National Flood Insurance Program faces uncertainty
BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
deport immigrants, will be protected. But most government workers would be put on temporary leave — at least that’s what happened in the 10 previous shutdowns going back to 1980. This time however, the Trump administration has ordered agencies to consider firing thousands of federal workers, instead of furloughing them, though nothing concrete had been released. Perhaps the most immediate effect for Louisiana would be an end, at least temporarily, to flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance
Landry pledges faster cleanup of Tangipahoa plant fire site
A boom helps stop oil runoff from the explosion at Smitty’s Supply from floating down the
Aug. 25.
Video on social media prompts action from state
BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer
Gov Jeff Landry has promised changes to the cleanup of the Smitty’s Supply Inc fire after he saw aerial video of oiled sections of the Tangipahoa River
The video from Saturday posted on social media shows an oiled pond next to Smitty’s and an oiled section of the river, which received potentially millions of gallons of runoff from the Smitty’s lubricants plant near Roseland
It caught fire and exploded Aug. 22 and was not fully extinguished until Sept 8.
After seeing the video, Landry said
“My commitment is to the citizens of this state and especially those in Tangipahoa Parish to make sure that facility and the effects of the fire are cleaned up and that area is restored to the same way it was before the fire.”
GOV. JEFF LANDRy
Sunday that he spoke with the regional head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the leaders of his state environmental and oil-and-gas agencies.
“Collectively, we had a call and tomorrow morning, things are getting ready to start changing on the cleaning up of that site,” Landry said in a video posted on X.
“My commitment is to the citizens of this state and especially those in Tangipahoa Parish to make sure that facility and the effects of the fire are cleaned up and that area is restored to the same way it was before the fire,” he said.
Landry offered no details about what kind of changes were coming.
His spokesperson, Kate Kelly, didn’t return an email requesting comment. An EPA spokesperson for the cleanup said he was preparing a response but hadn’t provided it by Monday evening.
The video was shot and posted, the governor said, by Eric McVicker, a Mandeville resident and Republican political consultant who owns a photography business focused on south Louisiana’s natural
ä See CLEANUP, page 4A
Delays
BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
Dusty Guidry, the man at the center of kickback schemes involving the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office, is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday However, two other men involved in the schemes whose guilty pleas have been made public, have been granted sentencing delays. Lafayette businessman Leonard Franques was granted a delay until Oct. 21 in part because of new information about the federal government’s position on him. Franques’ attorneys, Charles Galbraith and Alan Breaud, wrote in the Friday request for the sentencing delay that they need time “to address new information received this week related to the government’s position on Defendant Franques.” Breaud did not return a call requesting an explanation on what new information he is referring to. FBI agents in 2021 tapped Guidry’s cellphone, which led them to Franques and his wife, Michelle. In December 2021, agents raided the Franques’ home and office. Both agreed that day to cooperate
Lafayette leaders break ground on new Heymann Park amphitheater
More than 5,000 will be able to gather at facility
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
City and parish leaders took some time Monday to reminisce on the days they spent at Heymann Park. There were memories of playing baseball, listening to live music on Sundays and sneaking into the park’s
pool. On Monday, leaders came together in a celebration for the groundbreaking of the Heymann Park amphitheater
The $4.68 million project is the first of a three-phase remodel of the South Orange Street park, situated near Paul Breaux Middle School. Once completed, the amphitheater and its grounds will be able to host up to 5,000 people. About half the money is coming from the state, with an additional $6.4 million in
potential future funding, ac-
cording to Yancy LeGrande, policy adviser for Lafayette Consolidated Government. For the past four years, the amphitheater’s construction has been considered dormant and risked being scaled down at one point, City Council member Kenneth Boudreaux said. The idea of bringing a music venue to Heymann Park originated in 2017.
“I was concerned that this
See HEYMANN, page 4A
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Tangipahoa River in Independence on
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet, center is joined by other local officials during a groundbreaking ceremony for an amphitheater at Heymann Park on Monday.
Moldova’s pro-EU party wins parliamentary vote
CHISINAU, Moldova Moldovans gave the country’s pro-Western governing party a clear parliamentary majority in a weekend election, defeating pro-Russian groups in a vote widely viewed as a stark choice between East and West.
European leaders Monday hailed Moldovans for re-affirming their commitment to a Western path and future membership in the European Union in the face of alleged Russian interference. The country is small in size and population but with outsized geopolitical importance.
“You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy Freedom,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X. “No attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve.”
Landlocked between war-torn Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania, Moldova was a Soviet republic until it proclaimed independence in 1991. In recent years it has taken a clear Westward path, turning the country into a geopolitical battleground between Russia and Europe
The outcome of Sunday’s highstakes ballot was noteworthy considering Moldovan authorities’ repeated claims that Russia was conducting a vast “hybrid war” to try to sway the outcome. Moldova applied to join the EU in 2022 in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and was granted candidate status that year Brussels agreed to open accession negotiations last year
Attack on Dutch-flagged ship off Yemen injures 2 DUBAI,UnitedArab Emirates A missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels set a Dutch-flagged cargo ship ablaze in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, officials said, injuring two mariners and forcing its crew to abandon the damaged vessel.
The attack on the Minervagracht represents the mostserious attack in the Gulf of Aden, some distance away from the Red Sea where the Iranianbacked Houthis sank two vessels in July
While the rebels did not claim the assault, they had threatened to strike ships as part of their campaign over the IsraelHamas war in the Gaza Strip, particularly as Israel squeezes in on Gaza City in a new ground offensive. Meanwhile, the Mideast also remains on edge after the United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
The Minervagracht had been targeted on Sept. 23 in an unsuccessful attack in the Gulf of Aden, which connects to the Red Sea via the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait separating East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. On Monday, a missile launch seen by some in Yemen apparently struck the Minervagracht.
3 charged with alleged ‘doxing’ of ICE agent
LOS ANGELES Three activists opposed to President Donald Trump’s immigration raids in Los Angeles have been indicted on charges of illegally “doxing” a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, federal prosecutors said. Investigators said the women followed the agent home, livestreamed their pursuit and then posted the agent’s address online, according to a statement Friday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Once they arrived at the agent’s home, prosecutors allege the women shouted “ICE lives on your street and you should know,” according to the indictment. The defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent, the statement said Prosecutors said a 25-year-old woman from Panorama City, California, is free on $5,000 bail. A 38-year-old resident of Aurora, Colorado, who is also charged in a separate case with assault on a federal officer, is in custody without bail. And authorities are searching for the third defendant, a 37-year-old woman from Riverside, California.
Police chief: Church attack an ‘evil act’
Death toll stays at 4 after officers sweep ruins
BY ISABELLA VOLMERT and MARK VANCLEAVE Associated Press
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich.
In the chaotic moments after a former Marine smashed his pickup truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan and began shooting, church members pulled others to safety while smoke filled the building, officials said Monday
Four people died and eight others were wounded in Sunday’s attack just as services were underway in the crowded sanctuary Authorities feared they would find additional victims, but by Monday everyone was accounted for after a sweep of the charred ruins, police said.
Investigators were focusing on what motivated the 40-year-old veteran to open fire and set ablaze the church in Grand Blanc Township, about 60 miles north of Detroit. The suspect was also killed while exchanging gunfire with two officers, said Township Chief of Police William Renye
Eight people — ages 6 to 78 — were injured, including five with gunshot wounds, the chief said. The others suffered smoke inhalation.
“This was an evil act of violence,” Renye said.
The FBI considered the attack — the second on an American church in little over a month — an “act of targeted violence,” said Ruben Coleman, a special agent in charge for the bureau.
Investigators declined to discuss possible motives during a news conference
Monday
Authorities identified the shooter as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of the neighboring town of Burton.
Investigators deployed a robot while searching Sanford’s residence Sunday but did not say what they found or provide any additional details about him, including whether he had any connection to The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said investigators were looking into how much planning went into the attack and whether any clues about the motive were left behind.
“From what I understand, based on my conversations with the FBI director all they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith,” she said Monday during an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends.”
Employees from a nearby hospital were inside the church at the time of the attack and jumped into action, said Dr. Michael Danic, medical chief of staff for
Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, where most of the victims were treated.
He described how the employees went “in and out of the fire” to help drag people out.
“Those on the scene were absolute heroes,” Danic said.
Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer said a Grand Blanc police officer and a conservation officer with the state’s Department of Natural Resources brought down the attacker
The DNR officer was on duty nearby when he responded, said Marc Curtis, an attorney representing him. “I can tell you that he acted without hesitation,” Curtis said.
Crews in white coveralls and hard hats searched
through what remained of the church Monday morning. The suspect’s silver truck with two American flags in the back remained where it had smashed into a brick wall near a sign that says “visitors welcome.”
Across the street, there was an SUV with apparent bullet holes in the windshield and driver window
A woman who knew Sanford saw him two days before the attack and said that while she and her daughter were crossing a street, he revved up his truck and started driving toward them, causing them to jump back. Kara Pattison told WDIV-TV that Sanford was laughing and said “Oh, got you guys.” Sanford apparently used gas to start the fire and also had explosive devices, said James Dier, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Flames and smoke poured from the church for hours after the attack. The fire gutted nearly all of the building, consuming its towering white steeple and sanctuary — only its outer walls and a few side rooms remained standing. According to records released by the Marine Corps, Sanford served for four years after enlisting in 2004 and was discharged at the rank of sergeant. He deployed once to Iraq for seven months and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, indicating three years of service without any major infractions.
Marine vet charged in N.C. waterfront shooting
BY CAROLYN THOMPSON and ALLEN G BREED Associated Press
A decorated Marine veteran charged with firing an assault rifle from a boat at a waterfront bar in North Carolina, killing three people and wounding five, appeared subdued in court Monday as prosecutors said they may seek the death penalty Nigel Edge, 40, a Purple Heart recipient whose last assignment was with a Wounded Warrior battalion, made his first court appearance via video link after Saturday’s mass shooting. He’s charged with murder, attempted murder and assault.
Law enforcement officers “got the confession”
from the suspect following his arrest, said North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Director Chip Hawley at a news conference Monday He did not elaborate.
Five people remained hospitalized from the violence in Southport, a historic port town about 30 miles south of Wilmington. None of the victims’ identities have been released.
On Sunday, another 40-year-old former Marine crashed a pickup into a Michigan church during services, shot into the building and set it ablaze, killing four people and wounding eight. It was the second mass shooting in the U.S. in less than 24 hours.
District Attorney Jon David said his office had yet
Madagascar’s leader fires government after protests
BY SARAH TÉTAUD and GERALD IMRAY Associated Press
ANTANANARIVO Madagascar Madagascar
President Andry Rajoelina fired the prime minister and the rest of his government Monday in response to days of deadly Gen Z-led protests in the Indian Ocean island over the failure of the electricity and water supplies.
Rajoelina said in a speech on national television that Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and other government officials would stay on an interim basis until a new government is formed. He invited applications for government positions and gave a three-day time frame to review proposals for a new prime minister
“Your demands have been heard, and I apologize if there are members of the government who have not done the work that the people expected,” Rajoelina said.
The protesters had called for the resignation of both Ntsay and Rajoelina, but Rajoelina gave no indication that he would step down.
The protests against chronic electricity and water cuts began on Thursday and drew thousands onto the streets, prompting the government to order nighttime curfews in the capital, Antananarivo, and
to review medical records but described Edge as having “significant mental health issues” after experiencing a traumatic brain injury according to WECT News.
Authorities said Edge piloted a boat close to shore, stopped briefly and opened fire at a crowd of vacationers and other patrons in what Southport Police Chief Todd Coring called a “highly premeditated” targeted attack. A charging document says he used an AR-style rifle with a silencer and scope.
He was arrested about a half an hour later after a U.S. Coast Guard crew spotted him pulling a boat from the water at a public ramp on Oak Island, where he lives.
Demonstrators hold up placards reading ‘water and electricity are basic human rights,’ ‘Malagasy people, wake up,’ ‘Let’s not remain in the dark with our yellow cans’ on Thursday in Antananarivo, Madagascar
other major cities. The demonstrations gathered momentum on social media and have mirrored recent youth-led antigovernment protests in Nepal and Kenya.
The United Nations human rights office said earlier Monday that 22 people had been killed in clashes surrounding the protests. The U.N. agency blamed a “violent response” by security forces. More than 100 people also have been injured in the protests, the agency said.
Protesters and bystanders were killed by security forces, but some of the deaths also came in violence and looting by gangs not associated with the protesters, the U.N. rights office said in a statement.
U.N. high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk was shocked “at the violent response by security forces to the ongoing protests in Madagascar,” the U.N. rights office said. It said the protests began peacefully on Thursday, “but the security forces intervened with unnecessary force, lobbing tear gas and beating and arresting protesters. Some officers also used live ammunition.”
Edge requested a courtappointed attorney and declined to comment during his appearance in Brunswick County Court, WECT News reported. He showed no obvious emotion as the district attorney said his office would review whether the death penalty is appropriate.
No plea was entered. Edge was ordered to remain in custody pending his next court hearing, scheduled for Oct. 13.
Edge, who was born in Suffern, New York, and changed his name from Sean DeBevoise in 2023, told police
he was injured in combat and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, Southport’s police chief said. Oak Island Police Chief Charles Morris said Edge was known to officers who frequently saw him by the town pier, and that Edge filed “numerous lawsuits” against the department and town in recent years. In one, he sought body camera video from an encounter after his boat trailer was vandalized. Legal records indicate Edge turned to the court system to air a variety of perceived grievances.
Law enforcement officers walk Monday outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich. Four people died and eight others were wounded in Sunday’s attack on the church.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SARAH TETAUD
CHICAGO SUN-TIMESPHOTO By ASHLEEREZIN
Immigrationoperationsin Chicagoamplify concerns
BY SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press
CHICAGO The sight of armed, camouflaged and masked Border Patrol agents making arrests near famous downtown Chicago landmarks has amplified concerns about the Trump administration’sgrowing federal intervention across U.S. cities.
As Memphis Tennessee; and Portland, Oregon, brace for afederallaw enforcementsurge, residents in the nation’sthird-largest city met abrazen weekend escalationofimmigration enforcement tactics with anger,fear and fresh claims of discrimination.
“It looks un-American,” said Chicago Alderman Brandon Reilly,who represents downtown on the City Council. He deemed the Sunday display a“photo opp” for President Donald Trump, echoing other leaders.
Trump has called the expansion of federalimmigration agents and National Guard troops into American cities necessary,blasting Democrats for crimeand lax immigration policies. Following acrime crackdown in the District of Columbiaand immigration enforcementin Los Angeles, he’sreferred to Portland as “war-ravaged” and threatened apocalyptic force in Chicago.
“Whether it takes place here in the city or the suburbs, it’sall the same to us,” Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino, known for aggressive tactics in Los Angeles, said Sunday as he walked Chicago streets with dozens of agents.
Discrimination claims
Many Chicagoans were already uneasy aftera federal immigration crackdown began earlier this month. Agents have targetedimmigrant-heavy and largely Latino areas, including through traffic stops.
Dozens of Border Patrol agentswalking Michigan Avenue and upscale neighborhoods on Sunday skyrocketed theresponse.
Among the biggest concern from activists and elected leaders is discriminatory stops, particularly after the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on roving patrols in L.A. The court cleared the way for immigration agents to stop people based on race, language,job or location.
In Chicago, activists said a Latino family of four was led away by federal agents Sun-
day near thepopular “Cloud Gate”sculpture,commonly called“TheBean.”
“Thedowntownoperation of being racially profiled and kidnappedbyimmigration in broad daylight represents amajor escalation by the Trump administration,”said Veronica Castro with Illinois Coalition for Immigrantand Refugee Rights.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, an IllinoisDemocrat, said agents continueto profilebased on looks.
Bovino told The Associated Press that agents will go after “anyone who is here illegally,” an approach that fell under immigration authority,known asTitle8.He told the Chicago Sun-Times that aperson’sappearance goesinto the calculation.
“It wouldbeagent experience, intelligence that indicates there’sillegal aliens in aparticular place or location,” he told thenewspaper “Then, obviously, theparticularcharacteristics of an individual, how they look.”
TheDepartment of Homeland Security did notreturn messages Monday.
Chicagoans trailagents
As Border Patrol agents marched near downtown, a trail of activists and citizens followed closely. At one point, agents chased aman on abikewho rode off.
Shirley Zuniga was celebrating her 24th birthday when she saw agents. Still wearing ahot pink birthday sash, she left brunch to follow them.
Zuniga,among thefirst in her familyofHonduranimmigrants to be born in the United States, said she forgot all about her birthday plans as sheyelled at them to go home
“This is muchmore important to me,” she said as she grewemotional. “I’m celebratingmypeople.”
Portland goes to court
In Oregon, Democratic Attorney GeneralDan Rayfield filedamotionin federal court Monday seekingtotemporarily block theTrumpadministration from deployingthe National Guard
The motion is partofa lawsuit Rayfield filed Sunday,after stateleaders received aDefense Department memo that said 200 members of thestate’sNational Guard will be placed under federal control for 60 days to “protectFederal property, at locations where protestsagainst these functions are occurring or are
likely to occur.”
PortlandMayor Keith Wilson andDemocratic Gov Tina Kotek are among city and state leaders who object to thedeployment.
“Putting our own military on our streets is an abuse of power and adisservice to ourcommunities and our service members,” Rayfield said in astatementMonday
The U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement building outside Portland has been thesite of nightly protests that peaked in June with smaller clashes occurring since then.
Alarger crowd demonstrated at the building Sunday. Twopeople were arrested for assault, according to authorities. That followed apeaceful march earlier in theday that drew thousands to thecity’sdowntown and saw no arrests,police said.
Someresidents are already frustrated.
The building manager of the affordable housing complex adjacent to the ICE building said “theimpacts of violenttactics,including tear gasand late-night altercations, are traumatizing for residents,” including the veterans who live there.
“Sending federal troops will only escalate the situation. The last thing we need is an escalation,”Reach CommunityDevelopment said in statement Memphisresidents worry Memphis was in wait-andseemode Monday,the first day of aplanned federal law enforcementsurge ordered by Trumptohelp fight crime. Therewerenoimmediate reports of large-scale federal law enforcement operations.
Stillsomeresidents,including Latinos, expressed concernsthat immigration agentswill increase their presence and detain people regardless of immigration status.
“Weknowthe presence of theNationalGuard will lead to our neighbors being afraid to seek help when they need medical care, needtoreportcrimes, or require social services, because of this militarypresence,” said Sandra Pita, a community organizer
The cityhas experienced high numbersofviolent crimes such as carjackings and homicides in recent years, but bothDemocratic and Republican officials have notedthatthe majority-Black city is seeing decreases this year in some crime categories.
La.issueswarrant forCalif. doctor in abortion pill case
Physicianaccused of mailingmedicationtostate
BY SARACLINE and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press
Louisiana is pursuing acriminal case againstanother out-of-state doctor accused of mailing abortion pills to apatient in the state, court documentsfiled this month revealed.
Awarrant for the arrest of aCalifornia doctor is arare chargeofviolating one of the state abortion bans that hastaken effect since the U.S.Supreme Court overturnedRoe v. Wade in 2022 and allowed enforcement.
It represents an additional front in a growinglegalbattle betweenliberal and conservative states over prescribing abortion medications viatelehealth and mailing them to patients.
Pills arethe mostcommon way abortionsare accessed in theU.S., and are a majorreason that, despite the bans, abortion numbersrose last year,according to areport.
Louisiana saidina court case filed Sept. 19 that it hadissued awarrantfor aCalifornia-based doctor who it saysprovided pills to aLouisiana woman in 2023.
Both thewoman, Rosalie Markezich, and the state attorney’sgeneral, are seeking to be part of alawsuit that seeks to order drug regulators to bar telehealth prescriptionstomifepristone, one of the twodrugs usually usedincombination for medication abortions.
In court filings, Markezich says her boyfriend at the time used her email address to order drugsfromDr. Remy Coeytaux, aCalifornia physician, and senther $150, which she forwarded to Coeytaux. She said she had no other contact with the doctor
She said she did not want to takethe pills but felt forced to and said in the filing that “the trauma of mychemical abortion still hauntsme” and that it would not have hap-
pened if telehealth prescriptions to the drug wereoff limits.
The accusation builds on apositiontaken by anti-abortion groups:Thatallowing abortion pills to be prescribed by phone or video call and filled by mailopens the door to womenbeing coerced to take them.
“Rosalie is bravely representing many womanwho are victimized by the illegal, immoral, and unethical conduct of these drug dealers,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in astatement.
Murrill’soffice did not immediately answer questions about what charges Coeytaux faces, or when the warrant wasissued. Butunderthe state’sban on abortionsatall stages of pregnancy,physicians convicted of providing abortion face up to 15 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.
Coeytaux is also the target of alawsuit filed in July in federal court by aTexas manwho says the doctor illegally provided his girlfriend with abortion pills.
Coeytaux didnot immediately respondto emails or aphone message.
The combination of aLouisiana criminal case anda Texascivil caseoverabortion pillsisalso playingout surrounding aNew York doctor,MargaretCarpenter. New York authorities are refusing to extradite Dr.CarpentertoLouisiana or to enforce for Texas Attorney GeneralKen Paxton the $100,000 civil judgment against her In theLouisiana case, officials said apregnantminor’smother requested theabortion medication online and directed her daughter to take them. The mother wasarrested, pleaded not guilty and was released on bond.
NewYork officials cite alaw there that seeks to protect medical providers who prescribe abortionmedications to patients in states with abortion bans —orwhere such prescriptions by telehealth violate the law. NewYork andCalifornia areamongthe eight states that have shield laws withsuch provisions, according to atally by the Guttmacher Institute, aresearch organization that supports abortion rights.
BY HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press
PROVO, Utah An attorney forthe 22-yearold man charged with killing Charlie Kirk asked ajudge Monday for moretimetoreview thelarge amount of evidence in the case beforedeciding if the defense will seek apreliminary hearing.
Apreliminaryhearing woulddetermine if there is enough evidence against Tyler Robinson to go forward witha trial. Defendantscan waive that step, but Robinson’snewly appointedattorneyKathryn Nester saidher team didnot intendtodo so. Utah prosecutorshave charged Robinson withaggravated murderand plantoseek
the death penalty Both the defense and prosecution acknowledgedata briefhearing Mondaythat the amount of evidenceprosecutors have is “voluminous.” Robinson was not present forthe hearing and appeared via audio from jail at his defense team’srequest. Judge Tony Graf set the next hearing for Oct. 30.
Defense attorneys for Robinson and prosecutorswiththe Utah County Attorney’sOffice declined to comment after Monday’shearing. It took place in Provo, just afew miles from the Utah Valley University campus in Oremwhere manystudents are still processing traumafrom the Sept. 10 shooting and the day-and-a-half search forthe suspect.
Federal agents from U.S. Immigration and CustomsEnforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection walk Sunday north on North Clark Street in the River North neighborhood in Chicago.
Trump, Netanyahureach deal on Gaza
Proposal includes conditions previously rejected by
BY ADAM GELLER, SAM MEDNICK and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Monday laid out a 20-point proposal supported byIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would end the war in Gaza and free remaining hostages, leaning heavilyintoconditions that Hamas haspreviouslyrejected.
The U.S. president, who has become increasinglyfrustrated by the bloody conflict, seems to be bettingthatthe militants arenow so decimated that they have no choice but to accept what heand Netanyahu are framing as alast, best offer
“If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr President, or if theysupposedly accept it and then do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish thejob by itself,” Netanyahusaid after meeting with Trump at the White House. “This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way,but it willbedone.” Qatar’sprime minister and Egypt’sintelligence chief presented Trump’sproposal to Hamas negotiators, who arenow reviewing it in “good faith,” according to a person familiar with thematter. The person was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity
The Palestinian government in
CLEANUP
Continued frompage1A
beauty On Monday,McVicker,34, said he sent up his drone about two weeks ago out of curiosity,took some photographs and then went back Saturday to record video with the intention of checking on things again, so he could shine alight on the situation. Since the video was posted, he said some people have told him they were shocked at the state of the river,while several have thanked him for postingthe video and providing attention to aproblemthey believed needed more public focus.
Oneofthose thank-you callson
DELAYS
Continued frompage1A
in the investigation and trials of others.
Several times, Franques assisted the FBI by taping conversations with co-conspirators, including allowing the FBI to secretly videotape aJanuary 2022 meeting between Franques, Guidry and co-conspirator GaryHaynes at Franques’office Franques signed aplea dealDec. 11, 2023. He pleaded guilty in January 2024 before federal Judge David Joseph in Lafayette. Guidry testified in the trial of Haynes, aformer Lafayette assistant district attorney who was convicted by a jury on Sept. 18 on six federal bribery-relatedcharges. Franques was not called to testify in Haynes’ trial. Haynes’defense team called Michelle Franques as awitness but she invoked the Fifth Amendment, which protects individuals from self-incrimination. Accordingtothe plea
HEYMANN
Continued frompage1A
northside community would not be kept up to speed as it relates to the opportunity to host and present festivals andbring people into the community.Aspace that, in essence, we can control,” Boudreaux said. “This is a victory forcommunity.This is apeople’svictory.” Plans to improve the park were announced in July,with the amphitheater seen as the centerpieceofthe overall upgrades to the park. Completion is expectedtotakea year The park was once vibrant, said council member Elroy
theoccupied West Bank said it welcomed Trump’splan to end the war and pledged to implement the reforms called for in his plan. And the governments of Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia Pakistan, Turkey,Qatar, SaudiArabia,and UnitedArab Emirates issued ajoint statement applaudingTrump’sproposal.
WhileTrumpclaimed he is now on the precipice of victory in his long effort to forge peace, the prospects of afinding an endgame to awar that is coming up on the startofits third year still appeared shaky.Many pointsoftension remain
There’slittle mention of the goal of Palestinian statehood, what many in the region and beyond say
Sunday wasfromLandryhimself, McVicker said “And he reiterated to me numerous times that him and hisadministration are going to really stepup the efforts to make sure that this gets cleaned up and addressedlike it should,” he said.
McVicker,who said he has never worked forLandry’s campaigns, said he doesn’thave thescientific expertise to know how bad thesituations on the river and on private ponds reallyare.
“What Idoknow is it looks really bad from the photos and the videos that Itook.Itlooksreally bad. Nobody is gonna lookatthat picture and say,‘Oh,yeah,wecan swim in that or drink out of thosewaters or wildlife is gonna beOK,’”hesaid.
State officials have saidthey have found onlyone oiled turtle as
agreement ,L eonard Franques could face up to five years in prison or up to a $250,000 fine or both for the one charge he pleaded guilty to,conspiracy to commit bribery involving thewildlife and fisheries agency
The stipulated factual basis forhis guiltypleaalsomentionsthe District Attorney’s Office kickback scheme Thejudge also agreed to delay sentencinguntil Oct. 21 for Joseph Prejean, whose attorney,Donald Washington, requested more time to prepare. Joseph will determine their sentences.
Guidry’sattorney, Thomas Lorenzi, of Lake Charles, said Monday morning that as far as he knows, Guidry is still scheduled forsentencing onWednesday He noted, though, that Wednesday is theday the federal government could shut down duetothe lack of action by Congress on a spendingbill.
In March 2023, Guidry pleaded guilty to onecount of bribery and two counts of conspiracy,one each forawildlife and fisheries
Broussard. Back in the day, local bands would take to the stageonSundays and playmusicuntil around the 1980s, when the park was “pretty much abandoned.”
However,this project holds even more significance for state Sen. Gerald Boudreaux. It highlightsthe decades of local government austerityonLafayette’s northsideand thechanging sentiment on how to improve thequality of life for those in some of Lafayette’s oldest neighborhoods. “This is aproject that is part of amovement about equity, andabout inclusion, and aboutcommunity,”Boudreaux said. “Thiscommunity hasbeen deprived, and those days are over.”
gional leaders.
It does call forall remaining hostages to be released by Hamas within 72 hours of Israel acceptingthe plan, an effort that would seem difficult to complete with thecaptives believed to be spread throughout theterritory.A senior Trumpadministration official, who was not authorizedtodiscuss the plan’sdetails publicly,said the 72 hours starts whenHamas accepts the proposal
Hundreds of Palestinians, includingmanyservinglifesentences, willbereleased by Israel, according to the proposal.
“I think we are beyond very close,”Trump said.“We’renot quitefinished. We have to get Hamas.”
officials in the Gulf emirate that infuriated Arab leaders and triggered rare criticism by the U.S. of Israel.
Netanyahu made the call to Qatar’s prime minister,Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as he metwith Trump. Trumpdescribed theexchange betweenthe Israeliand Qatarileaders as a“heart-to-heart” call.
is thelinchpin for long-term peace. The proposal largely sidelines the Palestinian Authorityuntil it completes vast reforms.And arequirementfor Hamas to disarm has been dismissed as anon-starter in earlier negotiations.
Trump’splancalls for establishing atemporary governing committeethat would be headed by Trumpand include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.A Palestinian committee of technocrats would overseecivilian affairs, with power handedover later to areformed Palestinian Authority
The plan does not require people to leave the Gaza Strip as laid out in an earlier Trump plan roundly rejected by Palestinians and re-
aresult of the runoff into theTangipahoa River
EPAhas been managing the response to thefire and thecleanup of the river,wherepollution spread along nearly 50 miles,south from Roseland to near theriver’smouth at Lake Pontchartrain.
Afew hundredEPA staffand contractors have been running the river cleanup, which hasinvolved miles of boom,skimmersand vacuum trucks to haul away collected oily waste, and asystematic riverside cleanup, the agency says.
As of Monday,the EPAhas recovered nearly 6.9 million gallons of waste, the recoverywebsite says. EPAhad previously declinedto publicly identify thechemicals andhydrocarbons that escaped Smitty’sproperty,but The Illuminator obtained a305-page, wide-
scheme and one involving thepretrial intervention program in the15th Judicial District Attorney’sOffice in Lafayette, wherehewas a contract consultant.
In exchange forcooperating with prosecutors, Guidry stands to receive areduced sentence,but it is up to the judge, in this case Joseph, to determine the sentence.
Guidrywas hired by Don Landry shortlyafter Landry took office as district attorney in January 2021. He was hired as acontract consultant in thepretrialinterventionprogram
While Hamas has said in the past that it would agree to step back from governing Gaza, the militant group has refused to disarm, something Netanyahu has long demanded as part of any long-term trucetoend the war
The president promised Netanyahu thatIsrael would have his administration’s“full backing” to furtherdecimate Hamas if thegroup doesn’tagree to the proposal.
“This is adifferent Hamas,” Trumpsaid. “Their leadership has been killed threetimes over.So you’re really dealingwithdifferent people.”
Netanyahu on Monday also attempted to mend fences with Qatar,the keyHamas interlocutor and an important U.S. ally
He expressed his regret to his Qatari counterpart for aSept. 9 military strike targeting Hamas
rangingcompany inventorylist from theEPA on Thursday that includesavariety of chemicals, oils andlubricants as well as tools, air filtersand other equipment.
Posted online by the EPA, the inventory shows the largest volumes —inthe thousands and tens of thousands of gallons —included materials like motor oil, lube oil, mineral spirits, chainsaw oil, gasoline, alkylate gas, glycol, urea, antifreeze, phosphoric acidand other chemicals.
Stateregulatory documents show Smitty’slargest storage tanks were several hundred thousand gallonseachbut many were smaller
Other EPAdocuments have said thefacility had naphthalene and xylene on-siteatthe time of the fire. The newlyreleased inventory
thatallowed offenders to take classes and have their charges dropped. Under the scheme,Guidry haddealswith afew business owners, including Leonard Franques and Prejean,who offered classes that offenders in the pretrial programpaidfor.Guidry, soon joined by Haynes, steeredmore people into theprogram and to vendors suchasLeonard Franques, who sharedproceeds with Guidry and Haynes
In the wildlife and fisheries scheme, Guidryand LeonardFranques madea
“As afirst step, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret that Israel’smissile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed aQatari serviceman,” the White House said in astatement. “He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future.”
Israel stuck the headquarters of Hamas’ political leadership in Qatar as the group’stop figures gatheredtoconsider aU.S.proposalfor aceasefire in Gaza.
The strike on theterritory of a U.S. ally wasastunning escalation andriskedupending talks aimed at winding downthe war and freeing hostages.NoseniorHamas officials werekilled in the strike.
The attackonanenergy-rich Gulf nationhosting thousands of American troops, whichhas served as akey mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the war andevenbefore, was described by Trumpasout of step withIsraeliand U.S. interests.And Trump sought to move quickly to assuage his Qatari allies.
doesn’tuse those precise words to describe any of theitemsat Smitty’s, but the document also has various itemslisted in internal jargon with unclear names like “Naph 2000.”
Earlierthis month, EPAconfirmedthe costofthe cleanup had alreadyreached $39 million and wasexpected to grow Smitty’s, whichhas laid offemployees following the plant’sdestructionand faces nearly two dozenlawsuits, isn’tpaying for that cost fornow.The EPAisusing Superfund and Clean Water Act dollars, though the company could ultimately be held liable. State agencieshavealsostarted testing fish and other frequently eaten aquatic species in Lake Pontchartrain forpotentialeffects from the spill.
deal with then-Secretary Jack Montoucet, of Scott, for asimilarkickback scheme. Montoucet helped Leonard Franques’ company obtain astate contract in October 2021 to provide online classes to people with hunting andfishing violations and people applying for licenses in exchange forone-third of themoney people paidto take those classes.
Leonard Franqueswas to hold onto Montoucet’sshare of money and agreed to buy him a$14,000 all-terrain vehicle once he retiredwhen then-Gov.John Bel Edwards’
term ended in January 2024. Montoucet, who was appointed by Edwards in 2017, resigned in April 2023 when The Advocate identified him as the person who signed the contract withLeonard Franques.
Afederal grand jury in Lafayette indictedMontoucet in May on one count of conspiracy to commit briberyand wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud and onecount of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He entered anot guilty plea in June. His trial date is set forMay 11.
SHUTDOWN
Continued from page1A
Programwillexpireunless the Senate accepts without changes the House-passed resolution to continue government operationsfor another seven weeks. About 458,000 of Louisiana’shome and business owners have flood insurance.
Current policieswill remain in effect until their expiration dates, but no new policies will be written and no existing policieswill be renewed until the program is reauthorized.
Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans,isco-sponsoringa bill that would extend the National Flood Insurance Program until Nov. 21. But the House isn’tholding votes.
Aspokesperson for Majority Leader Steve Scalise, RJefferson,said: “Democrat leaders whipped all their members, including those in flood-prone districts,tovote no on extending the National Flood InsuranceProgram, and they are now holding theprogram hostage to outrageous demands from their radical leftist base.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer,D-N.Y., said after meeting with President Donald Trump, “Their bill has not one iota of Democratic input. That is never how we’ve done this before.”
Vice President JD Vance answered:“We’re headed for ashutdownbecause Democrats won’tdo the right thing.”
Unless Democrats and Republicanscan agreeenough to pass a“continuing resolution” in time, the federal government will shut down for the first time since 2018, during Trump’sfirst administration,when it lasted 35 days.
HouseSpeakerMikeJohnson, R-Benton, on Monday told Republican members of the House to hold the line and stay on message.
“It’sfine to have partisan debates and squabbles but you don’thold the people
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, speaks alongside Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budgetdirector, left,and Vice President JD Vance as theyaddress members of the media outside the White House on Monday
hostage for their services to allowyourselfpolitical cover,”Johnson said about DemocratsonCNN.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Monday that the GOP needstofirst agree toreverse of cutstoMedicaid andto extendpremiumtax credits that help 24.3 million low-incomepeople purchase health insurance.
“Republicans controlthe Houseand theSenate and there’saRepublicanpresident. If the government shuts down, it’sbecause Republicans want to shut the government down,” Jeffries said.
TheHouse earlier this monthpassed acontinuing resolution that punted any final decision until Nov.21. It’scalled a“clean CR”because the resolution would make no changestoexisting budget numbers.
TheSenate scheduled aseries of votesTuesday night. Butthe House is outoftown and wouldhave toapprove any changes the Senate might make.
Neither SenateMajority Leader John Thune,R-S.D., nor Schumer sounded optimisticasthey separately left the Capitol forthe White HouseonMonday afternoon.
Trump said about Democrats in theminutes priorto themeeting, “they’re going to have to do some things
because their ideas are not very good ones for the country.”
Senate Republicans need sevenDemocratic senators to vote with them, but those numbers could vary
At leastone Republican Sen. Rand Paul,ofKentucky, won’t back thecontinuing resolution because he rejected the amountofspendingwhenitwas putinplace during the Bidenadministration.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins,ofMaine, and Sen Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, supportextending the Affordable CareAct’stax credits, which would keep theinsurance premiums for working, low-income Americanswhere they are now.
SomeDemocratic senators, however,have indicated they are open to backing aclean continuing resolution in exchange for promises that the premium tax credits would later be extendedbefore they expire on Dec. 31.
But Jeffriesand Schumer aren’tbudging from wanting theextension now
They point out that next year’shealth insuranceinvoices arealready being sentand arequoting far higher insurance prices based on the assumption thatthe subsidies will end. Mostofthose policiesgo into effect on
Study: La.ranks 49th in health,climate
Statefacesintense,frequenthazards
BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer
Twenty yearsafter New Orleans-area hospitals faced fatal infrastructure failures in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana’s health care facilities are still extremely vulnerable to flood risks and other natural hazards, according to anew nationwide study
Louisiana came out 49th overallonarangeofhealth and environmental metrics, which means that the state faces intense and frequent hazards, while lacking comprehensiveenergy and environmental policies, researchersatNortheastern andYale universities found.
TheDistrictofColumbia was includedalongside the50states,making Loui-
Lafayette parks director abruptly resigns
BY STEPHENMARCANTEL Staff writer
Lafayette’sdirector of the Parks, Arts, Recreation, andCulture Department abruptly submitted his resignation Friday Monday was to be TimSensley’s final day working for LafayetteConsolidated Government, apositionhe was appointed to in February2024, Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet confirmed Bouletdid not go into detail about why Sensley suddenly resigned.The Acadiana Advocate has requested a copy of his letter of resignation.
“He and Ihad alot of conversations. We’re dealing withpersonnel issues and talking aboutwhere he is in life,” Boulet said. “A lot of conversation revolved around his family.”
Sensley is originally from Clinton in East Feliciana Parish, where he graduated from Clinton HighSchool in 1991, according to hisbiography page. Aftergraduation, he played football at the then-Universityof SouthwesternLouisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Following college, Sensely played football for the NFL’s NewYorkGiants in 1996 and the Carolina Panthersin1997before transitioning into engineering and later education. He worked as aschool administrator until being appointed parks director in February 2024
Police ID woman killed in motel
CRIME BLOTTER Advocate staff reports
sianathird-to-last across thecountry.Kentucky and West Virginia performed worse, while Mississippi and Florida scored higher.The state ranked near the bottom on healthcare facility risk from floodsand other natural hazards, as well as energy efficiency policy.It performed better on metrics such as average air quality.Vermont and New York
ranked first andsecondnationwide.
Commonwealth Fund, a health care philanthropy organization thatfunded theindependent research, released the state-by-state scorecard Thursday.Itis the first study comparing all states and Washington, D.C., on the environmental risks “that threaten people’s health and the health care systems thatserve them,” thereport says. “Climate change and
extremeweather are really health care issues and they’re impacting directly people’shealth, sometimes even their lives,”saidLovisa Gustaffson, vice president at Commonwealth Fund.
The state Department of Health did notrespond to a request forcomment.
Among the eight metrics that the researchers studied, Louisiana ranked worst on itshealthcarefacility flood risk.According to data the researchers analyzed from
the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency, 10.5% of inpatient facility beds areina “high-hazard flood zone.” Only Florida, where 15%ofthe beds areatrisk, exceeded Louisiana.
Thestudy didnot provide examples of specific facilities and associated risks.
“Louisiana is morevulnerable to environmental hazards andclimate risks, so it hasmore health care
See
SWEETSOCIETy
LEFT: Helen Bayard hands Champagne to queens. BELOW: ModernMovement Dance Company TabascoKidsperform in theparade.
page
The Lafayette Police Department has identified thefemale victim in Monday morning’sfatal shooting as 53-year-old Gerardette Burke, of Lafayette. Th es ho ot in g occurred ab out 6:30 a.m. at amotel in the1300block of NE Evangeline Thruway,officials said.
Officers saidthey found aman and Burke suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to a hospital for treatment. Burke died from her injuries
See BLOTTER, page 4B
Jan Risher is on vacation. Her column will returnnextweek.
PHOTOSByLEE BALL
Visiting queens arrive for the Queens Parade of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival on SundayinNew Iberia.
Pam Estis and LuthaleLeuxrecord andwave at the parade.
HEALTH,
4B
As Congressional leaders feverishly work to avert another government shutdown, we can’t help but feel asense of déjà vu. Forthe past severalyears, Democratsand Republicans have beenlocked in battle for control over thedirection of the nation despite neither party having a clear majority No matter what party holds thepresidency or majorities in Congress, neither has proven able to command the kindofpublic support that would warrant awholesale adoptionofits agenda. So it should be obvious at this point that compromise shouldbethe order of the day, that to movethis country forward,leaderswill have to accept some of what they don’tlike forthe greater good. We have urged this in previous crisesthat threatenedtoshut down thegovernment, and we urge it again today as Congress debates a stopgap spending bill that would allowthe government to continue operating until November If Congress doesn’tcome upwithadealbymidnight Tuesday,funding to government agencies would be cut off on Oct. 1.
We are encouraged that PresidentDonald Trump brought congressional leaders —House SpeakerMike Johnson, R-Benton,HouseMinority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and MinorityLeader Chuck Schumer —tothe White House tohashout their differences. And we hopethere is agood chance of success. We have praised Johnson in thepast for his ability to pull together his caucus and overcome gridlock.
But this brinksmanship is getting old. Aswe have noted in the past, Louisianacould be particularlyvulnerable to disruptionsinthe regular flowoffederal funding forvital services such as disaster preparedness in the midst of hurricane season. That’sto say nothing of the thousands of inconveniences that ashutdown could cause. It couldaffect travelers if TransportationSecurity Administrationscreenerscan’tbepaid to show up for workortoworkersatplants awaiting inspections from the EnvironmentalProtection Agency,among other things.
And of course, for the employees of the many federal agencies who could face furloughsor even layoffs, this is aparticularly anxioustime after they have already endured an unprecedented level of uncertainty as the Department of Government Efficiencymadecuts earlier this year For many Americans watching,thislevel of political dysfunction is no longer tolerable.We the taxpayers who fund thisgovernmentexpect it to be run in an orderly fashion. Repeated threats to shut downthe government do nothing to inspire confidence from citizens or the rest of theworld Remember,thiscontinuing resolution, even when passed, only gets us to Nov.21. Thenwe’re back to square one.
It’stime for all parties toacceptthe obvious: No one will get everythingtheywant. Let’sget off this merry-go-roundand do what’sbest for all Americans.
LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR
GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence
TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.
TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE
Don’tlet government bully networks into submission
The following quote from Frank Shakespeare, amedia strategistin Richard Nixon’ssecond presidential campaign, shows how much and how littlethe pressand politics have changed in the last sixdecades. It appears in Joe McGinnis’ book “The Selling of the President, 1968.”
“I thought I’d go to Walter Scott, the NBC Board chairman —this would be in private, of course, just thetwo of us in his office —and say,‘Hereare theinstances …wherewefeel you’ve been biased in your coverage of Nixon. We are going to monitor every minute of your broadcast news, and if this kind of bias continues and we are elected …you just might find yourself having alittletrouble getting some of your licenses renewed.’ I’m not going to do it becauseI’m afraid of the reaction.The presswould band together and clobber us... but I’d love to.”
Today,President Donald Trump
The screams as masked enforcers drag amother from her baby are more than an outrage —they are awarning. Awarning echoed each time ICE agents hide their faces to escape justice, reviving theKlan’soldest tactics of terror Awarning roared when the powerful movetostrip citizenship from nativeborn critics like Rosie O’Donnell. It is thesound of afaceless power turning its gaze towardusall.
When citizenship is contingent on loyalty to aman, none of us are safe. Not you. Not your family.Tomorrow’s executive order could unleash those
It is sad that Canadians are boycottingthe United States, but unsurprising. What is surprising is that Lt. Gov Billy Nungesser is quoted as saying an apology from the president “would be nice.”Donald Trumpisincapable of apologizing for anything to anyone and feels nothing but contempt for his supporters.
saysout loud and in capital letters on social media that networks that “give me only bad publicity or press, Imean, if they’re getting alicense, Iwould think maybe their license should be taken away.”
No private meetings with network boardchairman; no fear of being clobbered by thepress, just calmly stating, in effect,ifsomeoneissaying things that he doesn’tlike, he will come after them with the full force of theU.S government. Even folks at thelibertarian Cato Institute have saidthatgovernment power is being weaponizedagainst speech. This is scary stuff. Very scary
If you have afavorite network or TV station, let them know thatyou do not want them to submit to government threats to free speech.
ALFONSO GODOY Baton Rouge
samemasked agentstokick in your door,revoke your statusand make your loved ones vanish into aworld where faceless men face no consequences In theshadows of anonymity,justice dies.
Buttoday,our republic is yet lost. If cowardly politicians won’t unmask brutal men, we can holdthem accountable too. Andsolong as we still have our vote, we canstill redeem our democracy by peacefully replacing them.
ANDREWKEMP Baton Rouge
Nungesser would put his energy to better use convincing Louisianans thatthey have been duped by acultmeister andshould reconsider their devotion to aman who mocksand despises them Iamnot holding my breath.
MAYGWIN WAGGONER
Lafayette
“What would Jesus do?” It’s the question, first posed in a1896 novel and later abbreviated as “WWJD,” on wristbands that young Christians wore in the 1990s to remind themselves of their moral imperative to exemplifyChrist through their actions.
Are you familiar with Jesus’s teachings?
In the Book of Matthew,Jesus rewards those whofeed the hungry, welcomeimmigrants, clothe the naked, care forthe sick and visit prisoners. President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” steals food from the hungry and health care from the sick to give “big, beautiful” tax breaks to billionaires. Borrowing from Adolf Hitler’splaybook, Trump targets hardworking immigrants for mass deportations and revels in tearing their families apart.
In the Book of Luke, Jesus blesses those whouplift“the poor,the crippled, the lame, the blind.” Trump publicly mocksthe disabled. Jesus’steachings emphasize radical compassion, especially toward the vulnerable and marginalized in society.Trumpuses inflammatory and dehumanizing language to demonize marginalized communities and sexualize women.
Love and forgiveness were central themes in Christ’steachings, which Charlie Kirk’swidow invoked when she forgave her husband’sassassin. Trumpresponded, “I hate my opponent, and Idon’twant the best for them.”
Ispent 11 years in asegregated school founded by Southern Baptists and wrapped in the iconography of the Lost Cause myth. Iheld elective office in the Louisiana Republican Party fornine of the 12 Reagan/Bush years. That misguided school and the evangelicals Iencountered in GOPpolitics gave me a20-year master-class on how bigotry,misogyny racism and culture warshave hijacked Christianity to eradicate the least among us and further enshrine White, malesupremacy.From my vantage point, the religious right and the GOPhave sold out Jesus Christ forthe anti-Christ.
JOHN
MICHAEL
LOCKHART Denham Springs
Theongoing anti-Trump campaign
Donald Trump’ssecond term has been met with asustained, low-level campaign of domestic terrorism.
It has mostly involved relatively minor property damage amidmuch more consequential acts, but the pattern of violence meant to achieve antiTrump political goals has been unmistakable.
Ithought Trump’ssecond election would be met with riotinginthe streets and serious threats against cabinet officials. Instead, we got the “vibe shift,” with the initial political reaction against Trump relatively muted compared to that in 2016
Once the administration got underway, though, the violent resistance began.
First, it was the campaign against Tesla. Anti-Elon Musk agitators torched and otherwise vandalized vehicles, fired shots and threw Molotov cocktails at dealerships, anddamaged charging stations. This wasn’tterrorismonthe level of ISIS —not even close —but it clearly met the textbook definitionofterrorism as violence in furtherance of apolitical or social objective.
Then, the anti-ICE assaults ramped up.There have been riots outside ICE facilities, as well as incendiary attacks andshootings.
In the craziest incident prior to the Sept. 24 sniper attack in Dallas, a group of agitators dressed in black military-style clothing began shooting fireworks and spraying graffiti at an ICE detention facility in Alvarado,
Texas, in July. According to officials, this was aploy meanttodrawICE officers out of the facilitytobeambushed. One attacker hidinginthe woodsshot aresponding police officer in the neck (hesurvived), while another assailantfired 20 or more rounds at correctional officers whohad strayed outside the building. Whentheywere arrested, some of agitators werewearing body armor and hadtwo-way radios. The attack emanated from aDallas-areaanti-fascist network.
Less than aweek later,an armed man tried to shoot his wayinto aBorder PatrolannexinMcAllen, Texas, before getting shot dead Thewaves of anti-Tesla and anti-ICE violence were precipitated, respectively,byalibertarian billionaire trying to reduce thenumber of federalworkersand cut foreign aid, and afederal agency detaining immigrants whoare living and working in thecountry illegally,someofwhom have committed other serious crimes.Ifthese activities can evoke aviolent response, just imagine if thecountry experiencesa true crisis. In both cases —regarding DOGE at itsheight and ICE now—Democratic officeholders andprogressive opinionmakers whipped up an apocalyptic frenzy.The feveredrhetoric hasbeen accompanied by peaceful protests, civil disobedience(think of Democratic officials gettingarrested protesting immigrationenforcement) and, at the margins, zealots and the disaffected
lashing outviolently Whenthese events are put against the context of theassassinationofa MAGAleader, Charlie Kirk, and last year’stwo assassination attempts against DonaldTrump himself, the picture is stark —a persistent,ifwholly unorganized. effort to use violenceto frustrate Trump’spolicygoalsand, in the extreme instance, to end the project entirely by killing him.
Whatistobedone? Since none of the violenceisdirected fromabove and the perpetrators don’tknoweach other andhavedivergent motivations, it’s hard to see howitstops. It’d certainly help if the Democrats acknowledged the legitimacy of Trump and what he’s trying to do,eveniftheystrenuously oppose him andhis policies, but they arenever going to cease believing that we areonthe cusp of afascist dystopia
The legacy mediashould also acknowledge what we are experiencing. If aKamalaHarrispresidency had been met with attacksagainst Mark Cubanbusinessesand arson andshootings at abortion clinics— as wellas the ideologically-motivated murder of atop Harrissupporter— we’dbeata DEFCON 1-type national emergency in terms of the press coverage.
“There’snothing like getting usedto things,” Abraham Lincoln said of the threatening letters he receivedonce he rose to prominence. But we shouldn’t have to getusedtoviolence as ameans of influencing ourpolitics.
Rich LowryisonTwitter@RichLowry
For presidents of both parties, one of their primary roles has always been consoler-inchief, healing wounds, lifting hearts and unifying the nation in times of tragedy
Think of Ronald Reagan, comforting the country after the Challenger disaster in 1986. Or Barack Obama, singing “Amazing Grace” at the funeral of amurdered Black pastor in 2015. Lincoln’sGettysburg Address in 1863 stands as our history’smost memorable consoler-in-chief moment.
Last week, Donald Trump issuedan ignorant warning to pregnant women whose doctors prescribe Tylenol, a brand name for acetaminophen. “Don’t take Tylenol. Don’ttake it,” he said “Fight like hell not to take it.” And when in pain, “Tough it out.”
The idea thatTylenol use in pregnancymay cause autismhas been shot down by researchers studyingmillions of children. Trump’scontention that this over-the-counter painkiller can cause the disorder did serve one purpose. It gave him gobsof attention overwhatwould have been an otherwise unremarkable WhiteHouse event The next day,DonaldTrump wasat the United Nations again, setting off big headlines as he deliveredone of his grievance-linked tiradesbefore the General Assembly. Used tothe president’sunhinged performances, the attendees quickly moved on. If ever there was atime to “tough it out” while in pain, Trump delivered it to his U.N audience.
But the attack on Tylenol is dangerous. Medical authorities hold that expectant mothers should treat fever and pain, and Tylenol is one of the safest remedies to do so. Not doing so poses risks to both the mother and fetus, including preterm births. Trump knew to cover his rear end by
addingthatwomen should takeTylenol in cases of extremely high fever.” But what is apregnant woman to do if she hasa fever that thepresident recommends she “tough out” but she is not sure whether thefever is “extremely” high orjust abit high? Alternatively,she could listentodoctors. But thousands of Americans died from COVID because theylistened to MAGAratherthan medical expertswho urgedthemtoget vaccinated. And back then, the Department of Healthwas staffedbyserious scientists—and not the collection of quacks HealthSecretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has replaced many of themwith. Trump hasbreathed new life into the prospects fortrial lawyers who chase aftercompanies for fat settlements (The lawyerscollect up to 40% of the award.) Theyalready lost a2023 classactionlawsuitclaiming thatTylenol takenduring pregnancy causes autism andADHD. Afederal judge threwout the case, writing that the lawyers “permitted cherry-picking, allowed aresults-driven analysis, and obscuredthe complexities, inconsistencies, and weaknesses in the underlying data.”
About 20 lawfirms participatedinthe suit. Kennedy remains in on the take. He will continue receiving contingency fees from WisnerBaum for referring cases. He gets10% of the awardwheth-
er the plaintiff wins or settles WisnerBaum is currently suing Merck, maker of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil, for allegedly not warning consumers of its risks. Kennedy insists he is not currently receiving referral fees on the case, but critics say he could still collect because the agreement exists. Autism is aserious concern. It is a brain development disorder thataffects social interactions andismarked by repetitive and other unusual behaviors. It is unclear whether the“autism epidemic” reflects more screening for the conditionorinvolvesother factors including ageofthe mother,genetics and environment.Nolink has been found to vaccines. More on Trump’sbizarre statements about Tylenol and pregnancy: “There’s no downside. Don’ttake it. You’ll be uncomfortable. It won’tbeaseasy, maybe But don’ttake it if you’repregnant Don’ttake Tylenol, and don’tgive it to the baby afterthe baby is born.” OK,women under the influence of MAGA. You’ve been challenged toundergo unnecessary suffering in service to the fumes wafting through Trump’s brain. Or perhaps there’sanulterior motive in his promotion of theseBS health claims. The link maynot be autism but money
Follow Froma Harrop on X, @FromaHarrop.
After the assassination of conservative icon Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trumptook exactly the opposite course. Instead of preaching unity and forgiveness, he advocated rivalry and retribution. Instead of closing wounds, he ripped them open. Instead of extolling one America, he emphasized differences and divisions: Red vs. Blue, Leftvs. Right, Us vs. Them
When Trumpappeared on Fox News,host Ainsley Earhardt noted that there were “radicals on the right,” just as there were“radicals on the left,” and asked, “How do we come back together?” The president immediately rejected any notion of consensus or consolation. “The radicals on the leftare the problem,” he thundered. “And they’re vicious and they’re horrible.”
His reaction wasnosurprise. Trumphas based his whole political career on exploiting grievance and outrage. He campaigned that way,anapproach summed up by the tagline in one of his mostnoteworthy TV ads: “Kamala is forthey/them,President Trumpisfor you.” And he’sgoverned that way, summoning the immense powers of the presidency to hamstring any institution or individual that stands in his way.
“Mr.Trumphas long madeclear that coming together is not the mission of his presidency,” writes Peter Baker,the White House correspondent forThe NewYork Times “Inanera of deep polarization in American society,herarely talks about healing. While other presidents have typically tried to lower the temperature in moments of national crisis, Mr.Trumpturns up the flames. He does not subscribe to the traditional notion of being president forall the people. He acts as president of red America and the people whoagree with him,while those whodonot are portrayed as enemies and traitors deserving payback.” Since taking office, Trumphas pursued “payback” against those “enemies,” from judges and universities to law firmsand media companies. Nowhe’sseizingonthe Kirk murder to escalate his campaign of revenge. “They’re already under major investigation, alot of the people that you would traditionally say are on the left,” Trumptold reporters.
His targets could include any force that opposes his policies: publications, attorneys, advocates, donors. And he has lots of weaponsat hisdisposal,including tax audits, lawsuits and regulatory challenges. An early fusillade: alawsuit accusing TheNew York Times and Penguin Random House publishers of “defamation” and seeking $15 billion in damages. His deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller,is even moreexplicit about the coming crusade to crush Trump’senemies. “Weare going to do what it takes to dismantle the organizations and the entities that are fomenting riots, that are doxxing, that are trying to inspire terrorism and that are committing acts of wanton violence,” he said,without providing anyevidence aboutany “entities” that are advocating terrorism or violence.
This thirst forvengeance is reinforced by right-wing media allies whofurther inflamethe core supporters of MAGANation. Agood example is Fox News’Jesse Watters, whosaid on air,“They are at warwith us. Whether we want to accept it or not, they are at war with us. And what are we going to do about it?”
Trumpyearns forthis war;hewelcomes the fight.
After the failed attempt on his lifeduring the last campaign, he cast himself as asoldier who wassaved by God.Now he’sturning Kirk into amartyr,ahero slain on the battlefield of righteousness whomust be avenged. Afew lone voices in the Republican Party are trying to play the consoler role that Trump rejects, to lower the temperature. Gov.Spencer Cox of Utah, the state where Kirk was slain, has been the mostforceful, saying: “Wecan return violence with violence. We can return hate with hate, and that’sthe problem with political violence —isitmetastasizes. Because we can always point the finger at the other side. And at somepoint, we have to find an off-ramp, or it’s going to get much, much worse.”
But Trumpdoes not want an off-ramp away from political violence; he wants an expresswaytoward it. He wants to point fingers and punish foes. He is the Divider-in-Chief
Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail. com.
Froma Harrop
Rich Lowry
Steve Roberts
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARK SCHIEFELBEIN
PresidentDonald Trump and Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services administrator Dr.Mehmet Oz listen as Healthand Human ServicesSecretaryRobertF.KennedyJr. speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sept. 22.
Man gets additional life sentence
Guilty plea entered in Mississippi court
BY BOB WARREN Staff writer
Already facing life sentences for crimes he admitted to in Louisiana, Daniel Callihan pleaded guilty Monday in Mississippi to murder, sexual battery and kidnapping charges and received a life prison sentence there as well.
Callihan pleaded guilty in state court in Jackson, Mississippi, to counts of capital murder, kidnapping and sexual battery
The guilty plea in Mississippi on Monday effectively closes the legal cases against Callihan in three jurisdictions, state courts in Tangipahoa Parish and Mississippi and federal court in New Orleans. Callihan has confessed to killing a mother in Loranger, located in rural Tangipahoa Parish, then kidnapping her two young daughters and killing one of them.
In June 2024, Callihan killed 35-year-old Callie Brunett and her 4-year-old daughter, Erin, who he had kidnapped along with her 6-year-old sister Brunett’s body was found in her home in Loranger; her daughter’s body was found near Jackson, Mississippi, where Callihan and a woman identified as an accomplice, Victoria Cox, were apprehended af-
Daniel Callihan is taken into custody on June 13, 2024, in Jackson, Miss. Already facing life sentences for crimes he admitted to in Louisiana, Callihan pleaded guilty Monday in Mississippi to murder sexual battery and kidnapping charges and received a life prison sentence there as well.
ter a search that spanned portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. After he was captured, Callihan told reporters that he was responsible for the crimes.
In August, Callihan pleaded guilty in federal court in New Orleans and will re-
ceive a life sentence when he is formally sentenced in November On Friday, Callihan was in state court in Tangipahoa Parish, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and received consecutive life sentences.
Prosecutors in Tangipahoa
Parish successfully pushed to have Callihan serve his life sentences in Louisiana first
The sentence imposed in Mississippi will run consecutively to the life sentences out of Tangipahoa Parish and the life sentence from federal court in New Orleans.
N.O. Halloween skeleton display debuts
BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer
Louellen Berger is the queen of Halloween on St. Charles Avenue. As the haunted holiday approaches, crowds gather at the corner of State Street to inspect the collection of 80-plus plastic human skeletons that arise in Berger’s front yard each year Sure, there’s something creepy about all the macabre empty eye sockets, deathly drooping jaws and grasping segmented fingers. But Berger’s boneyard isn’t meant to chill the blood, it’s meant to, uh, tickle the funny bone.
That’s because Berger doesn’t merely erect a display of flesh-deficient men and women; she costumes them and labels them with wicked, wince-worthy wordplay Every skeleton represents a celebrity from star athletes to beloved musicians to local movers and shakers, alive or dead. Each year, there are a few new additions to the cast In 2025, look for songwriting sensation Chappel BONE (Chappel Roan), Lakers superstar LeBONE James (LeBron James) and the legendary entertainer The Great BEYONDcé (Beyoncé). Find the winner of the LUMBAR D trophy in Super BONE LIX, Jalen HURTS (Jalen Hurts). Find popular biographer Walter I-SICK-son (Walter Isaacson). And don’t miss the skeletal engagement of Taylor Swift — creator of the much-anticipated album
“The AFTERLIFE of a Showgirl” — and her beau, Travis SKELCE (Travis Kelce), also known as Her Tight End. Skeletal Swifts absolutely dominated Berger’s display in 2024, but things change For instance, usually the New Orleans Saints football
BLOTTER
Continued from page 1B
shortly after arriving at the hospital and was pronounced dead, police said. The male victim is listed in stable condition.
A preliminary investigation suggests a suspect began firing at the male victim, and Burke, who was in the immediate vicinity, was also struck by
HEALTH
Continued from page 1B
facilities in locations facing greater natural hazard risks than other states,” said Melanie Marino, a Ph.D candidate at Northeastern and one of the authors of the study “While states can’t change their geography, they can make policy decisions that affect health care systems and public health are impacted.”
The state also ranked near the bottom of the country at No. 46 for health care facility risk for natural hazards in general, including hurricanes and heat waves, and energy efficiency
Some of the state-level policy recommendations from the report include building more resilient and clean energy infrastructure and giving more funding to relief centers in high-risk areas. The researchers also noted the importance of individual structural improvements, such as raising buildings and erecting flood barriers.
Efforts to combat some of these vulnerabilities have expanded in recent years. Together Louisiana, a statewide coalition, is trying to bring solar and battery-powered “resilience hubs” to every neighborhood in New Orleans and north Baton Rouge. Another nonprofit, the Louisiana Public Health Institute, is similarly proposing to bring the clean technology to community health centers to keep operations running before, during and after a disaster
Slightly better air quality
PHOTO By
Louellen Berger’s Halloween display on St. Charles Avenue includes only one New Orleans Saint skeleton this year, SUSPENSE-R RATTLER.
team is well represented. But this year, for some reason, the team is almost entirely absent Except for SUSPENSE-R Rattler (Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler), who is represented as a snaky skeleton slithering in an oak tree.
Berger finished installing her elaborate exhibition Friday afternoon, and by 6 p.m. there were already spectators at her gate. One cluster of viewers said they were visiting from South Africa and were delighted by Berger’s sense of humor
Berger explained to the visitors that back in 2002 or 2003, she posed a plastic skeleton in a tree near her sidewalk, as if it was napping. A Times-Picayune photographer shot the Halloween decoration and in the newspaper, it was dubbed “Lazy Bones.” Soon, she had 10 named skeletons arrayed in her front yard, and a new tradition had begun Berger told the South Africans that she follows a few simple rules in creating her annual spectacle. All of her skeleton characters have to be “about death or life, but nothing scary and nothing
gunfire.
Detectives with the Lafayette Police Department are actively investigating the homicide. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Police Department or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at (337) 232-8477.
Police officer accused of domestic violence
A Lafayette police officer
X-rated, everything PG.”
Berger has struck a chord with the public. Based on past years, her “NOLA skeleton house,” as she calls it, will be a magnet from now until Nov 1.
Long before Berger began dabbling in plastic skeletons and puns, the New Orleans native had a brush with Hollywood fame when she played the role of Jethro Bodine’s girlfriend in the classic “Beverly Hillbillies” TV show in 1970.
The onetime starlet then worked as a fashion director for the D.H. Holmes department store for a decade. She married a Tulane University law student named Darryl Berger, who would become one of the city’s most successful real estate developers.
New Orleans is said to be a spooky, haunted city, and Berger is doing her part to maintain that reputation It is also a city of artists, and Berger is certainly one of those. Plus, New Orleans is a place where the sacred and the secular get along just fine.
Berger is a member of the St. Charles Avenue Presby-
was arrested and is being placed on administrative leave.
Christian Hinson was arrested Sunday and booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on counts of battery of a dating partner and false imprisonment. Hinson will be placed on administrative leave immediately upon his release.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
terian Church, which lies just across the street from her Halloween display A sign appeared near the church entrance this year that reads: “The Living God brings bones to life! — Ezekiel 37:1:16.”
worst air quality in the nation, followed by California based on the federal Air Quality Index, which gauges pollution levels from five chemicals regulated by the Clean Air Act. This is likely due to pollutants from wildfires, among other geographic factors.
“Even though Louisiana shows up down the list a bit, it’s certainly not at the bottom for every indicator, and as we found when we looked across the country, it’s a mixed bag for every state,” said Matthew Eckelman, a researcher on the project and professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern.
Still, he noted that the air quality index isn’t focused on many of the pollutants that come out of petrochemical facilities. The state’s industrial corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge is dubbed “Cancer Alley” by activists due to its high levels of air pollution and health risks. Those pollutants called volatile organic compounds — are not part of the index on their own, though they affect the levels of ground-level ozone, which is one part of the index.
On other metrics incorporated into the study, Louisiana ranked slightly worse than average. This includes health risks from extreme heat, health impacts from electricity emissions, health care sector greenhouse gas emissions and emissions from health care worker commutes.
Email Josie Abugov at josie.abugov@ theadvocate.com.
While Louisiana and many of its neighbors in the Southeast ranked on the lower end of the study, the state performed better on its air quality ranking, coming in ninth across the nation. On this metric, Southwestern states performed the worst. Arizona had the
PROVIDED PHOTO
STAFF
DOUG MacCASH
SPORTS
LEFT BEHIND
Saints playingcatch-upway toooften this season
Remember Alvin Kamara’stouchdown in the second quarter of the season opener? That nifty 18-yard scamper gave the Saints ashort-lived 7-3lead, one the Arizona Cardinals quickly erased with atouchdown fourminutes later That four-minute span in Week 1was thelast —and only —time the Saints have led in agame this season. While the Saints showed progressin their 31-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills on
The phrase “It’salways something”seems like it was coined for the Brian Kelly regimeat LSU.
ebbsaway
BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer
Before getting to the details of UL’s thrilling 54-51 double-overtimewin over Marshall, coach Michael Desormeaux wanted to get one thing straight.
“We’re not off this week,” he said. “We have abye this week. We have alot of worktodo.”
His Ragin’ Cajuns won’t play another opponent until aroad game at James MadisononOct. 11 in Virginia.Itwas announced Monday that gamewill kick off at 11 a.m.onESPN2.
The first and mostobvious update fromMonday’sweeklynews conference wasthat Lunch Winfield is the new starting quarterback.
“When aguy comes in and plays that well, it’sclear he’s gottoplayquarterback for us,” Desormeaux said. Winfield wonSun Belt Player of the Week honors after his five-touchdown performance off the bench against Marshall.
While Winfield’sperformance led to a win in the league opener,ULhas many concerns to address during the bye week. Between nowand the daunting triptoJames Madison,ULwillwork to fix the fundamental issues that have led the Cajuns to a2-3 overall start to the season.
“I think the main thing that Idoisbuild some confidence back in some guys that are really good players forusthat are not playing the way that they have played andweexpect them to,” Desormeaux said. “It’sa great time to do it, coming off of awin.”
Sunday,the contest followed afamiliar script. It was the third consecutive game the Saintsdid not lead for asingle minute.
•2022: LSU’sspecial teams were, in aword,abysmal.
The Saints managed to score on their opening drive for thefirst timethis season. Kendre Miller’s18-yard touchdown run snapped an NFL-high streak of nine games in which the Saints had not scored on their opening drive. The touchdown run only tied the score, and theBills quickly retook the lead and never relinquished it therestofthe way.
“That’s what we need —you’ve got to
The tricky part of this bye week is balancingworkand rest. TheCajuns have issues to address in practice, but they also need time to nurse injuries.
Desormeaux said Monday that Winfield, Zylan Perry,Jaden Duggerand Caden Jensen would not have been available if the team waspracticing Monday
“Hopefully,it’snot as bad as someof theother ones we’ve had, but it’s not good,” he said.
Will they be readytoplay at James Madison?
“I’m hoping all of them can, but Idon’t know,” he said.
So exactly how hard can the staff afford to work the players to clean up the messy areas?
His three-plus years at LSU have been like a game of WhackA-Mole. Aserious deficiency crops up and, to his credit, he eventuallydeals with it.
The problem is the serious deficiency keeps poppingupon the game board, requiring him to take out ahuge rubber mallet to squash it down while another seasonofwhat could have been
Whack! Kelly kicked special teams coordinator Brian Polian, whocame with him fromNotre Dame,intoa non-coachingjob before Polian left in May 2023 to become athletic director at JohnCarroll University,his alma mater
•2023: TheLSU defense was, in two words, historically bad. It arguably kept theTigers and oneofthe two best offenses in program history,led by Heisman winnerJayden Daniels,
BY RODWALKER Staff writer
ThePoole Party is nowinNew Orleans And there may not be abetter place for it considering the two words Jordan Poole usedto describe the city that is nowhis home.
“It’shot,” Poole said. The Pelicanshave been Poole’s new team for almost three months after he was for acquired in atrade with theWashington Wizards in earlyJuly.He’shoping this stopwill be better than hislast oneand more like the ones before that. Poole’sbasketball journey has taken him to some of thehighest of highs He won anational high school title while playing at the La LumiereSchool in Indiana.
He playedinthe NCAA national championship game at Michigan where theWolverines lost to Villanova. And he won an NBA title with the Golden State Warriors in the 2021-22 season, beating the BostonCeltics in six games.
But the lasttwo seasonstook him to the other end of the spectrum,winning just 33 total games in his twoyearswith the Wizards. Now the 6-foot-4guard is in New Orleans, hoping to getback to his winning ways while also helping thePelicansclimbout of the doldrums of last season when theywon just21games.
“Webelieve we’re getting Jordan at just theright time, just the right opportunity in his career,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said “He’sa guy who wants it.He
“The bottom line is that we need alot of work, but we don’thave alot of bodies,” said Desormeaux, who also indicated theteam will practice Tuesdaythrough Thursday this week. “That’swhat we’re going to have to manage. Instead of goinginthree groups, which is typically what we do,it’sgoing to be ones and twos.”
The Cajuns want to address afew areas on defense. As Desormeaux said Saturday,the offense isn’tgoing to put up more than 50 points every week.
“It’s alack of consistencyinexecution,” he said about the defense. “We talked about it after the game, is it too much? No,it’snot too much. It’s base calls thatwe’ve been running along time. It’sguys out of position.
“When you’re in position to make a tackle, you’ve got some guys stopping their feet and when youdrop your head, you’re going to miss.”
The film review also highlighted some positives. Much of the pregame concern wasabout the injured offensive line, but the game didn’tplay out that way
“You take(right guard) Jax (Harrington) and movehim to right tackle and he played really well there,” Desormeaux said. “Matt (Broussard) andJakobyIsomhad to step up at guard and play awhole bunch. Cooper Fordham continued to play great, and Kaden Moreau and Bryant Williams stepped up.”
The other big question was at wide receiver with the top two targets Shelton Sampson and Rob Williamsout. But Charles Robertson hadtwo keygrabs for 61 yards and atouchdown, and walkons DaleMartinand Landon Strother combinedfor five receptionsfor 62 yards and ascore.
“I think ourcoaches breathed life into the players,” Desormeaux said. “I think they found waystoget them to perform well and get them to believe in themselves. Thenyou put them outthere and
Jeff Duncan
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ADRIAN KRAUS
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen stiff-arms Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor during agame in OrchardPark, N.y.,onSunday
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSU coach Brian Kelly walks across the field to talk with Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffinafter the game SaturdayatVaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford,Miss.
LARGE SCHOOLS
1.Teurlings Rebels (4-0): The Rebels had another workmanlike double-digit victory over Westgate in their district opener Teurlings still has a lot of work to do, but so far, it’s been nothing but winning against good programs.
2. Southside Sharks (3-1): It’s certainly a trend now.The Sharks’ flexbone rushing attack has been virtually unstoppable since the season-opening loss to Notre Dame Southside handled Lafayette and next faces Barbe’s high-powered offense.
3. Carencro Bears (2-2): There’s a long history of high-scoring games between Carencro and Barbe Friday was no exception with the Golden Bears able to get back to the .500 mark.The tough early-season schedule seems to be paying off.
4. St.Thomas More Cougars (22): St.Thomas More’s seasoned coaching staff is likely scratching its head trying to figure out how to get the Cougars off to better starts in games. For the past two weeks, though, STM has responded with comeback wins over Acadiana and Neville
5.Acadiana Rams (1-3): Like Carencro and St.Thomas More, the Rams played a rugged early-season schedule as well.Acadiana just wasn’t able to pull out two wins. The 61-0 blowout of New Iberia on Thursday showed that the Rams are still powerful.
SMALL SCHOOLS
1. Notre Dame Pioneers (3-1): One could easily argue the Pios could just as easily beaten Teurlings and lost
ACADIANA AREA FOOTBALL POLLS
to Catholic High Notre Dame is just happy it didn’t go 0-2 in that stretch. The bottom line is coach Lewis Cook’s club has played three really good teams and beaten two of them
2. Lafayette Christian Knights (31): Everything was rolling along for the Knights until Friday’s nightmare trip to Marrero. LCA suffered seven turnovers and couldn’t overcome it in a 31-13 loss to Shaw. Now the brutal schedule continues at Central on Friday.
3. Catholic-NI Panthers (3-1): If
someone would have told Catholic High fans before the season their Panthers were going to lose by a point in overtime at Notre Dame, it likely would have seemed like a good loss. But that final score is harder to swallow when you’re up 28-0 at halftime. Catholic coaches will likely be preaching composure this week, but the Panthers are obviously good again.
4. Erath Bobcats (4-0): No, the Bobcats didn’t score as many points as they have been in the first three
games with the 24-14 win over Vermilion Catholic. But the Eagles are still a proud program, and undefeated is undefeated.
5. Lafayette Renaissance Tigers (4-0): The Tigers steamrolled another overmatched opponent Lafayette Renaissance knows bigger challenges are coming There’s not much room for error though, because Westminster keeps making noise.Another win for the Crusaders may be too much to ignore.
Kevin Foote
Arkansas turns to Petrino, clears out defensive staff
BY MAURA CAREY Associated Press
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said Monday he felt sixth-year coach Sam Pittman had “lost the team” and it was time for a change.
The Razorbacks fired Pittman on Sunday, a day after a 56-13 home loss to Notre Dame.
“I just felt like how we performed on Saturday gave me an indication that maybe Sam had lost the team a little bit because they generally had played really hard for him throughout his tenure,” Yurachek said.
Yurachek promoted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to interim head coach for the remainder of the season. It’s familiar territory for Petrino, who served as the Razorbacks head coach from 2008 to 2011 before he was fired due to a scandal. Petrino, 64, was brought back as offensive coordinator by Pittman in 2023.
Is Petrino a shoo-in for the job?
“Coach Petrino, as we met yesterday, he accepted this opportunity with the understanding that he also wanted an opportunity to
formally be a candidate for our head coaching position, and he will have that opportunity, but we’ll also subsequently run a search for our next head coach at the same time,” Yurachek said. Pittman’s dismissal and Petrino’s temporary promotion weren’t
the only changes Defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson and defensive line coach Deke Adams were all let go Chris Wilson was named the team’s interim defensive coordinator Petrino had high praise for Wil-
son, who was in his first year with the Razorbacks as an assistant defensive line coach.
“My experience (with Wilson) goes way back to having to battle against him when he had all the great defensive linemen at Mississippi State,” Petrino said. “Very, very impressed with what he’s done throughout his career Guy’s got a Super Bowl ring. He brings a lot of credibility into the room.”
Several defensive players posted cryptic messages on social media following the firing of Williams, who had served as the team’s defensive coordinator since 2023.
Yurachek and Petrino encouraged players to welcome change amid a 2-3 start to the season.
“The number one thing is, you have to get used to change. You know, your whole life there’s going to be change. So how we handle that, our attitude on how we handle that, will determine how quickly we improve,” Petrino said.
Pittman is the fourth power conference coach to be let go this season, all within the past two weeks (Brent Pry at Virginia Tech, DeShaun Foster at UCLA and Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State).
Europe quiets talk of U.S. dominance at Ryder Cup
Team has won 11 of past 15 events
BY DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press
FARMINGDALE, N.Y Rory McIlroy still remembers his tears from losing so badly in the Ryder Cup. What stung even more were the words from that Sunday four years ago at Whistling Straits.
The Americans won 19-9, the biggest Ryder Cup blowout ever over Europe. Yes, the gallery was one-sided because of travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. And yes, that was a powerful U.S. team with all 12 playing at a high level That never seems to happen.
This was a team that was going to change the course of the Ryder Cup.
“I was trying to tell the guys,
‘Let’s get to 20 points,’ because this is going to be the next era of Ryder Cup teams for the U.S. side,” Patrick Cantlay said that day
“If we play like we did this week, the score will be the same over there,” Jordan Spieth said. McIlroy couldn’t help but think of those predictions as Europe celebrated its second straight win since that beating, hanging on for a 15-13 victory
He looked around at flags draped around each teammate from their nine countries, all of them mostly proud of the Team Europe emblem on the crest of their shirts. Unseen was the image of Seve Ballesteros stitched in the inside of the shirt so that it touched their hearts.
The comments and what people were saying after Whistling Straits about the decades of American dominance, we took a lot from that,” McIlroy said. “We let that fuel us.”
The “American dominance” ended six years after continental Europe was invited to the party and there is little to suggest that’s about to change. Playing on the road against an angry New York crowd that was nasty and disruptive only fueled Europe even more. It set a Ryder Cup record — under the current format that dates to 1979 — by losing only four of the 16 team matches going into Sunday No team had ever come back from more than a four-point deficit. Europe was up by seven. It was close in the end — too close for Europe, until Shane Lowry came through with biggest putt of his life — but this requires a bigger picture. McIlroy has been saying for the past two years winning a Ryder Cup on the road is among the biggest accomplishments in golf. He must have been referring to the Americans, who haven’t done that
CFP title game for 2027 season set for Superdome
The College Football Playoff national championship game for the 2027 season will be played at the Caesars Superdome on Jan. 24, 2028, The Times-Picayune has confirmed.
In addition to the championship game, the Dome will again play host to the Sugar Bowl, which likely will serve as a quarterfinal contest if the CFP stays in its current format. The CFP operates under a 12-team format, but the power conferences are considering an expanded field.
It will be the first national title game played in New Orleans since a Joe Burrow-led LSU squad beat Clemson 42-25 in the Dome on Jan. 13, 2020. That year is the only instance of New Orleans hosting a CFP championship contest since the playoff was created in 2014.
MRI confirms Giants WR Nabers has a torn ACL NEW YORK Malik Nabers has a torn ACL in his right knee and the New York Giants wide receiver is out for the rest of the season, coach Brian Daboll said Monday Nabers, a former LSU standout, was injured in the second quarter of the Giants’ home game against the Los Angeles Chargers when his right knee buckled while he was trying to make a catch. He immediately grabbed at the knee, received medical attention and was carted off the field.
Asked if there was any additional damage to Nabers’ knee, Daboll indicated he knew specifically only about the ACL tear Nabers’ injury put a damper on New York’s first win this season as rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for a touchdown and ran for another in his first NFL start.
San Francisco fires Melvin as Posey seeks new voice
SAN FRANCISCO Buster Posey will search for a fresh managerial voice to guide the San Francisco Giants, someone with an “obsessive” work ethic and attention to detail Manager Bob Melvin was fired Monday after the club missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Posey, San Francisco’s president of baseball operations, announced the decision. He had shown his confidence in Melvin by exercising the veteran manager’s contract option for the 2026 season on July 1. “Just looking to find a different voice that can take us in a different direction,” Posey said. The Giants finished 81-81 for one more victory than in Melvin’s first year They haven’t reached the postseason since winning the NL West in 2021.
Twins fire Baldelli after seven years as manager
MINNEAPOLIS The Minnesota Twins fired manager Rocco Baldelli on Monday, ending his seven-year tenure that included three AL Central titles but only one playoff appearance over his final five seasons. Baldelli’s dismissal came after a second straight dispiriting finish by the Twins, this one marked by a major selloff leading up to the trade deadline. The Twins went 7092, including just 19-35 after the July 31 deadline passed following the departure of 10 players from their major league roster, with only the Colorado Rockies faring worse over the final two months. Baldelli, who turned 44 last week, went 101-61 and won the AL Manager of the Year award as a rookie in 2019.
since 1993. Europe picked up its fifth road win in the past 10 Ryder Cups, and it now has won 11 of the past 15 times. That’s the very definition of dominance. “When you think about the last away Ryder Cup about what people were saying about decades of American dominance — whether it was home for them or away — and to be able to do what we’ve done in Rome and then here, you know, it shut a lot of people up,” McIlroy said. Whistling Straits, and even the U.S. win at Hazeltine before that in 2016, is starting to look like a blip on the radar instead of a foundation on which to build.
Captain Luke Donald was told Europe had dominated the past decade and was in position to do that for the following decade. That’s when Lowry interjected, “You guys told us we wouldn’t win one for 20 years, though.”
New York Giants owner announces he has cancer
NEWYORK New York Giants owner John Mara announced Monday he was recently diagnosed with cancer
Mara said in a statement released by the team that he has been following a treatment plan recommended by doctors. He did not disclose what form of cancer he has and asked for privacy on the matter
“I’m feeling strong and optimistic, and I’m committed to seeing this through to a positive outcome,” Mara said. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredible support — personally, professionally and medically.”
Mara, 70, added that he expects to remain active with the team as president and CEO while being treated.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
The Notre Dame Pios, led by coach Lewis Cook and quarterback Drew LeJeune, climb a spot to the top of the Acadiana Advocate’s small-school area high school football poll.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MICHAEL WOODS
Former Arkansas coach Sam Pittman talks with offensive lineman Shaq McRoy during the Razorbacks’ game against Notre Dame on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas fired Pittman on Sunday
TEsHill, Moreau clearedtoreturntopractice
BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer
Tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster
Moreau have been cleared toreturn to practice and are expected to participate in workouts starting on Wednesday,New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore said Monday Hill and Moreau have not played this season while returning from knee injuries suffered last season. They started the seasononthe physically unable to perform list.
The transactions open afiveweek window forHill and Moreau to begin practicing. Once each players startstopractice, the Saints have athree-week window to placethemonthe 53-man roster
Moreau injured his knee late in aloss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 seasonfinale
The former Jesuit HighSchool and LSU standout finished the year with 32 catchesfor 413 yardsand five touchdowns.
Hill tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in aWeek 13 loss to the LosAngeles Rams
He ranked second on the team with 278 yards rushing and six touchdowns last season.
“Obviously,it’sbeena long journey for those guys, so (we’re) excit-
DUNCAN
Continued from page1C
start fast,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said of the opening-drive TD. “So now the goal is to continue to sustain that for acouple of drives, put yourself in some positive situations where you have alead.”
The Saints twice had chances to gain the lead and squandered both opportunities. Cole Bishop’sinterception ofa Chris Olave pass on atrick play before halftime squelched achance to eliminatea14-10 deficitwith atouchdownbefore halftime. And amisconnection between Spencer Rattler and Brandin Cooks on apass into the end zone late in the third quarter forcedthe Saints to settle for afield goal. Instead of taking the lead, theytrailed 21-19, and Buffalo scoredthe final 10 points of the game.
The Saints have trailed on astaggering39oftheir 43 offensive possessions this season. They have not had asingle drive while playing with alead. Their opponents, meanwhile, have had 33 drives while leading.
“You’re playing with that confidence and that swagger that comes with the lead,” Moore said. “So we’re close. We’re really,really close to accomplishing that. We’re not there yet
RABALAIS
Continued from page1C
out of the College Football Playoff. Whack! Kelly cleaned out his entire defensive staff, from defensive coordinator Matt House on down, two days after aReliaQuest Bowl victory over Wisconsin.
•2024: Waiting for that pesky mole to popup. No majorissues, mainly adefense tryingto improveunder new coordinator Blake Baker.Kelly launched a huge fundraising campaignto eventuallybuild andretain a roster with $18million worth of NIL funding.
•2025: It’stime foranother mole whacking —amole almost as big as the defensive one in 2023. That’sbecause LSU’srunning game doesn’trun. Itbarely even walks.
In my column after LSU’s2419 loss SaturdayatOle Miss, I listed LSU’sproblems in order of urgency with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’smysterious health issuesatthe top. I still think that’saproblem. But while the Nuss bus is riding on aleaking tire,it’satleast functional. And there is the reasonable possibilitythat this week’s opendatewill give Nussmeier the time he needs to rest/heal and be the kind of quarterback we know he canbegoinginto the Oct. 11 home game with South Carolina. The running game is adifferent matter.LSU doesn’trun block well, and it has relied too much on gimmicky (though sometimes effective, it must be said) plays to run the ball with
OchsnerSportsPerformance
ed to see them just out there with a helmet on and actually doing alittlebit football (at practice),” Moore said. “We’ll see howitprogresses.”
Alengthy absence?
Veteran offensive lineman CesarRuiz will miss the game Sunday against the New York Giantsbecauseofanankle injury he suffered against the Buffalo Bills, Moore said.
obviously,sothere’sfrustration associated withthat, but that’s certainly something we can embrace.”
Playing catch-up often forces teams to abandon the runand rely on the passing attack to move the football. Consequently, the offense becomes one-dimensional and defenses can tee off on the quarterback.
For this reason, offensive coordinators strive each week to seizeearly leads and “gain control”ofthe game from aplaycalling standpoint.Playing with alead allows the offense to open up the playbook and dictate terms to the opponent.
In being forced to play from behind so often this season, theSaintshavebecome more far more pass-heavy than they wouldlike. They have run pass plays on62% (168) of their 271 offensiveplays, compared to 38%runs (103).
“That’sanimportant part of this,” Moore said.“We kind of call them ‘mixed downs,’ where we have theabilitytothreaten with the run and the pass. And the more times you can play mixed-down football, the better you’regoing to be and themore advantageousyou’re going to be because youput defense in conflict.Ifelt likewewere able to play that way more (against the Bills).”
TheSaints were much more balanced againstthe Bills. They
receivers Zavion Thomas and Barion Brown.
Overall, running the ballina conventional sense is amajor problemfor LSU.Frankly, it has beenthroughout the Kelly years.
LSU’s last 1,000-yard rusher was Daniels, who glided to 1,134 yards in 2023. But its last1,000yard rusher at runningback was Tyrion Davis-Price in 2021 with 1,003 yards.
This year,Caden Durham is LSU’stop rusherwith 213 yards, and he was thetop rusher in2024 with 753. Logan Diggs, who scored atouchdown Saturday for Ole Miss, was LSU’stop running back in 2023 with 653 yards. In 2022, Daniels rushed for 885 yardswhile tailback Josh Williams had 532.
LSU was 107th in thenation in rushing in 2024 with 116.4 yards per game,last in the SEC. This yearsofar,the Tigers are 119th in rushing (15th in the SEC ahead of only South Carolina) with 104.8 yards per game.
Ole Missfrequently dropped seven and eight defenders into coverage Saturday because it didnot fear theLSU ground game. Even afully healthy Nussmeier wouldhave atough time succeeding against that.
Kelly blew up at WBRZ’s Michael Cauble after the Floridagame for asking what was wrong with LSU’srunning game and ability to convert third downs.
“It’s one game,” Kelly said. “Wecan run theball.”
Cauble’s question perhaps couldhave been bettertimed after abig LSU win, but it was no less valid. And it has not been one game. Ithas been
Moore did not specify how long Ruiz would be sidelined, but the NFL Network reported that medicaltests revealed the injury to be ahigh-anklesprain that could require arecovery period of four to six weeks, making Ruizacandidate for injured reserve.
“Cesar likely will be out this week, and we’ll kind of take it week by week with him,” Moore said.
had 34 runs and 31 passes in 65 plays.
“The next step we need to accomplish in theplay-action (offense) is hitting some explosive plays off of that,” Moore said. “That’s got tobeagoal of ours moving forward. We’ve justgot to keep growing.”
The Saints took ababy step in theright direction against the Bills.Itwas arguably their best all-aroundperformance of the season. Nevertheless, it was another loss.
TheSaints are 0-4for the ninth time in franchise history
Thelast time they were winless in their first fourgames was 2012. They’ll enter their Week 5 game against the New York Giants as one of just three winless teams in theleague,aslongas the Jets-Dolphins game Monday night doesn’t endina tie
“Kellen said after the game, they (the Bills)are going to be playing in February and are going to win alot of games this year,” running back Kendre Miller said. “That’s areally good football team, so to go intoBuffalo and play like how we did and bounce back from last week just shows you there is alot of fight in this team. It is definitely just aconfidence boost for everybody.”
Email Jeff Duncan at jduncan@ theadvocate.com.
gameafter game. LSU managed just 57 net yards (including a Nussmeier sack) on 22 rushing attempts,a paltry 2.6 yards per carry.That included just two carries by theteam’savailable true tailbacks —one each for Ju’Juan Johnson and Kaleb Jackson —inthe first half. It wasn’tjust theiceberg that sank theTitanic. It was also the great liner’sflawed design, going toofast through dangerous waters and not heeding warnings from other ships. It isn’t just one thing withLSU’slack of arun game, either.It’sthe line, the backsand the scheme under play-callerJoe Sloan While it’salwayshard to stick with something that is notworking, clearly Kelly andSloan must be more committed to the run. Former LSU tight endRichard Dickson suggested on thepostgame radioshowthatthe Tigers give more carries to Jackson, their best power back,and keep at it until the run game improves. Maybe even getNussmeier more undercenter andget in more power running formations. Maybe craft arun packagearound backup quarterback Michael Van Buren. The season is at stake. Kelly justly preaches playingcomplementary footballbetween offense anddefense. Thatalsoextends to the passing andrunning games. The Tigers must finda way to be better at thelatter,orall of the money and effort LSU spent to build aCollegeFootballPlayoff contenderwill be poundeddown aWhack-A-Mole hole.
For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter
him in the first round of the NFL draftin2020. He missed fourstarts last season witha kneeinjury.He has started 73 games in six seasons. Patriots game time changed
The NFL announced Monday that the Saints’ Week 6homegame against the NewEngland Patriots will startearlierthanoriginally scheduled.
The Oct. 12 game will kick off at noon.
The coinciding move was to push the TampaBay Buccaneers’ game that day against the San Francisco 49ers back to 3:25 p.m. —the time Saints-Patriots originally was scheduled.
The NFL has the ability to flex kickoff times as close to two weeks in advanceand caneven change prime-time games late in theseason. The Saints (0-4) do not have a prime-time gamescheduled this season.
Ruiz was injured when apair of players rolled into the back of hislegs at the endofascramble by quarterback Spencer Rattler late in thesecond quarter. Trainers attended to Ruizonthe field, and he left the gameunder his own power butdid notreturntoaction.
The former Michigan standout hasbeen amainstay on the offensive linesince the Saints selected
They do have four other games scheduled forthe late afternoon window,including three home games: Oct. 26 vs. theBuccaneers (3:05p.m.), Nov.23vs. the Atlanta Falcons(3:25 p.m.)and Dec. 14 vs the Carolina Panthers (3:25 p.m.). The season finale at Atlanta does not have an announced start time. Staff writerZachEwing contributed to this report
CAJUNS
Continuedfrom page1C
once you get to Saturday,you just have to go watch them work, and those guysdid it.”
On defense, Desormeaux praised backup safety Collin Jacob of Loreauville for his teamhigh 14 tackles, linebacker Jake St. Andre and former Ascension Episcopal defensive lineman MaxieBaudoin. “Collin hasworkedreally
PELICANS
Continued from page1C
worksextremely hard, is in the gymnight in and night out.”
The Pelicans acquired Poole and gave up CJ McCollum,who had been in New Orleans for 31/2 years.
Now it’ll be up to the26-year-old Poole to help fill McCollum’sshoes.
What does Poolebring on the court?
“My offensive skillset and being able to create for my teammates andbeing able to scorethe ball,” Poole said. “Being able to be a playmaker.Makelife on thecourt easier for my teammates.”
Poole, entering his seventh NBA season, averaged career-highs in both points (20.5) andsteals(1.3) last season with the Wizards. He scored acareer-best 45 points in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He wants to be just as effective in thelockerroom. He wantshis championship experience to rub off on afranchise that never has been past the secondround of the playoffs.
“Onceyou experience that at the highestlevel, it’safeeling you want to replicate again,” Poole said.
He started working right away As soon as thetrade happened, he asked for acopy of the offensive setsand terminologythe team uses.Heisone of the first ones to gettothe gym each morning. And sincetrainingcamphas started, he’s been oneofthe more vocal players in practice.
“I didn’tknow he was as talkative,” Green said. “But we strongly encourage our guys to continue to communicate, over communicate. He’sbeen spearheading that group.” While Poole admitsthe New Orleanshumidity has taken some time to get adjusted to, he hasfit in right away with his teammates. They welcome what he brings. “Good dude,great player,” Zion Williamson said. “Veryvocal on thecourt. He’s going to provide a lotofspacing formeonthe court.
UL running back
ZylanPerry,shown here making a catch during the Cajuns’54-51 double-overtime winonSaturday, was one of several Cajuns injured in the contest.
hard, and he was ready for his opportunity and played well,” Desormeauxsaid. “I thought Jake St. Andre was ahuge spark forus in the second half. He didn’tplay much in the first half, but played really good in the second half “Maxie Baudoin is the same thing. In the second half, made somereally bigplays forusand in the overtime period. He’sthe one that got them on first downoff schedule alittle bit and madehim (Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson) throw the football a little bit.”
For him to bring that championship experience here, I’m glad to have him here.”
Thatchampionship playoff experience includes aplayoff run where Poole averaged 17 points and shot 50.8% from the floor and 39% on 3-pointers as the Warriors won their most recent title. But the winsinWashington were awhole lot harder to comeby. The Wizards (18-64 last season) were one of three teamstowin fewer games than the Pelicans.
“Now I’m able to incorporate what it feels like to be on the tougher end of it when it comes to winning and losing,” Poole said. “The last twoyears formewereabit more challenging. We weren’table to win as muchasI’d like. But coming to asituation with anew front office, thatisthe goal. That is the expectation. Everybody’sonthe same page and it’ll be fun to go out there and compete against areally tough Western Conference.” Poole loves what he’sseen in his new teammates.
“You don’twanttohavetoforce or go out of your waytopush guys to want to be better.,” Poolesaid. “Wehave alot of guys in the locker room whoare naturally motivated.”
Poole knows there is athin line between being agood team and a greatteam.It’spartofthe reason he puts in so much work. And it’s why he’s so vocal, making sure his teammates knowwhatwinning takes.
“I love thegame,” Poolesaid. “I’vebeen obsessedwiththe game. When you play at the highest level, it becomes agameofinches, And in those inches are the details. When you put in so muchwork, the results will start to show.”
The Pelicans will get their first action Friday and Saturday in a pair of exhibitiongames in Australia. Poole canhardlywaittoget started.
“I’m just ready to be invested with the team, with the community, withthe crowd,” Poolesaid. “Bring the right energy,the positive energy.Just have fun.”
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
Saints tight ends Foster Moreau, left, and Taysom Hill talk on thesidelineduring aminicamp practiceatthe
Center on June 10
LSU AGCENTER PHOTO By KyLE PEVETO With their narrowpetals andlong stamens, hurricane lily flowers have aspiderlike appearance.
Beauty of the storm
Hurricane lilies areSouthern garden heirlooms
Have you noticed some red flowerspopping up lately, seemingly out of nowhere? Chances are you have been gracedby the presence of hurricane lilies
GARDEN NEWS
These flowers tend to show up in August and September peak hurricane season in Louisiana, hence their name. Long stems give rise to large, showy blooms that usually are redbut sometimes display shades of white, pink and yellow.You’ll often find them on old Southern homesites, and they’re a popular passalong plant. When people say “hurricane lilies,” they’re usingan overarching term that includes severaldifferent plants. Some interchangeably use the terms spider lilies and surprise lilies. While theseplants are similar they are in fact unique species in theLycoris genus,which is part of the Amaryllidaceae family.That means hurricane lilies are relatives of the familiar red amaryllis, another beloved Southern garden plant Here are some of the most common hurricane lilies you might come across in late summer to early fall:
n Red spider lily(Lycoris radiata). This is the classic hurricane lily.Itproduces orangered flowers on 12-to-18-inchtall, leafless stalks. Flowers feature narrow petalsand long stamens, creating aspiderlike appearance. Foliage growth takes off in the fall and continues through winter before dying back in the spring. This plant performs best in partial shade. Toomuch shade can hamper blooming, and direct sunlight is just too intense.
n White spider lily (Lycoris albiflora). Similar to the red spider lily in appearance and growth pattern, thisspecies sports white flowersthat sometimes exhibit atinge of pastel yellow or pink.
n Golden spider lily (Lycoris aurea). With yellow flowers on stems that can reach up to24 inches tall, this lily makes a statement.Flower petals are accented by attractive wavy margins. Leaves grow in the fall and take on ablue hue.
n Naked ladies or surprise lily (Lycoris squamigera) This species produces purpleto-pink flowers reminiscent of trumpets. Blooms form on bare stalks about 18 inches tall. Strappy leaves form in spring and disappear in summer Hurricane lilies do best in rich, slightly alkaline soils with good drainage. Like other members of the amaryllis family,they grow from bulbs and form clumps. Over time, they can become overcrowded, which reduces blooms.
Occasional division is the remedy.Dig up the bulbsafter leaves have faded and plants have gone dormant —for
ä See LILIES, page 6C
Because of this program, we arenow growing summer squash and bush beans at our house, and we will continue to grow more.”
CAITLIN
WILSON, about theSeed Library program in an email
SOWING CURIOSITY
GBY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer
rowing avegetable or pollinator gardenisa popular hobby these days, and fall is the right time of year to start. The East BatonRouge Parish Library is here to help —10ofthe 15 library branches are participating in the Seed Library initiative, a free program committed to offering gardening education and seeds so people can have healthy foods. The program prioritizes herbs and vegetables that are either native to Louisianaorthrive particularly well in the local area. One of thelibrary’sgoalsistofoster sustainability when it comes to gardening,sothe seedswon’tbe invasive species that would harm or take over agarden. AllisonGianelloni, the community programminglibrarian, read aboutseed libraries popping up in libraries throughout the country andthought it wassomething she could bring to Baton Rouge. Shestarted atrial seed library
at the Greenville Springs branch, and it was received well. Once she moved to theMain Library in January,she brought theidea with her and repurposed acard catalog cabinet as the container for seeds —found on thesecondfloor near
Staff report PlantFest!, afall tradition at LSU Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge, celebrates connecting plantsand people. Theevent will take place this weekend in the heart of Hilltop’s beautiful natural setting at 11855 HighlandRoad. Patronscan peruse more than 3,000 plants andjust as many species of native and traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns,
STAFFPHOTOSByJAVIER GALLEGOS
Elena Branzaru, left, and Tammy Kazmierczakreact ecstatically to finding seeds of plants theyloveatthe seed libraryatMain LibraryinBaton Rouge.
Dear Miss Manners: Agroup of six longtime friends planned agettogether at my house including snacks and games. One friend showed up very clearly ill, with ared, runny nose and apack of tissues, saying, “It’sjust acold! Ifeel
fine.”
Maybe Ishould have been more sympathetic, but Iinstead mentioned that Ididn’twant to get sick because Ihad a vacation coming up. Igot hand sanitizer and wipes for people to use, and kept my distance. Idid ask if they had gotten tested for COVID, and they said no —now that the tests aren’t free, they are actually quite expensive —but they
assured me they’d had COVID before and thatit“didn’tfeel like this.”
Twoquestions: Do you agree that the common cold should be something that keeps peoplefrom socializing, andhow can Ihandle this, should it happen again?
doing. We look forward to seeing you when you are over this.”
Gentle reader: 1. Yes. 2. By beingmore sympathetic. Miss Manners suggests saying firmly, “You’re very brave to come outlike this, but we won’tlet you sacrifice yourself for us. Youneed to go homeand go to bed until you arewell. Do youneed someonetotakeyou?”
On their way out, you can add, “Please let us know how you’re
Thecountdown is on for TEDxBatonRouge series
Staff report
With the theme “Unseen Currents,” TEDxBatonRouge has lined up seven speakersfor its 2025 program.
ATED Countdown anchor event, the program will take place Nov.13atthe Manship Theatre, 100 LafayetteSt., Baton Rouge, with networking and activation stations from 4:30 to 6p.m., theatredoors opening at 6p.m. and the main event running from 6:30 to 8p.m. An after-party is planned for 8to9:30 p.m.
Such TED Countdown events aredesigned to “amplify local efforts and to championthe individuals pushing boundaries within their own communities,” according to countdown.ted.com
“TEDxBatonRouge will elevate Louisiana-born solutions at the intersection of science,design, health and culture —addressing climate pressures we live with every day,like coastal land loss, air quality,and heat —while highlightinginnovations that protect livelihoods, improve health outcomes and strengthen our economy,” anews release states.
This year’sspeakers and topics are:
n Damien Mitchell,industrial designer: “a designer-educator blending time-honored craftand modern innovation to challenge hyperconsumerism— and to ask what it takes to design objects (and futures) thatlast.”
n Rebeca de Jesús Crespo,integrative ecologist: “a landscape ecologist tracing the hidden links between land, water,and human health —revealinghow community choices ripple back into our lives and how resiliencestarts with intention.”
n Johnnie James II,regenerative
ocean farmer: “a climate-tech founder reimagining one of the world’soldest materials to help defend Louisiana’svulnerable coast —designing structures that endure while supporting coastal ecosystems.”
n Pippin Frisbie-Calder,environmental printmaker: “a visual artist transformingscientific data into large-scale printsand immersive installations —compelling audiences to see what’satstake and engageinsolutions.”
n NaohiroKato,microalgae innovator:“abiologist unlockingthe outsized potential of microalgae —advancing ways to preserve human health and local culture while addressing critical environmentalchallenges.”
n VeronicaGillispie-Bell,maternal health advocate: “a physician and public-health leader illuminating maternal health as afault line where climate change intensifies risk —and outlining the policy andclinicalinnovations that can save lives.”
n MaryMiller,spongehunter: “a microbiology professor guidingstudent-driven discovery —studying overlooked freshwaterspongestoassess waterway health and inspire the next generation of scientists.”
General admission tickets are$81 at https://www.tedxbatonrouge.com/2025. Alimited numberofdiscounted student ticketsalsoare available by applying with aschool email at the same website.
“TEDxBatonRouge isa community-connecting, idea-elevating, discussion-startingexperience where leaders, thinkers, doers and dreamers gather to explore what’spossible for Baton Rouge andcelebrate brilliant ideas born here at home,” therelease states.
TODAYINHISTORY
By The Associated Press
Today is Tuesday,Sept. 30,the 273rd day of 2025. There are92 days left in the year
Todayinhistory: On Sept. 30, 1949, the Berlin Airlift came to an end after delivering more than 2.3 million tons of cargo to blockaded residents of West Berlinoverthe prior 15 months.
Also on this date: In 1777, the Continental Congress —forced to flee in the face of advancing British forces —moved to York, Pennsylvania, after briefly meeting in Lancaster,Pennsylvania In 1791, Mozart’sopera “The Magic Flute” premiered in Vienna, Austria.
In 1938, addressing the public after co-signing the Munich Agreement, which allowed Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland, British Prime MinisterNevilleChamberlain proclaimed, “I believe it is peace for our time.” In 1955, actor James Dean was killed at age 24 in atwo-car collision near Cholame, California. In 1972, Pittsburgh Pirates star Roberto Clemente connected for his 3,000thand final hit, adouble
LILIES
Continued from page5C
Dear Miss Manners: Ihave afriend who constantly talks about the prices of food, drinks and restaurants.
Iwanted to go downtown to a festival, and thefirst thingshe said was that the beers are going to be $8 each. When Iask her about anew restaurant, she tells me theprices of everything and thecheapest way tohave dinner there at happy hour.Nomention of the food itself. Alot of her conversations seem to center around how much things cost. It drives all of her conversations.
Iguess Iwas brought up not to talk about thecost of things. Am I wrong to let this bother me?
Gentle reader: If you were brought up nevertotalkabout thecost of anything, Miss Mannershopes it came with asizable inheritance
If your friend keeps asking you how much you paid foryour shoes, you would be justified in being annoyed.But being concerned about prices at restaurants—orother commercial transactions under consideration —seems reasonable.
against Jon Matlack of the New York Mets at Three RiversStadium In 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties to illegally annex moreoccupied Ukrainian territory in asharp escalation of his seven-month invasion.
Today’sbirthdays: ActorAngie Dickinson is 94. Singer Johnny Mathis is 90. Actor Len Cariou is 86. Singer Marilyn McCoo is 82. Actor Barry Williams is 71. Singer Patrice Rushen is 71. Actor Fran Drescher is 68. Country musician Marty Stuart is 67. ActorCrystal Bernard is 64. ActorEric Stoltz is 64. Rapperproducer Marley Marl is 63. Countrymusician Eddie Montgomery (Montgomery Gentry) is 62. Rock singer Trey Anastasio (Phish) is 61. Actor Monica Bellucci is 61. Actor Tony Haleis55. Actor Jenna Elfman is 54. Actor Marion Cotillard is 50.Author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates is 50. Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Hingis is 45. Olympic gold medal gymnast Dominique Moceanu is 44. Actor Lacey Chabert is 43. Actor Kieran Culkin is 43. Singerrapper T-Pain is 41. Racing driver Max Verstappen is 28. Actordancer Maddie Ziegler is 23.
done through the years. Just note that newly planted and recently disturbedbulbs may not bloom right away One final note about hurricane lilies: They’repoisonous!This is because they contain atoxic alkaloid called lycorine. Keep pets andchildren away to prevent ingestion.
Dear Heloise: Regarding hardboiled eggs, I’vehad aterrible time with them over the years and have tried several different methods.I finally found amethod on the internet that actually works: Putabout 3quarters of an inch of water in a saucepan and heat it to boiling. Once it’sboiling, takethe eggs out of the refrigerator and gently place them in the pan of boiling water being careful not to burn yourself of course. They must be in a single layer.Donot stack them! Then cover and continue to boil for 14 minutes.Inthe meantime, get your ice water ready.(Ikeep afrozen bottle of water in my freezer and use this along with regular water.) After 14 minutes, put thecooked eggs in the ice water and let them sit there for about 14 more minutes. Then use theeggs or put them in the refrigerator with alabel to remember
Gentle reader: Prompt responses will solve this problem.Then you can truthfully say,“Yes, thank you, I’ve already written you.”
Send questions to Miss Manners at herwebsite,www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postalmail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.
Dear Miss Manners: Ihave always sent thank-you notes without fail. My problem is that, now,people contact me via text message to see if Ihavereceived the gift they sent me. And since that answer is almost alwaysyes, Ifeel Imust not onlyacknowledge the gift but also thankthem at that time. So now,I either have to thank them with ashort text, instead of the lovely cards Ipurchased to write sincere notes of gratitude, or thank them twice —which of course is not awful, but seems awkward. Ineed someguidance, please.
Trythismethodfor boiled eggs
that they expire in one week. I’ve had great luck with this. The eggs almost always peel easily,and Ialmost never get agreen ring around theyolk, which Ihate. It’s so quick to do, and Ican cook them while I’mdoing something else and not waste any time. Plus, there’snofussing to get theeggs at room temperature. Iread your column every day —Carol, via email
Save on cleaning pads
Dear Heloise: Sometimes you need asteel wool soap pad to clean a nastypan. Icut mine in halves or quarters to save on waste and also save afew dollars. —Kristin Logue, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Spreadingglue
Dear Heloise: Many thanks to Bob for his hint about silencing unknown callsonmyiPhone. My hint is that Isave old plastic
credit cards to use to spread glue over large surfaces. This is an old woodworker’strick, but it can be used forpaper and other things. Bill, in St. Louis Twohandy hints
Dear Heloise: Ihave been reading “Hints From Heloise” formany years and have used manyof them.I have twoofmyown to offer: n When spraying bathroom deodorizer,rather than spraying it into the air,I spray it into the wastebasket. It seemstolast longer and avoids residue on the countertop or mirror n Isave plastic bags that our newspaper is delivered in. Iuse them when traveling to dispose of small trash or personal items. They take up no space in the suitcase and are very handy —Linda Bloom, in Southlake,Texas
Send ahinttoheloise@heloise com.
SEED LIBRARY
Continuedfrom page5C
seed companies andlibrary patrons. Local organizations like Baton Roots and Wild Ones donate native plant and vegetable seeds. CarrieSchmidt-de la Fuente, a reference librarian at theMain Library,works consistently to procure donations in the community and keep thelibrary stocked.All of the seed libraries operate on thehonor system,meaning that patronsare asked to take only what theyplan to grow in aseason,sothe seedscan be shared with otherlibrary users. And while having an East Baton RougeParish Library card grants accesstoanumber of services, having one is notrequired to participate in this program.
To use the Seed Library at various branches, sign your name in thebinder,take 2-3 seeds for each plant, pack theseeds in provided envelopes, label them with thecorrect information,and then grow theplant at home.
Returning seeds is not required but is encouraged for easy-tosave seeds (lettuce, tomatoes, beans, peas, etc.). Returned seeds will help to keep the library wellstocked for futureusers.Basic seed-saving techniques can be found on the library website under the”PlantingGuides” tab
“I’m always still learning,” Gianelloni said. “I’m notanexpert at all. I’ve never done thewet seed saving. People can save their
seeds,then drop them offhere in thelittle seed returns.”
Gianellonirecalledone family heirloom plant that was left with alittle note attached that saidthe flower seed wasfrom aneighbor’s yard, andthe donorwanted to share it with the community
“Because of this program, we arenow growing summer squash and bush beansatour house, and we will continue to grow more,” Caitlin Wilson wrote in an email to Gianelloni. The program is still in itspilot phase, butEast Baton Rouge Parish Library hopes to bring it to all 15 library locations in the future.
Each branch’scollection of seeds is different depending on donationsand stock. Visit each location for acomplete and up-to-date list of currently available seeds.
ASeedLibrary near you
n Main Library,7711 Goodwood Blvd., at the secondfloor near the nonfiction section
n Carver Branch Library,720 Terrace Ave., at the circulation desk
n Central Branch Library,11260 Joor Road, across from the reference desk
n Fairwood Branch Library,12910 Old Hammond Highway,near the circulation desk
n GreenwellSprings Road Regional Branch Library,11300 Greenwell Springs Road,inthe lobby
n Jones Creek Branch Library,6222 Jones Creek Road, near the circulation desk
n Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library 13600 Port Hudson-Pride Road
n South Branch Library,2210 Glasgow Ave.,between the children’sarea and adult’sarea n ZacharyBranch Library,1900 Church St., behind the circulation desk. In addition to the seed librariesthemselves, the programalso hosts Garden Discovery community gardening events, suggests plant and garden reading lists and providesresources on their website, ebrpl.libguides.com/seedlibrary.Upcoming events include a Linda Barber Auld, the NOLA BugLady,presentation about “Monarchs, Migration, Milkweed, and OE”at10a.m. Oct. 11 at theMain Library,7711 Goodwood Blvd. Then, Community Gardening Dayisfrom 8a.m. to 3p.m. Nov 8atthe Main Library.EBRPL is teaming up with the Louisiana Wild Society to install anative plant garden near the front entrance of the Main Library.The morning will include planting demos and hands-on learning. There will be workshops throughout the day, including apresentation from Janine Kharey of Wild Ones GBR about“WhatYou PlantCan Make a Difference” at 10 a.m.,and aSeed Sorting and Saving Demo from MitchellProvensalofBaton Roots Gianelloni says now is the perfect time to plantnativeplant seeds because they need cold stratification,which means they need to be coldbefore they germinate. In the springtime they should sprout. Email Joy Holdenatjoy.holden@ theadvocate.com.
Judith Martin MISS MANNERS
Hints from Heloise
STAFFPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Tammy Kazmierczakbrowses the nativeseed selection at the seed libraryatMainLibrary.
LIBRA (sept 23-oct. 23) Tidy your space to accommodate your needs. The changes or moves you pursue will make your life easier and help guide you to utilize your skills and experience to reflect what's marketable.
scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) You'll need an outlet for your angst. Manifest opportunitiesthataresensitivetoyourneeds,not to someone else's. Finish what you start and ignore those who meddle.
sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Be careful with money matters; you can be generous without going broke. Offer your thoughts, guidelines and connections, nothing more. A pay hike, investment or windfall is apparent
cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don't sell yourself short. An opportunity is apparent,butit'suptoyoutosethighstandards and to negotiate to ensure you get a fair deal. Use finesse and facts to get what you want.
AQuARIus (Jan 20-Feb. 19) Expand your interests, dig deep and prepare for whatever scenario might come your way. Refuse to let someone one-up you due to an oversight on your part.
PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) You'll have mixed emotions about certain relationships. Be observant, question what's said and consider how you want to proceed before taking action. Focus on what matters and maximize your time.
ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Consider your emotions before responding. You'll receive mixed messages from someone close to you. Balance and equality
are necessary to achieve a positive outcome.
tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Set yourself up for success. Let your charm, along with a healthy dose of preparation, lead you to victory. Today it's your turn to shine, so put your best foot forward and trust your instincts.
GEMInI (May 21-June 20) A change will do you good. Be smart regarding health and physical risk factors. Don't share your feelings prematurely. Take the time to get to know others before sharing secrets.
cAncER (June 21-July 22) Keep moving. Being busy will help you ward off stress and gives you a chance to recognize what's advantageous and what's detrimental. Your efforts will gain momentum and recognition.
LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Monitor what's happening around you, and you'll get a glimpse of something new and exciting that you may want to investigate. Lending a helping hand will lead to a unique circle of people who can offer a different perspective.
VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Lovewhoyouare, and so will everyone you encounter. A happydispositionwillbreakbarriersthat stand in your way. An event you attend will turn into a meet-and-greet session that leads to a great connection.
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
toDAy's cLuE: I EQuALs K
CeLebrItY CIpher
For better or For WorSe
And erneSt
SALLY Forth
beetLe bAILeY
Mother GooSe And GrIMM
SherMAn’S LAGoon
bIG nAte
Sudoku
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword
THewiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS
CurTiS
By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge
In “The Devil’s Dictionary,” Ambrose Bierce defined “prescription” as a physician’s guess at what will best prolong the situation with least harm to the patient.
At the bridge table, the prescription for success is trying not to have to guess what to do, but what will have mathematically the best chance to succeed.
In this deal, South is in four spades. West leads the club queen. Since East is marked with the club ace, declarer plays low from the board at tricks one and two, but still loses the first three tricks. East then shifts to the spade six. After drawing trumps, how should declarer continue?
South opened three spades, showing a respectable suit, some 6-10 high-card points and about seven winners. Here, North would have done well to respond three no-trump, but if South’s suit needed establishing, that contract could have gonedownseveraltricks.Raisingtofour spades was “normal.”
South has only nine winners: seven spades, one heart and one diamond. At first glance, it looks as though he needs one of the red-suit finesses to work. But which one should he take? It seems to be a pure guess. However, he can improve his odds slightly.
Declarer should play a diamond to dummy’s ace, ruff a low diamond in his
hand,returntodummywithatrump,and ruff another diamond. Here, the king drops, establishing dummy’s queen and allowing South to claim. But if the diamond king is still out there somewhere, declarer cashes the rest of his trumps planning to take the heart finesse at trick 12.
Andrews McMeel Syndication
Previous answers:
InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters
today’s thought “And also all that generation were gathered to their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
by NEA, Inc., dist. By
marmaduKe
Bizarro
hagar the horriBle
Pearls Before swiNe
garfield
BRIEFS
FROM WIRE REPORTS
Wall Street ticks higher; tech stocks lead the way Wall Street ticked higher on Monday as technology stocks recovered some of their losses from late last week.
The S&P 500 added 0.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 68 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5%. All three are near their all-time highs set a week ago Big Tech stocks ticked higher to lead the way Amazon added 1.1% following its 5.1% drop last week, and Microsoft rose 0.6% to recover some of its 1.2% decline. While their moves were modest, they were still two of the strongest forces lifting the S&P 500 Monday because they’re two of Wall Street’s most valuable stocks.
On the losing end of the market were companies in the oil business, which were hurt by slumping crude prices. Drops of 2.6% for Exxon Mobil and 2.5% for Chevron were two of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500.
This week’s highlight is scheduled to arrive on Friday, when a report will be due about how many jobs U.S. employers created and destroyed last month. The hope is that it will be balanced enough to keep the Federal Reserve on track to continue cutting interest rates.
The Fed just delivered its first cut of the year, and officials have penciled in more through the end of next year
Corn dogs, other products recalled
NEW YORK
About 58 million pounds of corn dogs and other sausage-on-a-stick products are being recalled across the U.S. because pieces of wood may be embedded in the batter, with several consumers reporting injuries to date.
According to a Saturday notice published by the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the recall covers select “State Fair Corn Dogs on a Stick” and “Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick” products from Texas-based Hillshire Brands, which is a subsidiary of Tyson Foods.
The contamination problem was discovered after Hillshire received multiple consumer complaints, the service notes, five of which involved injuries. The company later determined that a “limited number” of these products included “extraneous pieces of wooden stick within the batter,” Tyson said in a corresponding announcement — adding that it opted to initiate a recall “out of an abundance of caution.”
The recalled corn dogs and sausage-on-a-stick goods were produced between March 17 and as recently Friday, per Saturday’s recall notices.
CSX railroad replaces CEO as merger looms
CSX railroad announced Monday that it had replaced its CEO less than two months after an investment fund urged it to either find another railroad to merge with to better compete with the proposed transcontinental Union Pacific railroad or fire outgoing CEO Joe Hinrichs
The outgoing CEO, who came to the railroad in 2022 after a long career with Ford, focused on repairing CSX’s relationship with its workers and labor unions and unifying the team after a bitter contract fight. But Ancora Holdings, which helped spur major changes at Norfolk Southern, said CSX’s operating performance deteriorated significantly under Hinrichs’ leadership. Hinrichs resigned to clear the way for Steve Angel to become CEO effective Sunday. Angel, 70, also comes from outside the rail industry, although earlier in his career, he oversaw GE’s locomotive building unit, so he does have that experience. CSX said he has 45 years of experience leading large public companies, including most recently as CEO of Linde and Praxair which provide industrial gasses to other companies.
THEADVOCATE.COM/news/business
Electronic Arts to be bought for $55B
Video game maker acquired by investors
BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE and MICHELLE CHAPMAN
The Associated Press
Electronic Arts, the maker of video games like “Madden NFL,”
“Battlefield,” and “The Sims,” is being acquired by an investor group including Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in the largest private equity-funded buyout in history
The investors, who also include a firm managed by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-inlaw, and the private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, valued the deal $55 billion.
Trump
EA stockholders will receive $210 per share. The deal far exceeds the $32 billion price tag to take Texas utility TXU private in 2007, which had shattered records for leveraged buyouts.
PIF which was currently the largest insider stakeholder in Electronic Arts, will be rolling over its existing 9.9% investment in the company
The commitment to the massive deal is in line with recent activity in the gaming sector by the Saudi fund, wrote Andrew Marok of Raymond James.
“The Saudi PIF has been a very active player in the video gaming market since 2022, taking minority stakes in most scaled public video gaming publishers, and also
outright purchases of companies like ESL, FACEIT and Scopely,” he wrote.
“The PIF has made its intentions to scale its gaming arm, Savvy Gaming Group, clear, and the EA deal would represent the biggest such move to date by some distance.”
PIF is also a minority investor in Nintendo.
The deal needs approval from national security regulators on the Committee on Foreign Investment given that the Saudis are involved, but there are plenty of reason to expect it will go through.
The U.S. agency leading the foreign investment committee, the Treasury Department, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the potential conflicts of interest.
If the transaction closes as anticipated, it will end EA’s 36-year history as a publicly traded company that began with its shares ending its first day of trading at a splitadjusted 52 cents.
Not only does Trump’s son-in-law want to do the deal, but the president could also be inclined to look favorably on any Saudi investment because he has benefited directly from their spending. His family business has been paid by Saudibacked LIV Golf for hosting its tournaments at his clubs starting at a difficult time years ago when the PGA Tour pulled out of events at the same venues following the Jan. 6 siege of the Capitol by Trump supporters in 2021.
administration opens more acreage for coal mining
Deal provides $625 million to boost coal-fired power plants
BY MATTHEW DALY Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Monday it will open 13 million acres of federal lands for coal mining and provide $625 million to recommission or modernize coal-fired power plants as President Donald Trump continues his efforts to reverse the yearslong decline in the U.S. coal industry Actions by the Energy and Interior departments and the Environmental Protection Agency follow executive orders Trump issued in April to revive coal, a reliable but polluting energy source that’s long been shrinking amid environmental regulations and competition from cheaper natural gas.
Environmental groups denounced the actions, which come as the Trump administration has clamped down on renewable energy, including freezing permits for offshore wind projects, ending clean energy tax credits and blocking wind and solar projects on federal lands.
Under Trump’s orders, the Energy Department has required fossil-fueled power plants in Michigan and Pennsylvania to keep operating past their retirement dates to meet rising U.S. power demand amid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence and electric cars. The latest announcement would allow those efforts to expand as a precaution against possible electricity shortfalls.
Trump also has directed federal agencies to identify coal resources on federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining and prioritize coal leasing on U.S. lands. A sweeping tax bill approved by Republicans and signed by Trump reduces royalty rates for coal mining from 12.5% to 7%, a significant decrease that officials said will help ensure U.S. coal producers can compete in global markets.
The new law also mandates increased availability for coal mining on federal lands and streamlines federal reviews of coal leases.
“Everybody likes to say, ‘drill, baby, drill.’
I know that President Trump has another initiative for us, which is ‘mine, baby, mine,’”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at a news conference Monday at Interior headquarters. Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Lee Zeldin and Energy Undersecretary Wells Griffith also spoke at the event. All three agencies signed orders boosting coal.
“By reducing the royalty rate for coal,
increasing coal acres available for leasing and unlocking critical minerals from mine waste, we are strengthening our economy, protecting national security and ensuring that communities from Montana to Alabama benefit from good-paying jobs,” Burgum said.
Zeldin called coal a reliable energy source that has supported American communities and economic growth for generations.
“Americans are suffering because the past administration attempted to apply heavyhanded regulations to coal and other forms of energy it deemed unfavorable,” he said.
Environmental groups said Trump was wasting federal tax dollars by handing them to owners of the oldest, most expensive and dirtiest source of electricity
“Subsidizing coal means propping up dirty, uncompetitive plants from last century – and saddling families with their high costs and pollution, said Ted Kelly, clean energy director for the Environmental Defense Fund.
“We need modern, affordable clean energy solutions to power a modern economy, but
the Trump administration wants to drag us back to a 1950s electric grid.”
Solar, wind and battery storage are the cheapest and fastest ways to bring new power to the grid, Kelly and other advocates said. “It makes no sense to cut off your best, most affordable options while doubling down on the most expensive ones,” Kelly said.
The EPA said Monday it will delay seven deadlines related to wastewater pollution from coal-fired power plants. The industry has complained that regulations imposed under the Biden administration were costly and designed to speed the closure of coal plants.
Coal ash, the waste from burning coal, can leach into groundwater and spread toxins.
The Biden administration said the rules were aimed at keeping arsenic and lead out of well water lowering cancer rates and avoiding disastrous spills.
“Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin are giving big polluters a pass to dump tons and tons of toxic pollution into our waterways, with no care for how many Americans will suffer from drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food,” said Laurie Williams, who directs the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign.
Trump announces 100% levies on foreign-made films
BY WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS and PAUL WISEMAN AP business writers
President Donald Trump says he will slap a 100% tax on movies made outside the United States — a vague directive aimed at protecting a business that America already dominates.
Claiming that movie production “has been stolen” from Hollywood and the U.S., Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that “I will be imposing a 100% tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.” It was unclear how these tariffs would operate, since movies and TV shows can be transmitted digitally without going through ports.
Also unclear is what it would mean for U.S. movies filmed on foreign locations — think James Bond and Jason Bourne — or what legal basis the president would claim for imposing the tariffs.
The president had first issued the threat back in May He has yet to specify when the tariff might go into effect.
Movies are an odd battleground for a U.S. trade war “Unlike any other country’s film industry, U.S. movies are the most accessible, well-known and best performing due to the numerous language options and worldwide reach provided by U.S.-based studios,” trade analyst Jacob Jensen, of the center-right American Action Forum, wrote in a July commentary
In movie theaters, Americanproduced movies overwhelmingly dominate the domestic marketplace.
Data from the Motion Picture Association also shows that American films made $22.6 billion in exports and $15.3 billion in trade surplus in 2023 — with a recent report noting that these films “generated a positive balance of trade in every major market in the world” for the U.S. Barry Appleton, co-director of the Center for International Law at the New York Law Center, warned that other countries may retaliate with levies on American movies or other services. In movies, “Brand America is way way ahead,” he said. “What this policy does is ac-
tually cook the golden goose that’s laying the golden eggs.”
Tariffs are Trump’s go-to solution for America’s economic problems, a tool he likes to use to extract concessions from other countries.
Reversing decades of U.S. support for lower trade barriers, he’s slapped double-digit tariffs on imports from almost every country on earth. And he’s targeted specific products, including most recently pharmaceuticals, heavy trucks, kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.
Unlike other sectors that have recently been targeted by tariffs, movies go beyond physical goods, bringing larger intellectual property ramifications into question.
A mining dumper truck hauls coal at Cloud Peak Energy’s Spring Creek strip mine near Decker, Mont.
