The Advocate 07-16-2025

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Entergyplans 3plants to powerMetafacility

Work continues on thesiteofMeta’s$10 billion AI data center in Holly RidgeonThursday.

Hearingtoweigh proposal for$10BAIdatacenter

BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer

Plans to power Meta’s$10 billion

AI data center in northeast Louisiana reached akey stage on Tuesday with the opening of ahearing aimed at weighing Entergy’sproposaltobuild three new electricity plants in connection withthe facility

The hearing before an administrative judge in Baton Rouge began aday after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg weighed in on what would be thecompany’slargest datacenter yet, talking of plans to scale it up even further in the future, potentially givingita footprint rivaling the size of Manhattan.

The project has been lauded by state officialsasa major economic development win for an impoverished area of Louisiana. Consumer and environmentalgroups have however raised deep concernsover thefacility’smassive energy needs and whether some of the costs of powering it would eventually fall to average ratepayers

Every snakehas itsday

Localexperts advise protecting them insteadofkilling them

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

Serpents get abad rap Their lore, both mythological and pop cultural, can engender fear and hatred of snakes. Unfairly,experts say,humans go after the harmless, slithery rat exterminator in the garden —or even organize communitywide snake rodeos, taking up shotguns andfiring at as many of the (mostly nonvenomous) reptiles as they can. On Wednesday,which is World SnakeDay,Louisiana snake ex-

While this week’s hearingmay result in recommendations from Judge MelanieVerzwyvelt, thestate’sPublic Service Commission can eventually vote asitchooses, and it is widely expected to approvethe plans. Entergybroke ground on asubstation last month that didnot require regulatory approval.

Environmental nonprofits and acoalition of petrochemical companies questioned Entergy’s proposal to build thegas-powered plantsTuesday.The unlikely coalition argues that theutilityand tech giantwill reap the benefits, while residentsand largeindustrial customers could take on risks.

BY

MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON Both Louisiana senators support the elimination of federal funds for public broadcasting, which is at the center of acontroversial budget bill the U.S. Senate is scheduled to begin considering Tuesdaynight

“Entergy shouldnot be allowed to use its monopoly structure to unreasonablyimposefinancial risks on its existing captive ratepayers to serve

the newdata centerload, while it reaps the return-on-equity benefits to be gained from theunprecedented billions of new infrastructure spending,” theLouisianaEnergy Users Group, acoalition of companies including Exxon Mobil andDow Chemical, wrote in their brief before thehearing. Louisiana Energy Users Group has been at odds with Entergy in thepast overits members’ attempts to buytheir ownpower without going through the utility.Consumer advocacy andenvironmental groups are meanwhile raising concerns over the plannedfossilfuel-powered plants and whether thenew demand will further strain thegrid.

ä See POWER, page 6A

perts—herpetologists —are urging residentstolearn more about their slithery neighbors and the key role they play in the local ecosystem. “I thinkmostkids are fascinated by amphibians and reptiles,and that our culture, maybeour mothers andfathers, because they don’t

want us to get injured, breeds this fear of snakes intous,” saidChris Austin, curator of amphibians andreptilesatthe LSUMuseum of Natural Science and biological sciences professor.“It’sreally unfortunateinalot of ways.”

ä See SNAKE, page 8A

The “rescission” package would cut $9.4 billion in spending targeted by the Department of GovernmentalEfficiency, created by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The legislationwould ax alreadyapproved federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, slash spending on the U.S. Agencyfor International Developmentand cutaprogram addressing HIVand AIDS that was begun when George W. Bush was president. However,Politico reported Tuesday afternoon that senators may restore fundingfor theHIV/AIDSprogram. The legislation needs to be approved by Friday Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, pointed to NPR headlines like “Animals deservegenderpronouns, too.”

ä Cassidy says measles outbreak has peaked. PAGE 9A

“They only get 1% of their funding from the federal government.Ifthey want to keep publishing this nonsense, it shouldn’t be on the taxpayer’sdime,” Cassidy said. Cassidy was referring to an April 2021 opinionpiece by ScottSimon, of NPRWeekendEdition, aboutaneffortbyscientist Jane Goodall, famed forher study about the lives of chimpanzees. Goodall and more than 80 animal rights activists asked the editors of The Associated Press Stylebook, which is used by journalists, to identify animals with he/she pronouns if their sex is known andhe/his/they pronouns if their sex is unknown, rather than by “it.” U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy,R-Madisonville, filed abill in February to abolish federal funding forpublic broadcasting.

See CUTS, page 6A

Rate rose last monthtoits highest levelsince February

BY CHRISTOPHERRUGABER and JOSH BOAK AP writers

WASHINGTON Inflation rose last month to its highest level since February as President Donald Trump’ssweeping tariffs pushed up thecostofeverything from groceries and clothes to furniture and appliances. Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from ayear earlier, the LaborDepartmentsaidTuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On amonthly basis, prices climbed0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% theprevious month. Worsening inflation posesa political challenge forTrump,

whoasa candidate promised to immediatelylower costs, but instead has engaged in awhipsaw frenzy of tariffs that have jolted businesses andconsumers. Trumpinsists that the U.S. effectively has no inflation as he has attempted to pressure Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell into cutting short-term interest rates.

Yetthe new inflation numbers makeitmore likely that the central bank will leave rates where they are. Powell has said that he wants to gauge the economic impact of Trump’stariffs before reducing borrowing costs. Excluding volatile food and energy,core inflation increased 2.9% in June fromayear earlier, up from 2.8% in May. On amonthly basis, it pickedup 0.2% from May to June. Economists closelywatch coreprices

See INFLATION, page 10A

Vandals who cut down beloved tree sentenced LONDON Vandals who cut down England’s beloved Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison for damaging the country’s natural heritage and for the outrage and distress they caused.

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers set out with a chainsaw on a dark and stormy night in 2023 to carry out what a prosecutor called a “moronic mission” and toppled the majestic sycamore onto Hadrian’s Wall. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were each convicted of two counts of criminal damage — one for destroying the tree, the other for damaging the ancient wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Justice Christina Lambert sentenced the pair in Newcastle Crown Court to four years and three months in prison because there was a high degree of premeditation and planning to destroy the tree and because the act had angered and saddened so many people. Lambert concluded the two had largely done it for the “sheer bravado.”

Unreleased Beyoncé music stolen from car

A choreographer and a dancer traveling with Beyoncé for her concerts in Atlanta left their rental car in a parking garage for an hour while grabbing a bite, then returned to find a broken window and both of their suitcases stolen. They lost more than just clothing sunglasses and headphones. According to an Atlanta police report, the thief also made off with thumb drives containing the singer’s “unreleased music.” Police say they have identified a suspect, but they hadn’t announced any arrests as of Tuesday

The theft was reported July 8, which was two days before Beyoncé kicked off four nights of concerts at Atlanta’s MercedesBenz Stadium as part of tour of the U.S. and Europe in support of her Grammy-winning album, “Cowboy Carter.”

Roman-era mosaic panel returns to Pompeii

POMPEII, Italy A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated fromGermanythroughdiplomatic channels arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen.

Theownerhadreceivedthemosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war The mosaic dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century — is considered a work of “extraordinary cultural interest,” experts said.

Fla. residents rescue 4 from crashed plane

Residents in a Miami suburb used an ax, fire extinguisher and garden hose to rescue four people from a small plane that crashed into a tree in yet another mishap near a busy South Florida airport.

“It was nothing short of heroic,” Angelo Castillo, the mayor of Pembroke Pines in Broward County, said Tuesday But Castillo is frustrated. He said there have been more than 30 crashes in the past five years on or around North Perry Airport, which serves small planes, though the airport disputes that figure. A local street is named for 4-year-old Taylor Bishop, one of three people who died when a plane crashed into an SUV in 2021.

“We need better assurances that these planes are not going to keep falling out of the sky,” Castillo said. “The airport was a dairy farm before World War II. Now it’s the busiest general aviation airport in Florida. But within a 5-mile radius, there are approximately half a million people.”

U.N. says malnutrition in Gaza has doubled

Health officials: Israeli strikes kill over 90

BY WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Malnutrition rates among children in the Gaza Strip have doubled since Israel imposed sharp restrictions on the entry of food in March, the U.N. said Tuesday. New Israeli strikes killed more than 90 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, according to health officials.

Hunger has been rising among Gaza’s more than 2 million Palestinians since Israel broke a ceasefire in March to resume the war and banned all food and other supplies from entering Gaza, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages It slightly eased the blockade in late May, allowing in a trickle of aid.

UNRWA, the main U.N. agency caring for Palestinians in Gaza, said it had screened nearly 16,000 children underage 5 at its clinics in June and found 10.2% of them were acutely malnourished. By comparison, in March, 5.5% of the nearly 15,000 children it screened were malnourished.

One strike in the northern Shati refugee camp killed a 68-year-old

Hamas member of the Palestinian legislature, as well as a man and a woman and their six children who were sheltering in the same building, according to officials from the heavily damaged Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken.

One of the deadliest strikes hit a house in Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa district on Monday evening and killed 19 members of the family living inside, according to Shifa Hospital. The dead included eight women and six children. A strike on a tent housing displaced people in the same district killed a man and a woman and their two children There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said in a daily report Tuesday afternoon that the bodies of 93 people killed by Israeli strikes had been brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, along with 278 wounded. It did not specify the total number of women and children among the dead.

The Hamas politician killed in a strike early Tuesday, Mohammed Faraj al-Ghoul, was a member of the bloc of representatives from

the group that won seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in the last national elections, held in 2006.

The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. But daily, it hits homes and shelters where people are living without warning or explanation of the target.

UNICEF, which screens children separately from UNRWA, has also reported a marked increase in malnutrition cases. It said this week its clinics had documented 5,870 cases of malnutrition among children in June, the fourth straight month of increases and more than double the around 2,000 cases it documented in February

Experts have warned of famine since Israel tightened its long-running blockade in March.

Israel has allowed an average of 69 trucks a day carrying supplies, including food, since it eased the blockade in May, according to the latest figures from COGAT, the Israeli military agency in charge of coordinating aid.

2 killed in New Jersey after floodwaters carry away vehicle

BY SUSAN HAIGH and JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press

NEW YORK Two people in New Jersey were killed after their vehicle was swept up in floodwaters during a storm that moved across the U.S. Northeast overnight, authorities said Tuesday

Gov Phil Murphy, a Democrat, noted the deaths occurred in the northern New Jersey city of Plainfield, where there were two storm-related deaths July 3. A third person was killed in North Plain-

field during that previous storm.

“We’re not unique, but we’re in one of these sort of high humidity, high temperature, high storm intensity patterns right now,” Murphy told reporters after touring storm damage in Berkeley Heights. “Everybody needs to stay alert.”

The names of the two latest victims were not immediately released Tuesday Local officials said the vehicle they were riding in was swept into a brook during the height of the storm.

“Emergency personnel responded quickly, but tragically, both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene,” according to a statement the city posted online.

The heavy rains also caused flash floods in New York and south-central Pennsylvania on Monday night into early Tuesday, prompting road closures and snarling some service on the New York City subway It was the second-highest one-hour rainfall ever recorded in Central Park at more than 2 inches, surpassed only by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, according to local officials.

Viral videos posted online showed water flooding down into one Manhattan subway station, submerging the plat-

form while passengers inside a train watched on.

Janno Lieber, chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority told ABC 7 in New York the city’s sewer system got overwhelmed by the rain and backed up into the subway tunnels and to the stations. In several cases, he said, the backup “popped a manhole,” creating the dramatic “geyser” seen in some videos.

“What happened last night is something that is, you know, a reality in our system,” he told the TV station, noting the backup happens when more than 13/4 inches of rain falls in an hour “We’ve been working with the city of New York to try to get them to increase the capacity of the system at these key locations.”

City officials said their venerable sewer system worked as well as it could, but it simply was not built to handle that much rain.

“Imagine putting a 2-liter bottle of water into a 1-liter bottle. Some of it’s going to spill,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said at a virtual news briefing Tuesday

Netanyahu’s governing coalition is fracturing Ultra-Orthodox party plans

BY TIA GOLDENBERG

Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government suffered a serious blow on Tuesday when an ultraOrthodox party announced it was bolting the coalition.

While this doesn’t immediately threaten Netanyahu’s rule, it could set in motion his government’s demise, although that could still be months away It also could complicate efforts to halt the war in Gaza.

United Torah Judaism’s two factions said they were leaving the government because of disagreements over a proposed law that would end broad exemptions for religious students from enlistment into the military Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, and the issue of exemptions has long divided the country Those rifts have only widened since the start of the war in Gaza as demand for military manpower has grown and hundreds of soldiers have been killed.

The threat to the government “looks more serious than ever,” said Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank.

Netanyahu is on trial for alleged corruption, and critics say he wants to hang on to power so that he can use his office as a bully pulpit to rally supporters and lash out against prosecutors and judges. That makes him all the more vulnerable to the whims of his coalition allies.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving leader, has long relied on the ultra-Orthodox parties to prop up his governments. Without UTJ, his coalition holds just 61 out of parliament’s 120 seats.

That means Netanyahu will be more susceptible to pressure from other elements within his government, especially far-right parties who strongly oppose ending the war in Gaza. The political shakeup isn’t likely to completely derail ceasefire talks, but it could complicate how flexible Netanyahu can be in his concessions to Hamas.

Pentagon pullingtroopsfromL.A.

2,000 National Guardmembers deployed

BY AMY TAXIN, DAVIDKLEPPER and DAMIAN DOVARGANES Associated Press

LOS ANGELES The Pentagon said Tuesday it is ending the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, accounting for nearly half of the soldiers sent to the city to deal with protests over the Trump administration’simmigrationcrackdown.

Roughly4,000 National Guardsoldiers and 700 Marines have been in the city since early June.Itwasn’t immediately clear what prompted the 60-day deployment to end suddenly,nor was it immediatelyclear how long the rest of the troops would stay in the region.

In late June, the top military commander in chargeoftroopsdeployed to L.A. had asked Defense

Secretary PeteHegseth for 200 of them tobereturned to wildfire fighting duty amid warnings from California Gov.Gavin Newsom that theGuard was understaffed as Californiaentered peak wildfire season.

The end of the deployment comes aweek afterfederalauthorities and National Guard troops arrived at MacArthur Park with guns and horses inanoperationthat ended abruptly.Although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security wouldn’texplain the purpose of the operationorwhether anyone had beenarrested, local officials said it seemed designed to sow fear

“Thankstoourtroopswhostepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angelesissubsiding, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in astatementinannouncing the decision.

On June 8, thousands of protesters took to the streetsinresponse to Trump’sdeployment of the Guard, blocking off amajor freeway as law enforcementused tear gas, rubber bulletsand flash bangs to control the crowd. Photoscaptured several Waymo robotaxis set on fire. Aday later,police officers used flashbangs and shot projectiles as they pushedprotesters through Little Tokyo, where bystanders and restaurant workers rushed to get outoftheir way Mayor Karen Bass seta curfew for about aweek thatshe said successfully protected businesses and helped restore order.Demonstrations in the cityand the region in recent weeks have been largely small impromptu protests around arrests. Bass applauded the troops’ departure

Waltzpledges to make U.N. ‘great again’ at Senate hearing

BY FARNOUSH AMIRI and MATT BROWN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Mike Waltz paintedan image for lawmakers Tuesdayofwhat the United Nations would look like as the U.S. —its largestdonor —reviews itssupport, opting to go “back to basics” under aTrump administration push to “make the U.N. great again.”

During his Senate confirmation hearing to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Waltz echoed the priorities of his bosses— President DonaldTrump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio —ofpursuing major reforms to the 80-yearold world body

It was the first time senators could grill Waltz since he wasousted as Trump’s national security adviser

developing world can come together andresolve conflicts,” Waltz told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the U.N. “But after80years,it’sdrifted from itscoremission of peacemaking.”

in Mayafter he mistakenly added ajournalist to aprivate Signal chat used to discuss sensitive military plans. He denied Tuesday that he was removed from the post, while laying out his plans to bring “America First”tothe U.N. “Weshouldhaveone place in the world where everyonecan talk —where China,Russia, Europe and the

The U.N. is pursuing its own reforms while theRepublican administration has spent the last six months reshaping American diplomacy and working aggressively to shrink the size of thefederalgovernment, including recentmassdismissalsatthe State Department. On theagenda for Waltz would be combating China’s influence, reviewing U.S funding to U.N. agencies with “often duplicative and wasteful mandates,” as well as rooting outwhatWaltz called deep antisemitism within the U.N. system.

Bondidodgesquestions on Epstein

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

ARLINGTON,Va. Attorney

General Pam Bondi suggested Tuesday that she has no plans to step down as she dodged questions about Jeffrey Epstein and her clash with atop FBI official, seeking to press ahead with abusiness-as-usual approach in the face of right-wing turmoil.

Pressed by reporters during an announcement touting drug seizures, Bondi sidestepped questions about the fallout of the Trump administration’sdecision notto releasemore records related to the wealthy financier’s sex trafficking investigation. With some high profile-

members of President DonaldTrump’sbase callingfor her resignation, Bondi made clear she intends to remain attorney general. “I’m going to be here for as long as the president wants me here,”Bondisaid.“AndI believe he’smade that crystal clear.”

Theannouncement at the Drug Enforcement Administration headquartersrepresentsaneffort by Bondi to turn thepage on the Epstein controversy and show that the Justice Department is forging aheadafterdays of mountingconservative criticism over the administration’sfailure to deliver long-sought government secrets aboutEpstein. Bondi highlighted recent operationsthat led to theseizure of methamphetamine and fentanyl,including drugs that were hidden in ashipment of cucumbersacross theMexi-

can border Buther refusal to address the turmoil may only further frustrate conservative influencers whohavebeen calling fortransparencyand accountabilityover the wealthy financier’scase.

“Thistoday is aboutfentanyl overdoses throughout ourcountry andpeople who have lost loved ones tofentanyl,” Bondi said in response to aquestion from areporter abouttheEpsteinfiles.“That’s themessage that we’rehere to send today.I’m not going to talk about Epstein.”

Trump hasbeen seeking to tamp down criticism of his attorney general and defended her again earlier Tuesday, sayingshe handled thematter“very well.” Trump said it’suptoher whether to releaseany more records, addingthat“whatevershe thinks is credible, she should release.”

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Trumpdownplays weaponsdeal

Ukraineawaitsinjection of U.S. assistance

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE, AAMER MADHANI and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the possibility of sending Ukraine longrange weapons as Kyiv awaits an injection of U.S. weaponry that it hopes will help it beat back an intensifying Russianair offensive.

Trump offered amore cautious tone on what to expect after he threatened Russia aday earlier with steep tariffs if President Vladimir Putin doesn’tact within 50 days to end the three-year conflict.

He also on Monday announcedplans to bolster Kyiv’sstockpile by selling American weapons to NATO allies who would in turn send arms to Ukraine.

Providing Ukraine with more long-range weaponry would give Kyiv the chance to strike further into Russianterritory,amove that some in Ukraine and the U.S. have said could help push Putin toward negotia-

tions to end the fighting.

Askedifheintendedto supplyUkrainewithweapons that could reach deeper into Russian territory, Trump replied, “We’re not lookingtodothat.” He made theremarkstoreporters before departingthe White House for an energyinvestment event in Pittsburgh.

While Trump’sthreatsof weapons, sanctions and tariffs mark themost substantive pressurehe’splacedon Putin since returning tooffice nearly six months ago, some lawmakers said they remain concerned that the administration, with the 50day deadline, is giving Putintime to grab even more Ukrainian territory

Sens. Thom Tillis, aRepublican from North Carolina, and Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, said waiting 50 days before imposing sanctions on Russiawouldgive Putin more timetogainanadvantageinthe war.

“The 50-day delay worries me that Putin would try to use the50days to win the war, or to be betterposi-

tionedtonegotiate apeace agreement after having murdered andpotentially collected more ground,” said Tillis, who recently announced he won’trun for reelection.

Tillis and Shaheen lead theSenate NATO Observer Group, which facilitates work between Congress and NATO,and met Tuesday with NATO SecretaryGeneral Mark Rutte on Capitol Hill.

Trump himself scoffed at the idea that 50 days is giving Putin too much time. The president suggested he may act more quickly if he does not see signs that Putinis taking steps toward ending theconflict.

“I don’tthink 50 days is very long and it could be shorter than that,” he said.

Ahead of Trump’sannouncementthathewould impose a100% tariff on Russia’s trading partners if Putindoesn’tnegotiate an endtothe war,bipartisan legislation proscribing even tougher sanctions on Moscow was gainingsteam in theSenate.

Ukrainians welcomeU.S.aid

but see50-dayultimatum as toolong

BY VASILISA STEPANENKO and LORNE COOK Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine Ukrainians

welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge of more U.S.-made weapons in their three-year fightagainst Russia’sinvasion, though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly The time frame for the further arms deliveries, which European countries have agreedtopay for,iscrucial. Russia is making asummer push to break through along the 620-mile front line, and its drones and missiles are hammering Ukrainian cities more than at any time in the war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thankedTrump forhis “willingness to support Ukraine.” In Kyiv, residentNina Tokar, 70, said Tuesday that with more U.S. weapons going to Ukraine “maybe this will all endfaster.”

However, following Trump’sthreat late last week to imposemajor sanctions on Russia for failingto reach adeal to end the fighting, the American president said Monday that Moscow wouldget 50 days to come to asettlement or face“very severe”economic sanctions

While some believe strict tariffs on Moscow could be agame changer,the decisiontopostpone themuntil

September struck someEuropean observers as being too long. Ukrainian officials made no direct comment about the 50-day window,but for Russia,the delay of new sanctions cameasa reprieve.

Senior Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachev commented: “Oh, how muchcan change both on thebattlefield and withthe mood of those leading theU.S. and NATO in 50 days.”

Russian PresidentVladimirPutin hasn’tbudged whenpresentedwithprevious U.S.deadlines and threats.Inaninterview with theBBC broadcastTuesday, Trump said of Putin: “I’m disappointed in him, but I’mnot done withhim.”

Former Brazil president callstrial ‘witch hunt’

Bolsonaro accusedof plotting coup

BY ELÉONOREHUGHES Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO— Brazil’s chief prosecutor called for aguiltyverdict in the case of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, on trial accused of leading acoup plottooverturn the 2022 election in which he was defeated by aleft-wing rival. Hours beforethe prosecutor’sfinal report was released late Monday,the ex-president said on Xthat thetrial was a“witch hunt,” echoing atermusedbyU.S. President Donald Trump when he came to his South

American ally’sdefense last week.

In the 517-page document, Prosecutor-GeneralPaulo Gonet said the “evidence is clear: the defendant acted systematically, throughout his mandateand after his defeatatthe polls, to incite insurrection and the destabilization of the democratic rule of law.”

“None of this happened.

I’ve always played within the rules,” Bolsonaro said Tuesday

The prosecution accuses theformer president of leading an armed criminal organization, attempting to stage acoup and attempting violent abolition of the democraticrule of law, among other charges.

The defense will next present its case shortly,

likely in the coming weeks, after which the panel of Supreme Court justices that opened the trial against Bolsonaro will vote on whether to convict or acquit him. Experts say adecision is expected in the second half of the year Aguilty verdict on the coupplotchargecarries a sentence of up to 12 years, which could, alongwith guilty verdicts on other charges, bring decades behind bars.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied the allegations and asserted that he’s thetarget of political persecution. “What is acoup? It’s the Armed Forces, it’stanks on the streets, it’shaving apolitical core, having afinancial core,” Bolsonaro said on Tuesday.“That’sacoup.”

“Public broadcasting in America today is political as hell,” Kennedy told Russell T. Vought, the Trump Administration’sdirector Officeof Management and Budget at arecent hearing.

“The real principle is why.Do we give money to CNN? Do we give money to Fox? Do we give moneytoPolitico? Thenwhy are we giving moneytopublic broadcasting? Why? We’re$36 trillion in the hole,” he said referring to the nation’sdebt.

The Corporation forPublic Broadcasting was established in 1967 to provide outlets for hard-toreach communities and programming that the business plans of advertiser-funded private television and radiostations could notjustify Public Broadcasting Serviceis responsible for Ken Burns documentaries, Julia Child’scooking shows, the NOVAscience series, and all manner of children’seducational programming, such as “Daniel Tiger’sNeighborhood,” which teaches practical skillslike being polite to adults and trying new foods to children between the ages of two and five years. For years, many Republicans have railed against public broad-

POWER

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Entergy maintainsthat other ratepayers will not be on thehook formost of Meta’s energy needs, as the tech companyispayingfor substantial amounts of the generation, and stresses the data center is awin for economic development

Theutility says that Metaispaying for the full annual revenue of the natural gas-fired plants for15 years and that the tech company “will contribute alarge percentage of the costs that would otherwise be borne by all of (Entergy’s) customers.”

But the life of one such plant can exceed 30 years,which is asticking point for the opposinggroups.

