New Louisiana laws aimed at bolstering federal immigration enforcementand ending stateben-
efits for immigrantslivinginthe country illegally are set to take effect after winning easy passage by theLegislature’sRepublican supermajorities andswift signatures from Gov.Jeff Landry Five bills approved this spring tampdown thestate’sabilityto provide services to immigrants withoutlegal status, mandate cooperation with U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement and other federal agencies, and allow
forcriminalpenalties forgovernment workers and others who interfere with immigration enforcement.
ThoughsomeDemocrats from urban areas questioned the impact of the new rules, Republican state lawmakersfaced little friction in passing thenew restrictions.
And they did so against thebackdrop of an intensifying ramp-up of federal immigration detention and deportation, one of President Don-
ald Trump’scampaign promises.
TiaFields, communicationsand policy advocacy associate for the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants, said the packageofRepublican legislation mimics nationalpolitical trends, and it furthers “harmfulrhetoric” that is causing national division. She argues thenew lawsfail to acknowledge immigrants’ humanity andsocietal andeconomiccontributions.
BUILTFOR SPEED
Fields said that the numberof noncitizens applying for state and local benefits is nearly “nonexistent” because they don’tqualify,for the most part. But in cases where parents may notqualify forbenefits but their U.S.-born children do, the new laws will deter some from applying out of fear of deportation and could “break families apart,” she said.
ABOVE: Spectators alongthe old West End watch thethird and final day of the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix on Lake Pontchatrain as competitors navigateat times choppy seas. RIGHT: The Montlick Injury Attorneys powerboat, left, extends itslead runSundayin the Factory Stockrace.
STAFF PHOTOSByJOHN
McCUSKER
‘I have theultimateauthority
Bogalusa accountant takesoncityoverhaul
BY WILLIE SWETT |Staff writer
Across from Bogalusa City Hall on Arkansas Avenue, behind awhite picket fence, up three stepsand through aside door are the offices of Robert “Bob”Neilson, an accountant who may have more power than Mayor Tyrin Truong or the City Council combined.
Since being appointedbythe state in February to oversee Bogalusa’stroubled finances, Neilson has rapidly overhauled city government frominside the walls of his accounting firm. He’sspent over $150,000 in contracted emergency sewer repairs. He’shired staff fromthe previous mayor’sadministration. And he has fired 10 or 12 city employees —hedidn’thave the specific number
“I have the ultimate authority in town,” Neilson said, looking up from awhite legal pad with notesonall he’sdoneinthe past three months. On the table behind hisdesk was a framed letterfrom former President Jimmy Carter to Neilson’sgrandparents
in town’
—“we knew many,manypeopleinour lives,”Neilson said —and afive-shot pistol he saidhekeepswith him at all times. An AR-15-stylerifleleanedagainst hisoffice’sfireplace —untouched, he said, until “somebodycomes here,creating aproblem.” Parked out front was Neilson’slime green Camaro, one of about 15 carshe
Robert‘Bob’ Neilson was appointed by the state to runthe Washington Parishcity and fix Bogalusa’s financial problems after MayorTyrin Truong was arrested.
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
owns. Cars are the only things he really cares about, he said, andnot the power or influencethatcomes with his current position. He has a1957 Thunderbird once owned by Bruce Springsteen’s drummer and his 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster is theonly pink one ever made.
ä See BOGALUSA, page 5A
Official says this year’s activity is ‘typical’
BY JOSIE ABUGOV |Staff writer
As the height of summer approaches in Louisiana, residents may see asilver lining to theuncomfortablyhot andrainy months:the endofthe annual termite swarms. Around New Orleans, some have questioned whether there were fewer swarms this season. City assessments indicate that is notthe case —though thelong-term trend hasbeenadecline in the numberof architecture-devouring pests. Every year,the subterranean Formosan termitesflock to outdoor evening lights
Trump not planning to extend tariffs pause
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump says he is not planning to extend a 90-day pause on tariffs on most nations beyond July 9, when the negotiating period he set would expire, and his administration will notify countries that the trade penalties will take effect unless there are deals with the United States.
Letters will start going out “pretty soon” before the approaching deadline, he said.
“We’ll look at how a country treats us — are they good, are they not so good — some countries we don’t care, we’ll just send a high number out,” Trump told Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” during a wide-ranging interview taped Friday and broadcast Sunday Those letters, he said, would say, “Congratulations, we’re allowing you to shop in the United States of America, you’re going to pay a 25% tariff, or a 35% or a 50% or 10%.” Trump had played down the deadline at a White House news conference Friday by noting how difficult it would be to work out separate deals with each nation. The administration had set a goal of reaching 90 trade deals in 90 days.
Negotiations continue, but “there’s 200 countries, you can’t talk to all of them,” he said in the interview
CIA chief says Iran nuke program set back years
WASHINGTON CIA Director John Ratcliffe told skeptical U.S. lawmakers that American military strikes destroyed Iran’s lone metal conversion facility and in the process delivered a monumental setback to Tehran’s nuclear program that would take years to overcome, a U.S official said Sunday The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Ratcliffe laid out the importance of the strikes on the metal conversion facility during a classified hearing for lawmakers last week.
Details about the private briefings surfaced as President Donald Trump and his administration keep pushing back on questions from Democratic lawmakers and others about how far Iran was set back by the strikes before last Tuesday’s ceasefire with Israel took hold.
“It was obliterating like nobody’s ever seen before,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.” ”And that meant the end to their nuclear ambitions, at least for a period of time.” Ratcliffe also told lawmakers that the intelligence community assessed the vast majority of Iran’s amassed enriched uranium likely remains buried under the rubble at Isfahan and Fordo, two of the three key nuclear facilities targeted by U.S. strikes.
But even if the uranium remains intact, the loss of its metal conversion facility effectively has taken away Tehran’s ability to build a bomb for years to come, the official said.
Iran releases death toll of Israel’s prison attack
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Dozens of staff members, two inmates and a bystander were among the casualties of Israel’s attack last week on Tehran’s Evin prison, a notorious facility where many political prisoners and dissidents have been held
The death toll from the strike was released Sunday by Iran’s judiciary and confirmed by human rights groups as the one-week mark of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran approaches, despite suspicions on both sides about whether the truce will hold.
Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir posted on the office’s official Mizan news agency
website that at least 71 people were killed on Monday, including staff, soldiers, prisoners and members of visiting families.
While officials did not provide a breakdown of the casualty figures, the Washington-based Human Rights Activists in Iran said that at least 35 were staff members and two were inmates Others killed included a person walking in the prison vicinity and a woman who went to meet a judge about her imprisoned husband’s case, the organization said.
Senate starts debate on big bill
Work may go all night on Trump’s tax, spending measure
BY LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING and JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press
WASHINGTON Debate is underway in the Senate for an all-night session Sunday, with Republicans wrestling President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts over mounting Democratic opposition — and even some brake-pumping over the budget slashing by the president himself.
The outcome from the weekend of work in the Senate remains uncertain and highly volatile GOP leaders are rushing to meet Trump’s Fourth of July deadline to pass the package, but they barely secured enough support to muscle it past a procedural hurdle in a tense scene the
day before. A handful of Republican holdouts revolted, and it took phone calls from Trump and a visit from Vice President JD Vance to keep it on track.
GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, announced Sunday he would not seek reelection after Trump badgered him for saying he could not vote for the bill with its steep Medicaid cuts.
A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 if the bill became law It also said the package would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over the decade.
But other Senate Republicans, along with conservatives in the House, are pushing for steeper cuts, particularly to health care, drawing their own unexpected warning from Trump.
“Don’t go too crazy!” the president posted on social media. “REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected.”
All told, the Senate bill includes some $4 trillion in
tax cuts, making permanent Trump’s 2017 rates, which would expire at the end of the year if Congress fails to act, while adding the new ones he campaigned on, including no taxes on tips.
The Senate package would roll back billions in green energy tax credits that Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments nationwide, and impose $1.2 trillion in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps, by imposing work requirements and making sign-up eligibility more stringent
Additionally, the bill would provide a $350 billion infusion for border and national security, including for deportations, some of it paid for with new fees charged to immigrants.
If the Senate can push through overnight voting and pass the bill, it would need to return to the House. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, has told lawmakers to be on call for a return to Washington this coming week.
Unable to stop the march
toward passage of the 940page bill, the Democrats as the minority party in Congress is using the tools at its disposal to delay and drag out the process.
Democrats forced a full reading of the text, which took some 16 hours. Then
senators took over the debate, filling the chamber with speeches, while Republicans largely stood aside.
“Reckless and irresponsible,” said Sen. Gary Peters, of Michigan. “A gift to the billionaire class,” said Sen Bernie Sanders, of Vermont.
Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, raised particular concern about the accounting method being used by the Republicans, which says the tax breaks from Trump’s first term are now “current policy” and the cost of extending them should not be counted toward deficits.
“In my 33 years here in the United States Senate, things have never never — worked this way,” said Murray, the longest-serving
Democrat on the Budget Committee.
She said that kind of “magic math” won’t fly with Americans trying to balance their own household books.
“Go back home and try that game with your constituents,” she said. “We still need to kick people off their health care — that’s too expensive. We still need to close those hospitals — we have to cut costs. And we still have to kick people off SNAP — because the debt is out of control.” Sanders said Tillis’ decision not to seek reelection shows the hold that Trump’s cult of personality has over the GOP
“We are literally taking food out of the mouths of hungry kids,” Sanders said, while giving tax breaks to Jeff Bezos and other wealthy billionaires.
Republicans are using their majorities to push aside Democratic opposition, and appeared undeterred, even as they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks.
Firefighters ambushed battling blaze in Idaho
Authorities say at least 2 killed by sniper fire
BY REBECCA BOONE and CHRISTOPHER WEBER Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho Firefighters were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community Sunday, killing at least two people and unleashing barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor called a “heinous” assault.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene about 1:30 p.m., and gunshots were reported about a halfhour later
Sheriff Bob Norris said officials believe the two people killed were fire personnel. He didn’t know if anyone else was shot.
not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender,” the sheriff said.
An alert by the Kootenai County Emergency Management Office asked people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, about 4 miles north of downtown Coeur d’Alene.
The fire was still active, Norris said.
“It’s going to keep burning,” he said. “Can’t put any resources on it right now.”
The FBI has responded to the scene with technical teams and tactical support, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said.
“We don’t know how many suspects are up there, and we don’t know how many casualties there are,” Norris told reporters at a 4:30 p.m. news conference. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”
People are still coming off the mountain, the sheriff said, so it “would be safe to assume” that others were still up there.
Gov. Brad Little said “multiple” firefighters were attacked.
“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Little said on the social platform X. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.” Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and us-
Trump calls for ceasefire deal in Gaza Strip war
Some Palestinians skeptical
BY TIA GOLDENBERG, SAMY MAGDY and WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press
TEL AVIV Israel U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday urged progress in ceasefire talks in the 20-month war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, though some weary Palestinians were skeptical about the chances Israel issued a new mass evacuation order for parts of northern Gaza
Ron Dermer, a top adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was set to travel to Washington this week for talks on a ceasefire, an Israeli official said, and plans were being made for Netanyahu to travel there in the coming weeks, a sign there may be movement on a deal.
Netanyahu was meeting with his security Cabinet on Sunday evening, the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss plans
that hadn’t been finalized.
“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Trump wrote on social media early Sunday Trump raised expectations Friday by saying there could be an agreement within the next week.
An eight-week ceasefire was reached as Trump took office earlier this year, but Israel resumed the war in March after trying to get Hamas to accept new terms on next steps.
“Since the beginning of the war, they have been promising us something like this: Release the hostages and we will stop the war,” said one Palestinian, Abdel Hadi Al-Hour “They did not stop the war.”
Israeli attacks continued. An airstrike Sunday evening hit a house sheltering displaced people in the Jabaliya al-Nazla area, killing at least 15, according to Fares Awad, head of the Gaza’s Health Ministry’s ambulance and emergency services in the territory’s north. He said women and children made up over half the dead.
Israel’s military did not
comment on the strike, but the area fell under the latest evacuation order
During a visit to Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, Netanyahu said that the Israel-Iran war and ceasefire have opened many opportunities: “First of all, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both tasks.”
But talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly faltered over a major sticking point — whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire agreement.
Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi accused Netanyahu of stalling progress on a deal, saying on social media that the Israeli leader insists on a temporary agreement that would free just 10 of the hostages. About 50 hostages remain, with less than half believed to be alive.
Netanyahu spokesperson Omer Dostri said that “Hamas was the only obstacle to ending the war,” without addressing Merdawi’s claim.
ing a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back.
“I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize, because they’re
“It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” he wrote in a post on X. Coeur d’Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails.
PHOTO PROVIDED By MARK LATHROP
A blaze burns Sunday in a community near Canfield Mountain, north of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where a sniper ambushed firefighters responding to the fire, killing at least two.
Ukraine: Russia launches biggestaerialattackofwar
BY VOLODYMYR YURCHUK Associated Press
KYIV,Ukraine Russia launched itsbiggest aerial attack against Ukraine overnight, aUkrainian official said Sunday,part of an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for abreakthroughin efforts to end the 3-year-old war Russia fired atotal of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, Ukraine’sair force said. Of these, 249were shot down and 226 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.
The onslaught was “the most massiveairstrike” on the country since the beginning of Russia’sfull-scale in-
vasioninFebruary2022, takingintoaccount both drones and various types of missiles, Yuriy Ihnat, headofcommunications for Ukraine’sair force, told The Associated Press. The attacktargeted several regions, including western Ukraine, far from the front line. Poland and allied countries scrambledaircraft to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the country’sair force said. Three peoplewere killed in each of the drone strikes in the Kherson,Kharkiv and the Dnipropetrovsk regions, according to thethree governors.
Anotherperson was killed by an airstrike in Kostyantynivka, localofficialssaid. In addition to aerial attacks, aman died when Russian troopsshelled thecity of
Kherson,and the body of a70-year-old woman was found underthe rubbleof anine-story building hit by Russian shelling in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the far-western Lviv region, alarge firebroke out at an industrial facility in the city of Drohobychfollowing adrone attack that alsocut electricity to parts of the city Ukraine’sair force said oneofits F-16 warplanes suppliedbyits Western partnerscrashed after sustaining damage while shooting down air targets. The pilot died. Russia has recently been improving its drone technology as well as itstactics, striking Ukrainewithincreasing success. Russia’sDefense Ministry said it hadshot down three Ukrainian drones overnight.
Pope marksfeast dayasVatican launches fundraising campaign
BY NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
ROME PopeLeo XIV on Sundaycelebrated aspecial feast daytraditionally used by the Catholic Churchto drum up donations from the faithful, with the Vatican under the first American pope rolling out anew campaign to urge ordinary Catholics to help bail out the deficitridden Holy See. Leo celebrated Mass in St. Peter’sBasilica, marking the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, during which he gave the palliumwoolen stole to 54 new archbishops. He thanked donors who have contributedtothe church,using the language of the publicity campaign to say their financialsupport wasasign of union with his young pontificate.
In churches around the world, Masses on the June 29 feast day ofteninclude a specialcollectionfor Peter’s Pence, afund which both underwrites the operations of the central government of the Catholic Church and pays for the pope’spersonal acts of charity With apromotional video,
solicitingdonations viacredit card, PayPal, bank transfer and post office transfer, theVatican is betting this year that an American-style fundraisingpitchunderthe Chicago-born Leo willdo more to helpkeep the Holy Seebureaucracy afloat and eraseits 50 millionto$57-68 million structural deficit.
Thevideo features footage of Leo’semotionalfirst momentsaspope,whenhe stepped out onto the loggia of St.Peter’sBasilica and laterchoked up ashereceived the fisherman’sring of thepapacy.With an evocative soundtrack in the background, thevideo superimposes amessage, available in several languages, urging donations to Leo via the Peter’sPence collection
“With your donation to Peter’sPence, you support the steps of the Holy Father,”it says. “Help him proclaim the Gospel to theworld and extend ahand to ourbrothers and sistersinneed. Support thesteps of PopeLeo XIV Donateto Peter’sPence.”
At the end of hisnoon blessing Sunday,Leo used the same language about his first steps to say thePeter’s
munion with the pope and participation with his Apostolic Ministry.”
“From theheart,Ithank those who with their gifts aresupporting my first steps as thesuccessor of St. Peter,” he said.
Thefundhas been the source of scandalinrecent years, amid revelations that theVatican’ssecretariat of state mismanaged itsholdings through bad investments, incompetentmanagement and waste. The recent trial over the Vatican’s bungledinvestment in a London property confirmed that the vast majority of Peter’sPence contributions had funded theHoly See’sbudgetary shortfalls, notpapal charity initiatives as many parishioners hadbeen ledto believe.
Between therevelations and the COVID-19 pandemic, which closed churches and canceled outthe traditional pass-the-basket collection on June 29, Peter’sPence donations fell to 43.5 million euros in 2022 —a lownot seen since1986 —that was nevertheless offsetthe same year by otherinvestmentincome and revenue to thefund.
Twopeople were wounded in another Ukrainian drone attack on the city of Bryansk in western Russia,regional Gov.AlexanderBogomaz said Sunday morning, adding that seven more Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the region.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed Sundaythatithad taken control of the village of Novoukrainka in the partially Russian-occupied Donetsk region.
Russianforces havebeen slowlygrinding forwardat some points on the roughly 620-mile front line, though their incremental gains have been costly in terms of troop casualties and damaged armor
In other developments, Russia’s foreign intelligence chief, Sergei Naryshkin, said
he had spokenonthe phone with his U.S. counterpart, CIA Director John Ratcliffe. “I had aphone call with my American counterpart and we reserved for each other the possibility to call at any timeand discuss issues of interest to us,” Naryshkin said in remarks to state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin,who posted them on his Telegram channel on Sunday Sunday’sattacks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’scomments twodays ago that Moscow is ready for afresh round of direct peace talks in Istanbul. Tworecent rounds of talks between Russianand Ukrainiandelegations in Istanbul were brief andyielded no progress on reaching asettlement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
signed adecree to withdraw Ukraine from theOttawa Convention banning antipersonnellandmines, aUkrainian lawmaker said Sunday The move follows similar recent steps by the Baltic States and Poland.
The 1997 treaty prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel land mines in an effort to protect civilians from explosives that can maim or kill long after fighting ends.
“This is astep that the realityofwar haslongdemanded,” said Roman Kostenko, secretary of the Ukrainian parliamentarycommittee on national security,defense andintelligence. He noted that Russia is not aparty to the convention “and is massivelyusing mines against our military and civilians.”
BY JOVANA GEC Associated Press
BELGRADE,Serbia
Thou-
sands of people Sunday set up street blockades in Serbia, angry over thearrest of anti-government protesters who clashed with police at a massiverally aday earlier demanding early elections.
Protesters put up metal fences andgarbagecontainers at various locations in thecapital Belgrade,also blocking akey bridge over the Sava river. Protesters in the northern city of Novi Sad pelted the offices of the ruling populist SerbianProgressive Party with eggs.
Serbian media said similar protest blockades were organized in smaller cities in the Balkan country
Protesters on Sundaydemanded thatauthorities release dozens of university studentsand other protesters whowere jailed for attacking the policeorfor
allegedly plotting to overthrow the government at the rally Saturday in Belgrade.
Tens of thousands of peopleattended the rally held after nearly eight months of persistent dissent that has rattledpopulist President Aleksandar Vucic.
Protesters also declared the current populist government “illegitimate” and laid the responsibility for any violence on the government.
Clashes withriotpolice erupted after the official part of the rally ended. Policeusedpepperspray, batons and shields while protesters threwrocks, bottles and other objects.
Police said on Sunday that 48 officers wereinjured while 22 protesters sought medical help. Out of 77 people detained, 38 remained in custody Sunday, most of them facing criminal charges, said Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.
At least eight more people weredetainedduring the day,the prosecutors said. Vucic earlier Sunday announced the arrests at a news conference, accusing organizers of the rally of inciting violence andattacks on police, urging legal prosecution. He also criticized“terrorists and those whotried to bring downthe state,” singling outUniversityofBelgrade’shead dean, Vladan Djokic, who was among the protesters.
“There will be morearrests,” Vucic said. “Identificationofall individuals is underway.”
Anti-government protests started after arenovated rail stationcanopycollapsed in November,killing 16 people.ManyinSerbia blamed thetragedy in the northern city of Novi Sadoncorruption-fuelednegligence in state infrastructure projects.
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By ANDREWMEDICHINI
Pope Leo XIV look at apallium he blessed for thenew metropolitan archbishopsonSunday during aMass in St.Peter’sBasilica at theVatican.
Lawmakers, however, argue the new rules are a matter of putting Louisianans first.
“We want to take our taxpayer dollars and prioritize Louisiana and U.S. citizens,” Sen Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, said of legislation he sponsored.
Checking citizenship
House Bill 307, sponsored by Rep Chance Henry, RCrowley, requires Louisiana state agencies and local governments to verify the citizenship or immigration status of anyone who requests public benefits, like food stamps or unemployment.
Should a Louisiana agency or local government learn that someone applying for benefits is here illegally, it must refer that person to ICE.
It must also end any previous benefits and report the person’s information to the secretary of state to assist with maintenance of voter lists.
The legislation defines public benefit as “any retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit.”
That broad definition is meant to encompass all possible public benefits that may be offered to residents, Henry said.
Continued from page 1A
on warm nights and gnaw through wood on scores of homes. The bulk of the season has passed, but there’s still some risk.
“We are in termite swarm season here in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf South,” said Carrie Cottone, the assistant director of the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board
Swarming typically runs from May to June, but there are some cases as early as April and extending through July, Cottone said. It’s considered a rule of thumb that Mother’s Day corresponds with peak season, she said. The pests infest all across the Southeast, from Texas to Florida, and can reach as far north as Memphis.
While not yet over, the swarm activity this year “seems to be a very typical season,” Cottone said. That means a few disparate swarms “here and there,” but really two to three big nights of activity
The city’s pest and rodent control board monitors Formosan termite activity in the French Quarter, with sticky traps set up on streetlights across the neighborhood. The bothersome flying termites are actually the “reproductive caste” departing their home colony in search of a mate. The flying insects clustered around summer eve-
The legislation is intended to “make sure citizens of Louisiana are the ones benefiting from taxpayer dollars” and not people who are here illegally and “trying to leverage the system,” he said. Henry said the idea for the bill came from the Foundation for Government Accountability, a national conservative policy think tank based in Florida. FGA works in over 30 states on policies that “promote work” and “reduce government dependency,” Allen Cambon state government affairs director for the organization, told Louisiana lawmakers during the session. He said HB307 is meant to address instances when “illegal-immigrant households” use public welfare programs. Rep. Mandie Landry, DNew Orleans, said the policy is “cruel” to those who are merely looking for help She said that parents or pregnant women living in the U.S. illegally who apply for benefits for their children who are U.S. citizens will face deportation under the new rules.
HB307 takes effect Aug. 1.
New crimes created
Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Jay Morris, R-Monroe, creates two new crimes for intentionally hampering federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Any public employee in Louisiana could be charged with the crime of malfeasance in office for taking
an action or failing to take an action in an intentional effort to hamper immigration enforcement by ICE or other federal agencies, or for releasing from custody someone in the country illegally without notifying ICE.
The measure also requires compliance with ICE detainers and requests from other federal immigration agencies to release someone into federal custody The crime of obstruction of justice will now apply not just to criminal proceedings, but to civil immigration proceedings and to cases involving an “official act of an agent or employee of a governmental entity.”
In cases involving a civil immigration proceeding, someone could be charged with the crime of obstruction of justice for “knowingly committing any act intended to hinder, delay, prevent, or otherwise interfere with or thwart federal immigration enforcement efforts.”
Morris has said the legislation is needed to deter officials and others who have publicly promoted efforts to stymie federal immigration officers.
Some New Orleans lawmakers raised concerns that the new law could conflict with a 2013 federal consent decree that the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is subject to as a result of the case Cacho v. Gusman. Under that agreement, the Sheriff’s Office is required to decline “all voluntary ICE
detainer requests” except in cases involving serious violent crimes like murder, rape, and armed robbery
However Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill earlier this year initiated legal action seeking to end the consent decree.
Asked for comment about SB15, OPSO in an emailed statement said:
“We are waiting on a ruling in the Cacho v. Gusman litigation related to intervention by the La. Attorney General. Until that ruling or any other court ruling impacting the consent decree, we are still subject to the mandates of Cacho which has the full effect of federal law Notwithstanding, we stay committed to working in collaboration with our law enforcement partners to provide a safer Orleans Parish for our citizens.”
Morris said his bill doesn’t conflict with the consent decree and those who claim it does “do so as a pretext to keep the soft-on-crime portions of the consent order in place.”
SB15 takes effect Aug. 1. Reports on state spending
Senate Bill 100, sponsored by Miguez, requires several state agencies to verify the immigration status of anyone seeking any kind of services from the agency and implement a “standardized process” for doing so.
The agencies will be required to determine the services and the value of services that have been
ning streetlights are essentially out for a kind of “termite date night,” Cottone joked “It’s like speed dating,” she said. “They will pair up to start a new colony for the next generation.” In recent years, a swarm might look like a couple
hundred termites, Cottone noted. One day last month, for instance, 178 termites swarmed sticky traps dubbed “The SwarmO-Meter” that city officials monitor daily during the season. This figure is drastically smaller than the thousand-termite swarms that
plagued the city in the 1990s.
That was before a largescale effort Operation Full Stop — to squelch the pest problem took hold. But in the 15 years since federal funding for the program stopped, termite swarms have continued to fall.
“They’re probably never
provided to noncitizens who don’t have legal status and provide a yearly report of that information to the governor attorney general and Legislature.
The new rules apply to the Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Education, Office of Motor Vehicles, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Revenue and Louisiana higher education institutions.
As long as the Legislature allocates funding for the new immigration verification and reporting requirements, the agencies must comply or risk having other funds withheld.
Miguez said the bill will give appropriators more information about how state dollars have been spent on services for immigrants in Louisiana.
He also said it codifies an executive order Landry issued last year titled “identifying, quantifying, and mitigating the adverse effects of illegal immigration in Louisiana,” and it’s in line with Trump’s directive to make sure taxpayer dollars don’t incentivize illegal immigration.
SB100 took effect June 20.
New driver’s license
House Bill 554, sponsored by Rep Dixon McMakin, RBaton Rouge, prohibits the Louisiana Office of Motor
going to get to zero, unfortunately, but we do still see a steady decrease in those numbers,” Cottone said.
Operation Full Stop
Formosan termites from East Asia landed in U.S. port cities on military cargo ships at the end of World War II. The invasive species proliferated for two decades in New Orleans replacing the native termite species — before anyone knew about the newcomers.
New Orleans had some one of the most pervasive termite issues in North America, a problem that cost around $300 million each year in prevention and damage repair, according to 2003 research. Operation Full Stop received federal funding in 1998 to address the gross and expensive annual nightmare in the French Quarter
The initiative involved bait stations and termiticide treatments around the neighborhood. While the program was in effect, the numbers of flying swarming termites and underground foraging termites dwindled, though they were never fully eliminated.
‘A question of when’
Even though congressional funding for the program ended in 2012, the number of swarming termites in the French Quarter has continued to go down In a 2024 study in the Journal of Economic Entomology, which Cottone and some of her colleagues at the city authored,
Vehicles from issuing an ID or a driver’s license to anyone who is in the country illegally Under current OMV rules, there are certain categories of immigrants who are allowed to apply for an ID or license and provide documentation of legal immigration status to do so. The OMV is now also required to create a new restriction code for IDs and licenses that indicate when someone is noncitizen. And the office must issue noncitizens a formal notice that it’s against the law to vote in Louisiana elections and share noncitizen data with the secretary of state for voter list maintenance.
“This bill combats the existence and perception of voter fraud and offers clarity to aliens seeking driver’s licenses that these IDs are not voting credentials,” McMakin said.
HB554 takes effect Aug. 1.
General damage awards
House Bill 436, sponsored by Rep. Gabe Firment, RPollock, prohibits the award of general damages or past and future wages to noncitizens in the country illegally in lawsuits that stem from car accidents.
Firment said the measure was aimed at addressing Louisiana’s auto insurance crisis and encouraging legal immigration.
HB436 takes effect Aug. 1. Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse. pfeil@theadvocate.com.
the scientists pointed to “continued success in termite population reduction and elimination in the years following the end of Operation Full Stop.”
For instance, by looking at the genetics of the swarming termites, the authors found that the insects on a given trap could be traced to a smaller number of distinct colonies than a similar study two decades prior had found. This means fewer colonies and fewer termites altogether
A key reason that termite populations have not surged in the French Quarter since the program ended is likely that residents are continuing to use bait products around their properties. Around half of the buildings in the historic neighborhood have bait stations, the study found. Notably, these baits are relatively newer bait technologies not used during the federal program.
“These treatments are likely to be current and not residual bait from Operation Full Stop,” the study says. Despite the general decline, Cottone stressed that the problem is not eliminated and that prevention is key. She advises residents to look out for wood-to-ground contact, standing water or leaks and “mud tubes” that termites create for shelter She also recommends having a licensed pest control company on call.
Email Josie Abugov at josie.abugov@theadvocate. com.
STAFF
BY ALI SWENSON and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press
WASHINGTON Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, said Sunday he will not seek reelection next year,anabrupt announcement that cameone dayafterhestaked out his opposition to President Donald Trump’stax breaks and spending cuts package becauseofits reductions to health care programs. His decision creates apolitical opportunity for Democrats seeking to bolster their numbers in the 2026 midterm elections, creating awideopen Senate race in astate thathas long been acontested battleground. It could also make Tillis awild card in aparty where few lawmakers are willing to risk Trump’swrathbyopposing his agenda or actions. Trump had already been threatening him with aprimary challenge, and posted Sunday that Tillis’ announcement
BOGALUSA
Continued from page 1A
Cars run in thefamily: Hisfather founded aChevrolet dealership on theWest Bank, where he grew up. From his accounting offices, where photos of his face with the caption“Make Bogalusa Great Again” were tacked above some desks, Neilson hasbeen essentially running the city since acourt appointed him in Februaryafter the state found Bogalusa was careening toward financialchaos
The appointment came at a time when the city was still overcoming the shock of Truong’sarrest stemming from adrug trafficking investigation.
Truong has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Though he was arrested, formal charges have not been filed.
“I thought Icould fix it, and Ithought Icould fix it quickly,” Neilson said of why he took the job managing the city
“They elect this young man to run the city and he’s notcapable,” he said of Truong. Neilson saidhenow ignores all communication from Truong.Though their homes are right next door, andNeilson contributed money to Truong’smayoral campaign, Truong said, there is no longer any relationship to speak of.
Truong initially welcomed astate-appointed administrator to help with the city’s finances, but strongly opposed appointing Neilson, who had been the city’sauditor until Truong took office. He compared Neilson’srule to apolitical coup and accusedNeilsonofacting like astrongman.
Truong now spends some of his free time gardening and collecting house plants like philodendrons and a Monstera Thai Constellation —afar cry from two and ahalf years ago, when, at the age of 23, he won a surprising landslide victory over theincumbentmayor, Wendy Perrette.
Truong was one of the youngest mayors in state history and the youngest ever in Bogalusa. He is the first Black male mayor in acity that gained national prominence in the 1960s for its clashes between violent White supremacists and civil rightsactivists. Since then,its population has significantly declined to about 10,000and about athird of residents live in poverty When Truong came into power,the city had been facingarashofgun violence and the death of aBlack man in police custody Truong, aDemocrat, wanted to open up government and create more opportunities for youth. He createda summer youth program that he said employed around70 kids in thesummer,aswell as ateen lounge with food and games where students could work. He appointed thecity’sfirstBlack police chief,encouraged police to patrol more, and tried to start abus line. His first two years were also marred by financial woes, adeteriorating sewer system and recurring conflicts with the City Council.
was “Great News!”
“In Washington overthe last few years, it’sbecomeincreasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise,and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species,” Tillis said in a lengthystatement.
Tillissaid he was proud of his career in public service but acknowledged the difficultpolitical environment for those who buck their party and go it alone.
can senators who voted on Saturday night against advancing the massive taxbill.
“I look forward to having the pure freedom to call the balls and strikes as Isee fit and representing the great peopleofNorth Carolina to thebestofmyability,” Tillis said in astatement.
Republicans holda53-47 edge in theSenate.
Trump, in social posts, had berated Tillis for beingone of two Republi-
The Republican president accused Tillis of seeking publicity with his “no” vote and threatened to campaign against him, accusing the senator of doing nothing to help his constituents after last year’sdevastating floods in western NorthCarolina from Hurricane Helene.
“Tillis is atalker and complainer,NOT ADOER,” Trump wrote.
The announcement from thetwoterm senator surprised senior Republicanswith its timing, but not necessarily thesubstance. Tillis had planned to announce his reelectionplans later this year,likely September at the latest, but hadbeen heavily leaning in favor of retiring, according to aperson close to the senator
In the hours before his announcement, Tillis wasweighingtwo questions: whether Trump andthe White House would give him freedom to campaign withsome independence, andwhether Tillis would have the full protection of Senate Republican leaders, said the person, who was granted anonymitytodiscuss internal dynamics. The GOPleadership’sdecision to forge ahead with cuts to Medicaid thatTillis repeatedly warned would devastate North Carolina, and the president’sTruth Social post calling for aprimary challengertothe senator made it clear to him that the answers to those two questions were no.
Tillis then decided he would announce his retirement, with the thinking that it would remove any ambiguity whetherhewould flip his opposition to the GOP’ssweeping tax bill.
TheNorth Carolina Republican
sinceacourtappointed him mayorinFebruary.
AJuly report fromthe stateLegislativeAuditor’s Office foundmisstepsunder both Truong and Perrette’s administrations.The city still has not completed its 2022 audit.
Then,the Legislative Auditor’sOffice foundthe city owed over $1 million in federal andstate payrolltaxes, which LegislativeAuditor Mike Waguespack said in an interview was theprimary trigger for Neilson’s appointment.
Truong argued thatNeilson’s20 years of doingthe city’saudits poseda conflict of interest, while Waguespacksaw it as an asset. Neilson’s proximity to city hallwould also cut down on travel expenses, Waguespack said.
“He’sconnectedtothe prior administration? Yeah, Bogalusaisnot that big of acity,so everyoneisgoing to have aconnectiontoeveryone,”Waguespack said, adding that Neilson’swork will later bereviewed by an independent auditor.
Criminal charges
“This is asmall, racist town at the end of the day,” Truong said at acoffee shop on La. 21 south of Bogalusa during arecentinterview.
Truong wore agray suit with acity of Bogalusa pin and was freshfromthe state courthouseinFranklinton, where he had just learned thestate had still not filed abill of information or an indictment against himin connectionwith his arrest in January for transactions involvingproceeds fromdrug offenses, unauthorized use of moveable and soliciting for prostitutes.
Truong said Bogalusawas like America: Neilsonwas sort of like President DonaldTrump,which made his administration sort of like former President Barack Obama’s. He said like Trump, Neilson wastrying to undo what he had accomplished. He said some might question how thetown can be racist when it elected him,but, he said, “Justbecause we elected Obama, did racism go away?” It is not clear if,when or what charges will ultimately be filed.
Elaboratingonthe charges in January,northshore DistrictAttorneyCollin Sims said Truong allegedly “organized entertainment with
aprostitute”atanAirbnb in Atlanta,where he attended amayor’sconference. Sims also saidTruong purchased drugs in Louisiana. In arecentinterview,Sims saidthe matterremained open andunderinvestigation. Neilsonsaidhethought Truong’sarrest was further evidenceinfavor of theneed for his appointment.“I’ve never been arrested,” he said But Truong contends that his arrest andNeilson’sappointment are politically and racially motivated, in part spurred by his effortstocut down on city contracts with politically connected families in town Truong posted two audio recordings this spring on his Facebook page, which is public. In the recordings, a person uses aracial epithet in reference to Truong andother Black Bogalusa residents. On Facebook, Truong states thatthe person speaking is BryanGenco, aWashington Parish business person, and says the recordings were made by aformeremployee of Genco’s.
