Louisiana will cover the full price of college tuition for a small group of stellar students, under newly passed legislation but it won’t give more money to thousands of students whose state scholarships cover only part of their tuition bill.
Top-scoring high schoolers will qualify for a new “Excellence” award through the state’s TOPS scholarship program under House Bill 77, which the Louisiana Legislature passed last week and Gov Jeff Landry is expected to sign.
Starting this fall, the award will provide up to $12,000 per year to students who attend a public university, or roughly the annual cost of tuition and fees at LSU’s main campus, and up to $8,500 for students at eligible private universities. To qualify, students must score 31 or higher out of 36 on the ACT and earn 3.5 or above grade-point average. Fewer than 900 students annually are expected to get the award, or less than 2% of firstyear students at the state’s public colleges and universities
The bill’s author, Rep. Christopher Turner, R-Ruston, initially had grander ambitions. His original bill would have established uniform rates for TOPS scholarships, which vary by school and often fall thousands of dollars short of the full cost of tuition and fees. The new rates would have meant
ä See TOPS, page 4A
Application for new Plaquemines
LNG terminal withdrawn
Venture says it wants to focus on expansion of existing facility
BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer
Venture Global, the Virginia company that has spent billions of dollars building liquefied natural gas export terminals across south Louisiana, has withdrawn its application with federal regulators for a new terminal in Plaquemines Parish, saying it wants to focus instead on expanding an existing facility Venture Global had proposed building its Delta LNG terminal on a 1,100-acre site near Mile 54 of the Mississippi River next to its Plaquemines LNG terminal. But in a letter sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week, the company said,
Brenda Robinson, project coordinator with
begins to chant ‘This Little Light of Mine’ to kick off a Freedom March on Thursday during the Juneteenth celebration at Southern University. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
ä Juneteenth celebrations held across the country. PAGE 5A
Students take turns in the spotlight of a dance circle Thursday during the Juneteenth celebration at Southern University
Man arrested in BR card skimmer scheme
Police say suspect tied to Romanian crime ring
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
being taken to East Baton Rouge Parish on Tuesday Pascu Eduard, 34, has been wanted by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office since May 2023 in connection with multiple financial crimes, including bank fraud, identity theft and card skimming.
The warrant was issued after Eduard was caught on a security camera allegedly setting up a card skimming device on an ATM at Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
The devices are often dis-
A man accused of using a card skimming device to steal thousands of dollars from a Baton Rouge bank — part of a scam authorities say was organized by a Romanian crime syndicate was arrested in Maryland before
guised to look like part of the ATM, while actually recording the numbers from credit or debit cards used at the machine. The numbers can then be replicated onto counterfeit cards, with the cards’ PIN codes being recorded by a secret camera attached to the ATM. Eduard was arrested in Baltimore, a spokesperson for the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office said. He is believed to have worked with two accomplices to set up one of the devices on May 11,
2023, and then remove it on May 16. Two days later, Eduard and his co-conspirators visited multiple ATMs in Baton Rouge to withdraw money using counterfeit cards replicated with the card numbers stolen using the skimmer, according to an affidavit for his arrest. Four transactions were made, and Eduard withdrew a total of $2,257.90. However, 346 customers at the credit union had
ä See TERMINAL, page 4A ä See SKIMMER, page 3A
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
TRIO, center, fights off the heat with a hand fan as she
BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS
‘Highly sophisticated’ tunnel found at border
SAN DIEGO An incomplete but “highly sophisticated” drugsmuggling tunnel between Tijuana and Otay Mesa was located and disabled by the U.S. Border Patrol, officials said Wednesday
The cross-border tunnel was actively under construction when it was uncovered by U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the sector’s Tunnel Team in early April. The team made entry into the passageway, which ran beneath part of the Otay Mesa port of entry, officials said. Officials believe the tunnel’s intended exit point was “near or within a nearby commercial warehouse space.” Similar crossborder tunnels have been found in the surrounding areas before The tunnel was equipped with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems and a track system intended for transporting contraband, the Border Patrol said.
U.S. officials worked with Mexico to locate the tunnel’s entrance. Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection first reported the incident in a news release on Wednesday morning. Mexico’s operation also included the Attorney General’s Office, the Army and the Navy
The entrance, which officials said had recently been concealed with newly installed tiles, was found inside a two-story home in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood, within close distance to the Otay Mesa port of entry Mexican officials said that an undisclosed quantity of methamphetamine was seized at the scene
Neither U.S. nor Mexican officials reported any arrests related to the incident.
SpaceX rocket explodes during test in Texas
A SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas exploded Wednesday night, sending a dramatic fireball high into the sky
The company said the Starship “experienced a major anomaly” at 11 p.m. while on the test stand preparing for the 10th flight test at Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site at the southern tip of Texas. “A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for,” SpaceX said in a statement on the social platform X. On Jan. 16, one of the massive rockets broke apart in what the company called a “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” sending trails of flaming debris near the Caribbean. Space X lost contact with another Starship during a March 6 test flight as the spacecraft broke apart, with wreckage seen streaming over Florida SpaceX said Wednesday night’s explosion posed no hazards to nearby communities.
The company said it is working with local officials to respond to the explosion.
Police: Woman punched for being a Muslim
NEW YORK A 55-year-old Muslim woman was attacked by a stranger on a Queens train, police said Thursday
The victim was on a westbound E train around 4 a.m. Wednesday, when Naved Durrni, 34, approached her, cops said.
“Where are you from?” Durrni, who was wearing a surgical mask, asked as he pestered her with questions. “Who are you? Are you Muslim?” When the woman said she was Muslim, Durrni punched her in the face, leaving her with bruises to her eye and neck, cops said. Durrni fled the station and was apprehended about a mile away Police charged him with assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment.
Zelenskyy wants more pressure put on Russia
Missile strike shows need for ceasefire, he says
BY JUSTIN SPIKE and ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine — A Russian missile strike on a nine-story Kyiv apartment building was a sign that more pressure must be applied on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, as Moscow intensifies attacks in the war
The drone and missile attack on Kyiv early Tuesday, the deadliest assault on the capital this year, killed 28 people across the city and wounded 142 others, Kyiv Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said. Zelenskyy, along with the head of the presidential office, Andrii Yermak, and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, visited the site of the apartment building in Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district on Thursday morning, laying flowers and paying tribute to the 23 people who died there after a direct hit by a missile brought down the structure.
“This attack is a reminder to the world that Russia rejects a cease-
fire and chooses killing,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram, and thanked Ukraine’s partners who he said are ready to pressure Russia to “feel the real cost of the war.”
Intensifying attacks
Tuesday’s attack on Kyiv was part of a sweeping barrage as Russia once again sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles in what Zelenskyy called one of the biggest bombardments of the war which began on Feb. 24, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected an offer from U.S. President Donald Trump for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, making it conditional on a halt on Ukraine’s mobilization effort and a freeze on Western arms supplies. Meanwhile, Middle East tensions and U.S. trade tariffs have drawn away world attention.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified long-range attacks that have struck urban residential areas. Yet on Wednesday, Putin denied that his military had struck such targets, saying that attacks were “against military industries, not residential quarters.”
Putin told senior news leaders of international news agencies in St. Petersburg, Russia, that he was open to talks with Zelenskyy, but repeated
his accusation that the Ukrainian leader had lost his legitimacy after his term expired last year — allegations rejected by Kyiv and its allies.
Prisoners exchanged A new round of such exchanges took place in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region on Thursday, involving the repatriation of Ukrainian prisoners of war who, according to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War or KSHPPV, were suffering from severe health issues caused by injuries and prolonged detention.
The exchange was confirmed by Russia’s Defense Ministry, which released a video of Russian servicemen at an exchange area in Belarus after being released in the prisoner swap.
Commenting on the exchange, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram: “We are working to get our people back Thank you to everyone who helps make these exchanges possible. Our goal is to free each and every one.”
Many of the exchanged Ukrainian POWs had spent over three years in captivity, with a large number captured during the defense of the now Russian-occupied city of Mariupol in 2022, according to the KSHPPV which added that preparations for another prisoner exchange are ongoing.
Erick makes landfall in Mexico, then weakens
BY FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ and LUIS ALBERTO CRUZ Associated Press
ACAPULCO, Mexico
Powerful Hurricane
Erick made landfall in Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca early Thursday as a major hurricane before moving inland and weakening to a tropical storm as it dumped heavy rain, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.
The hurricane’s center was located about 35 miles north-northeast of Acapulco Thursday afternoon. Its maximum sustained winds were clocked at 50 mph, the hurricane center said.
The storm was downgraded slightly before making landfall, from a powerful Category 4 to a Category 3.
The storm threaded the needle between the resorts of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido, tearing into a sparsely populated stretch of coastline near the border of Oaxaca and Guerrero states Agricultural fields blanket the low-lying coastal area between small fishing villages.
Erick weakened rapidly as it crashed into the coastal mountains of southern Mexico, and the system was likely to dissipate late Thursday or early Friday, the hurricane center said.
The storm threatened to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said. Storm moves south on approach
At first light Thursday Acapulco awoke under ominous dark clouds. Rain started later in the morning with the arrival of stronger winds. There was light traffic in the streets. Some residents shopped in the few open stores, fishermen went to the shore to
check their boats and a few people took advantage of the calm for a quick swim
The storm moved northwest just inland up the coast through midday, bringing heavy rain to the resort and the mountains that tower dramatically above it Still, it appeared Acapulco had dodged the worst at least in terms of Erick’s strong winds. Late Wednesday, Erick’s projected path had crept south, closer to the resort city of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state with Acapulco up the coast to the northwest.
No injuries reported
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday “the people have reacted very well so far.”
National Civil Defense Coordinator Laura Velázquez said Thursday that at the moment there were no reports of injuries. Water entered a public hospital in the Oaxaca resort of Huatulco, and there were fallen trees, cuts to power and landslides blocking highways.
But authorities warned the heavy rain would now become the problem.
Guerrero Gov Evelyn Salgado urged residents of her state Thursday to not grow complacent after Erick made landfall in neighboring Oaxaca.
“In Guerrero we continue on maximum alert, Erick is still a danger with the intense rains, it could drop on our state in the coming hours,” she said. Erick quickly doubled in strength
Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Erick churned through an ideal environment for quick intensification. Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours which is about twice as many as average.
TikTok ban gets another reprieve
BY WENDY LEE Los Angeles Times (TNS)
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order giving TikTok a 90-day extension to work out a deal with the U.S. government that addresses security concerns over the app’s ties to China.
Significant pressure has been placed on TikTok, known for its popular social video app, after a law was signed in 2024 that required TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations of TikTok or the app would be banned in the U.S.
The new order signed by Trump will give TikTok an extension until Sept 17 During that period, the Justice Department will not enforce the 2024 law that would have banned TikTok in the country or impose penalties on companies that distribute TikTok, the order said.
“We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring that TikTok continues to be available for more than 170 million American users and 7.5 million U.S. businesses that rely on the platform as we continue to work with Vice President Vance’s Office,” TikTok said in a statement.
TikTok has a large presence in Southern California, with offices in Culver City that serve as the company’s U.S. headquarters, and many video creators in the L.A. area produce content for TikTok.
The app has interested buyers, including Amazon and an investment group led by Frank McCourt, a former Dodgers owner, whose bid includes “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary San Francisco artificial intelligence company Perplexity said in March it wants to “rebuild the TikTok algorithm.”
PHOTO PROVIDED By UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lays flowers Thursday at the site of Russia’s Tuesday deadly missile attack that ruined a multistory residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine.
PROVIDED PHOTO
This image from rocketfuture. org shows a SpaceX rocket exploding at Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site at the southern tip of Texas, late Wednesday.
Trumpconsiders U.S. attack on Iran
Presidentsays decision to come within twoweeks
BY SAM MEDNICK, NATALIE MELZER and JON GAMBRELL Associated Press
Israel Katz blamed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for Thursday’sbarrageand said the military “has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of itsgoals, this man absolutely should not continuetoexist.”
PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would “do what’s best forAmerica.”
“I can tell you that they’re alreadyhelpingalot,”
Netanyahu saidfrom the rubbleand shattered glass around the Soroka Medical Center in Israel’ssouthern city of Beersheba.
BEERSHEBA, Israel Israel andIran exchanged more attacks on Thursday as U.S. President Donald Trump said he wouldmake up his mind within two weeks on whether the U.S. military will get directly involved in the conflict, seeking to keep open the door to diplomacy on Tehran’s nuclear program.
“Based on the fact that there’sasubstantial chance of negotiationsthat may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, Iwill make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary,told reporters, reading out Trump’s statement.
Trump has been weighing whether to attackIran by striking its well-defended Fordo uraniumenrichment facility,which is buried undera mountain andwidely considered to be out of reach of all but America’s“bunkerbuster” bombs.
Earlier in the day,Israel’s defense minister threatened Iran’ssupreme leader after Iranian missiles crashed into amajor hospitalin southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv,wounding at least 240 people. As rescuers wheeled patients out of the smoldering hospital, Israeli warplanes launched their latest attack on Iran’snuclear program.
Israeli Defense Minister
Theopenconflict between Israel and Iran erupted last Friday with asurprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, topgeneralsand nuclear scientists. At least 639 people, including 263 civilians, havebeen killed in Iran andmorethan 1,300 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rightsgroup.
Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeliarmy estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel’smultitiered air defenses, but at least 24 peopleinIsrael have been killed and hundredswounded.
Israel’sHome Front Commandsaid one of the Iranian ballistic missiles fired Thursday morning had been rigged with fragmenting cluster munitions. Rather than aconventional warhead,acluster munition warhead carries dozens of submunitions that can explode on impact, showering small bomblets around a large area andposing major safetyrisks on the ground. TheIsraeli military did not say where that missile had beenfired.
At least80patients and medical workers were wounded in the strike on Israel’sSoroka Medical Center.The vast majority were
lightlywounded,asmuch of thehospital buildinghad been evacuated in recent days.
Iranian officials insisted that they had notsought to strike thehospital and claimed theattack hit afacility belonging to theIsraeli military’selite technological unit,called C4i. The website for the Gav-Yam Negev advanced technologiespark,2 miles from thehospital, said C4ihad abranch campus in thearea.
The Israeliarmy did not respond to arequest for comment. An Israelimilitary official,speaking on conditionofanonymity in line with regulations, acknowledged thatthere was no specific intelligence that Iran hadplannedtotarget thehospital.
Manyhospitals in Israel, including Soroka, had activated emergency plans in thepastweek. They converted parking garages to wards andtransferred vulnerable patientsunderground. Israel also has afortified, subterranean blood bank that kicked into action after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the on-
going war in the Gaza Strip.
Doctors at Soroka said the Iranian missile struck almost immediatelyafter air raid sirens went off, causing an explosion thatcould be heard from asafe room. The strikeinflictedthe greatest damage on an old surgery building andaffected keyinfrastructure,including gas, water and air-conditioning systems, according to the medical center
The hospital, which provides services toaround1 millionresidents, hadbeen caring for700 patients at the time. After thestrike, the hospital closed to all patients exceptfor life-threatening cases.
Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. But it is theonly non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60%, ashort, technical step away fromweapons-grade levels of 90%.
Israel is widely believed to be the onlycountry with anuclear weapons program in theMiddle Eastbut has never acknowledged the existence of its arsenal.
The Israeli air campaign
has targeted Iran’senrichment site at Natanz, centrifugeworkshops around Tehran, anuclear site in Isfahan andwhatthe armyassesses to be most of Iran’sballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict.
On Thursday,anti-aircraft artillery wasaudible across Tehran, and witnesses in the central city of Isfahan reported seeing anti-aircraft fire after nightfall.
Trump’sannouncement of adecision in the next two weeks opened up diplomatic options, with the apparent hope Iran wouldmakeconcessions after suffering major military losses. Anew diplomatic initiative seemed to be underway as Iran’sForeign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel Friday to Geneva formeetings with the European Union’stop diplomat, and with counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. But at leastpublicly,Iran has struck ahard line.
Iran’ssupreme leader on
Wednesday rejected U.S. calls for surrender and warned that any U.S. militaryinvolvement would cause “irreparable damage to them.”
Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibafon Thursday criticized Trump for using military pressure to gain an advantage in nuclear negotiations. The latest indirect talks between Iran and the U.S., set forlast Sunday,were canceled.
“The delusional American president knows that he cannot impose peace on us by imposing war and threatening us,” he said.
Israel’smilitary said its fighter jets targeted the Arak heavy water reactor, 155 milessouthwest of Tehran, to prevent it from being used to produce plutonium Iranian state TV said there was“no radiationdanger whatsoever” around the Arak site, which it said had been evacuated before the strike.
Heavywater helps cool nuclear reactors, but it produces plutonium as abyproductthatpotentially can be used in nuclear weapons. That would provide Iran another path to the bomb beyond enriched uranium, should it choose to pursue the weapon. Iran had agreed under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers to redesign the facility to alleviate proliferation concerns.Thatworkwas never completed. The reactor became a point of contention after Trump withdrew fromthe deal in 2018. Ali Akbar Salehi, ahigh-ranking nuclear officialinIran, said in 2019 that Tehranbought extra partstoreplace aportion of the reactor that it had pouredconcreteinto under the deal.
Israel said strikes were carried out “in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used fornuclear weapons development.”
Continued from page1A
their card numberscompromised.
Iulian Zlataru, 36,and Ana Marie Dote, 40, were believed to be Eduard’saccomplices in placingthe card skimmers.
All three are believed to be partofaRomanian transnational crime syndicate based out of Southern California, according to arrest documents. Federal agents who deal with transnational organized crime in Washington, D.C., identified the three off of surveillance footage, according to arrest documents Eduard’sresidence is listed as Los Fresnos, Texas, while the two accomplices do not have addresses listed in court records. Both were arrested afew months after the thefts.
Dote was arrested in Baton Rouge in October2023.
Zlataru was arrested in
Jackson County, Missouri, in November 2023, at a residence where other card skimmers were found being constructed, aspokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said. The U.S.SecretService took over thatinvestigation following Zlataru’sarrest. He pleaded guiltytocounts of criminal conspiracy to commit card skimming, access device fraud and bank fraud Zlataru was sentencedto twoyears in stateprison and threeyears of probation, as well as paying back $20,000 in restitution to the credit union. He didn’tserve this time, instead being deported to Romania on April 7, 2024.
Dote pleadedguilty to bank fraud, wassentenced to time served and was deported back to Romaniaon Dec. 4, 2023.
Afourthpersonwas suspected of also using card skimmers at the same credit union in Baton Rouge in March2023, and ofbeing in thesame Romanian criminal
organization.
Ionut Fluerasu, 49, committed amore successful version of the samescheme, using card skimmersatboth the Baton RougeNeighbors Federal Credit Union and at afinancial institution in Ascension Parish.
In total, from both locations, Fluerasuwas able to withdraw over $84,000 from 92 accounts. In all, 252 debit card numbers and PINs were stolen Fluerasuwas arrested and deportedtoRomania on Feb 21, 2024.
Eduard’s citizenship status is unknown,but following his arrest, he waived his right to be extraditedout of country and was taken back to East Baton Rouge Parish, aspokesperson for theSheriff’s Office said. He was booked into the parish prison on Tuesday, facing similar charges of identity theft,bank fraud, card skimming, access device fraud and theft over $1,000.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByLEO CORREA
Smoke rises Thursdayfrom abuilding at the Soroka hospital complex in Beersheba, Israel after it washit by amissile fired fromIran.
Trump
more money for most of the roughly 48,000 TOPSrecipients, loweringtheirout-ofpocket expenses.
But the bill faced pushback because it would have resulted in smaller scholarships for some LSU students while increasing state spending on TOPSbynearly $48 million. In the end, the Legislature scrapped the newratesand kept only the Excellence award, which is projected to cost about $3 million next fiscal year
“I’ve very happywith where we ended up,” Turner said. “It’sjust notwhatwe started with.”
Rewardingexcellence
Louisiana has given meritbased TOPS scholarships for nearly threedecades, but participation has slumped in recent years. Fewer students are meeting the academic requirements, while moreeligible studentsare turningdownthe awards Some of thehighest-achieving students are choosing colleges in stateswith more generous scholarships.
Turner’sbill aimed to make TOPS more enticing by setting higher award amounts.Italso sought to create parity across colleges by setting standards ratesfor each TOPS award —$6,000per year forthe Opportunity award, $6,500 forPerformanceand $9,000 forHonors.The proposed amountswere thousands of dollars higher than the current TOPS rates at many
TERMINAL
Continued from page1A
“pursuing the Delta LNG projectatthisparticular time wouldnot be thebest use of its corporate resources or the resources of the Commission’sstaff.”
Instead, Venture Global said it wants to focus on an $18 billionexpansion of its PlaqueminesLNG terminal, saying it will produce “approximatelythe same quantities of LNG” as the Delta LNG project, “but on afaster schedule.”
Venture Global’s“investment is being shifted, not lost, and will remaininLouisiana,” Louisiana Economic DevelopmentSecretary Susan Bourgeois said in a statement.
