The Advocate 10-04-2025 by The Advocate

AG fires lawyers for secretary of state

State officials at odds over canceling of legal contracts as redistricting case looms

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

Attorney General Liz Murrill

has ﬁred all of the outside lawyers working for Secretary of State

Nancy Landry in an extraordinary high-stakes legal battle between two of Louisiana’s six statewide elected ofﬁcers. Murrill said she acted to protect her primacy as Louisiana’s chief

legal ofﬁcer after Landry, in her view, challenged that authority in advance of an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court hearing on whether Louisiana will have to redraw its congressional voting maps.

Adding to the legal and political drama, Murrill and Landry, while not close friends, grew up a block from each other in the Greenbriar neighborhood of Lafayette and went to Lafayette High School, LSU and LSU law school at the same time. Landry is one year older

Landry believes Murrill has overreacted and questions whether the attorney general has the right to end her outside legal contracts. She declined to answer when asked whether she might go to court to block Murrill.

At the heart of the dispute is the Callais case, which is sure to draw national attention because Louisiana is asking the Supreme Court to overturn the decades-old Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. If the court invalidates Section 2, the state Legislature is poised to redraw Louisiana’s congressional

GATORS VS. GRIFFINS

ABOVE: St. Amant High takes the field for their game against Dutchtown High on Friday in St. Amant

RIGHT: Dutchtown quarterback Owen Fletcher throws a pass to running back Carter Hedden in the first half of their game Friday at St. Amant

PHOTOS By PATRICK DENNIS

Trump orders bombing to stop

BY WAFAA SHURAFA, BASSEM MROUE and JOSEPH KRAUSS Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians. Senior Hamas ofﬁcials suggested there were still major disagreements that required further negotiations.

La. 77 a safety concern, area leaders say

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

On Monday afternoon, Aaron Touchet was driving southwest on La. 77, making calls for his HVAC business. He continue d through the intersection at Enterprise Boulevard, only a two-way stop, when another driver collided with the front of his truck and slammed Touchet into a ditch. “It’s absolutely insane,” Gracie Romero, Touchet’s fiancée, said. “There’s a pretty substantial curve right before, coming from the opposite direction he was going, that you can’t even see if somebody is coming. I think that is absurd.” Touchet is currently in the hospital with a torn spleen and will be unable to work for at least a month, Romero said. Meanwhile, Romero; Iberville Sheriff Brett Stassi; state Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen; and state Rep. Chad Brown, D-Plaquemine, are all calling for immediate safety improvements to the state highway and Enterprise Boulevard intersection and a traffic study from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. In a letter sent Tuesday to DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet, Kleinpeter and Brown, Stassi said an increase in traffic

“I’m talking about wreck after wreck after wreck They are running a stop sign, and these cars are passing at 30 to 40 miles an hour It’s some tremendous wrecks.” BRETT STASSI, Iberville Parish sheriff

after Hamas accepts parts of plan

There was no immediate response from Israel, which is largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath, and Hamas’ response fell short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands that the group surrender and disarm. But Trump welcomed the Hamas statement, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.” “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out,” he wrote on social media.

Hamas said aspects of the proposal

ä See BOMBING, page 5A

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli military strike in Gaza City as seen from the central Gaza Strip on Thursday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Migrant children offered

$2,500 to leave U.S McALLEN, Texas The Trump administration said Friday that it would pay migrant children

$2,500 to voluntarily return to their home countries, dangling a new incentive in efforts to persuade people to self-deport

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t say how much migrants would get or when the offer would take effect, but The Associated Press obtained an email to migrant shelters saying children 14 years of age and older would get $2,500 each Children were given 24 hours to respond The notice to shelters from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s Administration for Families and Children did not indicate any consequences for children who decline the offer.

ICE said in a statement that the offer would initially be for 17-year-olds.

“Any payment to support a return home would be provided after an immigration judge grants the request and the individual arrives in their country of origin,” ICE said. “Access to ﬁnancial support when returning home would assist should they choose that option.”

Advocates said the sizable sum may prevent children from making informed decisions.

Court lets Trump strip Venezuelans’ protections

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to strip legal protections from more than 300,000 Venezuelan migrants The justices issued an emergency order, which will last as long as the court case continues, putting on hold a lowercourt ruling in San Francisco that found the administration had wrongly ended temporary protected status for the Venezuelans. The three liberal justices dissented.

Trump’s Republican administration has moved to withdraw various protections that have allowed immigrants to remain in the United States and work legally, including ending TPS for a total of 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians who were granted protection under President Joe Biden, a Democrat. TPS is granted in 18-month increments.

In May the Supreme Court reversed a preliminary order that affected another 350,000 Venezuelans whose protections expired in April The high court provided no explanation at the time, which is common in emergency appeals.

“The same result that we reached in May is appropriate here,” the court wrote Friday in an unsigned order

N.H. teen who killed 3 gets 60 years to life

CONCORD, N.H. — A young New Hampshire man who was 16 when he killed his sister-in-law and two young nephews was sentenced Friday to 60 years to life in prison for crimes his lawyer said he doesn’t remember committing.

Eric Sweeney, now 19, had been living with his older brother’s family in Northfield for three years when he fatally shot Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her sons, 4-year-old Benjamin and 23-month-old Mason, in August 2022. Originally charged with ﬁrstdegree murder, Sweeney instead pleaded guilty in August to lesser second-degree murder charges. At a sentencing hearing Friday, defense lawyers sought a prison term of 40 years to life, based in part on the “immeasurable trauma” Sweeney suffered as a child, including a mother who “dragged him through drug dens and a succession of abusive father ﬁgures.”

Prosecutors asked for a sentence of at least 97 years — consecutive sentences of 35 years to life for Kassandra Sweeney’s death and 40 years to life for each of the boys’ deaths, with up to 18 years suspended if goals related to education, mental health treatment and good behavior were met.

The sentence imposed will allow up to six years to be suspended, making Sweeney eligible for parole at age 68.

‘Diddy’ gets 4 years in prison

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK, LARRY NEUMEISTER and JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press

NEW YORK Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced Friday to four years and two months in prison for transporting people across state lines for sexual encounters, capping a sordid federal case that featured harrowing testimony and ended in a forceful reckoning for one of the most popular ﬁgures in hip-hop.

Combs, 55, was also fined half a million dollars Since Combs has served a year in jail already, this sentence means he would be released in about three years. His lawyers wanted him freed immediately and said the time behind bars has already forced his remorse and sobriety

He was convicted in July of ﬂying his girlfriends and male sex work-

ers around the country to engage in drug-fueled sexual encounters, a practice that happened over many years and in different locations. He was acquitted of sex trafﬁcking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life.

“Why did it happen so long?” U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian asked as he handed down the sentence. “Because you had the power and the resources to keep it going, and because you weren’t caught.”

Combs showed no visible change of emotion as he learned his sentence, sitting in his chair and looking straight ahead as the judge spoke. He remained subdued afterward and appeared dejected, with none of the enthusiasm and smiles that accompanied his interactions with lawyers and his family earlier in the day

In a ﬁnal word before sentencing, Combs told the judge his years of behavior were “disgusting, shameful” and apologized to the people he hurt physically and mentally He said his acts of domestic vio-

lence were a burden he would have to carry for the rest of his life.

His defense lawyers played an 11-minute video in court portraying Combs’ family life, career and philanthropy At one point during the video, Combs put a hand on his face and began to cry

His nearly two-month trial in a federal court in Manhattan featured testimony from women who said Combs beat, threatened, sexually assaulted and blackmailed them. Prosecutor Christy Slavik told the judge that sparing Combs serious prison time would excuse years of violence.

“It’s a case about a man who did horrible things to real people to satisfy his own sexual gratification,” she said. “He didn’t need the money His currency was control.” Combs was convicted under the Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for prostitution. Defense attorney Jason Driscoll argued the law was misapplied. Several of Combs’ children

Synagogue attack victim apparently shot by police

BY DANICA KIRKA, KWIYEON HA and JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England

One of the two Jewish men killed in a car and knife attack on a synagogue in the English city of Manchester appears to have been accidentally shot by a police ofﬁcer, according to detectives who said Friday that the attacker may have been motivated by Islamic extremism.

Police said congregant Adrian Daulby, 53 and security guard Melvin Cravitz, 66, died trying to prevent Thursday’s attack on the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue. Three other people are hospitalized in serious condition.

Police shot and killed a suspect seven minutes after he rammed a car into pedestrians outside the synagogue and then attacked them with a knife in what the police force called an act of terrorism. He wore what appeared to be an explosives belt, which was found to be fake.

Police identified the attacker as a British citizen of Syrian descent who was on bail over an alleged rape. They said it’s not clear whether he acted alone, though they’ve said they believe there is no further danger to the public. Officers have arrested six other people on suspicion of being linked to the attack, though they haven’t identified them or elaborated on what role they’re suspected of playing.

A pathologist provisionally determined

Daulby had a gunshot wound. Since the attacker did not have a gun, the injury may have been “a tragic and unforeseen consequence” of police actions, Greater Manchester Police Chief Stephen Watson said.

Daulby and another man, who was hospitalized with a gunshot wound, were among worshippers being hailed as heroes for barricading the door to stop the attacker from entering, Watson said.

Daulby’s family said his “ﬁnal act was one of profound courage.” Cravitz’s family said it was trying to cope with the shocking loss of a man who “would do anything to help anyone.”

The attack came amid high tensions over Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza.

Dozens of people gathered in pouring rain near the synagogue Friday for a vigil, where Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was heckled by members of the crowd who accused the government of allowing antisemitism to spread.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the head of Orthodox Judaism in Britain, said the attack was the result of “an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred” on the streets and on-

line. “This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come,” he wrote on social media.

Police identified the attacker as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, who moved to the United Kingdom as a young child and became a citizen in 2006.

Police said the crime is being investigated as a terrorist attack and Al-Shamie “may have been inﬂuenced by extreme Islamist ideology.”

The killer, wielding a large knife, shouted, “This is what you get for killing our children” as he tried to break the door in, Alan Levy, chairman of the synagogue’s trustees, told ITV News.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the attacker was not previously known to counterterrorism police or the security services. Police said AlShamie was on bail over an alleged rape at the time of the attack but had not been charged.

Neighbors of the attacker in the Manchester suburb of Prestwich, a couple of miles from the synagogue, said AlShamie’s family had lived in the house for years. Several described seeing AlShamie lifting weights and working out in the backyard.

A statement on Facebook from the attacker’s family condemned the “heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who visited the scene of the attack on Friday with his wife Victoria, said “this was a dreadful attack, a terrorist attack to inﬂict fear Attacking Jews because they are Jews.”

“It’s really important today that the whole country comes together people of all faiths and no faith, stand in support and solidarity with our Jewish community,” he said.

Some politicians and religious leaders claimed pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which have been held regularly since the war in Gaza began, had played a role in spreading hatred of Jews The protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful but some say chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” incite violence.

Some also say the U.K.’s recognition of a Palestinian state this month has emboldened antisemitism — a claim the government rejects. Lammy was interrupted by boos and shouts of “Shame on you” as he addressed the vigil in Manchester

pleaded for leniency

His daughters Chance and D’Lila Combs cried as they spoke, with D’Lila saying she feared losing her father after the death of their mother, Kim Porter, in 2018. Six of Combs’ seven children addressed the judge.

“Please, your honor, please,” D’Lila said through tears, “give our family the chance to heal together, to rebuild, to change, to move forward, not as a headline, but as human beings.”

Outside the courthouse, journalists and onlookers swarmed the sidewalks as TV crews stood in a long row across the street, echoing scenes from Combs’ trial.

During testimony at the trial, former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura told jurors that Combs ordered her to have “disgusting” sex with strangers hundreds of times during their decade-long relationship. Jurors saw video of him dragging and beating her in a Los Angeles hotel hallway after one such multiday “freak-off.”

Trump reverses $187M in funding cuts for N.Y.

BY SUSAN HAIGH and GABRIELA AOUN Associated Press

President Donald Trump said Friday he has personally reversed $187 million in funding cuts made by his administration for New York’s law enforcement and counterterrorism operations, following bipartisan outcry from New York ofﬁcials.

The Republican announced the restoration of federal funding on Truth Social. “I am pleased to advise that I reversed the cuts made to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism for New York City and State. It was my Honor to do so,” he wrote.

The reversal came after Democratic Gov Kathy Hochul sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday railing against the cuts, saying they represented 86% of homeland security funding to the state, impacting the New York City police and ﬁre departments, state police and other law enforcement agencies.

The cut would had

slashed federal counterterrorism funding for the NYPD from $90 million to nearly $10 million, according to Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who on Wednesday called it “a devastating blow.”

On Friday, Hochul credited political pushback from the state for the restoration of funds.

“From the moment these devastating cuts were announced, I made it clear that New York would not stand by while our law enforcement and counterterrorism operations were defunded,” Hochul said in a statement. The Federal Emergency Management Agency did not respond to a request for comment.

A FEMA email announcing the grant allocations Monday said that “recipients of grants will no longer be permitted to use federal funds to house illegal immigrants at luxury hotels, fund climate change pet projects, or empower radical organizations with unseemly ties that don’t serve the interest of the American people.”

Combs

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By IAN HODGSON

young Jewish men attend a vigil for the victims of the attack at Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue on Friday in Manchester England.

Fundingvotefails againinSenate

Hopesfor aquick endtoshutdown arefading

BY STEPHENGROVES,

MARYCLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Hopes for a quick end to the government shutdown faded Friday as Democratsrefusedtobudge in aSenate vote and President Donald Trumpreadied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government.

On the third day of the shutdown, another Senate vote to advance aRepublican bill that would reopen the government failed on a54-44 tally— well short of the 60 needed to enda ﬁlibuster and pass the legislation. Meanwhile, House SpeakerMikeJohnson,RBenton, announced that the chamber would close for legislative business next week, amove meant to force the Senate to workwith the government funding bill that has been passed by House Republicans

Following the failed vote, senators quickly headed for the exits of the Capitol, expecting no more votes over the weekend and showingfew signs of anyreal progress toward ending the congressional standoff.Instead, both sides dug in for aprolonged shutdown ﬁght

that thrustsfederal workers into more uncertainty, threatenstorippleinto the broader economy and gives the Trump administration an opportunityto reshape the federal government

“I don’tknow how many timesyou’re going togive them achancetovote no,”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said ata news conference Friday.After the vote,hesaidhewas ﬂying home to South Dakota for the weekend, adding,“I’ll be available.”

The vote showed hardeninglinesinthe Senate. The same three membersofthe Democratic caucus— Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman and Angus King —who voted for the funding bill previouslydid so again, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was once again the only Republican opposed.

“They thought they could bludgeonusand threaten us and scare us. It ain’tworking,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer,DN.Y

Democrats are demanding that Congress extend health care beneﬁts,while Republicansare refusing to commit to anything until the government is reopened. They are trying to wear Democrats down to vote for aHousepassed bill that would reopen the government temporarily,mostly at current spending levels.

Although Republicans control theWhite House and

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE Speakerofthe House MikeJohnson, R-Benton, left, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., returntotheir offices after meetingwithreporters on the third dayofthe governmentshutdownFridayatthe Capitol in Washington.

bothchambers of Congress, the Senate’s ﬁlibuster rules makeitnecessary for the government funding legislationtogain support from at least 60 of the 100 senators. That’s given Democrats a rare opportunity to use their 47 Senate seats to hold out in exchange for policy concessions.

Their primary demand is that Congress extendtax credits thatwere boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic for health care plans offered under marketplaces set up underthe Affordable Care Act.

“Everyone is about to experiencedramatically in-

creased premiums,co-pays anddeductibles because of the Republican health care crisis,” warned House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Friday

Theshutdowngamble

Democrats are running the high-risk strategy of effectivelyvotingfor agovernment shutdown to make theirstand. Trump has vowed to make it as painful as possible for them.

TheRepublicanpresident hascalled thegovernment funding lapse an “unprecedented opportunity” to make vast cuts to federal agencies and potentially lay

Trumpnolongerdistancinghimself

BY JILL COLVIN Associated Press

NEW YORK President Don-

ald Trump is openly embracing the conservative blueprint he desperately tried to distance himself from during the 2024 campaign, as one of its architects works to use the government shutdown to accelerate his goals of slashing the size of the federal workforce and punishing Democratic states.

In apost on his Truth Social site Thursday morning, Trump announced he would be meeting with hisbudget chief, “Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are apolitical SCAM, he recommends to be cut and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent.”

The comments represented adramatic about-face for Trump, who spent much of last year denouncing Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’smassiveproposed overhaul of the federal government, which was drafted by many of his longtime allies and current and former administration ofﬁcials.

Both of Trump’sDemocratic rivals, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, made the far-right wish list acenterpiece of their campaigns, and agiant replica of the book featured prominently

onstage at the Democratic National Convention “Donald Trump and his stooges liedthrough their teethabout Project 2025, andnow he’s runningthe country straight into it,” said AmmarMoussa, aformer spokesperson for both campaigns. “There’snocomfort in being right —justanger that we’re stuck with the consequences of his lies.”

Asked aboutTrump’sreversal, White Housespokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “Democrats are desperate to talkabout anything aside from their decisiontohurt the American people by shutting downthe government.”

Disavowed,thenembraced

TopTrump campaign leaders spentmuchof2024 livid at The Heritage Foundation for publishing abook fullof unpopular proposalsthat Democrats tried to pinon the campaigntowarn asecond Trump termwould be too extreme.

While many of the policies outlined in its 900-plus pagesaligned closely with the agenda thatTrump was proposing —particularly on curbingimmigration and dismantling certain federal agencies —others called for actionTrumphad never discussed, like banning pornography, or Trump’steamwas actively tryingtoavoid, like withdrawing approval for abortion medication

Trumprepeatedly insisted he knewnothingabout the group or whowas behind it, despitehis close ties with many of its authors. They included John McEntee, his former director of the WhiteHouse Presidential Personnel Ofﬁce, and Paul Dans, former chiefofstaff at theU.S.Ofﬁce of Personnel Management

“I know nothing aboutProject 2025,” Trump insisted in July 2024. “I have no idea who is behind it.I disagree withsomeofthe things they’resayingand some of the things they’resaying are absolutelyridiculous and abysmal. Anything theydo, Iwish themluck, but Ihave nothing to do withthem.”

Trumphas since gone on to stock his second administration with its authors, includingVought, “borderczar” TomHoman, immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller and BrendanCarr,who wrote Project 2025’schapter on theFederal CommunicationsCommission and now chairs the panel.

Pursuing project’splans

Sincehis swearing in, Trump hasbeen pursuing plans laid out in Project 2025 to dramatically expand presidential power andreducethe size of thefederal workforce. They include efforts like the Department of Government Efﬁciency andbudgetrescissionpackages,which have

led to billionsofdollars being stalled, scrappedorwithheld by the administrationsofar this year. They arenow using theshutdown to accelerate their progress. Ahead of the funding deadline, OMB directedagencies to prepare foradditional

off federalworkers, rather than the typical practice of furloughing them. Trump shared asocial media video Thursday night that depicted White House budget director Russell Vought as a grim reaper

Vought has already announced that he is withholding billions of dollars for infrastructure projects in states with Democratic senators, and on Friday morning, he said he would withhold another $2.1 billionfor Chicagoinfrastructure projects to extend its train system to the city’sSouth Side.

Democratic leaders have displayednosigns of budging under those threats.

“The cruelty that they might unleash on everyday Americans using the pretense of ashutdown is only going to backfire against them,”Jeffries said at the Capitol Thursday evening.

Roughly 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed, according to the nonpartisan Congressional BudgetOffice,and they couldloseout on $400million in daily wages.

“All around the country right now, real pain is being endured by real people because theDemocrats have decided to playpolitics,” Johnson said Friday

The White House also began its news briefing on Friday by rattling off the various consequences of the shutdownthat werealready hitting Americans. Press

secretary Karoline Leavitt discussed areport that said military families are already seeking food aid as troops go without apaycheck. “This madness must end,” she said. Talksinthe Senate Abipartisangroup of senators, including moderate Democratswho have said they want to find aquick resolution, has been discussing possible health care compromises through one-on-one talksoverthe last twodays. One option floated by South DakotaSen.Mike Rounds, aRepublican, would extend the higher subsidies forone year and then phase them out to pre-pandemic levels. Anumber of Republicans have voiced support forextending the subsidies. Their expiration would cause significantincreases in health care premiums forplenty of people in states with GOP senators —especiallyin ruralareas where farmers, ranchers and small-business owners purchase their own health insurance. Still, it was unclear if they wouldbeabletofind asolution that could appease the White House and Republican leaders, whowant to see cuts to the subsidies. Thune also saidhewasn’tsureifa compromise would have the votes to pass. JohnsonsaidFridaythat “more reforms arecoming” to theACA subsidiesand argued that they “are not working.”

mass ﬁrings of federalworkers, rather than simply furloughing those who are not deemed essential, as has beenthe usual practice during past shutdowns. Vought told House GOP lawmakersina private conference call Wednesday that layoffs

wouldbegin in thenextday or two. They have also used the shutdown to target projects championed by Democrats, including canceling $8 billion in greenenergyprojects in states withDemocratic senators.

U.S. announcesstrikeonboatnearVenezuela

Hegsethsaysitwas carrying drugs

BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and LISA MASCARO Associated Press

WASHINGTON Defense Secretary

Pete Hegseth said Friday that he ordered another strike onasmall boat he accused of carryingdrugs in the waters off Venezuela, expanding what the Trump administration has declared is an “armed conﬂict” with cartels.

In apost on social media,Hegseth asserted that the “vessel was trafficking narcotics” and those aboard were “narco-terrorists.”

He said the strike killed four men but offered no details on who they were or what group they belonged to, following the U.S. designation of several LatinAmerican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

President Donald Trumpsaid in his own social media post that the boat was “loaded withenough drugs to kill 25 TO 50 THOUSAND

OFFICIALS

Continued from page1A

in the area has led to more frequent collisions, and “therisk of a tragicaccident is agrowingconcern.

“I’m talking about wreck after wreck after wreck,” Stassi said in an interview.“They are running a stop sign, and these cars are passing at 30 to 40 miles an hour.It’s some tremendous wrecks.”

In an email statement, DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett said the department has received the letter and is investigating the location.

DOTD must pull the crash reports at theintersection and examine“speed, line of sight and othersafetyfactors to determineifthere is acommon cause thatcould be corrected,” Mallett said.

Despite Enterprise containing rumblestrips and lights to call attention to the upcoming stop sign,many drivers are not aware of the two-way stopuntil it is too

PEOPLE” and implied it was “entering AmericanTerritory” while off thecoast of Venezuela.

It is thefourth deadly strike in theCaribbean andthe latest since revelations that Trumptold lawmakers he was treating drug traffickersasunlawful combatants and military force wasrequired to combat them. Thatassertion of presidential war powers sets the stage for expandedaction and raises questions about how far theadministration will go without sign-off from Congress.

“Blowing themupwithout knowingwho’s on the boatisaterrible policy,and it should end,” said Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky,aconsistent and harsh critic of theU.S.strikes.

TheTrump administration laid out its justiﬁcation forthe strikes in amemoobtained by The Associated Press this week.

“The President determined that theUnited States is in anoninternational armed conﬂict with these designated terrorist organizations,” according to the memo

senttoCongress. Trumpdirected thePentagon to “conduct operationsagainst them pursuant to the law of armed conﬂict,”the documentsays.

Sen. Jim Risch, Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said thepresident had theauthoritytogoafter thecartels withoutfurtherauthorization from Congress under “his general powers under the Constitution as thecommander in chief.”

“What could be abigger defense of this country than keeping out this poison that’skilling thousands of Americans every year?” Risch said Friday Paul said only Congress has the authority to declare war and characterized the memo as “a way to pretend like” the administration is notifying lawmakers withajustiﬁcation for the strikes.

“If they want to declare war, come to Congress andsay they want to declare war,”hetold AP “But youcan’tjust say it yourself andsay,Oh, well, we sent them a note and now we’re at war with un-

late, Stassi said. He and other local leaders have suggested aroundaboutasasolution to the problem.

“I was coming to aturn on Enterprise, and Isaw avehicle come and, at thelast second, see the

named people who we won’teven identify before we kill.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, aleftist leader who has clashed with the Trump administration, accused the U.S. of committing “murder” andurged the victims’ families to “join forces.”

“There arenonarco-terrorists on the boats,” he posted on Xafter the strike wasannounced. “Drug trafﬁckers live in the U.S., Europe andDubai. On that boat are poor Caribbean youth.”

Video of Friday’sstrike posted online showed asmallboat moving in open water when it suddenly explodes, with water splashing all around it. As the smoke from the explosion clears, the boat is visible, consumedwith ﬂames, ﬂoating motionless on the water

With it, at least three of the strikes havenow been carried out on vessels that U.S. ofﬁcialssaid hadoriginated from Venezuela. The strikes followed abuildup of U.S.maritime forcesinthe Caribbean unlike anyseen in recent times

stop sign andslide through the intersection,” Stassi said. “It’ssomethingabout this area is not enough for people to understand that there may be cars coming. It’s notafourway stop. It’s amain highway.”

Some communitymembershave opposed aroundabout in the past because of thesugarcane industry surrounding the intersection, worrying that heavy machinery wouldn’tbeable to pass through thetrafﬁc circle easily

Both Stassi andRomero ﬁnd that reasoning unconvincing.

“I don’tpersonally ﬁnd that cane equipment and heavy equipment in general should pose an impact at allinto creatingmoresafety and awareness to the lives of human beings,” Romero said.

Brown and Kleinpeter are currently in contact with DOTD about thedangers posed by the intersection.Both drive through it regularly and have noticed the risks, they said.

Kleinpeter said thestate told him aroundabout in the area wasnot a“priority.” He wants to compare DOTDand local data to ensure their numbers match anddeter-

The Navy’spresence in the region —eight warships with over 5,000 sailors andMarines—has been pretty stable for weeks, according to twodefense officials, whospoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. In apost about the first strike last month, Trumpclaimedthe vessel was carrying members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Posts about all the subsequent strikes, including Friday’s, have not provided any details about what organizations have been targeted. The four strikeshave killed 21 people, the administration says. Pentagon officials who briefed senators on the strikesthis week could notprovide alist of the designatedterrorist organizations at the center of the conflict. Officials in thePentagon, when asked formore details about the strike, referred The Associated Press back to Hegseth’s post. The press office for Venezuela’sgovernment did not immediately respond to arequest for comment on the latest strike.

mineifthe departmentcould prioritize it, he said.

“Ifit’snot, Iwill work with the parish president to try to secure some funding to make sure that intersection becomes safer,” Kleinpeter said.

Brown said they must balance protective measures and concerns about trafﬁc ﬂow

“I think anything would probably be better than what we have now,” Brownsaid.

For Romero, the accident at Enterprise has created not only health but ﬁnancial stressors for her family. She’s enrolled in nursing school andhoping that herabsences this week won’t force her to take anothersemester before graduating.

She wasadamant that state and local leaders must quickly address the dangers of the intersection.

“I just want them to know that the further that it stays as is, the more injuries that are going to come about,” Romero said. “Itis extremely dangerous.”

Email HaleyMillerathaley miller@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON Cars turnontoEnterprise Boulevard from La. 77 on Thursday.

LAWYERS

boundaries to force either U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields or U.S. Rep. Troy Carterorboth— they are Black Democrats —out of Congress, to be replaced by aRepublican.

In Murrill’s view,Landry has recently attempted to insert her views into Callais before the Supreme Court, and in so doing has triedto usurp Murrill’srole.

In her most recent brief, Landry wrote that she has consistently opposed the Legislature’sdecision in January 2024 to create asecond Black-majority congressional seat won later that year by Fields. The Legislature’s decision—which hadthe full support of Murrill and Gov Jeff Landry,tothe dismay of conservatives subsequently —isthe central questionin the Callais case.

Murrill and Jeff Landry said they supported creating the second Black-majority district because of recent Louisiana court rulings. Nancy Landry now says she favored keepingthe previous congressional map, where Carter was the only Democrat.

“WhatNancy is trying to do,for whatever reason,is to stake out some political position,” Murrill said in an interview.“Maybe she believesthe court is on the verge of making some con-

BOMBING

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touching on the futureof the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a“unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law. The statement also made no mention of Hamas disarming, akey Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal. Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozensof hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday.His peace plan has been accepted by Israel and welcomed internationally.

Key mediators Egypt and Qatar welcomedthe latest developments, andMajed Al Ansari,a spokesmanfor Qatar’sForeign Ministry, said they would “continue discussions on the plan.”

Aspokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he “urges all parties to seize theopportunity to bringthe tragic conﬂict in Gaza to an end.” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media that “the release of all hostages and aceaseﬁre in Gaza are within reach!”

Earlier,Trump hadwarned that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening threatening an even greater militaryonslaught.

“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, allHELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump wrote Friday on social media. “THERE WILL BE PEACEINTHE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAYORTHE OTHER.”

Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas would immediately release the remaining 48 hostages around 20 of them believed to be alive. It would also give up power and disarm.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

SecretaryofState NancyLandry,left, and AttorneyGeneral Liz Murrill are embroiled in ahigh-stakes legal battle.

sequential decision on redistricting, she wants to stake outa newplace, adifferent place than shehad taken before publicly,and rewrite history.”

That’snonsense, Landry said in aseparate interview

“Myactions are not politically motivated at all,” she said. At issue is Landry’sdecision to file herown legal briefinAugust andsupport the positionofthe Callais plaintiffs seeking to overturn the current congressional map, which includes four Republicans and thetwo Black Democrats. Landry also asked the Supreme Courttoadd 10minutes to oral argumentstoallow her outside counsel, Phillip Strach with the Nelson Mullins law ﬁrm,topresent her

Inreturn, Israel wouldhalt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction. Plans to relocatemuch of Gaza’s population to other countries would be shelved.

Theterritory of some 2 million Palestinians would be placed underinternational governance, with Trump himself andformerBritish Prime MinisterTony Blair overseeing it. The plan providesnopathfor eventual reuniﬁcation with the Israeli-occupied West Bank ina future Palestinian state.

Palestinianslongfor an end to the war,but many view this andpreviousU.S proposals as stronglyfavoringIsrael.

Trump’sproposal “cannot be implementedwithout negotiations,”Mousa Abu Marzouk,a seniorHamas ofﬁcial based outside of Gaza, told the Al Jazeera network TheHamas statement said it was willing to return allremaining hostages according to the plan’s“formula,”likely referringto the releaseofhundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. It also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politicallyindependent Palestinian body.

ButAbu Marzouksaid it might be difﬁcult for Hamas to release allthe hostages within 72 hours as the proposal dictates, because it couldtake days or weeks to locate the remains of some of the captives. He saidHamas was willing to hand over its weapons to afuture Palestinian body that runs Gaza, but there was no mentionofthat in the ofﬁcialstatement.

Another Hamas official, OsamaHamdan, told Al Araby televisionthat Hamas wouldrefuse foreign administration of the GazaStrip and thatthe entry of foreign forces would be “unacceptable.”

Israel has sought to ramp up pressureonHamas since ending an earlier ceaseﬁre in March. It sealed the ter-

legal position. Thecourt said no to that request.

Landry saidshe was simply trying to makesure that herpoint of view was represented through legal counsel when the Supreme Court handles theredistricting case. Oral arguments are scheduled for Oct. 15.

“The remedyinthis case intimatelyinvolvesmyofﬁce,” said Landry,who oversees electionsinLouisiana. She is named as adefendant.

Landry said her lawyers offered comments to the brief that Murrill’slawyers were preparing. Murrill’s team didn’trespond, Landry said. That prompted her to ﬁle herown brief, she added.

“I have been consistent throughout thecaseinthe pleadings,” Landrysaid. “There’s nothingunusualor

ritory off from food, medicine andother goodsfor 21/2 months and hasseized, ﬂattened andlargely depopulated large areas. Experts determined that Gaza City hadslid intofamine shortly beforeIsrael launched amajor offensive aimed at occupying it.Anestimated 400,000 people have ﬂed the cityinrecent weeks, but hundreds of thousands morehave stayed behind.

Olga Cherevko, aspokesperson for theU.N. humanitarian office, said shesaw severaldisplaced families staying in the parking lot of Shifa Hospital during avisit on Thursday “They arenot able to move southbecause they just cannot afford it,” Cherevko told The Associated Press. “One of the familieshad three children and the woman was pregnant with herfourth. And there were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people withdisabilities.”

MostofHamas’ top leaders in Gaza and thousands of its fighters have already been killed, but it still hasinfluence in areas not controlled by the Israeli military and launches sporadic attacks.

Hamas has long insisted it will only release the remaining hostages—its sole bargaining chip and potential humanshields—inexchange foralastingceaseﬁre and an Israeli withdrawal.Netanyahu hasrejected those terms, saying Hamas must surrender and disarm Thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, attacking armybases, farming communities and an outdoor music festival, killing some 1,200 people,mostlycivilians. They abducted 251 others, most of themsince released in ceaseﬁres or other deals.

Israel’sretaliatory offensive haskilled more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’sHealth Ministry,which does not say how manywere civilians or combatants. It says womenand childrenmakeuparound half thedead.

different in the ﬁling of this brief.”

Forher part, Murrillsaid Landry didn’tshowher brief to theAttorney General’sOfﬁce before ﬁling it and then wouldn’tdiscuss the matter

“For her to parachuteinat theeleventhhourand then demand tohave her lawyers stand at the podium and then refuse to even tellmeorthe governor what she wanted to say was just unacceptable,” Murrill said. “She’sa ministerial ofﬁcer,soher legal position on the constitutionality of the law is irrelevant. That’smyjob, not her job.”

By “ministerial officer,” Murrill meansLandry’srole is an administrative,not a policymaking one.

Murrill struck back at Landry by canceling Nelson Mullins’ contract to represent theSecretary of State’s Office on redistricting and then went abig step further by cancelingLandry’s other seven outside legal contracts on other matters.

“If they don’tcooperate with the attorneygeneral, thenthey won’t getmyapproval,” Murrill said. “So I disapproved them. Ihave indicated Ihave the resources to supply herwith legalassistance. That is what Iwill do.”

In doing so, Murrill ended one contract the Secretary of State’sOffice hadwith Jimmy Faircloth,afriend and supporter who gave her first state government job when he wasexecutive

counsel to then-Gov.Bobby Jindal.

“It had nothing to do with the merits of thework,” FairclothsaidofMurrill’s decision, adding thathe hadn’tdone any workonthe secretary of state contract forsome time.

Murrillalsocanceled the secretary of state’scontract with the Berrigan Litchﬁeld lawfirminNew Orleans. John Litchfield served as Murrill’scampaign chair when shewas elected as attorney general in 2023.

“The law firm is authorized to workfor the Secretary of State’sOffice, but Ihaven’t done anywork,”Litchfield said.

Murrill also fired Celia Cangelosi, whohas been an outside counsel for the Secretary of State’s Ofﬁcefor morethan 25 years. Cangelosi’scurrent contract calls for payments of $375 per hour,upto$400,000 peryear from the Secretary of State’s Ofﬁce. Cangelosi did not return aphone call.

The top Nelson Mullins lawyers earn$475 perhour, up to $800,000 per year in payments. Strach did not respond to an email.

Besidesthe onewith Nelson Mullins, Murrill said she severed the other outside legal contracts to ensure that Landry doesn’ttry to put any of those lawyers on the redistricting case.

Murrill said her ofﬁce and the Governor’sOfﬁce have to approve legal contracts

forall state agencies. JayDardenne, who served in various capacities of state government for more than 30 years, said attorneys general have sometimes refused to hire lawyers sought by the governor— adispute between then-Gov. JohnBel Edwards andthen-AttorneyGeneral JeffLandry ended up in court, with Landry winning and Edwards not getting the lawyers he wantedina coastallawsuit case. But Dardenne couldnot remember an instance where the Attorney General’sOfﬁce simply canceled existing contracts.

