The Acadiana Advocate 08-22-2025

Specialsession to redraw congressionalmap eyed

STAFF FILEPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

HouseSpeaker Phillip DeVillier,R-Eunice, on Tuesdaysent atext messagetoHouse memberstelling them to keep their schedules flexible as legislativeleaders preparefor apossible special session.

Louisianalawmakers preparing forSupreme Courtdecision

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staffwriter

AU.S. Supreme Court ruling laterthis year in ahighly anticipated redistricting case could change the rulesfor howLouisiana draws its voting maps for Congress —and if it does, legislative leaders are readying for apotential special session House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, REunice, on Tuesday sent atext message to House memberstelling them to keep their schedules flexible between Oct. 23 andNov.13.

“Hewants us to be prepared,” saidstate Rep. Beau Beaullieu, aNew Iberia Republican who chairs thecommittee that wouldoversee aredistricting effort. “He started letting membersknow today,just to putitonyourradar, just in case.”

“I don’tthink anything is adefinite at this point,” he said Tuesday Beaullieu noted that oral argumentsbefore theSupreme Court are scheduled for Oct. 15, and it’snot possible to know howthe high court will rule or what type of action lawmakers wouldhave to takeasaresult. At thesametime, there’s only anarrow window for aspecial sessionbetween that October dateand when lawmakers start to become unavailable

withthe holidays.

“Wewanttolet theprocess playout with theSupreme Court,”hesaid. “There’s alot we don’tknow,and so Ithink this is just our way of being put on noticethat we might have to take some action.”

DeVillieronTuesday confirmed he wants state lawmakers to be prepared to go into aspecial session should that be needed pending the outcome of the Supreme Court redistricting case, but he declined to commentfurther

Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter,who chairs the Senate committee that handles redistricting, said that if “Gov.Landrycalls us back in for aspecial session, Iamwilling to go back in to draw anew map.”

Landry,through aspokesperson, declined to comment on whether he plans to

ä See SESSION, page 5A

Judge OKssome evidence in Haynes trial

Investigatorsallege mansoughttodivert participants to companies

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Afederal judge in abribery case against aLafayette assistant district attorney has ruled that prosecutors may introduceevidenceattrialthat Gary Haynes attempted to join anotherbribery scheme but may not mentionhis wife’s briberyconviction years ago.

U.S. District Judge David Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana made the ruling following aTuesday hearing.

Afederal grand jury in September indicted Gary Haynes, an assistant district attorney in Lafayette, with conspiracy to engage in bribery concerning programsreceiving federal funds; bribery concerning programsreceiving federalfunds;use of afacility in interstate commerce in aidofbribery (two counts); conspiracy to commit money laundering; andobstruction of justice.

Investigators allege Haynes, who was in charge of the pretrialdiversion program in the 15th Judicial DistrictAttorney’sOfficeinLafayette, conspired with others to funnel program participantstocertaincompanies that he had deals with. The pretrialinterventionparticipants would paythe companies to clear theirchargesand Haynes would receive kickbacks for the referrals, investigators allege. Haynes also allegedly persuaded others involved in the scheme to

ä See HAYNES, page 5A

BY MATTHEW LEE AP diplomatic writer

WASHINGTON The Trump administration said Thursday it is reviewingmorethan55 million people whohavevalid U.S. visasfor anyviolations that could lead to deportation, part of agrowing crackdown on foreigners whoare permitted to be in the United States. In awrittenanswertoa questionfromThe Associated Press, the State Department said all U.S. visa holders, which can include tourists from many countries,

DeVillier

Haynes

Bodies found hidden at Colo. funeral home

DENVER State inspectors in Colorado found decomposing bodies behind a hidden door in a funeral home operated by a county coroner, who told them he may have given fake ashes to relatives who had sought cremations, authorities disclosed Thursday

The bodies were discovered Wednesday in a room behind a door hidden by a cardboard display during an inspection of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, about 110 miles south of Denver Inspectors found a “strong odor of decomposition” after arriving at the business, and Brian Cotter, an owner of the mortuary and the county coroner, had asked them not to enter the room, according to a document from state regulators.

For years, Colorado had some of the weakest rules for funeral homes in the nation, with no routine inspections or qualification requirements for funeral home operators That has allowed numerous abuses, including a pending case involving nearly 200 decomposing bodies that were found stored at room temperature in a building in Penrose, Colorado, about 30 miles from Pueblo.

A sentencing of one of the funeral home’s owners in that case for corpse abuse is set for Friday. Owners of another funeral home in Grand Junction, Colorado, were convicted in 2022 of selling body parts and giving clients fake ashes

Attack destroys trucks carrying food in Sudan

UNITED NATIONS A drone attack on a U.N. convoy set fire to all 16 trucks carrying desperately needed food to Sudan’s faminehit North Darfur region and destroyed all the vehicles, the United Nations said Thursday U.N. associate spokesperson Daniela Gross told reporters that all drivers and personnel traveling with the World Food Program convoy are safe.

Gross said it was not yet clear who was responsibility for Wednesday’s attack, the second in the past three months to prevent a U.N convoy from delivering to North Dafur In early June, a convoy from the World Food Program and UNICEF was attacked while awaiting clearance to proceed to North Darfur’s besieged capital, el-Fasher killing five people and injuring several others.

Sudan plunged into conflict in April 2023, when violence sparked by long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including western Darfur Some 40,000 people have been killed and nearly 13 million displaced, U.N. agencies say Nearly 25 million people are experiencing acute hunger, Gross said.

Lil Nas X jailed in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES Rapper Lil Nas X was arrested and briefly taken to a hospital for a suspected overdose Thursday after Los Angeles police say he charged at officers responding to a report of a naked man walking on a busy boulevard.

Lil Nas X, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor obstructing an officer and was being held in jail.

Officers found him walking on the normally very busy Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City neighborhood shortly before 6 a.m., Los Angeles police spokesman Officer Charles Miller said. After charging at arriving police, he was taken into custody, but the officers, suspecting a drug overdose, took him to a hospital first, Miller said. There was no further word on his condition, but he was released from the hospital and taken to jail after just a few hours.

Video obtained by TMZ appeared to show him on the street wearing only underwear and boots.

He was being held at Valley Jail in Van Nuys, near where the police found him.

Messages to Lil Nas X representatives seeking comment were not immediately answered.

An appeals court on Friday threw out the massive financial penalty while narrowly upholding a judge’s finding that he engaged in fraud.

N.Y. court tosses fraud penalty against Trump

BY JENNIFER PELTZ and MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press

NEW YORK A New York appeals court on Thursday threw out President Donald Trump’s massive financial penalty while narrowly upholding a judge’s finding that he engaged in fraud by exaggerating his wealth for decades. The ruling spares Trump from a potential half-billion-dollar fine but bans him and his two eldest sons from serving in corporate leadership for a few years. Trump, in a social media post, claimed “total victory” in the case, which stemmed from a civil lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James

“I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision that was hurting Business all throughout New York State,” the Republican wrote James, a Democrat, focused on the parts of the decision that went her way, saying in a statement that it “affirmed the wellsupported finding of the trial court: Donald Trump, his company, and two of his children are liable for fraud.”

The ruling came seven months after Trump returned to the White House, his political fortunes unimpeded by the civil fraud judgment, a criminal conviction and other legal blows. A sharply divided panel of five judges in the

state’s midlevel Appellate Division couldn’t agree on many issues raised in Trump’s appeal, but a majority said the monetary penalty was “excessive.”

A lower-court judge, Arthur Engoron, had ordered Trump last year to pay $355 million in penalties after finding that he flagrantly padded financial statements provided to lenders and insurers. With interest, the sum has topped $515 million. Additional penalties for executives at his company the Trump Organization, including sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., have brought the total to $527 million with interest “While harm certainly occurred, it was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billiondollar award” to the state, Judges Dianne Renwick and Peter Moulton wrote in one of three opinions shaping the appeals court’s ruling. They called the penalty “an excessive fine that violates the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution.” Both were appointed by Democratic governors. Engoron’s other punishments, upheld by the appeals court, have been on pause during Trump’s appeal, and the president was able to hold off collection of the money by posting a $175 million bond.

Donald Trump Jr celebrated the decision by mocking James, who had periodically posted a running tally of the fraud penalty, with interest. Over a post from James in Feb-

ruary 2024, when the tally was nearly $465 million, Trump Jr wrote: “I believe you mean $0.00. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

The five-judge panel, which split on the merits of the lawsuit and Engoron’s fraud finding, dismissed the monetary penalty in its entirety while also leaving a pathway for an appeal to the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals In the meantime, Trump and his co-defendants, the judges wrote can seek to extend the pause to prevent any punishments from taking effect.

While the Appellate Division dispatches most appeals in a few pages in a matter of weeks, the judges weighing Trump’s case took nearly 11 months to rule after oral arguments last fall and issued 323 pages of concurring and dissenting opinions with no majority Rather, some judges endorsed parts of their colleagues’ findings while denouncing others, enabling the court to rule.

Two judges wrote that they felt James’ lawsuit was justifiable and that she had proven her case but the penalty was too severe. One wrote that James exceeded her legal authority in bringing the suit, saying that if any lenders felt cheated, they could have sued Trump themselves, and none did. Another wrote that Engoron erred by ruling before the trial that James had proven Trump engaged in fraud.

Erin stirs dangerous waves, moves away from East Coast

BY ALLEN G. BREED and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

RODANTHE, N.C. — Hurricane Erin kicked up big waves Thursday along the mid-Atlantic coast and began a slow march out to sea after pelting North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and swells that flooded a few places on the barrier islands.

The storm will continue to bring the threat of dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding into the weekend from the Carolinas to New England even as forecasters predict it will gradually weaken. Despite being twice the size of an average hurricane, Erin so far has managed to thread the needle through the Atlantic between the East Coast and several island nations, limiting its destructiveness.

Damage assessments were still underway on the Outer Banks and more flooding could come during high tide Thursday

evening, but it appeared the low-lying islands dodged widespread trouble during its initial brush with Erin on Wednesday

Tropical storm warnings remained active along the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia and the island of Bermuda, where residents and tourists were told to stay out of the water through Friday

Coastal communities along the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast may see tropicalstorm-force wind gusts through early Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Beaches were closed to swimming Thursday in New York City but that didn’t stop more than a dozen surfers from taking on the waves at Rockaway Beach in Queens. Scott Klossner, who lives nearby, said conditions were great for experienced surfers.

“You wait all year round for these kinds of waves. It’s challenging, really

Russian attack in Ukraine hits American factory

BY SAMYA KULLAB and ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine Russia launched a rare drone and missile attack on western Ukraine overnight, officials said Thursday, striking targets including an Americanowned electronics plant and injecting further uncertainty into the U.S.-led efforts to end the three-year-old war

The aerial assault on a part of Ukraine that has largely avoided such focused attacks was one of Russia’s biggest this year and came amid Moscow’s objections to key aspects of proposals that could end the fighting following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of its neighbor

President Donald Trump discussed the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week before hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House on Monday Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted “enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex,” including drone factories, storage depots, missile launch sites and areas where Ukrainian troops were gathered. Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilian areas of Ukraine.

But in a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote that “the Russians practically burned down an American company producing electronics — home appliances, nothing military.”

“The Russians knew exactly where they lobbed the missiles. We believe this was a deliberate attack against American property and investments in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy wrote, adding: “Telling attack, right as the world awaits a clear answer

from Russia on negotiations to end the war.”

Trump last month questioned Putin’s commitment to ending the war, saying the Russian leader “talks nice and then he bombs everybody.”

In a social media post Thursday, Trump criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for not providing Ukraine with more weaponry it needs to “fight back.”

“It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invaders country,” Trump said. “It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offensive. There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia.”

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Trump is considering changes to the types of weapons the U.S will provide to Kyiv Russia has fired nearly 1,000 long-range drones and missiles at Ukraine since Monday’s White House talks, according to Ukrainian tallies.

European countries are discussing how they can deploy military assets to deter any postwar Russian assault on Ukraine But the Kremlin won’t accept the deployment of any troops from NATO countries, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that making security arrangements for Ukraine without Moscow’s involvement was pointless. Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy to discuss peace terms, Lavrov said Thursday, but only after key issues have been worked out by senior officials in what could be a protracted negotiating process because the two sides remain far apart.

Ukraine.

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hard to stay in one place because there’s a heavy, heavy, heavy rip,” he said. “But this is what surfers want — a hurricane that comes but doesn’t destroy my house? I’ll take that.”

Waves as high as 15 feet were expected to roll into the coasts of Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard from deeper waters Thursday night. High winds were forecast to stick around into Friday morning.

Coastal erosion was a big worry in many beachfront communities. In North Carolina, waves were estimated as high as 18 feet Thursday morning, according to local weather reports.

The Outer Banks essentially sand dunes sticking out of the ocean a few feet above sea level — are especially vulnerable. Storm surges can cut through the dunes, washing tons of sand and debris onto the road and sometimes breaking up pavement and creating new inlets.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By SETH WENIG

Then-former President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom before the start of closing arguments in his civil business fraud trial on Jan. 11, 2024, at New york Supreme Court in New york.

Ukrainian soldiers train Tuesday near Kharkiv,

PHOTO PROVIDED By UKRAINE’S 127TH SEPARATE BRIGADE

Netanyahu to push ahead with Gaza City takeover

Israeli leader also plans to restart talks with Hamas

BY WAFAA SHURAFA, SALLY ABOU ALJOUD and MELANIE LIDMAN Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he will give final approval for the takeover of Gaza City while also restarting negotiations with Hamas aimed at returning all the remaining hostages and ending the war on Israel’s terms.

The wide-scale operation in Gaza City could start within days. Netanyahu’s approval was expected during a meeting with senior security officials late Thursday but no decision was announced before midnight in Jerusalem.

Hamas said earlier this week that it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators, which — if accepted by Israel — could forestall the offensive.

The Israeli military has begun calling medical officials and international organizations in the northern Gaza Strip to encourage them to evacuate to the south ahead of the expanded operation

The military plans to call up 60,000 reservists and extend the service of 20,000 more.

Israeli strikes, meanwhile, killed at least 36 Palestinians Thursday across Gaza, according to local hospitals. A renewed offensive could

bring even more casualties and displacement to the territory, where the war has already killed tens of thousands and where experts have warned of imminent famine.

Many Israelis fear the operation could also doom the remaining 20 or so living hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the Oct 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war

During a visit to the military’s Gaza command in southern Israel, Netanyahu said he would approve the army’s plans to retake Gaza City and had instructed officials “to begin immediate negotiations” for the release of all hostages “and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel.”

“These two things — defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages go hand in hand,” he said.

It appeared to mark Israel’s first public response to the latest ceasefire proposal drawn up by Egypt and Qatar Egyptian and Hamas officials say it is almost identical to an earlier one that Israel accepted before the talks stalled last month.

The proposal would include the release of some of the hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, a pullback of Israeli forces and negotiations over a more lasting ceasefire.

Israeli troops have already begun more limited operations in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood and the builtup Jabaliya refugee camp, areas where they have car-

Palestinian women check the destruction on

camp for displaced people near

ried out several previous large-scale raids over the course of the war, only to see militants later regroup.

The military says it plans to operate in areas where ground troops have not yet entered and where it says Hamas still has military and governing capabilities.

So far, there has been little sign of Palestinians fleeing en masse, as they did when Israel carried out an earlier offensive in Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war

The military says it controls around 75% of Gaza and residents say nowhere in the territory feels safe.

Hundreds gathered Thursday for a rare protest in Gaza City against the war and Isra-

el’s plans to support the mass relocation of Palestinians to other countries.

Women and children held placards reading “Save Gaza” and “Stop the war, stop the savage attack, save us,” against a backdrop of destroyed buildings as Palestinian music played. Unlike in previous protests, there were no expressions of opposition to Hamas.

“We want the war on Gaza to stop. We don’t want to migrate. Twenty-two months it’s enough. Enough death. Enough destruction,” said Bisan Ghazal, a woman displaced from Gaza City.

In Israel, protesters marched Thursday night in Tel Aviv holding banners that

read “The people will bring back the hostages” and “How much blood will be spilled?”

Among the demonstrators was Dudu Dotan, who said Netanyahu is endangering the remaining hostages by moving forward with the planned Gaza City offensive.

Of the 50 still being held in Gaza, Israel believes about 20 hostages are still alive.

“This way will not bring the hostages back,” Dotan said. “Every hostage he brought back, he brought back through deals. And every time he tried to bring them back with military force, he caused the hostages to be killed.”

Plans for widening the offensive have also sparked

international outrage, with many of Israel’s closest Western allies — but not the United States — calling on it to end the war At least 36 Palestinians were killed Thursday by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip, including 14 who were seeking humanitarian aid, according to local hospitals.

The military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas.

The Israeli military said it killed several armed militants in the Morag Corridor a military zone where people seeking aid have repeatedly come under fire in recent weeks, according to witnesses and health officials. Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza had earlier reported that six people were killed in that area while seeking aid on Thursday It was not possible to reconcile the two accounts.

The Media Freedom Coalition, which promotes press freedoms worldwide, called Thursday for Israel to allow independent foreign news organizations access to Gaza. Aside from rare guided tours, Israel has barred international media during the war, in which at least 184 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed.

“Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war,” said a statement signed by 27 of the coalition’s member countries.

Uganda agrees to take deported migrants with no criminal records from

By The Associated Press

KAMPALA, Uganda Uganda has agreed to a deal with the United States to take deported migrants as long as they don’t have criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors, the foreign ministry said Thursday

The ministry said in a statement that the agreement had been concluded but that terms were still being worked out. It added that Uganda prefers that the migrants sent there be of African nationalities, but did not elaborate on what Uganda might get in return for accepting deportees.

The U.S. embassy in Uganda declined to comment on what it called “diplomatic negotiations,” but said that diplomats were seeking to uphold U.S. President Donald Trump’s “policy of keeping Americans safe.”

However, later in Wash-

ington, the State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken by phone with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni about migration and a number of other issues.

The department said the call focused on “migration, reciprocal trade, and commercial ties” and that Rubio had “thanked Uganda for providing a model of regional stability including its valuable contributions to peacekeeping in East Africa.”

The Trump administration has been seeking ways to deter migrants from entering the United States illegally and to deport those who already have done so, especially those with criminal records and including those who cannot easily be deported to their home country Human rights activists criticized the deportee deal as possibly going against international law

Acadian is the onlyambulance service in Louisiana to holdaccreditations from both the CommissiononAccreditation of Ambulance Servicesand the Commission on Accreditation of MedicalTransport Systems, our industry’smost stringentaccreditation agencies.

