The Acadiana Advocate 09-18-2025

Jury set to deliberate on briberycase

Keywitnesses testifyagain in trialofassistant DA

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

The jury in the federal bribery trial of Lafayette Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes is expected to begin deliberations

Thursday

He is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery,bribery,two countsofusingacellphone in aid of bribery,conspiracy to commit moneylaunderingand obstruction of justice.

Haynes has been present in court at all times since the trial began Sept. 8. He made his first formal appearance Wednesday before

An assistantdistrict attorneyin the 15th Judicial District, Haynes faces six federal charges in connection with kickback schemes involving the pretrial intervention program he supervised.

federal judge David Joseph tosay he will not testify Dusty Guidry, aco-conspirator whopleaded guilty in April 2023, testified again Wednesdayfor more than twohours as adefense witness. He spent aday and ahalf last week testifyingfor theprosecution in accordance with aplea deal. He was the first personindicted in the case.

Doug Herman, an FBI agent, also

testified againWednesdayfor the defense. Michelle Franques, whose husband, Leonard Franques, pleaded guiltyJanuary 2024 in connection withthe kickback scheme, invoked herFifth Amendmentright against self-incrimination and refused to testify

Both sides rested theircases Wednesday afternoon in U.S. Dis-

Fedcutskey interest rate

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON TheFederal Reserve cut its key interest rate by aquarter-point Wednesday and projected it would do so twice more this year as concern grows at thecentral bankabout thehealthof the nation’slabor market.

The move is the Fed’s first cut since December and it lowered its short-term rate to about 4.1%, downfrom 4.3%. Fed officials, led by ChairJerome Powell, had kept their rate unchanged this year as they evaluated theimpact of tariffs, tighter immigration enforcement, and other Trump administration

policies on inflation and theeconomy

Yetthe central bank’sfocushas shifted quickly from inflation,which remains modestly above its2%target, to jobs, as hiring has ground nearly to ahaltinrecentmonths andthe unemployment ratehas ticked higher.Lower interest rates could reduce borrowing costsfor mortgages, car loans and business loans,and boostgrowthand hiring.

“Inthis lessdynamic and somewhat softer labor market, the downside risks to employment appear to have risen,” Powell said at anews conference following the Fed’s two-day meeting.

Fedofficials also signaled that they expect to reducetheir key rate twice

morethis year,but just once in 2026. Before themeeting, investors on Wall Street hadprojected five cutsfor the rest of this year and next Stocks initially rose following the release of the projections, which seemed to support Wall Street’swidespread expectation formorecutstointerest rates. Suchmoves can give the economy akickstart, andstock prices had alreadyrun to records on thebet that several cuts are on the way

Butstocksgaveback gainsafter Powellstressed that they’re onlyprojections. Conditions could change quickly,

ä See FED, page 5A

Cleanupcosts soar aftermassive plantfire

Smitty’s faceslawsuits in wake of explosion

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

Three weeks since Smitty’sSupply in Roseland caught fire and exploded, the bill for the lead response agency is already in thetens of millions of dollars and may rise, officialssaid

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set aside at least $39 million and is seeking more through

federalemergency petroleum spill money,anagency spokesperson said. Therising EPAnumbers, which don’t include additional local andstate costs, provide ameasure of the environmental impact of the huge fire that started Aug.22and took morethan two weeks to fully extinguish. The new figure representsa sharp rise in the costofthe response, which earlierthismonthwas involving as many as261 EPA staffersand contractors and 20 local officials. The fire at the lubricants plant off U.S. 51 sent up alarge black plume

that rained down soot as far as 15 miles way, forced a1-mileevacuation fora few days andspilled millions of gallons of chemicals intolocal ditches,ponds and nearly 50 miles of the Tangipahoa River

Potentially aresponsible party for the fire, Smitty’s is not paying for response effortsundertaken by theEPA

In alate August report,the EPAsaid it had takenover the response on Aug. 24 andshifted away from countingon the company due to “financial solvency

trict Court in the Western District of Louisiana in Lafayette. Joseph said he expects to go over jury instructions Thursday morning. The prosecution and defense have up to an hour to present closing arguments Thursday,then the casegoes to the jury of six men and six women Joseph denied Haynes’ defense team’srequest to introduce to the jury corrections Michelle Franques made to her statements

‘Azoreshigh’ steering storms away from U.S. Ridgeofhighpressure in

fluences Atlantic paths

BY KASEYBUBNASH Staff writer

Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed over the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday morning, becoming this year’sseventh named storm.Forecastersexpect thesystem to curve away from the U.S. as it strengthens, apath that amajority of this year’s sixother named stormshave followed, mercifully avoiding direct hits to land.

“But in general, think of that high pressure as ablocking mechanism that systemshaveto go around rather than through.”

That’sthanks in large part to what meteorologists call the“Azores high,” asemi-permanent ridge of high pressure over aportion of theAtlantic Ocean thatsteers tropical systems,according to Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grymes.

JAyGRyMES Louisiana State Climatologist

“That’safeature we know tropical systemshave to go around,” he said. Grymes likened the Atlantic to afootball field, an analogy he credited to a professorhehad at LSU. The ridge is a linebacker,and atropical cyclone is a running back on the opposing team.The cyclonealmost always has to go around the ridge to get where it’sgoing.

Like in football, only an unusually strong cyclone, like afully formedhurricane, could collide with the ridge and manage to push through it.

“But in general, think of that high pressure as ablocking mechanism that systems have to go around rather than through,” Grymes said.

ä See STORMS, page

PHOTO PROVIDED By LOUISIANA STATEPOLICE Smitty’sSupplycaught fire and exploded on Aug. 22.

CLEANUP, page 5A

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell walks offafter anewsconference Wednesday followingthe Federal OpenMarket Committee meetingatthe FederalReserve Board Building in Washington.

Haynes

ä See JURY, page 5A

FBI says man rammed car into Pittsburgh gate

PITTSBURGH A man who rammed a car into an FBI security gate in Pittsburgh and covered it in an American flag Wednesday later said he did it to “make a statement,” the FBI said.

Donald Phillip Henson was captured seven hours after fleeing the crash and invoked a Latin phrase about tyrants, “sic semper tyrannis,” meaning “thus always to tyrants,” while talking to the FBI, according to an affidavit. John Wilkes Booth is said to have shouted the phrase after shooting President Abraham Lincoln.

Henson, 46, of nearby Penn Hills, was being charged with assault with a deadly weapon and damaging government property

“This was a targeted attack on this building,” Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh, told reporters. No personnel were injured. No details on motive or how he was able to flee were immediately available.

The FBI was familiar with Henson, whom Giordano described as a former member of the military Public records list him as a Republican who voted in the 2024 general election.

“He did come here to the FBI field office a few weeks ago to make a complaint that didn’t make a whole lot of sense,” Giordano said

Suspect in McCann disappearance released

SEHNDE,Germany A German national who is under investigation in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann 18 years ago was released from prison Wednesday after serving his sentence in an unrelated case, police said.

The man, who has been identified by media as Christian Brückner, had been serving a seven-year sentence that stemmed from his 2019 conviction for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal.

In June 2020, German prosecutors said the man was being investigated on suspicion of murder in connection with McCann’s disappearance on May 3, 2007, from an apartment complex in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz. They said they assumed the girl was dead Police have since carried out more searches in Portugal. But the suspect, who has denied any involvement in her disappearance, has not been charged in the case. The investigation is not affected by his release. He also remains a suspect in an investigation into McCann’s disappearance being conducted by Britain’s Metropolitan Police, who say he refused their request for an interview Investigators in the U.K., Portugal and Germany are still piecing together what happened on the night 3-year-old Madeleine disappeared. She was in the same room as her brother and sister 2-year-old twins — while their parents, Kate and Gerry, had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant.

The suspect was tried last year over several unrelated sexual offenses he was alleged to have committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017 and was acquitted in October Hogan’s ex-wife blames politics for Emmys snub

Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife Linda blasted the 2025 Emmys for leaving the late wrestler out of its “In Memoriam” segment, blaming politics for his snub. Hogan, who starred on his own reality show “Hogan Knows Best” in addition to being one of the WWE’s most well-known performers for decades, died of a heart attack in July

The wrestling great wasn’t the only one omitted from the Emmys segment. Two-time Academy Award winner Gene Hackman was also notably absent, as were “Sopranos” alum Jerry Adler, “King of the Hill” star Jonathan Joss, and “General Hospital” alumnus Leslie Charleson. Linda, who was married to Hulk from 1983 to 2009, went on to speculate that his recent embrace of conservative politics, specifically his support for President Donald Trump, was the cause of the omission

Trump basks in U.K. pomp

U.S. president relishes day filled with pageantry

BY DANICA KIRKA, JILL LAWLESS, MICHELLE L. PRICE and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press

WINDSOR, England President Donald Trump relished the glow of a British royal spectacle on Wednesday, reveling in hours of pageantry with King Charles III while making time for a quiet tribute at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.

Opening a two-day state visit, the grandeur-loving president soaked it all up, from the largest guard of honor in living memory, with 120 horses and 1,300 troops, to carriage rides, an air show and a Windsor Castle dinner

After the pomp comes the real work Thursday, when Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet, with the stakes high for the host country.

No U.S president, or any other world leader, has had the honor of a second U.K state visit; Trump’s first was in 2019, during his previous term. The display of regal splendor was meant to bolster ties with Trump at a time when his America First policies are putting pressure on trade and security arrangements around the globe.

Prince William and his wife, Kate, meet the presidential helicopter in the private Walled Garden on the vast Windsor estate, then walked Trump and first lady Melania Trump over to be greeted

by Charles and Queen Camilla A gigantic royal standard — the flag used for official celebration days —

ew from the Royal Tower

The guests traveled to the castle in a procession of horse-drawn carriages, past ranks of soldiers, sailors and aviators. The king and the Republican president chatted in the Irish State Coach during the short journey to the castle quadrangle, where Trump, accompanied by Charles, inspected an honor guard of soldiers in red tunics and bearskin hats.

The president and Charles toured the Royal Collection Display in an ornate room where officials laid out five tables of artifacts on U.S.-British relations.

Among the items were 18th-century watercolors and documents on the United States seeking independence from King George III. There were materials from the first trans-Atlantic cable, including messages between Queen Victoria and President James Buchanan, as well as a 1930s hot dog picnic that a young Elizabeth wrote about, and a large glass vessel that President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the queen during a 1957 state visit.

“Wow,” Trump said as he looked at documents on U.S. independence.

“That’s fascinating,” Charles said. The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s aerobatics display

team, thundered overhead, leaving streaks of red, white and blue smoke in their wake and drawing a visible reaction from both Trumps.

The dinner menu featured Hampshire watercress panna cotta with Parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad, along with Norfolk chicken ballotine Desert was vanilla ice cream bombe with a raspberry sherbet interior and lightly poached Victorian plums.

Trump avoids alcohol, but the bar offerings included a cocktail known as the trans-Atlantic whiskey sour infused with marmalade, Warre’s 1945 Vintage Port — Trump is the 45th and 47th American president and Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grande Champagne. That was the year Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in Scotland.

The musical playlist included the theme from the James Bond movies and rock staples from Trump’s campaign rallies.

Charles and Camilla also presented the president and first lady with a handbound leather volume celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Union flag that flew above Buckingham Palace on the day of Trump’s inauguration in January

Trump gave Charles a replica of an Eisenhower sword, and Camilla received a vintage Tiffany & Co. gold, diamond and ruby brooch.

3 police officers killed, 2 injured in Pa. shooting

BY MARK SCOLFORO and PATRICK WHITTLE Associated Press

NORTH CODORUS Pa Three police officers were killed and two were injured in a shooting Wednesday in southern Pennsylvania, state police said.

“We grieve for the loss of life of three precious souls who served this county, served this commonwealth, served this country,” Gov Josh Shapiro said. “This kind of violence is not OK, we need to do better as a society,” he continued

The shooting erupted in the area of North Codorus Township, about 115 miles west of Philadelphia, not far from the Maryland line, authorities said.

“The grief will be unbearable but we will bear it,” Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris at a news conference. “We will not rest until we conduct a full fair and competent investigation into this matter.”

York Hospital said it was treating two people in serious condition and had enhanced security protocols are in place.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the violence against police “a scourge on our society.” She said federal agents

were on the scene to support local officers.

“Please send prayers to the officers and those involved in the shooting in York County,” Pennsylvania Lt. Gov Austin Davis said in a social media post.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said he was also on the scene. Sunday said on social media he urges “all residents to follow the instructions of local law enforcement” and he is “praying for all involved.”

A local school district issued a shelter-in-place order, though it said schools and students were not involved in the shooting.

The order was lifted later in the afternoon. The district said in a statement that authorities “advised us to hold students and staff in our buildings as a

precaution while several area roads are closed.”

The medical response unfolded on a rural road in south-central Pennsylvania that winds through an agricultural area with a barn and farm fields. Police have not provided any details about who was involved in the shooting. Officers were keeping people well back from the scene in the area’s rolling farmland, with some 30 police vehicles blocking off roads bordered by a barn, a goat farm and soybean and corn fields.

An officer in the area was killed in February, when a man armed with a pistol and zip ties entered a hospital’s intensive care unit and took staff members hostage before a shootout that left both the suspect and an officer dead.

Trump’s U.K. visit met with protests, arrests

BY BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press

LONDON U.S. President Donald Trump received a royal reception at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, but beyond the castle walls many protesters did not welcome his visit. Several thousand people marched through central London to protest his trip, which includes a lavish banquet in his honor hosted by King Charles III and a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer Carrying banners reading “No to the racism, no to Trump,” the crowd, organized by the Stop Trump U.K. coalition, headed down Regent Street on their way to Parliament.

Some carried small versions of the giant Trump baby blimp, an orange-tinted caricature of the blond-coiffed leader in a diaper, that made a big impression during his first visit in June 2019. Others carried signs reading “No to Trump, no to fascism” and “Dump Trump.” The crowd booed a counterprotester who held a sign that read “We Love Trump.” London’s police force deployed 1,600 officers as they expected members of about 50 different groups that included climate, anti-racism and proPalestinian activists.

Trump and first lady Melania took a helicopter to Windsor Castle, where they were greeted warmly by the king. Outside the castle, dozens of people protested throughout the day, though they were outnumbered by a large police presence and international news crews covering the event. “I really don’t think the royal family should be hosting him,” said Tara Heinemann, who held a sign saying, “No banquets for fascists.”

On Tuesday, police arrested four people over a stunt that saw an image of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein projected on a tower at Windsor Castle, a reminder of the president’s relationship with the disgraced financier

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI

President Donald Trump and Britain’s King Charles III inspect the guard of honor during an arrival ceremony at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, on Wednesday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kirk suspect feared being shot by police

He agreed to surrender if it was done peacefully, sheriff says

BY JESSE BEDAYN, HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

OREM, Utah Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, was afraid of being shot by police and eventually agreed to surrender only if it was done peacefully, a sheriff involved with taking him into custody said Wednesday Robinson appeared quiet and somber when he arrived with his parents to turn himself in last Thursday at the Washington County Sheriff’s office, a day after Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University said Sheriff Nate Brooksby

“He didn’t want a big SWAT team at his parent’s house or his apartment,” said the sheriff, who was only involved with the surrender and not the broader investigation. “He was truly fearful about being shot by law enforcement.”

Republican president has threatened to crack down on what he calls the “radical left” and classifying some groups as domestic terrorists. Former Democratic President Barack Obama said this week that Trump has further divided the country rather than work to bring people together

On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee called on the chief executives of Discord, Steam, Twitch and Reddit to testify on how they are regulating their platforms to prevent violence.

The sheriff said he was told that Robinson was possibly suicidal and in a remote area of the southwestern Utah county An hour later, Robinson arrived at the sheriff’s office where he was greeted by plainclothes detectives.

“He knew it was inevitable that he would be caught,” said the sheriff. “If at the end of the day we accomplish him surrendering peacefully on his own, I’m going to make some concessions to make that happen.”

The partner apparently never went to law enforcement after receiving the texts. Robinson remained on the run for more than a day until his parents recognized him in a photo released by authorities. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but Gray said that Robinson wrote in a text about Kirk to his partner: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”

fi

rst day of classes since then gathered silently and stared at the barricaded courtyard where Kirk was hit while speaking to students.

Care stations offering stuffed animals, candy and connections to counseling dotted the campus.

Matthew Caldwell, 24, said his classmates were quieter and seemed more genuine about being in class even with sadness still in air

“Congress has a duty to oversee the online platforms that radicals have used to advance political violence,” said GOP Rep. James Comer, the committee chair, signaling a shift for congressional Republicans, who had previously scrutinized online platforms for policing free speech.

Investigators say that after Robinson fired the single fatal shot, he texted his romantic partner and said to look under a keyboard for a note.

“I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” it said according to court documents.

The shooting at Utah Valley happened three hours from where Robinson grew up near St. George.

Robinson’s family has declined to comment to The Associated Press. The Sept 10 shooting that stunned the nation and exposed deep political divides also left the Utah Valley campus reeling. On Wednesday students returning for the

On Tuesday, prosecutors charged the 22-year-old Robinson with capital murder and announced they will seek the death penalty while revealing a series of incriminating messages and DNA evidence that they say connect Robinson to the killing of Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and confidant of President Donald Trump. Robinson also faced his first hearing in the case Tuesday where a judge said he would appoint an attorney to represent him.

Kimmel show dropped over Kirk remarks

BY STEPHEN BATTAGLIO

Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Walt Disney Co.-owned broadcaster ABC said it is pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live” indefinitely following backlash over the host’s remarks about slain rightwing activist Charlie Kirk.

The move comes after station owner Nexstar Media Group said it was pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live” from its ABC affiliate stations as a result of the comments.

The Irving, Texasbased Nexstar announced Wednesday that Kimmel will be off their stations for the foreseeable future.

“Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets,” a company representative said in a statement.

Kimmel said during a monologue on his Monday program that Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused in the shooting death of Kirk, might have been a pro-Trump Republican. He said MAGA supporters are “are desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” Kimmel then mocked

President Donald Trump for talking about the construction of a new White House ballroom after being asked how he was reacting to the murder of his close ally

“Mr Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.

Alford said continuing to give Kimmel a broadcast platform “is simply not in the public interest at this current time.”

Appearing on the podcast of right-wing commentator Benny Johnson, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said one form of punishment could be pulling the licenses of ABC affiliates, which likely got Nexstar’s attention. Network affiliates dropping a late-night program over the political views expressed is unprecedented. The closest situation goes back to 1970, when CBS blacked out the image of activist Abbie Hoffman when he appeared on “The Merv Griffin Show” wearing a shirt made out of an American flag

BY SARAH BAHARI

The Dallas Morning News (TNS)

DALLAS A mural of Charlie Kirk was vandalized in South Texas, one week after the assassination of the conservative activist unleashed a groundswell of mourning, shock and a push by some Republican leaders to crack down on what they have described as hate speech.

The colorful mural appeared on the side of a grocery store in Edinburg, just north of McAllen, days after Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a university in Utah. Next to Kirk’s face, artist Alexandro Gregoria wrote, “Will we change the fate of this nation, or will we let it

remain in shackles!”

The phrase did not come from Kirk. It actually came from 16-year-old Avishkar Raut, a Nepalese activist who has urged young people to fight political corruption. In black paint, a vandal scribbled Kirk’s own words

“We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act” — across his head.

Kirk made the comments during the political conference “America Fest.” He said the Civil Rights Act of 1964 led to a “permanent DEI-type bureaucracy” that limited free speech. Kirk also said assassinated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr was “awful” and “not a good person.”

“The way that we treat each other in our words can ultimately lead to things like this,” he said “And I think everybody sort of understands that a little bit better now.”

Since the shooting, the

That’s why the sheriff in Washington County said he was stunned when a retired detective and a friend of the Robinson family called to say he knew the shooter’s identity and they were trying to convince him to come in voluntarily

“I couldn’t fathom what actually came out of his mouth,” Brooksby said.

After expressing shock, his partner who lived with Robinson, asked if he was the shooter Robinson responded, “I am, I’m sorry.” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said DNA on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk matched Robinson.

Law enforcement officials say they are looking at whether others knew about Robinson’s plans or helped, but they have not said if his partner is among those being investigated, only expressing appreciation for the partner sharing information.

Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, was credited with energizing the Republican youth movement and helping Trump win back the White House in 2024. His political organization, Arizona-based Turning Point USA, brought young, evangelical Christians into politics through social media, his podcast and campus events. While court documents said Robinson wrote in one text that planned the attack for more than a week, authorities have not said what they believe that entailed. Gray declined to answer whether Robinson targeted Kirk for his anti-transgender views. Kirk was shot while taking a question that touched on mass shootings and transgender people. Robinson was involved in a romantic relationship with his roommate, who investigators say is transgender

Obama: U.S. is at ‘an inflection point’

Former president also says Trump is dividing country

BY MEG KINNARD Associated Press

Former President Barack Obama says that the United States is at “an inflection point” following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and that President Donald Trump has further divided the country rather than work to bring people together

“There are no ifs, ands or buts about it: The central premise of our democratic system is that we have to be able to disagree and have sometimes really contentious debates without resorting to violence,” Obama said Tuesday night during an event in Erie, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Jefferson Education Society, according to a transcript obtained by The Associated Press.

“And when it happens to some, but even if you think they’re, quote, unquote, on the other side of the argument, that’s a threat to all of us,” he said. “And we have to be clear and forthright in condemning them.”

Obama has kept somewhat of a low profile in his postpresidency Responding to a moderator’s questions Tuesday, he addressed Trump’s rhetoric after Kirk’s assassination, as well as other administrative actions.

The sentiment among Trump and his aides following Kirk’s killing of calling political opponents “vermin, enemies speaks to a broader problem,” Obama said.

Kirk, a dominant figure

“I have a very, very radical view on this, but I can defend it, and I’ve thought about it,” Kirk said during the conference. “We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s.”

The Texas Education Agency said this week it is reviewing roughly 180 complaints of educators who allegedly made inappropriate comments about Kirk’s death on social media. This was not the first instance of graffiti involving Kirk. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz,

in conservative politics, became a confidant of Trump after founding Arizonabased Turning Point USA, one of the nation’s largest political organizations. Trump has escalated threats to crack down on what he describes as the “radical left” following Kirk’s assassination, stirring fears his Republican administration is trying to harness outrage over the killing to suppress

political opposition.

Trump’s White House on Wednesday responded to Obama’s remarks by blaming him for animosity in the country calling him “the architect of modern political division in America.”

“Obama used every opportunity to sow division and pit Americans against each other, and following his presidency more Americans felt Obama divided the

country than felt he united it,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement. Obama on Tuesday also referenced Trump’s recent deployment of National Guard troops in Washington and ID checks by federal agents in Los Angeles. He urged citizens and elected officials to closely monitor the norm-busting decisions.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JESSE BEDAyN

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, center, prays with students Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, during the first day back on campus after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on campus last week.

and Powell warned against taking the projections as gospel.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% and hung near its all-time high set at the start of the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%.

Shortly after the Fed released its projections, the Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks surged more than 2% and was on track to surpass its all-time high, which was set in 2021. But it later pared its gain to a rise of 0.2%.

Just one Fed policymaker dissented from the decision: Stephen Miran, who President Donald Trump appointed and was confirmed by the Senate in a rushed vote late Monday just hours before the meeting began. Miran preferred a larger half-point cut, but Powell told reporters there wasn’t “very much support” for the bigger-size cut among Fed officials.

Many economists had forecast there would be additional dissents, and the meeting’s outcome suggests that Powell was able to patch together a show of unity from a committee that includes Miran and two other Trump appointees from his first term, as well as a Fed governor Lisa Cook whom Trump is seeking to fire.

Still, there were still significant differences among the 19 officials on the Fed’s rate-setting commit-

CLEANUP

Continued from page 1A

issues.”

The EPA says it prefers having responsible parties handle the response under agency direction. But the EPA can step in when that party refuses or is unable to respond — and has the authority to pursue recouping the cost later

After the fire, Smitty’s, a major employer in Tangipahoa Parish, has laid off employees and been hit with at least 18 lawsuits. One accuses the company of not paying a $6.1 million bill for emergency private firefighting services provided by a Livingston Parish company during the blaze

An attorney for Smitty’s said last week that the company did have the money to pay that bill but was disputing the amount and negotiating over it when the suit was filed by surprise.

Asked about the attorney’s statement about the company’s finances, EPA officials declined to comment on pending litigation But they noted that responsible parties are liable for the costs incurred by EPA.

Asked about EPA continuing to bear the cost of the response, Smitty’s officials said they “are grateful” for EPA’s response work

STORMS

Continued from page 1A

Grymes said the highpressure ridge expands and contracts in a cycle throughout the year These phases are known by two names: the Bermuda high and Azores high. When it expands, it’s called the Bermuda high, and the ridge is shaped like an elongated oval that stretches so far west across the Atlantic that it sometimes reaches the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. That forces tropical sys-

JURY

Continued from page 1A

to the FBI. The attorneys discussed the issue with Joseph before the jury was present Wednesday Michelle Franques first was interviewed by the FBI on Dec. 8, 2021, when they raided the Franques’ home and Oil Center office. She submitted corrections to that statement in March of 2022, and again in April of this year

One thing she changed, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Loew said, was the motivation behind the kickback scheme. In her original interview, he said, Michelle

tee about where the Fed should go next. Seven policymakers indicated they don’t support any further cuts, while two supported just one more and 10 favor at least two more One official likely Miran — indicated that they would support several large cuts to bring the Fed’s rate to 2.9% by year’s end.

Fed officials submit their forecasts

of future rate moves anonymously.

Powell said the wide divergence reflects the uncertain outlook for the economy, given that inflation remains stubborn even as hiring has stumbled.

“There are no risk-free paths now,” Powell said. “It’s not incredibly obvious what to do.”

The Fed is facing both a chal-

lenging economic environment and threats to its traditional independence from day-to-day politics. At the same time that hiring has weakened, inflation remains stubbornly elevated. It rose 2.9% in August from a year ago, according to the consumer price index, up from 2.7% in July and noticeably above the Fed’s 2% target.

on the fire. “We are working with the EPA on a daily basis to support these efforts and to ensure everything is handled according to proper procedure, including financial matters,” the company said in a statement.

Smitty’s officials added that they

“are confident with the EPA’s support the response and cleanup will be resolved soon.”

The ongoing response has been extensive.

Government staff and contractors have tested for air pollutants with handheld monitors, specially outfitted vehicles and an EPA

plane. Booms, berms and skimmers have been used to control hazardous runoff from Smitty’s into ditches and the Tangipahoa River

About 4.54 million gallons of oil and other material has been collected from local waterways, and EPA contractors had to build a

It’s unusual to have weaker hiring and elevated inflation, because typically a slowing economy causes consumers to pull back on spending, cooling price hikes. Powell suggested last month that sluggish growth could keep inflation in check even if tariffs lift prices further Separately, Trump’s attempted firing of Cook is the first time a president has tried to remove a Fed governor in the central bank’s 112-year history, and has been seen by many legal scholars as an unprecedented attack on the Fed’s independence. His administration has accused Cook of mortgage fraud, but the accusation has come in the context of Trump’s extensive criticism of Powell and the Fed for not cutting rates much faster and steeper

An appeals court late Monday upheld an earlier ruling that the firing violated Cook’s due process rights. A lower court had also previously ruled that Trump did not provide sufficient justification to remove Cook.

On Tuesday, Trump said Fed officials “have to make their own choice” on rates but added that “they should listen to smart people like me.” Trump has said the Fed should reduce rates by three full percentage points.

When asked what the signs would be that the Fed is no longer functioning independent of political pressure, Powell said, “I don’t believe we’ll ever get to that place. We’re doing our work exactly as we always have now.” AP business writer Stan Choe contributed to this story

road to help with runoff collection on private land.

Crews sheared open storage tanks in the burned section of Smitty’s to prevent accidental pressure buildups after a tank blew open its top on Sept 1, according to EPA daily reports. No one was injured in that incident.

The EPA reports, obtained by The Advocate from the state through public records request, detail the agency’s sharply rising costs.

In late August, the EPA reported it had set aside about $6 million federal Superfund dollars, which are used for environmental cleanup. By Sept. 4, obligated funds had risen to more than $23 million, with EPA having already spent a third of it.

The EPA confirmed this week that the current budget figure is closer to $39 million and is expected to rise.

“EPA has increased the budget for the response to ensure response operations continue,” said Kellen Ashford, an EPA spokesperson.

The EPA is tapping about $30 million from the Superfund, a pot of money financed through taxes on chemicals used by industry

The EPA is also relying on $9 million from an emergency response fund, and has requested an increase in that money, Ashford said.

tems to move low along its rim, often causing longtrack storms that start near Africa to complete the more than 3,000-mile trek across the ocean and into the Gulf When the ridge contracts, it’s called the Azores high, and Grymes said it takes the shape of a circle that’s isolated in a smaller portion of the Atlantic. That allows systems moving through the ocean to turn north earlier, as many of them have this season.

The high’s cycle of growth and shrinkage has to do with circulation patterns across the globe, a topic that gets

Franques told FBI agents the motivation was greed. In March of 2022, she changed it from greed to vanity, Loew said. In April of this year Michelle Franques said she participated in order to make her husband proud of her

Among the revelations made during the final day of testimony Wednesday are that:

n People are still being charged in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries case against former Secretary Jack Montoucet in a kickback scheme with Guidry and Leonard Franques, according to lead FBI agent Doug Herman n Guidry tried to sell his interest in the Wildlife and Fisheries scheme for

complicated fast. The point, Grymes said, is that a contracted Azores high “almost guarantees” that African waves won’t make it to Louisiana.

While the 2025 hurricane season has had a quiet start compared to recent years, there are signs that tropical activity could start to pick up soon.

Grymes noted that seasurface temperatures in the Gulf are nearing record highs, and if a disturbance pops up in the Gulf, those warm waters could make for explosive fuel.

The good news, Grymes said, is that Louisianans

$700,000, pitching the “sale” to a potential buyer as a legitimate business deal.

n By September 2021 investigators realized Haynes was involved in the scheme in the kickback scheme, and he became a subject in the investigation.

n There were indications in a wiretap of Joseph Prejean, who also pleaded guilty in the kickback scheme, that Haynes may have been involved.

n The Prejean wiretap led to a wiretap on Guidry’s phone, which revealed more indication that Haynes was involved.

The trial resumes at 9 a.m.

Thursday

Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@theadvocate.com.

likely won’t have to worry about those pesky tropical waves that move off of Africa’s west coast for much longer Prime time for African tropical waves generally peaks mid-August to midOctober, while the Gulf and the Caribbean grow more active later in the season.

“As we get into the second half of the hurricane

season, the onset of the Bermuda high phase of the Azores high becomes less and less frequent,” he said.

“So we’re moving into a phase now where the threat of those African tropical waves, for us, starts to slowly decline.”

That’s lucky, since the National Hurricane Center on Tuesday morning highlighted another wave moving off

Africa’s coast Miami-based hurricane expert Michael Lowry said in his Tuesday morning newsletter, Eye on the Tropics, that he expects the system to follow in the footsteps of those before it, turning out to sea away from the U.S.

Email Kasey Bubnash at kasey.bubnash@ theadvocate.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RICHARD DREW

Trader Michael Conlon works on the floor of the New york Stock Exchange as the rate decision of the Federal Reserve is announced on Wednesday.

PHOTO PROVIDED By DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITy

The effects of the fire at Smitty’s Supply are seen in a private pond south of La. 10 and upstream of the Tangipahoa River

Israelitroopspress

BY JULIA FRANKEL and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

JERUSALEM Israelitroops and tanks pushed deeperinto Gaza City on Wednesday as more people fled the devastated area, and strikescut off phone and internet services, making it harder for Palestinians to summon ambulances during the military’snew offensive.

Meanwhile, thePalestinian death toll in theIsrael-Hamaswar surpassed 65,000, local healthofficials said.

The Israeli militarysaid air force and artillery units have struck the city more than 150 times in the last few days, ahead of ground troops moving in. The strikes toppled high-rise towers in areaswith densely populated tent camps. Israel claims the towers were being used by Hamas to watch troops.

Regulators said the severed phone and internet services hindered the ability of Palestinians to call for help, coordinate evacuations or share details of the offensive that began Monday and aims to take full control of the city

Overnight strikes killed at least 16 people, including women and children, hospitalofficials reported. The death count in Gaza climbed to 65,062, accordingto Gaza’sHealth Ministry,which is partofthe Hamas-run govern-

BY MARY CLAREJALONICK

Press

WASHINGTON Republican leaders in the House and Senate said Wednesday that they will reject Democratic demands foranimmediateextension of health care subsidies,challenging Democrats to vote against astopgap spending bill thatdoesn’tinclude them but will keep the government open at the end of the month. Senate Majority LeaderJohn Thune, R-S.D., said Democrats “have achoicetomake” as theSept. 30 deadline approaches.They can work with Republicans, Thune said, or “they can shutdown the government with all that will mean for the American people.”

The House could vote as soon as Thursday on aRepublicanstopgap measure to keepfederal agencies funded through Nov.21, buying lawmakers more time to work out

deeper into Gaza City as Palestinians flee

ment. Another165,697 Palestinians have been wounded since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that triggered the war Theministry does not say how many of the dead were civilians or

militants. Its figuresare seen as a reliable estimate by theU.N. and manyindependent experts.

Israeli bombardment has destroyedvastareas of Gaza, displaced around 90% of the popu-

lation and causeda catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts saying Gaza Cityisexperiencing famine.

Palestinians streamed out of the city —some by car,others on foot.

RepublicansrejectDemocrats’healthcaredemands

their differences on spending levels. Republicans argue they are providingexactly what Democrats have insisted upon in past government shutdown battles —a clean funding bill free of partisan policy riders. But Democrats said it wasn’t enough,releasing acounterproposal late Wednesday even as Thune andHouse SpeakerMikeJohnson, R-Benton, said they wouldn’tconsider it. The Democratic proposal would extend subsidies for low- and middle-incomeindividuals who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and reverse Medicaid cuts that were included in Republicans’ “big beautiful bill” enacted earlier this year “Wewillsit down andnegotiate if they will sit down and negotiate,” saidSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.“We don’thave a red line, but we know we have to helpthe American people.” Republicans will need at least

seven Democrats to votewith them to pass the short-term measure. WithoutDemocrats,Schumer said, “they’re going to end up shutting down thegovernment.”

It’s ahigh-stakes game of brinkmanship for theDemocrats, in particular,asthe party’sbaseurges them to fight harderand many wager that ashutdown would force Republicans to negotiate with them on health care and other issues. If the government does shut down on Oct. 1, most federal agencies will close and millionsoffederal employees deemed nonessential, including many in the military,won’treceive paychecks. Andthere’snoguarantee that the two parties could find agreement on how to end the standoff.

Democrats’ topdemand has been an extension of the health care tax credits that expire at the end of the year.Thune andJohnsonhaveindicated that they are open to extendingthe subsidies,which madehealth

Israelopened anothercorridor south of GazaCityfor two days beginning Wednesdaytoallowmore people to evacuate.

Israeli forces have carried out multiple large-scale raids into GazaCityover the course of the war, only to see militants regroup later.This time, Israel has pledged to take control of the entire city More than half of the Palestinians killedinovernight Israeli strikes wereinGaza City,including achild and his mother who died in the Shati refugee camp, according to officialsfromShifa Hospital, which received the casualties. In central Gaza, Al-AwdaHospital said an Israelistrike hit ahouse in the urban Nuseirat refugeecamp, killing three, including apregnant woman. Twoparents andtheir child were also killed when astrike hit their tent in the Muwasi area west of the city of KhanYounis, said officials from Nasser Hospital, where the bodies were brought.

In astatement,the Israelimilitary said it took steps to mitigate harm to civilians and that it would continue to operateagainst “terrorist organizations” in Gaza. TheGaza Health Ministry said multiple Israeli strikes hit the Rantisi Hospital for children in Gaza CityonTuesdaynight.Itposted pictures on Facebook showing the damaged roof, water tanks and rubble in ahospital hallway

insurance moreaffordable formillions of people since theCOVID-19 pandemic. But many Republicans would like to see changes that Democrats are likely to oppose, and both Thuneand Johnsonhavemadeclear that they need moretimetowork on theissue.

“They’re trying to insert unrelated matters into the middle of aclean government extension. And Idon’t thinkthat’sgoing to work,” Johnson said on CNBC Wednesday morning.

The GOP bill would generally fund agencies at current levels, with a fewlimited exceptions,including an extra $88 milliontoincrease securityfor lawmakers, theSupreme Court andmembersofthe executive branch

TheDemocraticalternative introduced by Schumer on Wednesday wouldinclude morethan$180 millionfor congressional security and another $140 million for the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

Audit: La. pregnancy centers lack oversight

Millions budgeted for services

BY EMILY WOODRUFF

Staff writer

legislative

found that the

effort to

instead of

oversight, according

AN OATH OF CITIZENSHIP

ABOVE: People take the Oath of Allegiance during their naturalization ceremony in the Dupré Library at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Wednesday. A naturalization ceremony is held each year as part of Constitution Day activities at the university RIGHT: Newly naturalized U.S. citizen Karen Picardi-Hidalgo poses for a photo with her husband Gregory Picardi, their son Mariano, 2, and presiding U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays during a naturalization ceremony on Wednesday STAFF PHOTOS By

LESLIE WESTBROOK

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

BY ASHLEY WHITE Staff writer

Waguespack

OUR VIEWS

Cuts threaten to dimfutureof LIGO,which hashelpedLa. reachfor stars

Louisiana is known for many things —music, arts, culture, food. Butchances arethat, outside ahighly specialized community,itisnot recognizedasahub of physics experimentation. Yet that’s exactly what’sbeen happening deepinthe piney woods of Livingston Parish atthe Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO.

With its counterpart in Washingtonstate, known as LIGO Hanford, it hasbeen conducting research on gravitationalwaves for decades. Thesewaves arecentral to some ofthe most foundational theories in astrophysics.

On Sept. 14, 2015, asignal from twoblack holes colliding reached LIGO. These werethe firstgravitational waves ever detectedonthe planet, and they confirmedakey tenet of Albert Einstein’stheory of general relativity,opening anew way for physicists to lookatthe universe

The Livingston site recently celebratedthe tenth anniversary of that discovery, which earnedthe scientists behind the projecta Nobel Prize

Since that day,LIGO has been racking up many other discoveries, including one that verified ideas about black holes promulgated by Stephen Hawking in the 1970s.

Even for those of us who are not scientists,this is heady stuff. Trying to figure out the nature of the universe and our place in it hasbeen aquest of humankind since the beginning of time. That these powerful tools exist todaysonear to us should be asource of pride

LIGO has been continually upgrading its gravitational wave detectors to make themmore sensitive, and it has planstotemporarily closein November for improvements.

But the future of LIGO is nowatrisk.

Fundingfor constructionand maintenanceat the twin LIGO facilities comes almost entirely from the National Science Foundation. And now,the Trump administrationseeks to cut $5.2 billion, or 57%, of the NSF’s$9 billion annual budget. While House and Senate committees have tried to scale back the cuts, the proposed 2026 budget, which will be decidedinthe coming weeks, still would onlyallowfor oneLIGO site to operate, potentially shutting down or significantly reducing research in Livingston.

Each LIGO facility employs approximately 50 people. The Livingston site benefits thelocal community in myriad ways,including with outreach programs that welcome grade-school students to its Science EducationCenter.

The Livingston site alsohas aclose relationship with LSU, hosting graduate students andresearchers. Professors saythat hasmade it easier to attract top physics talent to our state, as LSU is theonlyuniversity in the U.S.thatislessthan 25 miles from such afacility

We understand that our country hastoset prioritiestoget its fiscal housein order.And we realize thattosome, facilities like LIGOmight seem expendable.

But we would arguethattoadvancecivilization and ensure abrighter future for humanity, we can’talways look only at the bottom line. We must continue to reach for the stars.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence

TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

MAGA sows chaos, notlaw andorder

Isaw combat on 13 differentoccasions in Vietnam. I’m aproud award recipient andstate leader of Purple Heartveterans. Like manyU.S. military veterans,I’m confused by theoveruseand modernization of theterm“law and order.”

We all knowwhatlaws are, but Ithink the“order” part is misunderstood.For example, U.S. law allows apresident to appointasecretary of defense. It’s recognition of howour society andgovernment areorderedand organized.The expectation is the most qualified person on military affairs in theentire United States —one who hasthe knowledgeand military experience —can become secretary of defense If aperson workshard andhas a distinguished militarycareer,anythingcan happen. So why wereall thecareer,heroic militaryveteranspassed over when appointing thecurrentsecretaryofdefense? And to furtherinsultthe veterans, thepolitical appointee’sprevious job was as aweekendhost of aFox

news fluff andfakenews program. He wasn’teveninthe primetime lineup.

Appointing obviously unqualified individuals to the highest positions of responsibility in the US government is disorder —the exact opposite of “order.” It’sthe same when apresident pardons thousands of rightfully convicted defendants because of politicalconsiderations and notjustice. It does not make Americanssafe. Butinour American system of government, such illegal power is to be checked by the legislative branch,myLouisiana members of Congress —who are embarrassingly subservient Trump Republicans.

Idon’tknowwhat’smore embarrassing: the actionsofarogue president or the U.S. citizens’ representatives in Congress deliberately hiding their eyes, ears and refusing to be the people’s voice by speakingthe truth.

MAGA slogansare meaningless concerning law andorder RICHARD O’BRIEN Denham Springs

PBMreformwould benefitcancerpatients

As presidentand CEO of Survivors Cancer Action Networkand as aformer Louisianarepresentative, Ihavewitnessed thetremendous challengescancer patients face when tryingtoaccess the treatments they need to survive.

Fortoo manyLouisianafamilies, thecrushingcost of cancer care adds unbearable stress to an alreadylife-changing diagnosis. One of thebiggest driversof these costs is thelack of transparency andaccountability in the pharmacy benefitmanager system. PBMs,powerful middlemen in thedrug supplychain,negotiate rebates from manufacturersbut often fail to pass thosesavings on to patients. Instead,theyuse practices likespread pricingand formulary manipulation that drive up out-of-pocket costs andlimit treatmentoptions. For cancer patients, thesepractices can mean thedifference between accessinglifesaving medication or delayingcare. With

some cancer therapies costing well over $100,000 peryear,even small manipulationsinpricing or access can leavepatients facing impossible choices.

Reformingthe PBMsystem would bringmuch-needed transparency,ensuringthatsavings flow directly to patients at the pharmacy counter.Itwouldalso restore fairness in howmedicationsare priced andaccessed, giving cancer patients and their families hope rather than financial despair Louisiana’scancer patients deserveasystem that works for them, notagainst them.

Iappreciate Sen. Bill Cassidy,a leadingvoice on healthcare, for championingPBM reform that putspatients first, andIurge the rest of Louisiana’sCongressional delegation to join him.

JULIE STOKES president and CEO of SurvivorsCancer Action Network and aformerLouisiana representative

Higgins’ threatstoN.O health department stem from ignorance

I’mtrying to decide if U.S. Rep. ClayHiggins,R-Lafayette, is evil or just tragically misinformed. I’ll givehim thebenefitofthe doubt and go withthe latter.I’m sure his intention is nottoactually harm children, but this is whathewill accomplishwithhis recentthreats regarding vaccines andthe NewOrleans Health Department.

Dr.JenniferAvegno andthe NOHD do a fine job at helping to keep thepublic safe Physicians who care forchildren —including membersofthe American Academy of Pediatrics (allboard-certified pediatricians, weirdly accused of “sorcery”byHiggins) andthe American Academy of Family Physicians —act in thebest interest of theiryoung patients, nottheir own personal politics. Theoverwhelmingmajority of doctors andpublic health officialsinour state morebroadly do,too —withthe unfortunate exception of ourillustriousSurgeon General Dr.Ralph Abraham, whosedangerousnotionsabout public health have evidentlypolluted Higgins’ thinking. Dr.Avegno andher colleaguesatNOHD shouldbecommended —not impeded by these dimwits. People who believe in thesort of conspiracy theories Higginspromotes do so only because they don’tunderstand howthings (like vaccines) actually work JAMES THEIS NewOrleans

Putmoney toward morepolice insteadofGuard troops

Iwould like to propose an alternative to sending National Guard troops into ourcitiestoenforce local and state laws.Militarization of civilianpolicingiswrongfor many obvious reasonsand diverts Guard members from theirprimarymissions. During themid-1970s, Ihelpedadminister thethen-fledgling Public ServiceEmployment program of theU.S.Departmentof Labor forthe state of Louisiana. It provided funding fortemporary jobsinpublic agencies, including local policedepartments. Fundingfor additional policeofficerswas providedfor departments withinsufficient local taxes to meet theirneeds. It washoped communitieswould see thevalue of these services andpass taxes to support them once federal funding ended.

If we are going to enhancelocal lawenforcement, providing direct funding for policeofficers rather than putting military troopsonthe ground is farsuperior,inmy opinion. Needless to say,suchaprogram would require close monitoring but could be avery worthwhile andcost-effective alternative

STEPHENWINHAM St. Francisville

At 25,CafeReconcile shows howcommunities canthrive

Look, up in Central City!It’sajob training center.It’slife-skills development. It’s aneighborhood redevelopment catalyst. It’sareally, really good restaurant. And now this Super-organization is turning 25 years old, with no Kryptonite in sight. When Café Reconcile, on the corner of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard and Euterpe Street, hosts a“SUNday Social” mega-celebration on the afternoon ofSept.28, it will highlight asupersuccess story in whichpublic sector grants, major and minorprivate philanthropy and free-marketlessons and practices combine in one remarkable enterprise. More simply: Yeah, thisisgoodstuff ReconcileNew Orleans grew from the efforts of the Rev.Harry Thompson, S.J., and parishioners Craig Cuccia and Tim Falcon of downtown’sImmaculate Conception Catholicparish. The goal was to be what its website calls “thecornerstone for the broader rehabilitation” of the nearby Central City neighborhood. Describing itself as a“non-profitworkforce trainingprogram,” Reconcile takes interested 16- to 24-year-olds for internships in afabulous lunch restaurant featuringNew Orleans standards such as red beans, gumbo, catfish and po-boys. The restaurant’sreputation deservedly is national: First Lady Laura Bush ate there shortly after HurricaneKatrina, and in 2023 the New York Timeslisted it among the 50 restaurants in the whole country “that we’re the mostexcited about right now.”

Yetthe restaurant is just the first floor of a five-story building.Sandwiched between it and the fifth-flooradministrative staff is asecond-floor event space

HERE COMES AUTUMN

andcateringoperation; athird-floor classroom and “casemanagement” area teaching interpersonal skills that can apply to almost any job;and afourth-floor employment and career-readinesscenterthathelps participants figure out and pursuetheir next career steps,including where to accessrelated resources,after they complete theReconcile program.

Theprogramitselfinvolves a14-week internship (with stipend) at the restaurant followed by afull year of engagement to help graduates take their next career steps.In25years the program hasproducedmorethan 2,000 graduates andsentthem not justinto the restaurant and hospitalityindustry —not to belittle that, becausethe record thereis terrific—but also intojobs in fields as variedashealthcare, apipefitter’s union andaveterinary practice.

“This placeisnever quiet,” said Reconcile CEO KheriBilly

“Thereisdata …that young people are leavingthe cityand thestate, [but]we are talkingabout developing thenext generationoftalent,” Chief Program Officer Monique Robinsontold WDSU-TV recently.“We want home-grown talentto stay here,whether it’sinthe hospitality andtourism industry or not.”

On the same WDSU program, graduate Kennan Jordan spoke about how he previously had been “moving around alot,just nothaving astable place to be,” including stintsinLafayette and in Texas. “It was hard for me to have my feet grounded somewhere.”

Now, though, repeatedly calling his Reconcile experience“life changing,”he said it gave him “the first step of dedication and justbeing somewherethat I mattered.” Now he has asteadyjob at a top-notch New Orleans restaurant.

Meanwhile, Café Reconcile servedas oneoftwo anchors—the other being

It certainly doesn’t feel likefallisaround the corner,but it actually startsnext Monday.These squirrels are getting ajump on nut-gathering season and one hascome up with anew approach.

So,what’sgoing on in this cartoon?youtell me.Be witty,funny,crazy,absurd or snarky —just trytokeep it clean.There’snolimit on thenumber of entries. The winning punchline willbe lettered into the word balloon and runon Monday,Sept.22 in our printeditionsand online.Inaddition,the winner will receiveasigned print of the cartoon along with acool winner’sT-shirt!

Some honorable mentions will also be listed.

the AsheCultural ArtsCenter across the street,founded in 1998 —that led to a revitalization of the previously blighted neighborhood. For aradius of several blocks in any direction, once-dilapidated properties now feature handsome buildings with solid businesses and plenteous foot traffic.

Billy,the CEO, is aNew Orleans native She said she remembers being alittle girl shopping in theareawithher mother at a“jazz market”and “littleeatery,” but “in the 1990s,ithad gone dark” while “there was ahuge crime wave all over the city.”But then came theteam from Immaculate Conception, buying the building that now houses Reconcile with the expresspurpose of using it for area youth, along withMayor MarcMorial using community-action block grants.

“I was in school at the time,” Billy said. “And Iremember Reconcile veryclearly coming into the community.”

Now Reconcile alone pays taxes to the cityonabout $380,000 in gross annual sales, not to mention all the similar benefits provided by thebusinesses that grew around it.

This is how,neighborhood by neighborhood, communities can be rebuilt.Government has arole, but that role neednot be controlling. Government can provide alittle leverage and grant help, and then watch as private philanthropy and private enterprise work wonders.

Thirty years ago, this was thesort of thing on which Republicans suchas former vice-presidential nominee Jack Kemp and Democrats suchasNew York’sSen. Daniel PatrickMoynihan found meetings of themind. Café Reconcile should serve as amodel for others, one well worth celebrating.

Email QuinHillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com.

To enter,email your entries to cartooncontest@theadvocate.com.DON’T FORGET!All entries must includeyour name,home address andphone number.Cell numbers arebest. The deadline for all entries is midnight onThursday,Sept.18. Gather your punchlines and send them intowin! Good luck —Walt

This is not about Charlie Kirk. He wasadmirable as adebater and as aconservative whowelcomed debate. Someofhis utterances werereprehensible, but no one should die because of opinions.

Next year willbring the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and with it an irresistible angle for journalists and commentators: New York’s first Muslimmayor marks anniversary of devastating radical Islamic attack on city

Mamdani’slead is anywhere from 15 to 22 points.

Onemeasure of how weird this campaign is that even though Mamdani, the socialist, is running as the Democratic nominee, some topleaders in the Democratic Party cannot bring themselves to endorse their own team’scandidate.

That mayor will be, of course, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist candidate with ahuge lead over afractured field in the Nov.4 mayoral election. Aseries of recent polls suggest that, barring somehuge, incredible, world-shaking unforeseen development, Mamdani will beelected mayor less than two months from now Anew CBS News poll shows Mamdani with a15-pointlead, 43% to 28%, overformerDemocratic New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo, now runningasanindependent.Republican Curtis Sliwa is at 15%, 28 points behind Mamdani, and current New York Mayor Eric Adams is at 6%, 37 points behind Mamdani. Even if Adams weretodrop out, and there are reports he will,the basic structure of the race wouldnot change

Another recent poll, by Emerson, was nearly identical, with Mamdani at 43%, Cuomo at 28%, Sliwaat10% and Adams at 8%. AQuinnipiac survey has Mamdani at 45%, with Cuomo at 23%, Sliwa at 15%and Adams at 12%. And a New York Times/Siena poll has Mamdani at 46%, Cuomo at 24%,Sliwaat 15% and Adams at 9%. Look at all thepolls, and

published. Letters are

The election is less than two months away,and Senate Minority Leader CharlesSchumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) —bothofwhom live in New York City— have not endorsed Mamdani. Indeed, onlyrecently did the Democratic governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, endorse the Democratic candidate for mayor of NewYork City.Inanop-ed in The New York Times, Hochul said she had had many talks with Mamdani. She said they talked about public safety,religioustolerance, economic development, taxes andother issues.

Remember thatMamdani has either recently embraced or currently proposed abolishing the police, establishing citypaid child care, imposing apotentially business-crippling $30 minimum wage and sky-high taxes and other so-called progressive policies. (On the other hand, he has recently stopped advocating “globalizing the intifada.”)

“I did not leave my conversations with Mr.Mamdani aligned withhim on every issue,”Hochul diplomatically wrote. “But Iamconfidentthat he has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment.”

Perhaps Hochul is confident because she and Mamdani were completely,totally,absolutely on the same page on one issue. “I needed to know the next mayor will not be someone who would surrender one inch to President Trump,” she wrote. “Mr.Mamdani and Iwill both be fearless in confronting the president’sextreme agenda —with urgency,conviction and the defiance that defines New York.”

What could be more important? Yes, New York has someofthe mostburdensome housing prices in the country; people are leaving the citybecause they can’t find an affordable place to live. Yes, everything else is insanely expensive, too. And yes, mentally ill and sometimes violent people make using public transit a risky proposition. And yes, public safety is aworry beyond the subways. And yes, there are lotsofotherproblems. But at least the new mayor and the governor will be fearless in confronting the president of the United States. That’swhat’s really matters, isn’tit?

New York has had terrible mayors before. To an outsider,itsometimes appears the cityhas atendency to makeabad choice, suffer the consequences, pick a problem solver,such as Rudy Giuliani, to fixthings, and thenenjoy new life, only to later go off its meds again and restartthe cycle. Zohran Mamdani would be anew dimension in bad choices, and New York is about to find out what thatmeans. ByronYork is on X, @Bryon York. Email himatbyronyork@yorkcomm. com.

This is about the 22-year-old whoapparently shot and killed Kirk from arooftop and also the 20-year-old whoshot at Donald Trumpduring aPennsylvania rally,grazing his face. Both snipers worked from arooftop. Neither was especially political. Kirk’sapparent killer, Tyler Robinson, wasnot allied with any party and didn’t vote. And the young man whotried to execute Trump, Thomas Crooks, wasaregistered Republican. Both came from conservative families nested in MAGAland.

The moresophisticated takes of Robinson’smotives veer away from political passions. Many Gen Zmen like him have sunk into the shadowyvortex of social media. Their online life had become separate from what we would callreal life. They parade their cleverness before an internet audience of who-knows-who. Both lived on and offwith their parents; they hadn’treally launched.

One thing deepened the public’smotive mystery before either perpetrator was named. Both were obviously sharpshooters, products of agun culture. As noted, both placed themselvesonroofs agood distancefromapolitical rally.Asniper firing fromarooftopisanarchetypal scene in ourculture.The shooter represents the powerfromabove, unseen and controlling. If politics aren’t the poison motivating this gun violenceatpolitical rallies, what is? Considerthis possibility: These postadolescents were making few waves outside their parents’ homes. They mayhave wanted to prove to their online societythat theycan pull offworld-changing capers. Ascouring of Robinson’ssocial media shows thathewas an avid memberofa group on Discord, aplatform that lets usershide their identity.Robinson mayhave yearnedtoshowhis audience that he could pull offadaring military-style action. But first it was playtime with his online squad, ameanstomaintain control.

ListentoRobinson’scoy talk with a friend who said that the suspect shown in the FBI pictureslooked like him. No, Robinsonquipped. The guy who looked like him wasa doppelganger (his double). He continued messing with the group. When anotheruserproposed that the group turn Robinsoninand get the $100,000 the FBI was offering, Robinsonresponded, “Only if Iget acut.”

Thenhejokes:“I’m actually Charlie Kirk, wanted to getoutta politicssoIfaked my death.”

AfterRobinsonwas caught, oneofhis “pals” on Discord made light of his possible execution: “Our governor wants to give him the deathpenalty dude.” People aren’t real,not even their friends.

This is showing off, not political scheming.

Crooks, who took ashot at Trump in Pennsylvania,had notwrittena manifesto

The FBI found links to extremist groups. No onehas ever figured out his motive. Could his goal have been fulfilling a fantasy to seewhether he could pull it off? The FBI found thatCrooks did online research abouthow far sniper Lee Harvey Oswald waswhenheassassinated John F. Kennedy in 1963.And he searched for informationoncampaign events for Joe BidenaswellasTrump. Perhaps it didn’t matter to him which presidential candidate he targeted. It wasasthough either one would do.

The frightening part of all this is that there arealot of similarboy-men out there who areout of sight andwhose minds are similarly scrambled. That manyhave gotten good grades and lack acriminal history puts them out of law enforcement’ssurveillance. Scary times.

Email Froma Harrop on X, @FromaHarrop.Emailher at fharrop@ gmail.com.

Froma Harrop

Byron York

Quin Hillyer

Former publisherofThe Advocate dies at 82

Doug Manship wasgrandsonof CapitalCityPress founder

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

Douglas “Doug”Manship

Jr., aformerpublisherof

The Advocate and grandson of the founder of the newspaper’spublishing company,died Wednesday at 82 Manship died at home, where he was in hospice care under the care of his wife, Dianne, said his brother Richard Manship.

Richard Manship said he andhis wife hadvisited with his brother and were driving home when they learned he had died.

“I would classify Doug

SCHOOL

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for contingency and other expenses.

as the true journalist in thefamily.He lovedwriting,” said RichardManship, who retired last year as president and CEO officer of theManshipMediaCo.,which ownsWBRZ-TV,the Baton Rouge ABC station, and KRG-TV in Weslaco, Texas. “His was alwaysalabor of love.”

people would ask him if he was going to become the publisherof the newspaper Workinginthe family business was something he never really questioned.

first full-timeWashington, D.C., correspondent, served as news features editor, spent adozen yearsasan editorial writer and was the first director of online operations, arolehestarted in the late 1990s.

Manship became publisher of The Advocatein1999. He retired in 2007.

Manship was agrandson of Charles Manship Sr., who founded Capital City Press in 1909 with abusiness partner,James Edmonds. Charles Manship Sr.later bought out Edmonds to become thesole owner DougManship was one of the four Manshipgrandchildren to run the company until sellingittothe Georges MediaGroup in 2012. In a2007 interview,Manship said that as achild,

Although he briefly flirted with the idea of becoming a doctor, achemistry course put an end to that idea, he said.

Manship held several roles at The Advocate over the years, starting off cleaning up aroom that was filled withold newspapers. “I thinkittook me all of one summer to do that,” he said in a1999 interview

During hiscareer at The Advocate, Manship worked in advertising,the pressroom and as director of promotions. He was the paper’s

Linda Lightfoot, who worked withThe Advocate for42years andretired as executive editor in 2007, said Manship“wassodevoted tojournalism.”

Lightfoot said while Manship was involved withthe operationsofthe newspaper as amember of the family,“his real heart, Ifelt, was in journalism.”

“He was also very forward looking,”she said. “He was aleading forcein making sure the newspaper kept up withtechnology.”

The idea for anew K-8 facility was first presented to thecommunityearlier thismonth in ameetingled by Trahan,Edmond and Touchet.

“Thisisabout making certain that we are embarking upona legacy andfuture for

The board also will have to vote on seeking requests for qualifications for an architect and construction company to complete the facility.The districtisbudgeting$130,000 for predesign work

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declined to say whether the most recent death was tied to oysterconsumption or water exposure.

Surgingacrossthe Gulf

The Gulf Coast is seeing rising cases outside of Louisiana as well. Texas has reported 10 cases and one death, Mississippi five cases and one death, and Alabama has seen three cases, one tied to Louisiana oysters,according to those state health departments. Florida has recorded numberssimilar to Louisiana, with 25 cases and five deaths.

Health officials say infections peak between May and October,when Gulf waters are warmest and residents are most likely to swim, fish or handle seafood. Ris-

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leaving $2.8 million unused.

Lawmakers have since cut the pregnancycenter general fund budget by morethanhalf,to$1.74 million in the coming fiscal year.DCFS plans to backfill with $2.26 million in federal welfare dollars through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. At the same time, the agency intends to more than double the cap on payments per center,toalmost $250,000.

Health services

State law limits funding to four categories of services: counseling, referrals, classes and items such as diapers and car seats. Most centers offer other services, some of which are considered health care services.All 12 offered ultrasounds; nearly half prescribed medication or provided screenings for sexuallytransmitted infections.

Pregnancy centers in Louisiana are notlicensed as medical providers and, unlike some states such as Connecticut, Illinois and Colorado,donot have to disclose that status to clients. Their growth has coincided withthe closure of Planned Parenthood’sNew Orleans clinic this month, which did not provide abortions but wasalicensed center that provided medical services. Without regulation, there are no state requirements that ultrasounds or other services be conductedand interpreted by aprofessional.

The centers are not subject to patient privacy laws like HIPAAordata confi-

ingsummertemperatures, stronger heat wavesand runoff from increasingly intense storms extend the seasonwhenVibriocan flourish, said Tiong Aw,public health microbiologistwith Tulane University

“Alongside this increasing watertemperature,wehave more frequent and intense storms, and this can also wash extra nutrients intothe water,” Aw said. “All these create an idealconditionfor Vibrio to growand survive.”

Adangerous infection

At least adozen species of Vibrio bacteriacan cause illness, but Vibrio vulnificus is the most severe.Once inside the body,the bacteria can trigger necrotizingskin infections,bloodstream infections or gastrointestinal illness. About 1in5 people with severe infection die, sometimes within 48 hours.

“It’svery dramatic,” said

dentiality agreements.

“Because pregnancy centers are not regulated, clients do not have the ability to file acomplaint against aprovider or pregnancy center if an adverse event takes place,” the report stated.

Erica Inzina, policy directorfor LouisianaRightto Life, said it was misleading to suggest centers operate outside proper safeguards because the employees who work there are subject to the licensing requirements of their profession. Louisiana Right to Life has consistentlysupported legislationthat funds and promotes pregnancy resource centers.

While some centers reported having aphysician on staff (9 of 12saidthey had alicensedphysician connected to the center), there is no state requirement that ultrasounds be performed or interpreted by qualified medical professionals.

Abortion rights activists have longcriticized pregnancy centers.Ina 2022 report,the abortion rights group Lift Louisianasaid the centersprovide little to no medical care, operatewithout oversight and spreadmedically inaccurate information,such as suggesting abortion is more dangerous than giving birth,or causes breast cancer or infertility, claims whichare notbackedby data.

“It is irresponsible and insultingthat our legislators arechoosingtospend millions of state funds paying unregulatedpregnancy centers instead of investing in legitimatepublic health interventions,”saidAlex Moody,staff attorneyfor LiftLouisiana.

Moody pointed out that

our students and residents here in north Lafayette,” Trahan said during the meeting.

Otheragendaitems

2026-27 calendar: The board will vote to finalize the district calendar for next schoolyear. Classesfor studentswould begin on Aug. 12, 2026, andend on May 27, 2027. Students would have off the entire week of Thanksgiving —Nov.23-27, 2026 —and spring break would be fromMarch 26, 2027, to April 2, 2027. Money for buses: Theboard will vote on whether to use $189,500 from the capital improvement fund to purchase busesfor thespecial education department.

Julio Figueroa, an infectious disease expert at LSU Health New Orleans whohas treated cases. “Vulnificus is, aptly, agood name forit.”

One hallmark symptom is the sudden appearance of fluid-filled blisters near awound site. The infection can also worsen quickly.For some people,itmight take a week and ahalf for the infectiontostarttocause symptoms concerning enoughto seek medical help. For others, death can occur within 48 hours of exposure, said Figueroa.

The infection can be treated with antibiotics, which are most effective if used earlyon.

Whoismostatrisk?

While healthy people may recover from Vibrio infections with antibiotics and supportive care, those with chronic conditions are vulnerable. People with liver

lastyear apregnancycenter in New Iberiareleased the full names, last menstrual period and due date of 13 clients without their permission.

“Becausethey are not alicensed and regulated health careprovider, they have faced no consequences,” Moody said.

Theauditsuggestedthat Louisiana lawmakers consider prohibiting acenter from advertising itself as ahealth care facility or requiring licensure for centers that provide health care. Alabama, Massachusetts andCalifornia have pregnancy centers licensed through thestate healthdepartment. Hawaiirequires thecenterstocomply with HIPAA.

Data collection

DCFS contracts showed that they allowed billing for categories not included in state law,suchasnursing services. The contracts also did not define other services, instead grouping them in categories such as “programmatic data.”

The agency also did not makethe pregnancy centers showwhat specific services were provided or show proof of that service. Centers weresimply paid $300for each client they reported,nomatter what was provided.

The department’scontracts requirecenters to submit monthly reports showinghow many clients received counseling, referrals or classes.Yet once centers reached their annual caps, the agency stopped collecting data.

DCFS told auditors it will begin enforcing those rules. Supporters of the centers saiditwas amatter of wording. “Onthe surfaceitmay

Obituaries Bowie),James PaceBowie (Patricia Barbin Bowie) andGordon PaulBowie (AnnaEdelman Bowie); grandfather of four, Dani O'Hara Moore (Dale Moore), Amy Bowie Fountain(BrentFountain), Chas Bowie andBrad Bowie (Melissa Dupreast) andsix great grandchildren (Dominic Moore Duncan Moore,Jack Fountain, DaphneMoore DerekMoore andJoe Fountain).Special mention needstobemade of Mary Nolan, mother of two of his grandchildrenand along time close friend. Younever left Ben's family. Always awonderfulfather,somethingchanged when he became Gramps. He set a very high bar on howtobe agrandparent. In lieu of flowers, please considera donation to Habitat for Humanity, the Lafayette Children's Museum or Lafayette PublicLibrary Foundation endowment or anygood liberal cause designed to make theworld abetter place.Tellthosearound you that you love them,he endedeveryfamilyconversation with those words. Have aglass of cheap red wine or bourbon andthink of thequiet modest man whodeeply touched the lives of everyoneheknew. Avisitation will be held from1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on 2025-09-20 at Walters Funeral Home, 2424 North University.

disease, diabetes, cancer, HIVorweakenedimmune systems areatgreatestrisk for hospitalization, limb amputation or death. Heavy alcohol users often do poorly, said Figueroa.

The Centersfor Disease Control andPrevention advises at-risk individuals to avoid eating raw oysters or undercooked shellfish, keep wounds covered when in brackish water and wear protective gloves when handling seafood.

The Louisiana Department of Health urges residentstotakesimplesteps to preventinfection, such as staying out of brackish or salt water if you have a wound and covering it with awaterproofbandage.Wash any cuts exposed to seawaterorraw seafood with soap and clean water,and seek medical care immediately if awound shows signs of redness, swelling or blistering.

look like they arenot in alignment, but in realitythe servicesthat can be billed for are indeed subcategories of one or all the eligible services,” Inzina said in an email.

Future generalcontractor

Under the law,DCFS must eventually hand administrationofthe program to asinglenonprofit“general contractor,” which would subcontract with pregnancy centersstatewide. That change isn’texpected until 2027.

Auditorswarned that outsourcing could eat into funds for services,since the contractor will be entitled to an administrativefee They pointed out that the law doesn’t capwhat they can charge. Florida’s contractor charges 8.3%, while Oklahoma’sreceives a20% administrative fee.

Louisiana Right to Life said thereport highlighted aneed for the general contractor,“despite the auditor’s suggestion to thecontrary,” because acontractor would addressmostoftheir concerns.

In awritten response, the departmentagreed withall audit recommendations. The agency saidnew oversightpolicies will take effect next year

LOTTERY

TUESDAY, SEPT.16, 2025 PICK 3: 0-0-6 PICK 4: 1-0-3-6 PICK 5: 5-7-6-8-4 MEGA MILLIONS: 10-14-34-40-43

The worldisa less graciousand loving place with thedeathofBen Bowie at 103. He wasa quiet, modest man whocharmedeveryonehemet.You weren'ta friendofBen but rathera member of his extended family. He wasbornin1922 to BenjaminEdwards, Sr and Guion TurnerBowie in Vicksburg.Hewas the third of four children (Elizabeth, Guion,Paul) andthe last survivor of his generation.CollegeatOle Miss endedwith aMasters Degree in history. Astint in WorldWar Two was served in the11th Airborne Division as chiefofsecurity in aNorthernJapanese city. Upon hisreturn to Mississippi, ablind date wasarrangedwitha young ladywho wouldhave preferred to wash herhair that night. Sherelented andBen met the love of his life andthe longestpairof legs he had ever seen, Lyda AnnPace. He proposedwith Dixie Beerand onionrings. They were marriedinNovember 1948. Ben wouldserve as a school principal andarea manager for Southern Airways before settling in NewOrleans andstarting hisown business. He didn'thide in theofficebut wasout with hisCleaning andMaintenanceSystems crews. When he decidedhe woulddosomething, he went all out. He didn't grow afew tomatoes, he built raised beds and grew tomatoes, beans, lettuce corn andanything else he couldfind. He surprised hisfamilybyretiringinhis late60s. No oneexpected himtodomuchbut putter around.For notthe last time,heprovedeveryone wrong. He built abigger garden, went from acasual bridge player to championship level, traveled with hisbeloved wife andvolunteered with several organizations. He went back to collegeand wrote aplay later produced by the University of NewOrleans Repeated NewOrleans floods convincedBen and Lyda that Lafayette was higher ground.Hedidn't change hishabits, New housemeanta bigger garden. He delivered food to people 25 years his junior for MealsonWheels. He stopped building for Habitat For Humanity when he fell off aroof at 80. Hislove of children led himtovolunteer at the Lafayette Children's Museum. This gig earned himstatewide recognition with an AngelAward He wasthe father of three, BenjaminEdwards Bowie III (Cheryl Taylor

Afuneral service will be held from2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on 2025-09-20 at Walters Funeral Home, 2424 North University.

Chris HenryLaValle,72. Visitation willbeonFriday, September 19, 2025, from 9:00 am until11:00 am Liturgy of the Word.Online obituaryand guest book may be viewed at www.fou ntainmemorialfuneralhom e.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery,1010 Pandora St 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.

Manship

Bowie, Benjamin

LaValle, ChrisHenry

SPORTS

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

When asked about hisoffensive line, Brian Kelly didn’t hesitate.

The LSU coach isn’tpretending the unit is perfect,orthat it’sthe reason why theTigers are offtotheir first 3-0 start since 2019. He also won’t placemost of theblame for LSU’s passing game struggles on this new-look group. “Wedidn’tgive up asack, and that is areally good defense,” Kelly said, referencing aFlorida defense that surrendered only 13 points to LSU’soffensive attack in theTigers’ 20-10 win Saturday.“I’m pleased there. Imean,ifwe need to go out there and throw the ball 50 times,we’re capableofdoingthat.” Butquestioningthe effectivenessofthe Tigers’line through three games is afair questiontoask.Besides the line’sstruggles in therun game,LSU fifth-yearsenior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is just 4-of-13 passing on throws

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

It had been more than amonthsince Trevor Penning played football in any capacity, and that was evident —ina goodway —to his New Orleans Saints teammates when they saw him back on thepractice field Wednesday

“A lot of guys came up to me like,‘You’re way more giddy than usual,’ ”Penning said. Penning practiced for the first time since he suffered aturf toe injury in theSaints’ Aug. 10 preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. He opened training camp as the team’sstarting leftguard but ceded the position to veteran Dillon Radunz while he recovered. While coach Kellen Moore declined to say whether Penning would make his 2025 debut this week against the Seattle Seahawks —“We’ll see how he responds and then see how it goes,” Moore said —heindicatedthat Penning will slot back in as the starting left guard when he is ready toplayinagame.

of morethan20yards downfield,according to Pro Football Focus Nussmeier’saverage depth of target stands at 6.7 yards per attempt. Lastseason, it was at 9.5 yards per attempt despitebeing in an offense that had trouble generating explosive plays.

Thesediminishedresults can’t allbelinkeddirectly to Nussmeier’sprotection taking astep back. Kelly revealed Monday that his quarterback is dealing withatorso injury, an ailment he’sbeen working through since the preseason Kelly believes Nussmeier has battled through the worst of it, but he also said that he won’tbeable to heal from theinjuryfully untilLSU’s firstopenweek at thestart of October “We’ve limited him alittle bit during the week because of some tightness that he’shad in historso,” Kelly said. “It’san

“I really appreciate him for th Penning said. “It’s good to hav someone have your back.”

This is not the first time Penning hashad to navigate aturf toe jury as aprofessional, but he was relieved this one was not as serious. As far as names go, turf toe is armingly innocuous termfor as jury.The most severe turf toe in theone Penning suffered in the finale of his rookie season, involve tions and severe tendon damage quirecorrective surgery.Penning up missing all but six games of his season

“I was nervous that …itwas that all over again,” Penning said. This injury occurred when Pen planting his foot in the turf at SoF

Notes on agolf scorecard while dreading LSU’s first alternate uniforms of the season Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana …Assoon as LSU coach Brian Kelly revealed Monday that Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been hampered by a“torso injury” since preseason camp, the debate ignited as to whether the Nuss bus should be idled forSaturday’sgame in Tiger Stadium against Southeastern Louisiana (6:45 p.m., SEC Network). Asked about it on Wednesday’sSEC coaches’ teleconference, Kelly didn’tequivocate. “I think he needs to play,” Kelly said. “Garrett wants to play.He’scapable of playing.” Football is adangerous game. Any time aplayer steps onto the field there is arisk. Always has been, as evidenced by this gruesomebut humorous poem from the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1893: After the football is over After the field is clear Straighten my nose and shoulder

KEVIN FOOTE writer

not unprecedented.

Backin2018, atruefreshman from MoAlabama, named Eric Garror got a ce to start at cornerback andnever it back on his way to reaching the NFL. Thatdoesn’tmakeitany less impressive what Cecilia High productBrentGordon sachieved in ashort period of time with UL Ragin’ Cajuns. “It’sa blessing, honestly,” said Gordon, whose first collegiate startwas Saturday at No. 25 Missouri. “For the coaching staffand even the older guys to have trust in me it’struly ablessing.” The Cajuns were handled 52-10 by aredoffense in Gordon’s first start, but he red well with six tackles in the game. Every step in his career is alearning proforthe 5-foot-11, 190-pound Gordon. learneda lotfromthatgame,” said rdon, whose Cajuns will try to get back track at 2:30 p.m.Saturday at Eastern higan. “I find that Ineed to tackle betand Ican drive the manbetter.There’s you can learn from aloss like that. You tliketolose, butsometimes in life you

From left, LSU offensive linemen Weston Davis,JoshThompson, DJ Chester and Coen Echols line up before asnap in the first half of agame against Florida on SaturdayatTiger Stadium. STAFF PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

2p.m.

6:30

9p.m.Laver

NotreDameseeks solution

Irishwantdefensive woes resolved ahead of Purdue matchup

BY CURT RALLO Associated Press

SOUTH BEND,Ind. No. 24 Notre Dame faces afamiliar predicament —two early-season losses hasleft no margin for error

The circumstanceshave changed, though. This time, it’s the usually stout Fighting Irish defense searching for answers as it faces rival Purdue(2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) on Saturday.Itwouldn’t be the first time Notre Dame has used this matchupasa springboardtochange directions.

Ayear ago, aftera stinging 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois at home, the Irish hit their stride by handing the Boilermakers whatwas then theworst loss in program history,66-7. It was the first step on a14-game winning streak that sent them to thenationalchampionship game. Back then, though, Al Golden’s defense was the team’sheartand soul. Notre Dame led the nation with 33 takeaways, was third nationally with 38 sacks and finished in the top five in points allowed (15.5).

With Golden and six key players from that team off to the NFL, Chris Ash has taken over as defensive coordinator,and things have not started well. The Irish surrendered 68 points in losses to Miami and Texas A&M, compared with 70 in their first six games last year,and have one interception and one sack.

Worse, Texas A&M quarterback MarcelReedthrew foracareerhigh 360 yards in a41-40 comefrom-behindwin.Itwas themost points allowed by Notre Dame sincea 45-14 loss to Michiganin 2019.

Coach MarcusFreeman, aformer linebackerand defensive coordinator,isspending this week trying to find solutions,and he indicated Monday he may getmore involved than usual in the defensive meetings.

“It’sthe execution of whatwe’re

Two-way

BYJOHN COON Associated Press

SALTLAKE CITY Three defensive stars for No. 16 Utah can be credited with helping theUtes improve on the other side of the ball.

Cornerback Smith Snowden, linebacker Lander Bartonand safety Jackson Bennee have played key roles in an offense that ranks near the top of the league in several categories heading into Saturday’s Big 12 opener against No. 17 TexasTech (3-0).

Ayear after being near thebottom in nearly every offensive category,the Utes are second in scoring (45.7 points per game) and rushing offense (290 yards), and third in total offense (517 yards). The trio have wasted no time making their presence felt.

Snowden led Utah(3-0)inreceiving in the Utes’ 43-10 seasonopening win over UCLA, totaling 51 yards on six catches. Barton hauledina 14-yardtouchdown against the Bruins —his first careerreception

“If my team trustsmeon offense to have theballinmy hands, why not go out there and make aplay?” Snowden said. And it’snot just on gadget plays. Snowden, Barton and Bennee split their time equally between offense and defense eachgame. It requires striking abalance in how they prepare for games so they can contribute at ahigh level on both sides of the ball.

This means dividing snaps between offense and defense in practice each week. It also

asking them to do,” he said.“If we’reaskingthemtodothings they can’texecute, then we have to evaluate what we’re asking them to do. Like Isaid, it’s not a call, it’snot ascheme, there’sno perfect call, no perfect scheme. It’sthe ability to execute.”

Whatever the explanation, the defensive stats have plummeted

The Irish rank 118th in points allowed (34.0), 113th in pass rush and 129th in passcoverage. Freeman doesn’tblame the early-season woes on anew defensive system or so many new faces. Instead, hewants to see the Irish eliminate the big plays that allowed TexasA&M to rally “Whatwecan’t do is leta bad play turn into an explosive play

(Texas A&M) had over 200 yards on six plays,” Freeman said. “Whatdoes alack of execution come down to? It could be alack of focus, alack of proper technique, alack of understanding what’sexpected—apersonnel issue where you’re asking somebody to do something thatthey can’tdoconsistently.”

SafetyAdon Shuler believes it’s not apersonnel issue, either Rather,hethinks theanswer is better practices,which would lead to faster,moreviolent action on Saturdays.

The first test comes this weekend against avastly improved Purdue team underfirst-year coach Barry Odom. The Boilermakers are coming off a33-17 loss

to Southern California in their Big TenConference opener but are averaging 391.3 total yards and 27.3 pointsper game, asubstantial upgrade over their15.8 ppg average last season.

And if Notre Dame doesn’t plug some holes fast, it could be staring at its first 0-3start since 2008 —likely leaving it out of the playoff chase. But Shulersaw how the Irish responded to last year’s challenge and thinks they can do it again.

“(CoachFreeman said),‘We could be here, like, oh,we’re five pointsaway from being 2-0, but thatdoesn’thelpus,’ ”hesaid.

“The reality is, we’re 0-2, andwe have to have that mindset andthat grit to go get it.”

means dividing meeting time and film studybetween twodifferent positiongroups.

“Wetry to get the balance in practice as close as we can to what we predict the balance in the game is goingtobe,” Utah coachKyle Whittingham said “Wehaveagood idea going into every game what the ratioisgoing to be (for) offensive snaps and defensive snaps, and we try to mimic that in practice. We also have to divide the meeting timeupaswell,soit’sabalancing act.”

Playing onbothsides isn’ta foreign concept for Snowden, Bennee,orBarton. All threedid the same in high school.

Doing the same thing for a Power 4team is more complicated. Preparing themselves for multiple positions has made all three players fluent in asecond football language

“This whole thing has definitely made my football IQ much better than it wasinpreviousyears,” Snowdensaid. “WhenI am on offense, Ican look at adefenseand knowwhatthey’re doing. When I’mondefense,I can look at the offense and have apretty good idea what they’re going to do.” Playing on offense hasnot diminished defensive production for Utah’sdesignated two-way players through the team’s first threegames. They are still finding waystostopoffenses as of-

ChargersLBMackonIR

due to left elbow injury

LinebackerKhalil Mack will go on injuredreservewithanelbow injury,leaving theundefeated Los Angeles Chargers without one of their topdefenders foratleastthe next four games.

Mack dislocated his left elbowinthe first quarter of awin against LasVegas on Monday

“It’sone of the toughest things I’ve ever seen.I was staring right at it,” coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday.

The Chargers have depth at Mack’sposition, with Bud Dupree andTui Tuipulotu figuring to contribute

The edge rushers combinedfor 141/2 sackslastseason,although neitherhas onesofar this season.

TheChargers(2-0) hostAFC West rivalDenver(1-1) on Sunday.

Jets QB Fields out with concussion; Taylortostart

Justin Fields is outfor at least one gameand Tyrod Tayloris readytostepinfor theNew York Jets, just as he has done so many timesduring his multiple NFL stops.

Coach Aaron Glenn announced WednesdaythatFields was ruled out for the game at Tampa Bay with aconcussion, and Taylor would start at quarterback against the Buccaneers on Sunday Fields remains in the concussion protocol after being hurtlate in the Jets’ 30-10 loss to Buffalo last Sunday. Fields fell backward when he wassacked by Joey Bosa in the fourth quarter and the back of his helmet hit off the turf Taylorwill startfor the firsttime since doing so in five games for the Giants in 2023.

Vikings put RB Jones on IR with hamstring injury

The ailing Minnesota Vikings placed running back Aaron Jones on injured reserve on Wednesday requiring him to missaminimum of four games with ahamstring injury suffered during whathas becomeacostly defeat in the home opener With quarterbackJ.J.McCarthy likely out for multiple weeks with asprainedankle that occurred in that 22-6 loss to Atlanta, the Vikings also signed Desmond Ridder,the starter in 2023 for the Falcons, to theactive roster for more depth behind CarsonWentz and undrafted rookie MaxBrosmer. Jones hada career-high 1,138 rushing yards last season while starting all17games in his first season with the Vikings.

Cardinalsplace Contreras on 10-day injuredlist

ten as they test defenses. Bennee leads the Big 12 with two interceptions and 103 interception return yards. His first career interception wasa 46yard pick-six in a63-9 win over Cal Poly

“I really love having theball in my hands as well as making some tackles,” Bennee said. “I love allofit. Anyopportunity that Ican get,I’m going to take it.”

Barton hada team-high seven tackles againstUCLA. Across three games, he andBenneeare tied forsecond among Utahplayers with 12 tackles apiece. Their all-around contributions drawparallels to what Eric Weddle did forthe Utes earlierin Whittingham’scoaching career

During his senior season with Utah in 2006, Weddle played snaps at safety, running back punt returner andevenquarterbackonhis waytoearning consensus All-American honors. Colorado’sTravis Hunter took it to anotherlevel last season by winning the HeismanTrophy as atwo-way player

Utilizing positionless playmakersmay be astaplefor Utah going forward under first-year offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Whittinghamnoted Beck’soffensive schemes aredesigned to keep defenses guessing about whichplayers will be involved and howthey will be involved.

“Jason hasa really good feel for getting the most out of his guys andputting them in positions where they can do the things they do best instead of asking aguy to do something that maybe is not his cup of tea,” Whittingham said.

ST.LOUIS The St. Louis Cardinals placed first basemanWillson Contreras on the 10-day injured list on Wednesdaywith aright shoulder strain, ending his season. Contreras leftMonday night’s 11-6 loss to Cincinnati in the seventh inning due to tightness in his right biceps, putting astoptohis season just before continuing their series with the Milwaukee Brewers. He hit .257 with20homersand 80 RBIsin135 games this season.

St.Louis also recalledinfielder José Fermín from Triple-A Memphis before its series finale against Cincinnati.

The 26-year-old Ferminisbatting .298 with ahomer and five RBIs in 23 games with the Cardinals this year

Townsend apologizes after Chinese food comments

American tennis star Taylor Townsend has apologized “from the bottom of my heart” for makingdisparaging comments about Chinese food.

Her original comments on social media —followed by her apology —came before theUnited States plays Kazakhstan at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China. The 29-year-old Townsend, who is ranked world No. 1indoubles, posted videos of local dishesincluding bullfrogs and turtles and joked she would need to “talk to HR” about the quality of the food. She took to Instagram again Wednesday to apologize after facing abacklash online.

The U.S. is scheduled to play Kazakhstaninthe quarterfinals on Thursday

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATTHEWIDLER

Utah widereceiver Jackson Bennee runs the ball during agameagainst WyomingonSaturdayinLaramie, Wyo. Utah defeated Wyoming 31-6 and is 3-0.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOPAULBEATy

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love celebrates withcoach Marcus Freeman after rushing for a touchdown against TexasA&M on SaturdayinSouth Bend,Ind

upper-body injury that you want to be careful with how many reps he’sgetting throwing the football. I think he’sonthe other side of that, but we had to be really careful with him the first few weeks.”

Nussmeier’sinjury may explain his accuracy woes and, to some degree, his decision-making. But one can argue that the structure of LSU’spassing offense, which has been heavilyreliant on screens and quick throws —nearly aquarter of Nussmeier’spass attempts, per Pro Football Focus, havebeen plotted behind the line of scrimmage —ismeant to help outthe inexperienced offensive line.

LSU has five new starters on the line afterits onlyreturning starter, redshirt sophomore DJ Chester, was supplanted at centerbyVirginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore and lost the starting left guard battletoredshirtsophomore Paul

Mubengaand redshirt freshman Coen Echols. Theoffensive linehas allowed just foursacks through three games. But has thelack of sacks been aresult of LSU’sfront taking astep forward? Or is it aproduct of Nussmeier getting the ball out of his handsquickly,and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan devising an attackthathelps shielda vulnerable offensiveline?

More than63% of Nussmeier’s pass attempts have been less than 10 yardsbeyondthe line of scrimmage,per PFF

“I’m really pleased with our protection. Ibelieve it’s astrength,”

Kelly said. “Thetwo tackles are really good. Their kick slide, their ability to stay square. Those were really good (Florida defensive ends). They’re SEC top-tier players on that defensive side of the ball. That’sarugged group, as good aswe’re going to see.”

Kelly alsoacknowledged that his O-line needs to improve its techniqueand that this week is an important onein terms of growing

those aspects. LSU’sschedule gets tougher after Saturday. Four of LSU’ssix opponents after SLU are ranked in

theAPTop 25 poll. South Carolina, theTigers’ foeOct. 11, is no longer ranked but was before losing to Vanderbilt last week.

By DAVIDGRUNFELD

Saints offensivelineman TrevorPenning competes duringtraining camp at the team’sfacilityinMetairieon July 27. PenningreturnedtopracticeWednesday aftersitting out more than amonth withatoe injury.

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

He stepped awkwardly and his foot stuck in the turf, andherealized quickly what type of injury he was dealing with. Penning was grateful that his injury this year was not nearly as extreme.

“That’sthe part Iwas relieved in —nosurgery,” Penning said. “It’s not going to be too much time.”

He was on theshelf foralittle more than five weeks.About half of that was spent in aprotective walking boot, and Penning was fairly limited in what he coulddo physically He worked his upper bodyinthe weight room and practiced hand work in football drills. After the boot came off, he progressed to an exercise bike for conditioning

before testing his foot in drills and the weightroom. Allthe while,he wasaconstantpresence.

“He’slocked in,” center Erik McCoysaid. “He hasn’tmissed ameeting. He hasn’tmissed aworkout,a weighin.Hehasn’tmissedanything. It shows hisdedication, his commitment to being the left guard on this team andgetting better and healthy and being ready to go whenever his number is called again.”

Penning said he was “not the happiest” after first suffering the injury.He’sentering acrucial season as aprofessional.Not only is Penning switchingfrom offensive tackle to guard but he is also entering the final yearofhis rookie contract.Hestill understood he neededtobepatient when it came to gettingback on the field.

“Ifyou rush it, you’regoing to end up hurting itagain or you’re notgoing to be 100%,” Penning

said. “Take the time it needs to recover,get back into it and get back to playing football.”

He had ahardtime describing what would informhim that he’s ready to get back on the field, but he is able to draw on his previous experience. Penning saidheknows what it should feel like, but he also understands how it should feel when he’sready to return from this specificinjury

Not only is he testingtosee how his toe reactswhen he plantsand moves like an offensive lineman but he also needs to see that he’s capable of generating power

That’sstill to be determined.

“There’sobviously goingtobe somegetting backintoit, butI feel like I’ve done everything Ican to come back,”Penning said.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com

RABALAIS

Continued from page1C

Help me find my ear

If Nussmeier is on the mend, as Kelly also asserted Monday, then it might be prudent to park him against outmanned SLU Butwhere does it end? Cover Nuss in bubble wrap and have someone taste his food forhim?

If theLSU offense weren’t stuck in the mud(53 points in three games), Imight see some validitytonot playing him Saturday.But Kelly is right. Nussmeier needs to play.Heneeds to workonthe timing with his receivers. The chemistry with his blockers. No.3LSU needs a good night of production against theLions going into next week’s big game at No. 13 Ole Miss. Kelly said Nussmeier has been able to do somethings in practice lately that he hasn’tbeen able to do foramonth. Early in August camp,Nussmeier looked magnificentinterms of touch and arm strength. Then during two media viewings of apractice and scrimmageinTiger Stadium aweek before the Clemson game, Nussmeier wasn’tseen throwing theball at all. Clearly, his injury has affected the plays and tenor of the LSU offense. The objective forLSU on Saturday shouldbetostart Nussmeier,get several productive scoring drives out of him and theoffense, then pull him in the thirdquarter and let Michael VanBuren andpossibly Colin Hurley get somesnaps. Sitting Nussmeier is the safeplay,but therisk is worth the ultimate reward of apotentially more productive offense on Sept. 27 in Oxford.

…The ejection of LSU linebacker Whit Weeks on Saturday during the first possession of theFlorida gameadded another layer to the mounting evidence that college football’stargeting rule needstochange. Did Weeks’ helmet strike the helmet (or rather face mask) of Floridawide receiver Vernell Brown? Yes. Should such contact warrant apenalty? Probably,for the protection of both

“There’sgoing to be sometimes in theSEC (when) we’re going to have to score more than 20 points,” Kelly said. “Let’sget that straight. Ithink we all know that.”

For LSU to accomplish its greater goals, amore dynamic passing attackwill have to emerge. At least on paper, thestrengthofthe offense lieswith an explosive receiving corps and aquarterback that’s not afraid to makebig throws.

For anyofthattobefully realized,LSU must find away to run theballmoreeffectively andgive Nussmeier enoughtime in the pocket to get the ball to his receivers downfield.

But Kelly doesn’tbelieve the latter concern hasbeen aproblem through three games.

“It’snot really about an issue of, ‘Wedon’tfeel like we can protect him,’ “Kelly said. “I think we’re trying to be perfect, andwedon’t have to. Catch it, get it out and let’s go.”

Email Koki Rileyat Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com.

the tackler and ball carrier.But there was no malicious intent to Weeks’ hit on Brown, just an aggressive player making an aggressive football play For years, basketball has had Flagrant 1and Flagrant 2foul calls, differentiating between hard contact and an intentional hammering. College football needs the samething. Kelly has been aproponent of that long before Weeks’ ejection.

“I have been very vocal on this issue,” Kelly said Monday “They (NCAA football rules committee) know where Istand. It’s something that has to be addressed.”

While we’re at it, the same goes for the rule that defines what acatch is or is not. The rule thattook away atouchdown from LSU receiver Barion Brown in the Clemson game may have alteredhow we view the offense at this point.

…Itwas great to see LSU legend Charles Alexander get his just reward at the Florida gamewith his nameand No. 4 enshrined on the south façade in Tiger Stadium and the adulation forhim during the halftime ceremony It also gotmethinking that there is alongline of LSU greatswho also need to have their namesand numbers in TigerStadium beyond Alexander, Billy Cannon(No. 20), Jerry Stovall (21) andTommy Casanova (37)

Beyond Heisman Trophy winners Joe Burrow (9) and Jayden Daniels (5), whoundoubtedly will be up there one day,here are three other LSU College Football Hall of Famers who should be similarly immortalized soon: n No. 73 Glenn Dorsey: The mostdecorated defensive player in LSU history n No. 3Kevin Faulk: Still the Tigers’ leading rusher with 4,557 yards. n No. 24 Gaynell “Gus” Tinsley: LSU’s first great player of its first golden era in the 1930s and later the LSU head coach.

For more LSU sports updates, signupfor ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

can learn alesson and you can just build off of that.” Gordon seems to be advanced beyondhis years. Earlierthis season, secondarycoach George Barlow said Gordon “has thework ethic of an older guy.”

That’sexactly how he learned the playbook quickly enough to earn so much playing time.

“My attention to detail is kind of high, so once Iget it, Iget it,”

Gordon said. “It just kind of locks in my brain and it’d be hard for me to forget. I’ve been studying it ever since Igot it when I first got it. Even with the days we had off, Iwas stillonmybooks andstudyingthe playbook. So it’s kind of all implantedinmyhead.”

Barlow saidGordon is arare athlete who absorbs instructionsthe first time.

“He picks it up, whichisreally rare for afreshman kid withhis kind of talent,” Barlow said. Gordon hasbeencredited with eight total tackles anda pass breakup.Against Missouri,Gor-

don started on the opposite side of redshirt senior Courtline Flowers at cornerback. He got experience at the Star positionduringAugust camp and could be an option there withstarter Maurion Eleam now out for the season andcornerback Trae Tomlinson taking over that spot.

“Hejust competes,” UL coach Michael Desormeauxsaid. “He’s areallygoodathleteandhe’scompetitive.”

Anotheraspect of Gordon’s strong mentalapproachisconfidence, even against apowerful Missouri offense.

“I feel like the biggest thing for

me, playing as afreshman, is just goingout there with confidence,” he said. “You can’tgoout there andtry to belittle yourself and hold your head down.You’ve got to hold your head high in these type of situations.

“You can’treally go outthere thinking like afreshman, you’ve gottothink like you’ve been there andjust be overly confident with your game andunderstand that youbelong there.”

Another lesson Gordon didn’t take much time learning is college football isn’tthe place formany original thoughts on the field.

“Everything, every little thing is really important at this level,” he said. “Like thefreelancing that I would do in high school, you can’t really do thatnow.Everybody’sposition matters. Everybody’spiece to the puzzle matters.” Gordon also displaysanintense desire to succeed.

“I feel like the veterans just realized how badly Ireally wantitand howhungryIwas forit,” Gordon said. “So Ifeel like they were accepting me withopen arms and just believing in me because they sawhow hard Iwas working and how dedicated Iam.”

STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU offensivelineman CoenEchols, center,worksalongside offensive lineman Braelin Moore, left, in the first half of agame against Florida on SaturdayatTiger Stadium

THE VARSITY ZONE

Rising to occasion

BY MIKE COPPAGE

Contributing writer

Reload, not rebuild.

That’s no exaggeration for St. Thomas More volleyball, which has won four straight state championships. The Cougars stayed unbeaten this season with a straight-set win at Catholic High of New Iberia on Tuesday

“We were a little jumpy in the first set,” coach Jessica Burke said of the 25-20, 25-14, 25-12 victory. “We calmed down. I love that my team is able to stay steadfast, emotionally mature and win games.”

The Cougars (13-0) have won 30 of 31 sets and haven’t dropped a set since the second match of the season against Division V No. 2 Westminster Christian.

“It’s more of an opportunity, you know what I mean?” Burke said of playing at such a level for an extended period. “It is a high, high standard. Ultimately, we have such awesome kids who buy in and work hard every single day That’s legit: it’s not something I’m just saying for fluff purposes.”

That streak was in danger in the second set against Catholic High (6-4), ranked No. 9 in Division IV The Panthers led 11-3 and were up 14-10 before the Cougars rallied to win 25-20.

“We made a couple of early errors in the second set and did a good job of powering through and collecting ourselves,” Burke said.

Clare Thomson assisted Abby Strother for a kill, and Mallory Franklin’s block accounted for the final two points of the set. STM won the first and third sets 25-14 and 25-12. Franklin and Strother had five kills each. Morgan Dunn finished with a team-high seven kills and four blocks. Strother added three blocks.

“Strother brings a lot of firepower to the middle,” Burke said. “She’s super athletic, undersized but quick. Mallory Franklin worked while she waited. She really wanted to see the floor last year but wasn’t quite ready She worked her butt off and did all the right things.”

Senior libero Eleanor Guidry, one of the key returning players with Marvel Potier (five kills) and Marissa Billedeaux, had a team-high 12 digs. Thomson had nine digs and 11 assists Senior setter Audrey Wheeler totaled 14 assists and seven digs. Virginia

reigning state champion Cougars are now 13-0

Blanchard finished with eight digs and four aces.

“Eleanor is a phenomenal leader in the backcourt,” Burke said. “Her volleyball IQ is so high that it makes her another coach on the floor.”

The Cougars are No. 2 in the LHSAA’s Division II power ratings behind Natchitoches-Central (11-0) District rival Teurlings Catholic (6-1) is third. STM is ranked by MaxPreps as the No. 2 overall team in Louisiana Mount Carmel (9-1), which is fourth in the Division I power ratings, is ranked first.

“I think we just really mesh well as a team,” said Wheeler, who has a team-high 181 assists, which is sixth in Louisiana. “Team chemistry is there. When we mess up, we’re always lifting each other up. I think the underclassmen are really rising to the occasion and taking big leadership roles, and the seniors are leading with their play.

Dunn ranks first in Division II in kills (90). Potier is fifth in kills and second in hitting percentage Dunn and Strother are top 10 in hitting percentage Franklin, Strother and Billedeaux are top 15 in kills.

Wheeler is first and Thomson third in assists, while Guidry is first in digs. Virginia Blanchard is second for digs and sixth in aces Five of the top eight blockers are Cougars, led by Potier (35 blocks).

“Everyone wants it as much as the next person,” Wheeler said of going for a five-peat. “We’ve been working toward it for a long time. We’re right there, really pushing to work together Everyone is giving 100%.”

Derouen’s return to Northside ‘a blessing’ for Carter, Vikings

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

When Northside High School

head football coach Jacarde Carter embarked on a challenge to “Revive the Side” four years ago when he returned as the school’s defensive coordinator, he knew it wasn’t a one-man job.

Carter, who was promoted to head coach in 2023, said he believed to restore the team to its glory days it would require all hands on deck.

So when the opportunity presented itself for Carter to be reunited with his former high school head coach, Vincent Derouen, the 34-year-old Carter was eager to make it happen.

was the Vikings head coach. The two are united again with Derouen as an assistant.

intense.

“It just felt like a blessing,” said Carter, whose Vikings (2-0) host reigning Division II nonselect champion Cecilia (0-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday “Since Day 1 during the summer, (Derouen) has been chopping wood. He’s been on time, and he has been doing a lot of the dirty work. He has been a great assistant. He has been the type of assistant he would want.”

Derouen, who spent the past 10 years as the St. Martinville head coach before resigning in April, is now coaching the Vikings defense. Before his tenure at St. Martinville, Derouen spent 18 years at Northside 10 as the Vikings head coach.

“It has been great; like I never left,” Derouen said. “It’s like being at home and around family again.”

Teaming up with Carter has also worked out well, he said.

“Jacarde is no different than when he played for me,” Derouen said “He was hardworking then and he is hardworking now If there is one kid that wants to work out, it can be 5 a.m., Jacarde is going to come here and open the gym. You can see the product of his hard work on the field.”

Derouen said he’s been pleased with the entire coaching staff.

“I was leery about whether I can go from being a leader to a soldier,” Derouen said of going from head coach to assistant. “But they made it easy for me because what they do, they do it so well. They have high football IQ’s and a great mindset. They have so much compassion for these kids that it is hard not to fall into place.”

Carter, who played linebacker under Derouen from 2005-09 before going on to play at Grambling, said his prep coach is not quite as

“When I played, he was stricter,” Carter said. “Now he’s more relaxed. He’s more in the grandpa role instead of a father figure. He’s more prone to having fun, and that’s not to say we didn’t have fun. But you can see his smile and he’s just a lot more jovial.”

Derouen said he considered staying away from the game after the death of his brother Damon in February

“The plan was to get out (of coaching),” Derouen said. “With everything that was going on, I wanted to get out and not get back in at all. After talking with Jacarde and watching spring practice — I was scared at first — but then it just felt like the right thing to do. It was good for me, good for Jacarde and good for the school.”

Despite the rumors since his arrival, Carter said he isn’t concerned about Derouen taking his job if the Vikings aren’t successful.

“I heard the rumors, too,” Carter said. “I’m not absent from hearing what is being said. But this is really about me needing help and needing someone with knowledge of working at Northside. Northside is a different place, so I wanted someone who knew the ins and outs of working here.”

“I came here to help, not to take over,” Derouen said. “I had my time, and to be honest I’m enjoying not having to do all of the paperwork. I’m never a threat. I enjoyed the role I had before during my glory days. This is his job.”

Although he doesn’t know how long he wants to continue coaching, Derouen said he’s having fun. “It has been great,” Derouen said. “I’ve enjoyed being around the kids and the coaches. Some of the music I don’t care for as much, but they are keeping me from being an old grandpa.”

Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.

Derouen

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP Northside head coach Jacarde Carter played under Vincent Derouen from 2005-09 when Derouen

PHOTO By LEE BALL

St Thomas More’s Marvel Potier left, and Morgan Dunn play defense during Tuesday’s sweep at Catholic of New Iberia. The four-time

Fresh rosemary thesecret toaromatic herb gratin

BY LINDAGASENHEIMER

Tribune News Service(TNS)

This rich and creamy gratin is acomforting vegetarian meal,topped with agolden, cheese-laden crust that’scrisp and savory.Fresh rosemary infuses the dish with adelicate, aromatic note. The microwave simplifies preparation by gently cooking the onions and garlic. Once softened, the filling is transferred to abaking dish and topped with agenerous layer of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, which are broiled until browned and crisp.

CreamyBean and Herb Gratin Yields 2servings. Recipe is by Linda Gassenheimer

1cup dicedonion

2teaspoons olive oil 5crushed garlic cloves

2tablespoonsfresh

BY APRIL HAMILTON Contributing writer

When life gives you peppers, have aparty

Prime-time tailgateseason convenes with the late summer hot pepper harvest,offering abundant delights perfect for theoccasion. Lucky forme, agenerous neighbor offered up his rainbow of jalapeños and other tantalizing varietiesthat mightmake you reachfor the milk.

This is my kind of canvas.

For thepopular popper,I recommend sticking with thecomparatively humble jalapeño. Ionce devoured acouple of cheese-stuffed habanero poppers, and my mouthstillburns from the memory.Ifocusless on thecheeseand add in creamy roasted sweet potato, seasoned simply with ahandful of chopped green onion and a good sprinkle of smoked salt

ä See PEPPERS, page 6C

1. Preheat broiler. Place onion, olive oil, garlic and rosemary in amicrowave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 3to4minutes or until the onion is soft.

2. Add 1cup of the beans to the bowland mashthe beans with a potato masher or large spatula until smooth. Add the remaining ½cup beansand broth to the bowland mixtocombine all the ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Transfer the mixture to an 8-inch-by-8-inch baking dish that can go under the broiler Mix the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs together.Spread evenly overthe topofthe mixture.

4. Place the panunderthe broiler about 6to7inches from the heat. Broil until the mixture is bubbly around the edges and the crust turns golden, about 3to4minutes. Watch to make sure the top doesn’tburn. Remove from the broilerand serve.

NUTRITION INFO PER SERVING: 682 calories (32 percent from fat), 24.0 gfat (10.7g saturated, 6.9 gmonounsaturated), 52 mg cholesterol, 37.1 gprotein,82.6 gcarbohydrates, 13.8 gfiber, 1322 mg sodium

soar

odd pairings

Recipe, Watermelon Flight 6C

BYSONO MOTOYAMA Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) Watermelon withasquirtof mustard?Orslathered with PB&J? These are someofthe suggestions on TikTok for so-calledwatermelon flights. Like a flight of wine or whiskey, watermelon flights are meant to offer variations on atheme. Artfully cut slabs of watermelon are garnished with ingredients sweet and savory to offer interesting contrasts and textures when pairedwith the ultimate

See FLIGHTS, page 6C

STAFF PHOTOSByHILARy SCHEINUK

TNS PHOTO By LINDAGASSENHEIMER

Roasted Sweet Potato Filling

Cutting sweet potatoes in lengthwise halves,then roasting themcut-side-down makes them cook twice as fast andthe cutsurfaces become mahogany caramel. This quantity makes enough for 16 pepper halves and6 small quesadillas, recipe below

3medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut in half lengthwise

¾cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (see note)

½teaspoon smoked salt (or coarse sea salt)

1green onion, finely chopped

1. Preheat the ovento400 F. Place the sweet potato halves

cut-side-down on aparchment-linedrimmedbaking sheet.Roastuntil fork-tender andthe cut sidesare deep mahogany,about 30 minutes.

2. When cool enough to handle, scoop the roasted sweet potato out of the skins into a medium bowl. Mash the pulp with alarge fork. Add the

cheese, salt andgreen onion and mixtocombine. If not usingimmediately,storein an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3days

NOTE: It is best to grate your own cheese for this since pre-grated cheese contains acoating that will prevent a good melty filling.

SweetPotatoQuesadillas

Dear Heloise: When ababy girl is due, Igive the grandmother to-be atraveling teaset It is for a first-time grandmother to congratulate her on her new title and setthe stage for special tea times together in the coming years! Dave and Corrinne Berkland, in Universal City,Texas End-of-lifepreparations

Makes 6

6(6-inch) corntortillas About 1cup roasted sweet potato filling (recipe above)

Sliced fresh jalapeños Olive oil for brushing

1. Heat agriddle or grill to medium. Divide the sweet potato filling evenly on half of each tortilla. Sprinkle each with as many jalapeno slices as you likeand fold over to makehalf circles.

PEPPERS

Continued from page5C

Fold in some sharpcheddar and stuff the little halved jalapeño boats with the mixture before baking or grilling. Pro tip: the sweet potato filling can be made afew days ahead, the stuffing of the peppers one day ahead, and then you’re ready to entertain like a pro. Scooping out most of the seeds before stuffing also makes them friendly for almost any crowd.

2. Brush each with alittle olive oil and griddle or grill until crisp on each side and

Iamall about stretching my food prep to encore in other dishes, so when it’ssweet potato roasting time, Idouble upand make quesadillas with the extras. Incorporating nutrient-rich sweet potatoes also checks my preferred box ofdelicious-nutritious, making partysnacks Iamproud to pass around. Coupling this sweetness with the tangycheddar, smoky salt and thegentle fire of fresh peppers is a winning combination Forthe quesadillas, whole grain corn tortillas add flavor and fiber and area

WatermelonFlight

filling is melty

3. Remove to acutting board and cut each half circle into three triangles. Serve hot

NOTE: These can also be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.

sturdier handheld than the flour tortilla counterpart. I spread the filling on half of theround, shower it with fresh sliced jalapeños and fold it over to makeasemicircle —atrick that keeps the filling inside. Brush theoutside witha little olive oil and grill or griddle them until crisped on both sidesand the cheese is melty.When the poppers are bubbling hot,I top them with acascade of thecrispest bacon, finely chopped so each pepper has agenerous coating. Spicy smiles are on the menuintailgate town.

Serves 6asanappetizer.RecipeisbySonoMotoyama, withsuggestions from @itsaflavorfullife and other TikTokinfluencers.Feel free to mix and match these ingredients,oradd someofyour own. Threecombo suggestions: cucumber, feta, mint andlime; berries, fetaorgoat cheese and lime;and Tajin, jalapeño and lime.

Asmall watermelon,cut into slabs or regular slices

Feta, burrata, goat cheese and/or Greek yogurt

Half an English cucumber,sliced thinly Berries of your choice, likeblueberries, strawberries or raspberries

FLIGHTS

Continued from page5C

summer fruit.

They’re perfect as an appetizer at acivilized barbecue or asnack at an afternoon cocktail party

Pinenuts Jalapeño slices Honey Mint

Basil

Tajin

Cinnamon Limes for squeezing

Balsamicglaze

Flaky salt,like fleur de sel

1. Arrange the watermelon piecesona tray or cutting board.

2. Garnish with your choice of ingredients. Considerstartingwith alayer of cheese,thenmoving on to fruit,nuts or jalapeño.

3. Sprinklewithherbsorspicesofyour choice.

4. Finish with asqueeze of limeora pinch of flakysea salt.

Watermelon offers agood backdropfor avariety of surprising ingredients because of its light sweetness and somewhat coarse texture. In addition, watermelon, made of 92% water,iscooling and hydrating. And it’s healthy —it’ssodium and fat-free, and a1-cup serving has only 46 calories. While some of the suggestions for pairings on TikTok weredubious—watermelon and mustard is ahard no —other savory ingredients were agood match. Many TikTok users tout eating watermelon with asimple sprinkle of salt, which, they claim, brings out the watermelon’s flavor This combo left me cold, as did adash of Tajin, the lime-chili spice mixture Watermelon plus cinnamon or cinnamon and honey however,isagood easy-tomake nosh for cinnamon lovers. After trying about 10 combos, though, my favorites were more complex

combination of flavors and textures. No. 1for me was watermelonwith afellow memberofthe Cucurbitaceae family:cucumber. Slices of cucumber topped with crumbles of feta, chopped mintand asqueeze of lime offered anice counterplay of textures and flavors thecrunchiness of thecucumber,the light saltiness of thefeta andthe spark from mintand lime

Another convincing partnershipmarried berries —Iused blueberries and chopped strawberries with feta and lime. The final suggestion I’ll include is not something I’d wantasaneveryday treat,

but it did provide ajolt of theunexpected: Tajin,jalapeño slices and limejuice.

You’re hit first witha blast of heat from thejalapeño, but then are instantly cooled by arush of liquid from thewatermelon.

“There’ssomething interesting here,”myhusband commented, “though I’m not sure Ilike it.”

He called it The Pyromaniac-Fireman, and compared it to “poison and the antidote.”

As for watermelon coated with peanut butter and jelly, Icouldn’tbring myself to tryit. There are some outrages that one should not be forced to countenance, no matter what TikTok says.

Dear Heloise: Howard Zeff, in Mission Viejo, California, gave very good information aboutcreating a detailed list of things that need to be done once we pass away.But he left out one very important thing that Ilearned when my sister passed: Idid not keep her cellphone active when Iwas responsible for her estate after she passed. When

By

Today is Thursday, Sept.18, the 261st day of 2025. There are 104 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Sept.18, 2020, SupremeCourt Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, atowering champion of women’s rightswho becamethe court’ssecond female justice, died at her homein Washington at age 87, of complications from pancreatic cancer

Also on this date: In 1793, President George Washington laid thecornerstone of the U.S. Capitol.

In 1850, Congress passed theFugitive Slave Act, which created aforce of federal commissioners charged with returning escaped slaves to their owners. The act was repealed in 1864 during the Ameri-

Icame homeacross the country from where she lived, Iused my cellphone to start contacting the utilities, banks, and other important numbers from the list. The first thing they do when you log in from an unknown device is send atext to the cellphone of the now deceased. Icreated so muchtrouble for myself by not using my sister’scellphone to make all those important calls. Please let your readers know.Thank you. —Beverly Coryell, in Longview,Washington Spare tire

Dear Heloise: On arecent cross-country road trip, we had a flat tire. After moving to asafe area to change the flat, Iproceeded to jack up the car and remove the

TODAYINHISTORY

can Civil War.

In 1851, the first edition of The New York Times waspublished.

In 1947, the National Security Act, which created aNational Military Establishment and the position of Secretary of Defense, went into effect.

In 1961, United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjoldwas killed in aplane crash in Northern Rhodesia(now Zambia).

In 1970, rock star Jimi Hendrix died in London at age 27.

In 1975, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was captured by the FBI in San Francisco, 19 months after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

In 2014, voters in Scotland rejected independence, opting to remain part of the UnitedKingdom in ahistoric referendum.

flat. Iinstalled the “doughnut” spare tire and found that it was flat as well! So, tell your readers to periodically check the air pressure in your spare so that this won’thappen to them.Thanks. —Larry P.,in Largo, Florida Valuable road trip hint

Dear Heloise: My husband and Ijust returned from a road trip. My helpful hint is to keep an extra set of car keys in my pant pocket during the trip. Should something happen to my husband’skeys, or if we are both at arest stop, whoever returns to the locked car first can get in. When we are traveling in our RV,mykey ring also has the RV keys. —JeanH., in Pleasant Prairie,Wisconsin Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Today’sbirthdays: Hockey Hall of Famecoach

Hints from Heloise

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

PHOTO By SONO MOTOyAMA

Watermelon flight

STAFF PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

The Associated Press

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Don't trust others to see your vision. Fine-tune what you're working on before sharing. Research will change your perspective regarding travel or educational pursuits.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Welcome new experiences, and you'll discover something about yourself thatwill change how youproceed. Explore possibilities, develop your ideas and utilize your intelligence to achieve your goals.

scoRPIo (oct.24-nov. 22) Use your energy wisely andrefrain from revealing your plans prematurely. Do thelegwork and see how you feel before making promises or claims that you may not wanttofulfill.

sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Venture out, be observant, share thoughtsand engage in something entertaining, novel or educational. Put your energy where it counts. How you express yourselfwill determinehow things unfold.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec.22-Jan. 19) Adose of realism will helpyou recognize what's best foryou. Expanding your knowledge learning something newand meeting people are encouraged, but be sure to validate whatever youdiscover.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb.19) Consider options, get your papers in order and discuss your plans with those who share common ground. Adomestic change thatlowers your overhead will help you adjust your routine to fityour budget

PIscEs (Feb.20-March 20) Get out, mingle, converse and activate your social skills. Dedicatetime andpatience to those

close to you, and incorporatethem into your plans. Invest moretimeintohow you look, feel and manage your money.

ARIEs (March 21-April19) It's time to get rid of what you no longer need and clear apath for abright future. Reflect on what brings you joy and thepath that leads to apeaceful mind.

TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Choose your course of action wisely. Your energy needs guidance to help you evolve. Look around you, evaluate your lifestyle and living space, and adjust only what'snecessary.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Sticktothe basics and go with what flows naturally, and you will makethe most of your day. Refuse to let others talk you into doing something questionable. Say no to temptation,indulgent behavior and overspending.

cAncER (June 21-July22) Avoid costly encounters that can jeopardizeyour chance to advance. Handle work relationships carefully. An honest and open approach will help you maintain thestatus quo.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) What you learn will help youchoose the most satisfying path. Educational pursuits, upgrading your qualificationsand networking with insightful individuals will prompt new beginnings.

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

CelebrityCipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.Eachletterinthe cipher stands foranother.

ToDAy'scLuE:n EQuALs V

For better or For WorSe

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

bIG nAte

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’sPuzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

George S. Kaufman, adramatist and journalist who died in 1961, said of “Between the Sheets” by Howard Dietz, “I understand your newplay is full of single entendres.” Ouch! Yesterday Irecommendednot using many bidding conventions. Inexperienced pairsexpend so much energy trying to remember them that they are exhaustedbythe time thecardplay begins

However,thereisone convention that isveryuseful: the splinter bid. An unnecessary jump shows good support forpartner’s suit,atleast game-forcing values,and asingle card(or void) in the suit just named. (A singleton is seven times more likely than avoid.) It helps partner evaluate the fit In this deal, North’s four-club rebid promised four-card heart support, a strong hand and asingleton (or void) in clubs. South, whose honors were all working, used Roman Key CardBlackwood to learn that his partner hadone aceandtheheartking-queen(ortwoaces and the heart queen). After Westfinds the bestlead, the diamond eight,against sixhearts, how should South play?

Declarer has 11 top tricks: four spades, four hearts and three diamonds. Aruff in one hand or the otherwill be the 12th trick. South wins with his diamond ace

(the honorfromthe shorterside first) and drawstwo rounds of trumps —but mustbecarefultouse dummy’s honors. Whenthe 4-1 split is revealed, declarer cashes dummy’s diamond king, ruffs adiamond with his heartace, plays a trumptodummy’s nine, draws the last trump, andclaims.

©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By AndrewsMcMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOONGOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

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

ToDAy’s WoRD sLIPsHoD: SLIP-shod: Shabby.

Average mark 15 words

Time limit 30 minutes

yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —GunsTocK

Can you find 24 or more words in SLIPSHOD? gout gunk

and beware of

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

BUSINESS

BRIEFS

Amazon spends $1 billion to increase pay

NEW YORK Amazon says it’s making a $1 billion investment to raise wages and lower the cost of health care plans for its U.S. fulfillment and transportation workers.

The Seattle-based company said Wednesday the average pay is increasing to more than $23 per hour and said that some of its most tenured employees will see an increase between $1.10 and $1.90 per hour Full-time employees, on average, will see their pay increase by $1,600 per year Amazon also said it was lowering the cost of its entry health care plan to $5 per week and $5 for co-pays, starting next year Amazon said that will reduce weekly contributions by 34% and co-pays by 87% for primary care, mental health and most non-specialist visits for employees using the basic plan. Amazon has a global workforce of 1.5 million workers.

Last December, seven Amazon facilities went on strike, an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the e-commerce company for a labor agreement during a key shopping period.

Ticketing StubHub slips on the stage

NEWYORK StubHub received a lackluster reception on Wall Street Wednesday The ticket marketplace’s stock fell 6.4% from its initial public offering price of $23.50 per share on its first day of trading. The company’s shares are trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “STUB.”

StubHub offered just over 34 million shares and raised approximately $800 million. At the closing price, the company has a market valuation of about $8.1 billion.

StubHub plans to use proceeds from the sale to pay down debt and for general corporate purposes.

The company, which is based in New York, was cofounded in 2000 by current CEO Eric Baker He will remain CEO and maintain control of the company

StubHub has come under criticism along with the broader ticketing industry over hidden fees and inflated ticket prices.

Broadway opposition brings curtain down

NEW YORK A proposed Caesars Palace casino in Times Square that’s backed by JayZ lost its bid for a gambling license Wednesday after running into fierce opposition from Broadway theater owners and producers who were worried about its potential impact on the theater district

A state-commissioned community advisory committee brought the curtain down on the $5.4 billion plan to redevelop an office tower into a Caesars-branded hotel, gambling and entertainment complex, rejecting it in a vote that occurred after public hearings in which actors, stagehands, restaurant owners and neighborhood residents lined up to oppose the project.

Local board approval was required for the proposal to be considered by the state Gaming Commission, which plans to award up to three licenses for New York Cityarea casinos in December

The Times Square casino developers, which included Jay-Z’s ’s Roc Nation company proposed renovating an office tower at 1515 Broadway that currently houses the Minskoff Theatre, which is home of the long-running “The Lion King” musical.

Two other casinos had been proposed for Manhattan: one on its West Side and another on its East Side near the headquarters of the United Nations.

La. faces decline in public companies

Expert warns of housing market vulnerabilities

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

Louisiana is losing public companies, and locals may pay the price.

Tulane finance professor Peter Ricchiuti said there is a shrinking number of public companies in the state, and those that are taken over by outside businesses tend not to support the local community That doesn’t reflect well on the state as a result, he said in a speech to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge on Wednesday Health care company Amedisys, formerly one of the largest public companies in the Capital Region

behind Lamar Advertising, was acquired by UnitedHealth Group last month Baton Rouge-based H&E Equipment Services was acquired in June by Herc Rentals. Both companies will maintain a local presence under the new ownership.

“If you have a good idea, Microsoft or Google just buys you before you go anywhere, or just private equity comes in and buys it out,” he said in an interview

To turn the tide against company departures from Louisiana, he said the state can invest in early childhood education to bolster the workforce and attract businesses.

Ricchiuti provided a snapshot of the stock market and economic issues facing the nation and state in his address. He tracks regional

stocks in Tulane’s Burkenroad reports. The “Big Eight” tech stocks, which include Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, comprise about 40% of the stock index, he said, but opportunity lies in companies with a smaller market cap due to their fast growth and long-term returns.

“Management often owns a lot of stock,” he said. “I want them in the same boat as me.”

But with companies buying out other businesses, an upside is that competitors now have more money and are after fewer stocks. It’s brought the stock market up, and share buybacks, when companies invest their profits back into their stock, have also moved the needle, he said.

“That’s sort of the whole sport right there,” he said.

Ricchiuti heeded caution against uninsured homes, which he said is the next financial disaster. About 7.5% of houses are uninsured, he said, the number driven by high insurance costs and climate change brewing severe storms that make homes more vulnerable.

He also cautioned against stagflation, when economic growth slows down while inflation and unemployment rise. He said the United States may be perpetuating the problem with tariffs and compounding it with the loss of undocumented and foreign workers. Labor shortages, regardless of immigration status, are persistent in nursing homes and retirement centers, he said.

“We’ll be pushing each other’s wheelchairs,” Ricchiuti said.

Jerry quits Ben & Jerry’s ice cream

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the ice cream brand after 47 years

BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the ice cream brand after 47 years, saying that the independence it once had to speak up on social issues has been stifled by parent company Unilever

In a letter that co-founder Ben Cohen posted on social media platform X on Greenfield’s behalf, Greenfield said that he felt the independence the brand had to speak on social issues and events was lost to Unilever

“For more than 20 years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry’s stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice and human rights, not as abstract concepts, but in relation to real events happening in our world,” he wrote “That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement Ben and I negotiated with Unilever, one that enshrined our social mission and values in the company’s governance structure in perpetuity. It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone.”

Greenfield said that the loss of independence was coming “at a time when our country’s current administration is attacking

civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women and the LGBTQ community.”

“Standing up for the values of justice, equity and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power,” he said “It’s easy to stand up and speak out when there’s nothing at risk. The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose.”

Unilever, based in London, is spinning off its ice cream business including Ben & Jerry’s into a stand-alone company called The Magnum Ice Cream Company Greenfield and Cohen have been pushing for Ben & Jerry’s to be allowed to become an independently owned company again, saying in a letter to Magnum’s board that they don’t believe the brand should be part of a corporation that doesn’t support its founding mission.

A spokesperson for Magnum said in a statement on Wednesday that it would be forever grateful to Greenfield for his contributions to Ben & Jerry’s and thanked him for his service, but was not aligned with his viewpoint.

Magnum said that it is still committed to Ben & Jerry’s mission and remains “focused on carrying forward the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream of this iconic, muchloved brand.”

Ben & Jerry’s has been at odds with Unilever for a while. In March Ben & Jerry’s said that its CEO was unlawfully removed by Unilever in retaliation for the ice cream maker’s social and political activism

In a federal court filing, Ben & Jerry’s said

that Unilever informed its board on March 3 that it was removing and replacing Ben & Jerry’s CEO David Stever Ben & Jerry’s said that violated its merger agreement with Unilever, which states that any decisions regarding a CEO’s removal must come after a consultation with an advisory committee from Ben & Jerry’s board.

Unilever said in a statement at the time that it hoped Ben & Jerry’s board would engage in the agreed-upon process.

Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 for $326 million. At the time, Ben & Jerry’s said the partnership would help the progressive Vermont-based ice cream company expand its social mission.

But lately the marriage hasn’t been a happy one. In 2021, Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop serving Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem. The following year, Unilever sold its Israeli business to a local company that said it would sell Ben & Jerry’s under its Hebrew and Arabic name throughout Israel and the West Bank. In November Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever in federal court in New York, accusing it of silencing Ben & Jerry’s statements in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war In its complaint, Ben & Jerry’s said Unilever also refused to let the company release a social media post that identified issues it believed would be challenged during President Donald Trump’s second term, including minimum wages, universal health care, abortion and climate change.

BY ROXANA POPESCU The San Diego Union-Tribune (TNS)

Halloween merchandise hit some stores before the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving items were in stores already in August

Given that it’s mid-September, retailers are rolling out products for the next winter big holiday: Christmas. On Tuesday, Target launched a four-pronged approach to its holiday shopping experience

Prong one: new items. Target is debuting more than 20,000 new items for holiday shoppers, many priced at $5 and most priced under $20. In a news release, the chain announced that is selling twice as

many holiday items as last year and more than half of those are Target exclusives

Among the items for sale this year, the store highlighted popculture collaborations (“Stranger Things,” “Wicked: For Good”), as well as fashion, beauty gifts, Wondershop brand holiday decor and hundreds of exclusive toys. Prong two: discounts. From Oct. 5 to 11, the store will have its “Target Circle Week” sale, and then it will kick off a series of weekly sales with prices discounted by up to half, starting Nov 1. Its “Circle Week” sales are for the store’s membership program, which is free to join. Look for discounts on “everyday essentials, fall style

picks and holiday gifts,” a news release said. To see what’s on sale, head to its deals page: target.com/c/ deals/-/N-atb3q. One note: Target’s Circle Week overlaps with

and

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By STEVEN SENNE

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen, left, and fellow co-founder Jerry Greenfield, center scoop ice cream before a campaign event for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., not shown, in 2019 in Raymond N.H.

Ricchiuti