In an interview,Genco strongly denied that it’shis voiceonthe recordings and raised questionsabout their authenticity. “Noneofthatis true,” Gencosaid, adding that he has long had an upstanding civic reputation in the community.Genco hosted Truong’selection nightvictory party,but said their relationship soured soon after that.
Theappointment
“I’m actually workingwith theCityCouncil,” Neilson said. Last December,the council adopted aresolution seeking afiscal administrator CouncilmemberMark Irvine agreed that Neilson hasgenerally worked with the council,but in arecent interviewalsosaid he’d gone amonth withoutspeakingto Neilson. Council President GloriaKates didnot respond to requests for comment.
As for Truong?
“He sends me emails andI just throw them away,” Neilson said, adding, “I don’ttake advicefrom somebody that doesn’tknow what they’re doing.” Neilson said he has also stopped attending city council meetings.
The city’slast fiscal administrator,who served between May 2019 andJune
2021 when Perrette was mayor,charged $158,480, cityrecords show.Neilson has charged the city $35,392 for his first threemonths about$200 an hour,hesaid Truong’sproposed fiscal
Party chairman,Jason Simmons, said thepartywishes Tillis well and “will hold this seat forRepublicans in 2026.” Sen. TimScott, of SouthCarolina,the chairman of the campaign armfor Senate Republicans, did notmentionTillis in astatementbut said the party’s winning streak in North Carolina will continue. Scott noted that Trumpwon the state three times.
Democrats expressed confidence about their prospects.
Former Rep. WileyNickel, who announced his candidacy in April, said he was ready forany Republican challenger “I’ve flippeda tough seat before and we’re going to do it again,” Nickel said in astatement.
Some said Tillis’ decisionisanother sign of thedramatictransformation of the Republican Party underTrump, with few lawmakers critical of the president or his agenda remaining in office.
year 2025 budget callsfor $21.4 millioninspending.
Neilson has honed in on payroll expenses, saying he thought some people were in the wrong positions.
He said his terminations would save over half amilliondollars annually in payrollcuts—beforehis appointment,hesaidhewould save $1 millioninpayroll. At the same time, he has also paid four new contract employees, including at least onefromPerrette’sadministration, about $26,395 total for work in May and April, city records show.He’shired afifthperson full-time to work on the city’sailing sewer system. Neilsonsaid he is trying to avoidpayingemployeebenefits and similar expenses while “straightening outthe ship.”Truong questioned the legalityofNeilson having contract workers work with city equipment. Meanwhile, some employees fired by Neilson have argued their terminations were more political than budgetary Malarie Hamilton, who
workedinITand public in-
formation, said shewas told she wasfired for budgetary reasons, but said she thought she was actually firedafter she couldn’tfigure out how to hand off controltothe city’s Facebook page.
Neilson calledthata lie “She had decided she was going to control that part of thecity, andofcourse,like Itold youhere —theydon’t tell me ‘no.’”The budget was another reason, he added. Though Neilson expressed some regret about taking the job, which he said has taken much more time thanheexpected,hesaidheplans to stay on untilthe end of Truong’sterm —January 2027. Next month, partly in honor of his work as fiscal administrator,Neilson will serve as the “Grand Marshal” of the city’sJuly 4parade. Truong, meanwhile, said, “Mymainconcern now is just beating these criminal charges and winning reelection.”
Email Willie Swett at willie.swett@theadvocate. com.
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
Robert‘Bob’ Neilson has been essentially running Bogalusa from his accounting office
Truong
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JUNE
La. police allowed to take down drones
‘We Will Act’ law seeks to mitigate threats in the sky
BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer
As sheriff of East Feliciana Parish, Jeff Travis sometimes gets complaints about unidentified drones.
“Oftentimes, these drones come over, and you never know who it was or what it was,” he said “That’s a problem — that’s a big problem.”
That’s why Travis praised a new state law championed by Gov Jeff Landry, that gives local and state law enforcement the power to take down drones.
“The governor was right. He’s right about the fact that we need to be able to do something about it,”
Bail denied for stabbing suspect
Slain deaf man inspired community
BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer
Edwin “Buggy” Johnson Jr. didn’t just walk into a room — he made an entrance.
A 27-year-old overnight stocker at the Walmart Supercenter on Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans, Johnson was known for busting out impromptu dance moves during break room meetings pushing open the door with flair and launching into fullbody choreography
“It was very dramatic, but dramatic in the best way just dancing hard,” said Bunni Maddox, a co-worker and friend. “He so freely broke out into dancing because he loved the vibe and was being himself.
“Star quality — that’s the best way I can explain anything like that.” Profoundly deaf, Johnson communicated via sign language body language, facial expressions and the Notes app on his phone. State prosecutors say an iPad he used to communicate was stolen earlier this month and used to lure him to a fatal ambush that has left his community heartbroken.
A prosecutor said Thursday in court that Nicholas Ortega, 33, stole the iPad and later drove Johnson on June 18 to a swampy tract in the Lake Catherine area. There, he allegedly pulled Johnson from the passenger seat of a Nissan Rogue and stabbed him 40 times.
“The defendant’s statement indicated this was a planned attack, not a spur-of-the-moment incident,”
Assistant District Attorney Abigail McDonald told Magistrate Commissioner Jay Daniels at Ortega’s Thursday afternoon bail setting “It was planned by him.”
Neither McDonald nor the police elaborated on a connection between the two men.
Daniels ordered Ortega held without bail on a count of second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life prison sentence upon a conviction. A prosecutor said Thursday that Ortega’s criminal history includes a 2019 conviction in Puerto Rico for carrying and using of a blunt object.
Police have not disclosed a motive in Johnson’s fatal stabbing but said Ortega admitted to it and expressed a desire to kill Johnson’s neighbor
A driver witnessed the stabbing about 4:40 p.m. at 21770 Chef Menteur Highway and called State Police, according to Ortega’s arrest
Travis said. House Bill 261, now Act 170, was sponsored by state Rep. Jay Gallé, R-Mandeville. Gallé chairs the House Select Committee on Homeland Security Act 170, also called the “We Will Act” Act, allows “a law enforcement officer or agency” to “take reasonable and necessary mitigation measures against a threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system operating within this state in a nefarious manner.”
Such action could include detection, tracking and identification methods or it could involve “the interception or disabling of an un-
manned aircraft system through legal and safe methods, including but not limited to jamming, hacking, or physical capture,” the act says. The new law also bans drones from being flown over parades, unless they are being used for film production. Violating that rule would carry a fine of between $2,000 and $5,000, or a prison sentence of up to one year Gallé said the parade rule was added to the law out of concerns that parades could be targeted for mass casualty events.
In Louisiana, it was already illegal to fly a drone over a correctional
facility or the Governor’s Mansion. Nor may drones be used to surveil facilities without a facility owner’s written permission, according to Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:337.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, drones are prohibited from flying over national landmarks, certain military bases and certain critical infrastructure such as nuclear power plants. Drones also are not allowed in the controlled airspace around an airport. Gallé said the law aims to protect Louisianans from possible threats posed by drones.
“From an all-around homeland security standpoint, drones are becoming cheaper and more efficient
They can carry explosives. A big enough drone can fly into critical infrastructure and cause great damage, cause power outages,” said Gallé. “Those are the things that we’re really trying to guard against.”
The state representative also said Louisiana prisons have had problems with drones being used to drop contraband behind prison walls.
To date, the Department of Public Safety & Corrections has encountered 51 “drone incidents” at its state-run facilities, according to a statement from Derek Ellis, deputy corrections secretary
Those incidents include some cases involving contraband but also encompass all other sightings of
See DRONES, page 2B
St. Tammany Parish starts housing survey
Study aims to determine residents’ needs
BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer
St. Tammany Parish officials have launched a survey that aims to determine the housing needs of residents, part of a study of housing in a fast-growing parish where infrastructure problems are top of mind for many residents and
“I want to know what people are thinking,” said council member Kathy Seiden who is helping spearhead the study “I
1920s Delta Queen steamboat up for sale
BY JULIA GUILBEAU Staff writer
After years of trying to repair the 1920s-era steamboat to her former glory, the owners of the Delta Queen, a National Historic Landmark, are putting the vessel up for sale. Delta Queen Steamboat Co announced in a social media post that after exhausting all of its options attempting to transform the legendary
boat into an overnight passenger ship, it is hoping to find someone else to complete the restoration.
“It remains DQSC’s goal and mission to see the DELTA QUEEN preserved and the best solution is one that opens the vessel to the public to generate the revenues necessary to sustain its maintenance and long-term preservation. Whether this means as a cruising vessel, or in the manner her identical twin, the DELTA KING has enjoyed as a stationary attraction; the DELTA QUEEN needs to be saved,” the
Owner lacks money to repair landmark linked to WWII ä See STEAMBOAT, page 2B
STAFF PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER
at the Butterfly Walk in City Park’s Botanical Garden. The walk is filled with butterfly friendly flora. Common species seen here include the monarch, viceroy and eastern giant swallowtail. The garden is open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30
Man kills, buries girlfriend, police say
BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer
A man was arrested Saturday after New Orleans police said he reported shooting his girlfriend and burying her in a St. Roch backyard, the ninth reported shooting to rock the New Orleans area on Saturday
Officers responded to the call about 5:09 p.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of Marigny Street, where they met with the man, Benjamin Camp, 24. Investigators found what appeared to be human remains around the rear of the home, and Emergency Medical Services confirmed the victim deceased
Camp was taken to the Orleans Justice Center and booked on counts of second degree murder
The woman was the ninth person reported shot in New Orleans on Saturday, a spate of violence that included a shooting in Read Boulevard West that sent a 16-year-old boy to the hospital, a double homicide in Holy Cross and a quadruple shooting at a Little Woods house party
Eruptions of gunfire in New Orleans are not unusual, but they have become rarer as violent crime rates have fallen throughout the city and the nation. In April 2022, a year when New Orleans led the nation in homicides, 18 people were shot in one
weekend, and six died from their wounds.
As of June 21, murder is down 29% in Orleans Parish from the same time last year, from 68 to 48, according to data from New Orleans Police Department’s Analytics Unit Nonfatal shootings dropped 19%, from 112 to 91.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will identify the victim and official cause of death upon completion of autopsy and notification of family
Staff writer Missy Wilkinson contributed to this story
Email Sophie Kasakove at sophie.kasakove@theadvocate. com.
DRONES
Continued from page 1B
nondepartmental drones at state prisons, he said.
“The We Will Act law gives the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections’ staff a way to neutralize, intercept or disable drones through any legal and safe methods, including but not limited to jamming, hacking or physical capture to prevent illegal or harmful activity, such as individuals attempting to drop contraband into prisons,” Ellis said.
Drone sightings at Entergy’s River Bend Station nuclear power plant early this year marked another driving force behind the new law Gallé said.
Officials at the time did not identify the drones as a public safety threat. But they’ve also never gotten a clear answer as to where those drones came from, according to Gallé and Sheriff Brian Spillman, of West Feliciana Parish.
Those sightings prompted Landry in January to say the state ought to have a way to mitigate drones. At the time, he said he’d been asking the Federal Aviation Administration to grant Louisiana that authority
Now, Louisiana’s new law puts the state “on the front lines of drone defense,” Landry said in a statement
It is unclear how Louisiana’s law will interact with federal rules and regulations. Generally, under federal law, it is illegal to damage, destroy, disable or wreck any aircraft.
The Advocate | The Times-Picayune asked the FAA whether it accepted Louisiana’s new law
“The FAA is a safety regulator not a security agency,” a spokesperson said in response. “Our role is to ensure drones operate safely within the broader National Airspace System. Congress gave certain federal agencies authority to counter credible threats from drones.”
Law enforcement has so far been mum on how their agencies
putting it up for sale after years of trying to make renovations.
STEAMBOAT
Continued from page 1B
post read. The Delta Queen and her twin the Delta King were built in 1927 as luxurious passenger steamboats that doubled as shipping vessels. They operated in California for years, commuting between San Francisco and Sacramento each night. When World War II commenced, the Delta Queen was
SURVEY
Continued from page 1B
The study aims to look at the specifics of what kinds of housing the parish needs whether it’s single-family, multifamily, condominiums or retirement homes and where to build it.
In addition to the survey, the consultant conducting the study, Community Development Strategies, will also analyze commuting patterns, what economic sectors in the parish are growing and the parish’s existing housing stock, according to Chris Masingill, the head of the parish’s economic development agency who is heading the project alongside Seiden and
commissioned by the U.S. Navy to ferry troops in the San Francisco Bay. It was purchased by Captain Tom Greene and returned to its former job carrying paying passengers up and down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, stopping at more than 80 ports.
The boat has been docked in Houma since 2015, after it was saved from the scrapper and towed south from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Owners have been working for a decade to revive the boat, lobbying for federal funding from Congress to get
Parish President Mike Cooper
“You start talking about housing and it can be a pretty controversial subject, but it’s a necessary one. It’s a conversation we really need to have,” said Michael Vinsanau, Cooper’s spokesperson. The study is expected to be completed in October, Seiden said, and the results will be made public and shared with the parish’s Planning and Zoning Department as it embarks on a new comprehensive rezoning of the parish.
Seiden said she realizes that for many residents in the parish, infrastructure problems, especially related to drainage and traffic, are foremost on their minds when they think of new housing devel-
the job done. In 2018, President Donald Trump signed a law allowing the boat to operate on water again and setting out funding to refurbish the boat so it could once again carry passengers. Repair costs, which included replacing the boat’s boilers and adding generators plumbing heating and air conditioning, were estimated to be around $10 million to $12 million. But the owner says funding for the project never materialized.
The boat’s restoration faced another setback in 2021 when it
opments. In recent years, the parish has seen proposed residential developments generate enormous controversy, from a zoning change request to build hundreds of new homes that got shot down by the Parish Council in May to a proposed apartment complex in Covington that sparked a federal lawsuit Still, Seiden said many people who work and live on the northshore, whether they are nurses or assistant district attorneys, have had a hard time affording housing in St. Tammany Masingill said the average home value in the parish is $286,850. St. Tammany is one of the only parishes in the state that grew between 2020 and 2023, when its
was damaged in Hurricane Ida.
The Category 4 storm’s strong winds damaged the roof and several doors and windows. It was not immediately clear what the cost of the Delta Queen’s lingering repairs was.
No price was listed for the steamboat in the post, but DQSC said they are seeking offers and giving priority to plans that would not involve dismantling the ship.
Email Julia Guilbeau at jguilbeau@theadvocate.com.
population was estimated to be 275,583. At the same time, the percentage of residents who commute from St. Tammany to work elsewhere is falling, an economist said at a Bureau of Government Research panel discussion in Covington in February Masingill, who is leaving his job with the parish’s economic development agency in August, has honed in on housing during his time in St. Tammany “This is really going to help us make good future decisions when it comes to policy around housing development,” he said.
The survey is available at www surveymonkey.com/r/2WQD8FP
Email Willie Swett at willie. swett@theadvocate.com.
would take down drones if the need arose.
Gallé said the preferred method would be by electronic means.
“In some instances, you can intercept the drone, take over the controls and then remove it from the area and land it safely,” he said. “That’s the primary way that law enforcement wants to do it.”
State Troopers are prepared to counter drones being operated unlawfully, according to a statement from Capt Russell Graham, a State Police spokesperson.
The agency would not provide details on how it would intercept a drone because it “does not divulge investigative methods, law enforcement tactics, or technological capabilities for safety and security purposes.”
But Graham emphasized “that all counter-drone activity would be done safely and lawfully.”
The department would not be shooting drones out of the sky, he said.
The corrections department said it had “several staff members who are trained and certified as drone pilots for detection and counteraction purposes.”
Spillman, the West Feliciana Parish sheriff, said he had discussed a drone take-down method internally but was not ready to divulge it publicly
“We would take the necessary steps, I’ll just leave it at that. And those necessary steps would include at all times that we were not putting anybody else in jeopardy,” he said.
Joe Gebbia Sr., founder and CEO of State Shield, a national nonprofit that supports state-level laws to protect against possible interference from China, called the bill “historic.”
“It’s the first time that a state passed legislation giving itself the right to do what it needs to do to protect its people,” he said. Gebbia plans to lobby other states to pass similar legislation next year, he added.
Email Meghan Friedmann at meghan.friedmann@ theadvocate.com.
STABBING
Continued from page 1B
warrant. Hours later, Troop NOLA and the New Orleans Police Department’s Violent Crime Investigative Abatement Team stopped Ortega near the intersection of Dante and Fig streets. They found blood staining the passenger door and a knife handle in the door pocket, the warrant states.
“Everyone is in total shock, heartbroken and at a loss for words,” said Kenneth Kynt Bryan, who described himself as a mother figure for young LGBTQ+ people in New Orleans. “It is unthinkable.”
Johnson was from Mobile, Alabama, and graduated from Alabama School of the Deaf in 2017, school records show He moved to New Orleans in recent years and in 2022 started working for Walmart, according to his Facebook profile. Johnson spoke glowingly of his family, especially his mother; his grandmother, who gave him the nickname “Buggy”; and a cherished niece, Brooklyn. Johnson also worked as a porter at The Original Nite Cap, a St. Bernard Avenue speakeasy owned by burlesque performer and American Sign Language interpreter Bella Blue. The two collaborated to bring a sign language workshop to the bar January’s snowstorm forced them to postpone the event
“Even without his voice, he never struggled to be heard,” Blue said. “He was so expressive. He connected with people effortlessly.”
In his free time, Johnson could often be found at downtown gay bars, including OZ New Orleans, Cafe Lafitte in Exile, Good Friends Bar, Rawhide Lounge and the Phoenix Bar He loved fairies, rainbows and any excuse to get dressed up, Blue said.
As a gay, Black, deaf man, Johnson thrived at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, and his joyful authenticity inspired those around him, said Maddox.
After moving to New Orleans from Jennings, Maddox said she found the courage to come out as a trans woman, thanks in part to Johnson’s example.
“A lot of people with his life experience might hide who they are,” Maddox said “He did the opposite He chose to be happy by choosing to be himself.”
A second-line and memorial service at The Original Nite Cap are in the works.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By EMMA DISCHER
The historic Delta Queen steamboat sits moored in Houma as it waits for repairs in 2016. The owner of the historic 1920s-era steamboat is
STAFF PHOTO By MISSy WILKINSON
New Orleans Police Department investigators work the scene of a homicide in the 2000 block of Marigny Street in St. Roch on Saturday.
NewOrleans Area Deaths
Cadow,Mary Lalonde,David NewOrleans
Lake Lawn Metairie Cadow,Mary
Obituaries Cadow, Mary Katherine Poirier
Mary Katherine Poirier
Cadow passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025at the age of 97. She was a native of New Orleans Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, William A. Cadow, Jr. and her son Gary J. Cadow. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, William A. Cadow III (Karen), Kenneth M. Cadow (Antoinette) and Daniel G. Cadow (Missy); She was the loving grandmotherof Eric M. Cadow and Kenneth M. Cadow Jr (Gaylyn); and great-grandmother of Baylor Cadow; she is also survived by many nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff of Heart of Hospice and the staffof Agape Care Homes. Relatives and friends
researchand care organization of your choice
Lalonde, David DavidPaul Lalonde,age 62, passed away on Sunday,March9,2025. He was preceded in deathby his parents, Raoul D. Lalonde and Versie Lanclos Lalonde,and hissister Beverly LalondeDours. He issurvived by hiswife, Deanna FultonLalonde, his brotherDonald J. Lalonde and sisterSharon Lalonde Sagastume.Healsoleaves behind multiple niecesand nephews. Davidwas aproud 1981 graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans and attended the Universityof New Orleans.Helater graduated from Nova SoutheasternUniversity in Fort Lauderdale, FL. After graduation he embarked on acareer in Information Technology performing roles from programmerto IT Director in the New Orleans and Orlando areas
prior to retiring. At thetime of his death, David was living in Felton, Delaware,withhis wife Dee and their twofourlegged companionsBillie and Miles.
Relatives and friends are invitedtoattend a Mass of Christian burial on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Holy Name of Jesus chapel on theJesuitHighSchool campus. Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. and thefuneral mass follows at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers,please considercontributions in David'sname to Jesuit High School.
Greaux Healthy investsin Louisiana’s children
Louisiana’schildren have a powerful new ally in their journey toward better health and brighter futures. The recent launch of Greaux Healthy marksamajor milestone that will empower families and strengthen communities across our state. Every child deserves the chance to thrive. Greaux Healthy makes that vision real. Led by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical ResearchCenter,inpartnership with the state of Louisiana, Greaux Healthy is an evidence-based publicservice initiative focused on preventing and treating childhood obesity in Louisiana. It’sapragmatic approach that combines decadesof research with practical, familyfriendly tools parents can use every day.This initiative reflects our shared values that investing in our children today builds astronger, healthier tomorrow.It’sasmart use of research that will payoff for generations. The program’sinnovative design offers something for everyone. Families will find resources that make healthy living fun and doable. The colorful Healthy Moves bus will bring hands-oneducation straight to communities statewide. The Pennington Generation research study gives familiesa chance to contribute to groundbreaking science —while gaining personalized insights about their own child’s health. Healthcare providers get better tools to guide young patients. Communities gain programs that make healthy choices easy choices. This is about realizingLouisiana’sfull potential.Healthy kids learn more, move moreand dream bigger.They grow into the leaders our state needs.
Greaux Healthy represents Louisiana at its best: where worldclass research meets community spirit. Every family that joins and every community that participates becomes part of amovement creating lasting change. Our children’sfutures are bright, and Greaux Healthy is helping light the way Get involved today at www greauxhealthy.org. Together, we can build ahealthier Louisiana one child, one family, one community at atime.
JOHN KIRWAN executivedirector,Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Glad to seeCajun,zydeco musicisstill goingstrong
After reading thearticle about Cajun and zydeco music, “AnEvolution, not aRenaissance” (June 10), Irecalled that Iexperienced theactual renaissance in theearly 1980s. Growing up in New Orleans, Idid not hear Cajunmusic in my youthexcept on the radio when my dad drove us to Lafayette to visitcousins. In my late 20s, Iheard Cajun music with some friends on Canal Street after we ran arace. Therhythm just made me want to dance.Going to Acadianatothe dance halls allowed me to learn thesteps. Once Ifound that theMaple Leaf Bar on Oak Street offered aCajunband on Thursdays, Iwas a patron. We had to movethe tables and chairs outofthe way to create adance floor Then the Cajun/zydeco music scene exploded. Before too long, only thebenches on thesides remained. But none of the guys
knew how to dance. To solve that problem,I would show them
Andthen one night,aguy saidhewanted to have privatelessons in his homefor six people. Ibecame the city’sfirst Cajun dance teacher
Someofmycreditsinclude teaching the primary actorsand dancing in “The Big Easy,” dancing on theDolly Parton show and gigs withbands such Dewey Balfa, Beausoleil, Bruce Daigrepont, Clifton Chenier,Le Freres Michot,Rockin’ Dopsie and many others. The joyous memories of being apart of the continuing Cajun/zydeco music tradition livewith me to this day
Thanks to Joanna Brown for the article. I am so pleased that the music still resonates on anational level.
As executive director of A+PEL, Iamglad Gov.Jeff Landry signed into law House Bill 674, which revises theLouisianaEthics Code. We appreciate the governor’soffice andlegislators from both parties for their collaborativeefforts in addressing critical issues of government overreach.
As chair of alegal foundation for educators, Iwholeheartedly support therecent bill andspecifically commend its provisions that directlyimpact educators.
Over thepast decade, legislative intervention hasrepeatedly been necessary to shield hardworking educatorsfrom unwarranted ethics investigations. We’ve seen this when educators received stipends for professional development from theNational Mathand ScienceInitiative and even when theyproc-
Advocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@theadvocate.com. TO SEND US ALETTER, SCAN HERE
tored ACT or SATexams for supplemental income. More recently,lawmakers stepped in to protect educators coaching youth sports in their communities as well as protect educators providing tutoringservices outside their primary jobs.
This year,thanks to thethoughtful consideration of those involved in drafting House Bill 674, we yet again safeguard Louisiana educators. The opposition to this bill in traditional media misrepresented its intent. In fact, nearly every single legislator supported this bill, and Irecall only asingle organization puttinginanote of opposition during public testimony.
KEITH COURVILLE
executivedirector,Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL)
Church historyshows womenplayedarole
In her letter of June 7, Linda Watrous claimed that womenshould not be ordained because Jesus chose12men as apostles. As aCatholic scripture scholar,Ibeg to differ Apostle means one who is sent. Allfour gospelsbear witness that women were the first to be senttoproclaim the good news of the resurrection. They were sent to tell the men who were cowering in the upper room. Tradition has proclaimed Mary of Magdala as the first apostle, the apostola apostolorum Accordingtothe New Testament,Jesus didnot ordain anyone, and priests are not
mentioned.Paul’sletters, which are much older than the gospels, note the woman Junia, who was prominent amongthe apostles, and Phoebe, who was adeacon, among other women. In the early church, womenserved in all ministries. There is afresco in the church of St. Praxides in Romedepicting “Theodora Episcopa,”Theodora the bishop. It is time for thechurch to stop denying its own history and ordain women whom God is calling to sacramental ministries.
ELISABETH TETLOW
NewOrleans
“Pharmacy bill killed on last day of session” wasthe headline on the front page of the newspaper on June 13. Iwhispered, “Thank you, God,” to myself
This bill came to the floor on the second-to-last day of the legislative session. I’dlike to publicly thank Alyse Pfeil, Matthew Albright and Meghan Friedmann and the Advocate staffmembers whogave the public front-page articles, addressing this.
And, athank you to my in-network drugstore, CVS, for the text on my phone, alerting me to this bill. Iimmediately called my senator —it had already passed the House. This bill, had it passed, had the potential to cause CVS to close 119 of its stores in the state of Louisiana, affecting about 1million patients across the state, and 22,000 patients whoreceive high-cost specialty drugs that smaller pharmacies could find it difficult to handle. I’dalso like to thank all the senators, especially Senate President Cameron Henry,R-Metairie, whorefused to steamroll this bill through during the night, before the citizens weregiven timefor public hearings. Henry said, “There’sa legislative process forareason. This amendment did not have one ounce of public testimony through the process.”
Gov.Jeff Landry threatened to call aspecial session and supports an investigation of CVS foralerting its customers with atext. Why would he be annoyed that the public was able to receive information about abill that affects the supply of our lifeline, our prescription drugs?
Ivoted forLandry,but I’mvery disappointed with the way this was handled. In fact, it’sscary.What else do we have to watch for?
CYNTHIA LITZ Baton Rouge
Angola inmates don’tdeserve special consideration
This is arebuttal to the editorial on June 4, “Angola prisoners deserve protection from the heat.” First and foremost, millions of honest hard-working farmers, roofers, electricians, etc., not only work in sweltering heat but in cold and rain, too.
All Louisiana has to offer is to makeanhonest living. The men at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola are there forareason: murder,child molestation, rape and much more. They chose the wrong path. Let’sreward them with air conditioning, three hot meals, acot and color TV? Isay no. No tents, no fans, no TV.And it’sright forthem to grow their own food. Honest men and women workto support themselves and their families. They are not guaranteed the same. If you don’twant to do the time, don’tcommit the crime.
JEANNETTE HUESCHEN
Lacombe
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD
ChubbyCarrier performs during the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival at Louis Armstrong Park in NewOrleans in 2022.
Walt Handelsman’s contestistaking the week off. He’ll be backnext Monday, July 7.
CanDonaldTrump be trusted?
Can Donald Trump be trusted? Can we relyonhis judgmentinacrisis? Those core questions have been raised by the president’sdecision toreverse his campaignpledges and attack Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Much remains unknown and uncertain How badly has Iran’s nuclear capacitybeen crippled? Is Tehran planning further retaliation? Will serious negotiations follow?
But we do know this: President Trump broke the promise he made in his inaugural address—“We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end —and perhaps most importantly,the wars we never get into.”
Most prominent Republicans have rallied around the president, but in anew CNN poll, 58% say his actions have increased the threat from Iran, while only 27% say security has improved Afew Trump supporters have been willing to call out the president’s deception. Former Fox News star Tucker Carlson told radiohost Steve Bannon, a key Trump adviser,that thepresident is risking “world war.” Bannon replied, “This thing has not been thought through. It does not have the support of the American people.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene accused Trump of pulling “a complete bait and switch” on his supporters.
These criticisms raise alarger issue: How does Trump make decisions? Is he capable of long-range strategic thinking? He’salways been amercurial character,responding topeople or events or what he sees on Fox News. He’seven bragged, “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due.”
That approach works well on reality TV —always keep them guessing! but it works badly as an approach to governing.
Trump failed the biggest test of his first term, the COVID-19pandemic, andhedrove the financial world crazy with his erratic behavior during the first months of his secondterm. Global markets, like global leaders, value stability,not chaos.
“Donald Trump’spresidency is oftencompared to areality TV show,” writes The Spectator World, aTrumpfriendly conservative magazine. “Yet that conceit barely captures the radical strangeness of his leadership. Trump is ahypnotist, amaster of persua-
COMMENTARY Democrats miredin infighting
sion who tries to shapeworld events through CONFUSION, BIG BOMBS and CAPITAL LETTERS.”
That “radical strangeness” is severely aggravated by Trump’sincessant habit of posting anything at any time on social media. With afew taps on his cellphone, he can instantly alter nationalpolicy.One militaryofficial told TheNew York Times that as the raid on Iran unfolded, Trump jeopardized operational security by posting hints about possible plans. Trump’sposts are often untethered to evidence, and reflect theconcept of “alternative facts.” The Washington Post documented more than 30,000 “false or misleading” statements during his first term, and as CNN reports, his rate of fabrication continues: “President Donald Trump filled his first 100 days back in office with thesame relentless lying and inaccuracy that was ahallmark of his first presidency and his 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns.” That penchant for “relentless lying” can put him at odds with his own appointees, when they try to adhere to more rigorous standards of veracity. In one striking example, Trump’sown director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, told CongressinMarch that professional analysts continue “to assess thatIran is notbuilding anuclear weapon.” But when he wanted to make the case for military action, Trump called his own adviser “wrong.”
Trump alsoinsists that theraid “totally destroyed”Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but aleaked report from his own Defense Intelligence Agency directly contradicts the president, saying the damage will only impede Tehran for several months.
Trump has illuminated another reason to distrust his leadership: his relentlesscampaign to exile any Republican who dares to cross him. After Rep. Thomas MassieofKentucky suggested Trump’sraid was illegal because he had not consulted Congress, the president immediately announced support for amove to defeat thelawmakernext year The president has alsoassembled aWhiteHouse staff of loyal lackeys. There’snoone likeJohn Kelly,the former Marine general who served as chief of staff during Trump’sfirst term and continually reminded thepresident about the legal limits to his power
“He certainly prefers the dictator approach to government,” Kelly told The New York Times. Trump “never accepted the fact that he wasn’tthe most powerful man in theworld —and by power,Imean an ability to do anything he wanted, anytime he wanted.”
After theIran raid, Kelly’swords, and fears, have been strongly reinforced.
Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@ gmail.com.
Environmentalpoliciesleave La.ailing
When assessing patients’ health,doctors distinguish between “symptoms” and “signs.”
Symptoms are subjective, thefeelings apatient has indicating something’s wrong.
studies show It’sTrump’sopinion that protection for humansshould not interferewith business profits. Butheknows regulations can only become law if they are basedonthe factual findings from scientific research.
mate change —including thebillions Congress authorized two years ago— may be rolled back. Trumphas already ordered morethan 100 climatestudies to be shut down.
Signs are objective, the results of X-rays and scans, and call for immediate action.
Now,five months into President Donald Trump’sreignofterror on our environment,the symptoms of troublethat were flooding Louisiana have been joined by signs requiringurgent action.
First, arespected environmental researcheratTulane Universityfelt compelled to resign,claiming theschool hadplacedher and her work under gag ordersbecause statepoliticians andthe petrochemicalindustry didn’t like the results.
Next, researchersatSoutheastern Louisiana University foundalarming levels of toxic metals and pollution in Lake Maurepas.
Finally,for the second year in arow, U.S. News and World Report declared Louisiana the worststate to livein, a finding heavily influenced by ourranking as the second most polluted state. Each of those signs result from Trump’sunprecedented two-pronged assault on America’senvironment. He has issued 145 orders rolling back or killing regulations currently protectingAmericans. Those changes could lead to premature deaths of more than 200,000 over the next 25 years duetoincreasedheart and respiratory illnesses,
So, like theautocrats and dictators he admires and wants to emulate, King Donalddoesn’twant his subjects to know the truth. That’swhy he’strying to make those facts disappear and prevent any futurefindings
Thus, he has ordered environmental agencies to remove results of studies from their websites, and proposed dramatic cutbacks in their funding that includes shuttering entire sections This includes reducing funding at the National Science Foundation (57%);the National Institutes of Health (40%); NASA’s science budget (47%); theDepartmentofEnergy’sOffice of Science (14%)and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (28%). Amassive40% reduction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was no surprise. NOAA hasbeen at the forefront of research explainingthe current and future catastrophic impacts of climate change such as sea level rise and larger hurricanes —all of which are caused largely by fossilfuelemissions.
Butthe cuts at NOAA —designed to protect oiland gas from being blamed fortheirrole in climate change would also leave Louisianaand other coastal states without some of thelifesaving information on hurricanes the agency provides.Maybe he’ll use his Sharpietochange their paths? In fact, any program related to cli-
Andheisusing themassive power of the federal purse to reach outside federal agencies and into theworld of academia because America’suniversities conduct much our environmental research using federal grants.
Someofthe nation’selite universities, such as Columbia, have folded to his demands.
Others, notably Harvard, are fighting for academic freedom.
Tulane has chosen to wave thewhite flag. It’s worried funding from petrochemical giants could be jeopardized. It apparently believes in that old saying, “The problem with tainted money is “‘Tain’tenough of it!’”
Butthe real problem is that Trump’s war on science and universities is really awar on the freedom of truth, the kryptonite feared by all autocrats.
Andthe truthfor Louisiana is that Trump’swar on science is setting our stateupfor apermanent place at the bottom of the list of best places to live in the United States. He is doing all of this with the support of Louisiana’sGOP congressional delegation.
The signs have already moved Louisiana into the intensive care unit. Unless he is stopped, we’ll eventually be in hospice care.
Bob Marshall, aPulitzer Prizewinning Louisiana environmental journalist,can be reached at bmarshallenviro@gmail.com.
This column is about the current dreadful state of the Democratic Party.But begin with this extraordinary fact: At this timeeight years ago, in the first year of Donald Trump’s first term as president, the Russia special counsel, Robert Mueller,had already been appointed and had been investigating Trumpfor amonth. What Trumpcalls the Russia hoax dominated media coverage. Commentators slandered Trumponadaily basis. Trump’sjob approval rating fell into the high 30s in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. In the White House, the new president was distracted and on the defensive, knocked back on his feet from his first moments in office.
On the other side, the Democratic strategy wasattack, attack, attack. They had alot of help; major newsorganizations and ahost of cable newsproducers gave them an opportunity to speculate about Trump-Russia every hour of every day.Russia dominated politics in 2017, 2018 and much of 2019. Trumplost a lot of what could have been his mostproductive timeaspresident.
The point of bringing this up is to contrast the situation then with the situation today Nowitisthe Democrats whoare distracted and back on their feet, with the party engaged in bitter infighting and struggling to come up with aunified strategy to oppose Trump. Meanwhile, Trumpispushing forward on all fronts, setting the agenda and putting together one of the mostconsequential presidencies in years.
Part of the problem is that Democrats are still in astate of shock. Go back to last summer,when an internal coup resulted in President Joe Biden’sdeparture from the reelection race. Then go to November,when the party was stunned to lose to Trump. Then go to January-February-March of this year when they wereoverwhelmed by Trump’saudacious use of executive authority in his first months in office. Democrats are still playing catch-up.
Perhaps their biggest problem is that they don’thave abig, unifying cause, like the Russia narrative, to use as acudgel against the Trumpadministration. It is hard to overstate the daily damage the Russia affair did to Trumpin2017, and its absence today has left Democrats in afar weaker position than they were back then.
Of course, Democrats are trying. Some have adapted the lawfare they perfected during Trump’stimeout of office; just this year, Democratic proxies have sued Trumporhis administration around 300 times. The idea is to find afriendly judge —not too hard to do —toissue anationwide injunction to stop Trumpfrom doing whatever it is that Democrats oppose. The party has had agood deal of success so far, but it’sashort-term strategy, especially when they file preposterous cases that will lose in the courts of appeal.
Recently,we’ve seen anumber of Democrats pursue anew effort to use 1960s-style civil disobedience to get themselves detained, arrested, handcuffed or otherwise in trouble while bringing attention to what they say are the administration’slawless ways.
It’s kind of funny,but not really —it’smore an indicator of the Democratic Party’simpotence in the face of the Trumppresidency First, it has fallen behind in the money race —according to recent reports, the Democratic National Committee has $18 million in cash-on-hand compared to $67.4 million for the Republican National Committee.
Finally,Democrats are still on the wrong side of anumber of issues, like immigration, wokeism and national security.Atany moment, they seem in danger of taking another turn in the wrong direction —another criminal to embrace, another toxic cause that could, in the words of Politico, “further set back the party’salready beleaguered national brand.”
Back in 2017, in Trump’sfirst months in office, Democrats, even though they had just suffered adevastating defeat in the 2016 presidential election, didn’tspend as much timeworrying about their brand. They had Russia to use against the new president, and a willing press to megaphone every wild accusation they could find. Of course, in the most fundamental sense, the Mueller investigation went nowhere when the special counsel could not establish that collusion ever occurred, much less that it involved any top Trump campaign officials. But that didn’thappen until 2019, giving Democrats and their media allies ample time to cripple Trump’snew presidency.Now,Democrats have lost again to Trump, but this time, they are still searching forthe magic issue to use against him Byron York is on X, @Bryon York
Byron York
Bob Marshall
PROVIDED PHOTO By THE WHITE HOUSE
President Donald Trumpsits in the White House SituationRoom on June 21 during theair strikes on Iran.
Steve Roberts
CAPTION CONTEST
NewOrleans Forecast
Alcarazlooking forthird Wimbledontitle in arow
PHOTO By KIRSTy WIGGLESWORTH
BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer
LONDON Carlos Alcaraz’sfirst match on agrass court came just six yearsago
He’sobviously aquick study
When Wimbledon gets started Monday, the 22-year-old fromSpain will playinthe first Centre Court matchofthis fortnight, an honor reserved for the previous year’s men’schampion. The contest against Fabio Fognini will open Alcaraz’sbid for athird consecutive championship at the place.
That’ssomething only four men have achieved in the Open era, which began in
1968: Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Notbad company Alcaraz already is 5-0 in Grand Slam finals, which includes going 2-0atthe French Open —whichhewon threeweeksago via acomeback from two sets down against No. 1Jannik Sinner in thefinal —and 1-0 at the U.S. Open.
Last year,the No. 2-ranked Alcarazbecame the youngest man to win amajor trophy on each surface: grass,clayand hard courts.
But he’sgot afondness forthe green stuff.
“The mostbeautiful tennisthat we can
watch is on grass. The style that the people bring to the court when they play on grass. The sound of the ball,”saidAlcaraz, who will go into Monday on acareer-best 18-match winning streak, including atitle at the Queen’s Club tournament on grass last weekend. “The movement is really tough, but when you get it, it’skind of (as though) you’re flying.”
He loves that it allows him to show off the variety in his game and all of the skills he possesses. Few players smile as muchasAlcaraz does while in the thickofthings, no matterwhatchallengesmight be presentedby
ä See WIMBLEDON, page 3C
ON ST RI ?
Hall of Fame horse trainer Lukasdies
Kentucky native earned 15 Triple Crownvictories
BY STEPHENWHYNO Associated Press
D. Wayne Lukas, the Hall of Famer who became one of the most accomplished trainers in the history of horse racing and aface of the sport fordecades,has died. He was 89.
Twenty years after the New OrleansHornets drafted Chris Paul with the fourth pick of the draft, it’s time to consider bringing him back.
The Pelicans and the other 29 NBAteams can start negotiating with free agents on Monday at 5p.m.
If I’mPelicansexecutive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, one of the first calls I make is to CP3.
No,thisisn’t just somefeel good gesture to create anostalgic full circle moment. Bringing Paul back to NewOrleanswould fill aneed fora franchise needing to get back on track after adisastrous season. Pelicans should consider calling ChrisPaulbacktothe placewhere it all beganfor him
CJ McCollum,the locker room leader the past 31/2 seasons, was tradedtothe Washington Wizards last week. His leadership (and the $30.7 million remaining on his 1-year contract) are now in D.C.
So there’savoid there.
And who better to fill that void than one of the best leaders, both on andoff the court, than Paul?
Yeah, Paul just turned40inMay, which is ancient in NBAyears.
But Paul knows he’snear thefinish line of his Hall of Fame career. He won’t be expecting to break the bank with whatever team he signs with.
But it would be achance forhim
Hisfamily saidSunday that Lukas died Saturday nightathis Louisville, Kentucky, home. Lukas had been hospitalized with a severe MRSA bloodinfection thatcaused significantdamagetohis heartand digestive system and worsened pre-existing chronic conditions.
“Wayne devoted hislife notonly to horses but to theindustry —developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the gamebyinviting unsuspecting fans into thewinner’scircle,” hisfamily saidina statement. “Whether he was boasting aboutamaiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derbywinner or offering quiet words of advice before abig race, Waynebrought heart, grace, and grit to everycornerofthe sport. His final days werespent at home in Kentucky,where he chose peace, family,and faith.” Lukas won15Triple Crownraces, including the Kentucky Derby four times. Only good friend BobBaffert hasmoreTriple Crown victories, andLukasowns arecordtying 20 in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
“The whole secret of this game, Ithink, is being able to read thehorse:Read what he needs, what he doesn’t need, what he can’t do, what he can do,” Lukas saidinMay before his 34th and final Preakness Stakes. “That’sthe whole key. Everybody’sgot the blacksmith, everybody’sgot to the samebed available, the feed man. We all can hire agood jockey We all can hire apretty good exercise rider if we’vegot themeans, so what the hellisthe difference? The horse is the difference and what we do withhim in reading him.”
ä See LUKAS, page 2C
Rod Walker
to finish his career where he started it while bringing some much needed veteran presence to theteam.
The Pelicans are as young as they’ve ever been.
Kelly Olynyk —who was also traded to the Wizards —and McCollum were the oldest two players on theroster
Dejounte Murray,who turns 29 in
September,isthe next oldest.But he will most certainly missthe first part of the season rehabbing the Achilles hetoreinJanuary After Murray,the elders who play significant minutes on the team are now Jose Alvarado (27) and Herb Jones (26). Paulcould instantly step in and play in Murray’sabsence. The Pelicansplan to decline theteam option on point guard Elfrid Payton, according to areport on Sunday by The Athletic, makingthe team even thinner at point guard. Even moreimportantly,Paul could
ä See WALKER, page 4C
GOLF ROUNDUP
Potgieter wins Rocket Classic
BY LARRY LAGE AP sportswriter
DETROIT Aldrich Potgieter made an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole, outlasting Max Greyserman to win the Rocket Classic on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title.
“I
finally got one to the hole,” Potgieter said after missed opportunities on the green by three players led to the longest playoff of the season on the PGA Tour
The 20-year-old from South Africa is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season. Chris Kirk was eliminated from contention after missing a 4-foot putt on the second playoff hole after pushing a 9-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole with a chance to win.
Greyserman and Potgieter each had opportunities to win end it on the 72nd hole at Detroit Golf Club, but couldn’t convert on birdie opportunities to break a tie at 22 under with Kirk. Potgieter, two strokes ahead entering the round, closed with a 3-under 69, and Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67.
Greyserman missed a 12-foot putt and Potgieter came up short on an uphill, 42-foot putt That set up Kirk with an opportunity to win it, but he couldn’t take advantage
After Greyserman two-putted from 39 feet for par and Potgieter did the same from 20 feet, Kirk had a chance to win it with a 9-foot putt only to push it to the right of the cup to extend the playoff.
The trio then went to the par-3, 158-yard 15th and Greyserman was the only one who was accurate off the tee and didn’t take advantage.
The trend continued on the par4 16th, where both Greyserman and Potgieter missed 16-foot putts with a chance to win.
At the par-5 14th, Greyserman hit is drive 361 yards his longest of the week — and was just 2 yards behind Potgieter’s blast. Potgieter hit his approach from 195 yards to 19 feet and he pulled his putt. Greyserman two-putted from from 29 feet for birdie.
Back at No. 15 for a second time in the playoff, Greyserman twoputted from 34 feet and then Potgieter finally ended it. Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) finished a stroke out of the playoff.
Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, is still waiting to end his drought He shot a 68 to finish 19 under and in an eighth-place tie. The two-time major winner, who was the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 5 in the world, has not won the PGA Tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan.
LUKAS
Continued from page 1C
Lukas was affectionately known around the barns and the racetrack as “Coach” because he coached high school basketball before his professional career with horses began. Even with months to go before his 90th birthday, he would get up on his pony in the early morning hours and go out to the track himself rather than letting his assistants do the day-to-day work.
Born Darnell Wayne Lukas on Sept. 2, 1935, in Wisconsin as the second of three children he rose to prominence in the sport with quarter horses in races that are effectively sprints. He moved into thoroughbreds in the late 1970s and won his first Preakness with Codex in 1980. Lukas has 4,967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, with his horses earning more than $310 million from more than 30,600 starts.
“Today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “We will miss his humor his wisdom and his unmatched ca-
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who rose to No. 7 in the world after winning the Travelers Championship last week, closed with 67 to tie for 41st at 12 under LPGA
SOUTH KOREAN DUO WIN DOW CHAM-
PIONSHIP: In Midland, Michigan,
Somi Lee poured in an 8-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship on Sunday, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years.
Thompson’s partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff, but she missed a 5-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start.
Thompson made an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a 6-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260.
Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win.
The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just 5 feet right of the cup. Im went nearer the pin but 8 feet long, setting up Lee for
the winning putt.
“Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played,” Khang said.
Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule
The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. “I can’t believe it,” Lee said after making her winning putt.
Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64.
Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth three shots behind. Thompson did not indicate when she would play again. Next on the LPGA schedule is the Evian Championship in France, a major Thompson has skipped every year dating to 2019. The Dow Championship is the
only official team event on the LPGA schedule.
LIV Golf
PATRICK REED FINALLY WINS ON LIV
GOLF TOUR: In Carrollton, Texas, Patrick Reed lost the lead with a 3-over 75 and then atoned for it by making a 15-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a four-man playoff Sunday to win LIV Golf Dallas, his first title since joining the Saudi-funded league in 2022.
Reed, who started the final round with a three-shot lead, fell behind late in the day at Maridoe Golf Club until Jinichiro Kozuma made bogey on the 18th hole and then made par on his final hole at No. 1 for a 68.
That got him into a playoff with Reed, Louis Oosthuizen (68) and Paul Casey (72).
On the first extra hole, Oosthuizen drove into the water and Casey took four shots to reach the green on the par-4 18th. Kozuma missed his 25-foot birdie try, setting the stage for Reed. Reed said it was a relief to get his first win in his home state of Texas. He won the Hong Kong Open last year on the Asian Tour, but he had gone 0 for 41 on LIV Golf.
“To get my first win here, part of LIV, it means so much to me,” Reed said. “I tried to mess it up.
After making birdie on the first, I seemed to leave every putt short.”
pacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport’s biggest days.”
Achieving something of a career renaissance over the past decade, one he credits to finding the right owners willing to spend money on horses, Lukas won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey Asked what motivates him to keep doing his job well into his late 80s, he gave a pep talk fit for a locker room before a big game. “If you have a passion, you
eliminate all the excuses,” Lukas said. “That’s how it works. You get up early You go without a meal. You drive. You go without sleep as long as you got the passion. Don’t let that sofa pull you down. It’s a little
U.S. women shut out Ireland 4-0 in friendly
Izzy Rodriguez scored in her first appearance for the national team and the United States shut out Ireland 4-0 on Sunday Lynn Biyendolo, Yazmeen Ryan and Alyssa Thompson also scored for the United States, which beat Ireland by an identical score in Commerce City, Colorado, on Thursday
The United States went up early when Biyendolo took a cross from Emma Sears and calmly scored her 25th international goal in the 11th minute.
Left back Rodriguez started in her debut and scored on a rebound goal to make it 2-0.
Sears kept the ball in play and sent it to Olivia Moultrie, who crossed to Ryan for the goal in the 66th minute.
Sparks retire two-time MVP Parker’s jersey
LOS ANGELES Candace Parker’s No. 3 Los Angeles Sparks jersey was raised to the rafters of Crypto. com Arena before Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky After being the No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA draft out of Tennessee, Parker had a standout 16-year career, winning championships with three teams — the Sparks, her hometown Sky and Las Vegas. She was MVP of the WNBA Finals for LA in 2016.
The 39-year-old Parker is the third Sparks player to have her jersey retired, joining Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11). This was the first of two jersey retirement ceremonies for the five-time All Star Parker Chicago will retire her jersey later this summer
Hop to it: Rabbit throws out ceremonial first pitch
It’s been 90 years since Hall of Famer Rabbit Maranville roamed the infield for the Boston Braves. Perhaps the Reno Aces have found his successor
The minor league team had a rabbit throw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday, with some help from a pitching machine. The rabbit, named Alex the Great, has become a bit of a sensation on social media According to MLB. com, he was rescued from a meat farm in California and adopted by Josh Row and Kathreen Kei Koc. Alex has since become the only certified therapy rabbit in the country visiting hospitals and charity events. With his friendly demeanor and 30 pounds of fluff, he is always eager to lend an ear to those in need.
Clark, Collier voted WNBA All-Star Game captains
NEW YORK — Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will captain the WNBA All-Star Game on July 19 the league announced Sunday Clark received 1,293,526 votes from fans while Collier had about 100,000 fewer The Indiana Fever star, who is sidelined with a groin strain, is averaging 18.2 points and a careerhigh 8.9 assists per game. Collier leads the league in scoring at a career-best 24.5 points and is fourth in rebounding at 8.4 a game. The 10 starters were selected from across the WNBA without regard to conference affiliation. Current players and a media panel joined fans in selecting the All-Star starters. Fans voting accounted for 50% while the players vote and the media choices each account for 25%.
Pirates’ Santana begins three-game suspension
PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis
titude decision. Make it early, and make the right one.”
“Today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years.” BILL CARSTANJEN, Churchill Downs, Inc. CEO
sit against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday and Tuesday before being eligible to return Wednesday Santana, in the second game of a June 19 doubleheader was seen in videos posted on social media pointing out the fan to a police officer before jumping and swinging at the person who was
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO B y CHARLIE RIEDEL
Trainer D Wayne Lukas watches a morning workout for the 141th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1 in Louisville, Ky.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PAUL SANCyA
Aldrich Potgieter, of South Africa, hits from the fourth tee during the final round of the Rocket Classic on Sunday at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit.
Qualifier not daunted by No. 1 Sabalenka
BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer
Beloved sportswriter Fambrough is retiring
She covered prep sports in BR area for 34 years
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
For more than three decades, Baton Rouge residents have had one surefire way of knowing whether the prep sporting event they were attending was the biggest one on the docket that night.
If Robin Fambrough was there, then you were in the right place.
sideration for detail.
“She did an article on me,” Augustus said, “and I was a shy little kid, and most of my answers were ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’ and I just remember how caring she was, how she pulled the information out of me without overwhelming me, with it being my first interview And that’s basically how we got started, and throughout my high school career, college career, Robin was the same person She interviewed me the same way.”
Fambrough watched the high-profile recruits. She’d also look for diamonds in the rough, then give them the spotlight she thought they deserved.
“She covers our sports,” Zachary girls basketball coach Tami McClure said. “She really takes into consideration that girls’ sports are important It’s not just about the boys but everyone. It’s not just the girls. Every sport is important to her and to this community, and then she gets it across to everyone and covers everyone as everyone should be covered.”
LONDON There are plenty of tennis players who might be daunted by the prospect of making their Grand Slam debut against someone ranked No. 1 and in a big stadium in this case Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon’s No. 1 Court. Carson Branstine, though, is embracing the circumstances she’ll find herself in Mond ay Branstine, 24, is a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen — she was born in California and represents Canada, where her mother is from — and helped Texas
A&M win the 2024 NCAA title. She is ranked just inside the top 200, but made it into the women’s bracket at the All England Club by winning three matches in qualifying last week.
“It’s not like I’m a beginner This is my job, too. We’re playing the same tournament, right? It’s just exciting. It’s cool. And I love
that for myself,” Branstine said. “You never know what can happen. And I like it. I wouldn’t want it any other way This is the coolest thing.”
Besides, facing, and eliminating, the top seed is becoming routine lately for her: This is the third consecutive event this month where Branstine is going up against a foe seeded No. 1. She beat Liudmila Samsonova at a grass-court tournament in the Netherlands, then started off Wimbledon qualifying by defeating Loïs Boisson, who was coming off a surprising run to the French Open semifinals.
“Well, of course I go out with: Why not? Because there’s a lot of factors in tennis, more than just playing. You never know what can be happening on each side, behind closed doors. It’s Wimbledon. It’s (Sabalenka’s) first round; you’ve seen a lot of players have tight matches in their first rounds against players that you’d never imagine that (it) would be close,” Branstine said “That could easily happen on Monday You never know With my game, maybe God’s going to come down
and say, ‘You’re going to have the best tennis of your life. You’re not going to miss a single ball right now.’
”
Branstine credits her big serve and confidence to match with driving her recent success.
When Sabalenka — a three-time Grand Slam champion and the runnerup to Coco Gauff at RolandGarros three weeks ago — was asked Saturday what she knows about Branstine, her playing style was not what came to mind.
“I know that she’s super pretty,” Sabalenka replied with a laugh. “The other day, I opened social media, and she was giving an interview I was like, ‘Oh, my God, this girl is so beautiful.’
That’s all I know so far.”
Sabalenka planned to discuss tactics with her team and watch some of Branstine’s past matches to familiarize herself with what to expect on court.
“It’s not easy to face someone you’ve never seen before,” said Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon a year ago because of an injured shoulder
“I know that I’ll be prepared for her game.”
Now the veteran journalist — a dogged, meticulous reporter whose encyclopedic memory and zeal for storytelling shined through the copy she filed has decided to retire, ending a legendary 34-year tenure as The Advocate’s prep sports beat writer Her last day on the job is Aug. 1.
“I had a great career because of the people I’ve covered and the stories I’ve gotten to write,” Fambrough said. “I’ve had to cover a lot of really great athletes and meet a lot of really great coaches.”
Fambrough, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, fell in love with sports around childhood stops at college basketball games and trips to Churchill Downs. She played on her high school’s first girls basketball team, then covered its first win two years later
A decorated sportswriting career followed, whisking her from western Kentucky, to Thibodaux, to Alexandria, then Hollywood, Florida, and finally to Baton Rouge.
There, Fambrough encountered all-time greats — think Warrick Dunn, Marcus Spears and Seimone Augustus, to name a few and wrote the earliest chapters of their careers. Since 1981, she’s covered her fair share of stars, but not at the expense of the everyday athletes, the ones whose playing careers ended in high school.
She mined every sport in every classification — for their stories, then told them the only way she knew how — with grace, precision, care and an exacting con-
Fambrough is the first reporter who wrote about Augustus. The two met when the future LSU and WNBA great was just a gangly 9-year-old still growing into her Chuck Taylors.
Fambrough covered her storied career at Capitol High, then watched her star ascend in college and the professional ranks. She even flew to Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2024 to document Augustus’ induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I would credit her a lot for helping me with my ability to interview,” Augustus said, “with how genuine she was and how thorough she was throughout that process.”
Every week for three decades, Fambrough mixed event coverage with collections of news and notes while sprinkling in feature stories — some inspiring and triumphant, others tragic and heart-rending.
Sometimes, she’d encounter chances to hold power to account and decide not to let them slip away, penning columns that untangled thorny issues facing the LHSAA.
“She brought credibility to what we were doing,” LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine said. “She got it. She understood, and she was old-school in that regard, but she changed as the times changed.”
What never changed was Fambrough’s commitment to covering every sport.
On Friday nights, she’d finish her story on a football game and drive home late at night only to wake up early on Saturday morning so she could cover a swim meet or a cross country event.
Said longtime Episcopal coach Claney Duplechin: “She was the reason that cross country, I would say, gained popularity in Baton Rouge and grew at the level it grew over the last 30 years.”
Fambrough, 68, was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2020) and the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame (2019). She’s also a seven-time winner of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Prep Writer of the Year award, recognition she earned in four different decades. In 2000 — about a dozen years after she moved to Baton Rouge with her husband, Kevin, and her daughter Megan she was named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s first female president. Then, in 2022, Fambrough became the first woman to receive the National Sports Media Association Louisiana Sportswriter of the Year award.
“I consider her the mother of high school sports,” said Baton Rouge MayorPresident Sid Edwards, a former longtime prep football coach “In order for high school sports to work, in order for it to have any juice, it’s got to have a Robin Fambrough. She’s one of one, in my opinion.” Fambrough wants everyone to remember her work for one reason, above all else.
“What I hope people take from me is that I think everything matters,” Fambrough said. “All sports matter I like to think I tried to balance it as best I could.”
Martinez.
BY DAVE CAMPBELL
AP sportswriter
MINNEAPOLIS Damion
The U.S. has reached the semifinals in 17 of 18 Gold Cups, including 13 straight since a quarterfinal loss to Colombia on PKs in 2000 Diego Luna and Max Arfsten scored in regulation for the U.S., which faced its highest-ranked opponent of the tournament in Costa Rica (54th) after breezing through the group stage with an 8-1 goal differential.
Alonso Martinez scored the tying goal for the Ticos in the 71st minute with a left-footed shot after Carlos Mora split Luca de La Torre and Arsten to take a shot on Freese and seize the rebound to set up
Downs scored in the sixth round of a shootout after three saves by Matt Freese, sending the U.S. to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over Costa Rica after a a 2-2 tie in regulation on Sunday night. The U.S. advanced to a Wednesday matchup in St. Louis against Guatemala, which upset Canada on penalty kicks in the opener of the quarterfinal doubleheader. Mexico plays Honduras in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. The championship is in Houston on July 6.
WIMBLEDON
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the foe across the net or the tension of the moment. He is as creative as it gets with a racket in hand, sometimes to his own detriment, and admits enjoying seeing replays on arena video screens after some of his best deliveries (that technology isn’t used at the All England Club, but perhaps it should be).
“I really want to hit slices, drop shots, going to the net all the time, playing aggressively,” said Alcaraz, who said he lost to two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray during a round of golf early in the week. “I think on grass it’s the style that you have to play, so that’s what I like the most.” Other Grand Slam cham-
pions in action on Day 1 — when the temperature is expected to be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit include No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka against a qualifier making her Grand Slam debut, Carson Branstine; No. 6 Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion in January, against Elena-Gabriela Ruse; 2023 Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova against No. 32 McCartney Kessler; and 2021 U.S. Open champ Daniil Medvedev against Benjamin Bonzi. Others in action: 2024 Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini, 2024 U.S. Open runner-up Taylor Fritz, and three-time major finalist Alexander Zverev
It’s instructive to hear what Djokovic had to say about Alcaraz after a straight-set loss in last year’s final at the All England Club. “He just was better than
CONCACAF changed the rules for this edition of the biennial championship for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, eliminating extra time except for the championship game.
John Tolkin had the first chance to win the shootout for the U.S. Keylor Navas knocked down his try in the fifth round.
Freese then denied Andy Rojas with a diving hand, climbing to his feet while nodding his head and sticking out his tongue toward his cheering teammates at midfield. That set up the winner by Downs.
me in every aspect of the game,” Djokovic said. “In movement, in the way he was just striking the ball beautifully, serving great. Everything.”
Those words carry weight. Djokovic has won seven of his men’s-record 24 Grand Slam trophies at Wimbledon but was the runner-up to Alcaraz in 2023 and 2024.
When it comes to the idea of joining an elite group by completing a three-peat two weeks from now, Alcaraz insisted that isn’t the sort of thing he really cares about or spends time considering. He wants the title, yes. But where it would place him in history? Leave that to others. “I really want to lift the trophy,” Alcaraz said. “But right now, I’m not thinking about who I could join if I win three Wimbledons in a row.”
The Advocate’s sportswriter Robin Fambrough, left, interviews guest speaker Seimone Augustus during a session at The Advocate’s Star of Stars High School Sports Awards ceremony on May 22, 2023, in Baton Rouge.
Branstine
STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Aryna Sabalenka plays a return to Coco Gauff during
Wimbledon championships on Friday in London.
VeteranPayton’steam option declined by Pels
BY RODWALKER Staff writer
Gretna native Elfrid Paytonwill be looking for anew team
The New Orleans Pelicans plan to decline the $3.15 millionteam option on the veteran pointguard, according to areportbyThe Athletic.
Payton will now become an unrestrictedfree agent, meaning he can sign with any team hewants. NBA teams can start negotiating with free agents on Monday Payton, who played at John Ehret High School in Marrero and then the University of Louisiana, began his NBA journey in 2014 when he was drafted in the first round by the Orlando Magic.
He played with the Pelicans in the 2018-19 season and returned this past season in two different stints. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged
4.4 points and 8.1 assistsinthe 18 games he played for the Pelicans this season. Hisseason includeda game in November against theIndiana Pacers when he dishedout 21 assists. That’sthe second-most assists in franchisehistory,trailingonlythe 25assists by Rajon Rondoagainst theBrooklynNets in 2017.
Payton’sperformances this season drew high praise from Pelicans’ head coach Willie Green.
“I’ll say it again,” Green said during theseason. “Thereisno way he shouldn’tbeona roster He is that good. He canpassthe ball. He knows howtothrowyou opensometimes. Evenwhen you don’tknow you’reopen, theball is hitting you right in your hands on time andontarget. He’sanexcellent defender andfloor leader.”
Payton spoke this season about how much he enjoys playingjust afew miles away from where he
was raised. “I love being here,” Payton said during the season. “This is the best thing ever.Igrew up less than 10 minutes from here. AnytimeIcan be playing here, it’s love.”
Payton’sdeparture seemed inevitable last week when theteam selected Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears with theNo. 7 overallpickinthe draft. The team still hasguardJose Alvarado on the roster.Jordan Poole, who the Pelicansacquired last week in atrade with theWashington Wizards, can also handle some of theballhandling duties The Pels traded CJ McCollum in the deal for Poole.
Now Payton will be looking for a new homeagain. In addition to his first 31/2 seasons with the Magic, he hasalso suited up for thePhoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets.
LOS ANGELES— Angel Reese scored aseason-high 24 points and became the firstWNBA player with 15 or morereboundsinfour straight games, finishing with 16 boards and leading the Chicago Sky to a92-85 victory on Sunday over the Los Angeles Sparks,who retired Candace Parker’sNo. 3jerseyathalftime.
Reese had 11 points in the fourth quarter and gave the Sky an 8574 lead on athree-point play with 21/2 minutes to go. The former LSUstandout had 19, 17 and 18 rebounds in her previous three games. She also had seven assists andtwo blocks on Sunday. Entering the game, Sparks coach Lynne Roberts praisedReese as “elite,” underscoring her high mo-
torand physicality,adding that the Sparkswould need to be the aggressorstoslow her down.
Parker,atwo-timeMVP and Chicago native,played 13 seasons for the Sparks, two for the Sky and one for the LasVegas Aces. She won titles with theSparksin2016, the Sky in 2021 and theAcesin2023, herfinal season. The Sky will also retireher jersey later this summer.
Reese had abasket as Chicago got thelast fourpoints of the third quarter to pull within 62-61. She scored six straight points earlyin the fourth to help Chicagotakethe lead for good ArielAtkins added 20 points for Chicago (5-11), Kia Nurse scored 14 off the bench, Rachel Banham had 13and Elizabeth Williams 12.
Kelsey Plum ledthe Sparks (5-12) with 22 points and Dearica Hamby
The Pelicans have only won two playoff seriesinfranchisehistory
Continued from page1C
help groom Pelicans’ first round draft pick Jeremiah Fears. Paul could do for Fears what he did this past season for Spurs’ guard Stephon Castle, who was namedthe NBA’s Rookie of the Year Fears, 18, wasn’teven born when Paul was drafted by New Orleans. Who better to teach Fears the ins and outs of being apro than aguy like Paul, whose nameshould be hanging in the Smoothie King Center rafters one day
For those wondering if thepiece would fit,here’s whatDumars had to say about his philosophyon getting players to fit in general.
“You get guys who want to win,” Dumars said. “You get high IQ guys. Guys with real basketball character.Those guys fit in with anybody.When you get that you don’thave to worry about who they are going to fit with. Gethigh character,smart tough guys who want to win.” Paul, one of the smartest players to ever play the game, checks all those boxes.
One was withPaul.The otherwas in the 2017-18seasonwhen the team had commanding floorgeneral, Rajon Rondo, on itsroster Those type of players are needed. Oh, and Paul is durable, aplus for ateam that often getsbitten by the injury bug like the Pels. Paul played in all 82 games last season for the Spurs, making him the first player to do that this late in acareer ThePelicanshaveother needs in free agency,too. They could usemore help on the inside, especially with rim protecting and rebounding.
“It’simperative that you have bigs,” Dumars said. “I’m not sure that we are done. Youlook at these teams andthey are running two bigs out there. If you can’t matchup, you’reintrouble. We want to make sure that’sa strong suit for us as well.”
The Pels could also stand to getbetter in defending on the perimeter. Thoseneeds should be addressed
But if youcan bring back aguy whoaveraged8.8 points and 7.4 assists last season withPaul’sleader-
Jamesformallyopts in fora23rdseason
BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer
LeBron James is exercising his $52.6millionoptionwith the Los Angeles Lakersfor 2025-26, further confirming that he will becomethe first player in NBA history to playa 23rdseason,a person with knowledge of the decision said Sunday Thepersonspoke to TheAssociated Press on condition of anonymitybecause neitherJames nor theteam announced the decision publicly ESPN andThe Athletic were amongthose to first report the decision.
James, who recently returned to on-court workouts after taking severalweeks to recover after sprainingaknee ligament in the Lakers’ final game of this past season’splayoffs,told the AP earlier this month that he expected to be ready for training camp. That was an obvious sign he planned on returningfor a23rdyear, onein which he’ll break atie with Vince Carter for longest NBAcareer by aplayer
“I havealot of time to take care of my injury,myknee, the rest of my body and makesure I’m as close to 100% as possible when training camp begins in late
September,” James said in thatinterview
If anydoubt existedevenafter that about James, theNBA’s oldestcurrent player,comingback for at least one moreseason, it’s gone now. He haduntil Sunday afternoon to make his decision on the option, one that pushes his career on-court earnings to about $580 million.
This coming season will be his first full year with Luka Doncic as ateammate. Doncic was traded to the Lakers from Dallas in February,but the team —which entered the postseason as the No. 3seed in aloaded Western Conference —still fell in Round 1to Minnesota.
James turns 41 in December
He’sbeen an All-NBA pick in 21 of his 22 seasonsinthe league, including asecond-round nod this past season. No other player has morethan 15 All-NBA selections.
He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists this past season.The NBA’s all-timescoring leader has appeared in 1,562 regular-season games, 49 behind Robert Parish’s mark of 1,611 —the most in league history.If healthy,James would obviously figure to break that mark this coming season.
LeBron James lookstomakeapass during agameagainst the Utah JazzonFeb.10inLos Angeles.James is exercising his$52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers and will be first NBAplayertoplayfor a23rd season.
added20points and10rebounds.
AzuraStevens scored 17 points and Emma Cannon had 15 off thebench
“It’sachoicewhenyou’re hit withadversity or you lose, when youdon’t perform the way you want to,” Roberts said on learning lessons from losses. “It’s achoice as to how you approach it, and there is no magic formula.”
The Sky took a40-34 halftime lead. Parker then took to the court to address the crowd before her jersey was raised to therafters, next to those of Sparks greats Lisa Leslie and Penny Toler
TheSparksshot 31% in thefirst half.
Athree-point play by Reese early in the third quarter gave Chicago a48-36 advantage, but the Sparks responded with a17-3 run to take aseven-point lead.
ship skills, youshould go for it.It’s probably alongshot, considering there arereports that Paul would prefer to play somewhere close to his home in Los Angeles.
It’sworth atry though.
Monday is theone-year anniversary of Paul signing aone-year, $11 million deal with the Spurs. The Spurs are theeighth team Paulhas played for
“Every team that he goes to, it seemslike he impactsthat group in apositive way,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said in March when Pauland theSpurs were in town
Green and Paul were former teammates in New Orleans.
Now seems like agood time to bring them back together.Green as the coach. Paul as the coach on thefloor in the city that gave him his start.It’sa city he still loves.
“After 20 years, thelovefor this city hasnever changed!” Paul wrote on Instagram after playing the PelicansinMay.“The journey started here,and I’ll alwayshavegratitude forthe city of New Orleans.”
Who says thejourney can’tend here, too?
Email RodWalker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.
BY LARRYLAGE AP sportswriter
DETROIT NBAfree agent Malik
Beasley is underinvestigation by theU.S. DistrictAttorney’soffice regarding gambling allegations tied to league games, aperson familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to commentonthe matter
“Weare cooperatingwith the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass saidinastatement released to the AP and other outlets on Sunday ESPN wasthe first to report on theinvestigation.
“There have been no charges against Malik,” Steve Haney, Beasley’s attorney, told the AP
“It’s just an investigation at this point. We hope people reserve judgement until he’s charged or if he’scharged. It’s not uncommonfor theretobeafederal investigation.” The probe into Beasley comes 14 months after the NBAbanned Toronto’sJontay Porter,who was linked to aprop bet investigation andeventuallypleaded guilty to committing wire fraud.
This pastseason, The Wall Street Journal was first to report that Terry Rozier— thenofthe Charlotte Hornets —was under investigation for activityrelated to unusual betting patternssurrounding him in aMarch 2023 game.
Rozier,now of the MiamiHeat, hasnot been charged with any crime, nor has he faced any sanction from the NBA.
Porter’s ban came afterasimilarinvestigation intohis performance and “prop bets” —wagers where bettors can choose whether aplayer will reach acertain statistical standard or not during agame. The Porter investigation started once the league learned from “licensed sports betting operatorsand an organization that monitorslegal betting markets” about unusual gambling patterns surrounding Porter’sperformance in agame on March 20,
2024, against Sacramento. The league determined that Porter gave abettor information about his own health status prior that game and said that another individual —knowntobean NBAbettor— placed an $80,000 bet that Porter would not hit the numbers set for him in parlays through an onlinesports book. That bet would have won $1.1 million.
Beasley signed last year with the Pistons, taking aone-year contract for $6 millioninthe hopes of cashing in this summer as afree agent. Asecond person, speaking to AP on condition of anonymity because no deal was announced, said Detroitwas “very interested” in re-signing Beasley to amulti-year contract this summer.Those talks might be in jeopardy,given the uncertainty regarding the federal probe. He madeasingle-season, franchise-record 319 3-pointers in theregularseason.Hehelped Detroit makethe playoffs forthe first time since2019 andend an NBA-record 15-game postseason losing streak in the first round against the NewYork Knicks. Beasleyaveraged16.3 points last season and has averaged 11.7 points over his career with Denver,Minnesota, Utah, the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee and Detroit. He scored acareer-high 19.6 pointsagame during the2020-21 season with the Timberwolves.
AP FILE PHOTOByJULIANIKHINSON
Former DetroitPistons
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Pelicans guard Elfrid Payton drives the ball up the courtduring agameagainst the Miami Heat on April 11 at theSmoothie King Center. Payton’steam optionwas declined by the Pelicans.
Associated Press
Elliott has ‘surreal’ last lap in win at Atlanta
BY CHARLES ODUM AP sportswriter
HAMPTON, Ga. — Chase Elliott
couldn’t have picked a better setting for a drought-breaking win.
Fans roared in approval after Elliott, the home-state favorite, passed Brad Keselowski on the final lap to end a 44-race drought by winning the NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta on Saturday night.
Elliott’s 20th career victory pushed him to second place in the Cup Series points race, putting him in prime position to return to the top of the NASCAR world after winning his first championship in 2020.
Elliott earned a spot in the NASCAR playoffs with his first victory since April 2024 at Texas. He said he’ll always remember the win as a career highlight, in part because of the ovation from fans who chanted “Chase! Chase! Chase!”
Elliott, a Dawsonville, Georgia, native, climbed into the stands at EchoPark Speedway, formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway, to celebrate with the fans.
“It was, truthfully, a pretty surreal moment,” Elliott said. “Something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Saturday night under the lights, been a while since we won, just getting ourselves a win and advancing up on the playoff thing.”
It was his first Atlanta win since 2022. Elliott has 594 points, 37 behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, who has 631. A
third Hendrick Motorsports driver, Kyle Larson, is third.
Another Hendrick driver, Alex Bowman, played a key role in Elliott’s comeback win. Bowman, who finished third, gave Elliott a push and then helped block Keselowski on the final lap.
“I’m happy for the 9 team,” Bowman said. “It’s a big win for him in his hometown. I’m glad to have a Hendrick car in victory lane. I wish it was us.”
Elliott said he’ll try to repay the favor by helping Bowman join the other three Hendrick drivers in the playoffs.
“I recognize that he gave me a great shove,” Elliott said. “I recognize that he took his run on Brad, too, to try to get himself to second, which ultimately helped me as well.
“Yeah, those are all things that I remember.”
Elliott advanced to the second round of NASCAR’s new In-Season Challenge, a five-race, bracketstyle tournament. With the field cut from 32 to 16 drivers, Elliott will be paired against John Hunter Nemechek when the Cup Series moves to the Chicago Street Race next Sunday
A $1 million prize awaits the winner, and Elliott’s odds improved after Atlanta wrecks knocked out the top two seeds, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe.
Elliott wouldn’t be the first family member to win a $1 million bonus.
In 1985 his father, Bill Elliott, became the first winner of the Win-
ston Million as a reward for claiming wins in three of the circuit’s top four races at the time. The bonus earned the elder Elliott the nickname “Million Dollar Bill.”
Now the younger Elliott is a strong contender to become first in line for another $1 million prize.
“It’d be a really cool thing to win for sure and hope it works out that way,” Chase Elliott said.
Elliott’s victory drought came after he needed surgery to repair a broken tibia in his left leg suffered in a snowboarding accident and missed six races in 2023. He said the support of longtime crew chief
Alan Gustafson was “in large part” responsible for helping him retain his confidence and reclaim his winning form. Gustafson said the win was more important for the 2025 playoff race than for ending the victory drought.
“The points were getting tight for the playoffs, for sure,” Gustafson said. “I think that’s probably the biggest thing. I think all the cars contending to win, I don’t think any of them had won. I think that’s probably the biggest thing we needed was that cushion.” Saturday night’s win was Elliott’s
third consecutive top-five finish.
“When you’re fortunate enough to climb the mountain and be able to stand at the top of the mountain with someone that’s an incredible achievement, right?” Elliott said.
“That’s something that (Gustafson) and I will always cherish and remember that we did that together
“For me it’s really, really important to climb that mountain with the same people that we did the first time and know that we never quit on each other That’s just a really important piece of the puzzle for me.”
F1 champ Verstappen says his ‘mentality doesn’t change’ after loss
BY JAMES ELLINGWORTH
AP sportswriter
After days of speculation he might leave Red Bull for Mercedes, Max Verstappen got a closer look at a Mercedes car than he wanted.
The reigning Formula 1 champion’s Austrian Grand Prix lasted less than half a lap as he was knocked out of the race by Mercedes driver and potential future teammate Kimi Antonelli.
“I think we try to do our best always. My mentality doesn’t change.
We have won a lot in the past Sometimes you have to accept that you are not winning, and we just try to do the best we can,” Verstappen told British broadcaster Sky Sports.
Asked about what the incident meant for his title defense, he said: “Hopefully then maybe people will not mention it too much any more.”
It followed an eventful week for the four-time champion, who blamed a lack of grip for being off the pace in qualifying and seventh
on the grid Antonelli’s teammate George Russell had suggested Thursday Verstappen may be holding talks with Mercedes on a possible future move.
Verstappen remains third in the standings but is 61 points off leader Oscar Piastri.
In past years, Verstappen and Red Bull have produced some of their best performances at the team’s home race It attracts thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans and Verstappen has won at the Red Bull Ring five times.
It was a rare mistake in an otherwise impressive season for 18-year-old Antonelli.
He braked late, locked his rear wheels and dived deep into a tight right-hand corner, spinning Verstappen round and ending both of their chances.
“I’m out, I got hit like crazy,” Verstappen told Red Bull over the radio. Verstappen waved to the crowd as his car was lifted away by a tractor and chatted with Antonelli as they walked away together It was the first time Verstappen
failed to score any points in a race in more than a year, since the Australian Grand Prix in March 2024. It ended a week of struggles at a track where he’s won five times in F1, and capped a disastrous home Grand Prix for Red Bull.
Rounding out a nightmare home race for Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda hit Alpine’s Franco Colapinto while fighting for 13th place and had to pit for a replacement front wing. The Japanese driver finished last and hasn’t scored a point in four races.
Driver Chase Elliott celebrates with
LIVING
ALZHEIMER’SQ&A
In caring forloved one, don’tforget thefeet
How important is proper foot care for someone with Alzheimer’sordementia?
As we age, our feet flatten and become wider and the fatty padding wears down, leaving bonesand joints more exposed to wear and tear.Injuries can occur from asimple blister to bunions and calluses and conditions such as neuropathy,ingrown toenails and skin breaks can compromise other health conditions.
Foot disorders can lead to a diminishing gait and apotential fall risk in people with Alzheimer’s, which is why proper foot care should not be ignored. Since most people with Alzheimer’scannot verbalize if they are experiencing foot discomfort, it is helpful for the caregiver to be observant in any changes in physical or emotional well-being. The caregiver should watch the pattern of their loved one’s walking; i.e., do they seem unsteady,walking more slowly,or even shuffling while walking. Since skin on the feet becomes more fragile with aging, bunions,corns andcalluses can form on the feet, in addition to being prone to ingrown toenails or fungal infections. These conditions can cause soreness and discomfort, making the affectedindividual reluctant to walk. Additionally,if the individual with Alzheimer’s is also adiabetic, the caregiver should be vigilant in proper foot care because even asmall cut on the foot can lead to a severeinfection which could become very serious.
Comfortable,well-fitting shoes can make all the difference in the affected person’s mobility so agood pair of walking shoes that are precisely measured and fit for the individual is recommended. Oftentimes, older adults andaffected individuals are inclined to wear slippers all day,which encourages shuffling rather than walking and can alsobe the root cause of slips and falls. Caregivers can make aregular habit of washing theirloved one’sfeet nightly with warm soapand water, drying the feet fully,thenapplying moisturizer andfinishing by covering the feet with breathable cotton socks for comfort and warmth
ä See FEET, page 2D
BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer
thLivingedream
BY KYLE WHITFIELD | Staff writer
Next time.
We kept sayingit. Year after year
Next time. The next time LSUmakes the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, my dad and Iwould make thetrip there.
Next time, when work slows down. Next time, when flights aren’tsoexpensive.
Next time wentfrom apromise to aplan on theTigers’ 20th CWSappearance in the past40years.
My dad, Rick, 69, and Icrammed oursuitcases with every piece of LSUgear we owned and flew out of town the day before Game1ofthe championship series against Coastal Carolina.
Next time was oneofthe bestdecisions in my 38 years. Not just because LSU won it all, its eighth national championship in program history.
SONG OF THESUMMER
Sabrina Carpenter performs during the Times Square Newyear’sEve celebration on Dec.31, 2023.
Seasonone beganits release in January.The show is produced by Wolf Entertainment and44Blue Productions for A&E.
Crime and investigation show“Homicide Squad New Orleans” will return to the A&Enetwork fora second season. The show follows detectives in the New Orleans Police Department homicide unit. Each episode focuses on adifferent case, includingfatal home invasions, drive-by shootings andphysical altercations. Season 2has seven one-hour episodes. StartingJuly 17, an episodewillair everyThursdayat8 p.m. Central time on A&E. After premiering, episodes will be available to stream on A&E’swebsite and app
BY MARIA SHERMAN AP music writer
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
LSUcelebrates on the field after defeating Coastal Carolina 5-3onJune 22 in game twoofthe CollegeWorld Series finals in Omaha, Neb
DREAMS
Not just because we got to see Kade Anderson throw only the third completegame shutout in the CWS finals. And not just because LSU took care of business quickly —just 17½ innings in less than 24 hours —and sparedusthe coronary-inducing drama of apotential winner-take-all Game 3. The experience was all of it. And the time before, during and after it.
My dad and Ispent three days together in Omaha, just the two of us. The trip was the second time we’ve hit the road together to watch LSU play in any sport outside Louisiana. The other time was our trek to Pasadena, California, afew days after Hurricane Ida, to watch LSU football play UCLA in the Rose Bowl At The Drover in Nebraska, awelcoming Omaha steakhouse famous for its whiskey-marinated steaks, we had dinner twice during our stay becauseitwas so delicious.Weate about 48 ounces of steak in two nights. That alone was historic for me. Idon’tthink I’ve seen my dad eat that much red meat.
At Barrett’sBarleycorn, where Irish green and orange were taken over by Tiger purple and gold, dad and Iate lunch together.The scene waslike watchinga magic show.Hardly anyone left their tables, but asteady stream of LSU fans kept pouring into the pub.
Dad and Iroamed the streets together.Wetalkedto random LSU fans together
MUSIC
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Boy Brian Wilson composed them so expertly,anyway?
It very well may be subject to the eye (well, ear) of the beholder,but The Associated Pressviews the song of the summer as the one that takes over those warm months between June and August,the kind that blasts out of car speakers and at beachbarbecuesinequal measure. And that means many different things for manykinds of listeners So here are AP’s2025 song of the summer predictions across categories, with past victors forreference. Find your song of the summer and then listentoour Spotify playlist, here.
SONG OF THE SUMMER THATINEXPLICABLYCAME OUT IN JANUARY:
‘NUEVAYoL,’Bad Bunny
Asong of the summer doesn’tactually have to arrive in summer,orevenin spring. History has proved this time and time again, lest anyone forget Olivia Rodrigo’s“driverslicense” hit at the top of theyear in 2021. But this summer,like every summer,isabout Bad Bunny.Onhis latest album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio pulls from Puerto Rico’s rich musical history and hybridizes it. He does so from the very opener,“NUEVAYoL,” which samples the fittingly named 1975 salsa hit from El Gran Combo, “Un Verano en Nueva York” (“A Summer in New York”).
Past champion: “Boy’s a Liar PT.2,” PinkPantheress, Ice Spice (2023)
SONG OF THE SUMMER FOR THE GIRLS AND ALL THOSE WHO LOVE THEM:
‘Gnarly,’KATSEYE
KATSEYE, the global girl group born out of K-pop development techniques, are “Gnarly,” and they’d like you to be,too.The songis asymmetrical pop witha cheerleading cadence and extensive,expensive product placement. You’re here for thegirls, or you’re not. Gnarly!
Past champion: “Bills, Bills, Bills,” Destiny’sChild (1999)
SONG OF THE SUMMER FOR THE CHRONICALLYONLINE:
‘Tonight,’ PinkPantheress
An internet hero releases
We shared countless Uber rides together.Wewaited in linestogether.Westood shoulder-to-shoulder in the stadium concourse behind home plate for all 105 outs in those twogames together There were high-fives Cheers. Claps. And afew phrases we’renot allowed to publish here There’snobigger andbetter hug than the one with your dad after yourfavorite team makes the last out to win achampionship. When atrip ends, oftentimes peoplegoback to souvenirs to remember avacation. But a$45 T-shirt has nothingonthe memories
another super hit:PinkPantheress’ “Tonight” is an undeniable good time; all bassline house meetshyperpop vocals with anaughty chorus. The24-year-old British singer-songwriter has proved she’sgot so much more to offer than afew viral hits —but herhuge songs that blow up online? They tendtostay.That’smore than can besaidabout past winners in this category
Past champion: “Million DollarBaby,”Tommy Richman(2024)
BIGGEST SONG OF THE YEAR,AND THEREFORE THE DEFAULT SONG OF THE SUMMER: ‘Luther,’Kendrick Lamar andSZA
Is asongreleased in November too dated to qualify for song of the summer? Perhaps. Buthere’s the rub: Kendrick Lamarand SZA’s “Luther”heldthe No. 1spot on the Billboard Hot100 for 13 weeksin2025— over half the yearsofar Popularity makes the contender.Itdoesn’t hurt that “Luther”isalso one of thebest songs of both this year and last, atender R&B ballad that samples Luther Vandross andCherylLynn’s 1982 renditionof“If This World Were Mine.” “Luther” has since been dethroned on the charts, butnoother song has come closetoits run this year Past champion: “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen (2023)
my dad and Ihave together from our trip to Omaha.
It would’ve been easy to say next time again. LSU has thelook of starting another Skip Bertman-esque championship streak.
Maybe there are plenty moreopportunities for next time.
Next time for you might be withyour dad, your mom, your brother,your sister,your spouse, your best friends, whomever For me, next time was one of the best times with my dad.
Follow KyleWhitfield on Twitter,@kyle_whitfield.
—and it doesn’thurt thatit interpolates “Lollipop” by Lil Waynefeaturing StaticMajor and “Chulin Culin Chunfly” by Voltio featuring Residente. Pastchampion: “Buy Ua Drank(Shawty Snappin’),” T-Pain featuring Yung Joc (2007)
THE TIKTOK-APPROVED,BLAST-OFDOPAMINE SONG OF THE SUMMER: ‘Boots on theGround,’ 803Fresh
Social media is thewild westand inevitably sources its own song of thesummer. Usually,there’s an element of humor in thetrack like 2023’s“The Margarita Song” by That Chick Angel, Casa Di &Steve Terrell. This year is abit different: 803Fresh’s“Boots on the Ground” is an organichit that centers akindofsoulfulline dance —it’scountrypop with trap hi-hats andfun forthe whole family
Pastchampion: “The Spark,” Kabin Crew &Lisdoonvarna Crew (2024)
SONG OFTHE SUMMER FOR IT GIRLS: ‘FameIsAGun,’ Addison Rae
Sprained ankles need time to heal
Dear Doctors: Itwisted my ankle playing soccer,and thecoach said it’ssprained Igot it taped and sat out for afew days. It felt better,soIasked to play,but he said no, it still needed time to heal. What happens if Igoback too soon?
Dear readers: When you have asprained ankle, it means you stretched or tore one or moreofthe ligamentsthathelp stabilize the joint.There can also be damage to the joint capsule.Sprains happen when something causes your foot to turn, twist or roll, flexing the joint beyond its normal limits. Ankle sprains are common in sportslike soccer,where players move at topspeed, making sudden and frequent spins and turns. Youcan alsosprain your ankle doing something as simple as walking on an uneven sidewalk. Your coach is correct you do have to takeyour sprainedankle seriously and let it completely heal. The ligaments that support and stabilize the joint are made of ropelike bands of collagen. Although theyare tough and flexible, their abilitytostretchislimited. Movement thatforces a ligament beyond itsnormal range can causedamage.
BREAKUP SONG OF THE SUMMER:
‘WhatWas That,’ Lorde Lorde’sfirst new singlein fouryears recalls theclever synth-pop of her 2017 album “Melodrama,” casting aside the folk detour of 2021’s“Solar Power.” “What WasThat” is reserved revelation, introspectiveelectropop that takesa measured look at a relationship’sdissolution. It feels good, and bad, which is the point. Past champion:“How Can YouMend aBroken Heart,” Bee Gees (1971)
SONG FOR SINGLES READYTO MINGLETHIS SUMMER:
‘WASSUP,’Young Miko
Flirting iscentral to these hotmonths; no other season has afling named after it Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko knows this better than most, and hertrack“WASSUP” is allabout charisma
Charli xcxfans, fearnot. Louisiana native Addison Rae’sdebut album is stuffed withbejeweled, hypnotic pop songs for thepost-“BRAT” crowd. Bestofall is the Grimes-esque “Fame Is a Gun,”asunglasses-in-theclubbangerwithsyntheticvocal textures and an unignorable chorus.For fashionable listeners, and those who aim to become more fabulous.
Pastchampion: “Bad Girls,” Donna Summer (1979)
SONG OFTHESUMMEROFREVENGE: ‘Manchild,’ SabrinaCarpenter
Doesitsoundstrikinglysimilar to “Please, Please, Please” at times? Sure.But hasSabrina Carpenter cornered the market on country-tinged, satirical pop songs about heterofatalism,aninternet neologismfor those who find heterosexuality embarrassingand hopeless? Also,yes. Butyou know,with awink, vengeance and adanceable quality. Amen,hey men!
Past champion: “Before He Cheats,” CarrieUnderwood (from her2005 debut album, butreleased as a single in 2006)
Dr.Elizabeth Ko Dr.Eve
Glazier ASK THEDOCTORS
Due to limited blood supply ligaments heal slowly
The degree of damage determinesthe severity of thesprain. In amild sprain, also known as grade1,the ligament hasstretched too farbut haslittleorno tearing. Symptoms include minor swelling, alongwith pain andtenderness. You can typically bear weighton theinjured ankleand walk, but morestrenuous activity is uncomfortable. Agrade2 sprainmeansthe ligament is partially torn. This results in pain, swellingand maybe minor bruising. It can be hard to bear weight on your foot, anditmay feel unstable.Agrade3 sprainisthe mostsevere. The ligament hastorn completely, andthe joint capsule may be injured too. Grade3sprains cause considerable pain andswelling, as well as visible bruising. In agrade3 sprain, you can’t support anyweight on thejoint
Youcan treat grade 1 and 2sprains at home. You can stabilize your ankle, use over-the-counter antiinflammatories to manage pain and swelling, and rest. Typically,icing sprained joints to reduce swelling has been recommended, but this advice is changing. Icing reduces blood flow to the region and may slow the process of healing. A grade 3sprain is asevere injury.Seek immediate medical attention fordiagnosis and treatment. Gradual andtargeted physical activityisimportanttohealingfrom a sprain. Exercises should focusonstrength, stability andrange of motion. Aprematurereturn to rigorous activitycan worsen theexisting sprain, leave youvulnerable to hurting yourself againand lead to chronic instabilityinthe joint.In asking youtowaitlongerto return to thesoccer field, your coach is protecting you from amore seriousinjury. Sendyour questions to askthedoctors@mednet. ucla.edu,orwrite: Ask the Doctors,c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10880 WilshireBlvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024.
Keepingyourbrain nimble
Dear Heloise: Folkswho like to do thedaily newspaper crossword puzzles know that they grow in difficultyasthe week passes. The Monday puzzles are childishly easy with clues such as: “Hints[blank] Heloise” (four letters). They’re no fun at all. So, as ameans of upgrading the difficulty,aswell as improving the challenge and enjoyment, just turn
By The Associated Press
the puzzle upside down. Youcan read the clues upside downand teach yourself to print the answer letters upside downintheir squares. This can makea Monday puzzle just as hard as Saturday, and it’smerely another simple thing that seasoned citizens can do to keep their minds nimble. —Jim R., in Houston Jim, you’re all about keeping our brains nimble!
TODAYINHISTORY
In 1958, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska statehood bill.
Today is Monday, June 30, the 181st day of 2025. There are 184 days left in the year
Today’shighlightinhistory: On June 30, 1934, Adolf Hitler launched his “blood purge” of political and militaryrivals in Germany in what came to be known as the “Night of the Long Knives.”
Also on this date:
In 1918, labor activist and socialist Eugene V. Debs was arrested in Cleveland, charged under theEspionage Act of 1917 for aspeech he had made two weeksearlier in which he denounced U.S. involvementinWorld WarI.(Debs was sentenced to prison and disenfranchised for life.)
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding nominated former President William Howard Taft to be chief justice of the United States, succeeding the late Edward Douglass White.
In 1936, Margaret Mitchell’snovel “Gone With the Wind” was released.
FEET
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This practice can promote relaxation before sleep. Additionally,keeping toenails trimmed is another important element of foot care, and if trimming toenails causes the affected individual to experience fear or anxiety,the caregiver can try creating a spalike environment,using lavender aromas, soft music, and possibly giving somethingtothe affected person to distract him or
In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled, 6-3, that the government could not prevent The New York Times or The Washington Post from publishing the Pentagon Papers.
In 2009, American soldier Pfc. BoweR.Bergdahl wentmissing from his base in eastern Afghanistan, and waslater confirmed to have been captured by insurgents after walking away from his post. (Bergdahl wasreleased on May 31, 2014, in exchange for five Taliban detainees; he pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy,but wasspared aprison sentence by amilitary judge.)
In 2016, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that transgender people would be allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military,ending one of the last bans on service in the armed forces.
In 2020, then-Mississippi Gov.Tate Reeves signed a landmark bill retiring the
her.Ifthe caregiver is uncomfortable or is having difficulty trimming toenails, he or she can go to a local nail care clinic that specializes in caring for senior feet or seek apodiatrist that offers these types of foot care services. Lastly,caregivers should monitor any foot sores. The heels of the feet are a common location forbedsores because the affected individuals are resting their feet on afootstool, mattress or other surface that leads to tissue breakdownfrom skin irritation and pressure on the heels.
Sleep and ahealthy diet also help, as do things such as reading, exercise, puzzles, and social contact with family and friends. Somedoctors believe that apet may also help keep us busy and makeour brains stay active because we need to take care of our furry friends, feed them, and walkthem.They serve as companions formany people. —Heloise Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.
last state flag bearing the Confederate battle emblem.Boston’sarts commission voted unanimously to remove astatue depicting afreed slave kneeling at Abraham Lincoln’sfeet. In 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the U.S. Supreme Court, shattering aglass ceiling as the first Black womanonthe nation’shighest court. Today’sbirthdays: Actor Lea Massari (“L’Avventura”) is 92. Actor Nancy Dussault is 89. Olympic track champion Billy Mills is 87. Oceanographer Robert Ballard is 83. Singersongwriter Glenn Shorrock (Little River Band) is 81. Jazz musician Stanley Clarke is 74. Actor David Garrison (“Married …with Children) is 73. Actor-comedian David Alan Grier is 69. Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen is 67. Actor Vincent D’Onofrio is 66. Actor Deirdre Lovejoy (“The Wire”) is 63. Actor Rupert Graves is 62. Boxer Mike Tyson is 59. Actor Monica Potter is 54. Actor Rick Gonzalez is 46.
To prevent this type of condition, caregivers can prop the ankles on afoot rest so that the heels of the feet are not touching anything. In any case with foot conditions, avisit to the podiatrist or primary care physician is recommended.
Dana Territo is an Alzheimer’sadvocate and authorof“What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’sDisease.” She hosts “TheMemory Whisperer.” Email her at thememorywhisperer@ gmail.com.
SZA Lamar
Hints from Heloise
STAFF PHOTO By KyLE WHITFIELD
Kyle Whitfield, left, and his dad, Rick, soak in the scene at Charles Schwab Field after LSU defeated Coastal Carolina 1-0 on June 21 in Game1atthe College WorldSeries in Omaha, Neb.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) Explore your options, but avoid letting anyone confuse you or lure you down apath that doesn't fulfill your needs. Consider partnerships and shared expenses if they help you reach your target.
LEO(July23-Aug. 22) Drawconclusions from what you see, not what youhear. Getting it right the first time will give you confidence and help you gain the support yourequiretomakeadifference.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Letyour passion lead the way, andyourstrength and courage help youreach your goal Invest time and money into expanding your interests and encouraging a healthy lifestyle and better prospects.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Run atight ship. You'll fall behind if youspend too much time analyzing or reconfiguring every detail. You must act on your feet,be decisive and focus on your endgame.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.22) Pick up additional skills, do some research and prepare to go after your desired position. Don't fear the competition; embrace the challenge and outmaneuveryour rivals. Aspecial connection looks promising.
SAGITTARIUS(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Anger will slowyou down; investing in yourself will push you forward. Joint ventures will disappoint you. Rely on yourself and your attributes to reach your goal.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Protect your money, possessions and home from
anyone wanting to take advantage of you or lead you astray. Avoid lavish temptationsand people promising the impossible.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.19) Change will require your undivided attention if you wanttobesuccessful. Your strength and determination will raiseyour appeal and encourage others to offer more support.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Open-mindedness will leadtopositivechange.Love, romanceand home improvements are in the stars andwill help you acquire the lifestyleyou longfor ARIES(March 21-April 19) You'll achieve more if youattend functions that allow you to share your plans and bring about change. Participating in eventsdealing with the community will encourage you to do your best.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Choosepeace andloveoverdiscord. Knowwhatyou can getawaywith before youenterthe ring. If you want to go up against someone, do some prep work well ahead of time.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Refusetoget angry whenkeepinga cool head will help youget your way. Make positive personalchanges, andaddress issues thatmake your life easier and more fulfilling.
InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place thenumbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box containsthe same number only once. The difficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.
Saturday’s Puzzle Answer
THewiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS
BY PHILLIP ALDER Bridge
Two weeks ago, we looked at Staymansequences. Last week, we turned to transfers into the majors. This week, let’s cover how to show the range of major two-suiters opposite aone-notrump opening. Let’s start with one no-trump -two clubs (Stayman) -two diamonds (no four-card major) -two of amajor. In pretransfer days, atwo-heartortwo-spade rebid showed afive- or six-card suit and game-invitational values. Using majorsuit transfers, Staymanfollowedbya two-heart rebidindicates aweakmajor two-suiter, in principle 5-5 (as was noted in thecolumnonMay 16). In contrast, rebidding two spades shows five spades, four hearts andgame-invitational values —see South’s hand in today’s diagram. North, with such good major-suitholdings, raises to four spades. How should South plan theplayafter West leads the club king?
The South hand has four potential losers: one spade, two hearts and one club. There are two ways to gethome. First, winwith dummy’s club ace and play threeroundsofhearts. Then, when back in his hand, declarer ruffs his last heart on the board. Alternatively,Southcanplayadummy reversal. Suppose he ducks (loses) the first trick, and West shifts to atrump. Declarerfinesses, Easttaking hisking and returning aspade. South wins on the board, cashes the club ace, ruffs the last club, unblocks his top diamonds, and usesdummy’s twoheartentriestoget two diamond ruffs. Declarer takes two spades, twohearts, twodiamonds, one club and those three ruffs. Yes, an initial trump lead is fatal,but that is hard for West to find.
dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letterword from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directionsat right. Finally 7-letterwords get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter havenopoint value. allthe words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5thEdition.
Saturday’s Puzzle Answer
info@scrabbleplayers.org.Visit
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InstructIons: 1 -Eachrow and each column must contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.
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TheCarsonCompany,Inc 1010 Gordon St., 1Bd/1Ba.............$750 614 S. AlexanderSt.,2Bds/1Ba....$795 3427 ClevelandAve (Up)
PUBLIC NOTICE Advertisementfor Bids Landmark Consulting is seekingbidsfromquali‐fied GeneralContractors forthe followingproject: YWCA of GreaterNew Orleans NewDaycare,Education andCounselingBuilding 601 S. Norman C. Francis Parkway(akaS.Jeffer‐sonDavis Parkway) NewOrleans,LA70119 ProjectNumber: CN09418 Allbidsare dueonorbe‐fore July 22, 2025 at 2:00pm CDT. In accordance with LA RS 38: 2212.E(6),bidsfor this projectmustbesubmit‐tedelectronicallyvia up‐load to CENTERLINEBid‐Connect (www.centerl inebidconnect.com). Each bidshall be accom‐panied by abid security in theformofabid bond equalto5%ofthe amount of thebid sub‐mitted as evidence of good faith of theBidder.
Note:Contractor’s final questionsregarding plansorspecifications aretobesubmitted to APTIMbyclose of busi‐ness Monday,July7 2025. ADV: TheNew Orleans Advocate:June18, June 23, June 30, 2025 145586-JUN18-23-30-3T
If ascannedcopyof a BidBondisuploaded, the original notarizedbid bond must be produced “on-demand”per the Owner’srequest Questionsabout this pro‐cedure should be di‐rected to CENTERLINE (phone 504-291-5738, email: bidconnect@ centerline.co)
Complete Bidding Docu‐mentsfor this projectare beingdistributed in elec‐tronic form on behalf of theOwnerbyCENTER‐
Printedcopiesare not availablefromthe Owner or Designer butarrange‐mentscan be made to obtain them through most reprographic firms. Plan holdersare respon‐siblefor theirown repro‐ductioncosts ANON MANDATORYPREBIDMEETINGWILLBE HELD AT 2:00PM CDTON JULY 01, 2025 VIAZOOM WEBCONFERENCE Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom us/j/82808550949? pwd=wXT3sW9zeUc3xLg 8FSLnbbCP4o2tfg.1 MeetingID: 828 0855 0949 Passcode:815689 Bids shallbeaccepted from Contractorswho arelicensedunder L.A. R.S. 37:2150-2163 forthe classification of BUILD‐INGCONSTRUCTION. Bid‐derisrequiredtocomply with provisions andre‐quirements of LA R.S.38:2212 (A)(1)(c).No bidmay be withdrawn
y for aperiod of ninety days (90) days after re‐ceiptofbids, except under theprovisionsof LA.R.S.38:2214. YWCA of GreaterNew Or‐leansreservesthe right to reject anyand allbids forjustcause.Inaccor‐dancewithLA. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), thepro‐visionsand requirements of this Section, those stated in theadvertise‐ment bids,and thosere‐quired on thebid form shallnot be considered as informalitiesand shall notbewaivedbyany public entity Attention of Biddersis called particularly to the requirements forcondi‐tionsofemploymentto be observed andmini‐mumwages ratestobe paid under theContract (Davis-Bacon Act),Sec‐tion 3(LowIncomeResi‐dent Participation) of the Housingand UrbanDe‐velopmentAct of 1968 Section109 (Non-Dis‐crimination) of Housing d i l
Segregated Facilities,Ex‐ecutiveOrder 11246, and allapplicable laws and regulationsofthe Fed‐eral government and StateofLouisiana and bondingand insurance requirements Minority owned firms, smallbusinesses, and/or Section3 businessesare encouraged to partici‐pate YWCA GreaterNew Or‐leansisanequal oppor‐tunity employer Anypersonwithdisabili‐ties required specialac‐commodationsmust contactthe YWCA GreaterNew Orleansno laterthanseven (7)days priortobid opening.
on theCity’ssupplierportal. If this solicitation is fed‐erally funded,prospec‐tive bidder/respondent must payparticularat‐tentiontoall applicable laws andregulations of theFederal government andthe Stateof Louisiana.
TheBureauofPurchas‐ingusescommodity codestonotifysuppliers of therelease of asourc‐ingevent andsubse‐quentmodificationsvia addendum. Note that you wouldreceive thosenoti‐ficationsifyou selected thefollowing
NEWORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYAND NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT UNLIMITED,INC TheNew OrleansRede‐velopmentAuthority (NORA) andNew Orleans RedevelopmentUnlim‐ited,Inc.(NORU)are re‐questing applications from developers seeking to purchase lots owned by NORA andrequest fi‐nancingfromNORUto supportthe redevelop‐ment of thoselots. An informationalmeet‐ingwillbeheldonlinevia Zoom,on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. (CDT). Respondentsare encour‐aged to attend this meet‐ing, during which time NORA staff will discuss theapplicationprocess, review programrequire‐ments, andanswerques‐tions. Applicants must submit theirentireapplication electronically via a shared folder in Mi‐crosoftOneDrive, a cloud-basedprogram NORA will notaccept hard copy submissions at this time Allapplications must be uploaded to theassigned shared folder no later than July 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (CDT). Copies of the“Guidelines andApplication”, includ‐ingdetailedinstructions andinformational meet‐ingdetails,may be ac‐cessedat https:// noraworks.orgorbycon‐tactingAudreyPlessy, ProcurementManager viatelephone at (504) 658-4400 or emailatAu‐drey.Plessy@nola.gov
ImportantNote: Please read andcompletethe entire application, in‐cludingall Exhibits and Attachments. Allapplica‐tionsmustbecomplete upon submission to be considered.Missing itemsmay disqualify you from consideration. Brenda M. Breaux ExecutiveDirector 145387-jun16-25-30-3t $73.89 PUBLIC NOTICE TO THEDEFENDANT ABOVENAMED:LESLIE EFFS YOUARE HEREBY SUM‐MONEDand required to Answer theComplaint in this action andtoserve a copy of your Answer to said Complaintonthe Plaintiff’sattorneyat his/heroffice,South Car‐olinaLegal Services,701 S. Main St Greenville,
PUBLIC NOTICE Followingisthe name andaddressofa
YES(35%) RELEASED ON: JUNE 23, 2025 DEADLINETORESPOND: JULY 14, 2025 @4:00PM PRE-BIDCONFERENCE: JULY 1, 2025 @11:00AM https://nola.webex.com/ weblink/register/r720eec 23e8d5b067b16b2d8c43e9 d23e
Datesare subjectto changesvia an adden‐dumpostedbythe Bu‐reau of Purchasing on theCity’ssupplierportal. If this solicitation is fed‐erally funded,prospec‐tive bidder/respondent must payparticularat‐tentiontoall applicable laws andregulations of theFederal government andthe Stateof Louisiana. TheBureauofPurchas‐ingusescommodity codestonotifysuppliers of therelease of asourc‐ingevent andsubse‐quentmodificationsvia addendum. Note that you wouldreceive thosenoti‐ficationsifyou selected thefollowingcommodity code(s) before there‐leaseofthe sourcing event: COMMODITY CODE(s): 925, 925-36 TheCityofNew Orleans strongly encourages mi‐nority-ownedand women-ownedbusi‐nesses, socially andeco‐nomicallydisadvantaged businesses andsmall businesses to respondto this solicitation,orto participateinsubcon‐tracting opportunities pursuant to this solicita‐tion Formoreinformation aboutthissourcing event, go to www.nola. govand clickon“BRASS SupplierPortal” under “BIDS& CONTRACTS” Once on theSupplierPor‐tal, search “Open Events.” Thankyou foryourinter‐estindoing business with theCityofNew Or‐leans. JamesC.Simmons,Jr. ChiefProcurement