Thatmeans Acadian exceeds thegoldstandardin EMStraining, equipment, protocols and medics

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEHAD ALSHRAFI

Thursday after Israeli military strikes in a tent

Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip

California to hold specialelectiononredistricting

calling forHouse mapredrawto counterTexas

BY SOPHIE AUSTIN, TRÂN NGUYEN and NICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif California voters will decide in November whether to approve aredrawn congressional mapdesigned to help Democrats win five more U.S. House seats next year,after Texas Republicansadvanced their own redrawn map to pad their House majority by the same number ofseats at President Donald Trump’s urging. California lawmakersvoted mostly along party lines Thursday to approvelegislation calling for the special election. Democratic Gov Gavin Newsom, who has led the campaigninfavor of the map, then quickly signedit —the latest step in atit-fortat gerrymandering battle.

“Wedon’twant this fight and we didn’tchoose this fight, but with our democracy on the line, we will not run away from this fight,” Democratic Assemblyman Marc Berman said Republicans, who have filed alawsuit and called for afederal investigation into the plan, promisedtokeep fighting it.

California Assemblyman James Gallagher,the Republican minority leader,said Trump was “wrong” to push for new Republican seats elsewhere,contending the president was just respondingtoDemocraticgerrymandering in otherstates. But he warned that Newsom’sapproach, which the governor has dubbed “fight firewith fire,” was dangerous “You moveforward fightingfire with fire andwhat happens?” Gallagher asked. “You burn it all down.”

In Texas,the Republicancontrolled state Senate was scheduled to vote on amap Thursday night. After that, Republican Gov. GregAbbott’ssignature will be all that is neededtomakethe map official. It’spart of Trump’seffort to stave off an expected loss of the GOP’s majority in the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections On anationallevel,the partisanmakeup of existingdistricts puts Democrats within three seats of amajority. The incumbent president’sparty usuallyloses congressional seats in themidterms.

Thepresident has pushed other Republican-controlled states including Indiana and Missouri to also revise their maps to add more winnable GOP seats. Ohio Republicans were also already scheduled to revise their maps to make them morepartisan.

The U.S. SupremeCourt hassaidthe Constitution does not outlawpartisan

California Assembly member Sade Elhawary,D-LosAngeles, celebrates Thursdayduring anewsconference in Sacramento, Calif., after lawmakers approvedthe first of three measurestoredraw thestate’s congressional districts and put newmapsbefore voters in a special election.

gerrymandering, only usingracetoredrawdistrict lines.Texas Republicans embracedthat when their House of Representatives passed its revision Wednesday.“

The underlying goal of this planisstraight forward:improveRepublican political performance,” state Rep. Todd Hunter,the Republican who wrote the bill revising Texas’ maps,said.

On Thursday, California

Democrats noted Hunter’s comments andsaidthey hadtotakeextreme steps to counter the Republican move.“Whatdowedo, just sit back anddonothing? Or do we fight back?” Demo-

cratic state Sen. LenaGonzalez said. “This is how we fight back and protect our democracy.”

Republicans and some Democrats championedthe 2008 ballot measure that established California’s nonpartisanredistrictingcommission,along with the2010 one thatextended its role to drawing congressional maps Democrats have sought anational commission that would draw lines for all states but have been unable to pass legislation creating thatsystem.

Trump’smidtermredistricting ployhas shifted Democrats That was clear in Califor-

nia, where Newsomwas one of the members of his party who backed the initial redistricting commissionballot measures, and where Assemblyman Joshua Lowenthal, whose father,Rep. Alan Lowenthal, was another Democraticchampion of a nonpartisan commission, presided over the state Assembly’s passageofthe redistricting package.

Newsom on Thursday contended his state was still setting amodel. “We’ll be the first state in U.S. history,inthe most democratic way, to submit to the people of ourstatethe abilitytodetermine their own maps,” Newsom said before

signing the legislation. Former President Barack Obama,who’s also backed anationwide nonpartisan approach, has also backed Newsom’sbid to redraw the California map, saying it was anecessary step to stave off the GOP’sTexas move.

“I think that approach is a smart, measured approach,” Obama said Tuesday during a fundraiser for the Democratic Party’s main redistricting arm, noting that California voters will still have the final say on the map.

The California map would last only through 2030, after which the state’scommission would draw up anew mapfor the normal, once-a-decade redistricting to adjust district lines after the decennialU.S.Census. Democrats arealso mulling reopening Maryland’sand NewYork’s maps for mid-decaderedraws. However,more Democratic-run states have commission systems like California’s or other redistricting limits than Republicanones do, leaving the GOP with afreer hand to swiftly redraw maps. New York, forexample,can’t drawnew maps until 2028, and even then, only with voter approval.

In Texas, outnumbered Democrats turned to unusualstepstotry to delay passage, leaving the state to delay avote by 15 days. Upon their return, they were assigned round-the-clock police monitoring.

Judgerules Habbaunlawfullyserving as U.S. attorney in N.J.

BY MIKE CATALINI Associated Press

Afederal judge ruled

Thursday that President Donald Trump’sformerlawyer,Alina Habba, has been unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey

The court, sayingthe administration used “a novel series of legal and personnel moves,” held that Habba’s term as the interimU.S. attorney ended in July,and the Trump administration’s

maneuvers to keep her in the role without getting confirmation from the U.S. Senate didn’tfollow procedures requiredbyfederal law.

“Faced with the question of whether Ms. Habba is lawfully performing the functions anddutiesofthe office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Iconclude that sheisnot,” Chief U.S. DistrictJudge MatthewBrann wrote The opinion says thatHabba’sactions since July “may be declaredvoid.”

Brann, aBarack Obama appointee, said he’s putting his order on hold pending an appeal. It wasn’timmediately clear if that meant Habba wouldremaininchargeof the U.S. attorney’soffice. Amessageseeking comment was sent to Habba’s office Thursday.The Justice Departmentsaiditintends to appeal the ruling.

Therulingcould lead to challenges against ahandful of other U.S.attorneys who have been similarly installed by the Trump administration

without Senate approval aftertheir temporaryassignmentshave expired. Brann’sdecision comes in response to afiling on behalf of New Jersey defendants challenging Habba’stenure andthe chargesshe was prosecuting against them. They sought to block the chargesagainst them,argu-

ing that Habbadidn’t have the authority to prosecute the case after her 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney expired in July

The defendants’ motion to block Habba, aonetime White House adviser to President Donald Trump and his former personal defenseattorney,is another high-profile chapter in hershort tenure. She made headlines when Trump named herU.S.attorney forNew Jersey in March. She said the state could “turn red,” arare, overt political expression from aprosecutor, andsaid she planned to investigate thestate’sDemocraticgovernor and attorney general.

BY JAIMIE DING Associated Press

LOS ANGELES The Menendez brothers will make their cases for parole starting Thursday,marking the closest they’ve been to winning freedom from prisonsince their convictions almost 30 years ago for murdering their parents. Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentencedtolife in prison in 1996 forfatally shooting their father,Jose Menendez, and mother,Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. While defense attorneys argued that the brothers acted out

of self-defenseafteryearsof sexual abusebytheir father, prosecutors said thebrothers sought amultimilliondollarinheritance They becameeligible for parole after aLos Angeles judge reduced their sentencesinMay from lifein prison withoutthe possibility of parole to 50 yearstolife, making them immediately eligible under California law because theywere under the age of 26 when theycommitted their crimes But even if theboard grants them parole, it could be months before the brothers walk free—ifatall.

Apanel of parole hear-

ing officers will evaluate thebrothersindividually Erik Menendez will have his hearingThursdaymorning, followed by Lyle Menendez on Friday.Theywill appear over videoconference from prison in San Diego. The board will assess whether thebrothers pose an “unreasonableriskof dangertosociety”ifreleased, considering factors such as criminal history, motivation for thecrime, signs of remorse, behavior while in prison and plans for the future, according to the CaliforniaDepartment of Corrections and Rehabilitation

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByRICH PEDRONCELLI

put up billboards,posted on social media, beeninterviewed on apodcast and spoken to anybody who would listen about Daspit’sdisappearance.

“I continue to talk about it whenever given the opportunity,” Vergenal said.

She has come to terms withthe idea that her husband is likely dead. She thought there might be answers when abody was found around Christmas, not 500 yardsfrom the roadwhere video footage captured Daspit in adazedstate following a motorcycle crash, she said.

That body has been sent to Louisiana State University’s FACES Lab in Baton Rouge for identification with the Louisiana State Police holding onto aDNA sample, she said.

Vergenal provided aDNA sample for State Police to cross-reference, but said she was told that Daspit’sDNA did not match any samples in their database. She provided additional DNA in the form of ahairbrush, but said she hasn’t heard back from the agency Vergenal contacted the FACES lab, which referred her back to the State Police. She’sgone as far as reaching out to Gov. Jeff Landry’s office to expedite the case

Daspit went missing Sept. 10, 2023, when he took his motorcycle to check on aproperty along Bayou Alexander Highway in Coteau Holmes, about 10 miles north of Loreauville, the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office said at the time. Vergenal put together atimeline of events as best she couldbased on reported sightings around the

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call aspecial session for congressional redistrictingthis fall.

Senate President Cameron Henry,R-Metairie, didnot respond to arequest for comment Tuesday Louisiana’scongressional map is at the center of aU.S. Supreme Court case that many legal observers believe could substantially change the Voting Rights Act, a1965 federal law that sought to end discrimination against Black voters. In that case, Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court is considering conflicting rul-

HAYNES

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destroy evidence. He is scheduled for trial Sept. 8, according to court records.

Haynes’attorney,Todd Clemons of Lake Charles, filed several motions, including some that asked to exclude evidence. Joseph ruled on some of the motions Aug. 19. Joseph ruled in favorof Haynes on one motion. That ruling prohibits prosecutors from introducing evidence related to the 2012 conviction of Haynes’ wife, Barna Haynes, on federal bribery

Lara Vergenal, wifeofWillard Daspit,islooking for

husband’sdisappearance.

community.She said she getsvery little information from law enforcement.

“I calllikeonce amonth, but either the messages don’tget through or they just don’tdoanything,” shesaid

The SMPSO said Daspit’scase remains active.The Acadiana Advocatehas requested an interview with Sheriff Beckett Breaux.

In previous interviews, VergenalsuggestedDaspit may have lost control of hismotorcycle

and crashed. The motorcycle was found wrecked and lying in aditch the following morning, about100 yards away from their home. His thick-lens glasses were found on the ground alongside his helmet.Daspit, whosuffersfrom

glaucoma,poorvisionand diabetes, was likely disoriented and confused followingthe crashwith no phone to call forhelp, Vergenal said.

TheSheriff’sOffice, local residents, hunters and other volunteer groups worked together forweeks afterthe incident to comb the fields and woods of the tiny town.

Theywere equipped with drones, four-wheelersand dogs, but multiple searches turned up nothing.

Speculation on social media over Daspit’s disappearance followed shortly after when avideosurfaced of Daspit and Vergenal on an episode of “Dr. Phil” discussing marriage issues. Users suggested either that Daspit ran away or that Vergenal played arole in the disappearance.

“If you watch the whole video, he clearly states he loves me,” Vergenal has said. “I emailed ‘Dr.Phil’ three years before that episode.” In regard to the body found near Banker Road, little information is known, she said. She’s noteven sure if it wasaman or awoman. It was upsetting to think her husband could have been there the whole time, she said.

“I was angry, angryoverthe idea that my husband suffered when I was doing everything to get him help,” Vergenalsaid. “He was last seen there andthe body is found just alittlewaysdown theroad from where he wasseen sitting.” She saidshe’s contemplating hiring an attorney to help her get answers.

“Tobehonest, Iwantittobe him, so I’ve got some closure. So Ican have amemorial service. Do Ikeep searching,” she wondered.

“I wantanswers. Ideserve answers. He was ahuman being. He was adamn human being.”

ings from twofederal district courts over how Louisiana drew its voting maps. In 2022, the Legislature approved acongressional map thathad five majority-White, Republican districts andone majority-Black, Democratic district. But agroup of Black voters sued,sayingthe state’s population had shifted such that the Voting RightsAct required asecond majorityBlackdistrict —and afederal judge agreed. Last year,at Gov.Jeff Landry’surging and to comply withthe federaljudge’s decision, lawmakers redrew the map to add asecondBlack district. The new map eliminatedthen-U.S. Rep.Garret Graves’ Baton Rouge-area seat in exchange for aseat

charges in an unrelated scheme involving the same District Attorney’sOffice but under adifferentdistrict attorney In his ruling,Joseph wrote that“the minimalprobative value of providing the jury withthe evidence that the defendant’swife was convictedof a similarscheme is outweighedby therisk of undue prejudice, i.e., jurors believing that defendant is guilty merely by virtue of his wife’sconviction or that he and hisfamilyregularly engage in criminal conduct.” Joseph ruledagainst the rest of Haynes’ motionsthat he considered Tuesday.He ruled that:

thatlinked Black communitiesfromthe statecapital to the Shreveport area. Cleo Fields, aBlack Democrat who at the time was astate senator, won election to thatseat The new map with two majority-Black districts prompted alawsuit from aseparate group of voters who identify as “non-African American.” They have argued the state used race as the primary factor for redistricting in violation of the U.S.Constitution. Adifferent federalcourt agreed with those voters, leaving thestate in legal limbo.

While Louisiana awaits the Callais ruling, some otherstates areina partisan tug-of-war over unusual “midcycle” redistricting.

n Evidence of Haynes’ attempttojoin another bribery scheme involving the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife andFisheries and some of thesame people involved in thecurrent case is admissible.

n Evidence that Haynes accepted bribes from other unindicted co-conspirators is admissible.

n Haynes is not entitled to alistofthe government’s witnesses.

n Haynes is not entitled to alist of all of his alleged coconspirators, who prosecutorsassert they do not intendtocall to testify at trial.

Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@theadvocate.com.

Redistricting traditionally happens once every10 years, using resultsofthe census. Butmultiple states are moving to redistrict halfwaythrough that cycle as control of the U.S. House of Representatives hangs in thebalance.

At RepublicanPresident Donald Trump’surging, Republicans in Texas called a specialsession to redraw that state’scongressional maps, buttheir initial attempt failedafter Democrat-

ic lawmakers left the state. This week, days into asecond special session in Texas, one Democrat refused to leave the chamber because Republicans ordered around-the-clock escorts for the minority party in an effort to prevent them from leaving the state againto delaythe redrawing of congressionaldistricts. Somebluestates, most notably California,have responded by gearing up for their own redistricting ses-

sions. The California Legislature Thursdayapprove d aproposed congressional map anddeclared aNov.4 specialelection to get requiredvoter approval. Leaders in anumber of other states are also considering redistricting in an effort to influence which party controls Congress. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse pfeil@theadvocate.com.

Tesla’s delayed crash reporting under scrutiny

NEW YORK Federal auto safety regulators are investigating why Tesla has repeatedly broken rules requiring it to quickly tell them about crashes involving its self-driving technology, a potentially significant development given the company’s plans to put hundreds of thousands of driverless cars on U.S. roads over the next year

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a filing on Thursday that Tesla’s reports on “numerous” incidents involving its driver assistance and self-driving features were submitted far too late — several months after the crashes instead of within five days as required.

The safety agency said the probe will focus on why Tesla took so long to report the crashes, whether the reports included all the necessary data and if there are crashes that the agency still doesn’t know about.

Cracker Barrel unveils new logo for its rebrand

NEW YORK Cracker Barrel is marching forward with an ongoing makeover To the dismay of some fans, the chain’s new logo now ditches the barrel itself Or rather, the drawing many have associated with Cracker Barrel over the years. The man leaning on that barrel is also gone, as are the words “Old Country Store.” Instead, the new emblem features a simpler design with just “Cracker Barrel” written on a gold background, which also has a semiupdated shape

“Anchored in Cracker Barrel’s signature gold and brown tones, the updated visuals will appear across menus and marketing collateral,” the Tennessee-based company wrote in a Tuesday announcement. Cracker Barrel added that its logo is “now rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all.”

According to Cracker Barrel, this latest look marks the brand’s “fifth evolution” of its logo to date. It was unveiled as part of a campaign from the company called “All the More,” which also advertises some new fall menu items.

U.S. home sales rose in July, as did sale price

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in July as homebuyers were encouraged by a modest pullback in mortgage rates, slowing home price growth and the most properties on the market in over five years. Existing home sales rose 2% last month from June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.01 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.

Sales edged up 0.8% compared with July 2024. The latest sales figure topped the 3.92 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet Home prices rose on an annual basis for the 25th consecutive month, although the rate of growth continued to slow The national median sales price inched up just 0.2% in July from a year earlier to $422,400. That was the smallest annual increase since June 2023. Even so, the median home sales price last month is the highest for any previous July, based on data going back to 1999. This year’s spring homebuying season, which is traditionally the busiest period of the year for the housing market, was a bust as stubbornly high mortgage rates put off many prospective homebuyers. Affordability remains a daunting challenge for most aspiring homeowners following years of skyrocketing home prices.

BUSINESS

THEADVOCATE.COM/news/business

Walmart helps drag markets to another loss

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK — Wall Street fell to a fifth straight loss on Thursday, hurt by a drop for Walmart and dampened hopes for coming cuts to interest rates.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.4%. All its losses have been relatively modest, but it has not risen since setting an all-time high last Thursday The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 152 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%.

Walmart was one of the market’s heaviest weights and dropped 4.5% after reporting a profit for the spring that came up short of analysts’ expectations, while Nvidia and other Big Tech stocks held a bit steadier following two days of sharp swings.

The moves were stronger in the bond market, where Treasury yields rose after a report forced Wall Street to scale back hopes that the Federal Reserve may soon deliver relief by cutting interest rates.

The report suggested growth in U.S. business activity is accelerating and hit its fastest rate so far this year That’s good news for the economy but the preliminary data from S&P Global also said tariffs

helped push up average selling prices at the fastest rate in three years. That’s a discouraging sign for inflation.

Taken all together, such data has historically aligned more with the Federal Reserve considering a hike in interest rates, rather than a cut, according to Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

No one expects a rate hike to happen, but the overwhelming expectation on Wall Street has been for coming cuts. Traders are betting on a nearly three-in-four chance that the Fed will lower its main interest rate at its next meeting in September, according to data from CME Group. On Wall Street, Walmart dropped

even though it reported encouraging growth in revenue during the latest quarter and raised its forecast for profit over its full fiscal year

Analysts said the market’s expectations were high coming into the report. The Bentonville, Arkansas, company’s stock came into the day with a gain of 13.5% for the year so far, more than the rest of the market.

Coty tumbled 21.6% after the beauty products company reported a loss for the latest quarter when analysts expected a slight profit. The company, whose brands include CoverGirl and Joop!, said uncertainty about tariffs and the economy are making retailers cautious in their orders.

Powell set for major speech

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON Just three weeks ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spoke to reporters after the central bank had kept its key interest rate unchanged for a fifth straight meeting and said the job market was “solid.”

His assessment was important because if the job market is healthy, there is less need for the Fed to cut its key interest rate, as President Donald Trump has demanded. Two days later, the Labor Department issued a report that cast doubt on that assessment, showing hiring was weak in July and much lower than previously estimated in May and June.