“In fact, we believe this strategic decision will allow the capital to come to fruition even faster and drive economic development more quickly than originally anticipated,” Bourgeois said.
Officials from President Donald Trump’sadministrationand Gov.Jeff Landry visited the Plaquemines LNG site in March to tout the expansion, which will make the facility the largest in North America.
“Louisiana is going to become alarger exporter of liquefied natural gas than any nation on earth,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said during that visit.
colleges, whichhaven’tincreased in nearly adecade.
Thechanges would have driven up the cost of TOPS to about $330 million next fiscal year,compared with $282 millionunder thecurrent rates, accordingto cost estimates.
Turner said lawmakers might eventually consideringboosting TOPSamounts, but they “just weren’tready this session.” He added that lawmakers want to ensure thatTOPSdollars are well spent.
“How do we makesure
Louisiana is gettinga good return on investment for the studentswho are using state dollars to go to college?” he said.
About 40% of TOPS recipients earna bachelor’s degree in four years, compared with just 10%ofnonTOPS students,according to thestate BoardofRegents, which oversees public higher education.
Studentswho qualify for the Excellence award will receive the standard amount or their college’s tuition andfees,which-
STAFF FILEPHOTO By BRETTDUKE
VentureGlobal has withdrawnits application withfederal regulators foranew terminal in Plaquemines Parish, saying it wantstofocus on an $18 billionexpansion of its Plaquemines LNG terminal.
LNGexportsfrom the U.S have skyrocketedover the past decade, growing from around16billion cubicfeet in 2014 tonearly4.3 trillion cubic feet in 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration Louisianahas emergedas amajor player in that export market. In 2023, more than 60% of thenation’s LNG exportstraveled through Louisiana.
In addition to Plaquemines LNG, VentureGlobalalso operatesCalcasieuPass LNG in Cameron Parish.
Andlastmonth,the company began construction nearby on athird terminal, Calcasieu Pass 2. The technology at theterminals converts natural gas intoliquidform by supercooling it,allowing the fuel to be loaded onto tankers and exported worldwide.
CalcasieuPass LNG beganproduction in 2022 and Plaquemines LNG in December LNG hasbeen billedasan importantway to help developing nationstransition away from dirtiersources of electricity like coal as theworldmoves toward renewable energy.But LNG is also asignificant source of greenhouse gasemissions, and critics argue that building new exportterminals will lock in gas consumption for decades to come and undermine efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.
Venture Global has also faced criticism from environmental advocatesfor a multitude of alleged permit violations from its Calcasieu Passterminal.
Last year,President Joe Biden’s administration pausedexport permits for
ever is less. Recipientscan use themoney at any public college or university in Louisiana,aswellasprivate institutionsinthe Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Member universities include Dillard, Loyola, Tulane, Xavier and others.
Rep.Laurie Schlegel, RMetairie, who helped develop the bill, said she thinksit will convince more top-performing students to stayin Louisiana.
“I do believe the Excellence levelwillmove the
LNG plants, in part to study the facilities’ impact on global warming.
After taking office in January,Trumpsigned an executiveorder lifting that pause, andinMarch,the U.S. DepartmentofEnergy granted Venture Global’sCP2 conditional approval toexport LNG to countries that don’t have free tradeagreements
needle and encourage students that might be looking out of state to choose our instate colleges,” she said.
OtherTOPSchanges
Students today can qualify for TOPS based on their ACT or equivalent SATscores Underthe newlegislation, students will also be able to qualify using their scores on the Classic Learning Test.
Backed by many conservative groups and frequently taken by private or homeschool students, thetest features readingpassages
with the United States. Th ee xpansion of Plaquemines LNG —which will allow Venture Global to produce an additional18.6 million metric tonsofLNG per year —has yet to be approved by the energy commission.
from classic literature and historical textswith a“lasting influence on Western culture and society,” according to the test website. Most collegesdonot accept the test for admissions. Louisiana Christian UniversityinPineville is the only institution in the state listed as one of the test’s“partner” schools. The state Legislature also made it easier for homeschoolstudentstoqualify forTOPS.
Under current law, those students are exempt from requirements to take certain high schoolcourses and earn aminimum GPAtoqualify forTOPS, but they must earn ACT scores that are two points higher than the cutoff for public or private school students.
House Bill 378,which passed and is awaiting Landry’ssignature, removes the higherscorerequirement. Now homeschool students must earn the same minimum ACT scores as their peers: 20 for Opportunity,23for Performance and 27 forHonors.
Rep. Roger Wilder,RDenham Springs, saidhe authored the bill after hearing from astudent who scored21onthe ACT. She would have been eligible forTOPSifshe’d gone to a public school, but she didn’t qualify because she was homeschooled. Wilder said his bill holds all students to the samestandard. “Tome,”hesaid, “a test is atestand student is astudent.”
Email Patrick Wall at patrick.wall@theadvocate. com.
In May,Venture Global hosted open houses to discuss the expansion, which drew around 100 people, according to acommissionfiling. Most of thecomments were related to transportation. Venture Global said it’s “consideringmitigation measures to improve traffic” forthe expansion. Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate. com.
STAFFFILE PHOTOByJAVIER GALLEGOS
Louisianawill coverthe full price of collegetuition for asmall group of stellar students undernewly passed legislation.
BY HOLLYRAMER Associated Press
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. Juneteenth celebrationsunfolded across the U.S. on Thursday,markingthe day in 1865 when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Texas and attracting participants who said current events strengthened their resolve to be heard.
The holiday has been celebrated by Black Americans for generations, but became more widelyobservedafter being designated afederal holiday in 2021 by former President Joe Biden.
The celebrations come as President Donald Trump’s administration has worked to ban diversity,equity and inclusion initiatives, or DEI, in the federal government and remove content about Black American history from federal websites.
Trump’stravel ban on visitors from select countries has also led to bitter national debate.
In Portsmouth,New Hampshire, Robert Reid waved alarge Juneteeth flag at the city’sAfrican Burying Ground MemorialPark, where African drummers and dancersled the crowd in song and dance. Reid, 60, said he attended in part to stand against what he called Trump’s“divide and conquer” approach.
“It’stime for people to get pulled together instead of separated,” he said.
Jordyn Sorapuru,18, visiting New Hampshire from California, called the large turnout a“beautiful thing.”
“It’snice to be celebrated every once in awhile, especially in the political climate right now,” she said. “With the offensive things going on right now,with Brown people in the country and
DWyER
ecutive director.“This is not just Black history,itisall of our history.”
NewHampshire, oneof the nation’sWhitest states, is notamong those with a permanent, paid or legal Juneteenth holiday,and Boggis said herhopethatlawmak-
alot of peoplebeing put at risk forjustexisting, having celebrations like this is really important.”
Theholiday to mark the endofslavery in theU.S goesback to an order issued on June 19, 1865, as Union troops arrivedinGalveston at the end of the Civil War. General Order No. 3 declared that all enslaved peoplein thestate were free and had “absolute equality.” Juneteenth is recognized at leastasanobservance in every state, and nearly 30 states andWashington, D.C., have designated it as apermanent paid or legal holiday through legislationorexecutive action.
In Virginia, aceremonial groundbreaking was held for rebuilding the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, one of the nation’soldest Black churches.
In Fort Worth, Texas, about 2,500people participated in Opal Lee’sannual Juneteenth
walk. The 98-year-old Lee, known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth” for the years she spent advocating tomake theday afederal holiday,was recentlyhospitalizedand didn’tparticipate in public this year.But her granddaughter, Dione Sims, said Lee was “in good spirits.”
“The one thing that she would tellthe community and the nation at large is to hold on to your freedoms, Simssaid. “Hold on to your freedomand don’tlet it go because it’s under attack right now.”
During aJuneteenth speech in Maryland, Gov WesMoore announced pardons for 6,938 cases of simple marijuana possession, which can hinder employment and educational opportunities and have disproportionally affected the Black community Moore, aDemocrat whois Maryland’sfirst Black governorand the only Black gov-
WASHINGTON President DonaldTrump honored Juneteenth in each of his first four years as president, even before it became afederal holiday But on this year’sJuneteenth holidayonThursday, the usually talkative president kept silent about aday important to Black Americans for marking the end of slavery in the country he leads again. No words about it from his lips, on paper or through his social media site.
Asked whether Trump would commemorate Juneteenth in any way,White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “I’m nottrackinghis signature on aproclamation today.Iknow this is afederal holiday.I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We’re working 24/7 right now.”
Asked in afollow-up ques-
tionwhether Trump might recognize the occasionanother way or on anotherday, Leavitt said,“Ijustanswered thatquestion foryou.”
Leavitt
The Republ ic an president’s silence was asharp contrast from his prior acknowledgement of the holiday.Juneteenth celebrates the end of slaveryinthe UnitedStates by commemoratingJune19, 1865, whenUnion soldiers brought the news of freedom to Galveston, Texas. Trump’squiet on theissue also deviated from White House guidance that Trump planned to signa Juneteenth proclamation. Leavitt didn’t explain the change. Trump heldnopublic events Thursday,but he shared statementsabout Iran, theTikTokapp and Fed chairman Jerome Powell on his social mediasite.
He had moretosay about Juneteenthinyearly statements in his first term.
In 2017, Trumpinvoked the “soulful festivities and emotional rejoicing” that swept through the Galveston crowdwhenamajor general deliveredthe news that all enslaved people were free. He told the Galveston story in each of the next three years. “Together,wehonor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness,” he added in his 2018 statement.
In 2019: “Across ourcountry,the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich everyfacet of American life.” In 2020: “June reminds us of boththe unimaginable injustice of slavery and theincomparablejoy that must have attended emancipation. It is both aremembrance of ablightonour history and acelebration of our Nation’s unsurpassed ability to triumphoverdarkness.”
ernor currently serving, last year ordered tensofthousands of pardons for marijuana possession. The newly announced pardons weren’t includedinthatinitial announcement becausethey’d been incorrectly coded.
In New Hampshire, Thursday’sgathering capped nearly two weeks of events organized by the BlackHistory TrailofNew Hampshire aimed at both celebrating Juneteenth and highlighting contradictions in the familiar narratives aboutthe nation’sfounding fathers ahead of next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“In atimewhenefforts to suppress Black history are on therise, andbyextension, to suppress American history,westandfirm in the truth,” said JerriAnne Boggis,the HeritageTrail’sex-
Members of the Akwaaba Ensemble Nii Osenda, left, and Samuel
Summerwillmakea dramatic entrance in the U.S. this week with aheat dome that will bring stifling temperatures and uncomfortable humidity to millions.
The heat will be particularly worrisome this weekend across wide stretches of Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, where forecasters are warning of extreme temperature impacts.
This will be the first stretch of true summertime weather for many from Midwest to the East Coast, said TomKines, ameteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather
“A lot of those folks have been saying, where’ssummer? Well, buckle up, because it’scoming,” said Kines. The humid conditions will make places that exceed 90 degrees feel as much as 20 degrees hotter,said Kines
Heat domeforming
Aheat dome occurswhen alarge area of high pressure
in the upper atmosphereacts as areservoirthat traps heat and humidity,saidRickyCastro, aNational Weather Service meteorologist in Illinois. According to the NWS Weather Prediction Center, daytime temperatures will be in the 90s and overnight temperatures will only drop to the mid-70s from the Great Lakes to the EastCoastduring the heat wave that’sexpectedtolastinto next week. Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico is fueling the muggy weather, saidJacob Asherman, a Weather Prediction Center meteorologist. This influx of moisture is fairly typical during late spring and summer, he said.The Gulf, which shares borderswith Mexico and the U.S., was renamed by President Donald Trump to the Gulf of America.
The heatwill be widespread into next week. On Friday, Denver could reach 100 degrees, according to theweather service. temperaturescould degrees onSunday. day,Washington, D.
FloridaAGpitches ‘A
BY SKYLER SWISHER
Orlando Sentinel (TNS)
ORLANDO,Fla. Florida At-
torney General James Uthmeier wants to set up an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades he is calling “AlligatorAlcatraz.”
Uthmeier touted his proposal for a1,000-bed facility as “the one-stop shop to carry out President Donald Trump’smass deportation agenda.” It would be positioned on a“virtually abandoned” airstrip surrounded by wetlands, he said.
“People get out, there’snot much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons,” Uthmeier said in avideo posted on his Xaccount. “Nowhere to go. Nowhereto
hide.”
Thoseheld at the glades facility cou ported on flightsleavi rectly from the site’ Fox Business repor Uthmeier said the tioncenter could be running in 30to60d constructionstarts paredittothe form mum security prison catraz Islandoff of San Francisco. hascalled for reop prison for “Americ ruthless and violent ers.”
Uthmeier’soffice U.S. Department land Security did mediately respond Orlando Sentinel’sr for additional details. The airstrip is th
see ahigh of 99 degrees and New York’s Central Park could reach 96 degrees. Several states in theMidwest could seedangerous temperature impactsover theweekend, according to aweather servicemeasure that rates therisk from zero to four.PartsofNebraska andKansaswill be in the highest category on the scaleonSaturday,meaning that anyone without effective cooling or sufficient hydrationcould face health risks. On Sunday,Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois also see acategory 4rating. Hard to cool down Humidityisthe amount of water vapor in theair,and the heat index is what the temperature feels like when the humidity outside is factoredin, according to the weather service.
When humanssweat,it cools thebodydown because it absorbs and removes heat
to evaporate. Hot andhumid days can be dangerous when the body is unable to cool itself off and can exacerbatepreexisting health conditionsand even lead to heat stroke.
Minimizing direct sun exposure, wearing looseand light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and spendingtime in air-conditioned spaces are ways to cool down during extreme heat according to theNWS.
Someparts of the U.S., suchasPhoenix, are famously hot without themugginess. Phoenix andnearby desert regionsexperience this socalled “dry heat”due to being located far away from large water bodies,mountains that block moistair massesand weather patterns that bring scarce precipitation.
Sweatevaporates faster in dry climates compared to humid ones. This can be dangerous because it is easy
to underestimate how dehydrated you are, according to Johns Hopkins University andJohns Hopkins Health System
Even thecrops ‘sweat’
In placessuchasIowa, crops can affect the humidity in summer months. Plants feel the effectsofhot weather and somepeople in the Midwest are familiarwith “corn sweat,” which is when crops move water to their
leaves and other surfaces so it can evaporate, according to the Ohio State University Madison County,Iowa, farmer Ryan Marquardtsaid corn sweat is “not as bad as a sauna, but it definitely would have asauna effect. It’shumidinthere (the cornfield), so you’re gonna sweat.” Cornfield contributions to theoverallhumidityare much lowercomparedtothe humidity winds carry from the Gulf,according to OSU
Agents denied entrytoDodgerStadium parkinglot
BY TERRYCASTLEMAN and JACK HARRIS Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOS ANGELES Aline of unmarked white vans and SUVs at Dodger Stadium
sparked awave of speculation online aboutimmigration enforcement at the stadium Thursday,but team officials say the agents were denied entry
In photosposted on social media Thursday morning, the vehicles appearedtobe staging near the downtown parking lot entrance to the stadium, which drew several dozen protesters to the area.
The group gathered downhill from the agents, who stood around three unmarked SUVs closer to the stadium’sentry gates but still outside the stadium parking lot
Five agents —several covering their faces with gaiters and armed with pistols —stood between the vehicles. They did not wear identifying items or badges.
When asked by aLos Angeles Times reporter which agency they were with, they said “DHS” and declined to comment further
The scene sparked awave of speculation online and among the protesters about where the white vans photographedhours earlier in the same spot hadgone. Occasionally,aprotester walked up to the agents to record
their vehicles on video, only to be told to back awayor face arrest.
Eventually,policecame to the scene and theagents drove away.The crowd of several dozen dispersedby theafternoon
Accordingtoastatement by theteam, the agents were denied entry to the Dodger Stadium grounds when they attempted to enter theparkinglots.
“Thismorning, ICEagents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to thegrounds by the organi-
zation,”the statement said.
But both the Department of Homeland Securityand its Immigration and Customs Enforcementofficials took to social media toclarify Thursday’sevents.
Responding to the team’s post on social media, ICE posted on X: “False.Wewere never there.”
The Department of HomelandSecurity,meanwhile, said it was Customs and Border Patrol agents who were at thestadium, but notfor an operation.
“This hadnothing to do with the Dodgers. (U.S.Customs and Border Patrol) ve-
hicles wereinthe stadium parking lot very briefly,unrelatedtoany operation or enforcement,” theagency
said. ALos AngelesPoliceDepartment source denied that the department received a request from theDodgers to remove federal agents from the stadium grounds. Federal agents had gathered near the stadium to conduct abriefing, but hadleftbythe time images of the gathering begancirculating on social media, the source said.
The Dodgers did, however ask police to intervene after agroup of protesters showed up to the area, according to the source, who requested anonymity in order to discuss internal matters.
Among thoseoutside the stadium were members of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA.
“The fact that theseraids continue is what we Angelenos should be very concerned about,” said CHIRLA memberJorge-Mario Cabre-
ra, who was in contact with fellowmembersmonitoring activity at the stadium Thursday. “Dodger stadium is aplace where Angeleno families comeand have fun.” The parking lot is jointly owned by the Dodgers’ ownership group and the team’s former owner,billionaire Frank McCourt. TheDodgershavebeen under pressure since the raids began this month to make astatement in support of immigrants.On Wednesday, the team said it intendedtoannounce plans Thursday to assist the immigrant communities recently affected in Los Angeles. Singer and social media personality Nezza sang a Spanish version of the national anthem at Dodger Stadium in an act of protest against the immigration raids, despite being asked by ateamemployeetosing in English.
BY CONNOR SHEETS Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOSANGELES At Pasadena’s
AC Hotel earlier this month, dozens of protesters gathered in an effort to confront federal agents who had arrived in town amid demonstrationsagainst theTrump administration’smass deportationeffort.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo was among those present on June 7asdemonstrators holding signswith “ICE out of Pasadena” and other messages chased federal vehicles out of the luxury hotel’sparking garage, cheering and recording it all on their cellphones.
The mayor said the protest forcedthe agents to leave the place they were using for local accommodations during their L.A. operations, whichinvolvedprotecting federalbuildingsdowntown.
“Word got out that there were Homeland Security vehicles parkedatthe hotel,” Gordo told The Times. “People wanted to express their FirstAmendment rights and they did so in alawful, nonviolent and respectful manner.”
After hours of noisy rallying, the hotel staff asked the feds to pack up their things and go, according to Gordo. By sunset, uniformedagents from the Federal Protective Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, were seen walking out of the
hotel with their bags stacked on aluggage cart in avideo of theincidentthat went viralonline.Their vehicles were escorted out of the garagebylocal police as protesters trailed behind Hotelshave emerged as hotspots for confrontations between community members and immigration agents. Federalagencies, including U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement, sometimes rent blocks of rooms in places where agents are dispatched for majoroperations.
Theshowdown in Pasadena was one of several recent instances of protesters coming togetherathotels across the Los Angelesregiontoput pressure on their proprietors to offer no quarter to federal personnel during theTrump administration’scrackdown.
Thebusinesses, which rely on immigrant workersfor cleaning and maintenance, havebeencastinto anawkward position —one that requiresbalancing politics with protecting their employees
Concerned citizens have repeatedlytaken to social media and whisper networks to share locations where they have spotted who they believe are federal agents. Andpeople have followed up on such information by stagingprotestsoutsidehotels.
Employeesatthe AC Hotel Pasadena referred inquiries to aspokesperson, who did
notimmediately provide a comment.
Gordo said he had confirmed that there are no longerany Homeland Security agents stayingatthe property
TheHomelandSecurity press office did not immediately provide comment, and agencies underthe department’s umbrella,including ICE andU.S.Customs and Border Protection, didnot respond to inquires.
Protesters have been arrested this month forallegedly interfering with federal officers, and federal agencies have expressed concernsabout the repercussions of people“doxxing” agents by sharing their locations and other personal information online.
“People are out there taking photos of thenames, their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves,”Reuters reported acting ICE chief Todd Lyons said last week. The crowdsourced effort to spread information about where federal agents are holed up plays outmostly online.
In some instances, the unverified reports come from people whowork at the hotels. Other times,hotel guestsorarea residentssee suspected agents outside or in thelobby,orwalkthrough parking lots in search of federal vehicles.
KarenRead
BOSTON HERALDPHOTO By NANCy LANE
NowthatRead’strial is over, family’s civilsuitcan go on
BY FLINT MCCOLGAN Boston Herald (TNS)
BOSTON Now that Karen Read’scriminal trial for the murder of John O’Keefe has ended —with her acquittal on all charges except drunken driving —the O’Keefe family’s civilcaseagainst her can continue.
That’saccording to the Oct. 31, 2024, ruling by Plymouth Superior Court Judge WilliamM.White Jr.that paused the civil case until the criminal trial concluded.
Although White’sorder anticipated aJan. 27 criminal trial start —the date scheduled at the time —the stay remained in place when the trial ultimatelybegan in April.
The criminal trialconcluded Wednesday with a decisive defense win.
Read, 45, of Mansfield, was cleared of her indicted charges: second-degree murder,manslaughter while operating amotor vehicle under the influence of liquor and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death
The jury convicted her only of operating amotor vehicle under the influence, or OUI, whichwas theleast of three “lesser included”offenses jurors could consider under manslaughter But several prosecution witnesses remain adamant that Read is guilty —aclaim that underlies the civilcomplaint. They issued astatement after the verdict, reiterating their position.
“Today, ourhearts arewith John and the entire O’Keefe family.They have suffered through so much and deserved betterfrom our justice system,” ajointstatement by Jennifer McCabe, Matthew McCabe, Chris Albert, Julie Albert, Colin Albert, Nicole Albert, Brian Albert, Kerry Roberts, and
Curt Roberts read.
“While we may have more to sayinthe future, today we mourn withJohn’sfamily andlamentthe cruel reality that this prosecution was infected by liesand conspiracy theories spread by Karen Read,her defense team, and someinthe media,” the statement continued. “The result is adevastatingmiscarriageofjustice.”
The civil case has plodded alongwithin the confinesimposed by White’sorder staying proceedings.There have been adozen entries on the docket since then, running through April 10, whenjury selectionwas still ongoing in Read’scriminal trial.The last entry was the judge postponing depositionsofRead’s parentsand sister-in-law until after the criminal trial Acivilproceeding has a much lower bar for jurors or ajudge to find in favor of the plaintiff. While criminalconvictions require proof“beyond areasonable doubt,” civilcases need only a“preponderanceofthe evidence” —meaning more than 50% certainty— to find in the plaintiff’s favor Paul O’Keefe, the younger brother of John O’Keefe, and other members of thefamilyfiled awrongfuldeathlawsuitlast August against Read and the two bars where Read and O’Keefe drank just aheadof hisdeath in 2022.
The suit allegesthe same events as the criminal prosecutors: that Read and O’Keefe arguedinto the midnighthour of Jan.29, 2022;thatO’Keefe gotout of Read’svehicleat34 Fairview Road in Canton; and that Read, “in astate of intoxication,” droveher SUVinto O’Keefe, whothen “suffered serious injury and died.”
“At all relevanttimes, defendant Readknewthat it
was snowing, knew therewas an impending blizzardand knew or should have known that leavingJJ(thefamily nickname forO’Keefe) outside in the blizzard would likely result in seriousinjury or death,” thesuit alleges.
The suit alsonames as defendants C.F.McCarthy’s and Waterfall Bar&Grill, where Read and O’Keefe drank ahead of the alleged killing. Thecomplaint alleges that thebars“negligently servedalcohol to an intoxicated person, namely defendant Read.”
While Read did not testify at her criminal trial, as was her right,the plaintiffs have the power to depose herfor this civil trial. And howshe handlesthatcan be pivotal, as amisstep could be “very damaging to thedefendant in acivil case where the burden of proof is already low,” retired state Superior Court Judge Jack Lu toldthe Herald Thursday Read “probably,but not certainly,retains her Fifth Amendmentprivilege not to testify.But if she does so the jury is allowed to draw an adverse inference against her,” Lu continued.
“Ifthe defendantdoesnot take the Fifth and testifies at her deposition, she can be questioned for days about theevents. This can be very hurtful for thedefense.”
On the other hand, Boston-based defense attorney William Kickhamsays that Read’swin in the criminal trial could help her “Given today’sverdictof Not Guilty on themurder or manslaughter charges, I think the prospect of awin in the civil casewill be made extremelychallenging,” Kickham told the Herald on Wednesday With thecriminaltrial concluded, the civil casecan now proceed.
St.George, LA 70817
(2)Preliminary
BY RYAN FAIRCLOTH
TheMinnesota Star Tribune (TNS)
MinnesotaGov.Tim Walz said Thursday that the Legislature should consider prohibiting people from carrying firearms at the StateCapitol after two lawmakers were shot in their homes this past weekend.
In briefremarkstoreporters at aJuneteenth event,Walz said lawmaker safetywill be top of mind after thekilling of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and attempted slaying of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He expects more conversations about Capitol security going forward.
“I thinkit’sinappropriate that we carry firearms in theCapitol, and Ithink we have to reassess that,” the governor said.
Undercurrent law, Minnesotanswitha permit to carry can bring agun in-
side the Capitol complex. Late Thursday afternoon, acouple hours after Walz’s remarks, aspokeswoman for the MinnesotaHouse Republican Caucus issued astatement about athreat of violence at the Capitol.
“Yesterday afternoon, Rep. Jim Nashnotified the House Sergeant at Arms, State Patrol, andCarver County Sheriff’s Officeof apersonal text message received by aconstituent that was threatening in nature. The threat was not aimed at any particular lawmaker but the message did include athreatofviolenceatthe Capitol,” the House GOP statement said.
“The individualwas questioned, arrested, and held pendinganappearancein court. TheSergeant’sOffice is not aware of any further threat to staff or members of the Legislature.”
More than 1,000 people including Walz, gathered outside the State Capitol
on Wednesday night for acandlelight vigil forthe Hortmans.
Walz describedthe attacks on the two lawmakers as a“dagger to our democracy” and an “unthinkable act.” He said he doesn’t know what it’slike to work in state government without Hortman. “She was the rock,”Walzsaid, addingthat “there’sadeep sadness.”
The DFL governorsaid planning fora memorial service is still underway, andthathehopes to have the Hortmans lie in state at the Capitol.
“Minnesotans need to mourn together,” he said. Walz also provided a promisingupdateonthe status of the Hoffmans.
“I just got news today.I believe that Yvette Hoffman maybereleased from the hospital today,which is just abright spot amongst the darkness,” he said. “And John still continues to recover.”
y (LightCommercialThree) (Applicant: Jack Warner onbehalfofStMar‐garet’s EpiscopalChurch ofBaton Rouge) CommissionAction: Mo‐tiontorecommend ap‐provalbyThornton; sec‐onded by Marien.YEASBilly Aguillard,Jason McAllister, BobbyMcKey LaurieMarien, Travis Thornton. NAYS-0.Mo‐tionpassedand Z25-03 was recommendedfor approval. Public commentwas openedwithnospeak‐ers
(2)Motiontoapproveby Council Member Monachello,secondedby Council Member Cook to approve Case No.Z25-050.77-acre property lo‐cated at 7935 Director Drive on LotA-1-A of the Old JeffersonProperty, in Sec.51, T8S-R2E, GLD, EBR.Applicantrequests torezonefromthe R (Rural) to theNO(Neigh‐borhood Office). (Appli‐cant: Harry Mitchell,Jr, onbehalfofJames Morri‐son,III)
CommissionAction: Mo‐tiontorecommend ap‐provalbyMarien; sec‐onded by Thornton YEAS-BillyAguillard Jason McAllister,Bobby McKey,LaurieMarien, TravisThornton. NAYS-0 Motionpassedand Z2505was recommendedfor approval. Public Comment was openedwithnospeak‐ers
AYES: Cook,Himmel, Edmonds, Monachello
NAYS: None ABSENT: Heck
(3)CaseZ25-04 withdrawndue to appli‐cantrequest (5)New Business (Items for Public Hearingand Action)
(1) Motion by Council MemberCook,seconded byCouncil Member Him‐mel to approveOrdi‐nance to Adoptthe 20252026 Fiscal Year General Fund Budget Public commentwas openedwiththe follow‐ing speakers:Mayor Yates,Brandon Boylan Sheri Morris,Justin Turner, Shaunn Wyche. AYES: Cook,Himmel, Edmonds, Monachello
NAYS: None ABSENT: Heck
(2)MotionbyCouncil MemberCook,seconded byCouncil Member Monachello to deferordi‐nance to enactTitle 11 Chapters28and 29, rela‐tivetoparking andto provide forrelated mat‐terstoJune 10, 2025. Public commentwas openedwiththe follow‐ing speakers:Justin Turner, SheriMorris, AYES: Cook,Himmel, Ed‐monds,Monachello NAYS:None ABSENT:Heck
(3)Motiontoapproveby Council Member Ed‐monds,Secondedby Council Member Himmel toapprovea resolution toextendcurrent ser‐vices agreements with IBTS until July 15, 2025. Public Commentopened withnospeakers. AYES: Cook,Himmel, Edmonds, Monachello NAYS: None ABSENT: Heck Themeetingadjourned at5:51pm Meetingminutes approved on Dustin Yates, Mayor
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE TheCityofSt. George Planning& Zoning Com‐missionswillholdpublic hearingsonMonday, July 7,2025, at 6:00 pm at St GeorgeCityHall, 14100 Airline Hwy, St.George, LA70817, to consider the following: Planning Commission S25-09-F Subdivisionof Tr. A-1-A-3-A-4and Tr.A1-A-3-B-1,Russell Long Property: This 16.04-acre combinedpropertyislo‐cated on thenorth side ofAirline HwynearVil‐lageMarketStthrough toAntioch Rd,between 14640 VillageMarketSt and 14500-15000Airline Hwy,inSec.52, T8S-R2E, GLD,EBR,LA. Theappli‐cantrequeststosubdi‐videtwo lots into threein the PUD-4-09 Long Farm ZoningDistrict. (Appli‐cant: RussellMosely, MoselyDevelopment Company,Inc) S25-10-F &S25-11-PSub‐divisionofTract C-1-B-1A,Merritt McDonald Property: This 21.468acrepropertyislocated atthe endofN.Stately OaksDrthrough to Perkins Rd,between 15680 and15958 Perkins Rd, in Sec. 68,T8S-R2E GLD,EBR,LA. Theappli‐cantrequests: 1) apre‐liminary/finalplatto subdivide onelot into two (S25-10-F)
A2 at the endofN.Stately OaksDr: This 12.0-acre propertyisproposed Tract C-1-B-1-A-1, Merritt McDonaldProperty(S2510-F),inSec.68, T8S-R2E, GLD,EBR,LA. Theappli‐cantrequestsa zoning changefromthe RRural and C2 HeavyCommer‐cialZoningDistricts to the A2 Single Family Resi‐dential Zoning District (Applicant: Mickey L. Robertson,MREngineer‐ing &Surveying LLC, on behalf of Henry McDon‐ld )
gestures to supporters asshe stands with her attorney, Alan Jackson, during her trial. Read was cleared Wednesdayofsecond-degree murder in the death of John O’Keefe.
MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE PHOTOByJERRy HOLT
Minn. Gov. TimWalz pauses as he speaksonSaturday at the State Emergency Operations Center in Blaine, Minn. Walz addressed the recent killing of state House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark,attheirhome.
CDCstaffingupheavaldisruptsHIV projects
BY AMY MAXMEN KFF Health News (TNS)
Dozens of HIV experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received emails earlier this month revoking notices they received 10 weeks ago that laid them off. Damagetotheir projects may be permanent, however,and ongoing restrictions on their research will harm lives, multiple HIV scientistsatthe CDC told KFF Health News on condition of anonymity because of fears of retaliation
The researchers were laid off in early April, justbefore they put the finishing touches on in-depth, national surveys about HIV.Health officials across the country had interviewed tens of thousands of peopleatriskofacquiring HIV,orwho are living with the virus, and compiled information from mountains of medical records.
States and cities were prepared to submit the information they collected to the CDC in April so the agency’s statisticians could preparethe volumes of data for analysis. Health officials and policymakers use the datato design HIV programs that more efficiently curb the
spread of infections and save lives.For example, a 2023 survey revealed that about half ofadults under age30who were living with HIV weren’ton treatment steadily enough to keep them healthyand prevent them from spreadingthe virus to others.Treatment rates werefar higherfor those over 50. Asaresult, health officials doubled down on outreach to younger generations. However,inApril, state and localhealth officials foundthemselves cut off fromtheir CDCcounterpartsafterthe layoffs Emails from theDepartment ofHealthand Human Services toldstaff their roles were “either unnecessary or virtually identical to duties being performed elsewhere in theagency.”
Marti Merritt, aproject coordinator at theIllinois state health department,was flabbergastedthat sheand other state employees had invested more than ayear into thesurveys only to have themgo dark in the final phase. “It’s like the data has gone into a black hole,” she said. “How do you set priorities if you don’thave data?”
Merritt worries that if thesurveys don’tresume,
limited budgets will be misspent —and that cases will rise.Data allows health departments to tailor their efforts to thepopulations at greatest risk of infection or disease progression.
Evidence shows thatpreventing HIVisfar cheaper than treating people once they’re infected. Preventing one HIV infection results in $466,000 in lifetime savings Merrittwas also dismayed to have wasted the time of thousands of people who opened up about intimate details of their livesinhopes of fighting theHIV epidemic.
Adoctor and HIVexpert reinstatedatthe CDC last week said the late termination of thesurveyswould waste millions of taxpayer dollars that have already been spent on datacollection. Twolarge,long-standing efforts, theMedical MonitoringProjectand the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system,cost around $72 million, he said.
“Two years’ worth of data from 30,000 participants will be unusable,and therefore wasted,” if theprojects can’t be finished, he said.
To resumethe surveys,he and other CDC researchers wouldneeda greenlight fromhigher up becausethe
Report:Turtleonrunwayled to fatalcrash
Twopeople are dead and one is seriously injured after asmall private plane crashed in North Carolina, avoiding areptile on the runway on June 3, areportsaid According to an aviation investigation preliminary report by the National Transportation SafetyBoard,or NTSB, the cause of the plane crash was the pilot attempting to avoid aturtle on the runway at Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville.
AUNICOM operator spotted the turtle and warned apilot who had landed on
the runway. The pilot then lifted theright main wheel to avoid hittingthe reptile, the report said
“The UNICOM operator stated thatshe heardthe pilot advance the throttle after he raised the rightwheel,” the NTSB report said. “The airplaneleft her pointof view,and she was unable to see the airplane after that.”
Awitness saidthe wings of the plane “began to rock back andforth”before it took to the air again. Thewitness lost sightofthe planeafter it dipped behind the hangar and over the trees, where it vanished, thereportsaid.
The witness then “heard a loud crash and saw smoke.”
The NTSB said the plane was discoveredmore than 250 feet from the end of the runway
“The airplane was wedged between several trees and remained in onepiece except forafew pieces of fabric thatwerefound in an adjacent stream next to theaccident site,” the report said.
“The fabric on the fuselage, cowling, and wings was completely burned off and the airplane frame was visible.”
Theidentities of the individuals who died have not been publicly released.
grants covering these surveys ended while they were on administrative leave in May State health officials said they haven’treceived the CDC notices that typically renew thesurveys every June.Merritt hasconducted interviews for theMedical Monitoring Project for about 20 years,she said, but theIllinois health department has nowassigned her to other tasks. Other health departments have laid off or reassigned employees dedicated to HIVsurveillance, too.
If HHS allows thereinstated researchers to resume theprojects, they could try to account for the10-week gap in theiranalysis.But it would take time, further delaying the next round of surveys —ifthose begin at all.
“These surveys aren’t lights thatyou turn on and off,”saidJohnBrooks,a researcher who retired from
the CDC’sDivisionofHIV Prevention last year.Ifthe surveys resume, he said, “wecan getsomevalue out of all of the money spent.”
However,the surveys would be further impaired by actions related to Trump’s executive orders targeting words such as “gender” that researchers use to learn who has HIV,who is at risk, and why.
Experts at the CDC said they’ve alreadyhad to revise earlier surveys and recalculate results to not reference gender.This has meant altering data on two populationsdisproportionatelyaffected by HIV:transgender people and men who have sex with men
“Toerase peoplefrom our data harmsthem,”said the researcher anddoctor now reinstatedatthe CDC. “I care about the transgender patients Isee, and it’ssohurtful to seethemtreated this way by the government.”
Many HIV researchers have taken jobs outside the government or moved since the April layoffs. Some researchersreturning to the agency calledthe reinstatements perplexing because the notices don’tsay what they’ll be doing whenthey return and forhow long.
Aterse email to CDC employees from TomNagy, chief human capital officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, reviewed by KFFHealth News, simply refers to the noticeregarding thereduction in force and says, “That notice is hereby revoked.” In an emailresponse to queries, Andrew Nixon, HHS director of communications, wrote, “HHS is streamlining operations without compromising mission-critical work. Enhancing the health and well-being of allAmericans remains our top priority.”
SHIPPINGNOW!
Members of the Baton Rouge Fire Department and other volunteers fix plates of jambalaya in the sweltering heat during the jambalaya fundraiser and blood drive for Sgt. Caleb Eisworth at the Baton Rouge Police Department headquarters on Thursday.
‘We
will always rise to the occasion’
Jambalaya
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
Dozens of Baton Rouge first responders gathered around large pots of jambalaya Thursday morning, cooking under tents and passing plates of food to cars waiting in a line outside police headquarters.
The cause: raising funds for the family of Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, a Baton Rouge Police Department motorcycle patrol officer who was struck by a pickup in what police believe was an intentional attack by driver Gad Black, 41, who was arrested on a count of attempted first-degree murder and hate crimes.
Chief Thomas Morse Jr connected Monday’s alleged attack during which he said Eisworth was dragged for several hundred feet — to a shooting this week that injured an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“It hit me hard just a couple days ago on Tuesday night,” Morse said. “It hit me that we could really be having to plan two funerals right now, and how thankful we are that God has led us through this.”
ABOVE: Stephanie Morse, wife of Chief of Police Thomas Morse Jr., hands out a plate during the jambalaya fundraiser on Thursday.
LEFT: A pedestrian walks by a sign that reads ‘Caleb Strong’ during the jambalaya fundraiser
Denham Springs celebrates Juneteenth
Event notes progress, reflects on history
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
Denham Springs residents and a handful of elected officials sang gospel songs and bowed their heads in prayer Thursday in the historic L.M. Lockhart Park Gym to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States 160 years ago. Camp Empowerment and the West Livingston Advisory Committee hosted about 70 people at the annual Juneteenth Community Celebration. Pastors, local elected officials, children and a Louisiana Supreme Court justice all shared songs, prayers and speeches about the importance of Juneteenth. The federal holiday commemorates the date in June 1865 when Union troops arrived in Texas, the westernmost state to secede from the United States and join the Confederacy, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free more than 250,000 slaves. Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Guidry, the fourth African American justice elected to the state Supreme Court, delivered an impassioned speech reflecting on history “You cannot hide history And if you try to take it out of the schools, try to take it out of the community — we will hide it in our hearts,” Guidry said to applause.
BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON Members of the Camp Empowerment Choir perform at the annual Juneteenth Community Celebration at the L.M Lockhart Park Gym in Denham Springs on Thursday.
More than 80 arrested by ICE in Vinton
Delta Downs racetrack businesses targeted
BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN Staff writer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its law enforcement partners arrested approximately 84 people on Tuesday at the Delta Downs Racetrack in Vinton.
Everyone who was taken into custody during the operation was processed for “administrative immigration violations” and were transported to the Lake Charles Border Patrol Station.
“An investigation into potential criminal conduct related to the hiring of the illegal aliens remains ongoing and an assessment of whether any civil penalties are appropriate is being conducted,” the Wednesday release states.
The arrests were made during what ICE called “a worksite enforcement operation” that focused on the businesses that own and race horses out of the stables at the racetrack, according to an ICE news release
As of Wednesday morning, the investigation identified two of the people arrested as having had prior arrests and criminal convictions.
Enrique Gonzalez Moreno, 36, from Mexico, was one of those arrested on Tuesday The release states that Moreno “illegally entered the U.S. four times, was convicted twice for driving under the influence as well as once for cocaine possession and illegal reentry.”
In addition to Moreno, ICE also arrested a 40-yearold from Mexico who had previously been arrested for criminal conspiracy,
aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, sexual battery and video voyeurism, according to the release.
The operation was conducted after authorities received information indicating that the businesses operating at the racetrack stables were employing unauthorized workers. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lake Charles Police Department and Louisiana State Police helped with the investigation.
Email Courtney Pedersen at courtney pedersen@theadvocate. com.
JUNETEENTH
Continued from page 1B
Eisworth was rushed to the hospital Monday, where he remains in critical condition. Morse said the situation is very “touch and go,” but Eisworth’s family said he “continues to fight and each day is filled with little wins that add up” in a statement released Thursday
Morse said he first visited Eisworth in the hospital in the dark morning hours of Tuesday, after traveling back to Baton Rouge from a conference in California
He said by the time he entered Eisworth’s hospital room at Our Lady of the Lake, it was 1:30 a.m., and Mayor Sid Edwards was already there at Eisworth’s bedside.
Edwards also made an appearance at the fundraiser, telling The Advocate, “I’m just here to support.”
“Sometimes the worst times bring out the best of people. This is a collaborative effort by a whole bunch of people to help one of our fallen brothers,” Edwards said. “In Baton Rouge — I say it all the time we will always rise to the occasion.”
The fundraiser was originally the idea of the Baton Rouge Fire Fighters IAFF Local 557.
“They were the first ones to reach out to us and said, ‘Hey let us come cook, let us do a jambalaya benefit,’” Morse said. Jacob Morgan, the union’s president, said he was inspired to offer support after a string of lineof-duty deaths at the fire department over the past two years.
Multiple of these deaths were due to cancer, and all came after the fact from illnesses suffered while fighting fires.
Good cause
Standing over a steaming kettle, Morgan added, “we make an awesome jambalaya.”
The plates were each $12, with “every single cent” of the proceeds going to Eisworth’s wife and daughter, Morse said. The ingredients were donated.
GUILTY
Continued from page 1B
and undergo random drug screenings. She must also complete 75 hours of community service, and Crifasi ordered her to refrain from associating with any of the alleged shooters in the fatal drive-by Crump faces five years in prison if she fails to abide by the conditions of her probation, prosecutors said. Crump was one of seven people indicted in March on various charges tied to the shooting. Authorities said four men pulled up and sprayed dozens of bullets at a Honda Accord driven by Courtlyn Lunche Daniels, a 30-year-old pregnant woman, while five of her children were in the car with her Police said the midafternoon shooting in the 1000 block of Swan Avenue in north Baton Rouge’s Scotlandville neighborhood was a hit attempt where the
received multiple awards from the department, including BRPD’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, for having pulled a motorist from a burning vehicle while off-duty
Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@ theadvocate.com.
Guidry said Juneteenth reminds people that history can’t be rewritten, but through struggle and hard work, anyone can make it.
“If a poor boy from the bottoms of south Baton Rouge can sit on our state’s highest court, then the sky is the limit,” Guidry told the audience. “But it’s a choice that you have to make each and every day.”
The Rev Debra Keller, of Denham Springs, told the crowd about the history of Juneteenth and why it is important to celebrate it.
“It reminds of freedom. It teaches us to celebrate progress even when there is more work to do. It teaches us to remember the struggle, because freedom was not free,” Keller said.
Children from Camp Empowerment led the crowd in singing a gospel song and shared group projects about the importance of Juneteenth and celebrating being Black.
Local leaders reflected on parish history and emphasized the importance of future generations learning from it.
Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry highlighted the importance of celebrating at L.M. Lockhart Park
More than 1,400 meals had already been presold online by the time the fundraiser began. By midday, the food had sold out Also on site were two blood drive buses, allowing attendees to donate blood in support of Eisworth.
In a statement released following the fundraiser the officer’s family thanked law enforcement and first responder agencies across the parish, with special attention to Morse.
“To Chief T.J. Morse and the Baton Rouge Police Department, you truly are family,” the statement reads. “Your round the clock care and attention to every detail has reminded us of the bond we share.”
shooters mistakenly targeted the wrong people Diellon Daniels, 8, died after being rushed to a hospital. His 11-year-old sister and 7-year-old brother survived multiple gunshot wounds. Courtlyn Daniels birthed a baby boy one day after the shooting, on Thanksgiving Day A grand jury indicted Yancey Omar Jarrell Jr., Tremell Deion Harris Roger Parker and Kendrick Profit on charges of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, assault by drive-by shooting and illegal use of weapons during a violent crime. Damarcus Parker was indicted on a charge of obstruction of justice. Crump and her 41-yearold mother, Yarnell Deanne Crump, were both indicted on the same slate of accessory charges. Court records state the women helped Roger Parker by harboring him in their Baton Rouge apartment between Dec. 25
The family also thanked the larger Baton Rouge community for the support and prayers that “have been felt from the moment that evil attempted to destroy our world.”
They also included thanks for the mayor, as well as the doctors and nurses of the Lake.
Overall, the statement echoed what Morse and Edwards said about how the law enforcement community, and the city at large, responds to tragedies: by coming together as “ONE community.”
Eisworth is a decorated officer, having served 23 years and joining the department’s motorcycle division in 2008. He has
and 31, while he was wanted as a suspect in the shooting. According to prosecutors, Brianna Crump learned that Parker was on the run at some point, but failed to contact authorities. When U.S. marshals captured him at the family’s apartment on Dec. 31, Crump was in bed with him, prosecutors said. Email Matt Bruce at matt bruce@theadvocate.com.
Gym. The site is home to the former West Livingston High School, one of the few all-Black schools in the parish that shut its doors after desegregation in 1970.
“If you always remember what happened in the past, you won’t make the same mistakes going forward,” he said. “We can learn from the past and grow, and we can become a better dynamic, stronger community together.” Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte spoke about working together on a parishwide level to support the parish’s future generations.
“Our children is the next generation in this battle. My grandchildren are the age of these children. We all have to fight together,” he said. Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com.
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Aimee Rabb laughs with Mobile Operations Coordinator Krystal Herrera as she donates blood during the jambalaya fundraiser and blood drive for Sgt. Caleb Eisworth at the Baton Rouge Police Department headquarters on Thursday.
STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON
A crowd listens as guest speaker Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Michael Guidry delivers an address on Juneteenth at the annual Juneteenth Community Celebration at the L.M. Lockhart Park Gym in Denham Springs on Thursday.
Guest speaker Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Michael Guidry delivers an address at the Juneteenth Community Celebration.
Louisiana State Police Troopers Richard Garon, right, and Dylan Austin dig into their plates during the jambalaya fundraiser and blood drive for Sgt. Caleb Eisworth on Thursday.
Ellis,Arthur LouisianaNationalCemetery, 303 W. Mt.PleasantRoad, at 1p.m JacksonSr.,Clarence FirstPilgrimCalvary BaptistChurch in Geismarat10a.m
Mims-Julien, Theresa Immaculate HeartofMary, 11140 LA-77inMaringouin, at 11 a.m.
Wells,Nellie Winnfield FuneralHomeatnoon.
Obituaries
Austin, James
sevensiblings; two grandchildren;other rela‐tives andfriends
Parker,Marilyn'Macy'
Marilyn“Macy”Parker departedthislifeon Wednesday,June 11,2025, atChateau NapoleonCar‐ing in Napoleonville, LA She was70, anativeand residentofBelle Rose,LA. VisitationonFriday, June 20, 2025, at Willams & SouthallFuneral Home,101 Loop 945, Donaldsonville LAfrom2:00pmto4:00pm. VisitationonSaturday, June 21,2025, at Mt.Bethel Baptist Church from 9:00amtoreligious ser‐vices at 11:00am.Inter‐mentinthe church ceme‐tery. Arrangements by Williams &SouthallFuneral Home, 101Loop 945, Don‐aldsonville,LA70346. (225) 473-1900. To sign theguest book or offercondolences visit ourwebsite at www williamsandsouthallfune ralhome.com.
Elma's early life was shaped by thedeepbonds of family and community. At 18, she made Baton Rouge her home, where she wouldreside for the next 87 years, becoming a belovedpillar of thecity. In 1937 she married PastorWillie B. Primas, sharing 52 years of devotion untilhis passing. Together they raised twin daughters—Claudette Primasand Carla Primas McKnight
Anaturalcaregiver, MotherPrimas operated an in-home daycarefor over 35 years, nurturing countless children with patience,warmth,and wisdom. Her home was more than adaycare—itwas a haven of love where every childlearned they were cherished
For42years she served as First Ladyofthe Port Allen Church of God in Christ,standing alongside her husband in ministry and outreach. Alifelong, activemember of the Church of God in Christ, she answeredGod's callas an Evangelist-Missionary and,inher lateryears, as a cherished Church Mother at Gordon-Feltus-Lazard Cathedral COGIC (Saintsville)
MotherPrimas's heart was open to all. She lodged thehomeless, fed thehungry, and cared forthe destitute, living out theScripturesintangibleacts of mercy. Known for her gentlespirit,thoughtful counsel, and unwavering patience,she embodied virtue, wisdom, and nobility in every seasonoflife.
Thompson andIsaac Boise
Watson, Sr.She accepted Christatanearly ageand was Baptized in herearlier 20’sbythe late Reverend WilliamPitcher,Sr.,at Mount Gideon Baptist Church.She attended TA Levythentransferred to DequincyHighSchool.She completed hereducation atJob Core in Kentucky Catherine marriedBernard A.Spurlingin1981 and started afamily, sharing45 plusyears together until her departureonTuesday June 10th. Sheworkedand retired from theDepart‐mentofSocialServicesas a Production ControlAna‐lystwith30years of Ser‐vice. Catherinewas awon‐derfulpersonwitha feisty attitude; sheshowedtough lovetoeveryoneand gave toanyonethatneeded or asked.Her love shined through,askingabout everybody.Eventhrough her toughest trials,she cared forher lovedones. She wasgivingand gener‐ous.She lovedtoshopand was very fashionable Topsy wasnever going to wearanoutfittwice.She loved talkingonthe phone and gave good advice Even though shewas visu‐
ally impaired,she loved her TV shows, Family Feud and Lawand Order. She foughta good battle with various health issues: Blindness, coloncancer, and astroke. Throughout her trials,she remained steadfast& humbleand al‐wayskepta smile on her face. As thebabygirlofthe clanCatherine wasvery familyoriented. Cherishing her memories:Her devoted husband,Bernard Spurling; 1 daughter Danielle Spurl‐ing;2 sons AaronSpurling & Linden (Krystal)Spurl‐ing;1 stepsonBurnett Spurling& 1adopted daughterNicoleMims; 8 grandchildren:Makali, Mi‐rakal,Makenzi,Linsey, Laina,Arian,Quincy& Niko; 3Great-grandchil‐dren: Zoe, Zayn &Londyn; 3 Godchildren: Gregory David,ErnestAdams & Tyree Thompson;3 sisters: Audrey(Leonard) White, Shirley Thompson,Cora Adams;3 brothers:Sam (Patricia), Watson,Sr.,Earl Thompson& George Thompson; Godparents John& JanieLee Gilbert; special friendsCarol,Faye, and hercousinRosie.She was preceded in deathby herparents Henrietta
Thompson andIsaac Boise’ Watson,Sr.;2 broth‐ers:Leroy Thompson,and Isaac Thompson,Jr.;3 sis‐ters: BerniceWarner, Rosa MaryWatsonand Hattie Okaye;Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces &Great Nephews.Viewing will be Friday, June 20th, at A. WesleyFuneralHomein Maringouin,LA3pm-7pm Funeralserviceswillbe Saturday, June 21st,11am atMt. Gideon Baptist Church,77700 West Oak Lane, Maringouin,LA, Pas‐tor Roderick Scottpresid‐ing
Broussard, Melody G. Melody G. Broussard passed away June 10, 2025 surrounded by family. Born January 26, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, grewupin Shreveport, andwas aresident of Baton Rouge. Sheis preceded in death by her parents Lewis and Helen Gillespie, four sisters and two husbands Arthur B Guerra and Joe MBroussard and one stepson. She is survived by her three children, Hellen W Hudson(Tom), Sheri GMorgan(Tommy), Jeff AGuerra (Judy) and three stepchildren, Stacy Broussard, Bobby Broussard and Judy BMcGeehee(John), special friend Lewis Territo and onesister. Proud grandmother of 10, and great grandmother of 18. She lived awonderfully active life that included dancing and card groups. She will be dearly missed. Memorial Celebration of Life to be held June 21, at 3:00pm with visitation at 2:00pm at Seale Funeral Home.
Rheams-Primas, Elma Claudia
MotherElma Claudia Rheams Primas was born on July 15, 1919, in Denham Springs,Louisiana.She entered into rest on June 11, 2025,atthe age of 105, leaving behind alegacy of faith, service,and boundless love As the last surviving sibling of thirteen children, Jarvis,RoseMae
Rose MaeJarvisentered intoeternal rest at herres‐idenceinBaker,Louisiana onJune 12, 2025. Viewing atMiller& Daughter Mor‐tuary on Tuesday, June 24 2025 at 8:00 am until Cele‐bration Life Serviceat 10:00 conductedbyRev SterlingWrights;interment atAzaleaRestCemetery. Survivors includeher chil‐dren, Malcolmand Catina Moore; andIsaac Jarvis,
James Austin 83, transitioned to his heavenly home on June 13, 2025at 12:35 pm while surrounded by his loving family.James wasborn September 7, 1941 to the late Willie B. Austin, Sr. and Lorraine Chance Austin. James was the loving husband of Betty Selvage Austin, fatherof Samanthia Austin Wilson, step-father of Manuela Carlette Selvage and brotherofWillieB.Austin, Jr. Afuneral service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at WinnfieldFuneral Home,7221 Plank Road BatonRouge. Visitation will begin at 9:00amwith funeral service at 11:00 am Interment in Winnfield Memorial Park. Please consider donatingtolocal journalism in Louisiana. Your tax-deductible contribution goes solely to
Though she has departed this earthlyfellowship her legacy of service and love endures-inher family: daughters, Claudette(Penny), Carla (Kenneth) McKnight;5 grandchildren, Jacobi, Dareyon (Malissa) Jo'ell, Jashira, and Jarrod; 8 great- grandchildren, Jacobi,Jr.,Ja'Nya, Jabria,Pryce, Angel,Jaleah, Emery, and Jamani; ahost of otherrelatives and friends.
2Timothy 4:6-8. Ihave foughtthe good fight, I have finished therace, I havekeptthe faith.Finally, there is laid up formethe crown of righteousness. Catherine T. Spurling was bornonDecember5,1956, to thelateHenrietta
When youneed thenews. Wherever youreadthe news
Spurling,Catherine T. 'Topsy'
OPINION
‘Big BeautifulBill’ will benefitfamilies
As aworking mom of two young children, Iknow that strong families form the bedrock of our society.When parents and children are empowered, communities and future generations thrive. The best way we can empower American families is by making it easier and more affordable to start and raise afamily. By that measure, President Donald Trump’sagenda for tax relief found in our “One Big Beautiful Bill” squarely hits the mark. For example, the legislation expands the child tax credit for America’sfamilies, providinga $2,500 annual creditfor children under age 17 —anincrease from the current $2,000 credit Without this action, the child tax credit willinstead decline to just $1,000 per childatthe end of the year The boosted child tax credit begins to phase out for parents at the higher end of the income
scale, ensuring that this relief is focused on middle-class families whoneed support the most.
valuable employees on the payroll and off government assistance.
hometoa child in need by offsettingthe high cost forprospective adoptive families.
TheHouse-passed legislation also expands paid leave opportunities for new parents. Oftentimes, parentsare forced to choose between career advancement and spending much-needed timeathome with their newborns.
We takeadifferent approach by incentivizing small businesses to provide paid family and medical leave to their employees —with the ultimate goal of providing more paid leave benefits to workingfamilies.
The legislation strengthens the Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit, allowingjob creators new pathways toreceive atax benefit from offeringpaid leave to their employees.
With this we both encourage Americanstostart and grow families and provide apathway forAmerica’sjob creators to keep
Ifirmly believe that providing moreaccess to paid leave benefits is both pro-family and good economics.
It’snot just parents who will benefit.Under theOne Big Beautifulbill, newborns will receive adedicated investment account with a$1,000 starting contribution. Parents could then contribute up to $5,000 annually until their child turns 18, when themoney could then be used for schooling, training programs, business loans or first-timehome purchases.
These savings accounts will accumulate interest over time, encouraging families to contribute to their child’sfuture while giving kids astakeinthe market at a young age.
This is one of just numerous ways the tax bill prioritizes the next generation. The legislation also strengthens the existing federal adoption tax credit, encouraging more families to open their
Pell Grantisalifeline formanyLouisianans
Louisiana is quicklybecoming ahub forinnovation and job growth. From Hyundai Steel’s$5.8 billion investment in Donaldsonville to drone manufacturer Blueflite expanding in Lafayette to Procter &Gamble enhancingoperations in Rapides Parish, opportunity is on the rise. These investments promise thousands of good-paying jobs in manufacturing and technology. But proposed federal budget changes could undercut our momentum by weakening one of our most important tools for workforce development: the Pell Grant. More than 107,428 Louisianians used the Pell Grant last year to pursue higher education or workforce training,from recent high school graduates toworking adults seeking newskills orcareer changes. The Pell Grant,aneed-based federal program, helps cover tuition at public and private institutionsfor lowand moderate-income students.Most recipients come from families earning under $40,000 ayear,and many juggle jobs,caregivingresponsibilities and coursework while pursuingtheir education.
In addition to strengthening incentives foreducation, adoption and providing paid leave, acrossthe-board tax relief will better position families to realize the American dream Families will benefit from an increased standard deduction, which is theallowable amount that families can use to reduce their taxable income. Without action by the end of 2025, the current standard deduction will be cut in half forboth single filers and married couples —ensuring ahefty tax increase. Our bill not only stops this tax increase, but provides a$2,000 increased deduction for families.
Ahigher standard deduction is the ultimate middle class tax cut and is utilized by over 93% of taxpayers in my district. Increasing the standard deduction will provide moremoney to spend on you and yourfamily’shopes and dreams.
Service workers will benefit from an elimination of taxes on tips, and our emergency responders in particular will benefit from eliminating taxes on overtime work.
For example, awaiter or waitress depending on tips to make ends meet will see up to $1,700 moreintheir pockets. Similarly,a law enforcement officer working extra hours to protect their community could see an additional $1,750 by eliminating federal taxes on overtime pay
Congress has been working hard to deliver on the pro-family tax relief which Trumppromised and waselected on by 77 million Americans, and Ihope the Senate works quickly to pass the bill and get it to the White House for Trump’ssignature.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to fight foratax code which strengthens the American family Republican Julia Letlow represents Louisiana’s5th CongressionalDistrict.
Stay away from TV forIran-Israel insight
ana’sSen.Bill Cassidy,keeps the Pell Grant accessible and available to those whoneed this flexibility to complete their degrees. In our work at theCowen Institute, we annually publish areport on life afterhighschool for New Orleanshigh school graduates. The economic data about New Orleansisclear —the city’seconomy is overly reliant on the tourism and hospitality industries, which typically have lower wages and salaries than other industries. Acollege education is aladder for New Orleansyouth, as well as students statewide, to attain the skills necessary to achieve higher-paying, family-sustaining employment.Theseare thevery type of jobsthat Louisiana needs moreofand that bolsterthe economy of the entire state. We will not be able to continue to attract new innovative employers withoutaneducated workforce. The Pell Grantmakes that possible for tensof thousandsofLouisiana studentsevery year.
Congress is currentlynegotiatingthe “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” abudget package that includesincome tax cut extensions and education funding changes. The bill includesimportant funding to shore up the Pell Grant— $10.5 billion to ensure the program has enough funds. However,there aretwo potential paths forward for how many students could use those funds. The House of Representatives’ version includes eligibility restrictions that could cutaccess to this critical funding for 79,000 Louisiana students, nearly25,000 of whom would lose their Pell Grantentirely These changeswould block students attending less than part-time from receiving aPell Grant. It would also require students to take 15 credits per semester to receive the full award, up from the current 12. Thatmay seem like asmall change, but it’s abig hit for working parents and adult learnerswho simply can’ttakeafifth class due to time or cost. For them,thisisa $1,500 annual cut. In contrast, the Senate’shigher education budget bill, writtenbyLouisi-
Astate committed to business growth must also invest in thepeople who power that growth. Each additional postsecondary graduate generates five additional support jobsand contributes roughly $105,000 to Louisiana’sGDP We can’t afford to pull theladder up for workingadults, student parents and others strivingfor economic mobility througheducation
Now Congress enters thecritical phaseofnegotiating thepathforward between theHouse and Senate budget bills. For Louisiana’seconomy,it’s imperative that theSenatevision of a Pell Grant that works for our workers, families and students prevails.
ThePell Grant isn’tjust aline item —it’salaunchpad. Scaling back access would slow the progress Louisianais making and make opportunities less attainable for the people who need them most. Congress should protect and strengthen the Pell Grant, not cut it.
Amanda KrugerHill is the executive director and Mia Gonzalez Washington is the director of College &Career Success at the Cowen Institute at TulaneUniversity.
While friends and family were cheering and gasping at TV screens this weekend, Iwas yelling at TV screens. College baseball was providing emotional thrills and spills for them, but cable news coverage of Israel’s war against Iran was driving me up theproverbial wall.
Iwas traveling out of state and staying in hotel rooms. So naturally,assomeone whose job is to teach international politics to college students,I was channel-surfing across CNN, Fox, and MSNBC. It wasn’tpretty Over on Fox, Iwas treated to an eccentric roster of “experts.”A former Israeli soldier who has madeaname for himself as apodcaster.Awhite-haired rabbi who assured me that all bad thingsthat have happened or will happen in theMiddle East are the fault of Joe Biden.
For balance, apparently,Fox also gave me an Iranian-American whose qualifications for political punditry were clearly stated next to her name: “board-certified plastic surgeon.”This sage commentator,speaking for theentire Iranian people, clarified that they would be morethan happy to see their current government destroyed through aerial bombardment. Because that worked so well for Afghanistan and Iraq. CNN, apparently,aspires to higher standards. They use punditswith better credentials to tilt theplaying-field toward the regimeofIsraeli PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu. So CNN’sIsraeli outreach includes ex-diplomats and ex-bureaucrats, not just ex-soldiers. They also feature delegates from leading pillars of theAmerican foreign-policy establishment, such as the Council on Foreign Relations. They are glad to explain in detail how clever and courageous Israel’smilitary and intelligence services really are.
Over on MSNBC, they barely covered Israel and Iran. They must have beencaught offguard. Yousee, this weekend was supposed to be wall-to-wall Los Angeles, Gavin Newsom,Alex Padilla and the military parade. Having spent days preparing (or,inthe case of the parade, probably weeks), MSNBC was not about tolet asudden geopolitical crisis throw them off-schedule.
So their anchors led off their respective programsbybreathlessly describing, as “breaking news,” afederal court order related to immigration and the California National Guard. Later,after acouple dozen morepeople had died in TelAviv and Tehran, the Israel/Iran wargot afew minutes of coverage. Iget you, MSNBC. If these missile and drone exchanges do turn out to be the faint murmurings of World WarIII, there will be plenty of time forviewers to catch up later By the way,noone on any U.S. cable news channel mentioned China or Russia, or their consistent support forIran forthe last several years. They may be conspiring to overturn American dominance of global politics, but they are strictly irrelevant if you’re running an American cable network. But then came the mostrevealing part. I happened to wake up early on Saturday for CNN’s“international edition.” It waslike an altogether different network, with airtime foraregional expert in Cairo and an Iranian exile in Sweden. These perspectives were very different. Maybe Israel lacks the capacity to achieve all its objectives without substantialAmerican military backing. Food for thought whenever Netanyahu inevitably hoists the “mission accomplished” banner.Americans still remember George W. Bush in Iraq in 2003.
Ifinally had somereal insight, but it was tucked away from the time slots when most Americans were tuning in.
JasonMaloy is aprofessor and holds the KalisteSaloom Endowed Chair of Political Science at the UniversityofLouisiana.
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByLEO CORREA Smokerises after amissile attackinTel Aviv,Israel,on, June 13
COMMENTARY
Thetechnologytocapturecarbon emissions before theyare released into the environment has been billed as abreakthrough, butitis alsoraising environmental concerns.
ROOM FOR DEBATE CARBON CAPTURE
Carbon capture,a newtechnologytouted by proponents as an effective waytoreduce theamount of carbon released into the atmosphere, has scrambled anumber of traditionalpoliticalalliances.Proponents, including business, industryand some environmentalists, sayit’sa keyway to fightclimate change. Opponents have worried about unforeseen environmental impacts,especially of the carbon once stored, and theconsequences for local communities and autonomy. Hereare twoperspectives.
Property owners could seebig impact from tech
Energy,economicfutures dependentongrowth
The carbon-capture-and-storage industry continuedits Louisianaconquest this legislative session. Billed as a way to fight climate change and boost the stateeconomy lawmakers in both parties fought off efforts to ban such operations or to even allow local control over the planning. Opponents of carbon capture voice several concerns, namely the minimal impact on the state carbon footprint, the industry’sreliance on federal subsidies and potential threatstolocal communities’ health and safety.
The industry plan is to inject concentrated carbon waste intodepleted oil reservoirs or other underground formations and keep it there forever. Butscientistssay this can’tbeguaranteed.Bynature, carbon seeksverticalescape, and itsmovement can causeseismic shift,release arsenic and lead into water and,inlargeenough quantities,cause asphyxiation
As professors of property law,wesee one threat the Legislature failed to adequately address: that carbon-capture technology willerode Louisianians’ traditional propertyrights. Within limits, propertyowners havethe right to be free from unwanted intrusions, to decide whetherto keep or sell their land and to seek compensation from thosewho degrade their resources. With carbon capture, these rights are beingrenegotiated Let’sstart with an intrusion, otherwise known as trespass.
Imagine aplume of pressurized carbon waste escapesfrom an underground reservoir and migrates into themineral layers below your land, where it causeslead and arsenic to leach into your crawfish pond or causes shifts in the foundation of your home. Is this atrespass? We don’t know In Louisiana, and in manyother states, the lawagainst trespass is unsettled where carbon is concerned.
Now consider an owner’sright to keep or sell. Generally, the lawprotectsusfrom being forced to sell or lease ourproperty to another private party. Thereare exceptions.Louisiana allowsprivateutilities, within certain limits, to take private land
(with compensation) for thepurpose of building transmission cables or pipelines. We justify this because the infrastructure provides a product to thepublic at-large (electricity,natural gas).
The state Legislature earlier expanded this process to include carbon-capture pipelines. Unlike utilities, these pipeline are part of aprivateindustry’swaste disposal system.Why should individual landowners subsidize that?
Finally,consider the possibility of an accident—anexplosion, an earthtremor,a massive leak —that hurtsnearby property owners or the public moregenerally.Tort law generally holds apropertyowner liable for damage caused to neighboring properties or to other people due to their negligent or reckless activities.
But carbon capture legislation has altered this arrangement as well. Louisiana law holds the carbon-capture company liable only for the first 50 years and only as to certain kinds of damage. After that, all liability is assumed by the state.
The2025 legislative session saw several attempts, and failures,toaddress these concerns. Bills aimed at giving parish authorities autonomy over carbon capture permits did not makeitout of committee.
House Bill 691, which requires reporting of carbon capture failures, has been sent to the governor,but House Bill 696, which would have created greater protections for safety and drinking water monitoring, failed.
As Louisianians, we know from experience thedamage to our land and health that hydrocarbon exploration has caused. It’suptoustostandupfor our health, our environment, and our property,and after this legislative session there is more work to do
Rob Verchick holds theGauthier-St Martin ChairinEnvironmental Law at Loyola University NewOrleans and directs itsCenter on Environment,Land and Law.Martha Thibaut is an assistant professor of lawatLoyola University New Orleans.
We see that Louisiana is poisedfor healthy job growthacross the state if we don’tmess up this historic opportunity. The futureofenergy is abig partofdriving that potential. Traditional oiland gas production remains acenterpiece of the state’scapability in energy Now,asglobal markets demand cleaner energy solutions, new productsand technologies are driving investment, including blue and green hydrogen, blue and green ammonia,liquefied natural gas,biofuels, direct air capture and data centers for artificial intelligence. Nearly all of these and more are enabled by akey technology: carbon capture, utilization and storage —abbreviated CCUS.
ectssuchasLNG exporters, biofuels, hydrogenorammonia projects and data centers will risk missing emissions targets, putting economic development projectsand thousands of jobs in jeopardy
Carboncapture isn’tjust about compliance— it enables ajob engine Building infrastructure for CCUS will fuelLouisiana’s constructionsector,while capturedCO2 supports enhanced oilrecovery, synthetic fuels andadvanced materials —reinforcing ourleadership in energy innovation.
Louisiana is fortunate to have a great geographic locationfor economic development as wellasunique geological advantages.Our underground geology makes carbon capture attractive here. In turn, that advantage is presenting parishes and regions with big opportunities for statewide job creation projects. With $23 billionin CCUS-related investmentsprojected to generate4,500 constructionjobs, Louisiana is poised for awaveofeconomic growth. The stakes couldn’tbehigher.Ifwe fail to lead in carbon management, nearby state competitors like Texas and global competitors like China and Japan will, costingLouisiana billions in investmentand thousands of jobs.
LNG exports are now acornerstone of Louisiana’seconomy,supporting thousands of jobs and billions in investment. In some cases, this export networkishappening entirely intrastate, such as natural gasfrom the north Louisiana’sHaynesville Shale being exported in south Louisiana as LNG.
Butasinternational markets demand cleaner energy,integrating CCUS is and will be essential to ensuring Louisiana’senergy industry remains competitive. Without carbon capture, economic development proj-
As we’ve alreadyseenwith the Meta data centerinnorth Louisiana,our state is uniquely positionedtobecome anationalhub for more AI-drivendata centers energy-intensive facilities driving AI, cloudcomputing and digital services. While renewable power generation is expanding, it alonecannotprovide the round-the-clock reliability that these facilities require, so natural gascombinedwith CCUS is critical in the near term for low-carbon power generation. CCUS and direct air capture allowLouisiana to offer astable low-carbon energy mix, making our state aprime destination for high-tech investment. We believe the future of Louisiana’s economy depends on decisive action anda statewide strategy.The Legislature is working to ensure servitude andproperty owners’ rights areprotected while Louisiana scales up to the globalneedsenabled by carbon capture. Further, the ability to safely capture andmonitor CO2 thousands of feet underground with no risk to the water table hasalready been established. With billions in investment on the horizon, Louisiana hasachance to lead Investing in CCUS securesour energy future, protectsexisting jobs and can extend the prosperity for our state.
Spencer Martinisthe treasurer of Leaders fora Better Louisiana and an executive withRoyOMartin.
GUEST COLUMNIST
Saints’Gleason honoredwithinaugural courageaward
Steve Gleason knows howto break up aroom. The only thingbetter than his timingonpunt blocks is histiming with one-liners.
So it was no surprise Wednesday when the former New Orleans Saints standout lightened themood at an emotional Saints Hall of Fame press conference to introduce theorganization’s Class of 2025.
Anderson, Eyanson readyfor CWSfinal
LSU’sco-aces available forseriesvs. Chanticleers
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
OMAHA, Neb.— Anthony Eyanson was stretching in the LSU bullpen onceagain
Heading into the seventh inning on Wednesday with atrip to theCollege World Series final on the line, the Tigers were just nine outs away from defeating Arkansas. Redshirt-sophomore right-hander Chase Shoreswas warming up in thebullpen, but afew feet away gettinglimberwas Eyanson, the right-handed juniorand LSUco-ace. Eyanson, along with sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson, had been the one-two punch in LSU’sstarting rotation that had guided the Tigers to this point, one winaway from facing Coastal Carolina in thefinal. Eyanson’sweek in Omaha hadalready beenall overthe place.Hewarmedupin the bullpen during the Tigers’ first game at theCWS against Arkansas, only to thennot be used in their 4-1 win.Hestarted LSU’s next matchup againstUCLA two days later, but inclement weather entering the fourth inning ended his night after 44 pitches “I think alot of pitching is (having) experiences,” Anderson said, “andfor him to have that LittleRock outing,and in reliefwas, Ithink, just gets him ready,whether he’s starting agame or being areliever ” Like on Saturday,LSU didn’tneed Eyanson to take down theRazorbacks and
ä See LSU, page 5C
Jeff Duncan
“I’ll be brief,” Gleason said through the voice-banking technology on his computer tablet after officials announced Gleason was the recipient of the inaugural courage award. “Thanks to the Hall of Fame committee forinventing another award.” Gleason’squip sparked laughter from the overflow crowd in
ä See DUNCAN, page 6C Gray Gleasonsits on her father Steve Gleason’slap following anewsconference announcing the 2025 Saints Hall of Fame class on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTO By BRETTDUKE
OMAHA, Neb.— As Jared Jones walks to theplate, he focuses on his bat, lets theoutside world melt away,and recites the Hail Mary What do they say about prayers —sometimes the answer is no? It’s been that way at times for Jones this season. ButWednesday night, in a College World Series all-timer between the Tigers and theArkansas Razorbacks, thefaithful were rewarded. More than once. Baseball people, as apoint of pride, relish saying their game is one of failure, an indication of how sweet success is when it finally does come. Youmake out and you makeout,swinging and miss-
ing, hitting pop ups to shallow right field, beating harmless grounders to the shortstop. Then, somethingclicks.The big hit comes. The big pitch.The dazzling putout. Andall is well again. On rare occasions, it makes youa living legend. Jones entered that realm Wednesday at LSU. Notthat he wasn’talready waiting at the rope to be admitted into that exclusive club of LSU alltime greats. But Wednesday clenched it.
Clenched through failure, then over-the-top, Jack Buck-level “I don’tbelieve whatIjust saw!” clutchness.
ä See RABALAIS, page 5C
Scott Rabalais
LSU first basemanJared Jones hits asingle during aCollegeWorld Series game against Arkansas on Wednesday at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb STAFF PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK
BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS
Rookie QB Sanders cited for speeding twice in June
Rockets coach gets contract extension
HOUSTON Coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a contract extension with the Houston Rockets, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on
Thursday
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been announced. No details on the terms of the contract were available.
The move comes after Udoka led the Rockets to the second-best record in the Western Conference this season and their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 season. Houston made a remarkable turnaround in his two seasons in charge after being among the worst teams in the NBA the three seasons before his hiring.
The Rockets, who won just 42 games combined in the two seasons before Udoka was hired, went 41-41 in his first season before going 52-30 this season for their first winning record since 2019-20. Houston lost to the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the first round of the playoffs this season. Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022, then was suspended for the following season after the disclosure of an inappropriate relationship with a female Celtics employee.
The 47-year-old was hired in April 2023 to replace Stephen Silas, who was fired after three losing seasons.
ESPN was first to report the contract extension.
Warriors
KERR’S SON JOINS STAFF FROM G LEAGUE: Steve Kerr’s son is the newest member of the Golden State Warriors’ NBA coaching staff.
Nicholas Kerr is joining the team’s coaching staff after spending the past two seasons as the head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.
Santa Cruz went 20-14 in each of his two seasons in charge, making the postseason during both campaigns. Before that, Nicholas was an assistant coach in Santa Cruz from 2021-23.
Lainn Wilson, Golden State’s head video coordinator for each of the past four seasons, was named Santa Cruz’s next head coach. Before working in Santa Cruz, Nicholas was an assistant coach on his father’s staff from 201821. He was a video coordinator and worked in player development during his time in the NBA. Nicholas, 32, played college basketball at San Diego and Cal from 2011-16.
The new coach joins a team that went 48-34 during the regular season, and was bounced from the playoffs in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Pacers
HALIBURTON ABLE TO PLAY: In Indianapolis, Tyrese Haliburton started for the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night while still dealing with a strained right calf. Haliburton has been dealing with lower leg issues throughout the series and the calf strain flared up in Game 5 on Monday night. He played through it for the final three quarters of that loss to the Thunder, though he basically stopped looking to shoot in the second half.
All-American, will be inducted into the Louisiana Sportswriters Hall of Fame on June 28 in Natchitoches
TONE-SETTER
Editor’s note: This is an entry in a profile series of inductees for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The induction ceremony is set for June 28 in Natchitoches.
BY HARRISON VALENTINE
Contributing writer
Before there was Haleigh Bryant, Sarah Finnegan or Ashleigh Gnat, there was a 14-time AllAmerican at LSU. She was an NCAA beam champion and an SEC Gymnast of the Year who was setting the foundation and vaulting LSU gymnastics into a perennial power
That athlete was April Burkholder, a native of Houston but an LSU Tiger through and through. Just ask her legendary coach D-D Breaux, who experienced it all in her 43 years as the leader of the LSU gymnastics program. Breaux coached 250 All-Americans and 89 All-SEC selections during her illustrious tenure that in 2017 landed her in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Burkholder was as driven as any of them, she said, high praise coming from one of the sport’s biggest pioneers.
“She was intense,” Breaux said.
“She had that eye of the Tiger Nothing was going to stop her Nothing was going to stand in her way She wanted to win championships. She wanted to do anything she could possibly do to put an exclamation point on her gymnastics.”
Now Burkholder will join her coach in the state’s sports shrine during the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony
“She was the beginning of us being able to market and promote and really put people in the seats.”
D-D BREAUX, former LSU coach
on June 28 in Natchitoches.
Not only did Burkholder’s greatness pay dividends for LSU on the mat but it also translated into fan interest never seen in an LSU program that once competed in the Carl Maddox Field House or before sparse crowds in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center
In 2025, the Tigers finished with four consecutive gymnastics sellouts for the first time in school history More than 13,000 people attended the final meet against Georgia. Those numbers, historic in nature, were sparked by gymnasts like Burkholder
“She was the beginning of us being able to market and promote and really put people in the seats,” Breaux said. “The fact that, when she left, we were selling season tickets and putting 6,000 people in the stands that was the beginning of what we see now.”
When you boast a résumé like Burkholder’s, it’s almost impossible to pick one moment that stands out.
For Breaux, it was the final event of her senior year when she captured the 2006 NCAA championship on the balance beam.
“Everything she did was just awesome,” Breaux said. “She never won a national championship until her senior year Numerous All-America honors and numerous SEC honors. But that coveted national title had evaded her In my career, I’ve had three or four beam national championships, and every one are special people
because the event requires so much focus and repetition of training.”
Burkholder got an early start in the sport, inspired by her big sister and encouraged by her parents.
“My sister was four years older than me and had been in gymnastics a year before I started,” she said. “I was 3 and I was jumping all over the place. I broke five bones before I was 5 years old, I cracked my skull open when I was 2, so I think part of my introduction to gymnastics was my parents wanting me to learn how to fall.”
Burkholder stepped onto the LSU campus in 2002 as a rising star and left as the most decorated gymnast in school history four years later
Today, even after the program’s first NCAA championship in 2024 and numerous great teams and great gymnasts, Burkholder’s accomplishments rank among the best in LSU history
When she left LSU, Burkholder had won a 108 individual event titles. Her eight perfect 10s (four on floor exercise, two on vault and two on beam) are tied for the fourth-most in LSU history And her 39.875 all-around score in 2003 in a meet with Centenary and Texas Woman’s University stood as the program’s best mark for 21 years until a 39.925 by Bryant in 2024.
During her time as a Tiger, Burkholder compiled 14 All-America honors (seventh-most at LSU). As the program continued to grow, so did she.
“She’s an example of what it means to work hard and achieve more,” Breaux said. “Every year she got better, achieved more — and she was great when she arrived.”
this week.
The Strongsville Police Department stopped Sanders at about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in a 60 mph zone on Interstate 71 near the Ohio Turnpike, according to a report provided to local media.
Sanders, 23, could pay a $250 fine to waive the fourth-degree misdemeanor case, according to police. That ticket came after he was stopped by the Ohio State Patrol on June 5 in Brunswick Hills, Ohio. Sanders was pulled over for going 91 mph in a 65 mph zone, Ohio State Patrol told WKBN-TV
Soccer superstar Mbappe discharged from hospital
MIAMI Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital Thursday after experiencing an acute case of gastroenteritis, and it was not known when he will be able to play for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup.
Mbappe missed the Spanish giant’s opening game of the tournament a surprise 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal in Miami — because of a fever Coach Xabi Alonso said the France international was in “rough shape” and hadn’t been able to train for days.
His illness casts doubt over what part he might be able to play in the monthlong tournament in the United States, with Madrid facing Pachuca in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday
Fan at Wrigley climbs netting to retrieve bat
CHICAGO From villain, to superhero. A fan was removed by security before returning to cheers on Thursday after he climbed Wrigley Field’s protective netting near first base to retrieve a bat that slipped through Sal Frelick’s grasp and became lodged there.
The Milwaukee outfielder’s bat got stuck about 10 feet up after a swinging strike in the top of the sixth.
Giving it his best Spider-Man effort, the fan clambered up the screen and pulled the bat into the seating area before being removed by guards. He returned minutes later to cheers from the crowd of 41,078, the Cubs largest this season.
Top-ranked Sinner loses to Bublik in Halle’s 2nd round
HALLE, Germany Top-ranked Jannik Sinner was upended by Alexander Bublik 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round at the Halle grasscourt tournament Thursday Sinner, the Halle reigning champion, was playing in his first tournament since losing a five-set thriller to Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland-Garros final.
The three-time Grand Slam champion had beaten Yannick Hanfmann in the first round this week, but the big-serving Bublik gained some revenge after having lost to Sinner in the quarterfinals in Paris.
“It’s a special one — I had never beaten the top one (No. 1) in the world, that’s an accomplishment,” Bublik, who is ranked 45th, said in his on-court interview
ICE agents asked to leave Dodger Stadium parking lot
LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Dodgers organization said Thursday that it asked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to leave the Dodger Stadium grounds after they arrived at a parking lot near one of the gates. Dozens of federal agents with their faces covered arrived in SUVs and cargo vans to a lot near the stadium’s Gate E entrance. A group of protesters carrying signs against ICE started amassing shortly after, local media reported.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the agents were not trying to enter the stadium.
“This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. (Customs and Border Protection) vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement,” she said in an email.
FAME
FILE PHOTO By STEVE FRANZ
Former LSU gymnast April Burkholder performs on the balance beam during a meet at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Burkholder, the 2006 NCAA balance beam champion and a 14-time
Udoka NBA notebook
The Associated Press
Scheffler shares Travelers lead
World’s No. 1 hits perfect shot, several great ones in firing 8-under 62
BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer
CROMWELL, Conn Scottie
Scheffler had one of those rare rounds where he hit a shot so pure it makes his confidence soar So many other shots were pretty good, too, and they added to an 8-under 62 to share the lead Thursday with Austin Eckroat in the Travelers Championship.
The week after a roughand-tumble U.S. Open was a welcome break for so many at the TPC River Highlands, even with the rough just as long (but not quite as thick) as soaked Oakmont.
Rory McIlroy played bogey-free for a 66 and didn’t look to break too much of a sweat. “This is a nice tonic compared to last week in terms of it’s a slightly more benign golf course and the penalty for missing isn’t quite as severe,” McIlroy said Scheffler faced the hot afternoon when a refreshing breeze turned into a strong wind, and he wasted no time getting in the mix with four birdies in six holes and a 30 on the front nine.
And then came the par-5 13th, 236 yards away into the wind, over a pond to a pin on the right. It was per-
BY GREG BEACHAM Associated Press
LOS ANGELES The Buss family’s decision to sell a controlling stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at an eyepopping franchise valuation of $10 billion marks the end of nearly a half-century when one of the most valuable properties in the sports world was run by an eccentric father and his sometimes squabbling children With high-living playboy Jerry Buss and current team governor Jeanie Buss in charge, the glamorous Lakers essentially have been the professional sports equivalent of a quirky family business for two generations.
Sports became increasingly corporate and monolithic in the 21st century while franchise values skyrocketed and ever-more-wealthy titans seized control of this perpetual growth industry
Just not around Hollywood’s favorite basketball team, with its gold uniforms and 17 golden trophies
“The majority of businesses in this country are family-owned businesses,” Jeanie Buss told NPR earlier this year in a rare interview to promote a Netflix comedy series based on her career
“And everybody has a family If you’re in business with them, (disagreements) happen. But at the end of the day, what brings you together is the team or the business, and you want to build something successful.”
“I had to hit it really solid in order to get it there with the water short, and I just did pretty much exactly what I wanted to and it felt nice.”
SCOTTIE
SCHEFFLER, PGA Tour pro
fect — that’s coming from golf’s No. 1 player — and settled 10 feet away for birdie.
“That 3-iron I hit in there was really nice,” Scheffler said. “It was pretty much exactly what I was trying to do It was kind of one where I had to hit it really solid in order to get it there with the water short, and I just did pretty much exactly what I wanted to and it felt nice.”
McIlroy was at 64 along with Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark. Another shot back was Cameron Young. He was in the mix late on Sunday at Oakmont, and started the Travelers Championship by going from the rough to the bunker and then a three-putt from 25 feet for a double bogey
“I managed to get around Oakmont for four days with no doubles and I made it zero holes here,” Young said. “Typically that’s not kind of what you expect around here.”
Not to worry He followed with eight birdies in a day
The Lakers and the Buss clan have been inextricable since 1979 the longest active ownership tenure in the NBA — but Mark Walter’s stunning sports coup Wednesday effectively ends this improbable era. A person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed it to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because neither side immediately announced the deal. The sale should make an extraordinarily wealthy woman of Jeanie Buss, one of Jerry’s seven acknowledged children and a longtime employee of his various sporting concerns. And that’s the biggest reason many Lakers fans are rejoicing: This lavish sale comes with the knowledge that the buyers have exponentially more resources than the Buss family and Walter has showed he knows how to spend it intelligently
Walter, who heads a group that already bought 27% of the Lakers in 2021, has a sterling reputation in
with a new routine. His caddie went down with a stomach virus and the best option was to turn the bag over to his father, Dave Young, recently retired as the longtime pro at Sleepy Hollow
The surprise was Eckroat, already a two-time winner on the PGA Tour but struggling so much this year that he has only two finishes in the top 20 and eight missed cuts.
The last two weeks served him well, however as Eckroat said he figured out how to eliminate the miss to the left. He played the last six holes in 5-under par, starting with a 35-foot eagle putt on No. 13.
“I wasn’t fearing the left ball today, which is huge, and then whenever you’re feeling comfortable with other things, other things start to fall in line,” Eckroat said. “Felt great over the putter, and just a really solid day, and I felt confident, which it was nice to feel that this season. It’s been a while.”
U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun felt the fatigue, and the steamy heat didn’t help the cause Playing alongside Scheffler he was hanging in there until it took him two chips and two putts to cover 40 feet for a double bogey on No. 12, and a bogey-bogey finish for a 73.
Jordan Spieth didn’t even make it to the finish line. This was the first time Spieth didn’t need a sponsor exemption for a $20 million signature event, and he only lasted 13 holes when his shoulder blade got tight on the range, spread across the back of his neck to the other side and left him no choice but to withdraw Scheffler saying he hit a great shot is worth paying attention to because it doesn’t happen very often. He rarely hits it offline. But this was something special. “Hit it really solid and really straight, just barely right of the pin, and kept it nice flat flight, get it to go through the wind, and it was good,” he said. In fact, he could only recall two other shots in recent years — a 6-iron on the fifth hole in the final round at the 2022 Masters, a 9-iron he hit on the par-3 third hole in the final round of the 2023 Players Championship.
Thitikul’s birdie streak nets lead at Women’s PGA
Two share top spot in seniors major
By The Associated Press
FRISCO, Texas Jenno Thitikul walked off the fifth green after a double bogey in the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship reminding herself to stay patient and that some missed shots are going to happen.
“Majors, you’re going to miss anyway,” said Thitikul, who’s No. 2 in the women’s world ranking. “A way to bounce back, it’s more important.”
Thitikul certainly found a way to do that on a hot and windy Thursday, finishing with a 4-under 68 for a onestroke lead over Minjee Lee (69). Haeran Ryu, Rio Takeda and Somi Lee all shot 70. That only hole over par for Thitikul was followed by a par before she made five birdies in a six-hole stretch, with a 60-footer on the par-3 eighth hole in the middle of three in a row
“My putter went really well,” said the 22-year-old from Thailand, who is seeking her first major title. “In the front nine we had a lot of breeze going, and more than the back nine, but like (made) putts 7, 8, 9, which boosts the confidence up making the turn to the back nine.”
Thitikul, who lives in the Dallas area, needed only 25 putts on the Fields Ranch East course at PGA Frisco. Her makes measured 199 1/2 feet.
Thitikul played with topranked Nelly Korda (72) and No. 3 Lydia Ko (75).
Korda, who reaggravated a neck injury with a shot out of the rough during a practice round Monday, opened with seven consecutive pars in a round that had two birdies and two bogeys. Ko was the only in the group to make a birdie at the 513-yard, par-5 first hole, but didn’t make another the rest of the day
While Korda said she doesn’t feel pain hitting shots, the two-time major champion said she has pain
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO Jeeno Thitikul hits on the first hole during the first round of the Women’s PGA Championship on Thursday in Frisco, Texas.
“just with rotation” of her neck and that it is hard to get comfortable to sleep at night.
“It’s better yeah. Getting better every day, which is nice,” she said. “Just because I injured it last year, whenever I do injure my neck it takes a little bit longer than normal. Just takes me like a week to kind of recover when I tweak my neck now.”
Korda opened with seven pars, including at the 317yard, par-4 seventh hole, where she hit a 294-yard drive into a valley just short of the green. Her initial pitch from there ricocheted off the edge of the green and rolled back down the slope to where she was. Korda hit her next shot to 2 feet.
PGA Tour Champions
KJELDSEN, GONZALEZ SHARE
KAULIG LEAD: In Akron, Ohio, Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina each shot 3-under 67 on Firestone South to share the lead Thursday after the opening round of the Kaulig Companies Championship, the third major of the year on the PGA Tour Champions. Gonzalez opened with eight pars, took bogey on No. 18 and then played the front nine with five birdies to offset one bogey Stewart Cink, who lost in a four-hole playoff to Tiger Woods at Firestone in 2006 at a World Golf Championship, was poised to take the lead until two bogeys on his final three holes. He was at 68 along with Retief Goosen and Steven Alker
Southern California for his group’s stewardship of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The iconic baseball team has become a perpetual World Series contender with bold, aggressive financial moves grounded in smart organizational planning ever since Walter’s firm, Guggenheim Partners, paid $2 billion to wrest the Dodgers from the reviled Frank McCourt in 2012.
“He’s really committed to the city of Los Angeles in various ways, and sports is something that he’s very passionate about, and certainly Los Angeles sports,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Speaking (as) a Dodger employee, he’s very competitive and he’s going to do everything he can to produce a championship-caliber team every single year and make sure the city feels proud about the Lakers and the legacy that they’ve already built with the Buss family.”
In the Buss era, the Lakers could sell prospective players on their trophies, sunny Los Angeles and that family-business intimacy While that was enough to win big in most decades, Walter’s group epitomizes the modern, deep-pocketed approach to building a consistent championship contender Guggenheim Partners reportedly has $325 billion under management, with Walter particularly leveraging insurance investments to pursue gains across the breadth of the sports world.
“He does everything he can to provide resources, support,” Roberts said. “He wants to win. He feels that the fans, the city deserve that. I think that that’s never lost, and it’s more of challenging us always. How do we become better and not complacent or stagnant, to continue to stay current with the market, the competition to win?”
Before this sale, the Buss siblings were not thought to be particularly wealthy, at least not by team owner standards. Jeanie Buss occasionally appeared to balk at writing certain checks — ask any Lakers fan about Alex Caruso’s departure and the team’s front office and infrastructure are thought to be on the NBA’s smaller side. The new ownership group’s wealth could knock down some financial barriers in the restrictive, apron era of salary cap management. It definitely will provide the Lakers with every resource in
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JESSICA HILL
Scottie Scheffler watches his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship on Thursday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Scheffler shares the first-round lead with Austin Eckroat
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
‘A younger guy’s game’
Retired Chanticleers coach Gilmore happy to watch CWS finals from afar
BY ERIC OLSON Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb Considering the run Coastal Carolina’s baseball team is on 26 straight wins on the way to the College World Series finals
— it would be understandable if Gary Gilmore had second thoughts about retiring after last season
Not a one, he said by phone Thursday as he pulled out of the driveway of his home in North Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, to head to his grandson’s travel team tournament.
The 67-year-old Gilmore attended no Coastal Carolina games this season until the Chanticleers’ first two in the CWS last weekend He sat in the stands at Charles Schwab Field, uncomfortable as it was for the man who spent 29 years at the helm, led the 2016 Chanticleers to the national championship and is regarded as the godfather of program Gilmore said he and his family would be back for the best-of-three finals against LSU starting Saturday night.
“Is there a piece of my DNA in this thing? Absolutely There’s no doubt about it,” Gilmore said, “and I hope it will be for all time.”
But the 2025 Chanticleers are first-year coach Kevin Schnall’s team, and Gilmore said he wanted to make a clean break and not give the impression he was looking over Schnall’s shoulder. Schnall was Gilmore’s assistant for more than two decades
The grind of building Coastal Carolina into a perennial NCAA Tournament team and CWS contender caused Gilmore to sacrifice time with his wife and two children to chase championships, as coaches are wont to do. When he was hired as head coach in 1996,
LSU
Continued from page 1C
advance to the championship series The Tigers, trailing 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, put together a three-run rally a two-run double that deflected off the left fielder and a run-scoring single to clinch the 6-5 walk-off victory
By not using Eyanson or Anderson, LSU will have both fully available for the CWS final series beginning on Saturday at Charles
RABALAIS
Continued from page 1C
The CWS didn’t start well for Jones at all. In the Tigers’ opener against Arkansas on Saturday he was 0-for-5 with five strikeouts, continuing the thread that he was struggling to make contact at the plate. From April 25 to June 14, the date of LSU’s CWS opener, Jones’ average dived from .363 to .328. It must be said April 25 was the date Jones walked off Tennessee with a titanic 452-foot home run to win 6-3, LSU’s only walk-off victory entering the CWS. So there was the knowledge, the belief, that Jones could do it again. Omaha is a tough place to regain your swing. Your touch. You’re playing the best, the hottest teams and pitchers. That first game with Arkansas, a 4-1 LSU win, was prime indication of that. So was LSU’s second game, the rain-interrupted one with UCLA. Jones blasted a 375-foot, three-run home run in the first inning, completing the Tigers’ flash and dash comeback from a 3-0 deficit earlier in the inning. He tacked on another RBI single in the eighth inning of LSU’s 9-5 victory Wednesday night against Arkansas, more frustration. A second-inning single was followed by two strikeouts, Jones’ seventh and eighth of the CWS. Then in the eighth inning with LSU clinging to a 2-1 lead, Jones dropped a tough throw on a po-
his office was in a trailer with no plumbing behind a weed-filled outfield. Twenty years later, the Chanticleers were national champions.
Gilmore could have said his work was done at that point, but he wasn’t ready quite yet.
In January 2020, he got a devastating reality check when he was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer It had spread to his liver, but it was a type that tends to be more manageable than the more common variety that invariably carries a grim prognosis. He went through chemotherapy and traveled regularly first to Houston, and now Denver, for treatments.
In 2023, he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and had surgery to remove the gland.
Gilmore tolerated his treatments for both cancers better than expected. He missed only three games and rarely a practice.
All he went through, though, made him realize the pull to dedi-
Schwab Field (6 p.m., ESPN).
“I think we’re really set, and all our guys will be ready to go,” Anderson said. “And whoever we need, they’ll be ready.”
The significance of Wednesday’s victory can’t be understated for LSU. Junior Jared Jones’ walk-off single had not only punched the Tigers’ ticket to the final, it also guaranteed that Eyanson would be available to face Coastal Carolina.
If LSU was forced to play the 10th inning, LSU coach Jay Johnson revealed on ESPN 104.5 on Thursday morning that he would
cate more of himself to his family was getting stronger He wanted to reconnect with his wife and children and build strong bonds with his four grandchildren.
“I feel awesome,” he said. “I have what I have. I’ve got the best doctor in the world His goal is to manage all this stuff. At some point I’m going to have a life-changing surgery where they can get everything in my liver completely stabilized, and they have confidence that’s going to last me a long time I’ll hopefully rid myself of some of this.”
Doctors initially told him the worst-case scenario was that he would live two more years; the “dream” was to make it 10 Now the outlook is better
“How things have gone, God willing, they can keep me with a good quality of life and hopefully something else will get me before that,” he said.
Gilmore acknowledges the game isn’t the same now with name, im-
have turned to the California native to pitch the top of the frame.
And if LSU had maintained its 2-1 advantage through the eighth inning, an edge it built after sophomore Jake Brown’s two-run goahead single in the sixth, Johnson probably would have used Eyanson in the ninth.
“The last nine outs were going to be Chase and Anthony,” Johnson said. “And we were going to win it last night to give us the best chance to win the national championship.”
A loss on Wednesday would have placed an even greater tax
center field to score catcher Luis Hernandez in the bottom of the ninth inning against Arkansas on Wednesday in Omaha, Neb.
tential double play that allowed two Razorbacks to scamper home for a 3-2 lead.
It was a short-lived lead. Jones, mouthing his prayer, strode to the plate and turned on the first pitch from Arkansas reliever Gabe Gaeckle He launched a 398-foot homer to the same place in the Charles Schwab Field bleachers, beyond the right center field power alley, where he hit the one against UCLA to tie the game 3-3. It was Jones’ 22nd of the season and 64th of his career third-most in program history
How big was the blast? It changed the course of the game, according to LSU coach Jay Johnson. “The home run — this is super
age and likeness opportunities and, soon, direct payments to athletes becoming larger factors in putting together and keeping together a team.
“The NIL, the analytics, the portal,” he said. “I honestly think this is a younger guy’s game, to be honest with you. Guys like me, we coached the game with our eyes. We didn’t coach with analytics and this and that. We recruited with our eyes. We didn’t recruit over the internet to a large degree. We went out and saw guys play, evaluated people.
“That’s not the reason I got out of it, ultimately I’ve got two stage-4 cancers is my body I feel healthy as I can, and I’m lucky and blessed I have the health I do All that played out in my mind. You’re 67 years old, you got four grandkids. What are the choices you want to make here?”
Right now, his choice is to be with his family while he enjoys watching the team he helped build chase a second national championship and see all that is possible for the 10,000-student school in the Myrtle Beach area that had no national athletic identity before 2016.
“Just because of the size of school, people want to label you Cinderella,” Gilmore said. “We were a Cinderella in ’16, absolutely, no doubt about it. We left Omaha still explaining what our mascot was, and Kevin’s still doing it today.”
Indeed, Schnall gave a stern pronunciation lesson to the media after his team beat Oregon State on Sunday, opening his news conference: “Everybody say it with me: SHON-tuh-cleers! SHONtuh-cleers! Not SHAN-tuh-cleers! SHON-tuh-cleers!”
However you say it, the Chanticleers are well-suited to the cavernous CWS ballpark. They don’t hit many home runs, but they get on base get timely hits have strong pitching and play outstanding defense. They’re also hot.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Gilmore said. “Crazy.”
on LSU’s pitching staff. Johnson said the Tigers would have likely turned to some combination of Anderson and Eyanson on Thursday had there been a game, meaning that LSU would have potentially been without either starter against Coastal Carolina. So, who would have gotten the ball first in that Thursday scenario?
“Somebody who took and passed 12 units at LSU in the spring semester,” Johnson quipped.
Email Koki Riley at Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com.
ble off the shoulder of tripping, flailing Arkansas left fielder Charles Davalan, scoring Ethan Frey and Steven Milam That set up Jones for the game winner, an on-the-screws single to center that ticked off the glove of second baseman and Omaha native Cam Kozeal. The ball rolled away into center field where no one could get it until Hernandez crossed the plate.
“What a great performance by him,” Johnson said. “That’s how you win here, when your best players are your best players.”
“A lot had to go right for me to get that opportunity,” Jones said. “A lot of quality at bats from the guys in front of me. Luis comes up big with the double and it brings up the runner in scoring position. I just tried to put a good swing on it.”
AP PHOTO By MATT SLOCUM Philadelphia Phillies’ Aaron Nola looks to throw a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 14 in Philadelphia.
Phillies place ace Nola on 60-day IL
The Associated Press
MIAMI The Philadelphia Phillies moved right-hander Aaron Nola to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, a week after he injured his ribcage while trying to work himself back from a sprained right ankle. Nola had been out since early May with the ankle injury He experienced stiffness in his right side last week in Toronto that wiped out a planned session against live batters, and an MRI showed a stress reaction in his right ribcage.
The former LSU standout, who is in the second season of a seven-year, $172 million contract, is 105-86 with a 3.78 ERA in 11 seasons with the Phillies, making six straight opening day starts from 2018-23. He was 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA in nine starts this year before injuring his ankle on May 8 during pregame agility drills. The Phillies selected the contract of infielder Buddy Kennedy from Triple-A Lehigh Valley before Thursday’s game against the Miami Marlins and optioned infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson to the IronPigs. Kennedy, 26, is batting .283 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 61 games for Lehigh Valley this season and was the International League Player of the Month for May In 54 major league games over three seasons with the Diamondbacks, Tigers and Phillies, he has batted 203 with two homers and 19 RBIs.
Dodgers
TWO-WAY STAR OHTANI WILL PITCH AGAINST NATIONALS: Shohei Ohtani will next pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday against the Washington Nationals. The two-way superstar made his mound debut for the Dodgers on Monday against the San Diego Padres, throwing one inning and allowing one run and two hits. He also batted leadoff as the designated hitter and had two hits. Ohtani faced Padres sluggers Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado in his 28-pitch outing. The Dodgers conclude their four-game series with San Diego on Thursday night, looking for a sweep and their sixth straight victory overall.
Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2023 season while with the Los Angeles Angels and missed all of the 2024 season after which he signed a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers.
Diamondbacks
odd — I actually didn’t see it,” Johnson said Thursday “I’m always standing on the top step, and I took two steps down, and I started walking towards Chase (Shores) at the time, and we had Jacob (Mayers) up and was telling them what we were going to do. And then he hit it, and then I just saw the center fielder running back, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s sweet.’ So that made my decision for me right there, because we were going to do something different (pitching wise) tied or behind.”
The dramatics were far from done, of course. After the Razorbacks went back up 5-3 in the top of the ninth, LSU re-tied the game when catcher Luis Hernandez doinked a two-RBI dou-
LSU will need more good swings from Jones to win an eighth CWS title against Coastal Carolina, as their best-of-three championship series starts at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. You get a sense he will be ready for the task. A drafteligible sophomore last season, this is why he came back to LSU in 2025.
“I spent time thinking about this exact moment, being two wins away from the national championship,” Jones said Thursday at a team pep rally “There’s been a lot of prayer and talking with God, and he’s put me in this situation.”
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ARIZONA PUTS CATCHER MORENO ON 10-DAY IL: The Arizona Diamondbacks put catcher Gabriel Moreno on the 10-day injured list Thursday because of a contusion on his right hand. The move is retroactive to June 16.
Arizona selected catcher Aramis Garcia from Triple-A Reno. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Christian Montes De Oca (back/elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL. Outfielder Corbin Carroll was not in the starting lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. Carroll left Wednesday’s 8-1 loss in the eighth inning after being hit on the left hand by a pitch. X-rays did not reveal a fracture. Manager Torey Lovullo said Carroll asked to play Thursday, but Lovullo preferred to rest him. Carroll is batting .255 with 20 home runs and 44 RBIs.
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
LSU first baseman Jared Jones hits the ball to
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By SEAN RAyFORD
Coastal Carolina coach Gary Gilmore gives an interview during a regional game against Vanderbilt on May 31, 2024, in Clemson, S.C.
NFL widows who cared for ex-players say new CTE study minimizes their pain
BY JIMMY GOLEN AP sportswriter
BOSTON Dozens of widows and other caregivers for former NFL players diagnosed with CTE say a published study is insulting and dismissive of their experience living with the degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions and other repeated head trauma common in contact sports like football.
An open letter signed by the players’ wives, siblings and children says the study published in the May 6 issue of Frontiers in Psychology suggests their struggles caring for loved ones was due to “media hype” about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, rather than the disease itself. The implication that “caregiver concerns are ‘inevitable’ due to ‘publicity’ is callous, patronizing, and offensive,” they said.
“The burden we experienced did not happen because we are women unable to differentiate between our lived experience and stories from TV or newspaper reports,” they wrote in the letter “Our loved ones were giants in life, CTE robbed them of their futures, and robbed us of our futures with them. Please don’t also rob us of our dignity.”
The pushback was led by Dr Eleanor Perfetto, herself a medical researcher and the widow of former Steelers and Chargers end Ralph Wenzel, who developed dementia and paranoia and lost his ability to speak, walk and eat. He was first diagnosed with cognitive impairment in 1999 — six years before Pittsburgh center Mike Webster’s CTE diagnosis brought the disease into the mainstream media.
“My own experience, it just gave a name to what I witnessed every day It didn’t put it in my head,” Perfetto said in an interview with The Associated Press “It gave it a name It didn’t change the symptoms.”
The study published last month asked 172 caregivers for current and former professional football players “whether they believed their partner had ‘CTE.’” Noting that all of the respondents were women, Perfetto questioned why their experiences would be minimized.
“Women run into that every day,” she said “I don’t think that’s the only factor I think the motivation is to make it seem like this isn’t a real issue. It’s not a real disease It’s something that people glommed on to because they heard about it in the media.”
Study turned to disappointment
The letter was posted online on Monday under the headline, “NFL Caregivers to Harvard Football Player Health Study: Stop Insulting Us!” It had more than 30 signatures, including family of Hall of Famers Nick Buoniconti and Louis Creekmur
It praises the study for examining the fallout on loved ones who weathered the violent mood swings, dementia and depression that can come with the disease
The letter says the study gets it wrong by including what it considers unsupported speculation, such as: “Despite being an autopsybased diagnosis, mainstream media presentations and high-profile cases related to those diagnosed postmortem with CTE may have raised concerns among living play-
Mosley announces retirement from NFL after 11 years
BY DENNIS WASZAK JR. AP pro football writer
C.J. Mosley is ready to tackle life beyond playing football.
A five-time Pro Bowl selection during an 11-year NFL career with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens, Mosley announced Thursday his 33rd birthday that he’s retiring. Mosley was released by the Jets in March after playing in just four games last season because of a toe injury and later a herniated disk in his neck.
college, earning Freshman AllAmerican honors, and helped Alabama win consecutive BCS national championships during the 2011 and 2012 seasons Mosley also was selected the SEC defensive player of the year and won the Butkus Award in 2013 as college football’s top linebacker
Mosley became the first Ravens player voted to the Pro Bowl as a rookie. He made the Pro Bowl three more times before leaving for New York and signing what was then the largest free agent deal for an inside linebacker
the press room at the Saints training facility It was classic Gleason, his way of breaking the ice and making light of the situation
The first-of-its-kind courage award is the second unique honor Gleason has received from the Hall of Fame. For years, officials honored his iconic blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 with a special display in the Hall. Now the Hall’s board had chosen to recognize him again, this time by creating a special award essentially in his honor “I’m grateful for the example of the people of New Orleans, for their courage,” said Gleason, while specifically thanking Saints owner Gayle Benson and general manager Mickey Loomis. “I’m happy and honored to be here with these fellow honorees.
Gleason’s recognition was a long time coming. By whatever means it happened — as a player, contributor, ambassador, courage award honoree — he certainly belongs in the Saints Hall of Fame. As a member of the selection committee, I have argued for his in-
ers about CTE.”
The letter said these are “insulting conclusions that were not backed by study evidence.”
“Rather than exploring the lived experiences of partners of former athletes, they instead implied the partners’ anxiety was caused by watching the news as if the media is to blame for the severe brain atrophy caused by CTE in our loved ones,” they wrote.
Study authors Rachel Grashow and Alicia Whittington said in a statement provided to the AP that the goal of their research is “to support NFL families, especially those caring for affected players or grieving for lost loved ones.”
“We regret if any of our work suggested otherwise,” they said.
“Our intent was not to minimize CTE — a disease that is far too real — but to point out that heightened attention to this condition can intensify existing concerns, and that symptoms attributed to CTE may, in some cases, stem from other treatable conditions that also deserve recognition and care.”
But Perfetto feared the study was part of a trend to downplay or even deny the risks of playing football. After years of denials, the NFL acknowledged in 2016 a link between football and CTE and eventually agreed to a settlement covering 20,000 retired players that provided up to $4 million for those who died with the disease. (Because it requires an examination of the brain tissue, CTE currently can only be diagnosed posthumously.)
“Why would a researcher jump to ‘the media’ when trying to draw conclusions out of their data, when they didn’t collect any information about the media,”
Perfetto told the AP “To me, as a researcher, you draw the implications from the results and you try to think of, practically ‘Why you come to these conclusions? Why would you find these results?’
Well, how convenient is it to say that it was the media, and it takes the NFL off the hook?”
‘By players, for players’
The caregivers study is under the umbrella of the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University, a multifaceted effort “working on prevention, diagnostics, and treatment strategies for the most common and severe conditions affecting professional football players.” Although it is funded by the NFL Players Association, neither the union nor the league has any
duction many times over the years. Granted, I’m biased. Steve and I arrived in New Orleans at the same time — he as a Saints player me as a Saints beat writer — and became friends after his playing career ended in 2007. I wrote the initial story when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2011 and have worked on numerous projects with him and his family over the years. I recently collaborated with him on his memoir, “A Life Impossible.” So, yes, when it comes to Steve Gleason and his bona fides, I’m an unapologetic card-carrying flag-waving member of “Team Gleason.”
That said, Steve’s Hall of Fame merits stand on their own.
Gleason, as Hall of Fame director Ken Trahan said Wednesday is one of the best special teams players in Saints history And that’s saying something, because the club has had some truly great ones, from Tyrone Hughes and Fred McAfee to Michael Lewis and J.T Gray
The special teams units Gleason captained in the early 2000s regularly ranked among the league leaders and were some of the best in franchise history And while he never earned All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors, he was a Pro Bowl alter-
influence on the results or conclusions, the website says.
“The Football Players Health Study does not receive funding from the NFL and does not share any data with the NFL,” a spokesperson said.
Previous research — involving a total of more than 4,700 ex-players is on topics ranging from sleep problems to arthritis. But much of it has focused on brain injuries and CTE, which has been linked to contact sports, military combat and other activities that can involve repetitive head trauma.
When he died with advanced CTE in 2012 at age 69, Wenzel could no longer recognize Perfetto and needed help with everyday tasks like getting dressed or getting out of bed an added problem because he was a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than she is “When he died, his brain had atrophied to 910 grams, about the size of the brain of a 1-year-old child,” the letter said.
Former Auburn and San Diego Chargers running back Lionel “Little Train” James, who set the NFL record for all-purpose yards in 1985, was diagnosed with dementia at 55 and CTE after he died at 59.
“Treatable conditions were not the reason Lionel went from being a loving husband and father to someone so easily agitated that his wife and children had to regularly restrain him from becoming violent after dodging thrown objects,” the letter said. “They were not likely to be the driving force behind his treatment-resistant depression, which contributed to alcoholism, multiple stays in alcohol rehabilitation treatment centers, arrests, suicidal ideation, and ultimately, his commitment to a mental institution.”
Kesha James told the AP that she would disable the car to keep her husband from driving drunk. She said she had never spoken of her struggles but chose to tell her story now to remove the stigma associated with the players’ late-in-life behavior and the real-life struggles of their caregivers.
“I have videos that people probably would not believe,” James said. “And I’ll be honest with you: It is nothing that I’m proud of. For the last three years I’ve been embarrassed I’m just going public now because I do want to help bring awareness to this — without bringing any shame to me and my kids — but just raise the awareness so that no other family can experience what I did.”
nate in 2002 and ESPN named him to their All-Pro team the same year While the NFL does not recognize blocked punts as an official statistic, Gleason is believed to be the alltime blocked punt leader in Saints history with four That might not seem like much until you consider how rarely blocked punts occur
The Saints have blocked a total of 38 in their 58-year history Six of those came in Gleason’s seven seasons — and he blocked four of them. In the 18 years since Gleason stopped playing, the Saints have blocked only eight punts. Gleason’s punt blocking proficiency didn’t happen by accident. He mastered the skill through years of practice. His special teams coach, Al Everest, taught him how to narrow his frame by turning his shoulder sideways as he approached the point of attack, making it difficult for opposing blockers to get a hand on him. “Act like you’re sliding into an elevator as the doors close,” Everest instructed him. Easier said than done, of course, in the high-speed chaos of a punt rush. The tactic requires a special blend of athleticism and guile. Gleason, with his low center of gravity and rare combination of speed, strength, agility and instincts, was perfectly built for the
A popular playmaker and leader during his career Mosley made his announcement with a 2-minute, 10-second video post on his Instagram page titled “Once upon a time ...” that included highlights of his playing career
“Today, it is time to wake up from my childhood dream and share it with the next generation,” Mosley said. “I spent my whole life and career building my legacy Now it’s time to start a new chapter with new dreams. It won’t be easy, but I’m here to tell you every sacrifice is worth it.
“When you wake up, what will your legacy look like?”
Mosley, the 17th overall pick by Baltimore in the 2014 draft out of Alabama, had nearly 1,100 tackles with 12 sacks, 12 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and three touchdowns.
He played five standout seasons with the Ravens before signing a five-year, $85 million contract with the Jets in 2019 and was the heartbeat of New York’s defense during his tenure as one of the NFL’s top tacklers.
Both the Jets and Ravens posted congratulatory messages for Mosley on social media.
“Captain! Thankful for the memories we couldn’t have asked for a better leader!” former Jets teammate and current Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers commented on Mosley’s post.
“Half-Man Half-Amazing congrats on a great career bro,” former Ravens teammate and current Baltimore assistant special teams coach Anthony Levine wrote.
Mosley, who is from Theodore, Alabama, was rated as one of the top high school linebackers in the country before heading to Tuscaloosa to play for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide after getting offers from several top football programs. He made a quick impact in
Mosley had an impressive debut with the Jets with five tackles and returned an interception by Josh Allen for a touchdown against the Bills, but he injured his groin in the third quarter and played in just one more game that season. He opted out in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned the following season and reestablished himself as a consistent playmaker who routinely was among the NFL leaders in tackles while playing in all but one game during the next three years. Mosley, who made his final Pro Bowl in 2022, was voted a team captain during each season he played in New York.
Mosley also was praised by then-coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in 2021 when the linebacker remade his body by slimming down from 250 pounds to 231 to be more mobile in New York’s faster sideline-to-sideline defense. He was limited to just four games last season by his toe and neck injuries, but said in January he didn’t anticipate not playing again.
“My main goal is just to really get back to 100% so I can work out and run and do everything I need to, then just take it from there,” Mosley said. “I mean, I don’t have any thoughts about retiring or anything. So my main focus is just to make sure I’m 100% on the field and off the field.” Jamien Sherwood, who replaced Mosley last season when the veteran was injured, led the Jets in tackles and was re-signed to a three-year, $45 million contract in the offseason — signaling an end to Mosley’s time in New York.
“C.J. was the epitome of a class act as a teammate, player and leader for the last six seasons,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement when Mosley was released.
job. Over time and through tireless effort, he developed into a puntblocking demon, someone opposing teams had to plan for each week. His contributions didn’t end there, though.
He was a headhunter on coverage units and regularly led the team in special teams tackles. Opponents often double-teamed him on returns. He still managed to record 98 special teams tackles, which ranks among the Saints’ all-time leaders. But when it comes to gauging Gleason’s Hall of Fame worthiness, you have to look beyond the statistics, as Loomis might say Gleason is arguably one of the two or three most influential people in franchise history, perhaps trailing only Drew Brees and Archie Manning. His impact transcends sports, which is why luminaries like Barack Obama and Bill Gates have sought audiences with him.
He’s won countless honors, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed in our country, and the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, ESPN’s most prestigious honor The goodwill Gleason has spread for the Saints organization through such achievements and his noble efforts to raise awareness of ALS and help other living
with the disease is immeasurable. In every way, Gleason epitomizes what it means to be a Hall of Famer He embodies the core values of the Pro Football Hall of Fame — commitment, integrity, courage, respective and excellence — which is why he was so revered by coaches, teammates and support staff.
I’m glad Tom Dempsey is in the Saints Hall of Fame. His historic 63-yard, game-winning field goal against the Detroit Lions in 1970 remains one of the greatest plays in franchise history It was THE highlight of early Saints football. A specialist like Gleason, Dempsey’s Hall of Fame merit is largely based on one historic moment, one iconic play And while he played just two seasons in New Orleans, selectors deemed him worthy of induction in 1989. And considering the enduring impact and resonance of Dempsey’s kick, it was a deserving honor That said, if Dempsey is a Saints Hall of Famer, then Gleason is certainly worthy of induction, as well.
I’m thrilled officials found a way to recognize Steve’s amazing career and unprecedented contributions to the organization. No Saints Hall of Fame would be complete without him.
ASSOCATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JOHN AMIS
Linebacker C.J Mosley was a five-time Pro Bowl selection during his time with the New york Jets and Baltimore Ravens.
AP FILE PHOTO
Auburn’s Lionel James gains yardage as Michigan’s Dave Meredith tries to stop him in NCAA Sugar Bowl action in New Orleans on Jan. 2 1984.
THINGS
MIND,BODYAND SOUL
Saturday is International yoga Day, and the place to be is BREC’sIndependence Park Botanical Gardens. Free beginnertoadvanced yoga classes, including goat yoga and sessions for kids, will be led by experienced instructors. Here’sa chance to unwind and reconnect. brec.org
HOORAYSOIRÉE
The KnockKnockChildren’sMuseum will host the LittleOlympians Children’sGala from5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdayat the museum. The gala will raise funds for the museum’sprograms and initiatives. Costumes encouraged. $10, members; $25, nonmembers. knockknockmuseum org/childrens_soiree.
TOGETHER AGAIN
Theyperformed at apopular,since-
From ‘The Addams Family’ to ‘Riverdance’
The biggest theater hits BR
Staff report
“The Addams Family,” acomicalfeast that embraces the wackiness in every family,will open the Broadway in Baton Rouge 2025-26 season. The show,atthe Raising Cane’sRiver Center Theatre for Performing Arts, starts at 7:30p.m.Wednesday, Oct. 22. Nederlander NationalMarkets, in partnership with the River Center,announced the new season on June 9. The season also willfeature: n “Hadestown,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday,Nov.25, the Tony- and Grammy-winning hit musical directfrom Broadway n “Mrs. Doubtfire,” 7:30 p.m Tuesday,April 21,the musical comedy basedonthe hit movie.
n “Riverdance 30 —The New Generation,” 7:30 p.m. Monday, June22, offering arevitalized takeonthe beloved globalsensation.
Catch ‘The Addams Family’ on Oct. 22 at theRaising Cane’sRiver CenterTheatre for Performing Arts
“’The Addams Family’ is amacabre hit musical featuring everyone’sfavorite creepy,kooky characters.Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with asweet, smart young man from arespectable family, aman her parents have never met,” ashow synopsis states “And if that weren’tupsetting enough, sheconfides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother.Now,Gomez Addams must do something he’snever donebefore —keep asecret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for thewhole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents.”
Meanwhile, in “Hadestown,”a song can change your fate.
“This new show is alove story for today …and always.Intertwining two mythic tales —that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice,and that of KingHades and his wife Persephone —‘Hadestown’ is ahaunting andhopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never let’sgo,” according to ashow description And “Mrs. Doubtfire,”based on the beloved film,tells the hysterical and heartfeltstoryof an out-of-workactor whowilldo
TIM MEADOWS
7:30 p.m. Friday l Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. l Forages18+ only l $42 and up l manshiptheatre.org
Have alaugh
IBY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer
t’s11a.m. June 10 in Venice, California. TimMeadows’ phone rings.
“Canyou call back in 5 minutes?I just gotout of yoga class,”heasks.
or
Meadows says.
Later,Meadows explains that he’sbeen practicing yoga since theCOVID-19 pandemic. Known for memorable characters including thesuave Leon “The Ladies Man” Phelps on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” pragmatic PrincipalDuvall in the teen comedy film “Mean Girls”and parrotowningguidance counselor Mr GlascottonABC’s “The Goldbergs,” Meadows now divides his time among theaforementioned beachfront LosAngeles neighborhood,his native Detroit and the road. His stand-up career translates to alot of traveling. “Yeah. IgotoRochester (New York) this weekend for stand-up, andthenI come (to Baton Rouge), Ithink in afew weeks,” Meadows, 64, explains. The multilayered Meadows later pauses the interview as he climbs
onto his mode of transportation for this mid-60s California morning.
“I gotta start my motorcycle. You’re gonna hear me OK, andIcan hear you. I’m sorry.Igotta, they’re cleaning the streets and Igotta move my bike,” he says. “You’re learning all about me today.”
The media chat in advanceof Meadows’ Friday night performance at the Manship Theatrein Baton Rouge then continues.
Forsomeoneinthe audience,what can we expect of the evening?
It’satraditional stand-up comedyshow. Ithink alot of people know me from “SNL” and stuff, so they’re used to seeing me do characters or things likethat. But this is more me doing traditionalstand-up andliketalkaboutwho Iamwith my kids andbeing divorced,you know,traditional stuff like that. There’ssome conceptual ideas and stuff that Ido. Italk alittle politics, alittle social issues or whatever But for the most part, it’spretty light, pretty fun. I’m not trying to
ä See THEATER, page 2D ä See MEADOWS, page 2D
‘DuckFamilyTreasure’s’
BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer
Justtwo weeksafter “Duck Dynasty: TheRevival”premiered on A&E, thefamousRobertson family of West Monroealso launched afourth season of “Duck Family Treasure” on Fox Nation on Sunday Another new installmentof thefive-episode seasonwillbe released each Sunday
and
for
will
were killed in
also visit the
in
the expeditions,the
to the
1700s, according
rare coins, gold, asunken steamboat and ameteorite. The members of the Robertson family first became household names in 2012 with the debut of their original series, “DuckDynasty,” also airing on A&E, and following the extended family of Phil and “Miss Kay” Robertson andtheir duck call
In previous
the hunters
See ‘DUCK’, page 2D
FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan CompanyPie Bar, New Iberia, 5p.m.
ABI CLAIR: JimDeggy’s Pizza&Brewery,Lafayette, 6p.m.
BLAKE LUQUETTE: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m.
DARRYL FONTENOT&
JENNIFER KAY: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson, 6p.m
DERRICK SAVOIE: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6p.m
FRIDAY NIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6p.m.
PROVIDED PHOTO By GIZELLE HERNANDEZ/DISNEy Countrymegastar LukeBryan brings his ‘Country Song CameOn’ tour to the Cajundome at 7p.m.Saturday. Tickets startat $40.85 at ticketmaster.com.
DULCIMER JAM: St Landry Visitor Center, Opelousas, 10 a.m.
POP SQUALLY’SIN-
BETWEEN TIMES: The WhirlybirdCompound, Opelousas, 6p.m
KC JONES AND DAN COOLIK: Park Bistro, Lafayette,6p.m
JAZZ TRIO: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m
DAVE TRAINER: Whiskey&Vine, Lafayette, 6p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m
CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.
THURSDAY POP SQUALLY’S INBETWEEN TIMES: The WhirlybirdCompound, Opelousas, 6p.m
AUDREY BROUSSARD:
CharleyG’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.
COMMUNITY DRUM
CIRCLE: Moncus Park Lafayette, 6p.m
KIP SONNIER: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson,6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Whiskey & Vine, Lafayette, 6p.m.
TROUBADOUR: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m
J.C. MELANCON: Agave, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m
HORACE TRAHAN: Rock ’N’ Bowl, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAELDOUCET: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette,8p.m
Compiled by Marchaund Jones
Want your venue’s music listed? Emailinfo/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadlineis noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper
By The Associated Press
Today is Friday,June 20, the 171st day of 2025. There are 194 days left in theyear.Summer begins today
Todayinhistory: On June 20, 1967, boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted and was sentenced tofive years in prison. (Ali’sconviction would ultimately be overturned by theU.S. SupremeCourt).
Also on this date: In 1943, race-related rioting erupted in Detroit; federal troops
MEADOWS
Continuedfrom page1D
alienate audiences or anything.
AndI alwaysask comedians— when did you realize you were funny?
Uh,geez,… Ithink when Iwas younger,Imade my mother laugh by doing an impersonation of our pastor at church, when Iwas like 5years old. Andthen my mother, when people would come over,she would makemedoit. Ithink at a certain point, Istarted doing Sammy Davis Jr and shewould ask me to do it for people. AndImean, that’swhenI kind of likehad the first sort of reaction of like, oh, you know, Ican say something funny or Ican do something and people laugh. So it’sjust kind of cool.
Who were some of your comic influences growing up?
Ithink as far as stand-up, probably Richard Pryor is the biggest influenceonme, and, youknow, a lotofcomediansinmygeneration George Carlin, Ialways thought was really great. Robert Klein,I liked alot when Iwas young. But Ithink “SNL,” “National Lampoon” and those writers and sketch comedy,Ithink, hadthe biggest influence on me once Istarted to develop my own sort of interestincomedy
Youwere on “SNL” for 10 seasons from 1991-2000, which wasarecord at the time. “SNL”has alwaysbeen described as apressure cooker forthe actors. Could youtouch on that alittle bit?
Well, Imean, it’slike theonly live show,you know,live sketch comedy show. So that comes in withanatu-
TODAYINHISTORY
were sent in by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to quell the violence that resulted in morethan 30 deaths.
In 1947, gangster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was shot dead at the Beverly Hills,California,home of his girlfriend, Virginia Hill, likely at the order of mob associates.
In 1972, three days after the arrest of the Watergate burglars, President Richard Nixon met at theWhiteHouse with his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman; the secretly made tape recording of this meetingended up with anotorious 18½-minute gap.
In 2002, in the case Atkins v.
ralamount of pressure and anxiety that’s built into it, you know? Working at “SNL,” there’sanxiety and stufflike every day,nomatter what —pitchmeetings, there’s anxiety Tuesdays doing your writing and telling your ideas to people. When you do the read-through, there’s alot of anxiety.The rehearsals, there’sanxiety because youare doing it in front of the crew,who are seeing some of the stuff for the first time. The audiences, there’s anxiety and this nervousness. There’sapoint where Ifelt like, oh, Igot this covered. Ican do it and everything, but there was nevera point where Iwas just totally relaxed about everything, you know? Acting versusstand-up:Isthereone you likemore or are they equal? It’skind of equal. Ireally do love acting in general. Imean, acting is fun when you are working with friends and/or really talented people. Ithink as far as just artistically,creatively rewarding, Ithink doing stand-up is alot morecreativelyrewarding formebecause the audience is hearing my ideas and my thoughts, and it’sgoing directly to them. There’s no filters, really.That was thething, whenI first started doing stand-up, Iwas really nervous about it because Irealized therewas no filter between me and the audience. And basically anything Iwanted to talk about or do, it was up to me. And I started thinking, well, what if the audiencedoesn’t likemyideas or theydon’tthink I’m funny or whatever.But then onceI gotstarted doing it,there’sarealization of that,I’m aprofessional. Like this is
THEATER
Continuedfrom page1D
anything for his kids.
Lastly,“Riverdance 30 —The New Generation” “rejuvenates themuch-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics,” anews release states
Interestingly,all of theIrish dance production’s“new generation”ofperformers werenot born when the show began 30 years ago. Currentsubscribers can renew, andnew subscribers can purchase their season tickets now by visiting raisingcanesrivercenter.com,email subscriptions@asmbatonrouge.com or call the Broadway in Baton Rouge subscriber line at (225) 389-7119. A season subscription package starts at $240 for allfour shows.
Virginia, the Supreme Court ruled in a6-3 decision that executing people with intellectual disabilities qualified as cruel and unusual punishment and wastherefore in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Today’sbirthdays: Filmmaker Stephen Frears is 84. Singer Anne Murray is 80. TV personality Bob Vila is 79. Musician Lionel Richie is 76. Actor John Goodman is 73. Rock bassist Michael Anthony (Van Halen) is 71. Rock bassist John Taylor (Duran Duran) is 65.
is 57.
Josh Lucas is 54. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., is 50.
what Idofor aliving and I’ve been doing it for along time, so Idon’t ever worry about bombing or not having agood show.Not to sound cocky,but I’mpretty good. Do youevermiss “SaturdayNight Live”? No. Would youcare to elaborate? No. There’snomore Iwant to say.I love the show. Iloved workingthere, but no, Idon’t ever dream about working there again or anything.
Alot of youguysfromthe show go on to act together in movies and things. There seems to be alot of love and respect between you guys. Is that correct?
Yeah, that’strue. Idon’tknow,like people that Iworkedthere with, like (Adam) SandlerorWill Ferrell, (David) Spade or (Rob) Schneider or anyofthose people,like anytime we worktogether,it’slike ashorthand. Imean, they sort of know whatyou do and they know how to writefor you. It’s justfun on the setbecause it’s very light.I do the same thing if I’mona project that Ican hire people —friends of mine that I’ve worked with at “SNL” or (The) Second City Chicago,I try to bring them in because Iknow they’re going to do agreat job. Youspend agood deal of time on the road. Do youenjoythat aspect of it? Ilike it enough. Imean, it’swork. Iknow what Isigned up for. It can be tiring …itcan be crazy.But the thing Ienjoy mostisonce Iget on stage, it makes up for everything else. Theflights, the hotels, the crappy food, all of that. Just being able to getonstage and perform foranaudience is just, it makes up foreverything.
‘DUCK’
Continued from page1D
anddecoy-making empire in thewoodsofnorthLouisiana
Their mixture of down-home country humorand strong faith madefor an 11-season hit show the whole family could watch. “The Revival,” premiering one week following Phil Robertson’s death, continues with the family’snextgeneration —specifically son Willie Robertson, his wife, Korie, and their children and grandchildren.
Actor Nicole Kidman is 58. Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez
Actor
FRIDAY
TOBY TOMPLAY: Crowne Plaza, 5 p.m.
HISTORICAL HAPPY
HOUR FEATURING
BEAUSOLEIL: West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen, 6 p.m.
ORIGINAL MUSIC
GATHERING: La Divina Italian Café, 6 p.m.
CHRIS LEBLANC: Tallulah at The Renaissance, 6 p.m.
CONNOR UNDERWOOD: Stab’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.
DON POURCIAU & KONSPIRACY: Pedro’sSiegen, 6 p.m.
EDDIE SMITH: T’Quilas, Zachary, 6 p m.
ERIC BASKIN DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 6 p.m.
KAITLYN WALLACE: Rio Cantina, Prairieville, 6 p.m.
KEEPIN’ TIME BAND: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.
TAYLOR RAE: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 6 p.m.
JAKE ROUNDS: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.
THE LONGNECK SOCIETY: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.
CHRIS OCMAND: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.
CAM PYLE: Pelican Point, Gonzales, 7 p.m.
CHRIS ROGERS: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.
DIZZY: Bin 77, 7 p.m.
THE COVERLY BROTHERS: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.
KIRK HOLDER: Pizza Art Wine, 7:30 p.m.
HENRY TURNER JR. & ALL-STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.
DENTON HATCHER: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 8 p.m.
ROCK SHOW NOLA: L’Auberge Event Center, 8 p.m.
JOEL COOPER & SCOTT JORDAN: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 8 p.m. THE BAND LOUISIANA: Icehouse Tap Room, 8 p.m.
TOMMY PRINE/STEVE
JUDICE: Red Dragon Listening Room, 8 p.m.
UNSELFISH LOVERS OF THE BLUES: Phil Brady’s, 8 p.m.
AFTER 8: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge, 9 p.m.
BIG PAPAS: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 9 p.m.
HONKY TONK PLAYBOYS: Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill, Denham Springs,
9 p.m.
I-10 BOUND BAND: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 9 p.m.
MIKE HOGAN: Spanky’s, Prairieville, 9 p.m.
RANSAKK: Fred’s on the River, Prairieville, 9 p m.
RHETT GUILLOT: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.
SWEET SOUTHERN HEAT: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.
SATURDAY
CLAY LEBLANC: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m.
SPOONFED JR.: St George Culture Scene, 11 a.m.
PROVIDED PHOTO By STUART PHOTOGRAPHy
Unselfish
of the Blues, performing blues and rhythm-and-blues from
and
OPEN JAM SESSION: The Smokey Pit, 4 p.m.
RUSTY YATES: The Colonel’s Club, 5 p.m.
IAN WEBSTER DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5:30 p.m.
ART NIGHT: HOEDOWN WITH LANCE WOLLIE BAND, CARTER HAMPTON AND CAITLYN RENEE: The Texas Club, 6 p.m.
ARNETT HAYES: Stab’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.
PAPO Y SON MANDAO: Pedros, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. THE ROUX TONES: T’Quilas, Zachary 6 p.m.
TONI TERRY: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.
DERRICK LEMON: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs 6:30 p.m.
EDDIE SMITH: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.
GRAND COUNTRY
JUNCTION: Suma Crossing Theatre, Satsuma, 7 p.m.
MATT TORTORICH: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.
CHRIS LEBLANC: Bin 77, 7 p.m.
CONNOR MARTIN: Pelican to Mars, 7 p.m.
EMILY PARNELL: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.
KICKS BAND: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.
OPEN MIC W/AMANDA JO HESS: Istrouma Brewing, St. Gabriel,
6 p.m.
BRIAN RITTENHOUSE: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.
CAM PYLE: Tallulah at the Renaissance, 6 p.m.
DENTON HATCHER: Thai Kitchen, 6 p.m.
DON POURCIAU & KONSPIRACY: Pedros, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.
EMMA KATE: Zilantro’s, 6 p.m.
JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Superior Grill MidCity, 6 p.m.
JUSTIN CORNETT DUO: Locals Central, 6 p.m.
PATRICK, DOC & BILL: La Divina Italian Café, 6 p.m.
PAUL SHELTON TRIO: Pedro’s-Siegen, 6 p.m.
BEN RAGSDALE: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m
CHRIS OCMAND: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m THE BISHOP ELLIS
TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7 p.m
THE STARDUST BOYS: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.
DUSTIN LEE GUEDRY: Fred’s on the River, Prairieville, 7 p.m.
ENUFF: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St. Amant, 7 p.m.
BRYCE BROUSSARD: Moonlight Inn, French Settlement, 7:30 p.m.
HENRY TURNER JR. & ALL-STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.
SHANE MADERE TRIO: Icehouse Tap Room, 8 p.m.
BLUES JAM: Phil Brady’s, 9 p.m.
RHETT GUILLOT: The Vineyard, 9 p.m. OUTLYING
FRIDAY
3:05 EXPRESS: El Mejor, St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
JODY VICKNAIR: Big J’s Side Porch, Clinton, 7 p.m.
NEAL MCCOY: Mári Showroom at the Paragon Casino, Marksville, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY
KEEPIN’ TIME BAND: El Mejor, St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m.
Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper
FRIDAY SUMMER SKETCHES: FAMILY
DRAWING CLASS: 10 a.m., Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. A relaxed drawing class for all ages and skill levels. Materials provided. $20 per nonmember child; $25 per nonmember adult; free for members. lasm.org.
KAFTANS & COCKTAILS
MIDCITY STROLL: 4 p.m.8 p.m., Mid City South. In support of Baton Rouge Pride, stops will include The Radio Bar, Rad Dad Alternative, Time Warp, Pelican to Mars, Barracuda Taco Stand and BR.cade. batonrougepride.org.
MOVIES ON THE PLAZA: 7 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. at 7 p.m. Screening of the movie “Wish” on the big screen in the outdoor plaza. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Free admission. ebrpl.com.
FRIDAY NIGHT LECTURE:
7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., BREC’s Highland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road. Skygazing tips, physics phenomena, space programs and famous events are covered. For ages 14 and older. Free. hrpo.lsu.edu. Also, evening sky viewing from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
FRIDAY, MONDAYTHURSDAY
“ONE WORLD, ONE SKY: BIG BIRD’S ADVENTURE”: 9 a.m., Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, 100 S. River Road. Children learn how to locate the moon, the Big Dipper and the North Star in the nighttime sky. Regular LASM admission applies. lasm.org.
KET: 8 a.m. to noon, Fifth and Main streets, downtown. Farm-fresh produce, goods, cooking demonstrations. breada.org.
FAMILY HOUR STARGAZING:
10 a.m., Irene W. Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Learn about the stars and constellations in the local nighttime sky, followed by an all-ages show. lasm.org.
SIP & SHOP: noon-5 p.m., Circa 1857, 1857 Government St. Portion of proceeds will benefit Baton Rouge Pride Fest. batonrougepride.org.
SUNDAY
YOGA UNDER THE STARS: noon, Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Relax and recharge with yoga under the dome, led by Leslie Emden. $25, nonmembers; free, members. lasm.org.
TEA PARTY WITH NICKY:
3 p.m.-7 p.m., George’s Place, 860 St. Louis St. Hosted by Nicole Foxx, the entertainment lineup includes Inferna Icon, Mahoghany Campbell and Miranda Mann. A Baton Rouge Pride event. batonrougepride.org.
TUESDAY
RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 3 p.m.-6 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Farm-fresh produce, goods, cooking demonstrations. breada.org.
“ROOTED IN BEAUTY: USING
LOUISIANA NATIVE PLANTS IN CUT FLOWER ARRANGE-
MENTS”: 6:30 p.m., LSU Hilltop Arboretum Beverly Brown Coates Auditorium, 11855 Highland Road. Talk by botanist Jen Blanchard. $10, students and members of Hilltop and/or LMNGBR; $15, nonmembers; free, Hilltop members at the Magnolia Level ($250) and above. Registration is online at www lsu.edu/hilltop.
TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 18303 Perkins Road. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom. ly/y-CKtQ4. LES BALLET TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO: “THE
TROCKS”: 7:30 p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Gender-skewing comic ballet company. 18 and older. $45-$65. manshiptheatre. org.
WEDNESDAY
COSMIC CRAFTS UNDER THE DOME: 1 p.m., Irene W Pennington Planetarium, Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Watch a planetarium show, then do a themed hands-on craft activity. Part of the LASM’s Beat the Heat Summer Series. Included in paid admission. lasm.org.
TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 27350 Crossing Circle, Suite 150, Denham Springs. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom.ly/y-CKtQ4.
DRAG BINGO GIVEBACK NIGHT FOR BATON ROUGE PRIDE: 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Cheba “Toasted Subs,” 411 Ben Hur Road, Suite A. Portion of sales 5 p.m.-close will benefit Baton Rouge Pride. batonrougepride.org.
THURSDAY RED STICK FARMERS MAR-
KET: 8 a.m. to noon, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce, goods and more. facebook.com/ redstickfarmersmarket.
READ & CREATE: 1:30 p.m., Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Story time followed by a themed craft perfect for little learners. Included with admission; free for members. lasm.org.
“WATER/WAYS” LECTURE: “OUR COAST: HOW THE PAST SHAPES OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE”: 5:30 p.m., Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd. Geology Professor Jacqueline Richard will discuss how this geological framework affects our current and future conditions, from how we manage natural resources, our rivers, design coastal restoration projects, and maintain our well-being. Free. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
WEEKLY SOCIAL BIKE RIDE: 7 p.m., Geaux Ride, 521 N. Third St., Suite A. Free. https://fareharbor.com.
TRIVIA NIGHT: 7 p.m., Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, 315 North Blvd. Test your trivia skills with your friends and family Free.
SUMMER MUSIC DOC SERIES: “PAVEMENTS”: 7:30 p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Documentary/fiction hybrid film about the American indie band Pavement. $12.50. manshiptheatre.org.
ONGOING
ART GUILD OF LOUISIANA: Independence Park Theatre, 7800 Independence Blvd. Upcoming workshops at Studio in the Park, 2490 Silverest Ave., are as follows: Larry Downs — Drawing 3: Putting It All Together, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays, through June 26; Roberta Loflin — Watercolor Basics — Focus on Perspective with City Scenes, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Saturdays, through June 28. (225) 773-8020 or artguildlouisiana.org. BATON ROUGE GALLERY CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: 1515 Dalrymple Drive. Group exhibit by Samuel Joseph Corso, Margaret Humphris and Amy James, through June 26. Free. batonrougegallery.org.
CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM: 660 N. Fourth St. “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend,” through Jan. 10. (225) 3425428 or louisianastatemuseum.org.
CARY SAURAGE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER SHELL GALLERY: 233 St. Ferdinand St. “PINK. Out is In!,” through June 30, with closing reception 6 p.m.-8 p.m. June 27. Featuring work by local LGBTQIA+ artists. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. artsbr.org. ELIZABETHAN GALLERY: 680 Jefferson Highway. Group show. Call (225) 924-6437 or follow the gallery’s Facebook page.
LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE MUSEUM: 100 S. River Road. “Discoveries on the Nile: Exploring King Tut’s Tomb and the Amin Egyptian Collection,” through Oct. 31. (225) 344-5272 or lasm.org. LSU MUSEUM OF ART: Shaw
LSU TEXTILE & COSTUME MUSEUM: Human Ecology Building, Tower Drive, LSU campus. “Color Me Fashion,” more than 45 looks with related accessories spanning approximately 100 years of fashion history from c. 1890 to 1990. Exhibit runs through Aug. 15. (225) 578-5992 or email textile@lsu.edu.
MAGNOLIA MOUND MUSEUM + HISTORIC SITE: 2161 Nicholson Drive. Guided and self-guided tours. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. brec.org/facility/MagnoliaMound.
OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION: 502 North Blvd. Open for tours. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free admission. oldgovernorsmansion.com.
OLD STATE CAPITOL: 100 North Blvd. “Water/Ways,” traveling Smithsonian exhibit exploring the critical role water plays in all our lives and how to preserve it, through Aug. 9. “America’s Sacred Freedoms in the First Amendment,” yearlong exhibit. Free. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
USS KIDD VETERANS MUSEUM: 305 S. River Road. Displays of a variety of artifacts that celebrate veteran and naval military history. Note: Vessel is in Houma for dry dock repairs. usskidd.com.
WEST BATON ROUGE MUSEUM: 845 N. Jefferson Ave Port Allen. “Radbwa ê tire tik-layé: The Art of Jonathan Mayers,” through Oct. 12. (225) 336-2422 or westbatonrougemuseum.org.
Compiled by Judy Bergeron. Have an open-to-the-public event you’d like to promote? Email details to red@theadvocate.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday for the following Friday’s paper
Lovers
the 1950s
’60s
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Strive to get things done. Leaving things unfinished will eat away at you, causing stress and anxiety. Pamper yourself and get together with people who lift your spirits.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) Refuse to let uncertainty trick you into being a follower. When in doubt, ask questions and see what resonates with your soul. When you spin your wheels and do nothing, you waste time.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to let your emotions interfere with your decisions. Don't succumb to boredom; fulfill your life by following your intentions. Take the path that makes a difference.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) An energetic approach to work, life and getting ahead will help you advance Refuse to let the changes others make distract you or push you onto a path that leads nowhere.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Stop secondguessing. Keep an open mind, but refuse to be a part of something for the wrong reason. Trusting your instincts and having confidence in yourself and what you can offer will be essential.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Be aware of the rules before you engage in something new. Change begins with you. The choices you make can hinder or help you. Be discreet, observant and direct.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Time is on your side, and rushing will only lead to mistakes. Take the time to deal with
WonderWord
your life and improve it before you take on outside issues that don't concern you.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Get your facts straight before you start a conversation with someone prepared for battle. Don't let anger set in when knowledge and experience are necessary. Avoid manipulation.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Concentrate on finishing what you start and avoiding people trying to distract you for their benefit. Learn when to say no, and you'll gain respect and self-confidence.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Keep social activities and entertainment within budget. Too much of anything will lead to regret. Focus on personal gain and fine-tune your style to meet the criteria necessary to get ahead.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Listen, observe and be cautious about what you agree to do. Focus on taking care of your health, helping a meaningful cause and connecting with people striving for selfimprovement.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Take a complimentary position when networking or negotiating. Showing interest will encourage others to share their secrets with you. A disciplined approach to work will attract attention.
Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. TODAy'S CLUE: R EQUALS J
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.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
THe wiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
BY PHILLIP ALDER
What does it mean if,afteropener begins with one no-trump, responder bids two clubs, Stayman, thenrebids three of aminor?
Asissooftentrueinbridge,theanswer dependsonsomethingelseinyourmethods. In this case, do you transfer intothe minors?
If you do not,tune in tomorrow. If you do transfer into theminors, though, this sequence shows afour-card major, fiveplus in thebid minor, and either fear for three no-trump or thoughts of aslam
In this deal, if South had rebid two hearts, North would have jumpedto three no-trump. Butwhen South denied amajor, it became possible thatfive (or six!) diamonds wouldmake when three no-trumpwouldfailbecausethedefenderswould take thefirst five tricksin hearts.
Here, though, South, because he dislikeddiamonds and had good holdings outside the suit,settled intothree notrump. West leadsthe heart six: seven, nine, jack.How should South continue?
Fromboth the Rule of Eleven and East’sthird-hand-highplay,Southknows that West has aslew of hearts ready to runifEast getsonlead to return aheart. So,East must be kept offplay. This means that taking the diamondfinesse is wrong. Instead,declarershouldtake two club finesses through East. After playinga spade to dummy’s10, Southrunstheclubeight.Westwinswith his jack and (best) shiftstoadiamond, butSouthputsupdummy’saceandtakes asecond club finesse, nettinganovertrick with thisdistribution.
