The Acadiana Advocate 07-30-2025

Unusualcoalition fights plants forMeta

Environmentalists, oilcompanies oppose data center powerproposal

BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer

It’snot often that environmental groups and oil companies team up for acause. The plan to power Meta’s giantAIdatacenterinremote Louisiana has provedtobearare exception.

Acoalition of some of Louisiana’s largestoil, gas and petrochemical companies are fighting the proposal from Entergytospend billions on three new power plantsand related infrastructure to support thetech giant’sbiggest ever data center

La.OMV replacing computer system

Vendor selected in drivetospeed service

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

Getting adriver’slicense, registration or other service from Louisiana’sOffice of Motor Vehicles couldget much easierbecause the state has selected avendorto replace its half-century-oldcomputer system, state officials said. “It’llbemodern. It’ll be quick. It’ll be easy in-and-out of the OMVs,” said Bryan Adams, who has overseen the agency since Dan Casey resigned as commissioner in March. “Wehope to make theexperience whenyou go to the Office of Motor Vehiclesa lot friendlier thanitisnow,because obviously the system we have is outdated. It’sslow.Itshutsdown.”

Gov.Jeff Landry announced Tuesday the choice of anew system in avideo posted on social media, saying Louisianans will be able to “rely on astate-of-the-art program.” The video is part of his ‘Diner Days’ series on YouTube. Eventually,the state hopes Louisianans will be able to access some services online, but officials donot yet know what exactly will bepossible,Adamssaid.

“Ultimately we want tobeable to give our citizens achoice and make it much easier for them to renew their driver’slicenses,

ä See OMV, page 7A

They have joined environmental and consumer watchdogs in the effort.

Thecompanies, under thebanner the Louisiana Energy Users Group (LEUG), allege Entergy’splan would createan“unprecedented risk”toother utility customers, potentially leaving themtocover costs. Entergy says safeguards will be in place, while Meta and state officials highlight the economicdevelopment benefitsthe project will bring to an impoverished area of northeast Louisiana.

Meta, theparent company of Facebook,Instagramand WhatsApp, announced itsplan in December to build the $10 billion data center in rural Richland Parish. The new facility will be acenterpiece of thetech company’sracetocreate technologysmarter than the human brain.

Entergy,the state’slargest utility, is building the plants to power the facility,which will sit on agricultural land the size of around 70 football fields andconsume moreelectricity than two New Orleans summers.

ä See COALITION, page 7A

BY KASEYBUBNASH Staff writer

Sharing of satellite stormdata to continue

The federal government is reversing course on aplan to cut crucial hurricane forecasting satellitedata followingpushback from meteorologists and government officials nationwide.

Erica Grow Cei, aspokesperson forthe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Tuesday thatdatacollected throughthe DefenseMeteorologicalSatellite Program would continue to be distributed forthe foreseeable future.

DMSP satellites,which are operated by NOAA and the U.S. Air Force, provide environmental and weather information used both in the planning of U.S. military operationsand NOAA’s weatherforecasts, according to the agency

While Grow Cei said the program represents just one dataset in “a robust suite” of hurricane forecasting and modeling tools used by NOAA, hurricane and weather experts say the loss of DMSP satellites, which offer unique capabilities that help scientists track storms at night andspotsigns of rapid intensification, would be adevastating blow.

The U.S. Department of Defense first announced plans to halt data collection through the program in late June, with the suspension slated for June 30. No reasoning was providedina servicenotice issued by NOAA on June 26.

Thenewscameasa shocktolocal and national weather forecasters, many of

WWII postal battalionmay getnew honor

Lafayettenative thoughttobelast living member of unit

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

Last year Netflix released anew Tyler Perry film, “The Six Triple Eight,” honoring the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. During World WarII, this unit worked tirelessly to connect American soldiers in Europe with mail from home, under the banner phrase “no mail, low morale.”

This all-Black battalion was part of theWomen’s Army Corps, and aLafayette native, Fannie Griffin McClendon, was among their ranks. In April, the 6888th were honored with aCongressionalGold Medal. Soon, these intrepid women maybefeatured on anew forever stamp through the U.S. Postal Service, if apetition by theSix Triple Eight Stamp Project Team receives enough signatures. In the spring of 1945, thewomen of the 6888th were shipped out to Birmingham, England,totakeon theextraordinarily difficult task of delivering abacklog of around 17 million pieces of mail. Much of themailwas damaged, poorly

addressed, indecipherable— and McClendonand herfellowsoldiers

figured out how to deliver it,clearing what was expected to be asixmonth taskinthree months. They were then moved to France, where the 6888threpeated the feat and were lauded with aparade in Paris after victorywas declared in Europe. After returningtothe U.S., the women of the unit dispersed to their homes and careers around the country.Many of them stayed in military service, such as Lafayette-born McClendon, who achieved the rank of major in the AirForce before becominganantiques dealer McClendon is now 104 years

oldand living in Tempe, Arizona She is thought to be thelast living member of the 6888th, and her niece, Dianne Mouton-Allen (a member of thestampproject team) resides in Lafayette. Forever stamps are designedto depict distinguishedpeople, historic milestones andnatural wonders.Theyare nondenominated, and are intended to always be usable regardless of current postage price. Forever stamps are linked to the current price of a1-ounce First-Class mailpostage. The full petition, titled “Honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion withaU.S.Forever Stamp,” can be found at Change.org.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Lafayette native FannieGriffin McClendon was acommissioned officer in the Women’sArmyCorps during WorldWar II.

Twostorms rumble off the coast of Hawaii

HONOLULU Amajor hurricane was churning across the Pacific Ocean but was several hundred miles south-southeast of Hawaii and posed no threat to the islands, forecasters saidTuesday. Hurricane Iona is one of two major weather systems in the central Pacific Ocean.

In its latest advisory, theMiami-based U.S. NationalHurricane Center said Iona wasabout 735milesawayfromHonolulu, with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph.

Additional strengthening was forecastlater on Tuesday,with steady weakening expected to begin by Wednesday.Iona was moving west at 14 mph.

Hurricane Iona is thefirst named storm of the hurricane season in the central Pacific and emerged Sunday from atropical depression.Itcontinues to trek west over warm, open waters.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Keli has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph,the NHC said Tuesday.Itwas about 790miles southeast of Honolulu and was moving west at about 15 mph. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect.

Record-breaking heat wave scorches U.S.

SAVANNAH, Ga. Residents in the Southeast U.S. are no strangers to heat in the summertime, butthisweek’s sweltering hot weather set at least one record and has forecastersurging residents to limittime outside on Tuesday if possible —and stay hydrated.

The all-time high temperature at Tampa International Airport was broken on Sunday when the thermometer hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Theprevious record had been 99 FinJune 2020.

The NationalWeatherService said Tuesday the prolonged heat is expected to peak in the Southeast at midweek. Astrong upper ridge also was generating a “dangerous and prolonged” heat wave in the central and eastern sectionsofthe country.Anextreme heatwarning was in effect through Wednesday night in New Jersey counties outside New York City,and the mercury hit an unseemly 97 FinManhattan.

In Savannah, landscaper

Darius Cowherd took abreak Tuesday in the cab of his work truck after spending the morning mowing grass, trimming bushes and blowing leaves in Forsyth Park in the coastalcity’s downtown historic district

Sipping from agiant water bottle almost the size of agallon jug, he said, “I filled it with ice at 7this morning and it’sall melted by 10:30.”

Acanopy of live oak trees in muchofthe park provided little relief.“It’shot even when you’re working in the shade,” said Cowherd

The NationalWeatherService predicted temperaturesinSavannahwould reach 97 FTuesday,with heat index values what the temperature feelslike —approaching abroiling 110F 12-hour boat chase nets 11/2 tons of coke

SANTODOMINGO,Dominican Republic

Authorities in the Dominican Republic said Tuesday that they chased aboat for more than 12 hours and discovered 11/2 tonsof cocaine aboard it.

It’sone of the Caribbean country’sbiggest seizures in history, said Carlos Devers, spokespersonfor the country’sAnti-Drug Agency.Helicopters, boats and cars were involved in thechase, which beganMonday off the country’ssouth coast near Pedernales. It ended with the arrest of three Dominicans and one Colombian, Devers said.

Authorities also seized items including acellphone, 13 jerrycans of fuel, asmall cooler filled with water and food, and abackpack with achange of clothes.

CORRECTION

Astory published Tuesday should have stated thatLafayette Parish officials are negotiating acontract to lease landon Louisiana Avenue to build the Northeast Regional Libraryfor $1 ayear for 99 years with options for 11 nine-year renewals. The Advocate regrets theerror

Trumpcapshis Scottish visit by openinganew golf course

‘Mymotherwas born here,and sheloved it’

BY WILL WEISSERT and DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

BALMEDIE, Scotland— Golf and Scotlandare close to U.S. President Donald Trump’sheart, and both were in play Tuesday as he opened anew eponymouscourse in the land of his mother’sbirth, capping afive-day trip that was largely about promoting his family’sluxury properties.

Flanked by sons Eric and Donald Jr., Trumpcounted “1-2-3” and wielded apair of golden scissors to cut ared ribbon marking the ceremonialopening of the new Trump course in the village of Balmedie on Scotland’s northerncoast.

“This hasbeen an unbelievable development,” Trump said before theribbon-cutting. He thanked Eric, who designed the course, saying his work on the project was “truly alabor of love for him.”

EricTrump said thecourse was hisfather’s“passion project.”

Immediately afterward, President Trump, Eric Trump andtwo professional golfers teed off on the first hole with plans to play afull 18 before the president returns to Washington on Tuesdaynight.

Trumprarely allows the news media to watch his golf game, though video journalists and photographers often find him along the course whenever he plays.

President Trump’sshot had asolid sound andsoared straight,high and relatively far.Clearly pleased, he turned to thecameras and did an almost half-bow

“He likes thecourse, ladies and gentlemen,” Eric Trumpsaid.

Billed as the “Greatest 36 Holes in Golf,” the TrumpInternational GolfLinks, Scotland, is hosting back-to-back weekend tournaments beforeitbegins offering rounds to thepublic on Aug. 13.

President Trumpworked some official business into the trip by holding talks withBritish Prime MinisterKeir Starmerand reaching atrade framework for tariffs between the U.S.and the European Union’s27member countries— though scores of key details remain to be settled

Butthe tripitselfwas centered around golf, andthe presidential visit served to raise thenew course’sprofile.

Trump’sassetsare in atrust and his sons are running thefamily business while he’s in the White House. Anybusiness generated at the course will ultimatelyenrich the president when he leaves office, though.

The new golf course will be the third owned by the TrumpOrganization in Scotland. Trumpbought Turnberry in 2014 and ownsanother course near Aberdeen that opened in 2012.

Trump golfedatTurnberry on Saturday,asprotesters took to the streets, and on Sunday,before meetinginthe afternoon with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

The occasion blended twothings dear to Trump: golf and Scotland.

His mother,the late Mary Anne MacLeod, wasborn on the Isle of Lewis on the north coast.

“WeloveScotland here. My mother was born here,and she loved it,” Trumpsaid Tuesday

Perhaps the only mood-buster forTrump are the wind turbines thatare part of anearby windfarm andcan be seen fromaround the new course.

Trump,who often speaks about his hatred of windmills, sued in 2013 to block construction of the wind farm but lost the case and was eventually ordered to pay legal costsfor filing the lawsuit —a matter that still enrages him more than adecade later Trumpsaid on anew episode of the New York Post’s“Pod Force One” podcast that the “ugly windmills” area“shame” and are “really hurting” Scotland.

Childkilledbybrain-eating amoeba afterS.C.lakeouting

Parentsseekmore warnings, watertesting

BY JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press

COLUMBIA,S.C. Twoweeks after Jaysen Carr spent the Fourth of July swimming andriding on aboat on one of SouthCarolina’smost popular lakes, he wasdead from an amoebathatlives in thewarm water andentered hisbrainthrough his nose.

His parents had no clue the brain-eating amoeba,whose scientific name is Naegleria fowleri, even existed in Lake Murray, just 15 miles west of Columbia. Theyfound outwhen adoctor,intears, told them the diagnosisafter what seemed like afairly regular headache and nausea took aserious turn.

Jaysen, 12, fought for aweek before dying on July 18, making him oneofabout 160 people known to have died from the amoeba in the U.S. in thepast60years.

As they grieve their son, the boy’sparents said they were stunned to learn South Carolina, like most other U.S.states, has no law requiring public reporting of deaths orinfections fromthe amoeba. The lake wasn’tclosed and no water testing was performed. If they hadn’tspoken up, they wonder if anyone would have even known what happened.

“I can’tbelieve we don’thaveour son. The result of him being achild was losing his life. Thatdoes not sit well. And Iam terrified it will happen to someone else,” ClarenceCarrsaid,ashis wife sat beside him, hugging astuffedtiger thathad arecordingoftheir middle child’sheartbeat Jaysenloved sports. He played football and baseball.Helovedpeople, too. As soon as he met you, he was your friend, his fathersaid.Hewas smartenough to

have skippeda grade in school andtoplay several instruments in his middle school band in Columbia.

Friendsinvited Jaysen andhis family for the Fourth of July holiday on the lake, where Jaysen spent hours swimming, fishing andriding on an innertube that was being pulled by aboat.

“Mom and Dad, that was the best Fourth of July I’veeverhad,” Clarence Carrremembered his son telling him.

Afew days later,Jaysen’shead started to hurt. Painrelievers helped. But the next day the headache got worse and he startedthrowingup. He told theemergency room doctorsexactly where he was hurting. But soon he started toget disoriented and lethargic.

The amoeba was in his brain, already causing an infection and destroying brain tissue. The amoeba caused an infection called primaryamebic meningoencephalitis. Fewer than 10 people ayear get it in theU.S., and over 95% of them die. The last death from theamoeba in South Carolina was in 2016, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.

Suspect sought in questioning over park murders

BY ANDREWDEMILLO Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Arkansas po-

lice released aphoto Tuesday of aman wanted forquestioning in the investigation into the weekend killing of amarried couple in front of their children at Devil’sDen State Park.

The image released by state police doesn’t show theman’s face,and comes aday after police released acomposite sketchofa person of interest. Detailsabout theattack,including how thecouplewas killedora motive forthe killing, remained scarce.

ClintonDavid Brink, 43, andCristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on awalking trail Saturday at Devil’sDen, 2,500-acre state park in northwest Arkansas Their daughters, whoare 7and 9, were not hurt and are being cared forbyfamily members, authorities have said.

Policehavenot said howthe couple were killed, but said Monday night the killer likely was injured during the attack. Authorities have asked the public to report tips andurged trailgoers who were at Devil’sDen on Saturdaytolook through their photos and videos for possible images of the suspect. State police said they have received“numerous calls” but have released fewdetails about the investigation. Police have notidentifiedthe killer,but have provided adescription, the composite sketch and the photo of aperson of interest.

The photo was provided by a witness whowas at Devil’sDen State Park on Saturday,police said. The photo wastaken from behind anddoes notshowthe person of interest’sface.

Officials described the suspect as aWhite male wearing dark shorts, adark ball cap, sunglasses and fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward apark exit in ablack, fourdoor sedan.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByJACQUELyN MARTIN

President DonaldTrump is followedbybagpipers at the opening ceremony for the Trump International Golf Linksgolf course, near Aberdeen, Scotland,onTuesday.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Clarence Carr and his son, Jaysen, at his middle school football game in Columbia, S.C.

Artistsketch

Shaky ceasefire holding between Thailand, Cambodia

BY JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI and SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press

SURIN Thailand A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appeared shaky but remained in place Tuesday as tensions lingered despite a truce agreement to end deadly border clashes following economic pressure from the U.S.

The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect at midnight on Monday, but was quickly tested.

Thailand’s army accused Cambodia of launching attacks in multiple areas early Tuesday, but Cambodia said there was no firing in any location.

While some spillover had been anticipated in the hours immediately after the ceasefire took effect, a Thai government statement late Tuesday said that a new clash had broken out at one of the locations where there had previously been heavy fighting.

Jirayu Huangsap, a spokesperson for the office of Thailand prime minister, said in a text message to journalists that the Thai military “is currently responding and controlling the situation” at Phu Makhuea, a mountain in a disputed area next to Thaikand’s Sisaket province.

Thailand’s army had

said the morning fighting stopped after military commanders along the border from both sides met. They agreed to halt troop movements, avoid escalation and establish coordination teams before a joint border committee meeting in Cambodia on Aug. 4, army spokesman Major Gen. Winthai Suvaree said.

Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha said that he spoke to his Thai counterpart about “incidents” that occurred during the implementation of the ceasefire, but stressed that Cambodia’s army abided by the truce. He said that Cambodian defense officials would lead a delegation of diplomats, foreign military attachés and others to observe the situation.

The Thai government separately said it has complained to Malaysia, the U.S. and China about Cambodia’s alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement. There were signs of calm along the border, with some of the more than 260,000 people displaced by the fighting returning to their homes.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, had agreed on Monday to an “unconditional” halt in fighting, which has killed at least 41 people.

Russian bombs kill 27 in Ukraine

Trump gives Putin 10 days to end war

BY HANNA ARHIROVA and ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine Glide bombs and ballistic missiles struck a Ukrainian prison and a medical facility overnight as Russia’s relentless strikes on civilian areas killed at least 27 people across the country, officials said Tuesday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to soon punish Russia with sanctions and tariffs unless it stops. Four powerful Russian glide bombs hit a prison in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, authorities said. They killed at least 16 inmates and wounded more than 90 others, Ukraine’s Justice Ministry said.

In the Dnipro region of central Ukraine, authorities said Russian missiles partially destroyed a threestory building and damaged nearby medical facilities, including a maternity hospital and a city hospital ward. At least three people were killed, including a 23-yearold pregnant woman, and two other people were killed elsewhere in the region, regional authorities said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that overnight Russian strikes across the country hit 73 cities, towns and villages. “These were conscious, deliberate strikes — not accidental,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

Pope kicks off Catholic youth festival

Surprise popemobile salute gets cheers

BY NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

VATICAN CITY Pope Leo XIV surprised tens of thousands of young Catholics on Tuesday and showed up unexpectedly at a Holy Year welcome ceremony, thrilling the kids and receiving a rock star’s welcome in the first big youth event of his pontificate.

Leo emerged in St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile at the end of an evening Mass that kicked off the Jubilee of Youth, a weeklong celebration for young Catholics. The estimated 120,000 young pilgrims who had packed the square erupted in shocked cheers and chants, as Leo looped around the square and up and down the boulevard leading to it.

For 20 minutes, Leo beamed, waved and clearly seemed to enjoy the outpouring of enthusiasm from his perch on the popemobile, as he took in the sea of cheering, flag-waving young people from around the world as the setting sun cast a golden glow over the basilica.

In a brief off-the-cuff salute and blessing from the altar, he told the young pilgrims that they were bea-

cons of light, hope and peace that the world needs today

“The world needs messages of hope. You are this message, and must give hope to everyone,” he said in a mix of Spanish, English and Italian.

“We want peace in the world. We want peace in the world!”

Leo, the first American pope, hadn’t been expected to meet with the young pilgrims as a group until the weekend, when he was to preside over a vigil Saturday and Mass on Sunday in the highlight of the Jubilee week.

Tuesday’s Mass had been celebrated by the Italian archbishop who organized the Holy Year, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, but it was he who

Trump said Tuesday he is giving Russian President Vladimir Putin 10 days to stop the killing in Ukraine after three years of war, moving up a 50-day deadline he had given the Russian leader two weeks ago. The move meant Trump wants peace efforts to make progress by Aug. 8.

Trump has repeatedly rebuked Putin for talking about ending the war but continuing to bombard Ukrainian civilians. But the Kremlin hasn’t changed its tactics.

“I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump said during a visit to Scotland Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia is determined to achieve its goals in Ukraine, though he said Moscow has “taken note” of Trump’s announcement and is committed to seeking a peaceful solution Zelenskyy welcomed Trump’s shortening of the deadline. “Everyone needs peace — Ukraine, Europe, the United States and responsible leaders across the globe,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on Telegram. “Everyone except Russia.”

The Kremlin pushed back, with a top Putin lieutenant warning Trump against “playing the ultimatum game with Russia.”

“Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran,” former president Dmitry Medvedev, who is deputy head of the country’s Security Council, wrote on social platform X

“Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country,” Medvedev said.

on Tuesday.

urged the kids to not leave the square at the end, because the pope “had a surprise for us.

The crowd responded with the classic refrain from Catholic youth gatherings: “This is the youth of the pope.”

This week, downtown Rome has swarmed with energetic, singing and dancing masses of teenage Catholic scouts, church and Catholic school groups whose numbers are expected to swell to 500,000 by the weekend. It all had the vibe of a scaled-down World Youth Day the once-everythree-year Catholic Woodstock festival that was inaugurated by

Pope Leo XIV greets faithful at

of

Mass celebrated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in St. Peter’s Basilica on the occasion of the youth Jubilee at the Vatican

AP PHOTO

Trump says U.S. will help in Gaza

Country will partner with Israel on food centers

BY MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. will partner with Israel to run new food centers in Gaza to address the worsening humanitarian crisis there, but he and U.S. officials offered few additional details about the plan or how it would differ from existing food distribution centers.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from a trip to Scotland that Israel would preside over the new food centers “to make sure the distribution is proper.”

“We’re going to be dealing with Israel, and we think they can do a good job of it,” Trump said.

The opaque details come as the Trump administration is facing calls at home and abroad to do more to address the hunger crisis in Gaza.

The U.S.’s close ally, Israel, is at the center of an international outcry as more images of emaciated children continue to emerge. That pressure comes after the U.S. pulled out of talks last week to try to broker a ceasefire in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war, accusing Hamas of acting in bad faith.

But Trump this week broke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, disagreeing publicly with him about starvation in Gaza and citing the pictures of hungry people

The White House described it as “a new aid plan” to help people in Gaza obtain access to food and promised that details would emerge It did not elaborate.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Tuesday that she didn’t

know “the framework” of how the new aid distribution would work.

“I’m waiting for the president to return. I don’t want to get ahead of him,” Bruce said.

Democrats in Congress have implored the Trump administration to step up its role in addressing the suffering and starvation in Gaza.

More than 40 senators signed a letter Tuesday urging the Trump administration to resume ceasefire talks and sharply criticizing the Israeli-backed American organization that had already been created to distribute food aid

Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned why the U.S. was not allowing long-standing aid groups to run food centers.

“I’m glad that the president is saying that this is a problem. But if we want to solve the problem, turn to the folks who have been doing this for decades,” Kaine said.

The few details Trump provided about the new food centers appeared similar to a program that was already rolled out in May, after Is-

rael had blocked all food, medicine and other imports for 21/2 months.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israelibacked American contractor opened four food distribution sites that month.

Israel and GHF said that system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off aid The United Nations, which has been distributing food in Gaza throughout the war when allowed, denies any significant diversion of aid by Hamas.

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while heading to the GHF sites, according to witnesses, health officials and the U.N. human rights office. Israel says its forces have only fired warning shots at people who approach its forces, and GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray and fired occasional shots in the air to prevent dangerous crowding.

The aid sites are in Israeli military zones, which is off limits to independent media.

The U.N. refuses to cooperate with GHF, saying its model violates humanitarian principles by forcing Palestinians to travel long

distances and risk their lives for food and because it allows Israel to control aid and use it to further mass displacement.

Trump said Tuesday that he last spoke to Netanyahu two days earlier and that the Israeli leader wants to distribute food “in a proper manner.”

The president, for the second day in a row, remarked on the images of starving people and kids in Gaza, which seemed to prompt him this week to announce the new plan and his break with Netanyahu.

Trump said Tuesday that everyone who saw the images coming out of Gaza would declare it terrible “unless they’re pretty cold-hearted or worse than that, nuts.”

The shift brings Trump closer to some in his MAGA base, who have rejected the Republican Party’s longstanding, unequivocal support for Israel and see aid money flowing to the country as yet another misguided foreign intervention.

They include Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump ally, who has echoed the rhetoric of progressive Democrats in recent days.

Maxwell says she’s

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President

Donald Trump said Tuesday that Jeffrey Epstein “stole” young women who worked for the spa at Mar-a-Lago, the latest evolution in his description of how their highly scrutinized relationship ended years ago.

One of the women, he acknowledged, was Virginia Giuffre, who was among Epstein’s most well-known sex trafficking accusers.

Trump’s comments expanded on remarks he had made a day earlier, when he said he had banned Epstein from his private club in Florida two decades ago because his one-time friend “stole people that worked for me.” At the time, he did not make clear who those workers were.

The Republican president has faced an outcry over his administration’s refusal to release more records about Epstein after promises of transparency, a rare example of strain within Trump’s tightly controlled political coalition. Trump has attempted to tamp down questions about the case, expressing annoyance that people are still talking about it six years after Epstein died by suicide while awaiting trial, even though some of his own allies have promoted conspiracy theories about it.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s imprisoned former girlfriend, was recently interviewed inside a Florida

courthouse by the Justice Department’s No. 2 official, though officials have not publicly disclosed what she said. Her lawyers said Tuesday that she’s willing to answer more questions from Congress if she is granted immunity from future prosecution for her testimony Aboard Air Force One while returning from Scotland, Trump said he was upset that Epstein was “taking people who worked for me.” The women, he said, were “taken out of the spa, hired by him — in other words, gone.”

“I said, listen, we don’t want you taking our people,” Trump said When it happened again, Trump said he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. Asked if Giuffre was one of the employees poached by Epstein, he demurred but then said “he stole her.” The White House originally said Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because he was acting like a “creep.”

Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year. She claimed that Maxwell spotted her working as a spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago in 2000, when she was a teenager, and hired her as Epstein’s masseuse, which led to sexual abuse.

Although Giuffre’s allegations did not become part of criminal prosecutions against Epstein, she is central to conspiracy theories about the case. She accused Epstein of pressuring her into having sex.

Maxwell, who has denied Giuffre’s allegations, is serving a 20-year-prison sentence in a Florida federal prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse underage girls.

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

N.Y. gunman was trying to get to NFL offices

Police say he claimed to have brain disease linked to sports

BY JENNIFER PELTZ, CEDAR ATTANASIO, DAVE COLLINS and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

NEW YORK A gunman who killed four people inside a Manhattan office tower blamed his mental health problems on the NFL and intended to target the league’s headquarters upstairs, but he took the wrong elevator officials said Tuesday Investigators said Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker, was carrying a handwritten note in his wallet that claimed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE, and accused the league of hiding the dangers of brain injuries linked to contact sports.

Tamura, 27, shot several people in the skyscraper’s lobby and an-

other in a 33rd-floor office on Monday before he killed himself, authorities said. Among the victims were an off-duty New York City police officer and a security guard.

The attacker’s grievances with the NFL emerged as police began piecing together the details of his life and the cross-country road trip that brought him to Manhattan. It’s unclear if Tamura showed symptoms of CTE, which can only be diagnosed by examining the brain after a person dies.

Tamura, who played high school football in California a decade ago but never played in the NFL, had a history of mental illness, police said In the three-page note found on his body, he accused the NFL of concealing the dangers to players’ brains for profit The degenerative brain disease has been linked to concussions and other repeated head trauma common in contact

July 31 was still a go.

whom complained of having little to no notice regarding the critical change They also complained of poor timing — the announcement came a month into the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 through Nov 30.

Michael Lowry, a Miami-based meteorologist and hurricane specialist, said the elimination of DMSP data was the biggest hit to U.S hurricane forecasting capabilities in “a very long time.”

On June 30, NOAA announced that the suspension date had been delayed to “no later than July 31” in response to concerns raised by personnel at NASA. In that notice, the agency said the program was being decommissioned “to mitigate a significant cybersecurity risk,” though officials didn’t provide further details

NOAA’s latest announcement comes just a week after the U.S. Navy confirmed to Lowry that the plan to halt data processing on

A spokesperson for the U.S. Navy said Tuesday that officials had planned to discontinue the satellite data as part of a Defense Department “modernization effort.”

“But after feedback from government partners, officials found a way to meet modernization goals while keeping the data flowing until the sensor fails or the program formally ends in September 2026,” the spokesperson said.

Hurricane and weather forecasters celebrated the reversal as at least a temporary win. Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach said the plan had faced its fair share of pushback from government officials, many of whom asked that the program continue at least through the end of hurricane season.

‘Cautiously optimistic’

New Orleans meteorologist Scot Pilié said he was relieved to hear the news. But, after the whiplash over DMSP data and broader cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service by the Trump administra-

sports such as football

In the note, Tamura repeatedly said he was sorry and asked that his brain be studied for CTE. He mentioned a PBS Frontline documentary about the disease and referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who was diagnosed with CTE, and the manner in which Long killed himself in 2005.

The NFL long denied the link between football and CTE, but it acknowledged the connection in 2016 testimony before Congress and has paid more than $1.4 billion to retired players to settle concussion-related claims.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who works out of the offices, called the shooting “an unspeakable act of violence in our building,” saying he was deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers who responded and to the one who gave his life to protect others.

Goodell said in a memo to staff that a league employee was seriously injured in the attack and was hospitalized in stable condition.

tion, Pilié remains skeptical of the program’s future.

“This is a good thing,” Pilié said. “I’m very happy But, you know, we’ll see what happens next.”

The reversal is good news for the current hurricane season as it inches ever closer to the time of year when tropical activity in the Atlantic Ocean is historically at its peak, from mid-August through October

Roughly 86% of all tropical activity occurs after Aug. 2, Pilié said, and the loss of such an important hurricane forecasting tool at the end of July would have almost certainly had immediate consequences.

What this means for Louisiana

While traditional satellites essentially take photos of the Earth’s surface, Pilié said microwave satellites like those associated with DMSP give scientists a look “under the hood of a storm,” allowing them to analyze the structure, intensity and changes happening within a storm’s core.

This, he said, is especially important at night and in between Hurri-

The shooting happened along Park Avenue, one of the nation’s most recognized streets, and just blocks from Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center

The attack drew a response from the White House, with President Donald Trump posting on social media, “My heart is with the families of the four people who were killed, including the NYPD Officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice.” Tamura, who worked security at the Horseshoe Las Vegas but failed to show up to his shift Sunday, drove across the country over the past few days and into New York City just before the attack, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

Detectives plan to question a man who supplied parts for the AR-15-style rifle Tamura used Monday, including the weapon’s lower receiver, she said during a news conference.

Surveillance video showed Tamura getting out of a BMW early Monday evening and strolling across a plaza in a button-down

cane Hunter missions, when many other kinds of satellites struggle to collect data. Hurricane Hunters are often hailed as one of most useful tools available to forecasters, but Pilié said they can’t fly into every storm.

If a storm were rapidly strengthening off Louisiana’s coast, Pilié said, DMSP satellites would give forecasters a clearer picture of the changes happening inside, information that would go straight into the hurricane models that inform the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts and, thus, the region’s emergency planning efforts.

The elimination of that data, he said, would lead to less accurate hurricane forecasts.

“Less data in means worse data out,” Pilié said.

More cuts on the horizon?

The Trump administration has made sweeping cuts to NOAA and the weather service since January, leaving nearly half the weather service’s 122 local field offices with vacancy rates of more than 20% by early April, according to data collected by The Associated Press.

shirt and jacket with the rifle at his side before he entered the building, which also has offices for the investment firm Blackstone and other companies. It was closed Tuesday except to investigators. Once inside, he sprayed the lobby with gunfire, killing Didarul Islam, the off-duty police officer who was working a corporate security detail, and hitting a woman who tried to take cover, Tisch said He then made his way to the elevator bank, shooting a guard at a security desk and another man in the lobby, she said. Tamura took an elevator to the 33rd-floor offices of the company that owns the building, Rudin Management, and shot and killed someone there before fatally shooting himself, the commissioner said. He shot himself in the chest, according to Adams. Blackstone confirmed that one of its employees, real estate executive Wesley LePatner, was among those killed. Security officer Aland Etienne also died, according to a labor union.

Some offices were so shortstaffed they were forced to cut down on weather balloon launches and overnight staffing, leading meteorologists across the county to voice concerns about the nation’s weather forecasting capabilities, particularly during natural disasters and the current hurricane season, which is expected to bring above-average activity

Though the weather service announced plans in June to hire 126 workers and transfer existing employees to its most understaffed offices Trump unveiled a budget proposal this month that signals more cuts could be on the way next fiscal year

The proposed budget would close 10 NOAA climate research labs, including one in Miami that sends Hurricane Hunters into storms to collect data, according to a report by The New York Times. It would also make major cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a federal program that uses river gauges to predict floods, changes the White House says are needed to improve efficiency

Tamura

The proposed natural gas plants and othertransmission resources amount to around $5 billion in new infrastructure.

The utility needs approval from the state’sPublic Service Commission to build the plants, and adecision is expected this fall

LEUG’sopposition mirrors other fights across the country as the data center build-out transformsthe nation’senergy landscape, said Ari Peskoe, aHarvard Law School professor who authored aMarchstudy documenting how the public is footing the electricity bills of tech giants.

“It’sjustabout themoney,” Peskoe said. “They don’t want to have to pay asingle nickel for asingle piece of infrastructure built by Entergy for Meta.”

Entergy argues its proposalwill benefit other ratepayers. It says that the tech company will pay for asubstantial amount of the costs of the new power generation, including full annual revenue of the new plants for 15 years.

The proposal also notes the project will create thousands of constructionjobs and up to 500 permanent roles, though it is unclear

OMV

Continued from page1A

address issues at OMV,get adriver’slicense,” Landry said. “Wewant to try to get them ina position where if they want to —they will be able to do it online.”

CHAMP Titles will work with thestate to installthe new system.

“A lot of the stuff will be automated. We hope that you can do alot of it from LA Wallet, from your phone,” Adams said. “That’spart of what we’ve asked CHAMP to help us produce. We want

if theywillgotolocals.

The issues came to ahead acouple weeks ago at a hearingbefore ajudge in BatonRouge, as LEUGand theenvironmental groups questioned Entergy over its power plans.

Lane Sisung, testifying on behalf of the PSC staffatthe hearing,analyzedthreescenariosand found allshowa positivenet benefit to ratepayers. “All of these relyonassumptions —assumptions that may or may not happen,” Sisung noted. “So there’sstill risks to ratepayers.”

‘Captive ratepayers’

The companies wantMeta to payfor more of the infrastructure Entergy is buildingfor the project and provide longer advance notice if it wants to leave afterthe initial 15-year contract

The plants’fuel and $550 million in newtransmission lines are amongcosts not covered by Meta. LEUG is also concernedthatEntergy’s estimated $3.2 billion projectiontobuild the plants couldrise,and it wants to ensure theutility pays any increases.

Separately,Meta asked for additional power in February,according to public filings, and LEUG wants to ensure thetech company coversthat request.The amount of new power that

to makethe experience easy, quick and convenient.”

It is expected to take two years to fully install thenew system,but Adams saidthe state hopes to complete the driver’slicense component of thesystem in oneyear It will taketime to build a systemthatsuits Louisiana’s needs,and to transferall the OMV’sdatafromthe oldsystem into the newone,hesaid. The contract with CHAMP will cost Louisiana $54 million over six years, according to theOMV.The company has previously worked for West Virginia, Kentucky, New Jersey and Illinois, the agency said

Meta wants has been redacted from public documents.

In the current deal, Meta hastonotify Entergyatleast one year before thecontract expiresifitdoesn’twantto renew.Entergy says that provision was the outcome of extensive negotiations, anditadds that older plants in theareacould be retired and replaced with thenew ones if Meta pulls out.

To argue itscase, however, LEUG estimates that Entergy shareholders receive $48 million in profit for every billion in new infrastructure added to what all customers collectively pay for.That could mean hundreds of millions of dollarsofprofitfor theutility

It saysEntergy “should not be allowed touse itsmonopoly structure to unreasonably propose financial risks on its existing captive ratepayers to serve thenew datacenter load,while it reaps the return-on-equity benefitstobegainedfrom theunprecedented billions of new infrastructure spending.”

Theutility confirmed that its return on equity is around $48 million per billion of infrastructure, but reiterated that “the vast majority of these investments” are being paid for by Meta.

“It’s also important to note Entergy worked with Meta to pre-fund significant portions of the investmentnec-

Louisiana’sexisting softwaresystem is over 50 years old. That became amajor issueearlier this year when persistent outages disrupted services at OMV offices and public tag agents across the state. The outages lasted for weeks.

During that time, Gov Jeff Landry declared astate of emergency related to the outages and waived the procurement process forthe OMV’snew software. Normally,sucha process can takesix to nine months.

Email Meghan Friedmann at meghan.friedmann@ theadvocate.com.

essarytoserve theirload,” said Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli. “This approach assures that such investment arepaidfor exclusively by Meta, not by our customers.”

An unusualalliance

The environmental nonprofitsare largely makingthe same argument as LEUG. Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy,pointed out that the two opposing groups are“representing all of Entergy’s other customers.”

Akey issue uniting them is the15-year deal between Metaand Entergy,since the lifespan of the power plants being built can exceed 30 years.

They also point out that the actual contract between theutility andthe tech giant is not up for regulatory approval andcannotbeviewed by thepublic.

“All of our futures are tied up in aconfidentialagreement between two massive

corporations, whichiswhy it’s so importantthatthe PSC stand in the middleof that,” Burke said.

During public testimony earlierthis month, Laura Beauchamp, Entergy’svice president of business strategy and operations, said that putting the newgas plants into the pool for all customerswillend up benefiting everyone.

“The fact that we have brand-new,highly efficient, latest technology combined cycles, all the customers will benefit from the utilization of theseresources on our grid,” Beauchampsaid.

Renewableconcerns

Another concern for the industrial alliance mayalso be unexpected for oil and petrochemical companies: renewable energy. Meta hasagreed to build 1,500 megawatts of solar power in Louisiana to offsetsome of the emissions that the fossilfuel powered plants would generate.

LEUG arguesMeta is be-

ing ushered to the front of theline on that project, ahead of Entergy’sother customers looking to access renewable energy.Many of the companies have been waiting foryears forclean energy,which can be beneficial to theminthe global market.LEUG notes more than 3,000 megawatts of industrial requests forrenewable energy is “already in line.”

Entergy says theMetarenewables contract is consistent with asystem in place that is “intended to incentivize the development of new projectswithsustainability goals in Louisiana.”

Scardigli also says many renewable energy requests have been held up by local permitting issues, canceled becauseofcostincreases or are still under construction. Regardless, Entergy is continuing to pursue the requests, he said.

Email Josie Abugov at josie.abugov@theadvocate. com.

Police beatinglawsuit maybedismissed

Twin brothers allege mistreatment by Lafayetteofficers

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Afederal excessive force lawsuit

filedbythe father of twin boys, one of whom was beatenbyLafayette Police officers while they waitedin line outside abowling alley in 2020, may be dismissed becausetheir at-

Concert series honors Lafayette musician

Two-nightevent celebrates ChristopherStafford’s legacy

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

At the time of Christopher Stafford’sdeath ayear ago, the 36-yearold had long been recognized as a phenom in theCajun andLouisiana folk music scene. Stafford, aLafayette native, founded the Cajun-Americana band Feufollet when he was just 11 yearsold.Overthe next 25 years he played constantly,elevating the profile of Acadiana’sregional music with his own band and others. Stafford was afour-time Grammy

ä See CONCERT, page 4B

Man charged with sex crimes againstchild

ADelcambreman is in custody and has beencharged with multiple sex crimes againstajuvenile in Lafayette Parish, officialssaid

CRIME BLOTTER Advocate staff reports

Reni James Landry,37, turned himself in Monday after an investigation by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office ledto warrants for his arrest. He faces two counts of indecent behavior with ajuvenile, three counts of first-degree rape, sexual battery under 13 and five counts

ä See BLOTTER, page 4B

torney was suspended. GeraldCelestine, of Lafayette, filed the federal lawsuit in September 2021 on behalf of his teen sons, Jabari and Gerard Celestine, against Lafayette Consolidated Government, the Lafayette Police Department,former Police Chief Scott Morgan and several LPD of-

ficers.

U.S. District Court Judge Terry Doughty on July 22 indicated he intends to dismiss the lawsuit by Aug. 5, according tocourt records.

On June 5, the Celestines were given 30 days to hireanew attorneyoradvise the judge they intendtorepresent themselves,ac-

cording to records. That deadline lapsed without aresponse. Baton Rouge civil rights attorney Ronald Haley Jr.was suspended by thestate Supreme Court in April. He had represented the Celestines in the federal lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, several Lafayette police officers responded to allegationsthatamale was displayingagun to children in the parking lotofAcadiana Lanes

bowling alley on Ambassador Caffery Parkway.Five officers allegedly responded and found no one matching the description and no gun, so they left.

About 30 minuteslater,the lawsuit alleges, five officers conducted an unrelated traffic stop at the bowling alley where they saw Jabari Celestine, 16 years old

COMMUNITyLOVE

TOP: The sidewalks are pressure washed while volunteersfromLove Our Schoolshelp clean up and help teachers move their supplies into their classrooms duringacommunity Serve Day getting ready for the upcoming school year at Lafayette Elementary School,formerly Lafayette Middle, on Monday in Lafayette.

ABOVE: Onevolunteer pressure washes acovered walkway at the school.

LEFT: Principal Colleen Comeaux, right,watches as workers move abookshelf.

ä See LAWSUIT, page 4B

One of the most basic responsibilitiesofrunning ajailismaking sure thepeoplewho are required to be held there remain locked up. Yet, once more, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has shown it’snot up to thejob. In agenuinely shocking securitylapse,another inmate is now at large, justtwo monthsafter 10 other inmates pulled offabrash late-night escape from the Orleans Justice Center, allegedly with inside help.

This time, there’s no real question of what went wrong.

Khalil Bryan, 30, was mistakenly released last week due to aclerical error,according to SheriffSusan Hutson,after someone posted bond foradifferent inmate with asimilar name. At anews conference, Hutson acknowledged that “this should not have happened. It wasa failure of the internal processes, and thepublic has everyright to expect better.”

She’sright on that.And coming onthe heels of the headline-grabbing jailbreak, it creates another black eye for the cityjust asit’smaking impressive strides in reducing violent crime.

Bryan was being held on a$125,000bond forfailing to appearathis arraignment, court records show.Hefaces multiple chargesin Orleans and Jefferson parishes for illegal possession of stolen property,possessionofdrug paraphernalia, resisting an officer,aggravated assault with afirearm, domestic abuse child endangerment,home invasion and possessionofa firearm by afelon. He previously pleaded guilty to committing armed robbery in 2014, when he was 18.

The Sheriff’s Office has not said what time Bryan was releasedFriday,but thereare reports that more than 12 hourselapsedbefore the mistake was announced

This put the public, and especiallypotential witnesses, at risk —again, as they were when 10 inmates ranacross Interstate10inMay and dispersed intothe city’sneighborhoods.Weare thankful that neither incidenthas resultedinreported harm, but the people of New Orleans and wherever these inmates might headshould not have to rely on that sortoflucktobesafe.

We’re also thankful thatnine of the 10 escaped inmates have been recaptured andare glad that both local and state authorities continue to probe what went wrong thatfrightening night two months ago, even as thefinger-pointing between the Sheriff’s Office chargedwith keeping the jail secure and the citygovernment that fundsitcontinues.

Meanwhile, authorities are callingonBryan to return to the Orleans Justice Center on hisown accord.

“You are afugitive. I’m going to ask thatyou turn yourself in,” New Orleans PoliceSuperintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. If not, “you —and others who may be harboringhim at this moment —will be subject to prosecution.” Tough talk like that wouldn’tbenecessary if the jail functioned as it should.

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.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

Nothing says “Catholic mission” quitelike sinking millionsintoluxury basketball suites while millions of Americansbrace for Medicaid loss

OurLady of the Lake Hospital, supposedly afaith-based institution, is reportedly the lead investor of LSU’s new basketball stadium.Because, of course, thereal crisis today is the shortage of premium seating for hospital executives.

Onewould think aCatholic hospital might focus on the corporal works of mercy —like, say,healing the sick or caring for the poor Instead, it seems they’re focused on networking with the Tiger Athletic Foundation over cocktails in a climate-controlled box.

It’sfascinating how fast themoney comes out when it’sabout stadium exposure, yet when patients lose coverage, there’ssuddenly abudget

As areader andsomeoneregistered as “No Party,” Iappreciate your efforts to keep us informed But I’ve noticed something that could use alittle moreattention: the way angry far-left andangry far-right views seem to dominate opinion and political coverage. It is saidthatthere are always two sides to any issue,but Ibelieve there are generally three —consider the one in the middle.

Manyofus, myself included, fall there. We wantpracticalsolutions, respectful conversations and results —not just loud shouting matches. Unfortunately, the voices of centrists and independents often get drowned outbythe extremes.

That givesapretty skewedpicture of what most people actually think and discourages the kind of compromise our democracy needs.

crunch.

Let’sbeclear: Funding luxury amenities at acollege basketballarena while people are being dropped from Medicaid isn’tjust tone-deaf —it’s morally bankrupt.And doing so under thebanner of areligious institution?That’sthe kicker Catholic hospitals receive nonprofit benefitsand public trust based on the idea that they serve the community Butwhen their dollars are going towarddonor access and executive perks instead of actual care, that trust erodes fast If OurLady of the Lake truly wants to liveuptoits Catholic identity,it should cancel the luxury suite order and expand care for the uninsured instead. Jesus didn’theal people from askybox.

GREG CABALLERO Baton Rouge

Ithink it would be great if your editorial team looked alittle harder for lettersand columns from those of us in themiddle. Unless readers say it outright, these perspectivescan easily get overlooked, even though they represent abig andthoughtful part of the community Also, I’d love to see the paper encourage readers not just to complain aboutone side or the other buttooffer real solutions. Too many lettersjust point fingers. A better conversation would focus on ideas that bring us together instead of driving us apart. Thanks for allyou do to keep the conversation going. Including more centrist voices and solution-focused letters would only make it stronger.

KYLE WATERS Baton Rouge

Handling of Epstein fileshas echoes of thepast

The foot-draggingonreleasing Epsteindocuments reminds me of President Nixon’sfoot-dragging on releasing his Watergate tapes. The Watergate tapes revealed things that needed to be revealed.

Isuspect thesame for the Epstein documents. Transparency is valuable to good government, no matter thecost to those who govern. TOMHERTWIG Gonzales

Congratulations to Jay Johnson on winning National Coach of the Year awarded by D1Baseball.com. Coach Johnson won the prestigious award for the second time in three years at the helm of the LSU Tigers. Since the arrival of Johnson, college baseball has changed dramatically.NIL is ahuge consideration for many players considering offers for their services However,the Tiger mentor assembled a star-studded roster of blue-chip players who chose LSU over other schools. Afew even turned down lucrative professional baseball contracts to play for the Tigers. Coach Johnson not only mentors his team in the art of baseball, but he also strives to prepare his menfor life after college. He recently mentioned that LSU players have aGPA of 3.0. They participate in community projects and school extracurricular activities. And you don’t read about them in newspaper police reports. When signees join the Tiger program, they cometowin aNational Championship, enjoy the support of 12,000 fans and the unique LSU experience. LSUfansdeserve much of thecredit forthe program’s success. Theyare wellreceivedatevery venue they participate in because they are amongthe mostgenerous, fun-loving, devoted fans in America. Ithought it interesting to hear theOmaha business owners andother schoolswho were ecstaticthatthe Tigers wereback in townfor the College WorldSeries. They share theirbarbecue fare witheveryone who wantsataste of bayou favorites.