So, there will be a lot of attention paid by Wall Street and the White House to Powell’s high-profile speech Friday at the Fed’s annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If the famously data-dependent Powell shifts gears and takes a gloomier view of the job market, that could open the door for a rate cut at the Fed’s next meeting in September

Powell could also stick to the cautious approach he’s maintained all year and reiterate that the central bank needs more time to evaluate the impact of Trump’s sweeping tariffs on inflation.

Most economists expect Powell to signal that a rate cut is likely this year, but won’t necessarily commit to one next month. That could disappoint Wall Street, which has put high odds on a September cut.

Powell’s speech, his last address at Jackson Hole as chair before his term ends in May, will occur against a particularly fraught backdrop About a week after the jobs numbers, the latest inflation report showed that price growth crept higher in July Core prices which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose 3.1% from a year ago, above the Fed’s 2% target.

Stubbornly elevated inflation pushes the Fed in the opposite direction that weak hiring does: It suggests the central bank’s shortterm rate should stay at its current 4.3%, rather than be cut. That would mean other borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and business loans, would stay elevated.

“So the plot has thickened,” said David Wilcox, a former top Fed economist and now director of economic research at Bloomberg Economics and also a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute. “The dilemma that the Fed is in has become, if anything, more intense.”

Powell is also navigating an unprecedented level of public criticism by Trump, as well as efforts by the president to take greater

BY SAM MCNEIL, DAVID McHUGH and FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press

BRUSSELS American and European Union officials released a bare-bones account Thursday of their trade deal that imposes a 15% import tax on 70% of European goods exported to the United States, but they left blank key areas such as wine and spirits as well as steel and indicated that talks would continue on those and a slew of other important sectors. The two sides said the document was only “a first step in a process that can be further expanded to cover additional areas.” They are dealing with the vast range of goods traded between the two economies in what is the largest

control of the Fed, which has long been independent from day-to-day politics.

Most observers credit Powell for his nimble handling of the pressures. An iconic moment in his tenure was Trump’s visit to tour the Fed’s renovation of its office buildings last month. Trump had charged that Powell mismanaged the project, which had ballooned in cost to $2.5 billion, from an earlier estimate of $1.9 billion.

With both the president and Fed chair in white hard hats on the building site, in front of cameras, Trump claimed the cost had mushroomed even further to $3.1 trillion Powell shook his head, so Trump handed him a piece of paper purporting to back up his claim.

Powell calmly dismissed the figure, noting that the $3.1 billion included the cost of renovating a third building five years earlier

“That was just such a classic Powell,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.

“He just doesn’t get fazed. He’s got a humility that oftentimes I think is lacking among my colleagues in economics.”

Powell appeared to at least temporarily assuage Trump during the tour, after which the president backed off his threats to fire the Fed chair over the project.

On Wednesday Trump called on Fed governor Lisa Cook to step down, after an administration official, Bill Pulte, accused her of mortgage fraud. Pulte is head of the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae

and Freddie Mac. Cook said in a statement that she wouldn’t be “bullied” into resigning and added that she was preparing to answer the charges. For Powell, there’s a difficult decision to make on interest rates. The Fed’s “dual mandate” calls for it to keep prices stable while seeking maximum employment But while the weak jobs data suggest the need for a cut, many Fed officials fear inflation will get worse in the coming months.

“There is still a fair amount that’s still outstanding,” Raphael Bostic, president of the Fed’s Atlanta branch, said in an interview, referring to tariff-led price hikes “One feedback we’ve gotten both in our surveys and from direct conversations (with businesses) suggests that many still are looking to see the price that they charge their customers increase from where we are today.”

Other economists, however, point to the sharp slowdown in housing as a sign of a weak economy The housing market remains mired in a slump partly due to elevated mortgage rates, even though sales of existing homes did rise in July Consumer spending has also been modest this year, and growth was just 1.2% at an annual rate in the first half of 2025

“There’s not a lot to like about the economy right now outside of AI,” said Neil Dutta, an economist at Renaissance Macro. “The weakness in the economy isn’t about tariffs,” but instead the Fed’s high rates, he added.

bilateral trading relationship in the world involving $2 trillion in annual trans-Atlantic business.

The 3½-page text represents a political commitment and is not legally binding. It contrasts with the typical format for trade agreements, which can be hundreds of pages long and carry legal force.

The key provisions are the 15% tariff on most EU goods, a zero rate on U.S. cars and other industrial goods exported to the 27-member EU, and a range of exceptions to the 15% rate for aircraft and aircraft parts, generic pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, with other sectors to be added for goods crucial to each other’s economies. Those goods would face lower tariffs from before President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught.

“The EU has agreed to open its $20 Trillion market,” Trump’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick,

said on X. “The second largest in the world behind the great USA.” He said the deal was “a major win for American workers, U.S. industries, and our national security. Tariffs should be one of America’s favorite words.”

European officials have had to defend the deal against dismay from businesses and member governments at the higher tariffs and criticism that the EU gave away too much. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sold the deal as granting quick relief from the even higher U.S. tariff on EU cars of 27.5% and as opening the way for further negotiations that could exclude more goods from the 15% tariffs. The deal provides that the lower tariff on cars would apply retroactively from Aug. 1 if the EU can introduce legislation to implement its part of the deal by then, which EU officials say they will do.

“Faced with a challenging situation, we have delivered for our member states and industry and restored clarity and coherence to transatlantic trade,” von der Leyen said. “This is not the end of the process.”

One category of goods not excluded from tariffs on EU goods was wine and spirits, which had enjoyed zero tariffs on both ends since a 1997 trade deal. Sefcovic, said EU officials had not won an exemption “yet” but hoped to in future talks and that “doors are not closed forever” on that issue. That means American distillers face zero tariffs in Europe the short term, but also the possibility of EU retaliation down the line, said Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

The EU has suspended retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods including wine and spirits until Feb. 5, 2026.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

President Donald Trump, left, and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell walk during a visit to the Federal Reserve on July 24 in Washington.

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN and JACQUELYN MARTIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Federal authorities have set up checkpoints around the nation’s capital, sometimes asking people for their immigration status and detaining them, as President Donald Trump’s crackdown ensnares more residents each day

Trump claimed that a crime crisis required his Republican administration’s intervention in the Democratic-led city this month, brushing aside statistics that showed the problem was already waning. However, immigration enforcement appears to be a priority as more than a third of people arrested in the last two weeks were in the country illegally, according to the White House.

Hundreds of federal agents and National Guard soldiers have surged into Washington, leaving some residents on edge and creating tense confrontations in the streets.

A day care was partially closed on Thursday when staff became afraid to go to work because they heard about federal agents nearby An administrator asked parents to keep their children at home if possible. Other day cares have stopped taking kids on daily walks because of fears about encountering law enforcement.

The White House said there have been 630 arrests, including 251 people who are in the country illegally, since Aug. 7, when Trump began surging federal agents into the city Trump has been ratchet-

VISAS

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are subject to “continuous vetting,” with an eye toward any indication they could be ineligible for permission to enter or stay in the United States. Should such information be found, the visa will be revoked, and if the visa holder is in the United States, he or she would be subject to deportation.

The U.S. also will stop issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday on X. He said the change was effective immediately

“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio posted. The department did not immediately respond to a question about the number of foreign truck drivers working in the U.S.

Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has focused on deporting migrants illegally in the United States as well as holders of student and visitor exchange visas. The State Department’s new language suggests that the continual vetting process, which

ing up the pressure since then, seizing control of the D.C. police department on Aug. 11 and deploying more National Guard troops, mostly from Republican-led states.

On Thursday evening, Trump visited with officers and troops at a U.S. Park Police facility in the latest show of force from the White House.

“We’re not playing games,” he said.

Trump suggested that operations in the city could be drawn out and serve as a model for others around the country

“We’re going to make it safe, and we’re going to go on to other places, but we’re going to stay here for a while,” he said.

Earlier this week, Vice President

officials acknowledge is time-consuming, is far more widespread and could mean even those approved to be in the U.S. could abruptly see those permissions revoked.

The department said it was looking for indicators of ineligibility, including people staying past the authorized timeframe outlined in a visa, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity or providing support to a terrorist organization.

“We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential ineligibility,” the department said The administration has steadily imposed more restrictions and requirements on visa applicants, including requiring them to submit to in-person interviews. The review of all visa holders appears to be a significant expansion of what had initially been a process focused mainly on students who have been involved in what the government perceives as pro-Palestinian or antiIsrael activity

Officials say the reviews will include all visa holders’ social media accounts, law enforcement and immigration records in their home countries, along with any

JD Vance and Defense Secretary

Pete Hegseth visited some of the troops at Union Station, showing their support while protesters chanted “free D.C.”

Soldiers have been largely stationed in downtown areas, such as monuments on the National Mall and transit stations. However, federal agents are operating more widely through the city D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged the proliferation of traffic checkpoints on Thursday

“The surge of federal officers is allowing for different types of deployments, more frequent types of deployments, like checkpoints,” Bowser said.

A crowd of people gathered outside a municipal office building at

actionable violations of U.S. law committed while they were in the United States.

The reviews will include new tools for data collection on past, present and future visa applicants, including a complete scouring of social media sites made possible by new requirements introduced earlier this year

Those make it mandatory for privacy switches on cellphones and other electronic devices or apps to be turned off when an applicant appears for a visa interview

“As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year,” the State Department said.

The vast majority of foreigners seeking to come to the U.S require visas, especially those who want to study or work for extended periods. Among the exceptions for short-term tourist or business visits are citizens of the 40 mainly European and Asian countries belonging to the Visa Waiver Program, which grants those nationals a stay of up to three months without having to apply for a visa. But large swaths of the

the corner of 14th and U Streets NW to protest Trump’s crackdown, waving signs and cheering speakers who denounced the president’s plans. Several police cars and National Guard troops were parked nearby

On Thursday morning, as Martin Romero rode through Washington’s Rock Creek Park on his way to a construction job in Virginia, he saw police on the road up ahead. He figured it was a normal traffic stop, but it wasn’t. Romero, 41, said that U.S. Park Police were telling pickup trucks with company logos to pull over, reminding them that commercial vehicles weren’t allowed on park roads. They checked for licenses and insurance information, and

world — including highly populated countries like China, India, Indonesia, Russia and most of Africa — are not part of the program, meaning their citizens must apply for and receive visas to travel to the United States.

Earlier this week, the department said that since

then U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents came over Romero said there were two agents on one side of his truck and three on the other He started to get nervous as the agents asked where they were from and whether they were in the country illegally

“We just came here to work,” Romero said afterward. “We aren’t doing anything bad.”

Two people in his truck were detained and the agents didn’t give a reason, he said. He also saw three other people taken from other vehicles.

“I feel really worried because they took two of our guys,” he said. “They wouldn’t say where they’re taking them or if they’ll be able to come back.”

Romero said he called his boss, who told him to just head home. They wouldn’t be working today Enrique Martinez, a supervisor at the construction company, came to the scene afterward He pondered whether to call families of the detained men.

“This has never happened to our company before,” Martinez said. “I’m not really sure what to do.” The Supreme Court has upheld the use of law enforcement and government checkpoints for specific purposes, such as for policing the border and for identifying suspected drunken drivers.

But there are restrictions on that authority, especially when it comes to general crime control. Jeffrey Bellin, a former prosecutor in Washington and professor at Vanderbilt Law School who specializes in criminal law and procedures, said the Constitution doesn’t allow “the government to be constantly checking us and stopping to see if we’re up to any criminal activity.”

Trump returned to the White House, it has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays and violations of local, state and federal law, the vast majority of which were assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and support for terrorism.

It said about 4,000 of those 6,000 were due to actual infractions of laws and that approximately 200 to 300 visas were revoked for terrorism-related issues, including providing support for designated terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terrorism.

Higgins wants N.O. health agency defunded

Social media post promoted COVID vaccination for children

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, said Wednesday he will seek to strip federal funding from the New Orleans Health Department following a social media post about COVID-19 immunizations for children.

The department shared a message from the American Academy of Pediatrics a professional organization representing 67,000 physicians nationwide. The group released its updated recommendations Tuesday for vaccines, including COVID-19 shots for infants and children under 2, which is a departure from the current recommen-

dations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, Higgins criticized both the agency and the Academy “State sponsored weakening of the citizenry, absolute injury to our children and calculated decline of fertility,” Higgins wrote on X. “The New Orleans Health Department whoever the hell they are

should be 100% defunded, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics. I will immediately pursue restriction of every federal penny that might make its way to this soon-to-be writhing band of sorcerers.”

Dr Jennifer Avegno, who leads the city’s health department, said

the agency would continue to provide vaccine information to residents.

“The health department has a responsibility to provide evidencebased information to our community, and for decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics has provided evidence-based vaccination recommendations,” Avegno said. “We want to make sure that

THE SOUND OF HISTORY

ABOVE: Theresa Guillory tells a story in French to the Creole Language Table held during the Zydeco Unplugged Creole Culture Day on Saturday. The event is dedicated to preserving, educating, and revitalizing Creole identity through genealogy, language, music, food and traditions. LEFT: Peyton Richard, 6, left, plays the scrubboard along with drummer Andre Thierry and the rest of the zydeco band on Saturday

PHOTOS By ROBIN MAy

BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL

OPINION

Cassidyshouldlooktothe past on hispolitical future

In June, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, announced he was retiring afteropposing President Donald Trump on the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, due to myriad concerns about the bill and how the vote was handled. Tillis was unsparing in his criticism of the culture he’d decided to leave.

“Too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics who really don’tgive adamn about thepeoplethey promised to represent on the campaign trail,” he said. He followed up by saying that,for the remainder of his term, “I look forward tohaving the pure freedom to call the balls and strikes as Isee fit.”

His stinging indictment of Washington was uncharacteristically blunt. But in choosingnot to run for reelection, he’d removed most real consequences.But it raisesthe question: Why only now call balls and strikes? Is an office worth keeping for its own sake alone?

On Oct. 9, 1964,atime no less

polarizedthan now,President Lyndon Johnson raised theseissues to every major officeholder in Louisiana in atoo-little remembered speech at the Jung Hotel in New Orleans. Johnson was running for reelection, having signed the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act months earlier Johnson knew the bill was toxic in Louisiana at the time. Instead of dodging the issue, he decided to call out thecowardice and hypocrisy ofhis fellow Southern politicians.

Alluding to the Civil RightsAct, Johnson said,“The people that would useusand destroy us first divide us allthese years they have kept their foot on our necks by appealing to our animosities, and dividing us. We have aConstitution and aBill of Rights, and we have the lawofthe land. And twothirds of the Democrats in the Senatevotedfor it, and three-fourths of the Republicans.I signedit, and Iamgoing to enforce it and Iam going to observe it.”

Johnson then told the story

of an old senator,“whose name Iwon’tcall,” who once asked Speaker Sam Rayburn for encouragement to make one last speech for thegood of his troubled state.

“I feel like Ihave one in me,” Johnson quoted the unnamed senator.“The poor old state, they haven’theard aDemocratic speech in 30 years. All they ever hear at election timeisN*****! N*****! N*****!”

Johnson’suse of the N-word shocked the audience. The word was common at the time, but none would use it openly in such asetting.

The Times-Picayune quoted him as saying “Negro! Negro! Negro!” Johnson himself corrected the record in his own memoirs. His speech addressed the ugliness of theword but subverted its power, using it to call out the hypocrisy of the politicians and their enablers who knowingly channeled our worst impulses.

Johnson’smeaning was as clear as it was indirect: Toomany of his fellow politicians were wasting their political careers by ignoring thereasons they sought office in

In today’scollege sports landscape, it’s time forTitle IX to evolve

Let me say this clearly andupfront: I’m all in on women’ssports. I’ma proud girl dad. Ibelieve women deserve every single opportunityand scholarship that menget in college athletics.Just look at LSU women’sbasketball,right here in my home state, and how it’stransformed the school’s athletic brand. Or the rise of elite women’ssoccer across the country.Weshouldbeinvesting in that momentum, not slowing it down. But while we’ve reimagined nearly every aspect of college sports, Title IX remains largely untouched. It’sbeen acritical vehicle for progress —nodoubt about that. But it has also shut down opportunities for men in ways that don’talways make sense anymore, especially now that money is flowing into college sports like never before.

thefirst place, and engaging in thebasest prejudices just to hold office. His unnamed senator only realized in his last days that he’d had theopportunity to do good but chose theeasy path instead.

Louisiana’sU.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy has publicly struggled with this dilemma. After alandslide reelection in 2020, Cassidy boldly voted in thesecond impeachment proceedingtoconvict President Donald Trumpfor his clear misdeeds on Jan.6,2021, but Trump’s surprisingrebirth put him in a bind. Cassidy was clearly trou-

bled by the nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr.for secretary of health and human services, but he ultimately supported him But recently,Cassidy expressed frustration at Kennedy forcutting mRNA vaccine funding, something Kennedy strongly implied he would not do during his confirmation hearing. It’s something Cassidy could have stopped by withholding his confirmation vote. Repeatedly,Cassidy and Tillis have faced the samedilemma as Johnson raised in the ‘60’s —take the easy path by playing to people’sprejudices and tribal instincts, or take risks, and hopefully do somegood. Iwouldn’tpresumetotell Cassidy or Tillis what to do. But I would remind them of Johnson’s warning: Useyour time in office forthe good of your state and your country.Don’tend your careers regretting the good you could have done, but failed to do out of fear

Cliff Smithisalawyer,a former congressional stafferand a freelancewriter

Let’sbring back modern independentfilms to BR

Just because Louisiana’sbestand brightesthavehad an oversized influence on the world of entertainment doesn’tmean they have to be ourstate’s No. 1export.

The entire landscapehas shiftedover the past few yearswith thearrival of NIL and the paying of college “amateur” athletes. What used to be one of the great taboos in collegesports —punishable by suspensionsand resulting in scandal —isnow wide-open Instead of carefully regulated compensation, it’s become afree-for-all. And in some ways, there are even fewerrestrictions than in professional leagues, because these players aren’tunder contract. The transfer portal has only addedtothe chaos,giving athletes the freedom to chase winning programs, preferred coaches or better systems Men’ssoccer is ExhibitA.Did you know that not asingle SEC school has avarsity men’ssoccer team? Think about that. Florida, Alabama, Georgia —massive athletic brandswithpassionate fanbases—don’tfield men’s teams. Many of their club teams could probably compete with varsity squads elsewhere. Do you think Vermontwins the national title in 2024 if the SECisin themix? With the North American World Cup around the cornerand growing concern over the U.S. Men’s National Team, it’sworth asking: Wouldn’tmore scholarships, more programs andmore investment help raisethe level of play? It might not be the silver bullet,but it certainly wouldn’thurt.

And it’snot just about soccer.Wrestling tells asimilar story.States like Texas, Florida and Louisiana have elite highschool programs, but those athletes often have to leavethe region to find ahandful of scholarship opportunities at schools like Iowa. Auburn won the SEC title in wrestling in 1981. That same year,itcut theprogram LSUfinished in theTop 10 in 1983 and 1984, then dropped the sport shortly after,again due to Title IX compliance pressures. It doesn’tend there. Men’s gymnastics, crew,weightlifting —sports that don’trequire huge budgets— havebeen cut at schools across thecountry.These aren’tluxury sports. They’re opportunities for student-athletes who train just as hard and dream just as big. And here’sthe thing:The money is there now.NIL deals, big booster clubs and collectives with deep pockets have changed theequation. Awell-organized collectivefocused on soccer or wrestling in amajor sports state could absolutely fund avarsity program, maybe even several, without taking anything away from women’sathletics.Infact, support for women’sprogramscould be built in as arequirement when launching or restoring these men’s teams. That’sthe kind of practical, modern framework we should be discussing No one is suggesting we undo Title IX. Butmaybeit’stime to evolve it —just as everything else in college sports has evolved. Let’sbuild asystem that continues to champion women while also making room for men in places where there’sreal interest, tradition and potential national impact

Compared to themultimillion-dollar NIL chaos and the anything-goes transfer portal, this feels like apretty reasonable conversation. Title IX was writtenwith great intentions, and it’s accomplished alot. Butitdeserves a thoughtful,modern look —one that ensures themission lives on while keeping pacewith the realityoftoday’s college sports landscape.

Seth Bloom is aNew Orleans attorney and former president of the Orleans Parish SchoolBoard.

The inaugural Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival, happening this week, is more than just achance to escape intothe gloriously air-conditionedManship Theatre. Its significance goes far beyond offering filmmakers, producers and cinephiles the chance to connect and experience amazing films most will never seeonthe big screen anywhere else.

For the city and Louisiana’screative economy,BRUFF is important stuff —and it deserves thesupportofour community and local leaders.

While Baton Rougeisrightfully leaning intoour growing reputation as the“College Sports Capital of America,” it’sprobably asurprisetomany that we have alegitimate claim to another impressive title: The Birthplace of Modern Independent Film. The current state of the industry in Louisiana and throughout thenation underscores whyleaning into that title could be more importantthan ever Butfirst, let’s look at how we earnedthat title. Wayback in 1988, ayoung University High graduatenamed StevenSoderbergh shot afilm in Baton Rouge called “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” completely outside thetraditional Hollywood studio system.

Like many states, Louisiana invested heavily in the film industry by incentivizing production through tax credits over the past 20 years. That investment bore many fruits in the form of thousands of jobs created from hundreds of productions, generating billions in economic impact andwindfalls forlocal businessesand payrolls forlocal residents. Our local crews grew so experienced andskilled, we produced sevenfilms thatwerenominatedfor Best Picture in just over adecade. But we let ourown content creators—like TylerPerry and the Duplass brothers —move away,and we grew way toodependent on outsiders to bring us production work. Today, corporate Hollywood mostly greenlights rebootsand sequels of past hits while making fewer original projects —manyfilmedoverseas to cut costs and avoidour unions. Sound stagesfromLouisiana to California sit empty as skilledfilm crews across the nationwaitfor work that never seems to come.

The film was widely credited with putting thenow-prestigious Sundance Film Festival on the map when it screened there in 1989 and won thecoveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film FestivalinFrance that same year.Withaproductionbudget of just $1.2 million, the film was acquired by Miramax and grossed over $36 million at the box office.

“Sex, Lies, and Videotape” is often cited as the film that kicked off the “modern independent film movement” in America, in addition to catapulting Steven Soderbergh’scareer

While his films have gone on to gross over $2.3 billion, Soderbergh movedaway from Louisiana decades ago Baton Rouge would be wise to nurture and supportthe next Soderberghs, whoever they might be.WithLSU,Southern andBaton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge is still that samecollege town that produced the famous director.College towns are often fertile grounds forproducing brilliant minds,creative ideas and collaborations between greatstorytellers. Austinhelped establish the careers of Richard Linklater,Robert Rodriguez, TerrenceMalick, Mike Judge and numerous others. More importantly,itbuilt the support systems to keep them there.

Incredible scripts with great stories and wildly originalideas collect dust as talentedactorsprayfor their phones to ring. Toomanyhavesimply given up on their dreams andmoved on.

With its “Welcome, Underdogs” slogan andits mission to champion filmmakers who areboldenough to find the resources to greenlight their ownprojects, BRUFF can be arallying point —ifnot the beginning of anew movement —todisrupt the Hollywood system that is currently failing Louisiana andmany other states. With Louisiana’s $125 millionannual tax incentive program, state officials, industry insiders andcommunity leaders should attend as many BRUFF industry panels as possible to understand whatneeds to happentoget ourcrews back to work here andresiduals flowing back to Louisiana investors andcontent creators. If modern independent film was born in BatonRouge just over 35 yearsago, BRUFF givesusthe opportunity to bring it back home —and this time,build the support systemtokeepithere for generations to come.

Patrick Mulhearn is theCEO of Baton Rouge-basedfilm finance company Irrevocable Designee, LLC.

U.S. Sen.Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge

COMMENTARY

President Donald Trump metwith hisRussian counterpartVladimir Putinata summit in Anchorage,Alaska,lastweek as part of Trump’songoing efforts to find asolution to the war in Ukraine.While initially Ukraine and its allies hoped the summit could help bring forth acease-fire so peace negotiations could moveforward, Russia appears to have balked at theidea. Instead,itwantstopursue awide-ranging peacedeal. Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelenskyyand European leaders met with Trumpafter the summit to determinewhat their next stepswouldbe. Some remain uneasy about Trump’s willingness to takePutin at his word, arguing that the Russian leaderisjuststalling so he cangrab more land on the battlefield.What did theAlaska meeting achieve?Hereare twoperspectives: ISSUE

Nowit is theOld World’sturntorescuethe U.S.

As flaccid as aboned fish, Donald Trump crumpled quicker than even Vladimir Putin probably anticipated. The former KGB agent currently indicted for war crimes felt no need to negotiate with the man-child. The president’sthunderous demands —a 50-day deadline, a10-day deadline, “severe consequences,” a ceasefire before negotiations—all were just noise.

clarity about Trump. Foranation,more dangerous than an enemy’s hatred is his contempt, which makes him reckless andimplacable. Speaking to some of his generals in August 1939, Hitler said, “Our enemies are little worms. Isaw them at Munich.” Andthe war came days later

As Mark Twain said, thunder is impressive butlightning does the work. Into Trump’s post-Alaska vagaries aboutprogress and agreements on “many points,” an old question intrudes: Can the phrase “insipidbeyond words” be applied to words?

Alaska clarified what wasunclear only to the obtuse: Putin wants to win the war,Trump wants to end it, and as GeorgeOrwell said, the quickest way to end awar is to lose it. Putin insolently did not suppress his smirk while on the red carpet that Trump rolled out for him. He almost certainly already had dangerous

Letus hope that America’sdomestic political degradations have not rendered it incapable of embarrassment, which is aprerequisite for recuperation.

Alaska was not just another drop in our overflowingbucket of mortifications.Itwas proof that for the next 41 months, no interlocutor can believea wordthe U.S.president says. The problem is not that he is endlessly cynical, which would be animprovement. Rather,he seems promiscuously sincere, believingeverything equally,no matter howdiscordanthis beliefs today are with yesterday’s. It has been well said that our most im-

portant ideas are those that contradict our feelings.Does Trump have any such? Does he have an inkling of the coarse culture that produced Putin?When Dwight Eisenhower asked Gen. Georgy Zhukov,the foremost Soviet hero of World WarII, how theRed Army cleared minefields, Zhukov replied that it marched through them. Putin has been marinated in lore about that war,and about “the West”trying “tocancel a whole 1,000 year culture, our people.” He is delusional, but serious. He articulates his seriousness while his U.S. adversary advertises his lack thereof. Hence Trump’sinabilitytorecognize thecontinuity between the Soviet Union and Putin’sRussia.

Speaking last week on Russia statetelevision, Konstantin Zatulin, aleader in Putin’spolitical party, said of Ukraine: “Everywhere that aRussian soldier has put his feet will undoubtedly be kept by Russia.”The Brezhnev Doctrine has been tweaked. This doctrine was enunciated

by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1968, three weeks before Soviet forces intervened to crush the“Prague Spring” liberalization in Czechoslovakia. It was: Wherever socialism had been planted, socialist regimes had aduty to preserve it.

Putin’s yearning to restore the supposed grandeur of the Soviet Union’sdecrepitude is worse than mere nostalgia, as sociologist Robert Nisbet defined it: “a rust of memory.” Acorrosion. The Soviet nomenklatura, of which Putin and some of his satrapswere members, derived psychological as well as material income from the U.S.S.R.’s status as asuperpower.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived at his Alaska hotel wearing a “CCCP”sweatshirt, the Cyrillic initials for the U.S.S.R. Trump, too, resembles afly in amber,frozen decades ago. Speaking on Fox News,referring to nuclear arsenals, he said of Russia, “Weare number one and they are number twointhe world.” They,however,have one-

third of the European Union’s population and one-tenth its GDP As this is written, leaders from acontinent thickly planted with military cemeteries have come to Washington, soon to go home. Then we shall learn whether,at long last, “Europe” is morethan a geographical expression. Eighty-five summersago, the United States, which began as an emanation of Europe, was saluted by Britain’sprimeminister in the House of Commons. On adark day (June 4, 1940) he anticipated the day when “the NewWorld, with all its power and might, steps forward to the rescue and the liberation of the old.” Now it is the Old World’sturn to rescue the United States. It needs to be liberated from the chimera that it has no substantial stake in the outcome of high-intensity, state-on-state violence inflicted by anuclear power obedient to aman whohas actual beliefs: crackpot, but real, and menacing. Email George Will at georgewill@ washpost.com

DidDonaldTrump getrolledbyPutin in Alaska?

Promising severe consequences if Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’tagree to aceasefire with Ukraine and then apparently reversing himself is what sends asignal of weakness,not only to Putin, but to the world.

On Saturday,Trump posted this on Truth Social: “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to apeace agreement, which would end the war, and not amere CeasefireAgreement, which often times do not hold up.” Given Putin’strack record of lies, he is unlikely to uphold another agreement (see below).

the Donbas region and freeze the front lineselsewhere for an agreement withUkraine, aEuropean diplomat confirmed to Fox News. Donbas had aprewar population of around 6.5 million andincludes the Luhanskand Donetsk regions.

“After meeting with Putin on Friday in Alaska, Trump told European allies that the Russian president reiterated that he wants the key Luhanskand Donetsk regions, but that he appeared open to the possibilityof ending the stalemate in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson alongwitha freeze along the frontlines.”

Fox News reported Sunday “... Trump supports Russian leader Vladimir Putin’sproposal for Moscowtotake full control of

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected the idea of surrendering the territory in the Donbas.

If the president succumbs to Putin’sposition, even partially,

and asks Zelenskyy to give up some territory,thiswould be seen by many,including Putin, as capitulation and an encouragement to Putin to finishthe job in Ukraine and eventually try to claim the former Soviet Republics It appears that extreme sanctions, including secondarysanctionsoncountries that buy oil from Russia, are off the table. Don’tlook for HillaryClinton to nominateTrump for theNobel Peace Prize, as she cheekily told podcaster Jessica Tarlov she might do, if Trump concluded a favorable peace deal. Unless it somehow miraculously happens. Effective responses might have included selling U.S. arms to NATO,which Trump once suggested,sothat NATO could ship them intoUkraineand theU.S. would not be footing thebill. Putin is about as unreliable a

partner as some celebrity marriages. Anyone who believeshe will honor anyagreementhe might sign to pause or stop the war he startedhasn’tbeen paying attention. AUkraine government webpage sums up whatUkraine and others have had to endure from Russia: “Russia’smodern history is built on afoundation of lies and broken promises about peace.

It’salong list of violated treaties, fake ceasefires, and deceptive guarantees of ‘friendly relations’ Forevery act of military aggression thatRussia has committedinthe last 30 years, there is acorresponding Russian lie about peace talks, peacekeeping, or negotiations. The Russian invasion of Georgia resulted in a so-called peace settlement that threatensGeorgia’s borders to this day.Russia’s fake ‘peace-

keeping’ missioninMoldova turnedanentire region of the country into an isolated island with no prospects. The peace agreement promised by Moscow to Ichkeria (known as Chechnya in Russiansources)ended with 50,000 to 80,000 people dead underbrutalshelling. The complete list of horrific consequences of ‘Russianpeace’ could fill an entire book.” Adeal thatinvolvesUkraine ceding land to Putin is likely to be rejected by Zelenskyy,who would seeitassurrender President Ronald Reagan used to saywhendealing with Soviet Union leaders: “Trust but verify.” Trump’sand Zelynskyy’sattitude toward Putin should be “don’t trust andconsider sanctions” if a peace deal can’t be reached Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets President Donald TrumponAug.15atJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Cal Thomas

George Will

New federal law targets fentanyl trafficking

Family members tout measure’s impact

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Hannah Pedigo, a 22-year-old senior at LSU who is set to graduate in December, stood before families, public officials, community leaders and reporters gathered in Baton Rouge on Thursday She wasn’t there to celebrate her title as Miss Baton Rouge 2025. She was there to talk about losing her father to a fentanyl overdose.

“I can see clearly that everything I do is shaped by the lessons of my father’s life and his loss,” she said.

She described her dad as “hardworking, empathetic and kind.”

“He ran his own business, lit up every room, and never met a stranger,” Pedigo said. “However, he also struggled with addiction for my entire life.”

“Let’s never forget that behind every statistic is a child, a parent, a loved one,” she said. The soon-to-be college gradu-

ate was one of several people who joined U.S Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, to highlight passage of a new federal law he sponsored, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, or HALT Fentanyl Act for short.

Sonnier said.

Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association

Executive Director Kevin Cobb said the devastation and destruction caused by the fentanyl crisis is unparalleled.

fies all “fentanyl-related substances” as Schedule I drugs, which are considered to have a high risk of abuse and no recognized medical use. Possession of a Schedule I drug is considered a felony and can be prosecuted as drug smuggling.

drugs on a temporary basis since 2018, and the classification was set to expire earlier this year The HALT Fentanyl Act makes the classification permanent for all fentanyl-related substances.

Cassidy

“All of us have been affected by fentanyl,” Cassidy said Thursday, flanked by a group of two dozen constituents, many of whom held portraits of loved ones who had died from fentanyl overdoses. “We’re all connected to this. It is so pervasive.”

Two mothers and a father also spoke at the event, sharing their stories of losing a family member to the drug, a potent synthetic opioid.

“It is still very hard to grasp that something so small could be so powerful, so deadly and so devastating,” said Christy Sonnier, a Lafayette woman whose 22-year-old son Hunter Clemons died in 2022 from an overdose.

“Mistakes that once could be learned from are now mistakes that you don’t survive,”

“Whether it’s through addiction or whether it’s through a one-time situation,” Cobb said, “fentanyl, in my mind, it’s a hope-taker and a hope-killer.”

“There’s very few second chances,” he said.

In 2023, about 105,000 people died from drug overdoses — and about three-quarters of those deaths involved opioids, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That year, an average of 217 people died every day from an opioid overdose.

Provisional data from the CDC shows that in 2024 overdose deaths fell to about 80,000. The majority of those deaths involved synthetic opioids.

How the law is changing

Cassidy’s bill permanently classi-

Fentanyl, in contrast, is a Schedule II drug, a classification that indicates a high risk of abuse but that it also has an accepted medical use.

Fentanyl-related substances are structurally related to fentanyl but have been modified slightly

Asked how the drug classification change helps combat fentanyl trafficking, Cassidy explained: “The person pushing the drug would make something that was like fentanyl but technically, chemically is not fentanyl. They would change it just enough so taking them to court, they would say, ‘You can’t bust me for fentanyl, because this is chemically different.”

He added, “That’s where I go back and say if it addicts like fentanyl, if it kills like fentanyl, you go to prison like it’s fentanyl.”

Some fentanyl-related substances had been listed as Schedule I

Former La. gym coach accused of sex abuse

He had previously worked at Prairieville facility

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

A former gymnastics coach who once worked at a Prairieville gym has been arrested in connection with allegedly producing child sex abuse images in Mississippi, prompting the FBI to ask any Louisiana victims to contact the agency Sean Gardner is charged with producing child sexual abuse images at a Mississip-

‘Beef

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

A Port Allen man was arrested after he allegedly stole hamburger meat and rib-eye steaks from the Walmart in Denham Springs by stuffing the packs of meat into his pants.

pi gym, according to an Aug. 14 criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. An affidavit written by an agent of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation attached to the complaint also alleges he sexually abused gymnasts at an Iowa gym starting in 2018. Gardner worked at the Athletes In Motion gym in Prairieville between 2004 and 2014, the FBI said in a news release. The FBI said it believes he may have targeted children at the facility and asked victims to share information with the bureau.

An attorney for Gardner

was not listed in court records. Athletes in Motion addressed the situation in a Facebook post Wednesday “We are not aware of the details of the investigation and this individual has not been employed by our facility in over 10 years We are cooperating with the authorities, and we will continue to do so,” the post stated.

“Athlete safety is a priority at Athletes In Motion,” it continued. “We have coached athletes in our community for over 40 years and care deeply about the safety of all athletes in our sport. AIM is a member of USA Gymnastics and our coaches are SafeSport

certified.”

The FBI said that, after working at the Prairieville gym, Gardner coached at Jump’In Gymnastics & Tumbling in Purvis, Mississippi, between 2014 and 2018, and then at Chows Gymnastics in West Des Moines, Iowa, from 2018 to 2022.

In May, the West Des Moines Police Department seized several electronic devices from Gardner’s residence and found child sex abuse images on them, the affidavit alleged. It added that the bureau identified some of the images as being produced at the Mississippi gym.

Springs Walmart

The Schedule I classification makes it easier for prosecutors to build cases against traffickers.

President Donald Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law last month at a ceremony in Washington where Cassidy and Gov Jeff Landry were in attendance.

On Thursday, Cassidy lauded Trump for his work to crack down on fentanyl, saying that the president’s support of his bill, shutting down the southern border and using tariffs to push Mexico and China to take stronger action against production and trafficking have all been effective.

“The president is taking this on, and he’s made it a priority,” Cassidy said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse.pfeil@ theadvocate.com.

GRANDPARENTS

Continued from page 1B

Eugene faces counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile Grace faces a similar count, plus cruelty to a juvenile

Dorian Savoy the 25-yearold brother of Davis, faces an additional count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, according to a St. Martinville Police Department announcement Police initially charged Savoy with failure to report the commission of certain felonies.

Two other men, Desmond Flugence and Darren Francis, were arrested in late July for carnal knowledge of a juvenile in connection with the case. The two are still being held at the St.

Martin Parish Jail, according to rosters. Davis went missing on July 13 but wasn’t reported missing until four days later Less than a week after she was reported missing, on July 21, police discovered Davis’s body in a field near her home in the southern part of St. Martinville The 16-year-old’s death shocked the small community At the time, Mayor Jason Willis posted to Facebook that he “tossed and turned” thinking about the young girl’s death, stating that the entire city mourned. He added that city officials will do everything possible to bring justice for Davis. If anyone has information about this case, contact the St. Martinville Police Department at (337) 394-3001.

WATER RATE

Continued from page 1B

DEFUNDED

Continued from page 1B

our community has access to those and is aware of them so that they can have the conversations that they need to have with their doctors.”

Higgins, who represents Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District, has been a vocal critic of COVID-19 vaccines and public health mandates. It remains unclear what steps he might take to advance his defunding proposal in Congress. His office did not respond to a request for comment.

The New Orleans Health Department is funded largely

through federal grants. The agency supports a vast number of services in the city: maternal and child health care, immunizations, HIV and STD programs, behavioral health support, anti-hunger programs, housing safety and violence prevention. It also is the agency in charge of coordinating the city’s response to hurricanes, heat waves and disease outbreaks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all children ages 6 to 23 months on Tuesday, based on data that infants and toddlers face the highest risk for severe illness and should be prioritized. For children and adolescents ages

2 to 18, the Academy advised vaccination for those who are at higher risk or unvaccinated, while also supporting access for any family that wants their child protected.

“We extensively reviewed the most recently available data about COVID-19 risks in kids, as well as safety and effectiveness of available COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr Sean O’Leary, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. “It’s clear they are very safe for all populations. Among the reasons we decided to move to a risk-based recommendation for healthy older children is the fact that the hospitalization rate for young children

Deputies discovered more packs of meat stolen from Sam’s Club, with a total loss of $300.

Michael Ardoin, 57, of Port Allen, was arrested Wednesday on two felony theft counts after the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call about a man leaving the Denham Springs Walmart without paying for concealed items. The suspect would then reenter the store to do it again. LPSO Sheriff Jason Ard said witnesses relayed information about the suspect and his vehicle. Denham Springs police then located the vehicle and pulled over the driver “In the vehicle, in plain view, we located packs of meat,” Ard said. Authorities immediately spotted in two packs of lean hamburger meat, valued at $69.94, and four packs of ribeye steaks, valued at $131.56. There were also eight packs of Angus rib-eye steaks, valued at $291.36, in the trunk.

and children with underlying medical conditions remains high, in line with rates for many of the other vaccinepreventable diseases for which we vaccinate.”

The AAP recommendations typically align closely with the CDC. But in May, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced major changes that dropped the COVID vaccine recommendation for healthy children and pregnant women. Soon after, the CDC updated its schedule to partly align with that announcement, saying kids 6 months to 17 years could still get the vaccine “based on shared clinical decision-

many rate increases this is too much, too fast and too soon,” he said.

Many Acadiana residents will now see sewer bills over $76 a month, a state high. While the commission acknowledges the burden on rate payers, staff recommendations follow the predetermined formula rate base plan that allows Magnolia to file for increases based on its expenses. Magnolia has filed to extend this plan until 2028, likely leading to further increases.

making” between parents and doctors.

The COVID-19 vaccine has been proven to be safe in children and adults, with minor side effects such as soreness at the injection site. Serious reactions, such as a severe allergic reaction or myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, are rare. Myocarditis is mostly seen in young males at about 40 to 70 cases per million following second doses, and is usually mild and less common than heart complications from COVID-19 infection itself.

Current research and public health guidance show no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility in women or men, with studies confirming no effect on conception or semen quality

LOTTERY WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20, 2025 PICK 3: 9-1-6 PICK 4: 3-1-0-5 PICK 5: 2-4-6-6-8 EASY 5: 7-19-33-35-37 LOTTO: 13-15-29-31-32-33 POWERBALL: 31-59-62-65-68 (5) Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

SEC moving to nine-game conference schedule

Newformatincludesthree annualopponents forevery team during 2026 season

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

The SEC will begin playing anine-game conference schedule in football duringthe 2026 season,anew format that includes three annual opponents for every team.

The decision was approved by the league’s presidents and chancellors Thursday after arecommendation from the athleticdirectors. It followed achange to thestrengthof schedulemetric used by the College Football Playoff that was supported by the SEC.

“Adding aninth SEC game underscores ouruniversities’ commitmenttodelivering the most competitive football schedulein thenation,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in astatement. “This formatprotects rivalries, increases competitivebalance, and paired with our requirementto play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”

Under the new format, the SEC will continue to play without divisions, which it scrapped last year with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. It willimplement the three annual opponents,and theother six games willrotate among the remaining schools.

SEC teams are also requiredtoschedule at least one nonconference opponent every year from either the ACC,Big Ten, Big 12 or Notre Dame.

LSU administrators have long supported the nine-game schedule, which wasdebated for years within the conference. LSU head

ä See SEC, page 3C

THERIGHT FIT

The first dominohas fallen

Walker Howard has been named UL’s next startingquarterback.

Nowcomes thegreat unknown of how the former St. Thomas More standout will fit in with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

“Once youget to know him, it’s hardnot to like him,” UL coach Michael Desormeaux said of Howard fittingin. “It’shard not to wanttoplay wellfor him andenjoy being around him.”

Howard alreadyhas thecritical leadership skills aquarterback must possess.

“I thinkhebrings outthe bestinother people,” Desormeaux said. “You want someone who is steady and youknowwhattoexpect from them every day.His steady is really high because he’shigh energy He’s excited about it every day,and Ithink that has been infectious towards theteam.”

The dominoes will continue to fall in the right direction once Howard’sskill set is established with UL’s offense.

“It’s going to probably be a little different than what it was,” Desormeaux said.

Howard said he noticed how different theCajuns’ approach was from his stops at LSU and Ole Miss.

“Most of the places I’ve been like in high school and at Ole Miss, most of the time, they want to give the ball to their athletes on the edge,” Howard said. “Here, we’ve got

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

Louisiana’sSon now has his ownday inthe placethat raised him. The City of New Orleans honored Tyrann Mathieu for his contributions both as acitizen and as afootballplayer Thursday afternoon at City Hall, giving hima key tothe city and proclaiming August21tobeTyrann Mathieu Day in New Orleans. “I just feel so prideful,”Mathieusaid. “I feel like Irepresented the cityand thestate and my family.Idid it to the best of my abilities, and now you get rewarded forit.” Mathieu, who announced his surprising retirement after 12 NFL seasons earlier this summer,arrived at City Hall earlyin the afternoon to accept akey to the city from mayor LaToya Cantrell. He thenmade hisway to the citycouncil chambers, where he wasrecognized forhis on-and off-field

NewOrleans honors Saints star safety with keytocity ä See MATHIEU, page 3C

great running backs, we’ve got a great O-lineand we’ve got great receivers. So it was different at first just trying to figure out what they wanted me to do. Howard said daily,helearns more about what exactly the coaching

staffexpects from him in each scenario.

“Asking the coaches to what extent they wantmetodothis and to what extent they want me to do that,” Howard added. “I’m going to continue to learn and just continue to get better every single day.”

Last year’sSun Belt Offensive Player of the Year,Ben Wooldridge, seemed to have aMaster’sdegree in the offense. As aresult, he was atechnician and UL’s offense

ä See FOOTE, page 3C

BYMATTHEWPARAS

Staff writer

Thenational reactiontothe NewOrleans Saints‘ tradefor wide receiver Devaughn Vele was farfrom kind.

“Saints WHY are you like this,” ESPN’s Benjamin Solak tweeted.

“Saints loading up for the Week 18 win that gives them the 6th pick instead of the 2nd,” wrote The Athletic’sRobert Mays. “Under no circumstances shouldthe Saints be trading draft picks right now,” Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkemanoted on X. And that’sjust asample. Under

STAFF

PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER

Former Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, left, poses for aphoto withcouncilman Eugene J. Green on Thursday at City Hall. Mathieu washonored witha keytothe city from the mayorand aproclamation from the council.

Kevin Foote

UL coach Michael Desormeaux and quarterback Walker Howard, second fromright,

at the team’s practice facility.Howard wasnamed the Cajuns’ starting quarterback

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU wide receiver Aaron Anderson, center, is takendownbyAlabama defensiveback DeVonta Smith in the thirdquarter of their game on Nov. 9atTiger Stadium.

WNBA silences critics, breaks attendance mark

With 21/2 weeks left in the WNBA’s regular season, the league has already broken its single-season attendance record.

League officials announced Thursday that the league’s 13 teams have drawn a total of 2,501,609 fans over 226 games this season, surpassing the previous mark set in 2002 when the league had 16 teams. It also took the WNBA 256 games to reach the milestone in 2002.

Henley leads at Tour Championship

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

ATLANTA Russell Henley hardly missed a putt. Scottie Scheffler hardly missed a fairway They led a parade of players who seized on the soft conditions at East Lake to begin the race for the Tour Championship and the season-ending FedEx Cup title.

Henley one-putted six of his last seven holes and made three birdie putts from 40 feet or longer and, with three straight birdies at the end, had a 9-under 61 to build a two-shot lead over the world’s No. 1 player Scheffler didn’t miss a beat from last week — really the last

five months and finished with a 25-foot par save on the 16th and two birdies for a 63 That’s his lowest round by two shots in his six appearances at East Lake. The entertainment came from Rory McIlroy, who bladed a bunker shot on the par-5 18th hole over the green and off the grandstands, and then back onto the green. He made an 18-foot putt for a most unlikely birdie. Scheffler was rooting hard for McIlroy, not so much for the birdie but so they could avoid a length ruling to finish. Seconds after Scheffler holed his 4-foot birdie putt, the horn sounded to stop play because of approaching storms that led to East Lake being evacuated.

Left behind was a leaderboard filled with red numbers in a tournament that has a $40 million purse in official money for the top 30 players, all of them with an equal chance. Only two players were over par Rain hammered East Lake on Wednesday — and again after the first round ended leaving the course soft enough that players could lift, clean and place their golf balls in the short grass.

“I felt like with it being lift, clean and place and somewhat

soft compared to last year when the greens were brand new, it was a little bit softer, so it was just a little bit more gettable,” Henley said.

There was also that no-so-small matter of putting Henley already has a great reputation with the putter, and on this day he holed some 207 feet worth of putts.

“Probably the most I’ve ever made,” he said Three of the five players who got in at 64 was enough to wonder which cup was on their minds. Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay all finished outside the top six who qualified for the Ryder Cup and have to wait on being one of six captain’s picks.

All three are seen as likely picks.

“I don’t think you’re ever comfortable until you get that call and you’re on the team,” Morikawa said. “Look, I hope I’ve done enough. We’ll have to wait and see. But I think, yeah, my focus right now is to try and go out and win this golf tournament. I think if I do that, then hopefully that’s enough, and we’ll see how everything plays out.”

Scheffler is coming off his fifth victory of the season last week at the BMW Championship and didn’t miss a step. All that slowed him was some swirling wind as the storm approached, making it a little tougher to get close for birdie chances with a wedge in hand.

The only fairway he missed — except for No. 18, in which the ball rolled through the middle into the first cut was

at the 16th, and that left him in his biggest predicament. From the rough he went down a deep swale to the right, the one place he knew to avoid.

“I knew going down there right of 16 was a huge penalty We had talked about it in the practice rounds,” he said. “And our job was just to get the ball back on the green, which I did, and it was nice to hole that long putt. But it was a reminder of how key it was to keep the ball in play

“I missed one (fairway) on 16 and all of a sudden I’m almost playing for bogey,” he said “It’s pretty important around this place.”

Tommy Fleetwood, who keeps giving himself chances at his first win on the PGA Tour, also was at 66, along with BMW Championship runner-up Robert MacIntyre, who is ready for a return to Scotland given how hot has been in Memphis, Baltimore and Atlanta.

“I wear as much sun cream as I possibly can. I look like Casper the Ghost out there, to be honest.

I get a lot of shouts about my sun cream,” MacIntyre said.

It beats the shouts he got last week at Caves Valley when he lost a four-shot lead to Scheffler in the final round and was hearing from the pro-American crowd along the way MacIntyre was as upset about how he handled the crowd as he was his golf, but figures it will be a great teaching moment for him at Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup next month.

“There’s a couple of things that I know that I’m going to change, but do you know what it’s really going to help me for? Bethpage,” he said. “I’m always going to be fiery, I’m always going to yell, swear yell, get angry

“But just the way I interacted with the crowd, I was trying to keep them out of the way, but instead of doing what I did on Saturday and bringing them into it.”

Sincaraz’ rules men’s tennis as U.S. Open nears

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer

NEW YORK OK, sure, maybe it wouldn’t be rational to say there’s no point in actually holding the full U.S. Open and instead just fast-forwarding to the inevitable matchup for the men’s championship between Jannik Sinner — assuming he’s healthy and Carlos Alcaraz on Sept. 7. Seems reasonable, though.

“We know,” Novak Djokovic acknowledged, “they’re the dominant force right now.” When singles action begins Sunday at Flushing Meadows, a change from the usual Monday start, there are cases to be made for various players to make their way to the women’s final. The top three in the rankings — No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 3 Coco Gauff — have won the past three U.S. Open titles, for example. Other past major champions such as Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina have performed well lately; maybe a new face will emerge.

Sinner, Alcaraz have won last 7 titles

When it comes to the men, there really is just one name that matters in this post-Big Three era, and that name is “Sincaraz,” the silly, made-up, “Fedal”-style mashup of the guys who are ranked No. 1 (Sinner) and No 2 (Alcaraz) and have claimed seven Grand Slam trophies in a row and nine of the last 12. Djokovic took the other three in that span. There is nothing quite like it in the women’s game at the moment. The past five Slams were won by five players: Swiatek (Wimbledon in July), Gauff (French Open in June), Madison Keys (Australian

Open in January), Sabalenka (last year’s U.S. Open) and Barbora Krejcikova (last year’s Wimbledon).

‘Sincaraz’ a cut above

“Sinner and Alcaraz,” said Marcos Giron, an American who has been ranked 37th and faced both, “are bringing a ridiculous level, week in and week out.”

Look at the ATP rankings, which either could lead after the U.S. Open. Look at the titles.

Look at the past two Grand Slam finals, with Alcaraz erasing a two-set deficit and saving three championship points to win the French Open in June, before Sinner won in four sets at Wimbledon in July Look at the most recent Masters 1000 tournament, the Cincinnati Open, where Sinner didn’t drop a set en route to Monday’s final but quit because he was feeling ill, ceding the trophy to Alcaraz.

That ended Sinner’s 26-match winning streak on hard courts; Alcaraz was responsible for the previous defeat, too. Alcaraz collected his tour-leading sixth trophy this season and has won 39 of his most recent 41 contests.

Since Sinner returned in May from a three-month doping ban, Cincinnati was the fourth event both entered — and they met to decide the title in all four

What makes ‘Sincaraz’ so good?

They hit the ball as hard as anyone. Sinner’s returns rival Djokovic’s for best in the game. Alcaraz’s drop shots are unrivaled. The athleticism displayed by both is remarkable. Alcaraz might be the fastest guy around. Sinner’s long limbs reach everything. What sets them apart from oth-

ers?

“Their confidence. Their ballstriking. Their movement is basically perfect,” said Sam Querrey, a former player who made it to Wimbledon’s semifinals and the U.S. Open’s quarterfinals. “It seems like they hit the ball with just a little extra force when they need to.”

It leaves other elite players such as Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American who is ranked No. 6, soclose-yet-so-far at majors.

Shelton’s 2025 Grand Slam resume includes losses to Sinner at the Australian Open, to Alcaraz at the French Open and to Sinner at Wimbledon.

“Frustrating,” Shelton said. “Two very different players and challenges.”

How big is Alcaraz vs. Sinner

The sample size is, admittedly, small, but these two are

producing the sort of riveting points and thrill-a-minute matches that Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, or Nadal vs. Djokovic, used to.

“The rivalry is real. It’s there,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s two coaches. “And hopefully it’s going to be there and real for the next 10 or 12 years.”

Not sure? Head to YouTube and check out Alcaraz vs. Sinner whether at Roland-Garros this year or at the U.S. Open in 2022 or pretty much any of their 14 showdowns ( Alcaraz leads 9-5).

“You have to earn every point, every game He makes you suffer (from) the first point of the match until the last ball,” said Alcaraz, a 22-year-old from Spain. “It’s really tough to find holes in his game.”

Sinner’s take?

“We try,” the 24-year-old from Italy said of their matchups, “to push ourselves to the limits.”

The popularity explosion in women’s college basketball, spurred initially by the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry, carried over to the WNBA last season when Clark and Reese were rookies.

While Clark and Reese have both been hurt this season, ticket sales haven’t slowed thanks to the arrival of rookie guard Paige Bueckers in Dallas and expanded television coverage.

NFL increases security after Manhattan shooting

The NFL has increased security at its offices following a shooting last month at a Manhattan building by a gunman authorities say was targeting league headquarters.

“We are working with the building and the other tenants within the building on building security,” NFL executive Jeff Miller said Thursday

The league previously recommended enhanced security measures at team and league facilities. The recommendations will be reviewed at a special league meeting on Aug. 26.

NFL employees are back in their offices after working remotely in the weeks following the shooting that killed four people and injured a league employee.

Ravens QB Jackson ‘fine’ despite not practicing

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh says star quarterback Lamar Jackson is “fine” after his foot was stepped on this week.

That’s the same thing the Ravens told reporters Wednesday, but after Jackson wasn’t at practice Thursday, Harbaugh was understandably asked for an update.

“Got his foot stepped on, like we said yesterday,” Harbaugh said. “They did a quick X-ray, and there’s no damage or anything like that. I’m sure it’s a little sore today, so we just kept him in, but he’s fine. He’s going to be good.”

The Ravens play at Washington on Saturday, but Jackson hasn’t appeared in a preseason game since 2021 and there was no sign that would change this year

Zilisch cleared to race, will return at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — JR Motorsports driver Connor Zilisch will attempt to race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, less than two weeks after breaking his collarbone during a nasty slip-andfall accident in victory lane.

The Xfinity Series points leader said Thursday he has been cleared to return and will be in the car for qualifying and will attempt to race all 100 laps at Daytona. He will have Parker Kligerman on standby Zilisch, a 19-year-old driver who expected to compete in the Cup Series next year for Trackhouse Racing, had surgery last week to insert a plate to stabilize the broken bone. His foot caught on his window net at Watkins Glen on Aug. 9, causing him to fall headfirst onto the concrete.

Program flagging online abuse to tennis players

The ATP Tour announced on Thursday that its Safe Sport initiative has flagged more than 162,000 abusive social media comments directed at players in its first year

The tour stated that more than 3.1 million comments were scanned, with the most severe ones hidden from the 245 players who were targeted. Andrew Azzopardi, ATP’s director of safeguarding, said the initiative has “fundamentally changed how we protect our athletes online.” Safe Sport uses real-time AI to detect and hide social media comments from players’ accounts. It launched in July 2024 and is available to the top 250 players in singles and top

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By THIBAULT CAMUS Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, right, and Italy’s Jannik Sinner hug after Alcaraz won the French Open final on June 8 at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MIKE STEWART Russell Henley walks on the first fairway during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament on Thursday in Atlanta.

operated more like a high-efficiency machine.

Desormeaux isn’t expecting that from Howard.

“He’s got a unique playmaking ability,” Desormeaux said of Howard. “He’s got a little bit of adlib to him. That, you know, it’s not the way we played last year with Ben. It was all very under control.

“We were able to manipulate a lot of situations that way He (Howard) manipulates it a little bit different way.”

Wooldridge could run. Howard has speed “I think it’s fun,” Desormeaux said “I think offensively, we have a chance to be more explosive. Will we be as efficient? I don’t know, that remains to be seen.”

The defense’s high expectations also fit into this new approach.

“That was what we did last year was we were really good with our offensive efficiency, and that helps you play defense,” Desormeaux said. “I think our defense is better this year certainly expect them to play better. So I think you can maybe give up a little bit of efficiency for explosiveness. I just want him to do his job. That’s what I keep telling him.”

August camp was a study in patience for Howard as well. In the first scrimmage, he wanted to play live football like the quarterbacks did in the spring game. He didn’t want to be down until a defender tackled him.

“Coach Des didn’t want to do that,” Howard laughed.

Through the process Howard discovered there was more football to learn on top of just getting acquainted with a new offense.

“I thought, honestly, after my three years, I would pretty much feel like I’d know everything I needed to do to be a starting quarterback,” Howard said. “But (backup QBs) Lunch (Winfield) and Daniel (Beale), they’ve even

MATHIEU

Continued from page 1C

contributions as a New Orleans native.

In his prepared remarks to the city council, Mathieu said, “New Orleans is more than just my hometown It’s my heart. It’s the rhythm, the food, the faith, the resilience, and most of all, the people. To be recognized by the city that has given me so much is truly overwhelming.”

About a dozen friends and family accompanied Mathieu to City Hall on Thursday afternoon, including his newborn daughter, Zadie.

Mathieu announced his retirement a day before the New Orleans Saints opened training camp in July — a

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

up the roster on the margins or include them as part of an aggressive trade up. And on Wednesday, that pattern continued: The Saints sent two picks a 2026 fourthrounder and a 2027 seventhrounder — to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Vele, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who is coming off a nice 41-catch, 475-yard rookie season. Vele’s acquisition finally addressed New Orleans’ glaring lack of size at wideout. But that didn’t stop the criticism.

The Saints, critics argue, again surrendered draft capital in what they viewed as an unnecessary shortsighted move. If coach Kellen Moore’s first year turns out to be the start of a multiyear rebuild, as many expect, then why are the Saints trading a pick that could end up in the top 125 of next year’s draft?

The Saints don’t see it that way

“That’s always the tricky part,” Moore said. “You identify players you really want and then obviously there’s a cost associated with it. He’s a younger player. This is his second year obviously, so he’s on his initial contract in the NFL. There’s some value associated with it from a roster management, healthy standpoint.

“Certainly we anticipate him being with us for a while. We feel like we’re adding a really big piece that’s going to contribute in a lot of ways.”

To Moore, the cost control aspect of Vele’s contract can’t be overlooked. Drafted in the seventh round, he’s set to make around $1 million per season over the next three years. And Vele was productive as a rookie. Moore said the wide re-

decision he made, in part, because of the arrival of his newborn.

He spent the final three seasons of what may be a Hall of Fame career with the Saints, accumulating 10 of his 36 career interceptions with the black and gold. Mathieu was expected to play another key role with the Saints this year before his retirement.

“The opportunity to wear black and gold was one of the greatest blessings of my life, to play for the team I grew up watching in the city that raised me,” Mathieu said in his prepared remarks. “Words cannot describe how special it was to play here and to serve as team captain.”

After starring at LSU, where he was a 2011 Heis-

ceiver played “really tough downs” that resulted in big plays. Statistically, Vele caught 74.5% of his targets last season and converted 26 first downs.

But Vele’s age has also come under scrutiny Because he served a two-year Mormon mission after high school that delayed his football career, Vele is 27 and will turn 28 in December He is older for instance, than Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens — who was traded from Pittsburgh this offseason in exchange for a 2026 thirdround pick.

Still, the situations aren’t the same. Pickens, in this case, is in the final year of his contract and is in line for a big raise in 2026 — whether from the Cowboys or elsewhere. That sort of situation mattered to the Saints, particularly at a position in which starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are also going to be in need of new deals soon.

Moore said the Saints aren’t concerned about Vele’s age, nor are they worried about the knee injury that sidelined him for a portion of training camp. Vele did practice Thursday, but he passed his physical. The Saints, too, appeared to give up what they did because of the competition to acquire Vele. Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters in Denver that one other team was “more than serious” in their pursuit of the wide receiver He said Vele was one of the toughest trades of his coaching career

“He’s going to be a real good player for them,” Payton said. “Those are the tough ones. Really, I was only able to come up with two (trades) that were like that. (Trading) Darren Sproles was a real tough decision, and I later regretted it.” It also shouldn’t be

man Trophy finalist, Mathieu played for the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs before finishing his career in New Orleans. He made three Pro Bowls, was named a first-team All-Pro three times and was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s all-decade team for the 2010s in his professional career

Now, he’s just figuring out what to do with his free time as a retiree. Mathieu said he went through a few television auditions as an NFL analyst, and he recently landed a gig as a studio analyst for YouTube’s Week 1 broadcast between the Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.

“It’s been good,” Mathieu said with a grin. “I’m trying to get used to it.”

glossed over how much Vele’s size fills a need for the Saints. As of late May, they were just one of two teams to not have a receiver taller than 6-foot-2 on the roster That lack of size has been plenty apparent in the preseason, such as when Mason Tipton failed to run through a slant and was boxed out by a cornerback who picked off Spencer Rattler

Vele also intriguingly has done a lot of his damage from the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, 62% of his snaps came from that area. And according to Next Gen Stats, the 27-year-old caught 27 of his 41 catches from the slot, resulting in 316 yards.

Moore said Vele will play in a variety of spots in New Orleans, “which is key for us because we want to move our other pieces.”

At the same time, it is fair to wonder that, if it was so obvious that the Saints needed to beef up at wide receiver, then why didn’t the team act sooner? Signing a big-bodied receiver or drafting one with one of the team’s nine selections last April would have spared the Saints from coughing up future assets.

The specifics might have dictated why In free agency, the market was sparse with receivers who matched Vele’s frame. And after the draft, Loomis said they wanted to take a wide receiver, but the timing didn’t pan out.

“If something presented itself, it would have been awesome,” Moore said Thursday “It (didn’t). Through the entire offseason, we just tried to build this thing as we went.

“And this certainly was a valuable opportunity we didn’t want to miss on.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt.paras@theadvocate. com

made me better every single day competing with them. I learned from them and they learned from me.”

Howard experienced some angst while battling against UL’s stout defense which now knew all of the offense’s plays.

“That’s what coach Des had to pretty much remind me of every single day,” Howard said.

“You’ve got to start figuring out what you’re really good at and continue to get better at what you’re good at. What plays you run good and different ways to get to that. I think that starts getting a little harder at the end of camp.

“You go through the ups and

SEC

Continued from page 1C

coach Brian Kelly previously said he wanted to play nine SEC games.

“I just always thought it was for the best of the game, and I think best for our fans wanting to see competitive games,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward told The Advocate “I think there’s a huge fall-off on some of our nonconference games that fans viewed as not good competition. I think that this will really help continue to foster and continue to get fans’ support when they have a strong home schedule and a strong conference schedule.”

A couple of years ago, the expectation was LSU’s three annual opponents in a nine-game schedule would be Alabama Texas A&M and Ole Miss. Whether or not that changes is to be determined. Sankey said on the Paul Finebaum Show that the schedule would be released in December

The SEC began playing eight conference games per season when it implemented divisions in 1992 after the additions of Arkansas and South Carolina expanded the conference to 12 teams The only exception was in 2020, when

downs defense wins one day and the offense might win another day.”

On Aug. 30 against Rice, Howard and the offense will finally get to attack an unknown opponent.

“When you have a guy like him that brings a little bit of flash in his playmaking ability, it kind of excites you. You know what you think it can look like, you know what you think it can be, but the reality’s coming here pretty soon.

We’ll find out.”

We’ll have to wait until the end of the season to see how the dominoes fall.

Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@theadvocate.com.

the SEC played a 10-game conference-only schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now at 16 teams, the SEC continued to play an eight-game schedule the past two seasons The Big Ten and the Big 12 already switched to a nine-game conference schedule, and ACC leaders reportedly said they would likely follow suit if the SEC changed its format.

“It affects our positioning in the CFP, it affects our fan attendance,” Woodward said. “It affects everyone in our conference. Everyone had to take a look at it differently.”

“I think there’s a huge fall-off on some of our nonconference games that fans viewed as not good competition. I think that this will really help continue to foster and continue to get fans’ support when they have a strong home schedule and a strong conference schedule.”

LSU has two non-conference games already scheduled in 2026 against Clemson and McNeese State. It will need to add one more opponent to fill out its schedule. The only upcoming season that will need to be adjusted is 2029, when the Tigers are currently scheduled to play Arizona State, Rice,

SCOTT WOODWARD LSU athletic director

McNeese State and SMU. LSU has at least one power conference opponent scheduled every year through 2032. It opens next season at home against Clemson, and it plays the 2027 season opener against Houston in NRG Stadium. The Tigers have home-andhome series scheduled against SMU (2028- 29), Arizona State (2029-30) and Utah (2031-32). “A lot of people want to come to Baton Rouge and ex pe rie nc e it,” Woodward said. “We want to have good games, but we also want to be smart on how we schedule our team and how we do it. We’ll continue to have an emphasis on in-state teams. Obviously, to not only selfishly help our attendance, but also to help their programs come in and play in Tiger Stadium.”

For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/ lsunewsletter

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER

Former Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu poses for a photo with councilman Eugene J. Green, right, after receiving a key to the city on Thursday at New Orleans City Hall.

PAST FIVE YEARS

Offense

WR Brice Duhon (5-8, 170, Sr.)*

WR Maddox Andrepont (6-3, 170, Sr.)

TE Sam Casanova (6-2, 205, Sr.)

T Brodie LeJeune (6-3, 245, Jr.)

G Eli Pommier (5-7, 205, Sr.)*

C Jonah Blake (6-0, 225, Sr.)

G Scott Sibley (6-2, 275, Jr.)

T Brayan Jasso-Fray 5-10, 245, So.)

QB Drew LeJeune (6-0, 190, Sr.)*

RB William LaVergne (5-10, 175, Jr.)

RB Joachim Bourgeois (5-9, 165, Sr.)

Defense

DL Zack Mixon (6-2, 200, Sr.)

DL Hayden Bergeaux (5-10, 185, Sr.)

DL Drake Bertrand (5-9, 185, Jr.)

LB Joe Hensgens (6-0, 170, Sr.)

LB Dallas Beslin (5-8, 170, Jr.)

LB Wes Duplechain (5-9, 185, Sr.)*

LB Jack Vondenstein (6-0, 190, Jr.)

CB Griffin Doucet (5-6, 155, Sr.)*

CB Cameron Stelly (5-11, 175, Sr.)

FS Brayden Frey (5-7, 165, Jr.)

SS Jackson Trahan (5-10, 165, Jr.)

* Returning starter

COACHES

Head coach: Lewis Cook (407-101)

Assistant coaches: John Brahan

Lew Cook,Trey Cormier Wes Jacob Hayden McCleary, Jimmy McCleary, Jacob Molbert, Luke Montz, and Chris Stevens.

FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Notre Dame

What we know

There aren’t a lot of returning starters for the Notre Dame, but coach Lew Cook said that is misleading.

“There’s going to be some guys who don’t have a lot of experience and there is going to be guys playing for the first time,” Cook said “But we do have some guys back with quite a bit of experience, but some of the experience may be at a different position. Returning starters for us is kind of deceiving, because although they may not have started, we (rotated) several people in.”

Among the returning players with experience are quarterback Drew Lejeune, who played running back last year running back Joachim Bourgeois, receiver Brice Duhon and tight end Sam Casanova

“Drew took some snaps at quarterback, but mainly his snaps came at running back,” Cook said. “On the offensive line, we only have one — Casanova back out of our six offensive linemen.”

Despite only one returning starter, Cook said he thinks the Pios’ offensive line will be a strength.

“I really like our offensive line,” Cook said. “We don’t have much depth, but we have some decent size up front. If those five guys and Casanova can hold up, they could be a good unit. They could be a really good unit.”

The defense will be able to count on linebacker Wesley Duplechin, Griffin Doucet and Cameron Stelly

“I think we can be pretty good, but we have to stay healthy,” Cook said. “If you make a list of guys

that will get hurt, if certain names are on that list then we won’t be very good. But if we certain guys are left off that list, then we’ll be pretty good.”

What we don’t know

How good will the Pios’ defense be? There are more question marks on defense than offense.

On the defensive line, the Pios will rotate six players — three seniors and three juniors — that don’t have much playing time experience. Among them, only Zach Mixon received varsity minutes Cook said.

In the secondary, the Pios are still seeking answers at safety, a vital position to their success.

“For us, the safety position is huge,” Cook said.

“When we have been really good on defense, it is because we were really good at safety In 2015, we allowed five touchdowns in 14 games. Our defense is better when we are good at safety.”

It’s hard to know what you have with so many new faces, but Cook knows answers to those questions will likely come when they scrimmage St. Thomas More, face Carencro in the jamboree and meet Southside in Week 1.

“We are anxious to see what our defensive line and secondary can do,” Cook said. “We are going to find out a lot early I think we will be fine, but we just need to play.”

How we see it

While they play another solid schedule, the Pios can’t be overlooked. They are too good of a program to be underestimated. Considering they haven’t missed the playoffs in the 29 years that Cook has been on the sideline, Notre Dame is a good bet to contend for the district title and extend their postseason appearance streak.

SCOREBOARD

Men’s Singles

Buffalo at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m. L.A. Chargers at San Francisco, 7:30 p.m. Las Vegas at Arizona, 9 p.m. Youth baseball Little League World Series At Williamsport, Pa. Tuesday’s games Game 25: Tokyo (Japan) 6, Chihuahua (Mex.) 0

Quarterfinals Sebastian Korda (11), United States, def. Miomir Kecmanovic (13), Serbia, 6-1, 6-4. Marton Fucsovics, Hungary, def. Jaume Munar (12), Spain, 7-5, 6-3. Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals Lucas Miedler, Austria, and Francisco Cabral (3), Portugal, def. Jackson Withrow, United States, and Jan Zielinski, Poland, 6-3, 6-2. Marcelo Melo and Rafael Matos, Brazil, def. Matthew Ebden and John Peers (4), Australia, 6-4, 6-3 Michael Venus, New Zealand, and Yuki Bhambri (2), India, def. Rohan Bopanna, India, and Romain Arneodo, Monaco, 7-6 (2), 6-3 Pro golf

TOUR Championship par scores

Thursday At East Lake GC Atlanta Purse: $40 million Yardage: 7,440; Par: 70 First Round Russell Henley 31-30—61 -9 Scottie Scheffler 32-31—63 7 Patrick Cantlay 32-32—64 -6 Tommy Fleetwood 31-33—64 6 Robert Macintyre 32-32—64 -6 Collin Morikawa 31-33—64 6

Drew Lejeune

QB, 6-0, 190, Sr.

The team leader, Lejeune is moving under center after playing running back last year He’s hard to tackle and his strong arm and accuracy will make him a weapon in the passing game.

Wes Duplechin

LB, 5-9, 185, Sr. An extremely aggressive player, Duplechin, a three-year starter, doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s a strong tackler that runs very well.

Griffin Doucet

CB, 5-6, 155, Sr.

The Pios’best cover guy in the secondary, Doucet has tremendous cover skills.The senior has good speed and will also make an impact on special teams as a return man.

Joachim Bourgeois

RB, 5-9, 165, Sr. Bourgeois,who is going to be asked to shoulder the running game load,is a tough and physical runner He does a great job of seeing the hole and hitting it full speed.

Sam Casanova

TE, 6-2, 205, Sr. Hard work has turned Casanova into a solid blocker but his best attributes are his hands. He catches the ball well in traffic and despite his size, Casanova has deceptive speed after the catch.

STAFF PHOTO By ERIC NARCISSE

Notre Dame’s offense will be led by, standing from left, Sam Casanova, Drew Lejeune, Eli Pommier and Jonah Blake. Kneeling from left are Joachim Bourgeois and Brice Duhon.

Cook

Doucet

Duplechin

Bourgeois

Lejeune

Casanova

Eric Narcisse

Can youfeel it?

LSU School of Art’s2025 Summer Contemporary: “FELT” will close with a receptionfrom6 p.m. to 8p.m.SaturdayinGlassell Galleryatthe ShawCenter forthe Arts,100 Lafayette St. Thirty-one artists take an expansiveapproach to feel,feeling and felt in their works. design.lsu.edu/news-and-events/exhibits.

LIVING

JAM TIME

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

Yes, temps are still in the 90s, butwith the Live AfterFive lineupannounced,it’s time to think fall.

Seven acts on six dates will takethe stage at Davis S. Rhorer Plaza,200 St. LouisSt. in Baton Rouge, from5 to 8p.m each Friday but one between Sept.12and Oct. 24.

Here’swho youcan see and hearfor free during the outdoor concerts:

SEPT.12

ChubbyCarrier and the Bayou Swamp Band

SEPT.19

The Walrus: A NOLA Beatles Experience

SEPT.26

TimothyWayne featuring the Lauren LeeBand

OCT. 10 NewOrleans Suspects

PROVIDED PHOTO Timothy Wayne

OCT. 17 Phat Hat OCT. 24 TheMixed Nuts

LA5, Inc., partnering with the Downtown Development Districtand Visit BatonRouge, presents themusic series, thelong-runningand largestsuchevent in the city

TNS PHOTO By

Bob Odenkirk stars as HutchMansell in action sequel ‘Nobody2.’

TBYJOHN WIRT Contributingwriter

he mid-20th century’smost renowned American film and theater director,EliaKazan, crafted thecinema landmarks “A StreetcarNamed Desire,” “On the Waterfront” and “East of Eden.”

Kazan’sstageand screen productions of works by playwrights Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and William Inge and novelist John Steinbeck presented Marlo Brando, James Dean, Vivian Leigh, Karl Malden, Warren Beatty andNatalie Wood in their most memorable screen moments.

BY KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service (TNS)

Just about anyone can beanaction hero when production company 87North —the team behind the “John Wick franchise —isbehind thecamera. They provedthat in 2021 when they made comedian and “Better Call Saul” star Bob Odenkirkasurprise badass in the hyper-violent dadsploitation flick “Nobody.” Odenkirk played Hutch,a suburban dad and corporate stoogewith asurprising past, who is unable to keep alid on his instincts, like akettleboiling over, when his family is threatened.

ä See 'NOBODY',

Ason of Greek immigrants, Kazan carriedaclass-conscious chip on his shoulder throughout his life. His 19 films also include1947’sOscar-winning “Gentleman’s Agreement” and 1957’sdamning portrait of apopulist demagogue, “A Face in theCrowd.”

Beyond his knack for transposing thewords of great contemporary writers intovivid performances, Kazan evolved from astage-bound director of theater to amaster filmmaker.The transition happened mostofall in New Orleans during themaking of “Panic in theStreets.”

By The Associated Press

TODAYINHISTORY

Today is Friday,Aug. 22, the 234th day of 2025. There are 131 days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On Aug. 22, 1851, the schooner America outraced more than adozen British vessels off the English coast to win atrophy that came to be known as the America’sCup.

Also on this date:

In 1791, the Haitian Revolution began as enslaved people of Saint-Domingue rose up against French colonizers.

In 1922, Irish revolutionary Michael Collins was shot to death, apparently by Irish Republican Army members opposedtothe Anglo-Irish Treaty that Collins had co-signed In 1965, a14-minute brawlensued between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers after Giants pitcher Juan Marichal struck Dodgers catcher John Roseboro in the headwith a baseball bat. (Marichal and Roseboro would later reconcile and become lifelong friends.)

In 1972, John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile took seven employees hostage at aChase Manhattan Bank branch in Brooklyn, New York,during abotched robbery; the siege, which ended with Wojtowicz’s

arrest and Naturile’skilling by the FBI, inspired the1975 movie “Dog Day Afternoon.”

In 1989,Black Panthers cofounder Huey P. Newton was shot to death in Oakland, California. In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed welfare reform legislation that ended guaranteed cash payments to thepoor and demandedwork from recipients In 2003,Alabama’s chief justice, RoyMoore, wassuspended for hisrefusal toobey afederal court ordertoremove his Ten Commandments monument from the rotunda of his courthouse. Today’sbirthdays: Author Annie Proulx is 90. Baseball Hall of FamerCarl Yastrzemski is 86. ProFootball Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells is 84. Writer-producer DavidChase is 80. Retired CBS newsmanSteve Kroft is 80. International Swimming Hall of FamerDiana Nyad is 76. Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is 69. Rock guitarist Vernon Reid is 67. Country singer Collin Raye is 65. Rock singer Roland Orzabal (Tears For Fears) is 64. SingerTori Amos is 62. International TennisHall of Famer Mats Wilander is 61. Rapper GZA/The Genius is 59. Actor Ty Burrell is 58. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis is 55. Actor Rick Yune is 54. Singer HowieDorough (Backstreet Boys) is 52.

SHOWSTOWATCH —ACADIANA

Bridge, 8a.m

FRIDAY

LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan CompanyPie Bar New Iberia, 5p.m

SATURDAY MORNING JAM

SESSIONS: Savoy Music Center, Eunice,9 a.m.

Arts Center,Lafayette, 8p.m.

CHARLES &WENDY

TRICHE: Whiskey& Vine Lafayette, 8p.m.

Prejean’s Restaurant Lafayette, 6p.m.

MICHALIS: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

Shown in acolorized lobby card, from left,New Orleans actor Emile Meyer(Capt. Beauclyde), Paul Douglas (Police Capt. Warren) and RichardWidmark (Dr. Clinton Reed) are aboardthe Nile Queen merchant ship in ‘Panic in the Streets.

‘PANIC’

Continued from page5C

Afilm-noir thriller,“Panic in theStreets”madeits Southern premiere 75 yearsago,Aug.26, 1950, at theSaenger Theatrein New Orleans. Following “Gentleman’s Agreement” and 1949’s“Pinky,” Kazan expressed dissatisfaction with the films he’d made so far: “I said to myself, ‘I’m not making films, I’m photographing plays.’ …Isaid, ‘I’m going to make a film that’sall action and use the camera to tell the story.I’m going to try to make something specifically filmic.’ ”

“A Streetcar Named Desire,” “On the Waterfront” andother Kazan films are far betterknown and regraded than “Panic,” but the director himself believed “Panic” is his only “perfect”film. More importantly, an emphasis on visual storytelling; dailycowriting with screenwriter Richard Murphy; and Kazan’srecognition that the camera is,hewrites in hisautobiography,“notonlya recording device but apenetrating instrument,” prepared him for his masterpiece, 1954’s“On the Waterfront.”

“I don’tthink Icould have made ‘On the Waterfront’ if Ihadn’t done ‘Panic in the Streets,’ ”Kazan said. “I got ahell of alot out of it for future films.”

“Panic in the Streets” stars Richard Widmark as Lt. Cmdr Clinton Reed, auniformed doctor with the U.S.Public Health Service. Reed works valiantly to protect the peopleofNew Orleans after hediscovers thepneumonic plague virus in an unidentified murder victim.

“Panic” gets some of its tension from Reed’sstruggle to convince city officials of the urgent need to contain the virus.

“I’ve seen this disease work,” the doctor warns skeptical localauthorities.“If it ever gets loose, it canspreadover the entire country,and the result will be more horrible than anyofyou can imagine.” Joining Widmark in the“Panic” cast are Jack Palance as themenacing Blackie; the usually comedic Zero Mostel in adramatic role as Blackie’ssweaty lackey,Fitch; Paul Douglas as Reed’sreluctant police captain ally; and Barbara Bel Geddes as Reed’swife, Nancy

From mid-December 1949 through January 1950, Kazan happily led “Panic” production in the distinctive city where the film’svirus-spawned action is set.

“I wandered around thatcity night and day,soIknewitwell,” he told interviewer Jeff Young. “It’ssoterrific andcolorful. I wanted boats, steam engines, warehouses, jazz joints —all of NewOrleans —inthat picture.”

Kazan enhanced his authentic “Panic” locations, The Times-Picayune reported, by casting “111 policemen, taxi drivers, bond salesmen,teachers, housewives andpersonsrepresenting acrosssectionofNew Orleans in speaking roles.”

“I found it most exhilarating to go into policeheadquarters, a union hiring hall, acheap café or an oldhotel, andweavethe characters and general atmosphere into the script,” he told thenewspaper.“ThepeopleinNew OrleanswhomIchose forminor partswerewonderful. Their actingwas natural and honest.”

Principal cast memberMostel, speaking to The New York Times in 1950, recalled filming acrowd scene at the NationalMaritime Union headquarters.

“The place is full of tough characters,” Mostelsaid. “Theylook as though they do not like movie actors. We are all nervous, thinking somebody is going to get slugged.ThenGadge (Kazan’s nickname)comes in,startsordering themaround withcurses. They think he is wonderfuland do everything he says.Wethink he hassavedour lives.”

In a1993 interview, leading manWidmark remembered shooting“Panic.” He described Kazan as “a Svengali —henever talked to any two actors thesame way.”Widmark addedthatJack Palance, aformer boxer making his filmdebut,knockedhim out during an action scene andbeat Mostel before every scene“to get in the mood.”

The lessons Kazan learnedin New Orleans also included the importance of music in film.

“New Orleans was full of the music Ilove,”hewritesinhis autobiography.“Itried to fill the soundtrackofthe filmwiththis music.” Themusicalscore, he added,“often it’sasimportantas anythingexcept the sequence of pictures that tell thestory.”

Email John Wirt at j_wirt@msn. com.

MARLON G.: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m

MYLES AND BRENNAN OF THE GOOD DUDES: Adopted DogBrewing, Lafayette, 6p.m

DAVE TRAINER: Charley

G’sSeafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery,Lafayette, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson,6 p.m.

THE CAST: Agave, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

CONNIE G: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.

DOYLE TAUZIN: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

JAMBALAYA TRIO: Randol’sCajun Restaurant, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

DUSTIN RAY: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7p.m

SUPERCOLLIDER-SUPERSIZED XXL EDITION!: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.

AMIS DU TECHE: Blue Moon Saloon,Lafayette, 8p.m

ANDREW WAIN JAZZ: Whiskey &Vine, Lafayette, 8p.m

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m

HURRICANE ROAD: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m.

CLAYCORMIER: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m

SATURDAY TROYLEJEUNE BAND: Fred’s, Mamou,8 a.m.

LEROYTHOMAS ZYDECO: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux

‘NOBODY’

Continuedfrom page5C

CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9a.m

IMPROVBREAKFAST JAM!: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 10 a.m.

CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC

JAM: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m

DUSTIN SONNIER: Cypress Cove Landing,Breaux Bridge, 3p.m

SWAMP BLUES REVIVAL: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville, 4p.m

KENNY WADE: Lakeview Park,Eunice, 5p.m

JACK WOODSON: Charley G’sSeafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m

MATT GARY: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6p.m.

PRENTICE JAMES: Prejean’s,Broussard, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza&Brewery,Lafayette, 6p.m.

CAJUN BREAKFAST: Naq’sn-Duson,Duson, 6p.m.

CASEY COURVILLE: The TapRoom, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

GREGG MARTINEZ: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m. THE CAST: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. THE TROUBADOUR: Agave Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Pat’sAtchafalaya Club,Henderson, 7p.m

ORYVEILLON BAND: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7p.m.

ZACH EDWARDS AND THE MEDICINE: Blue Moon Saloon,Lafayette, 8p.m. ONE VISION OF QUEEN FEATURING MARC MARTEL: HeymannPerforming

In thesequel, “Nobody 2,” Hutch has found his groove, and once again he’sfallen into aroutineofquotidian drudgery, delivering brutality day in and day out, in an attempt to pay off his debt —not that the script by Derek Kolstad and Aaron Rabin recaps anything from the first film.

Butall you need to know is that Hutch is adad, his job is violence, andheneeds abreak.

Desperate to save his marriage and family,Hutch decides to take his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), and kids Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) and Brady (Gage Munroe), as well as his wacky former FBI agent dad (Christopher Lloyd),on asummer break trip to one of his beloved childhood haunts: Plummerville Tiki Rush, aramshackle water park somewhere in the Upper Midwest

He’strying to get away from it all, but as his handler The Butcher (Colin Salmon) reminds him, “Whereveryou go, thereyou are.” Andthere Hutch goes. Tryas he might to takeabreak from himself, he can’tescape his true nature when ascuffle breaks out at an arcade and asecurity guard swatsSammy

The resulting brawl, set to the Offspring’s“Come Outand Play,” is one of the best moments of “Nobody 2” —funny,colorful, innovative.

Hutch’sgreatest strengthis his MacGyver-like abilitytouse every tool and random object

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m.

THE TAILGATORS: Toby’s Lounge,Opelousas, 8:30 p.m

ADAM LEGER: Whiskey Tales, Henderson, 9p.m.

ROCK SHOWNOLA (JOURNEY): Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m.

SUNDAY GLENN ZERINGUE: Whiskey &Vine,Lafayette, 11 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TanteMarie, BreauxBridge,11a.m.

CAJUN JAM: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville, 2p.m.

PRENDSCOURAGE: Cypress Cove Landing, BreauxBridge,3 p.m

ARTBASH LIVE MUSIC &ART FESTIVAL: Feed’N’Seed, Lafayette, 4p.m.

SINGER/SONGWRITER OPEN MIC: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 4p.m.

CHUBBYCARRIER: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 5p.m. FORET TRADITION: Pat’s Atchafalaya Club,Henderson, 5p.m.

MICHALIS: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

MONDAY PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Café Habana City, Lafayette, 11 a.m.

JACK WOODSON: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

BLUEGRASS JAM: Citédes Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m

TUESDAY

TERRYHUVAL &FRIENDS:

‘NOBODY2’ HH

STARTING: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen,ChristopherLloyd, John Ortiz, RZA, Sharon Stone,Colin Hanks

DIRECTOR: Timo Tjahjanto

MPARATING: R(forstrong bloody violence and languagethroughout)

RUNNING TIME: 1:29

HOWTOWATCH: In theaters

around him in service of violence, and he plays Whack-a-Mole with theguard’s head. Much like that other Kolstadscripted character,John Wick, Hutch is areluctant warrior,desperatetoavoid using his skills, but seemingly unable to stop, whether by obligation or training. But where Wick is brooding and operatic, “Nobody” is cheeky and irreverent, because 87North shapes their action franchises to thestar,not the other way around.

“Nobody 2” maintains that sense of humor,now with Timo Tjahjanto taking over directing duties from Ilya Naishuller But87North also has ahouse style now,both aesthetically and thematically,and both “Nobody 2” and Tjahjanto fall prey to that formula.

There areafew great action sequences that utilize Hutch’s inventive thinking and emphasize theincongruity of his skills. The camera will follow the impact of asmash, the swing of apunch, and the violence is satisfyingly crunchy as usual.

Butthe script itself feels dashed off like an afterthought,

KILLER KARAOKE: Freetown Boom Boom Room, Lafayette, 8p.m.

WEDNESDAY

DULCIMERJAM: St. Landry VisitorCenter,Opelousas, 10 a.m.

ANDREW WAIN JAZZ: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 6p.m.

MICHALIS: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

VIEILLE MANIERE: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6p.m.

DYLONERVIN: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m

CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.

THURSDAY

PAUL TASSIN: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.

DAVE TRAINER: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson, 6p.m. KIP SONNIER: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m

BLAKE LUQUETTE: Agave Youngsville,6:30 p.m

JUSTIN CORNETT: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m JON MELANCON: Whiskey Tales, Henderson, 8p.m.

Compiledby

Marchaund Jones

Want yourvenue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. Thedeadline is noon FRIDAY forthe following Friday’spaper.

reverse-engineered around afew key set pieces in the amusement park.

What works about these movies is Odenkirk, his pained expression as he resorts to inflicting pain and destruction, his blackout rage modewhen protecting his family

The first antagonist they introduce, abootlegger named Henry (John Ortiz), whoisalso an overprotective dad, matches that energy perfectly

So why, then, do Kolstad and Rabin jettison that villain whofits the rural setting foraslick, glamorous gangster that is Sharon Stone in athree-piece suit?

As apsychopathic mob boss with aFrench bulldog puppy, Stone is certainly having fun, but her character,Lendani, feels wildly out of place.

“Nobody 2,” which plays on the juxtaposition of the suburban and the super-violent, works when it’s Hutch facing off with the redneck good ol’ boys on aduck boat, not when he’sgoing through the motions with an elite villain who feels like she’s“from the world of John Wick.”

It’s like their wires got crossed in the writing, and the Lendani plot feels forced, sludgy and totally unnecessary

However,everyone seemstobe having agood time, from Stone to Ortiz to Colin Hanks as amean sheriffwith abad haircut, and especially RZA as Hutch’sbrother Harry,infull ninja nerd mode. All the elements werethere to make “Nobody 2” agreat sequel —it just seemslike nobody really thought about what makes the original really work.

PROVIDED PHOTO By ED AND SUSAN POOLE/HOLLyWOODONTHEBAyOU.COM

STAFF FILE PHOTO

Amis du Teche’sAdelineMiller performs during BlackpotFestivaland Cookoff in 2024 at Vermilionville. Catch the band at 8p.m.FridayatBlue Moon Saloon in Lafayette.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to contribute to someone else's glory. It's up to you to take care of yourself and achieve thegoalsthat best suit your needs. Step into the spotlight, and you'll gain ground.

VIRGO(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Change only what's necessary. Refuse to let anyone talk you into somethingyou don't need or want. Take control instead of being controlled.

LIBRA(Sept.23-Oct. 23) Participate, be the one to bring about change and make adifference. Apassionate approach to life,loveand happinesswillencourage you to recognize and letgoofwhat isn't working for you.

SCORPIO(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Emotions will fluctuate as you react to what's happening around you. Acreative project will bring out the best in you. Your discipline and hard work will pay off unexpectedly.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't skip abeat; learn as you go, and conquer whatever comesyourway.Change comes from within. Be observant and make moves that accommodate your needs.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take time out to do something for yourself. Pampering yourself, establishing aschedule, and engaging in activities and events that stimulate your mind will change your perspective on the meaning of life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Acommanding demeanor will draw attention and

position you for advancement. Change is within reach, and pushing for what you want will play in your favor.

PISCES (Feb.20-March20) Anger is never the answer; however, ashow of appreciation and awillingness to compromise will bring you closer to your goal. Preparation will be your ticket to success.

ARIES(March 21-April 19) If you plan to make adifference, don't hold back. Indulgent activity won't bring about positive change, but acts of kindness andconsideration will helpyou reach your destination without malice.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Monitor events carefully. Instead of testing others, focus on yourself, your needs and what's necessary to achieve the lifestyle you desire. Personal growth is your best option.

GEMINI(May 21-June 20) Avoid detours. Connect the dots and maximize your chance to get the most out of your day and the experience you desire. Something someone says will make adifference in how you think.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Put your energy into something creative. What you discover will help you explore new possibilities at homeorinthe workplace. Change begins within and can jumpstart your ambition.

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

cryptograms are created from quotationsbyfamous people, past and present. Each letterinthe cipherstands for another

FAMILY CIrCUS

better or For WorSe

bAILeY Mother GooSe And GrIMM

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place thenumbers 1to9inthe empty squaressothat each row, each column and each 3x3 boxcontainsthe same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases fromMonday to Sunday

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS CurTiS

BY PHILLIP ALDER

Confucius, whose real name was Kong Qiu, said, “Hewho learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but doesnot learnisingreat danger.” Bridge players who do notthink lose alot of contracts unnecessarily. Bridge players who think but do not wonder about what might go wrong will alsolose some contracts In today’sdeal, Southisinsix spades Howshould he play after West leads the heart queen around to declarer’s ace? Would South’s best play be different if dummy hadonly K-5-4 of spades?

Istrongly approve of North’sthreeclub positive response, showing eightpluspointsandfiveormoreclubs.(When responder, holding astrong hand, begins with two diamonds waiting, he either never shows his full strength or is forced to take control.)

On thethirdround,afterNorth raised spades, South used theGrand Slam Force, asking partner to bid sevenwith twoofthetopthreespadehonors.(Nowadays, this convention has almost died out because RomanKey-Card Blackwood uncoversthe top trump honors.) South can affordonly one trump loser. If thespades are 3-2, there are no problems.Heneeds to worry about 4-1 and 5-0. Thecorrect play is alow spade to dummy’seight.When it loses, South wins thenext trick and leads aspade to theking, heregettinghome. He willbe successful more than 94 percent of the time. If dummy hasonly K-5-4, South should start with dummy’s king, then play low to his 10. His chance hasshrunk atad, to nearly 90 percent. ©2025 by NEA,Inc dist.ByAndrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzleisaword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of 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’s WoRD oMIssIBLE: oh-MIS-ih-bul: Able to be left out or unmentioned.

Averagemark26words

Time limit 45 minutes

Can youfind39ormore words in OMISSIBLE?

