Football returns to small Louisiana town 40 years after high school team disbanded
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
For the first time in 39 years, Livingston residents donned purple and gold and packed into the stands to watch their sons, friends and students play a football game.
The fans cheered for a team of 40 seventh graders wearing brand-new jerseys and representing the Doyle Tigers at a jamboree game Aug. 26 against North Corbin at Walker High School.
The young team, composed mostly of boys who had never played a down of organized football in their lives, didn’t score at the preseason game.
But the players, coaches and residents all say what they are doing out on the field is bigger than any scoreboard.
“You could just feel an excitement,” Livingston Mayor JT Taylor said about the scrimmage. “The first first down, you would’ve thought we won the Super Bowl.” In 1986, the Doyle High School varsity football team played its last season, going 0-10. The school then disbanded the program after more than 20 years.
Nearly four decades later Doyle is bringing back its junior high football program,
ä See FOOTBALL, page 4A
Earthquake destroys villages, kills 800
By The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan Desperate Afghans clawed through rubble in search of missing loved ones after a strong earthquake killed some 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures provided Monday by the Taliban government.
The 6.0 magnitude quake late
Sunday hit towns in the province of Kunar near the city of Jalalabad in neighboring Nangarhar province, causing extensive damage.
One resident in Nurgal district, one of the worst-affected areas in Kunar, said nearly the entire village was destroyed “Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble.
Young people are under the rubble,” said the villager who did not give his name.
“We need help here,” he pleaded.
“We need people to come here and join us. Let us pull out the people who are buried. There is no one who can come and remove dead bodies from under the rubble.”
ä See EARTHQUAKE, page 4A
La. puts Voting Rights Act in crosshairs
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
the federal government to oversee voting in states where discrimination was happening and required states with discriminatory voting practices to get federal approval before making changes to voting laws.
The stated aim of the law was to enforce the 15th Amendment, which had been approved nearly 100 years earlier and says, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in part says, “No voting qualification or prerequisite to voting or standard, practice, or procedure shall be imposed or applied by any state or political subdivision in a manner which results in a denial or abridgment of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color.”
“When it was passed, the main concern was to facilitate Black registration and turnout,”
Supreme Court to mull race’s role in redistricting ä See VOTING, page 4A
PHOTOS By APRIL BUFFINGTON
The Doyle Tigers run back to the sidelines after halftime against North Corbin Junior High on Aug. 26 at Walker High School. The 40 Doyle seventh graders make up the school’s first football team in almost 40 years.
Doyle’s Dallas Savant, center, tries to run the ball during the Aug. 26 jamboree.
Man found dead at Burning Man festival
RENO Nev A man found dead in a pool of blood is being investigated as a homicide at the annual Burning Man art and music festival in the northwestern Nevada desert, authorities say Authorities were alerted about the man Saturday at the gathering in the Black Rock Desert about 110 miles north of Reno.
Deputies along with rangers from the Bureau of Land Management responded and “found a single white adult male lying on the ground, obviously deceased,” the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Sunday
The investigation has included interviewing several participants and cordoning off a perimeter in the area where the body was found in the makeshift encampment called Black Rock City The identity of the dead male was not immediately known, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Small planes collide midair; 1 dead, 3 hurt
FORT MORGAN, Colo.
One person was killed and three were injured when two small planes collided midair as they tried to land at an airport in northeastern Colorado, authorities said.
A Cessna 172 and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 collided Sunday morning while trying to land at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Both planes — each with two people aboard crashed and caught fire, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said. The two on the Cessna suffered minor injuries, one of the occupants of the other plane was taken to a hospital, and the other was pronounced dead at the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.
CDC tells employees to return to office Sept. 15
Employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been told to return to the office by Sept. 15, roughly five weeks after a gunman fired hundreds of rounds at the agency’s headquarters in DeKalb County, according to an internal email obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday
In the email that was sent Thursday by the CDC’s new chief operating officer, Lynda Chapman, she stated the agency was taking “necessary steps to restore our workplace” and would “return to regular on-site operations” by that date.
While no employees were struck during the Aug. 8 attack that left DeKalb County police Officer David Rose dead, many have been fearful about returning to the office.
Actress Robin Wright leaves U.S. for England
Robin Wright has left the U.S. for England. “America is a s***show,” the 59-year-old Golden Globe winner told London newspaper The Times. Wright, who played ruthless first lady Claire Underwood in HBO’s “House of Cards,” was reluctant to talk politics in the interview published over the weekend, but said she loved the “freedom” of living in England.
“I love being in this country There’s a freedom of self here. People are so kind,” she said. According to the Southern California-raised Texas native, she found life in the U.S. to be fast, competitive and filled with often “panicked” people distracted by ambition. Not so with folks in England. “They’re living,” according to Wright. Wright has been largely working in the United Kingdom for the past couple of years and renting properties, the Times reported.
Boy fatally shot after doorbell-ringing prank
An 11-year-old boy was fatally shot in Houston after a prank in which he rang the doorbell of a home and ran away, police said Sunday The boy had been ringing doorbells as a prank late Saturday evening, the Houston Police Department said in a statement. Commonly referred to as “ding dong ditching,” the prank involves fleeing before someone inside the home opens the door
International scholars accuse Israel of genocide
Latest strikes across Gaza Strip kill 31
BY WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMY MAGDY and SAM METZ Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israel launched strikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 31 people as it presses ahead with a major offensive in the territory’s largest city, according to health officials. Leading genocide scholars, meanwhile, accused Israel of genocide, allegations the government vehemently rejects.
Airstrikes and artillery shelling have echoed through Gaza City since Israel declared it a combat zone last week. On the city’s outskirts and in the Jabaliya refugee camp, residents have observed explosive-laden robots demolishing buildings.
“Another merciless night in Gaza City,” said Saeed Abu Elaish, a Jabaliya-born medic sheltering in the northwestern side of the city
Israel says it only targets militants and blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the militant group — now largely reduced to a guerrilla organization operates in densely-populated areas.
The world’s leading authority on food crises said last month that
Gaza was in the throes of famine — a crisis driven by ongoing fighting and Israel’s blockade, magnified by repeated mass displacement and the collapse of food production.
A total of 63,557 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says another 160,660 people have been wounded. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up around half the dead.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government but staffed by medical professionals. U.N. agencies and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of war casualties. Israel disputes them, but hasn’t provided its own toll.
Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and took 251 people hostage. Forty-eight hostages are still inside Gaza, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive.
The largest professional organization of scholars studying genocide said Monday that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel, which was established in the wake of the Holocaust, in which 6 million European Jews and others were killed, vehemently rejects the allegation. It says it takes every measure to avoid
harming civilians and is fighting a war of self-defense after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which Israel says was itself a genocidal act.
A resolution from the International Association of Genocide Scholars — which has around 500 members worldwide, including a number of Holocaust experts said that “Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide,” as well as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The resolution was supported by 86% of those who voted. The organization didn’t release the specifics of the voting.
“People who are experts in the study of genocide can see this situation for what it is,” Melanie O’Brien, the organization’s president and a professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, told The Associated Press.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry called it “an embarrassment to the legal profession and to any academic standard.” It said the determination was “entirely based on Hamas’ campaign of lies.”
Thousands of Israelis gathered for the funeral of Idan Shtivi, one of two hostages whose remains were recovered in a military operation last week. A private funeral was held for Ilan Weiss, the other captive.
Pope meets LGBTQ+ advocate, vows to keep legacy of welcome
BY NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
VATICAN CITY Pope Leo XIV met Monday with one of the most prominent advocates for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church and encouraged his ministry, sending a strong signal of welcome in the early months of his pontificate.
The Rev James Martin, a New Yorkbased Jesuit author and editor, said Leo told him he intended to continue Pope Francis’ policy of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the church and encouraged him to keep up his advocacy
“I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis, which is the desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people,” Martin told The Associated Press after the audience. “It was wonderful. It was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun.”
The meeting, which lasted about half an hour, was officially announced by the Vatican in a sign that Leo wanted it made public. It came just days before LGBTQ+ Catholics participate in a Holy Year pilgrimage to the Vatican in another sign of welcome.
The audience was significant because it showed a strong sign of continuity with Francis, who more than any of Leo’s predecessors worked to make the Catholic Church a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ Catholics. From his 2013 quip, “Who am I to judge?” about a purportedly gay priest, to his decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, Francis distinguished himself with his message of welcome.
During his 12-year papacy from 2013 to 2025, Francis met on several occasions with Martin and named him an adviser in the Vatican’s communications department and a member of his big multiyear meeting on the future of the church. Still,
Francis never changed church teaching saying homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.”
Leo’s position on LGBTQ+ Catholics had been something of a question. Soon after he was elected in May, remarks surfaced from 2012 in which the future pope, then known as the Rev Robert Prevost, criticized the “homosexual lifestyle” and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine.
When he became a cardinal in 2023, Catholic News Service asked Prevost if his views had changed. He acknowledged Francis’ call for a more inclusive church, saying Francis “made it very clear that he doesn’t want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress, or whatever.”
Prevost then underlined that doctrine had not changed. “But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church,” he said.
News of the audience was met with consternation among some conservatives who had criticized Francis’ outreach and had hoped Leo would be less accepting. Taylor Marshall, a podcaster active on Catholic social media, merely posted the official Vatican photo of the encounter on X. John-Henry Weston, cofounder of the LifeSite news site, called the audience a “nightmare scenario.”
Martin helped found Outreach, a ministry promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance, which will participate in a big Holy Year pilgrimage Friday and Saturday sponsored by Italian LGBTQ+ Catholic group Jonathan’s Tent. Significantly, the pilgrimage of about 1,200 people includes a Mass at the Jesuit church in Rome celebrated by the second-highest member of the Italian bishop’s conference.
Trump says
he’s
awarding Giuliani the Medal of Freedom
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Monday he will award former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, two days after his longtime political ally was seriously injured in a car crash.
The decision places the award on a man once lauded for leading New York after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and later sanctioned by courts and disbarred for amplifying false claims about the 2020 election.
Trump in a statement on social media called Giuliani the “greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot.” For much of the past two decades, Giuliani’s public life has been defined by a striking rise and fall. After leading New York through the aftermath of Sept 11 he mounted a brief campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and became one of the most recognizable political figures in the country. But as Trump’s personal lawyer, he became a central figure in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Courts repeatedly rejected the fraud claims he advanced, and two former Georgia election workers won a $148 million defamation judgment against him.
Giuliani was disbarred in New York and Washington for repeatedly making false statements about the election, and he was criminally charged in Georgia and Arizona in connection with efforts to undo Trump’s loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Giuliani, 81, was hospitalized after the Saturday night collision in New Hampshire. State police said he was a passenger in a rented Ford Bronco driven by his spokesperson, Ted Goodman, when the vehicle was struck from behind by a Honda HR-V Giuliani suffered a fractured thoracic vertebra along with multiple lacerations, contusions and injuries to his left arm and leg, according to his security chief, Michael Ragusa. On Monday Ragusa said Giuliani remained in the hospital but was expected to be released “soon.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ARIEL SCHALIT
Friends and relatives mourn over the coffin of slain hostage Idan Shtivi, whose body was recovered in an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, during his funeral Monday in Kfar Maas, Israel.
1.2M immigrants have vanished from U.S. labor force
BY COREY WILLIAMS Associated Press
It’s tomato season and Lidia is harvesting on farms in California’s Central Valley She is also anxious. Attention from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could upend her life more than 23 years after she illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border as a teenager
“The worry is they’ll pull you over when you’re driving and ask for your papers,” said Lidia, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition that only her first name be used because of her fears of deportation. “We need to work. We need to feed our families and pay our rent.”
As parades and other events celebrating the contributions of workers in the U.S. were held Monday for the Labor Day holiday, experts say President Donald Trump’s stepped-up immigration policies are impacting the nation’s labor force. More than 1.2 million immigrants disappeared from the labor force from January through the end of July, according to preliminary Census Bureau data analyzed by the Pew Research Center. That includes people who are in the country illegally as well as legal residents Immigrants make up almost 20% of the U.S. workforce and that data shows 45% of workers in farming, fishing and forestry are immigrants, according to Pew senior researcher Stephanie Kramer About 30% of
all construction workers are immigrants and 24% of service workers are immigrants, she added The loss in immigrant workers comes as the nation is seeing the first decline in the overall immigrant population after the number of people in the U.S. illegally reached an all-time high of 14 million in 2023.
“It’s unclear how much of the decline we’ve seen since January is due to voluntary departures to pursue other opportunities or avoid deportation, removals underreporting or other technical issues,” Kramer said.
“However, we don’t believe that the preliminary numbers indicating net-negative
migration are so far off that the decline isn’t real.”
Trump campaigned on a promise to deport millions of immigrants working in the U.S. illegally He has said he is focusing deportation efforts on “dangerous criminals,” but most people detained by ICE have no criminal convictions. At the same time, the number of illegal border crossings has plunged under his policies.
Pia Orrenius, a labor economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, said immigrants normally contribute at least 50% of job growth in the U.S.
“The influx across the border from what we can tell is essentially stopped, and
that’s where we were getting millions and millions of migrants over the last four years,” she said.
‘Crops did go to waste’
Just across the border from Mexico in McAllen, Texas, corn and cotton fields are about ready for harvesting.
Elizabeth Rodriguez worries there won’t be enough workers available for the gins and other machinery once the fields are cleared.
Immigration enforcement actions at farms, businesses and construction sites brought everything to a standstill, said Rodriguez, director of farmworker advocacy for the National Farmworker Ministry
“In May during the peak of our watermelon and cantaloupe season, it delayed it. A lot of crops did go to waste,” she said.
In Ventura County California Lisa Tate manages her family business that grows citrus fruits, avocados and coffee on eight ranches and 800 acres.
Most of the men and women who work their farms are contractor-provided day laborers. There were days earlier this year when crews would be smaller Tate is hesitant to place that blame on immigration policies. But the fear of ICE raids spread quickly Dozens of area farmworkers were arrested late this spring.
Lidia, the farmworker who spoke to the AP through an interpreter, said her biggest fear is being sent back to Mexico. Now 36, she is married with three school-age children who were born here.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to bring my kids,” said Lidia. “I’m also very concerned I’d have to start from zero. My whole life has been in the United States.”
Construction, health care
Construction sites in and around McAllen also “are completely dead,” Rodriguez said.
“We have a large labor force that is undocumented,” she said. “We’ve seen ICE particularly targeting construction sites and attempting to target mechanic and repair shops.”
The number of construc-
tion jobs are down in about half of U.S. metropolitan areas, according to an Associated General Contractors of America analysis of government employment data. The largest loss of 7,200 jobs was in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California, area. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area lost 6,200 jobs.
“Construction employment has stalled or retreated in many areas for a variety of reasons,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors report they would hire more people if only they could find more qualified and willing workers and tougher immigration enforcement wasn’t disrupting labor supplies.” Kramer, with Pew, also warns about the potential impact on health care. She says immigrants make up about 43% of home health care aides.
The Service Employees International Union represents about 2 million workers in health care, the public sector and property services. An estimated half of long-term care workers who are members of SEIU 2015 in California are immigrants, said Arnulfo De La Cruz, the local’s president.
“What’s going to happen when millions of Americans can no longer find a home care provider?” De La Cruz said. “What happens when immigrants aren’t in the field to pick our crops? Who’s going to staff our hospitals and nursing homes?”
Trump plans a hefty tax on imported drugs, risking higher prices
BY PAUL WISEMAN and TOM MURPHY Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has plastered tariffs on products from almost every country on earth. He’s targeted specific imports including autos, steel and aluminum. But he isn’t done yet.
Trump has promised to impose hefty import taxes on pharmaceuticals, a category of products he’s largely spared in his trade war For decades, in fact, imported medicine has mostly been allowed to enter the United States duty free.
That’s starting to change.
U.S. and European leaders recently detailed a trade deal that includes a 15% tariff rate on some European goods brought into the United States, including pharmaceuticals Trump is threatening duties of 200% more on drugs made elsewhere.
“Shock and awe” is how Maytee Pereira of the tax and consulting firm PwC describes Trump’s plans for drugmakers. “This is an industry that’s going from zero (tariffs) to the potentiality of 200%.”
Trump has promised Americans he’ll lower their drug costs. But imposing stiff pharmaceutical tariffs risks the opposite and could disrupt complex supply chains, drive cheap foreignmade generic drugs out of the U.S. market and create shortages.
“A tariff would hurt consumers most of all, as they would feel the inflationary effect directly when paying for prescriptions at the pharmacy and indirectly through higher insurance premiums,” Diederik Stadig, a health care economist with the financial services firm ING, wrote in a commentary last month, adding that lower-income households and the elderly would feel the greatest impact.
The threat comes as Trump also pressures drugmakers to lower prices in the United States He recently sent letters to several companies telling them to develop a plan to start offering so-called most-favored nation pricing here. But Trump has said he’d delay the tariffs for a year or a year and a half, giving companies a chance to stockpile medicine and shift manufacturing to the United States — something some have already begun to do.
Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger said in a July 29 note that most drugmakers have already increased drug product imports and may carry between six and 18 months of inventory in the U.S Jefferies analyst David Windley said in a recent research note that tariffs that don’t kick in until the back half of 2026 may not be felt until 2027 or 2028 due to stockpiling.
Moreover many analysts suspect Trump will settle for a tariff far lower than 200%. They also are waiting to see whether any tariff policy includes an exemption for certain products like lowmargin generic drugs.
Still, Stadig says, even a 25% levy would gradually raise U.S. drug prices by 10% to 14% as the stockpiles dwindle.
In recent decades, drugmakers have moved many operations overseas — to take advantage of lower costs in China and India and tax breaks in Ireland and Switzerland. As a result, the U.S. trade deficit in medicinal and pharmaceutical products is big — nearly $150 billion last year
The COVID-19 experience — when countries were desperate to hang onto their own medicine and medical supplies underscored the dangers of relying on foreign countries in a crisis, especially when a key supplier
is America’s geopolitical rival China.
In April, the administration started investigating how importing drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients affects national security Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 permits the president to order tariffs for the sake of national security
Marta Wosinska, a health policy analyst at the Brookings Institution, says there is a role for tariffs in securing U.S. medical supplies. The Biden administration, she noted, successfully taxed foreign syringes when cheap Chinese imports threatened to drive U.S. producers out of business.
Trump has bigger ideas: He wants to bring pharmaceutical factories back to the United States, noting that U.S.-made drugs won’t face his tariffs.
Drugmakers are already investing in the United States.
The Swiss drugmaker Roche said in April that it will invest $50 billion in expanding its U.S. operations. Johnson & Johnson will spend $55 billion within the United States in the next four years.
But building a pharmaceutical factory in the United States from scratch is expensive and can take several years.
And building in the U.S. wouldn’t necessarily protect a drugmaker from Trump’s tariffs, not if the taxes applied to imported ingredients used in the medicine.
Jacob Jensen, trade policy analyst at the right-leaning American Action Forum, notes that “97% of antibiotics, 92% of antivirals and 83% of the most popular generic drugs contain at least one active ingredient that is manufactured abroad.”
“The only way to truly protect yourself from the tariffs would be to build the supply chain end to end in the United States,” Pereira said.
Russia suspected of jamming navigation on EU leader’s plane above Bulgaria
BY SAM MCNEIL and VALENTINA PETROVA Associated Press
authori-
dering Russia have warned of increased electronic activity interfering with flights, ships and drones. Russian authorities did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
“This incident underlines the urgency of the mission that the president is carrying out in the front-line member states,” Podestà said.
Brand-name drug companies have fat profit margins that provide flexibility to make investments and absorb costs as Trump’s tariffs begin. Generic drug manufacturers do not. Some may decide to leave the U.S. market rather than pay tariffs. That could prove
disruptive: Generics account for 92% of U.S. retail and mail-order pharmacy prescriptions.
Brookings’ Wosinska argues that tariffs alone are unlikely to persuade generic drug manufacturers to build U.S. factories: They’d probably need government
financing. “We have offshored so much of our supply chains because we want to have inexpensive drugs,” Wosinska said. “If we want to reverse this, we would really have to redesign our system How much are we willing to spend?”
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By DAMIAN DOVARGANES
Migrant farmworkers head to pick crops on an early morning in July in Fresno, Calif.
PHOTO By APRIL BUFFINGTON
Fans fill the stands Aug. 26 to cheer on the firstDoyle football team in 40 years in ajamboreeagainst North CorbinJunior High on Walker High School’sfootball field.
FOOTBALL
Continued from page1A
with the team playingits first season this fall.
For now,Friday night lights aren’t returning to the townof about 2,000 residents. Butthe district has planstomove to ahigh school junior varsity program in about two years, witha high school varsity team competing by 2030.
The Doyle Tigers will play their regular season opener on Tuesday at Central Private School
‘Thisisaveryuniquething’
The return of Doyle footballwas announced early this year,and more than three dozenplayers have joined the squad. That number surpassed the expectations of coach Blaine Westmoreland.
“If you told me 40 kids were going to commit to football at a school thereisn’t football at,I’d probably tell you lowerthan that,” he said.
Cade Denney,a12-year-old left defensive end, is one of the many recruits who had never played organized football. He said he joined because he knew it was important for the school.
“I felt like it would be agood time because most of the kids haven’tplayed either,” the seventh grader said.
He compared being on the team to a“brotherhood.”
“The opposingteam has experienced players that have been playing from ayoung age, but that doesn’treally stop us,” he said.
Unlike most teams, the Doyle Tigers spend their practice time not just going over plays but discovering fundamentals like wearing pads or just steppingfoot on a football field
Westmoreland described the firstday of the players wearing pads, saying it took most ofthem half of the practice to putthem on correctly He said the coaches haveto instruct the players on the rules of thegamewhile alsotrying to teach offense, defense and special teams, as well as building a culture.
“We’re very unique. This is a very unique thingwe’redoing. It’s adifferent aspect of anything I’ve ever coached before,” Westmoreland said.
While the process of getting the Tigers on the field requires alot of work, the coachsaidhearing some of the responses from residents has put into perspective how historic having ateam is for the town. Westmoreland said that during thejamboreegame, someonein the stands said, “because of those 40 kids and coaches out there, I’m going to get to watch my grandson wear purple and gold.”
Rebuilding afootballprogram
Talks of bringing football back to Livingstonhavelingeredfor decades, but things ramped up in recent years.
Residentshave been asking Taylor about bringing football back since he took officenearly five years ago. He said aboutevery onetotwo weeksresidents wouldapproach
him with some version of,“We need to get football back.”
The mayor said the town has plenty of children whogrow up in Livingston butleave just to go play football, and others who spend Friday nights at other schoolsjust to watch games
At thestart of the2024-25school year,Doyle hired anew principal, Ashley Sharp,and anew junior high disciplinarian, Westmoreland.
Sharp, whohad worked as a principal in the parish, and Westmoreland, who had coached football in the area, would joke about bringing the sport back to Doyle beforetheybothstarted theirnew jobs.
“It’ssomething that thecommunity has asked for along time, and there wereseveral studentsthat were interested init…atthe time, it was right,” Sharp said.
Bringing football back has reinforceda funculture and climate at the school andalso throughout the town,Sharp said.
Creating afootball team from scratchalsocomes with aprice tag.
Theteam is working toward a goal of raising $50,000 this year, thecoach said.
Theschool announced in February it was bringing the team back andgot right to fundraising. The players havesold parking for the Rock the Country concert, jambalayaand T-shirts.
Theteam has no regular season home gamesthisyear,and most likely won’tfor theforeseeable future, as the town has no football field. The team hopes to change that one day
“The vision Ihave is verylarge,” Westmoreland said. “It’sa marathon, not asprint. This is avery longprocess.”
Theformer Doyle football teams playedhomegames down thestreet at afootball field where Johnny Sartwell Memorial Parkis. That park is home of theschool’s baseball team.
‘It’shome’
Doylefootballalumni have waited for thereturn of theteam for decades.
Mike Williams, DoyleHighclass of 1982 alumnus, was thequarterback hissenior year.Hesaid football“back then was areal big deal” forthe town.
Jeff Taylor,Livingston Parish assessor andDoyle High class of 1982 alumnus, played football
Back then, some players were on the field the whole game because theteam had no other options, he said.
He wouldplayonboththe offensive and the defensive lines.Then during halftime, he would trade his helmet for asaxophone and march with the band. His teammates would joke that he “spent more time onthe footballfield than anyone else in history.”
He said losing football was a huge ordeal for the town and that alumni have “total excitement” for the first football season and will be at the games.
“Wewant to be there,” he said, about the alumni.“It’shome.”
Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@theadvocate com.
VOTING
said CharlesBullockIII, apolitical science professor at the University of Georgia and expert on Southern politicsand elections.
But by the early 1970s,the Supreme Court had already interpreted thelaw broadly as applying to redistricting, Bullocksaid.
Redistricting —when state and localgovernments periodically redraw mapsofvoting districts can be done in away that dilutes the effectiveness of aminority group’svoting strength, denying it thechancetoelect apreferred candidate. Lawsuits challenging this type of practice are known as “vote dilution” cases.
Whywas theact created?
Soon after theend of the Civil Warin1865, three “reconstruction” amendments to the U.S. Constitution wereapproved.
The 13thAmendment put an end to slavery,the 14thAmendment extended citizenship and equal protectionofthe laws to Black Americans, and the 15th Amendmentprohibited racial discriminationinvoting.
But for decades, Southern states enforced laws designed to prevent Black people from voting —like literacy,education andmoral character tests —leading to the tougher approach of the VotingRightsAct.
“Itwas needed because, primarily,states wouldn’tpay attention to the 14thand 15th Amendments to theConstitution,” said Kareem Crayton, alegal scholar at theBrennanCenter for Justice.
“States, particularly those in theSouth, had been committed to extend JimCrowtothe political space,”Crayton said.
In a1966 opinion upholding the new law’sconstitutionality,U.S. Supreme Court ChiefJusticeEarl Warren noted that Southernstates for decades had defied the 15th Amendment.
“The Voting RightsAct was designed by Congress to banish the blight of racial discrimination in voting, which hasinfectedthe electoral process in parts of ourcountryfor nearly acentury,” Warren wrote.
Howisthe actinterpreted?
Alandmark decision in a1986 Supreme Court case called Thornburg v. Gingles outlined three criteria thatplaintiffs need to meet to challenge aredistricting plan in court and bring avote dilution claim underSection 2.
Those three factors are whether: n the minority group is large enough and lives close together enough to form amajority in asingle voting district n the minority group is politically cohesive and tends to vote as abloc and n the majority group also votes as abloc and typicallydefeats themi-
EARTHQUAKE
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The quake hit just before midnight andwas centered17miles east-northeastofJalalabad at a depth of 5miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Shallower quakes tend to causemoredamage. Several aftershocks followed.
Footage showed rescuers taking injuredpeople on stretchers from collapsed buildings and into helicopters as people frantically dug through rubble with their hands
TheTaliban government’schief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, saidatanews conference on Mondaythatthe death toll hadrisen to at least800 withmorethan 2,500 injured. He said mostofthe casualties wereinKunar
The quake was felt in parts of Pakistan, including the capitalIslamabad. There were no reportsof casualties or damage.
nority’spreferred candidate.
Once aplaintiff canshow those conditions are met,acourt is then allowed to considerifaredistrictingplaninterferes with aminority group’sability to elect preferred candidates in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
The Gingles test is thecourt’sway of trying to operationalizethe lawin the redistrictingcontext, saidMichael Gilbert, an election law professor at the University of Virginia.
“How do we decide if this setof districtsisorisnot compatible with the Voting Rights Act, given that districting is very hard and complicated and the Voting Rights Act is very vague,” he said.
Gilbert said that, during aVoting Rights Act challenge of district maps, theGingles test helps get at thequestion,“Is there away to take aracial minority group that is right now situatedinthose districts one way,and draw aline around them so thatthey become aseparate district and they’re situated in another way —away in which they’ll have more political power?”
Louisianav.Callais case
The case Louisiana v. Callais deals with the state’ssix congressional districts and the factthat Louisiana’spopulation is roughly onethirdBlack.
After agroup of Black voters sued over Louisiana’scongressional map, afederal judge found Louisiana’s map likely violated Section 2ofthe VotingRights Act forhaving just one majority-Black congressional district out of six total. In response, Louisiana drew anew map and added asecond majority-Black district. But agroup of White voters then suedover that newmap.Theyarguedthe mapwith two majorityBlack districts violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment andisanunconstitutional racial gerrymander
The White voters essentially argued Louisiana relied on race too much in deciding howtodrawthe newcongressionalmap. That case is now before the SupremeCourt.
The two lawsuitsraise atension between the Voting Rights Act, which allows states to userace to help remedy racial discrimination in voting maps, and the Equal Protection Clause of theConstitution, which says the law must be applied equally to all people regardless of race.
“If you have to take race into account to assure that you’re not discriminating, but youcan’t take race too much intoaccount that youoffend the racial gerrymanderingstandard, is thereapathinthe middle?” Crayton said. “That’sin some ways Ithink whatthis court is asking.”
Gilbert saidthe basictension between the14th and15th Amendments and the Voting Rights Act has been around since the law’sinception.
“On the one hand, the 14th and 15thAmendments forbid the gov-
Eastern Afghanistan is mountainous, with remote areas and the quake has worsened communications. Blocked roads are forcing aidworkers to walk four or five hours to reach survivors. Dozens of flightshave operated in and out of Nangarhar Airport,transporting the injured to hospitals.
BuildingsinAfghanistan tend to be low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, with homes in rural and outlying areas made from mudbricks andwood. Many arepoorly built.
Sadiqullah, who lives in the Maza Dara area of Nurgal, said he was woken by adeep boom that sounded like astorm approaching. Like many Afghans, he uses onlyone name.
He rantowhere his children were sleepingand rescued three of them. He wasabout to return to grabthe restofhis family whenthe room fell on top of him.
“I was half-buried and unableto getout,” he toldThe Associated
ernment frommaking decisions, including about voting, on the basis of race,” he said. “At the sametime, we have thisVoting Rights Act. And what this Voting Rights Act requires states to do undercertain circumstances is makedecisions, forexample aboutdistricting, on the basis of race.
“So there’satension here. The 14th and15th Amendments say don’tmake decisions on the basis of race.And theVotingRights Act says under certain circumstances, youabsolutelymust make decisions on the basis of race.”
Is theact constitutional?
The Supreme Court raised the stakes in the Louisiana case in early August when it asked the parties to directly address the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act.
The justices asked forarguments on anew question,“Whether the state’sintentional creation of asecond majority-minority congressional district violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendmentstothe U.S. Constitution.”
Louisiana AttorneyGeneral Liz Murrill said the question opened thedoor for Louisiana to arguewhat she says stateleadershave long believed: Race-based redistricting under Section 2ofthe Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional.
“Racial classifications imposed by our government are antithetical to equaljusticeunderlaw,” the state argues. “Our Constitution sees neither black voters nor white voters; it sees only American voters.”
If the Supreme Court buys that argument,itcould endthe useofthe Voting Rights Act in redistricting.
“Louisiana is arguing, ‘Doaway with Section 2ofthe Voting Rights Act,’”Bullock said.
“This would be tremendously significant if indeed Section 2isstruck down,” he said.“If Section 2isno longerapplicable,thenitpotentially makes vulnerable existing minority districts elsewhere.”
Crayton saidLouisiana’s attack on the Voting Rights Act reflects the “shifting politicsofthe moment” and the state’shope that the court will view the law differently than it did just two years ago when it upheld its constitutionality in asimilar redistricting case from Alabama.
“Inthe case of Louisiana, it’skind of fascinating that the state that delivered to us Plessy v. Ferguson —a policy endorsed by the state of Louisiana to separate races in public accommodation —takes the view that, yes, any consideration of race at all is somehow offensive to the Constitution,” Crayton said.
“Tohear the state of Louisiana tell the story,” he said, “there’snoreasontobring up anyattention at all to race.
“Thatisitselfremarkable given Louisiana’s leading role in putting Jim Crow into place in the first place.”
Email AlysePfeil at alyse.pfeil@ theadvocate.com.
Press by phone from Nangarhar Hospital. “My wife and twosons aredead,and my fatherisinjured and in hospital with me.Wewere trapped for three to four hours until people from other areas arrived and pulled me out.” It felt like thewholemountain was shaking, he said.
Rescue operations were underway and medical teams fromKunar,Nangarhar andthe capital, Kabul, hadarrived in the area, said Sharafat Zaman, ahealth ministry spokesperson.
Zaman said many areas had not been able to report casualty figures and that “the numbers were expected to change” as deaths and injuries are reported.
The chief spokesperson, Mujahid, said helicopters had reached some areas but road travelwas difficult. “There aresome villageswhere the injuredand deadhaven’tbeen recovered from the rubble, so that’s whythe numbers may increase,” he told journalists.
Shooting reignites debate over gun control and prayer
BY PETER SMITH and TIFFANY STANLEY Associated Press
Thoughts and prayers.
The invocation appears like a litany after every mass shooting — and the backlash is just as inevitable.
As if the slaughter of children amid screams and shattered stained glass wasn’t cause enough for grief, American opinion makers were convulsed once again last week in a debate over the role of prayer in the wake of a mass shooting, this time at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis
Those who support some legal restrictions on guns, often Democrats, say that Republican politicians who appeal to prayer are trying to distract from their own inaction on such things as red flag laws or stricter background checks on gun purchases.
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told a news conference after the shooting, in which an assailant killed two Annunciation students and wounded 18 other people attending Mass. Critics, especially on the right, chided the Democratic mayor
“It is shocking to me that so many left wing politicians attack the idea of prayer in response to a tragedy,” Republican Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, posted on X. “Literally no one thinks prayer is a substitute for action We pray because our hearts are broken and we believe that God is listening.”
The debate is not just about the power of prayer In the United States — with both a large religious population and the most mass shootings in the world it’s also a polarized debate about gun control.
In other words, the episode set off rhetorical skirmishes along two of the biggest dividing lines in America’s cultural and political wars: God and guns. (That doesn’t even count the scrutiny over the motives and gender identity of the shooter, who died by suicide after the attack.)
Prayers good, ‘not enough’ Frey tapped into the principle of “Tikkun Olam,” in his Jewish faith, which speaks about repairing the world.
“The meaning there is, prayers are good but they are not enough,” Frey said on CNN. “It’s only adequate if you can attach an action to the work. And in this case, we know what the solutions are. They’ve been the same solutions three years ago, five years ago, 15 years ago.” He said if Vance would support legislation to curb gun violence, “maybe we’re not really having an argument.”
Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was one of 17 murdered in the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, replied angrily to Vance’s post on X
“I am not a left wing politician.
I am the father of Jaime who was murdered in the Parkland shooting,” Guttenberg posted on X “YOU ARE MISERABLE AND WRONG. It is shocking to me how politicians like you mock and use the idea of ‘thoughts and prayers’ to cover for your prior and future inaction and the reality that I visit my forever 14 daughter at the cemetery.”
After a 2015 California mass shooting left 14 people dead, the New York Daily News ran a frontpage headline, “GOD ISN’T FIXING THIS,” surrounded by tweets from Republican politicians offering prayers in response. The
newspaper opined that “cowards who could truly end gun scourge continue to hide behind meaningless platitudes.”
Similar sentiments followed the latest Minneapolis shooting. “America prays but does not act. Gun worship is killing us,” the Rev Jacqui Lewis of Middle Collegiate Church in New York posted on X.
Republicans, in turn, have framed mass gun violence in terms of a mental health crisis or, in cases such as the Annunciation attack, hate crimes against religious groups, while emphasizing the constitutional right to “keep and bear arms.”
The debate after the Minneapolis attack quickly and starkly turned political.
Current and former White House spokeswomen also got into the mix.
Jen Psaki, who was spokesperson for former President Joe Biden, stated on X: “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayer does not bring these kids back.”
Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for President Donald Trump, retorted in a news conference: “In a time of mourning like this, when beautiful young children were killed while praying in a church, it’s utterly disrespectful to deride
Maduro vows ‘republic in arms’ if U.S. forces attack Venezuela
BY REGINA GARCIA CANO and JUAN ARRAEZ Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday said he “would constitutionally declare a republic in arms” if the South American country were attacked by forces that the United States government has deployed to the Caribbean
His comments during a news conference come as the U.S. government is set to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels The U.S. has not signaled any planned land incursion by the thousands of personnel being deployed. Still, Maduro’s government has responded by deploying troops along its coast and border with neighboring Colombia, as well as by urging Venezuelans to enlist in a civilian militia
“In the face of this maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum preparedness for the defense of Venezuela,” Maduro said of the deployment, which he characterized as “an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat.”
The U.S. Navy now has two Aegis guidedmissile destroyers — the USS Gravely and the USS Jason Dunham — in the Caribbean, as well as the destroyer USS Sampson and the cruiser USS Lake Erie in the waters off Latin America.
Three amphibious assault ships — a force that encompasses more than 4,000 sailors and Marines would be entering the region this week, a defense official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to describe ongoing operations.
The deployment comes as President Donald Trump has pushed for using the military to thwart cartels he blames for the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into U.S. communities and for perpetuating violence in some U.S. cities.
On Monday Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil, citing a United Nations report, told his counterparts in various Latin American countries that the deployment of U.S. maritime forces is built on a “false narrative” as 87% of cocaine produced in Colombia departs through the Pacific and traffickers attempt to move only 5% of their product through Venezuela.
the power of prayer in this country and it’s disrespectful to the millions of Americans of faith.”
Talking past each other
John Fea, a historian of American politics and religion, said politicians have long called for prayers in crises such as the American Revolution and the Civil War. Most religious traditions would say that “at least prayers are appropriate in a situation like this,” he said.
But both sides talk past each other about next steps.
Everyone wanting stricter gun laws “sees the idea of thoughts and prayers as not accomplishing anything,” said Fea, a fellow at the Lumen Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
And to be sure, “a significant number of those who offer thoughts and prayers at these moments also oppose gun control,” he noted.
It’s not that they don’t want action, but they are “raising questions of spiritual problems in the culture or mental health issues that need to be addressed,” Fea said “Anything but gun legislation.”
The two major parties have starkly different religious constituencies, which reflects how they talk about prayer Republicans have drawn strong support from conservative White and La-
tino evangelicals and other White Christians; Democrats have a more diverse coalition of minority racial and religious groups and secular voters.
Catholics across the divide
Pope Leo XIV focused on the spiritual in his response, sending “heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.” Catholic bishops reflect the divide.
“While we join our prayers with others that those injured in body and spirit will heal and that the murdered children will be received into heaven, we must also cry out for action to prevent even one more such tragedy,” said Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich. In a statement, he called for “common sense” policies to limit guns’ availability lamenting that such ideas “have been largely rejected in the name of a freedom not found in our constitution.” He also called for restoration in funding cuts to mental health.
Bishop Robert Barron called Mayor Frey’s comment’s “asinine,” in a Fox News Digital interview that he reposted on his Facebook page, which has 3 million followers. Barron is bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, but has a wider reach with his Word on Fire Ministries.
“Friends, prayer doesn’t magically protect us from suffering,” Barron added in his post “At its core, prayer is raising the mind and heart to God, which is absolutely appropriate in times of deep pain.”
St. Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda, whose flock includes those at Annunciation, emphasized both prayer and action. “We need an end to gun violence,” he said.
“Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and innocent,” he said.
“They are far too commonplace.
While we need to commit to working to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies, we also need to remind ourselves that we have a God of peace and of love, and that it is his love that we will need most as we strive to embrace those who are hurting so deeply.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BRUCE KLUCKHOHN
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LOUISIANA
Strutting with the Dancing Dolls
Iset up my appointment with the Fabulous Dancing Dolls at Southern University aweek before my home caught fire.
On Wednesday,Ilooked at my calendar and realized Iwas supposed to go to the Dancing Dolls’ practice to learn some dance moves. It seemed like such aridiculous thing to do in themidst of life being so discombobulated, but Idecided to go anyway Boy,was that the right decision.
I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more cared for than the 90 minutesI spent with the Dancing Dolls. First, Isat on the floor and talked with three young women whoare the dance team’sleaders. They are all seniors at Southern These earnest young women told me alittle about what it’slike to be aDancing Doll—the poise, grace, effort, talent and time required to be part of theteam They allcome withyears of dance experience, but still, they practice at least three days aweek, starting at 5p.m. and finishing late into the night.
They talked about the sisterhood of the Dancing Dolls and the cherished relationshipswith Forever Dolls who came before them.
Being aDancing Dollisabout a lot more than dancing.
“We’ve all been on other dance teams before, but it’ssomething about this sisterhood,” said Herbreyana Daniels, captain.
Iasked if they had signature dance moves. Danielssmiledas the other two team leaders looked at her and said, “That back.” Isaid, “What about her back?” Daniels stood up and gracefully bent backward as she worked magic with her arms. She kept bending until her head nearly touched the floor —and then just as gracefully stoodright back up again.
Ilooked at the other two. Davis, aNew Orleans native, saiditwas her spins —and stood and set to spinning, more timesthan Icould count. Soija Cameron, team assistant,from Racine, Wisconsin, saiditwas her kicks and demonstrated what she meant with legs thatalmost touched the ceiling. Other dancers began to arrive and we shifted into warmupsfor practice.
Iwas nervous. After all, these women are known aroundthe land as being incredible dancers, but in for apenny,infor apound —here Iwas, Imight as well give it my all. Daniels led like abenevolent sergeant. She stood in front and asked me to stand beside her.Myhead was spinning almostasfast as Davis had earlier We stretched our arms, our shoulders, our necks —mine were the only ones that creaked. Iwas hopeful no one could hear them. Then we went into leg stretches. Iwas feeling pretty good about things until Daniels did some pretzel move —Ithink they all put their nosestotheir toes or some other wizardry. Pilates didn’tprepare me for that. Once we were done stretching, Daniels said, “Now,we’ll strut.” Talk about intimidating, but I was buoyed by the DancingDolls’ spirit. They wanted me to succeed. They wanted me to have fun. The encouragement was palpable.
The first step in strutting is “doll hands” —avery particular
After adeer tested positive for afatal disease in Catahoula Parish, Louisianaadded deer baiting restrictions to several new parishes, sparking controversy amongthe hunting community. The rules have also drawn the ire ofsomelawmakers,who say they infringeonAmerican freedomand disrupt Louisianahuntingculture.
State officials argue themea-
sureswill protect thestate’s deer population in thelong term by helping to prevent thespread of chronic wasting disease, or CWD, which has reduced deer populationsinother parts of the country
They say deer baiting can create new gathering spots for deer that would not otherwise interact,increasing the contact rate among animals and facilitating thespread of CWD. Critics have suggested the risks of CWD may be overblown
and question whether the mitigation measures would be effective.
Earlier this year,the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission issued adeclaration of emergency that banned deer baiting in parts of Richland, Caldwell, La Salle and Catahoula parishes, expanding the state’s “CWD Control Area.”
Preexisting bans hadbeen established in parts of Tensas, Madison, Concordiaand Franklin parishes, according to the order,
which also expandedthe control areainConcordia and Franklin parishes.
Theorder was effective May 1. It came after abuck in Catahoula tested positive forCWD,the first case found in awild Louisianadeer outside Tensas Parish, according to arelease from the Louisiana Department of Wildlifeand Fisheries. There have been multiple cases involving captive deer in other parishes. CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022, according to the release.
IN THEGREEN
Agreen tree frog recently relaxes in theshadowsofalarge leaf along thebank of alake at Greenwood Park in Baton Rouge.
Expansionofhotel in Covingtondelayed
Southern’s owner pauses over economic outlook, butdowntown still booming
BYBOB WARREN Staff writer
Theambitiousexpansionofthe Southern Hotel in downtown Covington, which heralded anew waveof development when it wasannounced in 2022,has been delayed.
OwnerLisa Condrey Ward said she is pumping the brakes due to questions about the economy and adesire to take another look at the expansion plans.
“Itjust feels liketakinga pause right now is thebestoption,” she said. But, she added, that doesn’tmean she’ssteppingawayfromthe project. “I feel like I’ve been treading water for thepast two years and that’s notmystrong suit,”Ward said. “I want this building to last 200years.”
When the hotel’sexpansion was announced,cityofficials andtourismleaders hoped theproject would attract more visitors to downtown Covington.
Arow of buildings in the 300 block of NorthNew Hampshire Street was demolished to make way forthe hotel expansion, and Ward aimed to begin construction in May 2024 on what was then a$12 million project with25new rooms, seven condosand space for retail and parking.
fill projected$100K budget shortfall
BY OLIVIA McCLURE Contributing writer
Zachary leaderswho were banking on bringing in extra cash this year will now have to figure out how to cut roughly $100,000 from thegeneral fund budgetafter theCityCouncil rejected an ordinanceincreasing theproperty tax rate. The 3-2 vote at the council’sThursday
ZACHARY STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
Continued from page 1B
way of holding one’s hands and part of most every dance sequence the team makes.
After my hands were as set in “doll hands” as possible, Daniels showed me how to hike up my left hip and take the first step with my left foot always the left foot first, she explained “Take each step like you’re wearing high heels,” she said.
We went through a few practice runs. Then, we lined up in a corner of the room.
Jaheim’s “Just in Case” began to play, a song I didn’t know, but even I could recognize that it had quite the beat.
One by one, individuals strutted across the room. Each dancer went on the next 8-count I began to sweat, but Lailah Brown, the young lady from Atlanta in line behind me, truly had my back. She helped me count. She
DEER
Continued from page 1B
After the emergency declaration took effect, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission sought to draft a new, long-term rule defining the control area. The proposed rule is expected to take effect Sept. 20. It still expands the control area to the new parishes but softens the restrictions in some areas by creating a “buffer” zone, where baiting would be allowed by nonstationary methods, said Johnathan Bordelon, LDWF’s deer program manager. That means hunters may spread feed through other means including a vehicle, Bordelon said.
The rule also prohibits hunters from moving whole deer carcasses out of the control area, though they may move certain processed meat and finished taxidermy mounts.
Related to mad cow disease, CWD causes a healthy protein to misfold, creating holes in the brain, Bordelon told lawmakers during a Wednesday meeting of the Senate and House natural resources committees.
HOTEL
Continued from page 1B
The new addition, dubbed the “Summer House,” will be near, but not connected to, the existing hotel, which has a commanding presence at the high-traffic corner of East Boston Street and North New Hampshire.
“At the beginning of this, we were ready to go forward,” Ward said in a recent interview “Then interest rates moved up, and there I am looking at 9%. There was no end in sight.” While Ward expects interest rates to come down a bit, other questions about the economy remain. “What about tariffs? What will that do to construction costs?”
“It’s still tricky times,” she said “Talk to any developer.” Ward said holding off for now will also give the management company she brought on in April to run the Southern Hotel, Kentuckybased Tandem Hospitality,
BUDGET
Continued from page 1B
accusations. LeBlanc didn’t have much to say at the Aug. 26 meeting. But two of his colleagues, Ambre DeVirgilio and Brandy Westmoreland, shared their reasons for opposing rolling forward the millage.
“Just because we can doesn’t mean we should,” DeVirgilio said. Westmoreland said residents are already struggling with inflation.
“I see some of this to be a burden on the public and the people that reside here I feel that we’ve had other increases, even as recently
That panel had the power to vote to reject the rule, or parts of it, but it took no action.
Deer can shed CWD into the environment through fluids such as saliva, and the affected material can remain infectious for years, Bordelon said.
There are no known cases of CWD in humans but the World Health Organization recommends against consuming meat from animals that test positive for CWD The disease can spread to other cervids, including moose, elk and reindeer CWD was first detected in Colorado in 1967 and has since spread to 36 states, according to Bordelon. Its prevalence is low in Louisiana, but if it hits a certain threshold, it could cause population loss, he said
Officials say that is why it is important to take action to mitigate the disease early on. Still, it is hard to predict the spread of the disease, said Michael Chamberlain, a professor at the University of Georgia who specializes in wildlife management.
“How CWD functions is very different as you move across the landscape,” he told lawmakers. But “the hunter in me says we need to
a chance to weigh in on the expansion plans
Covington confidence
Covington Mayor Mark Johnson said the delay is unfortunate, but he’s confident it will happen in time.
He’s also hopeful an expanded Southern Hotel will be a catalyst for more development in Covington’s downtown, just as the 48room, circa-1907 main hotel has been since it opened 11 years ago.
“Lisa Ward’s renovation of the Southern Hotel was sort of like taking Mentos candy and putting it in a carbonated beverage,” Johnson said with a laugh. Even with the hotel expansion lagging, he pointed out that downtown Covington continues to see new investment. A block from the hotel, for instance, a new building is nearly complete on the site of the old Star Theater at North New Hampshire and East Gibson streets. Patrick McMath, a state
as our last meeting with recycling that has doubled in price,” she said, referring to the council’s approval of a Waste Management contract that will have residents paying about $4 a month
Westmoreland said the city has been working to attract new businesses, which bring in sales tax revenue. New homes are coming online too, she said, so property tax collections should go up.
“That’s where the money needs to be coming from,” she said. On the other side, council member James Graves pointed out that Zachary’s millage has been 5.48 before — and that returning to that rate would simply allow the city to catch up to
answered questions. I could feel her cheering me on. When I was up, Brown
and I counted eight beats together and I did my best strut across the room.
Clearly, mine did not compare to theirs, but I strutted nonetheless.
After a deer tested positive for a fatal disease in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana added deer baiting restrictions to several more parishes, sparking controversy among the hunting community
try to seek ways to mitigate and not get to that point (of population decline).”
Not all hunters are on the same page as Chamberlain.
State Rep. Lauren Ventrella, a Republican from
senator and one of the partners developing that building, said he expects it to be open and occupied by Thanksgiving. The building, a $5 million-plus investment, he said, will include a ground-floor restaurant, a law firm, several other offices and a wine and cocktail lounge with a rooftop patio.
The restaurant, Feliciana, will be run by New Orleansbased BRG Hospitality, which operates several other restaurants, including Shaya, Domenica and August. BRG also runs Tavi, which is next door to the new development on New Hampshire Street.
“It’s going to be a beautiful space,” McMath said. “We’ve really put a lot of thought into it.”
More dining
On the corner opposite McMath’s building, another new restaurant The Hampshire, recently opened its doors. It’s dinner only now on Tuesdays through Saturdays, but expects to add
where it once was.
Council member Jennifer Landry noted that her colleagues unanimously approved the budget in May
“We were 100% on board with this budget, and this budget included millage at 5.48,” she said.
The budget also included $700,000 in increased costs for the police and fire departments, which account for 61% of the general fund, she said.
“If I say no to rolling forward, I am saying, ‘I’m sorry I agreed a couple of months ago to something, but now the police and fire are going to have to figure out where that money’s going to come from,’” Landry said. “And I think we can do better.”
Deanna Mankins, chief fi-
Greenwell Springs who grew up hunting, slammed the rule in an interview Growing up, she looked forward to setting out corn for deer every year, she said, adding that the practice cel-
ebrated the reverence of the sport and the animal.
“It’s a cultural aspect of the state of Louisiana,” she said, calling the restrictions “about as anti-Sportsman’s Paradise as you can get.”
We strutted four times. Then, we began to learn catch ons — little 8-count dance elements. All told, I learned four catch ons and felt quite accomplished in doing so. When I asked how many catch ons they have, no one knew the answer I said, “Like 15? 20?” They laughed.
“No, more like over a hundred,” Daniels said. An hour flew by These ladies had real practice to attend, but the truth is that I could have stayed and danced all night regardless of the absurdity of my efforts. In all my life, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so uplifted. The Dancing Dolls gave me more than steps and struts — they gave me joy, grace and a reminder of what true sisterhood looks and feel like. It was, without question, about far more than dancing.
Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.
Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, also pushed back against the rule during the meeting of the natural resources committees, drawing parallels between the CWD rule and restrictions placed upon people during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was concerned the rule would take away freedoms and never give them back, he said.
McCormick said his granddaughter was able to kill her first deer at 6 years old because it was standing at a corn feeder
“I’m very concerned about Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries taking that right away,” he said. Meanwhile, Andy Brown, director of commodity and public policy for the Louisiana Farm Bureau, said restricting deer baiting would have economic consequences by reducing opportunities for farmers to sell deer feed. But Rick Owens, a hunter and conservationist with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, said the rule represented a compromise between many different parties and that his organization would support it, though they initially felt it didn’t include enough CWD mitigation measures.
brunch and lunch hours in the coming months.
“Covington is kind of booming right now,” said Jonathan Cimino, who along with chef Ryan Gall, opened the upscale steak and seafood restaurant. “We think this is a great place to be.”
nancial officer said the higher millage would add about $99,000 to the city’s $21.3 million budget and would amount to just a few extra dollars per year for most households.
She said the extra money would provide a useful cushion in the budget, which is largely crafted based on estimates — such as for sales tax collections, which make up the biggest portion of the budget but can be hard to predict.
Mayor David McDavid urged the council to think about unexpected expenses.
“You look at the incident in Roseland where their major employer has burnt up pretty much. Everybody’s looking for jobs,” he said, referring to the recent explo-
The new restaurant occupies a space that was most recently used as a maritime training center, and years before that was a Sears store, Cimino said. The redevelopment is in the $1 million range. Rather than competing
sion at Smitty’s Supply “The city of Clayton, their police department, fire department and City Hall burned down this morning. Just things to think about. But also, you’ve got to think about hurricanes, natural disasters.”
He emphasized, however, that he didn’t have a say in the matter
“I’m good either way,” he said. “We’ll make it happen We’ll come up with solutions.”
Westmoreland, LeBlanc and DeVirgilio voted against the ordinance. Landry and Graves supported it.
Later in the meeting, the council split on the same 3-2 margin to deny the administration’s request to update the city’s general fund budget in light of the
for customers, Cimino said he sees the addition of another new restaurant in the downtown as a plus that will attract even more foodies to Covington. “People are excited here,” he said of the activity “This is a destination.”
millage vote. DeVirgilio objected to the across-the-board plan the administration laid out for trimming the budget.
“I do not support cuts across all departments, and I do not find it necessary,” she said, suggesting other strategies should be explored.
Mankins said department heads will convene soon to identify specific areas to cut.
IMAGE PROVIDED By TRAPOLIN-PEER ARCHITECTS
A rendering shows the Southern Hotel expansion on New Hampshire Street in downtown Covington. The hotel’s owner says the expansion has been delayed, but that she still plans on it happening
STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Columnist Jan Risher, third from left, follows the lead of Herbreyana Daniels while learning one of the Southern University’s Dancing Dolls’ catch ons Wednesday at the Horace W. Moody Intramural Sports Complex in Baton Rouge.
"Myflesh andmyheart mayfail, but God is the strengthofmyheart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26. On Wednesday, August27th,2025, Cathey CrossChustz,age 68, passed away peacefully aftera courageous battle
with pancreatic cancer for twoyears, at her homein Greenwell Springs. She wasborninCanton, MS,in 1956 and grew up in Denham Springs,LA. She wasa graduateofthe Denham Springs High School class of 1974 andearned adegree in Business AdministrationfromLSU in 1978. She would latermake acareer changeand earn adegree in Occupational Therapy from theLSU Medical School of AlliedHealthin 1987. Cathey wasa retired Occupational Therapist whodedicated 28 years working with children in Livingston Parish.She is survived by her husband of 44 years,Steve Chustz;two daughters, Stefanie(husband, Steven Calverley)
and TaylorChustz(partner, Evan Mack); twosisters, Donna Currier and BrendaWright (husband, René);and twograndchildren, Steven and Elizabeth Calverley.She is preceded in death by her parents, Joyand Oley Cross. She wasa kind, compassionate personand alovingwife, mother, and CeCe. She had astrong faith and belief in Christ and wasa member of Blackwater Methodist Church. Cathey wasactively involved in her children's schoolactivities, includingbaking cakes and serving as aGirl Scout leader for10years. She wasintelligent,loved to read and learn, andenjoyed crafting with her friends and family.She
wasanavidtraveler, going on adventuresacrossthe UnitedStates, Ghana, Peru, andEurope with loved ones. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 3rd, at Greenoaks Memorial Parkfrom10:00 am till theservice at 1:00 pm.For those attendingthe service,Cathey requestedall guestswear brightcolors to celebrate her life Thefamily wouldliketo thankDr. Miletello,the staff at Baton Rouge General Hospital, OurLady of
theLake, MD Anderson, andthe membersofPinnacleHospice forthe love andcareextended to Cathey during this time.In lieuofflowers, please send donationstoSt. Jude Children's HospitalorPancreatic Cancer Action Network Engemann,
OPINION
OUR VIEWS
Coordination amongLa. portsislong overdue
It is good to see that the move byGov.Jeff Landry andthe Legislaturetoimprove coordination between Louisiana’sbalkanizedportsystemisbearing some initialfruit.
In July,the Port of South Louisiana,which has jurisdiction overaroughly 50-mile stretchof the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and NewOrleans,signed an agreement to build a new $25.5 million deepwater dock inAscension Parish to serve the planned HyundaiSteel plant. The catch? The dock is on land owned by the Port of Baton Rouge.
For decades, amove byone Louisianaport to establish abeachhead in another’sjurisdiction would have spurred aheaded reaction that would have turned into apolitical fightatlocal and state levels. Louisiana’sports havelong been answerable only to local leaderswho ferociously guarded their parochial interests. But that is changing. Anew board,called the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission,was created last yearbythe Legislatureand backedbyLandry.The commission’s job is to help the state’sports, especially the five major ones on the Lower Mississippi River, work together in acohesiveeffort to keep Louisiana at theforefront of thecargoindustryin the United States.
This is avery welcome development.The Port of New Orleans, Port of Baton Rouge, Portof SouthLouisianaand portsinSt. Bernardand Plaquemines parishes move almost one-fifthof the cargo that passes through the UnitedStates every year.That’sfar more than anyother Gulf Coast port. But that advantage is not assured. Increased competition from Houstonand other ports along the Gulf Coast has grown, especially as containershipping has increased in popularity and Louisiana has fallen behind. The hope is thatwith improved coordinationand dedicated statewide prioritizing, investment can be directed in astrategic way that helps maintain Louisiana’splace at thetop of thepecking order
Thenew dock in Ascension is the first indicator of the new arrangement’sworkability.The project was one of seven key ones identifiedby the commission for public investment. Others include a$70 millionplan to deepen the Houma NavigationCanal at the Port of Terrebonne and $95 million to improveroad infrastructure around Port Fourchon.
That doesn’tmean all is smoothsailing:The plan to put amassive container terminal runby the Port of New Orleans in St.BernardParish has spurred significant opposition fromresidents and local governmentofficials.Another play,byPlaquemines Port officials,toput a container facility in thatparish,isopposed by officials at the Port of NewOrleans. And there are many other related concerns thatstill need addressing Nevertheless, these first fewsteps toward a better strategy areagood sign. ForLouisiana to move forward as akey cog in the nation’scargo infrastructure, the old, fragmented port system needs to be in the rearview
LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE
WELCOME.
GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence
TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com. TO SEND US A
Iwriteonbehalf of Second Harvest Food Bank, joined by past chairs Elizabeth Adler,Skye Fantaci, Andrew Favret,Jan Hayden, Ben Johnson, Robert Marks, Patricia Weeks, Bert Wilson and Roy Zuppardo, whose service coversmuch of its40-year history
Stephanie Reigel’sreport that the archdiocese plans to use $60 million from nondebtor groups, including Second Harvest,tosettle alleged sexual abuse by archdiocesan employees is shocking, considering Archbishop Gregory Aymond’s Feb.23letter to thefaithful, stating “no donor funds from Second Harvest have been used or will be used to fund …the bankruptcy proceedings.”Hereiterated this commitment in aMarch 5letter to stateRep.Aimee Adatto Freeman, promising that “no donor dollars have been or ever will be used for anything other than their intended purpose.” Every dollar donated to Second Harvest is for buying, storing and distributing food and investing tosustain those operations. Alldonations, whether from businesses, founda-
Every time Isee an article that compares the incomes of high school graduates against college graduates, Icringe. Most people believe college is worth it to be qualified for betterpaying jobs. The truthisthat no one knows themonetary value of college because no one has done theappropriatestudy
The appropriate study would be to select asizable group of people who can get into college, say 100 graduating high school students with suitable SATscores. Then give everyone $80,000. Now,randomly divide this
About the Israeli war with Gaza, most people either don’tknow or have forgotten aboutHamas attacking peaceful people at amusic festival, whereover 1,000 people wereattacked by terrorists whoparachuted over them. They shot everyone until they ran out of ammunition, then they pulled out the knives. The people of Gaza
tionsorindividuals —from the $25 million donation from MacKenzie Scotttothe $5 giftsfrom good people of Louisiana and elsewhere —were given to support themission of feeding the hungry.Noone has ever given money to Second Harvest to help settle thechurch’sbankruptcy claims or bail thearchdiocese outofits obligations. While we share theoutrage over the church’srecord of abuses, the funds held by Second Harvest are to alleviate hunger and cannot and should not be used to pay thearchdiocese’sobligations. Diverting one penny from Second Harvest is contrary to donors’ intent, Second Harvest’smission and ethical principles. Any attempt to do so ignores thearchbishop’spledges to his faithful community,todonors and to friends and neighbors whorely on Second Harvest Archbishop Aymondshould know our community is watching, hoping and expecting that his actions will be as good as his word.
NICK KARL boardchair,Second Harvest
group intotwo groups of 50 each. Onegroup can only spendthe money on college while the other group can spend themoney on anything but college. Follow thesepeople forseveral years and check their incomes. My guess is that the people who put theentire sum into the S&P until retirementwould do the best financially.Yes, some people go to college because they really want to study art history or play football or find a spouse.
JAYWIERIMAN
Metairie
elected Hamas as their leadership. So they are to blame. Hamas has been stealing the food that other countries have been sending there. Israel is defending itself from unspeakable crimes andviolence. They arejustified in whatever they do.
DAVID BASSHAM Houma
Iamconfused.A recent edition sported this headline:“Audit:Medicaidpaidfor dead patients.” Ithink amore appropriate headlinewouldhave been: Audit: Insurance companies kept themoney It appears LouisianaMedicaidmade routine payments to private insurers Seems to me that blamingMedicaid alonefor theoverpayment problemis unfair.I know, having experienced this following thedeathsofboth parents,that medical bills do come in several months after aperson dies, andinsurance claims mustbefiled.
Thus,Medicaidnot throwing someone off rolls immediatelyseems reasonable WhatI findegregious is theprivate insurance companies keeping themoney Why are our politicians not outraged aboutthat? Why is Medicaidthe sole culprit?Adding additionalsources to identify deceased clientsand automatically contacting insurers to recoup overpayments is probablyano-brainer forMedicaid. Every penny of thecurrentand futureoverpaymentsshould be returned by theinsurers withnodelay once identifiedbyMedicaidand insurers are notified. Politicians are painting Medicaidand its recipients as villains, claiming fraud andwaste, trying to pushpeopleoff by making theprocess arduous,ifnot impossible,for many,and forcing Medicaid employees intoa losing position by slashing staffand curtailing theirabilityto interact withclients. Most fraudidentifiedhas been perpetrated by providers Followthe money
ROSANNA MARINO Baton Rouge
Silly me. Iused to think allthe crazies wereonthe LeftCoast. Surprise, surprise, thecommies are taking over The BigApple.The transformation of the major political parties is quiteaswap of priorities andagenda
Thank goodness Ilive in south Louisiana, andhavea governor andcity-parish president withtheir heads screwed on tight.Too badI live in St.George, where people are moreinterested in free public schoolsthaninrighteousChristian schools, so that they can afford those fancybass boats instead of paying fora proper education fortheirkids.
CLIFF
MUGNIER St. George
COMMENTARY
KATRINA YEARS
EDWARD BUCKLES on CONNECTIONS
‘Katrina Babies’
As akid, normally,the first week back to school after summer break is full of excitement.Ican still picture myself carefully laying out myuniform on the bed, placing my brand-new tennis shoes underneath and staring at them in admiration,eager to reunitewithfriends. That week in 2005 began justlike any other: my cousins,friends andI were thrilled to be back. We walked intofreshly decorated classrooms, met ournew teachers and heard what theschool year would hold.
By Wednesday,everything shifted. News reports warned that ahurricane named Katrina had entered the Gulf, and we were suddenly in itspath.
It was my first year taking geology, and my teacher,Mr. Lewis,loved science. After the Katrina news broke, hescrapped his lesson plan and began teaching about hurricanes, specifically from New Orleans’ perspective. Onedetail from that lesson has stayed with me all these years: It was the first time Ilearned our city sat below sea level
Mr.Lewis compared NewOrleanstoa bowl. “If the right hurricane ever comes andthe levees don’thold,” he said, “this bowl will fill up like cereal.” The classroom erupted withnervouslaughter, but he ended on an optimistic note: “That’ll never happen. Don’tworry about it.” By the weekend,New Orleansnatives felt asense of relief when we learned the hurricane wasn’t coming ourway after all.Ispent that Saturday theway I usually did, at my cousin Tina’s house in the7th Ward, the hangout spot forall the kids in our family.Theyhad justmoved into anew house down thestreet, and it didn’ttake long for my cousinsand me to break into the neighborhood,running around and exploringfor hours. That night, as we waited for our parents to pick us up,we said goodbye to one another without realizinghow literalthat word would become in just afew days
We never made it back forthe second week of school. Mr.Lewis’ geologylessonhad become areality. The levees broke, and New Orleans filled like abowl of cereal, just as hehad warned.At13, I was abruptly uprooted from everything Iknew.Ispent therest of my teenage years separated from my family,many permanently displaced to Shreveport,
aboutfive hours away from home, while Icame of age in apost-Katrina New Orleans, searching for identity and purpose
At 24, after ahard and emotional conversation with CousinTina about her and herkids’ Hurricane Katrina experience, Ibegan my journey making “Katrina Babies,” exploring thenarratives of the children who lived through the storm. At the time, Iwas in adocumentary class where thetopic of “global appeal” came up often.Wewere constantly challenged to thinkabout how our work could reach notonly our own communities but audiences around the world.
Time andagain, my professors and even producers suggested Itake on a projectthe rest of the world would care about because “Katrina Babies”felt “too local.” But Iwas adamant: Iwas makingthis film for New Orleans. Ididn’t care whether it would resonate globally Ieven accepted that if the film never gainedfame or wasn’tconsidered a“success” because it was too New Orleans, then so be it. Iwas still going to makeit for us.
Three years ago, Idebuted that student projectonHBO as “Katrina Babies.”
Sincethen,the film has lived on anational platform, screened nearly 100 times across theUnited States and around the world, in places like Brazil, Puerto Rico andthroughout Europe. Despite what some professors and producers once thought, this journey has shown methat “Katrina Babies” isn’tjust aNew Orleans story. It is, in fact, aglobal one.
As Cierra Chenier,aBlack New Orleanshistorian and subject in the film once said when asked why the rest of the world should care about Katrina: “Because if it can happen in New Orleans, it can also happen in your backyard.”
In recent years, climate change and environmental disasters have dominated the headlines. Forestfires, tsunamis, hurricanes,Ihear echoes of Katrina in nearly everycrisis —especially when they affect marginalized communities. And in those moments,mydocumentary hasbecomeatool for education and reflection.
At thebeginning of 2023, Iwas invited to deliver akeynote address at the University of Michigan during asymposium
honoring Martin Luther King Jr., themed “The (R)evolution of MLK: From Segregation toElevation.” My task wasto draw parallels between my process of making “Katrina Babies” and King’smission. In that speech, Ishared: “IfIdidn’t know what racism looked like before Katrina, Idefinitely knew then. The reality is that hurricanes and other disasters only exacerbate theinequalities that already exist. As Dr.King once said, ‘We must see now that the evils of racism, economic exploitation and militarism are all tied together.’” I’d been eager to get to Flint, Michigan, to learnmoreabout thewater crisis. Afterward, theorganizers brought me to a small independent play aboutthe crisis, centered on mothers and children. Isat in the front row.During theQ&A, one of thecreators suddenly paused mid-sentence, pointed at me, and said, “You’re the‘Katrina Babies’boy? Y’all werethe first!Y’all werethe first with thewater crisis.” She went on to explain how watching my film pushed her to draw connections between Hurricane Katrina and Flint.
Not long after that, Princeton Universityhosted aconversationbetween me and anonprofit organization working to care for their youth in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Later,I was invited to screen “Katrina Babies” in Brazil, where organizers told me: “The film is of particular interest to us as we’re organizing aspecial program on colonization and racism (and one of its consequences: environmental racism). It brings very important issues that need to be discussed in Brazil, which suffers from structural racism.” Soon after,they asked to license thefilm andintegrate it into their national education curriculum.
Ioften thinkback to that film class, when Ifelt anxious and discouraged to even pursue “Katrina Babies.” Ithought it wouldn’tsucceed, that it wouldn’t resonateoutside of New Orleans. But the opposite has proven true. The film has sparked conversations around the world. It wasn’twhat Iplanned when Ifirst picked up my camera. But as climate change and environmental injustice continue to devastate vulnerable communities, I’ve cometoaccept the responsibility.
NewOrleans filmmaker Edward Buckles highlights the culture and traditions of the city in hiswork He receivedwidespread acclaim forthe 2022 documentary, ‘Katrina Babies,’inwhich he featured the stories of young peoplelikehim whohad survivedthe storm.
Throughout August and September,weare featuring reflections on the 20th anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, two storms that changed Louisiana forever
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
NewOrleans filmmaker EdwardBuckles ontop of theMississippi River leveeinAlgiers. He made adocumentary years agocalled ‘Katrina Babies.’
For five decades,ArthurHardy hasbeenour neighbor,our guide,and thekeeperofour Carnival memories. From hisGentillykitchen tablein1977 to receiving thekey to thecityin 2024, Hardytransformed himselffroma Brother Martin band directorintothe manall aboutMardi Gras.His annual guidehas reachedover3 million readers, butfor us locals,Arthurisfamily, the trustedvoice whogets it right, whorodewithRex after documentingthemfor decades, whostood with us throughthe police strikeof’79, Katrina’s aftermath,and everymagical moment in between. This 112-pagecelebration brings together the storiesonlyArthurcould tell, filled with photographs that capturethe parades you remember,the krewes youcheered for, andthe momentsthatmadeyou proudtobeapartof MardiGras.
Arthur Hardyhas preserved thesoulofwhat makesusNew Orleanians,making this theperfect holidaygift foranyonewho bleeds thepurple, greenand gold of MardiGras.
Booksshipintime for holidaygift-giving!
SADSACKS?
BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer
Just two daysinto training camp, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks found himself getting frustrated.
After apass breakup in the back of the end zone, cornerback Rejzohn Wright celebrated the play, taunted theveteran and engaged in just enough trash talk to get under Cooks’ skin So, in the sweltering heat,Cooks threw apunch. Akerfuffle broke out, with teammates quickly interveningtobreak up the action. Later,aftertensionsdied down, Cooks revealed he had another reason for starting the fight
“Everybody’sdoubtingus,” Cooks said, “so that’sthe type of fire we need.”
Doubting the 2025 Saints is apopular trend these days.
Read any offseason prediction, listento any football podcast or check any gambling odds and the Saints arepredictedto be one of the worst —if not the outright worst —teams in theNFL.
ESPN ranked the Saints’projected starting lineup as theleague’sworst, and the franchise was dead last in the outlet’s future power rankings pollthatexamines
fans enjoypartofthe
every team’sthree-year outlook.
According to oddsmakers,the Saints notonly have thelongest odds to win the Super Bowl but their win total of 41/2 wins also is the team’slowest sincebefore 1989, the last year records are available.
At DraftKings,the Saintsare themostbetteam to finish with thefewest regularseason wins —and 91% of the handle has been on the Saintstohave under 51/2 wins
External expectations aren’t high for coach Kellen Moore’sfirst season. But worst team?Are theSaints really going to be that bad? Is it going to get so ugly that paper bags are broken out at the Caesars Superdomeagain?
Factoring in ayoung quarterback room, arookie head coach and aroster
Some QBsinNFL endupaslatebloomers
BY DENNIS WASZAK JR AP pro football writer
Justin Fields would seem to have the numbers —and odds stacked against him. The New York Jets quarterback is on his third team inas many years,learninghis third offensive systeminthatspan and being coached by afourth coordinator during an NFL careerentering onlyits fifth season. There have been plentyof struggles, adjustments and criticisms along the way.But sometimes success as anNFL quarterback isn’taseasy as hut, hut, hike. It might take achange of scenery. Or two. Maybe eventhree or more before aQBputs it all together and plays the way many expected earlier in his career Baker Mayfieldcan relate. So can Sam Darnold and Geno Smith. “I do believe Justin canbe one of those guys,” Jets general manager Darren Mougey said recently.“I’ve seen the progress during this camp and look forward to seeing the progress throughout the season as they all come together.Obviously,it’s
histhird stop in three years with three different coordinatorsand alot of moving parts, so it does taketime.” Fields, who’sstill only 26, was the 11th overall pick by Chicago out of Ohio State in 2021 and deemed the future franchise quarterback —until inconsistency and strugglessent him to Pittsburgh afterthreeseasons. Fields opened last season as the Pittsburgh starter,going 4-2 in placeofaninjured Russell Wil-
son, but wentback to thesideline when Wilson got healthy The Jets signed Fields to a two-year,$40 millioncontract. He has thrown for 7,780 yards with 45 touchdowns and 31 interceptions, alongwith 2,509 yards rushing and 19 TD runs. The Jets are banking on Fields joining ahandful of other latebloomer quarterbackswho thrived on their third —ormore —NFL teams
SamDarnold
Firststop:New York Jets. No. 3overall pick, 2018. Had some promisingmoments but struggled withconsistency.38games, 38 starts. 8,097 yards passing, 45 TDs, 39 INTs. Second stop:Carolina.Traded to Panthers in 2021. 18 games, 17 starts. 3,670 yards, 16 TDs, 16 INTs. Third stop:San Francisco. Signed as backup in 2023. 10 games, 1 start.297 yards, 2TDs,1INT Fourth stop:Minnesota.Signedas free agent in 2024 and became starterwhen rookieJ.J. McCarthy went down with aknee injury in preseason.Darnold thrived, making first Pro Bowl andgarnering votes for MVP and Comeback Player of the Year.17games, 17 starts. 4,319 yards, 35 TDs, 12 INTs. Fifthstop:Seattle. Parlayed success in Minnesotaintothreeyear deal worth$100.5million in March. Rich Gannon
1-0. That’sall youheardduring this offseason concerning LSU football. That’sall yousaw around the football complex. There was a1-0 sign on thebig videoboardatthe indoor practice facility. There were 1-0signs in theweight room. Andthere were thepurple 1-0T-shirtsLSU players wore during pregame warmups at Clemson on Saturday, alldesigned to hammer home one critical point: Find away to start theseason witha victoryfor thefirst time since2019. Missionspectacularly accomplished. No.9 LSU gotthe 17-10 win at No. 4Clemson in the first true top-10road opener in LSU football history.It’sonly LSU’ssecond season-opening top-five win, joining a2011 win by No. 4LSU over No. 3Oregon 40-27 in Arlington, Texas. Everyone, including this writer,questioned Brian Kelly’smotivational tactics. Everyone doubtedeverything fromthe rebuilt offensive line to the previously porous defense. It wasanenormous gamble for Kelly and his Tigers, and he knewit.
“Weput ourselves outthere for criticism andridicule if we didn’t” win, Kelly said Mondayon“The Paul Finebaum Show” on the SEC Network. Whenthe doomsday drumbeat meets an unexpectedlypositive result,it’sa reaction like molten lava from aHawaiianvolcanotumbling intothe coldwatersofthe Pacific Ocean.Suddenly,everyone is singing theTigers’ praises, andthe 1-0 mantra hasbecome apartofLSU lore ESPNcollege footballanalyst Heather Dinich said Mondaythat theTigers should be No.1inthe country when thenew polls come outTuesday(they won’t, but LSU may be in thetop three). LSUquarterback GarrettNussmeier,named Mondayasthe SEC offensive player of the week, is suddenly the Heisman Trophy betting favorite.CBS Sports writer Jerry Palm now projects LSU to notonly be in the College Football Playoff but also to get abye into the quarterfinals in the Rose Bowl. It’sheadystuff, but the Clemson game is over.Now LSU must look to the rest of the season. It was agreat achievement forthe Allies to successfully establish beachheads in Normandy on D-Day.But if they hadn’t advanced from there across Europe, theywouldn’thavewon the war Where do the Tigers go from here? Kelly is convinced he hasthe answer.
“You keep moving on anddoing your job,” he said. “That’swhat we’ll do. We’ve gota good football team, and we’ve got to keep them focused on the next week.”
This week,frankly,doesn’thold amajor fear factor. LSU opens its home schedule Saturday in TigerStadium —excuse me, THE Death Valley—against aLouisiana Tech team projected to finish middle of the pack in Conference USA. The Tigers are a hefty 371/2-point favorite.
STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE
Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks(10) scuffles after aplayduring
campinMetairie on July 24.
FILEPHOTO By BILL FEIG
Saints
game against the St.Louis Rams while dressed in paper bagsinthe Superdome on Dec.12, 1999. The Saints lost 30-14.
Rabalais
AP PHOTO By MIKE ROEMER
Newyork Jets QB Justin Fields throws during the first half of a preseason game against the Green BayPackers on Aug. 9inGreen Bay, Wis.
6p.m.U.S.Open,
9p.m.Indiana at
Osaka ousts GauffatU.S.Open
Shereaches her first majorquarterfinal since2021
By The Associated Press
NEW YORK Naomi Osaka smiled before her U.S. Open showdown against Coco Gauff began Monday —and after it ended.Between points, Osaka patted her left thigh and quietly told herself, almost in awhisper: “Come on. Come on.”
Once the ball was in play, Osaka’sstrokes were loud and on-target, producing the sort of confident, consistentand powerswinging tennis that carried her to four Grand Slam titles and the No. 1ranking.
In the biggest statement yet that she is back at theheight of her game, and arealcontender for the sport’shighesthonors, Osaka eliminatedGauff 6-3, 6-2 in Arthur Ashe Stadium to reachher first major quarterfinalinmore than 41/2 years.
“I was super locked-in, to be honest. Iwas reallylocked in,” said Osaka, a27-year-old who was born in Japan and moved to the U.S. with her family at age 3. “I felt like everyone wanted to watch areally great match, and Ihope that’swhat you got.”
From her side, it certainly was.
The No. 23-seededOsaka was better throughout than No. 3 Gauff,whose repeated mistakes during atournamentthat’s been anear-constant struggle for her really made the difference. And Gauff’s body language was quite acontrast to Osaka’s. Gauff repeatedly would put her palms up or cover her face with ahand or gesture toward her team in the stands, looking confused or upset.
On Wednesday,Osaka will face No.11 Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic for aberth in the semifinals. Muchova, the 2023 French Open runner-up anda semifinalist in New York thepast two years, advancedwith a6-3, 6-7(0), 6-3 victory No. 27 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.
It was Muchova who got past 45-year-old Venus Williamsin three sets in thefirst roundofthis U.S. Open. Against Gauff, Osaka displayed thedemeanor —and, importantly,the booming serve and other strokes —that carried her to hard-court Slam championships at the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020, and at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021. It was at the French Open later
in 2021 that Osaka helped spark a global conversation about mental health by revealing she felt anxietyand depression. She then took aseries of breaksfrom the tour That most recenttrophy at Melbourne Park was thelast time Osaka had even madeitasfar as the fourth round at any major until this match against Gauff, a21-year-oldfromFlorida who ownstwo major trophies. The first cameatFlushingMeadows in 2023 and thesecondatthe French Open this June. Osakareturned tothe tourlast season after a17-month maternity leave. Her child, Shai,was born in
July 2023. “I’ma little sensitive, and Idon’t want to cry,but,honestly,Ijust hadsomuch funout here,” said Osaka,who first playedGauff back at the 2019 U.S. Open, also in Ashe, and won that one, too. Swiatekrolls into quarterfinals In other action, Iga Swiatek also rolledinto thequarterfinals, rallying from down 3-1 in the first set to beatEkaterinaAlexandrova 6-3, 6-1. “Atthe beginning, Ifelt like she was playing really fast,” said Swiatek, who is seeking her second U.S. Open title and seventh in a
Grand Slam. “I wanted to find my rhythm, but later on Ireally felt like Iwas in my bubble and in my zone.”
Up next for Swiatek is either American Amanda Anisimova or Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil.
Sinner advances
On the men’sside, Jannik Sinnerdominated the only player other thanCarlos Alcaraz who has defeated him this season, routing Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-1, 6-1toreturntothe U.S. Open quarterfinals.
The top-seeded Sinner’svictory tookjust1 hour,21minutes, the second-shortest completed match in the tournament. Afirst-round victory forTomas Machac wasa minuteshorter No.25-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced by defeating Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in amatch in Arthur Ashe Stadium that took just over two hours. Auger-Aliassime won for just thesecondtime in nine career matchesagainstRublev, theNo. 15 seed whoslammedhis racket after losing apoint in the second set
“AsIwon the first set, Ifelt like Iwas in control of the match,” said Auger-Aliassime, who at age25isinthe quarterfinals of a GrandSlam tournament for the fourth time. ”Good win considering our head-to-head, considering how good he is as aplayer.”
Briscoe, JGR, Toyota make bigstatements
BY PETE IACOBELLI Associated Press
DARLINGTON,S.C. Chase Briscoe made abig statement Sunday night with his second straight Southern 500 victory that he’sa serious contender for the NASCAR Cup Series title.
Briscoe’steam, Joe Gibbs Racing, and his manufacturer,Toyota, also made statements at Darlington Raceway that thispostseason would not be aPenske-paloooza runaway like the past few
“I think anight like tonight really gives Chase the confidence that he belongs,” crew chiefJames Smalls said of thefirst-year JGR team. That was obvious to anyone who watched the crown jewel race. Briscoe, who qualified second, moved in front early and rarely left thefront, leading for309 of 367 laps and outlasting Tyler Reddick to back up last year’s surprise victory at the track nicknamed “Too ToughToTame” that gothim into theplayoffs at the last possible moment.
The win ayear ago gave soon-tobe-closing Stewart-Haas Racing a final shot at playoffparticipation. Briscoe wanted to set astrong tone early this time around and did just that on perhaps the most difficult of NASCAR’s 10 postseason tracks.
“I’ve always just loved highpressure situations,” he said. “I feel like Ijust perform better for whatever reason. Ifeel likemy whole career has always been a high-pressure situation, right? There was no backup plan. You might only get one race (and)
you’ve got to perform, show your worth.” Now,that’sontop of theplayoff standings as powerhouse JGR looks to win its first NASCARCup Series crown since formerGibbs racer Kyle Busch did it in 2019.
Since then, Rick Hendrick Motorsports won titles in 2020 and ‘21, with Team Penskecapturing the past three.
JGR owner Joe Gibbs said Briscoe showed upasstrong as any of past Cup Series winners. “Starting up front,then to kind of dominate therace,”Gibbs said. “I think what heshowedisgreat speed.”
Just like many of the highestprofileToyotas. Briscoe’s teammate, Denny Hamlin, edged him out for the
pole in qualifying Saturday,then overcameproblemsinthe pits to rally for seventh. Hamlin,considered by many to be the best driver without atitle, is second in playoff standings and in strong position to advance. Hamlin alsosaw his playoff drivers Reddick andBubba Wallace —Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan —finish secondand sixthinToyotas. Both areinthe top five in theplayoff standings and poisedfor strong runs. In all, there were sixToyotas among the top sevenfinishers. It was the manufacturer’sthird topfoursweep since it came to the Cup Series in 2007. As far as the other power play-
FSUlinebackerincritical condition after shooting
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. AFlorida State linebacker is in critical but stable conditionafter being shot while visiting family,the Seminoles said Monday Ethan Pritchard, a6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman from Sanford, wasinintensive care at a Tallahassee-area hospital. He was shot Sunday evening while inside avehicle outside apartments in Havana, according to the Gadsden County Sheriff’sOffice.
“The Pritchard family is thankful for the support from so many people,aswellasthe carefrom first responders andmedical professionals, and asks that their privacy be respected at this time,” FSU said in astatement. “Further updates will be provided as they are available.”
Alabama WR remains in concussion protocol
TUSCALOOSA,Ala. Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams could miss the team’s homeopener because of aconcussion.
Coach Kalen DeBoer said Monday that Williams remains in concussion protocol and is considered “day to day” as the No. 8Crimson Tide (0-1)prepares to host ULMonroe (1-0) on Saturday Amember of thepreseason AP All-America team, Williams was helped off the field midway through the fourth quarter of a31-17 loss at Florida State on Saturday after his helmet slammed into the ground following his third dropped pass of the game. Florida State safety Earl Little was flagged for targeting on the play,but the penalty was overturned after review Williams finishedthe game with five receptions for30yards.
49ersreceiver Jennings returns to practice
SANTACLARA, Calif. San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings returned to practice Monday forthe first time in morethan amonth in asign that he will be ready to start the season. Jennings leftpracticeearly witha calfinjuryonJuly 27 and hadn’tbeen on the field foranofficial practice with the team since then.Jennings was also seeking a new contract,but hasapparently returnedtothe field without thatin place as the team prepares forthe opener on Sunday at Seattle. Jennings is entering the final year of atwo-year,$15.4 million contract and is seeking alongterm extension before the regular season after coming offthe best season of his career
Vanderbilt women’shoops loses guard before season
NASHVILLE,Tenn.— Vanderbiltcoach Shea Ralph announced Monday that guard MadisonGreene will miss the season due to an injury suffered during practice last week.
ers? Defending champion and three-time series winner Joey Logano is 13th and among the first four out without an improvement at WorldWideTechnologyRaceway outside of St. Louis next week or at Bristol MotorSpeedway on Sept.13. 2020 serieschampionChase
Elliott finished well behindthe leaders, and when asked about his chances of abetter run next race said, “Well, Ijust finished 17th.” Wallace, the 23XI racer,thought he, Reddick andthe Toyota drivers came through when it mattered most. He’sconfident that will continue throughout the playoffs.
“Toshow up here and put together two solid races for our team, got to keep that going. Check that off thelist. Nine more to go,” he said.
Briscoe insisted he thought little of thebig picture before,during and after hishuge weekend at Darlington. His crew chief was focused enough forthe whole team.
Smalls was asked if the No. 19 team hadthe pieces to take the trophy this year in Briscoe’sfirst season in the cockpit after taking over from Martin Truex Jr “Oh,100%,” he said. “It was difficult, new situation foreverybody.Wehad alittlebit of learning to do, some new people on the team, as well. We had somespeed. Just took alittle bit to jell and get everybody on the samepage, understanding of what we’re trying to achieve every week.”
If Briscoe’sJGR Toyota keeps stacking performances like this, the result couldbeNASCAR’sbiggest prize.
“Madison is in great hands with our medical team,and we will fully support her through the recovery process andher returntothe court,” Ralph said in astatement.
The 5-foot-6 guard fromColumbus, Ohio, started four of 33 games played last season and led theCommodores in scoring off thebench in 15 games. She averaged 6.8 points and 1.2 steals over 20.4 minutesplayedper game.As afreshman, she played 11 games before aseason-ending injury Vanderbilt went22-11 last season and lost to Oregon in overtime in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Boxer who faced Ali and Frazier dies at age 75 CARDIFF,Wales Joe Bugner, a heavyweight who took boxing greats MuhammadAli andJoe Frazier the distance in fights in the 1970s, has died. He was75. The deathofthe Hungary-born Bugner,who was also aBritish citizen, wasannounced Monday by the British Boxing Boardof Control, which said he died at his care homeinBrisbane, Australia. Bugner wasthe European champion when he fought Alifor the first time, in 1973, in anon-title fight in Las Vegas. Ali won on points, and Frazier did the same five months later in afight in London. Acareer spanning 32 years ended in 1999, by which time he had relocated to Australia —where he spent the final years of his lifeina care home after being diagnosed with dementia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT KELLEy
Chase Briscoe, center, celebrates withhis sonBrooks in victorylane afterwinning aNASCAR CupSeries race at Darlington Racewayon SundayinDarlington, S.C.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KIRSTy WIGGLESWORTH
NaomiOsakacelebrates after winning amatchagainst Coco Gauff during the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Monday in Newyork.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ADAM HUNGER
Jannik Sinner holds his racquet in the air after defeating Alexander Bublik during the fourth round of the U.S. Open on MondayinNew york.
THE VARSITY ZONE
BATON ROUGE AREA FOOTBALL TOP 10S
CLASS 5A-4A
1. Catholic-BR: The Bears return one of the top players in the state in senior safety Blaine Bradford. Catholic looks to build off its District 4-5A title from 2024.
2. Central: The Wildcats are the reigning Division I nonselect champions. Central will feature a new quarterback this season, but talent on the defensive side of the ball should help Central in its quest to repeat.
3. Zachary: Behind senior linebackers Dylan Shelmire and Isaiah Stokes, the Broncos bring back experience and talent on defense
4. Plaquemine: The Green Devils lost their starting quarterback from last season but return 16 starters elsewhere.
5. St.Amant: The Gators are led by senior quarterback Cooper Babin.The first-team alldistrict quarterback should have the Gators poised for a solid season in a District 5-5A filled with new faces under center
6. Lutcher: The Bulldogs will play a new quarterback, but the team returns four offensive lineman who started every game in 2024.
7 Brusly: Panthers senior running back Patrick Gales leads an explosive offense for Brusly The speedster flashed several times in a jamboree win over Parkview Baptist.
8.Walker: The Wildcats’ strength is along the offensive line, which features two players who are taller than 6-foot-6 and are around 300 pounds.
9 Dutchtown: There’s work to do with just three starters returning, but Dutchtown coach Guy Mistretta is confident in the players filling the vacant roles.
10. Denham Springs: yellow Jackets senior quarterback Da’Jean Golmond is a new starter, but his twin brother Da’Sean Golmond and tight end Brayden Ray should make his job easier CLASS 3A AND BELOW
1. University High: The Cubs look poised for a strong season led by LSU commitment Lamar Brown. U-High defeated Dunham 27-12 in a jamboree game.
2. Dunham: The Tigers finished as state runnersup in 2024.All-state quarterback Elijah Haven is back for his junior season, looking to build on a sophomore season when he threw 37 touchdown passes.
3. St. James: The Wildcats capped off 2024 with a second straight appearance in the Division III nonselect championship game.The team brings back senior leading rusher Kani King-young and senior leading receiver Jakais Villanueva
4 Madison Prep: MPA will look to build on its 2024 season that ended in the state semifinals.
The defense held Catholic to just 14 points in a 14-6 jamboree loss.
5. Southern Lab: The Kittens return senior quarterback Jerry Bottley.The dual-threat quarterback totaled 3,200 total yards and 35 touchdowns last season.
6.Ascension Catholic: The Bulldogs made it to the Division IV select semifinals last year Alldistrict senior wide receiver Trevin Simon will move to running back this season to help make up for the loss of all-state running back Chad Elzy
7. Episcopal: The Knights return just six starters, but senior quarterback Zach Hu is among the returners. Episcopal also returns four starting offensive linemen.
8. North Iberville: The Bears return two all-district players in quarterback Justice Roy and wide receiver B.J. Melancon.
9. Catholic-PC: The Hornets return senior quarterback Jude Morrison, who will return for his fourth year as the starter He accounted for 15 touchdowns through the air and added seven more on the ground.
10. Parkview Baptist: New faces take over on the offense and defense, including at quarterback, but the Eagles should have the talent to compete in 2025.
Jackson Reyes
New additions make positive first impressions at Miami
Former Tiger Daniels makes splashy one-handed catch
BY TIM REYNOLDS
AP sports writer
CORAL GABLES Fla. — Miami’s new faces made quick first impressions. At this time last year Miami quarterback Carson Beck was at Georgia. Wide receiver CJ Daniels — he of the spectacular onehanded grab for a touchdown Sunday was at LSU. Running back Marty Brown was at North Dakota State, kicker Carter Davis was at Florida Atlantic and wide receiver Malachi Toney was in high school. They didn’t waste any time making an impact for the Hurricanes, all playing big roles and combining
RABALAIS
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But the obstacles will come quickly on Louisiana Tech’s heels. There are six more ranked teams on LSU’s schedule: Florida in two weeks, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and, probably, Alabam-ah-ha-haha (sorry, but the Crimson Tide’s smackdown by Florida State on Saturday was pretty amusing) There’s also the trip to Vanderbilt. Potholes on LSU’s road to
to account for all of No. 10 Miami’s scoring in its 27-24 win over No. 6 Notre Dame on Sunday night in the opener for both teams. The Hurricanes likely will rise a bit in the AP Top 25 poll that comes out Tuesday
“Now they know,” Beck said. “I tried to tell people, but they don’t tend to believe what I say That’s fine Actions speak louder than words.” Beck passed for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels and Toney had scoring catches Brown had Miami’s lone rushing touchdown, and Davis — who missed six of his last eight field goal tries at FAU over the past two seasons — was 2 for 2 on field goals in his Miami debut, including the 47-yarder with 1:04 left that provided the final margin He became the first Miami kicker to deliver a gamewinner against Notre Dame. Brown shared team-high honors in carries with returnee Mark
the CFP are everywhere.
Speaking of Alabama and the coach its fans wish they still had, Kelly quoted Nick Saban to describe what his Tigers must do next
“We’ve heard for many years about the rat poison from Nick,” Kelly said. “You can’t eat the rat poison. To me, more than anything else, you address that with your team. You say, ‘Look, here’s the deal: The challenge will be us. The challenge is us each and every week. That’s staying with our process, staying locked in on the things we
Fletcher both getting 15 handoffs from Beck. Brown’s first Miami touchdown put the Hurricanes up 21-7 midway through the third quarter, and he got all six carries for 22 hard-earned yards and two first downs that kept the clock moving — on the drive that set up Davis’ winning kick.
Brown had been part of big games before: North Dakota State won its 10th FCS national crown last season and he had what basically was the title-sealing TD run with 2:41 left in that 2024 championship game. On a bigger stage Sunday, he looked right at home.
“I felt confident,” he said. “It was nothing new to me.”
Toney reclassified to be part of Miami’s 2025 high school signing class and he led the Hurricanes with six catches (on 10 targets) for 82 yards against the Fighting Irish, a team with what is generally considered to be an elite defense.
have done so well.’ ” Kelly said staying within themselves and staying in control were part of Tigers’ successful formula on Saturday The result was an offense that overcame two first-half turnovers and a defense that held Clemson to 31 yards rushing. It was the fewest rushing yards allowed by the Tigers since they gave up 6 in a loss at Bama in 2021, and the 10 points were the fewest allowed to a ranked team since a 37-10 win over No. 4 Georgia in the 2019 SEC championship game.
“We were trying to keep him a secret,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “But it didn’t take long, right?” There were tons of questions about Miami coming into Week 1.
In the transfer portal era, big holes on rosters can be filled quickly and Miami excels in the portal. Beck was the biggest get, but the Hurricanes knew they needed players to catch his passes and Daniels — who started at Liberty, then went to LSU for 2024 was a huge part of the shopping spree there.
“I’ve been chasing CJ for two years,” Cristobal said. “Every time he enters the portal, man, I miss him. We finally got him And what a play he made. Unbelievable.”
Daniels was hurt when he got to Miami and needed time to recover from a foot injury But he began making an immediate impact anyway
“Our team didn’t play angry” at Clemson, Kelly said. “They played aggressive They could have been angry and emotional and out of control, doing crazy things based on what people were saying about them, but they didn’t do that. And they can’t do that when they’re saying great things about you. You have to remove that and focus on what’s important, which is your preparation on your opponent so you can go 1-0 (again).” LSU showed it assembled talent with this year’s $18 million
roster The Tigers showed they could play like a team. They also showed maturity to deal with the pressure of a huge game in one of the most hostile environments in college football. That maturity now has to carry LSU through the rest of the season. Expect to win, but don’t believe you have arrived. Given all of the doubters the Tigers have had, that may not be so difficult of a task. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
University High wide receiver Lawson Dixon sprints upfield with the ball against Dunham in the Red Stick Rumble Jamboree on Thursday at Parkview Baptist High School. U-High leads the small-school rankings this week.
AP PHOTO By PETER JONELEIT Miami wide receiver CJ Daniels makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown on Sunday in Miami.
Loss to Ohio State puts preseason No. 1 Texas under the microscope
BY MARK ROSNER Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian have shared a spotlight, the prodigy quarterback from football’s royal family and the coach often complimented for his tutelage of players at that position along with his prowess at designing offense.
Now both men are under a microscope after No. 1 Texas’ inability to generate sufficient offense during a 14-7 season-opening loss at No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday.
Manning, the sophomore grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli, made his first start against an elite opponent after taking a redshirt season as a freshman and serving as backup to Quinn Ewers in 2024 Manning completed 10 of 17 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown, an interception and sometimes a look of befuddlement.
Manning completed 67.8% of his passes filling in for Ewers But he wasn’t ready to navigate a talented defense directed by Matt Patricia, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, two of those seasons as defensive coordinator
“There wasn’t much to like,”
Manning said on Monday “I’ve got to play better for us to win.”
Sarkisian, meanwhile, has answered questions about not calling more short passes early in the game so Manning could establish a rhythm. The coach said he probably should have ordered some running plays for Manning before the second half.
“I think I didn’t call a quarterback run maybe until the start of
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TDs, 36 INTs. Second stop: Washington. Traded by Vikings before 1993 season. 8 games, 4 starts. 704 yards, 3 TDs, 7 INTs. Third stop: Kansas City After having shoulder surgery and sitting out a year, Gannon signed with the Chiefs in 1995 as a backup. 27 games, 19 starts. 3,997 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs.
Fourth stop: Oakland. Signed with Raiders as free agent in 1999 and excelled in Jon Gruden’s offense Gannon was the MVP of the 2002 season when he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. He made four straight Pro Bowls and was an AllPro twice. Gannon played six seasons with the Raiders to end his career 74 games, 74 starts. 17,585 yards, 114 TDs, 50 INTs. Baker Mayfield
First stop: Cleveland. No. 1 overall pick by Browns in 2018. Had some early success and led team to its first playoff win since 1994 in 2020, but issues with turnovers and injuries affected consistency 60 games, 59 starts. 14,125 yards passing, 92 TDs, 56 INTs
Second stop: Carolina. After Browns traded for Deshaun Watson in 2022, Mayfield asked to be dealt and was sent to the Panthers. 7 games, 6 starts 1,313 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs. Third stop: Los Angeles Rams. Mayfield was benched by Carolina late in 2022 season and asked to be released. He was claimed off waivers by the Rams and led them to win over Las Vegas as a backup after just two days of preparation 5 games, 4 starts. 850 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs. Fourth stop: Tampa Bay Mayfield
the second quarter and then incorporated a few more into the second half when it presented itself,”
Sarkisian said Monday “I think I could have incorporated that a little bit earlier, just for him to get that first hit out of the way.”
Manning missed some open receivers, throwing high, low and then behind Ryan Wingo on the Longhorns’ final possession, an incompletion as the receiver crossed the middle on third-and-5 at midfield with two minutes left. Wingo had room to run had he caught the pass.
In the third quarter, Manning released a pass from the left hashmark to the right sideline that was late and underthrown, resulting in an interception. Wingo was open on the play
Manning at times exhibited issues with mechanics.
“There was a couple times where we had some crossing routes where I didn’t feel like he brought his feet to where he wanted to throw the ball, which, in turn, forced kind of a little bit more of a side-arm delivery, which isn’t his style of throwing,” Sarkisian said. “I think if he can get his feet aligned and get his shoulders aligned, that can help with some of his accuracy.”
Manning knows that, as well.
“You are always trying to get better each week, go back to square one, fundamentals,” Manning said.
“Obviously I’ve got to hit Ryan late in the game. I kind of looked back for him.”
Manning had some deft completions, but he said “there weren’t enough good ones.”
Perhaps his best was a 30-yard completion to tight end Jack
Endries along the left sideline with two defenders near him on Texas’ final possession. Manning’s touchdown pass, 32 yards to Parker Livingstone with 3:28 left in the game, was well thrown.
“I think Arch in the second half, I thought we started to see the glimpses of what he’s capable of,” Sarkisian said.
Texas rushed for 166 yards and averaged 4.5 yards a carry, a strong effort against a top-notch defense. But the Longhorns failed on four of five fourth-down plays, including Manning getting stuffed at the 1-yard line in the third quarter
That play evoked the Longhorns’ final possession against Ohio State in a College Football Playoff semifinal game last season. Texas needed just a yard on four plays to tie the game but failed to score.
Red-zone scoring is an issue for the Longhorns, who ranked 100th nationally in that area last season. Penalties are another issue. They ranked No. 86 last season with 6.4 per game.
Texas had six penalties against Ohio State, including two that helped facilitate Ohio State’s first touchdown drive.
“It wasn’t so much the amount of penalties; it was the timing of the penalties,” Sarkisian said.
Texas gained 257 total yards in the second half, which encouraged Sarkisian, whose Longhorns host San Jose State on Saturday
“I was saying on Saturday let’s not judge this book by chapter one,” Sarkisian said. “Let’s read the whole book before we make an assessment, a judgment, on this passing game and on (Manning), on what this team can be as the season unfolds.”
credited his run with the Rams for re-energizing him, and he signed with the Buccaneers in 2023. He has led Tampa Bay to consecutive playoff appearances and was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of those seasons. 34 games, 34 starts. 8,544 yards, 69 TDs, 26 INTs.
Geno Smith
First stop: New York Jets. Secondround pick in 2013. Smith became starter as a rookie when Mark Sanchez injured a shoulder in the preseason. Mostly struggled in his first two seasons and was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015 when his jaw was broken by punch from a teammate in locker room dispute. Smith tore an ACL the next season while making a spot start. 33 games, 30 starts 5,962 yards, 28 TDs, 36 INTs.
Second stop: New York Giants. Signed in 2017 to back up Eli Manning and then found himself at the center of controversy when then-
Southern slips in HBCU rankings
BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer
Week 1 of the college football season has come and gone. Here’s how I voted in the BOXTOROW HBCU football media poll after Week 1.
1. Jackson State (1-0): The reigning Celebration Bowl champion took care of business in its 28-14 win over Hampton. With returning quarterback JaCobian Morgan completing only 50% of his passes for 147 yards, running back Ahmad Miller picked up the slack with 12 carries for 182 yards and two touchdowns.
2. South Carolina State (1-0): The Bulldogs won a 16-15 nail-biter at home against Wofford. Their defense allowed only 10 first downs and 142 yards of offense. Defensive end Michael Lunz, a Tulane transfer, had five tackles and two sacks.
3. North Carolina Central (1-1): The Eagles fell 27-10 to New Hampshire after a 17-point victory over Southern in Week 0. North Carolina Central quarterback Harris Walker was sacked three times and completed only 13 of 33 passes. North Carolina Central’s rough outing came against a Coastal Athletic Conference squad that was picked to finish fifth in that conference’s preseason poll.
4.Tennessee State (1-0): In coach Reggie Barlow’s first game, the Tigers beat North Carolina A&T 24-21. Tennessee State got a strong debut from running back Kendric Rhymes — who transferred from Southern in the offseason after trailing 14-10 at halftime. Rhymes rushed 21 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns, both in the second half.
5. Prairie View (1-0): Prairie View wide receiver Rodny Ojo caught the game-winning touchdown with two seconds left in his team’s 22-21 win over Texas Southern. The Panthers were able to move up and down the field, totaling 425 yards of offense.
6.Alabama State (0-1): While the Hornets lost 52-42 to UAB on the road, they gave their American Conference opponent a lot of issues with their explosive offense. Quarterback Andrew Body threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-24
passing, and he had 119 yards rushing and a touchdown.
7. Southern (1-1): The Jaguars take a dip in the rankings from No. 4 in my preseason vote in the national HBCU poll. Even though they’re coming off a 34-29 win over Mississippi Valley State, they didn’t win as convincingly as they should have. As talented as the Jaguars defense is, it too often took poor angles for tackles and dropped multiple interception opportunities.
8.Virginia Union (1-0): In a battle of Division II conference champions, Virginia Union was sharper against Miles. The reigning champions of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association won 45-3. Running back Curtis Allen had 17 carries for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
9. Howard (1-0): Howard, which was unranked in the preseason poll, is a riser after upsetting Florida A&M 10-9. It didn’t allow a single touchdown to the SWAC team that was voted the No. 5 team in the same poll. The Bison look vastly improved from their 4-8 record last year They beat FAMU on a 43-yard field goal from Matt Conord.
10. Florida A&M (0-1): The Rattlers sneak into my top 10 despite their one-point loss to Howard. They had a subpar game from standout running back Thad Franklin, who had 13 carries for 37 yards. The defense looked legit as it limited Howard to a single touchdown.
Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate. com.
coach Ben McAdoo started Smith midway through the season to end Manning’s 210-game starting streak. Smith went back to sideline the next week. 2 games, 1 start. 212 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs. Third stop: Los Angeles Chargers. Signed in 2018 to back up Philip Rivers. 5 games, 0 starts. 8 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs. Fourth stop: Seattle. Signed with the Seahawks in 2019 and served as the backup to Russell Wilson for most of his first three seasons with them. Smith won the starting job over Drew Lock before 2022 season after Wilson was traded to Denver He won Comeback Player of the Year after breakout season and made first of two consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. 54 games, 52 starts. 12,961 yards, 76 TDs, 36 INTs. Fifth stop: Las Vegas. Smith was traded in March to the Raiders and is reunited with Pete Carroll, his former coach in Seattle.
BY DAVE SKRETTA Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs will be starting a new left guard and tackle, the latter coming off a major knee injury, when they travel nearly 12 hours to play their season opener on foreign soil against one of the NFL’s best defenses. If that sounds like a nightmare for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, how would you describe last season?
The Chiefs pondered a half-dozen options back then in trying to protect his blind side, ultimately giving up on second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia and secondyear pro Wanya Morris. The result was predictable. Mahomes was sacked 36 times, eight more than any other season in his eight-year NFL career His sack rate was a career-worst 5.83% of drop-backs, and that translated into a net yards-per-attempt of fewer than 6 for the first time in his career
The whole mess culminated at the Super Bowl, when the Philadelphia Eagles not only sacked Mahomes six times but hit him on 11 occasions in a 40-22 loss that never seemed as close as the final score might suggest.
“We knew we had to get better,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged. Whether they did will be revealed on Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the Chiefs open the season against the Los Angeles Chargers. They will be starting first-round pick Josh Simmons at left tackle against a defense that features pass rushers Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, while Suamataia — now converted to guard will be lining up next to him on the left side. The duo solidified starting roles early in training camp along an offensive line that includes AllPro center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith — who just signed a four-year, $94 million extension and veteran right tackle Jawaan Taylor
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By PAUL SAKUMA Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon passes in front of a San Francisco 49ers player in the first quarter during their exhibition game on Aug. 14, 2004, in San Francisco.
PHOTO By CHRIS TODD
Jason Gabriel, left, runs the ball for Southern against Mississippi Valley State in Rice-Totten Stadium on Saturday in Itta Bena, Miss.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JAy LAPRETE
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, right, hands the ball off to running back Quintrevion Wisner during a game against Ohio State on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. Manning said Monday that he has ‘got to play better’ to win.
Saints cutspecial teamsace Gray
BY LUKE JOHNSON and MATTHEW PARAS Staff writers
The New Orleans Saints made asurprising move less than one week before theykick off the2025 season, releasing veteran special teams standout J.T. Gray
“There’snothing easy about this one,” coach Kellen Moore said Monday.“It’sahard one for all of us.”
Gray had been with the Saints since 2018, making himone of the longest-tenured players on the roster.Hecarved out an important role duringhis seven seasons in New Orleans, makingone Pro Bowl and three All-Pro teams as a special teams ace.
Moore said his release came down to roster flexibility.Gray was acore special-teamer whorarely saw the field on defense.
With several players on both the physically unable to perform list and injured reserve, Moore said the fluidity of the rosterinthe early weeks of the season led to the move.
“Weknow the high-quality player that he is, the impact he’shad on thisorganization,” Moore said.
“He’sareally goodplayer.But as you play the roster management part of this over the course of this season and throughout the next few weeks, there’s alot of challenges associated with that.Itwas areally tough one for us to do.”
SAINTS
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in transition, the reasons forpessimism are easy to see. But to gain a deeper understanding of thesituation, The Times-Picayunespoke to awide range of experts on why or whynot —the Saints could be in for abrutal season when they begin Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
The outlook wasn’trosy
“I think they’re going to be bad,” said Seth Walder,who specializes in sports analytics for ESPN. “I don’thave aton of optimism about this team. Even when you lookatit, if thingsgoright, Ithinkthe best thing they have going forthem is the division they play in, theschedule that they face.
“But man, Idon’t—it’shardto feel optimistic about this team.”
Thequarterback
Thebiggest reason people don’t believe in the Saints centers on the most important position in sports.
Johnny Avello, leadoddsmaker for DraftKings, said the sportsbook’sline for the Saints suffered atwo-game swing in terms of their projected win total (from61/2 to 41/2) after Derek Carr unexpectedly retired in Maywitha shoulderinjury “It certainly was abig adjustment,” Avello said.
Carr’sdecision left theSaints with aquarterback competition between Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough —withneither option inspiringconfidence to the outside view.Rattler won the jobcomingout of camp,and thesecond-yearquarterback will look to get into the wincolumn after going 0-6 last year as astarter
“I don’tthink you can be overly enthusedabout it,” Robert Mays of The Athletic said. “When you’re putintoapositionlikethis where you have acertain plan of howitwas going to go, and then you’re forced to adopt adifferent plan, the answer is never goingto be very good. It’snever going tobe something you’re excitedabout.”
The Saints are turningtoRattler initiallybecause he seemed a step faster than Shough throughout camp. Moore praisedRattler’s ability to balance his aggressiveness with sound decision-making. He also said Rattler is abetter player after undergoing a“challenging” rookie season.
Still, conventional thought suggests Shough will find his way into thelineup at some point this seasonsothe Saints fully can evaluate the playerthey drafted 40th overall. Even if Shough does play, Mays pointed to the “checkered history” of second-round quarterbacks as another reason to taper expectations. For every Carr andAndy Dalton to emergeassolid starters out of the round, there’saWill Levis. Drew Brees is the outlier,not the norm.
“Whether it’sRattlerorShough, Ithink you’re in the conversation for worst starter in theleague,” Walder said. Not every pundit views the
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIAGERMER
Saints safetyJ.T.Graycatches aball during trainingcampinIrvine, Calif., on July 31, 2024. The Saints released Gray on Monday after he spent sevenseasons with the franchise.
“There’snothing easy about this one. It’sahard one forall of us.”
KELLENMOORE, Saints head coach, on releasing J.T. Gray
Gray was afour-time team captain. He has led theteam in special teamstackles every year since
2019,recording 89 on thoseunits
Gray also was credited with two kick blocks and threefumble re-
coveries on special teams.
Saints add3 players
The Saints added three players on Monday.
The Saints signed undrafted rookiedefensive lineman CoziahIzzard to the practice squad, Moore said. Izzard, 24, spent the summer with the Kansas City Chiefs and played college football at Penn State.
Later in the afternoon, the Saints also reportedly came to terms with former Pittsburgh Steelerslinebacker Eku Leota and former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott.Both also weresignedtothe practice squad.
Leota, now in his third NFL season, has appeared in 11 career games. The 26-year-old spent his first seasonwith the Carolina Panthers and spent last year with the Panthers and Steelers.
Mellott, 23, moved from quarterback to wide receiver after he was drafted in the sixth round by the Raiders in the spring, potentially giving the Saints a Taysom Hill-like option on the practice squad.
Izzard is listed at 6-foot-3 and 294 pounds. He played defensive tackle in college, appearing in 50 games with seven career starts, 78 tackles and nine sacks.
The Saints added another defensive lineman after minor injuries upfront. Khristian Boyd,who made the 53-manroster,isdealing with
Saints offensivetackle Kelvin Banks lines up during apreseason game
Aug. 23 at the Caesars Superdome.
quarterback situationashopeless. Louis Riddick,a former safety and current ESPN analyst whowas also afrontofficeexecutive for two NFLteams, said there shouldn’tbearush to judge Shough. He said Moore hasthe coaching background to help his quarterbacks succeed
Riddick said even with the unknowns,he’s“more optimistic” than mostonthe Saints
“Kellen—being so even keellike he is, havingplayed the position at asuper-high level when he wasin collegeand having tutoredthese guys in the league like he has —I think if you’re ayoung quarterback, you’re like, ‘That’s exactly what Iwant,’ ”Riddick said. Theoffensive line
The Saints essentially aremaking three big bets along theoffensive line.
They are countingonfirst-round rookieKelvin Banks to pan out at left tackle, Trevor Penning to benefit from aswitch to guard, and 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga to thrive by movingback to right tackle, the spot he dominated at college.
“The floor is reasonably high,” said Brandon Thorn, an offensive line expert.“Ithink thetalentis prettygood. And then their ceiling, Ithinktheyhave alot of room to grow.”
“I look at the tackles andI think, ‘Here’sareal swing point forthis team,’ ”Walder said.
Walder said rookie tackles, even those picked in thetop 10, areoften “below average” starters, pointing to how even Andrew Thomas of the New York Giants struggled at first before developing into an All-Pro.
Even Fuaga, who left the Saints encouraged by hisdebut season, ranked 57th out of qualifyingtackleswithapass-block winrateof 84%, according to ESPN. Could Banks be the exception? His preseason was promising. He shut down premier pass rushers such as Josh Hines-Allen and
Travon Walker of Jacksonville.
According to ProFootball Focus, the 21-year-old didn’tallow apressure on 31 preseason pass-rushing snaps.
Depth is aconcern.DillonRadunz is already starting at left guardin place of an injuredPenning, whose turf toe injury may keep him out of Sunday’sopener. TheSaints also havetraded for two backupsand claimed another guard off waivers after injurieshit their depth hard in the preseason Riddicksaid he’sconcerned aboutthe offensive line, in part because he wonders whether it can protect the quarterback andmake his life easier by beinga factor in the run game. TheO-linehas to help New Orleans avoid beingonedimensional, he said
“They’ve gottofind away to make that unit be atop-10 unit,” Riddick said. “Theyjust have to. Otherwise, you have no shot, especially with aquarterback situation that’sasuncertain as theirs.”
Thedefense
The hiring of Brandon Staley as defensive coordinator hasbeen generally well-received. Defensive linemenhaveraved about the“freedom” his scheme allows. Defensive backs believe Staley’suse of match-zone principles better suits theirstrengths. And pundits seeStaley as asharp defensive mind, dating to the2020 season when he coordinatedthe league’sNo. 1defensewith the Los Angeles Rams
But does Staley have the pieces to execute this system?
“I just don’tknowhow many building blocksthisteam hasdefensively thatare also suitedfor this defense,” Mays said.
The Saints invested asignificant amount of resources this offseasontoretool their defense. They traded for Davon Godchaux, giving Staley abig nose tackle. They signed safety Justin Reid (three years, $31.5million) and re-signed edge rusher ChaseYoung (three
ahand injury after getting hurt in the final preseason game against the Denver Broncos. John Ridgeway also landed on injured reserve with apec injury,though he’seligible to return after he misses the first four games. With three expected signings, the Saints will have to open up a space on their practice squad. The team also has an open roster spot after releasing Gray Gold is back
The Saints will begin anew-look era forthe 2025 season with anew look.
The Saints announced Monday they’ll wear theiralternate gold uniforms forSunday’snoon kickoffagainst the Arizona Cardinals at the Caesars Superdome.
The look includes the “Gameday Gold” that’slighter than the Saints’ traditional gold pants, paired with black numbers and trim and black pants. Thehelmets arealsoblack, with the gold fleur de lis on the sides —plus dozens of mini fleur de lis forming the stripe downthe middle.
It’s the first timeinrecent memory the Saints haven’tworn either their traditional homeorroad uniformsfor their opening game. Saints editor Zach Ewing contributed to this report.
Email Luke Johnsonat ljohnson@theadvocate.com.
pick. The New York Giants, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts have murky answers at quarterback, even if pundits see their rosters as betterthan the Saints. Still, how often does the team thought to be the league’sworst actually endupfinishing as such? It’sa mixedbag. Walder said three of the last fiveteamsthat started the season ranked last in ESPN’sFootball Power Index finished there: The2024 Carolina Panthers, the 2022 Chicago Bears andthe 2020 Jaguars.
ButWalder called thatan“unlucky” sample size.And even in thatcase, those ranked last in FPI didn’talways land theNo. 1pick. Last year’sPanthers, for instance, finished 5-12,earning theeighth pick.
The betting market isn’talways aguarantee, either. According to Pro Football Reference, those picked with the lowest over/under win totalendedupwith the worst recordonly twice— the 2020 Jaguars andthe 2016 Browns —over the last 10 drafts. Every so often, ateam blowsexpectations out of the water.Just askthe Saints.
years, $51 million) to notable contracts. Five of the team’snine draft selections wereondefense.
Safety Julian Blackmon was a late addition after Tyrann Mathieu retired.
But the Saints have seven— eight if the defense opens in abase look —ofthe same 11 defensive startersreturning from last year. That was aunit that ranked 30th in yardsallowed,27th againstthe pass and 31stagainst the run.
“ChaseYoung is asolid pass rusher,but you’renot reallyexpecting aton elsewhere,” Walder said. “It’s prettyhard to look at this defense andfeel like, ‘Oh wow,that’sgoing to be super disruptive to opposing quarterbacks.’ ” Mays said thedefense is in transition in scheme and personnel.
Last year,according to FTN Fantasy,the Saints had the NFL’s fourth-oldest defense in terms of snap-weighted age. This season, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and defensive lineman Bryan Bresee are the only starters under26— unless rookieslike Quincy Riley,Danny Stutsman andVernonBroughton canbecome starters. That experience is not necessarily anegative. Just look at past Saintsdefenses that were considered oldand dominated theleague Butage is still afocal point given the unit’sstruggles last year and Staley’stakeover of the group.
“It’sundeniably going to feel a little bit uneven, and it’snot even close to being the full or final picture of what it’ssupposed to (be),” Mays said. “It’sagroup where you can get by,but it’snothing that you canget excited about.”
Otherfactors
Arethe Saints really going to be theworst teaminthe league?
The answerdepends on other teams,too. TheCleveland Browns have as much—ifnot more —of an unsettled quarterback situationasthe Saints, seemingly putting them in the mix forthe No.1
The 2006 season, with Brees and SeanPayton arriving andleading NewOrleans to the NFC championship game, is aprime example. But don’toverlook 2000. JimHaslett, also afirst-time head coach, ledthe Saints to aworst-tofirst finish.
“Sometimes youcatch lightning in abottle,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said, noting the importance of chemistry and buying in. “Teams can do that. That all happens during the course of the offseason and training camp. And then you havetostay healthy, too. Listen, health is areally important factor.”
TheSaintswere hit so hard with injurieslast year that perhaps New Orleans’ talent is overlooked. Mays, despite his lack of optimism on theseason,saidhe sees the offense’s “infrastructure”asunderrated. Waldersaid he feelspeople have “forgotten” how good Chris Olave is after several concussionskepthim outfor most of last year
On paper,the Saints also have one of the easiest schedules, as theiropponents combined fora .419 win percentage last season. Avello said that, plus an open NFC South, could be why the Saints exceed expectations.
The Saints mainly have avoided setting expectations. Loomis, who often resists the idea the franchise is rebuilding, did acknowledge his team is in “transition” with afirstyear coach andnew quarterback. He saidhesees adifference between“expectations” and“aspirations,” the latter of whichstill involvesstriving to win the division andasmanygamesaspossible. ButwhatdoesLoomismakeof so manypeople being down on the Saints?
“I don’tpay attentiontothat,” Loomissaid. “That’sother people, most of themunqualified, making those comments.”
Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByTyLER KAUFMAN
against the Denver Broncoson
Nuisance or nature’s gift?
With elderberries,it dependsonyour perspective
There’sanold sayingthatone person’strash is another’s treasure. It’sasimilar story for elderberries —nuisance for some,valuable crop to others
GARDEN NEWS
It’strue: Elderberries do behave like weeds in many ways. These large shrubs pop up along fences, in ditches, on vacant lots. They grow quickly,spreading with ease thanks to an extensive root systemand numerous seeds. With unassuming white flower clusters, tiny berries and ascraggly growth habit, they aren’tmuch to look at.
And yet elderberries have their benefits. For one, their BB-sized berries are an important food source for all sorts of wildlife
They serve as ahost plant for several moth species, and their plentiful flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators.
LSU AGCENTER PHOTO
Harvest elderberries when they are dark purple to black.Donot eat green or red elderberries, whichare toxic.
People, of course, alsomake
use of elderberries. Jams, jellies and syrups made from the berries have become trendy in recent years. Elderflowers are edible,too, often making an appearancein drinks in the form of elderflower liqueur Elderberry shrubs are part of the Sambucus genus, and afew species are native to the United States. Here in Louisiana,you’ll findSambucus canadensis.
Right now,elderberries are ripening across our state. Whether you live in the city or the country you shouldn’thave to look far if you want to harvest some “Prettymuch everywhere that abird’sbeen, you’ll see an elderberry,” said Clark Robertson, an LSU AgCenter horticultureagent in Livingston Parish
That’sbecause birds love eating elderberries. They disperse the seeds,which germinatereadily, through their excrement
Unlike birds, most humans won’t enjoy eating elderberriesstraight off the plant. Raw berries have an unpleasant, strong taste and can upset stomachs. Peoplegenerally eat them cooked, and in this state,
ä See GARDEN, page 2D
Supertunia
BY NORMAN WINTER Tribune News Service (TNS)
THEERASTOUR
In newest exhibit, OldState Capitolcelebrates175 years
BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer
Louisiana’sOld State Capitolhas entered its contemporary era as it celebrates its 175th anniversary That’snot saying friendship bracelets in thecolors of stained glass will be available at theentrance of its newest exhibit, “Contemporary Views of the Castellated Capitol,”orstagelights flashing to the beatofaparticular pop singer’s hit, “Shake It Off.” In fact, there’snomusic piped intothis quiet space, but there is plentyofcolor andenergy portrayingthe OldCapitol throughthe eyes of morethan 20 Louisianaartists through Sept.20. Whichincludes Jim Blanchard’spaintings of the Old Capitol in its original era, showing the castle as it originally was built; its fancy turret era, highlighting the addedextrasthat onceadorned the Capitol’stowers; and its modern-day era, when the extras were removed, leaving thebuilding as it now stands.
Of course, those aren’t the namesof Blanchard’spieces, whose officialtitles are “Old State House in 1850,” “Old State House in 1882” and “Old StateHousein 1993,” but the eras they represent area good starting point for the story of the National Landmark building thathas survivedfire, Huey P. Long, abad remodeling, an amazing restoration and transition into amuseumand alegendaryinsult by Mark Twain.
Yes, thesame Mark Twainof“Tom Sawyer”and “Huckleberry Finn” fame. He called Louisiana’sOld State Capitol
a“whitewashed castle, with turrets and things” and a“littleshamcastle,” and described it as an “architectural falsehood” and the “ugliest thing on the Mississippi” in his 1883 book, “Life on the Mississippi.”
Well, 175 years later,Baton Rouge’s castle is still standing, and none of the artworksreflect Twain’ssentiments in this celebration of its eras.
“The Old Capitol is suchaunique architectural buildingthathas always fascinated artists,”guest curatorElizabeth Weinstein said.
Weinstein joined forces with the museum’snew curator,Anne Mahoney,in developing and installing the show
ä See CAPITOL, page 2D
“Back when it was new,photography wasnew,soit’sbeen on postcards, it’s been on teacups, it’sbeen presented in lots of different ways over the years. But we decided that acontemporary exhibitionwould be nicetoshowits enduring legacy.”
“CONTEMPORARYVIEWS OF THECASTELLATED CAPITOL” WHEN: Through Sept. 20 |WHERE: Louisiana’sOld State Capitol, 100 NorthBlvd.
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4p.m.Tuesdaythrough Friday; 9a.m.to3 p.m.Saturday. |MORE: Admission is free. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
Vistapetunia will ‘jazzup’ your gardensnextyear
Next year you will get agreat opportunity to “jazz up” your baskets, containers and boxes with anew SupertuniaVista petunia. Mention Supertunia Vistapetunias and the first to come to mind isthe obvious, Bubblegum. Iremember years ago givingpresentations forMississippiState University and showing the new Supertunia Vista Bubblegumand everyone would chuckleatthe name. Whocould have known the hundreds ofawardsthat would be coming their way? Afterall, the Vistas arelike thoroughbredracehorses. There is anew Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz coming in 2026. It is arare, light lavender blue. The tag says 12 to 24 inches tall with aspreadof36inches. It is already accumulating some impressive scores in university trials. I’ll admit when Ifirst saw it, Iasked
what color it was.Proven Winners says it is cool orchid pink. But everyphoto I’ve taken shows ahintofblue. After I thought about what color it was, my next considerationwas combinations. How about partnering it with thenew Superbells Magic Double Grapefruit calibrachoas. It looks incredible with the yellow and/or deep pink of the calibrachoa. They too will be making their debut in 2026 At the Young’sPlant Farm Annual Garden Tour in Auburn, Alabama, they had abed planted with Supertunia Hoopla VividOrchid petunia anditwas aperfect choice. It then became obvious to most of us that Supertunia Vista Jazzberry and Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz petunias wouldlikewise make adreamycombination. Thesoft yellow Supertunia Mini Vista Yellow andthe newSupertunia Mini VistaPink Cloud would have to be top combinationconsiderations. Iwanttotry
pairing withSupertunia Saffron Finch. Whether you choose Supertunia Vista Cool Jazzorone of theother varieties, you will need sun, but part sun will work. Tight compacted clay andpoorlydraining soil is your enemy If youlookatthe Supertunia images from gardeners that look like they are in aresort or perhaps even Disney World, you will notice how manyare grown in baskets, containers andboxes. These put you on Easy Street. Planting on raised beds with apreparedsoil mixisalso super easy Petuniasare heavy feeders. In containers, controlled release granulesin the soil at planting time followed by a dilutedwater-soluble mixfeeding every twotothreeweeks will keep you in the blooming business. Those planted in the ground have the same controlled releasegranulesincorporated in the soil and then aside dress application in midsummer
PROVIDED PHOTOByLOUISIANA’S OLDSTATE CAPITOL Casey R. Stannard’s ‘Medievalism in Tulle,’ is made of 100% nylon tulle with a 100% polyester lining.
PROVIDED PHOTOBySHELDON ANDERSON
Sheldon Anderson’sphoto, ‘Old State Capitol Glow,’isfeatured in Louisiana’sOld State Capitol’s exhibit,‘ContemporaryViews of the Castlelatted Capitol.’
STAFF PHOTO By ROBIN MILLER
Heather Ryan Kelley’spainting,‘Quatrefoil Window,isfeatured in the exhibit.
TNS PHOTO By NORMAN WINTER Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz petunias will hitthe garden center shelvesinthe spring of 2026.
By The Associated Press
Today is Tuesday,Sept. 2, the 245th dayof2025. There are 120 days left in the year
Todayinhistory:
On Sept. 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered in ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri in TokyoBay,ending World WarII.
Also on this date: In 1666, the Great Fire of London began, which would destroy more than 13,000 homes and hundreds of additional structures, including St Paul’sCathedral, over the ensuing three days.
In 1789, the United StatesTreasury Department was established.
In 1864, during the Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces occupied Atlanta.
In 1935, aCategory 5hurricane slammed into the FloridaKeyson Labor Day,claimingmorethan400 lives.
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the NationalDefense Education Act, whichprovided aidtopublic and private education to promote learning in suchfields as math and science.
In 1963, Alabama Gov.GeorgeC Wallace prevented the integration of Tuskegee High Schoolby encircling the building with state troopers.
In 1969, in what some regard as the birth of the Internet, two connected computersatthe University of California, Los Angeles, passed test data through a15-foot cable.
In 1998, aSwissair MD-11jetliner crashed off Nova Scotia, killing all 229 people aboard.
In 2005, aNational Guardconvoy packed with food, water and medicine rolled into New Orleans four days after Hurricane Katrina
In 2013, on her fifth attempt, U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyadbecame the first person to swim from CubatoFlorida without the help ofa shark cage.
In 2018, ahuge fire engulfedBrazil’s200-year-old National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, as firefighters and museum workers raced to savehistorical relics.
In 2019, afire swept avesselcarrying recreational scuba divers that was anchored near an island offthe Southern California coast; the captain and four other crew members were able to escape the flames, but 34 people who were trapped below died.
Today’sbirthdays: Former United States Olympic CommitteeChairman and former Major League Baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth is 88. Football Hall of FamerTerry Bradshaw is 77. Basketball Hall of Famer Nate Archibald is 77. Actor Mark Harmon is 74. Tennis Hall of Famer Jimmy Connorsis73. Football Hall of Famer EricDickerson is 65. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is 63. Actor Keanu Reeves is 61. Boxing Hall of FamerLennox Lewis is 60. Actor Salma Hayekis 59. R&B singer K-Ci is 56. Electronic music DJ/producer Zedd is 36.
GARDEN
Continued from page1D
they have more of ablackberry flavor. When foraging for berries,pay close attention to theircolor.
“You’ll want to harvestthe whole inflorescence when the majority of the berries are adark purple to black color,” Robertson said. “When you’re processing the berries, youwould want to remove any green to red berries, as they could potentially be toxic.”
If you’re interested in having an elderberry shrubofyour owninyour home orchard, AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg suggests sticking to wild types, avoiding the black-leaved cultivars at your local gardencenter.
“In limited trialing at the Hammond Research Station, we decided that those were not the best forour hot climate, as those have European genetics,”Stagg said Elderberries prefer fertile,moist —but not waterlogged —soils. They’re deciduous and can die back to the ground in severe winters, but they’ll reliably come back in the spring. They have few disease or insect pest issues and,true to their weedy tendencies, they don’trequire much maintenance to growsuccessfully Plants usually reach about 10 feet tall in Louisiana and bloom multiple times in springand summer
“You’ll have berries ripening throughout the summer,” Robertson said. Now some of you are probably thinking, “I have more elderberries than Ican stand! How do Iget rid of them?” To tame an elderberry infestation, chop the shrubs down and paint a stumpkillercontaining the herbicide triclopyronto the cuts to kill the root system. Youalso can keepaneye out foryoung elderberries, dig them up and discard them —orshare them with someone who’d like to transplant them.
Allthe single ladies aresickofthisquestion
Dear Miss Manners: I’m asingle woman who is frequently asked aboutmy plans for marriage. The individuals making these inquiries havenobusiness asking this question, let alone hearing the answer Itypically smile and change the subject without answering their question. Afew times,when particularly startled, Ihave responded with, “I beg your pardon.” Is there amore polite way to handlethishighly impertinent question?
Gentle Reader: “Ifthis is aproposal, Iam sorrytohave to disappointyou.”
Dear Miss Manners: I’ve been collecting silver flatware in various patterns when Isee pieces at re-
ally great prices. Ialso love to entertain, both casually and semi-formally.In bothcases, Ilove to mix up the place settings withall of my different patterns At this point, I’vedonated all my stainlesssteel flatware and only use thereal silver Is it gauche for me to be using all these silverpatterns together? My china is also apattern wherein every piece is adifferent floral. My tablescape looks like alovely English garden, and to me, it’svery beautiful. Ihope you tell me I’m not committingahorrible faux pas.
GentleReader: Well, you are leaving the impression that you have descended from well-stocked families, and inherited silver from various branches. As long as you do not actually say so, Miss Manners cannot count this as afaux pas.
Dear Miss Manners: Ireceived
an invitation to a60th wedding anniversary party and it states: “ABSOLUTELYNOGIFTS.”
What can Idofor the lovely couple, with whom Ihave been friends formany,many years? I really wanttogive them something!!!
GentleReader:Then give them something priceless: aletter of appreciation about them and their friendship.
Dear Miss Manners: For many years, Ihave been friends with a person whoisintellectually disabled. Ibecame acquainted with him and his sister,who cared for him;his sister has now died, and he is living independently
Itake him on family camping trips, take him to lunches and dinners andvisit with him often, as does the rest of my family He and my son have developed a solid friendship. After his sister died, his sister’slongtime best friend
becamehis legal guardian. She thanks me for the things Idofor and with him —e.g., “Thank you fortaking (name) camping,” etc. Iknew him foryears before Iever met her.Isitwrong or petty of me to resent her thankyous? Idonot feel they are necessary,asmyfriendship with this man is something Ichose, not something Iamdoing out of “the goodness of my heart” or any other such sentiment. How do Ihandle this?
GGentle Reader: By responding each time with, “No, no, it is I whoamthankful to have such a good friend.”
Send questions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@ gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO64106.
CAPITOL
Continued from page 1D
Acontemporaryview
“Instead of showing historical images, especially because there are so manyhistorical images already in the building, we put acall out to artists through Baton Rouge Gallery to invite artiststoparticipate in this show,” Weinstein said.
“And then Icalled on some artists that Ihad worked with in the past. There are also some artists whose work is represented in the collection that are in theshow,but mostofthe work in the showwas made in honor of the 175th anniversary.”
Artists could choose anymediumfor their work, butall pieces had to be inspired either by the Capitol building or the building’shistory
“So, as you can see, they’ve alltaken a slightly different perspective,” Weinstein said.
Some of theartistschose to focus on the capitol’shistory,asdid Malaika Favorite in hermixedmedia painting,“Rising from the Ashes.”
Callthis theOld Capitol’sFire Era,when the building was gutted by flames on Dec. 28, 1862. Favorite’spainting depicts thecastle as aphoenixofsorts rising from theflames.
Then there’sthe window era illustrated in Madeline Ellis’ Mimosa Handcrafted Old State Capitol Collection. The bronzenecklace, earrings, ringand cuff bracelet are inspired by thebuilding’strademarkstained glass windows, minus the stained glass.
Aseparate Mimosa Handcrafted cuff also pays tribute to the Capitol’squatrefoil windows
Andspeaking of the quatrefoils, Heather Ryan Kelly’s painting, “Quatrefoil Window,” offers adifferent perspective of themuseum’s four-leaf clover-style motif.
“It’ssupposed to be akind of harmony,
where you’re on theinside looking out,” Weinstein said. “Then we have KellyScott Kelley, who has taken amore surrealapproach.” Call Kelley’spainting atribute to the Old Capitol’sHuey Longera.
“She was interested in the large Huey Long exhibit downstairs,” Weinsteinsaid. “She’s put anumberofdifferentelements in her piece, including ahospital bed, which was where HueyLongdied. She likestoput alot of metaphors in her work.”
Adifferent story
Meanwhile, photographer Sheldon Anderson’sdigital prints celebrate the Old Capitol’s river era, their rich colors showing the building as it would be seen from the Mississippi Riverina nighttime glow in his photo,“Old State Capitol Glow,” andthe river from the Capitol’sperspectivein“Baton Rouge River
Front.”
Yes, this was the sameriver Twain traveled as asteamboat pilot, which inspiredhis memoir.Now,that’snot saying Twain’sworks aren’t classics, but when it comes to the Old Capitol, well, Anderson’sphotos tell adifferent story As does Casey R. Stannard’s“Medievalism in Tulle,” a100% nylon tulle dress backed by a100% polyester lining. This is areference to the Capitol’sRotunda era as the light shiningthrough the dress’ bright tulle mimics the light warming Rotunda’sstained glass dome. In the next room,Katherine Scherer’sHabotai silk long scarves bearing rich images of the Capitol’sstained glass is yet anothercelebration of the building’sRotunda.
Eddie Morman’simpressionistic “Castle on the Hill,” could be called acelebration of the Old Capitol’scastle era.
Thepaintingispartofthe museum’s permanent collection, but it fits perfectly in this show.And as happens with so many impressionistic pieces,the further viewersback away from it, the more the castle materializes.
Guided by faith
“Eddie writes that God guides hishand,” Weinstein said.
“He just uses apalette knife instead of a paintbrush, and he just layers and layers and layers andlayersthe paint.The painting is filledwith texture,...andsohejust creates the shapeswiththe paletteknife andmixes the paint colors on the canvas.”
Of course, this is just asamplingofthe works in this contemporary celebration of eras. And at 175 years old, the Old Capitol prepares to head into its second century Which only proves that pop music stars don’thave the corner market on eras —eras that can’tbetarnished even by classic authors.
Email Robin Milleratromiller@ theadvocate.com.
Anothervase-giftingidea
Small, in College Station,Texas
Dear Heloise: Ifound that atoothbrush is agreat tool to clean the dryer lint filter It saves my fingernails from gettingruined and does agreat job to removethe lint from thefilter It does not harm thefilter either —Delia Elliott, via email
I’ma hugger
Dear Heloise: Whydosome peoplethink it’scute to say,“I’m ahugger,”while coming at you for ahug?
Not everyone is ahugger,and it’snearly impossible to graciously back away when they have their arms out afoot in frontofyou
It borders on being rude when aperson feels trapped like this. Thanksfor lettingmehave my say —Denise, in Pearland,Texas
Dear Heloise: Iliked the idea of reusing ajar to gift flowers to a host/hostess. Irecently reused a jar when going to afriend’sfor dinner,and instead of aribbon, I dressed it up this way: Ihave alarge amount of peeland-stick chalkboard labels on hand for leftovers/storage containers. Isimply put one of these labels on the jar and write a message. Then therecipient can wipe off the message and keep thejar,regift it, or recycle it. It’sa fun way to jazzupanold jar and repurpose it! —Starshine, in New Jersey
Phototrick fortravel
Dear Heloise: We took apicture of our hotel before our tour of Rome began. After thetour,we were left on our own to return to our hotel. We just showed the picture to thecabbie, and he immediately got us there. —Pat
Ironingtrick
Dear Heloise: As aformer road warrior,I had afew mishaps with hotel irons early on. Now Ifill the iron with water,turn it to thehighest setting, use alot of steam, and iron one of the hotel’stowels before using it on my clothing. Also, Ialways pack acouple of sheets of white tissue paper and put it over the item before ironing. —Melinda, in Missouri Melinda, instead of tissue paper,use parchment paper.It’s safer to use with ahot iron than tissue paper —Heloise Aquick steal
Dear Heloise: Please makesure your readers are aware that aman on abicycle or amotorcycle can ride by you in a crowd, grab your purse right out of your hand, and be gone in aflash! Hang on tight to your
bag and keep it zipped always. MelanieT., in Illinois
Back-to-school clothes
Dear Heloise: When it’stime for back-to-school shopping, I bring my kids along to shop for clothes. Iallow them to have a say in what is purchased. If they don’tlike it, they won’twear it. Of course, there are boundaries. Short shorts, crop tops and muscle shirts are a“no,” but we compromise on aT-shirt with a favorite band on it. —Jessica M., in Ohio
Whitepeppervs. blackpepper
Dear Readers: Have you tried white pepperinstead of black pepper when cooking? White pepper is more intense and hotter.But hold on to your wallet; white peppercan be three times the price! —Heloise Send ahinttoheloise@heloise com.
Judith Martin MISS MANNERS
STAFFPHOTO By ROBIN MILLER
Louisiana’sOld State Capitol is seen, from left, in its original era, its fancy turret era and itsmodern-day era in Jim Blanchard’s paintings, ‘Old State House in 1850, Old State House in 1882’ and ‘Old State House in 1993.
PROVIDED PHOTO By LOUISIANA’S OLD STATECAPITOL Malaika Favorite’spainting,‘Risingfromthe Ashes.’
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Updating your space or skills to suit your needs will require specific details to lessen your chance of facing setbacks or rejections. Follow the rules and regulations and forge ahead.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Explore the possibilities, but don't go overboard. Too much can cost you or cause you to miss the point Create what's essential to your success and direct your skills accordingly.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Put all your efforts into work, money, and your health and well-being. Say no to anyone who pressures you to participate in something that doesn't interest you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec. 21) If you are waffling, stop, look, listen and retrace your steps until you feel confident with your decision. If you accomplish what's possible, you will feel good about yourself.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan. 19) Home improvements will cost more than anticipated. Evaluate what's necessary and determine how to achieve your goals at a price you can afford. Expanding your interests will increase your popularity.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) A lifestyle change will point you in a direction that excites you. Say no to those trying to use you to their advantage, and start using your talents to support and promote yourself.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Question everything and everyone. Reach out
to those able to contribute to your cause. Opportunities will develop through networking functions. Keep an open mind, but don't lose sight of your goal.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Check the fine print. Nothing will be as it appears. Focus inward, pay attention to your needs, and avoid intense discussions with people who don't share your perspective or approach.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Speak up, and you'll gain respect and ensure that you get what you want. Equality is the best route forward, so don't give in to appease someone who is trying to bully you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Don't buy into someone else's plans if you have an agenda. Taking responsibility for your happiness eliminates the possibility of others taking advantage of you.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) Pare down instead of overextending yourself. An innovative approach to balancing work and your personal life will help counter depression. Live life your way.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Take nothing for granted Do the legwork and make things happen. Be the one to lead the way and to grandstand your talents for all to see. Market and promote with confidence and charisma.
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
TODAy'S CLUE: D EQUALS F
CeLebrItY CIpher
For better or For WorSe
And erneSt
SALLY Forth
beetLe bAILeY
Mother GooSe And GrIMM
SherMAn’S LAGoon dooneSbUrY
bIG
Sudoku
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
BY PHILLIP ALDER Bridge
Carrie Underwood, whose singing career started when she won “American Idol” in 2005, said, “If something can be said to make an awkward moment even worse, I’m going to say it.”
Somebridgebidsareintendedprimarily to make the next player’s position awkward. And in this deal there were several uncomfortable moments. How would you critique the auction? What should happen in five spades after West leads the diamond ace?
After North’s one-diamond opening, South, with a game-going hand, planned to bid first clubs, then spades, then spades again to show his 5-6. Next, West made a three-heart weak jump overcall when four hearts would have been better. If East had a heart fit they would have taken a lot of tricks; if East was very short in hearts, West was already in trouble. It was sensible for North to rebid four clubs; South rated to have at least five. And the singleton heart looked good.
NowEastmadeareallyaggressivebid with five hearts. However, South continued with five spades, strongly suggestingatleast5-6intheblacksuits Andthat silenced everyone.
Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying,
Previous answers:
InstRuctIons:
toDAY’s WoRD — BEAcons: BE-kuns: Sources of light or inspiration.
Average mark 17 words
Time limit 25 minutes
Can you find 22 or more words in BEACONS?
YEstERDAY’s WoRD — cAPIcoLA
marmaduKe
Bizarro
hagar the horriBle
Pearls Before swiNe
garfield
B.C.
PiCKles
or entirelywithState Bonds or financed in whole or in partbyfederal or other fundswhich arenot readily availableatthe timebidsare received the awardofthisCon‐tractiscontingentupon h i f li f g p thegranting of linesof credit, or thesaleof bonds by theBondCom‐mission or theavailabil‐ity of federalorother funds. TheState shall incur no obligationtothe Contractoruntil theCon‐tract Between Ownerand Contractorisfully exe‐cuted Facility Planning and Control is aparticipant in the SmallEntrepreneur‐ship(SE)Program (the HudsonInitiative) and the Veteran-Ownedand Service-Connected Dis‐abled Veteran-Owned (LaVet) SmallEntrepre‐neurships Program.Bid‐dersare encouraged to considerparticipation Informationisavailable fromthe Office of Facility Planningand Controlor onits websiteat https:// www.doa.la.gov/doa/ fpc/ If youhavea disability and wouldliketorequest anaccommodation in order to participatein thismeeting, please con‐tactChristina Cardonaat Christina.Cardona@la. govor(225) 342-6060 as soon as possible butno later than 48 hoursbe‐forethe scheduledmeet‐ing STATEOFLOUISIANA DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION
Director
RESOLUTION
(15) days from the dateofthispublication Identify thewellwhen corresponding.Direct commentsto: Office of Conservation Injectionand Mining Division P.O. Box94275 BatonRouge,LA 70804-9275 Re:Commentsfor SWD Application 156503-sept
p tles of
areset
and
by
at 4:00P.M Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in the CouncilChambers (Room 348) on thethird floor of theCity-Parish GovernmentalBuildingin thisCity, theseproposed ordinancesbeing enti‐tledasfollows: ORDINANCE Amendingthe Compre‐hensive Zoning Mapof the City of BatonRouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge,ascontained in and made part of the Unified Development Code“,asamended so astochangethe zoning onthe property located at20414 SamuelsRoad Toamend theCompre‐hensive Land UsePlan fromAgricultural/Rural toCommercial, located onthe northsideof Mount Pleasant-Zachary Road, east of Samuels Road, on aportion of propertynow or formerly known as TractB-1-A-1-A2-A of theWilliamT Woodside Property.Sec‐tions 6and 66, T5S, R1W, GLD,EBRP, LA (Council District1 -Noel) PA-5-25 ORDINANCE Amendingthe Compre‐hensive Zoning Mapof the City of BatonRouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge,ascontained in andmade partofthe ifi d l p “Unified Development Code“,asamended so astochangethe zoning onthe property located at20414 SamuelsRoad TorezonefromRural to CommercialWarehouse One (CW1)onproperty
plus court costsinthe amount of $2,651.55, for atotal amount of $602,651.55; and authorizing abudget transfer from the Compromised Judgment account to the Insurance-Auto Liability account in the amount of $500,000.00 and appropriating $100,000.00 for such purpose. *This matter may be discussed in Executive Session. (Attorney of RecordisKleinpeter Boutwell, LLC, GordonMcKernan Injury Attorneys &Steve A. Adams). By Parish Attorney
ORDINANCE
Amend the 2025 Allotment of Positions for the City of Baton Rougeand Parish of East Baton Rouge, adopted by Ordinance #19434, dated 12/10/2024, so as to change the allotment of Purchasing effective September 11, 2025. Purchasing, add (1) Purchasing Analyst II, job code 1314 and (1) Senior Purchasing Analyst, job code 1316 and delete (1) Administrative Specialist I, job code 2018. Finance/Accounting,delete(1) Senior Fiscal Specialist, job code 2032. By Purchasing and Human Resources Directors. ORDINANCE
Amending the 2025 Annual
State Bond Commission for consent and authority to issue its not exceeding $52,000,000 Road and Street Improvement Sales TaxRevenue RefundingBonds, Series 2025, for the purpose of providing sufficient funds to (i) currently refund (a) the outstanding principal amount of its $59,430,000 Road and Street Improvement Sales TaxRevenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2015, and (b) the outstandingprincipal amount of the $34,415,000 Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and CommunityDevelopment Authority Subordinate Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds (Parish of East Baton Rouge Road Improvements Project), Series 2015, and (ii) pay the costs of issuance of the Series 2025 Refunding Bonds; authorizing the preparation and distribution of aSolicitationfor Offers from direct purchasers of the Series 2025 Refunding Bonds; authorizing the execution and delivery of the Bond Purchase Agreement, and any and all other documents required in connection with the issuance of the Series 2025 Refunding Bonds; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. By Bond Counsel. RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute and file an application with the Louisiana HighwaySafety Commission, for agrant in the amount of $95,275, to provide funding for the Alcoholic BeverageControl andthe Juvenile and underage Drinking Enforcement (JUDE) Task Force; approving the line item budget for the Juvenile and Underage Drinking Enforcement(JUDE) Task Force; and authorizing execution of all documents required in connection therewith. By Alcoholic Beverage Control. By Parish Attorney RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute an agreement with ABG Contractors, Inc. for Demolition and Abatement Services, Package A8 in an amount not to exceed $89,948.00. By Development Director RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute an agreement with Spurlock Company,Inc. for Demolition and Abatement Services, Package A9 in an amount not to exceed $85,900.00. By Development Director RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute an agreement with ABG Contractors, Inc. for Demolition and Abatement Services, Package A10 in an amount not to exceed $89,948.00. By Development Director RESOLUTION
Authorization for the Mayor-President and/or Chairman of the Airport Commission to execute Work AuthorizationNo. 10 to the contract with Airport ManagementGroup, LLC (AMG) for Program Management Services at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $3,681,075.88. By Directior of Aviation. RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President, on behalf of the Office of Community Development, to execute an amendment to Contract No. 800002178 with Hunt, Guillot, and Associates, LLCbetween the City of Baton RougeParish of East Baton Rouge, increasing the contract amount by $79,958.39 for anew total not-to-exceed amount of $9,132,109.37 and extending the agreement expiration date to January 31, 2026. and authorizes the execution of all necessary documents. By CommunityDevelopment Director. RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President,
to-exceed amount of $38,371,406.53 and extending the agreementexpiration datetoJanuary 31, 2026. and authorizesthe execution of all necessary documents. By Community Development Director
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President, on behalf of the Office of
Authorizing settlement of the matter entitled “Khianna Fisher v. City of Baton Rouge, et al,” Suit no.753,021 on thedocket of the19thJudicial District Court,inthe amount of $30,000.00, plus court costs in theamount of $276.00 for atotal amount of $30,276.00, which amount shall be paid from the account designated “Insurance -AutoLiability” (1000.4700.10.0550.0000. 0000.000000.644120). *This matter may be discussed in Executive Session. (Attorney of Record is Brady K. Patin). By Parish Attorney RESOLUTION
Authorizing settlement of thematter entitled “Bobby Hardnett vs. City of Baton Rouge, et al,” Suit no.23-1393-BAJ-SDJonthe docket of the U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, in theamount of $22,500.00; which amount shall be paid from theaccount designated “Insurance -General Liability”(1000. 4700. 10. 0550. 0000. 0000. 000000.644110). *This matter may be discussed in ExecutiveSession.(Attorney of Record is Rylan Boleau andMark Maguire(prohac vice). By ParishAttorney
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute aSupplemental Agreement to Contract for Professional Engineering Services with Arcadis US, Inc., for services associated with MOVEBR Capacity Project Lee Dr (Highland Rd –Perkins Rd), being City-Parish Project No. 20-CP-HC-0044, in an amount not to exceed $136,148.46.(Account No. 9217100068- 4371-00000-0000000000653240). By Transportation and DrainageDirector
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute aContract for Professional Engineering Services with La TerreEngineering LLC. for services associated with the MOVEBR Project Greenwell St. Sidewalks (Silverleaf AvetoDickens Dr.) being City-Parish Project No. 25-EN-SW-0010, in an amount notto exceed $302,394.65. (Account No. 9217100117-4370.00000-0000000000653240). By Transportation and DrainageDirector
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute aSupplemental Agreement to Contract No. 8000004565 for Appraisal Services with Murphy Appraisal Services, LLC, for services associated with MOVEBR Capacity Project Hooper Road (Joor to Sullivan Road) LA 408 –City-Parish Project No.08-TLHC-0034, in an amount nottoexceed $22,440.00. (Account No. 92171000394371 00000-0000000000-651120). By Transportation and DrainageDirector
RESOLUTION
Rescinding and directing the Clerk of Court to cancel the Notice to Attend recorded on March 28, 2025, at Original 153 of Bundle 13363; and the Decision and Order recorded on May 1, 2025, at Original 219 of Bundle 13369 in thematter of “CityofBaton Rouge vs. Ronald WayneStevenson” -Condemnation proceeding no.11534 (943 WGarfield St., Lot 41, Sq. 112, SouthBaton Rouge Subdivision. Reason for Rescission:Owner is obtaining a permit to begin working on the structure. By Councilwoman Coleman.
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute aSupplemental Agreement to Contract No. 8000004864 for Construction Cost Services with GEM-JKM Construction Consultants, LLC, for services associated with MOVEBR Capacity Project Lee Drive (Highland Road to Perkins Road) -City-Parish
Project No. 20-CP-HC-0044, in an amount nottoexceed $50,760.00.(Account No. 9217100068-4371 00000-0000000000-651120). By Transportation and Drainage Director
RESOLUTION
Authorize the Mayor-President to execute aContract for Professional
Engineering Services with Waggoner Engineering Inc. for services associated with MOVEBR CapacityProject Rollins Rd (LA 964 to LA 19), being City-Parish
Project No. 24-CP-HC-0024, in an amount nottoexceed $1,049,059.96 (Account No. 9217100085-00000-4370.00000-0000000000-653240). By Transportation and Drainage Director
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to engageinand execute aCorporate Endeavor Agreement with theState of Louisiana viaDepartment of Transportation and Development, in connectionwithmodification of State Highway US 61 within theCityofBaton Rouge, ParishofEastBaton Rouge, Louisiana. By Transportation and DrainageDirector
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to amend aMinorityAids Initiative (MAI)
subrecipient contract with Capitol City Family Health Center in theamount of $26,254.00, for atotal awarded amount of $71,807.00, which includes allfunding under theRyan White Part A-MAI HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program, and authorizing the execution of all documents in connection therewith. By Human Development&Services Director
RESOLUTION
Rescinding and directing the Clerk of Court to cancel the Notice to Attend recorded on April 23, 2025, at Original 624 of Bundle 13367; and the Decision and Order recorded on July 28, 2025, at Original 645 of Bundle 13383 in the matter of “CityofBaton Rouge vs. Pharoah Johnson,III” -Condemnation proceeding no. 11597, 5758 Saint GerardAve., Lot100, Brookstown Place Subdivision. Reason for Rescission:Issuewiththe property has been abated. By Councilman Hurst.
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to amend aPart Asubrecipient contract with Capitol City Family Health Center in theamount of $385,273.00, for atotal awarded amount of $705,618.00, which includes all funding under theRyan WhitePart A-MAI HIV Emergency Relief GrantProgram, and authorizing the execution of all documents in connectiontherewith. By Human Development &Services Director
RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to amend aPart Asubrecipient contract with Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge in theamount of $472,868.00,
in the amount of $55,000.00, for atotal awarded amount of $258,933.00, which includes all funding under the Ryan White Part A-MAI HIVEmergency Relief GrantProgram, and authorizingthe execution of all documents in connection therewith. By Human Development &Services Director RESOLUTION
Authorizing the Mayor-President to amend aPartA subrecipient contract with VolunteersofAmerica in the amount of $112,562.00, for atotal awarded amount of $203,933.00, which includes all funding under the Ryan White Part A-MAI HIVEmergency Relief GrantProgram, and authorizingthe execution of all documents in connection therewith. By Human Development &Services Director
CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS
David Glen Peck and Stephanie Baptist Peck 6435 Kleinpeter Rd., Lot 128-C, BrownfieldsSubdivision -CouncilDistrict 2-Kenney
Alaina Wright 5192 Byron St. (Shed Only), Lot 17&18, Sq. 14, North Highlands Addition Subdivision -CouncilDistrict 5- Hurst Sherrod Todd 6057 Saint Katherine Ave., Lot 391, Brookstown Place Subdivision -CouncilDistrict 5- Hurst
TomDrewWafer,Jr. 1834 WimpoleSt., Lot 62, Broadmoor Place Subdivision, 2nd Filing -CouncilDistrict 6-Dunn Jr
Kinetic Estates, LLC 6907 Goya Ave., Lot 405, MelroseEast Subdivision, 5th Filing-CouncilDistrict 6-Dunn Jr
Julie Ann Neal Maryman 377 NWaverlandDr.,Lot 9, Harrington Place Subdivision, 1st Filing -CouncilDistrict 6- Dunn Jr Robins Rentals LLC 1277 N37th St., Lot 27, Sq. 24, Eden ParkSubdivision -CouncilDistrict 7-Harris
TommieDyer,Jr.,and Felecia Dyer 1731 N38th St., Lot 28, Sq. 17, Eden ParkSubdivision -CouncilDistrict 7-Harris
KendroLatrail Joseph 6438 Kincaid Ave., Lot 53, BirdStation Subdivision -CouncilDistrict 7- Harris
