Five Mile Eatery wants to take over vacant home in Myrtle Place
BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
Residents in Lafayette’sMyrtle Place neighborhood are divided over whethera restaurant should be allowed in the mostly residential neighborhood.
The owners of Five Mile Eatery, which currently operates in the Oil Center,want to move into avacant house at 903 Myrtle Place, at its intersection with Congress Street between University Avenue and St. Mary Boulevard. It is within walking distance to Lafayette Middle School and Myrtle Place Elementary School.
Thesingle-familyhouse was built before Congress Street was widened, putting motorists in close proximity to the house.
Allowing the house to become a restaurant would requirethe City Council to rezone thepropertywith
Splitrapidly escalates into apublicfeud
BY MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press
WASHINGTON Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s alliance tookoff like one of SpaceX’srockets. It was supercharged and soared high. And then it blew up. The spectacular flameoutThursday peaked as Trump threatened to cutMusk’sgovernmentcontracts and Musk claimed that Trump’s administration hasn’treleasedall
“What wasnot well known up untilour study is that these stormsurge events are appearing to become moresevereinterms of thewater they bring in on average.”
D.J. RASMUSSEN,one of
the study’sauthors
FILE PHOTO
Aphotographerbraves the water on Lakeshore Drive to getaphotoofthe stormsurgeafter Hurricane Francine hit the Mandeville lakefrontinSeptember
Study: Stormsurge worseninginGulf
Research findswarming waters,risingseascould be main contributors
BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer
As the state prepares for ahurricane season predicted to be aboveaverage,anew study shows storm surge may be worsening more than previously thought along much of theGulf Coast, including southeast Louisiana.
The findingsbased on nationwide coastal datafrom the past 70 yearsindicate the southeastern Atlanticand eastern Gulf Coast are some of theworst hot spots forin-
tensifying storm surge. The causes are still being determined, but warming waters and accompanying rising seas could be main contributors, thescientists from Princeton, Tulane and other institutions say “The Gulf Coast has amuch moresevere hazard for storm surge than the rest of the country —that’s kind of beenknown,” said D.J. Rasmussen, one of the study’sauthors. “What was notwellknown up until our study is that these stormsurge events are appearing to become more severe in terms of the water they bring in on average.”
This meansthat on top of rising sea levels and land sinking, worsening storm surge heightens the risks for coastal communities at the forefront of environmental hazards.
ä See SURGE, page 7A
Trump-Musk alliance blowsup
the records related to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein because Trumpis mentioned in them.
The tech entrepreneur even shared apost on social media calling for Trump’simpeachment and skewered thepresident’ssignature tariffs, predictingarecession this year.
ä Cassidy meets with Trump on spending bill. PAGE 4A
Themessy blowup between the president of the United States and theworld’srichest man played out on theirrespectivesocial media platforms after Trumpwas asked during aWhite Housemeeting with Germany’snew leader about Musk’scriticism of his spending bill. Trump had largely remained silentasMusk stewed over the pastfew days on his social media platform X, condemning the president’sso-called“BigBeautifulBill.” But Trumpclapped back Thursday in the Oval Office, saying he was “very disappointed in Musk. Musk responded on social media
Senate panelOKs campaign finance overhaul
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
The Louisiana Legislature could soon overhaul campaign finance laws for public officials, setting up new rules forpolitical committees, raising thelimit forwhich contributions have to be reported, and setting stricter rules forwhen campaign finance violations can be investigated.
Supporters say thechangeswill “modernize” Louisiana’sCampaign Finance Disclosure Act so thatitmoreclosely aligns with federal rules. They also say the changeswill morestrongly protect thefreespeech rightsofpeople whospend money to express political views.
“Campaignfinance lawshould be clear to prevent the wasting of constitutionally protected free speech dollars,” said Stephen Gelé, an attorney whohas been involved in writing the bill. “Complaints of violation of campaign finance law should be handled judiciously and fairly,protecting the right of due process guaranteedbythe United States and Louisiana Constitutions as wellasprotecting taxpayer dollars.”
Gelé also represents Gov.Jeff Landry in an ongoing ethicsdispute.
House Bill 693, sponsored by Rep. Mark Wright, R-Covington, advanced out of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee
STAFF PHOTO By CLAIRE TAyLOR
Five Mile Eateryowners want to open arestaurant in ahouse at the corner of
Street
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByEVANVUCCI PresidentDonaldTrump speaksduring anewsconferencewith Elon Musk in the Oval Office on May30.
ä See NEIGHBORS, page 7A
NTSB finds fuel leak in engine that caught fire
A fuel leak and several improperly installed parts were found inside the engine of an American Airlines plane that caught fire after the plane landed in Denver in March, according to a new report released Thursday
The National Transportation Safety Board said one part inside the right engine of the Boeing 737-800 was loose and had been installed in an incorrect direction and that fuel was leaking from the fitting of another part that was incorrectly fastened
The preliminary findings don’t identify the cause of the fire because the NTSB won’t reach that conclusion until after it completes its investigation sometime next year
But former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti said the problems investigators found in the engine appear to be the source of the fuel that caught fire.
“To me, it looks like improper maintenance in the right engine leading to a fuel leak,” Guzzetti said after reading the NTSB report.
Pictures included in the NTSB report show streaks on the outside of the engine from the leaking fuel, and airport video showed a trail of fluid leaking from under the right engine as the airplane taxied into the gate Harvard files challenge over Trump’s new ban
Harvard University is challenging President Donald Trump’s move to block foreign students from coming to the United States to attend the Ivy League school, calling it illegal retaliation for Harvard’s rejection of White House demands. In an amended complaint filed Thursday, Harvard called the president’s action an endrun around a previous court order Last month, a federal judge blocked the Department of Homeland Security from revoking Harvard’s ability to host foreign students.
The filing attacks Trump’s legal justification for the action — a federal law allowing him to block a “class of aliens” deemed detrimental to the nation’s interests Targeting only those who are coming to the U.S. to study at Harvard doesn’t qualify as a “class of aliens,” Harvard said in its filing.
“The President’s actions thus are not undertaken to protect the ‘interests of the United States,’ but instead to pursue a government vendetta against Harvard,” the university wrote. Prosecutors highlight murder suspect’s writing NEW YORK Six weeks before UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel in December suspect Luigi Mangione mused about rebelling against “the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel,” prosecutors revealed Wednesday
The Manhattan district attorney’s office quoted extensively from Mangione’s handwritten diary highlighting his desire to kill an insurance honcho and praise for the Unabomber — as they fight to uphold his state murder charges. They also cited a confession they say he penned “To the feds,” in which he wrote that “it had to be done.” Mangione’s lawyers want the state case thrown out, arguing in court papers that those charges and a parallel federal death penalty case amount to double jeopardy
The state charges, which carry a maximum of life in prison, allege that Mangione wanted to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” that is, insurance employees and investors. The federal charges allege that Mangione stalked an individual, Thompson, and do not involve terror allegations.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty in both cases. No trial dates have been set.
Trump: Let Ukraine, Russia ‘fight’
Germany’s chancellor says U.S. president could put pressure on Putin
BY SEUNG MIN KIM, KIRSTEN GRIESHABER and GEIR MOULSON Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Thursday that it might be better to let Ukraine and Russia “fight for a while” before pulling them apart and pursuing peace, even as Germany’s new chancellor appealed to him as the “key person in the world” who could halt the bloodshed by pressuring Vladimir Putin.
In an Oval Office meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the U.S. president likened the war in Ukraine — which Russia invaded in February 2022 to a fight between two children who hate each other Trump said that with children, “sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart,” adding that he relayed the analogy to Putin in a call this week
“I said, ‘President, maybe you’re going to have to keep fighting and suffering a lot,’ because both sides are suffering before you pull them apart, before they’re able to be pulled apart,” Trump said. “You see in hockey, you see it in sports. The referees let them go for a couple of seconds, let them go for a little while before you pull them apart.”
The comments were a remarkable detour from Trump’s often-stated appeals to stop the violence in Ukraine and he again denounced the
The 69-year-old Merz — who came to office with an extensive business background — is a conservative former rival of previous Chancellor Angela Merkel Merz took over her party after she retired from politics.
Merz has thrown himself into diplomacy on Ukraine, traveling to Kyiv with fellow European leaders days after taking office and receiving president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin last week. He has thanked Trump for his support for an unconditional ceasefire while rejecting the idea of “dictated peace” or the “subjugation” of Ukraine and advocating for more sanctions against Russia.
On Thursday, Trump also kept the threat of sanctions on the table but for both Russia and Ukraine. He said he has not looked at bipartisan Senate legislation that would impose harsh economic punishments on Moscow, but said of sanctions efforts that “they would be guided by me,” rather than Capitol Hill.
bloodshed Thursday even as he floated the possibility that the two countries should continue the war for a time. Merz carefully sidestepped Trump’s assertions and emphasized that the U.S. and Germany both agree on “how terrible this war is,” while making sure to lay blame squarely on Putin for the violence and make the point that Germany was siding with Ukraine
“We are both looking for ways to stop it very soon,” Merz said in the Oval Office. “I told the president before we came in that he is the key person in the world who can really do that now by putting pressure on Russia.” Thursday’s meeting was the first time the two leaders sat down in person.
Israel recovers bodies of 2 Israeli-American hostages
BY MELANIE LIDMAN, NATALIE MELZER and WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli strikes overnight and into Thursday meanwhile killed at least 22 people, including three local journalists who were in the courtyard of a hospital, according to health officials in the territory The military said it targeted a militant in that strike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remains of Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai were recovered and returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency
Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein, 70, and Haggai, 72, both of whom had Israeli and U.S. citizenship, in December 2023. Weinstein was also a Canadian citizen.
The military said they were killed in the Oct. 7 attack and taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, the small armed group that it said had also abducted and killed Shiri Bibas and her two small children.
The army said it recovered the remains of Weinstein and Haggai overnight into Thursday from Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis.
The couple were taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of Oct. 7 when Hamas militants stormed across the border and rampaged through several army bases and farming communities.
In the early hours of the morning, Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family Weinstein was born in New York and
taught English to children with special needs at Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small community near the Gaza border The kibbutz said she also taught meditation techniques to children and teenagers who suffered from anxiety as a result of rocket fire from Gaza. Haggai was a retired chef and jazz musician.
“My beautiful parents have been freed. We have certainty,” their daughter, Iris Haggai Liniado, wrote in a Facebook post. She thanked the Israeli military, the FBI and the Israeli and U.S. governments and called for the release of all the remaining hostages.
U.N. efforts to distribute aid suffered a blow Thursday when the Palestinian organization that provides trucks and drivers said it was suspending operations after gunmen attacked a convoy, killing a driver
The Special Transport Association said the convoy of some 60 trucks was heading into Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Wednesday evening when gunmen attacked, killing one driver and wounding three others. The association said it was the latest in attacks on convoys “clearly aimed at obstructing” aid delivery, though it did not say who it believed was behind the attack.
Israel has accused Hamas of stealing aid and trying to block it from reaching Palestinians. Aid workers have said attacks on U.N. trucks appear to be by criminal gangs, some operating within sight of Israeli troops.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a mainly American private contractor resumed food distribution at two centers near the southern city of Gaza on Thursday It had halted all distribution the day before, saying it was discussing greater safety measures with the Israeli military Near daily shootings have erupted in the vicinity of the hubs, with Palestinians reporting Israeli troops opening fire. More than 80 people have been killed and hundreds wounded, according to Gaza hospital officials. The Israeli military has said it fired warning shots or at individuals approaching its troops in some instances.
“When I see the moment where it’s not going to stop we’ll be very, very tough,” Trump said “And it could be on both countries to be honest. It takes two to tango.”
For Merz’s part, he used Friday’s anniversary of D-Day — when Allied forces launched an assault that began the liberation of Europe from German occupation to appeal to Trump to help lead the ending of another violent war
Merz noted that June 6, 1944, began the liberation of Germany from a Nazi dictator and that “American is again in a very strong position to so something on this war and ending this war.”
“That was not a pleasant day for you?” Trump interjected to the German leader when he referenced D-Day
Private lunar lander falls silent during its descent
BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer
A private lunar lander from Japan fell silent while descending to the moon with a mini rover Friday and its fate was unknown.
The Tokyo-based company ispace said its lander dropped out of lunar orbit as planned and everything seemed to be going well But there was no immediate word on the outcome, following the hourlong descent.
As the tension mounted, the company’s livestream of the attempted landing came to an abrupt end.
The encore came two years after the company’s first moonshot ended in a crash landing, giving rise to the name Resilience for its successor lander Resilience carried a rover with a shovel to gather lunar dirt as well as a Swedish artist’s toy-size red house for placement on the moon’s dusty surface. Launched in January from Florida on a long, roundabout journey Resilience entered lunar orbit last month. It shared a SpaceX ride with Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost, which reached the moon faster and became the first private entity to successfully land there in March. Another U.S. company, Intuitive Machines, arrived at the moon a few days after Firefly But the tall, spindly lander faceplanted in a crater near the moon’s south pole and was declared dead within hours. Resilience was targeting the top of the moon a less forbidding place than the shadowy bottom. Plans had called for the 7.5-foot Resilience to beam back pictures within hours and for the lander to lower the piggybacking rover onto the surface this weekend.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ARIEL SCHALIT
People take part in a protest Saturday in Tel Aviv israel, demanding the end of the war and immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON
President Donald Trump, left, greets Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz upon his arrival Thursday at the White House in Washington.
Weinstein Haggai
Governments denounce
BY CHRIS MEGERIAN and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
WASHINGTON Officials in some of the 12 countries whosecitizens will be soon banned from visiting theUnitedStates denouncedPresident Donald Trump’smove to resurrect ahallmark policy of his first term and vowed Thursday topush back against the U.S. The ban, which was announced Wednesday,takes effect at 12:01a.m.Monday,a cushionthat may avoid the chaos that unfolded at airports nationwide when a similar measure took effect with virtually no notice in 2017. Trump, whosignaledplans for anew ban upon taking office again in January,appears to be on firmer ground this time afterthe Supreme Court sided with him.
The 12 countries —Afghanistan, Myanmar,Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea,Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen —includesomeofthe world’spoorest nations. Seven
more countries —Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo,Turkmenistan and Venezuela —now face heightened travel restrictions.
In the central African nation of Chad, President Mahamat Deby Itnoannounced his country would respondbysuspending visasto U.S.citizens“in accordance with the principles of reciprocity.”
In apostonFacebook,Deby notedthathis nation, which faces widespread poverty,could offer no gifts, and he made abarely veiled reference to Qatar giving Trumpa luxuryBoeing 747 jet to use as Air Force One. “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollarstogive but Chad has its dignity and pride,”
Deby said Some other African countries were more conciliatory,withSierra Leone’sinformation minister, ChernorBah,saying the country “will work with U.S.authorities” to address the White House concerns.
Some of the 12 countries were on the banned list in Trump’sfirst
term. North Korea and Syria,which wereonthe list in thefirst administration, werespared this time. While manyofthe listed countriessend few people to the United States, Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela had been major sourcesofimmigration in recent years.
The travel ban resultsfrom a Jan. 20 executiveorder Trump issuedrequiring government agencies to compile areporton “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. and whetherentry from certain countries represented anational securityrisk.
Trump said some countries had “deficient”screening for passports andother public documents or have historically refused to take back their own citizens. He relied extensively on an annual HomelandSecurityreportofpeople who remain in theU.S. after their visasexpired.
Measuring overstay rates has challenged expertsfor decades, but the government has madea limitedattempt annually since 2016. Trump’s proclamation cites overstayrates for eight of the12
Consultant behind AI-generated robocallsgoesontrial in N.H.
N.O. magician was paid to create originalrecording
BY HOLLYRAMER Associated Press
CONCORD,N.H. Apolitical consultant whosentvoters artificial intelligence-generatedrobocallsmimicking former President Joe Biden last year went on trial Thursday in New Hampshire, where jurors are being asked to considernot just his guilt or innocence but whether the state actually held its first-in-the-nation presidential primary
“This case is about abrazen attack on the integrity of the 2024 New Hampshire presidential primary election,” Assistant Attorney General Brendan O’Donnell said in opening statements in Belknap County Superior Court.
Steven Kramer , who faces decades in prison if convicted of voter suppression and impersonating acandidate, has admitted orchestrating amessage sent to thousands of voters two days before the Jan. 23, 2024, primary.The message played an AI-generated voice similar to the Democratic president’s that used his catchphrase “What a bunch of malarkey” and, as prosecutors allege, suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting ballots in November “It’simportant that you save your vote for the November election,” voters were told. “Your votes make adifference in November, not this Tuesday.” Kramer,who owns afirm specializing in get-out-thevote projects,has said he
wasn’ttrying to influence the election but rather wanted to sendawake-upcall about the potential dangers of AI when he paid New Orleans ma gician Paul Carpenter$150 to create the recording.
“May be I’m avillain today,but I thinkin the end we get abettercountry and better democracy because of what I’ve done, deliberately,” Kramer told TheAssociated Press in February 2024.
Ahead of the trial, prosecutors sought to prevent Kramer from arguing that the primary was ameaningless straw poll because itwasn’t sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee. At Biden’srequest, the DNC dislodged New Hampshire from its traditional earlyspotin the nominating calendar,but later dropped its threat not to seat the state’snational convention delegates. Biden did notput his name on the ballot or campaign there, but won as awrite-in The state argued such evidence wasirrelevant and could confuse jurors,but Judge Elizabeth Leonard deniedthe motioninMarch, saying the DNC’sactions and Kramer’sunderstandingofthem were relevant to his motive andintent. She didgrantthe prosecution’s request that the court accept as fact thatthe stateheldits presidential primary election as defined by law on Jan. 23, 2024. Jurorswill be informed of that conclusion but won’t be requiredtoacceptit.
In his opening statement defense attorneyThomas Reid said the robocall was Kramer’s “opinion andcommentary” onthe DNC’sinitial decisiontoblockthe state’s delegates to the convention.
“That,ladies and gentlemen, was abrazen attack
on your primary,” he said, referring to theDNC’s actions. “And it wasn’tdone by Steve Kramer
Kramer faces 11 felony charges,each punishable by up to seven years in prison, alleging he attempted to prevent or deter someonefrom voting based on “fraudulent, deceptive, misleading or spurious grounds or information.” The 11 candidate impersonation charges each carry amaximum sentence of ayear in jail.
Kramer’s attorney argued that hisclientdidn’t impersonate acandidate because themessage didn’tinclude Biden’sname, and Biden wasn’t adeclared candidate in the primary.Healso said the robocall message didn’t tellanyone not to vote, a point quickly contradicted by the first half-dozen witnesses for theprosecution.
“How elsewould one take it?” said Theodore Bosen, who received the call. “That washorrific to my sensibilitiesthat anybody would be trying to influencethe vote in any election,” he said.
On cross-examination, witnessesall said the calls didn’t deter them from voting, and none believedthatdoing so would preclude them from voting in thegeneral election. They described varying levels of awareness of theDNC’sdecision, and someagreed withKramer’s lawyer thatthey would want someonetotell them if their vote “wasn’tgoing to count.”
O’Donnell, theprosecutor, told jurors that Kramer tried to minimizehis connection to the calls,including using his father’s online banking account to pay themagician andfabricatingthe name of a“client” when emailinga company involved in sending the calls. And he didn’t contactauthorities untilthe magician publicly identified him and authorities hadbegun tracing the calls to him, O’Donnell said.
banned countries. It’snot always clear,though, why some countries are on the list while others are not.
Trump’slist captures many of the mostegregious overstay offenders,but it omits many others. Djibouti, forexample, had a23.9% overstay rate amongbusiness visitors and tourists in the year through September 2023, higher than seven countries on the banned list and six on the restricted list.
Meanwhile,some countries on thebanned list, like Chad, have high overstay ratesasa percentage of visitors, but just afew hundred total people suspected of overstaying in agiven year
The findings are “based on sketchydata and amisguided conceptofcollective punishment,” said Doug Rand, aformer Biden administration official at U.S. Citizenship andImmigration Services.
Outside the formerU.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, aTaliban guard expressed his disappointmentwith the ban.
“America has to cancel it,” Ilias
Kakal said. The Afghanistan travel ban was announced as formsofsupport for Afghans whoworked with the U.S. are being steadily eroded under the Trumpadministration. Arefugee programhas been suspended, andthere is no funding to help them leaveAfghanistan or resettle in the U.S., although aban exception wasmade forpeople with specialimmigrant visas,a program created to help those in danger because they worked with the U.S. during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
In addition, many people who “served shoulder-to-shoulder” with the U.Sdid not qualifyfor the special visa program, according to No OneLeft Behind, agroup that has advocated forAfghans who worked with the U.S. Khalid Khan, an Afghanrefugee now living in Pakistan, said he worked for the U.S. military for eight years.
“I feel abandoned,” Khan said “So long as Trumpisthere, we are nowhere.”
Cassidy meets with Trump on spending bill
BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen Bill Cassidy joined Republican senators for a White House meeting where President Donald Trump hoped to shore up support for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“The goal is to develop a bill that preserves the American Dream and keeps taxes low,” Cassidy said after the meeting Wednesday afternoon. “The president and I want to eliminate tax on tips, stop illegal immigration and develop American resources. I look forward to continuing the process while working to put Louisiana in the best position to benefit.”
The 1,037-page bill includes much of Trump’s domestic agenda, such as more money for border security and sweeping tax breaks, paid for partially with cuts in Medicaid and food stamps. House
ALLIANCE
Continued from page 1A
in real time. Trump, who was supposed to be spending Thursday discussing an end to the RussiaUkraine war with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, ratcheted up the stakes when he turned to his own social media network, Truth Social, and threatened to use the U.S. government to hurt Musk’s bottom line by going after contracts held by his internet company Starlink and rocket company SpaceX.
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump wrote on his social media network.
“Go ahead, make my day,” Musk quickly replied on X. Hours later Musk announced SpaceX would begin decommissioning the spacecraft it used to carry astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station for NASA.
Musk also said, without offering evidence of how he might know the information, that Trump was “in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!
The deepening rift unfurled much like their relationship started — rapidly, intensely and very publicly And it quickly hit Musk financially
After Trump started criticizing Musk shares of his electric vehicle company Tesla plunged more than 14%, knocking about $150 billion off Tesla’s market valuation. Musk lost about $20 billion on his personal holding of Tesla.
Politicians and their donor patrons rarely see eye to eye. But the magnitude of Musk’s support for Trump, spending at least $250 million backing his campaign, and the scope of free rein the president gave him to slash and delve into the government with the Department of Government Efficiency is eclipsed only by the speed of their falling-out.
Musk offered up an especially stinging insult to a president sensitive about his standing among voters: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” Musk retorted. “Such ingratitude,” Musk added in a follow-up post
Musk first announced his support for Trump shortly after the
Republicans passed the bill May 22 by a single vote, with all the Democrats and two Republicans opposing
The legislation advanced to the Senate, where several Republicans have announced their opposition and others said major changes were needed
Some GOP senators want to change the House’s revamp of Medicaid. Cassidy has long advocated improving the efficiency of the state and federal program that provides health coverage for 80 million low income Americans.
Senate Republicans talked with Trump about how to cut more spending in the bill and to make permanent some of the tax reductions for businesses, Republican senators said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said he still plans to have the legislation clear the Senate with the changes
“The goal is to develop a bill that preserves the American Dream and keeps taxes low The president and I want to eliminate tax on tips, stop illegal immigration and develop American resources. I look forward to continuing the process while working to put Louisiana in the best position to benefit.” SEN. BILL CASSIDy, R-Baton Rouge
confirmed by the House by the July Fourth holiday Initial drafts are expected by the end of next week.
The bill would, over the next decade, add $2.4 trillion to the government’s debt and leave 10.9 million people without health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office analysis. The legislation cuts spending by $1.3 trillion but revenue would fall by $3.7 trillion, stated CBO, the arm of Congress tasked with estimat-
ing financial impacts of bills under congressional consideration. Republicans insist that the legislation will spur the nation’s economy, thereby offsetting debt with additional revenues.
Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, said a lot of the discussion was “on how we address the debt and deficit.”
The meeting took place in Roosevelt Room across the hall from the Oval Office.
As chair of the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions Committee, Cassidy is largely responsible for confirming
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a renowned opponent of vaccinations, as the nation’s health secretary Cassidy is one of the few Republican senators to vote to convict Trump in 2021 for impeachment charges stemming from the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. In April 2024, Trump ranted that Cassidy was “one of the worst senators” and “a total flake.”
Since taking office in January, Trump has curbed his criticism and has sought Cassidy’s counsel. Up for reelection next year Cassidy already has attracted one conservative challenger, state Treasurer John Fleming, who worked in the White House during Trump’s first administration.
Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.
then-candidate was nearly assassinated on stage at a Pennsylvania rally last July. News of Musk’s political action committee in support of Trump’s election came days later
Musk soon became a close adviser and frequent companion, memorably leaping in the air behind Trump on stage at a rally in October Once Trump was elected, the tech billionaire stood behind him as he took the oath of office, flew on Air Force One for weekend stays at Mar-a-Lago, slept in the Lincoln Bedroom and joined Cabinet meetings wearing a MAGA hat sometimes more than one.
Three months ago, Trump purchased a red Tesla from Musk as a public show of support for his business as it faced blowback.
Musk bid farewell to Trump last week in a somewhat somber news conference in the Oval Office, where he sported a black eye that he said came from his young son but that seemed to be a metaphor for his messy time in government service.
Trump, who rarely misses an opportunity to zing his critics on appearance, brought it up Thursday
“I said, ‘Do you want a little makeup? We’ll get you a little makeup.’ Which is interesting,” Trump said.
The Republican president’s comments came as Musk has griped for days on social media about Trump’s spending bill, warning that it will increase the federal deficit. Musk has called the bill a “disgusting abomination.”
“He hasn’t said bad about me personally but I’m sure that will be next,” Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office, presaging the rest of his day “But I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.”
Observers had long wondered if the friendship between the two brash billionaires known for lobbing insults online would combust in dramatic fashion. It did, in less than a year
White House aides were closely following the drama playing out on dueling platforms Thursday with bemusement, sharing the latest twists and turns from the feud between their boss and former coworker, as well as the social media reaction and memes. Officials in the extremely online administra-
tion privately expressed the belief that like the other digital scuffles that have defined Trump’s political career, this would also work out in his favor
Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office that he and Musk had had a great relationship but mused: “I don’t know if we will anymore.”
He said some people who leave his administration “miss it so badly” and “actually become hostile.”
“It’s sort of Trump derangement syndrome, I guess they call it,” he said.
He brushed aside the billionaire’s efforts to get him elected last year, including a $1 milliona-day voter sweepstakes in Pennsylvania. The surge of cash Musk showed he was willing to spend seemed to set him up as a highly coveted ally for Republicans going forward, but his split with Trump, the party’s leader, raises questions about whether they or any others will see such a campaign windfall in the future.
Trump said Musk “only developed a problem” with the bill because it rolls back tax credits for electric vehicles.
“False,” Musk fired back on his
social media platform as the president continued speaking. “This bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!” In another post, he said Trump could keep the spending cuts but “ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.” Besides Musk being “disturbed” by the electric vehicle tax credits, Trump said another point of contention was Musk’s promotion of Jared Isaacman to run NASA. Trump withdrew Isaacman’s nomination over the weekend and on Thursday called him “totally a Democrat.” Musk continued slinging his responses on social media. He shared some posts Trump made over a decade ago criticizing Republicans for their spending, musings made when he, too, was just a billionaire lobbing his thoughts on social media.
“Where is the man who wrote these words?” Musk wrote. “Was he replaced by a body double!?” On the White House grounds Thursday afternoon, Trump’s red Tesla still sat in a parking lot.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO
President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to reporters as they sit
on Wednesday without objection. To pass the Legislature, the measure still needs a vote by the full Senate, as well as a final stamp of approval from the House.
During a public hearing last month, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, a good-government watchdog group, raised concerns about the impact of the legislation
“There’s not a single thing here that I can find that makes it more transparent to the public,” said Steven Procopio, president of PAR. “It seems like it’s all about trying to make things easier for the elected officials.”
On Wednesday, after a set of new amendments was introduced in the Senate committee, Procopio said the legislation still does not bring more transparency to campaign finance disclosure.
However, he told lawmakers that the latest set of changes related to investigations of campaign violations avoided legislation that he would have considered “existentially bad.”
Since 1980, the stated purpose of Louisiana’s Campaign Finance Disclosure Act has been to allow for the public disclosure of political fundraising and spending, in recognition of the fact that representative government depends on a knowledgeable electorate that has confidence in its public elected officials
But under HB693, the law would also acknowledge that “the financing of campaigns facilitates constitutionally protected political speech.”
Adding recognition that campaign spending is protected speech is needed so that any legal interpretations of campaign finance laws don’t violate the Louisiana and U.S. Constitutions, Gelé said.
The bill would also require that the state’s campaign finance rules be interpreted “narrowly and strictly” in
the interest of respecting free speech and due process rights.
Any ambiguity in a campaign finance issue should be “interpreted in favor of a person accused of violating” the laws, the bill says.
The proposed law would create four separate types of political committees, each with their own rules and disclosure requirements:
n Political committees would be set up to spend money to support or oppose candidates, propositions, political parties or recalls.
n Principal campaign committees would be set up as the sole campaign committee of a candidate.
n Independent expenditure-only committees would be set up for political advocacy work that is not coordinated with a candidate.
n Leadership committees would be set up by elected officials — separate from their campaign committees — to support their holding of public office and to contribute to other officials’ committees.
A new concept called a joint fundraising agreement” would also authorize committees and other organizations to collaborate on political fundraising
Contribution limits for political committees were increased under a 2024 law and would not increase further under this year’s legislation.
The limits are $12,000 for major offices, $6,000 for district offices and $2,000 for smaller local offices.
Political committees that have more than 250 members, however can make contributions in the amounts of $24,000, $12,000 and $4,000. There is no limit on contributions to independent, expenditure-only committees.
For all candidates and committees, current law contains a broad prohibition against contributions being “used, loaned, or pledged by any person for any personal use unrelated to a political campaign, the holding of a public office or party position.”
The proposal defines new,
more detailed parameters for the things candidates and committees can and cannot spend campaign money on.
All candidates and committees would be allowed to spend money on lobbying, issue advocacy, donations to tax-exempt organizations, committee operating expenses, contributions to gubernatorial transitions and independent-expenditure committees. They could also back efforts to support or oppose propositions, recalls or gubernatorial transitions.
In all cases, the measure would prohibit the use of contributions for the “personal use” of a candidate, elected official or immediate family member “Personal use” would be defined as spending money on something that would exist “irrespective of the candidate’s campaign or the holding of office” and isn’t connected to a campaign or holding of political office.
The bill sets out a list of items that would be presumed to be for personal use:
n household food items or supplies n funeral expenses, unless they are for a campaign worker n clothing that isn’t used for campaign, fundraising or office-holding events n tuition payments n social, recreational and private club fees that aren’t for a fundraising event or campaign or office-holding activities.
On Wednesday, the Senate committee agreed to strengthen the language prohibiting campaign funds for personal use.
Sen. Greg Miller, R-Norco, a member of the committee, said it was important to guard against the use of campaign funds “for subsidizing your lifestyle.”
“I don’t think we want to encourage that,” he said.
The bill also sets out a list of items that would not be considered personal use:
n Candidate and immediate family member attendance at political events in-
cluding Washington Mardi Gras and conferences for political parties, professional groups or social advocacy groups.
n Security measures for a candidate, elected official, family members or campaign workers, including security systems and personnel
n Taxes on interest earned by campaign funds
n Campaign loan interest
n Costs to replace damaged, lost or stolen campaign items.
For each of the four committee types, the legislation spells out additional spending rules.
Under the legislation, monetary thresholds that trigger a variety of campaign finance reporting requirements would increase.
For example, political committees would have to report contributions and expenditures when they reach $1,000, up from $500.
Similarly, committees that anticipate receiving
or spending $1,000 a year would need to file a statement of organization, up from $500.
Reporting requirements for some out-of-state entities contributing to Louisiana elections would be triggered at $50,000 of spending, up from $20,000.
Anyone who isn’t a candidate or a committee would need to file disclosure reports for political spending for anything over $1,000, up from $500 currently But unlike current law, disclosures would only be needed in cases of “express advocacy.”
The Louisiana Board of Ethics administers and enforces the state’s Campaign Finance Disclosure Act, and it’s responsible for investigating any possible violations of campaign finance disclosure rules.
In instances where the ethics board undertakes a campaign finance investigation, it would also need to meet a higher bar to issue any subpoenas, and more detailed
procedures would govern the subpoenas process. After an investigation, the ethics board would need to have “probable cause” to justify bringing formal charges against someone for campaign finance violations.
If the board found that a campaign finance violation did occur, before filing any formal charges against the person being investigated, the board would have to create a report of the investigation, provide that report to the person being investigated, and give that person a chance to respond. These changes related to board investigations are similar to those in another bill that sets stricter rules for how the Board of Ethics investigates potential conflicts of interest, nepotism and other ethics law violations. The legislation, House Bill 674 sponsored by Rep. Beau Beaullieu R-New Iberia passed the Legislature on Wednesday
U.S. stocks slip ahead of Friday’s jobs report
NEW YORK U.S. stocks drifted lower on Thursday as financial markets locked in their final moves before a highly anticipated update coming Friday about the U.S. job market.
The S&P 500 fell 0.5% for its first drop in four days After sprinting through May and rallying within a couple good days’ worth of gains of its all-time high, the index has lost momentum.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 108 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.8%.
Trading activity in options markets suggests investors believe the next big move for the S&P 500 could come on Friday, when the U.S. Labor Department will say how many more jobs U.S. employers created than destroyed during May The expectation on Wall Street is for a slowdown in hiring from April
Hopes that Trump will lower his tariffs after reaching trade deals with other countries have been among the main reasons the S&P 500 has rallied back so furiously since dropping roughly 20% from its record two months ago. It’s now back within 3.3% of its all-time high.
Tesla stock plunges amid Musk, Trump feud
Shares of Elon Musk’s electric vehicle maker fell sharply Thursday as investors feared his dispute with President Donald Trump will hurt the company Tesla closed down more than 14% as a disagreement over the U.S. president’s budget bill turned nasty After Musk said that Trump wouldn’t haven’t gotten elected without his help, Trump implied that he may turn the federal government against his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX
The drop on Thursday wiped out nearly $150 billion from Tesla’s market value, partially reversing a big runup in the eight weeks since Musk confirmed that Tesla would testing an autonomous, driverless “robotaxi” service in Austin, Texas, this month
Investors fear Trump might not be in such a rush to usher in a future of self-driving cars in the U.S., and that could slam Tesla because so much of its future business depends on that.
“There is a fear that Trump is not going to play Mr Nice Guy when in come to autonomous,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives. “The whole goal of robotaxis is to have them 20 or 25 cities next year If you start to heighten the regulatory environment, that could delay that path.” Apple loses bid to halt ruling blocking fees
SAN FRANCISCO — A three-judge appeals panel rejected Apple’s request to pause an April 30 order banning it from charging a fee on in-app iPhone transactions processed outside its onceexclusive payment system in a decision issued Thursday
The setback threatens to divert billions of dollars in revenue away from Apple while it tried to overturn the order reining in its commissions from e-commerce within iPhone apps.
Apple sought to put the order on hold after it was issued by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers in a stinging rebuke that also held the Cupertino, California, company in civil contempt of court and recommended opening a criminal investigation into whether one of its executives had committed perjury while testifying in her Oakland, California, courtroom. It marked another twist of the screw in a legal battle initiated nearly five years ago by video game maker Epic Games, which alleged Apple had turned the iPhone’s app store had been turned into a price-gouging monopoly The antitrust case focused largely on the 15% to 30% commissions that Apple rakes in from a portion of the commerce conducted within iPhone apps under a system that prohibited app makers from offering alternative payment methods.
BY MATT OTT Associated Press
WASHINGTON Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits rose to their highest level in eight months last week but remain historically low despite growing uncertainty about how tariffs could impact the broader economy New applications for jobless benefits rose by 8,000 to 247,000
for the week ending May 31, the Labor Department said Thursday That’s the most since early October Analysts had forecast 237,000 new applications.
Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs and have mostly bounced around a historically healthy range between 200,000 and 250,000 since COVID-19 throttled the economy five years ago, wiping out millions of jobs.
In reporting their latest earnings, many companies have either lowered their sales and profit expectations for 2025 or not issued guidance at all, often citing Presi-
dent Donald Trump’s dizzying rollout of tariff announcements. Though Trump has paused or dialed down many of his tariff threats, concerns remain that a tariff-induced global economic slowdown could upend what’s been a robust U.S. labor market.
In early May, the Federal Reserve held its benchmark lending rate at 4.3% for the third straight meeting after cutting it three times at the end of last year
Fed chair Jerome Powell said the potential for both higher unemployment and inflation are elevated, an unusual combination that complicates the central bank’s dual mandate of controlling
prices and keeping unemployment low Powell said that tariffs have dampened consumer and business sentiment.
Earlier this week, the government reported that U.S job openings rose unexpectedly in April, but other data suggested that Americans are less optimistic about the labor market.
Tuesday’s report showed that the number of Americans quitting their jobs — a sign of confidence in their prospects fell, while layoffs ticked higher And in another sign the job market has cooled from the hiring boom of 2021-2023, the Labor Department reported one job every unemployed person.
me!” Takahashi said.
BY AYAKA McGILL Associated Press
TOKYO Throngs of gamers stood in long lines outside of stores hours before they opened Thursday from Tokyo to New York City in hopes of snaring a long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 video game console.
Enthusiasts have been clamoring for an upgrade to Nintendo’s eight-year-old predecessor for years Nintendo which is counting on the Switch 2 to boost sagging sales, has added new social features meant to lure players into online gaming.
The much anticipated Switch 2, being released around the world Thursday is an upgrade to its eight-year-old predecessor with new social features meant to draw players into online gaming. Nintendo is counting on the Switch 2 to boost sagging sales
In the U.S., a chaotic pre-order process in April left some fans frustrated after the con-
BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press
Procter & Gamble will cut up to 7,000 jobs over the next two years as the maker of Tide detergent and Pampers diapers implements a restructuring program at a time when tariffs are raising costs for American companies and consumers are growing anxious about the economy.
The job cuts, announced at the Deutsche Bank Consumer Conference in Paris on Thursday, make up approximately 6% of the company’s global workforce, or about
soles quickly sold out. People lined up early Thursday at stores in hopes of buying one.
“I’m just rolling the dice here,” said Edgar Huo, who was in a line of about 25 outside of a Target in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. Many of those waiting for the store to open had ordered online, but a few like Huo hoped for a chance at purchasing any extra inventory the store had. In Japan, the new consoles were sold through a competitive lottery system that Nintendo said got about 2.2 million applications. Outside the official draw, some retailers offered their own lotteries to pre-order the devices.
Koji Takahashi was among those who missed out on the official draw but he was selected in the second round of a lottery held by a major electronics retailer in Japan. He was first in line waiting outside the store, arriving four hours ahead of its opening. He hoped to secure a limited supply of Nintendo accessories to buy along with his pre-ordered Switch 2.
“I feel very sorry for those who weren’t successful in the lottery. But I also had tough time getting this far, so I hope they forgive
15% of its nonmanufacturing positions, said Chief Financial Officer Andre Schulten.
Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser told CBS Morning Plus today that the company is aware of the demand for its newest system and is working to get units into the hands of customers.
“We have a steady supply of manufacturing that will be coming in, and we believe we’ll be able to meet that demand all the way through the summer, through Father’s Day and then on into the holiday period also,” Bowser said.
The new console comes with a larger and higher resolution screen than its predecessor, with improved processing power, offering smoother and more vivid graphics. Central to its updated system is a new “C” button on its controller, which will launch a “GameChat” feature that requires a subscription to Nintendo’s Switch online service. It allows players to “communicate with friends and family while playing a game,” and lets them share their game screen with others. A builtin microphone will also allow chatting with other gamers.
Nintendo has said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles for the fiscal year through March 2026.
“This restructuring program is an important step toward ensuring our ability to deliver our longterm algorithm over the coming two to three years,” Schulten said. “It does not, however, remove the near-term challenges that we currently face.” Procter & Gamble, based in Cincinnati, had approximately 108,000 employees worldwide in June 2024. The cuts are part of a broader restructuring program. Procter & Gamble will also end sales of some of its products in certain markets. Procter & Gamble said it will provide more details about that in July Like many companies, Procter & Gamble is dealing with American consumers who are worrying about their spending as they keep an eye on inflation.
U.S. consumer sentiment fell slightly in May for the fifth straight month, surprising economists. The preliminary reading of the University of Michigan’s closely watched consumer sentiment index declined 2.7% on a monthly basis to
50.8, the second-lowest level in the nearly 75-year history of the survey The only lower reading was in June 2022. Since January, sentiment has tumbled nearly 30%. In April Procter & Gamble noted during a conference call that the biggest U.S. tariff impacts were coming from raw and packaging materials and some finished product sourced from China. The company said that it would be looking at sourcing options and productivity improvements to mitigate the tariff impact, but that it may also have to raise prices on some products.
SURGE
Continued from page1A
This creates “a compounding effect,” thestudystates, that increases the likelihood of devastating storms.
The scientists warn that the trends “should not be ignored” given the risk of “potentially catastrophic consequences duetopremature failing of coastal flood defenses.”The studywas published in March in the journal Nature Climate Change.
‘Thiscan addup’ Storm surge has grown more intense along the entireAtlantic coast and through the eastern Gulf Coast, according to thestudy The eastern Gulf Coast was identi-
fied asa“hot spot” for the pattern, with New Orleans andother parts of southeast Louisiana included in this region
The stormsurge figuresseem minuscule upon first glance: less thanone-millimeter moreper year forthe easternGulf. By contrast, sea level rise in the area is three andahalf times that amount.
“The numbers are pretty small,” said Rasmussen, aBaton Rougeborn researcherwho now runs a climate risk analytics firm. “But over time this can add up.”
He said the gradual increases will combinewithother factors to increase thethreat of major storms.
“The point is that those 100-year events are going to become more frequent in thefuturefor sure, because of higher sea levels and land subsidence in the Gulf Coast,” Ras-
mussen said.
Southwest Louisiana is experiencing comparatively less storm surge intensification, according to the study.But Rasmussen said these regional differences do not mean the southwest is safe, particularly because of sea level rise.
“So you’re going to have some of thehighest storm surge intensities and you alsohave some of thehighest rates of land sinking andtherefore sea level rise in the world,” he said.
Nationwide, the scientists found long-term changesinstorm surge extremesacross 70%ofcoastlines, adiscovery that contradicted a “widely established assumption” that therewere no suchtrends. They did this by aggregating records at tidegauges rather than making predictions by looking only at an individual site.
Readingsatindividualtide gauges can sometimes be unreliable, the study notes, and New Orleansisanexample of this. The data in Louisiana was sparse, and estimates aroundNew Orleansare relatively uncertain due to several stations not working or becoming damaged during major hurricanes, like Katrina.
‘Weneedthisinformation’
The study doesn’tanswerwhy storm surge is worsening, but the authors suggest that higher sea levels are driving thepattern.Higher baselinewater levels could mean more water pushing toward the shore,Rasmussen says. Stronger storms in general,a resultofwarmer sea surface temperatures, may also be driving this pattern
The practical realitiesofthis increasing flux of water have im-
plications for flood risk mitigation, andRasmussen said the authors have heard from engineering firms and planning groups interested in taking acloser look at the data. Robert Traver,amember of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ flood resilience and climate change committee, said that analysislikethe newstudy helps inform the design and planning decisions of engineers.
“All these studies as they come out and get molded into our knowledge base, give us more information of theriskwehave nowand the risk we’ll have in the future,” said Traver,who workedonareview committee of theU.S.Army Corps of Engineers’ role in Katrina.
“The bottom line is we need this informationtodoresilient design,” he said.
aconditional use permit.
The City Zoning Commission voted to grant the rezoning and permit. The City Council is considering it
The owners have said the restaurant would not be open at night and would not serve alcohol.
Co-owner Sarah Trotterat the Tuesday council meeting said the “fast casual counter restaurant” would have a quick customer turnover and closeat3 p.m. The business would recycle and compost, which would require a smaller dumpster and fewer large trucks.
The owners, Trotter said, plan to be mindfuloftheir neighbors and their concerns, adding they wantit to remain asmall boutique business.
Residents at the meeting were mixed about the possibility of arestaurant opening in their quiet neighborhood.
“They’re tryingtochange everything,” Charles Chatelain,who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 40 years, said. “It’shorrible. It’sflabbergasting.”
Jean Kreamer doesn’tlive in the neighborhood, which
she calls one of the finest in thecity,but enjoys walking alongthe tree-lined boulevard. While she enjoysFive Mile Eatery,Kreamer said moving it to Myrtle Place wouldchangethe character of theneighborhood “It’s not about the restaurant. It’sthe location,” SouvenirGate resident Patricia Parker said.
Theneighborhood already is slowly changing, with strangers walking through it day and night,Parker said.
She’sconcerned about heavy traffic,access, parking, garbage trucks and delivery trucks.
Stephanie CournayDugan, who lives on MyrtlePlace, said many bought homes there because of the zoning restrictions keeping it aresidentialneighborhood. The restaurant, she said, is supposedtoserve54inside and 12 outside, with 18 parking spaces for staff andpatrons to share.
“Welike therestaurant,” Dougan said,“butnot here. Gisele Menard, who owns short-termrental properties in the area, called the restaurant “a positive.”
Myrtle Place is already lined with traffic as parents drop off and pick up children from school, Menard said.
“I’m worried that we’re
not forward-thinking,”Menard said, “and we’re going to bury ourselves in thepast.”
Twelve-year neighborhood resident Rachel Guidry Little said she’s“ahuge fan of Five Mile” and supports them moving to the neighborhood.
“They value people,” she said. “They’re some of the mostconscientious and consideratepeopleI’veevermet.”
The owners are environmentally conscious, sourcing theirfood locally from places like her own family’s Guidry Farms, Little said.
Anothernearbyresident, Grace McNabb, said she is
astrong supporter of the local female-owned, healthfocused restaurant moving to Myrtle Place.
The house has been vacant for ayear,she said. “Nobody wantstoraise a
Ethics opinion sought on bar events
Business owner also a School Board member
BY LESLIE TURK leslie@thecurrentla.com
Last year, Lafayette Parish School Board member Jeremy Hidalgo’s Broussard bar, The Barrel, regularly posted advertisements on Facebook for “customer appreciation” events, a number of which were sponsored by vendors and contrac-
tors doing work for the Lafayette Parish school system.
Hidalgo has now asked the Louisiana Board of Ethics for an advisory opinion on whether the state’s Code of Ethics “prohibits vendors of the Lafayette Parish School Board from sponsoring customer appreciation nights at a bar owned by a member of the Lafayette Parish School
Board.”
In the past, Hidalgo has partnered with other local businesses that have volunteered to cook meals and sponsor a limited bar tab for customers, the agenda item reads.
“The businesses get the publicity of being a sponsor and usually have one or more representatives
Hidalgo
present to greet customers,” the factual basis statement in the agenda notes. “Some of the local businesses also do business with the Lafayette Parish School Board.”
The Ethics Board will take up the matter Friday, according to its agenda published Wednesday
‘MY OWN FRENCH TWIST’
Jacqueline Salser stands in front her French restaurant at 114 E. Bridge St. in Breaux
has been a staple for more than 20 years in the area. It’s known for its blend of French and Creole flavors, cozy atmosphere, faded photos and mementos on the walls.
Jacqueline Salser shares her take on Cajun cuisine at her Breaux Bridge restaurant
BY JA’KORI MADISON | Staff writer
Known for its cozy atmosphere with faded photos and mementos on the walls and a blend of French and Creole flavors, Jaqueline Salser’s restaurant in Breaux Bridge has been a staple for more than 20 years
With roots in a suburb in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, about 20 miles from Paris, Chez Jacqueline first opened in 2003 with the idea of bringing a little piece of home to Breaux Bridge.
Salser, now 80, cooks up bowls of gumbo with her light brown French-style roux and admits that she appreciates Cajun cooking practices — but only if it’s with her own twist.
“I cook all my food with love, and some of the recipes like seafood gumbo and bisques, I put my own French twist on. People say this is not what we’re used to, and they taste it, and they say it’s the best thing they ever had,” Salser said If you ask Salser, the secret to her success in a town where the food is unique and deep-rooted, is a combination of her love for cooking and specialty products shipped from France. She makes traditional homemade dishes like étouffée, crab cakes, po-boys, an alligator or shrimp
burger turtle soup and, according to Salser, perhaps the best French onion soup you’ve ever tasted. There’s also a specialty French curated menu with dishes like Lapin Chasseur which is rabbit served in a creamy sauce with mushrooms over rice, Poulet Menagere, which is chicken cooked in a house sauce topped with a crawfish étouffée and rice, and Escargots a la Bourguignonne, a buttery, flavorful snail appetizer
The French menu items are exactly like her parents’ recipes from their
restaurant in Saint-Germain-enLaye, where Salser’s culinary journey began.
“I was cooking in my parents’ restaurant stirring pots on a crate in the kitchen at 3, and I loved it,” Salser said. “After high school, they wanted me to take over, but I had already planned to be an American girl.”
From there, she attended culinary school in France for two years at Le Cordon Bleu and then moved to the United States with her first husband.
The relevant Ethics Code provision prohibits public servants from soliciting or accepting anything of economic value — whether directly or indirectly as a gift or gratuity from any person (or from an officer, director, agent or employee of such person) when the public servant knows or reasonably should know that this person either has or is seeking to establish contractual, business or financial relationships with the public servant’s agency
St. Landry Parish plans to cut jobs
Rising jail cost, FEMA cuts spur move
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
The St. Landry Parish government said it will cut positions due to the rising cost of housing inmates and FEMA restructuring.
The total cuts equal to around $375,000 and are due to “escalating mandated expenses,” said Parish President Jessie Bellard in a statement. Staff will be reassigned, some will be moved to part-time positions and job openings will remain vacant for the time being, he said.
“These cuts, while difficult, are necessary to manage the financial realities we are facing,” Bellard wrote. “It is crucial that we prioritize our mandated expenses to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.”
Other positions are expected to be consolidated, with one parish investigator role being eliminated.
The cuts are designed to ensure essential expenses can be met, such as inmate housing, juvenile services and disaster relief.
3 City Council members sign Pride proclamation
LGBTQ+ community plans June events
BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
Three of Lafayette’s five City Council members have signed a proclamation recognizing the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
City Council Chair Kenneth Boudreaux, Vice Chair Liz Hebert, council member Elroy Broussard and Council Clerk Joseph Gordon-Wiltz signed the proclamation on June 2-3. Council member Andy Naquin, as in years past did not endorse
PHOTO PROVIDED By CHEZ JACQUELINE
Bridge Salser’s restaurant
OPINION
Pharmacy benefitmanagersbehindhighdrugprices
Kathy Oubre
GUEST COLUMNIST
Toomany families in Louisiana are forced to choose between paying for lifesaving medications and keeping the lights on. While many factors contribute to increasing health care costs,pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are amajor contributor to rising drug prices.
PBMs are middlemen between insurers, drug manufacturers andpharmacies. They were originally designed to streamline the process, managing prescriptiondrug benefits and serving as third-party intermediaries for health insurers, Medicare Part D drug plans, large employers and other payers. But over time, they’ve evolved into profit-driven entities thatoften do more to inflate prices than reduce them.
PBMs have consolidated so that only three control 80% of the prescription drug market. On top of that, the three biggest PBMshaveconsolidated influence through vertical integration with insurance carriers andtheir contract pharmacies. Vertical integration, simply put, is when
acompany owns its ownsupply chain.
Today,these middlemen decide which medicines apatienthas access to, how much apatient will payfor their medication and which pharmacy apatient can use. With this extraordinary power,they often steer patients toward higher-cost options and
Librariesare
their affiliated pharmacies to increase their profits.
As aresult, the patient-provider relationship is compromised, with treatmentdecisions often dictated by PBM directives ratherthan being based on the patient’smedical needsand wellbeing as decidedbetween apatient and their provider. Patients
oftenlifelines forthose whoneedthem
Even when I’m off-duty, I’m unable to “turnoff the librarian.”
If someone mentions to me that they’re looking for new hobbies, want to learn another language or have remembered an obscure sci-fi film from the 1990s but cannot find it on streaming networks, Iinstantly respond, “Have you checked with the public library?
education while in prison is crucial for reducing recidivism, keepingthe formerly incarcerated from reoffendingupon release.
face less access andhigheroutof-pocket costs, andLouisiana’s independent, local pharmacies are often squeezed outofthe market entirely.
Insteadofworking as athirdparty intermediary,PBMshave abusedtheir powerasmiddlemen to profit from raising drug prices forpatientsand employers. In Louisiana, Iwas proudto work withGov.JeffLandryin his role as ourformer state attorney general to spearhead a lawsuit againstUnitedHealth andits PBM, OptumRx. The lawsuit alleged that Optuminflated prescription drug costs for Louisiana’sMedicaidprogram, engaging in practices like spread pricing.
Spread pricing is apractice where PBMs reimburse local pharmacies farless than they chargeinsurers. This practice, which hasbeen used to drive up costs fortaxpayers while boosting profits, mirrors similar abuses seen in other states,including Ohio, where policymakers found PBMsused spread pricing to make morethan$200 million per year fromthe state. The report also found that PBMswere costing taxpayersanextra $150 millionto$186 million peryear by charging above-averagerates
The currentmodel incentivizes PBMstoprefer higher-costdrugs because they are paid basedona percentageofthe drug’sprice. Enacting reforms forPBMs is notanew notion.All 50 states have passed legislation regulating PBMsinsome form, with Louisiana leading thecharge over thepast decade. AndGov.Landry continuestobeachampion in this space. In his opening remarksfor this legislative session,Landrystated that reining in PBMsisa priority forhis administration.Louisiana is oneofthe mostexpensive states forhealth careinthe country,but this legislation will help bring down prices andmake health care moreaffordable Medicationsshouldn’tbea luxury. They’re often essential to survivaland well-being. Reforming howPBMsoperate is acritical step toward restoring fairness andaffordabilityinour health care system.Louisiana lawmakers should continue to put patients before profitsand pass this much-needed reform.
Kathy Oubre is president of the Coalition of Hematology &Oncology Practices, and the CEO of the Pontchartrain Cancer Center in Louisiana.
Accountability forapp stores returnspower to parents
However,practically,many jobswill nothirethose with anykindofcriminal record.
As alibrarian, Iknow that the role we play in our communities is vital.Unfortunately,libraries’abilities to help people are being curtailedbycuts to federal funding.
I’ve seen firsthand how libraries can change lives, especiallyfor patrons who sometimes don’thave anywhere else to turn for help.
Some months back, Ihappened to meet awoman who was down on her luck. She was in her 40s, aU.S. Air Force veteran, and she was attempting to leave a bad relationship. Additionally,she admitted, she had some prior misdemeanors on her record. Becauseof this, finding employment was difficult for her and she was becoming despondent.
Iinvited her to the East Baton Rouge Public Library’s career center
Befuddled, she asked, “Can they really help someone like me?With my record?”
Several weeks later,that same woman was all smiles, having recently gone to the career center and, withthe staff’s assistance, she had a new job.
Across the political spectrum, there’sconsensus that access to books and
Public libraries have provided servicestobothcurrent andformerly incarcerated individuals for more than 100 years, longacting as a quiet but essential bridge, helpingpeople once again be productive members of society
Our library staff helps with résumé buildingand interview coaching, providesaccesstofree job trainingand GED/college test preparation and even preparation forcareer tests likethe postal exam or financial aid for higher education
When Itell people libraries are more than books, this is what Imean Onepatron,who spent 29 years in Angola prison, cametoour career center years ago. The staff helped himcreate arésumé, and he eventually obtained his commercial driver’slicense andajob as adriver.He returned to us this yearto helppivot jobs. Another patron, whoalso hadservedtime in jail and experienced homelessness, came to usfor résumé help, but also left with alist of employers willingtohire individuals with hisbackground. He scored interviews with four different potential employers. We helped these individuals. Butthe benefits go to thewholecommunity. Ourlibrary is always
looking for ways to promote our services to the public and reach those individuals who are historically underserved. We often partner to host re-entry programs with local organizations, such as the Capital Area ReEntry Coalition, theHuey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, PREACH,Suiting 101 and many more.
Though getting the funding we need for all our programs is never simple, we in EastBaton Rouge Parish have theresources that smaller and morerural libraries in our state do not They often relyon federal grants, such as those administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), to provide what services they can Here in Louisiana, funding from IMLS enabled the Louisiana State Library to purchasestatewide access to online databases,freeing up funding for muchneeded services to even our poorest communities. Andyet, despite library services being nonpartisan, federal library funding to ourstate is being cut, and important educational services for Americans who have paid theirdebt to society andare eager to return to theworkforce are as well.
Libraries serve all Americans. Leaders at the national, state and local level must understand how much libraries mean to their constituents.
Libraries give back, and in this moment, they need somehelp in return.
Katrina Stokes is the executive director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library
Strengthening Louisiana families begins withempowering parents —especially when it comes to theprotection of their own children online. Today’s digital landscape has the potential to expose minors to inappropriate and dangerous content,often without parental knowledge or permission. Fortunately, we have leaders in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., who are standing with parentstoprotect Louisiana children online.
This session, we introduced House Bill 570, the AppStoreAccountability Act, which specifies that consent from the minor’s parent or guardian is necessary in order for the minor to download an app from theapplication store of amobile device.
We were pleased to see this legislation garner such bipartisan support by passing out of the House unanimously with a 99-0 vote last month, with amendments, by theSenate earlier this week. Aconference committee has been appointed to hammer outthe differences between the two versions before it goes to the governor’sdesk.
Lastsession, we had asimilar bill pass with bipartisan support in the House, but theapp store language was killed by lobbyistsrepresenting Big Tech companies.
This session, theLouisiana Family Forum,along withdozens of other advocates who support empowering parents and holding Big Tech companiesaccountable, is excited to help ensure thatHB570,the App Store Accountability Act, makesits way to Gov.Jeff Landry’sdesk. We urge the state Senate to pass HB570 to help protect Louisiana families and end the exploitationofour children by app stores.
This common-sense bill puts control back where it belongs: with parents —not themarketing-savvy Big Tech companies. This is not government overreach. It’s a pro-family,pro-freedom solution that respectsparental rights. Rather than relying on inconsistent platform-by-platform restrictions where you wouldhave to provide your personal information,the AppStoreAccountability Act creates a uniform,privacy-preserving process that helps parentssafeguard their children’s digital lives.
Louisiana is already anational leader in child protection online, but the need for federal action is urgent. According to anew poll conducted by the Louisiana Family Forum, 88% of Louisiana parents support requiring app stores to obtain parental approval for children to download apps —the core requirement of this bill.
Astudy by the Heat Initiative and Parents Together Action found over 200 apps marketed to children under 12 featured harmful content exposure within 24 hours of going online. Even attentive parents may unknowingly allow unsafematerial into their homes. HB570 addresses this issue by requiring developers to provide accurate app age-ratings so parents can give informed consent.
Fortunately,Sen. Mike Lee from Utah and Rep. John James from Michigan have introduced the App Store Accountability Act in Congress. We are optimistic Louisiana’sdelegation, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader Steve Scalise, will ensure app store parental approval is the law of the land —not just Louisiana.
National polling shows82% of voters support parental approval at the app store level. This approach ensures consistency eliminates loopholes and makes child safety the default forfamilies.
Critics claim this bill threatens free speech —but it does no such thing. It protects First Amendment rights while reinforcing parental authority.Families, not tech firms, should decide what’sappropriate forchildren.
The App Store Accountability Act upholds core values: responsibility,transparency and protection. It gives parents real tools —not just hope and aprayer —tomanage their children’sdigital experience.
Louisiana children —and families across America —deserve the tools needed to protect their children online. Kids are worth it.
Republican state Rep. Kim Carver represents aMandeville-area district in the Louisiana House. Gene Mills is thepresident of theLouisianaFamily Forum.
Kim Carver GUEST COLUMNIST
Gene Mills GUEST
COLUMNIST
FILEPHOTO By BRETTDUKE
Apharmacy technician fills prescriptions at Braswell DrugsinCovington.
ROOM FOR DEBATE THE WARINUKRAINE
As efforts to end the war in Ukraine appear stalled, manyare looking to U.S. leadership to force Russian PresidentVladimir Putin to the negotiating table. But PresidentDonald Trumphas long seen theRussian leader as an ally and Ukraine’s chancesasweak.However, that could be changing Trump has recently expressed disapprovalofRussia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine and has had discussions with Ukraine PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy. Still, some Trump supporters areskeptical about greater U.S. involvement, seeing the conflictasa quagmirewith little for the U.S. to gain. Here are twoperspectives:
Moscow,Russia.
Ukraine’svalor reminiscent of GreatBritain’s in 1940
Ukraine’sbreathtaking ingenuity,the latest example of which destroyedor damaged dozens of Russia’s longrange bombers on bases 2,500 miles from Ukraine, is in the service of an unflagging valor reminiscent of Britain’sin1940, when it was isolated and embattled, with the German army at the English Channel. Ukraine’sresilience is inconvenient forthose Americans who are eager to proclaim that the geographically largestnation entirelywithin Europe is inevitably doomed to defeat, dismemberment and domination Such Americans’ unseemly “realism” has them invested in, and eveneager for, Ukraine’sdisappearance from themap of European nations. ThoseAmericans should remember Winston Churchill’s1941 responsetoFrench military“realists” who hadsaid in 1940 that Britain would soon have its neck wrung like achicken. Said Churchill:“Some chicken. Some neck.” Today’sfaux “realism” cannotfathom what is at stake in Ukraine. Michael Kimmage can. The director of the Wilson Center’sKennan Institute,writingin Foreign Affairs, says RussianPresident Vladimir Putin has “renormalized the idea of large-scalewar as ameans of territorial conquest.” Putin is, therefore, undoing awar aim enunciated before the United States entered World WarII. In August 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Churchill, meeting on warships in Placentia Bay, off Newfoundland,propoundedthe Atlantic Charter,item two of which lookedtoa future without “territorialchangesthat do not accord with thefreely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned.” It was to buttress this principle that President George H.W.Bush in 1991 orchestrated abroad coalitionofnations for the limitedbut luminous purpose offorcing Iraq to leave Kuwait. Itwas for this principle that in 1982 British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sent British forces to the South Atlantictoundo Argentina’s seizure of the Falkland Islands. An Argentine intellectual dismissedthis military event as “a fight between two bald men over acomb.” Actually,itwas afight fora principle that again seemsperishable. Vice President JD Vanceusesflippancy, as adolescents do, for the fun of being naughty: “I don’treallycare what happens to Ukraine one way orthe other.” He hasdismissed as “moralistic garbage” a distinguished historian’smildly different opinion about Ukraine’sprospects. Vance wonders whetherNiall Ferguson of Stan-
Trump’seyesopenedonPutin, so nowwhatisthe next move?
Will
ford’s Hoover Institution is “awareofthe reality on the ground, of the numerical advantage of the Russians, of the depleted stock of the Europeans or their even more depleted industrial base?” Ukraine, says Vance, never had “any pathway to victory.” Vance’s ventriloquist, theU.S. president, hascalled Ukraine’sPresident Volodymyr Zelensky a“dictator,” although it is unclear how much disapproval Trump conveys using that term. Trump has said to Zelensky,“You don’thave the cards.” But Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’sminister of foreign affairs 20202024,writing May 30 in Foreign Affairs, says: “In December 2023, Russia controlled approximately 42,000 square miles of Ukrainianterritory. As of lateMay Russia held approximately 43,650 …the country supposedly holding all the cards hasgainedjust 1,650 of Ukraine’s233,030 square miles over thelast16months Moscow has gone from occupying about 18% of Ukrainianterritoryinlate2023 to roughly 19% today.”
Russia,which Sen. John McCain calleda “gas stationmasquerading as acountry,” hasone third of the European Union’s population, one-tenth of the E.U.’sgross domestic product,and last year had more than half amillion moredeaths than births.
Although some people similar to Vance admiredBritish Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s“realism” at Munich in 1938,Dalibor Rohacofthe American EnterpriseInstitute cautions that it is “misleading and ahistorical” to compare Ukraine’svulnerability in coming negotiations to Czechoslovakia’sinthe negotiations that presaged Germany’stakeover of Czechoslovakia:Czechoslovakia was notforced to acquiesce to afatal agreement “after defending itself successfully againstNazimilitary might for three years.”
President Donald Trump finds Russia “easiertodeal with” than Ukraine, perhaps because he agrees more with Russia VancesaysTrumpmight walk away from peacetalksifPutin is not “serious” about them. So,Vance has notified Putin that simply by being unserious about negotiations, he might provoke Trump to showthat among the things he is unserious aboutis the principleaffirmed at PlacentiaBay
Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.
“I’mnot happy with what Putin is doing. He’skilling alot of people, and I don’tknow what the hell happened to Putin,” said Donald Trumpon TruthSocial over the Memorial Day weekend.
“I’ve always had avery good relationship withVladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him.Hehas gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing alot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”
ranged the 1999 bombing of four apartmentbuildings, killing 300 people, and blamed them on Chechen rebels.
To attack them, Boris Yeltsin appointed Putin primeminister and then resigned in return forpardons forhim and his family.Putin promptly wonthe first of several elections from awary electorate (which Iobserved briefly as a reporter in Moscow)that hoped he would be the “strong hand” that many have traditionally believed Russia needs.
Trumpisnot the only president whohas stressed theimportance of personal relationships with other nations’ leaders. But even the most sympathetic relationships have been frayed by national interests rooted in history.Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan had rough patches over theFalklands and Grenada.
It seems possible that Reagan and inconceivable that Trumpread Harvard historian Richard Pipes’ volumes on Russian history,showing how the rulers of tinyMuscovy,startingwith Ivan the Terrible, constantly expanded their domain over the featureless north European and Ukrainian plains, seeking ever moreland and peoples as abuffer for those they already held.
Reagan appointed Pipes to his National SecurityCouncil and, as aclose but secret follower of geopolitics(the movie magazines wouldn’thave understood), observed Josef Stalin’spostwar expansion of Russian militarysuzerainty westward. When asked why he was bent on heading toward theRhine, Stalinsupposedly answered that Tsar Alexander I, after defeating Napoleon, took the Russian army all the way to Paris.
So Putin’s assault on Ukraine, Russian territory from thetime of Catherine the Great (Alexander’sgrandmother) to the fall of Mikhail Gorbachev,was an expression of ahistoric national impulse likely popular among his nation’s ethnic Russian majority Trump’sseeming astonishment that Putin “is needlessly killing alot of people for no reason whatsoever” showsareassuring horror at massslaughter but also an innocence of knowledge about Putin’s career In his 2004 book “Darkness at Dawn” and in later writings as well, Russian expert David Satter has written that Putin, theformer KGB agent and aide to Saint Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak, ar-
That such aman would lodge the war’s largest drone attack on Kyiv and Ukraine recently should not have come as ashock.
The Russian attacks on Ukraine may have opened Trump’seyes to Putin’strue nature and undermined his disdain for Ukraine’sVolodymyr Zelensky
That disdain, and the dislike shownby JD Vance in the Feb. 28 Oval Office meeting, seemstohave roots in the admiration of somecultural conservatives for Putin’srepudiations of “woke” attitudes, asense that he is aChristian protector of traditional values dismissed as bigotry by Western European and American coastal elites.
It mayalso be the case of someonthe Right taking the sameview of Ukraine’s leaders that someonthe Lefttook of Chiang Kai-shek and of South Vietnamese leaders in the Cold War. In this view,foreign authoritarians steeped in corruption are demanding that young Americans die to preserve their hold on power
For all the deficiencies of America’s allies in those earlier conflicts, it would clearly have been better forthe people of China and Vietnam had the Communists not prevailed. And forall the deficiencies of those America and Europe have been backing in Ukraine, Putin’scold-blooded prosecution of the war seemstohave madeit clear at last to Trumpthat the people of Ukraine and, arguably,Russia will be better off if he does not succeed.
What, if anything, Trumpwill do to end the war he promised to end is unclear.On his Truth Social post attacking Putin’sactions, he also attacked Zelensky for“talking the way he does.” As Walter Russell Mead wrote in arecent Wall Street Journal column, “President Trumpsometimes does the right thing.” Sometimes. Now?
Michael Barone is on X, @MichaelBarone.
George
Michael Barone
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks viavideo conference at the Kremlin in
2accused of monkey tortureconspiracy
Shreveport pair indicted in ‘animalcrush videos’
BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer
TwoShreveportarea residents are among the 11 people indicted by afederal grand juryover allegations they took part in an international conspiracy to commission videos depicting the torture and sexual abuse of monkeys.
Brady Shellhammer, known online as “Beglu”or “Bbbeglu,” was arrested May 7inBellefontaine, Ohio.
Victoria Haskins, who allegedly used the aliases “Cat Face” and “Sparkles Fancy Pants,” was taken into custody May 15 in the Shreveport area, according to court records.
An indictmentunsealed last month in Ohio accuses the pair of paying aCincinnati man for recordingsof
the abuse of baby and adult monkeys.That man, Nicholas Dryden, allegedly paid a boy in Indonesia to produce thevideos and carryout the “sexually sadistic mutilation,” which includedsodomizing the animals, burning their genitals and eventually killing them.
“The actsoftorture and abuse of young monkeys allegedinthis case are beyond disturbing,” FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in ChargeElena Iatarolasaid, announcing the charges.
“As aresult of thework of the FBI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and our partners, those involved in the conspiracy to create and distribute these repulsivevideos are being held accountable,” Iatarola said.
Accordingtothe 29-page indictment,Drydencommunicated with his co-conspirators on Telegram channels with names like “Dungeons and Monkeys,” “B-A-N-A-NA-S” and “Famiglia Privata.” In oneofthe chats, Haskins allegedly solicited suggestions for what to do to amon-
key named “Pav Pav.”
“Attentions all you wonderful patrons!tonight starting at 7central we will be havingacontest,” Haskinssaid, according to the indictment. “[W]e are giving aprize to theperson who can come up with the besttorture method to Pav Pav! Bring your favorite adult beverage because we are also play adrinking game! it will be great fun!”
Congress passeda law criminalizingthe creation and distribution of so-called “animal crush” videos in 2010 after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down aban on trafficking in depictions of animal cruelty,finding it unconstitutionally broad and restrictive of free speech.
The law defines such “animal crush videos”asany obscene images or recordings whereone or more “living nonhuman mammals,birds, reptiles,oramphibians is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled,orotherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.”
That statutewas strengthened in 2019 to make the
acts of animal cruelty themselves,ratherthanjustthe videos depicting them, into felony offenses under federal law If convicted of taking part in thescheme, thealleged co-conspirators face amaximum sentence of five years in federal prison, while the accused ringleader faces additionalcharges. Thepenalty for creating and distributing the videos is amaximum sentenceofseven yearsin prison.
Because he allegedly paid aminor to abusethe monkeys,Drydenalsofaces up to 20 yearsinprison for the production, distribution and receipt of avisual depiction of the sexual abuse of children.
According to prosecutors, Haskins paid Dryden $50 in March2023inexchangefor monkey torture videos, while Shellhammer paid him $20 in April2023.
Haskins is due to appear in federal court in Ohio on June 20 fora first appearance to determine the conditions of her release, according to
Kara Blackney,her attorney Shellhammer was ordered to be released on his own recognizancefollowing his initial appearance. Hisattorney,Jeff Stavroff, did not immediately respond to arequest for comment.
A2023 investigationby theBBC traced an online monkey torture network from private YouTubechannels to encrypted messaging groups. It found acommunity of people,mostlyfrom the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, whopaid people in Indonesiatocarry out violent abuse on baby long-tailedmacaques, often suggesting specific methods of torture to videoproducers. That investigation led to multiple prisonsentences in Indonesia, the U.S. and the U.K., though it was not clear if the BBC’sreporting contributed to the charges in Ohio against Drydenand his alleged co-conspirators.
EmailJonah Meadows at jonah.meadows@ theadvocate.com.
Pope Leoappointsnew Houma-Thibodauxbishop
BYMARCOCARTOLANO
Staff writer
Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Rev. SimonPeter Engurait to be the sixth bishop of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, the diocese announced Thursday morning. Engurait, 53, is anative of Uganda and has served as the diocesan administrator in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux since January 2024 following the death of Bishop MarioDorsonville, according to the diocese.
The official announcement of appointment was made in Rome by Archbishop Chris-
tophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S. “While Iamstill shocked by the news that the Lord has asked me to be abishop, Imustadmit that knowing the people of this diocese brings me great comfort in saying yes,” Engurait said in astatementprovided by the diocese. “South Louisiana is home, and Ilove the people here. It isa privilege to say yes to you as much as I am saying yes to God.I love you, and Iconsiderita great honor to serveyou as your bishop.”
Engurait is among the Leo’s earliest appointmentsafter
he was made pope May 8. Leo is the first American pope and has New Orleans ties— he hasCreole, Blacklineage tiedtothe 7th Ward.
Born in Ngora, Uganda, in 1971 to afamilyof14children, Engurait’s education ledhim through Catholic seminaries.
He received abachelor’s degree at Makerere University in Kampala,Uganda, in 1995 and his Master of Business Administration at Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands in 1999, according to the UnitedStates Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Teacheraccused in stepson’s stabbing remainsincustody
St.Landryman hasbailhearing rescheduled
BY STEPHENMARCANTEL
Staff writer
Ajudge in St. LandryPar-
ish rescheduled abail hearing for aspecial-education teacher who is accused of stabbing his 6-year-old stepson. Originallyscheduled Thursday,the bail hearing was rescheduled to July 3at 9a.m. The court also placed gag orders on family mem-
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bers and attorneys. Patrick Greene, 37, faces upgraded charges as of Wednesday.He now faces eight counts of attempted first-degree murder on top of hisprevious charges of aggravated assault, domestic abuse battery withchild endangermentand resistinganofficer Greene’sattorney didnot commentdue to the gag order. Greene will continue to be held in custodywithout bail.
The charges stem from aSunday incident in which Greene, aspecial-education teacher at Sulphur High
School, allegedlystabbed hisstepson, Korbin Price. The boy was found with cuts and stab wounds to the face, neck and chest.
Price was airlifted to aBatonRouge hospital, where he was being treated for life-threatening injuries.
AGoFundMe has been set up forPrice, who is abrain cancer survivor.The campaignraised $22,000 over a few days.
Joshua Price,Korbin’s father,postedanupdate Wednesdaymorning on Facebook and said his son is under sedation to keep him from moving around.
Engurait had worked in the Ugandangovernmentbefore aprofoundexperienceat Catholic Charismatic Renewal at KatigondoSeminary in Uganda that eventuallyled to him entering the priesthood. In 2007, Engurait was accepted as aseminarian for theDiocese of HoumaThibodauxand entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he received his Master of Divinityin2013, according to the UnitedStates Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was ordained adeacon in 2012 at St. Bernadette Church in Houma, and later
ordained apriest in 2013 at the CathedralofSt. Francis de SalesinHouma. Sincehis ordination, Enguraithas served in several assignments within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
Before taking on the role of the diocesan administrator,Engurait was the diocese’s vicargeneralstarting in 2017. He hasalso servedas pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Schrieversince the same year Leo’sfirst American appointment wasBishop Michael Pham to the Dioceseof San Diego in California on May 22.
JeffersonStreetlaneclosed
Closureset throughAugust
Staff report
The southbound lane in the 600 block of Jefferson Street was closed Thursday and will be closed through Aug. 2, according to Lafayette Consolidated Government’sTraffic, Roads, and Bridges Department.
Theclosure is necessary to accommodate roof replacementworkatthe Acadiana Center for the Arts
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theproclamation,nor did Thomas Hooks.
building, officials said in a statement released Monday Aroofing contractorwill positionequipment in the southbound travel lane to safely load andunload materials during the project. Thenorthbound lane of Jefferson Street will remain open to traffic. Southbound motorists and those traveling eastorwestonVermilionStreet will be detoured around the closure.
Drivers are encouraged to use caution in the area andfollowposteddetour signs.
let, have not signed the Pride Month proclamation, nor have the parish councils.
at
John
p.m Obituaries Hammond,Pamela Kathlynne
Celebratinga Life Well Lived.Itiswithheavy heartsthatweannounce the passingofPamela Kathlynne Hammond, a cherished soul who de‐partedthisworld on May 22, 2025. Pamwas born on December22, 1947, to Frances andConnorHam‐mond. Pambrought light and laughter to allwho werefortunate enough to knowher.Her kindness wisdom, andunwavering spiritleftanindelible mark onmanylives.Pam was the kindest, nicest,gen‐tlest person that youcould everknow. Shenever said anunkindwordabout any‐one andwas notone to spreadgossip, although she wasalwaysready to listentoit. Shewas espe‐cially fond of clothes, shoes,and hercats. Pam graduated from Morgan CityHighSchool in 1965 She hadthe distinctionof being the firstfemalestu‐dentbodypresident and the firstfemaledrum major in school history. She subsequently gradu‐atedfromNichols State Universityin1969. Pamre‐ceiveda J.D. degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law CenteratLouisiana State Universitywhere sheisin the Hall of Fame andMoot Court Winner.Pam then entered thepracticeoflaw inNew Orleans, where she was an exemplar of the smart,hard-workingattor‐ney.Pam is survived by her daughterElizabeth Ham‐mondGray. Sheisalsosur‐vived by Faye AnnWaldrop and Jane Cook,her best friends forover70years as wellasa multitudeof other friends. Acelebration ofPam’s life will be held at a laterdate. Condolences may be left at www schoenfh.com.
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They traveledall overthe countryworking in the hospitality industry before landing in Breaux Bridge in the1980s, where she decided to open her first restaurant The DragonCafé.
At thetime, there weren’t many Chinese restaurants, and shewanted to fill that gap,Salser said.The Dragon Café wasopen for about five years,and Salser said someofthe dishes at Chez Jaquelineare servedon whiteplates with aChinese graphic left over from her first restaurant. Although the Dragon was short-lived, she found adifferentway to do what she loved by opening Chez Jacqueline. When asked what made
In thelawsuit,Bellard said theparishcould be spending nearly $530,000 yearly on inmates’ daily expenses. Another reason for theparishcuts is changes to FEMA, Bellard said. He saidheexpects a50% to 90% cut in disaster reimbursements.
In December,Bellard sued the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office over inmate expenses, accusing Sheriff Bobby Guidroz of “enrichment” of his department by taking in state inmates and billingthe parish government for unnecessarytransfers.
herstayinAcadianafor so long,Salsercited the culture and the people. On many occasions, French speakers come into the restaurant and don’tneed a menu because any unique French dishes they request, Salser already serves. “I love thepeoplehere andtheycameout to support me. The culture and the people are beautiful; that’swhy Istay,and it reminds me of home,” Salser said. “And Idon’t likebig towns, so Breaux Bridge was the perfect place.”
Salseristhe only cook at Chez Jaqueline, but she was recently forced to step back in March after an injury that required surgery on her back. Salser is unable towork and now faces mountingbills andliving expenses, andthe restaurant has been closed since April.
President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have both called forthe eliminationofFEMA. “Wemust adapt tothese changes and plan our budget accordingly,” Bellard wrote.
Email Stephen Marcantel at stephen.marcantel@ theadvocate.com.
“I am hoping to return back to my love soon. I have so manypeoplecall andask why are youclosed, and Itell them we will hope to be open soonagain,” Salser said. AGoFundMewas created to helpher getback on her feet and reopen the restaurant.
Thecouncil didnot formallyvoteonthe Pride Month declaration during acouncil meeting.
Asmallgroup of pastors in Lafayette and Acadiana in May senta lettertothe city andparish councils and Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Bouletasking that they not recognize June as LGBTQ+Pride Month and not spend tax dollars on any Pride celebrations.
The last threemayorpresidents, including Bou-
Lafayette and Acadiana’s LGBTQ+ community will be celebrating this month with various events, including aPride parade starting at 6p.m. June 14 on JeffersonStreetindowntown Lafayette.
The LGBTQ+ community celebrates in June in commemoration of theJune 1969 Stonewall riots in NewYork City that represent aturning point in the fight against discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, queers, asexuals and others who identify as nonbinary
‘Different level’
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
Last year,StevenMilamplayedthe hero of LSU baseball’spromising,yet abbreviated run throughthe postseason Remember the two-run, 10th-inning home run that beat South Carolinainthe Southeastern Conference Tournament? Or the right-field solo shot thatdefeated regional host North Carolina?
The Tigers wouldn’thave reached the cusp of asuper regional without Milam’s timely hitting, which made him thefirst Tiger to hit game-winners two games in one week in more than 75 years. Nowpostseason baseball is back, and so too is the sophomore shortstop’sswing Milam didn’tblast any homers in the Baton Rouge regional. But he did tally five hits andsix walks— an important development for an LSU team that’sonly two wins over West Virginia away from areturn trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Their super regional series will begin at1 p.m Saturday in AlexBox Stadium (ESPN) “His at-bats this weekendwere him at his best as aplayer,” coach Jay Johnson said Monday.“He’llplay baseball along time if he takesthe caliber of at-bats that he has.”
Acrossthe firsttwo regular-seasonSEC slates of his career,Milamposted modest hitting averages. Each time, however, those numbers improved once LSU began playing NCAA Tournament games
Milam is acareer .237 hitter witha .320 on-basepercentage in SECplay
But in the nine NCAA Tournament contests he’splayed, the sophomore hit .343 and reached safelyon47% of hisplate appearances.
Those rates include Milam’snumbers from LSU’s2025 regional. In those games, he notched a.417 batting average, six walks to zero strikeoutsand a.632 onbase percentage. He also drove in three runs.
On Friday,after the Tigers beat Little Rock 7-0, Johnson said Milam was “at his best.”
On his first trip to theplate, he drew afour-pitchwalk. Then,onhis fourth,
Milam took threestraight balls and let astrikepass through thezone before he swung on thefifthpitch of theat-bat, sending it deep into left field for adouble.
Third baseman Michael Braswell drove him homefor LSU’sfifth run of the night not long after JohnsonsaidFriday that walks and extra-basehitsserve as thefoundation
Notonly did Trevor Penningexpect the news that he was going to move to guard this offseason, he was excited about it.
When New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Mooreand offensiveline coach Brendan Nugent called Penning upstairs to inform himthat he was switching positions because they thought it was best for him, he recalled replying this way: “I couldn’t agree more.” Penning, whom the Saints selected 19th overall in the 2022 draft, struggled at left tackle in hisfirst two seasons, then enjoyed modest success after switching to right
“The things Idowell Ithink fit better at guard. Not to sayI can’tplaytackle, but in the run game —especially at guard the things Idowell really shine.”
TREVOR PENNING, Saints tackle
tackle last season But after the Saints drafted tackles each of thepast two years, including No. 9overallpick Kelvin Banks in thisyear’sdraft, Penning has worked primarily at left guard during the team’sorganized team activities (OTAs).And while there’snot as much prestige (or
money to be made) on theoffensive line’s interior, Penning is all for the move because he saiditaligns with whoheisasaplayer.
“The things Idowell Ithink fit better at guard,”said Penning a 6-foot-7, 324-pounder.“Not to say Ican’t play tackle, butinthe run game —especially at guard —the things Idowellreally shine.”
Penning’sstruggleshave mostly comeinpassprotection, where he was tasked with getting in frontof smaller,faster andmoreathletic playersinspace. Butheexcelled as aroad graderinthe rungame, where he could be more aggressive andtakehis physicality directly to the opponent. The attacking approach is
Best guessesonwho’s advancing to Omaha
This is the address 16 super regional teamsare trying to reach: 1200 Mike Fahey Street in Omaha, Nebraska. That’sthe site of Charles Schwab Field Omaha, homeofthe College World Series.
Super regionals begin across the country Friday and Saturday at eight on-campus sites. Only eight teams will survive the best-of-three series, eight teams that get to makethe journey that is the goal for307 schools back in February
Here’salook at all eight super regionals and predictions foreach series, starting with LSU-West Virginia at Alex Box Stadium: West Virginia (44-14) at No.6 LSU(46-15)
Game 1: 1p.m. Saturday,ESPN
Game 2: 5p.m. Sunday,ESPN2
Game 3: Monday,ifnecessary
The Tigers and Mountaineers meet in baseball forthe first time, with West Virginia seeking its first CWS appearance and LSU its 20th. Both teams have apair of top-shelf starting pitchers: LSU with Anthony Eyanson (10-2, 2.50 earned run average, two saves) and KadeAnderson (9-1, 3.28 ERA), West Virginia with Griffin Kirn (5-2, 3.13, one save) and Jack Kartsonas (63, 2.94, one save). Things get dicey,of course, if the Mountaineers can force aGame 3Monday,possibly putting the Tigers’ fate in the hands of freshman Casan Evans (4-1, 1.90, six saves) again. LSU has not lost ahome series this season (33-6 overall) and doesn’t look to start now Prediction: LSU in twogames Arizona(42-18) at No.5 NorthCarolina(45-13)
Game 1: 11 a.m. Friday,ESPN2
Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday,ESPN2 Game 3: Sunday,ifnecessary
The TarHeels got pushed to an ifnecessary gameintheir homeregional by Oklahoma, then pounded OU 14-4. Arizona swept through the Eugene regional 3-0 by acombined 31-6, while, it must be said, avoiding regional host Oregon which went 0-2. UNC has the nation’sthird-best ERA (3.39) and is the top non-SEC choice per ESPNBet at +550. We think the Heels are agood bet to beat the road-weary Wildcats. Prediction: North Carolina in two Miami (34-25)atLouisville(38-21)
Game 1: 2p.m. Friday,ESPN2
Game 2: 10 a.m. Saturday,ESPN
Game 3: Sunday,ifnecessary
The Hurricanes wonthe Southern Miss regional as aNo. 3seed, while the Cardinals took advantage of national No.1seed Vanderbilt’sflame-out to
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSUshortstop StevenMilam has shown an ability to turnhis game up alevelduring NCAA postseasonplay.
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
LSU shortstop StevenMilam drops his bat as he takesoff from homeplate after batting against LittleRockonMondayinBaton Rouge regional championship game.
STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER Saints guard TrevorPenning takes partinthe team’sorganized team activities on May22atthe team’straining facility in Metairie.
Rabalais
4p.m. HenryFord Health 200 FS2
6:30 p.m. NHRA: Qualifying FS1 BEACH VOLLEYBALL
8p.m. AVPLeague: Week 2CBSSN COLLEGEBASEBALL
2p.m. Miami at Louisville ESPN2
5p.m. FloridaSt. at Oregon St.ESPN2
8p.m. Coast Carolina at Auburn ESPN2
WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLDSERIES
7p.m. Texas Tech vs.Texas (if needed) ESPN GOLF
11 a.m.LPGA: Shoprite LPGA Classic Golf
1p.m. LIV Golf League Fox
2p.m. PGA: RBCCanadian Open Golf
6p.m. PGA: AmericanChampionship Golf
8p.m. KornFerry Tour:Pro-Am Golf
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
noon Miami at TampaBay MLBN
6p.m. Boston at N.y.yankees MLBN
6:10 p.m. Arizona at Cincinnati APPLETV+
6:10 p.m. ChicagoCubs at DetroitAPPLETV+
9p.m. Atlanta at San Francisco MLBN
NHL
7p.m.Florida at EdmontonTNT
WOMEN’S SOCCER
5:30 p.m.U.S.Women vs.Angel 7’sESPNU
7:50 p.m.U.S.vs. Canada FS2 TENNIS
noon The French OpenTNT
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
6p.m.Czechia vs. U.S. CBSSN WNBA
6:30 p.m.Atlanta at Connecticut ION
8:30 p.m.Los Angeles at Dallas ION
No.1 SabalenkaendsSwiatek’s reign
Top-ranked womanto meet No.2Gauff for French Open title
BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer
PARIS Flecks of rust-colored clay dotted Aryna Sabalenka’s back and caked her whiteshoesas
she ripped big shot after big shot against Iga Swiatek on Thursday, the thud of racket-on-string reverberating off the closed roof at the main stadium at Roland Garros
So used to hearing —and believing —she was afast-court specialist who couldn’tsucceed on the slower red clay used at RolandGarros, the No. 1-ranked Sabalenka showed just how good she can be on the surfacebyendingSwiatek’s26-match unbeaten streak at the French Open and bidfor a record fourth consecutive trophy with a7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 win in Thursday’ssemifinals.
NowSabalenka will trytowin her fourth Grand Slam title —and first not on ahard court —when she takes on No. 2Coco Gauff in Saturday’sfinal. It will be the first title match in Paris between the Nos. 1and 2women since 2013 and just thesecondinthe past 30 years.
“It’sgoing to mean everything to me and my team, because Ihave to say that almost (my) whole life, I’ve been told (clay) is not my thing, and then Ididn’thave any confidence,” Sabalenka said. “In the past —Idon’tknow howmany years —we’ve been able to develop my game so much, so Ifeel really comfortable on this surface and actually enjoy playing on clay.” Gauff, a21-year-old American who wasthe runner-up in2022 to Swiatek, reached hersecond FrenchOpenfinalbybeating 361stranked French wild-card entry Loïs Boisson 6-1, 6-2 in afar-lessinteresting, far-less-competitive semifinal.
“My first final here, Iwas super nervous, and Ikind of wrote myself off before the match even happened,” said Gauff, who is 5-5 againstSabalenka and beat her for the 2023 U.S. Opentitle at age 19.
“Obviously,here, Ihave alot more confidence just fromplaying a GrandSlamfinalbefore and doing well in one.”
Much to the chagrin of the 15,000 or so locals pulling for their countrywoman at Court PhilippeChatrier, Gauff vs. Boisson wasn’t much of acontest, as might be expected from their rankings and relativeexperience. Then again, thatdidn’tstopBoisson from eliminating both No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 6Mirra Andreevaenroutetobecoming the first woman since 1989 to get to the semifinals in her Grand Slam debut. Loud as the crowd was, repeatedly singingBoisson’sfirst name, Gauff’s play spoke volumes, too, as shetook20ofthe first 30 pointsfor a4-0 lead. That patternheld, and
by theend, Gauff had claimed 34 of the 51 points that lasted at least five strokes.
Most remarkable about Sabalenka’swin was theway she dominated in crunchtime,racing through the last set
“I mean, 6-love,” she said. “What can Isay? Couldn’tbemoreperfect thanthat.”
Swiatek’sexplanation?
“I lost my intensity abit,” she said. “Just couldn’tpush back.”
This stat says it all: The third set included 12 unforced errors off Swiatek’sracket, and zero off Sabalenka’s.
This continues arough stretch for Swiatek, a24-year-old from Poland, who hasn’treached afinal at anytournament since walking away withher third trophy in a row —and fifth GrandSlamtitle overall —fromParis 12 months ago. She recently slid to No. 5in therankings. Her rutincludes a loss in the semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Later last season, she was suspendedfor amonth after testing positive for abanned substance; her explanation was accepted that the result was caused by acontaminated medicine.
Sabelanka is, unquestionably,as good as it gets in women’stennis right now.
“She didn’tdoubt,” Swiatek said. “She just went forit.”
Even though Sabalenka broke in the first game andsoon led4-1 —at which point Swiatek wasglancing up at hercoach, WimFissette, in thestands,hoping for somesort of insight that could change things —this was not one-way traffic. Swiatek ended up leading 5-4in that set, but whenthey got to the tiebreaker,Sabalenka asserted herself.
Did the same in the last set.
“It was abig match,and it felt like afinal,” said Sabalenka,who won theAustralian Open twice and the U.S.Open once. “But Iknow thatthe jobisnot done yet.”
Oakmonttobetoughesttestingolf
World’sbestplayers prepping forchallenge at U.S. Open
BYDOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer
OAKMONT,Pa. Never mindthat Rory McIlroy is finally aMasters champion and the first player in 25 years to join the exclusive list of players with the career Grand Slam. Or that Scottie Schefflerwon the PGA Championship and reasserted himselfasgolf’s best player. They are the biggest starsinthe game heading into the third major of the year.They mightnot be the main attraction. The one name that gets everyone’s attention at this U.S. Open: Oakmont.
The course Henry Fownesbuilt in 1903 is tough as Pittsburgh steel. Geoff Ogilvy,aformer U.S. Open champion, once said playing Oakmont “was like the hardest hole you’ve ever played on every hole.”
The USGA doesn’thave to do much to achieve what it always wants: the toughest test in golf. Oakmont hosts the U.S.Openfor the 10th time on June 12-15, more than any other courseinthe championship’s130-year history. There’s areason it keeps going back.
“There are certain places in ourgame where you stand on the first tee and you look out over the landscape, and it’sjust meant to play the U.S. Open. Oakmont is that place,” John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chiefchampionships officer, said in an interview with Golf Channel. “It was built for aU.S. Open.”
have beenvideosofgolf balls in thethick grasswithonlya few dimplesvisible
“I would say all of therumors and everything arepretty on point,” said JustinThomas, who toured Oakmont before heading to theMemorial Xander Schauffele hasfinished out of the top 10 only onceinhis eightU.S. Opens. He has yetto see Oakmont, but its reputation is enoughfor him to realize what to expect.
“It’sjusta battle. It reallyis,” Schauffele said. “Itcan be extremelyrewarding if you areable to stay disciplinedfor 72 holes.The clichestatement of golf is amarathon —itseemstobethe most truefeeling when you play at U.S. Opens. Youjust feel like you’re going to war every day.”
Bryson DeChambeau is the reigning champion,one of eight players who broke paratPinehurst No. 2lastyear. That was a stern test of adifferent variety, more about domed Donald Ross greens and fairways framed by sand dunes.
Before that was the experiment at Los Angeles Country Club, where Schauffeleand RickieFowler made U.S. Openhistory,each with arecord 62 about 10 minutes apart.
In the eyes of Jordan Spieth, what Oakmont providesisa chance to reset what theU.S. Open is all about —narrow fairways, deep rough, tough greens. And at Oakmont, the famous “Church Pew” bunkers that separate the third and fourth fairways.
adifferent one. It sets the slate straight “It’sthe easiest Openfor the USGA,” he said. “Theydon’t have to do alot to it, and it makes it really good for thetournament.”
Scheffler madehis U.S.Open debutasa19-year-old at the UniversityofTexas. He shot 69 in the first round and then missed the cut.
Now he is athree-time major champion, fresh off his five-shot victory in the PGA Championship. Perhaps more telling was a four-shot victory at the Memorial, whereplayers felt theywere getting apreviewofthe U.S. Open with roughsothick that just getting backtothe fairway couldbe achallenge.
The freak injury Scheffler suffered —hetried cutting ravioli with awine glass on Christmas Dayand punctured hisright hand —might have set him back at the start of the year.Heisinfull stride now,winning threeofhis past four tournaments. Not to be overlooked is DeChambeau. For allthe talk about Oakmont’stoughness, Winged Foot in New York is another brute of aU.S.Opentest. That’swhere DeChambeau blasted away off the teeand powered wedges out of the rough. He setthe scoring record at Winged Foot (274) and won by six.
Now he is the reigning U.S. Open champion and readytomatch muscles withOakmont. Only five playersinthe past 100 years have won the U.S. Openback-to-back.
Cajuns hire Ricklefsen as an assistant coach
Just like Idid last year withPinehurst, focusing on executing the right shots, hittingthe fairways, not three-putting —that’sgoing to be abig deal —and keeping it out of the rough. Itry to keep it simple.”
That’sarecipe for atraditional U.S. Open. Avoiding three-putts is always mentioned at Augusta National. That comes into focus at Oakmont because of its reputation for fast greens. Sam Snead once famously (and jokingly) said of Oakmont, “I put adime down to mark my ball and the dime slid away.”
One only has to look back at the last time at Oakmont, in 2016, when Dustin Johnson’sballmoved ever so slightly as he was stepping in fora parputt on the fifth hole. He didn’tthink he caused it to move. The USGA didn’ttell him until the 12th teethatitwas beingreviewed, and he was penalized after the fourth round was over.Bythen, he didn’tcare— he wonbythree shots instead of four Johnson is bound of the World GolfHallofFame, andsoispractically every U.S. Open champion at Oakmont, atestament to its stature. MissingisPhilMickelson, who takes on Oakmont for the fourth time. He missed the cut the last two times at Oakmont, and shot 297 —18shots behind —in1994. The U.S. Open remains theonlymajorkeeping him from thecareer Grand Slam, and this likely will be his last one.
UL baseball’scoaching staff added assistant coach Jimmy Ricklefsen on Thursday.
Thelongtime assistant coach and former McNeeseState head coach was addedtocoach Matt Deggs’ staff in anew position concentrating on recruiting.
The1986 McNeese graduate was ateammate of Tony Robichaux at McNeese andlater coached underRobichauxbeginning in 1987
When Robichaux took the UL job, Ricklefsen was the Cowboys’ head coach before going to Lamar from 1998-2015. He returnedtoMcNeese from 2016 until thispastseason as assistantcoach,including associate head coach the last two seasons.
The Cajuns arecoming off a27-31 season, searching fornew successes in the evolving transferportal and NILworld of college baseball.
Rangersoption out struggling RHP Rocker
The Texas Rangers optioned right-handerKumarRocker to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, aday after arockystart after coming off the injured list.
The Rangers madethe movebefore the final gameofthe series between the Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas manager BruceBochy said thedecisionwas not about an error Rocker made during thatgame that ledtoa fourrun third inning forthe Rays in an eventual 5-4 winfor TampaBay Rocker,activatedoff the IL earlier Wednesday,was charged with five earned runs on six hits and twowalks.
He struck out five in 31/3 innings. This season, the 25-year-old righthander is 1-4 with an 8.87 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 231/3 innings.
Ishbia’scontrolling interest in White Sox now possible
TheChicago White Soxhave reachedanagreement that will give JustinIshbia,the brother of PhoenixSuns owner MatIshbia,the chance to buy afuture controlling interest in the club.
The team made the announcement Thursday,adding that Ishbia will make capital infusions into the White Sox as alimited partner in 2025 and2026, which will be used to pay down existing debt and support ongoing team operations. Ishbia was alreadya limited partner Justin is the second-largest shareholderwith the Suns. Under the agreement, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf will have the option to sell controlling interest in the team to Ishbia from202933. After the 2034 season, Ishbia can acquire thecontrolling interest.
U.S. gymnastics president to resign in December
Li Li Leung, whodeftly guided USA Gymnasticsback from the brink of collapse in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, is stepping down at the end of the year.USA Gymnastics had filed for bankruptcy after dozens of lawsuits it faced from women who blameditfor failing to supervise Nassar,aformer nationalteam doctorwho sexually abused themunderthe guise of medical treatment, just monthsbefore Leung’sarrival. Through amixture of empathy savvy and commitment, the lawsuit was settledinlate2021. High-profilecorporate partners reengaged and, in some instances, even expanded their relationship. Leung knew it was time to make achoice shecalled “difficult” and “bittersweet”but also necessary
Adding to the hype areplayers whohave gonetoOakmont in the weeks leading up to the U.S. Open and sharing tales of deep rough andgreensthatmakeitfeelthey are putting on linoleum. There
“If you miss thefairway,it’sreallyhard to make par.And if you hit the fairway,the job’snot done,” Spieth said.“Ithink it’sagood test.
The way I’ve alwaystalked about Oakmont is the USGA needs one year to be able for people to forget about something theydid in
“I think I’m always chasing history.Everybody is.We’reall trying to accomplish featsthat haven’t been done in along time,and going back-to-back would be great. Threeina row would be an even betteraccomplishment,” DeChambeau said. “So it is in the back of my head. “HowamIpreparing for it?Just like Iwould any other tournament.
Mickelson won the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50. His five-year exemptiontothe U.S. Openruns out thisyear,and he already accepted special exemption(which he didn’tneed when he won thePGA).Only once hasthe USGA awardeda secondexemption to aplayer who hadnot won theU.S. Open. That was the late Seve Ballesteros.
MLB reinstates four players afterbaseballbettingbans Major League Baseball’soneyear suspensions forbetting on the sport ended for four players Thursday —San Diego starter Jay Groome, Athleticsreliefpitcher Michael Kelly, Philadelphia infielder José Rodríguez and Arizona reliever Andrew Saalfrank. The A’sreinstated Kelly along with left-hander T.J. McFarland, whowas on the injured list. The Padres did not offer Groome acontract, nor did thePhillieswith Rodríguez, making them both free agents. Saalfrank wasoptioned to the Diamondbacks’ rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
Theplayers violated Major League Rule 21. They were handed mandatory one-year suspensions for betting on games in which they did not participate. On TV AUTO RACING
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By AURELIEN MORISSARD
CocoGauff of the U.S. celebrates after she beat French wild-card entryLoïsBoisson 6-1, 6-2 in the French Open on ThursdayinParis.
SCOREBOARD
G. Forrest, Scotland 37-35—72 +1
A. Heredia, Spain38-34—72 +1
G. Green, Malaysia 35-37—72 +1 D. izng, Netherlands 36-36—72 +1 M. Kinhult, Sweden 37-35—72 +1 J. Luiten, Netherlands 36-36—72 +1 JoelMoscatel, Spain 38-34—72 +1 D. Nadoo, South Africa35-37—72 +1 J. Olesen, Denmark 37-35—72 +1
M. Schwab, Austria 35-37—72 +1
R. Strne, South Africa 35-37—72 +1
C. Tarren, England 35-37—72 +1
D. Driel, Netherlands 38-34—72 +1
B. Wiesberger, Austria37-35—72 +1
W. Bsslng, Netherlands38-35—73 +2
H. Brown, Denmark 37-36—73 +2
L. Canter, England 37-36—73 +2 J. Donaldson, Wales37-36—73 +2 Ross Fisher, England 37-36—73 +2
T. Lwrnce, S. Africa39-34—73 +2
Hao-Tong Li,China 38-35—73 +2
E. Chacarra,Spain 37-36—73 +2
T. Mrrtt, United States 40-33—73 +2 Yannik Paul, Germany37-36—73 +2
Conor Purcell, Ireland 34-39—73 +2
B. Schmidt, England 35-38—73 +2
F. Schott, Germany38-35—73 +2
JackSenior,England 35-38—73 +2
C. Shinkwin, England 39-34—73 +2
M. Southgte, England 38-35—73 +2
Chris Wood, England 37-36—73 +2
T. Clements, England 40-34—74 +3
A. Fitzpatrck, England 37-37—74 +3
Calum Hill, Scotland 37-37—74 +3
N. Kimsey, England 37-37—74 +3
M. Lindberg,Sweden 40-34—74 +3 K. Nakajima, Japan 37-37—74 +3
John Parry,England 38-36—74 +3
T. Pulkkanen, Finland 40-34—74 +3 S. Soderberg, Sweden 37-37—74 +3
C. Sordet,France 38-36—74 +3
B. Stone,South Africa 40-34—74 +3
L. Vight, Netherlands 38-36—74 +3
A. Wilson, England 35-39—74 +3
B. Akesson, Sweden 37-38—75 +4 Albert Boneta, Spain 38-37—75 +4
Joe Dean, England 38-37—75 +4
A. Frances, Denmark37-38—75 +4
J. Girrbach, Switzrlnd 35-40—75 +4 J. Gmbrg, U.S. 36-39—75 +4 A. Halvorsen, Norway 39-36—75 +4
C. Jarvis, South Africa 39-36—75 +4
R. Jhnstn, United States40-35—75 +4 J. Weon Ko,France 37-38—75 +4 R. Petersen, Denmark 37-38—75 +4 B. Wu,United States 39-36—75 +4 Bastien Amat, France38-38—76 +5 S. Bairstow, England 37-39—76 +5 JulienBrun, France 38-38—76 +5 S. Crocker,U.S.36-40—76 +5 S. Jamieson, Scotland 40-36—76 +5 K. Kobori, New Zealnd 37-39—76 +5 G. Lafbr, Netherlands 38-38—76 +5 N. Lemke, Sweden 38-38—76 +5 D. Michelzzi, Australia 39-37—76 +5 Guido Migliozzi, Italy 40-36—76 +5 C. Shaun, U.S. 36-40—76 +5 O. Strdm, South Africa 42-34—76 +5 S. Woltrng, Netherlnds36-40—76 +5 T. Aiken, South Africa 36-41—77 +6 U. Coussaud,France 41-36—77 +6 D. Grmshys,S.Africa40-37—77 +6 J. Harding, S. Africa38-39—77 +6 A. Knappe,Germany42-35—77 +6 DannyList, Australia 38-39—77 +6 R. Velzen, S. Africa 40-37—77 +6 D. Whitnell, England 37-40—77 +6 R. Williams, S. Africa 37-40—77 +6 Veer Ahlawat, India 39-39—78 +7 B. Driessen, Nethrlnds 39-39—78 +7 G. Castano, Spain 39-39—78 +7 S. Forsstrom, Sweden 40-38—78 +7 Zihao Jin, China 40-38—78 +7
B.Thompson, England 40-38—78 +7 S. Sharma, India 40-38—78 +7 A. Cockerill, Canada 43-36—79 +8 M. Kim, South Korea40-39—79 +8 K. Kouwnr, Netherlnds40-39—79 +8 M. Trainer, France 40-39—79 +8 V. Veen, Netherlands 43-37—80 +9 D. Porsius, Netherlnds 40-41—81 +10
B. Reuter, Netherlnds 39-42—81 +10
Tennis
French Open Results
Thursday At Stade Roland Garros
Paris Purse: €20,509,000
Surface: Redclay
PARIS Results ThursdayfromFrench Open at Stade Roland Garros(seedings in parentheses): Women’s Singles Semifinals Aryna Sabalenka(1),Belarus, def. IgaSwiatek (5), Poland, 7-6 (1), 4-6 6-0. Coco Gauff (2), United States,def. Lois Boisson, France, 6-1, 6-2
Men’s Doubles Semifinals Marcel Granollers, Spain, and Horacio Zeballos (5), Argentina, def. EdouardRoger-Vasselin, France, and Hugo Nys(16), Monaco, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4. MixedDoubles Championship SaraErrani and Andrea Vavassori (3), Italy, def. Evan King and Taylor Townsend (4), United States,6-4, 6-2
WTAMakarskaOpen Results
Thursday At Bluesun TennisCenter
Makarska, Croatia
Purse: $115,000
Surface: Redclay MAKARSKA, CROATIA Results
ThursdayfromMakarskaOpen 125 at Bluesun TennisCenter (seedings in parentheses): Women’s Singles Round of 16 Maya Joint (1), Australia, def. Louisa Chirico, United States,6-3, 6-0 Maiar Sherif Ahmed Abdelaziz, Egypt, def. Elena Pridankina, Russia, 6-1, 6-2. Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, Andorra, def. Hanne Vandewinkel, Belgium, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3 Lola Radivojevic, Serbia, def. Diane Parry (5), France, 6-3, 7-5 SaraBejlek, Czechia, def. PetraMartic (7), Croatia, 4-6, 6-3,6-4. PetraMarcinko, Croatia, def. Renata Zarazua (3), Mexico, 6-4,6-3. Darja Semenistaja (8),Latvia,def. Tara Wuerth, Croatia, 7-6 (6), 7-5 Mona Barthel,Germany, def. Katie Volynets (2), United States, 6-3,6-1. Women’s Doubles Semifinals JesikaMaleckovaand Miriam Skoch (2), Czechia, def. Patricia Maria Tig, Romania, and TamaraKorpatsch Germany, 6-3, 6-0. Oksana Kalashnikova,Georgia, and Elena Pridankina (1), Russia def. Jessica Failla and Jessie Aney, United States, 6-2, 6-3 Transactions MajorLeague Baseball American League ATHLETICS —Designated 1B CJ Alexander for assignment. Reinstated LHP T.J. McFarland from the 15-day IL. Optioned RHP JustinSterner to Las Vegas (PCL). Optioned RHP Elvis Alvarado to Las Vegas.Reinstated RHP Michael Kelly from the suspended list. BOSTON RED SOX—Sent CBlake Sabol outright to Worcester (IL) CHICAGOWHITE SOX—Recalled RHP Owen White from Charlotte (IL).Optioned RHPCaleb Freeman to Charlotte. Agreed to terms with RHP Alexander Martinez on aminor league contract. KANSAS CITY ROYALS —Transferred RHP Hunter Harveyfromthe 15-day IL to the
4-4), 6:10 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Brown3-3) at Detroit (Skubal 5-2), 6:10 p.m. San Diego (Vásquez 3-4) at Milwaukee(Patrick 3-4), 7:10 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (TBD)atSt. Louis (Gray 6-1), 7:15 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Senga 6-3) at Colorado (Senzatela 1-10), 7:40 p.m. Atlanta (Schwellenbach 4-4) at San Francisco(Birdsong3-1),9:15 p.m. Golf KLM Open Thursday At The International Amsterdam Purse: $2.8 million Yardage: 6,914; Par: 71 First Round R. Gouveia, Portugal 36-28—64 -7 C. Syme, Scotland 32-33—65 -6 D. Brown, England 33-33—66 -5 J. Catlin, United States33-33—66 -5 M. Kieffer,Germany 35-31—66 -5 J. Lagergren, Sweden 35-31—66 -5 P. Pineau, France 34-32—66 -5 R. Ramsay, Scotland 30-36—66 -5 A. Hidalgo, Spain 35-32—67-4 D. Ravetto, France 33-34—67 -4 G. De Leo, Italy 36-32—68 -3 O. Lindell, Finland 34-34—68 -3 Z. Lombrd, S. Africa 32-36—68 -3 J. Scrivener, Australia 34-34—68-3 F. Zanotti, Paraguay36-32—68 -3 M. Armitage, England 34-35—69 -2 R. Bello, Spain 36-33—69 -2 Jorge Campillo, Spain 36-33—69 -2 Nacho Elvira, Spain 35-34—69 -2 F. Laporta, Italy 37-32—69 -2 A. Sullivan,England 38-31—69 -2 L. Bjerregrd, Denmark 34-36—70 -1 J. Dantorp,Sweden32-38—70 -1 WenyiDing, China35-35—70 -1 D. Frittlli, South Africa 37-33—70 -1 B. Hebert, France 35-35—70 -1 D. Hillr, New Zealand 34-36—70 -1 Y. Katsurgwa, Japan37-33—70 -1 Algot Kleen, Sweden 37-33—70 -1 R. Mansell, England 33-37—70 -1 K. Reitan,Norway 36-34—70 -1 J. Schaper, S. Africa 36-34—70 -1 L.VanMeijel, Nthrlnds 32-38—70 -1 J. Winther, Denmark 36-34—70 -1 A. AyoraFangs, Spain 36-35—71 E N. Colsaerts, Belgium 37-34—71 E J. De Bruyn, Germany36-35—71 E ManuelElvira, Spain 36-35—71 E D. Ercksn, U.S. 34-37—71 E J. Guerrier, France 37-34—71 E P. Larrazabal, Spain 36-35—71 E F. Molinari, Italy 38-33—71E W. Ninbr, South Africa 38-33—71 E Andrea Pavan, Italy 37-34—71 E M. Schndr, Germany37-34—71 E M. Siem, Germany 38-33—71 E T. Tetak,Slovakia 35-36—71 E TomVaillant, France 37-34—71 E J. Veerman,U.S.37-34—71 E N. Dllngshsn, Germny38-33—71 E J. Walkr, U.S. 39-32—71 E M. Baldwin,England37-35—72 +1 D. Bradbury, England 35-37—72 +1 D. Brynt,United States36-36—72 +1 I. CnteroGtrrz, Spain 39-33—72 +1 W. De Vries, Nethrlnds35-37—72 +1 A. Del Rey, Spain 37-35—72 +1 E. Ferguson, Scotland 36-36—72 +1 B. Smith, Zimbabwe 36-36—72 +1
Caden DiBetta, who was part of ahuge senior class.
Though the Rams’ starting lineup wasdominated by seniors, Dotson said many young players saw action.
If you’re an Acadiana person, youknowyou have to uphold thestandardsthat have been set forth.
BY MIKE COPPAGE
Contributingwriter
Acadiana High School footballcoach DougDotson saidthere’s amisconception aboutthe Wreckin’ Rams’veer offense.
Back when his father Bill installed the option scheme as coach in 1972, it wasn’tto run thefootball.
“Everybody was in tight formations thosedays,” said Dotson,who worked as an assistantcoach at Acadiana the past few years undercoach Matt McCullough. “He put wide receivers on bothsides.”
The Rams, whowrapped up their first spring practice under Dotson last month, may throw the ball morethan ever Senior quarterback Ty Lamartina (6-foot, 195 pounds), abaseball pitcher,has areceiving corps that features toprising junior prospect Collin DiBetta, track star SyrianJosephand Travis Gallien, a6-3 215-pound mismatch machine.
“Tyhas some serious arm talent,” Dotson said. “He has acannon. We have areally talentedgroup of kids Collin, of course, is Mr.Everything to us. He can do it all.”
Lamartina is stepping into the role vacated by
“Itwas aunique situation last year,” he said. “Most of the time, we have adiverse group of starterswithsophomores and juniors among seniors. The good news is we won alot of games by big margins. The second unit usually playedthe whole fourth quarter.”
That second unit went8-0 in junior varsity games.
The Rams’ spring session culminated in an intrasquad scrimmage that was primarily adefensive stalemate.
“Whenweplayourselves, it’susually pretty bland,” Dotson said. “The defense knows what we’re doing. DiBetta had acouple of TDs through the air.Troy Kennersonmade some plays at running back. Darryus McKinley sat out as a precaution.” McKinley, arising senior four-star defensive line prospect,will joindefensive back Ty Thomas (anothertrack state champion), defensive back Tavian Landry andlinebacker Gavin Coleman as returning starters.
“Everybody talks about ouroffense,but we have atradition on defense,” Dotson said. “Look, it’s Acadiana football. It really doesn’t matter whoissitting in this chair (as coach).
“Some really good men have worked hard to do what makes this program successful. It’s being hardnosed on both sides of the football.”
Dotson, who has experience as both an offensive anddefensive coordinator in additiontobeing aveteran head coach,saidhe has been “floating” to different position groups to lend ahand. He’sprobably spent the most time with the quarterbacks.
“When theoffensive line does good,the team does good,” he said. “This group hassome big shoes to fill. Last year wasone of the best offensive lines. They came offthe football very well.” Dotson has filled out most of hisstaff. James Estes (offensive coordinator) and Matt Moreau (defensive coordinator) lead the way with assistants also including DylanRamagos, Jake Zbydniewski, Xavier Johnson and Zi’Yon Hill. Alums Ceasar andBralen Trahan are working with the secondary “Zi’Yon is agood guy who knows his stuff,” Dotson said of the formerRagin’ Cajun defensive lineman. “Darryus hasalreadygotten some good tutelage. He’ll continue to get it from aguy whohas been thereand done it at avery high level.
RABALAIS
Continued from page 1C
win in Nashville as a No. 2 seed. It’s hard to believe once-mighty Miami hasn’t been to the CWS since 2016. It won’t make it this year, either Louisville only allowed five runs in three games in Nashville, and both the Cardinals’ pitching and hitting is superior to the Hurricanes in those departments.
Prediction: Louisville in two No. 9 Florida State (41-14) at No. 8 Oregon State (45-13-1)
Game 1: 5 p.m. Friday, ESPN2
Game 2: 8 p.m. Saturday
ESPN2
Game 3: Sunday, if necessary As the seeds suggest, this could be the most even of all the supers. The Seminoles were close to being a top-eight national seed, nosed out by a Beavers who made it as an independent playing only 24 home games including five in its regional. This one goes the distance, but FSU is on better form and keeps alive its pursuit of that elusive first CWS championship.
Prediction: Florida State in three No. 13 Coastal Carolina (51-11) at No. 4 Auburn (41-18)
Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday, ESPN2
Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2
Game 3: Sunday, if necessary
SAINTS
Continued from page 1C
The new Saints coaching staff saw that style play out when assessing Penning’s film, and Moore said he felt guard was a natural transition to take advantage of Penning’s strengths.
“His play style, his physicality is what jumps off the tape,” Moore said. “We want him to play fast, free and confident, because when he plays like that he’s a really, really good player.”
It’s not like this is a revelation. When thinking about it in front of his locker after Thursday’s OTA practice, Penning figured he’d played more guard than tackle in his career He played guard in high school, and that was also his first position at Northern Iowa (though he did start 32 games at tackle there compared to just one at guard). When he was going through the pre-draft pro-
As the LSU Tigers can tell the Auburn Tigers, beware the Chanticleers in a super regional. The nation’s winningest team, Coastal Carolina also has the best team ERA of any super regional squad (3.22) Auburn counters with a strong hitting team (.305), led by the colorfully named Ike Irish (.362, 18 home runs, 57 RBIs) and the Tigers have struck out an SEC-low 422 times. But pitching is a huge edge for Coastal (Auburn’s ERA is 4.71), enough to win the super if it goes the distance.
Prediction: Coastal Carolina in three
Murray State (42-14) at Duke (40-19)
Game 1: Noon Saturday
ESPNU
Game 2: 11 a.m Sunday, TV
TBA Game 3: Monday, if necessary
Every super regional round needs a super underdog, and Murray State is that team The boys from Matt McMahon’s old school can really rake, having scored nine, 13, eight and 12 runs in their four regional games at Ole Miss. The flip side is the Racers allowed 47 runs in those four games, compared to 10 allowed by Duke in winning the regional at Georgia. The Blue Devils are trying to reach their first CWS since 1961. Prediction: Duke in two No. 14 Tennessee (46-17) at No. 3 Arkansas (46-13)
Game 1: 4 p.m. Saturday, ESPN
Game 2: 2 p.m. Sunday, ESPN
cess, several teams envisioned him as a guard, which is why he spent some time at the Senior Bowl playing guard.
When he got to New Orleans, he was asked to step in as a successor to Pro Bowler Terron Armstead. Then Penning suffered a turf toe injury that robbed him of most of his rookie season. When he finally got into the lineup, he suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 18 that knocked him out for much of the ensuing offseason. He was benched before the halfway mark of his second season, but rebounded in 2024 and led the team in offensive snaps played. Still, the Saints need to see more from him. The team declined to pick up his fifth-year option this offseason, meaning Penning is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He said he’s not worried about any of that — the uncertainty about his future in New Orleans or the lack of a vote of confidence
New York Giants’ leader
BY DENNIS WASZAK JR.
AP pro football writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J Russell Wilson knows he’s not the future. Not at this point in his career The New York Giants hope that’ll be Jaxson Dart.
For now, though, Wilson is the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart and he fully expects to remain there when the season starts.
Still, all eyes during offseason practices are on Dart, the big-armed firstround draft pick from Mississippi.
“It doesn’t change anything at all,” Wilson said of his approach after the Giants’ sixth practice of organized team activities Thursday “I think the biggest thing is for me is just being my best every day, leading. I always think about just leading every-
LSU
Continued from page 1C
Game 3: Monday, if necessary
The marquee matchup of the weekend, pitting the reigning CWS champion Volunteers against the Razorbacks, ESPN’s co-favorite with LSU (+300). The winner plays the LSUWest Virginia winner in Omaha. The expected Game 1 matchup between Tennessee’s Liam Doyle (10-3, 2.78, 158 strikeouts in 92 innings) and Arkansas’ Zach Root (7-5, 3.78) is a big one and an edge for the Volunteers. But Doyle can only make one start. The Razorbacks rally to win the last two games in a thriller Prediction: Arkansas in three
UTSA (47-13) at No. 15 UCLA (45-16)
Game 1: 6 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU
Game 2: 2 p.m. Sunday, ESPN2
Game 3: Monday, if necessary
The Roadrunners shocked everyone going 3-0 in the Austin regional, including two wins against No. 2 national seed Texas, while the Bruins held serve at home against Fresno State, Arizona State and UC Irvine. Per WarrenNolan.com, UTSA has a better mark against Quad 1 opponents than UCLA this season, 8-4 compared to 4-7. Expect runs aplenty in a series that goes the distance, with UTSA punching one of the last tickets to Omaha.
Prediction: UTSA in three
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from the team.
“I’m just trying to play my best football, and whatever happens, happens,” Penning said.
It helps that Moore and several of his assistants have recent experience guiding someone through this transition. Moore, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti were all with Philadelphia last season, where they saw another rough tackle prospect, Mekhi Becton, turn in a promising season at guard.
So they can see the path, and they see it with Penning.
“Trevor’s physicality, his demeanor, the way he plays, we feel like guard presents him a great opportunity,” Moore said.
Penning still can’t agree more.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I’m going to be just fine playing there.”
Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate. com.
body, just leading every room, every moment, every time I get to step between the white lines and the opportunity of that.”
New York signed the 36-year-old Wilson, who’s entering his 14th season, in March to a one-year deal worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed. The move gave the Giants a stopgap option at quarterback, teaming with Jameis Winston and holdover Tommy DeVito
But a month later, New York traded back into the first round of the draft and took Dart giving the Giants a potential signal caller for the future.
“Jaxson’s been great, man,” Wilson said while speaking to reporters for the first time since the draft. “He’s a great worker great teammate. We’re having fun, all of us. We have a really good quar-
terback room. Guys are so focused and working diligently every day He’s going to be an extremely, extremely good talent and everything else throughout his career.”
For now, though, Dart is the student and Wilson very much the teacher And the leader of the offense.
“I always share and I always think about communication,” Wilson said.
“I’m a big believer in communicating out loud, just, ‘Here’s what I’m thinking, here’s what I’m saying.’ You don’t hold any information. I think that for us, it’s always about us being the best that we can all be
“And I think for me, when you have tremendous confidence in yourself, you have no problem sharing it with others. I think that’s just how I’ve always believed.”
for LSU’s offense. Milam, usually a six-hole hitter who makes good contact and reads pitches well, can move it along from his normal slot in the lineup — but only when he’s stacking productive at-bats like he was in the regional.
“I think when the target for him is right,” Johnson said, “which is just have quality at-bats and move the offense, he’s an exceptional offensive player And he did that tonight.”
Ahead of Monday’s regional clincher, Johnson took a risk by reshuffling his lineup. In one of several changes Milam moved from sixth in the order to third, slotted behind redhot designated hitter Ethan
Frey and ahead of transfer infielder Daniel Dickinson. Johnson said he thought Milam, sandwiched between two power hitters, would receive more favorable pitches.
Though he didn’t record a hit, Milam did draw a walk and drove in a run on a groundout. He also drew solid, heavy contact on a pair of fly-outs to center field. In the field, he continued his impressively clean season. Milam still hasn’t committed an error since March 25. He has only three this season — and it’s his first year playing shortstop at the collegiate level. Now the New Mexico native’s hitting is starting to catch up, a fact that sharpens the LSU lineup’s teeth. Last postseason, Milam hit for power This year, he’s
winning at-bats with contact and discipline.
Milam’s so far not the hero he was last year
But his consistent play — both in the box and at short — has helped the Tigers build a postseason run already longer than the one they scraped together last season.
“Whatever you want to call it,” Johnson said “end of the season last year, postseason or Frisco Classic, early SEC play, that’s what he was tonight — just a different level of commitment to his plan and focus. And we’re a different team if he can do that.”
Email Reed Darcey at reed.darcey@ theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/ lsunewsletter
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
LSU catcher Luis Hernandez hit two home runs in the Baton Rouge regional championship game on Monday at Alex Box Stadium. LSU is hoping for more of the same in the super regional.
Crescent connection
Nationalrecording artist and Louisiana native Justin Garner will headline“Live at the Crescent” from 6p.m. to 9p.m. FridayinDonaldsonville. Preceding the freecommunity concertwill be thefinger-licking Wing Fest,hosted by the DonaldsonvilleArea Chamber of Commerce,at1 p.m. (225) 473-4814.
Public invitedto re-creation of pausein CivilWar
Staff report
It’sreferred to as “The Day the WarStopped,” and on Saturday in St. Francisville, the historic event will be reenacted once again.
“On ahot June dayin 1863, Union soldiers under the flag of truce came searching for fellow Masons in St. Francisville to bury their commander with Masonic honors,” according to aFacebook post by Feliciana Lodge No. 31. “Confederate Masons put aside their differences and stopped the war for ashort timetohonor the higher calling of brotherly love.”
The Feliciana lodge,along with St. George’s LodgeNo. 6 of Schenectady,New York, will re-create this poignant pause in the Civil War.
Linden Hogg,from
the Rev. Craig Dalferes and Ernest Ayo observe ‘The Daythe War Stopped’ reenactmentin2024.
The public is invitedtothe daylong event in St. Francisville’sdowntown, which includes tours of Feliciana Lodge No. 31, 4794 Prosperity St. Historian, author,vocalist and musician JamesLinden Hogg will also be signing copies of hisnew book, “A Day theWar Stopped.” He’llbelocated under abluetent near the courthouse, across from Grace Episcopal Church, 11621 Ferdinand St., from 9a.m. to 2p.m. Books are $20 and buyers also receive a free copy of Hogg’s latest fulllength album. The rest of the schedulefor Saturday is:
n 9A.M.: National anthem and welcome address,Feliciana Lodge No. 31
n 9:30 A.M.: “Day the War Stopped” play, Jackson Hall at Grace Episcopal Church
n 10 A.M.: Historicalreenactment and graveside histories, beginningatthe corner of Prosperity and Ferdinand streets and into Grace Episcopal Cemetery
n 11A.M.TO 1P.M.: Seventh annual jambalaya cook-off, courthouse grounds across from lodge
n 11:15 A.M. TO 12:45 P.M.: Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society and Kitchen Session Band of Baton Rouge, JacksonHall
n 1P.M.TO 2P.M.: Jambalaya and raffle winners, Feliciana Lodge
n 2P.M.: Lodge closing
n 7P.M. TO 9P.M.: GalaSaturday Night, Mag Courtyard, catered by theFrancis SmokeHouse, food and drinks, $50, contact Brendan Rush at mayosligo@yahoo.com for tickets.
BYROBIN MILLER Staff writer
Zoe Picard knows the Cat is the coolest.
Why? Because he can be as mischievous as he wants in his existence between realityand imagination, he’salways up for adventure and, well, he gets to wear areally cool hat.
Ared-and-white striped hat.
This is why he’scalled the Cat in the Hat. And it’s the Catwho will guide a kid namedJoJothrough thestory of Horton the Elephant when PlaymakersofBaton Rouge opens “Seussical Jr.” on Friday in the Reilly Theatre on LSU’sTower Drive.
Slightly shortenedversion
The musical, acondensed version of the original “Seussicalthe
BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer
After dazzling the country with her “Dancing with the Stars” appearance, BrooksNader is starring with her three sisters in their own reality show, “Love Thy Nader,” executive produced by Jimmy Kimmel for Hulu and Freeform. The docuseries will premiere on the streaming service and thenet-
‘SEUSSICAL JR.’
APlaymakers of Baton Rouge production l 7p.m.Friday, 2p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 7p.m.Friday, June 13, and 2p.m.Saturday-Sunday, June 14-15 l Reilly Theatre,TowerDrive, LSU l $30, adults; $20, students and children l (225) 578-6996or playmakersbr.org
Musical” with music andlyrics by Lynn Ahrens andStephen Flaherty,isbased on the stories and characters of Dr.Seuss. The show premiered on Broadway in 2000.
The story opens when asmall boy named JoJo, played by 12-year-old Prairieville Middle School seventh grader Juliet Girod, manifests the Catinthe Hat by “thinking”him onto the stage.
worklater this summer. Thefourmodel sisters —Brooks, Sarah Jane, Grace Ann andMary HollandNader,daughters of Breauxand Holland Greene Nader —will be sharing their livesasthe show chronicles their careers whiletheypursue their dreamsinthe world of fashion influencers in New York City. Descendedfrom south Louisiana moversand shakers, theNad-
Summer funfor more than one
It’shere where the Cat encourages JoJo to “think up” aSeussian world and characters as the starting point of their adventure.
“I kind of think of the Cat as aringleader,” said Picard, an 18-year-old newly graduatedfrom homeschool. “So, he takes JoJo on ajourneythrough his own imagination and tells the story of all these characters.”
Still, it isn’tclear,even to the Cat, if he’sreal.
An actual cat?
“Wedon’t really knowifthe cat is real or just in JoJo’simagination,” Picard said.“Butwedoknowhe’s kind of mischievous, and he likes to maketrouble.”
From here, the Cat leads JoJo intothe Jungle of Nool, where
ä See 'SEUSSICAL', page 6C
ers arethe paternal granddaughters of Sam Nader,LSU’s assistant athletic director forfootball operations since 2000, and his wife, Ann. They are the maternal granddaughters of the late TomGreene, aveterinarianand former state senator,and his wife, Cathy The four Baton Rouge girls’ modeling careers started when Brooks Nader, agraduate of Episcopal High School, won aSports Illustrated Swimsuit casting search in 2020 andappeared in subse-
quent 2021, 2022 and 2023 issues. The show will focus on the Nad-
FILE PHOTO By FRANCES y. SPENCER James
left,
STAFF PHOTOSByROBIN MILLER
Juliet Girod, left, is JoJo,and Zoe Picard is the Catinthe Hat in Playmakers of Baton Rouge’sproduction of ‘Seussical Jr.’
SHOWSTOWATCH —ACADIANA
Excuse me,but is saying this rude?
Dear Miss Manners: Iwould like to hear your opinion on whether or not using “Excuse me” can be rude. In my opinion, if Ican see that aperson’sactivity will only take aminute, it is rude to say,“Excuse me,” and expect themto stop what they’re doing to allow me to accomplish my task. The proper thing to do, in my mind, is to patiently wait my turn. What do you think?
FRIDAY
LIVE MUSIC: Cane River
Pecan CompanyPie Bar, New Iberia, 5p.m
FRIDAYNIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6p.m
JOSHUALEBLANC: Adopted DogBrewing,Lafayette, 6p.m
Gentle reader: It depends on the activity If someone is standing in your way in the groceryaisle,trying to decide between mayonnaise brands, you should patiently wait your turn.
If that person is blocking you while texting aspouse, having an intense argument about whether mayonnaise should be in their diet at all, and should we even be married if you don’tcare enough to pick up the things Iasked… then the task at hand is not going to soon be accomplished. In that case, you may say,“Excuse me,” with Miss Manners’sblessing.
Note that tone is important, too. Ahaughty “Well, exCUSE Me!” is always rude.
Dear Miss Manners: My brother and Icelebrated the birthday of aclosefriend with several others. The dinner was at alocal restaurant, beginning at 5p.m (stated time). We had difficulty finding parking and arrived 15 minutes late, but not because we were careless of the time. Our friends had atable just to the left of the front door.It was obvious that the remaining eight of them had arrived early,for there were empty glasses and picked-over appetizers.I don’t see howthey could have ordered and finished drinks and appetizerswithin 15 minutes or so, unless they’d all gathered prior to
the stated time. No one had mentioned they were goingtodothis or reached outtofind why we were late. Last to arrive, we soon had our own cocktails Still, it bothers me that therest of thepartygathered before us. Most of these friends see each other at least twice a week, when we don’t. In prior birthday events, perhapsa couple arrived early and had acocktail, but never the rest of theparty together,sothishadn’tbothered me before.
This time it did. Am Ibeing oversensitive? Ithink if the partystarts at astated time, the guests arrivearound that time and wait afew minutes before orderinganything.This situation hasoccurred before, but not to this degree. Ifeel my friends have movedon. Should I?
Gentle reader: Your case would be awhole lot strongerhad you not been 15 minutes late.Asitstands, your friends couldsay they were notsurewhenoreven if you were coming, so went ahead with ordering drinks. No doubt —they might add —the waitstaff was pressuring themtodoso.
To get themto admit they were there longerthanthat would be tantamount to accusing them of foolingyou —not agood look or a pleasant way to celebrate abirthday, Miss Manners assures you.
Perhaps you should hold off castingaside awhole group of close friendsuntil you have evidence of malice. If you really wanttocatch them in the act, you had better get there on time or even early.That includes leaving extratime for parking.
Send questions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www. missmanners.com.
TODAYINHISTORY
By The Associated Press
Today is Friday,June 6, the 157th day of 2025. There are 208 days left in the year
Todayinhistory:
On June 6, 1944, during World WarII, nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy,France, on D-Day as they launched Operation Overlord to liberate German-occupied Western Europe. Morethan 4,400 Allied troops were killed on D-Day, including 2,501 Americans. Also on this date:
In 1889, an industrial accident sparkedadevastating fire in Seattle, Washington, destroying 120 acresofthe city center, including the majorityofthe city’scommercialdistrict and waterfront.
In 1912, Novarupta, avolcano on the Alaska peninsula,began a three-dayeruption, sending ash nearly 19 miles high; it was the most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century and the largest recorded in North America. In 1939, the first Little League Baseball game was played as Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy23-8 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
In 1966, civil rights activist James Meredith was shot and wounded byasniperonthe second dayofMeredith’smarch from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson,Mississippi, which he began to raise awareness of ongoing racialoppression in the South. (Meredithwould recover from his injuries and was able to rejoin the march,which had grown froma small group of supporters to 15,000 marchers, theday before thegroup arrived in Jackson.)
In 2015, American Pharoah became thefirst horse in 37 years to claim horse racing’s Triple Crown,winning the Belmont Stakesby5½ lengths.
Today’sbirthdays: Singer-songwriter Gary U.S.Bondsis86. Civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman is 86. Country musician Joe Stampley is 82. Olympic track &field gold medalist TommieSmith is 81. Actor Robert Englundis78. Folk singer Holly Near is 76. Sen. Sandra Bernhard is 70. TennisHall of Famer Bjorn Borg is 69. Comedian ColinQuinn is 66. Music producer Jimmy Jam is 66. Filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-edais63. Actor Jason Isaacs is 62.
LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery,Lafayette, 6p.m
Dwight James &The Royals will performat7:30 p.m FridayatAcadiana Center for the Arts’James Devin Moncus TheaterinLafayette. Tickets are $25. Featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist James, the band leans into rock, blues, soul and rhythm-and-blues
WEDNESDAY DULCIMERJAM: St. Landry VisitorCenter,Opelousas, 10 a.m.
ANDREW WAIN JAZZ: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 8p.m.
4-HORSES: La Poussiere Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 8p.m.
ONE TRICK PONY: LakeviewPark, Eunice,8p.m. BREWSTER DURBIN, ONDINEZPSY,FAUSTINA: The LooseCaboose, Lafayette, 9p.m. THREE AM: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 10 p.m
SUNDAY
TROY-D: El Sido’s Zydeco & Blues, Lafayette, 8p.m.
Horton theelephantisbathing. Twoactors will share therole of Horton in alternating performances in this production: Tycen Smith and Camden DeVaux. Both are 16 and entering their senior year at ZacharyHigh School.
Both agree that Horton is somewhat shy but hasabig heart,especially when it comes tohatching an egg and later saving themicroscopic planet of Whoville from destruction.
Andthrough it all, Horton meets acollection of characters from Dr Seuss’ stories, somewith whom he forges friendships, others who become his adversaries.
Sour Kangaroo, played by 17-year-old Liberty Magnet High School senior Tori Broussard,isone of those adversaries. Broussard admits thatSour Kangaroo is merciless in her mocking of Horton.
However,Horton is able to find respite in friendships with Gertrude McFuzz, abird with only one tail feather,and the narcissistic Mayzie LaBird.
Gertrude is played by 15-yearold Zachary HighSchool junior Grace Noel, whodescribes the bird as lonely
“She’snervousand alittle selfconscious in the beginning,” Noel
JEFFERYBROUSSARD: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m
THE HAS BEANS: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8p.m.
Compiledby MarchaundJones
Want yourvenue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY forthe following Friday’spaper.
STAFFPHOTO By ROBIN MILLER
Some cast members in Playmakers of Baton Rouge’s‘Seussical Jr., clockwise right, Juliet Girod as JoJo;Camden DeVaux, center,and Tycen Smith, center,bottom, sharing the roleofHorton; ZoePicard as the
in the Hat; Tori Broussard as Sour Kangaroo; and GraceNoel as Gertrude strikeaposeonthe production’sstageinthe Reilly Theatre.
said. “And Ithink she’spretty lonely because she doesn’tfeel accepted or noticed by anyone. Because of that, she goes on this whole journeytochange stuff aboutherself, andthrough that experience, she actually ends up discovering more about herselfand is moreaccepting of herself andrealizesnosuperficial changes are really needed at all. Mayzie, meantime, is played by 14-year-old University High School freshmanAnnaleeTemplet Acastof25
Playmakers is staging acastof
25 in this show directed by Brandy Johnson, who’s also directed “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” “Matilda Jr.” and “Alice in Wonderland” forthe theater company “Obviously,people know Dr Seuss’ booksaskids’ stories, but I think they have adeeper,overall meaning,” Johnsonsaid. “And so Ididn’twant to approach it as kiddieorcampy or anything like that.I wanted thecast to bring real life feelings and ideas to the stage.”
And when the Catinthe Hat steps into the spotlight, they will.
Judith Martin MISS MANNERS
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Cat
GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Take nothing for granted. It's up to you to make sure everything falls into place. Refuse to let fear or what others think stand between you and your pursuits.
cAncER (June 21-July 22) Sit back, listen, show interest and ask the odd question. Knowledge is the key to success, happiness and better life choices. Refuse to let a change or opinion someone shares lead to discord.
LEo (July 23-Aug 22) Pay attention. Avoid risks that can end in illness or injury. Trust your instincts over what someone tells you. Put your energy into closing deals and investing in yourself.
VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Spend more time learning something new or honing a passion to turn into a lucrative endeavor. If you love what you do, giving your all and fighting for what you want will be easier.
LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Take a short trip or get together with old friends. Prioritize learning something new that can help you advance or head in a direction that excites you.
scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Expect the unexpected and be ready to zigzag through whatever comes your way. Choose peace and love over chaos and discord, and walk away from useless disputes.
sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Tidy up loose ends, and plan to relax. Spending time with someone you love or working on a project that brings you joy will
help you find peace of mind. Refuse to let an unexpected change throw you off guard.
cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Attitude is everything if you plan to advance. There is safety in numbers, so build a strong and diverse team to handle whatever comes your way. Keep your costs down.
AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Make home improvements that encourage more free time to do as you please. Strive for happiness, personal growth and success. Refuse to let anyone test your patience or ruin your day.
PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Pay attention to your appearance and how you feel. Refuse to let stress mount or give anyone the chance to take you for granted. Protect what's yours and focus on positive change and activities you enjoy.
ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Refuse to get bogged down in the chaos and disruption around you. You will do your best if you stay positive. Avoid overdoing it or taking health or physical risks.
tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Point your energy in a helpful direction. Anger will not help you gain ground or bring you closer to a resolution with someone you encounter. Choose a positive path.
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword
THewiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS CurTiS
By PHILLIP ALDER
Looking up a quotation including “fourth,” I came upon this comment by James Bryce, an English diplomat and author who died in 1922: “Three-fourths of the mistakes a man makes are made because he does not really know what he thinks he knows.” That gave me pause. What’s the problem?
No Englishman would say “threefourths,” he would say “three-quarters.” The quotation has been “translated.” How is that relevant to this deal? All will be revealed.
Look at the South hand and bidding sequence. What should South rebid?
He has no clear-cut call. He wants to get to game, but has no idea which one. He solves the problem by rebidding two diamonds, fourth-suit game-forcing. It is artificial and asks partner to do something descriptive. Usually, responder wants to get to three no-trump, but does nothaveastopperinthefourthsuit;orhe hopes partner can show three-card support for his five-card major; or both.
Here,Northcontinueswithtwospades, and South jumps to four spades. (Yes, North might have rebid two spades, not two clubs.)
West leads the diamond king, then shifts to a low club How should South continue?
Declarer should take trick two with his ace, ruff a diamond, play a spade to his ace (getting the bad news), and ruff his lastdiamond.Hethenplaysoffdummy’s top hearts and top clubs. East ruffs the last top club and leads a diamond, but South ruffs low and exits with
Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON
game
InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2.
