The Acadiana Advocate 07-04-2025 by The Advocate

Housegives finalOK to Trump’slegislation

of the

R-Benton,left,and

signedPresident Donald Trump’ssignaturebill

Measurecutstaxes andspending, projectedtoadd trillionstonationaldebt

BY MARKBALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON —The U.S. House gave ﬁnal approval Thursday to President Donald Trump’stax relief and spending cuts package that Republicanscall the“One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, worked all day and all night to win over Republicans whobegan Wednesday saying they would not vote forthe legislation. Enough Republicans agreed to go along with the necessary but stalled procedural votes to setupa full vote by the House.

Debate began at 3:28 a.m. on whether to agree with the measure, which had been substantially rewritteninthe Senate.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.y., right, leaveshis office shortly after speaking in the House chamber during Thursday’s final vote.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries,D-N.Y gave the longest speech in House history against the measure, complaining that the Republicans refused amendments that would have allowed Democrats to support thebill. After Jeffries spoke for 8hours and 44

ä See HOUSE, page 4A

Johnson, Scalisepush bill to ﬁnish

BY MARKBALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON —Just after the One BigBeautifulBill Act passed the U.S.House of Representatives on Thursday —intime for agrand IndependenceDay signing ceremony at theWhiteHouse —House Majority Leader Steve Scalisegave Speaker of theHouse Mike Johnson abig hug.

“A lot of people wrote this bill off for dead,” Scalise said.

As theHouse’stwo top leaders, the pair of Louisiana natives wereatthe centerofa political dramathathas consumed Congress for the past few

ä See PUSH, page 4A

MatriarchofCreoleLunch Housedies

MerlineHerbert,84, knownfor soul food, stuffedbread

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

CreoleLunchHousewas founded by Merline Herbert and her husband, Raymond Herbert, in 1983. For over 40 years, her res-

tauranthas been serving up soul food and plate lunches from awelcominglittle house in northLafayette, where regulars are drawn to thehome cooking, friendly atmosphereand famously delicious stuffed breads. Merline Herbert,84, died in Lafayette on July 1. In sharing the news of her passing on social media, Herbert’s children and grandchildrensaid, “Her legacy continues in the food we serve.”

They wrote, “Merline didn’tjust serve food. She built ahome. From classrooms to kitchens, she spent herlifepouring wisdom, strength and soul into everything she touched. She taught,she nurtured, and she built something thatlasts far beyond alifetime.”

Last week,LafayetteMayorPresident Monique BlancoBoulet issued aproclamation celebrating

La.makes gains on LEAP tests

Math scores up butsomesee declines in English

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

Louisiana’syounger students made modest gains on state tests this spring while high schoolers saw aslight overall decline, according to LEAP test scores released Thursday

This year’sresultsare amixed bag for the state, which saw student scores plateau last year following several years of what state leaders and someeducation experts lauded as historic post-COVID improvements.

“This is sustained growth. We’re pleased with theprogress but not satisfied knowing that we can stilldo better.”

CADE BRUMLEy state superintendent of education

In English, 43% of students in grades 3-8 metorexceeded state expectations, referred to by the state as “mastery” or above, the same share that metthat markin2024. In math, the number was 33%, which is 2percentage points higher than last year.Combining math, English and science, 35% of gra de s 3-8students achieved mastery or above, up 1point from 2024. In high school, 35% of students scored at the mastery level or above on their English, math and science tests combined. That is 1 percentage point lower than last year Louisiana students are still performing better than they were during the early days of the pandemic, with grades 3-8 improving by 5 percentage points across all subjects since 2021 and high schoolers improving by 3points.

“This is sustained growth,” state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in an interview “We’re pleased with the progress but not satisﬁed knowing that we can still do better.”

The Pelican Institute for Public Policy, aconservative advocacy group, said in astatement that whilethe organization is encouraged to see improvements in

ä See LEAP, page 5A ä See HERBERT, page 5A

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOSByJULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

Speaker

House MikeJohnson,

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise,R-Jefferson, celebrate after Johnson

of tax breaks and spending cuts on Thursday at theCapitol in Washington.

Merline Herbert, of Creole Lunch House in Lafayette, was a fixture at the NewOrleans Jazz&Heritage Festival, serving her stuffed breads.

STAFF FILE PHOTO

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Poll finds huge partisan divide on flying U.S flag

Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to own and ﬂy an American ﬂag, according to new polling.

In the latest YouGov/Economist survey, more than twothirds of GOP respondents, 68%, said they own an American ﬂag at home while 37% of Democrats said the same. Among respondents overall, 51% said they owned a U.S. ﬂag.

The poll — which sampled 1,648 adults June 27-30 then asked those who have a ﬂag how often, if ever, they display it.

More than one-third of Republicans, 38%, said they fly the Stars and Stripes every day, while 11% of Democrats said they do the same. Meanwhile, 62% of Republicans and 30% of Democrats said they display the ﬂag everyday, sometimes or on special occasions, such as holidays, including July 4.

There was also a significant partisan divide on the question of whether ﬂying the American ﬂag is “an act of patriotism.”

The overwhelming majority of Republicans, 89%, said that it was a patriotic act. A smaller share of Democrats, but still a majority 58%, agreed.

The poll has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points

Rainbow crosswalks next administration target

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Trump administration is seeking to wipe rainbows and other “political banners” from streets and crosswalks across the nation, a move that puts at risk the multicolored crossing near the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to the nation’s governors this week introducing a “safety initiative” seeking consistent markings on roads. On a post on X the same day, he more clearly spelled out his intentions.

“Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks,” he posted. “Political banners have no place on public roads. I’m reminding recipients of @USDOT roadway funding that it’s limited to features advancing safety, and nothing else. It’s that simple.” A rainbow crosswalk has been emblazoned at the southern boundary of Pulse, the nightclub once seen as a safe haven for the LGBTQ community and where 49 were killed and 53 were wounded in a mass shooting on June 12, 2016.

Duffy’s letter itself doesn’t mention rainbows or “political banners” speciﬁcally, but states the agency’s desire to partner with state and local governments to “make the entire roadway right-of-way easier to interpret and navigate for all users.”

It cites 39,345 trafﬁc fatalities last year as “unacceptable,” though that marks a 3.8% decrease from the year prior

Court will hear trans athlete case

BY MARK SHERMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear a case over state restrictions on which school sports teams transgender students can join.

Just two weeks after upholding a ban on gender-afﬁrming care for transgender youth, the justices said they will review lower court rulings in favor of transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia. The case will be argued in the fall.

The nationwide battle over the participation of transgender girls on girls sports teams has played out at both the state and federal levels as Republicans have leveraged the issue as a ﬁght for athletic fairness for women and girls.

More than two dozen states, including Louisiana, have enacted laws barring transgender women and girls from participating in cer-

tain sports competitions. Some policies have been blocked in court. At the federal level, the Trump administration has ﬁled lawsuits and launched investigations over state and school policies that have allowed transgender athletes to compete freely This week, the University of Pennsylvania modiﬁed a trio of school records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and said it would apologize to female athletes “disadvantaged” by her participation on the women’s swimming team, part of a resolution of a federal civil rights case. Separately, Senate Democrats in March blocked a Republican push for a national ban.

Republican President Donald Trump also has acted aggressively in other areas involving transgender people, including removing transgender troops from military service. In May, the Supreme Court allowed the ouster of transgender service members to pro-

ceed, reversing lower courts that had blocked it. A recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 7 in 10 U.S. adults think transgender female athletes should not be allowed to participate in girls and women’s sports at the high school, college or professional level. That view was shared by about 9 in 10 Republicans and roughly half of Democrats. West Virginia is appealing a lower-court ruling that found the ban violates the rights of Becky Pepper-Jackson, who has been taking puberty-blocking medication and has publicly identified as a girl since she was in the third grade. Pepper-Jackson sued the state when she in was middle school because she wanted to compete on the cross country and track teams. This past school year PepperJackson qualiﬁed for the West Virginia girls high school state track

Immigration detainees arrive in the Everglades

BY CURT ANDERSON and KATE PAYNE

Associated Press

The ﬁrst group of immigrants has arrived at a new detention center deep in the Florida Everglades that ofﬁcials have dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” a spokesperson for Republican state Attorney General James Uthmeier told The Associated Press.

“People are there,” Press Secretary Jae Williams said, though he didn’t immediately provide further details on the number of detainees or when they arrived.

“Next stop: back to where they came from,” Uthmeier said on the X social media platform Wednesday He’s been credited as the architect behind the Everglades proposal.

“Stood up in record time under @GovRonDeSantis’ leadership & in coordination with @DHSgov & @ICEgov

Immigrants who are arrested by Florida law enforcement officers under the federal government’s 287(g) program will be taken to the facility according to an official in President Donald Trump’s administration. The program is led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and allows police officers to interrogate immigrants in their custody and detain them for potential deportation.

The facility is expected to be expanded in 500 bed increments until it has an estimated 5,000 beds by early July

meet, ﬁnishing third in the discus throw and eighth in the shot put in the Class AAA division.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for Pepper-Jackson in two areas, under the Constitution’s equal protection clause and the landmark federal law known as Title IX that forbids sex discrimination in education.

Idaho in 2020 became the ﬁrst state in the nation to ban transgender women and girls from playing on women’s sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges and universities.

The ACLU and the women’s rights group Legal Voice sued Idaho on behalf of Lindsay Hecox, who hoped to run for Boise State University A Boise-area athlete who is not transgender also joined the lawsuit because she fears the law could force her to undergo invasive tests to prove her biological sex if someone questions her gender

Man charged in Minn. shootings looks forward to ‘truth’ coming out

BY STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

ST PAUL, Minn. — The man charged with killing former Minnesota House

Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband on June 14, and wounding a state senator and his wife, said Thursday that he’s looking forward to the facts coming out about what happened that day

During a court appearance, Vance Boelter waived his right to full hearings on whether he should remain jailed without bail, and on probable cause, where the judge would determine whether the government has enough evidence to proceed with prosecuting the case. Thursday’s hearing lasted less than 10 minutes.

“Your honor, I’m looking forward to court, and looking forward to the facts about the 14th coming out,” Boelter told Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko. Boelter affirmed that he knowingly waived his rights to the full hearings he was entitled. “That gets us to court faster, where the truth can come out.”

A date for Boelter’s next court appearance has not been set. The acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson told reporters afterward that the next step is for a grand jury to return an indictment, which is due by mid-July and could include additional charges. Boelter faces separate cases in federal and state court on charges of murder and attempted murder, but the feds are using their power to go ﬁrst.

“This isn’t just a murder case,” Thompson said.

“This is a political assassination.” Authorities say Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot to death in their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park on June 14 by a man disguised as a police ofﬁcer who was driving a fake squad car Boelter also allegedly shot and seriously wounded state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, earlier that morning at their home in nearby Champlin. The Hoffmans are recovering. Hortman’s golden retriever, Gilbert, had to be euthanized.

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‘Reservoir Dogs,’ ‘Kill Bill’ star Madsen dies LOS ANGELES Michael Madsen, whose menacing characters in “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill” made him a standout in Quentin Tarantino’s films, has died. He was 67. Madsen was found unresponsive in his home in Malibu, California, on Thursday morning and pronounced dead, Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department Watch Commande r Christ opher Jauregui said. He is believed to have died of natural causes and authorities do not suspect any foul play was involved. Madsen’s manager Ron Smith said cardiac arrest was the apparent cause. Madsen’s career spanned more than 300 credits stretching back to the early 1980s, many in low-budget films. But his most memorable screen moment may have been the sadistic torture of a captured police officer — while dancing to Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You” — as Mr Blonde in 1992’s “Reservoir Dogs.” He would become a Tarantino regular, appearing in the “Kill Bill” films and “The Hateful Eight.”

Florida is proud to help facilitate @realDonaldTrump’s mission to enforce immigration law,” the account for the Florida Division of Emergency Management posted to the social media site X on Thursday Requests for additional information from the ofﬁce of Republican Gov Ron DeSantis and FDEM, which is building the site, were not returned early Thursday afternoon.

The facility, at an airport used for training, will have an initial capacity of about 3,000 detainees, DeSantis said. The center was built in eight days and features more than 200 security cameras, 28,000-plus feet of barbed wire and 400 security personnel.

Federal agencies signaled their opposition Thursday to a lawsuit brought by environmental groups seeking to halt operations at the detention center Though Trump applauded the center during an ofﬁcial tour earlier this week, the ﬁling on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security seemed to try to distance his administration from the facility and said no federal money to date has been spent on it.

“DHS has not implemented, authorized, directed, or funded Florida’s temporary detention center Florida is constructing and operating the facility using state funds on state lands under state emergency authority and a preexisting general delegation of federal authority to implement immigration functions,” the U.S. ﬁling says.

Human rights advocates and Native American tribes have also protested, contending it is a threat to the fragile Everglades system, would be cruel to detainees because of heat and mosquitoes, and is on land the tribes consider sacred.

Lawmakers stopped from entering center in possible violation of Fla. law

ANA CEBALLOS and ANTONIO DELGADO

Miami Herald (TNS)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A group of Florida lawmakers were barred from entering Alligator Alcatraz, the state-run detention facility for migrants in the Florida Everglades, Thursday afternoon.

Citing “safety concerns,” a representative with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the state agency overseeing the detention facility’s operation, was at ﬁrst hesitant to allow lawmakers into the facility

Ultimately, lawmakers were denied access after a back-and-forth that lasted more than an hour and told to return at a later time.

“I ﬁnd it hard to believe that they have safety concerns for us but no safety con-

cerns for the president of the United States when he was here just two days ago,” Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, DOrlando, told the Herald/Times as he was trying to gain access into the site.

Denying access to lawmakers may run afoul of Florida law, which says members of the Legislature are allowed to “visit at their pleasure all state correctional institutions.” It’s the same case for the governor, all Cabinet members, judges of state courts, state attorneys and public defenders.

Smith was one of ﬁve Democratic state lawmakers who traveled to the remote site trying to go inside the facility The site opened on Tuesday with a visit from President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, and which received the ﬁrst immigration detainees Wednesday night

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MIAMI HERALD PHOTO By AL DIAZ Workers install a permanent ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ sign Thursday at the facility within the Florida Everglades, 36 miles west of Miami, in Collier County Fla.

Madsen

Strikes kill 94 Palestinians in Gaza, authorities say

BY MELANIE LIDMAN and KAREEM CHEHAYEB Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli airstrikes and shootings killed 94 Palestinians in Gaza late Wednesday and Thursday, including 45 who were attempting to get much-needed humanitarian aid, hospitals and the Health Ministry said Thursday.

Families wept over the bodies from a strike that hit a tent camp during the night as displaced people slept in southern Gaza. At least 13 members of a single family were killed, including at least six children under 12.

“My children, my children my beloved,” wailed Intisar Abu Assi, sobbing over the bodies of her son and daughters and their young children. Another woman kissed the forehead of a dead little girl wrapped in a blanket on the ﬂoor of the morgue at Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis.

In central Gaza, a boy stroked the face of his dead sister, 6-yearold Heba Abu Etiwi, in a morgue at Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital. The girl and another of her brothers were among eight people killed when a strike Wednesday evening hit near a stand selling falafel.

Shootings near food sites

The toll from strikes emerged as more Palestinians were killed in near-daily shootings while trying

to obtain aid

Five were killed on the roads leading to food-distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the newly created, secretive American organization backed by Israel to feed the Gaza Strip’s population. Another 40 were killed while waiting for trucks carrying U.N. aid in several locations around Gaza, according to hospital ofﬁcials.

Witnesses have said Israeli troops regularly unleash barrages on crowds of Palestinians trying to reach the GHF sites. Witnesses have also reported troops opening ﬁre when crowds of people mass near military-run zones of Gaza, waiting for U.N. trucks to enter More than 500 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more wounded since the food-distribution sites opened in May

The Israeli military, whose forces are deployed on the roads leading to the sites, says it ﬁres warning shots to control crowds or at Palestinians who approach its troops. Armed U.S. contractors guard the sites.

Amnesty report attacks Israel

Amnesty International on Thursday issued a report saying Israel was continuing to “use starvation of civilians as a weapon of war as part of its ongoing genocide.”

It said the GHF distribution system appeared intended only to

“placate international concerns” even as Israel allows in only a small amount of food for the U.N. to distribute separately

“By maintaining a deadly, dehumanizing and ineffective militarized ‘aid’ scheme, Israeli authorities have turned aid-seeking into a booby trap for desperate starved Palestinians,” it said.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry denounced the Amnesty report, saying the organization has “joined forces with Hamas and fully adopted all of its propaganda lies.” Israel has rejected allegations it

is committing genocide in Gaza in the war with Hamas, and it is challenging the accusation filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice. Israel intends for GHF to replace the U.N. humanitarian network, which has delivered massive amounts of aid to Palestinians throughout the war Israel contends that Hamas siphons off large amounts of aid from that system, a claim that the U.N. and aid groups deny They have rejected GHF, saying it cannot deliver enough aid, endangers Palestinians and is

being used by Israel to carry out its war goals.

In a statement Tuesday, GHF rejected criticism of its operations and said it has delivered the equivalent of more than 52 million meals. GHF distributes boxes of food staples such as lentils and rice, saying one box holds the equivalent of more than 50 meals.

Witnesses have reported scenes of chaos at GHF sites as desperate crowds race to pick up food boxes, with some taking more than one while many others go emptyhanded. Much of the food is sold in markets at astronomical prices. Work continues on ceasefire

The Gaza Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has passed 57,000 since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its death count but says more than half of the dead are women and children.

The deaths come as Israel and Hamas inch closer to a possible ceaseﬁre that would end the 21-month war Trump said Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60day cease-ﬁre in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. Hamas’ response emphasized its demand that the truce lead to an end to the war

Russia first to formally recognize Taliban rule in Afghanistan

By The Associated Press

MOSCOW Russia on Thursday became the ﬁrst country to formally recognize the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021, after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organizations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it had received credentials from Afghanistan’s newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. The ofﬁcial recognition of the Afghan government will foster “productive bilateral cooperation,” the ministry said in a statement. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry called it a historic step, and quoted Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as welcoming the decision as “a good example for other countries.”

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

MOSCOW President Don-

ald Trump complained Thursday that the United States provided too many weapons to Ukraine under the previous administration, his ﬁrst public comments on the pause in some shipments as Russia escalates its latest offensive.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One for a flight to Iowa, Trump said former President Joe Biden “emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.” Air defense missiles, precision-guided artillery and other weapons are among those being withheld from Ukraine. The country suffered a new barrage overnight, with warnings of ballistic missiles followed by explosions in Kyiv The sound of machine gun fire and drone engines could be heard across the capital. Trump, who also spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, suggested he wasn’t completely cut-

ting off American assistance to Ukraine. “We’ve given so many weapons,” he said, adding that “we are working with them and trying to help them.”

Trump said he had a “pretty long call” with Putin that “didn’t make any progress” in resolving the war, which the Republican president had promised to swiftly bring to a conclusion. “I’m not happy about that,” he said.

The Kremlin described the conversation as “frank and constructive” the sixth publicly disclosed chat between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House.

While discussing the situation around Iran and in the broader Middle East, Putin emphasized the need to resolve all differences “exclusively by political and diplomatic means,” said Yuri Ushakov, his foreign affairs adviser

The leaders agreed that Russian and U.S officials will maintain contact on the issue, he added.

The United States struck three sites in Iran on June 22, inserting itself into Israel’s war aimed at destroying Teh-

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Since then, they have sought international recognition while also enforcing their strict interpretation of Islamic law

While no country had formally recognized the Taliban administration until now, the group had engaged in high-

ran’s nuclear program.

On the conﬂict in Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized his push for a quick halt to the ﬁghting, and Putin voiced Moscow’s readiness to pursue talks with Kyiv noting the previous rounds in Turkey yielded humanitarian results.

At the same time, the Russian leader emphasized that Moscow will seek to achieve its goals in Ukraine and remove the “root causes” of the conﬂict, Ushakov said.

“Russia will not back down from these goals,” Ushakov told reporters after the call.

Putin has argued he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to fend off a threat to Russia posed by Ukraine’s push to join NATO and to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine — arguments rejected by Kyiv and its allies. He insisted that any prospective peace deal must see Ukraine abandon its NATO bid and recognize Russia’s territorial gains.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Denmark after meeting with major European Union backers that he may talk to Trump in the coming days

level talks with many nations and established some diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United Arab Emirates.

Still, the Taliban government has been relatively isolated on the world stage, largely over its restrictions on women.

Although the Taliban initially promised a more moderate rule than during their

first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, it started to enforce restrictions on women and girls soon after the 2021 takeover Women are barred from most jobs and public places, including parks, baths and gyms, while girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade.

Russian ofﬁcials have recently been emphasizing the need to engage with the Taliban to help stabilize Afghanistan, and lifted a ban on the Taliban in April. Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said in remarks broadcast by state Channel One television that the decision to ofﬁcially recognize the Taliban government was made by President Vladimir Putin on advice from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEHAD ALSHRAFI

Lian Al-Za’anin, center, is comforted by relatives Thursday as she mourns the loss of her father, Rami Al-Za’anin, who was killed while heading to an aid distribution hub, at the morgue of the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City

about the suspension. “I hope that maybe tomor-

row, or close days,

minutes, Johnsontook theﬂoor

“Myfriends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we’ve waited long enough.Someofushave literally been up for days now,” Johnsonsaid.“Howeveryou vote today,myfriends, the presidentof the United States is waiting with his pen,the American people are waiting forthis relief.”

At 2:28 p.m. Eastern, the House voted 218 to 214 to get the bill to Trump for his signatureata Friday ceremony on Independence Day,which is what the president wanted.

In addition to Johnson and Scalise, the other two Republicans in Louisiana’sdelegation —Rep. Clay Higgins, of Lafayette; and Rep. Julia Letlow,ofStart —voted in favor of the bill. TwoGOP representatives joined all Democratic House members voting against the bill, including Rep. Troy Carter,DNew Orleans; and Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge.

Even though Republicans hold a 220-212 majority in the House and 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate, GOP leadership has grappled with ﬁnding enough votes at every legislative step.

The bill funds Trump’sdomestic agenda.

Republicans focus mostly on the tax beneﬁts. They argue that, when coupled with regulatory rollbacks, lesser taxes will instigate an investment surge that will energize the U.S. economyand lead to growth enough to lower the deﬁcit.

“The pro-growth policies within this historic legislationare going to fuel an economic boomlike we’ve never seen before,” said Karoline

Leavitt, Trump’spress secretary. Democraticmembers counter that therich will beneﬁt, by far, from thetax cuts andthat lowerincome Americans will partially pay for thebill’scosts through reduced accesstoMedicaid and food stamps.

From theHouse ﬂoor,inthe dark hours Thursday morning, Scalise boiled down thedisagreement as a philosophical ﬁght between Democrats and Republicans.

“They don’t want to give people back theirmoney. They want to keepthe powerinWashington. That’s really what’satstake here That’sthe big ﬁght here,” Scalise said. “PresidentTrump is at the helm now.It’sa newday.World leaders know it. The badguys know it around the world. But you know what those hardworking families who have been waiting for this relief for along, long time, are ﬁnally going torealize help is on theway.”

The bill makespermanent roughly $3.8 trillionoftemporary individual and business taxbreaks enacted whenRepublicans held the majority during Trump’sﬁrst term. That 2017 tax break was set to expire in December If the bill had not been approved, Louisiana taxpayers would have seen a$2,135 increase, on average, in federal taxes next year

Lower-income filers’ taxes wouldsaveabout$150fromwhat they would have paid had thebill notpassed,according to TheTax Policy Center,aWashington-based nonpartisananalysisgroup. Middle-incomeﬁlers, making $66,801$119,200 annually,would seeabout a$1,750 tax reduction and those earning over $217,100 annually would save about $12,540 in taxes. About 85% of the nation’shouseholdswould receive atax cutin 2026. The bill also temporarily allows workerstodeduct tips and over-

time pay,and provide anew $6,000 deduction formost older adults.

Alltold,the bill’s tax provisions reduce federalrevenuesbyabout $4.5 trillionover 10 years.

Plus, the bill increases spending by about $350 billiononborder security,including building awall along the Mexican border,and military armaments.

“We’re cutting $1.7 trillion in this bill, and you’re notgoing to feel any of it,” Trumpsaid last week.

To payfor those expenses, the legislation cuts about $1.1 trillion from Medicaidand otherhealth programs. The bill reduces federal spending on Medicaid by 18% andrequiresmostbeneficiaries to work or volunteer 80 hours a month, along with restrictions on howstatescan tax hospitals, clinics, and other health care providerstoraise moneyfor astate’s portion of Medicaid expenses.

About 17 million Americans 267,550 in Louisiana —could lose their coverage over adecade when changestosubsidies for the Affordable Care Actare addedinto theMedicaid revamp.

Republicans saytheir goal is to address “waste, fraud and abuse” andprotect the safety net programsfor the deserving population,such as low-income pregnant women, the disabled and children.

The billﬁnds moresavings by shifting some of thepayments for food stamps fromfederal to state governments.

Rep. CleoFields, D-BatonRouge, saidthat, while lower-income people will receive amodest tax break, they will end up behind when lost health careand nutrition beneﬁtsare factored. He said the expertsdon’tback Republican insistence that thebill will energize thenation’seconomy

“The president is going to say

howwelleconomicdevelopment is going to be impacted, but experts say the numbers don’tindicate that,” Fields said. “These are not Democratic talking points. These are the Congressional BudgetOfﬁce’sanalysis.”

“This bill increases energy costs by $400 per household, cedes hundreds of billions in clean energy investmentsand jobs to countries like China, and undermines ourability to compete in aglobal economy,” said Rep.TroyCarter, D-New Orleans. “This is afullblown assault on veterans,students, workers, the elderly and everyfamily that reliesona fair shot to get ahead. It’s abetrayal of our values and adark day foreconomic justice.”

Much of the GOP opposition came from fiscal hawks fearful of adding to the national debt and hadsought deeperspending cuts in Medicaid and other programs.

The bill is expected to add$3.3 trillion to the nation’s$36.2 trillion debt, according to the Congressional Budget Ofﬁce, the arm of Congress chargedwith estimating the ﬁnancial impact of legislation under consideration. Interest payments on thedebtare getting close $1 trillion annuallyand are oneofthe federal government’slargest expenses.

The bill also includes language that allowsLouisiana to receive alarger cut of federaloffshore leases and production by raising the annual cap on offshore energy revenue sharing withGulf states from $500 million to $650 million through 2034.

Thebillalsowould require the Bureau of Ocean Energy Managementtohold no fewerthan two lease sales every year for15years in Gulf waters, and it eliminated the $200 tax stamp for short-barreled ﬁrearms.

months.

Scalise, R-Jefferson, said President Donald Trump was the “absolute closer,” available to make the calls and take the meetings to get enough Republican votes.

“But this bill wouldn’tbe heading over to the White House without theyeoman’sunwavering support from the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson,” Scalise said.

Johnson, R-Benton, said Thursday that work on the bill began 15 months ago before theNovember 2024 elections —when GOP leadership began seeing ademographic shift that portended Republican majorities in the House and Senate

“Wehad avision for what we wanted to do,” said Johnson. “Wedidn’twant waste that opportunity.”

Getting there, however, took many sleepless hours —particularly during the last 48 hours. Johnson said he hadn’tgotten any sleep for two days.

“I’m adanger to myself and others right now,” he joked after the vote.

In May,after he managed to pass the bill through the House by asingle vote, Johnson asked the Senate not to make major changes to theprovisions carefully cobbled out over several months. But the legislation returned Tuesday from the Senate substantially rewritten, with basically two days

to getitpassedintime for Trump’sJuly Fourth ceremony. Johnson decided that the most efﬁcient way tohit the self-imposed deadline was to acceptthe Senate’schanges Butthatwas going torequirelong conversations with recalcitrantRepublicanstoallow them to “make surethey fully understood it andall the implications.”

“Some of that was still going on” Wednesday night, Johnsonsaid.

Budget hawks in the House promisedtooppose the bill because of it would add$3.3trillion to thenation’s debt,despitearecord $1.7trillion in spending reductions, mostly from Medicaid. They wanted deeper cuts in social safetynet programs to offset that deﬁcit.

Less conservative GOP representatives vowednot backa bill theysaid cut Medicaidand food stamps too much, arguing voters would hold themaccountable in the 2026 congressional elections.

This processisinthe wheelhouse of the two LSU alumni who headthe lower chamber

Scaliseisanacknowledged master of parliamentary proceduresand knows how to get intothe weeds to change legislativelanguage in away to turn “no” into “yes.” Hewas seenon the House ﬂoor Wednesday night gesticulatingwith holdouts.

Johnson’scalm and patiencewere seen as crucial to turning Trump’scampaign promises into law

without the support of asingle Democrat.Heheld most of his meetings in aroom adjacent to the House ﬂoor They talked about, according to staffers andHouse members, ways to address the nation’sdebts andthe kinds of executive orders Trumpcould issue.

Johnson said members wanted to talkabout how the lawwould be administered. It was notabout making new commitments but abetter understanding, he added.

While most House Republicanswentalong with the plan, Johnson said he did need to bring in Trump to closethe holdouts. At the end, that was membersof the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus.

Trump brought some to the White House and talked to others on thephone.

Beyond his persuasive skills, Trump —aspresident andleader of theRepublican Party —also can threaten thepolitical futures of those who won’tgoalong withthe program

Time andagainRepublicans, particularly hard-line conservatives, defiantly voiced their willingnessto die on aparticularpolicyhill only to fold in the ﬁnal moments and support the legislation Trump wanted.And when theydidn’t,Trump threatened political purgatory.

The prime example is Sen. Thom Tillis,R-N.C., who said Trump’sbill “will hurt people who are eligible and qualiﬁed for Medicaid.”

Trump attacked Tillis on

social media and threatened to run an opponent against himin2026. Tillis announced he would not seek athird term.

Roy Fletcher,aseasoned political strategist from Baton Rouge,said Trump is playing the same game of hardball politics that all presidentsplay

“This is about the presidency. It’s aboutgoverning,” Fletcher said. “You may say, ‘I gotrealproblemswith

it.’ So what. Here’sabigger problem foryou —the president of your party opposes you.”

Whenthe House Freedom Caucus still wasn’tready to vote late Wednesday night, Trumpwrote on Truth Social: “Itlooks like the House is ready to vote tonight. We hadGREAT conversations allday,and theRepublican House Majority is UNITED forthe Good of our Country,delivering the Biggest

TaxCuts in History and MASSIVE Growth. Let’sgo Republicans, andeveryone else —MAKE AMERICA GREATAGAIN!”

One of the procedural voteswas held open for more than sixhours to give Johnson, Scalise and Trump timetoﬁnd enough Republicans to pass the bill. The House began the debate at 3:28 a.m.Republicans approved the legislation 11 hours later

grades 3-8, “the decline in high school scores —reﬂecting the readiness of students who will soon transition to college and the workplace —isconcerning.”

The institute also pointed out that 35% of students in grades 3-12 met or exceeded the state target, which reﬂects no change from last year

This year’smath scores were abright spot for elementary and middleschool students. The share of third and fourth graders reaching mastery grew by 1percentage point, while the percentageofsixth,seventhand eighth grade studentshitting that mark increasedby 3points. Only ﬁfth graders saw adecline, with the mastery rate dropping 2percentage points.

The English results were more mixed, with two grades making gains —fourth gradersimprovedby2 percentage points and sixthgraders grew by 1point —while several grades sawslight declines. Students in fifth, seventhand eighth grade decreased by 1percentage point and third graders decreased by 2points.

The slip in literacy scores comes after Louisiana received praise earlier this year after its fourth graders led the countryinreading progress on anational test, and after astudy last year

foundthat Louisiana was one of just threestateswhere students’ reading scores had rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Officials credited those gains to anumber of literacy changes the state enacted in recent years. Under alaw that took effect thispastschoolyear, third graders whoare far behind in reading can be required to repeat thegrade.

Brumley saidhis department is still working to determine why third graders saw the biggest decline in Englishonthe LEAP test, noting that aseparate literacy screener given to third graders showed they made progress over the course of

last school year

“It’ssomething we’llwant to watchmoving forward,” Brumley said, “but Idon’t think it’ssomething we should be overly concerned about at this point in time.”

Brumley saidthe math gainsare asignthatinitiatives the state introduced last school year,including numeracy training for teachers and mandated tutoring for strugglingstudents, are working.

“Wewere really excited to see the numbers because we did spend moretime last year with an intentional focusonmathematics,” he said. “You basically see that growthacross the board.

Continued from page 1A STAFF FILEPHOTO

Creole Lunch House and the Herbert family for 42 years of service in the Lafayette community Herbert’sfamily has been running Creole LunchHouse for awhile now,but Herbert was still acommon sight at the restaurant —and until2019, shewas abeloved vendor at the New Orleans Jazz and HeritageFestival, spreading the fame of her Creolestuffed breads far beyond Acadiana After missing the stuffed

breads at Jazz Fest —Herbert stopped travelingto theevent whenitresumed in 2022, after pausingduring the COVID pandemic —New Orleansfoodwriter Ian McNulty traveled to Lafayette last year to ﬁnd what he’d been craving. He wrote that the handheld treats are a“grab-and-go manifestation” of the famous music festival,and he wasthrilled to ﬁnd thatthe breadswere just as tasty as he’d remembered. For Herbert’sfriends, neighbors and customers, her food was more likea sliceoflifeinthe heartof Lafayette. Thebreads are

bursting with the Creole flavors that the Herbert family has been dishing up for decades —meats, peppers and cheese in abun that looks as unassuming as adinnerroll, butcontains more to delight than taste buds can imagine. Other items on themenu, likejambalaya and chicken fricassee, are just as transportive —and worthatrip. Herbert’slegacy will continue at CreoleLunch House, located at 713 12th St., in Lafayette.

Email Joanna Brown at joanna.brown@ theadvocate.com.

High school students also take LEAP tests, some of whichstudents must pass to graduate. The share of students who reached mastery or above in each subject

was: English I: 44% —up3 percentage points from last year

EnglishII: 45% —down2 points

Algebra: 42% —up3 points

Geometry:30% —no change

Biology: 26% —down 1 point

U.S. History: 25% —down 4points.

Addressing the declines on someofthe high school tests,Brumley said he hopes the state’snew grading system for schools, which launches next year, will push districts to ensure their older students areperforming at grade level. This is the last set of LEAP data to be released under Louisiana’scurrent schoolrating system. Starting in 2026, students’ LEAP scores will be incorporated more heavily in their schools’ performance scores.

“There is someplateau there,” Brumley said. “I think it demonstrates the need for the accountability revisions that we made to provide extra emphasis on studentsmastering academic contentbeforethey graduate high school.”

STAFFFILE PHOTOByLESLIE WESTBROOK

Shown is today’sweather.Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’slows.

BY LINDSAYWHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON TheSupreme Court on Thursday cleared theway for the deportationofseveralimmigrants who were put on aﬂightin May bound for South Sudan, awarravaged country where theyhave no ties. The decision comes after the court’sconservative majority found that immigration officials canquickly deportpeopletothird countries. The majority halted an order that had allowed immigrants to challenge any removals to countries outsidetheir homeland where they could be in danger The court’slatest decision makes clear that the South Sudan ﬂight can complete the trip, weeksafter

it was detouredtoanaval base in Djiboutiwhere themigrantswho had previously been convicted of serious crimes were held in aconvertedshipping container It reverses ﬁndings from federal Judge BrianMurphy in Massachusetts, who said his order on those migrants still stands even after the high courtlifted his broader decision.

Department of Homeland Security AssistantSecretary Tricia McLaughlin said federal authoritieswould complete trip to South Sudan by thenext day

TheSupreme Courtmajority wrotethat their decisiononJune 23 completely haltedMurphy’srulingand also rendered his decision on the South Sudan ﬂight “unenforceable.” Thecourt did not fully

detail its legal reasoning on the underlying case, as is common on its emergency docket.

Twoliberal justices,Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji BrownJackson,dissented, saying theruling gives thegovernment special treatment. “Other litigantsmust follow therules,but theadministration has the SupremeCourt on speed dial,” Sotomayor wrote. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that while she disagreed withthe original order, it does countermandMurphy’s ﬁndings on the SouthSudan ﬂight

The eight migrants could face “imprisonment, torture andeven death”inSouth Sudan, whereescalating political tensions have threatened todevolve intoanother civil war

Thepushcomes amid asweep-

BY LISABAUMANN andBEN FINLEY

Associated Press

Kilmar Abrego Garciasaid he suffered severe beatings, severe sleep deprivation and psychological torture in the notorious El Salvador prison the Trump administration had deportedhim to in March, according to court documents ﬁled Wednesday He said he was kicked andhit so often after arrival that by the following day,hehad visible bruises and lumps all over his body.He said he and 20 others were forced to kneel all night long andguards hit anyone who fell.

Abrego Garcia was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported and became aﬂashpoint in President Donald Trump’sim-

migration crackdown. The newdetails of Abrego Garcia’sincarceration in El Salvadorwere added to a lawsuit againstthe Trump administrationthat Abrego Garcia’swife

ﬁled in Maryland federal court after he wasdeported

TheTrumpadministration has asked afederal judge in Maryland to dismissthe lawsuit, arguing that it is now moot becausethe government returned him to the United States as ordered by thecourt.

AU.S. immigration judge in 2019 had barredAbrego Garciafrom being deported back to his native El Salvador because he likely faced persecution there by local gangs whohad terrorized him and hisfamily.The Trump administration deported him theredespite thejudge’s 2019 order andlater

Families,officials

BYEMMA

Court clears wayfor deportations to SouthSudan

ing immigration crackdownby Trump’sRepublican administration,which has pledged to deport millions of people who are living in the United States illegally.The Trump administration has called Murphy’sﬁnding “a lawless act of deﬁance. McLaughlin said the Supreme Court’sintervention is “a win for therule of law,safety and security of the American people.” Attorney GeneralPam Bondi cast Murphy as a“rogue judge”and said the justices had rebuked him Authorities have reached agreements with othercountriesto house immigrants if authorities can’t quickly send them back to their homelands.The eight men sent to SouthSudan in Mayhad been convicted of crimes in the

U.S. and had final orders of removal, Immigration andCustoms Enforcement ofﬁcials have said. Murphy,who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, didn’tprohibit deportations to third countries. But he found migrants must have areal chance to argue they could be in danger of torture if senttoanother country, even if they’ve already exhausted their legal appeals.

The menand their guards have faced rough conditions on the naval base in Djibouti where authoritiesdetoured the ﬂight after Murphy foundthe administration had violated his order by failing allowthemachancetochallenge the removal. They have since said they’re afraid of being sent to South Sudan, Realmuto said.

Abrego Garcia says he suffered beatings,psychological torture

described it as an “administrative error.” Trump and other ofﬁcials have since doubled down on claimsAbrego Garcia wasinthe MS-13 gang.

On March15, Abrego Garcia was deportedtoElSalvador and sent to thecountry’smega-prison known as theTerrorism Conﬁnement Center,orCECOT In the newcourt documents, Abrego Garcia said detaineesat CECOT“were confined to metal bunks with no mattresses in an overcrowded cell with no windows, bright lightsthatremained on 24 hours aday,and minimal access to sanitation.”

He said prison ofﬁcials told him repeatedly that they would transfer him to cells withpeople who weregang members who would

“tear”him apart. Abrego Garcia saidhesaw others in nearby cellsviolently harm each other and heard screams from people throughout the night.

TheTrump administration continued to face mountingpressure anda Supreme Court ordertoreturn him to the United States. When theU.S. governmentbrought back Abrego Garcia last month, it was to face federal humansmuggling charges in Tennessee.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said at the time of Abrego Garcia’sreturn that this “is what American justicelooks like.” But Abrego Garcia’sattorneys called thecharges “preposterous” and an attempt to justify his mistaken expulsion. Afederal judge in Tennessee has

ruled that Abrego Garcia is eligible for release —under certain conditions —asheawaits trial on the criminal charges in Tennessee. But she has kept him in jail fornow at the request of his own attorneys over fears that he would be deported again upon release.

Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin told The Associated Presslastmonth that the department intends to try Abrego Garcia on thesmuggling charges before it moves to deport him again.

Separately,Justice Department attorney Jonathan Guynn told a federaljudge in Maryland last monththatthe U.S. government plans to deport Abrego Garcia to a“third country” that isn’tElSalvador

despite apendingcourt date, tossing her in adetention cell with 50 other women where she sleepson the ﬂoor,has noaccess to ashower andhas worn thesame clothes for more than aweek.

“I don’tunderstand these laws that led to the detainment of my daughter,” said Joselyn’sfather Marco Chipantiza,40onThursday

“She’snot eating.She’ssleeping on theﬂoor. I’m begging the authorities to understand my situation, and the situationofmanyimmigrant families whoare here look-

ing for abetter life.” Chipantiza and his distraught family made their emotional plea justyards from 26 Federal Plaza, where they were joinedbyadvocates,attorneys and elected ofﬁcials protesting what they said is ICE’s“unlawful” abuse of power Migrant supporters said that maskedagents have been lurking outside federalcourtrooms detaining asylum-seekersregardlessof thestatusoftheir cases. Federal agents have been seen sittinginside, or just outside of

courtrooms, and staging themselves in thehallways to ambush andarrestthese migrants as they step footoutside thecourtroom, thesupporters said.

“What we see is Trumpagain directing agents to break thelaw,” saidAlexa Aviles, chairofthe City Council’sCommittee on Immigration. “These arepeoplethat are following the legal right and theirproceedings that they are being asked to do.Theyare doing the right thing and they are being abducted by masked, armed

agents. In many circumstances, it’sunclear what agency they even represent. This is abhorrent. It is frightening.”

Joselyn’sfamily said they ﬂed to the U.S. to escape the lawlessness and vengeful gangs in Ecuador.Joselyn was arrested outside acourtroom last month following aroutine immigration hearing where she wasgiven adate for afuture appearance. Since then, she has been able to speaktoher parents only threetimes, each call no longer than aminute, her father said.

EnglishLEAPscoresdip in Acadiana

Lafayette, Vermilion parishes in thestate’s top-achievingsystems

BY ASHLEY WHITE Staff writer

Acadiana students saw little change in their state testing scores from last year,according to state data releasedThursday morning In theeightAcadianaparishes —Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry,St. Martin,St. Mary and Vermilion —there was either no change or aslight dip in the percentage of studentswho

scored mastery or above in all test subjects. When it cametosubject-specific tests for allgrades, most of the parishes saw adecrease in students who tested proficient in English and science. But there was a smallincrease in the percentage of students who testedproficient in math. Acadiana students in thirdthrougheighthgradegenerally mademore gains in math than their high school counterparts.

Both Lafayette andVermilion parisheswereinthe state’stopachieving systems for overall mastery for all grades. In Vermilion Parish,45% of studentsreached mastery or above, and in Lafayette Parish,43% of studentsreached masteryorabove.

“This kind of sustainedgrowth doesn’thappenbyaccident,”Lafayette Parish Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr.said in astatement.

“Itreflects the dedication of our studentsand staff, ourcommitment to equityand ourbeliefthat every student can succeed. We are proud of this progress but not satisfied. Every percentagepoint reflectsa student, ateacher,ateam.”

This year’sstate testing results are amixedbag forthe state, which saw student scores plateau last year following several years of what state leaders and someeducation expertslaudedashistoric

post-COVID improvements. Public school students in grades 3-12 take annual state tests called LEAP,orthe Louisiana Educational Assessment Program. The tests gauge student learning and factor intothe annualratings that schools and districts receive from the state. The state considers students to have metlearning expectations if they earn scores that qualify as “mastery” or “advanced” —the highest of ﬁve categories.

THEBLAST MINUTE

Lewis, left, Natajia Pieriteand their daughter

Johnston Street in LafayetteonThursday

Bill boostsLouisiana’s share of offshore oilrevenue

highlightedits passageina statement

Aformer EvangelineParish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce deputy has been indicted on child pornography charges, according to acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. Agrand jury in theWestern District of Louisianareturnedanindictment Wednesday charging 36-year -ol d Joshua Uhlman, of Pine Prairie, with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography The indictment allegesthat between September and February,Uhlman attemptedto employ,use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct and attempted to do so for the purpose of producing a visual depictionofsaid conduct,

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

TheTrump administration’s taxand spending bill approved by Congress on Thursday includes along-sought measure to increase the amount of offshore oil-and-gas revenue that Louisiana receives from the federal government Thelittle-known provisionin the One Big Beautiful Bill, to be signed by President DonaldTrump on Friday,means up to around $50 millionper year extra for Louisiana over adecade —moneythat must be used for coastal protection and restoration projects. While the larger bill has been intensely divisive, that aspect of it has received bipartisan support in Louisiana, which is facing a steep decline in coastal protection funds in the years ahead.

“I was able to include in this bill my language to increase the revenue sharing Louisianareceives from energyexploration andproduction offour coast, which will result in new funding

—tothe tune of hundreds of millions of dollars —for ﬂood control, hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects that are vital to Louisiana’sfuture,” Scalise said, also noting the bill requiresannual lease sales in theGulf.

The measure changes aspects of what is known as GOMESA,orthe Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, and has long beena goal of Louisianastate officialsand itscongressional delegation. Former Sen. Mary Landrieu was key in pushing the original GOMESA law through Congress in 2006, giving Louisianaits ﬁrst share of the funds in question, and has since argued forcefully that the state deserves more.

bama receive each year.Louisiana must usethe money for coastal projects. Underthe law,37.5% of offshore oiland gas revenue is sharedamongthe four Gulf states, but the total amount is capped at $500 million per year Louisiana receives the most of thefour,amounting to $156 million for the last ﬁscal year

Police:

6officers placed on leavepending investigation

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, whowas instrumental in including the measure in the mammoth bill,

Thelaw includesacomplicated formula that determines how much offshore revenue Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ala-

The change approved in the current bill liftsthe cap to $650 million for the next decade. The amount of revenue does not reachthe caplimit every year, but it hasdonesofor the past three years in row Louisiana couldgainanextra $46 million per year,or$460million over the next decade, if the cap is hit each of those years, according to estimates. State officials have long advocated for such achange by pointing to Louisiana’srolein thenation’senergyproduction, the importance of rivershipping through its ports and the longtermbeneﬁts of investment in coastal protection. They also highlight a1920 law that grants Western states farmorerevenue,handingoverhalfofwhatis

BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN Staff writer

Six Lake Charles Police officers areonleaveafter aThursday morning officer-involvedshooting that left onedead. Awoman traveling down12th Street contacted Lake Charles Police around 7:40 a.m. Thursdayand said aman was pointing agun at traffic, saidLake Charles PoliceChiefShawnCaldwell. When the first officer arrived on the scene, the manstartedto shoot at the officer and the officer returned fire, Caldwell said. Theman wasrunning when a secondofficer arrived. Theman shotatthatofficer,who shotback, Caldwell said. The gunmancontinuedrunning

LAKE CHARLES

STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Gary

Nylah Lewis,1,shop for ﬁreworks at Fireworks World, aseasonal stand, on

SCORES, page 4B

Scalise

OPINION

Plastics akey part of state’senergyeconomy

Louisiana’senergy sector is more than just amajor contributor to the state’seconomy —itis its backbone. From offshore drilling platforms in the Gulf to petrochemical facilities along the Mississippi River,energy production fuels nearly every facet of Louisiana’seconomic engine.

It provides tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, anchors local communities and keeps the lights on not only in Louisiana but across the country

It’simportant to examine what resources and materials remain essential to energy production within Louisiana.

With years of experience working in Louisiana’senergysector,I know that one of the most important materials the industry relies on is plastic, aproduct often

overlooked in discussions about energy reliability, affordability and yes, even sustainability Plastics support both economic growth and affordable energy solutions serving acrucial rolein the production of energy Pipelines that transport oil and natural gas heavily rely on plastic components because they are lightweight, durable and resistant to corrosion. Meanwhile, materials like polyethylene areessential for pipeline applications because they withstand high pressures andextreme temperatures. Thesepropertiesare what help ensure areliable fuel transportation system for consumers, translating into lower costs for businesses and households alike. Without these advances in plastictechnology,wewould face

signiﬁcantly heightened risksof leakage and failureinour energy distribution systems.

Believe it or not,renewables are reliant on plastics as well. Wind turbines,solar panels and batteries allrely heavily on plasticcomponents. Solar panels are encased in plastic sheetsthat protect the sensitive cells responsible for converting sunlight intoelectricity

Wind turbine blades aremade with light, durable plastic composites,which allow them to spin well but also withstandhigh wind speeds and years of constant rotation.

Butlet’saddresswhat everyday Louisianans are really concerned with: jobs and economic growth. Plastics industry shipmentsinLouisiana totaled nearly $19 billion in 2023, placing it eighthamong U.S. states. Given its signiﬁcant scope, the

Americorps avital lifeline for youngpeople, La.communities

AmeriCorps is astrategic investment in our state and our country’sfuture

The recent decision to cancelover$2.6 million in AmeriCorps grants in Louisiana is nothing short of acrisis. These cuts affect 330 members and stripnearly 50,000 Louisianans —children, seniors, veterans andfamilies —of critical services like tutoring,food support and disasterrelief. They also unravel anational serviceinfrastructurethathas launched thousands of young leaders —includingme. IservedinAmeriCorpsfor 5years. Istarted at CommunitiesInSchoolsin Philadelphia, continued withtwo years at City Year and culminatedwithTeach ForAmerica inBatonRouge. Each role built upon the last, preparingme to thrive as aclassroom teacher andultimately,asaneducation leader Today,I’m on the leadership team at anationally recognized education nonprofit in Baton Rouge, working with students from eighth grade throughcollege andbeyond. Ourteam is filled withAmeriCorps alumni —including our executive director and we would not be who we are withoutit. Igrew up in New York andgraduatedfrom college without aclear path. AmeriCorps gave me one. It connected me to community,purpose and alifelong commitment to education. It also gave me the financialfreedom to sayyes to service —thanks to the education award, Iwas able to pay off my college loans. Ididn’thaveto chaseasix-figure job to survive. Icould choose to teach. That’swhat’satstake with these cuts. At Teach For America, AmeriCorpsgrants are essential to recruiting thousandsofteachers each year for high-need classrooms. TFAcorps members—manyofwhom are first-generation college graduates—rely on these awards to cover certification fees and ongoingprofessional development. Ending this supportthreatensthe pipeline of

more than 2,500 teacherspreparing to enter classrooms this summer,including nearly 100 educators right here in Louisiana. At atime when rural and urban communities alike are facing critical teacher shortages, cutting AmeriCorps support risks leaving students without theeducators they need and deserve.

state’splasticsindustry supports adiverse arrayofhigh-paying, skilled jobs, offering signiﬁcant opportunities forcareer advancement. These jobs areessential for sustaining Louisiana’s economic growth andillustrate thevital local impacts of the state’sthriving plastics sector With theright leadership in Washington, this growth won’t stop any time soon.Luckily, theTrump administration has already showcased its commitment to unleashing American manufacturing andenergy dominance through executive orders that seek to rein in complicated, overly burdensome regulations that standinthe wayofinnovation Companies arepaying attention.This reformedapproach to regulationisalready bringing new energy projects to Louisiana.

Woodside Energy Group has announceda$17.5billion investment into anew liquefied natural gasproduction andexport facility in CalcasieuParish —the first greenfield LNG project to reach afinalinvestment decision under the newpresidency.Newlab, a globalventure platform, has additionally announced plans to establish anew energy innovation hub in the state Areliable supply of plastics is essentialfor these project plans to become areality,providing affordable energy,jobsand economicgrowth along the way Nurturing this sector will support aresilient energy supply onethatwill ensure American energy security andbenefit Louisianans for generations to come.

ShaneComeaux is apublic policyand energy expert from Lockport.

JimmySwaggart came from nothing andbuilt amovement

58 years. That’show long ago it’s been since Brother Jimmy Swaggart’sfather,also aminister,came intomysmall Ferridaylaw ofﬁce where Iwas asolepractitioner and asked me to incorporate his church. He toldmeabout his son, who had recently been ordained as aPentecostal minister in the Assemblies of God church.

stadiums thanwereusedonMondayNight Football.

Young BrotherSwaggart chose to be an evangelist, rather than establishing his own church. He preached in Pentecostalchurches throughout northeast Louisiana for several years before deciding to move to Baton Rouge. He asked me if Iwas willing to move to Baton Rouge and do legal work for what he told me would be amajor evangelical effort to build afull ministry thatwould include ahighschool and acollege. Ipassed on the opportunity and felt he might be toomuchofa dreamer for me. Needless to say, his legal needs proved to be great in theyears to come

AmeriCorps isn’tjust aprogram —it’sa launchpad. It attracts purpose-driven young people, builds their leadership and fuels measurable community impact. For every dollar invested in AmeriCorps, $17 in economic value is generated, proving that national service is not only efficient but apowerhouse for economic growth. Rather than draining resources, AmeriCorpsdrives real, measurable resultsthat benefit bothcommunities and the economy AmeriCorpsdelivers apowerful return on investment:lower unemployment, increased civic engagement and reduced reliance on public assistance. Through thetraining and experience it provides, alumni go on to becometeachers, social workers, nurses and nonprofit leaders people who give back for alifetime.

Cutting AmeriCorpsdoesn’tsave costs. It shifts them, placing added burdens on local governmentsand creating service gaps thatare even more expensive to ﬁll. If we care about thefuture of education, disaster resilience and civic leadership, we must protect andexpand national service opportunities

Iwouldn’tbewho Iamwithout AmeriCorps. I wouldn’tbeinBaton Rouge, leading aprogram that supports studentsfor life. Iwouldn’thave found the clarity and conviction to commit my career to public service. We cannot afford to lose this. Let’sinvest in AmeriCorps. It invests in us.

Allie Diefendorf is aﬁve-year AmeriCorps member and aTeach For America Greater Baton Rouge alum

We stayed in touchasIbecame astate senator andeventually moved to BatonRouge as the secretary of state.Ivisitedhim regularly at both his ofﬁce, and over the lunch table at his favorite restaurants on Bluebonnet near his campus.

During this time,I watched his dreams grow into the largest employer in Baton Rouge.

The Swaggart Ministries campus was quite alayout. There was aroom the size of abasketball court lined with some 50 tables where ladies satopening envelopes ﬁlled with contributions to his ministry

Therewas also alarge TV production studio lined with nearly 100 cubicles, where translators sat preparing videos to be sent to over 100 countries, where they would be played on local TV networks.

Hisprivate fleet of airplanes flew all the equipment transported to countries where Swaggart would preach, generally in stadiums filled with worshippers. He toldmehehad more TV cameras televising his ministries in these

Ihad what Ithought wasthe dubious request of brokering ameeting between Brother Swaggart andanothermajor televangelist, the Rev.Pat Robertson. Swaggart and Robertsonhad afalling out in 1988 when Robertson was making arun forthe Republicanpresidential nomination. Iwas the Louisiana SecretaryofState at the time,and remember receiving atelephone call from someoneI knew working in the Robertson campaign. He wondered if Icould try to getthese two religious icons together to settle their differences Robertsonplanned amajor rally at oneofthe largest Pentecostal churches in BatonRouge. He was hoping thatSwaggart would meet him there.Iwenttosee Swaggart at his ofﬁceonBluebonnet, but he was reluctant to come to Robertson’srally.But afteralongconversation, he agreed to do so Iwas the lone observer of these two,meeting in abackroom of the churchwhere theytalked over the differencesatlength.

Swaggart ﬁnally agreed to settle their differencesand joinedRobertsononthe church pulpit before acrowd of thousands. Iwas glad to have been the ﬂy on the wall to listen.

Our last lengthy visit wasat the funeral of Jerry Lee Lewis in ourmutualhome of Ferriday.We both hadlotstosay about his first cousin Jerry Lee, who wasalso my first legalclient. BrotherSwaggart certainly had his problems thathavebeen well airedinthe press. But whatever onethinks of him, he proved to be amajor figure in the evangelical movement throughout America. He made it to 90 years, and I’m nottoo far behind him in growing old.

It would be an understatement to saythatBrother Swaggart led afull life

JimBrownisaformer Louisiana insurancecommissioner and secretary of state.

STAFF FILE PHOTO AmeriCorps students stir recycled paint during a2024 Household Hazardous Waste DayinLafayette

Allie Diefendorf GUEST COLUMNIST

Jim Brown GUEST COLUMNIST

Shane Comeaux GUEST COLUMNIST

COMMENTARY

ROOM FOR DEBATE METADATACENTER

Meta’s$10 billion AI datacenter planned for Richland Parish in northeasternLouisiana has been hailedasaneconomicboon to an impoverished region. But as theproject movesforward, some have raised questions about what impactitwill have,especially giventhe significant powerneeds of data centers.How can Louisiana provide safeguards and ensure the benefits of sucha massive undertaking will go to its residents? Hereare twoperspectives.

PSCneeds to protectutility customers, notbig companies

What would it costtoobtain a$6billion insurance policy,providingcoveragefor 30 years? My guessisalot

What is it worth to get that largea policy for free?

That is exactly what Entergyand Meta are asking the PublicService Commission to order ratepayers to provide for adatacenter in north Louisiana:anopen-ended insurance policy to back up a$6 billion investment. Costs Meta does not pay would be paid by Louisiana consumers.

Meta.The companycalls it a“system” transmission line, to be paid for by all EntergyLouisiana customers, but admits it is needed only for theaddition of Meta.The annual ratepayer cost is $57.6 million.

Keep themomentumgoing from Meta’s

projectbenefits

ing any new burden on taxpayers.

Meta, through asubsidiary, is building ahuge data center in Richland Parish, whichEntergy says will create 300 to 500 permanent jobs with an averagepay of $82,000. The data center will require enormous amounts of electricity, and Entergy wants to build three new naturalgas generators to servethe center. It also seeks to build“clean”resourcesnot for the data center,but to satisfy Meta’s green energy goals.

Entergy says that Meta’sadditionwill provide overall benefits to customers, presumably because Meta’sratewill provide some contribution to paying embedded costs. But Entergy’s calculations are secret —available only toparties in the case who sign confidentiality agreements. Even so, theinformation disclosed in Entergy’sfiling suggests thatthe purported benefits are suspect at best. The proposed new gas generators and direct transmission facilities will cost about$4billion. The investments will go into Entergy Louisiana’sratebase, paid for by all customers, but Meta will payarate sufficient to cover theannual investment costs and expenses for these units,spread over 30 years.

Thecatch? Meta is obligated to make the payments only until 2041, about12 years after the data center begins operating. The term can be extendedinﬁveyear increments. Will Meta want the datacenter in 15, 20 or 25 years? With the paceoftechnological change, it seems doubtful that Meta will want it for the entire 30 years. Published estimates place the expected life of adata center at anywhere from15 and 30 years. Meta thus is protected;it can terminateat15years.

Entergy also says it needstobuild a $538 million transmission line in south Louisiana to balance power ﬂows to

Entergy says it will acquire 1,500 megawatts of solar generation to support Meta’sgreen energy goals. If Entergy constructs it, the cost will likely exceed $1.5 billion. Meta will pay a“levelized” annual cost, like a mortgage. The cost is lower than theactual costonthe front end andhigher on the back end, when Meta can escape thecontract. Ratepayers will pay amounts not paid by Meta. To further show Meta’scommitment to green energy,Entergy plans to equip an existinggas unit with carbon capture equipment. That will cost more than $1 billion,lower the unit’scapacity and make it less efficient. Meta will pay a capped amount towardthe cost of the equipment. The filing does not say who pays to transportand sequester the carbon. Clean energy entitles aparty to obtain large tax credits and other benefits. Those go to Meta.

Meta will proﬁt greatly from thedeal and has protected itself from most of the risk.Entergy will also proﬁt,sellingmore than2,500 megawatt-hours of electricity per hour or more, around the clock,for years. Meta will add about 50% to Entergy Louisiana’ssales. But Entergy assumes none of the risks Those it seeks to impose on consumers. Gov.Jeff Landry and Entergy have touted the project as an economic boon, andithas strong momentum. Buteven 500 jobsat$82,000 on average will produceonly$41 million for Meta’semployees and aftertaxes, less. The “system” transmission line in south Louisiana will cost more annually than that.

The obvious answer is to require Entergyand Metatotake some or all of the risk, since proﬁts normally entail risk in commerce. Will the PSC take that route, or will it commit ratepayers to ahuge open-ended insurance obligation?

Putanother way: Whom will the PSC protect?

Mike Fonthamisanattorney who has represented the PublicService Commission as outsidecounsel.

Richland Parish is now home to one of themost signiﬁcant economic development projectsinLouisiana’shistory Metahas single-handedly transformed northeast Louisianainto acritical hub in the nation’sdigital infrastructure network —bringing high-wage jobs and longtermtax revenue for future generations of Louisianans. Andit’salready delivering real impact

From theoutset,this project stood apart in scope and speed. With total capital investment projected at over $12 billion and over 6,000 construction workers expected to mobilize by 2026, the investments by Meta and Entergy place northeast Louisiana as theepicenter of technology growth in theU.S. The project is an afﬁrmation that global companies see thebeneﬁts of doing business in Louisiana.

Grow NELArecently commissioned an independent economic impact study to conﬁrm the project beneﬁts to our communities. The datacenter will create more than500 high-wage permanent jobs, with an average wage 150% of the Louisiana average wage, or more than $88,000 per year.An additional 1,000 indirect jobs will be created solely because of this project

On theconstruction side, more than $300 million in wages will be paid to workers in northeast Louisiana. It’saneconomic wave that extends well beyond thefence line of thedata center itself. Since theday following the announcement, and on the site today, construction crews are moving massive amounts of dirt and building afoundation for thefuture datacenter.All three general contractors are hiring Louisiana companies and residents, and subcontractors have already held hiring events.

The volume of companies considering northeast Louisianahas morethan doubled over the previous six-month period. Companies from all over the world have bought, leased or inquired about buying property to set up new locations in our state. In the six monthssince the Meta announcement, northeast Louisianaleaders have worked feverishly to meet this transformational time by collaborating with state, local andhigher education partners to moreefﬁciently deliver workforce training solutions that can be replicated throughout the state.

Over the next 25 years, Richland Parish is projected to receive nearly $800 million in new property tax revenue. This revenue stream will dramatically strengthen public services, including roads and water,educationand emergency response, without plac-

On top of that, the project is estimated to generate $163 million in new sales tax revenue in the first five years. Large-scale data centers require significant water and electricity.Did you know that the infrastructure investments needed to support Meta’soperations are being handled in away that protects Louisiana ratepayers? Entergy Louisiana has structured ashared-cost model in partnership with Meta to ensure customers are not unfairly burdened. Meta is paying forasubstantial portion of the required infrastructure upgrades. This includes new generation units, transmission lines and grid resiliency improvements.

Instead of passing those costs to the Louisiana customer,Meta is contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to strengthen Louisiana’sgrid while keeping rate increases minimal. Additionally,Meta is committing $1 million annually to Entergy’sPower to Care program,helping low-incomeLouisiana households cover utility costs.

This is amodel forhow to responsibly power transformative projects: shared investment, shared responsibility and longterm grid beneﬁts forall.

Grow NELA’s mission is to ensure every community in northeast Louisiana participates in aglobal economy.What our state has pulled off in attracting Meta is nothing short of remarkable. Leaders at every level recognized the opportunity,and they acted quickly and decisively

If we want abetter Louisiana future for kids, we must accelerate this momentum

The U.S. has the greatest abundance of natural resources in the world. The state of Louisiana is responsible formore natural gas exports than any state in the U.S. It is timewemaximize those advantages to create new,high-wage careers and recruit hundreds of billions of dollars in new investmenttobeneﬁt Louisianans.

Northeast Louisiana will not be distracted by negative propaganda. We’re focused on delivering real results: high-paying jobs, generational tax revenue, upgraded infrastructure and new opportunities. The Meta project isn’tathreat —it’sa blueprint forhow rural regions can lead in the modern economy,attract global investmentand improve quality of lifewithout burdening taxpayers.

RobClevelandispresident andCEO of Grow NELA.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Recent improvementsmadetothe property that will house the Meta AI Data Center in Richland Parish.

