Tigers safety A.J. Haulcy races upfield after the second interception against the Florida Gators in the second quarter of Saturday’sgameatTigerStadium. No. 3LSU struggled offensivelyagainst Florida, but foranotherweek, thatdid nothurt the Tigers. The LSU defense wasabletointerceptFloridaquarterbackDJLagway five times, including apick-six bysophomore safety Dashawn Spearsinthe third quarter It is the first time that LSU recorded five interceptions in one game since playingOle Miss in 2020. The 3-0 Tigers play Southeastern Louisiana next before hitting the rest of their SEC schedule, so the offense will need to stepitupsoon.
LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’SQUIET DISASTER
SEE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE LSU GAME.
BY TYLER BRIDGES |Staff writer
An ancient, 20-footcypress wood boardthat held aprominent place at the State Capitol for decades has gone missing, and no one seemsto know where it is. Or at least no one is admitting it.
The board wascut from atree in Livingston Parish near LakeMaurepas that wasestimated to be 1,284 years old, according to words etched into the flat plank.
Former House Speaker Clay Schexnaydersaidthat, for10 years, the board wasonthe wall of hisdistrict office in Gonzales. Buthesaidheleft it there when his legislative career ended in January 2024.
Themanager of St.John Properties, whichhandles the building whereSchexnayder’s office was located, won’tdiscuss the matter
All of this has deeply frustrated the family of WalterStebbins, who donatedthe red cypress board to the Capitol in the1950s anddiedin1961. “It’sa piece of history,” said JuliusMullins, aretired doctor in Baton Rouge whoisone of Stebbins’grandchildren. “Itwas amuseum piece on display forthe people of Louisiana.” It was apoint of pride forMullins andother family members every timethey visited the Capitol to admire theirgrandfather’shandiworkonawall in theground-floor breezeway underneath the building’ssteps. They noted that words etched in the board said it was cut from acypress tree that was
Algiers. Outside his yellow brick home, Dornell Anderson venturedinto the stagnant August air,trying to finish yard work before the temperature became unbearable. He mowed his lawn, facing the neighborhood where he had spent hiswhole life, from playing football in the street to building afamily with hiswife. Then aneighbor saw him collapse. Hiswife, Sheila Borskey,felt herstomach drop when she got the phone call from the West Bank
hospitalwhere herhusband had gone from working as acook to being treated as apatient.She rushed to seehim. Anderson,just 60 years old, had died of aheart attack.
The Orleans Parishcoroner said his death was theresult of heart complications exacerbated by the extremeheat.Itwas the 25thdeath in NewOrleans that summer to be classified as heat-related.
Anderson was active and in good health,making his death surprising
ä See HEAT, page 4A
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
STAFFPHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER Heat haze distorts Canal Street and streetcars during aheat advisoryinNew OrleansinJuly.
Schexnayder
BRIEFS
Taliban claim agreement on a prisoner swap
KABUL, Afghanistan
The Taliban said Saturday they reached agreement with U.S. envoys on an exchange of prisoners as part of an effort to normalize relations between the United States and Afghanistan.
They gave no details of a detainee swap and the White House did not comment on the meeting in Kabul or the results described in a Taliban statement.
The Taliban released photographs from their talks, showing their foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, with President Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler
On the issue of prisoners, Boehler “confirmed that the two sides would undertake an exchange of detainees,” the Taliban statement said. No information was provided on how many people are being held in each country who they are or why they were imprisoned.
Police fatally shoot man on Alabama highway
HOMEWOOD, Ala. — Homewood police officers shot and killed a man on a four-lane highway after officers said he pointed a weapon at them, department officials said.
The shooting happened Friday morning on Greensprings Highway, a busy stretch of highway just outside Birmingham
The Homewood Police Department said officers stopped a man on a bicycle in the middle of the road who was riding in and out of the four lanes, disrupting traffic Officers attempted to detain the man because of an outstanding arrest warrant, but they said he moved away from officers.
“The subject chambered a round into the pistol by pulling the slide to the rear and pointed the weapon at officers, at which point they fired their duty weapons striking the subject,” department officials wrote in a statement.
Police did not identify the man. The Alabama Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the shooting and has possession of officers’ body worn cameras, the city police department said Pool hall shooting kills 7 people in Ecuador
QUITO, Ecuador A shooting by a criminal gang at a pool hall in northern Ecuador killed at least seven people and left four others wounded, police said Saturday.
The shooting occurred late Friday in the city of Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, located 80 miles west of the capital, Quito, according to the local police commander, Col Olga Benavides, who attributed the attack to a “territorial dispute” between criminal gangs.
On Aug. 17 seven people were killed during a similar attack that also occurred at a pool hall in the same city
One of those killed and two of the wounded in Friday’s shooting had criminal records for drug trafficking, criminal association murder and theft, according to a police report.
The vehicle allegedly used by the attackers was found burned in another part of the city, Benavides said.
Driver gets 20½ years for crash that killed 2
COQUILLE, Ore. The driver accused in a fatal crash earlier this year that killed an Oregon community college softball player and head coach has been sentenced to 20½ years in prison.
Johnathan James Dowdy, 33, was driving his pickup truck on April 18 when he crossed the center line and crashed into a bus with 10 members of the Umpqua Community College softball team, Oregon State Police previously said.
Head softball coach Jami Strinz, 46, who was driving the Chevrolet Express bus, and freshman Kiley Jones, 19, died. The eight others on the bus suffered moderate to serious injuries. Dowdy also was injured. He had pleaded guilty to multiple offenses including two counts of second-degree manslaughter, assault-related charges, driving under the influence of intoxicants and criminal driving while suspended or revoked.
Trump: Stop buying Russian oil
BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press
BASKING RIDGE, N.J President
Donald Trump said Saturday he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50% to 100% for its purchases of Russian petroleum
Trump posted on his social media site that NATO’S commitment to winning the war “has been far less than 100%” and the purchase of Russian oil by some members of the alliance is “shocking.” As if speaking with NATO members, he said: “It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia.”
Since 2023, NATO member Turkey has been the third largest buyer of Russian oil, after China and India, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Other members of the 32-state al-
liance involved in purchasing Russian oil include Hungary and Slovakia. It’s unclear whether Trump would want to directly confront Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. That leaves uncertain whether the threats might actually lead to new tariffs or a ban on Russian oil purchases.
The U.S and its allies are seeking to show a firmer degree of resolve against Russia. At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Friday, acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea said America “will defend every inch of NATO territory” and that the drones entering Poland “intentionally or otherwise show immense disrespect for good-faith U.S. efforts to bring an end to this conflict.”
Britain on Friday also took steps to penalize the trading of Russian oil, including a ban on 70 vessels allegedly used in its transportation. The United Kingdom also
sanctioned 30 individuals and companies, included businesses based in China and Turkey, that have supplied Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.
Trump in his post Saturday said a NATO ban on Russian oil plus tariffs on China would “also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.”
The president said that NATO members should put the 50% to 100% tariffs on China and withdraw them if the war that launched with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine ends.
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia,” he posted, and powerful tariffs “will break that grip.”
The U.S. president has already imposed a 25% import tax on goods from India, specifically for its buying of Russian energy products. He has placed in total a 50% tariff on India, though Trump has
Far-right activist’s protest in London draws 100,000
BY BRIAN MELLEY and JOANNA CHAN
Associated Press
LONDON — A London march organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew more than 100,000 people and became unruly on Saturday as a small group of his supporters clashed with police officers who were separating them from counterprotesters.
Several officers were punched, kicked and struck by bottles tossed by people at the fringes of the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, Metropolitan Police said. Reinforcements with helmets and riot shields were deployed to support the 1,000-plus officers on duty
At least nine people were arrested, but police indicated that many other offenders had been identified and would be held accountable.
Police estimated that Robinson drew about 110,000 people, while the rival “March Against Fascism” protest organized by Stand Up To Racism had about 5,000 marchers.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, founded the nationalist and anti-Islam English Defense League and is one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain.
The march was billed as a demonstration in support of free speech — with much of the rhetoric by influencers and several far-right politicians from across Europe aimed largely at the perils of migration, a problem much of the continent is struggling to control.
“We are both subject to the same process of the great replacement of our European people by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture, you and we are being colonized by our for-
mer colonies,” far-right French politician Eric Zemmour said.
Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and owner of the X platform who has waded into British politics several times this year, was beamed in by video and condemned the left-leaning U.K. government.
“There’s something beautiful about being British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration,” he said.
Robinson told the crowd in a hoarse voice that migrants now had more rights in court than the “British public, the people that built this nation.”
The marches come at a time when the U.K. has been divided by debate over migrants crossing the English Channel in overcrowded inflatable boats to arrive on shore without authorization.
Participants in the “Unite the Kingdom” march carried the St. George’s red-andwhite flag of England and the union jack, the state flag of the United Kingdom, and chanted “we want our country back.
U.K. flags have proliferated this summer across the U.K. in what some have said is a show of national pride and others said reflects a tilt toward nationalism.
Supporters held signs saying “stop the boats,” “send them home,” and “enough is enough, save our children.”
At the counterprotest, the crowd held signs saying “refugees welcome” and “smash the far right,” and shouted “stand up, fight back.”
The crowd at one point stretched from Big Ben across the River Thames and around the corner beyond Waterloo train station, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile.
Parallel rallies held in Serbia
By The Associated Press
BELGRADE, Serbia Anti-government protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic held parallel rallies throughout Serbia on Saturday reflecting a deep political crisis in the Balkan country following more than 10 months of protests against the populist government.
Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party recently started organizing its own demonstrations to counter persistent studentled protests that have challenged the president’s firm grip on power in Serbia. No major incidents were reported at the rallies held in a number of cities and towns with police separating the two
camps. Brief scuffles erupted in the capital, Belgrade, when riot police pushed away anti-government protesters as Vucic joined his supporters in a show of confidence.
Vucic said that “people want to live normally, they don’t want to be harassed and want to be free.”
Vucic has refused a student demand to call an early parliamentary election. He has instead stepped up a crackdown on the protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of people in the past months. More than 100 university professors have been dismissed, while police have faced accusations of brutality against peaceful demonstrators.
indicated that negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could help settle differences. Earlier this year, Trump hit Chinese goods with new tariffs totaling 145%, prompting China to respond with 125% import taxes on American goods. Taxes at that level were essentially a blockade on commerce between the world’s two largest economies, causing worries about global growth that led to negotiations that ratcheted down the tariffs being levied by both nations.
So that trade talks could proceed, America lowered its tariffs against China to a still-high 30%, while China took its rate to 10%.
In his post, the Republican president said responsibility for the war fell on his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy He did not include in that list Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion.
Fed governor Cook claimed 2nd residence as ‘vacation home’
BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST and CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Associated Press
WASHINGTON Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook referred to a condominium she purchased in June 2021 as a “vacation home” in a loan estimate, a characterization that could undermine claims by the Trump administration that she committed mortgage fraud.
President Donald Trump has sought to fire Cook “for cause,” relying on allegations that Cook claimed both the condo and another property as her primary residence simultaneously, as he looks to reshape the central bank to orchestrate a steep cut to interest rates.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press also showed that on a second form submitted by Cook to gain a security clearance, she described the property as a “second home.”
Cook sued the Trump administration to block her firing, the first time a president has sought to remove a member of the sevenperson board of governors.
Cook secured an injunction Tuesday that allows her to remain as a Fed governor The administration has appealed the ruling and asked for an emergency ruling by Monday, just before the Fed is set to meet and decide whether to reduce its key interest rate. Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee to the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has accused Cook of signing separate documents in which she allegedly said that both the Atlanta property and a home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, also purchased in June 2021, were both “primary residences.” Pulte submitted a criminal referral to the Justice Department, which has opened an investigation. Claiming a home as a “primary residence” can result in better down payment and mortgage terms than if one of the homes is classified as a vacation home. Fulton County tax records show Cook has never claimed a homestead exemption on the condo since buying it in 2021.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOANNA CHAN
A demonstrator stands on the head of the South Bank lion that sits on the side of the Westminster Bridge on Saturday during a Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom march and rally in London.
Continued from page 1A
to his family He frequently roller bladed at the Terrytown skating rink where he was nicknamed “Tank.”
“He just was outside cutting grass for a little bit,” Borskey said. “It was just hot.”
Anderson’s death came near the end of a historically scorching summer in 2023, when Louisiana recorded an alarming number of heatrelated deaths: 86, the most on record.
That tally wasn’t a fluke.
Deaths from heat are rising across Louisiana as the world warms Over the past five years, heat fatalities have soared across the state climbing to an annual average of 45 per year That’s nearly four times the annual death rate over the preceding two decades, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the past two years, Louisiana has ranked third in the nation in heat-related deaths per capita, behind only Arizona and Nevada, according to an analysis of CDC data by The Times-Picayune | The Advocate. There are no visceral remnants of heat waves, unlike other disasters that are familiar to Louisiana. No spray paint on houses indicating the dead inside. No high-water marks. No blue roofs
It is a quiet disaster, and it is becoming deadlier New Orleans is particularly vulnerable. The city is projected to experience one of the largest increases in premature deaths in the nation because of heat, as climate change brings hotter temperatures.
Elderly people tend to bear the brunt of heat-related deaths: More than half of those who died from heat over the last five years in New Orleans were over age 65.
“Heat has an insidious onset,” said Dr Kevin Conrad, a primary care physician who published a medical journal article raising alarm bells about the scorching 2023 summer “It’s not like a hurricane. It doesn’t get the press and attention. It’s one of the major implications from climate change.”
Last summer, heat deaths remained much higher than normal, though they dipped from 2023. So far this year, deaths appear to have declined, as higher rainfall has eased temperatures, which were only slightly above normal for most of this summer Even amid the grim tally, the state is likely undercounting how many people are dying from heat, as heatrelated deaths can be subjective and depend on which coroner handles a case. For example, not all physicians or coroners will tie a heart attack back to the temperatures that brought it on.
“We know it’s an underestimation,” said Dr Peter DeBlieux, an ER physician and assistant dean at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. “You’re mowing the lawn, you have a heart attack, we’re going to say you were mowing the lawn and you had a heart attack.”
Tracking deaths
It’s impossible to track the true toll of heat in Louisiana.
Data collection varies widely among coroners and health professionals around the state. The Louisiana Department of Health, for instance, uses a different methodology than the CDC in tracking deaths. The Health Department tallied 91 total deaths in 2023, several more than the CDC counted.
And some epidemiologists say the most accurate way to track heat deaths is by analyzing the “excess deaths” during heat waves, which Louisiana officials are not doing.
Some coroners say they don’t have a way of tracking heat-related deaths at all.
State law only requires coroners to perform an autopsy in limited circumstances
LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’S QUIET DISASTER
Heat deaths rising in Louisiana
Heat-related deaths have climbed in the past several years as the state weathered hurricanes that knocked out power and extreme summer temperatures
Total deaths in the state 25-year average
down on them all day
DeBlieux, the ER doctor, said he suspects a number of factors are behind the rising toll of heat deaths.
The two women were the first recorded victims of what would prove to be the deadliest summer on record for heat in Louisiana. It was only June. Rain in the summer of 2023 was scarce, and drought and wildfires cropped up around the state, an unusual combination in one of the rainiest states in the U.S. Temperatures broke record after record.
Roland Williams was alone in a small house uptown, where he had become increasingly shut in since retiring from his maintenance job. His cousin, Velinda Newton, said Williams cut the cords on the window AC units, unwilling to pay increasingly high electric bills. He ran a fan to stay cool.
Newton arrived at the house on a Sunday and opened the door to find her cousin dead, another victim of the heat.
Less than three weeks after Williams died, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a state of emergency citing an “unparalleled ongoing crisis.” Calls to EMS had quadrupled. Fires burned in marshes east of the city
peratures were climbing, but Harsch had insisted on cutting the grass regularly since he relocated from the Pacific Northwest to New Orleans to live out his twilight years with his son, Lloyd. The 89-year-old was bright and energetic, despite heart problems that cropped up a couple years earlier He’d finished mowing the front yard of their house on an oak-lined street in Gentilly and was on the tail end of finishing the back.
He took a break to lie down in the shade as the temperatures rose, with humidity making it feel like 102 degrees.
That same day, Linda McMillian got a call from a friend of her father, saying he couldn’t reach him on the phone.
Her dad, Will Percy Reed, was a New Orleans Police Department officer for years, and had started working as a U.S. marshal in retirement to stay busy. He met his former wife in the Desire public housing project. Reed was 78 and living in Gentilly, with central air conditioning and a big tree in the front yard.
Lloyd Harsch had finally convinced his father to move to New Orleans in 2022. Lloyd Harsch quickly introduced him to Mardi Gras parades and king cake, and he grew fond of parades in Jefferson Parish, where crowds were thinner Both men had spent their lives in the ministry, and the house they shared was on the campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Neighbors saw Alvin Harsch regularly working on the garden out front. Lloyd Harsch came home from work for lunch and called out for his father, but there was no response. His wife, Jill Harsch, found Alvin Harsch still lying in the shade in the backyard. His head was propped up on the fence, his legs crossed as if taking a nap. The red lawn mower sat idle next to him. The Coroner’s Office listed his cause of death as environmental hyperthermia.
Elderly threatened
Source: CDC Wonder
that don’t include heat, except in the case of a child.
Pathologists in the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office the only one in the state that’s nationally accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners — have higher standards for investigating deaths than those in other parishes The Jefferson Parish office, run by Dr Gerry Cvitanovich, often receives cases from 15 other parishes.
But Jefferson pathologists say many of those don’t even have enough information to determine whether heat played a role. For instance, rural coroners who rely on Jefferson Parish for autopsies often don’t take liver temperatures or record ambient air temperatures that are vital for determining whether a death was heatrelated.
“A body may come in at 8 p.m. when this office is shut down, and sit in a cooler all night,” said Tim Genevay, director of forensic operations. “And when we get to it the next morning, it’s cool.” ‘Going to get worse’
The fight to prevent deaths in the first place is also rife with problems, and for residents of south Louisiana, the summer brings few reprieves.
Trees, for example, can help to cool temperatures by blanketing cities in shade.
Cities like Jacksonville, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and Nashville Tennessee have tree canopies blanketing between 47% and 63% of their cities, according to a reforestation plan by SOUL, a local nonprofit. New Orleans’ tree canopy covers
just 18% of the city.
And the tree canopy is disparate, with many wealthy neighborhoods enjoying lush forests and poorer areas barren with concrete, according to data from a forestry nonprofit that tracks the nation’s tree canopy Residents in Louisiana also use more electricity per capita than any state in the country, making utility bills unaffordable for residents of the most impoverished state in America Many people minimize their AC usage in the summer as a result said several experts and residents — particularly if they’re elderly and on a fixed income.
And since last summer, when the city rolled out an ordinance requiring landlords to provide safe temperatures in bedrooms, renters across the city have filed hundreds of complaints alleging that their units lack air conditioning.
High levels of humidity also make the heat particularly dangerous in south Louisiana. In drier environments, people cool themselves when sweat evaporates off their skin. But the dense humidity here means that moisture in the air prevents sweat from wicking, making it impossible for many to cool off naturally
Researchers at LSU Health have found in preliminary studies that humidity levels may be rising in Louisiana along with temperatures.
Climate Central, a nonprofit that studies climate change, found that nighttime temperatures have risen particularly quickly in recent decades locally, making it harder for people’s bodies to recuperate after the heat has beaten
Many of the heat-related patients he sees have used drugs, making them too disoriented to get out of harm’s way during heat waves. Others have behavioral health problems that put them at risk because those patients often venture outside or in hot places during heat waves.
About 1 in 10 heat-related deaths in New Orleans involved drug use since 2019, according to coroner records, and about 18% involved people with no listed address, indicating possible homelessness.
Another problem that DeBlieux sees among low-income patients is that they often lack access to air conditioning, in homes that may also have little air circulation.
And many elderly residents take medications that dehydrate them — the majority of heat-related deaths in New Orleans have been older people dying at home.
“This is going to get worse,” DeBlieux said. “Those folks, the elderly and those people who have cognitive decline they’re going to be at great risk.”
Record-breaking summer
The EMS calls came in a steady drumbeat in 2023.
Winshan Johnson called her mother, Juvonda Johnson, on a Sunday that summer to catch up. They had a family reunion to look forward to, and her mom was in good spirits.
Juvonda Johnson, 53, loved driving around town in her gray Nissan Maxima, listening to R&B and soul, often singing along. She raised a family in Gentilly, and Winshan said she was “like a mother to everyone,” even raising a cousin who lost her own mom.
But a few hours after they spoke, relatives arrived at Juvonda Johnson’s apartment in New Orleans East and found her still in her car in the parking lot. The car was off and the temperatures were scorching. Johnson had died of heat stroke.
It wasn’t clear to Winshan Johnson why her mother was in the car without AC, but she suspects her mother fell asleep.
That same day, 10 miles away, another woman died of heat stroke in a Hollygrove motel.
But when McMillian arrived that sweltering Tuesday morning, she said the heat inside his home blasted her “I opened up the door, the heat knocked me out,” she said. “It was that hot.”
She found her dad dead, and the Coroner’s Office listed the cause of death as environmental hyperthermia his body baking in the extreme heat She said the AC unit was running, but wasn’t working well enough to cool down the house.
McMillian, who lives in New Orleans, also has central air conditioning, but it can’t keep up in the summer It runs constantly, and her electric bill has shot up.
After her father’s funeral, McMillian got the last electric bill for his home. The cost had soared.
“Older people are on fixed incomes,” she said. “They’re running their AC units all through the day.”
A report from the New Orleans Health Department on the 2023 summer found that air conditioning problems helped explain several heat-related deaths of older people who died at home.
Three deaths involved air conditioning units that were not turned on, and two more had no AC units at all. One had no power to the house and another had a broken AC unit.
Paradoxically, while Louisiana has some of the hottest summers in the U.S., a significant share of residents here don’t have air conditioning to begin with. Data from the federal Energy Information Administration shows Louisiana ranks in the middle of the pack among U.S. states for the share of people with air conditioning in their homes.
Louisiana ranks even lower in the share of people with central AC, which typically is better at cooling homes.
Only 76% of residents have central AC, the same rate as South Dakota, where summer temperatures are much cooler Heat surged again in 2024
The heat finally broke in the fall of 2023. The cooling centers shut down and heat advisories tapered off. But the heat roared back last summer
Alvin Harsch mowed the lawn on an unusually hot August morning in 2024, like he always did. A neighbor asked if he wanted help, but he waved him off. The tem-
As heat worsens, older New Orleanians are experiencing the deadliest impacts. When Hurricane Ida knocked out the city’s aging electric grid in 2021 and left residents without power for weeks, the majority of those who died were over 65. Over the course of that year, 22 people died of heat-related illness. The trend has continued: all but one of the people who died from heat-related illnesses last year were over 59, and all but three died at home, coroner’s records show “Looking at fatalities, you can tell a lot of these people are older people who are living alone and maybe don’t have air conditioning,” said Sarah Baker climate and health officer at the New Orleans Department of Health, a new position created in part to fight the rising risk of extreme heat. The standard advice during disasters is to check on your neighbors, Baker said. During heat waves, it is increasingly clear that’s not enough.
“I don’t think people understand how quickly heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke,” Baker said. “It’s happening so quickly that checking on them every day may not be good enough.” Data shows temperatures this summer have been slightly higher than normal, but Baker said ample rain and a lack of prolonged heat waves have prevented another spike in deaths. Five heat-related deaths had been reported to her office through mid-August, she said, much lower than in the past two years, though she cautioned that number could rise.
Zach Schlader regularly brings people into an environmental chamber in his lab at Indiana University, where he and his team turn the dial to test varying temperatures and humidities while participants do tasks and walk on treadmills. In these insulated boxes, Schlader said he can simulate “any thermal environment on earth.” The research has identified a number of groups that are particularly susceptible to heat. The elderly are at the top of the list. Older people often have difficulty sweating, which is the main way the body cools down And their organ systems — particularly the heart — are more susceptible to breaking down in high temperatures.
STAFF PHOTOS By SOPHIA GERMER
Sheila Borskey holds up a memorial for her late husband, Dornell Anderson, who died in August 2023 of heart complications exacerbated by extreme heat while mowing his lawn in New Orleans.
A portrait of Alvin Harsch is placed in a chair he used to sit in at his son’s home in New Orleans. Harsch died while mowing the lawn in August 2024.
L. Harsch
LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’S QUIET DISASTER
“Unfortunately I’m not surprised by it,” Schlader said of New Orleans’ heat deaths among older residents. “Older age is a primary risk factor to bad stuff happening during the heat.”
Humidity’s dangers
Summers have always been hot and miserable in south Louisiana. Geography is partially to blame: the region is bound by water on all sides, where moisture and heat converge and create the swamp-like climate residents know
And Louisiana is sometimes overlooked when it comes to extreme heat, given that the mercury rarely reaches 100 degrees.
But the state experiences another insidious factor: humidity
The water that surrounds south Louisiana — its myriad bayous, swamps and canals, along with the Gulf of Mexico — provides ample moisture to the air When that moisture combines with hot temperatures, it becomes exceedingly difficult for people to cool down.
Officials with the National Weather Service combine humidity and temperature to estimate the heat index, or feels-like temperatures. Those warnings can have major implications for when cities open cooling centers, how long outdoor workers toil in the heat and more.
But researchers at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley believe there’s an error in the way the weather service calculates the heat index when it’s particularly hot and humid. An analysis by postdoctoral scholar Yi-Chuan Lu on behalf of The Times-Picayune found that Louisiana experienced many days in 2023 when the real heat index was higher than the figure used by the weather service and local officials.
Weather service spokesperson Marissa Anderson said the agency is aware of the work by Lu and his col-
Heat and humidity are rising
Temperatures and humidity are rising in New Orleans, combining for increasingly dangerous heat indices:
Sources: SCIPP Barry Keim, Efrain Granados
league, David Romps, and is “evaluating our heat forecast tools, including heat index, to identify areas for improvements and to understand the strengths and limitations of potential modifications.” She pointed to a new index called HeatRisk, as well as wet bulb globe temperatures, which measure heat and humidity
Solutions to the rising death toll have proved elusive in Louisiana and elsewhere. Local health officials have focused heavily on spreading awareness and encouraging people to check in on their neighbors, particularly if they’re elderly But unlike the government response to hurricanes or flooding, there is no spigot of federal funding that flows after a heat wave. And plans to build infrastructure to cool down New Orleans, including tree planting, shade structures and permeable surfaces, haven’t kept up with the rising risks.
Emma Herrock spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Health, said the agency has been working to increase awareness of heat deaths among coroners, and noted the 2023 death toll came after an unprecedented summer of drought and
heat. This May the agency published a document giving guidance to coroners and other health professionals on how to identify and record heat deaths and is spreading the word at conferences.
Barry Keim, the former state climatologist who now works at LSU Health Sciences Center said another trend is particularly troubling: Minimum temperatures are rising fast. That means people aren’t cooling off enough overnight and giving their bodies a break from the heat — particularly if they don’t have adequate air conditioning. That can put even more stress on people’s bodies, raising the risk of heat-related illness.
Keim and public health student Efrain Granados have been compiling decades of hourly humidity data to see whether Louisiana’s climate is becoming more humid.
Preliminary results indicate it is, although the trend is particularly acute in cooler months.
“With temperatures going up and humidity going up, the heat index numbers are getting pretty obscene,” Keim said. “You put the two together, and it’s a pretty lethal combination.”
nearly 8feet wide and had sprouted in the year 652, or almost1,000 years before Christopher Columbus set sail forAmerica.A book on cypress treessays it was cut down because it “had reached its maturity and, if permittedtostand longer, would have declined and degraded.”
At some point 15-20 years ago, Mullins went to the Capitol and discovered the board was no longer on the breezeway wall. He called state museums across the state but came up empty
Then,in2023, Mullins was startled one night while watching TV newsto seean interview with Schexnayder —and the board was clearly visible directly behind him. By then, Schexnayder was the speaker of the House, overseeingall 105House members.
“I thought, ‘There’smy board!’”Mullins said.
He enlisted the help of Jay Dardenne, atop official in the administration of Gov John Bel Edwards as the commissioner of administration.
Dardenne said he made several calls and was told that Schexnayder had it in his legislative office in Gonzales.
“The representation to me was that Clay said he would return it,” Dardenne said.
“It was clearly stateproperty.There was never any representation other than that.”
At the time, Schexnayder was running to be secretary of state, while windingup atumultuousfour years as speaker,about to be forced out of the House by term limits.
Schexnayder,aRepublican and one-time amateur car racer who owned an auto mechanic shop,was elected speaker in early 2020 by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans to edge out a more conservative Republican. But under attack from
conservatives for this alliance, Schexnayder shifted to the right partway intohis term and developed afrosty relationship with Edwards, a Democrat.
He faced questions following a2022 news report that he used taxpayer dollars to
pay his stepsons for work to remodel thespeaker’s apartment at the Pentagon Barracks next to the Capitol. Schexnayderfinished fourth in the October 2023 secretary of state’selection and ended his 12-year run in theHouse in January 2024.
Reached recentl y, Schexnaydersaidhegot thecypressboardfrom the Capitol in 2013 at the initiative of then-Speaker Chuck Kleckley,R-Lake Charles “Heasked me oneday if Irepresentedone part of Livingston,St. Johnand St. James,”Schexnayder said. “He said,‘We have the board from downstairs (in theCapitol), and it is from your district. We’d like to get it over there.’ They had it boxedand shippedtomy office. Theywere doing some remodelingdownstairs or something. Idid not requestit. I’dhave askedfor the pirogue. That’sfrom my district as well.”
There’sa pirogue, the boat famously used to navigateLouisiana swamps and bayous, in theground-floor breezeway Kleckley,also reached recently,saidhedidn’tremember giving the board to Schexnayder. “I don’tthink thespeaker
hasthe authoritytojusttake things off the wall,” Kleckleysaid. “There’s aprocess.” When Schexnayder was about to leave theHouse at the beginning of 2024, he said recently,agovernment property manager collected hisdesk, hiscomputer and other items that belonged to the state. But the board wasn’tonthe inventorylist, so Schexnayder said it remained on his wall when he departed.
Schexnayder said he made no efforttoalert anyone fromthe state to collect the board.
Schexnayder’sdistrict office waslocated in astrip mall on La. 44, just south of the Pelican Point Golf & Country Club. Mullins said he called Schexnayder just after he left office, and they spoke briefly.Schexnayder, according to Mullins, said he would call him back but didn’t.
Afew days later,Mul-
linsdrove to the strip mall andfound Schexnayder’s former office, suite 205. It was locked. But Mullins had an employee with St. John Propertiesopenthe door, and he saw the board on the wall, before being ushered out. Todd Peveymanages St. JohnProperties, according to the company’swebsite. He did not return four phone calls recently “Sorry,” Pevey said in a text, “but we have no commentonthis.” Who’sresponsible?
Whilethe whereabouts of the board remain uncertain, it’salso not clear which branch of state government ownsit. Thatexplains perhaps why no one in state government hasmadea push to return it to the Capitol. Officials at theDepartment of Agriculture, at the office of Cultural, Recreation and Tourism in the Lieutenant Governor’sOfficeand at the Secretaryof State’sOffice —whichdoes hold anotherlongboard from the sametree at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport —all say it does not belong to them.
MaidaOwens spent38 years working for the state, including alongstretch as the folk life program director for the Louisiana Division of the Arts under the Lieutenant Governor’sOffice.
Her program oversaw the artifacts in the Capitol breezeway —but not the cypressboard,since it was already in place when their first exhibit was installed there in 1985.
Owens, whose father covered state politicsfor The Associated Press during the 1960s, was philosophical about theboard goingmissing.
“I’ve heard of this kind of thing before,” Owens said. “It’snot the first time, honestly.”
Email Tyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
A20-foot-long cypress board that washarvested from atree believedtobemore than
oldused to hang in the halls of the State Capitol, but has gone missing.
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Abreezeway on the ground floor of the Capitol houses artifacts Wednesday.
Memphismayor says he learnedabout GuardfromTV
Firsthard confirmationof deployment came from Trump
BY JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press
NASHVILLE,Tenn. Memphis’ mayor said Saturday that President Donald Trump’s TV announcement the day before was the first hard confirmation he received that the National Guard wouldbesenttothe city an anti-crime mission.
Speaking on CNN, Mayor Paul Young said he learned the idea was under consideration when Republican Gov
Enforcement Administration andthe Bureauof Alcohol,Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Then, on Friday morning, Trumpmadehis announcement on Fox News. He said Memphisis“deeply troubled” and “we’re going to fix that justlikewedid Washington,” where he deployed the NationalGuardand surged federallaw enforcement
Asked on CNN whether he had “hardconfirmation” before Trump’sannouncement,Young said: “No, that was theconfirmation.”
Days earlierMemphis police reported dropsinevery major crimecategory in the first eight months of 2025 compared withthe same period i i
tling with falloutfrom the January2023 death of Tyre Nichols after he was beaten by Memphis police officers.InDecember the Department of Justice under then-President Joe Biden founda hostofcivil rights violationsinthe policedepartment, part of an investigation spurred by Nichols’ death. The findings included theuse of excessive force, illegal trafficstopsand disproportionate targeting of Black people in themajority-Black city
In May, nowunder the Trumpadministration, the department withdrewthose findings
The governorhas saidhow
theguard will factor intoefforts to tackle crime is still being ironedout. Lee and Trump talked Friday and plan to do so again early next coming week,his spokesperson said. The governor has said thedeployment would addmomentumtoanongoingFBI operation alongside state and local law enforcement that “has alreadyarrested hundreds of the most violent offenders.”
The mayorsaid Saturday that the specifics remain unknown about how many troopswill come and when, their exact role and more. He expects to learn more this week.
Young hasdisputed
Trump’s assertion that the mayor is “happy” about the introduction of theNational Guard. He hassaidhedid not ask for adeployment and doesnot think it will reduce crime. Butheacknowledged that the city has remained high on too many “bad lists,” and since the deployment hasbeen decided, he wants to “drive howthey engage in our city.”
Young said he understands thefears within the Memphis community and noted that the National Guard was deployed there in 1968 after Martin Luther King Jr.was assassinated.
“Wedon’twant to invoke those same images here,”
Young said. The National Guard has been on theground in Tennessee and elsewhere during tense moments, such as protests in both Washington and on the state Capitol grounds after George Floyd’skilling. The governor deployed them for someTrump-driven initiatives, including going to the southern border; doing administrative work forfederal Immigration andCustoms Enforcement in the state; andreturning to Washington under the president’srecent crime-centered mission Governors control their state’sguards; it is unclear whether Memphis could see out-of-state troops.
7PM-10PM
Protests disrupt Spanish race
BY JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press
BARCELONA, Spain As an alderperson in northwest-
ern Spain, Rosana Prieto tends to the running of her tiny village and is far removed from major cities, often rocked by protests over geopolitical issues But with one of the world’s biggest cycling races coursing through the bucolic hills nearby, she and hundreds of like-minded townspeople sensed a chance to make their small voices heard, denouncing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Palestinian flags in hand, they stood precisely where they knew the television cameras would broadcast their message to the world: the last turn before the finish line of the 15th stage as cyclists of the Spanish Vuelta whirred past. Farther up the road, a protester carrying a Palestinian flag got too close to the speeding peloton and caused a pair of cyclists to crash.
Protests targeting an Israeli-owned team have repeatedly seized the limelight at the Vuelta, Spain’s version of the Tour de France, in which over 180 cyclists pedal 1,900 miles through rural Spain’s sleepy back-roads. Six of the last 10 days of racing have been either cut short or interrupted, with over 20 people detained by police. Israel’s 23-month military grind into Palestinian territory, launched in response to
Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, deadly attack on Israel, had already enraged many Spaniards, including its outspoken leftwing government The protests on the sidelines of the Vuelta have earned the government’s tacit endorsement and catalyzed nudging it toward staking out one of the strongest positions against Israel of any European nation since the sustained military operation began
“The protests were born from the idea that our only chance to defend human rights regarding Israel is the Spanish Vuelta,” Prieto, 48, told The Associated Press. “It is an international spotlight for us to say that we are against what Israel is doing.” Israel has defended its military actions in Gaza and accused Spain of standing with Hamas.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez joined Ireland
and Norway in recognizing a Palestinian state last year, and Spain became the first European country to ask a U.N. court for permission to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide.
The Vuelta protesters argue that if Russian teams have been banned from international sporting events for the war in Ukraine, then Israeli teams should likewise be punished.
Spain’s government agrees. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said he would support the Israeli-owned team’s expulsion from the race, while government spokesperson Pilar Alegría, who is also minister of sports and education, said neutrality is no longer possible in the face of the death and destruction in Gaza.
For the Vuelta’s security detail, it was logistically impossible to lock down the en-
tire route through its twisting roads, much of which is lined by forest Large groups have gathered in towns and protesters have jumped out of cover to block the path of riders, causing two athletes to crash, although it’s unclear if that was the protesters’ intention. Neither of the riders who crashed was on the Israeli team.
The team under fire, Israel Premier Tech, issued a statement saying that quitting the race is out of the question, as it would “set a dangerous precedent.”
The team is owned by Israeli-Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams, who emigrated to Israel in 2016.
Spain’s prime minister chose last week to denounce Israel’s operations in Gaza as “genocide” and make a nationally televised address announcing an arms embargo and blocking Israel-bound fuel deliveries from passing through Spanish ports.
The move inflamed a diplomatic dispute that resulted in the ban of ministers from both countries. Israeli leaders called the Spanish government’s actions “antisemitic” and a “blatant genocidal threat.”
The European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for partially suspending trade ties with Israel, and the Netherlands said it would boycott the popular Eurovision song contest next year if Israel is allowed to participate.
Paramount denounces boycott of Israeli
BY MEG JAMES Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOS ANGELES Paramount on Friday sharply denounced a proposed boycott of Israeli film institutions by a group that calls itself Film Workers for Palestine and is supported by dozens of Hollywood luminaries. Earlier in the week, the group launched an open letter pledging to withhold support for Israeli film festivals, production companies and other organizations that the group said were involved in “genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.”
Israel ramps up Gaza City strikes
BY WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip A barrage of airstrikes killed at least 32 people across Gaza City as Israel ramps up its offensive there and urges Palestinians to evacuate, medical staff reported Saturday
The dead included 12 children, according to the morgue in Shifa Hospital, where the bodies were brought.
On Saturday, the army said it struck another highrise used by Hamas in the area of Gaza City It has ordered residents to leave, part of an offensive aimed at taking over the largest Palestinian city which it says is Hamas’ last stronghold.
One of the strikes overnight and into early morning Saturday hit a house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, killing a family of 10, including a mother and her three children, said health officials. The Palestinian Football Association said a player for the Al-Helal Sporting Club, Mohammed Ramez Sultan, was killed in the strikes with 14 members of his family Israel’s army didn’t immediately respond to questions about the strikes.
Relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday
to demand a deal to release their loved ones and criticized what they said was a counterproductive approach by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in securing a resolution.
Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, described as a “spectacular failure” Israel’s attempted assassination of Hamas leaders in Qatar this week.
“President Trump said yesterday that every time there is progress in the negotiations, Netanyahu bombs someone. But it wasn’t Hamas leaders he tried to bomb — it was our chance, as families, to bring our loved ones home,” Zangauker said. In a message on social media Saturday, Israel’s army told the remaining Palestinians in Gaza City to leave “immediately” and move south to what it’s calling a humanitarian zone. Army spokesman Avichay Adraee said that more than a quarter of a million people had left Gaza City — from an estimated 1 million who live in the area of north Gaza around the city Sites in southern Gaza where Israel is telling people to go are overcrowded, according to the U.N., and it can cost money to move, which many people don’t have.
film industry over Gaza
The letter has been signed by hundreds of individuals, including filmmakers Jonathan Glazer, Ava DuVernay, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Olivia Colman and Mark Ruffalo.
“As filmmakers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions,” the group wrote.
“In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror.”
The group pledged “not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions — including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies,” which have been “implicated” in attacks on Palestinians. The group described its effort as being inspired by filmmakers joining the South African boycott over apartheid decades ago.
“We do not agree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers,” said an emailed statement attributed to Paramount. “Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MIGUEL OSES
Spanish Vuelta cycling race on Sept. 3.
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Students who saw Kirk’s shooting deal with grief
BY JESSE BEDAYN, HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, LINDSEY WASSON and RIO YAMAT Associated Press
OREM, Utah One student holed up in his house for two days after witnessing Charlie Kirk’s assassination, nervous about going back to the Utah college campus where the conservative activist was shot. Another, unable to sleep or shake what she saw and heard, called her dad to come take her home.
As investigators spend the weekend digging deeper into suspect Tyler James Robinson before his initial court appearance Tuesday, students who witnessed Wednesday’s shooting at Utah Valley University are reckoning with trauma, grief and the pall the killing has cast on their community
Robinson’s arrest late Thursday calmed some fears. Still, questions persist about the alleged shooter’s motive and planning, as well as security lapses that allowed a man with a rifle to shoot Kirk from a rooftop before fleeing.
The university has said there will be increased security when classes resume Wednesday In Robinson’s hometown, about 240 miles southwest of campus, a law enforcement presence was significantly diminished Saturday after the FBI executed a search warrant at his family’s home. A gray Dodge Challenger that authorities say Robinson drove to UVU appeared to have been hauled away No one answered the door Satur-
day at his family’s home in Washington, Utah, and the blinds were closed
The killing has prompted pleas for civility in American political discourse, but those calls were not always heeded, and some people who have criticized Kirk in the wake of his death have been fired or suspended from their jobs.
On Friday, Office Depot said it fired a worker at a Michigan store who was seen on video refusing to print flyers for a Kirk vigil and calling them “propaganda.”
On Thursday, a conservative internet personality filmed a video outside Illinois Democratic Gov J.B. Pritzker’s home, urging viewers to “take action” after Kirk’s assassination. Pritzker’s security has been stepped up.
At a makeshift memorial near Utah Valley University’s main entrance in Orem, people have been leaving flowers in tribute to Kirk.
Cars looped nearby streets Saturday, honking horns, flying American flags and displaying messages such as “We love you Charlie,” “Charlie 4 Ever” and “RIP Charlie.”
In the area where the Turning Point USA co-founder was shot, a crew has begun taking down tents and banners and scrubbing away reminders of the killing.
Student Alec Vera stopped at the memorial after finally leaving his house Friday night for a drive to clear his head. Vera said he had been in a daze, unable to concentrate and avoiding people, since watching Kirk collapse about 30 or 40 feet in front of him.
“I just kind of felt the need to come here, to be with everyone, either to comfort or to be comforted, just to kind of surround myself with those that are also mourning,” Vera said.
A handful of cars remained stranded in parking lots by students who left behind keys while fleeing the shooting. One student pleaded with an officer to let him retrieve his bike from beyond the police tape and cracked a smile as the officer let him through. The university said people can pick up their belongings early next week.
Marjorie Holt started crying when she brought flowers to campus Thursday, prompting her to change her mind about returning
to campus this weekend.
Hours after the shooting, the 18-year-old said she lay in bed, haunted by the horror she witnessed: the sound of a single gunshot as Kirk answered a question and then, “I saw him fall over, I saw the blood, but for some reason it couldn’t click to me what happened.”
Unable to sleep because of a pounding headache, nausea and the day’s trauma, she called her dad, who brought her home to Salt Lake City, 40 miles to the north. Returning to campus, Holt said, is “going to feel like a terrible, like a burden on my heart.”
Vera said Kirk was shot in the main campus gathering spot —
where students take naps, meditate, do homework and hang out.
“Seeing it when I go back, I will be pretty uncomfortable at first, knowing I have to walk past it each time, knowing what had just occurred here,” Vera said.
Halle Hanchett, 19, a student at nearby Brigham Young University, said she had just pulled her phone out to start filming Kirk when she heard the gunshot followed by a collective gasp. Hanchett said she saw blood, Kirk’s security team jump forward and horror on the faces around her She dropped to the ground in the fetal position, wondering: “What is going on? Am I going to die?”
On Friday, she brought flowers and quietly gazed at the area where the kickoff to Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” had ended in violence.
“The last few days I’ve just, haven’t really said much, I just kinda like zone out, stare off,” Hanchett said, standing with her fiancé as water fountains bubbled nearby “The memory, it just replays.”
She’s praying for the strength to move forward, she said, “and take it as: ‘OK, I was here for this. How can I learn from this? And how can I help other people learn from this?’”
Yamat reported from Washington, Utah, and St. George, Utah. Associated Press reporters Sejal Govindarao in Phoenix and Nicholas Riccardi in Denver also contributed to this report.
Report: Colo. school shooter was fascinated with mass shootings
BY COLLEEN SLEVIN and MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press
DENVER A teenager suspected in a shooting attack at a suburban Denver high school that left two students in critical condition appeared fascinated with previous mass shootings including Columbine and expressed neo-Nazi views online, according to experts.
Since December Desmond Holly, 16, had been active on an online forum where users watch videos of killings and violence, mixed in
with content on white supremacism and antisemitism, the AntiDefamation League’s Center on Extremism said in a report Holly shot himself following Wednesday’s shooting at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County He died of his injuries It is still unclear how he selected his victims The county was also the scene of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre that killed 14 people. Holly’s TikTok accounts contained white supremacist symbols, the ADL said, and the name of his
most recent account included a reference to a popular white supremacist slogan The account was unavailable Friday TikTok said accounts associated with Holly had been banned.
A spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the ADL’s findings or discuss its investigation into the shooting. The office previously said that Holly was radicalized by an unspecified “extremist network” but released no details.
Two recent suspects in school shootings were active on the so-
called “gore forum” that Holly used — Watch People Die, according to the ADL. Holly appears to have opened his account in the month in between shootings in Madison, Wisconsin and Nashville, Tennessee, the ADL said.
A few days before Wednesday’s shooting, Holly posted a TikTok video posing in a similar way to how the Wisconsin shooter posed before killing two people in December He also posted videos showing how he had made the shirt that was like one worn by a gunman in the
Columbine shooting, the ADL said.
“There is a through-line between those attacks,” said Oren Segal, the ADL’s senior vice president of counter-extremism and intelligence. “They’re telling us there is a through line because they are referencing each other.” Emails sent to Watch People Die seeking comment weren’t returned.
Holly was also active on TikTok’s “True Crime Community,” where it says users have a fascination with mass murderers and serial killers, the ADL said.
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A memorial for Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk is seen Saturday at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
BY HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and ANDREWDEMILLO Associated Press
MISSION, Kan. Around 50 collegecampusesacrossthe country have been deluged in recent weekswith hoax calls about armed gunmen and other violence, laying bare the challenges of detecting fake threats quickly to prevent mass panic.
Students at some schools spent hours hiding under desks, only to find out laterit was someone’sidea of aentertainment. On Thursday several historically Black colleges includingSouthern Universitylocked down or canceled classes after receivingthreats,ata time when the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at aUtah college had campuses newly on edge.
In other cases,schools figured out early that something wasamiss,but eventhen it took time and resources.
The FBI is investigating, butsofar therehavebeen no arrests.
Dispatchcall centers often are the last lines of defense to swatters, aburden in an era of mass shootings, including onethisweek at asuburban Denver high school and another two weeks ago at aCatholic church in Minneapolis that killed two schoolchildren and injured 21 people.
“Wehave so many mass shootings in this country and so many young people die,” said Wendy Via, co-founder andCEO of the Global Project AgainstHate and Extremism. “And so you can’t just blow it off because there has been abunch of hoaxes.”
Swatting callsonthe rise
The goal of swatting is to
was amiss. The first red flag was that it wasn’ta911 call, saidMajor Daryl Ascher,of the RileyCountyPolice Department. Police declined to provide their own recording of thecall, but Ascherconfirmed many of the details.
Emergency calls are geolocated, meaning someone calling 911 outside the targeted area won’t getthrough because it will be directed to the dispatch center closest to their location.Swatters instead resort to calling nonemergency police numbers.
automated recording that tells the caller to hang up and dial 911.
On the technical side, halting calls made using voice over internet protocol technology,orVoIP, from being made from behind virtual private networkswould stop mostswats, said Hendricks, who hasbeen swatted himself
Dispatcherslookfor clues
getauthorities,particularly aSWATteam,torespond to an address and has roots in fakebomb threats thathave been around for decades.
Someofthe earliest swats stemmed from onlinegaming disputes. But gradually they became connected to nihilisticgroups, which often conduct the calls in massbatches, trading tips in online forums on how to avoid detection
The FBI said swattingison the rise.Sincea center was createdin2023togatherdetails on swatting incidents, hundreds of law enforcement agencies have voluntarily submitted thousands of incidents, the FBI said. Swatting has become so prevalent that theU.S.Department of Education offered guidance on how to spot hoax calls. Clues include ifthe caller can’tanswer follow-up questions abouttheirphone number or currentlocation,ormispronounces names.
Loosenetwork of actors Purgatory, agroup affiliated with The Com,which is aloose network of online
threat actors, hasbeenlinked to some of the recent swats, accordingtoreports from the Global ProjectAgainst Hateand Extremism,an Alabama-based nonprofit thattracks extremistgroups online, andthe nonprofit Centerfor Internet Security and Institute for StrategicDialogue.The FBI declinedto comment on the reports.
On morethan two hours of livestreams captured by the nonprofits and provided to The Associated Press, the caller’sfriends can be heard in the background laughing, belching andtaking breaks to rap.
Keven Hendricks, acyber crime expert who teaches law enforcement about investigating swatting, said thecalls “shake your faith.”
“Wewant there to be areason they were doing it,”he said. “And they weredoing it for the LOLs.”
Spotting aswat
One swatting attempt last month at Kansas State University serves as acase study of sortsonspotting aswat Therewere clues from the start thatsomething
WhiteHouse wants$58Msecurityboost
BY MARÍA PAULAMIJARES TORRES and GREGORYKORTE Bloomberg News (TNS)
WASHINGTON The Trump administration is asking Congress for an extra $58 million to bolstersecurity for the executive andjudicial branches following the fatal shooting of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, according to aWhite House official
The request to include the extra funding in an upcoming stopgap bill comes ahead of aSept. 30 deadline when the current federalspending law runs out. Punchbowl News first reported on the funding request.
The administrationalso signaled support for expandingresources to safeguard lawmakers, though it left the specifics of that decision to the legislative branch,the outlet reported.
Kirk’sshooting at auniversity event in Utah last week has raised new fearsabout the safety of public officials, particularlyafterthe assassination attempt on Donald Trump during the presidential campaign last year
Republicans are pushing for ashort-term spending bill to keep the government open
next month, but have rejected demands from Democrats to include health care provisions in any extension.
“That should be adead giveaway,” said Don Beeler chief executive officer of TDRTechnology Solutions, whichtracks swatting calls and offerstechnology to prevent them. “You’renot going to look it up if youare in an emergency. That’sjustnot how thehuman brain works.”
He said that if its system detectsa suspicious call like that,itistransferred to an
The next clue was that the swatter got the Manhattan, Kansas, school’s name slightly wrong, calling it Kansas City State University
“Obviously,ifyou were from Manhattan or attending auniversity,you would know the name of the university,” Ascher said.
As agigglingthronglistened on messaging platform Telegram, the swatter then described aman armed with an AR-15 prowling the university’slibrary,a de-
scription that was nearly identical to the calls flooding other university towns. The gunfire that peppered the callalso wasatipoff because it “sounded like it was from aTV,”Ascher said. On the livestream, the clearly skeptical dispatcher askedwhy the caller couldn’t seethe purported gunman when the shots soundedsoclose to him and whyother 911 calls weren’t flooding in.
“I’m not sure ma’am.I’m not sure if they have aphone or not,” the caller answered. Officersstill were dispatched to the library Ascher providednodetails on how many or their tactics, but said dispatchers kept theminformedofthe potential it wasahoax.
“I often wonderifpeople don’thave something better to do,” Ascher said, pausing. “Itisjust very taxing on law enforcement.”
Corn maze celebrates Kelce, Swift
BY TAMMY LJUNGBLAD
The Kansas City Star (TNS)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amid continued excitement over the engagement of Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift, a farm is keeping love and football at the forefront of fall fun.
It’s been weeks since Kelce proposed to Swift, turning their backyard into a floral wonderland and surprising her just after she appeared on his “New Heights” podcast. The world watched as the 14-time Grammy winner and NFL star who had been dating for over two years, shared their “Love Story” with millions.
To mark the occasion, Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins in Belton, Missouri, about 30 minutes south from Arrowhead Stadium, unveiled a special tribute: a sprawling, 9-acre corn maze cut into the field by Rob Stouffer of Precision Mazes. Braving unseasonably hot September temperatures, Stouffer worked all day Thursday and carved majestic
silhouettes of the engaged couple into the corn, along with a pair of intertwined rings.
The maze showcased Kelce’s number 87, Swift’s lucky 13, and the phrase “Kansas City is Enchanted,” which could be a nod to Swift’s song “Enchanted” from
her 2010 album “Speak Now.” The maze was designed by a team at Precision Mazes.
“This is a working maze and was a design challenge for our team,” Stouffer said, whose employees collaborated on the design. With 3,000 feet of paths winding
through the field, he calls it a “lifesize puzzle for people,” not the hardest maze he’s crafted, but one designed for fun and one he hopes draws visitors to the farm.
Stouffer said he was inspired when he saw the couple’s engagement news pop up in an ESPN alert
on his phone. He pitched two designs to Johnson Farms, and one was ultimately carved into the corn, spanning 9 acres.
This is not Stouffer’s first Swiftinspired crop art. In July 2023, as Swift was preparing to bring the Eras Tour to Arrowhead Stadium, Stouffer carved a quintessential Midwestern welcome message for the artist into field of wheat stubble in Orrick, Missouri. It’s clear that Kansas City fans aren’t letting the fairy tale fade. With their love story now literally carved into a cornfield, the couple’s engagement has become a lasting part of the area’s landscape. Fans can enter a contest on the farm’s Instagram page and one lucky couple will have their initials carved into a personalized corn maze heart at the farm. The Taylor and Travis corn maze opened Saturday and folks at Johnson Farms hope the visitors will be enchanted. As for Stouffer, he’s already imagining and hoping his next
BY BRENDAN NORDSTROM
The Baltimore Sun (TNS)
BALTIMORE Storm Crow Games,
a game store in Eldersburg, was filled with people for a weekly event for the game Magic: The Gathering on Sept 6, when two men successfully walked away with thousands of dollars’ worth of Pokémon cards.
The theft occurred just after 6:30 p.m., owners Tyler and Sam Clark told The Baltimore Sun. While Maryland State Police valued the theft of three binders of Pokémon cards at $19,000, the Clarks said it could be as much as $25,000 “The stuff that he took essentially was our savings, in a way, or a way to save for retirement,” Tyler Clark said.
Maryland State Police are still working to identify the suspects.
The theft is one of several in the area, with stores in Howard, Harf-
ord and Baltimore County reporting similar thefts.
The Clarks said they usually don’t have items of high value in the office and only did this time because of a Pokémon trade day
“They knew, I guess, based on casing us the previous week and knowing what our event calendar looked like, that stuff was going to be back there,” Tyler Clark said.
The Clarks explained Pokémon cards serve as a “mini stock market.” With some cards more scarce than others, the value goes up and down. Tyler Clark said the value has especially gone up since November
One of the cards in the stolen binder, for example, is worth $800. They added Pokémon cards are twothirds of the business at the store.
“I almost would have preferred they had just taken, like, five Xboxes or something like that, because that would have been significantly less value,” Tyler Clark said. $19,000 worth of Pokemon cards reported stolen in Md.
Swift unlikely to
BY JAMI GANZ
NEW YORK — False alarm!
A New York judge has declined
Justin Baldoni’s attempt to depose Taylor Swift late next month amid his enduring legal saga with her former best friend, Blake Lively
On Friday, Judge Lewis J. Liman approved Lively’s bid to extend discovery to Oct. 10, but denied Baldoni’s attempt to push it a month past the initial Sept. 30 deadline, according to documents obtained by People.
Baldoni’s request, if approved, would have allowed his lawyers to depose the Grammy winner, who allegedly “agreed to appear for deposition,” but only after Oct. 20 due to “preexisting professional obligations,” according to a letter submitted by Baldoni’s team on Thursday
Per People a lawyer for the “Bad Blood” singer said in their own letter that day that Swift “did not agree to a deposition,” but if
be
deposed in Baldoni-Lively battle
“forced” into one, “her schedule would accommodate the time required during the week of Oct. 20 if the parties were able to work out their disputes.” Those disputes do not appear to have been worked out, at least from Baldoni’s side of things. In late December, Lively accused her co-star/director of having sexually harassed her on the set of “It Ends With Us” before waging a retaliatory smear campaign.
Baldoni, who denies the allegations, then filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its deep-dive into Lively’s claims, as well as a $400 million defamation suit against Lively her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane.
Liman threw out both of Baldoni’s suits back in June, weeks after the latter first subpoenaed Swift. That subpoena was withdrawn in late May While Swift herself has not been accused of any wrongdoing, she’s
been embroiled in the bitter battle ever since Baldoni referenced her in his countersuit.
He cited a meeting at which Swift was allegedly in attendance, with Baldoni accusing Lively of trying to leverage the popstar’s celebrity status to take over creative control of the film. His camp also publicized alleged texts from Lively, in which the “Gossip Girl” alum seemingly referred to Swift as one of her “dragons.”
In the months since, Swift has reportedly kept her distance from Lively, prompting speculation that her new song, “Ruin the Friendship” — off next month’s “Life of a Showgirl” album — could nod to their fractured dynamic.
Lively, who’s now seeking millions of dollars in damages and attorneys’ fees due to Baldoni’s “baseless” defamation suit, is expected to testify when her case goes to trial in March. Baldoni is also expected to take the stand.
KANSAS CITy STAR PHOTO By TAMMy LJUNGBLAD A new corn maze celebrating the love story of Chiefs tight
Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift has been carved by Precision Mazes into a 9-acre cornfield at Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins in Belton, Mo.
New york Daily News (TNS)
Public skepticism of vaccines on the rise
Health expert makes case for school mandates
BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer
There’s a reason certain lifethreatening diseases like polio, measles and whooping cough were essentially eradicated, public health experts say: vaccine mandates for schoolchildren
But a once-routine requirement is under attack due to rising public skepticism that accelerated during the pandemic and has been fueled by online misinformation and promoted by high-pro-
file figures, including U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In recent months, Kennedy has canceled millions of dollars in federal funding for mRNA vaccine research and fired the members of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions committee that makes vaccine recommendations, replacing some members with people who have been critical of vaccines. On Sept. 3, Florida’s surgeon general said the state would do away with vaccine mandates, including for schools.
Louisiana still requires students to get a handful of vaccinations, including ones that protect against polio, measles and diphtheria.
But the state has one of the broadest exemption policies in the country, allowing parents to opt-out their children for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. In recent years Louisiana legislators have passed laws targeting vaccines, including one that requires schools to publicize vaccine exemptions to parents
Q&A WITH CHARLES STOECKER
HEALTH CARE ECONOMIST AT TULANE UNIVERSITy
Lately, the number of Louisiana families declining to vaccinate their children has skyrocketed, alarming public health experts.
The rate of families requesting vaccine exemptions for kindergartens reached its highest point in a decade during the 2022-23 school year, and it has continued to rise, with 3% of families requesting nonmedical exemptions last school year according to the CDC.
To make sense of the changes, the Times-Picayune spoke with Charles Stoecker, a health care economist at Tulane University who studies vaccine policy Stoecker discussed the recent rise in vaccine skepticism and argued that the decline in childhood vaccinations could seriously threaten public health.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity Talk about vaccines that protect against pneumonia which you’ve studied.
Around 2000, we developed a version of pneumococcal vaccine that took a diphtheria-causing toxin — something that your body really reacts hard to — scooped out all the bad parts of it and put in something that looked like the stuff that causes pneumonia and that takes really well.
For adults, effectiveness might wane over time, but for kids, it’s almost magical. It’s nearly 100% effective against certain strains of pneumonia and seems to last for the duration of childhood. This was a huge step forward.
How did the development of that vaccine impact public health?
It’s cool to see how disease patterns in adults change when we
vaccinate the kids. When kids started getting this magic (pneumococcal) vaccine around 2000, adult levels became nearly undetectable for those strains.
We’re vaccinating the kids so kids can’t get the diseases from each other (But) even if you don’t have pneumonia, you may carry some of those bacteria around in your nose and you’re coming home to grandma. Since you have this vaccine, it’s not in your nose and you’re not breathing on grandma, and she can’t wind up in the hospital from pneumonia. And of course, it protects the kids themselves.
How has vaccine buy-in changed since the pandemic?
During COVID, a bunch of doctors’ offices closed and kids couldn’t get appointments, so we saw vaccination rates go down. We’ve bounced back up, but not quite to pre-pandemic levels. There’s something that fundamentally changed about people’s perceptions of the necessity of vaccines during COVID. I’m not sure exactly what that is, but it’s bad for public health.
Herd immunity is a patchwork quilt. State-level vaccination rates can hide a lot of heterogeneity
Pre-COVID, wealthy schools wouldn’t vaccinate their kids and would have lower vaccination rates and they’d have outbreaks of measles or pertussis and that’s where they were concentrated. Post-pandemic, state-level vaccination rates fell, but they don’t fall equally Some schools have lower vaccination rates than others. Why are school vaccine mandates effec-
WE’RE ASKING EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE HOW TO TACKLE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING LOUISIANA
tive?
The societal bargain we’ve struck is that we will educate your kids for free — through tax revenue but you don’t spend any money so your kids get an education and are able to make a better wage later Plus, you get free babysitting while they’re there and you can go to work.
In return, we require you to vaccinate your kids. You may not want to vaccinate your kids because it’s a pain to take them to the doctor or they get fussy or you have other concerns. But we know the vaccines are safe and effective.
This bargain started about 150 years ago and that’s about when we started to see these dramatic declines in infectious disease. It used to be that one-fifth of kids died before they hit 5, and now it’s very rare to have a kid die before age 5.
How could policy changes, including doing away with vaccine mandates for school-
children, impact public health? I think it’s rewinding our disease environment to a place we have not seen in 100 years. These diseases are not present of mind because we’ve done such a good job preventing their transmission largely through schoolbased vaccination programs. Not all vaccines are as great as pneumococcal some are less effective — and some kids can’t get the vaccines because they have cancer or something that makes it not recommended. (But) those kids that are vaccinated protect themselves, protect other kids and their parents and their grandparents. (Florida’s policy) is going to kick out that critical leg of protection. We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but we’ve seen what has happened when we haven’t had that leg. It’s hard to imagine that people won’t get seriously sick and possibly die because of these policies.
PROVIDED PHOTO By SALLy ASHER Tulane University professor and public health expert Charles Stoecker Ph.D
Families in crisis afterimmigration raid in Ga.
Nearly 200 ensnared in the crackdownremain in legallimbo
BY SAFIYAH RIDDLE Associated Press/ ReportFor America
Ever sincea massive immigration raid on aHyundai manufacturing site sweptup nearly 500 workersinsoutheast Georgia, Rosie Harrison said her organization’s phones have beenringing nonstop with panicked families in need of help.
“Wehave individuals returning calls every day,but the list doesn’tend,” Harrison said. She runs an apolitical nonprofit called Grow Initiative that connects low-income families— immigrant and non-immigrant alike —with food, housing and educational resources. Since the raid, Harrison said, “families are experiencing anew level of crisis.”
Amajority of the 475 peoplewho were detained in the workplace raid —which U.S. officials have called the largest in two decades— were Korean andhave returned to South Korea. But lawyers and social workers say many of the non-Korean immigrants ensnared in the crackdownremain in legal limbo or are otherwise unaccounted for
As the raid began the morning of Sept. 4, workers almost immediately started calling Migrant Equity Southeast, alocal nonprofit that connects immigrants with legal and financial resources. The small organization of approximately 15 employees fielded calls regarding people from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela, spokesperson Vanessa Contreras said. Throughout the day people described federal agents taking cellphones
PHOTO PROVIDED By U.S. IMMIGRATIONAND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMEN
Manufacturing plant employees areescorted Sept.4
HyundaiMotor Group’selectric vehicle plant in Ellab
from workers and putting theminlong lines, Contreras said. Some workers hid for hours to avoid capture, in air ducts or remoteareas of the sprawling property.The Department of Justice said some hidina nearby sewage pond.
People off-site calledthe organization frantically seeking thewhereabouts of loved oneswho workedat theplant and were suddenly unreachable.
Like many of the Koreans whowere workingatthe plant,advocatesand lawyers representing thenonKorean workers caught up in the raid say that some who were detained hadlegal authorization to work in the United States. Neither the Department of HomelandSecurity nor Immigration and Customs Enforcement responded to emailed requestsfor comment Friday.Itisnot clear how many peopledetained during theraidremain in custody.
Atlanta-based attorney Charles Kuck,who represents both Korean and nonKorean workers who were detained, said two of his clients were legally workingunder theDeferred Ac-
tion for Childhood Arri program,which was ated by former President Barack Obama. One been released and“ have neverbeen ar he said, while the other still being held becaus was recentlycharged driving under theinfluence.
Another of Kuck’s was in the process ing asylum, he said, thesame documents as her husband who arrested.
Someeven had valid gia driver’s licenses, aren’tavailable to people the country illegally RosarioPalacios, who been assisting Migrant ty Southeast.Somef whocalledthe organ were left without access transportation because personwho hadbeen detained was the only one who could drive.
thecrackdown by President Donald Trump’sadministration is, despite assurances that they aretargeting criminals.
“The redefinition of the word ‘criminal’ to includeeverybody who is not acitizen, and even some that are, is the problem here,” Kuck said.
Many of thefamilies who called Harrison’s initiative said their detained relatives were thesolebreadwinners in the household, leaving
them desperate forbasics like baby formula and food.
The financial impact of the raid at the construction site fora battery factory that will be operated by HL-GA Battery Co. was compounded by thefactthatanother massive employer in the area —International PaperCo. —isclosing at the end of the month, laying off another 800 workers, Harrison said.
Harrison said, but almost all families whohavereached outtoher have said that their detained loved ones hadlegal authorization to workinthe United States, leaving many confused about why their relative was taken into custody in the first place. “The worst phone calls are the ones where you have childrencrying, screaming, ‘Where is my mom?’”Harrison said.
“It’shardtosay howthey chose who they were going to release and who they were going to take into custody,”Palacios said, adding that somewho werearrested didn’thave an alien identification numberand were still unaccounted for Kuck said theraid is an indication of how far-reaching
CourtsaysTrump administration canend humanitarian parole for430,000 migrants
BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press
BOSTON Afederal appeals court ruled Friday that the Trump administration can end legalprotections for around 430,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela
Therulingbyathreejudge panel of the 1stU.S Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest twist in alegal fight over Biden-era policies that created new and expanded pathways for people to live in the United States, generally for two years with work authorization. The Trump administration announced in Marchitwas ending the humanitarian parole protections.
“Werecognize the risks of irreparable harmpersuasively laid out in the district court’sorder:that parolees who lawfully arrived in
this country were suddenly forced to choose between leaving in less than amonth —achoicethatpotentially includes being separated from theirfamilies, communities,and lawful employment andreturningto dangers in their home countries,” the judges wrote.
“Butabsent astrong showing of likelihood of success on themerits,the risk of such irreparable harms cannot, by itself,support astay.”
In atwo-pageruling, the court lifted astayissued by adistrictcourt and is allowing the administration to endhumanitarian parole for those groups while the lawsuitplays out. The ruling Friday is avictory for the Trump administration but doesn’tchangeanythingon theground.
Esther Sung, the legal directorofJusticeAction Center,a co-counsel in the
case, saidthe ruling“hurts everyone.”
“People whocame here from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, andVenezuela did everything the government askedofthem, and theTrumpadministration cruelly and nonsensically failed to hold up thegovernment’send of thebargain,” Sung said. “While we are deeply disappointed by this decision, we will continue to advocate zealouslyfor our clients and class members as the litigation continues.”
Adistrict court issued a stayinApril halting theadministration’sdecision, but the Supreme Court lifted the lower court order at the end of May with little explanation.
The Trump administrationhad argued the appeals court should followthe Supreme Courtand reverse thedistrict court ruling.
By Stevie CavalierLicciardi |stevie.licciardi@theadvocate.com
As acreditunion,EFCUFinancial is a member-owned,not-for-profitfinancialinstitution whichhas been servicingthe greater BatonRouge metropolitan area for91years. TheinstitutionwascharteredduringtheGreat Depression,whenBaton Rougecommunity memberswereseekingahelpinghandamidst thefinancialdevastation of thetimes.Today EFCU Financialboastseight full-service branches locatedthroughoutBaton Rouge, Denham Springs, Zachary, Prairieville,and Gonzales TheBaton Rougecommunity recognizes theimpactofEFCUFinancial andrecently awardedthe credit unionwiththe bronze designationfor “BestCreditUnion”inthe Advocate’s Best of BatonRouge 2025.From theearlydaysuntilnow,EFCUFinancialhas exemplifiedthemottoof‘peoplehelpingpeople’. Striving to go aboveand beyond forothersis deeply rooted in EFCU’s dailyoperations.
“Theteamworksone-on-onewithmembers, regardless of wherea member is in their financial journey,”saidKuslikis. “Wehavea people-firstmindset in howwedothings. It’s noteachbranchorindividualworking as an isolated unit;Weare alldoing everythingwe cantomakesureweall aresuccessful. That overflowsintohowweimpactourcommunity.” EFCUFinancialisproudtobeamajorplayer intheBatonRougemetropolitanarea,andthe team is continuously engagedinsupporting communityeventsandteachingfinancialliteracy.Eachmonth,throughtheEFCUFinancial EmployeeGivingCampaign, team members candonatetoa localnon-profit organization, andtheirdonationdollarsarematchedbythe credit union, multiplyingthe impact
Theculture of paying it forward at EFCU expandswellbeyondthe doorsofits branch locations. Everyyear, theEFCUFinancial Foundationawardsscholarshipstolocalhigh school seniors, andtheir newTeacher Class-
room GrantProgram awards grantmonies to public school educatorswho areseeking to make adifference in theclassroom EFCU Financialisalsodiligentinkeeping theirmembers’experiencestreamlinedandup to date.Eachmemberhas auniqueneed, and EFCUmakesitaprioritytomaintainexcellent in-personbankingoptionsandintuitivemobile andonlinebanking models
“Iseeusevolvingintermsofpersonalization andtechnology,”Kuslikissaid. “The younger generationshavegrown up with amobile phoneintheir hand,and they have different needsand expectations than some of our longer-termmembers.Weare continuously seekinga balanceinour high tech andhigh touchapproach.
Individualswhoarelookingforacommunity bankingoptionthatoffershighinterestrates ondeposits,lowinterestratesonloans,aswell ashands-onmemberservices,aresuretofind themselves at home with EFCU Financial. EFCU is well knownfor theirexceptional ratesoncertificates of deposits,autoloans, mortgage products,and fortheir land loan program,whichoffersfinancingonupto100% of thevalue of thepurchase.
“AtEFCUFinancial,youtrulyareamember owner,”saidKuslikis.“You’llhavegreatrates, andwearegoingtodoeverythingweabsolutely cantotakecareofyou.” Formoreinformation on EFCU Financial, visit: www.efcufinancial.org.
LOUISIANAPOLITICS
Shutdown tied to GOPextending Obamacaretax credit
92,000 Louisianans rely on it
WASHINGTON —Whether the federal government shuts down operations in two weeks could hinge on Republicans agreeing to extend an Obamacaretax credit that helps about 300,000 working people in Louisiana buy health insurance.
If the Affordable Care Act’s“premium tax credit” expires Dec. 31, as it will without congressional action, health insurance policies will become so expensive that about 22 million Americans likely will drop their coverage, according to KFF,a nonpartisan organization focused on health policy research, in an analysis released Wednesday Premium prices vary depending on income levels, policies sought and myriad complex stipulations. As private insurance startssending out bills in October for next year,policyholdersonaverage aregoing to have to come outof pocketabout $900 per month, 18% more if the tax creditsno longer exist, KFF estimates. That means about 92,000 people in Louisiana,probably more, will lose their health care coverage because they simplycan no longer afford it, said Jan Moller, executive director of Invest in Louisiana, Baton Rouge-based public policy analysts.
These are workers and small businesses that earn toomuch to qualify for Medicaidinsurance but not enough to buy policies on the regular market.
“We’re talking about most of Tiger Stadium on aSaturday night
Higgins clashes with Democrats over crime
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette,clashed with Democrats during acommittee hearing Wednesday over President Donald Trump’sfederal intervention in Washington, D.C., calling them “elitist” —and one of them responded by calling him Trump’s “lap dog.”
CAPITOL BUZZ staff reports
who have insurance now but who would no longer have insurance,” Moller said.
“The premium tax credits are acritical component of keeping coverage affordable for working Louisianans with low and moderate incomes.”
This whole extension issue, though, is difficultfor Republicans. Premium tax credits expanded greatly as aCOVID pandemicmeasure during the first administration of President DonaldTrump.
President Joe Biden added more funding to the credit to provide options for lower-income peoplebeingforced off Medicaid as thepandemic wound down. As aresult, thenumber of peo-
Stansbury questioned Republican Rep. John McGuire, who is from southern Virginia and came toCongress in January,on his bona fides for drafting legislationthat dealt with Washington residents.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was preparing for afloor vote on 14 bills that would give the federal government more power over the local city government
The donnybrook began when Rep. Melanie Stansbury,D-N.M., questioned Republicans if they were pursuing these bills on Trump’s ordersbecause he was legally required to remove the National Guard from occupying partsof the city Wednesday night. Federal law enforcement helped local police confiscate guns and make arrests. Troops weredeployed at some Metro stations and in touristy areas.
Higgins scolded Stansbury
“Your display demonstrates exactly this sort of elitist, arrogant tone thatAmericans across the country are going to recognize as the hallmark of your party,” he said.
That prompted Rep. Maxwell Frost,D-Fla., to ask Higgins: “Louisiana is the state with the second-highest rateofdeaths in this nation. Youare more likely to be shotonarandom street in your state than you are in Washington, D.C. So,myquestion is, where’syour bill for theoccupationofthe state of Louisiana to keep your people safe?”
Higgins answered, “I support my state, my sovereign state’s Legislature, which is doing everything it can topushback thecrime rate of the Democratcontrolled city.”
He apparently was referringto New Orleans. Baton Rouge and Shreveport also have high violent crime rates that far exceed national numbers —but both
The Congressional Budget Office says extending the tax credit will cost about $383 billion over thenext 10 years.
The extension proved too divisive, so it was set aside as Republicans negotiated among themselves over what would be included in Trump’sOne Big BeautifulBill Act. OBBBA features tax cuts that are going into effect now and changes that are expected to reduce Medicaid rolls after the 2026 congressional midtermelections.
The pressure of having to pass annual budget bills before Oct. 1 or seeing the government shut
of those cities have Republican mayors.
“You’re here becauseyou’rea lap dog to thepresident,” Frost said. Higgins demanded that Frost’s statementberemoved from the committee’srecord.
Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky recessed thehearing for afew minutes. Frost then withdrew his remark against Higgins
Cassidy blastsFlorida on school vaccines
Ending vaccine mandates for children, as Florida did Sept. 3, will lead to unnecessary deaths, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,who chairs theSenate’shealth committee, said Tuesday
“That’s abad decision, and within the year there will be children who are infected and children who die,” Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, told Louisiana reporters in anews conference over the phone.
Even some children who have been vaccinated might face problems from people who have not, he said.
In addition to preventing disease, widespread vaccinations creates herd immunity that preventsoutbreaks and safeguards vulnerable populations, such as immunocompromised people.
Achild who has been vacci-
down appears to be too good an opportunity forcongressional Democrats to pass up.
Republicansare seeking aresolution to continue government operations from Oct. 1toNov.20, thereby pushing off agovernmentshutdown until Thanksgiving. The House may vote on a “continuing resolution” to that effect as early as later this week.
Republican majorities in the House and Senate won’t get any help from Democrats unless the GOP agrees to include health care policy revisions, said Senate MinorityLeader Chuck Schumer,DN.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Schumer andJeffries want to alter the changes that led to deep
nated for measles, say,but also is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer is morelikely to run into someonewho hasn’tbeen vaccinated but had been exposed to somebodywho has measles “and they will die,” Cassidy said.
FloridaSurgeon General Joseph Ladapoand Gov. Ron DeSantis last week began the moveto change the state rules that require children to be vaccinated.
Ladapodescribed vaccine mandates as “immoral” and likened them to “slavery,” because thegovernment requirements infringe on parental rights and bodily autonomy Florida, like moststates, required children entering school to have been vaccinated for measles, polio, chickenpox, hepatitis B, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis).
SSA leader takes top Baton Rougejob
Christel Slaughter,a Baton Rouge consultant whose firm, SSA Consultants, was recently picked to lead asearch for LSU’s next president, will take over as EastBaton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ chiefadministrator,the mayor said in anews release Tuesday.
Slaughter beganasapartner for SSA in 1983 andhas served as thefirm’sCEO since2018. In astatementTuesday, Ed-
Medicaid funding cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed into law without asingle Democratic vote. And they want to extend the Obamacare premium tax credits.
“Republicans have to come to meet with us in atrue bipartisan negotiation to satisfythe American people’sneeds on health care or they won’t get our votes, plain and simple,” Schumer said at a newsconference.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., whohas heard from acouple of his GOPmembers that they want an extension, early last weeksaid that’snot going to happen as part of the budget negotiations.
Louisiana’sRepublican congressional delegation has remained moot on extending the credits. Sen. Bill Cassidy,ofBaton Rouge, and Rep. Julia Letlow,ofBaton Rouge, forexample, say they are still studying the issue.
Once again, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, finds himself between Republican factions.
On the one hand, 11 vulnerable House Republicans filed abill to extend the premium tax credits foranother year
On the other,fiscal hawks are loudly against the idea.
Johnson told reporters Monday that “thoughtful conversations” were being had. On Tuesday,he acknowledged “a lot of opposition.” On Wednesday,hewas saying the House needed to approve acontinuing resolution.
By the end of the week, Johnson noted forreporters that the extension doesn’texpire forthree moremonths. “Wehave time to figure it out,” he said.
Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.
wards said he was impressed by herleadership abilities and understanding of government.
“As Acting CAO, Iknowher experience and leadership will be essentialtothe day-to-dayfunctions of ouroffice while we lead the search for apermanent CAO,”Edwards said. “I feel certain thatwe have chosen the right personfor this temporary leadership role.”
An LSU graduate,Slaughter also servesonthe LSU Foundation’sBoardofDirectors.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my organizationalskills andexpertise with Mayor-President Edwards’ Administration,”Slaughter said in an emailedstatement. “I am grateful to be apart of this team andmanagethe search for anew leader.”
Davis servedasEdwards’ CAO sincethe mayor wassworn into officeinJanuary.OnMonday, Edwards announcedthat Davis would be moving into anew role in his officeaschiefefficiency officer
While transitioning into his newrole, Edwards’ office said MondaythatDavis will oversee the search for his permanent replacement.
Mark Ballard
Slaughter
Higgins
FAAseeks $3.1 million in finesfromBoeing
BY ALEX VEIGA Associated Press
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking $3.1 million in fines from Boeing over safety violations, including ones related to an Alaska Airlines jetliner losing adoor plug panel on its fuselage in midflight.
The proposedpenalty is forsafety violations that occurred from September 2023 throughFebruary 2024, the FAAsaid Friday. That period includes the January 2024 blowout of a paneled-overexit door called adoor plug —onan Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9shortly after it took off from Portland, Oregon
None of the 171 passengers or sixcrew members was seriously injured. Pilots landed the plane safely back at the airport.
In June, the National Transportation Safety Boardsaidits 17-month long investigation found that lapsesinBoeing’s manufacturing and safety oversight, combined with ineffective inspections and audits by theFAA, led to the door plug blowout.
The FAAsaid Friday that it identified hundredsof quality system violations at Boeing’s737 factory
in Renton, Washington, and Boeing subcontractor SpiritAeroSystems’ 737 factory in Wichita, Kansas. Among other violations, the regulator also found that aBoeingemployee pressured amember of Boeing’s ODA unit, which is tasked with performing certain inspectionsand certifications on the FAA’s behalf,tosignoff on a737 Maxairplane “so that Boeingcould meet its delivery schedule, even though the ODA member determined the aircraft didnot comply with applicable standards.” Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing has 30 days to respond to the FAA.
In astatement Saturday, Boeing saidit is reviewing theagency’sproposed civil penalty,notingthat thecompanyput in place a safety andquality plan last year,under FAAoversight, that aims to enhance safety management and quality assurance in its airplane production
The Maxversion of Boeing’sbestselling737 airplane has been the source of persistent troubles for thecompany sincetwo of thejetscrashed, one inIndonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019, killing acombined 346 people.
DOJsuing Uber over allegeddiscrimination
BY DEE-ANN DURBIN Associated Press
The federal government said Friday that it is suing Uber for allegedly discriminating against passengers with disabilities.
The Department of Justice said Uber drivers routinely refuse to serve individuals with disabilities,including thosewith service dogs. Uber is the largest ride-hailing company in the U.S.
The lawsuit allegesthat Uber drivers have charged illegal cleaning fees for service animal shedding and imposed cancellation fees after denying service. The lawsuit also alleges that drivers have refused
to allowdisabledindividuals to sit in thefront seatso they can use the back seat for mobility devices.
Disabled individuals have missed appointments, experienced significant delays and have beenstranded in inclement weather, thelawsuit said Uber said it prohibits drivers fromdenying servicetosomeone with a service animal anditrequires drivers toprovide transportation to aperson with adisability as long as they getintothe vehicleon their own.
It also prohibits drivers from refusing to assist with thestowing of devices likewalkers, crutches and foldingwheelchairs.
Poland deploysplanesinits airspace
Nation sees threat of dronestrikes in neighboring areas of Ukraine
By The Associated Press
WARSAW,Poland Polish andallied aircraftwere deployed in a“preventive” operation in Poland’sairspace Saturday because of athreat of drone strikes in neighboring areas of Ukraine, and the airport in the eastern Polish city of Lublin was closed,authorities said.
Thealert lastedaround twohours.Itcameafter multiple Russiandrones crossedinto Poland on Wednesday,prompting NATO to send fighter jets to shootthemdownand underlining long-held concerns aboutthe expansionofRussia’smore than three-year war in Ukraine.
The Polish military’soperational commandposted on XonSaturday afternoon that ground-based air defense and reconnaissance systems were on high alert It stressed that “these actions are preventive in nature,” and were aimed at securing Poland’sairspace and protecting the country’s citizens. It cited athreat of drone strikes in regions of Ukrainebordering Poland, but didn’t give further details.
Pri me
Minist er Donald Tusk also posted that “preventive air operations” had begun in Polishairspace because of the threat posed by Russian drones operating over nearby areas of Ukraine. ThePolish Air Navigation Services Agency said that Lublin Airport was closed to airtraffic “due to militaryaviation activities,” and the government security center warned of athreat of air attack for several border counties in the region.
Later Saturday,the military’soperational command wrote on Xthatthe operation “has been completed” and that ground-based defense and reconnaissance systems had returned to normal.
Russia has said it didn’t target Poland on Wednesday, and Moscow’sally,Belarus, said that the drones went astray because theywere jammed. But European leaders have expressedcertainty that the incursions were
adeliberateprovocation by Russia. Polishaircraft have been scrambled repeatedly in recent months to patrol the country’sairspacein connection with Russian airstrikes in Ukraine,but those strikes have usually occurred overnight or in the early morning. Separately,Romania said it deployed two F-16 jets to intercept adrone that briefly enteredits airspace on Sat-
urday afternoon. “The drone did not fly over inhabited areas and did not represent an imminent dangertothe security of the population,” the NATO member’s defenseministry said in astatement. The ministry said that teamsofspecialists would conduct searches forpotential debris. Romanian authorities didn’tspecify where they thought the drone originated from.
After more than twenty yearsofresidinginCentral Louisiana,JacquelineBottomsstillmarvelsatthelush flora that thrivesinthe steamy subtropicalclimate of southeasternLouisiana.BottomsrecountshowgrowingupinCanada, gardeningwas atreatreservedonly forthe brief spring andsummermonths. Moving to a warmer terrain, wheregardens flourishyear-round, broughtaboutanewandexcitingchapterinherlife.Her desire to witnessthe beauty of nature from herdining room window wasultimatelythe sparkthatinspired hertotakeupgardening. Bottomsishonored that her journeyhasbroughthertobenamedastherecipientfor LouisianaNursery’s“SeptemberGardenoftheMonth”.
From dayone,creatinga spacewhere sheand her children couldexperience thebeautyofnaturewas verymeaningfultoBottoms.Shefilledhergardenwith flowers that attractedthe attentionofbutterflyand hummingbirdvisitors, anditwas adelight to watch asherchildreninvestigatedtheintricaciesofbutterfly metamorphosis. Bottoms’ passionsoonexpandedto herchildren’sschool,whereshefoundherselfcreating similargarden beds.WhenBottoms returned to the workforceasaspecial educationteacher,the project expanded to includeher students,aswell.
“ItchangedhowIcreatedmybeds.Ihavewheelchair accessible pathways now,”Bottoms said.“Through my work at theschools,I realized howimportant it is as Iget older to make sure my pathways at home are bigenoughthatI canfitthe wheelbarrow, abuggy,ora wheelchair down thepathand nottripoveranything.
Bottomshastakentocreatingdetailedblueprintsto makehergardenanever-thriving,accessiblehavenfor all.Shespentseveralyearsdevelopinganexcelspreadsheetwiththescopeandmeasurementsofheryardthat sheusestooutline howshe wantstoutilize her space.
“Ifthere areeightybricksalong thehouse, then thereare eighty little squaresinmyexcel sheet. It’s like apuzzle. Ican look at theexcel sheetand createa design,”saidBottoms.“Byplanningitoutinthespreadsheet, rather than just in my mind,I canconsiderall thefactors,suchaswhere thelawnmower will fit.It’s importanttoconsiderhow afterthisbed is created, it willhavetobemaintained.”
Overtheyears,Bottomshasalsodevelopedadatabase ofapproximately2,800nativeplantsandnativars.Inthe listings,sheincludesdetailssuchassoilrequirements height,andtimeofyear.ThesecomponentshelpBottoms sculpt hergardenina waythatpromotesa continuous stateofcolorand fullness andbuildsanenvironment that is inviting to thelocalfauna Gardeningisa deeply personal process, anditis
oftena communal andintergenerationallabor of love that impactsthe livesofall thosewho encounterits rewards.WhileBottomsisafirst-generationgardener sherecognizeshow much theprocessbuildsshared bondswithinher family andher community.
“Oncea delivery manstopped me andmydoorto say, ‘Myfatherand Iusedtodolandscaping.Ican’t tell youhow much he wouldhaveloved your yard’,” said Bottoms. “His passionand thesparkle in hiseye from thememoryiswhatI have discovered about gardening. Isee it time andtimeagain.Gardening is asafespace.The willingness to invite,todiscuss,to share, to educate—allthose components arethere in gardening, anditreallybringsyou in.” What aresome of your favoriteplantsinyourgarden? Nativarscatchmyeyewiththeireco-friendlybenefits andthose delightful extras,likevibrant flowers, tidy shapes,and interestingleafvariations. They really help draw in pollinatorsand buildupbiodiversityin mybackyard.AfewofmyfavoritenativarsareHenry’s Garnet’sweetspire, whichisa compactplant that hasfragrantwhite blooms andexcellent fall color. The‘Ruby Slippers’oakleaf hydrangeahas flowers whichshift from whitetodeeppink, andtheyare very pollinator friendly. Ialwaysblend in true nativestoo,for that added balanceand toughnessinthe garden.Someinclude purple coneflower, aclassic pollinator magnet that is droughttolerant, andthe cardinal flower, whichhas striking redbloomsand is ahummingbird favorite Anyadvice?
Beginsmall andselecta visiblelocation—pick a spot youcan seefromyourwindow. Keep ahosehandy for easy watering.Createbedsnowider than 8feet foreasierreach andmowing. Usepermeable paths to maintain tidiness andaccessibility. Raiseyourbedsa bit, addgoodsoil, andamend well.For newbeds, prep your soil in fall or winter Collectseeds at season’s endtokeepthe cyclegoing Undertrees,plant shrubs at theedges,and place annualsand perennials closer to thetrunk,but avoidtouchingit—be mindfulofnutrientand water competition, as thetreewilldominate. Experiment freely;mistakesteach youplenty. Focusonsun requirements,soilrequirements, drainage,plant size,water needs, color, andbloom times. Trycompanion andsuccessionplantingfor ongoingsuccess. Select nativesand nativars that suit your localclimate,but don’t limityourself. We allloveagoodbuffet,and so
Light on dark swamp reveals ‘eyes as far as we could see ’
ing a nighttime phenomenon known as eyeshine experts say.
The effect is rarely witnessed in mass numbers, the team noted
The area is on the west side of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, which borders the Florida state line.
BY MARK PRICE Miami Herald (TNS)
A scene straight out of a horror movie greeted researchers when they shined lights on a dark Georgia swamp and saw hundreds of red eyes staring back, photos show
It happened at the Okefenokee Swamp, as the University of Georgia’s Coastal Ecology Lab was conducting an investigation
“We shone our lights around the boat basin and down the canal, and there were eyes as far as we could see,” the lab wrote in an Aug. 25 Facebook post.
It was alligators, hundreds of them, and the team was witness-
“Tapetum lucidum is a reflective surface at the back of an alligator’s eye that reflects ambient light to the photoreceptors, allowing alligators to see well in low light conditions,” the lab wrote.
“A side effect of this is that if you shine a bright light at an alligator, a reddish-orange glow will reflect off the tapetum lucidum, creating what is called eyeshine.
Seeing the eyeshine of a few alligators can be pretty cool, but seeing the eyeshine of a couple of hundred alligators in close proximity is a spectacular sight.”
Researchers visited the swamp after learning as many as 300 alligators had mysteriously gathered July 26 around a boat basin and canal in Stephen C Foster State Park, lab officials said.
The congregation lasted about 24 hours, and experts have yet to understand why it happened. It had nothing to do with mating or overpopulation. But the alligators could have been pursuing prey, or were possibly drawn to a more comfortable water temperature at the spot, lab officials said.
Males are typically territorial which adds to the mystery of why so many crammed themselves in a small area, experts say Alligators are native to the Okefenokee Swamp, which consists of 353,981 acres that are protected as a national wildlife refuge. It is estimated about 15,000 alligators live in the murky water, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Octopuses use front limbs to explore, researchers say
Analyzing 8 limbs not easy to do
BY CHRISTINA LARSON
AP science writer
WASHINGTON Humans may be right-handed or left-handed. It turns out octopuses don’t have a dominant arm, but they do tend to perform some tasks more often with their front arms, new research shows. Scientists studied a series of short videos of wild octopuses crawling, swimming, standing, fetching, and groping among other common activities — to analyze how each of the eight arms were moving.
“All of the arms can do all of this stuff that’s really amazing,” said co-author and marine biologist Roger Hanlon of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Octopus limbs aren’t specialized as many mammal limbs are. However the
three octopus species in the study showed a clear preference for using their four front arms, which they did about 60% of the time. The back arms were used more frequently for stilting and rolling that help move the octopus forward.
“The forward arms do most of the exploring, the rear arms are mostly for walking,” said Mike Vecchione, a Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History zoologist who was not involved in the study
Researchers analyzed video clips taken between 2007 and 2015 in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
It was the first large study to examine precise limb actions in the wild.
Unlike previous research of octopus behavior in a laboratory setting, the new work showed that octopuses did not show a preference for right or left arms in their natural environment. Results were published
last week in Scientific Reports.
“I’m in awe that the researchers managed to do this,” said Janet Voight, an octopus biologist at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, who had no role in the study.
Octopuses are shy and elusive creatures. The species studied spend most of their time hidden in dens — meaning that filming them required patience and perseverance over many years.
Octopus limbs are complex — used for mobility and sensing the environment. Each arm contains between 100 and 200 suckers — complex sensory organs “equivalent to the human nose, lips, and tongue,” said Hanlon.
If an arm is bitten off by a predator, as often happens in the wild, octopuses have multiple backups.
“When you’ve got eight arms and they’re all capable,” Hanlon said, “there’s a lot of redundancy.”
UGA COASTAL ECOLOGy LAB FACEBOOK PAGE
PROVIDED PHOTO By CHELSEA BENNICE
A pair of wild Octopus americanus begin mating, with one displaying the arm action ‘raise.
Trumpwants to ax affordable housinggrant
Formany in
BY CHARLOTTE KRAMON, JESSE BEDAYN, MICHAELA
HERBST
andAARON KESSLER Associated Press/Reportfor America
Heather Colley andher two children moved four times over fiveyears as they fled highrents in eastern Tennessee, which, like much of rural America, hasn’t been spared from soaring housing costs.
Afamily gift in 2021 of a small plotofland offered a shot at homeownership, but building ahouse was beyond reachfor the 45-year-old single mother and manicurist making $18.50 an hour
Thatchanged when she qualified for $272,000 from anonprofit to buildathreebedroom home because of agrant program that has helped make affordable housing possible in rural areas for decades. She moved in last June.
“Every time Ipull into my garage, Ipinchmyself,” Colley said.
Now,President Donald Trump wants to eliminate thatgrant, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and House Republicans overseeing federal budget negotiations did not include funding for it in their budget proposal. Experts and state housing agencies say that wouldset back tens of thousands of future affordable housing developments nationwide, particularlyhurting Appalachian towns and rural counties where government aid is sparse and investors are few
The program has helped build or repair more than 1.3 million affordablehomes in the last threedecades, of which at least 540,000 were in congressional districts that are rural or signifi-
cantly rural, accordingtoan Associated Press analysis of federal data.
“Maybe theydon’trealize how far-reaching these programsare,” said Colley,who voted for Trumpin2024.
Amongthose half amillion homesthat HOME helped build, 84% were in districts that voted forhim last year, theAPanalysisfound.
“I understand we don’t want excessivespending and wasting taxpayer dollars,” Colley said, “but these proposed budget cuts across theboard make me rethink the next time Igotothe polls.”
The HOME program, started under President GeorgeH.W.Bush in the 1990s, survived years of budget battles but hasbeen stretchedthin by years of rising construction costs andstagnant funding. That’s meant fewer units, including in some rural areas where home prices have grown faster than in cities.
The program has spent more than $38billion nationwide since it began filling in
funding gaps andattracting moreinvestmenttoacquire, build andrepair affordable homes, HUD data shows. Additional funding has gone toward projectsthathave yettobefinishedand rental assistance.
Future is in politicallimbo
To account for the gap left by theproposed cuts,House Republicans want to draw on nearly $5 billion from a related pandemic-era fund that gave states until 2030 to spend on projectssupportingpeople who areunhoused or facing homelessness.
That$5billion, however, may be farless, since many projectshaven’tyet been loggedinto the U.S. DepartmentofHousing and Urban Development’s tracking system, according to state housingagenciesand associations representing them.
Aspokesperson forHUD, whichadministers theprogram, saidHOME isn’tas effective as other programs where the money would be better spent In oppositiontoTrump,
Senate Republicanshave still includedfunding for HOME in their draft budget. In thecomingnegotiations, both chambers may compromise and reducebut not terminate HOME’sfunding, or extend last years’ overall budget
White House spokespersonDavis Ingle didn’trespond to specific questions from theAP. Instead, Ingle said that Trump’scommitmenttocuttingred tapeis making housing more affordable.
Abipartisangroup of House lawmakers is working to reduce HOME’snotorious red tape that even proponents say slows construction.
Dependency
In Owsley County —one of the nation’spoorest, located in the ruralKentucky hills —residents struggle in an economyblighted by coal mineclosures and declining tobacco crop revenues.
Affordable homes are neededthere, buttough to build in aregion that doesn’t
attract larger-scale rental developments that federal dollars typically go toward.
That’swhere HOME comes in, saidCassie Hudson,who runs Partnership Housing in Owsley, which has relied on the program to build the majority of its affordable homes for at least adozen years.
Alack of additional funding for HOME has already madeithard to keep up with construction costs, Hudson said, andthe organization builds aquarter of the single-family homes it used to.
“Particularly for deeply rural places and persistent poverty counties, local housing developers arethe only way homes and newrental housing gets built,” said Joshua Stewart of Fahe, a coalitionofAppalachian nonprofits.
That’sinpart because investmentisscantand HOME steps in when constructioncosts exceed what ahomecan be sold for— a common barrier in poor areas of Appalachia. Some developers use the profits to build moreaffordable units. Its loss would erode those nonprofits’ abilitytobuild affordable homes in years to come, Stewart said.
One of those nonprofits, Housing Development Alliance, helpedTiffany Mullins in Hazard, Kentucky,which was ravaged by floods.Mullins, asingle mother of four who makes$14.30 an hour at Walmart, bought ahouse there thanks to HOME funding and moved in August.
Mullins sees the program as preserving arural way of life,recalling when folks owned homes and land “with gardens, we hadchickens, cows.Now youdon’t see much of that.”
Long-termimpact
In congressional budget negotiations, HOMEisan easier target than programs such as vouchers because most people would notimmediately lose their hous-
ing, said Tess Hembree, executive director of the Council of State Community Development Agencies. The effect of anyreduction wouldinsteadbefelt in afizzling of newaffordable housing supply. When HOMEfunding wastemporarily reduced to $900 million in 2015, “10 to 15 years later,we’re seeing the ramifications,” Hembree said. Thatincludesaffordable units built in cities. The biggest program that funds affordable rentalhousing nationwide, the Low-Income Housing TaxCredit,uses HOME grants for12% of units, totaling 324,000 current individual units, according to soon-to-be-published Urban Institute research. Trump’sspending bill that Republicans passed this summer increasedLIHTC, butexperts sayfurther reducing or cutting HOME would make those credits less usable.
“It’sLITHC plus HOME, usually,” said TimThrasher, CEO of Community Action Partnership of NorthAlabama,which builds affordable apartments for someof the nation’spoorest. In the lush mountains of easternWestVirginia, Woodlands Development GroupreliesonHOMEfor its smallerruralprojects. Because it helps people with awider range of incomes, HOME is “one of the only programs available to us that allowsustodevelop trueworkforce housing,” said executive director DaveClark.
It’s those workers —nurses, first responders, teachers —that nonprofits like east Tennessee’sCreative Compassion use HOME to build for. With the program in jeopardy,grant administrator Sarah Halcott said she fears forher clients battling rising housing costs.
“This is just another nail in the coffin forrural areas,” Halcott said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GEORGEWALKER IV
Michah Colley cuts thegrass witha
Influencer donates $30K after Antarctica plane landing
BY NAYARA BATSCHKE Associated Press
SANTIAGO, Chile American pilot and influencer Ethan Guo, who was stuck more than two months at a Chilean air base in Antarctica, made a $30,000 donation Tuesday to a children’s cancer foundation under an agreement with local authorities to avoid trial after landing on the white continent in June.
Guo had been charged June 29 with providing false information to ground control and landing without authorization a day earlier at the air base, but a judge in August dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chilean prosecutors.
The agreement called for the pilot to make the $30,000 donation as soon as conditions allow and then leave the country within 30 days of completing the donation.
Guo also was prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years under the terms of the agreement
U.S. influencer Ethan Guo discusses his donation to children’s
programs, at the
Nuestros Hijos’ headquarters in Santiago,
told reporters Tuesday in Santiago. The donation, he added, is part of a set of conditions that allowed for “the immediate closure of the case once approved by the judge.”
The influencer, now 20, has denied any wrongdoing.
According to Guo’s lawyer, the teen pilot was granted authorization to deviation from his initial route from Punta Arenas, southern Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina and land at a Chilean air base in Antarctica due to “weather and technical circumstances.”
After landing, the influencer was briefly detained and then released. Though not barred from leaving Antarctica, he was told to remain in Chilean territory
tica. He finally managed to return to continental territory last weekend aboard a Chilean navy icebreaker, disembarking Saturday at Punta Arenas. Guo’s plane will remain in Antarctic territory until an agreement is reached for a Chilean pilot to fly it, according to his lawyer The influencer said Tuesday he remains committed to his fundraising mission for cancer research. The war against cancer is “a continuous battle that we all have to put our efforts into. And I’m just trying my best to do what I can to help,” Guo told reporters in Santiago.
Regarding his more than 60 days in Antarctica, he acknowledged that it was a “pretty hard” period.
But he was briefly detained after landing because Chilean authorities said he lied to officials by providing authorities with “false flight plan data.”
Prosecutors said he had been authorized to only fly
Guo, who was 19 years old when he began his fundraising mission for cancer research, was attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents.
over Punta Arenas in southern Chile, but that he kept going south, heading for Antarctica in his single-engine Cessna 182Q.
Authorities said that they authorized him to land in a Chilean air base in Antarctica only because he had reported an emergency
“We are satisfied with
PROVIDED PHOTO
Divers water-blast a popular underwater statue off Portofino
BY SILVIA STELLACCI and NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
ROME Police divers have cleaned one of the biggest underwater attractions of the Mediterranean, using pressurized water hoses to remove crustaceans from the “Christ of the Abyss” statue that was placed on the seabed off Italy’s northern coast in 1954 as a memorial to those who have died at sea.
The 2.5-yard tall bronze statue, depicting Christ with his hands raised in blessing, was made using the melted-down medals of Italy’s fallen soldiers, canons and ships and is appreciated here as a potent symbol of sacrifice in World War II. Similar statues are found
off Key Largo, Florida, and in Grenada.
The statue is located about 300 yards off the beach between the resort towns of Portofino and Camogli, on Italy’s northern Ligurian coast, at a depth of around 18 yards.
The archaeological office of Italy’s Culture Ministry says that, because of its proximity to the coast and relatively shallow depth, the “Christ of the Abyss” site is the most frequented dive spot in the Mediterranean. The site located in the bay of San Fruttuoso, also draws kayakers and paddleboarders since the statue can be seen from the surface.
Every year, police divers carefully water-blast the statue to remove bacteria
and corrosive crustations that have accumulated. The cleaning, which this year took place last month, uses seawater itself and causes no damage to the bronze or the marine ecosystem as the microorganisms are dislodged and released back into the sea, said Alessandra Cabella, art historian from the Ligurian archaeology superintendent’s office.
“There are a ton of marvelous fish who come to watch,” she said in an interview “It’s truly an activity with zero impact on the environment.”
The water-blasting technique has been in use since 2004, when the statue was taken from the water for a full restoration after a hand had broken off and was reattached.
the ‘alternative solution’ we have achieved,” Guo’s lawyer, Jaime Barrientos,
Guo, however, had to remain at the remote Chilean military base until just days ago for lack of any commercial flights serving Antarc-
“It definitely was a challenge but I think with every challenge there is an opportunity to learn,” he said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ESTEBAN FELIX
cancer rehabilitation
‘Fundacion
Chile.
A scuba diver from the Italian Navy cleans the bronze statue of Jesus Christ located in the Mediterranean Sea, off San Fruttuoso, between Camogli and Portofino on the Italian Riviera
BY POET WOLFE Staff writer
Every day, long-haul truckers and commuters pass through the George Wallace Tunnel, briefly slipping away from daylight and 40 feet underwater, until reemerging into downtown Mobile, Alabama.
Since opening in 1973, the twin tubes beneath the Mobile River have become a Gulf Coast landmark, particularly in the summer when drivers are traveling to Florida’s popular white sand beaches, like Destin and Pensacola.
On its busiest holiday weekends, over 10,000 vehicles pass through the tunnels that carry Interstate 10 travelers. Road-trippers have even created a ritual for the 3,000foot stretch of road: holding their breath all the way to the tunnel’s end.
In an age of self-driving cars, the tubes are a reminder that old-fashioned transportation still captivates Americans. That is especially true in the South — where streetcars in New Orleans are both a valued local commodity and a place for impromptu social encounters, and where commuters wait for the new Amtrak train that rolls past marshes and rivers between Bay St. Louis and Mobile. But the George Wallace Tunnel is not the South’s first underwater roadway only its best known First in the South
Nearly three decades earlier, in 1941, Bankhead Tunnel — named after Sen. John Bankhead, who pioneered transportation development, especially in Alabama — also opened under the Mobile River Soon after its opening, the 1,147foot tubes were a success, earning hefty funds through tolls, trimming the cross-bay trip by 18 minutes and lessening traffic snarls, The Times-Picayune reported, noting that it represents “a fine engineering feat and a wonderful aid to Gulf Coast travel.”
Within three years, a daily average of 1,300 cars were passing through Bankhead, several hun-
THE GULF COAST
ing company behind Bankhead, originally designed it to endure common natural disasters like hurricanes. But during the war, its purpose expanded to withstanding the threat of atomic bombs.
ficials started considering the concept in 1947 and commissioned Palmer and Baker to create a plan for a tunnel underneath the Industrial Canal.
quickly to dim conditions.
Beyond safety concerns, many didn’t think it was possible to build underwater roadways in a deltaic region like the South.
“For years the people of the Deep South shrugged off the thought of having tunnels because they were sure you couldn’t build anything through the muck that is Louisiana’s channel beds,” TimesPicayune reporters wrote. Palmer and Baker engineers boldly rejected this, assuring it’s just as easy to build a tunnel in the South as in “New York or California or where-have-you.” But the Belle Chasse and Harvey tunnels showed that this was not the case.
Tubes in New Orleans area
Costing over $2 million, the Belle Chasse Tunnel was the first to open in Louisiana in 1956. It was what Palmer and Baker called “the world’s first ‘automatic’ tunnel, requiring no maintenance or operating personnel,” according to The Times-Picayune.
Built between 1954 and 1957, the Harvey Tunnel was the first underwater roadway to be authorized in Louisiana, costing the state $5 million. Within months of its opening, the tunnel made the area more desirable, with real estate agencies using it as a selling point in newspaper advertisements And the West Bank’s population did double afterward, hitting nearly 100,000 residents compared to 53,000 in 1943.
Both closed decades later, in December 2023.
dred above its estimate. Reporters said this spike was likely due to Mobile being a major production site for weapon systems as the United States entered World War II. Palmer and Baker, the engineer-
The tunnel spurred politicians to advocate for underwater bridges in other southern cities and beyond.
Palmer and Baker eventually designed tunnels for Harvey and Belle Chasse. Later, it was commissioned to design traffic tunnels in Cuba and Sweden, both of which never came to fruition, newspaper archives show Fear of underwater tunnels
But what did come to life, and stayed for decades, were the tubes in the New Orleans area. City of-
Members of the city’s levee board told The Times-Picayune that the project would resolve traffic issues and add to city revenues by increasing the values of surrounding properties. But roadway tunnels in the South weren’t always viewed positively
Many drivers shunned roadway tunnels, fearing excess carbon monoxide from car exhaust and the concept of driving in the dark.
After designing Bankhead, Palmer and Baker proved these theories were wrong with ventilating systems and scientific experiments showing that eyes can adjust
The Harvey Tunnel’s closure was temporary, for a $53.7 million overhaul. But days later, the Belle Chasse Tunnel — nicknamed the Belle Chasse car wash did close permanently, with a history of leaks that exposed the fragility of the New Orleans area’s aging infrastructure.
That has left the Houma Tunnel, tucked beneath the Gulf Intracoastal Highway, as the only
Plan drafted to send Guard to La.
BY JONAH MEADOWS, TYLER BRIDGES and MARK BALLARD Staff writers
State officials said Saturday that no decisions had been made on whether or how to deploy the National Guard to fight crime in Louisiana cities, after national media said the Pentagon had drafted plans to deploy 1,000 troops in the state’s “urban centers.
That draft plan called for deployments to bolster law enforcement in multiple cities, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, if Gov Jeff Landry requests it, The Washington Post reported.
The undated memo from Defense
Anatomy goes virtual
Cadavers replaced with technology in Livingston Parish schools
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
A group of Live Oak High School seniors took a scalpel and peeled back the skin of a cadaver named Victor to display his muscle system on Friday
The scalpel and Victor, however, are both virtual. It’s part of Live Oak’s anatomy class’s new advanced technology to teach students about the human body. The virtual dissection now implemented in Live Oak and other Livingston Parish schools is a 3D medical technology that takes real cadavers and turns them into virtual ones for students to study on tables and tablets. It’s called Anatomage.
Two high schools, Albany High and Live Oak High, use Anatomage tables for anatomy classes and other medical classes Walker High School recently began using the company’s tablets for its program.
ä See ANATOMY, page 2B
BR school workers polled on stipend payout
Some want money earlier than planned
BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer
Baton Rouge school employees
may receive thousands of dollars in stipends earlier than planned, but exactly when and how depends on the results of an ongoing employee survey East Baton Rouge Parish Superintendent LaMont Cole proposed originally to pay state-funded stipend checks on Nov 26 followed by identical district-funded stipend checks on Dec. 23. Combined, teachers are in line to receive $4,000, while support workers would receive $2,000. School Board members, responding to complaints from some employees, asked Cole at a meeting
ä See STIPEND, page 2B
Secretary Pete Hegseth to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland
Security Secretary Kristi Noem proposes keeping the troops under Landry’s control while funding the mobilization with federal dollars, the Post reported. Pentagon officials confirmed the accuracy of the documents but issued a statement saying they “should not be interpreted as policy,” according to the Post.
In interviews Saturday, Louisiana officials said the plans have not reached the state level and no such deployment is imminent. The documents do not specify when troops would arrive, but they indicate a deployment would last until the end
of September 2026.
Lt. Col. Noel Collins, a spokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard, said the agency had not received any orders related to the Pentagon plans.
“Just because the Pentagon’s working plans does not mean that that’s down to our level yet,” she said.
Shane Guidry a New Orleans businessman who is one of Landry’s confidants and point man for New Orleans issues, said “nothing is imminent” as far as he knew A spokesperson for Landry’s office declined to comment on “leaked or pre-decisional documents.”
The report on the Pentagon’s plan
comes as President Donald Trump has mentioned in recent days that Louisiana is one of the places he is considering sending troops after doing so in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Last week, he mused that “we’re going to be going to maybe Louisiana,” and suggested that crime in New Orleans could be solved “in about two weeks.”
In a Fox News interview Friday, Trump said Landry “wants us to go in,” and pledged to “fix” New Orleans in a week and a half. In recent weeks, Trump has shifted focus to Democratic-led cities in Republican-led states, with New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee, among them.
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, called the details reported by The Washington Post “deeply
troubling,” but emphasized “this is not an official order — it’s a draft proposal that even the Pentagon says should not be interpreted as policy.”
“New Orleans is experiencing the lowest crime rates in decades. There is no ‘emergency’ that justifies militarizing our streets,” Carter said in a statement. “If the President truly wants to help, he should invest in recruiting and training more police officers, strengthen our district attorney’s office, and revive proven community policing efforts.”
Violent crime has been on the decline in New Orleans after a spike in the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistics show the city
John
Service honors Kirk
Johnson, Landry attend memorial for activist at LSU
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
fended: the freedom of speech, the freedom of exchange, the freedom of conscience. Be an advocate for the truth,” he said.
The memorial was hosted by the LSU chapter of Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization Kirk founded when he was 18 years old.
vated murder, felony discharge of a weapon causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. Investigators said they believe he acted alone. Utah state records show Robinson is registered to vote but not affiliated with a political party A judge ordered him held without bail. Formal charges are expected early this week.
A memorial service honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk was held Friday night at the LSU Student Union Theater in Baton Rouge The hourlong event drew students, community members, university leaders and state officials — and it included remarks from U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry
“Charlie educated and trained a whole generation of happy warriors,” Johnson said. “He believed in his savior, he believed in the principles of Scripture, and he believed in America.”
Johnson said the nation’s founders understood the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness come from God, a comment that elicited applause and cheers. “Charlie understood that that was the creed of America. That was our statement of faith.”
The House speaker’s statements were appropriate for a ceremony that was as spiritual and as it was political.
“His death does not mark the end. It is just the beginning,” Landry said.
Today, I ask you to be a disciple for the principles that Charlie de-
Kirk, who was 31 when he was killed last week, was the organization’s CEO, a top podcaster and an influential ally of President Donald Trump.
Savannah Harrison, past president of the LSU Turning Point chapter and chair of the Greater Baton Rouge Young Republicans, spoke to the crowd Friday night, at times holding back tears.
“I want you to know this: The woman I am today has been shaped by two things — my faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the influence of Charlie Kirk,” she said.
“Charlie changed my mind,” said Harrison, who described herself as someone who previously plucked Trump hats off the heads of her classmates.
“From the moment I became involved in Turning Point USA at LSU, my life shifted in unimaginable ways, ways that only God could have orchestrated,” she said.
Kirk was killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem during the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour,” which was scheduled to visit Baton Rouge on Oct. 27.
Authorities on Friday announced the arrest of a 22-year-old Utah man on suspicion of killing Kirk. Tyler Robinson was taken into custody Thursday night on suspicion of aggra-
Republicans and Democrats alike have been swift to condemn the shooting. Utah Gov Spencer Cox made an impassioned plea for Americans to use Kirk’s death as an inflection point to turn the country away from political violence and division.
In the wake of Kirk’s death, LSU officials have announced a public lecture series for students, faculty, staff and community members called “Let Freedom Ring.” It will promote viewpoints on “timely public issues” and “serve as a model for the type of public dialogue that ensures a healthy and thriving democratic republic,” according to a release.
“Antithetical to core American and LSU values, such extreme violence must be met with intentional and civil dialogue that will educate our community and give them the tools to engage in and promote reasoned civic discourse,” the release states. Johnson on Friday night said Kirk’s assassination was unimaginable and had “cast a dark shadow over the country.”
“It cast that shadow over Capitol Hill,” he said “All my colleagues in Congress are shaken, I mean on both sides of the aisle, and they’re feeling afraid.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Mourner
Santiago pauses before entering the memorial service for Charlie Kirk hosted by the LSU chapter of Turning Point USA at the LSU Student Union Theater on Friday.
ANATOMY
Continued from page1B
Anna Harrison, Live Oak anatomyteacher andathletic trainer,teaches her students with theprogram and saysusingitatahigh school level is “phenomenal.”
The Anatomage program uses pictures of real human cadavers, including specific images of theinsides of their bodies, to create 3D virtual replicas for students to study Harrison said it’sgreat for explaining bones and muscles, and it also includes case studies that demonstrate various conditions, such as heartfailure and gastric cancer
The Live Oakclass received the table last year, butshe said they have really started to take advantage of it this year.The high school has, in recent years, expanded itsmedicalprogram, including bringing backanatomy class after disbanding it in the past.
As an LSU student, Harrison took aclass using areal cadaver
“This is extremely comparable,” she said about the table.
‘Easier to learn’
To little surprise, the anatomy class is apopular course at the school. There are 180 students in six classes that arenearmaximum capacity
The groupofanatomy studentsgathered around the digital table Friday used acombination of tools to “cut open” the virtual cadavers and display all parts
STIPEND
Continued from page1B
last week if he could pay the money earlier.Cole said he could but wanted to firstask the employees themselves and report to the board the results.
So on Mondaymorning, the school district’snearly 6,000 employees were asked to complete asurvey and given three optionsfor getting paid: n Alone check, combining the state and district stipends, paid in October.An accompanying note explains that employeeswill have to pay more in taxes if theygo this route.
n Twochecks: one in October,one in November
n Twochecks: one in November,one in December
By Thursday afternoon, almost 3,800 employeeshad responded to the poll
of thebody.
The group pointed to bones, easily identifying them,asign of their most recent test on the skeletal system
“The spine looks likea train track,” saidsenior student Baryn Phenix while the group messed aroundwith the program. The students allagreed on theirfavorite part of using Anatomage.
“Definitely the cutting,” said Anna Delanoix, aLive Oak senior Also known as “slicing anddicing,” jokedMya Robertson, aLive Oaksenior.
Taylor Gast, district spokesperson,saidthe plan is to keep the survey open until aday or two before the board meetsThursday to consider again theproposed stipends.Given how district payrollworks, she saidthe earliest day that checks could be issued would be Oct. 28.
It’sthe third year in arow thestatehas stopped short of approving permanent pay raises for school employees, opting instead for this onetime payment In previous years, districts hadmore time to pay the stipend, but this year the Legislaturegavethemuntil Dec. 15.
“Wehavealwaysgiven the stipends out right before Thanksgiving so they would have them for Christmas shopping,” said Kelly Lopez, East Baton Rouge’schieffinancial officer For some folks, though that was still too long await
Delanoix and Robertson both think using the program is better than otheroptions,like coloring sheets or photos
“It’sjust so much easier to learn,” Delanoix said aboutthe virtual table
Delanoix,Robertson and most of their peersinthe class are interested in pursuing careers in the medical field aftergraduation.
There are, however, some students who are interested in pursuing other professionalfields and just thoughtthe class looked promising.
Phenixwants to do electrical work for Entergy one
“Neighboring parishes such as Lafayette, Ascension, St.Charles, St. John, and St.James arereleasing stipends in September or early October,giving their teachersimmediate support,” wrote Trea Smith in an online comment at last week’sboard meeting.
Smith wentontonote many recent hassles employees have undergone —“district realignment, schedule changes,curriculum shifts, and unpaid summer professional development —all while facing rising living costs.” She urged the board to change course and pay stipends earlier “Doing so would demonstratemeaningfulsupportfor teachers and keep EBRcompetitivewithsurrounding districts,” Smith wrote.
Email CharlesLussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.
dayand signed up for anatomyover the other science options because he knew Harrison and her class wereafun environment.
“Overall,it’sdefinitely one of the better classes I’vehad in the past few years,” he said.
It hasalsohelpedstudentslearn aboutbodily functions thatapply to their everyday lives
DJ Williams, aLive Oak senior,saidthe program can help him recognize an injury andunderstand which muscles he’s using
when he plays football for the school.
Studentslike Tayla McCray,another Live Oak senior,said they are definitely moreaware of how theirbodies function and can more specifically describe any pain they might ever have.
“Myfemur is really aching, and my metacarpals are really hurting,” McCray joked.
Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com.
is on track for the fewest murders since the early 1970s.
In an interview on Saturday,Guidry said the administration appeared to be making plans for states where governors, who overseeNational Guard troopsbased on their states, would approve of the deployments.
“My understanding is they are getting prepared for governors that want help,” Guidry said. “And they are also getting preparedfor citiesthatneed help. Trump has been real clear on TV that he’scoming to other cities. We’ll have to see whatthat is.” Guidry argued that other Louisiana cities, not just New Orleans, could use thefederalhelp, given difficulties in keeping police departments fully staffed.
“I caution those leaders out there that are so againstthathelp, where those who do acceptthe help will shine withthe voters,” he said. “I don’t care whoyou are: No one wants their daughter beat up, their mother-in-law carjacked.”
Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said his city’sefforts to reduce violent crimehave paid off, with gun-relatedhomicides down 60% since he took office. But Roy said he’sbeen in contact with state leaders about additional help from “every available partner and resource,” noting many law enforcement agencies are struggling withrecruitment and retention.
“With focus, those resources could make areal difference andare welcome,” he said of Trump’s proposal. “WehaveCamp Beauregard next door Our own community guardsmen.Weare lucky and blessed.” East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards hassaidheis open to the idea of aguard presence in thecapital city,but said in astatement“it is premature for me to commentonthis matter as I’ve yettohear anything aboutsending troops to Louisiana.”
“I will say that we are severely short of Law Enforcement Officers in Baton Rouge,” he added. Staff writers Meghan Friedmann and Missy Wilkinson contributed to this report. Email Jonah Meadows at jonah.meadows@ theadvocate.com.
Students MyaRobertson, clockwisefrombottom left,Tayla Mccray, Baryn Phenix, DJ Williamsand Anna Delanoix laughafter choosing asetting which displays only the virtual cadaver’snervous systematLiveOak HighSchoolonFriday.
Students viewthe skeletal system on the virtual cadaver table.
STAFF PHOTOSByLESLIEWESTBROOK
Owner Catherine Lemoine stands Tuesdayatthe RainbowRoad,a place for pet parents to place handmade remembrances of their pets at PetPassages in Lafayette.
Petcremation services grow to provideclosure
‘Noone is immunetogrief’ when apet dies
BY JOEL THOMPSON
Contributing writer
Just over half of Louisiana households owna pet, and fortheir owners, the death of apet can be nearly as traumatic as the loss of afamily member or loved one.
Recent years have seen a rise in pet cremations and keepsakes as ameans of helping grieving pet owners cope with the loss of a beloved companion. Last year,the global pet funeral services market was estimated at $1.97 billion, and is expected to reach $3.75 billion by 2030.
According to Pet Loss Professional Alliance, almost 99% of pet funerals end in cremation.The total number of animal cremations nearly equaled that of human cremations in 2024
Catherine Lemoine is the manager and owner of Pet Passages in Lafayette, one of several pet crematories operating in Acadiana. She says working in the companion animal industryhas offered awindow intohow important it is to provide closure for pet owners.
“People, myself included, havesuchanintense bond with these animals,” Lemoine said. “An early experience Ihad was with cremating aboxer.After the dog was cremated, there was a piece of metal left behind, and we didn’tknow what it was. When the owners got ashes back, the firstthing they did was look for the metal that was apparently from asurgerythe dog had. That was my first taste on how important this can be for some people.”
Compared with human cremation, there are relatively loose regulationsfor animals, with no regulatory bodies or licensing agencies overseeing practitioners. A source of controversy in the industry’sinfancy was how facilities would cremate multiple animals simultaneously in the same chambers.Whileashes do not spread during this process, some clients reported feeling uncomfortable with the revelation that their pet was cremated with others. This led to operations like Lemoine’soffering private cremations aimed at easing those concerns. Lemoine, who has worked with animals since shewas 17,spoke about other ways that animal cremation has changed since she first became involved.
“When Ifirst startedin the animal cremationindustry,itwasn’tuncommon to receive remains in Ziploc bags,” she said. That’s no longer the case. Operations like Lemoine’s offer many of the same servicesthat other funeral homes and crematories provide, completewithvisitingrooms and awide selection of urns Pet cremation services
also handle adiverse selection of animals.Lemoine’slist of past clients includeshamsters, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, pigs, goats, sheep, pufferfish, stingraysand even a sloth. “It justneeds tohave askeletal structure,” said Lemoine.
Lemoineopenedupthe Lafayette franchise of Pet Passages in 2023 in order to provide amore intimate experience for grieving pet owners, stressing that with the industry’srapid growth, it’simportant to avoid turning cremationinto an“assembly line.”
“It goes from being apersonable experience, where you’re talkingonthe phone with the owner and they get to know theconnection between you and your pet, to acorporate, assemblyline experience that’sonly interestedinstreamlining the service. That’s not what our clientsneed,” she said. Proponents ofpet cremation argue it offers something that for many pet owners is an essential part of the grieving process and is an opportunity to provide closure.
“When you lose ahuman, everyone understands. When you lose apet, you don’tget that …but for
BY BOBWARREN Staff writer
For the past five years, drivers on Interstate 12 running through western St. TammanyParish have faced agauntlet of heavy constructionequipment,lane shifts and legions of workers in yellow vests.
It’senough to sometimes make Danny Enk toss up his hands.
“I’ve driven that road every day since 2012. It’sa mess,” saidEnk, who lives in the Madisonville area and commutes to work in St. Bernard Parish.
Butthe statehighway department says there is light at theend of thelong I-12 construction tunnel. Crews are puttingthe finishing touchesonlaneadditions between La. 21 and La. 1077, thelast piece of a$170million project that beganin spring 2020 and added extra lanes along achronically clogged stretch of thehighway through the Mandeville, Covington and Madisonville areas.
Enk, forone, won’tbesorry to see it finally come toan end.
“Ohyeah, Iamvery much looking forward to them openingthe final lanes,” he said.
Daniel Gitlin,aspokespersonfor theDepartmentof Transportation and Development, saidcrews have tried to do as much work at night or duringnonpeak traffic periods as possible. He said he understandsthe motoring public’sfrustration with clogged roadways —and the chaos that largeexpansion projects inevitably bring.
movedquickly. Theinitial projections called for it to be completed in spring2026.
“Now peoplehave some light at the end of the tunnel,”Gitlinsaid. “They can see it.”
St. Tammany Parish’s elected officials and drivers hadlongpushedfor the I-12 widening through the western side of the parish.
Those calls got louder as retail andresidential development boomed in the area, and became louder still in late spring2018, after four people were killed in ahorrific crash when an 18-wheeler piledinto traffic thathad backed up at the La.21overpass.
Traffic countsalongI-12 through western St. Tammany rival some of the busiest stretches of Interstate 10 through New Orleans, Gitlinsays.For instance, the roughly3.5-mile stretch betweenU.S.190 and La.21 averages more than 115,000 vehicles daily
Meanwhile, traffic in the stretch between La.21and La. 1077 —where the work is now wrapping up —has
more than doubled in the pasttwo decades and now averages around 80,000 vehicles per day,Gitlin said “You can really track the growth,”hesaid.“It’shard (for highway construction) to keep up.” Not only does I-12, envisioned in partasabypass around Interstate 10 and New Orleans when it opened in the 1960s and 1970s, carry alot of freight traffic, but in St.Tammany it also handles aheavy load of local traffic, Gitlin said
“Unless there’sanaccident or something, it’sso much better now,”said Korey Walker,who also lives in Madisonville and commutes to St. Bernard Parish for work “I feel like this is all going to help alot, and it’sdefinitely excitingtosee,” Amanda Yates, areal estateagent who lives in theMadisonville area, said of the I-12 work But, sheadded, “There’s just so many people moving out this way, eventually they’ll probably have to continue”
many people thatpet is with them throughsomanyups and downs and all of life’s mistakes providing stability.…I’ve seen the most backwoods‘Cajun’ men justbroken, sobbing over the loss of their hunting Lab, because thatwas abest friend. No one is immune to grief,” Lemoine said. That sentiment was echoed by Janis Bourriage, who cremated her10-yearoldGermanshepherd named Bazinga following his sudden death.
“Wewere paralyzed with sadness,” Bourriage said. “Howdoyou bury a 130-pound dog? (Pet cremation)was the best decision I couldhavemade. …When Ipicked up his urnand memorial items, the genuine care and concern was evident.”
It’stestimonials like Bourriage’sthatgive Lemoine confidence that services like hersare not simply extraneous, but vital.
“I do still sometimes get people saying that what we do is over the top. There’s the mentality that it’s‘just apet.’ Butfor the people we do it for,it’sabsolutely abig deal. At the endofthe day, you can’tbrush it aside. For so manypeople, this is necessary,” shesaid.
“Highways are big in St Tammany —huge,”Gitlin said. “I knowpeople are waiting foreverything to be finished.
Gitlinsaidconstruction of this last legofthe project has
Pictures of clients’ pets are displayedina window.
Wainwright III,James Greenoaks FuneralHome, 9595 FloridaBoulevard, at 2p.m
Obituaries
Babin, Barbara N. Tootsie
Barbara "Tootsie Babin, aloving wife, mother,grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on September 4, 2025,at the age of 90. Barbara was born in Hoboken, NJ to the late Jessie and Barbara Petersen Newsom. She moved to Baton Rouge in 1938 with her parents and brother Charles "Sonny" Newsom (wife Phyllis/deceased) for her fatherto work on steam engines on ships navigating the Mississippi River. Following the move, their family was completed with brother Thomas Newsom (wife Cindy/deceased), and sister Kathleen Beigenzahn(Mark). Barbara graduated from Istrouma High School in 1952, where she loved being in the choir and serving on the yearbook staff That same year she married Joseph "Moon/Coach" TBabin, Jr who preceded her in death in 1995. Together, they raised 5children: Joseph "Jody" T Babin, III (deceased) (wife Babs), Claire Babin, Sharon Winter (Lewis), Jaime Babin. Her nickname "Tootsie" was given to her by her grandfather, and it was with thatname that she signed her prolific production of art (ceramics and oil paintings). When she was later blessed with grandchildren, it became her grandmother name and then was the only name she responded to the rest of her life.
She adored all of her grandchildren: Emily Babin, Brett Babin (Krysten), Jace Babin, Cory Babin, Catherine Sicard (Scott), Jade Babin (deceased), Jake Babin (Gaia), Jared Babin, and 7great grandchildren.
Tootsie lovedtocook
No one ever left her home hungry. She was the glue that held the familytogether, and even after all of her children had grown and left home she continued to host "family night" dinners every Wednesday for whomever could attend. Visitation will be held at St George Catholic Church, 7808 St GeorgeDr, Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 9:30AM until aMemorial Serviceat10:30AM.Interment will follow immediatelyatStGeorge Cemetary. Reception to follow at Kleinpeter Center on St GeorgeCampus.
Sallie LeeBarlow, of DenhamSprings, Louisiana,passedawayon Thursday,September 11, 2025, at theage of 80. She was born on November 3, 1944, in Hammond Louisiana,the daughter of the late JamesAllen Bar‐low Sr.and GraceMcK‐neelyBarlow. Aproud alumnaofSoutheastern Louisiana University,Sallie not only earned abache‐lor's degree butalso forgedlifelongfriendships asa dedicatedmemberof the PhiMuSorority. Sallie servedthe state of Louisiana in theDepart‐mentofChild SupportEn‐forcement where she workeduntil herretire‐ment. Shewas an avid memberofthe AfricanVio‐let SocietyofAmerica.Her passion forhorticulture shone brightly as shegrew countless AfricanViolets Salliealsoenjoyed creative hobbies includingsewing, crochetingand making jewelry.Sallie'sheart also helda speciallovefor the state of Colorado,where she residedfor several years.The naturalbeauty and serene landscapes of the stateresonated deeply withher.Asweremember SallieLee Barlow,wecele‐brate alifewell-lived-alife characterizedbydedica‐
theadvocate.com
tion,creativity, andlovefor her community andfamily. Her warm spirit andendur‐ing legacy will foreverre‐maininthe hearts of those whose livesshe touched. Sallieissurvivedbyher brother,James A. Barlow, Jr. andhis wife Corine; niece,LeslieDomangue and herhusband Marlon and theirsons, Michael and Aaron; as well as nu‐merouscousins.Inaddi‐tiontoher parents, Sallie was preceded in deathby her brother, Walter Thomas"Thom"Barlow. The family would espe‐cially like to expresstheir deep appreciation to those withthe HospiceofBaton Rouge andher caregivers atSunrise on Siegen who showedSalliegreat care and devotion while under their care.Familyand friends will be received at Harry McKneely& SonFu‐neral Home,2000 N. Morri‐son Blvd Hammond Louisiana 70401 on Wednesday,September 17 2025 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am,witha Funeral Service at 11:00am. Inter‐mentwillfollowatGreen‐lawnCemeteryin Ham‐mond, Louisiana. Dona‐tions arewelcomedtothe African Violet Societyof America at africanvioletso‐cietyofamerica.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to HarryMcK‐neely& SonFuneralHome and CrematoryofHam‐mondand Ponchatoula. An on-lineguest book is avail‐ableat www.harrymcknee ly.com
Bradley,Jimmy Myers'Jim'
Jim Bradley, a50-year resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passedawayonMonday, September 8, 2025,at home. He was born at home in Sycamore,AL, on March12, 1934,and raised in Sylacauga,AL. He was a graduateofSylacauga High School and went on to graduatefromAuburnUniversity with aBachelorof ScienceinIndustrialEngineering. He was amember of the Air Force ROTC program and was appointed student WING Commander during his senior year.He received his commission as a2nd Lieutenant and went on to serve in the US Air Force as anavigator in the Strategic Air Command flyinginB47 bombers. After military service, Jim begana nearly 40-year career as asales engineer forThe Trane Company.Hewas a "Top 10" sales agent for23 years, arecord unmatched to date. Jim is survived by his wife, Wanda Louise Mobley Bradley; and stepchildren, Karen Hutto (Kenneth), and DonaldHill He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Edward Bradley and Viola Mims Bradley;and sisters, Nelle B. McClure and Eloise Forte. Interment willbeat Greenoaks Memorial.A memorialservice willbe plannedinthe future. The family asks that memorial donations be made in Jim's name to Trinity Lutheran Church.
BarbaraBarbier Bullock passedawayathomeon Saturday, September6, 2025, surrounded by love Barbara wasa wife and mother, an artist,a special aunt,and adearfriendto many. Originally from WhiteCastle, Barbaralived inBaton Rougesince 1982 whenshe startedLSU where she received her bachelor'sdegree. Shewas a teacheratMostBlessed Sacrament,St. Jude,and Our Lady of Mercyuntil she decided to home‐school herown children She laterbecamea per‐sonal assistant, home or‐ganizer,and bookkeeper She enjoyedvolunteering atThe RedShoes and Woman’s NewLifeClinic Barbara is survived by her lovinghusband of 30 years, Cliff Bullock, andtheir two children, Claire and Daniel, her sistersLiz Kearneyand husband Kevin, andRuth Barbier,and numerous niecesand nephews. Thoughthe past year has been astruggle, Barbara lived everyminutetothe fullest andwithloveinher heart.She wassurrounded by lightand love andwas
thefamily at www.resthav
extremelygratefulfor
those who provided it.Spe‐cialgratitude goestoDr. JosephShows,his staff and theinfusionnursesat MaryBirdPerkins,Dr. John Tabor andhis staff at Ad‐vancedRoboticsof Louisiana,and thedoctors and nursesatBaton Rouge General Hospital,espe‐cially thenursesinthe on‐cology ward.The family would also like to thank Penny Clement, herdear friendof55years,for as‐sisting in hercare. A memorialservice andre‐ception will be held at The Retreat at Quarters Lake 8890 Quarters Lake Rd., Baton Rouge, on Sunday September 28, beginningat 5:00pm. If youwishto makea memorial contribu‐tion, please consider Woman’s NewLifeClinic or The RetreatatQuarter’s Lake.
DeLouche, Kathleen Hebert 'Kathy'
Kathleen(Kathy) Louise Hebert DeLouche, 73, cofounderofAmerican Mailing and Shipping (Neopost Dealership), passedaway at M.D.Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,TXon Sunday, September 7th, 2025. Visitation willbeheld at JacobSchoen and Son funeral home, from 10 am to 12 pm, on Thursday, September 18th, 2025, with Mass to follow at 12 pm. She willbeinterred at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery in NewOrleans, LA. FullObituary can be found on schoenfh.com/obituaries.
Drouilhet, Louise Marie 'Weezie'
Louise Marie "Weezie" Drouilhetpassed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was 91 years old. Weeziewas born August 3, 1934, in New Orleans to Raymond"Tiny" and Louise Bayhi Drouilhet. As theoldest child,she played asignificant role in thelives of herfive siblings. At age16, Weeziejoined thecongregationofthe Marianites of Holy Cross, whereshe remained anun for 25 years.
Upon moving to Chicago,she workedfor AllState Insurance Company. During her time in Illinois, she met and fell in love with Joseph"Joe" aself-taught cab driver. They had ten years of an extremelyhappy marriage, until Joe passed in 2001. Her passion forreading andeducation ledher to receiveher PhDinEnglish. Weeziecontinuedher work in education formany years, including spending time in communities throughout Baton Rouge teaching English as asecond language,where she earnedthe love and respect of themany students she impacted. She enjoyed spending her time reading, watching crime shoes on television and completing crossword puzzles She waspreceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph"Joe" Wesobski;her twin sisters, Joan and Marie;and her brother, Raymond.Weezie is survivedbyher sister, Teresa "Cookie" Drouilhet; her brother, Michael Drouilhet and hiswife Kris; her sister-in-law, Yvonne "Cookie"Drouilhet; as well as numerous other loving family and friends. The Drouilhetfamily extends their deep and sincere appreciationtoJessica Pickett and her family for thelovingand professionalcare she providedto Weezieinthe last months of her life
Relatives and friends are invitedtoattend a Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September16, 2025, celebrated by Rev. David E. Allen at St GeorgeCatholic Church, 7808 St.GeorgeDrive in BatonRouge.Inurnment will follow at St.George CatholicChurch Cemetery. Family and friends may sign theonline guestbook or leave apersonal note to
enbatonrouge.com
Mr. Ramsey Augustus Falconer, Jr known as "Bookie"tohis close friends and family,passed from this earthonTuesday, August 26, 2025. He was bornonOctober21, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, six weeks prior to his duedate, as theonly son of Ramsey Augustus Falconer, Sr. and Eunice Miller Falconer. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandchild Morgan Keith Falconer,and in 2007 by his wife of 52 years, Martha NettlesFalconer. He is survivedbytheir twochildren Ramsey Reid Falconer (Celeste Falconer) and Elizabeth Hall(Michael Hall); five grandchildren,Drew Falconer (Lisa), Caroline FalconerFreeland, Cayla Willingham(Matthew), Ryan Hall (Amanda) and John Hall (Rachel);eleven great-grandchildren; a largefamily of aunts, uncles, and cousins spread out acrossthe country and alifetime of friends and colleagues. Ramsey graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1950 where he played on thebasketball team that won thestate championship. He went on to finish LSUin1954 with adegree in physical education in one hand and acommissioninthe US AirForce in theother, and he promptly reportedtoMariana Florida forpilottraining.In1955 he and Martha were married at theBaptist Student Union on thecampus of LSU. After his tour of duty in theservice, Ramsey and Marthasettled back in BatonRouge where he joined thestaff of Westdale Junior HighSchool and began alifetimeofservice. After his time teaching and coaching, Ramsey joined theYMCA, where he served in BatonRouge, and Knoxville, Tennessee. He was thefounding director of the YinGreeneville, Tennessee,and went on to serveinHouston and Beaumont,Texas, eventually retiring fromthe YMCA Ramsey was adevoted followerofJesus Christ, havingreceivedhis license to preach early in his career and remaining an active member of the Methodist Church in the each of thecommunities
wheretheylived,and finally Memorial Drive UMC in Houston. He was always ready to teacha Sunday School Class, offer a prayer,orsinga hymn with enthusiasm. Retirementoften found himinthe marshesaround Houston shootingducks, doves, andgeese, fishing in thegulf, or sailinghis sailboat, the Alizé.Atthe age of 78 he completed his solo flighttoonceagain qualifyfor hisairplanepilot'slicense. Ramseywas known by all whoknewhim forhis boundless enthusiasm, his kindness, hisengaginghumor, and hislove of people. For hisworkinthe community, hisservice to hisfaith, andhis inspiration to hisfriends andfamilyhewill be forever missed. Hismotto through goodtimes anddifficult timesalways remained "I choose to be happy."
Thefamilywishesto thank thestaff of The Windsor, The Peristyle at Beau West,and Passages Hospice fortheir loving care.Inlieuofflowers, contributions in memory of Mr.Falconer may be made to thePermanent EndowmentFundofSt. Timothy on theNorthshore Methodist Church.
Relativesand friends are invited to attendthe gravesideservicesat ResthavenGarden of Memories,11817 JeffersonHighway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70816, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM,the Reverend JamesMitchell officiating E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W21st Avenue, Covington,Louisiana 70433 hasbeen entrusted with funeral arrangements. The Falconer Familyinvites you to share thoughts,fondest memories andcondolences online at E.J. FieldingFuneral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com
HollyAline Strother Godwin,65, of Nashville, born March15, 1960 in Baton Rouge,Louisiana, passed away on September3,2025 after abrief illness. Shewas preceded in death by herparents, Betty GeneButlerStrotherand Howard Douglas Strother, Jr Hollylived authentically with an adventurousspirit anda loving heart. Holly's greatest joyinlifewas her family. Shewas devoted to herchildren, Catherine Godwin Hebert (Andrew) and William JamesGodwin (Alexandra); andespecially cherished being"Lolly" to hergranddaughter, Mar-
garet GraceHebert. She will also be lovingly rememberedbyher sisters, Gene Strother Birch (Daniel) andFrances Strother Kirkpatrick (Wayne); former husband, William Gordon Godwin; nieces andnephews, extended family, friends, and belovedcats, Tiger and Milo
Afuneral service will be held Thursday, September 18th at 2:00 p.m. at Church of theRedeemerin Nashville, TN, witha Celebration of Life to follow.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to theOasis Center,STARS Nashville,or Daystar Counseling Ministries. Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral &Cremation Services. For afull obituaryplease visit AustinFuneralService.com 615-377-0775.
An accomplished,retirededucator with the Iberville Parish school system, Anita MaeSingleton Harrispassed away on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 in Baton Rouge.She was87 anda native andresident of Plaquemine. Visitingat Second Baptist Church, 24830 Railroad Ave Plaquemine,LA, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9a.m. untilreligiousservicesat 11 a.m., conductedbythe Rev. Mark I. Stewart,Sr. Interment at GraceMemorial Park, 60455 Bayou Jacob Rd Plaquemine,LA. Anita graduatedfromSouthern University and A&M College with bachelor'sand master's degreesinelementaryeducation,plus30 hoursofgraduate coursework in education administration and supervision Sheservedasanactive
Please consider donatingtolocal journalism in Louisiana. Your tax-deductible contribution goes solely to funding reportersinthe field. To donateand to seethe work ourteamhas done,visit LOUISIANAJOURNALISMFUND.ORG
Falconer Jr., RamseyA
Heinze,Bruce A.
Bruce A. Heinze was born on February 7, 1938, and he passed away on September 8, 2025. Avisitation will be held on Thursday, September18, at St George Catholic Church from 9:30 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Committal at theSt. George Mausoleum will immediately follow. For
Johnson,Anita Singleton
Godwin, Holly Strother
Barlow,SallieLee
Bullock, BarbaraBarbier
member of Second Baptist Church of Plaquemine and to the Ladies of Distinction Social and Civic Club. She is survived by her grandchildren, Michelle Domingue, Jr., Carmelita Domingue, Johannes (Tyela) Domingue, Sr., and John Deggs, Jr.; five greatgrandchildren; daughter, Jennifer (Isaac) Christy; sons, Drexel(Natasha), Alonzo, andAndré Johnson; nephew, Eric Singleton, Sr.; niece, Alicia(Rodney Sparrow) Bourgeois; and ahost of other relatives and close friends. Anita was precededin death by her husband, Huey Johnson, Sr.; daughter, Carmen Seaphus Deggs and son-in-law, John Deggs, Sr.; parents, Rev. Samuel Sr. and Serploina Singleton; brother and sister-in-law, Rev. SamuelJr. andPearl Harris Singleton; and nephew, Jeffrey Singleton. Services entrusted to Pugh's Mortuary, 58233 Plaquemine St., Plaquemine, LA, (225) 687-2860
Frank Hugh Kean III, 87, peacefully died on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at the Baton Rouge General Hospital after abrief illness. He was born in Baton Rougetothe late Frank Hugh Kean Jr and EmilyLouise Mathews He graduated high school from the McCallie Schoolin Chattanooga after his father had enough of his shenanigans at University High Schooland decided he needed awake-up call tofulfillhis full potential. Frank willberememberedfor numerous things being acommitted family man and husband,a businessman and acommunity leader in Baton Rouge, an avid hunter whosehappy place was Cashiers, North Carolina, and aman who loved a good joke. During his high school years, he was known for pranking his friends and teachers endlessly. The straw that broke the camel's back might have been the time he and afriend put ajack under an older teacher's car, just highenough so the tire didn't touch the road. When she sought assistance, they removed the jack and this poor woman peeled out unexpectedly, much to his delight.
After McCallie, Frank returned to Baton Rouge and continuedhis military training at LSU as aleader of the Pershing Rifles, anational society that aidsin the development of officer candidates in the armed services. He was aproud Army veteran. He was also amember of Kappa Sigma fraternity and astudent leader at the Business School. He went on to earn hislaw degree from LSU and worked briefly at alocal firm before deciding to join the family business, Kean's Laundry and Dry Cleaners. He alwaysliked to say he went fromtrying suits to cleaning them. Frank went on to become the sole owner of Kean's The Cleaner in 1986 until he sold it in 2003.In 1987, Frank partnered with his sister Mabyn and brother-in-law, Pat Shingleton, to found Pat's Coats for Kids, aprogram that provided coats for kids who needed them, and it was one of his proudest achievements. Afterhis retirement, Frank softened his transition from successful business owner with more than 200 employees and 20+ locations by becoming avolunteer mentor with the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. He loved working with people at the beginning of their careers, helpingcraft their business
by his parents, Frank Hugh Kean, Jr. and Emily Louise Mathews Kean andhis first wife, Virginia Upton Kean, to whomhewas married for42years.Frank is survived by his and Virginia's children, Emily NellKean Berg (David) andFrank Hugh Kean IV; hisgrandchildren, Billy, Tommy and Hallie Berg; his wife, Karen Vannoy Shelton Kean, whomhemarried in2010; her childrenCheri Shelton Anderson (Ted),Suess Shelton and WayneShelton; and her grandchildren Jerry(Wynonna),Lloyd and Grace Anderson. He is also survivedbyhis sisters Emily Virginia Kean and Mabyn Kean Shingleton and their families. Visitationprior to his funeral willbeMonday, Sept. 15 from 5-7pm at RabenhorstFuneral Homeon Government Street. A memorialservice willbe on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at First UnitedMethodist Church on North Blvd. with Rev. Donald Cottrill presiding.Visitationatthe church on Tuesday willbe from 12:30pm until the servicewhich begins at 2pm. There willbea private burial at alater date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you remember Frank with adonation to a charity of your choice.
We celebrate and mourn the tragic sudden passing of JefferyPaul Luquette, age59, in AscensionParish on September6,2025. Since young adulthood,he worked dailytoimprove himself and had reacheda pinnacle in life he never thought possible. He was born in Lutcher Louisiana in 1965 and attended Lutcher High School. Jeff residedinSaint Amant, Louisiana.Heenjoyed workinginIndustrial trade areas and was employed with Turner Industries. Jeff loved spending time with family and friends, filling up stomachs with good food and making others laugh. Jeff is survived by his loving wife, hisQueen, Julie Lea Luquette; his adoring mother,Kathryn Luquette; his beloved father, CarltonLuquette and hiswife, Wanda Luquette; sister, Veronica Molley; and brother,Keith Luquette;Veronica'shusband, DavidMolley and their sons,Jeremy and Jonathan Molley;Jeremy's wife, ReneeMolley and their children, Williamand Charlie; Keith's wife Jamie Luquette; as wellasnumerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. He is preceded in deathbygrandparents, FerenceLuquette,Inez Luquette,APVeron,Rita Veron, Sandra"Boope" Derks; Jeff's firstwife, Sherry Luquette; and nephew Jonathan's wife, HaleyMolley. Visitation willtakeplace at Resthaven Funeral Home on Tuesday, September16, 2025,beginning at 9:00 AM until aCelebrationofLife at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowersplease send donations to St Jude Children's HospitalinMemphis Tennessee. Finally, remember him as aPrince of aMan,a name given to himbyhis mother-in-law Ruby Lea, who was adiscerning character. Family and friends may signthe online guestbook or leave apersonal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonroug e.com.
Gudrun "Judy"Ingeborg Diem Nicholson, beloved mother, grandmother,sister, and friend,passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at The Carpenter Houseatthe age of 84, and was laid to rest on September11, 2025, in aprivate ceremony Born on February 12, 1941, in Stuttgart, Germany, Judywas thecherisheddaughterofLydia and Paul Karl Diem. In 1960, she bravely left her home country and immigratedto theUnited States, where she begana lifelong career in thetravel industry. She was astewardess for several airlinesincluding American Airlinesand later became asuccessfulinternational travelagent with numerous outstanding travel agencies such as Maison Blanche, Pearson's Travel,and MalcolmTravel.She was known forher deep knowledge,exceptional service,and passion forexploring theworld In June 1961, Judy married theloveofher life, James Patrick "Jim" Nicholson, at GriffissAir Force Base Chapel in Rome, NewYork, where Jim served as a1st Lieutenant. Theirjourney togetherled them to various placesacross theU.S., including Nashville,TN, and Abbeville,LA, before finally settling in BatonRouge. Together, they builta life filled with laughter, adventure,and love and never met astranger.They developeda close bond with Roy& Barbara Orbison, as Judyand Barbara were best friendsasflight attendants; she fostered that friendship fordecades untilher passing Judywas known for her generous heart and her unwavering dedication to family and friends. She had aunique senseofhumor, a bold spirit, and areputation forbeing thefirst to offerhelptoothers. Having been atrue animal lover, Judyissurvivedbyher beloveddog Arthur and mischievous cat Chica. Judyhad aspecial fondness for dachshunds and was often seenwitha furry companionbyher side.Judyalso had apassion and talent for painting, was an avid card player, and enjoyed many afternoonsatthe casino.She formed deep and lasting friendshipsin Abbeville,where her circle of card-playing friends became like family Judyispreceded in death by her parents, LydiaDambacherDiem, and Paul Karl Diem; her husband of 63 years, James Patrick Nicholson; her sisterUrsula Pisciotta; and her nephew RonaldGasparitsch. She is survivedbyher children: Tanya Nicholson, and Sean Nicholson(wife Terri); her grandchildren: Lauren, Brooke, and Zachary Nicholson (Madalee); and her greatgrandson, Sawyer Nicholson from Mt.Juliet, TN.She also leaves behind her sisters, Gisela Wondratschek (Stuttgart,Germany), and Elvira(Ziegfried "Ziggy") Gasparitsch and nephew PeterGasparitsch (Jackson, MS) as wellasnumerous nieces and nephews. Her lovedones would like to offerspecialthanks to thecaring nurses and CNA's at The Carpenter House, her oncology Team: Dr. AndrewGahagan, and hisincredible staff fortheir compassionate care, Dr. Cody Milliman, Dr. 'Rami' Ramalingam, and thestaff at The Baton RougeGeneral Bluebonnet,aswellas her cadre of close friends
aspiritthat never hesitat-
ed to go theextra milefor those she knew. She was a force of nature who willbe deeply missed by allwho knew and lovedher.
In lieu of flowers please considerdonating in Judy's memory to The St.Joseph Hospice Foundation/The Carpenter House for supportivecare for non -funded patients and families whom they serve.
Sumner,Austin
JohnDavid
Austin John Sumnerwas born in 1938 in thesmall town of Hokitika(Maori for "toreturn directly")onthe WestCoast of theSouth Island of NewZealand.He completeda medical degree and aMaster of Medical Science with first class honors at theUniversity of NewZealand in Dunedin He was ahouseman in Medicine at Wellington and Hutt Hospitals,where he met his wife, Jane. They were married in 1966 -a unionlasting 59 years.
In 1968, Austin and Jane moved to London forneurologytraining at theNational Hospitalfor Nervous Diseases, Queen Square. TheirdaughterCharlotte was born in 1969. In 1971, Austin joined theneurology faculty at theUniversity of California San Francisco. Austin and Jane's son, Austin, was bornin1972. He encouraged bothofhis childrentopursue medicine,which they did, Charlotte also becoming a Neuromuscular Neurologist and Austin becoming an Occupational Medicine Specialist.
In 1974, Austin followed his mentor,Professor Arthur Asbury to Philadelphia. During his 14 years at theUniversity of Pennsylvania, he completedhis most significant research in peripheral nerveand neurophysiology and includes twoconditions that bear his name: theLewisSumnerSyndrome and the Gilliatt-Sumner Hand. A sabbatical leavein1980-81 in Parisallowedhim to workonGuillain Barré Syndrome withProfessor Gérard Saide. In 1988, he movedhis family to the"Big Easy" afteraccepting theposition of Department Chair of Neurology at theLouisiana StateUniversity Health in NewOrleans. He formally retired in 2014. He trained countless students, residents and fellows and treated hundredsofpatients. He was reveredfor hisclinical and electrodiagnostic skills and dependedupon for hisleadership. He was proud of his rolesinthe collaboration of People's Health Network and LSUHealth.Hewas a founding member of the Peripheral NerveSociety, served as President of the American Associationof Electrodiagnostic Medicine,and chaired the Brain Foundation of the American Academy of Neurologyfor 6years
Austin was aman of many hobbies, allofwhich he studiedassiduously. Most longstanding was breeding and racing pigeons, which he beganin childhood. The second was dogfield trials with his Gordonand English setters. He was an inveterate collector and was scholarly in his approach. Collections includedmilitary horse saddles, English antiquesilver, antique furniture,oriental rugs, chronometers, Japanese Samuraiswords, shotguns, fine wines, cars, and horology. Austin and Jane were studentsofhistory and lovedtraveling theworld. Together, they also delighted in hosting friends and colleagues at dinners
gust 30, 2025, of bladder cancer in Burlington Vermont, the place that most reminded himofhis native NewZealand, wherehe will "returndirectly" to his final place of rest. He is survived by hiswife Jane, whomade hisrichlifepossible,his twochildren Austin and Charlotte, his four beloved grandchildren:Isabel (22), Lissy (20), Katie (17), andAustin Raj (14) and twowonderful daughters-in-law,Amita andJennifer.Inhis final days, he enjoyedthe companyofhis family, and watchingthe sunsetover Lake Champlainamongst thepinetrees andthe mountainsinthe distance as he had donesooften before. "Pops" will be deeply missed. Arrangements have been entrusted to the ReadyFuneral andCremation Services. To send online condolencesplease visit www.cremationsociet ycc.com
Acts 16:31 Andthey said,"Believeonthe Lord Jesus Christ,and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Erwin Taylor,a beloved residentofColyell, Louisiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by hislovingfamilyonFriday, September 12, 2025, at the age of 85. Adevoted husband, father, grandfather, andgreat-grandfather, Erwinwas along-time and faithfulmember of Colyell Baptist Church.Hespent hiscareerasa skilledmillwright,retiringasa Maintenance Superintendent—a roleheearned through hard work anddedication Erwin hada deep love for thesimple joys of life. He wasa proudcattleman, and hisdays often revolved around caringfor hislandand animals. He washappiest in thestands at hisson andgrandsons' baseballgames, cooking meals for hisfamily, and spendingtimewith those he cherished most. Erwin believedmusic wasn't worthlisteningtounless it wasloud—andthatphilosophy carried over into how he lived:fullofenergy, love,and passion for life. He is survived by hisloving wife of 66 years, Evelle Watts Taylor;daughters, Sibyl Heath (Randall), and AndreaZeigler (Ansel "Skip"); son,Brent Taylor (Cathy); and10grandchildren:Taylor Heath (Ashley), LaurenSmith (Adam), Trent Acosta, TreyZeigler Amanda Melancon (Chase), Amber Little, Austin Taylor (Shelbi), Madison Taylor,Samantha Mulina, and Taylor Mulina. He also leaves behind 17 great-grandchildren—and oneonthe way—as well as hissister,Martha"Mot" Johnsonand sisters-in-law, Mary Taylor andDoris Taylor. Erwin waspreceded in death by hisparents, Ollie andElizabeth Taylor; brothers: infantO.V., Huey Taylor (Amy), Isiah "Bear Taylor (Joyce), William "Billy" Taylor,Johnny "Boo" Taylor (Louise) and RooseveltTaylor;sisters: ArgileeAverett (Will), Winnona Watts (Ervin), Albertine McConathy (Jay), Dorothy JaneWatts (Louellen "Lou"), andEllen Kleinpeter(John);and brother-in-law, Billy Johnson. Servicestohonor Erwin'slifewill be held at Colyell Baptist Church.Visitationwill take place on Tuesday, September16, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.,and will resume on Wednesday, September17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. untilthe funeral service at 10:30 a.m. He will be laidtorest at Colyell Community
AustinTaylor,Adam Smith andChase Melancon Erwin Taylor's legacyof hard work, deep faith, and unwaveringlove for his familywill live on in the hearts of all whoknew him.
Whittle, Mary Evelyn Daughtry
Mary Evelyn Daughtry Whittle, 92, aresidentof Zachary,LA, died on Thurs‐day,September 11, 2025
She worked as an educator inthe East BatonRouge Parishschoolsystemfor over25years.There will be a visitation on Monday, September 15, 2025 at the First BaptistChurch of Zachary from 9:00 am until funeralservicesat11:00 am. Burial will be at Azalea RestCemetery. Sheissur‐vived by herdaughter, Carol Griffith andhusband Frank Griffith of Central, LA; threesons: James WhittleJr. of Central, LA; Kenneth Whittleand wife Deanna of BatonRouge; Chris Whittleand wife Marti of BatonRouge;ten grandchildren:Hollye Lefebvre, GervaisSharp, AshleySharp,Jamie Dillion Richard Whittle, Jonathon Whittle, KayliWall, Karlyn Sumner, KennyWhittle, CourtneyWhittle; andten great-grandchildren.She was preceded in deathby her parents: JamesEmmett Daughtryand RosalieVick‐ers Daughtry andbyher brother JimmyRoy Daugh‐try.Pallbearers will be Ger‐vaisSharp,Richard Whit‐tle,JonathanWhittle Kenny Whittle, FrankGrif‐fith.She belonged to First Baptist Church of Zachary for 65 years. Shewas in the church choir, shetaught SundaySchool,Vacation Bible School andthe Prison Ministry. Sheloved the Lordand it showed in her walkthrough life Share sympathies, memories and condolencesatwww CharletFuneralHome.com.
Nicholson, Gudrun 'Judy'
Taylor, Erwin Winston
KeanIII, Frank Hugh
Luquette,Jeffery Paul
OPINION
OUR VIEWS
Federal help canimprove public safety in N.O.,but only if it’s real
The city of New Orleans has along and fruitfulhistory of working closely with other agencies to combat crime.
Joint task forces with federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA, cooperativeendeavors with neighboring jurisdictionsand the Troop Nola partnership with Louisiana State Police have bolsteredlocal efforts. Louisiana National Guardtroopshave been welcome during special events or following crises such as the terrorist attack on BourbonStreet.
But when it comes to theprospectofhastily sending federalized National Guard troopsinto New Orleans, we have serious concerns
We still don’tknow whether President Donald Trump will send the National Guard into the city,asTrumpdid in Washington, D.C. and now says he’ll do in Memphis, andisthreatening to do in Chicago, overthat state’sDemocratic governor’s strong objection. Here, he’dhave supportfor the surge from his Republican ally Gov.Jeff Landry,who is thearchitect of thesuccessful, well-planned initiativetosendtrained state troopers into the Democratic majority citytowork alongside theNew OrleansPolice Department.
Troop Nola’sarrival last year was initially met with some resistance, butisnow widelycheered by officials and residents across thespectrum. And it’slikely one of several reasons —along with some innovative strategies pursuedby NOPD —why the city’scrime ratehas turneda corner.Last year,police reported 6,085 crimes per 100,000 residents; that’s a23% dropfrom the previous five-year average, although it’sstill more than twice the national average Indeed,wewould welcome an expansion of Troop Nola, and believe manyNew Orleanians would too.
But we doubt that suddenly sending in National Guard troops would help much National Guard members are neithertrained nor legally permitted to conduct many of the law enforcement functions thatprofessional officersdo.
Andwhile some might find avisibleshow of force reassuring, the optics could well be double-edged. Having the National Guard in the city’sstreets could send thefalse messagethat crime is out of control, which would likelydiscourage people from visitinga citythatrelies on tourism as an economic driver What’smore, this is not thesort of duty that themembers of the Louisianan NationalGuard signed up for.Indeed, arecentWashingtonPost story recounted internal Guard assessments that “domestic mobilizations that are rooted in politicsriskdamaging Americans’ confidence in themen and women who servetheir communities in times of crisis.”
We’re all for anything that will help,and certainly we’d welcome federal assistancetobolster theNOPD’swork. But we see theNational Guardproposal as apolitical play more than a serious strategy to make cities safer. Instead, we urge the presidentand the governortocontinue to work side-by-sidewith New Orleans officials to keep thehard-wonprogress going strong.
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.
TimKaine’s remarksspark debate
As aCatholic, Iapologize. For what? TimKaine.
At arecent Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee hearing, theVirginia senator and former vice-presidential candidatesaid, “The notion that rights don’tcome from laws and don’tcome from thegovernment, but come from the creator —that’s what the Iranian government believes.
devout Christians andIranian governmentoppression. He does, however, know that opposing the Trumpadministration is the way to future power in his party.
In Iran, Kaine says, thegovernment oppresses itscitizens “becausethey believe that they understand what natural rightsare from their creator.”
Kaine’snow-viral rant came as the Senatecommittee was considering the nomination of an assistant secretary of state for democracy,human rights and labor.Riley Barnes, the nominee before thecommittee, had madea bold move. He quoted the current Secretary of StateMarco Rubio, who recently emphasized “that all men are created equal because our rights come from God, our creator; not from our laws, not from our governments.”
Sen. Kaine probably doesn’teven believe his implicit comparison between
Oh,and what agift this was to Ted Cruz, theRepublican senator from Texas who sitsonthe samecommittee. What Kaine considers a“radical and dangerous notion,” Cruz said, “is literally the founding principle upon which theUnited States of America wascreated.” He went on to quote Thomas Jefferson: “Wehold these truths to be self-evident,that allmen are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
That Kaine was lying is alikely scenario given that in July,hecalled cuts to government spending on Catholic charities and other faith-based organizations gettingfederal money for immigration work as an “attack on the religious organizations so that they cannot do thework that their faith in their creator compels them to do.”
How convenient.Oppose our founding principles when it meansbeing anti-Trump, and thenembrace them for thesame reason. And in recent years, what have some of ourmost
contentious religious-liberty debates been about? Values from the sexual revolution. We already knew Kaine considered himself apro-abortion (legal and on-demand) Catholic. And this, by the way, is what Iwant to apologize to you about. As young people have been noticing, the sexual morality of the Catholic Church offers mercy and healing. Igo to confession. TimKaine might go to confession; he is certainly free to. But not only are we supposed to believe certain things —and stand up forthem in our public lives as wellasprivate ones —weare supposed to share them.Good newsand all. But in recent decades, fartoo manyCatholics have dismissed that which is inconvenient. In this mostrecent case, even that which is fundamental formore than just Catholics. Sen. Kaine, revisit your remarks from the summer.The United States has agood thing going in its rootedness to God.Our identity can’tbein hating —orloving —President Trump. There’smore to life. And thanks be to God for that!
Email Kathryn Jean Lopez at klopez@ nationalreview.com.
Onequestion we get frequently is whether we can allow letter writers morespace than the 300-word limit Somewriters want torespond point by point to somethingthey read, and the word limit makes it hard to do that sometimes.
Somereaders also argue that opposing opinions should get equal space as the article or columns they are responding to.
While Iunderstand that logic, we have to set wordlimits on letters in order to get more of your views in print
Arnessa Garrett
Then thequestion arises, why not simply run longer letters or morelettersonline?
At times,for particularly hot topics, we have run collections of letters online that didn’tmake the print editions. Butwelike having letters appear in print because we know manyfrequent letter writers prefer reading the print edition.
We also accept submissions of guest columns, which run between 500-700
words. Guest columns are distinct from letters in that they don’tsimply respond to thenews but seek to give a unique perspective on atopic on which the writer has asingular interest or expertise. Guest column submissions can also be senttoour inbox at letters@theadvocate.com. We require the full text of the column, not just apitch, before deciding on whether to publish.
The letters section is one of themost popular parts of the Opinion pages, as readers wanttohear what other readers think. Twoyears ago, we expanded the letters to afull page on Monday
Earlier this year,webegan running letters on Saturday as well. Looking around at other news outlets, Iwould say that on average, we run morelettersfrom readers than most. And we will continue to look forways to feature your voices.
Ihave to say,though,that it’snot always the longest letters that make
the strongest arguments. Iamoften struck by the readers who, in twoor three sentences, can makeapoint that goes straight to the heart of an issue. That said, turning to our inbox, Ican give you the totals forthe weekofAug. 7-14. During that week, we received 80 letters.
The subject that generated the most comment wasn’tanews or politics story,itwas aguest column. We received 11 letters commending writer Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar’spiece, “Between Stories and Steam,” which talked about the importance of preserving culture. The large outpouring was rare fora guest column.
After that, the indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was ahot topic, prompting seven letters. Lastly, the National Guard deployment to help combat crime in Washington, D.C., was the subject of six letters.
Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor | OpinionPage Editor.Emailher at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com.
Kathryn Jean Lopez
COMMENTARY
Stop theblame game surroundingpolitical violence
Calm down, everybody.The murder of conservative organizer CharlieKirk is reasontorestrain impulses to political warfare, not to inflame them.
Quin Hillyer
When Louisiana’s own Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise was shot in 2017,the culprit was not thecollective political left or a“they,” but alone drifter whohated Republicans. When Democratic Rep.GabbyGiffords of Arizona was shot in 2011, The New York Timeseditorialized there was a“clear” and “direct” linkto former Alaska Gov.Sarah Palin’s PAC—but the culprit was not Palinor conservatives in general, buta paranoid schizophrenic fixated on Giffords.
After former and soon-to-be President Donald Trump was shot inPennsylvania, conservative social media was full of accusations that “they,” the leftist bad guys had tried to kill him. Nonsense. Theshooter was aregistered Republican whotook conservativepositions in school classes, and he also had scoped outthe scheduleof Democratic President Joe Biden with apparent ill intent.
Likewise, conservatives weren’t collectivelyinany way responsible this summer for the murder of one Democratic Minnesota state legislator (and herhusband) and the wounding of another.Nor were they responsible when acrazed home invader beat the husband of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California literally within an inch of his life.
Nonetheless, Kirk himself said afterthe fact, in inflammatory fashion,that some “amazing patriot” shouldbail out Paul Pelosi’s attacker, while Trump fanned nasty right-wing rumors about theattack.But that doesn’tmean Kirk deserved to be killed, his wife widowed andhis toddlers left fatherless.
Conservatives rightly get upset when
Democrats repeatedly call Trump(and many othersonthe right)a“Nazi.” Yet extremely few prominent conservatives spokeout when Trumpcalled Democratic opponentKamala Harris a“Marxist, Communist,fascist,socialist” or said Biden’s White House was a“Gestapo.”
It wasn’tbasic conservative rhetoric that led to amass shooting at aBlack church, and it wasn’tbasic liberal rhetoric thatled to amass shooting at aconservative Christian school. Tworecent mass shootings by peopleidentifying as transgender don’t mean that everyone withsexual identity issues is alatent murderer —nomatter what messages were on thehateful shooter’sammunition. And speaking of using sexualityasa pretense,weinLouisiana of acertain age remember when then-District Attorney Jim
Garrisonfalsely and viciously tried businessman Clay Shaw for conspiring to assassinate President John F. Kennedy,largely by focusing on Shaw’shomosexuality Come on,people: Get agrip.Tell Republican Rep.Nancy Mace of South Carolina that Democrats absolutely do not “own what happened” to Kirk. Tell Republican Rep.Anna PaulinaLuna of Florida to stop repeating that Democrats “caused this.”
Stop electing people like this to Congress. Andstop electing Democrats, too, such as New York’sAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez, if their first response to almost any tragedy is to “connect the dots” to Republican rhetoric.
The examples could be endless, from bothsides. And thelessons should be obvious: Stop demonizing each other.Stop rushing to judgment. Tone down the rhetoric
—way down—but don’tblamethe rhetoric forthe evil act without proof.Stop the “groupthink.” Let law enforcement officials work, and then blamethe individuals found responsible, without regard to their group identity
The only group identity that should matter is that we are Americans. Americans are better than this.
Iwrite this column on the very anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The firefighters whotrekked up the stairways of the towers that day didn’tcare whether they weresaving Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals. When passengers Mark Bingham,Todd Beamer and others counterattacked the hijackers of Flight 93, it didn’tmatter that Bingham was gay and Beamer was straight.
When President Ronald Reagan was victimized by an attempted assassin in 1981, it didn’tmatter that he was aRepublican when Democratic Speaker TipO’Neill kneeled and prayed at his bedside. When Scalise was shot, his Democratic Louisiana colleague Cedric Richmond wasthe first congressman to rush to the hospital to be at his side.
When liberal Democratic senator Ted Kennedy was dying of brain cancer,conservative Republican Orrin Hatch spent considerable time with him.When Republican senator John McCain wasdying of brain cancer,Biden, then out of office, madeaspecial trip to visit him
That is how our politics should operate. Meanwhile, to repeat: Kirk leaves behind ayoung wife and two very young children and manyfriends. Instead of assessing blameand vowing vengeance on an entire swath of Americans whohad nothing to do with his death, whycan’titbeenough just to insist on lawfuljustice while offering comfort to the bereaved?
Email Quin Hillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com
Blue AmericastartstoseparatefromRed America
It started quietly enough MAGA Republicans put lunatic RobertF.Kennedy Jr.incharge of theDepartment of Healthand Human Services. He’sforced top scientists to leaveand slashed research in cancer, autoimmune diseases and other health threats. Thanks to him, gettingthe updated COVID vaccine is harder for many and confusing for everyone.
In response, Democratic-run states now talk of settingup theirown “agency” to bypass the MAGA mess in Washington. Health officials from five New England states (New Hampshire opted out), New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvaniarecently met to discuss putting together their own vaccine recommendationsto
bypass thefederal government. This could be the startofsomething bigger Not longago, theright wing didmost of thehollering about a national parting of ways. There was constant braying that Blue America is thelandofcrime, lax morals andbumsfreeloading off the hardworking MAGA heartland. Afew years ago, the chair of theTexas Republican Party Allen West suggested forming a newunionof“law-abiding states,” by whichhemeant conservative ones. (That thebig cities in Texas areDemocratic might pose complications.)
Others on theright have toyed with actual secession talk. Some wentsofar as to make an implied threat, arguing that the Democratic states depend on the conservativefarm belt for food.
That’snot true, however
It happens that California is by
far America’sbiggest producer of farm products —fruits, vegetables and nuts. Oregon and Washington are not slackers in that regard. The swing states of theupper Midwest might have to choose sides. Do Wisconsin and theother dairy powers want to antagonize customers in their biggest marketsfor cheese, butter and milk?
Heartland agriculture, meanwhile, is dominated by commodity crops, such as corn, soybeans and wheat. These are major exports —and so good luck in Trump’strade war
BlueAmerica going its own way is not new.When California approved arule in 2022 that would phase out the sale of new gas cars by 2035, 11 states joined it.They accounted for 40% of the U.S. auto market.
Want to hear an argument for secession? Listen toEric’s recent
harangue on “South Park”: “If liberals aresuch lazy moochers, then tell me, whyare 95% of the poorest counties in our country Republican? Why are 8of10 poorest states Republican? Why are red states the welfare states that always take morefrom the federal government than they pay in? Ithink we all know whothe lazy moochers are ...”
As for crime, there’sbeen much commentary of late on the murder rates in Republican-run states after Trump sent National Guard troops to quell “unrest” only in Democratic areas. In one of his mocking tweets, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote, “Alabama has 3X the homicide rate of California.”
As for running the nation’s— or half the nation’s—medical care establishment, Democratic states are well-positioned. They are already hometothe world’s
top four universities formedical research: Harvard, Johns Hopkins, University of California, San Francisco and Stanford. No. 5, the University of Pennsylvania, is in aswing state.
Fingers crossed here forno national breakup, but if it happens, let it be peaceful. There can be trade agreements and mutual defense treaties. There may be somecomplications involving the various “blue dots,” the Democratic districts around Omaha and the Texas big cities. It can all be worked out.
MAGAmay object to “progressive values.” No problem.Blue America feels the sameabout MAGAvalues. Again, no problem Goodpeople in both places —and bad people. Let’ssee how this all progresses.
Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop.
DysfunctioninWashingtondriveslawmakers home
across party lines.
“My worst day as governor,” Joe Manchin often lamented, “was betterthan my best day as a senator.” The West Virginia Democrat spent acombined total of 20 years in those twojobs, so he knows what he’s talking about. And it’shard to argue withthe comment he made to Time’s Jon Meacham in 2014: “I know dysfunctional families that function better than the Senate does. It’s just crazy.”
The traditional career path in United States politics has been for state-based politicians, including governors, to seek anational platform. Adozenformerchief executives sit in the Senatetoday But the dysfunction in Washington that Manchin describes is driving asmall but significant number of lawmakers to reverse that pattern, return home and run for governor Three senators have already announced their campaigns:
Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Michael BennetofColorado and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the daughter ofaformer governor, says she’s“thinking about it ” They follow former senator Mike Braunwho waselected governor of Indianalast year Noticeably,two popular Republicans, Gov.Brian Kemp of Georgiaand former Gov.Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, both rejected pleas from thenational partyto run for the Senate. Meanwhile, tworising stars among House Democrats, Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey,are bothleaving Capitol Hill and seeking governorships this fall. Some politicianshave always preferred to beexecutives instead of legislators. After all, senators makespeeches, while governors make decisions. Life on Capitol Hill, however,has gotten much morefrustratingin recent years for any lawmakers whobelievetheir jobistobuild consensus,negotiate compromises andsolveproblems, especially
Donald Trumpdid not start that trend, but he has severely aggravated it,usurping congressional power by governing primarily through executive orders, not legislation. The few bills that have becomelaw passed on straight party-line votes. The legislative process, theforum where deals are brokered and lawmakers are players, has been virtually shut down.
Jessica Taylor,ananalyst for thenonpartisan Cook Political Report, says moresenators are running for governor than at any time in the last 90 years. “In this current political environmentthat we’re in, Ithink it just speaks tothe polarization,”she told NPR. “The Senateused to be theworld’sgreatest deliberative body,but alot of those people that worked across the aisle have retired or been defeated.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham,aSouth Carolina Republican, said he understood why fellow lawmakers like Mike Braun are headed home. In the Senate, he said, “It takes forever to get anything
done. Mike is moreofa business, action-oriented guy.”
Sen. Bennet of Colorado, who once served as superintendent of Denver’spublic schools, feels particularlystymied by gridlock on CapitolHill over public education As he told the education website The 74: “With respect to education policy at thefederal level, we’re at amomentwhere all there is is wreckage everywhere you turn.”
Onestark measure of the growing polarization in Washington: After lastyear’selection, only four statesnow have Senate delegations split among two parties, thelowest number since senators were first elected by popular vote in 1913. As recently as 2011, 19 states elected lawmakers from rival parties. Butgovernors’ races are not quitesodivisive. Deep-red states like Kentucky and Kansas have Democratic governors, and blue bastions like Vermont and New Hampshire are led by Republicans. Andthat difference reflects the nature of agovernor’sjob.
“Being in the Senate is an honor, and it’sagood job, it’simportant. But Ijust think anybody you talk to who’sbeen agovernor and a senator is going to tell you, being governor is really the best job,” Republican Sen. John Hoeven, whoserved as North Dakota governor from 2000 to 2010 before winning aSenate seat, told NBC. “You’re the CEO. Youset your agenda. Youcan work to effectuate it. For all those reasons, I think that’swhy people, given a choice, would wantthat job first.” Hoeven says there’saspecial bond among the former governors, from both parties, whonow serve on Capitol Hill. “By nature, governors are morebipartisan because you got to workwith your legislators to get something done,” he said. “You got to work with both sides.”
In Trump’sWashington, that’s virtually impossible. In growing numbers, lawmakers are realizing that if they wanttowork with both sides, they have to go home.
Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO
Charlie Kirk speaks before he wasshot during an appearance at Utah ValleyUniversity in Orem, Utah,onWednesday.
Froma Harrop
Steve Roberts
Alookathow chess andfootballtranslate for Saints safety Reid, Page 8C
PICK ‘N GRIN
Dashawn Spears celebrates in the end zoneafter catching an interception and running it back for
TigerStadium. LSUwon 20-10.
BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer
If anything has become clear about LSU through three games, it’sthat the defense can carry this team.
The No. 3Tigers struggled offensively again Saturday night against Florida, but at least for another week, that did not hurt them.
LSU won 20-10 after it intercepted Florida quarterback DJ Lagway five times. Apick-six by sophomore safety Dashawn Spears gave the Tigers atwo-score lead in the third quarter,and that ended up being enough even though theoffense couldn’tput the game away in frontofacrowd of 102,158 inside Tiger Stadium
“You gottounderstand thereare
ways to lose thatgame if you’re not smart,” LSU coach BrianKelly said. “And Ithought we were very smart in the way we managed the game.”
LSU(3-0, 1-0SEC)heldFlorida (12, 0-1) to 79 yardsrushing andcapitalized on several bad decisions by Lagway,who finished 33 of 49 for 287 yards and one touchdown. LSU had threesacks, five tackles for loss and fourquarterback hurries.
“He could neversettle and be in rhythm,” Kelly said of Lagway.“Most of those picks were out-of-rhythm throws, and that was the game plan was to get him out of rhythm.”
Theinterceptions endedupbeing enough to make the difference. The
The howling, chanting, sunburned, gold-shirt wearing, LED-wristband blinging LSUfaithful should be eating up this 3-0 football team with a jambalaya ladle. Defense, something that deep down is thepride and defining trait of LSU football, is back like it hasn’tbeen since even before the2019 national championship. The offense is also like something from that bygone, pre-NIL spending, unbridled transfer portal era of LSU football, sure to be thefocus of contention as theTigers head toward what will be abreather week against Southeastern Louisiana. Andagainst Florida, aprogram
Scott Rabalais
generations of LSU fans have grown to despise over their 55 straight years of facing each other,LSU pulled out abare-knuckles 20-10 victory that, in someways, goes down even sweeter forthe struggle that ensued over 3hours and 21 minutes Saturday night in Tiger Stadium Somewhere —probably in Florida where he now resides —Les Miles wastipping his high white hat in approval, saying, “Yeah. That’sTiger Stadium.Where opponents’ dreamsgotodie.”
Through three games there is a very Miles-era quality to this LSU
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
LSUsafety
atouchdowninthe second half against FloridaonSaturday at
BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS
TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP
Georgia defeats Tennessee in OT
By The Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, TENN When No. 6
Georgia clawed its way back from three deficits against No. 15 Tennessee on Saturday, coach Kirby Smart got the answer he was looking for “We feel our team has a certain identity,” Smart said after the Bulldogs’ 44-41 overtime victory “We’re not going to go down without a fight.”
Josh McCray scored on a 1-yard run in to cap the win. Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) beat Tennessee (2-1, 1-0) for the ninth straight time with Nate Frazier setting up the winning score with a 21-yard run on Georgia’s first snap in overtime.
“I feel almost like we have to apologize,” said Smart. “I don’t think that we should have won that game. I thought (Tennessee) outplayed us in a lot of ways.”
Max Gilbert kicked a 42-yard field goal to give Tennessee a 4138 edge in overtime. Tennessee had a chance to win in regulation, but Gilbert pushed a 43-yard field-goal attempt wide right just before the final whistle.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a TD. Trailing 38-30 with 2:32 left in the game, Stockton hit London Humphreys on fourth down with a 28-yard fade in the end zone The two-point conversion tied it for the third time.
No 2 PENN STATE 52, VILLANOVA 6: In State College, Pennslyvania, Drew Allar threw for 209 yards and a touchdown and No. 2 Penn State got another near flawless effort from its defense in a win over Villanova.
Nicholas Singleton ran for two touchdowns, Kaytron Allen added another Trebor Peña caught a touchdown, and Ryan Barker kicked three field goals.
Linebacker Tony Rojas had two sacks for the Nittany Lions (3-0) who came one play shy of posting back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1996.
No.1 OHIO STATE 37,OHIO 9: In Columbus, Ohio, Julian Sayin passed for 347 yards and three touchdowns, Jeremiah Smith found the end zone twice and Ohio State pulled away in the second half for a victory over Ohio.
Ohio (1-2) pulled to 13-9 early in the third quarter when Parker Navarro connected with Chase Hendricks for a 67-yard touchdown However, the Buckeyes took control by scoring on their next four drives.
Jayden Fielding’s third field goal put the Buckeyes (3-0) up 16-9 before Sayin found Smith for a 47yard touchdown and Carnell Tate for a 49-yard score to make it a three-score game.
No. 4 OREGON 34, NORTHWESTERN 14: In Evanston, Illinois, Dante Moore threw for 178 yards and a touchdown and Oregon opened Big Ten play with a win at Northwestern.
Dierre Hill Jr added a 66-yard scoring run and Jayden Limar and Jordon Davison had rushing touchdowns to help the Ducks (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten) win their road opener The Wildcats (1-2, 0-1) forced an Oregon punt on the game’s first drive but didn’t have much of an answer the rest of the game. The Ducks led 17-0 at the half after scoring on their next three possessions to improve to 11-0 against conference foes since joining the Big Ten last season.
No. 5 MIAMI 49, No. 18 SOUTH FLORIDA 12: In Miami Gardens, Florida, Carson Beck threw three touchdown passes, Mark Fletcher Jr rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and Miami remained unbeaten with a win over South Florida. It was Miami’s biggest victory margin over a ranked opponent since beating Washington 65-7 in 2001, the Hurricanes’ most recent national championship season Beck completed 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards and ran for a touchdown for Miami (3-0). Fletcher
had a two-TD game for the second consecutive week and Joshua Moore had two first-quarter scoring catches.
No. 19 ALABAMA 38,WISCONSIN 14: In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Ty Simpson threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns, including two to returning star Ryan Williams, and Alabama overpowered Wisconsin for the second consecutive year Simpson completed 24 of 29 passes, with two of his misses being drops by Williams and freshman Lotzier Brooks. Williams finished with five receptions for 165 yards after missing last week’s game because of a concussion.
Bray Hubbard’s two interceptions led an Alabama (2-1) defense that held Wisconsin to 209 yards. The Crimson Tide notched four sacks.
No 9 ILLINOIS 38, WESTERN MICHIGAN
0: In Champaign, Illinois, Luke Altmyer threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Illinois shut out Western Michigan.
Kaden Feagin rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown and Ca’Lil Valentine ran for 63 yards and a TD. Hank Beatty caught six passes for 53 yards and a TD.
Broc Lowry threw for 78 yards and ran for 40 yards for the Broncos (0-3), who had 204 total yards. No. 13 OKLAHOMA 42, TEMPLE 3: In Philadelphia, John Mateer threw for 282 yards and a touchdown and had a 51-yard rushing score and Tory Blaylock rushed for 100 yards and a pair of TDs to lead Oklahoma to a victory over Temple.
The Sooners (3-0) took a 25-0 lead in the first half of a game played in the home of the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles and essentially ran out the clock the rest of the game.
Jovantae Barnes scored a 3-yard rushing TD on the opening drive and OU converted the 2-point conversion for the 8-0 lead. The Owls (2-1) made a nice defensive stand on the next drive, with a sack and a tackle for a loss that pushed the Sooners into a fourth-and-long. No problem for OU. Tate Sandell promptly kicked a 52-yard field goal.
GEORGIA TECH 24, No. 12 CLEMSON 21:
In Atlanta, Aidan Birr made a 55yard field goal as time expired and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets upset the Clemson Tigers. With no timeouts left and the clock running with under 20 seconds to play the Georgia Tech special teams squad sprinted onto the field and lined up.
Quarterback Haynes King was 19 for 27 for 216 yards and added 25 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter for the Yellow Jackets (3-0, 1-0 ACC). No 24 AUBURN 31, SOUTH ALABAMA 15:
In Auburn, Alabama, Jackson Ar-
nold accounted for three touchdowns, including two rushing, and Auburn beat South Alabama. The Tigers (3-0) enjoyed a balanced attack in their “White Out” game — all-white uniforms at home for the first time in 15 years — and finished with 195 yards rushing and 142 passing.
Jeremiah Cobb continued to find success in Damari Alston’s absence, rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown. Cobb has a career-high four rushing touchdowns through three games.
South Alabama’s Bishop Davenport threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns but also had an interception. The Jaguars (1-2) had success moving the football and finished with 310 yards, but penalties, stalled drives and defensive miscues prevented the game from being tightly contested.
No. 23 MICHIGAN 63, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 3: In Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bryce Underwood passed for 235 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 114 yards and two more scores, leading Michigan to a victory over Central Michigan.
The Wolverines (2-1) and their freshman star bounced back from a lackluster performance in a loss at Oklahoma. Biff Poggi stepped in for suspended coach Sherrone Moore, who also will miss the school’s Big Ten opener next weekend at Nebraska.
Underwood completed 16 of 25 passes, including a 32-yard touchdown pass to Semaj Morgan, in three quarters before watching the rest of the game from the sideline.
No 7 TEXAS 27, UTEP 10: In Austin, Texas, Arch Manning had two first-half touchdown runs while struggling through another poor passing game in Texas’ victory over UTEP
One of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy, Manning ran 2 yards for an early touchdown and had a 5-yard scoring run in the final seconds of the half for a 14-3 lead But he also had 10 straight incompletions, threw an interception in the end zone and was briefly booed by the home crowd in the first half.
Manning has struggled to live up to his preseason hype after Texas (2-1) debuted at No. 1 before losing its season opener at Ohio State. He was 9 of 22 for 97 yards through three quarters with sidearm throws and overthrown receivers before tossing a short touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo early in the fourth.
No. 14 IOWA STATE 24,ARKANSAS STATE
16: In Jonesboro, Arkansas, Rocco Becht threw for 265 yards and had passing and rushing touchdowns as Iowa State escaped with a win over Arkansas State. Abu Sama III ran for a 4-yard
Chicago Sky GM says Reese part of future WNBA star Angel Reese will be on the Chicago Sky’s roster “until I hear differently,” general manager Jeff Pagliocca said Friday
The Sky suspended Reese for the first half of a game last week for comments deemed “detrimental to the team.” She questioned the franchise’s talent in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Reese did not take the court for the Sky after the announcement. The team listed her as dealing with a back injury for its final three games.
“Angel is an ascending young talent in this league who’s had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago,” Pagliocca said. “Obviously we went through what we did. I feel like we closed the chapter on it.” The Sky (10-34) went 1-13 without Reese.
No structural damage detected for LHP Skubal
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal had an exam that showed no structural damage after he felt some tightness on his left side Friday
“It’s all good news. The scan came back clean,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins. “So obviously, that’s great for us and great for him.”
The left-hander is expected to have his next post-start throwing day Monday
The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner motioned to his dugout when he first felt tightness in the fourth inning of Friday night’s 8-2 loss to Miami. He departed after a brief conversation with Hinch and a trainer He is 13-5 with a 2.26 ERA in 29 starts for the AL Central leaders.
Hull shoots 5 under for 1-shot LPGA lead
touchdown with 8:34 left to give the Cyclones (4-0) some breathing room after the Red Wolves had closed within 17-16. Carson Hansen rushed for 116 yards on 18 carries for Iowa State, and Sama had 69 yards on nine attempts. Jaylen Raynor threw for 222 yards and rushed for 83 for Arkansas State (1-2), which had consecutive touchdowns nullified by penalties early in the fourth quarter and had to settle for a 40-yard field goal from Clune Van Andel — his third of the game — that got the Red Wolves within one.
NO 21 TEXAS TECH 45, OREGON STATE
14: In Lubbock, Texas, Behren Morton threw four touchdown passes, J’Koby Williams had a scoring catch and a run and and Texas Tech beat Oregon State in a weather-delayed game Play was stopped for 2 1/2 hours just 2 1/2 minutes into the game. Cameron Dickey added a short TD run to help the Red Raiders improve to 3-0 for the first time in coach Joey McGuire’s four seasons.
VANDERBILT 31, No. 11 SOUTH CARO-
LINA 7: In Columbia, South Carolina, Diego Pavia completed 18 of 25 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, Jamezell Lassiter ran for a 44-yard score and Vanderbilt hammered South Carolina on the road to snap a 16game losing streak to the Gamecocks.
The Commodores (3-0, 1-0 SEC) hadn’t beat South Carolina since 2008, but dominated every facet of the game and forced four turnovers for their first 3-0 start since 2017. No. 20 UTAH 31,WYOMING 6: In Laramie, Wyoming, Devon Dampier led four consecutive touchdown drives in the second half, and Utah beat Wyoming in the rivals’ first meeting since 2010.
Dampier completed eight straight passes on Utah’s thirdquarter scoring drives, finishing 27 of 41 for 230 yards and two TDs while adding 86 yards rushing.
Ryan Davis, who transferred from New Mexico to Utah with Dampier, had a career-high 10 receptions for 91 yards.
No 16 TEXAS A&M 41, No. 8 NOTRE
DAME 40: In South Bend, Indiana, Marcel Reed escaped pressure to throw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Nate Boerkircher with 13 seconds left, Randy Bond kicked the extra point and Texas A&M beat Notre Dame. Texas A&M (3-0) beat a Top 25 team on the road for the first time since knocking off then-No 3 Auburn on Nov 8, 2014. The Aggies had lost 13 straight road games to ranked opponents. Notre Dame dropped to 0-2 after playing in the national title game last season.
MAINEVILLE, Ohio Charley Hull shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over topranked Jeeno Thitikul after three rounds of the Kroger Queen City Championship.
Hull birdied four of her final eight holes to post 16-under 200 at TPC River’s Bend, and she credited her straightforward mental approach.
“I just hit a ball and find it and hit it again, you know what I mean? I think that’s the trouble with many golfers, overthinking,” Hull said. “It’s just a game. Hit a white ball at the pin.”
Thitikul, seeking to become the first multiple winner on the LPGA Tour this season, shot 68. The Thai star won in May at Liberty National in Jersey City, New Jersey
Noren, Saddler knotted up at BMW PGA event
VIRGINIA WATER, England The European stars in line to compete in the upcoming Ryder Cup are being upstaged at the high-profile BMW PGA Championship by a player who will be one of the team’s vice captains.
Alex Noren, a Swede who will be among Luke Donald’s five assistants at Bethpage Black, rolled in a 17-foot putt at No. 18 to complete a birdie-birdie-eagle finish and join Adrien Saddier in a tie for the third-round lead.
Saddier, a Frenchman ranked No. 120, birdied three of his last four holes for a 7-under 65 and Noren, the 2017 champion, shot 66. At 15-under 201, they were two strokes clear of Tyrrell Hatton, who shot 64 and was the best-placed of the 11 Ryder Cup players.
Brewers become first team to clinch playoffs
MILWAUKEE
The Milwaukee Brewers have become the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
According to MLB, the New York Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday sealed at least a National League wild-card spot for the Brewers as they got ready to play Saturday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. The NL Central-leading Brewers own the best record in the majors. This marks the seventh time in the last eight seasons that the Brewers have qualified for the playoffs, though they haven’t won a postseason series since sweeping the Colorado Rockies in the National League division series in 2018. They had made a total of two postseason appearances from 1983-2017 before that.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GEORGE WALKER IV
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton looks to throw a pass against Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.
Bell takes Bristol, completes 1st-round sweep
The Associated Press
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Christopher Bell seized the victory on a late restart Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, completing a firstround sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs for Joe Gibbs Racing. Leading the final four laps, Bell finished 0.343 seconds ahead of Brad Keselowski, who was trying to end a 51-race winless streak Bell joined JGR teammates Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe as first-round winners as Toyotas remained unbeaten in the 10-race playoffs.
Zane Smith finished third, followed by Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano.
There were a season-high 14 caution flags for 137 laps as drivers and teams struggled to get a handle on a new right-side tire with excessive wear that required more pit stops.
The playoff drama spiked with 40 laps remaining when a fire erupted under Austin Cindric’s No. 2 Ford. His team was able to extinguish the flames, but Cindric lost several laps in the pits and reemerged outside the top 30 and just ahead of Alex Bowman in the points for the 12th and final transfer spot to the second round But Bowman, who had rebound-
ed from a spin on the 100th lap, still needed to win to bump out Cindric. He finished eighth and came up 10 points short of advancing.
Also eliminated were Austin Dillon (28th), Shane van Gisbergen (26th) and Josh Berry (39th). Seeking his first Cup victory, Ty Gibbs led a race-high 201 of 500 laps but bungled while trying to reach the pits for his final greenflag stop, losing major time in his No. 54 Toyota.
First out
With smoke billowing from the cockpit and flames shooting out from his right-front tire, Berry made an eye-catching exit as the first driver eliminated. The Wood Brothers Racing driver qualified 10th and ran as high as third before a fire erupted on his No. 21 Ford.
D.Hamlin 358-360; C.Briscoe 361-415; T.Gibbs 416-430; C.Bell 431-436; B.Keselowski 437-438; Z.Smith 439-442; J.Logano 443-449; B.Keselowski 450-465; C.Hocevar 466-474; Z.Smith 475; B.Keselowski 476-490; C.Bell 491; C.Hocevar 492-496; C.Bell 497-500 Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led): T.Gibbs, 7 times for 201 laps; C.Briscoe, 3 times for 127 laps; B.Keselowski, 3 times for 33 laps; R.Blaney, 3 times for 30 laps; C.Hocevar, 4 times for 26 laps; A.Allmendinger, 2 times for 24 laps; C.Bell, 4 times for 12 laps; B.Wallace, 2 times for 12 laps; A.Cindric, 2 times for 10 laps; J.Logano, 1 time for 7 laps; Z.Smith, 2 times for 5 laps; A.Bowman, 2 times for 5 laps; R.Stenhouse, 1 time for 5 laps; D.Hamlin, 1 time for 3 laps. Wins: D.Hamlin, 5; S.Van Gisbergen, 4; K.Larson, 3; C.Bell, 3; C.Briscoe, 2; R.Blaney 2; W.Byron, 2; B.Wallace, 1; C.Elliott, 1; J.Logano, 1; R.Chastain, 1; A.Cindric, 1; A.Dillon, 1; J.Berry, 1. Top 16 in Points: 1. D.Hamlin, 2120; 2. C.Briscoe, 2115; 3. K.Larson, 2103; 4. B.Wallace, 2093; 5. R.Blaney, 2085; 6. W.Byron, 2082; 7. T.Reddick, 2080; 8. C.Bell, 2075; 9. C.Elliott, 2071; 10. J.Logano, 2064; 11. R.Chastain, 2062; 12. A.Cindric, 2054; 13. A.Dillon, 2043; 14. S.Van Gisbergen, 2039; 15. A.Bowman, 2019; 16. J.Berry, 2009. NASCAR Driver Rating Formula A maximum of 150 points can be attained in
“Man, just so disappointing,” Berry said. “That was going to be a lot of fun. We were moving forward. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but it hasn’t been because of performance. We executed well and ran well, just haven’t had the finishes.”
State
ASSSOCIATED PRERSS FILE PHOTO By GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ
after a 3-point basket during the first half of agame against the Indiana
in San Francisco.
Valkyries made WNBA history, won over fans in just one season
BY JANIE MCCAULEY AP sportswriter
SAN FRANCISCO Exhausted and finally able to catch her breath, Jess Smith sat down for a celebratory postgame meal out with her family when two preteen boys at a nearby table began analyzing all the winning plays by the Golden State Valkyries from earlier in the day
They impressed the president of the WNBA’s newest team with their knowledge, discussing the highlights just like they surely would Stephen Curry and the NBA’s Warriors.
“They were pronouncing the players’ names correctly, they were talking so passionately about how skilled our players were,” Smith said. “You could tell they watched the whole game and they were sitting there with each other talking about it, just as they would any other Bay Area team.”
As the WNBA playoffs begin this weekend, the Valkyries aren’t just any team. They’re the first WNBA expansion franchise to reach the postseason during its inaugural season, an achievement that comes with interest surrounding the league and women’s sports continuing to grow in popularity The buzz is evident with raucous sellout crowds at Chase Center, now dubbed “Ballhalla” in a cheeky play on Valhalla which in Norse mythology is where Valkyries guide the souls of slain Warriors.
Valkyries delivered on and off floor Golden State had just pulled off a commanding 27-point home victory against Las Vegas on that Saturday in June when Smith went out to eat. It marked the largest win in franchise history yes, a young one — until a 90-59 triumph at Chicago on Aug. 15 topped that “It’s been a blast,” said owner Joe Lacob, who has loved women’s basketball dating to the Americans’ dominance at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was a founding owner in the former ABL Players also are thrilled to be
building something from the ground up, being part of all the special firsts for this franchise.
“The way that the bay grows is by being there for each other, is uplifting each other, is lending that helping hand when people need it,” guard Tiffany Hayes said. “Or even just working together, just connecting people that need to be connected. A little connection can bring you a long way That’s just what the Valkyries have been showing everybody You see Ballhalla’s packed every night, that people feel the love from what they’re getting when they come here.”
The Valkyries have captivated their target audience, and then some. Every age and color every walk of life, that’s what you see inside Chase Center — where grown men are rocking their pale purple.
“Valkyries violet!” emphasized Lacob, who initially wasn’t sure of the color scheme and now wears his violet pullover with pride.
The Bay Area already had an established fan base for women’s basketball with strong support of the college programs such as California and Stanford.
Now all eyes are on the Valkyries and their success — and not just in Northern California but well beyond. Toronto Tempo expansion team president Teresa Resch recently attended a game and was shown on the big screen.
Golden State’s new Raven “bestie” as they call her — she’s not a mascot — named Violet is a huge hit. She made her debut Aug. 11 for a matchup with Connecticut. The sporty Violet dances around the arena sharing friendship bracelets after hatching from a large purple egg following a four-day incubation outside Chase Center this summer
Fans are loving the attention to such details. All 22 regular-season home games were sellouts. But the eighth-seeded Valkyries will relocate to SAP Center in San Jose for their home playoff game Wednesday against Minnesota because of
the Laver Cup tennis event, which had been scheduled before San Francisco was granted a WNBA team.
Making the playoffs in Year 1
On the floor, coach Natalie Nakase has produced a consistent winner with players who mix and match and thrive on their depth — especially important with a rash of late-season injuries — stingy defense and 3-point shooting.
The 45-year-old Nakase kept Golden State focused on the task at hand night after night, with making playoffs the goal from Day 1.
“It’s about being organized, it’s about being thoughtful, it’s about being prepared,” she said. “And I think when you have that type of mindset among the coaching staff then I think that’s when you can develop. I tell our coaches how can we improve every single day and not just let days off go by.”
Last summer while grabbing another meal, Smith went to pay when she learned her bill had been taken care of by an appreciative fan and now-season ticket-holder
The woman wrote a thank-you for all of Smith’s tireless work and said, “I’ve been waiting for something like this.”
Smith shared that at a staff meeting and made it clear the woman didn’t have it quite right: Every part of running a successful organization is a collaboration, and the Valkyries wouldn’t be where they are without fans like her
Oh, and supporters like Curry and fellow Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski showing up to shine light on the women’s game. Podziemski has been a regular sitting courtside next to Lacob wearing different players’ jerseys every night. “It is just remarkable, I mean it’s just fantastic,” Lacob said. “First of all, selling out every game but secondly winning, does it get any better as an expansion team? It’s pretty great. The fans are having so much fun. It’s just unbelievable.”
STATE ROUNDUP
Missouri overpowers UL behind RB Hardy
By The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ahmad Hardy rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 25 Missouri pounded UL 52-10 on Saturday
The Tigers (3-0) finished with 427 yards rushing on 62 carries. Marquise Davis had 113 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula was 15-for-22 passing for 174 yards and two TDs. He also rushed for a 14-yard TD. Hardy, a UL-Monroe transfer, scored his second touchdown of the day on a 71-yard run that made it 35-3 with 5:41 remaining in the first half.
“Every time I touch the ball, I’m thinking, ‘I’m going to score,’ ” Hardy said. “So I was just trying to get in the end zone.” UL (1-2) finished with just 121 yards on offense, compared to 606 for Missouri. Quarterbacks Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield combined to go 2-of-14 passing for 4 yards. The Ragin’ Cajuns lost quarterback Walker Howard to an injury in their season-opening loss to Rice, and Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said it affected the Tigers’ game plan.
“If I’m going to be real, obviously, their starting quarterback got dinged up, and he’s a really, really good player,” Drinkwitz said, “so coming on the road in the SEC environment versus that front, we just felt like we needed to be very aggressive and relentless in our coverage.
“I don’t think we called much zone cover today I think the first completion they had was zone, and that was about it.”
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 56,MISSISSIPPI VALLEY 3: In Hammond, quarterbacks Carson Camp and Kyle Lowe combined for 302 yards passing with five touchdowns and Southeastern Louisiana drubbed Mississippi Valley Camp completed 8 of 12 passes for 147 yards with two touchdowns for a passer rating of 224.6 Lowe was even better, completing all eight of his attempts for 155 yards with three touchdowns for a passer rating of 386.5. Jaylon Domingeaux caught three touchdown passes and had 82 yards on four receptions for the Lions (2-1).
The Lions scored touchdowns on seven of their first eight possessions, including four TDs in the first quarter They led 28-3 after the first quarter, 42-3 at halftime and 56-3 through three quarters. Their final touchdown of the night came on a 70-yard punt return by Dkhal Joseph. The Lions outgained the Delta Devils (0-3) 445-164 in total yards. WEBER STATE 42, McNEESE STATE 41: In Lake Charles, Jackson Gilkey accounted for 332 yards of offense with a pair of touchdowns and Weber State held off McNeese for its first win of the
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy scores in front of UL’s Jaden Dugger during the first
season.
BJ Carey’s 42-yard interception return for a touchdown stretched Weber State’s (12) lead to 42-21 with 9:45 remaining before McNeese (12) scored three unanswered touchdowns.
Tre’Vonte Citizen answered Carey’s pick-6 with a 79-yard touchdown run on the next play from scrimmage and then Jake Strong tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Harris with 4:56 left. Strong capped the scoring with a 19-yard TD run with 42 seconds to play Gilkey completed 11 of 20 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He ran for a 50-yard touchdown in the second quarter and finished with 114 yards rushing on 15 carries.
Strong was 20-of-39 passing for 278 yards and threw two touchdown passes but was picked off twice. He added 45 yards rushing on nine carries with two TD runs. Citizen had 11 carries for 117 yards. Bryce Strong added 96 yards rushing that included a 68-yard score for McNeese.
CINCINNATI 70, NORTHWESTERN STATE 0: In Cincinnati, Brendan Sorsby threw for five touchdowns — all in the first quarter — and he ran for a 23-yard score to help Cincinnati beat Northwestern State. Cincinnati’s 10 touchdowns tied a program record, and the 70 points were the second-most in the modern era, trailing 72 against Austin Peay in 2011. Backup quarterback Brady Lichtenberg took over the Cincinnati offense midway through the second quarter Lichtenberg connected with Cyrus Allen for the sixth touchdown pass in the first half for a 56-0 lead. Cincinnati had 449 yards of offense in the first half, compared to just 45 for Northwestern State. The Bearcats also had a 21-3 edge in first downs by halftime. Sorsby finished 15 of 15 for 253 yards for Cincinnati (2-1). His longest touchdown pass was a 55-yarder to Caleb Goodie on the first play of the drive Sorsby became the first Bearcat to throw five touchdowns in a quarter or a
Golden
Valkyries fans react
Fever on Aug. 31
AP PHOTO By L.G. PATTERSON
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By WADE PAyNE
Christopher Bell celebrates winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Saturday in Bristol, Tenn.
THE VARSITY ZONE
Haven-Washington combo ‘explosive’ for Dunham
BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer
Dunham junior quarterback Eli-
jah Haven and senior wide receiver Jarvis Washington always know what the other is thinking
The two have played football together for nearly two years, and the countless reps have formed a connection that few defenses have found answers for so far
“We’re just on the same page with a lot of things,” Haven said. “It’s showing in the games.”
Their connection was evident Thursday night in the Tigers’ 63-42 win over Live Oak. Haven had a career night, going 21-of30 passing for 402 yards He also ran for 133 yards on 10 carries Haven threw six touchdown passes and ran for two more, giving him a new career-high of eight. Washington was on the end of four of Haven’s passing scores. He finished with 259 yards receiving on 11 catches.
“Just a very explosive night,” Washington said. “Had a lot of great energy coming from the start.”
Haven is having a blast throwing to Washington and the rest of his receivers. Dunham coach Neil Weiner also credited offensive coordinator Jeff Hand for the work he puts into the game plan.
Hand makes a big deal about the game script on the first drive Before the first drive of every game,
Hand tells his offense in the huddle, “Hey, five plays, I’ll meet you in the end zone.”
While the Tigers rep the first five plays each practice, Dunham needed just one Thursday to find pay dirt
Haven found Washington on the right side of the field. He caught the ball, shook off a lone corner and took the catch down the field for a 72-yard touchdown.
After the game, Washington revealed the play wasn’t designed
for him. Haven noticed inside coverage with no safety over the top, and he quickly changed the play
“He liked the mismatch,” Washington said. “I just had to hold my end of the bargain. If he trusts me, I have to go make a play.”
NOTEBOOK
ffenses run wild in Week 2
BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer
After another exciting week of high school football in Baton Rouge, here are three takeaways from the Week 2 slate of games. High-scoring games aplenty
The theme for Week 2 was points, points and more points. Several teams put up more than 40 points, with high-flying offenses becoming the theme of the week. The offensive flurry started Thursday night.
In Dunham’s game against Live Oak, Tigers junior QB Elijah Haven totaled 535 yards through the air and on the ground. He also had eight total touchdowns — a new career high.
Eagles senior QB Cayden Jones stood out as well, throwing for more than 400 yards and three touchdowns. Dunham outlasted Live Oak in a shootout that ended 63-42.
St. Amant took down Cecilia in a game that ended 60-56. Gators senior QB Cooper Babin went 23-of36 for 401 passing yards and four touchdown passes.
He also ran for 149 yards on 14 carries with four touchdowns. East Ascension was also involved in a high-scoring game against Salmen. The Spartans defeated Salmen 50-44 to get their first win of the season.
Big numbers for Johnson
Chargers junior athlete Landon Johnson has been a star through two games this season. Playing both quarterback and cornerback for MPA, he has put up big numbers on both sides on the ball
He guided Madison Prep to a 30-21 win against Mandeville on Friday night. He finished 14 of 23 for 169 yards while also running 20 times for 119 yards
On defense, he grabbed one interception.
In his first game, Johnson went 8 of 13 for 214 yards. He threw for
three touchdowns. He also ran for 108 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. On defense, he had one interception, two pass breakups and one tackle for loss. The junior two-way athlete could be a difference maker for Madison Prep throughout the season.
QB competition at Central
Coming off a state title, the Wildcats needed to replace several starters heading into this season, including QB Jackson Firmin, who’s now a freshman at Nicholls State.
Junior QBs Jacori Platt and Max Gassiot have been in a battle for the starting role. After the Wildcats defeated De La Salle 20-13 to open
the year, Platt got the nod to start against Denham Springs
He started 4 of 8 for 32 yards before Gassiot entered the game in the second quarter
Gassiot faced a critical fourth down on his first drive. He delivered a 40-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Brody Diel Central completed a second-half comeback to win 34-28. After entering the game, Gassiot played the remainder of the contest. He finished 9 of 22 for 211 yards with three touchdown passes. Coach David Simoneaux didn’t make a definitive decision on who will start for Week 3, but Gassiot’s late heroics helped him make the most of his opportunity
The two make the game easier for each other Washington said Haven checks for him every play, seeing if the 6-foot-4 wide receiver has a mismatch. For Haven, he kept it simple about the kind of player Washington is for Dunham.
“He’s just a baller,” Haven said. “That’s really all I can say about it.” Weiner commended his offense and the duo after putting up 63 points Thursday
“Jarvis is so tough to cover,” Weiner said. “Elijah was fantastic. Always making the right decision to go with the ball.”
Weiner said the two have worked together over the last year and a half to make sure they’re in sync and understand where Washington will be in routes when Haven drops back to pass.
Weiner pointed out how the other receivers make the Dunham passing attack difficult to defend Seniors Kris Thomas and Trevor Haman also caught touchdowns Thursday
“You can’t really single cover Jarvis,” Weiner said, “and if you do, you’re going to have to pay.”
As for Haven and his career night, Weiner knows his junior quarterback is just scratching the surface of his potential.
“He’s 16 years old, still learning how to play the game,” Weiner said. “But he really has materialized. He’s very grounded, very humble, very hungry The sky is the limit for him.”
WEEK 3 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
HOW RANKED
def. Acadiana, 30-14 Others receiving votes: Carencro (1-1) lost to Lafayette Christian, 41-38, West Monroe (2-0) def. Pulaski, AR, 31-17, Acadiana (0-2) lost to Zachary, 30-14, Brother Martin (2-0) def. St. Paul’s, 37-27, Terrebonne (2-0) def. Ellender, 42-3, Evangel Christian (1-1) def. Natchitoches Central, 63-42, Jesuit (2-0) def. E.D. White, 24-21, Airline (2-0) def. Benton, 50-18, Archbishop Rummel (1-1) def. University, 30-17, Ouachita (2-0) def. Wossman, 54-6, St. Paul’s (1-1) lost to Brother Martin, Holy Cross (2-0) def. De La Salle, 20-0. Class 4A
1. Franklin Parish (2-0) def. St. Frederick, 48-7
2. Franklinton (1-1) lost to Covington, 28-26
3. St. Thomas More (0-2) Lost to CatholicBR, 35-28
4. North DeSoto (2-0) def. Center, TX, 49-20
5. E.D. White (0-2) lost to Jesuit, 24-21
6. Teurlings Catholic (2-0) def. Sam Houston, 46-14
7. Archbishop Shaw (1-1) def. West Jefferson, 46-0
8. Lakeshore (2-0) def. Chalmette, 27-12
9. Westgate (1-1) lost to Southside, 35-20
10. Plaquemine (1-1) def. Scotlandville 43-29 Others receiving votes: Lutcher (0-2) lost to St. Charles, 28-0, Cecilia (0-2) lost to St. Amant, 60-56, St. Charles (2-0) def. Lutcher, 28-0, Iowa (2-0) def. Cypress-Mauriceville, TX.,
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Central quarterback Max Gassiot lets the ball fly from the pocket for a long touchdown against Denham
St. Louis (Mikolas 7-10) at Milwaukee (Quintana 11-6), 1:10 p.m. Tampa Bay (Houser 8-4) at Chicago Cubs (Imanaga 9-7), 1:20 p.m. Cincinnati (Lodolo 8-7) at Athletics (Morales 3-1), 3:05 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Glasnow 2-3) at San Francisco (Ray 11-6), 3:05 p.m. Colorado (Márquez 3-13) at San Diego (Darvish 3-5), 3:10 p.m.
Golf
BMW PGA Championship Par Scores Saturday At Wentworth Club Virginia Water, United Kingdom Purse: $9 million Yardage: 7,267; Par: 72 Third Round Alex Noren, Sweden 67-68-66—201 -15
Adrien Saddier, France 69-67-65—201 15
Tyrrell Hatton, England 69-70-64—203 13
Viktor Hovland, Norway 67-66-71—204 -12
D. Fichardt, South Africa 67-70-68—205 11
Ludvig Aberg, Sweden 64-69-73—206 -10
Ewen Ferguson, Scotland 67-68-71—206 10
Matt Fitzpatrick, England 66-71-69—206 10
Harry Hall, England 68-71-67—206 -10
Aaron Rai, England 68-67-71—206 10
P. Reed, United States 69-68-69—206 -10
Francesco Laporta, Italy 68-71-68—207 9
Oliver Lindell, Finland 67-71-69—207 9
Guido Migliozzi, Italy 71-70-66—207 -9
Joaquin Niemann, Chile 72-70-65—207 9
A. Otaegui, United AE 67-71-69—207 -9
Richie Ramsay, Scotland 66-69-72—207 9
Kristoffer Reitan, Norway 72-68-67—207 9
Tom Vaillant, France 64-75-68—207 -9
Laurie Canter, England 73-67-68—208 8
Martin Couvra, France 68-71-69—208 -8
J. Kruyswijk, South Africa 68-71-69—208 8
Min Woo Lee, Australia 68-73-67—208 8 Hideki Matsuyama, Japan 68-64-76—208 -8
T. McKibbin, Nrthrn Irelnd 69-70-69—208 8 Marco Penge, England 68-69-71—208 -8
E. Smylie, Australia 71-68-69—208 -8
D. Van Driel, Netherlands 69-70-69—208 8
E. Van Rooyen, S. Africa 72-70-66—208 -8
Matt Wallace, England 69-73-66—208 8
S. Crocker, United States 69-70-70—209 7
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ERIC GAy
Texas quarterback Arch Manning runs from UTEP linebacker Donte Thompson on Saturday in Austin, Texas. Manning
LSU20, FLORIDA10
NOTEBOOK
Whit Weeksejected earlyfor targeting
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
Junior linebacker Whit Weeks was ejected fortargeting early in the first quarter of LSU’sgame against Florida on Saturday night. On the Gators’ first drive, Weeks lowered the crown of his helmet on atackle attempt, then contacted the face mask of receiver Vernell Brown.After avideoreview, officials confirmedthe targeting callthey made on the field anddisqualifiedWeeks, who watched the rest of the game from the sideline.
LSUdefensecontinued to play well, even after star linebackerWhit Weeks was ejected for targeting on Florida’sopeningdrive and senior linebacker West Weeks left with a calf strain in thesecond half,forcing LSU to play their brother,true freshman Zach Weeks, throughout the fourth quarter
LSU did get lucky at one point. A coverage bust that would have given Jadan Baugh along touchdown catch in the first half gotcalled back by holding, but LSU avoided any other major lapses. It held Florida to an average of 4yards per carry when adjusted forsacks
“This is why you comeplay for acoach like (defensive coordinator) Blake Baker,” defensive end Jack Pyburn said. “He is overaggressive, and to be asuccessful defense,you have to be aggressive. Youcan’tbescared, and we have the ball players to be aggressive.”
Meanwhile, the LSUoffense scuffled as much as Florida. It ran for only 96 yards, and most of them came when sophomore runningbackCaden Durham broke free for 51 yards on the final drive. LSU punted on seven of its12possessions andwentthree-and-out fivetimes. It did not score on offense in the second half. But LSU protected thefootball better.Its only turnover came early in the fourth quarter whenquarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw back across the middleofthe field on third and 27 inside Florida territory,preventing LSU from attempting afield goal.
Nussmeier completed only 56% of his passes (15 of 27) for 220 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
“Stuff didn’tgoright tonight; stuff doesn’tgorightevery night,” senior tight end Bauer Sharp said. “That’sjustthe nature of thegame, so we got to keep moving on. Rely on the defense to makeplaysand bounce back.”
When the call was made, Weeks was visibly upset. He removed his helmet and stormed to the sideline.LSU coach Brian Kelly spoke to him afterward. Florida then settled for a45-yard field goal to cap its openingdrive.
Weeks, ateam captainand preseason first-team All-SEC selection,has made seven tackles this season andtotaled three quarterbackhurries.
During abreakout sophomore year, Weeks recorded ateam-high 125tacklestorank second in the SEC. He returned to start thefirst two gamesafter recovering from an ankle injury that required surgery in the Texas Bowl.
Without Weeks, LSU still played stout defense for mostofthe game.Onlyone of Florida’snext seven drives ended in points. Three of those possessions ended in interceptions —two by sophomore safety Dashawn Spears and one by transfer safety AJ Haulcy.Spears returned hissecondone 58 yards for atouchdown halfway through the third quarter to give theTigers a20-10 lead.
Weekswill notmiss anyadditional game time because he wasdisqualifiedinthe first half Sophomore Davhon Keys played linebacker in his place for mostofthe night
West Weeksinjured
Linebacker West Weeks left the thirdquarter with an apparent leg injury
Weeks, asenior starter,landed awkwardlywhile chasing Florida quarterback DJ Lagway out of bounds. Trainers attendedtohim on theFlorida sideline before he walked gingerly off the fieldunder hisown power andintothe injury tent.
By the start of the fourthquarter, Weeks wasspotted standing on the sideline withatowel over hishead. Kelly said after the game that he had sufferedacalf injury “Wedon’tthink it’s aserious injury,” Kellysaid. “It’snot aknee. It’snot an MCL, but it was acalf injury,and he couldn’treally put anypressure on it. So,our doctors felt it was prudent thatifhe couldn’tput enough pressure on it, he was not going to be effective.”
Alexanderjerseyretired Fournames and jersey numbers now adorn thesouthfaçade of Tiger Stadium At halftimeSaturday,the Tigers retired theNo. 4jersey of Charles Alexander,the legendaryLSU tailback who rushed for morethan 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns from 1975-78. He joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova and JerryStovall as alltime greats who are immortalized in Death Valley Alexander, anative of Galveston, Texas, is LSU’sthird all-time leading rusher.Hewas the first player in SEC history to run for more than4,000 career yards, and he played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Tobeperfectly honestwith you,”AlexandertoldThe Advocate on Wednesday, “I’ve never
experienced anything like this before. I’mvery humbled. Happy for myself. I’m happy formy teammates, the guys that Iplayed with.Iwant them to feel like they’re part of what I’ve done and accomplished so far. Just overjoyed.”
The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committeevotedunanimously in May to retire Alexander’sNo. 4 jersey.Football players can still wear No.4,according to aprovisionpassed in 2007. The only numbers that LSUathletes cannot wear are Cannon’sNo. 20, Bob Petit’s No. 50, Pete Maravich’s No.23, Skip Bertman’s No. 15 and Shaquille O’Neal’s No. 33.
Tensions high pregame
For both LSU and Florida, the stakes of Saturday night’smatchup were high. That fact wasevident during pregamewarm-ups when players from each team engaged in apair of light standoffs
The first onestartednearmidfield. The ABCbroadcast capturedsomepushing and shoving amongLSU safeties Jacob Bradford and JavienToviano,and Florida defensive back Cormani McClain.LSU edge rusher Jack Pyburn,aFlorida transfer,was among the players trying to separate the sides while most of the players from both teamsleft theirspots on thefieldtogather near theFlorida sideline.
The second began in front of the LSU student section. Florida playerswerejoggingaroundthe field, and one of them bumped into LSU receiver ZavionThomas.Asmall scuffle broke out, andanofficial threw aflag.
The flagwas just an informal warning. Officials did notcalla penalty
Moment of silence
LSU asked for amomentof reflectionSaturdayinTigerStadium in honor of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and aWednesday school shooting in Colorado, as well as CharlieKirk —the conservative activist who was assassinated Wednesday in Utah.
Kirk, 31, was the founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. He wasshot and killed on Wednesday while he addressed alarge crowdatUtah Valley University for astop on his“American ComebackTour,” which was scheduledtovisit Baton Rouge on Oct. 27.
Theschoolshootingalsooccurred Wednesday,when agunman opened fire on Evergreen HighSchool outside Denver, injuring twostudents. Thesuspect, a16-year-old student at the school,later died from aself-inflicted gunshot wound. Wilson Alexander contributed to this report.
That’s exactly what happened. Spears grabbed his first career interceptionafter Florida crossed midfield onits second possession.
Late in thefirst half, senior safety AJ Haulcy recorded LSU’ssecond interception on apass over the middle. It set up Damian Ramos for a45-yard fieldgoal thatgave LSUa13-10 lead at the break. Midwaythrough thethird quarter,Spears interceptedLagway again. Thistime,hereturned it 58 yards for atouchdown. Thenext twointerceptions helped seal the game. After Nussmeier’sinterception, Florida reachedLSU’s39-yard line.But on third and9,Lagway overthrew hisreceiver down the middle. Red-
“This is whyyou comeplayfor acoach like(defensive coordinator) BlakeBaker.Heisoveraggressive, and to be a successful defense, you have to be aggressive. Youcan’tbe scared, and we have the ball players to be aggressive.”
defensiveend
shirt sophomore safety Tamarcus Cooley ran underneath thepass in theend zone. After another LSU three-and-out, freshman cornerback DJ Pickett recordedhis first career interception. It was the firsttime that LSU recorded fiveinterceptions in one game sinceplaying OleMissin2020. Kelly thought LSU playedto itsstrengths,and he highlighted
punterGrant Chadwick, who averaged 50.4 yardsper punt and downed four puntsinsidethe 20yard line, helping the defense with field position.Kelly went offwhen the first question he was asked in his postgame news conference was about the offense’songoing issues instead. “Stop,”Kellysaid. “Really? Is that the first question? We wonthe
game20-10. Tryanother question. What do you want me to tell you? I just laid it out for you. We played the gametowin the game.” At some point,the LSUoffense will need to step up more than it has through three games. The Tigers still have not scored 30 points. They have one moretuneup against Southeastern Louisiana before going through the rest of the SEC schedule,soimprovement will need to happen soon. But foranotherweek,itdidn’t matter.Onceagain, the defense wasmore than enough.
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LSU
STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
LSUwide receiver Nic Anderson runs withthe ball between Florida defensiveback Bryce Thornton, left, and defensive lineman Caleb Banks during the firsthalf on Saturday.
JACK PyBURN,LSU
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
wide receiver Aaron Anderson races through the Florida defense after making thecatch in the second quarter on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByGERALD HERBERT Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown is hitbyLSU linebackerWhit Weeks, left, whowas penalized fortargeting
the play, and safety Tamarcus Cooley in the first half Saturday at TigerStadium. Weekswas ejected
LSU20, FLORIDA10
THREEAND OUT: SCOTTRABALAIS’
IT’S VERY 2010 AROUND HERE
1
There is aLes Miles-era quality to this LSU football team through three games— creaky,oil-leaking offense and abend but don’t break, opportunistic defense.The LSU offense was outgained by Florida366-316, only produced acouple of effectivedrives and continues to be aserious concernhampered by an ineffectiveground game. But the Tigers defense, evenafter losing akey player early,was up to the task with five interceptions that produced a20-10 win overthe self-destructiveGators.
NOTONE WHIT
2
Theejection early in the first quarter of star LSU linebacker Whit Weeks was atough blowfor the Tigers defensetoovercome. It was also overkill. Weeks’ helmetdid makecontact with that of Floridaplayer VernellBrown, but it was hardly worthy of an ejection. A penalty at most. Couplethat with the touchdown reception by Barion Brown that was erased twoweeksago at Clemson, and you’re left to wonderwhat footballreally is in 2025.
FINAL THOUGHTS
3
Anyone whoexpected an LSU-Florida game that wouldn’t be atussle, even afterthe Gators’ upset loss to South Florida, doesn’t knowthis rivalry.This was aclassic LSU-Florida battle on aclassic Saturdaynight in TigerStadium,but eventually the Gators’ mistakes were their doom (including aDashawn Spears’ pick-six) as wasthe case against USF. NowLSU gets abreatheragainst Southeastern Louisiana before the next big SEC showdown in twoweeks at Ole Miss.
DOMINANT DEFENSE
Spears’interceptions help seal grueling win
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
Dashawn Spears saw hisinterception in the hotel.
Before Saturday’s game againstFlorida, the LSU sophomore safety had seen the play the Gators were runningon film. Once the running back motioned out wide before the snapand the lone receiver to his right —J.Michael Sturdivant —cut his route toward the middle of the field, it was only amatter of time before Florida quarterback DJ Lagway would throw the ball to Sturdivant.
“Wepracticed it in practice,” Spears said. “I went over it. Iwatched it in the hotel. Iknew it was coming.”
Spears’ hunch turned out to be correct. He undercutLagway’sthrow and intercepted the pass in stride, sprinting down the sidelinefor a58-yard touchdown return.
Instead of Florida beingonthe edge of field goal range andthreatening to tie the score at 13-13, Spears had broken the game open and handed LSU a10-point advantage.
The score provedtobethe turning point in LSU’s20-10victory over the Gators on SaturdayinTiger Stadium
“He’sbeen grinding every single day,” Kelly said regarding Spears’ impact “He comes in and he’s looking for an opportunitytoget on thefield.”
LSU intercepted Lagway five times in hisfirstroadstart in Southeastern Conference play.Spears had thefirst and third interceptions. Thesecondand fourth turnovers landed in thehands of fellow safeties AJ Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley,respectively
Haulcy’sinterception came at the end of the first half and setupa 45-yard field goal from fifth-year senior Damian Ramos that gave LSU the 13-10 lead Cooley’scatch was in the fourth quarter with 6:33 left to play,and freshman cornerback DJ Pickett snatched the fifth interception to seal thevictorywithjust over two minutes left “We’re leaning on themtowin, right?”
RABALAIS
Continued from page1C
team. The offense is scoring points and gaining yards withan eye dropper-like propensity. The Tigers were outgained 366-316 by the Gators and managed just 13 points on offense. LSU reached the modest yardstickofits 20 points per game average only becauseofDashawn Spears’ 58-yard interception return for atouchdowninthe third quarter, thelone score of asecond half that found both offenses unable to escape their trenches.
Afterward, LSU coach Brian Kelly took offense to aleadoff questionabout the Tigers’ lack of offensive production. Maybehe has apoint. Maybe —since college football is looking more like the NFL with player contracts and transfers flying aroundthe map like free agents —any win is aworthwhilevictory Still, there likely will comea
LSU safety Dashawn Spears, center,intercepts apass between LSU safetyA.J.Haulcy,left, and cornerbackDJPickett
half against FloridaonSaturday at TigerStadium. Spears had twointerceptions in LSU’swin over
said Kelly,referencing hisdefense.“You guys werehere when we had aprolific offense. That doesn’t work.You can’t outscore people andbeachampionship team.You can build your offense around thedefense, if it’sthat good, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Spears’ first interceptioncameatthe 6:29 mark of thefirst quarter.The sophomore undercut Lagway’sthrow into triple coverage, stopping Florida in its tracksafter it had kicked afield goal on its opening drive to take a3-0 lead.
Spears’ responsibilitySaturday was to come in on third-and-long situations as the dime safety in theTigers’ “prowler” package. Both of his interceptions came in third-and-long situations. Through three games, themajority of
Saturdaywhenthe LSUoffense has to be good enough to come to therescue of its defense. For now Kelly clearly was relieved that histeam got past adangerous (to itself andothers) Florida team to start SEC play withavictory “We’re not perfect,” Kelly said, “but we’re making progress every single day.”
No matter the records, therankings or the setting,these are two programs that don’tlike each other.The snarling started early LSUand Florida players squared off duringpregame warmups near theGators’ bench. Moments later,aplatoon of Gators marched off toward the corner of the north end zonesmack dab in front of theLSU student section. Another standoff. I’ve seen pushing, shoving andEye of the Tiger logo stompingbyLSU opponents over the years, but rarely if ever an incursion by opposing players into thebelly of the LSU beast. Students and early arriving fans were delightfully enraged. If there was any doubt whether
his playing time has comeonthird down as Cooley and Haulcy have established themselves as the starting safeties.
“It’s areal key role,”Spears said after he was asked about playing dime safety on thirddown, “especially on third down.”
The pressure LSU applied to Lagway played asignificantroleinthe quarterback’s struggles. Redshirt junior Harold Perkins andthe front seven harassed thesignal-caller from start to finish. Defensive coordinator BlakeBaker wasn’t shy when it cametodialing up blitzes.
But the key to unlocking LSU’saggressiveness thus far has been the secondary. Thegroup’s ability to make tackles in space, create plays and stick to receivers in man coverage have allowed
Baker to be as creative as he wants to be with Perkins and the rest of his athletic front.
“Our corners, our safeties, everybody, we can lock down, so that (gives) the front timetoget to the quarterback,” Spears said. “And Ithink we had alot of pressures tonight.”
AddingCooley andHaulcyastransfers has played amassive role in the secondary’srevitalization.But so has Spears, aformer top-100 recruit who saw the biggest play of the gamebefore it even happened.
“From being born in Utah, to coming downhere when Iwas 9years old I’ve always wanted to playhere,” Spears said. “So it’sjust afull-circlemoment forme.”
there was any fight left in Florida after last week’supset loss to two-touchdown underdog South Florida, it was erased right then. Credit to theGators and their beleaguered coach, former UL head man Billy Napier,for that at least.
As thegame woreon, though, Florida’snagging faults under Napier (now 20-21 in Gainesville) bubbled to the surface. Quarterback DJ Lagway threw five interceptions —LSU already has matched its 2024 total of six picks —including a58-yard interception return by Dashawn Spears. Florida also had atouchdown pass from Lagway to Jadan Baugh against ablowncoverage by LSU—one of the Tigers’ few defensive mistakes —erased by a holding penalty Lagway,who out yardaged LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier 287-220 through the air,became increasingly reckless with the ball as the gamewore on. Chalk that up to the deficit his team labored under throughout the second half andthe ever-tightening vise grip of LSU’spressure and coverage. This is aTigers defense that, for thefirst timeinavery long time, functions exceptionally well on all three levels. This even after losing starting linebackers Whit Weekstoahighly question-
able targeting call and his brother West Weeks later to acalf strain. “A lot of teams would have been deflated with what wentagainst us early on,” Kelly said, “but they kept battling. Ithought we were very smart in the waywemanaged the gamefor the outcome we got: awin in the SEC.” That’struly all that matters. LSU is 1-0 for the third straight week, and most importantly,1-0 in conference play.There are legitimate concerns about the Tigers on one side of the ball —the opposite side from the concerns of 2023 and muchof2024 —but there is still potential for improvement.
For now,asthe annual LSU-Florida series likely draws to aclose because of the new nine-game SEC schedule, the Tigers take a35-34-3 series lead over the Gators with this victory.Inalot of ways, despite alot of questions, there can be satisfaction for LSU in that.
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STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier looks to makea pass against Florida in the second quarter on Saturday.
STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
in the first
Florida.
SAINTS GAMEDAY
FOUR THINGS TO WATCH
SLOW DOWN MCCAFFREY
ROSTERS INJURY REPORT
OT Trent Williams (knee/rest)
FIX THE FLAGS
Nothing else written here will matter if the Saints don’t clean up the penalties they committed in the season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Saints were penalized 13 times, tied with the Tennessee Titans for most in the league Even worse eight of the flags were pre-snap penalties. That’s also the most in the league The obvious result of that is the Saints often found themselves in unfavorable down and distances It would make things so much easier for secondyear quarterback Spencer Rattler not to be in those situations.
Niners quarterback Brock Purdy will miss the game with shoulder and toe injuries. In addition, the 49ers placed tight end George Kittle on injured reserve because he’s dealing with a groin injury. But they still have versatile running back Christian McCaffrey. The Saints are very familiar with McCaffrey, who was in the same division when he played with the Panthers. McCaffrey had 142 yards (69 rushing, 73 receiving) last week against Seattle. The Saints can’t let him have a big game.
RETURN OF THE MAC With Purdy out, the 49ers will turn to Mac Jones at QB Jones is in his first season with the 49ers after playing last season with the Jaguars and his first three seasons with the Patriots. The Saints dominated Jones in both meetings they faced him when he was with New England. The Saints intercepted him five times in those two games, while Jones has thrown just one touchdown against the Saints They’ve also sacked him four times. He was sacked 12 times in his seven starts last season in Jacksonville and went 2-5.
To Reid, football like a chess game
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
After Justin Reid arrives at the Caesars Superdome for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, he will go through the normal player checklist.
He will get into his New Orleans Saints gear, take the field and go through his warmup routine. He’ll head back to the locker room and take one final spin through his mental warmup, watching film of his opponent and walking through the game plan in his mind.
Before he walks through the tunnel for team introductions, he will shut all that off, pull out his cellphone and play a game of chess.
“It takes my mind off of the game so that I can relax and not get too hyped up before the game,” Reid said. “And then when it’s time to go outside, I can just lock right back in and play the game.”
The Saints signed Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million contract this offseason. They signed him because he’s a difference-making athlete with a championship pedigree, and because safeties play a crucial role in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme. They also signed him because he is a problem solver who can sort out offensive complexity as it is unfolding in front of him.
As if the field was a well, you probably get the idea.
“What’s fun for me is, based on the setup — you can call it formation, whatever — of the chess board, you can kind of anticipate what your opponent is trying to do, right?” Reid said. “It’s like, ‘OK, they went with this opening,’ whether it’s a Sicilian or it’s a Scotch or whatever this is what their game plan typically is, right? So you can act accordingly
“You’re going to continue to move with your game plan, but you’re also going to do some in-between moves to make sure that you got whatever they’re trying to do, you got that protected and taken care of. Football is the same way.”
Most of the time, Reid plays chess on his phone. He said he plays anywhere
“It takes my mind off of the game so that I can relax and not get too hyped up before the game. And then when it’s time to go outside, I can just lock right back in and play the game.”
from 10-30 games per day, sometimes up to 10-minute matches But he’ll keep things analog, too: He keeps a chess board in his locker at the Saints’ facility for when any teammates want to play
He’d welcome the challenge. The main reason Reid got into chess in the first place, beyond being inspired by the TV show “The Queen’s Gambit,” was because he was whooped in a game by his former Texans teammate Phillip Gaines.
Ever since, Reid has taken lessons from American chess master James Canty, and his own rating is about 1,500, which puts him roughly in the 75th percentile among competitive players. What does chess have to do with football? Knights and rooks don’t weigh 300 pounds and move at you with vicious intent. But there is a correlation. At their cores, chess and football involve analyzing what is happening in real time and predicting future outcomes so you can put yourself in advantageous positions.
In that sense, Staley described Reid as a “multiplier” on the field.
“When you get a safety that can do the things that Justin can do, it just enhances everybody’s ability on your defense,” Staley said. “He’s one of those rare impact players as a safety who doesn’t have to just impact the game physically He can impact the game mentally And I think he’s allowed us to play a lot of high-level football because of his experiences.”
That will come in handy after the Saints lost the other half of their starting safety tandem, Julian Blackmon, to what is likely a season-ending shoulder injury Reid now will line up alongside rookie Jonas
Sanker in the defensive backfield. Reid has been in Sanker’s position before. When he was a rookie with the Texans in 2018, he also was thrust into the starting lineup for a Week 2 game because of an injury in the Houston secondary
He understands he’s going to have to help Sanker adjust to the pro game, because that’s part of the reason the Saints brought him here in the first place. His advice for the rookie is simple
“On the first play, try and hit somebody as hard as you can to settle yourself in; then after that, just go play ball,” Reid said.
Defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph is coaching in the NFL for the first time this season after a long career in the college ranks. Having someone like Reid around has eased his transition to the pro game. Reid, Joseph said, always seems to try and sneak in a Level 5 question during a Level 2 coaching point. That matters on Sundays. Football is a dynamic game. Offensive play-callers are constantly trying to put defenders in conflict, where the wrong decision will open an avenue for a big play In Reid Joseph believes the Saints have someone comfortable making “a battlefield decision with confidence.”
It’s no mystery to Joseph that all the defenses Reid has been a part of have improved after he got there
“The work’s never done, because it’s like, ‘What if?’ ” Joseph said. “He likes to tackle all those different scenarios. He doesn’t want you to give him the answer, but give (him) the parameters (he) can work in if it does happen. As a coach, you love that.” Before the game Sunday, Reid will sit at his locker and quiet his mind with a game of strategy He will see potential outcomes as they’re unfolding and take the necessary steps to cut them off. Then he’ll don his helmet, run through the tunnel and look to do a version of the same thing on the field.
Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@ theadvocate.com.
STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, right, and safety Justin Reid celebrate Bresee’s field goal block during the second half at the Caesars Superdome last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
JUSTIN REID Saints safety on playing chess before games
San Francisco 49ers punterThomas Morstead punts during the first half of apreseason game against the Los AngelesChargers on Aug. 23 in Santa Clara, Calif.
‘THERE’S NO PLACELIKEIT’
Punter Morstead
relishes anothergoin
Superdome
Thomas Morstead still remembers walking offthe field that January afternoon in 2021. The Superdome was mostly empty,which was the norm that season because of COVID. The game, aplayoff loss to theTampa Bay Buccaneers, wasDrew Brees’ finalgameina Saints uniform. And as far as Morstead knew, it may have been his last game in aSaints uniform, too.
“I didn’tknowwhat wasgoing to happen with me,” Morstead said. “I had adown year that year.”
Twomonthslater,the Saints released Morstead.It wasadecision that surprised many Saints fans in the same way Morstead’s onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV surprised the Indianapolis Colts. Morstead had become afan favorite in his 12 years in New Orleans, reaching alevel of adorationthat punters rarely attain.
Morstead, now in his 17th NFL season, currently plays with the San Francisco 49ers.
“One of the things Iwrotedown when Igot cutbythe Saints that Iwantedtoaccomplish wastoplay in the Superdome again at some point,” Morstead said. “I didn’tthink it would takemefive years to do that, but here we are.”
Morstead and the 49ers (1-0) play the Saints (0-1) at noon Sunday.This will be Morstead’sfirst time setting foot in the Dome since that loss at the end of the 2020 season, thelast playoff game the Saints have played.
There were only 3,500 fans allowed in the Dome for that game. The decibel level was nothing compared to the roar of 70,000-plus that Morstead had grown accustomed to.
“It was just aweird sorta send-off,” he said. “Not that Ideserved asend-off. But it was just astrange thing.SoI’m looking forward to getting back in there.” Morstead is on his fourth different team since the Saints releasedhim. In addition to twostints with the New York Jets, he’s also played with the Atlanta Falcons and MiamiDolphins. There’sasayingoften heard around here that if you love New Orleans, it’ll love you back. Morstead’sseven games playing with the rival Falcons lethim know just how realthat saying is.
“When Isigned with the Falcons andpeople in New Orleans were still supportingme, Isaid ‘This is crazy,’ ”Morsteadsaid The only time Morstead played agame against theSaints was whenhewas with the Falcons late in the 2021 season in Atlanta
“It was super emotional,”Morstead said. “Everything was fresh at that point. Iknew 80% of the guys playing forthe Saints. This game Sunday will be emotional in adifferent way.Yeah, Istill know ahandfulofguys on the team,but it’smore about beinginthe city than the Saints.” New Orleans is still home to Morstead. All five of his kids were born here. He and his familystill live here when it’snot footballseason. He’ll have about 40 friends andfamily members at thegame Sunday
“It’ll be my first time purchasing asuite,” Morstead said. He looks forward to seeingall of the security guards and usherswho usedtogreet him andwishhim good luckevery Sunday. Andof course, the fans.
“There are going to be lotsof10- and20-second hellos andbig hugs,”Morstead said. This won’tbeMorstead’s last trip tothe
STAFF FILEPHOTO By DAVIDGRUNFELD
Saints punter Thomas Morstead, left, and kicker WilLutz celebrate a53-yard field goal duringa game againstthe Seattle Seahawkson Oct. 30,2016, at the Superdome.
Dome. The guy who delivered one of the most memorable special teams plays in franchise history —the onsidekick dubbed “Ambush” will no doubt be inducted into the SaintsHall of Fame when he retires.
Well, if he ever retires. Morstead turns 40 in March. To help put that in perspective, Saints rookie punter Kai Kroeger was 7years old whenMorstead was drafted in 2009.
“He’sactually the first punter Istarted watching when Igot into punting,”the 23-yearold Kroeger said. “Hewas my punting idol.
This is going to be asurreal moment, for sure, becausehe’sthe guy Ilooked up to. Half of my life I’ve been watching him and looking up to him. In thepunting world, we say he has the dream career.”
Twoyears ago, Morstead was apart of Kroeger’sbirthday gift. Kroeger’smom flew himtoNew Orleanstoworkout with Morstead. They spent afew days punting footballs together on afootball field near St. Catharine of Siena Catholic Church.
“He’sa talented kid, and I’mexcited for him,” Morstead said. “I thinkhehas achance to be really good.”
The Saints would welcome that. The punter position has been arevolving door since Morstead left. Kroeger is the fourth punter in five years. Morstead, meanwhile, just keeps on going.
He’sthe seventh-oldest player in theleague. His 256 games played rank thirdamong active players, behind only Arizona Cardinals defensiveend Calais Campbell (262) and Carolina Pantherslong snapper J.J. Jansen (261)
ForMorstead, game No. 257 is one he won’t forget. He’ll be back in thecity that is so near anddear to him.
“The simplest way to put it is, it’shome,” Morstead. “Wehavefriends that have turned into family there. There’snoplace like it. It’s aunique place. We’ve just hadsuch awonderful experiencethere.The place is just oneofa kind andhas turnedintoour home Ican’timagine seeing ourselvesanywhere else.”
Email RodWalker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.
STAFF PREDICTIONS
JEFF DUNCAN
SAINTS 18,49ERS 17: Alot of times in theNFL,it’snot whoyou play but when youplaythem. This game is aprime example. TheSaintsare catching the49ers at agreat time Thedefense andspecial teamseach will make abig play to deliverKellen Mooreand SpencerRattler their first NFLwins.
LUKE JOHNSON
SAINTS 21,49ERS 20: Idon’t feel greatabout this pick,but with the news that quarterbackMac Jonesis taking thespotofthe injuredBrock Purdyfor the49ers,Ithink afeisty Saints defensemakes life tough enough forhim forthe Saints to snag Kellen Moore’s firstwin as head coach.
MATTHEWPARAS
SAINTS 21,49ERS 17: Brocky
Purdy’sabsence is enough to swing this.Ifthe 49ersquarterback was playing, I’dpickthem. MaybeKyle Shanahan is enough of awizard to revive MacJones’career. ButI remember thedayswhenhehad C.J. Beathard andNickMullens at quarterback. Give me theSaints.
RODWALKER
SAINTS 20,49ERS 16: Theseteams have alternated wins over their last sevenmeetings. If that trend continues, it meansit’sthe Saints’ turn to win. Butthe Saints’13 penaltieslastweekconcern me.If they canclean up thepenalties,they have
for49ers
Rod Walker
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ
WEEK 2
TOP TOPICS FOR WEEK 2
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Super Bowl rematch comes early
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will meet in a Super Bowl rematch at Arrowhead Stadium Philadelphia rolled to a 40-22 win over Kansas City in February, denying the Chiefs an historic three-peat. The Eagles are coming off a season-opening win over the Cowboys while the Chiefs lost their opener to the Chargers in Brazil. Philadelphia has won its past two matchups with Kansas City, though the Chiefs won the four before them. That included their own victory in the Super Bowl Eagles DT Jalen Carter will play after getting ejected for spitting on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott in the season opener. Bengals, Jags look for 2-0 starts The Cincinnati Bengals host the Jacksonville Jaguars in one of four Week 2 matchups between teams that won their openers. The winner of this game will go 2-0 for the first time since 2018 Jacksonville picked up its first win for coach
2 1 3
The Bengals have a three-game winning streak in the series
Jets, QB Fields challenge Bills QB Justin Fields had a terrific all-around game in his Jets’ debut by going 16-of-22 passing for 218 yards and a touchdown, and running 12 times for 48 yards and two other scores His legs can be a key factor again this week against the Bills, who gave up 238 yards rushing in the win over Baltimore including 70 by QB Lamar Jackson Watch Bills WR Keon Coleman, who caught seven of eight passes thrown to him for 100 yards — including a 10-yard TD — in just the fourth quarter against the Ravens in the comeback win
Falcons look to bounce back Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix will get a valuable test in his fifth career start in a road game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons lost their season opener 23-20 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite 298 yards passing, one touchdown and no turnovers for Penix. The Vikings are coming off a 27-24 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears in quarterback J.J McCarthy’s debut Minnesota beat Atlanta 42-21 at home last season when Penix was still backing up former Vikings stalwart Kirk Cousins. The Vikings lead the all-time series 2212 and have won six of the past seven matchups between the squads.
Seahawks, Steelers set to clash The Seattle Seahawks travel to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the Steelers favored by three points. The Seattle offense struggled against the 49ers in the season opener, ranking low in both passing and rushing Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a key player to watch for the Seahawks as he has taken over the No. 1 WR role Pittsburgh left tackle Broderick Jones faces a tough Seattle defensive front. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will test a banged-up Seahawks secondary Both teams have key injuries, including Seattle safety Nick Emmanwori and Pittsburgh defensive lineman Derrick Harmon The Steelers have won five of the past seven meetings vs Seattle. 5 4
Saints trade for injured receiver Polk
BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer
STANDINGS, SCORES & SCHEDULE
season-ending shoulder injury in the preseason, but the Saints still made the trade to acquire a receiver who was picked in the second round in 2024. Polk, a 6-foot-1 wide receiver out of Washington, was selected just four picks before the Saints traded up to take
cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in 2024. The deal marks the Saints’ third trade in the last month. The team also acquired wide receiver Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos and tackle Asim Richards from the Dallas Cowboys in separate transactions.
Polk gets a fresh start after a disappointing rookie season that saw the 23-year-old catch only 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. He played 45% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps. New England changed coaching staffs in the offseason. New coach Mike Vrabel was unhappy over the way Polk’s injury was reported last month
“I’d like to find out where some of these (leaks) come from,” Vrabel said. “Some of these rats around here. So, we’ll figure that out.” For the Saints, taking a chance
on Polk is a long-term play New Orleans appears content to let the wide receiver rehab and then see whether he can replicate some of the success he had in college. During his final season at Washington, Polk had 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games.
The Saints have used late-round pick swaps to take flyers on players. Last year, the team sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Washington Commanders in exchange for defensive tackle John Ridgeway and a 2025 seventh-round pick. In August, the team sent a 2028 sixth-rounder to Dallas in exchange for Richards and a 2028 seventh-round pick.
New Orleans also has spent the last few weeks addressing the wide receiver room In addition to acquiring Vele, the team claimed Trey Palmer off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cowboys extend LG Smith on 4-year deal
The Dallas Cowboys signed left guard Tyler Smith to a $96 million, four-year extension on Saturday two people with knowledge of the contract said.
The agreement, which could lock up the new cornerstone of the Dallas offensive line through 2030, includes $80 million guaranteed. The $24 million annual average in the extension is the highest among guards in the NFL. Smith has two years left on his rookie contract.
The24-year-oldhasstartedever since he arrived, including all 17 games at left tackle as a rookie.
Commanders lose RB Ekeler to torn Achilles Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right Achilles tendon, a person with knowledge of the player’s status told The Associated Press on Saturday The Commanders had believed Ekeler could be out for the season, and an MRI exam confirmed it.
The 30-year-old Ekeler, who was in his ninth season in the NFL and second with the Commanders, fell to the ground on a play in the fourth quarter of a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday It was a noncontact injury
Koo
a
nine field goals in 2024. doubtful to face the Ravens.
Browns activate RB Judkins to face Ravens Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was activated to the active roster Saturday, clearing the way for him to
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith pulls in a touchdown in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson during Super Bowl LIX on Feb 9 at the Caesars Superdome.
MONDAy
Atchafalaya Basin fishing topic for LWFC meeting
Fisheries biologists to summarize year’s recreational survey
BY JOE MACALUSO
Contributing writer
Earlier this year dozens of bass fishermen asked a lot of questions about one of their favorite fishing spots, the Atchafalaya Basin. Some have questioned the declining fish population and the overall health of the Basin.
Maybe some answers will come Thursday when state Wildlife and Fisheries Inland Fisheries Division biologists hold a public meeting from 5:307:30 p.m. at state headquarters on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge.
State Inland Fisheries biologists will address “the current state of recreational freshwater fishing in the Atchafalaya River Basin.”
While possibly not as interesting to freshwater anglers who ply this vast overflow swamp as the state of fishing, the Wildlife and Fisheries staff indicated they are prepared to summarize this year’s recreational fishing survey There will be a public comment period.
They never learn So last weekend’s dove season opened the monthslong hunting opportunity for tens of thousands across our Sportsman’s Paradise. Guess what?
Wildlife and Fisheries’ EWildlife and Fisheries’ Enforcement Division agents were busy again citing 32 folks for alleged dove-hunting violations, even arresting one among them for “possession of a firearm by convicted felon, hunting with an unplugged gun and possession of a stolen firearm.”
So, if convicted, guess who’s going to jail for as
NOTEBOOK
long as 20 years?
Still, it’s the number of citations most of them for allegedly hunting over bait with 25 of the citations written for shotgun-toting young men 30 and younger A “hunt” in St. James Parish netted 12 young men and one juvenile in an allegedly baited field.
There were two citations for failing to use nontoxic shot on a wildlife management area.
This is a relatively new regulation, but one that needs heeding on both state and federal lands. Hunters cannot use lead shot on those places.
A handful of citations were written to folks using unplugged shotguns. Note here, when hunting all migratory birds and waterfowl, a shotgun cannot hold more than three shells.
Five were cited for taking over the limit of doves. The limit is 15 per day
Four Mississippi folks were tagged for hunting without nonresident licenses. In all, agents seized 219 doves and donated them to local charities.
One among this 32 was cited for intentionally concealing wildlife and faces fines up to $950 fine and a possible 120 days in jail
Because most were hunting-over-bait citations, all alleged violators will be filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with prosecution in Federal Court.
The full list of the names involved in these incidents can be found under Recent News on the Wildlife and Fisheries’ website: wlf.louisiana.gov
Teal season
Our nine-day teal season opens Saturday across the state. It’s going to be hot, all of which means marsh and rice field hunters best be armed with insect repellent and take enough water to stay hydrated even if the plan is to hunt only for a couple of hours.
Take a hint from what happened in the dove fields and make sure your shotgun is plugged and can carry only three shells.
Make sure you’re hunting with nontoxic shot and have all the appropriate licenses and stamps — and have completed the Harvest Information Program checklist and carry this HIP certificate with you.
There are reports of bluewing teal in the marshes, even some in the swamps. Rails and gallinules also are allowed to be taken.
Because it’s so warm — and from checking all the alligator photos showing up on social media platforms last week alligators will be out so watch out for your retrievers.
Plea for amberjack
The move by Wildlife and Fisheries, and backed by Gov Jeff Landry, to petition greater amberjack be turned over to state management drew support by CCA Louisiana, which stated closing the commercial season and nearing a close of the recreational season “threatens our anglers’ access to the fishery for no reason.”
The petition is going to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees federal fishery regulations.
Newly appointed CCA Louisiana executive director RadTrascher said Louisiana “has demonstrated time and again that we can manage our fisheries responsibly while keeping access open for Louisiana anglers,” and called for support from Louisiana anglers.
Snapper count
Through Aug. 31, the LA Creel survey estimate for the private recreational red snapper take is 788,014 pounds or 88.1% of our state’s 894,955-pound annual allocation.
That’s a one-week increase of 20,352 pounds from the estimate on Aug. 24.
CALENDAR
TUESDAY LAFAYETTE KAYAK FISHING
CLUB MEETING: 6 p.m., Pack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Call (337) 232-5854. Website: lafayettekayakfishing.com
WEDNESDAY
FLIES & FLIGHTS: 7 p.m., Rally Cap Brewing, 11212 Pennywood Ave., Baton Rouge. Fly tying. Open to public. Spare tools, materials for novices. Email Chris Williams: thefatfingeredflytyer@gmail.com
THURSDAY ACADIANA FLY RODDERS PROGRAM: 6 p.m., Pack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Open to public. Email Darin Lee: cbrsandcdc@ gmail.com. Website: acadianaflyrodders.org
SATURDAY FLY FISHING 101: 9-11 a. m., Orvis Shop, Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge. Fee free. Basics of casting, rigging, fly selection. Equipment furnished. All ages, but 15-andyounger must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. Call Shop (225) 757-7286.Website: orvis.com/ batonrougeflyfishing 101
HUNTING SEASONS
DOVES: South Zone: through Sept. 21; North Zone: through Sept. 28. First of three splits both zones.
TEAL/RAILS/GALLINULES: Sept. 20-28, statewide.
DEER/ARCHERY: Sept. 20-Jan. 15, State Deer Areas 3, 7, 8 & 10. Either-sex take allowed.
HUNTING LOTTERIES
SEPT. 30—YOUTH WATERFOWL DEADLINE: For ages 10-17 on Sherburne Wildlife Management Area. Fee $8.50. Application website: louisianaoutdoors.com/ lottery-applications. Email David Hayden: dhayden@ wlf.la.gov
SEPT. 30—WATERFOWL DEADLINE: On White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (Vermilion Parish). 2 youth hunts (ages 10-17, Nov. 8 & Nov. 9), 30 marsh hunts & 30 rice field hunts. Application fee $8.50 & additional fees for marsh/rice field hunts. Application website: louisianaoutdoors.com/ lottery-applications. Call Lance Ardoin (337) 536-6061 or email: lardoin@wlf.la.gov
AROUND THE CORNER
SEPT. 22—RED STICK FLY FISHERS FLY TYING: 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. Open to public. Hands-on clinic covering basics of fly tying. Materials and tools provided. Website:
rsff.org SEPT. 23—SOUTHWEST MISS GUN BLAST/NATIONAL DEER
ASSOCIATION: 6 p.m., Lincoln Civic Center, 1096 Belt Line Dr., NE, Brookhaven, Mississippi. Call Bruce Gray (601) 754-5592.
SEPT. 25—ACADIANA BUGS & BREWS: 6
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Jamey Bearb grew up with strict accordionrules. His dad, Cajun musician Ricky Bearb, demanded the accordion,handmade by pioneer builder Marc Savoy,sit aprecise position in its storage box. Even the shoulder strap had its designated place.
Seven-year-old Jamey could practice only in the room where the instrument was stored. Forty years later,heowns the accordion His father has abig smile.
“The day Igot that accordion was the first time we played the (Breaux Bridge) Crawfish Festival in 2022,” saidJamey Bearb, 48, who lives in Judice. “It’s50years old, but thatthing is in amazing shape. I’ve been playing on it ever since. Imade all ourrecordings withthat accordion.
“My dad said, ‘I know you would get that accordion eventually.But Iwant to see you enjoy it,’”hesaid.
The inherited accordion has brought Jamey Bearb another box full of Le Cajuns, annual honorsfrom the Cajun French Music Association. He and the 4Horses Cajun Dancehall Band claimed Best Accordion, Male Vocalist and Band of the Year honors. Their “Live at La Poussiere, Part 2,” recorded at the 70-year-old dance hall in BreauxBridge, won Best Traditional CD.
The awards further elevate the 4Horses all-star lineup, which includessteel guitar ace Richard Comeaux, who toured with the country band River Road. Drummer Kevin Dugas and bass player Brazos Huval are Grammy-nominated alumni of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. All came together as members of the award-winning High Performance band, but lost gigs as venues shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practice sessions in
ä See BEARB, page 4D
PROVIDED PHOTO
JameyBearb is amemberofthe 4Horses Cajun Dancehall Band
HUNGRY FOR AGOODDEAL LIVING
Thereare qualitypo-boys,tacos,sushi and more around BatonRouge forgreat prices
BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer
Intrepid Baton Rouge diners know thatdelicious meals can often be found in unsuspecting places.
Enjoying atasty andfilling meal for 10 bucks and some change is still aviable option.
From markets to gas stations to bistros, here’sa list of budgetfriendly options:
La Morenita Meat Market
This Latino,Spanish-only grocery store, at 7981 Florida Blvd., has ahot food kitchenand dining area equipped with breakfast and lunch plates, tacos, burritos, gorditas, quesadillas, pupusasand more. For thequantityand quality, these meals are well-priced.
Thetaco combo, adeal with three tacos (choice of flour or corn tortilla and seven meat options) and a 16-ounce fountain drink for $8.99 is delicious andagreat deal. It comes with accesstoaself-serve toppings bar withseveral sauces, lime, cilantro, lettuce, pico de gallo and onion.
The tacos are stuffedwith lots of meat —agood bang for the buck. Thesodaiscold andrefreshing,
The $14 chicken shawarma plate at Albasha Express is one waytofeed multiple people without skimping on portions or flavor
and the Spanish music on the store
speakers adds an upbeat ambiance
UmamiJapaneseBistro
If you want asit-down spot with table service, this bistro’shappy hour keeps thebill low On Mondays to Thursdays from 4p.m. to 6p.m. at 3930 Burbank
Drive, customerscan orderfrom alist of $4 to $5 plates, including pork dumplings, yellowtail roll or edamame. There’sthree nigirioptions, four roll optionsaswellas vegetable and tofu plates. But wait, it gets even better! For
What makesNew Orleans’ Monk parakeetssospecial?
BY HANNAH LEVITAN Staff writer
made structures. Wheredid theparrots come from and what makes them so special? Native to SouthAmerica, the bright, winged creaturesarrived en masse in the1960swhenexotic pets grew in popularity. But howtheymanaged to establish
Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
STAFFPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Employee Cambi Kelly takes acustomer’sorder at Blue Store Chicken on Staring Lane.
FILEPHOTO By SUSAN POAG Apair of wild green parrots roost in Metairie.
Herman Fuselier
Krewe of Orion
The Krewe of Orion XXVI hosted its royalty court coronation announcement party at the Greystone Country Club in Denham Springs on Aug. 23. Gathered are, from left, Camille Forrester, Maddie Sweet, Anniston Billings, Allyson yerby, Queen Orion XXVI Brittany Lipoma, King Orion XXVI Ryan Maranto, Kalie Blythe, Mason Sweet, Anderson Hoffman and Cash Redmond. Not shown are Evelyn Desormeaux and Gianna Purpera.
BRNEDD
PROVIDED PHOTO
The North Baton Rouge ‘Access to Opportunities and Resources’ event took place at The Valdry Center for Philanthropy on July 30. The event offered entrepreneurs insights into funding, contracting and technical assistance through a panel of local and regional community leaders and business experts. Shown are, from left, Ada Womack, LSBDC; Laci Sherman, North Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce; April Hawthorne, BRNEDD; ShaRonda Hill, TruFund; Natasha James, All Star Community Care; and Deidre Roberts, Build Baton Rouge.
PROVIDED PHOTO Louisiana Leadership Institute
U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields met with members of the community at the Louisiana Leadership Institute on Sept. 5. The discussion focused on the impact and importance of the bills and legislation that he is proposing Shown are Albert Torrengano III, left, and Fields.
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
The Community column runs Sundays in the Living section and accepts submissions for news of events that have taken place with civic, philanthropic, social and religious auxiliary organizations, as well as academic honors.
Submissions should be sent by noon Monday to run in the upcoming Sunday column. Because of space limitations, organizations that meet monthly or more are limited to one photo per month. If submitting digitally, we prefer JPG files 300KB or larger Identify those pictured by first and last names as viewed from left to right, row by row.We prefer emailed Community column submissions to features@theadvocate.com We also accept submissions by mail at P.O. Box 588 Baton Rouge LA 70821.A phone number must be included.
At Sullivan Theater
Tickets are on sale for Sullivan Theater’s production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” opening Sept. 26 at the theater, 8849 Sullivan Road, Central. Tickets are $25. Visit sullivantheater.com.
Animals in Art
The 31st annual International Exhibition on Animals in Arts will open with a reception at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 4, at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Skip Bertman Drive, LSU campus.
The exhibit will be on display from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day after that through Oct. 31. Admission is free. For more information, visit lsu.edu/vetmed/events/animals_in_art.php.
At LSU Theatre
Tickets are on sale for the LSU Theatre’s production of Maggie Smith’s “The Courtship of Winifred Edwards,” opening Oct. 2, in the Shaver Theatre in the LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building, Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge.
Tickets are $9-$22. Visit lsu. edu/theatre.
‘Over the Top!’
Tickets are on sale for “Over the Top!,” the first production in Opera Louisiane’s 2025-26 season, featuring three high-flying sopranos — Rainelle Krause, Kelly Curtin and Sarah McHan — singing to prove which is the greatest diva. The performance will be at 3 p.m. Sept. 28, at the Manship Theatre in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. Tickets are $51.50. Visit operalouisiane.com.
‘In Good Form’
The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge is showing “In Good Form,” an exhibition celebrating the legacy, influence and enduring impact of Southern University’s art faculty through Sept. 27, in at the Shell Gallery at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St. Ferdinand St., Baton Rouge.
The exhibition features work by John Alleyne, Randell Henry, Samantha Combs, Carlie Salomons and Jabed Rashel.
Admission is free. For more information, visit artsbr.org.
At UpStage
Tickets are on sale for “An Evening of Performing Arts,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at UpStage Theatre, 1714 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge. Tickets are $27. Visit upstagetheatre.biz.
At the Old Capitol Louisiana’s Old State Capitol will open the exhibit, “Vietnam Experience: 50th Anniversary of the End of the War” on Sept. 27. Also, tickets are on sale for the museum’s annual fundraising event, “Spirits of Louisiana,” this year celebrating the Old Capitol’s 175th anniversary. Individual tickets are $90. Visit secure. qgiv.com/event/spiritsoflouisiana2025/.
At the Poydras Center
The Poydras Center, 500 W. Main St., New Roads, is showing “Plein Wild,” a collaboration exhibit between L. Charleville and Ellen Ogden, through Sept. 30.
Hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. For more information, call (225) 638-6575 or visit pointecoupeehistoricalsociety.org.
At Southeastern Southeastern Louisiana University’s Contemporary Art Gallery, E. Strawberry Stadium, 411 Ned McGehee Drive, Hammond, is hosting the 2025 Visual Art + Design Faculty Exhibition through Sept. 24.
The exhibition will feature the work of the Southeastern faculty in the Visual Art + Design Department. It represents a wide array of media ranging from painting to sculpture, performance, photography, printmaking, video, ceramics, theatre design and graphic design. Artists include Jeffery Mickey, Benjamin Diller, Shayla M. Kelly, Chad Serhal,
Tom Walton, Dominic Marasco and Rose McBurney
In addition to the exhibition, assistant professor of costume design Mona Jahani will host a lecture titled “Costume Designing Clue: Exploring American Identity in the McCarthy Era” at 5 p.m. Oct. 2, in the gallery Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Admission is free. For more information, visit southeastern.edu/slucontemporary
Readers theater Tickets are on sale for the third play in Cité des Arts’ Readers Theater Series, focusing on plays from the classical theater. The third play will be a reading of “Pericles, Prince of Tyre,” by George Wilkins and William Shakespeare — directed by Joe Riehl at 7 p.m.
Lily Brooks, Rachel Harmeyer, John Valentino, Eric Huckabee, Ernest Milsted, Mona Jahani, Garima Thakur, Tabitha Nikolai, Kathryn Baczeski, Stephen Schepker, Dale Newkirk,
TRAVEL
Discover blue water, whitesandy beachesinBogalusa
BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer
Crystal clearwater is hard to find in Louisiana. Though the state is known for its many waterways, blue is not the color used to describe them. There is one out-ofthe-way spot, though, that challenges reality Lake Isabel Farm,at54254 Cavenham Road in Bogalusa, features ablue lake that’s about125 acres, 35 feet deep and amile long, and is now accessible to thepublic.
Located 143 miles from Lafayette, 89 miles from Baton Rouge, 19 miles from Covington and 57 miles from New Orleans, Lake Isabel Farm is aquick road trip with ahuge payoff —serene blue water among the pines.
The lake, previouslya sand and gravel pit, was dredged over a15-year period to extract sand and gravelfrom the basin of the Bogue Chitto River to make concrete for local roads and hospitals Lake Isabel’sclear water is fed by natural springs possibly from the same aquifer knownfor historic healing springs in Abita.An outflow at the end of the lake keeps the water constantly circulating, and thelake’s sandy bottom acts as afilter.
The water is unclouded and warm, but the temperature decreases as the depth increases —dropping 15 degreesatthe deepest part
Anthony Sedlak, aChicago native, purchased the more than400 acresin2021 and moved on-site in 2022 to begin repurposing the property from agravel pit to a travel destination.
Sedlak says he has been paving the way by constructing roads on nights and weekends, building infrastructure with aneighbor to make Lake IsabelFarm
happen. “This place is allabout having agood time, respecting the environment and tryingtoget peopleback in nature because we have such a beautiful state,” Sedlak said. WhileLake IsabelFarm is still under development, Sedlak hascreativeplans forthe mixed-use property. He is trying new ways to make people more comfortable, likebyinstallingcabanas, grills andpermanent restrooms—and comingin 2026, future vacation rentals andanevents center. Sedlak hasbeendeliberate andcarefulwith opening access to the public because he wants to make sure guests and development are impacting thewildlifeappropriately
He says the wildlife has actually become more active, including birds, fish and forest animals.
TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER
By ChristopherElliott
Things to know
ThejourneytoLake Isabel Farm includes adrive throughCovington and eventually aturn onto a winding gravel road.
Signs with directionsand greetings dot the road, including onethatreminds drivers that thelandisprivateproperty.Inorder to enter,visitors must have proof of online tickets purchased
in advance.
Whendriving upon the property,the blue water appears on the left and promises recreation andrelaxation.
Afew things to note when preparing for aday at Lake Isabel Farm:
n Packfor aday at the beach,including swimsuits, flotation devices,beach chairs, umbrellas, canopies,food anddrinks. Bring enough water.Glassisnot allowed.
n The lake is open for beach days on Saturdays andSundays.Attimes,other days of the week/holidays are added to thecalendar
n Turquoise beach chairs are available for lounging.
n Propane grills with gas and cookingutensilsare available for cooking.
n Kayaks and life vests areavailable,but visitors can bring their own.
n For restroom access, a
deluxe porta-potty with a sink is available.
n Fishing forbass and catfishisavailable.The fishing area is on the opposite side of thelakefromthe beach Fishing poles must stay in the designated area.
n Three solar-powered cabanas for large groups are available, andinclude fans, furniture, shade and alarge ice chest with ice.
n There is no lifeguard on duty,somake sure to be prepared to swim at your own risk. Anyone who cannot swim must use appropriate flotation devices. Parents must supervise children swimming at all times There is adiving platform in the deeper water. Children on the diving platform must always be supervised by an adult whoisout on the platform with them
n There is abeach volleyball court.
Booking.comgoessilentafter promisingarefundfor
Ireserved ahotel on Australia’sGold Coast through Booking.com for afamily reunion, but they canceled my reservation because of overbooking.Booking com promised to refund the difference if Irebooked apricier room, so Ipaid an extra$655. After months of unanswered emails and failed phone calls, I still hadn’treceived the money Booking.com’scustomer service has gone silent, and Ican’treach anyone.What should Idotohold them accountable? —Frances Dooley,Jannali,Australia Booking.com should have honoredits promise to refund the $655price difference immediately.Under Australian Consumer Law,businesses must
n There is a3-mile walking track around the lake.
n No dogs/pets are allowed.
n Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by aresponsible adult. No exceptions. Sedlakasksthatall visitors keep Lake Isabel beautiful by cleaning up all garbage and being respectful of thenatureconservation areas that are being restored.
Reservinga visit
Visiting Lake Isabel Farm means packing and planning ahead of time. Tickets can only be purchasedonline andinadvanceatwww.tixtree.com/o/lakeisabelfarm
Daily sales end two hours before close. Ticketshavebeen selling out three weeks in advance, so check ahead and purchase spots wellahead of time. Be prepared to show tickets for all guests, as anyone on the property is required to have avalid ticket.
The reservation model is alittledifferentbecause guests are cappedat85 people perday to preserve comfort for guests and protect the natural beauty of the beach.
Prices vary according to holidayorseason, butcurrently,children under the ageof3 arefree, adult tickets are $47 per adult and child tickets (between three and 12) are $33. The price is all-inclusive and valid all day from 11 a.m. to 15 minutes after sunset. To reserveacabana, the first three groups each day who purchase at least 15 adulttickets in asingle order have priority.Some days,cabanas are open if there arenot threegroups of 15 people. For moreinformation, visit tixtree.com/o/lakeisabelfarm,@lakeisabelfarm on Instagram or Facebook, or call (985) 368-6662.
Email Joy Holdenatjoy holden@theadvocate.com.
fulfill guarantees made to customers. The company’sown policies also say it will cover costs if it cancelsareservation. Butmost importantly,you had Booking.com’spromisein writing.(Nice job in securing thispromise, by the way.)
Christopher Elliott
Youdid everything correctly: Youkept detailed records and followed up repeatedly.Always save correspondence like emails and screenshots—they’re critical evidence. If acompany ignores you, escalate yourcase to executives. I publish key contacts for Booking. com on my consumer advocacy site,Elliott.org. It’snot clear whyBooking.com
ghosted you, but this kind of thing is becoming morecommon. A company will make apromiseand then go silent, pretending it never had theconversation. Andthat leaves you in adifficult position. Youcan drop thematter or you can take it to court.
Butdid Booking.com really promise you arefund? Ireviewed thepaper trail and it looks like thecompany used afew weaselwords in its “promise.”
“If you have any additional charges at the new place, please send us an invoice after your stay so we can look intoarefund for you,” arepresentative told you. “Wemay need to share this with theaccommodation in order to confirm your claim.”
That’sa half-hearted promise. My recommendation would have been to seek clarification from Booking.com before proceeding with the new reservation. You want to make sure you’re covered. If not, you can always look for less costly accommodations.
In some consumer disputes, you can also file acredit card chargeback, but not in this case since Booking.com already refunded your first hotel. It knowsthat your only option is to take it to court and for $655, Ithink the company also knows you’re unlikely to do that.
Awin for Booking.com? Not necessarily.You applied polite and persistentpressure. Isee that youcalled Booking.com,which
wasminimally effective. Writing is always better because you have apaper trail —proof that you tried to resolve this.
Remember,silence from customer service isn’tthe end. It’s just timetolevel up. Ireached out to Booking.com.Arepresentative confirmed they’d “investigated” your complaint but would not elaborate on what went wrong. Booking.com issued afull refund of the extra $655 you had to pay Now that’swhat Icall awin.
Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.
Employeeconsiders taking newjob offer
Dear Harriette: Irecently received ajob offer from another company that comes with asignificantly higher salary than what I’m currently making. The role is in afield I’ve been wanting to move into for years, and while it’salittle intimidating, it genuinely excites me. When Itold my current employer about the offer,they surprised me by countering with araise that slightly exceeds the other company’soffer.Onpaper,itsounds like awin, but here’sthe problem: Idon’tactually enjoy my current job. I’ve stayed mostlybecause I have great relationships withmy co-workers. Iknow the systems inside and out, and it feels stable.
CURIOUS
Thework itself leaves me bored, unmotivated anddrained by the end of the day.Now Ifeel torn between taking aleap into something new that could be morefulfilling,orstaying in acomfortable role for thesakeofsecurity and familiar faces. Should Ifollow my heart toward thenew opportunity or stick with the paycheck andstability Ialready have? —Ata Crossroads Dear At aCrossroads: Is there any waythat your current company hasspacetocreate anew role for you? Since you have anew job offer with securitythere, why notspeak candidly to your boss? Explain that you feel you have outgrown yourcurrent job. You
ciousenough for agroup of up to 30 birds.
such astronghold in New Orleans remains amystery
From SouthAmerica to N.O. Hailing from South America (mostly Argentina), Monk parakeets have dispersed across the United States —even settling in cities like New York and Chicago
Since they are one of the few parrotspecies that can withstand temperate-zone winters, monk parakeets arefound across North America, flocking mostly to urban and suburban areas.
New Orleans is the only city in Louisiana that has monk parakeets, Erik Johnson, assistant professor at the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources and ornithologist, said.
Some speculate the birds escaped from acrate during a shipping mishap. Others believe the populations aredescendants of freed or runaway pets who learned to adapt to various climates.
But regardless of how the species arrived, there’snogetting rid of them, Audubon Zoosenior birdkeeper Regina Wiesepape said.
“They’re stuck here,” Wiesepape said. “They seem to do so well, Ithink we’d have them everywhere in the United States if they migrated.”
But they’re not amigratory species and likely never would have settled in urban areas without alittle help.
Today,they fill the region’s niches left by extinct Caroline parakeets —the only parrot nativetoNorth America.
‘Uniqueasa parrot species’ Monk parakeets are unassuming in appearance—smaller than apigeon, with lime-green feathers and blue-gray heads. But what makes them unusualis their choice of habitat
“They’ll take overand nest a lot on electrical poles,” Wiesepape said.
Opting for infrastructure over trees, most Monk parakeet nests are intricatelybuilt and spa-
CHARLES
Continued from page1D
inspired by the monsters and derangedclowns of competitors’ worst nightmares.”
Speaking of nightmares
“I’m afraidofthe dark,”Charles confessed. “I can’tsleep without sometype of light on. It has tobe the TV or the room light itself. I don’tknow if you know the old Louisiana thing Kooshmaand all, so it’sone of those things.”
For those unfamiliar,Louisiana Cajun folklore describes Kooshma as an evil spirit thatis believedtobring on sleep paralysis, the inability to movewhile waking up.
Nevertheless, Charles signed on for her second baking contest in three years. In 2022,she put her cake designingskills up against eight other contestants on Netflix’s“Is It Cake?”
On “Is It Cake?”, bakers create hyper-realisticconfections that look exactly like everydayobjects —with a$50,000 grandprize at stake. Charles, 44, didn’tgohome with the cash that time, but she has achance to win $25,000onthe Halloween show,providedKooshma doesn’tcome calling.
“This (competition) wasstrictly basedonHalloween andthe haunted house (in which theseriesisfilmed) and our Halloween creations,” she said. “So it wasn’t just cake. Youcan do apie, tarts and different desserts with dif-
appreciate their counteroffer,but what you want moreisa different type of opportunity. Find out if you can createanew role for yourself there at the newly offered rate or if there’s anything they can do to sweeten the pot. Youcan also let the other company know that your current employer countered with ahigher paycheck. Carefully negotiateto see if you can get abetter deal at thenew place. Just be careful not to be too pushy.Ultimately,you should go where you think you will be happiest. Dear Harriette: Iamnewly engaged. My girlfriend and Ihad been together for about two years before we decided to moveintogether,and it’s been almost three years since then. Ilove her dear-
ly,sonaturally aproposal felt like thenext step. If I’mbeing honest, though, alot of my friends and a few family members have not always been big fans of my fiancee. Someofthem feel that she is not friendly or welcoming and think that she’stoo territorial. They worry that because this is my first relationship, perhaps I’mjust excited about having someone. Now that we are in full wedding planning mode, I’mgetting alittle worried. It’shard to admit, but I thinkIamfeeling aslight case of cold feet. DidIjumpthe gun? Now that we’ve agreed to forever, I’ve been wondering moreabout thedynamicbetween my fiancee and my village. Can this work in thelong term? —Cold Feet Dear ColdFeet: Here’swhere pre-
marital counseling can be helpful. Recommendthat you two go to atherapist to talk through your hopes and dreamsfor the future. Be open and honest in the conversation with the therapist. Share what you love about your fiancee and what concerns you. Outline your vision of the future and how it includes family and friends, and gain insight from her as to how she feels about that. The moreopen you can be during these sessions, the better you will both be able to assess your longterm compatibility
Sendquestions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/o AndrewsMcMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
“If they can find abig enough spot to nest, they’ll try to pack (themselves) in,” Erik Johnson, assistantprofessor at theLSU School ofRenewableNatural Resources andornithologist, said. Most nestscontain around 10 birds, Johnsonsaid.
“They’ve survived hurricanes, they’vesurvivedfloods and disasters and they’re as resilient as thepeople are,” Johnson said.
Their nesting habits are part of the reason they’re able to live in cities across North America huddling among small colonies in thick, intricately-constructed, twig roosts.
“I’m sure the twigsand building humongous nests help insulate them during the winter months,” Wiesepape said.
Southern living in theBig Easy
Though monk parakeetshave made NewOrleans their home, flying over Lake Pontchartrain andzigzagging between AudubonPark oak trees, they’re still considered an invasive species.
“People lose pets all the time here, and I’m surethatthere are some that havemanaged to get out,but something aboutthe monk parakeetsseems to make them adapted for living here,” Wiesepapesaid
Even though they’re filling some sort of niche, Wiesepape said, their current population is too small to have anegative impactonother species.
“It’sbeen awhile since anyone tried to generateanestimate,”
Johnson said
Fifteen years ago, birdwatchersestimated there were between 2,000 to 4,000 Monk parakeets in New Orleans.
Chances are, the population hasstayedthe same, Johnson said.
“It is exciting to hear them out,” Wiesepapesaid. “It’sthe closest we’ll get to seeing aparrot in North America.”
Do you have aquestionabout something in Louisiana that’s got you curious?Emailyour question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com.Include your name, phone number and the city where you live.
ferent, elevated flavors.”
The Carencro woman will be one of 10 bakers competingin challenges over seven episodes
The bottomthree bakers in most episodes will be forced to “bake for their lives” in ashowdownto see who will continue on in the competition Judges and Food Network personalitiesStephanie Boswell, Carla Hall and Zac Young will decide on the$25,000 winner. Victorious or not,Charles said she enjoyed her experience, especially the Food Network kitchen.
“It was really,really nice. I always lovegoing to thestudio kitchens, because they pretty much have everythingthat you can imagine to get your treats done in atimely fashion,”she said. “And then thedecorations, theygoabove and beyond, so they reallytook itover the top for the Halloween theme.”
Charles considers herself “a Halloween person,” leaning toward costume design as opposed to decking outher house in scary skeletons andthe like.
“My thing is always like the costume or the makeup, so Ilike to dress thepart,” she said. “A coupleofyears ago, Igot into (special effects) makeup, so pretendinglikemyfacewas cutopen andthen having blood come out or thingslike that.”
Job-wise, Charles juggles her home baking business and food truck,Nina Creole. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook,TikTok and Twitter
EATS
Continuedfrom page1D
drinks,customerscanordertwo-forone draftsand house wines. There’s also $5 house saki, hotorcold.
For an early datenight,Umami is agreat deal. Order asalmon roll, snow crab roll, pork dumplings, cucumber and crab stick salad and two beers, and the bill is about $25 plus tip
Save More Market
Lookingfor fried-something po-boys? This local market and gas station chain features fried shrimp, oyster or fish po-boys starting at $8. Bread is the make-or-break of apo-boy, and Save More Market gets three shipmentsofFrench bread every week from Leidenheimer Baking Company in New Orleans— so it’s soft,fresh and makes for adelightful bite.
The original Save MoreMarket opened at 2956 Nicholson Drive in the 1990s when theshrimp po-boys used tobe$3.99. It’sgrown to six locations across Baton Rouge.
Today,the shrimppo-boy is stilla good deal. The 16-inch option runs about $9. The 32-inch sandwichfor about $16. Talk about abargain!
American Market
Some of the best meals can be split and shared between two people.
BEARB
Continuedfrom page1D
Comeaux’sgarage became Facebook live shows. The 4Horses band was born when venues reopened.
This quartet has no fiddle player,unusual for aCajun band and ironic for Jamey Bearb. He rose to prominence as afiddler and singer with avoice reminiscent of beloved Cajun crooner Belton Richard. Richard mixed poetic, French lyrics and an operaticlike voice, with arrangements flavored withswamp pop, country and early rock ’n’ roll. The sound has inspired him and
Located conveniently for LSU students, especially at theintersection of Nicholson Driveand West LeeDrive,thislittlemarket hasquick grabslikemixers, seltzers and snacks, but the real star of theshow is their sandwich counter For $10.50, customers can order adeli po-boy,Zapp’schips and a20-ounce fountain drink. The Cajun turkey po-boyisalocal favorite,but there are 14 total meat options including roast beef, pastrami, smoked sausage and pulled pork.
BlueStore Chicken
Ah, yes, the beloved local fried chicken chain.
Fun fact: The original location, 605 Mills Ave., got its iconic blue exterior because the owner’swife bought afew discount cans of blue paint at Home Depot. Whencustomers started calling it the blue store, the owner decided to make thename official.
With eight locations, Blue Store Chicken’s menu variesbetween each spot. Some have redbeans, some have crawfish pies, but they
countless Cajun singers.
“I heardthese Belton songs all my life,” said JameyBearb, asinger sincethe age of 10.
“It took me quite awhile to be comfortable thatIwas singing them well enough. That gave me ahuge respect for Belton. The songs that he did areveryhard to sing.” When Jamey Bearb is not performing, he repairs helicopter instruments and accessories, his first and only full-timejob for25 years. He andhis wife Tiffany are parentsoftwo adult children.
The 4Horses play Festivals AcadiensetCreoles in October in Lafayette. They maintain afirstand third-Saturday schedule at La Poussiere and fourth-Saturday
all unite on the universal love for fried chicken.
The price may slightly vary depending on which spot you visit, but ahighlight is the three-piece fried chickencombowithfried rice with twosides for about $9. Sidesusually include aroll, salad, potato log and eggroll. The plate is very brown, meaning very delicious.
AlbashaExpress
The $14 chicken shawarma plate at AlbashaExpressisworth it because itsbig portionscan feed two. The plate comes with feta cheese salad, rice, hummus, pita bread and aheaping serving of thinsliced chicken shawarma marinated in garlic, olive oil and spices. There’salso achildren’schicken shawarma platefor about $9,still with adecent amount of food. With 13 locations acrossLouisiana, Albasha offers ahealthy spread of Greek andLebanese food. Somespots are morerestaurant-style, and some are designed fortakeout, like the Albasha Express locations, which have drivethrus.
showsatthe Cajuns Event Center in Church Point. The band plans to continue to inject new lifeinto traditional Cajun music.
“The whole band and Iare good at taking the older songs and bringing new arrangements, new ideas to those great songs, with modulation, key changes,” Jamey Bearb said. “Wetake the songs to another level.”
HermanFuselierisexecutive director of theSt. Landry Parish Tourist Commission.Alongtime journalist covering Louisiana music andculture, he lives in Opelousas. His“Zydeco Stomp” show airsatnoon Saturdays on KRVS 88.7FM.
STAFF PHOTO By MADDIE SCOTT
Taco combo at La Morenita Meat Market
STAFF PHOTO By JANRISHER
The Turkey Cajun po-boyatAmerican Martisawinner
Harriette
STAFFPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Customer Abaner Santos, center,picks up his food as alineforms behind himatSaveMore Market.
By The Associated Press
Today is Sunday,Sept. 14, the257thday of 2025. There are 108days left in the year
Todayinhistory:
On Sept. 14, 1901, PresidentWilliam McKinley died in Buffalo, NewYork, of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin eight days prior; Vice PresidentTheodore Roosevelt succeeded him, becoming the youngest-ever U.S. presidentatage 42. Also on this date:
In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces under Gen. Winfield Scott took control of Mexico City.
In 1861, the first naval engagement since the start of the Civil Wartook place as the USS Colorado attacked and sank the Confederate private schoonerJudah off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.
In 1927, modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan died in Nice, France, when her scarf became entangled in awheelofthe sports car in which she was riding
In 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco, formerlyfilm starGraceKelly,died at age 52 of injuries from acar crash the day before.
In 1991, the government of SouthAfrica, the African National Congressand the Inkatha Freedom Party signed anational peace pact.
In 1994, on the 34th day of astrike by players, Acting Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced the 1994 seasonwas over In 2001, Americans packed churches and public squares on aday of remembrance for the victims of theSept. 11 attacks. President George W. Bush prayed with his Cabinet and attended services at Washington National Cathedral, then flew to New York, wherehewaded into the ruins of the WorldTrade Centerand addressed rescueworkers in ashowof resolve.
In 2012, fury over an anti-Muslim film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad sparked violentclashes across theMuslim world.
Today’sbirthdays: Actor Walter Koenig (“Star Trek”) is 89. Architect RenzoPiano is 88. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown is 85. ActorSam Neill is 78.Country singer John Berry is 66. Actor Melissa Leois 65. Actor FaithFord is 61. Film director Bong Joon-Ho is 56. Supreme Court justice KetanjiBrown Jackson is 55. Actor Kimberly WilliamsPaisley is 54. ActorAndrew Lincoln is 52. Rapper Nas is 52. Olympic gold medal middle-distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj is 51. Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis is 47. Chef/TV personality Katie Lee is 44.NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler is 36. Golfer Tony Finau is 36. Actor Emma Kenney is26.
Mr.Snobwas my father.Callme‘Dr.Snob’
Judith Martin MISS MANNERS
Dear Miss Manners: The culture of my academic field is very casual. I’minterviewing for professorships at several places, and the facultycommittees in the interviews —all “doctors” by title —invite me to call them by their first names. Having just completed my Ph.D., I’d like to ask them to recognize this, at least for the period of theinterview,by callingme“Doctor Name.” Is there away to request this with charm, flexibility and humility?
Gentle reader: Do you not want ajob?
Because asure way toavoid gettingone is to correct the interviewers. Especially,in this case, by suggesting that they —who all have doctorates themselves —should show you more respect because of your newlyminted degree.
Youalso seem to be unaware that there are colleges and universities at which the title of “doctor” is not used, out of the assumption that all the professors have Ph.D.s,soitishardly worth mentioning, let alone emphasizing.
Miss Manners suggestsyou study thedescription of the job for which you are interviewing. Does it mention “teaching thefaculty how to behave”?
Dear Miss Manners: When the bride’sparents pay for the wedding, should they not be able to invite at least half of theguests?
Ourdaughter has been engaged for almost two years and has ababy with her fiance. Now they want awedding, so we told them how much we could contribute. They have no money set aside, and his parents will contribute nothing. It seems that weddings have becomeoutrageously expensive, so they will need to have a small event (no more than 100 guests)
Ourdaughter has now told us
that since her fiance’sparents bothhave big families, they will get 70 invites, while the bride andgroom will be inviting 15 friends. Again, his family is not providing anything. The number of invitations left does not leave us room to invite first cousins, or any friends unless we up the budget, which is not possible at this time.
Iguess Idonot think it’sfair that we will be providing food, alcohol and entertainment fora group of people we have never met and cannot include importantmembers of our family or close friends.
My husband says we gave them abudget and they can do whatever they wantwith it. I believe dividing the number of invitations evenly between families is the best choice.
Is there arule of etiquette that supports either stance?
Does Miss Manners have an opinion on this?
Gentle reader: It is not that the bride’sparents should be allowed to issue invitations to thewedding because they are
paying forit. Rather,itisthat they should be allowed to issue invitations because they are the bride’sparents.
But before you are too pleased with that answer,itis also true that bigger families require moreinvitations.
Miss Manners is not suggesting that you solve this conflict by throwing moremoney at it. Youneed only recognize —and teach your daughter —that people are moreimportant than lavish wedding accoutrements.
Therefore, the lists of people whoare important to each family should be madefirst, in order to plan the budget for the wedding —whether,for example, the reception is atea instead of dinner,orthe flowers are local instead of flownin from another continent.
Send questions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www.missmanners com or to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail. com.
Dear Heloise: My wife and I read your hintsdaily,and you have some great ones! Here is somethingthat we do to speed up theprocess of unloading thedishwasher When putting utensils intothe utensil holder to get washed, we group them together like forks in the front, spoons in themiddle, and knives in the back. It sure makesiteasy to unload when they are clean. —Mason Fairhope in Alabama
Sleeping with furryfriends
Dear Heloise: Dealing with pet furisongoing at my house. My Schipperke loves sleeping on my bed, and the feeling is mutual. Ikeep an old sheet on my bedspread to pull up at night forhair protection, but I also lovethe air settingonmy
dryer.I’ve discovered that if I put my bedspread or anything with dog hair through theair settingbefore puttingitinto thewashing machine, much of thehair is removed. It makes for amuch cleaner wash. —Lolly F.,via email
It’s in thebag T
Dear Heloise: Iripen bananas, tomatoes and peaches in apaper bag on the kitchen counter This traps the natural ethylene gases that many fruits release and speeds up theripening process. —Carrie W.,inOhio
Watershut-off
Dear Heloise: We went on atrip and were gone for aweek. When we got home, we discovered that we had aleak from an upstairs toilet, which ruined all the wood floors downstairs and caused mold to grow in corners of our walls. This also required replacing someof thedrywall. Please warnyour
readers to shut off their water before taking atrip of aweek or more. Avalve is usually located out near the sidewalk. Joyce M., in Fayetteville,Tennessee
Charging your phone
Dear Heloise: If you want to charge your phone quickly, plug it into the wall, not aPC. Think about investing in a fast charger,but check your phone’smanual or the manufacturer’swebsite to see what’s required foryour makeof phone. It’s usually not necessary to turn your phone off while charging, but be sure to check your phone’smanual just to be certain. —JohnW., in Middletown, Delaware
Tubesfor enrichment
Dear Heloise: The local zoo accepts cardboard cores from toiletpaper and paper towels. They use them foranimal enrichment. The cores are filled with treats and sealed.
The keepers give them to various animals that then have to figure out how to open them to get their treats.Collecting and filling the cores, then watching the animals open them is afun project foryoung kids and an opportunity foryouth organizations forservice-project hours. —MargeB via email
Birthday registry
Dear Heloise: My family has developed a“birthday registry” of sorts. Since we are scattered all over the country,it’simpossible to know what aperson needs, wants, etc. So, we developed alist of things we’d like to have or things we need, and we discreetly email the list to those whoneed it. This has worked well, and people get the gifts they need and want! —Holly H., in Massachusetts
Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.
Forfive decades, Arthur Hardyhas been our neighbor,our guide, and the keeper of our Carnivalmemories. From his Gentillykitchen table in 1977 to receiving the key to the city in 2024,Hardytransformedhimself from aBrotherMartinband director into the man all aboutMardi Gras. Hisannualguidehas reached over3million readers, but for us locals, Arthur is family,the trusted voice whogetsitright,who rodewithRex after documenting them for decades, whostood with us throughthe police strike of ’79,Katrina’s aftermath, and everymagical momentinbetween. This 112-page celebration bringstogether the stories onlyArthur couldtell,filledwith photographs thatcapture the paradesyou remember,the krewesyou cheeredfor andthe moments thatmade youproud to be apartof MardiGras. Arthur Hardyhas preservedthe soul of what makesusNew Orleanians, making this the perfect holidaygift for anyone whobleeds the purple, green and gold of MardiGras. Booksship in time for holidaygift-giving!
Hints from Heloise
BETWEEN THEPAGES WITHRICK BRAGG
‘Whatdoyou do fora living?’
Swaggart
BY JANRISHER Staff writer
With the television blaring in themiddle of the day at his farm in Alabama,Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author Rick Bragg had to get to aplace where he could hear to talk on the phone.
“Mama puts the ghost of Jimmy Swaggart on the television,”hesaid Bragg and his 88-year-old mom live on afarm near Jacksonville, Alabama, with “two evil miniature donkeys andsome terrible cats and some stray dogs that somehowfigured out theycan always get fed here,” he explained.
The last few years havebeen tough ones. Three years ago, they lost Bragg’s older brother Sam. In May,theylost his younger brother Mark.
“All of Mama’speople are all gone and so it’skind of me and her,” he said “She can’tsee real good, but shevery much loves being alive and you know, she likes Swaggart because of the music.” His mother still goes outtoher fig tree three times aday to see if one of them has actually produced afig. Bragg is still mourning his brother Sam, whohe says was the glue that held everything together.Hesays he’sspent much of the last four years in emergency rooms and ICUs.
“I’m definitely not whiningbecause everybody goes through this at acertain pointintheir life, unlessthey’re really fortunate,” he said. “Still, I’m really lucky,but I’m just grateful. Istillgot my mom.”
Between caring for his mother and wrangling donkeys, Braggtook time to answer questions about his life and writing: Are you in the room with your momwhen she’s watching the ghost of JimmySwaggart, and how do you handle that?
Sometimes Iam, sometimes I’m not.
Mom’s88, and I’m just grateful. Istill got her to talk to and have her try to explainthe mysteriesoflife to me —which she’svery good at. Is she really?
Now,sometimes Idon’tagree with the mysteries of her interpretation,but that doesn’tmatter.It’sworth it just hearing. Imoved home let me back up alittle bit.Igot Mama a40-acrefarm in the foothills of the Appalachiansoutside Jacksonville, Alabama. It started with cattle and big gardens andanorchard. As we have all gotten older,wehad to getrid of the cattle because she was scared of them when she walked down to herpond to feed her fish white loafbread. Now we have what we refer to as “the livestock.” Like, I’ll say,“Igotta go down andfeed the livestock.” Well, it’stwo miniature donkeys.
What are the donkeys’ names? Oh, God. I’m ashamed of this.I didn’t name them. The male is Buckaroo, and the female is Mimi.
Now I’m curious as to who namedthe donkeys? There’sagreat story behindthis. When we bought the place, it was coveredin beautiful Hereford cattle. Ithought it was kind of an idyllic scene. There was thisred cedar cabin builtinto the sideof aridge line —the same ridge line where my grandpa used to makeliquor We didn’town the land back then. He just used it to hide his still there. Somy mother knew the land very well. Ihad gotten her akind of atraditional fourbedroom house on ahill—and she didn’t like it, she said, because it had toomany light bulbs.
So Igot her this farm because it had land with it and room to do things.There were the cows, which again, justtickled me to death, because if you’rea writer and you go get on aplane andsome big old guy sits down next to you, likesome guy that works on pipeline or something, he sits down next to you andhesays, “What do you do for aliving?
Youdon’twant to tell himyou’re a writer.Igrew up with ashoveland apick handle in my hand. Idrovedump trucks.
PHOTO By TERRy MANIER
World.
Rick Bragg and hismom,Margaret Bragg, ‘The Best Cookinthe
I bailed hay. Idon’twant to tell some working guythat I’m awriter.They look at you likeyou said that you cut out paper dolls for aliving. When Ihad thecattle on the land, I could look at them and say,“Iraised bulls.” But one day,after we’ve been here three years, one of the bulls chased Mom when she went down to feed her fish. I’ve said before that we have theonly fish in thestate of Alabama with diabetes. But, anyway, Mamatold me Ihad to get rid of thecattle. So we had theguy who leased the land move them out,and we replaced themwithtwo miniaturedonkeys.
Well, youcan’tgotothe airport and getonaplaneand tell some big guy that you’reaminiature donkey rancher
At this point in theinterview,Bragg’s mother says, “It’sraining,” in the background.Hereplies,“It’s all right.Hold on just asec. Hold on just asecond. OK. OK, Mom. They’ll be OK. Thehorse feed will be allright. Yeah, it’s all right.”
Do you need to getthe horse feed?
No, it won’thurt it.It’sinplastic wrap bags
Back to the donkey names?
Anyway,there was aguy down in Fairhope who ran akind of arescue for these miniature donkeys. It’samazing how many there are out there.
Wasither idea or your idea forminiature donkeys? It was her idea. She said, “Hun, it’sso lonesomeout there in thepasture.”
And Isaid, “Yeah, Mom, maybe we should putsome cattle out there?”
Butshe didn’t thinkthat was funny,so we got theminiature donkeys. Ididn’t bother to ask how much they costbecause Ijust figured that you can buy your regular old jackass, afull-sized donkey, all day down here in thecountry for like $250. Then one about afourth that size should certainly be cheaper
Andthismight explain why Iama writer instead of athinker
How much does aminiature donkey cost?
$1,500. They’ve been around about 15 years or longer, and you know,they’re so damn cutethat you can’treally get mad at ’em
Do they have big personalities?
Well, yes and no. They bite, and they will eat your clothing —like acuff off your shirt or your shirt tail —they’ll eat anything.They ate all the webbing off our lawn chair and all the emblems off the side of my truck.
What kind of truck do you have these days, Rick? Ihavethe best pickup truck in the world, and Iknow I’ll get trouble in Detroit for saying this,but Ihave aToyota Tundra 4x4, which quitefrankly,Ihave to have here. Ihave to get in themud occasionally,but Ialso have to have something that Ican drive to my real job.
How much time do you spend these days writing?
Ican say with astraight face that, for thepast three years, almost none, because Ihave been consumed with more important things.
I’ve still done my magazine stuff, and I have thefirst chapter and introduction of anovel done. I’mworking on that, but it’s so hard, you know?
And, I’m not one of those people that can put his laptop on his lap and write in acoffee shop or in ahospital or in aparking lot. Iguess I’m spoiled, but Ilike to sit down at the desk, where Ican see a tree through the window and think. Will Iget back to it eventually? Yes, Iwill. Because Idohave time, but that in itself is atragedy
Yousaid you’re starting anovel.Are youawriter who has the wholenovel planned out before you start?
Oh yeah. Imean, obviously,Ilove those novelistswho say,“No, Ijust throw the characters out there and let them play.”
Right
Ialways want to just get up out of my chair and slap thes*** out of them, you know? Butno, Iknow where it’s going to go. Obviously,that can twist and change, but Iknow how it’s going to end out. I’ll probably do one more nonfiction book. Isaid Iwasn’tgoing to do any more books on family,which was met with the closest thing to aburn-him-at-the-stake response, because thepeople in those books have comealive for my readers.
Ihaven’ttalked about this anywhere before, but Iwas sitting theother day looking at my little brother’struck.It’sa FordBronco. It’s rusted and battered and rotting. He drove it off arailroad trestle. I’m not making that up. He got drunk andran it into pretty much amillion fence posts. ButIbought that truck coming home from aNieman Fellowship at Harvard manyyears and decades ago.
Idrove it awhile, but Igave it to my brother Sam,and he drove it foryears. Then he gave it back to me, and Idrove it for years and years. Then Igave it to my little brother Mark, ’cause he needed it. Andthen he drove it for years andtore it all to hell.
Butfor 40 years, it was the one thing we had in common —the only thing we had in common. AndIwas looking at it up there, and it’srotting and rusting. I thought that might be agood way to tie thebow on my books on family
My brothers represent adead and dying South. The one Iknew is over.The long-haired country boy era is over They’re different now
Email Jan Risher at jan.risher@ theadvocate.com.
by Max Lucado
“Breakneck” by Dan Wang
Danny Heitman
Mary Manhein is best knownfor founding LSU’s Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services Lab, which is famous forits forensic facial reconstructions that help identifyhuman remains. Since retiring from LSU 10 years ago, Manhein has authored several nonfiction books about her career in forensic anthropology, co-authored abook about Louisiana’sendangered cemeteries and written several whodunits, including amystery series for young readers.
Manhein’smany years as aforensic scientist connected her with deep loss, asubject that shapes her writing but doesn’tdefine it. Her ultimate concern is resilience, our power to answer abroken world with tenderness and ingenuity That themerests at the heart of “A Call to Rowan,” Manhein’snew novella that follows13-yearold Marley Bledsoe as she navigates life in Rowan, a fictional north Louisiana town adjusting to change after the Korean War. Manhein will discuss her novella at 3p.m. Sept. 28, at the Baton Rouge Main Library,7711 Goodwood Blvd. The program is free and open to the public, and copies of “A Call to Rowan” and Manhein’sother books will be available forsale. The novella is now on Kindle, and it should be available soon at local bookstores. She opens up her new workoffiction, a quick read at 120 pages, with this: “Being 13 years old truly wasunlucky,Marley Bledsoe decided, as she felt the sand and gravel working their way up the thin soles of her worn, white sandals and into the small spaces between her toes. If she were afew years younger,she would be home right now,afew years older,and she would be gone.”
Manhein, whospent much of her childhood in small-town north Louisiana, knows this world well. She’skeen to the duality of lifeinatiny community,how it can be both aconsolation and acage.
As Manhein walks us through Rowan, with stops at its grocery store and boarding house, its post office and library,wetake pleasure in alandscape small enough to see at aglance. It’s afarm community ordered by seasons, where “thick, waist-high cotton contained small green bowls waiting to burst forth into thick, white bundles to be picked in the fall.”
But the smallness of Rowan proves confining forMarley,asharecropper’sdaughter with an abusive father.Other dark souls shadow Manhein’sstory.Rowan, like Harper Lee’sMaycomb, is aplace where social intimacy brings everyone close, including those we’d rather escape.
Escape, primarily through books, is another one of the novella’sthemes. There’sa subplot in which twoofthe locals read their waytoanew lifetogether,and Marley,who finds refuge in comic books and drugstore magazines, finds herself liberated by language, too.
In placing us within anow-vanished time and place, Manhein has returned to her vocation —revealing the faces of the forgotten, and making us see them once again as ours.
Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com
1. “The SurrogateMother” by Freida McFadden
“DisneyWordSearch, Quips, Quotes and Coloring Book”byThunder Bay
3. “Kissthe Villain” by Rina Kent 4. “The 2026 Old Farmer’s Almanac” by Old Farmer’s Almanac
“DoNot Disturb” by Freida McFadden
6. “Remarkably
BY ANDREW DALTON and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX Associated Press
LOSANGELES Many Americans still want to thankthe academy,atleast alittle.
About half of U.S. adults say they’ve watched allor most of an awards show on TV or streaming in the past year,according to anew poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, while just over half say they’ve watchedclips from an awards show
About 6in10say they’ve watched an awards show clips or both in the last year
The results suggest that some vitality remains in the seemingly stodgy old tuxedo-and-gownworld of the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tonys and Golden Globes, whose makers have fought to make them relevant when Americans have more entertainment andengagement choicesthan ever.
Andtheycomeata moment when the Oscars and the Emmys have seen a short-term uptick in viewers after cultural shifts that brought ahuge long-term drop in people gathering around atelevision to watch an awards show together
“These days, it’smore focused on the performances,” said Walter Hanley,69, who used to work in the music industry and stillwatches most music awards shows.
“Back in the ’70s and ’80s when Iwould attend regional Grammys in person, it was more about the awards —sound engineering and producers and that kindof thing.” Hanley thinksthe pivot has helped awardsshows keep up with the times.
more popular among Black andHispanic adults than among whiteadults. About 7in10Black and Hispanic adults say they’ve watched clips or at least mostofa showinthe past year,compared withjust over half of whiteadults.
Shows including the BET Awards and the Latin Grammys have reached moretargeted audiences, just as the MTVVideoMusic Awards became away to bring young viewers into the awards audience starting in the mid-1980s.
Rose Lucas, 77, says she usedtowatch theBET Awards becauseshe enjoyed theR&B and hip-hop performances.She enjoys music awards shows,but she doesn’ttypically watch thefull show live.She’s morelikely to watch short clips of performances the next day “I don’twatch any of them
live anymore. Idon’ttune in to them,” Lucas said. “(They are) too long. I’m notasinterestedanymore.”
Whenthe Emmys return on Sunday,all eyes will be on the winners —and the ratings.
The last Emmys gota muchbigger boost than its predecessor, held in January 2024 because of Hollywood’sstrikes —one of several challenges, including thecoronavirus pandemic and this year’swildfires that have thrown awards show norms out of whack.
Televisionhas,insome ways, overtaken movies as aprestige screen art, butthathasn’ttranslated into similar awards prestige. The Emmys audience is less than half that of the Oscars.
The long-term awards ratings decline closely tracks with real-time broadcast andcabletelevision view-
ing acrossthe board for virtually everything in the U.S. but football. And while there are dozensofawards shows each year,only ahandful have asignificantaudience. The poll found that about 3in 10 Americans said they had watched awards shows at least “several times” in the past year That could be aresult of Americanshaving more options thaneverinwhat to watch —and many being too busy to tune in. Inez Parker, 88,saidshe watches awards shows on live TV,and she expects she’ll tune into the Emmys this weekend. But she doesn’tstream the show again or watch clips after the fact —she’stoo busy for that.
“I usually watch all of it,” shesaid. “I’ll watchitlive, and that’sit. Idon’twatch it again.”
“You have to cater to what theviewers want,”hesaid.
The Oscars, which remain the most viewed and most engaged-with awards show, are coming off afive-year high in viewers. Nearly 20 millionpeoplewatched “Anora” win best picture andfour other top trophies in March.
Butthat’sdown from the more than 55 million who watched “Titanic” win 11 in 1998, when awardsshows truly were the king of the world.
Some, like Christine Steingraber,64, watch most of theawards showsthatair on TV
The Oscars are her favorite, but she watches the Emmys and the Grammys, too, even when she’snot familiar with the showsorthe artists up forawards.
“It opens up another perspective as to whether I want to see that show or hear that artist,” she said.
Thebiggest awards shows —like the Oscars, theGrammys and the Emmys —havestreaming partners, buttheygenerally don’t appear there until
the following day.Bythat point, viral moments and winners’ reactionshave alreadybeen plastered online in short clips.
Thepoll suggests that awardsshows may be appealingtoa new generation
People underthe ageof 45 aremorelikely to say they have watched both an awards show and clips in the past year,compared withpeople age 45 or older
Meme-able moments like the “La-LaLand” fiasco or Will Smith’sslap at the Oscars or the hits and missesofGolden Globes monologueshaveshown the shows can still have life aftersocialmedia took over for TV for many
The surveyfound that the people who watched full awards shows largely overlap with clip viewers, although people are slightly more likely to say they’ve just watched clips rather thanjust watching shows. About 4in10say they haven’twatched clips or shows. Awards shows —whether they’reconsumed through clips or live viewing –are
Doobie Brothers explainwhatsparked
BY JON BREAM
The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)
This is hard to believe:
The core four of the Doobie Brothers, who have been together on and off since 1979,have never made an entire album together.Until now Different members from co-founders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons to later principals Michael McDonald and John McFee —havecome and gone at various times from the Rock &Roll Hall of Fame band.
This summer,the Doobie Brothers delivered “Walk This Road,” on which the core four played on an entire album for the first time.
“It feels good,” said Johnston. “Having Mike on this one takes it to adifferent place.It’skind of like anew talent, if youwill, andwhat it sounds like. Youget much more variety in the style because you’ve got Pat, Mike and myself doing the writing.”
Moreover,Grammy-winning producer John Shanks cowroteevery song on the album —“anew way of doing things butit’skind of fun,” Johnston said. This year also sawJohnston, Simmons and McDonald inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame for their Doobie Brothers’ catalog including “What a Fool Believes” and “Black Water.”
“I didn’tsee it coming and Idon’tthink any of us did,” Johnston said of the Songwriters Hall recognition.“It really waskindof humbling.”
And this honor feels different than being inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame, which happened in 2020.
“The Rock &Roll Hall of Fame is more about music and popularity,” Johnston said. “The Songwritersis more about the quality of tunes you’ve written.”
Since Johnston’ssongwriting is in the spotlight
this year,hewas asked to discuss what sparked some of his best-known songs.
‘Listentothe Music’ (1972)
“That was during theVietnam Warperiod. Ihad been listening to this English philosopher speaking at San Jose State (University). He was autopian kind of guy and that songwas utopian in nature
“My whole idea was people neededmusic rather than politics to get alongwith other countries. Vietnam, China,the United States. Then Itook that alittle farther to peopleingeneral. If you’d justlighten up and have agood time, it was utopian. It seems to work.I’m amazed how long that song hashung in.”
‘Rockin’ Down the Highway’ (1972)
“It was feel-good time. Footloose, fancy-free running around theSanta Cruz Mountains is probably whereitcamefrom. Iwas describing livinglife at the time, Iguess you could
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say.Ihad written thechord changes acouple years earlier.Lyrically,itgot written in L.A.
“I had that songplaying withaband called South Bay Experimental Flash before the(Doobies) band was happening. Idon’tknow that there’sany depththere. It was about having agood time, which waspretty importantinthose days. I didn’t have alot of money, but Ihad agreat time.
‘LongTrain Runnin’’ (1973)
“Itwas ajam that we played fora couple years in clubs alloverSan Joseand the Santa Cruz Mountains. Imadeupthe wordsevery night
“It could go on for 10 minutes. Teddy (band producer Teddy Templeman) heard it probably when we were playing live at theChateau. He said, ‘You really should turn it intoasong.’ We cut it down in thestudio but it still didn’thave any lyrics. He said, ‘Itkind of reminds me about atrain.’SoIwrotethe lyrics in about 20 minutes down in AmigoStudios.
“The song had lotsofdifferent names. Ithink it was
called‘Parliament.’ We were playing that in 1970, ’71, ’72.
We finally recorded in ’73. It gets abig audienceresponse every time we play it.”
‘China Grove’ (1973)
“I starteditonacoustic (guitar) and Igrabbed (drummerand housemate) JohnHartman and we’dgo downstairs where we used to practice. We cranked it up. Iput the amp on 10 and blazed and he waspounding the drumsreally hard.
“It’sanothertrack,which is notunusualfor me, that didn’thave lyrics. The lyrics got written based on what Billy Payne was playing on piano. Imade up this whole thing aboutthe sheriff and samurai swords and that kind of stuff
“Later on, after the song hadbeen out, Iwas driving with acab driver in Houston and he said: ‘How did you come up with China Grove?’ Isaid, ‘It was just amake-believe song.’ He said, ‘There
Many Americans arefortunate to have dentalcoverage fortheir entire working life, through employer-providedbenefits. Whenthose benefits end with retirement, payingdental billsout-of-pocketcan come as ashock, leading people to put off or even go without care. Simply put—without dental insurance, there maybe an importantgap in your healthcare coverage
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Look forcoverage that helps pay formajor services.Some plans may limit thenumber of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.
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burden, especially if you’re on afixed income.
really is aChina Grove, it’s just outside of SanAntonio.’ Ithink whathappened is Isaw the road sign in ’72 when we were touring in Winnebagos.
“It’sbasically nothing but an icehouse and afeed store. That’swhat that town is. It’sprobably bigger now I’ve never been in the town itself.I should.”
‘The Doctor’(1989)
“I had it in abandI was in called Border Patrol in the’80s, andwe(Doobies) didn’trecord it until ’87. We hashed out the chorus with Charlie Midnight and Eddie Schwartz. Eddiecame up with the idea of the doctor.Sowemarried that with lyrics and chord changes I already had and put on sort of apop chorus, for lack of abetter waytoput it. It was still edgy anddistortedand had arock feel to it, but the chorus waskind of pop.”
‘WEARE
PART OF THE
NEWEST WAVE’
BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer
For morethan adecade, the New Orleans BioInnovation Center has worked to makeits portionofCanal Street something entirelydifferent from the retail corridor or hotel haven that it’s beenfor thelast century Th en on pr ofit businessincubator, focused on life sciences, serves as a launching pad for innovative companies dreaming up the medicines andmedical technology of the future.
launch about 200 smaller-scale ventures since its inception. But there aresome signs of momentum
While biotech hubs like Boston,San Francisco,San Diego andRaleigh-Durham, North Carolina, arehome to thousands of startups, some with valuationsinthe billions,the New Orleans incubator has helped
Since June, three new biotech startups have signed leases forlab space at theincubator’s 66,000-square-foot headquarters. The San Diegobased biotech startup Informuta, founded two yearsago by two Tulane University Ph.D. recipients, is celebrating the opening of its BioInnovation Center labthis week
The company,which is developing high-tech tools to combat antibiotic-resistant infections, is following in the footsteps of two similar ventures —Cleaved Diagnosticsand BekenBio that signed leases at the nonprofitbusiness incubator afew months earlier
Thesenew “freshmen” ventures are looking to capitalize on affordable rent, grant-writing assistance, state tax credits and other support provided by NOBICand its partners.
See BIOTECH, page 4E
“How in the hell do you become amanufacturer of our size,with our service andreputation? Not by leadership, but by great people. Andwehavegreat people in Louisiana.”
MATT STULLER, CEO and founderofStuller Inc
La.jewelry
BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer
Sitting at workbenchesin
abrightly lit room in this Lafayette manufacturing facility,a dozen jewelers put the finishing toucheson asteady streamofengagement rings. Each of the workersat jewelry maker Stuller Inc.’s headquarters has their own task. Some handle sizing. Others engravings. Their goal is the same: Get the jewelry completed —and ready to ship to customers —the same day it’sordered The efficiency of amadeto-order operation is what
allowed Stuller Inc. togrow from aone-man operation into thelargest jewelry manufacturer in North America anda major economic force in south Louisiana. Though it employs more than 1,500 people as the largest private,nonhealth care employer in Lafayette, many people in south Louisianahavenever heard of it. That’sbydesign. “Weused to be very quiet,” saidMattStuller,the company’s founder and CEO, in arecent interview “Wedidn’twanttotell peoplewehad gold or diamonds. We didn’twantto
promotewhat we did.”
But recently,thatoutlook haschanged as thecompany has grown and faced competition locally for workers in an increasingly tight labor market. Stuller is beginning to embrace the spotlight, too. Lastyear,atGov.Jeff Landry’srequest, the CEO accepteda positionona newlycreated board tasked with advising Louisiana EconomicDevelopmenton itsstrategyfor attracting newbusinessesintoLouisiana while also helping existingfirms succeed
Founder and CEO Matt Stuller has grownStuller Inc. from a one-man operation in Lafayette into the largest jewelry manufacturer in North America
STAFF PHOTO By BRETTDUKE
Chandler Monk, above,isfounder and CEO of Cleaved Diagnostics, which has alab at the BioInnovation Center, below,inNew Orleans. Thecompany hopes to makedevices that consumers can use totest themselves for early signs of illness. Monk said she’strying to find anew waytouse thegroundbreaking CRISPR gene-editing technology, which wonits inventors aNobel Prize in 2020.
STAFF FILE
PHOTO By MAX BECHERER
Baton Rouge
Sophia Solomon has been hired by Woman’s Hospital as senior vice president of quality
Sol om on h as more than 30 years of experience in health care leadership. Most recently, she served as the vice president of quality, performance improvement, risk and safety at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
She earned a bachelor’s in nursing from Grambling State University and a master’s in nursing from Southern University
Ben Russell has joined Loadstar as vice president of plant operations. Russell spent 15 years with Dow Chemical, where he had engineering and logistics roles of increasing responsibility at sites across the U.S. and abroad New Orleans
Karen Burrows has been promoted to assistant director of campus security at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Burrows has worked with the Convention Center for more than two decades, holding multiple leadership roles in the Campus Security Department, including senior supervisor, public safety shift supervisor and public safety officer
Patrick Lind has been named president of Stewart Interior Contractors Lind has been with Stewart since 2000, most recently serving as vice president.
He replaces Gordon Stewart, who has served as president of the company since it was founded. Stewart will become CEO, focusing on strategic initiatives.
JEWELRY
Continued from page 1E
A major jewelry supplier
Stuller told Forbes in a 2023 article that the company books about $800 million in annual sales.
He declined to provide updated numbers, saying, “We’re a much larger and sizable company than what those numbers were.”
Though Stuller declined to name his customers, he said they include most all jewelry retailers, from luxury brands to staples of suburban retail.
The company ships between 4,000 and 5,000 packages daily It’s because of that traffic that FedEx and UPS cargo jets make daily trips out of Lafayette’s airport, a service that isn’t typical for a city of Lafayette’s size but one that economic development officials say has helped attract other businesses to the region.
‘Fair trade’
Stuller Inc.’s business is currently navigating one of its biggest opportunities, along with one of its biggest challenges.
President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports has caused retailers who bought jewelry from cheaper manufacturers overseas to look to domestic alternatives. As one of the few jewelry manufacturers left in the U.S., Stuller Inc. has seen a boom. At the same time, countries that previously restricted jewelry imports from the U.S. are dropping barriers.
“It is really the most amazing experience that I’ve ever had in business for growth opportunities,” Stuller said.
Still, there are some materials — like diamonds and gemstones that Stuller Inc can’t source domestically The company also lost millions in potential revenue in Canada, the company’s largest
foreign market, after the country imposed its own 25% tariff on American goods, Stuller said.
Stuller who describes himself as an advocate of “fair trade” as opposed to “free trade,” said he supports efforts to rebalance America’s trade relations, arguing that it was long past due for the U.S. to push back on trade barriers imposed by other countries.
“The problem is Trump went overboard on it, and then he started trying to manipulate the countries,” he said.
He pointed to the Trump administration’s decision last month to impose 50% tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian oil. Nearly 90% of diamonds are cut in India. They’re now subject to the duty
“Every single day we’re huddling trying to figure out, you know, what is the new game for tariffs today,” Stuller said, comparing the current moment with uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic.
But if America wants fair trade, Stuller said, it’ll have to endure some pain to get there.
“I’m a fan of Trump. He’s taking this stuff on that needs to be done but never has, and we suffer and we benefit from the consequences,” he said.
‘Bleeding edge’
Stuller, 74, attributes much of his own company’s success to staying ahead of the curve.
He got his start in the industry as a junior in high school working part-time after class for a local jeweler, and during his senior year, opened his own business in a corner of his dad’s orthodontic suite in Lafayette. In 1970 after one semester at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Stuller dropped out to start Stuller Inc. and began traveling the state selling his wholesale jewelry line to retailers out of his trunk.
His first innovation as a businessman was simple: Be nice.
He said most other wholesalers would act like “you were inconveniencing them” when you called to place an order
The company also led the way in offering same-day shipping, color catalogs instead of blackand-white and the ability to order via fax machine. (That option is still available.)
In the 1990s, Stuller Inc. began offering its customers the ability to request custom designs, an investment that has paid dividends in recent years amid a fad in “personalization,” Stuller said (The company has 1.7 trillion different designs on file.)
Stuller Inc.’s latest push is around how to utilize artificial intelligence. Over the years, the company has amassed a massive amount of data on the preferences of its 35,000 customers. Stuller is hoping AI can help sort through that data to quickly come up with designs that suit specific tastes.
“Often we are on the bleeding edge of development rather than the leading edge,” Stuller said, noting that it isn’t cheap.
LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said Stuller’s success is the kind of story her agency is eager to tell about Louisiana, adding that she’s thankful he advocates quality of life issues, like litter abatement.
“He always wants to remind whoever is listening that you can’t decouple quality of life from quality of place and business policy and success,” Bourgeois said.
‘Great people’ When Stuller built the company’s headquarters in 1980, the
building was 12,000 square feet and featured a drive-thru window
After several major expansions, the facility now spans 600,000 square feet, and both guests and employees must go through multiple security checkpoints to enter Another expansion is ahead Stuller said. The company bought 8 acres near its headquarters, where it will move parking so it can add onto its existing facility, he said.
The hallway that cuts through the headquarters runs almost a third of a mile and is dotted with windows offering a peek into how jewelry is made, from start to finish.
Through one window, artists worked with pen and paper on new concepts — nearly 3,000 products are added to Stuller Inc.’s catalog each year. Through another, designers in a dimly lit computer lab use the company’s proprietary software to turn those sketches into 3D models. There’s the gemologist, analyzing the color and clarity of rubies and sapphires. Technicians pouring molten metal into molds. Bench jewelers setting stones. Stuller attributes his company’s growth to his location, and the people he’s been able to hire.
“How in the hell do you become a manufacturer of our size, with our service and reputation?” Stuller said. “Not by leadership, but by great people. And we have great people in Louisiana.
“We’re here and we’re going to stay here.”
Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com
BOWIE
STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK Stuller Inc.,
TALKING BUSINESS
ASK THE EXPERTS
Investment in $400B SpaceX a no-brainer for Angels
Founder says local startups can benefit from network’s access to opportunity
BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer
Q&A WITH MIKE ECKERT
When Mike Eckert, a co-founder and former CEO of The Weather Channel, moved to New Orleans in 2013 to be closer to his new grandson, he found that the city had a lot of entrepreneurial activity but no formal angel investment group to support it. As a retired executive and investing veteran with time on his hands, Eckert decided to launch the Nola Angel Network
That was 2014. In the 11 years since, the group, now known as Gulf South Angels, has grown to more than 150 accredited investors across 18 states, including doctors, lawyers, executives and other wealthy individuals who are willing to bet on startup companies in hopes of a big return.
To date, the network has invested more than $28 million in more than 70 companies across a range of industries. Fourteen of those startups have been sold or merged with other companies. Four have gone out of business. The rest are still in business though haven’t produced any returns.
Earlier this week, Gulf South Angels announced a new investment — not in a small local startup but in SpaceX, Elon Musk’s $400 billion space company Eckert, now chair of the board of Gulf South Angels, says the network isn’t turning away from scrappy homegrown companies but is taking advantage of an opportunity for the network’s members that was too attractive to turn away
No. We can still do both. There is more early-stage startup capital in Louisiana today than ever before in history as a result of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and the program it set up that allocated money to states to help small businesses. That program created the State Small Business Credit Initiative, or SSBCI, to invest in startups.
(The federal program is administered through Louisiana Economic Development and designated roughly $90 million for equity investment in local startups and $23 million for small business loans.) We started one of these funds. Now, there are seven of them in Louisiana, and they are putting this money to work So, maybe there wasn’t money for startups in the past, but that is not true today And we continue to invest in Louisiana
In this week’s Talking Business, Eckert discusses how the investment deal came together and what it means for the future of Gulf South Angels. Interview has been edited for length and clarity
The recent announcement that Gulf South Angels had an opportunity to invest in SpaceX is interesting and unusual.Why is this significant?
It’s significant because a local angel network had an opportunity to invest in SpaceX, a privately held company with a valuation of $400 billion.
Usually, those kinds of opportunities are restricted to large private equity and venture capital firms. We were able to get in on it. So how did this deal come together?
SpaceX recently had a large fundraising round. Typically, when that occurs, there is a lot of demand for the round from the investment community so the company allocates a certain amount of capital for each investor
We, Gulf South Angels, have formed a deep relationship with a venture capital fund, Balerion Space Ventures. They’re a Texas-based VC firm that invests in space technology and we have done a number of deals with them — and have had some great success Well, Balerion was able to get into this SpaceX financing round and allocated some for us. We jumped at the chance.
How much did y’all invest?
Half a million dollars, which is a
small amount relative to the allocation given to Balerion, which was somewhere between $25 million and $30 million. But what Balerion does is roll up all these allocations, and in turn, SpaceX rolls up all the allocations, so there is this waterfall effect. What is really fascinating here is that we are one of the few angel groups in the U.S. that has formed a relationship and become an investor in VC funds. Many angel groups strictly invest in local startups. We are getting in on bigger deals through VCs like Balerion.
I thought Gulf South Angels was formed to invest in local startups because angels were one of the key pieces missing from the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Does this sort of fly in the face of that?
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Mike Eckert, a co-founder and former CEO of The Weather Channel, founded Gulf South Angels after moving to New Orleans in 2013 and recognizing a need for startup capital in the local market. Earlier this week, Gulf South Angels announced a new investment — not in a small local startup but in SpaceX, Elon Musk’s $400 billion space company
Other draws, the founders say, include the state’s nine new federally backed investment funds, a friendly regulatory environment and potential partnerships with local universities and hospitals.
The new leases are a sign of hope for supporters of the city’s small but scrappy biotech ecosystem. They say the city has the potential to become a haven for entrepreneurs despite a national political backlash against governmentfunded scientific research and a shortage of investment dollars that has made life more difficult for these types of startups overall.
“New Orleans is tight-knit and everyone helps each other,” said Informuta co-founder Kalen Hall. “Since we left, people have been asking us to come back. When thinking about where it made sense to set up a lab long-term, considering the expenses and regulatory hurdles in California, New Orleans was the first place we thought of.”
Decades-old dream
NOBIC exists on the edge of the BioDistrict New Orleans, an economic development zone encompassing a 1,500-acre section downtown and in Mid-City that was conceived more than two decades ago by state lawmakers.
The district is also home to the $2 billion University Medical Center and Veterans Health Administration hospital complexes, as well as the abandoned Charity Hospital building. It lay dormant for several years before being resuscitated in 2018
Informuta co-founder Kalen Hall works in a lab The San Diego-based biotech startup Informuta, founded two years ago by two Tulane University Ph.D recipients, is celebrating the opening of its BioInnovation Center
In January, it received its first revenue from city sales taxes within its borders.
So far, the district has brought in around $400,000, and it invested in murals, signage and landscaping before the Super Bowl. At a meeting last week, its board approved a plan to direct nearly $100,000 to NOBIC to provide grant-writing assistance to biotech startups in the city NOBIC has about 30 tenants ranging from biotech startups and established software companies to the maker of $100 tubes of luxury toothpaste. After a financial crisis in 2019, the incubator has been on
firmer footing, covering roughly half of its nearly $3 million in operating expenses with rent and making up the difference with support from public and private partners, according to Kris Khalil, the nonprofit’s executive director The state’s economic development agency said NOBIC has supported more than 200 companies creating more than 650 highwage jobs, but the long and complex life cycle of biotech ventures means it often takes years to judge their success.
Neurotechnology company AxoSim, now 28bio, debuted in 2014 and has raised more than $15 million. It was initially planning to expand its footprint at NOBIC last year but moved to Metairie instead. Another company, Obatala, founded in 2017, has some space in NOBIC, but its seven employees also work out of a lab on the campus of the University of New Orleans, where several other biotech startups are located.
The most high-profile startup to come through NOBIC that has had an “exit” an event that allows investors to cash in their shares
— is Fluence Analytics, a startup from New Orleans that moved to Houston before being acquired in 2023 by Japan’s Yokogawa Electric Corp.
New ways to diagnose disease
Each of the three new biotech companies setting up labs in New Orleans is hoping to diagnose illnesses in new ways.
Informuta, led by Hall and Leo Williams, is developing devices that doctors can use to predict antibiotic resistance without having to send samples off to the lab. The company’s platform uses artificial intelligence to study the DNA of harmful bacteria.
Cleaved Diagnostics hopes to make devices that consumers can use to test themselves for early signs of illness. Its founder, Chandler Monk, said she’s trying to find a new way to use the groundbreaking CRISPR gene-editing technology, which won its inventors a Nobel Prize in 2020.
Beken Bio, which is moving its headquarters from San Diego to New Orleans, is building diagnostic tools that look for “biomarkers” circulating in a patient’s blood to enable early cancer detection with
part of the newest wave.”
Statistically speaking, all three companies face long odds as they try to turn their ideas into successful businesses, which is where NOBIC and its partners hope to lend a hand. The incubator provides attractive rents and subsidizes applications for the federal grants that are the lifeblood of many biotech startups. It also connects entrepreneurs with potential funders and sometimes invests in them through its own BioFund.
NOBIC’s annual BioChallenge event, which Informuta won last year is designed to bring out-oftown founders to the city
“We introduce them to our local health systems, investors and academic research institutions to form collaborations,” Khalil said.
‘None of that when I started’
The city’s biggest biotech success story to date is Fluence, which creates tools to help petrochemical and pharmaceutical companies monitor the quality of their products as they make them.
Company founder Alex Reed, who now lives in the Pacific Northwest but still has some New Orleans-based employees, said the city’s biotech scene has evolved considerably since the days he was getting started. More investors and experienced founders have changed the landscape.
“There was none of that when I started,” he said.
The pool of new investors exists largely because of a Biden-era program that provides federal matching dollars to private investors who support entrepreneurs. The nationwide initiative, which is managed in the state by Louisiana Economic Development, could lead to $113 million in federal matching dollars over the next several years.
Despite the new tools in the toolkit, Reed said it’s hard for smaller markets like New Orleans to compete with established hubs, which is why leaders should focus on areas where the city has a competitive advantage.
Looking to academic institutions like Tulane, which now has an innovation institute and birthed the technology that created Fluence, isn’t a bad place to start.
the help of AI-powered data analysis. “There’s an arms race in this world of liquid biopsies,” company founder Chris Millan said. “We are
“There are so many good ideas sitting in labs,” Reed said. Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.
Menhaden Fisheries: FederalPolicy, Sustainability, and Coastal Economies
By Amanda McElfresh, amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Thisarticle is Brought to youbythe Louisiana CommercialFisheriesCoalition LLC. America’smenhaden fishery is one of the greatsuccessstories of U.S. seafood production –arenewable, sustainably managed resource thatsupports thousands of jobs,fuels rural economies,and delivers essential products to globalmarkets. This longstanding industry,rootedfor generations along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts,often finds itself at the centerof debate –praised as amodel of science-based managementbysome, while questioned by othersconcerned about its ecological footprintand role in coastal economies Whathappens in thesepolicy debates carries real weightfor the communities, small businesses, and working families whose livelihoods aretied directly to menhaden. From Reedville, Virginia,toMossPoint, Mississippi, and from Cape May, New Jersey,toEmpireand Abbeville, Louisiana, the fishery forms the backbone of local economies.The industry supports not only fishing crewsbut alsodock workers, plant employees,welders, mechanics,truck drivers, shipbuilders, and countlessvendors.
Menhaden aresmall, oily fish thatplaya big role in the U.S. seafood supply chain. They areprocessedintoomega-3-rich nutritional oils,high-protein feeds foragricultureand aquaculture, and pet food ingredients Theyalsoserveascritical bait forlobster, crab,and other high-value fisheries acrossthe country.Thankstothis versatile fish, U.S. processors areable to create valueadded products thatare exported around the world, bolstering American manufacturing and competitiveness.
AModel of Sustainable Fisheries Management
Both Atlantic and Gulfmenhadenfisheries aremanaged through science-driven frameworksdesigned to ensure ecosystem health and long-term viability. The Atlantic StatesMarine FisheriesCommission (ASMFC) and Gulf StatesMarine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC), working alongside NOAA and state agencies, have implemented Ecological Reference Points and harvest caps to maintain predator-prey balance. Independent reviews back this up: The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world’sleading authorityonsustainable seafood, has repeatedlycertifiedU.S menhaden as sustainably managed. Recent stock assessments confirm thatneither Gulf nor Atlantic menhadenpopulations are overfished or experiencing overfishing.
The menhadenindustry stands as a national model of howeconomic prosperity and ecological stewardship canthrive together.This provensuccessstory deserves to be frontand centerinevery regulatory discussion –local, state,and federal. Evenwith strongstock assessments and international sustainabilitycertifications, differing views about menhaden’secological role and howbest to manageitcontinue to shape the conversation, creating uncertainty foranindustry that has operated forcenturies
Anchoring Coastal Communities
The numberstellthe storyofanindustry deeply wovenintothe fabric of coastal life:
•Louisiana: The nation’slargest producer Louisiana’sfishery accounts forover70% of U.S. landings –nearly one billion pounds annually –and supports morethan 800 direct jobs
•Mississippi: Aprocessing plantinMoss Pointemploys over 300 workersand anchorsa network of shipyards, trucking companies,and suppliers thatdrivethe regional economy.
•Virginia: In Reedville, home to theEast Coast’shighest-volume fish landing port,a single companysupports 260 jobs,afleet of nine purse seine vessels,and spotterplanes Harvests in the ChesapeakeBay arecapped at lessthan half of historic levels
•New Jersey: Family-owned fishing operationsinCape Mayand southern ports provide bait forlobster and crab fisheries from MainetoAlaskaand forcrawfish farms throughout the Gulf Although Louisiana’smenhaden fishing season is limited to six months, theindustry sustains full-time, year-roundjobswith competitivewages and benefits.Thesecareers support hundredsoffamiliesand areoften passeddownthrough generations,forming the backbone of manycoastal communities
Menhaden and the American Seafood Supply Chain
Discussions overmenhaden extend beyond biologyintoquestions of economics community stability, and food supply.The outcome of thesedebates influences not only fishing families and plantworkers but alsothe wider seafood chain and the rural economies it sustains Earlier this year,PresidentTrump issued an executiveorder to strengthen American seafood competitivenessand rebuildU.S seafood dominance. Menhaden fisheries exemplifythatvision. Theydemonstrate that American workers, using American vessels canharvest and processarenewable resource sustainably,all while supporting economic growth and food security.
AFishery Rooted in Science,Community, and Heritage Looking ahead, decisions about menhaden will rest with policymakerschargedwith weighing ecological stewardship,community livelihoods,and national seafood security. The fishery’s long history of science-based managementoffersanimportantfoundation forthosechoices
This fishery is arenewable public resource thathas sustained generations of fishing families.Itisa source of pride for communities acrossthe Atlantic and Gulf Coasts,amodel of sustainabilityfor the world, and avital link in the nation’sfoodsupply chain. ForLouisiana and other coastal states, menhaden is morethan aresource –itisa cultural anchor,aneconomicdriver,and a thread connecting generations.Its futurewill be shaped by howscientists,communities and policymakerswork together to balance sustainabilitywith opportunity
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Chris Millan, founder of Beken Bio, conducts an experiment. The company, which is moving its headquarters from San Diego to New Orleans, is building diagnosis tools aimed at early cancer detection.
Khalil
LSUtouts gradsleading fast-growing businesses
BY TIMOTHY BOONE Staff writer
The 15th annual LSU100, which recognizes the fastest-growing businesses either owned or led by LSU graduates, is out.
The exact company rankingson the list will be announced at aprivate event in November
LSU also released the Roaring20, alist of the 20 companies ownedor led by graduates that had the highest revenue.
In alphabetical order, the businesses on the LSU’sRoaring 20 are:
n Audubon EngineeringCo., Metairie, engineering, procurement and construction management
n B&G Food Enterprises,Morgan City,Taco Bell franchisee
n Block Cos., Gonzales, multifamily and commercial construction
n Danos, Gray,oil and gas services
n GrandIsle Shipyard,Galliano fabrication for the oil and gas industry
n HNTB Corp., Kansas City,Missouri, engineering and architecture
n ISCConstructors, BatonRouge, industrial engineering,construction and maintenance
n JP Oil Co., Lafayette, oiland gas
n Lemoine, Baton Rouge, construction and disaster services
n Lipsey’s, Baton Rouge,wholesale firearms sales
n Lyons Specialty Co., Port Allen, convenience store distributor
n MAPP,Baton Rouge, general contractor
n NewEdge Advisors, New Orleans, registered investment adviser
n Performance Contractors, Baton Rouge, general industrial contractor services
n Provident Resources Group, Baton Rouge, developer and operator of health care facilities, student housing and senior living
n PSC Group, Baton Rouge, transportation and logistics services
n Royal Automotive Group, Baton Rouge, automobilesales
n Sealevel Construction, Thibodaux, heavy civil construction
n The Newtron Group, Baton Rouge, electrical construction and instrumentation
n Turner Industries Group, Baton Rouge, industrial construction and fabrication
AudubonEngineering, B&G Food Enterprises, Block Cos., Danos, HNTB Corp.,ISC Constructors, JP Oil Co., Lemoine, NewEdge Advisors, Performance Contractors, ProvidentResources Group, PSC Group, Royal Automotive Group,Sealevel Construction, The NewtronGroupand Turner IndustriesGroup also made the 100 fastest-growinglist.
Othercompanies on thefastestgrowing list are:
n Alexander Contractor Services
n American Safety
n Answering Bureau
n Anytime Flooring
n Argent Financial Group
n ArkelConstructors
n August Events
n BC Restaurant Holdings
n Bear General Contractors
n BearProcessSafety
n Bronco Industrial Services
n Brousseau& Lee
n Cane River Pecan Co.
n Carter& Hatcher Consulting
n Connectly Recruiting
n Corporate Interiors of Baton Rouge (CI Group)
n Crescent Payroll Solutions
n Currency Bank
n DAAMedia +Marketing
n Daigrepont &BrianAPAC
n DDG
n Energy Pipe &Supply
n EnvironmentalScience Services
n Extreme Nitrogen
n Fairway Consulting andEngineering
n FitnessEvolved
n FourCorners Wealth Management
n Gatorworks
n Gauthier Amedee
n GregorySwitzer Architecture
n Gros Flores Positerry Architecture &Interior Design
n Haltzman Law Firm
n Hargrove Roofing
n Highflyer Human Resources
n Immense Networks
n International Pumps and Parts d/b/a Industriflo
n Investar Bank
n ITinspired
n JH Operating Co.
n Joubert Law Firm
n KCPC Holding Company
n LaBorde Therapy Center
n LawOffices of Howard EConday Jr
n Leblanc &Fresina Builders
n Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
n Legacy Construction Group
n Loyd JBourgeois Injury &Accident Lawyer
n MANDATORYFUEL MANAGEMENT
n Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer &Dick
n Marex Services Group,
n McClure, Bomar &Harris
n Mind Ruby Technologies
n Moran Consultants
n Moreau Physical Therapy
n Next Level Solutions
n Pacifica Engineering Services
n Paperless Environments
n Paystar n Pearl Events
n Perrier Esquerré Contractors
n Red Bison Services
n Red River Bank
n Red Six Media n Ritter Maher Architects
n ROMPH POU AGENCY
n ROSA Enterprises Corporation
d/b/a The UPS Store 2305
n
Beyond isn’taplace —it’samindset. Andit’sabeliefthathas poweredusfor over80years We areJones Walker LLP,a firmdrivenbyanentrepreneurial spirit,adeepsense of community, and afierce determination to deliverexceptional serviceand valuefor our clients. Since1937, ourfirm hasbeencommitted to workingwithcommunity leaders to developbusiness opportunitiesacrossthe state. We aresteadfast in continuing ourdedicationtogobeyondinadvising clientsand supportinginitiatives andorganizations that make Louisiana abetterplace to live andwork
Gallagher: ALouisiana StoryofGrowth, Community andResilience
Gallagher,one of the world’slargestinsurancebrokerage,risk managementand consulting firms, has asignificantpresencein Louisiana, with arich history andadeep commitmenttothe local community. With roots in the statedatingback decades, Gallagher has grownintothe largest broker inLouisiana, providing awide array of services to businesses of allsizes acrossvarious sectors
“WhereIthink we areuniquelypositioned is thatwedon’t have that institutional mindset. We haven’talwaysbeen big.We’vealwayshad to be alittle morenimble, creativeand client-centric, said” Numa “Bumpy” Triche,regional president. “The result isthatwehavethe sizeand scale of anybody in the world, with robustdataanalytics and modeling capabilities. But our local operations arevery much integrated within the local market.”
Founded in 1927,Gallagher has expanded globally and reports $11.3 billion in total adjustedbrokerage andrisk managementrevenues in 2024 and amarket capitalization of $76.1billion as of January 30,2025.
Thecompanyhas aworkforce of nearly56,000 employees worldwide morethan 970officesglobally,and servesclients in over130 countries.
In Louisiana, Gallagher’s journeybeganwithanacquisition in Baton Rouge,which led to theestablishmentofofficesinNew Orleans and Monroe,Louisiana. Thecompanyhas strategically acquired local firms overthe years, integrating their employees and maintaining alocal focus. This growth has resulted in 18 officesstatewide and asignificant regional market share. Thecompanyhas grownits businessbyworking withpeople and organizations who sharecommon values and vision. “Gallagher has one of thelargest operations within ourSoutheastregion in terms of our footprint acrossthe stateand the various markets, Triche said. “Atthe same time, we arealwaysclient-focused, withthe people in the statebeing the ones who work with the local teams and businesses. People work with us because we provide awhite-glove service experiencewitheasyaccessibilitytoour team and our broader tools and resources. We have invested heavily in areas relatedtodata analysis and forensicaccounting in order to provide the technical and detailed support to our teams.Whatwedoisoffer ourclients access to global expertise tailored to their needs.”
As proud as Gallagher is of its growth,theyare prouder to have been able to maintainits unique culture. This cultureissummed up in 25 tenets called TheGallagher Way, aset of shared values thatemphasize ethics, integrityand aclient-centricapproach. These values were articulatedbyRobert E. Gallagher backin1984and have sinceguided the company’soperations and relationships. Keyprinciples include providing excellentrisk managementservices,supporting and respecting colleagues, pursuing professional excellenceand fostering open communication. Thecompanyculturevalues empathy, trust, leadership and teamwork, with astrong emphasis on treating everyone with courtesyand respect
Gallagher’s commitmenttoLouisiana goes beyond business. The companyhas alocalpresence, with employees deeply embedded in the community.
“Our employees see theirclients at church on Sundays,play golf with them on Saturdays,and go to lunch with them on Wednesdays,” said William Jackson, ExecutiveVicePresidentof Gallagher’s SoutheastRegion and leader of the NewOrleans operation and the region’s specialtyproducts.Our local connection is akey differentiatorfor Gallagher,combining the resourcesand capabilities of alarge global firmwith the personalized serviceofa communitybroker.
“Weteam up withlocalpartnerstomakeevery communitywejoin a morevibrantone.Fromfundraisersfor localcharities to crawfishboils and hurricane relief,our officesgivebacktothe peopleand places in whichwelive. As we grow larger,wemaintain close ties to the communities we serve.
Gallagher serves adiverse range of industries in Louisiana,including manufacturing, agribusiness, public sector,higher education, aerospace, energy,entertainmentand lifesciences. Thecompanypositions itself as athought leader when it comes to riskmanagementguidance on topics suchascyber risks, healthcare,marine construction AI, social inflation and other influences thatimpactinsurance claim costs, leading to higher premiums and impacting the insuranceindustry’srisklandscape.The team prides itself on providing expertiseand insights on keyindustries and currenteventsimpacting this region.
WILLIAM JACKSON ExecutiveVicePresidentSoutheast Region, Gallagher
Gallagher is poised forcontinued success in Louisiana,driven by its strong values, localfocus and expertise in keyindustries. Thecompany’s emphasis on client-centric service, combined with its global resources, positions it as atrustedpartner forbusinesses andindividuals seeking insurance, risk managementand consulting solutions.AsGallagher continues to grow and adapttothe evolving needsofthe market its commitmenttothe local communities remains acornerstone of its identity
Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of theheirs of BarbaraMoak contactLaura Tracy:(504)-275-6308. 158013-Sept 13-15, 3t $73
Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of theheirs of Jerry Smithcontact LauraTracy:(504)-275-6308 158016-9/13-14-15-3t $73.00
effort to locate an individual who is an UNKNOWN FATHER of aminor child born on or aboutMarch 25, 2013, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Should youorany individual be awareofthe Unknown Father’s whereabouts,pleasedonot hesitate to contactMakke LawFirm, 4021 WE Heck Court, BuildingG4, BatonRouge,Louisiana 70816 or by telephoneat(225) 777-8007. 158332-9/13-14-15-16-17-5t $265.00
equipment to ensure optimalperformance using knowledgeofthe sugarindustry. Two (2)years of verifiable experience in the sugarindustryinthe joboffered is re‐quired.Nominimum educationlevel is required.Notrainingisrequired, andno training is offeredfor theposition. The employee is notrequiredtoliveonthe employer’s premises,and this is notan option forthe permanentrole 40hrs/wk. Overtimehours will vary Please send resumestoorcontact Mr Alan ChatmanatAlmaPlantation, LLC, 4612 Alma Road,Lakeland, LA 70752 Tel: 225-627-6666 Fax: 225-627-5138 Email: achatman@almaplt.com
LANDSCAPING Crew Chief(multiple openings)(Baton Rouge) needed to direct landscapela‐borers,perform maintenanceon equipment& operateweedeater edger, blower,mowers. Reqs 1yrexp in landscaping. Work is performedyearround at employer’s business address &various unanticipated commercial sitesinEastBaton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Jefferson& LafayetteParishes Requires frequent travel to various unanticipated commercialsites in East BatonRouge,WestBaton Rouge, Jeffer‐son& Lafayette Parishes.Resumeto: Blue SkiesLandscape,LLC,POBox 40848,Baton Rouge, LA 70835 or kipjones.bsl@gmail.com
POLICEJURY RONALD NUNEZ PARISH PRESIDENT KATIEARMENTOR PARISH ADMINISTRATOR 157455 Sept. 9thruSept. 22, 14t $769.58
p p g prevention and adding to thesecurityofthe dis‐trict?
Parish Police Jury.A fixed sumcontractwillbene‐gotiated with these‐lected firm.Responding firmsmustbeprepared to provideanaudited overhead rate forthe purposeofcontractne‐gotiation anddetermina‐tion of cost reasonable‐ness. Anyquestions or problems relatedtothe download of theRFQ packet should be di‐rected by emailtoKatie Armentor at karmentor@ cameronpj.org. TheresponsetothisRFQ must be emailedtothe above-namedpersonat CameronParishPolice Jury,AdministrationDe‐partment,insucha man‐nerthatitisreceivedno laterthan3:00p.m Thursday,October 23, 2025. Statements of Qual‐ificationsthathavenot been received by the deadline date andtime will be rejected
CameronParishPolice Jury is an EqualOpportu‐nity Employer.Respond‐ing firmsare encouraged to utilizeminority partici‐pation in this contract throughthe useofdisad‐vantaged andwomenownedbusinessesas suppliersorsub-contrac‐tors.Cameron Parish Po‐lice Jury encourages sub‐missionbyDBE,minority, veteran, and/or women ownedbusinesses.
CAMERONPARISH
to theprovi‐sionsofthe resolution adoptedBythe Boardof Commissioners of Con‐cord EstatesCrime Pre‐ventionDistrict(“Gov‐erning Authority”), the “Governing Authority”) acting as thegoverning authorityofConcord Es‐tatesCrime Prevention District on Saturday Oc‐tober11, 2025, andthat at thesaidelectionthere will be submittedtoall theregisteredvotersin theDistrictqualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the constitution andlawsof theState of Louisiana andthe Constitution and laws of theUnitedStates, theFollowing proposi‐tion.ToWit: PROPOSITION ShallConcord Estates CrimePreventionDistrict (the “District”)levyand collectanannualparcel feeofSixty Nineand 50/100 ($69.50) on each lot, subdividedportion of ground,orindividual tractnot meaning a “condominium parcel (Withrespect to theCon‐dominiumsare situated andnot on individual condominiumunits)as definedinR.S.9:1121.103 in theDistrictidentified by an individual assess‐ment numberofthe rolls of East BatonRouge Parish,for theperiodof four (4)years beginning with theyear2026, with proceedsofthe parcel fee($20,433 estimatedto be collectedfromthe ini‐tial collection), forthe purposeaiding in crime i d ddi
Thesaidspecial elec‐tion will be held in accor‐dancewiththe applica‐bleprovisionsofChapter 5and Chapter6-A of title 18 of theLouisiana re‐visedStatutesof1950, as amendedand constitu‐tional and statutoryau‐thority, andofficers ap‐pointedtoholdthe elec‐tion,asprovidedinthe Notice of SpecialElec‐tion,orsuchsubstitutes thereforeasmay be se‐lected as designated in accordance with La.R.S 18:1287, will make there‐turnsthereof to said GoverningAuthority,and NOTICE TO HEREBY FUR‐THER GIVENthatthe Gov‐erning Authoritywill meet at itsregular meet‐ing place, on Wednesday October22, 2025 at SEVENO’CLOCK (7;00) P.M. andexamine and canvassthe returnsand declarethe resultsofthe said SpecialElection. All registered voters of the district areentitledto vote at said specialelec‐tion andvotingmachines will be used
Thespecial election will be held at thefollowing partialpolling situated within theDistrict, which poll will be open at six (7:00) a.m. andclose at eight(8:00)p.m.inaccor‐dancewiththe provi‐sionsofLaR.S.18:54,to wit: UNIVERSITY VIEW ACADEMY, 3113 Valley Creek DR Ward 01, Precinct 073 A&B, Baton Rouge, Louisiana70808. thePartial polling place setforth aboveishereby designated as thepolling at whichtoholdthe said election,and the-Com‐missioners in-charge andthe Commissioners respectively, shallbe thosepersons desig‐natedaccording to law.
Theestimated cost of said election,asdeter‐minedbythe Louisiana SecretaryofState,based upon theprovisionsofTitle 18, Chapter8Aofthe LouisianaRevised Statutes andthe actual cost of similarelections is $1,700.00. 155221-aug24-31-sept 714-4t $1,466.12
PUBLIC NOTICE
TheLouisiana Depart‐ment of Culture, Recre‐ation& Tourism, Office of StateParks is issuing a Requestfor Information (RFI)tosolicit anyand all projectideas foron-call disaster recovery,debris cleanup,downtreere‐moval, andemergency management consultant services in theevent of a man-made or naturaldis‐asteratState Parks Properties.The objec‐tives in soliciting infor‐mation aretopromote theState Parksmission achieveproperbalance of preservation anduti‐lization of StateParks Properties while becom‐ingmore financiallyselfsustaining,and better servethe needsofciti‐zens andofvisitorsto Louisianathrough collab‐orationutilizingPublic PrivatePartnerships. TheRFI packet,which in‐cludes atimeline, in‐structions forproposal submission,and selec‐tion criteria,isavailable at http://www.opportu nitiesinlouisiana.com. It mayalsobepickedup
This article is brought to youbythe EastBaton Rouge Parish Library
For area families,the East BatonRouge Parish Library is more than aplace to borrow books. It’salsoa hubofacademic support, creative exploration and lifelong learning. Mary Stein, assistant library directorfor programs,outreach and collections,saidEBRPL is proud to meet the needs of every learner,whether theyare avid readers, reluctant readersorstudents who need extrahelp
“Our goal is that kids find something theyliketoread. We neverjudge their choices.Iftheywanttoreadgraphic novels or listen to books, that’sgreat becausetheyare still consuming information,”Stein said. “Itgets them into the habit of wanting to find outwhathappens next Yousee the lightbulb go off and then theystart not onlyconsuming information,but becomingcreativethinkersand problem solvers.”
Aside from reading materials –inprint, viaaudio and through digital downloads –EBRPL has thousands of free educationalresources,from online homework helpand practice versions of standardized tests to lessons on howtoplayanew sport or instrument. Accessbegins with alibrary card,which every East BatonRouge Parish child canobtain with thehelp of aparentorlegal guardian, as required by state law.
Steinsaidthe library’s online practice versions of exams likethe ACT, SAT, PSAT and highschool equivalency tests have proventobe especially helpful, since theylet students seewhentheir answers were incorrect, identifystrengths and weaknessesand prepare strategically without the cost of test prep services
“This alsomeans theyaren’ttaking atestbeforetheyare truly ready,” she said. “Itgives them atool to plantheir studiesgoing forward.”
That specific type of guidance is also available through Homework Louisiana, afreeonline service with personalized academic assistance in keysubjects.The tutoring sessions aretailoredtoeach student’s grade andindividual needs,and Stein said theyalsohavebenefited parentswho want to help their children. Families canaccessthis wealth of resources online at www.ebrpl.com/homeworkhelp
“Theonline tutorsare vetted and observed, and parents canbesure thatthe content is safe,secureand verified,”Stein said. “Thisisasafe space forkids andadults to gethelp when theyneed it.”
EBRPL is equally focusedonenrichmentopportunities.Kids who areinterested in music, the arts,sports,podcasting or even filmmaking canaccessclassesand mini-courses in personand re available to help students balance their responsibilities.For kids with special needs, EBRPL provides adaptivetools such as text-to-speech technologyand apps that makereading and research more accessible.
“We’ve gotthe kids coveredinEast BatonRouge Parish,” Stein said. “Wehavesubject-specific contentfor all grade levels and we canserve the content in away thatworks forthem. Our in-personprograms givekids an opportunitytodohands-on activities thatenhance their critical thinking skills.Wealsohaveresources forparents and teachers. We aretryingtohelp build capacitywithin the educational network becauseall of us want kids to succeed every day.”
WelcometoEast BatonRouge Parish Schools—a place where curiositysparks discovery,creativitycomes aliveand every student’spotential is celebrated. Our schoolsare vibrant communities where students,families and educatorsworktogether to create opportunities, embrace differences and achieve greatness.
From language immersion experiences and innovativemagnet programs to dual enrollment, career-focusedtraining, giftededucation and early college pathways,weoffer tuition-free opportunities thathelp everylearner followtheir passions and reach their goals.
At East BatonRougeParish Schools, we believe in pushing boundaries, nurturing talentand celebrating the uniquecontributions of every student. Together,weare turning ambitionintoachievement, curiosity into innovation and promiseintolasting success. Every day, we are shaping afuturefilledwith possibility, growth and excellence—and we can’twaittosee what our students willaccomplish next.
The East BatonRougeParish School Systemstands as acornerstone of public education in Louisiana,proudly serving oneofthe state’s most dynamic, diverse andresilient communities.Asthe second largest school systeminLouisiana, we provide avibrant network of schoolswhere everychild has the opportunitytothrive.
From the very first dayofearly childhood programs to the moment studentswalkacrossthe graduation stage, the district opens doorstoendless possibilities. Families canchoosefromawide rangeoflearning pathways, includingnationally recognized magnet programs,gifted andtalented servicesand advanced academictracks. At the same time, studentsbenefit from robust workforce developmentopportunities—earning industry-based certifications,participating in dualenrollmentcoursesand gaining handson training thatconnects classroom learning to real-world success. Whether theirnextstepishigher education or ahigh-demandcareer,studentsare prepared to excelinanincreasingly competitiveand fast-paced world.
TheEast BatonRougeParish School Systemalsorecognizes thata wellroundededucation goes farbeyondacademics.With exceptionalprograms in the arts,athletics and extracurricular activities, students areencouraged to discovertheirpassions, build lasting friendshipsand grow as confident, community-mindedindividuals.Strong partnerships with families,local businessesand communityorganizations create apowerful network of support thatamplifies opportunitiesfor everylearner
At the heart of it all is asteadfast commitmenttoexcellence.The district is focused on creatingsafe, welcoming campuses; delivering innovativeand inspiringinstruction; andensuring equitable access to the tools andresources everychild deserves.Groundedinthe belief thatevery studentholds limitless potential, the East BatonRougeParish School System is not just educating for today—it is empowering theleaders, innovators andvisionariesoftomorrow.
This article is broughttoyou by theEastBaton RougeParish SchoolSystem.
The East BatonRougeParishSchool Systemisatthe forefrontofnurturingacademically advanced and artistically gifted students through its robust Gifted &Talented(G&T) programs,which areoffered across prekindergarten through12th grades
•Agifted program foracademically advanced students in all grades.The program includes compacted curriculum, higher-order thinking, enrichment and small classsizes for individualized learning.
•Atalented arts program forstudentswho showexceptional skill in visual arts,music or theatre. Students in this program aregiven creativeplatforms and performance opportunities and do not requireacademically gifted identification.
•Ascholastic academyprogram designedtoidentifypotential academic gifts in students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, offering apathway into moreadvanced G&Tservices as they grow and progress.
•Great ScholarsAcademy, aseparate acceleratedtrack for middle and high schoolersthatisadjacenttobut distinct from the gifted program. Students learn from highly qualified teacherswith arigorous curriculum.
Parents, teachers andstudents caninitiate free gifted &talented screeningsyear-round through the Gifted andTalentedOffice.
Parentsare urgedtohavetheirchildren undergo early screeningssotheycan benefit from targetedlearning opportunitiessooner.Giftedscreeningsare offered as early as three andfour yearsold. Talentedscreeningsbegin in Kindergarten
Students in G&Tprograms learn at apaceand depth suited to their abilities. Inside self-contained classrooms,lessons are tailored, engaging andchallenging. Forartistically inclined students, the TalentedArts program offersenriched instruction in visual, musicaland dramatic arts,completewith showcases andcreativeexploration.
G&Tprogram offeringsspansites across all of East Baton RougeParish. Studentplacement is offered based on theirhome address. Elementary locations include Audubon, Brownfields, Cedarcrest,Crestworth,LaSalle,MagnoliaWoods,McKinley, Northeast,Parkview,Shenandoah, Twin Oaks,Wedgewood, Wildwood andWoodlawn. Middle school sites areatGlasgow, Westdale and Woodlawn. McKinleyand Woodlawn serveasthe high school sites.
Through comprehensivescreening, expert instruction and arange of specialized pathways,the East BatonRougeParish School System continues to unlock exceptionalpotential and nurturefutureleaders in academicsand the arts
To learn more,visit www.ebrgifted.org or call 225-929-8642.
The East BatonRougeParishSchool System’smagnet programscontinue to stand out as some of thebrightest offeringsinthe district.Serving students from prekindergartenthrough high school,magnetprograms provide rigorous academics,unique themes and enriched learning environments thatattract families from acrossthe parish.
The programs have evolvedintosome of the district’smost sought-after programs,drawingthousands of applicantseach year Withthemes ranging from STEM and medical sciences to thearts, digital media and foreign languageimmersion, magnet programs in EastBatonRougeParish givestudentsthe opportunitytopursue their passions while preparing forcollegeand careers.
With 30 innovativetheme-based programs,studentscan learn inenvironments thatreflect their personalinterests– building invaluable lifeskills and fostering alifelonglove of learning. Regardlessofthe grade levelorprogram theme,magnet students experience hands-on learning, real-world applicationsoflessons and enrichmen rtunities be nd the aditio lclas
clearlinks between theirstudies andfuture careers.
Entry into magnet programs is open to allstudents across East BatonRouge Parish. However, admission is competitiveand based on acombination of factors, including academic performance, interest in the program theme andspace availability. Upcoming keydatesand events are:
MagnetShowcase Week, Sept. 29-Oct. 3: Schools will host showcases andon-sitetoursfor families to experience aday in the lifeofa magnet student.
MagnetMania,Oct.5,10a.m.to2p.m.: Held at the Louisiana Art& Science Museum, thisrecruitmentevent includes free parking andmuseum admission,and achance foreligible students to with amagnet seat at their school of choice if theymeet all program requirements.Families will also have the opportunityto meet school staff,studentambassadorsand communitypartnersto learn moreabout magnet programs
Thisarticle is brought to youbythe EastBaton RougeParish SchoolSystem.
DunhamSchool
By Amanda McElfresh |amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Thisarticle is brought to youbyThe Dunham School.
The Dunham Schooltakesawhole-studentapproach to education, combining academicexcellence withspiritual formation, creativityand characterdevelopment. From theearliestyearsthrough graduation, students are encouraged to exploretheir unique gifts,think critically andengagedeeply with their learning. Here is howDunhamtailorseducation to help each child reach their maximum potential
EarlyChildhood
The theme-based curriculum is designed to meet the needs of two-year-olds, with afocus on early literacy,phonics,math, science, technologyand grossmotor skilldevelopment, as well as explorations in Bible, music, movement, world languages and art.The program runs fivedaysaweek, with10- and12-month options.InAugust 2025, The Dunham EarlyChildhood Center at Siegen opened as asecond campus fortwo-year-olds at The Chapel on Siegen to accommodate growingdemand.
LowerSchool
Dunham elementary students enjoy project- andinquiry-
skills through classroom responsibilities, service projectsand mentorship.
MiddleSchool
Awide rangeofactivitiesare available at in theDunham middle grades, but afavoritetradition is the HouseSystem. Each studentisassignedtoone of four houses namedafter the school’s founding families.House Points canbeearned through academic achievements, extracurricular participation, housecompetitionsand FieldDay.EachMiddle School faculty member alsobelongs to aHouse andmay awardpoints,with the beliefthateachstudent has unique gifts.EachMay,the House with themost points claimsthe covetedSnoddy HouseCup
UpperSchool
This is whereDunham studentsfind their voicesand form lasting relationships as theygrowinfaith, confidence andselfknowledge. As theyare mentored by skillful and compassionate teachers, UpperSchool students findshared interests and can participate in aleadershipdevelopmentprogram. Thegoal is to
GEO Academies is taking itsmissionevenfurther in 2025 through an expanded partnership with BatonRouge CommunityCollege.
Under the newarrangement, alljuniorsand seniorsatGEO Next Generation High School will attend collegeand career classes, as well as their high school courses,onBRCC’sAcadian campus.
“The main benefit forour scholarswith thepartnership is the opportunityfor our students to getthe college experience as awhole, whilecompletinghighschool coursework thatallows their families to save moneyontuition and acceleratetheir time earningadegree,”Principal Shuanessy Matthews said. “Studentsnot only getthe academic experiencewithcollege coursework, but alsothe benefit of exposuretoafull-time collegecareer andstudentlifeonacampusenvironment.”
Since opening in 2019,GEO Next Generationhas raised the bar forstudentachievementinBaton Rouge. In 2023, 10 percent of its graduates earnedassociate degrees beforefinishing high school. In 2024, thatnumber doubled to 20 percent.This year, 30 percentofthe graduating classearned associate degrees –a testamenttothe school’sunwaveringcommitmenttoacademic
the benefit of increased employmentopportunities after high school,the possibilityofhaving ahigher earning potentialand afaster entry into the workforce with valuable career-specific skills.”
In addition to tuition, GEO alsoprovides its studentswith textbooks, transportation and necessary supports,including academicguidance, coachingand socialcounseling. That supportiveenvironment begins at an early age. Overall, GEO Academies serves morethan 2,300 K-12 students in four open enrollmentcharterschools: GEO Prep Academy,GEO Prep Mid-CityGreater BatonRouge, GEOPrepBaker andGEO Next Generation High.
Matthews said eachschool features personalizedlearning models,dedicatedfaculty andstaff and communityresources forunexpected challenges. Theimplementation of MicroAcademies meansthatscholarsare placed in amodel designed to ensurethattheiracademic andsocial-emotionaljourney is unique to meet their needs
“Our school primarily focuses on serving students in underserved communities,offering programs designed to close achievement gaps andprovide acceleratedcollege andcareer
•88%Collegeacceptance percentage.
•$25MillionScholarshipdollars earnedin2024.
•Nov.2024Earneda“B”lettergrade fromthestate(LDOE)
•AwardedtheInnovativeEducation Award-LAPCS-2023
2,400
ENROLLMENT K-12 GRADES
25:1
YEAR FOUNDED STUDENT/ TEACHERRATIO
Shvanessy Matthews,Principal,GEOAcademies
OurLadyofMercy offersbigopportunities
By
Amanda McElfresh |amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Thisarticle is broughttoyou by OurLadyof MercyCatholic School.
Our Lady of MercyCatholic School is proud to partner with parents to nurtureeachchild’sGod-given gifts in an authenticenvironment. Rooted in faith, the school forms the whole child through prayer, knowledgeand service. Academically,students arechallenged to excelthrough collaboration, instruction and technology,while faithislived out through service, leadership and community engagement.
Principal AllysonLaBorde shared moreabout Our Lady of Mercy’sapproach to education.
HowistheCatholicfaithlivedoutoncampus?
We celebrateMassevery Fridayoffering students and staff time together with our focus on theEucharist while practicing our faith. We begin and end our days withprayer, andalso include prayerand reflection at other timesduring eachschool day. We bring all thingsbacktoGod’spurposefor our lives. It is importantthatweteachstudents the importance of alife-long relationship with Godand thatwecan always lean on Him.
Wha oftheschool’smainpriorities?
and have morecultural exposurethan ever before, anditisof greatimportance thattheirtimewith us is focused on positive learning experiences.
Howdoestheschoolincorporatetechnology?
Technologyand responsible usageofthattool is andwill be such alarge part of our students’ lives.Our earliest learners have morelimited exposurewith our middle school students having school issuediPads forthe majorityoftheirschool work. However, we strikeabalance of integrating technologywisely, with necessary usageaswellasthe useofpencil andpaper at all grade levels.Studentswill grow up in aworld of advanced technology, but we do notwantthemtothink thatshouldbe their only focus
Ialwayssay,weare abig school with asmallschool feel.We want to really know our kids so we canknowhow to best help them grow.Our school theme thisyear is “WelcomelikeChrist”,
LocatedonConventionStreet,St. James Episcopal Day School is ahidden gemindowntownBaton Rouge, offering young learners afaith-based educationinanintimate and joyful setting. Now, thankstoasuccessful capitalcampaignand aclear vision forthe future, the school is embracingcampus improvements while continuing to nurturethe whole child throughacademics, enrichment andleadershipopportunities.
Head of School Bridget Hendersonsaidthe capitalcampaign raised $3.1 million–enough to modernizeexisting spaces and make the campus morewell-suitedtothe needs of its students.
“Wenow have alush green playground withrolling hills and acustom-made playstructurefor our students.Wealsohavea custom track with redtricycles forthem to ride,”Henderson said. “Until people step on campus,theydon’trealize howbig we are, yetthe environment still feels intimate.It’sthislittle oasis of education.”
Hendersonsaid theschool’s location providesaunique advantage. Teachersfrequently extend learning beyond the classroom walls,taking students on excursions thatconnect curriculum to the real world.
“Our kindergarten students do aproject on bikes. As part of that, theygoarounddowntown, walk the biketrailsand learn about them from asafetylens. Ourfourth graders studied
student-to-teacher ratios.The averageratio is seven-to-one andisevenlowerinthe dayschooland early childhoodsections Thosenumberscreateastrong senseofcommunitythatmakes transitioning from one year to the next aseamlessprocess.
“There’sareal sensethatthingsare settledhereand we know whereweare headedasaschool,” Hendersonsaid. “The first daythisyear felt likewewerealreadyinOctober becauseofthe waywehavebuilt the culture. Everyonepicked up rightwhere theyleft off.”
Theschool’smission emphasizesdeveloping thewhole child, which includes enrichmentopportunitiesinareas such as music, Spanish,STEAM,drama andbroadcast.Asthe oldest students on campus,fifth gradersserve as leaderswho mentor younger studentsthrough abuddy systemand embracethe responsibilityofbeing “seniors”oncampus
“Our fourth gradersare nowpartneringwith PreK-4 so they canstart amorerobust buddy program with thosetwo grade levels,” Henderson said. “All of thesethingshelpour students feel connected to the school andwanttostayhere.”
At St.James Episcopal DaySchool, we believe childhood is asacredtime—rich with wonder, growth, and joy. Our Early Childhood through fifth grade model is designed to honorthis season of life, focusing on the whole child in an environment
St.Luke’s EpiscopalSchool
By Amanda McElfresh |amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
This article is brought to youby St. Luke’s EpiscopalSchool.
Since 1957,St. Luke’s Episcopal School has provided ahighquality, faith-based educationinawarm andnurturing environment. Today, under the leadershipofHead of School Mitch Bilbe, the school continues itsmission to prepare students not only foracademicsuccessbut alsofor meaningful livesgrounded in service, leadershipand community.
Bilbe said thatthe people of St.Luke’s– parents, teachers, administrators, staff andstudents –makeitatruly nurturing and kind environment.
“Everyone is on the same pageasfar as whoweare andwho we want to be,”hesaid. “It’saholisticapproach wherewe’re not just teaching in the classroom.Prettymucheverything we do hereissome sort of lifelesson. We have very supportiveparents who buy into that.”
At the heartofthatholistic approach is acommitmentto meeting children wheretheyare.A Learning Labprovides targeted supportfor students who need extrahelp in math or reading, as well as enrichmentfor thosewho areready to be challenged.
“Oursmall classsizes really help teachersidentifywhich
BatonRouge’stop private andmagnetschools,ithas enhanced its programmingrecentlywith newtechnologythatexpands hands-on learning. This year,anInnovation Labwas added to the lowerschool,featuringrobotics andother interactive activities. Themiddle school computer lab wasupgraded to give students the chance to work on robotics,3Dsculpting andother projects
As an Episcopalschool, spiritual formation is centraltothe St.Luke’sexperience.Studentsattendweekly chapel services with age-appropriate programming. Religion classesuse the Godly Playcurriculum, encouraging students to explore their faith in meaningful ways.Daily prayers andfaith practices are wovenintothe rhythmofschool life.
In addition,leadership developmentisencouraged at every grade level. Younger studentsserve in thechapel andtakeon classroom jobs,while older students lead through abuddy program, mentoringyoungerchildren andmaking decisions thataffecttheirpeers. Studentsare alsoencouragetoserve othersthroughoutreachefforts such as toydrives,flood relief, food collections andsupportfor military families
“It’sa balance between building that cultureand having
St.MichaeltheArchangel
By Amanda McElfresh |amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
AsSt. Michael the Archangel High School enters its 42nd year,its leadersare charting aboldpathfor thefuturewith athree-year strategic plan thatplaces faithand excellence at the centerofevery endeavor.
PresidentRyanEmpsonand Principal JaredCavalier said theplan, which began this year andruns through 2028,isdesignedtobuildonthe renewedenergy on campus while uniting the school communityaround shared goals
“Our high-levelstrategic vision is thatour school would be aplacewhere our Catholicfaithisthe golden thread woventhrough everyaspect of our teaching and community life, uniting all knowledgeintoaharmonious whole,”theysaid. “Faith isnot merelyone subjectamongmany; it is the cornerstone thatintegrates all learning, illuminating the beauty, purpose and order of God’screation.”
This newchapter seekstobuild on the significantprogressthatwas made at St.Michael in the 2024-25 school year,during which 97 percentofits Advanced Placementtest takers scored 3orhigher on thetest’s5-pointscale and the campus sawmajor facilityupgrades,includinga newWarrior Stadium anddedicatedCampusMinistry space, aredesignedstudent courtyardand improvedsecurity.
The school alsoadopted apresident/principal leadershipmodel and launched acreativeinitiativetoreconnect with morethan 5,000alumni nationwide, including alumni road tripstoLafayetteand NewOrleans,with BaySt. Louis and Hammond next on the itinerary
Principal JaredCavalier said parentsurveys,studentfeedback and
•Growenrollmentfromthe current705 students to 800
•Increase alumniengagement forspiritual growth and donor involvement
•Achieve National Blue RibbonSchool status to recognize academic achievement andencourage scholarship donations
•See the athletics program becomemonetarily selfsufficient
AtSt. Thomas More,Principal AshleyMcDaniel sees every dayasanopportunityto nurturenot only strong students but also compassionate individuals readyto servethe world around them.
“Wetalk alot about kindnessand manners. It always makes me proud to seethoseconversations inaction,” McDaniel said. “You seekidshold open adoor forsomeone or punchin akey code if someone has their handsfull. Our students areexcited when there’ssomeone newjoining their class. Visitorssay they likethe environment here,and Ithink thatsayssomuch about ourstudents and our staff.”
The STMcampus leaves an impression, nestled under shady oaktrees withwell-kept facilities andoutdoor gathering spots forstudents.But,McDaniel said the true differencecomes from the people
“The facultyand staff arenot only amazing at theirjobs, but theyare amazing men andwomen who go the extramilefor each otherand forour students,” she said. “Our children are heretolearn. Theywanttodothe rightthing, and our parents aresosupportive.When youwrapall of that together,itcreates awonderful community.”
Beyond the warmth and inviting natureatSTM, the school sets itself apart with astrong academicprogram designed to meet students wheretheyare.Beginning in 1st grade, students areability-grouped in languageartsand math, allowing advanced learnerstobechallenged whilethosewho need
additional support receivethe helptheyneed.
“Studentswho arenot as strongyet or maybehavealearning difference areinsmaller classes,”McDaniel explained.“A reading specialist workswith them, andindividualized instruction goes on everysingle daywithin thosegroups.”
STMalsooffersanon-campus reading resource program through eighth grade thatisincluded in tuition, wherestudents work in small groups forextra supportand encouragement
Middle school studentsbenefit from afull science labfor hands-on exploration of the concepts they arelearning in class
All teachersemphasize collaborativeprojects andcooperative learning,and the effective useoftechnologytoenhance both
“Our students have to be able to work together with their peersinadulthood,”McDaniel said. “Westart laying that foundation now.”
McDaniel said oneofthe school’s topprioritiesthisyear is advancing curriculum development. Teachersare working on curriculum mapping andinstructional units to ensure consistency,fill gaps andavoid unnecessary overlap.
Above all elseisthe school’s ongoing commitmenttoforming studentsintheirCatholicfaith andvalues.
“Weare laying the foundation to building productivecitizens in our world,”McDaniel said.
Visit www.stmbr.org/school to earnmoreabout St Thomas More.
This article is broughttoyou by West Feliciana Parish Schools.
West Feliciana Parish Schoolscontinues to setthe bar forexcellenceinLouisiana.Asthe number 1district in Louisiana,West FelicianaParish Schoolsserves approximately 2,200 students in aclose-knitcommunityjust north of BatonRouge. The district has been recognizedastop in the state forliteracy scores,mathscores,and ACTaverage with figures thatplace West Felicianawell above state averages SuperintendentHollis Milton attributedthatsuccess to consistency,dedication and aholistic approach to education.
“Our teachersare extremely kind,caring andcommitted. Theyare good mentorswho come in every day with enthusiasm and effort.Theyare extremely knowledgeable about the content theyare teaching,”Milton said. “When youput all of that together,you knowthatstudents aregoingto grow andenjoy learning.”
The educational journeyinWest FelicianaParish begins early.The district offersauniversal Pre-Kindergarten program for4year olds,ensuring thatevery childinthe parish has access to pre-kindergarten tuition-free. Milton said the program also features art,music, creativity,STEM and physical education.
“Thatsets the foundation forthe yearstocome. We know that if we canget students readingonorabove grade levelbythird grade, the world is theiroyster. Thatisalwaysapriority,” Milton said. “Atour higher grade levels,wecontinue the arts, languages, and STEM courses, andalsochallengeour students with high school coursesinour middle school and dual enrollmentand Advanced Placementcourses in our high school. We currently offer 26 collegelevel coursesatour high school,and we will continue to addmore. We’realwaysrecalibratingand looking at whatwecan do to be better than the year before.”
Milton said the district’sunique physical layout createsan environmentofcollaborationand excellence. All schools sit on a100-acre campus, creatingsynergy andasenseof unity Astate-of-the-art career and technical educationcenteron campus wasrecently recognized by the BatonRougeIndustrial
Alliance forits excellence. Alsooncampus,the district recently opened anew athleticfieldhousethatwill serveasahomebase forstudent-athletestowork on strength andconditioning,as well as receivenutritional education.
“Inaddition to academics,webelieve in thepowerofathletics andstrivetooffer somethingfor everyone. From football and basketball to powerlifting, wrestling, golf,swim,tennis, flag team andmore, our athleticprogram is robust andoffersevery student an opportunitytobeinvolved. All of theseprograms will nowgothroughthe fieldhousewith access to the premier, fully-equippedworkout facility.”Milton said. “Wewantto teachour studentsinaholistic waywhatitmeanstohavegood health.”
Whether it’sbuilding or upgrading facilities,supporting teacherstobetheir best or openingnew educationaldoors forstudents, Milton said onething is certain –West Feliciana Parish will not rest on its laurels
“Everything we do is about striving forexcellence andserving the whole child,”hesaid. “Whenyou areable to do thatnot just on an academic level, but on asocial andemotionallevel,you seealot of joy. Studentsand teachersare working hard, but with asmile.Everyonehereismotivatedtodotheirbest.”
Visit www.wfpsb.org to learn moreabout West Feliciana Parish Schools.
Westdale Heights AcademicMagnet(WHAM)isa dedicatedacademicmagnetwitha focusonenvironmental science, mathematics and technology.Since 2004, WHAMhas combined rigorous academicswith hands-on educational opportunities forstudents in kindergarten through fifth grade.
WHAM Principal Nathan Hite believeshands-on experiences arebeneficial to all students
“You have students who arevisuallearners, students whoare auditory learnersand students who areacombination,”hesaid “For all of them, we’veseen thatitreally solidifies the learning when theyget to do something. Whether they’re in the gardens or science lab,theylearn whatitmeans to be caregivers and good stewards of ourearth.”
“Something thatissospecial about WHAM is the different learning spaces forstudents,” said Genevieve Moss,WHAM’S Magnet SiteCoordinator. “Wehavetraditional classrooms and we alsohavebeautiful school gardens, aSTEM lab,ascience laband even liveanimals–including abearded dragon thatour studentlab helperslove to takeonwalks. Thereare so many placesoncampus wherestudents canlearn.”
WHAM currently serves about 420 students ingrades K-5 and prides itself on adiversestudentbody.
“Welove thatwehaveavery diversestudentpopulation,” Moss said. “We’ve seen overtime thatour students in all subgroups excel academically as aresult of hands-on learning. Additionally,wehaveexperienced teacherswho knowhow to reach all types of learners.”
WHAM alsovalues aclose-knit environment,commonly called the “WHAM-ily.” Teachersand administratorsget to knowfamilies personally andmaintain highlevels of communication. Parentsare deeply involved andinvested, and
manyhavesentmultiple children to the school overthe years. One strongsign of thoseconnections came this past spring, when WHAM hosted an eventfor graduatinghigh school seniors to return to the school andpay tributetotheir former teachers. Hite notedthatthe ideafor the eventcamefroma WHAM parent.
“Itwas awonderful eventfilledwith happy tearsand pictures,” Hite said. “It says something greatthatsomanyof theirteachersare still hereseveral yearslater. It shows how muchofafamily we are. We really have thattraditional vibe in a modernera.Wedoagood jobofbalancing thetwo.”
As amagnetschool, WHAM’sapplication process is open to children from acrossthe East BatonRougeParish Schools attendance zone.Parents canapplyonline at www.ebrmagnet. orgduringthe PriorityMagnetApplication Period, which runs from October 6throughDecember 5, 2025. From there, students areassignedtoWHAMthroughalottery selection process. Studentsentering gradesK-3,who areselectedinthe lottery,takepart in an academicscreening which determines final eligibilityfor enrollment. Studentsentering grades 4-5 must have a2.5 cumulativeGPA forthe last four consecutive semesters, andperform on alevel of Basic or above on LEAP 2025orthe equivalentona norm-referenced assessment in both ELA andmath.
WHAM will host open housetoursfor prospectiveK-5 familiesonTuesday, Sept.30and Thursday Oct. 2from9 am to 10:30 am eachday.A special kinder“garden”informational session forincoming kindergarten familieswill be held on Thursday Oct.2 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Families canalso schedule toursbycalling 225-926-5421.
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CHILDREN’S HEALTH PEDIATRIC WALK-IN CLINIC
PEDIATRICS AT PRAIRIEVILLE
PEDIATRICS AT PERKINS
PEDIATRICS AT DUTCHTOWN
PEDIATRICSAT AIRLINE
Yes, knowledge is power, and thechoice is yours. But you MUST ACTNOW to put your estate plan in place. It all starts by attending one of LauraPoche’s free educational eventswhich makes it clear that regardless of your networth,ifyou want to preserveyourhard-earned assetsorhavepeople in your life you need to protectorhavecauses that youwanttopromote, EVERY PERSON NEEDSALEGAL ESTATE PLAN. Let LauraPoche and her professional and knowledgeable staffmakethis process as easyaspossible so youcan livewith PEACEOFMIND.
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4960 Bluebonnet,Ste.C 2:00pm -4:30pm REFRESHMENTSPROVIDED AFTER
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LAURAPOCHE INVITES YOUTOATTEND AFREE WORKSHOP TO LEARN ABOUT:
• Howcan Ikeep the governmentout of my estate settlement?
• What arethe twobiggest andmostexpensivemistakesfamiliesmakewhen trying to avoidnursing home poverty?
• Howcan Ikeep my not-quite perfect son-in-law and my over-controlling daughter-in-law from having influenceovermyestatesettlement?
• Howcan my family avoid estate tax, and other taxestheymightfacewhen Ipass away?
• HowdoIstart the five-year look back period fornursinghomeswithout having to giveeverything away to my family whileIamalive?
• Whydomostlawyerslove Probate, and want my estate to go through it?
• Should IhaveaWill or Trust(or both)?
• Canmypatchwork quiltofWills,Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, and Beneficiary Designations actually be atime bomb waiting to explode?
• HowdoIkeep my estate plan up-to-datewithout it costing afortune when my life circumstances changeorwhen the law changes?
• HowdoIensurethatmy estate won’tincur legal expensewhen Idie,preserving 100% of my assetsfor my family?
7STUPIDESTATEPLANNING MISTAKES TO AVOID IN 2025
If youhaveeverwantedtoeliminateworry becauseyou don’t havea program in place to protectyourestateand family,without aslewof untimely legaland taxproblems,thenthis will be one of the most important workshops youeverattend.I am going to showyou howtobulletproof what youhavetoday, and whatyou leaveyourkids tomorrow.You’llbeable to take advantageofmyestateplanninglegalstrategieswithout youoryour lovedoneshavingtodeal with Succession Courts,long estate settlement delays,Medicaid liens,nursing home poverty, and death tax. But before Ido that, letmetell youastory of howwehelped Mary.
MARY’S STORY
“Asacouple with an only child, we thoughtaWill wasall we needed. WRONG! My husband died, and Ihad to go through Probate-anightmare, andvery costly.Italsotook over9 months.I didn’t want ourchild to go through that, so Igaveher an ad to aPoche’Law Firmworkshop,and sheand herhusband were impressed. They had Lauraset up aparticular kindofTrust that took care of their estate planning, butwhat aboutme? Idecided to go to aworkshop,and made my appointment.Lauraansweredall of my questions, andevengot my financial advisor in on aconferencecall. Icould nothave been morepleasedand relieved that my estate plan is nowinorder.Kudos to Lauraand her professional staff. Ihighly recommend her forall estate planningneeds.”
Mary,Baton Rouge, LA
IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOROUR WORKSHOPS:
Workshopsare open to FIRST-TIMEATTENDEES ONLYand aregearedtowards people whowant or need your legal estate plan in placequickly Pleasehaveyourpersonal calendarhandy at the workshop so youcan choose to startyourplan NOW! If married, both spouses mustattend a workshop to ensurethat alldecision-makers are involved in your family’scoordinated plan
All people who attend willreceiveaFREE copy of theupdated2nd edition of LauraPoche’s Book, “Estate Planning AdvicebyaWoman forLouisiana Women: AGuide forBothMen and Women About Wills,Trusts,Probate, Powers of Attorney, Medicaid, Living Willsand Taxes.”
LOUISIANA
BEATINGTHE ODDS
45-year-oldLouisianaovarian cancer survivor lifted weightsduringchemotherapytreatment
BY MARGARETDELANEY Staffwriter
Toni Bessonet never thought it wouldbeher
In 2023, after traveling to Europe for vacation, she lost weight rapidly.One evening, Bessonet rested ahand on her hip. She could feel aspongy mass.
She asked friends and family.They weren’tconcerned.
“I really didn’tthink about it,” Bessonet said. “I really wish Ithought aboutita bit more. Iregret that Iwasn’ton top of it.”
Achance encounter with a friend on awalk —and astop to pet the dog of an OB-GYN’s father —changed her life.
Shemade an appointment that same morning and was preparing for atransvaginal ultrasound and blood work by 10 a.m. By 1p.m., her doctor had called her back and told her to see an oncologist.
Three days later, Bessonet was in the waiting room at Woman’sHospital inBaton Rouge to see Dr.Renee Cow-
an,a surgical gynecologic oncologist. Gynecologic cancer is a disease in which cells in a
woman’s reproductive organs grow out of control. The five main typesofgynecologic cancer are: cervical, ovarian,
uterine, vaginal and vulvar fallopiantube cancer is arare sixth type,according to the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention. According to the National Cancer Institute, Louisiana hasone of thehighest rates of gynecologic cancers in the nation with more than 200 new cases of gynecologic cancers identified in the state each year
Commonsymptoms of gynecologic cancers include: n Abnormal vaginalbleedingordischarge is common for all gynecologic cancers except vulvar cancer
n Feeling full too quickly or difficultyeating, bloating and abdominal or back pain are common for ovarian cancer
n Pelvic pain or pressure is common for ovarian and uterine cancers
n Morefrequent or urgent need to urinateand/or constipation are common forovarian and vaginal cancers.
n Itching, burning, pain or
MAYO CLINIC Q&A
Are backpacks hurting your kids’ backs?
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Formykids, the best partofback-to-school shopping is picking out anew backpack. While Iwant themto have backpacks theylike, Ialso want to makesure they have featuresthat support their backs.What should Ilook for?
Thebackpack is as much apart of school life as homework, pencils and recess. Kids use backpacks to carry everything they need during the day and makea fashionstatement.Unfortunately, the excess weight of supplies stuffedinto an improperlyworn backpack may lead to sore joints and muscles. As anew school year begins, follow these tips to help kids take aload off to keep their backs healthy: Students of all ages seem to carryheavierloads in their backpacks. They oftentote aday’s worth of textbooks, achange of clothing for after-school activities, school projects and lunch. As aresult, manyparents have heard their school-age children complaining of back pain.
Overall, adults and children shouldn’tcarry more than 15% of theirbodyweight in abackpack For a60-pound child, that meansa pack weighing less than 9pounds. Even when worn properly,your student may need to lean forward to compensate forextra backpack weight. This can affect the natural curve in the lower back. Extra weight also can cause arounding of theshoulders andanincreased curve of the upper back. As aresult, children mayexperience back, shoulder and neck pain. When wornproperly,backpacks are thebest way to carry things, especially for long periods of time. Backpacks should be worn using both straps. Slinging abackpack over one shoulder can cause aperson to lean to one side to compensate for the unevenweight, causing acurve in the spine. Over time, this can lead to lower and upper back pain, strained shoulders and neck, and even functional scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Teenage girls are especially susceptible to scoliosis.
Tighten thestrapssothe pack sits high on your child’sback with the top of the pack about even with the shoulder blades. It also should be snug, so it doesn’tsway side to side while walking.
Whenproperly worn, theback and abdominal muscles support a backpack. These are the strongest muscles in the body,stabilizing the trunk and holding the body in proper postural alignment. Improper backpack use presents somedangers to young, still-growing joints and muscles. Urge your children to look past the color or design when selecting abackpack. These featurescan make asignificant difference in
Toni Bessonet used ice packs on her fingers and toes to preserve her dexterity during her chemotherapytreatment.
PHOTOSPROVIDED By TONI BESSONET
Toni Bessonet,45, lifted weightsand exercised five times aweek to keep herself fitwhile undergoing chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer
HEALTH MAKER
Nurse gains wisdom, friends working with seniors
BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer
Shawn Williams became a certified nursing assistant at a young age, with every intention of following a career in nursing. Her work took her all around New Orleans at a home health agency, traveling from house to house, taking care of elderly patients.
”I’d done it kicking and screaming,” Williams said. “But to my surprise, I fell in love with it.” Through her work, Williams has met many seniors and touched many lives from diverse backgrounds and different age groups. Now, 33 years after starting her career, she still spends her days with elderly patients at PACE GNO, a Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly in the Greater New Orleans area.
PACE, sponsored by Catholic Charities, hosts daily activities for participants including jazz bands, field trips, wellness care, nursing assistance, rehabilitation services and possibly even conversation over ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ episodes on television.
Although Williams has only been working at PACE for 18 months, she says she already recognizes that the job is a great fit for her What kept you in elderly care for more than three decades? I like the reward of it. That’s what really keeps me going, the reward of working with these seniors. As I got older, I really realized your seniors and your elders make the best best-friends. They have
BACKPACKS
Continued from page 1X
how they feel while wearing the pack at school:
Wide straps: Wide, padded straps won’t dig into the shoulders, and they’re more comfortable. Narrow straps can hinder circulation, causing numbness or tingling in the arms, which may lead to weakness in the hands over time
Multiple sections: Select a backpack with many pockets and sections to keep children organized. This also helps distribute the weight more evenly across the pack.
Waist belt: Tightening the waist belt helps to evenly distribute the weight of the backpack and support children’s abdominal muscles. Lightweight when empty: Consider the weight of the backpack when it’s empty so your children don’t have additional weight beyond books and supplies. For example, a canvas backpack will be lighter than leather
Reflective material: If your children walk or bike to school, look for a backpack with reflective strips that make them more noticeable to drivers. You also can add strips of reflective tape at home.
Encourage your children to wear their backpacks properly To help keep them light, they should make frequent stops at their lockers throughout the day to avoid carrying all their books at once. And leave nonessentials at home.
If they’re in pain or have discomfort, talk with their primary care clinicians before a problem becomes serious.
a sense of humor They enjoy music. They love a good joke. They love everything younger people love. They’re just an older version of us, so I stuck with it. Right now, today, I still can’t wait to wake up and interact with these older people. It’s very rewarding for me. I can’t get enough of it. To me, it feels addictive. When these seniors are being grateful for the help we give them, the warm smiles that you get and the humble “thank yous” it’s why I am still a CNA. I did think about pursuing a nursing career but I’ve always stuck with being a nursing assistant. I think
that’s because I love the time that we have together It’s not a quick visit; it’s something that I can take my time and be hands-on with these patients, versus being a busy nurse. I can really spend more time with these patients. The love and the wisdom that they give are priceless. They give you things that money can’t buy: gratitude, love, wisdom, sharing of stories and talking to you about mistakes that they have made. Sometimes you see yourself in them when they were younger and they made a mistake. If you take time to just stop and listen, you can learn a lot from them
How do you connect with patients?
My grandmother had a hand in raising me when my mom and dad went to work. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, and I am so thankful now I’ve learned how to cook from this lady I’ve learned how to be humble and respectful and thankful for everything that I have. Those are the things that she taught me. I like to use the L.O.L. method when working with patients. It stands for: listen, observe and learn. I have been using that method since I’ve been certified. It has helped me to build a great rapport and have a lot of elderly best
friends. They have a lot to say They want you to listen to them. They want to be able to still be independent. When you use that method — when you listen — they have a lot to tell you. When you are observing them, you learn their strengths and their weaknesses. With those three factors, It’s easy to get them to be able to complete tasks that they never thought they were going to be able to complete again. That’s what makes me get out of bed and keep coming back for more and keep doing what I do. Can you imagine having a job where you’re going
to work with the love of a grandmother or a grandfather, or a mother or a father? That’s the best job in the world. What are some pieces of wisdom that you have picked up along the way? Don’t be in a rush when I go to the market, to take time to look at the prices. How to save money in a lot of different ways. They have taught me that without knowing it.
We talk about cooking a lot. This is New Orleans, that’s what we do. We swap a lot of recipes, and I’ve gotten awesome recipes from them (and I surprised them with one or two of my little recipes that I have). They have really taught me it’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice. To me, that makes all the sense in the world. I’ve learned not to be quick to anger while working with my patients. They teach you what true love is, that it’s unconditional. They love you unconditionally Something may happen, you may have a disagreement, but you come back five minutes later, and it’s like nothing ever occurred. The good part about it is that it’s all for free anyway All I have to do is wake up and just show up the next day to get some more, and they’ll hand it to you on a platter They have so much love to give, so many stories to tell, so many jokes that they have. It’s rewarding, and at the end of the day, I walk away with a purpose. This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Woman receives new treatment for rare form of ALS
U.S. share.
BY ROBERTA BURKHART Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(TNS)
On a quiet farm in Erie County Pennsylvania, 67-year-old Diane Zaczyk used to think nothing of hefting 50-pound sacks of chicken feed onto her shoulder Strong, stubborn and devoted to caring for her flock of chickens, ducks and geese, Diane rarely paused to think about her own health.
For years, the real battle had belonged to her husband, Joel, who endured surgery and treatment for oral cancer
Diane became his caregiver whipping up highprotein eggnog by the gallon to help him keep weight on.
“Joel’s doctors were always impressed that his weight was really good,” she said with pride.
But not long ago, it was Diane’s strength that began to slip away She found herself struggling to lift the feed bags she had carried for decades. Then her right foot started to drag. Stairs became harder At first, she blamed age or maybe her diabetes. Sometime around Christmas 2023, she could no longer ignore it. Tests ruled out Lyme disease. Then myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder Finally, this past February, came the answer that no one wanted: ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects the nervous system — specifically, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The progressive and fatal disease, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes loss of muscle control, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Experts do not know what causes ALS, but about 10% of cases are inherited, or familial, explained neurologist Sandeep Rana, director of Allegheny Health Network’s ALS Center, who has been treating ALS patients, including Diane Zaczyk, for nearly three decades.
Following Zaczyk’s diagnosis, she underwent genetic testing that revealed she had a very rare, inherited form of ALS a diagnosis only about 500 people in the
In September, Zaczyk will receive her sixth injection of a monthly genetic treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April 2023 for those with inherited ALS via a mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1, or SOD1, gene. She is the first patient at AHN to receive it, Rana confirmed. The hospital network is the only provider currently offering the treatment in Western Pennsylvania, according to the Qalsody website.
Qalsody — its generic name is tofersen is a gene therapy that reduces the levels of the toxic SOD1 protein that is created by the mutated gene. Research has shown that Qalsody reduces a marker of injury to the nerves in the brain, called neurofilament light chain, Rana said.
Neurofilament light chain is a protein that acts as a biomarker for neuronal damage and neurodegeneration. It is released into the cerebrospinal fluid and blood when neurons are injured, per a 2023 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Today, Qalsody is the only FDA-approved therapy that employs antisense oligonucleotide molecules that bind to the SOD1 mRNA, which signals the cell to destroy the mRNA before it can be translated into the harmful protein. The treatment has paved the way for similar approaches targeting other genetic forms of ALS, according to the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations
While the Qalsody’s phase 3 clinical trial did not show a statistically significant slowdown in disease progression, it is still considered an ALS treatment breakthrough as it targets the genetic cause of the disease, according to a 2023 article by Columbia University Irving Medical Center
When the gene that is responsible for Zaczyk’s form of ALS mutates, it doesn’t just stop working — it actually gains a harmful new function. The mutation makes the gene produce an
abnormal protein, and that protein damages the body, Rana explained.
If doctors can “quiet” or turn down the activity of the gene via monthly lumbar injections of Qalsody, like Zaczyk receives, the gene stops producing that toxic protein, which can help prevent further damage, Rana said.
Another AHN patient was set to receive the treatment, but died from ALS complications before it could begin, Rana said. “By the time she reached us, the disease had already progressed quite a bit.”
Early diagnosis of ALS is essential, especially in the case of those patients like Zaczyk who have the SOD1 mutation, Rana said.
While the treatment, which is injected directly into the spinal column during a hospital visit, cannot cure or reverse the disease, researchers believe more testing will reveal that it has the ability to halt additional damage and slow down the progression of symptoms that have already begun, Rana said. “We wanted to get the word out that there is this potential treatment available.”
So the Zaczyks make the trek to Pittsburgh from their Union City home — about 5 hours round trip — every month so she can receive the injection and get checked over by her medical team.
In August, she suffered a bit of a setback, after a small spill at home resulted in a broken leg She missed her August injection but expressed optimism that the lull in treatment may be useful in upcoming diag-
WE
nostic testing. The results could reveal how well the treatment is working and whether it is slowing down the production of the toxic protein from her mutated gene, she said. She said the injections — so far — have few side effects aside from some muscle stiffness the next day But she admitted that might just be from the long car ride.
“I started rather late I was pretty much already in the wheelchair If someone was able to find out they had this much earlier, their whole physical progress might be affected, might be totally different,” Zaczyk said.
That’s why Zaczyk wanted to share her story: to raise awareness and to urge others to start talking to their doctor right away if they’re noticing sudden weakness and other potential ALS symptoms. And to urge them to insist on genetic testing to see if they too might be a candidate for the treatment.
Early signs of ALS
ALS “starts with a weakness,” Rana said. “Usually, it’s painless weakness It could be in the hand, it could be in the leg. It could also sometimes start at the tongue,” causing slurred speech or difficulty swallowing.
From there, ALS spreads to other parts of the body, and “it’s relentlessly progressive Most classic ALS patients, usually survival is about three to five years after the onset of symptoms. So it’s a pretty rapidly evolving disease.”
“You cannot tell them apart. They look the same.” Inherited ALS can only be revealed via genetic testing, which, Rana said, is becoming an essential tool for patients As more treatments are approved, some will likely prove more effective for specific forms of the disease. Once a patient is diagnosed with this inherited form of ALS, their family members may also choose to undergo genetic testing to see if they also share the gene.
Zaczyk said she has shared her diagnosis with relatives across Ohio Pennsylvania and New York Some have shown interest in genetic testing, while others prefer not to know, wanting to avoid the worry that can come with the results. Still, they understand the importance of seeing a doctor if they ever develop muscle weakness like she experienced at the onset of her illness, she said. While ALS remains incurable, therapies like this give patients hope, slow their progression of symptoms and ultimately give them more time with their loved ones, Rana said.
“Our hope is that we can slow down the disease give them more time, and maybe even halt it for longer periods of time,” he said. Keeping patients independent in their “acts of daily living improves the quality of life.”
Often, patients are bedridden within two to five years from onset, he said. There are no significant differences in how an inherited ALS subtype like Zaczyk’s presents compared to the more common ALS manifestation, Rana said.
WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to live well.
Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana. Do you have a health story? We want to hear from you. Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.
STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE
Shawn Williams, right a certified nursing assistant for 33 years, checks Elaine Block’s blood pressure on Sept. 3 in New Orleans.
LOUISIANAHAS THESEVENTH-LOWEST RATIOOF DENTISTS IN THENATION
There are more than 200,000 dentists in the U.S.,a number that has consistently increased formore than twodecades before stabilizing in recent years.According to the American Dental Association, theU.S.dentist workforce is growing,becoming younger and more female though it is not growing in all geographic areas. Agap in the supply of dentists in urban counties versus rural counties has been increasing overtime and maycontinue to do so.youngerdentists are less likely to practice in rural areas, the ADAsaid in a2025 analysis of thecurrent dental workforce.
While the overall dentist-to-100,000 population ratio in the U.S. is 59.5 in 2024, these ratios varied by state, from alow of 40.2 in Arkansas to ahigh of 78.36 in Alaska. Louisiana had the seventh-lowest ratio of dentists per 100,000.
These 10 states had the highest ratios of dentists per 100,000, in descending order: n Alaska with 78.36 dentistsper 100,000, n Massachusetts with 78.24 dentists per 100,000,
SURVIVOR
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tenderness of the vulva, and changes in vulva color or skin, such as arash, sores or warts, are found onlyin vulvar cancer Cowan recommendsthat all women see agynecologist anddiscuss possible symptoms. Additionally, the OB-GYN canperformgenetic testing to detectfamilial genes of certain cancers.
“Wecan find out if apatient has amutation that is linked to one of these diseases,” Cowan said. “Wecan take those organs out before theybecome acancer. That is lifesaving.”
Beatingthe odds Cowan looked at Bessonet’sscans and scheduled
n Hawaii with 78.14 dentists per 100,000, n California with 76.59 dentists per 100,000, n NewJerseywith 75.15 dentists per 100,000, n Newyork with 71.27 dentists per 100,000, n Washingtonwith 70.33 dentists per 100 000 n Connecticut with 68.73 dentists per 100,000, n Colorado with 67.85 dentists per 100,000, n Maryland with 67.79 dentists per 100,000.
These states had the lowest ratios of dentists per100,000, in ascending order:
n Arkansas with 40.22 dentists per 100,000, n Alabamawith 40.43 dentists per 100,000, n Mississippi with 43.56 dentists per 100,000, n Delaware with 45.82 dentists per 100,000, n SouthCarolina with 46.21 dentists per 100 000
n NewMexico with 46.8 dentists per 100,000, n Louisiana with 46.89 dentists per 100,000, n Tennessee with 47.51 dentists per 100,000, n Georgia with 47.58 dentists per 100,000,
her for robotic surgery to remove her ovaries the following Monday.But by the next week, Bessonetwas in excruciatingpain
“Myovaries were thesize of oranges,” Bessonet said. “But they grew to thesize of cantaloupes just before the surgery. Ialmostcouldn’t walk.”
When Bessonet woke up from surgery,her husband was crying.Her ovaries had rupturedinside herduring the operation, and Cowan had to cut and remove all traces ofcancer that she could
“The incision felt so long,” Bessonet said.“Cowan worked 16 hours that day on both me and herpatient before me.”
Twoweekslater,labsfrom Bessonet’ssurgeryfound that shehad Stage 3A ovarian cancer —cancer thathas
spread beyond the ovaries but is still confined to the abdomen and pelvis.
The five-year survival rate forthis type of ovariancancer is approximately 41%.
Bessonet,now 45, was always one to beat theodds. She had ahistory of endometriosis, adisease where tissuegrows outside the uterus, and was recommended ahysterectomy at 40. She was told she was never going to have children. She had two. She knew she was going to fight this,too. Fiveweeks later,after losing 21 pounds and experiencingHurricane Francine with no electricity,Bessonet started chemotherapy
Bessonet took the strongest amount of chemo each round. She put her toes and hands in icefor five hours while receiving treatment,
n Indiana with 47.82 dentists per 100,000, n Iowa with 47.85 dentists per 100,000, n North Dakota with 48.33 dentists per 100,000. Looking ahead, the dentist workforce is near
to keep the dexterityinher fingers andtoes —a common symptom of chemo treatment. She usedaniced helmetinaneffort to keep her hair intact
“It’skind of like setting your head on fire,” Bessonet said.
Butshe saved 70% of her hair
“I just had thewill to live,” Bessonet said. “It’s unbelievable to think about what Idid. The treatment had its own painful experience.”
During hertreatment
Bessonet was notidle. She didyogatwice aweekand cardio three times aweek. She gained 7pounds of muscle. She walked four miles a day,holding hands with her husband thewhole way.She started working outagain, weight trainingand all, just 8weeks after beginning
the endofa retirementsurgeamong baby boomer dentists, according to theADA.However, the supply of dentists is projected to increase through2040 driven in partbythe opening of newdental schools.
treatment. “I was just focused on keeping my body as strong as Icould,” Bessonet said. “I picked doctors that believed in me. Ididn’twant to know the statistics. Ijust wanted the best treatment.”
Her last day of chemo, the day she could ring the illustrious andbrilliant bell at Woman’s Hospital, an ice storm hit the city
Bessonet thought no one could come support her; all of BatonRouge wasshut downafter all. “There were50people at the hospital that day,” Bessonet said. “Anybody that has ever loved me or believed in me wasthere. It was the most magical thing in my life. It wassomething you see in afairy tale.” As of February,after four surgeries and three sessions of chemotherapy,Bessonet
was declared cancer-free. When Bessonet wasdiagnosedtwo yearsago, shetested positive forthe BRCA1 gene, agene that plays arole in DNA repair/ cell division and can increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Bessonet will continue to take medication to suppress the BRCA1 gene.
“I’m here today because of herexcellence,” Bessonet said of Cowan. “I refer to her as my earth angel, and she says she’sjust doing her job.” To Bessonet, it seemed like every time she turned around, she hadlittle blessings that reaffirmed that she was awalking miracle.
Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.
Sullivan Walter,56, sat at aconference table in the small converted house that now functionsasInnocence &JusticeLouisiana,formerly knownasInnocentProject NewOrleans.
He choked back tears when he recalled the moment he read aletter from Richard Davis, legal director at Innocence &Justice Louisiana.
The letter stated their belief in Walter’sinnocence and the organization’s commitment to get him released from prison.
After serving36years inprison for acrime he didn’tcommit, Walter came home free in 2022 —and he credits Davis’ and Innocence& Justice Louisiana’swork forgetting him out.
“IfI’m able to advocateonbehalf of justice, then Iwant to do so,” said Walter.“So, that’s my relationship with this organization.I truly appreciate all that has happened in regards to helping me.”
Jarvis Ballard, 46, said Innocence &Justice Louisiana means freedom for him. The organization committed to his exoneration andsaw it through until he was released from prison after serving 23 yearsfor acrime he did not commit.
Ballard says he continues to be involved at Innocence &Justice
Louisiana because they are like his extended family
“They still help us,”hesaid. “They’relike sisters and mothers and brothers. It’s just as important for me to check up on them, because Istill have guys that’scoming home from prison that they’ll help out.”
These two men’snew lease on life is the work that Innocence &Justice Louisiana is known for —exonerating innocent people who have served time for crimes they did not commit Ballardand Walter have gone on to be advocates at the Legislatureand testified against bills that would have either harmed them or would have stoppedthem from getting out,said Meredith Angelson, deputy director of Innocence &Justice Louisiana.
Beyond innocencework
Since 2001, the organization has been successful in freeing 75 factually innocent and unjustly sentenced clients in prisonacross Louisiana and Mississippi. However,the work goes beyond proving innocence. It extends to achievingjusticeand support clients.
For Jee Park, the executive director since 2018, knowing the clients, their families and beingbytheir sideswhilepursuing exoneration forthe innocent andjustice forthe unjustlypunished, makesthe long hours and the very hard work worth it.
Innocence& Justice Louisiana, one of the only nonprofit law firmsin Louisiana focused on post-conviction relief representation and long-term ongoing services after release, has ateam of seven specializedfull-time staff attorneys and three investigators who work together to provide quality legalrepresentation at no cost to their clients or families. They alsooffer reentry support and wrongful conviction compensation representation.
“Having this opportunity to bring someone homeissuchaprivilege,” Parksaid. “Then helping them through theirreentryjourney,and not to romanticize thereentry journey,because it is not easy.”
Innocence &Justice Louisiana has grown from asmall nonprofit law firm focused solely on freeing innocent people to alarger organization that providescomprehensive post-conviction legalrepresentation and support across all 64 parishes in Louisiana.
Time forachange
On Sept.13, IPNO unveiled its new name,Innocence& JusticeLouisiana, at its annual“Oh, Freedom!” Gala. This rebrand and website launch is designed to advance the organization’smission and provide a platform where individuals can seek assistance, learn about thejustice issues in Louisiana, andadvocatefor reform
Park says thatinjustice is notjusta city problem like New Orleans, but a statewide problem,which is another reason for the namechange.
The organization has traveled all over the state and worked with clients from north Louisiana to south Louisiana through mostoftheir history. Their first exoneration of client outside of New Orleanswas in 2005.
The newname will better reflect itsmission,astheycontinuetohost events in Lafayette andShreveport that feature exonerated clients and their stories.
“Peoplewanttotalk to our clients They actually want to hear aboutthe experiences they have had,” Park said. “I do think everyone has aheart, and if youbring thehumanity and the
ä See REDEMPTION, page 2Y
Crossing bridge to newhope
Istartedteaching high school English whenIwas 21 in aplace calledNew Hope It wasn’treally atown.Itwasn’t avillage.Itwas,inMississippi parlance, “a community” —a ruralareainLowndesCounty,Mississippi, withneighbors spread farand wide.However,ithad a great school andseveral churches thatanchoredthe community together.
At the time,I wasa recent graduate of Mississippi State University andlived33milesaway in Starkville,Mississippi. Each morning andafternoon,I drove to NewHope, crossing the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterwaytwice each dayjust outside Columbus, Mississippi. Itaught at NewHopefor two years, lucky enough to have the same group of 30 students both years. We gottoknoweach other well.
Toward the endofmysecond year,the school loaded up allthe ninth graders andteachers, and we traveledinschool busesall the way acrossthe county to the LowndesCountyVo-Tech Center. Iendedupsitting in abus seat with aninthgradernamed Lovess Johnson, whomIhad taught for two years. He knewmanyofmy stories, andIknewhis. We were to sit together forthe 20 minute drive to the Vo-Tech
As we left Columbus, we could seethe big bridge acrossTennessee-Tombigbee Waterwayahead Lovess, 15 at thetime,saidto me, “Look at that big bridge!” He wassoexcited andwas trying to getagood look at the bridge through thebus window As we gotcloser, he said, “Have youevercrossedthatbridge,Ms. Risher?”
Itoldhim that Icrossedittwice everyday —onmyway to and fromschool.ThenIlooked at him andsaid, “Lovess, have youever crossedthis bridge?”
At thatmoment, thebus reached thestartofthe bridge Lovessturnedtomewith agiant grin andsaid, “No ma’am, but I’m crossing it now.”
That’show thelastfew weeks have felt to me. Ihavenever crossedthe bridge of ahouse fire, but I’mcrossing it now. Like the smile on Lovess’ face indicated,there is powerinfirsts —and allthese newthings can be exciting, certainly transformative.Maybe Iwas approaching life like Ihad approached crossing the Tennessee-Tombigbee twiceaday.I thought Ihad seen it all, but then life keepssurprising us withnew bridgestocross. The fire hasalso shiftedmy perspective —things Itook for grantedineverydaylife,much like crossing thesame olebridge
ä See RISHER, page 2Y
STAFF PHOTO By TRAVIS SPRADLING
Convicted at age17for arapehedidn’t commit, Sullivan Walter,53, left, holds ashirtreading ‘Justice,’nearasign off La. 74 marking the entranceroad that leads to the gate of Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel with, from left hisbrothers Corner Walter Jr.and Byron Walter Sr and Innocence Project NewOrleans legal directorRichardDavis just after his release on Thursdayafternoon, August 25, 2022. His wasthe longest known wrongful incarceration of a juvenile in Louisiana history, and the fifthlongest in U.S. history, according to the National RegistryofExonerations.
STAFF FILEPHOTO By BRAD BOWIE
Clients Elvis Brooks, left, and his sister,Earline Brooks Colbert, speak during InnocenceProject NewOrleans’s5th Annual Standfor Justice Acadiana celebrationonFebruary18atthe Downtown Convention Center in Lafayette.
ASK THE EXPERTS Q&A WITH FRED REGGIE
Tips on communication
Lafayette conversation expert shares how a word can change someone’s day
BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer
Fred Reggie, a Lafayette executive coach, international speaker and former board member of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, focuses on leadership, relationship and service culture development. Reggie was instrumental in leading the St. Jude Dream Home program and developing it nationally
He has written a book on communication titled, “Tell Me: How to initiate and nurture meaningful conversations with anyone, anywhere, anytime.” In his book he highlights the importance of meaningful conversations and emphasizes the power of asking “Tell me” questions to engage others.
Can you tell me about your book and your expertise in communication?
I’ve been a member of the National Speakers Association for about 15 years, and communication is the impetus for the book.
Whenever I work with my clients, always at the outset of our engagement, I ask them to list three main areas that they’d like to work with, and communication always, without exception, falls in those three categories. It has to do with conversation and interaction — interaction with peers, interaction with superiors, interaction with clients and customers. The more I spoke with them about this, I realized that not just these executives, but people
in general, struggle with initiating conversation. It’s something that I think is becoming more and more pervasive in our society I call that cocoon communication, where we just want to, in general terms, sit in front of a laptop or cellphone and insulate ourselves from anything outside of that sphere.
When you hear someone else’s voice when you hear their inflection, their accent there’s a picture that’s colored right inside of our brains. There are chemicals that are released there: serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine.
I grew up in a Lebanese household. My father and grandparents were Lebanese immigrants, and storytelling was a big thing, so conversations were never something foreign to me I realized I needed to put this down in a book form because this is something that people struggle with professionally and socially They struggle with it in their family, and this could be the hook that gets people to engage in meaningful conversations.
What are your biggest tips for initiating conversation?
I observed over 40 years ago that my clients would tell me how much trouble they had with small talk, particularly in professional, social environments. With one of my client, they didn’t know how to engage in small talk when there was hierarchy that kicked in.
If you want to start a conversation, use the phrase, “Tell me.”
Tell me about your family,
tell me about your business, tell me about your history in the company, right? Tell me when you got started
Tell me about some of the challenges you faced in the 20 years you have been in the company. Tell me about your vacation plans, your favorite sports team, whatever
If you say “tell me,” you’re setting the stage for them to perform for you. All you have to do is be an active listener, because you have said, “I’m interested in what you have to say about this, so I’m going to pay attention to what you tell me.”
And if you’re still not comfortable getting into conversation, just say, “That’s very interesting.”
What do you hope to accomplish with your book?
It took me a couple of years to write it, and I just published it in July
If you read the book and your life has changed, or you change one person’s life because of something you’ve read in here — if
you’ve applied the skill set, and it resulted in a meaningful conversation then the book has accomplished what I wanted it to accomplish.
Everybody wants to hear and talk about artificial intelligence, but what they’re failing to see is the humanto-human relationship development That will never be replaced by AI. AI cannot empathize. AI cannot feel what you’re feeling. I will say this until I die, that 20 years from now, you will not be able to replace or replicate humans. You can come close to it, but you won’t generate the warmth and engagement that you feel when you have a great conversation.
Why do you think your book has been so successful on Amazon in the parent-and-adult-child-relationships category?
People are interested in communicating with their children and their adult children because our adult children are carving out their own lives. I have two older daughters, and each of them have their own dynamic going on because now they’re starting their family They’ve got the influence of their husbands, and now they have children. So, they live a different model than I did. Sometimes it’s difficult to have a meaningful conversation with them because they’re going in two different directions, but I want to find out about them, to find out what makes them tick today, and hopefully find some connection that’s made to their upbringing. They live a little bit of a different lifestyle than I did, but are the values the
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stories to people, they will listen. People understand redemption.” Park says that even though Louisiana has some of the more harsh criminal laws in the country, people throughout the state care and recognize that some individuals need second chances.
Expanding ‘to help more folks
Expanding awareness of the Unjust Punishment Initiative is also another reason for the shift to Innocence & Justice Louisiana. Started in 2019, the Unjust Punishment Initiative supports clients who may not be innocent of the crime, but whose sentences are extreme and unfair
“We’re really good at what we do, so we decided to turn our attention to help more folks, and we were able to bring home the guys who were doing excessive sentences,” Park said.
Shannon Ferguson from St.
Mary Parish was sentenced to 60 years in prison for a rock of cocaine the size of a coarse grain of salt. Ferguson was 52 when he was arrested, so his sentence meant he would die in prison. He was incarcerated for 11 years before Innocence & Justice Louisiana, then IPNO, represented him and helped to free him.
Angelson said that one way the organization finds clients like Ferguson is by sending surveys to prisoners who they identify as having long sentences for nonviolent crimes.
“When they found me in Angola and called me on the phone, I went to crying,” Ferguson said. “And since I’ve been home, they’ve been like my right hand.” Life after coming home
“It’s a lifelong journey, right?” Park said.
She says that when a person becomes a client of the organization, Innocence & Justice Louisiana is with them through the valleys and peaks of what’s happening in their lives, and
that they will stand with, support and ensure the clients have what they need to successfully rebuild their lives.
For example, for Ferguson, who is 65 years old with health problems it looks like Innocence & Justice Louisiana staff accompanying him to his appointments, providing a social worker, working with him on benefits and being a pal, Angelson said.
Both Ballard and Walter agree that coming home is only the beginning to reentry. Life after release and exoneration is a constant struggle, Walter said, and support is key to survival.
“Things can be so challenging because of all the many years that I have lost,” Walter said. “I went to prison when I was only 17 years old. I was released at 53. I served the longest term of wrongful incarceration in the state of Louisiana history as a juvenile Those were significant years of my growth, as a person, as a human being in society I’ll do my best. I’ll put my best foot forward to get the most out of
life, but things can be so complicated.”
Walter added that before his incarceration, he had never been in a relationship, had never had a house on his own, had never had his own transportation, never had a job, a bank account, or any of those things. So to have to come home at 53 and try and work toward some of these things is a trying process.
Ballard, Ferguson and Walter regard Innocence & Justice Louisiana as an essential piece of their freedom journeys and postrelease lives.
“They got involved because they had seen the injustice, and they didn’t give up,” Walter said. “They wasn’t going to allow it to just be left alone. And they made a difference. So whether or not it’s Innocence Project New Orleans, or whether or not it’s Innocence & Justice Louisiana now, I support it. It’s relevant. It’s necessary.”
Email Joy Holden at joy holden@theadvocate.com.
same? Did I import the right values?
How important is curiosity with your family and genuine wonder to find out what’s going on? There are no neutral encounters with people When you meet or interact with people, you either bring them up or you bring them down. How do you bring people up? You make them feel special You make them feel seen, initiating a conversation. Whether it’s a clerk at the checkout counter in the store, or just anybody, you never know where they are. You’re meeting them where they are on their journey Sometimes just one word, one affirmation, changes their whole perspective for the day Email Joy Holden at joy holden@theadvocate.com.
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each morning and afternoon, feel a lot more miraculous now In the last few weeks, I’ve experienced profound appreciation time and again, in a variety of moments all are linked to the generosity of friends, including moments like:
n washing my face with hot water and my own wash cloth; n putting on a pair of new shoes sent to me by a friend; n eating a bowl of soup a friend dropped by, with a loaf of crusty bread; n multiple friends coming to my rescue to help hang drapes in our temporary home on a day when I didn’t have it in me to do so; n extra furniture that other friends were happy to share.
Appreciating life’s little graces and moments of beauty is a lovely way to live. This week, as we have started to settle in the rental where we’ll be living for a while as they rebuild our home, I met new neighbors, including a 7-year-old boy named Henry and his 6-year-old sister named Lucy, who has pink glasses “just like” mine.
As I was standing on the sidewalk admiring Henry’s bike, he took off his helmet, hit the bicycle seat and said to me, “I got this baby a couple of Christmases ago.”
Right about then, Lucy ran out the front door holding a piece of paper She yelled, “I made you something. I made you something.” She ran up to me and presented me with a picture that her mom said Lucy worked on for a long time. It’s of a superhero girl wearing a cape and sporting pink glasses. On the bottom of the coloring sheet, Lucy wrote in her littlegirl handwriting “Hi Neighbor, from your neighbor Lucy.” New hope sometimes comes in the form of new neighbors — and places anchored by schools and churches. All these years later, our house fire has reminded me that communities are still held together by friends, family and faith, especially when it’s time to cross a new bridge. Getting to the other side of new and difficult bridges requires moving forward. Sometimes we can’t be sure if we can make it all the way across until we’re on the new bridge. Which is where we find ourselves — and just like Lovess, we’re crossing it now
Email Jan Risher at jan.risher@ theadvocate.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Fred Reggie, a Lafayette native, is an executive coach, international speaker and expert in leadership and service culture development. He is the author of ‘Tell Me: How to initiate and nurture meaningful conversations with anyone, anywhere, anytime.’
PROVIDED PHOTO
Fred Reggie’s book, ‘Tell Me...’ is about how to initiate meaningful conversation.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE
Larry Moses talks about the years he spent wrongly imprisoned during a presentation by clients of Innocence Project New Orleans to students enrolled in Northside High School’s Academy of Legal Studies on Feb 5, 2024, in Lafayette.
Dementia care provides servicefor lovedones
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
Standing inside Charlie’s Place feels familiar —the same comfortable calm that might fill the living room or parlor of agrandparent, fit with trappings straight out of Baby Boomers’ heyday
Plaid-upholstered armchairs in muted greens and redlinethe walls. Asmall fountain trickles in a rock-lined garden out the window Elvis and JerryLee Lewis sheet music sits open on an old playerpiano.
Charlie’sPlace is one of themost successful programs at Alzheimer’sServices of theCapital Area, with its main location on North Boulevard in Baton Rouge. It provides aspace for those suffering from dementia to socialize away from their family for six hoursa day,afew days each week.
Looking closer at the space, you might notice afew eccentricities: therealistic-looking catsitting on the radio set doesn’tactually move, there’sanextra mailbox in the back garden and one wall panel is actually adoor concealed in plain sight, fit with abaseboard and hidden hinges.
This split nature of Charlie’s Place shows that there are two set of clientsthe programserves: the person with dementia and the loved one who gets abreak from caring for them at home.
“Weknow that thatcaregiver cannot give care at homewithout getting respite time, it’stoo stressful,” said Barbara Auten, executive director of Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area. “So by providing respite, we allow the caregiverstocare fortheir loved one at home for amuch longer period of time.”
Personalized care
Before Charlie’sPlace, there was just ahelpline for families caring for aloved one with dementia to call andget advice.Alzheimer Services grew from there, with educational conferences, seminars and support groups In the 2000s, anew understanding of how needed day-care pro-
grams were for thosewith dementiawas growing inthe larger Alzheimer’scommunity,Auten said.
When Charlie’s Placestarted in 2007, it was the only program of its kind in Louisiana. Today,there are three Charlie’sPlace locations, in Baton Rouge, Baker and Gonzales.
“Initially our thought was that we would provide one day a month,” she said. “The caretakers were up in arms and said, ‘No, we need atleast one day aweek.”
That needisvery real —not just so caretakers can runerrands or have social time themselves, but for their own most basic needs.
“Literally just taking ashower withouthavingtoworry about what their person is getting into or having them in the bathroom too,”
Stephanie Hull Cook, the public relations coordinator at Alzheimer Services ofthe Capital Area said.
For $65a day,caretakers can now leave their loved ones at Charlie’sPlace two days each week.
Those who can’tpay can have their fees negotiated down to something manageable—aslong as they pay something,which Auten says encourages caretakers not to miss days
“If they can’taffordresidential care, it’stheir only option,” Auten said.
Charlie’s Place is a“social model”ofcare, not amedical one. Nurses arenot on staff, andthey can’t take dementiapatients who can’twalk, eat or go to thebathroom on their own.
But this socialmodel is alsotailor-made to each client.
“Weincorporate theircareers, hobbies, history to make it amuch more person-centeredprogram,” Autensaid. “Each oneofour staff is familiar with these stories, and they have to knowatleast three things from each client’shistory to redirect them with.”
One example was agentleman whospoke sevenlanguages,with Spanish being hisfirst.Ifhedidn’t wanttoparticipateina group project that day,staff would find hishometown news in Spanish for himonaniPad.
Othertimes, the redirectionis simpler, like with the fake mail-
ing to church.
“If you put arosary in the hands of someone who hasbeen spiritually aCatholic their whole life,they might be nonverbal,but they’ll start praying,” Auten said. “Spirituality andlove transcend thedisease.”
Wheretheir braincan excel Standing in thekitchen area, with the baby-proofed stove top behind him, Dedrick Welchjokes about being an odd-couplewith his coworker Marcia Kirk. Both are respite center workers at Charlie’s Place.
“I’m 38, she’s70. She’s from the North, I’m from the South,” he said,” Iwas like, ‘It’ll never work.’”
But Welch and Kirk have served hundredsofclientstogetherin their collective 23 yearsatCharlie’sPlace.
religiously Otherdays, theywill just sit and talk about the news, usually with one client reading newspaper headlines to the group.
“Westayinthe part of the brain wheretheycan still excel,”Welch said. “Westay in that long term memory,which is where alot of their happy feelings are, things that they went through.”
ButWelch andKirkalsoknow that what they do is just as much for the caretakers as it is for those with dementia.
One caretaker told Kirk that “this is theonly placehis wife likes to come, theonly place he can get her to.”
box in thegarden. If aclient is upsetoruninterested in theactivity at hand, astaff memberwill ask them to go grab themail out back.
Thisredirection of aclient’senergyintosomething they can feel useful doing extends to sometimes even tellinghigher-functioning clients that they are at Charlie’s Place as volunteers, there to help theother clients.
It’sall part of learning each clients’ needs, Hull Cook said.
“Ourstaff will diagnoseaUTI beforethe family even knows about it,because theyknow the symptoms, they see the change in their demeanor,” she said. “I’m telling you, they just know theirclientsand they can see the change.”
Losing this independence, especially being able to driveoneself,is oneofthe most distressing things for those suffering from dementia, Autensaid. At Charlie’sPlace, staff triestoencourage independence and movement.
“Weencourage them to go out in thegardenand do activities We encourage them to dance. We encourage themtoparticipate,” Auten said. “It’sverytrue thatif you don’tuse it, you lose it.”
Forthis reason, families are toldtohelp their loved ones with dementia do as much of their normal routine as possible: keeping up with hobbiesand oldfriends, or go-
Together,they run clients through shared meals, activities, conversations and presentations from visitors.
“What makesCharlie’ssospecial is ourtiestothe community,” Welch said. “For instance, theKids World daycare of Gardere,their kids will comeand theyteach us allthe newdances that we didn’tthink we needed to know.”
Other visitors, like Washboard Willy,known for his State Fair performances of country,Cajun andbluegrass music, or an LSU theater professor,who organizes acting and reading exercises, have performed for the clients.
Most days, however,clients are treated to Kirk’spiano music,playingoff of sheet-music books from all the hits of yesteryear.Welch said that often even if clients can’t rememberwhatthey ate for breakfast, they canremember allthe lyricsofJohnny Cash or Carl Perkins.
“Wehave aboutfourorfive (clients) who are 80 or 90, andthen you have some in their 70s, and if you think about it those are completely differentgenerations,” Welch said.
“But shedoes agreat job, reaching all the way through time.”
One of clients’ favorite activities is getting new kinds of ice cream and deciding whetheror notthey’re good.Welch hasmade it his duty to check for new flavors
“Most are amazed, because there’snothing quitelike this,” Welch added. “They love to see them leave out and they’re happy and energetic. They love to hear about some of the things we did, they won’t always remembereverything we do,but they’ll say ‘wemade this today,wearrangedthis today.’ They love to hear thatthey’re doing something, and that they’re amongst friends.”
Staff at Charlie’s Place explained that every relationship between a caretaker and aloved one with dementia is different. Husbands or wives are equally as likely to be the one needing care.
Caretakers can be spouses, parents or other relatives. If not family,thenthe caretaker is likelya neighbor,but not as often afriend, Auten said.
“I call it that sense of community,” Welch said. “You’ve been neighbors so long, youend up takingcare of that person who’s been next door to youfor 30 or 40 years.”
With the BatonRouge Charlie’s Place having been open for nearly two decades, staff have even begun to have discussions about changing out the armchairs and decorationstoreflect anew generation of clients. Eventually,Welch joked, the sheet music on the piano might have some of his favorite artists on it.
PHOTO PROVIDEDBy STEPHANIE HULL COOK Clients dance during an activity at Charlie’sPlace.
Daryl Marx, MD Robotic Surgery
FAITH & VALUES
From addiction to the finish line
Shelter residents take on half-marathon
BOB SMIETANA
Contributing writer
Marcos Hernandez says he has spent most of his life running
Mostly trying to get away from God.
“I’ve been running from him — running with the devil,” says Hernandez, a resident of Wayside Cross, a Christian recovery center and shelter in the Chicago suburbs.
These days, Hernandez, who says he is four years sober is running for a different reason. If all goes to plan, he and seven other Wayside Cross residents will toe the line at the Fox Valley half-marathon in St. Charles, Illinois, in a few weeks with hopes of finishing the 13.1-mile race.
For the past two months, Hernandez and other residents have been waking up at 5 in the morning, three days a week, as part of Up and Running Again, a national program that helps residents of homeless shelters and rescue missions train for half-marathons. Since 2010, more than 1,300 participants have finished a half-marathon through the program, which has partnerships with nonprofits in 10 locations, from Washington state and Los Angeles, to Knoxville and Aurora.
The idea is to use running and friendship as tools for transformation, said the Rev Bruce McEvoy a pastor and avid marathoner who serves as a volunteer coach for the program.
“Together we can do hard things,” McEvoy said, who has run 35 marathons and hopes to run one in every state. The program is simple but intense. For 12 weeks, participants like Hernandez run three days a
Four years ago, McEvoy approached leaders at Wayside Cross about starting the running program after a friend at church told him about it. They jumped at the idea, he said.
This year’s group started back in June with about 13 runners. By early August, the midway point of training, eight were left. On a summer afternoon, the remaining runners gathered in a classroom at Wayside Cross to talk about the experience. The day before, they’d all gone to a store to be fitted with new shoes, paid for by Up and Running Again. The program will also pay the race entry fee.
wanted to challenge himself and do something hard but necessary
Tom McCall, a longtime Wayside Cross resident, is back for his third year
McCall, who began running in prison, qualified for the Boston Marathon earlier this year, where he ran a personal best of 3:09:37. McCall, who spent six years in prison before coming to Wayside Cross at the end of 2022, is currently training for the Chicago Marathon. He now lives in a discipleship house owned by the ministry and has become one of the coaches.
be a celebration, said Up and Running Again founder and Chief Running Officer Steve Tierney, and a chance for runners to receive affirmation for what they have accomplished in getting to race day
“Everyone has a good time,” he said. “And it’s just so healing.”
week — two shorter runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, followed by a long run on Saturday. Participants are paired with volunteer coaches who give tips and motivation while running side by side.
“When you’re running shoulder to shoulder, you’re sharing life with one another,” said McEvoy, the pastor for local and global impact at Chapel Street Church, an evangelical congregation with four locations in Chicago’s suburbs. The church has long had ties to Wayside Cross, a nearly century old riverfront shelter and recovery center in Aurora, founded as a result of an evangelical crusade by baseball player-turnedpreacher Billy Sunday in 1927.
Most of the people Wayside Cross works with have dealt with addiction and homelessness. The program provides food and housing for free. Residents are required to attend classes and chapel and to have a job — first for the ministry and then outside.
Will Dominguez, 42, said he was already surprised at how far the group had come. The first few runs were difficult, and Dominguez found himself out of breath much of the time. But a volunteer running coach gave him some tips that helped. And the more he ran, the better he felt. “Before I know it, I’m running five miles and looking forward to running,” he said.
Nick Adams, 21, said he has also seen benefits. He’s dropped 30 pounds in the few months since he came to Wayside Cross and started running. Dressed in a blue Up and Running Again T-shirt, he also recounted seeing deer and other wildlife along the Fox River Trail, where most of the group’s runs are held.
“A coyote ran in front of me the other day,” he said.
Perhaps the fastest runner in the group is James Milschewski, 32, who has been at Wayside Cross for five months. He enjoys the camaraderie of being with the other runners. But he’s not a fan of the runs.
“I told myself I was not going to enjoy doing this,” he said. “And that’s held true. I do not like getting up early to do it.” Still, he said he signed up for training because he
Running with the group has helped him with his marathon training, said McCall. Because they are slower, he’s forced to take his time. His runs with the group have become what he calls “recovery runs” from his marathon training.
“Helping these guys helps me,” he said.
McCall said he knows the challenges the other runners face — particularly when starting out. Although he had been running in prison, McCall said he’d lost most of his fitness progress during COVID, when he and other prisoners were locked down. Then, after his release, he came to Wayside Cross, where residents are required to stay on campus during their first few months.
By the time he started running again, it was mid-January 2023 and freezing outside. He barely made a mile during his early runs. “It was a lot easier just to quit,” he said. “But I went ahead and started over again.”
McCall said that, if they stick with it, the other runners will learn what he’s learned from running.
“I know anything worth having is hard work,” he said. On the night before the race, the runners will gather for dinner with friends and family That event will
Tierney, a CPA from Southern California, said he’s been surprised at the program’s success. He started running in 2008, with the help of a marathon training guide for people who had never run before The book advised that newcomers start by alternating walking and running and slowly building up from there. Before he knew it he was running long distances.
“It was the most amazing thing ever,” he said. “Each week, I was telling myself, I’m doing something I had never done before. How often do you get to tell yourself that?”
He began to wonder if other people could benefit from a similar experience. Before long, he was proposing starting a running program at Orange County Rescue Mission, which became a success.
Being involved in Up and Running Again changed his life, said Tierney It got him out of what he called his “Christian bubble” and allowed him to rub shoulders with people from all walks of life. It has also made him more empathetic with those who have experienced addiction or other struggles.
“I would say that we are all one or two mistakes from being in the same position,” he said.
At Wayside Cross, the runners were looking ahead to race day, knowing they’d get there by showing up one day at a time. “I want to cross that finish line,” said Dominguez, drawing inspiration from a famed Bible verse “Just finish the race.”
Annual cruise to study Gulf ‘dead zone’ celebrates 40 years
Program stays afloat amid cuts that threaten to ground it
ELISE PLUNK
Contributing Writer
Editor’s note: This story, created by Elise Plunk for the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is part of the AP Storyshare. Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalism stories that provide tangible evidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities — solutions that can be adopted around the world
Despite being called a “cruise,” the people on board The Pelican described the experience on the hypoxia monitoring expedition as very different from the elaborate dinners on a towering vacation ship or booze- and buffet-filled Caribbean itinerary
Passengers described waves up to five feet high in the Gulf of Mexico, swinging the 116-foot research vessel like a pendulum, plaguing anyone who didn’t have sturdy sea legs with bouts of seasickness Daytime temperatures in late July soared ever higher as sweat dripped down the backs of hard-hat covered heads. The guests on board The Pelican weren’t seeking pleasure or status. They were unpaid students and researchers who say they weathered the conditions in the name of science itself.
“It’s not glamorous, but it is very important,” said Cassandra Glaspie, assistant professor at Louisiana State University and the chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual hypoxia cruise.
The 11-day voyage provides vital information on the sealife and environmental conditions within the seasonal low-oxygen zone that develops off the coast of Louisiana. The data the cruise collects informs state and federal efforts to reduce the size of the “dead zone” and sheds light on impacts to those who rely on the water for their livelihoods, like shrimpers and fishermen.
Now after its 40th year and 38th hypoxia cruise, The Pelican’s annually planned journey faces challenges to stay afloat, potentially undermining decades of research and future plans to get the dead zone under control.
A decades long struggle
Biologists, undergraduate student researchers and crew alike celebrated the cruise’s 40th anniversary
aboard The Pelican with a party that had an “old bird” theme chosen to honor the boat, which has also been sailing for 40 years. More than just an excuse to eat cake (with rainbow sprinkles), the purpose of the cruise is to capture information snapshots of just how bad conditions get in the dead zone.
“We bring water up to the surface.
We have a little chemistry lab to figure out what the oxygen level is chemically, and then we can validate that against what our sensors are telling us,” Glaspie said.
The low-oxygen area appears annually as nutrients, primarily from agricultural fertilizers from the massive Mississippi River Basin, drain downriver and spur algae overgrowth.
Algae eat, defecate and die, using up the oxygen in the water when they decompose and sink to the bottom. Fish, shrimp and other marine life leave the low oxygen area when they can and suffocate when they can’t, putting pressure on the vital commercial Gulf fishery and the people who rely on it Exposure to low-oxygen waters can also alter reproduction, growth rates and diet in fish species.
Glaspie took over the work of coastal scientist Nancy Rabalais, who launched the maiden cruise in 1985 and led it for decades after.
Every summer begins with a forecast of the zone’s predicted size, es-
timated by various scientific models and measurements of nitrogen and phosphorus throughout the river basin taken throughout the year
“A lot of times with pollution, you hear anecdotal evidence of how it might be increasing cancer rates or it might be causing fisheries to fail,” Glaspie said. “Here, we have an actual, measurable impact of nutrient pollution in the Mississippi River watershed.”
The Mississippi River/Gulf of America Hypoxia Task Force, an interagency federal, state and tribal effort to reduce the size of the dead zone, uses data from the cruise to determine whether it is meeting its goals.
In the past five years, the dead zone has been as large as 6,700 square miles, and even larger in previous years, reaching nearly the size of New Jersey
While still more than two times the size that the Task Force wants, the Gulf dead zone was slightly smaller than forecasted this year, about the size of Connecticut at around 4,400 square miles.
Federal and state officials lauded the limited success of the zone’s smaller size in a July 31 press conference held to discuss the results of the hypoxia cruise’s 2025 findings
They also called for continued work.
“It requires strong collaboration between states, tribes, federal partners and stakeholders,” said Brian
Frazer, the EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds director
Mike Naig, Iowa’s agriculture secretary, said states should be “scaling up” initiatives to reduce nutrient pollution. Whether or not this will actually happen is uncertain.
Funding cuts
Since the Trump administration took office, funding for nutrient reduction efforts upriver as well as money to operate the cruise itself have been scaled back or cut entirely
The Environmental Protection Agency’s 319 and 106 funding programs under the Clean Water Act are the main funding mechanisms for states to reduce nutrient pollution throughout the Basin. Those grants aren’t funded in President Trump’s proposed FY 2026 budget, said Frazer
The 106 programs have historically doled out $18.5 million annually according to the EPA, with additional money sometimes allocated from Congress. The 319 program provided $174.3 million in FY 2025. The cuts to these programs are not yet final. Congress can decide to add in additional funding, and has in past years.
States rely on both funds to reduce and monitor nutrient runoff in their waters, said Matt Rota, senior policy director for Healthy
Gulf, a nonprofit research group. Rota has monitored policy changes surrounding the Gulf dead zone for more than 20 years, and he questions whether current reduction strategies can be maintained, let alone efforts redoubled.
“It’s always good to see a dead zone that’s smaller than what was predicted,” Rota said. “I am not confident that this trend will continue.”
Aside from cuts to reduction efforts, money for The Pelican’s annual cruise is also slipping away. Glaspie said that, ideally, the cruise has 11 days of funding. It costs about $13,000 a day to operate the vessel, she said.
“It’s a relatively inexpensive program” with big payoffs for seafood industry workers who rely on the water for their livelihoods Rota said. “This is baseline stuff that our government should be doing.”
Funding for the hypoxia cruise has been part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual operational budget, making it a more reliable source than grant funding. But with the Trump administration taking a hatchet to government-backed research, there is increasing uncertainty over whether The Pelican and its crew will embark upon future missions.
This year, Glaspie said, NOAA defunded a day of the cruise. The Gulf of America Alliance, a partnership group to support the Gulf’s economic and environmental health amongst the five bordering states, stepped in to make up the difference. Glaspie said having that additional day was a saving grace for the research.
“This is a fine-tuned machine, and the consequences for cutting it short are really predictable and well-known,” she said. “If I’m asked to create an estimate of the surface area of hypoxia, and we’re not able to cap off the end in Texas waters, I’m not really going to be able to give a reliable estimate.”
Even without additional cuts, Glaspie said she already conducts the hypoxia cruise “on a shoestring budget.” Researchers on board don’t get paid, and every person who supports its mission besides the crew that runs the boat – is a volunteer
“It’s tough for me to not pay people. I mean, they’re working solid 12-hour shifts. It is not easy and they are seasick for a lot of this, and they can’t call home,” Glaspie said. “It doesn’t sit well with me to not pay people for all this work, but this is what we’ve had to do because we don’t have the money to pay them.”
PHOTO COURTESy TIM RATLIFF Moses Hernandez and Manny Saenz proudly wear their new Up and Running T-shirts.
PROVIDED PHOTO By CASSANDRA GLASPIE
Students Jorddy Gonzalez and Lily Tubbs retrieve the CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) sensor package after measuring dissolved oxygen at a regular stop on the annual hypoxia cruise while students watch.
SUNDAY, September 14, 2025
CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley
SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr
GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne
MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters
ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson
ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman
SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE /byStephan Pastis
grams wonderword
directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.
word game
instructions: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
todAY's Word — PAstorAL: PASS-terul: Relating to shepherds or herdsmen.
Average mark 39 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 58 or more words in PASTORAL?
ken ken
instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner
instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally
Sudoku
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
Greed is not good
Some hands with 5-4-2-2 distribution are well suited to a two no-trump opening. South chose two clubs with this major-suitoriented hand so he could get both of his suits in. North’s two no-trump response showed a balanced hand with 8-10 points
He thought he was too good to pass four hearts so he cue bid his diamond control, leading to this excellent slam.
wuzzLes
super Quiz
Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.
SUBJECT: SHORT MEN
(e.g., He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte.)
FRESHMAN LEVEL
1. The first human to enter outer space.
Answer________
2. Singer-songwriter who paired with Art Garfunkel.
Answer________
3. He was known as the “Little Tramp.”
Answer________
4. His sixth album was “Purple Rain.”
Answer________
5. He led the successful campaign for India’s independence.
Answer________
GRADUATE
South won the opening diamond lead with dummy’s king and drew trumps in three rounds. Without giving it much thought, he began to run his spades, believing that he would make an overtrick if the spades split 3-3 and just make his contract if they split 4-2. He didn’t bother to think what might happen if the spades split 5-1, or worse. When East discarded on the second spade, South could no longer make his slam. He had to lose a spade and a club. Provided the trumps split 3-2, the slam was cold regardless of the split in spades South should have drawn trumps, ending in dummy, and then run the 10 of spades. He might still make seven if East has the jack of spades, and no bad spade split could defeat him Too bad.
It’s time to explore the possibilities and expand your qualifications and skills to meet demands.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Gather information, verify facts and put together an affordable plan that will help you invest more in your future. Distance yourself from what holds you back SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) The information you receive will point you in a direction that allows you to mix old ideas with current trends
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Recognize problems, and you’ll find solutions that can transform your life and bring you closer to the people you love. Expose your feelings, and something good will transpire.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Refuse to let your emotions cloud your view or lead you down the wrong path. Take note of what’s happening around you, but don’t rely on secondhand information.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Take a pass if you don’t like what you hear,
what something costs or what’s expected of you. Set goals to initiate physical activities, follow a healthy diet and keep a strict budget.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Trust your instincts, not what you hear from a third party Take the path that feels right instead of following everyone else. Home improvements will cost more than anticipated.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Emotional situations will require your undivided attention and discipline. Set boundaries and establish clear rules to protect yourself from anyone who tries to take advantage of you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Simplify your life; don’t share secrets or personal data. Expand your knowledge and interests, and build a strong foundation to showcase your capabilities and promote your availability
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Pay attention to your needs. It’s OK to put yourself first and to enjoy a moment of “me time.” Personal growth and self-improvement are excellent starting points for a new journey CANCER (June 21-July 22) An open mind will spark your imagination regarding home and personal
improvements. A financial boost looks likely if you apply for a higher position or sell items you no longer use.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Spend more time at home. Enhance your space to accommodate projects that will increase your comfort and convenience. A commitment you make will promote long-term security
1. Yuri Gagarin.2.Paul Simon. 3. Charlie Chaplin. 4. Prince.5.Mahatma Gandhi.6.Pablo Picasso. 7. Michael J. Fox.8.Woody Allen 9. Harry Houdini.10. Danny DeVito. 11. James Madison. 12.Andrew Carnegie. 13. Voltaire 14.Daniel Radcliffe. 15. Ludwig van Beethoven.
SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?
Onion rings are just vegetable donuts. —Cookie Monster
Crossword Answers
jeFF mACnelly’sshoe/ by Gary Brookins &Susie MacNelly