‘Growthpotential’ Zuckerberg, who posted his comments on Threads, said the

casting, claiming thatPBS and NPR present biased liberal reportingagainst conservatives Kennedy said Louisiana has 318 radiostations,ofwhich 10 get money from theCorporation for Public Broadcasting, and 48 television stations, eight of whichget federal money

TheCorporation for Public Broadcasting gives money to PBS, which gives that money to local stations. Louisiana receivesabout $2.5 million.The stationsthen pay PBSdues to allow access to its programming.

Louisiana pays about $2.4 million in dues. That money is then given by PBS as grants tothe producers, who are also raising money from other sources to puttogether the individual programs

Louisiana Public Broadcasting, LPB, isastate agency that receives most of its funding from the state general fund and from corporate and viewer donations.

LPB is budgeted to receive $13.2 million fromthe stateinthe fiscal year that began this month As theonly statewide network, LPBbroadcastsinaugurations, someLegislature events,gubernatorial newsconferences,when hurricanes threaten and other events. LPB shares itsbroadcasts with private stations.

LPB also provideseducational programming that augments kin-

company intended to scale up the facility to a5-gigawatt data centerover several years, the size of which would rival Manhattan and consume the amount of power of New Orleanssix times over in agivenyear.Ashley Settle, a spokespersonfor Meta, confirmed that the project, named “Hyperion,” refers to the Louisiana data center

The already-historicplanfor theRichlandParish facilitycould consume less than half of the figureZuckerberg boasted. In February,Stacey Yip, another Meta spokesperson, confirmed that the Louisiana site would have around 2gigawatts of server capacity,but needadditional energy for cooling andoffice space.

“I know (Meta has) been investigating the abilitytobuy more landand to build more power,” Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeoissaid.

“Since thebeginning, there was an

dergartenthrough 12th grade teaching in schools and programming that homebound and homeless children can usetocontinue their education.

The state’stwo largest radio stations affiliated with NPR are WWNO in New Orleans, which receives about $220,000 ayear in federal funds, and WRKF in Baton Rouge, which receivesabout $150,000, saidPaul Maassen, generalmanager of WWNOand WRKF For both stations, the money accounts for about 8% of the stations’ budgets. The rest comes from individual donations, local business underwriters, and various grants from public and philanthropic sources, he said Tuesday

In addition, the Corporation of Public Broadcasting pays for shared services,such as rightsto air music and the satellitesystem thatdelivers national programming. Thoseexpenses will now the borne by individualstations, whichcould add another$50,000 each station will have to start paying.

“We’re goingtoreally have to take somehard looks at the programming budget. That includes national programming. But itsalso going to include local programming too. Localprograms are expensive to produce,” Maassen said. Still, Maassen said WWNO and

ongoingconversation about the potential for growth there, andthat is onething that wassoattractive about that state site —the growth potential.”

The advocacy groups want Meta’scontract withEntergyextended to 25 years to moreclosely align with the duration of agas plant. The utility,however,says thateven if Meta leaves after the 15-year contract, theplants will be needed as others are retired. Entergy rejects extending the contract, Laura Beauchamp, vice president of business strategy and operations at the utility,reiterated during thehearing.

The techcompanyisnot paying forfuel costsofthe gas plantsor anew $550 milliontransmission line, according to public filings. Metaannounced in December its plantobuild the industrialsite on agricultural land the size of around 70 footballfields. The project is expected to support 300 to 500 per-

WRKF, which operate in the state’s largest markets, are in good position relative to other stations, particularly in ruralareas,where federal moneyaccounts forupto 40% of their budgets. In manycases, not just in Louisiana but across thenation,the smaller stations are theonly available free broadcasts of not just local affairs but also disaster warnings.

“I hope the legislators fully understand theramifications of their votes,”Maassen said.

The Republican Senate majority can lose only four GOP votes. Democratic senators are universally against the measure. SeveralGOP senatorshave questioned the need to cut public broadcasting. Others wanted to protect HIV/AIDS funding, and others still fret that this is thefirst of several DOGE cuts that Trumpwants to enact despite the U.S. Constitution putting financial decisions in the hands of Congress.

Trumpisthreatening GOPsenatorswho vote against the package that he will not support them in the 2026 elections. The president wrote July 10 on Truth Social: “It is very important thatall Republicansadhere to my Recissions Bill and, in particular,DEFUND THE CORPORATIONFOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN& MSDNC put together.Any Repub-

manent jobs and5,000 constructionworkers at peak.

Beauchamp said Tuesdaythat she did not know if the new hires would be locally based. The confidential agreement the utility reached with thetech company “is about the production of service of electricity,itisnot tied to the numberofjobs,” she said.

‘Not an idealoutcome’

Some of the partiesinvolvedin the electricity proposal —includingthe staff of the Public Service Commission andthe Sierra Club came to an agreement last week, shortening the lengthofthe hearingfromtwo weekstotwo days. The role of thecommission staff is to help fill informational gaps to help theelected commissioners reach their decision.

Joshua Smith, astaff attorney at theSierra Club, said that his group’ssettlementlast week was “not an idealoutcome,”but that

lican that votes to allowthis monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.”

Trumpisusing theImpoundment Control Act, which was enacted when then-President RichardNixon wanted to rescindalready appropriatedfunds. Under the special rules, which requirea simple majority and cannot be filibustered, Congress must approve aHouse-passedrescissionpackage within 45 days, or July 18 in this case. If thelegislation is not approvedbythattime,the existing appropriations continue. The House rescission package was approved June 12 on a214212 vote, in whichfour GOPrepresentatives joined 208 Democratic members voting against, including Reps. Troy Carter, of NewOrleans; andCleoFields,ofBaton Rouge. Allfourofthe Louisiana delegation’sRepublicans voted for the rescission package, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, of Benton; Majority Leader Steve Scalise, of Jefferson; Reps ClayHiggins, of Lafayette; and Julia Letlow,of Start.

Johnson said after the House vote: “Today’spassage of this initial rescissions package marks a critical step towards amore responsible and transparent governmentthat puts the interests of the American taxpayers first.”

he’scautiously optimistic over Meta’s agreementtoprocure additional solar to offset someof the data center’sgas-related pollution.

“This wasadifficult one because we’ve had twoLouisiana commissioners vocally support the project,” Smithsaid. “The governorhas been supportive.Soonce commission staffdecided to settle as well, it in my view becameextremely unlikely thatyou have an outcome that defeated any one or all of the gas generators.” Meta had agreed to build to 1500 megawatts of solar power in Louisiana,according to public filings, though this provision is not legally binding. The tech company is now committing to an additional 500 megawatts, Smith said.

Staff writer Stephanie Riegel contributed reporting.

Email Josie Abugov at Josie Abugov@theadvocate.com.

If You’re Over ThirtyThis is the BEST TREATMENT youcan usefor your SCIATICA,BACKPAIN, and HERNIATEDDISCS

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We areDr. ScottLeBlanc andDr. Dana LeBlanc, a husbandand wife team,thatown LeBlancSpine Center. We have helped thousandsofpatientsget outof pain with Spinal Decompressiontherapy treatments, andwelove what we do.Discissuesare common,and patients sufferingare usuallygiven limitedoptions of treatment. We runthese bignewspaper advertisementstolet people in thecommunity know thereis anotheroptionoftreatment forpain- withoutmedication,injections, or surgery!

NON-SURGICALSPINAL DECOMPRESSION is a breakthrough,non-invasive treatmentthathas been proventoreverse disc herniationsand relievenerve pain in theneck andlow back.Duringthe procedure, aspinaldiscisisolatedand aseriesofdistraction andrelaxationphasesoccur at averyspecificangle, targetingthe source of pain.A vacuum canbecreated inside thediscand thenegativepressuredeliversnutrients, oxygen,and fluidfromsurrounding tissues, to assist with repair of thedamaged disc Thetreatment is not painfulatall,and most patients read or even take anap whileontreatment!

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Ihavesuffered with numbness in my legs for 5monthsbeforegoing to LeBlancSpine Center. Afterthe firstinitialconsultation, I startedSpinalDecompression treatments and within 3months, Ihad ahuge differencein mobility,reduced pain,and thenumbness was subsiding. Ihaveimprovedabout 80%from thetreatments. Isleep better,walkwithout pain,and duetocervicaldecompression,my migrainesare almost non-existent.Dr. Scott listenedtomysymptomsand began to treat therootofmyproblems. Thedoctors andstaff are compassionate andverycaring. It feelslikeafamilyand their patient’swellbeing really matterstothem. I 100% recommendLeBlancSpine Center! JoyLewis Hometown -Baton Rouge,LA

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Wildfire threatensGrand Canyon cabins

BY ROSS D. FRANKLIN, SUSAN

MONTOYABRYAN and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz

Crews fighting awildfirethat destroyed the nearly century-old Grand Canyon Lodge were focused Tuesday on stopping theflames from consuming nearby cabins, awater pumping station, mule stables and other structures, fire officials said.

Hundreds of firefighters are dealing with apair of wildfires along the park’sless-visited North Rim that together have burned through more than 90 square miles. That’s more than twice the size of theentire Walt Disney World complex in Florida. Each blazegrewovernight into Tuesday,but fire officials expressed optimism that they had slowed the spreadofthe White Sage Fire, the larger of the two. Tourists standingalong the park’s

popular South Rim on Tuesday watched plumes of smoke rise above the sweeping vista, filling the canyon with athickhaze and poolinginits depths.

“By the afternoon, it was completely socked in,” Christi Andersonsaidofthe smoke that had filledthe canyon the day before.

“Youcouldn’tsee anything, none of that. It was crazy.”

Anderson was visiting from California and considered herself lucky because she had shifted her reservation tothe South Rim in the preceding days. Otherwise she wouldhave been among those forced to evacuate.

TheDragonBravo Fire, ignited by alightning strike on July 4, destroyed the lodge and dozensof cabins over theweekend.Thatfire had been allowed to burnfor days before strong winds caused it to erupt,leading to questionsabout theNational Park Service’sdecision not to aggressively attack the fire right away

Four days into thefire, thePark Servicesaiditwas beingallowed to burn to benefit the land. Then on Friday, fire officials and the Park Service warnedvisitorsto evacuate immediately as the fire grew exponentially

Theflames were fannedbyuncharacteristic nighttime gusts that topped 40 mph.

“Normally the fire ‘lays down’ at night because of higherhumidity and lower temperatures, but this thing was really wind-driven,” fire informationofficer Stefan La-Sky saidTuesday,adding that moisture levels within thetrees andbrush across thearea are at record lows

Arizona Gov.Katie Hobbs has called for an investigation into the ParkService’shandling of the fire andplans to meet withfederal officials.

U.S. Sens. MarkKelly andRubenGallego alsoare askingInterior SecretaryDougBurgum how theTrump administration plans

Esher,a corn snake, wraps around awooden perch at the

SNAKE

Continued from page1A

Baton Rouge experts said an aversion to snakes is learned, notinnate. They pointed out that many childrenare fascinated by reptiles and amphibians and onlydevelop fear or disgust over time.

“I think everyone is born a herpetologist,”Austin said. “I think most kids, boys and girls, love to go out in the backyard and the bayou and catch frogs, and raise up tadpoles, and grab lizards and grab snakes.”

Unlike the fearoffalling or the fear of loud noises, which are considered inborn fears, babies do not show the same instinctivealarm in the presence of snakes.One study suggests thatchildren might be more reactiveto aposematic signals, or warning signs such as bright colors or high-contrastpat-

terns thatindicate an animal is dangerous, rather than snakes inherently Snakes are criticalfor pest control,saidBaton Rouge Zoo education curator Jennifer Shields. They help keep the backyard ecosystem in check, eating insects, fish, frogs, birdsand small mammalslike rats and mice.

“If we didn’thave snakes, we’d be uptoour eyeballs in rats and mice,” Shieldssaid. Around BatonRouge, residents aremost likely to encounter thenonvenomousgray ratsnakeor water snakeslike plain-bellied or diamondback, Shields said.

Louisiana is, however home to seven venomous species,including rattlesnakes, coral snakes,copperheads and cottonmouths.

Austin and Shieldssaid residents should not try to catch or kill snakes. If peopleencountersnakesinthe backyardorona walk,they said, it’sbest to observe the reptiles from adistanceor

walk away

“A lot of venomous snake bites are theresult of people trying to kill snakes,” Austinsaid. “Allsnakes would much ratherslither away from you. They are not confrontational whatsoever.”

For ahealthysnake population, residents should leave as much wild space withnative plantsintheir yards as possible,Shields said. They should also avoid rat and mousepoison, she said, because it kills not just therodents but thesnakes who feed on them.

Above all, experts said it’simportanttolive and let live. There’snosuch thing as a“good” or “bad” snake, Shieldssaidduringa demonstration of some of the zoo’s slithery inhabitants.

“They all belong in the environment,”she said.

She brought ababyCaliforniakingsnakeuptoher nose.

“And some of them are very cute. like you!”

to track wildfire decision-making undera recent executive order to consolidate federal firefighting forces into asingle program

The AssociatedPress left phone andemail messages withPark Service officials seeking comment about how the fire wasmanaged.

Over the years, managers at the Grand Canyonhave successfully used fire to benefit thelandscape, with the park having what some experts say is an exemplary fire management program that has tapped both prescribed fireand wildfires to improve forest health.

Andi Thode, aprofessor of fire ecology and management at Northern Arizona University andthe lead at the Southwest Fire Science Consortium, said park managers have even re-burned someareas in multiple places over the years to create what she called “one of the best jigsawpuzzles” on public land.She notedthatfire behavior decreased significantlywhenthe Dragon Bravo Fire burned into the

footprint of apreviously burned area.

“Socreating that heterogeneity across thelandscape, using fire is a really critical tool moving forward to be able to help in the future with these wildfire events that are happening at the worst time in the worst weather conditions with the driest fuels,” Thode said. Fire officials on Tuesday said the Dragon Bravo Fire had spread to nearly 13 square miles(34 square kilometers) while the larger White Sage Fire had charred 81 square miles (210 square kilometers). Neither blaze hadany containment, and La-Sky said it was too early for his team to offer atimeline for when the flames might be contained.

“We’re always at the mercy of Mother Nature,” he said.

Park officials have closed access to the North Rim,amore isolated area that drawsonly about 10% of the Grand Canyon’smillions of annual visitors.

PATIOENCLOSURE

Cassidysaysmeasles outbreak haspeaked

Authoritiesurge people to get vaccinated

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON The nation’s measlescrisishas peaked and is fast resolving because of effortsbystate and federal authoritiestoget people vaccinated against the oftendeadly disease that had once been considered eradicated

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Tuesday “You cansay that there are far more cases than we’ve had in the last six months than we’ve had in quite some time,” Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, told local reporters Tuesday.“But if you look at the overall incidence, it appears to be dying down.”

Cassidy attributes thedeclinenationwide to vaccination efforts by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and in Louisiana to similar efforts by state Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham Jr Aphysician for 30 years Cassidy noted that people who catch measles and survive are immunized from catching thedisease again. But he hopes that the decline wasmostlyattributable to more people getting vaccinated.

oversees Kennedy’shealth department

Cassidy was responding to acallbySenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for Kennedy to acknowledge that the number of measles cases has grown so large underhis watchas to present anational health care emergency In February,ameasles outbreakinWestTexas among peoplewho refused to getvaccinated left two children dead.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionreported July 8a total of 1,288 confirmed measles cases in 39 jurisdictions, including two in Louisiana.

That’sthe largest number of cases at one time in more than three decades.

“You can saythat there are far more cases than we’vehad in the last six months than we’ve hadin quite some time. But if you look at the overallincidence, it appears to be dying down.”

SEN. BILL CASSIDy, R-Baton Rouge

Schumer blamed Kennedy,who hasahistory of vaccine skepticism,for failing to respond to the rapid resurgence of the disease Kennedy fired all 17 membersofthe committee that advises the CDC on vaccination policies, beganlaying off thousands of department empl oyees, canceled research grants and forced agency vaccine scientists into leaving their jobs.

“This isn’t just failure, it’s malpractice: Measles is oneofthe most contagiousviruses known to science —and one of the most preventable,” Schumer wrote Kennedy in aJuly11 letter

ed 33 years ago, Schumer continued.

Kennedy said Monday during anews conference he did not consider the measles outbreaks to be a national emergency.Hesaid that compared with theoutbreaks worldwide, the U.S. is faring well.

Yemen reports15,683 measles cases, Pakistan 12,732, India 10,299, and Canada 3,053 measles cases as of July 9, according to theWorld Health Organization

Kennedy said his health department hascontrolled the outbreaks effectively, noting that most of the American cases have occurred in people whodon’t want to be vaccinated.

“Measles kills, and I’m pleased to say that RFK Jr and Ralph Abraham in Louisiana are assuring people that the vaccines are safe, that they should get vaccinated,” said Cassidy,who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that

Declaring anationwide public health emergency wouldfree up funding and leverage federal, state and local personnel and other resourcesintocombating the spread of the highly contagiousdisease that hadbeen officiallydeclared eradicat-

“There aresome populations that do notwant to vaccinate. We’re making sure there are protocols for treating people who actually getmeasles,” Kennedy said.

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate. com.

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because they typically provide abetter sense of where inflationisheaded.

The uptick in inflation was driven by arange of higher prices. The cost of gasoline rose 1% just from Mayto June, while groceryprices increased 0.3%. Appliance prices jumped for the third straight month.Toys, clothes, audio equipment, shoesand sporting goods all got more expensive, and are all heavilyimported.

“You are starting to see scattered bits of the tariff inflation regime filter in,” said Eric Winograd, chief economist at asset management firmAllianceBernstein, who added that the cost of long-lasting goods roselastmonth,compared with ayear ago, for the first time in about three years.

Winograd also noted that housing costs, abig inflation driver sincethe pandemic, have continuedtocool, holding down broader inflation. The cost of rent rose 3.8% in June compared with ayear ago, the smallestyearly increase since late 2021.

“Were it not for the tariff uncertainty,the Fed would already be cutting rates,” Winograd said. “The question is whetherthere is more to come, and the Fed clearly thinks there is,” along with most economists.

Some items got cheaper last month, including new and used cars, hotel rooms, and airfares. Travel prices havegenerally declined in recent months as fewer international tourists visit the U.S Abroader political battle over Trump’stariffs is emerging, afight that will ultimatelybedetermined by how the U.S. public feels about their cost of living and whether the president is making good on his 2024 promise to help the middle class

The White House pushed back on claims that the report showed anegative impact from tariffs, since the cost

of newcarsfelldespite the 25% tariffs on autos and 50% tariffsonsteelandaluminum

Theadministration also noted that despite the June bump in apparelprices, clothing prices are still cheaper than three months ago.

“ConsumerPricesLOW,”

Trump posted on TruthSocial.“Bring down the Fed Rate, NOW!!!”

For Democratic lawmakers, the inflation report confirmedtheir warnings over the past several months that Trump’stariffs could reignite inflation.Theysaid Tuesday that it will only become more painfulgiven the size of the tariff rates in the letters that Trump posted over thepast week

“For those saying we have not seen the impact of Trump’stariff wars, look at today’sdata. Americans continue tostruggle with the costs of groceries and rent —and now prices of food and appliances are rising,” said Sen.Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

Many businesses built up astockpile of goods this spring and were able todelay price hikes, while others likely waited to seeifthe duties would become permanent

More businessesnow appear to be throwinginthe

towel andpassing on costs to consumers, including Walmart, the world’slargest retailer,which has said it raised prices in June.

AutomakerMitsubishi said last month that it was lifting prices by an averageof2.1% in responsetothe duties,and Nike hassaiditwould implement“surgical” price hikes.

Powellsaidlastmonth that companies up anddownthe supply chainwould seek to avoidpaying tariffs,but that ultimately some combinationofbusinesses and consumers would bear thecost.

“There’sthe manufacturer, the exporter,the importer,the retailer,and the consumer,and each one of those is going to be trying nottobethe one to payfor the tariff,” theFed chair said. “But together,they will all pay for it together —ormaybe one party will pay it all. Butthat process is very hard to predict,and we haven’tbeen through asituation like this.”

Trump has imposed sweepingdutiesof10% on all imports plus 30% on goods from China. Lastweek the president threatened to hit the European Unionwith anew 30% tariffstarting Aug. 1. He has alsothreatened to slap50% duties on Brazil,

whichwould push up the cost of orange juice and coffee. Orange prices leapt 3.5% just from May to June, andare 3.4% higherthana year ago, thegovernment

said Tuesday

Overall, grocery prices rose 0.3% last month and are up 2.4% from ayear earlier.While that is amuch smallerincreasethan after the pandemic, wheninflation surged, it is slightly bigger than the pre-pandemic pace.

The Trump administration has also placed a17% duty on Mexican tomatoes.

Families have cut spending on food as prices rise. Cassidy Grom, 29, her husband, and his mother are eating out less and try to stretchgrocery storerotisserie chickens as faraspossible,using theminsalads and the bones forsoup.

“Itfeels like amiracleif I’m able to leave the grocery store without spending $100,” the Edison, New Jersey, resident said.“We’re trying to save for ahouse, we’re trying to save for a family,soprices are really on our mind.”

“There’sthe manufacturer,the exporter, theimporter, theretailer,and the consumer, and eachone of those is going to be trying not to be the one to payfor thetariff. But together,they will all payfor it together —or maybeone party will pay it all. But that process is veryhard to predict, and we haven’tbeen through asituationlikethis.”

FEDERAL RESERVECHAIR

Accelerated inflation could provide arespite forPowell, who hascomeunder withering fire from the White House over interest rates. The Fed chairhas said that the duties could both push up prices andslow the economy,atricky combinationfor the centralbank since higher costs would typically lead theFed to hike rates while aweaker economy often spurs it to reducethem.

Assisted-livinghome hashistory of late reports

9residents

BY KIMBERLEEKRUESI, HOLLYRAMER and MICHELLE R. SMITH

Associated Press

FALL RIVER, Mass. AMas-

sachusetts assisted-living center where nine residents died in afire was cited for failingtoimmediately report more than two dozen health and safetyincidents according to regulators’ most recent review of the facility Five men and four women were killed andatleast 30 others were injured Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River,about 50 miles south of Boston. Some of the 70 residentswererescued by ladder after screaming for help from the windows of the three-story building. Investigators have not determined the cause of the blaze, which was the state’s

deadliest fireinmorethan four decades.

The 100-unit facility whichopenedin1999 in a former motel built decades earlier, was last inspected by the state on Oct. 31, 2023, according to areport from thestate ExecutiveOffice of Elder Affairs.

The report cited the facility forseven deficiencies, four of which were repeat problems. After the facility responded with acorrective action plan, it was recertified throughNovember 2025. Most of theissuesinvolved missing documentation.For example, seven resident files thatwere reviewed were missing documents to indicatethat their service plans were reassessed within 30 days of moving in, as required. The plans outlinethe services each residentreceives, including whether they need help with medication and meals.

The review also found problems with the reporting of safety incidents. Facilitiesare supposed to submit reports of incidents that could have asignificant negative effect on residents’ health,safetyorwelfare within 24 hours, but the review found 26 reports that were sent later than that between May 5, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2023.

The report did not specify the totalnumber of incidents, or provide any details about what they involved.

Thestate also watched two staffers provide medication assistance to seven residentsand foundseveral problems,including failure to document when eyedrops were opened,loose tablets in medication storage areas and partially opened medication.

Someresidents saidonly two or three staffers were working at thetime of the fire, and they offered little help.

‘Severance’leads

Emmy nominees with 27 as AppleTV+ dominates

BY ANDREWDALTON Associated Press

LOS ANGELES “Severance”separated itself fromthe field with 27 Emmy nominations Tuesday,while “The Studio” ledcomedy nominees with arecord-tying 23 in a dominant year for Apple TV+. No other dramas came close to the dystopian workplace series “Severance,” which achieved a convergence of acclaim and audience buzz for its second season that brought an expected Emmy bounty “It’sbeenthe best kind of morning,” AppleTV+ head of programming Matt Cherniss told The Associated Press.

Leadactingnominationscame for “Severance” stars Adam Scott andBritt Lower for what amounted to dual roles as their characters’ “innie” work selves and “outie” home selves. Tramell Tillman got asupporting nod for playing their toneshifting, pineapple-wielding supervisor. Patricia Arquettewas nominated for supporting actress for playing an ousted outcast from thesinister family business at thecenter of theshow.And Ben Stiller got anomination for directing theSeason 2finale.

Apple’sHollywood satire “The Studio” was expected to make asignificant showing for its first season, but it romped over more established showslike “Hacks, whichgot 14,and “The Bear,” which got 13. And“The Studio” tied a record set by “The Bear” last year when it also got 23 nominations, themost ever for acomedy.

SethRogen, whococreated “The Studio” withlongtime collabora-

tor Evan Goldberg, personally got three nominations —for acting, writing and directing.

Rogen toldthe AP that “my ego is in shock” and called the raft of nominations “very validating in a way thatI’m notused to being validated.

Hisshow’s A-listroster of guest stars brought in a bounty,with nominations for MartinScorsese, Ron Howard, Bryan Cranston, Anthony Mackie,Dave Franco and Zoë Kravitz. The menmade for five of the six nominees in the guest actor in acomedy category.

“The Penguin,” HBO’s dark drama fromthe “Batman”universe, was also surprisingly dominant in the limited series category with 24 nominations, including nods for leads Colin Far-

rell andCristin Milioti. Netflix’sacclaimed “Adolescence” got 13 limited series nominations,including asupporting actor nod for 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who plays a13-year-old suspected of akilling. Many expect Cooper to become the youngest Emmy winnerinmore than 40 years, largely because of abreath-taking episode that is one long therapy session inside ajuvenile jail. Like all“Adolescence”episodes, it’sdoneinone long shot. His psychologist scene partner, Erin Doherty,was also nominated, forlimited seriessupporting actress.

“Ifyou just sitand listen, and let someone talk, that is such agorgeous offering,” Doherty told the AP “I don’tthink we do it that often. I’m trying to take that forward.”

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BR could see several inches of rain

Gulf disturbance may bring flooding

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

As much as 10 inches of rain could get dumped on Baton Rouge later this week, possibly leading to flooding, as an area of low pressure now hovering off the eastern coast of Florida begins to make it way into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service issued a flood watch for the Baton Rouge area from Wednesday afternoon through at least Friday night, according to the agency

“Generally, 3 to 6 inches of rain is forecast, with locally higher amounts of up to 10 inches possible,” the weather service said Tuesday morning.

“Rainfall rates in excess of 2 to 4 inches per hour are likely with some storms,” the weather service said. More than 30 parishes are included in the flood watch. In the Baton Rouge area, those include Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, Assumption and St James parishes. In East Baton Rouge Parish, two shelters have been

Livingston library board mulls spending

New strategic plan approved

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD

Staff writer

Conversations of spending and budget concerns once again dominated a Livingston Parish library board meeting Tuesday In a standing-room-only meeting of the Livingston Parish Library Board of Control, parish residents, former library board members and parish leaders discussed approving preliminary moves for a maintenance project and approving a strategic plan. Both topics brought up conversations about the library’s spending. The board and members in the audience debated approving a preliminary budget and the scope of work to begin a maintenance project to address an erosion issue at the Albany library branch.

Board members had previously discussed approving more than $300,000 to dedicate to the project, as the board was also hiring a professional of record to enact the construction plan. Some residents voiced concerns about the library dedicating too much money too quickly before approving other steps for the plan.

Board member Becky Morgan, who has been heavily involved in the planning process for the project, told the audience that the board could approve that amount, but would most likely not spend that much money Morgan said the board just needed to have a target amount approved.

“No money has been spent on this project,” she said Parish President Randy Delatte, in his ex-officio position on the board, urged the board to make the motion to pick an engineer but said there was no need to promise a budget yet.

Delatte said on a parish level, officials work with the engineer and then determine a budget.

“We don’t know what those things are going to cost, so I can’t give him a budget,” Delatte said Ultimately after a lively debate from the audience and board members, the board approved appointing McLin Taylor, an engineering, surveying and development firm as the professional of record to move forward in the process. The board did not approve a budget of more than $300,000 for the

opened, as well as multiple sites where residents can load sandbags. People should bring their own shovels for the sand, according to the city-parish.

The “slowly organizing disturbance” is expected to move into the Gulf by Wednesday, with the possibility of forming into a tropical depression later this week, according to the weather service.

“The bulk of rain is expected Thursday through Saturday in Baton Rouge, but especially on Friday,” said Megan Williams, a meteorologist with the

weather service office in Slidell.

“Flooding will be a big concern, especially for Baton Rouge because it’s urban, but across the area, residents could potentially see flooded roadways and puddling of water in low-lying areas,” she said.

The rain could come in bands, off and on, with very heavy rainfall for short amounts of time, Williams said. That pattern is typical for slow-moving tropical disturbances.

A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms predicted on Wednesday increases to 90% during the day on Thursday and 70% that night.

Baton Rouge is expected to see a 90% chance of rain during the day Friday, with the chance of rain dropping off to 30% that night, the weather service predicted on Tuesday Rain is expected through the weekend, as well.

Sandbags, shelters

Sandbags are available at the following locations. Residents should bring their own shovels:

n BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds, 16072 Airline Highway

n BREC Alsen Park, 601 Old Rafe Mayer Road n BREC Baker Park, 4331 Jefferson St. n BREC Cadillac Street, 6117 Cadillac St. n BREC Doyles Bayou Park, 7801 Port HudsonPride Road

n BREC Flannery Road Park, 801 S. Flannery Road n BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park, 1702 Gardere Lane n BREC Lovett Road Park, 13443 Lovett Road n BREC Memorial Stadium, 1702 Foss St. East Baton Rouge Parish has also opened two shelters: n Bishop Ott Shelter, 1623 Convention St., Baton Rouge, (225) 383-7837, ext. 223. n Salvation Army (a men’s-

Smokestack in sight

CATS union cites safety issues

Group alleges ‘systemic failure’

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

The Capital Area Transit System’s bus worker union says administrators have allowed a “systemic failure” of safety, citing among other examples a recent event in which an operator shielded a woman and child from a violent spouse for 12 minutes while waiting for responders to arrive.

“The workforce is shocked, frustrated, and fed up,” the union said in a release Sunday

The disagreements over safety have led the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1546 to hold off on signing the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, which CATS is required to submit as a recipient of funding from the Federal Transit Administration

It’s the latest point of tension between the two parties, who failed to reach an accord earlier this year over contract negotiations, trig-

gering a weeklong strike that slowed public transit around the capital region.

A Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan creates procedures that lay the groundwork for a systematic and comprehensive safety management system, according to the Federal Transit Administration.

ATU Local 1546 President George DeCuir also referenced a brake-failure incident and near-miss collision in the release as effects of CATS’ inability to “meet basic safety compliance requirements.”

“We just want a safe, reliable, comfortable work environment,” DeCuir said in an interview

A statement from CATS on Tuesday said the agency maintains internal committees to review safety incidents and adopt “meaningful improvements.” After the brake failure referenced in the union’s news release, CATS implemented enhanced brake safety protocols, it said. “We also want to clarify that other incidents referenced in the news release

were reviewed internally,” the statement said. “In each case, appropriate procedures were followed, and no safety violations were found. CATS remains transparent and responsive in how it addresses such matters.”

CATS confirmed that union-appointed members declined to vote on the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan at the most recent meeting due to “ongoing labor negotiations.”

“This delay is procedural in nature and does not reflect a lack of compliance or commitment to safety on behalf of the agency,” the statement said.

In addition to the union’s complaints that recent events put drivers in unsafe situations, DeCuir said CATS facilities are aging and need to be updated. The lighting in the garage behind the administrative building is a particular issue, he said.

“We’re calling for proper oversight to have the safety concerns addressed, with adequate lighting and safe and reliable equipment,” DeCuir said.

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

New pricing at BREC’s Liberty Lagoon offers half-day sessions at a lower cost, beginning Wednesday according to the Baton Rouge parks and recreation agency Previously, guests at the water park on Lobdell Avenue paid $12 per guest for a full-day session. They can still do that, but now visitors can also choose to pay $6 for half-day stays. The half-day sessions are offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

N.O. officials: Building collapse repair timeline set

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

Crews will begin in August to restore a historic Central Business District building that partially collapsed last year, city officials said this week marking a step forward for a major downtown thoroughfare that has seen a spate of reopening challenges.

Part of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities building at O’Keefe Avenue and Lafayette Street collapsed in December, shutting down roadways and creating headaches for businesses At a City Council committee meeting Tuesday, administration officials said they plan to reopen O’Keefe Avenue, which has been closed since the collapse, and complete structural repairs by January.

Endowment President Miranda Restovic said in a statement that the organization has been working “tirelessly” to stabilize its headquarters.

“Unfortunately, a project of this magnitude is not a quick or easy process, and we acknowledge the hardship this has presented for our neighbors. Our priority remains the safety of the surrounding community while we work to ensure the building’s structural integrity for its next 150 years,” Restovic said.

After the collapse, Endowment officials tapped a team of engineering and construction firms to shore up the building temporarily and identify structural deficiencies, according to documentation published on the agency’s website.

Officials expect the build-

ing’s structural repairs also will be completed in January, while exterior facade work will likely continue into the new year It’s unclear when the building itself will reopen.

New Orleans construction firm Woodward Design + Build will handle the first phase of repairs.

“There’s still several months of reconstruction that need to take place,” New Orleans Office of Economic Development Director Jeffrey Schwartz told council members. “But as of right now the plan is for January, which we know would make this a full year of impact to the surrounding community.”

The building’s partial collapse prompted a range of traffic control measures because of safety concerns.

Earlier this year officials limited traffic on O’Keefe to one lane, but closed it after heavy truck traffic created “unacceptable” ground vibrations near the site, according to a timeline of events since the collapse The block later reopened to pedestrians, but remained partially obscured by safety barriers. O’Keefe has two-way traffic instead of one-way from Julia Street to Lafayette Street, and it is then closed to Poydras Street.

That impact has been a burden on nearby businesses such as Maypop, an upscale restaurant that shut down in April after months of street obstructions related to the collapse.

Maypop co-owner Michael Gulotta told The Times-Picayune earlier this year that the

street closures were the “nail in the coffin for the restaurant.”

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities building is one of several high-profile building collapses in recent years that has raised calls for a response from city leaders.

The City Council agreed in January to hire an engineer to advise it on how to best shore up aging buildings.

But because no firms responded to the city’s bid for a consult, the city reissued its request last month, District B council member Lesli Harris said.

Schwartz said that while the city anticipates a January reopening, that timeline is subject to change. The riverside sidewalk and parking lane will remain closed as restoration to the building’s exterior con-

Two arrested in connection to fatal shooting

BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer

Authorities arrested two suspects Monday linked to a Fourth of July shooting in Geismar that left an 18-year-old dead, according to a release from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit arrested Jadon Sterling, 17, of Gonzales, and Jeremiah Brown, 20, of St. Gabriel. Sterling faces charges of second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile. Brown faces counts of principal to second-degree murder and principal to illegal use of weapons. According to the release, the two are sus-

LIBERTY

Continued from page 1B

a safe, enjoyable experience for all Liberty Lagoon guests,” BREC interim Superintendent Janet Simmons said. On Friday, BREC announced it would start clos-

LIBRARY

Continued from page 1B

project.

Billy Taylor, of McLin Taylor, said he will assess the project, then come back with a report to tell the board what is needed and how much it is going to cost. The board also finally approved a new strategic plan. A four-year strategic plan was proposed last fall, but the members on the board at the time did not approve it. The former board had concerns about

ing Liberty Lagoon for an hour every day and rolled out a new pricing plan that required visitors to enter the park twice if they wanted to stay there all day BREC said it made the changes to protect swimmers and staff from the heat.

There was confusion from visitors who thought they

potential spending, which board members believed ultimately impacted taxpayer dollars. The board approved Tuesday night approved a 10-year strategic plan, instead of four years. Library Director Michelle Parrish said the library is in the last year of the former library director’s strategic plan, so it needed a new plan Parrish emphasized that the library and its board can amend the plan as time goes on, but that they just needed something on the table. “If we want to tweak it

pected of killing Justin Scott, 18, during a party at a residence on Dave Miller Road in Geismar About 10 p.m., deputies responding to a shooting at the location found Scott suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital where he died from his wounds.

Detectives later learned that Scott and Sterling,

would have to pay for two $12 sessions if they wanted to stay in the park all day

The parks department is also dropping the $2 discount it gave to visitors who bought advance tickets online.

Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate. com.

throughout the years, then we do. It’s a plan,” Parrish said.

Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com.

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who was at the residence, had gotten into an altercation during the party that led to an exchange of gunfire. Sterling was also struck during the incident and treated at a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening. He was arrested soon after being discharged, the release said.

Meanwhile, detectives learned Brown had alleg-

edly acted as a getaway driver for Sterling during the fatal shooting. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Brown turned himself in, the release added.

Ascension Parish officials say the investigation is ongoing.

Email Aidan McCahill at aidan.mccahill@ theadvocate.com.

U.K. Treasury chief aims to slash red tape

LONDON U.K Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said Tuesday that she’ll cut red tape for banks and finance

firms so that “informed risktaking” can help kick-start Britain’s sluggish economy

The government is trying to regain the economic initiative after rocky weeks of costly U-turns and figures showing the U.K. economy contracted for two months running.

Arguing that regulation often “acts as a boot on the neck of businesses,” Reeves announced plans to pare back some of the rules introduced after the 2008 global financial crisis, which was triggered by risky lending That includes reforms to “ringfencing” rules enacted to separate banks’ retail and investment banking activities, and a review of the amount of capital banks must hold. She said that it was the widest set of reforms of financial services in more than a decade.

“We are fundamentally reforming the regulatory system, freeing up firms to take risks and to drive growth,” Reeves said on a visit to Leeds in northern England U.S. rare earth producer gets boost

MP Materials which runs the only American rare earths mine, announced a new $500 million agreement with tech giant Apple on Tuesday to produce more of the powerful magnets used in iPhones as well as other high-tech products like electric vehicles.

This news comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that the U.S. Defense Department agreed to invest $400 million in shares of the Las Vegasbased company That will make the government the largest shareholder in MP Materials and help increase magnet production.

Despite the name, the 17 rare earth elements aren’t actually rare, but it’s hard to find them in a high enough concentration to make a mine worth the investment. They are important ingredients in everything from smartphones and submarines to EVs and fighter jets, and it’s those military applications that have made rare earths a key concern in ongoing U.S. trade talks.

Nvidia nudges Nasdaq ahead of stock slump

NEW YORK Most U.S. stocks slumped on Tuesday after the latest update on inflation hurt Wall Street’s hopes for lower interest rates.

The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, though it’s still near its alltime high set last week, as 90% of the stocks within the index fell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 436 points, or 1%.

Tech stocks were an outlier, though, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2% to set another record thanks to Nvidia, the market’s most influential stock.

Stocks of big U.S. banks, meanwhile, were mixed following their latest profit reports.

JPMorgan Chase slipped 0.7% despite reporting a stronger profit than analysts expected, as CEO Jamie Dimon warned of risks to the economy because of tariffs and other concerns.

Citigroup rose 3.7% following its better-than-expected profit report. But Wells Fargo fell 5.5% following its own, as it trimmed its forecast for an important way that it makes money All told, the S&P 500 fell 24.80 points to 6,243.76. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 436.36 to 44,023.29, and the Nasdaq composite rose 37.47 to 20,677.80.

Federal workers detail cuts, inaction

A security officer works inside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau headquarters in Washington. The bureau has been mostly inoperable for nearly six months. CFPB employees say they essentially spend the workday sitting on their hands, forbidden from doing any work by directive from the White House.

Consumer financial watchdog defanged under Trump

BY KEN SWEET AP banking reporter

NEW YORK The lights are on at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau across the street from the White House, and employees still get paid. But in practice, the bureau has been mostly inoperable for nearly six months CFPB employees say they essentially spend the workday sitting on their hands, forbidden from doing any work by directive from the White House.

The bureau is supposed to be helping oversee the nation’s banks and financial services companies and taking enforcement action in case of wrongdoing. During its 15-year existence, the CFPB has returned roughly $21 billion to consumers who were cheated by financial services companies. Instead, its main function now seems to be undoing the rulemaking and law enforcement work that was done under previous administrations, including in President Donald Trump’s first term.

One current employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the directive forbids staffers from speaking publicly about their jobs, said outsiders would be amazed at how little work is being done. Employees are reluctant even to talk to one another, out of fear that a conversation between two employees would be considered a violation of the directive.

Another employee described the drastic shift in mission, from trying to protect consumers to doing nothing, as “quite demoralizing.”

To gain an understanding of what is happening inside the CFPB, The Associated Press spoke with 10 current and former employees, as well as bankers and policymakers who used to interact with the bureau nearly every day but now say their emails and voicemails go into a black hole. The agency’s press office doesn’t respond to emails.

The CFPB took a lighter ap-

proach to its mission in Trump’s first term but continued to pursue enforcement actions. Under President Joe Biden, the agency took an expansive view of its authority, targeting profitable practices by banks such as overdraft and credit card late fees, as well as investigating companies over credit reporting and medical debt.

The bureau also turned a spotlight on Big Tech companies that have made inroads into financial services For example, the CFPB ordered Apple to pay $89 million in fines and penalties for problems related to the Apple Card.

Banks and the financial services industry felt the Biden CFPB acted too aggressively, particularly with a proposal to cut overdraft fees to $5 from the industry average of $27 to $35. The bureau estimated the move would save consumers roughly $5 billion a year The proposal was overturned by Congress in April with Trump’s backing.

Once Trump 2.0 began, the bureau became a main target of the Department of Government Efficiency, then run by Elon Musk, who posted on X that the CFPB should “RIP” shortly after DOGE employees became embedded at the agency Through the bureau’s acting chief, Russell Vought, the White House issued a directive that CFPB employees should “not perform any work tasks.”

The administration then tried to lay off roughly 90% of the bureau’s staff, or roughly 1,500 employees. Courts have blocked those layoffs, but there is a feeling inside the bureau that the court rulings are only a temporary reprieve.

Companies that committed wrongdoing, or had open investigations, have lobbied the bureau and the White House for their punishments to be rescinded. Last month, the CFPB rescinded an agreement under which Navy Federal Credit Union agreed to pay $80 million to settle claims that it illegally

charged overdraft fees to its members, who include Navy servicemen and women, and veterans. In mid-May, the agency scrapped an order for the auto financing arm of Toyota to pay customers a total of $48 million for illegally bundling products onto car buyers’ auto loans.

“Companies are lining up to get out of repaying harmed customers,” said Eric Halperin, former enforcement director at the bureau who resigned earlier this year

The Associated Press sent a list of questions to the White House regarding President Trump’s vision for the CFPB. The White House did not respond.

While the lack of new initiatives and the scuttling of old ones frustrate employees the most, they also note that even everyday tasks have largely fallen to the wayside.

A report from the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the senior Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, found that the bureau is uploading roughly 2,200 complaints a day to its complaint database, compared with the roughly 10,500 complaints it was doing in the months before Trump took office again Warren came up with the idea for the bureau when she was a law professor at Harvard University

The bureau did take an enforcement action on Friday The pawnshop chain FirstCash Inc. agreed to pay $9 million to settle claims that it charged excessive interest rates on loans to armed service members, in violation of the Military Lending Act. FirstCash operates more than 1,000 stores.

The bureau is going to be even further diminished in the coming months. The new budget law signed by Trump earlier this month cuts the CFPB’s funding by roughly half, meaning the bureau will be forced into mass layoffs. Senate Democrats are looking for ways to restore that funding.

Trump promotes energy, tech in Pa.

Tens of billions in investments touted

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and MARC LEVY Associated Press

PITTSBURGH President Donald

Trump and Republican Sen David McCormick, of Pennsylvania, touted tens of billions of dollars of recent energy and technology investments

Tuesday as the president boasted of a “true golden age for America” in energy policy and artificial intelligence.

Trump traveled to Pittsburgh at a summit helmed by McCormick that included dozens of top executives from companies aiming to make the city and the state a hot spot for advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence and energy McCormick announced more than $90 billion of investments in the state — spurring tens of thousands of jobs although some of the projects had already been in progress ahead of the summit.

“I think we have a true golden age for America And we’ve been showing it, and it truly is the hottest country anywhere in the world,” Trump said at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, held at Carnegie Mellon University “I’m honored to be in Pennsylvania, and I’m honored to be in Pittsburgh And you’re going to see some real action here. So get ready.”

Trump has repeatedly pledged U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market, and Pennsylvania — a swing state critical to his wins in 2016 and 2024 — is at the forefront of that agenda, in large part due to its coal and gas industry that the Republican administration has taken steps to bolster

Both the president and his senior administration officials on Tuesday framed the investments as part of a race against China for the most advanced deployment of artificial intelligence, with Trump saying “we are way ahead of China, I have to say.”

“China and other countries are racing to catch up to America on AI, and we’re not going to let them do it,” Trump said. He added that the U.S. will be “fighting them in a very friendly fashion.”

Some of the investments on a list released by McCormick’s office were not necessarily brand-new, while others were. Some involve massive data center projects, while others involve building power plants, expanding natural gas pipelines, upgrading power plants or improving electricity transmission networks.

Pittsburgh is home to Carnegie Mellon University, a prestigious engineering school, plus a growing industry of small robotics firms and a so-called “AI Avenue” that’s home to offices for Google and other AI firms. It also sits in the middle of the prolific Marcellus Shale natural gas reservoir

“What’s going on is a rewiring of the economy, of the world over the next 15 years, and that takes trillions and trillions and tens of trillions of dollars and it starts with power,” said Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield, during a panel discussion.

Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin in Washington contributed to this report.

Nvidia to resume its sales of AI chips to China

BY ELAINE KURTENBACH and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP business writers

BANGKOK Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang says the technology giant has won approval from the Trump administration to sell its advanced H20 computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence to China. The news came in a company blog post late Monday, which stated that the U.S. government had “assured” Nvidia that licenses would be granted — and that the company “hopes to start deliveries soon.” Shares of the California-based chipmaker were up over 4% by midday Tuesday Huang also spoke about the coup

on China’s state-run CGTN television network, in remarks shown on X. “Today, I’m announcing that the U.S. government has approved for us filing licenses to start shipping H20s,” Huang told reporters in Beijing. He added that half of the world’s AI researchers are in China. “It’s so innovative and dynamic here in China that it’s really important that American companies are able to compete and serve the market here,” he said. Huang recently met with Presi-

dent Donald Trump and other U.S. policymakers — and is in Beijing this week to attend a supply chain conference and speak with Chinese officials. The broadcast showed Huang meeting with Ren Hongbin, the head of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, host of the China International Supply Chain Expo, which Huang was attending Nvidia is an exhibitor Nvidia has profited enormously from the rapid adoption of AI, becoming the first company to have its market value surpass $4 trillion last week. However, the trade rivalry between the U.S. and China has been weighing heavily on the industry

The H20 graphics processing unit is an advanced AI chip — a type of device used to build and update a range of AI systems. But it’s less powerful than Nvidia’s top semiconductors today That’s because the H20 chip was developed to specifically comply with U.S restrictions for exports of AI chips to China. Nvidia’s most advanced chips, which carry more computing power, are off-limits to the Chinese market. Washington has been tightening controls on exports of advanced technology to China for years, citing concerns that know-how meant for civilian use could be deployed for military purposes.

Brown,

ing forall.She was aleader and advocatefor childrenwith disabilities; she workedtirelesslyfor reform. Hergreatest passion was her lovingfamily! Mary was precededin death by herhusband of 54 years, John Freeman Allen; daughter, JonnieMae Allen; parents, Walterand Dixie Gill;4 brothersand 1 sister; and granddaughter, Gina Messina. Mary is survived by her daughters Carolyn A. Patty (Richard) and Kathy AllenGuisinger (Richard);grandchildren, Tina Wall (Kelly), Jason Patty (Brianne),Lisa Campo (Craig), KellyBishop (Dathan), DixieKrautsdorfer(Matthew), Jackie LaBorde (Nicholas), and Laurie Sibley(Jason);great -grandchildren, Gabrielle and Alex Krautsdorfer, Allen, Noah,and Kyleigh LaBorde, Addison, Natalie, and Kason Sibley, Logan (Bailey), Londyn (Gage), and Lance Patty,Taylor Templet(Skye), Cezlie Campo Duncan(Clay), Chase Campo,Anthony Joseph Messina (Jordan), Madison Leiva (Troy), Taylor Schiller(Tyler), Abby, Maggie,and Joseph Wall Samantha,Savannah,Sabrina, andSeth Bishop; great-great-grandchildren,

ColeWindham, Crawford and Jesse Patty, Shepherd Schiller, and James Duncan. Visitationwillbeheld at Resthaven Funeral Home,11817 Jefferson Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA 70816, on Thursday, July17, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at Resthaven Funeral Home on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until Funeral Services at 10:00 a.m. Interment willfollow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alzheimer'sAssociation. The family would like to extend their thankstoKelly Johnson, VirginiaBeverly,and SheilaPeck, her longtime caregivers. Family and friendsmay sign the online guestbook or leave apersonal notetothe familyatwww.resthavenbaton rouge.com.

Bordelon,Gwynne DeRoche'Feenie'

Gwynne “Feenie” De‐Roche Bordelon,a native and resident of Lutcher, passedawaypeacefully on July13, 2025, at theage of 85. Shewas born on Janu‐ary 26, 1940, to herparents Sheffard“Shep”and Marie WhitneyDeroche.She was precededindeath by her parents,her sister Stephanie DerocheKim her husband LouisBorde‐lon,and herson Stanley Pollet. Gwynne wasthe motherofLouis Savoie Lloyd “Poochie” Pollet (Jeani),LoriTaylor(Brian) Nikki Eymard(Gary), and Erica Bordelon (Damien) She wasa devotedgrand‐mothertomanygrand and great-grandchildren whom she lovedunconditionally Sheissurvivedbyher two

brothers,Sheffard“Butch” Deroche (Gayle)and Louis Deroche (Kelly). Gwynne willbegreatly missedby numerousfriends,cousins nieces, nephews, andgod‐children. Fondly knownas Feenietomanyand Mamie toher family, shewas ade‐voutCatholicwho loved Jesus andenjoyed singing and hummingalong to church hymns. Herperse‐verance in thefaith brought herjoy andalso strengthinthe faceofad‐versity throughout herlife. She became knownfor her friendlysmile as she servedthe communityfor years workingatlocal pharmacies. Sheenjoyed laughing, wasalwayshum‐ming, andmostofall being withher family. Over the years shecould be found watchingher soap operas, gameshows,murdermys‐teries, andSaintsfootball games.Feeniewillbe deeply missedand always cherished by so many.The familywould like to thank Chateau St.James forthe manyyears of care given toGwynne, as well as Thi‐bodauxRegionalHospital and St.JosephHospice Relatives andfriends are invited to attend theFu‐neral ServiceatSt. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulina on Saturday,July19, 2025.

Visitation will be held in church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with theFuneral Massat11:00 a.m. Inter‐menttofollowinSt.

he dedicated his career to working as adraftsman at Texaco Refinery, later retiring from Motiva in 1999. Luke was aman of great integrity, intelligence, and purpose. He was known for his wisdom, his thoughtful words, his quiet strength, his talent as acarpenter andhis love of music and family.

Avisitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on July 18, 2025 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 44450 Hwy. 429. A mass of Christian burial willfollow at 10:30 AM. Luke was preceded in death by his parents, Percy Joseph andHermine (Lambert) Boudreaux, and his sisters, Aledia Peltier and Lura Sheets.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dianne Alexander Boudreaux; his sister and brother-in-law, Winona and Ollie Gautreau; his four children and their spouses: Scot and Wendy Boudreaux, Susie and Chad Brown, Steve and Angela Boudreaux and Sandi and Kurt Andry; his grandchildren: Logan, Leanne, Landon, Brandon, Beau, Olivia, Ben, Maggie and Mitch; and his great-grandchildren: Ryan, Rhodes, Bennett, Avery, Ceciliaand Baylor.

Charles W. Chenier, a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away peacefully at home on July 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 83 years old, born to Chrystabelle and CaesarChenier. Charles also known as "Plucky", was aproud graduate of St. Francis Xavier CatholicSchool, McKinley High School, and the Capital Area Trade School. He served in the U.S. Air Force before returning home to pursue a career in carpentry, where his craftsmanshiphelped shape homes and businesses across the city. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Bertica "Bea" Chenier; two children, Tasha and Mia; four grandchildren; asister, Gladys Lemelle; ahost of relatives and friends who willcarry his memory withpride.He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. Visitation Thursday, July 17, 2025, Sacred Heart of Jesus CatholicChurch, 2250 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA., 9:00 am until homegoing celebration at 11:00 am. Interment Louisiana National Cemetery,Zachary, LA. Funeral Service Entrusted to Hall Davis and Son.

DanielR.Ebert passed awayonThursday, June 26, 2025,inInver Grove Heights, Minnesota,atthe ageof37. His passing was gentle and came unexpectedly early in the afternoon as he was departing college. Born on June 23, 1988,in Burnsville,Minnesota, Daniel grew up in acommunity that nurturedhis curiosity and love for learning. He attended EaganHigh School in Eagan, MN, where he begantocultivate the interests that wouldaccompany him throughout his life

He is lovingly remembered by hisfather, Richard R. Ebert, (Janet), his step siblings, Kyle Mueller, and Neil(Nicole) Mueller, nephewLiam Mueller,his mother, Ruth A. Ebert, uncle Ed (Barb) Larka, along with Ebert grandparents, auntsand uncles. The families enduring support and presence werecentral to Daniel's life.

Entered into eternal rest on July 7, 2025.Survived by her daughter,Charlotte Gales-Wilson; grandchildren, Janet Wilson,Cassandra Wilsonand Ulrika Gales; great-grandchildren, LeSeana Wilson, Faith Wilson, and Natasha Wilson. Precededindeath by herparents,Dave London and Isabelle Norman; husband, LonnieGales; brothers, WilliamLondon, Jessie London,Sr., and HenryJakeDaniels. Visitation Saturday, July 19, 2025, Interdenominational Faith Assembly, 5045 Greenwell Street, Baton Rouge,LA., 9:00 am until homegoing celebration at 10:00am. PastorGuevaraJohnson officiating. Entombment Heavenly GatesCemetery of Baton Rouge.Funeral Entrusted to Hall Davisand Son.

Louisiana'srichCajun cul‐turespeakingFrenchinthe homeand wasraisedon the familyfarm. Shewas instilled with ahardwork ethic andstrongCatholic faith.Her faith wouldcarry her throughthe yearsin which shebattled Alzheimer's Disease. The illness robbedher of most ofher memory buther love ofGod,her prayer life,her Frenchlanguageand her lovefor herhusband re‐mainedpresent.She is sur‐vived by herhusband of 67 years,JeromeAdrienLor‐rain, herthree children, Monique LorrainWesner (Lou),ReverendMatthew Lorrain,and Jerome Adrien Lorrain,Jr. (Janetta). Sheis alsosurvivedbyher grand‐childrenLaurenRichard‐son (Jeff),Mallory Barkerd‐ing (Beau),AndreaPearce (Mark), Daniel Lorrain(Is‐abel),AdrienLorrain,David Lorrain and9 greatgrand‐childrenwho broughther great joy. Janell is pre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐entsand hersiblings, Leslie Faul,LesterFaul, EuraPrejean,Grace Kidder, Lloyd Faul,LoisBearb Ewell Faul,Louella Benson and Harvey Faul.A Funeral MasswillbeheldonFri‐day,July18, 2025 at 11:00 amatSt. ClementofRome Catholic Church in Metairie, LA.The Funeral Masswillbeofficiated by Janell'sson,Reverend Matthew Lorrain. Visitation willbegin at 9:00 am.Chris‐tianburialwilltakeplace onMonday, July 21, 2025, in Rougeou Cemetery in Elmer,LA. Thefamilywel‐comes donationstoSt. Clement of Rome Church Mostimportantly,all prayers offeredinmemory ofJanellare deeply appre‐ciated.

John CharlesParker II, 79, of BatonRouge, died surrounded by lovedones on July11, 2025, at theBatonRouge GeneralMedical Center. He was born on March 30, 1946, to John Charles Parker Iand Margaret Griffin Parker, in New Orleans, LA.Charles attendedlstrouma High School, earning all-city and state basketball honors, before moving on to play forand graduatefrom Southeastern Louisiana University. He married Katy Watkins on August 2, 1969. They had twochildren,Ashley and Scott.The family joinedthe congregationofStJohn'sUnited Methodist Church in 1979. By tradehewas apartner in theCPA firm Hawthorn, Waymouth and Carroll,retiring having worked there forhis entirecareer. He livedanexciting and varied life,from his experience as abasketball player, to working as acollege radio DJ and freelance photographer.Hewent on to serveaslong-time Chairman of LSUBaseball Coaches Committeeduring thelate 80s to early2000s. One of his favoriteplaces on theplanet was theSan JuanMountains in Southwest Colorado. Charles is survivedbywife Katy,Ashleyand John Steinmetz, Scott and Zully Parker, and grandchildrenHanna Steinmetz, Parker Stein-

metz,and Cooper Stein-

metz.Hewas preceded in death by his parents John C. and Margaret, and sister Margaret Parker Lowry. Visitation willbeheldat Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government St. on Tuesday July15, 2025, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. The burial willoccur thefollowing dayatthe historic American Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Memorialsordonations may be madetothe recipient of your choice in his honor

Edward Tillman, 81 years old, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Viewing Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Hall Davis &Sons 58790 Iron Farm Rd, Plaquemine, La, 70764 from 5-7pm. Visitation continues Friday, July 18, 2025 at 9:00am until religious services at 11:00am. Burial Louisiana National Cemetery 303 WMount Pleasant Rd,Zachary, La, 70791.

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OUR VIEWS

CPRA’s newleader haslong to-dolist

We were happy to see Gov.Jeff Landry appoint anew director for the state’sCoastal Protection and Restoration Authority lastweek Michael Hare comes to the state’s frontline coastal agency fromthe privatesector.Hereplaces Glenn Ledet, who last month was tapped by Landry to take overthe Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Hare’squalifications for the job areextensive. He has an MBA from LSU anda master’s degree in foreign policy from American University,and he has spent most of his career working in coastal and environmental policy andconsulting Hare takes over an agency tasked with perhaps Louisiana’s most urgent and vexing challenge. Over the past century,the statehas lost roughly 2,000 square miles of land, equivalent to thestate of Delaware.Stormsare increasingly intense, and the state’sland is sinking even as sea levels rise.

At the same time, he must find away to accomplishthe goalslaidout in Louisiana’s50-year,$50 billion Coastal Master Plan, the blueprint through which thestate works to combatthe effects of coastal land loss. The chief issue there will be the way forward on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, an ambitious and expensive first-ofits-kind project that would divert waterfromthe Mississippi River into theBaratariaBasin

The$3billion project, which took yearstoplan and get permitted, has ballooned in costcomparedtooriginal estimates andhas been opposed from the start by local fishers andoystermenin Plaquemines Parish, where it is located. Theproject, which broke ground in 2023, is on indefinite pause while officialsfigure out whatcomes next

Beyond that, there are dozens of projects under CPRA’s purview,ranging from marsh buildingto creating jetties and dredging

In addition, the agencyfaces an uncertainfinancial future, withmoney fromthe fines and settlementsrelated to the2010 BP oil spill setto expire in 2031. That revenue forms abig share of CPRA’s 2026 budget, and officialshave yet to identify away to replace it whenitexpires

But it’snot all bad news. The One Big Beautiful Bill, passed earlier this month andsignedinto law by President Donald Trump, upped the state’s share of money collected from oil and gas drilling offthe state’s coast. The state could nowreceive an extra $50 million per year for thenext decade in funds dedicated to coastal protectionand restoration.

Landry hailed Hare’s “years of experiencein coastalrestoration.” His appointment also won positive comments from the CoalitiontoRestore Coastal Louisiana,anenvironmental group, which praised his “reputation for busting through red tape and working withcommunities to get things done.”

That’shigh praise, and we certainly hope Hare is abletoliveuptohis promise.He’sgot abig and important job. We wishhim well in it.

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence

TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

YOUR VIEWS

Alocal radioDJhelps keep communitystrong

Iamwriting to give kudos to a friend,DJand acommunityactivist, LaTangelaFay Sherman, whoalways helps broadcast positive news and sounds thatbring aboutgood vibesto all. It hasbeena blessing to network with LaTangela through many venues, including the annual Ryan’s Run/Walk Racefor Sickle Cell Disease, Dancing

With Big Buddy and theEastBaton Rouge Council on Aging’sfun gatherings —the latter which Ihave now become entitled to as a“seasoned citizen.”

Thanks again, LaTangela, and Ilook forward to joining you in many other localand community-building promotional events.

KEITH JOHN PAUL HORCASITAS Baton Rouge

St.Georgeaimingfor more with itsschooldistrict

Recentnegative letters about the creation of acityofSt. Georgeschool district miss onehugely important natural law —the right of exceptionalism. The right to excel by being uniquely

different and better should always be taught and desired rather than put down becauseitcausesproblems for others.

SAM GALLO Baton Rouge

Family leaveinsurance should getsupport in Congress

Icommend Rep.Julia Letlow for her supportofpaid family leave in aguestcolumn published June 20 and hope shewill move beyond the extension of employer tax credits for leaves and endorse anational paid family and medical leave insurance program.

Mostemployers do not usetax creditsfor paid leave because they have to pay upfront for the leave and then receive atax credit for only aportion of leave costs. Since only some employersuse tax credits, most workers lack accesstopaid leave.

In contrast, paid family and medical leave insurance programs have been adopted in 12 states (including Colorado, Maryland and Delaware),

and these cover all or almost all workers. Several of these have been in operation for over 20 yearsand have been shown to significantly promote thehealth and financial well-being of families and therecruitment, commitment and retentionofworkers for employers. Anational, comprehensive Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act hasbeen introduced in Congressand would provide 12 weeks of paid leave fornew parentsand people with personal and family health issues.

Ihope Letlow and ourother membersofCongress will back this soneeded paid leave insurance forall.

PHYLLIS RAABE NewOrleans

The kidnapping of Donna Kashanian from her Lakeview home while gardening and the subsequent detention of this poor woman was just the latest in cruel and inhuman Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities going on in our state. We need all of our leadersand citizens to stand up and say enough. If there are folks here illegally who have committed serious crimes, then of course they should be arrested and deported. Masked and without any identification,theseagentstook this poor woman from her home fornodiscernable reason.She has been in the states legally for nearly 50 yearsand has committed no crime. Icannotbelieve anyone voted for this type of shamelessbehavior,and to inflict suffering on someonelike this is wholly immoral.

Citizens have responsibility to speakout in a democracy

Iparticipated in the recent “No Kings” protest in Baton Rouge. It wastruly democracy in action. We were agroup of people exercising our rights to assemble peacefully and speak freely to express our dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump, his administration and his policies.

Iwas proud to stand with my neighbors in Baton Rouge and with the millions of diverse Americans of all colors, economic situations, cultures and gender identities, in opposition to mass deportations, government budget cuts in the wrong places, transgender prejudice —tonameonly a few of the injustices that are, in my opinion, being perpetrated by this president and his administration. Iamgrateful to be an American, to have the right of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly and other citizen rights as enumerated in our Constitution. Ibelieve it is vital to the strength of our democracy to exercise these rights. Ialso believe that it is acitizen’sresponsibility to exercise these rights to stand up, to speak out, to oppose injustice which is not always comfortable. Iappreciate Arnessa Garrett’sobservation in her column on June 15 that there is aclimate of fear in our polarized nation that understandably prevents somepeople from speaking out. Iunderstand the fear; but I am inspired and encouraged by Dr King’smighty words: “Inthe end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

DESHA P. RHODES Baton Rouge

Every personinour state, no matter whom youvoted for, should condemn this cruelty.Weshould also demand the endtothese detentions performed by masked individuals with no identificationasthis is dangerous to everyoneinvolvedand smacks of the Gestapo or the Stasi. Come on, Louisiana, we are better than this!

Firstthing we do,let’s fire allthe statisticians

There’smore than one way to cook the books. Youcan doctor ordeletedata after it’sbeen collected.Alternatively you can ensure the numbers are never collected in the first place. Lately,the Trumpadministration has been into leaning into that second scheme, by purging and defunding statistics agencies.

visers know this.

Butifthose concerns had deterred administration officials from fudging the numbers before, their hesitation now appears to be waning. Market analysts and economists are now openly worrying about the integrity of other once rocksolid federal economic data.

Is theJeffrey Epstein scandal finally behind us? Don’tbet

Whena reporter asked Attorney GeneralPam Bondi aboutthe Jeffrey Epsteininvestigation, President Donald Trump could notcontainhimself amomentlonger

For months, President Donald Trump has waged war on objective, reliable federal statistics. By “statistics,” Imean the bits of information, large and small, that Americans might take for granted but need to make sense of the world. These figures help families decide where to live, physicians how to treat their patients, and businesses what to sell or whether to hire. But increasingly,the administration has delayed, redacted or canceled statisticalreleases when results proved inconvenient.

For example, the Agriculture Department produces aquarterly report estimating trends in international trade in farm-related goods.The most recent forecast projectedan increase in the U.S. trade deficit in farm goods later this year,related to Trump’stariffs and anti-American sentiments abroad. This would, of course, contradict Trump’s trade rhetoric, so the report was delayed and ultimately released without the detailed explanatory analysis it usually contains.

This seemingly low-profile change might represent aturning point of sorts. Until recently,the administration had largely left economic data untouched After all, unlike data on substance abuse or children’sliteracy,real-time economic numbers can move markets. Traders might freak out if they suspect the data is unreliable, and Trump’seconomic ad-

To be clear,administration officials do not appear to be overtly massaging numbers to reach their preferred conclusions —or“beating the data until it confesses,” as the saying goes. More often, officials aredepriving agencies of resources necessary to crunch the numbers in the first place.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis, which publishes major macroeconomic statistics such as gross domestic product, has lost about 20% of itsemployees since the beginning of the year,according to asource familiar withthe internal numbers.

Citing “resource constraints” and “ongoing modernization and streamlining of news release packages,” the agency has announceditwill stop publishing certain data,including detailed numbers on foreign direct investment in the United States as well as U.S. investment abroad.

Theseseemlike important things to trackgiven Trump’sdubious claims about how he’smade America amore desirable place for foreigners to invest their money.Ofcourse, it’seasier for the president to make such fact-free declarations if no objective dataisavailable to refute him.

Otheragencies are suffering similar brain drains. The Census Bureau, for instance,lostmore than 1,000 employees as of April, theacting director said. Staff shortages have likewise been so severe at the Bureau of Labor Statisticsthat it hashad to cutback on some of its most important,market-moving data collection. Lastmonth, the agency

announced it had stopped collecting all consumer price data in Lincoln, Nebraska; Provo, Utah; and Buffalo. This followed an earlier announcement about halting the publication of hundreds of producer price series nationwide. (I have asked Labor Department press officials for staffing levels at least adozen times over the past month. Each time, I’ve been punted to someoneelse or told the department needs moretime to answer the question. Apparently,disappearing data applies to the government’sown payroll records, too.)

Meanwhile, Trump has asked Congress to more permanently slash spending at the BLS, which also publishes marquee reports on unemployment and jobs. Elsewhere across the government, he announced plans to scale back the survey used to measure use of food stamps and other government benefits—and has already fired everyone in the office thatcalculates the poverty guidelines, which are used todetermine eligibility for those same benefit programs. Perhaps most worryingly,Trumpis (again) eyeing the decennial census. This is the country’soldest statistical measure, which happens to be constitutionally mandated. But Trump, aided by GOP allies such as Sen. Bill Hagerty(Tennessee) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia),isnow trying to exclude all noncitizens from the official count This would violatethe 14th Amendment, which requires counting “the whole number of persons.”Itwould, however,relieve the MAGA movement of the inconvenience of enumerating people it doesn’tthink should be counted in the first place. Because hey, if you don’tcount something,perhaps it ceases to exist. Email CatherineRampell at crampell@washpost.com. She is on X, @crampell.

DisturbingglimpsesofDemocraticanger

“Are youstill talkingabout Jeffrey Epstein?” he said, pushingback against the question.“This guy’s been talkedabout foryears. Are peoplestill talking aboutthis guy?This creep?That is unbelievable.”

Clarence Page

It wasaday after theJustice Departmentconcludedthe convicted sex offenderdiedbyanunassisted suicide —not by foul play, as countless rumormongersand conspiracy theorists hadalleged.

Sorry,conspiracy junkies. The DOJuncovered none of therumored “client list” of powerful friends fromboth partieswho in theworldofparanoidpoliticswere widely speculated to have reasonstosilenceEpstein.

Epsteinwas accused of trafficking andsexually abusing dozensofunderagegirls. He pleaded guilty to procuring achild forprostitution andsoliciting in aFlorida state court in 2008 as part of a deal to avoidfederal charges. He later wascharged withsex trafficking in New York federal court but diedinjailwhile awaiting trial

Yetthis case, like anyother “heater,” as prosecutors often callanattention-grabbing caselike this one, is notabout to slip farout of therumormills andconspiracy theorists across party lines. Whether they existornot, “theEpsteinfiles” became astory in themselves, unfettered by anything as mundane as alack of evidence, andeasily available to be weaponized by variousfactions. The files foundtheir wayintothe news more recentlyasTrump’s feud withhis formerally Elon Muskheated up. The billionaireentrepreneur claimed that theTrump administration hadwithheld the “files” because the president was named in them

Well, who wasn’t named in the“files,” if you believe the rumors? Idon’tbelieve them,but in theage of social media,the never-ending cascade of information andmisinformation at leastoffers someentertainment valueifyou don’ttakeittoo seriously.

We know many Democratswere stunned when Donald Trump won a second term as president.Weknow many are still angry aboutit. Butwe’re just now learning how angry some of them are. It’snot just grandstandingDemocratic lawmakers like Rep.Jasmine Crockett of Texas. Axios reports that “at town halls in their districts and in one-on-onemeetings with constituents and activists,” Crockett’s more moderate Democratic House colleagues are “facinga growing thrum of demandsto break the rules, fight dirty— andnot be afraid to get hurt.”

“Our own base is tellingusthatwhat we’re doing is not good enough,”said one Democratic lawmaker (out of nine) quoted in theAxios article. “Someof them have suggested …whatwereally need to do is be willing to get shot (in protests at U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement facilities) …that there needs to be blood to grab theattention of the pressand thepublic.”

Another lawmaker toldAxios that constituents say “civility isn’tworking” and to get ready for “violence to fight to protect our democracy.”

Obviously,these areDemocratswho have moved beyond the defeat-themat-the-ballot-box stage of politics, and even beyond the protest-by-civil-disobedience stage.They’re ready to turn apolitical fight into aphysical fight. Violence is already goingon. In Alvarado, Texas, amilitantgroup broadly allied withDemocratic views launched what officials call a“coordinated attack” on the ICE PrairielandDetention Center on the Fourth of July.According to court documents, it started about 10:30 p.m., when agroup of 10 to 12 antifa radicals, dressed in all black, began shooting fireworkstoward the building. Some began to vandalize parkedcars. When unarmed ICEworkerscalled 911, an AlvaradoPolice Department officer arrived.

“Immediately after the APDofficer got out of his vehicle, an assailantin the woods opened fire, shootingthe APD officer in the neck area,” says the court document. Policelater foundtwo AR-15-style rifles and spentcasingsin

Sister RoseAnn Castilleja,center,holdsa rosaryand sign as she marches July 1 withotherimmigration advocates in SanAntonio, Texas

thenearbywoods. When the radicals ran away,police roundedthemup. Some were still in the woods, andsomewereescaping down anearby road. The officer who was hit in the necksurvived; 10 suspectswere charged with attempted murder

This is the radical, violent tip of the protests againstthe Trump administration’s enforcement of immigration law Other examples of recent radicalization include far-left “FreePalestine” extremist Elias Rodriguez, who is accused of murdering twoIsraeli Embassy staff membersoutside the JewishNationalMuseum in WashingtononMay 21.Thenthere is Luigi Mangione, the accusedkillerofUnited Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Dec.4.Despitethe brutality of hiscrime, Mangione found himself celebrated insomeparts of the left his crimeminimized or excused —for what some apparently consider abold action against an oppressive health care system.

Beyond that, of course, there have alreadybeen riots in Los Angeles and other protests —some with the participation of Democratic lawmakers or Democratic support groups, like labor unions —that involved varying degreesofdisorderliness. Finally,therehas been an alarming plunge in the numberofDemocrats who say they are proud to be an American.Back in 2015, when Barack Obama was president, 80% of Democrats said

they were extremely or very proud to be an American,according to Gallup. Today,with Donald Trumpinthe White House, thenumber is less than half of that, 36%.

Enten also observed that the Democratic numbers are entirely different from Republican numbers. In 2015, with Obama, 90% of Republicans said they were extremely or very proud to be an American.Today,with Trump, thenumber is 92% —virtually unchanged. Take it all together,and thesituation is this: Some Democrats are calling on their elected representatives to engage in violence against the policies of President Trump. At thesame time, groups that might be characterized as militant allies of the progressive Democratic movementare resorting to violence in an effort to obstruct the president’s enforcement of federal immigration law.Some radicals have committed politically motivated murder,for which they received support in some far-left circles. Anditisall happening in the context of one of the two major political parties experiencing asharp drop in the most basic measure of civic devotion: pride in being an American It’sa troubling picture, and nothing on the immediate horizon suggests it will improve any time soon.

Byron York is on X, @Bryon York. Email himatbyronyork@yorkcomm. com.

Yetit’sironic that thereporter’squestion about Epsteinprovoked thepresident of theUnited States intoanon-camera hissy fit.I also detect a measureofcosmicjustice. After all, it wasTrump who made acampaign promise to open the“Epsteinfiles” in what he impliedwouldbeaday of comeuppance forhis political enemies

In theannals of American politics, youwould strain to find afigurewho made moreeffective use of innuendo than Trump, who first became adarling of right-wing conspiratorialists around 2010 by promoting liesabout Barack Obama’sbirth in the United States.

Unsurprisingly, therising conspiracy media elite lovedDonaldTrump, and he lovedthemright back Trump depended on theirloyalty whenhepromoted theBig Lieofthe stolen election in 2020, which in turn ledtoaninsurrection at theU.S Capitol and thegravest threat to constitutionalrule in theUnited States sincethe Civil War.

More recently, another leading light of conspiracy,Laura Loomer,gained notoriety forher weirdly intimate influenceoverTrump before he took officeinhis secondterm, prompting him to fire alist of aideswhom she found objectionable.

Oddly enough, now Loomer finds herself at the center of the“Epsteinfiles” brouhaha, feuding with Bondi, whom she derisivelycalls “Blondi,”overthe attorney general’s supposed lack of diligenceinthe Epsteincase.

Historian Richard Hofstadter wasapioneer observer of what he called“TheParanoidStyle in American Politics,” which he describedina 1964 Harper’sMagazine analysisofthe use of loose facts andpseudo-facts to build an alternative realityfor political ends

He wasinspired partlybyconservative Republican ArizonaSen. Barry Goldwater’spresidential campaign that year.Helost thecampaign against President LyndonB.Johnson, who leda landslide in anation still shaken by President JohnF.Kennedy’sassassination, but history showsthatloss ledtothe conservative ascendancy andRepublican recovery thatcontinues today

The DOJmemo says no oneelseinvolvedinthe Epsteincase will be charged. Epstein’sassociate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a20-year sentence forchild sex trafficking andrelated offenses. Is this asignificantturn in thepolitical firmament,orisitmerelyanindication that Trump’s tactical useofconspiracy theories is having unintendedconsequences? It’s hard to say Idon’t expect much in theway of reliable further revelations, but news is abusiness that triesto prepare forthe unexpected —withhealthyskepticism.More likely, we might find outwho arethe grifters, theshills and thesuckers in this con game. As an old-school journo, Istill relyonthe advice of theold ChicagoCityNews Bureau slogan: If your mothersaysshe lovesyou,check it out— especially if it arrives in atweet. Email Clarence Page at clarence47page@ gmail.com.

Hype Manning

Is allthe attentiononthe Texasquarterback justified?

ATLANTA— There is atellingphotographfrom themedia day shortly before the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal between Texas and Washington Quinn Ewers, then the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, is peering over his shoulder from his podium, befitting one of the high-profile players on his team. He’slooking toward the huge knot of reporters and cameramen engulfing thenfreshman quarterback Arch Manning, a media glut dwarfing his own. Fast forward ayear anda halfto another media day Tuesday at Southeastern Conference media days, where Manning got his own podium. If any one player of the 48 attending this year’sSEC event hadtobelabeled the

Scott Rabalais

star,it’sManning. He drew amedia entourage rivaling those of former SEC quarterback greats suchasTim Tebow

of Florida or Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M

“We’ve got anew quarterback, Arch Manning, if you didn’tknow,” Texas coach Steve “Sarcasm” Sarkisian said. The difference is those players had proven themselves on the field before they generated all that attention, bothhaving won Heisman trophies. Manning is theconsensus preseason favorite to win this year’sHeisman, just ahead of LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier,and has been anointed one of the biggest stars in college football. It’snot just speculation. It’s his name as well. That 24-karat quarterbacking name. It’s basically the samename

ä See RABALAIS, page 4C

SAINTS PREVIEW TIGH TENDS

Saints bettingon Johnson

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

When it came time for the rubber to meet the road, the Saints showed Juwan Johnsonthey wanted him back for the season andbeyond.

New Orleans signed Johnson, an unrestricted freeagent, to a three-year, $30 milliondeal. The contract made Johnson the NFL’s 12th highest-paid tight end by averageannual value, and now the expectation is that the new coachingstaff is going to get him to play like it. The flashes have been therefor Johnson, but the consistency has not. While he established career highs in receptions (50) and yards receiving (548) last season, he continued his career trend of being a feast-or-famine pass catcher

With Kellen Moore now calling plays, the hope is that Johnson can be amore consistentlydependable option in the passing attack —especially when consideringthe recent injury history in the wide receiver corps. And the Saintsare going to need Johnson early,as two other key components in this group are coming off major injuries suffered latelastseason.

Saints tight end JuwanJohnson runs for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons on Jan. 7inthe Caesars Superdome.

Money shapes QB scenarios in theSEC

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Best case

With Moore working the levers of theoffense, the Saints create opportunitiesfor Johnson to affect thegame.

This new style of offense may benefit Johnson more than others. He has been used as avertical receiving threat throughout

hiscareer, averagingatleast 8.3 air yards per targetinall but one of his five NFL seasons. He averaged exactly that number last season,slotting him slightly behind receiverssuchasJa’Marr Chase (8.9) andDavante Adams (8.6), and ahead of players such as Amon-Ra St.Brown (8.0) and CeeDee Lamb (8.0). Now consider Moore’shistory: None of his Eagles tight ends averaged better than 6.9 airyards per target last year,while tight end Dalton Schultztoppedout at 7.3inhis final threeseasons with Moore calling plays in Dallas. But allofthose players were efficient and had opportunities to run after thecatch. Philadelphia’s top twotight ends last year,Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra, caught better

ä See SAINTS, page 5C

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

ATLANTA— Josh Heupel tried to get out in front of questions about Tennessee’s quarterback situationduring his opening remarks Tuesday at SEC media days. “Wewill have acompetition at the quarterback position,” Heupel said. That wasn’tsupposedtobethe case, at least not three months ago.

Tennesseewentthrough almost the entirety of spring practice with incumbent starter Nico Iamaleava, but he enteredthe transferportal amid areported breakdown in financial negotiations after seeking a$4million NIL deal. Tennesseebalked, andIamaleava transferred to UCLA. The schoolsessentially swappedquarterbacks. Tennessee signed Joey Aguilar, asenior whohad transferred from Appalachian State to UCLA in the winter portal window.Hereportedly gota$1.2 million deal from Tennessee.

It wasthe most modern of college football stories, and not the only one in the SEC. Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck declared forthe NFLdraftafter hurting his elbowinthe SEC championship, only to withdraw and transfer to Miami forareported $4 million.

Georgia junior cornerback DaylenEverette said Beck’sdecision was“alittle” surprising. Georgia moved on to redshirt junior Gunner Stockton, whorelieved Beck in the SEC championship and started the Sugar Bowlloss to Notre Dame “Hispath was different, andIknow he’ll do agreat job at Miami,” Stockton said of Beck. “I wasgrateful to learn somethings fromhim, andgladfor the friendship we have.”

Eventhough some of them will be firstyear starters, like Stockton, 11 SEC teams are projected to start quarterbacks who werealreadyonthe roster lastseason. Four —Auburn, Oklahoma, Missouri and

No case is more drastic than theone at Tennessee ä See TENNESSEE, page 4C

Bryant joinsLSU gymnastics staff

Haleigh Bryant recently wrapped up perhaps the greatest career in LSU gymnastics history. Now she’sjoining coach Jay Clark’scoaching staff. Theprogram announced Tuesday that Bryant —the all-around force who led LSU to its first gymnastics national title in 2024 —is stepping into the assistant job left behind by Ashleigh “Bugs” Gnat, anotherprogram great whoannounced Monday that shewas leaving the team after five seasons as acoach.

“Haleigh is without adoubt the right person for this position,” Clark said in astatement. “We have all been witness to theabsolute highest level of character and integrity that is Haleigh Bryant, and sherepresents everythingLSU gymnastics.” Bryant,a native of Cornelius, NorthCarolina,ownstwo individual NCAA titles (all-around andvault), five individualSoutheastern Conference titles and the highest all-around score in LSU history (39.925). She also posted 18 perfect 10s across her fiveyear career —the Tigers’ top all-

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSUgymnast Haleigh Bryant won twoindividual NCAAtitles and five SEC titles during her career

time mark and the ninth-most in NCAA history Only two LSU gymnasts have morecareer event wins than Bryant (105), who is the program’sall-time leader in career all-around wins (33).

Bryant also has completed both the season and career gym slams (atleastone perfect 10 in every event).

“Itistruly an honortobe named an assistant coach at LSU, aprogram that meanssomuch to me,” Bryant said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to begin this next chapter of my lifein aplace that hasshapedmeinso many ways,alongside the best coaching staff. Competing for LSU was adream, and now Iget to continue thatdream and help

ä See BRYANT, page

7p.m.

2:30p.m. Sacramento vs.Cleveland ESPN2

4p.m. Phoenixvs. Minnesota NBATV

4:30 p.m. Milwaukee vs. ChicagoESPN2

6:30 p.m. Orlando vs.Brooklyn NBATV

7p.m. Dallas vs.PhiladelphiaESPN

8:30 p.m. NewOrleans vs. Okla.City NBATV

9p.m. Washington vs.Utah ESPN MEN’S SOCCER

9p.m. MLS: Colorado at Seattle FS1 WOMEN’S SOCCER

2p.m. Norwayvs. ItalyFox

3:55 p.m.Bolivia vs.Brazil FS1

6:55 p.m.Venezuela vs. Colombia FS1 SOFTBALL

7p.m.Blaze vs.Talons ESPN2 TENNIS

7p.m.Los Cabos-ATP Tennis WNBA

6:30 p.m.Indiana at Newyork CBSSN

LSU’s2026rostertakingshape

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

The bulk of LSU’soffseason movement has come to aclose.

After 20 rounds of the 2025 MLB Draft, LSU had nine players drafted and eight high school signees selected. That amount of churn from the 2025 roster results in a 2026 team that is stillunder construction.

Here’saprojected look at the LSU roster in the aftermath of the draft.

Catcher

Starting: CadeArrambide (So.)

Reserves: Omar Serna(Fr.),Eddie Yamin (R-Jr.)

Gone or likely gone: Jaden Fauske (signee), LandonHodge (signee), Blaise Priester (transfer),Luis Hernandez (graduate)

Outlook: With Hernandez out of eligibility,the starting job is Arrambide’stolose.

Serna dropping out of thedraft gives LSU ayoungplayer it can develop in reserve after Fauskeand Hodge passed up Baton Rouge in favor of professional baseball. After redshirting last season, the Tigers will need Yamin to help them in 2026.

Firstbase

Starting: SethDardar (6th-year Sr.)

Reserves: ZachYorke (Sr.), John Pearson(So.), Mason Braun (Fr.), Yamin, Brayden Simpson (Sr.)

Gone or likelygone: Jared Jones (draft), Ryan Costello (transfer), Ethan Frey (draft)

Outlook: Dardar is atransferfrom Kansas State who hit 13 homeruns, including one off Kade Anderson, last year.Healsocould be the starting second or third baseman.

Second base

Starting: Brayden Simpson (Sr.)

Reserves: Dardar,TannerReaves (5th-year Sr.), Jack Ruckert (Fr.), Ethan Clauss (Fr.)

Gone or likely gone: Daniel Dickinson (draft), David Hogg (transfer), Mikey Ryan (transfer),BradyEbel (signee)

Outlook: Simpson hit22homers last season at High Point and is one of LSU’sbiggest impacttransfers to this point. He spent 46 gamesat third base last year but has plenty of experience at second andfirst. Reaves announced on Monday that he’sreturning to Baton Rouge for asecond season.He’ll likely spend more time at second —his more natural position —next year since LSU has more optionsat third base.

Shortstop

Starting: Steven Milam (Jr.)

Reserves: Ruckert, Clauss Gone or likely gone: Ebel, Quentin Young (signee), Hogg, Ryan Outlook: Ebeland Young were strong candidates to succeedMilam if they had come to school, but their talent proved to be too alluringfor MLB. Ruckert andClauss were neverserious candidates to

depart LSU for thedraft. Ruckertwas teammates withWilliam Schmidt at Catholic High, and Clausswas the No. 2playerinNevada,per Perfect Game.

Thirdbase

Starting: TrentCaraway (Jr.)

Reserves: Dardar,Reaves, Simpson,JohnPearson,Ruckert, Clauss Gone or likely gone: Michael Braswell (graduate), Ebel, Young, Hogg, Ryan Outlook: Caraway was the No. 145 prospect in this year’sdraft but didn’tget picked, opening thedoor for the Oregon State third baseman to transfer to LSU.

Left field

Starting: Derek Curiel (So.)

Reserves: JakeBrown (Jr.), Daniel Harden (Jr.), WilliamPatrick (Fr.), Mason Braun (Fr.)

Gone or likely gone: Josh Pearson (graduate), AshtonLarson(transfer),Mic Paul (transfer), Dalton Beck (graduate), Frey,Young, Fauske,Dean Moss (signee)

Outlook: Curiel is alock to start with Patrick, Harden and Braun servingasreserveoutfielders.

Patrickwas the No. 90 playerin the draft, according to TheAthletic. Hardenisa junior-college transferwho shined last season at McLennanCommunity College. Braun is aleft-handed hitter and was the No. 231 playerinESPN’s draftrankings.

Theoutfield depth was astrength of the roster last season, but the unit took alot of hits this offseason. Young, Fauske and Moss not joining the incoming freshman class also eliminated ahandful of talentedreinforcements

Center field

Starting: Chris Stanfield (Sr.)

Reserves: Curiel, Brown,Harden, Patrick

Gone or likely gone: Paul, Fauske, Moss

Outlook: Stanfield announced Tuesday he’sreturning to LSUafter he wasn’tpicked in thedraft. LSU could have movedBrown or Curiel to center if he hadleft, but Stanfield’sreturn means the starting outfield next season is set

Right field

Starting: Brown Reserves: Harden, Patrick Gone or likely gone: JoshPearson, Larson, Paul, Beck, Frey,Young, Fauske,Moss

Outlook: Brown found himself in a platoon withJoshPearsonlastseason. That won’tbethe case forhis draft year in 2026.

Designated hitter

Starting: Yorke

Reserves: Dardar,John Pearson, Harden, Reaves

Gone or likely gone: Frey, Josh Pearson, Larson

Outlook: Yorkehit 13 home runs and had morewalks than strikeoutsacrossthree seasons at Grand Canyon. He adds much-needed power tothe lineup after the losses of Jones and Frey to the draft As aright-handed bat,JohnPearson couldcomplement thelefthanded Yorke

Right-handed pitchers

In place: CasanEvans (So.), Zac Cowan (Sr.), Jaden Noot (R-Jr.), William Schmidt (So.), Mavrick Rizy (So.),Deven Sheerin (R-So.), ConnorBenge (Sr.), Grant Fontenot (5th-year Sr.), Gavin Guidry (R-Jr.), Dax Dathe (7th-year Sr.), Reagan Ricken (Fr.), Marcos Paz (Fr.), Zion Theophilus (Fr.)

Gone or likely gone: Anthony Eyan-

son (draft), Jacob Mayers (draft), Chase Shores (draft), Chandler Dorsey (transfer), KadeWoods (transfer), DylanThompson (transfer),MiguelSime(signee), RiverHamilton (signee)

Outlook: Evans andCowan arefavoritestomakethe rotation.Evans in particular figures to be alock to start.

Noot, Benge, Fontenot and Guidry wereeligible to be drafted but none of them came off the board.Noot hasa shotofentering the rotationfull-time,and Guidry will at least be acritical piece in the bullpen.

Sheerin returns fromaninjury andhas been pitching in theCape Cod BaseballLeague this summer.Schmidt andRizy will look to increasetheir roles in 2026. Between the two,Schmidt has abetter chance of cracking the rotation.

Dathe, one of the top pitchers in DivisionIIlastyear,isthe lone right-handedtransferthus far. His strikeoutrate suggests he can make an impact despite the gargantuan leap in competition. Ricken, Paz andTheophilus round out an intriguing freshman class. Ricken pulled his name out of the draft despite being atop-150 draft prospect. Paz likely would’ve been picked on Day 1ifhehadn’t undergone Tommy John surgery lastJuly.Theophilus cracked ESPN’sdraft rankings at No. 241. Onedrafted signee worthmonitoring is Hamilton.The prospect from Oregon wasn’tselected by the Detroit Tigers until the 11th round.

Left-handedpitchers

In place: Cooper Williams (So.), Danny Lachenmayer (So.), Ryler Smart (R-Fr.), Santiago Garcia (Jr.), Jonah Aase (Fr.),DJPrimeaux (R-Jr.) Gone or likely gone: Kade Anderson (draft), ConnerWare (draft), Briggs McKenzie (signee) Outlook: LSU went to workinthe portal by adding Lachenmayer from North Dakota State,Smart from Tennesseeand Garcia from Oregon. ReplacingAnderson is nexttoimpossible, but the trio should add depth and versatility to astaff that wasindesperate need of moreleft-handedarms. Williams hasachancetocrack the rotation after an impressive endtohis freshmanyear. Primeaux wasn’tdrafted and projects to return for afourth season after his role expanded in 2025. Ware was drafted by the New York Mets but was picked late enough —in the15th round —where there is a chance he doesn’tsign.

Aase is the lone incoming freshman after theAtlanta Braves picked McKenzie in the fourth round. But Aase, who is from Washington, told The Advocate he won’tpitch in the fall or preseason as he recovers from apartial UCL tear

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

MLBlockout looms; salary-cap battle likely

BY RONALD BLUM AP baseball writer

ATLANTA— Loomingoverbaseball is alikely lockoutinDecember 2026, apossible management push for asalary cap and perhaps lost regular-season gamesfor thefirst time since 1995.

“No one’stalking about it, but we all know that they’re going to lock us out for it, and then we’re going to miss time,” New York MetsAll-Star first basemanPete Alonso said Monday at the All-Star Game. “We’re definitely going to fight to not have asalary cap and the league’sobviously not going to like that.”

taxthat started in 2022, the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgersand New York Mets have pushed payrolls to recordlevels.

The last small-market MLBclub to win aWorld Series wasthe Kansas City Royals in 2015

After signing outfielder Juan Soto to arecord $765 million contract, NewYork openedthis season with anindustry-high $326 million payroll, nearly five timesMiami’s $69 million, according to Major League Baseball’sfigures.

to addressthat problem.” Baseball’scollective bargaining agreement expiresDec. 1, 2026, andmanagementlockoutshave become the norm, which shiftsthe start of astoppage to the offseason.During the lastnegotiations, the sidesreached afive-year deal on March10after a99-day lockout, salvaging a162-game2022 season.

lion deal with the Dodgers signed ayear earlier.Bycomparison, the biggest guaranteed contract in the NFL is $250 millionfor Buffalo Bills quarterbackJosh Allen. Manfredcites that 10% of playersearn72% of salaries.

Clark, Ionescu,Gray headline 3-point contest

Caitlin Clark will be in a3-point contest forthe first timeinher pro career as the Indiana Fever guard will compete Fridaynight in the WNBA All-Star competition. She’ll be joined by contest record holderSabrina Ionescu,who last enteredthe contest in 2023 and hit25ofher 27 shotsinthe final round, scoring 37 points. It was the most shots made in a3-point contest in eitherthe WNBA or NBA. Shesaidshe’llbetryingtobreak her own mark.

Allisha Gray,who madeher own history last season, winning the 3-point and Skills Challenge, will try and defend her title in both competitions. She beat Jonquel Jones 22-21 to win the 3-point shootout. Gray beat Sophie Cunningham by 2seconds to win the skills competition.

Jets make Gardner top-paid cornerback with extension

TheNew York Jets aremaking Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

The Jets and Gardner agreed on afour-year,$120.4 millionextension through the 2030 season, according to aperson familiar with thesituation on conditionofanonymity Tuesday

Thecontract paying the twotime All-Pro an average of $30.1 millionayear comes aday after the Jetsagreed to alucrative extension with topwide receiver Garrett Wilson. That deal with Wilson is worth $130 million, as the organization locked up two foundationalplayers forthe longterm future.

Gardner,who turns 25 before Week 1, was the No. 4pickinthe 2022 draftout of Cincinnati.

OL Smith, Chiefs agree to four-year contract

The Kansas City Chiefsbeat the deadlinetosign franchise-tagged guard Trey Smith to amultiyear contract, agreeing to termsTuesday on a$94 million deal, aperson with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press. The four-year contract includes $70 millionguaranteed, said the person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been announced.

Smith, 26, nowhas the highest average salary of any player at his position in the NFL at $23.5 million annually.Smith entered the league in 2021 as asixth-round draftpick out of Tennessee. Smith has started 67 regular-season and 13 playoff games, helping Kansas City winthe Super Bowltwice.

Woad to join pro ranks after strong Evian finish

Top-rankedamateur Lottie Woad announced Tuesday she will turn professional, twodays after nearly winning amajor title.

The 21-year-old Englishwoman followed her victory by six shots at the Women’sIrish Open on the Ladies European Tour on July 6 by finishing in third place —just onestroke offthe pace —atthe Evian Championship on Sunday Hergood finish at the Evian secured enough points to seal LPGA Tour membership through itsEliteAmateurPathway.It means she is ditching hercollege career at Florida State University with one year left.

Woad is set to make her first startasa proatthe Women’s Scottish Open next week.

Raleigh’sHome Run Derby win boostsratings by 5%

“I neveruse the word‘salary’ within one of ‘cap.’ What Idosay to them is in addressing this competitive issue that’sreal we should think about whether this system is the perfect system from aplayers’ perspective,” he said.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfredand some ownershave citedpayroll disparityasa problem, while at thesame timeMLB is working to address arevenue decline from regional sports networks. Unlike the NFL, NBA and NHL, baseball has never had asalary cap because its players staunchly oppose one. Despite higherlevels of luxury

Usingluxurytax payrolls, based on average annualvalues thataccountfor future commitmentsand include benefits, the Dodgers were first at $400 millionand on track to owe arecordluxury tax of about $151 million —shattering the previous tax recordof$103 million set by LosAngeleslastyear

“When Italk to the players, I don’ttry to convince them that a salary cap system would be agood thing,” Manfred told the Baseball Writers’ AssociationofAmerica on Tuesday. “I identify aproblem in the media business andexplain to them that ownersneedtochange

“A cap is about franchise values and profits,” union head Tony Clark said Tuesday.“Asalary cap historically haslimitedcontract guarantees associated with it,literallypits one player against another and is often what we share with players as the definitive non-competitive system. It doesn’trewardexcellence. It undermines it from an organizational standpoint. That’s why this is not about competitive balance. It’snot about afair versus not. This is institutionalized collusion.”

Amanagement salary cap proposalcould containa salary floor anda guaranteed percentage of revenue to players. Baseball playershave endured nine workstoppages, includinga 71/2-month strike in 1994-95 that fought offa capproposal.

Agent Scott Boras likens acap plan to attracting kids to a“gingerbread house.”

CalRaleigh helpeddrive abig boost to ratings for Monday night’s Home RunDerby, ESPNsaid Tuesday.Viewership for Raleigh’s HomeRun Derbyvictory was up 5% from2024, according to Nielsen ratings.

Raleigh’swin over fellow finalist Junior Caminero of Tampa Bay drew an average of 5,729,000 viewers, up from 5,451,000 viewersin 2024 when Dodgers slugger Teoscar HernándeztoppedBobby Witt Jr.inthe finals.

Raleigh, 28, leadsthe majors with 38 homersand 82 RBIsand was the American League’sstarting catcher in Tuesday night’sAll-Star Game. Raleigh becamethe second Mariners player to take the title, following three-timewinner Ken Griffey Jr who wasonthe field, snapping photos. On TV

The union’sopposition to acap haspaved theway for recordbreakingsalaries for starplayers. Soto’sdeal is believedtobe therichestinpro sportshistory eclipsing Shohei Ohtani’s$700 mil-

“We’ve heard it for 20 years. It’s almost like the childhood fable,” he said. “This very traditional, same approach is not somethingthat would lead the younger players to the gingerbread house.”

Commandersreceiver unhappy aboutcontract

McLaurin does notruleout skipping camp

BY BEN STANDIG Associated Press

LAUREL, Md. Aweek before veterans arrive for WashingtonCommanders training camp, top wide receiver Terry McLaurin did notcommittopracticing with the rest of the team, expressingfrustration over alack of progress toward a new contract.

McLaurin said Tuesday after taping alocal television commercial he wants “things to work out but at the end of the day,ittakes two to tango.”

“I don’tknow what happens next,” McLaurinsaid.

“But without any progressive discussions, it’skindof hard to see how Istep on the field.”

Whathappens next, starting with his attendanceat training camp or seeking atrade, is unclear.Instead of building on adynamic passing connection with Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels, McLaurin skipped mandatory minicamp and some voluntary workouts this spring.

“I’ve been pretty frustrated —I’m not gonna lie,” McLaurin said in his first expansive comments on the contract talks, which became a30-minute discussion with reporters. “Everything that has transpiredtothis pointhas been disappointing and frustrating. I’ve wanted to continue my career here

I’ve created my life here.”

McLaurin, who turns30in

September, signed athreeyear,$68.2 million extension in 2022 underthe Commanders’ previous regime. His $23.2 million average annual salary ranks 17thamong activewide receivers after the New York Jetsagreed with Garrett Wilson on afouryear, $130 millionextension Monday. McLaurin’s 2025 base salaryis$15.5 million. He had acareer-high13 touchdowns last season,his fifth in arow surpassing 1,000 yards receiving,on82 receptions. McLaurin added another three touchdowns and 227yards on 14 catches in three playoff gamesas Washington reached the NFC championshipgame for thefirst time since 1991. Instead of that success leading to smooth extension talks, McLaurin said his camp hasnot heardfrom thefront office in the past month. McLaurin, a2019 third-round pick out of Ohio State, said his status for training camp and future with the organization are “upinthe air.

That is atwist for someonewho had been aface of thefranchise before Daniels’arrival,producing on teams with arotatingcast of suspect QBs. That changed last season as the Commanders won 12 regular-season gameswithDaniels running the offense.

Only Danielsrivals

McLaurin’s popularity among fans and for hislocker room leadership.

“I understand that everything is abusiness, but at

the same time, Iwant to put myself in aposition where I’m valued and Ifeel appreciated andthings likethat,” McLaurin said. “Unfortunately,thathasn’ttranspired the way Iwanted it to.”

The Commanders have remained quiet during the protracted negotiations beyond general manager AdamPetersand coach Dan Quinnexpressing adesireto keep McLaurin around for a long time.WhileWilsonis on the vergeof25, McLaurin’sprimary comparison may be closer to fellow 2019 draft pick D.K. Metcalf, who is twoyears younger and signeda$132 million extensionwith Pittsburgh following an offseason trade from Seattle.

“I think howthe market is today,Ithink it pretty much conveys what guys of my caliber are deserving of,” McLaurin said. “I feel like Ifitinthat boxbecause of howI’vealwayscarried myself on and off the field and the value IknowIbring to ateam.”

The topic of age befuddles McLaurin, whohas not missed agame since 2020. He noted that he wasn’ta full-time player until deep into his Ohio State career and that this will only be his seventh NFL season.

“I’m not dismissing(age) completely,”McLaurin said. “There aredata points to support that, but how come it’s not OK to say this may be adifferent case Ifeel that should be acknowledged, as well.”

Jesuit football star Forstall transfersto IMGAcademy

DE ratedone of nation’s best in Classof ’27

BYCHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Jesuit will not have one of its top defensive players back on the team when the season begins in September Zyron Forstall, a6-foot3, 235-pound defensive end who earned first-team all-district recognition in the Catholic League as a

BRYANT

Continued from page1C

our athletes grow in and outside of the gym.”

Gnat said she’splanning amove to Tampa, Florida, where her longtime boyfriend Jarrett DeHart —a former LSU and Tulane baseball player—works as adirector of hitting inside the New York Yankees organization.

There, Gnat said, she’ll work asales job for GK Elite, the leotard company that outfits LSU gymnasts. AnotherTiger great, Rhea-

sophomore last season, announced Tuesday that he has transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Forstall, listedbythe national recruitingwebsites as oneofthe top defensive players in thecountry for the2027 class, had 13 sacks and four forced fumbles for aJesuit team that went 7-5 andreachedthe second round of theplayoffslast season. Forstall is listed by the 247Sports Compositeasthe No. 2edge defender and No. 3overallplayerfor the2027

ganCourville, is LSU’srepresentative for GK. Bryant committed to LSU when shewas ineighth grade. Shecontributed to anational championship victoryasasenior,thendecided to takeher extra year of COVID eligibilityand return for afifth season —the 2025 campaign thatended in the NCAA semifinals. Now Bryantisthe third assistantonClark’sstaff. She’llwork alongside GarrettGriffethand Courtney McCool Griffeth—the husband-wifeduo under contract with LSUthrough the 2026 season.They’ll soon begintheir fifth year

MLB, unionconsidering playersin’28 Olympics

BY RONALD BLUM AP baseball writer

ATLANTA— Baseball com-

missionerRob Manfred and players’ union head Tony Clarksay plans are moving ahead exploring the possibility of using major leaguersinthe 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, atournament that could be played on an extended All-Star break.

“I think it is aopportunity to market thegame on areally globalstage,” Manfred told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Tuesday.“Obviously the clubs are going to have to endorse this.Imean,it’sa big deal.”

MLB met with Los Angeles organizers Monday in Atlanta ahead of the AllStarGame andManfred said the Olympic officials were meetingwith the Major League Baseball Players Association.

“There’s alot of work thatstill needs to be done,” Clarktoldthe BBWAA in aseparate session.“We do

know players are interested in playing, whether it’s for the Team USA or anynumber of other teamsaround theworld. There’s just alot of conversation that needs to be hadsoonerrather thanlater to seehow viable this is, but we’re hopeful that we can figure our way through it forthe benefit of the game.”

The World Baseball Softball Confederation said Mondaythe baseball tournament will be played from July 15-20atDodgerStadium.

MLB is considering whetheritcan interrupt its 2028 season to allow majorleaguers to participate whichcould necessitate changes to the sport’snationaltelevisioncontracts.

“Theyput outaschedule They tell you it’snot going to move.We’ll seewhether there’sany movement on that,” Manfred said. “It is possible to takeit, to play the All-StarGame in its normal spot, have asingle break thatwould be longer,

obviously,but still play 162 games without bleeding into the middle of November.That is possible, OK? It would require significant accommodations,but it’s possible.”

World Baseball Softball Confederation spokesman Richard Baker declined comment.

MLBdid not allowplayerson40-man rostersto participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when Nippon Professional Baseball interruptedits season andJapan beat the U.S. 2-0inthe gold medal game “In the event that major league players aregoingto play,whatdoes that mean andwhatdoes that look like?” Clark said. “And perhaps just as importantly,what does it mean forthose players who aren’t participating? What type of scheduling adjustments need to be made? Whattype travel considerations and support need to considered? Whatdoes thatmeans in regards to insurance?”

class.Heholds more than 20 scholarship offers, including several from major college programs including LSUand manyothers in the SEC.

Louisianahigh school football practices are set to begin in August.Jesuit will open the season Sept.5on theroad againstDallas Jesuit,arematch from when the Jesuit team from New Orleanslost28-20 at Tad Gormley Stadium.

ContactChristopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate. com

as coaches for the Tigers. “She is notonlyone of the most decorated gymnasts in collegiate gymnastics history,” Clark said,“but she knows our culture and our philosophy.Now,she returns with afresh perspective and apassion to lead the next generation, and Icould not be more excited about her future here with us.”

Scott Rabalais contributed tothis report.

Email Reed Darcey at reed.darcey@ theadvocate.com. For more LSU sportsupdates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/

SMARTMONEY ON TERRYSABAN

1

If anyone knows Nick Saban, it’sGeorgia coach KirbySmart. He coachedunder himatLSU,with the Dolphins and at Alabama. Smartwas asked about the storythat Saban maybeconsidering getting back into coaching “I heard all the scuttlebutt,”Smart said.“I almost laughed.”Smartsaid if therewas a decision it would be Nick’swife Terrymaking it.“The boss at home is going to makethat call,”Smartsaid,“not him.”I don’t think it’s happening

ALABAMA

LAST YEAR: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)

COACH: Kalen DeBoer (2nd year)

SECMEDIA DAYS

2

FREEZE VS.KIFFIN, DAY2

On Monday, OleMisscoachLane Kiffinexplained hissocial media jabs at Auburn’s Hugh Freeze about his golf game Freeze has been criticized by Auburnfans for playingtoo muchthisoffseason. On Tuesday, Freeze skirtedthe issue:“IloveLane. He makes me laugh.”Asked if he’stired of defendinghis golf game,Freeze said: “I assure youitdoes not take away from my time working to takeAuburn backtothe top.”One preseason magazine picks theTigers 11th.

PLAYERS: LT Kadyn Proctor,DTTim Keenan, LB Deontae Lawson

THE BUZZ: Over ayear intoits post-NickSaban era, Alabama has aquarterback competitionand anew offensiveplay-caller.TySimpson, aredshirtjunior and former five-star recruit, is the favoritetotakethe season’s firstsnap, but he’ll have to fend off acouple of young quarterbacks to earnthat right.

LAST YEAR: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)

COACH: Billy Napier (4th year)

FLORIDA

PLAYERS: QB DJ Lagway, CJakeSlaughter, DT CalebBanks

THE BUZZ: Last year,noSEC coach stood on thinner ice than Napier.ThenFlorida took on its brutally tough schedule andwon eight games— enoughtoquiet the criticsfor amoment. Givea nice chunk of the credit to the true sophomore Lagway, already one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

as his grandfather,Archie Manning, beloved star of the New Orleans Saints and Ole Miss Rebels. The samelast name as his uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning,who betweenthem won four Super Bowl titles (Archie and Peyton are also enshrined here in the College Football Hall of Fame,site of media days).

Frankly,ifhis name was Arch Rabalais or something like that, one wonders whether he’d be the Heisman front-runner. Manning, to his endearingcredit, seems to get that.

“I don’twant to sound mean,but Ireally don’tcareaboutwhatother peoplethink,” the former Newman HighSchool starsaid “I’m grateful y’all think that,but I’ve only played in like two games.

“I’ve got alot to prove.”

How much he has to prove dependson whom you ask.

SEC Network star Paul Finebaum, oneof the biggest voices in collegefootball, said Manning is the SEC’sbest quarterbacktalent since Tebow.AnotherESPN analyst, Jordan Rodgers —himself aquarterback who grew up in the same house as apretty great quarterback named Aaron Rodgers —isn’tbuying the Manninghype

“You all have been drinking Paul Finebaum’sKool-Aid for way toolong,” Rodgers said here Monday on ESPN’s“Get Up” morning show. “I have himasthe fifth —let me repeat that —fifth-best quarterback in theSEC.The hype train is out of control.” Incendiary takes are part of Rodgers’ schtick. But ESPN collegefootballwriter Heather Dinich, hardlyahot-take specialist, rated Manning fourth in the SECbehind Nussmeier,DJLagway of Floridaand LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina.

Former Florida coach Steve Spurrier, himself the 1966 Heisman-winning quarterback for the Gators, nevermet someone he didn’tlike to skewer.And he recently jabbed apretty sharp pin intothe Manning hype balloon when speakingona Gainesville, Florida, radio show

TENNESSEE

Continued from page1C

Kentucky —signed quarterbacks from the transfer portal in December.Only one had to find someone in the spring.

Iamaleava transferred ayear after Tennessee reachedthe inaugural 12-team CollegeFootball Playoff. Insteadofbuilding on his firstseason as astarter, the Volunteers now have to choose among Aguilar,redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre. “It’snever aboutwho’s notin your building,” Heupel said, “but about whoisinyour building.” Senior defensive lineman Bryson Eason and junior linebacker Arion Carter wereasked, given the CFP trip and Iamaleava’stransfer,whether the offseason has felt weird.

“Having aguy like that leave with such character and such

COMING IN AUGUST

3

The talkofmedia days Tuesday, aside fromTexasquarterback Arch Manning and Kiffn’s jabs at Freeze, was the “Any Given Saturday” documentarythat debuted here Mondaynight.The first episode of thesevenpartseries focused on LSU and South Carolina, from shakyseason openers (including Brian Kelly’s fist-pounding in Las Vegasafter losing to USC) to the Tigers’ wild 36-33 win overthe Gamecocks in Week 3.The series looks great and drops Aug. 5onNetflix.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

LAST YEAR: 2-10 (0-8 SEC)

COACH: Jeff Lebby(2nd year)

PLAYERS: QB BlakeShapen, SIsaac Smith,WR BrenenThompson

THE BUZZ: In 2024, State fell to Toledo at home and lost Shapentoa season-ending shoulder injury. Now the Bulldogs have ahealthyquarterback,26transfers and hopesofending the turmoil that’sfollowedthe programsince coach Mike Leach diedatthe endofanine-win2022 season.

LAST YEAR: 6-7 (2-6 SEC)

OKLAHOMA

COACH: Brent Venables (4th year)

PLAYERS: QB John Mateer,DBRobertSpears-Jennings, DE RMason Thomas THEBUZZ: Needinganoffensive refresh, Oklahoma hired Washington State’soffensive coordinator,then lured theschool’squarterback into the portal and down to Norman. Oncestar tailback Jaydn Ott joined theparty in the springtransfer window,Venables couldsay he had enough firepowerto build aseason closer to the Sooner standard.

From left, brothers Peyton, Cooper and Eli Manning watch as Cooper’sson, Texas quarterback Arch Manning,competes in adrill during the Friday NightLights event at the ManningPassing AcademyonJune 28 in Thibodaux.

“Most people are picking Texas to win theSEC,” Spurrier said. “They’ve got Arch Manning alreadywinning the Heisman, too. My question is, if he was this good, howcomethey let QuinnEwers play all thetime last year? And he was aseventhround (NFL draft)pick.”

Manning didn’task for all of theattention and adulation. Andhe’scorrect, he has alot to prove.

But he was being modestTuesday; he’s played in alot more than two games. After attemptingjust fivepasses in the2023 season, he was 61 of 90 in 2024 for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 games. The bulk of his stats cameinwins over Texas-San Antonio, ULMonroeand Mississippi Stateafter Ewers went out against UTSA with an abdominal strain, including startsagainst ULM and State.Manning alsohad a67-yard touchdown run against UTSA,the longest by aTexas quarterback since Vince Young scored on an 80-yard run in 2005.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava drops backtopass against Arkansas on Oct. 5in Fayetteville, Ark.

poisewas ahard thing to do, but nobody’sbigger than theprogram,” Carter said. “Wewish himthe best where he is at.And Ihopehehas agreat career and goes ontodogreatthings.”

“I wouldsay it’s justkind of random, youknowwhatI’m saying?” Eason said. “Tolose

Those three opponents were three of the easier touches on the Longhorns’ schedule last season. The challenges forManning and the Longhorns are much bigger and much moreimmediate, as they start the season Aug. 30 at reigning national champion Ohio State. Texas’ last gamewas against theBuckeyes, who beat them 2814 in aCFP semifinal in the Cotton Bowl. Manning’sonly stat in that gamewas alone quarterback keeper for 8yards.

Ewers is gone now to theMiamiDolphins, and there’snolooking over Manning’sshoulder.Heisthe man, the centerpiece of all of Texas’ CFPand SEC aspirations.

“He’sa great guy,” Sarkisian said. “He’s agreat teammate. He’s got an unbelievable work ethic. And Ithink, if he stays true to himself, that’sgoing to help him navigate these waters as they present themselves.”

The Manning hype train is leaving the station. Aregular season filled with overthe-top expectations is the next stop.

your main guy after the season we had. You’ve just got to adjust to everything in life thatcomes your way.This is one of thosesituations where us, as ateam and as aprogram,have to adjust.”

Without Iamaleava, Tennessee has to findanew starting quarterback. Heupel danced around questionsabout thetopic,careful not to say anything definitive.

“Through the course of training camp, we don’thave aset timelineonwhen we want to announce somebody as our starter,” Heupelsaid. “Oncesomebody earns thatopportunity, then they’ll be named that guy.”

Aguilar is themostexperienced option.Hethrewfor more than 3,000 yards in bothofhis seasons as astarter at AppalachianState with 56 touchdowns passes. But he was turnoverprone,throwing 24 interceptions.

AfterAguilar arrived in May, coaches taught him the offensive scheme. They installed

Kellyexudes confidence in retooled offensive line

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

ATLANTA— LSU has to replace four startersonthe offensive line,but coach Brian Kelly feels confident about the new unit. “I’m bullish on our offensive line,” Kelly said at SEC media days. “I think we’re going to be able to produce the kind of things necessary to be achampionship team.” For the past few years, Kelly said, LSU has been preparing forthe inevitability that it wouldhave to rework the offensive line. It knew left tackle Will Campbell,left guard Garrett Dellinger, right guard Miles Frazier andright tackle EmeryJones could all leave at the same time, so it has been developing their replacements. “If you’re trying to address graduation and the knee-jerk reactions and nothavingthatplaninadvance, you’re probably going to take ahit on the offensive line this year,” Kelly said. “Wehave been grooming some players for their chance and their opportunity.”

Going into preseason practice, sophomore Tyree Adams appears likely to start at left tackle. Sophomore DJ Chester could slide to leftguard after playing center last season, and Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore wassigned to start at center.Northwestern transfer JoshThompson couldplayright guard or right tackle, Kelly said, with redshirt freshman Weston Davis to start at right tackle. Otherscould compete for playing time Redshirtsophomore Paul Mubenga started five gameslastseason at left guard, and redshirt freshman Coen Echols crackedthe rotation during springpractice. Freshman Carius Curne has made astrong impression early

Theoffensive line will be tested in the season opener.Clemson brought back defensive lineman PeterWoods and defensive end TJ Parker,a pair of projected first-round draftpicks. It also added Purdue transfer end Will Heldt,who recorded10tacklesfor loss and five sacks last year Kelly said the LSU offense will need to have backup game plans readyagainst Clemson, but he doesn’texpect to have serious issues with the new offensive line. “New faces, same expectations,” Kelly said. “Weplayedtwo truefreshmen at those positions three years ago, and we had the sameexpectations forthem.”

Interpreting newrule

Defenses can be penalized for afalse startfor thefirst time this season,but what qualifies is already up fordebate. The new rule will attempt to limit quick pre-snap movements, which SEC coordinator of officials John McDaid credited with a rise in offensive false starts over the past four or five years. “There is alot of what I’ll callabrupt,coordinated movement by thedefense,” McDaid said, later adding officials will have to judge “action that simulates the snap.” But Georgia coach KirbySmart provided a window into adebate that could take place around the rule. Georgia’sdefensive lines often have shifted quickly before the snap.

“You would need to define abrupt for me because we could talk forhours about what’s abrupt and what’s not. Wasthat movement abrupt, or was thatslow, you sitting down?” Smart saidasareporter sat down. “You’ve got to define abrupt. He’s gottodefine abrupt, andhe’sgot to teach his guys that go out on the field, and Ithink they do atremendous job of tape study and how to go about that.”

Honoring Texas flood victims

Texasdefensive back MichaelTaaffe wore a burnt orange tie Tuesday with the initials of 27 people whodied in the flash flooding at CampMystic sewninto the fabric.

“They deserve to be remembered,” Taaffe said.“They deservetoberemembered as heroes.”

playsagain this summer,trying to bring Aguilar up to speed before thestartofthe season.

“Is it an accelerated process? Absolutely,”Heupel said.“I thinkanytimeyou have aguy that’splayed alot of football and sat in college meeting roomsoffensively,he’sbeen able to be apartofdifferent things, he’s able to draw on those experiences,correlate it to something that maybehe’sdonebefore,and kind of expeditethe growth process as well.”

If Aguilar doesn’twork out, Tennessee could go with one of its younger options. Merklinger andMacIntyre arebothfourstar recruits.

“We’ve found away to win witha lot of different quarterbacks throughoutmycareer on theoffensive side of the ball,” Heupel said, “and we’re going to findaway to win with the guy thatearns astarting spot as we go throughtrainingcamphere in August.”

Alittlemore than aweek after thefloods in central Texas, morethan130 people are confirmed dead and the search forthe missing continues. The floods killed 27 campers and counselors at CampMystic, an all-girls camp in Kerr County

“I wantedtomakeanimpact todayand show alightonwhat’sgoing on in Texas and how much Texas is mourning right now and suffering,” Taaffe said. “While it’s cool to be undera light formyself, I wanted to show alight to them.”

Song problems

Want to add fuel to arivalry?

As Texas coach Steve Sarkisian walked onto the stage, Texas A&M’sfight song, the Aggie WarHymn, played over the speakers. If Sarkisian noticed,hedidn’tsay anything. After Texas joined the league last season, the in-state rivals played forthe first time since2011. Texaswon 17-7inside Kyle Field.

Music usually does not get played when coaches leave thestage at media days, but after the mistake, theSEC playedTexas’ fight song as Sarkisian walked off.

Dalma Galfi, Hungary, def. Aleksandra Krunic, Serbia, 6-4, 6-1. Kaja Juvan, Slovenia, def. Maria Timofeeva, Russia, 7-6 (4), 6-1. Leyre Romero Gormaz, Spain, def. Nicole Fossa Huergo, Italy, 6-1, 6-1. Anna Bondar (7), Hungary, def. Noma Noha Akugue, Germany, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3). Sinja Kraus, Austria, def. Berfu Cengiz, Turkiye, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Visma ‘ Lease a Bike, same time Also 12. Matteo Jorgenson, United States, Team Visma ‘ Lease a Bike, 4:24:59. 23. Sepp Kuss, United States, Team Visma ‘ Lease a Bike, 4:26:03. 29. Quinn Simmons, United States, Lidl-Trek 4:27:46. 73. William Barta, United States, Movistar Team, 4:37:22. 86. Neilson Powless, United States, EF Education-EasyPost, 4:46:03

Lois Boisson (5), France, def. Julia Grabher, Austria, 6-1, 6-3. Astra Sharma, Australia, def. Ariana Geerlings Martinez, Spain, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-2. Tamara Korpatsch, Germany, def. Raluca

Georgiana Serban, Cyprus, 6-4, 6-3. Caroline Werner, Germany, def. Valentina Steiner, Germany, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Women’s Doubles Round of 16 Tessa Johanna Brockmann and Sonja Zhenikhova, Germany, def. Michaela Bayerlova Czechia, and Tara Wuerth, Croatia, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Zheng Saisai, China, and Moyuka Uchijima (3), Japan def. Nicole Fossa Huergo, Italy, and Magali Kempen, Belgium, 3-6, 6-3, 10-5 Nadiia Kichenok, Ukraine, and Makoto Ninomiya (1), Japan, def. Noma Noha Akugue and Nastasja Schunk, Germany, 6-3, 6-2.

Major League Baseball 2025 Home Run Derby Results First Round (top four advance to

HitterTo

SCHEINUK

Saints quarterback Taysom Hill, left, and tight end Foster Moreau run off the field in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 31, 2023, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Hill, who has since been moved to tight end, and Moreau are both recovering from knee injuries.

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy

than 80% of their targets Goedert racked up 52.4% of his yards after the catch, while Calcaterra was at 45.6%. Johnson, whose best trait is his athleticism, accounted for 41.6% of his yards after the catch. What if Moore can find opportunities to increase that by giving Johnson more chances to get the ball in his hands early? Johnson moves fluidly with the ball, and he has shown explosive ability in the open field. This is something the Saints can tap into to get the most out of him without simply relying on Johnson to be a vertical threat. The Saints also hope for speedy recoveries for Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill, though with Hill in particular, that’s probably asking a lot. He’s still just eight months removed from a major knee injury, and

even if he were to complete a comeback to return near the middle of the season, New Orleans likely would have to ease him back

The Saints also hope some combination of Jack Stoll and Moliki Matavao can hold down the traditional in-line tight end role to give the team some additional size and grit at the point of attack until Moreau and Hill return. Worst case

Johnson is the player he always has been — good in spurts, but always leaving you wondering if there’s more there — and the Saints don’t have the proper depth to be functional at the position The tight ends are probably going to be important in this offense — because they have been in Moore’s history and because of the current state of the roster

Given the size limitations of the wide receivers and the likelihood the team is going to have to lean on the run

game while a young quarterback is getting up to speed in the NFL, the tight ends likely will serve a critical dual purpose. If Johnson is unable to take a step forward, it’s going to put more stress on the receivers to shoulder the burden in the passing game. If the group as a whole cannot play at least a neutral role in the run-blocking game, it could put whatever young quarterback wins the job in more precarious down-anddistance scenarios.

Considering the contract the Saints signed Johnson to this offseason, which includes $21.25 in guarantees, a failure to get more consistent play out of him in his age 29 season would be a big organizational miscalculation.

A prediction Kellen Moore finds a way to unlock Juwan Johnson.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

BRITISH OPEN

Scheffler likes winning, searching for meaning

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland Scottie

Scheffler has won more tournaments and majors than anyone over the last three years He is No. 1 in the world and no one is close to him. Nothing would mean more to him than leaving Royal Portrush with the silver claret jug And then?

That’s where golf gets a little complicated for Scheffler, who loves his job and all the work it entails, but who found himself searching Tuesday for what it all means.

He delivered an amazing soliloquy ahead of the British Open about fulfillment. The short answer: It’s not the two Masters green jackets, the Wanamaker Trophy he won at the PGA Championship, the three Jack Nicklaus Awards as PGA Tour player of the year or the FedEx Cup.

“Is it great to be able to win tournaments and to accomplish the things I have in the game of golf? Yeah, it brings tears to my eyes just to think about because I’ve literally worked my entire life to be good at this sport,” Scheffler said. “But at the end of the day, I’m not out here to inspire the next generation of golfers I’m not out here to inspire someone to be the best player in the world because what’s the point? This is not a fulfilling life. It’s fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart.”

His comments came in a year when Rory McIlroy fulfilled his

life dream of winning the Mas-

ters which gave him the career Grand Slam McIlroy spoke last month about growing weary of being asked about his next set of goals, the next mountain he wants to climb.

“I probably just didn’t give myself enough time to let it all sink in. But that’s the nature of professional golf,” McIlroy said. “They do a very good job of keeping you on the hamster wheel, and you feel like it’s hard to get off at times.”

This is where Scheffler might be different. He seems to enjoy the hamster wheel. There is no next mountain to find because he’s busy scaling the one he is on.

Scheffler also hates losing, no matter what’s at stake.

“Scottie don’t play games when he’s playing games,” said his caddie, Ted Scott.

Scott and Scheffler played a match at Cypress Point this year It was Scheffler’s fourth day swinging a club since puncturing his right hand with a wine glass in a freak accident while making ravioli.

Scheffler gave him 10 shots, and the countdown began.

Scott hit his approach into 5 feet and was feeling good about his chances, right up until Scheffler’s shot spun back and hit his caddie’s golf ball. They both made birdie Scheffler won the next hole and said loud enough for Scott to hear “Nine.”

He won the next hole with a par and said even louder, “Eight ”

“He was 6 under through six,” Scott said “I gave him the $100 and said: ‘Don’t say anything else.

I want to enjoy my day.’ ”

This is what drives Scheffler winning the Masters, winning a bet with his caddie, winning anything. He has won 19 times since his first title at the 2022 Phoenix Open. Strictly by his math, that would be 38 minutes worth of celebrating.

“Sometimes the feeling only lasts about two minutes,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting and fun, but it just doesn’t last that long.”

So where does fulfillment come from if it’s not winning?

Scheffler is grounded in his faith, in a simple family life with a wife he has been with since high school, a 15-month-old son, three sisters and friends who are not part of the tour community “I love the challenge. I love being able to play this game for a living. It’s one of the greatest joys of my life,” he said. “But does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.” He often says golf doesn’t define him as a person, and he said if it reached a point where the sport ever affected life at home, “that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.”

Xander Schauffele spent time with him at the Olympics last summer. Schauffele won two majors last year, including the claret jug. What they have in common is not lingering on laurels.

“That’s why he’s been No. 1 and hasn’t even sniffed looking backwards,” Schauffele said. “If he was sitting there looking at all his trophies every day, I’m sure he’d still be playing great golf, but I don’t think he’s that guy.”

Schauffele not into enjoying fruits of labor

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland Don’t feel bad for Xander Schauffele having to return the claret jug when he arrived at Royal Portrush to defend his title in the British Open. It’s not like he had anywhere to keep it. Schauffele has won eight times in his PGA Tour career That includes two majors, the British Open and the PGA Championship It includes the Tour Championship in his rookie season. And it includes the Olympic gold medal from Tokyo in 2021. Where to keep it all? Not at his house. Schauffele said his parents keep all his trophies, “probably in a bank vault.” They have a home in San Diego, and his father is building a place on Kauai, living in what Stefan Schauffele calls “the container.” The gold medal?

“I actually have no idea where that is, to be completely honest,” Schauffele said. It’s not all that surprising considering how simple Schauffele and his wife prefer to live He celebrates a little more than Scottie Scheffler, but much like the world’s No. 1 player, it’s on to the next tournament to start over “What am I going to do with it? I don’t really invite people over to my

DeChambeau looking to cure British Open woes

BY STEVE DOUGLAS AP sports writer

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland As a popular YouTuber and golfing enigma, Bryson DeChambeau is known for coming up with some wacky, radical ideas.

“The Scientist” might have another one in the pipeline.

“This is going to be wild,” DeChambeau proffered at the British Open on Tuesday, “but imagine a scenario where you’ve got a 400-yard tent, and you can just hit any type of shot with any wind with all the fans.

“That’s what I imagine, like in a hangar or something like that. A big stadium That would be cool to test.”

Don’t put it past DeChambeau to go through with it. After all, he’s open to anything if it means improving his patchy record at golf’s oldest major championship.

The 31-year-old American has played seven times at the British Open, where handling the fickle weather can be the key to success. He missed the cut on three occasions and finished inside the top 30 only once.

It’s a record that frustrates one of the sport’s deeper thinkers. He remembers playing well at the Walker Cup at Royal Lytham St. Anne’s — one of the courses on the British Open rotation back in 2015, and was quick to point out he coped fine in windy conditions in LIV Golf events in Miami and Valderrama this year Place him in the British Open, though, and he can get blown away — like last year at Royal Troon, when he shot 76-75 to miss the cut and said afterward: “I can do it when it’s warm and not windy.”

“The times I’ve been over here, for some reason, my golf swing hasn’t been where it needs to be,” DeChambeau said Tuesday “Right now it feels as good as it’s ever been. Hitting it far, hitting it straight as I can, and learning how to putt better on these greens in windy conditions and rain and all that.

“It’s just figuring it out. It’s just going to take time and something that I never really experienced growing up in California.”

Lifting the claret jug as unlikely as it would be, given his Open woes — would deliver the two-time U.S. Open champion

a third major title and no doubt boost the already-swelling audience on his YouTube channel that has risen to more than 2 million subscribers.

His popularity is clear over in Northern Ireland, too. Late Monday, dozens of people — mostly kids were seen waiting outside Portrush to get a photo with, or the autograph of, DeChambeau. He obliged, happily DeChambeau is using YouTube to have some fun and to show the world a different side to him. He even suggested it’s just as important as the results he gets.

“I’m not going to be here forever,” he said. “What footprint do I want to leave? I think it humbles me and almost makes me more passionate about what I’m doing off the professional golf course. Am I going to get frustrated playing bad golf Yeah Am I going to want to still sign autographs? Yeah, because I care about the game.”

That’s not to say he doesn’t still have a burning desire to win at Portrush this week — and secure a result that will impress Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley in the process, ahead of the match against Europe in September “I feel pressure every week to play good for not only Keegan, but myself, and the people that I love online and everybody that’s watching me,” DeChambeau said. “I’ll walk through the fire rather than run away from it.”

BRITISH OPEN TEE TIMES

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland At Royal Portrush Golf Club Portrush, Northern Ireland Purse: $17 million Yardage: 7,381 yards; Par: 71 (a-amateur) Thursday-Friday 12:35 a.m.-5:36 a.m. — Padraig Harrington, Ireland; Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark; Tom McKibbin, Northern Ireland. 12:46 a.m.-5:47 a.m. — Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa; Guido Migliozzi, Italy; K.J. Choi, South Korea.

12:57 a.m.-5:58 a.m. — Cameron Smith, Australia; Marco Penge, England; a-Justin Hastings, Cayman Islands.

1:08 a.m.-6:09 a.m. — Jason Day, Australia; Taylor Pendrith, Canada; Jacob Skov Olesen, Denmark.

1:19 a.m.-6:20 a.m. — Phil Mickelson, United States; Daniel Von Tonder, South Africa; Ryan Peake, Australia.

1:30 a.m.-6:31 a.m. — Max Greyserman, United States; Byeong Hun An, South Korea; Niklas Norgaard, Denmark.

1:41 a.m.-6:42 a.m. — Jordan Smith, England; Haotong Li, China; Dustin Johnson, United States.

1:52 a.m.-6:53 a.m. — Darren Clarke, Northern Ireland; Davis Riley, United States; Lucas Herbert, Australia.

2:03 a.m.-7:04 a.m. — Kevin Yu, Taiwan; Julien Guerrier, France; Mikiya Akutsu, Japan.

2:14 a.m.-7:15 a.m. — Thomas Detry, Belgium; Chris Gotterup, United States; Lee Westwood, England.

2:25 a.m.-7:26 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, United States; Cameron Young, United States; Mackenzie Hughes, Canada

2:36 a.m.-7:37 a.m. — Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark; Matthew Jordan, England; aFilip Jakubcik, Czech Republic.

2:47 a.m.-7:48 a.m. — Henrik Stenson, Sweden; Stephan Jaeger, Germany; Sebastian Soderberg, Sweden.

3:03 a.m.-8:04 a.m. — Kristoffer Reitan, Norway; Martin Couvra, France; Adrien Saddier, France

3:14 a.m.-8:15 a.m. — Takumi Kanaya, Japan; Justin Walters, South Africa; a-Bryan Newman, South Africa.

3:25 a.m.-8:26 a.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Ryan Fox, New Zealand; Matt Fitzpatrick, England.

3:36 a.m.-8:37 a.m. — Sepp Straka, Austria; Ben Griffin, United States; Akshay Bhatia United States.

5:26

a.m. — Stewart Cink, United States; Matteo Manassero, Italy; Marc Leishman, Australia. 5:47 a.m.-12:35 a.m. — Francesco Molinari, Italy; Jesper Svensson, Sweden; a-Connor Graham, Scotland.

5:58 a.m.-12:46 a.m. — Zach Johnson, United States; Daniel Hillier, New Zealand; Dan Brown, England.

6:09 a.m.-12:57 a.m. — Adam Scott, Australia; Rickie Fowler, United States; a-Ethan Fang, United States.

6:20 a.m.-1:08 a.m. — Laurie Canter, England; Elvis Smylie, Australia; Sergio Garcia, Spain.

6:31 a.m.-1:19 a.m. — Andrew Novak, United States; Matthieu Pavon, France; Matt Wallace, England.

6:42 a.m.-1:30 a.m. — Davis Thompson, United States; Dean Burmester, South Africa; Rikuya Hoshino, Japan.

6:53 a.m.-1:41 a.m. — Si Woo Kim, South Korea; Shugo Imahira, Japan; a-Sebastian Cave, England.

7:04 a.m.-1:52 a.m. — Michael Kim, United States; Bud Cauley, United States; John Parry, England.

7:15 a.m.-2:03 a.m. — Matt McCarty, United States; Shaun Norris, South Africa; Angel Hidalgo, Spain.

7:26 a.m.-2:14 a.m. — Keegan Bradley United States; Sungjae Im, South Korea; Daniel Berger, United States.

7:37 a.m.-2:25 a.m. — Rasmus Hojgaard, Denmark; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa; Romain Langasque, France.

7:48 a.m.-2:36 a.m. — Aaron Rai, England; Sahith Theegala, United States; Harry Hall, England. 8:04 a.m.-2:47 a.m. — Justin Leonard, United States; Thriston Lawrence, South Africa;

house. Am I just going to go look at it myself?” he said. “I don’t want to walk into a trophy room like, ‘Look how great I am.’ I was just raised to think that way, and it’s kind of stuck.” That begs the question: What is on the shelves of their Florida home if not trophies?

“My wife hung up some pictures of me in my gym of me winning the Olympic medal, and she put it so high up I can’t reach it,” Schauffele said. “I have to get a ladder now, and it bothers me. If anything, put me up in a Masters

jacket, like that would piss me off, you know what I mean? Something like that is more motivating.” If it were up to Schauffele, he would hang photos of his dogs. Or nothing. Maybe a clock.

“I’m always late, so maybe a clock would be good for me,” he said. He said Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has told him to be sure to enjoy big wins, and Schauffele figures he will do that at some point.

“But right now I really want to keep my head down and keep charging,” he said.

3:47 a.m.-8:48 a.m. — Sam Burns, United States; Aldrich Potgieter, South Africa; Brooks Koepka, United States.

3:58 a.m.-8:59 a.m. — Xander Schauffele, United States; J.J. Spaun, United States; Jon Rahm, Spain.

4:09 a.m.-9:10 a.m. — Shane Lowry, Ireland; Collin Morikawa, United States; Scottie Scheffler, United States. 4:20 a.m.-9:21 a.m. — Corey Conners, Canada; Wyndham Clark, United States; Tom Hoge, United States.

4:31 a.m.-9:32

Sipand savor newdrinks

Bon vi·vant /noun/ asociable personwho has cultivatedand refined tastes, especially with respect to food and drink

Newfood,drinksonthe block

Meet the newest cocktail at The Colonel’sClub,2857 Perkins Road: The Baton Rouge Beach The cocktail is made with coconut-washed codigo, lime cordial, coconut water, prosecco and mint.

Trythe Vietnamese shaking beef at Soji,5050 Government St., Baton Rouge, made with wok-seared steak cubes tossed withonions, bell peppers, bok choy and tomatoes in asavory sauce.The dish is served with white rice. There are new summer cocktails at ZeeZee’s,2943 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, including theflower spritz (with Hendricks dry gin, HendricksFlora Adora, lime, raspberry and gin), paper crane (with Mount Gay eclipse rum, Luxardoliqueur,Aperol,pineapple, coconut and lemon) and strawberry basil frenzy (with Tanqueray gin, honey,lime, strawberry and basil).

In theknow

The Baton RougeEpicurean Society recently honored Bob and Cheryl Kirchoff, of the Superior Restaurant Group, at the Grace “Mama” Marino lifetime achievement award dinner

Thesociety has donated more than $1 million since 2007to support childhood nutrition

The menu featured afivecourse dinner paired with specialty wines from several chefs in the city,including:

PHOTO By LAUREN CHERAMIE

Shrimp ceviche from chef Eric SibleyatSolera Bar and Tasting Room at The Baton RougeEpicureanSociety’s

Grace ‘Mama’ Marino lifetime achievement award dinner.

n Starter: shrimpcevichewith Romesco sauce, charred scallions, cilantro and ablue corn tortilla from chefEric Sibley at Solera Bar and Tasting Room. Paired with IneditoVino Blanco 2022, Bernal Valley Mexico.

n Salad: Mediterraneansalad with warm burrata, roasted corn and tomato salsa, jamon, aji verde and crispy plantains from chefs Nic Palmer and Patrick TrahanatRuffino’s Restaurant. Paired with Figuiere Mediterranee Rose 2023, Southern France.

n Soup: sweet potatoand tassobisque with sweet potato spiked, house-made tasso and chicharrones from chef Jeremy LangloisatHoumas House Estate and Gardens. Paired with Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2021, Denominazione di Origine Controllatae Garantita.

n Entree: pork osso buco al pastor with saffron rice pilaf, black bean puree and green tomato salsa verde from chef Barrett MeeksatMansurs on the Boulevard. Paired with

LIVING

BREWING MEMORIES

BY SERENA PUANG Staff writer

Walking intoHighland Coffees on Chimes Street is like stepping into another time. Peopletalk to strangers, joke around witheach other andgenerally don’t look like they’re in arush. That’s what Anna Campbell lovedabout it while she lived in Baton Rouge.

Campbell, who grew up in Louisiana, had been resistant to attending LSU. In her freshman year,she felt like shewasn’tseenorunderstood,but stumbling intoHighland Coffees was aturning point for her. She could envision herself being friends with the baristas working behind thecounter,she said, and she found refuge in theplace.

“It was amoment of relief,” she said.

She did becomefriends with them.First as aregular and eventually as abarista herself. Highland Coffees was abig part of her time at LSU. When shewas agrad student, sheheld her office hours there andeventually didher thesis,

is The CarriageHouse at HoumasHouse a gorgeoussetting,its bisque ofcurried pumpkin,Louisiana crawfish and cornis delicious.

centered around community building, with thehelp of other regulars and using thetables from the cafe.

“I madeevery single friend Ihad at LSU at Highland,” she said. “Every person Idated in Baton Rouge, Imet at Highland.” Campbell, who now lives in New York City,says herexperience feels exceptional, but it’sactually notout of thenormfor Highland

Highland Road, Baton Rouge l 7a.m. to 10 p.m. sevendaysa week

Coffees. Since Clarke Cadzow founded the shop in 1989, it’sbecome ahub forintergenerational connection, studying and community building in the historic North Gates neighborhood (whicholder alumni andresidents might know as Tiger Town).

What makesHighlandCoffees?

Cadzow attended LSU before pursuingasocial work degree in Austin. He was inspired to start his business after being introduced to independent coffeehousesduring his timeinTexas.

“I knewthatBaton Rouge needed acoffee shop,” Cadzow said. So he opened it with the help of his friend Bill Trull, who taught Cadzow how to roast beans, make drinks and where to find all the machinery and productsheneededtoopena coffee

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday, July 16, the 197th day of 2025. There are 168 days left in the year

Today in history:

On July 16, 1945, the United States exploded its first experimental atomic bomb in the desert of Alamogordo, New Mexico; the same day, the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis left Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California on a secret mission to deliver atomic bomb components to Tinian Island in the Marianas.

Also on this date: In 1790, a site along the Potomac River was designated the permanent seat of the United States government; the area became Washington, D.C.

In 1964, as he accepted the Republican presidential nomination in San Francisco, Barry M. Goldwater declared that “extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice” and that “moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”

In 1969, Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida on the first manned mission to the surface of the moon.

In 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr.; his wife, Carolyn; and her sister, Lauren Bessette, died when their single-engine plane piloted by Kennedy, plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

In 2004, Martha Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison and five months of home confinement by a federal judge in New York for lying about a stock sale.

In 2008, Florida resident Casey Anthony, whose 2-yearold daughter, Caylee, had been missing a month, was arrested on charges of child neglect, making false official statements and obstructing a criminal investigation. (Casey Anthony was later acquitted at trial of murdering Caylee, whose skeletal remains were found in December 2008; Casey was convicted of lying to police.)

In 2015, a jury in Centennial, Colorado, convicted James Holmes of 165 counts of murder attempted murder and other charges in the 2012 Aurora movie theater rampage that left 12 people dead.

In 2017, 10 people died at a popular swimming hole in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest after a rainstorm unleashed a flash flood.

In 2018, after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, President Donald Trump openly questioned the finding of his own intelligence agencies that Russia had meddled in the 2016 U.S. election to his benefit. (Trump said a day later that he misspoke.)

Today’s birthdays: International Tennis Hall of Famer Margaret Court is 83. Violinist Pinchas Zukerman is 77. Actor-singer Ruben Blades is 77. Rock composer-musician Stewart Copeland is 73. Playwright Tony Kushner is 69. Dancer Michael Flatley is 67. Former actor and teen model Phoebe Cates is 62. Actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell is 60. Actor-comedian Will Ferrell is 58. Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders is 57. Actor Corey Feldman is 54. Actor Jayma Mays is 46. Retired soccer star Carli Lloyd is 43. Actor AnnaLynne McCord is 38. Actor-singer James Maslow (Big Time Rush) is 35. Actor Mark Indelicato is 31.

HIGHLAND

Continued from page 1D

shop of his own. The original Highland Coffees location on the corner Highland Road and West Chimes Street, where Bengals and Bandits is now, but Cadzow moved into the current location near the intersection after six years.

Cadzow cares deeply about his shop’s house-roasted coffee and the other drinks they serve, but he wanted to create a place where people would feel comfortable and where employees serve customers well. Over the years, he’s refined his processes to do achieve that goal. For one, there’s an extensive, at times hourslong, interview process for baristas.

“You can’t interview somebody for 10 minutes,” he said matter of factly

He said he looks for friendly people and tries to get to know his potential employees a little bit.

But Campbell, who worked there for six years, had a different perspective.

“Clarke has always hired the oddballs,” Campbell said. “I think that he has always liked to hire people that needed Highland, and we always used to joke about it as a staff.”

Whatever the case may be, it works. Highland Coffees is a rare place where even a new customer can walk in, make a friend, give a high schooler college advice and be asked out on a date all in the same morning

“I can walk back in there, and I feel like I am 22 again — going through some of the worst heartbreaks of my life, laughing with my friends and all of it just being there,” Campbell said.

Over its 35 years of existence, Highland has been the site of many finals cram sessions, first dates and weddings, and according to the three baristas interviewed for

this article, that magic is due in part to the way the cafe is set up.

The process of ordering a coffee at Highland was created to maximize human connection, not efficiency It’s their policy to have the same employee take a customer’s order, make the drink and ring up the order The process takes 5-10 minutes, and it’s an opportunity to make conversation. The card reader is in the back. They have no drive thru orders. They’re open until 10 p.m. — later than most coffee shops and Cadzow doesn’t allow employees to start cleaning up until closing time. He doesn’t want to rush people out the door

Challenges and loyalty

All this thoughtfulness toward customer experience has cultivated an intergenerational clientele at Highland Coffees that is protective of the space. In 2014, when problems with lease negotiation threatened to shut Highland down, loyal customers started their own petition which accrued over 4,500 signatures in less

than two days. According to previous reporting from the newspaper, a “Save Highland Coffees” rally was scheduled on LSU campus, and more than 160 people said they would attend the event.

June Pulliam, a distinguished instructor at LSU and frequent patron since the year after Highland opened, said that customers banned together to support their beloved coffee house — and their efforts worked.

Even still, Highland Coffees, like many businesses by the North Gates, faces a lot of challenges: high rent, difficulty with parking and competing interests over what should be done with buildings in the neighborhood make operating any business on Chimes Street challenging.

The coffee shop business has notoriously thin margins. Cadzow pointed out, when one adds up the LSU vacation days for fall break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mardi Gras, spring break and summer vacation — that is nearly half the year that most LSU students are

not on campus and therefore not buying coffee. Cadzow said there are some months that Highland has trouble paying their bills.

But what Highland isn’t making in money, they are cultivating in connection and community Pulliam said that she uses the space like her second living room and has written a good chunk of many books and articles in the shop. Many theses and dissertationsatLSUthankHighland specifically in their acknowledgments, and some people who have moved away still buy the coffee beans from out of state.

Even in July, when most LSU students are away the shop is packed in the afternoon. High schoolers study for the ACT Remote workers sit with their laptops. People pick up coffee to go or drop by with friends.

After over 35 years, Highland is still serving up coffee with a smile, and the community won’t let it go anywhere.

Email Serena Puang at serena. puang@theadvocate.com.

Don’tthrow away cauliflower

Dear Heloise: The greens and stemofcauliflowers are not only edible, some people think that they taste better than the restofit. If Iwas going to throw anything out, it would be the parts that everyone else eats.

Youcan cook it like any green beans, perhaps with added bouillon, or toss it into astew

for her when slicingorparing the stems into coins or shavings. While it may not have theflavorofbeansor asparagus, neither does celery,and we slice it into stews all thetime!

know how that will look.

Hints from Heloise

But if the stem is quite thick, you’ll want to shave it into coins or use aparing knife to turn this high-fiber “waste product” into agood stew or ragu ingredient.

The same thing goes with broccoli. My wife eats the florets, which Igladlysave

Don’t waste it. If youdon’tcare for it, someone else in the familymight prefer it —orjustmake up arecipe! —Roger K., via email

Readingthe fine print

Dear Heloise: In arecent column, JudyA.saidthat shreddedpaper is not acceptable forrecycling. I checked mytrashcollection app,and it says the same…

until Iscrolled down further whereitstates that if it’s put in asealed paper bag, it can go in therecycling bin. I love this feature on theapp and useitfrequently —Mary W.,Bellevue, Nebraska

Black or blue?

Dear Heloise: Iwould love if manufacturers would put thecolor “navy” or “black” on clothing tags. Ioften get dressed and realize that what Ithought was black was actually navy,and vice versa. —Susan H., via email Susan, this can be aproblem for shoes, too! One black shoe and one blue shoe is not acute look! —Heloise

Email heloise@heloise.com

regardless of season.

—Jan Risher,Louisiana culture editor

The French n MJ’s Cafe, 5162 Government St., Baton Rouge

For the uninitiated, MJ’s can be alittle hard to find. Tucked behind Mid City Daiquiri, you might miss it if you don’tknow what you’re looking for,but once inside, you’ll find avibey cafe with lots of plant based/vegan options. Igot the French —anapple, goat cheese, pepper jellyand greens sandwich on toasted sourdough. Youcan sub in vegan cheese, but Ididn’t Thesandwich is light and well constructed. The whole thing goes together really well, and I’d have it again It’sperfect for those who want anon savory lunch option.

—Serena Puang, features writer Vietnamese coffee n Teatery Tea&Tapioca, 3546 Ambassador Caffery Parkway #101, Lafayette Lafayette has been embracing all things Asian recently.Cajun-Asian fusion, which has long been popular,seems to be proliferating.Ahuge new Asian

BONVIVANT

Continued from page1D

Château Peyreau Bordeaux Rouge 2019, Saint Emilion Grand Cru.

n Dessert: Mexican chocolate tart with salted dark Mexican chocolate ganache,glazed orange peel and dulce de leche from chef Don Bergeron at Bergeron’sCity Market.

The Myrtles’ farmers market is happening 9a.m. to noon every Saturday in Julyat 7747 U.S. 61, St. Francisville. Bao bun happyhour: 3p.m to 6p.m. every Monday through Friday at Chow Yum, 2363 Hollydale Ave., Baton Rouge

up milk tea, Vietnamese coffee and desserts. Vietnamese coffee might not be for everyone. It is very strong —using medium-dark roasted robusta beans, slow brewed for maximum flavor (and caffeine). It is usually sweetened with condensed milk and served over ice.

Dear Miss Manners: Iwas on a tennis team and was eliminated during atournament. Iwas supposedto play twomatches:I played one and won, but then got injured and bowed out of my second match. Ithenrecovered, but still didn’tget to play in the remaining matches We had avery strong team, so I knew Iwouldn’tplay much, but thought Iwould at least get the required two matches. The captain had indicated thatshe was going to play me, but thenshe didn’t. I’mnot abad player, so Iamnot sure why We ended up going to the playoffs, and again the captain didn’tput me in, which basically eliminated me from further play.Itwas very painful and hurtful and unnecessary, because

Market opened six months agoonAmbassadorCaffery Drive. Noodles anddumplings, along with Korean gimbap and corndogs, continue to pop up. Iamhere for thetrend.Mylatest find is the Teatery,which serves

DineinatChow Yumand pickyour choice of $3 bao buns. Choose from hot honey chicken,pork belly or crispyfish. Thehot honey includes crispy chicken, hothoney glaze, house boursin, pickledonionsand scallions. The pork belly features grilled pork belly, gochujangaioli, hoisin, kimchi, cilantro and scallions. The crispyfish is made with fried fish, chili oil, green curry,cabbageslaw,cilantro lime aioli, scallionsand cilantro. SouthofCentral Band debut: 6p.m. to9p.m. Saturday at Blue Iguana, 5252 S.Sherwood Forest Blvd.,Baton Rouge SoC, SouthofCentral Band, makes its debutat Blue Iguana. Listentolive

On my first visit to the Teatery,Iopted for aVietnamese coffee withsea salt foam. It was thick,sweet, slightly oil withahint of smoke. The saltiness of the cold foam is the perfect balance to sweetness and makes thewhole thingultra creamy Ididn’ttry any desserts on my inaugural visit, and, frankly,the coffee was sweet enough. ButIwill be back. AndIsee amacaron in my future.

—Kristin Askelson, managing editor,Lafayette

music while enjoying dinner and drinks. Marketsand more

Everything Eggplant: 8a.m. Saturday at Red Stick FarmersMarket, 501 Main St., Baton Rouge Enjoy everything eggplant at the farmers market’s FreshFest, an eight-week celebration of the height of the state’s agricultureseason. The event highlights a different product each week withcooking demonstrations from local chefs, food tastings, kids activities,live music and more.

If you have an upcoming food event or akitchen question, emaillauren. cheramie@theadvocate. com. Cheers!

Judith Martin

MISS MANNERS

even if Ihad played and lost, the team would still have gone to the playoffs. So Ihad words with the captain and then later apologized. Ididn’thear anything from the team for awhile, and decided to go to a different team for a different age bracket. Iamstill on my original team,but was neverinvited to anything. Then out of the blue, Ireceived an invitation to aparty for the team as they prepare for sectionals, whichIcan’tplay in because Ionly played once. Iamina quandary on how to respond. If I’dgotten my twomatches in,I couldjust go to theparty andhavefun, but there is so much pain at my elimination that Itruly don’tknowhow to respond. If Idon’tgo, it will look one way,and if Ido, Idon’t

Gentle reader: The last time Miss Manners checked, tennis wasplayed with a single ball, so let’skeep our eyes on that and cut some of the weaving. She understands your frustrationwith howthis season went. But she expectswhatyou arereally wondering is howtofitin betterwith the team, so that next season goes better. The problem you are having is that your teammates are tired of hearing about the game you did not play If you can attend the party be charming and tell everyone else how well they played, you should go. If your only topic is going to be your missedgame, then thank the captain for the invitation but stay home.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www.missmanners.com.

ADVERTISEMENT

care Simply put— without dentalinsurance, there may be an importantgap in your healthcare coverage.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Avoidaggressive situations. Put your energy where it can do some good and encourage you to get ahead. Consider ways to reduce your overhead, increase revenue or generate a profit from items you no longer use.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Curiosity will lead to education and positive change. Focus your energy on something that leads to a happy outcome. Refuse to waste time on trivial matters or those trying to pick a fight with you.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Stay close to what and who matters and maintain a good rapport with colleagues. Meeting someone who can offer insight will give you the confidence you need to forge ahead.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) A short trip will change how you think or do things. Attending a function that offers knowledge or guidance on decluttering and making your life run efficiently will give you hope for a brighter future.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Someone will crush your optimism if you are too accommodating or share personal information. Take advantage of what's available Refuse to let hostile encounters disrupt your day.

sAGIttARIus (nov 23-Dec 21) Keep moving, thinking and implementing positive change. Set boundaries to offset anyone taking up too much of your time. Protect your rights, space and ability to satisfy your needs first.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Set goals and stick to your schedule. Meeting the demands you set for yourself will build

your confidence. Keep your budget in mind and quickly shut down anyone suggesting you spend more than your budget allows.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Refuse to fade into the background when you have so much to say and offer. Show your worth andchallengeanyonewhotriestobelittle or outshine you.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) A break will recharge your energy to ensure you can finish the week with vim and vigor A change of atmosphere, coupled with some pampering, will soothe your soul and help you better utilize your skills. ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Take a midweek breather;itwillhelpyouseeanytroubles you face through a different lens. Too much of anything can weigh you down. A lifestyle change may be in order. Put your health and finances first.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Gauge situations as they unfold. Keep things in perspective and avoid overreacting. Focus your energy where it matters and work diligently to resolve outstanding issues. Take control.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Mingle, gather information and pay attention to the changes initiated by people in power. Make a focused effort to block or protect yourself from any fallout that can hurt you physically.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers1 to 9inthe 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.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Otto von Bismarck said, “People never

lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.” Bridge players do not so much lie after a deal as not realize that they failed to take as many tricks as possible.

This layout was in yesterday’s column.

Then South, hunting for 10 tricks in four spades, ruffed the second heart and immediately played on diamonds to take six spades, two diamonds and two clubs. (If diamonds had not been 3-3, declarer would have tried the club finesse.)

Now let’s turn to the defenders’ hunt for four tricks. How can they succeed after West leads the heart king?

South’ssequence,atakeoutdoubleover

East’s weak two followed by a jump to four spades, showed a very strong hand with at least a six-card suit. North hoped that no one would double!

East should realize from the bidding and the dummy that South has only one heart. Maybe West has a trump winner, but if not, the defenders must take three minor-suit tricks. These might come automatically, but perhaps South has a strong club holding that needs to be led through. (There cannot be a need for an immediate diamond shift.)

East should overtake West’s heart king with his ace and switch to the club nine (the high card denying an honor in the suit).

Average

Time

South can win, cash the spade and diamond aces, and play a second diamond, but East overtakes West’s jack with his queen and leads another club. Here, this leaves declarer with no chance, having to lose four tricks. © 2025 by

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Puzzle Answer today’s thought “And said to them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13

Legal Notices

licited from thepublic. Commentsmustbere‐ceived within

days of thedateofpublication of

PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice Requestfor Qualifications(RFQ) for OakWingGolfCourse EnglandAirpark & Community

$95.92

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TheLouisiana Depart‐ment of Culture, Recre‐ation& Tourism, Office of StateParks (State Parks) is issuinga Requestfor Information(RFI) to so‐licitany andall project ideastoadd or improve facilities,operations, or services at Lake Clai‐borneState Park (the Park)and/orincrease revenue or increase cost savingsand efficiencies forthe Park.The objec‐tivesinsolicitinginfor‐mation aretopromote theState Parksmission achieveproperbalance of preservation anduti‐lization of StateParks Properties while becom‐ingmore financially selfsustaining,and better servethe needsofciti‐zens andofvisitorsto Louisiana throughcollab‐orationutilizingPublic PrivatePartnerships. TheRFI packet,which in‐cludes a timeline,in‐structions forproposal submission,and selec‐tion criteria,isavailable at http://www.opportu nitiesinlouisiana.com. It mayalsobepickedup between9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at theOf‐fice of StatePark, Capitol Annex, ThirdFloor,1051 NorthThird Street,Baton Rouge, LA,70802. Written Proposalsmustbere‐ceived by StateParks at this addressnolater than 4:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, October1 2025. StateParks will continue itscommitmenttoen‐sure allprojectspromote ourmission statement, have community sup‐port,and supportoflocal andstate electedoffi‐

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUESTFOR PROPOSAL RFP0503 JeffersonParishDepart‐ment of Purchasing is so‐liciting Requestfor Pro‐posals (RFPs) from quali‐fied firmstoprovide Pro‐fessionalConsultingSer‐vicestoUpdateDevelop‐ment RelatedOrdinances andDesignGuidelines fora ComprehensiveUni‐fied DevelopmentCode (UDC) RFPspecificationsmay be obtained by visiting theJefferson Parish Pur‐chasingDepartment webpageat https:// www.jeffparish.gov/464/ Purchasing andselecting theLaPAC Tab. RFPs may also be viewed andsub‐mitted online free of charge at: www.jeffpar ishbids.netor www.cen tralbidding.com. Submissionswillonlybe accepted electronically viathe Parish’s e-Pro‐curement system,Cen‐tral Bidding.Responses will be received until 3:30 P.M. on July 29, 2025.Jef‐ferson Parish no longer acceptsmanualsubmis‐sions. Allvendors will be required to register with CentralBidding Late proposalsare not accepted JeffersonParishstrongly encourages theinvolve‐ment of minority and/or woman-ownedbusiness enterprises(DBE’s, in‐cludingMBE’s,WBE’s and SBE’s) to stimulate par‐i i i i PUBLIC NOTICE This is apublicrelease forFree& Reducedappli‐cation purposes TheZachary Community School BoardChild Nutri‐tion Programisfunded approximately51% with federalfundsfor atotal of approximately$1,500, 000.00 peryear. 150036-jul16-1t $30.11 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF INTENT TO CALL AN ELECTION Notice is hereby givenin accordance with Section 19.1ofTitle 42 of the LouisianaRevised Statutes of 1950, as amended, that theBoard of Directors, acting as thegoverning authority (the "Governing Author‐ity"), of theFireProtec‐tion District No.5 of the Parish of Livingston StateofLouisiana (the "District")atits regularly scheduled meetingon August 12,2025 at itsreg‐ular meetingplace,8098 FloridaBlvd, Denham Springs, Louisianaat6:00 p.m.,willdiscuss and consider adopting ares‐olutionorderingand call‐inganelectiontoautho‐rize an ad valoremtax which will be used for thepurposesofpaying thecostofacquiring and constructing fire protec‐tion facilitiesofthe Dis‐trict, maintaining,oper‐atingand developing the District's fire protection facilities,purchasing fire trucks andother fire‐fighting equipment, pay‐ingthe cost of obtaining waterfor fire protection purposes,including chargesfor fire hydrant rental andservice,in‐cludingmovable andim‐

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TheEngland Economic andIndustrialDevelop‐ment District (England Authority) is presently acceptingStatementsof Qualificationsfrominter‐ested firmstobere‐tained by theEngland Authorityfor theMan‐agement, Operations and Maintenanceofthe Oak‐Wing Golf Club,Club‐house, Restaurant and Bar. TheEngland Authorityis apublicagencyrespon‐siblefor theredevelop‐ment of theformerEng‐land AirForce Base and hasbeen recognized na‐tionally forits successin attainingits redevelop‐ment goals Acopyofthe RFQcan be found at www eng‐landairpark.orgorby emailrequest to dbrous‐sard@englandairpark. org. TheEngland Author‐itystronglyencourages minority owned, woman owned, andsmall busi‐nessestorespond Completedproposals must be received by the EnglandAuthority prior to 2:00 p.m. on July 23 2021. EnglandAuthority 1611 Arnold Drive Alexandria,Louisiana 71303 Formoreinformation contact: www.englandairpark.org or Mr.David Broussard, Deputy Director of EnglandAirpark (318) 427-6407 147811-jul2-9-16-3t $531.58

Sudoku

Sudoku is anumberplacing puzzlebased on a9x9 grid with severalgiven numbers.The object is to place thenumbers 1to9inthe empty squaressothateach row, column and3x3 box contains thesame numberonlyonce.

Multi-Sudoku

Each puzzleconsists of twoormoreSudokugrids overlapping each otherinvariousconfigurations.The gridsmay be ClassicSudoku ora mix of differentSudoku variants. Theobject is to solveall gridsaccording to theirvariant rules. Note that overlapping areas comply with therules of more than one grid

TheCryptoquipisa substitutioncipherinwhich one letter stands foranother. If you thinkthatX equals O, it will equalO throughout the puzzle. Singleletters,shortwords andwords usinganapostrophe give you cluestolocatingvowels. Solutionisbytrial anderror.

XC SA PO BY XW UB YN B

NP VS ZB NW IX PP AZ BJ XS AZ

LJ XB XZ YQ AI CY S’ ZL DD W

UW XQ YB DO YN ZN

ZX J- WN VD .

Today’sCryptoquipClue: CequalsW

FJ SK OQDO MQ FJ WQ

QF AJ UUJ LLG SY FG LI JW QL

JI PQ MQ AU JI DUK

YJ IR QUGS YL .G PJ MM

IR QF OJ UI KA MD DOQUL .

Today’sCryptoquipClue: Oequals P

Z QM ZJ AC CF XV PQ A

PA FC KC OV RZ AL RZ

RC RW ZR KZ AA NN OW RO X

SFU UOUL MX GO SO ZR K

WC MJ- GM OL U.

Today’sCryptoquipClue: ZequalsT

AT QD OA JE SJ MZ TB

TS SM XZ DR NP MQ TO D

PJ GO NDB BJ ZU MZ TZ

MC DZ UX TG GR SX TE SM A

BT ZO :C XT JX JD QT GM Z.

Today’sCryptoquipClue: Mequals O

NC TR SN PC WW SR AQ EP

UC WL ZK XOKC UB CT XV E

PX XY QW OV ZC VE XUX TQ RS

BE SK SX BL BE SU B:

NC K- EV WS WS EA XK Y.

Today’sCryptoquipClue: Vequals U

YK SX HO QH GZ AG YY GUE J

KY HS EJ ZEI YF NI BY HO

OE UGN, KY IB BE YH QH’ Y

BJ EA GA FN

KS -X ES YI F- GA FH .

Today’sCryptoquipClue: Yequals S

CROSSWORD

THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS

1Sullen

5Insolenttalk

9Urgeforward

Solitary sort

ScheduleC,e.g

DOWN

1Probe persistently

2LastGreek letters

3Ondeck

4Old auto

5Courseactivity

6Incalculable

7Wheel maker

8Bowlinground

10 Sister of Janetand Michael

11 Sumptuousness 16 Marketinglingo 18 Tent city

21 “Dead —” (DickFrancis book)

23 Leaststrict 24 Cochise’speople

25 Bill of “Big Love”

Kidman of film

Said

Secret supply

Ocean motion

Garbo, forone

Point&Solve

In this crosswordpuzzlevariety,the cluesappearinthe diagramitself. Simply enter theanswers in the directions indicated by thearrows.

CROSSWORD

THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS

1Sharpen

51973 losertoKing

10 Take on

11 “Wild,man!”

12 Related

13 Like some bagels

14 Round starters

16 Cheap criticisms

20 Luminous rings

23 “Myword!”

24 Toucheson

25 Steak choice

27 Grazing spot

28 Sheetsand such

29 Seasonalsafeguards

32 Wanted posterfeatures

36 Washington city

39 Metsong

40 SingerFrankie

41 Preparefor atrip

42 Alma 43 Fraternalgroup DOWN 1“Ididn’thearyou” 2Walkinthe woods

3Buffalo’s lake

4Sawbuck

5Tirades

6Limerickpeople

7Stickygunk

8Coltcreation

9Messy digs

11 Picksup, as abill

15 Worksthe soil

17 Eyeball

18 Newdriver, usually

19 Hardens

20 Sports period

21 Cain’s victim

22 Hawaiian do

25 Is theright size

26 Slim andtrim

28 Boston airport

30 Beam

31 Comic’s forte

33 Vaccine type

34 Watchsound

35 “The OddCouple” director Gene

36 Orange tuber

37 Gardnerofmovies

38 Krazy

Cryptoquote

AX YD LB AA XR is LO NG FE LL OW

Oneletterstandsfor another. In this sample,Ais used forthree L’s, X forthe twoO’s,etc.Singleletters,apostrophes, andlengthand formationofwords areall hints. Thecodeletters aredifferent for each puzzle.

IT TB KC BJ UQ TO UU Q

KI UI EV IV MC VK IN EK G

ET CI KE LI KV BJ KI TO VI V

CB ZO MC .— JE LB UI BJ

YM UU

HN BW ST JV XV CW HE J

RH ZT HM BW SO VB “B WS

EV MM WZ YV HM Z, ”Z TJ M

AB VU UI JV MO YV HM Z,

VM GZ TV Z CW HE JR HU U

AJ OHUJ ME JG .

—C HM EJ MZ CV MF WF T

Sudoku

Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzlebased on a9x9 grid with severalgiven numbers.The object is to place thenumbers 1to 9inthe emptysquaressothateachrow,columnand 3x3 box contains thesamenumberonlyonce

LN HJ FN EL NH ’B TK TV VS FK

NW QE IT FV IT DO FQ WT X

DNX VC NB TV IO FV IT

DOJ T. —Z NZ IN RT

Find thelistedwords in thediagram.Theyrun in alldirections -forward,backward,up, downand diagonally.Everypuzzlehas one unlistedclue.

Challenger

Fill each square with anumber, 1-9. Horizontal squares shouldadd to thetotalsonthe right,vertical squaresshould addtothe totals on thebottomand diagonalsquaresshould addtothe totalinthe upperand lowerright.

CLUE LIST

Youcan cage aswallow can’t you, but you can’t swallowa cage, canyou? Fall leaves (clueanswer) leaves fall. King, areyou gladyou areking? Pleaseme bystanding by me please.

CLUE LIST

Balances

Boxes

Buddies

Chessking Coats

Credit score

Facts

Hats List

Luggage Oil

Rumors

Temper Time

Weather

Each Wuzzles is awordriddlewhich createsa disguisedword, phrase, name,place, saying, etc.

ForExample,NOON GOOD= GOOD AFTERNOON

Unscramble thesetwelveletterstrings to form each into an ordinary word (ex. HAGNECbecomesCHANGE). Preparetouse only ONE word fromany marked ( ♥ )letterstringaseach unscrambles into more than one word (ex. ♥ RATHEbecomesHATER or EARTHorHEART). Fiteach string’swordeither acrossordown to knot alltwelvestrings together

Find thelistedwords in thediagram.Theyrun in alldirections -forward,backward,up, downand diagonally.Everypuzzlehas one unlistedclue.

CLUE LIST

Braille

Cheetah

Dalmatian

Dice

Dithering

Dominoes

Dotmatrix

Freckles

Ladybug Leopards

Measles

Microdot

Morsecode

Polkadots

Stipple

CROSSWORD

CLUE LIST

Billingsley

Bosley

Byrd

Culp

Curtis Fisher

Graves

Haig

Hopper

Linkletter

MacArthur

Meredith Nielsen

Olsen

Parker

Jacksonhit

5Christopher of “Back to theFuture” 6Morepert 7“Put— on it!” 8Janet Jacksonhit 9Likejust-slept-in beds

Fruitbasketitems

Sushichoice

Owned

Yard surrounders

Sudoku

Sudoku is anumberplacing puzzlebased on a9x9 grid with severalgiven numbers.The object is to place thenumbers 1to9inthe empty squaressothateach row, column and3x3 box contains thesame numberonlyonce.

Multi-Sudoku

Each puzzleconsists of twoormoreSudokugrids overlapping each otherinvariousconfigurations.The gridsmay be ClassicSudoku ora mix of differentSudoku variants. Theobject is to solveall gridsaccording to theirvariant rules. Note that overlapping areas comply with therules of more than one grid

CROSSWORD THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS

1Milesoff

5Left, at sea 10 Jottings

12 Surgerytool 13 Reagan nickname

WriterJong

Yale student 16 Pendulum path 18 Warningcolor

Placid 21 Fork feature 22 Good student’s place

Tribesymbol 25 Student loan assessment 29 Speech copy

Cowfeatures

Swisspeak

USNrank

Conk out

SingerPatsy

Make baskets

Islamic scriptures

Au naturel

Cleaned,ina way

DOWN

1Peruvianpeaks

2Committeda court offense

3Duds

4DVR buttonletters

5WriterWaugh

6Holenumber

7God of thedead

8Late

9Commerce

11 Irish river

17 Gathersone’s strength

20 Bother

21 Used astopwatch

23 Disappointment

25 Laid-back

26 Runout

27 SongwriterNeil

28 Hotdishholder

29 Bulletin board items

31 Future flowers

33 Mint product

36 Catchsomez’s

38 Ring setting

Word Sleuth

Find thelistedwords in thediagram.Theyrun in alldirections -forward,backward,up, downand diagonally.Every puzzlehas one unlistedclue.

Challenger

Fill each square with anumber, 1-9. Horizontal squares shouldadd to thetotalsonthe right,vertical squaresshould addtothe totals on thebottomand diagonalsquaresshould addtothe totalinthe upperand lowerright.

CLUE LIST

Al Unser

Arnold

B. Unser

DePalma

Fittipaldi

Foyt

Franchitti

Johncock

Jones

Mears

Meyer

Rutherford

Shaw

Vukovich

Ward

CLUE LIST

Aisha

Assange

Bill Clinton

Boehner

Edison

Franzen

Hanks

O’Donnell

Obama

Paul

Robert Gates

Rubio

SteveJobs

Taliban

Whitman

Point&Solve

In this crosswordpuzzlevariety,the cluesappearinthe diagramitself. Simply enter theanswers in the directions indicated by thearrows.

CROSSWORD

THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS

1Practicefor afight

5Chow

9Country division

10 Become readyfor picking

12 Stellarhunter

13 SanAntonio landmark

14 Reducetoonlythe best

16 Status

17 Fencingsword

18 Successively

21 Blusher’shue

22 Cutlery

23 Cracksjokes

24 Twosome

26 —Vegas

29 Serenade

30 Richardof“Chicago”

31 SeventhGreek letter

32 Aislealternative

34 Unrefined

37 Scoundrel

38 Privateteacher

39 Make better

40 Flyhigh

41 Bookish sort

DOWN

1Rankindicator

2Grimacing, perhaps

3Bepenitent

4Nevadacity

5Monk’stitle

6Squeak stopper

7Not transparent

8Makes objections

9Planter

11 Lunchhour

15 PainterHomer

19 Evening, in ads

20 DVRsconnect to them

22 Retained

23 Moonshine holder

24 VitaminCsource

25 Running by itself

26 Account book

27 In thearea

28 Putinstitches

29 Splintergroup

30 Treasureguardian

33 Turkey neighbor

35 1949 filmnoirclassic

36 Goof up

Each Wuzzles is awordriddlewhich createsa disguisedword, phrase, name,place, saying, etc.

ForExample,NOON GOOD= GOOD AFTERNOON

Unscramble thesetwelveletterstrings to form each into an ordinary word (ex. HAGNECbecomesCHANGE). Preparetouse only ONE word fromany marked ( ♥ )letterstringaseach unscrambles into more than one word (ex. ♥ RATHEbecomesHATER or EARTHorHEART). Fiteach string’swordeither acrossordown to knot alltwelvestrings together

CROSSWORD

Sudoku 1

Sudoku2

Multi-Sudoku 1

Multi-Sudoku 1

PremierCrossword

IWOULDTHINK THATALMOSTANY ILLUSTRIOUS BRITISH GUY WHO’SBEENKNIGHTED HAS ASIR-NAME.

FAMED FICTIONALATTORNEY WHOMADE HIS DWELLING ON AN OPEN GRASSY TRACTOFLAND: PRAIRIEMASON.

MANY PEOPLE MAKE EMBARRASSING MISTAKESAT CELEBRATORY GATHERINGS.I CALL THEM PARTY BLOOPERS.

CABLECHANNELWITHMANY PROGRAMS ABOUT HOOKING UPAUTOMOBILESTEREO SYSTEMS: CAR -TUNENETWORK.

THAT MOLLUSK WHOWOULDLIKETOGET ELECTED TO OFFICE IS RUNNING ASPIRITED CLAM-PAIGN.

5

Scramblers 1Scramblers2

Scramblers 3

JosephCrossword

SINCETHE AMBASSADOR IS ENORMOUSLY UPSET TODAY, ISUPPOSE HE’S PROBABLY IN-CONSUL-ABLE

EFFORT ONLYFULLY RELEASESITS REWARD AFTER APERSONREFUSES TO QUIT. —NAPOLEONHILL

2 IF YOU HEAR AVOICE WITHIN YOU SAY“YOUCANNOT PAINT,”THENBYALL MEANS PAINT, AND THAT VOICE WILL BE SILENCED. —VINCENT VANGOGH

3 YOU KNOW YOU’RE GETTING OLDWHENTHE CANDLES COST MORE THAN THECAKE.— BOBHOPE

Wuzzles 1 Wuzzles 2

JosephCrossword

Sudoku 1 Multi-Sudoku 1

Multi-Sudoku 1 Sudoku2 Page 12

PremierCrossword Page 13