YEstERDAY’s WoRD —WALtZInG

wail wain wait waltz want wigan wilt wing align alit anti

lain lawn lazing ling lint tail tang ting twain twang twig twin zing nail gain gait giant gilt glint glitz gnat gnaw

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles hidato

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

Pursuant to theprovi‐sionsofa resolution adoptedbythe Parish School Boardofthe Parish of Lafayette,State of Louisiana(the"Gov‐erning Authority"), act‐ingasthe governingau‐thorityofConsolidated School District No.1 of theParishofLafayette StateofLouisiana (the "District"), on April10, 2025, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVENthata special election will be held within theDistricton SATURDAY,OCTOBER 11, 2025,and that at thesaid election therewillbe submittedtoall regis‐teredvotersinthe Dis‐trictqualified andenti‐tled to vote at thesaid election under theCon‐stitutionand Laws of the StateofLouisiana and theConstitutionofthe United States,the follow‐ingproposition,to-wit: PROPOSITION (SCHOOLMILLAGE CON‐TINUATION) ShallConsolidated School District No.1 of theParishofLafayette StateofLouisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a7.79mills taxonall property subjecttotaxa‐tion in theDistrict(an es‐timated$22,208,000 rea‐sonablyexpectedatthis

election,and theCom‐missioners-in-Charge andCommissioners,re‐spectively,shall be those personsdesignatedac‐cordingtolaw Therevised estimated cost of this election as determined by theSecre‐tary of Statebased upon theprovisionsofChapter 8-AofTitle 18 andactual costsofsimilarelections is $226,600.

Notice is furthergiven that aportion of the monies collectedfrom thetax describedinthe Propositionshall be re‐mitted to certainstate andstatewide retirement systemsinthe manner required by law. Thesaidspecial election will be held in accor‐dancewiththe applica‐bleprovisionsofChapter 5and Chapter6-A of Title 18 of theLouisiana Re‐visedStatutesof1950, as amended, andother con‐stitutionaland statutory authority, andthe offi‐cers appointedtohold thesaidelection, as pro‐videdinthisNoticeof SpecialElection, or such substitutesthereforas maybeselectedand designated in accor‐dancewithLa. R.S. 18:1287, will make duere‐turnsthereof to said GoverningAuthority,and NOTICE IS HEREBY FUR‐THER GIVENthatthe Gov‐erning Authoritywill meet at itsregular meet‐ingplace,the Board Room,202 RueIberville, Lafayette,Louisiana,on THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 13, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. and shallthenand therein open andpublicsession proceed to examineand canvassthe returnsand declarethe resultsofthe said specialelection. All registered voters of the District areentitledto vote at said specialelec‐tion andvotingmachines will be used 151660-aug1-8-15-22-4t $148

CONCERNING THEMAINTENANCE OF STATEROADWAYSTOIN‐CLUDE MOWING ANDLIT‐TERPICKUP BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Council andthe Lafayette Parish Council, that: WHEREAS, pursuant to theprovisionsofLa.

Constitution of theState of Louisianaand La.R.S 33:1324, et seq. provide that,for apublicpur‐pose,publicentities, parishes,municipalities andpolitical subdivi‐sionsmay engage in and make cooperativeen‐deavor agreements/in‐tergovernmentalagree‐mentsbetween them‐selves forspecificpur‐poses. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHERORDAINEDby theLafayette City Coun‐ciland Lafayette Parish Council, that: SECTION1:All of the aforedescribed “Whereas”clauses are adoptedaspartofthis jointordinance SECTION2:The Lafayette Mayor-Presidentis hereby authorized to enterintothe Agreement in substantially thesame form as is attached hereto.Furthermore,the Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐dent is hereby autho‐rizedtosignany andall otherdocuments and take anyand allother ac‐tionsinconnection therewith. SECTION3:SYNOPSIS. Thefollowing is summa‐rizedinformation con‐cerningthe Agreement: Participants: LCGand DOTD Purpose: Thepurpose is to main‐tain vegetation andlitter alongState Roadways identified in Exhibit “A” of theagreement Fundsand/orServices provided by theLCG: LCGshall conductmow‐ingand litter/trashcol‐lectionalong StateRoad‐ways as shownonEx‐hibit“A” of theagree‐ment subjecttoa maxi‐

y p documents which areat‐tached hereto and filed in theOffice of theClerk of Council. SECTION5:All ordi‐nances andresolutions, or partsthereof,incon‐flictherewithare hereby repealed SECTION6:After first having been adoptedby amajorityofthe autho‐rizedmembershipof both theLafayette Parish Counciland the Lafayette City Council, this jointordinance shall become effectiveupon signatureofthisjoint or‐dinancebythe Lafayette Mayor-President, the elapse of ten(10) days afterreceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐dent withoutsignature or veto,oruponanover‐ride of aveto, whichever occurs first. ORDINANCENO. JO-0442025 AJOINT ORDINANCEOF THELAFAYETTE CITY COUNCILAND THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCILAUTHORIZING THELAFAYETTE MAYORPRESIDENTTOENTER INTO ATRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCEAGREE‐MENT WITH THESTATE OF LOUISIANADEPART‐MENT OF TRANSPORTA‐TION ANDDEVELOPMENT BY INCREASING REVENUE BY $197,024 BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Council andthe Lafayette Parish Council, that: WHEREAS, theattached agreementwillbeen‐teredintoonthe 1st day of July 2025and continue to June 30, 2026 between theLouisiana Depart‐ment of Transportation andDevelopment (herein referred to as “DOTD”) andLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Govern‐ment (hereinreferredto as “LCG”);and WHEREAS, DOTD is di‐rected by Section193 of Title48ofthe Louisiana RevisedStatutesof1950 vestsfullcontrol of all municipalstreetswhich form acontinuationof the StateHighway Sys‐tem, designated in La R.S. 48:191asmodified by action of theSecretary; and WHEREAS, theprovision of La.R.S.48:193permits DOTD to contract with LCGfor theperformance of such repair mainte‐nancefunctionsasLCG is able to perform, and both DOTD andLCG will provide certainservices; d

Louisiana, as shownon theattachedlist. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHERORDAINEDby theLafayette City Coun‐ciland theLafayette Parish Council, that: SECTION1:All of the above“Whereas” clauses areadoptedaspartof this jointordinance SECTION2:The Lafayette Mayor-Presidentis hereby authorized to enterintothe agreement in substantially the same form as is attached hereto.Furthermore,the Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐dent is hereby autho‐rizedtosignany andall otherdocuments and take anyand allother ac‐tionsinconnection therewith. SECTION3:Thisadjust‐ment shallbeasre‐flectedinany pertinent documentswhich areat‐tached hereto and filed in theOffice of theClerk of theCouncil. SECTION4:All ordi‐nances andresolutions, or partsthereof,incon‐flictherewithare hereby repealed SECTION5:After first having been adoptedby amajorityofthe autho‐rizedmembershipof both theLafayette Parish Counciland the Lafayette City Council, this jointordinance shall become effectiveupon signatureofthisjoint or‐dinancebythe Lafayette Mayor-President, the elapse of ten(10) days afterreceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐dent withoutsignature or veto,oruponanover‐ride of aveto, whichever occurs first.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE, STATEOFLOUISIANA, TAKEN AT AREGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 19, 2025 HELD AT 705 W.

UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA.

ATTENDANCE

COUNCIL:Kenneth P. Boudreaux (Chair,District 5), Liz W. Hebert (ViceChair,District 3), Elroy Broussard(District1), Andy Naquin (District 2) and Thomas Hooks (District 4)

ABSENT:None

COUNCIL STAFF: Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of the Council), Jeremy J. Swiney (Associate Clerk for Legislative Affairs), Cindy Semien (Assistant Clerk for Legislative Affairs)and Jeremy “Rich” Richardson (Associate Clerk for Operations and Citizen Advocacy)

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:Monique B. Boulet (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Financial Officer), Patrick S. Ottinger (City-Parish Attorney), Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney), Tammy Luke (Director, Community Development and Planning) and Warren Abadie (Director,Public Works)

(7:14:00) CALL TO ORDER

Chair Boudreaux called the Regular City Council Meeting of August 19, 2025toorder

AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The Chair called upon Councilmember Naquin to cite an invocation and uponCouncilmember Heberttolead the Pledge of Allegiance.

WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chair Boudreaux made the following announcements:

•Community Development and Planning has requested that Item #7, CO-080-2025, be deferred indefinitely,due to achange in ownership;

•Community Development and Planning has requested that Item #9, CO-082-2025, be deferred indefinitely,based on an existing court order from District Court;

•Legal has requested an amendment for Item #11, CO-087-2025, to incorporate the final terms of the bonds;

•Wished Inger Malbrough, Council Receptionist, ahappy birthday which she will celebrate on August 22nd.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Boudreaux stated that he toured the new LFT Fiber headquarters today and saw lots of happy faces. He gave kudos to everyone on the budget process, to date.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: EXECUTIVE/MAYOR-PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mayor-President Boulet made the following report:

•Congratulated FireCaptain Coby Bailey who is the recent winner of season 4ofthe “Great American Recipe.” Captain Bailey proudly represented Louisiana and the Gulf Coast on the national stage.

•Rachel Godeauxhas been set the task of leading the search for Lafayette’snew FireChief;

•Invited everyone to attend the braille flag dedication on August 25th;

•The Lafayette Veteran’sAffairs Committee is going to have its first meeting on August 27th;

•Invited everyone to attend the drainage meeting @the main library on September 9th;

•LCG is in receipt of the Louisiana Audit Investigative Report. LCG is part of said report and is taking it very seriously

REPORTAND/OR DISCUSSION ITEM

AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Approaches to overgrown grass cutting/mitigation and compliance program

Luke provided the Council with adiagram of the process for the vegetation nuisance program and noted that they received 3900 calls, 1000 went to bid and 397 wereadjudicated properties.

Luke, Abadie, Godeaux, Boulet and Councilmembersdiscussed the timeline for abatement,breaking down the timeline by each step of the process, the need for amoreefficient process, how the reorganization is affecting the process, staffing, Geaux Mow,adjudicated and blighted properties, costs, repeat offenders, overtime options, the bid process, photos and property liens.

Godeaux offered to provide additional information in 90 days after training has been completed.

Hebert requested alegal opinion regarding citizen photo submissions. She also requested to be provided with information on how contractors become eligible for Geaux Mow Boudreaux requested amap of grass cutting properties and alegal opinion on whether public employees could perform grass cutting on private property using LCG equipment for overtime pay

The Council offered any assistance needed to Luke.

Harold Davis signed in stating that his seven (7) properties werebeing picked on andstatedthat he has a$15,000 bill for charges added to his tax rolls.

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: CO-078-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council declaring the building or structurelocated at 105 Conrad Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, owned by Ledezma Juan Sacramento Sanchez to be dilapidated and dangerous to the public welfareand ordering the condemnation of same, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: CO-079-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council declaring the building or structurelocated at 516 Fourteenth Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, owned by QuincyMason Richardand Mathis Brent RichardC/O Margo H. Dugas, Attorney Appointed, and Dionne Lynette Richard, to be dilapidatedand dangerous to the public welfare and ordering the condemnation of same, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hooks, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

Motion to adopt wasapproved.

DEFER INDEFINITELY

AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: CO-080-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council declaring the building or structurelocated at 1402 Moss Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, owned by William JZimmer and Patricia Claire FieroZimmer,tobedilapidated and dangerous to the public welfare and ordering the condemnation of same, motion to defer indefinitelyby Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to defer indefinitely was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: CO-081-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council declaring the building or structurelocated at 141 S. Orleans Drive, Lafayette,Louisiana, owned by Sara Dixon Williams C/O Margo H. Dugas, Attorney Appointed, to be dilapidated and dangerous to the public welfare and ordering the condemnation of same, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.

DEFER INDEFINITELY

AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: CO-082-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council declaring the building or structurelocated at 405 W. Saint Louis Street, Lafayette, Louisiana,owned by Nancy Lee Buttleman and Glen Gale Guilbeau (Estate) C/O Margo H. Dugas, Attorney Appointed, and Lima Network, C/O Melissa Castille to be dilapidated and dangerous to the public welfareand ordering the condemnation of same, motion to defer indefinitely by Hebert,seconded by Broussard, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None

ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to defer indefinitely was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.10: CO-086-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by transferring $9,000 from the Citywide Traffic Calming Project and appropriating within the Traffic, Roads &Bridges Department forthe CarriageDrive Street Lighting Project,motiontoadopt by Hebert, seconded by Naquin, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.11: CO-087-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council providing for the issuance and sale of Communications System Revenue Bonds, Series 2025, of the City of Lafayette, StateofLouisiana; and providing forothermatters in connection therewith, motiontoadopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert.

Amotiontoamend to incorporatethe final termsofthe bonds by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to amend was approved.

The Chairthen called fora vote to adopt,asamended, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt, as amended, was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.12: CO-088-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 operating and capital budgets of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by transferring $90,000 from the Citywide TrafficCalming Project to anew project account for River Road Area TrafficCalming,motiontoadopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.13: CO-089-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council amending the Lafayette Development Code so as to reclassify Case No.2025-8-AZON Jefferson BoulevardAdministrative Rezoning, located generally north of SeventhStreet, East of NE Evangeline Thruway and south of East Simcoe Street; 400, 410, 412, 415, 416, 508, 510, 512, 516, 517, 609, 616, 618, 620, 708 &710 Jefferson Boulevard, 106 Saint Charles Street, 413, 419, 505, 511, 515 &600 East Third Street, 100 NE Evangeline Thruway,208, 210 &216 North Magnolia Street, 127 &133 SouthOrange Street, 200 &204 North Orange Street, 105 Moss Street, 500 East Simcoe Street and 408 East Second Street being rezoned from CH (Commercial-Heavy) to MN-2 (Mixed-Use Neighborhood) and CM-2 (Commercial Mixed), motion to adopt by Hebert, seconded by Broussard, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS:None ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.14: CO-090-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing revenues in the amount of $50,000 received from the United Nations Development Programme to develop an application for the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, appropriating within Lafayette Utilities System, and authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to execute any documents necessary forproject completion and application submission, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.15: CO-091-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 operating and capital budgets of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government, transferring $90,000 from Citywide TrafficCalming to LeonieStreet Area TrafficCalming motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

Two(2) citizens signed in, in support of the ordinance, but didnot wish to speak.

Anne Swanson, SevieZeller,ErinLi-Sik and David Li-Sikspoke in support of the ordinance noting safety concerns, speeding, accidents and thanking the Council

AGENDA ITEM NO.16: CO-092-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to file an application with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for operating and capital assistance in the amount of $3,077,256 through the FTAFY2025 Section 5307 Urbanized Area FormulaGrant along with the required match in the amount of $2,017,256 forfederal fiscal year 2025 for use within the Traffic, Roads, and Bridges Department,Transit Division, motiontoadopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.17: CO-093-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City

Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to file an application with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for capital assistance in the amount of $258,586 through the FTAFY2025 Section5339 Bus and Bus

Facilities Formula Allocations program for Capital Assistance along with the required match in the amount of $45,633 forFederal Fiscal Year 2025 for use within the Traffic, Roads, and Bridges Department,Transit Division, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS:None ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

JOINT ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

AGENDA ITEM NO.18: JO-043-2025 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to enter into amaintenance agreement between the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government and the Stateof Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development concerning the maintenance of state roadways to include mowing and litter pickup, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO.19: JO-044-2025 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to enter into aTrafficSignalMaintenance Agreement with the State of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development by increasing revenue by $197,024, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows:

YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.

INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

Amotion to introduceagenda items 20-24, in globo, was offeredby Hebert, seconded by Naquin.

20. CO-094-2025Anordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 operatingbudgetofthe Lafayette CityParish ConsolidatedGovernment by increasing revenues in the amount of $28,100 received from the Louisiana Commission on LawEnforcement(LCLE)authorizing the transferofmatching funds in the amount of $9,367 from Fund 101 andappropriating within the Lafayette PoliceDepartment.

21. CO-095-2025Anordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 operatingbudgetand adjusting manning tables of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by utilizing funding in the Promotion Costs line iteminthe amount of $1,350 to promote two(2) Corporals to two(2) Senior Corporals within the Lafayette PoliceDepartment.

22. CO-096-2025Anordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to execute an Actof Cash Sale by andbetween the City of Lafayette andJefferson Street Development, LLC for the price andsum of $6,176,250 for the acquisition by the City of Lafayette of thatcertainproperty,with improvements andappurtenantservitudesand property rights, having amunicipaladdress of 214 JeffersonStreet,Lafayette Louisiana,for the presentpurpose of housing the operationsand employees of the Communications SystemDepartment andfor other presentorfuturepermissible purposes, andamending the FY 24/25 capitalbudgetofthe Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government to appropriate the sum of $6,176,250 for the purchase of the property

23. CO-097-2025Anordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 operatingbudgetofthe Lafayette CityParish ConsolidatedGovernment by adjusting the manning tables andincreasing the hourly pay rate of one (1)Hazardous Material Coordinator position due to years of service adjustment within the Lafayette FireDepartment.

24. CO-098-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 24/25 operatingand capitalbudgetofthe Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by increasing the use of RetainedEarnings Reserve in the amount of $2,850,000 andusing Prior Year Fund Balance in the amount of $630,000 within the UtilitiesDepartment.

The Chair thencalledfor avote to introducethe ordinances (items 20-24), in globo, andthe vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard,Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to introduce, in globo, was approved.

JOINT INTRODUCTORYORDINANCE

25.

26.

27. JO-047-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 24/25 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by authorizing the transferof$250,000 in Home Investment Partnerships Program(HOME) funds within the Community Development andPlanning Department to Catholic Charities of Acadiana.

28. JO-048-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 24/25 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by authorizing the transferof$15,000 in Home American Rescue Plan(HOME-ARP) funds within the Community Development and Planning Department to AcadianaOutreach Center.

29. JO-049-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 24/25 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by authorizing the transferof$25,355 in Home American Rescue Plan(HOME-ARP) funds within the Community Development andPlanning Department to AcadianaRegionalCoalition on Homelessness andHousing.

30. JO-050-2025 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 24/25 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish ConsolidatedGovernment by authorizingthe transferof$420,000 in Home American Rescue Plan(HOME-ARP) funds within the Community Development and Planning Department to Catholic Charities of Acadiana.

The Chair thencalledfor avote to introducethe ordinances (items 25-30) in globo, andthe vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard,Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux

NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to introduce, in globo, was approved.

#26 –Melinda Taylor signed in, in support of the ordinance, to answer any questions. Therewerenoquestions.

#27 -Kim Boudreauxsignedin, in support of the ordinance, to answer any questions. Therewerenoquestions.

#30 -Kim Boudreauxsignedin, in support of the ordinance, to answer any questions. Therewerenoquestions.

COMMENT(S) FROM THEPUBLIC

AGENDAITEM NO. 31: Comments from the public on anyothermatter(s) not on this agenda. No one signedintospeak.

(9:05:00) ADJOURN

Therebeing no furtherbusiness to come beforethe Council, Chair Boudreauxdeclared the RegularMeeting adjourned.

/s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL