The Acadiana Advocate 07-27-2025

CALM, SCHOOL AND COLLECTED

ABOVE: Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas, from left, with Deputies Nolan Davis, Jacob Thacker, Sgt. Tyrell Fenroy and Ontario Calais sort and organize donated school supplies at the Stuff The Bus event sponsored by the United Way of Acadiana on Saturday.

LEFT: University of Louisiana at Lafayette student Tammy Mitchell, center a member of the UL Alumni Volunteer Krewe, helps stuff bags to be given to teachers throughout Acadiana on Saturday.

After 10 years, the healing continues

Deadly shooting at Lafayette theater killed two, injured nine and changed the city

BY KRISTIN ASKELSON | Staff writer

July 23, 2015, was a pretty typical summer day in south Louisiana. Sunny and hot, with a high temperature in the mid-90s, summer camps were in full swing and there was a Lafayette Canecutters game at Fabacher Field. Streaming services were growing in popularity, but in Lafayette, folks were still going to movie theaters, where the airconditioning was always on full blast. “Minions,” “Ant-Man,” and “Jurassic World” were playing. “Trainwreck,” a romantic comedy directed by Judd Apatow and starring Amy Schumer and Bill Hader, had several showings at the Grand 16 on Johnston Street, including one at 7:10 p.m. Lafayette had recently been recognized as the No. 1 mid-sized city in the United States. Another site dubbed Lafayette the “Happiest City in America.”

The first 911 call came in at 7:28 p.m. Someone heard gunshots coming from the Grand Theater Police arrived within four minutes. Acadian Ambulance had nine ambulances and one sprint vehicle on scene within 15 minutes. Before long, social media was buzzing with news, some true, some unfounded, of the shooting in which a lone gunman opened fire from the back of theater 14 just after the opening credits of “Trainwreck.”

John Houser had purchased his ticket moments before the 7:10 start time, but police would learn

Landry says LA DOGE can help with government efficiency

Led by governor’s ally, initiative stresses business-minded approach

BY ALYSE PFEIL |Staff writer

Gov. Jeff Landry says Louisiana government has a lot to learn from private business.

“We’re trying to turn the aircraft car-

rier,” he said. “It’s about shifting the culture.” One of his strategies to do that is LA DOGE, an initiative that Landry began a decade ago as attorney general and revived late last year He rebranded

the program to echo President Donald Trump’s effort originally led by Elon Musk, to slash spending.

Landry tapped Steve Orlando, a friend and close political ally who built a major business providing services to oil and

gas companies, as the state’s “Fiscal Responsibility Czar.”

Orlando, who is running LA DOGE as a volunteer, understands how to effectively run a business, Landry said.

“That’s the value that this man has brought to the state of Louisiana,”

Landry

PHOTOS By ROBIN MAy

Heat warnings issued in Southeast and Midwest

It’s always hot in the summer in the U.S. Southeast, but even by the standards of Florida and the Carolinas, the steamy heat wave on tap for the region Saturday into the coming week is a little extreme.

The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for a large swath of the East Coast from central Florida to Virginia through much of the weekend. Highs in the upper 90s were forecast for central Florida, with heat indexes reaching 105 degrees to 110 degrees. The outlook was similar up through Georgia and the Carolinas into Virginia.

Extreme heat warnings were out for much of eastern North Carolina, as far inland as Raleigh, and extending into a corner of South Carolina, including Myrtle Beach. Forecasters warned of dangerously hot conditions with temperatures approaching or exceeding 100 in some areas on Sunday and heat indexes up to 115 through Sunday evening.

The weather service said several major metropolitan areas in the Southeast including Raleigh and Charlotte in North Carolina, Greenville-Spartanburg in South Carolina, and Atlanta in Georgia — were expected to face an extreme heat risk for several days, with minimal overnight relief. It said over 30 million people would likely be affected at the peak of the heat wave through midweek.

A hot, humid weekend was also in store for the Midwest. Extreme heat watches were out for eastern Nebraska, western Iowa and southern Minnesota. Heat indexes were expected to reach 96 on Saturday and go even higher on Sunday in Minnesota.

And an extreme heat warning was out for the St. Louis area through Tuesday evening, with highs around 99 and heat indexes around 110 forecast for Monday and Tuesday

Vandals set fire to German mouse statue

BERLIN Vandals set fire to a mouse statue that’s a TV star and mascot for children’s programming at German broadcaster WDR, the television station said Saturday

The cartoon mouse, known only as “Die Maus,” is the eponymous star of “Die Sendung mit der Maus” (The Show with the Mouse) since it first aired in West Germany in 1971. Each short episode features other languages and educational segments

The statue featuring the character’s famous orange body with brown ears, arms and legs — greets families and children outside a media building in Cologne, Germany

A receptionist for WDR saw several young people standing around the statue in Cologne on a camera feed overnight Friday into Saturday She then noticed flames and called the fire department, WDR said. The fire blackened parts of the mouse’s face and arm, images show The station said a police complaint had been filed against an unidentified person.

Matthias Körnich, head of children’s programming for WDR, said it’s not just a figurine that was damaged.

“A piece of childhood, a symbol of joy and togetherness has been attacked,” he said.

Gunmen kill 6 in attack on court building in Iran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Unknown attackers launched a gun and grenade attack on a court building in southeast Iran Saturday, killing six people including a child and wounding 20, state TV reported.

The report said security forces killed three of the gunmen in the armed clash in the country’s restive southern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. It did not identify any of the victims.

State TV said the attack happened in the province’s capital city of Zahedan. Police and security forces immediately took control of the site, 700 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran.

A report by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency believed to be close to security forces, blamed the attack on the militant group Jaish al-Adl, which wants independence for Iran’s eastern Sistan and Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan provinces.

Trump plays golf on Scotland trip

Protesters take to the streets and decry his visit

BY WILL WEISSERT Associated Press

EDINBURGH, Scotland President Donald Trump played golf Saturday at his course on Scotland’s coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American.

Trump and his son Eric played with the U.S. ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, near Turnberry a historic course that the Trump family’s company took over in 2014. Security was tight, and protesters kept at a distance wand unseen by the group during Trump’s round He was dressed in black, with a white “USA” cap, and was spotted driving a golf cart

The president appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more. By the middle of the afternoon, plainclothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined street in front of the U.S. Consulate about 100 miles away in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Speakers told the crowd that Trump was not welcome and criticized

British Prime Minister

Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff U.S. tariffs on goods imported from the U.K.

Protests were planned in other cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a “Stop Trump Coalition.”

Anita Bhadani, an organizer said the protests were “kind of like a carnival of resistance.”

Trump’s late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has suggested he feels at home in the country. But the protesters did their best to change that

“I don’t think I could just stand by and not do anything,” said Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended with her parents She held a cardboard sign that said “We don’t negotiate with fascists.” She said ”so many people here loathe him. We’re not divided. We’re not divided by religion, or race or political allegiance, we’re just here together because we hate him.”

Other demonstrators held signs of pictures with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the fervor over files in the case has increasingly frustrated the president.

In the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, “the vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about

Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he’s a disgrace.” Gorman, who works in advertising, said he came out “because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for.”

Saturday’s protests were not nearly as large as the throngs that demonstrated across Scotland when Trump played at Turnberry during his first term in 2018.

But, as bagpipes played, people chanted “Trump Out!” and raised dozens of homemade signs that said things like “No red carpet for dictators,” “We don’t want you here” and “Stop Trump. Migrants welcome.”

One dog had a sign that said “No treats for tyrants.”

Israel says airdrops of aid will begin

BY WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

DEIRAL-BALAH,Gaza Strip Israel’s military announced that airdrops of aid would begin Saturday night in Gaza, and humanitarian corridors will be established for United Nations convoys, after increasing accounts of starvation-related deaths

The statement late Saturday followed months of experts’ warnings of famine amid Israeli restrictions on aid. International criticism, including by close allies, has grown as several hundred Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks while trying to reach food distribution sites.

The military statement did not say where the airdrops or humanitarian corridors would be. It also said the military is prepared to implement humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas. Israel’s foreign ministry said late Saturday the humanitarian pauses would start Sunday in “civilian centers” along with humanitarian corridors.

The military “emphasizes that combat operations have not ceased” in Gaza against Hamas, and it asserted there is “no starvation” in the territory, where most of the population of over 2 million has been displaced into a shrinking area with little infrastructure The majority of people rely on aid. Witness accounts from

“We went because there is no food and nothing was distributed,” he said.

On Saturday evening, Israeli forces killed at least 11 people and wounded 120 others when they fired toward crowds who tried to get food from an entering U.N. convoy, Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, director of Shifa hospital, told the AP

“We are expecting the numbers to surge in the next few hours,” he said. There was no immediate military comment.

Some on the far right took to social media to call for gatherings supporting Trump in places such as Glasgow Trump also plans to talk trade with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. But golf is a major focus.

The family will also visit another Trump course near Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, before returning to Washington on Tuesday The Trumps will cut the ribbon and play a new, second course in that area, which officially opens to the public next month.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who is also set to meet with Trump during the visit, announced that public money will go to staging the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously known previously as the Scottish Championship, at Trump’s first course near Aberdeen next month.

“The Scottish Government recognizes the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy,” Swinney said. At a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: “We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.”

The president has long lobbied for Turnberry to host the British Open, which it has not done since he took over ownership.

in Gaza

AP video showed a group of weary Palestinian men carrying a body along with sacks of flour They said he was hit by a truck but had no details. “You die to fetch some food for your children,” said one man, Fayez Abu Riyala, thin and sweating. In the southern city of Khan Younis, Israeli forces shot dead at least nine people tryingtogetaidenteringthrough theMoragcorridor according to the hospital’s morgue records. There was no immediate military comment.

Gaza have been grim. Some health workers are so weakened by hunger that they put themselves on IV drips to keep treating the badly malnourished. Parents have shown their limp and emaciated children. Wounded men have described desperate dashes for aid under gunfire.

The military statement said airdrops would be conducted in coordination with international aid organizations. It was not clear where they would be carried out. And it wasn’t clear what role the recently created and Israelibacked Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — meant as an alternate to the U.N. aid system might play GHF chair Johnnie Moore in a statement said the group stood ready to assist Israeli airstrikes and gunshots killed at least 53 people in Gaza overnight

and into Saturday, most of them shot dead while seeking aid, according to Palestinian health officials and the local ambulance service.

Deadly Israeli gunfire was reported twice close to the Zikim crossing with Israel in the north. In the first incident, at least a dozen people waiting for aid trucks were killed, said staff at Shifa hospital, where bodies were taken. Israel’s military said it fired warning shots to distance a crowd “in response to an immediate threat.”

A witness, Sherif Abu Aisha, said people started running when they saw a light that they thought was from aid trucks, but as they got close, they realized it was Israel’s tanks. That’s when the army started firing, he told The Associated Press. He said his uncle was among those killed.

Police say multiple people stabbed at Michigan Walmart; suspect detained

By The Associated Press

TRAVERSE CITY Mich Multiple people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City Michigan, and a suspect was in custody, authorities said Saturday Munson Healthcare said via social media that 11 people were being treated at the region’s largest hos-

pital in northern Michigan. It said it would provide updates “as appropriate.” The Michigan State Police said the local sheriff’s office was investigating the incident and details were limited. The agency asked that people avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing.

A Walmart corporate

spokesperson Joe Pennington, said by email that the company was “working with police and defer questions to them right now.”

Messages seeking comment were left with police and the mayor Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALASTAIR GRANT

President Donald Trump waves to reporters Saturday as he sits in his golf cart at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry Scotland.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen on Saturday in Gaza City northern Gaza Strip.

Housecommittee lookingintoEpstein investigation

What comes next?

BY STEPHENGROVES

Associated Press

WASHINGTON Akey House committee is looking into the investigation of the late Jeffrey Epstein for sex trafficking crimes, working to subpoena President Donald Trump’sDepartment of Justice for files in the case as well as hold adepositionof Epstein’sformer girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee acted just before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, sent lawmakers home early for amonthlong break from Washington. The committee’smoves are evidence of the mounting pressure for disclosure in acase that Trump has unsuccessfully urged his supporters to move past. But they were also just the start of what can be a drawn out process.

Here’swhat could happen next in the House inquiry as lawmakers seek answers in acase that has sparked rampant speculation since Epstein’sdeath in 2019 and more recently caused many in the Trump administration to renege on promises for a complete accounting.

Democrats, however,warn that Maxwell is not to be trusted.

“Weshould understand thatthis is averycomplex witness and someonethat has caused great harm and not agood person to alot of people,” Rep. Robert Garcia, thetop Democrat on the oversight committee, toldreporters this week.

Othersubpoenas

Committee Republicans also initiated amotion to subpoena ahost of other people, including former President Bill Clinton, former Sen. Hillary Clinton as well as the former attorneys general dating back to Alberto Gonzales, who served under George W. Bush.

the House and reach aresolutionorifone or both sides becomes entrenchedinits position.”

If Congress is notsatisfied with Bondi’sresponse —orifshe were to refuse to hand over anyinformation— thereare several ways lawmakers can try to enforce the subpoena. However,that would require avote to hold Bondi in contempt of Congress. It’s practically unheard of for one political party to vote to hold oneofits own members in contempt of Congress, but the Epstein saga hasalso cutacrosspolitical linesand drivenawedge in the GOP

Growingpressure

Subpoena forEpstein files Democrats, joined by three Republicans, were able to successfully initiate the subpoena from asubcommittee just as the House was leaving Washington for its Augustrecess. But it was just the start of negotiations over the subpoena The subcommittee agreed to redactthe namesand personalinformationofany victims, but besidesthat, their demand for informationis quite broad, encompassing “unredactedEpstein files.”

whocontrol thecommittee will have more powerover the scope of the subpoena, but the fact that it was approved with astrongbipartisanvotegives it some heft

is serving alengthy sentence for child sextrafficking.

It’s not clear how this sweeping list of proposed subpoenas will actually play out, but Comer has said, “We’re going to movequickly on that.”

As the parametersofthe subpoenaare drafted, Democrats are demanding that it be fulfilled within 30 days from whenitisserved toAttorney General Pam Bondi. They have also proposed a list of document demands, including the prosecutorial decisions surrounding Epstein, documents relatedto hisdeath, and communication from any president or executive official regarding the matter. Ultimately,Republicans

TrumpsaysJapan

The committee chairman, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said he told thespeaker that “Republicansonthe Oversight Committee weregoing to move to be moreaggressive in trying to get transparency with the Epstein files So, we did that, and Ithink that’swhat the American people want.”

GhislaineMaxwell

Comer has said that he is hoping that staff from the committee can interview Maxwell underoath on Aug. 11 at or near the federal prisoninFlorida where she

In acongressional deposition, the subject typically has an attorney present to help themanswer —ornot answer —questions while maintainingtheir civil rights. Subjects alsohavethe abilitytodecline to answer questions if it could be used against themina criminal case, though in thisinstance that might not matter becauseMaxwell has already been convicted of many of thethingsshe will likely be asked about.

Maxwell has theabilityto negotiate some of the terms of the deposition, and shealready conducted 1½ days of interviews with Justice Department officials this past week.

HowwillAGcomply?

Trump is no strangerto fighting against congressional investigations and subpoenas. And as with most subpoenas, the Justice Department can negotiate the terms of how it fulfills the subpoena. It can also make legal arguments against handing over certain information.

Joshua A. Levy,who teaches on congressionalinvestigationsatGeorgetown Law School andisa partner at Levy Firestone Muse,said that the results of the subpoena“depend on whether the administration wants to work through the traditional accommodation process with

Ultimately,the bipartisan vote to subpoenathe files showed how political pressure is mounting on the Trump administration to disclosethe files.Politics,policy and the law are all bound up togetherinthis case, and many in Congresswant to see afull accounting of the sex trafficking investigation.

“Wecan’tallow individuals, especially those at the highest level of ourgovernment, to protect child sex traffickers,” said Rep.Summer Lee, D-Pa., acommittee member

TheTrump administration is already facing the potentialfor even more political tension. When Congress comes back to Washington in September,abipartisan group of House lawmakers is working to advance to afull House vote abill that aims to force the public release of the Epstein files.

will invest $550BinU.S.athis direction It maynot be asurething

BY JOSH BOAK and MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press

WASHINGTON President

Donald Trump is bragging that Japan has given him, as part of anew trade framework, $550 billion to invest in theUnited States. It’san astonishing figure, butstill subject to negotiation and perhaps not the sure thing he’sportraying.

“Japan is putting up $550 billion in order to lower their tariffs alittle bit,” Trump said Thursday.“They put up, as you could call it, seed money.Let’scall it seed money.”

He said 90% of any profits from the money invested would go to the U.S. even if Japan had putupthe funds. “It’snot aloan or anything, it’sa signing bonus,” theRepublican president said,on thetrade framework that lowered his threatened tariff from 25% to 15%, including on autos.

AWhite House official said the termsare being negotiated and nothing has been formalized in writing. The official, who insisted on anonymity to detail the terms of the talks, suggested the

distributesanextra

goal was for the $550 billion fund to make investments at Trump’sdirection.

Thesum is significant: It would representmorethan 10% of Japan’s entire gross domestic product. The Japan ExternalTrade Organization estimates that direct investment into the U.S. economy topped $780 billionin2023. It is unclear the degreeto whichthe $550 billion could represent new investment or flowinto existing investment plans. What the trade framework announced Tuesday has achieved is amajor talking point for theTrump administration.

Thepresident has claimed to have brought trillions of dollars in new investment into the U.S., though the impact of those commitments have yettoappear in the economicdata forjobs, construction spending or manufacturing output. The framework also enabledTrump to say other countriesare agreeing to have their goods taxed,even if some of the cost of thosetaxes areultimately passedalongtoU.S. consumers.

On the $550 billion, Japan’sCabinet Officesaidit involves thecredit facility of state-affiliated financial institutions, suchasJapan

Bank for International Cooperation. Furtherdetails would be decided based on theprogress of the investmentdeals.

Japanese trade negotiatorRyosei Akazawa, upon returning to Japan,did not discuss the terms of the$550 billion investment. Akazawa said he believes awritten jointstatementisnecessary, at leastonworking levels,to avoid differences. He is not thinking about alegally binding trade pact

The U.S. apparently released its version of thedeal while Japanese officials were on their return flight home.

“Ifwefind differences of understanding, we may have to point them outand say‘that’snot what we discussed,’” Akazawa said.

The U.S. administration saidthe fund would be invested in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, computer chips and shipbuilding, among other industries. It has said Japan will also buy 100 airplanes from Boeing and rice from U.S. farmers as part of theframework, which TreasurySecretary ScottBessent saidwould be evaluated everythree months.

“And if the president is unhappy,then theywill boomerang back to the 25% tar-

iff rates, both on cars andthe rest of theirproducts.And I can tell you that Ithink at 25, especially in cars, the Japanese economy doesn’twork,”

Bessent told Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.” Akazawa deniedthatBessent’squarterly review was part of the negotiations.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Akey House committee is looking into the investigation of the late JeffreyEpstein for sex trafficking crimes.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

By EUGENEHOSHIKO Astaffmember

edition of the yomiuri Shimbun newspaper WednesdayinTokyoreporting that President DonaldTrump announced atrade framework with Japan on Tuesday.

he said.“That’s whyhe’s here.”

At thefederal level, DOGE has generated controversy by initiating major layoffs and gutting agencies.

But Landry and Orlando say the goal of Louisiana’s DOGE isn’tslashing governmentjobsorservices. It’susingabusiness-minded approachtohelpagencies use taxpayer dollars wisely

For example, DOGE pushed the Health Department to more reliablyfind out when Medicaid recipients had moved out of Louisiana, leading to over $73 million in savings.

Like most Louisianans, “I just want to know that when Ipay my taxes,my money is actually being put to good use,” Orlando said.

Fellow state leaders and government watchdogs welcome efforts to rein in bureaucracy,which has a natural tendency to balloon, but some have raised concerns.

Treasurer John Fleming, afellow Republican, said he hasn’tseen or heard anything aboutLA DOGE since the very early part of the year, when Orlandohelped him sort out aproblem with Medicaid provider payments.

partment of Justice.

Orlando,inthe mid-1990s, founded Allison Marine Group, which servicesoil and gas productioncompanies, according to an online biography.Healso founded Allison Marine Fourchon and JAB Energy Solutions.

Orlando soldhis business to aprivate equity firm but remains involved.

Landry and Orlando live down theroadfrom each other in the Lafayette Parish town of Broussard.

role and providing data that already exists in its volumes of auditreports.

“We’re tickledtodeath that thegovernor has really pushedhis folks to dust off these reportsand implement the recommendationsthat this office hasgiventothe executive branch,” Waguespack said.

withthe DOGE program. Transparencyexperts said the task force is subject to open meetings laws,which requirea“public body” to give notice of meetings that thepublic can attend.

government, and the public has aright to know what its government is doing.”

Landry said the public should follow thegovernor on social media for LA DOGE updates.

Otherapproaches

Jay Dardenne, aformer state legislator,lieutenant governor and commissioner of administration, said government efficiency groups are“nothing newbyany stretch,” but he nonetheless supports ongoing costsaving efforts.

“There is always going to be aneed to examinethe efficiency of government,” he said. “It’salways ahuge operationwith huge dollars thatbelongtothe people.”

For example, Louisiana sawtwo majorefficiency initiatives in recent decades: oneinthe 1990s pushed by state business leadersand backed by Gov. Mike Fosterand another in 2009 under Gov. Bobby Jindal meant to deal with a $1 billionbudgetshortfall.

Both resultedinhundreds of recommendations.

Outside of Louisiana, at least 25 other states have announced somekind of DOGE initiative. Still, Robert Hogan, apolitical-scienceprofessor at LSU, saidLandry’srebranding of the fiscal responsibility effort to LA DOGE was “brilliant” from apolitical standpoint.

“The essence of modern conservatism is that government is generally doing things that you don’tlike,” said Hogan. He pointedto Ronald Reagan’sfamous statement from his1981 inaugural speech,“Government is notthe solution to ourproblem; government is the problem.” For manyconservatives, Hogansaid, the DOGE concept demonstrates to voters that Landry is “implementing the ideologyand worldviewthattheyvoted for.”

Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse.pfeil@theadvocate. com

“Wedon’teven know if it exists,” he said.

Fleming said he’sworried the program is “just apolitical entity” that doesn’t have a“real commitment to reducing spending.”

The treasurer has become amore vocal critic of Landry sincenewsreports surfaced that the governor is encouraging U.S. Rep Julia Letlow to run for U.S. Senate, aseatFlemingis campaigning for Earlier this year,LA DOGE faced scrutiny from open government advocates who said Orlando and the eight state lawmakers on his task force should follow open meetings laws

“They aremaking plans about how state spending should be done,” said Steven Procopio, presidentof the Public Affairs Council, Louisiana’slong-standing government and policy watchdog organization.

“That is state tax dollars, andsotherefore, the citizens have aright to be involved in that process, or at least to be informed.

Landry says he doesn’t want LA DOGE to get bogged with process concerns and says Orlando can make results happen.

“All Icare about is saving the taxpayers money andcreating efficiencyin government,” he said. “If we send ourselves down a bureaucratic hole, we don’t save anybody adime.”

WhoisSteve Orlando?

During hisfirsttermas attorney general, Landry asked Orlandotohelma similar cost-savings initiative at the Louisiana De-

Orlando chairs a PACthat backs Landry and anotherthatspent hundreds of thousands of dollars to promoteaproposed constitutional amendment that Landrysupported, campaign finance records show He was also achair of Landry’sgubernatorial transition committee.

“There’snoboogeyman,” Landry said of his decision to pick apolitical supporter to lead LA DOGE.

“Peopleget involved in the political system in order to create achange,” he said. “And if the change is positive,thenwhenyou put yourself backupatthe ballot, that’sthe record that you run on.” What is LA DOGEupto?

LA DOGE is focusing its initial efforts on theLouisiana Department of Health, one of the state’slargest agencies, Orlando said.

This year,the Health Department is getting $3.2 billion out of $12.2 billion from the stategeneral fund, as well as $16.4 billion of federal funding.

To help withthe costcutting effort, LA DOGE recruited Guidehouse, a Virginia-based consulting firm that is undertaking an agencywide study of the Health Department.

Under the contract, the firm has to create a“future state roadmap” for recommended changes at the Health Department and finish its work by Dec. 31. Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack, whois working closely with LA DOGE, said his office is in contact with Orlando and others on at leastaweekly basis, playing aconsulting

In 2023, for example, the auditor found that the state’sMedicaidprogram failed to determine when recipients movedout of state. At LA DOGE’surging, theHealth Department in April began using Office of Motor Vehicles datato help get thosepeople off therolls.

As of May,that led to about 9,000 fewer people on Louisiana Medicaid, worth about $73.8 million in savings annually,the Health Departmentsaid in aletter to theauditor that month.

In addition to theHealth Department, Orlando said he’s been “entrenched” withthe Department of Children and Family Services for months, not to look at cuttingcosts, but “to try to transform that agency to be No. 1inthe nation.”

DCFS this week announcedit’saddinga new group of over 50 secondshiftchild protectiveservices investigators in the fall, achange DOGE had a hand in Orlando also said he’s alsoworking withthe state technologyoffice to clean up underutilizedorunused IT contracts and user accounts, saving $4.5 million so far.And he said he’s helping on apartnership between the University of LouisianaatLafayette and theHealth Department to useAItodetectMedicaid fraud.

The businessman said LA DOGE planstoreview everydepartmentand agency across state government.

“We’ve already identified over $100 million in savings,” he said.“There’s real momentum, andwe’re just getting started.”

Transparency concerns

In February,Landry and Orlando drew scrutiny over what they have described as informal meetings during which thepanel vetted consultants to help

Orlando maintains the gatherings werejust informalmeet-and-greets. But he said to avoidany problems, the members of the fiscalresponsibilitygroup no longer meet.Instead, they talk on the phone as needed.

Landry argued LA DOGE isn’taboard or commission that was conferred with actual power,nor is it alegal entity

“They’resimply people trying to discuss ideas and ways to create efficiencies in government,” he said.

But some attorneys, like civil rights attorneyBruce Hamilton, see thelaw differently.Hamiltonsaysthe program passes the “duck test.”

“The fiscal responsibility program looks like apublic body,acts like apublic body andfunctions like apublic body.Sotome, it’spublic body,and it has to follow legal requirementsfor apublic body,including holding open meetings,” he said.

Hamilton said underthe Louisiana Constitution and state law, there is “a right andanexpectation for open

By JILLPICKETT

Gov. Jeff Landryshakes hands with state Sen.TroyHebert, R-Lafayette, after signing abill at Cyber InnovationCenter in Bossier City on June 25.

the59-year-old drifter from Alabama had been in Lafayette several weeks and had visited thetheater several times. Ahandwritten, hatefilled journal found inside his room at aMotel 6onUniversity Avenue painted apicture of asexist, homophobic racist who feared America’s culture was crumbling around him. But it offered few real clues about his motivation.Why that day? Why Lafayette?

And 10 years later,the community,which rallied under the moniker #lafayettestrong, still wonderswhy such bright lights wereextinguished that day Jillian Johnson, 33, and Mayci Breaux, 22,were killed. Nine others were injured. The gunman took his own life. AndLafayettewas forever changed.

Thevictims

Jillian Johnson’spresence is still strong throughout the city she loved, even 10 years after her death.

Her band, The Figs, played ashow at Festival Internationalthis year to honorher memory.Her business, Parish Ink, continues to share the joy of living in Acadiana with artist-driven T-shirts,flags and other merch. Townfolk, aneighborhood organization she helped create, still maintains acommunity garden in Fightingville and gives out groceries every Saturday morning to residents in need.

Townfolk’sVictory Garden is at the cornerofOlivier and South Pierce streets in north Lafayette, right around the corner from where Johnson lived. The tree-lined streets and creative spiritofFightingville (formally known as La Place, one of Lafayette’s oldest neighborhoods)reflect Johnson’sspirit and driveto this day.Accordingtoone of her neighbors, that’sbecause Johnson played apersonal role in creating the kindof place she wanted to live based on one of her guiding principles, “do good work.”

“One of Jillian’sgoals for the Victory Garden was not to just be like, ‘This is my plot. This is my food. Iget the fruits of my labor.’She wanted it to be for the whole neighborhood,” said Gisele Menard, who helpedJohnson start TownFolk with others in 2010 in La Place. Johnson was passionate about beautifying the neighborhood. According to Menard, her impact can still be seen on charmingly painted cottages in the area (one of which was her home with her husband, Jason, and their daughter), and in the enormous neighborhoodcleanup day she once organized to get 200 new trees in the ground.

SaidMenard:“Shewas an idealist. She saw things as she wanted them to be, not just how they were. In the house she lived in on Pierce that she bought as asingle woman, she saw the beauty and what it couldbeifshe cared enough and did enough, and she did all that. She was just inspiring. Iwas amazedwith her, and proud to be her friend, and so, so sad to lose her.”

Mayci Breaux decidedin

junior high school that she wanted to be aradiologic technician.

“She justloved being around poepleand try to healpeople,”her mother Dondie Breaux said.“she wanted to help people get pastthe badsituations they were in and try to fix them.

Mayci Breaux interned with LafayetteGeneral,now OschnerHealth, and wasgoing to work for the company

When she was killed, the hospital “really took it to heart,” saidNancy Broadhurst, executive director of theOchsner Lafayette General Foundation. The Mayci BreauxRadiologic Technology Scholarship was created

“Ourheartfeltconnection to Mayci’smemoryisone that lives with us forever,” Broadhurst said. “The fact that thisscholarshipfund is helpingsomany inthe communityreally is abright light,shining light after a tragic event.”

Thescholarshipfund started with an anonymous $100 donation.Actress Amy Schumer, the starof the movieplaying in thetheater when the shooting broke out, also donated. It hassince grown toa $50,000 scholarship fund,Broadhurst said Louisianastudents enrolled in aradiologic technology program ataLouisiana college or university with at least a3.5 cumulative GPAcan applyfor the $1,000 scholarship.Since its creation, more than $30,000 has been awarded to 30 students.

The loss of her daughter still hurts, Dondie Breaux said. But the scholarship and itscontinued ability to help others lets her know that people care andkeeps her family “walking strong.”

“It’sa special thingfor us,” DondieBreauxsaid.“It really brings her back every year and she’d be so happy to help othersthatwantthe same thing shewanted.”

The Ochsner Lafayette General Foundation professionally managesthe fund, processing the applications and selectingthe recipients. Each year,the awardis given on Breaux’sbirthday, Sept.25.

It representsan investment in health care,helps lightenthe financial burden for students and “fosters the remembrance of Mayci.” Applications for this year’sscholarship are open through Sept.16. Interested studentsshould email olgfoundation@ochsner.org for an application

The firstresponders

Thatfateful Thursday is aday that former Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craftthinks about often.

He hadjustreturned home from acity budget meeting when he got the call.

“It was one of my majors whosaid, ‘We’vejust had a mass shootingatthe Grand Theater.’”

Craft immediately flicked on hispolice radioashe rushed to his vehicle. Bythe time he arrived, officers had swarmed the Grand 16, and the suspecthad killed himself along with twopeople, injuring at least nine others. LPD and other departments

Members of the Figs, JillianJohnson’sband,embrace each other in solidarity followingJohnson’sfuneral service at Delhomme FuneralHomeinLafayette, on July 27, 2015. Jillian Johnson, 33, and MayciBreaux,21, were shot and killed while watching the movie ‘Trainwreck’ at The Grand 16 movie theater in Lafayette on July 23,2015,leaving stunned friendsand family questioning howtwo lives off to such promisingstartscould end so tragically

andagenciesbegan coordinating immediately to evacuate people to safetyand initiatetheir four-day,nonstop investigation.

“After we found out what happened,itbecame, ‘Let’s manage this thing,’”Craft said.

Media outletswould catch wind of what was happeningand begin reportingthe incident.The shooting would make national headlines.

Craft sent his investigators to begin interviewing and reaching out to more than 300 witnesses. Others began meticulously combing through evidenceand taking witness statements to render acomplete play-by-play of the three-and-a-half-minute tragedy

LouisianaState Police offered to take over the investigation, but Craft declined, a decision he stands by today Despite the city having never seenamass shooting, his departmenthad trained for eventslike this.

“There wasn’t nothing that we wouldn’ttackleorcouldn’t handle,” Craft said.

Overall,helaudedhis department’sabilitytoefficientlyconductwhathesees as asuccessful investigation. Though he thinks therewere things hisdepartment could have done better,hesaid.

One being better coordination with Acadian Ambulance. Officersgave medics the go-ahead to enter the theater shortly after the shooting ended. Still, Acadian Ambulance supervisors weren’t immediatelyupdated on the situationbypolice,causing a lag in response time

Anotherarea of potential improvement is how the department handled getting information to victims’families.

“Wegot feedback from some familymembersof the victims who saidthatfor awhile they were in limbo; they didn’tknowwhere their family member was, what theircondition was.” Craft said. “That was on us; we should have done abetterjob of communicating to family members.”

Policing didn’tchange much after the shooting, said LafayettePolice ChiefPaul Trouard, whowas adetective supervisor at the time. The department had trained in active shooter situations since 2000, following the massshooting at Columbine High School in 1999.

“It just let us know that we weren’timmunetoit,” Trouardsaid, “Wewere trained in the right way,and we were ready to respond, but Ithink it kind of woke everybody up —not just us, citizenstoo.”

Recentevents like the New Year’sterrorist attack in New Orleanshavechangedthe wayhis department looks at major events in the city.His departmentnow deploys buses to block major thoroughfares forMardi Gras parades, doubling as masstransportation forvictims

The city has installed additional bollardsindowntown Lafayette for events such as FestivalInternational de Louisiane. Trouard, with the assistance of other agencies, stationedplainclothesofficers throughout Festival to monitor suspicious activities.

Thedepartment is looking to purchase more drones to give abird’s-eye viewoflarge gatherings.

“New Orleans changed a lot. It changed theway that we do ourmajor events now,” Trouard said.

The community support forvictims and his department is whatmadeCraft the proudest. Shortly after the shooting, area businesses would raise at least $350,000 forvictims. Throughout the investigation,local businesses and residents offered food andwater to officers.

“The community,itjust really cametogether,”Craft said.

Thecommunity

TamaraJohnson said she remembers being at home when she heardabout the shooting.

“My heart sank even morebecause Iknew Mayci Breaux’s family.Meand her mom wenttohigh school together.”

Johnsonsaidthe shooting changed how she feels about goingtoa movietheater “I’m always on edge while there. My comfort level has changed. Itry to sit near the edge to be easier to escape if Ineed to.”

Angie Powers, another native of Acadiana,saidit’shard to believe it’sbeen adecade already.Although she still regularlyattends the movies, theexperience hasnever been the same, and she finds herselfstaying highly alert in every theater

“I’m aware of everyone behind me andaround me and we always wear tennis shoes and not flip-flops because it’s truly changed things,” said Power It was aday that changed Lafayette forever,and permanently marked the lives of everyone who knew Mayci Breaux, Jillian Johnsonand theother victims of July23. Powersand othersreport feeling morealert andaware of potentially dangerous circumstances in public spaces. That lasting emotionaland psychological impact is common when communities suffer amass traumatic event, according to Maria Salazar Istre, ownerand clinical director at Tree of Life Counseling andConsultinginLafayette. “It’simportanttorecognize that healing will take time. Even years,” said Istre. “And healing doesn’tmean forgetting.Itmeansfinding ways to carry the memory of those we lost while continuing to live andsupport one another.”

“Grief will oftentimes take years for the initial response to diminish, which can reemerge during times of remembrance,suchasthis 10thanniversary.Meeting that reactionwith patience, kindness andsupportisvital for individuals andour communitytoheal as awhole.” Staff writers Joanna Brown,Ashley White, StephenMarcantel andJakori Madison contributed to this report Email Kristin Askelson at kaskelson@theadvocate. com.

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Trump’sLa. nominees areheldupbyother

WASHINGTON —Itseems likely that Kurt Wall willbeconfirmed as U.S. Attorney for the Baton Rouge region —eventually

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted again to recommend that the full chamber confirm Wall’s nomination by President Donald Trump. The committee had done so the week before, but only after the panel’s Democrats stormed out of the meeting, bickering over another candidate and later questioning the absence of aquorum. Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley,R-Iowa, ran asecond voteand Wall was again added to thelist of about 300 nominees of President Donald Trump awaiting confirmation under the Senate’sadvise and consentrole. The secondvote bodes well for Wall’seventual confirmation, said Carl Tobias, aUniversity of Richmond law professor who tracks federal judicial appointments.

vote.The other four Trumpnomineeswith Louisianaroots are still goingthrough committee vetting.

SenateMajority Leader John Thune,R-South Dakota, said he was “thinking about” keeping the Senate in Washington. Starting Monday at8 p.m., the upperchamber will do little but voteonconfirmations in hopes of clearing the pipelineenough that senators can go home on Friday as planned.

Citing problems with thequality of some nominations, theextreme ideologies of others, and smarting from GOP-only votes toslam through thespending bill and legislation to claw back already appropriated funds, Democrats aremakingtheirRepublican colleagues gothrough timeconsuming procedures that have slowed confirmation of federal judges, U.S. Attorneys, and other officials.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.,

“Nobody said anything negative about him,” Tobias said. “Nobody talked about him at all.” Nevertheless, Wall is collateral damage in apartisan fightthat prompted Trump to demand the Senate forego its summer vacation and confirm his nominees. Wall is now one of three Louisiananominees waiting for Democratic and Republican senators to reachagreement, as they usually do, to more efficiently confirm.

TwoNew Orleanians, Peter Thomson, who is up for CIA inspector general, and James Baehr,chosen as the nextgeneral counsel at the DepartmentofVeterans Affairs, sit on the Senate’s calendar awaiting aconfirmation

LaCerte nominated to utility regulator

The former head of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, David LaCerte, was nominated for aseat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, which oversees wholesale power markets that utilities use as well as the transmission of electricity and natural gas.

CAPITOL BUZZ staff reports

LaCerte, who graduated from Nicholls State University and the LSU Law School, is the White House liaison and senior adviser to the director for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, where he helped shepherd candidates through the nomination process and advised on personnel policyfor the

After the Senate adjourned Thursdaynight forthe weekend, the chamber’sGOP caucus noted that 107 Trumpnominees had been confirmed —almost double thenumber ready to taketheir jobs at this point in2017, six months into the president’sfirst term

This “despite unprecedented Democrat obstruction,” the online post stated

The“obstruction”line was repeated by almost every GOP senator SenateMajorityWhipJohn Barrasso, of Wyoming, said on theSenate floor: “Democrats are wagingacoordinated campaign of obstruction.”

“President Trumpisthe first president to not have asingle nominee passed by unanimous consent, which means you have to have avote,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge. “It’sfair at this pointtosay that stalling

agency that administers employment for the 2millionfederal workers.

LaCerte

Thefive FERCcommissioners serve fiveyear terms. LaCerte, who was nominated last week by President Donald Trump, would be replacing FERC Chair Willie L. Phillips,who was tapped by President Joe Biden and resigned before his term expired on June 30, 2026. His nomination will be vetted, probably in thefall, by the U.S. Senate CommitteeonEnergy and Natural Resources.

Thepanel has nine Democratic members and 11 Republicans, including U.S Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge. If the committee recommends LaCerte, 45, thefull Senate will have to voteon his confirmation.

“For this administration, if you’relooking for someone toreform something and cut red tape, that is

techniques by theDemocrats are hurting theabilities of gettingappointees through.”

Democrats haven’tallowed unanimous voice votes, thereby requiring on-the-record tallies for each confirmation. Butboth parties have ahistory of interfering with the other’sefforts to confirm nominees.

Back in 2018, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, then the majority leader,kept Democratic senatorsinWashington for two weeks during August to keep them from campaigning in November’selections.

Then there is Vice President JD Vance, who, as asenator from Ohio, held up theconfirmation of U.S. Attorneys. This go-around, Democratic senators are doing a little payback.

what David is known for,” saidMary-Patricia Wray,a Baton Rouge lobbyistwho has worked with LaCerte as alegal and regulatory expert on behalf of her clients.

ButLaCerte has very littleexperience in utility law and administration, wrote Dan Farber in Legal Planet, an environmental law policy collaboration of faculty at theUniversity of California Berkeley School of Law and UCLA School of Law

Higgins misses out on chairmanship

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins lostout on achance to become chair of the House Homeland Security committee when Republicans this week choseU.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, of New York instead Higgins,R-Lafayette, was one of four candidates to lead thecommittee that plays aleading roleinimmigration policy and enforcement.

Membersofthe GOP majority endorsed the Monday night voteofthe

In every Senate, opposition to controversial candidates slows thepace.

This time, former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, whoisupfor U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia, and Emil Bove, who is line for aseat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Philadelphia,have engendered considerable opposition. Democratic senators argue that Pirro is aprominent denier of the 2020 presidential election results, and Boveisaformer lawyer for Trumpwho has said the administration should ignore court rulings it doesn’tlike. Other nominees are opposed by GOP senators. PaulIngrassia, forinstance, is sailing against strong Republican headwinds in his confirmation

House Republican Steering Committee.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton,MajorityLeader Steve Scalise, RJefferson, and Rep.Julia Letlow, R-Baton ROuge, controlled seven of theSteering Committee’s 38 votes. Garbarino also is on the panel and is close to Johnson.

“House Republicans know that Rep.Garbarino will serveasasteadyhand at the helm of the House Homeland Security Committee as Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration continue our work to restore law and order at our borders,” Johnson saidinastatement

Tuesday Johnson also cited Garbarino’s“experience as a highly effective legislator at the state and federal level, his ability to build consensusinour Conference, and his impressive work heading theCybersecurity

to the Office of Special Council, which protects whistleblowers and enforces lawsprohibiting political activity from federal employees. He has practiced little law but has associated with online extremists and madeantisemitic comments.

Agroup of Republicans, led by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, oppose confirming Mike Waltz as ambassador to the United Nations. But he’ll likely be confirmed Monday because the State Department agreed to release $75 million in foreign aid forHaiti and Nigeria, which someDemocrats sought. “It’slike the samething that Republicans did to Biden forfour years,” Tobias said.

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

andInfrastructure ProtectionSubcommittee.”

Garbarino replaces Rep. Mark Green,R-Tennessee, who resignedfromthe House aftervoting on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Letlow touts aid for ranchersinbill

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow R-BatonRouge,has been touting herbill to help ranchers impacted by drought thatshe managed to slip in the massive legislation, signedinto lawJuly 4, thatcodifiedmuch of President DonaldTrump’s political agenda When lack of rain kills off grasslands on which livestock feed, the Livestock Forage Disaster Programgives payouts to help farmers. The monthly payments are calculated using afinancing formula that, generally, considers ratesfrom $9.11 for each reindeer to $41.40

for beef cattle to $107.64 perdairy cow Letlow’sDrought AssistanceImprovement Act expands those payments: It would allowfor onemonthly payment whenaparish hasfourconsecutive weeks of aSevereDrought D2 rating (the lowest category of drought, belowthe extreme andexceptional levels) andtwo monthly payments foreight consecutive weeks of D2. “These reforms will strengthen disaster relief for livestockproducers by allowing more timely payments for producers who suffergrazing losses due to drought,” Letlow said. “The Big, Beautiful Bill providedsignificant support forLouisiana farmers, including through my Drought Assistance Improvement Act, whichwas includedinthe bill.” Letlowrepresents Monroeand parts of Baton Rouge.But the bulk of the 5thCongressional Districtisruralareas whose economies depend on agriculture.She is member of the powerful House Appropriations committee.

Mark Ballard

Higgins

Letlow

EDUCATION

POLITICS IN SCHOOLS

Columbia settlement couldreshape higher ed

BY COLLIN BINKLEY AP education writer

WASHINGTON TheTrumpadministration’smilestone settlement with Columbia promises to bring stability to auniversity in crisis. It also delivers acrucial win to President Donald Trump in his campaign to reshape higher education.

And at colleges aroundthe country,the deal clarifies the stakesfor anyone weighing whether to fight the administration’sdemands or concede.

ColumbiaagreedWednesday to pay more than $220 million to thefederal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus. That decision offers acontrast to the path taken by Harvard University, which has lost billions of dollars in government funding asits legal battle escalates with no end in sight.

Yetthe Columbia deal also raises questions aboutuniversity independence as the school submits to closer federal oversight.

No sooner had Trump announced the deal than he sent awarning: Numerous other universities, he said, “are upcoming.”

The deal is the first to settle a federal antisemitism investigation since Trump returned to office. It’s alsothe first agreement with a university touching on so many elements of the president’s agenda, from admissions and campus protests to women’ssports and diversity,equity and inclusion programs.

Columbia agreed to some provisions similar to those that Harvard rejected and called adangerous precedent. The settlement requires the hiring of new faculty in Jewish studies and areview of academics to ensure “balance.” Columbia will

be placedunder the watch of an independent monitor and ordered to disclose hiring, admission and discipline data to be auditedfor compliance.

In what Columbia describedas avictory for university autonomy, the agreement includesaclause sayingthe government has no authority to dictatehiring, admissions decisions or the content of academic speech.ActingUniversity President Claire Shipman said it was “carefully crafted to protect thevalues that define us” while restoringthe university’sfederal researchfunding.

Pragmatism or capitulation

Some at Columbia calleditthe best feasible outcome. Some called it capitulation. Rep. Jerry Nadler, aDemocratfrom NewYorkand a Columbia graduate whosedistrict includes the Manhattan campus, called it a“cowardly” agreement Columbia has effectively waved “the white flag of surrenderinits battle at theheart of the Trump Administration’swar on higher education andacademic freedom,” Nadlersaid

Columbia hadbeenthreatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in governmentsupport, including more than $400 million in research grantscanceled earlier this year

David Pozen,alaw professor at Columbia, said thesettlement raises legal questions aboutTrump’s strategy of regulation by dealmaking. Instead of applying asingle standardacross all of higher education,Pozen said, Trump is relying on one-off deals withindividual universitiesasaconditiontoregain federal funding.

“In short,the agreement gives legal formtoanextortion scheme,” he said. The American Council on Education, which representshundreds of university presidents,exhorted the administration to “return to following the rule of law.”

“This cannot be atemplate for the government’s approach to American highereducation,” said Ted Mitchell,the group’spresident “Columbia was put in an untenable position by the outrageous actions of the executive branch of the government.”

Lawrence Summers, aformer Treasury secretaryand former president of Harvard,calledthe settlement an “excellent template” for agreements with Harvard and other universities. He said it preserves Columbia’s independence while addressing antisemitism and renewing afocus on merit.

“This may be the best day higher education hashad in the last year,” Summerswrote on X. Federalinvestigations

With the deal,Trumphas new momentum in his expanding campaigntobring thenation’suniversities in line with his vision. Dozens of campuses are under federal investigation forallegations related to antisemitism, DEI and transgenderathletes in women’s sports. Trumphas saved his strongest rebuke for elite private universities, yet his administration hasalso recently turned attention to big public universitiesincluding George Mason University AmongTrump’sbackers, the Columbia agreement is seen as afirst step to counteract the liberal bias theysay has permeated college campuses.

EducationSecretaryLinda McMahoncalledColumbia’s reforms aroad map for universitieslooking to regainpublic trust. “I believe theywillripple across the higher education sector and change the course of campus culture foryears to come,” McMahonsaidina statement.

The settlementfollows smaller wins for the administration, including arecent deal with the University of Pennsylvania over transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. Pennagreed to modify school records held by Thomas and to apologize to female athletes “disadvantaged” by Thomas’ participation.

Just daysearlier, the president of theUniversity of Virginia agreed to resign amid aJustice Department investigation over DEI policies.

Many university presidents have rallied behind Harvard in its fight against the Trumpadministration, seeing their own independence jeopardized by thegovernment’s sanctions against the Ivy League school. Harvard, the nation’soldest and wealthiest university,isoften seen as abellwether for other institutions, and someregard it as the best hope to repel the Trump administration’s pressure campaign.

Now even more ridesonHarvard’scase. Earlierthis month, Trump said adeal with Harvard appeared imminent, only to lash out at the university this week following acourt hearing in oneof Harvard’slegal battles.

“A big part of it is going to be how muchHarvard gets in the future,” Trump told reporters. “And they’re not going to get very much.”

More pullingbackfromDEI

Even before Trump took office, more universitieshad been pulling back on DEI andtaking othersteps to backtrack on what somesee as aleftward political drift. Yetifthe Columbia agreement becomes a model,itcould force an even deeper reckoning.

The agreementrequiresfull compliancewith the administration’sinterpretation of Title IX, the federallaw barring sex discriminationineducation. Trump officials have used the law to force the removal of transgender athletes from women’ssports. The deal also requiresregularreports to ensure Columbia does not “promoteunlawfulDEI goals.”

On admissions, the settlement pushes Columbia to limit theconsideration of race even beyond the U.S. Supreme Court’s2023 decision ending affirmative action. Thatdecisionleftopen the possibility thatuniversitiescould consider an applicant’sdiscussion of how their race affected theirlife including in college application essays. The Columbia deal appears to bar such considerations.

Thailand,Cambodiatrade freshattacks andaccusations

BY JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI and SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press

SURIN, Thailand Thailand and Cambodia traded accusations of fresh attacks

Saturday as deadly border clashes entered athird day and international pressure mounted for aceasefire. The fighting has killed at least 33 people and displaced more than 168,000.

Artillery and small-arms fire were reported near several border villages, expanding the area of the fighting that flared Thursday after aland mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers.Cambodian and Thai officials blamed eachother for starting the clashes.

Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia.

talked with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and suggested he would notconclude atradeagreement with either country if thecrossborderhostilitiescontinued. He later said bothsides have agreed to meet to negotiatea ceasefire.

Officialsfromthe two countriesdid not immediately confirm any plan to meet. Trump’scomments followed increasingpressure on theAssociation of SoutheastAsian Nations to defuse the tensions between its two members.

to hostilitiesand apeaceful resolution.

The leader of Malaysia, ASEAN’scurrent chair,has saidThailand andCambodiaare open to aceasefire proposal.Malaysian media said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has tasked the country’sforeign ministerwith mediating peace talks, but no concrete plans have been announced.

try condemned what it called an expandedThai offensive early Saturday after five heavy artillery shells were fired into Pursat province. It said the attack was an “unprovokedand premeditated act of aggression.”

Ministry spokesperson

Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said tensions flared in the coastal province of Koh Kongand expressed concern about the possibilityofconfrontations at sea.

Cambodia’sInformation

Minister Neth Pheaktra said Saturday that theclashes have forced 10,865 Cambodian families, or 37,635people, in three borderprovinces to evacuate to safe locations.

Thaiofficials said more than 131,000 people have fled their bordervillages.

The 500-mile frontier be-

Cambodian authorities reported 12 new deaths on Saturday,bringing its toll to 13, while the Thai militarysaida soldier was killed, raising the numberofdead to 20,mostly civilians.

tween Thailandand Cambodia hasbeendisputedfor decades,but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions flared in May when aCambodiansoldierwas killedin aconfrontation thatcreated adiplomatic rift and roiled Thailand’sdomestic politics

On Saturday,President Donald Trump posted on TruthSocial that he has

During an emergency meeting on Friday,members of theU.N. Security Council called for ade-escalation and urged ASEANtomediate apeacefulsolution.The council didn’t issuearesolutiononthe crisis, but Thai ForeignMinister Maris Sangiampongsa said Saturday thatthe group’s15members called for restraint,anend

Marissaidearlier Saturday that his country has agreed in principle to ASEAN’s ceasefire proposal, but insisted Cambodia must first cease hostilities. He said Thailand continues to engage with Malaysia on the matter

“Thailand reaffirms its commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully and in accordance with international law,” he said, urging Cambodia to “return to the negotiating table withsincerity and in good faith.”

Cambodia’sDefense Minis-

Maly Socheata said seven Cambodian civilians and five soldiers have been killed in twodays of fighting. Another man was reportedly killed when apagodahewas hiding under washit by Thai rockets.

TheThai army hasdenied targeting Cambodian civilians andaccusesPhnom Penh of using “human shields”bypositioning their weapons near residential areas.

BY GARYFIELDS and JILL COLVIN Associated Press

Asenior State Department

official whowas fired as a speechwriter during President Donald Trump ‘s first term and has ahistory of incendiarystatements has been appointed to lead the embattled U.S. Institute of Peace. The move to install Darren Beattie as the institute’snew acting president is seenas the latest step in the administration’sefforts to dismantle the embattled organization, which was founded as an independent, non-profit think tank. It is funded by Congress to promote peace and

prevent and end conflicts across the globe. The battle is currently being playedout in court.

Beattie, whocurrently serves as the undersecretary for public diplomacy at the State Department and will continue on inthatrole, wasfiredduring Trump’s first termafter CNN reported that he hadspokenat a2016 conference attended by White nationalists.Hedefended the speech he delivered as containing nothing objectionable Aformer academic who taught at Duke University, Beattie also founded arightwing website thatshared conspiracies about the Jan. 6attack on the U.S. Capitol,

andhas alonghistory of posting inflammatory statementsonsocial media.

“Competent White men must be in charge if you want things to work,”hewrote on October 2024. “Unfortunately,our entire nationalideologyispredicated on coddling the feelings of women and minorities, and demoralizing competent White men.”

AState Department official confirmed Beattie’sappointment by the USIPboard of directors, which currently includesSecretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of DefensePeteHegseth. “(W)e look forwardtoseeing him advance President Trump’sAmerica First agenda in this newrole,”theysaid.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By ANTON L. DELGADO

Displaced Cambodians receivewater Saturdayatthe Battkhao Resettlement Camp in Oddar MeancheyProvince, Cambodia, as border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia enter their thirdday

THE GULF COAST

Rural residents fight to protect ‘country life’ from growth

BY MARTHA SANCHEZ Sun Herald

Down the two-lane roads where he built a home three decades ago, Jerry Gathof sees change coming to the quiet countryside.

Developers keep asking Harrison County for permission to build new subdivisions in the dense oak and pine. A steady stream of cars now swarms the new Buc-ee’s Travel Center that opened nearby.

Neighbors are lamenting the new traffic and say front porch video cameras are capturing more petty theft and crime. In recent years, Gathof and his wife have put up “No Trespassing” signs

Frustrated residents are packing local government meetings, pleading with leaders to block plans for development and to protect their forests and pastures from investors.

“They’re swinging a lot of money around,” Gathof told his wife, Paula, one recent afternoon as they sat in the shade at the end of a dirt road that leads deep onto their property She shook her head “It’s not right,” she said.

Longtime landowners across the remaining rural parts of the Mississippi Coast are expressing the same worry And they are banding together to protect country life even as the region’s population rises and the need for new homes intensifies.

“We’re in high demand for housing,” Thomas Ladner, a developer, told the Harrison County Planning Commission this month. “We’ve got to do something.”

In the largest county on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, developers have proposed around 5,000 new subdivision lots in the last five years. The county says it has rejected just under 1,000 of them.

The influx is part of a boom across South Mississippi, which is growing faster than almost any other part of the state.

The $50 million Buc-ee’s is creating jobs, more tax dollars and has already spurred the birth of a new shopping center across the street Developers say a migration

north of Interstate 10 that began after Hurricane Katrina is still strong, fueled by lower taxes and insurance rates. County records from the last half-decade show only 200 subdivision lots have been proposed south of the interstate.

The surge is also fueling debate.

Harrison County is considering whether to adopt new zoning rules that could help leaders better manage the issue. Many landowners say they do not oppose all development but object to dense subdivisions they believe would ruin the spirit and character of their neighborhoods. Developers say the county needs more houses for its rising class of newcomers and are defending their plans against frustrated rural residents.

“They kind of rally against you,” said Jason Wooten, an engineer whose plan for a subdivision north of Buc-ee’s was rejected when residents fought back earlier this year “Sometimes I get the feeling that some folks just don’t want it to change,” he said

Residents debate developers In her youth, Angel KiblerMiddleton could ride her pony down Highway 53. Now she is a constable who is organizing with neighborhood groups opposed to congested subdivisions.

In churches and living rooms across the region, she has met with worried neighbors and encouraged them to call county supervisors to politely explain their concerns. She also has a pending court case over alleged procedural violations at a 235-lot subdivision planned north of Gulfport.

“There’s something called smart growth,” Kibler-Middleton said last week. “You don’t put urban up against rural. That is horrible.”

Developers’ requests to build subdivisions on land the government has zoned as agricultural often wind through the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, where leaders weigh the need for homes and decide if a plan is compatible with the area.

The choices have high stakes for residents and the leaders they elect. Marlin Ladner, a supervisor who represents much of western Harrison County, recalled one incident in which a new concretefilled subdivision suddenly drained rainfall into a longtime neighbor’s yard.

“Naturally, they were upset,” he said. In meeting after meeting, Wooten gets the same complaints. He has heard them so much that he can nearly quote them. But he tries to present residents with the

facts. Engineers and developers who sit through blowback during meetings also often stay behind to address neighbors’ concerns, Wooten said.

“I have never worked for a developer who just went in and tried to strong-arm the situation” with no thought for the neighbors, he said. “Everyone I’ve ever worked with has tried to make sure we’re not pounding them over the head.”

Bobby Heinrich, a residential and commercial designer, spoke at a Board of Supervisors meeting when residents appealed another subdivision north of Buc-ee’s this month and said his request was common and reasonable.

“I come in here with a 1-acre minimum lot subdivision and I still have opposition,” Heinrich said at the meeting. “You just cannot develop a lot much larger than this,” he added. “If you get the land cheap, that’s one thing. But it’s just not feasible to do that.”

Population growth

Not every subdivision gets resistance.

But other mishaps have raised some neighbors’ suspicions. The county rescheduled one subdivision case hearing earlier this year because letters that were supposed to notify nearby property owners were accidentally sent to Alabama.

The pace of growth can also feel startling for some in communities where everyone once knew each other and all roads were gravel.

Census data shows the county now has more than 98,000 housing units, up from around 91,000 five years ago. Harrison County’s population has increased by almost 3 % in that period, from 208,000 to nearly 214,000 people.

“We’re at an impasse here,”

Thomas Ladner told the Harrison County Planning Commission at its public meeting one night this month. He had come to convince the commissioners to let him build a 28-unit apartment complex in the rural community of DeLisle, which he said badly needs affordable housing.

“It is imperative that we do

something,” Ladner said. Almost every seat in the room was taken.

“Do we have any opposition to this application?” the Rev Eddie Hartwell, the commission’s chairman, asked from the front of the room. Around a dozen hands shot up.

“We do not want DeLisle to be Bay St. Louis,” said one neighbor Another said the community would be “radically changed” by multifamily homes.

Ladner walked back to the podium, his voice calm but imploring.

“We’ve got to do something for the population growth,” he said. A few neighbors behind him scoffed. The Planning Commission denied the apartments to applause.

Change creeps north

Firetower Road winds away from Buc-ee’s and slopes over fields and woods where bald eagles soar Gathof and his wife live a few miles away Paula Woodside runs a wildlife rescue on their property and says they have no problem with development as long as it is reasonable.

Cruising the roads in his pickup truck one recent day, Gathof passed the latest spot where he and his neighbors convinced the Board of Supervisors to stop a subdivision. He pointed to the forest.

“When I came to the meeting that day there were two deer standing out here, right there at the wood line, looking at me,” he said. “I thought dang, it’s almost like they’re telling me — ‘Help us, man!’”

He laughed and kept driving, past construction for new water and sewer lines that will reach north like roots into land where residents have long used wells and septic tanks. Many see it as another sign that growth is coming.

“I won’t have to live through it, I don’t reckon,” said Gathof, 71. But some of his neighbors say if change keeps advancing, it will leave them no choice: They will retreat north, again, to land where trees still stand between them and the nearest property line.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Redistrictingcould change thegamefor Houseelections

BY LEAH ASKARINAM Associated Press

WASHINGTON Redistricting usually happens after the once-a-decade population countbythe U.S. Census Bureau or in response to a court ruling. Now,Texas Republicans want to break that tradition —and other states could follow suit.

President Trump has asked the Texas Legislature to create districts, in time for next year’smidterm elections, that will send five more Republicans to Washington and make it harder for Democrats to regain the majority and blunt his agenda. The state has 38 seats in the House. Republicans now hold25and Democrats 12, with one seat vacantafter the death of aDemocrat.

“There’sbeen alot more efforts by the parties and political actorstopush the boundaries —literally and figuratively —toreconfigure what the game is,” said Doug Spencer,Rothgerber Jr.Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of Colorado.

Other states are waiting to see what Texas does and whether to follow suit.

The rules of redistrictingcan be vagueand variable; each state has its own set of rules and procedures. Politicians are gauging what voters will tolerate when it comes to politically motivated mapmaking.

Here’swhat to know about

therules of congressional redistricting: When does redistricting normally happen?

Every decade, the Census Bureau collects population data used to divide the435 Houseseatsamong the50 states based on the updated headcount It’saprocess known asreapportionment.States that grew relative to othersmight gain aseat at the expense of those whose populations stagnated ordeclined.

States use their own procedurestodrawlines for the assigned number of districts. Thesmallest states receive justone representative, whichmeans the entire state is asingle congressionaldistrict.

Some state constitutions require independent commissions to devisethe political boundaries or to advise thelegislature. When legislatures take the lead, lawmakers canriskdrawing lines that end up challenged in court, usuallyfor violatingthe VotingRightsAct Mapmakers canget another chance to resubmitnew maps. Sometimes, judges drawthe mapsontheir own. Is midcycle redistricting allowed? By thefirst midterm electionsafter the latest population count,each state is ready with its maps, but those districts do notalways stick. Courts can find that the political lines are unconstitutional. There is no nationalim-

Manwithmental health issues found nakedinMinn. Capitol

BY STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS— Anaked manwith apparent mental health issues wasfound in the Minnesota State Capitol late at night, officials said Saturday,raising questions about security after the top Democrat in the state House was killed in what authorities havecalled a political assassination.

The discovery just six weeks after the fatalshooting of Democratic former House Speaker Melissa Hortman prompted the top House and SenateRepublican leaders to demand answers about how it happened and what steps might be taken to prevent it from happening again.

The man was found in the Senate chamber around 11:30 p.m. Friday,the chief House sergeant-at-arms, Lori Hodapp, said in an email to representatives “The individual made statements indicating abelief that he was theGovernor,amongother remarks, and was found disrobed,” Hodapp said. Capitol Security responded promptly,she said,and the man was taken to aSt. Paul hospital for evaluation He was deemed not to be a

threat to himselforothers and was released, but he returnedtotheCapitolgrounds at 7:30 a.m.Saturday

“An investigation is currently underway to determine how the individual gainedaccess to the Senate Chamber and Capitol facilities after hours,”Hodapp wrote. “Weare examining all aspects of this incident to addressany securityconcerns.”

Thesergeant-at-arms also said the man had an active probation-violation warrant from Wisconsinonhis record, but that it did notinitially allow for his transfer It has since beenupdated, she added “and appropriate measureswill be taken uponnext contact.”

“It’sfrustratingthatan individual with acriminal history was abletoallegedly vandalize the Capitol andunlawfully trespass in theSenatechamber without being taken into custody,” Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, said inastatement. “Anyone who trespasses in any building —let alone the State Capitol —should be arrested and prosecuted forbreaking thelaw,and Ilook forward to learningwhy this didnot takeplace in this highly disturbing incident.”

pedimenttoa state trying to redraw districts in the middle of the decade and todoit for political reasons,such as increasing representation by the partyinpower

“The laws about redistricting just say youhavetoredistrictafter every census,” Spencer said. “And then some state legislatures got alittle clever and said, well it doesn’tsay we can’tdoit more.”

Some states do have laws thatwould prevent midcycle redistrictingormakeitdifficult to do so in away that benefits one party.

Gov.Gavin Newsom, DCalif.,has threatened to retaliate against theGOP push

in Texas by drawing more favorable Democraticseats in his state. That goal, however, is complicated by aconstitutional amendment that requires an independent commissiontolead the process. Is Texas’ effortunprecedented?

Texas has done it before. When theLegislaturefailed to agree on aredistricting planafter the 2000 census, a federal court steppedinwith its own map.

Republican TomDeLay of Texas,who was then the U.S. House majority leader, thoughthis state should have five moredistricts friendly to hisparty.“I’m the majorityleader and we want more seats,” he saidat

the time Statehouse Democrats protestedbyfleeing to Oklahoma, depriving the Legislature of enough votesto officially conduct any business.But DeLayeventually got his way, and Republicans replaced Democrats in five seats in 2004. What do the courts sayabout gerrymandering?

In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts should not get involved in debates over political gerrymandering, the practice of drawing districts forpartisangain. In that decision, Chief Justice John Roberts said redistricting is “highly partisan by any measure. ”

Butcourts may demand new maps if they believe the congressional boundaries dilute the votes of aracial minority group, in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

Couldotherstates follow suit?

Washington Rep. Suzan DelBene, wholeads House Democrats’campaign arm, indicated at aChristianScience Monitorevent that if Texasfollows through on passing new maps, Democratic-led states would look at their own political lines.

“If they go down this path, absolutely folks are going to respond across the country,” DelBene said. “We’re not goingtobesitting back with onehandtiedbehindour back while Republicanstry to undermine voices of the American people.”

In NewYork, Democratic Gov. KathyHochul recently joined Newsom in expressing openness to taking up mid-decade redistricting. But state laws mandating independentcommissions or blunting the ability to gerrymanderwould come into play

Among Republican-led states, Ohio could try to further expand the10-5edge that the GOPholds in the House delegation; aquirk in state law requires Ohioto redraw its maps before the 2026 midterms. Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis said he was considering early redistricting and“working through what that would look like.”

BY CHRISTOPHERBODEEN and KANIS LEUNG Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan Taiwanese voters rejected abid to oust aboutone-fifthoftheir lawmakers, all from theopposition NationalistParty, in arecall election Saturday, dampening hopes for the rulingparty to flipthe balance of powerinthe selfruled island’slegislature.

The independence-leaning ruling DemocraticProgressive Partywon last year’s presidentialelection,but the China-friendly Nationalists, also known as the KMT,and the smaller Taiwan People’s Party have enough seats to form amajority bloc.

Official preliminary results showed thatthe recall efforts failed to remove any of thetwo dozenKMT lawmakers. The scale of the recall elections is unprecedented, with another seven KMT lawmakers facing a similar voteonAug. 23.

The KMT currently holds 52 seats, while the ruling DPP holds 51 seats. For the DPP to secure alegislative majority,atleast six KMT lawmakers would need to be ousted, andthe ruling party would need to winthe by-elections,which must be held within three months of theannouncementofresults.

For the recalltopass,

morethan aquarter of eligible voters in the electoral district must vote in favor of it, andthe total number of supporters must exceed those voting against.

The poll closed at 4p.m. local time. Taiwan’s Central Election Commissionwill

announce the official results on Aug. 1. If next month’spoll resultsare also unfavorable to theDPP,itwould mean thatthe government of Taiwan President Lai Chingte could continue to face strong resistance from

within the legislature before electionsexpected to take place in 2028 KMT chairman Eric Chu toldreporters that voters had used their ballots to prove Taiwan’sdemocracy is mature and great, calling foranapology from Lai.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByERIC GAy

Awoman holdsa sign Thursdayduring arally to protest against redistricting hearings at the TexasCapitol in Austin, Texas.

TAIWAN

Anniversaryofofficer’sdeath marked

Lafayette’sSegus Jolivettewas killed in thelineofduty

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Friday marked one year since Lafayette Police Senior Cpl. Segus

Jolivette was killed in the line of

duty while assisting with a hostage situation in the Iberia Parish community of Jeanerette.

The Lafayette PoliceDepartment issued astatement Friday calling Jolivette “a dedicated and courageousmember”ofthe department with an“unwavering commitment to protectingthe community.”

At 3:56 p.m. Friday,Lafayette Police dispatch was expectedto

observe amoment of radio silence in Jolivette’shonor

The incident that led to his death began at 10 a.m. July 25, 2024, when representatives of the Jeanerette City Marshal’sOffice attempted to serve awarrant on Nyjal Hurst, whoallegedly took two people hostage in amobile home in the 2500 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard in Jeanerette. Various lawenforcement agen-

cies responded to assist,including theLafayettePoliceDepartment’s SWAT team, of whichJolivette was amember.By4:30 p.m., the situationescalated, resulting in ashootout. Jolivette, an 11-year veteran of thedepartment, waskilled, and several other officerswereinjured.

“The pain of that day remains deeply felt by (Jolivette’s)family,the department and the entire community,” the statement said.

Children reach overtopet avelociraptor Fridayduring ‘Jurassic Quest,’which bills itself as ‘North America’s most realistic dinosaur experience,’atthe CajundomeinLafayette.

DINO MIGHT

Cajundome events featureeducation, animatronics

BY ASHLEYWHITE Staff writer

Steppingintothe Cajundome this weekend will be like stepping back in time 165 million years.

Thespace is being transformed for “JurassicQuest,” a realistic dinosaur experience that brings attendees face-toface withanimatronic dinosaurs. And thisyear,the adventure includes “Brick FestLive,” aLego-inspired event. Whilethe festivitiesare for everyone, thefocus is to educate children andspark their curiosity for learning more about science, history,math and

engineering in ahands-on way Teaching children and families more aboutdinosaurs is a favorite part of the weekend for Brainy Beth,a dinosaur trainer with “Jurassic Quest.”

“I want families to comewith an open mind anda lotofjoy and be ready forapositive experience,” she said. “Weattempt to make it as educational as possible and the dinosaurs as realistic as we can.”

One of her favorite facts to shareisthatvelociraptors, which have been the stars of the “JurassicPark” movies,wereactuallya lot smallerthan their on-screen portrayalswith their fossils measuring about 3feet tall and 5feet long.Smallerdinosaurs likely survived the mass extinction eventand evolved into today’s birds, Brainy Beth said.

“He embodiedthe highest idealsof lawenforcementand his ultimate sacrificeserves as asolemn reminder of the inherent risks of the profession and the immense bravery required to wear the badge.”

In May, agrandjury charged Hurst with the second-degree murder of Jolivette, 10 counts of attempted first-degree murderof

supplies offeredfor Lafayettestudents

BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer

Back-to-school buzz hasbegun witha fewschool events and school supply giveaways in Lafayette. While the rising cost of school suppliescan make it difficult forsomefamilies these events aredesigned to offer essentials like school uniforms, haircuts and suppliesfor studentsinneed to start the year off right. One of the biggest supply drives, United WayofAcadiana’s annualStuffthe Bus campaign, recentlyconcluded. Thecollected supplieswill be organized anddistributed to school districts throughout Acadiana.

$5Mintersection work setfor 12th andSurreystreets

Staff report

Lafa

Surrey streets. It’s partofthe Evangeline Corridor plan that focuses on redevelopmentin neighborhoodsalong the proposedInterstate 49 Lafayette Connector The project,inthe heart of the McComb-Veazey neighborhood,isintendedtoenhance pedestrian safety andaccessibilitythrough the installation of new sidewalks and stamped

Samyah Williams rides adinosaur Fridayduring ‘Jurassic Quest’ at the Cajundome in Lafayette.

reach overtopet avelociraptor during ‘Jurassic

DINOSAURS

Continued from page1B

While at “Jurassic Quest,” attendees will be able to become “certified” dinosaur trainers, pet baby dinosaurs, ride some Jurassic jeeps, pop into abouncyhouse and learn about the creatures that used to roam the Earth. During “Brick FestLive,” which is part of the same ticketed event, families will be able to check outlife-size

STREETS

Continued from page1B

brick crosswalks. The plan also includes upgraded bus stops and landscaping features to improve the overall look and feel of the corridor Construction is already underway,with saw-cut-

JOLIVETTE

Continued from page1B

brickmodels and create their own unique builds.

“Beinghands-on allows families to create memories andenhance educational experiences while they’re here,”said Brainy Beth, whosefavoritedinosauristhe largeplant-eating therizinosaurus.

The eventisopenfrom 9a.m.to 5p.m.Sunday.Ticketsare available for 20% off with codeDINO20 at jurassicquest.com.

EmailAshley Whiteatashley white@theadvocate.com.

ting andpavement removal progressing block by block from Plum Street to Crocket Street.The project is expected to take about 18 months.

The12th Street project is the first major streetscape initiative tiedto thebroader revitalizationofthe Evangeline Corridor.Itreflects years of meetings with resi-

other law enforcement officers involved in the shootout,two counts of second-degree kidnapping, possession of afirearm by aconvicted felonand illegal possession of astolen firearm. Hurst has been held in the Iberia Parish Jail since the shootingon a $19.5 million bail. He pleaded not guilty on all charges. It was reported by at least onemedia outlet that Jolivette was killed by friendly fire. Law enforcement leaders, including the Louisiana State

SUPPLIES

Continued from page1B

However,there are still events happening in LafayetteParish that can benefit families directly

n The Confidence Campaign will host aBack to School resource fairfrom 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 1 at the InspireHER Center, 1424 St.JohnSt. Freeschool supplieswill be available while supplies last.

n ThefifthannualDriveThru Backpack Giveaway, hosted by Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas,

Daley, Irène Voorhies

AMass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM in TheCathedral of St.Johnthe Evangelist in Lafayette, for Irène VoorhiesDaley, age 97, whopassed away on July 26, 2025, at herresidence in Lafayette.

Thefamilyrequeststhat visitation be observedon Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Martin& Castille's DOWNTOWNlocation from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM witha Rosary recitedat6:00 PM Visitation will continueon Wednesday from 10:00 AM untiltimeofservices.

Intermentwill be held in St.JohnCemeteryLafayette.

dentsand business owners, as well as research and urban planning. The Evangeline Corridor Initiative, released in 2018, includes strategies for coordinatingpublic andprivate investments along the Connector and identified 44 catalyst projects— including the 12th Street and Willow Street streetscape proj-

Policewho investigated the shooting, neverofficially confirmedthe allegation,although it is widely accepted in thecommunity as fact. The case ledtothe passage by the stateLegislature recently of anew law called the Segus Jolivette Act. The legislation hadsupport fromJolivette’sfamily

Thebill, as originally proposed would have required people to serve up to 50%oftheir sentenceontheir third felonyoffense, and 75% after thefourth and subsequent offenses and also wouldhave allowed prior convictionstobeknown to ajury

Those stipulations were removed from the final bill signed intolaw,

returns. Drive-thru with your child in the carand get aclear backpack filledwith school supplies on Aug. 2at Destiny of Faith Church on 409 Patterson St. The event begins at 8a.m. and continues while supplies last

n P.H.Y.R.Y.E. is hosting aback-to-school bash from 11 a.m. to2 p.m. onAug. 2at the Lafayette High School band field.The event will include foodtrucks, music, prizes, giveaways and free school suppliesfor kids preKthrough 12thgrade.

n The Kiwanis Club of Crew will be offering free haircutsfor kids as well as acceptingdonations for

ects —someofwhich have already been undertaken using public funds.

Once completed, the improvementsatSurrey and 12th streets will create a safer,more functional, and morewelcomingenvironment for residents, businesses and transit riders, according to astatement from LCG.

whichaddsenhancedsentencingfor second-degree murder if one violently resists arrests and would allow for those selling drugs to be charged with manslaughter if adeath occurs. After his death, Jolivette was promoted to therank of seniorcorporal in the Lafayette Police Department. Amemorial marker on Camellia Boulevard honoring fallen police officers bearsthe likeness of Jolivette, who served on the police honor guard.

Jolivetteleft behind awife andfive children. The Segus Jolivette Foundationwas created following his death.

Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@ theadvocate.com.

theComfort Closet items, whichbenefit Carencro schools,from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. on Aug. 3. This event will be held at the Carencro Community Center

n Back-to-school supplies andbookbags will be given while supplieslastfrom 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 5at 1212 Ambassador Caffery Parkway.This event is firstcome, first-served and has a maxofthree backpacks per car

n Aback-to-school event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3p.m.onAug. 10 at Noel’s Barber Lounge, 2304 PinhookRoad. Therewill be free haircuts, free school

supplies, free food andactivities for kids.

Email Ja’koriMadison at jakori.madison@ theadvocate.com.

LOTTERY

FRIDAY,JULY25, 2025

PICK 3: 6-9-2

PICK 4: 3-3-9-2

PICK 5: 1-3-6-5-6

MEGA MILLIONS: 14-21-25-49-52

MEGA BALL: 7

Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

TheMostReverendGlen John Provost, D.D., M.A., Bishop, Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana, will be theCelebrantofthe Funeral Mass and officiate theservices. Deacon George Jourdanwill assist with theservices. Irèneissurvived by her son, Gregory Chris Daley; daughter, Janet Daley Duval andher husband, Stanwood; andthe granddogs, Kaliand DocHoliday.

Shewas preceded in death by herbeloved husband of 73 years, Chris Pantely Daley; herparents, Blanche VanWielVoorhies andSydneyLouis Voorhies; herbrothers, Edward Gregory Voorhies andRaymond Voorhies. Agracious spirit anddevotedheart,Irène passed away peacefully, leaving behind alegacy of love,elegance,and grace. Adevoted wife and mother,Irène gave of herself freely and forgave easily. Shewas generouswith hertime, always ready with alistening ear, awise word,and awarm smile. Herhomewas ahaven for herchildrenand agatheringplace for friends of all ages. Aproud member of the NationalSociety Daughters of theAmerican Revolution,Irène began herservice with the 1776 Chapter in NewOrleans andtransferred to the Galvez Chapter in Lafayette in 1980. Her deep

love forhistorywas matchedonlybyher passion for travel. Alongside herbeloved husband, she exploredthe beauty of England, France,Mexico, andGreece, returningwith stories she loved to share, always told with unending humor and sparkle. Irènehad agift for needlepoint, findingpeace in everystitch.She was an exquisite storytellerwitha delightfulwit,and herjoyfulpersonality made hera friendtoall.Young people, especially, were drawnto herwisdomand warmth. They often soughther advice andfound comfortin herpresence. Alwayselegant,Irène carried herselfwith poise dignity, and style, areflection of herbeautiful soul. Aboveall,she wasa devoutCatholic and afaithful parishionerofthe Cathedral of St.Johnthe Evangelist, whereher faith wasthe guidinglight of herlife. Shewill be deeply missed by all whoknew her, buther spirit lives on in thelives she touched with such graceand love Pallbearers will be StanwoodDuval,Berwick Duval,David Duval,Ben Mayfield, Edward Rivera, andMark Elder Honorary Pallbearers will be Gregory ChrisDaley andBrother Gale Condit. TheDaley familyextendstheir heartfelt gratitude to Jennifer Mayfield, Anna Broussard, Paulette Pinion, Patricia Mouton, Isabella King,Shelley Thomas,Dolores Hopkins andBrendaDugas for their compassion and tender care In lieu of flowers donationscan be made in Irène VoorhiesDaley'sname to theLafayette Museum (formally The Mouton House) 1122 Lafayette Street,Lafayette, LA 70501 or http://www.lafayettem useum.com/support-us/ Irèneisa direct descendantofJeanMouton and Alexandre Mouton,the first democratic governor of Louisiana. In addition, Judge CorneliusVoorhies Jr., hergreat-great grandfather,was aprevious ownerofthe Mouton House. View theobituaryand guestbook online at www.mourning.com Martin& Castille Funeral HomeDOWNTOWN, 330 St LandryStreet, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, 337-2342311

STAFF PHOTOSByBRAD KEMP

Children

Quest’ on Friday at the Cajundome in Lafayette

Astuffed pterosaur at ‘Jurassic Quest’

of thePurchasingDivi‐sion at theLafayette Consolidated Govern‐ment Building,located at 705 West University Av‐enue,Lafayette Louisiana, until3:00pm CentralTimeonthe 5th dayofAugust, 2025 for thefollowing: 2025 FIRE DEPARTMENT UNIFORMS RE-BID andwill, shortlythere‐after,beopenedand read aloudinthe Office of Purchasing locatedat 705 West University Av‐enue,Lafayette,LA. Bids received after theabove specified time foropen‐ingshall notbeconsid‐ered andshall be re‐turned unopened to the sender.Due to limited meetingspaces, bidders arehighlyencouragedto call into thebid openings at thefollowing phone number337-291-5100. In accordance with LouisianaRS38:2212. vendorsmay submit theirbid electronically at thewebsite listed above. Biddings documentsare availabletoviewonlyat thewebsite above. Ven‐dors mayrequest thebid packageelectronically from Thomas Metrejean at tgmetrejean@ lafayettela.gov Vendorssubmittingbids electronically arere‐quired to providethe same documentsasbid‐ders submitting through themailassoonasavail‐able.Onlya bidbond, certified checkor cashier’scheck shallbe submittedasthe bidse‐curity.Electroniccopies of both thefront and back of thecheck or bid bond shallbeincluded with theelectronicbid Bids must be signedin accordance with LRS Title38:2212(B)5.A Cor‐porate Resolution or Cer‐tificate of Authorityau‐thorizingthe person signingthe bidisre‐quired to be submitted with bid. Failuretosub‐mita CorporateResolu‐tion or Certificate of Au‐thoritywiththe bidshall be causefor rejectionof bid. Copies of thebidding documentsare available at thePurchasingOffice locatedat705 West Uni‐versityAvenue, Lafayette,LA70506. Tele‐phonenumber(337) 2917187 (Attn:ThomasMe‐trejean).Bidding

Barataria projectisdead, butwetlands restorationwork must go on

In the annals of coastal protection efforts in Louisiana, progress has never been in astraight line. Periods of vigorous activity have been followed by periods of re-evaluation andassessment.

It seems that with the cancellation of theambitious Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversionproject, the state is now turningthe page on another erainits continuing battle to find the bestways to restore its coast.

As this newspaper has longsupported the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, welament that we won’tsee the fruitsofthispainstakingly planned coastal restoration project. Butwerespectthat there were legitimateconcerns about theproject’s$3billion price tagand its potential effects on commercial oyster growers and shrimpers along the coast

Though this chapter is at an end,the state should not retreat from its wetlands-replenishment efforts, but instead should redouble them Fortunately,there’smore than justone wayto address our coastal issues

The state’sseries of successive, six-year MasterPlans for coastal rehabilitation have identifiednumerous means of successfully retarding andinsome cases, reversingmarshlandloss. Among them are the three big approaches of diversions, drainage and dredging,but alsoin the mix are oyster-reef reconstruction,manmade berms and breakwaters, andmore. The 2023 Master Plan has identified aplethora of possible projects worthy of implementation, often in specific locationsand witha highlevel of confidence. With the Mid-Barataria project now shelved, money originally slated for that huge project maybeavailable for repurposing indozensof smaller initiatives.Officials should quickly convene to decide which existingplansshould be sped up or expanded, which new projects can now be funded and what otherideasnew science or research may offer Alas, some $600 million alreadyhas been spent on the Mid-Barataria project. The Coastal Protectionand Restoration Authoritywill need to see if any of the workalready donecan be salvaged. Thestate saysithopes to build what’s known as the Myrtle Groveproject, adiversion around aquarter of the size, and alargescalelandbridge in the Barataria Basin using dredged sediment Whatever happens next, it also helps to know that language in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will direct as much as $50million in additional funds to Louisianafor coastal protection each year.Thismeans theCPRA happilywillhavemoretowork with than it could count on back when the 2023 Master Plan was adopted.

Louisiana’slandlossisn’tgoing away,sowe must keep pressing forward. With theMidBarataria’sloss, ahost of other opportunities now arise, just as we want new wetlands to arise in areas previously lost to thesea. State officials should move smartly and expeditiously to seize the day

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence

TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

OPINION

Amildprotest of abortion in Manhattan

It was asomewhat sad,quaint scene; Igot out of an Uber and noticed eyes on me immediately Ihad arrived at Planned Parenthood’sflagship Manhattan center.It’s supposed to close and be sold, but for now it’s still in operation. Saturday used to be abig day for surgical abortionshere, but in thedays of chemical abortions, things have changed. Theonly sign of life was asecurity guard, half in and half out of the back door,mostly looking at his phone. This Planned Parenthood is closed Saturdays now, and Ishowed up for aperfunctory “Defund” rally in advance of final passage of the so-called “Big, BeautifulBill” set to makehistory by cutting federal funding for Planned Parenthood for the first time. Congresscutting funding makes sense. After theDobbs decision upended Roe v. Wade, we’resupposedly astateby-state nation when it comes to abortion.Some of us would point out that leaving crucial life issues up to the states didn’twork so well for slavery,

but that’sfor anothertime. Besides thesecurity guard, Inoticed oneman dressedinblack on my side of the street (across from the clinic), hanging near acondo doorway,and another well-coifed man by another door Iassumed bothmight be extra Planned Parenthoodsecurity Istarted praying silently,and beforetoo long, afamiliar pro-life influencer popped by, with aphotographer. She had recentlybeen attacked by a woman shewas interviewing about abortion. They hadafew takers for engagement this time, but nothing too colorful. It turned out, by the way, the man in black was on the pro-life side, and so was the onewith the good head of hair The latter explained he felt called to standagainstabortionand help women when he can.

Around thesame time their side was identified, two shyyoung womenappeared and asked whyIwas there. I was happily in anonymous mode —if therosary beads didn’tgive me away

—and so Iturnedthe question on them, but onegiggledand said “Never mind. No worries.” Before toolong, theyrevealed their handwritten signs. “Roe v. Wade wasn’tbroken you just hate women.”

“PlannedParenthood=Health Care,” with ared heartasacloser Neither seemed interested in accusing anyactualperson of hating women, andthe conversations they hadwith supporters and detractors of their cause were mutedand brief. There were no fireworks that Saturdaymorning. There was alittle prayer.Preciouslittle,but some conversation. There was an unintentional outing of the awkwardness of it all for the nonconfrontational, and agreat representationofwhatmost Americans areabout: Caring thatwomen have options. We might notmeet constructively there on aspecific street corner in Manhattan, but we owe humanity doing so in many painfully challenging circumstancesoflife.

Email Kathryn Jean Lopez at klopez@ nationalreview.com.

Sparking conversationsonour

We appreciate readers sending us letters on all sorts of topics, but we primarily view theletters section as a place where you can respond to thenews you see in our publication

We will occasionally choose to publish lettersthat reference subjectsthe writer has seen on television or in another publication,but writers should recognize that other readers may not be aware of that reporting and don’talways know that the source of thereporting is reputable. Andwhile we recognize that not all publications offer readers achance to comment on their reporting, we don’twant critiques of other news sources to dominateour letterssection.

Someinclude alink to astory they are referring to for our online audience, which is helpful. In print, it is better to quote directly from thesource if you can. It’s best to be clear aboutwhere you are gettingyour information, if not from this newspaper

Somereaders also wantto raise awareness of atopic that is important to them that may not be getting enough coverage, and we welcomethat. This forum can be away to give credit to thepeople and organizations whodon’t normally get attention forthe work they do. So please feel free to share your favorites. We want this communityconversation to include positive feedback as well as negative.

Beautiful Bill Act, which madesweeping changes to our national budget. We received seven letters on the act, making it the mostpopular topic. The next mostpopular wasthe case of Mandonna Kashanian, whowas taken into custody by Immigration and CustomsEnforcement but has since been released. We also received three additional letters about immigration enforcement.

Lastly,wereceived four letters on the content of our Opinions pages. Two had praise and two had criticism. But Iamprofoundly grateful for those of you whotake the time to write when you like or dislike something about our coverage. We do listen and try to improve. It makes adifference knowing that what we do matters to you.

Of course, we know that readers get news from manysources nowadays, especially on national politics, so we are open to readers citing their sources.

Going to our letters inbox, forthe week of July 3-10, we received 79 letters, abit morethan ourusual.

That’slikely because it was during the final debateover the One Bill

Want to seeyouropinion published in The Advocate |Times-Picayune? Submitaletter to theeditor

Arnessa Garrett

Kathryn Jean Lopez

COMMENTARY

Conservative journalism is notateamsport

“If you’re aconservative columnist, why do you often criticize conservative Republican politicians?”

Six months back into full-time writing for this newspaper,Ifrequently hear this question. Or close variations thereof, such as why Itackle issues not normally associated with conservatives, such as the plight of potentiallyinnocent death-row prisoners or the importance ofvarious local government services

Quin Hillyer

The first answer is that ajournalist, even an opinion journalist, shouldn’tfeel affiliation for a political team. Instead, he should have principles that he applies evenly to everybody across the political spectrum.

The second answer is about the content of those principles:In the last decade, many of today’s self-proclaimed “conservative” polsare pushing maxims aliento ideals that for three-quarters of acentury defined modernAmerican conservatism. Granted, the application of principles evolves, but the principles themselves should endure, and the labels (“conservative,” “liberal,” etc.) for those principles should not change meanings.

There’sanimportant third

answer,too. Namely,neither ideology nor governing philosophy (two different things) are as starklyimportant at local levels.One of the central principles of modern conservatism is that essentialgovernment functionsshould be carried outatthe mostlocal level competenttohandle them. Tasksthat no conservative believes the federal government should perform might nonetheless be entirely within theproper scopeoflocal government. Therefore,the questions become not the ideological ones about what should be done but instead the more practical ones of how to do them.

Forexample, the lateconservative Republican Gov.Dave Treen (1980-84) created astate Department ofEnvironmental Quality even amidnational conservative backlashagainstthe overly bureaucratic and centralizedEnvironmental Protection Agency He recognized that opposition to national, one-size-fits-all environmentalpolicydoesn’tabsolve statesfromresponsibilityfor ecological stewardship. Now,let’s return to the second question, the content of conservatism. In 45yearsofverypublic advocacy for what once were uni-

versally considered conservative principles, I’ve been significantly guided by the philosophies and examples of threeeminently successful politicians: American founder James Madison, President Ronald Reagan, and Congressman and idea man Jack Kemp. Absolutely crucial bothto conservatismand to Madison’s founding ideals is thebelief that power backed by compulsory authority should be dispersed, not overly concentrated.All too often today,atboththe stateand national levels, those who call themselves“conservative” support expansive accretion of power in executive (gubernatorial or presidential) hands. This runs against the foundational history of the American experiment, described by former Georgetown University ProfessorGeorge Carey (a favorite of conservative columnist George Will) as relying mostly on “the representative assembly deliberating …and committedto the process of searching” for the best approaches. (The wordemphases were Carey’s.)

In other words, the default guarantor of liberty is the legislature, not the executive —but only alegislaturecarefully observing the duly established constitutionalprocesses.

If Gov.JeffLandry,Attorney General Liz Murrill, or President Donald Trumptry to accruemore power at the expense of what legislatures or courts alwayshave enjoyed, aconservative columnist shouldraise yellowcaution flags, even if many of the stated policy goalsalign withthe columnist’spreferences.

As for Reagan, he, likeMadison, was theepitomeofaprincipled pragmatist. Just as Madison moved heaven andearth to support the product of theconstitutional convention even though the Constitution’sdesign veered substantially from his original proposal, Reagan (for just oneexample) eagerly pushedthrough three-quarters of hisdesired tax cut (designed by Kemp) when he couldn’tget the whole thing.

As for Kemp,hemadeexplicit what had been an implicit conservative understanding sincethe days of thegreat capitalistAdam Smith, who literally wasaprofessorofMoral Philosophy: namely, thatalleviation of poverty is an essential concern of public policy And Reagan and Kemp both had little time for,orpatience with, demonization of political adversaries.

None of which, of course, precludes conservatives from

strenuously counteringwrongheaded ideas of thepolitical Left. Thenonsensical and ethically confused appeal to “democratic socialism,”the petty tyrannies of “wokeness,” and the habitofexcusing major public disorder in the supposed cause of “justice” are allproper targets of spirited (but still civil) opposition

Yetopposition andanger shouldn’tbeconservatism’s touchstones. In an excellent July 1treatise co-authored by former Vice President Mike Pence and HeritageFoundation founderEd Feulner —the latter of whom, alas, died on July18— the two political veterans explained at length how “conservatism once proudlyembraced apositive vision.”

Theonlyproper mission for public officialsshould notbeaccumulation of power or punishmentofenemies; it should be the public good, accomplished through constitutional methods “Integrity,humility,charity, and courage —these are the qualitiesthat sustaincivilizations,” wrote Pence and Feulner. Those virtues, not pride and power,should be conservatism’s lodestars.

Quin Hillyer canbereached at quin.hillyer@theadvocate.com.

Stay woke as Trump, Landry aimtotakehigheredoff course

Gov.Jeff Landry and the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texasplan to drastically change public higher education, and they don’twant to do it across several yearsora decade

Days ago, our governor announced that the state would join these other stateswith conservative governors to support the Commission for Public Higher Education, astart-from-scratch accreditation organization recently founded in Florida witha business plan thatis specific aboutpart of its intent:

Will Sutton

“CPHE will laser-focusonstudent outcomes, streamline accreditation standards, focus on emerging educational models, modernize the accreditation process, maximize efficiency without sacrificingquality, and ensure no imposition of divisiveideological content on institutions.”

Iadded the emphasis because Iwantyou to be clear that the wordsare thecommission’s, notmine.

“Divisive ideological content?”There’s no need to guess what that might be.President Donald Trump laidout theplan in an April executive order.Init, he explicitly mentions the American Bar Association’s Council of the Section of Legal Education andAdmissions to the Bar,which accredits juris doctor programs; the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, whichaccredits medical doctor degree programs,

and TheAccreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, which accreditsallopathic and osteopathic medical residency and fellowship programs, as accreditation bodies that have gone off the rails becausethey have minimum diversity requirements as apart of ensuring abroad, inclusive and more thorough student education. “The standards for training tomorrow’s doctorsshould focus solely on providingthe highest qualitycare, and certainly not on requiring unlawful discrimination,” the order states Landry was clear as he stated his intention while announcing thecreation of a 13-member taskforce to evaluate the move.“This taskforce will ensure Louisiana’spublic universities moveaway from DEI-driven mandates andtoward asystem rooted in merit-based achievement,” he said in astatement.

There are six regional accreditation organizations, each serving private and public higher education institutions in a group ofstates in regions of theUnited States: New England, Middle States, North Central, Southern, Western and Northwest. They do much of thesame things, but they serve their regions withgeographic interests. Ourstate’sinstitutions are accredited in the Southern region by theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) every few years, checking to see that they are doing

what they say they do in their respective missions withathreshold of quality standards.

Anumber of conservatives thinkaccrediting bodies are too liberal, progressive, exclusionary and “woke.” Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis called them an “accreditation cartel.”

No one makes higher education institutionschoose accreditation. No one makes them maintain or pursue accreditation. They know and have reviewed the expectationsand standards when they sign up as membersand agree tobeassessed. It’s voluntary.But accreditation does open doors to federal funding.

If agroup of educators, education leaders, elected officials or statesthink there’s abetter way,that they can do abetter job, I’ll open my ears and eyes to see what’sbeing proposed —aslong as it is forthe good of all faculty and students.

Landry and the other governors are starting from anegative position. They want to create an anti-DEI accrediting body as they continue to malign the true meaning and purpose of diversity,equity and inclusion. Why create something new when member institutions have helped shape changes in recent decades along with the Department of Education? Because they don’twant to work through any concerns or issues. They don’twant to create anew academic accreditation concept. They want to create anew organization

with new rules to weaken, then destroy, what’sbeen built. For 20 years, SACSCOC was led by Dr Belle Wheelan, anationally respected educator with multiple degrees, including amaster’sfrom LSU and adoctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. A longtimeeducation, diversity and student advocate, Wheelan served twocommunity colleges as president and she wasVirginia’seducation secretary before leading SACSCOC. She wastough, but equitable and fair.She announced her retirement last year

Amember of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she has received numerous civic and educational awards and recognitions. She did her job with her staff, the DepartmentofEducation, different U.S. presidents and the presidents of the member institutions she represented with collaborative discussions and what’ssometimes called “negotiated rulemaking.” New developments. New directions. Newways of doing things. No surprises. Trumpand Landry aren’tinterested in that approach. They wanttoignore years of mostly peaceful negotiations and rulemaking by getting rid of the Department of Education and welcoming an accreditation body that is making things up as they go.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

TheWest urgently needs a definition of “the West.” Without this, it cannot understanditself, or current and future challenges If Ukraine is to be saved from dismemberment, and its nationhood not neutered, the nature and stakesofthe conflict need to be understood in Huntingtonian terms. Even when political scientist Samuel Huntington (1927-2008) was mistaken, he was penetrating. In 1993, he wrote that “the likelihood of violence between Ukrainians and Russians should be low.Theyare two Slavic, primarily Orthodox peopleswho have had close relationships with each otherfor centuries.” Huntington didnot foresee the West’smagnetic attraction, pulling Ukraine away from the civilization Vladimir Putin intends to enforce Huntington was, however, clear-eyed during post-Cold War euphoria. He argued thatthe West —individualism, constitutional protection of humanrights, democracy,the rule of law,free markets —was not destined to

George Will

Email George Will at georgewill@ washpost.com Do

become the planet’s“universal civilization.”Because it is not universalizable, the West is fated to exist with, and sometimes clash with,the rest. Warning against triumphalist complacency after the Soviet Union’sfall, Huntington said, “The fault linesbetween civilizations will be the battle lines of the future.” Yetagain. In the new book “The West:The History of an Idea,”scholar Georgios Varouxakis, of Queen Mary University of London, explains that thestraight line of “PlatotoNATO” is asubstantial oversimplification. At first, there was the“heliotropic myth” that progress of civilization mimics the sun’s progressoffromeastto west.Although the RomanEmpire and then Christendom (when Constantinople was“the New Rome”) had east-west fissures, in recentcenturiesthe West has been less ageographical thana cultural concept centered on Europe and its transatlantic progeny During theisolationist fever of the1930s,American colum-

nist Walter Lippmann inveighed against an idea alien to western civilization”: “the ideathatthe securityand happiness and glory of the individual man aretobefound in surrendering to the compulsion of massfeeling and the dominationofomnipotent states.”Today, the manufacturing of mass feeling in Putin’spropaganda state, and the omnipotence of Xi Jinping’ssurveillance state, should instill in the West aclarified sense of itself. Before 1945, shifting understandings of the West sometimes did not include Germany.Ten years after Germany’s1990 reunification, abest-selling history was titled“Germany: The Long Road West.”Only briefly after 1945 did lingering wartimesentimentality, forgetting the Nazi-Soviet pact of August 1939, regard Russia as Western. OftenRussia has been an sometimes the —“other”in contrast to which the West has understood what Varouxakis calls its “civilizational commonality.” Strengthening cultural bonds, especially withEurope, was the goal of the famous HarvardInter-

national Seminar begun by in the 1950s by,amongothers, ayoung European immigrant, Henry A. Kissinger. Huntington saidthe West is fated to live, perhaps dangerously,with different, powerful and assertive civilizations. In today’s clashofcivilizations, however the incomprehension between Moscow and Washington is not mutual. Putinunderstands the West and despises it forreasons rooted in acomprehensively antiWestern mentality. He rejects the Enlightenmentlegacy of individualism andthisRaymondAron ideal: “The true ‘Westerner’ is the man whoaccepts nothing unreservedly in our civilization except the liberty it allows him to criticizeit, and the chance it offers to improve it.” Putinembraces a thorough inversion of this:animmersive ethno-religious doctrine of group identity that must exist in irrepressible conflict withthe West. Donald Trump’sfrustration with Putin’srefusal to split differences like arational real estate broker flows from Trump’sfailure of imagination. Trump’sincompre-

hension of Putin, his inabilityto understandPutinasPutinunderstands himself, is afailure to recognize the realityofdeep-rooted durablecivilizational conflicts. Varouxakis, citing U.S. scholars James Kurth and Michael Kimmage, says, “Norecent American president has shownhimself moreprepared to withdraw from ‘Western civilization’and ‘the West.’”And “there is truth in the statementthat during his20172021 presidency,Trumpwas ‘the first non-Western presidentofthe United States.’” Speaking in Poland,however on July6,2017, Trumpused the phrase “the West” 10 times.He saidPoland’shistorical experience is areminder that “thedefense of the West ultimatelyrests not onlyonmeans but also on the will of itspeopletoprevail.”So, Trumpsaid, “The fundamental question of ourtime is whether the West hasthe will to survive.” What remains questionable is whether he meant thewordshe read.

There are more than afew good reasons the Sun Belt coaches picked theULRagin’ Cajuns to repeat as Sun Belt West Division champions. Theprogram hasarecenthistory of repeatingduring afour-yearstretch under coach Billy Napier.With the rebuilding process complete after atough transition, UL could be in line for anotherextended run. And while someSun Beltpeershave 50, 60 or even 70 newplayers,the Cajuns’ roster hasmorecontinuity than most.

“Who’sgoing to winthe Saints quarterback job?”

If Ihad anickel forevery timeI’ve been asked that question, I’dbeable to buy the team.It’sthe talk of the town right now

Everyone wants to know who’swinning the three-man competition among Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.

Eventhe players can’t escapethe intrigue.

“My wife (Chanen) asks me every night —after she watches ‘Love Island’ —who is looking good,” tight end Juwan Johnson said. “And Itell her,‘Honestly, Idon’tknow.’ ” Johnson is not being evasive. He truly doesn’tknow.And neither does anyone else. Notthe coaches. Not the players. Not even the quarterbacks themselves. The Saints are three days into camp. It’s only the second timethrough the offense forthe quarterbacks since head coach Kellen Moore began the installation this spring. The players haven’teven put on shoulder pads yet forfull-contact work. This is Round 1ofa 15-round fight. If this were the Kentucky Derby,the field wouldn’thave reached the first turn. “The mentalityright nowislet’stry to maximizereps, try to build alittlebit of a

Motivation is also in UL’s corner.Yes,the Cajuns are trying to repeatinthe West,but they failedatwinning the Sun Belt in a31-3 loss to Marshall last season, so

Upstairs at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, whereSEC media days was held earlierthismonth,thereisa big round room lined with all of the names of every great college football player and legendary coach who has been enshrined there.

Recently,awrinkle added to the selection criteria for coaches opens adoor to that room for former LSU coach Les Miles. WhetherMiles ever crosses that literal andfigurative threshold is along way from being decided. Let’sjust sayhe’s facing first and 10 at his own 20.But at least for Miles’ sake he’sonthe field, where until just recently it looked as thoughhe would be permanently sidelined. For along time, the criteria for acoach to be considered for the Hall of Famewas this:havecoached at least 100games over 10 years, be retired for at leastthreeyears and be at least 70 years old (or 75 and ac-

coach Michael Desormeaux’screw is as hungry as ever On-the-field reasons to votefor the Cajuns begin withthe rushing attack Dre’lyn Washington elected totransfer,but Zylan Perry and Bill Davis are both candidates to have career seasons.

August campwill need to produce aregular third open in thebackfield. That’ll be abattle between true freshman Darrell Smith and Steven Blanco of St. Martinville. Smith participated in the spring and opened many eyes. The offensive line also plays abig role in the running game. With veterans such as Jax Harrington, George

tive) and, theclincher,have acareer winning percentageof.600 or better The National Football Foundation, whose membership selectscandidates for the Hall of Fame, in May called an audible on the .600 winning percentage rule, lowering thethreshold to .595. NFF president and CEO Steve Hatchell said at media days that theNFF determined that.595 is statistically still60%. All’sfair when it comes to rounding up in football, apparently It’scommon knowledge in the college football world that the NFF didthisbecause of the groundswell of support forthe late Mike Leach to become eligible. Leach was beloved for his brash andquirky personality, and he was widely respected as an innovator behind the prolific Air Raid offense. But theformer Mississippi State/Texas Tech/Washington State

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

This wasasight forsore New Orleans Saints’ eyes: Rashid Shaheed catching a pass within 7or8 yards of the line of scrimmage, seeing aseam in the defense and then exploiting it, zapping through the secondary like alightning bolt. The speed? Yes, it’sstill there for Shaheed, who hauledinthree touchdowns of 40-plus yardslastseasonbeforea knee injurycut his 2024 campaign short after six games. The offseason was alongone forhim, because it technically started when he got surgery last fall. But he definitely still feels like himself “I feel great. Ifeel 100%,” Shaheed said Friday.“ Iworked hard to get to this point. Iknow that I’mhealthy and ready to go.” Sincehehad thetime,Shaheed devoted someofittoward thinking about more. More opportunities, for instance. The SaintshiredKellenMooreastheir head

and

son, and Shaheed sees that as

Kevin Foote

Jeff Duncan

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

summer keeps getting hotter A month after qualifying for the U.S. Open and finishing 66th, the former LSU star shot the first sub60 score in PGA Tour Americas history on Saturday Barbaree’s 13-under 59 included 11 birdies and an eagle on the par-5 18th to rocket all the way from 43rd place to first after three rounds at the Ottawa Open at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Ottawa, Canada. He sits at 20 under entering Sunday’s final round. Jonathan De Los Reyes is two shots back at 18 under Barbaree entered the week 35th in the Fortinet Cup standings. The top 10 players in points at season’s end will earn Korn Ferry Tour cards.

NASCAR set for split-screen racing

BY MICHAEL MAROT

AP sportswriter

INDIANAPOLIS — Brickyard 400

viewers will be tuning into pure split-screen racing Sunday

On one side, they’ll monitor whether Kyle Larson can defend his Brickyard 400 title or if Denny Hamlin can charge from the back of the field to become the fifth driver to complete a career sweep of the Cup’s four crown jewel races. On the other side, they’ll see whether Ty Gibbs or Ty Dillon collects the $1 million prize that goes to the first In-Season Challenge champion. And, fittingly, this March Madness-like tournament concludes on one of the sport’s grand stages — Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 2.5-mile oval. It’s a made-for-television moment.

“This is going to be a special moment no matter what happens,” Dillon said before qualifying started Saturday “I do, ultimately, want to win in the Cup series, and I hope (winning) feels as great as these five weeks have. I don’t know how to compare it because it’s the first time anybody has really gone through this round by round.” The concept comes straight out of Indiana’s other favorite sport, basketball.

Series officials wanted a solution for the series’ midsummer blues and chose a combination of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament and college basketball’s singleelimination NCAA Tournament Race results at Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono set up a 32-driver field. Head-to-head results in Chicago eliminated 16 drivers, which was down to the Elite Eight after Sonoma. Gibbs and Dillon advanced from last week’s Final Four and now they are here in Indy, getting as much attention Larson, Hamlin and the array of other big-name drivers. Larson and Hamlin spoke with reporters Friday Gibbs and Dillon waited until just before a brief, rescheduled practice session took place at Indy

“This is race car country is what we would call it, so being able to race here is an honor,”

FOOTE

Continued from page 1C

Jackson, Bryant Williams and Kaden Moreau ready to go, redshirt sophomore Cooper Fordham appears ready to take over at center and complete the quintet. There also will be a heavy emphasis on not wearing down this season.

“We have a really deep group, and we need to play these guys,” Desormeaux said. “All the ones that are ready to play, we need to play them, especially early in the year and take some snaps off of some of these things.

“You get to the end of the year, and it wears on you a little bit. You get to that 13th and 14th game, and it wears on you.”

The offense hopes those offensive linemen will have to run downfield a bunch after big plays. The staff is excited about the speed all over the field — from transfer receiver Shelton Sampson to sophomore track standout Rahji Dennis.

“This is the fastest team we’ve ever had — offense and defense,” Desormeaux said. “I’ve been here 10 years, and it’s not even close. With our receivers and DBs, this is as fast as we’ve ever been.” On defense, there’s a nice combination of veteran playmakers and promising young talent.

Gibbs said. “The main goal of course, is to go win the race and we’re going to do everything we can to put ourselves in position to do that, and maybe if we don’t do that, try to finish as best we can and if that’s better than (Dillon), we’ll take it.”

The championship looks like a classic between Dillon, a 12-year veteran who is winless in 266 career Cup starts, and Gibbs, the 2022 Xfinity Series winner in his third full Cup season and the grandson of three-time Super Bowl champion and team owner Joe Gibbs.

Like so many NCAA Tournament brackets, the bracket results defied expectations. Gibbs went into the five-race challenge seeded No 6. Dillon took on the role of Cinderella after starting No. 32. And Gibbs has an edge after qualifying fifth. Dillon starts 26th.

Along the way some of the favorites such as Hamlin, William Byron, Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson fell out. Hamlin, who is seeking his first Brickyard win in 17

starts, first introduced the notion of a tournament on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast and gave the series good marks for how it’s played out.

“I think you get more buy-in from drivers if, you know, they’re financially motivated,” said Hamlin, who lost to Dillon in the first round. “I know a lot of people kind of played it off this year, but everyone knew about it, everyone knew who they had to beat. Everyone did care about it. I feel like it was implemented fairly well this year.”

Hamlin faces an even bigger hurdle after crashing hard in qualifying. He’ll start 39th after Chase Briscoe claimed the pole.

Now the question becomes who will take home the big prize?

While Gibbs is trying to race his way into the playoffs and Dillon continues to chase his first Cup win, the two drivers also will be paying attention to the race inside

On the line, Jordan Lawson, Fitzgerald West, Jaelen Crider and Chase Edwards are primed for big seasons.

There may not be a more explosive pair of outside linebackers in the Sun Belt than Ashley Williams and Cameron Whitfield. Jaden Dugger was moved to inside line-

backer, and his untapped potential is a possible game-changer for the Cajuns.

“Instead of taking in a transfer who doesn’t know our system or understand our culture or fit in our locker room, it’s basically almost like taking a transfer and moving him there, because the

Sunday’s race. And so will the fans.

“It feels like the last three or four weeks, I’ve done enough media and talked to enough people and had fan growth like I’ve never seen before, that felt like I had won the last three weeks,” Dillon said. “So it’s a weird conundrum. It’s not a win, but it has felt so special to be a part of.”

When Bubba Wallace drove the No. 23 car onto the track for his qualifying run Saturday, he didn’t have any expectations.

When he climbed out of the car, he had the provisional pole and it stayed there — until Briscoe’s late attempt. And while Wallace will start on the front row he wasn’t satisfied with how it played out.

“It’s a weird feeling right now,” Wallace said. “I had no idea what kind of lap I put together and obviously, man, so close. You know no one wants to finish second in motorsports or whatever it is. I sure don’t want to. So if it’s qualifying, it’s a little kick in the groin but aside from that, a pretty good day.”

kid is too good to play a third of the game or less,” Desormeaux said of Dugger “It’s an opportunity for us to put a really unique athlete with a unique skill set in there and let him go and compete. He had a great spring.”

Most of the names in the front seven are pretty familiar in Sun Belt circles, but it’s the secondary that should take a big step forward this season.

Richmond transfer Trae Tomlinson essentially fills Keyon Martin’s shoes at one corner, but the depth is better with Avery Demery, Lorenzell Dubose and Jeremiah Moses.

Expect a much more aggressive approach this season.

“Last year, it’s because we only had one corner that could do it,” Desormeaux said. “If you’re going to play man, that means you have to cover the other four Losing Keyon (Martin) was big, but as a whole, we’re a lot better in that cornerback room. Trae Tomlinson was a really good add for us. He’s aggressive.”

At safety, there’s both talent and experience with Tyree Skipper, Kody Jackson and Jalen Clark. Courtline Flowers also was added to the roster in the spring and could play at Star, cornerback or safety

The staff is expecting many more big plays out of the defense this season.

Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@theadvocate.com.

A Shreveport native and former Byrd High star Barbaree, 27, turned pro in 2021.

Falcons lose Mooney to an injury, sign Chark

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Darnell

Mooney’s status for the start of the season is uncertain as the second-leading receiver in 2024 for the Atlanta Falcons is expected to miss several weeks with a shoulder injury

Mooney, a former Tulane star, suffered the injury in Thursday’s first practice of training camp. The Falcons bolstered their depth chart at wide receiver by signing veteran D.J. Chark, a former LSU standout who joined the team for Saturday’s practice. Chark worked out for the Falcons on Friday

“That workout was already set up,” assistant general manager Kyle Smith said Saturday, referring to the visit from Chark being scheduled before Mooney’s injury

Yankees OF Judge headed to IL with elbow injury

NEW YORK Yankees captain Aaron Judge will go on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow, but a scan showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of the two-time AL MVP Manager Aaron Boone said Judge will have 10 days to two weeks of no throwing and will be the designated hitter at first when he returns. Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s primary DH, will start to work out in the outfield.

Judge was sent for an MRI on Saturday morning and was out of the starting lineup for just the second time this season.

He leads the major leagues with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS.

Phillies pitcher Nola on track for rehab start

NEW YORK Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola threw 56 pitches to batters Friday as he ramped up his comeback from a sprained right ankle and fractured rib that have sidelined him since May

A 32-year-old right-hander the former LSU star could make his first minor league rehab start next week.

“The ankle went a lot longer than I thought it was going to, but the ankle felt really good today and the rib felt really good today,” Nola said.

He hurt the ankle during agility drills on May 8. Nola made a pair of ineffective starts and was placed on the IL effective May 15. Nola threw a bullpen session June 1 and felt sore a few days later An MRI showed a stress fracture of a rib, Phillies manager Rob Thomson revealed June 10.

Kansas hoops coach Self released from hospital

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday, the university announced. Self, 62, was admitted Thursday after experiencing “some concerning symptoms.” He subsequently had two stents inserted.

“The procedure went very well and he is expected to make a full recovery,” KU said in a news release. It is the second time in just over two years Self, 62, has had heart-related issues requiring a procedure. In 2023, he had two stents inserted to open clogged arteries that caused him to miss that postseason’s Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

True freshman Darrell Smith, right, is expected to add his versatile skills to UL’s already talented running back corps.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DARRON CUMMINGS

Ty Gibbs climbs into his car before a practice session for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday in Indianapolis.

library here and let’s just go play some ball,” Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien said when asked about the competition. “Right now, the competition is: How good we can improve ourselves as a group?”

What Tolzien is saying is the first week of camp is a little more than glorified flag football The real competition will start Monday when the Saints put the pads on and begin fullcontact practices. It will get even more serious when they start playing other teams in preseason games. Then, and only then, should you start to take this competition seriously

If you recall the last time the Saints did this, the competition between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill wasn’t decided until after the second preseason game. We’re three weeks away from this year’s equivalent against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 17. There are 10 padded practices scheduled between now and then. With that in mind, it’s also important to not overreact to a single highlight-reel pass on social media or the daily practice reports, which have become a staple of today’s 24/7 NFL news coverage While passing statistics from practice are not irrelevant, they often lack context Unless you are privy to the practice script, play call and progression of the play, you really have no idea whether a play was successfully executed or not.

Jim Mora’s famous line applies here: “You think you know, but you don’t know and you never will.”

Former NFL star J.J. Watt called the reporting of practice stats “insane and ridiculous” on his social media account last week, adding: “You have no idea what the purpose of that period is, what the goals are, what the context is, etc.”

As Tolzien said, “Sometimes a throwaway is a plus (graded) rep that’s smart football.”

So having provided the

proper context, let’s turn our attention to the task at hand. What the Saints are doing is extremely rare, if not unprecedented. Not only are they trying to pick a starter from a three-man competition but they’re also trying to do it with three guys that have never won an NFL game and have combined to start seven career games in the league.

The trio’s limited body of work adds to the uncertainty of the competition When evaluating the race, it’s also important to consider the backgrounds of the decision-makers.

Moore, Tolzien and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier are former NFL quarterbacks, but none was a high draft pick. Moore and Tolzien were undrafted free agents. Nussmeier was a fourth-round selection

They can relate to Haener Rattler and Shough because they were once in their shoes. When they say it’s an open competition, they speak from experience. It’s not just lip service Accordingly, the race is wide open as open as a quarterback competition can get.

The good news is the competition appears to have brought out the best in the trio. All three have flashed during the first week of camp. All three have shown strong leadership skills and good command of the offense.

A leader likely will emerge as the work intensifies in the days and weeks ahead

The competition will boil down to three main factors: Running the offense: This seems obvious, but there are basic, operational aspects to playing quarterback that are important. Little things, like breaking the huddle with urgency, getting in and out of the right play and throwing the ball to the right player at the right time Another big thing is avoiding negative plays.

Moore’s offense is quarterback-friendly When it’s firing on all cylinders, he wants his QB to act as a point guard, orchestrating the attack and distributing the ball to his playmakers.

Situational football: Third down. Red zone. Twominute and four-minute

offense. Goal line and short yardage. These areas decide football games. They’re what separate elite quarterbacks from game managers.

As Moore said last week, there are going to be times when it’s third and long and everyone in the stadium knows you have to make a big pass. The quarterback who makes the most plays in those key situations likely will win the job.

Intangibles: When Moore talks about the evaluation of the competition, he stresses areas that aren’t conspicuous to the naked eye: consistency, decisionmaking, leadership, poise. Who best handles adversity?

Who learns from his mistakes?

And perhaps most importantly which guy do teammates respond to? Whom do they believe in?

With the trio being so similar in passing ability, the intangibles could be the difference-maker

So don’t be overly influenced by the highlight-reel passes that make the rounds on social media. Winston, if you recall, routinely made “wow” passes during his tenure in New Orleans

Those plays are fun to watch but won’t be as important as the above criteria in determining who wins the QB competition this fall.

“People don’t understand,” Haener said after a practice last week. “There’s been plenty of guys in this league that don’t have cannons. They’re going to execute (the offense) They’re on time (with their passes) They don’t have procedural penalties. They’re crisp up here (pointing to his head) They get their team into the right look, the right situation at the right time, and they throw the ball accurately and throw it on time.”

The Saints had one of those guys. His name was Drew Brees.

I don’t know whom the next starting quarterback will be. But knowing what Moore and his staff are looking for, I’m betting it’s the guy who executes more like Brees than the one who generates likes on TikTok and Instagram.

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

coach had a career win percentage of only .596.

“I believe that was done for my friend, Mike,” former Tulane assistant and current West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez said of the new .595 threshold. The change may have been mainly intended to benefit Leach, but it has collected a lot of other coaches in its net as well (Rodriguez also is currently at .596). That group also includes former Mississippi State/ Texas A&M/Pittsburgh coach Jackie Sherrill (.595) — and Miles, who is at .597. There is one last requirement for a coach to be on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame: You must be nominated by a school where you coached For Miles, 71, that would be LSU, Oklahoma State or Kansas (Michigan, where he was an offensive lineman, couldn’t nominate him because he wasn’t a firstteam All-American) And that’s where things could get sticky for The Hat.

One wouldn’t expect Kansas, where he went 2-18 over two rocky seasons, to help him out. Same for Oklahoma State, where Miles went 28-

21 in four seasons but left for LSU in 2005. At LSU, Miles went 11434, giving him an on-field career winning percentage in 18 total seasons of 665 (145-73). But LSU forfeited 37 wins on Miles’ watch, stemming from the Vadal Alexander improper benefits mess involving Our Lady of the Lake Foundation president/CEO John Paul Funes That officially made Miles 108-73 for a winning percentage of .59668. Miles left behind a lot of baggage at LSU, making it at least questionable whether the school would want to go to bat for him to get him on the Hall of Fame ballot. He sued LSU over the 37 forfeited victories, though a judge dismissed the suit in March. And he reportedly reached a secret settlement with a former LSU female student who accused him of sexual harassment, which came to light in 2021 as part of the infamous Husch Blackwell report. That report, by the way, gave Kansas a reason to fire Miles that year as well. Documents in a state lawsuit filed against LSU and Miles said that he “groomed, sexually and emotionally manipulated, and damaged” the student after recruiting her from an LSU sorority to

practice facility

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

cut-ups of the Moore offenses, and he’s seen the way he is able to manipulate the field to get the ball to his playmakers with the space to do something with it As explosive as Shaheed is — and as demonstrably good as he’s been in the open field as a return man — he still did a significant amount of his damage before the catch. Among receivers who were targeted at least 40 times last season, Shaheed ranked 30th in average yards after the catch per reception (5.3), according to Pro Football Reference. It’s not a bad number but it’s an area where he can see himself improve under Moore.

“There’s a lot of wideopen opportunities for us to catch the ball and get up the field — lots of big plays,” Shaheed said. “That’s what it’s going to take for us to

“There’s a lot of wide-open opportunities for us to catch the ball and get up the field — lots of big plays. That’s what it’s going to take for us to take the next step, especially with my game.”

RASHID SHAHEED Saints wide receiver

take the next step, especially with my game. Yards after the catch, I feel like that’s a key that I need to focus on and that’s only going to help improve my game.”

More also refers to Shaheed himself He’s aiming to play at 190 pounds this season, 10 pounds above his listed playing weight from 2024 and well above what he ever thought was possible. His offseason training regimen was built around increasing his muscle mass without losing the speed

that has made him special. And the weight gain was geared toward a specific purpose. After missing 11 games last season, Shaheed is focused on durability and staying power And the Saints brought in some in-house inspiration this spring to keep those goals top of mind when they added Brandin Cooks, who is entering his 12th NFL season and at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds has managed to stay healthy for much of his NFL career

“I told him early on once he got here that I’m going to be following him around, just because he’s played in this league for 12 years and that’s very impressive,” Shaheed said. “You’ve got to be doing something right to be playing for that long.

“He’s been nothing but helpful so far I love him, man, he’s great.”

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate. com.

work for him.

Despite his transgressions, there is still no question that Miles at least deserves Hall of Fame consideration if someone like Leach does, based on what he did on the field. Leach, for all of his cleverness and offensive genius, never won a conference championship, much less a national title. Miles won a BCS national championship and played for another, and he led the Tigers to two SEC titles and played for a third. Believe me, there are plenty of coaches with lesser résumés than Miles already enshrined in Atlanta. And while his actual on-field winning percentage without the forfeits can’t be considered, it also can’t be ignored. Again, there is no telling whether LSU is willing to nominate Miles after all their history together, good and bad, but there is no indication that a nomination is off the table, either LSU officials have time to ponder their position. The .595 rule doesn’t go into effect until the 2027 Hall of Fame nomination process.

Miles presents LSU and the NFF with a complex case, to be sure. But when you get to the essence of the man and his career, he’s earned the right to let the NFF voters decide his fate.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed runs with the ball during training camp Friday at the team’s

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints quarterbacks, from left Hunter Dekkers, Spencer Rattler Jake Haener and Tyler Shough gather during training camp Wednesday at the team’s practice facility

Lafayette alum joinsa distinguished classwith Emmy nod

The academic struggles of Northside High School in Lafayette, an F-rated school in 2015, have been long documented. Northside has an even longer historyofproducing renowned alumni, such as million-selling R&Bartist Cupid, two-time World Series champion Ron Guidry and UFC stars Justin Poirier and Daniel Cormier

But James Duhon, acinematographer whose work has been seen by millions, isn’t always mentioned withthe NHSfamous. Perhaps that’ll change with Duhon’s fourth Emmy nomination,this time for director of photography on “BBQ High,” aseries about Texas teens cooking in regional competitions.

Daytime Emmy winners will be announced Oct. 17. Duhon said the latest nomination,for Outstanding Culinary Cultural Series,came as “a shock.”

“Wedon’thave any control when the producersturn in these shows for awards,” said Duhon, who graduated from Northside in 2000. “You never know when they’re goingto say yes. This was one of those they said yes to.” Duhon has heard many yeses in acareer that includes 125 TV shows, 100-plus music videos, 63 features films and 35 documentaries. His four Emmy noms include awin for “Rap Trap: Hip Hop on Trail,” adebate on the use of rap lyrics in criminal cases.His two other nominations came for “Steve Gleason: No White Flags” and “Fear of the Black Quarterback.”

Duhon, who now lives near Dallas, credits his blue collar roots in Lafayette as the spark of his cinematic career.He tagged along when his mother, acity worker who became a volunteer at the Acadian Open Channel, apublic access outlet

At the age of 13, Duhon became AOC’syoungest certified producer and camera operator The experience earned him

ä See DUHON, page 5D

PROVIDED PHOTO

James Duhon, aNorthside High alum and acinematographer whose work has been seen by millions, has receivedhis fourth Emmy nomination.

LAUGH TRACK

Sophia Brazda’s rise from Lafayette to Second City —and beyond

BY JANRISHER | Staff writer

Sophia Brazda hasn’tupdated her LinkedIn page yet. It still lists theLafayette native as Mainstage understudy at The Second City,the legendary Chicago comedy institution where the likes of Tina Fey,Bill Murray,GildaRadner,Chris Farley,Steve Carell, Amy Poehler,MikeMyersand Stephen Colbert got their start.

We all knew when she left forcollege that everyone would see what we saw: amazing talent, comedic timing and kindheartedness.”

GERALD BROUSSARD

Brazda has been busy.Ona self-described “off-day” in June, shehad aseries of coffee meetings anda grantdevelopment session for the theater company she and friends started in Chicago in 2023.

At 24, the Louisiana native is juggling meetings, rehearsalsand momentum —a full creative plate in the Windy City.With big comedy dreams, Brazda balances art, admin and ambition daily

Her “breaking newsfrom last weekend” indicates that those aspirations could be falling into place.

“I wasinvited to audition for ‘SNL’(Saturday Night Live),” she said by phone Tuesday,“and Iamcurrently moving ahead in their process.”

From LSUtoChicago

That moment wasa long way from herfirststepsintoChicago —but notsofar from thepath she’sbeen paving sinceshe graduated from LSU in May2022. Sevenmonths later, she and four LSU theater friends loaded up aU-Haultruck andheaded north, arriving in Chicago on Jan. 1, 2023.

Within weeks, sheauditioned forThe Second City andwas immediately cast into the conservatory, then hiredshortly thereafter forthe mainstage which is impressive enough on itsown, but that’snot allshe did. She andher LSU theater friends also started atheater group, TwoChairsTheatre Co The name reflected their humble

ä See BRAZDA, page 5D

Howhas N.O. City Park kept historic carousel going?

BY RACHEL MIPRO

reminded of the City Park Carousel, known to fans as “the flying horses,” whenheread arecentarticle on carousels.

restorers and city residentsalike hope tosee the antique ride continuefor many generations. Reader Martin Audiffred was

“There was an article about merry-go-rounds in the USA News and it reminded me of the beautiful one we have in City Park —which has avery attractiveenclosure, and it is so much apart of this historic city,” Au-

diffred wrote. His question: What is theage, history and status of the merrygo-round in CityPark?

Atreasured attraction

The carousel, one of an estimated 100 wooden carousels left in the United States, has been housed in thepark since1906, according to Casie Duplechain,

ä See CURIOUS, page 5D

Fuselier

founder of CyT Lafayette about Sophia Brazda

Xander Bemiss, 3, rides the carousel at the Carousel garden amusement park in NewOrleans City Park.

STAFFFILE PHOTOBy SCOTT THRELKELD

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Sophia Brazda, aLafayette native, is amember of The Second City ensemble in Chicago.

TRAVEL

Cabins at CypremortPoint offersurprisingviews

Fish,sailorenjoy sunsetsin St.MaryParish

BY CATHERINE S. COMEAUX

Contributing writer

Catherine S. Comeaux

and her family spent three

summers exploring state, national and provincial parks —from Louisiana to Alaska, to Nova Scotia and all along the Mississippi River in between. This year, she turns her attention to our Louisiana state parksto discover the natural beauty of the South less than a day’sdrive from home.

For all the water skiing, fishing and sailing that Cypremort Point has to offer,myjumping off place has always been various relatives’ camps. Recently, my family and Ispent the weekend at the state park cabins instead and were surprised by the beauty of this perspective change.

Not only does the state park give you ready access to the water via the man-made beach and kayak launch, it is the only place at the point where, in addition to the gloriously dramatic sunsets overVermilion Bay,you have an unobstructed view of the sunrise over the marshland.

Betweenthe bays

Visitors approaching Cypremort Point by land will experience one of the best views to be had from astate highway.With a verticalclearanceof73 feet, the La. 319 bridge that spans the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is so high my children describe it as “the place where the world looks round.” From the top, one can simultaneously see West Cote Blanche Bay,WeeksBay and the nearby salt domes. As visitors descend from the panoramic view,beware of bear,deer and punny camp names like “Laissez Leblanc Temps Rouler” and “Reel High.” The park is located in St. MaryParish on land that was formed in ancient times by aformer distributary of the Mississippi River —now known as

Bayou Cypremort,which runs parallel to themain roadway.Along thepoint, large dead oak trees jutout abovevivid greens, providinggraysculptural drama amid thelushlive oaks. But visitors won’tsee many deadcypress trees as the translation of the French words “cyprès mort”would suggest.

TheChitimachipeople who have lived in theregionfor millenniatell of alargeold cypress that once served as aboundary marker in the area, but itis long gone.

Motor, paddle or sail

Foraddedfun, bring a boat.Power boats big and small can readily put in at therecently renovated boat launch just outside of the park. Bewareifthe trout are biting,the landing will be busy since it gives boaters access to both inshore optionsand offshore fishing in the Gulf.

Kayaksand canoes can readily put in at alaunch located on the far endofthe state park, which leads to SharkBayou, wherethey can maneuver themyriad offshoots to findplentyof opportunities for nature watching and fishing. The

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

bayou’sproximitytothe Gulf results in brackish waters where one might encounter asmall shark, but alligators arethe toothy critters more readily seen. Experienced paddlers looking for excitement beyond thepeaceful reptileinfested waters of Shark Bayou can explore theCajunCoast Paddling Trails with options 26-36 miles in length. Signage posted at the large boat landing shows the open saltwater routes and warns paddlers “self rescue is amust!” Visit Cajuncoast.com to plan ahead for the conundrum of your self-rescue. When thewinds are just

right,the statepark is a great place to takeadvantageofthe breeze. Small-tomedium-sized sailboats are easily launched at the far end of the park. Kite surfers have ablast zig-zagging along the waters off the beach.

Relax

No boat? No problem. We took to thequarter-mile marshland boardwalk and experienced aclose-up view of these wild areas. We heard red-winged blackbirds, saw deer and met visitors from Washington state. My father,who uses a wheelchair as he recovers from astroke, appreciated

the opportunity to be out in the marshland he loves. Our weekend included a good amount of time relaxing on the cabin’sscreened porch, strolling the beach and cooking fresh shrimp we picked up in nearby Lydia.

All kinds of visitors enjoyed the twofishing piers at either ends of the park where they werehoping to pull in supper.Astrong steady wind kept the bugs away as apair of largerthan-lifekites —a180-foot snake and an octopus with 70-foot tentacles —added joy to the skies that windy weekend. No matter if you spend your day in aboat or on shore, turn your eyes to the west forsundown. If the skies are clear,watch for the green flash.

Cypremort Point State Park, with its unobstructed view of the horizon, is one of the fewplaces to experience this meteorological optical phenomena that occurs when the sun dips below the horizon and abright green light emanates for about two seconds. Clear skies or cloudy,you will be in the perfect place to enjoy the sun as it dips below Vermilion Bay.Donot miss it. Know before yougo

n Cabins, tent camping and RV camping with full hook-ups are available. Check foravailability four to six months in advance.

n The cabins’ kitchens are stocked with basic utensils, crockery and appliances, plus arice cooker n Cabins 1and 2are wheelchair accessible by elevator.Internet information is conflicting in regards to wheelchair accessibility forother cabins —call the park forconfirmation.

n The cabins are well elevated to prevent flooding from high tides and hurricanes. The twoflights of steps might be achallenge forsome.

n The structural poles underneath the raised cabins are great forhanging a hammock —bring rope and practice aclove hitch knot.

n Groceries are available in Lydia.

n Twobathrooms with outdoor showers are provided forday visitors.

n Aportable bathroom trailer with laundry facilities and an indoor shower are available forcampers.

n Consider bringing food and drinks in durable containers to lighten the trash load at the state park. While not required, packing out your trash would be helpfulsince the park is often overburdened by overflowing trash cans. The habits of curious critters and Gulf breezes often makeamess of abeautiful location.

n The Louisiana DepartmentofHealth monitors the beach water weekly between May and October forenterococci bacteria. If necessary,swimadvisories are posted at the Louisiana Department of Health’s website, ldh.la.gov,and on the beach itself

Christopher Elliott

My family and Ibooked flights from BerlintoSeattle on Lufthansa usingUnited Airlines miles. Our initial itineraryhad us flying from Berlin to Munich to Seattle. Lufthansa canceled the Munich to Seattle flight, rebooking us on a flight from Berlin to FrankfurttoSeattle, with astopover in Frankfurtofonly 1hour and 25 minutes. My daughter requires apowered wheelchair and aventilator.This connection time wasnot enoughtimeto makeour flight.

When Icontacted United to complain, an agent who had rebooked our flights had mistakenly canceled the Lufthansa direct flight,and becausetherewere no more awardseatsavailable, Unitedrebooked us on theconnecting flights.WhenI asked United to fixthe problem, the airlineonly offeredusa $75voucherper person, which is unacceptable We need Unitedtoeitherbook us on the direct Lufthansa flight or provide us with adequatecompensation forthis mistake.— Brian Landmann,Woodinville,Washington

When an airline makes amistake, the airline must fix it, not you. Andthiswas quite amistake, and an insensitiveone at that

Icontacted United, and they rebooked us on a flight from Berlin to Frankfurt, withan overnight stayinFrankfurttoensure we had enough time for our connecting flight from Frankfurt to Seattle. But then United Airlines changedthe flight, this time booking us with connecting flightsfrom FrankfurttoWashington Dulles to Seattle.Thisisa much longer flight duration —at least 5hours longer than the direct flight —and adds an extraconnection, which will beverydifficult for my daughter

Ican’teven makeaninternational connection in Frankfurt in less than 11/2 hours —atleast Icouldn’tthe last time Itried. How do they expect someone in a wheelchair to make it?

Your case raises several questions. For example, are you considered asecond-class citizen if you are redeeming miles for your flight?You probably felt that way Butactually,the oppositeshould be true. Your airline should be treating you better because of your loyalty. Someone should have ensured that you were booked on flightswith reasonable connection times —after all, you’re one of United’sbest customers.

Another question: Should United have gone theextra mile

for apassenger with adisability?

Clearly,yes. United has adedicated department forspecial-needs passengers that should have been able to help. Ididn’tsee any correspondence with that departmentinyourpaper trail, but that might have been ashortcut to a solution.

Youmight have also tried reaching out to one of the United Airlines executives. Ipublish their names, numbers and email addresses on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. Ultimately when Ilookatyour itinerary,I might have gone with an Icelandair flight with one stop in Reykjavik that would have gotten you to Seattle in about 12 hours. You could havesaved your points for another flight. Icontacted United Airlines on

your behalf.After reviewing your case, the airline agreed to rebook you on aflight from Berlin to Newark with atwo-night layover in Newark, followed by adirect flight from Newark to Seattle. This new itinerary allows enough timefor your daughter to comfortably transfer between flights. The airline also issued you a$350 voucher per person as compensation forthe inconvenience caused by the changes to your itinerary While the new itinerary may not be perfect, it allows your family to travel comfortably and safely Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.

PHOTOSByCATHERINE S. COMEAUX

Thecabins at Cypremort Point State Park offer aviewofthe sunset over Vermilion Bayfrom the front porch and the sunrise over Shark Island marsh fromthe back porch.

The quarter-mile marshland boardwalk offers aclose-up viewofthe area.

AT THE TABLE

Glazed fig cake brings back memories of the farm

BY DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN Contributing writer

I stood at the kitchen sink looking out onto the backyard.

“Why is Daddy dressed like that?” I asked Momma.

It is July and already hot at 7:30 in the morning Why on earth would he be dressed in long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, boots and a large hat?

“He went out to pick figs,” she said as she stood at the kitchen island with a 10-pound bag of sugar and her largest pot

When picking figs, it is important to protect your skin

The rough leaves and the fig sap can make sores on your skin if you don’t cover well. After picking the figs, I knew that Daddy would take a shower and use baking soda to scrub his skin to protect himself from getting sores.

“Yes, that’s right! It is just about the Fourth of July and that is when the figs are ripe,” I said as I remembered that the holiday signaled time for fig picking and the making of fig preserves.

Most people think of fireworks, hot dogs, picnics, and red, white and blue. But, here on the farm, it was just another harvest time and this time it is figs.

The best thing about eating seasonally is that there was such anticipation and appreciation of the arrival of the different seasons and the bounty it brings. For us on the farm, figs were made into preserves and our yearly fig cake. Momma made it once a year and we truly enjoyed it. This year has not brought many figs on the trees. Most of the fig trees in south Louisiana have died because of the snow that fell earlier this year

When you make your own preserves, you can store them for more than a year If you don’t have a good crop one year, you can always tap into your reserved supplies. The recipe that follows calls for 1 cup of fig preserves. Now those preserves are precious. But, because it is a once-a-year treat, we don’t mind using that 1 cup for the cake.

I hope that you will give this cake a try It has a wonderful caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove flavor and it is super moist due to the buttermilk glaze.

trolls have a message about protecting planet

BY TERRY CHEA Associated Press

WOODSIDE, Calif. Nestled in forests around the world, a gentle army of giant wooden trolls want to show humans how to live better without destroying the planet

The Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo and his team have created 170 troll sculptures from discarded materials such as wooden pallets, old furniture and wine barrels.

Twelve years after he started the “Trail of a Thousand Trolls” project, his sculptures can be found in more than 20 countries and 21 U.S. states. Each year Dambo and his team make about 25 new trolls, which stand up to 40 feet tall

“I believe that we can make anything out of anything,” said Dambo, speaking from his farm outside Copenhagen. “We are drowning in trash. But we also know that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” An installation of six sculptures called “Trolls Save the

Humans” is on display at Filoli, a historic estate with 650 acres of forests and gardens in Woodside, California, about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

“They bring us back to be connected to the earth and to nature,” said Jeannette Weederman, who was visiting Filoli with her son in July Dambo’s trolls each have their own personality and story At Filoli, the troll Ibbi Pip builds birdhouses, Rosa Sunfinger plants flowers and Kamma Can makes jewelry from people’s garbage.

“Each of them has a story to tell,” said Filoli CEO Kara Newport. “It inspires people to think of their own stories, what kind of creatures might live in their woods and make that connection to living beings in nature.”

Dambo’s trolls don’t like humans because they waste nature’s resources and pollute the planet. The mythical creatures have a long-term perspective because they live for thousands of years and have witnessed the destructive force of human civilizations.

But the six young trolls at Filoli have a more optimistic view of human nature. They believe they can teach people how to protect the environment.

“They want to save the humans. So they do this by teaching them how to be better humans — be humans that don’t destroy nature,” said Dambo, 45, a poet and former hip-hop artist. “They hope to save them from being eaten by the older trolls.”

Dambo’s trolls are hidden in forests, mountains, jungles and grasslands throughout Europe and North America as well as countries such as Australia, Chile and South Korea. Most were built with local materials and assembled on-site by his team of craftsmen and artists with help from local volunteers.

“My exhibition now has four and a half million visitors a year globally, and it’s all made out of trash together with volunteers,” said Dambo. “That is such a huge proof of concept of why we should not throw things out, but why we should recycle it.”

Preserve Cake

Buttermilk Glaze

8:30 am to 11:30 am

PHOTO By DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN Fig Preserve Cake

Artist’s

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By TERRy CHEA

A giant troll sculpture, created by the Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo and his team, is part of an installation of six sculptures called ‘Trolls Save the Humans’ in Woodside, Calif.

From NewOrleans to the NorthCarolinamountains

BY SERENA PUANG Staff writer

“Makeyour wayhome,”byCarrieR.Moore,Tin House, 336pages

What makes aplace home? Is it the memories that took place there? Does it require living there a certain amountoftime? Is home where those you love reside? Or is it afeeling?

In “Make Your WayHome,” adebut collection of short stories byCarrie R. Moore, the authorexplores theconcept of home through akaleidoscopeof stories set across the American South, including New Orleansand Mississippi near the Gulf. In one, aman tries to win over the love of his life despiteafamily curse.

Another,writteninthe second person, follows alifeguard in Alabama. In Florida, ayoung woman is pregnantatthe same time asher mother,and theyoung woman is navigating conflict with her mom over next steps.

Regardless of where or who the story is about, Moore’swritingshines inthe details and the truths theyreveal. Her writing feels deeply grounded in place and emotional insightwhichfeels specific to the place.

She managestopull off acollection of non-interconnected stories that feel unified.The connection shines through in not just the places Moorepicks but the way the characters think within those settings. What the characters find normal, their trauma andcultural back-

PROVIDED PHOTO By MATT VALENTINE

Carrie R. Moore, author of newdebut collectionofshortstories, ‘Makeyour Way Home.

grounds all feel true,and they’reclearly the result of thorough research.

When acharacter in the final story wholeft Texas after ahurricane is asked why she’s movingtoMaine (“What’sinMaine, aside from crazy winters?”), she cycles through answers in her head:Permanence. Water.Greenery But sheanswers simply: “Well, what’s here?”

The “here” in each story of thebook is

thereal triumph of the collection.

In thestoryset in New Orleans, adeaconess named Sariah wrestles with both thefeeling that God is far away and that she’sfalling for anew church member

Unlike other books with short stories or chapters, Moore’sstoryisnot just vaguely set in thecity with some passing references to Mardi Gras or Bourbon Street.Instead, the setting is one particular church community and focuses on this one couple within it. Over the course of thestory, it’srevealed how different hurricaneshave displaced people, and the main character wonders aloud about future storms. Sometimes, living in the South feels like living in constant precarity: storms come, circumstances change, and life happens. “Make Your WayHome” is an ode to homes and those who make it so, even when they aren’tperfect, aren’t theones we’d choose and aren’tguaranteed to stay in. In these stories, Moore deftly conjures what it means to belong and what it means to long for that belonging. Whether it’s navigating complicated parent dynamics, romantic relationships, new places or medical care, Moore’sstories about survival and perseverance arelike takingaroadtrip in theSouth and being aflyonthe wallin different people’slives. Hercollection is avital exploration of how the past bothrecent and otherwise —shapes us into thepeople we are.

Email Serena Puang at serena.puang@ theadvocate.com. Followher on Instagram, @dear.yall.

Summer reading season brings its shareofjoy

Last December,asthe glad tidings of the holidays made“joy” amuch-mentioned word, acopy of Steven Petrow’s “The Joy YouMake” arrived in the mailand made its waytomyever-teetering pile of unread books, where it sat formonths.

Only now,inthe high heat of another Louisiana summer,have Icracked the spine of Petrow’slatest book, but there’s really been no harm in my delay.The point of his project is that joy isn’tjust something to warmyour hands around at Christmas or other special occasions. At its best, of course, joy is adaily discipline.

Petrow stumbled into his subject during the pandemic, when he wrote aWashington Post essay on finding joy in tough times. He unpacks the topic morefully in “The Joy YouMake,” which makes the case that joy,though commonly viewed as an exercise in smiling radiance, isn’tquite the samething as happiness.

Joy is morecomplicated, as Petrow points out, and it can even coincide with sad events like helping aloved one through serious illness. Although asingle definition of joy is elusive, all joy seemsto point outward, connecting us with something beyond ourselves.

Petrow has found joy in cooking, writing and even volunteering at alocal cancer ward. The author offers acouple of chapters on reading as asource of joy,too. Having your head in abook might seem to work against the ideal of joy as athing with an open face. But reading, though often undertaken in solitude, isn’treally about isolation. Agreat book gives us meaning by joining us with someother mind, someother soul, someother experience that changes us, however imperceptibly,asweturn each page.

“I’d found my place, the beginnings of community,and asense of belonging,” Petrow writes of his early lifeinbooks. “For me, that has proven to be the ultimatejoy of reading.”

I’ve been thinking about all of this as I enjoy another summer reading season in my favorite living room chair.There’sa magnifying glass near my elbow in case I want to give any pictures Icome across a closer look. Ialso keep aset of binoculars handy to inspect the birds that arrive by the window Ilike having these things around because they enlarge how Isee my life. When abook is really good, it enlarges my vision, too.

I’ve just finished “The Bookshop,” a Penelope Fitzgerald novel about alittle woman, Florence Green, whodecides to open abookstore in asmallEnglish town. She seemsabit wispy to tackle such ajob, but in Fitzgerald’sstory,wecome to see how strong and deep Florence is on the inside.

In reading about her,I came to feel stronger and deeper,too. Iguess I’mdescribing joy,the abiding giftofany good book.

Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com

CURIOUS

Continued from page1D

chief external relations officer for City Park Conservancy.But it stood along City Park Avenue beforeitwas moved to itscurrent location in the 1920s, Duplechain said. Currently,the carousel lives in the center of City Park’sCarouselGardens, encased in a10-sided pavilion. The carousel’sthree rows contain 30 jumping horses, 21 standing horses, agiraffe, a lion, acamel and two chariots. The carousel sees regularuse, especiallyinsummer when all rides in the park stay open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“It’sone of my favorite little hidden gems in the park,” Duplechain said. “It’sbeautiful. We realizedhow special it is, and it’s apriority,you know,amongst most things in the park for us as stewards, to make sure that we’re caring for it in away that preserves it over time.”

The history of New Orleans carousels is along and twisting one, as reporter MikeScott wrote for The Times-Picayune in 2024.

City Park’scarousel horses are the work of Bartholomewand Timothy Murphy,noted carousel creators who learned how to create the attraction in then-popular Coney Island style, under Charles Looff, atrailblazer of the craft.

Duplechain said the last major restoration done to the carousel was in 2013, when all the horses were taken down, stripped of paint, examined for cracksand damage,and then hand-painted to regain their original appearance.

‘Anantique to ride’

WRF Designs, afamily-owned carousel restoration company basedinPlainville, Connecticut, comes for aweek each year to maintain the carousel.Company founder Bill Finkenstein worked on the carousel for over 40 years, and his son, Gabriel Finkenstein, now leads theteam, making the yearly trip from Connecticut to Louisiana to examine the carousel.

“It’slasted, and it’sstill abeautiful piece,” Gabriel Finkenstein said. “It’sanantique that people get achance to ride, and thenext

DUHON

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ajob at the CBS affiliate KLFY TV-10 following graduation. After twoyears, Duhon enrolledinfilm classes at South Louisiana Community College. An instructor recommended him to BET when the network needed camera operatorswhile shooting “College Hill” in Baton Rouge. The reality TV work opened the door to Bullet Films and10 years of shooting non-scripted shows. Duhon later moved to New Orleans and Los Angeles, building aresume of more than 100 TV shows.

He has the scars to prove it

“A lot of people don’tknow holding acamera for 12-15 hours aday just wears on your body,” saidDuhon. “I went through some major injuries, like reallife sports injuries. Ihad my shoulder replaced, my knee replaced. Ihad nerve damage in my hand and elbow.This is all from operating so much “I was just so giddy about the shows, Ijust didn’tcare. But after all these injuries,Ijustmo-

Paynomindtowinesnob friend whodoesn’t share

Dear Harriette: Ihave afriend who is awine connoisseur.She knows alot about it and spends alot of money on it. Idon’thave that kind of money,but Idoenjoy wine and like to serve it when guests visit. Ifind my friend to be obnoxious about her wine tastes. I see her turn up her nose when she sees my selections. She hastaken to bringing her own bottles when she comes over to my house so that she can drink what she likes. Ifind this to be rude —especially since she doesn’tshare her wine with others. She just drinks what she brought for herself. HowdoIget this to stop? —Obnoxious Friend

generation getsa ride, and the next generation gets aride. Our main goal as bothrestorers and peoplewho really enjoy carousels is to make sure that it goes to that next generation.”

Finkenstein’screwblends paint by hand to match original colors. Thehorses’ tails, made from real horsehair,are restored by aprocessinwhich they are wettedand stretched out on wooden plugs. Finkenstein said the horses are hollow,built like barrels. The plugsfor these tails were drilled,sosome go into the empty space in themiddle.

“Wefound100-year-old coins, notesfromcarvers,sweepstakes tickets, all different thingsinside those figures,” Finkenstein said.“It works like atime capsule. If any kid could fit something somewhere, there’sa little hole that goes right through the horse. If akid can fit aride ticket or apiece of paper in through that hole, they will and then say 25,30, 40, 50, 100 years later,you findthose things.”

Keepingatradition going

Another unique feature are thehorses’ glass jeweled eyes. Workers used aspecial method to getasnug fit between the socket andeye by fitting theeye into place, then wrapping wet cloth aroundthe eye.

Thewater would be absorbed by wood, and asthe piece dried andshrunk, the wood contracted aroundthe eye, leaving the eyes firmly embedded in place.

Finkenstein said features like these contributedtothe overall style of the carousel—onethat has lasted throughout theyears.

“They can last,” Finkenstein said. “It just takes awhole community to makeanything work. So thefact that they (City Park staffers) work so hard to keep theirs goingiswonderful, and I hope it lasts as many moregenerationsaspossible.

“I said that my father started working on it. I’ve been workingonit. Andifmykids want to work on it in the future,I’ll have them comedown with me. I would love to just keep it going.”

Do you have aquestionabout something inLouisiana that’s got you curious?Emailyour question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com.Include your name, phone number and the city where you live.

seyed my way back into feature films. That’swhere Iamright now,feature films and documentaries.”

As he moves into directing and producing, Duhon started 2AM MotionPictures, an independent company that haslanded work with actress andwellnesscoach PilarSanderswho’s interested creating Lifetime Christmas movies. He’sheading to LA for an eight-week job withwrestler/actor turnedproducer John Cena.

Duhon advises thenext famous NHS alum to never quit —and enjoy thejourney

“Earlier this year,I did aseries with Marc JohnJeffries in Brooklyn, NY called ‘Love &Brooklyn.’I’m ridingaround NewYork,the largest city in America, (thinking)they hired a kidfrom Northside High in this city with 20 million people.

“I’m riding on Broadway,looking at all the buildings. I’ve really comealong way.”

Herman Fuselier is awriter, broadcaster and tourism director living in Opelousas. His “Zydeco Stomp” radio show airsatnoon Centraltime Saturdays on KRVS8.7 FM and online at KRVSPublic Media.

Dear Obnoxious Friend: While your friend may be obnoxious about her wine selection, you can look past her behavior and allow her to bring what she wantstoyour house. Ihave seen this in practice in the South, where people visit friends and family with acooler full of whatever they like to drink —but there’snojudgment attached. Sometimes they offer to share. Other times it’sjust their self-contained minibar that

travels with them so that they are self-sufficient. Consider her to be her own one-man band, so to speak. Let her come with whatever she wants and stew in her own judgments while you continue to entertain your friends without allowing yourself to feel belittled by her Dear Harriette: Irecently made ahuge mistake, and Ifeel sick about it. My best friend confided in me that she’spregnant, which is something she and her husband have been trying for over two years to makehappen. When she told me, she was so happy and madeitclear that it was still asecret. They wanted to wait afew moreweeks before announcing it to everyone in acute and memorable way,which they had been planning formonths. Iwas happy forher,and Itruly meanttohonor her trust, but during acasual hangout with our group of friends, Iaccidentally let it slip. Nowshe’sunderstandably furious with me. She said she feels like aspecial moment has been stolen from her and her husband, andI completely get it.

I’ve apologized over and over,but she barely acknowledges me. I hate knowing Icaused her pain during what should be one of the happiest times of her life. How do Ieven begin to fix this? Is there anything Ican do to makeitright, or did Ipermanently ruin our friendship? —Broken Confidence DearBrokenConfidence: Your friend feels especially hurt because you two are so close, which is why she confided in you in the first place. It feels like adeep betrayal. Only time can heal this wound. Back off for now,and let her calm down. See if she reaches out after a month or so. If not, try again. Offer to help her in any waythat she mayneed, but don’tpush. She will have to decide when she lets you back in the fold. Pregnancy is an interesting time because the mother’shormones are changing as the baby grows, and everything seems amplified. Youcannot force anything. Just let her know you love her and want to be there for her

Sendquestions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/o AndrewsMcMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

BRAZDA

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resources —the idea beingthatany showcould be done with nothing more thantwo chairs

Imitating Brazda’srising star withThe Second City,Two Chairs’ scrappy band of playwrights, directors, actorsand artists from LSUwas voted Chicago’s“Best New TheatreCompany” in 2023 by “Chicago Reader,” after just their first season.

Thesedays,Two Chairs is afullfledged 501(c)3 nonprofit with 20 resident artists, acreative team of sixand anonprofit board. According to its mission, the company focuses on “storytelling-first,”providing support to up-and-coming, underrepresented artists.

Growingupin thespotlight

Understanding Brazda’s work now requires going back to where it all began: home. Before Chicago, Brazda’sloveoftheater took root in Louisiana, starting in herhometown of Lafayette.

As achild, she livedunderaspotlight as thedaughter of two veteran local television personalities, Scott Brazda andSuzanne Ferrara.

Beforemoving to Acadiana, Ferrara was with WWL and WDSU in New Orleans and WAFB in Baton Rouge. The couple met while working at KATC-TV in Lafayette.

Sophia Brazda remembers the days of shopping with herdad in Lafayette grocerystores as randomstrangers stopped to chat with him.

“He would talk toevery person,” she said. “I used to get so annoyed when Iwas alittlegirl, like,‘Do you have to talktoeveryperson? We’retrying to buy eggs.’

She says even as achild that her parents’ careers gave her asense of how big theworld was.

Watchingher parentstellhonest stories that elevated and lifted people in the community planted the seeds foralot of what Brazda does now

“Because everyday I’d have to watch either my mom or my dad for six to nine hours continuously improvise andwrite their own scripts,”she said. “My parents

taught me early about communicating and interacting withthe world and with their communities.”

Atriplethreat

Sophia Brazdaperformed with a variety of theater groups in Acadiana, including CYT,where she starred in anumber of shows between 2011 and 2018. As atriple threat —she acts, sings and dances —Brazda’searly theater days were focused on musicals.

“Sophia always had that special ingredient that made herdifferent/special,” saidGerald Broussard,founderofCYT Lafayette. “Whenshe first came to CYT,we knew she could sing and act, but it wasn’tuntil the musical ‘Hairspray’ that the funny side of her came alive.”

Broussardsaideven back then Brazda had“that quirkysarcasm that audiences loved.”

Sophia Brazda says that role in “Hairspray,” her first venture into comedy,launched herloveaffair with making people laugh.

“It was so wonderful.I wasn’t used to getting laughs like that,” she said. “I’m like 15, maybe 16 at this point. It wasa unique opportunitytobeable to improvise alot on stage, which Ihad never,ever been able to do before. AndIwas surprised at how easily it came or at leasthow comfortable Ifeltexploring that.”

Fromthat point on, she only wanted to play parts that were “at leasta littlefunny,” andcollege gave her abigger stage —and moreroom to experiment.

Her subsequent theatrical success hasn’tbeen asurprisefor those who watched her grow up on stage.

“Weall knew when she left for collegethat everyonewould see what we saw: amazing talent, comedic timing and kindheartedness,” Broussard said.

SophiaBrazda saysher comedy bug continued to grow untilshe “got thecomedy itch proper” when she landed at LSU in the fall of 2018, after graduating from Teurlings Catholic High School. At LSU, she became president of theUniversity Theatre Alliance andwrote “God Gun!: AHalf-

Written Play,” as her thesis forthe Ogden Honors College.

She then directed “God Gun!” in the HopKins Black Box Theatre the first act is written, but the second act is improvised and changes with everyperformance. LSU has continuedtoperform “GodGun!” since Brazda’sgraduation, with various students directing it and starring in it. In high school and college, she performed with big bands in New Orleans, including being the lead singer forthe Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra.

“I sang foralot of weddings and Mardi Gras balls, New Year’scelebrations, that kind of thing,”she said.

‘You getwhere I’mfrom’ Remarkably,Sophia Brazda is not the only Lafayette product shaping The Second City.Kate Eddy,also from the Hub City,isthe organization’smarketing director However, thetwo hadnever met until their paths crossed at The Second City

“Sophia’sdad knows my dad. They both separately mentioned to each of us,” said Eddy. “I sawher last summer.She wasunderstudying forthe mainstage. Iwas there because we were working with ‘Sesame Street.’”

“Sesame Street” sent thereal Cookie Monster to play the third act of the show,afully improvised 30-minute set.

“Sophia played the setwith Cookie Monster.Itwas unreal,” Eddy said. “Lafayette powers they’re out there!” Eddy has high praise forBrazda and says being an understudy at The Second City is no small feat. She noted that having someone from Louisiana, and more specifically Lafayette,not only living in Chicago but working within the sameorganization was special.

“It’slike, ‘Oh you get it. Youget where I’mfrom.’ It’s acommonality,”Eddy said. “Moving fromLafayette to abig city can be scary When you’re in the same building with someone, it’sareminder that the world is big, but it’salso very small.”

Email Jan Risheratjan.risher@ theadvocate.com.

Harriette Cole SENSE AND SENSITIVITy

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

The distinctivebuilding housing the historic carousel in NewOrleans City Park showinspring 2020

PROVIDED PHOTO

Sophia Brazda, aLafayette native, performs as amember of The Second City ensemble in Chicago.

HOLLYWOOD SOUTH

Cheaptickets,eye-popping merchhelping to fill seats

In 2020, domestic movie theaters were going gangbusters with $100 million in revenue the first weekend of March.

Leslie Cardé

But just two weeks later, according to IMDB Pro’sBox Office Mojo, weekend ticket sales had collapsed, to just $4,160. What transpired in those two weeks could be summed up simply —the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Wewere closed at least twice for multiple months at atime, starting in 2020,” said Brian Knighten, owner of The Broad Theater in New Orleans. “When we reopened the first time, there was no business, so we closed again. We had done spaced seating, masks and played by all the rules, but it didn’tpacify people’s fears.” Hollywood was also panicked, because there was suddenly nowhere to release their expensive new films.

The solution to the problem would begin anew trend: Brand-new movies, usually reserved for theaters, were suddenly coming to everyone’sliving room via streaming.

Although many studios pushedtheir blockbuster openings to 2021, industry strategies quickly moved to astreaming model. Meanwhile, filmmakers struggled with new COVID protocols on set, and moviemaking became much more expensive and timeconsuming, with fewer films being turned out as a result.

Reopen or go bankrupt

The pandemic affected everyone’sbottom line. By the summer of 2020, theater owners had to decide whether to reopen or face bankruptcy But that wouldmean figuring outhow to create new revenuestreams, since there was less inventory landing in theaters. Formega-chain AMC, that meant bringing aproduct to theaters that moviegoers couldn’t getintheirliving rooms.

“Wenegotiated adeal with celebrities that would

TODAYINHISTORY

wrongly suspected.)

By The Associated Press

Today is Sunday,July 27, the 208th day of 2025. There are157 days left in the year TodayinHistory

On July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed at Panmunjom, ending three yearsoffighting on the Korean peninsula that killed an estimated 4million people. Also on this date:

In 1789, President George Washingtonsigned ameasure establishing the Departmentof Foreign Affairs, forerunner of the Department of State.

In 1866, Cyrus W. Field finished laying out the first successful underwater telegraph cable between North America and Europe.

In 1909, during the first official test of the U.S. Army’sfirst airplane, Orville Wright flew himself and apassenger,Lt. Frank Lahm, above Fort Myer,Virginia, for one hour and 12 minutes

In 1940, Billboard magazine published its first “music popularitychart”listingbest-selling retail records. In first place was “I’ll Never Smile Again” recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with featured vocalist Frank Sinatra.

In 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted 27-11 to adopt the first of three articles of impeachment againstPresident Richard Nixon, charging he had personally engaged in acourse of conduct designed to obstruct justice in the Watergate case.

In 1980, on day 267 of theIranian hostage crisis,the deposed Shah of Iran died at amilitary hospitaloutside Cairo, Egypt,at age 60.

In 1981, 6-year-old Adam Walsh was abducted from adepartment store in Hollywood, Fla., and was later murdered (Adam’s father,John Walsh, subsequently became avictims’ rights activist and, in 1988, launched andhosted thetelevision show “America’s Most Wanted”).

In 1996, terror struck theAtlanta Olympics as apipe bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park, directly killing one person andinjuring 111. (Anti-governmentextremist Eric Rudolph later pleaded guilty to thebombing,exonerating security guard RichardJewell, who had been

bring their live concerts into movie theaters,” said AMC Vice President Ryan Noonan, speaking from AMC’sheadquarters in Kansas. “For starters we partnered withbothTaylor Swift and Beyoncé for on-screen concerts, which turned out to be hugely successful for AMC, and thetheater landscape in general.”

When two Hollywood union strikes ended, theaters finally saw aflurry of new movies, giving moviegoers areason to venture

In 2012, Britain opened its Olympic Games in acelebration of Old Englandand new, even cheekily featuring stunt doublesfor Queen Elizabeth II and fictional special agent James Bondparachutinginto Olympic Stadium

In 2013, security forces and armed men clashed with supporters of Egypt’soustedpresident, Mohammed Morsi, killing at least 72 people

In 2015, the Boy Scouts of America ended its blanket ban on gay adultleaders while allowing church-sponsored Scout units to maintain theexclusion for religious reasons

In 2018, theWhite House announcedthat North Korea had returned the remains of what were believed to be U.S. servicemenkilled during theKorean War, with aU.S. military plane making arare trip into North Korea to retrieve55cases of remains.

In 2020, the world’sbiggest COVID-19 vaccine studybegan with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helpingtotest shots created bythe National Institutes of Health andModerna Inc.

In 2021, American gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the gymnastics team competition at theTokyoOlympics to focus on hermental well-being, saying sherealized following ashaky vaultthatshe wasn’tinthe right headspace to compete.

Today’sbirthdays: Singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry is 83. ActordirectorBettyThomas is 78. Olympic gold medal figure skater Peggy Flemingis77. Singer MaureenMcGovernis76. Comedian-actor-writer Carol Leifer is 69. Comedian Bill Engvall is 68. Actor-martial artist Donnie Yen is 62. Jazz singer Karrin Allyson is 62. Rock musician Juliana Hatfield is 58. Former professional wrestler Triple His56. Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is 55. Comedian Maya Rudolph is 53. Rock musician AbeCunningham (Deftones) is 52. Singer-songwriter Pete Yorn is 51. Former MLB All-Star Alex Rodriguez is 50. Actor Jonathan RhysMeyers is 48. Actor/comedian Heidi Gardner (TV:“Saturday Night Live”) is 42. Actor TaylorSchillingis41. MLB All-Star pitcher Max Scherzer is 41.Golfer Jordan Spieth is 32.

amultimillion-dollar merchandising business, and it’sbecome ahuge industry trend. Now, we have items from ‘Superman,’ ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘The Fantastic Four,’ and viewers leave the theater with acollectible.”

Specials on tickets, drinks

With concessions accounting for75% of revenues, according to Broad owner Knighten, it’simportant to provide enticements to bring the theatergoing clientele over to the refreshmentstand or bar

“Wewant our regulars to see every movie,” Knighten said.

“And our reasonably priced alcoholic beverages are an added incentive to come to the theater.We have the lowest priced mixed drinks in the city, and somespecial creations of our own which attract acrowd. And, with our special $6 Tuesday ticket prices, night or day,that’s becomeour busiest day of the week.”

out into amultiplex.

With electric recliner seats, Dolby projection and sound, and food delivered to one’sseat, it’sbecome moreofapremiumexperience.

According to AMC’s Noonan, people are now seeking more value.

“We’ve started providing innovative popcorn bucketsthat align with thebig titles —the ‘Ghostbusters’ car,‘The Fastand Furious’ Dodge Charger, and the ‘Dune’ popcorn bucket,” Noonan said. “It’s

The Broadside, the openair theater and concert venue next door to The Broad Theater that opened in September 2020, may have arisen out of apandemic when people felt safer outside, but it has been thriving ever since.

Nowthat property is hometoanupscale Japanese restaurant called Nikkei, presided over by the chefs whoused to run Carmointhe CBD

There are sushi deals on Tuesday night, which tie in with the bargain Tuesday ticket prices next door

During the hot, sticky months of summer,The Broadside becomes adivein: Audience members who buy tickets forevents like concerts in the outdoor

space can rent asmallpool, seating eight people, for$6. Abarrage of advertising

To supplement what is still adeficit in revenues at theaters, manyofthe larger chains beginning twoweeks ago started running extensive ads before the movie. On arecent trip Imade to aRegal Theater in San Francisco, Icounted 35 ads before the trailers began. Brian Knighten, of The Broad, is familiar with this new concept and isn’ton board.

“Wewere offered $1,800 amonth to run just four to five minutes of ads before each show,” Knighten said. “Weopted not to do this. We do 10 minutes of trailers before the movie and advertise just 1minute forThe Broadside next door.” Knighten prefers to be a community resource, with The Broad seeing summer school and NORD groups twotothree times aweek forfield trips along with working with nonprofits that often show their own movies, or private groups (even bachelor parties) that ask to rent their own favorites fortheir friends.

Although domestic box office numbers are still down almost 20% from aprepandemic 2019, 2025 has seen aboon with this year’s summer blockbusters, like the new “Mission Impossible,” “Superman,” “F1” and this week’s“The Fantastic Four.” With titles like “Tron,” “Wicked: For Good” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” debuting during the upcoming holidays, attendance is decidedly headed in the right direction.

Email Leslie Cardé at lesliecardejournalist@gmail. com.

Thehonorificsdebaterages on

Dear Miss Manners: Ihave discovered that my husband’s small business has been sending out birthday/anniversary cards addressed to clients by their first names (i.e. Joe Smith).I believe that the envelopes should be addressed using atitle (Mr.Joe Smith). Ihave been informed by my husband, and his young receptionist,that using thetitle is too formal and omitting it is friendlier His clientsare professionals between the ages of 30 and 90. I believe that most of them were raised during atime of proper etiquette, and that my husband not using titles makes his correspondence appear uncouth. Am I just being too picky?

what everybody is doing these days? She is merely curious, sincethe lines between the personal and theprofessional seem to be particularly blurred at your husband’splace of business.

Judith Martin MISS

Dear Miss Manners: Ihave atremor in my hands, worse in my dominant hand,and it affects my table manners. In public, Itry to choose foods that are relativelyeasy formetohandle, but Ioften have to makeunconventional accommodations, such as holding my right hand with my left while eating, or putting my chin right over my bowl.

diseases and allergies every time someone decides they do not want to eat their peas?

Dear Miss Manners: What do you do if you say something pleasant to someone, or ask them aquestion, and they totally ignore you?

I’m talking about various situations: acashier or alibrary clerk, but also people Iwork with. I know they hear me,but they don’trespond. Iused to work with womenwho would ignore me at work if Isaid anything to them, but if they saw me out at astore, they would sayhitome. Should I have ignored them, like they did to me?

Gentlereader: “Mr.Joe Smith” would be Miss Manners’ preference. Butthen, she would also prefer not to receive birthday cards from her (for instance) dentist,who only knows her birthday from her privatemedical records —not because he is afriend.

Now MissMannershas aquestionofher own: Is this decision being made by theproprietor of the business, his wife or the receptionistwho claims toknow

Dear Heloise: Need more storage space in the garage or closet?

On occasion, if afood proves too difficult, Iask the restaurant to wrap it up, telling them that Iamfull.Then Itake it home, where Ican eat it in whatever manner Ichoose.

Butperhaps Ishould forgo eating in public altogether?

Gentlereader: NotonMiss Manners’ account, nor forany rule of etiquette. Accommodations for physical necessity are an essential part of good manners. Sadly,the greatest proof of this lies in the now-rampant misuse of the rule. Why do you think we are discovering so manynew

intended to do! —Amy W.,inOhio

Gentle reader Deliberately ignoring someone who is speaking to you is ahigh insult, one that is tantamount to severing relations. For that reason, it is not something you should strain to see when it was not intended. Why would someone insult you at work but then later greet you at the store?

Youcan always repeat agreeting to makesure the person heard, but Miss Manners cautions that with morecasual acquaintances, it may be wiser to overlook such slights.

Send questions to Miss Manners to dearmissmanners@gmail. com.

Hints from Heloise

Tryusing the empty ice chest that is just waiting for the next partyoranempty suitcase that is just waiting for the next road trip

B.T.A., in Lakewood, California

When to toss outatoothbrush

Dear Heloise: As adental hygienist, Ialways suggest getting anew toothbrush every three months.

Baking soda on teeth

Dear Heloise: Somepeople are misinformed about the abrasiveness of baking soda when used for brushing your teeth. Bakingsoda is less abrasive than most toothpastes and is also agood acid neutralizer.Itcan be used daily. —MaryB., in Michigan

Recyclingnewspapers

Dear Heloise: Ilive in San Antonio, near aveterinary clinic. After Iread my newspaper,I accumulate apile of these newspapers andtake them to the veterinary clinic. —K.T., via email Lost rings

Send ahinttoheloise@heloise com. Optionswheninneedofmorestorage

keep from losing them,I do one of two things: Ieither put them in my pocket or thread them on the stem of my glasses. Ilearned this the hard way when Iforgot to put my rings back on after Ihad leftarestaurant!

Sadly,they weregone, and no one turned them in to the management. —Beverly T.,Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Toomanyeggs

Butaneven moreimportant way to determine when to toss abrush is when it begins to fan out. Once atoothbrush starts to fan out from its original shape, it’snolonger doing thejob it was

Dear Heloise: We use alot of eggs in my home, so the only way Ican tell the fresh ones from the older eggs is to buy browneggs one weekand white the next week. It works well forme. —Patricia B. Tiverton,Rhode Island

Dear Heloise: Ihave ahabit of removing my rings when Iwash my hands in apublic place. To

PROVIDED PHOTO

Fantastic Four’ collectibles debuted this week at AMC theaters nationwide as the blockbuster film premieres.

MANNERS

bumps

Forthe way along the

In acitywhere residentsare challenged daily, entrepreneursuse theirskillstoquell aggravations

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Forsix years, Saleh Hamedmadealiv-

ing as ahairstylist.

Butabout adecadeago,hebegan to notice, like alot of NewOrleanians, that the deplorable condition of city streets —with their cavernous potholes,uneven sections of roadway and scattered debris —were wrecking suspensionsand ripping through tires.

And he saw in the city’s badroadsa business opportunity So, in 2017, he hung up his shears, shelved hisstyling products and opened

Tire SquadCo.,anautomotive service center now located on abusy stretch of Claiborne Avenue between Uptown and aheavily usedInterstate10onramp.

The business took off, thanks, in part, to Hamed’s skilleduse of social media andhis eye-catchingpurple signs. Three yearslater,TireSquad went mobile,offering emergency roadside services from aMercedes Sprinter van wrappedwith stickers in the company’s signature shade. Between the shop andmobile service, Hamedsaidhis eight-person team works

ä See QUELL, page 2E

Optimize employees installa whole-house generator at a Madisonville residence. PROVIDED PHOTO

Auto dealersweigh buyerincentivesastariffsdig into sales

BY BLAKE PATERSON

Staff writer

Louisiana auto dealersare see-

ing aslowdown in sales as consumers shy away from purchasing new vehicles amid tariff-induced price hikes and elevated interest rates. Hoping to lure back shoppers, however,both manufacturers and dealers are ramping up discounts and incentives,helpingtogrease the wheels on transactions but also eating into profit margins.

Carbuyersflockedto dealerships earlier this year to getahead President Donald Trump’s25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts,which he hasargued

are needed to encourage investmentsindomestic manufacturing.

Sincethen, thesticker price on new vehicles has steadily increased. In June, the averagemanufacturer’ssuggested retail price hit $51,124, nearing anew record, accordingtoKelley BlueBook Still, many carbuyers are paying less than the sticker price. The averagesalepriceonanew car last month was $48,907, suggesting that dealers and manufacturers areeating the rising costs instead of passingthemalong to consumers. Troy Duhon,the largest Louisiana-based car dealer,with 39 dealerships across eight states, said

manufacturersare offering more generous rebates tokeep products moving.

“You’re also starting to see brands offer,onselect vehicles, 0% interest for 60 months, which we haven’tseen in averylong time,” said Duhon,who owns Premier AutomotiveGroup.

Some brands arepassingthe cost of tariffs directly onto dealers. Volkswagen, for instance, has started adding atariff line item on its orders, Duhon said.

“What they’re doing is just passing the cost to the dealer who subsequently has to eat it or justpass

STAFF FILE

PHOTOByHILARy SCHEINUK Louisiana auto dealers are seeing aslowdown in sales as consumers shy away from purchasing newvehicles amid tariff-induced price hikesand

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Ehab Ayyadchanges out atireonavehicle at Tire Squad Co.onSouth Claiborne Avenue.

Rulestoconsiderwhentakinginsomeone with moneyissues

My husband and Idecided that our house would be ahaven for loved ones facing financial hardship

We have the space in our hearts andhome to be arefuge

In my newsletter,Iaddressed aquestion that Ireceive quite frequently,especially duringeconomicdownturns: When afamily member or friend is in afinancial bind, how do youdecide whether to let them move in with you? Should you offer the help or wait to be asked?

The need for suchsupport is growing.

President Donald Trump’stariffs are starting to affect Americans’ pocketbooks through rising prices, and while unemployment remains low,some workers have been particularly hard hit by his administration’scuts. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with plans to layoff more than athird of theEducation Department’smore than 4,100 employees. Thousands of other federal workers have losttheir jobs. Amazon, Google and Microsoft have fired thousands of workers overthe last fewyears

There have been several times when we have welcomed folks in financial need to live with us, including arelative with her two children who stayed three years. Another young adult lived with us for nearly two years while she worked on getting out of debt, including paying off sometax liabilities.

Ibelieve that to whom much is given, much is required.

But your help needs to be pre-

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Blaze Pizza closes Lafayette locationnearCostco

Michelle Singletary THE COLOR OF MONEy

ceded by aplan. Here’swhat I suggest you do:

Don’twait to be asked. People in troubleare frequently told: “If there’sanything you need, just let me know.”

This is akind thing to say, but do you really want to help? Or is this justanempty promise that sounds nice?

It’shard for many people to ask for assistance. Pride gets in theway.Orthey may be worried about making things hard for you, so they suffer in silence. Moving into someone’splace can end very badly.Soitmight be up to you to make the first move.

Butbecareful. Consider the extra costs for utilities or food if theycan’tafford to pay you rent right away Are youwilling to forgo charging rent while the person looks for employment? Do you have the temperament to share your space with others?

Before opening your hometo someone in need, take timetoconsider the decision. Schedule ameeting to discuss youroffer Once youdecide you’re willing to take in aroommate, ask for a meeting. Make your offer Here’swhere things get tricky

Before youallowsomeone to moveinto your home, you need to know the full extent of their financial situation.

Blaze Pizza, one of the original tenants in the Costco-anchored Ambassador Town Center,has apparently closed.

Postings on social mediaMonday indicated the restaurant,111 Meadow Farm Drive, Suite 100,posted to its door on Sunday that it has closed its doorsfor good. Lafayette was the last Louisiana location. Blaze, afast casual conceptrestaurantknown forits quick-fired pizza pies, closed both of its New Orleans locationsand lastyear closedinBaton Rouge.

Wendy’sbuys land for Youngsville location

AWendy’swill openinYoungsville after the franchisee bought property along Chemin Metairie Parkway

Alimited liability company registered to Wendy’sfranchisee Haza Foods of Sugar Land, Texas, paid just under $1 million for 1.14 acres justsouth of the Ascension Episcopal school campus, Elifin Realtyofficials announced Grace James Properties LLC, which is registered to Paradise Grill &Daiquiris owners David and Amanda Trahan, of Sulphur,was the seller

It’sthe third of four lots in the 6.2acre commercial development, called Paradise Plaza,started by the Trahans. The owners will open aParadise Grill &Daiquirisonthe southernend of the property and sold a1.5-acre lot to Fidelity Bank of NewOrleans. A2.34-acre fourth lot remains for sale.

Haza Foods has three locations in Lafayette Parish after it bought two for just under $4 million lastyear,records show.Itoperates 78 Wendy’slocations in Louisiana and 387 in theU.S

The Trahans bought the property bought the land in 2024 for $2.8 million. Clinton Shepard with Lee &Associates represented the seller

Apartments near TopGolf leasing

The 252-unithigh-endapartment complex under construction behind TopGolf is now leasing.

The complex, to be named Silo Creek and owned by New Orleans-based Key Real Estate, has been under construction for overayear and will feature 11 buildings and offer five floor plans.

The buildings have afarmhouse-inspired design and offer one-, two and three-bedroom units, Key officials said Thursday.Itwill also feature aclubhouse with indoor lounge, pool, supper club event space withcovered outdoor patio, fitness center,dog park and other amenities.

Thedesignisinspiredbythe history of the property,which was the siteofa family farm where the Boustany family raised horses, said Bill Boasberg, Key’smanaging principal and chief operating officer Key is also expected to buildasimilar development on the former Daxon Verot site after it bought 13 acres at 2832 VerotSchoolRoadin2022. Earlier this month, it closed on an adjoining piece of property on that lot, land records show

They mayhave been in trouble long before arecent jobloss. You need to seebank statements. This isn’tsothat you can pass judgment, but so thatyou can see what happened and begin to plan how the person can recover and eventually move forward.

My motto,popularized by President Ronald Reagan: Trust, but verify Ask the persontobring their financial information to the table, including pay stubs, bills and at least six months of bank or credit union statements. They should also be upfront about any longterm liabilities, such as credit card debt and student loans.

To protect their financial information, have the person black out account numbers and other sensitive data.

Please do not rely on their memory or assurances of what’s going on.

Youshould also ensure thata computer is available if you need to access the internet and retrieve anymissing information.

If you’re concerned about your skills in assessing their finances, have your cash-strapped friend get help from anonprofit credit counseling agencythrough the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org).However you should be included in the discussion and attend the session.

Iknow this sounds intrusive, but trust me:You need to have afull grasp of their finances. You’ll be roommates, and you have aright to know how muchthey can contribute and what the end game is.

Youmust see the numbers because you need to know how muchtimethe person might need

QUELL

Continued from page 1E

on about50cars and sells about three times that many tiresdaily

“Thecitydoesn’tkeep up with theroads,” Hamed said. “So, when it floods, water washes debris into theroadway,which puts tires at risk.”

Tire Squadisone of several local companies that hasbuilta business by providing solutions to the challenges and frustrations that come withlife in New Orleans, acity that is as charming andunique as it is exasperating.

These“aggravation entrepreneurs,” to coin aphrase, have created acottage industry around helping their fellow New Orleaniansnavigate theliteral and figurative potholes —and grid outages, termite infestations and frequent flooding —thatare part of everyday life in The City That Care Forgot

To be sure, every place has its problems, including climatecrises, pestsand power outages. But in a300-year-old city,the challenges feel somehow unique, which makesthe services provided by theaggravation entrepreneurs that muchmore important to New Orleans’ sustainability

“Out-of-towners tell me our roads are theworst they’veseen,” Hamed said. “I feel badfor people —but it’sgood for business.”

High-powered growth

In the mid-2010s,the Baton Rouge-based companynow known asOptimizeGenerator People was trying to carve aniche in the renewable energy market by installing solar panels.

But in 2015, the state endedthe Obama-era tax credits that hadincentivized homeowners to put the panels on their roofs. Aboutthat same time, the frequency andduration of widespread power outages, long aproblem in Louisiana, started getting alot worse.

So,Optimize pivoted and became aGenerac dealer,selling and installing whole house, natural-gas poweredgenerators.

Although Generac has been around since 1959, theWisconsinbased company hasgrownexponentially in recentyears, and today,ithasroughly 70%ofthe backup power market in the U.S.

Theincreased frequency and intensity of hurricanes has made the Gulf Coast aparticularly lucrative market over thepast decade forthe company’s products, and Optimize hascapitalized on thedemand.

Today, the firm is thelargestof themorethan200 Generacdealers in Louisianaand is amongthe topfive of allits dealers in the U.S Revenueshave grownfromless than $2 million in 2018 to more than $20 million

“The wholebusinessisgrowing likecrazy now,”Optimize Managing Director Matthew Newman said. “When people worked from home during COVID, they couldn’taffordtonot have power

to live with you. The numbers will help you determine if you’re able or willing to let them live with you for as long as it takes for them to become financially stable. Then, after they set their budget, you can determine whether the person can afford to pay rent and whether they need to contribute to the household expenses.

Forexample, when my husband and Iallowed the relative in debt to move in, we agreed that she wouldn’thave to pay rent as long as most of her income was allocated to paying offher liabilities, which included outstanding credit card debt and medical bills. We made it clear that the arrangement would change if she deviated from the debt-reduction plan. If she could afford to eat out, go on shopping sprees for things she didn’tneed, or take avacation, she could pay rent. Her choice. Fortunately,she chose to eliminate all unnecessary spending so thatshe could eventually move out once the debt was paid off Schedule aseparate meetingtodiscuss thelivingarrangements. Ialways felt it necessary to let people moving in feel it’s their home, too.

However,you should establish whatever ground rules you feel are necessary to ensure harmony

If you would like to share the cleaning duties for the communal space, please let them know.If you would like to receive notice of guests coming over,discuss that as well. Plan regular household meetings. With these types of living arrangements, it’sessential to communicate effectively Set expectations. If you would like to receive rent and share expens-

es, then say that. For your protection, you should also draw up amonth-to-month rental agreement, even if you aren’tcollecting rent. Youcan find an example on the legal site nolo. com

Initially,asyou’re getting the plan underway,meet weekly.If things are going well, you can transition to biweekly or monthly meetings to assess progress. Youmust see proof of progress. There has to be abudget. You need to see that goals are being met.

Youalso need asense of humor

When he was 18, my nephew moved in after graduating from high school. My husband wanted him to learn how to manage his money,sowecharged him rent. It wasn’tmuch, initially,just $100 a month.

Once, he cameupadollar short. “Where’sthe rest of the rent money?” Iasked.

“What? Youwant the $1?” he asked incredulously

“Well, if you were living in an apartment, they would charge you alate fee if the rent wasn’tpaid in full.”

He left and returned with adollar in change.

One year and three months after moving in, my nephew found agreat job and moved into his own apartment. Before he left, he showed me his handwritten budget. Inoticed he had crossed offa line item for cable.

Iwas so proud of him, Icried.

Today,he’sahomeowner

EmailMichelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost. com.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Arien Hall and Luisa Abballe supervise alandscaping project in NewOrleans East. In an era of increasingly intense weather in a city withunreliable infrastructure, the owners of Mastodonte have led roughly 350 residential and commercialstormwater management projects.

becauseour livesare tetheredto cellphones andthe internet.”

The company has installed more than 10,000 systems, and it has maintenance contracts on about8,000. It installsabout 1,500 annually

Customers includeout-of-towners whoare hesitanttomoveinto the line of fire.

“Weare very muchabout making feel comfortable moving to the Gulf Coast,” he said. “When we get acall from an out-of-state area code, we answer quickly Someone mighthavegottena greatjob offer,but they’re scared to death of hurricanes.”

Newman said Optimize customers skew older exceptinNew Orleans.

“New Orleans has the highest demand in the state, andit’scommon to see a45-year-old shopping for one, whereinBaton Rouge of Lafayette, most customers are 65 to 75 years old.” Protecting theirinvestment

While some firms are relatively new to the aggravation entrepreneur economy,others have been around for decades.

Tommy Sanchezwentintothe pest control business 30 years ago, opening House Call, which providestermite fumigation and other real estateservices to needy

homeowners Demand for his services was clear New Orleans’historic,woodframed housesare the equivalent of athree-course meal at Commander’sPalace forone the city’s mostpernicious pests: the termites that serve avital function in aforestecosystembut cause $7 billiondamagetostructuresin the U.S. annually

“In New Orleans, houses are built on top of each other,”Sanchez said. “Relatively fewother places have 4,000-plus-squarefoot homessoclose together like we do.” That density means “a home’s infestationbecomes aneighborhood infestation over time,”he said Multiple local companies treat thetermite varietiesthat live in the ground, but only two —House Call and Terminix —provide whole-house fumigation services to eradicate “drywood”termites, smaller colonies that stay in the walls. These drywoods are the reason it lookslike circus hascome to town on anygivenday in the city’solder neighborhoods. Crews cover homes andotherstructures with multicolored tents so they can fumigate The two fumigationcompanies service about900 homes throughoutthe state annually, with the work heavily concentrated in New Orleans’ older neighborhoods along the Mississippi River That’sbecause drywood termites areattracted to theold-growth cellulose-rich lumber used to build houses acentury or more ago. House Call’swork isn’tlimited to houses.The companyhas installedits colorful tents over restaurants, riverboats and one city building that Sanchez won’t forget. “They brought us in to treat a massive infestation of brown recluse spiders,”hesaid.

Watermanagement

When south Louisiana’smassive downpours threaten to overwhelmcitystreets,low-lying areas andpersonalproperty,residentsare the mercy of pumps and

Ahmad Hamed and Ehab Ayyad replace customers’ tires at Tire Squad Co. in NewOrleans. Tire Squad is one of several local companies that has built abusiness by providing solutions to the challenges and frustrations that come with life in NewOrleans, acity that is as charming and unique as it is exasperating

storm drains to keep them safe anddry

But in an eraofincreasingly intense weatherina city with unreliable infrastructure, the need forstormwater management solutions is an emerging sector That’swhere Mastodonte comes in. TheNew Orleans-based construction company specializes in theinstallation of green infrastructure andstormwater managementsolutions.

Since founding their venture seven years ago, Mastodonte owners Arien Hall and Luisa Abballe have ledroughly 350 residential and commercial stormwater management projects, ranging from theLafitteGreenway Plaza in Mid-Citytoa six-figure contract to create green infrastructure at a public school in Mississippi. Hall said she andAbballe saw an opportunity to fill agap in the marketplace by solving alongstanding NewOrleans problem that’sonly getting worse

“There were alot of folks doing design, but there wasn’taskilled laborforce thatcould actually install it,”she said.

As the sun was coming up recently over the 6000 block of Dwyer Road in NewOrleans East, Hall andAbballe weresupervising ateam of severaldozen volunteers filling twodumpsters with weeds and trash from apatch of city-ownedproperty

The work, paid for by grants acquiredbya local nonprofit, was the first step in abeautification and green infrastructure project designedtoreducethe amount of rainwater overwhelming nearby streets, catch basins and pumps. The weedswill be replaced with specially designedlandscaping designedtoabsorb water.

ForHalland Abballe,itwas just another day at the office in acity with endless opportunitiesfor entrepreneurs committedtosolving its unique challenges.

“If we want to preserve our land, our property and our homes, green infrastructure and stormwater management should be an everydayconversation,” Hall said.

EmailRich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

STAFFPHOTO By

SOPHIA GERMER

ASK THE EXPERTS

NewCorp has been lending money to startups for 27 years

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Over the past 27 years, Vaughn Fauria has grown NewCorp from a small-business support program into an active lender that has provided capital and technical support to thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses

NewCorp was the “first money in” for Dakar NOLA, the West African restaurant on Magazine Street that won a top prize at the 2024 James Beard Awards. Colmex Construction is another successful venture that got its start with a NewCorp loan.

Fauria is a New Orleans native who’s had special education, corporate and development careers before pivoting to finance. In this week’s Talking Business, she talks about her passion for using debt as an instrument to build communities and how the current political environment is forcing NewCorp to adapt.

This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

What is NewCorp and what is its mission?

We are a Community Development Financial Institution, which is a designation of the Treasury Department that was created in the 1990s that gives us the ability to borrow from banks at a special rate to serve a portion of the population they won’t or can’t.

People come to NewCorp for interim or mezzanine financing. We use the same “five Cs” that banks do as a framework for lending: cash flow, credit, collateral, capacity and character But when I look at your credit score, I don’t just look to see if you surpassed 700. I look at it to see what it is you didn’t pay for Your credit score might very well be low, but it might be because of student loans, illness or a divorce. Life gets in the way. That’s where character plays the primary part.

What’s your investment philosophy? We live in a space where most people are average or below aver-

Q&A WITH VAUGHN FAURIA

age income. That’s the space we want to operate in. And it’s difficult. I want to give people access to money so they can move forward. Knowing that, I see our job as development. We come in first and try to get people to the threshold where they can go to the bank or venture capital.

How did NewCorp begin?

It was created in 1995 by the New Orleans City Council and Harrah’s to help small businesses connect with contract opportunities at the casino, which was under development at the time.

In 1997, I was brought in as a consultant to make an assessment about the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, which was not yet designated as a CDFI.

It appeared to be winding down, so I proposed they use the remaining available funds to make small loans — $3,000 each — to qualified entrepreneurs. But when, lo and behold, these people all started paying us back, I felt this overwhelming need to go out and get some more. I joined the organization full time in 1998. In the early 2000s, we earned CDFI designation and were named an SBA micro lender We were chosen to be one

of six intermediaries analyzing and deploying SBA loans after Hurricane Katrina. That was six months, seven days a week, 24 hours a day We were given all the hardest of cases because nobody wanted them.

NewCorp has administered loans on behalf of banks, the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the federal government.

If banks won’t lend to some of your customers directly, why do they lend to you so you can make the loans?

Their incentive to loan money to CDFIs is because the target market for CDFIs is a market they can’t lend to ordinarily because they are regulated and have to be the stewards of their depositories. NewCorp has a high level of compliance related to the Treasury Department but is not regulated by the FDIC.

We have a very low rate of default, less than 5% default If you don’t pay me in 30 days, I call you up and say do you want to come in and talk about this before you start incurring penalties.

What do people need to apply for a loan from NewCorp?

When you come to talk about your business, you don’t have to have a 15-page-long business plan,

but you do have to show you know what you want to do You also must explain how you’ll make the business work and who your competitors are, so you can look at their annuals to see if they’re prosperous. You can put all of this in a letter

The most common reasons people don’t get a loan are insufficient cash flow, weak credit history, lack of financial documentation and an unclear business purpose. Our answer to any small business is almost always “not yet,” not “no.” Our responsibility is to get you prepared. We offer technical assistance or send people to Propeller the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation or higher ed programs. Do you focus on certain industries? There are certain ones the banks don’t like, and that is our sweet spot. One is construction, which is important because it doesn’t necessarily require skilled labor when you go onto the job. We have so many people in need of employment. That’s an opportunity to learn a skill on the job and if they leave, they have something to take with them. We’ve also created a special “agripreneurial” loan program

Chef Serigne Mbaye folds a napkin at Dakar NOLA, a modern Senegalese restaurant he opened on Magazine Street in New Orleans with the help of a NewCorp loan.

for farmers with partners including Sprout Nola and the USDA. We want entrepreneurs to see the potential in this category

What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

We’re a mission-driven financial institution, prioritizing impact over profit. I don’t want to become so big that I leave my target market. There are other banks and CDFIs that can do that. NewCorp needs to stay focused on helping clients become bankable. How does the current political environment — federal budget cuts and so forth — affect your work?

We have to adapt. It doesn’t mean that we compromise our values or our mission. NewCorp’s got work to do and I’m not going to stop doing my work the way that I do it. I get some money from the feds, but not the bulk of it. More important, our CDFI status gives us credibility and the fact that we’ve been in business for 27 years says that we’re not only viable but we’re a stand-up financial institution. We’re not going anywhere. It’s been difficult, but these are obstacles that we have to overcome.

Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

Thank You, Governor Landry: AVictory for Louisiana’s Working Coastand the Families Who DependonIt

who maketheir living on the water, the Louisiana Commercial Fisheries Coalition extends our deepest gratitude to Governor Jeff Landry forhis decisive leadership in canceling the Mid-Barataria SedimentDiversion Project This decision is morethan apolicy shift—it’salifeline forthe families who have depended on Louisiana’sfisheries forgenerations.Byhalting aflawed and dangerous project,Governor Landry has chosen to protect the people, culture, and economythatform the heart of our working coast Foryears, commercial fishermen and coastal communities have raised the alarm about the threats posed by the Mid-Barataria diversion. The science is clear: unleashing trillions of gallons of freshwaterinto

productivesaltwaterestuaries would have devastatedLouisiana’scommercial fishing industry,upending the delicate balance that allows life—and livelihoods—to flourish in our coastal bays and wetlands The voices of shrimpers, oyster harvesters, menhaden processors,crabbers, and finfish fishermen were toooften overlooked in past discussions.But Governor Landry listened. He understood thataproject marketed as “restoration” would in fact destroy vital ecosystems andthe communities thatrely on them. He took abold stand forworking people and rural families when it mattered most Consider whatwas at stake: •Louisiana’s oyster industry, already battered by hurricanes,the BP oil spill and changingconditions,faced irreversible damage. The proposed diversion would have flooded keyoystergrounds with freshwater, wiping outentirereefs that takeyearstorebuild. Seventypercentof the oysterscaughtinthe U.S. arefrom the Gulf Coast.Louisiana’scommercial oyster industry,which accounts foralmost 4,000 jobs,has an economic impact of $317 million annually •Shrimpers, who harvest from brackish and saltwaterhabitats,would have seen their catchdisappear as salinitylevels plunged andnursery grounds were lost

The shrimp industry accounts for15,000 jobs and an annual impact of $1.3 billion forLouisiana •Bluecrabs, which rely on the delicate balance of coastal estuaries,would have faced steep population declines as salinity dropped and critical nursery habitats were

inundatedwith freshwater. Louisiana leads the nation in blue crab landings, and the industry supports morethan 3,000 jobs and generatesanannual economic impact of $293 million.

•Menhaden fishing, one of Louisiana’s most valuable and sustainablecommercial fisheries,would have suffered from habitat degradation and spawning disruption— undermining afishery thatsupports hundreds of jobs and millions in economic output. Louisiana’sGulf menhaden fishery supports over2,000 jobs and generates morethan $419 million in annual economic impact

•Finfish species,including redfish, speckled trout, and other commercially and recreationally importantspecies would have been displaced or seen their populations collapsedue to sudden, largescale ecosystemshifts

Rather than pursuing aproject that threatened to dismantle our fisheries in the name of unprovenoutcomes,Governor Landry made acommon-sensedecision to defend the industries thatalready sustain jobs,provide food security, and support local economies Let’sbeclear: Louisiana’s commercial fisheries arenot anti-restoration. We understand the value of protecting our coast We’vesupported marshcreation, shoreline stabilization, and sedimentpipeline projects thatrestore wetlands withoutharming the fisheries thatdepend on them. Real restoration canand should work in harmony with the people who live and work on the coast—not against them. Whatwecannot support aremassive

engineering experiments with billion-dollar price tagsthatgamble with our wayoflife. The Mid-Barataria SedimentDiversion wasnever the rightanswer—and Governor Landry had the couragetosay so Louisiana’scommercial fishing industry is the lifeblood of our coastal economy.We feed the nation, support thousands of jobs and preservearich cultural heritagepassed down through generations.And the seafood industry’s impact stretches well beyond the coast.According to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, one out of every 70 jobs in the state is tied to the seafood sector,which contributes over$2.4billion annually to Louisiana’seconomy. From coastal shrimp and oysterstofreshwater crawfish and alligator, manyofthesejobs arerootedinfamily-owned-and-operated businessesthathaveworkedfor generations to bring the finest seafood to tables acrossthe country and around the world. In canceling this project,Governor Landry has reaffirmed that the voices of working people still matter in this state—and that science, sustainability, and common sense must guide our coastal future. We thank the Governor not just forwhat he stopped, but forwhathesaved:a vibrant industry,a centuries-oldway of life, and the families who risebeforedawnevery daytofish the waters of this greatstate.His decision ensures thatLouisiana’sseafood industry cancontinue to provide jobs,feed families,and uphold atradition that is both economically vital and uniquelyours—for this generation and the next To Governor Landry: Thank youfor standing with us

SOPHIA GERMER

4E ● Sunday, July 27, 2025

Motley Fool Fool’sTake: Kraft Heinz’s dividend dollars

When food manufacturer Kraft merged withcondiments titan Heinz in 2015, it created Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC), one of the world’slargest consumer goods companies. The new company started off with astrong dividend plan, and payouts increased in each of the first three years but then Kraft Heinzslashed them to the bone. Some of its splashy food-brand buyouts turned out to be less profitable than expected, forcing the company to conserve cash with astricter dividend policy

Its quarterly payouts have been stuck at $0.40 per share since the start of2019. YetKraft Heinz’s yield has surged recently,despite that unchanging amount.Why?

Because the stock price has fallen in the last two years, even though the underlying business has seen freecash flow —the lifeblood of those dividend checks —increase over that same period. The stock is arguably cheap for goodreasons. Inflationfears have limited Kraft Heinz’spricing power in recent years, and many store chainshave developed fresh competition in the form of high-quality store brands. But the share-price drop seems much too steep.

The stock was recently trading at aprice-to-earnings ratio of 12.8,

DEALERS

Continued from page1E

it to the customer,”Duhon said. “Dealermargins and manufacturer margins are being reduced

Used carpricesjump

As with new cars,the price of used cars is also on the rise. The average usedvehicleinLouisiana sold for $29,900inthe second quarter,up3.75% from the previous quarter,according toDavid Greene, principal analyst at Cars Commerce

“Part of the reason forthatis when new car prices go up, more buyers shift to the used vehicle market, and dealers respondto that demand with price increases,”

well below its five-year average of 21.6. Kraft Heinz isn’tgoing outof business anytime soon, and buying now could be asmart move, locking in astrongdividend yield (recently 6.2%)for thelong haul.

Fool’sSchool:Bonds,

demystified

It’s good to understand what bonds are and why you might want to own some. Bonds are essentially loansfrom investors to companies or governments. For example, the U.S. Department of the Treasury borrows money by selling bonds known as “Treasurys.” State and local governments issue municipal bonds, and businesses issue corporate bonds. Healthy companies can offer bonds with lower interest rates, while businesses with poor credit ratings must offer higher interest rates on their “junk” bonds to attract more risk-tolerant buyers.

Bondholders typically receive regular interest payments from the issuer at astated “coupon rate.” For example, a$1,000 bond with acoupon rate of 5% will pay $50 per year.When thebond matures, its “par value” of $1,000 will be repaid. Most bonds have maturities in arange of one year to 30 years. (Many bonds are “callable,” meaning that the issuer might opt to pay back the principal early.)

Youcan buy abond when it’sissued and hang on through maturity,but you don’thave to, as bonds

Greene said.

Buyers looking for anew vehicle that costs less than $30,000 may also run intotrouble.

Ninety-twopercent of new vehicles priced under $30,000 are built outsideofthe UnitedStates. Only two modelsinthat category —the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla —are built in the U.S, according to arecent report from Cars Commerce.

In Louisiana, dealership inventory of cars costingunder $30,000 droppedbyaround 18%inthe second quarter,suggestingthat fewer cars in that price range are being imported and that dealersare increasing their prices, Greene said.

Hittoautomakers

In earnings calls in recent days, aclearer picturehas emerged of

can be traded between investors. Bondprices change as prevailing interestrates change. The price of a4%bond will fall, for example, if interest rates rise and 5% bonds become available. When interestrates fall, existing bonds with higher interest rates will be in higher demand, so they’ll cost more to buy.

Your money is morelikely to grow faster investedinstocks than in bonds, but many people still buybonds (or bond funds)for diversification. According to the folks at Darrow Wealth Management, between 1997 and 2024, theU.S. Aggregate Bond Index averaged annualgains of 4.1%, versus9.7% for theS&P 500 index of 500 stocks(both figures include reinvested dividends). Of course, thestock market is volatile, and those gains arenever guaranteed. If stockscrash, your bonds may keep your portfolio’svalue from falling too much (andprevent you from having to sellstocksfor retirementincome in adeclining market). Learn more beforejumping into eitherstocksorbonds.

Ask the Fool: Averaging down

One of my stocks has been falling. Should Ibuy moreofthe now lower-priced shares?

—C.J

Dallas If you do,you’ll be “averaging down,” meaningyou reduce the average price youpaid foryour shares by buying additional ones at lower prices. That can work well sometimes —perhaps in a

thetoll that tariffs are having on automakers.

Stellantis, the maker of Jeep and Ram vehicles, said Mondaythat preliminary estimates showed a loss of $2.7 billioninthe first half of the year. ThecompanyinApril temporarily halted production at two plants in Canada andMexico, resulting in the temporary layoff of 900 U.S.employees.

General Motors, which manufacturerscarsinCanada, Mexico andSouth Korea that areexported to the United States, saidTuesday that its profitsfellbymorethana thirdinthe secondquarter,with tariffs costing thecompany $1.1 billion. In June, GM announced plans to invest $4 billion to shift some production from Mexico to the United States. To be sure,the tariff landscape

big market pullback (when the stock has fallen through no fault of its own), or if the market has overreacted to somedevelopment concerning the company Averaging down, also known as “buying the dip,” can be disastrous, though, if the stock has been dropping for good reason and isn’tlikely to recover any time soon.Dig deeper into the situation beforebuying. Youmight want to sellinstead, or perhaps just not buy any moreshares.

Are marijuana exchange-tradedfunds good investments? —B.V., Sebring,Florida

Many marijuana stocks and funds have performed poorly.But if you’re bullish on the future of marijuana stocks and you’re not sure which companies will end up on top,investing in acannabis-focused ETF might be agood strategy.The ETF will distribute your dollars across multiple companies in or related to the industry,such as marijuana cultivators, retailers, owners of dispensary real estate and more. Research the industry first, to determine how financially promising you think it really is.

The cannabis industry is projected to grow from $44 billion in 2022 to $444 billion by 2030, according to Fortune Business Insights. Cannabis companies face regulatory risks and financing challenges, though, so nothing is certain. There are multiple cannabis-focusedETFs to choose from, but mostare relatively young and small. Youmight consider other, less risky industries to invest in.

can change on adime. On Tuesday, Trump announced atrade deal with Japan that would place a15% tariff on imported goods from that country.American automakers, who are facing 50% tariffs on imported steel andaluminum and a25% tariff on parts and finished vehicles, have since raised concerns that the deal would give Japanese automakers acompetitive advantage. Not all dealerships arefeeling thesqueeze from tariffs.

Todd Citron, general manager at Hub City Ford in Lafayette, said tariffs have had “very little effect” on theirbusiness,aside fromraising the price of certain accessories they sell. He said high interest rates are posing more of aproblem than anything.

“We’re hopeful that thetariffs will be agood thing for us in the

Prepaid college tuition

My smartest investment wasinvesting in prepaid college tuition. —N.W., online Well done! That’sasmartinvestment indeed for manypeople —but not necessarily everyone, as there are somedrawbacks to prepaying tuition. For those who don’tknow,there are two types of tax-deferred “529 plans” —one is asavings plan through which you can save and invest money for future educational expenses, and the other is aprepaid tuition plan. Prepaid tuition plans vary by state, and recently,only nine states offered them.They allow you to make payments toward tuition at aspecified college or college system at today’slocked-in cost. So while the cost of college tuition might surge (and it grew by around 900% from 1982 to 2024), you’ll only have to pay the lower cost that existed when youset up your prepaid tuition account. Key downsides to these plans are that they don’tapply to any college or university your child might want to attend, and they typically cover only tuition and fees —not room and board, books or other costs. Anyone interested should read up on the pros, cons and other details regarding these plans. They’re definitely worthwhile formany people.

Do you have asmart or regrettableinvestment move to share with us?Email it to tmfshare@fool.com.

end because it’sbeen an uneven playing field with the Japanese cars andSouth Korean cars,” Citron said.

Citron hopesaprovisioninthe

One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by Trump earlier this month, that allows Americans to claim atax deduction forinterest on their vehicle loans will also boostsales. Thededuction only appliestonew vehicles assembled in the U.S. Despite the hit to his business, Duhonsaid he also favors atrade policy that brings moreauto manufacturing back to America.

“It’s twoyearsofpainfor 30 years of gain,” he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

Beyond isn’taplace —it’samindset. Andit’sabeliefthathas poweredusfor over80years

We areJones Walker LLP,a firmdrivenbyanentrepreneurial spirit,adeepsenseofcommunity, and afierce determination to deliverexceptional serviceand valuefor our clients. Since1937, our firmhas been committed to workingwithcommunity leaders to developbusiness opportunitiesacrossthe state. We aresteadfast in continuing ourdedicationtogobeyondinadvising clientsand supportinginitiatives andorganizations that make Louisiana abetterplace to live andwork

William H. Hines,ManagingPartner bhines@joneswalker.com 504.582.8000 201St. CharlesAvenue NewOrleans,LA70170-5100

State funds granted for music museum project

Backers say approval first step in raising money

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

A new music museum in the River District, which backers have pitched as New Orleans’ answer to Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, will start construction next summer after the project was allocated millions of dollars of state funds in the latest legislative session that ended last month, the developer said Wednesday Chris Beary, the social entrepreneur leading the project, said the $28.5 million in so-called Priority 5 funding approved last month by the Legislature is the key to keeping the project on track so it can raise the additional $80 million in bonds and $56.5 million in private funding to get fully funded.

The museum’s backers had failed in two previous sessions to secure $75 million in state funds for the project, which they have argued would create 200 permanent new jobs and drive $150 million in economic activity for the city and state State lawmakers had encouraged the museum’s organizers to come back with a scaled-back request,

Issued July 16-22

RETAIL:

N.E. Evangeline Thruway,

fixtures and

replace

and contractor, Walker Property Services; $65,000. SCHOOL: 320 Devalcourt St., description, renovation of building interior at South Louisiana Community College; applicant and contractor, H&G Point Construction; $252,940. New residential 227 S. PIERCE ST.: Lafayette Habitat for Humanity $134,280. 101 HABERSHAM DRIVE,

which they approved this year Though Priority 5 funds are not immediately available, they are put in the pipeline for future allocation and help keep projects moving forward. Meanwhile, the state allocated another $1.5 million on top of last year’s $2 million to cover early stage design and planning.

The idea for the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, as the museum is known, was first floated three decades ago but has taken tangible shape only in the last three years, after state and city lawmakers began to direct public dollars to the effort.

The project now has an ambitious design by Eskew Dumez Ripple for a 120,000-square-foot museum across from the Ernest N. Morial

Convention Center, which will tell the entire story of Louisiana’s music — covering jazz, blues, zydeco, Cajun, gospel, swamp pop, funk and hip-hop.

The museum organizers used $418,000 of their funds to pay a deposit last month to secure a 1.6-acre site on Convention Center Boulevard, directly across from the complex and adjacent to the site where Shell Oil’s new headquarters will be built.

Funding progress

In addition to the $3.5 million from the state, the city also has provided $1 million for “planning and development” costs.

Beary said they are making progress on initiatives to direct tax

BUILDING PERMITS

YOUNGSVILLE: self, $180,720. 221 GUNTER GRASS COURT: Amour Construction, $392,130. 106 CRANSTON COURT: DSLD, $125,280. 108 CRANSTON COURT: DSLD $126,810 116 CRANSTON COURT: DSLD, $125,280.

109 HENRY JAMES COURT

YOUNGSVILLE: Solis Builders of Louisiana, $534,870 102 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD, $126,450.

104 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD $138,960

106 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD, $126,450.

108 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD $119,970.

110 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD, $126,450.

112 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD, $138,960.

114 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD, $126,450.

116 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD $119,970.

118 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD $138,960.

120 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD $126,450.

122 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD $119,970.

124 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD, $126,450.

126 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD, $119,970.

128 ABERNATHY LANE: DSLD $138,960.

flow to the museum, which will be needed to underpin the $80 million in state-backed revenue bonds that will be the “cornerstone” of the project’s financing.

“Bond issuance is the key,” Beary said.

The museum needs approval from state and city officials and from the River District Economic Development District to direct sales taxes toward paying interest and capital on the bond portion of its development costs.

All told, those approvals would allow for 8.5% of sales taxes on the projected $50 million in annual retail revenue to pay interest and capital on the $80 million portion of the development costs covered by revenue bonds, Beary said The state Bond Commission would need to approve that bond issuance.

The project is forecast to cost a total of $165 million, which includes the $28.5 million state allocation, the $80 million bond funding plus another $56.5 million in private donations.

To date, the project has $18 million of private donations pledged from the 70 members of the museum’s main and advisory boards, Beary said. Members include musicians and entrepreneurs like Irma Thomas, Percy “Master P” Miller and PJ Morton, as well as business leaders like Shelby Russ and Russell Shearer Also attached to the project are

202 TOWNSEND DRIVE: DSLD, $119,970.

204 TOWNSEND DRIVE: DSLD $138,960.

214 SOUTHERN OAK DRIVE: DR Horton, $225,090.

212 SOUTHERN OAK DRIVE: DR Horton, $209,700.

220 CAMERONS COVE DRIVE, CARENCRO: Manuel Builders, $155,160.

243 OAK HEIGHTS DRIVE, DUSON: DR Horton, $179,010.

245 OAK HEIGHTS DRIVE, DUSON: DR Horton, $215,010.

244 OAK HEIGHTS DRIVE, DUSON: DR Horton, $192,150.

801 SUMMER ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD, $149,333.

803 SUMMER ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD, $142,077.

curator Bob Santelli, who helped establish the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Hall’s former President and CEO Terry Stewart. Cultural focal point

In addition to the construction dollars set aside for the music museum, the Legislature separately allocated just over $25 million for a civil rights museum to be built in the River District. Just under $50,000 was made immediately available for planning, with another $5 million Priority 2 and the rest Priority 5.

The civil rights and music and heritage museum were the two cultural focal points that were at the heart of the River District concept for a $1 billion-plus new neighborhood when it was approved by the Convention Center just over four years ago. The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, under whose jurisdiction the civil rights museum falls, couldn’t immediately say what’s next for the project.

Two years ago, a $2 million civil rights “inaugural experience” exhibit in a 5,000-square-foot space within the Convention Center was opened as a “placeholder” for the museum.

Email Anthony McAuley tmcauley@theadvocate.com.

805 SUMMER ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD, $149,333.

807 SUMMER ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD, $203,073.

604 SUMMER ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD, $214,790.

123 STAR LANE, BROUSSARD: DSLD, $185,656.

415 ABERCROMBIE WAY, BROUSSARD: Acadiana Holdings, $420,000.

302 SUNSET PALM COURT, YOUNGSVILLE: Signature Series Homes, $700,000.

407 BRECK AVE., YOUNGSVILLE: DSLD, $145,440.

102 SPRING MEADOWS DRIVE, BROUSSARD: AM Design, $225,000. 117 LOTUS ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD, $136,350. 104 SUGAR CANE PALM CIRCLE, BROUSSARD: Van Alan Homes, $432,688. 113 CRANBERRY DRIVE, BROUSSARD: Baudin Builders, $125,000. 115 RETREAT ST., BROUSSARD: Dragonfly Construction, $800,000. 129 LAKE RIDGE DRIVE, BROUSSARD: DR Horton, $126,175. 116 HARVEST FALLS DRIVE, BROUSSARD: DR Horton, $132,218.

310 APPLEBY WAY, YOUNGSVILLE: DSLD, $163,200. 312 APPLEBY WAY, YOUNGSVILLE: DSLD, $163,200.

Gallagherhas Louisiana industries covered.

Gallagher is oneofthe largest insurance brokerage, risk managementand consulting firms in theworld. With roots in Louisianadatingback decades,we’vegrown to become the leaderinthe stateaswell.

Leading theway in Louisiana. Gallagher serves awealthofindustrieshere, including:

Globalexperience.

As aglobal provider, Gallagher focuses heavily on data analytics and forecasting and benchmarking services,while offering thought leadership on such criticaltopics as cyber risk,social inflation and AI.Ifitaffects claimsand premiums, we areonit.

Louisianaexpertise

Gallagher enteredthe market with our first office in BatonRouge in 1991. Startingwith $5 million in revenue, we’veexpandedexponentially:

Acommitmentbeyond business. Ourteam is passionateabout taking part in opportunities to makeanimpact. From supporting local charities to hurricane relief efforts, we believe in giving back to the communities across Louisiana whereweliveand work.

Scan to hear morefrom Maya and supportthe SU Law Center:

KyceVaucresson SouthernUniversity at NewOrleans Junior Business Administration New Orleans, LA

SUNO is afamily-orientedplace thatempowers me to learn, grow,and prepare for asuccessful futureinbusiness. TheHonoréCenter for Undergraduate Student Achievementhas brought structuretomylife and givenmethe tools to thrive-academically and professionally I’m proud to be partofa university thatinvests in my success and prepares me to lead.

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Trinitee Thyssen

SouthernLab School ‘25 2024-2025Miss Southern Lab

Baton Rouge, LA

As Miss Southern Lab,I encourage others to build their own legacy startingwith education. Southern Universityand the LabSchool shaped who Iambynurturing me and pushing me to be my best. Giving back helps provide students withthe resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Join me in supportingthe “Are You In?”campaign and Southern’scontinued success.

Scan to hear more fromTriniteeand supportSouthernLab:

AbeebOyesiji

SouthernUniversityand A&M College PhD student Environmental Toxicology Ibadan, Nigeria

Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University empowersminority scholarship,championsacademic excellence, and fosters astrong sense of community.It’saplace wherediversity is celebrated and innovation is partofthe culture. I’vehad the opportunitytoconduct cutting-edgeresearch, and my professors have truly inspired me to push boundaries, pursue my goals, and believe in theimpact Ican make.

LOUISIANA

Dr.David Kaufman, an otolaryngologist atLSU Health Shreveport, says that while allergies candevelop at

often experiencemore intense or lingering symptomsastheyget older

NOTHINGTO SNEEZE AT

Louisianansget no real breakfromallergies, butcan find ways to manage them,experts say

BY SHANTELLGOMEZ

Contributing Writer

Seasonal allergies in the South aren’t limited to flowers and trees that bloom in the spring. Louisiana’smild winters mean there’snorealbreak from allergens.

Even when oneseason seems mild,the next can be asurprise with fluctuations in rain, temperature andhumidity

Add to that thesummer plumes of Saharan dust drifting acrossthe Gulf,and there’saperfect stormfor irritated sinuses, itchy eyes andpersistent coughs. While allergiescan beseen as aminor inconvenience, untreated allergies can lead to sinusinfections, disrupted sleep and areduced quality of life. This past spring was aperfect example —temperatures were back andforth well into May,which can throw off pollen cycles

That pattern can ramp up allergy symptoms. By June, it may be afullblown allergy spiral —but allergies in Louisiana don’tstop there.

According to the LSU AgCenter, allergy season in Louisiana can start as early as January and last until November

Familyhistory canplaya role in allergy severity,but almost 50%of the population suffers from allergies or hay fever,according to LSU Health Shreveport.

METROSOURCE FILE PHOTO

Fall allergies are usually caused by ragweed and mold, doctors say.

Seasonal allergies are immune responses to airborne allergens such as pollen, moldand dust. Symptoms include sneezing,itchy eyes, nasal congestion,

postnasal drip and fatigue. Whenthe immune system identifies harmless particlesasthreats, it leads to the production of histamine —asubstance that causes inflammation and discomfort.

Dr.Henry Barham, arhinologist at Baton Rouge General, comparesseasonal pollen exposureinLouisiana to what collects on car windshields.

“The same way you wash your car when it’sgot the pollen all over it, people will startusing nasalsaline to clean their nose, so they don’tkeep that pollen that’s driving the inflammation in their nose,” he explained.

For some, it lasts two or threeweeks —long enough to make youquestion if it’smore than allergies. When postnasal drip lingers, it can travel into the chest andturnintoa nagging coughthat’shard to shake.

Antihistaminesmay slow the drip, only to find they dry out thenosesomuch, trading one issuefor another.It’sadelicate balance —hydrating enough to thin the mucus while still taking something to calm the histamine response.

Sometimes, despite best efforts, allergies win.

Mosquito season arrives in La.

Bugsbring increased risk of West Nile

BY JULIAGUILBEAU Staff writer

Mosquito numbers peak every year during the summer months in Louisiana,and with more flying around, residents are at an increased risk for contracting West Nile virus. The Louisiana Department of Health announced on June 29 that the first human case of West Nile virus in 2025 was detectedin Livingston Parish. Louisiana hasmorethan60 species of mosquitoes, though themostcommoninthe New Orleansareaare the Asiantiger mosquito, the Southern house mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito. The Southern house mosquito is one of the primary species responsible forspreading the disease.

Last year,Louisiana saw 3West Nile virus related deaths and 57 other reported cases, according to Health Department data. Here’swhat to know West Nile virusdangers West Nile is avirus that can cause neurological disease and death, and it is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and someother mammals can contract the disease.

Between 80-90% of allWest Nile virus casesare asymptomatic, according to the Health Department.

About 1in5people infected maydevelop afever and experience other symptoms such as headaches,bodyaches,joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rashes, according to the Centers forDiseaseControl andPrevention. And 1in150 people infected with West Nile virus will develop asevere illness that affects the central nervous system like meningitis or encephalitis. No specific medicines treat the virus, but rest,fluids andpain medications may relieve existing symptoms.

Protecting yourself

The mostimportant way to prevent mosquitoes is by dumping any standing water that could be collecting outside of your home, accordingtoNew OrleansMosquitoRat and TermiteControl Board Director Claudia Riegel. Riegelemphasized thatany little bithelps mosquito numbers as awhole and encouraged residentstospend even just 10 minutes aweek scanning their yard on trash day to see if there are anyitemsthatcould be collecting water

Even small containers with water inside, like soda cans, can be incredibly productive sites for mosquito breeding.

As forkeeping thebugs off your skin, bug spray,long sleeves

STAFF FILEPHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

anyage,adults

Barham

HEALTH MAKER

Ochsner Children’s CEO talks leadership, care

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

Dana Bledsoe grew up in a small town in Montana as a rancher’s daughter

”I learned the meaning of hard work early on,”

Bledsoe said.

She started her health career in college in Colorado and later received a doctorate of health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Bledsoe then started her career as a registered nurse at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Before her leadership stints in Orlando and Pensacola, she was an executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s Hospital of

Orange County, one of the country’s largest In November 2024, Bledsoe was plugged as Ochsner Children’s first CEO as the hospital goes through major changes, the biggest, a new, fivestory stand-alone children’s hospital building in Old Jefferson.

Bledsoe

At 343,000 square feet, the new building, which will be called The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s will have more beds, a larger emergency department and enhanced spaces for surgeries and specialty care. Why did you choose nursing? My mom was a licensed practical nurse, or LPN, and I worked as a nursing assistant in high school — both influenced my career

do and be more.

My experience as a nurse motivated me to go into administration. I felt that my experience understanding the insights of providing care and working sideby-side with physicians directly would guide my leadership and decision making in a valuable and unique manner Today I believe that to be true.

How do you see artificial intelligence intersecting with health?

What is it about Louisiana that drew you in?

choice. To me, nursing is a beautiful career with plentiful paths for a meaningful

career I was lucky to have wonderful mentors each step of the way who invested in me and pushed me to

The future of AI in health care is exploding and with appropriate governance and guardrails, AI can and will profoundly change health care in a positive way, including children’s health care. It has the potential to synthesis and tailor care to the individual in ways we could never have imagined.

What draws me to Ochsner Children’s is our vibrant culture, shared values and the passionate team united by an unwavering commitment to create meaningful, lasting impacts on generations of health. The people and the food are the best in Louisiana! The roads not so much. What advice would you give future leaders in health? Find a culture that fits you. Invest deeply in your team. Commit to continuous personal growth, and stay true to your True North. Embrace

Researcher harnesses uniqueness of space to advance medicine

Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS)

JACKSONVILLE, Florida Mayo Clinic physician and researcher Dr Abba Zubair’s work combines two passions — medicine and space — for the benefit of astronauts and people on Earth. His research in space is yielding discoveries in cancer, stroke, bone loss and more. In this expert alert, Zubair answers five questions about his studies in microgravity. What are you hoping to accomplish through your research?

“The goal is to harness the uniqueness of the space environment for the betterment of humanity, be it on Earth or in space,” Zubair says.”We wanted to take advantage of the environment at the International Space Station to study how it affects human physiology.”

The absence of gravity and the impacts of radiation and vacuum are three fundamental aspects of the uniqueness of space, adds Zubair, who has sent three research projects to the International Space Station since 2017, with more to come.

As a regenerative biotherapeutics specialist, Zubair’s work focuses in part on adult stem cells — known as mesenchymal stem cells — and their use in future treatments for stroke. He noted that he uses stem cells in regenerative medicine and in supporting Mayo’s bone marrow transplant program.

“I also know how challenging it is to grow them in the lab. One of the first fundamentals is to see how the absence of gravity influences how stem cells divide and the growth rate,” Zubair explains. “We wanted to

ALLERGIES

Continued from page 1X

Allergies start at any age

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly a third of American adults report seasonal or food allergies. Immune systems evolve, and as people age, so do sensitivities. Moving to a new place, adopting a pet and aging can trigger new allergic reactions. Harvard Health emphasizes that people can “grow into” allergies as time passes, but people can “grow out” of them as well.

Dr David Kaufm an, an otolaryngologist at LSU Health Shreveport, says that while allergies can develop at any age, adults often experience more intense or lingering symptoms as they get older

“You may not have had allergies when you were younger, but your immune

see whether cells grown in space are any better or grow faster than cells grown in the lab. When we did our first space flight, we had a really interesting finding, because we realized that the absence of gravity affects stem cells, but it depends on the type of stem cells.”

That led Zubair to another project on the ISS: studying how mesenchymal stem cells, the precursor for bone-forming cells, play a role in bone formation or osteoporosis, bone loss. He notes that astronauts tend to lose bone density despite rigorous exercise.

How might your research benefit people with cancer?

Zubair is also studying how leukemia stem cells, the cells that form the seed of this blood cancer, respond to the space environment

“We are also working to understand the impact of space radiation, from the angle of how we can mitigate the effect of radiation and prevent cancer,” Zubair says. “In the long run we really want to protect astronauts, especially during long-term space travel, such as to Mars, where they would be deep in space and away from any magnetic field protection that we get from Earth.”

The research also may benefit people on Earth by revealing how to protect stem cells or cells in general when there is radiation exposure, such as nuclear accidents, he adds.

In addition, Zubair’s space research could have implications for CAR-T treatment, bone marrow transplants or other therapies for cancer patients. “If we can understand how

response changes with time,” Kaufman said Basic remedies can work Here’s some tips for dealing with allergies:

n Start meds early Don’t wait until the sneezing begins. Start taking antihistamines or nasal steroids a week or two before allergy season starts. Kaufman recommends using these during high pollen periods. “The key is consistency,” Kaufman said. “Starting medication before symptoms hit can reduce the severity of your reaction.” Saline sprays are your friend. Saline nasal sprays help flush out pollen, mold, dust and other allergens that Louisiana throws at people. And they can offset dryness and irritation.

n Know the options Over-the-counter antihistamines like Zyrtec, Xyzal or Allegra are long-acting with minimal drowsiness. For congestion, Flonase or Nasacort can make a difference.

n Avoid peak triggers Check pollen counts, keep windows closed, shower after being outside and use air

researcher Dr. Abba Zubair says research on the effect of the environment of space on people can be used to help people on Earth.

stem cells in space, especially hematopoietic stem cells (cells that live in the bone marrow and produce cells that function in the blood), expand and differentiate to make immune cells like T cells, microphages, we will learn how to make them more efficiently,” Zubair says. You’ve remarked that you can envision a time when people might go into space to receive certain medical treatments How would that work, and might it be possible to simulate microgravity for those treatments on Earth?

If cells proliferate more in space, for example if cancer cells go into what is called cell cycle and multiply abnormally when they proliferate, then chemother-

purifiers at home.

n Stay healthy

Support the immune system. Get a good night’s sleep, stay hydrated and manage stress. A rundown system is more likely to overreact.

Allergies, treatments evolve Brain fog, headache and fatigue are the allergy symptoms some adults face.

Taking Claritin and Flonase helps. Removing clothes and showering after being outside, a routine that is simple but effective — a good example of practical steps that help keep symptoms from spiraling.

If relying on over-thecounter meds and are still feeling miserable, it’s time to see a specialist.

At places like David & Eldredge ENT in Lafayette, patients can be tested for specific allergens and come away with a treatment plan that works — not just a guessing game of pills and sprays.

Allergies aren’t one-sizefits-all.

Whether sneezing at 20 or suddenly feeling stuffy at 50, don’t dismiss symptoms as “just the weather.”

apy will be more effective, Zubair says. “If that is the case, that absence of gravity can induce leukemia cells or other cancer cells to go into cell cycle, that makes them susceptible to chemotherapy,” he explains. “So instead of giving the chemo on Earth, you might go into space where the absence of gravity makes the cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy That would be one more reason to go to space. That is definitely something that I would love to explore.” It would be difficult to create a comparable microgravity environment on Earth, but technically, it could be done, Zubair adds.

“Microgravity on Earth is basically like going into a swimming pool, a state of buoyancy where you are kind of in suspension; the gravity is canceled out by the effect of the water,” he says. “Now, obviously it wouldn’t be pleasant to be in water for quite some time. In the lab, we use a microgravity simulator where cells are suspended. It would be interesting if you could do the same for a human being.”

What attracted you to space research?

Zubair grew up in Kano, Nigeria, and remembers gazing at the night sky as a child.

“As far back as I can remember, I was always fascinated by what is out there in

space. Looking at the moon and all the stars, and really that ignites my passion for space and space exploration,” Zubair says. Zubair’s first dream was to become an astronaut, but an adviser in high school counseled him to find a more practical career, and he pursued medicine. What’s next?

One of Zubair’s next two payloads to the International Space Station, not yet scheduled for launch, will examine whether umbilical cord blood cells, rich in stem cells and potential therapeutic value, can be expanded. Another study will explore different cell types that participate in bone formation and whether the problem of bone loss in space can be alleviated through use of a special compound.

“If it works, then definitely we will see how we can treat patients with osteoporosis, particularly women, cancer patients, or people who are bedridden for a long time and are not weight-bearing, which affects their bone,” Zubair says. Zubair notes that all of his space experiments are done in parallel on Earth with identical cells to compare the two results and validate the findings from space.

“I really think there is a lot out there that is just waiting for us to explore and use,” he says. “And that’s why I do what I do.” Zubair has been honored by NASA with the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for demonstrating that human-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown aboard the International Space Station could be used for potential clinical applications.

TO HEAR FROM YOU

The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to live well.

Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana. Do you have a health story? We want to hear from you. Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more. WE WANT

PHOTO PROVIDED By SHANTELL GOMEZ

FILE PHOTO PROVIDED By NASA

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly watches a bunch of fresh carrots float in front of him while preparing to eat in 2015 International Space Station. Mayo Clinic physician and

Eat Fit LiveFit

Sweet heat: Curry flavorfor amango chicken salad with aspicykick

Amongchickensaladlovers, therearetwotypesofpeople: thosewhoneverstrayfrom theirfavoriterecipeandthosewholike toexperimentwithnewflavorsand ingredients.Asyoumightguess,Iam verymuchinthesecondcamp.

AssoonasItastedthiscurrychicken saladbyRyanConn,formerFUELCafé ExecutiveChef(andstilladearfriend),it becameoneofthosedishesIcan’tstop thinkingabout.Ithasasweetheatthat makesitespeciallycravableand‘day brightening.’ Sweet,savoryandalittlebitspicy, ChefRyan’smangochutneyisthis chickensaladrecipe’ssecretsauce.It’s alsoaneasyadd-onthattakeseveryday favoritestothenextlevel.Spreaditonto sandwiches,serveitasadippingsauce ordrizzleitoverGreekyogurt,cottage cheeseoryourfavoritecreamycheese MangoescontainvitaminsA,Cand E,aswellaspotassium,fiberandfolate. Ifyoudon’thavefreshmangoonhand, frozenworksjustfineinthisrecipe.

Butit’sthechutney’scurrypowder thatgivesthechickensaladitssignature kick,alongwithalittlenutritionboost. Addingmorethanjustitsyellowhue, theturmericincurrypowdercontains curcumin,apowerfulantioxidantshown toreduceinflammation.Andpiperine intheblackpepperenhancesthe absorptionofcurcumin.

Althoughthesmallamountof turmericinthischickensaladlikely won’tmovetheneedlenutritionally,its proteincontent—32gramsperserving —issignificant.

Ihopeyouenjoythiscurrychicken salad.Personally,Ilovethedelicious, protein-providingconvenienceof havingacontainerofitinthefridge. It’sgreatformake-aheadlunchesand parties—orjustaquickscoopfora snackthatfeelslikearealtreat.

Day-BrighteningCurry ChickenSalad FUELCafé+Market Makes6-8servings

1wholechicken,roasted(orstoreboughtrotisseriechicken),toyield 4cupspulledchicken 1/2cuprawcashews,lightlytoasted 1greenapple,grated 1teaspoonchoppedcilantro 1batchofMangoChutney(recipe below)

Removeboththewhiteand darkmeatfromthebone,handshreddingandthenroughly choppinganylargerpieces.It shouldbeabout4cupsofpulled chicken,looselypacked.

Inalargemixingbowl,combine thechicken,cashews,greenapple, andcilantro.SlowlyaddtheMango Chutneyandmixuntilevenly combined.

ServeonanEatFitcroissant,grainytoast, atopmixedgreens,orsimplysoloasitis.It’s readytoeatrightaway–butChefRyansays (andweagree)it’sevenbetterafterafew hours(oradayorso)inthefridge.

Perserving: 310calories,13gramsfat,7 gramssaturatedfat,490mgsodium,17 gramscarbohydrate(14gramsnetcarbs),

BY THENUMBERS

3gramsfiber,10gramssugar(0addedsugar), 32gramsprotein

MangoChutney FUELCafé+Market Makes1½cups

1/4cupliquidallulose 1/4cupunseasonedricewinevinegar 1/2teaspoonredpepperflakes

1/4teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper 1tablespooncurrypowder 11/2teaspoonsalt 1/2cupunsweetenedcoconutflakes,lightly toasted 1tablespoongratedfreshginger 1garlicclove,grated 1ripemango,grated(or1/2cupfrozen mangocubes,thawedandchopped) 1/2cupunsweetenedcannedcoconutmilk Addallingredientstoasaucepanoverhigh heat.Bringtoasimmerforfiveminutes stirringthroughout.Removefromheatand allowthesaucetocool.

Perserving(2tablespoons): Perserving: 30calories,2gramsfat,1.5gramssaturated fat,140mgsodium,3gramscarbohydrate (3gramsnetcarbs),<1gramfiber,2grams sugar(0addedsugar),0protein

LA.PARISHHAS 6TH-HIGHESTRATE OF ALZHEIMER’SDISEASE IN U.S.

An estimated 7.2 million Americans overthe ageof65are livingwith Alzheimer’sdisease —that’s one in nine people over65.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is agroup of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoningorother thinking skills.Alzheimer’sdisease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80% of dementia cases.

In the United State’s3,142 counties, Orleans Parish had the sixth-highest rate of Alzheimer’s disease in people over 65.

Louisianahad the fifth-highest rate of Alzheimer’sdementia compared to other states in the country, with 12.4%.The state is preceded in the national rankings by Maryland (12.9%), Newyork (12.7%), Mississippi (12.5%)and

Florida (12.5%).

Louisiana parishes with the highest rates of Alzheimer’s dementia in people over 65 include, in descendingorder:

n Orleans Parish with 15.4%

n Bienville Parish with 15.1%

n East Carroll Parish with 14.9%

n Tensas Parish with 14.7%

n Claiborne Parish with 14.5%

n St. Helena Parish with 14.4%

n Caddo Parish with 14.1%

n St. James Parishwith 14.1%

n Lincoln Parish with 13.9%

n Iberville Parish with 13.8%.

Louisiana parishes with the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s dementia in people over 65 include, in ascending order:

n Livingston Parish with 9.6%

n St.Tammany Parish with 10.3%

n Cameron Parish with 10.6%

n Ascension Parish with 10.7%

n Beauregard Parish with 10.7%

n Grant Parish with 10.7% n LaSalle Parish with

MOSQUITO

Study details U.S. child health

American youths becoming increasingly unhealthy

BY LAURA UNGAR and JONEL ALECCIA Associated Press

The health of U.S children has deteriorated over the past 17 years, with kids today more likely to have obesity, chronic diseases and mental health problems like depression, according to a new study.

Much of what researchers found was already known, but the study paints a comprehensive picture by examining various aspects of children’s physical and mental health at the same time.

“The surprising part of the study wasn’t any with any single statistic; it was that there’s 170 indicators, eight data sources, all showing the same thing: a generalized decline in kids’ health,” said Dr Christopher Forrest, one of the authors of the study published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has brought children’s health to the forefront of the national policy conversation unveiling in May a much-anticipated “Make America Healthy Again” report that described kids as undernourished and overmedicated, and raised concerns about their lack of physical activity But the Trump administration’s actions — including cuts to federal health agencies, Medicaid and scientific research — are not likely to reverse the trend, according to outside experts who reviewed Monday’s study.

“The health of kids in America is not as good as it should be, not as good as the other countries, and the current policies of this administra-

The health of U.S children has deteriorated over the past 17 years, with kids today more likely to have obesity chronic diseases and mental health problems like depression, according to a new study.

tion are definitely going to make it worse,” said Dr Frederick Rivara, a pediatrician and researcher at the Seattle Children’s Hospital and UW Medicine in Seattle. He co-authored an editorial accompanying the new study Forrest and his colleagues analyzed surveys, electronic health records from 10 pediatric health systems and international mortality statistics Among their findings:

1 Obesity rates for U S. children

2-19 years old rose from 17% in 2007-2008 to about 21% in 20212023

2. A U.S. child in 2023 was 15% to 20% more likely than a U.S. child in 2011 to have a chronic condition such as anxiety, depression or sleep apnea, according to data reported by parents and doctors.

3. Annual prevalence rates for 97 chronic conditions recorded by doctors rose from about 40% in 2011 to about 46% in 2023.

4. Early onset of menstruation, trouble sleeping, limitations in activity, physical symptoms, depressive symptoms and loneliness also increased among American kids during the study period.

5. American children were around 1.8 times more likely to die than kids in other high-income countries from 2007-2022 Being born premature and sudden unexpected death were much higher among U.S. infants, and firearmrelated incidents and motor vehicle crashes were much more common among 1- to 19-year-old American kids than among those the same age in other countries examined.

The research points to bigger problems with America’s health, said Forrest, who is a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“Kids are the canaries in the coal mine,” he said. “ When kids’ health changes, it’s because they’re at

increased vulnerability, and it reflects what’s happening in society at large.”

The timing of the study, he said, is “completely fortuitous.” Well before the 2024 presidential election, Forrest was working on a book about thriving over the life span and couldn’t find this sort of comprehensive data on children’s health.

The data sets analyzed have some limitations and may not be applicable to the full U.S. population, noted Dr James Perrin, a pediatrician and spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, who wasn’t involved in the study

“The basic finding is true,” he said.

The editorial published alongside the study said while the administration’s MAHA movement is bringing welcome attention to chronic diseases, “it is pursuing other policies that will work against the interests of children.” Those include eliminating injury prevention and maternal health programs, canceling investments in a campaign addressing sudden infant death and “fueling vaccine hesitancy among parents that may lead to a resurgence of deadly vaccine-preventable diseases,” authors wrote.

Officials from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Forrest said risks highlighted by the MAHA report, such as eating too much ultra-processed food, are real but miss the complex reality driving trends in children’s health.

“We have to step back and take some lessons from the ecological sustainability community and say: Let’s look at the ecosystem that kids are growing up in. And let’s start on a kind of neighborhood-byneighborhood, city-by-city basis, examining it,” he said.

How to protect yourself from ticks year-round

BY CHRISTINA LARSON AP science writer

WASHINGTON — Ticks can be active in any season and it’s important to check for and remove the bloodsuckers as quickly as possible — especially after you’ve been outside hiking, gardening or enjoying nature.

“Humans are outside more in summer so we hear about more tick infections,” said Sam Telford, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts University But he urges caution year-round because “every season is tick season.”

While tick populations vary a lot regionally, some Northeastern states including Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are seeing “above average” numbers of American dog ticks this year, said Telford. And New York state is seeing a higher number of reported deer tick bites this year than last year, said Saravanan Thangamani, who studies tick-borne diseases at SUNY Upstate Medical University

How ticks spread disease

Ticks, like mosquitoes, need to feed on blood But instead of a quick prick, they are slow feeders — with hooked mouth parts that attach into the skin of deer, rabbits, dogs and people

There are many different species of ticks found globally and only some spread germs that can make people sick. A main worry is blacklegged ticks, also called deer ticks, which can spread Lyme disease. Once found mainly in New England and pockets of the Midwest, the ticks are now present over a wider range

A tick bite doesn’t always lead to illness. “If you remove a tick within 24 hours of attachment, it’s fairly unlikely that you will get infected,” said Telford.

How to check for ticks

Ticks are usually found low to the ground, in leaf litter or grassy areas

Check your clothing for ticks and do a full-body check including under the arms and behind ears,

knees and hair

“If you’re out all day long, try to do a quick check for ticks every few hours,” said Bobbi Pritt at the Mayo Clinic. “When you go back inside, take a shower That will wash off any unattached ticks, and you’re also more likely to spot any other ticks.”

Use tweezers to remove the tick and grasp it as close to the skin as possible to pull from the head. If you don’t have them handy, you can also use your fingernails, the edge of a credit card or any semi-sharp object.

How to keep ticks away

The best approach is to minimize tick exposure altogether Bug sprays containing ingredients such as DEET can be sprayed on exposed skin to ward off ticks and mosquitoes, said Telford. Wear long sleeves and pants, and you can also spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin, a chemical similar to a natural ingredient in chrysanthemums that makes ticks avoid the flowers.

Protect your pets

Don’t forget to pay attention to outdoor pets. Medications can prevent fleas and ticks from attaching to a dog’s skin. But it’s still a good idea to check the fur after being outside.

“Wherever pets can’t easily groom themselves, that’s where the ticks will be — on the ears, around the muzzle area, under the collar between the toes,” said Thangamani.

Dogs and cats roaming outdoors can also bring ticks into the house.

“If pets bring ticks in, a tick can live in the house for months until it finds its next blood meal,” which could be another household member, he said. What to do after a tick bite

After removing the tick, keep an eye on the skin around the bite. If a rash or flu-like symptoms appear within several days or weeks, see a doctor The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend tick testing because results may not be reliable.

OLOL St. Elizabeth launches robotics services

Staff report

Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth, 1125 La. 30 W, Gonzales, announced an expansion to include minimally invasive lung biopsies. The Ion endoluminal system, manufactured by Intuitive, allows for advanced maneuverability and navigation through narrow airways to nodules far into the peripheral lung. Tulane expands primate research center

The Tulane National Primate Research Center celebrated the completion of two major facility upgrades with a ribboncutting ceremony in early July marking the opening of a new 10,000-square-foot office building and a 1,000-square-foot biosafety level two laboratory Ochsner names BR regional medical chief

Dr Quentin Alleva has been named regional medical director of Ochsner Baton Rouge In this role, Alleva will provide medical staff leadership and support provider engagement and growth — while advancing quality and excellence in patient care across the region.

Survivor support groups in Metairie

East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie hosts free monthly support groups for cancer, stroke and heart failure survivors.

n Stroke support group: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month (next meeting is July 30), at 4200 Houma Blvd, Metairie, on the 8th floor n Cancer survivor support group: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month (next meeting is Aug. 6) in the EJGH Cancer Center at 4204 Houma Blvd., Metairie, in the third floor conference room. n Bosom Buddies support group, for breast cancer survivors, friends and caregivers: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (next meeting is Aug. 20) in the EJGH Cancer Center at 4204 Houma Blvd., Metairie, in the third floor conference room. Health Notes is an occasional listing of health happenings around Louisiana. Have something you’d like to share? Contact us at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

With more elderly choking to death, are devices the answer?

BY MIKE STOBBE AP medical writer

NEW YORK It was the scariest choking incident David Palumbo had ever seen.

The 88-year-old man had been dining at a Providence, Rhode Island, Italian restaurant in September 2019. Now he was unconscious with a piece of bread lodged in his windpipe. Precious minutes went by as first responders were unable to help him with CPR or the Heimlich maneuver In an ambulance on the way to the hospital, the elderly man’s skin was blue, and firefighters worried he was going to die Palumbo — a fire department captain used a scissors-like device called Magill forceps to pull the bread from the man’s throat.

“We get a lot of calls in the city for choking,” many of which are resolved before emergency responders even get there, Palumbo added.

“This was by far the worst one I’ve been on in my career.”

Fortunately, the man survived and made a full recovery, he said.

But many elderly people do not. Each year, choking claims the lives of more than 4,100 Americans who are 65 or older It’s the most vulnerable age group, accounting for about three-quarters of U.S choking deaths,accordingtohealthstatistics

The death rate has been relatively steady, but the number has risen, as the size of the nation’s retirementage population grows

In response, a number of companies are marketing antichoking devices to the elderly Medical professionals have been debating whether to endorse the products sold under the names LifeVac, SaveLix, VitalVac and the Dechoker

Dr Nathan Charlton, a University of Virginia professor of emergency medicine who advises the American Red Cross on first aid, said there is limited evidence for the products and that the Red Cross is still evaluating them.

Here’s a look at choking and the best ways to prevent choking deaths.

Choking danger

Choking occurs when food or some other object partially or totally blocks the windpipe, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs.

Telltale signs include someone reaching for their neck and losing the ability to speak normally Brain damage can occur after four minutes, and death can come just a few minutes later

Older adults are at higher risk for a number of reasons. As people get older, mouth and throat muscles can weaken. Older people also make less saliva Some chronic diseases and medications can make swallowing even harder Dentures can be a choking risk.

Ways to stop choking

Choking risk can be reduced by cutting food into small pieces, chewing food slowly, drinking

plenty of liquids with meals, and not laughing or talking at the same time you are chewing and swallowing.

When someone is choking, you can try perhaps the oldest form of first aid: back slaps.

There’s also the Heimlich maneuver, named after the doctor credited with devising it in the 1970s. It involves standing behind the choking person, wrapping your arms around their abdomen and — with a balled fist — thrusting inward and upward. The idea is that it forces air out of the lungs, and the obstruction with it

The American Red Cross recommends alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts in sets of five.

That’s for situations in which someone is around to help a choking victim. But what if they are alone?

It is possible for someone try to self-administer a Heimlich by thrusting their abdomen against the back of a chair, Charlton said.

Makers of some of the newer anti-choking devices say that’s where their products can make a difference.

“Elderly people probably are not capable of diving on a chair or counter,” said Arthur Lih, the founder and chief executive of LifeVac.

Antichoking device risks

They vary in design, but generally the devices look like a face mask attached to a tube or bellows, with a handle at the end They typically

sell for around $30 to $100.

A choking person dons the mask, pushes down on the handle and then pulls up. That is supposed to create a suction that would pull out the blockage. Some research suggests at least certain devices can injure the tongue or cause bleeding and swelling in the throat. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reports that some products did not generate enough suction and left people with bruising around the face, lips, and mouth.

An injury report led the FDA to do an inspection and issue a warning letter to Dechoker in 2021.

Manufacturers note their products are registered with the FDA, but that’s not the same as an endorsement. Indeed, the agency last year issued a notice to consumers that said it has not approved antichoking devices sold over the counter, because their safety and effectiveness haven’t been established.

Lih said the FDA action was in response to the proliferation of antichoking devices entering the market that vary in design and quality

More research needed

Right now, the consensus — even among antichoking device manufacturers — is that back blows and abdominal thrusts should always be tried first. (The forceps that Palumbo used are not recommended for the general public.)

Lih said thousands of nursing homes and emergency response agencies have purchased the newer antichoking devices.

Manufacturers claim the products have saved thousands of lives across multiple countries, but it’s tricky to document how well they actually work, said Dr Cody Dunne, a University of Calgary researcher who has tried. The early evidence has come from case reports or small studies that used mannequins and cadavers.

“I think the case is definitely being built,” he said, but more rigorous research is needed.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO A young girl practices the Heimlich maneuver

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By CHARLIE RIEDEL

Screens, scrolling andstreaming: Break mid-summerdistractions with afamily digital detox

Thisstory is brought to you by OchsnerHealth.

Bythe midpointofsummer, manyfamilies find the long, hot July days easily consumed with digital distractions—endless indoor scrolling, bingestreaming and virtual-only engagementongaming and social media platforms.The earlysummer optimism of planningpicnics and outings, pool time and playdates often provesnomatchfor the pullof electronic devices

Turning to screens,ratherthan each other,for entertainmentand interaction canlead to unhealthy consequences,including sleep disruptions,social withdrawal and higher stresslevels in kids and adults

But with intention and support,families canenjoythe second half of summerwith each other and limitdigital demands and distractions

Pulling back without pulling theplug

Suzana Flores,PsyD, alicensed clinical psychologist with Ochsner Health in Slidell, suggests families canincrease qualitytime and limitscreen time, starting withconversation rather than elimination. This approach, she says,avoids a technologypowerstruggle and instead helps parents and kids betterunderstand each other

“When Imeet with parents one of the comments Ihearoften is thattheywanttotakethe devicesaway,”Dr. Floressaid. “But that’snot really thebest approach, becausethis is their child’sworld. Kids willget that accesssomewhereelse.”

value limits on screen time. When kids seeothersenjoying lifewithout constantlyusing devices,itreinforces the idea thatit’sOK—and even fun to unplug.

Rules for healthy screen time

Becausebanning screens canbackfire, Dr.Flores recommends adigital detox approach that’snot so extreme or permanent. Evenafew small changes can help families feel moreconnected, more rested and lessreactive,she said. The goal is balance, not restriction.

Begin with conversations and choices Ask children howtheyfeel about their screen use. Set collaborative, ageappropriate boundaries and chooseactivities everyone enjoys offline.

Set an example. Kids learn from watching theirparents If adults areglued to their phones,kids will think that’snormal. Model breaksfrom screens by putting phones away during meals and being fully presentwhen spending time together.This includes not turning events or outingsinto photo-ops forsocial media postsand stories

Usescreens to learn and create Technologycan be atool fordiscovery and creativity. Encouragekids to make art,learn newskills or explore their interests online insteadofjust scrollingor watching passively Set boundaries around screen time. Avoidusing screens beforebed, during meals or as areward. Make surekids spend plenty of time being activeand social in the real world.

Usetechtogether. Adults cansharescreenexperiences with kids.Watchorplaytogether and talk about whatthey’re doing. This helps kids processavirtualexperiences and connect them to the real world.

Find the right balance

According to research by Common SenseMedia,accesstosmartphones in the U.S. is practically universalbythe time kids become teenagers. A2023study

finds 43% of tweens (age8to12) and 88% to 95%ofteens (age13 to 18) have their own smartphone, and teens receiveanaverage of 237notifications on theirphones each day. Turning off notifications and finding lessinvasive alternatives canhelp break thiscycle of constantcontact.

SusanaFlores,PsyD

Go outside. Spending time in natureis oneof the best ways to unplug and recharge Take walksafter dinner to enjoy the sunset or look at the stars. Startthe morningatthe park or splash pad. Bike to asnowballstand foracool midday treat.

Encourageindependence Give kids opportunities to makedecisions and solveproblems on theirown. This builds confidence and reducesthe temptation to escape with ascreen. Let them help plan afamily outing, cook ameal or explorea newhobby.

Find other tech-free people Build a communityoffriends and familywho also

Dr.Flores also recommends the following smartphone alternatives,which can help families find their digital sweet spot

Smartwatches forkids offer calling, messaging and GPS tracking without social media apps or browsers.These wearable gadgets areastepupin connectivitywithout the distractions of afull smartphone.

Parental controls on tablets and laptops allowfor safe internet access while giving parents the tools to limit screen time, block contentand monitor usage. Thesefeatures create asafer digital environmentfor learning and entertainment.

Basic cell phones thatoffer only calling and texting canbeagreat choice foryounger kids who need to stayin

touch without apps or social platforms

“It’sabout understanding the devices and choosing the ones thatare most appropriate,” Dr.Flores said.“The more involved aparentisintheir child’s tech life, the moreempoweredeveryone feels.”

Tooyoung for tech

Flores adds thatage is alsoabig factor in determining the maximum time kids shouldbeonscreens.She said children under 2yearsold getvery little benefit from screen time, and parents should opt forhands-on learning andsocial interaction to help toddlersdevelop languageskills,social-emotional skills and cognitiveskills

The American AcademyofPediatrics (AAP) recommends thatchildren under the ageof18months do not receive screen time. Research shows thatchildren under the ageof2havewhatiscalled “video deficit,” or difficulty learning from twodimensional video representations

Forchildrenages2 to 5, the AAP recommendsonlyone hour of screen time per dayand emphasizes that screen time shouldinclude high-quality programming.

Forchildren6and older,itrecommends parents balancescreen time with social activities,play, learning and family time.

Signs of digital overload

Beingengaged with children’stech usagealsohelps parents identify warning signsthattheir child may be overstimulated, misinformed, experiencingbullying or developing onlinedependencies.Excessivetech usagecan makeitharder forkids to relax, focus or feel comfortable with quiet time, shesaid.

Redflagsindicating digitaloverload include: •Trouble sleepingorfallingasleep •Lyingabout howmuch time they spendonline or on screens

•Declining concentration or motivation

•Increased anxiety, irritabilityor mood swings

•Avoiding face-to-face conversations or outdoor activities

Thesesigns oftenbecome more visible in the summer,when routines loosen andscreen useincreases.And it’snot just parentswho notice. It’sincreasingly commonfor teens who realizethey’re struggling with theseissues to turn to social media formental health information andadvice.

Social media, mental health and teens

According to research, the term “mentalhealth” has been searched on TikTok more than67billion times.This trend of self-diagnosis canbeaslippery slope. Most social media platforms areoperating from an algorithm that organizes content based on an individual’s searches

While some find comfort andsupport in this content, the information on social media is traditionally not vetted by atrained professional. Ateenager whose feed gets flooded with mental health contentcan experience increased anxietyand maybegin over-diagnosing themselves andtheir symptoms

Instead, consult trained professionals fordiagnosing andtreating mentalhealth concerns.Dr. Flores recommends having open, frequentconversations about mentalhealth —preferablyinreal-life settings, rather thanrelying on curated contentfound online.She says taking mentalhealth breaksbyescaping all electronic noise, even forbrief periods of time throughout the day, canalsohelp “Weall need to realizethatweneed silence andperiods of time to practice introspection andtakeinthe world around us.”

Wherecareand community come together

AtOchsnerLafayetteGeneral,webelievehealthstartswith connection—neighbortoneighbor,hearttoheart.Fromclassrooms toclinics,playgroundstoparishlines,we’rehere—listening, partnering,andshowingupforwhatmattersmost-yourhealth. Becausewhenwecareforourcommunity,wecareforeachother.

Learnmoreatochsner.org/community

LakynG. | FamilyMedicinePatient

LOUISIANA

‘HUNGRY forgoodemployees’

NewOrleans restaurantis training future generations

BY APRIL HAMILTON

Contributing writer

The corner of Euterpe Street and Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in the heart of New Orleans’ Central City hosts amuch-anticipated lunch reservation

The star of this address, Café Reconcile, servesupmore than praise-winning food. It is ameeting place for lunchon weekdays (except Mondays).

Thelimited schedule allowstime for their primary focus —14-week immersive, job-readinessinternships for New Orleans youth ages 16 to 24. This summer,Café Reconcile announcedaSunday lagniappeseries to highlight their 25th year of service.

SUNdays at Reconcile are an extra offering, aleisurely four-course lunch of dinner-sized portions served family style.

The experience is ameal with amission. It is atable for apartyofsix or eight, or ameet-some-new-friendssharedtable featuring seasonal dishes prepared by executive chef Martha Wiggins and her kitchen team. The $80 ticket nourishes

mind, body andspirit, helping fund this innovative job trainingprogram.

At brunch in late June,staff welcomed diners with aglass of bubbly,iced tea or lemonade.Guests wereinvitedto explore thedining room before finding their seats to enjoy the photo portraits lining the walls —the purpose of this placeonprominent display.

Portraits of Reconcile’sinterns,the lifeblood of this organization, are featured on exposed brick walls with their personal statementsand goals fortheir next steps after completing the internship.

Future career goalsinclude:executive chef, mechanic, registerednurse, music producer,pastry chef and vet tech.One photographfeaturesthe late Rev.Harry Thompson,whose collaboration with brothers-in-law Craig Cuccia and Tim Falcon plantedthe seed forthe café and its missiontolift New Orleans’youth

“I say Ihaveafishing pole factory. Give them all fishing poles,” Falcon says, expressing his sharedvisionwithhis cofounders. “Mybrother-in-law is an urban missionary.Father Harry Thompson had connections andwas instrumental in gettingfunding. We talked to the neighbors in the community to askwhatwas needed.”

Taylor Rodgers, left, and Geneya Brown participate in Reconcile’sinnovative Workforce Development Program, whichis apositiveyouth development spacethat supports the career exploration and job readiness opportunities of young people 16 to 24 years old

The inquirypointed to arestaurant. They bought afive-story building and decidedtoopenakids’ café to providea dining experience in whatwas ablighted neighborhood25years ago.

Falcondescribesthe first food service at theaddress, circa 2000, as “fundamental.”

“It was Tyrone’sSweet Shop. Tyrone, alocalina white shirt and bowtie witha coffee pot and box of doughnuts that he sold from afolding table on thecorner. We grew from there. It was pretty fundamental,”Falcon said.

The group started ajob training program for youth, partnering with big restaurants in town thattook them in as interns.

“These places were hungry for good employees,” Falcon said.“We got feedback from the employers that thementorship and training were areal benefit. We would getthe kids in andteach them work skills and awork ethic andspirituality.”

Today,the building boasts wall-towallrenovations, afresh,bold logo and asecond-floor special events space, TheEmeril Lagasse Hospitality Room, named for its funder.Along with Lagasse, other families in the community have kept theprogram running,including the Brennan family of NewOrleans’ Brennan’s, Commander’sPalace and Ralph’sonthe Park restaurants.

Recently,philanthropist MacKenzie

ä See HUNGRY, page 2Y

Perfect stranger and friend forlife

SometimesIthink about how tiny moments andrandom encounters can shape our lives.

I’m spending the weekend in Kansas City with Amy King, one of my dearestfriends. She and Imet on Jan.11, 1993, alongawaited, monumental dayfor me. Iwas finally going to Europe for the first time

WhenIwenttocheck in for my flight at the then Washington National Airport (nowRonald Reagan), the lady at the ticket countersaidmybagswere too heavy.

Right there in front of Godand everybody,I opened three suitcases andbegan triage —deciding whatIcould live without or cram into acarry-on. (This was when airlinesweremuch more lenient aboutcarry-onsizes.)

As Iwas having ashameless luggage therapy session in the middle of the airport, asvelte woman placed her seemingly tiny bags on the scales. Each came in just under the limit. Somehow Ioverheard her say where she was going andstruck up aconversation. We discovered we were both headed to different Slovak cities to teach English with aprogram called“Education forDemocracy.”

We’d just happened to arrive at the same place at the same time —weweren’t even on the same flights to Europe.However,on the bus to Bratislava with the 30 or so otherEnglish teachers in ourgroup, she andI reconnected. Ithink Iknewthenthat we would be friends fora long time I’ve wondered if we would have found each otherhad we not met at the D.C. airport. On the other hand, she says she believeswe would have become friends eitherway

Forher,itwas the Slovak welcome party at ourfour-dayorientationsession. On oursecond night there,a band appeared in full folk costumes. There was plenty of vodka,and the band playedthrough half the night. Amy andIcouldn’tspeak Slovak, but we jumpedinwith the musicians, triedtolearn the local dances andhad araucous time. It was the first of many memorable nights together

Though Ilivedinavillage near the Ukrainian andPolish borders andshe lived in acity three hours away,wemanaged to see each otheroften. Almost every weekend brought anew adventure —sometimesseveral. Whenwearrived, Slovakia was only 11 days old—still figuring outwhatitwas,just like we were. Communism had ended barely 13 months earlier.We were 28 yearsold. Theywere headydays.

Thatyear,Amy and Itook a midnight train to Budapest. We hikedtoaski “resort” where we gave up on skis anddecided to

ä See RISHER, page 2Y

PROVIDED PHOTOSByDARRIN DEFILLO

Chief CulinaryOfficer Chef MarthaWiggins leads Café Reconcile’straining kitchen. Wiggins is amentorwho is committed to creating an inclusiveand equitable hospitalityindustryfor the nextgeneration.

From left to right,Elijah Cobb,Jeremy Emilien and Mia Williams prepare dishes during their internship at Cafe Reconcile.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Amy Kingand JanRisher in January1993 in Bratislava, Slovakia at an ‘Education for Democracy’ teaching orientation.

ASK THEEXPERTS

Nursery uses 24/7 self-checkouthonor system

Seehow aLafayette plantshop is creating solutions

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE

Staff writer

Marcus Descant is aLouisiana native who cultivated apassionfor gardeningand environmentalsustainability in Lafayette.In2011, he founded the Urban Naturalist, asustainable nursery specializing in native and heirloom plants at 216Madison St., near downtown Lafayette. He focuses on creating holistic ecosystems that support local wildlife and feed people.

Descant has contributed to several public installations in Lafayette, including the Meche’s“Living Room” Garden, which transformed apublic space into athriving garden filled with native and edible plants, and the Lafayette Victory Garden.

His nursery has a24/7 self-checkout honor system in place, so it never closes.

Can you explain the honor system thatyou have in place at Urban Naturalist?

The honor system has really saved the business

There was atime when Ibasically had to close the business down because putting an employee behind the counter costs me thousands of dollars every month. It’svery expensivefor me to put someone backthere just to give out bad information and call to ask me the questions after all.

After awhile, Icame tothis crossroads where Ithought,“Do I actually need to be here to check people out? If this is sucha big thing, then let’s try self-checkout.” Istarted to implement that in 2017, and it had some resistance at first. COVID-19 was beneficialingetting people to adoptit, because people are motivated by themselves.

An honor system requires alot of trust in humanity.Inasmall way, do you think the system makes people better?

People appreciatethe system,

and when othersdodefy thesystem, they take it very personal.

Youhavepeople who are obeying it to theT,and they getdeeply offended when someone is not obeyingit. They take it to heartthemselves, likethey’re being stolen from too.

Whenyou allow that amount of trust in society,you can get some really good effectsout of that.

How has the system evolved since 2017?

Over the years, I’ve addedcamerastounderstand thecustomer base and see if they’re enjoying the experience orifthey’re just getting back in their carsand leaving. Ihaveartificial intelligence cameras thatcan tell if it’sahuman, and if ahuman walks up, it starts turning on radios. Thatmotivates people to walk to theback.

I’ve usedlightsthatkickonat night.And I’ve added different ways to receivepayment:cash, check, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Apple Pay andevenBitcoin.

It’ssortoflikeyou’re running asocial experiment

It absolutely is asocial experiment.I getbored at work, and this is along social experiment. I’ve studied Marxian economics for the last threeyears,the history of capitalism and many different economists. It’s very much asocial experimentofmine.

How do you think the plant shop is creating solutions in Lafayette?

It provides avery good, honest service that people need. Food and entertainmentcosts are constantly going up, and gardening can fit into bothofthose categories.

Iopened this place in 2011, and I’ve never goneuponthe prices of my plants since then. I’vefought for efficiency tomake the financial accessibility available to anyone

We hear thatyou’repassionateabout native plants.What is theimportance of having native plantsinyourbackyard?

Being that Isellvegetables,the mostcommoncomplaint is, “We have no bees.” We’re focused on native bees. It’simportant for those pollinators, because if you’re going to have avegetable garden,

Q&A WITH MARCUS DESCANT FOUNDED THEURBAN NATURALIST

and environmental

youshould focusonwhere the rubber hitsthe road. You’ve investedingood soil, builta bedthat’s very expensive andfound the bestplants. Some people don’tthinkabout howthese fruit plants are actually pollinated, so it’simportant to have native plantsfor the pollinators.

It’salso important for thegardeners’ morale. If they’re grabbing parts fromanother make and modelall over theworld, they’re going to come back and say, “Oh, I’m such aterrible gardener.I don’thavea green thumb.”But

if your carbroke and youwentto aparts store that gave you apart foracompletelydifferentmake and model, it wouldn’tfitintoyour car The same thing is happening in horticulture every day.Some nurseries are selling plants from Russia,Asiaand Europe. You’re tryingtoput them in yourbackyard in south Louisiana, andit’s atotally different system.Here, we have heavyclay. Whenyou put native plants in that clay,they shine. What are thepsychological benefits or

Continued from page1y

Scott gave Reconcile $4 million to help with financial security,Falcon said. After servingaschairman of the board for 10 years, Falcon is becoming less involved in the program. “It takes aspecial person to keep it going,” he said. Enter ateam of experienced nonprofitdirectors and fundraisers, four full-time social workers and chef Martha Wiggins, who has earnedcritical acclaim as executive chef at Sylvain and has served as chief culinary officer of the nonprofit since November 2020. At theSUNdaylunch, Wiggins emerged from the kitchen with awide smile and her tinted-greenhair

fashioned into apouf on top of her head. She checked in with the guests and assisted theinterns whowereservingsome of the courses. Thefirst bite, “Lagniappe from Chef,” was aclassic deviled eggwith diminutivecrawfish tails perched on top. Next was thevegetablecourse of corn on thecob, cutintoserving sized sections and brushed with green garlicbutter, sea saltand awhisper of hot honey.The seasonal salad of peaches andtomatoes with pillowy ricotta and crunchy pecans and sesame wasdressedwith fresh basilvinaigrette, summer harmony in a bowl.

For anentrée,the fried ribswereserved with a side of habanero barbecue sauce. Passed bowls of house baked beansand herb-accented potato salad accompanied the dish.

“Absolutely everything is made from scratch,” chef Wiggins sayswith asmile. “Oh,except the bread. Idon’tbake bread. Leidenheimer Baking donatesall ourpo-boybread, andweget someofour other breads from Susan Spicer’sWildFlour Breads. Creole Creamery donates all our ice cream.”

Karissa Jackson prepared and servedindividual Key lime pies. Jackson is arecentNew Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute graduate. Saluting summer Wiggins passed slender watermelon wedges with a spicyaccent as afinal palate cleanser

Blending hertalent for creative cooking and kitchen management with her newfound passionfor mentoring youth fuels Wiggins’ days.

“I love thefact that I

get to meet new youthall the time,” she said. “I get to teach them something theymight not know and reconnect themtothe food of their culture. Ilove the mentorship and social work aspectsofwhat I do.Teaching them to cook traditionaldishes featured on the café’smenu is ahighlight.Gumbo, red beans andsmothered chicken aresome of the favorites.”

This café on thecorner stands five stories tall in whathas becomeablossominglocation. The meal withamission has additional SUNdays coming up: July 27 and Aug. 24 —and ablock party plannedin September tocelebrate 25 years of growth andrvitalization.

Ticketsare available to purchase at cafereconcile. org/news-events/sundaysat-reconcile

gardening?

Thepsychological

benefits are probably the best benefits, health wise. You’re definitely gonna get an endorphin rise whenever you have your hands in the soil, working with the plants and seeing growth. Also,the fact that you can look away from ascreen for alittle while is beneficial. We really need that. It’sjust good for ourpsyche

Email Lauren Cheramieat lauren.cheramie@theadvocate. com.

RISHER

Continued from page1y

sleddowna mountain. We floated down the Dunajec Riverona lashed-together wooden raft, the Polish borderjust astone’sthrow away

One afternoon late that spring, we found ourselves with friends in the middle of nowhere.Unbeknown to us, there wasn’ta bus back until the next day. To earn dinnerthatnight, we hoed andhacked afieldalongside local farmers, helping themturn it into apotato patch. Thatnight, after a bowl of goulash around a large bonfire,weslept on adirt floor before finding a bus back to town the next day.

Our time in Slovakia was pre-Internet, precellphone.Coordinating schedules, making plans andmeeting times/places requireda trip to the post officetomeet with an operator who connected along-distance call—or handwritten letters. It was only 32 yearsago,but it was acompletely different time andplace.

Tenyearslater,Amy andIwrote ascreenplay largely basedonour experiences teaching andliving in Slovakia. Lyle Lovett is a

running gaginthe story,as he wasthe soundtrack of thatyear for me. In afull-circle moment, this weekend Amy and I went to seeLovettperform at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City,her hometown. We were able to visit with him backstage after the show, andImentioned the screenplay.Weall agreed it might be time to dust it offand finally make it happen. He even agreed to make acameo. Some threedecades later, Amy andIare still doing life together —indifferent places,different rhythms, newstages. Istill think aboutthatairport moment —how something so ordinary ended up meaning so much. Sometimes, the most important people oftenenterour lives without fanfare —just strangers beside us, waiting to weigh their bags. Iremaingrateful for that dayand the many days of friendship since.

EmailJan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Marcus Descant is aLouisiana nativewho cultivated apassion for gardening

sustainability in Lafayette. In 2011, he founded the UrbanNaturalist, asustainable nurseryspecializing in native and heirloom plants at 216 Madison St., near downtown Lafayette.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Jan Risher and Amy KinginBudapest, Hungary, in 1993.

PROVIDED PHOTO By DARRIN DEFILLO

Dinerssit to enjoythe SUNdaymeal at Cafe Reconcile

Tribal judgeaimstoIndigenizethe bench

BY BRIAN BULL

Contributing writer

Editor’snote: This story created by Brian Bull for Buffalo’sFire, is part of the Solutions Story Tracker from the Solutions Journalism Network, anonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous reporting about responses to social problems.

Many leaders have found their mentors through school, work or the greater community Megan Treuer’smentor was arevolutionary trailblazer known to her simply as “Mom.”

“She was the second Native American attorneyin the state of Minnesota,” Treuer said of Margaret Seelye Treuer.“Shewas appointed as afederal magistrate in 1982. So she’sthe first female Native American judge in the country.”

Like mother,like daughter.Treuer has also donned the robes and wielded the gavel. For 12 years, she’s been atribal courtjudge forthe LeechLakeand Bois Forte Bands of Ojibwe andthe WhiteEarth Nation. Before that, in 2005, she workedasanattorney forAnishinabeLegalServices, representing Native people from the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian reservations.She then joined the Regional Native Public Defense Corporation in 2007, anonprofit that represents tribal members from across northern Minnesota. In 2009, she became the RNPDC’sexecutive director Earlyinfluences

As achild, Megan Treuer remembers her mother doinglegal work, sometimes in ahomeoffice. This included getting the tribal court system established at Leech Lake, an effort built on the backsofactiv-

Megan Treuer,RNPDC’sexecutivedirector

ists and advocateswho had occupied federal buildings in the 1970s whilecalling forthe strengtheningof the government-to-governmentrelationshipbetween tribes and theUnited States.

Andthen there were the things sheobserved outside of herhome.One incident happened while ayoung MeganTreuerwas riding through Bemidjione day with herfamily.The city was near three of Minnesota’stribal reservations: White Earth,Red Lakeand Leech Lake.

Their car passed another one with Red Lake license plates, pulled over on the side of the highway with multiple police vehicles surroundingit.

“Allthe copcarshad pulledthem over,and there’sthislittle grandma,” recalls Treuer.“Shewas just crying hereyesout as they were dragging the guy off.I wasfeelingthat something wasn’tright, and Iwanted to advocate for my community since then.”

Treuer’s father,Robert, also inspired her. He was an Austrian Jewwho survivedthe Holocaust and waspassionate about tackling injustice.

“Comingfromthatlegacy,Ifeel aresponsibility to advocate and do what Ican to makethe world a betterplace,” said Treuer “Restore humanity to the world.”

Rising in theranks

In 2013, after several yearsheading the RNPDC opportunity knocked.

“The associate judge frommytribe,Korey Wahwassuck,was leaving to go to ajudicialappointment in the state court,” explained Treuer.And so needing areplacement, the chief judge calledher andasked if she’d apply

“She calledmeand Isaid, ‘Well, I’m only 35. Do you think I’m oldenough and wiseenough?’ And she kind of chuckled andsaid, ‘Yep.’”

For Wahwassuck, picking Treuer wasaneasy choice. She sawqualities in Treuer

that would help her rule fromthe bench effectively

“Megan listens. Notjust as acourtesy, buttotruly understand and to help people break out of destructive cycles,” Wahwassuck told Buffalo’s Fire. She said Treuer’ssteady,calm presenceand genuineness impressed uponher early “Weworked side by side on the Joint Jurisdiction Wellness Courts, and Isaw countless times where her insights and compassion forpeople helped them turnthe corner in their lives.”

Treuer said she’salways been called to serve the Leech Lake community as an advocate “I’m very passionatein advocatingfor my people Any people really that aren’t able to advocatefor themselves.”

Treuer successfully advocated for herself thispast year,making her case to the Bush Foundation that she was deserving of one of 29 fellowships granted for 2025. She’lluse hertwo years in the program to reduce herjudicial caseload andfocus on personal renewal and betterment She also plans to work on infusing morecultural and spiritual aspects to the tribal court system.

“I’m goingtocut my judicial caseload in half basically and take Ojibwe courses,” she explained. “AndI’m reallygoing to make focusing on the language my top priority during the fellowship, and try to learn as much as Ipossibly can in two years.”

Furthermore, Treuer planstospend part of her fellowship visitingdifferentIndigenous scholars, spiritualleaders andmentors that have worked in the area of Indigenous justice.This could include go-

ing to seethe Maoripeople of New Zealand, but Treuer says travel remains undecidedatthispoint.All of this is intended to make her astronger and more culturally grounded judge for her people.

“I definitely believe her Bush Fellowship goals will improve her leadership skills and help her on the pathofleading other Anishinaabe tribal judges in revitalizing and rekindling Anishinaabe justice traditions,”Kekek Starktold Buffalo’sFire.

An associate professor at the Alexander Blewett III School of LawinMissoula, Montana, Stark has known Treuer for 20 years, since theybothattended the Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“I think Megan consistently utilizes compassion, empathy and cultural awarenessinher role as atribaljudge,” Stark said. He believes Treuer will achieve her goals through the utilization of language, history and culture in thearticulation of tribal law

“Being ajudge is hard work,especially when presiding over cases in your own community,” adds Wahwassuck. “It takes its toll on the mind, body and spirit. Megan’s work will make her abetterleader because her work will strengthen her even morepersonally and professionally.Wewill all learn from Megan’sjourney and be better foritas individuals and in our own work.”

While Treuer regards Wahwassuck as an inspiration and supporter,that appreciation goes both ways.

“Weall need touchstones so we can do our bestinall areas of our lives,” Wahwassuck said. “I’ve told

people that Megan is my “rock.” Idrawstrength from her calm,steady presence, and she inspires me to dive deep and to never give up.”

Both of Treuer’s parents have died in the past decade. Robert Treuer in 2016, Margaret Seelye Treuer in 2020. Whilethey aren’there to see their daughter’sself-empowerment as aBush Fellow, Treuer says both —especially hermother— would be proud.

“I’m always hearingher voice,” shesaid, reflecting on howthe elderTreuer helped create theLeech Lake judicial systemfrom the ground up. She feels that today’syoung Native people needtoappreciate the history of self-determination and activism that hermother’s generation used to make gains for the tribe.

“I feel likeI have aresponsibilitytodocument for thefuture generations what they had to go through.”

Treuer says herpeople were fortunateenough to preserve the language andculture as muchas they have, despitecolonization andthe boarding school systemthat was intended to assimilate tribes. She feels that her timeasa Bush Fellow will ultimately help the Leech Lake court system “level up.” She will alsocontinue her duties as Chief Judge for the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe.

“I’m Minnesota’sfirst second-generation Native American attorney,soI’m really blessedinthat way,” said Treuer.“And Ididn’t have to look very far. My mother andI,we’redifferent personalities and definitely different skill sets, butI just followedher career.”

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PROVIDED PHOTO

FAITH & VALUES

Faith-based relief groups offer supplies and support

Many providing a listening ear to Texas flood survivors

BY BOB SMIETANA Contributing writer

For the past month, Capt. Jenifer

Phillips, an emotional and spiritual care officer with the Salvation Army, has been working out of a basecamp in Kerrville, Texas, as part of a team of eight chaplains responding to the deadly flash floods.

The spiritual care officers are part of a larger Salvation Army response to the Hill Country floods.

As of July 10, they served close to 6,000 meals and about 34,000 cold drinks out of four mobile food pantries to disaster survivors, emergency responders and other relief workers. They also distributed 998 clean-up kits and more than 1,400 hygiene kits and led a drop off-site for donations.

The chaplains have also been listening to survivors’ stories, said Phillips, who is usually based in East Texas.

“We want to be able to talk with people, hear their stories and be able to provide support,” Phillips said in an interview from Texas.

She said most of that listening happens naturally while volunteers are handing out supplies or while people are eating meals Phillips said folks want to talk through what they’ve experienced.

As a chaplain, Phillips said she doesn’t try to make sense of what happened but instead tries to be present and hear them. That’s part of providing emotional care — she said even those who aren’t religious need a human connection and a listening ear

“In such moments of deep despair, there are not words,” she

said. “We call it the ministry of presence. I think that being with people is the only thing we can do in these moments.”

As the immediate response to the disaster comes to an end, relief groups like the Salvation Army are making plans for long-term recovery efforts. Phillips said the best way to support both current and future needs is to give to disaster relief groups. She said groups like the Salvation Army are already running out of space to store some of the gift-in-kind donations they received Those monetary donations, she

mentally friendly Absolutely everything is totally camping safe,” says Hayes.

She says Shreveport’s harder water was a bit of a challenge.

BY LIZ SWAINE Staff writer

Sunday was nonstop at

The Source. It was grand opening day at their new storefront at 3823 Gilbert Dr in the Madison Park Business Center in Shreveport. The concept — a refillery is a first for northwest Louisiana. To owner Kelsey Hayes’ knowledge, the closest refilleries are in Dallas, New Orleans or Little Rock.

Customers were spilling out onto the sidewalk to shop vintage clothing, try on Texas-made jewelry repurposed from antique pieces, and learn the benefits of beard oils and tallowbased beauty balms.

While the products are all part of Hayes’ sustainability ethos for the business, the centerpiece of her shop is her refillery

While in school in Canada, Hayes became acquainted with stores that had refill options for home cleaning and personal items

Customers bring their own containers and buy as much as they want.

She says she wanted to offer the service locally because of recycling or rather, the lack of it.

Until Shreveport offers recycling again citywide, she wants to give people a way to keep their homes and themselves clean without the negative plastic impact to the environment.

For now, she is offering refillable hand soap, body wash, dish soap, floor cleaner, dry and liquid laundry detergent, and an all-purpose cleaner Other items with limited packaging include shampoo, conditioner, face wash and dish soap bars and mouthwash and toothpaste tablets

“Everything has to be closed loop, completely natural, organic and minimal ingredients, environ-

“But I tried and tested a lot of products, and I found ones that do really work,” she said. “And I have a very loyal client base, especially for dishwashing powder and laundry detergent and bar dish soap.”

Most of the products are 59 cents an ounce or less, says Hayes, “in the same ballpark” as the cleaning products made by national retailer Seventh Generation

“It’s not going to be as cheap as Tide or Gain,” she said, “but it’s in a similar wheelhouse.”

For now customers can either bring their own empty container for refills of products, get free empty jars from the store, or purchase matching containers at the store.

If you bring a clean dry glass to leave as a ‘community jar,’ Hayes says you will get 10% off your purchase.

“You can actually bring a clean pickle jar,” jokes her father Bryan Richardson.

“No,” laughs Hayes “Everything will smell pickley.”

“It’s such a positive influence to the dilemma of packaging and wastefulness and the environment,” says Lorraine Richardson. “We always taught them recycle as much as you can, reuse whatever you can.”

Lorraine is Hayes’ mom and the artist behind the jewelry and the beauty balms in the store. Hayes’ sister Avery Richardson is one of the owners of The Lovely Lasso Vintage, along with friend Marley Clark and dad Bryan Richardson, is behind the Hvit & Svart line of beard products carried in the shop.

said, will go both to help survivors and fund rebuilding.

Aimee Freston, director of communications for Texans on Mission, a disaster relief ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, said volunteers have started to arrive in the areas affected by the floods and will begin working on clean-up efforts. The group also has chaplains on site as well as assessors looking at damage and making plans for how to best deploy volunteers in the upcoming weeks

Freston said getting cleanup teams on site has taken lon-

ger than usual because of the lengthy search-and-rescue process that followed the storms.

As of July 10, at least 120 people died as a result of the floods that began on the Fourth of July holiday and more than 170 were still missing, The Associated Press reported.

The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention — one of two Lone Star State groups with ties to the Southern Baptist Convention — also has volunteers on site, distributing meals and starting clean-up efforts Additional volunteer teams from out of state are expected to

arrive in the weeks to come.

Phillips said she’s been struck by the scope of the disaster, passing by large oak trees with clothing and debris scattered in high branches or seeing metal wrapped around tree trunks showing the force of the floodwaters. She has also seen how first responders, volunteers and local residents have pulled together “On the people side, we’ve seen people trying to love on each other,” she said. “Lots of tears, lots of prayers, lots of hugs just trying to be there for one another.”

Texans on Mission volunteers deploy to San Angelo, Texas, to assist the Hill Country following deadly flooding

STAFF PHOTOS By LIZ SWAINE

and Lorraine Richardson at The Source grand opening

Shreveport.

SUNDAY, JUlY 27, 2025

CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley

SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr

GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters

ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson

ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE /byStephan Pastis

grams

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

word game

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

todAY's Word — PuGnAcious: pugNAY-shuss: Having a quarrelsome or combative nature.

Average mark 35 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 60 or more words in PUGNACIOUS?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

Sudoku

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

wuzzLes

No way out

South won the opening heart lead — an obvious singleton — with dummy’s ace. He had an inescapable heart loser, so he needed to dispose of his club loser He could do that several ways. He could take the club finesse through West, he could take the diamond finesse through East, or he could take a ruffing finesse for the king of diamonds through West. Which one should he choose? South found a line of play that let him avoid making that choice.

super Quiz

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

SUBJECT: AMERICANA

(e.g., “GOP” is an abbreviation for Answer: Grand Old Party.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

In what sport did Red Grange excel?

What actor delivered the line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”? Answer________ 3. Who was vice president under President Biden?

South drew trumps in three rounds and led a diamond to his ace He then led his remaining heart and played low from dummy. East won but found himself end-played in three suits. If he led a heart, either low or the ace, dummy’s queen of hearts would become a trick. A diamond lead would build a diamond trick for declarer regardless of who held the king. A club into dummy was an obvious disaster. East chose a low diamond, so South shed a club from dummy on his winning diamond and eventually ruffed his club loser in dummy

Nicely played! It is not often that a difficult problem has such an elegant solution. It’s a great feeling for a bridge player when you come up with one.

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Answer________ 4. What TV show did Donald Trump host from 2004 to 2015? Answer________

Film stars place their foot/handprints in wet cement near this theater Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL

In what battle did Pick-

Allow your creativity to take charge. VIRGO(Aug.23-Sept.22) Discovernew possibilities. Attend functions that allowyoutomarketwhatyoucando, and promote your beliefs, standards and skills to those who may requiret your services.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Keep your thoughts and emotions hidden. You require more time to flush out any imperfections before engaging in something that’s brewing. Focus on personal improvements. Romance is favored. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Share only what’s necessary Seek input from experts to ensure you don’t waste time and money An interesting connection will unfold if you participate in a social event or attend a reunion. Love is in the stars. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Anger and other stormy emotions will cause trouble. Pour your heart and energy into making your home a place that accommodates your needs. Rearrange your living area or designate a room in your home as a relaxation space.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A strategic move will protect you from liabilities. Put more thought into how you phrase documents and deal with sensitive personal matters.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Set the tone for a fun day with family and friends. Intimacy and playful banter will help you put your life into perspective and give you a renewed sense of gratitude and good fortune.

PISCES (Feb.20-March 20) Takecareof your personal needs, nurture essential relationships and participate in enlightening events. Refuse to let anger surface due to a last-minute

change that disappoints you. Live in the moment.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Choose a diversion. Seek out something that brings you joy, offers peace of mind or brings you closer to someone you love Therightpeopleorattitudecan spark your creative imagination.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Avoiding conversations that can lead to instability at home will give you a chance to rethink how you want to handlethesituation.Attendanevent that interests you, and you will gain insight.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Dream big, but have a practical plan in place.

Keep your emotions under control and focus on facts when negotiating. Home improvements are likely to costmorethanyouanticipate.Leave wiggle room in your budget.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Explore the possibilities, but don’t act until you have the budget and the time to complete your mission. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something you don’t want or can’t afford.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

goren Bridge

Answers to puzzles

1. Football. 2. Clark Gable (as Rhett Butler). 3. Kamala Harris. 4. "The Apprentice." 5. Grauman's Chinese Theater.6.Battle of Gettysburg. 7. Baseball. 8.Don Knotts. 9. Ava Gardner.10. "The Star-SpangledBanner." 11.Pete Seeger. 12. Penny loafer.13. Robert Ford. 14. "Give me liberty or give me death!" 15. Acomic strip.

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

If people sat outside and lookedatthe stars each night, I'll bet they'd live alot differently.— Bill Watterson

Crossword Answers

jeFF mACnelly’sshoe/ by Gary Brookins &Susie MacNelly

FoXtrot/ by BillAmend dustin /bySteve Kelley&JeffParker