Mike Fontham GUEST COLUMNIST

Rob Cleveland GUEST COLUMNIST

Continued from page1B

collected from onshoreenergy and mineral mining Louisiana’scoastal restoration and protection efforts face threats on various fronts. Most of the budget for such projects in recent years has come from billionssenttothe state in fines and settlement money related to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, but that money expires by 2032. The Trump administration has also been seeking to place more of the burden onto states. That could

SCORES

Continued from page1B

This year marks the last LEAP data that will be used under the state’scurrent accountability system that calculates school and districtgrades. Startingin 2026, students’ LEAP scores will be incorporated more heavily in their schools’ performance scores.

Overallscores

When looking at all grades testing in all subjects in Iberia, Lafyette and Vermilion parishes, the percentage of students who scored mastery or above exceededthe statewideaverage of 35%.

Iberia had 36% of students, Lafayette had 43% of students and Vermilion had 45% of students reach above that average. Overall, the share of students who reached mastery or above in each district was:

n Acadia: 35% (-1 percentage point from 2024)

n Evangeline: 30% (no change)

n Iberia: 36% (-1)

n Lafayette: 43%(no change)

n St. Landry: 27% (no change)

n St. Martin: 26% (-3)

n St. Mary: 30% (-1)

n Vermilion: 45% (no change)

n Statewide: 35% (no change)

There was less year-overyear loss when just looking at third through eighth grade students. Overall, the share of students who reached mastery or above in youngergrades was:

n Acadia: 36% (-1 percentage point from 2024)

n Evangeline: 30% (no change)

n Iberia: 36% (no change)

n Lafayette: 43% (+1)

n St. Landry: 28% (+1)

n St. Martin: 27% (-2)

n St. Mary: 30% (-1)

n Vermilion: 45% (no change)

n Statewide: 35% (+1) Englishscores

Most parishes in Acadiana saw adecrease in English test proﬁciency, even among younger students.

Despite scoring above the state average of 43%, students in Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette and Vermilion parishes all saw adecrease in the percentage of students

mean severe consequences for LouisianaifFEMAand theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers are forced to greatly reduce spending. The extra moneyincluded in thebill falls far short of filling the funding gap Louisiana will experience in theyears ahead, but it has been welcomed by state ofﬁcials as progress. Thelonger-term goal for the state is to eliminate the GOMESA cap entirely “With a30% increase in GOMESAfunding,our coastal program can do much more crucial work over thenextdecade,”said Gordon Dove, chair of the state’sCoastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

who scored mastery or above compared to last year

In reading, the share of studentswho reached mastery or above in each parish was:

n Acadia: 44% (-1 percentagepoint from 2024)

n Evangeline: 39% (no change)

n Iberia: 45% (-2)

n Lafayette: 50% (-1)

n St. Landry: 38% (no change)

n St. Martin: 36% (-5)

n St. Mary:38% (no change)

n Vermilion: 55% (-1)

n Statewide: 43% (no change)

Third through eighth graders didn’tscore much better.Inreading, the share of studentswho reached mastery or above in younger grades was:

n Acadia:44% (-2)

n Evangeline:41% (+1)

n Iberia: 44% (-2)

n Lafayette: 49% (no change)

n St. Landry: 38% (no change)

n St. Martin: 36% (-5)

n St. Mary: 37% (-1)

n Vermilion: 55% (-2)

n Statewide: 43 (no change)

Math scores

Most students in Acadiana saw some modest growth in math.Iberia,Lafayette and Vermilion parishes were above the stateaverage of 34% of students who scored mastery or above. In math,the shareofstudents who reached mastery or above in each parish was:

n Acadia: 34% (-1 percentagepoint from 2024)

n Evangeline:29% (+1)

n Iberia: 37% (no change)

n Lafayette:44% (no change)

n St. Landry: 25% (+2)

n St. Martin: 23% (-3)

n St. Mary:30% (no change)

n Vermilion: 46% (+2)

n Statewide: 34% (+2)

Younger students also saw growth in math in most parishes. The shareofthird through eighthgrade students who reached mastery or above in each parish was:

n Acadia: 34% (-1 percentagepoint from 2024)

n Evangeline:28% (+1)

n Iberia: 36% (+1)

n Lafayette: 44% (+1)

n St. Landry: 25% (+2)

n St. Martin: 25% (-1)

n St. Mary:31% (no change)

n Vermilion: 47% (+3)

n Statewide: 33% (+2).

BLOTTER

Continuedfrom page 1B

knowing that the visual depiction would be transmitted using interstate commerce. During the same period, the indictment alleges,Uhlman receivedchild pornography If convicted, Uhlman faces asentenceofatleast 15 yearsand no morethan30 years on each production of child pornography count; a minimum of ﬁve years and no morethan20years on the receipt of child pornography count; three years of supervisedrelease, anda ﬁne of up to $250,000, or both.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigationand prosecuted by Assistant U.S. AttorneyCraig R. Bordelon II. Drug investigation leads to arrest

Acadia Parishsheriff’s deputiesarresteda Rayne man in connection with a drug trafﬁckinginvestigation.

Wayne Christopher Kelly, 42,faces twocountsofdistribution of Schedule II drugs, possessionwith intent to distributecocaine and one count of possession with intenttodistribute crack cocaine, transactions involvingproceeds from drugactivity,possession of drug paraphernalia, accordingtoanAcadia Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁceannouncement. The arrest stems froman extended investigation into alleged drug trafficking within Acadia Parish.

During asearch of two homes, deputiesseized 1,278 gramsofcocaine, estimatedat$63,900, along with $12,000 in cash and twovehicles.

Kelleyisbeing held at the Acadia Parish Jail. Bail is set for $330,000.

SHOOTOUT

Continuedfrom page 1B

into aresidentialneighborhood where he concealed himself. Several officers surrounded theresidential area andset up acontainment area.

Duringthe containment, oneofthe neighbors said they believed the gunmanwas hiding in ashed, Caldwell said. Then, theman cameout of hiding.

“He ran toward some of ourSWATpeople that were thereinour armored vehicle, and started firing at them,” Caldwellsaid. “At that point,our officers returned fire,and the guy, unfortunately has perished from his injuries.”

The man has been identiﬁed, but his name can’tbe released yet, Caldwell said.

Immediatelyfollowingthe incident, the LakeCharles PoliceDepartmentnotiﬁed the Louisiana State Police of theshooting and turned over the investigation.

The officers were fired upon at three separate timesduring the incident, Caldwell said. None of the

Suspect arrestedin drive-by shooting

Police arrested Wendell Henry,22, of Lafayette, in connection with adriveby shooting that occurred Wednesdaynight in the 2000 block of Louisiana Avenue, ofﬁcials said.

Henryallegedly fired shotsfrom avehicle, striking asecond vehicle that was occupied by a16-yearold male, police reported. According to ofﬁcials, after being struck by gunﬁre, the victim’s vehicle exited theroadway.The victim sustained aminor headinjury and was transported to ahospital, where he was treated and later released.

Henry was located and booked Thursday into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on acharge of attempted first-degree murder,police said.

Woman arrested in fatal hit-and-run

Louisiana State Police on Tuesday arrested 39-yearold Kayla Ardoin, of Mamou, in connection with afatal hitand-run crash thatoccurred June 25 in Evangeline Parish.

During an investigation police identifieda suspect vehicle and determined Ardoin to be the driveratthe time of thecrash. An arrestwarrant wasobtained through the 13thJudicial District Court, and Ardoin was processed into the Evangeline Parish Jailfor felony hit-and-run driving. The crash remains under investigation.

Troopersremind motorists of the critical importance of stopping at the sceneofany crash. Fulﬁlling this responsibility notonly complies withthe law but also ensuresthe safety and well-being of all individuals involved, they saidina prepared statement.

ofﬁcers have reported injuries.

The police department hasplaced allsix officers who ﬁred shotsonadministrative leave, Caldwellsaid. They will remainonleave until the internal affairs investigation is over Caldwell said the situation is being handled like any other shooting investigation.

“This is thevery early stages of this investigation,” Caldwellsaid. “We ask thepublic to be patient withusuntil we can get all the details of this investigation. We arecooperating fully with the State Police and their investigation.”

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Unof

Bienvenu,Marianne Villermin

Funeral Serviceswill be held on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at a11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Lafayette, for Marianne Villermin Bienvenu,age 92, whopassed away at her residence surrounded by herloving family. Entombmentwill be held in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum of the Resurrection in Lafayette. Reverend PaulBienvenu Pastor of St.Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maurice andson of Mrs. Bienvenu will serve as Celebrant of the Mass and officiate at theservices. Reverend Joshua Guillory, JCL, Reverend F. Hampton Davis, III,Reverend Thomas Voorhiesand Reverend David Rozaswill concelebrate. Anative of NewIberia andthe daughterofPaul andAnn Villermin, Marianne wasa high school graduate of Mt. Carmel Academy. Shereceived hercollegedegree in Education from St Mary'sDominican College in NewOrleans to which she attributedher interest and dedication to the education of herchildrenand grandchildren. ShemarriedWillie Z. Bienvenu,M.D., in 1955 and enjoyed years as ahomemaker and motherofsix. Marianne served her church andcommunity as aEucharistic Minister,CCD teacher,SierraClub member, volunteeratSt. Joseph Diner, Come LordJesus Coordinator,homebound andhospital Eucharistic volunteer, Presidentofthe Lafayette Parish Medical Auxiliary, andPresident of L'Avenir's Women Organizationtowhichshe wasalongtime member. Marianne belonged to the Secular Orderofthe DiscalcedCarmelitesand took herfinals vows on

herchildren,Marie Bienvenu Wright (Thomas), Anne Daigle (Wayne), Will Z. Bienvenu (Simone), Reverend PaulBienvenu, Michelle Seymour(Karl), andTherese Bertrand. Cherished grandchildren,Camille Landry (Brennan), ChelseaLanclos (Philip), Austin Daigle (Kaci), Olivia Daigle (Jason Petitjean), Gabrielle Bancroft (Conner), Jessice Ponze (Casey), ZacharyP Bienvenu (Amy), Marcelle Castedo (Paul), Neal Seymour, Joshua Seymour, Jude Bertrand, andJolie Bertrand. Hergreat grandchildrenare tenblessings. Mrs. Bienvenu wasprecededindeathbyher lovinghusbandof69years, herparents, andson-inlaw,LanceBertrand Pallbearers will be Will Z. Bienvenu,Austin Daigle ZacharyBienvenu, Neal Seymour, Joshua Seymour, Jude Bertrand, andJimmy Noel. Honorary Pallbearers will be hersonsinlaw, Thomas Wright,Wayne Daigle,and KarlSeymour andgodson,Dicky Broussard.

The familyrequeststhat visitation be observedon Saturday, July 5, 2025 from 9:00 AM untiltimeofservicesatOur Lady of Fatima RomanCatholic Church in Lafayette. ARosary will be recitedonSaturday, July 5, 2025 at 10:15 AM at the church In lieu of flowersdonationscan be made to Hospice of Acadiana, https://hospiceacadiana.c om or to theCarmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Ave,Lafayette, LA 70501. View theobituaryand guestbook online at www.mourning.com Martin& Castille Funeral HomeDOWNTOWN, 330 St LandryStreetLafayette, Louisiana 70506, 337-2342311

A slider, a milestone and a thank you

Dodgers’ Kershaw becomes 20th pitcher to score 3,000 strikeouts

BY BETH HARRIS

AP sportswriter

LOS ANGELES Clayton Kershaw was laboring in pursuit of his 3,000th strikeout His pitch count soaring, he was down to the last batter he would face, needing one more swing and miss to become the 20th pitcher to reach the milestone.

“It’s a little bit harder when you’re actually trying to strike people out,” he said, smiling. “I never really had to do that before.” Kershaw accomplished the feat when Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox took a slider for a called third strike for the ﬁnal out of the sixth inning on Wednesday night.

“I made it interesting Made it take too long,” Kershaw said “Honestly, I didn’t pitch that great tonight The slider was so bad.” In his 18th season in Los Angeles, Kershaw joined Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators and Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals as the only pitchers with 3,000 or more strikeouts all for one team Freddie Freeman capped a three-run ninth by singling in Shohei Ohtani, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 win. Kershaw didn’t get a decision.

The sellout crowd of 53,536 was on its feet roaring as the 37-year-old left-hander walked off the mound to end the sixth. Kershaw paused and doffed his cap, with teammates brieﬂy holding off hugging him to allow him to soak in the cheers.

Kershaw waved to his wife Ellen and four children in the stands and then patted his chest and mouthed, “Thank you.”

“I feel bad for Ellen. I know she was nervous,” he said. “I made her last six innings out there just stressed out that I wasn’t going to get it and have to go to Milwaukee to do it.”

ä See KERSHAW, page 3C

Novak Djokovic returns to Daniel Evans during their second-round Wimbledon match on Thursday in London.

Djokovic sets another record at Wimbledon

BY MATTIAS KARÉN Associated Press

LONDON — Novak Djokovic added another record to his name by reaching Wimbledon’s third round for a 19th time with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Dan Evans on Centre Court on Thursday It was Djokovic’s

Sinner who was playing later on Centre Court — is 23. The growing rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz — especially in the wake of their ﬁve-set ä See WIMBLEDON, page 3C

AHEAD LOOKING

Mulkey pinpoints top ‘unknown’ on revamped LSU roster

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Though she must still ﬁgure out exactly how MiLaysia Fulwiley will ﬁt next to Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, coach Kim Mulkey has an idea of how the LSU women’s basketball team’s guards will contribute next season. The Tigers have only four returning contributors, and they all play in the backcourt.

What’s less certain, Mulkey told The Advocate in a recent interview, is the LSU frontcourt, a group she and her staff had to overhaul this offseason after a few key contributors left the program via the transfer portal.

“I think the exciting thing about the upcoming team is the unknown,” Mulkey said, “and the unknown is probably gonna be considered our post game.”

This spring, LSU had to replace all ﬁve frontcourt players from its 2024-2025 roster Aneesah Morrow exhausted her eligibility and began her WNBA career The other four decided to hit the transfer portal. Sa’Myah Smith landed at Virginia. Jersey Wolfenbarger and Aalyah Del Rosario enrolled at Tennessee and Vanderbilt, respec-

tively Amani Bartlett transferred to Houston.

Those departures forced Mulkey and her staff to overhaul their roster on the ﬂy

By the time the dust settled, the Tigers had found eight newcomers — ﬁve freshmen and three transfers — to replace the eight contributors they lost. That’s the most roster turnover LSU has experienced since the ﬁrst full offseason of Mulkey’s tenure.

“That’s not going to stop,” Mulkey said, “even if you win national championships. That’s just the way it is now, and you can’t even guesstimate because you don’t know.”

The only thing LSU did know was that it had four recruits signed to the nation’s No. 1 freshman class. In the 30-day portal window, the Tigers had to ﬁrst make sure they would retain both Johnson and Williams, then ﬁgure out which transfers they could recruit to plug the remaining holes. The frontcourt was a blank slate.

“The portal is open long enough,” Mulkey said, “for you to rebound and realize, ‘OK, this is who we lost; this is how many we lost; and so, now we’ve got a barometer of how many we need to sign and what we need to do.’ ”

AP PHOTO By ALASTAIR GRANT

AP PHOTO By KEVORK DJANSEZIAN Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw tips his cap after striking out Chicago White Sox’s Vinny Capra during the sixth inning of their game on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Kershaw earned his 3,000th career strikeout.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey watches a play from the sideline during a game against Northwestern State on Nov 8 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Pels waive second-year guard Reeves

BY ROD WALKER Sports columnist

The New Orleans Pelicans are moving on from one of their most promising young players.

The Pelicans waived guard Antonio Reeves, the team announced Thursday afternoon.

Reeves, a 6-foot-5 guard, was selected in the second round of the 2024 draft out of Kentucky and showed ﬂashes of potential during his rookie season..

He scored a season-high 34 points in November in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 34 points are the ﬁfth-most points scored by a Pelicans’ rookie in franchise history He made five 3-pointers in a game twice (against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers.)

Reeves, who also spent time

last season with the G League Birmingham Squadron, played in 44 games for the Pelicans.

He averaged 6.9 points and 1.4 rebounds and shot 39.5% on 3-pointers. His best game came toward the end of the season.

He averaged 15.4 points over the last 10 games of the season

There was a three-game stretch where he made 12 consecutive ﬁeld goals.

Pelicans coach Willie Green

raved about Reeves’ play in late March

“He’s doing fantastic,” Green said. “The thing he’s doing is building on what he already has.

He really comes in and works on his shots. We see that carry over when he does play And he’s becoming a really good defender.”

The Pelicans’ decision to move a young, talented player on a cheap contract indicates perhaps the

team is eyeing another move in free agency As of Thursday afternoon, the only deal the Pelicans have agreed to in free agency is the signing of center Kevon Looney from Golden State. The Pels agreed to a two-year deal worth $16 million for Looney, who won three NBA championships in his 10 NBA seasons with the Warriors. Looney gives the Pelicans a veteran presence at center

The team could still use more shooters, which becomes an even bigger issue now that Reeves has been waived. Reeves is the third reserve from last year’s backcourt no longer on the team. The Pelicans also declined the team options on both Elfrid Payton and Brandon Boston last week.

Joe Dumars, in his ﬁrst year as executive vice president of bas-

Bronny not focused on LeBron’s

KHOBI PRICE

The Orange County Register (TNS)

EL SEGUNDO Calif. For Bronny James, the focus over the next couple of weeks will be on his summer league play with the Lakers Not the growing speculation surrounding his dad, LeBron James, and his future with the franchise after comments from his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, made it less clear how much of the elder James’ future will be with the Lakers. And that approach is exactly what LeBron has encouraged of Bronny, the No 55 pick in last year’s draft, who had a businessas-usual approach Wednesday for the Lakers’ summer league team’s practice.

“One of my friends called me, talking about where what I was gonna do,” Bronny said. [Because] they [saw] my dad, whatever I didn’t see it. He called me. ‘I was like, Yeah, I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

“I don’t really pay attention to

that stuff. There’s a lot of stuff going around that I don’t pay attention to.”

LeBron opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season Sunday, bypassing the opportunity to become a free agent earlier this week.

Paul issued statements to multiple media outlets, ﬁrst to ESPN, saying that James will monitor the Lakers’ offseason moves.

“He knows the Lakers are building for the future,” part of Paul’s statement said.

“He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with [Lakers owner and governor] Jeanie [Buss] and [general manager] Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career

“We understand the difﬁculty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career He wants to make every season he has left count, and the

ketball operations, has made major overhauls to the roster since taking over in April.

Last week, the Pelicans acquired Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey from the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Olynyk. Before that, the Pelicans obtained the rights to guard Mojave King in a trade with the Indiana Pacers.

The Pelicans also added three players to the roster in last week’s NBA draft They selected guard Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma) and Derik Queen (Maryland) in the first round and guard Micah Peavy (Georgetown) in the second round.

Some of the young talent will be on display next week in Las Vegas when the Pelicans begin Summer League play Their ﬁrst game is July 10 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

future with franchise

Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

Speculation about LeBron’s future spread throughout the league, but Paul later clarified to ESPN that there haven’t been trade talks regarding the elder James.

Bronny said that he and LeBron don’t discuss his dad’s future with the franchise.

“We don’t really talk about it much,” Bronny said. “But I think when stuff like that does come up, he just tells me to not worry about it, not even pay attention to it. Just lock into what you have going on right now And that’s what’s gonna get me better and to keep me focused. It’s good that he tells me to not pay attention to that stuff.”

So the focus remains on Bronny’s growth and development

“Just creating space for myself,” he said of what he’s focused on since the season ended. “Just getting downhill more. Use my body as a big point guard, just trying to use my body as best as I can.

Bueckers named WNBA Rookie of the Month

Three days after Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers learned she had been named a starter for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday that she was the WNBA’s Rookie of the Month for June. It is the ﬁrst Rookie of the Month honor for Bueckers, whom the Wings selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA draft. The UConn product averaged 21.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks over seven games in June. She shot .475 from the ﬁeld and .929 from the free-throw line.

Bueckers’ scoring average ranked third among all players and first among guards. The 23-yearold is first in scoring and assists averages among rookies and was the only player to average at least 20 points and five assists in June.

Steelers sign GM Khan to three-year extension

PITTSBURGH The Pittsburgh Steelers signed general manager Omar Khan to a three-year extension after an offseason that saw the team bring in quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers announced the deal Thursday that will keep Khan with Pittsburgh through the 2028 season. He was hired as the team’s GM in 2022. Khan and coach Mike Tomlin are structuring their offense around Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP who’s returning for a 21st season. The 41-year-old Rodgers signed a one-year deal after a season in which Justin Fields and Russell Wilson combined to lead the Steelers to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth.

Reunited: Vogel joining Kidd’s staff with Mavericks DALLAS The Dallas Mavericks are poised to add Frank Vogel to coach Jason Kidd’s staff in a reunion for a tandem that won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Wednesday night. Vogel was the head coach and Kidd one of his assistants when the Lakers won their 17th championship in the Florida “bubble.” The roles will be reversed this time, with Vogel serving as associate head coach after spending this past season as a consultant for the Mavericks. Both coaches are 52. Kidd stayed with Vogel one more season in LA before replacing Rick Carlisle as coach of the Mavericks in 2021-22. Dallas went to the Western Conference ﬁnals that season, then to the NBA Finals two years later

F1’s Russell adamant he will stay at Mercedes

SILVERSTONE, England George Russell says there’s an “exceptionally low” chance he’ll leave Mercedes next year, even after he claimed the team was holding talks with Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix, Russell said he was confident of staying with Mercedes and argued that changing drivers would risk the team’s competitiveness when sweeping rule changes come in 2026.

Russell caused a stir last week when he suggested to broadcaster Sky Sports that “conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing” and were a reason why he had yet to renew his contract for 2026.

Just shooting off the dribble, stuff like that. Everything. I’ve been working on everything. So trying to get better as a player overall.”

Second-round pick Adou Thiero, whom the Lakers selected with the No. 36 pick in the draft, won’t participate in the team’s summer league games. He’s in the final stages of his return-to-play process from a left knee ailment he dealt with at Arkansas. Thiero is expected to be fully cleared for training camp.

The Lakers begin their summer schedule with three games in four days as part of the California Classic at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Lakers face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., square off with the Miami Heat on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and face the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday at a time to be determined.

The team will then head to Las Vegas to participate in the leaguewide summer league, with their ﬁrst game scheduled for July 10 against the Dallas Mavericks.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain

MADRID Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into ﬂames, police said Thursday

The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that the 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, André Silva, were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora. Jota’s death comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League title. He leaves behind three children, the youngest born last year Police were investigating the causes of the accident that occurred past midnight

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STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

New Orleans Pelicans guard Antonio Reeves reacts after hitting a 3-pointer against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 6 at the Smoothie King Center

WIMBLEDON

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final at the French Open last month — has helped tennis move on from the era of the Big Three,whereDjokovicisthelastmanstanding after Federer and Rafael Nadal retired.

But Djokovic is too focused on proving he can still win another Slam to sit back and reﬂect on everything he has accomplished at Wimbledon.

“I don’t pause to reﬂect, to be honest. I don’t have time,” Djokovic said in an oncourt interview “I would like to. But I think that’s going to come probably when I set the racket aside and then sip margarita on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reﬂect on our rivalry and everything.” Later in his news conference, Djokovic said he might choose a different drink if the three former rivals do get together.

“I don’t know why I said margaritas because I never had a margarita in my life,” he said. “I don’t necessarily like that drink, but I guess it sounds good.”

Against Evans, Djokovic failed to convert his first nine break points in the first set But once he got the breakthrough for a 5-3 lead raising both arms in the air as if to say “finally” — he went five-for-six on break points the rest of the way

“You have these kinds of days where everything goes your way,” said Djokovic, who didn’t face a break point of his own until the ﬁnal game. “Everything ﬂows.”

Andreeva, Navarro advance

The top women’s players all avoided fur-

LSU

Continued from page 1C

First, LSU signed former Notre Dame forward Kate Koval. Then it dipped into the mid-major ranks to sign ex-East Carolina forward Amiya Joyner, a rising senior with a guard’s skillset.

Mulkey and her staff also pursued former Wisconsin star Serah Williams, one of the top portal entrants of the 2025 cycle. But she wrapped up her visit to Baton Rouge without committing to the Tigers and later signed with UConn instead, leaving LSU with a need to acquire more post production and few avenues to do so.

So Mulkey rounded out her roster by adding 6-foot-2 forward Meghan Yarnevich, a former Georgia signee, to her freshman class The overhauled frontcourt now has the makings of a group that can complement LSU’s star guards.

Koval, a strong 6-5 Ukrainian with a soft touch, can anchor lineups. In her freshman year with the Irish, she grabbed 10.3 rebounds and blocked 3.8 shots per 40 minutes. Only 11 other power-conference players who logged at least 500 minutes last season cleaned the class and protected the rim at both of those rates.

Joyner, like rising freshman Grace Knox, likes to use her face-up game and play in transition. Knox is a 6-2 forward from California ranked as the seventh-best recruit in her class, according to ESPN. She, along with the other three highly rated prospects who signed with LSU in November, is expected to contribute to next season’s team.

KERSHAW

Continued from page 1C

Kershaw shared a clubhouse toast with his teammates, coaches, training staff and front ofﬁce executives.

“Just super thankful for tonight, super thankful for my teammates,” he said. “I told my teammates individual awards are great, but if you don’t have anybody to celebrate with it doesn’t matter.”

The game was delayed for nearly 6 minutes between pitches, a gap that included a tribute video.

Kershaw joined Justin Verlander of San Francisco (3,468) and Max Scherzer of Toronto (3,412) as the only active pitchers with that many Kershaw is just the fourth lefthander in the club.

“It’s an incredible list,” he said. “It’s special to ﬁnally be in that group.” Capra, hitting ninth, was retired on four pitches, with plate umpire Jim Wolf calling the third strike on a slider, Kershaw’s season-high 100th pitch of the night Wolf is the brother of retired pitcher Randy Wolf, once a teammate of Kershaw’s.

“I wanted it to come easy,” Kershaw said “I would much rather have got it done in the ﬁrst.”

Manager Dave Roberts had said before the game that he would manage the threetime Cy Young Award winner differently with the milestone within reach. That was apparent when Kershaw jogged out for the sixth to an ovation, having already tossed a season-high 92 pitches with just two strikeouts. He came into the game needing three to make history

“I was going to give him every opportunity to do it at home,” Roberts said. “You could see the emotion he had trying to get that third strike. It just happened the way it was supposed to happen.” Kershaw retired Lenyn Sosa on three pitches for No. 2,999 in the ﬁfth. Sosa fouled off Kershaw’s ﬁrst two pitches before ending the inning by striking out on a 72 mph curveball

In the third, Miguel Vargas took called strikes on his ﬁrst two pitches before he swung and missed on another 72 mph curveball from his former Dodgers teammate Chicago swung aggressively against Ker-

ther upsets, after four of the five highest seeds went out over the ﬁrst three days. No. 7-seeded Mirra Andreeva and No. 10 Emma Navarro both advanced in straight sets. The 18-year-old Andreeva earned a 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over Lucia Bronzetti of Italy, and Navarro cruised past Veronika Kudermetova 6-1, 6-2

Former No. 1 Iga Swiatek, seeded eighth as she bids for a ﬁrst Wimbledon title, had to come from a set down to beat Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 on Centre Court. Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova was also taken to a third set before beating Caroline Dolehide 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, while 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina beat Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1. In the men’s draw, it was a good day for the old guys. Aside from Djokovic, 34-yearold Grigor Dimitrov, 35-year-old Jan-Lennard Struff and 36-year-old Marin Cilic all advanced Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champion and 2017 Wimbledon runner-up, stunned British No. 4-seed Jack Draper 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 on No. 1 Court. No. 11 Alex de Minaur ousted 115thranked Arthur Cazaux 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 and 19th-seeded Gregor Dimitrov outlasted Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Sinner eased past Aleksandar Vukic 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the late match on Centre Court

Who plays Friday?

Alcaraz, the two-time reigning champion, faces 35-year-old Jan-Lennard Struff on Centre Court, before No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces British home favorite Emma Raducanu in the late match. Australian Open champion Madison Keys faces Laura Siegemund on No 2 Court.

So, too, can Yarnevich, if she can find some minutes at the back end of the Tigers’ brand-new, uncertain frontcourt rotation.

“What I do know is they’re gonna play,” Mulkey said, “and they’re gonna play at an early age, and you’ve got a mixture of two of them that have college experience and two of them that don’t, and I think that’s great I think that’s wonderful.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed.darcey@ theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

shaw, who gave up a two-run homer to Austin Slater and two more runs as the White Sox led 4-2 after six innings.

“You could just feel it. They wanted it for me so bad,” he said of the crowd. “You could feel the tension. They were trying to will me to do it.”

Kershaw made history one batter after Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy was injured in tagging out Michael A. Taylor on a steal attempt. Muncy had to be helped off the ﬁeld, barely able to put any weight on his left leg.

Kershaw has provided much-needed stability for the Dodgers’ pitching staff, which has been decimated by injuries.

“It’s just again a reminder for me, for anyone, to never bet against that guy,” Roberts said before the game. “It doesn’t matter health, stuff — he’s going to will himself to doing whatever the team needs.”

Kershaw allowed ﬁve runs over four innings in his ﬁrst start after returning from knee and foot surgeries last offseason. Since then, he has held opposing batters to a .222 average.

“The first three months of the season, we’ve needed some length from the starter,” Roberts said. “Once he kind of got his footing after the ﬁrst few, he’s done everything and more that we’ve needed. That doesn’t go unnoticed.”

In his prime from 2010-15, Kershaw led the National League in ERA ﬁve times, in strikeouts three times and wins twice.

Kershaw had one of the best seasons ever in 2014, when he ﬁnished with a 21-3 record, 1.77 ERA and 233 strikeouts to win both the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player in the National League.

Age and less dominant stuff has changed the way Kershaw does his job. He knows his consistency isn’t the same but with the depth of the team’s staff, he doesn’t need to be perfect every outing.

Kershaw no longer overpowers hitters the way he did during the height of his career, but he remains stubbornly determined and possesses a craftiness honed over two decades as well as a slider that still can fool.

“I’ve seen him grow more than any player,” Roberts said. “Hasn’t lost the compete, but I think that the world is not as black and white as he used to see it. I think that his edges are softer I think that fatherhood, Father Time, does that to a person.”

Julio César Chávez Jr right, punches Jake Paul during their cruiserweight match on Saturday in Anaheim, Calif.

ICE arrests Mexican boxer César Chávez Jr.

BY JAIMIE DING and JULIE WATSON

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Famed Mexican boxer Julio

César Chávez Jr has been arrested for entering the United States illegally and will be deported to Mexico, where he faces organized crime charges, U.S federal of-

ﬁcials said Thursday

The arrest comes only days after the former middleweight champion lost a match against Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.

The 39-year-old boxer was picked up by a large number of federal agents while he was riding a scooter in front of his home in Studio City, according to Chávez’s attorney Michael Goldstein.

“The current allegations are outrageous and simply another headline to terrorize the community,” Goldstein said.

Many people across Southern California are on edge as immigration arrests have ramped up, prompting protests and the federal deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to downtown Los Angeles.

Goldstein did not know where Chávez was being detained as of Thursday morning, but said they were due in court Monday related to gun possession charges from last year and were to provide an update on his progress in a substance abuse program.

The Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement ofﬁcers detained Chávez for overstaying a tourist visa that expired in February 2024 after he entered the country in August 2023.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ﬂagged ICE about Chávez last year, saying he “is an egregious public safety threat,” and yet he was allowed back into the country Jan. 4, the agency said.

Ofﬁcials said he has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in orga-

nized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives and is believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel. The Associated Press contacted Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office about the charges but the office has not responded yet.

The Trump administration said Chávez applied for a green card on April, 2, 2024, based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, Frida Muñoz, the former partner of Édgar Guzmán López, the now-deceased son of imprisoned Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

The agency said Chávez had submitted multiple fraudulent statements on his application, which led to his arrest.

Chávez had fought just once since 2021 before his bout with Paul on Saturday, having fallen to innumerable lows during a lengthy boxing career conducted in the shadow of his father, one of the most beloved athletes in Mexican history a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame who won championships in several weight classes.

The son has failed drug tests, served suspensions and egregiously missed weight while being widely criticized for his intermittent dedication to the sport.

He still rose to its heights, winning the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defending it three times. Chávez shared the ring with generational greats Canelo Álvarez and Sergio Martinez, losing to both. After battling drug addiction for long stretches of his career, Chávez went to a rehabilitationclinicinSinaloaandclaimedtobe clean for the Paul ﬁght. He looked in his best shape in years while preparing for the match. Chávez said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times ahead of his ﬁght with Paul that he and his trainers were scared by the immigration arrests.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU coach Kim Mulkey argues a call in the third quarter of an NCAA Tournament second-round game against Florida State on March 24 at the PMAC.

Seeking the truth

ActressMariska Hargitay directs ‘My MomJayne’with sensitivity, directness

BY JOHN WIRT

Contributing writer

Mariska Hargitay,star of TV’s “Law &Order: Special Victims Unit” for 26 seasons and counting, leads adifferent kind of investigation in the HBO documentary “My Mom Jayne.”

Review

An Emmy- and Golden Globewinning actress, Hargitay makes her featurefilm directorial debut with the documentary, telling an acutely personal story through an investigator’struth-seeking lens and amotherless child’slonging to know the mother she does not remember The daughter of 1950s and ’60s moviestar and sex symbol Jayne Mansfield, Hargitay was 3 years old when her mother was killed in ahorrific 1967 car crash. The accident happened during an overnight drive from Biloxi, Mississippi, to New Orleans, instantly killing the three adults in the vehicle’sfront seat. Hargitay and her brothers, Mickey Jr., 8, and Zoltan, 6, all sleeping in the back seat, survived.

“My Mom Jayne” presents Hargitay’sfirst-person account of her tragicallyended relationship with her mother and the complex familyhistorythey share. Echoing her TV character, sex crimes detective Olivia Benson, Hargitay’sintimate inquiry is both sensitive and direct. The film includes Mansfield’sup-anddown career,three marriages and affair with the Italian cabaret entertainer Hargitay didn’t know was her biological father until she was 25 years old.

“I was so angry at my mother for hurting my father (Mickey Hargitay Sr.) and leaving me so alone and untethered,” she confesses. Hargitay gathersasmall but essential group of interviewees, including her oldest half-sibling, Jayne Marie Mansﬁeld, and older half-brothersMickey Jr and Zoltan.

ä See MOM, page 6C

Powerful portraits

Artist Becky Gottsegen, whosculpted 23 ceramic busts of men wrongfully imprisoned in Louisiana, will discuss her “Exonerated” project at an artist reception and talkat4 p.m. Sundayatthe Main LibraryatGoodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Registration is required. To register,visit ebrpl.co/events.

LIVING

BRINGONTHE

BOOM

10 events to celebrateJulyFourthinBRarea

BY JUDY BERGERON| Staff writer

Fireworks, ﬂying theStars andStripes, family fun —it’show America celebrates theFourthofJuly.But in the midst of allthe fun, it’sgood to pause andreﬂect on the “why” of the holiday Also referred to as Independence Day,itmarks the adoption of theDeclaration of Independence on that date in 1776, signaling America’s freedom from British rule. Freedom, patriotism andpride—there’smuch to ponder thereonJuly4

Here are 10 events happening in theBaton Rouge area this holiday weekend. Be safe, hydrateand grab the sunscreen. Happy Fourth!

Newstatewide talent competitionlaunches

BYJUDYBERGERON Staff writer

Louisiana native and country music artist Lainey Wilson (“4x4xU,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Things aMan Outta Know”)helped announce anew statewide talent competition last week.

“I know what it’s like to grow up with big dreams in asmall town.This kind of opportunity can change everything,” Wilson, who grewupinBaskin, said in aFacebook reel. Bayou Star Search will take place at 7p.m. Aug. 16 at

FRIDAY

ROCK THE RIVER: 4p.m. to 9p.m., Riverfront Plaza&CityDock, 300 S. River Road, Baton Rouge.Presented by Catﬁshonthe Bayou, thefree celebration will includelivemusic blues, zydeco and line dance —from theOMT Band, withArthur Corbin leading dance lessons from 5p.m. to 6p.m. Also look for food booths shopping and akidszone./www visitbatonrouge.com/event/rockthe-river/229905/ NEW ROADS 4TH OF JULYCELEBRATION: 4p.m., alongFalse River.The eventfeaturesaboat parade, agolf cart and side-by-side parade at ä See FOURTH, page 6C

and $1,000, thirdplace. Proceeds fromBayou Star Search will beneﬁt Louisiana Delta Ballet, a501(c)(3) corporation. Participantsmustberesidents of Louisiana or attending an in-state higher education institution.Rules restrict lip-syncing, profanity or insensitive subject matter To apply,complete online form, pay the nonrefundable $35 application feeand upload avideo(not longer than 21/2 minutes) of their talent, all at bayoustarsearch.com

“Submit your audition and show us what you got. I’ll be cheering you on,” Wilson said. Those interested in becoming asponsor can email bayoustarsearch@gmail.com.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate.com.

STAFFFILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

PROVIDED PHOTO

Jayne Mansfieldwas perhaps the most photographed woman of her time.

Uninvitedpeoplekeepshowing up to my house

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Dear Miss Manners: How can Ipolitely invite someone to my home but also indicate that they should not bring their friends or family with them? We moved a couple years ago to adifferent city,and made new friends we really like. We also have neighbors acouple of houses away who will just come over to join any gatheringwithout aninvite. Iwas hosting dinnerfor apair of friends, and they broughta couple of mutual friends with them. Ihad to stretch the food and was very uncomfortable. Howcan Ilet the neighbor

FOURTH

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7p.m., livemusic, aﬁreworks displayand more. The themeis“Stars, Stripes, and Sugarcane —ATribute to the FarmersofPointe Coupee.” Fireworks at 9p.m. https://pctourism.org/4th-july-parade.

FOURTH FEST: 4p.m. to 10:30p.m., downtown Port Allen. Food,magic show, water slides, space walksand face painting. Also livemusic 5p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with Rockin’ Mozart School of Music Youth Bands,and 7p.m.-10 p.m. featuring ForetTradition. The ﬁreworks displaystarts at 9p.m. Free. https://westbatonrouge. net/fourth-fest/. PLAQUEMINE HOMETOWNCELEBRATION: 5p.m Mark A. “Tony”Gulotta BayouPlaquemine WaterfrontPark, 57845 Foundry St. The eventfeatures kids’ rides,food, crafts, aboat parade honoring veterans and live music. Music and booths open at 5p.m., ﬁreworks at 9p.m.https:// pctourism.org/4th-july-parade.

4TH OF JULYCONCERT: 7p.m., Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. The Baton RougeConcert Band will performaselection of American classics, marchesand tributes. Bring chairs andrefreshments. This is afree, family-friendly event. ebrpl.com.

L’AUBERGE FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: 7p.m.tomidnight

L’Auberge Baton Rouge, 777 L’Auberge Ave. Free lawn viewing party from 7p.m. to 10 p.m.; rooftop pool viewing partyfrom7p.m. to

knowthey are not invited when they just show up?Itisbecoming apattern now

Gentle reader: Are these two separate situations? Are your guests bringing mutualfriends to some dinner parties, and your neighbors just showing up to others? Or are theneighbors showing up at thesame time that thefriends brought over other friends? That would indeed stretch the food.But assuming they are separate: Forthe friends bringing friends without warning,Miss Manners is afraid there is not much you can do in the moment. The next time youinvite them, if you do, you might say,“Ienjoyed meetingthe McDougals,but wasn’texpectingthem.Please do let us know

midnight. ($30 cover, must be 21+ to enter). https://www.lbatonrouge. com/ LSU MUSEUM OF ART&TSUNAMI DOWNTOWN4TH OF JULYCELEBRATION: 7p.m. to 10 p.m., ShawCenter for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St.Food, drinks and agreat spot to watch the9 p.m.ﬁreworks. Tickets range from viewing only,$25 (8 p.m.)to VIP,$165, (7 p.m.). (225) 346-5100 or tsunami.downtownBR@servingsushi.com

WBRZ’SFIREWORKS ON THE MISSISSIPPI: 9p.m., Riverfront Plaza& CityDock,300 S. River Road, Baton Rouge. One of Louisiana’slargest fireworks displays.Free. Show also will be accompanied by alive telecast on 24-hour newschannelWBRZ+, WBRZ.com and WBRZ News 2’s YouTubeChannel. https:// www.wbrz.com/fireworks-on-themississippi/ SATURDAY RED,WHITE ANDBOOM: 5p.m.to 10 p.m 14150 Grand Settlement Blvd., Central. Thecity is marking its 20th anniversaryand Independence Daywithkids’activities, livemusic, pop-upvendors, food trucks and a fireworks show. Free. https://www centralgov.com/ CELEBRATION IN THEPARK & FIREWORKS SHOW: 5p.m.todark, Sidney Hutchinson Park,13750 Ball Park Road, Walker. Livemusic with I-10 Bound Band, art and farmers market, cornholetournament,Jeep show,pie baking contest, hotdog and watermelon eating contests and food trucks. Free and familyfriendly.Fireworks will blast off at dusk.https://walker.la.us/.

mother,

MOM

Continued frompage5C

“You have all these memories,” she tells them. “I’m envious of that.” Jayne Marie Mansfield,born when her mother was 17 years old, gives her half-sister Hargitay therichest memories, while the much younger half-brothers offer impressionistic recollections. The children’sstepmother,EllenHargitay,and,Mansfield’s 101-year-old press secretary, RaymondStrait, share their memories, too Hargitay and her editor,J.D. Marlow,effectively exploit acache of family photos and home movies and the abundant archival film of perhaps the most photographed womanofher time. Mansfield’sallure lights movie scenes and TV appearances with Groucho Marx, Ed Sullivan, Edward R. Murrow,Jack Paar and Merv Griffin.

“My Mom Jayne” begins with a montage of Mansfield’slifeinthe brightest of spotlights. The flashy intro segues to aclipfrom achaotic 1966 episode of “The MervGriffin Show.” Despite the familycircus around her mother —four children, incontinent dogs andthird husband —little Mariska, aka Maria, steals the show.Losingcontrol of his show,Griffin admonishes 2-year-old Mariska: “Listen, get your own show,darling.”

Like her mother,Hargitay studied acting seriously before launching her career.Avoiding the typecasting Mansﬁeldexperienced, she took smallroles,includingher ﬁlm debut in 1984’s“Ghoulies,” before

next time if you are thinking of inviting anyone else. We will have to decide whether we can be sufﬁciently prepared.”

As for theneighbors, just because they show up does not mean you have to invite them in.

“I’m afraid that we have other company over right now,but we would love to see you another time.” At leastwith them,you know their journey home is easy With friends of friends —unless you similarly banish their ride you are stuck.

Dear Miss Manners: What is the rule on inviting someonetoaccompany you to aplay that’sclose to being sold out,and they don’t respond to your invitation in a timely way?

Iinvited afriend to go to ashow

FRIDAY

playing the recurring character in TV’s“ER” that ledtoher starring role in “Law &Order: SVU.”

Evidence being essential to any investigation, Hargitay ﬁnds long-unexplored materialin Mickey Hargitay Sr.’sstorage unit. Mansﬁeld’smarriage tothe Hungarian-born actor and former Mr.Universe was her longest and, apparently,most loving.

“She always had me,”hesays in a1989 interview.“She knew that, but it seems like, at times, it wasn’t enough.”

On thelast day of herlife, Mansﬁeld spoke with second husband Hargitay by phone 90 minutes before her speeding New Orleansbound entourage lodged beneath atractor-trailer on U.S. 90 near Slidell. He told her during the call he was ﬂying to New Orleans to be with her and the children.

Though MickeyHargitay Sr.is beloved by Mariska Hargitay,“My Mom Jayne” reveals that, contrary to his claim until his death, he is not her biological father.Her loyaltyto him compelled her to suppress the identity of her biological father for 35 years.

“Sometimes keeping asecret doesn’thonor anyone,”she says of her change of heart.

More revelations comewith appearances by Hargitay’sbiological father,Nelson Sardelli, and his daughters. Hargitay embraces the meeting as part of ahealing process, helping her replace the decades of loss, anger and shame she felt about her mother with understanding and forgiveness.

Email John Wirt at j_wirt@msn com.

with alimited run, and mentioned in my invitation that it was almost sold out.Isaid that Iwould go ahead and purchase my ticket if I didn’thearfrom her; Ididn’tset a time limit.

Idid buy my own ticket —and then heard from her,two days later,saying that she was interested in accompanying me. Should I have waited to hear from her before purchasing my ticket?

Gentlereader: How long did you give her before you gave up and bought yours? Somewhere between ﬁve minutes and two days is reasonable.

Miss Manners agrees that ultimatums with friends can be awkward, but in this case, atimelimit would have been helpful. Or at least made you feel better about

getting on with it. Of course you do not state it as an ultimatum —only that you are worried that tickets will sell out, so you are going to get yours by the end of the day,whether or not you have heard from her Presumably you could still go with each other,just not necessarily sit together.Especially if only standing room is left. Either way, you both will have learned a lesson.

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

SHOWSTOWATCH —ACADIANA

CLAYCORMIER: Cypress Cove Landing,Breaux Bridge, 3p.m

2025 LAFAYETTE STARS AND STRIPES: Parc International, Lafayette, 5p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan Company Pie Bar,New Iberia, 5p.m

FRIDAYNIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6p.m

HEATH AND THE HOLDOUTS: Adopted DogBrewing,Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery,Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Whiskey &Vine, Lafayette, 6p.m

BLAKELUQUETTE: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.

JAMBALAYA TRIO: Randol’s Cajun Restaurant, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

DUSTIN SONNIER &THE WANTED: Lakeview Park,Eunice, 8p.m

ALPHONSE ARDOIN &ZYDECO

KINGZ: HideawayonLee, Lafayette, 8p.m

GENO DELAFOSE: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY

DON FONTENOTBAND: Fred’s, Mamou,8 a.m.

GENO DELAFOSE &FRENCH ROCKIN

BOOGIE: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 8a.m

SATURDAY MORNING JAMSESSIONS: The SavoyMusic Center Eunice, 9a.m

CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park,Lafayette, 9a.m

LEBEAUZYDECO FESTIVAL: Immaculate ConceptionCatholic Church, Lebeau, 9a.m

CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC JAM: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m

DRUM CIRCLE: NUNU Arts Collective, Arnaudville, 2:30 p.m.

GERARD DELAFOSE &THE ZYDECO

GATORS: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3p.m

MYLES AND KARL OF THE GOOD

DUDES: Adopted DogBrewing Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Whiskey &Vine, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,July 4, the 185th day of 2025. There are 180 days left in theyear.This is Independence Day

TodayinHistory: On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Also on this date: In 1802, theUnited States MilitaryAcademy ofﬁcially opened at West Point, New York.

In 1817, construction of the Erie Canal began in Rome, New York. In 1826, 50 years to theday after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died.

In 1831, theﬁfth president of theUnited States, James Monroe, died in New York Cityatage 73. In 1855, theﬁrst edition of Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” was published. In 1863, theCivil Warsiege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, ended as aConfederate garrison surrendered to Union forces.

In 1910, in what was billed as “The Fight of the Century,” Black world heavyweight boxing

ETHAN HUNT: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.

CHÈRE ELISE: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8p.m.

GARYGRANGER PROJECT: Whiskey &Vine, Lafayette, 8p.m.

4-HORSES: La PoussiereDancehall, Breaux Bridge,8 p.m

THAT‘90S SHOW: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 10 p.m

SUNDAY

GLENN ZERINGUE: Whiskey&Vine, Lafayette, 11 a.m

LIVE MUSIC: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m

JAMBALAYAACOUSTIC MUSIC JAM: Tom’s Fiddle &Bow,Arnaudville, 12:30 p.m.

BALDUDIMANCHE —DIKKI DU & THE ZYDECO KREWE: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m

CAJUNJAM: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville, 2p.m

STEVERILEY &THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3p.m

RUSTYMETOYER: Rock ‘n’Bowl, Lafayette, 5p.m

JUNIOR LACROSSE: Pat’s Atchafalaya Club,Henderson, 4:30 p.m.

THE SLACKERS: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 6p.m.

CEDRIC WATSON &BIJOU CREOLE: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8p.m.

MONDAY

PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Cafe Habana City,Lafayette, 11 a.m.

championJack Johnson defeated Whiteformer champ “Gentleman”Jim Jeffries in Reno, Nevada; race riots across the country following the ﬁght killed morethan 20 people.

In 1912, the 48-star American ﬂag, recognizing New Mexico and Arizona statehood, was adopted.

In 1939, Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees delivered his famousfarewell speech in which he called himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

In 1946, the United States and thePhilippines signed the Treaty of Manila, recognizing Philippine independence from the U.S.

In 1960, the current 50-star version of theU.S. ﬂag was adopted.

In 1976, America celebrated its bicentennial with daylong festivities; President Gerald R. Fordmade stops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Independence Hall in Philadelphia and New York, where morethan 200 ships paraded up the Hudson River in Operation Sail.

In 1987, Klaus Barbie, the former Gestapo chief knownasthe “Butcher of Lyon,” was convicted by aFrench court of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison (he died in September 1991).

TUESDAY TERRYHUVAL &FRIENDS: Prejean’s Restaurant,Lafayette, 6p.m.

GROOVE ROOM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.

WEDNESDAY DULCIMERJAM: St. Landry Visitor Center,Opelousas, 10 a.m.

ROB SAXY: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Youngsville 6:30 p.m

CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.

THURSDAY

JUSTIN CORNETT BAND: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 5p.m. JOSH LEBLANCTRIO: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 6p.m.

TROUBADOUR: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m

FOREST HUVAL: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8p.m.

ZACH EDWARDS: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m. KARAOKE PARTY–PANDAENTERTAINMENT: Black Bull, Youngsville 8p.m.

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’smusic listed? Emailinfo/photos to showstowatch@theadvocate. com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper

In 1995, the space shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir parted after spending ﬁve days in orbit docked together

In 2012, scientists at the European Organization forNuclear Research in Geneva cheered the apparent end of adecadeslong quest foranew subatomic particle called the Higgs boson, or “God particle.” In 2013, the Statue of Liberty reopened on the Fourth of July eight months after Superstorm Sandy shuttered the national symbol of freedom, damaging its docks Today’sbirthdays: Actor Eva Marie Saint is 101. Queen Sonja of Norwayis88. Actor Karolyn Grimes (“It’saWonderful Life”) is 84. Broadcast journalist Geraldo Rivera is 82. Funk/jazz trombonist Fred Wesley is 82. Vietnam War veteran and peace activist Ron Kovic is 79. Singer John Waite is 73. International Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver is 63. Christian rock singer Michael Sweet (Stryper) is 61. Actor-playwrightscreenwriter Tracy Letts is 60. Actor Becki Newton is 47. TV personality Mike “The Situation”

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Catch the JustinCornett Band at 5p.m. Thursday at Rock ‘n’ Bowl Lafayette. The group performs swamp, countryand variety music.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Actress Mariska Hargitaysitsamidmemorabilia connectedtoher

1950s and’60s movie star Jayne Mansfield.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Followyour instincts, question expenditures and refrain from sharingtoo muchpersonal information. Social eventsare likely to cost more than anticipated.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) If you are neglectful, problems will surface in your personal life. You'll be pressed for time or preoccupiedwith work or something intriguing, but saveyourself grief by takingcare of personal matters.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Themore interaction, the better. Whatyou discover today will help you change howyou learn,use your skills and promotewho youare and what you can bring to the table.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Concentrate on gettingthings done.How you handle your business affairs, money andreputation willset thestage forhow faryou can go. Trying something new will lead to connections and growth.

scoRPIo (oct.24-nov. 22) You'llbehard to please, and someone you're trying to impress will disappoint you. It's time to try somethingnew and expand your interests.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Stick close to home and maximizeyour surroundings. Adjustyourworkflowtohelp you engage in the hobbies you enjoy most Settle differences with others and move forward.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Tidy up loose ends andmakeplans to do something

engaging. Social events or pampering yourself will help rejuvenate you. An offer will grab your attention, butdo your due diligence to avoidscamsand fakes.

AQuARIus (Jan.20-Feb.19) Payattention and ask questions. Keep your emotions in check and your mind on what's unfolding. Awareness is the best wayto combat anyone tryingtoexploityou. PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Do something nice for yourself. Achance to socialize will lead to an unexpected opportunity. Explore your options and enjoy whatever comes your way.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Choose your words wisely. Keeping the peace while maintaining equilibrium at homewill be difficult. An innovative response will give you something to consider. tAuRus (April20-May 20) Refuse to let stubbornness getinyour way. Communication, incentives and praise will help youget your way. Honesty,integrity, compromise andequality will be necessary.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Attending a trade show will help you discover optionsyou didn'trealize were available. Show your enthusiasm,and someone will helpyou gainground.

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's cLuE: AEQuALsP

FAMILY CIrCUS

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

beetLe bAILeY

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

We have reached the laststep of bidding major two-suiters opposite aoneno-trump opening: astrong hand withat least two five-card suits. You may have your own method,but mine is to respond three spades —asintoday’s deal.

Over three spades, opener may bid game in either major. However, if he has asuitable hand foraslam,herebidsfour clubs to say that he likes hearts, or four diamonds to establish spadesastrumps. Here,North’shandisborderlinebetween four spades and four diamonds

Over four spades, South makes afiveclub control-bid (cue-bid) to show afirstroundcontrolinthatsuitandstrongslam interest. North indicates hisfirst-round diamond control. South reveals secondround club control but no first-round heart control (because he did not bid five hearts). And when North admitstoholding the heart ace, South jumps to seven spades.

West, trusting his opponents, leadsa trump. How should South play?

Declarerhas six side-suit tricks (five hearts and one diamond), so must score seven trump tricks viafourhigh trumps on the board and threeclubruffs in his hand.

South takes the first trick on the board, ruffs aclubhigh, crosses to dummy with aheart,ruffs anotherclubhigh,plays a diamond to theace, ruffs the last club high, overtakes his spade nine with dummy’s 10, draws trumps, and claims those 13 tricks.

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich createsa disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOONGOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or moreletters. 2. Wordsthat acquire four letters by theaddition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words arenot allowed.

toDAy’sWoRD WHoLEsoME: HOLE-sum: Good for one’s health or well-being.

Average mark 26 words

Time limit 40 minutes

Can you find 37 or more words in WHOLESOME?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —IncEntIVE

incite

civet entice

“For what is aman profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his ownsoul? or whatshall aman give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

Jesus asked agood question. Whatisworth more, thingsoryour soul?

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

GRN BALLISTIC VEST 180000361349 180000361328

RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 180000361341 180000361331

RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 180000361353 180000361338

which arenolonger needed for public purposes, the following described property,towit:

SWAT RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 210000081652 210000081659

SWAT RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 180000361643 180000361327

SWAT RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 180000361346 180000361335

SWAT RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 180000361342 180000361329

SWAT RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 180000361350 180000361336

SWAT RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 210000081657 210000081650

SWAT RANGER GRN BALLISTIC VEST 210000081660 210000081653

Any oppositiontothe proposed ordinance shall be made in writing and filed withthe Office of

JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE

U.S. applications for jobless aid fall to 233K

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs in the U.S. remain low despite uncertainty about how tariffs will impact the economy

The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending June 28 fell by 4,000 to 233,000, less than the 241,000 that analysts forecast. Applications for unemployment aid are considered a proxy for layoffs.

Though the job market is broadly healthy by historical standards, some weakness has surfaced as employers contend with fallout from Trump’s policies, especially his aggressive tariffs.

Companies that have announced job cuts this year include Procter & Gamble, Workday, Dow, CNN, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, and Facebook parent company Meta.

On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that it is laying off about 9,000 workers, its second mass layoff in months and its largest in more than two years.

Earlier this month, Google

conﬁrmed that it had offered buyouts to another swath of its workforce in a fresh round of cost-cutting ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire.

The Labor Department’s unemployment benefits report showed that the four-week average of claims, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, fell by 3,750 to 241,500.

The total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits the week of June 21 held steady at 1.97 million.

UPS plans to offer buyouts to drivers

UPS is making plans to offer buyouts to its drivers for the ﬁrst time ever prompting staunch opposition from the Teamsters union.

The potential buyouts come as UPS has announced plans to slash tens of thousands of management and other jobs and automate more of its business as it slogs through global trade tensions and the loss of business from what used to be its biggest customer — Amazon

Just two years ago, UPS struck a landmark agreement with the Teamsters union that included pay boosts, promises to add air conditioning to package cars and agreements to hire thousands of full-time Teamsters members

But on Thursday, UPS said in a written statement it is navigating “an unprecedented business landscape.”

The buyouts would include a “generous ﬁnancial package if they choose to leave UPS,” in addition to any pension, health care or other retirement beneﬁts they’ve already earned, the company said.

In April, UPS said it planned to cut 20,000 jobs from its workforce of about 490,000, because of a cutback in its deliveries for Amazon and a larger push to make the network more “efﬁcient.” The shipping giant also said it was closing 73 buildings by the end of June, with more to come.

368K pounds of Oscar Mayer bacon recalled

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products are being recalled over possible contamination with listeria bacteria that can cause food poisoning, federal health ofﬁcials said Wednesday

No illnesses have been conﬁrmed to date, U.S. agriculture department ofﬁcials said.

Kraft Heinz Food Company of Newberry, South Carolina, announced the recall of the fully cooked turkey bacon that was produced from April 24 to June 11 The problem was discovered when the company’s laboratory testing indicated potential listeria contamination

The recall includes products that were shipped to U.S. stores nationwide, as well as the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

U.S. stocks set another record

gained 1%.

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK U.S. stocks climbed further into record heights on Thursday after a report showed the U.S job market looks stronger than Wall Street expected.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8% and set an all-time high for the fourth time in ﬁve days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 344 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite

The market’s gains were widespread, and companies whose proﬁts can get the biggest boosts when workers are feeling confident helped lead the way Expedia climbed 3.2%, and Norwegian Cruise Line steamed 2.9% higher

The reaction was bigger in the bond market following the report from the U.S. government, which said employers added 147,000 more jobs to their payrolls last month than they cut. The unexpected acceleration in hiring signals the U.S. job market is holding up despite worries about how Pres-

ident Donald Trump’s tariffs may hurt the economy and inﬂation.

“There is nothing to complain about here,” according to Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics. “You cannot ﬁnd any evidence of a nascent recession in these ﬁgures.”

A separate report, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, an indication of easing layoffs.

Yields jumped in the bond market as investors bet the betterthan-expected data could keep the Federal Reserve on hold when it

comes to interest rates, instead of cutting them like Trump has loudly been calling for.

Traders in the futures market now see less than a 5% chance that the Fed could cut its main interest rate at its next meeting later this month. That’s down sharply from the nearly 24% chance they saw just a day earlier, according to data from CME Group. The Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, has been insisting that he wants to wait and see how Trump’s tariffs affect the economy and inﬂation before making its next move.

A ‘Help Wanted’ sign is displayed at Illinois Air Team Test Station in Lincolnshire, Ill. The U.S labor market delivered another upside surprise last month, churning out a surprisingly strong 147,000 jobs.

Labor market adds 147K jobs in June

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON The U.S. labor market delivered another upside surprise last month, churning out a surprisingly strong 147,000 jobs. The unemployment rate ticked down unexpectedly, too.

But the headline numbers masked some weaknesses as the U.S. economy contends with fallout from President Donald Trump’s economic policies, especially his sweeping import taxes and the erratic way he rolls them out.

Here are ﬁve key takeaways from the jobs report the Labor Department released on Thursday

The headline jobs numbers looked good June hiring was up modestly from May’s 144,000 increase in payrolls and beat the 118,000 jobs economists had forecast for last month. The unemployment rate slipped to 4.1% from 4.2% in May as the ranks of the unemployed fell by 222,000. Forecasters had expected the jobless rate to inch up to 4.3%.

Labor Department revisions added 16,000 jobs to April and May payrolls.

Average hourly wages came in cooler than forecasters expected, rising 0.2% from May and 3.7% from a year earlier The yearover-year number is inching closer to the 3.5% considered consistent with the Federal Reserve’s 2% inﬂation target.

Health care jobs increased by 39,000. State governments added 47,000 workers

and local governments 33,000.

Weakening in the job market

“On net, it was a good report,” said Sarah House, senior economist with Wells Fargo, “But when you dig underneath the surface, it was another jobs report that didn’t look quite as good as ﬁrst meets the eye.”

Private companies, for instance, hired just 74,000 workers last month, about half the 137,000 they hired in May And it was the fewest hires since last October, when there were signiﬁcant labor disruptions from hurricanes State and local governments added nearly 64,000 education jobs last month — a total that may have been inflated by seasonal quirks around the end of the school year

The U.S. labor force — the count of those working and looking for work fell by 130,000 last month on top of a 625,000 drop in May

Economists expect Trump’s immigration deportations — and the fear of them — to push foreign workers out of the labor force. A falling labor force can keep the unemployment rate lower than it would be otherwise. That is because jobseekers need time to ﬁnd employment and can show up as unemployed in the interim.

The Fed is likely to stay put

The upside surprise in June payrolls likely will encourage the Fed to continue its waitand-see policy of leaving rates unchanged until it has a better idea of how Trump’s tariffs and other policies will affect inﬂation and the job market.

The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate

11 times in 2022 and 2023 to combat an outburst of inﬂation. As price pressures eased last year, the Fed reversed course and cut rates three times in 2024. More cuts were expected.

But the central bank has turned cautious this year “Today’s results are more than positive enough to reduce expectations for Fed rate cuts in the wake of tariffs and policy chaos, at least for now,” Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a commentary

After the jobs data was released Thursday, yields on U.S. Treasurys spiked immediately.

Traders in the futures market now see less than a 7% chance that the Fed could cut its main interest rate at its next meeting later this month. That’s down sharply from the nearly 24% chance they saw just a day earlier, according to data from CME Group.

The outlook is cloudy

Employers are now contending with fallout from Trump’s policies, especially his aggressive use of import taxes — tariffs.

Mainstream economists say that tariffs raise prices for businesses and consumers alike and make the economy less efﬁcient by reducing competition. They also invite retaliatory tariffs from other countries, hurting U.S. exporters.

Trump has increased the anxiety by imposing tariffs in an unpredictable way — announcing and then suspending them, then coming up with new ones. The uncertainty has left businesses bewildered and hesitant to make decisions about hiring and investment.

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON An analysis ﬁnds a critical group of U.S. employers would face a direct cost of $82.3 billion from President Donald Trump’s current tariff plans, a sum that could potentially be managed through price hikes, layoffs, hiring freezes or lower proﬁt margins

The analysis by the JPMorganChase Institute is among the ﬁrst to measure the direct costs created by the import taxes on businesses with $10 million to $1 billion in annual revenue, a category including roughly a third of privatesector U.S. workers These companies are more dependent than

other businesses on imports from China, India and Thailand — and the retail and wholesale sectors would be especially vulnerable to the import taxes being levied by the Republican president.

The ﬁndings show clear tradeoffs from Trump’s import taxes, contradicting his claims foreign manufacturers would absorb the costs of the tariffs instead of U.S companies that rely on imports. While the tariffs launched under Trump have yet to boost overall inflation, large companies such as Amazon, Costco, Walmart and Williams-Sonoma delayed the potential reckoning by building up their inventories before the taxes could be imposed.

The analysis comes just ahead of the July 9 deadline by Trump to formally set the tariff rates on goods from dozens of countries. Trump imposed that deadline after the ﬁnancial markets panicked in response to his April tariff announcements, prompting him to schedule a 90-day negotiating period when most imports faced a 10% baseline tariff. China, Mexico and Canada face higher rates, and there are separate 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum. Had the initial April 2 tariffs stayed in place, the companies in the JPMorganChase Institute analysis would’ve faced additional direct costs of $187.6 billion. Under the current rates, the $82.3 billion

would be equivalent on average to $2,080 per employee, or 3.1% of the average annual payroll. Those averages include ﬁrms that don’t import goods and those that do. Asked Tuesday how trade talks are faring, Trump said simply: “Everything’s going well.”

The president has indicated he’ll set tariff rates given the logistical challenge of negotiating with so many nations. As the 90day period comes to a close, only the United Kingdom has signed a trade framework with the Trump administration. Trump announced Wednesday he’d reached a deal with Vietnam, while India has signaled it’s close to agreeing on a trade framework.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH