The Acadiana Advocate 09-28-2025

WORKING OVERTIME

University of Louisiana atLafayettequarterback Daniel Beale lookstopass theball against Marshall during their Sun Belt Conference game on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in Lafayette. The Cajuns trailed 34-17 midway through the third quarter,but they were farfromdone. Behind backup quarterback Lunch Winfield, theCajunsscoredthe next 17 points. After Marshall went ahead with atouchdown, Winfield directedanotherdrive thatcovered 75 yards in 45 seconds to senditto overtime at 41-41. UL scored atouchdown in thesecond overtimetowin

‘I have greattrust in God’

JamesChecchio, namednextarchbishopofNew Orleans, brings broadexperiencetoleadthe archdioceseintoits next era

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL |Staff writer

The bishop from New Jersey beganhis first day in New Orleans —the day he would be introduced as the city’sarchbishop in waiting —with an early morning stroll to church.

Just afew blocksfrom the Archdiocese of New Orleans headquarters on WalmsleyAvenue, the Rev.Patrick Carr was holding his 7a.m. Wednesday Mass at St. Rita Catholic Church

The Most Rev.James Checchio, who had arrived in the city only the day before from Metuchen, New Jersey,poked his head in.

“I was so pleasedtosee so many people,” said Checchio. “Different ages and diverse backgrounds, people dressed in suits going to work,young people.”

Canadian boycotts hurting Louisiana tourism

BY JOANNA BROWN |Staff writer

Every year,well over 100,000 Canadians cross the border on their way down to Louisiana to visit,eat, danceand enjoythis outpost of Francophone culture in the United States. Many of them come from the MaritimeProvincesofNew Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where Cajun families trace their ancestry.Thisfall,Ray Trahan was expecting busloads of Maritime tourists to arrive for Le Grand Réveil Acadien, or Great Acadian Awakening, which takes place every five years and provides aweeklong deep dive intoAcadianhistory, culture, food, music and art. The free event, happening Oct. 11-18 in locations around Acadiana, has the feel of afamily reunion. Reunions forvarious Landrys, Breauxs, Heberts, Guidrys and other Cajun families are planned forthat week, which is happening concurrently with Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in Lafayette from Oct. 10-12. Cajuns andAcadians fordecades have gathered to experience and celebrate their shared culture, and theseeventsare speciallydesigned to highlight those connections. But this year,U.S.tariffpoliciesand President Donald Trump’srhetoric —early this year,Trumpsuggested that Canada should become the 51st state —have led to achange of plans forsome Canadian travelers. Anumber of Canadians appear to be boycotting

BY MARK BALLARD |Staff writer

WASHINGTON— Amere decade ago, as an LSU lawstudent, J. BenjaminAguiñagapaced the parking lots around TigerStadium, going over legal arguments in his head.

“At somepoint between those evening walks and my own moot court adventures, Ideveloped a love for brief writing and oral advocacy.So, Iset outtotry to build astrong résuméfor an appellate career,” Aguiñagatold TheTexas Lawbook,alaw firm publication, in 2022. He graduatedfromthe Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU in 2015. He quickly assembled aresume of clerkships with nationally prominent federaljudges, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. Then, in January 2024, Louisiana Attorney GeneralLiz Murrill named him the state’ssolicitor general. Now, at 35 years old, Aguiñaga is at the center

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Aguiñaga

Trahan

ä See LAWYER, page 8A

ä See TOURISM, page 8A

STAFF PHOTO By CHRISGRANGER

The Most Rev. James F. Checchio, left, thanks Archbishop of NewOrleans GregoryAymond duringChecchio’sintroduction as the next archbishop on Wednesday ä See CHECCHIO, page 4A

Stampede at political rally in India kills 36 NEW DELHI A stampede at a rally for a popular Indian actor and politician in the southern state of Tamil Nadu killed at least 36 people and injured 40 others, the state’s health minister said late Saturday

Ma Subramanian told The Associated Press that the victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital and that the injured were stable. The dead included eight children, Subramanian said.

The rally, which officials say was attended by tens of thousands of people, was being addressed by Vijay, one of Tamil Nadu’s most successful actorsturned-politician in the district of Karur Indian media reports, quoting local officials, said as Vijay spoke to the surging crowd, a group of his supporters and fans fell while trying to get close to his bus, causing the stampede. Supporters had gathered at the political rally amid intensely hot temperatures and Vijay arrived hours late, officials said.

“There was indiscipline” at the rally, Subramanian said, adding that an investigation had been ordered.

Quoting officials, the Press Trust of India news agency reported that at least 30 people fainted while Vijay was addressing the rally from atop his campaign vehicle and were rushed in ambulances to area hospitals. He halted his speech midway when workers raised alarm after noticing that people were fainting and falling, it said, adding that as they were removed to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech.

However, he ended his speech shortly after sensing an abnormal situation in a section of the huge gathering, the news agency said.

Officials: 4 dead after flooding in Arizona

GLOBE, Ariz. — Four people have died after heavy rain caused flooding in Arizona, sending some people in a rural community to their rooftops for safety officials said Saturday

Three people died after rain inundated Globe, a city of about 7,250 people about 88 miles east of Phoenix, Carl Melford, emergency manager in Gila County, said. Two people were found in a vehicle and another in the floodwaters, he said. They were not immediately identified by authorities.

Another person was found dead Saturday morning near a vehicle caught in floodwaters in suburban Phoenix the night before. The vehicle appeared to be empty after it was spotted partially submerged in about 8 feet of fast-moving water on Friday evening in a greenbelt park area, the Scottsdale Fire Department said. After the water dropped a bit overnight, crews found the body of a person pinned underneath a walkway bridge, the department said.

Sheriffs’ officials are looking into reports of people who may be missing, Melford said, but could not specify a number

Thieves steal $1 million worth of craft whiskey

Thieves who made off with 12,000 bottles of craft whiskey in a rare U.S liquor heist this summer did more than just snag nearly $1 million worth of product — they also spirited away nearly half the stock of a single malt distillers had worked for more than a decade to make.

Now the Skagit Valley Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and whiskey aficionados are wondering if — and where — the coveted bottles of Westland Distillery’s first 10-year Garryana whiskey might turn up. The bottles disappeared July 31, when someone in a freight truck showed up at Westland Distillery’s warehouse in Burlington, Washington, holding the paperwork that purportedly gave them the right to pick up a shipment of Westland single malt, Watchpost blended, and Garryana whiskies bound for New Jersey

But the bottles never arrived at their intended destination, and the “sophisticated, fraudulent carrier scheme” was discovered a week later, said Jason Moore, the managing director of the Seattle-based distillery

A

Trump says he’ll send troops to Portland

BY CLAIRE RUSH and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — President Donald Trump

said Saturday that he will send troops to Portland, “authorizing Full Force, if necessary” to handle “domestic terrorists” as he expands his deployments to more American cities.

He made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defense to “provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland.” Trump said the decision was necessary to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he alleged is “under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for details on Trump’s announcement, such as a timeline for the deployment or what troops would be involved.

Portland’s mayor, Democrat Keith Wilson, said there was no need for troops in his city “Our nation has a long memory of acts of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it,” he said.

Early Saturday, there was no sign of any federal presence in the city’s downtown, where people jogged along the Willamette River, relaxed by a riverside fountain or rode bikes on a sunny fall day

“Where’s the emergency?” asked resident Allen Schmertzler, 72, who said he was “disgusted” by the president’s decision.

Another resident, John McNeur, 74, called Trump’s statement “ridiculous.”

He pointed out that he was taking “a leisurely stroll” along the river on a peaceful, sunny day

“This place is not a city that’s out of control,” he said. “It’s just a beautiful place.”

Trump previously threatened to send the National Guard into Chicago but has yet to follow through. A deployment in Memphis, Tennessee, is expected soon and will include only about 150 troops, far fewer than were sent to the District of Columbia for Trump’s crackdown on crime or in Los Angeles in response to immigra-

tion protests that turned violent with the troops’ arrival. Trump also sent Marines to Los Angeles.

In Memphis, about 80 to 100 people marched to a plaza in front of City Hall to protest the expected arrival next week of the guard and more than a dozen federal law enforcement agencies, ranging from immigration to drug enforcement Protesters held signs with messages such as “Resources Not Task Forces” and “Memphis don’t need no occupation, Memphis don’t need no government control” — a play on the Pink Floyd song “Another Brick in the Wall.”

Speakers at a news conference beforehand said that instead of federal troops and law enforcement agents, the city needs more funding for education, crime prevention, youth services and hospitals.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Department of Defense would provide information and updates when available.

“We stand ready to mobilize U.S. military personnel in support of DHS operations in Portland at the President’s direction,” Parnell said.

But Gov Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said there is “no national security threat” in Portland.

“Our communities are safe and calm,” Kotek said.

A spokesperson for the Oregon National Guard, Lt Col. Stephen Bomar, said in an email that “no official requests have been received at this time” for Guard support. “Any requests would need to be coordinated through the Governor’s office,” he added.

Oregon’s congressional delegation, with the exception of GOP Rep. Cliff Bentz, demanded that the Trump administration keep federal agents and troops out of Portland.

“This unilateral action represents an abuse of executive authority, seeks to incite violence, and undermines the constitutional balance of power between the federal government and states,” the Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Trump asks justices to uphold birthright citizenship order

President wants Supreme Court to allow his restrictions

BY MARK SHERMAN and LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump‘s administration is asking the Supreme Court to uphold his birthright citizenship order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

The appeal, shared with The Associated Press on Saturday, sets in motion a process at the high court that could lead to a definitive ruling from the justices by early summer on whether the citizenship restrictions are constitutional.

Lower-court judges have so far blocked them from taking effect anywhere. The Republican administration is not asking the court to let the restrictions take effect before it rules.

The Justice Department’s petition has been shared with lawyers for parties challenging the order, but is not yet docketed at the Supreme Court.

Any decision on whether to take up the case probably is months away and arguments probably would not take place until the late winter or early spring.

“The lower court’s decisions invalidated a policy of prime importance to the president and his administration in a manner that undermines our border security,” Solicitor General D John Sauer wrote. “Those decisions confer, without lawful justification, the privilege of American citizenship on hundreds of thousands of unqualified people.”

Cody Wofsy, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who represents children who would be affected by Trump’s restrictions, said the administration’s plan is plainly unconstitutional.

“This executive order is illegal, full stop, and no amount of maneuvering from the administration is going to change that. We will continue to ensure that no baby’s citizenship is ever stripped away by this cruel and senseless order,” Wofsy said in an email.

Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term in the White House that would upend more than 125 years of understanding that the Constitution’s 14th Amendment confers citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.

In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as unconstitutional, or likely so, even after a Supreme Court ruling in late June that limited judges’ use of nationwide injunctions

Airstrikes and gunfire kill at least 59 in Gaza

Pressure grows for ceasefire, hostage deal

BY WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip

Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 59 people across Gaza, health officials said Saturday, as international pressure grows for a ceasefire and hostage return deal while Israel’s leader remained defiant about continuing the war

Among the dead were those hit by two strikes in the Nuseirat refugee camp — nine from the same family in a house and, later, 15 in the same camp, including women and children, according to staff at al-Awda Hospital, where the bodies were brought. Five others were killed when a strike hit a tent for the displaced, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the dead.

Israel’s army said it was not aware of anyone being killed by gunfire Saturday in southern Gaza, nor of a strike in the Nuseirat area during the time and at the location provided by the hospital.

The director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City told The Associated Press that medical teams there were concerned about Israeli “tanks approaching the vicinity of the hospital,” restricting access to the facility where 159 patients are being treated.

“The bombardment has not stopped for a single moment,” Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya said.

He added that 14 premature babies were treated in incubators in Helou Hospital, though the head of neonatal intensive care there, Dr Nasser Bulbul, has said that facility’s main gate was closed because of drones flying over the building.

The attacks came after a defiant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

told fellow world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Friday that his nation “must finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza. Forty-eight hostages are still held captive there, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive.

Netanyahu’s words began after dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the U.N. General Assembly hall en masse Friday morning as he began speaking.

“You were like the last of the lepers. Netanyahu, we promise you that if you don’t bring a comprehensive agreement and end the war you will forever be a leper,” said Itzik Horn, the father of Eitan Horn, one of the hostages held in Gaza since the Hamas attack that started the war He was referencing the U.N. speech and Israel’s isolation.

“My son Eitan sleeps sick and starving on the floor of a tunnel in Gaza or, worse, is used as a human shield against IDF fighters What will you save him with?” Horn added Saturday evening.

International pressure on Israel to end the war is increasing, with a growing list of countries deciding recently to recognize Palestinian statehood which Israel rejects.

Countries have been lobbying President Donald Trump to press Israel for a ceasefire. Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet Monday At a weekly protest in Tel Aviv Saturday night, a hostage who had been held in Gaza for 471 days begged Trump to give the remaining captives the same chance to return home.

“Mr President, as you meet Prime Minister Netanyahu, please make the hostages your top priority,” Doron Steinbrecher, 32, said. “Families remain torn apart, their loved ones trapped in darkness, some waiting for a chance to return to life and freedom, others waiting to be buried with dignity.”

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GILLIAN FLACCUS

person stands Saturday outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Ore. Trump said Saturday that he will send troops to the city OREGON

Russia: Aggression will be met with ‘decisive response’

Russian foreign minister speaks at U.N. meeting

BY JENNIFER PELTZ and EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS As new tensions rise between Russia and NATO powers, Moscow’s top diplomat insisted to world leaders Saturday that his nation doesn’t intend to attack Europe but will mount a “decisive response” to any aggression.

ASSOCIATED

Russia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday at U.N. headquarters.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at the U.N. General Assembly after weeks in which unauthorized flights into NATO’s airspace — intrusions the alliance blames on Russia — have raised alarm around Europe particularly after NATO jets downed drones over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets flew into its territory and lingered for 12 minutes. Russia has denied that its planes entered Estonian airspace and has said the drones didn’t target Poland, with Moscow’s ally Belarus maintaining that Ukrainian signal-jamming sent the devices off course But European leaders see the incidents as intentional, provocative moves meant to rattle NATO and to suss how the alliance will respond. The

U.S. revokes visa for Colombia’s president

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Tensions between the United States and Colombia have escalated with the State Department announcing it was revoking a visa for Gustavo Petro, president of the Latin American country, after he participated in a New York protest where he called on American soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders.

The department said on social media that “we will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions.”

Petro was visiting for the annual U.N. General Assembly During a nearby protest Friday over the war in Gaza, he said “I ask all the soldiers of the United States’ army, don’t point your rifles against humanity” and “disobey the orders of Trump.”

Petro returned to Colombia on Saturday as intended, in accordance with a Sept. 18 decree on the delegation of powers during his absence.

He said on X that he found out about his visa status upon his arrival.

The State Department did not answer questions about whether the revocation would affect future visits.

Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, used a post on X addressed to Trump to

say that “international law grants me immunity to go to the U.N. and that there should be no reprisals for my free opinion, because I am a free person.”

Petro, who has a history of speaking off the cuff in meandering, ideologically charged speeches, also said on social media that “I don’t care” about the punishment because he is also a European citizen. That means he does not need a visa to travel to the U.S Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel last year over the Israel-Hamas war Petro has repeatedly described Israel’s siege of Gaza as genocide. Colombia has long been a top U.S. ally in Latin America, cooperating closely on the fight against drug trafficking. But there have been repeated clashes between Petro, a former rebel group member, and Trump’s Republican administration

In his General Assembly speech Tuesday, Petro called for a criminal investigation of Trump and other officials involved in this month’s deadly strikes on boats in the Caribbean that the White House has said were transporting drugs. The White House has offered scant information about how the operations came together or the legal authorities under which they were carried out.

Sources: FBI fires agents

photographed kneeling during 2020 protest

BY ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, three people familiar with the matter said Friday

The bureau last spring had reassigned the agents but has since fired them, said the people, who insisted on anonymity to discuss personnel matters with The Associated Press.

The number of FBI employees terminated was not immediately clear, but two people said it was roughly 20.

The photographs at issue showed a group of agents taking the knee during one of the demonstrations following the May 2020 killing of Floyd, a death that led to a national reckoning over policing and racial injustice and sparked widespread anger after millions of people saw video of the arrest. The kneeling had angered some in the FBI but was also understood as a possible de-escalation tactic during a period of protests.

The FBI Agents Associa-

tion confirmed in a statement late Friday that more than a dozen agents had been fired, including military veterans with additional statutory protections, and condemned the move as unlawful. It called on Congress to investigate and said the firings were another indication of FBI Director Kash Patel’s disregard for the legal rights of bureau employees.

“As Director Patel has repeatedly stated, nobody is above the law,” the agents association said. “But rather than providing these agents with fair treatment and due process, Patel chose to again violate the law by ignoring these agents’ constitutional and legal rights instead of following the requisite process.”

An FBI spokesman declined to comment Friday. The firings come amid a broader personnel purge at the bureau as Patel works to reshape the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency

Five agents and top-level executives were known to have been summarily fired last month in a wave of ousters that current and former officials say has contributed to declining morale

“However any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU.”

Lavrov spoke three years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a war that the international community has broadly deplored.

standing” and that Trump’s administration “is listening to us.” Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska in early August but left without a deal to end the war

alliance warned Russia this week that NATO would use all means to defend against any further breaches of its airspace.

At the U.N., Lavrov maintained it’s Russia that’s facing threats.

“Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions” of attacking European or NATO countries, he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said this week that he believed Ukraine can win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. It was a notable tone shift from a U.S. leader who had previously suggested Ukraine would need to make some concessions and could never reclaim all the areas Russia has occupied since seizing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and launching a full-scale invasion in 2022.

Just three weeks earlier Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country and the U.S. had a “mutual under-

Sounding a notably open note from a country that has often lambasted the West, Lavrov noted the summit and said Russia had “some hopes” to keep talking with the United States.

“In the approaches of the current U.S. administration, we see a desire not only to contribute to ways to realistically resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but also a desire to develop pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance,” the diplomat said, portraying the powers as counterparts of sorts: “Russia and the U.S. bear a special responsibility for the state of affairs in the world, and for avoiding risks that could plunge humanity into a new war.”

To be sure, Lavrov still had sharp words for NATO, an alliance that includes the U.S., and for the West in general and the European Union. Trump’s new view of Ukraine’s prospects came after he met with its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the sidelines of General Assembly on Tuesday seven months after a televised blowup between the two in the Oval Office. This time, the doors were closed, and the tenor was evidently different — “a good meeting,” as Zelenskyy described it in his assembly speech the next day

For the fourth year in a row, Zelenskyy appealed to the gathering of presidents, prime ministers and other top officials to get Russia out of his country — and warned that inaction would put other countries at risk.

“Ukraine is only the first,” he said.

PRESS PHOTO By PAMELA SMITH

It was Checchio’sfirst stop during awhirlwind visit to his new home. By the end of the day,hehad beenintroduced to New Orleans as thenewly namedcoadjutor archbishop in aceremonyat Notre Dame Seminary.He had toured St. Catherineof Siena in Metairie and posed for apicture with hundreds of smiling schoolchildren. He had walked the halls of St. Augustine High School. He met with asurvivor of clergy sexualabuse, held aprayer service for area priests, and then, at day’s end, stopped into Ye Olde College Inn for dinner

Those who know Checchio, 59, the New Jersey native named by Pope Leo XIV to succeed Archbishop Gregory Aymondwhen he retires in the coming months, say that kind of hands-on, highenergy approach is what New Orleans’ Roman Catholics can expect from their new leader “You will seehim everywhere,” saidJustinFleetwood,president of Holy Cross School in Gentilly, who spent several years at aschool in the Diocese of Metuchen,where Checchio has spent the past decade as bishop. “He didevery graduation, he prided himself on gettingtoknow all the priests, deacons and other brothers and nuns.”

In his new position, Checchio will need that energy He takes over alocal church that has been beset by thelong-runningclergy abuse crisis. There’s the bankruptcy case that scandal spawned, which is expected to cost the church more than $200 million and that Aymond hopes to resolve before handing over the reins. There are aging parishes with century-old churches and dwindling funds for upkeep, aneeded renovation of St. Louis Cathedral, and the public and civic duties along with the religiousones —required of an archbishop in acity like New Orleans, where religion remains ingrained in the culture. There are also, of course, some parishesthat are growing, thousands of Catholic schoolchildren to educate and holidaysand feast days to celebrate across thenation’ssecond-oldest diocese, with its 500,000 faithful and 104 parishes.

In an interview Wednesday,Checchio was remarkably candid about the task ahead of him, and how difficult it has been to process the sudden turn his vocation has taken. He learned of his appointment less than two weeks ago.

“My first thought was of what I’d be leaving, everything Ilove,” he said. “So was Ihappy? No.”

“But Iampleased to come,” he added. “AndI know it is going to be fine. Something newistough. But Ihave great trustin God. And the people here are wonderful.”

An experiencedleader

Afirm date hasn’tbeen set for when Checchio will take

over from Aymond, who was born and raisedinNew Orleans before returningtothe city as its archbishop.

Likemost of the New Orleans archbishops from the past century, whowerenot from NewOrleans,Checchio will bring an outsider’s perspective to thejob He’ll alsobring extensive academic and professional credentials. He has an MBA from LaSalle University and adoctorate in canon law from St. ThomasAquinas University in Rome.He spent adecade running the Pontifical North American College in Rome, aprestigious seminary,and served as the bishop of Metuchen, aprosperous bedroom community 30 miles south of NewYork City,for thepast nine years. Those who know himsay hisexperience willserve him well. He is askilled administrator and masterful fundraiser,saidthe Rev.Patrick Broussard, chaplain at theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette, who was astudent at theNorth American College in Rome whenChecchio was rector “He is also humble, likable andpersonable,” Broussard

said. “He sort of has it all.”

He’s an early riser and triestowalkthree miles every morning. In his spare time, he likes to read and watch sports on TV.InNew Jersey,hewould unwind on visits to the Jersey Shore with his family In hisremarkslastweek, Checchio made football jokes, referring to histime several years ago as chaplain of thePhiladelphia Eagles and holding up a Saintsfootball signed by the team that wasgiven to him by Gayle Benson. He also vowed to work to grow the local church and asked for theprayers of his new community.

“I pledge to you, the church of New Orleans, my love andmydaily prayers as we labortogether to build up this historical portion of the people of God,” he said.

‘I grew to love it’

James F. Checchio III was born in Camden, New Jersey,in1966 andgrew up in anearby suburbwith two older sisters and ayounger brother. He went to theparish grammar school,where his mom volunteered in the cafeteria. Hisdad wasa

People gather to talk with the next archbishop of NewOrleans, James F. Checchio, middle right, followinghis introduction at Notre Dame Seminaryon Carrollton Avenue on Wednesday.

stockbroker who helped out with the parish Men’sClub. “Anything they were doing at the parish hall, get-

ting thetablesout,setting the chairs up, we’dbeonthe cleanup crew,you know,us kids,” Checchio said in the interview last week. “Itwas just part of, part of whatyou did, you know?” Checchio was agood student at Paul VI High School, the private, coed high school he attended in nearby Haddonfield. He discernedhis vocationincollege,while a student at the University of Scranton, and said his parents were supportive.His mom’ssisterwas acloistered nun in upstate New York and he had acousin in the priesthood. He was ordainedin1992 andspent severalyears studying in Rome, returning to hishometownDioceseof Camden to work as apar-

ish priest and, later,administrator.Inthe early 2000s, he was again sent to Rome and, after just two years, was promoted to the prestigiousposition of rector of the North American College. He loved it, he says, but was grateful in 2016 when Pope Francis granted his request to return home. He thought he’d be going back to Camden, near his mother, now 88, and siblings, and had anice sabbatical all planned out. Instead, he was appointed to be the new Bishop of Metuchen, about 75 miles away “I grew to love it,” he said. “After so many yearsin Rome, my mom feltlike I

The Most Rev. James F. Checchio gives athumbs-upwhen asked if he’dbewilling to becomeaNew Orleans Saints fan during

archbishop of NewOrleans on Wednesday.

wasinher backyard. I’d be able to go home on Sundays for dinner and drive back in the next morning.”

Then, on Sept. 17,Checchio got acall. He was being reassigned and would be leaving New Jersey to become the new archbishop in New Orleans. He said he wasstunned and does not know how he was chosen for the position.

Confrontingclergyabuse

Checchio will assume his new role as coadjutorarchbishop in mid-November.It’s aposition, not uncommon in the church, thatwill place himalongsideAymond, serving for an undetermined transitional periodas he learns the ropes

Aymond reachedthe mandatory retirement age of 75 last November, but asked then-Pope Francis to allow him to stay on until the bankruptcy is resolved. With the case now winding down, Aymond said last week he will be tying up those many loose ends whileChecchio performs more of the publicfacing and pastoral duties in the parish.

Though he will be focused on the future of the archdiocese, Checchio acknowledged that the painful legacy of the clergy abuse crisis is somethingthat will be ever-present. Ageneration younger than Aymond, Checchio came of age in a church where clergy sex abuse was more openly discussed and dealt with than in decades past.

During his years in Metuchen,heremoved several priests from ministry after allegations of abuse surfaced, according to media reports. And he apologized to survivors and their families for the cover-up of one of the most notorious abusers in his area, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the first bishop of Metuchen in the early 1980s. Checchio declined to discuss his conversation last week with alocal abuse survivor but said the brief meeting was “moving, very moving.”

Of the crisis more generally,hesaid, “It is ahorrible part of our history and one that needs attention and work.”

Focusonthe schools

Checchio grew up in the post-Vatican II church, which was moving away from old traditions like the LatinMass and was focused more on social justice and ecumenism. By thetimehe was acollege student in the mid-1980s, Pope John Paul II was reviving more conservative expressions of the faith that some felt had been lost in the 1960s and 1970s.

Checchio said elements of both approaches are present in his ministry and understanding of his faith. The motto he chose upon his ordination, which is customary for Roman Catholic bishops, is “Reconciliamini Deo,” a Latin phrase that means “Be reconciled with God,” which comes from apassageinthe New Testament in which St. Paul is writingtothe Christians in Corinth Studying, then working, in Rome, he knew wellboth Pope Benedict, adoctrinaire conservative, and Pope Francis, who stressed ecology and care for migrants and the poor. He admired both, he said,aswell as JohnPaul II and, now,PopeLeo XIV “John Paul was apastor to the world. Francis had such humanness. Benedict was so thoughtful,” he said. “I try to

take something from allof them ” His focusinthe shortterm will be growing and strengthening thelocal church. He believesCatholic schools play an important rolein that work and wasthrilledto learn that the Archdiocese of New Orleanshas more than 65 Catholic elementary and high schools

“The schoolswevisited were so impressive,” he said.

“Andthe kids, well, young people are justsowonderful. Being with them is so uplifting.”

In Metuchen,hewas very involved in the Catholic schools andworkedhard to keepthem financially viable, accordingtoretiredCatholic Schools Superintendent Ellen Ayoub, who worked with him for several years.

“From the minute he arrived,weknew he wouldbe someone interested in the

people andinbeing with the people of God,” she said.

Ayoubalso watched him navigate the painful process of closing an older school thatwas struggling under decliningenrollment and financial pressures.

“Certainly some people were not happy,” shesaid.

“But he really cared and tried. He would visit two parishes every week. The people of this diocese really love him.”

Checchio said he is hopeful he will developthatkind of bond with thepeople of New Orleans

“This archdiocesedoes immeasurably good for the world. Iknowit,”hesaid.

“I’manxious to see all the beautiful things we aredoing.”

Email StephanieRiegel at stephanie.riegel@ theadvocate.com.

FOUNDED: 1793

NUMBER OF PARISHES: 104

LED BY: Archbishop GregoryAymond

ROMAN CATHOLICS SERVED: 500,000

CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS: 31,843 (asof2023)

There’snothing like gettingout on thewater alongthe Northshore,where Lake Pontchartrain andits surroundingwaterways offer endless opportunitiesfor adventureand relaxation Whether you’re seekingthe thrill of discoveryof thepeace of awaterside sunset,the Northshore promises both joyand unforgettable memories

SwampTours

Lake Pontchartrain

Despiteits name,thisbodyofwater is actually an estuarythatencompasses about630 square miles. Thewater averages12to14feetindepth andisbrackish– mostly freshwater on thewest, butincreasinginsalinity thefarther east yougo. No matter whereyou arealong thelake, there’s somethingtoappreciateabout it

HoneyIslandSwamp on thenortheast edge of St.Tammany Parish features pristine beauty lush nature andabundantwildlife. Alligators can be seen sunningthemselves on logs or watching warily from thebanks –unlessyourtourguide luresthemcloserwitha fewspecial nutritious pellets! Also be on thelookout forturtles,eagles, snowywhite egrets,heronsand nutria Make themostofyourtripbybooking aHoney Island Swamptourinadvance.Mosttours run abouttwo hours. CajunEncountersTourCo. brings visitors outonaflat-bottomedboat, while HoneyIslandKayak Toursletsmoreadventurousexplorers getright on thewater Waterfront Parks

FontainebleauState Park in Mandeville and Fairview-Riverside StateParkinMadisonvillebothare greatspots to enjoythe crispfall weatherinLouisiana

Locatedonthe northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, Fontainebleauspans more than 2,800 acresfeaturing ancientliveoaks, scenic trails asandy beach, fishingpiers andmore. Extend your visitwitha lodgingoption, includingcabins, campsitesand RV hookups.

Fairview-Riverside is situated alongthe Tchefuncte River, wherevisitorscan enjoypicnics fishingand boatingfromthe convenientlaunch. A boardwalkwinds throughthe marsh, offering excellentopportunities forwildlifeobservations. Well-maintained campsitesand RV sitesare availablefor longer visits

In Mandeville,a seawall, restaurantswith a view,a marina andparks letlocals andvisitors make themostofthe lake.Morethanadozen fishingchartersoperate outofSlidell,taking anglersout forthe chance to catchtrout,bull reds andtriple-tail If youneedsomeguidance, numerous fishing charters from Slidellare ledbylocal expertswho arehappy to sharetheir secret spots, favorite baitsand tricks forcatchingthe bigone.Most charters accommodatefourtosix people,leave at dawn andstayout forabout sixhours.Charters generallyprovide allequipment,but it’s agood idea to checkinwiththembeforehandtoensure you’re readyfor theday

OutdoorDining

There’snoshortageofrestaurants along theNorthshorethattakeadvantage of the picturesquesetting with outdoorseating It’s hard to beat thecombination of scenic views, good company, friendlyservice andLouisiana delicacies prepared with freshingredients andlotsoflove. Whetheryou’relooking for family-friendlyoptions,alow-key date nightor aplace to letyourhairdownoverthe weekend, there’sa Northshore restaurant foryou.Some popularwaterside optionsinclude AbitaRoastingCompany,AperitifSpritz& Bites, GilliGil’s Island,Morton’sSeafood Restaurant and Bar, Palmettosonthe Bayou, Rips on theLake, TheAnchor, TheWakehouse andTRiver’s Barand Grill.

The Most Rev. James F. Checchio meets students at St CatherineofSiena in Metairieduringhis introduction as the next archbishop of NewOrleans on Wednesday.

The Most Rev. James F. Checchio, center,walks with students and staffatSt. Augustine High School during hisintroduction as the next archbishop of NewOrleans on Wednesday.

U.S. travel entirely—and according to Lt. Gov.Billy Nungesser’s office, Canada representsLouisiana’slargest international tourism market. In 2024, Canadians spent nearly $194 million visiting Louisiana.

“I had atour operator from New Brunswick call me and say he didn’t even haveenough for half abus,” said Trahan.“The bus from Nova Scotia canceled. As of right now, I’m not sure if we have any dignitaries coming.”

AccordingtoTrahan, “Canadians love to come visit us. They realize we’re related, they’re surprised that we’ve kept our French culture alive, and they love to go back and talk about it. What’sgoing on right now will never stop that. But Ithink it’sgoing to be alittle while before these tour companies are able to find 40 to 50 people to get on abus and come down.I’m not a political guy —but Ican understand how they feel.”

Le Grand Réveil will take placeasscheduled next month, as will Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, just without manyofthe Canadian cultural and governmental organizations that have traditionally participated. Pat Mould, program

LAWYER

Continued from page1A

director for Festivals Acadiens said that L’Acadie New Brunswick, an Acadian andFrancophone advocacy group that regularly participates,isnot coming this year

“They usually come. They haven’tindicated areason for not coming now,but it’sreally odd,” said Mould. “A bunch of mayors thatwere supposed to comealso kind of canceled at the last minute

“Now that Ithink about it, Iusually getemails from Canadian tourists. And I’ve gotten alot of emails this year from all over thecountry,but I’m not receiving any from Canada.”

Trahan and Mouldbelieve this is the fallout from thepresident’s remarks, which Nungesser also experienced first-hand during a

promotional tour in Canada this month. The lieutenant governor recently metwith tourism partners fromToronto to Quebec, and spoke frankly about what he heard from his Canadian counterparts.

“What really shocked me is that no oneImet with is sending people to America. The airlines arepulling their advertising. Thebloggers aren’t talking aboutit. The travelagentsaren’tbooking folks.”

Nungesser said, “People were very courteous. Nobody was nasty. Butatdinners with the agents and touroperators, they said, ‘Welove Louisiana. Butwe’re not coming backuntil that guy’sout of office or he apologizes.’”

Peopledanceat Festivals Acadiens et Créoles at Girard Park in Lafayette on Oct.15, 2022.

Following Trump tariffs and remarks about Canada becoming the 51stU.S.state, Canadians have cancelled travel plans to the U.S. and Louisiana.

telling news outlets, “Itwould be really nice if the president could issue an apology about the 51st state. “I thinkthis is going to get worse before it gets better,” Nungesser said. “Weran the numbers right before the trip, and travel from Canada is down15to20% so far.”

Historian and Acadian activist Warren Perrin knows alittle something aboutasking forapologies.For yearshepetitioned Queen Elizabeth II to sign aproclamation apologizing for the mass Acadiandeportation, whichshe didin2003.

all over the world.

He also regularlyworks with tour operators in the Maritimes, and said that one recent call with aguide in Nova Scotia exposed the emotions of the moment.

“He’sbrought many tourists to Louisiana and France, and thought he’d have no trouble gettinga group forFestivals Acadiens and Le Grand Réveil —but no takers,” Perrin said. “He almost started crying on the phone with me. He said, ‘Canadians look at America like the Statue of Liberty —a beautiful woman, representing everything good. Now it’samonster,a threat to us. And that’ssad.’” Trumpmay not followinQueen Elizabeth’s footstepswitha formal apology,but Nungesser said he’s working to smooth things over regardless, because Canadian tourism dollars are important for Louisiana cities.

“It’sverytough forpoliticians to admit when they’re wrong,”he said. “The worst thing that happens to leaders, whether they’re agovernor or president, is that no one tells them when they’ve made amistake, because you might need them to do something foryou next week. That’sbad.

of several of the state’sfederal lawsuits that could have seismic implications across the country,on issues ranging from gun control to abortion to voting rights.

“He called me out of the blue one day,”Murrill said, addingthat Aguiñaga is “a great writer” and came recommended by thejudges he had worked for “If all three had picked him, then Ididn’tthink that all three could be wrong,” shesaid. “That’sthe kind of person Iwas looking for tobe solicitorgeneral.” Aguiñagadeclined to comment for this report.

Aprominent national role

As solicitor general, Aguiñaga represents Louisiana in federal appeals, handling asheaf of high-profile legal challenges. Many began under now-Gov.Jeff Landry when he was attorney general, from allegations that President Joe Biden’s administration pressuredsocial media platforms to censorconservative comments against COVID-19 vaccinestorequiring all public schools to post the Bible’s TenCommandments.

Aguiñaga is not amember of the Louisiana Bar Association, which means he can’tappear in astate court. But that’snot his job.

Come Oct. 15, Louisiana will rely on Aguiñagatopresent its position before aU.S. Supreme Court considering the constitutionalityof theVoting Rights Act.

The case will decide whether Louisiana willhave two majorityBlack voting districts for theU.S. House. But the high court’sdecisioninCallais v. Louisiana could reverberate across the country if the court overturns the remaining protection for minority voters in the 60-year-old law

“All eyes are on Louisiana,” said Michael Li, aredistricting law specialist with the Brennan Center for Justice in New York. “It seems like theVoting RightsAct is facing a monumentalpath.”

Arising star

Aguiñaga is one of thecountry’s up-and-coming conservativelegal minds, having clerkedfor U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and 5th U.S. Circuit Court of AppealsJudge Edith Jones,one of the conservative legal movement’s majordynamos.

Born in Metairie and raised in the Houstonsuburb of Pearland, Texas,Aguiñagaisanevangelical Protestant family man withtwo children —and longhorn cattle for pets.

Before becoming solicitor general, hewas an appellate attorney for Jones Day,one of thenation’s largest law firms, whereherepresented large corporations, including IBM andJSW Steel USA Inc.

ButAguiñagatold LSUinApril

2024 he learned his craft working forU.S.5th Circuit Court of AppealsJudge DonnyWillettwhenhe wason the TexasSupremeCourt —thenJones, then Alito as the second LSU graduate to secure the coveted position on the high court.

Michelle Stratton, aHouston appellate attorney who Aguiñaga calls amentor,agrees.

“Ben’srole would be to advise his client,given his appellateexpertise and his particular experience with how theU.S. Supreme Court operates, which he will have seen as alaw clerk,” she said.

Stratton is the first LSU law alum to clerkatthe Supreme Court— for Justice Clarence Thomas.

Strattonsaid Aguiñaga reached out, and shegavehim tips to help him through the application process.

“Ben is very humble andgenuine. He isadown-to-earth person, very generous with his time and

Nungesser called on Trump to do just that as he wrapped up the trip,

with hisencouragement,” Stratton said.

SupremeCourt history

Aguiñaga told LSUinApril 2024: “Clerkships arevaluable notjust because of what youlearnfrom your judge and the work itself, but also because of thepeople you meet and the friendships you form.”

Michael Zuckerman, who now is New Jersey’s deputy solicitor general, met Aguiñaga when they clerked for thehigh courtduring the October 2018 term thatended June 2019. Zuckerman clerked for liberalJusticeSonia Sotomayor, whousually finds herself at odds with Alito.

Clerks spend alot of time soundingout legal positions andgathering information about how other justices think about the issues.

“What stood outtomewas that he was someonewho was interested andwillingtotakethe time to hear what otherpeoplethought,” Zuckerman said. “I alwaysfelthe had an open ear and open mind when Isharedmyown thoughts that might be different from his. I came to really think of himnot just as the colleague but as afriend.”

It wasn’tall work, Zuckerman said.The clerks also spenta lotof social timetogether

He said if this law thing doesn’t work out,Aguiñaga could have a career smoking beef brisket for a living —the highest compliment for aTexan.

“Myhands-downfavoriteexperience was smoking my first briskets at the court,”Aguiñaga told LSU. “I befriended acourtemployee who had built ahuge wood-fired smoker for the court, complete with agavel atop the smokestack.”

He smoked brisketsfor the clerks and apork belly for Alito in what Aguiñaga called “an all-night affair tending to the fire in acourtyard while editing adraftopinion.”

“I alsomiss the building itself,”

Perrin has served as president of CODOFIL, which supports French language education in the state, andheruns the AcadianMuseum in Erath, where Perrin is accustomed to welcoming visitors from

he said. “Being able to wander down those marble halls, grabbing soft servefrom the cafeteria and plottingthe next law clerk happy hour.”

High-stakesarguments

Aguiñaga will share the Supreme CourtdaisinOctober with seasoned litigators whohave decades of experience in civil rights law

Edward D. Greim, of Ka sas City,for instance, was presenting briefstot Supreme Court on election law when Aguiñaga wasjust entering Baylor University where he graduated in 2012.

Calleda “trailblazer” election law by the National Law Journal, Greim represents theCallais litigants, who argue thatLouisiana’stwo Black majority congressionaldistricts were racially gerrymandered and thus violated the Equal Protection Clause.

“So asking the president to make an apology,Ithink that’sthe right thing to ask. Canadians staylonger, theyspend more money,they go to three or four cities. It probably won’twork, but Ifeel in my heart I’m going to do everything physically possible to try to heal those relations.”

Email Joanna Brownatjoanna. brown@theadvocate.com.

eral courts found two Black opportunity districts were allowed under the Voting Rights Act; the courts threatened to redraw election mapsthemselves.

Louisiana argued the GOPmajority Legislature instead redrew thedistricts to achieve political goals, not just to meet racial standards: namely,toprotect the White majorities in the north Louisiana-based districts that elect House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, dRep.Julia Letlow, RBaton Rouge.

“We’retalking about eSpeaker of theHouse rational state gambles with those high-stakes seats in that situation,” Aguiñaga told the justices. He argued states needed “breathing room” between the Voting Rights Actand the Equal Protection clause to balance political interests.

Stuart C. Naifeh, of the NAACP Legal Defense andEducation Fund Inc., has 20 years of experience litigating voter suppression casesunder theVoting Rights Act. He represents the Robinson litigants,who contend that athird of Louisiana’spopulation is Black andlive closeenough to each other and share common interests long ignoredbythe state’sWhite congressional delegation.

TheVotingRights Actallows thedrawing of districts that include enough minority voters to give Black candidates achance to win in astate where White majorities have never backed an African American candidate.

Aguiñaga also must contend with Louisiana changingdirections on Aug. 27 —from defending the need for two Black majority congressional districts to finding the minority-majority district unnecessary because the Voting Rights Actisunconstitutional.

In March, Aguiñaga argued fed-

The Supreme Court couldn’tdecide the caseduring its last term and asked the parties to brief on whether the Voting Rights Act was constitutional.

Murrill hasargued thatthe question allows Louisiana to arguewhat it has long believed,that courts shouldn’tbeinthe business of telling states how to redraw election mapsbased on race.

That means Aguiñaga’spresentation will dramatically change. Nowhemustpersuade the same justices that the creation of asecond majority-minority district is unconstitutional.

“Whether race technically predominates or not …does not change the fact that the classificationisfundamentally contrary to theEqual Protection Clause’s prohibitions,” the state’sbrief reads. Staff writer Tyler Bridges contributed to this report Email Mark Ballardat mballard@theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

Nungesser

Mould

Perrin

-Freda

As fears mount, lawyer aids immigrant families

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

Lately, Amy Dudgeon has been hearing from immigrant families in Louisiana who say they’re scared to leave their homes. Many have young children who worry their parents will be gone when they get home from school.

Dudgeon is president of the New Neighbor Project, a group she founded during the pandemic when she saw a need for accessible English classes for immigrant families in the greater New Orleans area. The group offers online and in-person English and citizenship classes and works with immigrants to apply for scholarships that can create a pathway to citizenship.

But starting in January, Dudgeon said she began to see a decrease in the number of Spanishspeaking students attending the group’s classes. She blames a growing climate of fear stemming from the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration. This month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that immigration agents can, for now, stop people based on their race or language.

“We’ve had a big shift in who’s attending our classes,” Dudgeon said. “Now people are more focused on staying close to home.”

Dudgeon has worked with immigrant families since she began teaching English learner classes as a student at the University of Louisville in Kentucky Many of her students had advanced degrees in their home countries but struggled to find good jobs in the U.S. due to a language barrier

She eventually earned a law degree and worked as an immigra-

Q&A WITH AMy DUDGEON

PRESIDENT OF THE NEW NEIGHBOR PROJECT

tion lawyer for more than three decades, while also coordinating English language services for the nonprofit Catholic Charities.

The Times-Picayune recently spoke with Dudgeon about how the federal government’s policies are affecting students from immigrant families and what can be done to support them.

“Community is so important right now,” she said. “Children need people they feel safe around.”

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity

What changes have you noticed with the families that your group serves?

We’re seeing a decline in enrollment of Spanish-speaking families in our English learning classes. Families are scared to leave their homes because there’s a not-small chance they could get detained, and kids are scared they’re never going to see their parents again. That’s traumatic for them

I’ve also been worried about doing any kind of promotion, like ‘Hey, we have a large group of immigrants here at this class.’

But a lot of people in our classes, including a lot of the kids, are already U.S citizens; they just need to work on their English a little bit.

How has the immigration crackdown affected students?

What happens with teenagers who don’t speak English and who have this kind of trauma is that they become disillusioned They tend to not want to go to school, and they just don’t show up. Then

they get in trouble. And these kids are also dealing with the risk of getting picked up (by immigration agents).

There have been a lot of recent labor law changes, too. I see a lot of kids, 16, 17 years old, and they’re not getting support at school. They have to go to work, and they drop out of school to do that, and we know what the outcomes are for kids who drop out.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure they have a support system at school, and that the school knows about what’s going on with them.

What are you hearing from the collegeage students you work with?

We work with around 30 kids each semester What we’re hearing from them now is that it’s definitely a different climate.

I know recently there have been questions about international students (having their visas revoked), and they were feeling uncomfortable. They had a lot of questions: Should I carry my passport with me? Should I carry my green card with me? What do I do if I get stopped? Is it safe to go to this neighborhood? Those are the kinds of questions we’re getting.

What do you tell students who are worried about being stopped?

I just tell them that I don’t think they need to carry their green card around — if they have a driver’s license, that works. But I also tell students to do what makes them feel comfortable. Don’t put yourself in any situation that makes you feel unsafe.

Do you have any advice for teachers about how to support students who may be feeling scared?

I recently talked to some educators about the need to offer online general education classes for these kids, kind of like what schools did during COVID. What we’ve seen for online classes for (the New Neighbor Project) is that a family will be attending regularly and then not show up for weeks. When they do show back up, they’re dialing in from somewhere like Honduras or El Salvador after being deported. The whole family will be there, and they’re still trying to connect with us. As far as K-12 goes, I don’t know how schools are going to navigate taking care of these kids when the environment for them is so hostile. I think public schools’ hands are somewhat tied as far as what they’re able to do. All I can really do is offer to have students

WE’RE ASKING EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE HOW TO TACKLE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING LOUISIANA SCHOOLS. HAVE AN IDEA?

come take our classes.

What resources do you want families to know about?

We are working with schools in the area to find other solutions. We’ve expanded our online class offerings, and we’re talking with Delgado about options. We still do work with Catholic Charities, Tulane, some of the local universities. We also work with mental health professionals and the correctional system, and we’ve always tried to make resources available to families. If a family seems like they’re in trouble or they need anything at all, like help finding health insurance, our organization has a group of people who attend our English classes in person, and they talk to those families about where we can refer them.

Email Elyse Carmosino at ecarmosino@theadvocate.com.

Forfive decades, Arthur Hardyhas been our neighbor,our guide, and the keeper of our Carnivalmemories. From his Gentillykitchen table in 1977 to receiving the key to the city in 2024,Hardytransformed himself from aBrother Martinband director into the man all about Mardi Gras. Hisannual guidehas reached over 3million readers, but for us locals, Arthur is family, the trusted voice whogets it right,who rodewithRex after documenting them for decades, whostood with us throughthe police strikeof’79,Katrina’saftermath, and everymagical momentinbetween. This 112-page celebration bringstogether the stories onlyArthur could tell,filledwith photographs thatcapture the paradesyou remember,the krewesyou cheeredfor andthe moments thatmade youproud tobeapart of MardiGras.

Arthur Hardyhas preservedthe soul of what makesusNew Orleanians, making this the perfect holidaygift for anyone whobleeds the purple, green and gold of Mardi Gras. Booksship in time for holidaygift-giving!

PROVIDED PHOTO

Amy Dudgeon

Gov. Landryissues

executive order on AI

Gov.Jeff Landry has issued an executive order temporarily restricting the use of artificial intelligence in state agencieswhile officials set policiesfor using the technology Landry’s order,issued Sept. 16, says “recent innovations of artificial intelligence and generative AI are transforming commerce, work, and society,” and “these innovations will technologize the way in which the state will serve the public in the near future.”

But it also notes that effective AI use requires the input of quality data and that “it is the goal of the State of Louisiana to ensure the use of AI by government agencies is responsible, ethical, beneficial and trustworthy.”

The order says “no agency shall procure or license the use of AI prior to December 15, 2025.” It calls on the state’schief information officer and the heads of other agencies not served by his office to issue apolicyonhow to acquire and use the technology by that date.

Until the policy is in place,the order forbids state agencies from entering some kinds of information into AI systems, including personal identifying information, proprietary information and confidential data.

State representative meets with pope

State Rep. Mike Bayham Jr., R-Chalmette, had an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican lastweek.

Bayham presented the pope with acopy of aresolution he sponsored congratulating him as the first American-born pontiff, a lapel pin and aglassoyster shell —“a symbolofSt. Bernard’srich commercial fishing heritage and critical industry,” he said in anews release

“Popes receive gifts of all kinds from around the world, but the Holy Father really seemed intrigued by the glass oyster.Iwantedto give him something that is associated withour parish,” Bayham said in the statement.

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

fending free speech. Ihope all our state institutions will continue to do that. The right to free speech is above all others and we must protect it.”

The letter argues that somefees could violate the First Amendment right to free speech, particularly if they are applied based on thecontent of the speech.

Bayham said heasked Leotokeep St. Bernard Parish in his prayers,along with his mother,Kathy Gomez and afriendatthe StateCapitol undergoing experimental cancer treatment

“When youhave one-onone time with thepope, you need to make themost of theopportunity and your word —for me, those centered aroundhome, family andfriends,” said Bayham, aparishioner of OurLady of PromptSuccor Church in Chalmette. “It was the honor of alifetime toshake hands and speak withPope LeoXIV.”

Murrill joinscampus speech letter

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill joined 16 other attorneysgeneral from red states in urging university leaders to avoid charging “exorbitant” security fees to campus groups that bring in public speakers.

Theletter says protecting free speech on college campuses is particularly important after theassassination of Charlie Kirk, aconservative activist who was killed while speakingatUtahValley University on Sept.10.

Theattorneys general say some college officials “are using Charlie Kirk’s murderasjustification to shut down free speechoncampus,” requiringgroups to paysecurityfees they can’t afford.The letter refers to such fees as an “Assassin’s Veto.”

“Particularly at this moment,it is critical our state institutions of higher learning serve as forums for robust debate from all perspectives,”the letter says. “The campus should be the very placewhere theFirst Amendment rings loudest to hear.”

Murrill added in anews release: “LSU has led in de-

Kirk, aclose ally of President Donald Trump, was thefounder and leader of Turning PointUSA,aconservative advocacy group on college campuses. He was killed in themiddle of a tourofcampuses throughout the country; Gov.Jeff Landry is set to speak in his stead at LSU on Oct. 27.

La. duckhunting gets $50 millionboost

The federal government will spend roughly $50 million on two Louisiana wildlife refuges, conserving waterfowl habitat and expanding public access for duck hunting, fishing and similar recreation.

The Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge will get $35 million toconserve 17,023 acres and the Red River National Wildlife Refuge will get $14 million to conserve 3,285 acres, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy’soffice said in anews release.

“Whether it’s duck hunting at sunrise or casting a line in the afternoon, Louisianans know how important theoutdoors are toour way of life,” said Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge. “This funding allows folks to keep enjoying while boosting local economies in North Louisiana.”

The money comes from theMigratory Bird Conservation Commission through thesale of duck stamps.

Higgins blasts Massie on Epstein files

U.S. Rep.Clay Higgins, aRepublican from Lafayette, has criticized fellow Republican Congressman Thomas Massie’spush to force avote on the “Epstein Files,” saying his colleague is “100% wrong, on so many levels.”

Massie is pushing aprocedural move to force a vote—over theobjections of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, aRepublican from theShreveport area —onlegislation that would require President Donald Trump’sadministration to release files from investigationsinto Jeffrey Epstein, thedisgraced financier who was accused of trafficking underage girls for sex.

Trump, like former president Bill Clinton and other powerful men,was aonetime associate of Epstein’s. His administration has

resisted releasing many of the documents, arguing they could reveal sensitive information about victims.

“It’s ashame, what my friend Thomas has done, attempting to injure the Republican Party and ignore the privacy rights of hundreds of innocent Americanswho may have their life turned upside down because of his weird petition,”Higgins wroteon social media.

Higgins, like other LouisianaRepublicans in Congress, notes that the GOP-led House Oversight Committee is continuing to conduct “an actual, deep investigation into all things Epstein related.”

“If someonebecomes subject towarrant or subpoena, that’swhen their identity will become pub-

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

U.S. Rep.ClayHiggins, R-Lafayette, has criticized fellow RepublicanCongressman Thomas Massie’spush to force avote on the ‘EpsteinFiles,’saying hiscolleague is ‘100% wrong,onsomanylevels.’

lic,” Higgins wrote. “That’s how legitimate investigations operate.”

Mark Ballard’scolumnwill returnnext week

By Amanda McElfresh| amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Eunice

When Charly Menard started lookingatcolleges, shequickly realized howexpensive higher educationcan be.Menardknew shewantedtoworkinthemedical fieldand help others,and was particularly inspired by how herauntfound fulfillmentin hercareerhandlingX-raysfor patients

But,Menard’sresearchshowed thatmanycollegesanduniversities in theregionwould cost her anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 per semester.For her, that wassimplyout of reach. However, Menard foundthatat LSUEunice(LSUE), theprice wasabout $1,300 persemester–far more manageable, especially with thehelpofher TOPS Tech scholarship.

Today, Menard is an LSUE sophomore workingthrough herprerequisites while preparingtotestintoLSUE’sradiology program. Herultimategoalistoone day specialize in mammography.

“I’mnotsurethatIwouldbeonthispathat thispointinmylifeifnotforLSUE,”Menard said.“Theaffordability is huge,and sinceI commutefromhome, I’malsosavingmoney on housingand living expenses.”

Menard said that in addition to being financiallyfeasible, theenvironment at LSUE continuestosolidifythatshe made theright decision

“Everybodyherewantstoseeyousucceed,” shesaid. “Theyhelpyou establishgoals that stretchyou butthatare also achievable.The communityhereisamazing.”

Menard’s storyisnot unusualatLSUE, whereaffordabilityandaclose-knit,welcoming atmosphere go hand in hand.Studentsfrom across Acadiana andbeyondarriveeach semester with individual goals, butshare thesamedrive to buildtheir futureswithout thecrushingdebtthatburdens so many collegestudents

“I’malwaysonamissiontopreventstudents from beingoverwhelmed with loan debt whichcanbecomeanevenlargerburdenonce youadd interest,” said Chad Jones, LSUE’s Director of Recruitmentand Outreach CameronSlate,anLSUEfreshmanmajoring in politicalscience,did hisown calculations to ensure he startedout on theright foot as he eyes future plansthatinclude LSULaw Schoolandbecomingadistrictattorney.With thehelpofa TOPS Opportunity scholarship, Slatediscoveredhis first semester at LSUE wouldcost$2,677. Anotherlocal university wouldhavecostmorethan$6,200for the

same semester “I wasfirstattracted to LSUE becauseIliveabout 15 minutes away andI wasabit hesitant to startlivingawayfromhome,” Slatesaid. “WhenIfound outthat it wasthe most affordablecollege formebya long shot,I knew for sure this waswhere Iwanttobe. My motherwenttoLSUE, as did many family andfriends.Someof them even work here now. Iknew thatitwouldfeellikeacommunity.” That hasproventobethe case. Slatesaid he neverfeels like anumberora statisticat LSUE.Instead,the facultyand staff,aswell as hispeers,see himasanindividualand know hisinterests andtalents Jonessaidthatatmosphereisbolstered by strong relationships anda campus-wide efforttomakehighereducation accessible andsustainable,nomattersomeone’s background.Jones oftenfields callsfrom students at four-yearuniversitieswho are in heavydebt, unsure of theirfuturepath andlooking to LSUE foranaffordableway tocompletetheirdegree.Othersareworking parentswhodidn’tattendcollegeimmediately afterhighschoolbut nowwanttoreapthe benefitsthatmoreeducation canprovide Some,likeMenardand Slate, areAcadiana nativeswho want asmaller campus that’s closer to home

“Nomatterwhere astudent is coming from,the cost is always oneofthe very first questions,”Jones said.“Oneofthe first things Iemphasize is that youdon’t have to be afull-time studenttoqualify formany formsoffinancialassistanceorstudentloans. That’s amyththatalot of them stillbelieve that we have to dispel. We also work closely with students to seehow much they actually need to borrow andhow importantitisto only borrow what youneedfor educational expenses.”

Forsomestudents,LSUEisasteppingstone to alargeruniversityand additional degrees. Forothers, it is adirectpathintoawellpaying career.Inbothcases,LSUEoffers an educationthatisrigorous, affordable anddeeplyconnected to thesurrounding community.

“I’m blessedtohave ajob whereI can help people,” Jonessaid. “It’ssorewarding to seepeopleachieve theirgoals.Students tell me allthe time,‘Idon’t know whereI wouldbeifitwasn’t forLSUE.’Weare truly changing lives.”

Learnmoreabout LSUEuniceorstart your applicationtoday at www.lsue.edu

STAFF FILE PHOTO

State RepresentativeMike Bayham Jr., R-Chalmette, met withPope Leo XIV at the Vaticanlast week

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Pope Leo XIV greets faithfulduring the weekly general audience in St.Peter’sSquare on Wednesdayatthe Vatican.

Landry

Murrill

GULF COAST

Historic, longtime Biloxi burger spot

BY MARY PEREZ Sun Herald

A historic Mississippi Coast

hamburger spot beloved by locals, tourists and celebrities has shuttered.

The owners of Burger Burger, at 1039 Howard Ave. in downtown Biloxi, have retired. The restaurant, a division of Sablich Enterprises, is no longer serving its famous Burger Burgers and Southern cooking, the company said Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, who ate there often, said the restaurant “has been part of the fabric of Biloxi for years.”

The story started in 1927, when New Orleans jazz musician Abbie Brunies and his wife, Mildred, brought their Burger Burger recipe to Biloxi and opened Abbie’s Little Diner on Benachi Avenue.

Their 18-inch burger was covered in a secret sauce and topped with yellow mustard and chopped raw onions, according to “A brief history of Biloxi burgers.”

“Traditionally fries and a Barq’s root beer accompanied this glorious treat,” the history says. Forty years later in 1987, Biloxi native Martha Ann Ebberman bought the diner and the trademark recipe from the Brunies.

The Elvis Presley connection

This was long after Ebberman, whose stage name was Ann Rae, met Elvis Presley when they performed at a show at Jesuit High School in New Orleans in 1955. She convinced her father, promoter Frank “Yankie” Barhanovich Sr to book the young Presley on the Coast. He did, and according to Sun Herald accounts. Barhanovich staged the Coast’s first Elvis show at the Slavonian Lodge in Biloxi on June 26, 1955. Presley was impressed with how

Barhanovich managed the career of his teenage daughter, who sang for Decca Records, and once asked Barhanovich to manage his career

From singing to cooking

Ebberman kept the diner open until 1993 and then continued to serve Burger Burgers at an Ocean Springs restaurant. In a Biloxi comeback, she partnered with businessman Jamie Sablich to open Burger Burger in

January 2001 in a house on Howard Avenue.

“This quaint, comfortable little house takes us back to a time when all-wood buildings would be filled with that wonderful atmosphere, great conversation, and, of course, one of the best burgers, sandwiches and breakfast choices in all of Biloxi,” the history of Biloxi burgers says.

Ebberman became as accomplished in the kitchen as she was on the stage. In addition to the old-fashioned and jalapeño cheese Burger Burgers, her customers had favorites like fried pork chops, cabbage dressing and unusual breakfast biscuits like hamburger steak biscuit smothered in brown gravy or with creole crawfish étouffée.

“Grab a root beer float or a slice of one of Mrs. Martha’s homemade pies, cakes or cobblers,” a Facebook post invited. What’s next?

Other daily specials might be fried bologna, catfish, chicken and dumplings, liver and onions and crawfish pasta.

It’s uncertain what will happen to the Burger Burger recipe and the now-empty building where so many of these hamburgers were devoured. “If it doesn’t come back, we’ll certainly miss its history in Biloxi,” the mayor said.

SUN HERALD PHOTO By TIM THORSEN

The historic Burger Burger, located on Howard Avenue in Biloxi, Miss., has closed for good

Mental health care services assessed

Acadiana Crisis Recovery Center

BY STEPHENMARCANTEL Staff writer

Lafayette city and parish leaders, legislators and community stakeholders are exploring ways to strengthen access to behavioral health services.

The Acadiana Crisis Recovery Center wouldoperate as acentralized intervention system,connecting individuals with mentalhealth issues or substance abuse prob-

lems withcommunity resources and help. The project has recently entered aformal assessment stage, bringing stakeholders together to identify community needs.

“This conversation in terms of the needs of something like acrisis recovery center hasbeentalkedabout amongvarious stakeholdersinthe Lafayette area for quite some time, even before Ibecameinvolved,” said stateRep.Annie Spell, of Lafayette. “It’sbeena conversation

couldimprove access

within our health caresystem, within our city government and within some of ourprivate partners.”

The goal nowitfindout what services in Lafayette are lacking, what already exist, and how to get all these movingpieces to work together under one roof while being abletosustainitself, officials said.

A2024 Community Health Needs Assessment noted alack of adequate access to care not only in Lafayette but also for much of Aca-

diana.

Once all the gaps and needs are mapped out,the next step is figuring out how to make the project sustainable in the long term —which isn’t entirely clear at the moment.

“We’re still looking at those types of pieces of information,” Spell said. “It’sa very active moment, right?

So,for me to say we’ve identified those particular variables, Icannot say that we have yet, right? It’s somethingwe’re putting acritical

eye on.”

In the recent legislative session, Spell was abletoget $125,000 appropriated to initiate the assessment. Otherfunding sources include$60,000 from LafayetteConsolidated Government and $106,500 from the National Opioid Settlement Funds, said Christina Dayries, Mayor-President Monique Boulet’s chief of staff. An operationsimilar to what the Acadiana Crisis Recovery Centeris proposing briefly existed in the city

Business meldsart, crafts, nursery

BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN

Staff writer

After traveling the world and observing various business concepts, LakeCharles native Katy Rozas has always envisioned introducing aunique mash-up business to her hometown.

On Sept. 11, Rozas broughther dream to life by opening Grounded in Nature, anursery,crafting space and local artist shop.

“We’re the newest vibe, and we’re doing something that Lake Charles has never seenbefore,” Rozassaid. “Weare servingthe biggest dose of loveand vibes and happiness and fantastical,

ä See BUSINESS, page 2B ä See HEALTH, page 2B

Half of La. households struggle to make ends meet

LAKE CHARLES 2023 research measures ‘survivalbudget’

BY MARGARETDELANEY Staff writer

In 2023, 19% of Louisiana households fell below thefederal poverty level, long-considered to be an insufficientmeasure of an actual cost of living. Accordingtothe UnitedForALICE researchorganization, amore accurate portrayal of families experiencingfinancial hardship includes an additional 30% of the state’shouseholds. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained,

ä See HOUSEHOLDS, page 2B

Farmersonaroll

ABOVE: BailynBroussard, from left,Dylan Ball andEmma Ball wavetofarmers. RIGHT: RickyEskind and Cajun Company perform at thefais do-do.

TOP: The Rev. JeffDeBlancand Sheila Robicheaux wave to farmersdriving tractors. The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival TractorParadetookplaceonFridayin NewIberia. Many typesand styles of tractors used in the sugar cane industry,both old and new, were driven down MainStreet. Followingthe parade afaisdo-do was heldinthe Steamboat Pavilion of Bouligny Plaza.

PHOTOSByLEE BALL

N.O. homeless numbersstill rising

Fewerare on thestreets, more areliving in shelters

BY BEN MYERS Staff writer

Increased efforts by NewOrleansareaservice providers to providepermanent housing for homeless people over the last two years have yielded mixed results: While fewer people are living on the street, more are livingin shelters and the rate of homelessness continuestorise.

That is according to the most recent “point in time” count conducted by UNITY of GreaterNew Orleans, which coordinates homeless outreach services in NewOrleansand JeffersonParish.The count of people living outsideand in shelters in those areas is conducted every January,but the results released on Friday came later this year to include an additional partial count in July.

The annual count from January found atotal of 1,563 homeless individuals livingoutside andinshelters, a7.5% increase over last year,marking the fifth consecutive year of rising homelessness. That reflects an increase inpeople living in shelters,from 970to 1128. At the same time, the number of peopleobserved living outside fell from 553 to 435 over the last two years. That number dipped abit more after an additional countofunsheltered people in July,when 422 people were counted

“Staying in ashelter is alot better than being on the street, but it’sstill homelessness. These are ourfellow neighbors who do not have ahome,” said UNITY Executive Director MarthaKegel, addressing the organization’sannual meeting on Friday at Franklin AvenueBaptist Church.

While homelessness overall continuestorise, UNITYand Mayor LaToya Cantrell’sadministration say the 24% decline in street homelessness over thelast two years shows progressin the city’s“Home for Good” campaign, whichlaunched in 2023 with thegoal of placing1,500peopleinpermanent housing.

That effort, funded in part with a$15 million federal grant, hasresulted in permanent housing for1,326 people as of August, according to aprogram website.

This year’sdata included ananomaly thatmay have inflated the sheltered count: The temporary shelterthe state setupinJanuary just before the count gotunderway.The shelter was part of Gov.Jeff Landry’spush to move homeless people from downtown streets ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Thepoint-intime count included 180 people staying at thetemporaryshelter,which closed in March,according to UNITY

HARDSHIP

Continued from page1B

Employed. ALICE represents thegrowing number offamilies across thecountry with income above the federal poverty line butnot highenough to afford basicexpensesin the parishes where they live.

Includingboth those living below the federal poverty level and those considered to be ALICE, an estimated 50%of households in Louisiana were struggling to make ends meet in 2023 —and living below the ALICE threshold (theminimum cost to live andworkin today’s economy in each parish).

The federal poverty level isbased on the cost of food aloneand does not reflectrisinghousing, insurance,child care, technologyand othercosts. Forexample,in2025, the federal poverty levelfor afamilyoffour is$32,150

TheALICE threshold survival budget includes costs for housing, child care,food, transportation, health care, technology, taxes andanadditional 10% miscellaneous category.

Still, the additional count of unsheltered peopleinJuly is consistent with theone in January.UNITY is planning more frequent unsheltered counts moving forward,including another one before the end of theyear,according to UNITY CommunityEngagement Director Joe Hereen-Mueller

Kegelpointed to continuously increasing rental prices, combinedwith ahighpoverty rate, as acauseofhomelessness. Fair marketrent for aonebedroom apartmentinNew Orleans this year is $1,236, a23% increase over the last two years, according to federal data.Meanwhile, nearly one-quarter of NewOrleans residentslive below the povertyline,according to the Federal ReserveBank of St. Louis.

“There’sa lot of peoplejust above that poverty line, including young peoplewho can’taffordthoserents either,” Kegelsaid. “There’sa lot of people who arejust constantly churning in and out of homelessness.”

Andreanecia Morris, the executive director of HousingNOLA, an affordable housing advocacy group that is part of UNITY’scoalition, said the annual point-in-timecount is important for accounting for people experiencingcertainkindsofhomelessness, but does not account for thousands of otherswho lack permanent housing. Thoseinclude children “doubledup” withfriends or extended family members after family evictions and adults whocouch surf, she said.

“Wecan’tforget about some of the folkswho are notcounted in the traditional way,” Morris said.

UNITY says 95% of the people housed through its programs remainhoused with the help of case managers who coordinate support services, although Odyssey House Executive Director Ed Carlson—whoseagency runsthe city’s low-barrier shelter—said he is skepticalofthat figure. Hesaid UNITY needstodomore to make sure people placed in housing receive the support they need to stayoff thestreet.

“I’dbecurious howmanyofthose people were housed and thengot unhoused again,” Carlson said, referring to people observed in thepoint-in-time count.“Youcan’tjust put people in housing and just leave them there.”

Hereen-Mueller,ofUNITY,said 98 of the1,563people counted in January hadpreviously been housedthrough a UNITY program. Alarge majorityof those whohad already been housed 80 —wereliving in shelters, he said.

“Weappreciate constructive criticism from ourpartners. Andwhenit comes topeople who are housedneedingsupport, we are totally in agreement with that,” Hereen-Mueller said.

Staff writer Sophie Kasakove contributed to this story

BUSINESS

Continuedfrom page 1B

all the things. It’sout of the box, notanything that we’ve seen.”

The new businesshas three main areas, including aretail space with some smaller plants and pieces from local artists,anoutdoor garage area for larger plants anda craftingroomfor customers to be creative.

“Theidea wasthat Iwould like to have aco-opofthe things that I’m most obsessed with,” Rozas said.

“I’m obsessed with plants, andpeople get behind plants.”

In addition to herlovefor plants, Rozas said she had her “mind blown” with art last summer

“I hadthis whole epiphany that whenever you learn howtoloveyourown art, is whenever youlearn howto love yourself,” Rozas said. “Women need to be able to just kind of art it out, and you need to be able to get into your zone, to be able to find justyourstuff.”

The store held asoftopeningonSept. 11 with over 60 guests.For the rest of its openingweekend, theysaw about 30 people come to visit the business.

Rozas said the response from theLakeCharles community hasbeen overwhelming.

“I was telling everybody that first openingweekend

that Iwas Googling ‘how to stop tearsofjoy,’ ”Rozassaid. “I could(be at the store) all day, andpeople were here, andpeoplewere so great, but the second I would leave, Iwould just start sobbing in gratitude.”

Thestore,at115 W. Oak LaneinLakeCharles,is open from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Tuesday through Saturday In addition to itsregular hours, Grounded in Nature will be offering public after hours events like its Yoga,Tea,Craft Nightfrom 6:30 p.m.to8:30 p.m.onOct.

3. The business is also available forprivate events, according to Rozas. “This is curtailed to adults being safe and having acool spot for them to vibe out,” Rozassaid.

Overall,Rozas said she feels like everybody is always stressed out,and she wantsGrounded in Nature to be aplace for people to be able to unwind.

“If Ican be the stopping point where people can let go …Iwant to be the spot instead of having to go home andput theblanketsover your head. Iwant to be the spot that where you can just jump on aswing, you can call your best friend, hang out,orwhatever you need to do, but be able to continueyourday,and it’s not ruined,”Rozas said.“My goal is to be asafeand inclusive place forpeople to gather.”

Email Courtney Pedersen at courtney.pedersen@ theadvocate.com.

HEALTH

Continued from page1B

lowest percentages of households below the ALICE threshold, including those below thefederal poverty level, in ascending order are:

n Cameron Parish with 33% of 2,034total households experiencing financial hardship.

n West Baton Rouge Parish with 37% of 10,400 totalhouseholds experiencing financial hardship.

n Ascension Parishwith 38% of 48,526 total households experiencing financial hardship.

n Bossier Parish with 40% of 54,151 total households experiencing financial hardship.

n Plaquemines Parish with 41% of 8,200total households experiencing financial hardship.

with the Ness Center, runbya northshore-based behavioral health provider. It was the selected state vendortoprovide mobile crisis response forthe region following asettlement between the state andthe U.S. Department of Justice, according to Dayries. The Ness Center closed in late 2023 after failing to strike apartnership deal with the Lafayette Police Department amid backlash fromlocal providers.

n West Feliciana Parish with 42% of 3,911total households experiencing financial hardship.

n St. Tammany Parish with 43% of 106,164 total households experiencing financial hardship.

cial hardship.

Theestimated household cost for afamily of four with two children in child care was $81,432. These parisheshad the highest percentages of households belowthe ALICEthreshold, including those below the federal poverty level, in descendingorder:

n East CarrollParish with 75% of 2,508 total households experiencing financialhardship

n Claiborne Parish with 73%of5,019 totalhouseholdsexperiencing finan-

Theestimatedbudget does notinclude savings of anykind. In 2023, household costs in every parishin Louisiana were above the federal poverty levelof $14,580 for asingle adult and$30,000 for afamily of four Louisiana’sstatewide averagehousehold cost in 2023 was$29,316 fora single adult and $69,672 for afamily of four(this figure reflectsa family of four without child care).

n Madison Parish with 70% of 3,020total householdsexperiencing financial hardship.

n Tensas Parish with 66% of 1,629total householdsexperiencing financial hardship.

n Bienville Parish with 65% of 5,425total householdsexperiencing financial hardship.

n Webster Parish with 64%of14,761 totalhouseholdsexperiencing financial hardship.

n ConcordiaParish with 64% of 6,575total householdsexperiencing financial hardship.

n Avoyelles Parish with 63%of14,540 totalhouseholdsexperiencing financialhardship.

n Morehouse Parish with 63%of9,779 total householdsexperiencing financial hardship.

n Lincoln Parish with 62%of18,341 totalhouseholdsexperiencing financialhardship.

n Jackson Parish with 62% of 5,602total householdsexperiencing financialhardship.

n St. Helena Parish with 62% of 4,101total householdsexperiencing financialhardship. These parishes with the

n Livingston Parish with 43% of 55,653 total households experiencing financial hardship.

n St. Charles Parish with 43% of 18,622 total households experiencing financial hardship.

n Terrebonne Parish with 44% of 42,203 total households experiencing financial hardship.

n Beauregard Parish with 44% of 13,691 total households experiencing financial hardship.

n LaSalle Parish with 44% of 4,883total households experiencing financial hardship.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

The Acadiana Crisis Recovery Center is taking adifferent approach by allowing those providers and organizationsto be part of its creation and be locally driven, Dayries said. Onething thecenter hopes to accomplish, if realized, is to alleviate some of thepressure on lawenforcement and local emergency rooms to handle peoplehaving amental crisis, in turn freeingupresources, said Boulet. “Right now, it’seither thejail or the emergency room,and neitherone of those really is what those situations callfor We’re trying to look at allour community resources. What do we have?And what can we leverage to fill thatgap?”Boulet said.

STAFF PHOTOSByCOURTNEy PEDERSEN

Katy Rozas brought her dreamtolifebyopening Grounded in Nature, anursery, craftingspace and local artist shop located at 115 W. Oak Lane in LakeCharles

The business has acrafting room forcustomers to be creative.

Employment

ENGINEERING

CGITechnologies andSolutions Inc. seeksSoftwareEngineerinLafayette

LA:Design, dvlp,document, test & debugapps soft &systs that contain logical& mathematical sols.Job req bach deginCompSci,Engg, Info Systs, IT,ora relfield,&5 yrsofprogressive post-baccexp in theITorbusinesscon‐sultingindustry. Alloffers of empare contingent upon successful comp of a background check, whichmay incl drug screen dependingonworkas‐signment.Multiplepositions available. Emailresumetorecruiting@cgifederal com& refjob code 344721.

ENGINEERING CGITechnologies andSolutions Inc. seeksSoftwareEngineerinLafayette

LA:Design, dvlp,document, test & debugapps soft &systs that contain logical& mathematical sols.Job req bach deginCompSci,Engg, Info Systs, IT,ora relfield,&5 yrsofprogressive post-baccexp in theITorbus consult‐ingindustry. Alternatively, theem‐ployer will accept amaster’sdeg in Comp Sci, Engg, Info Systs, IT,ora rel field, &3 yrsofexp in theITorbusiness consulting industry.Telecomm. per‐mitted up to 75%fromassignedloc.All offers of empare contingent upon suc‐cessfulcompofabackground check, whichmay incl drug screen depending on work assignment.Multipleposi‐tionsavailable.Email resume to re‐cruiting@cgifederal.com& refjob code 323236

2025 andwill, shortlythere‐after, be opened and read aloudinthe Council Briefing Room locatedat 705 West University Av‐enue,Lafayette,LA. Bids received afterthe above specified time foropen‐ingshall notbeconsid‐ered andshall be re‐turned unopened to the sender.Bidders areen‐couraged to attend the bidopening virtuallyby usingthe followinglink https://us02web.zoom us/j/84828510041? pwd=4UA2PZ9yQg3o9vt ULN550azxjbHNYE.1 MeetingID: 848 2851 0041 Passcode:062686

tion or Certificate of Au‐thoritywiththe bidshall be causefor rejectionof bid. Copies of thebidding documentsexceptfor SectionC –“Standard Specificationsfor Roads, Drainage,Bridges and OtherInfrastructure2023

FINANCIAL

FinancialAnalyst Direct financialactivitiesand monitor trends andvariances.Assistwithbud‐gets,reconcile management reports, andmonitor variancesfrombudgeted line items. Assist with audits,longterm financialplanning,expense analysis andreimbursement.Prepare andreviewmonthly/quarterly financial reports. MBArequired. Mail resumes: AshanEnterprises LLC, Attn:G.Awan, 900GerstnerMemorialDr.,Lake Charles, LA 70601.

ScopeofServices: The scopeofthe projectcon‐sistsofbut is notlimited to thecontractorsupply‐ingthe labor, equipment, superintendence, mater‐ial, etc.,toaccomplish theworkset outinthe plansand specifications prepared by the Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Depart‐ment of Public Works, for concrete slab replace‐ment,concretepatching, cracksealing,joint cleaning,and sealing, curb replacement, side‐walk replacement, and allother incidentalsas‐sociated with this work at repair sitesdesig‐natedthe Lafayette Con‐solidatedGovernmenton specified locationswith in thecitylimitsand on additional locations within thecitylimitsof Lafayette.All work to be completedwithin65 workingdaysfor is‐suance of Notice to Pro‐ceed In accordance with LouisianaRS38:2212.

five percent(5%)ofthe base bidplusadditive al‐ternates.Ifa bidbondis used,itshall be written by asuretyorinsurance companycurrently on theU.S.Departmentof theTreasuryFinancial Management Servicelist of approved bonding companieswhich is pub‐lished annually in the FederalRegister, or by a Louisianadomiciled in‐surancecompany with at leastanA-Ratinginthe latest printing of theA.M Best’s KeyRatingGuide to writeindividualbonds up to tenpercent (10%) of policyholders’ surplus as showninthe A.M. Best’s KeyRatingGuide or by an insurancecom‐pany in good standing li‐censed to writebid bondswhich is either domiciledinLouisiana or ownedbyLouisiana resi‐dents. Thebid bond shall be issued by acompany licensed to do business in Louisiana. Thecerti‐fied check, cashier’s check, or bidbondshall be givenasa guarantee that thebiddershall exe‐cute thecontract, should it be awardedtohim,in conformity with

OPINION

Shifting blame forabandoned wellsleadsto inaction

Thousands of abandoned oilwells or platforms dot the waters off Louisiana’scoasts, creating hazards the state isn’tdoing enough to mitigate. It’snot that the only responsibilitybelongs with the state.The federal government may have arole to play,too, and thecompanies that built the wells certainly do

One way or another,though, this is amassive problem, as evidenced by painstakingreporting by this newspaper’sAlex Lubben intwo recent articles.“More than3,600 wells oncedrilledon land or in wetlands are now in open water,”Lubben reports.

And: “Louisiana has 7,583 unplugged wells in itsoffshore and inland statewaters…. The total does not include offshore wells in federal waters,which begin three miles off Louisiana’s coast.” At least 879 offshore structureshave been abandoned in state waters alone.

Some of these wellsorplatforms leak oil, methane or other water or air pollutants. Some of them are unseen below the surface, where they can snag and sink boatsmovingthrough what looks like open water.Some seem safe enoughnow,but cancause variousproblems if they collapse. These dangers must notbeallowed to fester The state should take numeroussteps to reduce therisks. Most importantly,it should identify and catalogue every offshore well or related platform or equipment, whetheroperational or abandoned, whether visible abovewater or hiddenbelow.Itshould map allthese structures, widely disseminate the map in readily accessible form for all boatersand, wherever physically possible, mark the spotswithbuoys,lights or reflective material

When those structures, contrarytoexisting law, are abandoned, or wells left uncapped, then both the state and thefederal government (where relevant) should step up enforcement, in whatever ways possible, against thosewho abandon them. If the law allows fines, then apply them; if the law creates civil or criminal penalties against individualbusiness chieftains, then pursue those options too.

For new wells or platforms still in the works, meanwhile, lawscan be changed,bothatthe federal and state levels. Bankruptcy laws should be amended so that environmental responsibilities, just like IRS obligations, must be met before any other obligations areeither met or excused. Penalties for failing to cap wellsorproperly dismantleplatforms should be strengthened, and requirementsfor companies to set aside money at the start for plugging the wells should reflectthe actual cost of plugging them, not something less.

Finally,while it ought not be thestate’s jobto paytohandle these oil-related menaces,the fact is that theyexist and thatoftentimes it is impossible to forcetheir original builders to takecare of them. Lawmakers,therefore, should bite the bullet and find ways to financetheir plugging or their removal.

Considering the perils from allthe leftover oil-productionequipment,all these stepsmerit considerablelegislative energy.

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

LizMurrill,openmeeting absolutist?

Amongmany possible sobriquets, Attorney General Liz Murrill might be vying to become Louisiana’s“open meetings czar.”

Twosuits— an Augustone filed against the Caddo Parish Commission and another in September against theLivingston Parish Library Board of Control —explain what Imean. The Caddo casefocuses on thecommission’spassage of aresolution that welcomed VermontSen. Bernie Sanders to give atalk in the city.Murrill’ssuit at first focused on the Commission’stroubling practice of issuing “special resolutions” andthen “ratifying” them at a later meeting. But then sheamended thesuit in September to notethat the ratification, which was done by electronic machine vote, was improper becauseitwas not avoice vote, as state law requires It’sworth noting here that an AG opinion from 1980 and Legislative Auditor guidance from as recentlyas Augusthave saidthat electronic votes satisfy the“spirit”ofthe law on voice votes If acourt agrees with Murrill on this matter,itcould create problems for hundreds of Louisiana bodies that

useelectronic voting. But that’sfor another column.

In theLivingston case, Murrill took notice after the library board voted to dismissthe library director without an item on the agenda and after some members saidthere would be no vote. Local residents filed complaints with her office, and Murrill agreed.

Thereare some who will dismissMurrill’sactions, especially in the first instance, as her playing politics. She is, after all, among the staunchest of Republicans; Sanders is a well-known progressive Butthe Livingston Parish suit,notably,takes aim at aboard in one of thereddest parishes in the state. Allnine board members are named as defendants, as is Parish President Randy Delatte, aRepublican who made themotiontonot renew thedirector’s contract So it’s difficult to pin her actions on purely political motivations. Perhaps —tolook at these developments in a hopeful light —she is an “open meetings”absolutist Andifthat’s thecase, then Iam wholeheartedly on board.

Ihave sat in plenty of small, local government meetings over the years

andcan attest thatmanyelected officialshatethe OpenMeetings Law.It’s an annoyance. It creates hoopsthey must jump through. It makes it muchharder for themtosneak something through without at leasttheir colleagues and the public being aware of it and having achancetoweigh in. And that’swhy it’ssoimportant. Most people probably don’tthink aboutthe OpenMeetings Law that often, but the transparency it provides is acrucialcornerstone of Louisiana’sdemocratic process. Without it, residents would have adifficult time knowing whattheir officials were doing. As Murrill correctly wrote in the suit she filedagainst Livingston Parish, “The OpenMeetings Law is astatutory embodiment of aconstitutional promise:thatthe public hasthe right to know, to observe and to participate in the actions of its government.” Amenand amen.IfMurrill vigorously protectsthe integrity of the law, she deserves kudos. Now,ifwecan just come to an agreementonpublic records

Faimon A. Roberts III canbe reached at froberts@theadvocate. com.

Recenteventshave brought theissue of free speech to the fore yet again. It’s such abasic feature of American life that we sometimes takeitfor granted.

Butit’sworth it to consider for amoment why free speech is so essential to afree society. Many probably would say that freedom of speech is important so we can show our disagreementwith government policies, with unjust laws or anythingelse that upsetsus.

alone in their opinion, or they are glad someonefinally put into words exactly what they felt. That’sapowerful feeling.

Anditcertainly is important to have freedom to disagree. ButI’ve been thinking recently that free speech is also avalue to democracies because we are allowed to express our agreement, to say loudly that we support what may seem to be unpopular opinions. We often get letters that agree with a previous letter writer’s opinion. Some even say that they thought they were

Andinfree societies, people joining together is aforce that can change things. In authoritarian regimes, dissenters can sprout up, buttheir message is easily snuffed out because the broader population is too afraid to express agreement. And the dissenters are lefttofeel isolated and alone when, in reality,they are not.Italso discourages others from raising issues because fewwant to be labeled an outsider Iamoften asked if we choose more letters from this side or that side of a political debatetomake it appear some idea is popular.Wedon’t. But the fact that the question continually comes up says alot. We all want to believe that themajority agrees with our views. In afree society, agreement matters.

So while we are all focused on our differences, maybe we should also rally around ideas that bring people together.Like free speech. Going to our letters inbox, forthe week of Aug. 28-Sept. 4, we received 78 letters. The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina was by farthe most popular topic, with 10 letters sent on the subject. Many of you expressed your gratitude forthe coverage. It was an effort that involved all parts of the newsroom,and it was important to us to makesure we honored that tragic timefor our state. Next, we received three letters concerned about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’sactions regarding vaccines. And the immigration debate also prompted three letters.

Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor | OpinionPage Editor.Emailher at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com.

Arnessa Garrett

Faimon Roberts

COMMENTARY

Cassidyand theart of wishfulthinking

As the vaccine conversation up in Washington moved from measlestoCOVID to hepatitisB, athought occurred to me: Maybe the people who are now,somehow,incharge of our nation’spublic health are just trolling U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy Cassidy,ofcourse, is a doctor who has long been an eloquent, sober-minded proponent of safe, proven vaccinesacrossthe board. More specifically,Cassidy’sagastroenterologist, aspecialistindebilitating and potentially deadly liver diseases suchashepatitis B, which has an effective vaccine that’sbeenadministered to newborns since 1991.

government recommendations

This although Cassidy assured us all that Kennedy hadpromised him he’d cause no such thing.

Here’ssome of what Cassidy,who chairsthe Senate’sHealth,Education, Laborand Pensions Committee, said on the Senate floor in defenseof his confirmation vote:

“After seeing patients die from vaccine-preventable diseases, Idedicated much of my timetovaccine research and immunization programs.”

Andthis:

He’salso, in atwist that’sstarting to feel downright Shakespearian, the man behind that “somehow.”

It was, of course, Cassidy’ssupport forconfirming anti-vax conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.torun the Department of Health and Human Services that set in motion the vaccine chaos that has now fully infected the country,certainly including those now trying to get COVID shots despite new,more limiting

“Regarding vaccines, Mr.Kennedy has been insistent that he justwantsgood science and to ensure safety.But on this topic, the science is good, the science is credible. Vaccines save lives They are safe. They do not cause autism. There are multiple studiesthat show this. They are a crucial part of our nation’spublic health response.”

Andthis: “(Kennedy) has also committedthat he would work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems, and not establish parallel systems. If

confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’sAdvisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes. CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not causeautism.”

Andyet. Kennedy fired all members of that committee. He then fired the head of the CDC after sherefused to promiseshe’d rubber-stamp recommendations by the replacements he’d chosen.

The new committee then met and proceeded to sow mass confusion by changingrecommendationsonthe combined measles mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine and the COVID shot, in bothcases in ways that will likely limit accessand coverage. It tabled aproposal to change the recommendation for thehepatitisBvaccine to newborns, but not beforesendingout all kinds of conflicting signals Andthat was beforelast week’s big news conference, in which President Donald Trump himself took thelead on making apublic connection between acetaminophen and autism, despitethe fact

that there’szeroscientific evidence of acausallink.

If all this didn’talready leave Cassidy squirming, there’sthe added element of his rationale for backing Kennedy in the first place: He was trying to make nice withTrump andhis most fervent supportersahead of next year’s Republican primary,four yearsafter Cassidy voted to convict Trump at impeachment for instigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Congress.

The really crazytwist here is that while Cassidy pushesback against Kennedy,he’strying still trying to make nice. Even as he held ablistering Senate hearing on the CDC situationrecently,he loudly insistedthatTrump deserves aNobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed,the first-term COVID vaccine development initiative.

In criticizing Kennedy’smoves, he regularly sets up the idea that thesecretaryisactually undermining the president’sgoals around transparency and making America healthy again, which is,ofcourse, Kennedy’scatchphrase.

Not that Trump is helping Cassidy out there.Atlast week’s

bonkers news conference, the president came outwith dangerously unfounded medical recommendations of his own, saying repeatedly thatpregnant women should tough it outrather than take Tylenol—hewent with the brand name afterstruggling mightily to pronounce the active ingredient —eventhough doctors sayhigh feverisdangerous to the baby

Trump also claimedthat childrendon’t need the Hep Bvaccine until theymight become sexually active,although the reason for giving it at birth is to prevent transmission from mother to child.

It’salmost as if Cassidy thinks he can argue so persuasively that Kennedy’snot doing what Trump wants him to do thathe’ll stop with the unfounded fearmongering. Thatthis medicalnightmare will end—and that when it does, he’ll no longerbethe guy who sold outinthe hopesofsaving his ownjob Thatsomehow,against all evidence, Trump is not very much in on the troll.

Email Stephanie Graceat sgrace@theadvocate.com.

Rising antisemitism astain on civilization

In any honest discussion of faithinthe modern world, there is no getting around this reality: One people of one faith, Jews, make up just 0.2% of the world’s population, yet year after year the much of the globe seems obsessed with the influence of Jews, the actions of Jews, the treatment of Jews and the fate of Jews Toomany people treat this obsession as amatter of politics, butit shouldn’tbeso.

Alas, along with this obsession comes wave after wave of theserioussoulsickness known as antisemitism. Europe andthe United States, the supposed apexes of enlightenedcivilization, are in the midst of just such awave. On Sept.19, therigorously fair-minded publication known as The Conversation published resultsofsurveys of thousands of college students and administrators, showing that 34% of nonJewishundergraduates expressed views reasonably characterized as antisemitic. On the same day,more than 100 European rabbis wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen complainingofacontinentwide trendof“visceral antisemitichate.”

This is not just about the actions of the government of Israel.By all reasonable

ethics and logic, aJew in Belgium or aJew in New Orleans is no moreresponsible for thepolicies, good or bad, of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu than aCatholic in Mandeville is responsible for how thepope governs Vatican City.Nonetheless, individual Jews keep gettingtargeted specifically for being Jewish. In recent months, we’ve seen thehome of the Jewish governor of Pennsylvania set on fire, two Israeli Embassy staffers murdered outsideaJewish museum and aterrorist flamethrower attack againstaJewish gatheringinBoulder,Colorado. Official FBI statistics showed that 2024 featured the highestnumber of anti-Jewishhate crimes since it began compiling such statistics in 1991, and early indications show 2025 trending even worse And college campuses for three years have beenroiled by antisemitic protests, with Tulane being one of the few universities that refused to kowtow totrespassing, obstruction and rhetoric that was not just hateful but violent.(Yes, there’sa big difference.)

All decent people should recognize this sort of hatred as an objective evil; yet even as amild inclination, it makes no sense

Statistics and common experience both show Jews collectively to be amongthe mostphilanthropic of cultures, and statistics showAmerican Jews have become even more philanthropic, not less so —and to secular causes, too, not just religious ones —inresponse to rising antisemitism. Andrather than being insularand aloof, Jews regularly show higher levels of civic engagement than most people. In sum,the average Jew is likely to be abetter citizen, amore responsive and responsible citizen, than the average non-Jew

To be clear,itiswrong to assume that group generalizations such as these, whether good or bad, apply to particular Jewish individuals. It is to say,though, that even if someone does insist on collectivizing Jewish individuals, the attribution of group characteristics to Jews should work not against them but in their favor

For thosereasons, among manyothers, themain character in my novel “The Accidental Prophet” writes that “all, of all faiths, should honor theJews. Youbelong to afaith tradition that is an inspiration to all people of good will.” He also encourages Christians to refamiliarize themselves with, and embrace the lessons of, Jewish traditions such as YomKippur,the day of atonement and eventually renewal

—which, by the way, begins this coming Wednesday,Oct. 1. The Jews’ survival and joyful, continuing existence as apeople and afaith is remarkable. In each of the six novels of the late Covington-based author Walker Percy,his characters see particular “significance” in the Jewish people, and he wonders how they have survived so manymillennia while other,seemingly morepowerful groups have gone by the wayside. “Where are the Hittites?” asks one maincharacter “Why does no one find it remarkable that in mostworld cities today there are Jews but not one single Hittite?”

The Hittites, and the Assyrians and Babylonians and all the rest, lacked something essential and admirable that the Jews possess. The unspoken answer to Percy’srhetorical question, an answer from which those of all faiths and even no current faith can learn, is that something good and wonderful has sustained Jews as apeople, a culture, and afaith. While hatred eventually consumes itself in its own misguided fury,only adeep-rooted love, unsullied by worldly tempests, can so endure. Email Quin Hillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

Isolationfor theDemocraticParty is gettingworse

We Americans, it seems, continue to live in two separate countries.Consider twoitems in the news this week and the inconsistent responses they evoked One was the conviction in Florida of Ryan Routh, thesecond man who attempted to assassinate then-candidate Donald Trump in mid-September 2024. The news appeared on page A24 of the print edition of The New York Times. Very different treatment was accorded to the return of Jimmy Kimmel, the third-highest-rated of the three broadcastnetwork late-night show hosts, from the suspension imposed on him last week. That action was prompted by Kimmel’sstatement that “the MAGA gang was desperately trying to characterize this kid who murderedCharlieKirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything theycan to scorepolitical points from it.” Presumably,Kimmel thought he was speaking truth to power,but actually,hewas speakingfalsehood to peoplewho were eager to believe it. This, of course, doesn’t

excuse Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr from issuing thuggish threats that may have persuaded ABC to yank Kimmel from the air —asharp and shamefulcontrast from Carr’s justified protests at Biden administration speech suppression. The government shouldn’tberepressing speech protected by the First Amendment. Still, it’soff-putting that Kimmel is hailed as amartyr for free expression when he was relaying what Biden Democrats were quick to label and often mislabel “misinformation.” Kimmel’smonologue was one example, perhapsanunwittingone, of what my Washington Examiner colleagueTimothyCarney has described as “many prominent public figurespeddling aconspiracy theory that Kirk’s assassin was aRepublican,right-winger,or MAGA type.” That theory was pretty well scotched by the release by law enforcement of emails sent by the accused killer andhis trans boyfriend. ButDemocratic voters are apparently reluctant to draw theobvious conclusion. YouGov

polling conducted after Kirk’s murder showed that 10% of liberals and 24% of “very liberal” people considered it acceptable to be happy about apublic figure’s death, compared to 4% of conservatives and 3% who are “very conservative.”Similarly,conservatives are significantly more likely than liberals to say that political violence is never justified. The difference should not be overstated. Oneofthe strongest and most heartfelt denunciations of political violence after Kirk’s assassination came from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Political assassinations should not be treated as statistically meaningful events and are often theacts of delusional people. Examples include theshooting of then-Democratic Rep.Gabrielle Giffords in 2011 and the murder of former MinnesotaHouse Speaker Melissa Hortman last June. Butviolence from the apparently lucid recently seems to come disproportionately from the Left, dating back at least to the Sanders volunteer who shot four people and grievously wounded then-Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, at theHouse Repub-

lican baseball team practice in 2017. Sanders, as Inoted at the time, quicklydenounced that attack unambiguously Sanders is amore prominent voice these days, but one fears that he speakstomany deaf ears. Young liberalsinparticular,as reflected in polls and seen on so manyelite campuses, seem eager to celebrate or engage in political violence.

The liberal influencers whofled Twitter after Elon Musk acquired it and ended the suppression of non-leftist viewsfor the new, all-liberal Bluesky have been isolating themselves from the rest of America. “The progressive epistemic bubble is getting really bad,”writes analyst Nate Silver, aself-described liberal Democrat. “Thatsuggests the bubble is expanding, slowly devouring thereality-based community,and thatformerly rational commentators have trouble escaping it once they’re past the event horizon.”

This past week, aformer teachers union stafferfired gunshots at aSacramentoABC affiliate, apparently protesting the Kimmel suspension,and leftanote saying FBI officials were next. In contrast, Kirk “was one of

the mosteffective institutionbuilders and coalition-crafters in the United States,” China scholar Tanner Greer writes. “He figured out how to makeconservative populism work.” He taught other things as well.

“Wedonot respond to hate with hate,” his widow,Erika Kirk, said at his memorial service, as she forgave the man whokilled her husband.

That surely surprised —astonished —the other half of America that doesn’tshare her views. As Barton Swaim wrote in The Wall Street Journal last week, “Whereas conservatives are obliged to know what their correlatives on the leftsay and write —sopervasive are their ideas and assumptions in our cultural institutions liberals and progressives feel no corresponding need to know the opinions of people on the right.”

The half of America that takes its educational credentials as an imprimatur of moral superiority sees no need to understand the other half and resists acknowledging the violence wreaked by those on its side.

Michael Barone is on X, @MichaelBarone.

Quin Hillyer

Stephanie Grace

Michael Barone

QB Winfieldleads dramatic comeback

BY KEVINFOOTE Staff writer

Muchofthe crowd of 20,125 on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium began leaving when the UL Ragin’ Cajuns suffered a disastrous third quarter

What agame they missed

Backup quarterback Lunch Winfieldentered with 6:55 left in the third quarter with the Cajuns trailing by 17 points, and all he did was lead UL on five consecutivescoring drives to record amiraculous 54-51 double-

overtime win over Marshall in theSun Belt opener for both teams It wasthe Cajuns’firstwin after a17-point deficit in the second half since beating ULMonroein1982 —down 26-0 and won 40-26. Thelast time it happened in anygamewas 2013 aftertrailing 28-7 in the second quarter to beatNew Mexico State49-35. Winfield hit reserve wide receiver Dale Martin on a24-yardtouchdown passwith 16 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

ä See CAJUNS, page 8C

UL running back Bill Davis runs the ball againstMarshall linebackerCannon Lewis, left, and defensiveback DarrellSweeting on Saturday at Our LadyofLourdes Stadium.

By

LSU quarterback GarrettNussmeier looks downfield for areceiver in the third quarter of agameagainst Ole

Miss.Nussmeiercompleted 21 of 34 passes for197 yards in LSU’s24-19 loss to Ole

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

OXFORD,Miss. Garrett Nussmeier seemed poised to deliverLSU another memorable season from another second-year startingquarterback. Thefifth-yearseniorhad shown flashes of brilliance in his first season as the starter.Hewas followinginthe footstepsofJoe Burrow andJayden Daniels, starswho won the Heisman Trophy in theirsecond year at the helm of the LSU offense. But the first five gamesofNussmei-

er’s2025 campaign haven’tlived up to that promise, and thelatest performance took place in LSU’sfirst loss of the season, a24-19 setback to Ole MissonSaturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. “Garrett Nussmeier’sgot to play better,”LSU coach BrianKelly said. “Every player on offense has got to playbetter.” Theoffense sputtered through most of the afternoon.The Tigers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) were held to 254 total yards,

ä See LSU, page 3C

on SaturdayatVaught-Hemingway

If LSUdoesn’t solveits

OXFORD,Miss. The LSU Tigers have issues. We’ve all known that allseason long, but despite them, LSU ran its recordto4-0 coming into Saturday’sshowdown with Ole Miss. At no time were the problems thrown intosuch sharp relief as theywere by the Rebels LaneKiffin may be an overgrown child, but he is also an offensive whiz, as evidenced by him pulling a former Division II transfer named Trinidad Chambliss into his laboratory and producing his latest killer quarterback. The Grove, Ole Miss’ much ballyhooed tailgating oasis, is hot, crowded and overrated. Chambliss, the vaunted LSU defense slayer,isnot. ButdespiteKiffin andhis offense andhis newwunderkid, this wasa game that was still within theTigers’ grasp. The Rebelscommitted awhopping 14 penaltiesand lost theturn-

See RABALAIS, page 3C

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Miss

Stadium in Oxford,

Miss.

STAFFPHOTO

BRAD KEMP

BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS

Altmyer leads Illinois to win over USC

BY STEVE STEIN Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN, Ill Luke Altmyer drove Illinois to David Olano’s 41yard field goal as time expired, lifting the No. 23 Illini to a 3432 victory over No. 21 Southern California on Saturday Altmyer was 20-for-26 passing for 328 yards, helping Illinois bounce back from last weekend’s 63-10 loss at Indiana. He threw for two touchdowns, rushed for another score and caught a TD pass Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) opened a 31-17 lead early in the fourth quarter But Southern California (4-1, 2-1) went ahead for the first time on Jayden Maiava’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Makai Lemon with 1:55 left.

The Illini then drove 51 yards in eight plays to set up Olano’s winning kick.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema was confident that Altmyer would respond after Southern Cal grabbed the lead.

“I turned around and looked at Luke before our final drive. He gave me a head nod That’s all I needed to see,” Bielema said.

Olano said he wasn’t nervous before the final play

“It was a dream come true, but it was just another kick. Something we work on all the time,” he said. “I know I kicked the winning field goal, but it’s the guys in the locker room who really won the game.” Southern California coach Lincoln Riley was happy about his

Southern

Illinois running back Kaden Feagin is pursued

Champaign, Ill.

team’s late rally, but not much else. “We showed a lot of fight coming back to take the lead, but the reality is we squandered too many opportunities on both sides of the ball,” he said.

Maiava was 30 for 43 for 364 yards and two touchdowns — both to Lemon, who caught 11 passes for 151 yards. Waymond Jordan rushed for 94 yards and two TDs for the Trojans. Altmyer threw TD passes to

Kaden Feagin and Justin Bowick. He caught a touchdown pass from Hank Beatty Beatty has passed for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass, rushed for a TD and scored on a punt return this season.

TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Texas A&M defense shines against Auburn

Associated Press

COLLEGE STATION, Texas Le’Veon

Moss ran for a career-high 139 yards and a touchdown and No. 9

Texas A&M held off Auburn 16-10 to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2016.

“I heard people saying we really couldn’t run the ball,” Moss said. “It was a statement game for us, the offensive line and the running backs.” Texas A&M’s offense struggled at times, but the defense was solid all day, holding the Tigers to 176 yards and 0 of 12 on thirddown attempts.

“We won two games without playing our best football,” coach Mike Elko said. “That is a testament to character and culture and just grinding.”

Quarterback Marcel Reed is proud to have helped the Aggies (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) w to their best start since winning the first six games of the 2016 season.

“It means a lot,” he said. “We are doing what we can to get those wins every day We are trying to play our best ball It wasn’t that today, but we got the job done.” Reed threw for 207 yards and KC Concepcion had a seasonhigh 113 yards receiving on seven catches.

Auburn (3-2, 0-2) entered the game ranked fifth in the nation by allowing just 58.2 yards rushing a game. But the Aggies piled up 145 yards rushing by halftime and finished with 207 yards rushing led by Moss averaging 6.6 yards a carry

No. 16 GEORGIA TECH 30, WAKE FOREST 29, OT: In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Georgia Tech intercepted Wake Forest’s 2-point play for the win in overtime to help the 16th-ranked Yellow Jackets edge the Demon Deacons, capping a wild day that saw them rally from 17 down in the third quarter to stay unbeaten. Haynes King ran for two touchdowns to lead the Yellow Jackets (5-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), including a tough 2-yard keeper to start the OT The Demon Deacons (2-2, 0-2) responded with Demond Claiborne’s next-

Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion has his face mask grabbed by Auburn linebacker Demarcus Riddick after a catch and run on Saturday in College Station, Texas.

play 25-yard scoring run to the left pylon

But with Claiborne shaken up on the play and quarterback Robby Ashford hobbled first-year coach Jake Dickert played for the win. Ashford rolled to his right looking for a target, but ultimately had to force the ball back toward the middle where E.J. Lightsey picked it off at the goal line to end it.

No. 18 VANDERBILT 55, UTAH ST 35: In Nashville, Diego Pavia threw five touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Vanderbilt over Utah State.

Pavia completed 26 of 34 passes for 321 yards and rushed for 79 yards. He became the second Vanderbilt quarterback since 1996 to collect six-plus touchdowns in a game and tied the program’s single-game passing touchdown record alongside Johnny McCrary (2014), Jay Cutler (2005) and Bill Wade (1950). He’s got the Commodores off to a 5-0 start for the first time since 2008. Junior Sherrill had 91 yards receiving and caught three of Pavia’s touchdown throws. It was the first time Sherrill has scored more than one touchdown in a game.

Eli Stowers and Richie Hoskins also had receiving touchdowns

and Makhilyn Young scored a rushing touchdown. Brock Taylor made two field goals.

No 22 NOTRE DAME 56, ARKANSAS 13:

In Fayetteville, Arkansas CJ Carr matched a Notre Dame freshman record with four touchdown passes and Jeremiyah Love caught two scoring passes and rushed for two more scores as the Fighting Irish beat Arkansas.

Carr went 22 for 30 passing for 354 yards and matched the TD passing record set by Ron Powlus, who threw for four scores in his first career game against Northwestern in 1994. Carr, a redshirt freshman, threw for 294 yards and the four TDs in the first half, leading scoring drives of 75, 73, 75, 70, 75 and 45 yards. He did not play in the fourth quarter as Notre Dame led by 36 points. Love caught TD passes of 7 and 34 yards, and had scoring runs of 1 and 3 yards, finishing with 14 carries and 57 yards.

No 1 OHIO STATE 24, WASHINGTON 6: In Seattle, Julian Sayin completed 22 of 28 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns to help Ohio State beat Washington in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Jeremiah Smith had seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, an 18-yard strike that gave Ohio State (4-0) a 7-3 lead with

Ex-LSU defensive leader

Reese dies at age 82

Former LSU defensive coordinator Carl “Bull” Reese has died, according to multiple reports. He was 82.

Reese came to LSU in 1995 with then-head coach Gerry DiNardo, whom he worked under at Vanderbilt.

Reese stayed at LSU through the 1997 season, his defense helping the Tigers topple a No. 1 team for the first time with a 28-21 upset of Florida.

Reese, whose career spanned more than 40 seasons, left LSU for Texas in 1998 to serve as defensive coordinator under Mack Brown, himself a one-time LSU quarterbacks coach.

Born in 1943, Reese played collegiately at Missouri from 196265. He later coached at his alma mater, as well as Kansas, Virginia, Navy, Miami (Ohio) and with the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL.

Lnyx head coach Reeve suspended for one game

The WNBA suspended Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve for one game for her behavior and comments during and after the Lynx’s 84-76 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.

Reeve, who was also fined, will serve the suspension on Sunday when the Lynx play the Mercury in Game 4. Minnesota trails the bestof-five series 2-1. In her postgame rant, Reeve called for the WNBA to make changes at the league level when it comes to officiating. Reeve focused her anger on the three game officials: Isaac Barnett, Randy Richardson and Jenna Reneau.

“The officiating crew that we had tonight — for the leadership to deem those three people semifinals playoff worthy is (expletive) malpractice,” she said.

Alcaraz shakes bum ankle to reach quarters in Japan

TOKYO Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Zizou Bergs on Saturday and then paid tribute to his physiotherapist after an ankle injury scare.

The top-ranked Alcaraz landed awkwardly on his left ankle during his opening match Thursday and was unsure how he would feel against Bergs. He held up well, saying he “could play normally.”

1:08 left in the first half. On thirdand-11, Sayin avoided a sevenman blitz to locate Smith. Ohio State coasted the rest of the way. CJ Donaldson had a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter and caught a touchdown pass in the fourth. Grady Gross made two field goals for the Huskies (3-1).

No. 11 INDIANA 20, IOWA 15: In Iowa City, Iowa, Fernando Mendoza threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt with 1:28 to play to give Indiana a win over Iowa. Mendoza connected with Sarratt, who had six catches for 132 yards, on a slant route down the left side and Sarratt broke the tackle attempt of Iowa’s Deshaun Lee on his way to the touchdown. Indiana (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten), which came into the game ranked second nationally in total offense and scoring offense, was held to 337 yards and its lowest scoring output of the season But the Hoosiers got two touchdown passes from Mendoza, who threw for 233 yards, and two field goals from Nico Radicic.

Iowa (3-2, 1-1) had a chance to break a 13-13 tie with 2:01 to play but Drew Stevens missed a 42-yard field goal.

No 15 TENNESSEE 41, MISSISSIPPI STATE 34, OT: In Starkville, Mississippi, Joey Aguilar forced overtime with a 6-yard touchdown run with 1:55 left and DeSean Bishop scored on a 25-yard run on the first play of the extra session in Tennessee’s victory over Mississippi State.

The Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) trailed 34-27 after Zakari Tillman’s interception and Seydou Traore’s 2-yard scoring run. Tennessee tied on a 13-play, 75yard drive. After Bishop scored in OT, the Vols stopped the Bulldogs (4-1, 0-1) on downs inside the 5. Held down for the better part of three quarters, the Vols finished with 466 yards of total offense. Aguilar was 24 of 40 for 335 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Mike Matthews had six catches for 118 yards for Tennessee, and Chris Brazzell II added six receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. Bishop carried 11 times for 72 yards.

“It was tough and it was a really important day and a half I had to recover as good as I could,” Alcaraz said when asked about his ankle “I have said it before and I will say it again, I have the best physio in the world, who I trust 100%.”

Blazers guard Henderson tears his left hamstring

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson tore his left hamstring this week and will miss basketball activities for four to eight weeks.

The team said Friday that Henderson was injured during an offseason workout.

The Trail Blazers are set to open training camp next week for the upcoming season. Even if he’s able to return in four weeks, Henderson likely would miss the team’s first few games.

Henderson was expected to take on a bigger role with Portland this season after the departure of Anfernee Simons, who was traded to the Boston Celtics.

Henderson, 21, averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds last season. He was the third overall pick in the 2023 draft.

PGA Tour golfer Knapp mourns his girlfriend

PGA golfer Jake Knapp is grieving the death of his girlfriend of two years, Makena White, describing her as selfless toward others and filled with energy

A friend of White posted on her Instagram page that she died earlier this week. The update did not mention how she died, and Knapp chose not to share details.

“It’s an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time,” Knapp said in comments his manager sent to The Associated Press. Knapp won in his rookie season on the PGA Tour last year at the Mexico Open. He also shot 59 earlier this year at the Cognizant Classic.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CRAIG PESSMAN

by

California safety Bishop Fitzgerald on Saturday in

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SAM CRAFT

OLE MISS 24, LSU 19

THREE AND OUT: SCOTT RABALAIS’ TOP THREE TAKEAWAyS FROM LSU’S DEFEAT TO OLE MISS IN OXFORD

BUS RUNS ROUGH

NUSS

1

Garrett Nussmeier looked healthy against Southeastern Louisiana a week ago, but on Saturday he looked like he wasn’t right again Even his 50-yard pass to Zavion Thomas that led to LSU’s first touchdown looked underthrown. And he reverted to forcing passes that led to an interception deep in Ole Miss territory, killing the Tigers’ momentum when they were up 7-3 and driving in the second quarter.The running game also did him no favors until it was too late

LSU

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16 first downs (compared to Ole Miss’ 28) and went 2 for 11 on third down. They were outgained by Ole Miss by 226 yards.

Nussmeier completed 21 of 34 passes for 197 yards and appeared hobbled throughout. He was outplayed by his counterpart, Ferris State transfer and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss He completed 23 of 39 throws for 314 yards and a touchdown. He consistently made big throws into tight windows and made plays with his legs.

Chambliss completed six throws of 20 or more yards while Nussmeier had just two.

“He’s a heck of a football player,” junior linebacker Whit Weeks said of Chambliss, “and he played good tonight.”

Kelly reiterated that Nussmeier is healthy Nussmeier declined to comment on his health.

“Look, all I can tell you is (this), he’s healthy,” Kelly said. “And again, I think he would tell you — just like TyreeAdamswouldtellyou,justlike Chris Hilton would tell you, Bauer Sharp would tell you — we need to play better and more consistent on the offensive side of the ball.”

The LSU running backs also couldn’t generate much on the ground to help their quarterback. The Tigers ran the ball just nine times in the first half and finished with 57 yards rushing on 22 attempts.

“I think we did a good job running the ball in the second half,” said Nussmeier, despite LSU averaging 2.5 yards per carry in the second half. “I think that’s an area that we’ve continued to try and improve on.”

LSU had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, cutting Ole Miss’ 11-point lead to five after Nussmeier orchestrated a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ended in a touchdown for freshman running back Harlem Berry After not touching the ball in the first half, Berry was LSU’s featured back in the second. He finished with seven carries for 22 yards and the 6-yard touchdown run with 5:04 remaining in the game. Ole Miss (5-0, 3-0 SEC) was able to eat the clock on the ensuing drive. The Rebels leaned on their strong run game and Chambliss’ legs before Chambliss connected with tight end Dae’Quan Wright on fourth and 3 with 1:37 left to seal the win.

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SPEAKING OF THE RUNNING GAME

Even with the absence of starting tailback Caden Durham (ankle), you figured LSU would be able to do something on the ground against an Ole Miss defense surrendering 190.5 yards per game rushing The Tigers could not. LSU had just 31 yards rushing through three quarters and finished with 57 total Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan faces mounting criticism but give him credit for trying everything and everyone, including receivers such as Zavion Thomas and Barion Brown

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Any win or loss over the course of a football season is a big deal, so we won’t say LSU’s loss here Saturday was not huge. That said, one defeat doesn’t condemn the Tigers in their quest of reaching the College Football Playoff, though they can realistically afford only one more defeat. The problem is LSU’s problems — Nussmeier’s health, the running game, the blocking — may not be going away anytime soon. Time to regroup during a much-needed open date.

The Rebels extended their lead to 24-13 on an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended on a 6-yard scoring carry from former LSU running back Logan Diggs. A key play came on third and 14 when Chambliss hit wide receiver Harrison Wallace for an 18-yard gain. The throw placed Ole Miss at the LSU 35. Five plays later, Diggs was in the end zone. Third down was an issue for the LSU defense. Ole Miss converted on 8 of 17 attempts despite facing an average down and distance of 8.4 yards

“It’s third and 14 right at the end of the game, and we’re in Cover 2, and they throw a dig on us,” Kelly said. “Like we’ve got five under on that. We should eat that up.”

A sack stalled LSU’s first drive of the second half, but the Tigers

“We couldn’t get this whole group playing together with the effectiveness you need to win a game like this.

over battle 2-1. They gave LSU chances. The Tigers failed to take advantage. In LSU’s inability to execute when it needed to most lay the seeds of the Tigers’ 24-19 defeat, exposing some very big problems with LSU and its $18 million roster Let’s list those problems in order of urgency:

1. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier still looks hurt.

2. The offensive line can’t block well.

3. LSU cannot run well.

4 The receivers do a poor job of getting open.

5. The defense couldn’t get off the field on third and fourth down

To have all those problems — plus injuries to key offensive cogs such as starting tailback Caden Durham (did not play, ankle) and Aaron Anderson in the second half (Nussmeier’s top pair of hands) — it’s almost remarkable that LSU was one defensive stop away from having a chance of pulling out a victory

But that didn’t happen. LSU coach Brian Kelly summed up the loss by saying his team did not play complementary football.

“When our offense started to move the ball, our defense couldn’t make a stop,” Kelly said

“We’re not clicking on all cylinders right now.”

The least clicky of all is Nussmeier

Even when he completed a 50yard pass to Zavion Thomas to set up LSU’s first touchdown, he badly underthrew the ball. Thomas just undercut his defender, made the catch and took off. Later in the game, Nussmeier had Chris Hilton 7 yards behind a cornerback and underthrew a ball that fell incomplete. Twice after the game, Kelly was asked about Nussmeier’s health and velocity throwing the ball, and both times he dodged the question Nussmeier just flat out refused to talk about it. Those are what we call in the news biz non-denial denials. Dodging and refusing to answer things don’t change what is obvi-

ous: Nussmeier can’t make the throws we all know he’s capable of making. He either has some core injury that looked better against Southeastern Louisiana but really wasn’t, or he’s got something wrong with his arm.

finally found the scoreboard on their next series, cutting a 17-7 halftime deficit to seven.

Nussmeier and Berry helped construct an eight-play 33-yard drive that put fifth-year senior kicker Damian Ramos in position to make a 39-yard kick.

The defense then forced its second turnover of the afternoon when sophomore cornerback PJ Woodland intercepted Chambliss to end a seven-play, 32-yard drive.

Woodland returned the interception for 31 yards to set up another LSU field goal that cut the deficit to 17-13 The turnover was the Tigers’ seventh interception of the year surpassing last year’s total of six.

“I believe in this team,” Kelly said. “I love this group.”

The offense struggled throughout the opening half, but it was the

Tigers who took the first lead.

After Nussmeier found senior Zavion Thomas for a 50-yard completion, LSU found the end zone four plays later Nussmeier’s pass intended for sophomore tight end Trey’Dez Green was deflected into the air and caught by redshirt junior wide receiver Nic Anderson with 9:10 left in the first quarter, handing the Tigers a 7-0 advantage after the extra point. The offense stalled for the rest of the half. Nussmeier was intercepted by Wydett Williams at the Ole Miss 12-yard line. LSU then gained just 23 yards over its next 10 plays, three drives that all resulted in punts.

“We’ve been a really good thirddown team. We have to be better on third down. And that’s not just

Maybe next week’s open date will allow him to get right for South Carolina on Oct. 11 in Tiger Stadium. We won’t know the answer to that until we see him under fire against the Gamecocks. We don’t need another game to know LSU can’t run or run block. Yes, Durham was out and so was starting right tackle Weston Davis. But the Tigers netted just 57 yards rushing against an Ole Miss team surrendering 190.5 per game. LSU should have been able to run Mardi Gras Mike at the Rebels (the float displayed at the College World Series) and

gained 125. A situation on LSU’s last scoring drive when Ju’Juan Johnson got stuffed in an olive jar trying to gain 1 yard spoke volumes. Maybe this part of the LSU offense can improve in time, especially when Durham returns. But I have serious doubts.

Garrett, we’ve got to get open,” Kelly said. “Our coaches (have) got to get our guys in a position where they can make some plays.”

The LSU defense was left to hold the line, and that’s what it did until the midway point of the second quarter, having surrendered only three points. But Ole Miss found the end zone on each of its last two drives of the first half, first constructing a five-play, 70-yard drive on the back of four LSU penalties resulting in 49 free yards.

“You want your team to be aggressive, but we have to play with composure,” Kelly said. “That drive was so different than anything that they have shown this year, and that’s what makes it frustrating for them, too.”

The score handed Ole Miss a 10-7 lead with 5:09 left in the first half. The Rebels then increased their lead to 10 on their final drive of the half as Chambliss found wide receiver Cayden Lee to give Ole Miss the two-score lead with 13 seconds remaining.

“They had dudes making plays,” Weeks said. “I mean, it comes down tothat.Wewereinapositiontomake a play, and they just made a play.”

Email Koki Riley at Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com.

Tigers are going to run the table at home, even with South Carolina and Texas A&M coming to Tiger Stadium. But their remaining road games at Vanderbilt, Alabama and Oklahoma — are all losable. If LSU can’t win at least two of those remaining three — and by doing that

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU running back Ju’Juan Johnson takes a hit from Ole Miss safety Sage Ryan, left, after picking up a couple of yards in the fourth quarter of their game on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. Johnson finished with six runs for 18 yards in LSU’s 24-19 loss.

Chantz Babineaux, Carencro

He’s quickly becoming one of the most explosive weapons in the area.The quarterback-turnedreceiver made numerous big plays in Friday’s 63-42 win over Barbe with four catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. He had TD catches of 76, 80 and 23 yards.

PREP REWIND

FIVE STARS OF THE NIGHT

Kollen Francois, Southside

The junior running back helped Southside defeat Lafayette High 45-24 in several ways. First, he had 96 rushing yards and ran for a touchdown. He also completed a 47-yard pass, and finally, he returned a kickoff 98 yards for another score

Jaden Celestine, Comeaux

For the third straight week, the Spartans are represented by their workhorse running back.This time, he ran for 202 yards and five touchdowns to push Comeaux to a third straight win in a 41-38 thriller over Rayne.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Stephen George, Westminster

The Crusaders quarterback kept surging Westminster undefeated with a second straight win over an unbeaten team. In beating CatholicPC 41-28, George threw for 290 yards and four TDs and also ran the ball six times for 46 yards and a fifth touchdown.

Walker Pugh, St. Thomas More

The sophomore linebacker had a monster game for the Cougars defense to aid in the 27-23 comeback win over Neville.The inside linebacker collected 11 solo and 18 assisted tackles, broke up a pass and had two quarterback hurries for the Cougars.

Comeaux extends winning streak

Spartans top Rayne for third straight win

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

Comeaux running back Jaden

Celestine has been true to his word since arriving on campus three years ago.

As a freshman, he promised Spartans coach Marquis Newsome that things would be different once he became a junior And it has been, as the Spartans have now won multiple games in a season for the first time since 2021.

On Friday, Celestine showed just how different things are, making another pledge on the final drive for the Spartans with Rayne leading 38-34 and 2:59 remaining in the game.

“Jaden looked at me and said, ‘We are winning this game,’ ” Newsome recalled. “He said, ‘They are not going to stop me.’ ” And they didn’t.

Celestine, who rushed for 37 yards on five carries on the final drive, scored the go-ahead touchdown with 10 seconds left to give the Spartans a 41-38 win over the Wolves in the District 4-4A opener.

“Jaden is special,” Newsome said. “He’s legit. The kid is the real deal.”

In a back-and-forth affair, Celestine ultimately proved to be too much for the Wolves defense Celestine rushed for a game-high 202 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries.

“It’s just a blessing,” Celestine said. “All glory to God because I couldn’t have done it without him. It was all him. I was able to do what I did under his guidance.”

As special of a performance as it was for Celestine running the football, the best play he made came two plays before his gamewinning touchdown. With the Spartans facing fourth down and 12 from the Wolves 29, Celestine

fought the temptation to try to do it himself and instead trusted his teammates.

He took the snap, ran to his right and pitched the football to teammate Caden Reeser on a reverse.

Reeser raced up the Wolves sideline for an 18-yard gain and a first down for the Spartans.

“I’ll be honest, my first thought was to keep it,” Celestine said.

“But if I had, that would have been making it about me and not my team. I couldn’t be selfish in

that moment. I had to be selfless, trust my teammates and do what the team needed me to do in that moment.”

Newsome wasn’t surprised by Reeser, who is also the Spartans kicker, converting the fourth down.

“Caden steps up every time we need him,” Newsome said. “He just always gets it done.”

The Spartans, who are 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district, have won three consecutive games for the

first time since 2019.

“It feels good,” Celestine said.

“To be 0-10 the last (three) years and now to be 3-1, it feels good. We have been losing for so long that sometimes it is hard to have a winning mindset. But my teammates have that winning mindset now.”

Offensively, the Wolves were led by Chase Cary who rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and Jon Paul Moody, who rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Wolves quar-

terback Austin Judice completed 6-of-8 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 56 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

“No one believed in these kids,” Newsome said. “People gave up on them. They even tried to close down their school. But they didn’t give up. They never gave up, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.

Notre Dame pulls off big comeback in win over Catholic

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

His Notre Dame Pioneers were still carrying some grief from one that got away the week before in a loss to Teurlings Catholic.

To make it worse, coach Lewis Cook’s Pios entered halftime trailing by four touchdowns to Catholic High of New Iberia at homecoming on Friday at Gardiner Memorial Stadium.

What inspiring words did their Hall of Fame coach come up with at halftime to turn the tables on the Panthers for a dramatic 35-34 overtime win?

“I hardly said anything,” Cook said with a laugh. “I wasn’t going to scream at them. What good would that have done? They already felt terrible.”

The tears in the eyes of senior wide receiver Brice Duhon after the comeback showed the passion never left the Pios. They just had to add the execution.

“Last week, I had a bad game and got down on myself,” said Duhon, who had six catches for 91 yards and two scores. “I came back this week and tried to be stronger than last week. All of these boys got me We’re a good team. Everybody plays together

“We’re a team that’s going to battle until the end.”

Duhon began the big comeback with a 40-yard TD catch on the fourth play of the second half to cut Catholic’s lead to 28-7.

Duhon also ran in the two-point conversion to force overtime with 18.4 seconds left in regulation.

“That was one of two plays we ended practice with,” Cook said.

carries, not to mention passing for 120 yards and another score.

“When he threw those interceptions, nobody is telling him nothing,” Cook said. “Nobody wanted it more than him. He leads this team in every way He’s the first one in the chapel to lead them in the rosaries they’ve been doing on their own. He’s the leader of that bunch.

to Khylon Edwards.

But nine penalties for 95 yards on Catholic consistently gave the Pios good field position, and Notre Dame took full advantage.

“All the summer workouts, everything we do, it’s for the fourth quarter in that game tonight,” Bourgeois said. “You can’t ask for a better ending than that.

“With all those turnovers, we had a lot of frustration, but I feel like we fed off of that. We don’t give up. We weren’t going to give up.”

The other big turnaround after intermission was with Notre Dame’s defensive approach. The Pios began sending blitz, and it worked.

Five big sacks in the second half stifled four Catholic drives to help launch the comeback.

“With all the turnovers in the first half, we never really were able to settle in defensively,” Cook said. “Like us, they (defensive coaches) just decided to take their shots in the second half. It all seemed improbable at the time, but you have to go for it.”

“We were going to use one of them if we got in that situation.” After forcing a three-and-out, the Pios got runs of 11 and 17 yards from Joachim Bourgeois to set up a Drew LeJeune 1-yard run to cut Catholic’s lead in half at 28-14 with 9:34 left to play

That’s when the comeback really became possible with the Pios recovering an onside kick after that score.

“We knew we had to do that,” Cook said “We almost got one earlier so we said, ‘We’ve got to do it again.’ We had to take our shot. You

can’t just not be aggressive in that situation.”

LeJeune did the honors with his second 1-yard TD plunge for a mere 28-21 deficit with 7:28 left to play LeJeune was beginning to feel the redemption Duhon did. In the first half, LeJeune threw two interceptions and later threw another one at the Catholic 27 with 2:27 left. Instead of yielding to those bad plays, LeJeune just seemed to run harder finishing the game with 89 yards and three TDs rushing on 17

“We have to give him 12 to 15 carries a game in a big game like this. He just runs so hard.” So does Bourgeois, who rushed for 137 yards on 21 carries. He too had some bouncing back to do after two first-half fumbles. In all, Notre Dame’s two lost fumbles and two interceptions in the first half set up short Catholic scoring drives of 10 and 12 yards, as well an impressive 16-play, 99yard drive in 6:56 for a 14-0 lead.

Quarterback Xander LaBauve scored three rushing touchdowns after throwing a 43-yard TD pass

After Wes Duplechin’s 10-yard sack on the first play in overtime after LeJeune’s 10-yard run gave the Pios a 35-28 lead, LaBauve incredibly connected with Madox Nacol on a 20-yard TD catch, but another sack on the two-point conversion by Drew Bertrand and Jack Vondenstein set off the winning celebration.

“It might be,” Cook said when asked if it was the biggest comeback in his career. “It could be. Twenty-eight points is a lot.”

PHOTO By ROBIN MAy

Comeaux running back Jaden Celestine, center, tries to avoid the tackle attempt from a Rayne defender during Friday’s win over the Wolves

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Notre Dame quarterback Drew LeJeune, right, and running back Joachim Bourgeois played huge roles in the Pioneers’ comeback win over Catholic High on Friday.

PREP REWIND

Erath nabs thrilling road win over Vermilion Catholic

STEVE PELOQUIN

Contributing writer

Rivalry games in high school football are some of the most fun and highly anticipated games of the year In the case of the Vermilion Catholic Screamin’ Eagles and the Erath Bobcats, that always seems to be the case. Friday night was no exception in the Vermilion Parish showdown in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Vermilion Catholic.

Erath scored the first 14 points before later scoring the last 10 as the Bobcats defeated Vermilion Catholic 24-14, snapping a threegame losing streak in one of the most-played games in Acadiana throughout the years.

“This was a good football game; it was fun,” Erath coach Eric LeBlanc said. “VC is a really good, well-coached team, and we were fortunate to come away with the win.

“This is a traditional rivalry game, and we heard the talk all week from fans on both sides You could feel the energy during pregame, and it was fun just to be a part of.”

The Bobcats (4-0) scored first at the 10:21 mark of the first quarter Erath quarterback Jack Landry connected with Landen Derouen on a 23-yard touchdown pass for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Bobcats scored again at the 4:07 mark of the second quarter, when Jahlil Charles scored on a 14-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 14-0.

After failing to score earlier in the second quarter despite a first-and-goal situation, Vermilion Catholic (1-3) tallied its first points with 13 seconds left in the first half. William Simon scored on a 2-yard plunge to trim the deficit to 14-7.

The Eagles scored the first points of the second half, cour-

Erath tight end Landon Derouen breaks a tackle during the Bobcats’ road win over Vermilion Catholic on Friday.

tesy of a 23-yard touchdown pass from Simon to Caleb Guidry to tie it at 14-all with 6:53 left in the third quarter Erath regained the lead at the 1:04 mark of the third quarter when Carlos Arellano kicked a 30-yard field goal. The Bobcats defense turned away VC at the goal line once again, stopping the Eagles on another first-and-goal situation to cling to a 17-14 lead in the fourth quarter

“There’s no doubt our defense came up big on those two stops,” LeBlanc said. “Our defense played really well for us the last couple of years, and they really stepped up tonight when we needed them.”

The Bobcats put the game away at the 2:19 mark of the fourth quarter when Charles scored his second rushing touchdown, this one from 7 yards out, to make the score 24-14.

“I told the team at the end of

the game that I’ve been waiting all year to see how we would respond when adversity hits,” LeBlanc said. “We haven’t been in a situation all year where we faced some adversity and I thought our senior leaders really stepped up for us in a tough situation.”

“I thought our team played an unbelievable game, and I’m proud of them,” VC coach Broc Prejean said. “We talked about unconditional effort before the game, and that’s exactly what we got from all 31 of our guys.

“Erath is an outstanding team, but I thought we played our best game of the year tonight. We’ve played a gauntlet of a schedule, but I like that. I like being tested and see how they respond, and they’ve responded well, and I absolutely believe that if they stay the course and stay together that there’s some really bright days ahead for this group.”

Bergeron, STM rally past Neville

QB throws 4 TD passes as Cougars overcome big deficit

BY MIKE COPPAGE

Contributing writer

Cole Bergeron and the St.

Thomas More Cougars have a flair for the dramatic.

For the second straight week, the Cougars rallied from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to win. STM rallied to beat Neville 27-23 on Friday at Cougar Stadium behind Bergeron’s four touchdown passes.

“That’s one thing about our kids,” STM coach Jim Hightower said. “They’re going to keep fighting and playing. The first three quarters, it seemed like we had a lot of trouble connecting on the snaps from center We had wild passes — and dropped the passes that weren’t wild.”

The Cougars (2-2), who staged a 39-35 comeback win at Acadiana the previous week, had negative rushing yardage in the first half because of multiple snaps that were misfired or dropped.

“It’s hard to get anything going like that, but we just kept playing,” Hightower said. “The kid hung in there. We made enough stops on defense to keep it close, and we finally made a few plays in the fourth quarter.”

Down 16-0 at halftime, STM got in a great field position when Kyle Guillot returned the second-half kickoff to the Neville 20. On fourth-and-17 from the 27, Bergeron moved the chains with a pass to Christian Breaux (nine receptions, 113 yards, TD). Two plays later, Bergeron floated a screen pass around the right side to running back Carter Melancon to make the score 16-6.

“Christian and I have a very special chemistry,” said Bergeron, whose short pass to Breaux brought the Cougars within 16-13 at the 11:20 mark of the fourth quarter “We’ve been throwing for four years. Nonstop work before and after practices.” Neville (2-2), which has won 12 state championships, regained the lead by surprising the STM

St. Thomas More’s Jared Quoyeser, right, and the Cougars overcame a double-digit deficit in the final quarter to beat Neville on Friday

defense with a 24-yard pass from Parker Robinson to Zeland Young on fourth-and-1 with just over five minutes left for a 23-13 lead.

Young caught 12 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

“If you watch the plays, we were open,” STM offensive coordinator Shane Savoie said. “We’re just missing by a little bit: a catch here, a throw there, a block here. Our schemes are working. Our routes are working Guys are open.”

Bergeron took advantage on the subsequent two drives, throwing touchdown passes to Jared Quoyeser and Carter Meaux, who celebrated his birthday with the game-winning score with 1:34 remaining. Rafi Tammariello was also a factor with four catches for 91 yards.

“Christian is drawing such attention at receiver that we’re able to play some things off him,” Savoie said. “On the gamewinning play both guys on defense took Christian, and that left Carter Meaux wide open. He was on a 6-yard route — not even at the first down marker — and was able to take it to the house. It was an amazing play for him, and

a great play by Cole.”

STM, which missed two field goals, got an interception from Heath Hernandez to turn away Neville late. The pass by Neville QB Parker Robinson was blocked by junior defensive end Hayden Hemard, who also had a pivotal sack.

“Hemard is one of a good group of defensive ends,” Hightower said. “He didn’t start. He was probably a little fresher at the end than some of the other guys.”

Bergeron passed for 339 yards on 21 completions. Owen Bailey and Melancon combined for 67 yards rushing on 16 carries. STM was only 1-of-9 on third down, but the Cougars converted 6-of-8 on fourth, including the TD pass to Quoyeser that cut the deficit to 23-20 with 3:29 left.

In addition to the long return to start the third quarter, the Cougars recovered an onside kick ahead of the game-winning drive.

“Quoyeser has probably been our No. 2 statistical guy at receiver,” Savoie said. “He’s electric in punt and kick return. We need to find ways to get him the ball. When we learn how to do that we’ll be better off.”

SUMMARIES

12-27-0 4-12-0

Punts-avg 1-21 2-38

Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-2

Penalties-yards 9-75 11-80

SCORINGSUMMARY AscensionChristian 0 0 8 13 21

SCORES

Thursday Abramson 20, Fisher 18 Acadiana 60, New Iberia 0 Ascension Chr. 22, Westminster Chr. (LAF) 12 Bunkie 33, Central Catholic 6 Captain Shreve 59, Benton 48 Dunham 42, Ascension Catholic 7 Elton 49, Gueydan 0 Franklin Parish 54, Caldwell Parish 6 Franklinton 41, Fontainebleau 20 Grand Lake 62, Montgomery 34 Hammond 49, Higgins 0 Independence 26, Albany 16 Jeanerette 20, Loreauville 6 Jonesboro-Hodge 36, Lincoln Prep 28 LaGrange 60, Bolton 0 Loyola Prep 56, Southwood 0 Madison Prep 53, Glen Oaks 0 Mangham 49, Beekman 19 Oak Grove 50, Rayville 18 Riverdale 55, Crescent City 7 Ruston 49, Midland Legacy, Texas 21 Southern Lab 46, Delhi 8 Southside 45, Lafayette 24 St. Frederick Catholic 42, Bastrop 8 Sumner 35, Livonia 0 Tioga 54, Richwood 30 Vinton 20, Delcambre 16 Welsh 54, South Beauregard 13 Friday Acadiana Renaissance 52, Morris Jeff 0 Adams County Christian School, Miss. 14, Riverfield Academy 6 Alexandria 59, Opelousas 6 Beau Chene 58, Academy of Sacred HeartGrand Coteau 14 Broadmoor 48, McKinley 12 C.E. Byrd 33, Ehret 0 Calvary Baptist 37, D’Arbonne Woods 15 Carencro 63, Barbe 42 Cedar Creek 31, Glenbrook 8 Comeaux 41, Rayne 38 Country Day 49, Frederick

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

FILE PHOTO By ROBIN MAy

Teurlings Catholic quarterback Alex Munoz, right, releases a pass against Westgate defender Chance Archangel, left, during their game on Friday at Teurlings Catholic High School.

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

SAINTS GAMEDAY

FOUR THINGS TO

The Saints are coming off an embarrassing 44-13 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks Everything that could go wrong did go wrong So the first thing Kellen Moore has to do is make sure his team has put that one in the rearview mirror The Saints can’t let what happened last week spill over. Highmark Stadium, much like Seattle’s Lumen Field, is a hostile environment. The Saints will have to block out the noise of the Bills Mafia, as well as the outside noise that followed last week’s loss The Saints need to show that the Week 3 performance was an outlier

SLOW POTENT OFFENSE

The Saints probably won’t face an offense as good as this one all season long There aren’t any quarterbacks in the league quite like Josh Allen, last season’s MVP He can hurt you with his arm and legs. His ability to extend plays when they break down is a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. His top targets are Opelousas native Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid. If that’s not enough, the Bills boast the league’s top rushing game, averaging 163 yards on the ground. It’ll be a long day if the Saints defense can’t get off of the field.

WIN TURNOVER BATTLE

This one may be just as challenging as slowing down Allen. The Bills have won or tied in the turnover battle for 25 consecutive games, including the playoffs. They are 16-4 when they have won the turnover battle and 3-2 when it’s even. The problem is the Bills rarely turn the ball over (zero turnovers this season) The Saints, meanwhile, have turned it over just twice If they can somehow keep the turnover battle pretty even, they have a much better chance of pulling off what would be the NFL’s biggest upset so far this season

THE DETAILS

The Saints have won their last four trips to Buffalo.That includes a 4710 beatdown in 2017 when the Saints rushed for six touchdowns. For the Saints to make it five straight, they can’t be sloppy.Their 31 penalties lead the league.The 15 pre-snap penalties rank second. The Bills don’t

4

DOWN, NOT OUT

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

If Kellen Moore can take solace in anything from his team’s blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week, it is that he is not alone.

Moore, the New Orleans Saints rookie coach, directed a team that looked completely outclassed in its 4413 loss out west last week. After two straight competitive losses to open the season, the nature of the Seattle loss led to questions about Moore’s ability to prepare his team.

Afterward, there was one common refrain.

“It starts with me,” Moore said on multiple occasions.

Kind of like Dan Campbell back in 2021.

Campbell was in his first season coaching the Detroit Lions back then. When he took the job, he promised he would field a hard-nosed unit that would scrap and claw for 60 minutes on Sundays. That was mostly true while Detroit piled up seven losses to start the season, and then the Philadelphia Eagles came to town.

The Lions lost that game 446, scoring on seven consecutive drives at one point. The next day’s headlines called the performance embarrassing, and Campbell couldn’t disagree. According to the Detroit Free Press, the coach likened his team’s performance to the “Bad News Bears.”

“That’s on me, man,” Campbell said, according to the Free Press. “You don’t play that bad unless your head coach did not have you ready to go.” Campbell has since turned the Lions into one of the best teams in the NFL.

Moore won’t have to look far this Sunday to see another coach who has been in a similar situation. The last time the Saints traveled to Buffalo was in 2017, coach Sean McDermott’s first season there, and they trounced the Bills 47-10.

New Orleans outgained the Bills by nearly 300 yards that day, possessing the ball for more than 40 minutes. A column in the Democrat and Chronicle after that game used the words “putrid” and “abomination” and “deplorable” to describe the loss.

“I’ve got to coach better, we’ve got to play better, that’s the obvious,” McDermott said after the game. The next year, the Bills drafted a future MVP quarterback in Josh Allen, and they’re well on their way to their eighth consecutive winning season. Moore was on the opposing sideline for another example. Kevin O’Connell has built the Vikings into a regular contender, despite some consistent

turnover at the quarterback position. Minnesota went 13-4 in 2022, his first season as a head coach, but one of those losses sticks out.

The Dallas Cowboys went to Minnesota and handed them their worst home loss in franchise history. With Moore calling plays, Dallas scored on each of its first seven possessions and sacked Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins seven times in a 40-3 rout.

“Sometimes you can get hit in the mouth,” O’Connell said after that game, according to The Athletic.

Pick just about any successful NFL coach, and you can find an example of a terrible loss during his first season in the top job.

The Cowboys demolished Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers 40-10 in 2017, Shanahan’s first season there. John Harbaugh long has been considered one of the NFL’s best head coaches, rolling out a contender year after year but his 2008 Ravens looked hopeless against the In-

dianapolis Colts in a 31-3 loss. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur endured a 37-8 loss to the

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By STEPHEN BRASHEAR

head coach Kellen Moore stands on the sideline before a game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 21 in

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler lookstomakea passduring the first half of agameagainst theSeattle Seahawks on Sept.21inSeattle. TheSaints are 0-3 as theyprepare to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Saints canbeatlong odds,but don’tbet on it

Sunday’s pointspreadisone of thelargest in franchisehistory

There are multiple waystojudge what the worldthinks of your football team.

One of them is the point spreadissuedby Las Vegas bookmakers

This week’sline for the Saints-Bills game is an eye-opener.The New Orleans Saints are151/2-point underdogs against theBuffalo Bills on Sunday.It’sone of the largest point spreads in the history of theSaintsfranchise andthe largest spread for an NFLgame this season.

It’sparticularly raretosee such alarge line this early in the season. The last time it happenedthisearly was twoyears ago. Mismatches usuallyoccur later inthe year, as injuries mount, motivation wanesand coaches arefired.

The Saints’ longodds are partly because of their opponent. The Bills, led by reigningMVP Josh Allen, are undefeated and considered one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season.

The long odds are also a nod to the Bills’ legendary fanbase. The passion of the Bills Mafia makesBuffalo nearly unbeatable at Highmark Stadium, where they have won 12 consecutive gamesdating to 2023. More than anything, it’sa reflection of the Saints and how far the teamhas fallen in recent years.

It’sbeen 40 years since the Saints played agame where they faced such long odds. In Week 4ofthe 1985 season, the Saints were 16-point underdogs against the San Francisco 49ers Forty years is along time. Saints coach Kellen Moore wasn’teven born in 1985.

of theworst teamsinthe league.

They’ve done little to disprove the doubters so far.They have not scored apoint in the first quarter all season and have led for acombinedfour minutesinthreegames. Theytrailedinlosses to the 49ers and Seahawks for essentially the entire game.

The Saints’ dispiriting 44-13 loss to Seattle was so one-sided that Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald took sympathy and began substituting backup players early in the fourth quarter

Jeff Duncan

It was not that long ago that the Saints were the bullies at the NFLbeach. The Saints were two-touchdown favorites eight times in the decade-plus from 2009-20. Those Drew Brees-led juggernautsadministered historic blowouts of the Colts(62-7),Eagles (48-7),Bucs (40-0), Packers (51-29),Giants (49-24) and Patriots (38-17) along the way Now,the Saints are the ones getting sand kicked in their face.

We’ve missed three opportunities; that’s what’sbeen definedsofar in our season. …It’snot atime to panic or shift gears or completely shift the whole schedulearound. Thisisabout focus, details, getting better and puttingourselves in areally good position (to be successful).”

“We’ve got areallygood football team (in Buffalo) this Sunday,and we’re excited about the opportunity,” said Moore, the eternallyoptimistichead coach. “Obviously, there’salot of growth opportunitiesfor us.We’re excited to keep navigating andtokeep moving(forward).”

KELLENMOORE, Saints coach

To put into perspectivehow rare the 151/2-point line is, the Saints have faced odds this long or longer only 13 times previously in franchisehistory.And most of those came during the grim early years of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Saints managed to overcome theodds andscore theupset twice. More often than not, the outcome is as the oddsmakers predicted.Inthe 38 gameswhere the Saints were two-touchdown underdogs, theymanaged to prevail only four times.

The massive point spread says alot about where the Saints are as afranchise. With a new head coach, anew quarterback and a roster filled with either aging or unproven players, the Saints are widelyviewed as one

“We’ve missed three opportunities; that’swhat’s been defined so far in our season,” Moore said. “… It’s not atime to panic or shift gears or completely shift thewhole schedule around. This is about focus, details, gettingbetter and putting ourselves in areally good position (to be successful).”

Upsets happen weekly in the NFL. Just last week, the 0-2 Browns upset the 2-0 Packers in Cleveland, and the winless Panthers throttledthe Falcons30-0 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Shocking outcomes happen often in aleague where parityrules and the business model is built to bolster the lower class.

Exhibit A: The aforementionedSaints-49ers game in 1985. The Saintsentered the game 1-2 and were on their way to their19th consecutive non-winning season. The 49ers were 2-1 and the reigning Super Bowl champions. They were coming off blowout wins over the Falconsand Raiders and were playing at home, where theyhad won 14 of their last 15 games. So what happened?

TheSaintssacked Joe Montana six times and held him to the worst statistical performanceofhis career in astunning 20-17 upset.

An upsetofthe Bills this weekend would be just as shocking and perhaps even more unlikely.But it helps to know the Saints have beaten long odds before.

Still, you might not want to betonit.

Email Jeff Duncan at jduncan@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PREDICTIONS

JEFF DUNCAN

BILLS33, SAINTS 16: Sandwiched betweena pair of contests against divisional rivals,Miami andNew England, this game likelywill come downtoBuffalo’s motivation.The Billsare more talented on both sides of theballand arealmostimpossible to beat at home,but theSaintsmight catchthemlooking aheadand keep it closefor awhile

LUKE JOHNSON

BILLS31, SAINTS 20: Even the most optimistic Saints fans might find ahardtimefeeling confident aboutthisone.While Idon’t think theSaintsare goingtowin the game,Idothink they’llbeonthe rightsideofthe huge bettingline that favors theBills by more than twotouchdowns this week

MATTHEWPARAS

BILLS34, SAINTS 16: TheBillshave scored at least30pointsinthree straightgames,and they reached that mark in 12 regular-season gamesdatingtolastyear. The Saints haven’teverscored30points with SpencerRattler at quarterback. Chancesare,New Orleanswon’t keep pace with ahigh-powered offense.

RODWALKER

BILLS37, SAINTS 17: SeeJosh run. SeeJoshthrow.The Saints will have ahardtimeslowing down Buffalo. TheSaintsare 151/2-point underdogs. TheBillsare well rested sincetheyhaven’t played in 10 games, andtheywillbelaser-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By STEPHEN BRASHEAR

Europe takesrecordleadatRyder Cup

Newyorkfansgave Europe astronger challengethanthe American players

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.— Europe painted Bethpage Black in blue scores Saturday with exquisite golf that demolished and disheartened the Americans, and proved to be the best response to aNew York RyderCup crowd that was so hostile that extra security was broughtin to keep it from getting worse. When along, loud and obnoxious day ended, Europe set arecord for the largest lead going intoSunday singles under the format that dates to 1979: Europe 111/2,USA 41/2 “I didn’timagine this,” European captain LukeDonald said. “Every time the Americans cameatus, we came back. The resiliency and confidence theyhave is really, trulyincredible.”

Rory McIlroy caught the brunt of verbal abuse and at one point turned to thespectators and said, “Shut the (expletive) up.” And then he stuffed his shot to 5feet for birdie that closed out the foursomes match for another blue point. It was like that all day.The louder the crowd, the better Europe played. And barring the great-

CAJUNS

Continued from page1C

In the first overtime session, Zylan Perry got in from 25 yards out on the first play for a48-41 lead. Perry finished the game with 75 yards and two touchdowns. Marshall tooksix plays to tie it, getting a3-yard TD pass to Adrian Norton.

In the second overtime,the Herd got the ball first but the drive

Shane LowryofEuropereacts after winningamatch on the

est comeback —orcollapse —in RyderCup history,the Europeans will be heading back across the Atlantic Ocean with thatprecious goldtrophy

“I’m seeingwhat looks like to be historical putting. They’re making everything,” U.S.captain Keegan Bradley said. “They’re a great team. They’re great players. They’re atoughteam to beat.”

The previous record after the four sessions of team play was 115. No team has rallied from more

stalled. Larcan Quinn then nailed a46-yardtotake a51-48 lead.But Winfieldendeditwith a10-yard touchdown runonthe Cajuns’turn.

Winfield finishedthe game with 129 yards and threetouchdowns rushing, as well as going 7-of-12 passing for 125yards andtwo more touchdowns.

The Cajuns were leading by a touchdown with 1:43 left in the second quarter.With 6:55 left in the third quarter,Marshall was leading by 17 points. Then Desormeaux inserted Win-

thana four-point deficit on the last day.Europe needs to win only three of the 12 singles matches for theoutright win. ScottieScheffler also made it intothe Ryder Cup record book. The world’sNo. 1player is thefirst to go 0-4 under thecurrent format Nothing summed up theweek for the Americansquite like the 10th hole in fourballs. Tommy Fleetwood hit awedge about 2feet underthe hole.Scheffler followed with ashot that hit thehole and the

field intothe gameand everything changed.

The redshirt sophomore from Lutcher quicklyled threescoring drivestotie the game at 34-allwith 4:27 left to play Marshall responded with agoahead 27-yard TD toss to Demarcus Lacey with1:01 remaining, but Winfield led aseven-play,75-yard scoring drive in 45 seconds to send thegame to overtime.

Email KevinFooteat kfoote@theadvocate.com.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. Resultsfromthe 45thRyder Cup at Bethpage Black: EUROPE 11 1/2,UNITED STATES 4 1/2

Foursomes Europe3,UnitedState1 Bryson DeChambeau and CameronYoung, United States, def. Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg, Europe,4and 2. Rory McIlroy and TommyFleetwood, Europe def. HarrisEnglish and Collin Morikawa, United States, 3and 2. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, Europe, def. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, United States, 3and 2. RobertMacIntyreand Viktor Hovland, Europe, def. Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler, UnitedStates,1up. Fourballs Europe3,UnitedStates1 Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry,Europe, def Justin Thomas and CameronYoung, United States, 2up. TommyFleetwood and JustinRose, Europe, def. Scottie Scheffler andBrysonDeChambeau, United States,3and 2. J.J. Spaun and XanderSchauffele,United States, def. JonRahm andSeppStraka, Europe, 1up. TyrrellHatton and Matt Fitzpatrick,Europe, def. Sam Burnsand Patrick Cantlay, United States, 1up.

base of the pin, then caromed into therough. But it was far more than one shot. Europeholed putts from big and small, often getting shouted at by the spectators as they linedup theshots. Nothing stopped them

The Americans had alead in only three of the70holes played in fourballsSaturdayafternoon. U.S. Open championJ.J. Spaun hitittight on the 17th and 18th for birdiesasheand fellowSan Diego State alum Xander Schauffele squeezed out one of only twoU.S. points on the day

The other belonged to Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young

in the opening foursomes match. The New York fans didn’tturn on the Americans fortheir performance. They cranked up the noise against Europe, shouting at them in the moments before —but not during —their shots, booing at every turn.

“Look, in between shots, say whatever youwanttome,” McIlroy said. “That’stotally fine. Give us the respect to let us hit shots, andgiveusthe same chance that the Americans have.”

New York State policespokesmanBeau Duffy said two fans were ejected.The PGA of America said it addedsecurity to theMcIlroy match andthe otherthree.It also posted amessage on the large videoboards on “Spectator Etiquette.”

“Attendees consuming alcohol should do so in aresponsible manner.Overly intoxicated attendees will be removed from the premises.”

Fansbooed when themessage wasdisplayed.

McIlroy ultimately got the last laugh. He has wonall four of his matches and can become the first European to go 5-0 on the road.

Whatever chances theAmericanshad might have ended on the final hole of the final match. Patrick Cantlay holed afew morebig putts to keep them in the game, and awin on the 18th hole would have cut the deficit to five points.

SCOREBOARD

Cleveland 3, Texas2 Houston at L.A. Angels, n L.A. DodgersatSeattle, n Kansas City at Athletics, n Sunday’s Games Baltimore(Bradish 1-1) at N.Y. Yankees (Gil 4-1), 2:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox(Smith 6-8)atWashington (TBD), 2:05 p.m. Detroit (Skubal 13-6) at Boston (TBD), 2:05 p.m. Kansas City (Ragans 3-3) at

2:05 p.m. Minnesota (Woods

delphia (Sánchez 13-5),2:05 p.m. Houston (TBD) at L.A. Angels(Aldegheri 0-1), 2:07 p.m. TampaBay (Seymour 4-2) at

(TBD), 2:07 p.m. L.A. Dodgers(Kershaw10-2)atSeattle (Miller 4-5),2:10 p.m. Texas(TBD)atCleveland (TBD),

wild

College football Major Scores Friday’sgames SOUTH Virginia 44, Florida St.36 FARWEST Arizona St. 27, TCU24 Houston 27, Oregon St. 24 Saturday’s games EAST EAST Bucknell 30, St. Francis (Pa.) 23 California 28, Boston College 24 Columbia19, Georgetown 10 Dartmouth 35, CCSU28 Duke38, Syracuse3 Duquesne 44, NewHaven 18 Fordham 26, Holy Cross21 Harvard41, Brown7 Lehigh 44, Penn 30 Louisville 34, Pittsburgh 27 Maine 37, NC A&T 30 Morgan St. 24, Miles17 Navy 21, Rice13 New Hampshire 24, Albany(NY) 6 Oregon 30, Penn St. 24 Princeton 38, Lafayette 28 Sacred Heart 35, Delaware St. 31 Stonehill10, LIU Brooklyn 3 StonyBrook 35, Merrimack 10 Towson 26, Bryant 24 Uconn 20, Buffalo17 Utah 48, West Virginia14 Villanova 31, William&Mary 24 Wagner 18, Norfolk St. 13 Yale 41, Cornell 24 SOUTH Alabama 24, Georgia21 Alabama St. 42, Florida A&M 14 AustinPeay42, Utah Tech 10 Bethune-Cookman41, Alabama A&M 34 Charleston Southern 31, SC State24 E. Kentucky 27, Nicholls 7 Elon 41, Hampton 20 Furman 31, Samford13 Georgia

UL running back ZylanPerry celebrates his touchdown against Marshall during theirgame Saturday at Our LadyofLourdes Stadium.

STAFFPHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Championships at AriakeColiseum (seedings in parentheses): Men’sSingles Roundof16 Jenson Brooksby, United States, def.Luciano Darderi,Italy, 7-6(7),6-1 Brandon Nakashima, UnitedStates,def. Marton

ZizouBergs

(1),

6-4, 6-3. Men’sDoubles Quarterfinals AlexanderErler, Austria, and Robert Galloway, United States, def. Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico, and David Pel, Netherlands,6-7 (4), 7-6(5),12-10. Evan King and Christian Harrison (1), United States, def. Kaito Uesugi and Seita Watanabe,Japan, 3-6, 6-4, 10-2. EdouardRoger-Vasselin,France, andHugo Nys(2),Monaco, def. Frances Tiafoe and Brandon Nakashima, UnitedStates,walkover

Transactions

Major League Baseball AmericanLeague BALTIMOREORIOLES—Placed LHP Dietrich Enns on the paternity list. Optioned LHP Cade Povich to (FCL). Recalled LHP

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT SLOCUM

18thhole at the BethpageBlack golf course during the Ryder CuponSaturday in Farmingdale, N.y

LIVING

KBON has amusic format that gives corporate, cookiecutter radio programmers fits. It’scommon to hear the Eunice station, at 101.1FM on the dial, play country singer Marc Chestnutt, followed by Cajun accordion pioneer Aldus Roger,zydeco artist Sean Ardoin and soul legend Otis Redding.

Saturday mornings are all Cajun French, including music and weather reports. The Thursday night “Swamp & Roll” show has live, off-thecuff commercialsfor restaurants, attorneys, aslaughterhouse and the “Turner Breakdown.” The breakdown, led by an accordion player and flat fixer nicknamed “TheHuman Jack,” is alively two-step in honor of Turner’sConoco, a local gas station.

Herman Fuselier

KBON’s“Variety with a Louisiana flavor” soundtrack has made the station one of the most popular in the Lafayette market for 28 years.Doubters need only attend the annual KBON Music Festival, which routinely attractsmore than 8,000 listeners to the Frog Festival Pavilion in Rayne.

The 550, on-site camper spots sell out as soon as registration opens. Hotel rooms are scarce festivalweekend.

The party returns Oct. 3-5 with more than 20 Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop bands. Performers include Travis Matte and the Kingpins,with 87-year-old swamp pop pioneer Johnnie Allan, “Zydeco Boss” Keith Frank, Tommy Gand Stormy Weather and Grammy winner Steve Riley Tickets remain cheap —$5 for Friday or Sunday,$10 for Saturday.But that money is pure gold for nonprofits that receive 100% of the admission and beverage sales. Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana, which staffs the festival with volunteers, is the current benefactor.Past recipients include the American Cancer Society,Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana and the Affiliated Blind of Louisiana

KBON’sgood time for agood cause continues the legacy of the station’sfounder,Paul Marx. Anightclub owner and DJ, Marx dreamed of aradio station that played Louisiana music, with avariety of other genres, 24/7.

Most stations ignored local music, except ahandful that played the sounds on weekends or when Maw Maw and Paw Paw were on their second cupofcoffee before sunrise. Marx paid $40,000 to secure an FCCpermit for astation in the Mamou area. At least 10 times that amount was needed for a studio, equipment and tower At the age of 50, Marx and his wife, Russell, soldtheir business, home and possessions to go on theair with

ä See FESTIVAL, page 4D

SEEING IS BELIEVING

EBY JOANNABROWN Staff writer

arlier this month,curator

Jaik Faulk at theAcadiana Center forthe Arts revealed auniquely constructed exhibit in themaingallery artthat limits color

“DarkWave LightRoom,” which will appear at the ACA in Lafayette through Jan.10, 2026, is agroup exhibition featuring artists working with sculpture,photo collage, graphite pencil, bronze and other media.

All of theworks on display were curated by Faulk with the idea of exploring expression through design; highlighting how the artist chooses material, formand subject without thedistraction of color

“The idea for theshow came out of my love for black andwhitephotography,” said Faulk. “As aperson whotakes terrible photos,Ifind that Itake thebest photos when I eliminate color,because then I’m justlooking at black and white and light and dark.

“So Iwanted to create an exhibitionwhere the palette has been simplified. And then the question becomes:‘What arewelooking at?’”

Artists Scot Sinclair, FredDaspit,

What’s thestory

All of the works on displayfor ‘Dark Wave Light Room’ were selected with the idea of exploringexpression through design; highlighting howthe artist chooses material, formand subjectwithout the distraction of color

Jesse Poimboeuf, Marianne Desmarais,Eugene James Martin, Kristie Cornell andMarla Kristicevich all have pieces in the collection, which takes the viewer from bitsofpackaging and industrially designed products dipped in bronze, to aseries of collaged works cut from photographs taken from theA&E network office in New York City.

“My day job was working in the PR department for the A&E cable network,” said painter andperfor-

BY RACHELMIPRO Contributingwriter

The concrete seawall thatruns

mance artist Jesse Poimboeuf, also knownfor his mixed media works. The BBC would send alot of production photos andpress photos forshows we were licensing.My job was to clean out the photo files of expired programming.”

Those bags of photos, destined forthe trash, endedupatthe apartment Poimboeuf shared with his wife,Nancy.Hedoesn’trememberthe originalcontext for many

Thompson asked about the seawall’sconstruction and history,along with the scope of thewall: “I always wonder whythe seawall was built around Lake Pontchartrain only on the New Orleans side? The year it was built? Wasittoput people to work?” The northshore has asimilar, although smaller,seawall. The Mandeville concrete seawall

wasbuilt in the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project. The story of the NewOrleans seawall is abit of adeeper dive. Kristi Trail, executive director of Pontchartrain Conservancy,reached back into the early days of European settlers and south Louisiana’salluvial flood plain to begin to describe the seawall’simportance.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Artists Scot Sinclair,Fred Daspit,Jesse Poimboeuf, Marianne Desmarais, Eugene James Martin, KristieCornell andMarla Kristicevich are all displayedatthe new‘Dark Wave Light Room’ exhibition in the main galleryatthe Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette. The showruns throughJan. 10.

Hilliard Museum’s fall previewtakes patronsona journey

The Hilliard Museumkickedoff itsfall season with three new an eye-popping exhibitions. The main gallery showcased the new installation by renowned Icelandic contemporary artist, Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir,also knownas Shoplifter

Kris Wartelle

Her creation, Nervescape XI,displayed agiant sculpture suspended from the ceiling made of bothreal and synthetic hair,inbright colors and soft forms.

The New York based artist is known for her innovative work utilizing synthetic and natural hair to create fascinating sculptures, murals, and installations. Arnardóttir learned hair workasa traditional craft from her grandmother Ahugecrowd of museum members andsupporters flocked to experience her work, as well as that of Louisiana artist Mare Martin. Martin’sexhibition, Beyond the Botanical, included paintings and works on paper depicting botanical life, gardens, and natureinall itsbeauty

The third exhibit, FragileMatter from the Hilliard permanent collection andbeyond, featured works by artists highlighting the study of Louisiana’s fragile ecosystems.

The grand openingparty also included tunes by LouisMichot,litebitesand refreshing drinks.

If you have not had the chance to check out these fascinating and beautiful exhibits, you should definitelydoso. We promise the journey willbeworthit. The Hilliardistruly one of Acadiana’sjewels, and we thank museum leadersfor inviting us to experience it all.

United WaychannelsDolly Parton at Rhinestone Rodeogala

The United WayofAcadiana’s Rhinestone Rodeo Gala presented by Home Bank was aglitzywestern party celebratingall things Dolly Parton.Think boots, cowboy hats,and ladiesinrhinestone outfits everywhere.

The lively event took place on Sept.18atWarehouse 535 in Lafayette.

Guests enjoyed country and westernmusic(lots of Dolly tunesofcourse),cowboythemed bites anda bourbon trail tasting. Auction items includedCaribbean vacations andspa beauty packages. Fallisfundraisingseason

The UnitedWay hosted this gala to raise money forits many community programs including theDolly Parton ImaginationLibrary.Ifyou haven’theard, this project helpsput books in thehands of even theyoungest readers Funds from theevent alsogo towardprogramssuchasStuff theBus, whichhelpsstock classrooms with much-needed school supplies, and Education Innovation Grants.

United WayofAcadiana supportssomanycauses —community health,food, financialsecurity andmore. If youwant to learnhow to make adifference,check out unitedwayofacadiana.org.

PHOTOSByKRIS WARTELLE

Sarah Foreman and Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir,also known as Shoplifter

Aaron Levigarvey, Mare Martin and Mary Ellen Hathorne

Chuck Boudreaux and Robert Schacht

JudyKennedy, LucyBegnaud, Susan Christrup and Barbara Helveston

Joel and Janet Gooch Molly Rowe and Louis Michot

Isabella Dyson, Susan Rothman and Dale Oglesby

DarylMoore, Kiki Frayard and Chuck Boudreaux

Ruben Henderson, Rebecca Doucet and Raymond Goodrich

Anna Claire Zerangue and Kade Parker

Savannah Blanco and Gaby Scelfo

Cheryl Guilbeau and Maria Zeringue

Crystal Williams, Brittni Henryand Joan Williams

KRISWARTELLE

Toprow,Holly Cope-Lynn, Margie Horn,MadisonKarisny,Abigail Pelloquin; Bottom row, Nicole Desormeaux,Heather Blanchard,Dana young and Korie Brunet

Jena and Rusty Roussel

NadiaDuncan-Washington and Rhonda Seaux

Carlissa Patin and Linda Lavergne

Micah Nicholas and Kade Turner

Diana and Jan-Scott Richard

Kayand Brent Pelloquin

Priscilla and Brandon Hunt

Jenee Naquin and AriDolegowski

Karli Sherman and Barbara Sherman

Chanda and Brian Crews

TRAVEL

Splurgeon anauticalgetaway at theTchefuncteRiver

Book this yachtand explorethe lake and life past thedock

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

Those who choose to live on a boat have aunique view of society,nature and life. It’salife of freedom and nature but also preparation and resourcefulness. While full-timeboat living may not be for everyone, for aweekend, anyone can have that experience courtesy of ashort-term yacht rental located in Marina del Ray in Madisonville Since 1984, Marina delRay has serviced recreational and commercial boaters. Thelargest marina in Louisiana, Marina del Ray is the only marina below the Madisonville Bridge,soLake Pontchartrain is aquick ride downriver from the boatlaunch for those looking for open waters. The marina provides boat slips, floating docks, showers,bathrooms, laundry facilitiesand a boat launch. To stay on the Tchefuncte River for the night, driving a boat isn’tnecessary.Guests simply board, unpack and lounge on The Decatur,aJefferson 42-foot Sundeck motor yacht, ashortterm rental with Beyond the Stay Vacation Rentals for under $300 per night.

The Decatur,built in 1987, is a renovated yacht and offers luxury dockside stays at the marina. The yacht includes astateroom with aqueen-size bed, flat-screen TV and en-suite bathroom that is small but serviceable.

The second bedroom has twin bunk beds and afull bathroom. The galley is fully equipped with athree-burner stove,oven, microwaveand refrigerator.The dinette offerscomfortablebooth seating for four.The living room has atwo-person loveseat and flat-screen TV.The back deck has covered seating, while thebow of theboat is the perfectspot to sunbathe, watch sunsets, wave at other boaters or gazeatstars

The Decatur is anchored in the marina’snewest dock. It features concrete walkways and is ranked in top 10% of rentals on Airbnb. It is roomy and comfortable withlotsofwood paneling andaclassy,retro feel. Instruc-

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

tionsfor the best stay are clear, and even though there are steps

Rentals will also have two more yachts available forshort-term rentalbythe endofOctober —another42-foot Jefferson Sundeck built in 1987 calledThe Dauphine anda 40-foot Chris Craft built in 1976 called The Esplanade Great food anddrinks are within walking distancedown the dock at The Wakehouse, a restaurant situatedonthe edge of the marina with indoor and outdoor seating. Perfect for lunch, snacks, happy hour or dinner, The Wakehouse hasa variety of choices thatrange from upscalebar food to fried seafood to house-made dressings to unforgettable burgers. The marina barand grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, andfrom11a.m.tomidnight on Fridays and Saturdays. If leaving the boat and the marina is on the agenda, Madisonville is acharming town with moss-laden oak trees and quaint Southern architecture on the river.Restaurants, shops and even a maritime museum are all found on andaround Main Street.

The Wooden Boat Festival, open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6p.m.onOct.18-19,isMadisonville’s main attraction in the fall. In 2025, the festival will celebrate 34 yearsonthe banks of the beautiful Tchefuncte River in Madisonville. The two-daycelebration, presentedbyMaritime Museum Louisiana,isa family festival anddraws more than100 classic boats, hundreds of spectator boatsand wooden boats and music enthusiasts.

Forotherbreakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee or early dinner options, there is the picturesque Abita Roasting Co. at 504 Water St. It’sclose by,just over the Tchefuncte RiverLa. 22 bridge. The coffee shopand cafeoffers a comprehensive menu of morning andafternoon fare from shrimp andgrits to chickenand waffles to giant pancakes to sandwiches andtacos.EnjoyAbita Roasting Co.’slovelyoutdoor dining area, acozyinteriorand delicious food from 7a.m.to8 p.m. sevendays aweek

throughout the boat, they are well-lit with handrails. Beyond the StayVacation

Email Joy Holdenatjoy.holden@ theadvocate.com.

Airlinerefuses to give full refundafter strike threatenstrip

Ipaid $7,155 for abusiness-class ticket from Hartford, Connecticut, to Dublin on Aer Lingus.When apilot strikethreatenedmy trip, theairlineemailed me three options, including afull refund, which I selected.

Christopher Elliott

Aer Lingus refunded me $6,096 but withheld $1,058, claiming business-class tickets only qualify for an85% refund. I filed multiple claims, called repeatedly,and evensent aregistered letter to the CEO.Noone responded. Howcan Iget back my money? Martha Rhine,West Hartford, Conn.

Aer Lingus owes you thefull refund it promised.Period. Under EU Regulation 261, passengers areentitledtoafull refund if their flight is canceled because of astrike. Airlines can’timpose arbitraryrefund caps based on fare class inthatsituation.

Aer Lingus’s85% policy appears to violate EU 261. Worse, theairline ignored your documentedrequests for months, and that’sablatant violation of consumer trust.

Aer Lingusshouldhave processed yourrefundpromptly after you asked forit. Its customer

service department should have stated itspolicies up front and escalated your case when you had aproblem.And, of course, theCEO’soffice should have acknowledged your letter when you wrote, rather than stonewalling.

Maybe Aer Lingus got confused when refunding your ticket. It thought you had requested a refund of theticket for reasons other than the strike, and the rules for your business-class tickets only entitled you to an 85% refund. Youdid everything right: You saved correspondence, pursued

multiple channels, and contacted executives. But when companies dig in, persistence alone isn’t enough. That’swhen involving an advocate or regulators like the U.S. Department of Transportation or the Irish Aviation Authority becomes critical. Filing acomplaint with oneorboth of these agencies might have been enough to light afire under Aer Lingus to give you what it promised. By theway,you don’thave to send theCEO aletter next time. Youcan start at the beginning of theexecutive chain, which might result in afaster response. Ipub-

lish the emails of all the Aer Lingus executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. Icontacted Aer Lingus on your behalf

“Aer Lingus sincerely apologizes forthe delay in processing this customer’sfull refund,” a representative responded. “The outstanding amount has now been processed as amatter of priority.”

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org.

The Wakehouse is located on the edgeofthe Madisonville marina and has indoor and outdoor seating

Trythe BayouBoilcocktail from The Wakehouse, with jumbo Argentinianshrimp boiled in spicy Louisiana crabboil, chilled and servedwith house cocktail sauce and lemon

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Take in the sunsetviewfrom the Decatur,a 42-foot. short-termrental yacht available in Marina delRay in Madisonville.

PHOTO

PROVIDED

Richard Comeaux, from left, Kevin Dugas and Steve Riley, of High Performance, performatthe KBON Music Festival in 2019.

FESTIVAL

Continued from page1D

“Louisiana Proud K-BON.”

Sleepless nights on acot and 20hour work days followed But Marx persevered with station profits that brought semi-retirement before he died in 2019. Today,KBON stands as an open door for Louisiana musicians and fans. Its annual festival is avalued friend of nonprofits

Herman Fuselier is executive director of the St.LandryParish Tourist Commission. Alongtime journalist covering Louisiana music and culture, he lives in Opelousas. His “Zydeco Stomp show airs at noon Saturdays on KRVS 88.7 FM.

CURIOUS

Continued from page1D

Agrowing city looksoutward

After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the city began expanding, looking for ways to grow outward,Trail said. Back then, what is now the Lakeview, Gentilly and City Park neighborhoods were all swamps. By the late 1800s, the Lakefrontwas in constant use for commerce and recreation. Fishing camps were set up with elevated walkways and structures, buthad to maneuveraround Lake Pontchartrain’stidal pattern. The Port Pontchartrain lighthouse, which still stands today,was floating out on the water,unconnected to land, Trail said Mechanical engineer Albert Baldwin Wood, whose impact on New Orleans drainagecannot be overstated, opened up new possibilities with his screw pump invention, patent filed in 1913. The screw pump could pump massive amounts of water,allowing for quick drainage of swampland —although this mass draining wouldeventually cause subsidence issues

In the 1920s, the Orleans Levee Board beganahuge project of reclaiming land from the lake. The lakefront development used clam shells from the lake to mix with sediment dredgedfrom the lake bottom for this newland. In 1930, the Orleans Levee Board started what would be about a21/2-year project to build an 8-foot-high concrete seawall,according to the Lakefront Management Authority.The seawallwas set into place to halt shorelineerosion and offer flood protection for the newly created area.

“The mud they are pumping in from the lake to fillinall that area, from Allen Toussaint to the seawall, it’sjust mud,and it’s so soft to build on,” Trail said. “So this is when the clamshell dredging began in the lake.” Those clams were takenout of thelake to mix in with thosesoft soils in the neighborhoods, Trail said.

“Those neighborhoods are all builtonreclaimed land, as a result of the seawall goingin, which allowed those neighborhoods to be built,” shesaid.

Dredging lake environment

The project indirectly led to Trail’scurrent job —large-scale clam dredging led to massive environmental lake degradation. In the wake of this degradation, environmental advocacy groups popped up to defend the lake one of which became the Pontchartrain Conservancy

Since clamshell dredgingwas banned in 1990, the lake has started to bounce back. As for the Lake Pontchartrain Seawall, it remains in place, battered but still gamely holding up against the wavesofthe lake.

“It’ssolid concrete installation techniques. …I would bet it’s probably sunk apretty good bit over time, but Idon’thave the data on that,” Trail said. “We’re out there every day,wesee it. It’s still there. It’sstilldoing itsjob.”

Do you have aquestion about something in Louisiana that’s got you curious? Email your question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com. Include your name, phone number and the city where you live.

Olderfriendshangout whilereaderworks

Dear Harriette: Irecently have become friendswith agroup of older women. We get along great andhavehad some wonderful conversationsand enjoyable times hangingout together.The thingis, they have way more time on their handsthan Ido. They are either fully retired or semiretired. They have no problemspending a leisurely afternoon having lunch and talking theday away.Iwas able to do that alittle bitthissummer, but Iwork and have deadlines and responsibilities. Iamfinding it difficulttomake time to stay connected theway that they do. I don’twantthem to feel like Iam ignoringthem,but Icannot carve outhours andhours every week on weekdaystohang. Howcan I getthispoint across withoutmaking them feel bad or stop inviting

me to spend time with them? —Different Clock

best to honor that monthly commitment.

Harriette Cole

SENSE AND SENSITIVITy

Dear Different Clock: First, it’s wonderful that you have friends acrossgenerations.Idomy best to keep people who are younger and older than me in my closeorbit.Itmakes life moreinteresting and keeps me tapped into what’sgoing on around me. That said, I, too, work—a lot —and have had asimilar experience. What you can do is manage expectations. Be honest about your schedule. Explain that you cannot steal away on a weekday for aleisurely lunch. Youhave more time on the weekends, but even that is spotty.If you really want tocultivate this bond, suggest that you get together once amonth. That may be manageable for you, even if they gather morefrequently.Doyour

Dear Harriette: Iama woman of a certain age —beyond 50 —and I met aman recently whoinvited me on adate. We had agreat time, andweboth decided we would like to see each other again. I was telling one of my girlfriends about him, and it turns out they used to date. She had only nice thingstosay about him,but it felt weird. Ilike my private lifeto stay private. Idon’tknow if Ilike that apotential new love interest of mine wasonce my friend’s love interest. What if we decide to date? Then we would all be hanging out together? I’mnot sure how Iwould handle that. Do you thinkIshould say something to him about thesituation before it has achance to get serious? —Past Connections

Dear Past Connections: The chances thatyou could meet someone

who hasdated afriend of yours increases as your life blossoms. That shouldn’tseem weird. It’s probably more natural than anything. Don’twalk away from him because of that. Instead, tell him that this womanisyour friend. Ask him if he is comfortable with continuing to get to know you considering that connection. Youmay want to agree not to talk about details of your budding relationship with her, given their past. Honestly,it’sbest to grow your bond privately anyway.Friends have a way of meddling, even whenit’s unintentional. If you twohit it off well enough, do welcomehim into the fold and see how everybody gets along. Sendquestions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/o AndrewsMcMeel Syndication 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

‘I feel like it’s just freedom’

BY LEANNE ITALIE AP lifestyles writer

NEW YORK

PamelaAnderson has nothing against makeup.

It’sjust that she’s been there, done that in her younger years. That’swhy now,at58, she’sattending fashion shows and film premieres with ablissfully bare face

It’salook, especially for olderwomen,thatserves to plague and perplex. Do we chaseyouth(andrelevancy) with afull face, or do we fosterradiant skin and march on makeup free?

“I’mnot tryingtobethe prettiest girl in theroom,”Anderson told Vogueahead of arecent show sheattended during Paris Fashion Week.“Ifeel like it’s just freedom. It’slike arelief.”

Down hereinthe non-celebrity world, is it just as easy and comfortable to go makeup-free? Some proponents of the look, along with style and beautyexperts, weigh in.

On thejob

Women, particularlyolder women, are not universally givingupmakeup, but Anderson, Alicia Keys and other celebritieswho have publicly shown offbare faces have certainly inspired some to cast it off.

Workingwomen,however, acknowledge difficulties doing thatonthe job —especially in traditional, less creative workspaces.

“I do still think that there are some politics associated with it. More around feeling and looking polished,” saidDeborah Borg, the chief of human resources fora creative-leaning company that has roughly 25,000 employees.

She said she’sseen more womencome into work makeup-free since COVID, and thinks the pandemic significantly altered the workplace dynamic.

Borg, 49, gave up makeup four years ago, save an occasional swipe of her bold, signature red lipstick. At Dalya, a cozy clothing shop in New York’strendy Soho neighborhood, shelent herselfas amodel to demonstrate how to help one’sbare skin glow and howtouse attire and accessoriestoaccentuate thelook.

Skin prep

Makeup artist RebeccaRobles counseled Borg and oth-

EXHIBIT

Continued from page1D

ers with mature skin to think hydration when choosing products to makethe most of their bare faces.

Robles recommends afivestep workdayroutine: Agentle cleanser thatdoesn’tstrip the skin; avitamin Cserum to brighten andmitigate fine lines; amoisturizerwith sun protection;a separate broadspectrum sunscreen for an extra boost(don’tforget to apply thattothe ears); and aglossy lip balm forabit of added polish. No mascara? No problem. Use alash curler to offer abit of pop to theeye, Robles said. And gently brush brows into place to complete the look.

Findproductswithhyaluronic acid and ceramides, Robles suggests, andalwaysswipeup withskincare products. Minimize tugging andpulling on theskin.

“Whenyour skinisglowing, one thing that’sreally fun to keep in mind is that light reflects off that moistureinthe skin and can help blur out any fine lines or enlarged pores. So it’swin-win,” Robles said. She advised that each prod-

uctshouldsit foraminute or twobefore the next step is applied.

Borg emphasized the ease of her morning routine since going makeupfree. She used to spend about 30 minutes just on makeup. Now,she does hair and face in half that time.

Make colorinclothes sing

Natalie Tincher,a personal stylist and founder of Bu Style, praisedAnderson, Keys and other celebrities whohave gone without makeup both publicly and on social media.

“They look beautiful and they’re so confident in their naturalpersona andwho they are thatI feel like it’sreally giving an example for all of us women to say,‘Hey, whatamI hiding? Idon’thave to do that. I can makethe choice if Iwantto go no makeup, minimalmakeup, full glam. Ican have those choices,’”she said. For her clients going makeup-free, she uses athree-prong approach.

First, withclothes,“use a lotofcolor.Icall it ourfilter,” Tincher said.

of the images now,which became the basis for aseriesofcollages he created in thelate 1980s. The pieces depict an almost eerie transformationofreality,placing people, animalsand the viewer in the most unusual situations. Poimboeuf said, “I have apretty

broad acceptance of disparatematerials and disparateimages. It excites me, andI thinkitexcitesviewers in the sense that it makes you start looking harder.Alot of times, the work that initially I’m either not sure about or I’m repelledbyit— I endupliking it themost.

Lafayette artist Eugene James Martin is represented in the show through works selected by his widow,Suzanne Fredericq.His graphiteonpaper drawings, completed

Secondly,playwithtexture; it determines how light will be reflected. “So if youhavesomething more matte, that is going to create amoresoft lighting on you. If you have more silk satin, like say something like a blouse,it’sgoing to be morelike alaser beam,” she said. Finally,accessorize. Tincher said addedtouches like lapel pins, earrings and necklaces can provide afinished

polish —especially if that polish is still expected at work. Aconsidered style canoffset judgmentsabout goingmakeup free, she said.

“Think of your outfit as the bigpicture.Whenyou walk in, what is the statement that it’smaking? It’snot just about one part of you, it’syour whole presence in aroom,” she said. More behind trend

Colleen Gehoski Steinman, wholives near Lansing, Michigan, recently pivoted from a career in public relations and fundraisingtoprofessional sewing. During the pandemic, she stoppedcoloring herhair, then gave up wearing makeup much of the time.

But at 59, she’s nota stickler about it if she’sgoing to be in lighting that will washher out.

“This is who we really are, and you can be beautiful just as you are,” Steinman said.

In South Carolina, Cate Chapman manages abagel shop and sells her homemade custards at farmers markets in the Greenville area. As ateen, she was all-in on makeup but has been happily free of it since the early 1990s.

“I just thought, for one, makeup is expensive,” said Chapman, 57. “Putting it on is time-consuming. As afemale, I’m making less, and my malecounterparts don’thave to put out this expense. It isn’tfair.Itfeels expected, and it’snot right.”

Makeup, she said, “felt like prison.” She stopped gradually, giving up foundation first. But still, she’snot above applying a bit of mascara on special occasions. “If youenjoyit, do it,” Chapman said. “But if you feel like a slave to it, let it go.”

in 1977, merge the “geometric and theorganic,” accordingtoFredericq, who is aresearch biologist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Martin, whowas originally from Washington, D.C.,was known for abstract pieces that merged whimsy and structure, attracting theviewer’scuriosity “He embraced both states, often with alot of humor,” said Fredericq, whosaidthatshe spent

much of the summer in herhome cataloguing her late husband’s works. “He was avery happy artist, and his work was so lovely and inventive.”

Main gallery hours at the AcadianaCenterfor theArts, located at 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette, are 9a.m. to 5p.m. Tuesday to Saturday Email Joanna Brownatjoanna. brown@theadvocate.com.

AP PHOTO By KIRSTyWIGGLESWORTHH

Pamela Anderson appears at the premiere of the film ‘The NakedGun’ in July

ASSOCIATEDPRESS/ INVISION PHOTOByANDyKROPA

Makeup artist Rebecca Robles, left, and Deborah Borg discuss howtopulloff the ‘no makeup’ makeup look at the women’s clothing store Dalya on in Newyork

AT THE TABLE

CajunSundaylunch staple will have tongueswagging

BY DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN

Contributing writer

“Are you going to comehome this weekend andvisit me?”, I asked my daughter,who lives in Houston.

“Well, only if youpromise to make beeftongue,” said my daughter.Itisher favorite.

It may seem like an unusual request, butifyou have never had oven-roastedbeeftongue, you may want to giveita try Ifirst had beef tongue when we lived on the farm.Every nine months or so,wewould slaughterone of ourcattle formeat. The animal would be brought to theslaughterhouse,and thenext day, my motherwould pick upthe offalfor processing at home. The rest of themeat was left at theslaughterhouse to hang in thecooler and be processed laterinthe week. It would becut andwrapped in butcher paper,labeledtomymother’s specifications and placed in our home freezertouse over thefollowing months Theoffal we receivedwas the liver,intestines,brain, kidneys, heart and tongue.

Although it is not technically offal, oxtail wasincluded, too. My motherseparated and cleaned each item. Some items were frozen, and some werecooked that day,asfreshnessisimportant when eating offal.

When various organs were cooked together, it wascalledcowboystew, or Cajuns callitdebris. As we onlyslaughter animals once or twice ayear,itwas something special. Some of my familymembers loved it, while others only ate thegravy over white rice. Sinceitwas an occasional thing, Ienjoyed the cowboy stew.Ithad adistinctive, robust flavor

Thetongue requires special cleaning. Thewhole tongueis placed in boiling water for 3to5minutes. It is then removed from the water,and while hot, thetongue is scrapedtoremove thewhite outerskin. Once cleaned, Momma would stuff the tongue with finely chopped onions, bell peppers, celeryand garlic. This mixture was highly seasoned with salt, redpepper and black pepper Oven-roasted tongue was aSundaylunchitemcooked alongsidea beef roast. Momma would put the tongue androast in the oven before we went to Mass, andwewould return homean hour later, and she would continue cooking therestofthe meal. Themealwas rounded outwithwhite rice, vegetables like corn macque choux, fried eggplantmedallions, smotheredokra, sweet peas and acabbage slaw dressedwith white vinegar,salt andpepper

Although we ate well duringthe week,Sundays were the times we feasted and enjoyed eating well, visiting relatives andresting.

Ihope that you might explore cookingoffal. These organ meats are high in minerals and nutritionalvalue.Mymother had the work of cleaning and stuffingthe tongue, but today you canfind them allcleaned,stuffed andseasoned,readyfor cookingatlocal markets in theAcadianaareaofLouisiana.Major big-box stores also have cleaned,ready-to-cook tongues that need to be stuffed and seasoned If those are unavailable where you are, followthe directions below for the dish.

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Sunday,Sept. 28, the271st dayof2025. There are 94 daysleft in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Sept. 28, 1928, Scottishmedical researcher Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first broadly effective antibiotic.

Also on this date:

In 1781, American forces in the Revolutionary War, backed by aFrench fleet, began their successfulsiege of Yorktown, Virginia.

In 1924, three U.S. Army planes landed in Seattle, completing the first round-the-world trip by air in 175 days.

In 1941, TedWilliams became the most recent AmericanLeague baseball player to hit over .400for aseason, batting .406for the BostonRed Sox. In 1962, afederal appeals court found Mississippi Gov.Ross Barnett in civil contempt for blockingthe admission of James Meredith, aBlack student, to the University of Mississippi. In 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat signed an accord at the White House calling for an end to Israel’smilitary occupation of West Bank cities and expanding the responsibilities of the Palestinian Authority

In 2016, Hurricane Matthew forms near the Windward Islands and goes on to kill more than 1,000 people in Haiti, elsewhere in theCaribbean and the southeastern U.S.

In 2000, capping a12-year battle, the U.S. government approved useofthe abortion pill RU-486.

In 2020, the worldwide death toll from the coronavirus pandemic reached 1million, accordingtoacount by Johns Hopkins University

In 2022, Category 4Hurricane Ian barreled ashore in southwestern Florida and then bisected the center of the state, causing morethan 100 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage.

Today’sbirthdays: Actor Brigitte Bardot is 91. Filmmaker John Sayles is 75. Football Hall of Famer Steve Largent is 71. Zydeco musician C.J. Chenier is 68.HockeyHall of FamerGrantFuhr is 63. Actor-comedian Janeane Garofalo is 61. Actor Maria Canals-Barrera is 59. Actor Mira Sorvino is 58. Actor Naomi Watts is 57. Olympic gold medal swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg is 50. Rapper Jeezyis48. Golf Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak is 48. Pop-rockmusicianSt. Vincent is 43.Actor Hilary Duff is 38. Boxer Terence “Bud” Crawford is 38. Tennis player Marin Cilicis37. Actor Keir Gilchrist is 33.

OvenRoasted Beef Tongue

Serves 6-8.

3-4pounds beef tongue

1medium onion, finelychopped

1/2 green bellpepper, finelychopped

1stalk of celery, finelychopped

2garlic cloves, finelychopped

1teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon red cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

3tablespoons vegetable oil

2teaspoons salt

1teaspoon red cayenne pepper

2teaspoons granulated garlic

1largeonion, chopped mediumdice

1/2 green bellpepper,chopped medium dice

1. Mix the finely chopped onions, bell pepper,celery and garlic cloves. Add1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon red cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.Stirto combine.

2. Rinseand pat dry the beef tongue.

3. Using along, sharp knife, make along cut into the center of thetongue, creating a hole down thelength of the center of the tongue. Addthe seasoned chopped vegetables intothe hole. If there are vegetables that remain, add them to theother chopped vegetables

Oven-roasted beef tongue is the maincourse for thisSunday lunch, served along withpeas, rice and gravyand fried eggplant medallions.

4. Season the outside of the tongue with2teaspoons salt, 1teaspoon red cayenne pepper and 2teaspoons granulated garlic.

5. Preheat oven to 400 F.

6. In alarge Dutch oven or oval heavy aluminum pot(such as Magnalite), add 3tablespoons vegetableoil. Addthe tongue to thepot and rollthe tongue into theoil to coat allsides of thetongue.

7. Cover the pot and place in theoven. Cook for1 hour

8. Removefrom oven and turn the tongue to the other side to continue roasting. Cover thepot and return to theoven.

9. At this point,what you arelooking for is the tongue juices to be released and to begin to reduce andcaramelize. Once you notice that thetongue

juices arewellcaramelized, add remaining chopped vegetables. Stir well.

10. Add 1cup water. Cover and return pot to the oven.Cook,covered, 1morehour. Youmay need to repeat this step, depending on the texture of the tongue 11. Check for doneness by inserting acarving fork into the tongue.You want the tongue to be tender andhavelittle resistance to the fork. Youmay need to addmorewater and cook for longer to getto the desiredtenderness. It is not unusual to cook a tongue for3 hours.

12. Whencooked,slice across the tongue so that each piece hasvegetable stuffing. Serve gravy over abed of white rice.

Friend always flakes outatthe last minute

Dear Miss Manners: Ihave alongtime friend who has ahabit of waiting until thelast minute to confirm plansoreven make them.

20 years,there might really be something wrong here.

One Sunday morning, she asked me if I would like to come over and go for awalk sometimethat week and thenstay for dinner.Isaid, “Does Wednesday workfor you? It looks like the weather will be OK thatday.”

On Tuesdaynight at 8:30, she responded, “Wecan’tgotomorrownow becauseI’ve been called about getting aCTscan done for my implant.”

She has beendoing this for at least20 years. HowdoIkindly tell her that what she is doing is notrespectful without getting hermad?

Gentle reader: If she hasbeen getting scansonher implant for

Easy

But if what you meant is that she hasbeen coming up with 20 years’worth of emergency excuses,Miss Manners suggests you say,with aworriedtone, “I have to tell you: Iamafraid to make plans with you. Every time we do, something perilous comes up. Idonot wishtoput you in any danger!”

As for making thoseannoying last-minuteplans? Consider thatperhaps she is familiar with her own proclivitytocancel and actually wants to hold herself accountable. It does not mean you have to like it,but if you want to seeher,itmight be theonly way

Dear Miss Manners: Arelative of mine died suddenly in her apartment.She lived alone, and sadly it was several days before she was found, along with her dog (who is doing fine)

The person who discovered her body was asecurity guard in her building; he had awarm but professionally distanced

relationship with my relative and her dog. He’s been very kind and helpful through the postdeath process of managing my relative’sapartment, and Iget the sense that the experience of finding her in the apartment was difficult for him.

My family intends to send the security guard aheartfelt card thanking him for all he’sdone and for being akind and frequent presence in my relative’s life. But Iwonder if something moresubstantial is warranted —agift card, check or donation to afavorite cause in his name, perhaps (though Idon’tknow him well enough to speculate what afavorite cause might be). Is there etiquette for this?

Gentle reader: Etiquette for what you should send the person who discovers your deceased relative?No.

Any sort of monetary present will feel inadequate. Miss Manners encourages you instead to put the energy into that letter, thanking the gentleman pro-

fusely for attending to such a monumental and potentially harrowing situation with so much grace.

Although, now that she thinks of it, agood bottle of wine might not be remiss.

DearMiss Manners:Iamjust back from what was supposed to be my dream trip to Italy and Spain. Iwon’tsay it was atotal nightmare, but Iwas treated rudely by locals who were protesting tourism. There were shouts and even anear miss froma water pistol. We all know that these places’ economies are based on tourism.And frankly,they couldn’task for abetter visitor: Ihad studied up on their history and art, and learned enough Italian and Spanish phrases to speak to the locals in their own language. How did they even identify me as atourist?

Gentle reader: Howwere you dressed?

Sendquestions to dearmissmanners@gmail.com.

tips on labeling navy andblack clothes

Dear Heloise: Iamwriting in response to Susan H.,who said hat she would love it if manufacturersput the color navy or black on clothing tags. She can do this herself. Just take afine-point permanent marker and put an “N” or a“B” on theclothing tag Or she canbuy small blue and black safetypins to attach to the tag. She couldalso use blue and black clothes hangers. She can do something similar withshoes by using apermanent marker or placing something inside the shoe. Just take it out when you wear it, thenput it back in, or place it inside when you take them off. Or put theminashoe rack andlabel the pocket or shelf. —Shelly L., in Ohio

Late hospital bills

Dear Heloise: Iwanted to write in regarding therecent question

about hospital bills that werereceived twoyearsafter thehospitalization. Yes, thehospital must provide an itemized bill upon request and should have done so.Ifcontacting the hospital administrator provides no relief, the reader should contact her state’s attorney general and the Division of Healthand Human Services withher complaints She should also tellthe hospital administrator that she will do so if she doesn’tpromptly receive an itemized bill. It’s always best to give an actual datefor a deadline, like one business week to receive theseitemizedbills. Then she mustreconcile these itemized bills withher explanationofbenefits from her insurance company to know what she really owes The hospital may have an ombudsman who can help her with all of this. If not,once she has all the paperwork in hand, she may askfor assistanceather church or asenior center withsomeone who knows their way around all

this paperwork. —J.D.W., in St. Louis Spilled water

Dear Heloise: Ilook for your column regularly in The Times-Picayune in NewOrleans. My hint is about opening bottled water specifically the individual ones in plastic. Today the individual 17-ounce bottlesofwater seem to be packaged in thinner and thinner plastic. When opening one, we usually grasp the bottle around its middle with one hand; thenwhile unscrewing the top withour other hand, our impulse is to squeeze the bottle, resulting in spilled water However,ifyou hold the base of the bottled water in alightly cupped hand, then unscrew the topwiththe other hand, it usually results in no spillage. —Pam C., in Covington, Louisiana Pam, thanks for writing in, but abetter waynot to deal with this problem in the first place is to avoid using plastic bottles. There aremany trendy water containersavailable nowadays that

won’tharm our planet as much as plastic. —Heloise

When making lasagna

Dear Heloise: My husband is actually the chef in the family.Ionly make two meals: lasagna and chili. My boys always loved my lasagna, and whenthey moved away to college and were in an off-campus house, Iwould make the usual lasagna batch and put it into meatloaf tins. The non-precook gluten-free ones were actually the perfect size for each layer.Since Ididn’t have to cook them,itreally decreased the prep time. Imade sure that the top layer was wellcoated with the sauce. Icould make 4-5 meatloaf pans, cover them with foil, then put them in afreezer bag, and freeze them. They were the perfect size for growing boys without them having to keep eating afull lasagna for an entire week! —Annette G., via email

Email heloise@heloise.com.

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Hints from Heloise

PHOTO By DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN

Jazz Fest favorite’s life unfoldsina newbiography

Doc Watson constantly drew loyalfans

BY BARBARA SIMS Contributing writer

“Doc Watson: ALife in Music” by Eddie Huffman, University of North CarolinaPress, 288pages

In 2009, when folk singer Doc Watson was the featured performer in the New OrleansJazz &Heritage Festival’sBlues Tent, he received astanding ovation before he began to play

According to The Advocate’s John Wirt, although Watson was 86 years old, he demonstrated “masterful flat picking and finger style” guitar playing, anda voice that was “strong and true.” Chris Rose, of The Times-Picayune, praised Watson for “glorious acoustic blues, flavored with touches ofbluegrass, gospel and old-time country.”

This audience enthusiasm came fromloyal fans Watson hadattracted in Louisiana during the six previous times he had performed at Jazz Fest, going back to 1977. For two of these years, he shared the bill with his sonMerle Watson, also an exceptional guitar and banjo player,and singer

Thewarm welcome in 2009 was poignant, as this was Watson’s last visit to New Orleans before his death in May 2012, at theage of 89.

Arthel “Doc” Watson’sstory is told in Eddie Huffman’s new biography,“Doc Watson: ALifein Music,” apart of the University of North Carolina Press’s series examining roots traditions in American music. Huffman’sdetailedbut very readable narrative explains the seeming paradox of how asinger/picker from theremotest hills and hollows of Appalachia could be known for singing the blues, as well as several other genresofmusic.

Born in 1923 in Deep Gap, North Carolina, Watson hadlittle sightasaninfant and within a year was totally blind. However, he did not lack the means for becoming musically literate from the earliest age; at 2, he would sit on his mother’slap in the Free Will Baptist Church, absorbing the congregationalsinging of rhythmicalhymns. When he was 5, his father gave him aharmonica and taught him the musical scale. Throughout his early life, he heard his father and uncles play folk songs on guitar,and he tookhis first tentative steps to be like them with aborrowed guitar about the same time. The radio brought him pop music; the train songs andother

blues ofJimmie Rodgers;country music, including the bluegrass of his nativeregion; and an even greatervariety from XERA and other powerhousestationsalong the Mexican border.Abig day camewhen Watson’sdad brought home aVictrola record player that camewith an assortment of 78 rpmrecords.

At age 10, Watson entered school for the first time, enrolling in astate-sponsored school for theblind some 200 miles from Deep Gap. There, he was exposed to classical music as well as Dixielandjazz and blues. He also learned pianotuning before returninghome to stay at age 13.

He practiced playing these types ofmusic, as well as those he had learned before, on aguitar andbanjo his family had given him.

Upon Watson’sreturn to Deep Gap,hebegan performing for changeonthe streets of nearby Boone, North Carolina. Soon he was playingwith asmall bluegrass band for VFW dances and events of all kinds.

Folklorists had long been interested in authentic mountain

music, but it was in 1959 that RalphRinzler of the Smithsonian made atrip to North Carolina that was fateful for Watson. Rinzler recorded for theFolkways label several albums with the band of Charles Ashley,for which Watson was the guitarist and sometime banjoist

Atrip to New York introduced thegroup to Joan Baez and other emerging stars of thefolk scene that was burgeoning in Greenwich Village. Then followed a tourofthe Midwest. Thereafter, his career and life moved fast Soon, he was touring and recording as asingle act at the many folk festivals from coast to coast, as well as joining other types of touring shows and booking solo engagements. By thelate 1960s, he had emerged as one of the top personalities of the folk movement. At thesame time, Watson and his wife, RosaLee Watson, had been rearing their son, Merle, named for bluegrass great Merle Travis. During themid-’70s, Merle Watson began touring withhis father,serving as driver,companion and performer.During those

10 years, Doc Watson estimated his son had driven 4million miles, doing as manyas178 showsone year Merle Watson was reticent as aperformer,preferring to be at homeinNorth Carolina, living a farmer’slife. Also, he believed that if he had remained in one place, his marriage might not have ended in divorce. He also found that any new relationship ended prematurely in part because he was never around.

Unfortunately,Merle Watson developed aserious cocaine addiction and began acting erratically.When at home, he rode around on his tractor at all hours and neglected to install the usual safetyfeature that tractors need to protect thedriver.Several times he ran off the road and turned over the tractor.OnOct. 23, 1985, he rolled the tractor one time too manyand wascrushed underneath the heavy machinery He was 36 years old.

Doc Watson wasinconsolable and gave up performing until financial reality dictated that he adopt areduced schedule of appearances. Anew driver and

companion, his grandson Richard Watson, accompanied him Despite the strong objections of his father,Richard Watson had taken up the guitar and wasable to perform with his grandfather in someofthe shows. Richard Watson gained anew purpose when, in collaboration with friends and fans of his father,helaunched amemorial music festival, MerleFest, in his honor.Since 1988, the festival has been held in April each year in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. In his career,Doc Watson was awarded seven Grammy Awards and the Grammy LifetimeAchievement Award, among other honors. Through it all, his wife wasan unfailing source of love and support. It is hard to imagine Doc Watson’sunlikely and remarkable achievement without astable place to go hometofor renewal and strength. Despite the dramatic tragedies and triumphs of DocWatson’s life, Huffmanavoids sentimentality,judgments or interpretation. But he leaves the reader with much to ponder

Avid reader hasrecordedher literary journeysince 2005

Earlier thisyear,when The New York Times featured aman who had recorded every book he’d readover many years,I thought about my friend Linda Lightfoot, who’skept asimilar list for two decades.

The Times’ story about DanPelzer,aresident of Columbus, Ohio, whodied in July at 92, gotlotsof attention. Pelzer had kept alist of his reading since 1962,logging 3,599titles before his eyesight gave out two years ago. Pelzer’s familyhas created awebsiteto share hislist at what-dan-read com. Lightfoot, aretired newspaper editor andmyformer boss, started her list in 2005.

“That was aperiod of time when Idiscovered books on tape,”she recalled. “I was fascinated by

this newability to listen to books while doing laundry,puttingon makeup or cooking.”

Whether shewas listening to a bookorreadinga printed copy, Lightfoot decideditmight be wise to keeparecord:“It occurred to me that Iwas reading alot of booksand listening to alot of books Ididn’twant to startreading again.”

Lightfoot,anavid reader since childhood,had more time for

books after she retired as executiveeditor of The Baton Rouge Advocatein2007. She loves detectivefiction and history, especially Louisiana history

“The mostimportant thingtomeinfiction is good dialogue,”she told me.

Amongher favorite novelists are John Grisham and Michael Connelly

“I learned alot about horses that Ididn’tknow about from him,” she said.

“I enjoy detective fiction from other countries,” she added. “I like the South African author Deon Meyer,Icelandic authors and Britishauthors.”

Lightfoot was an early fan of thelate Britishmystery writer Dick Francis, whose books drew on equestrian themes.

Local history is an abiding passion forLightfoot.

“I’m almost obsessed with the history of New Orleans,” she mentioned.

Among her choice volumes on Louisianahistory are “Peapatch Politics,” William J. Dodd’saccount of the Earl Long era, and “Kingfish,” Richard D. White’sbiography of Huey Long. Lightfoot logs her reading list on her computer so she can easily search titles andremind herself, for example, what she’salready read aboutStonewall Jackson. Alongwith her computer file, she also lists books in three printed notebooks: onefor fiction, one for

TRADEPAPERBACK

nonfiction and one forher monthly tallies.

“I prefer to look at it on paper,” she said of her reading journal. Lightfoot, 84, shies away from discussing how manybooks she’s recorded on her reading list since 2005.

She worries that it might be misread as aboast, reducing her reading to acompetition.

Other readers have found that tracking what they read over time teaches them something. Has Lightfoot learned anything from her exercise?

“I think the thing that strikes me,” she said, “is that even though I’mold, Istill like to learn.”

Email Danny Heitman at danny@ dannyheitman.com

Danny Heitman DannyHeitman

Lightfoot

STAFF FILEPHOTO By CHRISGRANGER

DocWatson plays in the Blues Tent at Jazz Fest on May1,2009.

ATTHE

On thegreen andinfront of thescreen: Louisiana indoor golf venues breathenew life into sport

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

Whenfive-time Masters champTiger Woods launched his new competitive golf league earlierthisyear, the golf titanwasn’t on alush green with rolling hills, but inside aFlorida stadiumfacing a64-foot screen.

That’sbecause TGL, Woods’ new league, features teams of pro golfers playing virtual golf courses on lifelike simulators. It’s powered by FullSwing, asportstechnology company whose customers include avid golfers willing to spend big bucks on systems forthe home as well as businesses looking to add an entertainment aspect to their operation.

TGL is thelatest example of how golf simulator technology is expanding, fusing astaid, slow-moving sport with fast-

moving digital interfaces, creating anew generation of golfers in the process.

Louisiana is no exception to this trend. In thepastyear,five new venues,including Swingeasy GolfClub, Anytime24/7 Golf, Chasing Aces, Five OFore andtwo locations of Loft18 have opened around the state. Their models include golf entertainment driving rangeswith foodand drink, club memberships and gym-type concepts where golfers have round the clock access to simulators They joinmore than half a dozenexistingfacilities that have opened within thepast five years around Louisiana, creating anew industrysector and adding to the old-fashioned game in the process

ä See GOLF, page 2E

La.developer aims to increase

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Now,anew $4.5 million steelframe construction programrepresents an entirely newdirection for the commission, which aims to fill vacantlots with hardy homes throughout the parishes it serves. The initiative, first conceived seven years ago, took on urgency after Hurricane Ida ripped through south Louisiana in 2021. In 2023, the commission bought an industrial warehouse, whichitconverted into amanufacturing facility that can bend, fold and cut rolls of steel into thestuds, joists, beams and rafters needed to construct homes.

people, it is the largest of eight regional planning commissions statewide.

Andithas since assembled and trained a16-person team of designers,fabricators andbuilders, who areusing the new custom steel

STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Swingeasy,anindoor golf venue featuring golf simulations,opened in June in Baton Rouge.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Loft18, an indoor golf venue withlocations in Metairie, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Broussard and Houston, uses ahybridhospitality model and brandsitself as an ‘interactivesports bar.’

materials to create what the commission’s longtime CEO Kevin Belanger hopes are the first of many houses: a three-bedroom, two-anda-half-bathroom French traditional-style home elevated on a 10-foot concrete foundation.

As it moves forward, the commission is joining a handful of Louisiana developers and builders betting on steel-framed houses in the hopes of creating stronger structures that are more resistant to extreme weather, fire, termites and the state’s humid climate.

Advancements in the capabilities and accessibility of the machines that shape the steel may entice more people to join the cause.

“We went out and studied different building methods and procedures used around country to see what fit our need to withstand salt water, salty air, high winds, fire and termites,” said Belanger “We decided to invest in our own device to turn cold rolled steel into 2x4s.”

Building high and strong

Steel is stronger than lumber and impervious to insects and rot but wood is less expensive and more flexible, and there’s a large workforce with the tools and knowledge to build with it

Dan Mills, head of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, said that “wood is far and away the most accessible and best product available,” and current building processes protect against “the vast majority of storms.”

But Belanger said that the potential benefits of steel were enough to convince him to successfully lobby his commission’s board to fund a different approach.

Construction of the South Central Planning and Development Commission’s first house — at 600 West View Drive in Houma’s Lisa Park subdivision — began in January and is now about 70% complete.

“This one took longer and cost more to build than the next one and the one after that will,” Belanger said, because of the training required to use the unfamiliar material.

The home is designed to be more resistant to wind and fire than its wood-framed counterparts, which should make it less expensive to insure.

“Where we live, the typical home costs $225,000 to $250,000 and you can expect to pay $8,500 to $10,000 annually on insurance,” Belanger said. “The first estimate we got for this new house is about $1,200 a year.”

The commission’s construction team is getting ready to lay the foundation for its second house on an adjacent lot. Soon, it hopes to produce more than 10 houses a year using its steel “extrusion” machine and the software that controls it.

“Once you load in all the engineered drawings and hit the button, it’ll print out the whole house for you,” Belanger said. A steel-framing pioneer Belanger’s team isn’t the first to build steel-framed houses in the region.

Builders here and there have opted for metal framing for decades, and many high-end houses include steel framing for special features, like long uninterrupted spans in spacious rooms.

Real estate developer Jamie Neville may have been the first in New Orleans to develop multiple steel-frame homes at once when he opted to use the material for his 45-unit Blueberry Hill project in the Lower 9th Ward, completed in late 2019. He’s waiting to find out if he qualifies for federal tax

credits that would help finance a second phase.

Neville was persuaded by a contractor to try the more-expensive framing as a way to keep his construction timetable on schedule.

“I remembered worrying about so many projects when rain and bad weather were holding everything up,” Neville said. “Meanwhile, the clock was still running and the interest on my loan was still accumulating.”

Neville was swayed by a contrac-

tor’s promise that walls would be built under the shelter of a warehouse, rain or shine. Another factor in his favor: his plan used multiple versions of a half-dozen home designs, which kept costs down He estimates he ultimately spent 20% more than he would have on traditional framing but he said there was less waste of materials, and the steel framing, designed by software and shaped by machines, is straighter and more precise than wood lumber

“There’s no human error in these homes,” Neville said. “They are all built with 90-degree angles, so the cabinets, door and windows all fit perfectly.”

Neville said he hasn’t received any major discounts for the steel framing to date but he’s hopeful that will change. If it goes forward, phase two of Blueberry Hill, another 47 units, would likely be built the same way

“Obviously the concrete foundations have to be poured like a traditional home, but then one day an 18-wheeler shows up and the house goes up like an Erector Set,” Neville said. “They have wall panels A, B, C and D and the house is framed by the end of the day.”

Offsite construction

Steel has been a staple of commercial construction for a century and a half. So, like most commercial construction companies, Jefferson Parish-based RNGD is more than familiar with the material.

But now it is taking its steel building methods to new places, which could eventually make an impact on the construction of single-family homes.

Last year, RNGD opened its 85,000-square-foot manufacturing shop, where workers can assemble steel structures, including wall panels that are pre-loaded with wiring, plumbing, a/c and other mechanical systems. The panels can be stacked flat for shipping like IKEA furniture — and delivered to job sites for assembly

The builder’s new shop uses the same type of machines that the South Central Planning and Development Commission has in Houma.

RNGD already uses offsite construction elements for some of its commercial projects, including the new Hotel Henrietta on St Charles Avenue in New Orleans.

It may eventually be able to apply the approach to large developments of single-family homes. Under the right circumstances, the process could help address one of the area’s most vexing problems, according to RNGD Project Manager Chris Dupre.

“If we’re trying to solve the housing affordability crisis one house at a time, we’re going to get to the end of the world before we fix it,” Dupre said “The key is to do this at scale.”

For Belanger in Houma, that affordability is inextricably linked to durability

His team plans to build its new steel-framed homes for about $225,000 and sell them for about the same amount, putting any profits back into the program.

“For years, we have not seen any investment in residential developments in impacted areas,” Belanger said “The risk of building in flood-prone areas along with high insurance rates has been a killer so challenging times require bold efforts.”

Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com

BUSINESS PERMITS

Issued Sept. 17-23

Commercial alterations

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Commercial demolition

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GOLF

Continued from page 1E

“You have some of the top golfers in the world competing in the same format,” said Forrest Town, co-owner of Swingeasy Golf Club. “So it makes it that much more attractive to want to learn on these systems.”

‘Perfect’ ground for expansion

The number of golfers, both on the green and in front of a screen, is on the rise in the United States.

Last year 19.1 million people in the U.S. age 6 and up played golf “off course” at entertainment venues, simulators and driving ranges, according to National Golf Foundation data. That’s 700,000 more than the year prior

Topgolf opened its first Louisiana location in Baton Rouge in 2019, later opening a location in Lafayette in 2023, popularizing the golf entertainment model in a state that is no stranger to the sport, producing PGA stars like Hal Sutton and Sam Burns. The Capital Region faced a shuttering of golf courses about a decade ago but statewide participation has since rebounded.

Town opened Swingeasy on Siegen Lane in June after starting the business in Southern California. Branded as a “modern country club,” Swingeasy provides a less expensive, less timeintensive venue for the sport that keeps golfers out of the heat.

Town said the southeast was a “perfect” ground for expansion since golf is embedded in the region’s culture. With the boom in golfers, there aren’t enough courses to accommodate those who are training and learning the sport, he said, so the industry expanded indoors.

Last year, 28.1 million Americans ages 6 and up played golf on an outdoor course, up from 26.6 million in 2023. With 47.2 million people total engaging in the sport in various formats, businesses are leveling up their operation with lessons, expanded simulator game options and strong social media presences to reel in the large audience.

“Technology just continues to take over,” Town said. “If you do it in the right way, it can influence your life so much. And this is a perfect example of it.”

Speedy growth

In St. George, construction is underway for Back Nine Golf, a 24/7 indoor golf franchise. Local franchisee Stacy Canella said the company’s speedy expansion drew her to the business. Back Nine has locations up or in the works in 34 states, including four

locations planned for Louisiana At Back Nine, golfers purchase memberships which allow them to book tee times. Fifteen minutes prior to their tee time, they receive a code to access their booked bay Canella said the business model gives a lot of flexibility for franchisees’ day-to-day presence with their location. Back Nine Golf St. George will have three bays with Full Swing simulators and offer individual memberships where members can invite up to 30 guests and corporate memberships. Canella said the business is designed to be profitable with about 30 memberships per bay, and after that point, more memberships mean it’s time to open another location. Canella’s husband, Frank, is an avid golfer and he said getting tee times at local courses is a struggle. Often he has to book times seven to 10 days out because all the upcoming slots are taken. Indoor golf bays like Back Nine expand the opportunity to play the sport and provide instant feedback for golfers looking to improve their game, Canella said.

“Full Swing is kind of like Back Nine,” she said. “They keep investing and looking and improving and trying to get better and better at what they do.”

Another round-the-clock concept that opened locally is Anytime 24/7 Golf, which debuted this summer on Government Street. The business has four bays available, and members can choose from 500 different courses to play on. Sean Braswell said his business is designed for people looking to learn how to play golf or who want to better their game.

“This is more for the serious golfer,” he said. “Not designed to be an amusement place.”

Getting back on the course

Chasing Aces co-owner John Dudley considers himself to be in the entertainment business. The complex opened in Bossier City in June with a par-3 course, swing bays, a putting zone as well as food and drink. He said his focus on entertainment creates an atmosphere that introduces people to golf, with a goal of eventually getting them on the course.

Chasing Aces saw 47,000 visitors in its first month and 50,000 in its second month of operation.

Dudley said about 70% of his customers are nongolfers and 43% of his customers are women, a group that has previously been less represented in the sport but is on the rise. The number of female golfers nationwide has increased by 41% since 2019, according to the National Golf

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Foundation.

The venue hosts recurring events like Wine and Wedges, which includes a lesson from golf pros and a glass of wine, to ease people into golf.

Dudley said he’s seen an uptick in young golfers as well after short-form content creators like Snappy Gilmore, known for his one-handed swing, have platformed the sport. He said he sees young customers try to emulate Snappy Gilmore often.

“People want to be a part of it,” he said.

Beyond golf

Loft18, an indoor golf venue with locations in Metairie, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Broussard and Houston, uses a hybrid hospitality model and brands itself as an “interactive sports bar.” In addition to golf simulators, Loft18 offers virtual darts, zombie dodgeball and baseball simulator games.

Owner Greg Whitman said the business model has risen in popularity within the last five to 10 years and has become focused more on food, drink and service. When he launched the business in 2017, their tagline was “Eat, drink, golf.” Now, their tagline is “Watch sports, play sports.”

“We realized early on that we can get golfers, but we can’t sustain by just golfers alone because of our square footage and our footprint,” Whitman said.

Each location sees anywhere from 4,000 to 8,000 visitors per month. Most of their marketing relies on word-of-mouth, he said, which works well in the South due to its strong regional network.

Whitman said Loft18 saw an influx of customers during the pandemic after people left New Orleans for places with looser COVID restriction. The venue has maintained its popularity with a broadened focus on other sport simulations bringing in a diverse audience Since the pandemic, other indoor golf venues have staked their ground in the New Orleans metro area. Golf entertainment complex Five O Fore, opened in New Orleans in April and was booked up for their first few months. Plans for a Topgolf were in the works but fizzled out in June and now investors plan to put a Popstroke, a minigolf chain co-owned by Woods in its place. With various business models and a growing audience seeking everything from training to socializing to learning the sport, Whitman says the rising golf entertainment venues complement one another

“It’s a nice hodgepodge of all types and walks of life,” he said.

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Mixed-use development coming to Youngsville

A local developer is partnering with Ochsner Health on a mixeduse development along Bonin Road next to Sugar Mill Pond.

Phil Devey with Frontline Companies and Ochsner announced Parc Bonin, a 30,0000-square-foot complex at 2807 Bonin Road that will be spread over multiple lots.

Plans include a 9,100-squarefoot building to house an Ochsner-affiliated medical clinic, 12,000-square-feet of office space and another 10,000-square-feet for retail space.

The retail space would be open to businesses such as a coffee shop, tea or smoothie shop, health food store, pharmacy, bank, bou-

tique apparel or shipping store, Devey said.

“By anchoring Parc Bonin with new medical clinics, Ochsner is helping ensure families have access to high-quality care right here in the community, while also supporting the city’s continued growth and vitality,” Ochsner CEO Patrick Gandy said in a statement. “This project reflects our ongoing leadership in bringing innovative healthcare solutions to where people live, work and raise their families.” An LLC registered to Devey bought the property in June 2023 for a price just over $2 million, land records show The sale includes the 12-acre main lot and an adjoining lot along Maxie Duhon Road.

The seller was A&P Rentals of Youngsville, records show Meltdown Snoballs takes over former Burger King

The former Burger King near the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus has a new tenant. Meltdown Snoballs, which has four locations in the Baton Rouge area, will move into the building at 1500 Johnston St., said Paul Arceneaux with The Gleason Group. Zein Clayton, who opened the first location in 2021 when he was 16 years old, is the owner He also has locations in Brusly and New Roads. The building has sat empty since Burger King closed that location in

Belanger

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Branded as a ‘modern country club,’ Swingeasy provides a less expensive, less time-intensive venue for the sport that keeps golfers out of the heat.

ASK THE EXPERTS

N.O. firm aims to close startup funding gap

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

“What we noticed was that local founders here were being overlooked, not because their ideas weren’t strong, but because they didn’t ‘look the part’ compared to founders on the coasts.”

That’s how Kwamena Aidoo describes the problem Corridor Ventures set out to solve when it launched in New Orleans in 2022. The young investment firm focuses on backing promising startups in the South at the very earliest stages, when raising money is often toughest.

Aidoo, who built a career in finance and private equity, teamed up with Kelli Saulny, a New Orleans native with deep roots in entrepreneurship and nonprofit support. Saulny helped grow Carol’s Daughter, the beauty brand later acquired by L’Oréal, and worked at Camelback Ventures, which supported women and minority founders Aidoo co-founded Cannon Capital, a $100 million fund, and earlier worked at major investment firms in New York Together, they created Corridor Ventures to bridge the funding gap in the region. The firm typically invests up to $500,000 in fields like health, climate and technology, while also offering hands-on guidance and connections to help founders succeed.

In this week’s Talking Business, Saulny and Aidoo discuss their strategy, the challenges they see for Southern entrepreneurs, and what it means to build a venture firm in New Orleans

The following has been edited for clarity and length.

Why base Corridor in New Orleans?

Aidoo: All four of us who launched the firm — Kelli and me, along with partners Jarrett Cohen and Adrian Mendez are from New Orleans or the South. We built careers elsewhere, then came back. What we noticed was that founders

Q&A WITH KWAMENA AIDOO AND KELLI SAULNy

here were being overlooked, not because their ideas lacked promise, but because they didn’t “look the part” compared with entrepreneurs on the coasts. Investors often chase a familiar mold — the next Zuckerberg, for example — rather than evaluating each founder on their own merits. When I returned in 2018, I started coaching founders, often through Kelli’s connections at Camelback. The talent was clear The lack of capital was, too That gap led directly to starting Corridor Kelli, what did you see on the ground when

you worked with Camelback?

Saulny: I had spent years in New York, helping build a company that eventually sold to L’Oréal. So I knew what capital and networks could do for a young business.

Coming home, I saw founders with terrific ideas tackling big issues whether in hospitality, culture, or water management. But too often, their work stalled because they didn’t have the money or the relationships to take the next step.

One strength of Southern entrepreneurs is that they’re close to the problems they’re solving. That

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ing two in New Orleans.

This year, we’ve been raising a $30 million flagship fund and have closed about $3.5 million so far including some institutional backing. Our local portfolio includes Ingest, a restaurant technology company that’s grown from under $300,000 in annual revenue to more than $2.5 million, and Obatala Sciences, which develops alternatives to animal testing Those companies show the potential here when capital meets talent.

Some local incubators have been criticized for a lack of diversity What’s Corridor’s perspective?

Saulny: I can’t speak for every group, but for us, diversity is a natural outcome of where we operate and who we are. Our networks are broad, so we see a wider range of founders. That makes our portfolio more reflective of the South.

Aidoo: Exactly We don’t have a mandate around race or gender, but we also don’t fall into the trap of backing the same kind of founder over and over That’s both a responsibility and an advantage. What more could New Orleans and Louisiana do to support this ecosystem?

gives them insight and urgency We wanted to provide the missing piece: funding, along with practical guidance. How has fundraising gone since you launched?

Aidoo: We didn’t rush. In 2022, we spent time traveling the South — Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Birmingham, Tampa — testing our theory that overlooked founders were everywhere By 2023, we raised about $2 million from regional banks, family offices and individual investors, and made our first five investments, includ-

Aidoo: Collaboration is critical I’m encouraged to see groups like Idea Village, Momentum Fund and Nexus Louisiana beginning to work together But we also need more local capital at the table. Too much wealth here sits on the sidelines, flowing into private deals instead of startups. If more of that money supported early-stage companies, we’d build a stronger funding pipeline.

Saulny: And we need to define innovation on our own terms. New Orleans doesn’t need to mimic Silicon Valley We should build on our strengths — hospitality, water management, health — and create a vision that’s authentic and globally relevant That’s how the city finds its stride.

Email Anthony McAuley tmcauley@theadvocate.com.

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PHOTO PROVIDED By CORRIDOR VENTURES

Jarrett Cohen, from left, Kelli Saulny, Adrian Mendez and Kwamena Aidoo are partners in Corridor Ventures, a New Orleans venture capital firm focused on Southeast region.

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Want to be a401(k)millionaire?

Patient long-term investors are experiencing an “I told you so” moment.

These are the folks who, when asked, will tell you to stay the course whenever thestock market gets bumpy.Aftera turbulent spring, thisadvice has paid off:OnMonday,the S&P 500 closed ata high of 6,693.75 points.

The stock surge has welcomed a record number of investors into the millionaire’sclub, according to FidelityInvestments, one of the largest administrators of workplace retirement plans.

stock market. It is tough not to panic when you see your retirement account suffer abig loss in just afew days.

Here’sa quote from Shamrell you should put on your fridge: “Welike to say ‘Don’ttry to time the market, put time in the market.’”

Thedisciplined investor

Michelle Singletary

THE COLOR OF MONEy

The number of 401(k) accounts with $1 million or more rose 16.2% to 595,000 in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter,according to the company’s latest retirement analysis. Year-overyear,the number of 401(k)millionaires increased by nearly 20%. Meanwhile, the average 401(k) balance increased by 8.4% from ayear earlier,reachinga high of $137,800.

While thesefigures only reflect the accounts managed by Fidelity,other retirement plan administrators have reported similar trends.

The number of millionaires investing in the Thrift Savings Plan, the federal government’sversion of a401(k), also increased, rising16.4% as of June 3, compared to the previous quarter

There is akey strategy among the members of this club that is worth following. Theydonot try to time the market by jumping out duringdownturns or becoming overly euphoric during rallies. Notably,they did notpanic this past spring, when the stock market was tumbling because of President Donald Trump’sroller-coaster trade wars. Economic forecasts predicted that Trump’strade actions would cause higher prices,job losses and possiblya recession. And some of the forecasts are coming true. Inflation is sticking around. Consumers areexperiencing higher prices because of the rising cost of imported goods. Long-term unemployment is at apost-pandemic high. The U.S. labor market added fewer jobs this summer.But markets are bubbly because they expect the Federal Reserve to lower interestrates this fall, starting with the recent quarter-point cut. Still, this administration’sself-inflicted volatilityunderstandablyhas caused anxiety for many investors.

Itry not to dismiss people’sfeelings of dread during turbulent times in the

Buteven when Iamhyperventilating, Ifind comfort in the habits of 401(k) millionaires who have spent decades building retirement security through theirworkplace plans. Ialso revisit an example Fidelity often uses to illustrate the different types of retirementsavers and how modeling millionairehabitshas worked in the long run. So, which type of investor are you?

Thepanic seller

Theseinvestors get scared by the big drops and pull their money outofthe stock market. They often stop contributing to their 401(k).

Early spring, the market saw significant drops, but soon, “everything swung back up,” said Mike Shamrell, Fidelity’s vice president for workplace thought leadership.“People who didn’ttake a knee-jerkreaction in April were able to take advantage of the market gains in May and June.”

This is why youshould avoid reacting to short-term swings because you can end up causing the very thing you fear Youlock in your losses and missout on themarket’s eventual recovery

When you’re a401(k) millionaire, you understand thatpast performance doesn’tguarantee future results. Nonetheless, history has shown that poor markets eventually recover and give way to better returns.

Themarkettimer

Theseinvestors alsopanic and cash out. They may stop contributing to the workplace plan but resumeonce the market recovers. This is betterthan staying on the sidelines, but waiting until the market rebounds can mean missing out on the biggest gains. Wait toolong and your returnsare lower than those of others who stayed put.

“What if I’m near retirement or retired?” these investors often ask.

“Wetell people even when you reach retirement, you still may need your savings to last 15, 20, 30 years,”Shamrell said. “You want to makesure you are continuing to try to take advantage of any growth opportunities.”

Shamrell said it’simportant thatyou can sleep at night so you have to be comfortablewith how much risk you are taking. “But you also want to makesure that you’re not doing anything that’s going to possibly backfire on you in the long run,” he said.

These investors have aplan and stick to it. The stock market doesn’tmake them seasick. Instead, theycontinue to invest, employing adollar-cost averaging strategy: This is when you invest afixed dollar amount regularly,regardless of the investment’sprice.

“Wetell people marketvolatilityis not just when the market goes down, it’s also when the marketswings up,”Shamrell said.

Shamrell said when marketsare down, investors want to know if there’s something they should do. And when the marketisroaring, theyask what they should be doing to take advantage of a rally

“Our answer is the same,”hesaid. “Stay the course. Youdon’tmake changes to your 401(k) based on short-term marketevents. Only makechanges to your 401(k) based on your long-term goals.”

As these investors near retirement, theyreview their holdings. They employ abucketing strategy thatcan help manage market volatility by dividing retirement income into three categories: short-term, midterm and long-term needs.

In the first category,you have cash, short-term certificates of deposit or high-quality fixed incomeassets that can be used to cover daily living expenses over one to threeyears. This serves as a buffer during market downturns.

Your midterm bucket includes investments designed to keep pace with inflationorslightly outpace it. It may consist of high-qualitybonds, dividend-paying stocks and abalanced mutual fund. Your longer-term bucket can stay moreaggressively invested, as you might not need these funds for another decade or more

The smart investor knows the importance of playing the long game. If you have an investment plan, you don’tneed to make impulsive moves when the market becomes volatile. Youshould also avoid becoming overconfident and taking unnecessary risks when the market is performing exceptionally well. When Wall Street gets wild, just follow the example of 401(k) millionaires Email Michelle Singletary at michelle. singletary@washpost.com.

McDonald’s(NYSE: MCD) boasted over 44,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries as of June 30 —with about 95% of its locations operating under franchises. It has several arrangements, but generally,the franchisee pays McDonald’saroyalty based on apercentage of sales. McDonald’salso collects rent for properties it owns. These agreements mean that McDonald’sdoesn’tinvest muchcapital to maintain restaurants, helping it maximize free cash flow (FCF). That’sanimportant consideration for dividend-seeking investors. The company generated $3.1 billion in FCF during the first half of the year,compared with $2.5billionin dividends.

McDonald’sremains firmly committed to dividends, too. Nearlyayear ago, the

Value-priced

food leader’s menu, and increasingly price-sensitive diners are responding in kind. In the secondquarter, revenue increased 5% year over year. While value is fueling sales growth, technology is enabling the restaurant chain to cut costs. McDonald’sintends to ramp up investments in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve order accuracy,minimize equipment downtime and streamline administrative tasks for managers. Investors seeking long-term income may want to consider McDonald’s.

Askthe Fool:Low-orhigh-priced

Mature companies can have low share prices; AT&T stock, for example, wasrecently near $30 per share. And younger ones can have high share prices: Netflix shares were recently over $1,200 apiece.

It’simportant to answer two separate questions: Is

(P/E) ratio. A$20 stock maybeovervalued and likely to fall, while a$500 stock maybeagreat bargain, destined to hit $1,000 in afew years and $2,000 afterthat. The number of shares you buy doesn’tmattermuch, either —you can double or triple your investment whether you buy three shares or 300 shares. I’ve readthat someone is “long” astock.What does that mean? B.I., Greenwood, South Carolina It means they’ve invested in the usualway,bybuying shares and expecting them to increase in value This is in contrast to being “short” astock, meaning the aim is to profit if the stock’spricefalls.

Motley Fool

Leaderseye future of N.O. entrepreneurial‘ecosystem’

Eventaimstoidentify opportunities, challenges for development

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

In the summer of 2000, ahandfulofentrepreneursand civic activists met at the LoaBar in downtown New Orleans anddecided to invest in abusiness plan competition they hoped would ignite an economic spark

“Leaders who arrived in the last five years have no idea how we gothere, so we hope this eventhelps pass the torch to them.”

KIMBERLyGRAMM, leader of the Tulane Innovation Institute

Other proposals include funding an onlinedashboard that tracks startup activity in the region, lobbying thenextmayor of New Orleanstohire adirector of innovation and creating an ambassador program to connect local entrepre

Building the Future of Energy Logistics.

We’remodernizing ourterminals to serve energy transition logistics, andpartnering on innovative solutions— alltosupport the transition to alower-carbonfuture. from

Gallagher: ALouisiana StoryofGrowth, Community andResilience

Gallagher,one of the world’slargestinsurancebrokerage,risk managementand consulting firms, has asignificantpresencein Louisiana, with arich history andadeep commitmenttothe local community. With roots in the statedatingback decades, Gallagher has grownintothe largest broker inLouisiana, providing awide array of services to businesses of allsizes acrossvarious sectors

“WhereIthink we areuniquelypositioned is thatwedon’t have that institutional mindset. We haven’talwaysbeen big.We’vealwayshad to be alittle morenimble, creativeand client-centric, said” Numa “Bumpy” Triche,regional president. “The result isthatwehavethe sizeand scale of anybody in the world, with robustdataanalytics and modeling capabilities. But our local operations arevery much integrated within the local market.”

Founded in 1927,Gallagher has expanded globally and reports $11.3 billion in total adjustedbrokerage andrisk managementrevenues in 2024 and amarket capitalization of $76.1billion as of January 30,2025.

Thecompanyhas aworkforce of nearly56,000 employees worldwide morethan 970officesglobally,and servesclients in over130 countries.

In Louisiana, Gallagher’s journeybeganwithanacquisition in Baton Rouge,which led to theestablishmentofofficesinNew Orleans and Monroe,Louisiana. Thecompanyhas strategically acquired local firms overthe years, integrating their employees and maintaining alocal focus. This growth has resulted in 18 officesstatewide and asignificant regional market share. Thecompanyhas grownits businessbyworking withpeople and organizations who sharecommon values and vision. “Gallagher has one of thelargest operations within ourSoutheastregion in terms of our footprint acrossthe stateand the various markets, Triche said. “Atthe same time, we arealwaysclient-focused, withthe people in the statebeing the ones who work with the local teams and businesses. People work with us because we provide awhite-glove service experiencewitheasyaccessibilitytoour team and our broader tools and resources. We have invested heavily in areas relatedtodata analysis and forensicaccounting in order to provide the technical and detailed support to our teams.Whatwedoisoffer ourclients access to global expertise tailored to their needs.”

As proud as Gallagher is of its growth,theyare prouder to have been able to maintainits unique culture. This cultureissummed up in 25 tenets called TheGallagher Way, aset of shared values thatemphasize ethics, integrityand aclient-centricapproach. These values were articulatedbyRobert E. Gallagher backin1984and have sinceguided the company’soperations and relationships. Keyprinciples include providing excellentrisk managementservices,supporting and respecting colleagues, pursuing professional excellenceand fostering open communication. Thecompanyculturevalues empathy, trust, leadership and teamwork, with astrong emphasis on treating everyone with courtesyand respect

Gallagher’s commitmenttoLouisiana goes beyond business. The companyhas alocalpresence, with employees deeply embedded in the community.

“Our employees see theirclients at church on Sundays,play golf with them on Saturdays,and go to lunch with them on Wednesdays,” said William Jackson, ExecutiveVicePresidentof Gallagher’s SoutheastRegion and leader of the NewOrleans operation and the region’s specialtyproducts.Our local connection is akey differentiatorfor Gallagher,combining the resourcesand capabilities of alarge global firmwith the personalized serviceofa communitybroker.

“Weteam up withlocalpartnerstomakeevery communitywejoin a morevibrantone.Fromfundraisersfor localcharities to crawfishboils and hurricane relief,our officesgivebacktothe peopleand places in whichwelive. As we grow larger,wemaintain close ties to the communities we serve.

Gallagher serves adiverse range of industries in Louisiana,including manufacturing, agribusiness, public sector,higher education, aerospace, energy,entertainmentand lifesciences. Thecompanypositions itself as athought leader when it comes to riskmanagementguidance on topics suchascyber risks, healthcare,marine construction AI, social inflation and other influences thatimpactinsurance claim costs, leading to higher premiums and impacting the insuranceindustry’srisklandscape.The team prides itself on providing expertiseand insights on keyindustries and currenteventsimpacting this region.

WILLIAM JACKSON ExecutiveVicePresidentSoutheast Region, Gallagher

Gallagher is poised forcontinued success in Louisiana,driven by its strong values, localfocus and expertise in keyindustries. Thecompany’s emphasis on client-centric service, combined with its global resources, positions it as atrustedpartner forbusinesses andindividuals seeking insurance, risk managementand consulting solutions.AsGallagher continues to grow and adapttothe evolving needsofthe market its commitmenttothe local communities remains acornerstone of its identity

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KEEPING WATCH

Pediatric app developed in New Orleans helps clinic monitor fragile babies at home

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

In 2024, at her 10-week prenatal checkup, Caitlin Bacon learned that her son had a congenital heart defect. When he was born in September, she knew they were going to have a long road ahead.

“The type of heart disease Samuel had requires multiple surgeries,” Bacon said. “On top of his stay in the NICU at the hospital.”

Bacon gave birth to twins Samuel and Anderson, at 37 weeks at Ochsner Baptist

At six days old, Samuel had his first heart surgery, the Norwood procedure, for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This surgery lets the right side of a baby’s heart send blood with oxygen to their body Normally the heart’s left side takes care of this In a baby with this condition, the heart’s left side isn’t developed enough to pump the oxygenated blood.

The surgery was successful, but Samuel’s time in and out of the hospital was not over. After 44 days being monitored in the NICU, Samuel was permitted to go home with his family prior to his second surgery, the Glenn procedure.

However, he needed to be closely monitored before his next surgery scheduled for when he was 6 months old. The time between the first and second surgeries for this condition is a very fragile time in pediatric care

To monitor Samuel’s vital signs rather than the analog means of filling out a paper form and bringing it back to the hospital, Dr. Jessica Mouledoux developed something more efficient and easier for parents

“There are multi-center studies that demonstrate a big improvement

Dr Jessica Mouledoux, a pediatric cardiologist at Ochsner Children’s, holds Samuel Bacon at one of his check-ups after his first surgery for a congenital heart defect. Mouledoux led the charge for the development of an app to help monitor a baby’s vitals at home in between surgeries.

in morbidity and mortality if babies are monitored closely between their first and second surgery,” Mouledoux said.

Mouledoux, a pediatric cardiologist at Ochsner Children’s, led the

charge for the development of an app to help monitor a baby’s vitals at home in between surgeries. Occasionally, Mouledoux said that

ä See APP, page 3X

Researchers work to limit debilitating damage from strokes

New drug being developed to help protect brain, improve recovery

BY LIVI STANFORD Hartford Courant (TNS)

HARTFORD Conn. With limited treatment options for stroke patients available, two University of Connecticut researchers are developing an experimental drug that is capable of protecting the brain and improving recovery after a cerebral vascular accident also known as a brain attack.

Rajkumar Verma, assistant professor at UConn Health who leads a research program for advancing innovative therapies for stroke, and Raman Bahal, associate professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical sciences at UConn, targeted a small regulatory biological molecule called microRNA, which becomes abnormally elevated after stroke and promotes inflammation, contributes to tissue loss and causes a decline in neurological function, the researchers told the Courant.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs, which do not translate into proteins, that play important roles in regulating gene expression, according to the National Institutes of Health and the researchers.

“We developed a next-generation inhibitor of this MiRNA to block its harmful effects,” the researchers said. “Unlike traditional experimental drugs that target only a single protein or molecule, this approach simultaneously suppresses multiple damaging processes by targeting several proteins. This reduces brain injury, inflammation, and the damage of the tissue while enhancing protective factors that support repair.”

Current therapies for stroke are limited and include clot-busting drugs and surgical clot removal which are only available to 10 to 15% of patients, Verma said.

“No FDA-approved drugs exist to protect the brain or aid recovery once damage begins,” Verma said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that stroke remains one of the “leading causes of long-term disability and death.”

Further, CDC statistics show that about 800,000 people in the United States experience a stroke each year with approximately 160,000 losing their lives.

Leading causes of stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and diabetes, according to the CDC. Verma said the experimental drug will help to reduce “the secondary damage that occurs after the primary injury” that takes place during the first couple hours of a stroke. Verma said the use of single proteins to target acute damage by stroke were not effective because stroke affects large number of proteins that may be contributing to brain damage.

Bahal said the research is critical because “we are exploring new chemistries and drug delivery technologies to counterattack this kind of devastating disease.

“It is very different from conventional treatments for stroke,” he said. “We are not using existing conventional small molecules. We want to make sure these treatments are effective but safe at the same time.”

Bahal said research has found that “a single dose of our next-generation miRNA

ä See DAMAGE, page 2X

PHOTO PROVIDED By CAITLIN BACON

Caitlin Bacon kisses her son, Samuel Bacon, on the cheek in his hospital bed Samuel was born with a congenital heart defect that required multiple surgeries.

HEALTH MAKER

NFL legend brings opioid overdose education to LSU

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

This fall, pro football legend, Emmitt James Smith III, is kicking off his third year with Ready to Rescue an initiative to break down the stigma around opioid poisonings and educating others on how to save a life with Narcan Nasal Spray

In 2023, 1,130 people died in Louisiana as a result of opioids, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Opioids, a class of drug that includes prescription pain medicines such as oxycodone, illegal drugs such as heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, have become a serious issue in Louisiana. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing the United States.

Narcan Nasal Spray, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid poisoning and is the standard of care for opioid overdose reversal. It is available over the counter and can be accessed at leading pharmacies and grocery stores nationwide, as well as online retailers.

The “Lay, Spray, Stay” method is three-step response for a suspected opioid overdose using naloxone, the active ingredient in Narcan Nasal Spray: n Lay: Lay the person having an overdose on their back.

n Spray: Use Narcan Nasal Spray to reverse the effects of an opioid emergency

n Stay: Dial 911 and stay with them until help arrives.

Smith, a Pensacola-native, is a former professional football running back who played in the National Football League for 15 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He is the league’s all-time leading rusher

So far, Smith and Release Recovery founder and CEO

Zac Clark have spoken at the University of Florida, Colorado Buffalos Clemson and Georgia to speak about opioid emergency preparedness On Sept 16, Smith hosted an event at the LSU campus to raise awareness about opioid emergency preparedness among the student body What is your personal connection to the opioid epidemic?

My experience dealing with opioid emergency is losing a teammate to an overdose back in the late ’90s, as well as seeing my sister-in-law, who was dealing with Stage 4 cancer, have different types of episodes. She almost went into overdose shock as she was trying to recover and trying to get through some of the chemotherapy

I’ve had some relatives who were addicted to drugs in my past Seeing those folks and those things gave me another layer of motivation to help spread the word around the opioid epidemic itself.

Life is such an important thing When you are losing people that are close to you, oftentimes you try to figure out a way to help with the situation. This is one of those ways that I’ve been able to leverage the platform I have. I have this passion and am blessed to be able to help others. What is the future of ‘Ready to Rescue’?

It seems to me the program is gaining momentum I think that it should be a national program if we

can get some of the red tape out of the way and lower the stigma itself.

The stigma of drug overdose and opioid overdose is just a figment of someone’s imagination.

The overall drug overdose epidemic is bigger than just what we’re talking about The Ready to Rescue program and Narcan is just a way for citizens to protect themselves.

Having Narcan — it’s like having a fire extinguisher in a house. It’s like having a medicine cabinet in your house. In your medicine cabinet, you should add Narcan, so you can be ready if a crisis occurs.

At these universities, we talk about ways to recognize whether another person may be going through an

opioid overdose or opioid emergency

We talk about my cofounder Zack. We talk about his personal life experiences and my personal life experiences. When I talk about my life, these things that people may not know, people might connect with that.

I think having history or having a life experience that connect with someone else, gives them the ability to feel like they’re not in this fight by themselves. What are the signs of an opioid emergency? There are a number of different signs. Obviously, an opioid overdose impacts one personal life totally different than the next.

There are certain signs — purple lips, eyes glazing over, being lethargic

things that catch you out of the norm. Just being aware of your loved ones is important. I don’t know what everyone’s situation is. One person could be sitting in the audience, hearing something that comes from myself or Zach that might help them go somewhere and get some help. They don’t have to suffer in silence, period. No one should have to suffer in silence. Whether you’re dealing with your own mental health, dealing with opioid overdose or dealing with dependence on drugs and things of that nature. Get help. Seek help. Trying to encourage someone to get help is all that we want to do.

Dermatologists recommend keeping your skin care routine simple

BY KENYA HUNTER AP health writer

There always seems to be someone on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram showing you a multistep skin care routine they swear by They might use expensive products like snail mucin or redlight therapy masks that allegedly hydrate your skin or help reduce fine lines. Is any of it necessary? Does any of it work?

“Social media is having such a huge influence on what we’re using in our skin and every individual is acting like their own clinician and trying to diagnose their own skin type and experiment with different regimens,” said Dr Kathleen Suozzi, a professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “And really the main overarching thing is that skin care regimens have become way overcomplicated.”

Some dermatologists say that many viral skin care products are unnecessary, even if they feel nice and while some cause little to no harm, other treatments can cause more problems than they fix.

Face skin

The skin on our face is thinner than the skin on our bodies, and requires a gentler touch than other parts of the body

Some dermatologists say that many viral skin care products are unnecessary, even if they feel nice, and while some cause little to no harm, other treatments

cause more problems than they fix

Everyone’s skin is different, too: The soaps or cleansers that work for someone with oily skin may not satisfy someone with dry skin.

Dermatologists say a skin care routine should start with three things — a gentle cleanser a moisturizer to hydrate the face and a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 Too many products can irritate sensitive skin and be redundant since many products share the same ingredients.

In all cases, protecting your face from the sun is key, dermatologists said “The truth of the matter is,

nine out of 10 skin care concerns on the face that people come to see me for are worsened by UV radiation from the sun,” said Dr Oyetewa Asempa, the director of the Skin of Color clinic at Baylor College of Medicine.

Many skin issues, like wrinkles, dark pigmentation after a rash and dark scarring from acne, are made worse by the sun, she said. Retinol, exfoliation Wrinkles happen. And your skin over time can look less plump and glowing.

Retinol creams and chemical exfoliants are sold with

the promise of keeping aging at bay Some are recommended by dermatologists — but there are also some exceptions. As we get older, our skin slows down its production of collagen, which keeps our skin bouncy and elastic. That leads to wrinkles. Retinoids and retinol creams can help, dermatologists said. But they recommend not using them until you are about 30 or older — any earlier could cause more problems,

like skin irritation.

Dark spots and dead skin are also common skin care frustrations.

Exfoliation — removing dead skin can help. But dermatologists recommend avoiding products that use beads, salts and sugars that exfoliate fragile facial skin by physically removing it Instead, try chemical exfoliation with alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids — but make sure you’re wearing sunscreen if you add either of these ingredients to your skin care regimen.

FDA-approved guidelines say chemical exfoliation is safe if certain ingredient levels are declared on retail products, but the requirements don’t apply to the more intense chemical peels applied by professionals, for example in salons.

Products to avoid

Influencers try to get you excited by trendy skin care ideas — and dermatologists want them to go away Dr Asempa points to one currently popular example: beef tallow also known as cow fat.

“I want you to leave the beef tallow with the cows,” she said.

Light therapy masks are

also wildly popular and also wildly overhyped. Dermatologists say they can be useful in some situations, depending on the color you use and the strength of the masks.

Dr Suozzi said that while research shows there may be some benefit to red-light therapy masks, which may help with collagen production, they are “not something that’s going to be transformative” for the skin. And to have any hope, you’d need to use them a lot: “You need to be using these devices a few times a week for them to have any benefit, if at all.”

More expensive skin products don’t necessarily work better Red-light therapy masks, snail mucin — slimy liquid that is touted as hydrating — and other products can be very expensive. But don’t let the price fool you, said Dr Jordan Lim, a dermatology professor at Emory University School of Medicine

“Price does not equal efficacy, and it does not equal better results,” Lim said. “A lot of the ingredients you’re seeing in a $6 cream are also in a $20 cream, also in that $300 cream that you see a celebrity using.”

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

“Compared

The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to live well.

Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana.

Do you have a health story? We want to hear from you.

Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ERIN HOOLEy

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Pro football legend Emmitt Smith listens to conversation Sept. 16 during a Ready to Rescue event promoting the safe use of NARCAN on the LSU campus and to raise

at the Union Theatre on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

EatFit LiveFit

EatFit App re-launch: Your pocket guide to healthierdining &everydaywellness

Wemakehundredsofdecisions aboutfoodeveryweek—where toeat,whattocook,which brandstobuy.Addinbusyschedules, andit’snowondersomanyofusfeel overwhelmedandarelookingforalittle extrasupport.

That’swheretheEatFitappcomesin. Thismobileapphasjustbeenre-launched, withfreshupdatesandresourcesdesigned tomakethoseeverydaydecisionsalittle easier.Freetodownload,theappisa practicalguideforlivingwellinreallife —withhealthierrestaurantfinds,recipes, brand-specificgroceryguidesandmore.

Thisrelaunchrepresentsnotjusta reboot,butarecommitmenttokeeping healthylivingaccessible,practicalandin stepwithreallife.Here’sarundownofthe features,howtogetinvolvedandhowto shareyourownexpertise!

DiningOutMadeEasier Atitscore,theEatFitapphelpsyoufind restaurantsthatsupportyourwellness goals.Withover500partnersacross Louisiana,youcantypeinyourzipcodeto seewhichEatFitspotsareclosesttoyou.

Tapintoarestaurant’slisting,andyou’ll findthedishesontheirmenuthatmeet EatFitnutritionalcriteria:nowhitecarbs, noaddedsugar,minimalanimal-based saturatedfats,moderatesodiumandan emphasisonleanprotein,produceand whole-foodingredients.

Somedisheshavenutritionfactsand photosincluded(ourteamiscontinually addingmore),makingiteasiertoknow exactlywhattoexpectwhenyouorder. Ittakestheguessworkoutofdiningout soyoucanfocusonenjoyingyourmeal withoutsacrificinghealth

EatFitRecipes

Theappalsofeatureshundredsof EatFitrecipes,rangingfromfamilyfriendlyweeknightmealsandsweet

treatstozero-proofcocktailsanddishes inspiredbylocalchefs.EachrecipeisEat Fit-approved,meaningitalignswithour nutritionalstandardswhilestilldelivering bold,satisfyingflavor.

Andhere’swhereitgetsfun:We’dlove tofeaturerecipesfromyou.Doyouhave ago-torecipethatalwaysearnsrave reviewsfromfamilyorfriends?Ifyou’re prettysurethatitalsomeetsEatFit guidelines,senditourway(withaphoto andpermissiontoshare)tonutrition@ ochsner.org.We’llreviewsubmissionsfor possibleinclusionintheapp,givingyou

credit(andlettingyouknow)if it’sadded.

SmartShopping

MadeSimpler

Oneofthemostpractical resourceswithintheappisthe EatFitshoppingguide,abrandspecificlistthatgivesusonemore waytomakehealthierchoicesless complicated.Thinkofitasyour EatFitcheatsheet:avettedlist ofproductsacrosscategorieslike breads,condiments,dairyandsnacks thatalignwithEatFitstandards Thisway,youdon’thavetoguess whichmarinarasauceoryogurt islowinsugarandalsofreeof artificialsweeteners.It’slikehavinga dietitianinyourbackpocket

ConnectWith WellnessResources

Morewaystoconnect: Theappalsoconnectsyouto Ochsner’s“FindaHealthProfessional” tool—linkingnotjusttophysicians, butalsodietitians,therapistsandother professionalswhocansupportyour health.You’llalsofindlinkstomyFueled Wellness+NutritionpodcastandWGNO TVsegments,wherewebreakdown topicsonallthingswellbeing.

Plus,you can exploreEat Fit merchandise —bookslike Craftand TheEatFitCookbook,aswell as hats

MollyKimball,RD,CSSD,isaregistereddietitian withOchsnerHealthandfounderofOchsnersEatFit nonprofitinitiative.Formorewellnesscontent,tuneinto Molly’spodcast,FUELEDWellness+Nutrition,andfollow @MollykimballRDand@EatFitOchsneronsocialmedia. Emailnutrition@ochsner.orgtoconnectwithMollyor scheduleaconsultwithherteam.

BY THENUMBERS

LA.OBESITy RATE NEARS40% ANDTOPS50% IN ONEPARISH

As of 2023, the prevalence of obesity in adults was 39.9%,with no significant differencesbetweenmen and women, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state ranks fourth-highest in the nation for adult obesity,justbehind West Virginia (41.2%), Mississippi (40.1%) andArkansas (40%), CDCdatasays.

In data released this year,East Carroll Parish had the highest prevalence of obesity in adults overthe ageof18in 2022 while St.Tammanyand Lafayette parishes were tied for the lowest prevalence of adult obesity

In descending order,these parisheshad the highest prevalence of adult obesityin 2022 are: n East Carroll Parish with 51%, n St. LandryParish with 48%,

Continued from page1X

some high-risk babies are not recommended to go home during the time in between surgeries. The app, that is connected to the electronic medical record system already in place across all of Ochsner’shospitals,givesparents adaily questionnaire and instructions to readtheirchild’s vital signs at home. Questions include monitoring the newborn’sweight, temperature, heart rate, how many times has the child peed, any trouble breathing, food intake and more.

The app, which was developed in 2019 and launched in 2020, has also helped the clinic stay in contact with patients outside of New Orleans. “The app allowed us to

and shirts representingEat Fit regions across Louisiana.

Recommendarestaurant:Another featurewelove:Youcanrecommenda restaurantyou’dliketoseejoinEatFit. Maybeit’syourfavoriteneighborhood caféorabeloveddinnerspot—with aquicktapintheapp,youcanhelpus expandournetworkofpartnersstatewide.

TheBottomLine

TheEatFitappisapractical,nocosttooltohelpmakewellnessmore approachable—whetheryou’rescanninga menu,planningyourgroceryrunorlooking fordinnerinspiration.

Withtherecentrelaunch,theappis backasareliableresourcetoguideyour everydaywellness.Searchforthefree EatFitapp,downloaditandseehowit cansimplifytheeverydaydecisionsthat ultimatelyshapeourhealth.

n Bienville, Madison and Tensas parishes with 47%, n Avoyelles, Caddo, Evangeline, Iberville, RedRiver,Sabine, St. Helenaand Webster parishes with 46%, n Bossier,Claiborne, Franklin, Morehouse, Natchitoches and St. Mary parishes with 45%

Theseparishes had thelowest prevalence of adult obesityin2022 include, in ascending order: n St.Tammanyand Lafayette parishes with 35%, n Acadia,Ascension, Beauregard, Livingston and St. Charles parishes with 37%, n East Baton Rougeand Orleans parishes with 38% n Caldwell, Grant and Vermillionparishes with 39%

shift from having all inpatient visits to having some virtual visits and some inpatient,”Mouledoux said. “When we launched during thepandemic, nobody wanted to leave their house, much less cometoadoctor.”

TheBacons live inRaceland —that’s about50miles from the hospitalSamuel was beingmonitored —and, with threeother children, including anewborntwin, the family neededthisapp to maintain someoftheirfamily routine.

“This was crucial for us to be abletoallow the babies to go home with their families and still keep aclose eye on them with daily monitoring via this app and keep the baby safe,” Mouledouxsaid. “Not havingtoconfinethem to ahospital and uproot their lives for months on end.”

Before parents leavethe hospital, Mia Lowe, aphysician assistant at Ochsner’s

Children’spediatric cardiology clinic, makes sure they have everythingthey need to monitor their child’s health.

“Most of the time, parents have been around us long enough to knowhow to use thetools to measureheart rateand blood pressure,” Lowe said. “I encourage parents to use the equipment while theyhave the team around them and help around them, because once they go home, it’s them and us via phone call.”

Before leaving the hospital, Ochsner provides families with all of the equipment needed to monitor their child’shealth: thermometers, feedingtubes, a pediatric scale, apulse oximeter and more.

It is Lowe’sjob to monitor andcheck theonlinedatabase constantly.She looks forred exclamation marks on incoming data from par-

entsthat could indicatea vital sign is wrong.

Mostly, Lowe and the nurses on the pediatric cardiology team arelooking for weight gain —animportant indicator thata baby is healthy, growingand ready for their next surgery

Thequestionnaire also has asection set for notes if parentsnotice anything off abouttheir equipment or have questions abouttheir child’scare.

While thesystem is currently working for Mouledoux and her team, she hopes to make the process even moreefficient for parents.

“In our adult population, thereare alot of devices that automatically enter data, as opposedtomanually entering data,” Mouledoux said.

“My hope for the future, in general, for thecountry,is that thereare more infant adaptable devices that speak

Herfirst night home with Samuel, Bacon was overly cautiousand calledthe emergency line at the pediatric clinic.Samuel was breathing too fast for her liking.

directlytothe medicalrecord.”

Thatway,clinicscan get newborn vitals directly, without having to ask aparent to do these daily checks and filling out of forms.

“The expectation that you’re going home with this really unstable baby is terrifying,” Bacon said. “But theydid the most amazing job keeping in touch and with the app.” Samuel was fine, as was his breathing. And now,just shy of his first birthday and recovered from his second surgery,Samuel is bonding with his twin, Anderson, and his siblings Everett, who is 7, andVerawho is 12, at their homeinRaceland. Samuel andhis family await his third and final surgery when he is 5years old. Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

BRO UGH TT OY OU BY Molly Kimball RD,CSSD

Tips to soothe earaches andtreat

ear infections

Earachesarecommoninyoungchildren.Approximatelytwo-thirds ofkidswillexperiencetheachinessofanearinfectionbeforeage3. Alsoknowninmedicalterminologyasacuteotitismedia,ear infectionsoccurwhenfluidcausedbybacteriaorvirusesbuildsupin theear,causingpainandinflammation.

Anyonecangetanearinfection,butchildrengetthemmoreoften thanadults.That’sbecausetheireustachiantubes—thenarrow, fluid-drainingcanalsthatconnectthemiddleeartothebackofthe nose—aremorehorizontalinchildrenthantheyareinadults.

Symptoms of ear infections every parent mustknow

nvolvesatriptothedoctor’soffice.Theproviderwilllookatthe alinstrumentwithalightandmagnifyingsystemusedtovisually ikelihoodofearinfectionsinclude: dispositiontorecurringearinfectionscanincreasetheirchild’schancesof nwhodrinkfromabottlewhilelyingflatontheirbacksaremore germsthatentertheirinnerear.

oresusceptible,asarechildrenwhosufferfromallergicrhinitis andatopicdermatitis(eczema).

Painrelievers

Over-the-counterpainmedicine,suchasibuprofen (MotrinorAdvil)oracetaminophen(Tylenol),can helprelievepainandfever.Bothkidsandadults canusethesemedications.It’simportanttonote thatnotallpainmedicationsaresafeforchildren, especiallybabies.Besurethattheappropriate dosageisgivenfortheirage.TheCentersforDisease Controlrecommendsfollowingtheseguidelines:

•Childrenyoungerthan6months:Onlygive acetaminophen

•Children6monthsorolder:Youcangive acetaminophenoribuprofen.

•Nevergiveaspirintochildrenbecauseitcan causeReye’ssyndrome.Reye’ssyndrome, althoughrare,isaseriousconditionthatcan harmtheliverandbrain.

Childrenwhosufferrecurringearinfectionsareusually candidatesforbilateraleartubes,alsoknownas tympanostomytubesorjusttubes

Thesetinytubesaresurgicallyinsertedintoachild’s eardrumtoimprovedrainageandventilationofthe middleear.

Theyareeffectiveatpreventingchronicearinfections

othersickchildren(likeatdaycareorschool)canincreaseachild’srisk nfections.

ction,thepediatricexpertsat ochsner.org/childrens.

thersome,buttherearethingsyoucandoathometohelpeasethediscomfort.

Eardrops

Over-the-counterear dropscanbehelpful whenusedproperly, butcautionshouldbe takeninpatientswho haveaprevioushistory ofearinfections,ear tubesorearsurgeries.If yourchildhasanouter earinfection,commonly knownasswimmer’s ear,usingfluid-drying eardropsmighthelp.

Hydrogenperoxide

Placeafewdropsofhydrogen peroxideintheaffectedearand letitsitforafewminutes.Ifthe peroxideiscold,warmingthe bottleunderwarmwaterhelps childrentoleratethedrops, whichcanbesoothingwhen slightlywarm.Tiltthehead afterafewminutesoverasink tolettheperoxidedrain.For youngchildren,itmaybeeasier tocradletheirheadinanadult’s lapwithatoweltoallowthe peroxideintheeartodrain.

becauseoftheirabilitytoallowfluidtodrainfrom behindtheeardrum.Childrenwhoexperiencefrequent earinfectionsorhaveinfectionsthatdonotrespondto antibioticsareusuallyreferredtoanear,noseandthroat (ENT)specialisttobeevaluatedfortubes.

Ifyouthinkyourchildmaybenefitfromtubes,youcan speaktoyourpediatricianordiscussyouroptionswitha pediatricENTatOchsnerChildren’s.

Warmcompress

Soakawashclothinwarm water,wringouttheexcess waterandthenholditagainst theearasawarmcompress forupto20minutes.

Adoctor’svisitmaynotbe necessaryiftheearpainis mild.Butiftheproblemdoes notgoawayorgetsworse, seeadoctor.

LOUISIANA

‘One of akind’

Inclusivecamp findspermanent home

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

When Leslie Wascom and Jessica Bonura founded Camp United in 2015, theywantedtocreate aspace that was inclusive, where students of all abilities could build self-confidence andfoster friendshipsduring the summer break

Fast-forward 15 years, and that’s exactly what they’vebuilt —and then some. After hostingsessions at variousfacilitiesthroughoutthe parish, Camp United, also known as Camp UP,isfinally getting apermanent home in Livingston Parish

“I want our communityand the whole state of Louisiana, not just LivingstonParish,tobeable to come to apropertythat allkidscan enjoy,” Wascom said.

The two womenhave40yearsof combined experience.Wascom has taught adapted physical education for 20 years,and Bonura is aspecial education teacher who has taught in the area of disabilities/autismfor 20 years.

In the beginningofCamp Up,Bonura and Wascom only offered summercamp sessions. Today, theyoffer several campsthroughout the year andhave increased inthe number of participants. Each session can accommodate45to 60 campers for ages 3and up of anyabilityfor four hours. Parentshavethe optiontoenroll their childreninjust one day at camp, or up to one week. Every camp is different with varying themes, such as “Theatre Camp” or “JurassicCamp.”

Each camper is assigneda counselor,or“buddy,” and thecamp also has aparaprofessional on site. Mary Ballard of Denham Springs originally thoughtthe camp, like the majority of inclusive camps, was only forchildren. Thatwas notthe case, though, with Bonura and Wascom’smodel.

Ballard’s 29-year-old son, Christopher,who hasDownsyndrome, first attended Camp UP asaguest speaker in his early 20s. He has been going to the camp ever since then in various roles, such as acamper,speakerand peer role model.

“I send him sometimes as acamper and sometimes as ahelper,” Ballard said.

Trustand faithinCampUP

No matter the child’s strength or weakness,the goal of camp is to promote social integration and foster personal growth.

Camp UP hosts different indoor and outdoor activities, withone of the mostpopular being the water slides that thecamprents. Wascom described atime when ayoungcamper in awheelchair wanted to go down a water slide, and how,nomatter what, the counselors weregoingto make it happen.

“People will say,‘Well, howishegoing to get up on the water slide?’ Well, we’re going to carry him,” Wascom

By CAMP UP

said.

With the variety of activities, the goal for each one is to promote teamwork, good sportsmanship and movement.The new, permanent site at 20990La. 42,Livingston, will havea zipline,walking trails, bonfire pits and more, all while being fully accessible.

“This will be unique and one of a kind,” Wascom said. “Wewant it to be handicap accessible for kids withand without disabilities.”

The timeline for building thesiteis notfinal, butWascomsaidthe camp is planningtohost acommunity day in November at thesite, thanks to its community partners.

Having apermanentcamp location is exciting forthe Ballards, becauseit means having the possibilityofsending Christopher to overnight camp again, which is something he loved to attendbut arehardtofind. To send himtoone overnight camp,the family had to drive several hours to the west side of Louisiana. While Christopher loved theexperience, he aged outat 19 yearsold.

“It’sbeen 10 years since he’sbeen to an overnight camp,”Ballard said of her son.“This is needed in the area.”

Tearsofjoy

In addition to the permanent location, Camp Up is alsoadding its veryfirst session in Baton Rouge.

Next year,there will be two weeklong camps in Baker in June and July.Thisadditioncomes from combined effortsfrom thecamp and TheMagnolia Rose Foundation for Autism Acceptance, aBaton Rougebased foundation that hostsevents forneurotypicaland neurodivergent children.

The foundation’sfounder Miranda Georgetown Riley, of Baker,took her two children, 6-year-old Magnolia and3-year-old DavidJames, to Camp UP for the first time this year During theexperience, she cried tears of joy.

“You havetohave so much trust andsomuchfaith,”she said.

Georgetown Riley said other than Camp UP,there is no fully inclusive campsinthe Greater Baton Rouge region.

“What she is doing, no one else is doing,”she said about Wascom.“Nobody hasa fully inclusivecamp.”

Seeing the success of Camp UP andworkingwithWascom inspired Georgetown Riley and her foundation to create the Baker sessions. Thetwo groups areholding acharity golf tournament in April 2026 to raise funds for the new camps Consistencyisaplus

Before CampUP, Sarah Steudlein of Greenwell Springs was not aware of any type of campthat existed for childrenlike Luke, her12-year-old son with autism. When Steudlein brought Luke to Camp UP for thefirst time, the staff walked her through the day’s activities before leaving, which made ahuge difference to her as amother.

“It’sreally hard to leave our kids with special needs with newpeople,” shesaid.

Now,Steudlein andher soncount down the days until the next camp session. Luke’sfavorite parts of camp arehaving abuddy all day and playing in thewater Steudlein noted that apermanent location for Camp UP could help participants adjust to the environment better,asnew environments can be challenging for those with special needs She said having that consistency will be aplus

“We’rehappy to go wherever it is,”

said.

Email Claire Grunewald at claire. grunewald@theadvocate.com.

Rediscovering poetryin dividedtimes

Last week, Ifound myself browsing the poetry shelves of a public library,agood place to be in difficult and divided times.

While there, Ipicked up and checked out three books.

The first was a770-page complete collection of Emily Dickinson’spoems, published nearly 70 years ago. It includes 1,775 poems she wrote, mostofwhich Ihad never read. However,I did open the book to page 116, to poem no. 254, which opens with one of my favorite stanzas ever:

”Hope” is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words—

And never stops —atall

The second book Ibrought homewith me was at least connected to my library mission, which wastotrack downaparticular quote by Robert Hayden, whoserved the role of our nation’sPoet Laureate from 19761978. The book is titled “The Poets Laureate Anthology” and was published in 2010.

This 762-page book includes poetry from Poet Laureates all the way back to Joseph Auslander, whoin1937, wasthe first poet to hold the position at the Library of Congress. The book includes seven of Auslander’spoems, starting with one called “Protest.”

Auslander wrote:

Iwill not make asonnet from

Each little private martyrdom; Nor out of love left dead with time

Construe astanza or arhyme. We do not suffer to afford

The searched for and the subtle word:

Thereistoo much that maynot be

At the caprice of prosody

Ihad to look up “prosody,” which Ilearned means“the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry.” Ihad never heard the wordbefore —isn’titbeautiful?

Auslander’sidea that art doesn’t have to come from pain rings true forme, even as it holds amirror uncomfortably close —especially in light of writing I’ve done after the house fire.

And that brings me back to Hayden, the poet Ihad gone to the library to find.

Aweek ago, Iknew very little about Hayden. I’mnow fascinated by his life. He wasborn in 1913 in Detroit, abandoned by his birth parents and taken in by neighbors whonamed him as their own. In 1976, he wasappointed as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, apost that was eventually renamed as Poet Laureate. He wasthe first Black person to hold that position. The third book Ichecked out from the library is called “Collected Poems of Robert Hayden.”

ä See RISHER, page 2Y

Steudlein

PHOTOSPROVIDED

Campers watch and listen at Camp United’stheatre-themed camp at LiveOak High School on July7

PHOTO PROVIDED By LESLIE WASCOM

The landfor CampUnited’sfuturepermanent camp site in Livingston Parish.

STAFF PHOTO By JANRISHER

Zinnias bloom in JanRisher’s garden.

Campers stop for aphoto while playing in abouncy house.

ASK THE EXPERTS

A chemistry teacher’s approach to chocolate

STEM Chocolatier, mother handcraft artisan treats

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

Baton Rouge native and Louisiana State University alumna

Maram Khalaf teaches chemistry at Woodlawn High School but she also runs a handcrafted artisan chocolate business, Chocolate Bijoux, with her mother, Aliaa Khalaf.

She runs the financial side of the businesses, while her mom is in charge of production.

Chocolate Bijoux specializes in jewel-like chocolates made with premium ingredients that can be ordered with specific prints and flavors for special events. Their 17 fillings are unique, including honeycomb crunch, pistachio mallow and cafe latte. The name “Chocolate Bijoux” stems from a professor’s comment that the chocolate looked like jewels, or “bijoux” in French. The Khalafs wanted to honor the French culture of Louisiana with the name.

How did you get into the chocolaterie business?

My mom loves chocolate, like, a lot. She loves what we would consider foreign chocolate like from Europe. She doesn’t like American chocolate.

We would travel internationally a lot because we have family overseas, and she would always take a suitcase with her, like a handbag or carry on, and fill it up with chocolate for a stash. When Covid hit she ran out of her stash because we couldn’t travel. The chocolates in stores around here weren’t satisfying that sweet tooth.

We basically started to learn online how to do it. When Covid was over and we could go back to school, I was a student at LSU We had an abundance of chocolate at home, so I would always take them with me to my meetings and conferences. I was studying biology and education and doing marine biology for undergrad research, while also having an Arabic minor I was getting to meet a lot of people. My professors would tell me that I should start a business with this.

I didn’t think I could do that because I literally had no idea how to

Q&A WITH MARAM KHALAF

HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRy TEACHER

Two months ago, Louisiana Inspired announced the 100-Item Challenge, asking readers to donate to their local food banks. The challenge was designed to help food banks across Louisiana prepare for summer, a time when donations typically decrease and need increases. Over the past two years in particular, the hunger crisis in Louisiana has grown increasingly dire The challenge runs for 100 days, until Oct. 6. Thus far, readers have delivered tons of canned and bagged non-perishables to food banks across Louisiana. From Sunday school classes to exercise groups, readers took the initiative to donate food, driven by basic generosity, compassion or a desire to feel more connected in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming and lonely The

run a business. But I started doing Instagram stuff and posting what we do. Then I started making orders for friends and family, and it started growing by word of mouth, and it just took off.

How does your scientific background factor into your chocolate making?

The reason why I was able to manage that part was because I was still in school when I started the business. Everything that I was doing in my chemistry labs and my biology labs helped. I was taking a bunch of food science courses. I did most of my electives where it would relate to the business.

Since I was able to do that, I had access to professors that were in food science that actually did this for a living.

I took our fillings to a lab, and I actually ran experiments on them. I wanted to make sure that the shelf life was good I wanted to see if there was crystallization. I wanted to see how humidity affected them. I ran multiple experiments. Can you tell me about the creative process?

My mom was always a big fan of artsy stuff, and so was I. I like to be real creative with what I do.

I didn’t want us to be stuck to one design. Most boxes of chocolate look the same. That was something that I didn’t want to stick with. I always want us to have room to grow So, something that we decided to do was color code the chocolates, and that allows us to play with the molds, different designs — marble, polka dot or ombre — and the way it looks. As long as the main color was the same, that was

the thing that we decided to do.

I always was a fan of cool looking stuff and abstract art, and so I thought it was a perfect way to merge those things together

What’s your favorite thing to create?

One thing that I love doing is the displays for events because it’s different every time.

People love doing the party favors like a two-piece chocolate box. But also, a display means it’s more three dimensional. We can make it like a dome or a flower or a bouquet.

I just enjoy doing that because it

brings out that engineering architect side. I don’t really get to use that all the time in my daily life, so that’s my favorite. Playing with the colors and the shapes is also really fun. My mom handles more of what’s inside. So we fit each other well. All of our ingredients are fresh, top tier and made in house.

How has this business connected you and your mom to the community?

The fact that I was in so many different colleges or departments within LSU helped. If I were not at LSU, this would not be successful at all. They opened up so many doors for Bijoux. The Manship School of Mass Communication reached out to the LSU Foundation, and they all wanted these products.

What does your family think about your success?

I think my family overseas are pretty proud. I went and visited them this summer, and that’s all they talked about.

My parents did not grow up here, but I was born here. My brothers were born here. I like showing diversity within the community For example, being in different magazines or something like that, we don’t really see that very often. That opens up the door for other people that are like me, in the next generation, and they can also do something and be recognized for that. Support from people that I know here in the Muslim community, or even in education, means you can always do something and you can be recognized for it.

Continued from page 1y

It includes a poem called “Zinnias,” which means it has a head start to my heart because I adore zinnias. The hardy, self-seeding and colorful flower comes back year after year and put on a show Plus, they bloom all summer, even in Louisiana heat, well into fall. Even this week, the patch of zinnias I planted with seeds back in the spring were still beautiful outside what remains of the place we called home. Hayden’s poem was written for Mildred Harter It goes: Gala, holding on to their harvest and wine colors with what seems bravura persistence: We would scarcely present bouquets of them to Nureyev or Leontyne Price: Yet isn’t their hardy elan one way of exclaiming More More More as a gala performance ends? What started my quest for more information about Hayden was reading a quote from something he wrote in a piece called “Ramazani, Poetry of Mourning.” It’s prose rather than poetry, but the words resonated with me in light of the divisiveness and division that feels so pervasive in 2025. His words that grabbed my heart are: We must not be frightened or cajoled into accepting evil as deliverance from evil. We must go on struggling to be human... It is a struggle to be human and resist the urge to fight meanness with more meanness, but it’s the only thing that’s going to save us. Which is why in these divided days, I keep returning to the library shelves. I

Mother-daughter duo Aliaa Khalaf, left, and Maram Khalaf, right, create artisan chocolate together for their company, Chocolate Bijoux.

A colorful Chocolate Bijoux display

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Maram Khalaf, left, and her mother Aliaa Khalaf, started Chocolate Bijoux together

A nine-piece box of Chocolate Bijoux chocolates

ABOVE: Rachel Piercey challenged one of her yoga groups where she regularly teaches at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Kenner. They all happily accepted

Sept 11.

right,

LEFT: Kathryn Hill, of Madisonville, stands beside the collected 142 items she delivered to the Covington Food Bank.

100 ITEMS

Continued from page2y

n 10 cans of vegetables

n 10 cans of chili

n 10 cans of soup

n 10 bags or boxesof pasta

n 10 cans of tomato sauce

n 10 boxes of cornbread mix. There is alot of hurt to help heal in this world.A hundred items won’tend hunger in Louisiana, but each donation is astep in the right direction.

Here are photos of readers with their 100 items —inspiring reminders of what can happen when people take action together Email Joy Holden at joy holden@theadvocate.com.

PROVIDED PHOTOS ABOVE: BeletaBischoff and her Baton Rougebook club It’sNot About the Book participated in the 100-Item Challenge.

LEFT: The BocageBook Clubcollected their 100 items for the second year in a row. From bottom left, Nancy Kora, Vicki Kellum, Lisa Gardner,WendyParrish, Juanita Clark, CathyLandry,Marilyn Percy,Jane Bermudez, and Dana McKearn. Notshown:Donna Andre, Donna Embree and WandaHargroder

RIGHT: Susan Scotton and the Episcopal Church Women challenged the Men of St Augustine’s to bringnonperishable food for the 100 Things Challenge. The women wonbut it wasvery close. Donations went to Second Harvesters.

BELOW: Jamar,a Second Harvest employee in Elmwood,shows the weightofthe fooddonations fromMaryC.Villere’s book group, the Half-Dozen Book Club

At Our Lady of Lourdes JD Moncus Cancer Center,wewant to make sureyou nevermissa momentofwhat really counts. Our attentiontoyourcareisbased on adecades-long foundationofexperience and compassionate, comprehensive treatmentfor Acadiana families, includingall theresources youneed to fight cancer.That’s why we’rethe region’s trusted cancer treatmentdestination. That’s why it allcounts here. LearnmoreatLourdesRMC.com/cancer

FAITH & VALUES

Pipe organ sounds again after 800 years

Instrument the oldest of its kind in the Christian world

BY JULIA FRANKEL Contributing writer

After 800 years of silence, a pipe organ that researchers say is the oldest in the Christian world roared back to life Tuesday, its ancient sound echoing through a monastery in Jerusalem’s Old City

Composed of original pipes from the 11th century, the instrument emitted a full, hearty sound as musician David Catalunya played a liturgical chant called Benedicamus Domino Flos Filius. The swell of music inside Saint Saviour’s Monastery mingled with church bells tolling in the distance.

Before unveiling the instrument Sept 9, Catalunya told a news conference that attendees were witnessing a grand development in the history of music.

“This organ was buried with the hope that one day it would play again,” he said. “And the day has arrived, nearly eight centuries later.”

From now on, the organ will be housed at the Terra Sancta museum in Jerusalem’s Old City just miles from the Bethlehem

church where it originally sounded.

Researchers believe the Crusaders brought the organ to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, in the 11th century during their period of rule over Jerusalem. After a century of use, the Crusaders buried it to protect it from invading Muslim armies.

There it stayed until 1906, when workers building a Franciscan hospice for pilgrims in Bethlehem discovered it in an ancient cemetery

Once full excavations were conducted, archaeologists had uncovered 222 bronze pipes, a set of bells and other objects hidden by the Crusaders.

“It was extremely moving to hear how some of these pipes came to life again after about 700 years under the earth and 800 years of silence,” said Koos van de Linde, organ expert who participated in the restoration. “The hope of the Crusaders who buried them — that the moment would come when they would sound again — was not in vain.”

A team of four researchers, directed by Catalunya, set out in 2019 to create a replica of the organ. But along the way, said Catalunya, they discovered that some of the pipes still function as they did hundreds of years ago.

Organ builder Winold van der Putten placed those original pipes alongside replicas he created based on ancient organ-making methods, some of which were illuminated by close study of the original pipes. The originals, making up about half of the organ, still bear guiding lines made by the original Ottoman craftsmen and engraved scrawls indicating musical notes.

Alvaro Torrente, director of the Instituto Complutense De Ciencias Musicales in Madrid — where Catalunya undertook the project compared the discovery to

“finding a living dinosaur, something that we never imagined we could encounter, suddenly made real before our eyes and ears.”

Researchers hope to finish restoring the entire organ and then create copies to be placed in churches across Europe and the world so its music is accessible to all.

“This is an amazing set of information that allows us to reconstruct the manufacturing process so that we can build pipes exactly as they were made” about a thousand years ago, said Catalunya.

Man paddles length of the Mississippi River

BY ESTAFANIA PINTO RUIZ

Contributing writer

Editor’s Note: This story, created by Estefanía Pinto Ruiz for the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, is part of the AP Storyshare.

Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalism stories that provide tangible evidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities — solutions that can be adopted around the world.

The Mississippi River stretches for around 2,400 miles from central Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.

Every year, 30 to 50 paddlers attempt to travel its length Shawn Hamerlinck made the journey by kayak A teacher had planted the idea for the trip in his mind years ago, as a way to see ecosystems along the length of the Mississippi River He started on May 24 and paddled, on average, 12 to 14 hours per day For him, the undertaking was personal.

Others who do it try to use it for advocacy Five friends who took off on Sept. 1, are traveling under the banner of the Drift South Expedition and plan to do citizen science, education and fundraising along the way

Whatever the motivation, it’s sure to be an adventure.

“The Mississippi is an iconic river When anyone thinks of the United States, they think of the Mississippi because it has such a long, long history,” said John Sullivan, who paddled it in 2000 and runs a Facebook support group for other paddlers.

“And it’s kind of a wilderness.”

Connection to nature

The river starts as a small stream flowing out of Lake Itasca in Minnesota. In those early stretches, Hamerlinck said, the water is pristine.

“You can see what you believe to be five feet down, and it’s actually 45 feet down. You can see giant fish — northern pike — and the water is so clear, so clean, and so beautiful that you could just take a cup and drink it,” said Hamerlinck As he went downstream and the river became more industrialized things changed drastically.

He had to be careful to avoid barges, and he couldn’t drink the water anymore

There was trash in it and unappetizing white foam. Near St. Louis, Missouri, he says he was almost afraid to light a match because of what looked like gasoline floating on the river

“You see steel and iron still sitting on the side, rusting away, and you ask, ‘Why did we do that?’ ” said Hamerlinck. “It makes you look at the environment and say, ‘We should have taken better care of you And I’m sorry And we shall do better than what you see.’”

Even so, he says he experienced plenty of wonder Encounters with wildlife — at times very intimate — were a highlight of the trip

A skunk sprayed him, nesting geese bit him, invasive carp hit him in the face, and he came across a black bear floating in the river

His scariest encounters were with alligators.

“The big alligators will swim about 20 yards from you, parallel to you, and they’ll stay right next to you for about half a mile,” said Hamerlinck. “What they’re trying to do is figure out who’s bigger — you in the kayak, or them.”

He slept in a tent or, when he could not find any dry land, on his kayak In addition to animal encounters, he says storms, difficult conditions, and the monotony of daily miles could wear on a paddler

“The biggest challenge, hands down, is not the animals or the storms or the distance. It’s the human mind,” said Hamerlinck Still, for him, disconnecting from electronics and the connection to nature made it all worth it.

“The best part of it was the sandbars that you would sit in,” he said. “I would stop there about half an hour before sunset, because that’s when the bugs would show up, after sunset. And you just stop, and you just look around you, and see that there is nature right next to you. It’s not like you go to a zoo.”

Paddling with a purpose

The Drift South Expedition, which pushed off on Sept. 1, came together

when five friends who’d all done the Appalachian Trail started thinking about another adventure to try One of them had been wanting to paddle the Mississippi River since he was 13 years old, and the others quickly signed on.

But they wanted to do more than paddle.

“What can we do on this expedition to be able to help us but also help the community the scientific community, the people who depend on the Mississippi River,” said Charles Lampman.

Lampman says he’s lost opportunities to work in conservation due to recent budget cuts, but he didn’t want to stop that work entirely

“And that’s when we landed on this idea of, well, we can do scientific research and we can advocate for science and show people that citizen science is possible,” he said.

Every 25 miles, they’ll test water quality, and every 50 miles, they’ll sample for microplastics They are working with a couple of post-doctoral researchers at Saint Louis University to process this data, which will eventually be publicly avail-

able.

Their journey is also an opportunity to fundraise and educate people about the river When they pull through cities, they plan to set up educational materials on their canoes and try to engage curious passersby about how microplastics can move throughout the ecosystem and other issues.

“Whenever we have this opportunity to slow down and engage with people, I think we’re all okay with

taking a little bit more time if that means some more authentic connections,” Lampman said.

Support leads to success

The five-person Drift South Expedition will travel with two canoes and a kayak working together to log the necessary miles and meet their advocacy goals.

On the eve of their departure, they were putting the finishing touches on their rigs, but they were also

checking in with each other

“We’ve all sat down and been like, “Okay, how is everyone feeling? What does everyone need from each other? How can we help?” said Morgan Skinner

“That teamwork and the team aspect of it was something that initially really attracted me to the project,” David Collison said. Paddling thousands of miles can be daunting, even with a team.

John Sullivan completed the full length of the Mississippi in 2000. “I had a goal of trying to paddle all the state-named rivers that flow to the Mississippi, and I’ve done them all except the Arkansas,” said Sullivan. “That one remains on my bucket list.” He founded the Facebook group Mississippi River Paddlers more than a decade ago as a way to support other paddlers’ journeys.

“I saw a lot of value in being able to communicate and reach out to other people who’ve done the river and ask questions if I run into a problem,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan keeps an informal list of paddlers. He says that in the past 12 years, several hundred people have paddled segments of the river Around 100 to 200 paddlers have completed the trip from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico.

Hamerlinck finished his journey in Burns Point, Louisiana on July 17, 55 days after launching. He’d weathered broken paddles, cracks in his kayak, and disembarked 33 pounds lighter than he started. Sometimes days passed without him seeing any people. When he did meet someone, he asked them to sign his kayak so they could accompany him for the rest of the journey

“If you look at the boat, it’s got signatures from every person I met along the way, and it’s packed full,” said Hamerlinck. He counted 119 signatures on his boat, and some of those people, he said, “tracked me all the way down and they’re still friends to this day It was really neat.”

PROVIDED PHOTO

Musician David Catalunya plays an 11th-century organ that researchers say is the oldest in the Christian world The instrument was played for the first time in 800 years inside Saint Savior’s Monastery in Jerusalem’s Old City Sept. 9

Shawn Hamerlinck on his kayak during the journey. On the side are some of the signatures of the 119 people he met along the way.

PROVIDED PHOTOS By SHAWN HAMERLINCK

After paddling 12 to 14 hours a day, Shawn Hamerlinck spent his nights in his tent, watching sunsets. For him, the connection to nature made the journey worth it.

SUNDAY, September 28, 2025

CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley

SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr

GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters

ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson

ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE /byStephan Pastis

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

word game

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

todAY's Word — sideLiGHt: SIDE-lite: Incidental light or information. Average mark 46 words Time limit 60 minutes

Can you find 63 or more words in SIDELIGHT?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

Sudoku

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

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Concise bidding

Today’s deal comes from the mind of South Florida’s Richard Pavlicek, a great American player, teacher, and writer It was played, according to Pavlicek, at a tournament in the North Pole. The players were all local residents, but from two different factions that did not always get along and did not speak the same language. South intended to bid two clubs, Stayman, but the opponents thought he bid seven clubs. The director was called and he ruled that seven clubs was the final contract. The fact that he was from the same faction as East-West had nothing to do with his ruling.

super Quiz

Take this Super Quiz to a

South won the opening heart lead with his 10 and led the 10 of diamonds to the jack and queen. He crossed back to his hand with a heart to the queen and led the 10 of spades to the jack and queen. So far, so good. South led a heart to his ace and led the nine of diamonds, winning the trick. The nine of spades was next, also winning the trick. Declarer now led a club to dummy’s nine and won that trick also! He cashed the ace of spades and the ace of diamonds with both opponents following suit to everything. He

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Express yourself with color, passion and kindness, and you’ll gain respect and make progress. Ease stress by facing situations before they have a chance to escalate.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Idle time can lead to fretting and create unnecessary stress, which can cause a shortsighted approach. Travel, learn and confront your demons, and the result will be clarity and a desire to move ahead.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec. 21) Feel your way forward. Question everything and hold yourself account-

ruffed dummy’s last spade with the king of clubs as both opponents under-ruffed. Dummy had to take the last two tricks with the ace-jack of clubs and the grand slam rolled home! A beauty!

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2025 Tribune Content Agency

able to tighten your budget and simplify your lifestyle Making the right choices will determine your level of success.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Check your ego at the door An honest approach to whatever you might like to pursue will help you deal with any nonsense.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Budget for the improvements you want to make. Home improvements, investing more time and effort to achieve what brings you happiness and speaking up for yourself will encourage positive change.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Take control. A financial situation requires speed and accuracy to come out on top. Feeling good about how you look will give you the strength and courage to pursue your dreams.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Deal with situations and partnerships that need a positive adjustment. Create a to-do list, and you’ll feel accomplished when you complete your tasks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Treat yourself to something that makes you happy or feel good about yourself. Clear a space to explore new

possibilities. A meditation corner can help ease stress.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Craving change and making it happen are not the same. Find something that builds your enthusiasm and encourages you to incorporate what you love doing into a lucrative pursuit.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Keep your plans to yourself until they are ready Your energy is better spent doing than defending what you want to pursue.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Avoid a scene by refusing to engage in an unnec-

essary argument. Don’t waste time on something that doesn’t bring you happiness Take responsibility for yourself and your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Put your emotions aside. Be practical and use common sense when dealing with others. Put your energy to good use by focusing on where you can make a difference.

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

goren Bridge

Answers to puzzles

1. Igloo. 2. Hello. 3. Tango.4.Piano. 5. Tokyo 6. Patio. 7. Bingo. 8. Banjo.9.Lasso. 10. Dingo. 11. Ratio. 12.Cameo. 13. Gecko. 14. Torso. 15. Ditto.

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

Ilovecats because Ienjoy my home,and little by little, theybecome itsvisible soul. —Jean Cocteau

Crossword Answers

jeFF mACnelly’sshoe/ by Gary Brookins &Susie MacNelly FoXtrot/ by BillAmend