The Advocate 08-07-2025 by The Advocate

members listen Tuesday as East

during

EBR officials struggle to ease merger fears

Proposal would move EMS under Fire Department

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

With Baton Rouge EMS

workers pushing back on a recent announcement that their department will be merging with the city’s Fire Department, the mayor and emergency services leaders are trying to calm those anxieties

But after a town hall meeting Tuesday led by East Baton Rouge Parish MayorPresident Sid Edwards, EMS Director Chris Landry and BRFD Chief Michael Kimble, many of the EMS workers still expressed frustration

At the meeting, which originally was meant to be closed but which Edwards decided to open to reporters, ofﬁcials said no jobs or promotion structure will be lost, and EMS will keep control of its

funding.

“Funds will still be dedicated towards EMS,” Landry said.

And while Landry, Edwards and others tried to put workers at ease, many EMS workers continued to voice their opposition to the merger

“We need support We do not need a merger,” said emergency medical technician Amber Munch. “EMS has our own problems, just like everyone else, but the Fire Department is not the answer to those problems. Support is.”

Since the merger was announced in June, EMS workers have voiced concerns about their positions and benefits, wondering if cuts would take place.

ä See MERGER, page 5A

Mayor-President Sid Edwards, left, listens Tuesday as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Jeff LeDuff speaks during a meeting on a proposal to merge Emergency Medical Services with the Baton Rouge Fire Department.

Rule to cut cost of prison calls postponed

STAFF PHOTOS By HILARy SCHEINUK

Audience

Baton Rouge Parish Emergency Medical Services chief Chris Landry speaks

a meeting with members of the EMS, the Baton Rouge Fire Department and the East Baton Rouge Parish MayorPresident’s Office at EMS headquarters in Baton Rouge.

Astronaut who was stuck on space station retires

CAPE CANAVERAL Fla. One of NASA’s two previously stuck astronauts has retired from the space agency less than five months after his unexpectedly long spaceflight came to an end NASA announced Butch Wilmore’s departure on Wednesday Wilmore and Suni Williams launched last summer as test pilots on Boeing’s first astronaut flight What should have been a weeklong trip to the International Space Station turned into a stay of more than nine months because of Boeing’s malfunctioning Starliner Starliner came back empty, and Wilmore and Williams returned to Earth in March with SpaceX.

Wilmore, 62, had already retired from the Navy Williams, 59, also a retired Navy captain, is still with NASA.

Selected as an astronaut in 2000, Wilmore logged 464 days in orbit over three missions. His ﬁnal spaceﬂight made up nearly two-thirds of that total: 286 days. Musk voted least liked public figure in poll

A Gallup poll ranking more than a dozen public figures in terms of popularity found that Elon Musk has the highest unfavorable rating while Pope Leo XIV is loved by many The survey was based on telephone interviews with roughly 1,000 adults July 7-21, during which they were asked about 14 of the most reported-on people alive.

The first American pope scored a 57% favorability rating to only 11% unfavorable. Nearly a third of respondents said they no opinion on the pontiff.

While Musk recorded a 33% favorability to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu‘s 29% the lowest score in the poll — Musk’s 61% unfavorable rating topped Netanyahu’s 52% negative ranking, making the Tesla founder the least popular of anyone in the poll

The lowest favorability rating went to U.S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was liked by only 26% of respondents. Only 38% of those surveyed had an unfavorable opinion of him and nearly the same number had no thoughts one way or the other President Donald Trump had a 41% favorable rating to a 57% unfavorable mark with 16% or respondents giving no opinion Autobahn motorist hits 199 mph, fined $1,000

BERLIN A motorist was clocked driving at more than 199 mph on the Autobahn west of Berlin, a record high at more than 124 mph above the speed limit, German police said The speedster, who was not identiﬁed, was caught while racing along the A2 highway near Burg on July 28.

The driver was handed a ﬁne of $1,043, stripped of two points from his driver’s license and banned from driving for three months, the Magdeburg police ofﬁce said Tuesday

Germany’s Autobahn motorways have captured fascination and interest around the world for their lack of speeding limits

Limitless speeds aren’t universal on the Autobahn, though, as parts of the motorway are subject to speed limits. The section of the motorway where the record-breaking driver was caught has a limit of 74.5 mph.

5 soldiers shot at Ga. Army base

BY RUSS BYNUM and MIKE CATALINI Associated Press

FORT STEWART,Ga.— A sergeant shot

five soldiers Wednesday at one the country’s largest Army bases before he was quickly tackled by other Fort Stewart troops, forcing a brief lockdown, ofﬁcials said.

Few details were immediately available about what led to the gunfire, but officials said the shooter was Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, who used a personal handgun, not a military firearm.

Radford opened fire where he worked but officials wouldn’t speculate about a motive, authorities said.

The injured soldiers are stable and expected to recover, said Brig. Gen. John Lubas The soldiers who tackled Radford helped ensure his arrest, said Lubas, who commands

the 3rd Infantry Division.

“These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties or wounded,” he said.

This latest act of violence on a U.S. military installation sites that are supposed to be among the most secure in the country — again raised concerns about safety and security within the armed forces’ own walls.

The Army said it’s investigating the shooting. There were still many unanswered questions, including the scope of the injuries and the shooter’s motive.

The injured were taken to the hospital and three underwent surgery, ofﬁcials said.

Army records released to The Associated Press show that Rad-

ford enlisted in January 2018. He worked as a supply sergeant and has not been deployed.

Radford faced an Aug. 20 hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on accusations of driving under the inﬂuence and running a red light just after 1 a.m. on May 18, according to a citation and court ﬁling. He was given a blood test and freed on a $1,818 bond, the documents said.

Attorney Sneh Patel is representing Radford in the trafﬁc case but not the shooting as of Wednesday, he said in an email. He cited attorney-client privilege in declining to comment about any his conversations with Radford.

Law enforcement was sent to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11 a.m. The shooter was arrested at 11:35 a.m., ofﬁcials said. The lockdown lasted about an

Poll: 35% in U.S. call 1945 atomic bombings justified

BY BRENDAN RASCIUS

Miami Herald (TNS)

American public opinion toward the atomic bombing of Japan has changed signiﬁcantly over time.

The latest poll from the Pew Research Center reveals that less than half of Americans currently view the bombings as justiﬁed, marking a notable drop from earlier years.

The survey was conducted ahead of the 80th anniversary of the bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The two nuclear blasts killed around 200,000 people, many of whom were children, and left survivors with debilitating side effects, including higher rates of cancer and chronic illness.

The attacks which took place on Aug. 6 and 9, 1945 — were quickly followed by Japan’s surrender to the U.S., which brought an end to World War II.

They also signaled the dawn of the nuclear age, sparking a worldwide arms race that has led at least nine countries to develop atomic arsenals.

In the recent Pew survey, 35% of respondents said the bombings were justiﬁed, while a slightly smaller share, 31%, said they were not justiﬁed. An additional 33% said they were not sure.

The results appear to follow a trend of declining support for the nuclear attacks.

In 1945 — in the immediate aftermath of the bombings — a Gallup poll found the vast majority of Americans, 85%, approved of the U.S. decision to drop the newly invented weapons on Japanese cities.

Many years later, in 1990, another Gallup survey revealed that a much smaller

share of respondents, 53%, approved of the attacks. In four subsequent Gallup surveys conducted between 1991 and 2005, approval ﬂuctuated between 53% and 59%.

In 2015 — on the 70th anniversary of the bombings a Pew poll found 56% of Americans believed the attack was justiﬁed, while 34% said it was not. However, this survey did not include a “not sure” option, unlike the most recent one.

The latest survey which sampled 5,044 U.S. adults June 2-8 — also revealed noticeable differences in views based on gender, partisanship and generational lines.

For example, 51% of men said the bombings were justiﬁed, while just 20% of women said the same.

Similarly 51% of Republicans and those who lean Republican said the attacks were justiﬁed, while just 23% of Democrats and Democrat-leaning respondents said the same.

Older Americans were also more likely than their younger counterparts to approve of the U.S. bombings. Nearly half of those 65 and older, 48%, said they were justiﬁed, while just 27% of 18- to 29-year-olds agreed.

The poll — which has a margin of error of 1.6 percentage points — also asked respondents whether they believe the development of nuclear weapons has made the world more or less safe.

The vast majority, 69%, said the creation of atomic weapons has made the world less safe. Just 10% said it’s made the global community more safe, and 21% said they were not sure.

When asked if nuclear weapons made the U.S. in speciﬁc safer, 47% said no and 26% said yes.

Man charged with hate crimes after museum shooting

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum has been indicted on federal hate crimes charges, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday

The indictment, ﬁled in federal court in Washington, charges Elias Rodriguez with nine counts, including a hate crime resulting in death The indictment also includes notice of special ﬁndings, which would allow the Justice Department to potentially pursue the death penalty Elias Rodriguez is accused of gunning down Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim as they left an event at the museum in May He was heard

shouting “Free Palestine” as he was led away after his arrest He told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” federal authorities have said. Rodriguez had previously been charged with murder of foreign ofﬁcials and other crimes, and the hate crimes charges were added after prosecutors brought the case to a grand jury It means prosecutors will be tasked with proving Rodriguez was motivated by antisemitism when he opened ﬁre on Lischinsky and Milgrim, a young couple who were about to become engaged

Prosecutors have described the killing as calculated and planned, saying Rodriguez ﬂew to the Washington region from Chicago ahead of the Capital Jewish Museum event with a handgun in his checked luggage. He purchased a ticket for the event about three hours

before it started, authorities have said in court papers. Witnesses described him pacing outside before approaching a group of four people and opening fire. Surveillance video showed Rodriguez advancing closer to Lischinsky and Milgrim as they fell to the ground, leaning over them and firing additional shots. He appeared to reload before jogging off, officials have said.

After the shooting, authorities say Rodriguez went inside the museum and stated that he “did it.”

“I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed,” he spontaneously said, according to court documents. He also told detectives that he admired an active-duty Air Force member who set himself on ﬁre outside the Israeli Embassy in February 2024, describing the man as “courageous” and a “martyr.”

hour After it was lifted, cars began to move through the normal security checkpoint at the main gate.

The Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 when the service added more than 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers. Also known as the “Spartan Brigade,” the Army has called the unit its “most modern land ﬁghting force.”

Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River by land area. It’s home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and family members.

President Donald Trump called the shooter a “horrible person” in comments to reporters at the White House.

The FBI was at the fort to help investigate, said Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

Top player in Minn. fraud scheme gets 28-year sentence

BY SARAH NELSON Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

MINNEAPOLIS A man portrayed by prosecutors as one of the pinnacle players in the massive Feeding Our Future fraud investigation received a nearly threedecade federal prison sentence Wednesday

U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel sentenced Abdiaziz Farah, 36, to a 28year prison term during a hearing in a Minneapolis federal courtroom after a jury convicted him last year of 23 counts on a variety of offenses, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery

“You’ve shown utter and ﬂagrant disregard for the laws of the United States,” Brasel said to Farah after handing down the sentence, calling his actions motivated by “pure, unmitigated greed.”

Through his restaurant Empire Cuisine and afﬁliated sites, Farah and his co-conspirators claimed to feed 18 million kids at various food sites and submitted $49 million in re-

imbursements Farah enrolled the Shakopee-based restaurant in the federal child nutrition program in April 2020, making him one of the earliest participants in the plot. The only other defendants in the same echelon as Farah, acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson described in court, are the fraud’s ringleaders, Aimee Bock and Salim Said. Jurors found both guilty this spring in the $250 million scheme. Farah personally pocketed $8 million of the proceeds, which he used to buy a number of luxury items including a Tesla, Porsche and real estate in Kenya. Farah was also previously accused to trying to ﬂee to Kenya and found guilty of attempting to obtain a passport by falsely claiming his was lost. Instead, federal agents had seized the document during search warrants carried out early in the investigation. Farah pleaded guilty in June to helping orchestrate the attempted bribery of a juror during his own trial last year in an aim for an acquittal. He awaits sentencing in the separate case.

Radford

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By yUKI IWAMURA

Demonstrators chant Tuesday during a peace gathering outside the Consulate General of Japan in New york.

Trump-Putin meetingpossible, official says

Presidents could meet next week to discuss warinUkraine

BY MICHELLEL.PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President VladimirPutin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the RussiaUkraine war,aWhite House ofﬁcial said Wednesday

The official cautioned that ameeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The ofﬁcial was not authorized to speakpublicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans.

The White House said Trump was also open to a meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ameeting between Putin and Trump would be their first sinceTrumpreturned to office this year.Itwould be asignificant milestonein the 3-year-old war,though there’snopromise such a meeting wouldlead to the end of the fighting since Russia andUkraine remain far apart on their demands.

Trump, appearing before reporters lateratthe White House, didn’tanswer questions about apotential location for ameeting butsaid “there’savery good prospect that they will”meet

The president declined to predict how close he wasto reaching adeal to end the ﬁghting, saying, “I’vebeen disappointed before with this one.”

Rubiolowersexpectations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whowas asked in an interview on Fox Business about apotentialTrump-Putin meeting, said “a lothas

to happen beforethat can occur.”

Rubio said the U.S. would be having talkswith its Europeanallies and the Ukrainiansover the next few days. He saidTrump meetingdirectlywith theleaders of Russia andUkraine would helpclose an agreement, but said, “We’ve got to getclose enough to thatpoint so that a meetinglikethat will be productive andworth doing.”

“Today was agood day, but we’ve got alot of work ahead,” he said. “There’s still many impedimentsto overcome.”

News of apotential meeting with Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Trump’sspecial envoySteveWitkoff met with Putin in Moscow.Trump hadpostedearlier on Truth Social that Witkoff “had a highly productivemeeting” with Putin in which “great progress wasmade.”

Zelenskyyhas been willing to meet face-to-face with Putin to end the conﬂict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected theidea.

Trumphas met with Zelenskyy several times this year,including acontentious February meeting in Washington.Thoughhehas not yet met with Putin this year, Trumpmet with him five times during his ﬁrst term.

Trump said earlier Wednesday thathehad updated America’sallies in Europe and thatthey would work toward an end to the war“in the days andweeks to come.”

WhiteHouse press secretaryKaroline Leavitt said in astatementthat the “Russians had expressedtheir desire” to meet with Trump. The Kremlin has not yet commented on any potential meetings withTrump. Witkoff metwith Putindaysbeforethe White House’sdeadline forRussia to reach apeace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economicpenalties that could also hit countries buying itsoil.

Themeeting between Putin and Witkoff lasted about threehours, the Kremlin said.

Putin’sforeign affairs

U.S. sellingRussian superyacht

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN

Associated Press

WASHINGTON The United States is auctioning off the $325 million yacht Amadea, its ﬁrst sale of aseized Russian luxury ship sincethe start of Moscow’sinvasion of Ukraine.

The auction, which closes Sept. 10, comes as President Donald Trump seeks to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war

The U.S. has said it’sworking with allies to put pressure on Russian oligarchs, some of whom are close to Putin and have had their yachts seized, to try to compel him to stop the war

The 348-foot-long yacht, seized three years ago and currently docked in San Diego, was custom built by theGerman company Lürssen in 2017. Designed by François Zuretti, the yacht

features an interior withextensivemarblework, eight state rooms, abeauty salon, aspa,a gym, ahelipad, a swimming pool andanelevator.Itaccommodates16 guestsand 36 crew members.

Determiningthe real ownership of theAmadeahas been an issueofcontention because of an opaque trail of trustsand shell companies. The yachtisregistered in theCayman Islands and is owned by Millemarin Investments Ltd., also based in theCayman Islands.

TheU.S. contends that Suleiman Kerimov,aneconomist and former Russian politician, who was sanctioned by theU.S. in 2018 for alleged money laundering, owns the yacht. Eduard Khudainatov,aformer chairman and chief executiveofthe state-controlled Russian oiland gas company Rosneft, whohas notbeen

sanctioned, claimstoown it.

U.S.prosecutors say Khudainatov is astraw owner of theyacht, intended to conceal the yacht’s true owner, Kerimov.Litigation over the true ownership is ongoing. The yacht has been virtually untouchedsince the National MaritimeServices took custody of it in 2022. To submit asealed bidonit, bidders must put in a10million euro deposit, the equivalent of roughly $11.6million, to be considered. Ford said Khudainatov would go after any proceedsfromthe sale of the yacht,estimated tobeworth $325 million.

adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putinand Witkoffhad a “useful and constructive conversation” thatfocused on theUkrainiancrisis and, in anod towardimproving relations between Washington and Moscow,“prospects for possible development of strategiccooperation”between theUnited States and Russia.

Threat of U.S. sanctions

Earlier on Wednesday,the same White House official said the U.S.was still expected to impose secondary sanctions against Russiaon Friday,after a10-day deadline thatTrump imposed is to expire. The White House has not yet released details about the sanctions.

Washington hasthreatened “severe tariffs”and other economic penalties if thekilling doesn’tstop Trump also has threatened to slaptariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, which could increaseimport taxes dramatically on Chinaand India He said Tuesday he hadn’t publicly committed to any particulartariff rate, and

indicated that his decision could depend on an outcome of the meeting with Putin.

Trump hasexpressed increasing frustration with Putin over Russia’sescalating strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine, intendedto erode morale and public appetite for the war. The intensiﬁed attacks have occurred even as Trump hasurged the Russian leader in recent months to relent.

Zelenskyy said Wednesday evening that he and Trump spoke on thephone after Witkoff met with Putin. He said “Europeanleaders also participatedinthe conversation,”and “wediscussed what was said in Moscow.”

“It seems that Russia is now moreinclined to agree to aceasefire,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the pressure on Moscow “is working,” without elaborating.

Zelenskyy stressed it was importanttomakesureRussia does not “deceive us or the United States” when it comes to “the details” of a potential agreement. Kyiv proposes that Ukraine and its alliessoon “talktodetermineour position,our common position, andour common view.”

The fighting grinds on Overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday,Russian forc-

es hit arecreational center in Ukraine’ssouthern Zaporizhzhia region, killing two people and injuring 12, includingtwo children,regionalGov.IvanFedorov said Wednesday Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area andinitially attacked with powerful glide bombs.

“There is zero military senseinthisstrike. Only cruelty to intimidate,” Zelenskyy said in apost on Telegram

Russiaalsostruck the Ukrainian power grid and facilities for heating and cookinggas,Zelenskyy said, as Ukraine makes preparations forwinter Western analysts and Ukrainian officials say Putin is stalling for time andavoiding serious negotiations while Russian forces push to capture more Ukraine land.

ARussianoffensive that started in the spring and is expected to continue through the fall is advancing faster than last year’spush but is making only slow and costly gains and has been unable to take any major cities.

The situation on the front line is critical forUkrainian forces butdefensesare not abouttocollapse, analysts say

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DANyLO ANTONIUK

Feast of the Trans

guration of the Lord at St. Michael’sGolden-Domed CathedralinKyiv, Ukraine.

SPUTNIK KREMLIN POOL PHOTOByGAVRIIL GRIGOROV

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. President DonaldTrump’sspecialenvoy Steve Witkoff shakehands during theirmeeting Wednesdayatthe KremlininMoscow

Southeastern says move wasunrelated to work

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

ASoutheastern Louisiana University professor’s removal as aleading researcher for ateam that uncoveredhighlevelsofpollution in Lake Maurepas has led to concerns over whether she was being sidelined because of her work —anallegation the university categorically denies.

Fereshteh Emami, auniversity analytical chemist, was removed from her post on the research team last week, even though she and other scientists werepoised to potentially nail down the sources of high concentrations of lead and other heavy metals with anew $2.3 million phase of work, she and university ofﬁcials said.

Emami was notifiedofher removal in aterse letter July 28,she said. Since then, the university has provided her more details, though her lawyer,WilliamMost, said he isn’tconvinced.

“Almost aweek after the university removedDr. Emamifrom the project, she was told that the removal was for issues such as delays in data collection,” Most said in an email. “It is implausible that this is the university’strue motivation: abruptly removing aproject’s leader with no replacement does nothing to speed things up.”

He addedthat “weare working to determine the real reason for Dr.Emami’sremoval and whether it is consistent with theuniversity’sacademic freedom principles

CALLS

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Therule, whichisnow being reconsidered and won’ttake effect until 2027, would have set amaximum rate of 6cents per minute. That would have more than halved the rate at Louisiana state prisons, whichasof Februarycharged 14 cents aminute.

It is unclear whether Louisiana ever changed those rates in accordance with the rule, establishedthrough a 2024 FCC order.The deadlines for implementing the new rule originallyvaried from betweenApril of this year and April 2026, an FCC spokespersonsaidinastatement.

TheLouisiana Department of Public Safety &Corrections did not respond to questions.

“The suspension gives the FCC more time to reevaluatethe 2024 (order) and hopefully come to amore reasoned decision regarding rate caps and safety and security features,” Lester Duhé, aspokesperson for Attorney General Liz Murrill, said in astatement.

Meanwhile, advocatesof lower ratesexpressed disappointment and outrage that theFCC put the rule on hold. Foster Campbell, astate publicservice commissioner who for years has advocated for lower rates, said phone companies proﬁt off the backs of incarcerated

and thelaw.”

University ofﬁcials dispute that Emami’sremoval, first reported by the LouisianaIlluminator,was anythingother than an unrelated personnel matter.

“Per university policy,I am unable to discuss thespeciﬁcs of her removal from the project as this is apersonnel issue.I can state that this action is unrelated to thealleged reasonsdiscussed in theIlluminatorstory and other media outlets,”saidMichael Rivault, the university’schiefspokesman.

Theresearchislinked to Air Products’ controversial carbon capture plansfor Lake Maurepas. Thecompanyﬁnanced it as part of athree-year,$10 millionproject by the university team on which Emamihad served as one of the principalinvestigators

Findings reported last fall

Last fall, theteam reported on thehighconcentrations of pollutants in thelakeand said that three rivers feeding it, the Amite, Blind and Tickfaw,were likely important sources. It also raised the prospect that at least some metal contamination tied to the Blind River “may be linked”todocumented seepage problems from mine tailingponds at Atlantic Alumina in Gramercy

To reach that conclusion, the study used statisticalanalysesof when and where heavy metal concentrations were detected in the lake.

Atlantic Aluminadisputes its waste tailingsites, known as red mud ponds,are tied to Emami’s findings. Also known as Atalco, the bauxite reﬁnery in Gramercy hashad erosion problems in the containment levees around the red mud waste, which is laced with

“It’shogs atthe trough, and they want every, everypenny they can get. Greedy, greedy,

people.

“It’shogs at the trough, andthey want every,every penny they can get,” he said.

“Greedy,greedy,greedy Unbelievably greedy.”

Campbell noted that inmates’families typically enduppaying the cost of thecalls,adding that children should have the right to talk on the phonewith their parents.

Whythe FCCheldoff

In aJune 30 announcement postponing the rule,

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the rule,meant to ensure reasonable rates for prison phone calls,was having unintended consequences.

“A number of institutions” planned to limit accessto communicationsservices forincarcerated people as aresult of the rule, he said.

And, he added, “there is concerningevidence that the2024 decision does not allow providers and institutionstoproperly consider publicsafety and security interestswhenfacilitating these services.”

Prison systems reported facing signiﬁcant ﬁnancial obstacles to implementing

heavy metals and low-level radioactive elements.

In thefall of 2024, state and federal inspectors documented the levee erosion,some several feet deep, andwateryseepage from it into surrounding swamps and drainage areas.

The company, which hasbeen referred for state enforcement, says the levees weren’tbreached, red mud tailings never escaped and theerosion problems were shortlived. Though state water testing found theseepage had abnormally high alkalinity that is comparable to ammonia solution, Atalco says theseepage is essentially surface water

“Werespectfully believeitisinappropriate to attribute the presence of toxic metals in the lake andallegedtoxic waste spills to Atalco,particularly in light of the company’scontrary statement,” thecompany said.

“AsAtalco has noted, there have never been any material breaks of levees —ormud lakes —atthe Gramercy reﬁnery.”

Subsequent Department of Environmental Quality inspections this May and June —after Emami’sﬁrst round of research concluded —detected similar erosion and seepage problems with some dischargeshaving astrong orange color and caustic odor draininginto swamps tied to theBlind River

Following reports of Emami’s removal, commentary swirled about the motivations,including from state Treasurer John Fleming, who has been campaigning forU.S. Senateand has made opposition to carbon sequestration a political plank. Emami remains atenuredpro-

the new rule by the originaldeadlines,asimplementation often involved contract negotiations with corrections agencies and restructuring providers’ systems, accordingtothe FCC spokesperson. Some have saiditcosts more to runcommunications systems forcorrectional facilities because of special technologies that help monitor calls there.

Challenges underway

Agroup of organizations has challenged the rate cap suspension, ﬁling an administrative appeal with the FCC last week.

The decision to postpone the rule was made by FCC staff, so the organizations must ﬁrst follow the agency’sadministrative appeal process before it can take the issuetocourt, accordingtoAndrewSchwartzman, senior counsel for the Benton Institute for Broadband &Society,one of the organizations appealing the decision.

fessor with eight yearsatSoutheastern.

‘Continued research’

The university has since embarked upon avigorous defense of theMaurepas project without initially revealing what ledtoEmami’sremoval. The university’s president reiteratedSoutheastern’scommitment to transparency to respond to what he termed as “significant misinformation and disinformation.”

“Southeastern Louisiana researchers are nationally recognized for their scientiﬁc contributions and the university is fully committed to the continued research of Lake Maurepas as has been demonstrated through prior decadesofresearch, current research activities, and future research to ensure the health of the beautiful naturalresource thatis Lake Maurepas for generations to come,” WilliamS.Wainwright, Southeastern president, wrote in amessagetofacultyand staffon

Tuesday Kyle Piller,the research team’s leader,saidAir Products doesn’t have influence over the project anddidn’t know about Emami’s removal until he shared anews account about it.

Emami’snewlyfundedphase of workanticipates adding seven morebuoystothe lake armed with betterequipmenttodetectheavy metals, pursuing close to adozen new water sampling sites up the Amite, Tickfawand Blind, andinstalling three air monitors in the industrial corridor alongthe Mississippi River

She said she had faced someinternal resistance on the research team about theinstallation of

“We’re challenging it becauseit’sanoutrageous abuse of theFCC’sauthority to put these rulesonhold, Schwartzmansaid. “It’sa cruel effort to takeaway the hard-wonright to enable incarcerated people andtheir loved ones to communicate and to keep their families together.”

Meanwhile, aseparate legal battle is underway in the 1st CircuitCourt of Appeals,

costly air monitors so farfrom the lake.But Emami said thatthe team’sresearch found air flow from theriver region headseast over the lake half of the year The monitors aretargetedfor suspected toxic hot spots on the river.Emami said air pollutants can endupinthe water column. In response to Emami’sclaim aboutinternal pushback over the monitors,Piller said that, from a scientiﬁc perspective,the universityhad no issueswithair monitoring but it raised budgetary concerns. Air Products, which had askedfor more studyofthe rivers, didn’tprovidemore money for the airmonitors, so thecost hadto be covered by theexisting contract, leading to detaileddiscussions, Piller said.

“Ultimately, we moved funds around from withinthe existingcontract to facilitate the purchase of the additionalequipment,” he said.

Southeastern andAir Products ofﬁcials saidthatthe newphase of the study is continuing

Piller said the team is looking to hire Emami’sreplacement. Air Products ofﬁcials said that theuniversity and company also are looking formore funding forfurther lake research beyond 2025.

“We’vebeen assured by SLUleadership that the work envisioned in thisproject will be completed by researchersatthe university,” said Christina Stephens, Air Products spokesperson. “Weare in discussions with SLU about research beyond the end of the current agreement, which expires in December 2025.”

DavidJ.Mitchellcan be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

which is considering petitions frommultiple states, phone companies and sheriffs to review the rule.

In astatement, Aventiv Technologies said it challenged the rule in court to advocate “for aregulatory frameworkgroundedinthe operational realities of supporting facilitysafety and preserving communication accessfor incarcerated individuals and their loved ones.” Aventivisthe parent company of Securus Technologies, which contractswith Louisiana to provide prison communications services. Louisiana and the state’s sheriffs’association are also amongthose petitioners.

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

Continued from page 1A

Kimble said there has been a lot of “misinformation” on those subjects over the past month or so.

“I give you my word today: Nobody is losing their job,” Kimble said. “The goal is to cut nothing.” The back-and-forth between workers and officials remained mostly civil, though tensions rose as many EMS workers repeatedly asked why the merger was happening.

“Because I want it,” the mayor ﬁnally said.

Edwards said a major motivation for the merger was so EMS employees could have better beneﬁts and resources. “I hear from a lot of you that it feels like this is being done to you,” Edwards said. “But it’s being done for you.”

Ofﬁcials said the merger will not happen quickly and steps will be taken one at a time until the two departments are fully merged, which could take a few years. Peppered with pushback from many of the 100 people or so in attendance, Kimble acknowledged that the initial announcement and rollout of the merger could have gone better and that he would have

2022 special session and gave state leaders a “reasonable period of time” to redraw them.

liked more early feedback from EMS employees.

Former Baton Rouge Police Chief and current mayoral staffer Jeff LeDuff was in attendance alongside Edwards and told EMS workers the merger represents an opportunity to “ﬁx” any things that could be better in EMS from the ground up. “I’m not here to screw you,” LeDuff said. “I am you. I worked just like you did. I was mad at the city, my mayors, and council, just like you, but I did something about it. I’m telling you this, there’s an opportunity to reshape what this looks like. We’re not here to take your money We’re not here

again with a map that this court found to be unlawful.”

to get rid of you. We’re not here to change you.” After the meeting, some EMS employees said they had learned some valuable things about the process of merging the department and why some things were announced so abruptly But others said they left the meeting more confused and frustrated than they entered it.

Paramedic Association President Janice Willard said ofﬁcials didn’t have answers to many of the questions EMS workers were asking.

“It was a lot of dancing around questions, not really answering anything,” Willard said. “I could

see a lot of people in the audience, especially from EMS, very frustrated. And a lot of people got up and left. I think that says a lot.” Before the meeting ended, one worker asked the mayor if the merger was a done deal. Edwards replied and said he wants it to move forward and the process, but conceded that “if it was 100%, I wouldn’t have wasted my time coming.”

“I still feel strong about it happening,” Edwards said. “But to answer your question: no. I’m listening to you. Because look, anytime you come in to try and change something people get very uncomfortable.”

Shelly Dick, the Middle District’s chief judge, agreed to postpone the Aug. 25 hearing and stayed the case after listening to arguments from the state agencies’ legal team and voting rights attorneys that have challenged voting precincts for the state’s Legislature.

“Judge Dick’s decision preserves judicial resources and saves the taxpayers money,” Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement following the ruling. “It makes no sense to conduct a remedy hearing when the Supreme Court could change the legal landscape.”

Plaintiffs in the case alleged district maps drawn up for the state House and Senate seats in February 2022 illegally diluted the strength and power of the Black vote either by packing high concentrations of African American voters into single districts or splintering them into divided voting districts across the state.

The plaintiffs sued Louisiana’s secretary of state and asked a judge to order election officials to redraw the maps in a way that added more majority-Black voting precincts. Dick ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor in February 2024, determining there was a likelihood for all of their claims against the state She agreed the redistricting plan for House and Senate unlawfully diluted Black voting strength and violated Voting Rights Act of 1965. The judge enjoined the maps originally carved out during the

She ordered the Aug 25 remedial hearing for state election officials to unveil their proposed new voting maps. But the Attorney General’s Ofﬁce sought a stay in the case as the state holds its breath for a much-anticipated U.S. Supreme Court opinion in the Louisiana v. Callais redistricting case. The high court is expected to give lower courts in Louisiana guidance on whether creating majority-Black voting districts to satisfy section 2 of the Voting Rights Act violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution by feeding into racial gerrymandering.

Supreme Court justices heard arguments in the Callais case in January. But in a June order, the court said it plans to revisit the case during its next term, which begins Oct. 6 and runs through June 25, 2026.

“That’s the question the court is struggling with here: Is there a clear yield sign from the United States Supreme Court in this case?

It’s a very difficult and nuanced question,” Dick said Wednesday in granting the state’s request for a stay

Plaintiff attorneys worried that waiting for the Supreme Court would delay the redrawn maps, and they wouldn’t be changed in time for the 2027 legislative elections.

“If we wait until August 2026 to get a remedial map, then we are being put in a position where there will be no remedial map for the October 2027 election,” said Sarah Brannon, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation. “That means our clients will have to have another election

The judge determined the case involving the House and Senate voting maps is too closely intertwined with other Louisiana redistricting cases to proceed with the evidentiary hearing this month. She agreed with the state’s assessment that there is a “substantial likelihood that there’s going to be a change in the game” after the Supreme Court delivers its opinion.

“It could not be more clear that the United States Supreme Court intends to address the interplay between Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment,” Dick said.

Wednesday’s ruling came on the 60-year anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark piece of federal legislation that outlawed racial discrimination in America’s state, local and national elections.

On Monday, another federal district judge in Baton Rouge cited the pending Callais decision in putting proceedings on hold in a separate redistricting challenge to the 19th Judicial District Court’s new voting lines.

The Callais case is an outgrowth of a 2022 redistricting challenge that claimed the state’s district map for U.S. congressional seats unduly discriminated against Black voters. Dick presided over that case, which included many of the same reform groups and individual voters as plaintiffs. She enjoined election officials from using the congressional map adopted in 2022. It eventually led to Senate Bill 8 during a January 2024 special session, which carved out a congressional map with two majority-Black districts.

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A group of voters subsequently challenged Senate Bill 8 in the Callais case, which was filed in Louisiana’s Western District federal court last year The Callais plaintiffs accused the state of unconstitutional gerrymandering by creating two majority-Black congressional districts. They claimed election ofﬁcials “engaged in explicit, racial segregation of voters” and “intentional discrimination of voters based on race” and said the shifts violated the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.

In rehearing the pivotal case, Supreme Court justices will provide guidance to lower courts for navigating competing demands of the Voting Rights Act and equal protection clause in redistricting cases.

Phil Strach, a North Carolina attorney arguing on the state’s behalf, foresaw a number of potential rulings by the Supreme Court and urged Dick to show judicial restraint by issuing a stay order

“I think that there are possible outcomes that could completely undo what the court does this month,” he said during Wednesday’s hearing.

“Well with all due respect, every single thing this court does has a chance of complete and utter obliteration in reversal. So that’s nothing new,” Dick responded.

“But why waste the court’s time,” Strach replied. “Why waste the state’s time?”

Attorneys for the plaintiffs worried that another delay would close the window on changing the state’s House and Senate voting maps in time for 2027. Sherri Wharton Hadskey, a commissioner for the secretary of state, laid out a time-

line for implementing a new voting map for 105 state House seats and 39 Senate seats. She said she would need the new legislative lines no later than Jan 1, 2027, in order for elections ofﬁcials to proofread the maps, ensure voters are assigned to their correct districts in the system and mail out notices to millions of Louisiana voters alerting them to the shifts in time for the October 2027 legislative and gubernatorial primary

“Making certain that it is all correct. That is key,” Wharton Hadskey testiﬁed Wednesday Brannon said staying the matter for another several months won’t leave time for the appeals process to play out in time for implementation in 2027.

Dick said it would be a close timeline for the plaintiffs even if she denied the stay

“You have a very good chance of not making the 2027 election,” she told Brannon.

“We agree there’s a risk involved in all of this,” Brannon said. “We just don’t understand why we should contribute further delay to that risk.”

The plaintiffs’ lawyers expressed disappointment in the ruling following Wednesday’s hearing.

“For years, plaintiffs and Black Louisianans have waited to cast ballots under fair and equitable maps,” Brannon said in a statement. “This decision today adds to the ongoing delay of remedying this wrong. Plaintiffs will continue pushing forward to get a quick resolution of the case.”

Email Matt Bruce at matt. bruce@theadvocate.com.

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BUSINESS

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FROM WIRE REPORTS

Wall Street closes higher with Apple rally

NEW YORK A rally for Apple led Wall Street higher on Wednesday as U.S. stocks reclaimed more of their sharp losses from last week.

The S&P 500 rose 0.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2%. Apple alone accounted for more than a third of the S&P 500’s gain. It rose 5.1% ahead of a White House event where it was expected to announced an increase to its U.S. investments of an additional $100 billion over the next four years. Trading elsewhere on Wall Street was mixed following a jumble of proﬁt reports. McDonald’s and Shopify rose following their latest updates, while Super Micro Computer tumbled after its earnings and revenue came in below analysts’ expectations.

McDonald’s climbed 3% after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected. Offerings tied to the “Minecraft” movie proved to be a hit for the restaurant chain.

Shopify jumped 22% after the company, which helps businesses sell on the internet, said it made more in revenue last quarter than expected.

They helped offset an 18.3% slump for Super Micro Computer, which gave back some of the huge gains the server maker has made recently Super Micro came into the day with a nearly 88% gain for its stock so far this year, but it reported weaker proﬁt and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

WhatsApp takes down 6.8M accounts

NEW YORK WhatsApp has taken down 6.8 million accounts that were “linked to criminal scam centers” targeting people online around that world, its parent company Meta said this week. The account deletions, which Meta said took place over the ﬁrst six months of the year, arrive as part of wider company efforts to crack down on scams.

In a Tuesday announcement, Meta said it was also rolling new tools on WhatsApp to help people spot scams

Meta noted that “some of the most proliﬁc” sources of scams are criminal scam centers, which often span from forced labor operated by organized crime — and warned that such efforts often target people on many platforms at once, in attempts to evade detection.

That means that a scam campaign may start with messages over text or a dating app, for example and then move to social media and payment platforms, the California-based company said.

Former X CEO to lead weight-loss company

Linda Yaccarino, the former X CEO who left the social media company last month in the wake of yet another Elon Musk controversy, has been named the top executive at health company eMed. eMed Population Health provides support for patients on GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, that treat diabetes and obesity

“Our mission is revolutionizing how people receive safe, effective care for chronic condition management through GLP-1 therapies, while building the programs and technologies needed to sustain lasting health outcomes,” Yaccarino wrote in a post on Tuesday In a statement, eMed said Yaccarino’s experience would be “instrumental” as the company looks to expand its services to accommodate more “national and global employer and government partnerships.” Yaccarino left X in July after two years as CEO, a day after the company’s AI chatbot Grok declared itself “MechaHitler” and repeatedly sexually harassed Yaccarino. It’s unclear if her exit was directly connected to Grok’s outbursts but the company later apologized, blaming a system update.

Mall retailer Claire’s files for Chapter 11

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP retail writer

NEW YORK Mall-based teen accessories retailer Claire’s, known for helping to usher in millions of teens into an important rite of passage ear piercing but now struggling with a big debt load and changing consumer tastes, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Claire’s Holdings LLC and certain of its U.S and Gibraltar-based

subsidiaries — collectively Claire’s U.S., the operator of Claire’s and Icing stores across the United States, made the ﬁling in the U.S Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on Wednesday. That marked the second time since 2018 and for a similar reason: high debt load and the shift among teens heading online away from physical stores.

Claire’s Chapter 11 ﬁling follows the bankruptcies of other teen retailers including Forever 21, which filed in March for bankruptcy protection for a second time and eventually closed down its U.S. business as trafﬁc in U.S. shopping malls fades and competition from

online retailers like Amazon, Temu and Shein intensiﬁes.

Claire’s, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and founded in 1974, said that its stores in North America will remain open and will continue to serve customers, while it explores all strategic alternatives.

Claire’s operates more than 2,750 Claire’s stores in 17 countries throughout North America and Europe and 190 Icing stores in North America.

In a court filing, Claire’s said its assets and liabilities range between $1 billion and $10 billion.

“This decision is difficult, but a necessary one,” Chris Cramer,

CEO of Claire’s, said in a news release issued Wednesday “Increased competition, consumer spending trends and the ongoing shift away from brick-and-mortar retail, in combination with our current debt obligations and macroeconomic factors, necessitate this course of action for Claire’s and its stakeholders.”

Like many retailers, Claire’s was also struggling with higher costs tied to President Donald Trump’s tariff plans, analysts said. Cramer said that the company remains in “active discussions” with potential strategic and ﬁnancial partners.

Apple commits $100 billion more to U.S. manufacturing

At ceremony, Trump also announces 100% tariff on computer chips

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON Apple CEO Tim Cook joined President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to announce a commitment by the tech company to increase its investment in U.S. manufacturing by an additional $100 billion over the next four years.

“This is a signiﬁcant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in the United States of America also are made in America,” Trump said at the press conference. “Today’s announcement is one of the largest commitments in what has become among the greatest investment booms in our nation’s history.”

As part of the Apple announcement, the investments will be about bringing more of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the United States as part of an initiative called the American Manufacturing Program, but it is not a full commitment to build its popular iPhone device domestically

“This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components — semiconductor chips included — that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and we’re grateful to the President for his support,” Cook said in a statement announcing the investment.

During the ceremony Trump also said that he will impose a 100% tariff on computer chips, likely raising the cost of electronics, autos, household appliances and other goods deemed essential for the digital age.

“We’ll be putting a tariff on of approximately 100% on chips and semiconductors,” Trump said. “But if you’re building in the United States of America, there’s no charge.”

The Republican president said

companies that make computer chips in the U.S. would be spared the import tax. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of computer chips increased the price of autos and contributed to an overall uptick in inﬂation.

The new manufacturing partners include Corning, Coherent, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments and Broadcom among others.

Apple had previously said it intended to invest $500 billion domestically, a ﬁgure it will now increase to $600 billion. Trump in recent months has criticized the tech company and Cook for efforts to shift iPhone production to India to avoid the tariffs his Republican administration had planned for China.

While in Qatar earlier this year, Trump said there was “a little problem” with the Cupertino, California, company and recalled a conversation with Cook in which he said he told the CEO, “I don’t want you building

in India.”

India has incurred Trump’s wrath, as the president signed an order Wednesday to put an additional 25% tariff on the world’s most populous country for its use of Russian oil.

The new import taxes to be imposed in 21 days could put the combined tariffs on Indian goods at 50%.

Apple’s new pledge comes just a few weeks after it forged a $500 million deal with MP Materials, which runs the only rare earths producer in the country That agreement will enable MP Materials to expand a factory in Texas to use recycled materials to produce magnets that make iPhones vibrate.

Speaking on a recent investors call, Cook emphasized that “there’s a load of different things done in the United States.” As examples, he cited some of the iPhone components made in the U.S. such as the device’s glass display and module for

identifying people’s faces and then indicated the company was gearing to expand its productions of other components in its home country

“We’re doing more in this country, and that’s on top of having roughly 19 billion chips coming out of the U.S. now, and we will do more,” Cook told analysts last week, without elaborating.

News of Apple’s latest investment in the U.S. caused the company’s stock price to surge by 5% in Wednesday’s midday trading. That gain reﬂects investors’ relief that Cook “is extending an olive branch” to the Trump administration, said Nancy Tengler CEO of money manager Laffer Tengler Investments, which owns Apple stock.

Despite Wednesday’s upturn, Apple’s shares are still down by 15% this year a reversal of fortune that has also been driven by the company’s botched start in the pivotal field of artificial intelligence.

Disney reports quarterly proﬁt, streaming deal with WWE

BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press

Disney’s profit and revenue climbed in its ﬁscal third quarter as the entertainment company continued to add subscribers to its streaming service and see strength at its domestic theme parks. It also raised its full-year adjusted earnings forecast on Wednesday and announced a deal with WWE that will see the sports entertainment company’s premium live events, like WrestleMania, streamed by ESPN The Walt Disney Co. earned $5.26 billion, or $2.92 per share, for the three months ended June 28. A year earlier it earned $2.62 billion, or $1.43 per share. Excluding certain items, earnings were $1.61 per share. This easily beat the $1.46 per share analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research were looking for Revenue for the Burbank, California, company totaled $23.65 billion, falling slightly short of Wall Street’s estimate of $23.68 billion. Disney subsidiary ESPN struck a rights agreement with TKO Group’s WWE to become the exclusive U.S. domestic streamer of the sports entertainment company’s premium live events starting next year Aside from gaining access to WrestleMania, ESPN will also air marquee events such as the Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but The Wall Street Journal said that it’s a ﬁve-year deal worth more than $1.6 billion. The wrestling events will be available on ESPN’s new streaming service, which is set to launch next month for $29.99 per month, with select ESPN cable channels also airing them. “Sports is the big headline coming out of Disney’s latest earnings report, and for good reason. Live sports programming (like WWE Premium Live Events) amasses captive audiences that advertisers crave, and Disney is prioritizing programming with the highest ad

revenue potential,” Mike Proulx, Forrester vice president, research director, said in an emailed statement.

Revenue for Disney Entertainment, which includes the company’s movie studios and streaming service, edged up 1%, while revenue for the Experiences division, its parks, increased 8%.

Disney’s direct-to-consumer business, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, posted quarterly operating income of $346 million compared with a loss of $19 million a year ago. Revenue climbed 6%. Total paid subscribers for Disney+ came to 128 million subscribers,

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON

President Donald Trump, left, announces a manufacturing deal with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office on Wednesday in Washington, D.C

Judge hears arguments over ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Tribe says detention center violates environmental law

BY DAVID FISCHER and MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press

MIAMI A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday over whether to stop construction of an immigration detention center — built in the middle of the Florida Everglades and dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” — because it didn’t follow environmental laws.

Until the laws are followed, environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe said U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams should issue a preliminary injunction to halt operations and further construction

The suit claims the project threatens environmentally sensitive wetlands that are home to protected plants and animals and would reverse billions of dollars’ worth of environmental restoration

The lawsuit in Miami against federal and state authorities is one of two legal challenges to the South Florida detention center which was built more than a month

ago by the state of Florida on an isolated airstrip owned by Miami-Dade County A second lawsuit brought by civil rights groups says detainees’ constitutional rights are being violated

since they are barred from meeting lawyers, are being held without any charges, and a federal immigration court has canceled bond hearings. A hearing in that case is scheduled for

18.

The detention facility has ignored a review process required by the National Environmental Policy Act, and the lawsuit was meant to assert the public’s rights

to make sure environmental harm does not occur, Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, testified in court Wednesday

The new detention facility would likely lead to an immediate reduction in habitat for endangered Florida panthers and would likely increase the risk of panthers killing each other or being hit by vehicles, Randy Kautz, a wildlife ecologist and former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission researcher, testiﬁed.

Kautz cited studies showing panthers generally stay at least 650 feet from areas with human activity and 1,600 feet away from bright artificial lights at night, translating to about 2,000 acres of potentially lost habitat surrounding “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Florida Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, who took a July 12 tour of the facility with other state and federal lawmakers, in court described an active construction site with recentlyerected tents new asphalt and temporary lights. Florida Division of Emergency Management director Kevin Guthrie told members of the tour that the facility would be able to hold 4,000

detainees by the end of August and the center had about 1,000 workers, some of whom lived at the facility and others who commuted, said Eskamani. Under the 55-year-old federal environmental law, federal agencies should have examined how the detention center’s construction would impact the environment, identiﬁed ways to minimize the impact and followed other procedural rules such as allowing public comment, according to the environmental groups and the tribe. It makes no difference that the detention center holding hundreds of detainees was built by the state of Florida since federal agencies have authority over immigration, the suit said.

Attorneys for federal and state agencies last week asked Williams to dismiss or transfer the injunction request, saying the lawsuit was ﬁled in the wrong jurisdiction. Even though the property is owned by Miami-Dade County, Florida’s southern district is the wrong venue for the lawsuit since the detention center is located in neighboring Collier County, which is in the state’s middle district, they said. Williams had yet to rule on that argument.

Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits

BY REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that it is removing age limits for new hires at the agency responsible for immigration enforcement, as it aims to expand hiring after a massive infusion of cash. The department said in a news release that it would waive age limits for new applicants so “even more patri-

ots will qualify to join ICE,” the agency responsible for ﬁnding, arresting, detaining and removing people who are in the U.S. illegally The agency is at the center of the Trump administration’s efforts to carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Earlier this summer Congress passed a spending bill that gives ICE money to hire 10,000 more staff. Currently, ICE applicants must be 21 years old and no

older than 37 or 40, depending on what position they are applying for In an interview with “Fox & Friends,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said applicants could be as young as 18. “We no longer have a cap on how old you can be or you can continue at age 18, sign up for ICE and join us and be a part of it. We’ll get you trained and ready to be equipped to go out on the streets and help protect families,” Noem said.

The department said all recruits would have to go through medical and drug screening and complete a physical ﬁtness test.

The agency promoted the age-limit changes on social media with enthusiastic

tones, casting the immigration-enforcement efforts as not only patriotic but also epic and even cinematic. One post was accompanied by an image that looked like a recruiting poster showing images of a young man and

an older man, both wearing military style tactical gear and holding weapons with the words “NO AGE CAP JOIN ICE NOW” emblazoned on the bottom. “We’re taking father/son bonding to a whole new level,” it said.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ALEXANDRA RODRIGUEZ

A protester stands outside the migrant detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Facility on July 12 in Ochopee, Fla.

Massive central California wildfire keeps growing

By The Associated Press

SANTA MARIA, Calif. — Rising temperatures on Wednesday posed new challenges for firefighters who have made incremental progress against a massive wildfire in central California that injured four people as it became the biggest blaze in the state so far this year

More than 870 remote homes and other structures at the northern edge of Los Padres National Forest are threatened by the Gifford Fire, which grew only slightly overnight after burning out of control for days.

The fire has scorched at least 131 square miles of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with just 9% containment. It surpassed the 126-square-mile Madre Fire, which erupted last month in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, as the state’s largest ﬁre of 2025.

Crews working in steep, inaccessible terrain will be dealing with temperatures in the mid-90s on Wednesday and above 100 on Thursday, said Capt. Scott Safechuck with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

“We have hot weather, and we have low relative humidity,” Safechuck said Wednes-

day. “So we expect extreme ﬁre behavior.” Luckily, winds are expected to remain relatively calm, he said.

Wildfire risk will be elevated through the weekend across much of inland California as the heat wave intensifies. The southern part of the state has seen very little rain, drying out vegetation and making it “ripe to burn,” the National Weather Service for Los Angeles warned in a statement.

Triple-digit temperatures are forecast for the Sacramento Valley

A dozen major blazes are burning statewide, and officials warn the threat will only grow in August and September, typically the most dangerous months for wildfires. Across the Sierra and northern parts of California, months of little to no rain are “pushing conditions toward critical levels faster than usual,” according to a wildfire forecast by the California Department of For-

Mich. representatives demand Canada contain fires

BY MELISSA NANN BURKE and CAROL THOMPSON

The Detroit News (TNS)

WASHINGTON The seven Michigan Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation issued a joint statement Wednesday blaming Canada for wildfires whose smoke caused air-quality issues across the state in recent weeks, asking the Canadian government to “take immediate and decisive action to contain these fires and prevent future wildfires.”

“Instead of enjoying family vacations at Michigan’s beautiful lakes and campgrounds, for the third summer in a row, Michiganders are forced to breathe hazardous air as a result of Canada’s failure to prevent and control wildﬁres. This recurring crisis is putting public health at risk — especially for seniors, pregnant women, children, and those with respiratory conditions,” the lawmakers said

“This cannot continue as an annual threat to our communities.”

The statement follows a letter to the Canadian prime minister sent by U.S. Rep. John James on the same issue last week,

“to express the outrage of our constituents” about the third summer of smoke and pollution from Canadian wildﬁres.

James, who is running for governor, noted that 69 million Midwest residents were under air quality alerts — a ﬁgure larger than the population of Canada and said the situation is “actively damaging the U.S.-Canada relationship.”

This week, forecasters had extended a statewide air quality advisory, anticipating that smoke from the wildﬁres would linger over the state and cause unhealthy levels of particle pollution. At times, air quality could be bad enough that it would be unhealthy for everyone and not just sensitive groups, according to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy meteorologists.

The Canadian Embassy didn’t immediately comment on the Michigan lawmakers’ remarks Wednesday Wab Kinew, the premier of the province of Manitoba, where wildﬁres killed two in May blasted a similar letter sent by six members of Congress from Minnesota and Wisconsin last month, claiming that the lawmakers were “trying to trivial-

ize and make hay out of a wildﬁre season where we’ve lost lives in our province.”

Climate change is fueling the Canadian wildﬁres, said Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. Burning fossil fuels and loading greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is warming the planet, which allows the atmosphere to hold more moisture. That causes more extreme droughts and more extreme rainstorms, Overpeck said.

Although it’s harder to prevent ﬁres in a warming world, it’s reasonable for U.S. lawmakers to ask Canada to do more to manage them, Overpeck said. But as the Trump administration aims to end the federal government’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, Overpeck said it is also reasonable for Canadians to complain about the U.S dismantling its climate policies.

“They’re probably not happy the U.S. is pulling back on our fighting of climate change, which they know in Canada pretty clearly is the real problem. They are fighting climate change much more fiercely than we now are,” Overpeck said.

estry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

“In Southern California, the threat is driven by persistent drought, high grass loads, and weakening coastal moisture,” Cal Fire said.

More than 2,200 personnel are battling the Gifford Fire, which grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166, forcing closures in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people. The causes of the fires are under investigation. Flames are racing through a vast, mostly unpopulated region that includes forestland, ranches, large canyon properties and agricultural parcels growing wine grapes and strawberries. Officials reported four injuries, including a firefighter who was treated for dehydration. Over the weekend, a motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames.

France’s biggest wildfire has area larger than Paris

BY SYLVIE CORBET and HERNAN MUNOZ Associated Press

SAINT-LAURENT-DE-LA-CABRERISSE, France — France’s biggest wildﬁre in years was spreading quickly Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near Spain after leaving one person dead and several injured, authorities said. The ﬁre burned an area larger than Paris, and the military was called in to help.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou deplored a “disaster on an unprecedented scale” in the region. Over 2,100 ﬁreﬁghters and several water bomber aircraft battled the blaze that broke out Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region, a rural, wooded area that is home to wineries.

The fire, which has burned 39,500 acres, remained “very active” on Wednesday and continued to progress as night fell, the local administration said. The weather was hot, dry and windy Villagers sought to help douse the flames or save their homes and small businesses, and described their alarm at the fire’s speed. Ash filled the air and coated windows and cars.

“The sky was blue, and then less than an hour later the sky was orange,” said Andy Pickup of SaintLaurent-de-la-Cabrerisse.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NOAH BERGER

Smoke from the Gifford Fire fills the sky as the sun sets Monday over Los Padres National Forest Calif.

School founder could lose account control

Impact Charter leader faces investigation over management

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

After months of delay, a judge in Baton Rouge is poised to decide whether the new management of Impact Charter School in Baker can seize full financial control of the small elementary school from founder Chakesha Scott.

State District Judge Ron Johnson also is set to rule on whether to give the school’s new leaders control of perhaps millions of dollars sitting in bank accounts of two afﬁliated nonproﬁt groups associated with Scott. The plaintiffs claim Scott wrongly diverted the money from school funds and later used it for personal expenses.

Meanwhile, a recent court filing in the case confirms that, in addition to her civil troubles, Scott is facing a federal criminal investigation into her management of Impact. For her part, Scott and related parties have filed several state and federal lawsuits seeking to unseat the new management and restore her and the school’s previous board of

directors to power In one of those lawsuits, Friends of Impact Charter School, one of the two nonprofits at issue, is suing the new management because it has refused to pay rent, which it argues is exorbitant.

The Friends group, which serves as the landlord for the 4815 Lavey

School prep

SCHEINUK

First grade teacher Jane Brown hangs decorations in the hallway on Tuesday as teachers at St. Thomas More prepare for the return of students for the school year in Baton Rouge.

