La. public radio, TV stations seek help Aid sought after ‘devastating’ funding cuts
BY JENNA ROSS Staff writer
Five minutes into a national news program airing Friday afternoon on KEDM, a public radio station in Monroe, a familiar voice spoke up.
Public radio and television stations across the U.S. were grappling with news of dramatic cuts in funding on Friday after Congress passed the so-called rescission package that slashes $9 billion from a host of federal programs.
“Federal funding for public radio was just eliminated by an act of Congress,” Jay Curtis, the station’s general manager told listeners as part of a request for support. “But one thing will always be true: You have the power to make a big difference right now.”
On air and by email, stations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and other Louisiana cities quickly turned to listeners and donors, notifying them of the cuts and asking them for help. Filling the gap will be difficult, if not impossible, station leaders said The bill claws back $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which in turn
funds NPR, PBS and member stations across the country Republicans have argued that taxpayer money should not be spent on public media when, according to Sen. John Kennedy, RMadisonville, “Americans can find the same content — in many cases, better content — online for free.”
But station leaders say that especially in rural areas, public media is a rare source for high-quality news and information, essential during hurricanes and other emergencies.
LSU announcing legend Dan Borné retiring
LSU public address announcer Dan Borné is retiring after more than three decades as the announcer for the Tigers’ football and men’s basketball games.
Run lasted 38 years at Tiger Stadium
Staff report
LSU public address announcer Dan Borné is retiring as the announcer for the Tigers’ football and men’s basketball games, the university announced Friday
Borné’s decision ends his run of 38 years of calling LSU football games at Tiger Stadium and 36 years as the voice of men’s basketball games inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
“I would like to thank LSU and our fans for so many seasons of fond memories,” Borné said in a statement. “It’s been a great honor and I deeply appreciate it I’m 79 years old and it’s time to retire and return the microphone. I’ll be spending more time with our family and we’ll always bleed purple and gold!”
LSU football won three national titles and six SEC championships during his time as the public address announcer at Tiger Stadium.
Borné, who took a leave of absence before the 2024 football season, coined the phrase, “chance of rain never!” before the start of football games. He
also got the crowd excited headed into the fourth quarter by stating, “The sun has found its home in the western sky It is now Saturday night in Death Valley!” Handling the public address announcing duties in Borné’s stead last season was Bill Franques, the longtime in-game stadium announcer at Alex Box Stadium for LSU baseball. Before Franques taking over the reigns last season, Tiger Stadium has only had two full-time PA announcers since 1955. Longtime WAFB weather forecaster Sid Crocker held the role for 30 years until 1985. Borné stepped into the position the next season.
$28 million
Trump administration had withheld money
BY PATRICK WALL, MARIE FAZIO and ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writers
Louisiana is set to receive nearly $28 million for after-school programs that had been held up by President Donald Trump’s administration, easing fears that schools would have to cut services for students next month when they return from summer break Schools and nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club rely on the money to run summer and afterschool programs that serve an es-
Paul Maassen, general manager of WWNO in New Orleans and WRKF in Baton Rouge, the state’s two largest public radio stations, said that in targeting national news organizations like National Public Radio, lawmakers are hurting local stations that are generally popular WWNO in New Orleans will lose $220,000 a year in federal funds, and WRKF in Baton Rouge will lose about $150,000. That’s about 8% of those stations’ annual budgets.
Southern University expels fraternity
Omega Psi Phi booted after hazing death investigation
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
The Omega Psi Phi fraternity has been expelled from Southern University’s campus after the school’s Division of Student Affairs found the frat responsible for the hazing death of Caleb Wilson.
While the announcement was made Friday, the expulsion has been in effect since April 24, a spokesperson for Southern said.
Beta Sigma, the chapter of Omega Psi Phi on Southern’s campus, will now lose recognition as a student organization, be denied all rights and privileges that come with recognition, and must remove all identifiable markers from campus.
This stripping of fraternity images includes the fraternity’s plot and would entail the removal of benches, trees, monuments and any other identifying items.
The move comes nearly five months after the death of 20-year-old Southern mechanical engineering student Caleb Wilson, who collapsed in a Baton Rouge warehouse after being punched repeatedly in the chest during an Omega Psi Phi ritual. Wilson’s death was originally shrouded in mystery, with fraternity brothers first reporting he had been hit in the chest while playing basketball at a local park. They delivered Wilson to the hospital in nothing but a pair of socks and sweatpants.
As details emerged, Baton Rouge police arrested three frat brothers considered as leaders in ritual that resulted in Wilson’s death.
Caleb McCray, 24; Kyle Thurman, 25; and Isaiah Smith, 29, were each arrested on a count of criminal hazing for
ä See FRATERNITY, page 4A
in after-school grants restored for Louisiana
timated 30,000 Louisiana students, advocates said. It is part of $1.3 billion for after-school programs that the U.S. Department of Education is expected to release to states in the coming days, following a weekslong delay while the Trump administration reviewed whether the programs align with the president’s priorities. But nearly $5 billion in education grants that schools had expected to receive on July 1 remains frozen. The federal money, which Congress approved earlier this year, pays for teacher training and programs for migrant students, English learners, adult literacy, arts and science education and violence prevention in schools across the country
Advocates and educators have decried the funding delay, saying it upended plans for the coming school year and could disrupt critical services, including after-school programs that provide a safe space for students and child care for working parents. This week, 10 Republican senators — though none from Louisiana wrote a letter urging the administration to release the congressionally approved money On Friday, advocates cheered the news that the after-school grants were being restored while calling for the rest of the money to
ä See GRANTS, page 5A
STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Jenny Schneider supervisor of kindergarten through second-grade literacy in Rapides Parish, works with kindergarten student Kyrei Johnson as part of a summer reading program on June 16 at J.B Nachman Elementary School in Alexandria.
LSU FILE PHOTO By STEVE FRANZ
Report: Naval Academy will replace leader
BALTIMORE The U.S. Naval Academy will replace its first female superintendent, according to reporting from USNI News, the Naval Institute’s news site.
Vice Adm. Yvette Davids was confirmed to lead the academy in January 2024. She will be renominated for a third star and go on to serve the chief of naval operations staff. USNI reports that Lt. Gen Michael Borgschulte will be nominated to succeed Davids.
If he is confirmed by the Senate, Borgschulte will be the first Marine general to serve as the academy’s superintendent.
Davids’ Navy career began aboard the combat stores ship USS San Jose during Operation Desert Storm.
She took the helm of the USS Curts, becoming the first woman of Hispanic descent to command a Navy warship and leading the guided missile frigate in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom
The Naval Academy was the last of the five service academies to have a woman nominated as leader In June, Joanna Nunan stepped down from her role at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, where she was the first female superintendent.
Police: 4 dead in crash involving bus, stolen car
SAN ANTONIO A speeding stolen car smashed into a bus on an interstate in San Antonio on Thursday, causing a multi-vehicle crash that left four people dead and more than a dozen injured, police said.
Two people traveling on the bus were pronounced dead at the scene on Interstate 35 and two died at a hospital, police said. Another 16 people received treatment for their injuries.
Several people fled the stolen Camaro without stopping to help, including at least one who was armed, police said.
The Camaro struck a trailer attached to the bus, causing the bus driver to lose control of the vehicle, which then bounced into a guardrail. A tractor-trailer then smashed into the bus, which rolled onto its side. Several people were ejected from the bus, police said.
Man with chain necklace pulled into MRI machine
WESTBURY, N.Y A man was pulled into an MRI machine in New York after he walked into the room wearing a large chain necklace, police said.
The man, 61, had entered an MRI room while a scan was underway Wednesday afternoon at Nassau Open MRI. The machine’s strong magnetic force drew him in by his metallic necklace, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Police said the incident “resulted in a medical episode” that left the man hospitalized in critical condition MRI machines “employ a strong magnetic field” that “exerts very powerful forces on objects of iron, some steels, and other magnetizable objects,” according to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, which says the units are “strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room.”
Trump sues paper over Epstein story
BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump filed a $10 million lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch Friday, a day after the newspaper published a story reporting on his ties to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein
The move came shortly after the Justice Department asked a federal court on Friday to unseal grand jury transcripts in Epstein’s sex trafficking case, as the administration tries to contain a firestorm that erupted after it previously announced it would not be releasing additional government files from the case.
Trump had promised the lawsuit after thet Journal put the spotlight on his relationship with Epstein, publishing an article that described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump’s
name and was included in a 2003 album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday Trump denies writing the letter, calling the story “false, malicious, and defamatory.”
In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump cast the lawsuit as part of his efforts to punish news outlets, including ABC and CBS, which both reached multimillion-dollar settlement deals with the president after he took them to court.
“This lawsuit is filed not only on behalf of your favorite President, ME, but also in order to continue standing up for ALL Americans who will no longer tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Fake News Media,” he wrote.
A spokesperson for Dow Jones, the Journal’s publisher, responded Friday night, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
The letter revealed by The Wall Street Journal was reportedly collected by disgraced British socialite
Ghislaine Maxwell as part of a birthday album for Epstein years before the wealthy financier was first arrested in 2006 and subsequently had a falling-out with Trump
The letter bearing Trump’s name includes text framed by the outline of what appears to be a hand-drawn naked woman and ends with, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” according to the newspaper
Trump denied writing the letter and promised to sue. He said he spoke to both to the paper’s owner, Rupert Murdoch, and its top editor, Emma Tucker, before the story was published and told them the letter was “fake.”
“These are not my words, not the way I talk Also, I don’t draw pictures,” the president wrote on social media.
The outlet described the contents of the letter but did not publish a photo showing it entirely or provide details on how it came to learn about it. The suit was filed in
Blast at training facility in L.A. kills 3 deputies
BY ETIENNE LAURENT, ERIC TUCKER and OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press
LOSANGELES A Friday blast at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility killed three members of its arson and explosives unit, marking one of the department’s worst losses of life from a single incident, the sheriff said.
All three were veteran deputies. The department hasn’t said what they were doing at the time of the blast or what caused it.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the arson and explosives team undergoes in-depth training and responds to more than 1,000 calls a year
The deputies had served 19, 22 and 33 years in the department, Luna said.
“They have years of training,” the sheriff said at a news conference. “They are fantastic experts and, unfortunately, I lost three of them today.”
The explosion was reported about 7:30 a.m at the Biscailuz Training Facility Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Nicole Nishida said.
Aerial footage from KABC-TV shows the explosion happened in a parking lot filled with sheriff’s patrol cars and box trucks. Three covered bodies could be seen near a truck with a ramp attached
to a side door A patrol cruiser parked nearby had its rearview mirror shattered by the blast.
Luna said it took more than four hours to render the scene safe and the deaths are being investigated by the department’s homicide detectives, with the assistance of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. No one else was injured in the explosion, he said.
An early line of investigation was looking at a possible training accident, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter who was not authorized to discuss it and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Luna said the deaths marked the department’s worst loss of life in a single incident since 1857, when four officers were killed by gunfire, and noted that he couldn’t release the deputies’ names because he had yet to speak to one of the families.
“I have met with two of three families thus far Those were extremely challenging conversations,” Luna said, his voice breaking.
Arson investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department and members of the Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad were also assisting the investigation at the training facility, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a post on X.
Trump signs new stablecoin regulations
BY SEUNG MIN KIM and ALAN SUDERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law new regulations for a type of cryptocurrency, a major milestone for an industry that has spent heavily to strengthen its legitimacy and political might
The GENIUS Act sets initial guardrails and consumer protections for stablecoins, which are tied to assets like the U.S. dollar to reduce price volatility compared with other forms of cryptocurrency It passed both the House and Senate with wide bipartisan margins The new law is meant to bolster consumer confidence in the crypto industry, which has quickly become a major power player in Washington thanks to massive campaign donations and spending on lobbying Its passage comes as Trump had repeatedly pledged to make the U.S. the crypto
capital of the world.”
“For years you were mocked and dismissed and counted out,” Trump told crypto industry executives at a White House bill signing attended by about 200 people “This signing is a massive validation of your hard work and your pioneering spirit.”
The crypto industry has long complained it was unfairly targeted by former President Joe Biden’s administration and spent heavily to help Trump win last year’s election.
The president lavished praise on crypto leaders during his speech Friday, saying “nobody has gained the respect in such a short period of time.”
Trump said helping the cryptocurrency industry was “good for the dollar and it’s good for the country.”
“That’s why I backed you at an early stage,” said Trump, who had previously been a skeptic of cryptocurrency before embracing it. His administration has taken several early steps to boost
the crypto industry
The president also joked that lawmakers had named the GENIUS Act after him. The acronym stands for “Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins.”
A provision in the GENIUS Act bans members of Congress and their families from profiting off stablecoins. But that prohibition does not extend to the president and his family, even as Trump builds a crypto empire from the White House. His family holds a significant stake in World Liberty Financial, a crypto project that launched its own stablecoin earlier this year and received an early boost from an investment fund in the United Arab Emirates. The House also passed two other bills Thursday that are meant to help the crypto industry One creates a new market structure for cryptocurrency, and the other bans the Federal Reserve from issuing a new digital currency Both measures now go to the Senate.
federal court in Miami.
Earlier Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed motions in a separate federal court urging them to unseal the Epstein transcripts as well as those in the case against Maxwell, who was convicted of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Epstein killed himself in 2019 shortly after his arrest while awaiting trial.
The Justice Department’s announcement that it would not be making public any more Epstein files enraged parts of Trump’s base in part because members of his own administration had hyped the expected release and stoked conspiracies around the well-connected financier
The Justice Department said in the court filings that it will work with prosecutors in New York to make appropriate redactions of victim-related information and other personally identifying information before transcripts are released.
BY PATRICK WHITTLE Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine Au-
thorities in Maine said Friday they have charged a 17-year-old with murder in the death of a paddleboarder who went missing on a rural pond that is a popular summer destination.
The body of Sunshine Stewart 48 of St. George, was found this month on Crawford Pond in Union, about 80 miles north of Portland. The killing shocked and scared the community, where trips to the pond and nearby campground are a summer staple.
Court documents identified the teen as Deven Young, of Frankfort, Maine. He made a brief initial court appearance on Friday in which he entered a denial to the charge. His attorney, Jeremy Pratt, declined to comment to The Associated Press via email.
A medical examiner determined Stewart’s cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma, police said.
Authorities have not revealed a motive. Court
documents contain little detail other than stating that Young is a juvenile and “did intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another human being, namely Sunshine Stewart.” Stewart lived about 21 miles from the pond. A person reached by phone who identified herself as Stewart’s sister on Thursday declined to comment. Friends of Stewart have posted online testimonials remembering her as fiercely independent and always up for a challenge, including outdoor adventures and building projects. A lifelong friend, Bethany Leach Parmley of Washington, Maine, described Stewart as “dauntless,” and the glue of a group of friends who stayed close even as life took them in different directions. Parmley said Stewart was a longtime paddleboarder who previously taught lessons in the activity
“She was just a wonderful friend, a really loyal, wonderful friend,” Parmley said. “She was just so fun and funny and you couldn’t help but have a good time around here.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ETIENNE LAURENT
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna gets a hug from Supervisor Kathryn Barger as he arrives for a news conference after three members of the department were killed in an explosion at a training facility on Friday in Los Angeles.
Venezuelareleases10jailedAmericans
Migrants sent to El Salvador freed
BY REGINA GARCIA CANO, ERIC TUCKER and MEGAN JANETSKY Associated Press
CARACAS,Venezuela Venezuela released 10 jailed Americans on Friday in exchange for getting home scoresof migrants deported by the United States to El Salvador months ago under the Trumpadministration’simmigration crackdown, officials said.
The complex, three-country arrangement represents adiplomatic achievement for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, helps President Donald Trumpin his goal of bringing home Americans jailedabroad and landsSalvadoran President Nayib Bukele aswap that he proposed months ago.
“Every wrongfully detained American in Venezuela is now free and back in our homeland,”Secretary of State MarcoRubio said in astatement in which he thanked Bukele, aTrump ally Bukele said El Salvador had handed over all the Venezuelan nationals in its custody. Madurodescribed Friday as “a dayofblessings and good newsfor Venezuela” duringhis address to agathering of agriculture producers.
Venezuelansleave prison Central to the deal are more than 250 Venezuelan migrants freed by El Salvador,which in March agreed to a$6million payment from the Trump administration to house them in its notorious prison. That arrangementdrew
Men whoElSalvador’sgovernment identify as Venezuelans whothe U.S. government detained and flew to ElSalvador months agoare shown boarding aVenezuelan plane bound forVenezuela as soldiers stand by Fridayatthe Oscar Arnulfo Romero International AirportinSan Luis Talpa, El Salvador
immediate blowback when Trump invoked an 18th century wartimelaw,the Alien EnemiesAct,toquickly remove the men that his administration had accused of belonging to the violent Tren deAragua street gang, teeing up alegalfight that reached theU.S.Supreme Court. The administration didnot provide evidence to backupthose claims.
TheVenezuelans have beenheld in amega-prison known as theTerrorism Confinement Center,orCECOT,whichwas builttohold alleged gang members in Bukele’swar on the country’s gangs. Human rights groups have documented hundreds of deaths as well as cases of torture inside its walls.
Lawyers have little access to those in the prison,which is heavilyguarded, and information has been locked tight,other than heavily produced state propaganda videosshowing tattooed men
packed behind bars.
In April, in aheated exchange of diplomaticletters with Venezuela, Bukele proposed exchanging the Venezuelans for the same number of what he called “political prisoners”heldbyMaduro. It provokeda harsh response from Venezuelanauthorities, who called his comments “cynical”and referred to Bukele as a“neofascist.”
Americansare innocent
The StateDepartment officeresponsible for negotiatingthe release of American detaineesposteda photo Friday evening of thenewly released prisoners smiling for thecamera inside an airplane bringing them home.
Among thosereleased was 37-year-old Lucas Hunter, whosefamily says he was kidnapped in January by Venezuelan border guards from inside Colombia, where he was vacationing.
“Wecannot wait to see him
in person and help him recover from theordeal,” his sister Sophie Hunter said.
Venezuelan authorities detained nearly adozen U.S. citizens in the second half of 2024 and linked them to alleged plots to destabilize the country
“Wehave prayed forthis day for almost ayear.My brother is an innocentman whowas used as apolitical pawnbythe Maduro regime,” said astatement from ChristianCasteneda, whose brother Wilbert, aNavy SEAL, was arrested in his Caracas hotel room last year
Global Reach,a nonprofit organization that had advocated forhis releaseand that of several other Americans, saidVenezuelan officials initially and falsely accused him of being involved in acoup but backed off that claim.
Swap givesMaduroboost
The release of the Venezuelans,meanwhile, is an invaluable win forMaduro as he
NOTICE OF VACANCY
presses his efforts to assert himself as president despite credible evidence that he lost reelection last year Long accused of human rights abuses, Maduro for months has used the migrants’ detention in El Salvador to flip the script on the U.S. government,forcing even some of his strongest political opponentstoagree with his condemnation of the migrants’ treatment.
Just aweek ago, the U.S State Department reiterated its policy of shunning Maduro government officials and recognizing only the National Assembly elected in 2015 as the legitimate government of thecountry.Signed by Rubio, the cable said U.S. officials are free to meet and have discussions with NationalAssembly members “but cannotengage with Maduro regime representativesunlessclearedbythe Department of State.”
BY NICK WADHAMS and RYAN CHUA Bloomberg News (TNS)
WASHINGTON Thetop U.S. intelligence official declassified an email trovepurporting to expose aDemocratic conspiracy to cast doubt on Donald Trump’s2016 election win. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the114 pages of heavily redacted emails reveal that former President Barack Obama’snational security Cabinet faked and manipulated intelligence behind the assessment that Russia wanted Trump to win the election. In anews release, Gabbard said the information “clearly shows there was atreasonous conspiracyin 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government.” She called for an investigation and prosecution of those involved, “no matter how powerful,” and said on Xthat the documents would be turnedover to the Department of Justice.
Gabbard’sclaim standsin contrast to the findings of a bipartisan Senate investigation that ended in 2020 and theconclusion of aCentral Intelligence Agency review released earlier this month. That review faulted some aspects of a2017 assessment on Russian interference but stood by the conclusion that Moscow wantedTrump to win in 2016.
“The unanimous, bipartisan conclusionwas that Russiainterfered in the2016 election to benefitDonald Trump,” Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in astatement afterGabbardreleased the emails.
Among other senatorson the committee who signed off on the report was Marco Rubio, nowTrump’s secretary of state andacting national security adviser, who said at thetime theinvestigationfound “irrefutable evidenceofRussian meddling.”
Gabbard’smove hearkens back to aclaim fromthe
early days of Trump’sfirst presidency —and one he has repeatedmany timessince then —thatthe assessment Russiawanted him to win was aconspiracy by Democrats to bring him down. Therelease includes copiesoftwo versions of an intelligencecommunity assessment —a draft dated Sept.12, 2016, saying that “foreignadversaries do not have and will probably not obtain” the abilitytohack election systems, andanother dated Jan. 5, 2017, concluding that “Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influencecampaign in the summer of 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election.”
ButGabbard, in her conclusion around thedocuments, appears to be conflating separate assessments. The Januaryreport never concludedthatRussiatried to hack election infrastructure —instead finding that Russia triedtoundermine faithindemocracy,attack Hillary Clinton and showa preference for Trump.
The St. Helenaparish police jury shallappoint an individual to serveasthe St.Helenaparish registrarof voters.All interested applicants maypickupanapplication from theSt. Helena parish police jury office or applyonlinevia thepolicejury’swebpage HTTPS://WWW.STHELENAPARISH.LA.GOV/APPS/JOBS/
Allinterestedapplicantsfor thepositionofregistrar of voters shall submit an application, coverletter, resume, andproof of voterregistrationvia email to Sharonda Brown, SECRETARY-TREASURERATSBROWN@STHELENAPARISH.LA.GOV OR Theapplication andresumemay be hand delivered to theSt. Helenaparish police jury ADMINISTRATIVEBUILDINGLOCATED AT: 17911HWY 43,GREENSBURG, LA 70441
Allapplicationsmustbereceivednolater than 4:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY,JULY25, 2025.The St.Helenaparish police jury human resource consultant shall conductinterviewsofall qualified applicants
Qualifications forapplicantsfor registrarofvoter:
•Shall be aregisteredvoter.Ifappointed to fill theofficeofregistrar of voters,the applicantshall become aresidentand registered voterofSt. Helena parish priortotakingthe oath of office, andshall possessatleast oneofthe followingatthe time of appointment:
•Possess abaccalaureate degree from an accredited institutionand twoyears full-timeprofessional work experience
•Possess an associatedegreefromanaccreditedinstitution andfouryears of Full-timeprofessionalworkexperience
•Seven yearsoffull-time professional work experience
•Fiveyears of full-timeemploymentinaregistrar’s officeinLouisiana
Note:professional work experience meansexperienceinanoccupationwhich requires specializedand theoreticalknowledge usuallyacquiredthrough collegetrainingorthrough work experience andother training whichprovidescomparableknowledge
PHOTO PROVIDED By EL SALVADOR’S PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE
“If you have abeef witha national programmer,that’sfine, but that should be handled differently,” Maassen said by phone.
In an email Friday to listeners WWNO said thatthe loss offederal funding willmeanpausing or scaling back planstoupdate backup generators and to expand the signal of sister stationKTLNto reach more listeners in the bayou parishes, among other things. The cuts will impactstations acrossthe country,incommunitieslarge and small,that do “tremendous good,” Maassen said. Insmaller,rural places, the cuts could cause them to “severely curtail what they do —oreven close.”
In Monroe, the lossis“devastating,but it is not the end,” said Curtis, thestation’sgeneral manager since 2012. Unlike stations in bigger markets, who can turn to deeppocketed donors, KEDM has acoverageareaofjust 320,000, “and a whole lot of that is corn field and cottonfields and big, wide open spaceswithjust afew people living in them.”
KEDM expects to lose more than afifth of the station’sannual revenue, or about $145,000.The station employs just ahandful of people yet puts out local news and music programming, including,”The Boot,” which highlights Louisiana artist and southern musical traditions, including blues, souland zydeco. The stationpays NPR to air national programs. On acall Friday,local stations learned that NPR would offer adiscount on such programs, but the details are still to be settled.
Since airing its calls for donations,the station has heard from new listenersand thosewho had long let their membership lapse. But fundraising is expensive, Curtis said. Because of Gov.Jeff Landry’shiring freeze,the university-affiliated station can’tfill a position responsible for business sponsorships. Like other public stations, it can’tand won’tturn to commercials.
Public radioand television
“Thiscut is ahistorical moment,” saidRobin Cooper,president andCEO of WYES, thepublic television station serving theNew Orleans area. That station will lose morethan $800,000 in federal funding,or13% of its budget.
Thecuts will also affect national services to member stations, such as thesatellite system used to feed
and receive programming, and shared expenses like music copyrights.
“The trueimpact of this will not be known for weeks or months,” Cooper said Friday WYES broadcasts bothnational PBSprograms and produces its own, local programs, someof which are distributed beyond Louisiana. “Weare reevaluating anything and everything,” Cooper said.
The station counts 18 staffmembers, Cooper said. “We’ve run a very leanoperation,”she said.
“We’re understaffedasitis.” So staffing changes, whichare “a likelihood,” she said, will “be felt very deeply.”
After walking herdog Friday morning, Christy Wood heard WWNO’s plea.
Wood is the gallery director and co-owner of Lemieux Galleriesin NewOrleans,which supportsthe
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allegedly orchestratingthe ritual, which involved making pledges change clothes and line up to receivefour punches in the chest from their frat brothers
Each of the three allegedly punched pledges during the ritual, using apair of black boxing gloves police recovered from the warehouse.
For allegedly delivering the four punches to Wilson, leading to his collapse and seizure, McCray was also arrested on acount of manslaughter Smith was also the dean of pledges for Southern’sOmega Psi Phi chapter at the time of the ritual and was responsible for planning recruitment events. Smith’s father,Todd Smith,alsowas leasing the Woodcrest Drive warehouse where the hazing took place for his business California Hardwood Floors.
The criminal hazing charge wasadded to Louisiana state law as part of the Max Gruver Act. In the wake the LSU freshman’s alcohol poisoning death, the
fraternity he was pledging, Phi Delta Theta, was removed from LSU’scampus by their national parent organization
At Southern, board chair
Tony Clayton, who also is the district attorney for Louisiana’s18th Judicial District, hassaid he plans to implement changes to theuniversity’s bylaws that would permanently take theGreek recruitment process out of the hands of undergraduates.
Adults in the graduate chapters of fraternities and sororities would decide how students enter the chapters.
Wilson’sdeath again reminded parentsinBaton Rouge and beyond that haz-
ing as apractice is old, deadly and hard to combat.
Membersofhis family paid to have advertisements run on abillboard in New Orleansasthe city hosted a national gathering of Omega Psi Phi members, with messages like “Caleb was failed. Completely.Inthe mostunthinkable, irreversible way” displayed just blocks from wherethe convention was being hosted. Ceremonies for Wilson’s death at both Southern Universityand Pilgrim Baptist Church in Kenner drew hundreds of mourners, and included asecond-line sendofffromSouthern’sHuman Jukebox marching band. Wilsonwas atrumpet player in the band.
Wilson’sfather,Corey Wilson, was aJefferson Parish Sheriff’sOffice deputyfor
station as an underwriter.She was also aPBS kid who,growing up in Massachusetts, watched “Sesame Street” and “Mr.Rogers.”
So she was disappointed to learn that the federal government, which is increasing itsspending on agencies such as Immigrations andCustoms Enforcement, would no longer fund public broadcasting.
“It’spart of what makes oursociety great,” Wood said.
over 35 years. At the memorial on Southern’s campus, he told his son’sclassmates
“I want to thank you all for the love you gave my son this was Caleb’slife.”
STAFFPHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
Bob Pavlovich, whohosts the ‘All Things Considered’and ‘Louisiana Considered’shows at WWNO,prepares for ashowonthe campus of the University ofNew Orleans on Friday. Major cuts in federal funding will likely affect future programming of the NPR station.
Ammons stepping down as SUNO chancellor
StateSen.Joseph
BouieJr. appointed to fill position
BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer
Southern UniversityatNew Orleans Chancellor James Ammons is stepping down after sixyears at the helm of New Orleans’ only public historically Black university, officials said Friday.Hewill be replaced by state Sen. Joseph Bouie Jr
The Southern University system BoardofSupervisorsappointed Bouie, D-New Orleans, to serveas the New Orleans campus chancellor at their meeting Friday.Bouie, who was elected to the state Legislature in 2019, is aretired social work professor who previously served as SUNO chancellor. He’ll take over as chancellor on Aug.1 Bouie said in atext messageFriday that he will give up his Senate seat to focus on his newrole. He added that he hopes to boostSUNO’senrollment, which has stag-
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Continued frompage1A
also be released.
“The uncertainty of that remaining $4.9 billion and whether or not it’s going to come is already forcing districtstomake really tough decisions,” said Tara Thomas, government affairsmanageratAASA, the national school superintendents association. “No matter what is cut, it’sstudents who aregoing to have to bear the consequences.”
The money expectedtobereleased next week is for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, also known as Title IV-B. It’sthe mainfederal funding source for after-school programs, which providestudents with free meals,academic support and asafe space to socialize after class.
At FirstLine Schools in New Orleans, about athird of studentsattend after-schoolprograms, said CEOSabrinaPence. The students are fed “supper” before buckling
natedsince the pandemic,push theuniversityto expandweekend and night class and onlineofferings, and bolster support forstudents, such as mentorships.
The boardapproved athree-year contract with Bouie and an annual salary of $275,000. He’llalsoreceiveahousing andvehicle allowance, and the opportunity to earn additional incentive payifhecan increase full-time enrollment by 10%inthe coming years, according to the contract
“I thankyou from the bottom of my heart for your vote of confidence and this opportunityafforded me,” Bouie, whoearned his undergraduate degree fromSUNO, told the board Friday.“The legacy of this institution is critical to not only this region, but to thenation.”
SUNO enrolled nearly 2,500 students last fall, about 400 more than the previous year.Inspring 2005, SUNO’senrollment peaked
downfor 45 minutesoftutoring and 45 minutes of enrichment activities,suchasband, sports and coding.
FirstLine, which runs four charterschoolsinthe city,relieson about $1.2 millioninannual federal grantstofundthe program. It was awelcomerelief that the grantswill comethrough andthe schools won’thave to scale back theprogram, Pence saidFriday
ButFirstLine is still waitingfor about$300,000ingrants for teacher training and English learners thatremains frozen. Because schools have already finalized their budgets andhired staffs, theorganization plans to increase itsdeficit to cover the loss of any grants this school year
“It’slikea roller coaster,” Pence said. “I understand they’re trying to make cuts,but future planning is extremely importantfor schools.”
In Jefferson Parish, Louisiana’s largest school district, School Boardmember DerrickShepherd said he was relieved Friday to learn that the after-school funding
at more than 3,700 students.
Ammons,who will step down fromhis post at the endofthis month, will stayonasa tenured professor in the College of Artsand Sciences witha $160,000 salary.Hesaid Friday that the role will allow him to spend moretime with hisfamilyand “helpdevelop thenext generation of civic-minded leaders andcontribute to the university’smission in ascholarly and strategic capacity.”
Appointed as interim SUNO chancellor in 2019, Ammons was tapped for the permanent position in 2021. He previously served as executive vicepresident of the Southern University system and executive vice chancellor of Southern University in Baton Rouge, andheldleadership roles at HBCUs in Florida and North Carolina before that.
WhenAmmons took over as interim chancellor,SUNO was in crisis after years of lowenrollment
would come through. Thegrants payfor ACT prepand makeup courses for high school students, along withtraditionalafter-school programs, he said. Still, he added that thedistrict is waiting to learn whetherthe moneywillcome “with any strings attached.”
“Our after-school programs are so important,” he said, “not just to theschool, but to thewhole community.”
Without the federal money, some school districts andnonprofit groups wereexpectingtoscale back their after-school programs this fall, saidAndrew Ganucheau, director of the Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning.
“It reallywas looking like by Labor Day many of the programs were going to have to shut down or only have enough funding to runone site,” he said.
The restorationofthe grants, he added, is “great news for Louisianaand theworking families that relyontheseprograms.”
TheTrump administration has provided schools with little explanation for the funding delay
and state budget cuts. The SouthernAssociationofCollegesand Schools Commission on Colleges, SUNO’saccrediting agency,put theuniversityona two-yearprobation in 2019. After making budget cuts,including staff furloughs and suspending athletic programs, the university was awarded a10-year accreditation in 2021.
At the board meeting Friday, Ammons counted amonghis accomplishments the creation of high-demand degree programslikenursing, cybersecurity,data science and education; opening the SUNO Museum of Art; and bringing back evening andweekendclasses. He noted thatSUNO revived its athletic programs, whichwere cut amid financial struggles.
“Wehave affirmedSUNO as a vitalcultural and intellectual anchor in the city of New Orleans,” he said. He added that, after many discussions with his family,hedecided to “step asideaschancellor andempower new leadership to carry this university forward.”
Ammons congratulated Bouie on his appointment andthanked him
But in statements to the media, theWhite House’sOffice of Management and Budget said someof the grant money had been “grossly misused to subsidize aradical leftwingagenda.” The officecited instances when it said schools had used some of the money to support immigrantsinthe countryillegally or promote LGBTQ+ inclusion.
In their letter this week to the office’sdirector,Russell Vought, the Republican senators said they “share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs,” but that they do notbelieve theafter-school grantsare used forthat purpose.
“These funds go to support programs that enjoy long-standing, bipartisan support,” they wrote.
Theadministration’s reviewof the after-school grants hasbeen completed,asenior official told TheAssociated Press on Friday Theperson declinedtobeidentified so they could share progress from thereview Thatfundingwill be released to states, the official said. The rest of
forsupporting SUNO from the state Legislature.
“If no oneelse came,Sen. Bouie was goingtocometothe aidof SUNO,” Ammons said. “Under his leadership, SUNO’supward trajectory is undeniable.”
Southern University board member Domoine D. Rutledge thanked Ammons for taking the helm at a “verycriticaltimeintheinstitution.
“This institution is the better because of the leadership you provided,” he said.
Bouie previously served as chancellor of SUNO for about two yearsuntil theboard dismissed him in 2002 amid allegations of “financial irregularities, gender discrimination and sexually explicit emails,” according to Diverse Issues in HigherEducation,anonlinepublication.Atthe time, Bouie contendedthathewas dismissed in retaliation forfiring thewifeof aU.S. congressman.
Bouie said in atext message Friday that the accusations against himwere “bogus, vetted by the appropriateauthorities andproven to be unfounded and nonexistent.”
the withheld grants, close to $5 billion, continuestobereviewedfor bias.
On Monday, more than20states filed alawsuit challenging the funding freeze, including the money for English language instruction, teacher development and adult literacy thatremains on hold. Thelawsuit, led by California,argued withholding the money was unconstitutional, and many lowincomefamilies would lose access to critical after-school care if the grants werenot released.
TedBeasley,aspokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Education, said the agency supports the Trumpadministration’songoing review of federaleducation funds.
“We’re pleased by today’sallocation,” he said in astatement Friday “and will continue to encourage school systemstotake ameasured approach as they begin the school year.”
Associated Press writer Annie Ma contributed to this report.
TheCity Council of the City of Baker,Louisiana, metinregularsession on July 8, 2025, withthe following members in attendance at the meeting:
MAYOR Darnell Waites
COUNCIL MEMBERS Desiree Collins RochelleDunn Cedric Murphy
Dr.Charles Vincent Robert Young
CALL TO ORDER –Mayor Waites presided. The invocation wasgiven by Council MemberMurphy
ThePledgeofAllegiancewas led by Council Member Vincent *** Public comments willbeallowedon all agenda items. Such comments shallnot exceed 3minutes and shall beconfined to the agenda item andany proposed dispositionthereof.***
DISPOSITION OF THEMINUTES OF PREVIOUSMEETING
The motionwas made by CouncilMember Murphy,seconded by Council Member Vincenttoapprove the minutes of themeetingheldonJune 24 2025,with “corrections.”
CouncilMember Vincent asked that the followingbe notedas partofthe minutes of the meetingheld on June 24, 2025.
CouncilMember Vincent wanted it noted that Kellye Worley with Family Services attended thelast council meeting and gave apresentation on theDepartment of Children &Family Services’ foster parenting program becausehe, Council MemberVincent, invited her to do so.
CouncilMember Vincent alsowanted it noted that after the recognitionof the City to City Riderz bike clubatthe last council meetinghestated that he hasworkedsince 2011 to have bikeridersinthe city and to make the CityofBaker abike friendly community
CouncilMember Vincent also wanted it noted that after he asked why you cannolonger make aleft-hand turntraveling southonHighway 19 at Greenwood Park, andthe mayor expressed his surprise at this, discussion washeldregarding this issue. The mayor stated the long-range plan is to putaturnlane at that location.
Council MemberVincent stated he has contacted Representative Barbara Carpenterfor information regarding thissituation.Hestated he hada conversation with DOTD today,and they plan to put aturnlane at this location. Council Member Vincent saidthe project is to be let in December andthe estimatedcompletiondate is March 2026.
Themayor called forpublic commentsorquestions.
Vote wascalled for YEAS:Collins,Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young
NAYS:None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN:None Themotion passed with avoteof5-0
RECOGNITIONS
1. Recognize Troy Allen, Jr.of Chaleur subdivision as Outstanding Citizenofthe Neighborhood (Murphy) Council Member Murphy recognized Troy Allen, Jr.of Chaleur subdivision asOutstanding Citizen of the Neighborhood and thanked him for thoughtfulness, and dedication to othersand his community PLANNING AND ZONINGMATTERS
RESOLUTIONS ANDPROCLAMATIONS
1. Proclamation declaring July 2025 Cord BloodAwareness Month inthe City of Baker (Vincent) Jana Rogers read the proclamation.
Themotion was madebyCouncil Member Vincent,seconded by Council Member Dunn to acceptthe proclamation.
The mayor called forpubliccommentsorquestions.
Vote was called for.
YEAS:Collins,Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN:None Themotion passedwith avote of 5-0
2. Proclamation declaringJuly 2025 Healthy Vision Month in theCity of Baker (Vincent) Jana Rogers read the proclamation.
Themotion was madebyCouncil Member Vincent,seconded by Council Member Murphy to accept the proclamation.
The mayor called forpublic commentsorquestions.
Vote was called for.
YEAS:Collins,Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS:None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN:None Themotion passedwith avoteof5-0 NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC MEETING
ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS
1. District 3announcements –District 3Community Walks(Collins) CouncilMember Collinsthanked everyone whoparticipated in therecently held District 3Let’sTake aWalk Community Walk.She announced these walks will be held every first and third Tuesday of themonth weather permitting.Everyone is invited to participate. Council MemberCollins said each week the walk will be heldona differentstreet, and that it providesan opportunity forpeople to check on their neighbors, address their health, build betterfriendships, and shareresourcesand information withthe
mayor,police chief, and Publ cWorks Department for theirsupport of the residents of District3
2. District 2announcements (Dunn)
Council Member Dunn announced the Fish &Fun Day,Hooked on Fishing with Families,will be held on Saturday,August 9, 2025, at the park on North Magnolia from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.The next committeemeeting will be held Wednesday,July 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall. Council
Member Dunn presented the mayor and fellow councilmembers with keys to Alcatraz from her recent trip to San Francisco.
3. District 1announcements (Vincent)
Council Member Vincent said he hopes his colleagues received the list of items needed to preparefor hurricane season from Representative Carpenter and encouraged everyone to engage in recommended hurricane preparedness activities. He thanked the mayor and council clerk for the proclamationread at his mother-in-law’sservices this past Saturday.Hesaid she was agreat soldier and awonderful person. Council
Member Vincent asked his colleagues if theyreceived athank you letter from Alzheimer’sServices for the proclamation done recently by the city He said organizations really appreciate the city doing such proclamations.
Council Member Vincent reminded everyone of the thirdSaturday litter pick-up around the city and encouraged all to do what they can to keep Baker beautiful. He thanked the Public Works Department, and especially thecall-out, for being on topoftheir job. Council Member Vincent stated hisconstituents have expressed their concerns regarding Waste Pro leaving garbage cans in theroad.Council Member Vincent said both themayor and Mary Sue Stages told him that all of Lavey Lane will be completed. Council Member Vincent restated that the project to build a turn lane on Highway 19 at Greenwood Park is to be let in December and it should be completed. He said he was told therewill be another road that turnsoff of Highway 19 and it will be called Givens. Council Member Vincentencouraged everyone to utilize the hurricane preparedness checklist provided by RepresentativeCarpenter and engage in the recommended hurricane preparedness activities.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The mayor asked that everyone sign up for GovDelivery by texting LA Baker Updates to (888) 401-5972 forthe most up to date community information. Flyers areavailable in the lobby of City Hall.
The mayor encouraged residents to contact their council members with anyquestions or concerns theymay have.
The mayor explained that as part of aroad transfer program, once Lavey Lane hasbeen completed,the road will belong to the City of Baker,and this is why ensuring that all work is done properly is imperative.
The mayor stated the street rehabilitationprogram has begun and asked that everyone be patient while all of the various projects arecompleted, as each one is forthe bettermentofour community
The mayor saidblight is being addressed throughout the city
Themayor asked that residents mark and report streetlights thatare out in the community
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
CONDEMNATIONS
REPORTS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
1. Planning and Zoning Commission
2. AnnexationReview Committee
3.
Citizens Advisory BoardtoLaw Enforcement
Main Street District Committee
ADJOURN
The motionwas made by Council Member Murphy,seconded by Council
Member Vincent to adjourn.
The mayor called for public comments or questions.
The question was asked how residents weresupposed to address the city councilifthereis no public comment.
The mayor stated that thereare public commentsfor items that areonthe agenda and saidthe council can be addressed as soon as the meeting is adjourned. He said theonly things to be discussed areitems on the agenda. He reiterated that constituents should call their council members prior to council meetingstohavequestions, concerns, and/or issues addressed.
Vote was called for YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young
NAYS: None ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None The motionpassed with avoteof5-0.
CITY OF BAKER
PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE
STATEOFLOUISIANA
I, Angela Canady Wall, certify thatI am Clerk of the Council forthe City of Baker,Louisiana, and that the above and foregoing is acopy of the minutes of aregular meeting of the Council for the City of Baker,Louisiana heldonJuly 8, 2025.
AngelaCanady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council
MINUTES
BOARDOFCOMMISSIONERS
HILLCREST MEMORIAL GARDENS
CITY OF BAKER
PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE
STATEOFLOUISIANA
3325 GROOM ROAD
BAKER,LA70714
July 8, 2025
The City Council of the City of Baker,Louisiana, sitting as the Boardof Commissioners for Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, met in regular session on July 8, 2025, with the following members in attendance at the meeting:
COMMISSIONERS
DesireeCollins
Rochelle Dunn Cedric Murphy
Dr.Charles Vincent DarnellWaites Robert Young
CALL TO ORDER –CommissionerWaitespresided.
DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The meeting wascalledtoorder andthe motion wasmade by CommissionerWaites, seconded by CommissionerYoung to approve the minutesofthe meeting held on June 24, 2025.
CommissionerWaitescalledfor public comments or questions.
ADJOURN There wasnootherbusiness to come beforethe commission. The motion wasmade by CommissionerWaites, seconded by Commissioners Dunn/ Murphytoadjourn.
CommissionerWaitescalledfor public comments or questions.
CITY OF BAKER PARISHOFEASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA
I, Angela Canady Wall, certify thatI am Clerk of the Council for the City of Baker,Louisiana,and thatthe above andforegoing is acopy of the minutesofaregularmeeting of the Board of Commissioners for the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens held on July 8, 2025.
Angela Canady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council
MINUTES
BOARDOFCOMMISSIONERS
BAKER CONSOLIDATED UTILITIES SYSTEM CITY OF BAKER PARISHOFEASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA
3325 GROOM ROAD BAKER, LA 70714 July 8, 2025
The City Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana,sitting as the BoardofCommissioners for the Baker ConsolidatedUtilitiesSystem, met in regularsession on July 8, 2025, with the following members attending: COMMISSIONERS DesireeCollins Rochelle Dunn Cedric Murphy Dr.Charles Vincent Darnell Waites Robert Young
CALL TO ORDER –CommissionerWaitespresided.
DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The meeting wascalledtoorder andthe motion wasmade by CommissionerWaites, seconded by CommissionerVincenttoapprove the minutesofthe meeting held on June 24, 2025.
CommissionerWaitescalledfor public comments or questions.
CITY OF BAKER PARISHOFEASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA
I, Angela Canady Wall, certify thatI am Clerk of the Council for the City of Baker,Louisiana,and thatthe above andforegoing is acopy of the minutesofa regularmeeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Baker ConsolidatedUtility SystemheldonJuly 8, 2025.
Angela Canady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council
ManpleadsguiltytoroleinBurrowburglary
Pawn shop owner actedasfence forstolengoods
BY PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press
NEW YORK AManhattan
pawnshop owner pleaded guilty Friday to servingas afence for luxury items stolen from wealthy residences across the country,including abrazen burglaryatthe home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow while he was playing an away game last year
Dimitriy Nezhinskiy admitted to knowingly purchasing stolen watches, jewelry and other high-end goods in order to re-sell them in his pawn shop. But he maintained that he did not know they had been taken from people’shomes until after his arrest.
“I am very sorry for my actions,” the 44-year-old NewJersey resident said in Brooklyn federal court.
“Most of my business was completely legitimate, and it was agood business.”
Nezhinskiypleaded guilty to asingle count of conspiracy to receive stolenproperty.Hefaces amaximum sentence of five years in federal prison as well as restitution of about$2.5 million and forfeiture of more than $2.5 million. He’llbesentenced at alater date.
Nezhinskiy,who wasborn in thenationofGeorgia but has legal statusinthe U.S., couldalsofacedeportation, U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz noted Juan Villar, aNew York resident whoran thepawn shop withNezhinskiy, pleaded guilty to thesame charge last monthand will be sentenced in December
Prosecutors said theshop in Manhattan’sfamed Diamond District fenced stolen goods forinternational burglary crews that targeted homesofprominent athletes aroundthe country
Theysay Nezhinskiyand Villar had been purchasing
least six arrests. Nezhinskiy and Villar weren’tchargedinconnectionwith specific robberies, but prosecutors said phone records link Nezhinskiy to one of the men charged with ransacking Burrow’s house.
Prosecutors also say a large amount of suspected stolen property wasfound at the two men’sbusiness and at storage units in NewJersey belonging to Nezhinskiy including luxury handbags, wine, sports memorabilia, jewelry,artwork and power toolscommonly usedfor burglaries and opening safes.
later revealed to be Sports Illustrated swimsuitmodel Olivia Ponton, not Burrow’s previous girlfriend. “I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one,” Burrow said afterward. “Way more is out there than Iwould want out there and that Icare to share.”
Police said they apprehended those burglars the following monthafter finding them in an SUVwith a Louisiana State University shirtand aCincinnati Bengals hatbelievedtobestolen from Burrow’shome. Burrowplayedcollege football at LSU.
Senatorbroke into estranged stepmother’s home
BY STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press
AMinnesota state senator was convicted of burglary Friday forbreakinginto her estranged stepmother’s home, allegedly in search of her father’sashes and other mementos.
The jury found Nicole Mitchell,51, guilty of firstdegree burglary and possession of burglary tools. Mitchell displayed little emotion as the verdicts were read.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy was quick to issueastatement saying that Mitchell has toldher colleagues that she planned to resign if convicted, “andI expect her to follow through on that pledge.”
The Democrat from the St. Paul suburb of Woodbury has maintained her innocence andrefused to resign since her arrest in the early hours of April 22,2024, at her stepmother’shome in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes.
2023 at theage of 72. He had been married to Mitchell’s stepmother,Carol Mitchell, for nearly 40 years.
Thejury saw bodycam video of Mitchell telling police repeatedly after her arrest that shebroke into thehome because her stepmother refused togive her itemsofsentimental value from herfather,including some of his ashes, photos and aflannel shirt
The first-term senator was dressed in all-black, including ablack hat, and had a flashlight covered with a black sock when she was arrested. The video showed her telling police, “Clearly, I’m not good at this,” and“I know Idid something bad.”
But Mitchell testified Thursday thatdespite what she told police, shedidn’treally intendtotakeanything. Shesaid shehad become increasingly concerned about her stepmother’sworsening memory problems and paranoia, and wanted to check on her well-being. She testified her stepmother wasafraid of being put in a nursing home.Mitchell said she thought her stepmom wouldbelessupsetto hear shewanted someofher father’sitems than to haveher competency questioned.
items from various crews andre-selling them from 2020 until the FBI raided thestorefrontand arrested them in February
Thecrews, many consisting of foreignnationals from South America, mostly hit homes while athletes were out of town, includingwhile playing in road games, prosecutors have said.Targets also included thehomes of
NFLquarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, Luka Doncic of the NBA’s LosAngeles Lakers and Mike Conley Jr.ofthe MinnesotaTimberwolves.
The investigation spanned several states and led to at
The break-in at Burrow’s home happenedonDec. 9, 2024 while theBengals were playing in Dallas.Police said aperson arrived at the Anderson Township home to finda shattered bedroom window and the home ransacked.The person calledher mother,who notified authorities, and was
Police also found photos the robbers took of themselves flashing some of the other spoils —jewelry, watches,designerluggage and glasses. One even wore necklaces with pendants showing “JB9” and the number9 —Burrow’sjersey number
PAIGE
Minnesota state Sen.Nicole
in aseries of increasingly acrimonious text messages about amonthbeforethe break-in.
In the texts, which were shown to the jury,her stepmother refused to reschedule theinterment of her father’sashes from aTuesday, during abusystretch of the legislative session, to another date. Herstepmother did, however,send her a fishing bobber at somepoint containing asmall amount of his ashes as amemento, she acknowledged.
Mitchell insisted in her testimony that she went there purely to checkon her stepmother,who has Alzheimer’sdisease.And she said she initially lied when she told police repeatedly the night of her arrest that she went there in searchof her late father’sashes and other items of sentimental value.She testifiedthatshe didn’twant to further upset her stepmother by expressing concern about her wellbeing. Mitchell’sfather diedin
The former broadcast meteorologist and now-retired Air National Guardofficer was charged with one count of first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling,a felony that carries amandatory minimum of six months in jail butrequiresproof of intent to commit acrime inside, and onecount of possession of burglary tools, a lesser felony without amandatoryminimum.
Mitchell testified thatshe had long had agood relationship with Carol Mitchell, but that their final break came
DefenseattorneyBruce RingstromJr. told the jury in his closing argument that Mitchell didnot stealanything and didnot intendto. He conceded thatshe used poor judgment. He said everybody has told “white lies,” and that Mitchell’sgoal was to avoid aggravating herstepmother’sdistrust even further Undersuchdifficult circumstances, Ringstrom argued, “Nicole’swhitelies makeperfect sense.”
Mitchell’srejection of calls for her resignationafter her arrest frayed relations between Democrats and Republicans in thenarrowly divided stateSenate.
Democratsholdonlya one-seat majority in the Senate, so they needed her vote. They said she deserved to have the legal processplay outand declinedtoexpelher or ask her to step down. But they excluded her from caucus meetings andtook her off her committees. Minnesotalegislator
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By CAROLyN KASTER
Cincinnati Bengals and former LSUquarterback JoeBurrow catches aball during football practice May13inCincinnati.
POOL PHOTO By ANNA
Judge dismisses La. prison lawsuit
dismissed it.
Case challenged housing juveniles in Angola
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
Nearly three years after parents sued state officials over holding juveniles in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, a federal judge dismissed the class-action lawsuit. Brought by the parents of young offenders held in Angola, the case began as a challenge to the con-
stitutionality of housing juveniles there. Later, the parents sought to stop the state from transferring juveniles to any adult prison.
State officials attempted to have the case dismissed in early 2024 after all the juveniles were moved to a facility at the Jackson Parish jail.
The court denied the state’s motion but said the lawsuit would become moot should officials move the teenagers to secure-care facilities run by the state Office of Juvenile Justice.
“The Court held in the previous Ruling that, ‘(s)hould all OJJ youth be removed from Jackson Parish and housed in OJJ secure care facilities, this lawsuit will be moot.’
The state canceled its contract with the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office in October and transferred the juveniles to a new secure-care facility. On July 2, Chief Judge Shelly Dick of the U.S District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana found the case moot and
The uncontroverted record in this matter shows that this has been accomplished,” she wrote.
An OJJ spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Attorney Connell Archey, who helped represent the state, declined to comment.
Attorney Nancy Rosenbloom,
a senior litigation adviser at the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Prison Project who helped represent the youth and parents, said in a written statement that the group succeeded in their goals for three years.
“Our brave young clients and their families asserted their constitutional rights (in a class action) and succeeded for three years in forcing the state of Louisiana to stop locking up children with
A HARD DAY’S FLIGHT
A great egret soars along the levee at the Old Ferry Landing on Sunday in Port Allen.
Second arrest made in Baton Rouge gunfight
1 killed, 6 wounded outside Big Blue House
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
A second Baton Rouge teenager has been arrested in connection with their alleged involvement in an early morning shootout June 22 at an after-hours spot on Choctaw Drive that left one person dead Scott Strickland, 18, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish prison and faces charges of firstdegree murder and illegal use of a weapon as well as six counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to an affidavit for his arrest. An unidentified 15-year-old has been arrested on similar charges. The shooting took place around 1:30 a.m. at the Big Blue House afterhours club in the 3500 block of Choctaw Drive. In a previous statement,
Four seek EBR district judge seat
BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer
Zachary officials call for investigation
Council member claims city attorney made threats
BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer
LeBlanc
Zachary City Council members are calling for the mayor to investigate the city’s attorney, who one council member says threatened him with a smear campaign if he did not vote to roll forward an upcoming tax millage.
The victor in this fall’s election will finish out the remaining year of Fields’ term, which ends Dec. 31, 2026.
The Louisiana Supreme Court appointed retired Baton Rouge City Court Judge Johnell Matthews to be his
Four candidates, including two military attorneys, a veteran city court prosecutor and a grizzled defense lawyer, have qualified to run for a vacant district court judge’s seat in East Baton Rouge Parish. Elzie Alford Jr., Dele Adebamiji, Veronica “Vicky” Jones and Vernon Thomas will square off for the seat on the 19th Judicial District Court bench in this fall’s municipal elections. The first round will be an Oct. 11 primary, and if no candidate wins outright by eclipsing 50% of the votes that night, the two top vote-getters advance to a Nov 15 runoff. All four candidates are Black, and all are Democrats They’re vying for a seat vacated by former Chief Judge Wilson Fields, who was elected to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal without opposition in January Fields assumed his new position on the appellate court bench in March.
At a July 9 council meeting, council member John LeBlanc told the public that an unnamed city official made threats against him and another council member Emails obtained via a records request show Zachary City Attorney John Hopewell is the official LeBlanc was talking about. Ambre DeVirgilio was the other council member allegedly threatened, according to the emails.
“As a city attorney, that was so unethical,” LeBlanc said Thursday “He should have never been talking to me about politics like
Hopewell
that. We go to him for legal advice. His business is not to get involved with with how I vote.” Hopewell denies issuing any threat against LeBlanc, and said “I have no official comment other than I am disappointed in Mr LeBlanc.” But LeBlanc says the private conversation between himself and the city attorney was nothing but threatening. “He should resign,” LeBlanc said. The decision at the center of the controversy is a property tax that funds city operations, which the council is scheduled to vote on on July 22. When property values are reassessed and go up, governments can choose to “roll forward” the tax, meaning they
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Adebamiji Alford Jones Thomas
NewOrleans sheriffresumes
weekendinmatetransports
Hutson to appeal contempt judgment
BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office will take “extreme measures” this weekendtobring Orleans Justice Center arrestees to Magistrate Court, as SheriffSusan Hutson faces acontempt of court judgment for failing to provide weekend transports in the past, OPSO spokesperson Gary Scheets said Friday Hutson still plans to appeal an order by Criminal District Chief Judge Tracey Flemings-Davilliertothe state 4th Circuit Courtof Appeal, Scheets said. After anearly two-hour hearing Wednesdayin
ARREST
Continued from page1B
Police Chief Thomas Morse said the shooting escalated from afistfight amonga group of women in anearby parking lot.
which Flemings-Davillier wasjoined by sixother judges, the courtfound Hutsonin“willful neglect and violation of her duty as Sheriff; andwillful disobedience” for declining to follow aJune18order thatdemandedshe resume transporting defendants to their firstappearances in Magistrate Courteffective July12.
Thepractice was suspended during theCOVID-19 pandemic and later reinstatedonlyonweekdays. Hutson did not comply last weekend.She now faces up to six months imprisonment or afine up to $500, with her sentencing set for Aug. 4.
The face-off comes as Hutson confronts afield of challengers to her reelection bid, which took a hit with the massescape in May of 10 detainees, nine ofwhomhave been
Twogroups of men became involved in the dispute and beganfiring weapons at each other,policesaid. One group, which allegedlyincluded Strickland, is believed to have arrived in asilver Ford F-150. The group was seen exitingthe vehicle armed with guns, then firing into the crowdonsurveillancevideo.
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collect the additional money, or let the tax rate fall and keep collecting the same amount.
‘Soundslike athreat’ LeBlanc said he and Hopewell met on May 13 to discuss city business. He said he was“stunned” when the city attorney told him that, if he didn’tsupport rolling forward the city’smillage rate, a group would distribute negative flyers during the next campaign portraying him and DeVirgilio as tax-hike supporters to conservative voters. The next day,LeBlanc recapped his versionofthe conversation in an email to Hopewell
“You told me if Idid not vote in favor of rolling the
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temporary replacement through the end of July,presiding over thecivil cases Fields left behind at the state courthouse.
Early voting for the Oct. 11 primary runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4. Here’salittle background on each candidate:
Dele Adebamiji
Adebamiji, 67,isaNigerian-born jack of several trades in the legal arena. He immigrated to the United States more than four decades ago and has carved out alegal career spanning more than 30 yearsinlocal, state and federal courts. Adebamijiisaformer arbitrator in Baton Rouge City Court. He’shandled juvenile cases, wills and divorces and even served in the Louisiana Army National Guard at one point. Forthe past several years, he’sbeen aconstant figure stalking the corridors of the 19th Judicial District Courthouse on behalf of the accused as acriminal defense attorney Adebamiji is no stranger to the ballot. He’smounted several bids for public office, dating back to runs in the early 2000s. More recently,heran for the 19th JudicialDistrict bench in 2020, losing to District Judge Will Jorden in the primary.Two years later,Adebamiji tossed his hatinthe ring in another election that featured four candidates.Helostinthe October 2022 primary,and District Judge Gail Horne Ray won the seat in arunoff
recaptured. It follows numerous requests fromthe court, including four in writing over thepasttwo years,asking Hutson to restore weekend andholidaytransports to court, Flemings-Davillier wrote in herorder She added thatthe court “was led tobelieve that the OPSO was working on aplan to comply,but to no avail.”
Since the pandemic, Magistrate Courtproceedings on weekends andholidays have been conducted via Zoom. Hutson has argued that staffingthe courthouse on those days would strain herunderstaffed department’sbudgetand manpower beyond just those trips. She estimates it would cost $357,000 and require at least 12 deputies for courtroom security,building security, atemporaryholding area andtransportation.
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juvenile delinquency cases in adultprisons andjails,” she wrote.“Whilethe state has fought us every step of the way,wewill continue to makeclear that young people have aright to rehabilitative services rather than punishment.”
Abuseallegations
The lawsuit stemmed from former Gov.John Bel Edwards’ announcement in July 2022 to temporarily house young offenders deemedparticularlyproblematic in theold DeathRow building within the gates of Angola.
The proposal emerged following reports of violence andmultiple escapes at two youth detention facilities in different parts of thestate.
Parents sued in August 2022 to stop the plan, but Dick allowed the state to proceed while litigation continued.
The following year,attorneysalleged theteens at
Angola had been confined in sleeping quarters without air conditioning, held in extendedisolation and forced to shower while shackled andhandcuffed.
In response,Dick ordered the state to remove all juveniles from the facility and excoriated OJJofficialsfor failing to live up to apledge that thefacilitywouldbe safe, temporary andrehabilitative.
“Virtually every promise that wasmade wasbroken,” shesaidatthe time.
Facility conditions
Thecase continued once thejuveniles weremoved to the Jackson Parish jail, with Dickwriting that the lawsuit concerned the holding of juveniles in adult prisons and not confinement conditions.
Attorneys said abuse continued. Inmatesreported they had been sprayed with tear gas, forced to wear shackles while showering and denied basic services like counseling and consistent schooling.
After the statetermi-
natedits contract with the JacksonParish Sheriff’s Office in October,state officials filed amotion in May to dismiss the case since the juveniles had all been transferred to anew secure unit at the Swanson Center for Youth at Monroe. The filing added that OJJ “currently has no plans”tohouse youth in the Angola facility The parents objected, arguing the voluntary closing of the Jackson Parish jail youth facilitydid notmean thestate wouldn’t housejuveniles at adult jails in the future.
Dick disputed that, writing that “there has never been evidence in this case that OJJ’sultimate goal was to house youth in adult prisons.”
“Rather,the stated goal, nowborne outbythe completion of the Cypress Unit at SCY-Monroe facility,has always beentohouseOJJ youth in asecure care facility operated by the OJJ,” she wrote. “This has now been accomplished. There is no evidence to contradict this fact.”
Prenesha Wagner,25, was killed in the crossfire.Six other peoplewerewounded, one more thanoriginally reported.
city’s millage forward, that the Jambalaya PACwould putmyself and councilwoman DeVirgilio on aflyer containing photos of my yard with adistrict attorneymillage sign and screenshotsof councilwoman DeVirgilio’s social mediaduring the next election cycle as athreat to coerce my vote,” he wrote.
LeBlanc said he supported East BatonRouge District Attorney HillarMoore’sproposal to increase sales taxes for the prosecutor’soffice in May. DeVirgilio said her social media posts provided information regarding the District Attorney’stax for her constituents, and she never voiced an opinion in favor or against the ballot measure.
Hopewell replied to LeBlanc the same day and said his comments were misunderstood,and that he wasinforming the council member of potential bad publicity LeBlancsaidhewalked
fourweekslater
ElzieAlfordJr. Alford, 50, is oneoftwo candidates in the racewho touts experience as aJudge Advocate General’sCorps reservist.
ASouthern University law school grad, Alfordbeganhis nearly 20-year legal career as astaff attorney working under formerEast BatonRouge FamilyCourt JudgeLuke Lavergne. From there, he joined the staff of 19th Judicial DistrictJudge Janice Clerk for three years. It was during that period that Alford says hebegan prosecutingand defending soldiers as aJAG Corps attorneyinthe U.S. Army reserve. After being Clark’sstaff attorney three years, Alford started his own law firm in 2011, handling myriadarbitration, mediation, medical malpractice, personal injury and benefits cases. His time in private law took ashiftin2016 when Alford was appointed judicial administrator and clerkofthe Baton RougeCity Court. He was later elected by fellow clerkstobepresident of the Louisiana City Court Clerk’s Association.
Veronica ‘Vicky’Jones Jones, 59, has an eclectic range of legal experience in her33-year career. Agraduate of LSUlaw school, Jones cut her teeth working as a law clerk for longtime 19th Judicial District JudgeBonnieJackson
She left there and spent more than 20 yearsprosecutingmisdemeanors and DWIs in Baton Rouge City Courtand handlingcivil cases for theCity-parish At-
The attendees had all been attending atrail ride afterparty at the Big Blue House, according to theaffidavit.
One BRPDofficer on nearby patrol heard thegunshots and drove to thesite. He shot at asuspect armed with a rifle,but struckonly the vehicle the suspect was using for cover
away from his May 13 conversation believing that Hopewellwould be part of this smear campaign if one took place.
About amonth later, LeBlanc again met with Hopewell, but this time also hadhis personalattorney withhim and triedtofind out exactlywhere the threats were coming from.
“I asked him, ‘Who put this together? Wheredid this come from? Is this something thatyou put together on your own,ordid this come from someplace else?’” LeBlanc said. “He said, ‘You want to know whereitcame from? I’ll tellyou where it came from. We hada meeting here at City Hall before Imet with you. The mayor was here with our CFOand our CAO. It was discussed at thatmeeting.’”
Zachary Mayor David McDavid denies knowledge of anydiscussionsabout a potential campaign against
torney’sOffice. In 2010, she became asenior civil attorney for theparish attorney’s appellee section.
After working in that post for five years, Jones retired and focused on more child welfarecases.She’sspent the past decade devoted to herprivate practice, primarily handling family law and child support cases, as well as personal injury torts and estate planning.
Jones prides herselfon motherhood. Hercampaign bio prominently features her son, arecent honors grad from Morehouse College, the iconic HBCUinAtlanta.He’s now enrolled in law school at Southern University.
Jones, like Adebamiji, has had some prior political aspirations. In 2023, she ran for the 23rd Judicial DistrictCourt’lone judgeship elected from amajorityminority voting subdistrict. Vying as aRepublican candidate at the time,Jones was defeated by her Democratic opponent Keyojuan Gant Turner in therunoff of the specialelection, losing out on theright to finish outthe final fouryears of retiring districtjudge AlvinTurner Jr’sterm.
Vernon Thomas
Thomas may already be a familiar face at the 19th Ju-
LOTTERY THURSDAY, JULY17,
The officer called for backup, andthe gunfire ended afteradditional authorities arrived.
“Hevery heroically intervened,” Morse said of the officer.“He was able to prevent morevictims.”
Thenightspothad drawn attention from authorities due to recent late-night crowds in the surrounding streets, according to police.
LeBlanc or DeVirgilio.
In several emails in May andJune,HopewellrequestedthatLeBlancreply and state that no threat took place —though LeBlancdid not reply
“Ignoring me will not work foryou,” Hopewellwrote in an email to LeBlanc on June 3. “I do not wanttopublicly embarrass you.”
Despite the city attorney’s repeated denial, LeBlancstill holds firm thatwhat he heard was athreat.
“When somebodytells me,ifI don’t do something, something is going to be used against me,thatsounds like a threat to me,” he said.
Will themayor investigate?
Following LeBlanc’spublic commentregarding the alleged threats, DeVirgilio emailedthe mayor on July 11 and asked him to initiatean inquiry into thematter,telling McDavid that potential
dicial District Courthouse. He spent years working their as acriminaldefense attorney for East Baton Rouge’sPublic Defender’s Office early in his career Andhereturned to become astaff attorneyfor District Judge Collette Greggs when she tookthe benchinNovember 2023. Until March, he remainedinthatroleas aregular fixture in Greggs’ courtroom, helping her handle her criminal caseload. This is Thomas’firsttime running for public office. At 44, he’sthe youngest candi-
During adaylight review of the scene, BRPD detectives found morethan 150 shell casings stretching from North Acadian to North 38th Street and Choctaw Drive. Eight vehicles andatleast six firearms were recovered as well.
Strickland wasidentified by surveillancevideoasone of multiple suspects who exited thepickup before firing into the crowd, police said. It is uncleariffurther arrests willbemade,but BRPD did detain three suspects on the night of the shooting. Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@ theadvocate.com.
threats “may have centered on matters related to me.”
But on Thursday,McDavid toldThe Advocate he would not investigate anything unless arequest came from LeBlanc in writing, not DeVirgilio.
“He’sthe one who made the waged thecomplaint andallegations, andI’llhearfrom him if he wants to do an investigation,” McDavid said.
The mayor said that, if he gets that written complaint from LeBlanc and it includes additional supporting materials, thenwill he pass it on for an investigation.
“I usedtobeapoliceman, and in my world, if they ain’t written down, with evidence, then it didn’thappen,” McDavid said. “So he needs to provide awritten statement withwitnesses so Ican turn it over to the Attorney General’sOffice to see if they investigate.”
In astatementThursday,
date in the field. He brings with him about 15 years of experienceincourthouses across the state. Like his opponent in the race, Alford, he too hadseveralactive duty stints of military attorney work as aJAG Corps Armyreservist.
ANew Orleans native, Thomas is named after his father, aprominent Crescent City attorneywho laid thegroundworkwitha nearly40-year legal career He graduated from SouthernUniversity lawschool in 2009 and began working
DeVirgilio said she has not receivedany response from the mayor regarding her request and said she is “deeply concerned” about the allegations raised by her colleague. She said she is focused on “upholding transparency professionalism and accountability” in Zachary’s city government.
“Zacharyismyhome, andI believe in our city’spotential to move forward together free from division, distraction or intimidation,” DeVirgilio said.
LeBlancsaidaninvestigation is more than warranted, but he also says Hopewell should resign and apublic apology is needed from him and the mayor,asMcDavid is responsible forhis administration.
“It’swrong. He wasout of his so far out his lane as being an attorney,”LeBlanc said. “He should have never said what he said to me.”
forthe East Baton Rouge Public Defender’sOffice. In thefallof2012, Thomas became commissioned as aJAG corps lawyer while still handling public defense cases. He spent more thanfour yearsworking forthe Orleans Parish City Attorney’s officeasa New Orleans City Court prosecutor.And also clerkedOrleans Parish Criminal Court District Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier office for 14 months before coming to East Baton Rouge in 2023.
Berry,Albert ResthavenFuneralHome, 11817
JeffersonHighway,at2:30p.m
Bordelon, Gwynne
St.JosephCatholic Church in Paulina at 11 a.m.
Bourgoyne,Simone
Holy Family Catholic Church in Port
Allenatnoon.
BrownJr.,Lawrence
St.JosephCatholic Church,1802
TulaneAvenue in NewOrleans, at 10
a.m.
Brunson,Adrian Greenoaks FuneralHome, 9595 FloridaBoulevard, at noon.
Collins, Rose
GlorylandBaptistChurchat11a.m
Dorsey,Patricia
FirstIsrael BaptistChurch in Belle Rose at 11 a.m.
Beech GroveBaptistChurch,996 Highway 68 in Jackson, at 10 a.m.
Pursley,Anthony
St.MaryBaptistChurch, 1252 N. AcadianThruway,at2 p.m
Thomas Sr., Guy OneAccord Ministry of Unification, 77400 AngellozAvenue in Maringouin, at 11 a.m.
Thompson, George Heavenly Hope-North,3940 Prescott Road,at11a.m
Louis“Louie” Falterman passedawaythislifeon July15, 2025, at hisresi‐dence in Napoleonville,LA. Hewas 50, anativeof Napoleonville,LA. Visita‐tiononMonday, July 21 2025, at Williamsand SouthallFuneralHome from5:00pmto7:00pm. Intermentprivate ArrangementsbyWilliams & Southall FuneralHome, 5414 Hwy. 1, Napoleonville, LA70390, (985) 369-7231. To signthe guestbookor offercondolences,visit our website at www.william sandsouthallfuneralhome
Brooks Jr., John Wesley 'Tootie'
John "Tootie" Wesley Brooks, Jr., passed away on June 22, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana aftera lengthy illness. Born on February 8, 1961, in New Orleans, Louisiana,he lived alife rooted in dedication and connection to those around him.
Tootie worked as alandscaper andlawn technician, applying his hands and heart to the earth with care and diligence. His work reflected aquiet strength and commitment that left lasting impressions. His willingness to help anyone needing him will be his most memorable attribute. He was preceded in death by his father, John W. Brooks, Sr.; his mother Mary Jane Lee Brooks; his paternal andmaternal grandparents; and ahost of uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives, and friends whose memories remain cherished.
Tootie is remembered with love by his brothers Barry Eugene Brooks and Calvin Lee, Sr.; his sister Clara Mae Lee; his special nephew Darnell V. Lee; special brother Morio Q. Lee; beloved cousin-in-law Catrice Lee; special cousin Mark J. Lee; devoted aunts Stella C. Lee and Addie M. Lee; adevoted uncle Patrick J. Lee, Sr.; his godparents Herman Wilson,Jr. andPatricia Wilson; and a host of other relativesand friends.
Tootie will be deeply missed by all who knew him. But his spirit will live on in our hearts forever. His Committal was handled by Wilson Wooddale Funeral Home and Bagnell Crematory.
My brother is in Heaven with You Dear Lord. Ifind solace in knowing that he is in Yourperfect presence, free from pain and suffering. Help me to hold onto this truth when the grieving becomes too much to bear. Thank You Jesus for being my rock and refuge. Rest in Heavenly Peace my Wonderful Brother. With Everlasting Love your baby brother Barry.
Catholic Church in Port Allen,onMonday, July 21
from9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., celebratedbyRev.Jerry Martin. Intermentwillfol‐low in St.Johnthe Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery inBrusly. Pallbearerswill behis grandsons. Bo is survivedbyhis wife of 74 years,Dolores White Hebert; twosons, Douglas Hebertand wife Adaof Brusly, WayneHebertand fiancéeCamelliaPomeras ofMississippi;a daughter, JeanHebertDeLatte and husband Keithof Lafayette;8 grandchildren, Brandon Hebert andwife LacyofChurchville, Chad Hebertand wife Stacyof Plaquemine, Travis Hebert and wife Lisa of Brusly, Casey DeLatte andwife Tracy of Plano, TX,Brittany StanonisofLafayette, Derek Hebert andwife Gabrielle of Plaquemine, Alexandra Hebert and friendA.J.Mallory of Boston, MA,and Shane HebertofLivingston; asis‐ter-in-law, DianeHebertof PortAllen;17great-grand‐children, and4 great-greatgrandchildren;several niecesand nephews. Bo was preceded in deathby his son, KearyGerard Hebert; agrandson, Cpl. JustinDavid Hebert;his parents,Andrewand Olive Templet Hebert;three brothers, Andrew Hebert Ray Hebert andJack Hebert; twosisters,Lo‐raine Silvio andHelen Tal‐ley;3 nephewsand aniece In lieu of flowers, memorial donations maybemadeto HolyFamilyCatholic Church Jubilee/Mainte‐nance Fund or acharity of yourchoice. Please share memoriesatwww.wilbert services.com.
JamesLeonHebert, known as “Bozo”,a native and resident of Port Allen, passedawayonJuly15, 2025 at West Towne in Port Allen,atthe ageof95. He was agraduateofPort Allen High School,a four yearU.S.MarineCorpVet‐eran, 2ndMarineDivision, 2nd MedicalBattalion.He was honorablydischarged in1952 having attained the rankofsergeant. He wasa retired chemical labana‐lystfor Kaiser Aluminum & ChemicalCorpand LaRoche Chemicalswith 40.5years of service. As a memberofthe Aluminum Workers LocalUnion,he represented his fellow workers formanyyears as ShopSteward.Hewas a memberofHolyFamily Catholic Church,where he servedasanusher at the Saturdayvigil mass. He was amemberofAmeri‐can Legion Post #160 in PortAllen.Bowas an avid LSU Tigerfan.Visitation will be at Holy Family
Derrick Lathan, anative of BatonRouge,LApassed away at his residence at age 54 on Tuesday, July8 2025. The services will be held on Friday, July18, 2025 at Hall Davis &SonsFuneral Serviceslocated at 9348 Scenic Highway. The Visitation willbeat1:00pm. The Funeral Service will beginat1:30pm.
Hebert,James Leon
Lathan,DerrickMaurice
Wall Street closes record-breaking week
NEW YORK Wall Street closed its third winning week in the last four with a quiet finish on Friday. The S&P 500 edged down by a whisper, less than 0.1%, after setting its all-time high the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 142 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1% to add its own record.
The heaviest weight on the market was Netflix, which fell 5.1% despite reporting a stronger-than-expected profit. Analysts said it wasn’t a surprise given the stock had already soared 43% for the year so far coming into the day, six times more than the gain for the S&P 500.
Stronger-than-expected profit reports for the spring did help several stocks rally Charles Schwab climbed 2.9%, Regions Financial jumped 6.1% and Comerica added 4.6%.
In the bond market, Treasury yields eased after a report suggested U.S. consumers may be feeling less fearful about coming inflation. They’re bracing for inflation of 4.4% in the year ahead, down from last month’s projection of 5%, according to preliminary results from a University of Michigan survey
Astronomer board probes kiss-cam scandal
Astronomer, the company whose CEO, Andy Byron, is believed to be the embarrassed man spotted at a Coldplay concert in an intimate embrace with an employee, slammed a “fake” statement circulating on social media and issued their own saying it was investigating the matter On Thursday, Astronomer told TMZ that a supposed apology shared on X was “not a real statement” from the company CEO. The hoax message, which was attributed online to Byron acknowledged the incident and included apologies to his wife, children and employees.
Astronomer later on Friday put out a legitimate statement on LinkedIn and X announcing that the company’s board of directors “has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”
This comes after a viral video taken during a Coldplay concert in Boston captured a man who resembles Byron hugged up with a woman many online sleuths identified as Astronomer’s HR boss Kristin Cabot Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern discuss merger
OMAHA, Neb Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are in merger talks to create the largest railroad in North America that would connect the East and West Coasts.
The merger discussions began during the first quarter of this year according to a person familiar with the talks who isn’t authorized to discuss them publicly It would combine the largest and smallest of the country’s six major freight railroads. Both railroads declined to comment. Within the industry there is widespread debate over whether such a merger would be approved by the Surface Transportation Board even though those regulators approved the deal that created CPKC railroad two years ago with the Canadian Pacific’s $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern railroad. That merger combined the two smallest major railroads in North America and left only six major freight railroads But it was the first major rail merger approved in more than two decades. The bar for railroad mergers in the U.S was raised substantially at the start of the century after a disastrous combination of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific in 1996 that snarled rail traffic for an extended period, followed by the 1999 split of Conrail between Norfolk Southern and CSX, which created backups in the East.
BUSINESS
Chevron gets go-ahead for $53B Hess deal
Acquisition includes access to major oil find
BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press
HOUSTON Chevron has scored a critical ruling in Paris that has given it the go-ahead for a $53 billion acquisition of Hess and access to one of the biggest oil finds of the decade.
Chevron said Friday that it completed its acquisition of Hess shortly after the ruling from the
International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. Exxon had challenged Chevron’s bid for Hess, one of three companies with access to the massive Stabroek Block oil field off the coast of Guyana.
“We disagree with the ICC panel’s interpretation but respect the arbitration and dispute resolution process,” Exxon Mobil said in a statement on Friday
Guyana is a country of 791,000 people that is poised to become the world’s fourth-largest offshore oil producer placing it ahead of Qatar, the United States, Mexico and Norway It has become a major producer in recent years.
Oil giants Exxon Mobil, China’s CNOOC, and Hess squared off in a heated competition for highly lucrative oil fields in northern South America.
With Chevron getting the green light on Friday it is now one of the major players in the Stabroek.
“We are proud of everyone at Hess for building one of the industry’s best growth portfolios including Guyana, the world’s largest oil discovery in the last 10 years, and the Bakken shale, where we are a leading oil and gas producer,” former Hess CEO John Hess said in a statement. “The strategic combination of Chevron and Hess cre-
ates a premier energy company positioned for the future.” Chevron also said that on Thursday the Federal Trade Commission lifted its earlier restriction, clearing the way for John Hess to join its board of directors, subject to board approval.
Chevron announced its deal for Hess in October 2023, less than two weeks after Exxon Mobil said that it would acquire Pioneer Natural Resources for about $60 billion. Chevron said at the time that the acquisition of Hess would add a major oil field in Guyana as well as shale properties in the Bakken Formation in North Dakota.
Beef prices soar in the U.S.
Ground beef up 12% from a year ago
BY JOSH FUNK Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb Anyone firing up the grill this summer already knows hamburger patties and steaks are expensive, but the latest numbers show prices have climbed to record highs.
And experts say consumers shouldn’t expect much relief soon either
The average price of a pound of ground beef rose to $6.12 in June up nearly 12% from a year ago, according to U.S. government data. The average price of all uncooked beef steaks rose 8% to $11.49 per pound.
But this is not a recent phenomenon. Beef prices have been steadily rising over the past 20 years because the supply of cattle remains tight while beef remains popular
In fact, the U.S. cattle herd has been steadily shrinking for decades. As of Jan. 1, the U.S. had 86.7 million cattle and calves, down 8% from the most recent peak in 2019 That is the lowest number of cattle since 1951, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Many factors including drought and cattle prices have contributed to that decline. And now the emergence of a pesky parasite in Mexico and the prospect of widespread tariffs may further reduce supply and raise prices
Here’s a look at what’s causing the price of beef to rise.
Smaller herd
The American beef industry has gotten better at breeding larger animals, so ranchers can provide the same amount of beef with fewer cattle, said David Anderson, a livestock economist at Texas A&M.
Then in 2020, a three-year drought began that dried out pastures and raised the cost of feed for cattle, according to the American Farm Bureau Drought has continued to be a problem across the West since then, and the price of feed has put more pressure on ranchers who already operate on slim profit margins.
In response, many farmers slaughtered more female cattle than usual, which helped beef supplies in the short term but lowered the size of future herds. Lower cattle supplies have raised prices.
In recent years cattle prices have soared, so that now animals are selling for thousands of dollars apiece. Recent prices show cattle selling for more than $230 per hundredweight, or hundred pounds.
Those higher prices give ranchers more incentive to sell cows now to capture profits instead of hanging onto them for breeding given that prices in the years ahead may decrease, Anderson said.
“For them, the balance is, ‘Do I sell that animal now and take this record high check?’ Or
Dairy
A price for beef is displayed at a grocery store in Mount
‘do I keep her to realize her returns over her productive life when she’s having calves?’” Anderson said. “And so it’s this balancing act, and so far the side that’s been winning is to sell her and get the check.”
Disease dilemma
The emergence of a flesh-eating pest in cattle herds in Mexico has put extra pressure on supply because officials cut off all imports of cattle from south of the border last year Some 4% of the cattle the U.S feeds to slaughter for beef comes from Mexico.
The pest is the New World screwworm fly, and female flies lay eggs in wounds on warmblooded animals. The larvae that hatch are unusual among flies for feeding on live flesh and fluids instead of dead material. American officials worry that if the fly reaches Texas, its flesh-eating maggots could cause large economic losses as they did decades ago before the U.S. eradicated the pest.
Agricultural economist Bernt Nelson, with the Farm Bureau, said the loss of that many cattle is putting additional pressure on supply that is helping drive prices higher
Tariff trouble
President Donald Trump’s tariffs have yet to have a major impact on beef prices, but they could be another factor that drives prices higher because the U.S. imports more than 4 million pounds of beef every year
Much of what is imported is lean beef trimmings that meatpackers mix with fattier beef produced in the U.S. to produce the varieties of ground beef that domestic consumers want. Much of that lean beef comes from Australia and New Zealand that have only seen a 10% tariff, but some of it comes from Brazil, where Trump has threatened tariffs as high as 50%.
If the tariffs remain in place long-term, meat processors will have to pay higher prices on imported lean beef. It wouldn’t be easy for U.S. producers to replace because the country’s system is geared toward producing fattier beef known for marbled steaks.
Prices will likely stay high
It’s the height of grilling season and demand in the U.S. for beef remains strong, which Kansas State agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor said will help keep prices higher
If prices remain this high, shoppers will likely start to buy more hamburger meat and fewer steaks, but that doesn’t appear to be happening broadly yet — and people also don’t seem to be buying chicken or pork instead of beef. Nelson said that recently the drought has eased — allowing pasture conditions to improve and grain prices are down thanks to the drop in export demand for corn because of the tariffs Those factors, combined with the high cattle prices might persuade more ranchers to keep their cows and breed them to expand the size of their herds.
Even if ranchers decided to raise more cattle to help replace those imports, it would take at least two years to breed and raise them And it wouldn’t be clear if that is happening until later this fall when ranchers typically make those decisions.
“We’ve still got a lot of barriers in the way to grow this herd,” Nelson said. Just consider that a young farmer who wants to add 25 bred heifers to his herd has to be prepared to spend more than $100,000 at auction at a time when borrowing costs remain high.
There is typically a seasonal decline in beef prices as grilling season slows down into the fall, but those price declines are likely to be modest
official talks immigration agricultural impact
Land O’Lakes CEO sees need for change
BY BROOKS JOHNSON
The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)
As Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford sees it, one will break first: gridlock on U.S. immigration policy or the nation’s food system. How President Donald Trump’s crackdown is affecting agriculture and thus the economy overall is at the forefront for Ford, chair of the immigration committee for Business Roundtable. That CEO organization lobbies on behalf of the nation’s businesses, meaning Ford’s voice on the issue carries more
weight than other execs’.
“For a dairy producer, if they lose their staff, I mean, that’s a black swan event. There’s not much you can do,” Ford said. “As we look at challenges with immigration, with labor, especially on the dairy side, they don’t have options. There is no year-round visa. And that is stressful.”
Nationwide, more than half of all farmworkers are foreigners, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Different operations have different needs, meaning some growers make do just fine while others are hurting for help. Dairy falls into the latter category
The National Milk Producers Federation said the country’s uncer-
tainty about agricultural labor and immigration “continues to harm workers and their families, farm employers, rural communities and national food security.”
Milking cows doesn’t happen only at certain times of year, which makes seasonal temporary visas feasible for other farming unworkable. And in most cases, automation is too expensive or unwieldy to consider So ensuring a predictable flow of labor alongside strong border security — is imperative for Ford’s coop, best known for its butter, cream and cheese. As she talks with the more than 3,000 dairy producers, farmers and smaller cooperatives who own Arden Hills, Minnesota-
based Land O’Lakes, immigration remains a hot topic.
“That is the primary discussion point in our conversations,” she said. “It’s not as if producers haven’t been out trying to hire Americans. Americans don’t want these jobs.”
What’s more, she said, animal agriculture requires a technical knowhow that means “not just anybody can take these jobs.”
Nearly 80% of the U.S. milk supply comes from producers that employ immigrant labor according to a Texas A&M survey Having yearround farmworker visas or a similar solution to import labor for yearround farm operations would make a meaningful difference, Ford said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH
Prospect, Ill., on Thursday
OPINION
MeasuringTrump’s political health
Just like doctors measureblood pressure and heart rate to assess your physical health, pollstersmeasure approvalratings of presidents toassess their political health.
This week marks the six-month anniversary ofDonaldTrump’ssecondpresidency. It’s a good time for acheck-up. Overall, howisTrump doing?
Six recent nationalpolls give him an average approvalratingof46%.
While that’s notsogreat, forTrump it’s enoughtoholdtogether hispartisan base and secure his capacity to govern. Trump’ssixth-month ratinginthis term is much betterthanitwas in his first term, 46% vs. 38%, based on Galluppollfindings.
The latest Harvard-Harris poll shows thepresident’s current approval rating is 85%among Republicans, 36% among independents and 15% among Democrats
Note the enormous 70-point gapdividing partisans. Trump’srating is 52% with Whites,29% with Blacks, 39% with Hispanics and 46% with AsianAmericans. He does better with men(52%) than women (41%).
The Economist/YouGov survey finds that only 36% of votersbelieve the president is honestand trustworthy,but aclear majority (55%) believe he’sa strong leader.It’sstill unclear the fulleffect the Jeffrey Epsteinscandal couldhaveonTrump’sratings
In any case,Trump continues to have ahardbaseof voterswho support himoneverything.Inaddition, he attracts voters who havepersonaldoubts about his behavior andtemperament,but who fervidlyprefer his policies over those of Democrats. This is hissupport formula, and it’s why hedoes better in elections than in popularity polls
How does Trump compare to other presidents?
Lookingatsix-month mileposts in firstterms, Trump’s46% approval rating is apoint above Bill Clinton’sand four points below Joe Biden’s.Other presidents —Ronald Reagan, GeorgeH.W.Bush, George W. Bush and BarackObama —weredoing10 to 20 points better than Trump at thispointintheir presidencies.
To be fair,weshouldalso look at the six-month milepost in second terms, since Trump is now servingasecond term, even though it’snot consecutive Based on this comparison, Trump’sapprovalratingis twopointsbetterGeorgeW.Bush’sand thesameas Obama’s.However,Trumpis12pointsshort ofClinton’sstanding and 17 pointsbelow Reagan’s How is Trump doingonpolicy?
His two best issues are immigration (50% approve) and “returning America to its values”(50% approve), according to the Harvard-Harris poll. His twoworst issues aretariffs and inflation (each42% approve). Falling in between are the economy,foreignaffairs and administering the government.
According to Harvard-Harris, 60% of votersoppose Trump’splans to move FEMA activitiestothe states and60% also oppose his tariffsonChinese goods. Theseissuesposesubstantialpolitical risks to Republicans
Themostimportant issue for all voters is inflation. Thesecond mostimportant is immigrationfor Republicans, civil rights for Democrats and health care for independents.
How popular are Trump’stop appointees?
According to the Economist/YouGov poll, Vice PresidentJDVance is rated 41% favorable and 52% unfavorable. Thirteen percent ofvoterswho cast ballots forTrumpdon’tlike Vance.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, caught in the middle of the Epstein tumult, posts afavorable rating of only 25% and amuch higher unfavorable rating of 46%,for awide 21-point gap.Only one cabinet member tested hasanet positive rating,and that’sRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Based on the Harvard-Harris poll, the secretary of health andhuman services’sratingis43% favorable and 38% unfavorable (+5). Secretary of StateMarco Rubio’sratingis32% favorable, 34% unfavorable (-2) and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’sis26% favorable, 30% unfavorable (-4). How is Trump’sparty doing?
The Harvard-Harris poll shows 48%ofvoters approveofthe Republican Party.That’seight points better than theDemocratic Party’s40% rating. So what do all these numbers mean?
Donald Trump’spopularity has remained remarkably stable, despite the controversies.In2016,he won46.1% of the popular vote; in 2020, he won 46.8%; andnow,his job rating averages46%. Last year,he reached ahigh point, whenhereceived 49.8%inthe election. While he doesn’thave to worry about reelection, Trump still has to worry about the effectsofhis popularity on passing an agenda and next year’smidterm elections. That’swhy it’susefultohave acheck-up. RonFaucheux is anonpartisan political analyst, pollsterand writer basedinLouisiana.
Cal Thomas promotes warfromhis chair
Every week, Iopen theOpinion section of this paper,and Iam blown away by two things:the enormity of Cal Thomas’ forehead and the sheer stupidityofhis opinions.Throwing around the idea of murdering the elected leader of a sovereign nation may seem normal to awarped and twisted warhawk, but to most people who have been around more than 20 years, “regime change in the Middle East” means nothing morethan death, wasted taxpayer money and national shame.
Are there enough Iranians prepared to standagainst the power and weapons of the ayatollahs? Is this some joke? If Cal Thomas wants to change the head of state of Iran, Irecommend he head down to therecruiting office andjoin theArmy.When we areinevitably dragged into another war halfway across the world, hopefully he will find theopportunity to do whathe has wanted do all of his miserable career: kill people.
PETERCHOL Baton Rouge
BigBeautiful Bill forces us to pick aside
The Opinion pages of theJuly 1edition had two opinion pieces presenting opposing views on the future of Louisiana under theprovisions of the “BigBeautiful Bill.”
Rep.SteveScalise praised the bill as crucial to getting our state back on track while promoting, in hiswords, “another golden age of American recovery.”
The other piece was co-authored by Greg Feirnand Pete November,CEOsofLCMC and Ochsner Health, along with several others state leadersinthe healthcare and hospital industry They wrote of thehorrendous
damage Medicaid cuts will do to theirservices to Louisiana citizens and those in need. They stated, “We face the largest cut to health care in our state’shistory.” Who do we choosetothink is givingusvalid information: apolitician who stands with President Donald Trump no matter what he asks or medical professionals, who are concerned about the real daily needs of Louisianacitizens? Iknow where Istand, anditiswith the honestprofessionals notthe lying politician.
LOUIS ARCENEAUX NewOrleans
Here’s
the waytosave horseracing in Louisiana
Regarding racing at Fair Grounds andLouisiana in general,the oneway to help thesituation is to not have tracks running an overlapping racing schedule. Why is Deltarunning races thesame months as the FairGrounds? It’s just stupid. Based on seniority,the FairGrounds should runinDecember,January, February andMarch.Evangeline then takes April, May, June. LouisianaDowns takes Julyand August, followedbyDelta running September, October andNovember.There can be afew days overlap,but the sameamount of racing days can be squeezed intoevery track’s schedule Thatmakes Louisiana-bred horses only having onetrack open to racing at atime,leadingtobigger fields of 10-12 horses perrace which leadstoalarger handle by every track. That, of course, leadstohigher purses. It’s awin-win situation. We need theLegislature to pass abill to put each track in their “window” as soon as possible.Believe me, this will work,but sincethe tracks will not voluntarily do this,probably thegovernor needs to ask former Fair Grounds owner Louie Roussel III about this ideal solution. Maybe he can personally get involved.
BOBBY BRETTEL River Ridge
Whyschools need to make studentpasswords more secure
I’m astudent who wantstotalk about something important —school passwords. At my school, the passwords they give students are super easy to guess. Alot of the time it’sjust somethinglike the first three letters of amonth and the last four numbers of their school username, and that’s not safe at all.
Itried to showhow weak the system was by demonstrating it, and Iended up gettingintrouble. Iwasn’ttrying to hack anything or do something bad. Ijust wanted toprovethat if Icould figure out someone’spassword in a few tries,then someone with worse intentions could do the samething. Ithink schools need to do abetter
job at keeping students’ accounts secure. We use those accounts foreverything now —grades, assignments and even personal stuff.It’snot fair to blamestudents when the real problem is the school not taking cybersecurity seriously
Faucheux
FRANCESCO MORA Mandeville
SAINTS PREVIEW
EX TERIOR OFF ENSI VE LINE
BIG INVESTMENTS
By GERALD HERBERT
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
A year ago, it seemed like the New Orleans Saints were in dire straits at offensive tackle.
But now? They might be positioned well in that area — as long as a couple of things work in their favor.
Taliese Fuaga is coming off a strong rookie season during which he played an unfamiliar position at left tackle. Rather than keeping him there, New Orleans is poised to shift Fuaga to the right side — the position he played his entire career at Oregon State — to make room for No. 9 overall pick Kelvin Banks at left tackle.
This is not set in stone, of course, but the Saints rolled with it all the way through their summer program and seem content to let it play out this way.
Best case
This is kind of obvious, isn’t it? The Saints have devoted top-15 picks in consecutive years to offensive tackles, and
BY ROD WALKER Staff writer
Media members pick LSU fourth in SEC
BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer
The LSU Tigers are among the prime contenders for the Southeastern Conference championship this season. At least that’s what media attendees at this year’s SEC media days think.
The
Voting
if both of them hit it means the Saints could be on their way to having one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackle tandems. They’re a long way from that at the moment Banks has yet to play a down, and he wasn’t viewed as a slam-dunk offensive tackle prospect (some preferred him at guard). Fuaga enjoyed a solid rookie season, but he’s switching positions and has to prove he wasn’t a product of a friendly scheme.
Still, the Saints are making the right type of gamble at this position. Each of the eight highest-paid tackles in the NFL were selected in the first round, almost all of them in the top-15 picks. Only two Associated Press All-Pro tackles in the last five seasons were drafted outside of the first round — David Bakhtiari and Jordan Mailata. Taking a first-round tackle is no guarantee of success, but if you’re going to find a good one, that is more often than not where they come from. Since Fuaga already has
SAINTS, page 5C
BY ANDREW VALENTI Contributing writer
Saints first-round draft pick Kelvin Banks runs through drills during the team’s rookie minicamp on May 10. AP FILE PHOTO
STAFF PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER
Reigning UFC BMF champion Max Holloway, left, shakes hands with Lafayette native
Poirier during the UFC 318 weigh-in on Friday at the Smoothie King Center
STAFF
PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Guardians P Ortiz’s leave extended to Aug. 31
Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz will remain on non-disciplinary leave through Aug. 31 while he is the subject of a Major League Baseball gambling investigation.
Ortiz’s paid leave began on July 3 and was supposed to end on Friday before MLB and the MLB Players Association agreed to extend it.
The investigation is related to in-game prop bets on two pitches thrown by Ortiz that received higher activity than usual during his starts at Seattle on June 15 and his recent outing against St. Louis on June 27.
The 26-year-old Ortiz is in his first season with Cleveland after he was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh last December
The right-hander is 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 16 starts this season.
Injuries take toll on Team Clark
BY ALYCE BROWN AP sportswriter
INDIANAPOLIS Caitlin Clark is out but most of the WNBA’s best are in for the league’s All-Star Game
The Indiana Fever’s injured superstar won’t be able to play Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when the team she drafted, Team Clark, faces Team Collier, picked by opposing captain Napheesa Collier
The events started Friday night with a 3-point contest, headlined by event record-holder Sabrina Ionescu, and skills challenge. Clark also had been scheduled to compete in the 3-point contest.
Here are a few things to note heading into the busy weekend.
Injuries bog down Team Clark
Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, will be sitting out after suffering a groin injury in the Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday
As the player who received the most fan votes and the captain of Team Clark, Clark said she is “looking forward to helping (coach Sandy Brondello) coach our team to a win” in Thursday’s announcement of her withdrawal.
“I will give the coaching hat to her as much as she wants, to be quite honest,” Brondello said. “You’ve seen it with the Fever, she’s been very active on the sideline when she wasn’t playing.” Phoenix’s Satou Sabally, a fellow starter on Team Clark, will also be sidelined.
She announced Wednesday that she will be sitting out this weekend with an injured ankle.
A’ja Wilson, a third Team Clark starter, said Friday afternoon that it’s still to be determined if she will play in Saturday’s game, after suffering a wrist injury against the New York Liberty last week
The absence of two members of Team Clark led the league to ap-
point two replacements for the All-Star Game, bringing Washington’s Brittney Sykes and Atlanta’s Brionna Jones onto the roster Thursday afternoon.
The Fever’s Lexie Hull will be replacing Clark in the 3-point contest.
Rookies on the roster
It’s a young All-Star Game this year, with rookies Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen making up the largest rookie contingent at the game since 2011. Citron and Iriafen are on Team Clark, and Bueckers is a starter for Team Collier
“It’s amazing,” Citron said. “This rookie class is really talented, and I’m just happy that I’m one of the ones here. It’s really cool.”
Before the recent three-year string of rookie starters Aliyah Boston in 2023, Clark in 2024 and now Bueckers — only seven rookies had ever been selected as AllStar starters in the game’s 26-year history
A fun format
This year’s All-Star format is different from last year’s, when the U.S women’s Olympic team played against Team WNBA. This time, each team is headed up by a captain (Clark and Collier) who drafted players from a pool of selected All-Stars.
It’s a return to a more traditional format after the 2024 Olympic year shook things up.
“It’s a little more loose, has that fun element to it,” Team Collier coach Cheryl Reeve said of this year’s game. “It’s obviously very player centric, and you just want to have fun and enjoy the experience. It’s for the fans, so it’s a fun year.”
Clark’s impact remains despite absence
BY MICHAEL MAROT AP sportswriter
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark
bounced a ball, joined a team huddle and gave one of her All-Star teammate’s shots a playful thumbs down before gingerly lobbing her own half-court heave Friday. It may be the most demanding action anyone sees from Clark this weekend. Indianapolis’ big midseason weekend wasn’t supposed to play out this way, with Clark patrolling the sidelines instead of impressing her home fans with more nifty passes or trademark logo 3-pointers. But as she sits this one out because of yet another injury, Clark remains the center of attention.
From the 30-story, larger-thanlife image covering Indianapolis’ JW Marriott Hotel to the wraps around the city’s maze of skywalks, last season’s Rookie of the Year seems every bit as in demand — maybe even more — as All-Star teammates with the Indiana Fever, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, or anyone else in town.
“Oh, yeah. I am going to be there,” Clark told “Good Morning America” on Friday, referring to Saturday night’s game. “I am going to be there, active on the sideline. I’m going to cheer these two on.” Clark did not speak during Fri-
day’s scheduled interviews with reporters.
For a league that has seen ticket sales and television ratings soar since Clark’s arrival last season, her absence comes at the worst possible moment.
Indianapolis was selected as the All-Star host last summer, and Clark was set to make her debut in the 3-point contest in her adopted hometown.
The contest may have featured the strongest field ever the last two contest winners, Sabrina Ionescu of New York, Alisha Gray of Atlanta, former NCAA Division I scoring champ Kelsey Plum of Los Angeles and Washington rookie Sonia Citron — if Clark was in it
Instead, Fever guard Lexie Hull will replace Clark in Friday’s contest.
“I think Lexie deserves it,” Mitchell said. “I think that C.C. is dope for making sure that happened or the WNBA, for that matter, I don’t know, and I think for the Fever it’s just a good way to represent us and have someone the that this city loves.”
Of course, everyone wanted to see Clark, who remains quite active off the court.
In addition to the morning interview and a midday practice with the team she “drafted,” the coach she acquired in a trade and the
team that bears her name, Clark was scheduled to appear on Sue Bird’s podcast, WNBA Live and with two sports brands — Nike and Wilson — before returning for Friday night’s festivities.
It’s also a good bet Clark’s schedule includes some injury treatment time.
Ionescu’s advice: Take full advantage of the unexpected opportunities.
“I went through something similar in my career,” Ionescu said.
“My first year, I didn’t play due to injury and then second year, I had like three to four soft tissue injuries. You look back and it’s a blessing in disguise because you’re able to learn and grow and understand it’s all part of your journey, continue to figure out what you need in a pro career.”
Clark won’t have much down time Saturday, either
There’s a morning shootaround, a 15-minute interview session with reporters and then she’ll have to navigate the newly constructed stage inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse before testing her coaching skills. And that may not be all.
“Obviously, unfortunate about Caitlin, but she’s going to still have a great impact on this team,” said Liberty coach Sandy Brondello. “I will give the coaching hat to her as much as she wants, to be quite
honest. We’re going to play around with it a little bit. It’ll be fun.”
Clark never missed a game in college or her first pro season because of injury but already has missed 10 this season with three muscle injuries.
Boston and Mitchell have seen how their teammate has responded in all 10 and expect nothing different this time, a contest that doesn’t count in the standings.
“Caitlin will still be Caitlin, trust me guys,” Mitchell said, drawing laughter “She’s going to be in a coaching uniform, like you’ll definitely see the competitive nature. But I think for her, her body deserves what it deserves from a break standpoint. I think this weekend will still be about what her and other individuals have brought to our league.”
So while the league’s biggest stars compete on the court, Clark will return to her role as promoter It’s a role she must embrace if she hopes to play Tuesday when the regular season resumes with a home game against the defending champion Liberty — even if it’s a disappointment for the women’s basketball fans.
“I am feeling good,” Clark told GMA. “Obviously, a lot of this cheers me up. It’s fun to see everybody out here having such a good time.”
Marlins’ Norby sidelined after left wrist surgery
Miami Marlins third baseman
Connor Norby will be sidelined for several weeks after having surgery on his wrist. The procedure on Wednesday was to repair a broken hamate bone in his left wrist and was done by hand specialist Dr Don Sheridan in Phoenix, the team said Friday The recovery timeline is six to eight weeks.
The Marlins acquired Norby from Baltimore last summer in a trade that also landed first-time AllStar Kyle Stowers in Miami.
While Norby’s tenure with the Marlins started strong, his performance had been uneven this year with a .241 average and .289 on-base percentage, six home runs and 26 RBI in 72 games. He was sidelined the first two months of the season with an oblique injury
Chargers wide receiver
Williams retires at age 30
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams has retired from the NFL at age 30.
Williams signed a $6 million, oneyear deal in mid-March to return to the Chargers for his second stint with the team. On Monday, he was placed on the physically unable to perform list with an undisclosed injury and two days later called it quits.
Williams played eight seasons in the NFL, including stints with both the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
The Chargers drafted Williams in the first round with the seventh overall pick in 2017.
He had 330 career receptions, 5,104 receiving yards and 32 touchdown receptions over his eight-year career
Raiders defensive tackle Wilkins placed on PUP list
The Las Vegas Raiders placed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on the physically unable to perform list Friday
Wilkins suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5 last season. Then, he experienced a setback in his recovery from a broken foot causing him to miss all of organized team activities and minicamp. Wilkins will miss at least the beginning of training camp, which opens Wednesday Because he was placed on the PUP list before practices began, the Raiders can activate Wilkins at any time during camp once medically cleared.
Wilkins, 29, was the Raiders’ marquee free-agent signing last year, agreeing to a four-year, $110 million contract with $82.75 million guaranteed.
NFL Players Association leader Howell resigns Lloyd Howell has resigned as executive director of the NFL Players Association, citing distractions his leadership has caused in recent weeks. Howell has come under scrutiny since ESPN reported he has maintained a part-time consulting job with Carlyle Group, a private equity firm that holds league approval to seek minority ownership in NFL franchises. That followed a revelation where the NFLPA and league had a confidentiality agreement to keep quiet an arbitrator’s ruling about possible collusion by owners over quarterback salaries. The latest issue revealed two player representatives, who voted for Howell, were unaware he was sued in
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By FRANK FRANKLIN II
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By AARON LAVINSKy
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier scores on a jump shot against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
BRITISH OPEN
Scheffler risestotop
No.1player shoots 64 for one-shot lead
BY DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
PORTRUSH, NorthernIreland
Scottie Scheffler had no idea what was coming his way Friday in the British Open. He warmed up in ashortsleeved shirt.The umbrella was out when he walked off the first green. For the thousands at Royal Portrush watching him, they knew exactly what to expect from the world’sNo. 1player,and Scheffler delivered anotherrelentless performance. Three straight birdies to close the gap. Twomore at the end to take the lead.
Scheffler had a15-footputt thatwas one turn away from dropping for afinalbirdie.
He happily settled for a 7-under 64, his lowest round in amajor,totake aone-shot leadover former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick of England. It was hislowest roundin amajor,yes, but therewas a normalcy about it, too.Scheffler has been doing this for three years now and there is little left to say.Even when Sky Sports showed alistof his key statistics— driving accuracy down,greens in regulation great —that elicited little more than ashrug. The statistics led to ashrug.
“Overall, I’m hitting the ball solid,” Scheffler said. “The tournament is only halfwaydone. Igot off to a good start.”
Scheffler made eight birdies on another wild afternoon of weather,putting him at 10-under 132 as he chases the third leg of the career Grand Slam.
Fitzpatrick wasequally dynamic when he began the back nine with four straight birdies, only to miss a5-foot par putt on the 14th to slow his momentum, and a3-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole thatwas mildly irritating He shot 66.
“I felt like every facet of my game wasontoday and Ifelt like Ireally played solid,” Fitzpatrick said. “To take advantage of the opportunities Ihad out there was obviously really positive.
Brian Harman got the best of the weather —surprising sunshine —and took dead aim in his hunt for another claret jug. Harman played bogey-free fora65thatleft him only two shots behind, along with Li Haotong of
China, whohad a67. Everyone else was five shots behind or more.
That includesRory McIlroy,who went aroundRoyal Portrush in his nativeNorthern Ireland with plenty of cheers butonly afew roars. McIlroyhad a69but lost alot of ground because of Scheffler,Fitzpatrickand Harman
McIlroy startedthe second round just three shotsbehind. He goes into the weekend seven shots behind thetopranked player in theworld.
“I’ve been somewhatclose to my best over thefirsttwo days in little bits here and there,” McIlroy said. “I’mgoing to need to have it all under control and have it sort of all firing overthe weekend to make arun.”
Fitzpatrickwas at his lowest point just fourmonths ago when he changed his caddie and coach andbegan pulling himself up.And now he takes that into the weekend against Scheffler
“He’sgoing to have the expectationtogoout and dominate.He’sanexceptional player.He’sworld No. 1, andwe’re seeingTiger-like stuff,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think the pressureisfor him to winthe golftournament. For me, obviously,Ihope I’mgoing to have somemore home support than him, but it’sanexciting position for me to be in givenwhere Iwas earlierthis year.”
Scheffler spent20minutes
links golf is.”
BYSTEVE DOUGLAS AP sports writer
PORTRUSH, NorthernIreland— Bryson DeChambeau left the windswept links at Royal Portrush somewhatbashed up after atough first round of the British Open and saidto himself: “I want to go home.” The American woke up Friday with adifferent mindset.
“I said, ‘You know what, Ican’tgive up,’ ”said DeChambeau, who has apopular YouTube channel and is one of the biggest draws in golf. “My dad always told me never to give up, just got to keep going,and that’s what Idid today.”
Rebounding from an opening 7-over 78, DeChambeau shot 6-under 65 in the second round tied for the second-lowest round of the day —and made the weekend in Northern Ireland. The two-time U.S. Open champion didn’teven feel he played that much better than on Thursday.The putts just dropped this time. “There wasn’tmuchdifferent,” he said. “That’s why links golf is the way
DeChambeau made the cutonthe number at 1over Eleven strokes adrift of leader Scottie Scheffler,he has little hope oflifting the claret jugfor thefirst time. Otherhigh-profileplayers have no hope atall. Brooks Koepka, another LIV Golf star in search of points to make the U.S. RyderCup team, was headed home after around of 74 that left him 7over.The five-time major champion missed thecut atthree of the four majorsthis year, finishing 12thinthe other at the U.S. Open. Cameron Smith, the 2022 British Open winneratSt. Andrews and another LIV player,failedtomakethe weekend at afifth straight majorafter rounds of 72 and 78. It’sthree straightmissed cutsatmajors forPatrick Cantlay,who shot 73-72. The highest-ranked player to leave Royal Portrush early was No. 6Collin Morikawa (75-74), the 2021 champion from Royal St. George’s. PadraigHarrington,a two-time British Open
Friday At Dunluce Links
Portrush,United Kingdom Purse: $17 million Yardage: 7,381; Par: 71 Second Round S. Scheffler, United States 68-64—132 -10
MattFitzpatrick, England 67-66—133 -9
B. Harman, United States 69-65—134 -8
Hao-Tong Li,China 67-67—134 -8
Harris English, United States 67-70—137 -5
C. Gotterup, United States 72-65—137 -5
TyrrellHatton, England 68-69—137 -5
Rasmus Hojgaard, Denmark 69-68—137 -5
Robert Macintyre, Scotland 71-66—137 -5
Tony Finau, United States 70-68—138 -4
Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark 69-69—138 -4
K. Bradley,United States 72-67—139 -3
Sam Burns, United States 70-69—139 -3
R. McIlroy,NorthernIreland 70-69—139 -3
Jordan L. Smith, England 71-68—139 -3
LeeWestwood, England 69-70—139 -3
Ludvig Aberg, Sweden 73-67—140 -2
C. Bezuidenht, South Africa 67-73—140 -2
Harry Hall, England 73-67—140 -2
R. Johnston, United States 74-66—140 -2
Matthew Jordan, England 68-72—140 -2
Oliver Lindell, Finland 72-68—140 -2
KristofferReitan, Norway 72-68—140 -2
Justin Rose,England 69-71—140 -2
X. Schauffele, United States 71-69—140 -2
A. Bhatia, United States 73-68—141 -1
TommyFleetwood, England 73-68—141 -1
RickieFowler, United States 69-72—141 -1
Lucas Glover, United States 69-72—141 -1
Jason Kokrak, United States 71-70—141 -1
MarcLeishman, Australia 73-68—141 -1
Aaron Rai, England 69-72—141 -1
J. Thomas, United States 72-69—141 -1
Daniel Berger, United States 72-70—142 E
D. Burmester, South Africa 71-71—142 E W. Clark, United States 76-66—142 E R. Henley,United States 72-70—142 E
Viktor Hovland,Norway 73-69—142 E Sungjae Im, South Korea71-71—142 E D. Johnson, United States 73-69—142 E RikiKawamoto, Japan 72-70—142 E Romain Langasque,France71-71—142 E Shane Lowry,Ireland 70-72—142 E P. Mickelson, United States 70-72—142 E Jon Rahm, Spain 70-72—142 E Antoine Rozner, France 72-70—142 E J.J. Spaun, United States 73-69—142 E Jordan Spieth, United States 73-69—142 E Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela 72-70—142 E MattWallace, England 73-69—142 E Corey Conners, Canada 74-69—143 +1
after hisround going over video withShane Lowry over Lowry’sballmovinga fraction in the rough on No 12,whichled to atwo-shot penalty.Lowry wasn’tsure he caused his ball to move, but he said he would rather take the penalty to avoid even the slightest suspicion.
Hisattention turned to Scheffler when someone suggested he hadbeen on thefringes of contention before thepenalty
“Eight shotsbehind Scottie Scheffler isn’tinthe fringes of contention the way he’s playing,”Lowrysaid.
Schefflerwas sharp from the start. He hit eight of the 14 fairways —compared with three in theopening round —though his misses never left him too badly out of position. Butheisseeing the breaksonsmoother Portrush greens, and he looks confident as ever
None of hiseight birdies were closer than 7feet. Five of them were in the10-foot range and then he threw in a 35-foot birdieonthe sixth. His lone bogey cameonadrive into deepgrass on the 11th that kept him from reaching the green.
Harman wascalledthe “Butcher of Hoylake”when he won the claret jug at Royal Liverpool two yearsago becausethe Britishpress wasfascinatedbythe Georgia native’slove for hunting. Now it’s about his golf, and it was superb.
champion fromIreland, was given the honor of hittingthe firsttee shot at this British Open and was givenwarmovations everywhere he went on the Dunluce Lunks. He won’t be getting anymore after a76lefthim at 9over XanderSchauffele shot 69 and made the cut for the15thstraight major, thelongest active streak in men’s golf. Yet, at 2-under par,his chances of winning theclaretjug in back-toback yearsare slim. FormerNo. 1Dustin Johnson kept acareer streak going of never missing thecut at all four majors in the same year —but only just.Johnson teed off at No. 18 on thenumberat 1-over par.Hehit the flagstickwith his second shot, and the ball settled afoot away from cup for abirdie and a69.
Three playersintheir 50s will play on the weekend: Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson and 1997 champion Justin Leonard For Leonard, it is hisfirst cut since 2013 —the year Mickelson won the claret jug at Muirfield.
B. DeChambu, United States 78-65—143 +1 Thomas Detry,Belgium 72-71—143 +1 Sergio Garcia, Spain 70-73—143 +1 Takumi Kanaya,Japan 71-72—143 +1 Nathan Kimsey, England 71-72—143 +1
T. Lawrence, South Africa 73-70—143 +1
J. Leonard, United States 70-73—143 +1 Hideki Matsuyama, Japan 74-69—143 +1
M. McNealy, United States 69-74—143 +1 Francesco Molinari, Italy 72-71—143 +1
A. Novak, United States 71-72—143 +1
J. Skov Olesen, Denmark67-76—143 +1
John Parry,England 72-71—143 +1
AdrienSaddier, France 72-71—143 +1
Matti Schmid, Germany73-70—143 +1
S. Soderberg, Sweden 73-70—143 +1
Henrik Stenson, Sweden 75-68—143 +1
Sepp Straka, Austria 72-71—143 +1
JesperSvensson, Sweden 71-72—143 +1
Missed Cut Jason Day, Australia 73-71—144 +2
Ryan Fox, New Zealand 75-69—144 +2
Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1
That’sright. As good as Medicare is, it wasnever meanttocovereverything. Thatmeans if you wantprotection,you need to purchase individual insurance.
Early detection canprevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
The best
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By JONSUPER
Scottie Scheffler of the United Stateshits his tee shot on theeighthhole during the second round of the British Open on Fridayatthe RoyalPortrush Golf Club in NorthernIreland
Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, on Friday
Spain eliminates host country Switzerland from Women’s Euro
BY GRAHAM DUNBAR AP sportswriter
BERN, Switzerland Spain ended Switzerland’s dreamy midsummer run through its home Women’s European Championship in a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals on Friday despite missing two penalty kicks.
Swiss resistance was broken by the world champion’s two goals in a five-minute spell midway through the second half.
Athenea Del Castillo slotted in a shot from Aitana Bonmatí’s flicked assist in the 66th, just four minutes after coming off the bench, and Clàudia Pina curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 71st.
Spain will play France or Germany in the semifinals on Wednesday in Zurich.
“These players are making history,” Spain coach Montse Tomé said. Her team sang on the field in its celebratory team photo after reaching the semifinals for the first time in 28 years Spain has a tournament-leading 16 goals yet could not score from the spot.
Mariona Caldentey skewed her penalty kick badly wide in the ninth minute, and Alexia Putellas’ shot was saved by Livia Peng in
PELICANS
Continued from page 1C
their 2026 first-round pick to select the 6-foot-9 big man from the University of Maryland.
“When you identify a player that you think can be one of the foundations here, you go and get him,” Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said on draft night. “That’s what we did. We targeted Queen. We thought he
Continued from page 1C
The former interim UFC lightweight champion owns 15 wins by knockout and eight by submission, with 13 first-round finishes. “The Diamond” holds wins against Conor McGregor twice, and his two most recent victories are against Benoit Saint-Denis and Michael Chandler Poirier’s last fight in New Orleans was at UFC Fight Night in 2015 when he defeated Yancy Medeiros This will be the third meeting between Poirier and Holloway with Poirier winning the first two meetings — once in 2012 and again in 2019.
the 88th
Switzerland’s spirited young team gave its noisy home fans hope of a stunning upset, even more so after Caldentey’s bad miss was greeted by a grateful roar in the sold-out Wankdorf Stadium.
“We had some luck but the world champions Spain were too good for us today,” Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage said.
Spain also struck the posts of Switzerland’s goal three times, including in back-to-back chances in a frantic scramble at a corner in the 60th.
“It was a very hard-fought victory,” Tomé said. “We expected a game like the one we had, we had to be patient.”
Switzerland defender Noelle Maritz was sent off in stoppage time for a foul as the last defender Spain defender Laia Aleixandri is suspended for the semifinals after her second yellow card of the tournament, for a first-half foul on Iman Beney
The quality of penalty kicks taken in these quarterfinals has been shockingly bad.
Spain’s Caldentey joined Norway captain Ada Hegerberg in placing her spot kick low and wide. Hegerberg’s miss came when Norway trailed 1-0 in a 2-1
could be a heckuva addition here, and we were really aggressive about going to get Queen in this draft.”
Queen, whose college career included a buzzer beater to take down Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament, was pleased to see the Pelicans make a bold move to grab him with the 13th pick.
“It shows how much they wanted me and how much they believe in me,” Queen said on draft night.
“I’m just ready to show them they got their money’s worth and ready to put on for the Pelicans.”
loss to Italy on Wednesday With Caldentey off the field, Putellas struck Spain’s second penalty hard though at a good height for Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng to dive to the left and push away
Just five of 14 penalties were scored on Thursday in the shootout between England and Sweden.
England won the shootout despite four saves by Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk. Sweden struck a post and sent two over the crossbar, including Falk’s kick that would have won the game.
“I don’t know what happens in other teams” Tomé said, adding “we practiced penalties.”
Bonmatí won the player of the game award three weeks after she was hospitalized in Madrid with viral meningitis.
“I was far from family and many people helped me. I’m grateful for that,” Bonmatí said in translated comments.
In the Ballon d’Or holder’s second start at Euro 2025, she unlocked the Swiss defense with the clever backheel pass to create the chance for Athenea Del Castillo to open the scoring. She also ended Switzerland midfielder Géraldine Reuteler’s run of being named best player in three straight games.
Now the Pelicans may have to wait.
Queen will be re-evaluated in approximately 12 weeks. That timetable means Queen will be reevaluated around Oct. 10, which is about three weeks before the start of the season. Queen recorded a double-double in all three Summer League games in which he played. His best outing was the game he got injured when he scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss to the Blazers. He also had three assists and two blocked shots.
BY RONALD BLUM AP sportswriter
Clint Dempsey says success on the field during friendlies over the next year would help the U.S. fill seats with pro-American fans at the World Cup next year a turnaround from pro-opponent crowds at this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino and current players took note that spectators were overwhelmingly rooting for Guatemala in St. Louis and Mexico in Houston.
“We were outnumbered in the games that mattered in terms of the semifinal and then final. There were more fans for the opposing team. So it’s up to the national team players to put a product on the field that makes people want to go spend their hard-earned money,” Dempsey said Thursday during an interview with The Associated Press. “I think with everybody being back and having that fight and kind of mixing that together with the quality, I think that will give people motivation to go out there and support this team.”
The Americans have 10 friendlies on FIFA international fixture dates, two each in September, October, November, March and June, before opening the World Cup at Inglewood, California, on June 12 They play at Seattle seven days later then close the group stage at Inglewood on June 25.
“I want to see a team that is playing in an exciting style, whether it’s defending well, building out of the back, getting forward, creating chances, getting goals,” Dempsey said. “I just want to see the fight and the grit that we saw in the Gold Cup, just with more quality That’s what I’m looking forward to, that team that gets you believing again that they can go and win games against top competition.”
Dempsey, tied with Landon Donovan for the American record of 57 international goals, is an analyst for CBS soccer coverage and the Men In Blazers Media Network, and he worked for Fox at the 2022 World Cup. He currently is involved in a promotion for the health care company Abbott in which 11 players will be selected to train at Real Madrid with club coaches and with input from Abbott scientists and the club’s medical staff.
Now 42, Dempsey played for U.S. teams that were eliminated in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup, reached the round of 16 in 2010 and ‘14, and failed to qualify
In three games in Las Vegas, he averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 43.8% from the floor Turnovers were a big issue as he averaged 5.7 turnovers in the three games, including eight against Portland.
Queen’s injury is the latest for an organization that has three other players who also are rehabbing from surgeries. Trey Murphy (shoulder), Herb Jones (shoulder) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) all are recovering after suffering injuries in a season that saw the Pelicans finish 21-61.
“The only thing I can take from the previous two fights is his output and his durability,” Poirier said. “We’re different fighters every time. This is a trilogy that has spanned 13 years. We were kids at the beginning, more mature and technical fighters the second one This time, it’s going to be who we are in this day and age, and we’re going to see who’s better.” New Orleans native and rapper Lil Wayne will walk out with Poirier for his final match on Saturday Poirier has said he plans to raise his daughter in Lafayette after retiring. A win Saturday for Holloway (268) — the fifth-ranked lightweight and a former featherweight champion would not only mean a retention of the BMF championship and playing
for the 2018 tournament. He says the rebuild for 2022, when the Americans again reached the round of 16, was positive with the new energy but came at the cost of veteran expertise. Defender DeAndre Yedlin was the only holdover from 2014.
After winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2021, 2023 and 2024, the Americans were eliminated in the group stage of the 2024 Copa America, causing the U.S Soccer Federation to replace Gregg Berhalter with Pochettino, and lost in the semifinals of this year’s Nations League and the final of this year’s Gold Cup.
“There wasn’t that big mix of a lot of older players kind of passing down lessons that they learned over the years,” Dempsey said “And sometimes it’s one of those situations where you need someone to shake things up, right? You don’t know if it’s egos. You don’t know what is the reason for why things don’t work out. So I think after Copa America after Nations League, there definitely needed to be some things shook up.
“And I think the more that people kind of look over their shoulder a little bit, their spots are not guaranteed, you have a culture that through training you can fight your way into getting into that starting lineup, I think people can get behind that and believe in that.” Dempsey and wife Bethany have six children that keep them busy, daughters Elyse (16), Fifi (12) and Maevy (2), and sons Jackson (14) and Clay (10) and Linc (4). Jackson plays for Charlotte’s academy Dempsey doesn’t coach, and while he never expected to remain in soccer as a broadcaster he’s pleased with his new roles. At the World Cup, the U.S. will be seeded as one of the three cohosts. That means the Americans won’t have a top 10 opponent in their group and if they finish first could avoid a strong nation in the new round of 32.
“If you are looking on numbers and looking on paper,” Dempsey said, “you have a chance to do something special and hopefully they take advantage of it. I think we need all the best players fit, playing week in, week out. I’m excited to see what they do with mixing a little bit more quality into this fighting and gritty kind of culture that you’ve seen throughout the Gold Cup.”
If Queen isn’t ready for the start of the season, it makes the Pelicans thinner on the inside The four remaining healthy big men are Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic, Kevon Looney and Hunter Dickinson. Looney, signed in free agency after 10 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, is the most experienced player among that foursome Dickinson, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas, is on a twoway contract.
Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.
HOW TO WATCH
To watch the 9 p.m. UFC 318 main card, you must subscribe to ESPN+ streaming service and then purchase the pay-per-view for $79.99. The preliminary fights will air on ESPN starting at 7 p.m. The early preliminary fights will air on ESPN2 at 5 p.m
Covington native and No. 11 middleweight Brendan Allen (24-7) will take on No. 10 Marvin Vettori of Italy (19-8-1). The 29-year-old has dropped back-to-back fights for the first time in his career coming into Saturday’s tilt. “I’m just trying to stay positive and focus on myself and get back to where I was when I was winning all those fights,” Allen said at media availability on Wednesday “Laziness, complacency, comfort zone. There’s none of that this time.” Allen still lives on the northshore with his family and has been commuting back and forth from New Orleans throughout the week. Carli Judice (4-2), who also is fighting out of Lafayette, will collide with Nicolle Caliari in a women’s flyweight matchup.
Dempsey
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALESSANDRA TARANTINO
Spain’s Athenea Del Castillo celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Switzerland during the Women’s Euro at Stadion
STAFF PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER
UFC BMF champion Max Holloway, left, faces off with Lafayette native Dustin Poirier during the UFC 318 weighin on Friday at the Smoothie King Center Poirier and Holloway are set to fight on Saturday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ELAINE THOMPSON
Ichiro reflects on early days ahead of HOF induction
BY JANIE MCCAULEY
AP baseball writer
When Ichiro Suzuki landed in Seattle and became an instant star in 2001, captivating a city and helping his new team win an ALrecord 116 games, he acclimated to his new life in practically no time largely because he had already been around the club during spring training a couple of years before.
As Suzuki looks back decades later on those early days in a Mariners uniform, now a Hall of Famer and 51 years old, the speedy leadoff hitter is beyond grateful for the bonds then between Seattle and his previous club in Japan, the Orix Blue Wave.
“That whole relationship before even coming over to Seattle in 2001, it was already there, that relationship was set,” Suzuki said Friday, speaking through interpreter Allen Turner on a call organized by the Hall of Fame. “In 2001 when I came I didn’t feel like this was the first time being in America playing baseball because I had that experience and I had that connection with the Mariners. So it was a great start to coming to Seattle. And obviously having the 2001 season, being able to play in front of the great fans here and having that
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Linebacker Whit Weeks was LSU’s only All-SEC first-team selection. As a sophomore, Weeks tied for second in the SEC with 125 total tackles.
Six Tigers were picked on the All-SEC second team, led by fifthyear quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the league’s top returner in passing yards (4,052) and touchdowns (29). Running back Caden Durham, wide receiver Aaron Anderson, linebacker Harold Perkins and wide receiver Barion Brown were also honored. Brown, a transfer from Kentucky, was selected as a return specialist Another LSU wide receiver, Zavion Thomas, was picked as the second-team all-purpose player and the third-team return specialist Durham was LSU’s top rusher in 2024 with 753 yards and six TDs on 140 carries. Anderson was the Tigers’ top receiver with 61 catches for 884 yards and five scores Perkins played in only four games with 17 tackles before a seasonending ACL tear in September LSU coach Brian Kelly said at media days that Perkins and Weeks, who broke his fibula in December in the Texas Bowl, are expected to be full go when the Tigers open preseason camp later this month. Texas quarterback and New Orleans native Arch Manning was the All-SEC third-team pick at quarterback. LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina was the first-team quarterback selection. LSU hosts South Carolina on Oct. 11 in Tiger Stadium but does not play Texas in the regular season. Since the SEC Championship Game was begun in 1992, the
has gone
great of a season, that really kind of started the great career here in Seattle.”
He would go on to win AL Rookie of the Year and MVP honors playing for Lou Piniella during that emotional season — when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were cause for a subdued celebration of the AL West title barely more than a week later making the Mariners’ $13 million-plus payment to Orix for the rights to Ichiro an investment for the ages.
Suzuki cherishes baseball history so much to this day that he has taken previous trips to Cooperstown New York, to honor the players who made a difference long before he left his lasting mark across the globe.
Now it’s his turn to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, his time to make a speech about a brilliant baseball career that brought him from Japan to the big leagues and far beyond. Suzuki will be side by side with pitchers Billy Wagner and CC Sabathia to be honored at the July 27 induction ceremony Suzuki considers it a responsibility to continue spreading the word on baseball over the years.
“Baseball is human beings playing against human beings, and to have the passion and the energy that is created by that is something that I really hope is still
part of the game,” he said. “That’s what I really value and it is very important to me that baseball continues to be a game that has the human element to it, with all the emotions and everything that comes along with having humans play this game.”
Suzuki wound up with 3,089 hits over a remarkable 19-year majorleague career, including 14 total seasons with Seattle. There were separate three-year stints with the New York Yankees and Miami before he spent his final two seasons back in the familiar Pacific Northwest on the Mariners. Three different times he played all 162 games, in 2005 and 2010 for Seattle, then in 2012 between the Mariners and Yankees.
The left-handed hitter will long be remembered for his meticulous attention to every detail, from that iconic batting stance featuring a deep knee bend to loosen up and then a stretch to fully extend his right arm before making a slight tug at his sleeve with the left hand.
He’s embracing being a mentor now — for anybody who asks, that is. He isn’t one to offer unsolicited advice.
“Anybody has an opportunity to ask me,” he said. “If I can be of any help to the players, that’s why I’m here.”
Team
– Caleb Banks, Florida
– Tim Keenan, Alabama
– LT Overton, Alabama
– R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
– Deontae Lawson, Alabama
– Harold Perkins, LSU
– Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
– Malik Muhammad, Texas
– Domani Jackson, Alabama
– Will Lee, Texas A&M
– Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
Ryan Wingo, Texas
Trey Zuhn, Texas A&M
Jaeden Roberts, Alabama
Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Team
Arch Manning, Texas
Nate Frazier, Georgia
Jam Miller, Alabama
Eric Singleton, Auburn
Kevin Coleman, Missouri
Jack Endries, Texas
Earnest Greene, Georgia
Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Xavier Chaplin Auburn
Trevor Goosby, Texas
Connor Lew Auburn
Keldric Faulk Auburn
Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
Colin Simmons, Texas
Christian Miller, Georgia
Anthony Hill, Texas
Whit Weeks, LSU
CJ Allen, Georgia
Michael Taaffe Texas
Daylen Everette, Georgia
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Phillies profess intent to keep star Schwarber
BY DAN GELSTON AP sportswriter
PHILADELPHIA Kyle Schwarber’s deep shots — from Philadelphia to the All-Star Game — often end up going, going, gone.
The Phillies aren’t ready to say goodbye to their star slugger quite yet as Schwarber’s four-year, $79 million contract expires at the end of the season.
Fresh off winning All-Star Game MVP honors after he hit three homers in the game’s first-ever swing-off Schwarber’s status for 2026 — when Philadelphia will host the game remained a pressing need for the Phillies.
“We love him. We want to keep him,” Phillies manager partner John Middleton said ahead of Friday’s series-opening game against the Los Angeles Angels.
In the All-Star Game in Atlanta on Tuesday night, he homered on all three of his swings, going down to his left knee on the final one, to give the National League a 4-3, swing-off win after a 6-6 tie through nine innings.
Schwarber entered the second half of the season with 30 homers and 69 RBIs for the NL Eastleading Philadelphia. He promptly cracked his 31st on his first swing after the break Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels.
Schwarber led the NL with 46 homers in his first season with the Phillies and followed with 47 in 2023 and 38 a year ago. Often hitting from the leadoff spot until this
season, Schwarber drove in 104 runs each of the last two seasons.
“We need no motivation whatsoever when it comes to Kyle Schwarber,” Middleton said. “He’s great. We thought he was great when we signed him years ago. We thought he was great consistently through the years. There’s nothing Kyle does that surprises us. No matter how great he is, we expect that from Kyle. He’s a great person in the dugout. He’s a great person in the clubhouse.”
The 32-year-old Schwarber should command well beyond the $79 million he signed for ahead of the 2022 season. Schwarber won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016. He also played in Washington and Boston, but he has seemed to find a home in Philadelphia where his mammoth homers — dubbed Schwarbombs — have made him arguably the most popular Phillies star
Schwarber said during the AllStar break that he wanted to keep the focus on helping the Phillies win their first World Series since 2008.
“We had conversations in the spring and obviously they didn’t progress,” he said. “We just kind of tabled them aside and wanted to focus on the season. Obviously, there’s interest on my side. I know there’s going to be interest on their side there coming up at the end of the year We’re going to see where that takes us. If that’s us striking up a deal, that’s us striking up a deal.”
SAINTS
Continued from page 1C
shown that he can offer competent play at a minimum, Banks is the key
Keon Sabb, Alabama
Boo Carter, Tennessee
Bray Hubbard, Alabama
Isaac Smith, Mississippi State
Brett Thorson, Georgia
Peyton Woodring, Georgia
Beau Gardner, Georgia
Peyton Woodring, Georgia
Zachariah Branch, Georgia
– Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Team
Jack Bouwmeester, Texas
Trey Smack, Florida
– Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss
– Rocco Underwood, Florida
Trey Smack, Florida
– Barion Brown, LSU
Zavion Thomas, LSU
Devin Bale, Arkansas
Aidan Laros, Kentucky
Alex McPherson, Auburn
Ben Anderson, Oklahoma
Will Stone, Texas
Eugene Wilson, Florida
C Jadan Baugh, Florida
Includes tie
It’d be foolish to expect Banks to play at a top-10 level immediately, but if he can offer something similar to what Fuaga gave New Orleans last year roughly top-20 play at left tackle — that would be reason to celebrate. It would mean the Saints drafted a foundational player at a premium position.
That becomes especially meaningful if Fuaga’s transition to the right side brings more out of him. He enjoyed one of the best seasons by a rookie tackle last year while playing a new position. On the right side, he will be back where he played at Oregon State, and it’s reasonable to expect a jump in his play
Good offensive line play — and, specifically good tackle play can be a tone-setter for an NFL offense. If the Saints can get the best versions out of Banks and Fuaga this year, their chances of successfully implementing what Kellen Moore wants to do on offense will go way up.
Worst case
While it is true the top half of the first round is generally where the better offensive tackles are found, that doesn’t mean top-15 picks don’t bust. It’s less common, but it does happen.
If Banks doesn’t pan out — either as a tackle or guard — it would be a nightmare scenario for an organization that is already lacking in young and cheap impact talent. New Orleans needs Banks to hit for a lot of reasons related to its on-field product, but it also needs a win from a premi-
um pick after a run of middling draft success.
There’s also some risk of Fuaga taking a step back in 2025, and not just because he’s switching positions. New Orleans minimized its offensive line’s shortcomings last season by combining their heavy zone running scheme with a steady diet of play-action passes and bootlegs — stuff that will not be as prevalent under Moore. The Saints also had Derek Carr, who played a bigger role than he got credit for in minimizing the rush.
There’s a chance that Fuaga is a better fit for former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme than he is for Moore’s, and that it shows in his play Even if both Fuaga and Banks play well, depth is a concern. The Saints don’t have a lot of experience behind their presumptive starting tackles. Landon Young has played a lot of football in New Orleans, but he is best used as a stopgap solution at a lot of spots. Offseason signee Josh Ball hasn’t played since 2022, and no other true tackle on the roster has played a snap in the NFL.
Prediction in 10 words or less Banks struggles early but closes strong in rookie season.
Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.
FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
linebacker Whit Weeks runs
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki hits a home run in the first inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians on April 18, 2012 in Seattle.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEFF CHIU Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber reacts after striking out against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of their game on July 7 in San Francisco.
2025 POSTCARD PROJECT
New year, more messages from lands all over
BY JAN RISHER Staff writer
The 2025 Postcard Project is in full swing. Thus far, we have received postcards from 39 states and 18 countries. One of the goals of the project is to receive postcards from all 50 states. To complete the 50-state set, we need postcards from Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. In the latest batch of postcards, we received one from Lenny and Judi Zimmerman who were visiting Salzburg, Austria, and sent a postcard from Mirabell Gardens, which is where the Von Trapp children learned to sing. Rafael Bienvenu-Albers sent a postcard from Park City, Utah, and wrote, “Park City where you come for the winter but stay for the summer.”
Dudley Hartz went to Hawaii, bought a postcard and tried to mail it but couldn’t find a stamp until he got home to Louisiana. Farley Lobdell, from Hammond, is visiting Iceland and sent a postcard of an impressive church in Reykjavik, where they were able to hear an organ play
STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER
One postcard was received from Australia for the 2025 Postcard Project.
The East Cleveland Public Library sent a hand-colored postcard that Jarese Jackson did as part of their 2025 Postcard Project. They wrote that the library system is sending out handcolored postcards from their patrons to various libraries and postcard exchanges across the country Martha Williams, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, sent a postcard that is a sample of a quilting square that she created. It’s a colorful piece made with a dozen different fabrics.
From Australia, we received a curious postcard that features an illustration of “the Bunyip of Natural History.” The postcard is from “Anne in Australia” and reads, “G’day from Australia, the land where our swamp creatures stick to the swamps and only eat the occasional person. They’re called Bunyips — giant man-eating cryptids that make horrible noises at night.”
Join the fun of the Postcard Project If you go somewhere, send us a postcard. If you have friends or family, particularly those in states listed above who might be up for sending a postcard, encourage them to do so. And if you stay home, you can still play along. To add to this year’s fun, as a suggestion by multiple readers, we are collecting as many as possible from as many cities and towns around Louisiana as possible. Thus far, we have received 17 Louisiana postcards.
SEND A POSTCARD TO: Jan Risher, The Advocate 10705 Rieger Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
LIVING
WHERE SCIENCE MEETS SEQUINS
BY JAN RISHER and LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writers
As staff set up the new Queen of Sparkles exhibit at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, a little boy walked by and spotted a sparkly dress.
Surrounded by exhibits featuring dinosaur bones and Apollo 11, the boy pointed and asked, ‘Why is this in a museum?’
Curator Tracey Barhorst can’t wait to answer that question and explain why the sparkly work of Baton Rouge designer Jaime Glas Odom has earned an exhibition at LASM The summer show, “Threads of Evolution: Engineering a Community That Sparkles,” opens to the public Saturday
“Jaime is taking art and science and blending them — and it’s coming out of something that turns out to be this,” Barhorst said as she pointed to one of the Queen of Sparkles dresses on exhibit. “All of it coming together in this space, thanks to her engineering background, is so perfect.”
Barhorst noted that Odom has been a longtime supporter of the
men’s fire-resistant coveralls on job sites, she knew she could do better and worked with patternmakers in Nashville to design her own line of what initially were utilitarian women’s work coveralls. She created her first business, HauteWork, and sold the brand to National Safety Apparel in 2019. Engineer by degree, sparkly by birth — coveralls weren’t the end of Odom’s fashion story
She wanted to add personality, glitz and glamour to the picture.
Odom is all about using both sides of her brain. Yes, she is good at math, but she also loves art — and she’s cared about what she wears for as far back as she can remember Her love affair with sparkles took root during her many years in dance.
museum, and she has sponsored the entire exhibition.
Sparkly by birth
Odom graduated from LSU with an engineering degree and got a job with Chevron. In 2016, when she learned that she had to wear
“I remember being so much more excited, when I did a solo, to design the costume than anything else,” she said. “I didn’t really care what the dance looked like. I didn’t really care what the song was.” For her, it was all about the clothes. When people visit the show,
Italian ice shop set to open second location in BR
BY SERENA PUANG Staff writer
PHOTOS By APRIL BUFFINGTON
by Jaime Glas Odom is on display at the Louisiana
Baton Rouge. Jaime Glas Odom is the founder of the fashion brand Queen of Sparkles.
Youth Enrichment
Summer Event on tap Mirror of Grace Outreach invites the community to the Annual YES! 2025 Youth Enrichment Summer Event— School Ready!from10a.m to 2p.m. Saturday,July19.
This event, held in collaboration with the MelroseEast Community Crime Prevention District, will take place at The Boom Box, 6537 Harry Drive, BatonRouge.
The goal of the event is to provide youth with accessto
RELIGION BRIEFS
educationalprograminformation that fosters cultural development, personal growth and greater opportunities. All are welcome to attend andshare the news! Star of Bethlehem celebratesmilestone Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1204 St. JosephSt., Baton Rouge, will celebrate the pastoral anniversary of Pastor Henry J. Brown at 10 a.m. Sunday,July20. The guest speaker will be
Pastor Byron K. Sanders of Macedonia Baptist Church. All areinvited. Speaker to featureat men’s, women’sday
First EmmanuelMissionaryBaptist Church, 555 Education St., will host itsMen’s and Women’s Day service at 8a.m. Sunday,July 20.
The guest speaker will be Apostle Dr.Nichelle Landry of Victory International Ministries.
All arewelcome to attend.
By APRILBUFFINGTON
‘Threads of Evolution: Engineering aCommunity That Sparkles’ by Jaime Glas Odom is on displayatthe Louisiana Art& ScienceMuseuminBaton Rouge.
SPARKLES
Continued from page1D
Barhorst hopes that they’re inspired by Odom’snonlinearcareertrajectoryand hopes Odom’sstory will challenge that narrative.
“Everyone talks about being left-brained or rightbrained,” shesaid. “You’re either an artist or you’re a mathematician. This proves that you’re not just one thing. Youhave the possibility of being both.” Just as the sparkles are multifaceted, so is Odom and her career
Engaging thecommunity
Originally,LASM invited Odom to design a1920sinspired piece for the museum’shistoric trainstation centennial. But that idea blossomed into afull-blown retrospective of her career Most exhibitions at LASM take two to three years to plan. “Threads of Evolution” came together in four months.
Barhorst saysthe goalin showcasingsomeonelike Odom, who visited the museum as achild, is to engage with all socioeconomic and
age groups inthe community —and to make theexhibits as accessible as possible. “Wedon’twant tojust be the museumthatyou come to when you’reinfifth grade andnever come back again,” shesaid. “We’re tryingto make it aplace where people, lifelong learners, can come back and experience art and science altogether.”
Adda little sparkle In thenine yearssince Odom started her career in fashion,she’sstarted a movement with her brand, offering sequin-covered piecesthat are big on flair andflash —and changing the face of gamedayfashion at Tiger Stadium andthe PMAC.
She’sknown to dress the likes of LSU head coach Kim Mulkey,Andi Dorfman, Jojo Siwa, Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush, KelseyAndersonand CambellPuckett (aka Pookie).
Odom credits herBaton Rouge-based team, particularly Genevieve Cottrell, for helping bring the LASM exhibittolife.
“I think Ialways hopethat what our brand symbolizes is that you can do anything you want with hard work be-
hind it,” Odom said.
“Threads of Evolution: Engineering aCommunity that Sparkles” is on view from July 19 to Nov.9atthe LouisianaArt &Science Museum.Tocelebrate the show’sdebut, the museum is hosting a“Behindthe Seamswith Queen of Sparkles” opening reception from 6to8p.m. July 24.
As aspecial feature of opening night, guests can submit their own design ideas for achance to have their concept personally selected and brought to life by thedesigner.Tickets are $20 for nonmembers and $10 for LASM members. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/LASMBehind theSeams.
Themuseum is also hosting “Sequins &Starlight: ALaser Taylor Swift and Queen of Sparkles Extravaganza” at 1and 2p.m. Aug. 1. Attendees will be able to tourthe new Queen of Sparkles show and enjoy aSwift laser show in the planetarium
Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.
Dear Heloise: We make fresh fruit pops by freezing lemon-lime soda with different fresh fruits: pineapples, blueberries and watermelon. —Gaby E., in San Antonio Gaby,one caution: Iwouldn’tsuggest this for thelittle ones; I’d recommendaplain pop. The fruit could be achoking hazard.
Heloise
Sticky note reminders
Dear Heloise: Ihave anasty habit of forgetting appointments for things like thedoctor,hairdresser, dentist,etc., so Istarted writing anote to myself on sticky notes and posting them on my bathroom mirror.Now Inolonger miss an appointment because thenotes remind me.
Irene H., Beaverton, Oregon
Personal space
Dear Heloise: Iwas shopping theother day when Iran into afriend. She’s avery nice person, but if she stood any closer,she’d have been standing on my
feet! I’ve met anumber of people whodon’trespect the need forsome personal space. At adeli counter last week, awoman stood so close to me that we might have been mistaken for conjoined twins! There’snoneed to do this when talking to someone. Give others somebreathing room —Ellen R., in Anaheim,California
Vaccines forpets
Dear Heloise: Having worked at aveterinarian clinic forover 10 years, Ifeel qualified to recommendthe following vaccines fordogs and cats: All dogs should get the DHPP vaccine to avoid distemper and parvovirus. They also need arabies vaccine. Rabies is contagious to all land mammals, including humans.
All cats should get the FVRCP vaccine (to protect against three viruses, including distemper), the rabies vaccine, and the feline leukemia vaccine.
Even if your cat does not go outside, it can still pick up this viral killer from other animals. Your pets are your responsibility,somake sure to vaccinate them yearly
RaymondD.inSan Antonio Waterrestriction reminder
Dear Readers: Many parts of this country are suffering from adrought. Before you water your lawn, be sure to check with your local water department to find out what, if any,water restrictions you have in your area. —Heloise Babypowderuses
Dear Readers: Here are someother uses forbaby powder: n Useitasadry shampoo. n Useitonsheets to help absorb nighttimeperspiration. n Sprinkle it in shoes to keep them fresh. n Sprinkle it on anecklace to help untangle the necklace. —Heloise Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.
PHOTO
Well-meant gift turnsintofoodpoisoning
Dear Miss Manners: My husband andIare good friends witha couple who were kind enough to cook us some delicious food. They brought back ingredients from their country of origin the last time they visited family there, and made us adish using arecipe from their grandma. They even went to the trouble of freezing the dish so they could give us afew containers of it the last time we all hung out. The next day,myhusbandheated up the food in the oven. He and Ienjoyed the meal immensely and then we both got food poisoning that lasted acouple of days. Now,we’re supposed to go out to dinner with this couple. After
all thetrouble they went through of makingussomething special, they willobviously wantto know howweliked it
Judith Martin MISS MANNERS
I’mnot sure if the polite thingtodoistotell ahalftruth —that we loved the food andappreciate them making it for us —orthe full truth:that we loved the food,weappreciate them making it for us, but that it made us sick.
This is nowthe second time that friends have madethe kind gesture ofcooking for us, only to giveusfood poisoning. (It occurred with adifferent couple before.) Now that it’shappened again,I’m wondering if etiquette dictates transparency,orifwe should stick to the half-truthlike
we did thefirst time. If we knew these friends were going to be eating someofwhat they made for us, it would feel like apublic service to say something,but that’snot the case here.
Gentlereader: The moreconcerning question is: Why are all of your friends trying to poison you?
Even though this couple may not be consuming thefood themselves, it would still be apublic service to warnthem about transporting perishable food internationally.“It was delicious,” you may say,“but I’m afraid somethinginthe dish did not agree with us. Iwonder if the ingredients you flew in might have lost somethingintransit.”
Miss Manners would not go so far as to say that you should take
JEREMIAH’S
summertimewhen cold treat sales are typicallyat their peak.
The new location will help them tap into different parts of Baton Rouge. Cody Loveland said they hope to continue to partner with people for catering events and fundraising.
Continued from page1D Sweet treats at Jeremiah’sItalian
The menus and offerings at both locations willbeidentical. The store layouts are also essentiallythe same.
For those trying Jeremiah’s for the first time, Cody Loveland recommend the mango vanilla jelati —he’sbeen eating it since he was 11 years old. It’smango icelayered with soft vanilla ice cream.
“It just gives anice,decadent little twist to the mango,” he said.
For those who can’thave dairy,helikes the mango andstrawberry ice together.
Since last year,the LSU location has piloted anew product line called hopaway treats, which includes ice cream sandwiches, jelati cakes and layered quarts of on-the-goice/ice cream products. Nowthat the brand has decided to move
forward with those products in all stores, they’rerunning aspecialonthe weekends. Through the last weekend of August, Jeremiah’s will be handing out afree slice of their jelati cakes witha purchase of adifferent sweet treat.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, 4343 S.Sherwood Forest Blvd., hours are from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.seven days aweek.They’re currently soft opened,and plan to host their grand openingonAug. 31.
Email SerenaPuang at serena.puang@ theadvocate.com.
abreak from your friends’ cooking, but she might recommend that until this unfortunate streak dies down, you makesure to see them take abite before you do.
Dear Miss Manners: How can I becomeabetter listener and not thinkI’m always right?
Gentlereader: Practice. Dear Miss Manners: My neighbor has anew dog. Frequently she sees me out back with my dogs, and asks to come into my yard so that our dogs may have aplaydate. This is fine occasionally.However,she asksmeevery day,and her dog barks alot. This is too much.Sometimes Ijust want to be alone with my quiet pups. We have achain-link fence, and ataller privacy fence is not an option. How do Ipolitely tell her
that her dog hurts my head and I need to recharge by being alone? I’ve already told her that barking dogs give me headaches, but nothing has changed.
Gentle reader: As this neighbor puts their dog’sneeds ahead of those of humans, Miss Manners suggests you respond in kind: “Hamlet isn’t feeling very sociable today.Perhaps the two of them can have a playdate next week when his head is feeling better.We’ll reach out.”
Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.
TODAYINHISTORY
By The Associated Press
Today is Saturday
July 19, the 200th day of 2025. There are 165 days left in the year
Todayinhistory
On July 19, 1848, the first “Convention to discuss the social, civil and religious condition and rights of Woman”convened at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls,N.Y
Also on this date:
In 1812, during theWar of 1812, the First Battleof SacketsHarbor in Lake Ontario resulted in an American victory as U.S. naval forces repelled a Britishattack
In 1969, Apollo 11 and its astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins, went into orbit around the moon
In 1980, theMoscow Summer Olympics began, minus dozens of nations that were boycotting the games because of Soviet militaryintervention in Afghanistan.
In 1990, baseball’salltime hitsleader,Pete Rose, was sentenced in Cincinnati to five monthsinprison for tax evasion.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton announced apolicy allowing gays to serve in
the military under acompromise dubbed “don’task, don’ttell, don’tpursue.”
In 2006, prosecutors reported that Chicago police beat, kicked, shocked or otherwise tortured scores of Black suspects from the 1970s to the early 1990s to try to extract confessions from them.
In 2005, President George W. Bush announced his choice of federal appeals court judge John G. Roberts Jr.toreplace Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.(Roberts ended up succeeding Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who diedinSeptember 2005; Samuel Alito followed O’Connor.)
In 2013, in arare and public reflection on race, President Barack Obama called on the nation to do somesoul searching over the death of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of his shooter,George Zimmerman,saying the slain Black teenager “could have been me 35 years ago.”
In 2018, aduck boat packed with tourists capsized and sank in high winds on alake in the tourist townofBranson, Missouri, killing 17 people.
In 2021, Paul Allard Hodgkins, aFlorida man whobreached the U.S.
Senate chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, carrying aTrump campaign flag, received an eight-month prison term in the first resolution of afelony case arising from the U.S. Capitol insurrection. (In2025, President Donald Trumppardoned, commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases of all 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the riot.)
In 2022, Britain shattered its record for the highest temperature ever registered amid aheat wave that seared swathes of Europe. Today’sbirthdays: Civil rightsactivistand educator Rachel Robinson, widow of baseball’sJackie Robinson,is103. Blues singer-musicianLittle Freddie King is 85. SingermusicianAlanGorrie (AverageWhiteBand) is 79. International Tennis Hall of Famer Ilie Nastase is 79. Rock musicianBrian May(Queen)is78. Rock musicianBernie Leadon is 78. Movie director Abel Ferrara is 74. Movie director Atom Egoyanis65. Actor Campbell Scott is 64. Actor AnthonyEdwards is 63. Ukrainianpolitician andformer boxing championVitaliKlitschko is 54. Actor BenedictCumberbatch is 49.
PROVIDED PHOTOS Codyand Kayla Loveland stand inside the Jeremiah’sItalian Ice trailer which theyuse for
cAncER (June 21-July 22) Participate in something that concerns and motivates you. Be part of thesolutionand help eliminate the problems that irk you. Push for positive change anda healthier lifestyle.
LEO (July 23-Aug.22) Sharing your thoughts and feelingscan help you alleviate tensionand foster healthier relationships. Make planstotraveland visit people you enjoy spending timewith
VIRGO (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Protect yourself against illness and injury. Rely on intelligence and charm to defuse potential conflicts. Prioritize having fun, being active andnurturing your emotional well-being.
LIBRA (sept. 23-Oct. 23) Go on alearning spree. Stop ignoring what needs updatingorreplacing, and start living accordingtoyourneeds. Chooseequality, not dominance, in relationships
scORPIO (Oct.24-nov. 22) The tension between what you wanttodoand what others expect of you will cause distress. Strive to strike abalance between pleasing othersand prioritizing your own needs.
sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Talks will lead to encounters andnew beginnings. Love will play arole in your choices,and spending moretime working toward a commongoal with someone special will be beneficial.
cAPRIcORn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Home improvement projects can often turn out betterthananticipatedandenhanceyour lifestyle. An opportunity to expand your
circleoffriendswillleadtosomeonewho intriguesyou.
AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Achange will be uplifting. Home improvements that enhancecomfortand conveniencewill help yourelax,enjoyand appreciate what you have. Loveand romance are in the stars.
PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Dotheresearch, take the initiative and start something that pumps you up and brings you joy. Social interaction and engaging in activitiesyou love will lead to friendships with people whoshareyourenthusiasm
ARIEs (March 21-April19) Keep as many options open as possible.Scrutinize what's unfolding around you. Look for more affordable ways to achieve what you want.Keep an open mind, make suggestions andprepare to implement positive change
TAuRus (April 20-May20) Put your emotions aside when dealing with shared expensesorjointventures. Do what's right, notwhatyou think someoneelse wantsyou to do. Take nothing and no one for granted.
GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Follow your instinctsanduseyourvoicetobringpositivechangeathomeandwork.Showyour diversity,andyou'llcapturetheattention of someonewillingtohelpyou further your goals
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are createdfrom quotationsbyfamous people, past and present. Each letterinthe cipherstands for another.
TODAy's cLuE:J EQuALs O
CeLebrItY CIpher For better or For WorSe
beetLe bAILeY
Mother GooSe And GrIMM
bIG
Sudoku
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
THewiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS Hi and LoiS
Bridge
By PHILLIP ALDER
Tryon Edwards, a19th-century theologian, said, “The secret of agood memoryisattention, and attention to asubject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made adeep impression on our minds.”
That is so often true. However, bridge fascinates many peoplewho do not have agood memory for what has happened at the table. They also do not remember when to break the“golden rules” of the game.Which dictum should West break on this deal?
South is in three no-trump. West leads theclubking. South holds up his ace until the third round. What happens next? North made aweak jump overcall, showingareasonable six-card diamond suit and 5-10 high-card points. South, knowingNorth would not have afourcard major,bid whathehoped he could make.
It is normal for declarer to play adiamond to dummy’s nine at trick four Here,thatworks nicely. East wins and shifts to aspade, but South takes his ace and collectsone spade, two hearts, five diamonds and one club.
Instead, West must ignore “second hand low” andplay his king on the first round of diamonds.Then declarer is doomed. If he plays low from the dummy,West cashes hisclubs.IfSouth wins with dummy’sace,hegets justtwo diamond winners.
wuzzles
Notethat even if East hasthe spade king and West the diamond king, those finesses give Southonly eight tricks: three spades, two hearts,two diamonds and one club. Watch out for this second-hand-high opportunity when dummy has no side entry.
Each Wuzzleisaword riddle which creates adisguised word,phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON
Previous answers:
word game
InsTRucTIOns: 1. Words must be of
or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,”are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
TODAy’s WORD nOTIcEs: NO-tih-sez: Warnings or announcements.
