The Times-Picayune 07-30-2026

MIDDLE EAST: U.S. LAUNCHES

Some La.lawmakers backingout of NDAs

Administration says agreements vitaltosecurebig economic deals; legislatorsreportcommunity pushback on secrecy,other concerns

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

Facing pressurefromvoters, some statelawmakersare backing out of nondisclosure agreements that Gov.Jeff Landry’sadministration has usedtoconduct secret negotiationswith companies that often receive large tax breaks from the state.

Records showthat 77% of statesenators have signed nondisclosure agreements at the behest of Louisiana Economic Development, the stateagencyincharge of attracting companies here. At least 14 of 105House members, including several committee chairsand SpeakerPhillip Devillier,havesignedNDAs, according to copies of the agreements and alist of lawmakers who declined

ThreeRepublicanstate senators from

various parts of thestate —Bill Wheat, Valarie Hodges andBob Hensgens haverequested LED terminate their NDAs, according to emails and records obtained by The Times-Picayune|The Advocate.Democratic stateRep. JoyWalters also asked LED to cancel her nondisclosure agreement over pushback from her constituents, whoare upset aboutan Amazon data center in herCaddo Parish region, she said. Their requests come as theLandry administration’suse of NDAs to negotiate economic development deals draws pushback fromsome residents andadvocacy groups, some of whom have suedover their use. Landry’soffice has used NDAs for several high-profile business deals, includingtokeepnegotiations secretwith the tech giant Meta, as the state worked to lure the company to northLouisiana. The

Magazine St.mourns loss of twoparades

Changes for2027

Carnival shift some routes

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

Strapped for cash, New Orleans leaders are trying to streamline Mardi Grasby shifting afew parade routes in 2027 to take the pressure off police, first responders, street cleaners and other services. But the decisionto take two more parades off Magazine Street hascaused ripples of dissatisfaction.

Jordan Thomas owns that most perfect piece of New

Orleansreal estate, ahouse along aCarnival parade route. Specifically,Thomas’ double shotgun lies on the MagazineStreet stretch between Jeffersonand Napoleon avenues, an intimate, residential section of the Uptown parade path. Late last week, Thomas learned that both theKrewe of Sparta and Krewe d’Etat parades, whichordinarily pass each year,havebeen shifted 13 blocks downtown, skipping her house altogether in 2027. Thomas’small yard and porch are customarily packed with partiers on parade nights and she’s

ä See PARADES, page 7A

State pitches nuclear waste initiative

BY ALEXLUBBEN Staff writer

companycould getbillions in taxbreaks for its $50 billion datacenter, which is prompting questions about effects on utility rates andwater use, through an incentive created by Landry and the Legislature.

Some FirstAmendment advocatesand scholarscriticizethe broaduse of nondisclosure agreements, saying they raise questions about whether the public is being kept in the dark as state officials promise companies billionsinpublic money

“If you send metoBaton Rouge to gain information, Ishould be able to tellthe public what informationI’vegained,” said Hensgens, R-Abbeville. “Togive me detailed information that Ican’ttell my public, it just doesn’tseem right to me.”

ä See LAWMAKERS, page 4A

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Dr.AnthonyFauci is sworninbefore the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answerdozens of questionsfrom senators.

He will face contempt vote afterinvoking FifthAmendment

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD and ALISWENSON Associated Press

WASHINGTON Dr.Anthony Fauci on Wednesday repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment anddeclined to answer dozens of questions from senators in aRepublican-led committee hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision,atleast fornow, shieldedFauci from answering questionsthatcould expose him to accusations of lying under oath.

Louisiana has pitched the federal government on aplan to store nuclear waste beneath the Gulf, part of abroader effort to attract nuclear development andpower massive new data-center projects in the state.

The federal initiative, called the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses program,pairs states willing to store nuclear waste with potential federal support fornew nuclear projects, including for power generation and manufacturing.

Louisiana was one of five states selected as programfinalists on Tuesday,out of 26 states that applied. All of the states selected as finalists —the others are Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Idaho are led by Republican governors. The state told the federal Department of Energy that Louisiana is aprime location for the development of next-generation nuclear energy and the storage of nuclear waste, noting that huge amounts of additional nuclear power will be necessary due to the surge in energy demand from data centers. Gov. Jeff Landry celebrated the state’s advancementasa finalist forthe program, andChris Wright, the secretaryofthe Department of Energy,said the state or states selected would benefit fromofmassive economicgrowth, thousands of jobs, and would be “crucial to unleashing America’snuclear renaissance.”

“Louisiana shares the President’svision for nuclear power and America’senergy future,” Landry said in astatement. “Weappreciate Secretary Wright’sleadership and the opportunity provided by the Department of Energy to further America’senergy dominance!”

Louisiana offers salt domesaswaste storagelocation ä See NUCLEAR, page 7A

Though he received apardon in early 2025 from Democratic President Joe Biden, someRepublicans pursuing ayearslong campaign for his arrest had suggested he could still face chargesfor anyperjury committedduring Wednesday’s hearing.

The scientist, who helpedlead the nation’sCOVID-19response, was subpoenaed to testify under oath by Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky,who has long had an antagonistic relationship with Fauci.

In response to angry,sometimes mocking questions from Republican senators, Fauci declined to answer more than 100 times,

ä See FAUCI, page 4A

15 elephants in Kenya die of cyanide poisoning

NAIROBI, Kenya Fifteen elephants that died over the past month in southern Kenya are suspected to have been poisoned by tomatoes contaminated by cyanide, wildlife authorities told local media Wednesday Authorities did not say who they suspected in the contamination of tomatoes from farms neighboring the Amboseli National Park. In the past farmers have been suspected of deliberately poisoning elephants to prevent them from eating crops The park in southern Kenya borders an area where farming and the raising of livestock are prevalent.

Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Erustus Kanga said preliminary laboratory tests detected cyanide “Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical, particularly for elephants,” Kanga told local media.

‘Once’ Oscar winner dies in motorcycle crash

LONDON Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who won an Academy Award for the 2007 film “Once,” died in a motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin early Wednesday, his management said. He was 56. Irish police said a man in his 50s died in single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, on the western outskirts of the Irish capital, before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday The man, who they did not name, was treated at the scene but pronounced dead a short time later.

Hansard combined acting and a musical career. He played a member of a Dublin soul band in the hit 1991 movie “The Commitments” and won an Oscar in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly,” which he co-wrote for the indie musical “Once” with co-star Markéta Irglová.

“Once,” a love story about two struggling musicians, was later adapted for Broadway, again with songs by Hansard and Irglová. It won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical. Kavinsky, composer of ‘Nightcall’ and DJ, dies PARIS Kavinsky the French electro-pop composer whose haunting track “Nightcall” set the musical tone for the movie “Drive” starring Ryan Gosling, has died. He was 50.

Culture Minister Catherine Pégard described the performer who appeared at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024, as one of France’s “most singular voices.”

“Both danceable and nostalgic, his music will continue to resonate across generations and borders,” the minister said in a post on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a post on Facebook: “Kavinsky, forever a source of French pride.”

The performer, whose real name was Vincent Belorgey, was found dead at his home on Tuesday evening, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.

Marjorie Taylor Greene marries in Las Vegas

Former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and journalist Brian Glenn tied the knot during a ritzy ceremony in Las Vegas this week, according to reports.

The conservative couple exchanged vows Tuesday at the Terrazza di Sogno in The Bellagio, TMZ reported.

In images published by the outlet, 52-year-old Greene can be seen sporting an elegant long white dress with sparkly floral details around her shoulders and waist while Glenn sported a classic black suit for the occasion.

It marks the second wedding for both Greene and Glenn, each of whom were still married when they met for the first time back in 2022. They coupled up shortly after Marjorie’s ex-husband, Perry Greene, filed for divorce and Glenn ended his marriage to Kerry Michelle Glenn

CORRECTION

A story on July 22 misquoted a portion of Loyola University professor Rae Taylor’s testimony in a murder trial. The TimesPicayune regrets the error

Search on for earthquake survivors

Death toll in Japan has reached 18

BY MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press

KUMAMOTO, Japan Soldiers and emergency workers combed through a badly damaged shopping mall and collapsed houses looking for trapped survivors Wednesday after a powerful earthquake that killed at least 18 people, including a foreigner, in southwestern Japan.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit a day earlier in the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu also left at least 62 people injured, six of them seriously, the prefectural government said. The tally has been steadily growing, fanning fears it may continue to rise.

Some of the most serious damage was at the Aeon Mall shopping center in the town of Kashima, which was bustling with thousands of people when the quake

happened. The company said some 3,000 customers were evacuated to a parking lot before a gas explosion happened in another part of the mall, where some people were still working.

Fumika Ono was shopping at a mall with her older sister when the ground shook so fiercely she lost her balance and ducked. Children began screaming and goods scattered on the floor The 19-year-old was among the crowd of shoppers who managed to escape safely

The sweltering weather heightened worries about the survivors as rescuers braved the heat. It remained unclear how many people might still be missing.

The mall’s second floor collapsed, trapping people. Witnesses said the explosion shook the area as much as the quake.

Three people remained missing, while four deaths were confirmed at the mall site, according to Aeon President Akio Yoshida.

“We take it seriously that an explosion happened and precious lives were lost,” Yoshida told a

news conference in Kumamoto, where he bowed deeply along with two other executives.

Japanese media footage of the mall showed that part of the ceiling had caved in, and metal pieces and other debris were scattered about as helmeted and masked rescue workers searched the area.

In the Nuyamazu district, a pair of temple gates at a 16th-century Buddhist temple collapsed. They had just been repaired five years ago.

Yuki Kiyozumi, deputy chief priest at the temple, recalled how she had to crawl on the floor because the shaking was so violent. She had just returned home from a meeting and was about to feed her cat.

“I don’t even know if or how we can rebuild them again,” she said, while cleaning up damaged ornaments and furniture.

In nearby Yatsushiro, a chimney collapse at a Nippon Paper Industries factory killed five people while seven others were rescued from the debris, according to the

Trump announces $22.5B Dulles airport makeover

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE and MICHELLE L PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a $22.5 billion renovation of Washington Dulles International Airport that will end the use of the widely disliked “people movers,” the mobile lounges that have been used for decades to shuttle travelers to and from the main terminal.

In place of the people movers, the airport will add a new U-shaped passenger train, a central walking tunnel, more moving walkways and new concourses. An above-ground parking garage closer to the main terminal with space for 32,000 vehicles is also in the offing, according to Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

The airport makeover would add to a long list of renovation projects the Republican president is pursuing to leave a lasting mark on the Washington region after his term ends in January 2029.

Among other undertakings, he is building a new White House ballroom and wants to build a towering triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial.

But of all the construction projects

Trump is pursuing, the renovations at Dulles could prove to be his most popular and benefit the greatest number of people. The airport, which is the primary international airport in the area, served roughly 29 million passengers over the past year, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Trump: Modernization ‘sorely needed’

Trump, who used a laser pointer to explain the renovations displayed on renderings, said the “crazy distances” travelers must walk to get from place to place make Dulles “the worst airport.”

Congress would need to approve some aspects of the renovation plan, Trump said. Construction could start next spring, Duffy said.

Officials said the airlines and the airport authority that operates Dulles would pay for the project with municipal bonds, but they did not spell out how much of the cost might be passed on to travelers through higher fees or ticket prices when flying out of the airport

John Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Dulles, said his agency, United Airlines and other airlines operating there have agreed “to fund this thing.” Dulles is one of United’s

hubs.

“So this is not requiring federal dollars,” Potter said at the Oval Office event. “This is going to be airport-generated dollars airline contributions, which is phenomenal.”

Dulles, located in northern Virginia, is about 25 miles from downtown Washington. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located in Arlington, Virginia, which is closer to downtown, making it popular with members of Congress and local residents.

The president, a former real estate developer, said in December that Dulles was “incorrectly designed.” He nonetheless praised Eero Saarinen, the FinnishAmerican architect and designer of the airport’s main terminal. Trump and Duffy said the president reviewed presentations from about 30 architects before Trump settled on the redesign he announced Wednesday

People movers from 1962 unpopular

Designed by Chrysler Corp., the people movers shuttle passengers between the terminal and aircraft. The airport operates a fleet of 19 mobile lounges, each capable of carrying up to 102 passengers, according to its website.

When Dulles debuted, the airport touted the system as a major convenience.

Passengers, it said, “had to walk only 200 feet once they entered the terminal until they were seated in a mobile lounge for the short trip directly to their aircraft,” a service it described as unique to Dulles.

But they have become one of passengers’ least favorite aspects of transiting through Dulles, with travelers and Trump — complaining that the system is outdated, balky and slow

One of the lounges crashed in November, sending 18 people to the hospital.

Dulles began a multibillion-dollar construction program in 2000 to begin to address future passenger demand. Major projects included two new parking garages, a fourth runway, a new concourse, a new air traffic control tower, pedestrian walks and an airport train system, according to the airports authority website.

The airports authority says significant modernization work is already underway at Dulles. Later this year, the first segment of the new Concourse E will open with 14 additional United gates that will help the airline expand its international network, provide direct access to the airport’s AeroTrain system and debut new and enhanced concessions options and passenger lounges.

Kumamoto prefectural government disaster team.

Four people were still believed to be trapped there, it said.

In the first reported death of a foreign national, a Vietnamese technical intern was killed after a crane fell on him at a factory where he worked, according to the Vietnamese government. He had arrived in Japan in January Seven other Vietnamese technical interns at the factory evacuated safely Separately, a Vietnamese woman married to one of the workers was injured when a wall collapsed and was being treated at a hospital.

Nearly 34,900 homes were still without electricity and some 15,000 homes without running water, Kumamoto officials said. More than 8,800 people left their homes to stay in over 400 shelters, where power sources were being added to provide air conditioning.

Aerial police footage showed some homes in residential areas were completely flattened, including a few that crumbled into a nearby river

Forensic teams search suspected mass grave from the Kosovo war

BY ZANA CIMILI Associated Press

KALLUDER,Kosovo Authorities in Kosovo have begun excavations in a northern village after the discovery of human remains there that are believed to be of people missing since the 1998-99 Kosovo war in what at the time was a Serbian province. Authorities say the site in Kalluder, in the municipality of Zubin Potok, has been cordoned off and had not been previously excavated in the search for evidence of war crimes.

The separatist war with Serbia began in 1998 when the ethnic Albanian rebel Kosovo Liberation Army launched a struggle for independence and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. The war ended after NATO bombed Serbia for 78 days in 1999, eventually forcing a withdrawal of its troops from the territory

On Monday, Kosovo police arrested two Kosovo

Serbs in connection with the case linked to the Kalluder site on suspicion of war crimes against the civilian population. In Belgrade, the capital of neighboring Serbia, the government’s Office for Kosovo denounced the arrests, describing them as “terrorism, revenge and intimidation” of members of the Serbian community in Kosovo.

Ditor Haliti, a forensic team member, said preliminary assessments confirmed the remains were “of human origin and are of forensic significance.” Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Wednesday that authorities need to determine exactly what has been found.

“Our immediate suspicion, after learning that human remains had been found, was naturally that they could belong to the group of 23 intellectuals who were abducted and forcibly disappeared on April 19, 1999, in Mitrovica,” Kurti said.

U.S. launches strikesonIranian targets

BY QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

BAGHDAD The U.S.military launched retaliatory strikes Wednesday on Iranian targets in response to Tehran’sattack on American forces in Jordan. The barrage came after the U.S. partnered with Saudi Arabia to strike Iran-backed militias in neighboring Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers Thenew strikescame hours after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran “very hard” after it targeted abase in Jordan that hosts U.S. troops. Iranian state media said two people were injured in attacks on the island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz and that explosions were also reported in Khuzestan province to the northwest Elsewhere, drone strikes ignited fires on two natural gas vessels at the Egyptian port of Damietta, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey.Itwas notimmediately clear who was responsible for the strikesona U.S.-ownedfloating storage facility and aGreek-owned tanker.Noinjuries were reported. The flare-ups on multiple fronts after several days of relativecalm raised the risk of areturn to all-outwar.It also underscored the diffi-

culty of winding down afivemonth conflictthat has jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans. The fighting was also likely to add to concerns that the U.S.isfurtherdrawing down already diminished stockpilesofsophisticated munitions needed to defend its bases andallies. Egypt, aclose U.S. ally and regional mediator,isone of the onlycountries inthe Middle East to have been spared direct military action during thewar.A strike by Iran or its allies,ifconfirmed, wouldmarka significant widening of the conflict.

Asked during an Oval Office event if Iran was responsible for the strikes on the natural gasvessels, Trump responded: “It’sa little more of thesame.”

“In themeantime, we’re goingtobehitting them very hard because it’sour turn to hit them,” he added.

SaudiArabiahad accused the Iraqi militias of firing drones againstits oil facilities over thepast two days. An umbrellagroup of Iraqi militiasinitially deniedthe allegations, while another Iran-backed group —the Houthi rebels in Yemen— said theyhad attacked Saudi

energy facilities as part of a separate but related conflict.

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman metseparately on Wednesday with Trump andVicePresident JD Vance,according to aperson familiarwith the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.The White House and Vice President’s office did not respond to requests for comment

Beforethe latest eruption mediators had expressed optimism about bringing theU.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table. An interim agreement collapsedin recent weeksoverrenewed

fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, acrucial waterway for globalenergy suppliesthat Iranian attacks have again effectively closed.

Aregional officialsaidmediators are “still trying with both sides” to restore calm andget the ceasefire back on track. He gave no details on whether progress wasbeing madeand spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door diplomacy

Regional countries will continue to push to de-escalatethe situation, said an Arab official, adding that prospects for successful mediation wereslim as both sidescontinue to launchattacks on theother andhave shownnoinclination to stop.

“We’re in avery badplace right now,” said theofficial, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe an internalassessment of the situation.

Iran’sparamilitaryRevolutionary Guard said it fired missilesTuesday at Jordan’s MuwaffaqSalti Air Base, a key U.S. military hub for the region, in astatementcarried by the state-run IRNA newsagency

Jordan’smilitary said five Iranian missiles hadbeen intercepted and destroyed.

The U.S. militarylater announced that American andSaudi fighteraircraft hadstruckmultiple logisticsand weapons sitesin eastern Iraq in response to the alleged drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The Popular Mobilization Forces,acoalitionof

primarily Shiite Iranianbacked armed groups that is officially underthe commandofthe Iraqi military, said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 wounded in the overnight strikes.

SixIranian advisers were also killed, according to two Iraqi militiaofficials,who spoke to TheAssociated Press on condition of anonymitybecause they were not authorized to comment publicly.Iran’sdeputy governor for political, security and social affairs in Markazi province told Iranian state media that four advisers werekilled.

The coalition joined the fight against the Islamic State groupafter it seized large sections of Iraqin 2014. The Iraqi government later designated the coalition as an “independent military formation” within thearmedforces,but the militiashave significant autonomyand somehave attacked U.S. facilities.

Iraq’sgovernment decried the U.S.-Saudi attacks, though aFox News reporter said in an on-air segment that Trump told him they weredone in coordination with the Iraqi government. Iraq’sNational Security Council said thestrikes had been carried out “while the Iraqi government was in contact with relevant parties to investigate andaddress all the concerns raised by theSaudi andAmerican sides.” It said “a number of innocentpeople”had been killed and wounded.

BY MEG KINNARDand JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham returnedfor thelasttime Wednesday to South Carolina, where powerful friends remembered him as someone who never stopped working for the state he loved After Graham was eulogized Tuesdayin the nation’scapital as an indefatigable dealmaker by the president, vice president and others, mourners in Columbia recalledhim as the son of poolhall owners who “was born with aplastic fork in his mouth,” as former Rep. Trey Gowdy put it.

The Republican seemed to know every mayor and small-townpolicechief and the location of every Chick-fil-A in South Carolina, and made sure GOP candidateshad moneytorun in legislative and localelections across the state.

“Lindsey Grahamunderstood the hopes anddreams and needs of his state and delivered every time,” said Republican Gov. Henry McMaster,who ended his remarks by telling Grahamheloved him.

Friendsrecallhumor,workethic

Graham died suddenly on July11athis home in Washington, likely of an aortic tear, according to preliminary findings. He had just returned from awhirlwind trip to aNATOsummit in Turkey,where he celebrated his 71st birthday,and avisit to Ukraine as he negotiatedpunishing sanctions against Russia. Senators voted late Tuesday to advance the package as afinal gesture for their colleague.

Wednesday’sfuneral was at First Baptist, the giant downtown churchwhere his predecessor Republican Sen.Strom Thurmond was eulogized 23 years ago.

One of Graham’smany friends inCongress, Gowdy said the senator rose topower through humor,genuine caring forall peo-

pleand arelentless work ethic.

“Itwasn’tthe trapping of office he cared about. It was thework,”Gowdy said.

Peacemaking, unpopularvotes

Gowdyspoke fornearly 30 minutes.He remembered aman who knew who he was, cast unpopular votes because they were the right thingtodo, loved kids even though he wasnever married or afather —one joking bit ofadvice Graham gave youngsters was to “never do for yourself what someoneelse will dofor you” —and was the least pretentious person in politics.

“He was the worst at carrying agrudge,” Gowdy related, drawing laughterfromthe crowd.“Ihad to keep alist of who we were mad at because he could not remember who had done what.”

DemocraticU.S. Rep. JimClyburn, the only remaining member of theSouth Carolinadelegation in power when Graham arrived in Washington in 1995, read Psalm 23.

Horse-drawncaisson

On Tuesday, Graham’sflag-draped casket was at the U.S. Capitol, where the Republican spent more than 30 years talking and laughing and badgering his colleagues into action.

Trump then joined foreign leadersatamemorialservice at theWashington National Cathedral, atestament to Graham’sstature on the global stage, calling him “a giant of theUnited States Senate, atrueAmerican original who left us much too soon.”

Wednesday’sceremonies began at the Statehouse, where Graham started his political career in 1993. Ahorse-drawn caisson carrying hiscasketpausedinfront of adozen lawenforcementofficers foraflyover by four military jets, and thenproceeded to the church, where his family followed military pallbearers inside. A130-member choir sang hymns. Graham’sburial near his home in Pickens County was planned as aprivate ceremony.

Smallbusinessestake initiativetomeettheneeds oftheMetaprojectin NortheastLouisiana

Thisstory is brought to youbyMeta.

Thenew Meta AI data centerbeing built in Richland Parish has broughta flowof newfaces to the Monroe area,driving up business forlong-term residents. The changehas broughtwith it opportunitiesfor newbusinessventures as well.

To seewhatall the buzz is about, Kelsey Higdon, Digital Sales Manager forNola.com and The Advocate,met up with Jonathan Joseph,co-ownerofDelta Biscuit,a breakfast and brunch restaurant that has been openfor aboutfive years, and Chris Holyfield, co-owner of DeltaBiscuit and owner of Holy Dippers, over some beignets and biscuits

starta newbusinessfromscratch. We alsoopened anew restaurant calledAperothis pastyear,and it’s been quitea success

Howmanypeoplewereyou abletohirewiththosetwo businesses?

With Holy Dipperswehave about26employees at this time, and we arelooking to expand nationally, so hopefullythatwill grow tremendously in the next year or two. With theAperorestaurantwehave between 30 and 40 employees

HowdidyoutakeHolyDippersfrom beingjustanideatobecominga full-servicebusiness?

WhenMetafirstcametous, they asked if we coulddoit, but we didn’t knowanything aboutthe stepswehad to take. Istarted getting on the phone, tryingtofind out howmuchatruck wouldcost, howmuch insurance wouldbe, howmuch to pay drivers, and all thedifferentexpenses that go along withit.

Howhasbusinesschanged sinceMetaannounceditsnew datacenter?

Once Icould seewhatthe numberslooked like, Isubmittedabid. Over the next four or fiveweekswecreateda contract between thetwo companies,and it came together quickly.Ihad avision of howIwantedtorun everything,and we put ourheads together working on it daily.Atthe timewestarted, July 21 of lastsummer,wehad four trucks, and nowweare up to 17

Since Meta arrived, we’veexperienced having people from all over thecountry here whichhasbeengreat.We’vebeenwelcoming them, and it’spushed us in some interesting wayswith the menu as we catertodifferent tastes.It’salsobeen acommunity-building effort to be of service to the folkswho are working outatthe data center.

Iheardyouaddedsomenewmenu itemsbasedoncustomerrequests Isthattrue?

That’sright! We have the newsteak &eggs menu item. Theyloveitout thereatthe data centersite.

Tellmeaboutyourrecent businessventures?

With Meta coming to town, we started our first septic company calledHoly Dippers. Ourone-year anniversary is at theend of this month. It wasexciting to be able to

Ifyouweretalkingtootherbusiness ownerswhojusthadamassivetech projectannouncedintheirtown, whatadvicewouldyougivethem? Get to knowthe contractorsand the ownership group. Networkand let them gettoknowwho youare and whatpotential youhavetohelp them on-site. These arebig companies, and they need help.Theycan’t do it by themselves.Just let them know whatyou canoffer as youget to know who they are.

Lastly, embrace this newjourney and all thenew people who arecoming.It’s probably bigger than youthink, and it forces youtobeinnovative.

Check outthe menufor Delta Biscuit at www.deltabiscuit.com.

Formoreinformation on the Meta projectinRichland Parish, see meta.com/ BuildingLouisiana

Hensgens saidhedeclined LED’s offer earlier this year to sign an NDA about apotentialdeal for an aerospace company in Vermilion Parish. Blue Origin andSpaceX are reportedly exploring adealin theAcadiana area.

After Hensgens told LED he would not sign the aerospace NDA, state officials told him he wasalready under a“blanket” NDAthatLED offeredtoall state senators lastyear,hesaid.He said he doesn’tremember signing the document electronically,and that he askedLED to terminateitupon finding out.

State officials have defended the use of nondisclosures, saying they’re necessary for closing economic development deals, but Landryhas also embraced nondisclosure agreements forother uses, records show.Around 100 staffers in Landry’s administration —from assistantstothe head of the Louisiana DepartmentofEnvironmental Quality —have signed the agreements as acondition of working for Landry,barring them from disclosing informationabout the Governor’sOffice under the threat of lawsuit.

WWNO originally reported the staff NDAs, called “employee confidentiality agreements,” and identified 121 such records. The outlet also reported that Landry personally signed an NDAwith a subsidiary of Meta.

Landry’sspokesperson, Kate Kelly,didn’t respondtomultiple messages seeking comment. Kelly is among the Landrystafferswho signed an NDA, along with former chief of staff Kyle Ruckert andexecutive counsel Angelique Freel, accordingtorecords obtained by TheTimes-Picayune|The Advocate.

LED has negotiated dozens of economic developmentdeals under NDAs, resulting in the agency committingbillions in public dollars to private companies before disclosing details to the public. For instance, Hyundai won $2.6 billion in incentives after secret negotiations. Officials also used NDAs to negotiate a$7million incentive package forLIV Golf for aNew Orleans golf tournamentthat fell through.

“Wecan’tlook at these proposed investments as always being positive,” said Sen. RoyceDuplessis, D-New Orleans, who is among the few senators who declined to sign

FAUCI

Continued from page1A

injecting new drama into partisan divides that have festered for years about the origins and handlingofthe pandemic.Fauci himself has become apolarizingfigure, even receiving death threats that prompted himtoseek security In his openingstatement,Fauci said Paul has an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution.”

“The only conclusion Ican reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicatehis repeated public pledges that Iend up, in his words, quote, behind bars, unquote,” Fauci said, adding that while it pained him to do so, he was following his attorney’sadvice by taking the Fifth. Paul, who has long argued that Fauci should be criminally inves-

an NDA. “How do we ask thetough questions if we’re under these restrictions?”

LED and other public agencies have facedscrutiny over thepractice. Agroupofnonprofits and residents sued officials in Ascension Parish last year,alleging the parish must hand over NDAs. A judge agreedinMay

Nonprofits have suedLED in state court over theHyundai deal, alleging the agency shouldhave gotten approval from thestate Bond Commission, acase that remainsongoing LED spokespersonEmma Wagner declined to comment on lawmakersterminating their NDAs. She said LED offered “general NDAs” to the entire state Senate andcertain House leaders. Alist provided by LEDshows that the vast majority of statesenators signed the document.

Wagner added that NDAs “are forconfidentiality,which is notthe same as secrecy.” She declined to elaborate.

Metahas also defended the use of NDAs,saying the companyhas gone throughthe standard regulatory channels for thedeal.

LED hasdefended the use of NDAs in thepast,saying they’re needed to compete with other states forbillion-dollareconomic development projects

“Froma businessside, it makes total sense,” LED Secretary Susan Bourgeoissaidlast monthinan interview.“Why would youtelegraph to your competitors?… Or whywould we telegraph to other states what we’re offering?”

‘Betrayed’

At least 44 members of theLouisiana Legislature have signed

tigated, basedonhis belief thatthe scientist was dishonest in previous testimonytoCongress, announced that thecommittee will vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt for declining to answer questions.

He did not say whether he would push for acriminal contempt referral to federal prosecutors or another charge.

He also raised questions about whether Fauci’s pardon affects his eligibility for Fifth Amendment protections.

In thecombativehearing, Paul andother Republicans accused Fauci of lying in earliertestimony about thecoronavirus’ origins, something thelongtime National Institutesof Health scientist has forcefully denied Democratscalled the hearing a politically motivated attempt at entrapping Fauci andpraised the scientist forhis work during the pandemic.

With Fauci declining to answer questionsthroughout, Paul dominated the approximately three-

nondisclosure agreementswith LED, according to copies of the contracts. That includes 30 members of the Senateand 14 House members.

Butthe pressurehas been building over whethertostaylocked into theagreements.

Rep.Joy Walters, D-Shreveport, said LED offered her an NDA last year to learn more abouteconomic development dealsinher district, including projects by therapper 50 Cent, whohas investedin Shreveport in recent years.

Thenher constituents started raising questions about aplanned Amazon data center in herdistrict. They also pushed back against her decision to sign an NDA,she said. She saidher constituents felt “betrayed” by it.

In May, she asked forthe NDA to be canceled, and LED’sdirector of legislative affairs Chris Stelly wrotebacksayingthe contract was terminated. He added that any confidential or proprietary informationLED may have shared remains subject to the NDA for another year

“My districtfeels strongly they do notwantmetobeunderan NDA,” Walters said. “They don’t want any elected officials to be under an NDA.”

Sen. Hodges,R-Denham Springs, said in astatement that she “was told that in order to have aseat at the table to represent my constituents” abouteconomicdevelopmentdeals, she would need to sign an NDA.

“But what Iheard back from the voters was that they prefer transparency —soofcourse, Iwithdrew my consent to theNDA,” she said. “I will always try and do my best to represent my constituents

hour hearing, listing alitany of accusations and detailed questions.

“Today will be the capstone to Anthony Fauci’s 40 years of abuse of power at NIH,” Paul said. “History willjudge,but the facts as we nowknowthempaint asordid tale of dishonesty,misjudgment and ultimately the hubris, the likesofwhichthe world hasnever seen.”

In aheated momentduring the hearing, Paul ejected Fauci’s attorney,David Schertler,from the room after he triedtospeak without being recognized. In astatement, Schertler saidthe removal was “outrageous and demonstrates the completely biased and baselessnature of this proceeding.” In another statement, he calledPaul’saccusations about Fauci “false and disgraceful.”

Democratic senatorspraised Fauci andsaid he didn’tdeserve thetreatment he was getting.

“This hearing is designed to entrap you,”saidSen.Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.

Leading up to the hearing, Paul released more than 1,000 pages

and what is best for them.”

Wheat,R-Ponchatoula, also asked to cancel his NDA. He said he was OK with NDAsthat sought to protect proprietary information shared by companies, buthefelt the agreement was too broad.

“Obviously we want companies to come andwewant their private informationtobeprotected,” he said. “I understand the basis of that business arrangement. But at the same time, Idon’tthink it should be used as amethod of not informing people whoare going to be affected by projects.”

LED has signed nearly 300 NDAs since Landry took office in January 2024. That’sone NDA every three days, on average.

Theconfidentialityagreements span dozens of potential business deals. Officials signed them with Hyundaileading up to adeal that gave a$2.6 billion incentive package to thecompany.Louisianaofficials alsosignedthemwithMetaforadeal that gave the tech giant potentially billions in tax breaks for amassive north Louisiana data center

NDAsthat LEDofficials have signedwithother companiesinclude:adefense contractor called American Rheinmetall; theartificial intelligence companyAnthropic; Entergy NewOrleansfor aproject called“Project Firestarter”; and Ochsner,the state’slargest healthsystem.The dealshave code names like“Project Steel” and“ProjectTiger” to keep their details secret.

Entergy New Orleans spokesperson Beau Tidwell declinedto answer questions about “Project Firestarter.” He said in astatement that Entergyroutinelyparticipates in economic development deals and that “it is not uncommon that in some instances an NDA is requested by an interested party during the earlystages of scouting locations fordevelopment.”

“Wework with our regulators in an open and transparent process that requires their ultimate approval if adevelopment moves forward,” he said.

Bourgeois, of LED, said in aJune interview that her agency signs NDAs to avoid “telegraphing” to competing states what Louisiana is offering in the way of tax breaks andotherincentives. She said the NDAs cover all details of the project.

“It’swhat the companies expect and it’show youremain competitive to landthese projects,” she said.

‘Additionalsecrecy obligations’

Landry’suse of NDAsisunusual,

of Fauci’spersonal diary covering the pandemic years. Pointing to some notes aboutearly efforts at understandinghow thevirus emerged,Paulsaidonsocial media thatwhat Fauci “wrote privately andwhat he toldthe country are two differentstories.”

Some of the diary entries —including Fauci’suncertainty in the pandemic’searliest days as scientists around the world raced to understand thenew virus and how best to curb it before vaccines could be created —already were reflected in a2024 memoir and in interviews at the time.

Butthey have nonetheless drawn attentionfrompeople whoblame Fauci formask mandates, school closures andother policiesthey believeinfringed on theirrights as hundreds of thousandsofpeople were dying

President Donald Trump on Wednesday wrote on social media thathestopped relying on Fauci over the course of the pandemic because he felt thescientist made bad decisions about masks,shut-

particularly for staff members, according to legal scholars.

DaneCiolino, aLoyola University lawprofessor,saidthe NDAs cannot legally override information that is subject to the state public records law,which allows the public to view government documents.

Exemptionstothat lawmust come from statutes, not private contracts, he said.

He said astaffercould theoretically face legal action fromthe governor if they broke their contract, but it’sunlikelyiftheyleak information that’sapublic record the law says must be produced. In effect, Ciolino said, themove toward NDAs shifts “controlover public information away from rules set by the Legislature and toward ad hoc agreements” drafted by the executive branch.

“What’sunusual here is not the idea that some government information can be temporarily confidential—the lawalreadyaccountsfor that,” he said. “What’s unusualisusing private contracts to layer additional secrecy obligations on topof, andpotentially beyond, what the public records and economic development statutes permit.”

“The trends in state government the last fewyears are alarming from apublicaccessstandpoint,” added Haley Gentry,assistant director of the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy Gentry said she has struggled to get access to certain information as she tried to evaluate the impact of data centers and industrial plants on water resources because of NDAs.

Duplessis was offered an NDA by LEDalong with the rest of the state Senate. Duplessis said he understands how a“narrowly tailored” NDA to protect proprietary business information could be useful. And he added that he supports LED’sefforts to attract businesses to the state.

But he said public trust in government is at an “all-time low,”and that “sweepingNDAs” that prevented himfromtalking publicly raised concerns. Duplessis was ultimately oneofjustnine state senators who refused to sign an NDA,records show “I want to be keyedinonwhat’s happening in my district too,” Duplessis said. “I certainly understand whysome of them may have signed it.”

“The flip side is, what if Ifind out something about this deal that Idon’tlike? Am Ilimited from speaking out against it?”

downs, and other issues. He later told reporters he watched the entire hearing.

HealthSecretary Robert F. KennedyJr.,alongtimeanti-vaccineactivist before entering public office, said on social media that hisdepartment had foundthe diary entries on government property and had given them to the committee. Scientists also scrambledto Fauci’sdefense ahead of the unusualhearing —the secondtime he has been back before Congress to discuss pandemic origins since leavingthe government in 2022 While the COVID-19 pandemic introduced him to millions of Americans,hetalkedthe nation through numerousoutbreaks over decades, includingHIV,Ebola andthe 2001 anthraxattacks, while advising seven presidents. In apublic letter,more than 150 infectious-disease experts and other scientists wrote that “no credible evidence has been produced to support these absurd charges” and that theyare urging electedofficials to “stop these witch-hunts.”

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xAI sues Minn. over ‘nudification’ ban

Elon Musk’scompany xAI has sued Minnesota over the state’s first-in-the-nation law that bans “nudification” technologyon websites and apps, potentially providing atestfor howfar states can go in constitutionally regulating theuse of artificial intelligence.

Musk’scompany sued Monday in federal court, days beforethe lawisset to take effect Saturday and makeMinnesota the first state to try to outlaw theincreasingly proliferating technology that letspeople use AI to create fake nude images of real people. The law was signed in May

In the 38-page lawsuit, xAI —whose AI modelchatbot and image generator Grokis available on thesocial media platform known as X, formerly Twitter,and elsewhere —said it doesnot contest the state’s interest in banning the distributionofAI-generated nude imagesofreal people without theirconsent. ButitsaidMinnesota’s law “extends farbeyond that goal,” banning many constitutionally protectedimages and video and subjecting the company to apenalty of $500,000 per violation.

The lawsuit argues thereis no “safe harbor” provision for companies that make good faith efforts to prevent such images from being created by users, and thatitcovers images that were consented to by the depicted person, or even created by that person.

It also says the law’sdefinitionof“intimate part” is overly broad, coveringbodyparts that are routinelydisplayed in public The law is distinct from state and federal laws that outlaw deepfakes, AI-generatedsexually explicit images of people without their consent. Those laws typically penalizethe people who use the tools to make these images, not the makers of the tools themselves The federalTake it Down Act, passedlast year,also requires websitesand apps to implementaprocess to removethose images.

Musk launches X Money via invite only NEW YORK Elon Musk’ssocial mediacompany X, formerly known as Twitter,launched its ownbank account-like product where users cansend moneytoone another The service, known as X Money,isnot anew bank. X Money is using technologyand banking services providedby CrossRiverBank, and branding that backbone as XMoney It is common for new financial companies to use atraditional bank’s backbone to launch its services, as chartering anew bank is atimely and costly process. Currently XMoney is invite only,and users will receive a “X”-branded Visa debitcard that is useable at any ATM. Users of Xwill be able to send money to other Xusersinrealtime, the company said. Invitationsare only availabletoX’s paying members presently In order to attract customers, XMoney is offering a6%yield on depositsand 3% cashback on eligible purchases. In order to earn the 6% yield, acustomer wouldneedtodepositatleast $1,000 into an account.Customers wouldalsohave to be signed up forX’s premium services, which is at least $8 amonth. It would require at least adeposit of $1,600 in order to cover X’s premium services cost. Musk has long talked about turning Xinto an “everything app” that would include financial services Musk has his origins in financialservices, creating one of the first online banks under the brand X.com. That company was later bought and merged intowhatisnow known as PayPal.

BUSINESS

Fedleavesinterestrate unchanged; 3dissent

Warshpraises ‘goodfamily fight’

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON The Federal Reserveleftits keyinterest rate unchanged Wednesday,although three officials dissented in favor of higher rates as the central bank wrestles with how to deal with persistentlyhigh inflation

The Fed’srate-setting committeereached itsdecision after two days of deliberations, marking thefifthstraight meeting at which thebenchmark rate waskeptat around 3.6%.

Some economists andWall Street analysts had predicted the Fed would hike itsrate by aquarterpoint. But while the decision to stand pat could be seen as good news for consumers, they might notfeelmuchreliefwiththe average credit card rate still near 20% and mortgagerates thehighest since last August.

Inflation has beenstuck above the centralbank’s2%target for more than fiveyears. The Iran war has generated uncertainty over the economic outlook and has driven energy prices higher, intensifyinginflationary pressure andcreating aquandaryfor Fed policymakers. In addition, the vast amounts of money being spent by technology companies on artificial intelligence areboth driving manufacturing andhave resultedinincreased prices for items such as computer chips and electricity.President Donald

Trump’stariffs on foreign goods are also adding to inflation pressures. The threeofficials whodissented —Beth Hammack, president of theFederal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Neel Kashkari,president of the Minneapolis Fed; and Lorie Logan, president of the DallasFed —had previously called fororsignaledthattheywould be open to raising rates to combat high prices

“The dissents send aclear message: The Fedisnot yet convinced theinflation battlehas been won,” said Seema Shah, chief global strategistatPrincipal Asset Management.

At anews conference following the rate decision, FedChair Kevin Warsh reiteratedthe Fed’scommitment to combatinginflation.

At the same time, Warsh said, “We have no magic wand. This isn’t something we’re going to be able to carry out in days or weeks.”

Warsh said he welcomed vigorous debate at the committee meeting. “I askedfor agood family fight and Igot one,”hetoldreporters at anewsconference.

Warsh, who wasappointed by President Donald Trump, has sought to bring anumber of changestothe Fed including giving financial markets fewer signals about the Fed’sthinking on interest rates. He said he believed that reticence was afactor in the bond marketpushing up yields in thepastfew weeksasitweighed neweconomic data

The market is “learning to play theball and not the referee,” Warsh said.

SinkingAI stocks drag Wall Street lower

NEWYORK— Oilprices gotback to jumping on Wednesday, while sinking technology stocks dragged Wall Street lower amid uncertainty about what the Federal Reserve will do to gethigh inflation under control.

The action was more decisive in the oil market, where the priceofBrent crude leaped 7.3% to settle at $88.09 per barrel after fighting resumed in the war with Iran andraisedworries about the global flow of oil. Brent oil’sprice had swung as low as $72 early this month and as high as $102 last weekon uncertaintyabout whether the United States andIran could reach adeal to allowoil tankers to movefreely again from the Middle East to customers worldwide.

The swings have raised worries that inflation will reaccelerate, and traders came into the day betting on aroughly 34% probabilitythatthe Fed would raise itsmaininterest rate in the afternoon, according to data from CME Group. Higher rates can keep alid on inflation, but they can also slow the economy and undercut prices for stocks and other investments.

Fedofficials instead voted to keep the federal funds rate steady,though three members of thepolicymaking committee did wanttoraise rates.

BYCHANHO-HIM Associated Press

HONG KONG

The U.S. Federal Communica-

tions Commission is banning imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in amove that targets China. Beijing quickly accused theU.S.ofprotectionism

The measures arelikely to test relations with Beijingahead of aplanned U.S. visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet withU.S. President Donald TrumpinSeptember.China dominatesthe globalmarketfor humanoid robots withanestimated market share of roughly 85%.

TheFCC’sban also includes newimports of quadruped robots, often referred to as four-legged robot dogs. The agency said importsofadvancedrobots pose cybersecurity and other national security risks. Offshore production of such equipment also leaves U.S. supply chains vulnerable to disruptions.

The ban on power inverters, which are used to convert direct current (DC) electricity intoalternating current(AC)electricity and are used in renewable energysystems,

datacentersand household appliances, could have sweeping ramifications.

Latest in U.S. restrictions

FCC chair Brendan Carr said Tuesday that themovewas to “secure America’scritical supply chains.” He saidthe bans apply to “new versions”ofsuch imports.

The FCC’sbans follow aslew of U.S. restrictionsonimports of Chineseproducts, including drones, and on exports of U.S. advanced technology to China.

The U.S. is also weighing controls on use of Chinese open-sourceartificial intelligence models at atime when Chinese AI is rapidly gaining ground.

“It’sasteady drumbeat of potential flashpoints heading into(the) Trump-Xi summit planned for September,” said Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at the New America think tank focused on Chinese technology policies. China has been rapidly expanding the use of robots, withpolicies supporting itstechnology sector.Morgan Stanleyanalystsforecast its market for humanoids could reach $15 billion by 2030.

“Chinesemanufacturers have been scaling

production andreducingcosts faster than mostoverseas competitors,” saidanalyst Kangyuxiao Li at Morningstar “Restricting their access to the U.S. removes an important future market and protects U.S. developers from potential price competition,” he said. “However,itwill not materially slowChina’s overallhumanoid development,giventhe size of itsdomestic manufacturing base and opportunitiesin other export markets.”

Of the around 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, Unitree and AGIBOT,two of China’s largest advanced robotics companies,each shippedmorethan 5,000. Their U.S.counterparts, like Tesla and FigureAI, each shippeda fewhundred or less, according to the technology research and advisory group Omdia.

On therestrictions on power inverters, Cheng Wang, another Morningstar analyst, said thepressureonU.S.markets should be limited. The ban appears to not impact the continued use of existing devices nor the

by Chinese companies of models thatwerepreviously approvedbythe United

PARADES

Continued from page 1A

upset” at the loss.

“That’s one of the most joyous times of the year,” Thomas lamented. “It feels like we’re steadily losing parades.”

The Magazine Street stretch has, indeed, been in flux in recent years. In 2025, the enormous Cleopatra parade was taken off the route in order to avoid floatjamming oak trees, but the Krewe of ALLA was added to Magazine Street when it took over the Mystic Krewe of Nyx’s route. In 2022, because of a lack of first responders, all parades were removed from the Magazine Street stretch

Parade route business suffers

The loss of the Sparta parade is especially acute because it will mean there are no Magazine Street parades on Jan. 30, the first Saturday of the official Carnival season Krewe d’Etat will certainly be

NUCLEAR

Continued from page 1A

The U.S. has been looking for new sites to dispose of its nuclear waste for decades. Edwin Lyman, the director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a science advocacy group, was more skeptical of the program In his view, the federal government is promising new investment to states willing to accept the burden of storing nuclear waste.

“It really is all about finding another place to be the nation’s radioactive dumping ground,” Lyman said of the federal program.

‘Outside the box’

As part of its pitch to the Department of Energy, Louisiana said that it could build new nuclear re-

missed on Friday, Feb. 5, but the Hermes and Morpheus parades will still appear on Magazine Street.

Next year, residents of the neighborhood will have to migrate toward downtown to attend the two missing parades, where crowds are thicker and Chad-like territorialism more common. Meanwhile, back on Magazine Street, the hand-

actors in the northwest part of the state to power a military site and data centers. It proposed a new nuclear research center in Baton Rouge. And it suggested that it could store nuclear waste in salt domes on the outer continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, which the Trump administration has renamed the Gulf of America.

The idea of doing so, the proposal acknowledges, is an “outside-thebox option.” It also says that Louisiana is proposing to store nuclear waste in federal waters in order to bypass a state law that prohibits using salt domes in the state to store nuclear waste.

This isn’t the first time that the idea has been floated of using salt domes the huge underground layers of salt that were deposited as ancient oceans evaporated and were covered over with sediment as the Gulf rose and fell — to store nuclear waste, which can stay ra-

Vice-Chairman

MEMBERS Dale S. Revelle, Member

PRESENT:

COMMITTEE Sharonda R. Williams, Committee Chair

MEMBER ABSENT:

BOARD Michael A. Thomas, BoardChairman

MEMBERS Jeanne E. Ferrer,Member PRESENT:

STAFF:

B. Branch, President &Chief Executive Officer Chief M. Montroll, Chief Public Safety &Emergency Management Officer

L. Marino, Chief of Staff&Vice-President of External Affairs

A. Laurie, Chief Financial Officer

K. App, Chief Commercial Officer

M. Jensen, Chief Operating Officer

T. Black, General Counsel

N. Dietzen, Deputy General Counsel

C. Donze, StaffAttorney

B. Bailey,Information Technology Specialist

M. Austin, Information Technology Specialist

H. Peltier,Engineering

J. Moran, Procurement

C. Labat, Director,Procurement

K. Mills, Manager,Government &Community Affairs

J. Passaro, Manager,Engineering

M. Naquin, Manager,Real Estate

J. Fields, Marketing &Communications Officer

A. Randolph, Manager, Communications &Community Engagement

K. Curth, Press Secretary

J. Littleton, Fellow

R. Ricks, Fellow

C. Cahill, Fellow

H. Hirstius, Fellow

M. Elzey,Fellow

C. Jones, Fellow

J. Louis Jr Fellow

M. Singley, Executive StaffOfficer

S. Hodges, BoardSecretariat

GUESTS: T. Bryant, NOPB

I. McPherson, NOPB C. Kocur,NOPB

M. Scelson, NOPB

L. LaCoste, NOPB

L. Hensley,NOPB A. Thompson, Holy Cross Resident

M. Bowers,KIEWIT

K. Boulton, KIEWIT M. DiCrescentis, KIEWIT

P. West, EJES Inc.

P. Matthews, Bowman M. Jackson, Cohn Reznick

I. Determination of Quorum and Call to Order Following aroll call of Committee members, Committee ViceChairman Carter confirmed aquorum and called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.

II. Discussion and Recommendationof Officersfor the Boardof Commissioners of the PortofNew Orleans to Serve June 2026 through March 2027.

Committee Vice-Chairman Carter stated that the Board’sChairman appointed the Nominating Committee to propose aballot of officers to be voted on by the full Board. These officers will serve on the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans for nine-month terms, beginning at the conclusion of today’sregular Boardmeeting through March 2027. In consideration of the Board’straditional rotation of officers, Committee Vice-Chairman Carter proposed the following ballot: Darryl D. Berger as Vice-Chairman and Todd P. Murphy as Secretary-Treasurer Committee Vice-Chairman Carter called for comments but there werenone. Commissioner Revelle

ful of bars and restaurants along the route will lose a business bonanza.

Henry’s Bar in the 5000 block of Magazine removes the indoor tables to accommodate the standing-room-only crowd on parade nights Fourth-generation owner Steve Gogreve reports that the bartenders could expect to ring up roughly $8,000 in sales on Sparta

dioactive for thousands of years.

The idea is to hollow out the dome and to fill the resulting underground cavern with nuclear waste. Already, the federal government stores crude oil in underground salt caverns along the Louisiana and Texas coasts as part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the U.S.’s backup fuel supply

Federal researchers first looked into the idea of using Louisiana’s salt domes in the 1970s. That idea met widespread public backlash, and it was ultimately killed in favor of storing nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain in Nevada. But the Yucca Mountain proposal met local backlash, too, and the U.S. now has no place to permanently store more than 95,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel.

“What’s happening now is this stuff is being stored on concrete pads at every nuclear power plant across the nation, instead of some

Saturday Joe Bikulege, owner of the Les Bon Temps Roule bar, said there can be 500 to 1,000 partiers surrounding the bar on a parade night.

“It’s a very festive and fun time,”

he said. “People standing outside your bar is a heck of lot better than people walking by to get a spot at the parade (farther downtown),”

he said.

Levi Andrews-Hoke, manager of Pizza Delmonico, said parade nights can be some of the restaurant’s biggest nights of the year, with both seated diners and a wave of takeout orders.

“It’s obvious.” he said. “You lose a Mardi Gras parade, you lose business.”

The view from the floats

Kenneth Beck spokesman for the Sparta parade, said he’s disappointed that the 45-year-old parade will lose the Magazine Street leg of its route in 2027. He’s further frustrated that the krewe had little input in the matter Beck said the leadership of the

safer centralized area,” said Clayton Smith, the radiation safety officer at Tulane University He thinks the idea of using salt domes merits further investigation.

“I’m not a geologist, but I think salt-dome disposition is a wonderful idea,” he said. “Over time, that salt will naturally encapsulate and compact all of that waste.”

Buildout for data centers

The proposal argues that growing demand from data centers strengthens the case for expanding Louisiana’s nuclear power infrastructure. Meta is building a $50 billion facility in Richland Parish that will cover 6 square miles. Louisiana will need a huge amount of additional nuclear power to facilitate the construction of similar data centers, according to the report.

Jackson Voss, government affairs and policy coordinator with

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026

AREGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARDOFCOMMISSIONERS OF THE PORTOFNEW ORLEANS, HELD IN THE FIRST FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT ITS OFFICE LOCATED AT 1350 PORT OF NEW ORLEANS PLACE, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, WASCALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN MICHAEL A. THOMAS AT 9:17 A.M.

MEMBERS Michael A. Thomas, Chairman

PRESENT: Jeanne E. Ferrer,Vice-Chair

James J. Carter,Jr.,Member

Dale S. Revelle, Member

MEMBER Darryl D. Berger,Secretary-Treasurer

ABSENT: Sharonda R. Williams, Member Todd P. Murphy,Member

STAFF: B. Branch, President &Chief Executive Officer

Chief M. Montroll, Chief Public Safety &Emergency Management Officer

L. Marino, Chief of Staffand Vice-President of External Affairs

A. Laurie, Chief Financial Officer

K. App, Chief Commercial Officer

M. Jensen, Chief Operating Officer

T. Black, General Counsel

N. Dietzen, Deputy General Counsel

C. Donze, StaffAttorney

B. Bailey,Information Technology Specialist

M. Austin, Information Technology Specialist

H. Peltier,Engineering

J. Moran, Procurement

C. Labat, Director,Procurement

K. Mills, Manager,Government &Community Affairs

J. Passaro, Manager,Engineering

M. Naquin, Manager,Real Estate

J. Fields, Marketing &Communications Officer

A. Randolph, Manager,Communications &Community Engagement

K. Curth, Press Secretary

J. Littleton, Fellow

R. Ricks, Fellow

C. Cahill, Fellow

H. Hirstius, Fellow

M. Elzey,Fellow

C. Jones, Fellow

J. Louis Jr Fellow

M. Singley,Executive StaffOfficer

S. Hodges, BoardSecretariat

T. Bryant, NOPB

GUESTS:

I. McPherson, NOPB

C. Kocur,NOPB M. Scelson, NOPB

L. LaCoste, NOPB

L. Hensley,NOPB A. Thompson, Holy Cross Resident

M. Bowers, KIEWIT

K. Boulton, KIEWIT

M. DiCrescentis, KIEWIT

P. West, EJES Inc.

P. Matthews, Bowman M. Jackson, Cohn Reznick

450- to 500-rider parade would have liked to have seen what the cost of paying for their own police and services might have been, before giving up the Magazine Street portion of their route. “But we weren’t given the opportunity,” he said.

The krewe, he said, had already made decisions based on their usual route. For instance, they’d selected many of their throws based on the tighter confines of Magazine Street, where riders can drop gifts to the close-in crowd. Fine glass beads, Taylor Swift-style bracelets, comic books and other lightweight objects just don’t carry as far as heavier throws, he explained.

Riders, Beck said, had already paid their dues for the 2027 parade. Though some were irritated by the news of the new route, he said, none have yet dropped out.

Beck said that springing the major route change on the krewe just six months before they roll wasn’t fair to all the people involved.

“Hopefully, they may reconsider,” he said.

the Alliance for Affordable Energy, which advocates for electricity customers, questioned whether the state should be prioritizing new nuclear energy over other forms of power

“There are not going to be very many cases where wind and solar deployment — especially as those technologies continue to improve are not going to be the best deal,” he said. “They tend to be the most affordable, reliable and sustainable option.”

Patrick Courreges, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, stressed that the state’s proposal is still a pitch to the federal government and does not constitute any set plan for the management of spent nuclear fuel.

“We want to be part of that national discussion for nuclear energy,” he said. “We’re on the shortlist.”

Approval of aResolution Declaring The New Orleans Advocate as the Official Journal of the Boardof Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans for Fiscal Year 2027.

Ms. Black presented and recommended approval of the resolution. Commissioner Carter moved to approve the resolution and Commissioner Revelle seconded. MOTION

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

Well,

Fire in France 4times thesizeofParis

BY THOMAS ADAMSON, MARK CARLSON and EMMA DA SILVA Associated Press

LEGE-CAP FERRET,France An uncontained wildfire four times the size of Paris threatened to surge again in southwest France on Wednesday —asthree firefighters died in Greece and crews across southern Europe confronted apunishing mix of heat, drought and strong winds. The deaths on Crete brought afatal new dimension to awildfire emergency stretching from the Atlantic coast to the eastern Mediterranean. At the peak of the evacuations,athirdofa million people were driven from homes and vacation sites in Franceand Spain In France’sGironde region, the country’sbiggest blaze had not spread during acalm night, authorities said. But as temperatures approached 104 Wednesday afternoon and winds strengthened, the reprieve threatenedtobeshort-lived.

The landscape was so combustible that investigators believe routine brush-clearing work near ahigh-voltage line may have sparked the inferno, even though the work appeared to comply with regulations.

At the command center in Lège, firefighters bent over maps spread across acar hood, tracking three danger zones: northern Cap-Ferret; the wooded corridor around Marcheprime, Cestas and Saint-Jean-d’Illac; and a military sitenearMartignas, where amajor outbreak forced alarge deployment. Mobilizing againstthe fire

More than 2,200 firefighters and over 20 aircraft remained mobilized, backed by crews from across France and European partners.

“Westrike quickly and strike hard at any new smoke emissions,” Gironde fire commander Matthieu Jomain said. Beyond the commandcen-

ter,civilians were trying to hold the linethemselves. At Souge, volunteers flooded the edges of dirt tracks while a local digger driver plowed through still-burning soil, trying to keep flames from crossing back when the expectedwest wind arrived.In Lacanau, residents pumped water froma lake into tanks headedfor hot spotsand firefighters’ cisterns.

“If oneday thefire starts in our neck of the woods, I know very well that all the people here would do the same for us,” said Flavien Dubuch,33, whodrove from Saint-Émilion with his father to help Hottestday this week

Theadvanceofmajorfires in the Landesand Varregions hasbeenhalted.That left Gironde as France’s biggest remaining wildfire battle, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said The Gironde fire forced 220,000 people to fleeatthe peak of the crisis.Tensof thousands have since been allowed home, but authoritieswarned that the danger hadnot passed. Extreme heat strips moisturefrom vegetation and

drives down humidity,turning grasses, brush andforest litter into faster-burning fuel.

Investigators believe contractors working near a high-voltage line forpowergrid operator Enedis ignitedthe blaze whileusing abrush-cutting machine, Bordeaux prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul said.

Mé téo-F ran ce sa id Wednesday would be the hottestand driest day of the week, with elevated wildfire danger across every region of France.Drought nowcovers mainland France and Corsica, with soils nearing the record dryness reached in August 2022. Smoke from theGironde andLandesfiresalsopushed particulatepollution higher, regional air-qualitymonitors said.

Fire in Greece turnsdeadly Twofirefightersdied Wednesday while battling a wildfire in theRethymno regionofCrete, Greece’sfire departmentsaid. They were among about 125firefighters confronting flames fanned by strongwinds,withfour helicoptersand fourwaterdropping planes deployed. Thecircumstances of their

deaths were not immediatelyclear.The department said they died “in theline of dutytoprotect thelives and propertyofcitizensand the natural environment.”

Athird firefighter also died Wednesdayoutside the fire perimeter,after tackling aseparate blaze in Greece’s southern Peloponnese region.

ReturninghomeinSpain

At the heightofthe crisis, roughly 330,000 people were driven from homes and vacation sites acrossFrance and Spain.

Tens of thousandsofpeople began returning homein central Spain after firefighters made progress around Madrid and Ávila.Evacuation orders were lifted for about 20,000 people in the Madridregion, while stayat-home restrictions ended for another 14,000. But 10,000 people remain underevacuation orders in Castellón, where afire was still outofcontrol as Spain braced for its fourth heat wave of the summer More than 448 square mileshaveburned across France this year,according to theInterior

Trump, DOJask court to toss $83M defamation verdictinCarroll case

BY LINDSAYWHITEHURST and LARRYNEUMEISTER Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump and the Justice Department are asking the Supreme Court to toss an $83milliondefamation verdict won by writer E. Jean Carroll aftershe accusedhim of sexualassault, saying he can’t be suedfor comments he made while he was president.

It’sthe second time Trump has asked the justices to nixdamages awarded by ajury to Carroll, alongtime advice columnist and former TV talk showhost. The Supreme Court refused in June to hear hisappeal of another verdict, for$5million, that found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation.

Thelatest case centers on comments Trumpmade during his first term as president.The JusticeDepartment wants to invoke the Westfall Act, which shields government employees frombeing sued fordoing their jobs.

“Absent this Court’s intervention, thesitting President is facing nearly a hundred milliondollars of personal liability forconduct that was wellwithin the scope of his federal office,” federal attorneys wrote.

The documents were reviewed Wednesday by The Associated Press and expected to be formally docketed with the court shortly Trump’slawyers, meanwhile,argued that an appeals court “engaged in proceduralcontortions” to avoid addressing Trump’s claims that presidential immunityprotects him from the $83 million award because he madethe statements in question in 2019 while he waspresident.

The lawyers arguedthat the 2ndU.S. Circuit Court of AppealsinManhattan ruled in amanner that “cries out for this Court’s reviewinthis unprecedented case” and called the damages “grossly excessive.”

“Thisisthe first case in our nation’shistory in which acourt has imposed damages liability on apresident forhis conduct in office,” the lawyers wrote. Carroll’s lawyers have declinedtocommenton the latest Trumpfiling. Trump has longargued he cannot be sued over comments he madeabout Carroll during his first term where he disavowed knowing herand attacked her motivations for going public with her story in a recent memoir.

The appeal comes about two years after the SupremeCourt granted Trumpbroad immunity from criminal prosecution as aformer president. Carrolltestifiedtwice before New York juries that Trump sexually assaulted herinspring 1996 in a dressing room.She first went public with the claims in a2019 memoir. She sued Trump for defamationafterheaccused herofmaking up the allegation to help book sales, adding that he’d never mether and “she’snot my type.” He hasrepeatedly denied any wrongdoing. AManhattan jury awarded her $83 millionindamages in January 2024. In 2023, another jury said Carroll wasentitled to $5 million after concluding that Trump hadsubjected hertosexualabuse in the department store encounter and fordefamation for remarkshehad made after hisfirsttermended. That judgment has been paid.

Weimer responds to recusal in civil case

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

Louisiana Supreme Court Chief

Justice John Weimer responded Wednesday to his recusal in a major civil case, saying his colleagues have punished him for speaking out against votes to pad their pay “The refusal to go along to get

along and to publicly express concerns about the taxpaying public has resulted in me being punished and castigated,” Weimer wrote in a statement to The Times-Picayune | The Advocate. His comments came after a unanimous vote late Tuesday by his six fellow justices to recuse Weimer from a high-profile case

involving a $421 million jury verdict against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

The court’s opinion cited a “bitter internecine feud” between Weimer and retired Justice Scott Crichton, a lawyer in the case, related to a long-running dispute over judicial compensation.

2023, and a seemingly unprecedented vote by his colleagues to strip Weimer of administrative powers assigned to the chief justice, a post held by the most senior justice.

According to the court, an executive committee chaired by Crichton “assumed most of the ad-

ministrative responsibilities and internal governance of the Court, while the Chief Justice retained his ceremonial duties.” In recusing Weimer, the court cited a series of letters that began with a tart missive from Weimer on July 4, accusing Crichton of knowingly breaking the law by voting in policies as a justice to benefit himself financially

La. Supreme Court chief justice says he is being punished ä See WEIMER, page 2B

The court dated their rift to

HEAT OF THE MOMENT

ABOVE: Luican Roif, 4, runs through the mister at Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park in New Orleans on Wednesday. Luican visited the park with his mother, Cat Roif, to cool down while running errands in the heat. BELOW: With the summer sun beating down on Wednesday, Esdras Funes, 11, takes a break to hydrate while mowing lawns with his friend. Together, they mow about 20 yards during the hottest months of the year

suspect extradited to Jefferson Parish from Texas

Lalaurie Mansion marketing stunt strikes a nerve

Company apologizes for lighting display

BY KASEY BUBNASH Staff writer

A series of cartoonish images projected onto the French Quarter’s Lalaurie Mansion last week as part of an unpermitted marketing stunt struck a nerve among many New Orleans locals, who have long debated how the site’s dark history of enslavement and torture should be presented. Texas-based light projection company Illumibot Inc. stopped at the three-story mansion on the corner of Royal and Governor Nicholls streets on Thursday as part of a nationwide promotional tour Following similar stops in Missouri, Utah and several other states, Illumibot founder Ross Arroyo parked his “Illumibeast,” a Tesla Cybertruck tricked out with a retractable projector outside Lalaurie Mansion and blasted the building with hightech lighting displays.

In a video posted to the company’s YouTube page, the mansion’s walls swim with everything from enormous neon dragons to a flowing American flag and Spider-Man as crowds of tourists stop to take photos and chat with Arroyo.

But it was the images of dripping blood, flames erupting from the building’s windows, skulls and floating “Scream” masks that caught the attention and ire of many locals, who have long argued the sensationalized, haunted-house treatment of the

Weimer ä See DISPLAY, page 2B

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

walked in together. But Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators say Bergeron shot Vallee in the back of the head as Vallee stood at the counter, chatting with the clerk. He didn’t see it coming, Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detective Steven Mehrtens testified during a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Jefferson Parish Magistrate Court. The Sheriff’s Office arrested Bergeron shortly after the

St. Charles streetcar line to see disruptions

RTA launches monthslong track improvement project

BY MARCO CARTOLANO

Staff writer

Some downtown and Uptown commutes may be disrupted for several months after the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority launched two projects this week aimed at revamping rail tracks along the St. Charles streetcar line. The first project at Harmony Circle will focus on replacing deteriorated sections of track that have paused streetcar service in the area since July 6. Work is scheduled to last through the end of August. Meanwhile, at Carrollton and Claiborne avenues, crews will move sections of rail and overhead

electrical wiring near the line’s endpoint by the Uptown intersection to make accessibility improvements at the stop. That construction is expected to last six months.

An RTA spokesperson said sections of the tracks at Harmony Circle have been deteriorating for years, and the agency has been us-

Ascension takes first step in mitigation of alumina site

BY ANNAKATE FREELAND Staff writer

Ascension Parish government has completed its role in an interim effort to reduce red dust blowing from a former alumina plant, and the facility is now transitioning to a permanent closure overseen by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Parish officials announced Tuesday that a cooperative agreement between Ascension Parish government, LDEQ and the site owner, LAlumina, officially concluded July 1 Under the agreement, the parish carried out temporary measures to reduce the dust in the air while a long-term closure plan for the site was finalized.

The agreement was established in 2024 after residents living near the former alumina refinery complained for years that “red dust” was blowing from the site’s uncovered waste ponds onto their properties. While LAlumina worked with

LDEQ to develop a permanent closure plan, the agreement allowed the parish to perform interim mitigation measures to reduce dust emissions.

“Our priority has always been to do everything we can to protect the families who live near this site,” Parish President Clint Cointment said in a release. “We weren’t willing to sit around while our residents continued dealing with red dust blowing onto their homes, vehicles, and property.”

According to the parish, crews covered more than 40 acres across Ponds 4 and 5, the portions of the site closest to nearby neighborhoods. The parish said it supplied personnel, heavy equipment, project coordination and soil from parish drainage projects to complete the work.

Under Louisiana environmental regulations, LAlumina, as the property owner, is responsible for carrying out the permanent closure plan, while LDEQ oversees the work.

Man who died in N.O. jail ID’d

Staff report

The New Orleans coroner has released the identity of a man found dead in the Orleans Justice Center on Monday morning.

Saliou Thiam, 40, was discovered unresponsive at around 6:30 a.m. in his cell in Unit E on the second floor of the jail’s housing unit during a deputy’s rounds. EMS pronounced him dead.

Thiam had been awaiting trial on two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of resisting an officer after being booked into jail on Nov 11. He allegedly

WEIMER

Continued from page 1B

“Chief Justice Weimer recently escalated his personal dispute with Mr Crichton to dizzying heights,” the court found Tuesday Former Justice James Genovese said he received a similar letter Weimer has long called out colleagues for distributing a supplemental fund to pad judicial salaries without first paying its expenses. He also claims colleagues took a judicial stipend illegally in upfront lump sums, including Crichton and Genovese, helping increase their retirement pay And Weimer accuses Crichton and Genovese, in particular, of exploiting a $118 meal per diem like no other judges, claiming they double-dipped in the process by topping off a monthly stipend for housing and other expenses. That monthly stipend has since grownto$4,000amonth,thankstoa vote from the Supreme Court The stipend requires no receipts and comes on top of raises the justices also received.

Mike Waguespack, the Louisiana legislative auditor, has sided with Weimer in finding the court has failed to require a kitty called the Judges’ Supplemental CompensationFundtoreimburseitsexpenses before the justices tapped the fund for a pay boost. The fund’s board, however, sided with the six other justices.

Weimer said he was stirred to write the letters by “the systemic

threatened his victims with an ice pick at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Esplanade Avenue shortly after midnight on Nov 10 and was apprehended after the victims called police, according to the New Orlean Police Department’s Major Offense Log.

Thiam’s cause of death remains under investigation, according to Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office spokesperson Jason Melancon. His death is also being investigated by the NOPD and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Investigative Services Bureau.

abuse of the public fisc,” citing the legislative auditor and attorney general opinions.

“The question becomes who was victimized, the taxpayers or the recipients of the letters?” Weimer wrote.

In his letters, Weimer urged Crichton, who maintained a residenceinNewOrleans,toreimburse the state and apologize to its people “for the extravagant and unjustified income you took from them.”

Crichtonrespondedbycallingfor Weimer’s recusal, citing “untethered vitriol” from the chief justice.

Weimer opposed it

The court declined Crichton’s request to issue a blanket recusal order for any case involving Crichton.

Weimerarguesthatinsteadofaddressing legal questions surrounding the extra compensation, Crichton simply cites the court votes approving them.

“The law in Louisiana is statutory law and constitutional law, not whatjudgesdecideincontradiction of the law, outside the view of the public,” Weimer wrote. “Citing judicial votes is nothing more than an attempttojustifythatwhichcannot be justified.”

His colleagues were hardly persuaded as they benched Weimer from the case involving Crichton’s client

“Chief Justice Weimer’s repeated actions to advance his personal agenda against the enrolled lead counsel of record in a docketed case crossed the threshold of what can reasonably be tolerated in fair proceedings,” its opinion said.

ing temporary welds to maintain them as it waited for materials for the work getting underway

The RTA said it plans to replace the track around the entire circle in a second phase, which is currently in design and expected to begin in 2028.

Some lane closures will be re-

DISPLAY

Continued from page 1B

Lalaurie Mansion is insensitive to the memory of the enslaved people who were tortured and killed there in the 1800s.

“This is so disrespectful,” historian and local tour guide Elroy Johnson IV said in a video posted to Instagram, where his deep dives into Black history have earned him more than 50,000 followers.

“The experiences of our enslaved ancestors, whether it be in New Orleans or across Louisiana, is not just for entertainment purposes,” Johnson said. “This should be taken very, very seriously.”

Though some locals came to Illumibot’s defense on social media, founder Arroyo apologized for the display in a statement Tuesday

“Our intent with this piece was to accurately portray the horrific history of the Lalaurie Mansion — never to glorify it or cause harm. We should have been far more sensitive in how we visually represented it,” Arroyo wrote. “We are so sorry that our poor judgment caused pain to members of this community We take this as a moment to learn, and to do better.”

Often advertised as one of the most haunted properties in the city, the Lalaurie Mansion is a massive tourist attraction and regular stop on ghost tours, during which guides describe in gory detail the torture of enslaved people at the hands of wealthy socialites Dr Louis and Marie Delphine Macarty Lalaurie. Rampant rumors of mutilation, as the story goes, were confirmed by neighbors who were able to enter the house during a fire that destroyed the original property in 1834.

The increasingly popular ghost tours alone have caused strife in the French Quarter, where residents say quiet, residential streets are often overrun with groups of tourists peering into their houses “like they’re fish in an aquarium,” said Erin Holmes, executive director of Vieux Carré Property Owners,

SUSPECT

Continued from page 1B

but it malfunctioned, according to officials.

The two men were then seen walking towards the center of the parking lot, where Williams fiddled

DETAILS

Continued from page 1B

When the pair walked in, Vallee was armed with a rifle. But he was “haphazardly” holding the weapon upside down, carrying it by the magazine, Mehrtens said.

The store’s high counters likely blocked the clerk’s view of Vallee’s weapon, Mehrtens testified. Vallee went to the counter to make a purchase. His back was turned to Bergeron, who was standing behind Vallee, according to Mehrtens.

“The defendant removes a gun from his waistband, points it at the back of (Vallee’s) head, fires and the victims falls to the ground,” Mehrtens said, describing video of the shooting recorded by the store’s surveillance cameras. There was no altercation inside the store, according to the clerk and the video, Mehrtens said. Bergeron grabbed the rifle and ran to Vallee’s vehicle. He tried to

The St. Charles streetcar line will see some disruptions after the RTA launched two projects to improve the track. STAFF FILE PHOTO By MATTHEW PERSCHALL

quired during the projects. Lane closures went into effect July 6 along Harmony Circle on St. Charles from Calliope Street to the landmark. A lane was also closed for a portion of St. Charles near Julia Street and on Howard Avenue until Baronne Street. The improvement projects will

also close off portions of the streetcar line. In the meantime, RTA will operate two temporary bus routes to bridge the closed-off sections.

Service will operate as follows:

n Added bus route from the Canal and Carondelet Street stop to the Erato Street and St. Charles Avenue stop.

n Active streetcar service from Erato and St. Charles to the Carrollton and St. Charles Avenue stop.

n Added bus route from Carrollton and St. Charles to the Carrollton and Claiborne Avenue stop. Streetcar service from the Riverbend to Lower Garden District will continue.

The RTA is working with the contractor to finalize the construction schedule for the Carrollton and Claiborne work, and riders should watch for notifications of updates to the scheduled work or changes to the service plan.

Residents and Associates.

“Also to hear people talking about the torturing and killing of enslaved people while everyone is laughing it’s pretty grotesque,” Holmes said.

As head of a nonprofit dedicated to preservation in the French Quarter, Holmes said she woke up on Friday morning to countless messages and photos of the projections at Lalaurie Mansion, which she promptly reported to the city and the New Orleans Police Department.

Officials with Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration said the light show was not permitted by the city or the homeowner, Lance Zaal. Zaal, who also owns entertainment company US Ghost Adventures, said in a statement Tuesday that he had nothing to do with the display projected onto his home and does not condone it.

with the gun and aimed again. This time, the gun fired, hitting the victim in the chest, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Afterward, Williams walked back into the restaurant, grabbed his belongings and fled the scene, according to officials. The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition. He is expected to re-

start the car, but the keys were still in Vallee’s pocket, Mehrtens said.

Deputy opens fire

The clerk backed away from the counter and dialed 911 for help.

A Sheriff’s Office first-responder drone was the first on scene, Mehrtens testified. The drone provided a video feed, showing Bergeron walking back and forth in the parking lot, still armed with the rifle.

At some point, he fired the rifle toward the store, Mehrtens said.

Patrol deputies arrived within a few minutes. As one deputy stepped out of his vehicle, Bergeron turned toward the officer and began to raise the rife, Mehrtens testified.

The deputy fired his weapon several times at Bergeron, who was not injured. Bergeron dropped the rifle and the pistol he allegedly used to shoot Vallee before running to hide in a nearby bush, Mehrtens said. Deputies quickly took him into custody Bergeron admitted shooting Vallee when questioned by detectives,

“My hope is that this moment will encourage us to focus not on spectacle, but on rediscovering what has been lost and forgotten,” he wrote. “To remember those who came before us, honor their lives, and ensure their names and the lessons of history are never forgotten.” Holmes said she found the display itself offensive enough, but the broader implications are also disturbing.

Similar light displays projected onto St. Louis Cathedral during Super Bowl LIX and Gallier Hall during Luna Fete were permitted shows that took months to map out and plan. She’s concerned that anyone could now use this technology to project images onto any building — including private property — with seemingly very little planning or permissions.

“There are certain things that just have to be respected,” she said.

cover After Williams left the state, the U.S. Marshals Service tracked him to Grand Prairie, Texas, just outside Dallas, where he was arrested July 9.

He was being held Wednesday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. Bail was set at $300,000.

Mehrtens said. He told authorities he thought Vallee might kill him. Investigators haven’t been able to uncover any evidence of animosity between the two, Mehrtens said.

Criminal Commissioner Paul Schneider ruled there was probable cause to continue holding Bergeron as charged. He also denied a motion to reduce Bergeron’s $750,000 bail.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com.

Borstell, Peter

James, Miguel

Jéan,Helen

Johnson, Joanne

Johnson, Lionel

King, Glenn

Magee, Patricia

Meyers,Mary

Perlander, June

Obituaries

Borstell, Peter Richard

Peter Borstell was born on December 2, 1955,in

Amityville, New York, and passed away on July 19, 2026, in Jefferson, Louisiana, at the age of 70. He earned his bachelor's degree at Duke University and his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University. He was amember of the Louisiana BarAssociation, Alliance for Good Government, andMOMS Peter was alifelong lover of music, reading, and Duke basketball.He enjoyed attending performances by local artists. He was ahuge fan of Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Peter was anative of Hauppauge, New York, before he made his home here in New Orleans in 1978. He was an attorney and practiced law for 45 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Lois Borstell; and sister, Ellen Borstell Peter is survived by his wife of 45 years, Joan Borstell; son, Billy Borstell; sister, Kathy Guepet; and uncle, Randy Hopf.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM with amemorial service following at 1PM. Pete will be laid to rest privately in Metairie Cemetery at alater date. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com

James, MiguelTerrance

Miguel passed away unexpectantly at his home on July 17, 2026. He was 54. He will be remembered as a person who dedicated himself to his family, his faith and helping thosein need. Miguel had aHeart of Gold Hisservice willbelive streamed at https://www. facebook.com/SPCNOLA

HelenDominique Jéan, December27, 1943– July 22, 2026. HelenDominique Jéanwas born on Decem‐ber 27, 1943, in thehistoric Seventh Ward of NewOr‐leans,Louisiana,tothe late Edgar Horace Dominique and Olga Prevost Do‐minique.She attended ValenaC.Jones Elementary School,RiversFrederick Ju‐niorHighSchool,and grad‐uated from George Wash‐ingtonCarverHighSchool Proud of herNew Orleans roots, Helencarried the

erationofthe Prevostfam‐ily.Her mother,OlgaPre‐vostDominique,came froma familyofseven sis‐tersand onebrother.With Helen's passing, aremark‐ablegenerationcametoa close,leaving behind arich familylegacycarried on by countless descendants. Throughouther working years in New Orleans, Helen wasemployedby Godchaux'sat Lakeside ShoppingCenter, theNew Orleans Port of Embarka‐tion, NewOrleans Tours, and K&BDrugStores. More thantwentyyears ago, she relocated to theAtlanta Georgia,areawithher daughter, where shere‐mainedproud of thecity she would always call home. Helen wasbriefly married to Clarence Ed‐wardRodgers,Sr.,and fromthatunion were born two sons.She latermar‐riedLouis PhiloJéan, Jr., and together they wel‐comed adaughter. Both husbandsprecededher in death.A hardworkingand devoted mother,Helen dedicated herlifetopro‐vidingthe very best she could forher children.She was knownasanexcep‐tionalcook whose gumbo becamelegendary among familyand friends. She alsoloved preparing stuffedmirlitons,potato salad,and otherhomecooked favorites. Her warmsmile,giftfor story‐telling,infectiouslaughter, and unmistakable New Or‐leans accent made herthe lifeofevery gathering. She never meta stranger and had away of making everyonefeel like family. Helen leaves to cherishher memoryher children, ClarenceEdwardRodgers Jr.,Ron AnthonyRodgers, and Dionne AnnJéan. She was preceded in deathby her parents; herbrothers, Arthur Glapionand Alvin Moore; hersister, Mildred Jefferson;and both of her husbands. Shealsoleaves behinda host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended familymembers,and dear friends who will forever treasureher love,kind‐ness, and joyful spirit.The familyextends itsheartfelt gratitude forthe many prayers,expressions of love, andactsofkindness shown during this difficult time. CelebrationofLife:

Viewing:Friday, July 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m. FuneralMass: 10:00a.m CorpusChristi Catholic Church,2022 St.Bernard Avenue, NewOrleans,LA 70116. Interment: Mount OlivetCemetery, 4000 Nor‐man MayerAvenue, New Orleans, LA 70122.

Johnson, Joanne Geniene

Joanne Geniene Johnson peacefully departedthis life on Tuesday,July7, 2026, at the age of 62. She was anative of Marrero, LA. and aresidentof Bradenton, FL.Joanne was agraduate of West JeffersonHigh School and was aproud member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Marrero, LA. Devoted daughter of the late Joseph Louis Johnson and Carolyn Leona Growe Johnson. Loving sisterofRhondalyn "Trenice" (Robert) Williams of Bradenton,FL, Keven (Christine) Growe of Algiers, LA, and Jonathan Growe of Marrero, LA Joanne is also survived by ahost of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins

otherrelatives and friends. Relatives and friendsof thefamily,also pastors, officers, and members of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Rock of Ages Baptist Church and allneighboring churches are invitedtoattend the CelebrationofLife at Rock of Ages Baptist Church, 6533 Acre Rd.Marrero, LA on Friday, July31, 20266, at 10:00a.m. Visitation willbeginat8:30a.m. until service time at thechurch. Interment:Woodlawn Park Memorial CemeteryWestwego, LA ArrangementsbyDavis Mortuary Service, 230 MonroeSt. Gretna, LA.To view and sign theguestbook, please go to www.da vismortuaryservice.com.

LionelLovell Johnson, Sr., passedaway on Sunday, July19, 2026, at theage of 70. He's survived by his daughters:Natasha Miller, Fresh Johnson (Randy), and Lionshea Johnson, as wellashis granddaughters: Adrianna and Keiara and greatgranddaughter,Jazlynn. He is also survivedbyhis loving siblings: Kevin, Shelia, Anderson(Shirley), Lorenzo,Joe Billy and Uritisicy (Lazarus). Also survivedbya host of nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents Adarena and Robert Johnson, sister Linda Jones, baby brother Cory Johnsonand nephews: Larry Collier, Jr. and Cory Picard. Family and friends are invitedto attend theCelebrationof Life Service on Friday, July 31, 2026, for11:00 a.m. at The Church at New Orleans, 11700 ChefHwy., NewOrleans, LA. Visitation willbegin at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Kevin J. Boyd, Sr. officiating.Interment is private. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins .com(504)282-0600. Linear Brooks Boydand Donavin D. Boyd Owners/Funeral Directors.

Glenn "Buster" King Sr., age 72, transitioned to his heavenly home on Friday, July 10, 2026. He was preceded in deathbyhis parents, thelate Albert King Sr.,and DorothySmith King, his sister,Nadine King Torregano,his brothers, Dwight King,and Albert King, Jr. He leaves to

cherish his loving memories to his belovedwife, Eluteria"Terry" Elow-King; his belovedchildren, Glenn King Jr Jasmine King, and Jvoine D. Elow, Sr., his grandchildren, Eli& Ace Elow, and TravionJohnson; his loving siblings, Elaine White, Tyrone (Brenda) King, Gregory (Sandra) King, Debra Liddy, Bruce King, and Luther Menendez; sisterinlaw, Darcel Marie Elow Wesr, Godchild, Jasmine West, and ahost of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Relatives, friends of thefamily,officers, and members of St. James Methodist Church, Gust Homes, and Amazing Care Services, are all invited to attend his CelebrationofLifeservice on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Professional Funeral Services, 1449 N. Claiborne Ave, NOLA70116. Visitation willbegin at 12:00PM, and servicestofollow at 1:00PM. Rev. JosephTilly, and Rev. DarrellKnight,officiating

Magee, Patricia Ann PatriciaAnn Mageedeparted this life on Tuesday, July14, 2026 at theage 70. Relatives and friends of thefamily are invitedtoattend aFuneralService at D.W.RhodesFuneral Home,3933 Washington Ave, NewOrleans, Louisiana 70125 on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 10:00am. Visitation willbeginat 9:00am. Interment:Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Foxworth, Mississippi. Arrangementsentrusted to D.W.RhodesFuneral Home,New Orleans, Louisiana. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to signthe online guestbook.

Meyers, Mary'Sis' Mary Sis" Meyers passed peacefullyJuly 23, 2026, at AvantiSenior Living in Covington, LA surrounded by her family. BornMarch 18, 1930, she was 96. Survived by her son, Ben Meyers &wife,Gina; 2grandchildren,John & EvangelineMeyers;& sister, Margaret Hutchinson. Preceded in death by her parents, LP &Mary Hutchinson, &husband, Henry Ben Meyers,Sr. Funeral service willbe held Friday, July 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Hammond,LA. Services conducted by Rev. LizEmbler-Beazley. Visitation from1:00 to 2:00 PM.Interment at Greenlawn Cemetery in Hammond

June

June Lucy Yuratich Perlander passed away on July22, 2026 at The Sanctuary at Passages Hospice in NewOrleans. June was one of four daughters born to Emile and Rose Yuratich in Buras, Louisiana. She was theloyal wife of Gasper LukePerlanderfor 57 years who preceded her in death, and themost loving and devoted mother to her five children: John Anthony

Perlander, Joseph Matthew Perlander(Fonda), Jamey PerlanderLeJeune (Carl), Judi AnnPerlander and Jason PaulPerlander.June wasbornonJune9,1937, and residedinBuras most of herlifeexcept when hurricane Katrinahad them relocate to Ponchatoula, Louisiana for seven years buteventually returninghometoBelle Chasse in Plaquemines Parish.June'smain focus in life wasraisingher five childrenalong withshoweringher grandchildren andgreat-grandchildren with much love.She enjoyed crafting -lovingly making treasured Christmas ornamentsand otheritems for herfamily, tole painting, quilting, sewingand birdwatching June's greenthumb was evident in the beautiful gardens she had, and her decoratingskills created a lovely, invitinginteriorthat herfamilywas so proudto call home. Shehad avoraciousappetite for books andenjoyed goodclassic movies. As aparishionerof OurLady of Good Harbor Catholic church in Buras, she volunteeredwith Caring Handsand later became aparishioner of Our Lady of PerpetualHelp church in Belle Chasse. June is survivedbyher five childrenaswell as nine grandchildren: Anson Perlander, Randi Pizani (Stuart), Heather Prima (Russell), Andre Perlander (Cori), Logan LeJeune (Maegan), Victoria LeJeune,CullenLeJeune (Hunter),Chelsea Perlander-Cook(fiancée Brice), Sophia Yanker (Max) andeleven great grandchildren: Mackenzie (Jason), Madison,Gabby, Toby, Trynitte, Mia,Ali, Luci,Joseph,Josephine June andLucyJune. She adored them all.She is also survived by hersister Carolyn Yuratichand her brother-in-law, Mike Clayton.Her parents, Emile andRoseprecededher in death as well as hersisters andbrother-in-law: Sylvia McNabb, EmilyClayton and GlynnMcNabb, Jr.along with herpreciousgreatgrandson, Luke Raymond Perlanderand herbeloved caninecompanion, Footie. The familywould like to thank Sheila "Mumsy" Cognevichfor continuing to bringcommunion to our motheronSundays once homebound, as well as The SanctuaryatPassages Hospice fortheir compassionate care.God's gift to ill l

us -our Mama. We will always love and remember you fondly. Relativesand familyare invited to attendthe visitation in thechapelatMothe Funeral Home, 2100 WestbankExpressway, Harvey, LA. On Saturday, August 1st, from 8:30am to 9:30am followed by afuneralmass at 9:30am. Intermentwill be in Our Lady of Good Harbor Cemetery in Buras. In lieu of flowers, donationscan be made to St Jude Children'sResearch Hospital, The Sanctuaryat PassagesHospice, Alzheimer'sAssociation or acharity of yourchoice. Familyand friends may view andsignthe online guestbook at www.mothefunerals.com

OUR VIEWS

Officialsshould approach changesto preservation law with caution

One reason Louisiana could never be mistaken for Anyplace USA is our physical surroundings, not just the natural beautybut an arrayof architecture so diverse and distinctthat —as Hollywood location scouts knowwell —itcould conjure pretty much any Americanera.

Some of that is duetothe National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, whichrequiresfederal agencies to consider how federally funded or housed projects affect historic places, and gives locals the chance to weigh in.

Perhaps the most famous example of itsimpact was the defeat of ariverfront expresswayproposed in the late 1960s for New Orleans’French Quarter,over what are nowpopular gathering spaces along the Mississippi River. But there are countless projects that were changedfor the betterbythe sort of on-the-ground input the law mandates

That maynot be the casegoing forward, though, under aproposal to severely loosen regulations advanced by the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, whichadvises thepresidentand Congress on preservationissues. The proposal now movestothe Trump administration for review

Among members of the council appointedby President Donald Trump is Gov.JeffLandry, who supports theproposed deregulation.

“When we modernizethe process, we reaffirm amore predictable and efficient reviewand ultimately ensure preservationisconsidered without creating unnecessary delays for industry projects,” he said

Theurgencybehind theproposal comes from Trump’saggressive movestoremake theface of thenation’scapital, but the effectswouldfilter outacrossthe country

We believe that the type of balanceLandry describedalready largely exists,and that underthe proposed changes preservationwouldwind up with the short end of the stick.

“This is our cultural economy.Itputs everything at risk and at the whim ofthe aesthetic taste of the person with the pen,” Sandra Stokes, chairofadvocacy for the Louisiana Landmarks Society, argued. Stokes cited projects thesoonto-be-redeveloped art deco Charity Hospital building in New Orleans as aprimeexampleofa project made possible by the current law.

But it’snot just big developments thatwouldbe affected. The sweepingproposal would eliminate arequirement that federalagenciesminimize damage to historic architecture,neighborhoods and landscapes —the very things that recently inspired the World Monuments Fund to designate allofNew Orleans as “irreplaceable.” And it would endthe obligation ofagenciestoconsider potential adverse effects to significant places. It would also revoke the right of state and local governments to comment on projects in their jurisdictions

We recognize that there is always room for improvement and streamlining ofregulations.

But we urge officials—including House Speaker Mike Johnson and HouseMajority Leader Steve Scalise, who have thepresident’sear —to approach these changes judiciously and consider what could be lost as wellaswhat wouldreplace it.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE

WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

Anyone following Louisiana politicshas witnessedGov.Jeff Landry’s repeated confrontations with New Orleans.Whatever his political motivations, one fact is undeniable: New Orleans remains one of Louisiana’smost important economic engines. Policies thatundermine thecityultimately risk undermining thestate’sprosperity. Landry’sgoverning style has often favored direct confrontation over collaboration. While strong leadership sometimes requires taking difficult positions, Louisiana’slongstanding challenges —including education, healthcare, infrastructureand economic growth —also demand strategic vision and cooperation between state and local government Ironically,the governor’sapproach may be producing an unintended consequence: theemergence of New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno as an effective political counterweight

Gov.Jeff Landry pouts that the city of New Orleans“thinks they’re so special.” Ihate to let him know this,but our city IS special.

Iecho former Mayor Mitch Landrieu’srecent opinion piece about New Orleansbeing an asset to our state. The governor must know this, but perhaps he is lashing out because of his state’sabysmal rankings in several

Irecently witnessed trees along Upperline Street in New Orleansbeing trimmed byacontractor hired by the Regional Transit Authority to clear limbs near the streetcar electrical lines running from St. Charles Avenue. The work was alarming. Crews were cutting branches as muchas20feet from thelines, which is far beyond the 4-foot clearance allowed.

When Iquestioned thesite supervisor,Ireceived an unconvincing explanation. Ithen contacted myelected officials and attempted to reach the RTAdirector.Unfortunately,the RTA proved impossible to contact by phone or email, so Iultimately sent aletter to its director (I have yet to receive a response)

Within 24 hours, New OrleansCity Council member Lesli Harris responded and assured me she would look into thematter.Anarborist was promptly dispatched, confirming that the trees

Ratherthan responding in kind, Moreno has generallychosen discipline over drama. Herdecision to withdraw the city’sbond request before the State Bond Commissionrather than allow it to become another political spectacle demonstrated strategic restraint. Whether one agrees with Moreno’s policies is beside thepoint. Her measuredstyle offersa sharp contrast to the governor’scombative approach and has reassured many Louisianans looking for amoreconstructive tone in public leadership. Politics often has asense of irony Landry’srelentlessfocus on NewOrleans may ultimately accomplish what his critics could not:elevating acredible statewide political rival. If thatprovestobethe case, history may conclude that he created his own counterweight.

TAMER ACIKALIN NewOrleans

areas, including life expectancy,poverty and child mortality

People in other countries and all around the United States perk up when they hear that I’m from New Orleans.

After we discuss how to pronounce “Orleans,” they invariably declare how much they loved their visit to NewOrleans, or how they can’twait to visit.

DENISE PADDOCK NewOrleans

had been improperly trimmed Iwas also informed that trimming was not necessary because the streetcar lines are specifically coated to prevent interference from tree limbs. In other words, not only was the damage to the trees unnecessary,but so was the expense incurred by RTAand, ultimately,the taxpayers. Parks and Parkwaysisworkingtoward reshaping thedamaged trees to mitigate theharm that wasdone. Iwould like to express my sincere appreciation to Harris forher swift attention, as well as to the dedicated staff of Parks and Parkways. Their responsiveness and professionalism demonstratethe level of public service that all residents hope to receive from their local government.

KATHY SINGLETON NewOrleans

Your recent editorial recognizing GNO Inc. president Michael Hecht’s leadership and his many contributions to our region serves as areminderthat some of NewOrleans’ greatest successes are the result of people choosing to work together One of the best examples is The NOLA Coalition. There are so many nonprofits in our community that are truly providing life-changing results in the areas of early childhood education, healthcare, job training and public safety Organizations like the Youth Empowerment Project and 18th Ward are just two of those helping young people build brighter futures through mentorship, education, workforce development and recreation. Investments like these don’tjust benefit individual children; they strengthen families, neighborhoods and our city as awhole.

The encouraging news that violent crimehas fallen dramatically over the past four years is no coincidence While many factors contribute to safer communities, it is clear that when businesses, foundations, nonprofits, law enforcement, educators, civic leaders, public officials and residents unite around ashared purpose, positive change follows.

There is still work to be done, but New Orleans has every reason to be optimistic. The NOLA Coalition has shown what is possible through collaboration, and everyone who has contributed their time, financial support and commitment to this effort deserves our sincerest thanks. Michael Hecht deserves recognition not only for his own leadership, but for helping inspire and unite so many others in building astronger future for our city SLADE SIMONS president, Gulf Coast Bank &Trust Co. NewOrleans

Let me get this straight: We spent $300 millionfor Entergy to build a system to power the pumps during a big rain event in acity that is below sea level, and Entergy built one that does not stay on during an event. Nowweare going back to the system we hadbefore we spent the $300 million? Iwant my $300 millionback!

BRUCEA.GEBHART NewOrleans

DidN.O.err in battle with thestate?

We’ve been through alot in recent weeks. There’sbeen some head-spinning, toe-tapping, neck-throwing, lip-smacking momentsas theguv,the AG, the DA,the mayor and City Council members pointed,posted, pulled, pushed and shouted about and at each other with allegations, name-calling and, I’m certain, some swearing. All of this because of some bone-headed moves by Gov.Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Legislature, including dicing and slicing the Orleans Parish judiciary,swiping district attorney warrant positions and elimination of aposition to which New Orleanians had already elected someone. That’sall true. This isn’tfake news. These are facts.

Will Sutton

Like so many in New Orleans, I didn’tlike what Iwas seeing; Ididn’t like what was being done tous, and I definitely didn’twant to bow down.

But perhaps New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and New Orleans City Council members made astrategic error New Orleans has been the subject of beatdowns for decades, even centuries. During Reconstruction, in 1874, whenBlack people were getting closer to being equal in some quarters, the White League attacked us during the Battle of Liberty Place because they couldn’tstand to see an integrated government. Remember,New Orleans was the Louisiana state capital when it was the economic center for the entire state in the 1800s —until statelegislators elsewhere decided thatcouldn’t continue, so they made Baton Rouge the center of state government.

Don’tforget that the infamous Huey P. Long orchestrated aLouisiana Legislature takeover of New Orleans, having laws passed to make the city may-

oral job toothless while taking over the fireand police departments along with itstaxing authority Certainly,the mostoutrageous recentmove was eliminating theOrleans Parish Criminal Courtclerkposition after Calvin Duncan had been duly elected to it. In arapid sequence, Williams advised the City Council that, by merging the criminal clerk jobinto the civil clerk’sresponsibilities, the Legislature had essentially created anew position to be filled through aspecial election. Moreno said the same, and ameeting was quickly scheduled to name retired judge Calvin Johnson as interim criminalcourt clerk and to call anew election. Thevotewas 5-2. Council members Eugene Green and Lesli Harris voted nay.Atthe time, Ithought “Look at us!”

Subsequently,Attorney General Liz Murrill sent what Iand othersconsider threatening letters suggesting that the New Orleans officials must retract their mistake or risk being replaced. Harris said in May that shecould not support the council’sactions because theydid not“uphold thedecisions of the voters,” including disenfranchising voters who choseOrleans Parish Civil Cleark Chelsey Napoleon. “By calling aspecial election we are both getting rid of adulyelected Black woman’sposition prematurely and forcing twoBlack elected officials to run against each other,” shewrote. If things hadmoved forward per the City Council’svote, incumbent Napoleon likely would have been challengedbyDuncan. Green explained his vote in astatement; he, too, pointed to Napoleon. “Chelsey Napoleon was duly elected by the voters of this cityonthree separate occasions, including twice

without opposition. …,” he wrote. “Likewise, Calvin Duncan was overwhelmingly elected by thepeople of this cityand should continue pursuing all lawful avenues to assume the office to which he was elected.”

It’sasthough Green and Harrishad crystal balls. Green asked that everyone involved “prioritize good governance, public confidence and institutional stability over political conflict and retribution.”

Harrissaid calling aspecial election while the matter was being litigated “will contributetothe chaos,confusion and ultimately voter disenfranchisement.”

“Let me be clear,” shecontinued. “I believe this action is playing intothe hands of Baton Rouge.”

Yep.

After offering ahand of peace and arequest to sitand talk, Moreno said she’sdone with thematter and moving on, focusing on the city’swork.

Unfortunately,the New Orleans move backfired. Though the subsequent criminal indictment of Murrill for sending thewarning letter has been dropped, that’snot enough for her and Landry.

Louisiana relies on New Orleans for abig chunk of change. New Orleans relies on thefederal government fora big chunk of change.

Wordsworry.Money matters.

Green and Harrishad the right idea. As wrongasitwas for Landry and the Legislature to go after Duncan and ripanalready-filled elective position away,the better thing would’ve been to let thematter play out in court.

Landry and Murrill would’ve still come after us, but at least the city could’ve moved forward knowing we took ourbest shot.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

Graham unmatchedasa forceinwar with Iran

49ers’ coach offerscrash course in integrity

As the NewOrleans Saints began training camp this week, enticing me to (try to) wax poetic about our Who Dats, adifferent football story reminded me that Saints obsession need not require hating opponents.

At its best, participation in sports helps build character.Some of us are suckers forstories of honorable behavior in athletics, such as when golfers call penalties on themselves forinfractions nobody else can see or when baseball players stand up forthe game’sintegrity against steroidfueled cheating.

Well, this week saw not an onfield expression of integrity,but an important lesson in honesty nonetheless, from one of the National Football League’sbest coaches.

Kyle Shanahan, whohas led his San Francisco 49ers to two (close, but losing) Super Bowl appearances, had been missing from team headquarters since suffering serious injuries in aJuly 14 automobile accident. Shanahan suffered aconcussion, broken hand, broken nose, three broken ribs and 40 stitches forafacial laceration that almost cost him his eye.

The official California Crash Reporting System,adatabase of car wrecks, said a21-yearold woman (not as badly injured) wasatfault in the head-on crash because, while driving in the opposite direction from the coach, she allegedly madeanunsafeturn.

When that official report came to light, Shanahan could have let it ride (no pun intended). All sorts of advantages —legal, financial, and otherwise —can come from playing the victim

Instead, Shanahan did something unexpected. In one of the only examples I’ve ever heard of adriver proactively grabbing blamethat had been placed on others, Shanahan came clean. The coach called several reporters into his office and said he wanted to correct the story.The accident, he explained, was his fault.

Byron York

There were funerals this week in Washington, D.C., and in SouthCarolina for Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly from aheart condition on July 11. The fact that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Washington for Graham’snational funeral is striking evidence of the late senator’senormous influence in matters of U.S. foreign policy and national defense. The funerals take place amid growing intensity in the campaign to replace Graham. There will be aspecialRepublican primary to find anew Republican nominee in South Carolina. It will be a rushed affair; once Graham’sfuneral was overWednesday,there will be all of 12 days to campaign before the voting. If no candidate wins more than 50% of thevote, there will be arunoff on Aug. 25.

The most prominent candidate, of course, is Graham’ssister,Darline Graham,who was chosen as his temporary successor by Republican Gov Henry McMaster and has been enthusiastically endorsed by President Donald Trump. It’seasy tosimply assume that Darline Graham can prevail because of her name, but in various conversations around the state, there are reasonstobelieve the result is in no way adone deal. Republican Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry,the two leading figures besides Graham, are alreadycampaigninghard. Norman hasannounced endorsements from GOP Sens. Rick Scottof Florida and Mike Lee of Utah, as well as former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint and Rep. Nancy Mace. Fry is traveling the state and has announced the endorsements of 43 Republican members of the state legislature. Both men are eager to participate in debates,with at least two scheduled so far.Sothe race will be areal, if severely truncated, contest Amid the tributes to Graham, there have been startling new revelations about perhaps the most consequential achievementofhis 31 years in Congress: the U.S. war with Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Graham granted British documentary filmmaker Alex Holder extraordinary access to film him in virtually all aspects of his life. The result is “an unvarnished look at Graham’s yearslong quest to topplethe Iranian

regime,” the Journal reported Thefilm —which is not finished and will be made from hundreds of hours of video made of Graham over the last three years —suggests Graham was even more hawkish on the war in Iran thanweknew

Among other things,hestrategized with Netanyahu in early March on how to get the U.S. more involved in the war than it already was. Graham “plannedtotravel to Florida to persuade President Trump to joinIsrael in the bombing of Hezbollah in Lebanon,” the Journal reported. He was dissuaded from the plan by Netanyahu himself, who thought it was too aggressive amove for Israel’sinterests.

The videoalsoshows Graham discussing the day U.S. and Israeli forces began the attack on Iran. “Look what we’ve done here. Ialmostcried,” he said, according to theJournal report. “How long have we been pushing this?”

The paperreported that Graham said the presidentwas happy,too.

“I talkedtoTrumpthis morning,” Graham said. “He’sjacked. He said, ‘best thing Ihave ever done.’ He loves blowing stuff up.”

Thevideomakes clear that Graham had adecidedly optimistic view about how the war would work out. He thought that within amonth the

Iranian regime would “start losing control of some cities,” and that with Arab involvement, theU.S. and Israel would “have almost irreversible momentum.” It hasn’t turned outthat way,atleast so far Graham was certainly not theonly voice urging Trump to go to war,but starting thewar was Graham’sgreatest goal.

In March, an article in Politico described Graham’slobbying campaign, conducted in offices and golf courses, to convince Trump to act. Graham told Politico that he toldTrump that bringing down theIranian regime would be aworld historical achievement

“I toldhim beforehetook office if you can collapsethis terrorist regime, that’sBerlin Wall stuff,” Graham told Politico.

Now,Graham’sdeath has robbed pro-war advocates in Washington of one of their most effective and wellconnected voices. Wasthere anyone as strongly pro-war and as tight with the president of the United States as Lindsey Graham?

Probably not. Sure, there are other determined pro-war voices.But they have lostareal, and possibly irreplaceable, source of strength.

Email Byron York at byork@washingtonexaminer.com.

Shanahan said the problem began when his cellphone slid off his lap. Looking down momentarily to retrieve it from between the seats, he said, he briefly drifted into the oncoming lane. “I hit her,” the coach explained. “I don’tknow whyitwas reported (the other) way.

This is, of course, quite admirable. Amid all of today’stestosterone-fueled “looksmaxxing” and military testing of hormone levels, this is what it really meansto“man up.”

People of high character stand up and face the consequences fortheir own actions. That’s what Shanahan did.

This owning up to mistakes, whether on the field or off, is an important sports tradition.

One remembers Dallas Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith, anative of Kentwood, dropping what looked like asure touchdownpass in his team’s narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the classic 1979 Super Bowl.

As Sports Illustrated later described it, Smith stood in the locker room afterward for 45 minutes patiently answering every single reporter’squestions, saying repeatedly that he “let alot of people down.” He didn’tmake the excuse, true as it was,that quarterback Roger Staubach’spass wasabit low and behind him, or that his foot caught in the turf as he tried to slow down—oranything else.

As his 14-year-old son looked on, Smith took the blame.

Goodexamples like this line the annals of modern sports. One need only watch again and again how wellgolfer Jack Nicklaus, whowon moremajor titles than anyone else, always handled his close losses with surpassing grace. One thinks of the Saints’ own Archie Manning, never complaining about the poor play of his woebegone teammates as he took beatdowns weekafter week. And one thinks of baseball’s best-ever,Willie Mays, rushing to the aid of opposing catcher Johnny Roseboro, whohad been badly injured in abrawl.

Of course the goal of sports competition is to win. But the point of sports is the honorable combat itself,respecting the rules and the opponent while striving forachievement.

Back to Shanahan, here’swhat the 49ers players should learn from their coach’sunforced confession: If the team culture is such that each of them takes responsibility forhis own actions, each one will be confident his teammates will do likewise. And as anyone ever involved with team sports —orany group endeavor knows, such trust is akey ingredient to, yes, winning.

Winning doesn’tnecessarily produce good character.But good character can help produce champions, on the field and in lifeingeneral. Of course I’ll be rooting madly forthe Saints this year.But now I’ll be keeping my eye on Shanahan’sNiners, too, and wishing them success —unless and until, in the playoffs,they crash into our guys in black and gold.

Email Quin Hillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

Body of Lake Charlessailorreturning home

Joseph Conner died during attack on PearlHarbor

BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN Staff writer

After more than 80 years, a Lake Charles sailor killedinthe attack on Pearl Harbor isreturning home to southwest Louisiana.

Lake Charles native and U.S. Navy Fireman1st Class Joseph Conner was 26 when he died aboard theUSS Utah during the Dec. 7, 1941, attackonPearlHarbor The USS Utah, abattleship used for training, capsized during the Japanese attack on PearlHarbor, killing58crew members.

For decades, Conner’sremains were buried with 13 other“unknowns” fromthe USS Utahat the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. Now,his remains are returning

to Lake Charles, wherehewill be buriedSaturdayatPrien Memorial Park with fullmilitaryhonors.

“I feel really happy because I gettobringhim home andactually lay him torest by his brother and hisniece,” saidJosephConner’sgreat-great-nephew Desire Neal Conner, 58, of Grand Lake.

Laurel Freas, project lead for the Pearl HarborShips Project, saidefforts to identify the unidentifiedUSS Utah service members began in early 2022

“At the start of the project, therewere 54 unresolved casualties from theshipand 14 associated unknowns buried at theNational Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP) in Hawaii,” Freas said in anews release.Sincethe disinterments were completed in March2022, Freas said,two sailors have been identified.

Oncethe remains are disinterred,scientists with theDefense POW/MIA Accounting Agency use forensic anthropology,dental records and DNA testing to iden-

“After the remains are segregated into discrete individuals, the anthropologists analyze them to estimate the sex, age, ancestry and statureofthe individual and identify signs of traumaand earlier injuries and illness,” Freas said. “Forensic odontologists examine the dentition and compare the teethpresent in theremains to theantemortemdental records availablefor theunresolved service members.”

NavyCasualtyOfficeDirectorCapt.Jeff Draude said even though it’sbeen morethan80 years since the Pearl Harbor attack,hebelieves it is still importanttoidentify the remains.

theDepartmentofDefense,itis especially important to the Navy to honorour sailorsand Marines who paid the ultimate sacrificein giving their livesfor ourcountry.”

Desire Neal Conner said when he first received acall saying his great-great-uncle had been identified, he thought someone was playing ascam on him.

“I’ve never methim; the only thing Ihave had was pictures of my grandpa andthemtogether,”

Desire Neal Conner said. “But I’ve heard allthe stories whenever Iwas growing up because I have apretty active family with the military.”

tify service members. DNA is compared with samples provided by surviving relatives, andthe Navy contacts families when an identification is confirmed.

“When briefing families, we oftenhear thingslike ‘Myfamily didnot believe he was dead’ or ‘He probably was not onboard theship’ or ‘Maybe one day he would walk through the door,’ ” Draude said. “Being abletorecover and identify the remains of these sailors aids in the closure to these families. Like all forces in

While he is grateful hisgreatgreat-uncle has finallybeen identified, Desire Neal Conner said he hopes Conner’sbrother,who also served in the Navy andwas lost in the Pacific,will oneday return home as well.

Email Courtney Pedersen at Courtney.Pedersen@ theadvocate.com.

Lafayettewomen accusedof targeting multiple victims

BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer

TwoLafayette women have been indicted in a million-dollar fraud scheme targeting multiple victims, authorities said.

Felicia Young, 58,ofLafayette, and Leisa Fuselier, 59, acitizen of Trinidad and Tobago, and alawful permanent resident of the United States, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Young is

accused of orchestratinga fraud scheme beginning in March2020 that lasted several years.Authorities said shegained thetrust of her victims through legitimate business dealings using several companies she owned, including ALA Floral 2, Kreole Ala 2, Johnston Street Drive-Thru andF&B Rentals. After building arelationshipwith her victims, Young started the scam by asking them to lendher money, authoritiessaid.Once victims provided funds,Young claimed her bank accounts were “frozen,” authorities said. Investigatorssay sherequested additionaldeposits to unlock the accountsinorderto“repay them.”

To keep thescheme going, they say Younginitiated three-waycalls between her-

self, the victimsand Fuselier.During thesecalls, authorities say Fuselierfalsely posedasa representative of Young’sfinancial institution andconfirmedYoung’slies to her victimsthat her accounts were frozen due to an outstanding debt. The co-conspirators told the victims that the accounts could only be accessed if they deposited specific amountsof money by acertain day and time, authorities said.

Victims paid at least $1.5 milliontoYoung through CashApp, Venmo, checks and cashwithdrawals,transactions that triggered interstate wire transmissions, according to records.

Young is accused of using the funds for her own enrichment,topay Fuselier for herrole in the schemeand to continue the ongoingfraud. Theindictment further al-

leges that on Dec. 30, 2023, Young obstructed justice by destroying or concealingrecords withthe intent to prevent their useinanofficial proceeding.

Young wasadditionally charged with obstruction of justice. Young and Fuselier bothface up to 20 yearsimprisonment.

“Protecting the public from financialpredators is a top priority for this Office,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller.“These defendants allegedly exploitedtrust, manipulatedvictims,and abusedfinancialsystems for personalgain. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those who defraudand harm hard-working members of ourcommunity

EmailJa’kori Madison at jakori.madison@ theadvocate.com.

Hill says time with Saints o

Free agentannounced on social mediahewillnot return to N.O. this season

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Taysom Hill is saying goodbyetoNew Orleans —but not to football.

The former New Orleans Saints quarterback posted on social media Wednesday that he will notreturntothe Saints this season, thoughhestopped short of announcing his retirement.The 35-year-old,who also played tightend andrunning back,becamea free agent in Marchafter spending nine years

with the Saints. Hill has yet to sign withanother team.

“I’ve taken time this offseason to think carefully about what comes next for my family and me,”Hill said. “I still don’thave aclear answer about what the future holds, but Iknow that returning to New Orleans is not in the cards.

“As training camp begins, Ididn’twant my silencetobemisinterpreted,and as hard as it is to putinto words, Iwanted to express my gratitude. To the city of New Orleans: thank you.” Hill undoubtedly will be remembered for his incomparable versatility. Claimed off waivers from the Green BayPackersin 2017, Hill emerged as avaluable do-it-all weapon forthen-coach Sean Payton.Despite

being listed as aquarterback all over the offense —from running back to serving as at fullback to lining up as a to an in-line tight end. He p through several major injur cluding in college when the product suffered four sea ending injuries. No matter the job, he was t cally productive. Last year becamethe only player in th per Bowl era to reach at leas career passing, rushing an ceiving yards. He was even able on special teams while

,Hill was used lining up as a alead blocker wide receiver ersevered ies,inBYU sonypiHill e Sut1,000 d revaluused

page 4C

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

If it was hard for Alvin Kamara to takea paycut,ifthere wasany part of him that had to swallowhis pride,the New Orleans Saints running back simply said he’d “be at home.”

But here Kamara was Wednesday, standing with abathtowel draped over his head and shoulders, fresh off the Saints’ first trainingcamp practice of the year.And as he stood there, the 31-year-old fielded multiple questions about the monthslongsagathatresulted in Kamara agreeing to areported $5.5 million pay cut so he could stay with the Saints. Did the situation leave achip on his shoulder? Is he extra motivated after adown year?Ishe, as former teammateTerron Armstead suggested, “pissed off” at how the narrative has changed?

Kamara’s“maybe” was the closest the Saints’ all-time leading rushergot to admittinghehas been bothered by how the last few years of his career have unfolded. But soon after,Kamara insisted he begins every year “pissed” —stemmingfrom waking up at 4a.m. to train during the offseason. Maybe that, he said, has created sometype of chip.

“I’m really better than Iever been, from a mental standpoint. .I’ve gotalot of clarity.I feel good. Ifeel energized. I’mhere to work.”

AlvinKamara, Saints running back

Whether he is actually bothered, there’snodenying thenarrativehas changed. After aresurgent 2024 season, Kamara’snumbers not onlycame crashing down but they also were the worst of his career Some of those stats, suchastotal rushing yards, could be explained by the knee injury that caused him to miss thelast six weeks. Butother metrics,likerushing yards per attemptand success rate, were career lows before he got hurt. The decline led theSaints to sign Travis Etienne in the offseason and Kamara to reduce his salary Between those events,Kamara essentially hadbeen put

Breespicks Payton as hisHOF presenter

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton will serve as the presenter forDrew Brees at his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement on Aug. 8inCanton, Ohio. Payton,who teamed withBrees for15seasonsinNew Orleans, washand-pickedby the former star quarterback to serve in the distinguished role. Payton said he wasovercome by emotionwhen his former quarterback asked him to “put me in the Hall of Fame” during aFaceTimecall in late April. “I hadn’tthought about it, and he caught me right in the temple,” said Payton, while choking back tears during aphone call from his office in Denver.“Igot just as emotional then as Iamwith you now.I’m honored.” As the presenter, Paytonwill attend the

Pro Football HallofFame enshrinement ceremony

“I’m motivated every year,” Kamara said. “A chip? No Pissed? Maybe.”

ä See KAMARA, page 4C

BY JON BLAU Staff writer

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin received awarm welcome to aBaton Rouge Rotary Club luncheon Wednesday,but it wasconditional.

“I grew up in avery,very conservative Catholic family,and we weren’tallowedto curse exceptfor oneweekeach year,” the club’snewly elected president,Susan East Nelson,saidfrom thepodium, referring to LSU’s rivalry gamewith Ole Miss. “I’m

7

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RACING

7 a.m. Qatar Sussex Stakes FS2 Noon Saratoga Live FS2

Ohtani dealing with pair of ailments

BY BETH HARRIS AP sportswriter

LOS ANGELES Shohei Ohtani

said his right biceps is not 100% in addition to his sore left knee, and both factored into the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar not throwing a bullpen session last week.

The four-time MVP hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3 but has continued to play regularly as the designated hitter for Los Angeles.

“My biceps is not 100%,” Ohtani said through a translator Tuesday night while speaking with the media for the first time since before the All-Star break. “Just similar issue with the knee. Do we consider pushing this? It is still July So I think the conversation would be a little different if we’re in August or September.”

Ohtani hit his 10th leadoff home run of the season in a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners. It was his 28th leadoff shot as a Dodger tying him with the late Davey Lopes for second all-time. Ohtani finished 3 for 4 with a walk, a double, three RBIs and a run.

“I do think that the road trip was exhausting for everyone I do think that with the day off, he came in fresh and looked more like himself,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Certainly the way he swung the bat, the way he’s running, he’s not compromised. Until I hear otherwise, he’s going to be in the lineup.”

Ohtani had a lubricant injection in his knee just before the All-Star break and he skipped the game in Philadelphia to rest.

“I really took the All-Star break as that opportunity to really stay off my knees,” he said “It’s really something that I have to just deal with over the course of the season.”

Ohtani said in Japanese that the injection wasn’t a cure-all and he mentioned “a decision that I’m going to ultimately make after the season’s over” without clarifying what he was referring to He explained the lingering knee soreness was caused by pitching.

“In terms of running, I’m not exactly at 100% capacity,” he said. “When I know it’s not, then it’s always a little harder to be aggressive on the base paths.” Ohtani said his knee is getting better, which is a priority

“I don’t think the team has really come to a place exactly where, do I pitch through it or not?” he said. “That’s still really up in the air.”

If Ohtani’s health issues don’t improve, Roberts was asked whether it’s possible the righthander wouldn’t pitch in the postseason for the two-time reigning World Series champions.

“I guess anything’s possible, but for me, it’s highly unlikely,” Roberts said. “Given where we’re at in the calendar if the knee continues to get better, the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch. All I know is that we’re trying to, I’m trying to, give him the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible, so he can help us on both ends of the baseball.”

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

1 p.m. N.y yankees at Chicago White Sox MLB

6 p.m. Washington at Atlanta ESPN

9 p.m. Seattle at

6:30

8

March 18 in Fort Myers, Fla

Another swing

BY JAY COHEN AP baseball writer

CHICAGO

The nation’s first women’s professional baseball league in nearly 30 years is about to embark on its inaugural season in what marks a major milestone in the scattered history of the sport in the United States. The Women’s Pro Baseball League is also part of a timeline that goes back to the beginning of the sport.

“Women have always been part of this game,” said Kat Williams, the chief executive officer of the International Women’s Baseball Center

“We’ve always played, we’ve always umpired, we’ve always coached. And in some of the earliest references in the 17th century, the earliest references to something like a game of baseball, it was women that were playing it.”

Next up is the WPBL, which plays its first game Saturday The league has four teams New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco — for its first year, but the 15 regular-season games for each club and the playoffs will be held at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. The ballpark has a seating capacity of 5,200, and Springfield hosted one of the earliest paid women’s games when the Blondes faced the Brunettes on Sept. 11, 1875.

Kelsie Whitmore, Mo’ne Davis and Ayami Sato are among the marquee names expected to play in the league’s first season. Each team will have 15 active players for the seven-inning games.

“It’s amazing. It’s one of those kind of things that we always hoped would happen, but wasn’t sure that we would see it happen anytime soon,” said Leslie Heaphy, the president of the IWBC and the chair of the women in baseball committee for the Society for American Baseball Research. “And it’s fitting, it’s needed, and yeah, it’s exciting.”

Breakthrough moment

While women have been connected to baseball since the beginning of the game, the first professional women’s league was the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Immortalized in the film “A League of Their Own,” it ran from 1943-54.

The AAGPBL began during World War II as a softball league before converting to baseball.

Jean Faut, Doris Sams and Dottie Kamenshek were among the league’s best players. Maybelle Blair, who pitched in the AAGPBL in 1948, is on the WPBL’s advisory board.

“It was never intended to last past 1945 when it first started, but the fact that it lasts through 1954 tells you something about the importance, I think,” said Heaphy an associate professor at Kent

FAST FACTS

WHAT: Women’s Pro Baseball League

FIRST GAME: Saturday TEAMS (4): New york, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles PLAYERS: 15 active on each team

GAMES: 15 seven-innng games in regular season for each team

State-Stark.

“It tells you about the determination of those involved, and I think it tells you a lot about the interest of the fans.”

Hollywood effect

After the AAGPBL ceased operations, it would be another 40 years — in the wake of the box office success for “A League of Their Own” — before interest in professional women’s baseball resurfaced.

From 1994-97, Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro managed an all-female pro team, the Colorado Silver Bullets, that barnstormed the country facing men’s amateur and semi-pro teams. The Ladies Professional Baseball League played in 1997 and part of 1998 before folding It was based in the southwestern United States before expanding to New York and New Jersey Former big league sluggers Bobby Bonds and George Foster were involved in another short-lived league in the mid-1990s in Florida.

The Women’s Baseball World Cup launched in 2004 and will be played for the 11th time in 2027. Japan has won the past eight World Cups after finishing runner-up to the U.S. in the first two. Shared focus Skirts were part of the uniform for AAGPBL players, and they were required to attend charm

Former LSU WR Byrd charged with assault

Demetrius Byrd, a standout wide receiver on LSU’s 2007 national championship team, was reportedly arrested Monday in Miami Beach, Florida, after being accused of making threats on a public bus while armed with a tool. Byrd, 40, is a native of Miami. He played for LSU in 2007-08 after two seasons at Pearl River (Mississippi) Community College. According to WTVJ, an NBC affiliate in Miami, Byrd was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Police said officers arrived at a Miami Beach bus stop after receiving reports of a man on board a bus armed with a knife yelling “Who wants to die?” at other passengers. According to Byrd’s arrest report, the bus driver said two passengers were involved in an altercation that escalated with Byrd pulling out what appeared to be a knife.

Browns, S Delpit agree to 3-year, $48M extension BEREA,

three-year extension with the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday The safety’s extension is worth $48 million, including $35 million guaranteed. It is also the second straight day Cleveland reached an extension with one of the members of its secondary Cornerback Denzel Ward agreed to a two-year extension worth $62.2 million — including $52.3 million guaranteed on Tuesday Delpit, 27, is going into his seventh season in Cleveland after being a second-round pick in 2020.

Miami dominates all-ACC team; QB Mensah POY

Preseason league favorite Miami claimed a third of the spots on the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason all-conference team, including transfer quarterback Darian Mensah as the preseason pick for player of the year The league released its preseason team Wednesday after voting by media members credentialed for the ACC’s football media days earlier this month. That came a day after the Hurricanes were picked to win the ACC title Mensah, a former Tulane star, is a high-profile addition who led Duke past Virginia in last year’s league championship game for the Blue Devils’ first outright ACC crown since 1962. Now he’s set to play for the Hurricanes as the favorite to become player of the year

school. There was an emphasis on femininity and “ladylike” behavior, according to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The WPBL is all over social media, detailing the background of its players while looking to sell tickets and merchandise.

“We know this was true in the ’40s and ’50s, that people tended then to follow the team because of the place, and then the players. Now they follow players, right? That’s what people do,” Heaphy said.

“So I think that issue of raising awareness, both leagues recognize that.”

Arthur Meyerhoff, a Chicago advertising executive, played a prominent role in the creation and operation of the AAGPBL.

“He was a marketing guy, and he knew that had to happen,” said Williams, a professor emeritus at Marshall University who is part of a WPBL advisory board with Heaphy “He knew that there has to be an image, right?

“I mean, that’s typical of any kind of new endeavor You have to put forth an image. And the image I hope people are seeing with the WPBL is that these are athletes.

“These are good athletes. They’re strong women. They’re talented and smart. And I think that’s the message.”

One of the biggest legacies of the AAGPBL is connected to what the women accomplished after their playing careers. Several of the women went to graduate school and earned advanced degrees.

They took on prominent jobs while crediting the league for opening their eyes as to what was possible.

“The impact, the economic impact on those players and their families, they became doctors and lawyers and airplane pilots and teachers and you know things that they would (have) never had an opportunity to do,” Williams said.

NCAA suspends Vols LB two games tied to flight KNOXVILLE,Tenn.— Tennessee senior linebacker Arion Carter will miss the first two games of the season because of an NCAA suspension tied to an agent paying for a $427 flight to an NFL training facility during the pre-draft process. The Knoxville News Sentinel first reported Wednesday of the suspension, with the two-game length later confirmed by the school to The Associated Press. In a statement, coach Josh Heupel said the Volunteers “disagree” with the suspension, noting Carter repaid the agent for the flight cost as he returned to Tennessee. The suspension will sideline the third-year linebacker and twoyear starter for the Sept. 5 opener against Furman at home and the Sept. 12 trip to Georgia Tech.

Golf pro Mullinax suspended for violating doping policy

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Trey Mullinax received a six-month suspension for violating the PGA Tour’s anti-doping policy after testing positive for a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency Mullinax said in a statement provided Wednesday by the PGA Tour he used a medication to treat a condition he was diagnosed with while in college without seeking approval under the policy “My lack of knowledge is not an excuse,” Mullinax said. “It was my responsibility to know the rules before taking any medication and I failed to do so.” He is believed to be the ninth player suspended since the PGA Tour began drug testing in 2008, and the first since Byeong Hun An used a cough syrup sold over the counter in South Korea that contained a banned substance.

PEACE IN HIS TIME

1

Kiffinwas more relaxed Wednesdaythan he was in December at his introductorynewsconference. He even cracked ajokeafter being presentedwith a“peace pole” that also has the word “Win” on it likethe Winbar in Tiger Stadium’slocker room.“It has wheels,” Kiffinsaid.“I appreciate that. Maybe Ican takethat to Oxford and Knoxville.” Probably won’t cut much ice with Ole Miss and Tennesseefans,but it’s a nice thought.

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NO PROMISES

Kiffinoffered some interesting insights into team building, sayinghedoesn’tpromiserecruits (either highschool or transfers)playing time.“Wetry to stay away frompromises,”hesaid.“I preach competition. If Imake side deals, howcan Ipreach competition? Isay you’ll getagreat opportunity and agreat shot to playasafreshman.That weeds outalot of players. If aguy wants apromise, they’renot really competitive.”

BigTen favoritesOregon, Ohio Statethinkingbig in ’26

BY STEVE MEGARGEE AP sportswriter

CHICAGO Ohio State wide re-

ceiver Jeremiah Smith downplays his chances of winning aHeisman Trophy even though he’sgenerally regarded as college football’stop returning player regardless of position.

“I always felt that was aquarterback award unless you have a crazy season like DeVonta Smith did, where you have 1,800 yards and20touchdowns,” saidSmith, referencing the former Alabama receiver who caught 117 passesfor 1,856yards and 23 touchdowns in 2020. “I don’treallyknow the criteria, what they look at. Is it the best stats? Is it the best player? Idon’t really know.”

Smith is more concerned with helping Ohio State winasecond national title in three years, which just might enable Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayintomakehis own Heisman run.IfOhioState falls short, perhaps itwillbebecause Oregon quarterback Dante Moore leads the Ducks to their first title.

Ohio State and Oregon enter this season as theBig Tenfavorites even in aconference that includes reigning national champion Indiana. Although the Big Tendoesn’t releaseits own preseason predicted order of finish during its media days event this week, Cleveland. com puts together its own media poll each yearand has Ohio State first, Oregon second and Indiana third.

Both teams are eager to put recent playoffdisappointmentsbehind them.

Oregon has lost rematches with theeventual national champion in the playoffs each of the last two years.The DucksbeatOhioState in the 2024 regularseason and

earned the No.1 playoff seed that yearbeforelosing to theBuckeyes 41-21 ina Rose Bowl quarterfinal.

TheDucks fell56-22toIndiana in aPeach Bowl semifinal lastyear after falling 30-20 to the Hoosiers duringthe regular season.

“Wenever want to feel that feeling again, of coming up short in a game,” Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson said. “This whole offseason we’ve been preaching it.We hate thatfeeling ” Ohio State,the 2024 national champion, was rankedfirst last yearbeforefinishing theseason with consecutive losses to Indiana in the Big Tenchampionship game and Miami inaCotton Bowl quarterfinal. Smith believes the Buckeyes’softregular-seasonschedule contributed to their playoff demise because theyweren’tbattle-tested. That won’tbeaproblem thisyear Ohio State’sschedulestarts with atrip to Texasand includes athreegame midseasonstretch in which the Buckeyes visit reigning national champion Indiana andSouthern Californiabeforehosting Oregon. There’salso the annual rivalry game withMichigan.

“We’re definitely going to be battle-tested,” Smith said, “and that’s going to showat the end of the season.”

TheBuckeyes lost 11 playersto the NFL draft, more than anyother school. That included four of the first 11 overall selections in wide receiver CarnellTate, linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, and safety CalebDowns.OhioState also lost offensivecoordinator Brian Hartline, nowthe head coach at South Florida

But the BuckeyeshaveSayin backatquarterback after he threw for 3,610 yards and32touchdowns They also have Smith, whose 2,558 career yards receiving and27 touchdowncatches arethe most by

any BigTen receiver in theirfirst two yearsofcollege and the most by anyFBS player over thelast two seasons That production hadplenty of teams wanting Smith to enter the transfer portal.

“There were differenttypes of programs coming at me once Hartline left and theseason was over,” Smith said. “I never really thought about leaving Ohio State.Ialways wanted to be at Ohio State. It would be dumb for me to leave Ohio State andtogotoanotherteam when I have thebestoffensive line in the country,the best quarterback in the countryand best coaches in the country.”

Oregon might argue it has the best quarterback in thecountry. Moore could have been drafted in the first round this year if he had turned pro after throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.Heopted to come back to school instead.

“I think it speaks to his maturity, what he wanted to accomplish,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said.

Moore’sreturn has the Ducks thinking big, even though Lanning lost two of his top assistants from lastseason with offensive coordinator Will Stein becoming theKentuckyhead coach and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi taking over at California.

The impact Moore’sdecision had on Oregon’stitle hopes was evident from Lanning’sreaction to the news.

“He had no clue(beforehand), actually,” Moore said. “I didn’ttell anybody.Myagent and mydad were theonlypeople whoknew, I announced it,and thencoach Lanning camepushing through the door,jumped on top of the desk and startedscreaming.”

Oregon hopes the celebration continues deep into January.

Seager makesstrides to return forRangers

BY ERIK ERLENDSSON Associated Press

ST.PETERSBURG, Fla. Rangers

shortstop Corey Seager took abig step this week toward returning to the lineup and helping Texasinthe American League West.

Seager hit ahome run and made astrong play in the field in the first gameofarehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Tuesday night

The 32-year-old was scheduled to appear in asecond game with Frisco on Wednesday as he recovers from lower back inflammation that has kept him out since July 1. TheRangers entered Wednesday holding atwo-game lead over the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West.

On Tuesday,Seagerfinished 1-for-2 with awalk, and Texas manager Skip Schumaker was encouraged by the reports he received

Seager

“The report was he came outofthe game healthy and ready to go play again (Wednesday),” Schumaker said. “Thatpart was good. He had areally good play in the hole. Nothing running, really good at the plate, hitthe ball. Kindofeverything checks.That’s exactly what we wanted to see.”

No decisionhas been made as to when Seager mightbereadytoreturn to the Texas lineup, although Friday in Houston might be the earliest target dateifall goes well Wednesday night.

“He’ll get back-to-back (games) andlikely aday off (Thursday) then we’ll see where he’s at,” Schumakersaid. Seager has been limited to 51 games this season. He was placed

on the seven-day IL on June 15 with aconcussion andmissed 12 games before dealing withback inflammation on May 15 that kept him out for 19 games. Seager’slatest stint on theILhas kept himout for 22 games,including Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Schumaker said the decision on when to return will ultimately be up to Seager “The player dictates alot,” Schumaker said. “Hewanteda couple games, Ithink, because he missed so much time. Therecommendation is what we give and then the player decides how muchheneeds. Position players (need) maybe one of thosesimulated games, andthen go to arehab assignment,and it’s one or two games, then kind of you’re readytoroll. We’vekind of hadthat discussion. He felt he neededa couple days, back-to-back games. We’llsee wherehe’sat.”

3

JOINING THECLUB

Kiffinsaid he came to TigerStadium five times as an opposing coachwhile at Ole Miss and Alabama and always wondered what it would be liketocoach here. “I remember being in warmups withsongsplaying and the sun setting and thinking,‘Whereare we?’ ”Kiffinsaid.“There’s a weight youfeel here as the opposing team as the game gets closer.It’sgoing to be acool experience to feel that on the other side.”

Continued from page1C

newbie anymore, but he wasstill humorously immersed in the samestorylines.

There were jokesabout Ole Miss, especially after the Rotary Club presented Kiffinwith a“peacepole,”whichitnoted had wheelssoitcould travel with him

“We’ll have to take that to Oxfordand Knoxville,” joked Kiffin,who had an acrimonious exit from the latter city after oneyear coaching at Tennessee in 2009; he had agolf ball thrown at him upon his return to Neyland Stadium in 2021 as the Ole Miss coach.

Afulloffseason removed from Ole Miss, and manyyears into playing theroleofa college footballvillain, Kiffineasily embraced a30-minute foray in front of his newfans —including somewho would have told himto“go to hell” just aseason ago.

Kiffin’sabilitytoworka room helped him rally LSU boosters and corporate sponsors to bankroll theNo. 1 transfer class in the country.Hemay have been trying to scaleback skyhigh expectations Wednesday,but Kiffin asked LSU fans to think beyond just this season

“It’sactually apretty young team,” he said. “As excited as we are for this year,I just wanted to talkabout that. Aboutthe building of the future.”

Kiffin displayed his comedic timing, capitalizing offofEast’s presentation of an LSU football calendar fromher birth year, 1977.Thatseasonended with LSU’strip to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

“Something’schangedabout what’sa great season around here,”Kiffin said,drawingmore laughs from afan base that was so sickened by BrianKelly’slack of playoff appearances thathe was canned after a5-3 start to last season.

Kiffinwas minimally cautious at the microphone, frequently noting there wereTVcameras in thebackofthe room,but he kept things entertaining during a question-and-answer session. He wasasked about quarterback SamLeavitt, whomissed most of spring practice as he continuedtorehab from aprevious foot surgery.Kiffin saidthe Arizona State transfer has been “grinding” and moving at afaster pace eachday

Kiffinwas asked aboutthe “Wild West”ofcollege footballand the Protect College Sports Act, which the Big Tenand SEC, including LSU, have opposed in itscurrent form.The questionerwanted to knowwhy

Kiffinfound an outinthe term “Wild West” because it can refer to any number of thornyissues, whether that’scobbling together rosters with an unlimited transfer portal or skyrocketing NIL pay.The questioner failed to specifywhat he wanted Kiffinto talk about.

“I don’tknow,you don’tknow,” Kiffinsaid, to morelaughs. “Bad question, bad answer.”

WhatKiffinverymuch wanted to talk about wasthe SEC’smove to anine-game conference slate and how tough it will be to make the College Football Playoff because theselection committeeisn’t rewarding strength of scheduleasmuch as he’d like. He wanted to talkabout theissue so much, he took aquestion about LSU’s special teamsand veered off in his preferred direction.

“There areteams going 10-6 and winning the Super Bowl,”Kiffinsaid, comparing the parityofportal-era college football to the NFL. “When youmakethatparity,(there has to be an)understanding that sometimesthe records are going to change, and youhavetounderstandwho did youreally play,wheredid you play them, as you look at that. Because there’sabig difference.” Kiffinwas most prepared for a question that seemingly cameout of leftfield. Are the Tigers using artificialintelligencetoevaluate football players?

Kiffinsaid he just had ameeting with his staff about it Tuesday He’salso been working out with LSU receivers coach,George McDonald, in themornings and Kiffin learned McDonald, who is growingincreasingly fashionable as he losesweight, is taking pictures of himself and asking AI how he looks in certain outfits.

“He’slike, hey,” Kiffin said, smiling, “does this go together?” Every joke landed.

Every enemy was now an ally, as “go to hell” wasreplaced by a peace pole.

“I didn’tknow all we’ve got to do is go to theSun Bowltohavea great year,” Kiffinsaidjust aweek before preseason camp opens. “It’s going to be apeaceful year.”

Email Jon Blauatjon.blau@ theadvocate.com.

Olavesitsout as Tysonramps up

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

The first dayofNew Orleans Saints training camp featured Jordyn Tyson participating in competitive drills —but this time, his running mate was sitting out

As the Saints conducteda roughly 75-minute sessiontoopen their 2026 training camp, starreceiver

Chris Olave was presentand in uniform but watching from the sideline when the team went through 7-on-7 and full-team drills.

Afterward, coach Kellen Moore indicated thatOlave was sitting out those periods as ameans to avoid injury while the front office and Olave’srepresentationworkona contract extension.

“It’sjust respecting thebusiness side of this thing,” Moore said. “They’re just working through that as we go. Everyone’sbeen great about this whole process, so no issues there.” Moore was unabletosay whether Olave wasplanning on sitting out the competitive drills until he signs anew contract, but it is something to keep an eyeon.

As forthe players whowere fully participating during the first day of camp, here is whatwesaw Attendance: With the exception of players who began camp on the physically unable to perform or non-football injury lists Mason Tipton, KeeshawnSilver, ZxavianHarris and Cody Hardy —everybody was in uniform and participating in some fashion.

Earlyimpressions

Tyson, the No. 8pick in this year’sdraft, was limitedalmost exclusively to individual position work during the team’ssummer program, and Wednesday was the first time he’d workedalongside

Tyler Shough and thestarting offense in apublic setting.

Shough clearlywas looking to gethim involved early in practice, but Tyson didn’tsee aball come hisway until thethird competitive period. He onlysaw one target between the7-on-7and full-team periods, catchingapass on ashort out-breaking choiceroute from Shough during an 11-on-11 period.

Still, Shough saidhelikeswhat he’s seen so farout of his rookie wideout.

“The ability is there; he’sgot all thetalent in the world,” Shough said. “But he really wantstobe

great,and that’sone of my favorite things about him. He’s agood dude, but we share this common ilk where we’re never really satisfied.

“He’s21years old and has every right to think he’s made it, being draftedinthe first round. But he understands thereissomuch more to go for all of us.”

Tyson was held back this summerbywhatgeneralmanager MickeyLoomis called a“recurrence” of the hamstring injury thatlimited him to nine games in his last season at Arizona State.

But holding him back was ateam

Contract disputes forDTVea, MayfieldloomoverBucs’ camp

BY ROBMAADDI AP pro football writer

TAMPA, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened training camp Wednesday dealing with contract squabbles.

Baker Mayfield was on the field leading the offense after failing to get along-term extension. Vita Veastood on thesidelinebecause of aback injury after requestinga trade after acontract dispute

Coach Todd Bowles, who spent time chatting with Veaduring practice, said the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle tweaked his backTuesday “Hecameingreatshape.His weight is good, he rangreat,” Bowles said. “We’ll seehow he feels.” The 31-year-old Veais in thefinal season of afour-year,$71 million deal. Bowles said he hasn’t discussed with general manager Jason Licht the possibility of trading Vea.

Mayfield is entering the last sea-

KAMARA

Continued from page1C

in limbo. The Saints were noncommittalpublicly about the running back’sstatus, leading people —including Kamara’smom, he said to wonder what was going on. Through it all, Kamara said he never took thebusiness side personally.Now the situation issettled.

“I’m really better thanIever been, from amentalstandpoint,” Kamarasaid. “Coming in here (with the Saints), I’ve got alot of clarity.Ifeel good. Ifeel energized. I’m here to work.”

The clarity Kamara received was that the Saints indeed wanted him back. And now that he is, he’s expected to receive further information on how exactly he’ll fit alongside Etienne. Kamara long has insisted he has no problem sharing carries, andagain Wednesday,hepointedtohis dynamic with Mark Ingram and Latavius Murrayasexamples of howhecan be successful.

The difference now is that Kamara is no longerexpected to be the lead back, and it remains to be seen howthe splitwillunfold. Wednesday’spractice perhaps provided aglimpse of what coach Kellen Moore has in store. During sets of four reps, Etienne took the first two snaps while Kamara took the last two. Later in the session, the order was reversed.

Mayfield has stated he wants to remain in Tampa Bay, where he revivedhis career after replacing TomBradyin2023. The Buccaneers want to keep him, so the two sides still could make it happen before Mayfield can become afree agentinMarch

The Buccaneers could place the franchise tag on Mayfield in the offseason,but that’salongway from now.

“We’re notgoing to make this training camp about Baker from ateam standpoint,” Bowlessaid.

“If something happens, great, but we’re getting ready for the season and play it out.He’sexpecting to have agreat season fromhimself. He loves theguys that he’s aroundand building it from that.

That’s all we’re going togowith right now.”

choice, notaTyson choice.

“Patience is achallenge for anyonewanting to compete, and Jordyn is at the top of that,” Moore said.

“He’d love to getout thereand run amillion routes and catch amillion balls; that’sjust the way he is. But he understands the processwe’re going through.”

Play of theday

During a7-on-7 period, Shough saw DevaughnVele flash free on a shallow out-breaking route from theright hash and he zipped an ontarget pass toward his receiver’s hands. The only problem is that

HILL

Continued from page1C

as akick returner,punt protector and gunner. He also gothis chance to play quarterback. Hill went 7-2asa starter for the Saints, spanning acrossthe 2020 and 2021 seasons. He was then moved primarily to tight endunder former coach Dennis Allen in 2022.

corner Kool-Aid McKinstry quickly made up thespace between himself and Vele to reach ahand in to break up the intended pass.

McKinstry hasearned alot of praise throughout the summer,and that continued Wednesday when veteransafety Justin Reid pounded thepodium as he said: “Kool-Aid McKinstry is aballer. From what he did in OTAs to what he’sdoing today …that cat is going to be something special, man.I’m excited about what he’s going to do this year.”

Odds andends Day One of Saints campfollowedthe samestructure as last year’s first day, with a7-on-7period sandwiched between two full-teamdrills. Theoffense felt alittleout of sync on itsfirstday, with Shough firingincompletions on four of his first five passes. One of those was an Alvin Kamara drop, one was the aforementioned pass breakup and another appeared to be the result of the timing being off between Shough and Ja’Lynn Polk Shough rallied to complete six of hislast seven attempts, including acoupleofdarts over the middle of the field to tight end Juwan Johnson Kicker CharlieSmyth took the first reps with the field goal unit, and he connected on each of his five attempts, witha long coming from about 48 yards. It’sanimportant camp forSmyth, who hastobeat outintriguing UFLproduct Tanner Brown to keep his job. Wednesday wasanencouraging start. Rookie Barion Brown was the first one back to receive punts in agroup that also included Tyson, receiver Trey Palmer and cornerback Quincy Riley.Brown wasanelectric kickoff returner in college,but he comes to the NFL with little punt return experience.

with the franchise wasnearing an end. At the final homegame of the season, the Saintsseemed to make apriority of getting Hill the ball. And the quarterback had his moment—Hill hit Chris Olave for a39-yard touchdown, sending the Superdome crowd into a frenzy Hill wasemotional after the game, crying as he recalled his commute to the stadium that morning.

son of athree-year,$100 million contract. He had aself-imposed deadline of agreeing to anew deal before camp started.

Bowles isn’tconcerned about thecontract issues becoming a distraction.The Buccaneers saw their run of four straight NFC Southtitles endlastseasonwhen they finished 8-9 after a6-2 start.

REPORT: DT BRESEE LIKELY TORE HIS ACL

The NewOrleans Saints mayhavereceived some terrible news after the first dayoftraining camp, as NFL Media is reporting defensivelineman Bryan Bresee is believedtohavetornhis ACL, which likely will takehim out forthe 2026season

The 2023 first-round pick has startedatleast 10 gameseach of thelasttwo seasons forthe Saints and has 141/2 sacks in 49 career games. He earned praise from the staff last year forimprovingasarun defender

It is notclearwhenBresee’sinjuryoccurred, though he wasnot on the field forthe team’s last11-on-11 period.The Saints have apair of untested young players behind himinVernon Broughton and Christen Miller whomay step into alargerrole.

Bresee has twoyears remaining on hisdeal, including the fifth-year option for2027that theteampicked up thisoffseason.

Even if the regular season does notturnout to be a50-50 split as it appeared to be to begin camp, Kamara was involved more than how the Saints used him during last month’s mandatory minicamp. Back then, Kamara largely observed team drills off to the side and was oneofthe last backs to rotate in during individualdrills.

“CredittoAlvin, he always does agreat job during the offseason of really traininghimself and putting himself to be in aposition ready to go,” Moore said.“Youcertainly see thatwhen he’s outthere on thefield.

We feel great about thesituation.”

As for whyKamara’sstatustook so long to resolve, general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday thathedidn’thaveanexplanation

LukeJohnson

other than that talks were “fluid” along the way.But he said Kamara was “great” about expressing his desire to stay in New Orleans.

Funnyenough, Kamara indicated he never had adirect conversation with Loomis in which he told him how badly he wanted tokeep playing for the Saints. He did say thefranchise knows him by now

This, after all, will be his10th season in New Orleans. He has become part of the city,tothe point that strangers will invite him to their house or ask him whether he needs anything. They actasif they’ve known him for 20 years.

Thatcreated abondthatKamara wasn’tabout to break.

“This is where Iwanted to be,” he said.

“Taysom’s career to this point as amember of the Saints organization has been remarkable in all facets,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomissaidinastatement. “His intelligence, unique athletic ability,versatility and unselfishness have benefited this team in many facets for the past nine seasons.Additionally,he’s been agreat teammate, excellent leader and mentor “Wethank Taysomfor allhis great contributions, and we are positivethataday will come when allhis accomplishments can be properly celebrated.”

Though the Saints greatly valuedHilloverthe years,theywere also willing to move on.Hill was not offered acontract this offseasonafter he struggledcoming off atorn ACL and additional knee damage in 2025. Hill rushedfor just 114 yards on 52 carries(2.2 yards per attempt) andcaught 11 passes for91yards in 13 games. When training campbegan Wednesday, the Saints already hadissued Hill’sNo. 7jerseyto another player —fourth-string quarterback HunterDekkers, who wore No.18last year Hill andthe Saintsacknowledged last season that his time

BREES

Continued from page1C

formal enshrinees’ gold jacket dinner on the eve of the ceremony, where he will physically place the iconic Hall of Fame goldjacket ontoBrees forthe first time. At the enshrinementceremony, Payton’spre-recorded video tributewill be played on the stadium big screens and national broadcast before theinducteecomes to the stage. He will then join Brees at center stage forthe unveiling of the bronze bust, which will be displayed forposterity in theHall of Fame. Brees then will takecenter stage to deliver his acceptance speech. Payton filmedthe video presentationwithanNFL Films crew last month. He saidhewas so honored by Brees’ gesture that he filmed the video presentation in two separate multihour sittings to ensure theywere what he wanted.

“You just try to takeitall in,” Hill said in December.“We had a great experience here tonight. I don’tknow what the future holds forme, but it wasaspecial day formeand my family.” Thatfuture is undecided. If Hill wants to keep playing, there are several teamsthat hold ties to the quarterback —although it remains unclear whether they are interested. Payton now coaches the Denver Broncos, while former Saints coordinators Pete Carmichael(Buffalo’soffensive coordinator)and Klint Kubiak (the LasVegas head coach) also have new jobs.

But Hill’sannouncement makes clear his time with the Saints is over.Hill’shouse in Old Metairie was put up for sale in May and remains unsold.

“I’m still working through what comesnext, butI couldn’tmove forward without taking time to say thank you,” wrote Hill, who thanked owner Gayle Benson,his teammates and the organization. “New Orleans, you will always hold aspecial place in our hearts and we will always be cheering you on.”

Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com

“They hadtomatch hisstandard of greatness as aplayer,” Payton said.

Alarge contingent of Brees’ former Saints teammates, coaches and support staff —including owner Gayle Benson and general manager MickeyLoomis—are expected to attend the weekend festivities in Canton.

Payton said he and agroup of Broncos coaches will take a break fromtraining camp to fly to Canton for the weekend of events. His dutiesaspresenter will force him to miss Broncos practices on Aug. 7-8 to attend the event to support Brees. Asked if that would be afirst in his 19-year NFLhead coachingcareer,Payton quipped: “The last time Imissedtwo practices was when the league told me Ihad to miss practice (in 2012, when he wassuspended by the NFL forhis role in the Bountygate scandal.)”

Email JeffDuncan at jduncan@ theadvocate.com.

Washington Commanders

quarterback Jayden Daniels passes during the team’s first training camp practice on Wednesday in Ashburn, Va

ASSOCIATED

ROD LAMKEy

NFL

‘The

energy is different’

Commanders emphasize competition in training camp with crucial season ahead

BY ETHAN CADEAUX Associated Press

ASHBURN, Va. Dan Quinn enters training camp with one simple goal in mind.

“There’s going to be a lot of competition,” the Washington Commanders coach said.

Almost every NFL team preaches competition in training camp, but Quinn was intentional with his words. In June during offseason workouts, he foresaw this to be the team’s “most competitive camp that we’ve had, going into Year 3.”

It is a crucial year for Washington after going 5-12 last season, following the Super Bowl aspirations that came from reaching the NFC championship game when quarterback Jayden Daniels was a rookie in 2024.

How the 2025 season unfolded left a bitter taste with not just Quinn but his players, too.

“We’re tired of losing,” safety Jeremy Reaves said. “It’s frustrating.”

The Commanders changed offensive and defensive coordinators and were active in free agency — signing nearly a dozen new players, highlighted by edge rusher Odafe Oweh, linebacker Leo Chenal and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.

“We’ve got a lot of new guys,” said running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who is going into his second season. “We’re just excited to work together and see how good we can be.”

To emphasize competition, Quinn has broken up training camp into six blocks, each spanning three to four practices The first was red zone work, which dominated team drills on Wednesday Quinn’s camp philosophy change has already made players take notice.

“The energy is different. The intensity is different,” Reaves said.

“We want to win. That’s what we’re here to do. No excuses. Just come out here and get the work done.”

The Commanders’ success largely rests on the shoulders of

Milestone season begins for Texans

BY KRISTIE RIEKEN AP sportswriter

HOUSTON The Houston Texans began preparations for their 25th season Wednesday as the only NFL team to have never made a conference championship game and one of just four teams that haven’t reached the Super Bowl.

After losing in the divisional round in each of the past three years, the question is once again whether this milestone anniversary season will be the one in which they finally take the next step Or maybe next few steps and win that elusive championship.

“That’s something that we’re striving for,” defensive end Will Anderson said Wednesday after the first practice of training camp.

“That’s something that’s never been done in this city, to bring

something special back to this city And I think that everybody’s aware of that.”

Coach DeMeco Ryans knows that many outside the building believe the pressure is on the team this season to do more than it has in his first three years. But for him nothing has changed since he returned to Houston in 2023 to coach the team where he spent much of his 10-year playing career

“The only thing I know is high expectations,” Ryans said. “That’s why we do what we do, to achieve the ultimate goal. It’s a process. It’s a build to get there, and we’re not afraid of the work that it takes to get there.”

Daniels, who played in just seven games last season because of multiple injuries and was not nearly as effective as when he first stepped into the NFL. The former LSU star is also ready to leave 2025 behind.

“You go out there, move forward, get better,” Daniels said. “You can’t really rush the days or the season coming back, but you just attack it and approach it with a different mindset.”

Entering his third season, Daniels has taken on more of a leadership role, especially following the departures of longtime veterans Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz.

“I have more of a voice,” Daniels said, adding: “I’ve just been more intentional with not only myself, but getting guys around me ready and rallying the troops. (Wagner is) like a big brother to me. I picked up on things that he did, how he led and using his voice in certain situations. Now he’s not here, so it’s my turn.”

Although the Commanders’ roster underwent significant changes

this offseason, Daniels is one of several holdovers from the 2024 squad who understand the culture Quinn is trying to set.

“We have guys that push that standard,” Daniels said. “We’ve got great leaders on both sides of the ball that have been here and know the ropes.”

Daniels’ first camp practice was up and down, but defenses are typically ahead of offenses early in camp. The 25-year-old is still learning David Blough’s offense but said he’s “more comfortable now than I was in the spring.”

The highlight of Wednesday’s practice came when Daniels connected with receiver Treylon Burks on a perfect corner route for a touchdown during team drills. The celebration that followed was in midseason form.

“It was good work on both sides,”

Daniels said “At the end of the day, that’s all camp is: really, building our identity and making sure guys get good work and make each other better.”

New coach Porter excited for chance at young Audiences

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

Becoming the football coach at Young Audiences was an opportunity that Elliott Porter couldn’t pass up.

Porter

A former LSU football player who started at center for the Tigers, Porter began coaching high school football not long after his playing days ended in 2014. He hoped to be a head coach one day after several years as an assistant and the opportunity presented itself when the Young Audiences job opened in July Porter was the assistant head coach at East Jefferson before going to Young Audiences. A West Bank native who was a star football player at Shaw, Porter has hired to lead the Gretnabased program that will compete for district and postseason honors for the first time.

“It’s a blessing to be able to get this opportunity,” Porter said “I was wanting a head coaching job sooner or later, so I felt like it was the right time. It was the perfect opportunity and fell in my lap at the right time.” Young Audiences hired Porter in place of Dennis Christopher, who had been coach since the program began playing varsity games in 2023. The Yaks finished last season with an 8-0 record but were ineligible to compete in the postseason because of the LSHAA’s probationary period for new programs.

“(Porter) is young and has a lot of energy,” athletic director Everett Jones said. “He’s hungry, receptive and wants to be a great coach. I’m excited about that.” Young Audiences didn’t hire Porter until the second half of July, which is when most teams are finishing their summer workouts and preparing for fall camp. Despite that, Porter said he feels confident heading into his first year at the school.

“Having this opportunity is rare with the talent that I have (at Young Audiences),” Porter said. “I walked into a great situation. There’s rich talent here that’s going unnoticed.” Young Audiences returns workhorse running back Caleb Jackson and starting quarterback Markus Soule.

Jackson, a senior, has offers from Tulane and UL. Soule, a junior, improved as a passer after starting as a sophomore.

“It’s hard to find kids like Markus and Caleb,” Porter said. “I’m blessed to have that talent and am happy to be in the situation I’m in.”

General manager Nick Caserio raved about the work Stroud has put in since then and said he doesn’t care what people outside of the building say about him.

“I love having C.J. here,” he said.

Much of the criticism for Houston’s playoff exit last season was directed at quarterback C.J. Stroud after he threw a careerhigh four interceptions in a loss to the Patriots The 28-16 defeat dropped the Texans to 0-7 all-time in the divisional round.

“I’m glad he’s our quarterback We’re going to support him like we’re going to support our other players and do whatever we can to help them, make them the best version of themselves.”

Young Audiences, formerly a Class 3A school, will jump to Class 4A this year and Porter is expecting his team to compete for postseason honors right away

The Texans exercised the fifthyear option on Stroud’s rookie contract in April that locked him in through the 2027 season, but have yet to sign the 24-year-old to an extension. But Caserio said Wednesday that it is something they’re working on.

With Tagovailoa sidelined, Falcons add Rush

BY MAURA CAREY AP sportswriter

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback competition will have to wait another day after coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa suffered a minor injury, and he’ll be back “sooner rather than later.” Stefanski described the injury as a “flare-up” and said he doesn’t anticipate a long absence from the former Dolphins quarterback. He said Tagovailoa will be present at training camp but not yet participating.

The first-year Falcons coach kept the details of Tagovailoa’s injury secret, saying one of the perks of training camp is not hav-

ing to divulge every detail. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Wednesday that Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back.

The Falcons swapped one veteran quarterback for another as a result, releasing veteran Trevor Siemian and adding Cooper Rush.

Heading into his ninth year in the league, Rush has appeared in 42 career games and has thrown for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Rush was out throwing alongside Michael Penix and undrafted rookie Jack Strand at the Falcons’ first day of training camp on Wednesday morning. Rush and Strand are expected to split snaps during 11-on-11s. Penix, who started nine games for

Atlanta in 2026 before a seasonending ACL tear will compete in individual and 7-on-7 drills.

Stefanski said he is encouraged by Penix’s recovery, though he doesn’t have a timetable for the quarterback’s return to 11-on-11 drills.

“I don’t know the exact date on when that would happen,” Stefanski said. “All along, as you guys can imagine, we have put total trust into Mike, the medical team and the doctor who performed his surgery So I’m very, very comfortable with where we are and the plan that we have.”

Penix had a slightly more definitive timeline, revealing that four weeks was the most recent benchmark he was given. While recovering from his third ACL tear, the

third-year quarterback said he’s eager to get back, but he’s not taking the process lightly

“Just trusting the process,” Penix said. “It’s more seeing how my body is feeling with these practices I was told like another four weeks, possibly, going into that next stage. At the same time, it could be earlier.”

The Falcons had another nonparticipant in All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, who was present but did not take part in drills. Robinson appeared healthy and is widely speculated to be holding in for a contract extension after the Falcons exercised his fifth-year option.

The team did not comment on Robinson’s lack of participation.

“We want to build a certain type of structure and standard,” he said. “We have a standard here now We have high expectations to be a playoff team. We’re in this to make a run.

Young Audiences also recently hired basketball coach Deion Taylor, a St. Augustine graduate who played college basketball at Richmond. Jones said he is hoping the coaching changes will lead to the Yaks being competitive across all sports.

“We felt like (Taylor) was the best guy for this group at Young Audiences,” Jones said “We’re going to lay the foundation one brick at a time.” Porter is familiar to coaching on the West Bank after serving as an assistant coach at John Ehret in Marrero for six years. He was also an assistant at St. Augustine. Porter said he plans on using his college football playing experience to help guide athletes at Young Audiences.

“Me having that experience, that’s the main reason I got into coaching,” Porter said. “I was blessed to have that. I want to build young men to be successful in life.”

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

Corn soup, sandwich make forsimple supper

BY LINDAGASSENHEIMER Tribune News Service (TNS)

Iwanted to take advantageofthe season’sfirst sweet corn on thecob at the market, so Iturned it into alight and flavorful summer corn soup. Fresh corn gives the soup anaturally sweet taste, and it comes together quickly,making it aperfect additionto an easy warm-weather dinner. For even more cornflavor add the de-kernelled cobs to the soup as it simmers. Simply remove the cobsbefore serving. Asimple cheese sandwich completes this vegetarian dinner

To

Summer CornSoup Yields 2servings. Recipe is by Linda Gassenheimer 4ears of

1. Husk corn and slice the kernels off the cob to make about 2½ cups kernels. Reserve thecobs.

2. Heat oil in alarge sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic Saute 3minutes without browning the onion. Lower heat if onions start to brown

3. Addthe corn kernelsand continue to saute 4minutes. Pour in the broth and reserved corn cobs. Bring toaboil, reduce and simmer 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, place one slice of cheese onto each bread. Placethe twobread slices under thebroiler or in atoaster oven until the cheese starts to melt, about 2 minutes. Remove and put the two slices together with the cheese on theinside to form acheese sandwich.

5. Cut the sandwich in half andserve onehalf with each bowlofsoup. When thesoup has cooked 10 minutes,transfer it to ablender orpassitthrough afine sieve. The soup will be smooth with some pieces of finely chopped corn.

6. Add the cream and salt and pepper to taste.

7. Divide thesoupbetween twolarge soup bowls. Sprinkle the chopped basil on top. Serve with the cheese sandwich NUTRITION INFOPER SERVING: 455calories (36 percent fromfat),18.1 gfat (7.5 g saturated, 4.8 gmonounsaturated), 36.8 mg cholesterol, 18.3 gprotein,62.0 gcarbohydrates, 8.2gfiber,391 mg sodium.

Maybe as youwalked outofthe first Ice Water round, it hityou.Maybe it wasadoor that opened —orone that didn’t. Maybe it wasn’t until the next year when youwereonthe other side of the process.Itcould have been amomentstandinginahallway waiting, that youcan still describe in detail years later. We’reinviting readers whowent through sorority recruitment—recentlyordecades ago —totellus about it: What’s the specific moment from Rush week youstill thinkabout? And what did Rush teach youthat you didn’t expect? Send your responseto jan.risher@theadvocate.comby2 p.m Aug. 10.

Farroand Pasta Salad gets dashes of brightnessfrom mintand depth frombasil.

REVIVED HERBS

In thesummer, herbspunch up farrosalad anddrinking vinegars called shrubs

BY KERRI WESTENBERG| Contributingwriter

my little herb garden, oregano stretches out and mint covers onceempty dirt patches like sunbathersseeking available ground at the beach. Rosemary swells into awoody,pinescented mound. Basil towersabove them, big, boldand breezy. This display of summer’s goodness arrives just in time. The sun and heat have melted my brain, making me lethargic and threatening to zap my cooking creativity.Meanwhile, those same forces work wonders on my herbs.They are flourishing.

SummerFarro and Pasta Salad

Serves 10. Recipe inspired by Melissa Clark’s“Lemony Farro Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese and Mint,” which appeared in The New York Times FOR THESALAD: 1cup farro 2bay leaves 1cup orzopasta 2stalks celery, thinly sliced ¾cup thickly sliced cucumber 6scallions, sliced ¾cup roasted pistachios, roughly chopped 3cups arugula ½cup pitted Castelvetrano olives, roughly chopped ¾cup

1.

2. Meanwhile, finely grate lemons over a large bowl, avoiding the white pith. Then squeeze the juice from the lemonsinto the bowl andadd thesaltand pepperand slowly whisk in the

3. Drain the farro-pasta mixture, discard bay leaves, and add to bowlwith dressing, tossing to combine. The farro andpasta will soak up somedressing.

4. When the mixture is cool, fold in the remaining ingredients.

On managing everyone else’s feelings

Dear Miss Manners: As women, it is notour job to salvage aman’s ego when he cannot take “no” for an answer.Honestly,weneed to make this point, and loudly: NO MEANS NO.

If someone asks you on a date, it is perfectly OK to say,“That’svery nice of you, but no, thank you.”

It is then up to the other person to accept that answer —not to keep pushing and keep asking. It is up to that person to manage THEIR OWN feelings. Women are taught to avoid bruising men’segos;we are expected to manage their feelings, as well as our own. And then we are called “emotional” or “crazy”

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday,July 30

the 211th day of 2026.There are 154 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

when we react thesame way men often react in certain situations.

Gentle reader: Abit of advice on style —not thesubstance of your point:Any person, male or female, is liable to be called “emotional” when they give their responses out of order or without regard to the other person in adialogue.

anew home, and our terrace affords an excellent view of our local July Fourthfireworks. We invited some friends over for barbecue and fireworks-viewing.

agrown woman,it’snot that hot out here, and she knew it wasan outdoor event when she accepted theinvitation.”

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

It is understandably frustrating—if, unfortunately, all too common —tobeforcedtorepeat essentially identical interactionswith different people. But as Miss Manners trusts you know, yellingatsomeone at thestartis not asolution. Dear Miss Manners: We moved to

Oneofour guestsstayed inside for most of theday due to the heat,while theother guests were in and out all day.Istayed inside with her,and my husband stayed outside. So in attending to her,I neglected the other guests. How better to handle this?

Gentlereader: Did the private conversation withyour husband go somethinglike this?

“Could you look in on her,too, so Ican spend time with theother guests?”

“You don’thave to be in there with her 100% of the time. She’s

Miss Manners does not ask this to malignyour husband, whomay be aperfect host. She is merely borrowing him to makesome valid points —none of which excuse him from splitting the looking-in dutywith you. Dear Miss Manners: In hot, humid weather,myhands can be quite sticky,and I’mreluctant to offer awet palm when asked to shake hands. What’s the best waytohandle this?Isitrude to try to wipe my hand off first? Should Isay “I’m sorry,but I’msohot” if someone extends their hand?

Gentle reader: Not shaking aproffered hand is rude, and explaining that you have one of several perfectly proper exceptions to this rule is generally not an interesting topic of conversation. As your situation is repairable, it does not fall into the category of reasons not to shake. Say nothing, but first wipe your hand as surreptitiously as you can.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.

On July 30, 1976, Bruce Jenner,now known as CaitlynJenner,set aworld recordof8,618 points and won the gold medal in the Olympic decathlon at the Montreal Summer Games.

Also on this date:

In 1619, the first representative assembly in colonialAmerica convened in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony

In 1864, during the Civil War, Union forces tried to take Petersburg, Virginia, by exploding agunpowder-laden mine shaftbeneath Confederate defense lines; the attack failed In 1930, Uruguay won the first FIFAWorldCup, defeating Argentina 4-2.

In 1945, the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis,having just delivered components of the atomic bomb to Tinian in the Mariana Islands during World WarII, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine; only316 out of nearly 1,200 service members survived.

In 1956, President DwightD Eisenhower signed ameasure making “In God We Trust”the nationalmotto, replacing “E Pluribus Unum.”

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965, which led to the creation of Medicare and Medicaid.

In 2008, ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzicwas extraditedtoThe Hague toface genocide charges after nearly 13 years on therun. (Hewas sentenced by aU.N. court in 2019 to life imprisonmentafter being convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.)

In 2013, U.S. Army Pfc. Chelsea Manning was acquitted of aiding the enemy —the most serious charge she faced —but was convicted of espionage, theft and other charges at Fort Meade, Maryland, more than three years after she’d spilled secrets to WikiLeaks.(The former intelligence analyst was later sentenced to upto 35 years in prison, but the sentence was commutedbyPresident Barack Obama.)

In 2016, 16 people died when ahot-air balloon caught fire and exploded after hitting high-tension power lines before crashing into apasture near Lockhart, Texas, northeast of San Antonio.

In 2020, NASA launchedits Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter to Marsaboard an Atlas Vrocket; the helicopter’sinitial flight on Mars was in April 2021.

Today’sbirthdays: FormerMajor League Baseball Commissioner BudSelig is 92.Blues musician Buddy Guy is 90. Singer Paul Anka is 85. Actorand former California Gov.Arnold Schwarzenegger is 79. Actor Jean Reno is 78. Actor Ken Olin is 72. Actor Delta Burke is 70. Law professor Anita Hill is 70. Singer-songwriter Kate Bush is 68. Film director Richard Linklater is 66. Actor Laurence Fishburne is 65. TV personalityAlton Brown is 64. Actor Lisa Kudrow is 63. Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin is 63. Actor Vivica A. Fox is 62. Actor Terry Crews is 58. Actor Simon Bakeris57. Film directorChristopherNolan is 56. Actor TomGreen is 55 Actor Christine Taylor is 55.Actor Hilary Swank is 52. Olympic gold medal beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor is 49.

Basil-RosemaryShrub

Serves about6.RecipebyKerri Westenberg. 1packed cupbasil ½packed cup rosemary 1cup sugar 1cup champagne vinegar

1. In ajar,muddle thebasil and rosemary Add thesugar and muddle together until the mixtureturns fragrant with herbs. Addthe vinegar

2. Place apiece of parchment paper over thejar and screw on thelid, then shake well. (Parchment paper will prevent theacid of the vinegar from corrodingthe lid.)Store in the refrigerator for 3days, shaking fromtimeto time

3. Strain the ingredientsthrough acolanderlined with cheesecloth, return to the jar, andrefrigerate,where it will staygood for months.

4. To serve, pourabout 3tablespoonsofthe shrub into aglass filledwith iceand topwith sparkling water or wine.

HERBS

Continued from page1D

Right now,the fragrant plantsare growing so fast they practically beg to be plucked. At the height of their powers, they taste like theessence of summer.They’reafresh reminderthat the bestflavors of summer require little effort. Forany cook, summer herbs offer thejolt that warmweather meals need. If you don’thave aplot for your own herb garden, try to sniff out aneighbor’sharvest (and promisetorepay the favor with asample of good things to come). Otherwise, farmers’ markets and grocery stores make easy backupsources. The point is, herbs are abundant right now. Don’tmiss the chance to enjoy them at their peak. My mini-garden helped me turn afarro salad into a vibrant taste of theseason.

Strawberry-Basil Shrub

Serves about 12. Recipeinspired by Food52.

1pound strawberries, cleaned and quartered 1packed cup basil 2cups sugar 2cups champagne vinegar

1. In alarge bowl, tossthe strawberries and basil with the sugar,mashing slightly against the side of the bowl.

2. Cover the mixture and set the bowlaside on your counter for two days, stirring occasionally It will yield alovely syrup.

3. After two days, strain the mixture. Discard thesolids, pour thesyrup into ajar and add the vinegar (use moreorless, depending on the level of tartness you prefer).

4. Place apiece of parchmentpaper over the jar,screw on the lid over the parchment, and store in the refrigerator,where it will stay good for months.

5. To serve, pour about3tablespoonsofthe shrubintoa glass and top with sparkling water or wine.

sweet-tart, colorful and refreshing drinking vinegars that arefar betterthan they sound. To make acooling summer drink, pour the shrub one-quarterofthe wayinto an ice-filled glass and top with sparkling water or sparkling wine.They alsomix well with liquor

The hearty salad gets dashes of brightness from mintand depthfrom basil. It’s like eating the color green, grounded in nutty farro and tender orzo pasta. To splash thatsamecelebrationofsummer into aglass, I made twoshrubs. These are

One shrub,made with basil and rosemary,provides awonderful backdrop for gin and is sturdy enough to stand up to bourbon. The other,avibrant pink blend of strawberries and basil, balances perky fruit withanherbalkick. Herb-only shrubs require aslightly different approach than those made withnaturally juicy fruit, but both are simple to make. Get the basics down, and you can easily mix and match fruit and herbs foravariety of flavor profiles. These recipes are my reminder that while summer can drain us, it also gives us some of the year’sinvigorating flavors. All we have to do is pick them.

Dear Heloise: Iuse baking soda to absorb odors in my refrigerator.I replace the box about every four months, but instead of tossing out aperfectly good box, Iuse the remaining contents to scrub plastic toys that my young son chews on. He’scutting teeth right now It doesn’tkill bacteria, but it does agreat job of removing dirt, dust and saliva from his toys. Ihave to scrub his toys nearly every day The leftover baking soda also does agreat job on my pots and pans, in the laundry on my husband’swork clothes, and on washable rugs. What agreat product! It has so manyuses and costs so little. And thank you forall the helpful hints in your column. —Juliana T.,inAlbuquerque, New Mexico Aknocked-out tooth

DearHeloise: For years, my mother read the “Hints From Heloise” columnand enjoyed the many hints she found that made her life alittle easier.Now I’m writing to ask aquestion. My son plays on ajunior football team. One of the boys accidentally got atooth knocked out while they were playing agame. If my son, who is only 12, gets a tooth knocked out, is there any way to save the tooth and have the dentist reinstall it? —Kimberly H.,inSt. Paul,Minnesota Kimberly,ifit’sapermanent tooth, drop the tooth in aglass of milk and rush your son and his tooth to adentist. There are manyvariables to reinstalling atooth, but only your dentist would know after examining the tooth and the spot where it came from. Remember,you need to get to adentist immediately —Heloise Herb garden in kitchen

Dear Heloise: Ihonestly believe that fresh herbs makeabig difference in how food tastes. In the summer months, Igrow herbs in my garden, but all year-round, Ialso grow herbs in my kitchen. I’mlucky enough to have ahusband whomade aframethat holds 18 special pots, where Ican grow my herbs in asunny spot right in my kitchen. There’snothing like astew or ahomemade soup that is madewith fresh herbs. Imay have aspecial herb rack, but anyone can grow herbs in their kitchen on awindowsill, or in apretty pot of any kind in any room of their house. Tryit, and you’ll never buy another dried-up herb again! Emma V.,inSpringfield,Missouri Emma, Ilove to grow my own herbs. Ithink it’sahealthy,natural waytocook. My kitchen always smells of rosemary and lavender —Heloise

Email heloise@heloise.com.

HOME DELIVERED EVERYDAY

LEo(July 23-Aug.22) Theexperiences youencounterwill help you decide what you want to pursue next. An interesting partnership will develop if you participate in amovement that has an impact on something that's meaningful to you.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Chill. If you focus on the people, conversations and the chaos going on around you, you'll be disappointed in what you accomplish. Do something thatmakes you feel good about yourself.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Letting others observe whoyou are and what you can accomplish will lead to positive options and lifestylechanges that allow you to do more of what you enjoy while making aprofit.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Slow down and observe what others are doing. Distance yourself from people and situations that stifle your ability to advance. Letyourthoughts and actions guide you.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't get angry; moving is what willget you back on track. Take pride in how you look and present yourself to others. Pay attention to details, costs and what will boost your confidence.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Do what's best for you. Stop letting others pressure you into doing things that infringe on your timeand goals. It's OK to say no and to take the journey that is conducive to people and pastimes that bring you joy.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb.19) You have no time for negativity.Moveforward with apositiveframe of mind andthe intent to look, feel and do your best. Take advantage of opportunities.

PIscEs (Feb.20-March 20) Thetime you spend with someone you find uplifting will provide motivation to do what pleases you. Refuse to get caught up in someone else's drama or to try to fix everyone else's problems.

ARIEs (March 21-April19) More action and less talk will make the best statement andreceivethe most accolades. Pay attention to detail, and broaden your interests and your audience.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Keep your eye on your target, not on what others say or do. Trying to appease everyone will be your downfall. Put lack of restraint aside and focus on efficiency.

GEMInI (May21-June 20) Avoidarguments and situations that are counterproductive. You have so muchtogain if you focus on what's important to you and distance yourself from those trying to bother you.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Stick to your principles and the lifestyle that puts your mind at ease. Refuse to be afollower or to think someone knowswhat you need better than you know yourself. Trust your instincts.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2026 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 thenumbers1 to 9inthe emptysquares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box containsthe same number onlyonce. The difficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

AlbertEinsteinsaid,“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope fortomorrow. Theimportant thing is not to stop questioning.” You are in ano-trump contract and the opponents lead asuitinwhich you have only one top-trick stopper. (This is usually the ace, but might be the king if third hand takes the first trick with the ace.) Howlong do you hold up that stopper?

In this exampledeal,South is in three no-trump. What should he do after West leads hisfourth-highest spade and East puts up the queen?

Declarer has seven top tricks: one spade, one heart, four diamonds and one club. Theother two winners will come from clubs, but if that finesse loses, the defendersmight takefive black-suit tricks first.

How long should declarer hold up his spadeace?Toanswerthatquestion,typically he applies theRuleofSeven. He adds togetherthe number of cards in the suit led that are in the dummy and his hand. He subtracts the total from seven andholds up for that number of rounds.

Here,six fromseven is one. So South ducks the first trick, takes the second trick with hisspadeace, and runs the club 10. It loses, but the contract is safe.

wuzzles

Note two things. First, if East has a third spade, the suit would be breaking 4-3 and declarerwould lose only three spades and one club. Second, if South ducks two rounds of spades, West ought toshifttotheheartking.Thenthedefenders will take two spades, two hearts and one club. ©2026 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’s WoRD onEIRIc: oh-NYE-rik:Dreamy

Average mark 12 words

Time limit 25 minutes

Canyou find23ormore words in ONEIRIC?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —KILLDEER

keel kill

like deer dele deli dell diel dill dire drill eider eked elder elide reed reek reel relied ride rile

Lord, Lord, and

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. allthe words are in theOfficial sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition For moreinformation on tournamentsand clubs, emailnaspa

Yesterday’sPuzzle Answer

info@scrabbleplayers.org.

ken ken

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

WiShinG Well

numericalpuzzle designed to spellout

the numberofletters is

is

left

/nolalibrary @nolalibrary

Main Library

219 Loyola Avenue (504) 596-2570

Algiers Regional Library

3014 Holiday Drive (504) 596-2641

Alvar Library 913 Alvar Street (504) 596-2667

Central City Library

2020 Jackson Avenue,Suite139 (504) 596-3110

Children’s ResourceCenter Library 913 NapoleonAvenue (504) 596-2628

Desire /Florida Satellite Location 3250 Industry Street

East New Orleans Regional Library

5641 Read Boulevard (504) 596-0200

Cita Dennis Hubbell Library 725 Pelican Avenue (504) 596-3113

Rosa F. KellerLibrary and Community Center

4300 South Broad Avenue (504) 596-2660

Dr.MartinLuther King, Jr.Library 1611 Fats Domino Avenue (504) 596-2695

Milton H. Latter MemorialLibrary 5120 Saint CharlesAvenue (504) 596-2625

Norman Mayer Library

3001 Gentilly Boulevard (504) 596-3100

Mid-City Library

4140 Canal Street (504) 596-2654

Nora Navra Library 1902 Saint Bernard Avenue (504) 596-3118

Nix Library 1401 South CarrolltonAvenue (504) 596-2630

REACH Center

2022 St.Bernard Avenue,Building C (504) 256-6983

Robert E. SmithLibrary 6301 CanalBoulevard (504) 596-2638

EARLY LITERACY EVENTS

The NewOrleans Public Library offers storytimes for children fro birth to age 5and playtimes for ages2–5atall of our locations. Visitnolalibrary.org/early-literacy formore information

MUSIC &MOVEMENT

Dance,wiggle,and stretch as we use music and movement to practice early literacy skills. This program is designed for children ages 2–5and their caregivers.

Mondays from 10:30am –11am and 3:30pm –4pm

Milton H. Latter Memorial Library

egame build ready 2–5

M

MY FIRSTBOOK

CLUB

Perfect for little hands andbig imaginations, this beginners’book club for ages 2–5features agroup reading, a themed craft, andafree book for your home library

Register at nolalibrary.co/first-book-club

Wednesday,August 12 from 2pm –3pm

Wednesday,August 26 from 2pm –3pm Norman Mayer Library

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

STEAMCLUB

Experiment, create,orcraft at this handson STEAM event forchildrenages 6– 12.

This month’s activities include: Lil Robots at Game Day Program arobot or play avariety of board andcard games at the Library

Thursday,August 6 from 4pm –5pm Mid-City Library

Pequeñas creaciones / Small Creations: Esculpir enarcilla Esculpe ypractique su español. Este programa es para niños hispanohablantes de 6a12años ysus familias. STEAM es la abreviatura de Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería, Arte yMatemáticas.

Sculpt and practice your Spanish. This program is for Spanish-speaking kids ages 6–12and theirfamilies

Saturday,August 8 from 3pm –4pm Nora Navra Library

Mary Blair’s“It’s a Small World” Castles

Copy Mary Blair’sbright colors and simplified styling to make your own castle inspired by theart in Disney’s “It’saSmall World” ride

Register at nolalibrary.co/mary-blair

Thursday,August 20 from 4pm –5pm Rosa F. Keller Library &Community Center

Tuesday,August 25 from 4pm –5pm

Milton H. Latter Memorial Library

Plus:

•Dungeons and Dragons

•Middle Grade Book Club

•3-D Printing

•Oobleck Slime

•Optical Illusions

•Paper Mosaics

Visit nolalibrary.co/STEAM for times and locations.

CHESSCLUB

Beginner and ex are welcome at session includes needed butfocuses against other particip Library staff.P solving and develop thinking at this program for ages

Wednesdays from 4pm –5pm Algiers Regional Nix Library

CATURDAY

Louisiana SPC are headed to familiescan meet craft toys to go the shelter,and themed book.

Saturday,August from 2pm –3 Alvar Library

EN

EXPRESSYOURSELF!MONTHLY TRANS&QUEER TEEN HANGOUT WITH THENEW ORLEANSPRIDE CENTER

Enjoy games, activities, and pizza each month at this drop-in event for teens ages 11 –18.

Register at nolalibrary.co/express-yourself to help us plan supplies.

Thursday,August 13 from 4:30pm –5:30pm Main Library

ROBOTICS WORKSHOP FORTWEENS

WITH JESUITROBOTICS

Design andprogram robotstocreatea new andexciting city.High school students from Jesuit Robotics will leadthis afternoon workshop.Open to tweens ages 9– 12.

Register at nolalibrary.co/robotics.

Saturday,August 15 from 2pm –4pm East New Orleans Regional Library

WATERCOLOR PAINTPLAY TEEN DROP-IN

Experiment with watercolor paints and learn afew basic techniques.

Register at nolalibrary.co/teen-drop-in.

Tuesday,August 25 from 4pm– 5pm Mid-City Library

ADULT EVENTS TECHCONNECT

Book aone-on-one appointment to develop confidence,build computer skills, and grow more comfortable in today’s digital world.

Register at nolalibrary.co/tech-connect.

Tuesdays from 10am –12pm Wednesdays from 3pm– 5pm Algiers Regional Library

LOOKINGFOR AJOB? LETUSMAKEITEASIER

Whether you’restarting from scratch or needa second set of eyes on your application, we’ve got your back. All with assistance from Library staff and your fellow community members.

Register at nolalibrary.co/looking-for-job.

Wednesdays from 1pm –2pm Algiers RegionalLibrary

ENGLISH AS ASECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) FORBEGINNERS

Learn English vocabulary and grammar alongside other students, in-person and free of charge

Saturdays from 1pm –2pm Algiers Regional Library

CENTRALCITYBOOKSALON

Read and discuss avariety of fabulous, fun, fierce,and finely-crafted books. Newmembers always welcome.In August we are reading Another Country by JamesBaldwin.

Tuesday,August 4

from 5:30pm -6:30pm

Central City Library

AUTHOR NIGHT AT LATTER LIBRARY: LORI DOWNSSECOND NATURE:HOW TO BUILD ECOHABITS THAT STICK

Climateand sustainabilityexpert Lori Downs simplifies the brain science behind habitformation and guides readers to promoteenvironmental change with small, practical ecohabits that last.

Wednesday, August 12 from 5:30pm –6:30pm Milton H. Latter Memorial Library

SEEDLINGSTARTER CLASS WITH BARCELOGARDENS

This hands-on class will teach you all you needtoknow to grow plantsfrom seed to harvest. Practice your skills by planting aseedling to takehome.

Saturday,August 15 from 10:30am –11:30am

Mid-City Library

AUTHOR NIGHT AT HUBBELLLIBRARY: JACK B. MCGUIREKILLINGTHE KINGFISH:THE HUEYLONG ASSASSINATION

AuthorJack B. McGuire corrects the historical record and offers insights into the dangerous political landscape of 1930s Louisiana in this definitive recounting of the assassination of Huey Long.

Tuesday,August 18 from 6:30pm–7:30pm Cita Dennis Hubbell Library

RECORD SWAP

Do you have records that you don’t spin?Bring them to our Record Swap where youcan trade them forsomething fresh and connect with other music lovers. This is afree event, sales are not permitted.

Saturday,August 22 from 1pm –3pm Norman Mayer Library

SELF-PUBLISHING

WITH PRESSBOOKS

In this live webinar,learn howto create aprofessional-quality e-book or print-ready book file using Pressbooks Public. This is alive webinar conducted overZoom.

Register at nolalibrary.co/self-publishing to attend from home,orattend inperson in the Computer Lab. If attending in person, please arrive at least 10 minutes early to get set up on acomputer

Monday,August 24 from 10:30am–11:30am East New Orleans Regional Library

FREE PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS WITH CHERYL GERBER

Update your LinkedIn with afree professional headshot by local photographer Cheryl Gerber.Business or professional attire is strongly recommended. Aprofessional backdrop will be available.

Thursday,August 27 from 4:30pm –6:30pm East New Orleans Regional Library

FARM TO TABLE: AHISTORY WITH MASTER GARDENER ANNA TIMMERMAN

Master Gardener Anna Timmerman will takelisteners through ahistory of the movement, from its grassroots based in localfarmers markets;throughthe modern movement of food hubs, seasonal menus, and home-based efforts to sourceingredients locally.

Thursday,August 27 from 5:30pm –6:30pm Cita Dennis HubbellLibrary

don’tmiss don’tmiss don’t miss

neworleans paracon

“Dive intothe paranormal” is the keyline for the three-day deep dive intothe enchantingand mysterious culture of the city. It’s achance to experience haunted history tours, voodoo, the legends of vampires and meet paranormalcelebrities and experts like PattiNegri, John Zaffis andJames Stokes. Also take partin classesand workshop plus thevendor market. Things getmoving at 7p.m. Friday for ameet-and-greet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at Canal and Bourbon streets. Tickets start at $25 perclass. neworleansparacon.com.

weindorf

lagniappeclassicdog show la ssic dogshow

The Alario Center goes to the dogs for four days startingThursday for the annual shows presented by the Metairie Kennel Club and the Louisiana Kennel Club. An AKCevent, theshow features more than 1,000 fourlegged competitors in the breed, group and best-of-show segments. Admission is free with adonation of dog food or supplies. And, unless Fideauxisinthe competition, please leave himathome. This marks anew move forthe show to thecenter at 2000 Segnette Blvd., Westwego. alariocenter.com.

Deutsches Haus celebrates the customs of the German wine regions and honors theseason’s first harvest with afestival of wine from around theworld. Transformed into agarden-like German village, “tourists” use their wine passportstotravel through the Festival Hall tasting33wines andculinary delicacies. Thecorks get popped from 4p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at 1700 Moss St. on Bayou St.John. Tickets start at $85. deutscheshaus.org.

kindergartenkickoff ck to school boogaloo

ree health, wellness and resource fairfrom 10 a.m. to Saturday at Joe Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd., will help lies with children 6months to 18 years old. Immunizations qualifying families will be available, plus sports physicals, imary care, dental resources, free school supplies while last andhaircuts. There’salsogoing to be music, food, mes and more. The event is presented by Louisiana Healthcare Connection. manningchildrens.org.

LouisianaChildren’s MuseuminCity Park is helping first-time students get readyfor kindergarten witha free community event to practice classroom skills from 4:30 p.m. to 7p.m. Thursday.The fun day will include activity stations for writingnames,usingscissors, packing backpacks, healthy eating plus speech andhearing screenings.For parents, presentations in Englishand Spanish with offer practical tips. Advance registration is required. lcm.org.

bryanadams

have no idea howfar i’ll go’ don’tmiss don’tmiss don’t miss

The Canadian star brings his “Roll withthe Punches” Tour to the Smoothie King Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, joined by PatBenatar and husband Neil Giraldo. “Heaven,” “Everything IDo(IDoItfor You)” and“Summer of ‘69” are part of theportfolio for thetour that runs through theSouth before heading up East. Benatar has played New Orleans several times,including postparade Carnival parties. Tickets start at$35. smoothiekingcenter.com.

‘you

Calvin Rowe and Dancerswill provide “a haunting dance-noir exploration of light, sound and movement” over four nightsatthe Marigny Opera House.

Inspired by Orpheus’trip to theunderworld, theshow —at8p.m. Thursday through Sunday at 725 St. FerdinandSt. —blends live dance, music and more. Tickets for the event start at $34. marignyoperahouse.org.

ABOUTLAGNIAPPE

The Lagniappe section is published each ThursdaybyThe Times-Picayune |The New Orleans Advocate. All inquiries about Lagniappe shouldbe directed to the editor.

LAGNIAPPE EDITOR: Lauren Walck, lauren.walck@ theadvocate.com

COVER DESIGN: Andrea Daniel CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Victor Andrews, Violet Bucaro, Marco Cartolano,JakeClapp, Doug MacCash, Rashad Milligan, Martha Sanchez

GETLISTEDINLAGNIAPPE

SubmiteventstoLagniappe at least twoweeksin advance by sending an email to events@theadvocate.com.

ON THECOVER

People walk through theOrleans Gallery in the WarehouseDistrict during the2025 FidelityBank WhiteLinenNight.PhotobySophia Germer. Upgrades areplannedfor this year’s stroll. Doug MacCash’s story is on Page 6.

From limited-run productions to favorites like Dine &Dance, there’s something for everyone at BB’s Stage Door Canteen.Get your tickets nowfor any of our upcoming shows!

music music music

Lil Wayne to get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

BY MARCO CARTOLANO Staff writer

Lil Wayne is set to join film and music industry royalty on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, earning a star as part of the landmark’s class of 2027, organizers announced Thursday

The New Orleans rapper will be the latest Crescent City native to get a star on one of the most famous sidewalks in the country That list includes the likes of Louis Armstrong, Tyler Perry, Harry Connick Jr. and Fats Domino

As one of the most dominant rappers of the 2000s, Lil Wayne is known for his run of mixtapes and albums where he could take almost any beat and make it his. He won his first Grammy in 2008, taking home four awards for his album “Tha Carter III” and song “Lollipop.” He has since founded the record label Young Money Entertainment.

An icon of the New Orleans hiphop scene, Lil Wayne has continually represented the Hollygrove neighborhood where he was born.

Last year, New Orleans kicked off its own version of the Walk of Fame on Canal Street, and Lil Wayne was among the first inductees.

The 2027 Hollywood Walk of Fame class has 32 new inductees, including Keke Palmer, The Ramones, Idris Elba, Linkin Park, Pedro Pascal and several other names from across the entertainment industry.

Dates have not yet been scheduled for star ceremonies, organizers said.

A second-line heads to the New Orleans Jazz Museum for the 2022 Satchmo Summerfest.

Investing ‘in the festival’s future’

Satchmo Summerfest adds new stage to annual lineup celebrating legendary trumpeter

BY VIOLET BUCARO Staff writer

New Orleans’ annual festival dedicated to the legacy of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong is back for a 26th year in the French Quarter this weekend, ahead of the famous trumpeter’s Aug. 4 birthday

Satchmo Summerfest will be from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave., with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.

New this year is an additional outdoor stage on Barracks Street, thanks to an anonymous donation to the museum. Called the Friends of Fest Stage, it’s “designed to inspire others to invest in the festival’s future and help keep this cherished tradition vibrant, accessible, and free

for generations to come,” the festival said.

There will be over two dozen performances, a tribute lecture series and free admission to the museum. Headliners include a Kermit Ruffins tribute to Armstrong, Mark Braud’s All-Stars with Wendell Brunious, Paul Sanchez and Kiki Chapman, as well as Don Vappie and Jazz Creole, and HaSizzle with TBC Brass Band.

On the Satchmo Legacy Stage inside the museum, expert talks on Armstrong’s legacy will be led by historian Ricky Riccardi and dance artist Lisa La Touche. Other activities include Zulu coconut painting and a presentation led by nonprofit youth program Roots of Music. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with a jazz Mass at St. Augustine Church, followed by a traditional Satchmo

Salute Parade through Treme.

Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901 and died 69 years later, having gained great popularity in the 1930s for records with his Hot Seven band, as well as his iconic trumpet solos and expressive, raspy vocals.

“Satchmo Summerfest has always been more than a festival. It is a celebration of where jazz comes from and the city that gave it to the world,” said Lisa Alexis, president of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation.

The museum also is taking on a $1.1 million renovation and recently received $900,000 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the American Rescue Plan’s Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation program. That will combine with $225,000 in local matching funds to make upgrades like a remodeled first-floor cafe.

Email Violet Bucaro at violet. bucaro@theadvocate.com.

music music music

Odd the Artist’s ‘Mothership’ leans into new role

BY JAKE CLAPP Gambit Weekly

As Odd the Artist was developing her latest project, “Mothership,” she started digging into the Blaxploitation films of the ’70s. She was drawn to the portrayal of strong Black women, like Pam Grier in “Foxy Brown” and Tamara Dobson in “Cleopatra Jones,” ready to wield a gun and save the day

There was an “ability to showcase that women are strong. There’s an ability to protect and ascend. There’s strength and leadership,” said the New Orleans rapper, producer, DJ and visual artist Jasmine Williams, who performs as Odd. “That was displayed mostly in the movies of that era. I see it now, but back then it was like a stamp in the community.”

“Mothership,” released earlier this year, is about motherhood and Williams’ own journey as a new parent and a hard-working artist She wanted to have that same Black feminist strength on the album — and there are ’70s soul and funk-inspired samples in the production of the album.

“There’s the realities of love and ambition,” she said. “The ship symbolizes survival, leadership and the generational responsibility of Black women and what they shoulder. But there’s also power to build and ascend and protect.”

Williams grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Dillard University with a degree focused on the music industry. She started rapping and learning to produce her own music, using a MacBook and a Wii microphone, while in high school, and since 2019, she’s released a steady string of EPs and singles.

In recent years, Williams has been hitting bigger and bigger stages, like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest and the now-defunct BUKU Music + Art Project. She’s also La Reezy’s live DJ and last fall went on tour with the ascendant New Orleans rapper and played Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival.

But 2024 was an especially monumental year for Williams. She opened for Noname during the hip-hop artist’s

Odd the Artist

By

KERRy SANTA CRUZE

stop at the Republic and, in the spring, released her first full-length album, “Let Go, Let Odd,” which found Williams leaning into her abilities as a singer with a mix of hip-hop, R&B and neo-soul.

Just a few days after her album release show, though, Williams learned she was pregnant. And her son Apollo was born that December, following a difficult birth during which Apollo had to be resuscitated.

While also adjusting to being a new mother in 2025, Williams continued to create art and music and, last October, released the song “Go All In” before joining La Reezy on tour. Playing shows and traveling made Williams want to get back to hip-hop, and La Reezy encouraged her to develop “Mothership.”

Across “Mothership,” Williams raps about the different parts of her recent life, often with a lot of vulnerability There are the joys and challenges of parenting, acceptance that she’s going to make mistakes and openness about the dangerous delivery she went through On the track, “Breathe,” La Reezy offers a guest verse from Apollo’s perspective.

“I wanted to be as real as I could,” Williams said. “My whole approach to making music in general is embracing reality.”

Williams also is committed to her artistic dreams, and there’s a ton of confidence across “Mothership.” As she raps on “Don’t Miss,” Williams is “Making moves with Apollo on my hip.”

Williams produced most of “Mothership” and, influenced by “Drought” era Lil Wayne, Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint,” Kanye West and Lil Kim’s ’96 record “Hard Core,” she sought heavy drums

and an epic feeling.

Williams’ boyfriend and the father of Apollo, Leverne, co-produced “Mothership” and made the beat for the track “Perfect Mother.” And producers ndigoslim, Dvmn Rudy, Stix and DJ PJ also contributed to the project.

Sketches at the beginning and end of “Mothership” frame the album like a flight full of mothers taking the journey together There are spoken word interludes from women talking about art and motherhood.

“Every woman carries a universe, and every mother is a vessel of creation,” Williams said. “I wanted to put that out there as like I’m mothering the game, in a sense.”

Find “Mothership” at oddtheartist. com. And find a recently release album of freestyles at youtube.com/@oddtheartist.

shop @gaetanasnola cuckoo for c o c o a

events events events

Artist Mitchell Gaudet combines a flock of cast glass birds and arepurposed statue to create asymbol of spirituality.

PROVIDED PHOTO

ByARTHUR ROGER GALLERy

Peak summer in NewOrle

eansmeans donning linenand taking an artstrollonJuliaStreet ITEHOT

Arty partiers will gather Saturdayfor theFidelity Bank White Linen Night, the ArtsDistrict’s spectacular summertime soiree

Doug MacCash

With exhibits in 25 art galleries and museums, live music and outdoorart displays, it’sone of New Orleans’great free events. Begun 32 years ago,White Linen Night was originally amodest affair,presentedasa way to entice art loverstoventureout during the depth ofthe summer doldrums. But over the years, “it hasgrown beyond anything anyone imagined,” asArtsDistrict spokesperson Christy Wood put it.

For afew hours, the 300 to 600 blocks of Julia Street are converted into acrowded, vehiclefree, pedestrian promenade, with foodtrucks and bars aplenty

This year,Wood said,there’s reasontothink thebash will be better than ever. Overthe years, WhiteLinen Night hasbeenmanagedbythe Arts District,the Contemporary ArtsCenter andothers.But for the2026 event, theArts Districthas hired French Quarter FestivalInc.toproducethe bigparty

Based on recent attendance,40,000folks are expected to brave the heat and humidity Saturday.The event drawsboth experienced art aficionados and those whoare newtothe scene. Thereare also those who just want to join the enormous,elegant crowd.

White Linen Night is one of the greatsee-andbe-seenopportunities on the CrescentCity calendar.White is the customary wardrobe color of choice,but there’s no dresscodeper se. Cool is the only rule.

ä See LINEN, page 8

WHEN: 5p.m.to10p.m.Saturday

WHERE: 300 to 600 blocks of Julia Street; Contemporary Arts Center,900 CampSt.; Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St.; and elsewhere in the area

ADMISSION: Free

INFORMATION: artsdistrictneworleans.com

Participants danceto Casme on Julia Street during the 2025 Fidelity Bank White Linen Night in the Warehouse District.

AFTER-PARTY: 9p.m. to midnight Saturdayatthe CAC, with live entertainment, dancing,art-making activitiesand apreview of future programming.Admission $25.

events events events

LINEN

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Promising new producer

As Wood pointed out, French Quarter Fest Inc., which administers an absolutely enormous, free, springtime music and food extravaganza, has plenty of experience with throwing extreme parties.

Emily Madero, the organization’s president and CEO, said that the artistic vision behind White Linen Night will remain in the hands of the galleries and museums. French Quarter Fest’s job will be to handle the “staging, sound, sanitation, public safety and security.” The goal is to make things go “smoothly,” she said White Linen Night has had live bands in the past, as well as DJs in the street. But this year, the music will play a larger role, with performances by trumpet maestro Irvin Mayfield and jazz chanteuse Robin Barnes performing on a stage in the 600 block of Julia Street. New Orleans Center for Creative Arts alumni and students will perform on another stage in the 300 block. Individual galleries are also planning live indoor concerts.

In hopes of reducing the wait time for food and refreshments, the new White Linen Night producers promise 11 food vendors — up from eight last year — and two extra bars.

Madero said French Quarter Fest Inc. also produces the Satchmo SummerFest, which takes place at the edge of the French Quarter earlier on the same day as White Linen Night She said she hopes some of the Satchmo Summerfest crowd will climb aboard the riverfront streetcar line and ride Uptown to the big art block party.

The art’s the thing

Bottom line, art is White Linen Night’s raison d’être, and this year promises to be a visual feast, as usual. One of the pleasures of the event is that galleries often present group shows, which is a great way to become acquainted with the myriad styles and mediums employed by today’s artists.

The CAC, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Ferrara Showman gallery, LeMieux gallery, Orleans gallery and Arthur Roger gallery will all feature wide-ranging group exhibits. For art lovers, White Linen Night is a smor-

stirring paintings of second-line-style brass bands titled “Brass Gods” by New Orleans artist Keith Duncan. Glass master Mitchell Gaudet will display examples of his contemplative, spiritual sculptures.

In his first public exhibit, musician and visual artist Ché Reed will present a series of drawings, titled “Vignettes of an Autistic Mind.” And high-tech artist Sean Svetlik will create artificial intelligence-generated portraits that will appear on a plotting machine during the course of the opening.

If that weren’t plenty, Arthur Roger, 432 Julia St., will present a selection of works by artists who have created mega-sculptures for the annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. The pièce de résistance may be a steampunk dirigible by the marvelous sculptor Walker Babington that’s expected to be moored outside the gallery.

gasbord of smorgasbords.

The Arthur Roger gallery exhibit

is the spot not to miss in 2026 for an eclectic experience. Visitors will find

Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@ theadvocate.com.

culture culture culture

LSU legend Angel Reese has her own Barbie doll

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN Staff writer

Angel Reese now has a new Barbie doll. The 2023 LSU national champion and Atlanta Dream All-Star forward released the figure last week at the start of the 2026 WNBA AllStar Weekend in Chicago.

The relationship between Barbie and Reese goes back to her days at LSU. As the star forward grew in national prominence, she got the nickname “Bayou Barbie.”

Mattel announced the collaboration with Reese includes a customized pair of her Angel Reese 1 Reebok basketball shoes.

On Aug. 3, the Dream are hosting a Barbie Game Day night at State Farm Arena against the Las Vegas Aces. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive rally towels, and the organization offered different ticket packages that let select fans also receive a Barbie headband, bag, or Reese Barbie-themed jersey.

“From her on-court achievements and entrepreneurial leadership to her tireless advocacy for girls, Angel Reese is helping children see that confidence, ambition, and resilience can open countless doors,” said Nathan Baynard, vice president and head of Barbie, Mattel. “We’re proud to honor her through our Barbie Signature doll and collaboration with Reebok, giving fans new ways to celebrate Angel and all she represents.”

Reese, who appeared in her third WNBA AllStar Game Saturday in as many years as she’s been in the league, expressed her gratitude for the doll.

“Having my own Barbie doll is a true dream come true for me,” Reese said “It’s such an incredible honor because it’s about showing girls that there are no limits to what they can achieve. I’ve never let anyone else define what’s possible for me, and every challenge I’ve faced has only made me stronger. I hope this doll reminds girls to be unapologetically themselves, embrace every part of who they are, and go after their dreams with confidence.”

Reese is averaging 15.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals in her first season with the Atlanta Dream, who are No. 6 in the WNBA standings at 16-10.

Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@ theadvocate.com.

“I hope this doll reminds girls to be unapologetically themselves, embrace every part of who they are, and go after their dreams with confidence.”

ANGEL REESE,WNBA basketball player

stages stages stages

MariaHefte, from left, John Michael Haas andMaggie Windler have abit of fun in the Jefferson Performing Arts’ production of ‘A Gentleman’sGuide to Loveand Murder.’

PROVIDED PHOTOSBYJOHN B. BARROIS

Death comestoNew Orleanstheaters

MurderouscharacterslurkonWestBank,Slidell in upcoming Broadway takes

Murder takes center stage in a pair of plays stretching across the breadth of the metro area as summer slinks on and music makesthe mayhem go ‘round.

‘A Gentleman’sGuide to Love and Murder’

Offerings at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre of Jefferson PerformingArts have blossomedtoinclude some full-scale musicals and otherBroadwayhits.

Victor Andrews

Since Gary Rucker took thehelm as creative and managing director of the theater, the bill of fare hasincludeda locally written story that spans generations as well as aslate of shows including “My Fair Lady,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Spamalot.”

But opening this week is the 2014 Broadway smash about aBritish no-

Members of the ‘A Gentleman’sGuideofLoveand Murder’ ensemble include Ryan Nocito, from left, Chrissy Bowen, Shelbi Copain, Ty Robbins and Mitchell Kogan. The showopensthis weekend at theWestwegoPerforming Arts Theatre.

ble family, with abit of music,aload of laughs and alot of murder

It seems that alow-bornfellow desires to takethe titleearlofHighhurst,but eight people stand in his way ... atfirst.One by one, they succumb and it’s done, but he mayhave fallen in love in themayhem.

David Hoover takes thedirector’s spot for this show, with John Michael Haas as the murderous main character. Ruckertakes the role of all the victims from theD’ysquithFamily. Othercharacters include Christina Cross, Maria Hefte, Magie Windler, RyanNocito, Chrissy Bowen, Mitch-

ell Kogan, Ty Robbins, Shelbi Copain and Cara Waring.

In Broadway years, the show is still atoddler

“It’sanew show and that’ssomething I’m very excited about,” Rucker said. “It’svery funny and the cast is incredibly talented. Ithink if people give it achance, they will be pleasantly surprised.”

That muchaction can be amonstrous task for acast and crew

“The technical elements are alot of fun but have definitely been a bit challenging, but luckily Ihave a great production team on it,” he said. “For me personally,getting to play all these wacky characters has been incredibly fun.”

The show is at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2p.m.Sundays through Aug. 9at177 Sala Ave. in Westwego. Tickets start at $42. Visit jpas.org.

‘Chicago’ Kanderand Ebb’sVaudeville-style

setting for the murderous 1920s in this Illinois town takes to unique stages of Slidell’s Cutting Edge Center of the Arts as they “paint the town and all that jazz.”

From “Cellblock Tango” to “Mr. Cellophane,” the musical score is loaded with familiar tunes that have become mainstays of the Broadway songbook since the show debuted in 1975.

The story looks at lover-killer Roxie Hart, death-row inmate Velma Kelly, slick lawyer Billy Flynn, a reporter, a husband, a warden and a group of merry murderesses who can sing and dance to a jazz beat.

Brian Fontenot does dual duty as the director and the hapless husband, and is joined in the show’s ensemble by Daniel Mack as assistant director and Jessica Guastella as choreographer. Chloe Hansen is Roxie, Megan Augustine is Velma and Rob Reidenauer is lawyer Billy Flynn. Ashley Brider is the warden and other cast includes Gretchen Reidenauer, Cambrie Roger, Alyssa Scott, Ashley O’Neil, Heather McLemore, Erica McMannis, Samantha Margiotta, Missy Avery, Becky Daigrepont, Kaya Welsh, Andi Carroll, K Steele, Jesi Abney, Megan Augustine, Dallas McCann, Kevin Houson Mason, Kaylin Amani, Tina Kingman, Chris Hreha, Kelsey Fife, Chris Grimwood, Edward “E.J.” West and Chase Field.

The show opens 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 15 at 767 Robert Blvd. Tickets start at $33. Visit cuttindedgetheater.com

In production

“A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC”: Opening 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; Dixon Hall, Tulane University Uptown campus. Tulane Summer Lyric’s finale by Stephen Sondheim is set in Sweden at the turn of the last century and focuses on actress Desirée Armfeldt and those who love her, including her current and past paramours They’ve married jealous women, but all agree to head to Desirée’s mother’s country estate for a weekend. Tickets start at $32. liberalarts.tulane.edu.

“THE ROSE TATTOO”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 9; Loyola’s Marquette Theater, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Tennessee Williams Theatre Co.’s production about a Sicilian widow living somewhere in Mississippi with her daughter, who deifies her late husband, in spite of his all-too-human foibles, sheltering herself and her daughter She begins to come out with the arrival of another truck driver named Alvaro. Tickets start at $45. twtheatrenola.com.

Email Victor Andrews at vandrews@ theadvocate.com.

food food food

Pat McClellan, longtime Flora-Bama co-owner who ‘built a legend,’ dies

BY MARTHA SANCHEZ Staff writer

Pat McClellan, who helped transform the famous Flora-Bama Lounge into a legendary Gulf Coast landmark, died at age 77 last week.

The Pensacolo, Florida, venue announced his death in a social media post, saying McClellan died “peacefully in his sleep.”

“Some people own a business,” the post said. “Pat McClellan built a legend.”

McClellan became a co-owner of the bar in 1984 alongside Joe Gilchrist, who died in 2022. The partners transformed the roadhouse honky tonk into a hub for singers and songwriters around the region. The venue also credits McClellan with creating its signature events, including an annual New Year’s Day plunge into the Gulf and the iconic Flora-Bama Interstate Mullet Toss.

Early in his life, according to the venue, McClellan spent four years as a public affairs and special services officer aboard the USS Lexington. He later bartended, then became general manager at the entertainment complex Seville Quarter in Pensacola.

He also co-chaired Pensacola’s first Mardi Gras committee.

Partners John McInnis and Cameron Price joined the bar’s ownership in 2009.

McInnis told WEAR-TV in Pensacola on Friday that McClellan “just had a very kind spirit about him.”

“He was not pretentious, wasn’t overbearing and just a very kind man,” McInnis said. “He was the life of the party; everyone just wanted to be around him.”

The bar honored the spirit it said McClellan helped cultivate.

“If you’ve ever thrown a mullet, toasted with a Bushwacker, danced barefoot to a band you didn’t know you’d love, laughed with a stranger who became a friend, or watched the sun disappear over Perdido Key,” the bar’s statement said, “you’ve experienced a little piece of Pat’s heart.”

A group of tourists take a selfie in 2021 at the FloraBama Lounge in Pensacolo, Fla.