WESLEY T. RALSTON Metairie

It is with anger and dismay that Iread of Gov.Jeff Landry and his administration’splan to sponsor an LIV tournament at the Bayou Oaks course in New Orleans. The state will spend $7 million $5 millionwill go to Saudis and $2 million to upgrade the course. The governor can cancel asummer meal program for Louisiana children. These children are our future and need help. Yet, Landry can spend millions on a golf tournament with the Saudis. His priorities are misplaced. What is wrong with our state government?

LYNN

MCCLAVE NewOrleans

Last week, the U.S. Army dida good thing. But it just made abad thing look even worse.

In alow-wattage ceremony followed by aFacebook post, the brass at Fort Polk in west central Louisiana renamed the Post Exchange, or PX, after Sgt. William Henry Johnson, aBlack World WarIhero and MedalofHonor recipient APX, for uscivilians, is like amall and includes afood court.

The announcement came alittle more than amonth after theTrump administration announced that the Army base as awholewould revert to its old name, Fort Polk. That wasthe name of the base from its founding in the 1940s until 2023, when it was changed toFort Johnson as part of an effort to remove Confederatenames from U.S.military installations.

In other words, the Army basically told Johnson’sfamily (he’sbeen dead fornearly acentury): Hey, we don’t think your grandfather was worthy of abase being named for him, but how about afood court? We can thinkofno better tribute to his heroism thanto slap his name on our mall!

To her credit, Johnson’sgranddaughter,Tara Johnson, was graciouswhen asked about the move by thisnewspaper’sJenna Ross.

“I’m very happy with theleadership and the staff at …Fort Polk,” she said. “After removing him from theinstallation, Ican’tthink of abetterplace for him to be.”

Ican. Hisname should stillbeonthe base.Itshould be on the big sign out by U.S. 171, not on aplaqueona small pedestal in front of the PX. That’s where he should be.

The move to change it back to Fort Polk was part of the worst kind of cynicalpandering by the Trumpadministration.

Yes, many of President Donald Trump supporters in the communities

PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Family members stand by aportrait duringthe renaming ceremony at Fort Polk in honor of Gen.James H. Polk, who wasawarded theSilver Star during World WarIIand was named one of Gen.Black Jack Pershing’s100 Heroes of World WarI

aroundthe base were upset when the name waschanged. It upended years of tradition,theysaid, and didn’trespect ourhistory Butthe newFort Polk does nothing to respect that history,either.The installation was originally named for LeonidasPolk, the state’sfirst Episcopal bishop, aslave owner and Confederate army general. The new FortPolk is namedfor Gen. James H. Polk,adistinguishedWorld WarIIveteran who earned aSilver Star It doesn’tmatter.Many won’tknow or understandthe difference. They’ll just see this as another victory over wokeness or DEI policies. The Trump administration is counting on this ignorance. Iguess ignorance is, in away,an exercise of freedom. Andfreedom is what this country is founded on. Maybe it was the ideal of freedom that prompted William Henry Johnson to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1917. Perhaps it fueled him when he was on thefront lines, fighting alongside French troops because, reportedly, White American soldiers refused to fight alongside his Black unit,which

becameknown as the Harlem Hellfighters.

Perhaps he held tight to theAmerican principle of freedom when he almost single-handedly repelled aGerman raid, killing at least four and saving acomrade while sustaining more than adozen wounds in hand-to-hand combat. His actions drew such renown that he earned the battlefield moniker “Black Death.” The French gave him their highest wartime honor.The U.S. didn’t. He died in 1929.

In 2023, Tara Johnson said it was patriotismthat drove her grandfather The base renaming was arecognition of that, she said.

“It meansthat all his effortstoprove that he was an American and that he loved this country are coming to fruition,” she said.

It took morethan 60 years, until 1996, before Johnson was awarded aPurple Heart for being wounded in combat. It wasn’tuntil 2002 that he was awarded theDistinguished Service Cross. And in 2015, he received the Medal of Honor.In2023, more than acentury after his heroic acts, during theBiden administration, Fort Polk became Fort Johnson. Sadly,for some, thetwo most importantwords in that entire narrative are “Biden administration.” For them, that meansitmust be bad. Andsothey took his nameoff thebase. Johnson’sheroism doesn’tmatter

In theFacebook post announcing that the PX would be renamed in honor of Johnson, the Army wrote, “The Exchange is theheart of our installation —aplace where Soldiers, families, retirees,and veterans gather.It now stands as adaily reminder of Sgt. Johnson’slegacy: service before self and unwavering commitment to those beside you.” If only his country could show the samelove and “unwavering commitment” to Johnson as he showed to it.

Faimon A. RobertsIII can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com.

Tariff courtcasecould rein in therampant Trumppresidency

Donald Trump’sdestructive “Liberation Day” tariffs, announced April2, should result in aconstructive judicial ruling that significantlysedates today’shyperactive presidency.On Thursday,a federal appeals court will hear oral arguments about this: May the president, by making adeclaration (that he claims is exempt from judicial review) of anational “emergency”and “an unusual and extraordinary threat,” impose tariffs (taxes paid by U.S. consumers) wheneverhewants, at whatever level he wants, against whatever country he wants, on whatever products he wants, for as long as he wants?

Aunanimous lower court has said, essentially: Of course not. Eighteen organizations, spanning the jurisprudential spectrum, have filed amicus briefs opposing the president. They demonstrate the following: After the preamble, the Constitution’sfirst word is “all”:“All legislative Powers” are vested in Congress. And the power to tax is listed first among Congress’senumerated powers. Because the Constitution vestsin Congress the power to “lay andcollect” duties and imposts, presidential authority to impose them must derive from astatute.

IEEPA’sauthoritycan be exercised only in an emergencyinvolving “an unusual andextraordinary threat,” which trade deficits —the president’s obsession —are not.Unusual? He says they have been “persistent” for half a century Recently,the SupremeCourt said the Federal Communications Commission’s“regulation” of communications carriers could include an FCC-imposed tax on them but only because Congress explicitly authorized this. Otherwise, the FCC tax would violate two related rules, the major questions doctrineand the nondelegation doctrine.

when Congress began empowering presidentstonegotiate —subject to congressional approval —tariff reductions. In 1974, Congress authorized thepresident to impose surcharges of limited amount (15%) and duration (five months).And an appellatecourt stressed in 1975 that adeclaration of national emergency “is not atalisman enabling the president to rewritethe tariff schedules” because this would unconstitutionally authorize “the exercise of an unlimited power.”

As if he didn’thave enough on his mind in late summer,President Donald Trump has calledon two professional sports teams to revert to their former names —which unfortunately sound to many ears like racial slurs.

Is Trump just looking for trouble? Or is he whipping up controversy to direct attention away from other trouble that he is in?

Recently on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns, Trump called on the NFL’s Washington Commanders and MLB’sCleveland Guardians to go back to the team names they used before they rebranded in response to complaints about the use of Native American names and imagery

Referring to Washington team, Trump posted, “I mayput a restriction on them that if they don’tchange the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker,‘Washington Commanders,’ Iwon’tmake adeal for them to build aStadium in Washington.”

Moreover,hewrote, “Cleveland should do the same with the Cleveland Indians.”

Ah, the old one-two punch of bigotry andextortion.

For fun Trump added, “MAKE INDIANS GREATAGAIN (MIGA)!”

Right. Somehow,Idon’texpect indigenous Americans to be very impressed by his demand. But Isuspect this interlude is merely amessage to his followers to remind them what binds the MAGA movement together.Trump hasfreed them from the need to consider the feelings of people of other races and nations.

Trump is trying to move the news cycle past the mysteries surrounding the late Jeffrey Epstein. More news has emerged tying him to the late financier and convicted sex offenderwho died by suicide while in prison nearly six years ago.

The Epstein story took an unexpected turn earlier this month when the Justice Department announced that it would not release the so-called Epstein files, despite the fact that Trump surrogates had spent months, and in some cases years, making lurid promises to do so Then, The Wall Street Journal reported that arisque birthday letter sent to Epstein in 2003 bore Trump’ssexually suggestive signature. Trump went ballistic, suing the Journal, its owners and the reporters for $10 billion, contending that “no authentic letter or drawing exists.” However,hesounded abit more mutedafter the Journal’ssubsequent report that Trump was briefed by his attorney general, Pam Bondi, in May that his name appears multiple timesin FBI documents related to the Epstein case. The Epstein case is agrave vulnerability for Trump. Anontrivial segment of the MAGA movement is rebelling at his attempts to quash publication of the “files.” Trump in turn is accusing these people of being “duped” by Democrats. ACBS/YouGov poll published recently found that 9in10respondents think the government should release all of its information on Epstein. Republicans were split almost evenly on approval of the Trump administration’shandling of the controversy,though self-identifiedMAGA Republicans were more likely to say they were satisfied.

Theformer stipulates that for courts to construe statutes to grant the executive broad powers, Congress must “speak clearly”about authorizing executive “decisions of vast economic and political significance.” Congress didnosuchthing with IEEPA.

The 1974 law authorized thepresident to impose tariffs only to address “balance-of-paymentsdeficits.”

Trump’sidiosyncratic tariffs punish Brazil, with which there is aU.S. trade surplus, because he objectstoBrazil’s internal politics.

Trump relies on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. But it nowhere includes the term “tariff”orany of its synonyms, and no previous president has claimed that it authorizes tariffs. Today’s president argues that IEEPA’sconferred power to “regulate” trade implies the presidential power to tax it. This is anastonishingly radical claim because hundreds of statutes authorize innumerable agencies to “regulate,” butnot to tax Congress hasoften authorized tariffs, but always with specific substantive temporal and procedural limitations on presidential discretion.

TheSupreme Court says thenondelegation doctrine, which undergirds the separation of powers, “bars Congress from transferring its legislative power to another branch of Government” without providing “an intelligible principle to guide the delegee’suse of discretion.” Today’s president insiststhat IEEPAgrants presidentsunbounded discretion in wielding apower that is neither granted to him by theConstitution nordelegable by Congress. Constitutional scholar Philip Hamburger says the Constitution’sframers thought“the natural dividing line between legislative and nonlegislative power wasbetween rules that bound subjects and those that did not.” Tariffs bind Americans seeking to purchase imports.

The second law enacted by thefirst Congress established detailed tariff rates (e.g 1cent per pound of brown sugars). Tariff changes were largely Congress’s domain until the1930s,

States of emergency (51 are extant) temptpresidential abuses (thepandemic emergency was Joe Biden’s pretext for trying tocancel $430 billion in student debt) and are difficult to end: Congress cannot easily reclaim power delegated tothe president,who can veto Congress’sretrieval attempts. Given the two-thirds vote requirement for veto overrides, delegation tends to be aratchet clicking to the president’s advantage.

The president claims his declaration of an “emergency” is unreviewable because it involves foreign relations. Buttariffs, which have domestic consequences and purposes, properly are congressional exercises of aconstitutionally enumerated power and must come from statutes.

Today’spresident is ahare, darting here and there. The judiciary is generally atortoise, slow because it is deliberative. Butyou know thefable. Andhere is afact: This tariff case could markedly restrain this rampant presidency

Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.

As for his overall performance, an overwhelming 89 %ofRepublicans approved of the jobhe’s doing as president, despite his approval slipping to just 42% of all respondents in the survey That could be because the Epstein case isn’t the most important issue respondents considered in evaluating the job he’sdoing. Topofthe list for saying an issue mattered “a lot” in their evaluation wasimmigration and deportation policies (61%), followed closely by inflationand prices and the tax-and-spending bill that recently passed Congress (both at 56%). About 36% said the Epstein case mattered “a lot” in their assessment of Trump.

Yetthe case isn’tgoing away any timesoon

In order to avoid aprocedural vote making information about the Epstein case public, House Speaker Mike Johnson instead sent House members home early for amonthlong break from Washington. The vote would have forcedRepublicans to pick aside.

Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney GeneralTodd Blanche, who last year acted as Trump’scriminal attorney,has been dispatched twice to speak with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice who is serving a20-yearsentence for child sex trafficking. Is Blanche visiting Maxwell as ahigh official sworn to protectthe people of the UnitedStates or as Donald Trump’s personal fixer? It’shard to know if there’sadistinction in Trump’smind.

As one who hasgrown quite weary of the epidemic of conspiracy theories that boiledupin the wake of Barack Obama’spresidential campaign, Iamamusedtosee the masters of MAGA get ataste of their own paranoid theories. But Iamalso deeply worried about whatthey will permit themselves to do to get out of the Epstein pickle.

Email Clarence Page at clarence47page@ gmail.com.

Clarence Page

George Will

Faimon Roberts

Twodeadinmurder-suicide

Police visited Harvey home twicefor domestic disturbances

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Gunfire rang out in aHar-

veyneighborhood Monday night when authorities say aman shot and killed his girlfriend before taking his own life.

The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office identified the woman as Bryisha Pennington,39. The man was identified as Laymon Adams, 29, of Terrytown.

The shootingsoccurred about 11:30 p.m. inside Pennington’shome in the 500 block of Third Avenue, according to Capt. Jason Rivarde, spokesperson for the JeffersonParish Sheriff’s Office.

Though Pennington had only lived there for about six months, authorities had twice been dispatchedtothe residence to investigate domestic disturbances involvingthe couple, accordingto theSheriff’s Office.

Third Avenueresident Jay Vincent, 75, lives about ablock away from Pennington’shome and described hearing three gunshots Monday night.

“I heard one shot, aslight hesitation and then two more shots,” he said. He looked outside but saw no one. However,within five

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of sexual battery and oral sexual battery

Landry is being held in the Lafayette Parish jail on a $1.75 million bail.

Suspect sought in fatal shooting

The New Iberia Police Department is investigating aSunday shooting that left onepersondeadand a suspect wanted for seconddegreemurder

Arrest warrants have been issued for 24-year-old Jahari Ajani Allen Jr

The shooting occurred around2:15p.m.Sunday in the 1200 block of Parkview Drive. Upon arrival, police said they found a22-yearold male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was initially taken by Acadian Ambulance to alocal hospital, then later airlifted by Air Med to aLafayette hospital. Later Sunday afternoon, NIPD was notified that the victim had succumbed to his injuries. On Monday evening, police said they gathered sufficient evidence and information to identify Allen. Police said Allen is considered “armed anddangerous” and urge anyone with information regarding Allen’s whereabouts to contact the New Iberia Police Depart-

to six minutes,the flashing blue lights of patrol vehicles filled the street. Vincent looked out again andsaw Penningtonlying bleeding at thefootofa driveway across thestreet She’d collapsed there after fleeing, 10 houses down from her own residence.

Pennington, who hadbeen shot multiple times, was taken to ahospitalbut died of her injuries.

Adams died of asingle gunshot wound inside Pennington’shouse, according to theCoroner’sOffice. A gun was found near his body authorities said At the house, asingle-story shotgun-style house with an apartment in the rear,a window was shattered on theside of the house.

Sheriff’s Office deputies had last been to Pennington’sresidence on July 6 when they responded to areportofanaltercation there, according to Rivarde. Deputies arrived and heard two people yelling at one another from inside.

Penningtontolddeputies the couple had been dating and living togetherfor about eightmonths. Buton that day,Adams revealedhe was seeinganother woman andplanned to moveout, accordingtoauthorities.

Adamstold deputies things turned physical when Penningtontried to stop him from takingsome of his belongings, according to authorities.

Neither had any visible injuries, and deputies could

ment at (337) 369-2306. Tips can also be reported anonymouslytoIberiaCrime Stoppers by calling (337) 3648477, submittingonlineat www.P3Tips.com,orusing theP3Tips app.

Jeanerettegirldies

afterbeing hit by car

An 11-year-old Jeanerette girl hasdied after shewas struck by acar last week, according to State Police.

Nahelie Sinitiere, 11, was hitjust before 4p.m.Thursday on East Admiral Doyle Drive near the Whitney DriveintersectioninIberia Parish. The girl was attempting to cross the road from the eastbound shoulder,police said, when she entered the lane and was struck by a 2007 HondaCivic.

Nahelie was taken to a nearby hospital withserious injuries.

Thedriver of the Honda was properly restrained andnot injured.The driver of theHonda was notsuspected of being impaired and voluntarily provided abreathsample, which showed no alcohol was detected This crashremainsunder investigation.

Manallegedly admits to making child porn

AJenningsman was arrested after areport of indecent behavior with juveniles was filed withthe Jennings PoliceDepartment

STAFF PHOTO By MICHELLE HUNTER Awindow was shattered on the side of Bryisha Pennington’shome Pennington, 39, was fatally shot insidethe residence by her boyfriend, Laymon Adams, 29, before he took his own life, according to police.

notdeterminewho was the aggressor.But Adams was arrested and booked with resisting an officer forallegedly pulling away from deputies whentheytried to detain him, according to court records.

The couple was involved in another domesticdisturbance on Jan.2when PenningtonaccusedAdams of punching her in the face, authorities said. Pennington filed areport in whichshe described atumultuous relationship filled withyelling and jealousy

But Adams was neverarrestedinconnection with that incident,according to court records.

Detectives are still investigating to determine what leduptoMonday’sdeadly shooting, authorities said.

Louis Johnson, 38, of Jennings, was charged with two counts of indecentbehavior with juveniles and twocountsofpornography involvingjuveniles, according to police. On Friday, areport of indecent behavior with juveniles was filed withpolice concerningJohnson.The initial investigation revealed Johnsonhad allegedly asked two juveniles underthe age of 16 to perform asexual act while another juvenile recorded theinteraction.

Anotherincident occurred at Johnson’sresidencein which he allegedly asked a juvenile if he could perform asexual act on themwhile another juvenile filmedthe interaction.

Johnson was interviewed by Jennings Police Detectiveswhere he admitted to the allegations and said he wanted to film the sexual activityfor monetary gains.

Johnson was transported to Jeff Davis Parish Correctional for booking procedures.

3: 2-9-6

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nominee and owned his own studio in Lafayette, Staffland, where he was dedicated to helping local artists produce quality albumsona budget

The Christopher Stafford Memorial Foundation has announced anew concert series, “Staffland Stages,” to promote Stafford’songoing musical impact.On Aug. 22-23 the Acadiana Center for theArtswill host “StafflandStages: The Light &Legacy of Christopher Stafford.” This event will be thefirst in an annual series in support of thememorial foundation and Staffland Studio and is titled “Chapter One:The

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at thetime, waiting in line with his twin brother Oneofficer immediately arrested Jabari Celestine and brought him behind apolicecar parkedonthe sidewalk.

Gerard Celestine and others began to question the officer,the lawsuit states. The officer allegedly screamed at Gerard Celestine and pushed him in the

Roots& BranchesofFeufollet.”

“This first year’sintention is to explore and celebrate Christopher’sclosest musical collaborations and connections —namelythe workand artists associated with his longest running project,Feufollet,” according to astatement from the Christopher Stafford foundation.

“Christopher’slife in music was diverse,colorful, collaborative,unexpected, sincere and often held little allegiance to genre or convention.”

The two-night performance will feature local bandsand artiststhatStafford had close ties to, such as the Givers, Brass Bed, Cedric Watson andSteve Riley. Currentand former members of Feufollet will

chest, then grabbed him by thefront of hisshirt and aggressively forced him back to thebowling alley’s door “where he violently slammed his back into the glass door.”

The lawsuit contends three other officers held Gerard Celestine down while the first officer punched him in the face and head at least five times with aclosed fist whiletwo other officers looked on without intervening.

Some of theofficers involvedinthe incident, the

also reunite for performances, including Chris Segura, Anna Laura Edmiston, Kelli Jones, Mike Stafford, Andrew Toups, Taylor Guarisco, Philippe Billeaudeaux and Andy Bianculli with special guests EliseRiley andBlake Miller

John Troutman, curator of music and musical instruments at the Smithsonian Institution’sNational Museum of American History,willserve as the event’shost.

Tickets forChapter One of “Staffland Stages: The Light&Legacy of Christopher Stafford” are available on the Acadiana Center forthe Arts website. The event will be held Aug. 22 -23 beginning at 7:30 p.m., at 101 W. VermilionSt., Lafayette.

lawsuit states, had previouslybeen in an altercation with one of the twins in whichthe officer useda taser Gerard Celestine was charged with interfering witha policeinvestigation, resisting an officer and battery of apolice officer

STAFFFILE PHOTOByBRAD KEMP

Chris Stafford plays with Feufollet at Blue Moon Saloon on July11, 2014, in Lafayette.

PHOTO By GERALD HERBERT

ASSOCIATED

Saints safety Julian Blackmon goes through drills ThursdayinMetairie.

Blackmon aversatile addition

NewSaintssafetyhas fitinnicely afterMathieu’s surprise retirement

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

When Julian Blackmon recorded hisfirst interception in practice with the Saints,noone was more excited than defensivecoordinator BrandonStaley. As soon as the safety picked off quarterbackJake Haener,Staley yelled: “I’ve waited five years forthat!” It hadbeenalong time coming.

“I said, ‘Coach, this is foryou! Blackmonsaid with asmile. “Itfeels good to bevalued.”

Staley’sinterest in Blackmon dated to 2020 when he declared for the NFL draft, Blackmon said. The coordinator,then with the Los Angeles Rams, was the “main guy” who was in contactwith Blackmon ahead of the draft. But thetiming didn’tpan out the Rams chose another player one pickahead of Blackmon, who was taken at No. 85 by the Colts Blackmon and Staley stayed in touch over the years. Last year,when Blackmon was afree agent, Staley courted him when he was an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers. Again, the timing didn’twork out —Blackmon chose to re-sign with the Colts Butthe third time turned out tobethe charm

The Saints were in need of asafety after Tyrann Mathieu’ssurprise retirement, and New Orleans signed the 26-year-old Blackmon to aone-year deal reportedly worth up to $5.5 million.

“Weobviously feel fortunate (Blackmonwas available),” coach Kellen Moore said. “He’sa big-time player.He’scontributing in alot of different ways.”

Perhaps one of the reasons Blackmon was available was the fact that the sixth-year veteran spent most of last season dealing with atorn labrum.Although he suited up for 16 games,Blackmonsaid the injury affected his play,and he needed to wait to get fully cleared. But the Saints weren’tscared offbythe injury NewOrleans also expressedinterest in Blackmon before Mathieu’sretirement,hosting him on afreeagent visit in May.Mooresaid he sees Blackmon playing more on the back end at freesafety, while Justin Reid lines up in the box. That should lean into what Blackmon does best: He spent most of last season at free safety and has had seveninterceptions over the past two years.

Neither the Saints nor Blackmon expects to fully “replace” Mathieu, apotential HallofFamer who carried aleadership presenceonthe Saints.But New Orleans wanted someone with asimilarskill set, and Blackmon can replicatethat, Moore said. Blackmon hasn’twasted timeinappearing to climb the depth chart. He spentMonday’s practice working primarily with the starters, days after his first practice.

The Saints could tell Blackmon was readytowork. Defensive backs coach Terry Joseph, whooversees the safeties, said Blackmon participated in the team’sconditioning test and“blew it out of thewater” after flying in from Utah that same day.

“He’s areally smart player,” Joseph said. “In 2025, for any secondary player,versatility (is key), because you’re going to play so many offenses that give you all of these funkyformations and different sets, you’ve got to have guys who are not one-trick ponies, guys who can play in abox, guys whocan play deep, guys whocan cover,have feel, guys who can blitz.

“Over his career,he’sdone all of those things. One of the best things is that he has all of thesesnaps and experiences,yet he’sstill only 26 years old. So he still has alot of tread left on the tires.”

Staley prefers his safeties to be interchangeable, allowing themtoswitch roles ifan adjustment is needed.But thecoordinator takes thoselevelsof disguises to anothergear, constantlyhaving his safeties roam at the line of scrimmage and relaying pre-play checks. Joseph called thesafeties in this scheme “the quarterbacksofthe defense.”

That appeals to Blackmon, who said he felt the Saints were the “best fit” for him before signing. In addition to getting to work with Staley for the first time, Blackmon also reunites with former college teammate and safety Terrell Burgess. Burgess, coincidentally,would be the player the Rams went on to draft later in the thirdround after the Colts took Blackmon five years ago.

“This year,(Staley) waslike, ‘You’reback again I’ve been trying to get you,’”Blackmon said. “So it’s good to work with him.”

CHAMPIONSHIP CHECKLIST 4

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Welcome to an LSU football season brimmingwith high expectations and nervous anticipation.

Three years have passed under coach Brian Kelly without aCollege Football Playoff berth, but he believes he has themost talented roster of histenure yet.Withamix of returning starters and experienced transfers, can theTigers become championship contenders?

They will begin to findout over thenext month. Players reported Tuesday,and preseason practice begins Wednesdaymorning. Here are the top questionsand storylines for LSUbefore it opens theseason Aug. 30 at Clemson.

1. Howwillthe OL shakeout?

Kelly feels “bullish” about the offensive line, but with four starters gone, there are concerns. Are left tackle Tyree Adams and right tackle Weston Davis ready to be first-time starters? CanVirginia Tech transferBraelin Moore and Northwestern transfer Josh Thompson slide into the lineup?

Is center DJ Chester going to move to guard? Will someone else take aspot, and can this group be more physical in the run game?It’sgoing to be afascinating month upfront.

2. Whostartsatsafety?

As much as the offensive lineneeds to sort itself out, thiscouldbethe fiercest position battleofcamp. There are five players in the mix: Houston transfer A.J. Haulcy,NCStatetransfer TamarcusCooley,senior Jardin Gilbert, junior Javien Toviano and sophomoreDashawn Spears. Haulcy signed in Mayand Gilbert missed spring practice after having shoulder surgery,soLSU hasn’tseen all of them at once. The competition is wide open —and the safetyplay needs to improve

Talkingseasoncomes to an endfor LSU

There is no bigger misnomer in the sportslexicon than “fall practice” for college football. It’ll be in theupper 80s withhumiditytomatch Wednesday morning when the LSUTigers hit the field. “Fall practice.”Bah.It’ll be steamy,stickyand a50/50 chance the team will get driven indoors by apassing thunderstorm

The chance of rain, ideally,may be never in Tiger Stadium, according to recently retired public address announcer Dan Borne. But what about at The Ponderosa, the long-standing nickname for theLSU football practice fields?

Chance of rain …always. Whatever themeteorological circumstances, at least we can be sure of one thing: There will be action. There will be moving toward the goal of gettingready for the upcoming season for the Tigers.

No more predicting. No more guessing. No more trying to hypothesize answers to the burning

hot question on the fevered minds of LSU followers everywhere: Will the Tigers be in the College Football Playoffin2025, and can they winit?

Nothing else really matters. There’scertainly no grading on acurve anymore. Notinthe still under warranty 12-team (soon to be 14- or 16-team) era of the CFP Youmake the playoffand your season was to somedegree asuccess. Don’tmake it —for the LSUs and Alabamas and Ohio States and Clemsons of the college football world —and it’safail. No extra credit available. For what it’sworth, LSU coach Brian Kelly clearly

thinks he’sgot areally good team on his hands. Kelly has been saying so formuch of the offseason. He’seven gone so farastopoke the bear —orinthis case, the other Tiger —involved in LSU’s season opener,calling Clemson’sMemorial Stadium “Death Valley Junior” during last week’sBaton Rouge Rotary Club luncheon. The cynic can makethe case Kelly doesn’treally care that much. That he knows LSU is on the hook to him for $100 million over 10 years regardless. But Idon’tthink that’strue. Idon’tthink you can go to all this effort to

ä See RABALAIS, page 4C

STAFFFILE PHOTOByHILARy SCHEINUK

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks, left, celebrates with linebacker HaroldPerkins after making atackleagainst USC on Sept. 1 in Las Vegas. Both Weeks andPerkins are expected to be fully recovered frominjuries when the season starts.

PRESS

6:05 p.m. Tampa BayatN.y.yankeesPRIME

9p.m.

7p.m.

Los Angelesridinga hotstreak

BY DOUG FEINBERG AP basketball writer

NEW YORK No team has been

playing better since the AllStar break then the Los Angeles Sparks and they’ve been doing it with astellar offense.

The team has won five straight games, including three on the road, heading into Tuesday night’smatchup with the Las Vegas Aces.

It’sonly the third time in the past five years that the team has won five or more games in arow

The Sparks hadanine-game winning streak in 2020 and asixgame one in 2023.

Los Angeles has scored 90 or more points in all five games for the first time in franchise history and has put up consecutive 100-point efforts —again afirst for the team.

“We’ve beenplaying better in the last month, part of that is getting bodies back,” Sparkscoach Lynne Roberts said. “We’re playing with more pace, so they’re figuring it out. We don’tplay a traditional style, there’sa lot of freedom.”

TheSparkshave been getting strong contributions fromall five of their starters Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby areaveraging 20 8points each.

Rickea Jackson and Azura Stevens are right behindat18.2 points and 17.0, respectively

Jacksontorched theLiberty on Saturdayfor 20 points in the first-half and hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer

Los Angeles will also welcome back Cameron Brink onTuesday.She’sbeen sidelined for 13 months with an ACL injury Injuries

Caitlin Clark is still sidelined with aright groin injury and there’snotimetable yet on her return.

Indiana’sstar guard received asecond opinion by adifferent

Los Angeles

professional on theinjury when the Fever visited New York last week.

Theteam announced there werenosigns of additional damage.

Furthermore, maintaining Clark’slong-term health was the priority of her recovery to prevent any further injuries later down theline in hercareer Player of theweek

Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana was the AP playerofthe week after averaging 28.3points, four assists and 1.7 stealstohelp them go 2-1 lastweek. Otherplayers receiving votes included Napheesa CollierofMinnesota, Plum and Hamby of Los Angeles and Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix. Game of theweek New York at Minnesota, Wednesday. It’sthe first meeting of theseason betweenthe participants of theWNBAFinals last year.The Liberty wonthatseries in adecisive Game 5inovertime.

Woad makesa bigimpressionatScottishOpen

The Women’sScottish Open

wasn’tthe first time Lottie Woad made an immediate impression.

Florida State coach Amy Bond had been recruiting the English girl with astrong work ethic,limited to chatting online and studying the swings Woad posted on socialmedia because of the COVID-19pandemic.

When travel restrictions loosened, Bond headed to Carnoustie for the British Girls Amateur

U.S. Open mixeddoubles

features Venus Williams

Venus Williams’ comeback is headed to theU.S.Opennext month, when she will enter the redesigned mixed doubles tournamentwith Reilly Opelka via awildcard entry

The 45-year-old Williams, who returned to the tennis tour last week after more than ayear away,and Opelka were amongthe 14 teams announced Tuesday by the U.S. Tennis Association for itsmixed doublesevent on Aug. 19-20. Eight of thepairings received direct entry into the field based on having thehighest combined current singles rankings, and six were given wild cards by the USTA The players withspots in the bracket include nine whohave wonatleast one Grand Slam singles title and 14 whoare ranked in the WTAorATP top 10 forsingles.

Texasman pleads guilty to stalking Caitlin Clark

A55-year-old Texas manwho toldpolicehewas in “an imaginary relationship” with WNBA star Caitlin Clark was sentenced to 21/2 years in prisonMondayafter pleading guilty to stalking and harassing the Indiana Fever guard. Michael Lewis of Denton, Texas, reached adeal with Marion County prosecutors in whichhepleaded guilty to one felony count of stalking and one misdemeanor count of harassment. He will get credit for timeserved.

Lewisalsowas orderedtostay awayfromGainbridge Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Fever events andIndianaPacersorganization events, as wellastohave no contact with Clark. He also will not be allowed internet access during his sentence.

Orioles, Blue Jays make trade between doubleheader

The Baltimore Oriolestraded relieverSeranthonyDomínguez to Toronto on Tuesday in between games of their split, day-night doubleheader against the Blue Jays. Domínguez did not pitch in the the opener,which the Orioles won 16-4. He wastradedfor minor league right-hander Juaron WattsBrown, anditwas announced aboutanhourbefore thescheduled first pitch of the nightcap. Domínguez is 2-3 with a3.24 ERA in 43 reliefappearances this season. Domínguezwas in his sixth season with the Philadelphia Phillieswhenthe right-handerwas traded to Baltimore. The AL Eastleading Blue Jayshad abullpen ERA of 3.94, which ranked in the middle of the pack heading into Tuesday’ssecond game.

“The first hole Isaw her,she made birdie. Iknew we weregoing to have agreat relationship,” Bond recalled with a laugh. Woad wentonto a7-and-6 victory on the links reputed to be as tough as any The next week shearrived on the Florida State campus for the first timetobegin adistinguished college career.Woad won fivetimes, set the school record for careerscoring average, reached No. 1inthe women’sworld amateur ranking and finished in the top 10 in 25 of her 30 tournaments.

What first brought her acclaim wasaSaturdayat thehomeof the Masters, where Woad birdied three of her last four holes towin the Augusta NationalWomen’s Amateur

Now she is the talk of women’s golf, winning the Women’sScottish Open in her professional debut with such precision the 21-year-old Woad made it look routine.

“I guess that’saprettygood first week at work,” Woad posted on social media. Next up is the Women’sBritish Open this week at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.

Woad has been aprofessional for all of two weeks, and BetMGMSportsbook already lists her as the favorite at +650, followed by Nelly Korda and Jeeno

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By STEVE WELSH England’sLottie Woad holdsthe trophy after winning the Women’s Scottish Open at the Dundonald Links in Irvine, Scotland,onSunday

Thitikul, Nos. 1and 2inthe women’sworld ranking. This couldbethe spark that women’sgolf needs.

Korda is winless this year,surprising afterher seven-winseasonin2024. Rose Zhang, whoalso won an LPGA title in her pro debut in 2023,istrying to play and finish her degree at Stanford.

LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler seized on Woad’sbig moment by getting the final round of the Women’sScottish Open— available on streamingand then tape delay —livecoverageon linear TV CNBC.

“It’sfun that everybody getsto see what Isaw,” Bond said. Shesaw aplayerwitharelentless work ethic who would often take an Uber tothe course in the morning. Woad saidshe wanted to buy acar with her first check —$300,000from the Women’s ScottishOpen—only to reveal

Sundayshe first needs aU.S. driver’s license. She appearstobeonthe superhighway to success. It started earlierthismonth when Woad won the Women’s Irish Open on theLadiesEuropean Tour by sixshotsover Madelene Sagstrom, who earlier this year won theLPGA Match Play at Shadow Creek. The next week,she wasleading in thefinal round of an LPGA major when Woad failed to birdie thepar-5 18th at the Evian Championship and wound up missing a playoff by one shot. But atie for third gave her the finalpoint she needed in the LPGA Elite AmateurPathway program toget an LPGA card, and it made sense for her to turn pro. Bondposted aseries of photos when Woad decided to turn pro twoweeks ago, including the day

she signedwith the Seminoles and when she first set foot on campus. She was with Woad in Franceand couldn’thelpbut noticethatshe looked “eerily comfortable.”

“Sometimes it can be ahard transition from amateur golf to professionalgolf,”Bondsaid.

“But she has great people around, her parents, her swing coach Luke Bone, whoisphenomenal. You’ve got to have that forthe ease of things to work out.”

Ease was an appropriate description, forthat’show it looked at Dundonald Links.

Woad is plenty long off the tee.

She is renowned for her elite wedge play,whichBondsays she honed thelast two years at Florida State.

“Shekeeps trackofall that stuff every day,”Bondsaid. “We have aset routine for different yardages, and shewrites down everything. If she’strying to hit it 65 yards and hits it 68 or 72,she’s writing it down to seeifshe can get it close.”

Mostremarkable about herwin at the Women’sScottish Open beyond making only threebogeys over 72 holes —was the composure she showed while playing thefirst tworounds with Korda andthe high-charged Charley Hull.

Staked to atwo-shotleadinthe final round, Hyo Joo Kim made a charge to tie forthe lead. Woad eased on the accelerator and pulled away withfour birdies on thelast sixholes

Pretty good first week at work. That’s howitlookedatthe end. Woad rapped in afinal birdie, took theball out of the cupand slid it into herpocket, offering a politewave to the gallery

It had thelook of someone who hadbeen there before. Woad is 55-under parinher last three tournaments, ascoring average of 67.4. She now is No. 24 in the women’sworld ranking. She hasthe look of someone just getting started.

AthleticsplaceAll-Star SS Wilson on 10-day IL

The Athletics placed All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson on the 10day injured list on Tuesday with a fractured leftforearm.

The 23-year-old Wilson washit on his left hand by apitch in the first inning of a10-1victoryover Atlanta on July 8. The rookie is batting .105 (4 for38) in his last 10 games.

Wilson, the No. 6overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft, hasn’t playedsincehewent 1for 3ina 15-3 winatHouston on Friday Wilson, the son of former big league infielder Jack Wilson, and A’steammate Nick Kurtz are two of the top contenders for AL Rookie of the Year Jacob Wilson is batting .312 with10homers and45RBIsin94 games.

Colts left tackleRaimann gets four-year extension

Bernhard Raimann of the Indiana Colts signed afour-year contract extension worth $100 million Tuesday,making him one of the league’shighest-paid left tackles and akey cog forIndianapolis. At Central Michigan,Raimann completed his college tenureasa tight end. Indy initially projected Raimann as its swing tackle, after Indianapolis took him in thethird round of the 2022 draft. Injuries among the team,however,forced Raimann into the startingjob on the leftside,becoming astabilizing force. The extension comes just days after Raimann reporteduncertainties on an agreementfrom between the two. It’salso the first big move since team owner JimIrsay died this spring. Irsay’sthree daughters are now running the team

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By CHARLES REX ARBOGAST

Sparks playerCameron Brink shoots against the ChicagoSky on May30, 2024, in Chicago. Brink returned to the Sparks lineup on Tuesdayafter missing13months withanACL injury.

Doug Ferguson

SCOREBOARD

at San Francisco (Webb 9-8), 2:45 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Holmes 9-5) at San Diego (Darvish 0-3), 3:10 p.m. Colorado (Freeland 2-10) at Cleveland (TBD), 5:40 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Ohtani 0-0) at Cincinnati (Martinez 9-9), 6:10 p.m. Miami (Quantrill 3-8) at St. Louis (Mikolas 6-7), 6:45 p.m.

Seattle, 69; Buxton, Minnesota, 68; Neto, Los Angeles, 66; Rooker, Athletics, 66; Springer, Toronto, 66. RBIS — Raleigh, Seattle, 87; Judge, New York, 85; Greene, Detroit, 81; Ward, Los Angeles, 78; Caminero, Tampa Bay, 70; Bichette, Toronto, 65. HITS — Bichette, Toronto, 131; Judge, New York, 129; Witt, Kansas City, 121; M.Garcia, Kansas City 117; V.Guerrero, Toronto, 117; Rooker, Athletics, 115; Ja.Wilson, Athletics, 115 DOUBLES — Witt, Kansas City, 36; Bichette, Toronto, 32; M.Garcia, Kansas City, 28; Ja.Duran, Boston, 27; Perez, Kansas City, 27; M.Vargas, Chicago, 25; Ward, Los Angeles, 25. TRIPLES — Ja.Duran, Boston, 12; McKinstry, Detroit, 8; M.Garcia, Kansas City, 5; Bellinger, New York, 4; Buxton, Minnesota, 4; Henderson Baltimore, 4; Isbel, Kansas City HOME RUNS — Raleigh, Seattle, 41; Judge, New York, 37; Caminero, Tampa Bay, 27; Ward, Los Angeles, 25; Greene, Detroit, 25; Kurtz, Athletics, 23; Buxton, Minnesota, 23; Torkelson, Detroit, 23. STOLEN BASES — Caballero, Tampa Bay, 33; Simpson, Tampa Bay, 32; Ramírez, Cleveland, 31; Witt, Kansas City, 27; Robert, Chicago, 26; Ju.Rodríguez, Seattle, 20. PITCHING Crochet, Boston, 12-4; Valdez, Houston, 11-4; Fried, New York, 11-4; Bassitt, Toronto, 11-5; Rodón, New York, 11-7; Skubal, Detroit, 10-3; deGrom, Texas, 10-3; Ryan, Minnesota, 10-5; Mize, Detroit, 9-4; H.Brown, Houston, 9-5. ERA Skubal, Detroit, 2.09; Crochet, Boston, 2.23; H.Brown, Houston, 2.54; Bubic, Kansas City, 2.55; deGrom, Texas, 2.55; Fried, New York, 2.62; Valdez, Houston, 2.62; Ryan, Minnesota, 2.82; Woo, Seattle, 2.91; S.Lugo, Kansas City, 2.95. STRIKEOUTS Crochet, Boston 175; Skubal, Detroit, 171; H.Brown, Houston, 149; Rodón, New York, 147; Valdez, Houston 141; Flaherty Detroit, 137; Ryan, Minnesota, 137 National League BATTING Machado San Diego, .302; Stowers, Miami, .299; Frelick Milwaukee, .295; Edwards, Miami, .293; Arraez, San Diego, .292; F.Freeman, Los Angeles, .292; Naylor, Seattle, .292. RUNS Ohtani, Los Angeles, 100; E.De La Cruz, Cincinnati, 78; Schwarber, Philadelphia, 75; J.Soto, New York, 75; Tatis, San Diego, 73; Tucker, Chicago, 73; Crow-Armstrong. RBIs E.Suárez, Arizona, 87; Schwarber, Philadelphia, 84; Alonso, New York, 81; Suzuki, Chicago, 81; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 76; Ohtani, Los Angeles, 73. HITS T.Turner, Philadelphia, 125; Machado, San Diego 124; Chourio, Milwaukee, 121; Arraez, San Diego, 120; E.De La Cruz, Cincinnati, 115; Ohtani, Los Angeles, 113; Hoerner Chicago, 112; Donovan, St. Louis 110.

DOUBLES — Chourio, Milwaukee, 29; Wills.Contreras, St. Louis, 28; CrowArmstrong, Chicago, 28; F.Freeman, Los Angeles, 27; Machado, San Diego, 27. TRIPLES — Carroll, Arizona, 13; J.Lee, San Francisco, 8; Ohtani, Los Angeles, 7; Moniak, Colorado, 6; J.Beck, Colorado, 5; Harris, Atlanta, 5; 8 tied at 4. HOME RUNS — Ohtani, Los Angeles, 38; E.Suárez, Arizona, 36; Schwarber, Philadelphia, 36; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 27; Suzuki, Chicago, 26; J.Soto, New York, 25. STOLEN BASES — On.Cruz, Pittsburgh, 34; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 29; E.De La Cruz, Cincinnati 29; V.Scott, St. Louis, 27; T.Turner, Philadelphia, 25; Abrams, Washington, 23; Tucker, Chicago, 23. PITCHING — F.Peralta, Milwaukee, 12-4; Boyd, Chicago, 11-4; Pivetta, San Diego, 10-3; Gray, St. Louis, 10-4; Pfaadt, Arizona, 10-6; Priester, Milwaukee, 9-2; C.Sánchez, Philadelphia, 9-3; Wheeler, Philadelphia, 9-4; Ray, San Francisco, 9-5; C.Holmes New York, 9-5. ERA — Skenes, Pittsburgh, 1.83; Boyd, Chicago, 2.47; C.Sánchez, Philadelphia, 2.55; Wheeler, Philadelphia, 2.56; Yamamoto, Los Angeles, 2.63; F.Peralta, Milwaukee, 2.81; Pivetta, San Diego, 2.81; Peterson, New York, 2.83; Ray, San Francisco, 2.93; Lodolo, Cincinnati, 3.08. STRIKEOUTS — Wheeler, Philadelphia, 172; Cease, San Diego, 153; Skenes, Pittsburgh, 146; Gore, Washington, 144; Webb, San Francisco, 144; C.Sánchez, Philadelphia, 139; Luzardo, Philadelphia, 136; Ray San Francisco, 134; Yamamoto, Los Angeles, 133; F.Peralta, Milwaukee, 131; Pivetta, San Diego, 131.

Annie Fernandez, Canada, 6-4, 6-1. Anna Kalinskaya, Russia, def. Ann Li, United States, 7-6 (6), 0-6, 6-3. Round of 64 Emma Navarro (8), United States, def. Rebecca Marino, Canada, 6-1, 6-2. Daria Kasatkina (15), Russia, def. Anna Blinkova, Russia, 6-1, 6-4. Mirra Andreeva (4), Russia, def. Bianca Andreescu, Canada, walkover. Dayana Yastremska (30), Ukraine, def. Camila Osorio, Colombia, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Jaqueline Cristian, Romania, def. Linda Noskova (20), Czechia, 6-3, 6-4. Marta Kostyuk (24), Ukraine, def. Marketa Vondrousova, Czechia, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Veronika Kudermetova, Russia, def. Olga Danilovic (29), Serbia, 6-4, 6-2. Aoi Ito, Japan, def. Jasmine Paolini (7), Italy 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5). Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Spain, def. Ashlyn Krueger (26), United States, 6-4, 6-4.

Giants hope new-look secondary comes with more interceptions

BY STEPHEN WHYNO Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD N.J Not a lot went right for the New York Giants last season when they tied for the worst record at 3-14, got outscored by 142 points and the offense ranked third from last in the NFL.

Their top-10 pass defense was a bright spot, thanks in large part to edge rushers such as Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns and stout lineman Dexter Lawrence. The secondary played its part, too, and should be better this year after the signings of cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland.

“We can do so much with them: We’re bringing in two vets that know how to play the game,” cornerback Dru Phillips said last week. “We may put a (different) scheme in and they’re brand new here, but they came in like they knew it. They’ve played this type of stuff before at a high level, so you can experiment with a lot of new stuff, and you can have a lot of versatility With these guys, we can switch it up any play We can all play man, zone, blitz. We’re all almost interchangeable in a way.”

Changes on defense also come with a couple of new assistants in charge. Jeff Burris took over as

cornerbacks coach, and Marquand Manuel is the secondary coach and pass game coordinator “I like them a lot,” cornerback Deonte Banks said. “I like how they teach.”

One of the goals is to produce more takeaways, which is certainly a challenge in a quarterback-studded NFC East featuring Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Dallas’ Dak Prescott. But something has to give on that side of the ball after only Cleveland had fewer interceptions last season than the Giants’ five.

Enter Holland, who has a handful in his four-year pro career with Miami and always keeps his mind on attacking the football.

“Seeking out the ball, punching the rock out in any way, shape or form, disrupt the quarterback — that’s basically what it is,” Holland said. “(It is) having the ball at the front of your mind and straining. That’s how the takeaways happen.”

This time early in training camp is a chance for Adebo, Holland, Tyler Nubin, Phillips, Banks and fellow defensive back Cor’Dale Flott to develop some chemistry before facing Daniels and the Commanders in Week 1 on Sept 7.

The comfort level began building during spring workouts and

Holland noticed Adebo — a fellow member of the 2021 draft class who has played for New Orleans has some similar mannerisms They also think the game the same.

“I kind of understand how he plays,” Holland said. “Being next to him, playing on the same side of him, sometimes I can tell what he’s going to end up doing just based on how he plays.”

Adebo, Holland and Nubin are expected to start and have gotten practice snaps with the first team. With Phillips at the nickel spot, Flott and Banks are vying for the other outside cornerback position.

Asked what it would take to keep his starting role, Banks said Tuesday “Just be me. Be better.”

He is far from alone in that respect if the Giants are going to take a step forward and win more games this season.

Nabers leaves practice

Former LSU standout Malik Nabers got banged up during a running play at practice Tuesday The second-year receiver appeared to be favoring his left shoulder after getting up and walking off the field.

Initial reports indicated Nabers avoided serious injury, though no official update is expected to come until Thursday when the team resumes camp.

Falcons rookie Pearce bringing edge to pass rush

BY CHARLES ODUM Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When the Atlanta Falcons made improving edge rusher their offseason priority, they addressed an attitude as well as a position.

Veteran Leonard Floyd and rookie first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce are already making an impact for the Falcons, who had their first practice of training camp in pads on Tuesday Pearce has made a quick impression with his aggressive style. The rookie’s confidence in not backing down to veteran offensive linemen in practice scuffles is evidence of what secondyear coach Raheem Morris says is a new edge to the team.

When asked Tuesday what he sees that is new to the 2025 team following an 8-9 finish last season, Morris said “probably a little bit of the edge.”

“It is like you can already see it, can already feel it,” Morris said. “In the weight room, you can feel it Like in the meeting rooms, the excitement, enthusiasm. It becomes authentic. It becomes who they are, becomes what they become. It becomes like contagious throughout the building. And you’ve got to love it. I can already feel that edge.”

The Falcons made a strong commitment to the pass rush in the NFL draft. They chose Walker from Georgia at No. 15 overall and then traded back into the first round to add Pearce from Tennessee at No. 26. This came after making Floyd their top free-agent signee.

The Falcons saw their pass rush as their biggest need after ranking next to last in the league with 31 sacks in 2024. Floyd, 32, is serving as a mentor for Walker and Pearce. Floyd provided early lessons on Sunday when Pearce went too far in the scuffles with offensive linemen, including right tackle Kaleb McGary and right guard Matthew Bergeron. Floyd stepped in to defend Pearce without joining the scuffle. Floyd said Tuesday he wanted

to “teach him to get back, settle down.”

“Once you get rowdy, I try to bring it to the side of helping him cool himself down before he gets real crazy with it,” Floyd said. “But he’s good. He’s a good guy, man. He comes out and works hard. The linemen just don’t like it, you know? The guy works hard, and the linemen don’t like it. So that’s a good thing.” Morris said the two fights were “probably too physical for my liking, but I love the intent.” Outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith said Pearce fits the mold of a pass rusher who adds “a good sense of controlled violence” and is “edgy.”

“Especially when you’re talking about a defense that’s supposed to be known as, you know, ferocious, violent, all the strong words that you can use,” Smith said. “So you can add a little bit of edge in the right way.” Pearce has had the spotlight at the position while Walker worked on the side with trainers on Tuesday Walker missed a second straight practice because of an undisclosed issue Morris referred to as “minor.”

Continued from page 1C

3. Does Nussmeier make leap?

Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels made massive leaps from their first to second years as the LSU starting quarterback. Will Nussmeier do the same? He was good last season, throwing for 4,052 yards, but he needs to get better to take LSU to the playoffs. Nussmeier spent the offseason evaluating his decisionmaking and preparing his body to run a little bit more.

4. Perkins, Weeks return

Kelly expects two of the most important defensive players, linebackers Harold Perkins and Whit Weeks, to be ready for practice after their injuries. Perkins will be 10 months removed from tearing his ACL, and Weeks has had six months to recover from surgery on a broken fibula. Perkins will play Star a hybrid linebacker/safety position, this season, giving defensive coordinator Blake Baker an interesting chess piece.

5. Can Pickett start?

LSU may have two new starting cornerbacks, and one of them could be Pickett. The 6-foot-4, five-star freshman made a positive first impression during spring practice. Can he build on that going into the season? Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane likely will start on one side. The other spot is shaping into a battle among Pickett, Florida transfer Ja’Keem Jackson and junior Ashton Stamps.

6. How does Nic Anderson fit?

We haven’t gotten a good look at how Oklahoma transfer wide receiver Nic Anderson fits into the offense because he was limited during spring practice with a hamstring injury. He needed medical treatment when he got into a car wreck earlier this month, but Kelly said Anderson was expected to practice at the start of camp. At 6-4, he would add an enticing target to the receiving corps.

7. Who’s poised for a breakout?

Preseason camp can offer clues as to

Stadium.

which player may be headed for a big year Some of the candidates are senior wide receiver Chris Hilton, sophomore tight end Trey’Dez Green, sophomore defensive tackle Dominick McKinley and sophomore defensive end Gabriel Reliford

8. Will LSU improve run game?

This question applies to both sides of the ball. On offense, LSU ranked last in the SEC in rushing at 116 yards per game in 2024. It was ineffective in shortyardage situations, even with an experienced offensive line, and abandoned the run at times. The defense wasn’t much better, ranking 12th in the league with 140 yards rushing allowed per game. LSU struggled in particular with containing mobile quarterbacks, and they are all over the schedule again.

9. Does defense improve?

In Baker’s first season as the defensive coordinator LSU went from 81st nationally in points allowed per game the year before to 59th. It was a decent jump, but that’s not good enough for title contention

After adding nine defensive transfers, Kelly said LSU has “given Blake now the tools to play championshiplevel defense.” He needs to be right. LSU has not ranked better than 33rd in scoring defense over the past five years.

10. Will DL transfers step up?

LSU lost six of its top eight snap-getters on the defensive line It’s mostly counting on returning players to develop on the interior To fill the holes on the edge, LSU signed Florida State senior Patrick Payton, Florida senior Jack Pyburn and Nebraska senior Jimari Butler They’re trying to prove themselves late in their careers, and LSU needs them to pan out It also grabbed a potential starter in South Florida defensive lineman Bernard Gooden in the spring portal window

11. An eye on the opener

Though LSU could lose the first game and still reach the 12-team playoff, it doesn’t want to start the season with a loss. Again The Tigers have not won their season opener since 2019, a streak that has festered for far too long. It won’t be easy to break. But LSU has put a lot of attention on Clemson, and if it wins, it will have early momentum.

12. Can Kelly deliver?

Throughout the offseason, Kelly has talked up the quality of the roster He said LSU has “a team that can win the SEC” — and that it didn’t before now. His confidence comes from having a returning quarterback, improved depth, a few years of development and a top-ranked transfer class. He has set high expectations. And now he must meet them.

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

assemble a staff, assemble talent, to put up $1 million from your own compensation package to spur donations to help LSU land a top-shelf transfer portal class if he didn’t want to win badly

So far the evidence has pointed to it. LSU and Kelly have brought together the people and talent to coach and help build a championship-caliber roster You’re going nowhere, man, without talent and depth. The Tigers appear to have both in abundance. I’ve been asked what I’m looking for during these weeks of preparation leading up to that blockbuster opener at Clemson. I want to see how Garrett Nussmeier looks throwing to new receivers such as Barion Brown and Nic Anderson. I want to see which players emerge as the five starting offensive linemen.

I want to see whether linebackers Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins are indeed full speed ahead for the Clemson game after both suffered devastating injuries last season. I want to see if a less-touted member of LSU’s highly touted transfer class, punter Grant Chadwick from Middle Tennessee, can pin some people deep with some serious hang time. Most of all, I want to see if the Tigers are a team instead of a collection of pricey players. Ole Miss was set up in similar fashion last year, with a glut of transfers and an experienced returning quarterback in Jaxson Dart to stir the drink. The Rebels were good, but not good enough to make the CFP despite having more mercenaries than many teams worthy of earning one of those 12 coveted CFP slots. I want to see whether the LSU players have chemistry Whether or not Nussmeier can find the timing with transfer tight end Bauer Sharp after he sheds a block, or know that Brown will be in the right spot to make the catch when Nussmeier releases the ball. I want to see whether the offensive line can be a cohesive unit and create holes for LSU running backs. I want to see if the trust is there in the secondary to make the tight coverage or knock a ball away as a blurring receiver comes over the middle on a post route or a running back leaks out into open space. No one goes into this season believing the Tigers will fall on their collective face a

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

coach Brian Kelly blows the whistle to end a drill during the spring game on April 12 at Tiger

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SETH WENIG

Giants receiver Malik Nabers, left, goes up against Paulson Adebo during a practice in East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday. The Giants have added veterans to their secondary, including Adebo, who came from the Saints.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BRyNN ANDERSON Falcons linebacker James Pearce, right, stretches during practice on May 27 in Flowery Branch, Ga. The first-round draft pick is already making an impression with his aggressive style.

Toto co-founder bemused by yacht rock revival

BY RODNEY HO

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

ATLANTA Toto had a handful of hits in the 1970s and 1980s but was never considered among the top echelon of arena rock acts of that era along the lines of Journey, Styx and Foreigner Yet two factors have brought the band into the 2020s with greater prominence and bigger tours than ever: the growth of the soft-rock genre known as yacht rock and a new generation discovering “Africa,” their only No. 1 song from 1983.

The band is touring with Men at Work and Christopher Cross, who has also seen his star rise courtesy of the yacht rock phenomenon.

The triple act combo was the idea of Steve Lukather, lead guitarist and original member of Toto going back to 1977 He knows Men at Work lead singer Colin Hay because both are touring members of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.

And Lukather worked on multiple tracks with Cross in the early 1980s.

“We’re all old friends,” said Lukather in an exuberant interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from his home in Los Angeles “Let’s go have some fun!”

‘Call it whatever you want’

Unlike Donald Fagen of Steely Dan and Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates, Lukather is not dismissive of the rise of yacht rock and Toto’s place in the pantheon of a made-up subgenre invented decades after the music first became popular

“Call it whatever you want as long as people dig the music,” Lukather said. “People have called it soft rock. I’ve heard ‘West Coast,’ which I like but nobody uses.”

Nicholas Niespodziani, lead singer of Atlanta’s popular Yacht Rock Revue for 17 years, marvels at the resurrection of Toto.

“I don’t know any artist that has been more reassessed than Toto,” Niespodziani said. “People look at them completely differently than they did 15, 20 years ago. They got panned by critics when they came out. They still sold millions of albums and won Grammys, but for a long time, they were a punchline everyone made fun of.”

Toto now draws 27.8 million unique listeners a month on Spotify alone. That is higher than rock band peers Journey (26.2 million), Foreigner (18.7 million), Def Leppard (9.2 million) and Styx (5 million).

“The naysayers said it couldn’t be done, but we turned it around,” Lukather said. “We just hung in there long enough. We are the last of a dying breed of guys from an era of musicians who worked hard and played our instruments for real.”

The Toto top 4

There are a handful of songs Toto will 100% play at their shows: “Hold the Line,” “Pamela,” “Rosanna” and “Africa,” their most popular song on Spotify It’s an evocatively catchy tune written by Toto original member and keyboardist David Paich, who had never been to Africa but name-checks Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti in the song. The song never quite disappeared from the pop culture zeitgeist, remaining a mainstay of any radio station playing ’80s music over the years. Younger generations found the song on

ä See REVIVAL, page 6C

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM LITTLE BIG CUP/FACEBOOK

BAYOU VIEWS, LOCAL FLAVOR

Dine in style on the water around area Acadiana restaurants

SBY JOANNA BROWN

Staff writer

outh Louisiana’s waterways are meandering, tree-lined, wildlife-rich glories for the senses. The bayou can be the perfect backdrop for a great meal, especially at these eight restaurants on four scenic Acadiana bayous.

Bayous Vermilion, Teche, Fuselier and Portage each show off different aspects of Acadiana’s charm. Bayous wind through picturesque towns like Abbeville and Arnaudville, which lie on opposite ends of Acadiana — from rolling inland plains to the marshy Gulf coast.

Several Lafayette restaurants are ideally situated on the Bayou Vermilion, which runs through the heart of the city At Cuisine de Maman at Vermilionville, an Acadian living history museum, diners can experience a shaded veranda with benches and picnic tables overlooking paddlers on the Vermilion it’s a popular path for kayaks and small craft.

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM RIVERFRONT/FACEBOOK A beer battered group sandwich is on the menu at RiverFront in Abbeville. The restaurant has a patio on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion.

The restaurants below each feature a dining area or outdoor access directly on the water, where you can experience a laid-back meal with a river view A couple of spots, like Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville and Empanada Guy in Lafayette, don’t have tables on the water — but you can paddle directly to both restaurants on the two waterways that built Acadiana, the Teche and Vermilion.

The grilled salmon at Brasserie Byronz is classic and warming

Little Big Cup n Bayou Fuselier | Little Big Cup, 149 Fuselier Road, Arnaudville Little Big Cup features elevated takes on Cajun and Creole cuisine, with a Sunday brunch buffet that attracts visitors from around the country Its verdant, colorful patio is a welcoming place to take in the surrounding community of Arnaudville, known for its art galleries, antique shopping and music at nearby Bayou Teche Brewing and NUNU Arts and Culture Collective. Be forewarned that this popular spot requires reservations on

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the planning is well worth it.

Myran’s Maison de Manager n Bayou Teche | Myran’s Maison de Manager, 1023 Neblett St., Arnaudville

Myran’s is the place for Cajun comfort food like burgers, fried chicken, po-boys and fried seafood galore, and you can have it all on their patio overlooking the Bayou Teche. Keep this restaurant on your list during crawfish season when Myran’s might be the most beautiful spot in the area to dig into a tray

ä See DINING, page 6C

Dine next to Bayou Fuselier at Little Big Cup in Arnaudville.

Lukather

of the succulent crustaceans. This is one of those casual, consistently greatplaces where the whole family is happy and relaxed —which might have something to do with being able to sit and watch the bayou roll on, while digging into aplate of good food.

Cuisine de Maman

n BayouVermilion | Cuisine de Maman, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette

This is arestaurantfeaturing nothing but downhome Cajun and Creolefare

(with amagnificent Sunday lunch buffet), in the middle of aliving history museum that brings the culture of the area to life. Vermilionville is afascinatingwalk through historic structures that show the way natives and settlers to the area lived in the 19th century,with expert guides on hand to explain each building and exhibit. Diners don’t need to purchase museum admission, and theycan enjoy beautiful views of the bayou as paddlers and people navigating small craft take atrip down the Vermilion.

BayouTeche Brewing

n BayouTeche | BayouTeche Brewing, 1002 Noth Lane, Arnaudville

Bayou Teche, the brewery with apizza restaurant helmed by celebratedchef Karlos Knott, does not have seating directly on the water —but it is accessiblefor paddlers and boaters coming up the scenic Bayou Teche in Arnaudville. After you dock, the brewery and restaurant are located ashortwalk upa gravel country lane. Diners can eat, drinkand relax on

BEST

Continued from page5C

moment! Afabulous touch for awonderful meal and evening. —Margaret DeLaney health section coordinator Tacos, rice andbeans n Veracruz Restaurant, 3510 Drusilla Lane, BatonRouge

The taco variety at Veracruz is toptier. There are grilled octopus, fried oyster and sweet potato tacos, among others.On my first visit to the restaurant, Iopted for the pescado (made with beer-battered fish, cabbage, salsa macha, pico de gallo and chipotle mayonnaise), asada (made with grilled skirt steak, sauteed onions, cabbage, cotija

REVIVAL

Continued from page5C

social media withthe band

Weezer fanning the flames with its cover of “Africa”in 2018, which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard alternative rock chart.

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM PAT’S FISHERMAN’SWHARF/FACEBOOK

Pat’sFisherman’sWharf is located on BayouPortagein Henderson.

thepatio (there is also ample indoor seating) where live bandsfrequently serenade visitors on weekends.

Pat’sFisherman’s Wharf n BayouPortage | Pat’s Fisherman’sWharf, 1008 HendersonLevee Road, Henderson Apopular spot for tourists and locals alike, Pat’sFisherman’s Wharf is located on the Henderson Levee on Bayou Portage,onthe westernside of the great Atchafalaya Basin. It doesn’tget much more Louisiana than that, just ashort drive off of Interstate 10 near Cecilia and Breaux Bridge. Pat’sis known forpopular Cajun fare like gumbo,fried alligator,crawfish bisque and other dishes that are agood introductionto thearea’s cuisine.

Empanada Guy n BayouVermilion| Empanada Guy,1500 General Mouton Ave., Lafayette In Lafayette, authenticArgentinian empanadas (with aCajuntwist) are available rightonthe Bayou Vermilion. This small restaurant doesnot have bayou seating,but like Bayou Teche Brewing,you can dock your kayakright on thewater and walk upfor thedelicacies on offer —including empanadas with locally inspired fillingssuchasgumbo,rice

and avocado) andpanza (made with fried pork belly, pickledonions, beansand guacamole). Themeal was accompanied byrice and beans. Each taco offered atotally different flavorprofile,and Iappreciated the individual ingredientsand combinations. Thepork belly tacowas tender,but thecrispy fish taco reigned supreme. The crunchy batter gave way to fresh fish that paired wellwithpico de gallo andcabbage. —Lauren Cheramie, features coordinator Chicken, sausage gumbo n The St. JohnRestaurant, 203 N. NewMarket St St Martinville

Even thoughthe airoutside last week felt like a

dressing and birria meat (whichistakingLafayette by storm)

Ruffino’s on theRiver n BayouVermilion | Ruffino’s on theRiver, 921 Camellia Blvd.,Lafayette

It’s all in the name. Ruffino’soffers elevated Italian dining, on the Vermilion, in theheart of Lafayette’sRiver Ranchneighborhood. The area features local shopping andplenty of eats, andat Ruffino’s, the celebratory dinners —the restaurant is knownfor hosting graduation dinners, anniversary meals andother celebratory occasions —come with a viewoverlooking the beautiful homes on thebanks of thebayou.

RiverFront

n BayouVermilion | RiverFront, 530 Park Ave.,Abbeville

This Abbevillerestaurant serves casual Cajun fareand features awelcoming lawn that rolls down to the Bayou Vermilion, about 40 minutes south of Lafayette. This is where thebayou meets the Gulf, and visitors can feel thefresh coastal breeze while enjoying oysters, steak, fish and chips, stuffed shrimpand more.

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

hairdryer set to high, Istill ordered the gumbo on my first visit to St.John Restaurant in St.Martinville. Doing so proved to be the correct decision. It may not be themost photogenic gumbo, it was thebest I’vehad in any restaurant.The roux was brown, but not too brown. The chicken was tender The sausage was cut into smaller-than-bite-sized pieces, so those bites offered more than the taste of sausage. The rice cameon theside.

This was agumbo that ticked all the right boxes. Ihighly recommend making atrip to St.Martinville to trythe gumbo. The rest of the meal was delicious, but thegumbo was the unquestionable star —Jan Risher,Louisiana culture editor

Extrahandrails forstairs

Dear Heloise: We live in atrilevel house and have seven steps going up and seven steps going down. My husband installed asecond handrail opposite the one thatwas already there on both sets of steps.This has made it much easier for us to navigate the steps since we areclose to 80, and it is much safer Perhaps this will help some of your readers who have trouble climbing steps as theyage. —Judy S.,in Dayton, Ohio

hints, and his all-time favorite wasthe use of baking soda and vinegar In fact, he would usually tell womentopour the baking soda and vinegar downtheir drains about once a weektohelp clean out drains and avoid a“yucky” drain smell.

P.S. He also said roaches hate vinegar,and it could help eliminate them from crawling up the drains. Rhonda W.,inLawton, Oklahomav Puttingchildrenahead

Anasty garbagedisposal

Dear Heloise: My latehusband was aplumber,and he was called in many times to help people get rid of anasty-smelling garbage disposal. He always advocated reading your columnfor household

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday,July 30, the 211th day of 2025. There are 154 days left in theyear Todayinhistory

On July 30, 1976, Bruce Jenner,now known as Caitlyn Jenner,set aworld record of 8,618 pointsand won the gold medal in the Olympic decathlon at the Montreal Summer Games.

Also on this date:

In 1619, thefirst representative assembly in Colonial America convened in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony

In 1864, during theCivil War, Union forces tried to takePetersburg, Virginia, by exploding agunpowderladen mineshaft beneath Confederate defense lines; theattack failed.

In 1945, thePortland class heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis, having just

Dear Heloise: Iknow you promote reading and education whenever you can, and as aschoolteacher,I appreciate this very much. However,before children start school, and before they can makeacomplete sentence, please encour-

TODAYINHISTORY

delivered components of the atomic bombtoTinian in the Mariana Islands during World WarII, was torpedoed by aJapanese submarine; only 316 out of nearly 1,200 service members survived.

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed ameasure making “InGod We Trust” the national motto, replacing “E Pluribus Unum.”

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965, which led to the creation of Medicare and Medicaid.

age parents to read to their children. Studieshave been done showing that reading to children andexplaining words to them that they might notunderstandwill inspire them to read andlearn

An education does not stop on graduation day; it’sonly the beginning. We know from various studies that achild whohates reading or aperson whois reading on afourth grade level by the age of 17 will be handicapped in the job market. So, read to your children and makethem read to you. Help them sound out words they don’tknow Give your child abetter chance in lifeand abetter future. —MargaretE., in Connecticut

Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

In 2008, ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic wasextradited to The Hague to face genocide charges after nearly 13 years on the run. (He was sentenced by aU.N.court in 2019 to lifeimprisonmentafter being convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.)

Today’sbirthdays: Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is 91. Blues musician Buddy Guyis89. Singer Paul Anka is 84. Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is 78.

“I always thought it was our most oddball song, but we are happy to play it,” Lukather said Lukather is thrilled to see multiple generations in the audience now,not just Gen Xers and boomers.

But at age67, he has ceded to time and has stopped dying his hair,which he did for morethan 30 years.

“They don’t just knowthe hits but are going into the catalog,” he said.“We can see it in streaming andhard records.”

“I asked my oldest sona couple of years ago thatifI started looking like thatold guy with jet black hair,tell me to stop,” he said. “He told me to stop. It’snow white, but at least Istill have afull head of hair!”

Hints from Heloise

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Say no to temptation. Going into debt, neglecting to pay attention to what you consume or taking risks with your emotional, financial or physical well-being will lead to regret.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Take precautions. Refuse to let someone else make choices for you or lead you down a path that can damage your reputation or position. Take responsibility, and you'll deter others from trying to take control.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Letting your emotions run the show will backfire. Do your research, consider what's feasible and affordable, and build your plans around what makes sense and has a chance to succeed.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) You'll have to stay on top of matters if you want to reach your goal. Lay the foundation and see matters through to the end. Take precautions to avoid injury when engaging in physical activity.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put your money somewhere safe. Spontaneity and spending will lead to regret. Updating your image and surrounding yourself with upbeat people and plans will help you achieve positive results.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Initiate change and put your energy where it will bring the highest monetary returns. An opportunity to team up with someone who is just as ambitious as you will give you the momentum you require to reach your goal.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Rearrange your surroundings to accommodate what you want to do, and address concerns with those whose plans will be affected by the choices you make.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Observe rather than participate in events or protests that can lead to negative results. Instead, sign up for something that will help you gain knowledge, skills or interests.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Participating will help you connect with people who motivate you and inspire you to trust and believe in yourself Redefine your qualifications to suit the sector you want to work in.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Focus on what's possible, and distance yourself from anyone trying to take advantage of you. Pay attention to your work and responsibilities. Working alone will help you achieve the most.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Put your energy where it will bring the highest return. Participate in events that inspire you to act. Turn any situation into an opportunity.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Keep a low profile, and you'll achieve more. Taking on responsibilities that don't belong to you will lead to resentment. Focus on easing stress and maintaining good health.

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

FAMILY CIrCUS

toDAy's cLuE: I EQuALs G

CeLebrItY CIpher

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the samenumber only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’sPuzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER

Confuciussaid,“Whenitisobviousthat the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals; adjust the action steps.”

Bridge players usually know the goal of adeal. For each side, it is to win acertain number of tricks.(The exception is when playing in amatchpointed duplicate. Then the target for declarer might be to win an overtrick or two; for the defenders, perhaps to hold the contract to plus one. That is whypair eventsare so tough.)

In thesecolumns, we rarely worry about overtricks —and thisdeal is no exception. How should East try to defeat threeno-trumpafterWestleadsafourthhighest diamond two?

Many players are under the influence of “return partner’s suit.” They would win the first trickwiththe diamond ace and lead back the diamond eight.Even if West were psychic, taking South’s queenwithhiskingandshiftingtoaclub, declarerwouldhaveninetricksviathree spades,fourhearts,onediamondandone club.

Amore thoughtful Eastwoulddosome analysis. What does West’sdiamond-two leadsignify? That he has exactly four diamonds.So how many does South have?

Five —and it is rarely right forthe defenders to attack declarer’s longest suit.

Bridge Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Here, East should win with his ace, then switch to the club king. With this layout, the contract should now fail. Southwilltakethesecondclubandleada sneakydiamond jack, butWest cangrab that trick and lead hislastclub, giving the defenders two diamonds and three clubs. Play by thought, not by rote. ©2025 by NEA,Inc., dist. By

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters 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 wordsare not allowed toDAy’s WoRD MARsHEs: MARSH-ez: Tracts of soft, wetland.

Average mark21words Time limit 35 minutes

Can you find 29 or morewords in MARSHES?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —toMcAts

Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

Lafayette Parish School Board- Public Hearing on Budget (Thursday, June 12, 2025) Meeting called to order at 4:00 PM

Members present David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond,Amy MTrahan,Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

1. ROLL CALL

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call -BoardMembers

2. AGENDA Information: 2.1 FINANCE: Proposed Unified Budget for Fiscal Year 20252026 -Dugas/LeBlanc Each year the Lafayette Parish School Boardholds apublic hearing prior to the budget adoption. BoardPresident Britt Latiolais called the meeting to order.Matthew Dugas, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, read the below resolution:

RESOLUTION 06-025-2137

ADOPTION OF BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026

WHEREAS, the Lafayette Parish School Boardheld Special Board Meetings on April 10 and May 7toreceive and discuss information related to the proposed budgets for fiscal year 2025-2026; and,

WHEREAS, the Lafayette Parish School Boardadvertised in The Daily Advertiser on May 22 and May 23, 2025 that aPublic Hearing and Special BoardMeeting would be held to adopt the Unified Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026; and,

WHEREAS, the Public Hearing was held on June 12, 2025 now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lafayette Parish School Board, does hereby adopt the Lafayette Parish School BoardUnified Budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.

CE RTIFICAT E

I, the undersigned Secretary-Treasurer of the Lafayette Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is atrue copyof aresolution adopted at its Special Board Meeting of June 12, 2025, at which time aquorum was present and that same is in full force and effect.

Dated at Lafayette, Louisiana this 12th day of June, 2025.

/s/ Francis Touchet, Jr Francis Touchet, Jr Secretary-Treasurer LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

3. ADJOURN

Therebeing no further business, the meeting adjourned.

SIGNED: SIGNED:

/s/ Britt Latiolais /s/ Francis Touchet, Jr Britt Latiolais, President Francis Touchet, Jr SecretaryLAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOLBOARD Treasurer ccg LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Lafayette Parish School Board- Regular BoardMeeting -REVISED (Thursday,June 12, 2025) Meeting called to order at 5:00PM Members present David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan,Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

1. MEETING OPENINGS

Procedural: 1.1 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America Procedural: 1.2 Moment of Silence

2. INFORMATION ITEMS Information: 2.1 BOARD: Introduction of Colson Fontenot -Field Representative for Congressman Cleo Fields Colson Fontenot, Field Congressman for Cleo Fields, introduced himself and reported their office is located in Opelousas at 1310 S. Union Street. Mr.Fontenot indicated their office represents North Lafayette. He also indicated that Congressman Fields is very dedicated to education.

Information: 2.2 BOARD: Cooperative Endeavor Agreement(CEA) for Homestead Exemption Audit Services -Tax Assessor Mr.Justin Centanni Mr.Justin Centanni, Lafayette Parish TaxAssessor,referred to Action Item

3.1 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement that is on the agenda for the current meeting. Mr.Centanni indicated it had been 12 years since homestead exemptions have been audited in Lafayette Parish. Mr.Centanni requested an audit to make surethereisnohomestead exemption applied to properties that no longer qualify because state law says you arenot allowed to have morethan one homestead exemption. Resolution 06-025-2136 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement will be to allow the Tax Assessor’soffice to contract with acompany called True Roll, who will analyze homestead exemptions by searching for any homeownersthat may have ahomestead exemption in another state or parish. TrueRoll will present the findings to Mr. Centanni’soffice to collect back taxes on the property

Information: 2.3 BOARD: October Regular BoardMeeting Date Change -Latiolais BoardPresident Britt Latiolais announced the Regular BoardMeeting scheduled for October 9, 2025 has been rescheduled for October 2, 2025 due to Parent Teacher Conferences being held on October 9, 2025.

3. ACTION ITEMS

Action: 3.1 BOARD: Discussion and/or action Resolution 06-025-2136 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement concerning the Homestead Exemption Audit -Touchet/Justin Centanni

RESOLUTION NO. 06-025-2136

ARESOLUTION OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ENTER INTOA COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE TAXING BODIES CONCERNING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AUDIT MAPPING SYSTEM

BE IT RESOLVED by the Lafayette Parish School Board, that:

WHEREAS,the Lafayette Parish School Board(hereinafter referred to as “LPSB”), the Lafayette Consolidated Government (hereinafter referred to as “LCG”),the Law Enforcement District of the Parish of Lafayette (hereinafter referred to as the “Sheriff”), the Lafayette Centre Development District (hereinafter referredto as “LCDD”),the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (hereinafter referredtoas“LEDA”), the Lafayette Bayou Vermilion District (hereinafter referredtoas“BVD”), the Lafayette Airport Commission (hereinafter referredto as the Airport”), the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District (hereinafter referredtoas“Teche”) and the Lafayette Parish TaxAssessment District (hereinafter referredto as the “Tax Assessor”) (hereinafter sometimes collectively referredtoas the “Parties”) mutually acknowledge that unlawfully claimed homestead exemptions deprive Lafayette Parish (hereinafter referredtoasthe “Parish”) and its citizens from revenue otherwise entitled to; and WHEREAS,the Parties mutually acknowledge that the Parish has adirect financial interest in identifying those properties for which the homestead exemption was erroneously claimed or improperly recognized; and WHEREAS,the TaxAssessor is the Parish entity responsible for administering the evaluation and assessment of properties located within its parish; and WHEREAS,the TaxAssessor desires to implement aprocess/ program to moreefficiently and effectively identify, locate, and enforce homestead exemption violations (hereinafter referredtoasthe “Homestead Exemption Audit Mapping System”) which would aid the Parish in recovering this lost revenue, without the need to raise taxes; and WHEREAS,the Parties hereto acknowledge and agree to the implementation of the Homestead Exemption Audit Mapping System for the public purpose of reducing the incidence of unlawfully claimed homestead exemptions; and WHEREAS,inconnection therewith the TaxAssessor shall contract with The Exemption Project, Inc. (Also known as TrueRoll) for certain services, as moreparticularly identified in the Exclusive Agreement for Homestead Audit Mapping and Proactive Homestead Exemption Monitoring Services between the Lafayette Parish Assessor’s Office and The Exemption Project, Inc. (hereinafter referredtoasthe “TrueRoll Contract”), attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, and WHEREAS, in consideration of the services to be provided by The Exemption Project, Inc. to the TaxAssessor,inaccordance with the TrueRoll Contract, the Parties acknowledge and agree to proportionately sharethe costs of such services since each will receive the net benefit resulting from the Homestead Exemption Audit Mapping System; and WHEREAS, in recognition of and in agreement with the above statements, the Parties desiretoexecutea CooperativeEndeavor

and obligations in connection with the payment of the costs associated therewith; and WHEREAS, Article VII, Section14(C) of the 1974 Constitution of the StateofLouisiana and La. R.S. 33:1324, et seq., provide that, for apublic purpose, public entities, parishes, municipalities and pol tical subdivisions may engage in and make cooperative endeavor agreements/ intergovernmental agreementsbetween themselves for specificpurposes; and WHEREAS, the transfer or expenditureofpublic funds in connection with the services to be provided by The Exemption Project,Inc. arenot a gratuitous donation; and WHEREAS, the parties hereto areauthorized and empowered to enter into this Agreement under the provisions of Louisiana law,including, but not limited to,La. R.S. 33:1324, et seq., and Article VII, Section14(C) of the 1974 Constitutionofthe StateofLouisiana and allOrdinances, Resolutions and Actsspecifichereto. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Lafayette Parish School Board, that:

SECTION 1: Allofthe aforedescribed “Whereas” clauses are adopted as part of this resolution.

SECTION 2: The following synopsis summarizes the agreement by and between the Parties.

Participants: LCG, the Sheriff, the School Board, LCDD, LEDA, BVD, the Airport, Teche and the TaxAssessor

Purpose: The purpose of the Agreement is the acknowledgement and agreement of the Parties to the implementation of the Homestead ExemptionAudit Mapping System for the purpose of reducing the incidence of unlawfullyclaimed homestead exemptions and to proportionately shareinthe costs of services to be provided by The Exemption Project,Inc. pursuant to the TrueRollContract since each Party will receive the net benefit resulting from the Homestead ExemptionAuditMapping System.

Funds and/or services provided by the School Board: School Boardagrees to pay its proportionate shareofthe costs of the services to be provided by The Exemption Project,Inc., according to its millage.

Funds and/or services provided by LCG, the Sheriff, LCDD, LEDA, BVD, the Airport, Teche, and the TaxAssessor: The Parties agree to pay their proportionate shareofthe costs of the services to be provided by The Exemption Project,Inc., according to their millage.

Jurisdictional Issues: N/A

Benefits to the School Board: School Boardshall receive additional tax revenues collected from those properties identified forwhich the homestead exemption is erroneously claimed or improperly recognized. Time Frame: The initial term of this Agreement shall be for three (3) years (“Initial Term”) from the date this Agreement is executed by the last Party (“Effective Date”). Thereafter,itshall continue in effect on ayear-to-year basis. ThisAgreement may be terminated by any Party,without cause, following the Initial Term upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other Party and the Parish Assessor

SECTION 3: The Superintendent is hereby authorized to execute the attached Agreement, substantially in the same form as attached hereto, with the Parties wherein the Parties acknowledge and agree the implementation of the Homestead ExemptionAudit Mapping System for the public purpose of reducing the incidence of unlawfully claimed homestead exemptions and to proportionatelyshareinthe costs of services to be provided by The Exemption Project,Inc. pursuant to the TrueRollContract since each Party will receive the net benefitresulting from the Homestead ExemptionAudit Mapping System.

SECTION 4: The Superintendent is hereby further authorized to execute any and all other documents and take any and all other actions in connection therewith.

SECTION 5: Allordinances or resolutions, or parts thereof,in conflict herewith arehereby repealed.

SECTION 6: This resolution shall become effective upon signature of Superintendent.

Dated at Lafayette, Louisiana, this 12th day of June, 2025.

/s/Francis Touchet, Jr Francis Touchet, Jr Secretary-Treasurer LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE TAXING BODIES CONCERNING THE HOMESTEAD

EXEMPTION AUDIT MAPPING SYSTEM

STATEOFLOUISIANA

PARISH OF LAFAYETTE

BE IT KNOWN,that, on the dates hereinafter set forth, beforeus, the undersigned authorities, Notaries Public, in and for the aforesaid Parish and State, duly commissioned and qualified as such and in the presence of the undersigned competent witnesses, respectfully came and appeared: LAFAYETTE PARISH THROUGH THELAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH

CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT,apolitical subdivision in the StateofLouisiana represented herein by Monique Blanco-Boulet its Mayor-President, duly authorized by Ordinance No._____2025 of the Lafayette Parish Council adopted on the day of 2025, acopy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof (hereinafter referred to as “LCG”); LAWENFORCEMENT DISTRICT OF THEPARISHOFLAFAYETTE, apolitical subdivision of the StateofLouisiana, hereinafter represented by its Chief Executive Officer,Mark Garber (hereinafter referred to as “Sheriff”); THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, appearing by and through FrancisTouchet,Jr.,its Superintendent, duly authorized by resolution of the Lafayette Parish School Board(hereinafter referred to as the “School Board”); THE LAFAYETTE CENTRE DEVELOPMENTDISTRICT,appearing by and through KevinBlanchard, its Chief Executive Officer,duly authorized by resolution of the Downtown Development Authority, its governing authority (hereinafter referred to as the “LCDD”); THE LAFAYETTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTAUTHORITY, appearing by and through Mandi Mitchell,its President, duly authorized by resolution of the Lafayette EconomicDevelopment Authority BoardofCommissioners (hereinafter referred to as “LEDA”); THE LAFAYETTE BAYOU VERMILIONDISTRICT,appearing by and through Stephen Broussard, its Executive Director,duly authorized by resolution of the Bayou Vermilion District BoardofCommissioners (hereinafter referred to as “BVD”); LAFAYETTE AIRPORTCOMMISSION,appearing by and through Steven Picou, its Executive Director,duly authorized by resolution (hereinafter referred to as the “Airport”); THE TECHE VERMILIONFRESH WATER DISTRICT,appearing by and through DonaldSagrera, its Executive Director, duly authorized by resolution of its BoardofCommissioners (hereinafter referred to as “Teche”), and THE LAFAYETTE PARISH TAXASSESSMENTDISTRICT,appearing by and through Justin A. Centanni, the duly elected TaxAssessor of Lafayette Parish, its governing authority (hereinafter referred to as the “Tax Assessor”) (hereinafter sometimes referred to collectivelyasthe “Parties”)

WHEREAS, the Parties mutually acknowledge that unlawfully claimed homestead exemptions deprive Lafayette Parish (hereinafter referred to as the “Parish”) and its citizens from revenue otherwise entitled to WHEREAS, the Parties mutually acknowledge that the Parish has adirect financial interest in identifying those properties for which the homestead exemption was erroneouslyclaimed or improperly recognized WHEREAS, the TaxAssessor is the Parish entity responsiblefor administering the evaluation and assessment of properties located within its parish. WHEREAS, the TaxAssessor desires to implement aprocess/ program to moreefficiently and effectively identify,locate, and enforce homestead exemption violations (hereinafter referred to as the “Homestead Exemption Audit Mapping System”)which would aid the Parish in recovering this lost revenue, without the need to raise taxes. WHEREAS, the Parties hereto acknowledge and agree to the implementation of the Homestead ExemptionAudit Mapping System for the public purpose of reducing the incidence of unlawfully claimed homestead exemptions. WHEREAS, in connection therewiththe TaxAssessor shall contract with The Exemption Project,Inc. (Also known as TrueRoll)for certain services, as moreparticularly identified in the Exclusive Agreement for Homestead Audit Mapping and Proactive Homestead Exemption Monitoring Services between the Lafayette Parish Assessor’s Office and The Exemption Project,Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “TrueRoll Contract”), attached hereto as Exhibit “A.” WHEREAS, in consideration of the services to

resulting from the Homestead Exemption Audit Mapping System.

may engage in andmake cooperative endeavor agreements/ intergovernmentalagreements between themselvesfor specificpurposes. WHEREAS, the transferorexpenditureofpublic funds in connection with the services to be provided by The Exemption Project,Inc.are not a gratuitous donation.

WHEREAS, the

Resolutions andActsspecifichereto.

NOW,THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutualcovenants and agreements herein contained, it is agreed by andamong the parties hereto as follows.

1. AGREEMENT. The Parties hereby consent to the TaxAssessor contracting with The Exemption Project,Inc.for those certain services identified in the TrueRollContract in connection with the Homestead Exemption Audit Mapping System. Furthermore, the Parties hereto agreetopay their proportionate shareofthe costs of the services to be provided by The Exemption Project,Inc according to each Party’smillage

2. AUTHORITY TO SHERIFF TO DISTRIBUTE PAYMENTFOR SERVICES. The Parties hereby acknowledge andagree thatthe Sheriffasthe TaxCollector of the Parish is hereby authorized to disburse to the LCG each Parties proportionate shareofthe costs of the services renderedbyThe Exemption Project,Inc from the taxcollected as aresult of aViolation (as defined by the TrueRollContract)upon receipt of the taxcollected, with the percentage of the balance thereof going to each respective Party according to each Party’smillage

3. NON-APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS: As to LCG,the continuation of this Agreementinto anew fiscal year (i.e., 11/1-10/31), is contingent upon the appropriation of funds to fulfill the requirements of this Agreement. If LCG,aftera diligent andgood faith effort, fails to appropriate sufficientmoniestoprovide for payments underthis Agreement, the obligation to make payment underthis Agreementshall terminateonthe last day of the fiscal year for whichfunds were appropriated.

4. BUDGETED FUNDS: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the Parties agreethatthe maximum amount payable underthis Agreementshall be thatwhichisthe amount budgeted by LCG in respect of the obligations specified herein. In the eventthe totalamount of this Agreementisincreased for anyreasonwhatsoever,soastoexceed the amount budgeted, the Parties agreethatLCG shall not be responsible or liable for the amount of suchincrease until andunless said budget is amended as provided for in the LCG Home Rule Charter to allow for such an increased amount.

5. NON-ASSIGNABILITY:This Agreementisstrictly between the Parties hereto, andnone of the Parties hereto shall have the right to assignthis Agreementorany part thereof to anyotherparty.

6. TERM OF AGREEMENT:The initialterm of this Agreementshall be for three (3)years (“InitialTerm”) from the date this Agreement is executedbythe last Party (“Effective Date”). Thereafter, it shall continue in effect on ayear-to-year basis. This Agreementmay be terminated by anyParty, without cause, following the Initial Term upon thirty (30) days writtennoticetothe otherPartyand the Parish Assessor

7. HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNITY:Each Party shallbear the risk of its own actions andthe actions of its personnel, as it does with its day-to-day operations, anddetermine for itself whatkind of insurance, andinwhatamounts, it should carry.Nothing herein shall act or be construedasa waiverofany sovereign immunity or other exemption or limitation on liability thataPartytothis Agreementmay enjoy

8. INSURANCE. It is agreed by the Parties thatthe TaxAssessor shall requireThe Exemption Project,Inc.tomaintain insurance during the duration of the term of the TrueRollcontract,as follows: a. Standard Workmen’s Compensation. This shall include Full Statutory Liability for the State of Louisiana,with Employer’sLiability

School

BVD

Lafayette, LA 70503

TaxAssessor Attn: TaxAssessor 213 W. Vermilion St. Lafayette, LA 70501

11. SURVIVAL. All obligations to be performed after the termination of this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Agreement.

12. COUNTERPARTS. This agreement may be executed in one or morecounterparts, with each counterpartbeing deemed an original Agreement, but with all counterparts being considered one Agreement.

13. SEVERABILITY.Ifany term or provision of this Agreement is declared or adjudged to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable, then the remaining terms or provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

14. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana without regardtoconflict of law principles.

15. VENUE. Any suit brought by any party hereto arising out of or by reason of this Agreement shall be brought in the District Court of Lafayette Parish.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED, in multiple originals,onthis day of 2025, by THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD in the presence of the undersigned competent witnesses, who have hereunto executed, affixed and signed their names with THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD and me, said Notary Public, all in the presence of each other after reading of the whole.

Francis Touchet, Jr Secretary-Treasurer LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

WITNESSES:

Name: Name:

NOTARY PUBLIC Print Name: Notary Identification No.

That the Boardapprove Resolution 06-025-2136 Lafayette Parish School

BoardAuthorizing the Superintendent to enter into acooperative endeavor agreement by and among the taxing bodies concerning the Homestead Exemption Audit Mapping System.

Motion by Jeremy Hidalgo, second by Joshua Edmond.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond,Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais,Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action: 3.2 ADMINISTRATION: Selection of the ThirdParty Administrator (TPA) for Group Health Insurance -Touchet/Gardner

SuperintendentFrancis Touchet,Jr. advised the Boardhedecided to negotiate and enter into acontract with Meritain w/Verityand Aetna CPII Wrap as the ThirdParty Administrator (TPA). Mr.Touchet indicated he feels Meritainwill provide savings and opportunities to save money

That the Boardapprove the ThirdParty Administrator (TPA) for group health insurance recommended by the Superintendent and that the Superintendent be authorized to negotiate and enter into acontract for term beginning January 1, 2026.

Motion by Hannah Mason, second by Jeremy Hidalgo.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: Chad Desormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, BrittLatiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

No: David LeJeune

4. CONSENT AGENDA Action (Consent): 4.1 ADMINISTRATION: Discussion and/or action concerning the proposed plan of reorganization and reclass of staffand changes in job descriptions related thereto and therewill be zeroimpact to the 2025-2026 General Fund budget -Touchet Resolution:That the Boardapprove the proposed plan of reorganization and reclass of staffand changes in job descriptions related thereto as attached to this agenda item to become effective July 1, 2025. All changes will be reflected in the 2025-2026 Salary Booklet. These changes arebeing implemented in response to the new state accountabilitysystem set to takeeffect in the 2025–2026 school year

That the Boardapprove all Action Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond,Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.2

ADMINISTRATION: Discussion and/or action concerning the proposed Code of Conduct for the 2025-2026 Student Handbook -Moore/Gardner Resolution: That the Boardapprove the proposed portion of the Code of Conduct for the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Handbook.

That the Boardapprove all Action Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond,Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.3 ADMINISTRATION: Discussion and/or action regarding Point Solutions -Gardner/LeBouef

Resolution: That the Boardapprove the Point Solutions of Quantify Infusion Therapy and FEDLogic effective January 1, 2026. Both Point Solutions wererecommended by Gallagher BenefitServices and discussed at the BoardInsurance Finance Committee meeting on June 4, 2025. There is a$764,761 estimated cost savings for the Quantify Infusion Therapy Solution and an estimated cost savings of $670,586, with seven people participating, for the FEDLogic Point Solution.

That the Boardapprove all Action Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.4 EMPLOYEE SERVICES -Discussion and/or action concerning an adjustment to the 2024-25 Salary Schedule –Gardner/ Dugas/Clement Resolution: That the Boardapprove the revisions to the 2024-25 Salary Schedule.

That the Boardapprove all Action Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.5 EMPLOYEE SERVICES: Discussion and/or action concerning the 2025-26 Salary Schedule -Gardner/Dugas/Clement

Resolution: That the Boardapprove the 2025-26 Salary Schedule as attached in the Public Content section of this agenda item. That the Boardapprove all Action Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux,Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.6 FACILITIES: Discussion and/or action to use Contingency Funds and Reallocated Funds for Improvements to

-Gautreaux/Rabalais/Touchet Resolution: That the Boardapprove the use of Contingency Funds and reallocation of funds within the Self-Funded Construction Fund and CapitalImprovement Fund for improvements to facilities as listed below

in the Public Content section.

That the Boardapprove all ActionConsent Itemswith the exception of itemspulled.

MotionbyRoddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: MotionCarries Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason,Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.7FACILITIES: Discussion and/or action concerning Declaration of Surplus Property at Katharine Drexel Elementary School -Gautreaux Resolution: That the Boarddeclarethe portable classroom building at Katharine Drexel Elementary School as surplus property and authorize theConstruction, Maintenance and Facilities Department to sell and/or dispose of the building pursuant to R.S. 17:87.6.

That the Boardapprove all ActionConsent Itemswith the exception of itemspulled.

MotionbyRoddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: MotionCarries Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, Hannah Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.8FINANCE: Discussion and/or actionconcerning the MayBudget-to-Actual/Revisions for FY 24-25 -Dugas/LeBlanc

Resolution: That the Boardapprove the May Budget-to-Actual/Revisions for FY 24-25 as attached in the Public Content section of this agenda item.

That the Boardapprove all ActionConsent Itemswith the exception of itemspulled.

MotionbyRoddy Bergeron, second by Hannah Mason.

Final Resolution: MotionCarries Yes: David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, KateLabue, Hannah Mason,Jeremy Hidalgo

Action(Consent): 4.9 FINANCE: Discussion and/or actionconcerning Resolution 06-025-2138 Final Approval of the Issuance of Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 -Dugas/A. Mouton

Resolution: That the Boardapprove Resolution 06-025-2138 authorizing the sale of Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2025 and authorizing the Superintendent to sign the Bond Purchase Agreement

The following resolution was offered by Roddy Bergeron, and seconded by Hannah Smith Mason: LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD Lafayette, Louisiana

RESOLUTION #06-025-2138

FINAL APPROVALTOISSUE

SALES TAXREVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2025

Aresolution providing for the issuance and sale of Sixty-One MillionFour Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($61,465,000) of Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2025, of the Parish School Boardofthe Parish of Lafayette, StateofLouisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

WHEREAS, the Parish School Boardofthe Parish of Lafayette, StateofLouisiana (the “Issuer”) is nowlevying and collecting aone percent (1%) sales and use tax (the “Tax”), under the authority of aspecial election held by the Issuer on September 18, 1965, at which electionthe following proposition (the “Proposition”) was approved by amajority of the qualified electors voting thereon:

PROPOSITION

“Shall the Parish School Boardofthe Parish of Lafayette, StateofLouisiana, under the provisions of R.S. 33:2737 and 33:2737.2 and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, be authorized to levy and collect atax of one percent (1%) uponthe sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental,the consumption and storage for use or consumption of tangible personal property and on sales of services in the Parish of Lafayette, Louisiana, all as presently defined in R.S. 47:301 through 47:317, with the avails or proceeds of said tax (after paying reasonable and necessary costs and expenses of collecting and administering the tax) being allocated and dedicated for the purposes of (1) payment of salaries of teachers in the elementary and secondary schools of Lafayette Parish and/or for the expenses of operating said schools; and (2) capital improvements, including the acquisitionoflands for building sites and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting and improving school buildings and related facilities, and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor,title to which shall be in the public; and further shall said School Boardbeauthorized to incur debt and issue negotiable bonds for capital improvements as above described, payable from apledgeand dedication of the avails or proceeds of saidtax, all in the manner and within the limitations set forth in R.S. 33:2737.2; provided, however,such bonds shall not be issued in amounts requiring morethan one-half (2) of the avails or proceeds of the tax estimated to be collected in the current calendar year,asmorefully set forth in R.S. 33:2737.2; and further,inthe event bonds areso issued, the avails or proceeds of such tax,after making all payments required for the payment of such bonds in principal and interest and the establishment of areserve therefor,shall be allocated monthly as follows: First, an amount equal to at least one-half (2) of the total availsor proceeds of said tax forsuch month(after payment of costs and expenses of collecting and administering the tax)shallbeused for the purpose of payment of salaries of teachers in the elementary and secondary schools of Lafayette Parish and/or forthe expenses of operating said schools, and next, the remainder of the avails or proceeds of the tax forsuch month, if any,may be used for capital improvement purposes?”

WHEREAS, pursuant to the authority of the aforesaid election, the Issuer adopted Ordinance No.1of1965 (as amended from timetotime, the “Sales TaxOrdinance”) on October 6, 1965, providing for the levy and collection of the Tax; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the provisions of the Sales Tax Ordinance, the net avails or proceeds of the Tax(after the reasonable and necessary costs and expenses of the collection and administration thereof have been paidtherefrom) (the “Net Revenues of the Tax”) shallbe available for appropriation and expenditurebythe Issuer for the purposes designated in the Proposition, which includes the payment of bonds authorized to be issued pursuant to the Propositioninaccordance with Louisiana law; and

WHEREAS, the Issuer has heretoforeissued and presently has outstanding the following bonds secured by and payable from apledge and dedication of the Net Revenues of the Tax:

(i) Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2018, maturing on April 1of the years 2026 through 2040, inclusive, and April 1, 2043 (the “Series 2018 Bonds”);

(ii) Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2018A,maturing on April 1 of the years 2026 through 2040, inclusive, and April1,2043 (the “Series 2018A Bonds”);

(iii) Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2019, maturing on April 1of the years 2026 through 2040, inclusive, April 1, 2044, and April 1, 2049 (the “Series 2019 Bonds”); (iv) TaxableSales TaxRevenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2020, maturing on April 1ofthe years 2026 through 2035, inclusive, April 1, 2040, April 1, 2043, and April 1, 2048 (the “Series 2020 Bonds”); and

(v) Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2023, maturing on April 1of the years 2026 through 2043, inclusive, April 1, 2048, and April 1, 2053 (the “Series 2023 Bonds” and, together with the Series 2018 Bonds, Series 2018A Bonds, Series 2019 Bonds, and Series 2020 Bonds, the “Outstanding Parity Bonds”); WHEREAS, the Issuer nowdesirestoincur debt and issue its Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2025, in the principal amount of Sixty-One

Million Four Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($61,465,000) (the “Bonds”), pursuant to Section 1430 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutesof1950, as amended, andotherconstitutional andstatutory authority (collectively,the “Act”), for the purpose of (i) constructing and acquiring capitalimprovements, including the acquisition of lands for building sites andplaygrounds, purchasing, erecting andimproving school buildings andrelated facilities, andacquiring the necessary equipment andfurnishings therefor,title to whichshall be in the public; and(ii) paying the costs of issuanceofthe Bonds, including the cost of areserve fund insurancepolicy, said Bonds, togetherwith the OutstandingParity Bonds, to be payable from andsecuredbyanirrevocablepledge anddedication of the NetRevenuesofthe Tax; and

WHEREAS,underthe terms andconditions of the resolutions adopted by the Issuer authorizing the issuanceofthe Outstanding Parity Bonds (collectively,the “Parity BondResolutions”), the Issuer hasauthority to issue additionalbonds on acomplete parity with the Outstanding Parity Bonds underthe terms andconditions providedtherein; and

WHEREAS,the Issuer hasdeterminedthatall the terms and conditions specified in the Parity BondResolutions have been or will be compliedwith prior to the delivery of the Bonds, anditisthe express desireand intention of the Issuer thatthe Bonds be issuedona complete parity with the OutstandingParity Bonds; and

WHEREAS, in compliancewith the provisions of the Proposition the maturitiesofthe hereinafterdescribed Bonds will be arrangedsothat the totalamount of principaland interest falling due in anyyear on the Bonds andthe OutstandingParity Bonds will never exceed 50% of the Taxestimated to be received by the Issuer in the year in whichthe Bonds areissued; and

WHEREAS,this Governing Authority adopted aresolution on April 10, 2025 (the“Prior Resolution”), authorizingthe issuanceand sale of not exceeding $70,000,000ofSales TaxRevenue Bonds, in one or more series, of the Issuer,and authorizing anddirecting the Secretary-Treasurer to execute aBond Purchase Agreementmemorializing the terms of the sale thereof; and

WHEREAS,pursuant to the terms of the Prior Resolution, the Secretary-Treasurerhas agreed to the sale of the Bonds andhas executed the BondPurchase Agreementasauthorized, acopy of whichisattached hereto as Exhibit A;and

WHEREAS,the Bonds being determined to be within the parameters permitted by the Prior Resolution, this Governing Authority desires to fix the details of the Bonds andthe terms of the sale of the Bonds; NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Lafayette, State of Louisiana,acting as the governing authority of the Parish of Lafayette, State of Louisiana,for school purposes, that: Definitions. The following terms shallhave the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

“Act” means Section 1430 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutesof1950, as amended, andotherconstitutional andstatutory authority

“Additional Parity Bonds” means anyadditional pari passu bonds whichmay hereafterbeissued, pursuant to Section 12 hereof, on aparity with the Bonds andthe Outstanding Parity Bonds.

“Agreement” means the agreementtobeenteredinto between the Issuer andthe Paying Agent pursuant to this BondResolution.

“Bond” or “Bonds” means anyorall of the SalesTax Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 of the Issuer,issued pursuant to this BondResolution in the aggregateprincipal amount of $61,465,000,whetherinitially delivered or issuedinexchange for,upon transferof, or in lieuofany previously issuedBond.

“Bond PurchaseAgreement” means the agreementfor the purchase andsaleofthe Bonds by andbetween the Issuer andthe Underwriter,attached hereto as ExhibitA

“Bond Register means the registration books of the Paying Agent in whichregistration of the Bonds andtransfers of the Bonds shall be made as provided herein.

“Bond Resolution” means this resolution authorizing the issuance of the Bonds, as it maybeamendedand supplemented as herein provided.

“Bond Year” means the one-year period ending on the principal payment date of the Bonds (April 1) of each year

“Business Day” means aday of the year other thana day on which banks located in NewYork, NewYork andthe citiesinwhichthe principal offices of the Paying Agent arelocated arerequired or authorizedto remain closedand on whichthe NewYork StockExchange is closed.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Costs of Issuance” means allitems of expense, directly or indirectly payable or reimbursable andrelated to the authorization, sale andissuance of the Bonds, including but not limitedtoprinting costs, costs of preparation andreproduction of documents, filing andrecording fees, initialfees andcharges of any fiduciary,legal fees andcharges, fees andcharges for the preparation anddistribution of anypreliminary official statement and/or official statement, if paid by the Issuer,fees anddisbursements of consultants andprofessionals, costs of credit ratings, fees andcharges for preparation,execution, transportation and safekeepingofthe Bonds, costs andexpenses of refunding, premiums for the insuranceofthe payment of the Bonds, if any, andany othercost, charge or feepaidorpayablebythe Issuer in connection with the original issuanceofBonds.

“Executive Officers” means, collectively,the President and Secretary-Treasurerofthe Governing Authority andthe Assistant Superintendent–Businesses Services andDirector of Financeofthe Issuer

“Fiscal Year” means the one-year accounting period commencing on July 1ofeach year,orsuchotherone-year period as maybedesignated by the Governing Authority as the fiscal year of the Issuer

“Governing Authority” or “Issuer” means the Parish School Board of the Parish of Lafayette, State of Louisiana

“Government Securities” means direct general obligations of, or obligations the principal of andinterest on whichare unconditionally guaranteed by,the UnitedStatesofAmerica, whichmay be UnitedStates Treasury Obligations such as the State andLocal Government Series and may be in book-entry form.

“InterestPayment Date” means April 1and October1ofeach year in whichthe Bonds areOutstanding, commencing October1,2025.

“Moody’s” means Moody’sInvestors Service, Inc., or anysuccessor thereto maintaining arating on the Bonds.

“Net Revenues of the Tax” means the avails or proceeds of the Taxavailable to the Issuer afterprovision hasbeen made for the payment therefrom of allreasonable andnecessary costs andexpenses of collecting andadministering the Tax.

“Outstanding”,whenused with referencetothe Bonds, means, as of anydate, allBonds theretoforeissued underthis BondResolution, except:

(a) Bonds theretoforecancelledbythe Paying Agent or deliveredto the Paying Agent for cancellation; (b) Bonds for the payment or redemption of whichsufficientfunds have been theretoforedeposited with the Paying Agent in trust for the Owners of suchBonds as provided herein; (c) Bonds in exchange for or in lieuofwhichotherBonds have been registeredand delivered pursuant to this BondResolution; and (d) Bonds allegedtohave been mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen whichhave been paid as provided in this BondResolution or by law.

“Outstanding Parity Bonds” means, collectively,the Issuer’s outstanding (i) SalesTax Revenue Bonds, Series 2018, (ii) SalesTax Revenue Bonds, Series 2018A, (iii) SalesTax Revenue Bonds, Series 2019, (iv) TaxableSales TaxRevenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2020, and (v) SalesTax Revenue Bonds, Series 2023.

“Owner” or “Owners” whenused with respect to anyBond means the Person in whose name suchBond is registeredinthe BondRegister.

“Paying

“Person”

“Quali

“RecordDate”

“Reserve

“Reserve

of any date of calculation, asum equal to the lesser of (i) 10% of the proceeds of the Bonds, the Outstanding Parity Bonds and any issue of Additional Parity Bonds, (ii) the highest combined principal and interest requirements for any succeeding Fiscal Year on the Bonds, the Outstanding Parity Bonds, and any issue of Additional Parity Bonds, or (iii) 125% of the average aggregate amount of principal and interest becoming due in any Fiscal Year on the Bonds, the Outstanding Parity Bonds and any Additional Parity Bonds.

“Reserve Insurer” means Build America Mutual Assurance Company,orany successor thereto.

“Reserve Product” means asurety bond or insurance policy issued by an insurance company or an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank in lieu of acash deposit in the Reserve Fund.

“Reserve Product Provider” means the Reserve Insurer and any other bond insurance provider or abank or other financial institution providing aReserve Product, whose bond insurance policies insuring, or whose letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit facilities securing, the payment, when due, of the principal of and interest on bond issues by public entities, at the time such Reserve Product is obtained, result in such issues being rated in one of the two highest full rating categories by each of the Rating Agencies.

“Sales TaxOrdinance” means Ordinance No. 1of1965 adopted by the Governing Authority on October 6, 1965, which levied and imposed the Tax, as supplemented and amended.

“State” means the State of Louisiana.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, abusiness unit of Standardand Poor’sFinancial Services LLC, or any successors thereto maintaining a rating on the Bonds.

“Tax” means the one percent (1%) sales and use tax authorized at aspecial election held within the corporate boundaries of the Issuer on September 18, 1965 and levied by the Sales TaxOrdinance, which is pledged to the payment of the Bonds as herein provided.

“Underwriter” means D.A. Davidson &Co., Denver, Colorado.

Authorization of Bonds. In compliance with and under the authority of the Act, is hereby authorized the incurring of an indebtedness of Sixty-One Million Four Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($61,465,000) for,on behalf of and in the name of the Issuer,for the purpose of (i) constructing and acquiring capital improvements, including the acquisition of lands forbuilding sites and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting and improving school buildings and related facilities, and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public; and (ii) paying the Costs of Issuance of the Bonds, including the cost of the Reserve Fund Insurance Policy,and to represent said indebtedness, this Governing Authority does hereby authorize the issuance of Sixty-One Million Four Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($61,465,000) of Sales TaxRevenue Bonds, Series 2025, of the Issuer

The Bonds shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto with such necessary or appropriate variations, omissions and insertions as arerequired or permitted by the Act and this Bond Resolution. Book-Entry Registration of Bonds. The Bonds shall be initially issued in the name of Cede &Co., as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), as registered owner of the Bonds, and held in the custody of DTC. The Secretary-Treasurer of the Governing Authority or any other officer of the Issuer is authorized to execute and deliver aLetter of Representation to DTC on behalf of the Issuer with respect to the issuance of the Bonds in “book-entry only” format. The terms and provisions of said Letter of Representation shall governinthe event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Bond Resolution and said Letter of Representation. Initially,asingle certificate will be issued and delivered to DTC for each maturity of the Bonds. The Beneficial Owners will not receive physical delivery of Bond certificates except as provided herein. Beneficial Owners areexpected to receive awritten confirmation of their purchase providing details of each Bond acquired. For so long as DTC shall continue to serve as securities depository for the Bonds as provided herein, all transfers of beneficial ownership interest will be made by book-entryonly,and no investor or other party purchasing, selling or otherwise transferring beneficial ownership of Bonds is to receive, hold or deliver any Bond certificate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, while the Bonds areissued in book-entry-only form, the payment of principal of, premium, if any,and interest on the Bonds may be payable by the Paying Agent by wiretransfer to DTC in accordance with the Letter of Representation. For every transfer and exchange of the Bonds, the Beneficial Owner may be charged asum

Owner under the following circumstances:

(a) DTC determines to discontinue providing its service with respect to the Bonds. Such adetermination may be made at any time by giving 30 days’ notice to the Issuer and the Paying Agent and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law; or

and

to

xed for redemption. The Bonds arenot required to be redeemed in inverse order of maturity

In the event aBond to be redeemed is of adenomination larger than $5,000, aportionofsuch Bond ($5,000 or any multiple thereof)may be redeemed. Official notice of such call of any of the Bonds for redemption will be given by means of (i) first class mail, postage prepaid, by notice deposited in the United States mails notless than twenty (20) days prior to the redemption date or (ii) electronic transmission not less than twenty (20) days prior to the redemption date addressed to the registered owner of each bond to be redeemed at the address as shown on the registration books of the Paying Agent

Denominations, Dates, Maturities and Interest. The Bonds areissuable as fully registered bonds without coupons in the denominations of $5,000 principal amount or any integral multiplethereof within asingle maturity The Bonds shall be numbered consecutively from R-1 upwards.

The Bonds shall be dated as of the date of delivery thereof,shall matureinthe years and in the principal amounts and shall bear interest, in such principal amounts and at such rates of interest per annum as set forth in the Bond Purchase Agreement.The unpaid principal of the Bonds shall bear interest from datethereof or from the most recent Interest Payment Date.

The principal of and interest on the Bonds shallbepayable in such coin or currency of the United States of America which at the timeof payment is legal tender for public and private debts.

The principal of the Bonds, upon maturity or redemption, shall be payable at the principal office of the Paying Agent,upon presentation and surrender thereof,and interest on the Bonds willbepayable by check mailed by the Paying Agent to the Owner (determined as of the Record Date) at the address shown on the Bond Register.Each Bond delivered under this Bond Resolutionupon transfer or in exchange fororinlieu of any other Bond shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which werecarried by such other Bond, and each such Bond shall bear interest (as herein set forth) so that neither gainnor loss in interest shallresult from such transfer,exchange or substitution.

The person in whose name any Bond is registered at the close of business on the RecordDate with respect to an InterestPayment Date shall in all cases be entitled to receive the interest payableonsuch Interest Payment Datenotwithstanding the cancellation of such Bond upon any registration of transfer or exchange thereof subsequent to such Record Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date.

During any period after the initial delivery of the Bonds in book-entryonly form when the Bonds aredelivered in multiple certificates form,upon request of aregistered owner of at least $1,000,000 in principal amounts of Bonds Outstanding, all payments of principal and interest on the Bonds will be paid by wire transfer in immediatelyavailable funds to an account designated by such registered owner; CUSIP number identification with appropriate dollar amounts for each CUSIP number must accompany all payments of principal and interest,whether by check or by wiretransfer Registration, Transfer and Exchange of Bonds; Persons Treated as Owners. Except as provided under DTC’sbook-entry onlysystem, the Bonds may be transferred, registered and assigned onlyonthe Bond Register,and such registration shall be at the expense of the Issuer.A Bond may be assigned by the execution of an assignment form on the Bonds or by other instrumentsoftransfer and assignment acceptabletothe Paying Agent.A new Bond or Bonds willbedelivered by the Paying Agent to thelast assignee (the new Owner) in exchange forsuch transferred and assigned Bonds after receipt of the Bonds to be transferred in proper form. Such new Bond or Bonds shallbeinthe denomination of $5,000 or any integral multiple thereof within asingle maturity.Neither the Issuer nor the Paying Agent shall be required to issue,registerthe transfer of, or exchange (i) any Bond during aperiod beginning at the opening of business on aRecordDate and ending at the close of business on the Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Bond called for redemption prior to maturity,during aperiod beginning at the opening of business fifteen (15) days beforethe date of mailing of anotice of redemption of such Bond and ending on the date of such redemption.

Execution of Bonds. The Bonds shall be executed in the name and on behalfofthe Issuer by the manual or facsimilesignatures of the Executive Officers, as required, and the corporate seal of the Issuer (or afacsimile thereof)shallbethereunto affixed, imprinted, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon. In case any one or moreofthe officers who shall have signed or sealed any of the Bonds shallcease to be such officer beforethe Bonds so signed and sealed shall have been actually delivered, such Bonds may nevertheless, be delivered as herein provided, and may be issued as if the person who signed or sealed such Bonds had not ceased to hold such office. Saidofficers shall, by the execution of the Bonds, adopt as and for their own proper signatures their respective facsimile signatures appearing on the Bonds, and the Issuer may adopt and use for that purpose the facsimile signatureofany person or persons who shall have been such officer at any timeonorafter the date of such Bonds, notwithstanding that at the date of such Bonds such person may not have held such office or that at the time when such Bonds shall be delivered such person may have ceased to hold such office.

Recital of Regularity. This Governing Authority, having investigated the regularity of the proceedings had in connection with this issue of the Bond, and having determined the same to be regular,the Bond shall containthe following recital, to-wit: “It is certified that this Bond is authorized by and is issued in conformity with the requirements of the Constitution and statutes of the State of Louisiana.”

Pledge of Net Revenues of the Tax; Obligation to Collect Tax. The Bonds, equallywith the Outstanding Parity Bonds, aresecured by and payable from an irrevocable pledge and dedication of the Net Revenues of the Tax, and the Bonds do not constitute an indebtedness or pledge of the general creditofthe Issuer within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory provision relating to the incurring of indebtedness. Neither the Legislature, the Issuer or any other authoritymay discontinue or decrease the Taxorpermit to be discontinued or decreased the Taxinanticipation of the collection of which the Bonds have been issued, nor in any way make any change in the allocation and dedication of the proceeds of the Tax, which would diminish the amount of the Taxrevenues to be received by the Issuer until all of such Bonds shall have been retired as to principal and interest and thereisvested in the holders from timetotimeofsuch Bonds acontractual right in such provisions.

SECTION 1. Funds and Accounts. The Issuer,inaccordance with the Act,hereby obligates itself to continue to levy and collect the Taxand not to discontinue or decrease or permit to be discontinued or decreased the Taxinanticipation of the collection of which the Bonds and the Outstanding Parity Bonds have been issued, nor in any way make any change which woulddiminish the amount of the Taxrevenues to be received by the Issuer until all of the Bonds and the Outstanding Parity Bonds have been paid as to both principal and interest.Inorder that the principal of and interest on the Bonds and the Outstanding Parity Bonds will be paid in accordance with their termsand for the other objectsand purposes hereinafter provided, the Issuer further covenants as follows: Allofthe avails or proceeds derived from the levy and collection of the Taxwill be deposited daily as the same may be

on apro rata basis, calculatedbyreference to the maximum amounts available thereunder.

Any supplementalresolution mayrequireagreater Reserve Fund Requirementorotherobligations on behalf of Issuer with respect to the Reserve Fund.

If at anytime it shall be necessary to use moneys in the Reserve Fund for the purpose of paying principal of or interest on bonds as to whichthere would otherwise be default, thenthe moneys so usedshall be replaced from the revenues first thereafterreceived not hereinabove required to pay the costs andexpenses of collecting the Taxortopay currentprincipal andinterest requirements, it being the intention hereof thatthere will as nearlyaspossible be at alltimesinthe Reserve Fund the amount hereinabove specified. Any moneys remaining in the SalesTax Fund on the 20th day of each month aftermaking the required payments into the Sinking

bonds so issuedshall enjoy complete equality of lienwith the portion of the Bonds whichisnot refunded, if there be any, provided, however,that if only aportion of Bonds outstanding is so refundedand the refunding Bonds requiretotalprincipal andinterest payments during anyBond Year in

principal amount of the Bonds then Outstanding; provided, however,that no such modification or amendmentshall permit achange in the maturity of the Bonds or the redemption provisions thereof, or a reduction in the rate of interest thereon, or the promise of the Issuer to pay the principal of and the interest on the Bonds as the same shall come due from the Net Revenues of the Tax, or reduce the percentage of owners required to consent to any material modification or amendment of this Bond Resolution, without the consent of all of the Owner or Owners of the Bonds. Any Rating Agency rating the Bonds must receive notice of each amendment and acopy thereof at least 15 days in advance of its execution or adoption.

SECTION 4. Discharge of Bond Resolution; Defeasance.Ifthe Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid, or thereshall be paid to the Owners, the principal of and interest on the Bonds, at the times and in the manner stipulated in this Bond Resolution, then the pledge of the revenues of the Taxorany other money,securities, and fundspledged under this Bond Resolution and all covenants, agreements, and other obligations of the Issuer to the Owners shall thereupon cease, terminate, and become void and be discharged and satisfied, and the Paying Agent shall pay over or deliver all money held by it under this Bond Resolution to the Issuer Bonds or interest installments for the payment or prepayment of which money shall have been set aside and shall be held in trust (through deposit by the Issuer of funds for such payment or redemption or otherwise) at the maturity or redemption date thereof shall be deemed to have been paid within the meaning and with the effect expressed abovein this Section, if they have been defeased pursuant to Chapter 14 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, or any successor provisions thereto.

Registration by Paying Agent. No Bonds shall be entitled to any right or benefitunder this Bond Resolution or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless thereappears on such Bond, acertificate of registration, substantially in the form provided in this Bond Resolution, executed by the Paying Agent by manual signature, and such executed certificate of the Paying Agent upon any such Bond shall be conclusive evidence that such Bond has been executed, registeredand delivered under this Bond Resolution.

Paying Agent; Appointmentand Acceptance of Duties. The Issuer will at all times maintain aPaying Agent meeting the qualifications hereinafter describedfor the performance of the duties hereunder for the Bonds. The designation of the initial Paying Agent in this Bond Resolution is hereby confirmed and approved. The Issuer reserves the right to appoint a successor Paying Agent by (a) filing with the Person then performing such function acertified copy of aresolution giving notice of the termination of the Agreement and appointing asuccessor and (b) causing notice to be given to each Owner.Every Paying Agent appointed hereunder shall at all times be abank or trust company organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state, authorized under such laws to exercise trust powers, and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority.The Executive Officers are hereby authorized and directed to execute an appropriate Agreement with the Paying Agent for and on behalf of the Issuer in such form as may be satisfactory to said officers, the signatures of said officers on such Agreement to be conclusive evidence of the due exercise of the authority granted hereunder.Noresignation or removalofthe Paying Agent shall become effective until asuccessor has been appointed and has accepted the duties of Paying Agent.

Effect of Registration. The Issuer,the Paying Agent, and any agent of either of them may treat the Owner in whose name any Bond is registered as theOwner of such Bond for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of and interest on such Bond and for all other purposes whatsoever,and to the extent permitted by law,neither the Issuer,the Paying Agent, nor any agent of either of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary

Moneys Held for Particular Bonds. The amounts held by the Paying Agent for the payment due on any date with respect to particular Bonds shall, on and after such date and pending such payment, be set aside on its books and held in trust by it, without liability for interest, for the Owners of the Bonds entitled thereto.

Notices to Owners. Wherever this Bond Resolution provides for notice to Owners of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, firstclass postage prepaid, to each Owner of such Bonds, at the address of such Owner as it appears in the Bond Register.Inany case wherenotice to Owners is given by mail, neither the failuretomail such notice to any particularOwner,nor any defect in any notice so mailed, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to all other Bonds. Wherethis Bond Resolution provides for notice in any manner,such notice may be waived in writing by the Owner entitled to receive such notice, either beforeorafter the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Owners shall be filed with the Paying Agent, but such filing shall not be acondition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver

Cancellation of Bonds. All Bonds surrendered for payment, transfer,exchange or replacement, if surrendered to the Paying Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it and, if surrendered to the Issuer,shall be delivered to the Paying Agent and, if not already canceled, shall be promptly canceled by the Paying Agent. The Issuer may at any time deliver to the Paying Agent for cancellation any Bond previously registered and delivered which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Bonds so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Paying Agent. All canceled Bonds held by the Paying Agent shall be disposed of as directed in writing by the Issuer

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Bonds. If (1) any mutilated Bond is surrendered to the Paying Agent, or the Issuer and the Paying Agent receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Bond, and (2) thereisdelivered to the Issuer and the Paying Agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuer or the Paying Agent that such Bond has been acquired by abona fide purchaser,the Issuer shall execute, and upon its request the Paying Agent shall register and deliver,inexchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen Bond, anew Bond of the same maturity and of like tenor,interest rate and principal amount, bearing anumber not contemporaneously outstanding. In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Bond

Official Statement. The Issuer hereby approves the form and content of the Preliminary Official Statement dated as of May29, 2025, pertaining to the Bonds, which has been submitted to the Issuer,and hereby ratifies its prior use by the Underwriter in connectionwith the sale of the Bonds. The Issuer further approves the form and content of the final Official Statement dated as of June 3, 2025, which has been submitted to the Issuer,and hereby ratifies its execution by the Executive Officers and delivery of such final Official Statement to the Underwriter foruse in connection with the public offering of the Bonds.

Severability In case any one or moreofthe provisions of this Bond Resolution or of the Bonds shallfor any reason be held to be illegal or invalid, such illegalityand invalidity shall not affect any other provisions of this Bond Resolution or of the Bonds, but this Bond Resolution and the Bonds shallbeconstrued and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provisions had not been contained therein. Any constitutional or statutory provision hereafter enacted which validates or makes legal any provision of this Bond Resolution or the Bonds which wouldnot otherwise be valid or legal,shall be deemed to apply to this Bond Resolutionand to the Bonds.

Publication. This Bond Resolution shall be published one timeinthe official journal of the Issuer; however,itshall not be necessary to publish any exhibits hereto if the same areavailable for public inspectionand such fact is stated in the publication.

Parties Interested Herein. Nothing in this Bond Resolution expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon, or to give to,any person or corporation, other than the Issuer,the Paying Agent,and the Owners of the Bonds any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Bond Resolution or any covenant, condition or stipulation thereof;and allthe covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Bond Resolutioncontained by and on behalfofthe Issuer shall be for the sole and exclusive benefitofthe Issuer,the Paying Agent,and the Owners of the Bonds.

No Recourse on the Bonds. No recourse shall be had forthe payment of the principal of or interest on the Bonds or for any claim based thereon or on this Bond Resolutionagainst any member of the Governing Authority or officer of the Issuer or any person executingthe Bonds in their individual capacities.

Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Bond Resolutionthe Issuer is named or referred to,itshall be deemed to include its successors and assigns and all the covenants and agreements in this Bond Resolution contained by or on behalf of the Issuer shall bind and inure to the benefit of its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

TaxCovenants. The Issuer covenants and agrees that, to the extent permitted by the laws of the StateofLouisiana, it will comply with the requirementsofthe Code in order to establish, maintain and preserve the exclusion from “gross income” of interest on the Bonds under the Code. The Issuer further covenants and agrees that it will not take any action, fail to take any action, or permit any action within its control to be taken, or permitatany time or times any of the proceeds of the Bonds or any other funds of the Issuer to be used directly or indirectly in any manner,the effect of which would be to cause the Bonds to be “arbitrage bonds” or wouldresult in the inclusion of the interest on the Bonds in gross income under the Code, including,without limitation, (i) the failuretocomplywith the limitation on investment of Bond proceeds or (ii) the failuretopay any required rebate or arbitrageearnings to the United States of America or (iii) the use of the proceeds of the Bonds in amanner which would cause the Bonds to be “private activity bonds”.

Continuing Disclosure. The Executive Officers arehereby empowered and directed to execute an appropriate Continuing DisclosureCertificate (substantiallyinthe form set forth in the official statement issued in connection with the sale and issuance of the Bonds) pursuant to S.E.C Rule 15c2-12(b)(5).

Post-Issuance Compliance. The Executive Officers and/or their designees aredirected to establish, continue, and/or amend, as applicable, written procedures to assist the Issuer in complying with various Stateand Federal statutes, rules and regulations applicable to the Bonds and arefurther authorized to take any and all actions as may be required by said written procedures to ensurecontinued compliance with such statutes, rules and regulations throughout the term of the Bonds. EventsofDefault If one or moreofthe following events (in this Bond Resolution called “Events of Default”) shall happen, that is to say

(i) if default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of the principal of any Bond when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity or otherwise (in determining whether an interest payment default has occurred, no effects shall be given to payments made under any municipal bond insurance policy); or

(ii) if default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of any installment of interest on any Bond when and as such interest installment shall become due and payable (in determining whether an interest payment default has occurred, no effect shall be given to payments made under any municipal bond insurance policy); or

(iii) if default shall be made by the Issuer in the performance or observance of any other of the covenants, agreements or conditions on its part in the Bond Resolution, any supplemental ordinance or in the Bonds, and such defaultshall continue for aperiod of forty-five (45) days after written notice thereof to the Issuer by the Insurer,ifany,orthe Owners of not less than 25% of the Bond Obligation; or

(iv) if the Issuer shall file apetition or otherwise seek relief under any Federal or Statebankruptcy law or similar law; then, uponthe happening and continuance of any Event of Default the Reserve Product Provider,ifany,and the Owners of the Bonds shall be entitled to exercise all rights and powers for which provision is made under Statelaw; provided, however,that the exercise of remedies at the direction of the Owners is subject to the prior written consent of the Insurer,ifany,and the Reserve Product Provider,ifany,acting alone, shall have the exclusive right to direct any action or remedy to be undertaken so long as it is notthen in defaultofits payment obligations under any applicable municipal bond insurance policy.Under no circumstances may the principal or interest of any of the Bonds be accelerated. The Issuer shall notify the Reserve Product Provider,ifany,immediatelyupon the occurrence of any Event of Default. No Event of Defaultshall be waived without the consent of the Reserve Product Provider,ifany.All remedies shall be cumulative with respect to the Paying Agent,the Owners and the Reserve Product Provider,ifany; if any remedial actionisdiscontinued or abandoned, the Paying Agent,the Owners and the Reserve Product Provider,ifany,shall be restored to their former positions.

The Paying Agent or Issuer shall provide the Reserve Product Provider with immediatenotice of any payment default,and notice of any other default known to the Paying Agent within thirty (30) days of the Paying Agent’s or Issuer’sknowledge thereof

Section Headings. The headings of the various sections hereof are inserted forconvenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

Effective Date. This Bond Resolution shall become effective immediately

This resolution having been submitted to avote, the vote thereon was as follows: YEAS: Britt Latiolais, Hannah Smith Mason, David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy Trahan, Roddy Bergeron, KateBailey Labue, Jeremy Hidalgo

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

[EXHIBITS ARE ON FILE WITH THE ISSUER AND ARE AVAILABLE DURINGNORMAL BUSINESS HOURS]

That the Boardapprove allAction Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by HannahMason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: DavidLeJeune,ChadDesormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, HannahMason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.10 RISK MANAGEMENT: Discussion and/or action concerning compensation to School BusOwners-Operators for insurance -Early/Cloteaux Resolution: Thatthe Boardapprove compensation to be paid to school bus owner-operators for the 2025/2026 school year in the amount of $5,000.00 (total) for the cost of insurancefor those enteringagreements for aterm of 1-year effective July 2025 andupto$4,587 (pro-rated) for those enteringagreements for aterm of less thanone year afterthe start of the school year,provided the school bus owner-operator executesa School BusUse Agreementprepared by the Board’s legalcounsel.

That the Boardapprove allAction Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by HannahMason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: DavidLeJeune,ChadDesormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, HannahMason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.11 RISK MANAGEMENT: Discussion and/or action concerning aServitude Agreementwith the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment -Early Resolution: Thatthe Boardapprove the Servitude Agreementwith the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment as attached in the Public Content section.

That the Boardapprove allAction Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by HannahMason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: DavidLeJeune,ChadDesormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, HannahMason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.12 COMMUNICATIONS: Discussion and/or action concerning Resolution 06-025-2139Official Journalfor Lafayette Parish School Board-Wirtz Resolution: Thatthe Boardapprove Resolution 06-025-2139 Official Journalfor Lafayette Parish School Board.

RESOLUTION 06-0252139

WHEREAS, the Boardismandated by La.R.S. 43:150 to select an Official Journaland to notify the Louisiana Secretary of State of said selection; and, WHEREAS, the Boardismandated by La.R.S. 43:141 and Lafayette Parish School BoardPolicyBCBJtoselect anewspaper as its official journalattheir first meeting in June of each year for a term of one year, WHEREAS, LPSS accepted bids from The Daily Advertiser and The Advocate, the only publications meeting the qualifications of a newspaper as outlinedinLa. R.S. 43:142, WHEREAS, The Advocatesubmittedthe lowest bid andreported highercirculation,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, thatthe Lafayette Parish School Boarddoeshereby select The Advocateasits Official Journalfrom July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

CERTIFICATE

I, the undersigned Secretary-Treasurerofthe Lafayette Parish School Board, do hereby certify thatthe above andforegoing is atruecopy of aresolution adopted at its RegularBoardMeeting of June 12, 2025, at whichtime aquorum waspresent andthatsameisinfull force andeffect

Dated at Lafayette, Louisiana this 12th day of June, 2025.

/s/ Francis Touchet, Jr Francis Touchet, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

That the Boardapprove allAction Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron, second by HannahMason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: DavidLeJeune,ChadDesormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, HannahMason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.13

SUPERINTENDENT:Discussion and/or action concerning the MinutesofMarch 12, 2025 andMay 6and 15, 2025Touchet

Resolution: Thatthe Boardapprove the minutesofMarch 12, 2025, May 6and 15, 2025, as attached to the Public Content section of this agenda item.

That the Boardapprove allAction Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron,second by HannahMason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: DavidLeJeune,ChadDesormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, HannahMason, Jeremy Hidalgo

Action (Consent): 4.14 ApprovalofAll Action Consent Items

Resolution: Thatthe Boardapprove allAction Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

That the Boardapprove allAction Consent Items with the exception of items pulled.

Motion by Roddy Bergeron,second by HannahMason.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yes: DavidLeJeune,ChadDesormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, Kate Labue, HannahMason, Jeremy Hidalgo

5. ADJOURN Therebeing no furtherbusiness, the meeting adjourned.

SIGNED: SIGNED: /s/ Britt

Lafayette Parish School Board- BoardInsurance/Finance Committee Meeting (Wednesday,June

CERTIFICA TE

I, the undersigned Secretary-Treasurerofthe

MotionbyRoddy Bergeron, second by Joshua Edmond. Final Resolution: MotionCarries Yes: Joshua Edmond, Roddy Bergeron, Jeremy Hidalgo

4. ADJOURN

Therebeing no further business, the meeting adjourned. SIGNED: SIGNED: /s/ Jeremy Hidalgo/s/ Francis Touchet,Jr. Jeremy Hidalgo, ChairpersonFrancis Touchet,Jr.,SecretaryLAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD Treasurer ccg LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Lafayette Parish School Board-Special BoardMeeting (Budget Adoption) (Thursday,June 12, 2025) Meeting called to order at 4:30 PM Members present David LeJeune, Chad Desormeaux, Joshua Edmond, Amy MTrahan, Britt Latiolais, Roddy Bergeron, KateLabue, Hannah Mason,Jeremy Hidalgo

1. ROLL CALL Procedural:1.1 RollCall -BoardMembers

2. AGENDA Action: 2.1FINANCE:Resolution06-025-2137 -Adoption of the Unified Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 -Dugas/LeBlanc RESOLUTION 06-025-2137 ADOPTION OF BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 WHEREAS, the Lafayette Parish School Board held

Wall Street edges back from its records

U.S. stock indexes edged back from their record levels as a busy week for Wall Street picks up momentum.

The S&P 500 fell 0.3% Tuesday after setting all-time highs for six straight days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 204 points, and the Nasdaq composite sliced 0.4% off its own record.

SoFi Technologies rallied but Merck and UPS fell following a jumbled set of profit reports. Treasury yields sank in the bond market as the Federal Reserve began a two-day meeting on interest rates.

UnitedHealth falls short of expectations

UnitedHealth delivered disappointing second-quarter earnings and went conservative with its 2025 forecast as soaring medical costs continue to swamp insurers.

The health care giant said Tuesday that expenses that have jumped beyond what it expected when it set coverage prices will continue to pressure its performance But CEO Stephen Hemsley told analysts the company expects a return to “solid but moderate earnings growth” in 2026.

UnitedHealth now expects adjusted earnings of at least $16 per share in 2025 after withdrawing its previous forecast in May It had started 2025 with expectations of making up to $30 per share.

For the full year, analysts forecast earnings of $20.64 per share, according to the data firm FactSet.

UnitedHealth Group Inc runs one of the nation’s largest health insurance and pharmacy benefits management businesses. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, company also operates a growing Optum business that provides care and technology support

P&G to increase prices in part due to tariffs

Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble offered an annual earnings outlook that was below analysts’ projections and said it would raise prices on about a quarter of its products in the U.S. in part due to higher costs from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The assessment delivered Tuesday comes a day after the Cincinnati-based maker of such products as Crest toothpaste, Tide detergent and Charmin toilet paper, named Shailesh Jejurikar, currently chief operating officer to succeed Jon Moeller as the company president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Moeller, who has been at the company’s helm since November 2021, will become P&G’s executive chairman

The price increases, which will be implemented starting next month, will be in the mid-single-digit percentages and will also be combined with improved features in the products P&G’s Chief Financial Officer Andre Schulten told reporters on a call on Tuesday after the release of its fiscal fourth-quarter results.

In April, P&G said it was doing whatever it could to reduce higher costs from tariffs, from shifting sourcing to changing formulation to avoid duties.

Stellantis CEO targets U.S. turnaround

MILAN Stellantis is forecasting that U.S. tariffs would cost the carmaker $1.7 billion this year The announcement on Tuesday is five times the hit taken in the first six months of the year when the carmaker tallied losses of $2.65 billion. The maker of Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat and Peugeot cars said that net profits plummeted from $6.5 billion in the same period last year as it burned through $3.8 billion in cash. Stellantis said that President Donald Trump’s tariffs cost the company $346 million in the first six months of the year

THEADVOCATE.COM/news/business

Consumer confidence ticks up

BY MATT OTT AP business writer

WASHINGTON Americans’ view of the U.S. economy improved this month, but Americans remain concerned about the impact of tariffs on their economic futures.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose two points to 97.2 in July,

up from 95.2 the previous month. The increase in confidence was in line with analysts’ forecasts. In April, American consumers’ confidence in the economy sank to its lowest reading since May 2020, largely due to anxiety over the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

A measure of Americans’ shortterm expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market rose 4.5 points to 74.4, however that’s still significantly below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. Consumers’ assessments of their

current economic situation inched down by 1.5 points to 131.5.

Tariffs and the impact they could have on personal finances remains respondents’ greatest concern, the Conference Board said.

Trump’s aggressive and unpredictable policies — including massive import taxes — have clouded the outlook for the economy and the job market, raising fears that the American economy is headed toward a recession.

Consumers’ fears of a recession during the next 12 months declined slightly in July but remain elevated and above last year’s levels.

A government report earlier this month showed that consumer prices rose last month to their highest level since February Trump’s sweeping tariffs pushed up the cost of everything from groceries and clothes to furniture and appliances.

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May Core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, also rose.

Economists pay close attention to core prices because they generally provide a better indication of where inflation is headed.

BY JOSH FUNK AP transportation writer

OMAHA, Neb Union Pacific wants to buy Norfolk Southern in an $85 billion deal that would create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S, and potentially trigger a final wave of rail mergers across the country

The proposed merger, announced Tuesday, would marry Union Pacific’s vast rail network in the West with Norfolk’s rails that snake across the Eastern United States. The combined railroad would include more than 50,000 miles of track in 43 states with connections to major ports on both coasts.

The nation was first linked by rail in 1869, when a golden railroad spike was driven in Utah to symbolize the connection of East and West Coasts. Yet no single entity has controlled that coast-to-coast passage.

The railroads argue that a merger would streamline deliveries of raw materials and goods nationwide by eliminating delays when shipments are handed off between railroads.

The AP first reported the merger talks earlier this month, a week before the railroads confirmed the discussions last week.

Any deal would be closely scrutinized by antitrust regulators that have set a very high

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund is upgrading the economic outlook for the United States and the world this year and next because President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies have so far proven less damaging than expected The IMF now forecasts 3% growth for the global economy this year That is down from 3.3% in 2024 but an improvement on the 2.8% it had forecast for 2025 back in April. The 191-country lender, which works to promote growth, stabilize the world financial sys-

bar for railroad deals after previous consolidation in the industry led to massive backups and snarled traffic.

But Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, who would lead the combined company, said the expanded railroad will more seamlessly get lumber from the Pacific Northwest, plastics from the Gulf and steel from Pittsburgh to their destinations. And he promised to avoid past merger mistakes.

“It’s great for America,” Vena said. “We’re going to be able to move products quicker faster, more efficiently, better service, better for our customers in that we are going to be able to give them a product that allows them to win in the marketplace.”

If the deal is approved, the two remaining major American railroads — BNSF and CSX — will face competitive pressure to merge as well. The continent’s two other major railroads — Canadian National and CPKC — may also get involved. The Canadian rails span all of that nation and cross parts of America. CPKC rails stretch south into Mexico.

Some of the benefits of the deal should trickle down to consumers if the railroads are able to streamline shipments because that will help keep costs down, said Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau. But, he said, “there is

tem and reduce poverty, expects world growth to come in at 3.1% next year, up a tick from the 3% it had forecast three months ago. Trump’s decision on April 2

“Liberation Day,” the president called it — to impose taxes of 10% or more on U.S. imports from most of the world’s countries had been expected to be a bigger drag on global growth. But the damage was limited, the IMF said, partly because many U.S. importers scrambled to bring in foreign goods before Trump’s tariffs took effect and partly because Trump ended up suspending his biggest levies (including a 145% duty on Chinese goods).

that potential that there’s going to be some service disruptions.”

Some big shippers like chemical plants in the Gulf remain wary of lessening rail competition, but Amazon and UPS may see benefits of potentially faster, more reliable delivery They along with unions and affected communities, will have a chance to weigh in before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

The nation’s largest rail union, SMART-TD, quickly opposed the merger over concerns of jeopardizing progress that Norfolk Southern has made in safety and labor relations since its disastrous 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The union said that Union Pacific’s record is troubling on safety and treatment of workers.

There’s speculation that this deal might win approval under President Donald Trump’s pro-business administration, but the STB is evenly split between two Republicans and two Democrats. The board is led by a Republican, and Trump will appoint a fifth member before this deal will be considered.

Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George said the “stars are aligned” for this deal with railroads that have a lot of connections, and the ongoing expansion of domestic manufacturing.

“This modest decline in trade tensions, however fragile, has contributed to the resilience of the global economy so far,” IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said at a news conference Tuesday “This resilience is welcome, but it is also tenuous. While the trade shock could turn out to be less severe than initially feared, it is still sizable, and evidence is mounting that it is hurting the global economy.”

Tariffs raised $108 billion for the U.S. Treasury from October through June, nearly double the $55.6 billion they brought during the same period of the previous fiscal year

Global growth of around 3% is below pre-pandemic average and the world economy would be growing faster without Trump’s trade wars. The IMF modestly upped its forecast for U.S. economic growth to 1.9% this year and 2% in 2026 when the big tax cuts Trump signed into law July 4 are expected to provide “a near-term boost.” The Chinese economy, the world’s second biggest, is expected to grow 4.8% this year, a hefty upgrade from the 4% the IMF had forecast in April. China is getting a boost from lower-than-expected U.S. tariffs and from government spending.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By DAMIAN DOVARGANES

The Los Angeles skyline is seen above the Union Pacific LATC Intermodal Terminal.