Man pleads guilty to federal murder-kidnapping charges

BY WILLIE SWETT

Lane campus, served the new management an eviction notice in early April. That prompted the new leaders to immediately relocate operations around the corner to former Baker Heights Elementary, reducing the rent expense from $130,000 to $20,000 a month The Friends suit, which is pending before ad hoc Judge Johnell Mathews, seeks not just rent from

Council backs retiree health plan

Change would save city-parish money

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

With a general fund budget gap of nearly $40 million possible next year as Baton Rouge continues to deal with lost tax revenue from the city of St. George’s incorporation, East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council members hope to have found something that will soften the blow At a special meeting called for Wednesday council members recommended that the city-parish implement changes to retirees’ beneﬁt plans that could save the city up to $19 million annually “We’ve found changes that we can make that wouldn’t impact our employees, and it wouldn’t have a signiﬁcant impact on our retirees,” council member Jen Racca said.

The plan would switch retirees who choose to enroll in a Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Advantage Plan, which council members believe offers better beneﬁts and comes at a lower cost. The city-parish’s insurance consul-

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

Last year, the city of Gonzales operated on a general fund budget of roughly $22 million. That budget, funded by taxes, pays for the ﬁre and police departments, city administration, general government, sanitation, recreation and streets and drainage. This year, it’s a different story Last month, the council voted against ap-

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy

Scott

Murrill says court record debacle is ‘unacceptable’

Staff has been searching landfill for missing files

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

After video surfaced online this week of Orleans Parish criminal court staff searching a landﬁll for records tossed out by city workers, state and local ofﬁcials are speaking out.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill took to social media platform X on Wednesday and commented on videos of Clerk Darren Lombard and others rummaging through mounds of trash and debris at the Gentilly Landﬁll.

“This is unacceptable. I have questions. I’m going to ask the Clerk for an explanation of how this happened and just what records were dumped,” she wrote.

Murrill

Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration released a statement Wednesday, saying only that the city “has reached out to the Clerk’s Ofﬁce and the Department of Public Works is currently working with the Clerk’s Ofﬁce to resolve this issue.”

When asked for comment, only one mayoral candidate for the Oct 11 election weighed in — District E council member and mayoral candidate Oliver Thomas.

“Hopefully, this will foster better communication to ensure that this doesn’t happen again,” he said.

Retired Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Arthur Hunter, who is also running for mayor this year, said he was aware of the situation, but did not comment further Mayoral candidates Royce Duplessis and City Council Vice President Helena Moreno did not respond to requests for comment.

Hundreds of court files in the city’s custody were relocated last week from containers and office trailers to a Public Works yard at the direction of New Orleans Public Works Department Director Rick Hathaway, Lombard said Tuesday “I’m highly upset about it,” Lombard said of the incident he called a “catastrophic failure.”

After he learned that at least one

New leader named for economic group

Northshore native was formerly with Baton Rouge Area Chamber

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

The St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation has named a new leader announcing Tuesday that Russell Richardson will become the agency’s president and chief executive ofﬁcer Richardson, a former business development manager with the state’s economic development agency and most recently senior vice president of business development at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, will replace outgoing leader Chris Masingill. Masingill headed the St. Tammany agency for the past seven years and will leave near the end of this month to lead Louisiana Central, a 10-parish regional economic development

COUNCIL

Continued from page 1B

group based in Alexandria.

“I am honored to join the team at St Tammany Economic Development Corporation,” Richardson, who hails from Franklinton, said in a news release, adding that he looks forward to continuing efforts “to position St. Tammany as destination of choice for businesses to locate, advance and thrive.”

When Masingill’s departure was announced in May, St. Tammany EDC said it would embark on a national search for a successor Richardson is a northshore native with more than a decade of economic development experience across the state, the organization said.

During his time with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Richardson oversaw business development across the nine-parish region and helped secure $20 billion in new investment and more than 7,800 jobs, St. Tammany EDC said.

Before his work at the Baton Rouge Chamber, Richardson was a senior business development manager at Louisiana Economic Devel-

parish’s savings would ﬂow into the general fund the account most strained by tax losses from St. George.

opment, managing a portfolio of over 60 domestic and international projects, and securing more than $1 billion in capital investment across the state, St. Tammany EDC said. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said in a statement that Richardson understands the northshore’s “unique strengths, challenges, and opportunities.”

“Couple that with a broad and proven track record in economic development leadership, and he is uniquely positioned to lead St. Tammany EDC into its next chapter of innovation, growth, and success,” she said.

In his new role, Richardson will be responsible for advancing the organization’s mission to drive jobs and spur the economy Under Masingill, the parish was successful in landing several highproﬁle investments, including the new Costco near Covington, an Amazon delivery facility set to open soon in Slidell and the $46 million Agile Cold Storage facility in Pearl River Masingill was also at the front of a push to create a logistics corridor along Interstate 12.

container had been thrown away, along with other debris, his staff began searching the landfill Tuesday By Tuesday afternoon, Lombard said they had recovered most of the files, but it’s unclear how many are still lost At the Public Works site where they were held, “documents were strewn across the yard, caught in the wind and scattered beyond the secured perimeter,” Lombard said The files contain sensitive information related to criminal cases dating back decades. Among them are closed capital cases involving murder and aggravated rape.

The impact of missing court records could prove detrimental to the legal process. The Louisiana Supreme Court has previously removed a Baton Rouge judge from office for her handling of lost records. Between 1996 and 2002, the office of former Baton Rouge criminal district Judge Sharon Hunter lost records of 11 trials, including four homicides and an attempted murder Appeals courts ordered nine new trials and a new sentencing hearing One man won a new trial on charges of killing his 6-month-old daughter after records pertinent to the case, such as his testimony and the baby’s aunt, who witnessed the killing, vanished A spokesperson for Lombard’s office said on Wednesday that his office was still sorting through the recovered records to determine what was missing.

CALLIHAN

Continued from page 1B

of his arrest, Callihan told TV reporters he had killed Brunett and her daughter

After the prosecutors outlined the crimes for which Callihan was accused, Africk asked Callihan, “You agree that’s what you did?”

“Yes,” said Callihan, who wore a navy blue prison uniform.

“Your family is in all of our prayers,” Africk told three members of the victims’ family who were in the audience. He said what Callihan did was an “evil, depraved, callous act.”

Africk also said that the family’s desire not to have the surviving child testify may have shielded Callihan from the death penalty “It’s very ironic that the victim’s family’s attempt to shield the 6-year-old victim from having to testify in this case and the associated pain and suffering the young girl would endure, probably shielded the defendant from the death penalty,” he said.

Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@ theadvocate.com.

death charge carries a minimum sentence of life in prison.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Orleans had initially charged Callihan with the same crimes in January in a bill of information. Callihan faced a July 28 trial date that was postponed after the grand jury’s indictment.

Until taking the death penalty off the table with Callihan’s plea on Wednesday, federal prosecutors had not disclosed whether they would seek the death penalty in his case.

Callihan also faces state criminal charges in Louisiana and Mississippi, including murder, kidnapping and sexual battery Victoria Cox, who has been identified as an accomplice by authorities, also faces murder and kidnapping charges in Louisiana and Mississippi.

tants say the new plan — available to roughly 1,500 current retirees — has no deductible and offers lower or no costs for primary care, urgent care, ER visits and other services.

Racca said no one will be forced to switch, though providers will try to educate eligible retirees on the new plan The more who make the switch, the more money the city-parish will save.

“This is a privatized Medicare plan that’s through the Blue Cross Blue Shield network. So, their network doesn’t change,” she said. As much as 38% of the city-

CONTROL

Continued from page 1B

March and April but rent for the remaining 569 months on the 50year lease. That comes to almost $74 million.

Scott founded Impact Charter School in 2014. The school has more than 400 students in grades prekindergarten to eight and enjoys a B letter grade from the state for its academic performance. Impact is set to start its 12th year in operation on Friday when students return from summer break.

Accusations after audit

The change in management was prompted by a damning audit conducted by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office, which was released publicly Feb. 10. The lengthy audit accused Scott of using the school to personally enrich herself and her family Eleven days later the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to replace the school’s board of directors. The newly appointed board moved quickly to suspend, and later fire, Scott. However, she has refused to step aside, arguing that the new board was illegally given control of Impact. The new board filed suit March 3, seeking immediate action to kick Scott out of school operations. The suit claimed that Scott has been “knowingly and intentionally” blocking access to a range of Impact’s financial records as well as to “substantial” funds held in accounts managed by Friends of Impact Charter School and another group,

Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ Chief Administrative Officer Charlie Davis was careful to say the amount that will be saved is unknown, but the switch is a step in the right direction.

“We’re highly confident we’re going to get some substantial savings, but we don’t yet know what those actual numbers are going to be,” Davis said. “Whether we’re going to be saving $3 million or $13 million, we just know that we’re moving in the direction of being better stewards and better managers of the insurance policy.” Davis said change often comes with pushback, and the city-parish

Charter School Athletic Association Inc., to which Scott is also tied.

Five months later, the plaintiffs are ﬁnally on the verge of making their case to Johnson.

Johnson held a hearing Monday afternoon, which is to resume Thursday, where he will decide whether or not to issue a preliminary injunction barring Scott from Impact Charter affairs.

On Monday, Johnson denied procedural objections lodged by two of the defendants. Johnson plans to resolve an objection from a third defendant on Thursday before the plaintiffs can make their case.

Legal showdown

That Scott’s troubles could lead to a federal criminal investigation has long been a possibility

The federal criminal investigation was confirmed in a July 22 court filing by Jenifer Schaye, an attorney for the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office.

Schaye’s motion seeks to quash a subpoena filed days earlier by Scott. That subpoena demanded a long list of records amassed during the legislative audit. Daryl Purpera has been hired by Scott to scrutinize those records in order to come up with a fresh analysis and rebuttal of that audit. Purpera is a forensic accountant who served as the state’s legislative auditor for 11 years before the current legislative auditor, Mike Waguespack.

Among the several reasons Schaye offered in her motion for halting the subpoena, one is that the U.S. Attorney’s Ofﬁce in Baton Rouge is asking her to.

“Additionally, the subject matter of the Audit is currently part of an ongoing criminal investigation and

is expecting some retirees to be apprehensive about the switch, but the city and Blue Cross will make calls, send emails and hold meetings to show those who are eligible the benefits of the new plan, which many are already enrolled in.

At a meeting last month, consultants told the council and Mayor’s Ofﬁce that the plan most retirees use is outdated and inefficient, driving up costs for the city-parish — a problem they say the switch would resolve, leading to savings.

“It’s not often you have a scenario where your employees get an amazing product, it’s cheaper for them and cheaper for the taxpayer,” Davis said. “That almost never happens. You’ve got to take those deals when you get them.”

the United States Attorney’s Ofﬁce, Middle District of Louisiana, has requested that the (legislative auditor’s ofﬁce) not disclose its work papers,” Schaye wrote.

John McLindon, a Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney retained by Scott, acknowledged the investigation, but said all he has seen is a couple of subpoenas issued by a federal grand jury a couple of months ago seeking documents that were subsequently produced.

“Since then, it’s been pretty quiet,” McLindon said.

A spokesperson for the U.S Attorney’s Ofﬁce told The Advocate on Tuesday that “pursuant to (U.S. Department of Justice) policy, we are prohibited from confirming, denying, or otherwise commenting on any potential ongoing investigations.”

Michelle Craig an attorney for Impact Charter School, also would not comment.

“We do not have any information regarding the status of any ongoing criminal investigation,” Craig said. “However, we also cannot comment on any ongoing investigations.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office received a copy of the Feb. 10 legislative audit. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore told The Advocate in February that he had spoken with then U.S. Attorney Roland Gathe, who told him that he planned to take the case.

Gathe, however, was ﬁred soon after by the incoming Trump Administration, along with U.S. attorneys across the country Ellison Travis was named acting U.S. attorney in June. Kurt Wall has been nominated as the permanent U.S. attorney, but his nomination has yet to clear the U.S. Senate.

“Today’s resolution ensures that Daniel Wayne Callihan will be held accountable for his heinous and atrocious crimes,” acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said in a news release. “This successful prosecution is the result of the signiﬁcant collaboration by local, state, and federal agencies across Louisiana and Mississippi. Their collective dedication and hard work ensured that Mr Callihan will now face justice.”

Outside the courthouse, Kerry Cuccia, Callihan’s attorney, said, “He has taken responsibility for this act.”

Wednesday’s arraignment in U.S. District Court in New Orleans, Callihan’s second in federal court in this case, came after a grand jury handed up the superseding indictment in July The kidnapping resulting in

CONFLICT

Continued from page 1B

the budget. It has a few changes from the ﬁrst one introduced in May according to Petite. Those adjustments include $50,000 for the city clerk position and $150,000 budgeted for All South Consulting Engineers, which has overseen planning and development. No council members commented on the situation during the Tuesday session, which lasted less than ﬁve minutes. A public hearing and vote is scheduled for Aug. 25. Should the council approve the budget later this month, the city will have operated for nearly three months on a roughly $11 million budget. State law requires municipalities to operate at half the previous year’s budget, should the council fail to approve a new one.

Yet a ﬁnal approval of the budget is not guaranteed, as several council members have pushed back against Riley’s administration.

Division B council member Kirk Boudreaux and Division D council member Tyler Turner released a joint statement July 8. In it, they expressed concern over the lack of an itemized budget and Riley’s employment of Petite in the disputed role of chief of staff.

“Councilman Turner and myself have serious concerns about the challenge the Mayor faces in managing the City financially and otherwise, without experienced support,” Boudreaux wrote.

“The Mayor has made it clear that he intends to have Petite play a signiﬁcant role in his administration no matter the

The prosecutor in Tangipahoa Parish, District Attorney Scott Perrilloux of the 21st Judicial District, had previously argued that Callihan should ﬁrst be tried in Tangipahoa Parish, since that is where the crime occurred. Callihan faces two counts of ﬁrst-degree murder there, and Perrilloux had said prosecutors would seek the death penalty

“The plan here is a global resolution to cases in all three jurisdictions,” Perrilloux said at the courthouse on Wednesday This was a start, he said.

The next court hearing for Callihan in Tangipahoa Parish is in October, Perrilloux said.

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, whose ofﬁce is prosecuting Callihan in Mississippi, similarly called Wednesday’s plea a “ﬁrst step.”

“This is a horrendous, true crime episode,” Owens said. “It was more than difficult to watch.”

Africk set sentencing for Nov 19 and noted that before serving the federal sentence, Callihan will have to serve any sentences imposed by the state courts.

circumstance. Speaking last week, Riley said some members have “personal vendettas” against Petite

“It’s personal, and it’s not really about the budget,” he said at the time. “It’s about an individual who they think should not be in my administration.”

Boudreaux and Turner also pointed to the departures since last November of high-ranking employees, including the city engineer, attorney, code enforcement ofﬁcer and ﬁnance director The finance director also served as the interim city clerk.

Division E council member Terri Lambert echoed similar concerns in an interview with The Advocate last month. Yet to accept the budget, three council members must vote to approve it.

So far, Riley hasn’t made any cuts to city operations. To handle the staff departures, he hired several outside firms with the approval of the council.

“The city of Gonzales is a great city, and we should not be going through this,” he said last week. “This should not have taken this long.”

Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@ theadvocate.com.

ST. TAMMANY

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Obituaries

Abadie, William Russell'Bill'

William "Bill" Russell Abadie,98, passed away August 3, 2025. He was borninNew Orleans in 1927 and shortly afterwards moved to Baton Rouge, LA. He attended Istrouma High School until joining the Navy and servinginWWII and Korean War. He was proud to spend most of his life serving the public as aLAState Policeman, retiring as a Lieutenant and commander over Troop" A" covering East Baton Rouge as well as working at the Governor's mansion as bodyguard for the late Governor Earl Long. After retiring he and his wife moved to Hamburg, MS in 1977and enjoyed many wonderful times over theyears before returning to LA and living on theTickfaw River in Springfield, LA. Bill later returned to MS in 2016 living in Ellisvilletobenear hisdaughter and son due to their insistence and remained until his death.He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Evelyn Barland Abadie who died in 2000; hisfather, Albert Abadie and mother, Geralda Larcade Abadie, who died when he was asmall child; step mother, Leona Dragon Abadie; 4brothers, Jack Abadie (Betty), Albert "Buddy" Abadie (Ruth), Guy Abadie (Bootsie) and Ray Abadie (Carol); and 2 sisters, Jean Carmack (Bill) and June Munster(Louis). Bill is survived by his daughter, Mary Abadie Odom (Stan) of Ellisville, MS; his son, DavidWayne Abadie(Suzanne) of Smithdale, MS; granddaughter, Tracy Schmidt (Robby); 2 grandsons, Bobby Callender, Jr. (Mindy)and Cody Abadie (Judi); 6great grandchildren, Robert Schmidt, Jr.(Deana), Kaileigh Hendry (Jeremy), Joey Schmidt, Kylee Schmidt, Caleb Callender (Juliana), Camryn "CC" Callender, and Alice Suzanne (on the way); great-great grandchildren, Paisley, Ryelynn, Remington Schmidt and Ezra Hendry. He was agreat influence in all their lives by the courageous way he lived his life. Bill was so full of knowledgehaving seen it all, on land, sea and above as his favorite pastime was flying his airplane. Billwas a32nd Degree Master Mason anda Shrineraswell. He lived a full life and was blessed to be admired by so many. His motto was "Only you can tarnish your own integrity!"

Pallbearers will be Cody Abadie, Bobby Callender, Jr., Caleb Callender, Robby Schmidt, Joey Schmidt& Jeremy Hendry. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815, on Friday, August 8, 2025, beginning at 12 pm until funeral servicesat2 pm. Burialwill follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park.

activememberofthe marching band and was crowned "Beauty Queen" of BakerHigh School.She was also atop 10 contender of Miss Baton Rouge of 1955.That same year,a blind date arranged by adearfriendintroduced her to James FerrellCarraway, astudent at Louisiana State University (LSU). Thecouplemarried on June 1, 1957,and shared 66 years of marriageuntil James' passing in June 2023. After highschool, Nellattended Spencer Business Collegein Baton Rouge,earning aGeneral BusinessDiploma. Shebeganher career as an administrative assistant at Delta Tank. In 1972,her husband's career with LockheedAircraft led the family to Saudi Arabia, whereNellworked as an executive administrative assistant for Raytheon Missile Systems. Livingin the MiddleEastallowed Nelland her familytotravel extensively,immersing themselves in diverse culturesand witnessing history firsthand. She often spokeofher gratitudefor these experiences,which enriched her life profoundly. She often reflectedon how she had experienced so much of the "world's greatness". Nellwas adevotedmothertoher two sons,JamesFerrell Carraway Jr.(Tidakan) and RickyLynn Carraway,born in1959 and 1960. Shewas a lovinggrandmotherto threegrandchildren, Brittany NicoleCarraway Venia (Michael), Jayson FerrellCarraway,and Jayme AshleyCarraway; and a proud great-grandmother to Canyon IbrahimVenia, Lyric RiverVenia,and Skye Nell Venia. Nell is also survived by hersister, MarloweMilton Prinzing. She was precededindeathby her parents, Hermon Levi MiltonSr., and Oney Bernice (Graham) Milton; her husband, JamesFerrell Carraway; and hersiblings, Hermon LeviMilton Jr., JacksonHollis Milton, LeJeuneMilton Riley, Wayne Earl Milton. Visiting hours willbeheldat Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817JeffersonHwy,Baton Rouge, LA 70816,onAugust 9, 2025,from 10:00 AMuntil the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Burial willfollow at Resthaven Gardensof Memory. Pallbearerswill be Mike Milton, PatMilton, Mark Milton, Timmy Milton, Chad Milton, and DarrenMerritt. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First United MethodistChurch, 930 North Blvd.,Baton Rouge, LA 70802, or Jubilee Pioneers, 12648PatinDyke Road,Ventress, LA 70783, in memory of Nell Marie Carraway.The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. LouisMinsky and his staff, Dr. Daniel LaVie and his staff, the Baton Rouge Hospice Homecare team, and the Hospice Butterfly Wing staff. Family and friends areinvited to sign the online guestbook or leave apersonal note at www.resthavenbatonroug e.com.

Clyde "C.C." Cockerham Jr., alife-long resident of Walker, La passed away on August 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 83 yearsold. He is survived by his belovedwife of 64 years, VelmaAnita Hood Cockerham; 2daughters, Lisa Thacker (Mason), and Liz Barnett(Richard); 5 grandchildren, Steven Thacker(Trish),Stacy Carpenter (Josh), Norman Barnett (Nicole), DavidThacker (Raechel),and Jodie Carlin(Jerry); 10 great grandchildren; Alexi Dugas, KCThacker,Montana Thacker,Grace Thacker, RowdieThacker, Kaston Carlin, Preston Carlin, ColeDugas, Zoe Lasseigne, Kennedi Pilley and 1onthe way, Madeline Carpenter; sister,Barbara McMorris; brother,Raymond Cockerham; andnumerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was precededindeath by hisparents,Clyde Sr. and Geneva OuberCockerham;fatherin-law, Norman Hood; mother-in-lawand fatherin-law, Stevie Hood Milton and Steve Milton; and grandson, KC Dugas. Services forC.C. will be held at WalkerBaptist

was aproud member of

Church, 10696 FloridaBlvd, Walker, La. Visitation will be on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 5pm until 9pm and will resume on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 9am until thefuneral service at 11am. Burial will follow in Walker Baptist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to theWalker Baptist Church Building Fund

DeRoger, Joseph Javar'Jo'

Joseph Javar"Jo" DeRogerentered into eter‐nal rest at OurLadyofthe LakeRegionalMedical CenteronFridayAugust1, 2025. He wasa 36-year old nativeand resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He lefthis life on earthjustas helived it by unselﬁshly givingand donating to oth‐ers.Viewing at St.Mary Baptist Church,Rev.Con‐way Knighton,pastor, on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 8:00amuntil Celebrationof LIfeService at 10:00 am conducted by Rev. Lyn‐wood Spell; intermentat Salvation Church Ceme‐tery, PearlRiver,Louisiana Survivors includehis par‐ents, Earl Lathers, Sr.and Gwendolyn DeRoger; daughter, AlanaDeRoger; sib‐lings,EarlLathers,Jr. (Keisha)and Jalyn DeRoger; nieces,nephews other relativesand friends. Arrangementsentrusted to Miller& Daughter Mortu‐ary

EvelynSlocum Fleming left this life to be with her Lord and lovedones on August 1st,2025. BornJune 5,1922 at her parents' home on Plank Road in BatonRouge,LA, she was 103 years old. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Francis LewinFleming;her parents, William Raynor Slocum and MyrtleLockhart Slocum; her brother, William David Slocum Sr; hersister-in-law, Mildred Swarner Slocum; and nephew, Thomas Clark Slocum. She is survivedby her threechildrenwhom she called her dearest possessions: James Alvin Roy Jr.(Buddy), Francis Randall Fleming (Randy) and wife Jameela Walker Fleming, Shirlynn Fleming Spillman and husband Jimmy Roy Spillman; threegrandchildren,TheresaRoy Hodges and husband Donald Louis Hodges,JamesMichael Roy(Jimmy) and wife Marla Mancuso Roy, and Walker WilliamFleming;and eight greatgrandchildren, Brandon ChaseRoy and wife AngelaLafauci Roy, Travis Michael Roy and wife Baileigh Shae Roy Hannah Hodges Mathew and husband Jim, Emily Hodges Stephenson and husband Zachary, Mary Ellen Hodges Braud and husband Nick, Holly Hodges Fontenotand husband Patrick, William Harry Hodges, CharlotteAnn Hodges;eight great-great grandchildren, Cameron Caroline, Peyton and ConnorRoy, Lukeand Wells Mathew, Mary Katherine and BenjaminStephenson and BabyBraud on the way; one nephew, William David Slocum, Jr.and wife Jane MillerSlocum; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was aCharter memberofOakcrest Baptist Church whereshe taught 4 and 5year olds in Sunday School foryears before she "graduated"and taught an Adult LadiesClass for over 40 years. She was amemberofthe Quilt-Aholics quiltingclub in Clinton, La. She lovedanything that had to do with LSUsports and Mike theTiger. She

the1939 graduating class of IstroumaHighSchool. She made many wonderful memories traveling and camping with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She wasa sweet and precious personand willbegreatly missed Visitation willbeheldat Greenoaks Funeral home, 9595 FloridaBlvd.,Baton Rouge, La. On Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 9:0011:00 am withfuneral service beginning at 11:00 am. Officiated by RonLambe and Jimmy Spillman. Interment willfollow at Greenoaks Memorial Park ASpecial thanks to Kacie, Kristen,Ametri,Sonya and TannerwithAudobon Home Healthand Hospice, who were our AngelsGod sent to care for our Mom on this earth.Memorials may be made in her name to M.D.Anderson, St.Jude, Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, or acharity of your choice. Toodle-LooLittleMom, Toodle-Loo.

Ouida Hymel

Humphreysdeparted this Earthtoher eternal rest on August 5, 2025. She was born March 14, 1935 at Red Cross, Louisianaand graduated InnisHighSchool in 1953. She enjoyed dancing at social functions, she was an excellent seamstress including many other talents, making Cabbage Patch dolls, quilting, Care Bears, gardening and preparing many kindsof delicious bakedgoods.She was along- time member and very activeparticipant of St.Stephens Episcopal Church for 56 years. In her lateryears, she spent fifteen very happy years traveling throughout the United States with her dearest friend and companion, GeraldHumphreys. She waspreceded in death by her parents, Lovincie and Carrie Brooks Hymel; and as afaithful,verydevotedwife,her husband of 56 years; Hubert Leslie Humphreysand her brother,Cecil RoyHymel. Ouida is survivedbyher five children; LillianHumphreys Achord,Hubert Leonard Humphreys(Joyce), Leland Vance Humphreys (Kristi), Lisa Humphreys Leonards (Lane) and Laverne Douglas Humphreys (Allison) Eight grandchildren, Cecil Courtney Achord, Corey ChristianAchord, Carrie LeeHumphreys, Casey McReynolds, Lindsey Bizette, Ross Daigrepont Molly Moody, Bailey Humphreys and sixgreatgrandchildren, twosisters Anna Joyce Hymel Debetaz and Margaret Ann Hymel West. Visitationwillbeat StephensChurch from 12:00 noonwithservices at 2:00PM on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Servicesconducted by Rev. Reese Wiggins withinterment at St. Stephens Episcopal Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ross Daigrepont, Bailey Humphreys,Shane Debetaz, Mark Hymel, Michael Hymel, Shayne Humphreys and Jimmy Duckworth. In lieu of flowers,contributions may be madetoSt. Stephens Episcopal Church in memory of Ouida Humphreys.

James, Lenora Sibley'Susie' Lenora"Susie"Sibley James, 68, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at her home in Walker, LA. Susiewas adevoted mother, grandmother,sister and friend and will be missed by allwho knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry James; parents, Leroy and Alma Hall Sibley; and sister, TheresaSibley. She is survivedbyher children and their spouses,Leroy and Diane Sibley, Matthew James, and Josephand Brandi James; theloves of her life,her grandchildren, Megan, Logan, and Jason Sibley, Fisher James, Tate Sibley, and Lainey, Hoss, and Sugar Jones; brothers, LewisCarl Sibley, JerrySibley, and Pernell Sibley; as wellasmany nieces, nephews and otherrelatives. Visitation willbe held at Seale Funeral Home,DenhamSprings, Saturday, August 9, from9 a.m. until serviceat11a.m. Gravesideservice willfollowatJamesCemetery, Liberty, MS at 2p.m.Please share your condolences at www.sealefuneral.com.

Lee

Irma LeeJohnson transitioned to herheavenly home on Friday, August 1, 2025 at theage of 82 years in Baton Rouge,LA. She wasborninSlaughter, LA to thelateHermanJohnson, Sr.and Mary Clark Johnson.

Sheissurvived by her children, Byron (Natascha) Johnson, Rodney (Holly) Johnsonand Tonya (Bibby) Johnson; sisters, Nettie Robinson andDoris Johnson; brothers, Herman Johnson, Jr.and Ricky Johnson; abeloved niece, Tyra Chapman;nephews, Shawn Elsey, Brian Johnson and Woodrow Muhummad; grandchildren, NakyraSelders,Breia Johnson, Jalen Martrain,Jordan Martrain,BrittanyJohnson, Byron Johnson, Jr KeishaunJohnson,Victoria Rome and TavoraBuckner; 6great grandchildrenand ahostofother relatives andfriends.

Sheispreceded in death by herparents; sister,Cora Elsey and grandsonKortlonJohnson

Familyand friends of Irma are invited to attend theVisitationonThursday, August 7, 2025 at Hall's CelebrationCenter, 9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge,LAfrom9:00am to 11:00am withFuneral Servicestoimmediatelyfollow. Pastor Adolphus White, Officiating.She will be laidtorest in theYoung Little Rock BenevolentSocietyCemetery,Slaughter, LA. ServicesEntrustedto Hall Davis and son Funeral Home. www.halldavisandson.com

Robert, Shelby Lawrence

Shelby LawrenceRobert passedaway peacefullyon August 3, 2025 surrounded by hisbeloved family. He wasbornonSeptember 28, 1934 in Burnside, LA and waspreceded in death by hisparents -Ethel andRemy Robert,his brotherCecilPaulRobertand wife Betty, two sisters- Joyce AnnRobertand Lois Robert Simoneaux and husband Kelly, sistersin law Lena MistrettaRobert, Betty Stewart Robert and Carolyn WhiteCicero. Shelby was the gentlest of men and the epitome of a Southern gentleman. His captivatingsmileand kind wordsdrewyou in from your first interaction with him. Shelby'sgentlemannerand uplifting personali-

ty made him well known throughout Ascension Parish. With arazor-sharp memory, he could recall everyone'sname andrecite long, beautiful poems whichhetook great joyin memorizing.Shelby is survived by hisloving wife of 65 years -Betty Cicero Robert,and theirfourchildren -Shelly Robert McElwee(Nate), Todd Justin Robert,BarrySteele Robert,Boyd Houston Robert andgrandchildren: Mary Adelaide "Addie" McElwee, Nathan O'Berry McElweeIII (Carly), John Brigham "Briggs" McElwee, Todd JustinRobertII, CarolineJoanRobert, Dr Victoria HayesRobert Aguilar (John), Hayden PatrickSteeleRobert, Remy PaulRobertII, Brooks MartinRobert, Major JaquesRobert, Elizabeth Louise "LuLu"Robert, John Houston Robert,Hayden Rivers Robert andgreat grandchildren- Enzo and Lochlan Aguilar.Heisalso survived by hisbrother-inlaw Samuel R. "Bob" Cicero andhis twoolderbrothers with whom he spoke to andvisitedfrequentlyHulinJoseph Robert and Glenn JacquesRobert. His many nieces andnephews lovedlisteningtohis stories of bygone days andattending Sunday gatherings at theRoberthome.Although some stories and jokes were repeated over andover, none ever tired of histales,which have become apartofthe family lore. Shelby wasa board member and an active participant in many organizationsoverthe years includingthe Louisiana FarmBureau Federation wherehe served as Secretary Treasurerfor 25 years, SouthernFarmBureau Casualty Company, Bank of GonzalesBoardofDirectors, AscensionParish School Board, AscensionCatholic School Board, LSUIntercollegiate LivestockJudging Team, Supervisor NewRiver Soil andWater Conservation District,President of theGreater Baton Rouge Port Commission andearly in hiscareerhereceived theOutstandingYoung FarmerAward from the Baton Rouge Junior Chamber of Commercefor Exceptional Progress in Agriculture andContributionsto theCommunity. Shelby attended Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonvilleand graduated from LSUwith adegree in Agriculture.Hewas aVeteran of theUnited States Army andeven servedwith ElvisatBootcamp in Arkansas. He farmed for many years in Burnside, LA wherehis crops included Soybeans, Sugarcane, Wheat and Corn. An avid loverofthe outdoors,Shelby spent most of his career in some aspectoffarming andagriculture.His true love wasraisingcattle and horses,and he continued to work as aCattle Broker untilhis death,representingThe Big BlueSaleBarn outofFremont, Nebraska. He lovedthis work almost as much as dining on abig steak at hisfavorite restaurant -Ruth's Chris, accompaniedbya glass of redwine -whichhedeclared wasgoodfor the heart! Shelby jokingly referred to Betty as thelove of hislife, rightafter his horse, King,and hisEnglish Shepard, Clyde, namedafter hischildhood friend, ClydeSchexnaydre. Betty washis partnerinmany d d

Johnson,Irma

Humphreys, OuidaHymel

Fleming, Evelyn Slocum

Cockerham, Clyde'C.C.'

Carraway, Nell Marie

Nell Marie Carraway, a beloved resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana,passed away peacefully on July 28, 2025,surroundedbyloved ones,atthe age of 88. She was born on July 14, 1937, in Baker, Louisiana, to Hermon Levi Milton Sr., and Oney Bernice (Graham) Milton, the fourth of their six children. Nell graduated from Baker High School in 1955, where she was an

OPINION

Fallingbirth rates, outmigration painttroubling picture forLa.

Troubling demographic data is nothingnew for Louisiana.

But apair of recent stories paints avivid picture, not just of our losses, but whoisgaining from them.

In the ﬁrst, reporter Emily Woodruff found that Louisiana has seen asteep dropinbirth rates over the last decade-plus. Speciﬁcally, Louisiana had almost 11,000 fewer birthsin 2024 than it did in 2013, adrop from more than 63,000 to just over 52,000, or 17%, according to preliminary data from the National Centerfor Health Statistics and the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention.

The speed of the decline has increasedinrecent years, the data showed

The problem can be partially traced to areduction in the number of women aged15-44 who live in Louisiana. There were roughly 29,000 fewer women in that age group in 2023 than therewereadecade prior,Woodruff’s analysis found.

And even though Louisianamaintains arelatively high fertility rate —women here are more likely to have children thanwomen in other parts of the country —thathas also been droppingprecipitously.Inraw numbers, for every1,000 women, there are about 60 births in Louisiana. That’shigher than the national averageof54.5, but still 10% lower than it wasa decade earlier

There are, of course, anumberofreasons for the reductions in fertility: higher costs for housing and child care, economic uncertainties and evolving attitudes toward childbearing and parenting. And among Louisianans who want to raisefamilies, otherstates offer the tempting luresthatcomewith amore vibranteconomy.

“Thenumber one reason people movelong distances is for job opportunities,” oneexpert told Woodruff.

Per census data, about 129,000 more people leftthe state than moved in between 2020 and 2024. Alarge number of those were likely people in their 20s and 30s, in their prime familystarting years, expertssaid

Thosewho move often head west to Texas, the second story showed.Using data aboutoneway rentals for the ﬁrst seven months of the year,the moving company U-Haul notedthat Louisiana is among the top ﬁve origin statesfor people headedtoHouston,Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

None of this should be asurprise.Louisiana’s population uptick lastyear —largely duetothe way international immigrantswere counted did little to mask that thestate is on theverge of what is atroubling demographic precipice. The problem is especially worrisome giventhe large gains being experienced by otherSun Belt states, including Texas. These stories highlight thedepth andtrajectory of what is awell-known problem. There are solutions, but they won’t be easy,and they should be multipronged: an improved business climate should come alongwithupgrading “quality-of-life” issues that make places attractive to families. Otherwise, Louisiana will continuetolose, and other states, like Texas will gain.

LETTERSTOTHE

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,

The Oct. 1dissolution of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation Commission Boardand the transfer of its responsibilities to the Department of Energy and Natural Resources marks asigniﬁcant and necessary step forward for the managementofLouisiana’swater resources.

For 51 years, oversight of one of the capital area’smost critical natural assets—groundwater was entrusted to avolunteer commission. While themembers of the commission should be commended for their service, the reality is that most were not engineers, hydrogeologistsorscientists trained in water resource management. Louisiana’saquifers, especially those serving our growing population and industries, demand stewardship grounded in science, dataand longtermplanning. With this transition, groundwater management will now rest in thehands of professional public servants—accountable to all the people of Louisiana —who are better equipped to make informed decisions based on objective analysis and best practices. This is not only

amodernization of how we govern, but also astrong commitment to transparency and public trust.

Equally important, the law transferring authority makes clear that public water supply is thehighest and best use of our groundwater resources.

As scientists continue to assess how much water is truly available for all users, this guiding principle will be crucial. Water forhomes, hospitals, schools and businesses must be prioritized over less essential or inefﬁcient uses. This change is not just administrative —itisfoundational. It acknowledges that sustainable water managementrequires professional oversight, clear priorities and a science-based approach. Louisiana’s future depends on it.

Special thanks are due to Gov Jeff Landry,Secretary Tyler Gray of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources and Sen. Bob Hensgens, chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, fortheir leadership in advancing this critical legislation.

PATRICK KERR president, Baton RougeWater Company

This Fourth of July weekend, my family of five set out foranaffordable vacation, hoping to create lasting memories. Instead, we wereensnared by aspeed trap in Cheneyville, asmall towninRapides Parish. After stopping to eat in Bunkie, we continued through Cheneyville, where the speed limit abruptly dropped from 55 mphto35mph with minimal signage. Before Icould adjust, an officer issued asteep fine, directing me to the town’smayor’scourt —a system that feels morelike arevenue schemethan apursuit of justice. This experience highlights abroader issue: Small Louisiana towns like Cheneyville rely on speed traps to sustain their budgets, targeting travelers with sudden speed limit changes and opaque mayor’scourts. These courts, where mayors act as judge and jury,often lack impartiality and accountability,leaving drivers with little recourse. If atown’s survival depends on such predatory practices, perhaps it’stimetoquestion whether it should remain incorporated at all. Unincorporation could shiftgovernance to parishes, ensuring fairer oversight and reducing reliance on exploitative fines. Iurge lawmakers to act. Ban mayor’s courts, mandate clear speed limit signage and require transparent municipal budgets. Louisiana’sroads should be safe, not profitable. Iencourage readers to share their stories and demand reform to end speed traps and mayor’scourts.

BRANDON BERNOS Hammond

What?Wait, in atop-of-the-fold article in the newspaper,welearn that the Baton Rouge hospital, Our Ladyofthe Lake, has been in talks to pay as much as $50 million for naming rightstothe proposed LSU arena.

If ahospital had $50 million in surplus funds, one would thinkthat themoney would be used for health care. Iinterpret theproposal to be that the money will be paid to theOak View Group, afor-proﬁt privatebusiness. It will not even go to LSU, another area nonproﬁt organization. Surely this cannot be allowed to takeplace. There are far too manyhealth care needs in the area that should claim priority over those funds, rather than have them handed over to an out-of-state entity.The proposed building will not even be owned by LSUorthe stateofLoui-

siana. Oak View Group will own it. LSU will pay rent for its use for basketball and gymnastics events. Until every sickand needy person in our area is receiving complete healthcare free of charge, the hospital’ssurplus funds shouldbeused for health care.

Fifty million dollars should afford avery nice hospitalinanarea thatislacking adequate health care facilities. It could provide housing forthose in poverty or who are living on the streets. It could increase the number of mental healthand substance abuse facilities so that all those people could get free care. Drive anywhere in the greater Baton Rouge area, you will ﬁnd thousands of ways to spend $50 million, and not one of them would be foranathletic arena.

BILL BOZZELLE Baton Rouge

I’ve subscribed to The State Times/ Morning Advocate for50years. Most younger people don’tknow that there used to be twopapers per day.Maybe it’s something to do with age, but Inoticed how vicious the newscycle is. Iwill always subscribe to the paper,but in the future, I’mnot going to read anything but the Sports and Living sections. These political factions are not going to dampen my day unless there is something good or meaningful to say.Have we turned into anation of hate, or is goodness not forprint anymore?

STEPHENPOL Baton Rouge

COMMENTARY

Howa jazz second-line

ledto JamesCarville

To ask what jazz funerals havein common withfamed political consultant James Carville soundslikethe set-up for some mordantwitticism, butit’snot. This very month the answer,the connection, isLouisiana-based journalist/author/ documentarian Jason Berry In that connection, moreover, we can celebrate some of Louisiana’swonderful uniqueness. This is abig month for Berry, whose work for decades has spanned groundbreaking researchoncivil rights andonthe Catholic Church’schild-abuse scandal, but who has been known longest as a nuanced chronicler of Louisiana’smusic and culture.This month, in ahomestate culmination of a20-year labor Louisiana Public Broadcasting (Aug 20) and WYES-TV in New Orleans (Aug. 26, Aug. 30 and Sept.16) will air Berry’sdocumentary,“City of AMillion Dreams: Parading for TheDead In NewOrleans.” Within aweek of that announcement came ofﬁcial notice that Berryhas inked adealtowrite an authorized biography of Carville,the outspoken Democratic campaign ace.

anyoneelse is capable of understanding exactly who Iam—inways that I’mnot sure that I can explain sometimes.”

Noting that he already has published memoirs andbeen the subject of two major documentaries, Carville said this bookisdifferent: “I do think it’s not goingtobethe standard political biography.” Then, speciﬁcally referencing Berry’snew documentaryand other work with admiration, he said Berry “knows the musical stuff, he knows the history and all theCatholic stuff. and how much civil rights and race has shaped my life.”

Berry said that in conversations throughthe years with Carville, he felt the same connection.

maybe lenses, through which tosee thehistory of New Orleans and its race relations. Traditional jazz clarinetist Dr.Michael White, who two days ago kicked off this newspaper’sseries of Katrina-related essays, is acentral focus of Berry’sdocumentary When it was first released, Ireviewed “CityofaMillion Dreams”with great enthusiasm: “Hurricane Katrina blows through thefilm with tremendous emotional force. Without an obvious, driving, central narrative, sometimes the film doesn’tseem to be going anywhere in particular (although it is), but even when it spins off as if to mimic the improvisational style of jazz, itsvisual and auditory richness keeps the viewer enthralled.”

Many things are wrong with the Florida migrant detention center ofﬁcially named “Alligator Alcatraz,” but least of these are the gators and pythons that populate the environmentally sensitive Everglades, where the prison is located.

What the Trump administration has created with the facility’scontroversial placement is an unsanitary,mosquito-plagued gulag where caged menessentially serve as research subjects for psychological experiments. The proposition presumably being tested is that menimprisoned in crowded, deprived circumstances eventually (how long?) will become deranged and violent, necessitating their deportation.

One auteur,for what seem to be two very different subjects.

As Carville explains, hiswillingness to work with Berry on thebook —Berry’s idea, and on which Berry has full editorial control, Carville none —has almost everything to do withBerry’s recordonLouisiana cultural topics such as that in the jazz funeral documentary

For the new “James Carville has Something to Say,” Carville said he agreed to cooperate because “so much of who Iamorwas shaped bycultural, familial, religious (background, and) Ithink Jason understands that better than anyone else. (and)more than

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

“Think of 1960, James is 14 and he’s from Carville, Louisiana, and he would go into Baton Rouge to CYO dances listening to Irma Thomas and Ernie K-Doe andArt and Aaron Neville Black and other [cultures’] musicians on thestagejust as the civil rights battles were exploding on television news,” Berry said. “You have thecultural crossroads of Louisiana: Youhave race and you have music, and Ithink in avery real sense James… carried that crossroadswith him.”

Yep, this certainly doesn’tsound like a“standard political biography.”

Meanwhile, Berry’sdocumentary airs this month. More than 15 years in the making andthen released to ﬁlm festivals in 2021 when COVID restrictions still were depressing turnout, “City of aMillion Dreams”isnow used as course material at universities includingTulane,Loyola, Georgetown and Berkeley.But it never has been on TV in Berry’shomestate.

Theﬁlm usesjazz funerals and HurricaneKatrina as dual motifs,or

It’sscorching hot outside and this lovable poochis having ablast cooling down butitlooks likethe cool catsinthe air conditioning have athing ortwo to say about all this. So, what’sgoing oninthis cartoon? you tell me.Bewitty,funny, crazy, absurd or snarky— just trytokeep it clean.There’snolimit on the number of entries.Thewinning punchline will be lettered into the word balloon and runMonday.Inaddition, thewinner will receivea signed print of the cartoon along with acool winner’sT-shirt! Honorablementions will also be listed.To enter, email entries to cartooncontest@ theadvocate.com. Allentries mustinclude your name, home address and phonenumber. Cell numbers are best.Thedeadline is midnight on Thursday. Have fun with this one, everyone!— Walt

Similarly,it’ssafe to say that alarge part of what has madeCarville not just asuccessful political guru but also a unique celebrityisthat he, too, always seemstospeak improvisationally, authentically,with no ﬁlters. And although Carville and Berry —both oldstyle political liberals (but not modern hard leftists) —advocatepolicies far from my conservative political tastes, Ishare withthem the sense that deep cultural ties ultimately should unite us as Americansand certainly as Louisianans.

Either way,everyone should watch “CityofaMillion Dreams”onlocal public TV stations this month. As my earlier review said, you’ll see “such a sense of the exotic as to be deliciously disorienting.

It’snot too much of astretch to wonder if Berry’sbiography of Carville, when it comes out in two years, will likewise carry asense of theexotic and also asense of wisdom that comes from aculture of resilience and joy Email QuinHillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

It’sbeing describedbythe mediaas an “autopsy,” an examination byDemocrats as to why they lost thelast presidential election and acongressional majority.According to TheNew York Times, the autopsy will notinclude Joe Biden’s decision to seek asecondterm, or Kamala Harris’ poor performance in seeking the presidency when Biden dropped out. Biden and Harris were only the faces of the obstacles Democrats face. Their real problems go much deeper

transgenderism, gender-afﬁrming surgery, same-sexmarriage,abortion, opposing school choice, and ahostof other secular-progressive policieswill only repeat their recent defeatsshould they continue running on and defending those policies in coming elections

Let’sturn to adeﬁnition of autopsy: “a surgical procedure that consists of athoroughexamination of acorpsebydissection to determine the cause, mode, andmannerofdeath.”

By choosing such aword,the media and their fellow Democrats appear to believe the party —atleast this party as currently constituted —isdead. Since the secular left doesn’tbelieve in aresurrection, what are they to do to win sufﬁcient credibility to retakethe presidency and acongressional majority?

To paraphrase an old Elvis Presley song in adifferent context, Democrats are“Caught in atrap.Theycan’t walk out.” The party of higher taxes, neverending entitlements, open borders,misspending, big government, regulations, biological males in women’ssports,

are

Their only hope is to ditch the entire social agenda and get backtowhere the party used to be on theeconomy,jobs and arigorous foreign policy that keeps our enemies under control. See JFK.

That’sunlikely to happen, becausethe future of the party appears to have been seized by radicals like Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s Democrat candidate for mayor, and Minneapolis Democrat Mayor JacobFreywho is seeking reelection.AWallStreet Journal editorial describesFrey as “Mamdani II” and reports he was “snubbed at arecent Democratic convention, whose delegates instead endorsed Omar Fateh a35-year-old socialist state senator.”

That’sjust another step in the left direction, something like renominating Kamala Harris for president and expecting adifferent result.

SummarizingFateh’splatform, the Journal editorial says: “Fateh is proposing rent control andmore public housing, includingwith funding from ‘a dedicated levy’. (codefor higher taxes)

“He says Minneapolis shouldn’tbea ‘playground for developers.’ Hisstance on the homeless is to promise ‘a compassionateapproach to encampments,’ including saying he’ll work to ‘ensure that residents have access to lifesaving infrastructure like hand-washing stations, portable bathrooms, running water,safe needle disposal programs, and storage for personal belongings.”’ Oh,and then Fateh is trotting out the tired Democrat line that the wealthy are not paying their “fair share” in taxes. There may not be enough room in Floridafor all thepeople who want to join New Yorkers leaving for climes that practice what used to be called common sense. It doesn’tappear Democratshave learned anything from voters. The only way they can hope to makeacomeback —ifthey choose not todrop their social agenda —istotry to cover up past and current positions that have turned off red state voters. Given all the video, audio and print that has recorded those positions and radical statements, astealth approach is unlikely to work. After an autopsy,the body is usually buried. SomeRepublicans are pondering whether to create athird party. That won’tbenecessary if Democrats continue to promote dead ideas.

Email Cal Thomasattcaeditors@ tribpub.com

The desired effect has been to terrorize migrants who have entered the country illegally or, in many cases, have overstayed their visa —amisdemeanor.Some unknown number of undocumented migrants not yet in detention have begun self-deporting. At least 11 people have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since January

Though the White House under President Donald Trump might see self-deportation as the hoped-for result of magnifying migrants’ fears with the threat of hellholes such as Alligator Alcatraz, the greater andmore loathsome consequence is the dehumanization of those people, mostly brown-skinned, most of whomrisked life and limb to seek work and a better life.

This is not to excuse breaking U.S. laws to gain entry,but to point out that the Trump administration —namely Stephen Miller,the president’stop adviser on immigration policy —seems to be trying to change the way Americans see immigrants —not as human beings but as animals deserving less consideration than lab rats.

The center,hastily constructed on an airstrip in the middle of the Everglades, has no infrastructure for human needs, such as bathrooms and sewage disposal. Each cage housing 32 men contains three exposed toilets (no privacy), and sewage is removed from the area by the truckload. Recently,about 600 menare incarcerated, but the facility has capacity for 3,000 and room to expand.

Around the White House, this is no doubt a chuckle aminute. Nobody loves anickname more than Trump: Remember “Little Marco” Rubio, now his secretary of state? “Alligator Alcatraz” keeps everyone mindful of the lurking presence of gators, whichare unlikely to enter the compound, and pythons, whichdon’tespecially enjoy the company of humans. It’smeant to terrify

If the prison staff are safe from wildlife, then the prisoners are, too —unless they attempt to escape, whichwould probably get themshotbefore any gator opened its triple-liddedeye. Trump’sclaim, meanwhile, that the detainees are “some of the most vicious people on the planet” is in fact not so. More than athird of those at Alligator Alcatraz (I can’tbelieve we’re forced to use this phrase) have immigration violations but no criminal convictions or charges in the United States, according to the Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times, whichobtained alist of more than 700 people either imprisoned or scheduled to be sent to the Florida facility “Some are asylum seekers. Others arrivedunder humanitarian parole, or thought they were here with permission awaiting the result of ongoing legal cases,” the Miami Herald’seditorial board wrote, contrary to Trump’scharacterization (“menacing migrants”).

Even if all of them were felons (they are not), all people in the United States have aconstitutional right to be treated humanely,ifnot for their sake, then for the country’sown selfrespect and sense of decency.Americanshistorically have subscribed to laws createdtoprotect, among other rights, human dignity

At Alligator Alcatraz, menhave complainedof infrequent showers and poor hygiene. Lights remain on throughout the night, resulting in sleep deprivation. Overcrowding leads to anxiety and depression.

If these menwere puppies, there would be riots. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, who shot and killed herown “untrainable” 14-month-old hunting dog Cricket, recently said that U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement detained a“cannibal” who “started to eat himself” on an airplane.

On Trump’srecent visit to the East Coast version of Alcatraz, as he put it, he told reporters that the government would be teaching detainees how to run from an alligator.Wearing ared cap, this time emblazoned with “Gulf of America,”he moved his hands in the fashion of an alligator’s tail and said: “Don’trun in astraight line.Run like this. And you know what? Your chancesgo up about 1%.”

What ahoot, that guy Oneneedn’tbeamigrantsympathizer or an environmentalisttoﬁnd this situation insupportable, especially at acost of $450 million ayear.This president is so incapable of empathy, anew word is needed to describe him. Perhaps “Trumptilian.”

Email Kathleen Parker at kathleenparker@ washpost.com

Quin Hillyer

Cal Thomas

Kathleen Parker

greatadventures and travels to Europe,Asia, Canada andSouth America. Shelby's familymeant everythingtohim. Every birthday, anniversary or special event was celebrated. His home was an open door not only for his family, but also his friends, even inviting those who needed a place to stay. He loved cooking and making abig pot of Gumbo -always making surehis roux was just the right dark brown color! Shelby had awonderful outlook on life and growing older. He used to say, "I'm catching old age." He enjoyed abeautiful party celebrating his 90th birthday last September surrounded by 207 friends and family members from near and far. If he were still here -hewould probably tell everyone "Don't be sad because I'm gone. Ihad a wonderful life. Iwas raisedbyafamily who loved me and was lovedby the familyI raised. Until we meet again -give thanks to God for all of life's blessings." His were plentiful and appreciated every day. Reception to follow at St. John Parish activity center Hwy 73 directly behind the church. In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to Metanoia, Inc. ahome for minor female victims of human trafficking (founded by Father M. Jeffrey Bayhi) P.O. Box 178, Zachary, LA 70791,ortoSt. Theresa MiddleSchool Capital Campaign, 212 E. New River Street, Gonzales, LA 70737. Avisitation for Shelby will be held Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Theresa Of Avila Catholic Church, 1022 NBurnside Ave, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737, followed by afuneral massat12:00 PM.

DEATHS continued from vivedbyhis devotedwife of 34 years, Stacy McMorris Root; his daughters, EmileeCatherine and ElizabethLouise;and his son, Donald Aaron Root. Kelly was adedicated owner and VP of sales for35 years at CapitolWelders Supply Company.Hewas a lifelong fanofthe Beatles and LSU sports, who brought passion and joyto everythinghedid. Kelly wasa belovedson,husband, father, mentor,and friend to many. He was preceded in deathbyhis parents, DonaldEugene Root and AnnieElizabeth "Bette"Teekel Root. AcelebrationofKelly's lifewill be held on Saturday, August 9, in WitterHallatSt. Luke's EpiscopalChurch, 8833 Goodwood Blvd. Visitation and reception will take place from 9:00 a.m. to11:00a.m., followed by a memorial serviceat11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers,the family requests donations be made to the St. Luke's Fire Fund. For online condolencesand additional details, please visit www.churchfuneralservic es.com

Sanderford, Earl

On this special daywe celebrate the life of afatherand adearbrother, Earl Sanderford, born December11, 1954and entered into eternal rest on July 18, 2025. His Strength andkindness touch the hearts of many. Though he is no longerwithus, his spirit abides withinus. We love and miss him more than words canexpress. On Saturday August9,2025 there willbea memorial service at 11 AM at Mt Zion Baptist Church of Scotlandville 1920Progress Road Baton Rouge,LA 70807. The repast to follow inthe church's event center

Trusty,David Arnold

DavidArnoldTrusty, 71 passedawaypeacefully on Tuesday,July29, 2025, at Clarity Hospice, Baton Rouge.A funeralservice willbeheldatSt. James Episcopal Church 208 N4th Street,70801 on Friday,Au‐gust8 at 1:00 PM.Visita‐tionbeginsat12:00 PM in the church.A privateinter‐mentwilltakeplace later. For online condolencesand additionalservice details, pleasevisit www.churchf uneralservices.com

Saintsrunning backKendre Miller carries the ball during

training camp couldput his roster spot in jeopardy.

Roster forecast

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

The ﬁrst leg of training camp for the Saints is done. The Saints will travel to California for the next part of campWednesday and will be out west until Aug. 15. Theteam will trainonceagain at UC Irvine, with its Sunday preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on deck. With 11 practices in the books, and a shift out west coming, let’stakea moment to map out a53-man rosternow

that we have plenty of information available.

Quarterback(3)

Spencer Rattler, TylerShoughand Jake Haener: All three quarterbacks are in the mixfor the starting job,withRattler having the strongest camp of the trio. Each one has proven worthy of aroster spot.

Runningback(4)

Alvin Kamara, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Devin Neal Velus Jones: No, Kendre Miller isn’tonthis list. As of now,the third-yearrunning

back hasbeentoo inconsistent through nine practices andhe’sbeen outshone by severalotherbacks. Maybe the Saints retainhim because of his overall talent, but at this point, it should no longer be considered asurprise if New Orleans ends up moving on. Running back has also been acompetitive position battle for New Orleans, and Jones has done anice job of creating an opportunity. He hashome-runcaliber speed —and theSaints could use more

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

Ward,Hunteramong rookiestowatch

BY TERESA M. WALKER AP pro football writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Impressive and fantastic are acouple of the words that have been used to describeTennessee quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1-overall pickinApril’sdraft takes over as thestarter for afranchise that won just three games last season. Yes, the preseasonmeans many rookies will be surrounded by thehype thatmade them top draft picks, even if some might be tagged already as potential busts soon to be forgotten. Ward isn’tthe only one being watched closelytosee howhis ﬁrst NFL season turns out. Travis Hunter will have to show

LSU recruit, Olympian

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

One year after the ParisOlympics, New Orleans becomes the center of the gymnasticsuniverse Thursday through Sunday,with the Smoothie KingCenterhosting the Xﬁnity U.S. Gymnastics Championships.

Atotal of 140 gymnasts areexpectedtocompete in the men’s and women’ssenior and junior divisions, vying for individual nationalchampionships as well as spots on the U.S. teams for the senior and junior world championships later this year The competitionstarts Thursday with the men’spreliminaries, followed by the women’sprelims Friday.Men’sfinals will be Saturday and the women’sfinalsSunday.All the senior sessions will be streamed live on Peacock, with the women’sfinals on NBC.

In addition, ESPN will telecast an episode of “SportsCenter” from the championships at 5p.m. Friday as partofits “50Statesin 50 Days” tour LSU gymnastics coach Jay Clark saidthat for anon-Olympic year,this meetisasbig as it gets for gymnastics in this country

“It is thepinnacleofelitegymnastics in thiscountry,” Clark said. “This is the championship they train for.Itwill determine an awful lot for them going forward to the next Olympic games.”

While four members of the 2024 U.S. men’sOlympic team are competing, this year’schampionship represents anew chapter for American women’sgymnastics. Absent amongthe competitorsis seven-time Olympic gold medalist andnine-time U.S. all-around champion Simone Biles,who has neither ruled out or committed to competinginthe 2028 LosAnge-

he reallycan play wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL, just like he didinwinning the Heisman Trophy at Colorado. The LasVegas Raiders certainly hope Ashton Jeanty runs through defenses like he did at Boise State. AbdulCarterwon’t have to carry the New York Giants’ pass rush by himself. Then there’sShedeur Sanders, whowas projected to be afirst-round selection but who wasn’ttaken until the ﬁfth round by Cleveland. Afterhis draft slide, everybody will be monitoring what Sanders does all season long. Here’s acloserlook at some of the NFL rookies to watch

ä See ROOKIES, page 4C

The LSU Tigers have reached the quarter pole of preparations fortheir blockbuster Aug. 30 season opener at Clemson, scheduled to go through their seventh day of practice on Wednesday (no media access).

les Olympics Theonly oneofthe ﬁve members of the gold medal-winning U.S. women’steamfromParis in theﬁeld is 17-yearold HezlyRivera, who committed toLSU in September Rivera’s current plan is to enroll at LSUafterthe 2028 Olympics. Fornow,she enters the championships as one of the favorites.

“I am not adding any extrapressure on myself,” the Hackensack, New Jersey,native saidWednesday. “I’m just going to do what I do in thegym. Iknow normal is enough.” Several other gymnastsLSU is recruiting are also slated to compete, including 2024 U.S. junior all-around champion Claire Pease of Sunnyvale, Texas;Reese Esponda of The Woodlands, Texas;Tatum Drusch of WhiteBear

ä See GYM, page 6C

For some reason, college football has never had ahigh school jamboree-like exhibition game, and certainly no slate of preseason games like the Saints will embark on Sunday against the Chargers. The task is to ﬁgure out how to be the best you can be foranabrupt opening test. In LSU’s case, atest to see if the Tigers have what it takes to beat afellow top-10 opponent on the road and snap an interminable ﬁve-gamelosing skid in openers.

How ready does LSU look to do that at this point? Not at all ready,but the Tigers don’thave to be. They have to build to apoint, not be there the ﬁrst weekofAugust.

“These are the days Ineed to develop our football team,” coach Brian Kelly said after Tuesday’spractice. There are any number of things to say about the Tigers at this point of preseason camp. Here are ﬁve observations about what’sgoing on at LSU on the ﬁeld:

Nuss on point

It maybeunfair to quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to makethis kind of comparison, but it certainly is backed up by someimpressive evidence: right from the ﬁrst practice, he has reminded me of Joe Burrow in August 2019. Nussmeier has been pinpoint accurate mostofthe time, and perhaps just as importantly has looked to have great chemistry with his squadron of receivers. Not every momenthas been perfect. Kelly described Monday how Nussmeier got “baited” into throwing an interception to Harold Perkins when the latter drifted back into coverage. And he wasbent awkwardly as he wentdown under pass rush Tuesday (a no-no, even in full contact drills) in aswallow-the-whistle momentfor everyone concerned with LSU football. Nussmeier immediately got up and was ﬁne, but it served as areminder that in 2025 the Tigers will go as faras No. 13’sright arm will take them Backupsneed work

That’sbecause backup quarterbacks Michael VanBuren (a transfer from Mississippi State) and Colin Hurley need work. Both have been highly hit and miss in their drills in practice, though VanBuren, particularly,shows good running ability.Maybe LSU could scrape out awin should Nussmeier

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GEORGE WALKER IV

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward looks to passduring practice atthe team’straining camp on July30 in Nashville, Tenn.

Scott Rabalais

ä See RABALAIS, page 3C

LSU’s SEC schedule now set

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

The Southeastern Conference

released the dates for LSU men’s basketball’s conference schedule on Wednesday Conference play begins Jan. 3 and concludes March 7, which will be referred to as “Rivalry Saturday.” This will be a day when several traditional league rivalries compete, including LSU-Texas A&M.

The SEC Tournament will be March 11-15 in Nashville, Tennessee, at Bridgestone Arena. LSU went 14-18 overall and 3-15 in the SEC last season. Its three victories came against Arkansas, Oklahoma and South Carolina. It won those games by four, three and 14 points.

The Tigers didn’t beat any team in the top nine of the SEC standings and two of their wins were against teams with the four worst conference records.

LSU has announced two nonconference games so far It will play one contest at Boston College in December and a neutralsite game against Drake in November in the Emerald Coast Classic basketball tournament.

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate com

LSU MEN’S SCHEDULE

LSU women’s schedule has another homecoming

Tigers will play near Morrow’s Ga. hometown

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

The LSU women’s basketball team has played a nonconference game in Angel Reese’s hometown Baltimore, Aneesah Morrow’s hometown Chicago and Mikaylah Williams’ hometown Bossier City Now the Tigers are set for a trip to Flau’jae Johnson’s old stomping grounds.

On Nov 9, LSU will face Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia — a city that sits just more than 50 miles west of Johnson’s hometown Savannah The game is one of 13 nonconference contests on the Tigers’ 2025-2026 schedule, the entirety of which was revealed on Tuesday

The marquee matchup on LSU’s nonconference slate this season is an ACC/SEC challenge game against Duke at Duke That game is set for Dec. 4.

Once the calendar ﬂips to 2026, the Tigers will play 16 games against all 15 of its Southeastern Conference opponents. This year, their annual home-andhome matchup is with Texas, last season’s league runner-up.

Reigning league champion

South Carolina is set to visit the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Johnson, an All-American and projected first-round WNBA draft pick, could’ve declared for the 2025 WNBA draft, but decided instead to return to LSU for her senior season.

She’s now the only scholarship player left from the team that won the program’s ﬁrst national championship in 2023.

As a junior, Johnson scored a career-high 18.6 points per game while shooting 47% from the ﬁeld and 38% from 3-point range.

She also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per night.

U.S. Open singles champs to get $5 million in 2025 Prize money at the U.S. Open will rise to nearly $85 million across all competitions this year including a record $5 million each to the women’s and men’s singles champions, and total player compensation is jumping 20% to $90 million, the most in tennis history Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff and 2024 U.S. Open champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner were among 20 players who sent a letter to four Grand Slam events in March seeking more prize money The U.S. Tennis Association announced the payouts Wednesday for the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, which begins with the new mixed doubles event and its $1 million top check on Aug. 19-20. Singles competition starts on a Sunday — Aug. 24 — as those brackets expand from 14 days to 15.

Tennis player Svitolina faces online hate post-loss

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has spoken out about the deluge of hateful abuse she received online from frustrated gamblers after losing a match in Canada, including messages wishing her death and celebrating Russia killing her compatriots. Following her straight-sets loss to Naomi Osaka in the quarterﬁnals of the National Bank Open on Tuesday night, Svitolina posted screenshots of the messages on Instagram.

One abuser hoped that Russia “kills all you (expletive) Ukrainians.”

The abuse was directed at her while other racial slurs also targeted her husband, the French tennis player Gael Monﬁls, who is Black.

Pawol becomes MLB’s first female umpire Jen Pawol is set to become the first woman to umpire in Major League Baseball when she works games this weekend between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves on Sunday Pawol, a 48-year-old from New Jersey, worked spring training games in 2024 and this year She will become the ﬁfth umpire to debut this year

MLB’s move comes 28 years after the gender barrier for game officials was broken in the NBA, 10 years after the NFL hired its first full-time woman official and three years after the men’s soccer World Cup employed a female referee. Pawol in 2024 became the first woman to umpire big league spring training games since Ria Cortesio in 2007.

Gurriel makes history, crushing 103.9 mph pitch

By The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Scottie Schefﬂer

returned home from his British Open victory, made a few brief appearances in New York and used the claret jug to get 15-month-old son Bennett into the men’s grill at Royal Oaks in Dallas He is rested. The key for Schefﬂer, regardless of the tournament, is to be ready But this is the time of the year, even with $15 million at stake, not to be grinding on the range.

“At this point in the year, that extra practice is maybe only going to be draining for me a little bit, and that’s something that I’ve learned to manage as my career has gone on,” Schefﬂer said Wednesday after his pro-am round in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

The tournament at TPC Southwind is the start of three straight FedEx Cup playoff events that culminate with the FedEx Cup title to whoever wins the Tour Championship. In a revamped postseason, the $25 million to the winner has been split up into three parts. Schefﬂer already picked up $10 million for leading the FedEx Cup in the regular season (along with $8 million from the Comcast Business Top 10 bonus program).

The FedEx Cup leader after the BMW Championship next week gets $5 million, and the winner of the Tour Championship all 30 players start from scratch this time gets $10 million.

The TPC Southwind is where

Schefﬂer last missed a cut in 2022

(when the postseason was for the top 125 players, not the top 70).

This year he comes to the postseason off a double major season — the PGA Championship and the British Open — and has ﬁnished in the top 10 in his last 11 tournaments dating to March.

It’s safe to say his game is in reasonably good shape. Now it’s about conserving energy for August stops in Memphis, Baltimore and Atlanta.

“I would say my prep week last week deﬁnitely looked a bit different than it would have looked before the Scottish Open (in July) and deﬁnitely looked a little bit different than it would have looked if you go back to the beginning of the year when I was coming off injury,” he said.

“So making sure I’m rested, ready to play,” he said. “My game is in a good spot, and I feel like some extra practice at this point in the year can almost be detrimental in terms of just physical and mental fatigue.”

Schefﬂer stopped in New York for a brief appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show and to attend the Happy Gilmore 2 premier A lot of time included that silver claret jug he picked up from a dominant victory at Royal Portrush.

“We had a party two weeks ago at home with some of our friends, and everybody got to drink out of it. It was a lot of fun,” Schefﬂer said.

He also has brought golf’s oldest trophy to his home course at Royal Oaks — Justin Leonard brought the claret jug to the course when he won the Open in 1997 and there was one time he went with

just his son. “He whacked some golf balls around, and we hung out for a bit,” Schefﬂer said “I took him to the 19th hole with me, and I got some pretty funny pictures with Bennett sitting in the 19th hole at the men’s only grill where you’ve got to be I think you’ve got to be 19 to get in there, but I ﬁgured if we bring

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel crushed a 103.9 mph fastball from San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in the eighth inning, tying the game at 5-all. It was the fastest pitch hit for a homer since MLB started pitch tracking in 2008. It was part of a two-homer night for Gurriel. The veteran also hit a two-run shot in the first inning. The hard-throwing Miller was acquired from the Athletics at last week’s trade deadline. He routinely throws over 100 mph and hit 104.2 mph with his hardest pitch on Tuesday night. The Padres won the game 10-5 in 11 innings.

Browns rookie Sanders to start in preseason opener

Rookie Shedeur Sanders will start Cleveland’s preseason opener Friday night against the Carolina Panthers.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Tyler Huntley, who signed with team earlier this week, is also expected to play if he can get up to speed with the playbook. Joe Flacco, Cleveland’s projected starting quarterback this season, is healthy but will not play Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel will sit out while rehabbing from injuries. However, the Browns communications staff conﬁrmed later that Sanders will start.

The 6-foot-1, 212-pound Sanders fell to the fifth round of the NFL draft after winning the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award. Sanders remains fourth on the Browns’ depth chart.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Flau’Jae Johnson celebrates following the win over San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament on March 22 at the PMAC.

Ohio State’s QB conflict remains

Competition between Sayin, Kienholz still too close to call

BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

COLUMBUS, Ohio After the ﬁrst quarter of Ohio State’s preseason practices, the competition between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz for the starting quarterback spot remains too close to call.

“The competition continues,” coach Ryan Day said. “They both have had good moments and moments where they’re growing. I will say I’ve been pleased with the progress. It’s going to go right down to the wire.

“The positives of having a competition is that you know every day you got to bring it. The guys are always on edge, they’re uncomfortable, they’re working at it. I think that’s healthy for the entire building.”

A quarterback competition the season after winning the College Football Playoff championship is routine at Ohio State. The circumstances, though, are different.

In 2015, Cardale Jones and J.T Barrett both had experience as they battled Jones led the Buckeyes to the title when he started the Big Ten championship and both CFP games after Barrett broke his ankle against Michigan.

Sayin and Kienholz have a combined 34 pass attempts and 90 college snaps. They are competing to replace Will Howard, who transferred from Kansas State and threw for a Big Ten-high 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns in leading the Buckeyes to their sixth national title.

Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler is looking for consistency,

COLLEGE FOOTBALL Red Sox sign rookie phenom Anthony

footwork accuracy and mechan-

ics. It’s just all about building confidence. You make a great play, you start to build that conﬁdence,” Sayin said.

The last snaps Kienholz took in a game were in the 2023 Cotton Bowl against Missouri after starter Devin Brown was injured in the ﬁrst half. Keinholz struggled, as he completed only six of 17 passes for 86 yards.

However, the junior had a great offseason and was one of eight Ohio State players named an Iron Buckeye, which goes to players who excel during offseason workouts.

“As a freshman going in there, I didn’t really know a whole lot. I didn’t really know how protections worked and I mean, now that’s something that I feel like I’m pretty good at, and I go out and and execute that well,” Keinholz said. “I’ve been in the offense for three years now, so it’s something that I think just more time, more reps and ﬁlm study, it’s helped me get better.”

Freshman Tavien St. Clair is also getting snaps, but is still getting up to speed with the offense. He did come in as an early enrollee and participated in spring practices.

BY JIMMY GOLEN AP sportswriter

BOSTON The Red Sox signed rookie phenom Roman Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million contract on Wednesday, spending some of the cash they saved by trading Rafael Devers away on a player they hope will be the centerpiece of the next generation of Boston stars.

The 21-year-old outﬁelder, who has 159 major league at-bats so far, is signed through 2033, with a team option for 2034. The deal was announced with the Red Sox on a seven-game winning streak heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals.

especially as the Buckeyes start getting more into situational scenarios during practices the next two weeks.

“We have to be great on third down and in the red zone. That’s where quarterbacks make their money,” Fessler said. “We’re in a spot where we’re getting more and more of those situations every day So it’s an opportunity for those guys to go out and compete.”

Sayin has shown better arm strength, though Keinholz has more athleticism after playing three sports in high school.

Sayin originally committed to

Alabama as the top-rated quarterback in the Class of 2024 and was taking classes when Nick Saban retired Sayin then entered the transfer portal last spring and came to Ohio State. He played in four games, including the CFP first-round contest against Tennessee, and was 5 for 12 for 84 yards and one touchdown while taking 27 snaps.

The sophomore is the slight favorite to emerge as the starter for the Aug. 30 opener against Texas, but he hasn’t paid any attention to the outside hype.

“I feel like I’m developing in my

Besides quarterback, Day and the coaching staff are looking for some of the positions to get an established starting group toward the end of the week. Day used a phrase from safeties coach Matt Guerrieri in comparing this week to the third round of a golf tournament, which is typically called moving day

“This is moving week. We want to have our identity and it doesn’t need to be in stone, but the players can tell us what we’re doing and what our identity is coming out of this week,” Day said.

Running backs highlight Southern scrimmage prep

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

To Terrence Graves, Southern football thrives best when the team’s competitive spirits are on full display

The second-year coach hopes to see that type of environment when his team has its ﬁrst public preseason scrimmage at 8 p.m Saturday at A.W Mumford Stadium.

Graves and his staff will monitor every part of his team’s performance closely However, there are aspects of the intra-squad game that will be more signiﬁcant to study ahead of the Jaguars’ season opener against North Carolina Central in Atlanta at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23. Running backs

No position will perhaps be more intriguing to watch than running back.

Graves has six new players in the eight-player group and hasn’t indicated a leader The player who gets the ﬁrst snaps could indicate who leads the charge as the hopeful starter

The most tantalizing of the running backs is LSU transfer Trey Holly, who was suspended last season because of his alleged involvement in a February 2024 shooting.

The 5-foot-7, 192-pound Holly will have a strong case to be the Jaguars’ top tailback. The former four-star recruit had 11 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman.

Senior Mike Franklin, a transfer from Jacksonville State, and

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

get hurt at some point with Van Buren or Hurley in the right circumstances, but it looks like a big if right now

Like old times

Speaking of blasts from the past, Perkins has shown in practice the “See ball, crush ball carrier” Perkins he was as a freshman in 2022. Playing LSU’s Star position (a hybrid between safety and linebacker), one play

he’s a standing rush end, another he’s dropping into coverage, yet another he’s making a tackle in intermediate space at the boundary

After a mostly ineffective

2023 and a mostly injured 2024, I want to see Perkins be the dis-

sophomore transfer Princeton Cahee (Louisiana Tech) have also enticed the staff.

The 6-2, 225-pound Franklin might be too experienced and physical to keep off the ﬁeld. Cahee at 5-10 and 190 pounds, has high-level explosiveness.

The new names aren’t the only players running backs coach Marcus Bradley and offensive coordinator Mark Frederick are considering Returning sophomore Barry Remo and redshirt freshman Jason Gabriel are also in the running.

Quarterback play

Graves hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet, but the staff has said on multiple occasions that, “It’s Jalen Woods’ job to lose.”

ruptive, playmaking force he once was in a real game. That’s a way’s off, of course, but the good news is he has shown great change of direction and speed in his ﬁrst action of any kind after tearing his ACL 11 months ago against UCLA. He’s deﬁnitely looked more effective than linebacker Whit Weeks, who still appears to be ramping up from the broken ankle he suffered in December in the Texas Bowl.

All about the O-line

At this point, it certainly appears LSU’s coaches have locked in on the following starting lineup with the offensive line: Tyree Adams at left tackle, former center DJ Chester at left guard, Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore at center, Josh Thompson at right guard and Weston Davis at right tackle. Obviously this

The 6-1, 200-pound sophomore is the only returnee from last year and is the quarterback most acquainted with second-year coordinator Fredericks’ offense.

Woods has looked conﬁdent and comfortable in practice alongside his competition: freshman Dillon Compton and junior Jackson State transfer Cam’Ron McCoy

Woods is a precision passer who prefers not to run, while the 6-1 and 195-pound McCoy is a dualthreat player Graves said he doesn’t prefer either style What he cares about the most from his quarterbacks will be leadership and limiting mistakes.

Defensive line play

Ckelby Givens‘ presence inspires conﬁdence that Southern’s

could change and the Tigers do have three to four other players who they could throw into the starting ﬁve. But barring injury this looks like the unit. How has this group looked? There’s room for improvement, for sure. Running backs have found some holes and the protection of Nussmeier has been mostly good, but with four new starters the cohesiveness is clearly not there yet. There is still time for that, but LSU had better be up to the task. Clemson throws a pair of preseason All-ACC defensive lineman at LSU in end TJ Parker and tackle Peter Woods. It isn’t overstating things to say LSU’s season rests on how well the offensive line plays. Quarterback and skill positions will be potent. Defense is deeper and appears to be improved. If the line can open holes for run-

defense will pressure opposing backﬁelds.

The senior defensive end was named the preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and made the Buck Buchanan Award watchlist for the best defensive player in the FCS.

However, he can’t terrorize quarterbacks alone and the scrimmage will be an opportunity to ﬁnd out who else can impose their will on the defensive line.

Three starters from Southern’s front four that played in last year’s SWAC title game are not on the roster

Junior transfer defensive tackles Habib Bellow and Darren Scott and returning junior defensive tackle Jerome Wallace stood out to Graves after the ﬁrst week of practice.

Whoever receives reps on the first-team defense will be challenged by an offensive line that returns four of ﬁve starters.

Morris No. 1 receiver

Southern doesn’t guarantee much in terms of players’ playing time.

However, the program had no qualms about sharing that it wants Darren Morris to be the team’s top wide receiver Fans should expect him to be targeted often in the scrimmage. The junior led the team with 434 yards receiving last year Graves said his production could have been greater if not for nagging injuries.

At 6-2, 190 pounds, Morris has the size and skill to excel.

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com.

ners and protect Nussmeier, the Tigers can be a CFP contender If not, another 8-4 season is not out of the question.

Punting needs to improve

After ranking a wobbly 109th in net punting in 2024 (36.6 yards per kick), the Tigers said goodbye to Peyton Todd and brought in transfer Grant Chadwick from Middle Tennessee. He had a net punting average of 40.8 yards per kick at MTSU, 29th nationally Chadwick’s kicks we’ve seen (admittedly a small sample size) have been a mixed bag: high and deep with good hang time, not nosing over, low drivers. LSU needs that extra 4 net yards or so this season in the punting department.

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“We’re playing such great baseball. I didn’t want to be a distraction to anyone,” Anthony said in a pregame news conference attended by his parents and sister and teammates along with members of the ballclub’s ownership, front ofﬁce and coaching staff. “But I knew that this is where I wanted to be, and I’m having a blast. And I just wanted to continue that.” Anthony is batting .283 with two homers and 19 RBIs in 46 games since making his debut in June. The team is 32-16 since his callup, including a 10-game winning streak heading into the All-Star break and seven straight wins when he signed his deal.

“This is a guy who was the No. 1 prospect in the sport. We’ve seen the impact that he’s had on our major league team in just over 150 atbats,” Chief Baseball Ofﬁcer Craig Breslow said. “And so when we think about the future of this organization, there’s no question that it got brighter today.”

Anthony’s nine-figure deal, which includes a $30 million team option for 2034, buys out his ﬁve or six years of team control, and at least two seasons of free agency He could still become a free agent at 30.

“I don’t know what the future holds, but I believe that I will be the best version of myself every single day,” said Anthony, who received a big cheer when he came to the plate in the ﬁrst inning. “It was a deal that was obviously more than enough for me and for my family and at a place that I want to be in.”

The Red Sox have struggled to hold onto their homegrown stars lately, trading away 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts when they couldn’t sign him and then watching Xander Bogaerts leave as a free agent. The team appeared to break the trend when it signed Rafael Devers to a 10-year $313 million deal in 2023; instead, it traded him away this season when he refused to change ﬁelding positions.

The roster churn has led to just one postseason appearance in the past six years, as well as a feeling among fans that the team isn’t willing to spend what it takes to compete for championships.

“Yes, in the past when we haven’t signed homegrown players, it’s hurt,” team president Sam Kennedy said.

But Anthony now joins pitcher Brayan Bello, outﬁelder Ceddanne Rafaela and infielder Kristian Campbell as a future core signed to long-term deals. Pitcher Garrett Crochet, who was acquired in a trade, was also signed to an extension that would keep him in Boston until 2031.

“It’s a special group,” Anthony said. “I try not to look too far into the future, but we’re having a lot of fun and playing good baseball right now

“It’s super exciting when we talk about how young we are and the mix that we have of the great veteran guys that we have. So there’s a lot to be excited about.”

Kennedy acknowledged that the unsteady roster has been difﬁcult on fans, who buy their favorite players’ jerseys only to watch them leave.

“It’s OK to fall in love with our stars, and recognizing that a lot of these guys will be around for a long time,” Kennedy said.

“We’re not done yet, but it’s headed in the right direction. And signing our homegrown, young, talented guys is a huge part of that,” he said.

“That’s been the key piece of having success in our time here is locking up our homegrown talent who want to be here.”

Anthony

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PAUL VERNON

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin participates during a practice on Friday in Columbus, Ohio.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Southern running back Trey Holly covers the ball during a drill on July 28. The LSU transfer is a leading candidate to gain the starting job

Giants’ DL determined to live up to hype

BY STEPHEN WHYNO AP sportswriter

EAST RUTHERFORD,N.J Dexter Law-

rence set out to quiet the chatter minutes after the ﬁrst practice of New York Giants training camp

The veteran defensive tackle had already challenged his fellow players not to listen to the outside noise.

“They want to talk about our Dline and all this,” Lawrence said, “but we haven’t done anything yet.”

Linebacker Brian Burns shared the same thought process a few days later, with a little more profanity tossed in, acknowledging what the formidable front looks like on paper And while adding No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter to a group already featuring Lawrence, Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux has the potential to make this an elite pass rush, those involved are quick to insist they need to prove it ﬁrst.

“Everything looks good with the names that we have and the potential and this and that,” Burns said. “It’s all on us. We can take this as far as we want to go.”

Teammate Darius Muasau called it “the best D-line in the NFL right now,” which is lofty praise that can get tossed out there in the dog days of summer with camps in full swing and before any meaningful games are played. Even the exhibition season might not be an indication of what the unit can do. That will get tested in September with the gauntlet of opening at NFC East rivals Washington and Dallas and at home against defending AFC champion Kansas City, followed by then Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. Coach Brian Daboll, among many others, is looking forward to seeing how Lawrence, free agent signing Roy Robertson-Harris, Thibodeaux, Burns and Carter handle hefty expectations.

“Hype doesn’t get you any-

ROOKIES

Continued from page 1C

this season:

Cam Ward

The Titans tried to temper expectations for the rookie during the offseason. They embraced giving him as much work as possible and listed him as the starter to start the preseason with Will Levis’ decision to have season-ending shoulder surgery Ward has shown the ability to adapt quickly after playing at three different colleges. He set a Division I record with 158 touchdown passes in his career. He threw for 18,184 yards during his college career while running for 473 yards and 20 more TDs. He became an AP All-American at Miami.

Titans coach Brian Callahan, who worked with Joe Burrow as a rookie in Cincinnati as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator has studied how other top picks fared in their rookie seasons at quarterback, hoping to help Ward avoid missteps.

“There’s really no stone unturned when it comes to getting a rookie quarterback ready,” Callahan said. “And there’s nowhere I won’t look for potential edges or advice or anything like that. So it’s been a fun process for sure.”

Travis Hunter

Yes, Jacksonville plans to give the man they traded up to select at No. 2 overall a chance to play both offense and defense in the NFL. The Jaguars have Hunter listed as a starting wide receiver and a backup cornerback to start the preseason.

Hunter is getting plenty of work with the offense, where the Jaguars want Hunter to help receiver Brian Thomas Jr and franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Jacksonville also is making sure Hunter gets practice time on defense. Hunter did join Charles Woodson (1997) as the only fulltime defensive players to win the Heisman Trophy The Jags have packages for the rookie to contribute defensively

“He’s still learning,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said.

Ashton Jeanty

The Raiders ﬁnished last in the NFL in 2024 by managing just 79.8 yards rushing per game. That’s why they selected Jeanty at No. 6 overall and made him the highestdrafted running back since Saquon Barkley was taken No. 2 overall in 2018 by the Giants.

Jeanty’s production easily won over the Raiders, overcoming concerns about his size at 5-foot-8

where,” Daboll said this week

“Action does. So, whatever people think or they say, good or bad, the only thing that really matters is how we go about our business and ultimately producing when it matters.”

Even tying for the worst record in the league last season at 3-14

— the 30th-ranked offense shouldered a bigger slice of that blame

— only seven teams had more sacks than the Giants’ 45.

Lawrence set a career high with nine, Burns was next with 8 1/2 and

Thibodeaux ﬁgures he should have had more than 5 1/2 with so many half-sacks part of his total

“Probably would’ve been, you guys can do the math, maybe seven or eight if I were to ﬁnish those,” Thibodeaux said. “Just making sure that I get everything I deserve this year.”

Burns noticed a positive change in Thibodeaux at some point last season, which has continued into camp. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said Wednesday he routinely shows clips of the 2022

June 4

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter makes a reception during the team’s rookie minicamp on May 10 in Jacksonville, Fla.

and 208 pounds. Jeanty led the nation by rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 TDs last season, averaging 7.0 yards on 374 carries. He just missed Barry Sanders’ college record set in 1988 by 27 yards and ﬁnished second to Hunter in the Heisman voting.

Now Jeanty just has to prove he can help the Raiders run in the AFC West.

Abdul Carter

Unlike Ward, who got Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon’s permission to wear his No. 1, Carter was sacked by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor in his quest to wear No. 56 even though he came to the Giants after 12 sacks at Penn State and after leading the nation with 23 1/2 tackles for loss last year

The third-overall pick in April won’t have the pressure of carry-

ing the Giants’ pass rush, a unit that features three-time Pro Bowl tackle Dexter Lawrence and edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The 6-3, 250-pound Carter will have the chance to be rested and strong throughout games.

Shedeur Sanders

Projected to be drafted as high as No. 2, Sanders had to wait until No. 144 overall to hear his name called during the draft. Now the quarterback is at the back end of a crowded quarterback room. The Browns have him fourth on the depth chart behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick. But it is Cleveland, where four different quarterbacks started at least one game during the 2024 season.

No. 5 pick running to the ball as an example to other players.

“K.T has impressed me about how he handles himself in the building,” Burns said. “He gets in early (and) he does his thing. All in all, he ﬂipped that switch last year, so I expect big things from K.T.”

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

of that. He also provides special teams value as a gunner, which gives him the edge over undrafted free agent Marcus Yarns and others. Neal’s multi-week hamstring injury could affect his spot, but that’s not an automatic disqualiﬁcation.

Wide receiver (6)

Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, Cedrick Wilson, Mason Tipton, Dante Pettis: Outside of Olave and Shaheed, this unit could use a boost. Cooks has made an impact as a leader in the room, but he’s having a quiet camp from a production standpoint His spot should still be safe. The last three spots are up for grabs, but of them, Tipton has been a training camp all-star for the second straight year That gives him an edge over 2024 ﬁfth-rounder Bub Means, whose presence has hardly been felt in practice. Pencil in Pettis as this team’s punt returner, by the way.

Offensive line (9)

Kelvin Banks, Trevor Penning, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Landon Young, Dillion Radunz, Will Clapp, Shane Lemieux: The starters have been ﬁne It’s the depth that’s a concern. Clapp and third-stringer Kyle Hergel have had multiple bad snaps, and the issue doesn’t seem to be going away Young is back at swing tackle after mainly playing guard last year, but would he see the ﬁeld if an injury occurred to either Banks or Fuaga? The Saints have the option of inserting Radunz at guard and moving Penning back to tackle if need be, though we haven’t seen this combination in camp.

Tight end (3)

Juwan Johnson, Jack Stoll, Moliki Matavao: Coach Kellen Moore said Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau will travel to California with the Saints, but neither tight end has yet to practice as they recover from knee injuries. If either can be ready in time for the regular season, they’ll certainly be on this roster If neither is ready, they’ll open the year on Physically Unable to Perform list and have to miss at least four games. But we’re in wait-and-see mode, leaving only three tight ends for this projection.

Edge rusher (4)

Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, Isaiah Foskey Defensive tackle (6) Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Vernon Broughton, Kha-

“He’s going to be put in positions to succeed, and that’s just due to the guys we have on the line,” Burns said. “Me, Dex, K.T., he’s going to have 1 on 1s. He’s going to have opportunities to show what he can do.”

Bowen, going into his second season running New York’s defense is putting the onus on himself and his staff to ﬁnd ways to get impact players on the ﬁeld in the correct situations. That might mean Burns, Thibodeaux and Carter all lining up on an obvious passing down to show what they all can do.

“We’ve got to make sure we do a good job of ﬁnding ways to utilize them,” Bowen said. “To have three guys that can roll and play and do different things for us, it really opens up the creativity for us.”

Nabers says he’s ‘ﬁne’

After not participating in all of team drills at practice Wednesday, top receiver Malik Nabers said he was ﬁne and called it part of the plan devised by coaches and trainers.

Asked if it was about managing his lingering toe injury, the secondyear pro said it was about everything. It’s unclear how much, if any, Nabers will play in the preseason opener Saturday at Buffalo.

Hudson leaves

With standout left tackle Andrew Thomas still on the physically unable to perform list and rehabbing to return from surgery in October for a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, James Hudson has been filling in that spot with the first-team offense. That is, until midway through practice Wednesday Hudson left the field with training staff and did not return. Rookie Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick out of Purdue, took over in Hudson’s absence.

The organization — and bettors — expect big things from Carter, too. He’s a heavy favorite at less than 3-1 on BetMGM Sportsbook to be AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after 12 sacks in 16 games in his ﬁnal college season at Penn State, during which he also led the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision in tackles for loss.

len Saunders, Jonah Williams: Let’s start with Foskey Much of the same logic about Miller can be applied to Foskey who has been invisible for much of camp. But would the Saints really give up on both 2023 picks in one offseason? That’s tough to see, so for now, Foskey makes it even if Chris Rumph and undrafted free agent Jasheen Davis have looked more impressive

The interior of the defensive line, meanwhile, remains just as crowded. Jonathan Bullard’s insertion in the group added another layer but the veteran lately has appeared to work with the second and third string than the starters. There are still questions about whether the Saints keep both Shepherd and Saunders, but Shepherd’s presence with the starters has been noticeable of late and Saunders is probably needed to play nose tackle if Godchaux gets hurt.

Linebacker (5)

Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Nephi Sewell, D’Marco Jackson: One of the more surprising elements of camp is how many first-team reps that Stutsman has gotten as a fourth-round pick. Managing Davis’ workload factors into that, but the rookie’s opportunities are also reﬂective of how quickly he’s gotten himself up to speed. As for the last two spots, Sewell and Jackson appear to be ahead of the rest of the group, including secondyear linebacker Jaylan Ford.

Cornerback (4)

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alontae Taylor Isaac Yiadom, Quincy Riley

Safety (6)

Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, Jordan Howden, Jonas Sanker Terrell Burgess, J.T. Gray: Only four cornerbacks may appear light, but realize that Burgess can be the backup nickel in the event Taylor has to miss time. Burgess has had a solid camp and he even rotated in with the first team during Sunday’s long scrimmage. That gives him a narrow edge over Ugo Amadi, who also has been used in several spots.

Specialists (3)

Given how the quarterbacks are listed, it was mildly surprising the Saints didn’t do the same bit with their three-man punting battle. The situation became murkier Wednesday, when the Saints waived incumbent Matthew Hayball, who was listed as the starter. That leaves James Burnip and Kai Kroeger to battle for the job.

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JOHN LOCHER Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty participates during a practice on

in Henderson, Nev.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JOHN RAOUX

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SETH WENIG

New york Giants defensive linemen Kayvon Thibodeaux, left, and Brian Burns participate during practice at the team’s training camp in East Rutherford, N.J. on July 23.

up before a

Kicking job in jeopardy

BY RICK FARLOW Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. — Younghoe

Koo’s six-year hold on the Atlanta Falcons’ kicking job is on the line after his career-high nine missed ﬁeld goals last season.

Koo entered training camp with a strong vote of conﬁdence from coach Raheem Morris. Koo made 25 of 34 field goals last season, and Lenny Krieg was added to the roster for training camp to provide competition. Krieg, a rookie from Berlin, Germany, has the leg strength to make the competition interesting, so accuracy will be important beginning with Friday night’s preseason opener against Detroit.

Koo’s nine misses last season almost doubled his previous career high of five in his seven-year career Koo, signed by the Falcons in 2019, was a 2020 Pro Bowler His 2024 misses included some crucial field goals that could have led to wins for Atlanta, which finished 8-9 with two straight overtime losses to close the season. In a 20-17 loss to the Saints on Nov 10, Koo missed three field goals, including one which was blocked. It was the first career game with three missed field goals. Koo also battled a hip injury and landed on the injured reserve list on Dec. 18.

“It wasn’t the best season,” Koo said Monday “That’s the motivating factor I’ll just move on. Mentally and physically I feel great It’s just like any other offseason.”

Enter Krieg, who played for the European Football League’s Stuttgart Surge for two seasons (20232024) and made 19 of 26 ﬁeld goal attempts with a career long of 52 yards.

On Tuesday, Krieg said training camp has been “really enjoyable” and “a great experience.”

“I have a lot of fun,” Krieg said, adding he is determined to “keep working hard.”

Koo said Krieg is “a great dude.”

“He works hard. I try to help him any way that I can,” Koo said, adding his goal is to “do my part and be the best version of myself.”

Krieg is looking to learn from Koo’s experience.

“He’s been great,” Krieg said.

“He’s a great resource for me to give me insights about his routines, his work ethic and his way of thinking about kicking. It’s a great relationship. I really appreciate him for being so open and so welcoming to me.” Despite the competition, Koo does not feel any more pressure that he had in years past.

“It’s the same thing,” Koo said.

“(When) Week 1 comes, it doesn’t really matter what you’ve done or what you haven’t done in the past.

It’s what matters right there so I just try to get ready for that.”

Morris was the secondary coach in 2019 in his ﬁrst stint with the Falcons when Koo signed with Atlanta. Morris says he still believes in Koo and that conﬁdence makes the veteran the favorite in the preseason competition.

“I am really excited to see Younghoe have a bounce-back year and really excited to watch him come back,” Morris said. “I’ve got so much conﬁdence in Younghoe because I started with him.”

When he’s not serving as the mentor to Krieg, Koo’s new role off the ﬁeld is helping quarterback Michael Penix Jr learn how to play golf. Penix has been critical of his lack of consistency in his new hobby but Koo says he sees potential in Penix’s swing.

“He’s got something that you can’t teach, which is speed,” Koo said. “He hits the ball harder than anybody I’ve seen. The ceiling is very high.”

Young quarterbacks in spotlight as Commanders, Patriots share ﬁeld

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER

AP sportswriter

FOXBOROUGH, Mass Drake Maye isn’t exactly measuring himself against Jayden Daniels

But the New England Patriots quarterback is keeping tabs on what his Washington Commanders’ counterpart — and others from their draft class are up to heading into their second NFL seasons.

Maye and Daniels were on the field together Wednesday for a joint practice between the teams in advance of their exhibition game on Friday For Maye it was a reminder of the potential and expectations they both carry “I saw him out there I congratulated him. What a year he had,” Maye said. “I think there’s always in the back of your mind the draft class you came in with, and anytime you play him, especially, it’s a little different. I think I’m just trying to worry about myself but at the end of the day, keep up with those guys. Those guys are — him and Caleb (Williams) and Bo (Nix), those guys are good friends of mine, and they’re friends until we play each other.”

Friday’s game won’t count in the standings and the Commanders will be approaching it as such with Washington coach Dan Quinn announcing before practice that Daniels will not play in the exhibition.

With backup Marcus Mariota also nursing a lower leg strain, quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Sam Hartman will handle the offense for Washington.

Receiver Terry McLaurin, who is on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury in addition to “holding in” as contract talks continue, was among the Commanders players that didn’t make the trip.

But Maye is expected to see action, with first-year Patriots coach Mike Vrabel saying that all healthy players would receive at least some playing time.

High intensity

While there was no tackling allowed during Wednesday’s session, it didn’t stop tempers from ﬂaring during a pair of scufﬂes

The first featured just minor shoving between linemen. But the second, after Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson got tangled up with a Command-

From fashion ﬁnes to man in charge

Glenn’s former Jets teammates proud of his NFL journey

BY DENNIS WASZAK JR. AP pro football writer

FLORHAM PARK,N.J Aaron Glenn

had an expensive sense of style when he played for the New York Jets.

Mainly because of all the ﬁnes he had to pay

The current Jets coach was a Pro Bowl cornerback with a ﬂair for fashion. That included his game day socks, which didn’t always adhere to NFL regulations.

“I think he was like the most fined guy on the Jets, not because of his demeanor on the ﬁeld but because of the way he wore socks,” recalled former Jets teammate Jason Fabini, an offensive tackle who played with Glenn from 1998-2001 “I think he got fined every game because he wouldn’t have the green showing or something. You’ve got to ask him about that.

“He wanted to look good.”

Well, he certainly played good, the hits to the bank account notwithstanding. Glenn played eight of his 15 NFL seasons with the Jets and became one of the league’s top cornerbacks. He returned to his original team in 2012 as a scout for two years before coming back again last January, this time as the guy in charge.

“It gives me goosebumps to see him out there, really, and to be the head coach,” said Ray Mickens, a former cornerback who played with Glenn in New York from 1996-2001. “Going all the way back to our college days when we played together at Texas A&M and how he carried himself in college, seeing him be a head coach now, everything that he went through to get to where he’s at right now, I think, has been nothing short of amazing.”

Fabini and Mickens were among about a dozen former Jets teammates who spent Tuesday at the facility to have breakfast, watch practice and celebrate Glenn’s new role as a ﬁrst-time NFL head coach.

“It’s always good to see those guys and I want those guys to be part of what we’re trying to build because they’ve been there and they understand exactly what it is to be a Jet,” Glenn said. “There’s a number of things that goes into playing for this team and those guys know what it is. We’re teaching our guys what it is and those guys have been through it.”

Many of the former Jets have kept in touch with Glenn over the years, through his time as Detroit’s defensive coordinator the last four years and the seven years he was a defensive backs coach, ﬁrst with Cleveland and then with New Orleans.

And the sense of pride they all share in Glenn’s latest achievement, being back with the franchise for which they played together, is strong.

“I’m not surprised that he became a head coach,” said Pro

Football Hall of Fame center Kevin Mawae, a former LSU star who played with Glenn for four seasons. “I mean you watch his career and how he played the game and how he prepared and, I mean, other than the fact of all the fines he paid for not having enough white showing in his socks, the guy did things the right way

“He was a professional on the ﬁeld and in the locker room and meticulous about his game. And that’s why he had such a long career and that’s what’s making him a successful coach.” Glenn is one of five current head coaches to lead NFL teams for which they once played, joining Detroit’s Dan Campbell, New England’s Mike Vrabel, Houston’s DeMeco Ryans and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh.

Glenn has tried to glean things from the coaches for whom he has played, including Bill Parcells, and those for whom he has coached, including Sean Payton and Campbell, and created his own approach to leading a team. He has focused on changing the culture of a franchise that has the longest active playoff drought in the NFL at 14 straight seasons. Glenn has talked a lot about finding the right guys, ones who fit the style of these current Jets.

“You’ve got to be built for New York,” Mickens said. “You’ve got to be built for this. And No. 1, obviously we know that A.G.’s built for it and I think that he’s looking for players that are built to play here.”

Glenn has already had to make difficult decisions, such as releasing Aaron Rodgers during the offseason — a move that didn’t surprise Mickens.

“He’s going to draw a hard line in the sand on a lot of things,” Mickens said. “And sometimes veteran players and it’s OK, you know, you could be a Hall of Famer or whatever if you’re not willing to do this and if you’re not willing do this, then you know what, you’ve got to move on.”

Glenn has also found parallels in what he and his teammates experienced when Parcells took over a team that went 1-15 under Rich Kotite in 1997 and brought New York to the AFC championship game two years later

“He knows New York and he knows what it takes to win here,” Fabini said of Glenn, “and if he wins here, what’s going to happen.

“So I think that’s awesome.”

ers defender, caused players from both sidelines to rush the ﬁeld as even Vrabel jumped into the ensuing scrum.

“That’s just how the game goes. Two teams with very competitive coaches, and players are representative of their coach,” Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil said. “We’re out there competing and they’re competing. But just being able to de-escalate situations before they get worse is very professional. Sometimes things happen. Guys start chirping. It’s the game of football.”

Maye liked the fire his teammates showed during the exchanges.

“That’s what we’re trying to build, I think, and it starts with the coach. The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no (nonsense) when we’re out there on the ﬁeld,” he said. “But also, it comes to a time where, with our guys offensively, and getting over there and getting some tussles, and kind of having some penalties, and extra after the whistle can get us in trouble. But for mentality, I like it. I think that’s what you want. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day maybe. We’ll see.”

NFL players can still use ‘smelling salts’

BY JOSH DUBOW AP pro football writer

NFL players will be allowed to use “smelling salts” during games after all.

The NFLPA sent a memo to players on Wednesday saying that the ban that the league informed teams about on Tuesday only prohibits team employees from distributing smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms.

“The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,” said the memo to players, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was

sent out. To clarify this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has conﬁrmed this to us.” The memo from the league prohibited any club personnel from providing or supplying products such as ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of “smelling salts.” The league cited a warning issued from the Food and Drug Administration in 2024 that there was no evidence citing the “safety or efﬁcacy” of the products and that they have the potential to mask symptoms of concussions. Smelling salts and other similar products have been a staple on NFL sidelines for years with many players believing they can provide a sudden jolt of energy or alertness.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO New york Jets coach Aaron Glenn speaks to the media after practice Wednesday in Florham Park, N.J

Falcons’ Koo look to reboound after uncharacteristic down year

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By BRyNN ANDERSON

Atlanta Falcons kicker younghoe Koo warms

game against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 27, 2020, in Atlanta. Koo is coming off his worst NFL season, after missing nine field goals.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JOHN BAZEMORE Atlanta Falcons players celebrate after younghoe Koo’s game-winning 58-yard-field goal against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 29 in Atlanta.

Hold the mayo LIVING

Potato salad recipe perfect forpicnics

BY BETH DOOLEY

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

Potato salad, asignature summer dish, is defined byits maker My grandmother’ssalad was substantially swathed in mayo, while aGerman aunt crowned hers with crisped bacon and plenty of dill. My neighbor tosses in olives, tomatoes and peppers for an Italian twist It’sone of the easiest dishes to make, but success depends on afew basic tenets —starting with the right potato. Choose small, firm, waxy potatoes —fingerling, Yukon gold, Yellow Finn or any of those mixed baby potatoes. These all hold theirshape when cooked. Avoid russet potatoes; they’re toofloury and fall apart. Cut the potatoes to the same size in halves or quarters before cooking to be sure they’re done at the same time Cook the potatoes in boiling water that is as salty as thesea. This ensures the potatoesabsorb the salt early on so you’re not oversalting after they’re done. Don’tcrowd the pot,they need room to bubble away

Watch the pot! Start checking after about 10 minutes. The potatoes should be tender, but not too soft and mushy.Insert aknife into the center; if the potato slips off, it’sdone. Drain the potatoes right away,transfer to abowl and, while they’re still hot, sprinkle with the vinegar you’re using in thedressing. This ensures they’ll absorb that snap and zing that gives the salad alift

Oncethe potatoes have cooled abit, dress them witha heavy hand. They take in ﬂavors quickly and can become bland. Toss in the other vegetables and herbs after thepotatoes have cooled, so the crisp additions stay crisp. Be sure to tastebefore serving, adding in vinegar,salt and pepper and red pepper ﬂakes as needed. Make the salad early in the day,then enjoy a slice of summer

Picnic-Perfect Potato Salad

Serves6to8.Recipe is from Beth Dooley.This light, bright salad reliesonasharp vinaigrette for zing and olives for vigor.Noworries about mayonnaise sitting out in the sun. Make it in the morning so the ﬂavors have achance to marry, and pile on the herbs

2pounds new or waxy potatoes, sliced to be the same size Salt for the water

¼cup white wine vinegar, divided

1teaspoon Dijon mustard

½cup extra-virgin olive oil

¼cup thinly sliced green onions, white and light green parts

¼cup pitted, sliced green olives

¼cup sliced cherry tomatoes

¼cup diced red or orangebell peppers

½cup fresh spinach, torn

¼cup chopped basil

2tablespoons chopped parsley Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pinch red pepper flakes, to taste

1. Put the potatoes into apot andadd enough water to cover by 2inches; add plenty of salt. (It should taste briny as thesea.)

2. Set over high heat, bringto aboil, reduce the heat to asimmer andcook until the potatoes are just tender,about 10 minutes. Drain and turn into abowl. Toss the hot potatoes with about 1tablespoon of the vinegar.

3. In asmall bowl, whisk together the remaining vinegar, mustard and oil. When the potatoeshavecooled to roomtemperature,toss in the vinaigrette, then the onions, olives, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, basil and parsley.Season to taste with salt, pepper and red pepper ﬂakes.

4. Allowthe ﬂavors to marry foratleast an hour before serving. Youcan make this ahead, cover and refrigerate overnight, but be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.

This summer,both of my collegeaged kids moved home. In the time that they were away,Ihad forgotten how often they eat!

Both my son and my daughter have becomeconﬁdent home cooks and make many of their own meals. But theother day,they wanted tomake a meal to bring to apotluck dinner party. They asked my advice for arecipe that was both inexpensive and tasty enough to share with acrowd.

Isuggested our favorite enchilada recipe. We have madethis enchilada recipe for years, and now my children have added it to their repertoire. The recipe is great to share withcollege students because it fits into tighter budgets and schedules The dish can feed acrowd or fill a refrigerator with delicious leftovers. Plus, young adultsgain confidence and

See ENCHILADAS, page 2D

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Serves 8. Recipe by Liz Faul.

2cups shredded chicken (from one rotisserie chicken) 1can of black beans, drained (optional)

2jars of salsa verde ¼cup fresh lime juice (4 limes juiced)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. Remove themeatfroma rotisseriechickenand cutthe chicken into bite-sizedpieces Setaside in abowl to be used in theenchiladas. 3. Open acan of black beans, drain thecan into acolander and rinse with water.Pourdrained beans into the bowl with the chicken. Mix the beans and chicken together

4. Place alargepan over low heat, pour two cansofsalsa verde sauce, chickenbroth,lime juice, sliced green onions andchopped fresh cilantro.Heat on mediumlowheat, stirfor 5minutes, and turn off the heat

5. Next, pour approximately ½ cup of warmed salsa verde sauceinto the bowl of chicken andbeans. Stir sauce to coat chicken and bean mix. Leave the rest of the salsa mix in the pan.

6. In alarge glass baking dish, place some of the salsa mix to coat the bottom of the dish. Then add about ½ cup of the chicken and bean mixture to each of the tortillasand roll themup. Place tortillas rolled with chicken and beans in the prepared dish.

7. Add the sour cream to the remaining salsa mix in the pan. Stir the sour cream into the salsa mix until smooth.Pourthe creamy salsa mix over the prepared chickenand beantortillas in the baking dish. Topthe dish with the shredded cheese. Cover the dish with tin foil.

8. Placethe baking dishinto the oven and bake at 400 Ffor about20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely meltedand slightly browned. If you like the cheese to be golden brown, removethe tin foil for the last 5 minutes.

Garlic shrimp an iconic restaurant dish forthe

Gambasal Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), RECIPE 2D

BY LINDAGASSENHEIMER Tribune News Service(TNS)

Liz Faul

PHOTO BY LIZ FAUL

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday,Aug.7, the 219th day of 2025. There are 146 days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On Aug. 7, 1974, French high wire artist Philippe Petit performed an unapproved tightrope walk betweenthe two towers of the World Trade Center in New York, over 1,300 feet above the ground; the event was chronicled in the Academy Award-winning documentary“Man on Wire.”

Also on this date:

In 1789, the U.S. Department of Warwas established by Congress

In 1942, U.S. and other allied forces landed at Guadalcanal, marking the start of the ﬁrst major allied offensive in the Paciﬁc during World WarII.

In 1960, Côte d’Ivoire gained independence from France.

In 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers in dealing with reported North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. forces.

In 1971, the Apollo 15 moon mission ended successfully as its command module splashed down in the Paciﬁc Ocean.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the Love

TODAYINHISTORY

Canal environmentaldisaster in Niagara Falls, N.Y a federal health emergency; it would later top theinitial list of Superfund cleanup sites. In 1989, aplane carrying U.S. Rep.Mickey Leland, DTexas, and15others disappearedoverEthiopia. (The wreckageofthe plane was foundsix days later; there were no survivors.)

In 1990, President George H.W.Bush ordered U.S troops andwarplanes to Saudi Arabiatoguard the oil-rich desert kingdom against apossible invasion by Iraq.

In 1998, terrorist bombs at U.S.embassiesinKenya and Tanzaniakilled 224 people, including 12 Americans.

In 2007, San Francisco’s Barry Bonds hit home run No. 756 to break Hank Aaron’s storied record with one out in the ﬁfthinning of agame against the Washington Nationals, who won, 8-6. In 2012, to avoid apossibledeath penalty,Jared Lee Loughner agreed to spend therest of his life in prison, acceptingthat he went on adeadly shootingrampage at an Arizonapolitical gatheringin2011 that left six peopledead and 13 injured, includingU.S. Rep.Gabby Giffords.

In 2015, Colorado theater shooter James Holmes was spared thedeathpenalty in favor of life in prison after ajury in Centennial failed to agree on whether he should be executed for his attack on apacked movie premiere that left 12 people dead.

Today’sBirthdays: Singer Lana Cantrell is 82. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller is 81. Actor John Glover is 81. Actor David Rasche is 81. Former diplomat, talk show host and activist Alan Keyes is 75. Country singer Rodney Crowell is 75. Actor Caroline Aaron is 73. Comedian Alexei Sayle is 73. Actor Wayne Knight is 70. Rock singer Bruce Dickinson is 67. Actor David Duchovny is 65. Actor Delane Matthews is 64. Actor Harold Perrineau is 62. Jazz musician Marcus Roberts is 62. Country singer Raul Malo is 60. Actor David Mann is 59. Actor Charlotte Lewis is 58. Actor Sydney Penny is 54. Actor Greg Serano is 53. Actor Michael Shannon is 51. Actor Charlize Theron is 50. Rock musician Barry Kerch is 49.

Actor Eric Johnson is 46.

Actor Randy Wayne is 44.

Actor-writer Brit Marling is 43. NHL center Sidney Crosby is 38. MLB All-Star Mike Trout is 34. Actor Liam James is 29.

Guacamole

Serves 4-6. This recipe wassharedwith me by myfriend, Casey Palascak, and based on theguacamole from apopular restaurantcalled RosaMexicano.

3tablespoons

2tablespoons

2teaspoons

4small

and cut into large pieces)

3tablespoons finely diced tomato

Abag of corntortilla chips for dipping

NOTE: If you have amolca-

ENCHILADAS

Continued from page1D

independence when they learn to cook ameal for themselves. Cooking at home is not only essential forphysical health, but itcan alsoboost mental health by reducing stress and increasing self-esteem. Choosing easy, semi-home-made recipes is agood place to start on a path to cooking conﬁdently

This enchilada recipe uses the meat from arotisserie chicken, acouple of jars of salsa verde —a greensalsa made from tomatillo and green peppers —and pre-packaged grated Mexican cheese.However, the dish is easy to tailor to your tastebuds by leaving out the meat entirelyand

jete,ora mortar andpestle, use it to make thepaste and fresh guacamole.

1. Make apaste: In awide bowl, add one tablespoon of finelychopped onion, one tablespoon of the freshly chopped cilantro, two tablespoonsjalapeñoand the salt. Use afork to mash the salt into theonions,herbsand peppertoform apaste.

2. Addpeeled and cut avocado into thebowlontop of

using beansand rice inside the tortilla. Youcan also substitute the salsa verde forred enchilada sauce, andﬂourtortillas can be substituted for the traditional corn ones. Make it yourown —you can’t go wrong with beans or meat wrapped in atortilla covered with salsa and cheese. These salsa verde enchiladasare tangyand delicious on their own,but an array of sides likeguacamole or freshly sliced mango complements thedish.This week,anold friend, Casey Palascak, who now lives in California, stayed at our housefor afew nights, and she told us about herfavorite guacamole recipe that shemakes for her guests. She recalled theﬁrst time she had it at arestaurant called Rosa Mexicanoin

Dear Heloise: LikeCarolyn, in Dayton, Ohio, Ialso like to reuse items. Iuse the back of greeting cards for lists and notes. They are pretty and easy to ﬁnd in your purse. (I know,Iknow,this is what phones are for,but are they ever handy? Mine are always in another room.) —BonnieWaterhouse, in Burbank, California Zest therest

the paste.Gentlyfoldthe saltyonionpasteintothe avocado.

3. Add the remaining ingredients on top of the avocado: twotablespoons chopped onion, one tablespoon freshcilantroand three tablespoons of ﬁnely diced tomato. Gently stir the guacamole.Serve it in the mixing bowl or mortar/ molcajete. Best usedasa dip with corn tortilla chips.

Washington, D.C. Because of the short ingredient list, Palascak enjoyed theguacamole made tableside. With this fun food storyin mind, we took turns chopping awhiteonion (which made our eyes tear up), jalapeño pepper,cilantro and salt. Our tearsturned to laughter as we poured acouple of glasses of cold rosé and talked about old times In minutes, we made a bowl of fresh guacamole in atraditional molcajete and gobbled down this delicious dip withtortilla chips. It was so good that we immediately made asecond bowl and ate it, too. Apro-tip is to cut extra onion, cilantro and jalapeño and save them in a Tupperwareinthe refrigerator so they can be ready to add to the avocado for the inevitable next batch you’ll want to make.

Dear Heloise: Ilove using fresh lemon and lime slices, juice, and zest in recipes and beverages. Ibuy them by thebagful when they are on sale. The problem is using the product in atimely way

My solution is this:When Ibuy afull bag of lemons or limes, Islice several and freeze them on atray,

then bag them forfuture use. Izest the rest and spread the zest on parchmentpaper to dry before bottling. After zesting, I slice and juice those fruits, divide the juice in an ice cube tray,freeze, then bag the cubes for use in recipes. A quick 10 seconds in the microwave will thaw slices or juice forimmediate use. Presto! Fresh lemon or limeslices, juice, or zest whenever Iwant it! —MaryZ., via email Mary,before juicing, roll the fruit on the counter to “loosen up” or “activate” the juices inside. —Heloise Theeyeshaveit

Dear Heloise: Here’show Imake atravel eye/sleep mask: Ifold afacial tissue in quarters lengthwise and

crease. Then Idaub aﬁngerprint-sized pat of hand lotion on my temples. Next, I“glue” the tissue across the bridge of my nose and over my eyes, then secure it to my head. My friends maylaugh at me, but this keepsthe light out. Plus, it’ssoft and comfortable! —Helen M.,in

Illinois

Acut in time

Dear Heloise: Ikeep apair of scissors next to my chair where Iread the paper every day.I cut out articles of interest, ads, etc., when Iread them. This saves me from going back through the paper later on to ﬁnd them.Just be sure that everyone has read the paper before you start cutting! —Sharon, in Florida Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Gambas al Ajillo (GarlicShrimp)

Yields 2servings. RecipeisbyLinda Gassenheimer

¾pound shelledshrimp

1tablespoon olive oil

4garlic cloves, crushed

Several drops hot pepper sauce

½cup drysherry or white wine

1teaspoon cornstarch

2tablespoons parsley

Saltand freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat oil in askillet over medium heat.Add garlic and saute until garlic starts to turn golden, not brown.

2. Add shrimpand saute forabout 1to2minutes.

3. Mix 1tablespoon sherry withthe cornstarch in a small bowl. Add the remaining sherry and hot pepper sauce to taste to the skillet and toss well.

5. Divide in half and place on twodinnerplateswith the rice. Serve immediately NUTRITION INFO PER SERVING: 308 calories (22percent from fat), 7.7 gfat (1.2 g saturated, 3.4 gmonounsaturated), 276 mg cholesterol, 34.8 gprotein, 10.3

4. Add the cornstarch mixture and bring liquid with the shrimp to asimmerfor several seconds to thicken the sauce. Sprinkle with parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

YellowRice

Yields 2servings. Recipe is by Linda Gassenheimer

1tablespoon olive oil

½teaspoon ground turmeric

1cup microwaveable brown rice

1cup frozen peas

Saltand freshly ground black pepper

1. Mix oil and turmeric together in asmall bowl. Set aside.

3. Measure1 cupand add it to the bowlwith the peas. Save any extra rice foranother meal

2. Place peas in abowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and add the microwaveable brownrice to the microwave. Heat according to package instructions.

4. Add the turmeric and oiltothe bowl. Toss well to makesure all of the rice is coated with the oil. Sprinkle with salt andpepper to taste.Divide in half and place on two dinner plates. NUTRITIONINFO PER SERVING: 216 calories (33 percent from fat), 8.0 gfat (1.3 gsaturated, 3.6g monounsaturated), no cholesterol,4.9 gprotein, 31.5 gcarbohydrates, 4.0 g ﬁber, 7mgsodium

PHOTO By LIZ FAUL

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to let your emotionsfilter intoyourfinancial or professional decisions. Focus on what youknowand present yourself and your ideas with finesse.Worktomake positive change VIRGo (Aug.23-sept. 22) Focus on moneymakingprojects. Networkand engage in conversations that allow you to marketyourattributes and express your desires. Someonewill show interest in howyou live andwho you are.

LIBRA(sept.23-oct. 23) Don't underestimate what thepeople around you are capable of.Anin-depth account will be difficultfor otherstodeny. Stick to facts;embellishment will come back to hauntyou

sCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Follow your heart, say little and do what pleases you. Choose to educate yourself instead of trying to redirect others. Reconnecting withsomeonewill impact your vision.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Make home andprospects your focalpoint.Utilizingyour skills and time effectively will help youimprove your situation at a priceyou can afford. Negotiating on your ownbehalf will pay off.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Be open to suggestions, but don't immediately adoptwhatothers want. Don't waste your time arguing when you know what's best for you. Align yourself with peoplewho share your values

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Put your energy to good use.Refuse to let anxiety

build or stopyou fromreaching your full potential. Avoid people whobring you down, confuseyou or costyou.

PIsCEs(Feb. 20-March 20) Jumping to conclusions will cause problems. Do your research, prepareyour questions and talk to the powersthat be to help point you in the right direction.

ARIEs(March 21-April 19) Share your thoughts openly. The more you stew over endlesspossibilities, the less you achieve. Proactivity will help you win favorsand establish yourself as the goto person.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) What you do will have agreater impact on others thanwhat you say. Focusing on your endgame and distancing yourself from people whoprovoke you and waste your time will soothe your soul.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Up your game and revisehow you useyour skills to suitcurrent needs. Awholehearted approach to change will be like abreath of fresh air,giving you the momentum to capturepositive attention.

CAnCER(June 21-July22) Refuse to let youremotions make youlook bad or give someone the chance to take advantage of you. Theprogressyou make working on personal growth will be consequential.

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers The object is to place the numbers1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS Hi and LoiS

By PHILLIP ALDER

Thatwell-known humorist A.N. Onymous said, “Too many people confine their exercise to jumping to conclusions, running up bills, stretching the truth, bending over backward, lying down on the job, sidestepping responsibility and pushingtheir luck.”

One of those words is relevant to this deal.West leads the diamond king against fourhearts. How should South plan the play?

AfterWestopened oneno-trump, showing15-17 points, South andNorth pushed into game.

South faces apotential loser in each suit. But since only15high-card points are missing, he knows thatWest has them all.

Southwins the first trick andplays a heart to hisace. If both opponentsfollow suit, another heart lead would endplayWest. He could cash the diamond queen, but then would have to sacrifice atrick whatever he did. Here, though, West takes the second heart, cashes the diamond queen, andexits safely with his last trump, East discarding diamonds South wins in his hand and plays aclub to dummy’s king. West takes the next club and leads his last club. How can South avoid aspade loser?

Westisknowntohavethequeen.Buthe will not have adoubleton —why not?

Because if East hadfive spades, he would have runfrom oneno-trump into two spades. South musttry abackward finesse. He ruffs thethird club and leadshis spade jack, running it if West does not cover. Or,ifWestdoes cover, declarerwins with dummy’s king, then plays aspade to his eight, hoping that East hasthe 10. ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By AndrewsMcMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle whichcreates adisguised word, phrase,name, place, saying, etc. For

Previous answers:

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

toDAy’sWoRD ALLEGED: uh-LEJ’D: Accused but not proven or convicted.

Average mark14words

Time limit 30 minutes

Can you find 23 or more words in ALLEGED?

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

the terms of specificgrants, by the terms of particular obligations issued or to be issued or by operation of law (such amount being the “Available Funds”); and

WHEREAS, it is expressly provided that the full faith and credit of the City shall not be pledged, and thereshall be no obligation on the City to levy or increase taxes or other sources of revenue in order to pay debt service on the Notes or to transfer any funds for the payment of debt service that may result in aviolation of any law,ruling, regulation, contract or agreement applicable to the City; and

WHEREAS, after the delivery of the Notes, the City will have no outstanding notes or other obligations of any kind or naturepayable from or enjoying alien on the Available Funds herein pledged, EXCEPT the City’soutstanding Revenue Note, Series 2025 (the Outstanding Parity Note”); and

WHEREAS, under the terms and conditions of the ordinance adopted by the City on February 25, 2025, authorizing the issuance of the Outstanding Parity Note (the OutstandingParityNote Ordinance”), the City has authority to issue the Notes on acomplete parity with the Outstanding Parity Note under the terms and conditions provided therein; and

WHEREAS, the City has determined that all the terms and conditions specified in the Outstanding Parity Note Ordinance have been or will be completed with prior to the delivery of the Notes, and it is the express desireand intention of the City that the Notes be issued on acomplete parity with the Outstanding Parity Note; and

WHEREAS, the State Bond Commission approved the issuance of the Notes at its meeting on July 17, 2025; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to sell the Notes to the purchaser thereof and to fixthe details of the Notes and the terms of the sale of the Notes, pursuant to the acknowledgement of the Lender (as defined herein) attached as Exhibit A hereto.

BE IT ORDAINED by the St. George City Council, State of Louisiana, as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions.

The following terms as used in the Ordinance shall have the following respective meanings, such definitions being equally applicable to both the singular and plural sense of any of such terms.

“Act” means Section 1430 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other applicable constitutional and statutory authority

“Additional Parity Notes” means any additional pari passu notes which may hereafter be issued on aparity with the Notes and the Outstanding Parity Note pursuant to Section 8hereof.

“Agreement” means the agreement to be entered into between the City and the Paying Agent pursuant to this Ordinance, if any

“Available Funds” means all funds or revenues received or to be received by the City to the extent legally available for the payment of debt service on the Notes, provided that no such funds or revenues shall be so included which have been or arein thefuturelegally dedicated and required for purposes inconsistent therewith by the electorate, by the terms of specificgrants, by the terms of particular obligations issued or to be issued or by operation of law

“Business Day means aday of the year other than aSaturday Sunday or legal holiday for the City

“City” means the City of St. George, State of Louisiana.

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

“Costs of Issuance” means all items of expense, directly or indirectly payable or reimbursable and related to the authorization, sale and issuance of the Notes, including but not limited to printing costs, costs of preparation and reproduction of documents, filing and recording fees, initialfees and charges of any fiduciary, legal fees and charges, fees and disbursements of consultants and professionals, fees and charges for preparation, execution, transportation and safekeeping of the Notes, and any other cost, charge or fee paid or payable by the City in connection with the original issuance of Notes.

“DeliveryDate” means the date on which the Lender advances funds for the purchase of the Notes, which is anticipated to be on or before August 15, 2025.

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 25 hereof.

“Executive Officers” means, collectively,the Mayor of the City and the City Clerk.

“Final Maturity Date” means February 1, 2035.

“Fiscal Year” means the one-year period commencing on July 1of each year,orsuch other one-year period as may be designated by the Governing Authority as the fiscal year of the City

“Governing Authority” means the St. GeorgeCity Council.

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which areunconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America, which arenon-callable prior to their maturity including United States Treasury obligations such as the State and Local Government Series and may be in book-entryform.

“Interest Payment Date” means February 1and August 1ofeach year,commencing February 1, 2026.

“Lender” means Investar Bank, the original purchaser of the Notes.

“Note” or “Notes” means any or all of the City’sRevenue Notes, Series 2025B, authorized by this Ordinance, whether initially delivered or issued in exchange for,upon transfer of, or in lieu of any Note previously issued.

“Note Register” means the records kept by the Paying Agent at its designated office in which registration of theNotes and transfers of the Notes shall be made as provided herein.

“Ordinance” means this ordinance authorizing the issuance of the Notes, as it may be supplemented and amended.

“Outstanding” when used with respect to Notes means, as of the date of determination, all Notes or portions thereof theretoforeissued and delivered under this Ordinance, except:

1. Notes theretoforecanceled by the Paying Agent or delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation;

2. Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which

“Outstanding Parity Note” means the City’s outstanding Revenue Note, Series2025.

“Outstanding Parity Note Ordinance” means the ordinance adopted by the Governing Authority on February 25, 2025, authorizing the issuance of the Outstanding Parity Note.

“Owner” or “Owners” when used with respect to any Note means the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the Note Register

“Paying Agent” means Investar Bank, unless and until asuccessor Paying Agent shall have been appointed pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Ordinance and thereafter “Paying Agent”shall mean such successor Paying Agent

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,trust, unincorporated organizationor government or any agency or political subdivision thereof

“Record Date” forthe interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the 15th calendar day of the monthnext preceding such Interest Payment Date.

“Sales Tax” shall have the meaning given such term in Section9 hereof.

“Sales TaxFund” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 9hereof.

“Sinking Fund” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 9hereof.

SECTION 2. Authorization of Notes; Maturities. In compliance with the termsand provisions of the Act,this Ordinance authorizes the incurring of an indebtedness of Three MillionDollars ($3,000,000) for,on behalf of, and in the nameofthe City, forthe purpose of (i) acquiring, constructing and improving property and facilities within the City,and (ii) paying the costs of issuance of the Notes. Accordingly,this Ordinance authorizes the issuance of Three MillionDollars ($3,000,000) of Revenue Notes, Series 2025B,ofthe City.

The Notes shall be issued in the form of asingle, fully registered note, numbered R-1, in the principal amount of $3,000,000, shall be dated the Delivery Date, and shallmatureininstallments as set forth this Ordinance. The Notes shall bear interest from the Delivery Dateorfrom the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paidor duly provided for,payable on each Interest Payment Date, commencing February 1, 2026, and shall bear interest at arate of 4.65% per annum, calculated on a30/360 basis.

The principal of the Notes shall matureininstallments on February 1 of each year without necessity of notice in the years and in the principal amounts set forth below:

(February 1)

*Final Maturity Date.

The principal of and interest on the Notes shall be payable by check of the City mailed directly to the Owner or the Paying Agent mailed by the Paying Agent to the Owner (determined as of the close of business on the RecordDate) at the address shown on the Note Register,provided, however,that principal of the Notes at final maturity shallbepayableatthe designated office of the Paying Agent upon presentation and surrender thereof. Each Note delivered under this Ordinance upon transfer of, in exchange for or in lieu of any other Notesshall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which werecarried by such other Notes, and each such Note shall bear interest (as hereinset forth) so neither gainnor loss in interestshall result from such transfer,exchange or substitution.

The person in whose name any Note is registered at the close of business on the RecordDate with respect to an Interest Payment Date shallinall cases be entitled to receive the interest payableonsuch Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the cancellation of such Note upon any registration of transfer or exchange thereof subsequent to such Record Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any payment of principal or interest due on aday that is not aBusiness Day may be paidonthe next succeeding Business Day and, if so made, shall be credited as though it was paidonthe due date.

No Note shall be entitled to any right or benefitunder this Ordinance, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless thereappears on such Note acertificate of registration, substantially in the form provided in this Ordinance, executed by the Paying Agent by manual signature.

SECTION 3. Prepayment Provisions. The unpaid principal of the Notesmay be prepaidbythe City,inwhole or in part, at its option at any time, at the principal amount to be prepaid plus accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment.

Official notice of such call of any of the Notes for prepayment in whole or in part shall be given to the Paying Agent and the Lender by means of first-class mail, postage prepaid, by notice deposited in the United States mails or electronic transmission not less than sixty (60) days prior to the prepayment date.

SECTION 4. Registrationand Transfer The City shall cause the Note Register to be kept by the Paying Agent.The Notesmay be transferred, registered and assigned only on the Note Register,which such registration shall be at the expense of the City,and only by the execution of an assignment form on the Notes being transferred. Anew Note or Notes, may,upon request, be delivered by the Paying Agent to the last assignee (the new Owner) in exchange for such transferred and assigned Note or Notesafter receipt of the Note(s) to be transferred in proper form. Such new Note or Notesshall be in an authorized denomination ($100,000 or any integral multiple of $5,000 in excess thereof) and of the same maturity and like principal. The Paying Agent shall not be required to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Note during aperiod beginning at the opening of business on aRecordDate and ending at the close of business on the Interest Payment Date.

Notwithstanding anything herein, the Lender shall not be authorized or permitted to transfer any Note without the express written consent of theCity

SECTION 5. Form of Notes. The Notesand the endorsements to appear thereon shallbeinsubstantiallythe forms attached as Exhibit B hereto.

SECTION 6. Execution of Notes. The Notesshall be signed by the Executive Officers for,onbehalfof, in the nameofthe City,which signatures may be either manual or facsimile.

SECTION 7. Pledge and Dedication of Available Funds. The Notes shallbesecured by and payablefroma pledge and dedication of the AvailableFunds of the City equally with the Outstanding Parity Note, and thereshall be irrevocably pledged and dedicated to the payment of the Notesand the Outstanding Parity Note an

SECTION 11. Application of Proceeds. The Executive Officers arehereby empowered, authorizedand directed to do anyand all things necessary andincidentaltocarry out allofthe provisions of this Ordinance, to cause the necessary Notestobeprinted, to issue,execute andseal the Notes, andtoeffect delivery thereof as hereinafterprovided. The proceeds derived from the sale of the Notesshall be deposited in a special accountheldwith the Paying Agent or the regularly designated fiscal agentofthe City to be knownasthe “Series 2025B Revenue Bonds Construction andAcquisition Fund” andused only for the purpose for whichthe Notesare issued.

SECTION 12. Notes Legal Obligations. The Notesshall constitute legal, binding andvalid obligations of the City andshall be the only representations of the indebtedness as herein authorized andcreated.

SECTION 13. Ordinance aContract. The provisions of this Ordinance shall constitute acontract between the City,orits successor,and the Owner or Owners from time to time of the Notes, andany such Owner or Owners may at laworinequity,bysuit, action, mandamusorother proceedings, enforce andcompelthe performance of alldutiesrequired to be performed by this Governing Authority or the City as aresult of issuing the Notes.

No material modification or amendment of this Ordinance, or of any Ordinance amendatory hereof or supplementalhereto, maybemade without the consent in writing of the Owners of two-thirds (2/3)ofthe aggregateprincipal amount of the NotesthenOutstanding; provided, however,thatnomodification or amendment shall permit achange in the maturity provisions of the Notes, or areduction in the rate of interest thereon, or in the amount of the principal obligation thereof, or affecting the obligation of the City to pay the principal of andthe interest on the Notesasthe same shall come due from the revenues appropriated, pledged anddedicated to the payment thereof by this Ordinance, or reduce the percentage of the Owners required to consent to anymaterial modification or amendment of this Ordinance, without the consent of the Owners of allofthe Outstanding Notes.

SECTION 14. Severability; ApplicationofSubsequentlyEnacted Laws. In case anyone or moreofthe provisions of this Ordinanceorof the Notesshall for anyreasonbeheldtobeillegalorinvalid, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect anyotherprovisions of this Ordinanceorofthe Notes, but this Ordinanceand the Notesshall be construedand enforced as if such illegalorinvalid provisions hadnot been containedtherein. Any constitutionalorstatutory provisions enacted afterthe date of this Ordinance whichvalidate or make legalany provision of this Ordinance and/or the Noteswhichwould not otherwise be valid or legal, shall be deemed to applytothis Ordinanceand to the Notes.

SECTION 15. Recital of Regularity This Governing Authority having investigated the regularity of the proceedings hadinconnection with the Notesand having determined the same to be regular, the Notesshall contain the following recital, to-wit:

“It is certified thatthis Note is authorized by andisissued in conformity with the requirements of the Constitution andstatutes of the State of Louisiana.”

SECTION 16. Effect of Registration. The City,the Paying Agent, andany agentofeitherofthemmay treat the Ownerinwhose name anyNote is registeredasthe Ownerofsuch Note for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of andinterest on such Note andfor allotherpurposes whatsoever,and to the extent permitted by law, neitherthe City,the Paying Agent, nor anyagent of eitherofthemshall be affected by noticetothe contrary

SECTION 17. Notices to Owners. Wherever this Ordinanceprovides for noticetoOwners of Notesofany event, such noticeshall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing andmailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each OwnerofsuchNotes, at the address of such Owner as it appears in the Note Register,orifgivenbyaccepted means of electronic communication. In anycase where noticetoOwners of Notesisgivenbymail, neitherthe failuretomailsuchnoticetoany particular Owner of Notes, nor anydefect in anynoticesomailed, shall affect the sufficiency of suchnoticewith respect to allotherNotes. Where this Ordinanceprovides for noticeinany manner, such noticemay be waivedinwritingbythe OwnerorOwners entitledtoreceive such notice, eitherbeforeorafterthe event, andsuchwaiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of noticebyOwners shallbe filedwith the Paying Agent, but such filing shall not be acondition precedenttothe validity of anyaction taken in relianceupon such waiver.

SECTION 18.

SECTION 27. Headings. The headings of the various sections hereof areinserted for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of theprovisions hereof.

SECTION 28. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately

This Ordinance having been submitted to avote, the vote thereon was as follows:

Ayes: Cook, Dellucci, Edmonds, Himmel, Monachello, Murrell, Talbot

Nays: None

Absent:None

Introduced on July 8, 2025 and voted on July 22, 2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Delivered to Mayor on July 25, 2025.

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved:

Dustin Yates, Mayor

Received from Mayor on Ordinance published in The Advocateonthe day of 2025

EXHIBIT A

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND OFFER TO PURCHASE

The undersigned, aduly authorized officer of Investar Bank, acting on behalf of Investar Bank (the “Bank”), hereby acknowledges that she has received and reviewed the ordinance (the Ordinance”) to be adopted by the St.George City Council,acting as the governing authority of City of St.George, State of Louisiana (the City”), on July 22, 2025, and in accordance with all terms and conditions set forth in the Ordinance, the Bank hereby offers to purchase the $3,000,000 Revenue Note, Series 2025 (the Note”) of the City, being authorized pursuant

laws to exercise trust powers, and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority.The Executive Officers arehereby authorized and directed to execute an appropriate Agreement with the Paying Agent for and on behalf of the City 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

SECTION 22. Disclosure Under SEC Rule 15c2-12. The City will not be required to comply with the continuing disclosurerequirements described in Rule 15c2-12 of the Securities and Exchange Commission [17 CFR §240.15c2-12].

SECTION 23. Publication. Acopy of this Ordinance shall be published immediately after its adoption in one issue of the official journal of the City; however,itshall not be necessary to publish any exhibits hereto if the same areavailable for public inspection and such fact is stated in the publication.

SECTION 24. AwardofNotes The City hereby accepts the offer of the Lender for the Notes on the terms containedherein. TheLender has executed the Acknowledgment attached hereto as Exhibit A to indicate itsapproval of this Ordinance. As acondition to the delivery of theNotes to the Lender,the Lender will execute astandardletter,acceptable to it and the City,indicating it has conducted its own analysis with respect to the Notes and is extending credit in the form of the Notes as avehicle for making acommercial loan to the City

SECTION 25. Events of Default. The following shall be “Events of Default” hereunder:

(if default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of the principal of any Note when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity or otherwise; or (if default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of any installment of interest on any Note when and as such interest installment shall become due and payable; or (if default shall be made by the City in the performance or observance of any other of the covenants, agreements or conditions on its part in this Ordinance, any supplemental ordinance or in the Notes contained and such default shall continue for aperiod of forty-five (45) days after written notice thereof to the City by any Owner; or (if the City shall file apetition or otherwise seek relief under any

Dated:

Paying

”), upon presentation and surrender hereof. Interest on this Note is payable by check mailed by the Paying Agent to the registered owner hereof. The interest so payableonany Interest Payment Date will be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered as of the close of business on the RecordDate

or permit any action within its controltobetaken, or permit at any time or times any of the proceeds of the Notes or any other funds of the City to be used directly or indirectly in anymanner,the effect of which would be to cause the Notes to be “arbitrage bonds” or would result in the inclusion of the interest on any of the Notes in gross income under the Code, including, without limitation, (i) the failuretocomply with the limitation on investment of Bond proceeds or (ii) the failuretopay any required rebate of arbitrage earnings to the United States of America or (iii) the use of the proceeds of the Notes in amanner which would cause the Notes to be “private activity bonds.” The Executive Officers arehereby empowered, authorized and directed to take any and all action and to execute and deliver any instrument,

SECTION

cates and instruments as they may deem necessary upon the advice of Bond Counsel, to effect the transactions contemplated by this Ordinance, the signatures of the Executive Officers on such documents, certificates and instruments to be conclusive evidence of the due exercise of the authority granted hereunder

effectiveasifinitially containedinthe Prior Note Ordinance. Thepro‐visionsofthe PriorNote Ordinanceshall remain in full forceand effect except as speciﬁcally supplemented and amendedhereby. Theau‐thorizationgranted to theExecutive Ofﬁcers in

R-2) to thelender to reﬂectthe amend‐mentsset forthherein. SECTION3.ThisOrdi‐nanceshall be published onetimeinthe ofﬁcial journalofthe City;how‐ever,itshall notbenec‐essary to publishany ex‐hibits hereto if thesame areavailable forpublic inspection andsuchfact is stated in thepublica‐tion SECTION4.ThisOrdi‐nanceshall become ef‐fectiveimmediately, and theamendmentstothe PriorNoteOrdinance containedhereinshall be

WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING GOVERNMENT BUILDING 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen Thursday,June 26, 2025 5:30 PM

The Following Minutes AreSummarized For Brevity,For Precise Meeting Information Please Refer To Meeting Audio Or Video

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER &REQUEST ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES BE SILENCED

ARegular Meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish Council was held on Thursday,June 26, 2025 and called to order at 05:30 PM. Council Chairman CareyDenstel asked that all electronic devices be placed on silent.

2. OPENINGPRAYER

Councilman Atley Walker Jr.led everyone in an opening prayer

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Denstel recognized Mr.BrandonBourgoynewho led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. LOG ATTENDANCE

The following members wererecorded as being present: Messrs. Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph.

Also present were, Mr.Jason Manola, Parish President, Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne, Executive Assistant, Mr.Chance Stephens, Director of Finance, Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne, Director of Public Works and Mrs. Michelle Tullier,Council Clerk

5. MINUTES APPROVAL

A. Approval of Minutes from the Regular Meeting of June 12, 2025 Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Alan Crowe to approve the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of June 12, 2025.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

6. CONSIDER ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

7. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Parish President Jason Manola was recognized and covered the following items: Recent meeting at Capital in regardstoFEMA; Clarified numerous things in regardtothe drainage department and its day to day activities, along with clarifying recent statements in regards to sewer payments and fee structures.

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Therewerenocomments at this time.

9. BRIEF PRESENATION BY MELISSA MARTIN, DIRECTOR OF THE GREAUXHEALTHY INITIATIVE

10. COMMUNICATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND/OR ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne was recognized and brieflyreviewed the ongoing projects of the roads and drainage departments.

11. NEW BUSINESS

A. Consider The Following Item as Surplus:

ADMIN: Tag#2229 2009 FordEscape Vin# ending in 27118

Amotion was made by Council Member Brady Hotard, seconded by Council Member Kirk Allain to approve The Following Item as Surplus: ADMIN: Tag#2229 2009 FordEscape Vin# ending in 27118.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

12. PUBLIC HEARING ON PREVIOUSLYINTRODUCED ORDINANCES

A. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of Waring OilCompany,LLC, representing Yellow TransportationInc. Regarding 956 Hwy 190 West, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-15: Described by the WBR Assessor as P/O TRACT E-22 &TRACT E-6 CONT 5.88 AC BEL AIR INDUSTRIAL PARK 50A-12A. Rezoning From I-1 (Industrial Small Scale) to I-2 (Industrial Moderate Scale). TheChairman openeda public hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne was recognized and explained this item was approved unanimously by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and offered to answer any questions. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin, seconded by Council Member Kenneth Gordon to approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate AmendedZoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of Waring Oil Company, LLC, representing Yellow Transportation Inc. Regarding 956 Hwy 190 West, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-15: Described by the WBR Assessor as P/O TRACT E- 22 &TRACT E-6 CONT 5.88 AC BEL AIR INDUSTRIAL PARK 50A-12A. Rezoning From I-1(Industrial Small Scale) to I-2 (Industrial Moderate Scale).

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 29 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

B. An Ordinance authorizing the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana to proceed with anot toexceed $9,160,000 financing through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority; requesting the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority to issue its Revenue Bondstoallow it to finance improvements to the Parish’ssewer system;employing Bond Counsel, Independent Registered Municipal Advisor and Underwriter/Placement Agent; authorizing an application to the State Bond Commission; and otherwise providing with respect thereto. The Chairman openedapublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioneditem Mr.Jim Ryan with Governmental Consultants was recognized and explained the reasons for the aforementionedordinance and offered to answer any questions. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin, seconded by Council Member Kirk Allain, to approve An Ordinance authorizing the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana to proceed with anot to exceed $9,160,000 financing through the LouisianaLocal Government

The votewas recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, GaryJoseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT: 0(None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed.

Ordinance 30 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes. C. An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances, Part III (“Unified Development Code”),Appendix A. “Purchase/Donation Of Real Property”, Section 1, “Descriptions”, and Further Authorizing The Parish President to Signthe Necessary Documentation to Accept Donation of Lot WBR-S of The Settlement at Silverstone Subdivision, WBR Parish Assessor Parcel #3054090002000, Port Allen, Louisiana. The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item President Manolawas recognized and brieflyexplained the reason for this request. No public comments for or against saidordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed.

Amotionwas made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Gary Joseph, to approve An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances, Part III (“Unified Development Code”), AppendixA “Purchase/Donation Of Real Property”,Section1,“Descriptions”, and Further Authorizing The Parish President to Sign the Necessary Documentation to Accept DonationofLot WBR-Sof

The Settlement at Silverstone Subdivision, WBR Parish Assessor Parcel #3054090002000, PortAllen, Louisiana.

The votewas recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, GaryJoseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT: 0(None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed. Ordinance 31 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

D. An Ordinance Adopting An Operating Budget Of Revenues And Expenditures For The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025

AndEnding June 30, 2026 As Published By The West Baton Rouge Parish Council On Aging.

The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item

Ms.LaChandra Atkins, of the Council on Aging, was recognized and gave abrief overview of the proposed budget. Councilmembers had many questions with regardtothe large fund balance showing forthe past few years. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed. Numerous Councilmembers advised that thereneeds to be money used for our seniors, and they want to see moreprograms and capital projects for them beforethe budget is proposed for next year.CouncilMember Hotardnoted he was on this boardand is working with the director,Mr. TommieGordon and the other boardmembers to get this done. Mr.Gordonassured the Council this wouldbedone beforenext year’sbudget time, and asked if anyone had any suggestions on programs, to please let him know. President Manolasuggested talking with our recreation department about the senior programs that they arecurrently offering.

Amotionwas made by Council Member Gary Joseph, seconded by Council Member Kirk Allain, to approve An Ordinance Adopting An Operating Budget Of Revenues And Expenditures For The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025 And Ending June 30, 2026 As Published By The West Baton Rouge Parish Council OnAging.

The votewas recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, GaryJoseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 0(None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed. Ordinance 32 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

13. CONSIDER STATUS REPORT, CHANGEORDER AND/OR OTHER MATTERS AS REQUIRED ON CURRENT PROJECTS Therewerenoitemstoconsider at this time.

14. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES Mrs.Tullier,CouncilClerk read by title the below proposed ordinance/s being introduced and publicized by title,and considered for adoption following apublic hearing as specified below,at5:30 pm in the Council Chambers, located at 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen, La.:

A. An Ordinance of The West Baton Rouge Parish Council Adopting the 2024-2025 Year End Budget Adjustments to The West Baton Rouge Council on Aging Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025. PublicHearing Date: July24, 2025

15. RESOLUTIONS A. AResolution Indicating The Intention Of The Parish Of West BatonRouge, StateOfLouisiana, To Affirm Its Membership To The Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities And CommunityDevelopment Authority(The “Authority”) And Approve The Two(2) Year Appointment Of The Parish President As ADirector To The BoardOfThe Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities And Community Development AuthorityAsProvided By Chapter 10-D Of Title 33 Of The Louisiana Revised Statutes Of 1950, As Amended. Mr.Jim Ryan was againrecognized and explained the reasons for the aforementioned resolution, and offered to answer any questions.

Amotionwas made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Brady Hotardtoapprove AResolution Indicating The IntentionOfThe Parish Of West Baton Rouge, StateOfLouisiana, To Affirm Its MembershipToThe Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities And Community Development Authority (The “Authority”) And Approve The Two (2) Year Appointment Of The Parish President As ADirector To The BoardOfThe Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities And CommunityDevelopment Authority As Provided By Chapter 10-D Of Title 33 Of The Louisiana Revised Statutes Of 1950, As Amended.

The votewas recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed. Resolution15of2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

Resolution 16 of 2025 can be found at the endofthese minutes.

16. CONSIDER SUBDIVISION PLATS, CONDEMNATIONS, WAIVERS AND MATTERS RELATEDTHERETO There were no items to consideratthis time

17. CORRESPONDENCE REPORT CorrespondenceReport from Council Clerk, Mrs. Michelle Tullier includedthe following items: •Next Planning &Zoning Meeting of July 1, 2025 hasbeen canceled; •Next Council Meeting of Thursday, July 10, 2025 hasbeen canceled; •Thursday,July 24, 2025 FireBoard Quarterly Meetingat 5:00pm followedbyCouncil Meeting at 5:30pm.

18. ADJOURN There being no furtherbusiness, amotion to adjournwas made by Council Member Kirk Allain andwas adopted by acclamation at 06:46 PM.

ALL MEETINGINFORMATION INCLUDING MINUTES AND VIDEOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE

State Bond Commission; and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

B. AResolution Ordering And Calling ASpecial Election To Be Held In The Parish Of West Baton Rouge, State Of Louisiana, To Authorize The Renewal, Levy And Collection Of Special Taxes Therein; Making Application To The Louisiana State Bond Commission And Providing For Other Matters In Connection Therewith.

Mr.Jim Ryan was againrecognized and explained the reasons forthe aforementioned resolution, and offered to answer any questions.

Amotionwas made by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin, seconded by Council Member Katherine Andretoapprove A ResolutionOrdering And Calling ASpecial Election To Be Held In The Parish Of West Baton Rouge, State Of Louisiana, To Authorize The Renewal,Levy And CollectionOfSpecial Taxes Therein; Making ApplicationToThe Louisiana StateBond Commission And Providing For Other Matters In Connection Therewith.

The votewas recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, CareyDenstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motionPassed.

ModerateScale). NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council in legalsessionthatChapter 104 Zoning, Sec. 104-3 Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Map of the CompiledOrdinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge,Louisiana is amended andre-enacted to read as follows: Sec.104-3. Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of WaringOil Company,LLC, representing Yellow Transportation Inc. Regarding 956 Hwy 190 West, Port Allen, La 70767. File #202515: Described by the WBR Assessor as P/O TRACT E-22 &TRACTE-6 CONT 5.88 AC BEL AIR INDUSTRIAL PARK 50A-12A. Rezoning From I-1 (Industrial Small Scale) to I-2(Industrial ModerateScale).

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council thatthis ordinanceshall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, thatall otherordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge,Louisiana,thatifany provision or itemofthis ordinanceorthe application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect otherprovisions, items or applications of this ordinancewhichcan be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of this ordinanceare hereby declared severable.

THEFOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTERHAVINGBEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DARYL “TURF” BABIN,WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KENNETHGORDON. THEORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTEDINTHE FOLLOWING:

YEAS:9 (BABIN, GORDON, ALLAIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, ANDRE, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinancewas declared adopted on the 26thDay of June, 2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 30 OF 2025 As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At The RegularMeeting of June 12, 2025 And Adoptedatthe Meeting of June 26, 2025

The West Baton Rouge Parish Council metinits regularsession, duly called, advertisedand convenedatthe West Baton Rouge Parish Council GovernmentalBuilding on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., with the following members present: Present Absent CareyDenstel, District VI, ChairmanX Kirk Allain, District IX

Daryl Babin, District II X AtleyWalker,Jr.,DistrictIII X Brady Hotard,DistrictIVX

Kenneth Gordon, District VX AlanCrowe,DistrictVII X KatherineAndre, District VIII X Gary Joseph,DistrictIXX

Also presentwereJasonManola,Parish President, andMichelle Tullier, Council Clerk.

The meeting wascalledtoorder andthe roll calledwith the above result.

ORDINANCE 30 OF 2025

The following Ordinancehaving been introduced at ameeting held on June 12, 2025, noticeofits introduction having been published in the official journaland apublic hearing having been held thereon, wasoffered by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin, seconded by Council

Allain, andadopted with the

YEAS: 9(Babin, Allain, Walker, Denstel, Crowe,Hotard Gordon, Andre, Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) And the Ordinance

1, 2025 andthereafter will no longer be outstanding; and

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to request the issuance of the Authority’snot to exceed $9,160,000 Revenue Bonds (Parish of West Baton Rouge Sewer System Project), in one or moreseries (the Bonds”) for the purposes of (i) financing improvements to the System, including but not limited to the consolidation and improvement of package plants (the Project”); (ii) funding areserve fund or purchasing areserve fund surety,ifnecessary; and (iii) paying the costs of issuance of the Bonds, including the cost of amunicipal bond insurance policy,ifrequired.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, as the governing authority of the Borrower (the Governing Authority”),that:

SECTION 1. The Borrower hereby requests the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (the Authority”) to authorize and deliver the Authority’sRevenue Bonds (Parish of West Baton Rouge Sewer System Project), in one or more series (the Bonds”), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $9,160,000.

SECTION 2. The proceeds of the Bonds will be loaned by the Authority to the Borrower pursuant to aLoan Agreement by and between the Authority and the Borrower,such loan to be repaid fromthe Lawfully Available Funds of the Borrower.The proceeds of the Bonds will be used by the Borrower for the purposes of (i) financing the Project; (ii) funding areserve fund or purchasing areserve fund surety,ifnecessary; and (iii) paying the costs of issuance of the Bonds, including the cost of a municipal bond insurance policy,ifrequired. The Bonds shall maturenot later than thirty (30) years from the date of issuance and shall bear interest at arate not to exceed seven percent (7.00%) per annum.

SECTION 3. It is recognized, found and determinedthat areal necessity exists for the employment of special counsel in connection with the proposed financing as described herein, and, accordingly,the firm of Butler Snow LLP (“Bond Counsel”),is hereby recommended as bond counsel to the Authority to do and to perform comprehensive, legal and coordinate professional work with respect to the proposed financing.

SECTION 4. The selection of Government Consultants, Inc. as Independent Registered Municipal Advisor in connectionwith the issuance and sale of the Bonds, is hereby authorized.

SECTION 5. D.A. Davidson &Co. is hereby authorized and approved as Underwriter/Placement Agent in connection with the issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds.

SECTION 6. The Authority is hereby requested to take all actions necessary to issue and sell the Bonds.

SECTION 7. By virtue of the Authority’sapplication for,acceptance andutilization of the benefits of the Louisiana State Bond Commission’s (the Commission”) approval, the Borrower hereby resolves that it understands and agrees that such approval is expressly conditioned upon, and it further resolves that it understands, agrees and binds itself, its successors and assigns to, full and continuing compliance with the State Bond Commission Policy on Approval of Proposed Use of Swaps, or other forms of Derivative Products Hedges, Etc.”, adoptedbythe Commission on July 20, 2006 (the Policy”),astothe borrowing and other matters subject to the approval, including subsequent application and approval under said Policy of the implementation or use of any swap or other products or enhancementscovered thereby

SECTION 8. This Ordinance evidences official intent of the Borrower in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana and the United States Treasury Regulations, Section 1.150 2(e) to reimburse itself for expenses incurred prior to the issuance of the Bonds with respect to the Project.

SECTION 9. The Parish President, the Chairman of the Governing Authority,the Council Clerk of the Governing Authority,the Chief Administrative Officer of the Borrower and the Director of Finance of the Borrower (the Authorized Officers”) arehereby authorized and directed to do any and all things necessary and incidental to carry out the provisions of this Ordinance andtoassist the Authority in carrying out its functions in connection with the financing, and the application to the Louisiana State Bond Commission by the Authority is hereby approved. And the Ordinance was declared adopted on this, the 26th day of June,2025.

ATTEST:

STATEOFLOUISIANA

PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE

I, the undersigned Clerk of the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”),acting as the governing authority of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, do hereby certify that the foregoing constitutes atrue andcorrect copy of an Ordinance adopted by the Governing Authority on June 26, 2025, authorizing the Parish of West BatonRouge,State of Louisianatoproceed with anot to exceed $9,160,000 financing through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority; requesting the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority to issue its Revenue Bonds to allow it to finance improvements to the Parish’ssewer system; employing Bond Counsel, Independent Registered Municipal Advisor and Underwriter/Placement Agent; authorizing an application to the State Bond Commission; and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

IN FAITH WHEREOF,witness my official signature and impress of the official seal of the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, on this, the 26th day of June, 2025.

ORDINANCE 31 OF 2025 As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Regular Meeting of June 12, 2025 And Adopted on June 26, 2025 An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances, Part III (“Unified Development Code”), Appendix A. “Purchase/Donation Of Real Property”, Section 1, “Descriptions”, and Further Authorizing The Parish President to Sign the Necessary Documentation to Accept Donation of Lot WBR-S of The Settlement at Silverstone Subdivision, WBR Parish Assessor Parcel #3054090002000, Port Allen, Louisiana.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, in legal session, that Appendix A. Purchase/Donation of Real Property of the Compiled Ordinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is amended and re-enactedtoread as follows: Appendix A. Donation of real propertydescribed as follows:

LOT WBR-S OF THE SETTLEMENT AT SILVERSTONE SUBDIVISION, PORTALLEN, LA, LOCATION OF THE SAID SUBDIVISION’SWASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

One (1) certain lots or parcelsofground, together with all buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Parish of West Baton Rouge, StateofLouisiana in that subdivision known as THE SETTLEMENT AT SILVERSTONE SUBDIVISION, and being designated as LOT WBR-S on the official map prepared by Cletus Langlois, R.L.S.,recorded June 7, 2017 at MapBook 8, Page 288 in the office of the Clerk and Recorder for the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana. Saidsubdivision, said lothaving such measurements and dimensions and being subject to such building lines and servitudes as shown on saidmap. WBRAssessor’s Parcel No.3054090002000.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that the Parish President is hereby authorized to sign any and all necessary documentation to effectuate the donation of the abovedescribed properties between the Parish of West Baton Rouge and Landsaf Properties, LLC.

NOW THEREFOREBEITFURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council,that this ordinance shallbecome effective immediately upon Parish President’ssignature.

NOW THEREFOREBEIFFURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that allotherordinances or partsofordinances in conflictherewith arehereby repealed in their entirety

NOW THEREFOREBEITFURTHER ORDAINED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidityshall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalidprovisions, items, or applications of this ordinance arehereby declared severable.

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER PUBLIC HEARING WAS CONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER KIRK

ALLAIN, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GARY JOSEPH, AND AVOTE BEING TAKEN, THE FOLLOWING RESULT WASHAD:

YEAS: 9(ALLAIN, JOSEPH, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD,GORDON, ANDRE)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 26th Day of June, 2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 32 OF 2025 As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Regular Meeting of June 12, 2025 And Adopted on June 26, 2025 An Ordinance Adopting An Operating Budget Of Revenues And Expenditures For The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025 And Ending June 30, 2026 As Published By The West Baton Rouge Parish Council On Aging

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana in regular session convened that:

SECTION 1: The attached detailed estimate of revenues for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 be and is hereby adopted as an operating budget of revenues for the West Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging during said period.

SECTION 2: The attached detailed estimate of expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 be and is hereby adopted as an operating budget of expenditures for the West Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging during said period.

SECTION 3: The adoption of this operating budget of revenues and expenditures arehereby declared to operateasanappropriation of the amount thereinset forth within the termsofthe budget classification.

SECTION 4: Amountsare available for expenditures only the extent included within said budget.

NOW THEREFOREBEITFURTHER ORDAINED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section2-12 (C) of the Home RuleCharter

NOW THEREFOREBEIFFURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council,that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER GARY JOSEPH, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KIRK ALLAIN. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THEFOLLOWING: YEAS: 9(JOSEPH, ALLAIN, BABIN, DENSTEL, WALKER, CROWE, ANDRE, JOSEPH, GORDON)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was adopted on the 26th day of June, 2025. ATTEST:

RESOLUTION 15 OF 2025

The West Baton Rouge Parish Council met in its regular session, duly called, advertised and convened at the West Baton Rouge Parish Council Governmental Building on Thursday,June 26, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., with the following members present: Present Absent

Carey Denstel,District VI,Chairman X Kirk Allain, District IX

Daryl Babin, District II X

Atley Walker, Jr., District IIIX

Brady Hotard, District IV X

KennethGordon, District VX

Alan Crowe, District VIIX

Katherine Andre, District VIII X

Gary Joseph, District IX X Also present wereJason Manola, Parish President, and Michelle Tullier Council Clerk.

The meeting was called to order and the

YEAS: 9(Hotard,Allain, Denstel, Crowe,Babin, Walker, Gordon, Andre, Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

And the Resolution provides as follows:

AResolution indicating the intention of the Parish of West Baton Rouge,State of Louisiana,toaffirm its membership to the Louisiana

PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE

I, the undersigned Council Clerk of the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge,State of Louisiana (the“Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of the Parish of West Baton Rouge State of Louisiana,dohereby certify thatthe foregoing constitutesa true andcorrect copy of aResolution adopted by the Governing Authority on June 26, 2025, indicating the intention of the Parish of West Baton Rouge State of Louisiana,toapprove the two (2)year appointment of the Parish President as aDirector to the Boardofthe Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities andCommunity Development Authority as provided by Chapter 10-D of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended.

Ifurthercertify thatthis Resolution hasnot been amended or rescinded.

IN FAITH WHEREOF,witness my official signatureand impress of the official seal of the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge,State of Louisiana,onthis, the 26th day of June, 2025.

RESOLUTION 16 OF 2025

ARESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING ASPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THEPARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA, TO AUTHORIZE THERENEWAL, LEVY AND COLLECTION OF SPECIALTAXES THEREIN; MAKING APPLICATION TO THE LOUISIANA STATEBOND COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

WHEREAS, the Parish Council, acting as the governing authority (the“Governing Authority”), of the Parish of West Baton Rouge,State of Louisiana (the“Parish), previously submittedtothe qualified voters of the Parish acertainadvalorem taxpropositions(the “Taxes”); and WHEREAS, this Governing Authority desires to callanelection (the Election”) authorizingthe renewalofthe Taxes andtotake allnecessary actions ancillary thereto; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by this Governing Authority of the Parish,that:

SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approvalofthe Louisiana State BondCommission (“State Bond Commission”), andunderthe authority conferred by Article VI, Section 26 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, the applicableprovisions of Chapter 5, Chapter 6-A andChapter 6-B of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, andotherconstitutional andstatutory authority aspecial Election is herebycalledand orderedtobeheldinthe Parish on November15, 2025, between the hours of Seven O’clock(7:00) a.m andEight O’clock(8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La R.S. 18:541, andatthe said Election there shall be submitted to all registeredvoters qualified andentitledtovote at the said Election under the Constitution andlawsofthis State andthe Constitution of the United States, the following proposition,to-wit: PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA

PROPOSITION NO. 1 (DRAINAGE TAXRENEWAL) (Parishwide) Shall the Parish of West Baton Rouge,State of Louisiana (the “Parish”) be authorized to renewthe levy andcollection of a7.2 mill taxonall the property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated$5,904,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the taxfor an entireyear), for aperiod of ten(10) years, beginning with the year 2026 andending with the year 2035, for the purpose of maintenance, operation and capitalexpenditures necessary for the drainage works within and for the Parish?

PROPOSITION NO. 2

Building, 880 N Alexander Avenue, Port Allen, Louisiana, on January22, 2026,at FiveThirty O’clock (5:30) P.M.,and shall then and thereinopen and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declarethe results of the said Election. This Governing Authority reserves the right to postpone the date and time set forth above for the canvass of

SECTION 4. Polling Places. The pollingplaces set forth in the aforesaid Notice of Special Election arehereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said Election, and the Commissioners-inCharge and Commissioners, respectively,will be the same persons as those designated in accordance with law

SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special Election as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said Election for the meeting of this Governing Authority to be held on January 22, 2026,as provided in Section 3hereof. All registered voters in the Parish areentitled to vote at said special Election and voting machines shall be used.

SECTION 6. AuthorizationofOfficers. The CouncilClerkofthis Governing Authority is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said Election officers in ample time for the holding of said Election, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said Election and the President and/or Council Clerk of this Governing Authority arefurther authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the Election.

SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this Resolution shall be forwarded to theSecretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines in and for the Parish, and the Registrar of Voters in and for said Parish, as notification of the special Election herein called in order that each may preparefor said Election and perform their respective functions as required by law

SECTION 8. Additional Notice Requirement. This Governing Authority made the announcement with respect to the adoption of this resolution required by La. R.S. 42:19.1, at its public meeting on May 22, 2025 and published said announcement in the Official Journal on May 31, 2025.

SECTION 9. Employment of Counsel. It is recognized, found, and determined that areal necessity exists for the employment of special legal counsel in connection with the Election and accordingly,Boles Shafto, LLC, Monroe, Louisiana (“Special Counsel”),ishereby employed and requested to do and perform comprehensive legal and coordinate professional work with respect to the Election. Said Special Counsel shall prepareand submit to this Governing Authority for adoption all the proceedings incidental to the authorization of the Election. The fee of Special Counsel in connection with the Election is hereby fixed at asum not to exceed the maximum hourly fee allowed by the Attorney General’sfee guidelines for comprehensive legal and coordinate professional services in an amount not to exceed $5,000, plus “out-of-pocket” expenses. The term of this engagement shall have an effective date beginning on May 22, 2025 and extending no later than May 21, 2026. The scope of this legal representation does not involve federal claims. An Executive Officer of the District is authorized and directed to enter into alegal services agreement (“LSA”) with Special Counsel embodying the terms of this engagement in accordance with Attorney General requirements and guidelines, and a copy of such LSA, along with acertified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to Attorney General for their approval.

SECTION 10. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the special Election as herein provided, and in the event that Election carries for further consent and authority to dedicate the proceeds of the tax, and acertified copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority,together with aletter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.

and

YEAS: 9(Babin, Andre, Allain, Walker,Denstel, Crowe, Hotard, Gordon, Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

ABSENT: 0(None) And the resolution was declared adopted on this the 26th day of June, 2025.

STATEOFLOUISIANA PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE

I, the undersigned Council Clerk of the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, do hereby certify that the foregoing constitute atrue and correct copy of:

ARESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING ASPECIAL

ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA, TO AUTHORIZE THE RENEWAL, LEVY AND COLLECTIONOFA SPECIAL TAXTHEREIN; MAKING APPLICATION TO THE LOUISIANA STATEBOND COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

IN FAITHWHEREOF,witness my official signatureonthis, the 26th day of June, 2025.

EXHIBIT “A”

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

Pursuant to the provisions of aresolution adopted by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority (the Governing Authority”), of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the Parish”) on June 26, 2025, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that aspecial election will be held within the Parish on November 15, 2025 (the Election”), and that at the Election therewill be submitted to allregistered voters in the Parish qualified and entitled to vote at the Electionunder the Constitution and Laws of the StateofLouisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit: PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA

PROPOSITION NO. 1 (DRAINAGE TAXRENEWAL) (Parishwide)

Shallthe Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”) be authorized to renew the levy and collection of a7.2 mill tax on allthe property subject to taxationinthe Parish (an estimated $5,904,000 reasonably expected at this timetobe collected from the levy of the tax foranentireyear), fora period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2026 and ending with the year 2035, for the purpose of maintenance, operation and capital expenditures necessary forthe drainage works within and for the Parish?

PROPOSITION NO. 2 (LIBRARY TAXRENEWAL) (Parishwide)

Shallthe Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”) be authorized to renew the levy and collection of a4.1 mill tax on allthe property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $3,362,000 reasonably expected at this timetobe collected from the levy of the tax foranentireyear), for aperiod of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2026 and ending with the year 2035, for the purpose of maintenance, operation and capital expenditures necessary forthe West Baton Rouge Parish Library and its branches?

The Election will be held at the following polling places situated within the Parish, which polls will open at Seven O’clock (7:00) a.m., and close at Eight O’clock

SECTION 11. Electronic Signatures. This GoverningAuthority consents and agrees to the execution of documents by electronic signature in accordance with the Louisiana Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (La. R.S. 9:2601, et. seq.), and electronically executed documents aredeemed binding and legal on all parties to the extent allowed by the provisions of that act The above resolution has been considered, upon motion by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin, which was seconded by Council

law.

The Election will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5, Chapter 6-A andChapter 6-B of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutesof1950, as amended, andotherconstitutional and statutory authority,and the officers appointedtohold the Election, as provided in this NoticeofSpecial Election, or suchsubstitute therefor as maybeselected anddesignatedinaccordance with La.R.S. 18:1287, will make due returnsthereof to this Governing Authority,and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN thatthis Governing Authority will meet at its regularmeeting place, West Baton Rouge GovernmentalBuilding, 880 NAlexander Avenue,Port Allen, Louisiana,on January 22, 2026 at Five Thirty O’clock(5:30) P.M. andshall thenand there in openand public session proceed to examine andcanvass the returns anddeclare the results of the Election. This Governing Authority reserves the right to postpone the date andtime set forth above for the canvass of the returns (without anyfurtherpublication of noticeofthe change in the date, time and/or location). All registeredvoters of the Parish areentitledto vote at the Election andvoting machineswill be usedthereat Notice is HEREBYfurther given thataportion of the moniescollected from the tax described in the Propositionsabove shall be remittedtocertainstate and statewide retirementsystems in the mannerrequired by law.

The estimatedcost of the Election as determined by the Louisiana Secretary of State is $12,600.

THUS DONEAND SIGNED, at Port Allen, Louisiana,onthis, the 26th day of June, 2025.

152902-535299 Aug. 7, 1t $2,203.74

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