sellers are going to start getting back into the market,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “March is when the spring home-buying season typically begins to ramp up and with rates at a three-and-a-half year low, it could be a barn burner of a spring home-buying season.”

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEWYORK The worst day for Nvidia’s stock since last spring dragged the U.S. market lower on Thursday, even though most stocks on Wall Street rose.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% following sharp swings earlier in the week driven by hopes and worries created by the artificial-intelligence revolution. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 17 points, or less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.2%.

Nvidia, whose chips are helping to power the AI boom, reported another stellar quarter of profit growth that breezed past analysts’ expectations. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that once again topped Wall Street’s estimates.

But such blowout performances have become so typical for Nvidia that they’re losing their oomph. Its stock sank 5.5% for worst loss since April.

“Our customers are racing to invest in AI compute — the factories powering the AI industrial revolution and their future growth,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said.

Worries are nevertheless rising that those customers may eventually curtail their

BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and MATT O’BRIEN Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Anthropic CEO

Dario Amodei said Thursday the artificial intelligence company “cannot in good conscience accede” to the Pentagon’s demands to allow wider use of its technology

The company said in a statement that it’s not walking away from negotiations but that new contract language received from the Defense Department “made virtually no progress on prevent-

spending on Nvidia’s chips and other AI investments amid doubts about whether they can make back their billions of dollars through future gains in productivity

Because Nvidia’s is the largest stock in the U.S. market by value, it has more influence on the S&P 500 than any other. It alone accounted for more than four-fifths of the S&P 500’s loss.

Despite Nvidia’s troubles, seven stocks rose in the S&P 500 for every three that fell. Among them was Salesforce, which climbed 4% after it likewise reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

It’s a return to gains for the stock, which is still down nearly 25% for the young year so far It’s been under pressure because of worries that AI-powered competitors could undercut its business.

Salesforce uses AI itself in its offerings that help customers manage relationships with their own customers. It also made several announcements that typically give a stock’s price a boost: It will send up to $50 billion to shareholders through buybacks of its stock, and it increased its dividend.

“Agentic AI is a tailwind for our business,” CEO Marc Benioff said.

Companies in industries as far flung as

ing Claude’s use for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons.”

The Pentagon’s top spokesperson has reiterated that the military wants to use Anthropic’s technology in legal ways and will not let the company dictate any limits ahead of a Friday deadline to agree to its demands.

Sean Parnell said Thursday on social media that the Pentagon “has no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans (which is illegal) nor do we want to use AI to develop autonomous weapons that operate

trucking logistics and financial services have also seen their stocks come under sudden and aggressive attacks this year by investors who fear their businesses may lose out to AI or even become obsolete.

Some of the sharpest swings in financial markets were for oil, where prices swung sharply as the United States and Iran held indirect talks about Iran’s nuclear program. A peaceful solution would remove the threat of war, which investors worry could block the global flow of oil and drive up its price. The U.S. military has already built up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades, which has raised the stakes The current round of talks feels “make or break,” according to strategists at Macquarie.

A barrel of benchmark U.S crude briefly fell as low as $63.60. But it erased that loss and rose above $66.50 before settling at $65.21, up 0.3%. Brent crude, the international standard, also had a zigzag day and finished at $70.75 per barrel, down 0.1%.

A report showed that the number of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits ticked up last week, but not by any more than economists expected. It also remains relatively low compared with history

without human involvement.”

Anthropic’s policies prevent its models, such as its chatbot Claude, from being used for those purposes. It’s the last of its peers the Pentagon also has contracts with Google, OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI — to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network.

Parnell said the Pentagon wants to “use Anthropic’s model for all lawful purposes” but didn’t offer details on what that entailed. He said opening up use of the technology would prevent the company

from “jeopardizing critical military operations.”

“We will not let ANY company dictate the terms regarding how we make operational decisions,” he said.

During a meeting on Tuesday between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Amodei, military officials warned that they could designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk, cancel its contract or invoke a Cold War-era law called the Defense Production Act to give the military more sweeping authority to use its products, even if the company doesn’t approve.

PIscEs (Feb.20-March 20) Mingle, try something new, or participate in activities or events that intrigue and excite you. The peopleyou encounter will make you take acloser look at your lifestyle.

ARIEs (March21-April 19) Work quietly behind thescenes; once youhave everything in place, it will be easier to get others on board with your plans. Keep your dialogue simple andyour actionswithinreason. Wise choices, good results

tAuRus (April 20-May20) Check every detail and change onlywhat's necessary andaffordable. Avoidimpulsive moves, decisions or rhetoric thatcan lead to bad feelings andunwanted actions

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Allocate your time and money withprecision, and pay attention to the changesunfoldingaround you. Use your connections, energy and multitasking talents to advance.

cAncER(June 21-July 22) Use the tools, connections or outlets at your disposal to make your next move. Youhave plenty to gain professionally or personally by taking control and initiating what you want to see unfold.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Dig in and discover.Knowledge is your pathway to success. Theconnections you make while attending alecture, eventorreunion will pay off. Be your own advocate, and play to win

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Expand your interests, knowledge andinsight.Don't lose sight of how vital meaningfulrelationships are; be sure to nurture and accommodate those you love.

LIBRA(sept. 23-oct. 23) Stayontopic even if someonetries to redirect you. It's essential to get your point across accurately. Clear apath forward and visualize thepossibilities. Focus on what mattersmost.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Anger and revenge will standbetween you and getting what youwant. Avoid domestic disputes, attendeventsthat interest you and expand your circle of friends

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Keep tabs on your expenditures, possessions andhealth. Homeimprovementswill require budgetingand planning to avoid being taken advantage of.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec.22-Jan. 19) Don't be afraid to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way.Ajoint ventureoracommitment to join forces and share expenses, will ease stress.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) You can loweryour overhead if you look into efficiency programsorgrants.Don't let insecurity or temptation set in when you have so muchtogain by stickingto awell-thought-out plan.

The horoscope, an entertainmentfeature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created fromquotationsbyfamous people, past and present. Each letter in thecipherstands foranother.

toDAy's cLuE: sEQuALs P

FAMILYCIrCUS

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIPALDER Bridge

Alfred Adler, an Austrianpsychiatrist who diedin1937, said, “There is no such thing as talent. There is pressure.”

True,ifyouwishtobesuccessfulatthe toplevel of anything, you must be able to handle the pressure. Thisapplieseven at the bridge table. But thereisanother form of pressure in bridge —pre-emptive bids, whichpressure the opponents by removing bidding space.

Look at the South hand. After two passes, whatwould you open?

In thefirst twopositions,one heart wouldbeapopular choice.But after two passes, the dynamicchanges. NorthSouth’s chances of making game have diminished. It is time to pressure West. Open three hearts! Or,ifthatistoo rich foryou, bid two hearts

Now look at the full deal. Afterathreeheart opening, West would make atakeoutdouble and East would advancewith three spades. This contract would go down after three rounds of hearts are played, but West would neverpasswith such astrong hand. He wouldcarry his side into deeper waters.

At thetable, South opened oneheart, West doubled, North responded one no-trump, East passed, South rebid two hearts, and this ended the auction when West very cautiously passed. The defense wasexcellent,though. West led the spade ace: three, six,queen

West,not fooled,continued with the spade king, and Eastdropped hisnine, asuit-preference signal fordiamonds (the higher-ranking of the othertwo side suits). Westcashed hisdiamondace, gavehispartneradiamondruff,gotback on lead withthe clubace, andgaveEast asecondruff for down one.

©2026 by NEA, Inc dist. By

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words mustbeoffour or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four lettersbythe 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’sWoRD coMPoRts: kum-PORTS: Behaves in aproper or expected manner.

Average mark 27 words Time limit 40 minutes

Canyou find 35 or more words in COMPORTS?

yEstERDAy’sWoRD —REsuMED

today’s thought “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalms 107:20

City Council, that: SECTION1:The FY 25/26 capitalbudgetofthe Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Govern‐ment is hereby amended by transferring $9,000 from theCitywideTraffic CalmingProject andap‐propriatingwithinthe Traffic, Roads& Bridges Department forthe Car‐SCHOOL BOARDCON‐CERNINGTHE REDESIGN ANDCONSTRUCTIONOF THESIDEWALKINFRONT OF LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL ANDAMENDING THEFY25/26 CAPITALIM‐PROVEMENTS BUDGET BY CREATING ABUDGETAC‐COUNTFOR THELPSS SIDEWALK IGALAFAYETTE HIGH WORKO‐RDER PROJECTAND TRANSFERRING $95,000 FROM SIDEWALK &CURB REPAIRSTOTHE LPSS SIDEWALK IGALAFAYETTE HIGH WORKO‐RDER PROJECT BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Council, that: WHEREAS, ArticleVII, Section14(C) of theCon‐stitutionofthe Stateof Louisianaprovidesthat “For apublicpurpose, thestate andits political subdivisions .may en‐gage in cooperativeen‐deavorswitheachother with theUnitedStatesor itsagencies, or with any public or privateassocia‐tion,corporation,orindi‐vidual;” and WHEREAS, theLafayette Parish School Board (hereinafter referred to as the“School Board”)is in theprocess of com‐pletingthe renovations andconstructionofthe

g yetreduced to awritten agreement, preliminary discussionswithrepre‐sentatives of theSchool Boardhaveoccurred andthe School Boardis amenable to andsup‐portiveofthe Project pendingthe resolution and/or acquisitionofcer‐tain servitudes neces‐sary forthe Project; and WHEREAS, theCityhas theauthority to enter into acooperativeen‐deavor agreementwith theSchool Boardcon‐cerningthe redesign and construction of theCon‐gressSidewalkasevi‐denced by itsgovern‐mental purposeofsup‐portingorenhancing ed‐ucationand culturaland artistic development; and WHEREAS, thepublic purposeofthe Projectis to providea rich anddy‐namicvisual, cultural andartisticexperience that complementsthe re‐construction andmod‐ernization of theLHS Im‐provements,which will improveacademicper‐formance andboost teacherrecruitment and retention, andinstill prideamong students andfaculty,while provid‐inganeffective andvi‐brantlearningenviron‐ment,fostering commu‐nity engagement,and in‐creasing property values in theCityofLafayette; and WHEREAS, theCityhas a reasonable expectation of receivinga benefitor valuethatisatleast equivalent to or greater than theconsideration to be provided forthe Pro‐ject;and WHEREAS, thetransferor expenditureofpublic fundsorpropertyisnot a gratuitous donation NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

FURTHERORDAINEDby theLafayette City Coun‐cil, that: SECTION1:All of the aforedescribed “Whereas”clauses are adoptedaspartofthis ordinance. SECTION2:The Lafayette Mayor-Presidentis hereby authorized to enterintoa cooperative endeavor agreementby andbetween theCityof Lafayette andthe Lafayette Parish School Boardconcerningthe Project, on such terms andconditionsasthe Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐dent deemsappropriate andnecessary.Notwith‐standing theforegoing however, anysuchcoop‐erativeendeavoragree‐ment,and otherneces‐sary agreements or doc‐uments shallbesubmit‐tedtothe Lafayette City Councilfor separate ap‐proval,which approval maybebyresolutionin accordance with Section 2-11(C) of

PROCEEDINGS

ATTENDANCE

LAFAYETTE, LA.

COUNCIL:Donald Richard(Chair, District 2), Ken Stansbury (Vice-Chair District 3), Bryan Tabor (District 1) and John Guilbeau (District 4)

ABSENT:ABRubin (District 5)

COUNCIL STAFF:Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of the Council), Jeremy Richardson (Associate Clerk for Operations &Citizen Advocacy), Cindy M. Semien (Associate Clerk for Legislative Affairs) and Kelly Comeaux (Assistant Clerk for LegislativeAffairs)

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:Monique B. Boulet (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief AdministrativeOfficer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Financial Officer), Robert A. Mahtook, Jr.(City-Parish Attorney)and Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney)

(4:31:00) COMMENCEMENT

Call to order

Chair Richardcalled the Regular Parish Council Meeting of February 24, 2026 to order

AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

TheChair called upon Councilmember Tabor to cite the invocation and called upon Councilmember Guilbeau, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chair Richardmade the following announcements:

•Councilman Rubin, District 5, is absent;

•Due to the Mardi Gras holiday the Council Meetings in February andMarch will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdaysof the month. The meetings will returntothe typical 1st and 3rdTuesdays in April;

•Wished John Guilbeau, District 4, ahappy birthday which he will celebrate on February 29th.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCILANNOUNCEMENTS No Council Announcements weremade

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: EXECUTIVE/MAYOR-PRESIDENT’S REPORT Boulet announced:

•The State of the Parish Address will be at the Cajundome Convention Center on March 31st at 11 AM. Anyone interested to attend this business luncheon may purchase tickets at the box office or online via Ticketmaster

•Lafayettewas selected as one of 24 city halls within 20 countries as awinner of the BloombergPhilanthropies 2025-2026 Mayors Challenge. She noted that Lafayette will receive $1 million, operational support and additional funding for dedicated staffto repair failing private sewer infrastructureand reduce stormwater infiltration.

•A Development Roundtable Meeting will be held February 26th at 220 W. Willow Street. This is amonthly initiative to support applicants with already-submitted permitstostreamline projects through permitting.

•African American Heritage Parade will be March 1stat2PM.

JOINT RESOLUTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: JR-005-2026 Ajoint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing anon-warranty cash sale of 227 Madeline Avenue (AssessmentNumber 6016075) to an adjoining landowner pursuant to La. R.S. 47:2202(B) for the price of the sale’santicipated costs, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Tabor, andthe vote was as follows: YEAS:Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: JR-006-2026 Ajoint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing anon-warranty cash sale of 116 Ransome Street (Assessment Number 6018571) to an adjoining landowner pursuant to La. R.S. 47:2202(B) for the price of the sale’santicipated costs, motion to adopt by Tabor,seconded by Guilbeau, andthe vote was as follows:

YEAS:Tabor,Richard, Guilbeau

NAYS: Stansbury

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

Development and Planning Department (CDP), on March12, 2025, Harold Bernardsubmitted the application. Godeaux announced that on May16, 2025, he submitted the required corresponding affidavit. She explained that thereisanadditional partythat believe they have rights to the propertydue to apotential transfer of ownership.Godeaux clarified that CDP followed theprocess which is whoever submitsthe application firstisthe partythat is considered Harold Bernardnoted that he has been maintaining the propertysince 2010. Heather Blanchardstressed that she and her husband Kevin Blanchard have been maintaining the property. She stated that they have pictures of the mowedgrass and cleaned property. Blanchard requested that the Council defer the resolutionfor more discussion.

ORDINANCES FORFINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: PO-009-2026 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budgets of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing revenues in the amount of $22,000 received from the ASPCA and appropriating within theElected Officials CAO Department, Animal Shelter and Care Division, for the purposeofhelping to offset costs at the Annual Rabies Clinic at the Cajundome, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Stansbury,and the vote wasasfollows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved

AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: PO-010-2026 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budgetofthe Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Government through the use of $381,100 in net income reserve and $1,078,265 in net loss-use of fund balance in National Opioid Settlement Fundsreceived from the State of Louisiana Opioid Abatement Task Force and appropriating within the Community Development and Planning Department for allocation to various opioid abatement projects; including allocations to the Parish-Wide Municipal Police Departments and Lafayette City Marshal’sOffice, Public Education and Outreach, and improvements to the WarMemorialBuilding to facilitate drug-related programs,motion to adopt by Stansbury,seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote wasasfollows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved

Richardasked wherethe money is going.

Boulet reported that she wants to getanarchitect to assess the building and to fund one(1) or two(2) small projects.

JOINT ORDINANCES FORFINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: JO-004-2026 Ajointordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council adopting an update of the official drainagemap of Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government and of the Lafayette Parish Drainage District established by Ordinance No.O-2892001, motion to adopt by Tabor,seconded by Stansbury,and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved

AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: JO-005-2026 Ajointordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending Chapter 97 of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government Code of Ordinances by amending Section 97-31 “Liability forcosts when LCPG doeswork; collection” and Section 97-36 “Abatement timeperiods fortall grass violations” along withother ancillaryamendments, motion to adopt by Tabor,seconded by Stansbury,and the vote wasasfollows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved

AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: JO-006-2026 Ajointordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budgetofthe Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing the use of fund balance and appropriating within the Promotion Costs Account of the Community Development and Planning Department, Compliance Division to allowfor the promotion of the Compliance Supervisor,motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Tabor,and the vote

wasasfollows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved

APPEAL

AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: Appeal of Parish Planning Commission Action Tolson Point Subdivision Case No.2025-79-PC

Motion to grant the appeal subject to the staffreport dated January 12, 2026, specifically Conditions 1-15, waiving Condition 16 if deemed unsafe by the appropriate LCGdepartment. Including Conditions 17-22, amending Condition 23 as worked out with Traffic, Roads and Bridges, including Conditions 24 and 25, including plat revisions 1-10 andother comments and suggestions 1-14 by Stansbury,seconded by Tabor,and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin

ABSTAIN:None

Motion to grant the appeal subject to the staff report dated January12, 2026, specifically Conditions 1-15, waivingCondition16ifdeemed unsafe by the appropriateLCG department. Including Conditions 17-22, amending Condition 23 as worked out with Traffic, Roads andBridges, including Conditions 24 and25, including plat revisions 1-10 andother comments andsuggestions 1-14 wasapproved.

Neil Lebouef, CDP DevelopmentManager,announced that the appellant is appealingthe enhanced setback requirement. He explained that a waiver forthe enhanced setback requirement would not followall Lafayette DevelopmentCoderegulations. He noted that the representative for the development was not present at the Parish PlanningCommission meeting on January 12, 2026. Lebouef stated that the mainconcerns from the public weredrainageand trafficand that adrainageimpact analysis is required. He clarified that they must apply to annex forLUS services.

Brent Hollier stated that the condition forthe enhanced setback requirement is not required within the Lafayette city limits. He noted that the condition can be amended contingent upon annexationapproval.

Apetitionwas presented to the Council. 21 citizens signedthispetitionin opposition to the appeal.

One(1) citizen signedinsupport, but did not wish to speak

TimFlynn stressed that trafficisaconcernand drainage is aproblem

Charles Hayes stated that he emailed the petition. He encouraged the Counciltodeny the appeal.

Motion to extend the meeting by 30 minutes by Guilbeau,seconded by Tabor,and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin ABSTAIN:None Motion to extend the meeting by 30 minutes wasapproved.

INTRODUCTORYORDINANCE

AGENDA ITEM NO. 12: PO-011-2026 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Councilauthorizing the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government to sell at public auctionsurplus vehicles andequipment which arenolonger needed forpublic purposes, as per the attached list.(Public Auction), motion to introduce by Guilbeau,seconded by Stansbury,and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin ABSTAIN:None Motion to introduce wasapproved.

JOINT INTRODUCTORYORDINANCE

AGENDA ITEM NO. 13: JO-007-2026 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette CityCouncil and the Lafayette Parish Councilamending the FY 25/26 operating budget and adjusting manning tables of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government to provide funding for asalaryadjustment within the Office of Finance &Management, motion to introduce by Stansbury seconded by Guilbeau,and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau

NAYS: None

ABSENT:Rubin ABSTAIN:None Motion to introduce wasapproved.

(6:02:00) ADJOURN

There being no furtherbusiness to come beforethe Council, Chair Richard declared the Regular Meeting adjourned.

/s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz

JOSEPHGORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THECOUNCIL

Mayor-President, or her designee,toconduct all negotiations, execute andsubmitall docu‐ments, includingbut not limitedtoapplications agreements,amend‐ments, paymentre‐quests,memoranda of understandingand so on, which maybenecessary forthe completion of the aforementionedproject SECTION7:Thistransfer of fundsshall be as re‐flectedinany pertinent documentswhich areat‐tached hereto andmade apart hereof and filedin theOffice of theClerk of theCouncil. The Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐dent,orher designee, is hereby authorized to amendthe operating budget within thegrant period by de-obligating anyunusedfunds deemed unnecessaryfor thecompletionofthe ref‐erencedproject SECTION8:All ordi‐nances or resolutions, or partsthereof,inconflict herewith areherebyre‐pealed. SECTION9:Thisordi‐nanceshall become ef‐fectiveuponsignature of theLafayette MayorPresident, theelapseof ten(10)daysafter re‐ceiptbythe Lafayette Mayor-Presidentwithout signatureorveto, or upon an override of a veto,whichever occurs first. ** ** * /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERKOFTHE COUNCIL 178782-FEB27-1T $73.78

University Avenue Lafayette,LAonMarch 24, 2026. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERKOFTHE COUNCIL 178786-FEB27-1T $8.82

Notices Meet/Hear/Min

NOTICE THEFOLLOWING DEVEL‐OPMENTSARE PROPOSED FORREVIEWBY THELAFAYETTE PARISH PLANNING COMMISSION ON MARCH9,2026 5:00 P.M. 220 WEST WILLOW STREET BUILDING B CDPAUDITORIUM NEWDEVELOPMENTS Buchanan Family,Tract B-3 Buchanan Family,Tracts B-1-A, B-1-B, B-2-A& B-2B Estate of Walter Weber, ParcelsD-1-A,E-1,F-1 & G-1 RJ ClarkSubdivision Tracts 8A,8B, 8C &8D Southern Oaks CallaisOffice Park,Lot 1A Extra Mile Development Opportunities, Inc. Lots 1-A& 1-B- REVISEDPLAT Riverstone GatedCom‐munity Daniel Cruz,TurfKing Heights, LotA HEARINGEXAMINERRAT‐IFICATIONS Theodore J. &Jessica M. T. Thibodeaux Tract2-3-A Acadiana RidgeLot 1& 2 Kidder Pointe Tracts A-2AthruA-2-D HeirsofVilmanDural Lot 7 Lyle A. Wooten &Erin PierretWooten Plot D-1AB-A-1& Plot D-1A-B-1 CL Real Estate,LLC Lots 5-C-2A,5-C-2B, 5-C-2C,& 5- C-2D

GOVERNMENT AND OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH DRAINAGE DISTRICT ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE NO. O-289-2001 BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Counciland the Lafayette Parish Council, that: WHEREAS,La. R.S. 38:113 provides that the various levee and drainage districts shall have control over all public drainage channels or outfall canals within the limits of their districts; and WHEREAS,the Lafayette City-Parish Council adopted Ordinance No. O-289-2001 establishing itself as the Lafayette Parish Drainage District for the purpose of operating aparish wide drainage systemand designating certaindrainage channels as public channels; and

WHEREAS,the Lafayette City-Parish Council selected anddesignated certain drainage channels and outfall canals as depicted on the Official Drainage Map, originally dated August 2001 and most recentlyupdated December 2025, as public drainage channels and outfall canals over which theLafayette Parish Drainage District shall have control pursuant to the provisions of La. R.S. 38:113 and other applicable law NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, that:

SECTION 1:All of the aforedescribed “Whereas” clauses areadopted as part of this ordinance.

SECTION 2:The Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the Lafayette Parish Drainage District, hereby adopts an update to the Official DrainageMap,Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Government, dated December 2025 designating certain drainage channels and outfall canals as public channels over which the Lafayette Parish Drainage District shall have control pursuant to the provisions of La. R.S. 38:113 and other applicable law

SECTION 3: All ordinances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith arehereby repealed.

SECTION 4: After first having been adopted by amajority of the authorized membership of both the Lafayette Parish Council and the Lafayette City Council, this joint ordinance shall become effective upon signatureofthis joint ordinance by the Lafayette Mayor-President, the elapse of ten (10) days after receipt by the Lafayette Mayor-President without signatureorveto, or upon an override of aveto, whichever occurs first.

ORDINANCE NO. JO-005-2026

AJOINT ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL AND THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL AMENDING CHAPTER 97 OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 97-31 “LIABILITYFOR COSTS WHEN LCPG DOES WORK; COLLECTION” AND SECTION 97-36 “ABATEMENT TIME PERIODS FOR TALL GRASS VIOLATIONS” ALONG WITH OTHER ANCILLARYAMENDMENTS

BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Counciland the Lafayette Parish Council, that:

WHEREAS,onJuly 21, 2020, the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council adopted Joint Ordinance No. JO-065-2020, which amended Chapter 97 of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government Code of Ordinances related to the proper maintenanceof noxious weeds and growth in the City of Lafayette and unincorporated Parish of Lafayette; and WHEREAS,since the adoption of JO-065-2020, the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council have determined that it is in the interestofsafety and welfareofthe general public to further amend Chapter 97 to increase the frequency of the abatement schedule in Section 97-36 during the months of March through October,and to makeother minor revisions to update the Chapter NOW THEREFORE,BEIT FURTHERORDAINED by the Lafayette City Counciland the Lafayette Parish Council, that: SECTION 1:All of the aforedescribed “Whereas” clauses arehereby adopted as part of this ordinance. SECTION 2:The Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government Code of Ordinances, Chapter 97, Article II, Section 97-26, “Definitions,” is hereby amended

Neighborhood means asubdivision or an area within the jurisdiction of the LCPG that contains residences or business establishments in closeproximity

Public WorksCommunity Development& Planning Department to enter property The Director of the Public Works Community Development& Planning Department, or his designee is herebyauthorized to enter property found to be in violation of this article, and to cut,, rake and remove any noxious weeds or grass or deleterious, unhealthy or noxious growth, on occupied or unoccupied property,growing or standing on any sidewalk or banquette, or on any lot, place of area, provided no suchwork shall be undertaken by the director until the owner of the lot, place or area or the owners of the property abutting the sidewalk or banquette shall have had the opportunity to do the work.Such owner shall be given: (a) aperiod of at least five calendar days followingnotice of for an offense by aproperty owner after notice has been given by advertisement in the official journal of the LCPG for two consecutivedays,or(b) aperiod of at least ten calendar days following notice of an offense by mailing of said noticeor after notice has been given by mail to: (1) Such owner; (2) In such owner’sabsence, the agent of the leased or occupied premises;or (3) If the agent is not known, the occupant thereof In lieu of the notice prescribed above, the director shall be authorized to undertake the work under the following circumstances or upon the giving of the following notice, to-wit: (1) If the owner of any lot or other real property is unknown or his whereabouts is not known, asign giving notice of the violation and of the intent to abate the violation shall be postedbythe director upon or near the premises and may,atthe option of the director,bepublished in the official journal of this the LCPG one time at least three days beforethe work is performed. The director or his designee shall make an affidavit setting out the facts as to unknown address.

(2) All costs incurred by the director in effecting notice to the owner shall be included in the costs specified in section 97-31.

Once aviolation notice is produced, the property is considered to remain in violation until all portions of the property have been abated

SECTION 4: The Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government Code of Ordinances,Chapter 97, Article II, Section 97-31, “Liability for costs when LCPG doeswork; collection,” is hereby amended in the following particulars,with words in strikethrough being deletions from existing law, and words underscored and boldfaced being additions: Sec. 97-31. Liability forcosts when LCPG does work; collection. The actual cost and expense to the LCPG of having work performed pursuant to the provisions of this article as determined by sections 97-30 and 97-34 is declared to be acharge, costor expense of the property abutting the sidewalk or banquette or of the lot, place or area, wheresuch grass, weeds, and/or noxious foliage, and/or deleterious or unhealthful growths havebeen cut, destroyed or removed.Such costs and expensesshall be collected in the manner fixed for the collection of taxes and shall be subject to the