The Acadiana Advocate 07-26-2025

Trump exempts plants in La. from pollution rule

Regulation was aimed at reducing cancer risks

BY DAVID J MITCHELL and JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writers

Twelve petrochemical companies in Louisiana have received two-year exemptions from President Donald Trump from complying with a 2024 rule aimed at cutting pollution and cancer risks for communities near industrial plants, a regulation they had labeled unnecessarily costly but which environmental activists had lauded as long overdue.

The new proclamation cites technological limits, concerns over cost and national security impacts from supply chain disruptions to put off compliance until 2028 for major petrochemical companies operating in the Mississippi River region and Lake Charles area. Some advocates said they see the new exemptions as an interim move to delay implementa-

Work

tion while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency undoes or lessens the requirements permanently

Last year, environmental advocates hailed the rule as a major step in improving air quality for minority and poor communities that often bear the brunt of industrial pollution, though industry groups opposed them as too costly and unsupported by science.

Trump’s proclamation issued July 17 grants the two-year exemptions to Shell, BASF, Dow, Union Carbide, Denka, Sasol, Westlake and a handful of other companies in Louisiana.

The proclamation doesn’t always make clear to which facilities it applies for those companies It also doesn’t apply to all 51 Louisiana operations affected by the Biden-era pollution requirements, even though some companies that didn’t get exemptions in Louisiana received them in other

to start on Heymann upgrades

Amphitheater to be constructed at park

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR | Staff writer

Work is expected to begin before the end of 2025 on the first phase of improvements to Lafayette’s Heymann Park, which includes the construction of an amphitheater Owned by Lafayette Consolidated Government, Heymann Park is located at 1500 S. Orange St., across the Vermilion River from the Vermilionville Living History Museum.

Various improvements are planned for Heymann Park.

“The opportunities the new and improved park will present for recreational activities, festivals and other special events are

ä See HEYMANN, page 5A

Federal school grants restored

Trump administration had frozen billions

BY PATRICK WALL | Staff writer

The Trump administration will release billions of dollars in federal education grants that it withheld from schools this month, officials said Friday, ending an abrupt funding freeze that had threatened to disrupt school services just weeks before students return from summer break.

Louisiana had stood to lose more than $109 million, or about 14% of its federal K-12 education funding, according to one tally of the frozen funds. The administration last week released a portion of the money that funds after-school programs, but the rest remained in holding while federal officials reviewed the grants to ensure they aligned with the president’s priorities.

The money, which schools had expected to receive July 1, helps pay for teacher training and programs for migrant students, English learners, adult literacy violence prevention and more. School leaders and service providers, who had warned that withholding the money could cause devastating cuts, celebrated Friday’s announcement.

“This is great news for Louisiana,” said Andrew Ganucheau, director of the Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning, in a statement. “These programs provide vital educational assistance that many of our students and families rely on.”

The Trump administration’s decision to unlock the money follows court challenges and an outcry from educators, advocacy groups and members of Congress, who had appropriated the funding in a bill that President Donald Trump signed earlier this year

states, including Phillips 66 and Ineos. State regulators said they knew some companies had sought the exemptions — the Trump administration had previously sought requests from companies in March — and have been monitoring their status.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s secretary promised to enforce the rules on companies that have not received the exemptions “with no changes in how the agency oversees their operations.”

“I appreciate the administration carefully reviewing the Louisiana facilities mentioned and ensuring that companies here are following proper regulations,” DEQ Secretary Courtney Burdette said in a statement.

Sharon Lavigne, who runs the local community group RISE St. James, which advocated for the regulatory changes known as the HON rule,

ä See PLANTS, page 6A

ä See GRANTS, page 5A

Skrmetta enters U.S. Senate race against Cassidy

PSC official joins two other major GOP challengers

BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer

The anti-Bill Cassidy U.S. Senate Republican primary became a bit more crowded on Friday Eric Skrmetta, a veteran member of the Public Service Commission from metro New Orleans, said he will be the third major Republican to try to keep Cassidy from winning reelection to the U.S. Senate next year

“I will embark on a journey with our President to reclaim what makes our republic great,” Skrmetta said in a statement. “We must protect our Southern border invest in our military strength, and stop Green New Deal whims.”

Cassidy and his Republican opponents will face off in a closed primary in April under the new election rules put in place by

ä See SENATE, page 5A

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

The Sasol petrochemical complex in Westlake is one of the plants to receive a two-year exemption from complying with a rule aimed at cutting pollution and cancer risks.

Cassidy

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Residents use the shade of oak trees while listening to the music during the SWLA Juneteenth Music Festival & Stone Soul Picnic at Heymann Park in Lafayette on June 21. An amphitheater is the centerpiece of phase one of improvements planned by Lafayette to Heymann Park.

Trump

Skrmetta

Ex-U.S. Rep. Santos reports to federal prison NEW YORK Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos reported to a federal prison in New Jersey on Friday to begin serving a seven-year sentence for the fraud charges that got him ousted from Congress

The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that the New York Republican was in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey Santos pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people’s identities in order to fund his congressional campaign.

His lawyer Joe Murray, when asked for comment Friday responded with a brief, all-caps text: “FREE GEORGE SANTOS.”

The ever-online Santos, who turned 37 years old on Tuesday hosted a farewell party for himself on the social media platform X on Thursday night.

“Well, darlings The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,” he wrote in a post afterwards.

“From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally Honest? I tried most days.” Santos will serve his time in a minimum security camp at the all-male facility, which also includes a larger medium security prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

1 dead, 1 injured in N.M. dorm shooting

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — One person is dead and another wounded following a shooting early Friday at a University of New Mexico dormitory that prompted the evacuation of hundreds of students and a campuswide search for the suspect.

The campus was closed and yellow tape cordoned off a student housing area as authorities conducted a sweep for the suspect. Investigators also gathered around a vehicle that was taped off in a parking lot.

The two people shot were inside a dorm building where they had been visiting a student, but they were not students themselves, said Lt. Tim Delgado with the University of New Mexico Police Department. He said a suspect remained at large as of midafternoon, and it was unknown if that person remained on campus.

A shelter-in-place order remained in place while police evacuated parts of the campus.

“We had a student orientation going so there were like 400 kids in dorms, so we wanted to make sure they were safe and they are safely off campus now,” Delgado said EU regulator OKs an injectable HIV drug

LONDON The European Medicines Agency has recommended authorizing a twice-yearly injectable drug aimed at preventing HIV, which scientists say could help end the virus’ transmission.

In a statement on Friday the EU drug regulator said its evaluations of lenacapavir, sold as Yeytuo in Europe by Gilead Sciences, showed the drug is “highly effective” and “considered to be of major public health interest.” Once the regulator’s guidance is accepted by the European Commission, the authorization is valid in all 27 EU member countries as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein Last year studies suggested that lenacapavir, already used to treat people with HIV, was nearly 100% effective in stopping transmission in both women and men.

Winnie Byanyima, executive director of the U.N. AIDS agency has said the drug “could change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic” if it is made available to everyone who needs it

In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized lenacapavir to prevent HIV Earlier this month, the World Health Organization recommended countries offer the drug as an additional option to people at risk of the virus.

Israel mulls alternatives to talks with Hamas

Netanyahu’s comments create more uncertainty about Gaza ceasefire

BY SAMY MAGDY and WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press

CAIRO Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday his government was considering “alternative options” to ceasefire talks with Hamas after Israel and the U.S. recalled their negotiating teams throwing the future of the negotiations into further uncertainty.

Netanyahu’s statement came as a Hamas official said negotiations were expected to resume next week and portrayed the recall of the Israeli and American delegations as a pressure tactic. Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the talks alongside the United States, said the pause was only temporary and that talks would resume, though they did not say when.

The teams left Qatar on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff said Hamas’ latest response to proposals for a deal showed a “lack of desire” to reach a truce. Witkoff said the U.S. will look at “alternative options,” without elaborating.

In a statement released by his office, Netanyahu echoed Witkoff, saying, “Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal.”

“Together with our U.S. allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas’s terror rule, and secure lasting peace for Israel and our region,” he said. He did not elaborate. Israel’s government didn’t immediately respond to whether negotiations would resume next week.

A breakthrough on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration as experts warn Gaza is being pushed closer to famine, after months of Israel entirely blocking food or letting in only limited amounts. This month, deaths related to malnutrition have accelerated.

More than two dozen Western-aligned countries and more than 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to the war, harshly criticizing Israel’s blockade and a new aid delivery model it

has rolled out. The charities and rights groups said even their own staff were struggling to get enough food.

On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state. “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” he said.

Jordan has requested to carry out airdrops of aid into Gaza “due to the dire situation,” a Jordanian official said The official said the airdrops will mainly be food and milk formula.

An Israeli security official said the military was coordinating the drops, which were expected in the coming days. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the yet-to-be-finalized plans.

Desperate Palestinians gathered at a charity kitchen in Gaza City on Friday, clutching empty pots waiting for a share of watery lentil soup. Such kitchens distributing cooked meals have been a main source of food for many Palestinians, but the number of meals they produce every day has plummeted to 160,000 from more than a million in April, according to the U.N.

“We’ve been living three months without bread,” said one woman in line, Riham Dwas. “We’re relying on charity kitchens, surviving on a pot of lentils and there are many times when we don’t even have that.”

When she can’t find food, she takes her children to a hospital to be put on saline IV drips for sustenance.

An Israeli airstrike hit a school-turnedshelter for displaced people in Gaza City killing at least five people, including an 11-year-old boy, according to hospital officials. Afterward, dozens of mourners marched carrying the bodies from Shifa Hospital as women nearby screamed and wept.

“Enough!” screamed Taraji Adwan, whose son and grandson were among the dead. She said the strike hit as she was filling up water jugs.

“Stop the war! Our children are dying from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, lack of food, strikes, and dying from fear and destruction. Enough, Hamas! Enough, Israel! Enough, world!” she said

Deportation flights begin from ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ DeSantis says

BY JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

Deportation flights from the remote Everglades immigration lockup known as Alligator Alcatraz have begun and are expected to increase soon Florida Gov

Ron DeSantis said Friday

The first flights operated by the Department of Homeland Security have transferred about 100 detainees from the immigration detention center to other countries, DeSantis said during a news conference near the facility

“You’re going to see the numbers go up dramatically,” he said.

Two or three flights have already departed, but officials didn’t say where those flights headed.

Critics have condemned the South Florida facility as cruel and inhumane. DeSantis and other Republican officials have defended it as part of the state’s aggressive push to support President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Building the facility in the Everglades and naming it after a notorious federal prison were meant as deterrents, DeSantis and other officials have said.

The White House has delighted in the area’s remoteness — about 50 miles west of Miami and the fact that it is teeming with pythons and alligators. It hopes to send a message that repercussions will be severe if U.S. immigration laws are broken.

Trump has suggested that his administration could reopen Alcatraz, the notori-

ous island prison in San Francisco Bay

The White House also has sent some immigrants awaiting deportation to a detention lockup in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and others to a megaprison in El Salvador

The Everglades facility was built in a matter of days over 10 square miles. It features more than 200 security cameras and more than 5 miles of barbed wire An adjacent runway makes it more convenient for homeland security officials to move detainees in and out of the site.

It currently holds about 2,000 people, with the potential to double the capacity, Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said Friday

DeSantis wants the U.S. Justice Department to allow an immigration judge on site to speed up the deportation process. “This was never intended to be something where people are just held,” he said. “The whole purpose is to be a place that can facilitate increased frequency and numbers of deportations.”

Critics have challenged federal and state officials’ contention that the detention center is just run by the state of Florida. Environmental groups suing to stop further construction and expansion demanded Thursday to see agreements or communications between state and federal officials and to visit the site.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates deportation flights mainly from a few hubs, including Harlingen, Texas; Alexandria, Louisiana; and Mesa, Arizona. Others are scattered across the country

Ghislaine Maxwell finishes interviews with DOJ officials

BY KATE PAYNE and ED WHITE Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, finished 1½ days of interviews with Justice Department officials on Friday, answering questions “about 100 different people,” her attorney said.

“She answered those questions honestly, truthfully, to the best of her ability,” David Oscar Markus told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, where Maxwell met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“She never invoked a privilege. She never refused to answer a question, so we’re very proud of her,” Markus said.

Maxwell is serving a 20year sentence and is housed at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee. She was sentenced three years ago after being convicted of helping Epstein, a wealthy, well-connected financier, sexually abuse underage girls.

Officials have said Epstein killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell’s links

to famous people, such as royals, presidents and billionaires, including Donald Trump.

In a social media post this week, Blanche said Maxwell would be interviewed because of President Trump’s directive to gather and release any credible evidence about others who may have committed crimes.

Trump has denied prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and claimed he cut off their relationship long ago. But he faces ongoing questions about the Epstein case, overshadowing his administration’s achievements. On Friday, reporters pressed the Republican president about pardoning Maxwell, but he deflected, emphasizing his administration’s successes.

Markus said Maxwell

“was asked maybe about 100 different people.”

“The deputy attorney general is seeking the truth,” Markus said. “He asked every possible question, and he was doing an amazing job.”

Markus said he didn’t ask for anything for Maxwell in return, though he acknowledged that Trump could pardon her

“Listen, the president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way,” Markus said.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By COLIN HACKLEy David Oscar Markus, an attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell, talks with the media Friday outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Fla., after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA

Palestinians attend a funeral on Friday near the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for people who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza that has been used as a shelter

Trumpstruggles with Epsteinfuror

Presidenttries to shakeoff controversyhis allies oncestoked

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON Despite the sun bearing down on him and thesweat beadingacross his face, President Donald Trump still lingered with reporters lined up outside the White House on Friday.He was leaving on atrip to Scotland, where he would visithis golf courses, and he wanted to talk about how his administration just finished “the best six months ever.”

But over and over,the journalists kept asking Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein case and whether he would pardon the disgraced financier’s imprisonedaccomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell

“People should really focus on how well the country is doing,” Trump insisted. He shut down another question by saying, “I don’twant to talk about that.”

It was another example of how the Epstein saga andhis administration’sdisjointed approach to it —has shadowed Trumpwhenhe’s otherwise at the height of his influence. He’senacted avast legislative agenda, reached trade deals with key countries and tightened his grip across the federal government. Yethe’sstruggled to stamp out the embersofa political crisis thatcould become afull-on conflagration.

The Republican president’s supporters want the government to release secret files about Epstein, who authorities say killed himself in his New York jail cell six years agowhile awaitingtrial for sex trafficking. They believe himtobethe nexus of adark web of powerful people who abused underage girls.Administration officials who once stoked conspiracy theories now insist there’snothing more to disclose, astance that has stirred skepticism because of Trump’sformer friendship with Epstein.

Trump has repeatedly denied prior knowledge of Epstein’scrimes and claimed he cut off their relationship long ago. For apresident skilled at manipulating the media and controlling the Republican Party,ithas been the most

challenging test of hisability to shift the conversation in his second term.

Landing in Scotland offered no refuge for Trump. He faced another round of questionsafter steppingoff Air Force One. “You’re making abig thing oversomethingthat’s notabig thing,” he said to one reporter.He told another, “I’m focused on making deals,not on conspiracy theoriesthat you are.”

Republican strategist Kevin Madden called the controversy “a treadmill to nowhere.”

“How do you get offofit?” he said. “I genuinely don’t knowthe answertothat.”

Trump has demanded his supporters drop thematter and urgedRepublicans to block Democratic requests for documentsonCapitol Hill. But he hasalso directed theJustice Departmenttodivulge some additionalinformation in hopes of satisfying hissupporters.

AWhite House official, whoinsisted on anonymity to discuss internal strategy, said Trump is tryingto stay focused on his agenda while also demonstratingsome transparency. Afterfacing countlessscandalsand investigations, the official said, Trump is on guard against the typical playbook of dripdrip disclosures that have plaguedhim in the past.

It’sclear Trumpsees the Epstein case as acontinuation of the “witch hunts” he’sfaced over the years, starting with the investigationinto Russian interference during his election victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton nearly adecadeago. The sprawling inquiryled to convictions against sometop advisersbut did notsubstantiate allegations Trump conspiredwith Moscow.

Trump’sopponents, he wrote on social media Thursday,“have gone absolutely CRAZY,and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but,this time,under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM.”

During the Russia investigation, special counsel RobertMuellerand his team of prosecutorswere astraightforward foil for Trump to rail against. Ty Cobb, thelawyer whoserved as theWhite House’spoint person, said thepresident“never felt exposed” because“he thought he had alegitimate gripe.”

Thesituation is different this time nowthat the JusticeDepartment hasbeen stocked with loyalists. “The people thathehas to get mad at arebasically his people as opposedtohis inquisitors and adversaries,”Cobb said.

In fact, Trump’sown officialsare the most responsiblefor bringingthe Epstein caseback to the forefront.

FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, regularly stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein before assumingtheir current jobs, floating the idea the government hadcovered up incriminatingand compelling information thatneeded to be broughttolight.“Put on your big boy pants and let us know who the pedophiles are,” Patel said in a2023 podcast.

Attorney GeneralPam Bondiplayed akey role, too. She intimated in aFox News ChannelinterviewinFebruary thatanEpstein “client list” was sitting on her desk for review—she would later say she was referring to the Epstein filesmoregenerally —and greetedfar-right influencers withbinders of records from the case that consisted largely of informa-

European leaderspress Israel on Gaza aid

BY JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

LONDON— The leaders of Britain, France and Germany demanded Israel allow unrestricted aid into Gaza to end a“humanitarian catastrophe,” after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will become the first major Western power to recognize aPalestinian state. The joint statement, issued after acall between Macron, British Prime Minister Keir

Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, called for an immediate ceasefire and saidthat “withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,” though it broke no newdiplomatic ground.

Theleaders saidthey “standready to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and apolitical processthat leads to lastingsecurity andpeace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region,” but

did not say what that action might be.

Macron’s surprise announcement exposed differences amongthe European allies, known as the E3, over how to ease theworsening humanitarian crisis and end theIsrael-Hamas war

Allthree supportaPalestinianstate in principle, but Germanysaid it hasno immediateplans to follow France’sstep, which Macron planstoformalize at the United Nations General Assembly in September

tioninthe public domain. Tensions spiked earlier this monthwhen the FBIand the Justice Department, in an unsignedtwo-page letter, said that no client listexisted,that theevidence was clear Epstein had killed himself and thatnoadditional records from the casewould be released to the public. It was aseemingbacktrack on the administration’s stated commitmenttotransparency. Amid afierce backlashfrom Trump’sbase andinfluential conservative personalities, Bongino and Bondi squabbledopenly in atense White House meeting.

Sincethen, the Trump administration hasscrambled to appear transparent, including by seeking the unsealing of grand jury transcripts in thecase —though it’shardly clear thatcourts would grant that request or that those records include any eye-catching details anyway.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has taken the unusualstep of interviewing theimprisoned Maxwell over the course of two days at acourthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, where her lawyer said she would “always testify truthfully.”

All the while,Trump and his allies have resurfaced the Russia investigation as arallying cryfor apoliticalbase thathas otherwise been frustratedbythe Epstein saga

JudgeblocksTrump’s executiveorder on birthright citizenship

Thirdsuchruling sinceSupreme Courtdecision

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

BOSTON Afederal judge on Fridayblocked the Trumpadministration from ending birthright citizenship for the children of parents who areinthe U.S. illegally,issuing the third court ruling blocking the birthright order nationwide sincea keySupreme Court decision in June.

U.S. DistrictJudge Leo Sorokin, joining another district court as well as an appellate panel of judges, found that anationwide injunction granted to more than adozen states remains in force under an exception to the Supreme Court ruling. Thatdecisionrestricted the power of lower-court judgestoissue nationwide injunctions.

The states have argued Trump’sbirthright citizenship order is blatantly unconstitutional andthreatens millions of dollars forhealth insurance services that are contingent on citizenship status. Theissue is expected to move quickly back to the nation’s highest court.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who helped leadthe lawsuit before Sorokin, said in astatement he was “thrilledthe district court again barred President Trump’sflagrantly unconstitutional birthright citizenship order from taking effect anywhere.”

“American-born babies are American, just as they have been at everyother time in our Nation’shistory,” he added. “The President cannotchange that legal rule with the stroke of apen.”

Lawyers forthe governmenthad argued Sorokin should narrowthe reach of his earlier ruling granting a preliminary injunction, saying it should be “tailoredto the States’ purported financial injuries.” Sorokin said apatchwork approach to the birthright order would not protect the states in part because a substantial number of people move between states. He also blasted the Trump administration, saying it had failed to explain howa narrower injunction would work.

“That is, they have never addressed what renders a proposal feasible or workable,how the defendant agencies might implement it without imposing material administrative or financial burdens on the plaintiffs, or howitsquares withother relevant federalstatutes,” the judge wrote. “In fact, they have characterized such questionsasirrelevant to the task the Court is now undertaking. The defendants’ position in this regard defiesboth lawand logic.” Sorokin acknowledged his order would not be the last word on birthright citizenship. Trumpand hisadministration “are entitled to pursue their interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and no doubt the Supreme Court will ultimately settle thequestion,” Sorokin wrote. “Butinthe meantime, for purposes of this lawsuit at this juncture, the Executive Order is unconstitutional.” Theadministration has notyet appealed anyof the recentcourt rulings. Trump’s effortstodenycitizenship to children born to parents who areinthe countryillegally or temporarily will remain blocked unless and until the SupremeCourt says otherwise.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON

President DonaldTrump speaks withsupporters Fridaybefore departing on Marine One from theSouthLawnofthe White House in Washington.

Trump’s golf visit to cost Scottish taxpayers

BY KWIYEON HA and BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press

TURNBERRY, Scotland It may not be typical golf attire, but one of the most ubiquitous outfits seen on U.S. President Donald Trump’s golf course Friday ahead of his visit was the reflective yellow vest worn by Scottish police

The standard issue garb that is far removed from the traditional Turnberry tartan was highly visible on the dunes, the beaches and the grass as thousands of officers secured the course in advance of protests planned during the president’s visit to two of his Scottish golf resorts.

Trump was expected to arrive Friday evening to a mix of respect and ridicule.

His visit requires a major police operation that will cost Scottish taxpayers millions of pounds as protests are planned over the weekend. The union representing

officers is concerned they are already overworked and will be diverted from their normal duties and some residents are not happy about the cost.

“Why isn’t he paying for it himself? He’s coming for

Democrats, advocates criticize Trump’s homelessness order

BY JANIE HAR AND CHARLOTTE KRAMON

The Associated Press/ Report for America

SAN FRANCISCO Leading

Democrats and advocates for the homeless are criticizing an executive order

President Donald Trump signed this week aimed at removing homeless people from the streets, possibly by committing them for mental health or drug treatment without their consent.

Trump directed some of his Cabinet heads to prioritize funding to cities that crack down on open drug use and street camping, with the goal of making people feel safer It’s not compassionate to do nothing, the order states.

“Shifting these individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment is the most proven way to restore public order,” the order reads.

Homelessness has become a bigger problem in recent years as the cost of housing increased, especially in states such as California where there aren’t enough homes to meet demand. At the same time, drug addiction and overdoses have soared with the availability of cheap and potent fentanyl.

The president’s order might be aimed at liberal cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, which Trump views as too lax about conditions on their streets. But many of the concepts have already been proposed or tested in California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic mayors have worked for years to get people off the streets

and into treatment. Still, advocates say Trump’s new order is vague, punitive and won’t effectively end homelessness.

Newsom has directed cities to clean up homeless encampments and he’s funneled more money into programs to treat addiction and mental health disorders.

His office said Friday that Trump’s order relies on harmful stereotypes and focuses more on “creating distracting headlines and settling old scores.”

“But, his imitation (even poorly executed) is the highest form of flattery,” spokesperson Tara Gallegos said in a statement, referring to the president calling for strategies already in use in California.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has also emphasized the importance of clean and orderly streets in banning homeless people from living in RVs and urging people to accept the city’s offers of shelter In Silicon Valley, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan recently pushed a policy change that makes a person eligible for jail if they reject three offers of shelter Trump’s executive order tasks Attorney General Pam Bondi and the secretaries for health, housing and transportation to prioritize grants to states and local governments that enforce bans on open drug use and street camping.

Devon Kurtz, the public safety policy director at the Cicero Institute, a conservative policy group that has advocated for several of the provisions of the executive order, said the organization is “delighted” by the order

golf, isn’t he?” said Merle Fertuson, a solo protester in Edinburgh holding a hand-drawn cardboard sign that featured a foolishly grinning Trump likeness in a tuxedo “It’s got nothing whatsoever to do with

public money either U.S. or U.K.”

Policing for Trump’s fourday visit to the U.K. in 2018 cost more than $19 million, according to Freedom of Information figures. That included more than $4 mil-

lion spent for his two-day golf trip to Turnberry, the historic course and hotel in southwest Scotland that he bought in 2014.

Police Scotland would not discuss how many officers were being deployed for operational reasons and only said the costs would be “considerable.”

“The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other U.K. police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements,” Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said the visit would not be detrimental to policing.

“It’s nonsensical to say it won’t impact it,” said David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, the officers’ union.

Kennedy said he expects about 5,000 officers to take part in the operation.

He said a force reduction in recent years has police working 12-hour shifts. Communities that are understaffed will be left behind with even fewer officers during Trump’s visit.

“We want the president of the United States to be able to come to Scotland. That’s not what this is about,” Kennedy said. “It’s the current state of the police service and the numbers we have causes great difficulty.”

The Stop Trump Scotland group has planned demonstrations Saturday in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries. The group encouraged people to “show Trump exactly what we think of him in Scotland.”

Trump should receive a much warmer welcome from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is expected to meet with him during the visit. Swinney, the leftleaning head of Scottish government and former Trump critic, also plans to meet with the president.

Ukraine says defenses holding against Russia’s push

BY HANNA ARHIROVA Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian forces are holding back Russia’s concerted summer push to break through defenses along parts of the front line, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.

“They are not advancing. It’s very tough for our guys out there. And it’s tough everywhere,” Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday, in comments embargoed till Friday “It’s also very hard for the Russians and that’s good for us.”

With the war now in its fourth year after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of its neighbor the effort is draining resources on both sides, although Russia has more resources and people to sustain its fight. Ukraine is seeking further support from Western partners.

Russia has claimed the capture of some villages and hamlets in recent weeks, but no defensively stronger urban areas have fallen to its troops.

BY ROBERT BARR Associated Press

LONDON Cleo Laine, whose husky contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz and who was regarded by many as Britain’s greatest contribution to the quintessentially American music, has died. She was 97.

The Stables, a charity and venue Laine founded with her late jazz musician husband John Dankworth, said Friday it was “greatly saddened” by the news that “one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away.”

Monica Ferguson, artis-

Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have repeatedly attempted to stage minor incursions near Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region to film symbolic footage, such as raising a Russian flag, but Ukrainian forces have repelled those efforts, Zelenskyy said.

“It happened five to seven times recently, sometimes with only two or six people. Once they tried to hold a po-

tic director of The Stables, said Laine “will be greatly missed, but her unique talent will always be remembered.”

Laine’s career spanned the Atlantic and crossed genres: She sang the songs of Kurt Weill, Arnold Schoenberg and Robert Schumann; she acted on stage and on film, and even played God in a production of Benjamin Britten’s “Noye’s Fludde.”

Laine’s life and art were intimately bound up with band leader Dankworth, who gave her a job and her stage name in 1951, and married her seven years later Both were still performing after

sition with 12 people — and all of them were eliminated by our defenders,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy described the situation in the northeastern Sumy border region as “much better” than in recent months, noting progress by Ukrainian forces over the past six weeks.

Russia has also intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, with the second-

their 80th birthdays. Dankworth died in 2010 at 82.

In 1997, Laine became the first British jazz artist to be made a dame, the female equivalent of a knight.

“It is British jazz that should have received the accolade for its service to me,” she said when the honor was announced. “It has given me a wonderful life, a successful career and an opportunity to travel the globe doing what I love to do.”

Laine was born Clementina Dinah Campbell in 1927 Her father, Alexander Campbell, was a Jamaican who loved opera and earned money during the Depres-

largest city Kharkiv struck with a powerful glide bomb for a second straight day Friday Seven people were injured, officials said. On Thursday, 42 were injured. Joyce Msuya, the United Nations’ deputy humanitarian chief, told the Security Council on Friday that Ukraine’s humanitarian situation is “deteriorating” due to expanding Russian attacks on civilian areas across the country

“There is no safe place left in Ukraine,” she said. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is working with international partners to secure 10 U.S.made Patriot air defense systems, which can shoot down missiles, with three already confirmed from Germany and Norway

The Trump administration will sell the systems, he said, but Ukraine’s task is to find funding for all 10. Each system costs more than $1 billion.

Ukraine is also seeking to obtain a license to manufacture the Patriot systems itself.

sion as a

spite

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALASTAIR GRANT

Police guard the Trump Turnberry golf course on Friday in Turnberry Scotland, ahead of President Trump’s visit to Scotland.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANDRII MARIENKO

Rescuers work Friday at a damaged hospital that was hit by a Russian bomb in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

street singer. De-

hard times, her British mother, Minnie, made sure that her daughter had piano, voice and dance lessons.

Tens of thousands flee as Thailand and Cambodia clash

The two countries have had long-running border dispute

BY JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI and SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press

SURIN,Thailand Tens of thousands of people sought refuge on Friday as border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered a second day, heightening fears of an extended conflict.

The U.N. Security Council was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later Friday in New York, while Malaysia, which chairs a regional bloc that includes both countries, called for an end to hostilities and offered to mediate.

The Thai Health Ministry on Friday said more than 58,000 have fled from villages to temporary

shelters in four affected border provinces, while Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people have evacuated from areas near the border

The latest flare-up in a long-running border dispute between the two countries has killed at least 19 people in Thailand — mostly civilians — while Cambodia confirmed its first fatality on Friday

Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Friday that Cambodia may be guilty of war crimes due to the deaths of civilians and damage caused to a hospital. He said Thailand had exercised the “utmost restraint and patience in the face of provocations and aggression” from Cambodia.

Tensions over a disputed border area erupted into fighting after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers on Wednesday

The Thai military reported clashes early Friday in multiple

with the Jan 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By HENG

Cambodians sit on a tractor as they take refuge in Wat Tham Kambar in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, on Friday as Thai and Cambodian soldiers clash along the border between their countries in a major escalation.

areas along the border, including near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple claimed by both sides. Associated Press reporters near the border could hear sounds of artil-

lery from early morning hours.

The Thai army said Cambodian forces had used heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket launchers, prompting what Thai officials described as “appropriate supporting fire” in return.

Thailand said six of its soldiers and 13 civilians were killed, including children, while 29 soldiers and 30 civilians were wounded.

Cambodia’s chief official in Oddar Meanchey province, Gen. Khov Ly said a man died Thursday after a Thai rocket hit a Buddhist pagoda where he was hiding. At least four civilians in the province were also wounded Thursday

The Cambodian Education Ministry claimed that on Friday two Thai rockets had hit a school compound in Oddar Meanchey but caused no injuries It said all schools in the province have been closed.

The Thai army denied it targeted civilian sites in Cambodia, and accused Cambodia of using “human

shields” by positioning their weapons near residential areas.

As the fighting intensified, villagers on both sides have been caught in the crossfire, leading many to flee.

Around 600 people took shelter at a gymnasium in a university in Surin, Thailand, about 50 miles from the border Evacuees sat in groups, on mats and blankets, and queued for food and drinks.

Seamstress Pornpan Sooksai was accompanied by four cats in two fabric carriers. She said she was doing laundry at her home near Ta Muen Thom temple when shelling began Thursday “I just heard, boom, boom. We already prepared the cages, clothes and everything, so we ran and carried our things to the car I was frightened, scared,” she recalled. Rattana Meeying, another evacuee, said she had also lived through the 2011 clashes between the two countries but described this flareup as worse.

Gov Jeff Landry and the Republican-controlled Legislature last year If no candidate wins more than 50% in the primary, which seems unlikely, the top two finishers would advance to a runoff held six weeks later

Election analysts believe that Cassidy will have enough stroke with voters to claim one of the top two spots. This means that Skrmetta is battling the two other Republican candidates — state Treasurer John Fleming and state Sen. Blake Miguez of New Iberia in what is essentially a primary within the primary for the right to face off against Cassidy in the runoff.

To be sure, Cassidy is running hard to win a third term. He has $8.7 million in campaign cash, and the Louisiana Freedom Fund, a super PAC supporting Cassidy, has an additional $2.1 million on hand, according to a spokesperson for the fund.

Cassidy is known statewide and is making every move possible to win over Trump and conservative voters.

“They all feel they have a shot at making the runoff. And if they do, they hope Donald Trump will back them against Cassidy,” said Ed Chervenak, a political scientist at the University of New Orleans. “The vote on impeachment by Cassidy is unifying the attacks against him.” Cassidy was one of seven Republicans who joined all Democrats in voting in 2021 to prohibit Trump from holding office again under an impeachment article that accused him of “inciting violence against the government of the United States”

GRANTS

Continued from page 1A

Last week, two-dozen Democrat-led states sued the federal government to restore the funding. Days later, 10 Republican senators — though none from Louisiana — wrote a letter urging the administration to release the funds.

Officials in the White House’s Office of Management and Budget had said they were reviewing the grants after alleging that some of the money had been misused to support immigrants in the country illegally or promote LGBTQ+

HEYMANN

Continued from page 1A

unlimited,” City Council member Kenneth Boudreaux said recently Bids were opened in June on the $4.68 million Phase 1, with Castle Row Construction of Lafayette awarded the job, according to Jamie Boudreaux, chief communications officer with LCG.

An amphitheater is the centerpiece for Phase 1, said Yancy LeGrande, LCG policy adviser Items associated with the amphitheater are included in the contract, such as a parking lot, parking for vendors and per-

Cassidy voted for Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, a measure that extends the president’s expiring tax cuts and partially pays for them by cutting Medicaid, the federal program that provides health care to the poor Last week, Cassidy’s communications team highlighted that Trump signed an anti-fentanyl bill sponsored by Cassidy and invited him to the bill signing at the White House, then invited Cassidy to the White House two days later for a dinner with Republican senators.

As of June 30, Fleming had $2.1 million on hand (including $2.5 million loaned by him to the campaign).

Miguez, who announced his candidacy only two weeks before the filing deadline for campaign finance reports, had $1.7 million (including a $1 million loan by him)

The winner of the Republican runoff will face off in

inclusion. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education said Friday that the budget office had completed its review and directed the Department of Education to release the funds, which will start flowing to states next week.

Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said he welcomed the Trump administration’s “deliberative review” of the grants, which he said would ensure federal dollars are used to promote student achievement.

November against the winner of the Democratic primary

Skrmetta’s announcement on Friday came three weeks later than his self-imposed deadline to make a decision, and it comes amid widespread speculation about whether U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, whose district stretches from Monroe to Baton Rouge, will also challenge Cassidy in the Republican primary She had $2.1 million.

What Skrmetta’s running on Skrmetta had been in the running for a spot on the five-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, but last week, the Trump administration filled the final position with David LaCerte, who worked for Trump during his first term and for then-Gov Bobby Jindal before that.

Skrmetta released a campaign video on Friday that was produced by veteran Jefferson Parish-based media consultant Greg Buisson. In it, viewers see images of the 2024 Republican National Convention, where Skrmetta led the Louisiana delegation.

“Eric trumpeted making America great again,” an announcer says. “Now he’s ready to help push President Trump’s agenda in Washington.”

Skrmetta, 67, graduated from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, from LSU and from Southern University’s law school. He has a master’s in law from Tulane.

A longtime mediator and

“We welcome the latest allocation of resources and will keep school systems updated as they prepare for the year ahead,” he said in a statement.

In St. Tammany Parish, the school district had postponed some teacher trainings this month after the grants were frozen. Officials also were scrambling to replace federal dollars that covered some employee salaries.

On Friday, Superintendent Frank Jabbia said he was stunned and relieved to learn the funding had been restored.

“We are extremely happy,” he said. “Getting this really helps us to get back on track.”

Email Patrick Wall at patrick.wall@theadvocate. com.

member of the Republican State Central Committee, Skrmetta lost two races to the state House from Metairie, in 1999 and 2003.

He was elected to one of the five Public Service Commission seats in 2008.

In 2014, he narrowly won reelection over an opponent who said that Skrmetta too often voted with the interests of the public utilities that the commission regulates, at the expense of consumers. Skrmetta was elected to a third and final six-year term in 2020. He cannot seek reelection in 2026.

“After years of standing up to mega-corporations to protect consumers, I am ready to take the battle to the Beltway,” he said.

Pro-consumer groups however, say he hasn’t been an ally

“He has accepted lots and lots of money from utility interests, and he has voted for pretty much every rate increase that a utility has brought before the commis-

sion,” said Daniel Tait, research and communications director for the Energy & Policy Institute, a national group.

Skrmetta represents a district drawn by the Legislature to elect a Republican. It includes St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Helena parishes and Whitemajority parts of Orleans Jefferson, Livingston and St. Charles parishes.

It nearly overlaps with the same boundaries for U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, RJefferson, but the Public Service Commission district is larger because there are five commissioners versus six members in the congressional delegation.

Skrmetta has the advantage of being the only Republican Senate candidate who has metro New Orleans as his voting base.

Another candidate is Sammy Wyatt, who is the chief compliance officer and investigation officer for LSU Health-Shreveport. He had

$22,000 on hand. Decades ago, the Public Service Commission launched the political careers of such governors as Huey Long, Jimmie Davis and John McKeithen. But the last PSC member elected to statewide office was Kathleen Blanco, as lieutenant governor in 1995. She was elected governor eight years later Scott Angelle, a Republican PSC member, ran for governor in 2015 and finished third in the primary Foster Campbell, a Democrat who has represented northwest Louisiana on the PSC since his election in 2002, ran for the U.S. Senate in 2016 but was trounced by U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican.

“If you can get the money it’s a good place to be because you’re helping people all the time, or you should be,” Campbell said.

Email Tyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate. com.

formers, restrooms and a vendor pavilion, he said An existing baseball field at Heymann Park will be eliminated with the construction of the amphitheater

Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, LeGrande said, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, depending on state approval of funding in the Capital Outlay process. Funding is coming from State Capital Outlay local sales tax revenue and bond sale proceeds, he said.

Boudreaux said he expects LCG officials to press forward and see the Heymann Park improvements through to completion, operating the park complex “with community first in mind, focusing on participation and access to park amenities.”

Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@theadvocate.com.

Officials hope additional improvements will be made to Heymann Park “Additional enhancements are desired at Heymann Park to upgrade existing facilities and access, with a goal of upgrading the park and better connecting it to the communities around it,” LeGrande said. “These improvements have not been fully engineered and are dependent upon future funding.”

SINITH

PLANTS

from

alleged the exemptions would lead to more death for people in communities in the Mississippi River industrial corridor.Lavigne had attended the ceremony in Washington to introduce the newrule

“When we signed that HON rule, we had hope that our community would be able to start to live again,” she said. “Why would they take away this HON rule? It doesn’tmake sense forusto go backwards instead of forward.”

One Louisiana industry group said, however,that the exemptions simply offered companies time to comply without forcing shutdowns, supply disruptions andjob impacts.

The rules, they said, posed difficult technical challenges and didn’t offerrealistic timelines to accomplish them when “thereare simply not enough contractors or equipment currently availableto facilitate this nationwide manufacturing effort.”

“And while our members are making strides to meet these requirements, time is needed for facilities to implementsolutions safely and effectively without jeopardizing public safety,” said David Cresson, president of the Louisiana Chemical Association.

Twonational industrytrade groups had asked the White House for ablanket exemption for all theirmembers, documents show, which Trump hasn’tgranted. But some companies also filed their own individual exemptions, including Dow Chemical and its subsidiary Union Carbide Corp., in Texas and Louisiana. At Dow in Plaquemine,for example, the company told theEPA that it would take up to three years to design and build new controls for small emissions of ethyleneoxide from wastewater at its Glycol II unit.

In aMarch 31 exemption request, Dow officials saidthe unit makes ethylene oxide, whichis used as amedical sterilizer but also an important additive in U.S. government jet fuel and aircraft deicing fluids. The company said it would have to shut the unit to meet the current deadline in thesecond half of 2026.

In astatement, Dow officials said thenew exemptionsfor Dowand Union Carbide, which they termed

deadline “extensions,” are “appropriateand necessarytoaddress technical challenges andtoensure the continuedsafeand efficient operationofthese facilities.”

“Safety and integrity are at the core of bothcompanies’operations, and they remain dedicated to reducing ethylene oxide emissions to levels that meet or exceed federal and state regulations,” said Glynna Mayers, aDow spokeswoman.

OfficialswithDenkaPerformance Elastomer,which ceased operations in May due to market conditions,escalating costsand theburdenofcomplying with new regulations, welcomedthe exemption but saidthey were continuing their shutdownprocess.

“Wecontinue to safely transition thefacility to amothballstatus while exploring allavailable options for the future of the site, including asaleofthe facility,” officials said in astatement

Biden’s then-EPAadministrator, Michael Regan, had formally proposed therules alittle more than twoyears agoinfront of thethen still-operating Denka complexnear LaPlace.

At thetime,the Biden administration was making apushtorein in pollution for fence-line com-

munities and raise the profile of environmentaljustice questions thathave swirledfor yearsaround those areas with alargely minority makeup.

Leading up to thateffort,over thepast 15 years, EPAscientists hadlearned that ethyleneoxide and chloroprene, an emission tied to neoprene production at Denka, were far more potent than earlier understood. Ethylene oxide has been classified as acarcinogen and chloroprene as likely carcinogenic.

The new requirementsRegan adopted would cut combined emissions of morethan 100 toxic chemicals,including ethylene oxide and chloroprene,by6,200 tonsper year

Those changesalone were expected to reduce long-term cancer risk from toxic emissions by 96% for fence-line communities, the EPA said last year

Therulewould havealso cuta different class of emissions that contribute to smog, known as volatile organic compounds, by 23,000 tonsper year,generatinganestimated $767 million in savings through 2038 fromreduced health impacts duetoshort- andlong-term exposure, EPAdocuments say. Coming into office this year after hammering the former administra-

tion over what he calledeconomically disruptive regulatoryoverreach, Trump,through his EPA head, hasalready madesweeping moves.Hehas aimed to eliminate theconsiderationofthe environmental justiceinregulatory decisions and taken steps to cut EPA’s science and environmental justice arms Alongwith the push to roll back regulations, hisadministration hopestospur what it calls the “Great American Comeback.”

‘Buyingenoughtime’

Nicholas Bryner,anLSU environmental lawprofessor,said Trump has the powerunderthe Clean Air Act to issue the two-year exemptions. Butarguing that the technology doesn’texist and that U.S. nationalsecurity interests are implicated is a“pretty tough standard” to meet,hesaid. He said he expected the exemptions to face lawsuits. Adam Kron, supervising senior attorney with environmental group Earthjustice, saidhesees theexemptions as an interim step in eventually doing away with the regulations, pointing to similar moves related to coal-fired power plants.

LOUISIANA

PLANTS RECEIVING TWO-YEAR BREAK ON NEW AIR CONTROLS

n BASF Corp. —Geismar and North Geismarfacilities.

n CITGO Petroleum Corp. —refinery in LakeCharles.

n Denka Performance Elastomer LLC —closedneoprene production plant in LaPlace

n DuPont Specialty ProductsUSA LLC —Pontchartrain chemicals sitein LaPlace

n The DowChemicalCo. —Glycol II unit in Plaquemine.

n Formosa Plastics Corp. Louisiana operations.

n Rubicon LLC —Geismar chemical complex.

n Sasol Chemicals LLC —chemical complexinLakeCharles.

n ShellChemicalLP— Geismar chemicalplant.

n Total EnergiesPetrochemicals & Refining USA —Polystyreneplant in Carville

n Union Carbide Corp./TheDow Chemical Co.— Hahnville complex.

n WestlakeVinylsLLC/Westlake Corp. —Fivefacilities, at least some of which are in the LakeCharlesarea Unclear if Geismaroperation affected.

“It’sbasically the same goal, whichis, you know,buying enough time to roll back these rules,” Kron said.

The Biden EPAestimated the HON rule’ssuite of control improvements and fence-line monitoring requirements would have cost industries $1.8 billion through 2038, regulatory filings say.The EPAarguedthatwouldn’tposea big impact to company bottom lines or supply chains.

The agency estimated in regulatory filings then that thechanges would have boosted the cost of key products from those industries by one-tenth to one-half of apercent and caused generally minimalsupply disruptions due to costs representing less than 1% of the multinationals’ annual sales.

David J. Mitchellcan be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

The BASF facility in Geismar is one of the plants to receiveatwo-year

Swamp pop musician McLain dies at 85

He was one of highest-charting genre pioneers

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

Tommy McLain, one of Louisi-

ana’s swamp pop pioneers, has died. He started playing at the vanguard of the genre in the 1950s, when Louisiana musicians like Abbeville’s Warren Storm and Rayne’s Johnnie Allen helped create a style that incorporated country, R&B and the traditional sounds of Louisiana French music.

According to a statement prepared by his family, McLain died Thursday at the age of 85.

“He was a beloved father, grandfather and friend. He will be deeply missed, but the music

he made will live on in the hearts and minds of his fans, friends and family It will be his legacy.”

McLain was born in Jonesville in Catahoula Parish, and in the 1950s and ’60s, he was a member of country band The VelTones and Cajun swamp pop and soul group The Boogie Kings.

McLain’s biggest single, country ballad “Sweet Dreams” by songwriter Don Gibson, hit the No. 15 spot on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary charts in 1966.

Swamp pop’s popularity declined in the 1960s, but it has retained a strong fan base, particularly as Cajun and zydeco musicians have found success in marketing the region’s sounds. Lafayette musicians Zachary Richard and C.C. Adcock are two of the best-known swamp pop-influenced players today, and McLain and Adcock played together on tours around the world

— most recently in a performance at House of Blues New Orleans in May Elvis Costello was one of McLain’s fans. The pair began recording and playing together after they met in New Orleans in 2010, and electrified audiences when McLain joined Costello’s performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2022. McLain’s career spanned 70 years, and much of his accolades and notoriety came later in life. He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2022, at the age of 82, he released the album “I Ran Down Every Dream,” which featured musical heavyweights like Costello, Warren Storm and Louisiana’s Steve Riley

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

JUST ROLL WITH IT

LSU arena may hinge on tax deal Governments might

give up collections near site

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

A deal discussed to build a new LSU arena would hinge on both the Metro Council and university officials agreeing to let the developer involved in it tap sales tax revenue related to the project, documents show A draft agreement from November, obtained through a public records request, calls for local and state government to give up sales tax collections generated in and nearby the arena.

Lafayette

BY KRISTIN ASKELSON Staff writer

Up until Thursday night, Lafayette native Lauren Domingue had been playing the middle of the road on season 27 of “Big Brother.” Her subtle approach may be over Domingue, a 22-year-old bridal consultant won the head of household competition Thursday That gives her immunity from eviction and gives her power in the house. She is currently deliberating over who to nominate as the next guest to be removed. In essence, Domingue’s head-of-household win shifts the dynamics in the house, forcing her to be at the center of the action and make difficult deci-

Baton Rouge would “rebate” 2 cents of sales tax and the state 2 to 4 cents. The rebate would go to Oak View Group, the company that is the sole finalist to build the new arena. In the deal’s term sheet draft, Oak View Group acknowledged the Tiger Athletic Foundation — a nonprofit supporting LSU athletics that is shepherding the arena project — has no authority to force government officials to rebate those taxes. But it says “this requirement shall be a condition to the closing.”

It’s not clear how much taxpayer money that deal would entail or if the terms of the agreement have changed in the months since that draft circulated.

sions about who to target. So far, Domingue has formed an alliance with Vince Panaro and Zach Cornell, and they were supportive and excited about her win.

There was also speculation that her win could ba ck fi re and put a target on her back. In a preseason interview, Domingue said, “I’m a super competitive person and I’ve been loving ‘Big Brother’ for as long as I can remember I don’t think Big Brother has seen someone who is a super

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD KEMP

Acadiana Roller Derby jammer StunFlower, center, tries to break through the block of JXN Roller Derby players during their match at Blackham Coliseum on July 19 in Lafayette.

Acadiana Roller Derby jammer StunFlower, right, is knocked down by JXN Roller Derby blocker Trade?, left, July 19 in Lafayette.

Acadiana Roller Derby player Frisky Risky slaps hands with players from JXN Roller Derby before the match July 19 at Blackham Coliseum.

Domingue

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Elvis Costello, left, sings with guest performer Tommy McLain, right, on the Gentilly Stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2022.

Continued from page1B

LSU officials have previously emphasized that no deal has been finalized.

LSUofficials didnot respond to multiple requests forcomment on the status of the deal or the arena project in general. The proposed arena has been under increased scrutiny since Oak View Group’sCEO, TimLeiweke, was indicted on federalcharges in Texas earlierthismonth. He has since stepped down from that position. Authorities say Leiweke rigged the bidding process to develop the Moody Center at the University of Texas at Austin—anarena that has inspired the new facility in Baton Rouge.

LSU officials saidafter news broke about the indictment that they have paused work on the project to evaluate thepotential impact of thecriminal case against Leiweke.

On Monday,Leiweke appeared in U.S. District Court in Austin, where he pleadednot guiltyand was released on a$1million bond.

Arebate of the cityparish’ssales tax revenue would require Metro Council approval.The new arena would be located in council member Carolyn Coleman’sDistrict 10.

Coleman says it is premature to comment on the proposed arena and tax deal, but added she considers anew facility a“transformational project” that needs to go through the proper channels at LSU before the council weighs in.

“Wedon’tknow it in its total entirety,” Coleman said, though she acknowledged “it could require city and state funds, and Idon’twant to throw that out the window.” In an emailed statement, Mayor-President Sid Edwards also declined to take aposition on the deal butsaid he is “confident that LSU’sleadership and all stakeholders will be transparentand do the right thing.”

“I ranfor officetomake Baton Rouge asafer and cleaner city —and I’ll continue to ensure that tax dollarsare invested in away that prioritizes those two goals,” Edwards said. “UntilLSU proposes an actual deal, it’spremature to take a position on it.”

In an April 16 email to severalpeople involved in the deal, Charles Landry —aprominent land-use attorney who has played acentral role in negotiations —expressed confidencethe city-parish would approve the deal. Landry noted that he helpedfacilitatecouncil approval for similar tax distribution agreements for ExxonMobil’splant in North BatonRouge and the new Amazon distribution center on Florida Boulevard.

“For what it’sworth, Idonot see the rebate of sales and use tax by the City Parish as apolitical issue whatsoever,” Landry wrote to other attorneys involved in the deal. “I gotthis done for Amazon and for projects and Exxon. Ihave already spoken to 11 of the council members who support this rebate.” Landry declined to comment this week on the arena proposal. In 2023, the Legislature created aspecial taxing district, the LSU Economic Development District, whichplans to levy a1-cent tax near the stadium. In May,Landry said asmaller subdistrict will also levy a1-cent sales tax at the site of the arena. Those taxes are in addition to existing state and local sales taxes already in place.

Email Patrick SloanTurneratpatrick.sloanturner@theadvocate. com.

WWI hero’s name will be on Exchange

Johnson’sname removedfromfort afterreversal

BY JENNA ROSS Staff writer

The fort will no longerbe named after Sgt. William Henry Johnson. Instead, a building will bear his name.

Weeks after Fort Johnson became Fort Polk once again, amajor building at thefort in Vernon Parish wasnamed after Johnson, a Black World WarIhero.

“The Exchange is the heart of our installation —a place where soldiers, families, retirees and veterans gather,” Fort Polk leaders posted on Facebook after the Thursdayceremony.“It now stands as adaily reminder of Sgt. Johnson’slegacy:servicebefore self and unwaveringcommitment to those beside you.”

Johnson, amember of the 369thInfantryRegiment, known as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” was posthumously awardeda Purple Heartin 1996, the Distinguished ServiceCross in 2002 and the MedalofHonor in2015. Twoyears after thestate’s largestmilitaryinstallation

At aceremonythis

shedits Confederate namesake and honored Johnson instead,President Trump announced the reversal of severalbasenames changed across thecountry.But now, theold name refers to anew person: Gen. James H. Polk, awarded the Silver Star for

his World WarIIservice.

Butofficials pledged to honorJohnson in another way. TheExchange is amall, aspokespersonsaid, with stores and afood court.

“I’m very happy with the leadership andthe staff at FortPolk,” Johnson’sgrand-

daughter Tara Johnson said by phoneFriday, pausing before the fort’sname. “That’s kind of still hard for me to say “After removing him from the installation, Ican’tthink of abetter place for him to be.”

When something is taken from you, “it’s notagood feeling,”she continued. But at the renaming ceremony in 2023, the staff “made us feel part of the family,” a feeling that continues today, she said. “And Ithank them forthat.”

Founded in the early 1940s, the fort originally bore the nameofLeonidas Polk, aConfederate general, slave owner and Louisiana’s first Episcopal bishop. The name change in 2023 was part of abroader effort, required by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021,toremove thenames of Confederates from military facilities. Butthe Trump administration has worked to reverse those changes. To get around the law,anew batch of people withthe same last names as the original Confederates are honored.

La.nativetakes over N.O. CorpsofEngineers

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

ALouisiana nativeformallytook command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New Orleans district on Friday,assuming acrucial job at achallenging moment while declaring he still bleeds purple and gold “with alittle bitofgumbo” despite acareer of globe-trotting. Col.ScottyAutin will command adistrict with around 1,100staff and one of the largest civil works programs in the nation, overseeing projects vital to Louisianafrom dredging at the mouth of theMississippi River to leveeconstruction andhome elevations. Buthe takes chargewith PresidentDonald Trump’s administrationpursuing deep cutsacross government, includingatthe Corps of Engineers. The Houma native willhaveto navigate thecomplex layersofpoliticsinLouisiana —where pressing theCorps to move quickly on flood

controlprojectshas long been a tradition —inaddition to theturbulenceinWashington. UnderTrump’s presidencysofar,the district has said it is losing around 80 of its1,160 employees, while a“mega-study” on thefuture of thelower Mississippi River has been paused due to lack of funding. Friday’sceremony at the Corps’ headquarters along the riverinuptown New Orleans provided abrief momentofcelebration, allowing friends, family andstate officials to revel in the rare occurrenceofa Louisianan taking the reins. Corps officialscould notimmediatelyrecall the last time that had happened. He replaces Col. Cullen Jones, a Delaware native heading to Washingtonafter his three-year stint in New Orleans.Hewill serve as director of theOffice of the Chief of Engineers at thePentagon. Autin used his speech to trace his family’s deep local roots, beginning around the time the Cajuns fledNova Scotia, bound for Louisiana. An ancestor left in acanoein 1750 and landed “20miles west of thisvery spot,” he said. Hisgreatgreat-grandfather became thefirst president of theHouma Chamber

of Commerce, fighting with others to getthe Houma NavigationChannel built

“WhenI say that south Louisiana has made me everything that Iam, I’m genuine in that assertion,” said Autin, aWest Point and Columbia Universitygrad. “I look forward to saying thatIamhome. My family is home, and we are honored and proud to be here.”

Hisreturn to Louisiana follows a longsojourn in alist of locations, including Iraq andAfghanistan. He also deployed to Louisiana and Mississippi as part of the Corps’ Hurricane Katrina response,and was most recently basedinthe Netherlands in arole working with NATO. Maj. Gen. Kimberly Peeples, who commands the Corps’ Mississippi Valley Division, noted that the New Orleans district handles one of the Corps’ “largest and most complex portfolios,” worth more than$1billion annually.And she lauded Jones for his management of it during the past three years. It is difficult to overstatethe Corps’ importancetoLouisiana,illustrated catastrophically by the devastatinglevee failures during Katrina in 2005. The Corps has since

built a$14.5 billion levee, pumpand floodwallsystemtoreplace it,seen as avastimprovement over what crumbled during the storm

But beyond flood protection, the Corps also ensures that globalshipping on the Mississippi River continues with avast dredging program while fighting saltwater intrusion fromthe Gulf, amongmanyother tasks across the state, from Cameron Parish to St. Tammany and beyond. Autin appeared ready to dive in while preparing his family forwhat wastocome. He had amessage for his three children as he takes up the role as the 66th commander in the district’smore than 200-yearhistory

“Buckle up and get ready for some great food,some thrilling football, pterodactyl mosquitoes and redefining your definition of hot and humid,” he said. “You’re going to have agreat timehere.”

Email Mike Smithatmsmith@ theadvocate.com or followhim on Twitter,@MikeJSmith504. Hiswork is supported witha grant from the Walton Family Foundation,administered by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

Lawsuitalleges ElaynHuntinmatewas beaten

Officers dragged, injured man, suit says

BYHALEY MILLER Staff writer

Agroup of correctional officers allegedly beat an inmate who was in handcuffs atthe Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St.Gabriel in September 2024, with one officer yelling racial slurs and another looking for a“blindspot” outofreach of the securitycameras, according to a lawsuit filed by theimprisoned man in June.

The lawsuit said theman who was incarcerated, Torrance Verdin,suffered torn ligaments in his leg, as wellasneck, head,back and shoulder injuries from theincident. “Torrance Verdin was on the ground in full restraints andunable to flee or attack anyone,” thepetition

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states. “He posed no danger,while being beaten by ranking officers.”

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections declined to commentonthe lawsuit. However,aSept. 26 news release from the department acknowledged an investigation intoan“alleged inappropriate use of force incident” over the previousweekendand announced that EHCC head warden Donnie Bordelon and acorrectional officer had been suspended.

DOCcommunicationsdirector TiffanyDickersonsaidon We dnesday tha tB or delon wasplacedonleave,pending investigation, during that time and “voluntarily demoted.”

Verdin sued thestate of Louisiana through theDOC andfourindividual employees. He continuestobeheld at Elayn Hunt, his attorney said. The alleged battery appears to have started over atablet device.

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According to thelawsuit,on Sept.21, Verdin wasinside the prison dorm, holding atablet. Lt. Charles Creel, named as adefendant, asked to see thedevice, prompting Verdin to run into the recreationyard, lie on the ground and cover his head with his hands.

Verdin alleged that Creel and a visiting female officerjumpedon hisback and restricted his ability to breathe.Creel put Verdin in restraintsand started leading him out of the recreation yard, according to thelawsuit. He allegedlyasked another officer aboutwhere to finda “blind spot.”

According to the petition, Verdin began pleading forhis life, to which an officertold him to “shut thef*** up”and “you must notloveyour life.”

Creel allegedly slammed Verdin’s face into the concrete walk while other officers joined in on the beat-

2000. Contestants have to use gameplay strategies andpersonal connections to avoid getting voted out of thehouse, with the goal of being thelast houseguest

ing, withone reported as shouting aracial slur.TheydraggedVerdin “likearag doll” down the walk,according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleges there was an attempted cover-up involving former warden Bordelon.

Verdin experienced ongoing leg andshoulderpainand emotional distress fromthe incident, according to the lawsuit.

His attorney Donna Grodnersaid it wasa violationofVerdin’scivil rights under the Eighth Amendment, and that Louisiana state law prohibits corporal punishment in the discipline of inmates.

“They don’tallowcorrectional officers to meteout their own punishment, like, ‘Hey,you’re abad person, so I’m going to kick you in the teeth,’”Grodner said.

Email HaleyMillerathaley miller@theadvocate.com.

standing after 14 weeksof competition.

Email Kristin Askelsonat kaskelson@theadvocate. com.

PROVIDED PHOTO Sgt. WilliamHenryJohnson

PHOTO PROVIDED By U.S. ARMy JRTC AND FORT POLK

week, FortPolk honored its former namesake, Sgt. WilliamHenry Johnson, aBlack hero of WorldWar I.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Britain, India seal trade agreement

LONDON The prime ministers of Britain and India sealed a hard-wrought trade agreement on Thursday that will slash tariffs on products including Scotch whisky and English gin shipped to India and Indian food and spices sent to the U.K.

Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi met at Chequers, the British leader’s official country residence outside London where the U.K. and Indian trade ministers, Jonathan Reynolds and Piyush Goyal, formally signed the agreement.

Starmer said it was “the biggest and most economically significant trade deal” Britain has made since leaving the European Union in 2020.

Modi said it was “a historic day in our bilateral relations.”

Alongside the agreement, the two countries announced almost $8 billion in trade and investment deals in areas including AI, aerospace and dairy products, and pledged to work more closely together in areas such as defense, migration, climate and health.

The trade agreement between India and Britain, the world’s fifth- and sixth-largest economies, was announced in May, more than three years after negotiations started, and stalled, under Britain’s previous Conservative government. It still must be ratified by Britain’s Parliament.

Australia to reduce U.S. beef import restrictions

MELBOURNE, Australia Australia announced it will reduce restrictions on U.S. beef imports in a move President Donald Trump’s administration claimed as a major victory over “nonscientific trade barriers.”

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Thursday that relaxing the restrictions designed to keep Australia free of mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, would not compromise biosecurity

“Australia stands for open and free trade — our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this,” Collins said in a statement.

Trump celebrated the announcement with a post on Truth Social that said: “Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that U.S. Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Brooke L. Rollins responded to Australia’s announcement by congratulating Trump on a “major trade breakthrough that gives greater access to U.S. beef producers selling to Australia.”

Meta will cease political ads in EU

LONDON Facebook and Ins-

tagram owner Meta said Friday that it will stop all political advertising in the European Union by October, blaming legal uncertainty over new rules designed to increase transparency in election campaigns. The social media giant said in a blog post that it will no longer allow ads for political, electoral and social issues on its platforms, which also include Threads, starting in early October.

The company said it was making the decision because of the 27-nation EU’s “unworkable” Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising regulations

The rules introduce “significant operational challenges and legal uncertainties,” Meta said It’s not the first Big Tech company to make such a move. Google said last year that it would stop serving EU users political ads before the rules take effect, in an announcement that cited similar reasons. Under the regulations, which are set to take effect on Oct. 10, platforms will have to label political ads, disclosing who paid for them, and what campaign, referendum or legislative process they’re connected to.

Nvidia’s $4.24 trillion.

BY BARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writer

Intel Corp is shedding thousands of workers and cutting expenses as its new CEO works to revive the fortunes of the struggling chipmaker that helped launch Silicon Valley but has fallen behind rivals like Nvidia Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

In a memo to employees Thursday, CEO Lip-Bu Tan said Intel plans to end the year with 75,000 “core” workers excluding subsidiaries, through layoffs and at-

trition. That’s down from 99,500 core employees at the end of last year The company previously announced a 15% workforce reduction.

“I know the past few months have not been easy We are making hard but necessary decisions to streamline the organization, drive greater efficiency and increase accountability at every level of the company,” Tan wrote.

In addition, Intel will scrap previously planned projects in Germany and Poland and also move assembly and test operations in Costa Rica to larger sites in Vietnam and Malaysia. Costa Rica will remain a “home to key engineering teams and corporate func-

tions,” Tan said in the memo. In the U.S., the company said it will “further” slow construction of a semiconductor plant in Ohio. Founded in 1968 at the start of the PC revolution, Intel missed the technological shift to mobile computing triggered by Apple’s 2007 release of the iPhone, and it’s lagged more nimble chipmakers. Intel’s troubles have been magnified since the advent of artificial intelligence — a booming field where the chips made by once-smaller rival Nvidia have become tech’s hottest commodity

The Santa Clara, Californiabased company’s market cap was $98.71 billion as of the market close on Thursday, compared with

Tan said Intel is focusing on its “core product portfolio” and artificial intelligence offerings to better serve customers.

“There are no more blank checks,” Tan wrote. “Every investment must make economic sense.” For the second quarter, Intel reported a loss of

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK U.S. stocks capped another strong week with more records on Friday

The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to set an all-time high, the fifth time it did so this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 208 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to its own record set the day before.

Deckers, the company behind Ugg boots and Hoka shoes, jumped 11.3% after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected. Its growth was particularly strong outside the United States, where revenue soared nearly 50%.

Edwards Lifesciences rose 5.5% after likewise topping Wall Street’s expectations for profit in the latest quarter It said it saw strength across all its product groups, and it expects profit for the full year to come in at the high end of the forecasted range it had given earlier

They helped offset a drop of 8.5% for Intel, which fell after reporting a loss for the latest quarter, when analysts were looking for a profit. Intel, which helped launch Silicon Valley as the U.S technology hub, has fallen behind rivals like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices while demand for artificial intelligence chips soars.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 25.29 points to 6,388.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 208.01 to 44,901.92, and the Nasdaq composite added 50.36 to 21,108.32.

The pressure is on companies to deliver solid growth in profits in order to justify big gains for their stock prices, which have rallied to record after record in recent weeks. Wall Street has zoomed higher on hopes that President Donald Trump will reach trade deals with other countries that will lower his stiff proposed tariffs, along with the risk that they could cause a recession and drive up inflation. Trump has recently announced deals with Japan and the Philippines, and the next big deadline is looming on Aug. 1

Besides potential trade talks, next week will also feature a meeting by the Federal Reserve on interest rates Trump again on Thursday lobbied the Fed to cut rates, which he has implied could save the U.S. government money on its debt repayments

BY RAÚL MENDOZA and ISABEL MATEOS Associated Press

CINTALAPA, Mexico With Mexican cattle again barred this month from entry to the United States over fears of spreading a flesheating parasite, ranchers and veterinarians in Mexico hundreds of miles from the border are fighting what has U.S. agricultural authorities so on edge. In the southern state of Chiapas, which borders Guatemala, the New World screwworm fly’s rapid spread appears to have caught most ranchers off guard, despite memories of previous outbreaks in the 1980s and 1990s. Mexico is building a plant with U.S. support in Chiapas to produce sterile flies, which have proved effective at stopping the spread, but it won’t be ready until next year

Meanwhile, the price of medicines used to treat livestock infected with the screwworm have soared in price. That has led some to fall back on

Fed Chair Jerome Powell, though, has continued to insist he wants to wait for more data about how Trump’s tariffs affect the economy and inflation before the Fed makes its next move. Lower interest rates can help goose the economy, but they can also give inflation more fuel.

Lower rates also may not lower the U.S. government’s costs to borrow money, if the bond market feels they could send inflation higher in the future. In that case, lower short-term rates brought by the Fed could actually have the opposite effect and make it more expensive for Washington to borrow money over the long term.

The widespread expectation on Wall Street is that the Fed will wait until September to resume cutting interest rates.

In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following Trump’s latest attempt to push Powell to cut interest rates. Trump also seemed to back off on threats to fire the Fed’s chair

“To do that is a big move, and I don’t think that’s necessary,” Trump said “I just want to see one thing happen, very simple: Interest rates come down.”

If Trump fired Powell, he’d risk a freakout in financial markets by raising the possibility of a less independent Fed, one unable to make unpopular choices necessary to keep the economy healthy

The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.38% from 4.43% late Thursday The twoyear Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for what the Fed will do, held steady at 3.91%.

In stock markets abroad indexes slipped across much of Europe and Asia.

Stocks fell 1.1% in Hong Kong and 0.3% in Shanghai. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he will meet with Chinese officials in Sweden next week to work toward a trade deal with Beijing ahead of an Aug. 12 deadline. Trump has said a China trip “is not too distant” as trade tensions ease.

home remedies like applying gasoline or lime to open wounds to coax out the worms. In addition to the cost of the medicine, treatment requires careful monitoring and usually involves multiple courses. Any open wound,

even very small ones, are an invitation to the fly to lay its eggs. Veterinarian Alfredo Chávez left Chiapas to study in 1989, so he says he missed seeing the effects of that outbreak, but now he’s seen cases multiply in his corner of the

state over the past month. He’s heard of dozens of cases in the area now and treated about a dozen himself. It’s not just cows either — sheep, pigs, cats and dogs are targets as well.

Armed with a pair of blue tweezers and an aerosol spray that helps draw the maggots out, Chávez moves from animal to animal. He puts maggots in plastic tubes as samples, which he provides to agricultural authorities. But beyond providing the tubes and encouraging ranchers to report cases, he said that the government hasn’t provided much help. “We’ve faced it alone,” he said Wednesday

The U.S. had just gradually started to reopen the border to cattle imports this month after an earlier suspension in May, when the Trump administration said that it would close it again after an infected animal was found in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz. While prevalent in Central America, the concern is that the fly is moving north.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ASISABEL MATEOS

Alfredo Chávez, a cattle rancher and livestock technician, shows New World screwworm larvae removed from a cow at his ranch in Chiapas, Mexico.

OPINION

Handicapping possible Democraic presidential hopefuls

Please forgiveme. Iknow thelastpresidential election was only eight months ago, and you may not have gotten over it yet. But the next one fires up in 2027, and that’snot far away.Soready or not, it’stime to handicap possible candidates. We’ll start with Democrats who may seek their party’snomination. Later,we’ll look at Republicans.

Faucheux

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, 60. Strengths: Name recognition, career experience, ran three times for national office.Weaknesses: Lackluster performance as VP,inability to handle tough issues. Even with aunited party and lots of money, couldn’tbeat aconvicted felon. RestlessDemocrats may want astronger messenger,somebodynot so closely tied toJoe Biden.Harrismay run for governor of California instead.

Gov.GretchenWhitmer of Michigan, 46. Strengths: Twice elected governor of a vitalswing state; focused on practical accomplishments: roads,schools, water systems, taxcuts andeconomic development.Good debater May be acceptable to awide swath of Democrats. Supposedly Barack Obama’schoice in 2024. Weaknesses: Has never run nationally.Tough pandemic restraints led toan initiative curbing her emergency powers.

Gov.Wes MooreofMaryland, 46.Strengths: New face, good publicspeaker,Rhodes scholar,studied international relations. Army captain, 82nd Airborne. Former investment banker. First African American governor of Maryland; slogan “work, wages and wealth.” Seen as acomer by party bigwigs. Weaknesses: Lacks national recognition, won only oneelection —ina solidly blue state Pennsylvania Gov.Josh Shapiro, 52. Strengths: Smart, driven, knows how to argue a case,moderatetemperament. If he can carry his home state in apresidential election,his jobfor the Democrats is more thanhalf done. Weaknesses: Harris was reportedly putoff by his know-it-all attitude(althoughplenty of Democrats wishedshe hadpicked him for VP). Progressives aren’t excited by hiscentristslant; Pro-Palestinians frownonhis support for Israel.

Gov.Gavin Newsom of California, 57. Strengths: Smart telegenic, skillful campaigner Had to win three statewide elections toget —and keep —the governorship of the nation’slargest state and did so by landslides. Wants White House more than anybody Hishome state willhave a boatload of delegates at the Democratic convention. He’s trying to redefine progressivism to better fit swing-voter needs.Weaknesses:Slick smooth, may be too Hollywood for working-class America.

Ro Khanna, U.S. representative from California, 48. Strengths: Articulate, smart, champion of theparty’s left flank. Parentsimmigrated from India. Lawyer,intellectual propertyexpert; worked in Obama’s commerce department. Techies likehim. Could inherit Bernie Sanders’ organization,which would beabig deal. Weaknesses: Not well known, maybe too progressive.Would have to fight for home state delegates if Newsom and/or Harris runs.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. representativefrom New York,35. Strengths: Young, progressive, working-class background, strong populist appeal, next-gen champ Polls well; already anational money-raisingmachine. Weaknesses: Tooyoung, too farleft; Democratic prosfear she’d bring down theparty Could run,instead, for Chuck Schumer’sSenate seat

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 43. Strengths:Sound-bitewhiz, highlyintelligent, military experience. Impressiveperformance as 2020 presidential candidate; nearly tied Sanders for first place in Iowa and New Hampshire. Weaknesses: Performance as aBiden cabinetmember thickened his resume, but tough spotsinthat job may have taken thebloom off therose.

Gov.Andy Beshear of Kentucky,47. Strengths:New face, sensible tone. Elected twice in avery conservativestate. Maybe notliberal enoughfor progressives in primaries, maybe too liberal for swing voters in thegeneral election.Weaknesses: Good candidate for Democrats in the 1990s, but how about 2028?

Gov.J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, 60. Strengths: Could write a billion-dollar check forhis campaign.Spent $172 million to win thegovernorship. Family owns Hyatt hotel chain. Forceful liberal, battler for hiscauses. Weaknesses: Image of an old-style political boss; billionaireina party that doesn’tlike billionaires; bigspender in astate with crushing public employee pension debt.

Former Chicago Mayor RahmEmanuel,65. Strengths: Tough operator,whip-smart, best political strategist of thebunch. Diverse resume includes beingformer congressman, Obamachief of staff, U.S. ambassador to Japan.Weaknesses: Maybe too political. Ideologues won’t likely trust him. Anybody else? Cory Booker? Gina Raimondo? TimWalz? Raphael Warnock? Mark Cuban? Mitch Landrieu? Everybody’slooking in the mirror these days, seeing afuture president RonFaucheux is anonpartisan political analyst,pollster and writer based in Louisiana.

Saints, Haener insist he is atrueQB1 contender

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Kellen Moore has issued apolite correction anytime someone bringsupthe New Orleans Saints’ “two-man” quarterback competition. The coach will note theteam’s battle includes three quarterbacks —not just Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough. Moore doesn’t want people to forget about Jake Haener. Andheinsists it’s notjustlip service, either.Haener will receive first-team reps throughout camp, he said “Wefeel good about letting all these guys go for it,” Moore said.

Haener gothis chance to go foritFriday when he receivedfirst-team reps forthe first time this season —completing the rotation that Moore saidwould occur Afourth-round pick two years ago, Haenerhas only one careerstart,and he was benched at halftime of that game when the Saints losttothe Washington Commanders last season. But Moore appearstobe intrigued with Haener’sskill set,telling reporters he liked the quarterback coming out of the 2023 draft. The two alsohave known each other for along time, with Moore’s brother,Kirby,serving as Haener’soffensive coordinatoratFresnoState.

Truthfully,Haener faces an uphill climb in the quarterback competition.The 26-yearold missed most of the team’s offseason workouts after suffering an oblique injury, giving the Saints more time toevaluate Rattler and Shough. And Haener’sfirst-team reps also came on aday when the coaching staff gave several veterans the practice off, including center Erik McCoy and running backAlvin Kamara.

But Haener said he feels like the Saints are taking him seriously.

“If I’ve learned onething about this league, this league does not care about your feelings,” he said. “It doesn’t care about who you are, what you do. And it’sall about what you’ve done for me lately.And Ibelieve this organization —respect them, they drafted

ä See SAINTS, page 3C

Cajuns face severalobstacles in quest to repeat as

SunBeltWestchamps

This week, the UL Ragin’ Cajuns were picked by league coaches to repeat as Sun Belt West Division champions. Next week, coach Michael Desormeaux’steam will begin August camptotry to prove those coaches right.

Coming out of Sun Belt media days, though, are there potential obstacles to keep UL from returning to thechampionship game?

Desormeaux isn’tbuying it,but thefirst question is thepassing game.

The top two quarterbacks from last season are gone and most of the productive pass-catchers are as well.

Only 28.2% of last season’sreceptions, 19.4% of yards receiving and 18.2% of receiving touchdowns return from last season.

The coaching staff believes thetalent to fill those

shoes exists, but it is still unproven.

“It’skind of funny because to us, we feel like it’sareally deep group,” Desormeaux said of the receivers. “The freshmen are going to be really good, too. We feel really confident in the group.”

Of course, the passing gamebegins with the quarterback.Preseason camp begins with athree-way battleamongWalker Howard, Lunch Winfield and Daniel Beale.

Howard brings the mostcredentials and shined during the spring game.

“Coming out of spring, I’dsay Walker —total body of work —had the best spring,” Desormeaux said. “I wouldn’tsay he ran away with it. We havetwo other really good players in that room,and they hadtheir moments as well.”

ä See FOOTE, page 3C

UCLA QB Iamaleavalooks to move past Tennesseedrama

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

LASVEGAS Collegefootball’sfutureworea baby blue suit, agold pinthat said “UCLA” andapair of diamond-encrustedhoop earrings. He glided toward the mic,sat down, then prepared for the grilling about howmuch money he makes, why he left Tennessee, who betrayed whom when hedeparted,and what it all means for the college football world that his story now defines.

Bottom line: If quarterback Nico Iamaleava handles the rest of the season as wellashe did with his half hour of Q&A at Big Tenmedia days Thursday,chances are UCLA willbe good —maybe even very good —in2025. “I think, it’sjust, keep my head down and

be humble,” the 20-year-old quarterback said. “And try not to let the outside noise affect you.”

If he succeeds at that, he will have more disciplinethan agreat majority of college football fans, experts andjournalists who have filledthe internet and air waves with timelinesand analysis of adecision that shook the sport and seemed to say everything about the burgeoning power that playerswield in aworldofname, imageand likeness deals.

The thumbnail of the story is that Iamaleava was asuccessful quarterback wholed Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season,thenabruptlypickedupstakes to head closer tohomeand play for UCLA. Money seemed to be themost obvious motive

Reportscirculated that he was looking for araise—maybe adoublingtonearly$4milliona year —tocome back to theVols. Then, one day last spring, Iamaleava missed practice. Just as abruptly,hewas gone. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel handledit diplomatically “Today’s landscapeofcollege football is different than it has been,”hesaid. “It’sunfortunate, thesituation, and where we’re at with Nico.”

Beforeheeven enrolled at Tennessee, Iamaleavawas causing his share of turmoil. It was his NIL deal with the Vols thattriggered an NCAAinvestigation and lawsuit by theattorneys generalofTennessee and Virginia in January 2024.

Kevin Foote

AP FILEPHOTO By GEORGE WALKER IV Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava lookstothrowapass during agame against Vanderbilt on Nov. 30 in Nashville, Tenn. ä See QB, page 3C

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE Saints quarterback JakeHaener receives a snap during training camp on Fridayatthe team’spractice facility

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Raiders waiveDT Wilkins

Carroll: Team didn’t make hastydecision on veteran’sstatus

BY MARK ANDERSON AP sportswriter

HENDERSON, Nev.— Raiderscoach

Pete Carroll said Friday theclub didn’trush into its decision to release defensive tackle Christian Wilkins aday earlier over adispute regarding hisrecoveryfrom abroken foot.

“Wetooka longtimetomake our decision,” Carrollsaid. “We watched our way through the whole thing. We’re keeping it really clear with what we said.I think there was no clear path to his return, so we just hadtomove on.” His comments largelyechoed the unusually strongly worded statement issued by the Las Vegasorganization on Thursday,in which the Raiders said Wilkins failed to provide a“clear path or plan for future return to play.”

Wilkins was injuredinWeek5 last season and had some sort of setback in his recoverythat took him out of offseason practices and landed him on the physically unable to perform listshortly before training campopened Wednesday Wilkins, 29, was the Raiders’ marquee free-agent signing last year,agreeing toafour-year,$110 million contract with $82.75 million guaranteed. The Raiders reportedly are tryingtovoidthe remaining $35.25 million of Wilkins’ deal. Wilkins has filed agrievance with the NFL Players Association, aperson with knowledge of the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic

The Raiders willhave adead salary caphit of $29.8 million even if they win the grievance. With Wilkins off the roster, Adam Butler and Jonah Laulu ran firstteam at tackle this week in practice.

Butler started16games last season,finishing with 65 tackles, eight for loss and five sacks. Laulu started seven games as arookie, making 35 tackles, with three for loss and asack. Both players were in all 17 games.

“Thisplace is aboutcompetition,” Carroll said.“It always has been. It’swide open.I’m not going to talk about any names right now If you watch the rotations,we’re giving everybody achance. We’re mixing the (starters)withthe (backups) all the way throughout just to gather abunch of information.”

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7a.m. LIV Golf League: second round FS1

7:30 a.m. PGAChampions: Senior Open Golf

9a.m. LIV Golf League: second round Fox

11 a.m.PGA Champions: Senior Open NBC

Noon PGA Tour:3MOpen Golf

2p.m. PGATour:3MOpen CBS

2p.m. U.S. Junior Amateur Golf HORSE RACING

9a.m. King GeorgeStakes FS2

11:30 a.m. NyRA: SaratogaLiveFS2

2p.m. Jim DandyStakes Fox MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

11 a.m.UFC undercard bouts ESPN

2p.m. UFC main: Whitaker vs. de Ridder ABC MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Noon PhiladelphiaatN.y.yankees MLB

6p.m. Cleveland at Kansas City Fox

8:30 p.m. Seattle at L.A.Angels MLB

MEN’S SOCCER

3p.m.Everton vs.AFC BournemouthNBC

4p.m.york United FC at CavalryFCFS2

6p.m. Westchester SC at Detroit CityFCESPN2

6p.m.FCCincinnatiatInterMiami CF FS1

7p.m.Atletico Ottawa at PacificFCFS2 SOFTBALL

2p.m.Bandits vs.Talons ESPN TENNIS

7:30 a.m. Kitzbuhel-ATPFinal Tennis

9:30 a.m. Prague-WTA Fina Tennis

11 a.m. Washington-ATP/WTATennis

1:30 p.m.Washington-WTAsemifinalsTennis WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

9a.m.Italy vs.Poland CBSSN

1p.m.Brazil vs.Japan CBSSN WNBA

6p.m.Los Angeles at Newyork NBA

*Taped

Jets coachGlenn:‘We’re

BY DENNIS WASZAKJR. AP pro football writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. The New York Jets hope seeing more black-and-whitestripes in training camp will result in fewer yellow flags during the season.

Coach Aaron Glenn said Friday theteam will oftenhave officials at practice through thesummer afterthe Jets, under the previous regime of coach Robert Saleh, led the NFL in penalties thepast two seasons.

New York rarely usedofficials duringtrainingcamp practices last summer.ManyNFL teams hire officialsfor at least some of their camp practices, giving players the opportunity to get usedtohow plays are called in a non-game environment.

“I wantthe officials here as much as possible and theyknow that,”Glennsaid. “It’snosecret that wewerethe most-penalized

team in theleague last year,so that’sone of the things that Iwant to nip in thebud early —making sure that the disciplinepart of what we do, that we fix that now “You cannot win games in this league with an undisciplined team, so all the penalties that we had last year,we’re knocking those things out ”

Last season, the Jets were penalized 137 times, five morethan Tennesseeand Baltimore,and finished5-12 —withSaleh and generalmanager Joe Douglas both fired in themiddle of the season. In 2023, New York was called for124 penalties, nine more than Clevelandand Dallas, and went 7-10.

“The officialsare going to be here andwe’re goingtoknock that out, all right,” Glenn said. “I will tell you this:Weare going to knock these penalties out. We’re going to understand that undisciplined teams do not win games.”

Philadelphia,last year’sSuper Bowl champion, ranked 11th in theNFL with 103 penalties. Kansas City,the AFC champion, was fourth with 94.

The Los Angeles Rams, who wonthe NFCWest, hadthe fewestpenalties in the league with 91.

Glenn said there are two types of calls on players during games: pre-snap penalties —“thedumb penalties” —and competitive penalties, includingpass interference.

“The competitive penalties, listen, you go back and forth with those, right?” Glennsaid. “Like P.I.,guys are fighting. Those are competitive penalties. Holds, thoseare competitive. Now, false starts, jumping offside, hitting after plays, the dumb stuff, we’ve got to knock those out. And we control those. Andthose are the things Iwanttomakesurewe get rid of.”

IN BRIEF FROM STAFFAND WIRE

Former LSUpitcher Herring partofRockies-Yankees deal

DENVER The NewYork Yankees acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday, giving themaveteran at aposition of need as they try to stop their slide down the AL East standings. The Yankees sent pitching prospectsJoshGrosz andGriffin Herring, aformer LSU player,toColorado. The 30-year-old McMahon, an All-Star ayear ago, was hitting .217 with 16 home runs and35 RBIs forlast-placeColorado. His 127 strikeouts this season led the National League entering Friday Herring, asixth-round pick in 2024, made16starts across Class low Aand high A, totaling a1.71 ERA anda102-36 strikeout-towalkratio over 891⁄3 innings.

Dutch rider Arensman wins 19th stage of Tour de France

LA PLAGNE, France Dutch rider ThymenArensmanlauncheda daring solo attack on alongfinalclimb andheldongrimly to winthe 19th stageofthe Tour de France on Friday

Although race leader TadejPogacar took astep closer to afourth Tour title, the Slovenian star could not catch Arensman.Hefinished thestageinthirdplace behind DaneJonas Vingegaard,who just beat Pogacar to the line. It was arare success for the two-time Tour winner Vingegaard over Pogacar in this year’s race but ultimatelymade littledifference, sincePogacaris4minutes, 24 seconds ahead of Vingegaard with twostages left.

Saturday’s20th stage is ahilly 114.5-mile route through eastern Francefinishing in Pontarlierbefore Sunday final stage.

Bogey-freeHarrington leads Senior British Open

BERKSHIRE, England Padraig Harrington birdied his last hole Fridayfor a5-under65, giving him a one-shot lead in the Senior British Open as he goes forhis second senior major title of the year Reigning champion K.J. Choi had thelead late in thesecond round on the Old Course at Sunningdale untilhetook bogeys on the 16th and 17th. Choihad to settle fora67and was one shot behind along with Thomas Bjorn, who hada 63. Harringtonistrying to become the fifth player to win the British Open and the Senior British Open. The Senior British Open is the fifth major on the PGA Tour Champions. Theregular tournaments are 54 holes. Harrington wonthe U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado.

Woad takes two-shot lead at Women’sScottishOpen IRVINE,Scotland Lottie Woad of England played bogey-free Friday and took advantage of unusually calm conditions toward the end to post a7-under65, giving theEnglishstar atwo-shot lead over topranked Nelly Korda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen in the Women’s Scottish Open.

Woad is making herprofessional debut,which onlymeans she gets paid at theend of theweek. She looks no differentfrom the last couple of weeks, when shewon the Women’sIrish Open andthen tied forthird in the LPGA major in France at the Evian Championship. Korda birdied herlast twoholes for a66toget to withintwo shots, as she goes for her first win of theseason. Koerstz Madsen also shot 66.

training camp.

BY ROBMAADDI AP pro football writer

The NFL is fining about100 players and two dozen clubemployees forviolatingleague policy bysellingSuper Bowl 59 ticketsfor above face value, aperson with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on Friday

Theperson,speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because of theongoing investigation,said theplayers whoresold their tickets will have to pay afine of 11/2 times the face value they paid. They also won’t be permitted to buyticketsfor thenexttwo Super Bowlsunless theyare playinginthe game. Club employeeswho violated thepolicy will befined two times face value.

In amemo sent to teams and obtained by the AP,NFL head of compliance Sabrina Perel said theleague was still completing

its investigation.

“Our initial investigation has determined that anumber of NFL playersand coaches,employed by several NFL Clubs, soldSuper Bowl tickets for more than theticket’sface value in violation of the Policy.This longstandingLeague Policy,which is specifically incorporated into theCollective Bargaining Agreement,prohibitsLeague or Club employees,including players, fromselling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’sface value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket,whichever is less. We are in theprocessofcompletingour investigation into this matter, but the investigation hasrevealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to asmall number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with aticket reseller to sell theSuper Bowl tickets above face value.

The“bundlers” will face increased penalties, per the memo.

According to the CBA, players on all 32 teams can purchase two tickets for the Super Bowl.

“In advance of Super BowlLX, we will be enhancing the mandatory compliance trainingregarding the Policy forall League personnel, which will emphasize thespecific requirements of the Policyand the broader principle that no one should profit personally from their NFL affiliation at theexpense of our fans,” Perel saidinthe memo. “Wewill also increasethe penaltiesfor future violations of this Policy.All clubs mustensure their personnel understandand comply with this policy.Additional details regarding the enhanced compliance measures will be providedin early fall.”

The Philadelphia Eagles beat theKansas City Chiefs on Feb 9ina Super Bowlrematch from two years ago.

Braves activate 3B Riley from 10-day injuredlist

ARLINGTON, Texas The Atlanta Bravesactivated third baseman AustinRileyfrom theinjured list on Friday aheadofa weekend series at Texas. Riley hadn’tplayed since straining an abdominal muscle while making athrow on July 11 against St. Louis.

The 28-year-old washitting .274 with 14 homerunsand 48 RBIsat thetimeofthe injury.The twotime All-Star’sreturn comes with Atlanta fading as the trade deadline approaches. The Braves entered Friday10 games outofthe last wild-card spot in the National League and were3-5 during Riley’sabsence. To make room for Riley on the 26-man roster,Atlanta optioned infielder Nacho Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By FRANK FRANKLIN II

Newyork Jets coach Aaron Glennwatches drills at the team’s training camp ThursdayinFlorham Park, N.J

me —ifthey didn’t truly believe Icould be aguy that they think couldn’t win the starting job, they wouldn’tinclude me in it.Simple as that. They wouldn’tmake me feel good about myself.

“I totally see it as athree-man race.I think I’ve earned that right.” Haener added he believes he’s earned the right not onlybecause of his work ethic but also by being “cerebralenough to command the troops when the moment’s thebrightest.”Athis core, Haener exudes confidence —all while taking pridein labeling himself as an underdog.

Doubt his competitiveness? Go watch his 2021 performance against UCLA, he said.You’ll seea feisty 6-foot-1 quarterback writhe around in pain, lifting himself off the grass just after he needled atight throw among three defenders for the go-ahead score.You’ll seeHaener,grimacing over an injured hip, leading the Bulldogs down the field over the final minute to re-take the lead. And you’ll see an athlete collapse out of near exhaustion when his defense holds on and he realizes he led an upset over the 13th-ranked team in the country

Doubt his arm strength?Gocall John Beck, Haenersaid. Theformer NFL quarterback nowtrains prospects such as Haenerand can refute suchaclaim, he said.

Doubthis size? Sure,he’sonthe smaller side. He’ll use it as fuel anyway “I think I’m just countedout for whatever reason,” Haener said.

Haener is now the vet in the room —not counting his coaches who are former quarterbacks and do-it-all Taysom Hill, who still pops into quarterback meet-

ings. He’sonly in his third year, but that’s longerthan Shough (a rookie) andRattler (second year) have been in the league. He said the sudden change feelsa“little weird,” but also notesthathe has experience in avariety of systems that has allowed him to pick up different offenses. Moore’soffense will be Haener’sthirdinthe NFL, and he thinks his coaches see him as asmart player and hold him in “high regard.”

And that’strue. Saints quarterback coach Scott Tolzien said one of thereasonswhy Haener is in the mix for the starting job is because of theway thequarterback conducted himselfwhenhewas injured this offseason. Tolzien noticed Haener’spreparation didn’t changeand how attentive he was in the meetings.

“Being anew coach, I’mproud of him forthat,”Tolzien said. “(The injury) didn’tchange the questions he’sasking me or the thingshe’swalking around sharing with receivers. That’sall appreciated.”

ForHaener to actually win the job,he’ll have to back up what he’s shown in the classroom and bring it to thefield. On Friday, Haener completed 5-of-7 passing attempts during team drills, and he showed awillingnesstolet it rip. He nearlyhit Rashid Shaheed on adeep ball that was broken up at the last minute by cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.And he rolled out on aplay-action pass to find Juwan Johnson in space. Through the first three days, Haener’saggressiveness and tendency to push the ball hasreinforced the idea that he’snot going to be forgotten. On Thursday, during seven-on-seven drills,he fireda strike pastcornerback RejzohnWright to findJohnson for atouchdown

“That one ripped pretty good,” Haener said. “That one was fun.

QB Rattlerwinsday that Haener workswithstarters

The NCAA settled that lawsuit, and though there aren’t as many questions about who makesthe payments to the players (the colleges candoitthemselvesnow), recriminations that flowed when Iamaleava enrolledatTennessee kept flowing after he made his move to UCLA. Asked about what triggered his move and exactly when it happened, Iamaleava said it came around the time “false stuffabout whether it was afinancial thing or not” started coming out thatmade him “not feel comfortableinthe position Iwas in.”

Then, in arevelation that not

everyoneappears quiteready to accept, he said moving closer to wherehegrewupinLongBeach, California, about 30 miles from the UCLA campus, was the biggest pieceofthe puzzle

“My driving factor to come back home wasmy family,and Ihope everyTennesseefan understands that,” hesaid.“It was really one of the hardestdecisions I’ve ever had to make.”

He will not delve into finances, though most of the reporting has shown that Iamaleava will make about as much, or justbarely more, with UCLA than he was making at Tennessee

“All that stuff is for my business team and my agents to handle,”he said. “I just focus on football.”

Among the other questions consuming college football is how a

Essentially,Howard performed like aquarterback who had been at LSU and Ole Missbehindtwo first-round draft picks

“The thing Ireally liked about Walker is he handled the ups and downs of being in aquarterback battle really well,” Desormeaux said. “It didn’taffect him. If today wasn’this best day,hebounced back. The first scrimmage, hehad one of those days wherehedidn’t play real well and the nextscrimmage, he played lights out

“I lovedthe toughness that he played with. When we go out there (on Aug. 2), he’sgoingto start with the first group with the ones.”

UL has had to play three quarterbacks in all three seasons under Desormeaux becauseofinjuries. Any backups havingtostart this season will be doing so with precious little playing experience. That could present amajor issue. Quarterback Ben Wooldridge kept the UL offense out of alot of trouble last season. The lack of game experience at that critical position can’tbeignored en-

The first-team reps belonged to Jake Haener on the third day of New OrleansSaints training camp, but thepractice may have belonged to Spencer Rattler Operating the second-team offense, Rattler enjoyed astrong performance during asweltering session at the team’sMetairie training complex. Whether it was during full team drills or in sevenon-seven periods without apass rush, thesecond-year passer showed off his talented throwing arm on a number of occasions.

That is only one factor in determining who getsthe job —as coach KellenMoore and anybody else with decision-making power has madeabundantly clear —but these are definitely the types of days that New Orleans’ brain trust wantstosee. Here is how it played out by the numbers Friday. Again, these statisticsare from only the full team periods. Rookie Tyler Shough,who operated the first team Thursday,saw limited opportunity while running the third-team offense Friday

n Haener: 5of7(8of12overall)

n Rattler:6of6(15 of 17)

n Shough: 1of1(6of11)

Rattler not only completed each of his six attempts during the full team drills but he also went aperfect 4of4during asevenon-seven period. Andthe throws weren’tgimmes, either: One of those seven-on-seven completionswas abomb he heaved deep downfield to second-year receiver MasonTipton,who’d beaten corner Quincy Riley on adouble move. The varietyofhis skillset was on display.There was one especially crisp sequenceduring the second full team period when Rattler showed aquick release to get the ball out in the flat to Michael Jacobson followed by an impressive sideline throwonadeep out to Tipton, followed by him driving aslant to Rashid Shaheed On that last play,Rattler zipped theball past adiving defender, allowing Shaheed to catch the ball and zoom upfield for what likely would’ve been atouchdown if they were playing tackle football. If Rattler can stack perfor-

playerwho makes more money andgenerates more hype than anyone else in thelocker room can possibly fit on ateam that is still, at its core, filledwith teenagers whose footballliveswill endin college.

UCLA’s second-year coach,DeShaun Foster, said he considered thatpart when the prospect of Iamaleava comingtoWestwood becamereal.

“He’sateam guy and afamily guy,” Foster said. “It just felt good thatweweregetting the right kind of quarterback.”

From apure talent standpoint, hardly anyone argues that. Iamaleavawas considered oneofthe country’s top prospects coming out of high school.Hethrewfor 2,616 yards and 19 TDs last year in leading the Vols to the playoffs.

widereceiver RobertWilliams, left, will be

as themostseasoned

tering camp. Terrance Carter transferred after thebest receiving season by atight endin13years. Caden Jensen is asolid starter there,

mances like theone he put on displayFriday, he’llbehardto beat.

Haener’sday running with thefirst team wasupand down, though it likely didn’thelp that stars Alvin Kamara and Erik McCoy received rest days. Haener does somethings very well, and that showed on his first snap when he rolled right on aplay-action bootleg and flipped the ball over adefensive lineman to an open Juwan Johnson for anice chunk of yards. Haener is never going to be confused for arunning quarterback, but he has functional athleticism that allows him to makeplays. Butthrough acouple of days of camp, he’salso had somebad misfires,including one Friday on athrow toward the sideline where it was hard to makeout whowas his intended target. Haener was being pressured on the play,and it’spossiblehewas intending to throw theball away,but it wasn’t his first throw of camp that looked to be welloff-target.

Working with the third team, Shough attempted onlyone pass

But, as one of the theories about hisdeparture goes, he and his familywereless thanthrilled about Tennessee’sabilitytoprotect him.

ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit dove intothe mixwhen he said he’d heard Iamaleava’sdad had gone to Heupel in December and said “Hey,listen, you’ve got to get better at offensive line, better at receiver.”

Speaking not so much about that specificstory but to the realities of football, Foster said he knows keeping things clean in the pocket for Iamaleava will be keytohis success. “If he staysupright,things are going to go the right way,”Foster said.

And if they do, there’satleast a chance Iamaleava could be aone-

“Ifyou don’thaveasgood a kicker,you’ve gottobea little more aggressiveinthe red area. That means sometimes going for it.Ifthey’re automatic,it’spretty easy to settle foritand just tackon three to that lead.”

UL coach

MICHAEL

off the field with injuries last season, opponents ran it with success against the Cajuns.

There’scertainly enough talent at linebacker to fillin, but the gameisn’tplayed on paper.Someone has to fillthose shoes.

Jaden Dugger got bigger and was moved inside, while players such as Kailep Edwards and Terrence Williamswill be counted upon to produce.

“WithTerrence and Dugger, you’re talking about —I don’tlike to use theword elite alot —but you’re talking about two pretty special athletes,” Desormeaux said. “Jake(St. Andre) and Kailep know thesystem and have experience.”

Perhaps the defensive line will be moreofa factor in the second season under defensive coordina-

during team drills, hitting undrafted rookie Chris Tyree in the flat. His last rep featured alow snap from the center,with coaches killing the play as he scrambled to pick the ball up. Throw of the day(full-team edition): Rattler’sthrow on adeep out to Tipton wasathing of beauty

While it’sfun to see quarterbacks connect on the deep throws, like Rattler and Tipton did in sevenon-seven, the deep sideline routes are arguably the mostdifficult throw forany quarterback. Rattler’spass came out on time and with plenty of zip, allowing only Tipton to makethe play

Throw of the day(seven-on-seven edition): While Shough didn’thave much opportunity to impress in 11-on-11 drills, he did makeabrilliant throw to Johnson on an intermediate crossing route during the seven-on-seven period. The rookie passer ripped athrow to the perfect spot, hitting Johnson in stride forabig gain.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

and-doner at UCLA. He is widely thought to have NFLtalent if he improves his mechanics and accuracy —two areas that will be helped by better protection.

Iamaleava said he pays no mind to the billion-dollar questions swirling aroundthe collegegame every day —all revolving around money,freedom to transfer and other issues that have turned the UCLA quarterback into avillain in some places,a hero in others, anda player to watch everywhere.

“I love college football,” he said. “Everything that goes on with my name, that’snot going to change my love for the game. Obviously, everyone hastomoveon. I’m excited about what’snext for me.But I’mwhere my feet (are), and right now,I’m aUCLA football player and I’mexcited to go to camp.”

tor Jim Salgado. The mostobvious potential problem area is the kicking game. Lou Groza Award winner Kenny Almendares is out of eligibility, and his three potential replacements have zero experience carrying the load.

“I know forusthat wasareal key to our success,” Desormeaux said of Almendares’ production.

“Wegot points —alot of drives we had on offense were very efficient because when we crossed the 35, we knew we’dhave alegitimate field goal attempt. He didn’t miss very many.

“Itaffects the way you play the gamealittle bit. If you don’thave as good akicker,you’ve got to be alittle moreaggressive in the red area. That meanssometimes going forit. If they’re automatic, it’s pretty easy to settle foritand just tack on three to that lead.” Also, the offensive line has something to prove. For most of last season, the line wasa strength of the offense. Down the stretch, though, it began to fade. Arepeat of that slide wouldn’t bode well with an inexperienced starting quarterback.

Email KevinFoote at kfoote@theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By BRAD KEMP

DESORMEAUX,

Continued from page1C

STAFF PHOTO By BRETTDUKE

Saints quarterback JakeHaener looks tomakea passduring training camp on Fridayatthe team’spractice facility

Luke Johnson

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler,right, handsthe ball off to running back CamAkers during adrill at training camp on Friday.

at Kansas City (Bubic 8-6), 6:15 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Kershaw4-1) at Boston (Cro-

Seattle (Kirby4-5) at L.A.

(Anderson 2-6),8:38 p.m

San Diego(Vásquez 3-4) at St. Louis (Liberatore6-7), 6:15 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Peterson 6-4)atSan Francisco (Ray 9-4),8:05 p.m.

Golf

Women’s Scottish Open

Friday At DundonaldLinks Troon, United Kingdom Purse: $2 million Yardage: 6,538; Par: 72

p.m. Atlanta (Holmes 4-9) at Texas(Rocker 4-4), 6:05 p.m. Colorado (Senzatela 4-13) at Baltimore(Rogers 3-1), 6:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Horton 3-3) at Chicago White Sox(Civale 2-6),6:10 p.m. Miami (Junk4-2) at Milwaukee (Quintana 7-3), 6:10 p.m. Washington (Parker 6-10) at Minnesota (Ryan 10-4), 6:10 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Kershaw4-1) at Boston (Crochet11-4),6:15p.m.

+4

+4

73-75—148 +4

Eleanor Givens 73-75—148 +4

Jiwon Jeon 74-74—148 +4

Charlotte Laffar 66-82—148 +4

IlheeLee 73-75—148 +4

AzaharaMunoz73-75—148 +4

Yealimi Noh 74-74—148 +4

Mimi Rhodes76-72—148 +4

Pauline Roussin 73-75—148 +4

KirstenRudgeley 73-75—148 +4

Luna Sobron Galmes 73-75—148 +4

Pranavi Urs75-73—148 +4

Liz Young 68-80—148 +4

Pajaree Anannarukarn72-77—149 +5

Trichat Cheenglab77-72—149 +5

Ginnie Ding 74-75—149 +5

Grace Kim 73-76—149 +5

NooraKomulainen 76-73—149 +5

Anna Nordqvist 76-73—149 +5

Agathe Sauzon 74-75—149 +5

Patricia Isabel Schmidt 76-73—149 +5

P. Thanapolboonyaras75-74—149 +5

AlexandraForsterling 74-76—150 +6

MajaStark 77-73—150 +6

Lauren Walsh 77-73—150 +6

FatimaFernandezCano77-74—151 +7

Maha Haddioui 75-76—151 +7

Chisato Iwai 78-73—151 +7

Kylie Henry 79-73—152 +8

Maria Hernandez74-78—152 +8

KelseyMacdonald 75-77—152 +8

Marta Martin 76-76—152 +8

ChiaraNoja 74-78—152 +8

Hannah Screen 73-79—152 +8

Helen Briem 79-74—153 +9

Amelia Garvey 78-75—153 +9

Lorna McClymont 78-75—153 +9

Kim Metraux 80-73—153 +9

RobynChoi 79-75—154 +10

Rosie Davies 78-76—154 +10

Manon De Roey 75-79—154 +10

MoriyaJutanugarn 79-75—154 +10

Haeji Kang 75-79—154 +10

TvesaMalik 77-77—154 +10

Smilla Sonderby77-77—154 +10

Ursula Wikstrom 76-78—154 +10

SofieBringner 78-77—155 +11

Stephanie Kyriacou72-83—155 +11

Brianna Navarrosa78-78—156 +12

AlexaPano 75-85—160 +16

Golf

Tour de France

Friday

19th Stage

A93-mile ride from Albertville to La Plagne 1. Thymen Arensman, Netherlands,INEOS Grenadiers, 2:46:06. 2. Jonas Vingegaard, Denmark, Team Visma Lease aBike, 2:46:08. 3. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia,UAE Team Emirates-XRG, same time 4. Florian Lipowitz,Germany, RedBull— BORA —hansgrohe,2:46:12. 5. Oscar Onley,Great Britain, Picnic PostNL, 2:46:53. 6. Felix Gall, Austria, Decathlon AG2R La MondialeTeam, 2:47:40. 7. Tobias Johannessen,Norway,Uno-X Mobility,2:47:47. 8. Ben Healy,Ireland, EF Education-EasyPost 2:48:25. 9. Valentin ParetPeintre, France, Soudal Quick-Step, 2:49:53. 10. Simon Yates, GreatBritain, Team Visma ‘ Lease aBike, 2:50:50. Also 33. Neilson Powless, United States,EF Education-EasyPost, 3:01:19.

37. Sepp Kuss, UnitedStates, Team Visma Leasea Bike,3:01:29. 48. Matteo Jorgenson, United States, Team Visma ‘Lease aBike, 3:08:31. 62. WilliamBarta, United States, Movistar Team,same time. 81. QuinnSimmons,United States,Lidl-Trek 3:09:44. Overall Standings 1. TadejPogacar, Slovenia,UAE Team Emirates-XRG, 69:41:46. 2. Jonas Vingegaard, Denmark,TeamVisma Leasea Bike,69:46:10. 3. Florian Lipowitz, Germany,Red Bull— BORA —hansgrohe,69:52:55. 4. OscarOnley,Great Britain, Picnic PostNL, 69:53:58. 5. Felix Gall, Austria, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team, 69:58:58. 6. Tobias Johannessen,Norway,Uno-X Mobility,70:02:00. 7. Kevin Vauquelin,France, Arkea-B&B Hotels, 70:04:21. 8. PrimozRoglic, Slovenia,Red Bull—BORA —hansgrohe,70:07:16. 9. BenHealy,Ireland, EF Education-EasyPost 70:09:48. 10. BenO’Connor, Australian, Team JAYCO Alula,70:16:20. Team Standings 1. Team Visma ‘Lease aBike, 210:05:23. 2. UAETeamEmiratesXRG, 210:29:49. 3. RedBull—Bora—Hansgrohe, 211:24:19. 4. Arkea-B&BHotels, 212:13:34. 5. Decathalon AG2R La Mondiale Team, 212:13:38. 6. Movistar Team, 213:07:35. 7. IneosGrenadiers, 213:22:15. 8. XDS

TerryRobinson

FAITH MATTERS

Forgiveness centralto living life by thegospel

Amodern-day retellingof Joseph’sOld Testament journey opened the Rev.Kevin McKee’s compelling messageonforgiveness at The Chapel at LSU “Even after many times being abandoned, lied about, he was able to see God’sperspective, and he was able to forgive, which is ajust ahuge, tall order,” McKee saidofthe young dreamer Joseph, once sold into slavery by his envious brothers but ultimately reconciled with themyears later whileserving as ahighranking government official.

McKee’ssermon was part of the summer series titled,“The Gospel-centered Life.”

“We’re learning to have gospel conversations with ourselves so that we can tell other people,” McKee explained Forgiveness, McKee said, is central to living agospel-centered life. It is “the single most important concept to biblical Christianity” and “one of the most profound aspects of the gospel.”

“It’satthe heart of Christianity,because we either need to forgive somebody or be forgiven by somebody,” he said. “Wehave either wronged somebody or been wronged,so it affects us all. And some of us have been holding on to pains that we need to forgive.”

After captivating the congregation with the Joseph narrative, McKee pivoted to forgiveness in the New Testament, including in his central text from Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,just as in ChristGod forgaveyou.”

From that scripture, he drew his three primary points.The first of which: Gospel-centered forgiveness forgives as God has forgiven us.

McKee said he used aform of forgiveness three times for emphasis.

“Let’sjust be clear about forgiveness: It’sunnatural. It’s expensive. It’s difficult. It costs you, the forgiver,something,” he said.

McKee said, “Forgiveness is required for the Christian no matter what.”

“Weare to forgive because we know what it’slike to be forgiven,” he said. “In forgiveness, true forgiveness, you bear your own anger,wrath, at the sin of another and you voluntarily accept responsibility for the hurt that the other person has inflicted on you.

...That’swhat forgiveness is. That’s what God did for us.”

McKee stressed: “Forgiven sinners forgive sin. .You can look at that and say that makes sense in my head but not so much in my heart because there’shurt, and there’spain.”

Another point: Gospel-centered forgiveness embraces kindnessand compassion.

“Our natural tendencyisnot kindness and compassion;it’s the opposite,” McKee said “Gospel-centered forgiveness brings tenderness and compassion— notvicious words that leave people sliced and diced. Forgiveness is not afeeling. It’sadecision.” Lastly,McKee said gospelcentered forgivenessdesires reconciliation.

“It’snot forgiveness as it is described in the Biblewithout

The BRIDGES Project recently took the stageinthe Cary SaurageCommunity Arts Center’sBlackBox Theatre for apreviewperformance of ‘Soundscapes.’The

REALIZING THEDREAM

GroupofBRartists will go global to performatapopular festival in Scotland

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Ivy Robertsdidn’ttalk much at first.

To be honest,she wasa little scared,and whocould blame her? She was the only kid in thegroup of 13 makingrandom trips to the Cary Saurage Community Arts CenterinBaton Rouge, whichmadeher feel like an outsider.One could say shewas on thefringes.

But time hasa wayofchanging things, and Roberts not only found herniche within thegroup,she’s become itsleading lady

This isn’tametaphorical scenario.Roberts has, indeed, stepped into theleadingroleofSarah in “Soundscapes,” adrama the Arts Council’s regional youththeater program, the BRIDGESProject, will perform at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

Fringe is thelargest and most prestigious theater festival in the world. And though the BRIDGES Project won’tbethe first Baton Rouge-basedgroup to attend, it will be thefirst with no affiliation to ahigh school or college.

“LSU has been sending agroup

IvyRoberts, left,and Johnae Herbert performinthe BRIDGESProject’s previewshowof‘Soundscapes’ at theArtsCouncilofGreaterBaton Rouge. Both are partofthe Arts Council’sBRIDGES Project.

over there for years,” saidChris Adams,the Arts Council’sdirector of technical operations and coordinator of the BRIDGES Project.“We are actually the first non-high school to be offered this opportunity.” Adams previously has taught the-

ater at Baton Rouge Magnet High School.

“I’verealized as an educator that there are lots of times schools aren’tinterested in this for whatever reason, either economic status or low arts interest,” he said. “But we still have ahandful of students that are interested in participating in this festival, and Istarted thinking, ‘What if we took alarger geographic approach to this?’”

TheBRIDGESProject

So,Adams andthe Arts Council developed the BRIDGESProject with the idea of linking Louisianathrough theater.These links are bridges connecting students through theater,hence thename BRIDGES Project.Thenheopened the program up to high school studentsinthe arts council’s10-parish area: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana,Iberville,Livingston, Pointe Coupée, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, West Feliciana and West Baton Rouge.

Then the Arts Council hosted the Louisiana ArtsSummit last October,and wordspread throughout the state. The BRIDGES Project

ä See FESTIVAL, page 6C

Report highlights area restaurant wine programs

Mansurs on theBoulevard received an awardfrom Wine Spectator for its wineprogram

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

it comestothe

McKee

PROVIDED PHOTOSBySARAH NICHOLS/ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATONROUGE

Arts Council-sponsored group is performingthe playatthe Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Please,notablets whileatthe table

Dear Miss Manners: Whenwehave alarge family dinner,between 10 and 21 people, there is one child whose parents allow hertobeonher tablet, with volume on high. She comes into the house, whizzes by everyone present and goes directly to the table to set up her tablet.

parent how to parent their child

Ifeel that it’s“my house, my rules.”

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Idisapprove of this, and feel that the host or hostess needs to express to the parents that devices arenot allowed at the dining table. There are other children her agepresent, but their parents do not allow them to have their tablets. My belief is the hostess can set such rules, but there are others who feel you cannot tell another

So, MissManners, can we tell parents what the rule is at ourhouse, and allow theother guests a quieterdinner? Gentle reader: Why go throughthe parents? Miss Mannerssuggests you go straight to the source, quietly tellingthe child that youare sorry,but you do not allow electronics at thedinner table. At which point thechild will turn to her parents— and you will find something urgenttodointhe kitchensoastoavoid eye contact with them. If the plan is unsuccessful, you can alwaysdrop apair of head-

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday, July 26, the 207th day of 2025. There are 158 days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W.Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibiting discrimination based on mental or physical disabilities.

Also on this date:

In 1775, the Continental Congress established a Post Office and appointed Benjamin Franklin its Postmaster-General.

In 1847, the western African country of Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, declared its independence.

In 1863, Sam Houston, former president of the Republic of Texas,died in Huntsville at age 70.

In 1945, Winston Churchill resigned as Britain’sprime minister after his Conservatives were soundly defeated by the Labour Party.Clement Attlee succeeded him.

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, which reorganized America’s armed forces as the National Military Establishment and created the Central IntelligenceAgency

In 1948, President Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which desegregated the U.S. military.

In 1953, Fidel Castro began his revolt against Fulgencio Batista with an unsuccessful attack on an army barracks in eastern Cuba. (Castro ousted Batistain1959.)

In 1971, Apollo 15 was launched from Cape Kennedy on America’sfourth successful manned mission to the moon.

In 2002, the Republican-

led House voted to create an enormous Homeland Security Departmentin thebiggestgovernment reorganization in decades. In 2016, Hillary Clinton becamethe first woman to be nominated for president by amajor political partyatthe Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia In 2018, thelast six members of aJapanese doomsdaycult who remained on deathrow were executed for aseries of crimes in the1990s, includinga gas attack on Tokyo subwaysthatkilled 13 people. Previously,seven other cult members were executed on July 6ofthat year. In 2020, aprocession with the casket of the late U.S. Rep. JohnLewis crossed theEdmundPettus BridgeinAlabama, where Lewis and other civil rights marchers were beaten55yearsearlier

Today’sbirthdays: Former Australian Prime Minister JohnHoward is 86. Football Hall of Famer Bob Lilly is 86. Rock andRoll Hall of Famer Darlene Love is 84. The Rolling Stones’ MickJagger is 82. Actor Helen Mirren is 80 Rock musician Roger Taylor (Queen) is 76. Olympic goldmedal figure skater Dorothy Hamill is 69. Actor Kevin Spacey is 66. Actor Sandra Bullock is 61.

Actor Jeremy Piven is 60 Actor Jason Statham is 58. Actor Olivia Williams is 57. Actor Kate Beckinsale is 52. Former New Zealand Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern is 45. Actor Juliet Rylance is 45. Actor MonicaRaymundis39. Actor Francia Raisa is 37. Actorsinger Taylor Momsen is 32. Actor ElizabethGillies is 32. Actor Thomasin McKenzie is 25.

RELIGION BRIEFS

FROM STAFFREPORTS

Back-to-school giveaway set

Carolyn Gee’sannual

Back-to-School Giveaway will take place from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Saturday,Aug. 2, at Greater Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, 5820 Evangeline St., Baton Rouge. All are welcome to attend. Children must be present to receive supplies For more information, call (225) 229-0762. Gospel singing set for Tickfaw

The Rev.Mike Vaughn will lead a“Southern and Country Gospel Fest” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Good News Fellowship Church, 13101 La. 442 West, Tickfaw Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.,and singingwill

MATTERS

Continued from page5C

phones casually at her place setting. So as toatleast ensure quiet for theothers. Dear Miss Manners: Ilive in agated community. There is agate box where people can punch in the code to open the gate and let them in. In both of our vehicles, we have aremote that we press to open the gate. There have been numerous occasions when I’ve been behind someoneattemptingtoenter the code, and Ihave used theremote to open the gate for them. Is it impolite to give abrief honk on mycar horn to let the person know thegate is opening, or should Ijust wait until they notice it’sopening, thinking they’ve done it?

Gentlereader: Butthen how will

they learn?

Granted, the second option is moreentertaining, what with its potential to convince these drivers that they are magical. But it is moredamaging to their learning curve —and your waittime—in thelong run. Miss Manners suggests instead that you give that brief honk, followed by alittle wave and point that says, “Wehave the remote. Andyou do not.”

Dear Miss Manners: Iama 63-yearold woman whofinds herself frequently told by strangers that she resembles afamous actress of similar age. Idon’tfind this actress particularly attractive, and therefore don’tknow what to say when someonemakes the comparison.

Idon’tknow whether to take it as acompliment or merely an observation.

“Thank you” seemstoimply I’mflattered (which I’mnot), but Idon’twant to express offense when none was likely intended. Is there another option forreply?

Gentle reader: “Hmmm.” Uttered flatly with no question markor inflection other than one that indicates, “That is something that you just said.”

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

PROVIDED PHOTOS By SARAH NICHOLS/ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATONROUGE Ivy Roberts as main character Sarah stands in the center while the colors that she sees through her synesthesia condition surround her in the BRIDGES Project’sproduction of ‘Soundscapes.’The BRIDGES Project is in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it is performing the playatthe FringeFestival.

FESTIVAL

Continuedfrom page5C

received morethan 100 applications statewide.

The list was whittled down to 13 studentsrepresenting Baton Rouge Magnet High School,EastAscension High School in Gonzales, Jewel SumnerinKentwood,Lutcher High School and Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin. Shakespeare’shome

Adams began meeting with thestudents last November

where students will watch productions in theGlobe Theatre —Shakespeare’s home venue —and theaters on London’sWest End.

After that, it’stoEdinburgh, where they’ll not only perform but interact with other theater groups andfanswhile handing out flyers andother promotional materials to try to lure audiences to their production.

It’s all apart of the festival experience, which is also minimal when it comes to setsand costumes.

scary forme,” she said. “Everyonekindofalready knew each other,and Iwas scared Iwasn’tgoing to make any friends. Ijust didn’treally connect with anyone until the start of rehearsals in July.Ithink it wasbecause we allwent out to go eat together and started talking. And Ithink Iamgood friends with most people in the cast now.”

start at 6:30 p.m. with Vaughn. Dennis Calmes will sing at 7:30 p.m.This is afree concert, but alove offeringwill be received. A concession stand will serve desserts. For further information, contact Barbara Vaughn at (985) 974-0507 or mvmgoodnews.com

Bible institute registration now open The St. John Bible Institute is nowregistering students forthe 2025-26 academic year.Classesbegin on Aug.17. The institute is accredited by the Associationof IndependentChristian Colleges and Seminaries in St. Charles, Missouri. For more information, call (225) 774-1468 or visit www.saintjohnbc.org

the desire for reconciliation,” he said. “Too many of us don’tknow what it is to be forgiven and offer forgiveness. Even fewer of usknow the power that happens when I’ve forgiven and I’ve been reconciled.” For more, go to thechapelbr.com/online. ContactTerry Robinson at terryrobinson622@ gmail.com.

“So,we’re using this as a model, andthen we’re going to hand this model off to the American High School Theatre Festival, which will disseminate it around the country,” Adams said. “We’ve created asuccessful model in how they can do this.”

Anditwas the American High School Theatre Festival that selected the BRIDGES Project to perform in Edinburgh.

After eight months of meetings and rehearsals thatwere split between Baton Rouge and Franklin, Adams, his cast and the Arts Council staff left for ScotlandonFriday for twoweeks of promoting and performing their play. Shell Corp. is funding thetripfor the entire group, and the Officeofthe LieutenantGovernorhas officially proclaimed BRIDGESparticipants as Louisiana Ambassadors.

Thefirst three days of the trip will be spent in London,

WINE

Continuedfrom page5C

significant vertical depthof top producers, alongwith superior presentation,” the magazine statesonline about the award. “Typically offering350 or more selections, theserestaurants are destinations for serious

“The Fringe Festival is very muchlike guerrilla warfare,” Adams said. “You just sort of pack the very few things that you need, and that’sit. There are no fancy trappings of theater.You know,thereare really onlythree thingsthat Iever think we need to do theater:You need thestory, you need someone to tell the story and someone to listen to the story.And we’re goingto provide this.”

So, props are minimal, as are costumes. But musicbyBaton Rouge-based Grammy and Emmy awardwinning composerMichael Esneault will be plentiful.

“He’s created an amazing soundscape for us,which is thenameofthe play,” Adams said.

Atwo-yearjourney Roberts, 14, will enter her sophomoreyear at Kentwood High School in thefall. Initially,she was nervous aboutjoining the BRIDGES Project.

“When Iwenttothe first rehearsal, it was really

wine lovers, showing adeep commitmenttowine, both in thecellarand throughtheir service team.” The following Baton Rougerestaurants received theAward of Excellence: n Bin77Bistro and Sidebar,10111 Perkins Rowe n Tallulah Crafted Food and Wine Bar,7000 Bluebonnet Blvd., inside Renaissance Hotel

Roberts, along with her fellow cast members, were required to audition forthe project. After that, they were assignedparts with Roberts standing center stageasa teen artstudent with synesthesia.

“This is anew piece, a lovely play by Claudia Haas and Sarah Grace Kraning, and it’sreally Sarah’sstory,” Adamssaid of her character “Sarah has synesthesia, and shelikens it to having dyslexia.”

Synesthesia is aneurological condition where stimulation of onesense,suchas hearing, caninvoluntarily activate another sense, such as sight, causing the individual to see colors, shapes or other sensory perceptions.

The conditioncausesproblemsbetween Sarah and her peers. Shefeels like afreak and becomes aloner until herclassmate Tim, played by Tristan Olivier, reveals that he, too, has the condition. Olivier,18, graduated from Lutcher High School in Mayand planstoenter NorthwesternStateUniversity in Natchitoches in the fall, where he’ll major in theater

“Tonyalso hassynesthesia, andhechooses to hide it,” Olivier said. “The reason is,duringhis childhood, Tony allowedhimself to be expressive, and he chose to wear his favorite color,which wasorange. And it got him beat up. So nowhewearsonly black and tries to go unnoticed.” Olivierjumpedatthe chance to be apart of the BRIDGES Project, an opportunity he might not have had through his school. Also in thegroup is Sara Milton, 18, arecent graduate from East Ascension High School in Gonzales and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. She’splanning on majoring in theatre at Drake University in Iowa

“I met Chris at atable read for ashowthatIwas doing at the time, and he was talking about the festival with one of my teachers,” she said. “My teacher looked over at me and said, ‘This is abig deal.’ This seemed like areally like crazy deal, and Iwanted to experience it.” Then there’s17-year-old Mattie Judice, who will be asenior at Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin in thefall. She’s joined by 16-year-old Hanson High junior Johnae Herbert. Both love acting and also wanted achanceatexperiencing the Fringe Festival. “This project hasbeen a two-year journey forthe Arts Council,”Adams said. “Now it’sbecome areality.” Email RobinMillerat romiller@theadvocate. com.

n Sullivan’sSteakhouse, 5252 Corporate Blvd. n The Gregory,150 Third St., inside WatermarkHotel. Along with Baton Rouge, morethan 2,000 restaurants across the country received the awardofexcellence, whichrequires restaurants to offeratleast 90 selections, feature an assortment of quality producers and matchthe winestothe menu in price and style. Wine Spectator often looks forrestaurants that offer wines from multiple vintages,oryears, along withinteresting selections that are appropriate to the cuisine

Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@ theadvocate.com.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Let your charm lead the way, and everything else will fall into place. Participating in community and networking event will allow youto establish valuable connections.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Consider thepossibilities and choose the path that promotes the most integrity, peace and love. There are no winners when fightsbreak out. Raise your standards and distance yourself from people who don'ttreat you withrespect.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Stop procrastinating and start heading in adirection that puts asmile on yourface, askip in your step and love in your heart. Participate in events that interest you andmingle with intriguing and entertaining people.

scoRPIo (oct.24-nov. 22) Rethinkhow you want to allocate your time. Taking on responsibilities that don't belong to youwill lead to regret. Don't let anyone take advantage of you. Donate your time or money to causes that concern you.

sAGIttARIus(nov. 23-Dec. 21) Give hope to thoseyou encounter, anditwill restore your faith in others. AKeep your emotions from interfering with time-sensitive decisions.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Emotional spending will be your downfall. Pay attention to hidden costsand those eager for you to foot the bill. Discipline will pay offinsituationsthatrequirepatienceand precise timing.

AQuARIus(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Pay attention to detail. Last-minute legal, financial or medical changes will require care-

ful consideration. Take pride in your appearance. Protect what matters most to you.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Change maybe your goal, but consider what it will take before youbegin. Takeanother gander at your optionsand fine-tune your plan to meet therequirements.

ARIEs (March21-April 19) Pay attention to what you are trying to achieve. Refuse to let compliments cost you. Be realistic, have aplanand budget, and negotiate with precision.. Loveand social events will encourage romance.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Check your ego beforeyoustartadialoguewithsomeone lookingfor afight. Sometimes it's best to walk away fromsituations that are disruptive or likelytospin out of control. Know when to leaveand cut your losses.

GEMInI (May21-June 20) Going on ashort trip, attending areunion or changing your routine will help yourealignyourself in preparation forwhatyou want to pursue. Aphysical challenge will take its toll if youaren't careful.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Consider your current situation andmull over your options. Preparation will helpyou feel more comfortable dealingwith institutions, authority figuresand financial or medical issues that concern you.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist.

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

CelebrityCipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, pastand present. Each letter in the cipher stands foranother.

toDAy'scLuE:D EQuALs M

CeLebrItY CIpher

beetLe bAILeY

GooSe And GrIMM

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with severalgiven 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.

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

GrouchoMarxsaid,“A blackcatcrossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.”

Notasuperstitiousman,he.Andbridge is not agame for the superstitious, with its 13-card hands and 13-trick deals To get from one handtothe other, you often have to be careful with your cards. How does that apply in this deal?South is in four spades, and West leads theclub queen. If you open two no-trump with only 20 or 21 points, you should definitely upgrade that South hand and open two clubs. If you requireagood 20, 21 or 22 for twono-trump, it is acloser call, but withall four aces, two 10s and thosecombining honors, the hand is worth nearer 23 points than 21. On thesecondround, North employs Stayman to uncover the 4-4 spade fit.

South should see four potential losers: two hearts, one diamond andone club. He hasonly nine guaranteed tricks: four spades, one heart,three diamonds and one club. Declarer should conclude that the diamond finessemustbewinning. However, that finesse might have to be taken threetimes, which would require three dummy entries. Putthosetrumps to work!

Declarer should winwith hisclub ace,cash the spade aceand carefully overtake the spade eight with dummy’s nine. Then he tries thediamondfinesse.

wuzzles

Whenitwins, Southplays thespade 10 to dummy’s jack andrepeats thediamond finesse.Finally,heleadsthespadequeen to dummy’s king, takes athirddiamond finesse,andclaims10tricks:fourspades, one heart, four diamonds and one club. Watch your entries likeacat, black or otherwise.

©2025 by NEA,Inc., dist. By AndrewsMcMeel Syndication

EachWuzzle is aword 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 four or

today’s thought “And because iniquity shall abound, thelove of many shall wax cold.” Matthew24:12

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

When evil abounds love diminishes. Choices have consequences. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles