The Advocate 06-12-2025 by The Advocate

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Fans gathered WednesdayatAlexBox Stadiumtosendoff theLSU baseball team as it headstothe CollegeWorld Series

LSU third baseman Michael Braswell III chats withyoung fans brieflywhile signing abaseball Wednesdaybefore the team boarded buses tothe airport for atrip to the CollegeWorld Series. LSU opens playat6p.m Saturdayagainst Arkansas.

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Councilhires adviserfor RiverCenterproject

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER

Staff writer

The East Baton Rouge ParishMetro Council approved the hiring of a ﬁrm Wednesday to lead efforts in expanding the Raising Cane’sRiver Center intoafull convention space —but not without controversy Arguments erupted from council

members and attorneys after former councilmemberDarrell Glasperquestioned whether aconﬂictofinterest wasinplay Glasper pointed to District 10 council memberCarolyn Coleman’sseat on acommittee related to the project, andquestioned whether sheshould be involved in awardingthe contract to Chicago-basedHundenPartnersto

advise on theexpansion. Both attorney Charles Landry —who was hired to help withthe RiverCenter —and ParishAttorney Greg Rome said they saw no ethical issues or conﬂictsofinterest

Still, District 5council member Darryl Hurst echoed someofGlasper’s

ä See COUNCIL, page 5A

Abill that could reshape the landscape of Louisianapharmacies emergedonthe second-to-last day of the legislative session, provoking afurious debate on the House floor and amassive public lobbying campaign from drugstore chain CVS. House Bill 358 surfaced Wednesday afternoon from aconference committee witha major new addition: It would banpharmacy benefitmanagers fromowning pharmacies. The goal, supporters said, is to stop those big companies from using their buying power to squeeze out local independent pharmacies andgive consumers fewer choices. But CVS, which owns both apharmacy benefits manager and achain of drugstores, saidthe bill would force them to close 119 Louisiana pharmacies, affecting 1million patients across the state and 22,000 patients who receive high-cost specialty drugs thatsmallerpharmacies could find difficult to handle.

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON President Donald Trumpwants to phase outthe Federal Emergency Management Agency at the end of this year’shurricane season andleavestates more on theirown when responding to natural disasters.

Talking with reporters in the Oval Ofﬁce, Trump said he planned to phase out FEMA as it exists now and “wean” states off federal aid. The agency handlesreliefand recovery after hurricanes, floods, tornadoes,earthquakes, wildﬁres and other catastrophic disasters.

out directly. It’ll be from the president’s office.” PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

“Wewant to wean off of FEMA, and we want to bring it down to the state level,” Trump said Tuesday night.

“If acertain state gets hit by ahurricaneor tornado, the governor should be able to handle it, and frankly,ifthey can’thandle it, the aftermath,

LSU coach JayJohnson gives out high-fivestoadoring fans during the LSU baseball team’s sendoff at Alex Box Stadium before headingtoOmaha,Neb.,

U.S. urged to shut down drug-fueled Vegas event

LAUSANNE, Switzerland The global watchdog of doping in sports said Wednesday it will urge public authorities to shut down the drug-fueled Enhanced Games planned in Las Vegas next year.

“We will urge the U.S. authorities to ﬁnd legal ways to block this initiative,” World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka said on the sidelines of a meeting of Olympic sports bodies.

Organizers of the games scheduled for next May promise $1 million bonuses to beat world-record times by athletes who will be encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision.

“This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs,” Banka told leaders of Summer Olympics sports at the annual meeting of their umbrella group, known as ASOIF

“For the sake of athlete health and the purity of sport of course it must be stopped,” the WADA leader said.

Banka, a former sports minister in Poland, suggested the Enhanced Games could be legally exposed in the state of Nevada or federally

“This is something that has to be explored from the legal perspective,” he told The Associated Press. “I cannot imagine, for instance, doctors giving the drugs to the athletes. It is completely against the values of their work.” Earthquake strikes Taiwan near east coast

TAIPEI, Taiwan Taiwan was struck by an earthquake about 44.1 miles south of Hualien City, monitoring agencies said.

The quake hit seconds after cellphone alarms went off at 7:01 p.m. Wednesday

The United States Geological Survey reported the quake had a magnitude of 5.9 and was detected at a depth of 19.3 miles. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration gave the magnitude as 6.4. Such variations are common given differences in sensitivity and detector locations.

Buildings in Taipei shook for about a minute. There were no immediate reports of major damage.

Hualien, located 95.6 miles south of the capital Taipei, is relatively thinly populated compared to the highly congested western side of the island of 23 million people, which is frequently struck by quakes.

Taiwan lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean from Chile to New Zealand where most of the world’s earthquakes occur

Taiwan’s worst modern quake, a magnitude 7.7 temblor that killed 2,415 people and damaged buildings in 1999 led to tightened building codes, better response times and coordination and widespread public education campaigns on earthquake safety Denmark approves U.S. bases on Danish soil

COPENHAGEN, Denmark Denmark’s Parliament on Wednesday approved a bill to allow U.S. military bases on Danish soil, a move that comes as President Donald Trump seeks to take control of the kingdom’s semi-autonomous territory of Greenland.

Critics say the vote ceded Danish sovereignty to the U.S. The legislation widens a previous military agreement, made in 2023 with the Biden administration, where U.S. troops had broad access to Danish airbases in the Scandinavian country The new parameters follow Trump’s coveting of the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island even as the U.S. and Denmark are NATO allies. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, in a response to lawmakers’ questions, wrote that Denmark would be able to terminate the agreement if the U.S. tries to annex all or part of Greenland.

Ninety-four lawmakers voted for the bill, with 11 against. The legislation now goes to Danish King Frederik X for his signature Greenland’s prime minister previously said U.S. statements about the island have been disrespectful and it “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”

Drone attacks kill 3, wound 64 in Ukraine

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV Ukraine Russian forces launched a new drone assault across Ukraine overnight on Wednesday, killing three people and wounding 64 others Ukrainian ofﬁcials said.

One of the hardest-hit areas was the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, where 17 attack drones struck two residential districts Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Emergency crews, municipal workers and volunteers worked through the night to extinguish ﬁres, rescue residents from burning homes, and restore gas, electricity and water services.

“Those are ordinary sites of peaceful life — those that should never be targeted,” Terekhov wrote on Telegram.

Three people were confirmed killed, according to Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov. In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that 64 people had been wounded and reiterated his calls for greater international pressure on Moscow.

“Every new day now brings new vile Russian attacks, and almost every strike is telling,” he said. “We must not be afraid or postpone new decisions that could make things more difﬁcult for Russia Without this, they will not engage in genuine diplomacy And this depends primarily on the United States and other world leaders.

Everyone who has called for an end to the killings and for diplomacy must act.”

Moscow’s forces have launched waves of drones and missiles in recent days, with a record bombardment of almost 500 drones on Monday and a wave of 315 drones and seven missiles overnight on Tuesday.

The attacks come despite discussions of a potential ceaseﬁre in the war The two sides traded memorandums at direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 that set

out conditions. However, the inclusion of clauses that both sides see as nonstarters make any quick deal unlikely Zelenskyy urges more sanctions

Speaking at a meeting of leaders of countries of southeast Europe in Odesa, Zelenskyy urged the European Union to toughen its latest package of sanctions now being prepared.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday that the bloc is proposing to lower a cap on the price of Russian oil from $60 to $45, which is lower than the market price, to deprive the Kremlin of extra proﬁts to fund its war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy prodded the EU to lower the cap further, arguing that “real peace comes with a $30 cap — that’s the level that will truly change thinking in Moscow.”

“You can all see — Putin does not want to end this war,” he told his audience. “He believes that as long as he can ﬁght and dominate his neighbors, he stays politically alive.

“But no matter what he believes, our job is to force Russia into a position where they must seek peace and political survival by non-military means. This is absolutely possible.”

Widespread destruction

Kharkiv has been frequently targeted in recent months as Russia launched repeated large-scale drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Wednesday’s strikes also caused widespread destruction in Kharkiv’s Slobidskyi and Osnovianskyi districts, hitting apartment buildings, private homes, playgrounds, industrial sites and public transportation Images from the scene published by Ukraine’s Emergency Service on Telegram showed burning apartments, shattered windows and ﬁreﬁghters battling the blaze.

At least 49 dead in South Africa flooding; toll expected to rise

BY MICHELLE GUMEDE and GERALD IMRAY Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG At least

49 people were conﬁrmed dead Wednesday as ﬂoods devastated one of South Africa’s poorest provinces, and officials said the toll was expected to rise as more bodies are recovered in the search for missing people

The ﬂoods hit the largely rural Eastern Cape province in the southeast of the country early Tuesday after an especially strong weather front brought heavy rains, gale force winds and also snow in some parts

“As we speak here, other bodies are being discovered,” Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane told reporters at a briefing, adding that it was one of the worst weather-related disasters his province had experienced. “I have never seen something like this,” he said.

The death toll included six high school students who were washed away when their school bus was caught in floodwaters on Tuesday near a river close to the town of Mthatha, which was especially hard hit and at the center of the worst ﬂooding. Four other students were among the

missing, Mabuyane said.

Authorities found the school bus earlier Wednesday, but it was empty Three of the students were rescued on Tuesday when they were found clinging to trees and crying out for help, the provincial government said.

A driver and another adult who were on the bus with the schoolchildren were among the dead. Search and rescue operations would continue for a third day on Thursday, authorities said, though they didn’t give details on how many people might still be missing. They said they were working with families to ﬁnd out who was still unaccounted for Disaster response teams have been activated in

U.S. representative indicted from N.J. immigration skirmish

BY MIKE CATALINI Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J U.S. Rep.

LaMonica McIver was indicted Tuesday on federal charges alleging she assaulted and interfered with immigration ofﬁcers outside a New Jersey detention center while Newark’s mayor was being arrested after he tried to join a congressional oversight visit at the facility

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced the grand jury indictment in a post on X.

“While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those ofﬁcers serve,” Habba said.

In a statement, McIver said the charges amounted to the Trump administration trying to scare her.

“The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation,” she said.

McIver, a Democrat, was charged in a complaint by Habba last month with two assault charges stemming from the May 9 visit to Newark’s Delaney Hall — a 1,000-bed, privately owned facility that Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses as a detention center

The indictment includes three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal ofﬁcials.

Habba said two of the counts carry a maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison. A third has a maximum sentence of one year

McIver’s lawyer, former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman, said in a statement that they would challenge the allegations “head-on” in court.

“The legal process will expose this prosecution for what it truly is political retaliation against a dedicated public servant who refuses to shy away

from her oversight responsibilities,” Fishman said.

The indictment is the latest development in a legal-political drama that has seen President Donald Trump’s administration take Democratic ofﬁcials from New Jersey’s largest city to court, tapping into the president’s immigration crackdown and Democrats’ efforts to respond. The prosecution of McIver is a rare federal criminal case against a sitting member of Congress for allegations other than fraud or corruption.

At the same visit that resulted in McIver’s charges, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge which was later dropped. Baraka is suing Habba over what he said was a malicious prosecution. A nearly two-minute clip released by the Department of Homeland Security shows McIver on the facility side of a chain-link fence just before the arrest of the mayor on the street side of the fence, where other people had been protesting. She and uniformed officials go through the gate, and she joins others shouting that they should circle the mayor The video shows McIver in a tightly packed group of people and ofﬁcers. At one point, her left elbow and then her right elbow push into an ofﬁcer wearing a dark face covering and an olive green uniform emblazoned with the word “Police” on it. It isn’t clear from police bodycam video whether that contact was intentional, incidental or a result of jostling in the chaotic scene.

The complaint says she “slammed” her forearm into an agent then tried to restrain the agent by grabbing him.

The indictment says she placed her arms around the mayor to block his arrest and repeats the charges that she slammed her forearm into an agent and grabbed the agent.

Eastern Cape province and the neighboring KwaZuluNatal province after the torrential rain and snow hit parts of southern and eastern South Africa over the weekend. Mabuyane said there had also been reports of mudslides.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the National Disaster Management Center was also working with local authorities in the Eastern Cape, the province that took the brunt of the extreme cold front that weather forecasters had warned was on its way last week. There were unusually large snowfalls in parts of Eastern Cape, KwaZuluNatal and the Free State province in South Africa’s interior

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANDRII MARIENKO

Firefighters tackle a blaze after a Russian attack that hit a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By HOSEyA JUBASE Homes are submerged in floodwaters Tuesday in Mthatha, South Africa.

Tulane environmentalresearcherresigns

BY ALEX LUBBEN and MARIE FAZIO Staff writers

ATulane University researcher and environmental advocate who studied racial disparities in health impacts from Louisiana’spetrochemical industry resigned Wednesday,citing censorship from university leaders who believed her work had made electedofﬁcials “embarrassed and uncomfortable.”

Kimberly Terrell, who served as director of communityengagement forthe Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, accused the university of putting her under a “gag order” and sacriﬁcing academic freedomtoappease stateofficials. She also alleged that Tulane was prioritizing securing funding from the state for ahighpriced redevelopmentof New Orleans’ Charity Hospital over her own academic freedom.

“Scholarly publications, not gag orders, are thecurrencyofacademia,” Terrell wroteinher resignation letter.“Tulane leaders have chosen to abandonthe principles of knowledge, education, and the greater good in pursuit of

their own narrow agenda.”

Terrell’sresignation was ﬁrst reported byThe Associated Press. Tulane disputed Terrell’s description of thecircumstances surrounding herresignation.A spokesperson for Gov Jeff Landry said he neverthreatened to withhold funding, though the Governor’sOfﬁce appreciated Tulane “standing up forour Louisiana businesses and jobs.”

the brunt of the health risks associated with petrochemicalpollution,people of color were underrepresented in the industry’sworkforce.

Emails and an audio recording indicatechatteraroundTerrell’s work emergedatTulaneDay at the State CapitolinBatonRouge on April 16 —acelebration of theuniversity’scontributions to the state’seconomy and an opportunity to pitch its Charity Hospital project. Theformerly state-runhospital in downtownNew Orleans hasbeen vacant since Hurricane Katrina, an eyesore on thecity’sskyline

While Tulane’sleaders were at the State Capitol, newsoutlets,includingThe Times-Picayune, published stories about Terrell’smost recentpeer-reviewed study, which found that, while poor andBlackcommunities bear

Lawyers: Accuser in crypto kidnapping seen leavingfreely

BY PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press

NEW YORK Aman who says he waskidnapped by two crypto investorsfor his Bitcoin was seen in photos and videos “laughingand smiling” and moving about Manhattan freely during the days he claimed he was tortured in captivity,lawyers for the two suspects said in court Wednesday William Duplessie, 32, and John Woeltz, 37, pleaded not guilty and were ordered held in custody until their next court date on July 15. Prosecutors argue the man was clearly in distress because he ran barefoot and bloodied to thenearest policeofficer after escaping 17 days in captivity

However,Duplessie’s lawyer saidWednesday that videos showthe accuser participating in group sex and smoking crack cocainewhile “laughingand smiling the whole time.” In other photos,Sam Talkin said, the accuser is seen visiting an eyeglass store with one of the defendants and could have fled or sought help at any time.

“The story that he is selling doesn’tmake sense,” Talkin said in Manhattan criminal court as the defendants were formally arraigned.

Woeltz’slawyer,Wayne Gosnell, added that witnesses told him the ac-

cuser came and went as he pleased from the upscale town house where he says he was held —going to church,clubsand dinners. Theaccuser, a28-yearold Italian national, has not been named by officials. Prosecutorssay the defendants have known him personally foryears In court Wednesday,AssistantDistrict Attorney Sarah Khanarguedthat someone who supports the defendants was selectively leaking videos to present acounternarrative of the events. In reality,she said, the accuser wasconstantly watched, wasnot permitted to leavethe housewithout being guardedand was subjected to violence,including being pistol-whippedand cut with asmall chain saw The defendants also took photos of the man in various poses and actstocreate the impression that he was not beingheldagainst his will, Khan said Police searching the town housefoundevidencecorroboratinghis story,including aloaded pistol,chain saw andother instruments purportedly usedtotorture him. They also located photographs, including one where thedefendantspoint agun to the accuser’shead, another where theaccuser is tied to awheelchair, and stillanother showingthe accuserbeingset on ﬁre

About 10 days later,Tulane law school dean Marcilynn A. Burke said in an email to Terrellthat “allexternal communications that are not client-based —that is,directly related to representation —must be pre-approved by me.” Terrell linked to the emails in her statement

In an audio recording obtained by The Times-Picayune said to be of Tulane Provost Robin Forman, Terrellwas told the timing of her study was “bad.”

“This ripple went through the crowd, thatTulane has taken astandthat thechemical industryisharming communities,which left people feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable,” the person identiﬁed as Forman said in the recording.

The personidentified as Forman suggested that “gag order”was too strong aterm for the restrictionsplaced on Terrell’sspeech, and stressed instead that they hadplaced

a“pause”onher communicationsuntil questions around herroleand job description could be resolved.

Terrell allegedinher resignation letter that Landry threatened to veto funding for the Charity Hospitalredevelopment unlessTulane curtailed the environmental law clinic’swork.

“Gov.Landry did not threaten to withhold state funding,” said Landry spokesperson Kate Kelly. “However,Iapplaud Tulane for their actions —standing up for ourLouisianabusinesses and jobs.”

Still, university leadership appeared to believe thatthe law clinic’swork was provingdetrimental tothe approval of the $650 million redevelopment project. In aMay 4email, Burke wrote that“elected officials and majordonors have citedthe clinic as an impediment to them lendingtheir support to theuniversity generally and for this project speciﬁcally.”

The university stressed that it is committedtoacademicfreedom andthe value of law clinics

“Debates about how best to operate law clinics’teaching missionhave occurred nationally and at Tulanefor

years —this is nothing new,” said Tulane spokesperson Mike Strecker.“We do not comment on personnel matters, including theresignation of staff employees.”

TimCain, afellowatthe American Association of University Professors’ Center forthe DefenseofAcademic Freedom, said in an interview that Tulane’sactions appear to “ﬂyinthe face of principles of academic freedom.” The University of Georgia professor of higher education said that “without the abilitytocommunicate results of academic research, the research mayas well have been shut down.”

He added that highereducation institutions havealso been pressured on the federallevel with threatstoresearch funding andvarious executiveorders, including some that target diversity initiatives. That has prompted some academics to selfcensor their work for fear of retribution, he noted.

Terrell publishedwork that community activists have described as crucial in exposing health and jobs disparities in the petrochemical corridoroften referred to as “Cancer Alley,” and The Times-Picayune has regu-

larly covered her research. Oneofher studiesfound that Black communities near industrial plants were exposed to 21 times more toxic air emissions than other areas.She also foundthat pregnant womeninareas with high levels of air pollution weremorelikelytohave underweight andpremature babies.

“I never imagined that, after sevenyearsofhighproﬁle success, my program would be gutted to appease elected officials and major donors who viewthe clinic’s workasan‘impediment’to their interests,” she wrote in the letter.“Icannot remain silent as thisuniversity sacrifices academic integrity forpolitical appeasement and pet projects. Our work is too important, and the stakes aretoo high, to sitbackand watch special interests replace scholarship withcensorship.”

Email AlexLubbenat alex.lubben@theadvocate. com and followhim on Twitter @alexlubben. His work is supported with agrant from theWalton Family Foundation, administered by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Social safety changessailthrough Legislature

‘One door’combinesadministrationof food stamps,unemploymentbenefits

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

The Legislature on Tuesday and Wednesdaygave final passage to twobills that overhaul Louisiana’s social safety net programs, whichofﬁcialssay will help the state transition to a“one door”policy,whereresidents can accessbeneﬁts like food stamps andunemployment in one place rather having to visit multiple agencies.

That’sthe vision stateRep. Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell, described when presenting her House Bill 624 this legislative session.

HB624 gives theLouisiana Department of Health theauthority to administer SNAP benefits, or federal food stamps. It also rebrands the Louisiana Workforce Commission to Louisiana Works, andgivesitauthority over Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds

Acompanionbill, House Bill 617 by state Rep. Kim Carver,R-Mandeville, moves those programs out from under theDepartment of Children andFamily Services, which administersthem. Under the plan, Louisiana Works will act as aone-stop shop forLouisianans accessing beneﬁts, even though the Health Department will administersome programs on theback end, Berault said.

Ofﬁcials have said the bills do not makeany changesto eligibilityrequirements for benefits, and thatnostate workers will lose their jobs as aresult of the legisla-

tion, which entails moving workers from the Department of Childrenand Family Services to the Louisiana DepartmentofHealth and LouisianaWorks.

Both HB617 and HB624 passed theSenate and House unanimously. Because they were amendedinthe Senate, they went back to theHouse for their ﬁnal votes Tuesday andWednesday, which also

wereunanimous. Gov.Jeff Landry must sign the bills before they become law. Representa-

tivesfromhis administration came to the table this session to help pitch the “one door”plan.

for

at the

Terrell

It would also put 2,700 CVS employees out of work, the drug retailer said.

The company launched amassive lobbying campaign, including text messagestoCVS customers urging them to reach out to their lawmakers.

“Last minute legislation in Louisiana threatens to close your CVS Pharmacy your medication cost may go up and your pharmacist may lose their job,” one such text said.

The ad blitz infuriated some lawmakers, who said they were standing up to massive companies that have chokedindependent, local pharmacies and squeezedconsumers over drug prices.Theyblasted CVS for using “fear tactics” to scaretheir constituents.

“It is about time something in this building we have done tells a national industry we’re not going to stand for it anymore,” said Rep Dixon McMakin, R-BatonRouge. He referenced some of themessaging CVS had sent out thatsaid lawmakers were threateningto close pharmacies.

“No, we’re not, you liars. Quit being liars. Quit using scaretactics,” McMakin said.

CVS ofﬁcialssaid the impactsof the bill would be far-reaching.

“Wefeel it will cripple your health care access and affordability in Louisiana,” said Lucille Accetta, chief pharmacy officerof CVS. “It is shutting us completely down as atrustedhealth care pharmacy.” She added that, shouldthe legislation take effect, it would precipitate a“health care crisis” and said neither legislators northe governor understand the impact

COUNCIL

Continued from page1A

points, including the question as to whether the parish had its priorities in the right place.

Hurst said there wasn’tsufﬁcient data to support the expansion project and said therewere“areas of conﬂict” where unnamedpersons were involvedfor their own personal gain. He said money for the

of theproposed policychange on constituents.

TheHouse passed the billonan 88-4 vote.

TheSenate had already gaveled outonWednesday beforethe bill emerged from conference committee. The upperchamber will also need to agree to thechange on Thursday —the last dayofthe session —before it can go to Gov Jeff Landry’s desk for asignature.

Landrybacks thebill.

“Drugprices soaring? Thank PBMs,the ProﬁteeringBig Money, for gaming the system,” Landry wrote on X. “They hurt patients and smallbusinesses. No more, not here —let’srein in PBMs now!

AdebateoverPBMs

The battle over pharmacy beneﬁts managers emerged late in the session andswiftly became one of the mosthotlydebated topics in thewaninglegislative session.

PBMs are companies that negotiate lower drugprices by acting as middlemen between drug manufacturers, insurance companies

project should instead go to anew prison andjuvenile detention center “Interms of priorities in our parish and where this River Center ﬁts …this is awantand not a need,” Hurst said District 12 council member Jennifer Racca said theethics accusationswere baseless, and she questioned Hurst’sunderstanding of the city-parish budget “On this council, you have to understand wherefunds comefrom,” Racca said.“It’spretty simple once

and pharmacies.

Supporterssay they can help keep drug costsdown, but critics argue they pocket too much of the savings.

Previously,public legislative debate centered around House Bill 264, which would bar pharmacy benefit managers from steering customerstotheir ownpharmacies. It would also require that discountsthey negotiategotoemployers and consumers.

HB264 also requires pharmacy beneﬁtmanagerstoreportmore details of their activities to government regulators to ensure that they are following the law

On Wednesday, though, adifferentbillbecame thecenterofattention: House Bill 358. That bill was originally designed to set new rules forwhenpharmacy technicians can workremotely,and had passed both the House andthe Senate.

Butthe bill emerged from aconference committee —aprocess in which agroup of lawmakers from boththe House andthe Senate

you’ve been here awhile andyou actually study it and get to know it.” LandrytookRacca’s sentiments regarding any conﬂict accusations further, before MayorPro Tempore Brandon Noel broke up the argument Hurst was the only dissenting vote on themeasuretoaward the contract to Hunden Partners Efforts ramped up lastyear to expand the center’s convention capacityand attach ahotel.

Theshiftinthe center was sig-

worksbehind closed doors to negotiatebetweenthe twochambers —with the new language addressing PBMs.

“No permit to operateapharmacy shallbegranted or renewed to apharmacy that is wholly or partiallyowned or controlled by a pharmacy beneﬁtmanager or its subsidiary,” that language said.

CVS and ahandful of legislators criticized that process, arguing a majorchange to policy that could affect thousands of people wasbeingadded at the last minute with little public debate.

“A backroom deal isn’tthe best way to proceed,” said Accetta. If the change is something that lawmakers areseriously considering, they should do appropriate research, hold public hearings and understand the economic impact to thestate, she said.

But Rep. DustinMiller, an Opelousas Democrat who is sponsoring HB358, saidthe issue has been debated foryears in various partsofthe Legislature. He also said thebillwouldn’ttakeeffect for afullyear,giving CVS time to makethe changes it needs to keep thepharmacies open

“Wehave set the effective date of this bill January2027,” he said. “Wewill be here and have awhole other session if there is anything thatwehavetoaddress.”

Arkansas previously passed a similar bill, andCVS hasfileda lawsuit trying to stop it.

Asked if legal action could be on thetable should the measure become law,CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault said, “Wewill do anything andeverything that we can to keep our pharmacy operations up and running in Louisiana.”

Concerns aboutspecialty drugs

Accetta said the legislation would force CVS to stop sending specialtydrugs to patients in Loui-

naledbyanordinance last year to limit thecenter’sevent capacity to 3,500 in support of efforts for anew LSUarena. Many hope that venue willhost livemusic events, a market in whichthe RiverCenter had been the only option in Baton Rouge for manyacts.

Landry hasgivencounsel in different capacities to the LSU Foundation and thecity-parish forboth the LSU arena and the River Center expansion project.

Coleman pointed out that the re-

sianafor chronic or complex conditions likecancer,hemophilia and multiple sclerosis.

“We’re specially trained in these therapies typically not seen in independent pharmacies,” shesaid.

“In some cases, we are the only distributor of those drugs across this country.”

Miller said there are plenty of pharmacies in the state thatcan handle specialty drugs, but PBMs often decline to ﬁll prescriptions at those pharmacies because they’re trying to steer patients to thepharmacies they own.

“There are pharmacies available to do all of the specialty itemsthat they’re talking about. They’ve just never been given the opportunity,” he said.

Rep. Mandie Landry,D-New Orleans, one of the fewvotes against HB358, said she wantedtovote for the bill but could not due to desperate texts from her constituents.

“I’ve gotten messages like: ‘Is thereany way thiscan be stopped? I’m literally sobbing because my husband will diewithout this specialty medicine,’”said Landry

But Beryl Amedée, R-Gray,who supported the bill, complained that PBMs made it unnecessarily difﬁcult forher sister,who battled brain cancerand died after10 months, to get her chemotherapy drugs.

“I can’t tellyou the hours and days that she should have been sitting with her grandchildren, but she was instead having to come and fight with pharmaceutical companies, with PBMs,” Amedée said.

Amedéesaidthe PBMs made her sister follow seeminglyarbitrary rules and it often felt that her health was not their mainconsideration.

“I think Iknowwhattheir consideration was. It’scalled the bottom line,” she added.

quest forproposals forthe project was overseen by the city-parish purchasing department.

“I’m grateful, andthis is an important next step forBaton Rouge in theprocess forour city plan,” Coleman said. “Wehave recommended an outstandingteamto represent the city-parish in the process, which is our duty here.”

Email Patrick Sloan-Turner at patrick.sloan-turner@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, defended House Bill 358 on Wednesdayafter CVS launched apublic lobbying campaign.

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Disney, Universal sue

AI firm over copyright

NEW YORK Disney and Universal filed a copyright lawsuit against popular artificial intelligence image-generator Midjourney on Wednesday, marking the first time major Hollywood companies have entered the legal battle over AI. Filed in federal district court in Los Angeles, the complaint claims Midjourney pirated the libraries of the two studios to generate and distribute “endless unauthorized copies” of famed characters, such as Darth Vader from “Star Wars” and the Minions from “Despicable Me.”

“Midjourney is the quintessential copyright free-rider and a bottomless pit of plagiarism. Piracy is piracy and whether an infringing image or video is made with AI or another technology does not make it any less infringing,” the companies state in the complaint. The studios also claimed the San Francisco-based company ignored requests to stop infringing on copyrighted works and to take technological measures to halt such image generation. Midjourney didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Musk: Tesla’s robotaxi ‘tentatively’ to launch

AUSTIN, Texas Elon Musk said Tesla is “tentatively” set to begin providing robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 22

In a post on his X social media platform, Musk said the date could change because Tesla is “being super paranoid about safety.”

Investors, Wall Street analysts and Tesla enthusiasts have been anticipating the rollout of the driverless cabs since Musk said earlier this year that the service would launch sometime in June.

Last month, Musk told CNBC that the taxis will be remotely monitored at first and “geofenced” to certain areas of the city deemed the safest to navigate He said he expected to initially run 10 or so taxis, increase that number rapidly and start offering the service in Los Angeles, San Antonio, San Francisco and other cities

Musk has been promising fully autonomous, self-driving vehicles “next year” for a decade, but the pressure is on now as Tesla begins to operate a self-driving taxi service. Sales of Tesla’s electric vehicles have sagged due to increased competition, the retooling of its most popular car, the Model Y, and the fallout from Musk’s turn to politics.

Google offers buyouts to more workers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google has offered buyouts to another swath of its workforce across several key divisions in a fresh round of cost-cutting coming ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire. The Mountain View, California, company confirmed the streamlining that was reported by several news outlets.

It’s not clear how many employees are affected, but the offers were made to staff in Google’s search, advertising, research and engineering units, according to The Wall Street Journal. Google employs most of the nearly 186,000 workers on the worldwide payroll of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Google is offering the buyouts while waiting for a federal judge to determine its fate after its ubiquitous search engine was declared an illegal monopoly as part of nearly 5-year-old case by the U.S. Justice Department The company is also awaiting remedy action in another antitrust case involving its digital ad network.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is weighing a government proposal seeking to ban Google paying more than $26 billon annually to Apple and other technology companies to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for online information, require it to share data with rivals and force a sale of its popular Chrome browser

U.S. stocks see 1st loss in 4 days

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK — Wall Street’s rally stalled on Wednesday after U.S. stocks climbed back within 2% of their all-time high

The S&P 500 fell 0.3% for its ﬁrst loss in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was virtually unchanged after edging down by 1 point, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.5%.

Several Big Tech stocks led the way lower, and a 1.9% drop for Apple was the heaviest weight on the market. It’s been listless this week

after unveiling several modest upcoming changes to the software that runs its devices.

The action was stronger in the bond market, where Treasury yields eased after a report suggested President Donald Trump’s tariffs are not pushing inflation much higher, at least not yet.

U.S. consumers had to pay prices for food, gasoline and other costs of living that were 2.4% higher overall in May than a year earlier That was up from April’s 2.3% inﬂation rate, but it wasn’t as bad as the 2.5% that Wall Street was expecting.

A fear has been that Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs could ignite an acceleration in inﬂation, just when it had seemed to get nearly all the way back to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target from more than 9% three summers ago. It hasn’t happened, though economists warn it may take months more to feel the full effect of Trump’s tariffs.

“Another month goes by with little evidence of tariffs, but the longer-term inﬂation challenge they pose remains,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Financial markets also had only modest reactions to the conclusion of two days of trade talks between the United States and China in London.

Trump said Wednesday that China will supply rare-earth minerals and magnets to the United States, while his government will allow Chinese students into U.S. universities in a deal that still needs an agreement by him and by China’s leader Trump also said that “President XI and I are going to work closely together to open up China to American Trade. This would be a great WIN for both countries!!!”

Inflation increases slightly in May

Cheaper gas, cars offset some costlier imports

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO Associated Press writers

WASHINGTON U.S. inﬂation picked up a bit last month as higher prices for groceries and some imported goods were largely offset by cheaper gas, travel services, and rents.

Consumer prices increased 2.4% in May compared with a year ago, according to a Labor Department report released Wednesday That is up from a 2.3% yearly increase in April. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.8% for the third straight month. Economists pay close attention to core prices because they generally provide a better sense of where inﬂation is headed.

The cost of groceries, toys and games, and large appliances rose, which could reﬂect the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Yet the price of new and used cars, clothes, airfares and hotel rooms all dropped from April to May

On a monthly basis, overall prices ticked up just 0.1% from April to May, down from

0.2% the previous month, with inﬂationary pressures appearing muted. Core prices also dropped to 0.1% from 0.2%.

The data showed that Trump’s tariffs haven’t yet pushed overall prices higher, suggesting many companies may be absorbing the cost of the higher duties for now Yet many economists expect the import taxes to modestly increase inﬂation in the second half of the year Companies ranging from Walmart to Lululemon to J.M. Smucker have said they will raise prices in the coming months to offset the impact of tariffs

You can point to seeing tariffs in this report, but the more important message is that you’re seeing inﬂation soften enough elsewhere that overall, price pressures continue to subside for the U.S. consumer,” Sarah House, an economist at Wells Fargo, said.

But offsetting price drops for things like cars and airfares may not continue at the same pace for the rest of this year, she said.

“I don’t think this report signals an all clear — that tariffs are not going to be a concern for the inﬂation picture,” House said.

The ﬁgures also show that core inﬂation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, which makes it less likely that the central bank will cut its key shortterm interest rate. Trump has repeatedly

urged the central bank to reduce borrowing costs.

Grocery prices rose 0.3% from April to May, and are up 2.2% in the past year Fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, and frozen foods all rose last month. Egg costs fell 2.7%, though they are still more than 40% more expensive than a year ago. Gas prices dropped 2.6% last month

Marilyn Kirschner, editor of an online fashion magazine, was shopping for toothpaste Tuesday at Gristedes in lower Manhattan She’s surprised every day by high prices for items like Swiffer reﬁlls, which she said recently cost her $30.

“You go into the store and it’s like, wait a minute, how can this be?” Kirschner said. “Every single thing. It’s sticker shock at this point. It’s scary, with rent and everything.”

Peter Manning, a software engineer, bought a loaf of French bread and milk at Gristedes in his lower Manhattan neighborhood He’s been noticing high yogurt prices, at $8 or $9, and butter for $11.

“When we go out to the suburbs, we shop there, because it’s a little cheaper,” Manning said. “I’m sure everything’s going to probably go up. It takes a long time. I tell my friends, this economy, we’re watching a slow-motion train wreck.”

Framework set for trade deal with China

Trump says U.S. to get rare earth minerals

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE, JOSH BOAK, PAUL WISEMAN and DIDI TANG Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that China will make it easier for American industry to obtain much-needed magnets and rare earth minerals, clearing the way for talks to continue between the world’s two biggest economies. In return Trump said, the U.S. will stop efforts to revoke the visas of

Chinese nationals on U.S. college campuses. Trump’s comment on social media came after two days of high-level U.S.-China trade talks in London. Details remain scarce. Trump didn’t fully spell out what concessions the U.S. made. Beijing has not confirmed what the negotiators agreed to, and Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump himself have yet to sign off on it.

What Trump described as a “deal” is actually a “framework” meant to set the stage for more substantive talks. And Trump’s own comments created confusion about what was happening to his tariffs on Chinese im-

ports, generating uncertainty about more than $660 billion in annual trade between the two countries. On social media, Trump said: “WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10% RELATIONSHIP IS EXCELLENT!” But a White House ofﬁcial, who was not authorized to discuss the terms publicly and insisted on anonymity to describe them, said the 55% was not an increase on the previous 30% tariff on China because Trump was including preexisting tariffs, including some left over from his ﬁrst term. “We have no idea what the rules are,” said Rick Woldenberg, CEO

of the educational toy company Learning Resources, who is part of a lawsuit challenging Trump’s authority to impose the tariffs.

The framework emerged late Tuesday in London after intense talks involving U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer Leading the Chinese delegation was Vice Premier He Lifeng. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has deployed tariffs aggressively, seeing them as a way to raise money for the federal government, protect American industries and lure factories back to the United States.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE

PHOTO By HAU DINH

Sales staff members work recently at an Apple store in Hanoi, Vietnam.

then maybe they shouldn’t be governor,” he added. “We’re going to give out less money We’re going to give it out directly It’ll be from the president’s ofﬁce.”

Gov Jeff Landry, an ardent supporter of Trump’s, did not respond to requests Wednesday for a comment.

Trump said he wants to change FEMA after hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends Nov 30.

Over the past four years, FEMA has provided more than $12 billion to individuals and $133 billion to state and local governments, tribal nations, territories and some nonproﬁts to help in recovery efforts.

FEMA has delivered nearly $47 billion for 28 disasters in Louisiana since 2003. Members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation have long echoed their constituents’ frustrations with FEMA’s bureaucracy but they remain protective of the agency that provides relief after a storm hits and funds to help recover from the disaster

“For years, I’ve heard from Louisiana families, small businesses and local ofﬁcials who are frustrated with how FEMA delivers disaster relief and especially how poorly they’ve run the National Flood Insurance Program,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson. “Louisiana knows all too well how badly FEMA needs serious reform, and we are all looking at ways to further empower local and state leaders who are in a better position to react faster when disasters strike and people need help.”

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, referred to May 21 comments he made on Facebook when asked about his thoughts on Trump’s comments. “If FEMA is replaced, it must be with something which can help with a $20 billion disaster such as Hurricanes Katrina or Helene. Families rely on FEMA when their home is destroyed. We should use this as an opportunity to make the agency stronger but not abandon the mission of Americans helping Americans.”

Cassidy told reporters Tuesday, several hours before the president’s comments, “We absolutely have to preserve that American helping American through the

“Congresswoman Letlow has been clear that she believes FEMA is broken and in need of reform. She looks forward to reviewing the results of the FEMA Review Council’s study and working with President Trump and her colleagues to improve disaster recovery efforts. In the meantime, she will continue to ﬁght to ensure Louisiana’s needs are met.”

federal government when a big storm comes, and I will push that that ability be preserved.”

Matt Smith, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Start, said,

“I’ll be the first to say that FEMA needs reforms but dismantling this critical agency is dumb, shortsighted and cruel,” said Democratic Rep. Troy Carter, whose New Orleans district is one of the nation’s most vulnerable to hurricanes. Fellow Democratic Rep. Cleo Fields, of Baton Rouge, agreed.

“President Trump needs to realize that states cannot take on the full responsibility of recovering from these disasters alone. Louisiana would not be able to recover from a hurricane without assistance. FEMA is an absolute necessity for disaster response and recovery,” he said. Since last year’s campaign, Trump has repeatedly called for dramatic changes to FEMA, which he says is too expensive and provides haphazard relief Tuesday’s comments, however, are Trump’s most direct so far about the future of the agency FEMA was established by Congress, which means Congress would have to vote to abolish it. But Trump has dramatically reshaped other agencies without seeking congressional approval, slashing staff and ending billions of dollars worth of programs. Trump established a FEMA Review Council to work during the summer on how FEMA will look and operate in the future. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who co-chairs the council and attended Tuesday’s news brieﬁng, said a revamped FEMA would “empower governors to go out and respond to emergency situations and make sure that the taxpayers are only fulﬁlling the need to which is appropriate.”

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday joined by, from left, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Office of

Director Russell Vought and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Musk backs off from feud with Trump

BY BERNARD CONDON Associated Press

NEW YORK

The world’s most powerful politician and its richest businessman stepped back from their war of words that stunned Washington and Wall Street alike last week, but it’s unclear if the peace will hold.

Early Wednesday, Musk wrote on X, “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.” For his part, Trump said in a New York Post podcast interview published Wednesday, “Things like that happen. I don’t blame him for anything.”

Musk’s break with a president whom he spent hundreds of millions of dollars to elect had appeared to put an end to his inﬂuence in the White House and dashed investors’ hopes for favored treatment for his businesses.

For Trump, the spat was a distraction as he attempts to pass a massive tax bill, negotiate peace in two international conflicts and deal with protests in the second biggest city in the U.S. On Thursday, investors in Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla sent the stock plunging more than 14%, knocking $150 billion off the company’s market value.

Tesla shares recovered those losses over a few days’ trading, although the rally stalled Wednesday, perhaps a sign that investors remain on edge and want a more solid confirmation that the feud has ended. Tesla shares closed up 0.1% at $326.43.

The Trump side was uneasy as well On Friday, Vice President JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles felt compelled to intervene.

The pair called Musk and urged him to end his feud with Trump, according to two people familiar with the call who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly

The call was ﬁrst reported Wednesday by the Wall Street Journal.

Tesla investors had been hoping Trump would pull back from regulatory scrutiny of Musk’s partially self-driving cars and hammer out new federal rules to help usher in a future of fully self-driving cars that they are convinced Tesla will dominate.

The dispute seemed especially ill-timed with an upcoming trial run of Tesla’s self-driving “robotaxis” promised for this month Musk in a separate post late Tuesday on X said that Tesla’s rollout of the cab service in Austin, Texas, is “tentatively” scheduled for June 22.

Wall Street analysts have expressed concern that Trump could retaliate against Musk by having federal safety regulators impede a broad rollout of the service.

What’s more, Trump at one point threatened to cut government subsidies and contracts from Musk companies, which include the rocket company and big NASA contractor SpaceX. Before expressing regrets for his comments, Musk deleted a post in which he claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president’s association with infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein

Meanwhile, other posts that irritated Trump, including ones in which Musk called the spending bill an “abomination” and claimed credit for Trump’s election victory, remained live.

Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson dies at 82

BY HILLEL ITALIE AP national writer

Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys’ visionary and fragile leader whose genius for melody, arrangements and wide-eyed self-expression inspired “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls” and other summertime anthems and made him one of the world’s most inﬂuential recording artists, has died at 82.

Wilson’s family posted news of his death to his website and social media accounts Wednesday Further details weren’t immediately available. Since May 2024, Wilson had been under a court conservatorship to oversee his personal and medical affairs, with Wilson’s longtime representatives, publicist Jean Sievers and manager LeeAnn Hard, in charge.

The eldest and last surviving of three musical brothers — Brian played bass, Carl lead guitar and Dennis drums — he and his fellow Beach Boys rose in the 1960s from local California band to national hitmakers to international ambassadors of surf and sun. Wilson himself was celebrated for his gifts and pitied for his demons. He was one of rock’s great Romantics, a tormented man who in his peak years embarked on an ever-steeper path to aural perfection, the one true sound.

The Beach Boys rank among the most popular groups of the rock era, with more than 30 singles in the Top 40 and worldwide sales of more than 100 million. The 1966 album “Pet Sounds” was voted No. 2 in a 2003 Rolling Stone list of the best 500 albums, losing out, as Wilson had done before, to the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” The Beach Boys, who also featured Wilson cousin Mike Love and childhood friend Al Jardine, were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

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Wilson feuded with Love over songwriting credits, but peers otherwise adored him beyond envy, from Elton John and Bruce Springsteen to Katy Perry and Carole King. The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon, fantasized about joining the Beach Boys. Paul McCartney cited “Pet Sounds” as a direct inspiration on the Beatles and the ballad “God Only Knows” as among his favorite songs, often bringing him to tears.

Wilson moved and fascinated fans and musicians long after he stopped having hits. In his later years, Wilson and a devoted entourage of younger musicians performed “Pet Sounds” and his restored opus, “Smile,” before worshipful crowds in concert halls. Meanwhile, The Go-Go’s, Lindsey Buckingham Animal Collective and Janelle Monáe were among a wide range of artists who emulated him, whether as a master of crafting pop music or as a pioneer of pulling it apart. An endless summer

The Beach Boys’ music was like an ongoing party, with Wilson as host and wallflower He was a tall, shy man, partially deaf (allegedly because of beatings by his father, Murry Wilson), with a sweet, crooked grin,

and he rarely touched a surfboard unless a photographer was around. But out of the lifestyle that he observed and such musical inﬂuences as Chuck Berry and the Four Freshmen, he conjured a golden soundscape — sweet melodies, shining harmonies, vignettes of beaches, cars and girls — that resonated across time and climates.

Decades after its ﬁrst release, a Beach Boys song can still conjure instant summer — the wake-up guitar riff that opens “Surfin’ USA”; the melting vocals of “Don’t Worry Baby”; the chants of “fun, fun, fun” or “good, good, GOOD, good vibrations”; the behind-the-wheel chorus “’Round, ’round, get around, I get around.” Beach

Boys songs have endured from turntables and transistor radios to boom boxes and iPhones, or any device that could lie on a beach towel or be placed upright in the sand. The band’s innocent appeal survived the group’s increasingly troubled backstory, whether Brian’s many personal trials, the feuds and lawsuits among band members or the alcoholism of Dennis Wilson, who drowned in 1983. Brian Wilson’s ambition raised the Beach Boys beyond the pleasures of their early hits and into a world transcendent, eccentric and destructive. They seemed to live out every fantasy and many nightmares, of the California myth they helped create.

From suburbs to stage Brian Wilson was born June 20, 1942, two days after McCartney His musical gifts were soon obvious, and as a boy he was playing piano and teaching his brothers to sing harmony The Beach Boys started as a neighborhood act, rehearsing in Brian’s bedroom and in the garage of their house in suburban Hawthorne, California. Surf music, mostly instrumental in its early years, was catching on locally: Dennis Wilson, the group’s only real surfer, suggested they cash in. Brian and Love hastily wrote up their first single, “Surfin,’” a minor hit released in 1961. They wanted to call themselves the Pendletones, in honor of a popular flannel shirt they wore in early publicity photos. But when they first saw the pressings for “Surfin,’” they discovered the record label had tagged them “The Beach Boys.” Other decisions were handled by their father a musician of some frustration who hired himself as manager and holy terror By mid-decade, Murry Wilson had been displaced and Brian, who had been running the band’s recording sessions almost from the start, was in charge, making the Beach Boys the rare group of the time to work without an outside producer Their breakthrough came in early 1963 with “Surfin’ USA,” so closely modeled on Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen” that Berry successfully sued to get a songwriting credit. It was their first Top 10 hit and a boast to the nation: “If everybody had an ocean / across the USA / then everybody’d be surfin,’ / like Cali-for-nye-ay.” From 196366, they were rarely off the charts, hitting No. 1 with “I Get Around” and “Help Me, Rhonda” and narrowly missing with “California Girls” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.”

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ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By RON FREHM

The Beach Boys, from left,Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson and Mike Love, hold their trophies after being inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in New york on Jan. 21, 1988.

GO GET ’EM, TIGERS!

Rolfe McCollister, founder of Baton Rouge Business Report, climbs atop a giant

a send-off for the LSU baseball team before they leave to the

game on Saturday.

BY JOY HOLDEN | Staff writer

A 13.5-foot-high, 31-foot-long fiberglass Mike the Tiger float is on its way to Omaha, Nebraska. The Kern Studios float debuted Wednesday morning as more than 100 fans gathered at Alex Box Stadium to send the LSU baseball team on its way to Omaha for the College World Series. The float will travel the 15 hours from Baton Rouge to Omaha on highways and interstates, along with the LSU baseball faithful who will

have a chance to tailgate with Mardi Gras Mike at Charles Schwab Field. Throughout the College World Series, Mardi Gras Mike’s tenders also plan for the giant tiger to show up around Omaha wherever LSU fans gather Imagined six months ago by Barry Kern, CEO and president of Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World, and his sons, the ﬂoat took three months to design and plan and three more months to build.

ä See FLOAT, page 2B

“This is really something cool that kind of integrates what we do from Mardi Gras with the spirit of LSU and LSU Tiger fans. Why don’t we do something that will just bring all this together in one fell swoop? And that’s how we came up with Mardi Gras Mike.”

BARRy KERN, CEO and president of Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World

Man who killed pregnant girlfriend sentenced

Woman’s son also died after being thrown over bridge

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

It was an argument between lovers that turned grisly in March 2022.

After more than three years of twists and turns, the case reached its end Tuesday inside a Baton Rouge courtroom. Brynnen Murphy shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend, Kaylen Shavon Johnson, then threw the woman’s 2-year-old son, Kaden, over an elevated bridge and left him for dead.

District Judge Louise Hines Myers sentenced Murphy to 95 years in prison Tuesday morning during

man suspected in second drive-by shooting

Police

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

A second man has been implicated in the September 2024 drive-by shooting of Teressa Calligan.

Daniels’ shooting He has now been rebooked on another count of ﬁ

a hearing at the 19th Judicial District Courthouse.

Family members did not give victim impact statements before the sentencing. After the hearing, Johnson’s aunt, LaKeisha Morgan Johnson, said time hasn’t healed the wound of losing Kaden and his mother Kaylen Johnson, a 24-yearold Baton Rouge woman, was four months pregnant at the time of her death.

Murphy pleaded guilty April 1 to two counts of manslaughter for killing the mother and son, along with one count of feticide for killing his and Kaylen Johnson’s unborn child.

“We’re not good at all,” Morgan Johnson said outside the courthouse, noting an apology Murphy offered to family members meant little to her “I couldn’t care less about what happens to him. He didn’t care about what happened to them If we wouldn’t have been on it like we were on it, that boy would still be free running wild.” Hines Myers sentenced him to 40 years apiece for both manslaughter convictions and tacked on another 15 years for the count of feticide as part of the negotiated plea deal.

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

STAFF

PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Mike the Tiger Mardi Gras-style float by Kern Studios outside of Alex Box Stadium during

College World Series in Omaha, Neb., on Wednesday. The float will travel to Omaha before LSU’s opening

N.O. city leader accuses sheriff of losing jail keys

Council president, Hutson spar in Instagram post

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

The president of the New Orleans City Council accused the sheriff this week of losing a set of keys to the city jail she oversees escalating criticism of Sheriff Susan Hutson after 10 inmates escaped last month from her beleaguered pretrial facility.

Council President JP Morrell leveled those accusations in an Instagram video, showing his 7,000 followers a set of keys he described as “keys to the jail.” Morrell said the keys were submitted by an unidentified “whistleblower” who’d been fired from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. In an interview late Tuesday, he declined to provide additional details about the person’s identity.

The breakout has spawned weeks of furious questions about leadership of the troubled jail.

The facility was built a decade ago in what officials promised would spell change to the old Orleans Parish Prison’s sordid history but it has recently deteriorated amid stafﬁng woes and a crush of deferred maintenance.

Days after the escape, Hutson paused her reelection campaign.

Mounting criticism

Morrell, who has emerged since the escape as one of Hutson’s most vocal critics, described in his video how ofﬁcials have interviewed several “whistleblowers” in the course of multiple investigations into the breakout.

Hutson swiftly clapped back in the post’s comments, accusing Morrell of spreading “misinformation” and defending her leadership of the 600-deputy Sheriff’s Ofﬁce in the wake of the escape. The keys Morrell described in the video “don’t open the jail or any cell,” Hutson said. Her ofﬁce did not respond to detailed questions about the allegations.

The ﬁery back-and-forth — one of relatively few public discussions Hutson has entertained regarding her office’s handling of the escape in its aftermath — highlights the ongoing political fallout since the early morning hours of May 16, when 10 men ripped a toilet from a wall, scaled a fence and ran free across Interstate 10. Two remain on the lam.

PARLORS

Continued from page 1B

Those warrants spawn from an investigation that began in November, when sheriff’s deputies began working with the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy, the Baton Rouge Fire Department, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office and other local agencies to investigate complaints about prostitution, Hicks said.

Once the warrants were obtained, federal agencies joined the effort, including Homeland Security Investigations, a division of ICE. Ofﬁcials with the Louisiana

FLOAT

Continued from page 1B

“This is really something cool that kind of integrates what we do from Mardi Gras with the spirit of LSU and LSU Tiger fans,” Kern said. “Why don’t we do something that will just bring all this together in one fell swoop? And that’s how we came up with Mardi Gras Mike.” Mardi Gras Mike meets the height requirements — 13.5 feet high and 8.5 feet wide to be street legal on highways. The goal is to take the tiger ﬂoat wherever LSU goes — big games, parades and other LSU events.

SENTENCED

Continued from page 1B

After the defendant entered his guilty pleas in April, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said the agreed upon prison stint essentially amounted to a life sentence for Murphy.

“The pleas were offered to spare the family the horror of the details that would come out at trial,” Moore said in a statement Tuesday after Murphy was sentenced.

Murphy now 23, was a maintenance worker at the Spires of Sherwood apartment complex in the 11800 block of Old Hammond Highway, where Kaylen Johnson lived with her toddler son. He began dating the woman and they

out with the keys.”

Hutson responds Hutson’s statement on Morrell’s Instagram post said that her ofﬁce is “in possession of all the keys to the jail.”

“I would be careful about putting out misinformation to the public,” she said, “especially regarding public safety and security.”

The statement defended Hutson’s leadership. “Has my ofﬁce done everything perfectly?” she asked. “No, but let’s be clear: My deputies work hard every single day and night so I won’t let you make a mockery of their work.”

Second arrest made in interstate shooting, and another victim dies

identiﬁed.

CRIME BLOTTER staff reports

One of them, Morrell said, produced the set of keys and said Hutson had failed to collect them when the person was ﬁred by the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce.

Morrell also showed his audience a set of “call logs” he said contained notes on when sets of jail keys were “checked out.”

Asked to explain how he veriﬁed the keys’ authenticity, Morrell declined to comment He cited the ongoing investigations into the escape.

The council member implied that the misstep, or others like it, may have contributed to the ease with which prisoners were able to break free. But he did not provide details to back up that claim.

“Maybe you don’t need to have the ‘Shawshank Redemption’ (style) digging of a hole to escape,” Morrell said in the Instagram video.

Referring to a jail employee who was arrested days after the breakout for allegedly helping the escapees, Morrell said: “Maybe he didn’t need to hire, or scare, a maintenance worker into doing it when any employee could walk

Attorney General’s Ofﬁce and the District Attorney’s Office were also on the scene, according to a news release on the ICE website.

The following locations were targeted during the operation: n Y&L Body Relaxation, 14111 Airline Highway, St. George n Spring Body Conditioning, 9065 Perkins Road, St George n Magnolia Spa, 17301 Jefferson Highway, St. George n Wonderful Land Spa, 712 O’Neal Lane, Baton Rouge n All Natural Spa, 804 O’Neal Lane, Baton Rouge n YY Rainbow Spa, 4528 Bennington Ave., Baton Rouge n Oriental Relax Spa, 12240 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge n Orange Spa, 156 McGehee

Kern, the third generation of Kern Studios, had the idea after attending the Tiger Walk before the LSU vs. Ole Miss football game last year

“There was something like 70,000 people there,” Kern said, “but we could even help it be more exciting. So my dream was that one day, Mardi Gras Mike would come down and go wherever LSU fans are.”

Mardi Gras Mike roars and plays the ﬁght song with giant speakers, and in true Mardi Gras World fashion, lights up with LED lights at night. People can stand in the tiger and throw beads, so it is ready for future championship parades.

Patrick Kern, the fourth generation of Kern Studios and director of operations, said it was a great feel-

had a relationship that led to her pregnancy, prosecutors said.

According to court records, Murphy told investigators Kaylen Johnson picked him up from his residence the evening of March 5, 2022, and they drove a few blocks before getting into an argument. While her toddler son sat buckled in the back seat, Murphy shot the woman in the head twice and killed her after she pulled over the car, Baton Rouge police reports indicate.

Murphy drove to the 8500 block of Burbank Drive, where he placed Kaylen Johnson’s body in a black trash bag and dumped her remains in a drainage ditch along the road. He then drove to a remote stretch of Central Thruway with Kaden still in the back seat and tossed the child off a 30-foot roadway elevated over a bayou, according to investigators.

Morrell said the keys had been turned over to Attorney General Liz Murrill’s ofﬁce, which is investigating conditions and management at the jail.

Morrell said the person who handed them over explained which doors they unlocked, but that verifying that information would fall now to the Attorney General’s Ofﬁce.

Murrill declined to respond to a list of questions about the keys, but said her ofﬁce will be “incorporating this very issue into our ongoing investigation” into the jail and how the inmates escaped.

Asked why the “whistleblower” had been ﬁred from the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, Morrell declined to comment. But he argued that “if a person has been terminated for a bad reason, you would especially want to retrieve the keys to the jail.”

Eight of the 10 jail escapees have been arrested.

On Wednesday, Derrick Groves, 27, a convicted murderer, and Antoine Massey, 32, remained on the run. Authorities on Monday arrested Darriana Burton, 28, on a felony count of conspiracy to commit simple escape, according to online court records She was described by law enforcement as Groves’ girlfriend.

Email James Finn at jﬁnn@ theadvocate.com.

Drive, Baton Rouge

n Vivian’s Therapy Spa, 5145 Main St., Zachary

The 10 women are now being interviewed by Homeland Security Investigations to determine their immigration status and “removability” from the country, according to the ICE release. Agents also seized stacks of cash and other evidence.

It was unclear how many others were arrested or what charges they may face.

“I am proud of the multi-agency task force’s work today We recovered people and information showing wider patterns of illegal behavior, money laundering and trafﬁcking,” Attorney General Liz Murrill said.

ing to see Mardi Gras Mike outside of the warehouse and ready to go to Omaha

“Getting to see our work come to fruition and bring joy to so many people is surreal,” Patrick Kern said.

The ﬂoat will follow a white truck with Mardi Gras Mike signage that reads, “Geauxing Back to Omaha,” as well as Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World decals.

“(LSU) certainly will be the only team in Omaha that has its own Mardi Gras ﬂoat and its own Mardi Gras Mike,” Barry Kern said.

LSU’s ﬁrst game at the 2025 College World Series will be against No 3 Arkansas at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

Prosecutors said Murphy knew the child was still alive because he could hear the toddler crying as he drove away The fall didn’t kill Kaden, but he suffered before dying after several days, prosecutors said.

After Tuesday’s sentencing, Murphy’s public defender, Rob Ray, said Murphy suffers mental illness and went through several evaluations following his arrest Ray said it took a long process to stabilize Murphy enough so he could stand trial and effectively communicate with his attorney

“This is a very sad for everyone in this entire situation,” Ray said.

“Everybody feels terrible about how this turned out. If there’s something good that comes out of this, I hope people take note of mental health issues in people and really make sure those around them are OK and stable.”

A second suspect has been arrested in a fatal Interstate 10 shooting early Sunday morning in Ascension Parish, and a second victim in the attack has died, authorities said Wednesday Kavis Octave Jr., 17, of Gonzales, faces two counts of ﬁrstdegree murder and two counts of attempted firstdegree murder, in addition to counts of illegal use of weapons, assault by drive-by shooting and aggravated damage to property, according to a release from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce.

An additional murder count was added after a second victim, Jermaine “Trey” James, 18, of Donaldsonville, died Tuesday night from gunshot wounds to his head. Dantrell Gibbs, 20, of Donaldsonville, died of his wounds Monday morning.

Octave was taken into custody days after the arrest of Jakiryn Johnson, 19 also of Gonzales, who was booked Monday afternoon Authorities say Johnson’s counts are expected to be upgraded in light of the second death.

The violence began Saturday night at a Gonzales Waffle House, where a fight broke out involving a group meeting after a graduation party After the altercation, a white GMC Sierra reportedly followed several men in a vehicle traveling westbound on I-10. Authorities said multiple suspects in the Sierra opened fire on the other vehicle, striking three people inside, James and Gibbs.

Police: Man secretly recorded women at stores

A Denham Springs man accused of wearing different disguises at stores and secretly ﬁlming or taking pictures of women as they were shopping was arrested this week, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce announced.

“Several days a week for the past few months, this guy was secretly ﬁlming females. We have surveillance video of him in action,” Sheriff Jason Ard said in a news release.

Tyler Washington, 23, changed his looks with glasses, caps and different hairstyles, Ard said.

Police said Washington went to stores at a number of retail outlets, including Juban Crossing and Walmart. He was ﬁrst arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish jail on a count of stalking.

“Further investigation by our detectives revealed he was ﬁlming those females for sexual gratiﬁcation,” Ard said.

Washington now faces an additional four counts of stalking and four counts of video voyeurism, Ard said, adding that the Sheriff’s Office believes there are more victims who have not been

SHOOTING

Continued from page 1B

drive-by shootings, two months apart, in which BRPD believes Parker and his accomplices targeted the wrong vehicle and took the lives of people the shooters did not intend to kill. Parker was arrested at the end of 2024 alongside three other men: Kendrick Proﬁt, 23; Yancy Jarrell, 23; and Tremell Harris, 28.

Police believe the men drove a car alongside the Daniels’ car at the intersection of Swan Avenue and Kingﬁsher Street, the day before Thanksgiving 2024. The men opened fire on Daniels’ car, striking it dozens of times and injuring Diellon Daniels’ other siblings. All four suspects are charged with first-degree murder five counts of attempted ﬁrst-degree murder, assault by drive-by shooting, illegal use of weapons during a crime and obstruction of justice.

Three others, including Parker’s girlfriend and her mother, were eventually arrested as well for attempting to help the suspects avoid police.

Brianna Crump, 20, and her 41-year-old mother Yarnell Deanna Crump were both indicted for counts of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and five counts of accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder

Both are considered to have “harbored/concealed, and/or aid-

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (225) 686-2241, ext. 1. Residents with the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce app can also use the “submit a text” link.

Portion of Airline Highway dedicated to fallen officers

On a summer morning nearly nine years ago, gunman Gavin Long executed an ambush on Baton Rouge law enforcement ofﬁcers, killing three and wounding three others.

Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola, 45; police Cpl. Montrell Jackson, 31; and Ofﬁcer Matthew Gerald, 41, were at spots along Airline Highway about 8:30 a.m. on July 17, 2016. Garafola was waiting to meet his wife after his detail at the B-Quik convenience store; Jackson was washing his unit at the next-door Benny’s Car Wash; and Gerald was at an Airline Highway red light, waiting to make the left turn into the convenience store parking lot.

All three responded to reports of a man with a riﬂe at the location. Within 18 minutes, all three would be dead, victims of Long’s ambush at the store. Long was killed by Baton Rouge Police Department ofﬁcers who rushed to the scene.

Deputy Nick Tullier also was grievously wounded. He died in May 2022.

Gov Jeff Landry on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 190 into law dedicating that stretch of Airline Highway in the ofﬁcers’ names: the Jackson, Gerald, Garafola, Tullier Memorial Highway Signs will be erected to mark the section of road.

Loved ones of the fallen ofﬁcers attended the signing.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse was working as a SWAT officer on the day of the shooting and said he was one of the first officers to respond to the scene.

May we always remember the signiﬁcance of these noble men and ﬁnd new ways to celebrate their legacies,” he said.

Two booked on suspicion of DWI in EBR Parish

Two people were booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Wednesday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Those booked and the counts against them:

n Samuel Sons, 45, of Denham Springs, one count each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, careless driving and a seat belt violation.

n Froilon Ivoy, 50, of Baton Rouge, one count each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, ﬁrst offense; possession of alcohol in the vehicle; driving without a license; and careless driving.

ed” Parker according to the indictment. Parker was arrested on New Year’s Eve at the Crumps’ residence.

Damarcus Parker, 21, was also indicted for obstruction of justice in relation to the case. In Calligan’s murder case, Roger Parker is now the second suspect arrested. David Catherine, 22, known as the rapper and gang member RealBleeda, is the other suspect.

Catherine infamously danced alongside middle schoolers at the Park Forest Middle School in March of this year, drawing the attention of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

She criticized school administrators for allowing the rapper to promote his music using the children, citing that students pantomimed the ﬁring of guns as part of a dance with Catherine posted to TikTok. Both murder investigations are ongoing.

Email Quinn Coffman at quinn. coffman@theadvocate.com.

Hutson Morrell

Berthelot, Lee

St Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement at 11am

Blair,Ann Greenoaks FuneralHome,

Nosacka, Martha Sacred HeartChurch,616 E. Main St Gramercy,LAat12pm.

Ragusa, Patricia Sacred HeartCatholic Church a 11am

Ross, Vivian Greater NewGuide BaptistChurch, 3445Fairfields Avenue,Baton Rouge LAat 12pm

Rowley,James SouthsideBaptistChurch, 7572 VincentRd, DenhamSprings,LAat 11am

Ruckstuhl,Marilyn

ResthavenFuneralHomeat10:30am

Saunier,Donald OursoFuneralHome, 13533 Airline Highway,Gonzales,Louisianaat11am.

Smith,Johnnie McKneelyFuneralHome, Kentwood at 11am

Taylor,Ethel St.James Place, 333 LeeDr.,Baton Rouge,LAat10am.

Torres, Kimberly

Immaculate HeartofMaryCatholic Church in Maringouinat11am.

Obituaries

Berthelot, LeeAnn

LeeAnn Berthelot, joinedher belovedhus‐bandfor awonderful re‐union on June 8,2025. Lee Ann wasborninLake, Louisiana on July 20,1939 to Guy andLee IdaTemplet Lee Annwas amemberof St. Joseph Catholic Church inFrenchSettlementand a memberofthe Ladies Altar Society.She enjoyedtrav‐eling, playingcards,gar‐deningand reading. Herfa‐voritething wastocook a big Sunday dinner forthe whole family. Shehelda variety of jobs,including working at theBankof Gonzales, thepostofﬁce and ownedseveral of her own businesses. Shewas precededindeath by her husband,Edwin 'Runt' Berthelot,her sonEddie Berthelot,and herparents Guy andLee IdaTemplet She is survived by hersis‐ters, Jackie Bosch, Bobbie (Guy) Peterson andGay (Rick)Templet.Her daugh‐tersare Rhonda (Mervin) Young andRobin (Everet) Fekete. Grandchildren, Blane (Jessica)Berthelot JoushaBerthelot,Rheana (Joseph)Young Jowers Randee(Sean)Young, Brant (Jessica)Feketeand Danna Fekete.Great grand‐childrenAlexis, Peyton and Rylee GraceBerthelot and Rylee Eve, ReeseEvelyn and RyannElizabeth Jow‐ers.Visitationwillbeon ThursdayJune 12, 2025, at StJosephCatholicChurch inFrenchSettlementfrom 9:30amuntil Mass at 11:00 am. Thankyou to hercare‐giversatThe Parc Assisted Livingand ClarityHospice

Veronica

Veronica "Cookki" Bergeron Desormes-Clay was born on June 28, 1948 in New Roads, La. to the union of Lanzie Bergeron Sr. and Edna Robert Bergeron. She gained her heavenly wings on June 1, 2025 at age 76 at The Carpenter House in Lafayette, La. Visitation will be on Friday June 13, 2025 from 9:45

a.m. -11:00 a.m. followed by the Memorial Mass at St.Augustine Catholic Church, 809 New Roads St, New Roads, La 70760

Rodrick Brian Gremillion, who was affectionately called"Straw" was a beloved son, brother,uncle and friend. He enteredinto eternal rest on June 2, 2025 at theage of 63. Survived bysisters, Darlene Gremillion, Carlette (WilliamIII) Perkins, Karen& Sheryl Lands; brothers Derrick (Karen) Lands, Kenneth Gremillion. Precededin deathbyhis father Percy Brown, mother Maggie (Henry)Lands, brothers Dormia RayGremillionJr, KerryGremillionSr., nephewDormia Ray Gremillion III. Afuneral service willbeheldat10:00 AM on 2025-06-13 at Hall Davis &Son,9348Scenic Hwy.

Hagan, Mary White'Mimi' Mary WhiteHagan, "Mimi", passedawayon Tuesday,June 10,2025. She was 83 yearsold anda life‐longresidentofZachary She retiredasanEducation Administrator with the EastBaton Rougepublic and parochialschool sys‐tem.She hada BS and Masters from LSUinEdu‐cationand Administration She lovedteachingand working with children.She was amemberofTri Delta sororityatLSU.Mimiwas a devoted member of St Johnthe BaptistCatholic Church in Zachary formore than80years.She enjoyed traveling,gardening and working in heryard. She loved herfamily, children, grandchildren andgreat grandchildren.Weloved her andshe made us crazy. Visitationwillbe at St Johnthe BaptistCatholic Church in ZacharyonFri‐day,June13, 2025 from 12 noon until Rite of Christian Burialat1 pm.Burialwill beinAzaleaRestCeme‐tery, Zachary. Mimi is sur‐vived by adaughter, Meg Pecot and husband,Jay and son, Rick Haganand wife, Melissa, 6grandchil‐dren, Jovonni Ramella, Emily Hagan, SarahHagan KatlynKnight, Gage Daigle, and QuinnPecot,3 great grandchildren,JohnLuke Ramella,SophiaScarlett Knightand AndreGabriel Hansen, sisters, Kitty Lem‐ing andPeggy Graham and numerousnieces, nephews and extended family.She is precededindeath by her husband of 65 years, Richard N. Haganand par‐ents, Arnold andKatherine White. Pallbearerswillbe Tal Leming,GageDaigle, Quinn Pecot, JayPecot, Jacob Knight,and Dan Braun. Share sympathies, condolences,and memo‐ries at www.Charletfune ralhome.com

MaeHogg passed away Friday, June 6, at her home surrounded by herchildren and grandchildrenasthey sangher favorite hymn"In theGarden".She was94 yearsold Born Verlia Mae Kennedy May7,1931, to Wallace and Myrtle Kennedy in Barrineau Park, Florida,she moved with her family toAlabama, Mississippi,and Arkansas.

In LittleRock, Arkansas, she metthe love of her life,Med Hogg, and thetwo married aftera briefcourtshipasMed was being transferred west. Shesaid,"We honeymooned allthe wayto Phoenix."Mae and Med were married 72 years at hisdeath in2020. They were honored by theLouisiana Family Forumfor being one of the longest marriedcouplesin thestate She and Medmoved from PhoenixtoSt. Louis, then to NewOrleans, and finally toBaton Rouge in 1959.Along theway they had fivechildren: Tommy Judy, Jimmy,Trudy,and Johnny. Avivacious, joyous woman, Maenever meta stranger. God wasalways first in Mae'slife,and she loved tellingpeopleabout

Jesus. At her witness, many peoplecametobelieve in Jesus. At her prayers, many people were healed and had relationships restored. People would drop in her homefor prayer and counsel, and she always graciously welcomedthem Herhomewas filledwithsinging, scripture, andprayer. She was amember of theformer FloridaBoulevard Baptist Church, and continued monthlyBible studies, prayer meeting,and lunch with the AlphaClass Sunday School ladies for decades, hosting the gathering forthe last four years.She wasa Prayer WarriorwithFranklin Graham's ministry Operation Christmas Child and was active in WomenPraying forWomen. She wasregularly featured on her son Jim's radio program "Sunday Morning in Hogg Heaven" where she would offer wisdomand prayer. Mae'spassion was her family.Each child felt likethe favorite. She always wanted thedetails of what washappening in their lives.Called Mae Maebyher grandchildren and great grandchildren, shelavished love on each one and prayed for each one daily.She wasa wonderful homemaker and a fabulous cook, famous for MaeMae'sPerfect Pound Cake. She and Medkepta vegetable garden formany years, and she enjoyed picking andpreparing homegrown vegetables. She also grew beautiful flowers andtreasured the rose garden her husband planted forher. Maeand Medenjoyed traveling andcruising.They toured Europe, theMediterranean, Canada, Hawaii and much of the continental USA.They celebrated their 50th anniversary at acastle in Scotland. Herfavorite tripof allwas to theHolyLand Hercareer life was varied.She began as a Mary KayConsultant, then wasa real estateagent, jewelry store manager, and finally helped her husbandinhis home-based transportationconsulting business. Maeispreceded in deathbyher parents; husband; son, Tommy Hogg; grandson, Evan Kennedy Mills; sisters, Norma Letort,AlmaRoberts, Ola Ruddick, GlendaLegg;and brother, JamesWallace Kennedy. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Judy Mills,Jim and Linda Hogg, Trudy and TomKiggans, John and Lauren Hogg; and her grandchildren Rebekah Owens (Sean), Matthew Kiggans (Leighanne), Mary Margaret Parker (Tyler), Daniel Kiggans (Carlee), Austin Hogg (Diana), Gabrielle Hogg, and James Linden Hogg; sister, Bobbie Sanford, along with ahost of great grandchildren nieces and nephews.

Visitationwill be heldSaturday, June 14, at 10:00 at JeffersonBaptist Church, 9135 Jefferson Highway, BatonRouge, LA. The service will begin at 11:00. The burial will take place immediately afterat Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Boulevard,BatonRouge,LA.

"Many daughters have donewell, butthou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:29

Kelleher, Rosalie Lavonne 'Bebo'

In Loving Memory of RosalieLavonne Kelleher (BeBo), August 13, 1938June 9, 2025. Rosalie Lavonne Kelleher, affectionately known as BeBo, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025, at theage of 86. Born in St Amant, Louisiana, she was thedaughterofCleveland JosephMarchand Sr.and Herminie St. AmantMarchand.A proud graduateof St.Amant High School (Class of 1956), Rosalie was deeply rooted in family,faith, and community. Shewas adevoted wife to thelateRobert "Bobby" Kelleher and aloving mother to KimCox (Kenny), Robyn Kelleher, Wendy Templet(Byron), and Robert Kelleher Jr. (Bob). Shewas also acherishedgrandmother to Broc Kelleher and Ashton Cox (Trisha), and is survivedby her brother, Cleveland "Buddo"Marchand Jr. She waspreceded in deathby her parents, her husband Bobby, an infant daughter, and her brother James B. Marchand—whom she now

joinsineternal rest. Her gentle presence and unwavering love willbemissed by allwho knew her.

Funeral serviceswillbe held Friday, June 13, 2025, at HolyRosary Catholic Church in St. Amant. Visitation from9:00-11:00 AM with Mass to follow. Burial at Prairieville Community Cemetery beside her beloved husband.

Pallbearers:BrocKelleher, Ashton Cox, Todd Villar, BubbaVillar, Paul Marchand,Paul Gendron. A visitationwillbeheldfrom 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on 2025-06-13 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 44450 LA429. Afuneralservicewillbe held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on 2025-06-13 at Holy RosaryCatholicChurch, 44450 LA-429.

Nora,Clarence'Wilfred'

Clarence Nora,affec‐tionately knownas“Wil‐fred”,departedthislifeon Thursday,June 5, 2025, at The SoutheastLouisiana VeteransHomeinReserve, LA. He was91years old, a nativeofNapoleonville,LA, and aresidentofNew Or‐leans,LA. Visitation will be heldonFriday, June 13, 2025, at Bright Morning StarBaptist Church from 11:00 a.m.,followedbyreli‐gious services at 12:00 p.m. Intermentinthe church cemetery. Arrangements byWilliamsand Southall FuneralHome, 5414 Hwy. 1, Napoleonville,LA70390 (985) 369-7231. To sign the guest book,visit ourweb‐siteatwww.williamsand southallfuneralhome.com

We mournthe Loss, but Celebrate the Extraordinary Life of Patricia Thomas Ragusa. Born 8/ 18/1944 in BatonRougeDied peacefully in her home, 6/6/2025 PattiattendedDufroc ES in Baton Rouge and Graduated from Baton Rouge High School. Pattiwas theFirst in her Family to earna College Degree and Graduated LSU in 4years with abachelor's in education PattiWorked throughout College to pay forbooks, supplies and tuition. Her parents, Elias and LucilleThomas, helped with tuition, as well. When her father had adebilitating stroke, Pattiand her mother soldAvonmakeup,door-to-door,tohelp support the family of 7. Pattiwent on aBlind-Date with Ben PRagusa, Jr, arranged by mutual friends. She eventuallymarried Ben on July30, 1966 at St. AgnesCatholicChurch, by her cousin, Fr. NickMartrain. Pattienjoyed Teaching 4thGradeatWyandot Elementary in theEast BatonRouge Parish School System. Benand Patti bought aYellow 1966 Mustang witha 289 and 4speed for her to travelto and fromwork. Benhad to gether aseatcushionso she couldreach theclutch. After Jeffrey was born, Patti Found her True Calling as aFull-TimeMother. Her passionfor Education continued as she helped her childrenexcel in scholastics, leading themboth to CollegeDegrees.She also was activeintheir schools and even was theCCD Director at St.Thomas More School in Baton Rougeduring the1970's. Pattialso tutoredstudentswho needed help and was instrumental in many childrenachieving High School Diplomas and GED's. After morethan20-years in Atlanta, Pattiand Ben returnedtoBaton Rouge to start anew business and take care of Patti's ailing mother. For almost 30 years, oldfriendshipswere re-kindled and new ones forged while her family

grew around herinBaton Rouge.The past 3decades haveseenthe birth of five grandchildrenwith two marriages and aflourishingbusiness family, as well.Patti is preceded in death by herparents Elias Thomas,Lucille Martrain Thomas,and herBrother KennethWayne Thomas TheJoy of HerLife was Family! Husband: Ben, of almost 59 years. Children: Jeffrey (56) and Stephanie (54) Grandchildren: Madeline (28), Elizabeth (28), Jeffrey Jr (27), Tricia(25), & Megan (23). Siblings: Kenneth (deceased) Gail,E.J., andDarla. An ElegantLady HasFound HerReward with HerLordand The Blessed Mother.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at SacredHeart Catholic Church,Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM followed by acommittal service at ResthavenGardens of Memory

Rowley, James Stephen 'Jim'

JamesStephenRowley, aresident of Watson, Louisiana, went home to be with hisLordand Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the age of 76. Relativesand friends are invited to attend visitation at Southside Baptist Church,7572 Vincent Rd Denham Springs, LA 70726, on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 9:00 AM until services begin at 11:00 AM,conductedbyRev.John Adams. AGravesideservice will follow at 2:30 PM at Pine First Baptist Church Cemetery in Pine,LA. Arrangements have been entrustedtoMcLin Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared, andafull obituaryisavailableat www.mclinfuneralhome.co m

BessieLee Stockton,77 years old, belovedwife, daughter, andmother, was calledtobewithher Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ,on June 10, 2025, surrounded byher loving family. She entered this worldonDe‐cember5,1947, born to Leona andJames Ortis, in New Roads, LA.Bessiewas a member of St.James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge where shefaithfully servedfor over 25 years. She wasa compassionate, loyal,and loving person who always counted oth‐ers higher than herself. Bessiegraduated from MorganzaHighSchool in 1967 andworkedatthe GordonTheater in Baton Rouge as aconcessionaire, where shemet herloving husband of 55 yearsin 1969. They made their homeinBaker,Louisiana since 1972. Bessiewas a retailclerk in fabrics and craftsatWalmart since 1993. Bessieissurvivedby her loving husband, Glenn Stockton; adaughter, Karen Stockton Lee; ason, Kevin Stockton;grandchil‐dren, RJ,Michael, Cheyanne,and Cannan; great-grandchildren,Grace Lee, Arya Lee, andJace;

andbrother,Jay Hender‐son.Bessieisprecededin death by herfather, James BenjaminOrtis;mother, Leona Ortis; anda sister Francis "Cookie"Clark.Rel‐ativesand friendsare in‐vited to join thefamilyfor the visitation at BakerFu‐neral Home,6401 Groom Road, on Friday,June 13 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until the FuneralService at 11:00 a.m., ofﬁciated by Fr.Drew Harmon.

It is with full sorrow that we announce thepassing of Daryl William Wascom, age 69, on June 10, 2025. Daryl wasbornonOctober 2, 1955. He wasa native of Baton Rouge,Louisiana anda residentofZachary, Louisiana. Daryl graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a bachelor'sdegree in industrial technology. He faced medical challengesasa young man, butalways kept hishead held high andpersevered through the obstacles he faced making himthe strong man he was. Daryl wasan avidcollector of cars and couldalways be foundtinkering in the garage. He wasa nightowl andwould spend hisnightsworking on hisprojects andenjoyinghis time at home.Daryl wasa devotedhusband andfather and lovedhis familyand hispup,Buddy, with everythinginhis being. He willforever be missed by all whoknew him. Daryl survives by his loving wife of 23 years, ValarieWascom; daughter, Jessica Wascom Hansel (Chris); Stepsons, Darrin Delatte and Nicholas Delatte (Rachel);grandchildren Joshua Stratton,Jase Stratton,AudreyDelatte; Brother,Brad Wascom, and numerousnieces and nephews. Daryl is preceded in death by hisparents, Loretta andDr.BW Wascomand hisbrother,Wendell KyleWascom. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare invited to attend avisitation at the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home in HammondonFriday, June 13th at 10:00 a.m. to the startofthe funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Internmenttofollow at NewBeulah Baptist Church Cemetery.

Eugene Williams, abeaconoflove, selflessness, and strength,left this worldonJune5,2025, at the age of 70 in Baton Rouge,Louisiana. Avisitation will be held from10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on 2025-0613 at Bible WorldChristian Center,1771 Lobdell Blvd Afuneral service will be held from11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on 2025-06-13 at Bible WorldChristian Center, 1771 Lobdell Blvd Aburialwillbeheld from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM on 2025-06-13 at LouisianaNational Cemetery,303 W. MountPleasant Road

When youneed thenews. Wherever youreadthe news

Wascom, Daryl William

Daryl William Wascom

Ragusa, Patricia Thomas 'Patti'

Stockton,BessieLee

Williams, Eugene

Hogg, Mae

Desormes-Clay,

Bergeron 'Cookki'

Gov.Jeff Landry and statelawmakers have not shied away from pursuinghigh-proﬁle issues this legislative session —from tort reform and the insurance crisis to education scholarship accounts and revisitingtax reformafter voters overwhelmingly rejected aproposed constitutional amendmentthat would have freedupfunds.

But one big effort that’sbeen quietly chugging along in the background has reached the ﬁnish line. That, of course, is the complete overhaul of the state Department of Transportationand Development, which could haveimpacts fordecades to come. We come away impressed with theway lawmakers have tackled this monumentaltaskwith little fanfare or drama. They’ve been meeting since January in committee to reach abipartisan consensus. They’ve looked at what is workinginother states. And they’ve keptaneye on the cost of any new proposals.

The dismal state of our roads has longbeena source of frustration, to put it mildly,for Louisiana drivers. There never seems to be enough money to repave aroad or build abridge.And even when projects get thegreen light,they seem to take foreverto complete.

Aseries of bills, sponsored byRep.Ryan Bourriaque, R-Abbeville,aimed to tackle these problems by restructuringthe system and streamlining processes. HouseBill 640 creates the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, independentofDOTD, that would be responsible for theroughly 4,800 miles of state roadways that don’tqualify forfederal funding.The governor would appoint itsexecutivedirector House Bill 528 restructures DOTD, creating adivision called the Office of Transformation to look at ways the department canbemoreinnovative. Thegovernor would appointadeputy secretary for the office. It’s envisionedasthe transportation equivalent of Louisiana Economic Development,whichLandry revamped at the start of his term to bemore nimble,with tremendous results, as we’venoted Also included is anew Office of ProjectDelivery,which the Legislature has given the responsibilityoflooking forwaysthe state can partner with private entities to better serve the public In putting together this sweepinglegislation, it’sclear that lawmakers listened to experts.To answer concerns that safetywould take aback seat togetting projects completed morequickly, they stipulated that the assistantsecretaryof theOffice of Project Deliverywould have to consult with the chief engineer on plans. Legislators initially wanted torestrict theTransportation Trust Fund to paying forprojects and not employee salaries,asithas for thepast30 years, butthey nixed thatideawhen newfunds forsalaries were not forthcoming. While there’smore to theplan anddetails still need to be filled in —there’snobudget or staff for the Office of Louisiana HighwayConstruction, for instance —wecan’t help but feelthat these bills have us heading in the rightdirection. It’sabout time.

How we work and communicate is being reshaped by artificial intelligence. This technology holds real promisetohelp make government more efficient, responsive and accountable. For Louisiana, it’sa timelyopportunitytoreduce bureaucracy and create apublic sector that works better for everyone. States arebeginning to harnessAI to reduce drag andimprove how the government serves people. South Carolina’srecent effort to use AI to identify duplicative and outdated regulations is amodel Louisiana should study As someonewho studies public administration —how governments function and can be improved —I see enormous potential in AI to supportsmarter,more responsive governance in our state. Everygovernment accumulates laws and regulations that eventually create confusion or redundancy Sorting through all of them manually is resource-intensive. AI can process huge amountsofdatainseconds, flagging contradictions or inefficiencies that would take months or years to uncover.That’s not just modernization —it’ssmarter government AI also offers tools to tackle persistentchallenges,from inef-

ficiencies to overextended public resources, with more agility and focus. Louisianans deserve institutions that respondbetter.Ifwereduce thetime agencies spenduntangling outdated rules,theycan focus more on innovation and listening to communities. It’scritical Louisiana leaders embrace AI as atool for bettergovernment, like Mississippi haswith its recentexecutive order. This means bringing AI intothe public sector in ways that prioritize transparency, efficiency and public benefit. It also means avoiding overly burdensome regulation beforeweunderstand AI’sfull potential. States like California and Colorado risk slowing innovation withheavy-handedframeworks. Louisiana can take asmarter pathusing AI for economic growth, better government and better outcomes for every Louisianan. At LSUand beyond, the next generation of public servants’ expectationsare shaped by modern tools. We owe it to them to build systems that meet that moment. Ultimately,Louisiana doesn’tneed more redtape. It needs smarter solutions, like AI. ANNA JOHNSON executivedirector of the West Baton RougeChamber of Commerce

I’ve spent mostofmylifeinthe restaurant management business. When I retired about three years ago, Iwanted to see whatitwas likeonthe other side as adelivery driver.That’show Ifound DoorDash.Since then, dashing has helped me earn extra incomeinretirementand stay connected to my community in ameaningful way.

Recently,I traveled to Washington, D.C., through DashRoots, agrassroots advocacy network hosted by DoorDash. Imet with U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy to talk about the importance of keeping work like mine ﬂexible —and how policies like “NoTax on Tips” would help drivers take homemore of what we’ve earned. My only other source of incomeis Social Security,soevery dollar Iearn through DoorDash helps. Whether I’m putting money into savings or paying outstanding bills, being able to keep 100% of my tips without them being taxed would makeareal difference. Along with the other 40,000 Dashers whohave voiced their support, I’m calling on lawmakers to include independent workers in the No TaxonTips legislation —because we deserve to keep every dollar we earn through our hard work.

JAYSABLUDOWSKY Metairie LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE

HERE AREOUR

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

Daily,atthe close of each House Legislativesession, there is aprocess by which legislators can approach themicrophone and announce their votechange on each of the bills previously voted on that day.This practice seemstohave gotten out of hand. On May 14, House Bill 425 initially had avote of 84 yes, 1noand 19 absent.

There were nine votes changed on this bill at theclose of the day.Four representatives changed from yes to no, and ﬁve changed from absent to no. Final count 80 yes, 10 no and 14 absent.

This meansthe nine changes represent about 9% of the total votes. Iamappalled that the House would let this practice become so distasteful. This is like akid taking aretest after he sees theanswers to the ﬁrst

test. Further analysis indicated that all nine votechanges were by Democrats, with six of them being from the New Orleansarea. This type of partisan politics is one of themajor issues holding Louisianaback. Where is theintegrity andindependence of these representatives when you can change avote to stay with your coalition? Maybe theHouse could do away with this policy of allowing vote changes. If that is not viable, then set alimit of, say,three vote changes per instrument.Perhaps that would encourage more representatives to stay near their desks and cut downon thenoise and repeated questions that delay business.

WAYNE COLVIN Lafayette

Since our available state budgetary resources are limited, providing asubsidy to families with kids in private and parochial schools via the LA GATOR program makes no sense to me, given the options parents have.

However,asahomeowner,along with my fellow state residents whoown homes, we have no options relative to the budget-busting annual premium that must be paid forhomeowners insurance. The $50 million that the state Senate offered as acompromise to foot the annual bill forthe GATOR program would have better served residents if it had been applied to the reinforced roofing program.Ifthe state wasserious about keeping residents from moving, it seemstobecommon sense to fund this morecritical need.

GARYSILBERT NewOrleans

Letlow should pursue LSUjob

If U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow truly is in the running to be the new president or chancellorofLSU or the LSU system, as is rumored, then she really ought to pursue the job.

The third-term Republicancongresswoman, originally from Monroe, could do more good at LSU than she can do in the House,and her pursuit of the university job would be abetter use of her energythan a risky race for the Senate against incumbent Republican Bill Cassidy As acaveat— and while Iaminnoway privytoher individual family situation —the odds are high that the position at LSU,with one and only one job locus, wouldcreate an easierhome front for awidowed mother of two young children than would the inherently split-focus existencethat members of Congress endure

Even when Congress was arelatively friendlier place, back in the 20th century,the frequent travel betweenhome districts and Washington, D.C., was stressful even for two-parent families, even if the families were largely based in D.C. rather than back home. Nowthe U.S. Capitol is aden of politicalviciousness in acity choked by ever-more horrendous trafﬁc, and one in which individual, junior representatives are hard-pressed to make muchofadifference

Those political realities areworthyof more extended public comment. Unless ajunior member is eitherclearly on a track for formal leadership posts oris amedia-obsessed demagogue —oris on ahigh-risk mission to fundamentally change her party’strajectory on major issues or in general —the chancesto do meaningful work among 435 prima donnas are limited. This is especially true when, more than everbefore(or so it seems to this long-term observerand former staffer),members are hugely fearful of political crackdowns from presidents or party leaders. These days, there is almostnocomity in Congress between members of different parties —very few bipartisan coalitions, much lessfriendships! —and even apaucity of genuine comity among party colleagues. Without casting blame at one side or the other,itissafetosay

that in the age of Donald Trump, what always has been the rough-and-tumble of politicsisnow far worse than ordinary roughness.The U.S. Capitol complex is atoxicplace now Granted, large swathsofacademia alsohave become toxic. Still, it’sfar easiertodolasting good when one is the person at the very top of amajor academic institution than when oneisa junior member of a435-personbody of peoplewho each are answerable in conﬂicting ways to angrypresidents, angry party leaders andangryvoters. The comparative abilitytomake a constructivedifference was analyzed afew years ago by Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), who resigned midterm from the Senate to becomepresident of the University of Florida. Asenator by designholds amuch more powerful post than aHouse member of similarseniority, and Sasse had even larger inﬂuence becausehehad anational(if slightly underground) following as adarling of conservativeintellectuals; yet Sasse sawaSoutheasternConference university presidency as being amuch better opportunity to do good. If acollegepresidency made sense even for Sasse (who sinceleft theuniversity to help his wife with an illness), surely itmakeseven more sense for the more junior Letlow.And that’seven before acknowledging that her political perch is at leastsomewhat more precarious becauseLouisiana’scongressional

map still faces aserious courtchallenge thatcould change her district lines yet again, this timeinaway lessfavorable for her reelection.

It is well known, of course, thatLetlow alsoisconsidering aSenate race, but she would ﬁrst need to defeat boththe incumbent Cassidy and stateTreasurer John Fleming in aRepublican primary and thenoutlast whomever Democrats nominate for ageneral election. That’s atall order —and an exhausting campaign slog —even without trying simultaneously to do arepresentative’sjob both in D.C. and in Louisiana, all while raising twochildren under 10 years old. Noneofthis is to saywhether LSU should or should nothire Letlow.That’s acompletely different question, although it is worth noting thatshe does have asolid background in academia at the UniversityofLouisiana at Monroe and at Tulane. It’s alsoinstructive to see thatanother former House member Republican Jo BonnerofAlabama, is doing an excellent job as president of the UniversityofSouth Alabama.In other words,the skill setsactually can translate well. Either way, if LSU wants Letlow,she should snatch the opportunity.Compared to the halls of Congress, the halls of academe could offer her greater personaland professional rewards. Quin Hillyer can be reached at quin. hillyer@theadvocate.com

Senate ﬁnds itsvoice versus Russia

The Senate, recently passiveregardingits prerogatives and deferential regarding presidential assertiveness, might insert itself into policymaking concerning Ukraine. And theSenate— hopefully with the House concurring —might do so where presidents are most protective of their ability to act unilaterally: foreign affairs. TheSenate’scontemplated action has been “coordinated”withthe current president, who is anotably aggressiveassertor of executive prerogatives.

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has introduced legislation that, having attracted 82 supporters (counting Graham), proves two things: the possibility of bipartisanship about large questionsand Congress’srelevance in making foreign policy

In alettertoThe Wall Street Journal, Graham writes that he has “coordinated” with the White House concerning his legislation, which he jointly introduced with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The legislation would impose a 500% tariff on goods sent to theUnited States from “any countrythat buys Moscow’senergy products” (e.g.,oil, gas, uranium). The countries thatmatter mostare China and India. Whatever coordination has occurred with the current president, he and many of hisadvisers and admirers are advocates of a“unitary executive” with untrammeled control of that branch of government.Asamatteroftemperament if not of logic, they mightgofurther and deem Graham’smeasure for congressional involvement inforeign policy constitutionally dubious.Itis not. In “The President Who WouldNot Be King: Executive Power Under the Constitution” (2020), Michael W. McConnell of Stanford Law School and the HooverInstitution notes: Just as the Constitution assigns “some powers of

alegislativenature” to the president (e.g., the veto, the power to recommend legislation, the power to convene Congress), it also involves Congress in foreignpolicy.The mostimportantinvolvement is through Congress’spower “to regulate commerce with foreign nations,” which James Madison called the “most essential” of all the powers “in relations with other nations.” (Courts maydecidewhether Congress has constitutionally,orclearly,delegated this power to presidents.)

Congress hasadditional powers pertinenttoforeign policy,such as declaringwar and maintaining and exercising plenary power over the armed forces. Thepresident cannot raise a military or fund it.The Senate has special foreign-policy standing: Itconﬁrmsambassadors and consents to presidential ratiﬁcations of treaties

hours aday,seven days aweek,” he or she must be able unilaterally “totake temporary steps” to prevent or mitigatecrises. Butthe policy stipulated by Graham’s legislation is well within Congress’spurview In recent days, Graham’slegislation had 82 sponsors —41Republicans (including Graham), 40 Democrats and one independent who caucuses with theDemocrats. The non-co-sponsoring senatorsinclude 12 Republicans, ﬁve Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats.

In “Imperial From theBeginning:The Constitution of the Original Executive” (2015), Saikrishna Bangalore Prakashof the University of Virginia’slaw school notes that Chief Justice John Marshall said at the endofthe 18thcentury that theexecutive is entrusted “with the whole foreignintercourse of the nation.” But although thepresident is (in Secretary of StateThomas Jefferson’s formulation) “the only channel of communication between this country and foreign nations,” Congress can shape, andrestrict presidential shaping of, thepolicies communicated. For example,Prakashsays that in Macon’sBill No. 2(1810), “Congress authorized the president to impose an embargo for ﬁfteen days,but only when Congress was notinsession,” thereby proving that “neither the president nor Congress believed that the president enjoyed anyconstitutional power to lay an embargo.”

Because the president is (in Prakash’swords) “the only constitutional ofﬁcerondutytwenty-four

Those Republicans are: Indiana’s Jim Banks, Tennessee’sMarsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty,Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson, Missouri’sJosh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, Utah’s Mike Lee, Kansas’sRoger Marshall, Florida’s Ashley Moody,Ohio’sBernie Moreno, Kentucky’sRand Paul, and South Carolina’sTim Scott. The Democrats are: Nevada’sCatherine Cortez Masto, Illinois’ Tammy Duckworth,Connecticut’s Chris Murphy,Georgia’sJon Ossoff and Oregon’sRon Wyden, along with Vermont independent Bernie Sanders. For these18, two questions. What are you thinking? Andwhy do you want to be senators? If enacted, Graham’slegislation would notify Vladimir Putin that there can be steep costs to continuing the war.Congress’satrophied policymaking muscles, and diminished institutional pride, would be strengthened Graham has unfurled thebanner of his boon companion John McCain, a steady advocateofU.S. —and Republican —internationalism.Hewas his party’spresidential nominee 17 years ago. Support for Graham’slegislation, especially from recently inert Senate Republicans, gives fresh reason to hope that William Faulkner was right: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.

Pennsylvania has sued the Department of Agriculture for breach of contract. The state claimsthat the agency has illegally terminated funding for two critical programs providing more than $1 billion annually to nonproﬁtservices aimed at combating hunger “I don’tget what the hell their priorities are if not feeding people and taking care of our farmers,” the state’sgovernor,Josh Shapiro, told anews conference. That’savery good question, and the answer is clear: In Donald Trump’sworld, “feeding people” is avery low priority.More Americans are already going hungry sincehetook ofﬁce, and if the massive tax and spending bill he favors passes Congress in its current form, the problem will get muchdeeper

That bill contains severe new work requirements for recipients of the SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program. Federal help to states would also be slashed. The likely result, calculates the Congressional Budget Ofﬁce, is that 3 millionAmericans would lose their beneﬁts.

The CBO’s findings, reports The NewYork Times, “underscore the significant trade-offs in the party’ssignature legislative package, which seeks to save money by cutting federal anti-poverty programs in amove that mayleavesome of the poorest Americans in worse financial shape.” Trump wonlast fall in part because the cost of groceries wasdecimating family budgets, and that crunch continues. In 2023, 18 millionAmerican households, containing 47 millionpeople, suffered from food insecurity.That’sanincrease of 1million households from the previous year,and for households with children, almost1 in 5faced hunger issues.

As Feeding America, the nation’slargest hunger relief organization, put it: “Hungercan affect people from all walks of life. Millions of people in America are just one job loss, missed paycheck or medical emergency awayfrom hunger.” And that includes alot of folks who voted for Trump.

“We’ve never before faced asituationlike we are in now,where need is well beyond any disaster or ﬁnancial crisis that we’ve seen,and the government’sresponse is to take food away,” Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, told The Washington Post. “This isn’t about ideology.It’sabout math.”

Cancellation of the feeding programs Pennsylvania is suing to reverse is already having a major impact around the country

“The reality is that the food banking system is stressed to the breaking point right nowbecause we’re seeing record-high demand and diminished resources,” Vince Hall, spokesman for Feeding America, told USA Today. “Folks who cametousduring the pandemic have found it impossible to ease out of dependencyonfood banks because inﬂation has made so many of their monthly budget essentials more expensive than ever.”

For example, the Post reports that in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Park View Community Mission, anonproﬁtoffering aid to families facing economic strain, has “seen an explosion in demand.” The nonproﬁtserved an average of 316 families each month in 2024, but is now helping 349 families amonth.

“We’re all seeing that current prices aregoing up, but that’s[not just] food,” said R. Todd Blake, the organization’sexecutive director.“Housing costs have gone up, and the people we talk to are often making the call of paying rent or autility bill versus buying food.”

In Charleston, West Virginia, reports Reuters, “Sara Busse, volunteer coordinator for Trinity’s Table, afood aid group, stood in aparking lot and surveyed ameager delivery of USDA-supplied food: two boxes each of dried potato ﬂakes and shelf-stable milk and two cases of vegetarian baked beans.”

Before the Trump administration began, the deliveries ﬁlled an 18-wheeler.Now,the program mayneed to halt its meal service to senior groups altogether.“It’sdreary,it’svery frightening. We’re all losing sleep,” Busse said.

This crisis would getfar more serious if Trump’s“big beautiful bill” containing SNAP reforms becomes law

“This plan walks away from the 50-year,bipartisan commitment to ensure thatlow-income children, adults and seniors get the help they need, regardless of where they live,” wrote the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, aprogressive think tank. “The consequences of ending SNAP would be severe. Hunger,including childhood hunger,would soar,despite the welldocumented detrimental impacts of even short periods of food insecurity on children’shealth and cognitive development.”

Trump’sMAGA movement likes to promote a new slogan —MAHA: Make America Healthy Again. But those initials now have anotherdarker meaning. The Trump Administrationnow embraces Make America Hungry Again.

Email Steven V. Roberts at stevecokie@gmail. com.

Quin Hillyer

Steve Roberts

George Will

PROVIDED PHOTO

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow’sdaughter Jacqueline, 4, gives athumbs at an election night party.

Baton RougeWeather

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

College sportsformally, ﬁnally crossed aRubiconjust hours beforeLSU baseballbegan its Baton Rouge superregional against West Virginia. Afederal judge greenlit theHouse settlementFriday evening. By late Sunday night,the Tigershad sweptthe Mountaineers, making Jay Johnsonone of the coaches nowina delicate balancing act. He is in contention for aCollege World Series title while alsorecruiting transfers who can help the Tigers return to Omaha next season.Healso is untangling theuncertainties that linger past the settlement’sapproval and implementation.

“I haven’treally thought about it aton, to be perfectlyhonestwith you,” Johnson

Tuesday’smandatory minicamp.

DOUG FERGUSON

Skip Bertman’sLSU Tigers wonthe College World Series in 1996 and 1997, but the pain of having just seen his team eliminated from the 1998 CWS still wasdeep.

After the mainnews conference, Bertman stopped to talk to afew reporters before heading out to face autograph-seeking fans on the waytothe team bus. He pressed a ﬁnger on each side of his mouth and forced himself to hoist his faceinto asmile as he headed out the door

There would be morefor Bertman to smile about twoyears later,when he led LSU to the ﬁfthofwhat is now seven national championships for what has become the gold standard of college baseball over that time. Since the Tigers wontheir ﬁrst College World Series back in 1991, only six other schools have wonmultiple titles, none morethan Oregon State with three.

For all of LSU’s dominance in Omaha, there are some painful near misses. Here are four years the Tigers fell just short of winning it all:

1987

One year after its ﬁrst CWS appearance, LSU fought its way out of the NCAA South II regional at UNO

Unlike everybody else, Akers’ namewasn’ton theback of his jersey.All his jersey had on the back was the No. 38. ButAkers doesn’tcare about that.

He’sjust glad for theopportunitytostandout withhis play and earn aspot on the team located less than three hours from his hometown of Clinton, Mississippi.

“I’m still hungry and I’m young,”Akers said. “I’ve got a lot of tread on my tires, and I want to rewrite my story personally.”

Akers, who turns 26 in two weeks, is entering his sixth NFL season looking tomake what would be his fourthdifferent team. He was elated when he got thephone call last week from his agent saying theSaints wanted him to come to minicamp.

“I’mblessed to be able tohave this opportunity,” Akers said. “I’ve been through alot in my career.Ican’tlet it affect these type of opportunities. So I’m coming out and having my head on right and attacking these opportunities.” Akers has seen the highs and lows on his football journey Eight years ago, he was ranked thetop high school running back in the country in arecruiting class that included guys such as future pros Najee Harris and Chuba Hubbard. His stellar playing days at Clinton High School had many people putting him in the conversation with Marcus Dupree, considered the greatest high school football player to ever come out of Mississippi.

In Akers’ senior season when he lined up at quarterback, he rushed for2,105 yards (34 touchdowns) and threw for3,128 yards (31 touchdowns). After three seasons at Florida State, he was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Rams. His rookie season included an NFCOffensive Player of the Week

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU coach JayJohnson celebrateswithcenter fielder

ä See JOHNSON, page 4C ä See RABALAIS, page 4C

Small schools attempt to thrive

Changed landscape of college athletics carries more obstacles

BY MAURA CAREY AP sportswriter

ORLANDO,Fla.— As schools prepare to begin sharing millions with their athletes, there is no avoiding the reality that if you’re not a Power Four school, you’re at a disadvantage. With major conferences running the show St. Bonaventure and Florida International don’t even have a seat at the table.

FIU and St. Bonaventure aren’t necessarily worried about a headto-head fight over top players with deeper-pocketed schools. The priority has become survival and finding a balance between athletics ambition and financial sustainability Adrian Wojnarowski spoke candidly about the challenges he faced during his inaugural season as the general manager of the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team. Solidifying a recruiting class that would improve the team and embrace the school culture was not easy After July 1, when lucrative paychecks will pretty much become mandatory for bluechip prospects, it’s not going to get any easier With some 2,000 undergraduate students, the Bonnies are outnumbered in resources and revenue when competing even against other Atlantic 10 teams like VCU, Dayton and Saint Louis.

Wojnarowski, ESPN’s former lead NBA reporter thinks he has identiﬁed a formula for locating the ideal prospect.

To him, St. Bonaventure is a landing spot for international players adjusting to a new culture and college life, transfers who may have fallen short at a high major and need development, or those looking to move up to a midmajor He admits the school in upstate New York could be a pit stop on a player’s journey

“I want them to see that our environment, our coaching staff, our small school, especially for international players coming over, what I really try to sell is your

adjustment to American college life,” he said at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and Afﬁliates Convention this week.

“I think for a lot of kids, it’s easier in a school with 1,900 students than a school with 19,000. And you’ll come to have two great years with us, and then you’ll probably end up at schools with 19,000 or 29,000,” he said. “And so you’re selling, for us, we’re your first step on the way to somewhere else, or the other one to me is we’re the place to come when you’ve got to get the basketball right.”

If the plan goes awry and a recruit slips away, one thing the former NBA insider refuses to do is blame the money

“Fundraising is hard, creating new revenue streams is hard, but the one thing that I try to stay away from with us is not saying, ‘Oh, we didn’t get him because they offered more money,’ and using that as a crutch all the time. I really examine when we lost a player,” Wojnarowski said. “Are we being honest with ourselves in saying that we did everything outside the economics to make our

case to this person?”

FIU has more than 40,000 undergraduates, but the athletic department is using a similar philosophy pinpointing advantages and opportunities to come from the settlement instead of the negatives.

Similar to St. Bonaventure, FIU doesn’t expect to come close to the $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap available over the next year For a competitive edge, unlocking new revenue streams is fundamental.

“To compete, from a revenue standpoint, you have to think outside the box of your conventional fundraising and targeting donors,” senior associate athletic director Joseph Corey said. “That’s why you’re looking at concerts being held at different venues, different festivals to generate extra revenue to bring in, different revenue streams, and not just fundraising going after the same donors. You’ve got to go beyond that in order to be able to compete.”

Being based in Miami has its perks. Proximity to celebrities is one of them. In August, FIU secured a 10-year partnership with Pitbull, the singer and rapper who coins himself “Mr 305.”

“We did the partnership with

Pitbull – Pitbull Stadium. He’s on tour, but part of the deal was that he would be collaborating with us and doing events for us from a fundraising standpoint,” Corey said. “You’ve got to think outside the box. Especially in a city like Miami, it’s about the experience too.”

Schools unlocking creative revenue streams is something that can be expected. FIU competes in Conference USA alongside teams like Liberty, Louisiana Tech, UTEP, Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State. The football team went 3-5 in 2024, ﬁnishing sixth in the conference. The men’s basketball team ﬁnished last with a 3-15 conference record. It’s hard to sell donors on losing teams.

“Let’s call it what it is, FIU’s not going to be able to keep up with the Alabama’s of the world, the Georgia’s, Michigan, or Texas, but what can we do? We can be the best in our conference. That is our goal,” Corey said. “Let’s be the best in our conference and really compete there because once you’re at the top of your conference, that means more revenue in other areas. Everyone wants to donate to a winner.”

Chicago Sky struggling in Reese’s 2nd year

BY ANDREW SELIGMAN AP sportswriter

CHICAGO Angel Reese captured a national championship and never lost more than two games in a row during a four-year college career She and Caitlin Clark helped lead women’s basketball to new heights with a rivalry that gripped the nation. After all that winning, first at Maryland and then LSU, her rookie season with the Chicago Sky was an eye-opener Year 2 is off to a bumpy start, too.

“I’m not really a patient person,” Reese said. “I like to perfect things right away. That’s why I’m so hard on myself. We have great coaches, we have great players.” For now, they have room to improve. The Sky is struggling with a new coach and revamped roster with a 2-6 record after a lopsided road loss to the New York Liberty on Tuesday A season-ending knee injury to franchise career assist leader Courtney Vandersloot last weekend only added to their difficulties. The slow start comes on the heels of a 13-27 season and 10thplace finish in the WNBA The Sky dropped 12 of its final 14 games last year, then got busy reshaping the roster Chicago fired coach Teresa Weatherspoon after one season and hired Las Vegas Aces assistant Tyler Marsh to take over for the Hall of Famer

The Sky brought in veteran leadership to help Reese and Kamilla Cardoso take their games to a different level, reuniting with Vandersloot and acquiring twotime All-Star Ariel Atkins from Washington.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By AJ MAST Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese shoots during a game against the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis on May 17.

But in the early going, the team is having a rough time. Chicago ranks among the worst in the WNBA on offense and defense and leads the league in turnovers. The Sky has been blown out twice by Indiana, starting with a heated season opener on the road. Clark had a triple-double and sent tempers ﬂaring by knocking Reese to the ﬂoor with a hard foul. Chicago dropped its first four games before back-to-back wins over struggling Dallas, with No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers missing the second meeting while in the concussion protocol. Just when the Sky seemed to be pointing itself in the right direction, things took another painful turn on Saturday night.

They got wiped out again by Indiana in the ﬁrst WNBA game at the United Center with a national, prime-time audience watching

and Clark sidelined with a quad injury Worse, Vandersloot tore the ACL in her right knee during the first quarter The five-time All-Star known as “The General” returned to Chicago after two years in New York, where she helped the Liberty capture the championship last season and earned her second ring to go with the one she got with the Sky in 2021. A little more than a week before the injury Vandersloot broke wife Allie Quigley’s franchise career records for scoring and field goals made.

“She’s our engine,” Marsh said “She’s our captain, she’s our leader out there. Obviously, it’s a huge blow.”

One of the best distributors the WNBA has seen, Vandersloot is second to Hall of Famer Sue Bird in total assists and holds the high-

LSU men’s hoops opens Nov. tourney vs. Drake

The LSU men’s basketball team will face Drake in the ﬁrst round of the 2025 Emerald Coast Classic basketball tournament in Niceville, Florida, on Nov 28, LSU announced Wednesday

The Thanksgiving weekend tournament will run from Nov 2829 at Raider Arena at Northwest Florida State College.

Last season, Drake compiled a school-record 31 wins and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The program’s coach, Ben McCollum, and top player Bennett Stirtz, have both moved on to Iowa since. The team is now under the tutelage of Eric Henderson. The other participating teams are Georgia Tech and DePaul, who went 17-17 and 14-20, respectively They also will face each other Nov 28.

Jaguars WR Thomas leaves practice injured Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl receiver Brian Thomas bruised his right shoulder during mandatory minicamp Wednesday, but coach Liam Coen said he could have returned to practice.

The former LSU player landed hard on his shoulder while trying to catch a pass from Trevor Lawrence in 11-on-11 drills. The second-year pro walked off the ﬁeld without assistance while holding his shoulder Team trainers evaluated him in the indoor practice facility, and he later rejoined teammates on the sideline. Thomas caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie last season. He’s expected to be the focal point of Coen’s offense, especially after the Jaguars traded Christian Kirk and released Gabe Davis.

Brown carted off field at Commanders minicamp Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the ﬁeld after getting injured during minicamp in Ashburn, Virginia, on Wednesday It was not immediately clear what happened to cause the injury or its extent. Reporters said Brown walked off slowly after making a catch, threw his helmet in frustration when he was carted up the hill to the practice facility Brown, who caught Jayden Daniels’ desperation pass against Chicago for one of the Commanders’ signature moments last season, missed the ﬁnal four games of last season and their playoff run to the NFC championship game with a kidney injury He re-signed on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million.

Knicks denied an interview with 3 current NBA coaches

est season and career averages in league history The Sky ﬁgures to lean more on rookie Hailey Van Lith, the No. 11 overall pick in the draft.

“She’s done as good a job as she can in terms of handling pressure,” Marsh said. “I think she’ll continue to see that. But just understanding how to command a team, how to run a team I think she’s kind of now on a fast track to that.”

Van Lith said watching Vandersloot go down was “heartbreaking” and added: “Whatever is in store in the future for this team, I trust that we will ﬁnd a way to make this moment mean something.”

Reese and Cardoso hold the keys.

Though Reese leads the league in rebounding at 12.1 per game, she’s shooting just 35.8% while averaging 10.1 points.

Last year she set a WNBA record with double-doubles in 15 straight games and ﬁnished with 26 on the season — the most ever by a rookie.

She has four this year giving her 30 in 42 games — the fewest needed to reach the mark in league history

Cardoso, the third overall pick last year, continues to show promise, including a career-high 23-point game in the first win over Dallas. But the former South Carolina star hasn’t become a consistent dominant force inside.

“I think it’s just continuing to instill the trust level that we have in her,” Marsh said.

“Her teammates look for her inside. They know what a force she can be down low, and our staff certainly is aware of who she can be down there as well. We want to give her looks and opportunities.”

The New York Knicks were denied permission to speak with coaches Jason Kidd of Dallas, Ime Udoka of Houston and Chris Finch of Minnesota in a slow start to ﬁnd Tom Thibodeau’s replacement.

All three coaches are under contract and their organizations declined to make them available for interviews with the Knicks, two people with knowledge of the details said Wednesday

The Knicks fired Thibodeau on June 3, despite reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. They reached the playoffs four times in Thibodeau’s five seasons and had won at least 50 games in each of the final two. They appear to be trying to find coaches they like be added to their list along with those currently available.

Southern OF Thibodeaux earns All-America selection

The accolades continue to roll in for Southern baseball player Cardell Thibodeaux. The junior outﬁelder was named to the National College Baseball Writers Association Division I All-American third team, announced on Wednesday

The transfer from UL-Monroe was the only player from an HBCU school to make any of the All-American teams. Thibodeaux ﬁnished the season ﬁrst in the country in slugging

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By RyAN SUN

St Bonaventure men’s basketball general manager Adrian Wojnarowski, center left, watches as Southern California guard JuJu Watkins walks past during a game on Nov. 12 in Los Angeles.

Moore explains lack of 11-on-11 drills

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Kellen Moore is trying to strike a balance.

The New Orleans Saints coach, like every other head coach in the NFL, has been tasked with preparing his team for the regular season — all while keeping his players healthy enough for when the games actually start.

Moore has had no problem sending the Saints out for practice around noon in the gruel ing sun during this week’s mandatory minicamp. What’s wrong with a bit of heat helping build character?

On the other hand, Moore has been careful to limit the team’s workload. Notably, the Saints have yet to participate in live 11-on-11 action, instead sticking to 7-on-7 drills. When the team does do 11-on-11 work, it has been in a walkthrough, slow-paced setting with no helmets. That’s by design.

“Obviously, we’re trying to limit the physicality and put these guys in a really great position to be ready to rock and roll come training camp,” Moore said. “This is really a building block, and we just keep growing as we get into training camp.” Even though league rules forbid contact this time of year, teams are allowed to conduct 11-on-11 drills starting in Phase 3 of the offseason, which began May 20 for New Orleans By focusing on 7-on-7, Moore said he feels the sessions can still be competitive. He said players are still getting a “ton of reps” because the Saints incorporate two periods of 7-on-7. Slowing down to a walkthrough pace later in practice allows for more teaching to occur, Moore

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He tore his Achilles tendon right before training camp of his second season in 2021. Akers returned to action in ﬁve months and made it back in time to play in the Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Two seasons later, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. He tore his other Achilles in Week 9 of the 2023 season. He signed with the Houston Texans last summer but was traded back to the Vikings in October Now he’s looking to land yet another home, not too far from where he was born and raised.

“My family is right down the road, good food, Southern hospitality,” Akers said “So it’s a home away from home.” Akers counted on three

said. Are the Saints an outlier in this regard? Without having access to all 32 teams this time of year, it’s hard to tell. But based on a quick polling of other beat writers from various outlets, the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles — Moore’s last stop — incorporate full 11-on11 work. Some, such as the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Rams, don’t put as much of an emphasis on it before training camp.

“I think it just keeps guys healthy,” quarterback Spencer Rattler said “Last year we were doing 11-on-11 every day and guys were dropping left and right, so everybody’s been healthy, knock on wood. (We’re) protecting our bodies but still being able to compete on some level. We still get to see a ton of coverages from coach (Brandon) Staley and what they’re doing over there.

“So it’s making us better every day They’re not making it easy Yeah, no 11-on11 yet, but we’ll get there during camp.”

Here’s what else stood out during the second day of mandatory minicamp: Rattler responds

Because there has yet to be live 11-on-11 action, it’s hard to read too much into the quarterback competition.

But in any setting, it’s encouraging to see quarterbacks respond to a down day — and that’s exactly what Rattler did Wednesday

After struggling Tuesday, Rattler was crisp and effective against the starting defense. While he went 11 of 16, his accuracy stood out in key moments — particularly on a corner route to Dante Pettis.

Compared to rookie Ty-

things through the tough times.

“Family, prayer and work,” he said. “You’re going to have ups and downs, good days and bad days. But that’s a part of it. I have a strong support system. I believe in God. I pray, and I have people praying for me.”

Getting the phone call from the Saints felt like an answered prayer

“Cam is an experienced player,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said. “He’s done a lot throughout this league. As you go through this, you’re always trying to evaluate as many players as you possibly can. So we felt like it was a great opportunity, and we are ﬁred up that he was wanting to come out here.”

Akers has rushed for 2,025 yards in 53 career games, but he said he’s not limited to just running the ball.

“Special teams, whatever

BY CHARLIE GOLDSMITH

TheAssociated Press

CINCINNATI — While Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said that he sees a quarterback that’s looking even better than he did last year

“I just see a guy that’s seen a lot of football, played a lot of football and has no fear whatsoever,” Pitcher said on Wednesday after the Bengals’ second day of minicamp. “Total comfort and conﬁdence in himself and in his skill set. And if there’s a window, he’s gonna throw the ball.”

The highlight of Wednesday’s practice was a deep shot down the field over the middle to wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, who snared the catch among three defenders.

Throughout this spring’s workouts, organized team activities and minicamp, Burrow has been making aggressive throws into tight coverage.

Anything anybody throws at me, I’ll have an answer for it. I’m excited to show that again.”

In previous years during OTAs and minicamps, Burrow was focused on helping new players in the offense ﬁgure out their roles

Last year, he spent a lot of time with Iosivas as he stepped into the starting lineup and with new tight end Mike Gesicki.

own, not being here. But when you have those two guys, guys that bring energy, guys that make incredible plays day in and day out, and they’re going to grind just as hard as everybody else. That permeates throughout the team,” Burrow said.

ler Shough, Rattler was sharper in the red zone.

The ball seemed to ﬂy out faster and though Rattler had back-to-back incompletions on his second set of reps, those breakups were largely because of a strong performance from Kool-Aid McKinstry

The second-year cornerback had a standout day, nearly picking off Rattler thanks to incredible recognition of a pass that was intended for wide receiver Cedrick Wilson.

Kicker fun

Charlie Smyth reminded everyone why he is such a tantalizing kicking prospect, crushing a 61-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare.

Former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, who was taking in practice, remarked that the kick could have been good from 70.

The rub with Smyth, however, is his consistency

Though he wowed with his big leg, Smyth missed a 49-yarder as he finished his day 5 of 6. If he wants to unseat incumbent Blake Grupe, he’ll have to improve in that area. Grupe went 6 of 6 on Tuesday and he hit his own 61-yarder in the process.

If neither kicker is available, the Saints have a legitimate fallback option — safety Justin Reid In a fun sequence, the safety — who has served as an emergency kicker in Kansas City and Houston — hit an extra point and barely missed a 44-yard attempt after Smyth’s session.

Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux also tried his leg as a kicker, but in his case, the attempt didn’t even get off the ground.

Attendance

Rookie safety Jonas Sanker missed practice with a minor injury, Moore said.

they want me to do,” Akers said. “Even defense, if I have to.” Heck, he even would be willing to throw a pass or two like he did in high school if it helps him squeeze into a crowded running back room. The Saints currently have six other running backs on the roster (Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller Clyde EdwardsHelaire, Velus Jones, Xazavian Valladay and Marcus Yarns).

“I like the atmosphere here,” Akers said. “The players and I can come in and compete. I can learn from AK. Everything is on me. The opportunity is there, but it’s on me to come in and attack.

“That’s pretty much all I can do. So that’s what I’m doing and hopefully we can get something rolling.”

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate. com.

At this point last year, he was still rehabbing a major wrist injury that required surgery Burrow said that last year he “wasn’t quite back” throwing the ball at the level he expected. He still had 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns.

“I went out and played as good as I have,” Burrow said. “I’m looking to take that next step. I’m happy with the progress that I’ve been making the last couple of weeks and getting better I understand how to play the game more efﬁciently and more productively

“Understanding what defenses are going to do to us and have all of the answers in your back pocket to try to combat that. I feel like I’m as prepared as ever

This year, the Bengals bring back all of the core pieces from 2024.

“We’re in a spot we haven’t been before,” Burrow said. “Guys coming off of the season healthy Getting all of our guys back. It’s been weird this offseason not having to take care of a new guy we’re counting on and try to teach him what I’m looking at and want out of each play.”

Burrow was also happy not to be worrying about the future of his top two playmakers after Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins signed lucrative extensions in the offseason.

Both receivers weren’t at the offseason workouts last year, but have been there throughout this year’s practices.

“Last year, they’re out there working on their

Running back Chase Brown, Chase, Higgins, Iosivas and Gesicki all return to the same roles that they were in last year Pitcher said that Burrow can really benefit from having so much continuity around him.

“One of the first things we talked about as a unit when we got together this spring is there are very few offenses in the league that have the experience and the time and the reps together that we have,” Pitcher said.

“Don’t apologize for that. Take advantage of that. Build on the foundation that currently exists. I think we’ve done that this spring. It makes you feel good, but you have to use it. If someone’s giving you a head start in the race, don’t go back and start with everybody else. Take the damn head start and use it. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler throws the ball during minicamp practice at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Tuesday.

Saints minicamp

AP PHOTO By KAREEM ELGAZZAR

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow participates in drills during practice on June 3 in Cincinnati

Time windowsfor LSUfootballgames areset

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN Staff writer

LSU football now knows what time of day it will play its games this fall. As previously announced, the Tigers’ ﬁrst four games of theseasonwillbeplayed at night. Allcon-

ﬁrmed night games, which kick off between 5-7p.m., are at Clemson on Aug. 30, vs. Louisiana Tech on Sept. 6, vs.Florida on Sept. 13, vs. Southeastern Louisiana on Sept 20,atAlabama on Nov.8and vs. Western KentuckyonNov.22. The confirmed earlygames, which kick off between 11 a.m. and

noon, are at Vanderbilt on Oct. 18 and vs. Arkansas on Nov.15. There are still fourflexstart times on the schedule. Flex kickoff times either kick off between 2:30-3:30 p.m.orbetween 5-7 p.m The ﬂex kickoff gamesare at Ole Miss on Sept. 27, vs. South CarolinaonOct. 11, vs. TexasA&M on

Oct. 25 and at Oklahoma on Nov 29. All listed times are Central. TheseasonopeneratClemson will broadcast on ABC at 6:30 p.m Thehomematchup againstFlorida on Sept.13also will be on ABC with a6:30p.m. kickofftime. LSU’shomeopener against Loui-

Seahawks receiver Kupp adjusts to newsetting aftertimeinLA

BY ANDREW DESTIN AP sports writer

RENTON, Wash. When it comes to food recommendations in the Seattle area, new Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp is opento suggestions.

Just not from fellownewcomer and quarterback Sam Darnold. The veteran quarterback invited Kupptoget dinner withhim earlier this offseason, and some of the suggestions caught the 31-year-old wide receiver off guard when recalling the night after the ﬁrst of two minicamp practices at Virginia MasonAthletic Center,which concluded Wednesday

“The way he came offwas he wanted to go get some friesand chicken strips,” Kupp said on Tuesday.“Look, Ihave a6-yearold. Ican bringyou his food. Ican bring that, and I’ll go eatsomething good. It ended up being ﬁne. He ventured out and was,like, OK. He was at least willing totry some stuff. Imay havemisread him. We’ll see. Time will tell.”

Time will also tell how well Kupp ﬁts in with anew franchise after spending each of thepast eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and signing athree-year, $45 million contract with the Seahawks in March. In someways it’sahomecoming for Kupp,who grew up watching the Seahawks, is from Yakima, Washington and played at Eastern Washington.

He still has plenty to acclimate to, though, after all thattime with an NFC West rival. Kupp referred to joining anew team as “exciting.”

“It’sbeen along time sinceI learnedanew offense,a long time since Isat in ameeting and had to put aface on the board and what’sthis guy’sname?”Kupp said. “That’sastressful situation. That’sa high-stress situation. It’s good, though. I’m excited about what we’re doing, and it is fun.”

He’s eagertoworkwithnew offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, whose system has somesimilarities to what is runbythe Rams and their coach, SeanMcVay,aswell as San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and hisscheme. Kubiak was the 49ers passing game coordinator in 2023 when Darnoldwas also with the team.

“There’sgoing to be thenuances here and there, things like that, but alot of similarstuff,a lotofsimilar ideas in how you’re attackinga defense,”Kupp said.“Ibelieve in this offense and what it takes to makeit successful and the detail that’sinvolvedwithit. …There’s deﬁnitely some stuff that accentuates the things that I’ve done in the past.”

All Kupp has done in thepast is produce —and morerecently, struggle abit to stay on the ﬁeld Each of the past three seasons, Kupp has failedtoplay in more than 12 games, which in part ledthe Rams to letthe Super Bowl 56 MVP leave in free agency Kupp saidthat he feltgood physi-

cally, andhelookedthe part each dayofminicampwhenrunning routes. He faces quite the task in adding to areceiver room that is paced by third-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is fresh off his ﬁrst 1,000-yard season.

Veteran receiver Marquez ValdesScantling is alsoonthe team, and he spent half of last seasonplaying underKubiakwhenthe latter was the New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator. Seahawks coachMike Macdonald has been impressed by both wideouts’ approaches to learningSeattle’soffense.

“They’re attacking every day man,” Macdonald said. “Just trying to master the playbook,all the formations, all theroute steps,all the timing. If you have that spirit about youevery day,Imean, it’s contagious, one, with therest of the room, with therest of theoffense, the whole team. It makes it fun to go to work andenjoythe process. But, of course, that’sgoing to expedite your growthwhen you have guys like that.”

USC at the 1998

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despite LSU suspending right

fielder Joey Belle(.349, 21 home runs, 66 RBIs in 57 games) before the regionalbegan. Once in Omaha, LSU still made arun at the title without its star slugger.After opening with a6-2, 10-inning victory over Florida State, the Tigers fell into the loser’sbracketwith an 8-7 loss to Oklahoma State, then eliminated Arkansas 5-2 to set up another elimination game against Stanford. LSU lookedonits way to ashowdown with Texas for the right to play Oklahoma Statein the final, breaking out of a2-2 tie with three runs in the top of the ninth inning for a5-2 lead. But Stanford’sPaul Carey blasted a grand slam off LSU freshman Ben McDonald for a6-5 victory Stanford went on to beat Texas andOklahoma State for its first CWS title. 1989

LSU was back in Omahatwo years later,fresh off of winning an epic NCAA Central regional at No. 1Texas A&M thanks to an immortal11th-inning double by light-hitting Pat Garrity in the 5-4 ﬁnal. The Tigers fell into the

loser’s bracket with an opening 5-2 losstoMiami, but rebounded backinto contention by eliminating Long BeachState 8-5and Miami 6-3 to set up ashowdown with Texas forthe right to face Wichita State in the ﬁnal. LSU pitched McDonald, thenational playerofthe year,against the Longhorns.But when blisters on hispitchinghand tore opened in the ﬁrst inning, that tore ahole in the Tigers’ hopes. TheLonghorns eliminated LSU 12-7.

1998

Coming off an NCAA-record 188 home runsin1997, theTigers were bash brothers again in the first two gamesofthe 1998 CWS. LSU belted eighthomeruns in an opening12-10 win over USC, includingtwo from Brad Cresse, and six more in a10-8 victory over MississippiState. Then the weather turned cold, the wind started blowing into Rosenblatt Stadiuminsteadofout,and the Tigers went into the deep freeze. TheTrojans battled back from that openingloss to LSUtoeliminate theTigers5-4 and 7-3, with LSUgettingonly one home run in the finalgamefrom Jeff Leaumont.Compoundingthe Tigers’ pain, theweather warmed up and thewind blew out again for the final, with USCbeating Arizona State by thefootball score of

21-14. It’seasy to imagine LSU swatting a ﬁstful of home runs and winning the ﬁnal as well. One good day of weather in those two losses to USC may have madethe difference.

2017

LSUthrashed itsway through theregional and super regional rounds withacombined 5-0 record, then fought back from a 13-1 loss to No. 1Oregon State in theTigers’ second game in Omaha by twice beating aBeavers team that came into the CWS with just ﬁve losses total.Staff ace Alex Lange and Zack Hess dealt Oregon State a3-1, two-hit defeat, then Caleb Gilbert turned in a brilliant starting performance in a6-1 win that put LSUinthe championship series against Florida. In away,though, LSU lost this CWS before it was even played. The Tigers were without standout freshman pitcher Eric Walker,who suffered aligament tear in his pitching elbow near theend of the season that would require Tommy Johnsurgery Walker’sinjury left LSUaquality starter short,asthe Tigers lost 4-3 and 6-1 in the championship series. Had LSUbeen able to get to aGame 3against theGators, it likely would have pitched Lange again and won the series, but it was not to be.

siana Tech will stream on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m.The Sept.20home game against Southeasternwill broadcast on the SEC Network at 6:45 p.m

Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@theadvocate. com.

4x100-meterrelay team shines forLSU at national meet

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

BennieBrazellhad no choice but to hand out daps to his runners at Hayward FieldinEugene, Oregon. The14-year LSU assistant track and fieldcoachwas pleased withthe performanceofhis men’s 4x100-meterrelay team. The group got the program off to astrongstart on the first day of theNCAA outdoor track and fieldchampionships on Wednesday Junior Jordan Turner,sophomore JaidenReid, juniorMyles Thomas andfreshmanJelani Watkins ranablazing 38.14 seconds,a season-best, forthe third-fastest time in the semifinal round, advancing to the finalonFriday. Watkins and Reid were not done shining. Theyboth advanced to the 100-meter semifinals, running eerily similar

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said Tuesday Thelandmark agreement—a deal made to settle three federal antitrust lawsuitsagainst the NCAA andthe four power conferences —allows schoolsto share up to $20.5million of revenue with athletes.

It sets asidebillionsinback damages forformer players who couldn’tprofit offtheir name, imageand likeness (NIL). It also creates anew agency designed to enforce athlete compensation rules and ushers in new scholarship measures. Baseball programswon’tbe serveda particularlylargeslice of the revenue-sharing pie.

Mostathletic departments, including LSU, are planning to use theway the settlement calls for the NCAA to distribute the back paymentsasaguide for divvying up the revenue amongtheir programs. Footballwill receive 75%; men’sbasketballwillget 15%; women’s basketball will have 5%; andthe rest of the sports, including baseball, will share the remaining 5%.

The new scholarship rules directly will affect baseballprograms. Before, theNCAAlimited the number of scholarships that programscould award. Now it’s capping roster spots, astipulation that will allow teams to give scholarships to as many, or as few,athletes as they wish.

“In the immediate, yes, Ithink there’sway less margin forerror with mistakes,” Johnson said.

“Your staff’sabilitytoevaluate really becomes more critical and I’ve always felt this way anyways,like, when you show up at a program, you ﬁnd out how good a coach you are. The longer you’re there, you ﬁnd out what kind of recruiter you are.

“Now this is kind of aunique dynamictoitbecause Ireally still don’thave afull answer on scholarship rules.” Under the old rules, coaches could distribute 11.7 scholarships throughouttheir team. Now, coaches can give afull scholarship to each of the maximum 34 players on aroster.Athletic director ScottWoodwardsaidin an April interview that LSU will increase the numberofscholarships it offers in baseball, but he didn’tspecify how manyitwill add.

There’s alsothe questionofhow many players can be grandfathered into their roster spots. Before she approved the settlement, California judge Claudia Wilken required each side of thesettlementtomodifythe roster-limit provision so athletes wouldn’t losetheir spotswhile teamswork to meetthe new limits.

times.Watkins ran a10.013 for second and Reid a10.018, apersonal-best, to finish third. The duo also competed in the 200 where neither wasamong the top nine to movetothe final. Reid finished with the 10th-best time, 20.27, which was only 0.01 of thedifferencefromthe runner aheadofhim. Watkins was 11th witha 20.31. The Tigers also hada pair of runners in the 110 hurdles. Junior Jahiem Stern advanced to the final after running a personal-best 13.29, whichwas the fourth-fastest time. Junior MatthewSophia didn’tqualify, putting up the 13th-best timeof 13.53 seconds. The final event of the day or LSU was the 4x400 relay,which didn’tcomplete competition before press time

EmailToyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate. com

“There’sstill some questions that haven’treally been answered,” Johnson said, “so we’re thinking about it, but Ihaven’t gone like, ‘OK, I’m changing what I’m doing tomorrow recruiting because of that.’ ”

The answers affect how many transfers Johnson can sign this summer

The portal opened June 2, the day LSU clinched itsNCAA regionaltitle witha 10-6win over LittleRock. Johnson and hisstaff already have landed commitments from two transfers, but because they’re now competing in the CWS, they have less time to recruit portal entrants than some of their peers.

The timeline, based on the academic calendar,puts the more successful teams at adisadvantage.

In 2023, Johnson said, while LSU was playing in the championship series, one of its portal targets visited another program He wound up committing to that team and canceled his scheduled visit with the Tigers.

“That’show it goes,” Johnson said. “I think sinceI’vebeen here,there’sbeen adirect correlation (of) if you’re notplaying, you have alittle bit of an advantage. We’re just going to stay on top of it.”

LSUalreadypickedupcommitments fromapairoftransferinfielders who can hit for power: Kansas State’sSeth Dardar and High Point’sBrayden Simpson. Both arerisingseniors. Dardar is aMandeville native who hit ahomerun this season againstthe Tigers. Simpsonisacareer .626 slugger with 37 homers.

Johnson said Tuesday that other recruitsvisitedLSU during the super regionals. The two wins andthe Alex BoxStadium environment, he said, made favorable impressions on the players, who didn’tsee as much of Johnson as they would have under normal circumstances.

That’sbecause the LSU coach has quite alot to juggle. He will forhowever long LSUgets to stay in Omaha.

“I would have been more presentwiththemnonstop on their visit,” Johnson said, “if we weren’t trying to go to Omaha. But if you’re not trying to go to Omaha, like, what are we doing this foranyways?”

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com. For more LSUsports updates, signupfor ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

FILEPHOTO By MARK SALTZ

The dejected Tigers lookoninthe ﬁnal inning of agameagainst

CollegeWorld Series in Omaha, Neb

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RyAN SUN

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp warmsupduring practice at NFL minicamp on Wednesdayatthe team’s training facility in Renton, Wash.

Approaching milestone

BY DOUG FERGUSON

AP golf writer

OAKMONT, Pa. — Adam Scott is one year away from an impressive streak the Australian considers to be a classic glass half-full moment in golf. The U.S. Open is his 96th consecutive major championship appearance dating to the 2001 British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

“It sounds like a lot to have won one,” Scott said with a laugh, referring to his lone major title in the 2013 Masters. “It would be twice as good if there was one more.”

Still, he realizes he is approaching a big milestone. The PGA Championship next year, assuming he qualiﬁes or gets an invitation, will be his 100th career major He could make it 100 in a row if he makes it to Shinnecock Hills for next year’s U.S. Open.

A streak like that requires eligibility and good health. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson only had eligibility in their favor. Woods played 46 straight majors until knee surgery after he won the 2008 U.S. Open. Mickelson played 61 in a row before he sat out the 2009 British Open as his wife was being treated for breast cancer

The record is among the most untouchable in golf — Jack Nicklaus played 146 in a row from the 1962 U.S. Open through the 2008 U.S. Open.

“Probably whenever it ends, whether it’s 100 or more or less, I think it will be hard for guys to get to that number going forward,” Scott said. “I think it’s getting harder And I think I have been a consistent player over a 25year career I could probably pick three troughs where my game was looking pretty ordinary and I fell outside the top 50 and I was really struggling. But over 25 years, I’d expect that of almost any player.”

Scott had a few close calls in the U.S Open He made it through 36hole qualifying with one shot to spare in 2018. He failed to make it through qualifying last year (he was ﬁrst alternate) but became exempt at No. 61 in the world. Grayson Murray, who took his life in May 2024, was still ahead of him in the world ranking and the USGA went down one spot.

Scott said Mickelson and Rory McIlroy are among the few who never went through bad spells or serious injury “and we’re talking about two of the greatest of their generation.”

McIlroy’s streak was interrupted when he injured his left ankle and couldn’t play the 2015 British Open. Oakmont is his 39th consecutive major

U.S. Open prize money

For the first time since 2021, the U.S. Open is not increasing its

consecutive major

prize money It will be $21.5 million for the second straight year with $4.3 million going to the winner It remains the biggest purse of the four majors. The Masters was $21 million this year, while the PGA Championship was at $19 million. The British Open hasn’t announced its total purse for next month at Royal Portrush. It was at $17 million last year

The U.S. Open purse was $12.5 million in 2020 and 2021 before making a big leap to $17.5 million in 2022 at Brookline.

“I feel comfortable that we’ve been a leader in moving fast and bigger,” USGA CEO Mike Whan said Wednesday

The Players Championship has a $25 million purse The USGA and R&A get the bulk of their revenue from their Opens. They also use that money to invest back in the game, including the Women’s Opens and amateur events such as the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup that several of the top stars once played “But at the same time, we understand. We want to be relevant,” Whan said. “We know that this probably isn’t really about the money for the person who puts it there, but at the same time, we want the money to be commensurate with the achievement. It’s part of creating what we want to be the greatest championship in the game.”

Burns, Barbaree to compete at U.S. Open

Staff report

Two former LSU golfers will tee it up Thursday in the 125th U.S. Open, while a third hopes to make the ﬁeld as an alternate. Former LSU All-American Sam Burns and former All-Southeastern Conference golfer Philip Barbaree are set to compete at Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, touted as one of the toughest golf courses in the world Meanwhile, former Tiger John

Continued from page 1C

championships officer at the USGA who sets up the course for the toughest test in golf. “There’s no letup. It’s a grind. That’s the U.S. Open.” It gets started Thursday with Matt Vogt, the former Oakmont caddie and now an Indiana dentist, selected to hit the opening tee shot.

Jon Rahm, who won his U.S. Open four years ago at Torrey Pines, made his debut at Oakmont in 2016 when he was fresh out of Arizona State. He shot 76 on the ﬁrst day, went 1-over par the rest of the way and ﬁnished as the low amateur Even with changes to the course from a restoration project, the Spanish star has a better idea of what to expect.

“You’re aware of what a golf tournament here is going to be like. It’s going to be a challenge,” Rahm said. “A lot of unfortunate things are going to happen. It’s hard fairways to hit, bad lies, difficult bunkers, difficult greens. It’s going to be a nice test, a difficult test, and I think one of the truest representations of what a U.S. Open is all about.”

Dustin Johnson set the Oakmont scoring record for a U.S. Open at 276 when he won in 2016.

The USGA mentioned a few

Peterson, the 2011 NCAA champion, is in Oakmont hoping to get in the field if enough players withdraw He went into Thursday’s play as the third alternate based on U.S Open sectional qualifying. Burns, 28, is coming off a runnerup finish in last week’s Canadian Open to Ryan Fox, falling in a fourhole, sudden-death playoff. The Shreveport native is ranked 29th in the FedEx Cup standings and has three top-10 finishes with about $3.5 million in earnings this year

other numbers that also describe Oakmont, mainly the 5-inch rough so dense at the bottom there are no guarantees a golf ball will be found.

Another number had historical context only 27 of the 1,385 players who have competed in a major championship at Oakmont have ﬁnished under par That includes when Oakmont, now a par 70, was played as a par 71 or par 72.

“Our mantra is tough but fair,”

Bodenhamer said “And what does that mean? It’s pretty simple. It’s not about the score. It’s about getting every club in a player’s bag dirty, all 15 of them — the 14 in their bag and the one between the ears. And we work hard on that.

“And that’s how we’ve gone about our business here at Oakmont.”

The other number that stands out is 10 — the number of times the USGA has brought its marquee championship to the course built to be tough in 1903. No other course has held the U.S. Open more often.

The USGA has been accused over the years of trying to protect par, which it long has denied.

Johnny Miller remains the only player to win the U.S. Open with a 63 in the ﬁnal round, in 1973 at Oakmont The next year, Hale Irwin won at 7-over par in what became known as the “Massacre at Winged Foot.” It also fed into the belief that par matters. In some respects, it does. Boden-

Vandebilt, Teurlings pitchers lead LSWA 4A all-state teams

BY JERIT ROSER Written

for the LSWA

A pair of junior aces who led their teams to Division II select state championships headline the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A all-state baseball and softball teams.

Vandebilt Catholic’s Lauren Baudoin and Teurlings Catholic’s Evan Vincent drew top honors in their respective sports.

Baudoin earned an all-state softball selection for the third straight year after helping lead her Terriers to their third straight title game and second straight championship.

The Nicholls State commitment posted a 24-1 record with a 1.10 ERA and 226 strikeouts in the circle, while also batting .380 with three home runs and 29 RBIs.

Vincent’s pitching was similarly critical in his Rebels’ run to their second straight baseball title.

The hometown Ragin’ Cajuns commitment ﬁnished his junior

season with a 10-0 record, 1.26 ERA and one save. He struck out 86 batters in 61 innings and batted .270 with four doubles, two triples and 23 RBIs.

Rounding out the Class 4A superlatives, North DeSoto swept the Coach of the Year awards — just as its programs swept the Division II nonselect championships.

On the softball side, Tim Whitman led his team through a pair of opening-weekend losses to a 32-3 overall mark and back to their title-winning form of 2021, 2022 and 2023 with some critical coaching moves along the way, including a game-winning squeeze bunt in the bottom of the seventh in the championship game. Bo Odom, in his final season at the helm, coached the Griffins to their first baseball championship since 2012. North DeSoto racked up a 28-13 record and upset topseeded Brusly to complete its run and Odom’s 28-year career, as he announced his retirement days later

Kirtland Grant; Ava Kulivan, Hannan; Ella Mabile, Assumption; Morgan Malveaux, David Thibodaux; Lexi Matherne, Vandebilt; Payton Miller, North DeSoto; Anistyn Nichols, Tioga; Bree Pech, E.D. White; Riley Perilloux, St. Charles; Haliegh Perrilloux, E.D White; Khloe Renton, Hannan; Kaitlyn Roberts, Tioga; Carleigh Roe, Grant; Hayes Ruttledge, Vandebilt; Eva Sattler,

Barbaree, 26, also from Shreveport, has played six events this year and made four cuts on the PGA Tour Americas with his best ﬁnish in his last start a tie for third in Bogota, Colombia. He was co-medalist in the U.S. Open sectional qualiﬁer he played in at Emerald Dunes in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Barbaree’s wife, Chloe, will be his caddie at Oakmont. He will tee off at 7:57 a.m. Thursday while Burns goes off at 12:14 p.m.

hamer was asked what score would indicate the USGA didn’t get it right.

“Interesting question,” he said.

“Off the top of my head, something in double digits I’ve said this before, we don’t want 20 over to win, and we don’t want 20 under to win. It might be tough. It might not be tough enough There’s a number in there somewhere.”

If there is a common trait among U.S. Open champions at Oakmont, strength would be on the list. Johnson won in 2016, Angel Cabrera in 2007, big Ernie Els in 1994. The first of 18 professional majors by Jack Nicklaus and those powerful legs came at Oakmont in 1962. Schefﬂer’s strength, much like Tiger Woods, is knowing where to miss and playing the angles. That works almost anywhere. Almost.

“There’s not really many areas where you step on the tee box and you’re like, ‘Hey I can miss it right here; hey, I can shade towards the left side of the fairway because right is really bad,’ ” he said. “Actually, if you hit it in the right rough, you’re probably not going to get it to the green. If you hit it in the left rough, you’re probably not going to get it to the green. So might as well try and split the difference there and hit it in the middle.” Sounds simple enough. It rarely is at Oakmont. And that’s just the way the USGA likes it.

Broussard named new Episcopal athletic director

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

Episcopal didn’t have to go far to ﬁnd its new athletic director

How long most of those coaches have been there also speaks volumes about the school.”

The school announced in a Wednesday news release that Brent Broussard, previously the athletic director at Woodlawn, was hired to lead its sports program. A Jennings native, Broussard is an LSU graduate with 18 years of experience in education, coaching and school administration.

“I’ll tell you what I said when (Episcopal interviewers) asked me why I was interested in the job,” Broussard said. “I just think the school has a commitment to academics along with athletics and then all the other extracurriculars at the school. That is in line with my personal vision.

“When I heard about the opportunity and then I was approached about it, I was really flattered.

I’ve already met with many of the coaches. About 10 of them were part of the interview process.

Broussard takes over a Class 2A program that won ﬁve LHSAA titles during the 2024-25 school year The Knights and Class 5A Catholic High led all state schools with ﬁve titles won in 2024-25.

Since joining the Woodlawn staff in 2013, Broussard has coached tennis, football, basketball and baseball. He also served as assistant athletic director and as the school’s dean of students. During Broussard’s three-year tenure as athletic director at Woodlawn, the school expanded its sports offered to include boys and girls golf, girls bowling and boys and girls wrestling.

The Panthers claimed runnerup finishes in girls basketball the past two years and also had a state runner-up ﬁnish in boys powerlifting.

Broussard succeeds Randy Richard, who spent 23 years at Episcopal, including the last nine as athletic director Richard retired at the end of the school year and entered private business.

Mancuso,

City;

Martin, West Ouachita; Landon Martin, Northwood; Kaden Miller, West Ouachita; Ryland Nation, Grant; Brayden Netterville, Kenner Discovery; Jacob Pierce, South Lafourche; Cole Pryor, Loyola; Jack Purser, Teurlings ; Ryan Reeves, Tioga; Dylan Robichaux, E.D White ; Mason Rogillio, West Feliciana; Riley Rowell, St. Thomas More; Reese Sanzone, Lakeshore; Aubrey St. Angelo, Brusly; Bryce Waguespack, St. Charles.

Scott headed for century mark with 96th

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SETH WENIG

Adam Scott, of Australia, prepares to hit out of a bunker on the 13th hole during a practice round ahead of the U.S. Open on Wednesday at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa.

Broussard

Mushrooms aworthy stand-in formeat

BY BETH DOOLEY

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

Spring is aseason of surprises. Suddenly the asparagus appear,next it’sdelicate peas, tender lettuces and ﬁstfuls of fresh herbs.

Week after week, the farmers markets offer increasing bounty to tempt and delight I’ll bring these market staples home to round out ameal: farmstead beef, chicken,pork, lamb and an array of locally grown wildmushrooms —oyster,shiitake, maitake and my favorite, dark brown chestnut mushrooms, with tight, ﬁrm caps.

Mushrooms are one of the best plant proteins.With their rich, deep umami ﬂavor and dense texture, they make a wonderful alternative to meat Mushrooms grow miraculously in almost nothing —rotting logs, decaying leaves, sawdust Neither vegetable, fruit nor animal, they defy culinary categories, and are unappetizingly identiﬁed as “gilled fungi.”

Mushrooms contain about 2grams of protein per cup, with nine essentialaminoacids, making them a“complete protein.” They are packed with vitamins Dand B, as well as minerals. Low in calories and carbohydrates,wild mushrooms are now being cultivated and sold locally in our farmers markets, grocery stores and co-ops.

Amess of different mushrooms make adelicious larb, the dish of northernThailand (also sometimes spelled laab, laap, larp or lahb). It’straditionally made with minced or ground and cooked pork tossed in apunchy lime-soy vinaigrette. Here, avarietyof roasted local mushroomsreplace pork in avegan version of larb.

Roast Mushroom Larb

Serves4to6.Recipe is from Beth Dooley.This dish, ready in minutes, relies on thewild mushroom varieties you’ll ﬁnd in farmersmarkets, co-ops and grocery stores. If they’re packaged in plastic whenyou buy them, be sure to remove and transfer mushrooms to a paper bag, then store in the refrigerator for no more than afew days.Wrapthe larbin lettuce leaves and servewitha side of herbedrice.

2pounds mixed mushrooms (oyster, shiitake, maitake, chestnut, cremini, button), trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces

¼cup vegetable oil

Coarse salt

2to3tablespoons lime juice

1tablespoon honey

2tablespoons soysauce

1clove garlic, minced

Generous pinch red-pepper flakes, to taste ¼cup sliced scallions

¼cup sliced snap peas, plus more forgarnish

½cup coarsely chopped mint leaves

½cup coarsely chopped basil

¼cup finely chopped unsalted toasted peanuts

Lettuce leaves, for wrapping Steamed rice, optional for serving Chopped fresh parsley,for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Line abaking sheet with parchment paper

2. Spread the mushrooms out on the baking sheet. Drizzle themwith alittle of the oil and sprinkle lightly with salt; using your ﬁngers, toss to coat.Roast, turning the pan occasionally, until the mushrooms arebrown and crisp, about 25 minutes.

3. In amedium bowl, whisk together the remaining oil, lime juice,honey,soy sauce,garlic and red pepper ﬂakes.Transfer themushrooms to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing. Toss in the scallions, snap peas, mint, basil and peanuts.

4. Serve the larb in lettuce leaves and steamed rice, if using. Garnish the larb with sliced pea pods and sprinkle chopped parsley over all.

Simmering summer

June in New Orleans is not for the faint of heart —orappetite. The heat settles in early,asthick as awool blanket.But thepeople of this city don’tretreat from summer; they lean into it.

June is when the city slows its pace just enough tosavor what makes this time of year so special: long, golden evenings, neighborhood gatherings and abounty of summertime food that’sasbold and unforgettable as New Orleansitself.

The mornings begin with warm,moist air rising from theMississippi River and the scentofmagnolias riding on thebreeze. Streetcars clatter downoak-lined avenues and by midmorning, thesidewalks are shimmering with heat.

But just as the sun starts its slow descent, New Orleans comes alive withthe rituals of summer

Kevin Belton

June brings aharvest of fresh fruit and vegetables. Farmers marketsburst withCreole tomatoes,cucumbers, bell peppers, watermelon and peaches. These ingredients lend themselves to bright,simple meals —salads with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables or grilled produce drizzled with olive oil and sea salt. Tomato pies and fresh peach cobbler are just two of the treasures that deﬁne aNew Orleans summer table.

In New Orleans, June isn’t just amonth, it’sa mood.It’s

ä See GRANDMA, page 2D

Old-timey Tomato Pie Makes 6servings.

5Roma tomatoes, peeled and sliced 10 fresh basil leaves chopped ½cup green onion, chopped 19-inch pre-baked pie crust 1cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1cup shredded cheddar cheese ¾cup mayonnaise (or half mayo,half Greek yogurt)

2tablespoonsfreshly gratedParmesan cheese Seasalt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Place the tomatoes in acolander in the sink in asingle layer.Sprinkle with salt and allowthem to rest for 10 minutes.

3. Use apaper towel to pat-dry the tomatoes andmakesure most of theexcess juice is out. Wettomatoes will makeyour pie soggy

4. Layer the tomato slices, basil, and onioninprebakedpie shell. Season with salt and pepper

5. Combinethe grated cheeses and mayonnaise or Greek yogurt together

6. Spread mixtureontop of thetomatoes andsprinkle Parmesan cheeseon top.

7. Bake for30minutes or untillightly browned. Allow to rest foratleast 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

BY GRETCHEN McKAY

PHOTO

MONICA BELTON

Minister must learntojuggleconversations

Dear Miss Manners: Iamaministry leader at my church and am wellknown within the congregation. After the churchservice, many people like to stay in the lobby for afew minutes to chat.

ﬁnd myself often in an embarrassing situation that Idon’tknow how to handle: Suppose I’ve been chatting with someone, let’scall them Person A, for just aminute. Then I feel someone, Person B, touch my shoulderorarm to get my attention. Iturn to see that it’sanother friendly person who wishes to chat. Now,mybody is stillfacing

Person A, with whom Iwish to continuetalking,but my head is turned to chat withPerson B, who hasinterrupted our conversation.

tention.Can you please advise me on how to handle this situation?

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

I ﬁnd this situation terribly awkwardand disrespectful to Person A. Sometimes, when I ﬁnally manage to end theinteraction with Person B, Person Ahas already left. Ifeel awfulwhen this happens, anditoccurs far too often.

Idon’t understand how Person Bcan feel it’sacceptable to interruptanongoing conversation,but at thesame time, Idon’t knowhow to ignoresomeone who is physically tryingtoget my at-

Gentlereader: Ah yes, theministry two-step.Listen raptly until Person Areaches the end of asentence. Say,“Excuse me just one second.” Turn to Person B. Say, “I was just talking to Person A, won’tyou join us?” Turn back to Person A, opening up thecircle to include Person B. Say (toPerson A), “You were saying …” And do this all so quickly that neither Person Anor PersonBhas achance to takeover.Fortunately, as aministry leader,you areused to commanding attention.

Dear Miss Manners: Iwas “the other one” in my relationship with the person Iloved. Even aside from

Grandma’sPeach Cobbler

Serves 6-8 regular people or 4Louisianans. (I suggestmaking 2pans.)

5peaches, cored and sliced

¾cup granulated sugar

¼teaspoon seasalt

BATTER:

6tablespoons butter

1cup all-purpose flour

1cup granulated sugar

2teaspoons baking powder

¼teaspoons sea salt

¾cup milk

Ground cinnamon

NOTE: If using canned peaches, skip steps 1and 2and follow the directions starting at step 3

themarital inﬁdelity,the relationship wouldhave been considered scandalousbymylover’sfamily because Iamthe wrong race, gender,social class, age, whatever (pick one). My loved one died, leaving me grieving in isolation. Iposted condolences, attended the funeral quietly and sometimes visit the grave alone. Ineed to do so as part of the grieving process; Iam near recovery now,and distancing myselffrom the death. Even so, the relatives have begun making pointed inquiries about me. Ihave ignored the questions so far,primarily because doing otherwise would be abetrayal of my loved one’swishes and repu-

tation. My obvious sin aside, am I now doing the proper thing?

Gentle reader: That will depend on your guess as to the motivation behind the inquiries, as well as how muchtime has passed. Miss Manners would only expect you to welcome overtures from wellmeaning family members for whomany thoughts of scandal or sin were buriedwith the deceased.

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

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday, June 12, the 163rd day of 2025. There are 202 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On June 12, 2016, agunman opened ﬁre at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, leaving 49 people dead and 53 wounded in what was then the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history; the gunman, Omar Mateen, pledged allegiance to theIslamic Stategroup during athree-hour standoff before being killed in a shootout withpolice.

Also on this date:

In 1939, theBaseball Hall of Fame was dedicated in Cooperstown, New York.

sentenced to lifeinprison, where he died in 2001.)

In 1964, eight South African anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela, were sentenced to life in prison forcommitting acts of sabotage against South Africa’sapartheid government.

In 1967, the U.S. SupremeCourt, in Loving v. Virginia, unanimously struck downstate laws prohibiting interracial marriages, ruling that such lawsviolated the Fourteenth Amendment.

In 1978, David Berkowitz wassentenced to 25 years to lifeinprison foreach of the six “Son of Sam” killings committed in New York City over the previous two years.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan, during avisit to the divided German city of Berlin, exhorted Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear downthis wall.”

GRANDMA

Continued from page1D

2. Cook on mediumheat forjust afew minutes, until thesugar is dissolved and helpstobring out juices from the peaches. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Slice butter intopieces and addtoa9x13inch baking dish. Place the pan in the oven while it preheats, to allow the buttertomelt.Once melted, remove the pan from the oven.

1. Add the sliced peaches, sugar and salt to asaucepan andstir to combine

the feeling of cold sno-ball syrup on your ﬁngers,the sound of crabs crackin’ between friends, and the taste of sun-ripened tomatoes on your tongue. It’s summer served with soul anditlingers longafter thelast bite.

Kevin Belton is resident chef of WWL-TV and has taught classes in Louisiana cooking for30

4. In alarge bowl mix together the ﬂour,sugar,baking powder,and salt. Stir in the milk, just until combined. Pour the mixture into the pan, overthe melted butter and smooth it into an even layer

5. Spoon the peaches and juice(or canned peaches, if using) over the batter Sprinkle cinnamon generously over the top.

6. Bakeat350 Ffor about 38-40 minutes. Serve warm, with ascoop of ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

years. The most recent of his four cookbooks, “KevinBelton’sCookin’ Louisiana: Flavors from the Parishes of the Pelican State,” was published in 2021. EmailChef at chefkevinbelton@gmail. com.

Philly-style Sausageand Broccoli Rabe Subs

Serves 4. Recipe adapted from “Mostly Meatless” by America’sTestKitchen. 4(8-inch) Italian

sliced ¼ inchthick

1teaspoonfennel seeds, cracked 1teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

1teaspoon soysauce 4ounces shredded sharp provolone cheese

2tablespoons chopped or slice jarred hot cherry peppers, optional

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 450 F.

2. If needed, slice rolls to make them easier to open (without slicing all the way through). Use spoon or your fingers to scraped inside

CLASSIC

Continued from page1D

sesame-seeded roll. Spicy Italian sausage stands in for the thinly sliced roasted pork that is athree-day process at DiNic’s. It also includes savory,tender slices of portobello mushrooms cookedwith fennel, fresh rosemary and atouch of soy sauce. Shredded provolone goes right into the pan with the meat and veggies for amelty,

of rolls and removeall but ¼inchofinterior crumb; discard removed crumb or usetomake bread crumbs or croutons. Set aside while youprepare ﬁlling. 3. Heat 1tablespoonoil andsliced garlicin a12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until garlic is light goldenbrown, 3-5 minutes. 4. Add broccoli rabeand ¼ teaspoon saltand cook, stirringoccasionally, until tender, 4-6 minutes. Transfer to bowl and cover to keep warm.

5. Heat 1teaspoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat into smallpieces with wooden spoon, until lightly browned, about5minutes.Transfer to abowl.

6. Add 1tablespoon oilto fat left in skilletand heat over medium-highheat un-

we’re-all-friends finish. Like DiNic’s, this recipe spotlights broccoli rabe. It’s acruciferous green that lookslike leafy broccoli, but as amember of the Brassicaceae family,isactually more closely related to the turnip. Its flavor is more bitter than broccoli, and the greens can also be fibrous, but the two veggies are interchangeable in this recipe.Iused long, tender stalks of Broccolini instead of broccoli rabe, which Icouldn’t find in my local grocery store. Don’tskimp on the pickled

tilshimmering. Add mushroomsand remaining ½teaspoonsalt. Cover andcook stirring occasionally,until mushrooms have released their liquid, 3-5 minutes.

7. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally,until mushroomsare well browned, 5-7 minutes Reduce heat to low

8. Clear center of skillet andadd remaining 2teaspoonsoil, fennel seedsand rosemary.Stir in soy sauce and cooked sausage, then stir in cheese until melted. Remove fromheat andcover to keep warm.

9. Arrange reserved rolls on baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted,about 3 minutes.

10. Divide mushroom and broccoli rabe mixture evenly amongrolls. Topwith cherry peppers, if using, and serve.

red cherry hot peppers as a final flourish. They’re only mildly spicy,and you can’t beat thatextra kick of flavor Iused 6-inch sausage rolls instead of 8-inch sub rolls, so Ihad enough filling for five sandwiches. Be sure to toastthe bread until it’s quitebrown and crispy,otherwise the filling could turn thesandwich into a(still delicious) soggy mess. Wrapped in aluminum foil and reheated in a350 F oven for afew minutes, any leftovers make agreat lunch the next day

In 1942, Anne Frank, a German-born Jewish girl living in Amsterdam, received adiary for her 13th birthday,less than amonth before she and her family went into hiding from the Nazis.

In 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 37, was shot and killed outside his homeinJackson, Mississippi. (In 1994, Byron De La Beckwith was convicted of murdering Evers and

In 1991, Russians went to the polls fortheir ﬁrstever presidential election, which resulted in victory forBoris Yeltsin.

In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were killed outside

PHOTO By MONICA BELTON

Simpson’sLos Angeles home. (O.J. Simpson, Nicole BrownSimpson’s ex-husband, waslater acquitted of the killings in acriminal trial but was eventually held liable in a civil action.)

Today’sbirthdays: Actor

GEMInI(May 21-June 20) Puteverything in its place, and you will alleviate stress caused by clutter. Arrange to host ayard sale and sell what you no longer need. Invest more timeinimproving your lifestyle.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Question everything and everyone before you make an agreement, volunteer or sign up for something.Updatingyourlookwillboost your confidence.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Choose stability. Put morethought and planning into how you want to proceed or what youwanttodo next.Don't letanger lead to premature acts that create chaos anduncertainty.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Channel your energy into something that motivates you. Once you feel confident about your accomplishments,don'thesitatetosocialize, network and present your work. Mix business with pleasure.

LIBRA (sept. 23-Oct. 23) Take amoment to consider what's importanttoyou and refusetoletemotionsinterferewithyour plans. Consider partnerships andyour expectations before you agree to make alifestyle change.

scORPIO (Oct. 24-nov. 22) Youcandrumup interest if youpresent your ideas.Attend workshops, conferences, networking events and industry schmoozefests to captivate your audience. Don't be shy; if youtrust your ability,sowill others.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Take the unknown out of the equation withdirect communication. Go straighttothe source, find out the expectationsothers

have andwork to smooth outany rough edgesbeforeyou proceed

cAPRIcORn (Dec.22-Jan. 19) Let your emotions and heart lead theway.Concentrate on what makes you happy and who you enjoy spending time with. Home improvements, lifestyle changes and updating your appearance will be uplifting.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Gather your thoughts before makinga change.Plans are essential if youwanttoavoid costly mistakes. Look at your financial situationandputareasonablebudgetinplace. Takebetter careofyourhealth

PIscEs (Feb.20-March 20) An open mind willencourageyoutovisualizeprospects andpossibilities. Don't hesitate to livein the moment, experience what life hasto offer and connect with people who share your passions.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Take alow-key approach to whatever you do, and you can avoid setbacks. Channelyour energy into completingtasks. Keep your thoughtsandemotionsunderwrapsuntil youcan consideryouroptions.

tAuRus (April20-May 20) Setyoursights onwhatyouwantandimplementprecautionary measurestooffset any negativity.Communicateopenlywithcharmand finesse; you'll gain support andmomentum

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are createdfrom quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. tODAy's cLuE: VEQuALsc

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

RalphMarston,who played oneseason in the NationalFootballLeague with the Boston Bulldogs in 1929, said, “You’ve done it before and youcan do it now. See the positive possibilities.”

This deal has afew possibilities, which you have probablyseen before, but one of themstill evades most players.

South is in three no-trump, and West leadsthe spade queen. What happens if South ducks the first trickand West continues spades at trick two? What is West’s best defense if South ducks the first trick? What happensifSouth wins the first trick?

South hasseven top tricks: twospades, threehearts andtwo diamonds. He must obtaintwo more winners from clubs Butsince he will lose the lead twice, the defenders might establish andrun their spade suit first.

If declarer ducks trick one and West continuesspades, South plays on clubs andmakes his contract. When East gets in with the club king, he does nothave anotherspade to lead

If South does not win the first trick, Westmust shift to adiamond to defeat the contract —aplay thatwould be very toughtofind.IfSouthwinsthefirsttrick, he does best to playa heart to the queen andstart clubs from the board.Tobeat the contract, East must put up his king andreturn hisremaining spade. When partner’s suitisone lead from being established,especially if you have only one card leftinthat suit, do your utmosttowin thenextdefensive trick ©2025 by NEA,Inc.,dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles

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

Previous answers:

word game

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

tODAy’sWORD REVIVAL: rih-VYE-vul: Renewedattention to or interestin something.

Average mark 18 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find24ormorewords in REVIVAL?

yEstERDAy’s WORD —DEFIcIts

thought

generation of vipers, how can you,being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34

loCKhorNs

Our wordsreflect whatisinour hearts. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard

North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen Thursday,May 8, 2025 5:30 PM

The Following Minutes AreSummarized For Brevity,For Precise Meeting Information Please Refer To Meeting Audio Or Video

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER &REQUEST ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES BE SILENCED ARegular Meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish Council was held on Thursday,May 8, 2025 and called to order at 05:30 PM. Council Chairman Carey Denstel asked that all electronic devices be placed on silent.

2. OPENING PRAYER Councilman Atley Walker Jr.led everyone in an opening prayer

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Denstel recognized Council Vice Chairman Alan Crowe who led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. LOG ATTENDANCE The following members wererecorded as being present: Messrs. Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph, and Mrs. Katherine Andre.

Absent: Mr.Kenneth Gordon

Also present were, Mr.Jason Manola, Parish President, Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne, Executive Assistant, Mr.Chance Stephens, Director of Finance, Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne, Director of Public Works, Ms. Kristen Canezaro, Special Legal Counsel, and Mrs. Michelle Tullier,Council Clerk

5. MINUTES APPROVAL

A. Approval of Minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 24, 2025. Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Alan Crowe to Approve Minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 24, 2025.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 8(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:1 Kenneth Gordon ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

6. CONSIDER ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA

Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr.Joey Normand was recognized and discussed the recent Groundwater Commission versus EBR lawsuit, which Mr.Normand explains the judgment was that the Groundwater Commission violated the law,and arecharging rates that arealmost double what they werebefore. Mr.Normand asked the Council to look into this matter so that West Baton Rouge does not have to keep paying these illegal water rates.

Councilman Kenneth Gordon joined the meeting at 5:40PM.

8. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT Parish President Jason Manola was recognized and covered the following items: Review of lower-lying areas from the recent rain event, putting a Scope of Service together to study those areas; Update on the most recent rain event, noting no flooding issues; Upcoming John Foster Benoit Parade and Concert for Wednesday May 14th with moredetails to come.

9. COMMUNICATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND/OR ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne was recognized and reminded the Council of the update in their packets in reference to the ongoing drainage and roads recent projects.

10. NEW BUSINESS

Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

11. PUBLIC HEARING ON PREVIOUSLYINTRODUCED ORDINANCES

A. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map, And Section 111-78 (Special, Conditional Use Requirements And Procedures). Regarding Property Located at 12450 Section Road, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-09: Described by the WBR Assessoras: LOT 3CONT 66.0 AC SEC 13 T6S R10E 6A-55. Rezoning from AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) to AG-1 (Agricultural Small Scale) with aSpecial Use Permit for Utilities, Minor Services.

The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item.

Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne was recognized and explained the details of the aforementioned rezoning request, noting this item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed.

Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin to approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map, And Section 111-78 (Special, Conditional Use Requirements And Procedures). Regarding Property Located at 12450 Section Road, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-09: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT 3CONT 66.0 AC SEC13T6S R10E 6A-55. Rezoning fromAG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) to AG-1 (Agricultural Small Scale) with aSpecial Use Permit for Utilities, Minor Services, effective upon signatureofthe Parish President.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Kenneth Gordon, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

Ordinance 20 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

B. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of West Baton RougeParish. Regarding Property Located At 3605 RougonRoad, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-10: Described By The WBR Assessor As: 3065.546 AC DESIG AS: 619.60 AC IN SEC 4T7S R11E

T6S R11E 640.600 AC IN SEC 32 T6S R11E 15-2 C. Rezoning From AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) And C-1.3 (Regional Scaled Commercial) To PF (Public Facilities). The Chairman opened apublic hearing

From AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) and C-1.3(Regional Scaled

Commercial) to PF (PublicFacilities), effective upon signatureof the Parish President.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 8(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, KatherineAndre, KennethGordon, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 0(None)

ABSTAIN: 1(Brady Hotard)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 21 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes. C. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map Rezoning Request of Carolyn BlanchardETALS C/O Teri B. Bergeron. Regarding Property located at 1906, 1916, 1926, 1936, 1946, 1950, 2018, 2028, 2038, 2048, 2110, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2150, 2180, 2244, Plantation Ave. Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-11: Described by the WBR Assessor as: TRACT A-2 CONT 1.81 AC 43B-34 ,TRACT A-3 CONT 1.06 AC 43B-35, SD CLINE BLANCHARD PROP: LOT 343B-18, LOT 443B-19, LOT 643B-21, LOT 743B-22, LOT 843B-23, LOT 943B-24, LOT 10 43B-25, LOT 11 43B-26, LOT 12 43B-27, LOT 13 43B-28, LOT 14 43B-29, LOT 15 43B-30, LOT 16 43B-31, LOT 17 43B32. Master Plan Change. Rezoning from R-SF-3 and C-1.3 to R-SF-2 with waivers The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne was recognized and explained the detailsofthe aforementioned rezoning request, noting this item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr.Bourgoyne did note the waivers listed werefor lots 6, 7and 11 only No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the PublicHearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Brady Hotard, seconded by Council Member Alan Crowe to approve with waiver/s An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map Rezoning Request of Carolyn BlanchardETALS C/O Teri B. Bergeron. Regarding Property located at 1906, 1916, 1926, 1936, 1946, 1950, 2018, 2028, 2038, 2048, 2110, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2150, 2180, 2244, Plantation Ave. Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-11: Described by the WBR Assessor as: TRACT A-2 CONT 1.81 AC 43B-34, TRACT A-3 CONT 1.06 AC 43B-35, SD CLINE BLANCHARDPROP: LOT 343B-18, LOT 443B-19, LOT 643B-21, LOT 743B-22, LOT 8 43B-23, LOT 943B-24, LOT 10 43B-25, LOT 11 43B-26, LOT 12 43B-27, LOT 13 43B- 28, LOT 14 43B-29, LOT 15 43B-30, LOT 16 43B-31, LOT 17 43B-32. Master Plan Change. Rezoning from R-SF-3 and C-1.3 to R-SF-2 with waivers for lot width on lots 6, 7, and 11 only

The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, KatherineAndre, Kenneth Gordon, GaryJoseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 0(None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 22 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes. D. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of TMI Enterprises, LLC. Regarding Parcel #045100004401 Lot#JA-1A-2B Safe Energy Dr.Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-06: Described by the WBR Assessor as TRACTS JA-1A-2B CONT 5.00 AC IN SEC 50 T7S R12E P/O POPLAR GROVE PLTN 51-44A. Rezoning from I-2 (Industrial Moderate Scale) to I-3 (Industrial Large Scale). The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne was recognized and explained the detailsofthe aforementioned rezoning request, noting this item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the PublicHearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Kenneth Gordon to approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of TMI Enterprises, LLC. Regarding Parcel #045100004401 Lot#JA-1A2B Safe Energy Dr.Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-06: Described by the WBR Assessor as TRACTS JA-1A-2B CONT 5.00 AC IN SEC 50 T7S R12E P/O POPLAR GROVE PLTN 51-44A. Rezoning from I-2 (Industrial Moderate Scale) to I-3 (Industrial Large Scale). The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Kenneth Gordon, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 23 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

E. An Ordinance Amending The West Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances, Louisiana, Amending Chapter 22 (Elections), Article II (Voting Districts), Section 22-25, (Generally), 22-26 (Designated), 22- 27 (Voting District Descriptions), Article III (Voting Districts and Polling Places), Section 22-58 (Precinct Descriptions), and 22-59 (Polling Places). The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mrs.Amanda Theiss, WBR Clerk of Court, was recognized and explained the detailsofthe aforementioned ordinance and offered to answer any questions. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the PublicHearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Brady Hotard, seconded by Council Member Katherine Andretoapprove An Ordinance Amending The West Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances, Louisiana, Amending Chapter 22 (Elections), Article II (Voting Districts), Section 22-25, (Generally), 22-26 (Designated), 22-27 (Voting District Descriptions), Article III (Voting Districts and Polling Places), Section 22-58 (Precinct Descriptions), and 22-59 (Polling Places).

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, KatherineAndre, Kenneth Gordon, GaryJoseph)

NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 0(None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 24 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes. F. An Ordinance of The West Baton Rouge Parish Council Adopting the 2024 Year End Budget Adjustments to an Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 for the Juvenile Detention Fund (016). The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mr.Chance Stephens was recognized and explained the detailsof the aforementioned request, and offered to answer any questions. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the PublicHearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Kenneth Gordon, seconded by Council Member Gary Joseph to approve An Ordinance of The West Baton Rouge Parish Council Adopting the 2024 Year End Budget Adjustments to an Operating

aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 27 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

12. CONSIDER STATUS REPORT, CHANGE ORDER AND/OR OTHER MATTERS AS REQUIRED ON CURRENT PROJECTS

A. Accept/Reject BidRecommendation for the 2025 Asphalt Roads Rehabilitation Program Mr.Kevin Gravois, of PEC, was recognized and explained the bid recommendation for the 2025 Asphalt Road Rehabilitation Project was to be awarded to Epic Paving with abase bid in the amount of $1,377,630.70,noting that this item is under what was originally budgeted. Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Brady Hotardtoapprove Accept the Bid Recommendation for the 2025 Asphalt Roads Rehabilitation Program awarding the bid to Epic Paving in the amount of $1,377,630.70 The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Brady Hotard, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Kenneth Gordon, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

13. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES Mrs. Tullier,Council Clerk read by title the below proposed ordinance/s being introduced and publicized by title, and considered for adoption following apublic hearing as specified below,at5:30 pm in the Council Chambers, located at 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen, La.: A. An Ordinance Adopting the 2025 Council Amendments to the Community Center Fund for the Fiscal Year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025. Public Hearing Date: May 22, 2025

14. RESOLUTIONS A. AResolution Authorizing The Parish President To Enter Into AGrant Agreement Between The Division Of Administration, Office Of Community Development, Of The State

NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Resolution 11 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

15. CONSIDER SUBDIVISION PLATS, CONDEMNATIONS, WAIVERS AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO

A. Plat File #2025-10: FINAL PLATSHOWING SURVEY OF EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY BETWEENLOT 6-A, 6-B, AND 5A OF YATTAN NORTHFARMS INTO LOTS 6-A-1 AND 5-A-1 LOCATED IN SECTION40 &41, T-5-S, R-11-ESOUTHEASTERN LANDDISTRICT,WEST OFTHE MISSISSIPPI RIVERWEST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LA FORJOHN DUPRE~WITH SETBACK WAIVERS. The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne was recognized and explained the details of the aforementioned plat request, noting therewas awaiver listed for the side setback of ashed being .5ft offof the side property line. Mr.Bourgoyne also explained this item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

No public comments for or against said ordinance were presented. No written protests opposing the ordinance were received. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed.

Amotion was made by Council Member Brady Hotard, seconded by Council Member Kirk Allain to approve with waiver/s Plat File

#2025-10: FINAL PLATSHOWING SURVEY OF EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY BETWEENLOT 6-A, 6-B, AND 5A OF YATTAN NORTH FARMS INTO LOTS 6-A-1 AND 5-A-1 LOCATED IN SECTION 40 &41, T-5-S, R-11-E SOUTHEASTERN LAND DISTRICT,WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVERWEST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LA FOR JOHN DUPRE, with side setback waiver for existing shed being .5ft from side property line.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 8(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 1(Alan Crowe)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

16. CORRESPONDENCE REPORT

Correspondence Report from Council Clerk, Mrs. Michelle Tullier included the following items:

•Next Planning &Zoning Meeting May 20, 2025 has been canceled; •Next Council Meeting Thursday,May 22, 2025 at 5:30pm.

17. ADJOURN

Therebeing no further business, amotion to adjournwas made by Council Member Kirk Allain and was adopted by acclamation at 06:08 PM.

ALL MEETING INFORMATION INCLUDING MINUTES AND VIDEOSCAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE WBRPARISH.ORG UNDER THE AGENDA AND MINUTES TAB.

ORDINANCE 20 OF 2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Meeting of April 10, 2025 And Adopted on May 8, 2025

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map, And Section 111-78 (Special, Conditional Use Requirements And Procedures) Rezoning From AG-3 to AG-1 With ASpecial Use for Utilities, Minor Services NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council in legal session that Chapter 104 Zoning, Sec. 104-3 Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Map of the Compiled Ordinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana is amended and re-enacted to read as follows: Sec.104-3. Establishment Of Districts, OfficialZoning Map For Rezoning Request Of West Baton Rouge Parish. Regarding Property Located At 12450 Section Road Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-09: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT 3CONT 66.0 AC SEC 13 T6S R10E 6A-55. Rezoning from AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) to AG-1(Agricultural Small Scale) with aSpecial Use Permit for Utilities, Minor Services.

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that this ordinance shall become effective upon signature of the Parish President..

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER KIRK ALLAIN, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DARYL “TURF” BABIN. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, GORDON, ANDRE, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 8th Day of May,2025.

ATTEST:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance arehereby declared severable.

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPONMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DARYL “TURF” BABIN, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KATHERINE ANDRE. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING: YEAS: 8(BABIN, ALLAIN, DENSTEL, WALKER, CROWE, GORDON, ANDRE, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 1(HOTARD)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 8th Day of May,2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 22 OF 2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Meeting of April 10, 2025 And Adopted on May 8, 2025

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map Rezoning Request of Carolyn BlanchardETALS C/O Teri B. Bergeron. Rezoning from R-SF-3 and C-1.3toR-SF-2 with waivers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council in legal session that Chapter 104 Zoning, Sec. 104-3 Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Map of the Compiled Ordinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana is amended and re-enacted to read as follows:

Sec.104-3. Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of Carolyn BlanchardETALS c/o Teri B. BergeronRegarding

Property located at 1906, 1916, 1926, 1936, 1946, 1950, 2018, 2028, 2038, 2048, 2110, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2150, 2180, 2244, Plantation Ave. Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-11: Described by the WBR Assessor as: TRACT A-2 CONT 1.81 AC 43B-34 ,TRACT A-3 CONT 1.06 AC 43B-35, SD CLINE BLANCHARD PROP: LOT 343B-18, LOT 443B-19, LOT 6 43B-21, LOT 743B-22, LOT 843B-23, LOT 943B-24, LOT 10 43B-25, LOT 11 43B-26, LOT 12 43B-27, LOT 13 43B-28, LOT 14 43B-29, LOT 15 43B-30, LOT 16 43B-31, LOT 17 43B-32Rezoning from R-SF-3 and C-1.3 to R-SF-2 with waivers on lots 6, 7, and 11 for lot width..

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that this Ordinance shall also serve as aMaster Plan Change. THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council,that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRADY HOTARD, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALAN CROWE. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(HOTARD, CROWE, ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, GORDON, ANDRE, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 8th Day of May,2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 23 OF 2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Meeting of April 10, 2025 And Adopted on May 8, 2025

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of TMI Enterprises, LLC. Rezoning From I-2 (Industrial Moderate Scale) to I-3 (Industrial Large Scale).

Sec.104-3. Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of TMI Enterprises, LLC. Regarding Parcel #045100004401

Lot#JA-1A-2B Safe Energy Dr.Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-06: Described by the WBR Assessor as TRACTS JA-1A-2B CONT 5.00 AC IN SEC 50 T7S R12E P/O POPLAR GROVE PLTN 51-44A. Rezoning from I-2 (Industrial Moderate Scale) to I-3 (Industrial Large Scale).

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety

NOWTHEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council ofthe Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance arehereby declared severable. THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPONMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER KIRKALLAIN, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KENNETH GORDON. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(ALLAIN, GORDON, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, ANDRE, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance wasdeclared adopted on the 8th Day of May,2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 24 OF 2025 As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Regular Meeting of April 24, 2025 And Adopted on May 8, 2025

An Ordinance Amending The West Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances, Louisiana, Amending Chapter 22 (Elections), Article II (Voting Districts), Section 22-25, (Generally), 22-26 (Designated), 22-27 (Voting District Descriptions), Article III (Voting Districts and Polling Places), Section 22-58 (Precinct Descriptions), and 22-59 (Polling Places).

WHEREAS, on June 9, 2022 West Baton Rouge Parish Council adopted Ordinance 25 of 2022, and 26 of 2022,anew election district plan in accordance with the 2020 Census and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act and applicable Louisiana state statutes; AND WHEREAS,the West Baton Rouge Parish Council has confirmed acceptance of this plan by the State Legislative Office and the Louisianan Secretary of State Office as by law; AND WHEREAS,this ordinance is to format and codify updated ordinances into the WBR Parish Code of Ordinances.

THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, in regular session assembled, does hereby amend the following election information as previously adopted for codification purposes. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, in legal session, Chapter 22 (Elections), Article II (Voting Districts), Section 22-25, (Generally), 22-26 (Designated), 22-27 (Voting District Descriptions), Article III (Voting Districts and Polling Places), Section 2258 (Precinct Descriptions), and 22-59 (Polling Places) of the Compiled Ordinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is amended and re-enacted to read as follows: (NOTE: underlined words areadditions and strikethrough words are deletions. Three asterisks -* **indicate sections of the code skipped for brevity of this ordinance. Such sections aretoberetained by the code editors.):

CODE OF ORDINANCES WEST BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA ** * Chapter 22 –ELECTIONS ** * ARTICLE II. -VOTING DISTRICTS ** *

Sec. 22-26. -Designated.

The Council of the West Baton Rouge Parish shall consist of nine individuals qualified to hold the office, each of whom shall be domiciled in and elected by the voters residing in one of nine voting districts as herein provided.

The voting districts of West Baton Rouge Parish shall be designated and shall each contain the precincts indicated as follows: Districts Precincts 11A, 1D, 1E 21B, 2A, 4, 8A 31C, 4A, 8 42B, 3, 7A 59,11, 15, 17A 610A, 16, 17, 18, 5, 6, 7B 716A, 18B, 19, 20 818A, 21, 22 913A, 13B, 14, 16B

Sec. 22-27. Voting district descriptions.

(5) District 5 District 5ofthe Parish of West Baton Rouge shall be defined by the following whole precincts: Precinct 11, Precinct 15, Precinct 17A, Precinct 9 ARTICLE III. -VOTING PRECINCTS AND POLLING

BY COUNCIL MEMBER KATHERINE ANDRE.THE ORDINANCEWAS

SUBMITTED TO AVOTEAND RESULTED IN THEFOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(HOTARD, ANDRE,ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, GORDON, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declaredadopted on the 8th Day of May,2025. ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 25 OF 2025

As Introduced by the West BatonRouge ParishCouncil At the RegularMeeting of April 24, 2025 And Adopted on May 8, 2025 An Ordinance of The West Baton Rouge ParishCouncilAdopting the 2024 Year End Budget Adjustments to an OperatingBudgetofRevenues andExpendituresfor the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December31, 2024 for the Juvenile Detention Fund (016).

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Parish of West BatonRouge, Louisiana, in Regular Session convened that:

SECTION 1:The attached detailed2024 year-end adjustments to estimate of revenues for The Juvenile DetentionFund for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 be and the same is hereby adopted as an operating budget of revenues forthe Parish during said period.

SECTION2:The attached detailed 2024 year-end adjustments to estimate of expenditures for the Juvenile DetentionFund for the fiscal yearbeginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 be and the same is hereby adopted to serve as budget of expenditures forthe Parish during said period

SECTION 3: The adoption of these 2024 year-end adjustments to operating budget of revenues and expenditures be and the same is hereby declared to operate as an appropriationof theamount therein set forth within the terms of the budget classification.

SECTION4:Amounts areavailable forexpenditures only to the extent included within the 2024 budget.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the ParishCouncil of theParish of West Baton Rouge,Louisiana,that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that all otherordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealedintheir entirety

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Parish Council of theParish of West Baton Rouge,Louisiana,that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereofisheld invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or application of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications of this ordinance arehereby declaredseverable THE FOREGOING ORDINANCEAFTERPUBLIC HEARING WAS CONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER KENNETH GORDON, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GARY JOSEPH, AND AVOTEBEING TAKEN,THE FOLLOWING RESULT

WASHAD:

YEAS: 9(GORDON,JOSEPH, ALLAIN, WALKER, BABIN, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, ANDRE)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declaredadopted on the 8th dayof May,2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE26OF 2025

As Introduced by the West BatonRouge ParishCouncil At theMeeting of April 24, 2025 And Adopted on May 8, 2025

An Ordinance Amending Chapter104 Zoning To Incorporate

Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section104-3

Establishment Of Districts, Official ZoningMap ForRezoning Request of John And Stacey DupreFromAG-2 to AG-3.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West BatonRouge Parish Council in legal session that Chapter 104 Zoning,Sec. 104-3 Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Mapofthe Compiled Ordinancesof the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana is amended and re-enacted to read as follows:

Sec.104-3. Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of John And StaceyDupre. Regarding Property located at 10100 Bueche Rd, Bueche LA 70720. File #2025-12: Described by the WBR Assessor as:LOT 6-A YATTAN NORTHFARMS CONT 2.00 AC M/L 22-19. Rezoning From AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale) to AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale). Public Hearing Date: May 8, 2025

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West BatonRouge ParishCouncil that this Ordinanceshall also serve as aMasterPlan Change

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West BatonRouge Parish Council that thisordinance shall becomeeffective pursuant to

Section 2-12 (C)ofthe Home RuleCharter

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that allotherordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewithare hereby repealed in theirentirety

NOWTHEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or

item of thisordinance or the applicationthereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance whichcan be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of thisordinance arehereby declared severable.

THEFOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVINGBEENSUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, ANDUPONMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DARYL“TURF”BABIN,WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KATHERINE ANDRE. THEORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTEDTOA VOTE ANDRESULTEDINTHE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(BABIN, ANDRE. WALKER, DENSTEL, ALLAIN, CROWE, JOSEPH, GORDON,HOTARD)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT: 0(NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 8th Dayof May,2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 27 OF 2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Meeting of April 24, 2025 And Adopted on May8,2025

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate

Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) UnderSection 104-3

Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request of Farmco C/OGerald Ruple From AG-3 to AG-2.

NOWTHEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Councilinlegal session that Chapter 104 Zoning, Sec.104-3 Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Mapofthe Compiled Ordinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana is amendedand re-enacted to read as follows:

Sec.104-3.Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of Farmco C/OGerald Ruple. Regarding Property located at10240 Bueche Rd, Bueche LA 70720. File#2025-13: Described by the WBRAssessoras: LOT 5-A CONT 5.01 AC &LOT

AC YATTAN NORTHFARMS 22-18 C. Rezoning From AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) to AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale).PublicHearing Date: May8,2025

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that allotherordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewithare hereby repealed in theirentirety

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of thisordinance or the applicationthereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance whichcan be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of thisordinance arehereby declared severable. THEFOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVINGBEENSUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, ANDUPONMOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRADYHOTARD, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER _KIRKALLAIN. THEORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTEDTOAVOTEAND RESULTEDINTHE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(HOTARD,ALLAIN, BABIN,WALKER,DENSTEL, CROWE, GORDON,ANDRE,JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT: 0(NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinancewas declared adopted on the 8th Day of May,2025.

ATTEST:

RESOLUTION 10 OF 2025

AResolution Authorizing The Parish President To Enter IntoAGrant Agreement Between The Division Of Administration, Office Of Community Development,OfThe StateOfLouisiana And West Baton Rouge Parish Government For The Water Sector Program-Phase 2 (Sewer). Subrecipient No.LAWSP224112.

WHEREAS,inorder to proceed withsaid agreement,The Stateof Louisiana requires that the legislative body of the local government authorizes itschief executive “the Parish President”orhis designee to executethe agreementstitled:

ENTITY /STATE AGREEMENT PROJECT NO. LAWSP2241122

WATERSECTORPROGRAM PHASE2 (SEWER) WEST BATONROUGE PARISH

BE IT RESOLVED that theWest BatonRouge Parish Council, through Parish President JasonP.Manola (or hisdesignee) is hereby authorized, directed, andempoweredfor andonbehalfofthe West BatonRouge Parish,Louisiana, to executeany andall contracts of whateverkind on behalf of theParish of West BatonRouge for State LAWSP2241122.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,tothe extent that prior resolutionsoracts of this council which conflictwith this resolution,those prior resolutions andactions aresupersededbythisresolution

NOWTHEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by theParish Council of theParish of West BatonRouge,Louisiana, that if anyprovision or item of this resolution or theapplication thereofisheldinvalid, such invalidity shall notaffectother provisions, items or applications of this resolution which canbegiveneffectwithout theinvalid provisions, items, or applications of this resolution arehereby declaredseverable

AMOTION TO ADOPT theabove resolution wasmade by Council MemberKatherine Andre, secondedbyCouncil MemberKirk Allain, and resulted in thefollowingvote:

YEAS:9 (Andre, Allain, Babin,Walker,Denstel, Crowe, Hotard, Gordon,Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

Passedbyamajority vote of theWest BatonRouge Parish Council on the 8thDay of May,2025.

CERTIFICATE

I, Michelle Tullier,Council Clerkofthe West BatonRouge Parish Council do hereby certify that theabove andforegoing is trueand correctcopy of aresolution adoptedbysaidbody at itsRegularMeetingofMay 8, 2025 at whichmeeting amajority of themembers were present andvoting.

RESOLUTION11OF2025

AResolution Authorizing TheParish President To EnterIntoA Grant Agreement BetweenThe DivisionOfAdministration, Office Of Community Development, Of TheState Of LouisianaAnd West Baton Rouge Parish Government For TheWater Sector Program- Phase 2 (Water). SubrecipientNo. LAWSP2241080.

WHEREAS this Council haspreviouslysupported –and continues to support –partnerships with state andfederal agenciestoprovide alternativetransportation solutionsfor thepeople andbusinessesinWest BatonRouge Parish AND WHEREAS,inorder to proceed with said agreement,The State of Louisianarequires that thelegislative body of thelocal government authorizes itschiefexecutive “the Parish President”orhis designee to executethe agreementstitled:

ENTITY/STATEAGREEMENT PROJECT NO. LAWSP2241080 WATERSECTORPROGRAM PHASE2 (WATER) WEST BATONROUGE PARISH

BE IT RESOLVED that theWest BatonRouge Parish Council, through Parish President JasonP.Manola (or hisdesignee) is hereby authorized, directed, andempoweredfor andonbehalfofthe West BatonRouge Parish,Louisiana, to executeany andall contracts of whateverkindon behalf of theParish of West BatonRouge for State LAWSP2241080.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,tothe extent that prior resolutionsoracts of this council which conflictwith this resolution,those prior resolutions andactions aresupersededbythisresolution

AMOTION TO ADOPT theabove resolution wasmade by Council MemberDaryl “Turf” Babin, secondedbyCouncil Member_Katherine Andre, andresulted in thefollowingvote:

YEAS: 9(Babin, Andre,Allain, Walker,Denstel, Crowe, Hotard, Gordon, Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

Passedbya majority vote of theWest BatonRouge Parish Council on the 8thDay of May,2025

CERTIFICATE

I, Michelle Tullier, Council Clerkofthe West BatonRouge Parish Council do hereby certify that theabove andforegoing is trueand correctcopy of aresolution adoptedbysaidbody at itsRegularMeetingofMay 8, 2025 at whichmeeting amajority of themembers were present andvoting.

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Dou‐glas;together with all rights,ways, privileges, andservitudesthereto attached or in anywise appertaining MunicipalAddress:

SouthAlexander Ave., Port

(10:00)

Three(3) certainlotsor parcel of ground,lying andsituatedinthe OAKS SUBDIVISIONofthe Town of Port Allen, Parish of West BatonRouge,State of Louisiana, anddesig‐natedonthe official map of said subdivisionon file andofrecordinthe office of theClerk and Recorder of said Parish as beingLOT NUMBERS TWENTY-TWO (22) TWENTY-THREE (23) AND TWENTY FOUR (24),all

LA 70767 SEIZED IN THEABOVE SUIT TERMSOFSALE: CASH TO THEHIGHEST BIDDER WITHOUTBENEFIT OF AP‐PRAISEMENT,AND AC‐CORDINGTOLAW JEFF BERGERON,SHERIFF PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE BY:ANGIE DELAUNE, DEPUTY SHERIFF ADVERTISEINTHE ADVO‐CATE ON:5/15/25 & 6/12/25 $35.43 SHERIFF'SSALE SUIT NO.49917 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVIC‐ING, LLCVS. CLARENCE

Voting Members

Mr.Burke Fiscus, BoardMember

Mrs. Hayley Clouatre, BoardMember

Dr.Atley Walker Sr Vice President

Mr.Ronald LeBlanc, BoardMember

Mr.Matthew Daigrepont, BoardMember

Mr.Michael Maranto, BoardMember Mrs. Teri Bergeron, BoardMember 1.

•Mr. Burke Fiscus, Board Member

•Mrs. Hayley Clouatre,Board

•Dr. Atley Walker Sr Vice

•Mr. Ronald LeBlanc, BoardMember

•Mr. Matthew Daigrepont, BoardMember

•Mr. Michael Maranto, BoardMember

•Mrs. Teri Bergeron, BoardMember Aquorum was

Thefollowing wereabsent: Ms.

1. Receive and review Head Start Directors Monthly Report (Crystal Leon)

The boardreviewed the Head Start DirectorsMonthly Report

The chairman declared the flooropenfor publiccomment

Informational Item, No action necessary

2. Consideration of requestfor approvalofthe monthly expenditures and financial reportsfor February2025 (Jared Gibbs)

Mr.Gibbs went over the reports.

The chairman declared the floor openfor publiccomment.

Approved the Expense reportfor February 2025

Motionmade by:Mr. Michael Maranto

Motion seconded by: Mrs. HayleyClouatre

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

3. Organizational Chart Update(Dr.Chandler Smith) Dr.Smithwent over the Organizational Chart and updated changes.

The chairman declared the flooropenfor publiccomment

That the boardapproves the UpdatedOrganizational Chart

Motion made by: Mr.Matthew Daigrepont

Motion seconded by: Mrs. Teri Bergeron

Voting: Unanimously Approved

4. Discussion to changes to TechnologyDepartmentJob Descriptions Discusschanges to IT department

Informational Item, No action necessary

a. Dissolve Supervisor ofInformationSystems and Educational Technology (EffectiveJuly 1, 2025) (Barbara Burke)

Discussion of Dissolving SupervisorofInformationSystems and Educational Technology as of July 1, 2025

Chairman declared the floor open forpublic comment

That the boardapprovestoDissolve SupervisorofInformation Systems and Educational Technology Effective July 1, 2025

Motion made by:Mr. MatthewDaigrepont

Motionsecondedby: Mrs. HayleyClouatre

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

b. Consideration of request to create InformationSystems Coordinator Position and Salary Schedule (Barbara Burke)

Mrs. Burke discussed the reasonfor creating theInformation Systems CoordinatorPositionand Salary Schedule. Answered any question the board had.

The chairmandeclared the floor openfor public comment

That the boardapprovestocreateanInformation Systems Coordinator Positionand SalarySchedule.

Motion made by:Mr. MatthewDaigrepont

Motion seconded by: Mrs. Hayley Clouatre

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

c. Consideration of request to create SystemSupport and Media ProductionPosition and SalarySchedule (Barbara

Burke) Mrs. Burke discussed thereason for creating theSystem

Support and MediaProduction Position and Salary Schedule. Answered any question the boardhad.

The chairmandeclared the flooropen for publiccomment

That theboardapproves to create aSystem Support and MediaProduction Position and Salary Schedule.

Motion made by: Mr.Matthew Daigrepont

Motion seconded by: Mrs. Hayley Clouatre

Voting: Unanimously Approved

d. Consideration of request to renamethe desktop technician salary schedule to Information Systems Support Manager/ Data Systems Specialist Salary Schedule. (Barbara Burke)

Mrs. Burke explained to theboardthat it is arequest to rename theSalary Schedule.

The chairmandeclared the flooropen for publiccomment.

That the boardapprove to rename thedesktop technician salary schedule to theInformation Systems Support Manager/ DataSystems Specialist SalarySchedule

Motion made by: Mr.Matthew Daigrepont

Motion seconded by: Mrs. Hayley Clouatre

Voting: UnanimouslyApproved

e. Consideration of requesttoreviseTechnology Instructional

Coach to Technology Instructional Coordinator and move to the Academics Team (Barbara Burke)

Mrs. Burke explained to theboardtorevise theTechnology Instructional Coach to Technology Instructional Coordinator and move to the AcademicTeams. She explained to theboard that sheisalready doing thetechnology side of things for Academics.

The chairman declared the flooropen for publiccomment

That theboard approves to revise the Technology Instructional Coach to Technology Instructional Coordinatorand move to theAcademic Team.

Motion made by: Mr.Matthew Daigrepont

Motion seconded by: Mrs. Hayley Clouatre

Voting: UnanimouslyApproved

5. Discussion of Job Descriptionrevisions for the following positions:(School Nurse, Speech Therapist, Lead Speech Therapist, Educational Diagnostician, SchoolPsychologist, SocialWorker,Supervisor of Standards, Assessment & Accountability, Supervisor of Early Childhood, Career Academy Coordinator,College &Career Supervisor,Instructional Coach, Head Start Family Advocates, Paraprofessional, Food Service Technician, and FoodServiceManager) (Barbara Burke) Mrs. Burke went over with the boardthat we movedover to the new templateand updated thelanguage.

The chairmandeclared the flooropen for publiccomment.

That theboardapprove the revisions of thefollowing positions: School Nurse, Speech Therapist,Lead Speech Therapist, Educational Diagnostician, School Psychologist,Social Worker,Supervisor of Standards, Assessment &Accountability, Supervisor of Early Childhood, Career Academy Coordinator, College &Career Supervisor,Instructional Coach, Head Start FamilyAdvocates, Paraprofessional, Food Service Technician, and FoodService Manager

Motion made by: Mr.Burke Fiscus Motion seconded by: Dr.Atley Walker Sr Voting: UnanimouslyApproved

6. Consideration of request to renew student accident insurance policy for 2025-2026 Schoolyear.(Jared Gibbs)

Mr.Gibbs went over the renewal for the student accident insurance policy for 25-26.

The chairmandeclared the flooropen for publiccomment.

That theboardapproves therequest to renew thestudent accident insurance policy for 2025-2026 School year

Motion made by: Mr.Burke Fiscus Motion seconded by: Mrs. Teri Bergeron Voting: UnanimouslyApproved

7. Consideration of Request to revise Student Schedule of Fees (Dr. Chandler Smith)

Dr.Smith went over thechanges for thestudent scheduleofFees

The chairmandeclared the flooropen for publiccomment.

That theboardapproves therequest to revise the Student Schedule of fees.

Motion made by: Mrs. Hayley Clouatre

Motion seconded by: Dr.Atley Walker Sr Voting: Unanimously Approved

5. Adjourn

The finance committeemeetingwas adjourned.

Motion made by: Dr.Atley Walker Sr Motion seconded by: Mrs. Teri Bergeron

Voting: Unanimously Approved

Mrs. Hayley Clouatre, BoardMember

Dr.Atley Walker Sr Vice President

Mr.Ronald LeBlanc,BoardMember

Ms. Sonceria Evans, Board Member

Ms. Chareeka Grace,BoardMember

Mr.MatthewDaigrepont,BoardMember

Mrs. Teri Bergeron,BoardMember

Mr.AldenChustz, President

1. CallMeeting to Order Thechairman called themeeting to order.

2. PledgeofAllegiance

Mr.Chustz gave thePledge of Allegiance

Dr.Walkergave theinvocation.

3. Roll Call Mr.Gibbs conducteda roll call

Thefollowingwerepresent:

•Mr. Burke Fiscus, Board Member

•Mrs. Hayley Clouatre, BoardMember

•Dr. Atley Walker Sr., Vice President

•Mr. RonaldLeBlanc, BoardMember

•Ms. Sonceria Evans,BoardMember

•Ms. Chareeka Grace, BoardMember

•Mr. Matthew Daigrepont,BoardMember

•Mrs. Teri Bergeron,BoardMember

•Mr. AldenChustz, President

Aquorumwas present

Thefollowingwereabsent:

Mr.Mike Maranto, BoardMember

4. Approval of Minutes Be it Resolved, That theapproval of theminutes of theRegular Board MeetingheldonMarch 26,2025beapprovedaspresented.

TheChairmandeclaredthe floor openfor public comment.

Motion made by: Mrs. Hayley Clouatre

Motion secondedby: Mr.Burke Fiscus

Voting: Unanimously Approved

5. Superintendent’s Report Dr.Smithwentover hisattachedreport

Thechairman declaredthe floor open forpublic comment

InformationalItem, No action necessary

6. ReportfromCommunity Committees/Agencies

7. Unfinished Business

8. Presentation of ConsentAgenda

1. Considerationofrequest for approval of the monthly expendituresand financial reportsfor February2025(Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

2. Organizational ChartUpdate (Finance Committee Report 4/8/25)

3. Dissolve Supervisor of Information Systems and Educational Technology(Effective July1,2025) (Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

4. Consideration of requesttocreate Information Systems Coordinator Position and Salary Schedule (Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

5. Consideration of requesttocreate SystemSupport and Media Production Position and SalarySchedule(Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

6. Consideration of requesttorename the desktop technician salaryscheduletoInformation Systems Support Manager/ Data Systems SpecialistSalary Schedule. (Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

7. Consideration of requesttorevise TechnologyInstructional Coach to TechnologyInstructional Coordinator and move to the AcademicsTeam (Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

8. Considerationofrequest to approve the JobDescription revisions for the following positions:(SchoolNurse, Speech Therapist,Lead Speech Therapist, Educational Diagnostician, School Psychologist, Social Worker, Supervisor of Standards Assessment &Accountability,Supervisor of EarlyChildhood, Career AcademyCoordinator,College& Career Supervisor, Instructional Coach, Head StartFamily Advocates Paraprofessional, FoodService Technician, and FoodService Manager) (Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

9. Considerationofrequest to renew student accidentinsurance policy for 2025-2026 School year.(Finance Committee Report 4/8/25)

10.Consideration of Request to approve the revisedStudent Schedule of Fees (Finance Committee Report4/8/25)

9. Approval of Consent Agenda

Be it resolvedthatthe Board does hereby approve andadopt the Above Consent Agenda Items #1-10

TheChairmandeclaredthe floor openfor public comment.

Motion made by: Mr.Ronald LeBlanc

Motion secondedby: Mrs. Hayley Clouatre

Voting: Unanimously Approved

10.End of Consent Agenda

1. Consideration to approve the Certification under TitleVItothe Louisiana Department of Education (Dr. ChandlerSmith) InformationalItem, no action necessary

11.Organization Items

12.Any other businessunanimouslyapproved by the boardfor consideration

13.Adjourn

Be it Resolved, That themeeting be adjourned

TheChairmandeclaredthe floor openfor public comment.

Motion made by: Mr.Ronald LeBlanc

Motion secondedby: Mr.Burke Fiscus

Voting: Unanimously Approved