Murrill said the legal conflict with Nancy Landry is awkward since they’ve knowneachother forso long.

“It’snot my preferred outcome,” Murrill said. “But I got to do what Igot to do. Of course, Istill consider her a friend.”

Landry said she and Murrill haven’ttalked in over a month.

“Part of working with Liz is working through disagreements,” Landry said. “I’m just surprised that it’s become this involved with the ﬁring of every attorney of theSecretary of State’s Ofﬁce employsoverwhatI considertobea very minor disagreement.”

Email TylerBridges at tbridges@theadvocate. com.

Noem visitsICE facilityinIllinois

Federalagents detain several people near site

BY CHRISTINE FERNANDO and JOHN O’CONNOR Associated Press

BROADVIEW,Ill. Federal agents detained multiple people Friday near an immigration facility outside Chicago that has frequently been targetedbyprotesters during President Donald Trump’sadministration’s surge of immigration enforcement this fall

As Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem met with employees inside the U.S Immigration andCustoms Enforcement processingfacility in Broadview,acrowd grew over several hours, some riled by newly installed barricades to separate them from law enforcement ofﬁcers stationed outside. Noem, whose visit to Chicago was confirmed by Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, also accompanied agents Friday on araid near alocal Walmart store. Some protesters have aimed to block vehicles from going in or out of the area in recent weeks, partof

growing pushback to asurge of immigrationenforcement that begin in earlySeptember.Federal agents have repeatedlyfired tear gas, pepper balls and other projectiles toward crowds in response and at leastfive people have faced federal charges after being arrested in those clashes. Local law enforcement stepped up its own presence Friday at thefacility about 12 miles west of Chicago. Severalstreets around the site were closed, patrolled by Illinois State Police ofﬁcers wearing riot helmets andholding batonsonpatrol. Thestate policeset up concrete barriers Thursday

night to segregate protesters and designate spacesto demonstrate.

It was unclear how many people were detained Friday. Oneman was seenstruggling on the ground with agents after he appeared to break through aline into the roadway and in front of avehicle.

“Every week, ICE escalates its violence against us,”said DemiPalecek, a military veteran and candidate forCongress. “Withthis level of escalation, it’sonly a matter of time before someone is killed.

Democratic Gov.JBPritzkerlashed outatthe Trump administration for the way federal agents, many of them

masked to hide their faces, aretreating protestersover the past month, castigating their “inhumane” tactics including slamming protesterstothe ground, arresting a reporter and ﬁring chemical agentsintothe crowds.

On Thursday, Pritzker demandedNoem face the public by answering reporters’ questions and divulging details aboutthe ongoing operation.

Noem,alongside Gregory Bovino,chief patrol agent of theU.S.Border Patrol’s El Centro Sector,appeared on the Broadview building’sroof,surrounded by armed agents andacamera crew while standing beside asniper’spost,according to footage shared online by conservative media personality Benny Johnson.

Avideo Johnson later posted showed ahandful of protesters being detained in a parking lot while Noem noted “consequences for breaking the law and jeopardizing our law enforcement.”

Severaldemonstrators were frustrated by the designated protestzonein Broadview,saying keeping them off public streets violated theirFirst Amendment right to free speech. Mostignoredthe zonetoprotest on theother side of the facility

Swiftfanscelebrate releaseofnew album

By The Associated Press

From Mexico City to Manila, the United Kingdom to the United States, Taylor Swiftfanshooted, sobbed happy tears and danced theirway through the pop star’slatest album release, “The Life of aShowgirl.

Swift’s12th studio offering dropped Friday,and her Swifties were more than ready for it. Many were dripping in the color orange to usher in her latest era at gatheringsaround the world. Some closed their eyes to take in the fresh dozen tracks amidthe chaotic crowds around them.

José María Bastida, awriter,rocked an orange sequin tuxedo jacket at a

watch party in aMexicoCity restaurant servingSwift-themed cocktails,includingatequila heavy “Ophelia’s Juice” and aliquored up “Showgirl Slushy.”

“I feel like it’ssuperexperimental,” he said of thealbum, “because it’s supposedtobringalot of newstuff and we haven’t seen that moresexy side of TaylorSwift.”

In Los Angeles, the fervent lined up at midnight at aTarget to snapupthe new musicon vinyl andCD. “I like alot of hervalues andlikewehavea lot similar values. Forexample, cats,” said MariaElena Garcia

TheAMC theater chain hasgranted special permission for moviegoers to sing and dance their way through

screenings of “The Official Release Party of aShowgirl,”inselect theaters for the weekend only.Added bonus: No trailers beforehand.

At theBlack Dog pub in London, thought to be thelocation for Swift’s song “Black Dog” from her lastalbum, vacationingAmerican NatalieRichmond, 43, showed up to markthe occasion. Her two Swiftie daughterswoke her up extraearly to listen to thealbum.

“Weactually lived in Nashville early on so we’ve been following her ever since she began,” Richmond said. “She’srelatable. She’sthe person that everybody wants to be friends with. We all listen to her music and think I’d love to go out and hang out withher.”

Chevronrefinery fire extinguished

BY ETHAN SWOPE and HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Fireﬁghters fully extinguished Friday the ﬁre that broke out the night before at a Chevron oil refinery just outside Los Angeles, sending towering flames into the air that were visible formiles.

Ofﬁcials in El Segundo, California, urged people to stay indoors. By early Friday,the ﬁre wascontained and there was no threat to public safety,the city said in astatement.

“All roads have been reopened after last night’s Chevronﬁre,” thecityof El Segundo posted Friday morning.

AChevron spokespersonconﬁrmedthe ﬁrewas fully extinguishedbylate Friday morning.

“Following Chevron’sactive response along with support from the cities of El Segundo andManhattan Beach emergencyservices the ﬁre is now out,” the company said in astatement, adding it haslaunched an internal investigation to determine the cause.

Localair qualitymonitors showed no airpollution concerns Friday morning in and around El Segundo, but the South Coast Air Quality Management District

said they detected elevated levels of volatile organic compoundsovernight at the fenceline reﬁnery and community monitors. Friday morning’sdrizzle, marine layerand light winds waskeeping the bulk of the plume aloft, the air quality agency said in a statement, but that could change as onshore winds strengthen in the afternoon.

According to the company,the fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. at aprocessing unit at the southeast corner of the Chevron refinery in El Segundo,about amile south of Los Angeles International Airport. Residents nearby described feeling arumble and then seeing the flames.

“Pretty much the whole sky was orange,” said Sam Daugherty,who told KABC-TV he lives10 blocks away and began packing abag in apanic.

There were no injuries at the reﬁnery,the company said in astatement late Thursday

The refinery covers roughly 1.5 square miles andhas more than 1,100 milesofpipelines. The refinery,whichhas been in operation since 1911, can reﬁne up to 290,000 barrels of crude oila day, including gasoline, jet and diesel fuels, according to the company’swebsite.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By ERINHOOLEy

Lawenforcement holds back protesters near an Immigration and Customs Enforcementfacility Friday in Broadview,Ill.

TIME TO GROW

ABOVE: Renee Major, of Livonia, looks through native plants at PlantFest! at the LSU Hilltop Arboretum on Wednesday. The annual celebration features over 3,000 plants and more than 300 species of native and traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns, succulents and grasses. The general public can shop Plantfest! from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday

A monarch butterﬂy feeds on a pollinating plant at PlantFest! on Wednesday

EEOC is suing Coca-Cola bottler Suit alleges federal violation for firing disabled Lafayette worker

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR | Staff writer

New Orleans, against Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, the third-largest bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola products in the United States, which is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The plaintiff alleges a violation of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The commission alleges in its lawsuit that Bradley was a full-time large store delivery driver working for Coca-Cola in Lafayette starting his route around 4:30 a.m. He had been diagnosed with renal disease that required dialysis. In February of 2022, he suffered a medical emergency that required hospitalization and a diagnosis of renal failure. Bradley requested a leave of absence which was without pay The company’s policy, the lawsuit states, is to terminate employees on leave for more than six months. According to the lawsuit, Bradley

Rapper indicted in murder of BR youth advocate

2 alleged gang members also face first-degree murder charges

BY QUINN COFFMAN | Staff writer

David Catherine, the 23-year-old rapper known as RealBleeda, has been indicted on ﬁrst-degree murder alongside two other alleged Bleedas gang members in a September 2024 drive-by shooting death.

The trio — Roger Parker, 20, and Robert Lewis, 19, and Catherine — were indicted Thursday by an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury on charges of ﬁrst-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

The three are considered responsible for the drive-by shooting death of Teressa Calligan, a youth and community advocate who was shot in her car on Sept. 15, 2024, at the intersection of Airline Highway and Greenwell Street.

As Calligan waited at the trafﬁc light, another vehicle pulled alongside her, now believed to be a car occupied by Catherine, Parker and Lewis.

An occupant of that vehicle opened ﬁre on Calligan’s car, striking her multiple times and killing her

NEW ROADS

Victim, who had nonfatal wounds, refused to comply, State Police say

BY QUINN COFFMAN | Staff writer

A man shot multiple times by a New Roads police officer in September is now believed by State Police investigators to have been harming himself before allegedly rushing officers. John Sexton, 45, of New Roads, was shot multiple times by a New Roads police officer just after 5 p.m. on Sept. 19. Sexton was allegedly causing property damage behind the O’Reilly Auto Parts on Hospital Road when police arrived.

He was holding a jagged metal object and using it to harm himself according to details released by

Bourré, blues and plenty of sweetness abound in Port Allen

BY HALEY MILLER | Staff writer

Where can south Louisiana go to hear live blues and Cajun music, speak French, learn traditional crafts, compete for baking prizes and chewonstalksofsugarcane,allinone afternoon? The 30th annual West Baton Rouge SugarFest.

“Keeping the traditions of the past and remembering what your great grandparents did, that’s important because it’s part of the identity of the

ä See SUGARFEST, page 2B

By MICHAEL DUNLAP

StateintervenesonBelle Chasse Bridge

Lawmakers continue call for investigation into toll fees

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

Just months into a30-year state contract,Gov.Jeff Landry and lawmakers are turning up the heatonacompany tasked with overseeing the Belle Chasse Bridge to fix aslew of alleged violations, including exorbitant tolls and fees on drivers.

Landry and thestateDepartment of Transportation and Development on Thursdayordered PlenaryGroup to suspend all tolls and fees for the Belle Chasse Bridge and provide the state with awritten plan and schedule for remedying the problems within 10 businessdays, according to aletter sent to the company In the letter,Landry and theDOTD say that Plenary is violating its contract by failing to provide information regarding tolling and enforcement in atimely manner; placing nonrenewal ﬂags on licenses without following properprocedures; disrupting utility services to surrounding properties for up to three years; and allowing asection of pavementto subside more than permitted.

“The issues identified herein have resulted in numerous complaints regarding the manner in which Plenary and its subcontractors

REPORT

Continued from page1B

are conducting business in ourstate,” the letter states. BelleChasse Bridge spokesperson AngelaNoote said shehad no information to offerregarding the letter and confirmedThursday that tolls had been suspended.

Plenary opened the $170 million bridge in March, in theﬁrst public-private partnership of its kind for Louisiana. It began tollingdrivers two months later after delays caused the opening date to change at least12times.

themain route in and out of the parish.

elingoverthe bridge.

Kristy Canova, amother of three and owner of two cars, said she’s accruedabill of more than $7,000 in tolls after aglitch caused her GeauxPass account to be closed and additional fees addedtoevery trip she andher teenage sontake over the bridge

During ahearing last month with thestate Senate transportation committee, Katie Vujnovich, owner of Haus511 boutiqueinBelle Chasse, said thehit to her business has been worse than the COVID-19 pandemic, with in-store sales down nearly 40%

INDICTED

Continued from page1B

Under theagreement, Plenary paid about $70millionof thecost to buildthe bridge, and in exchange will now collect tolls and fees for aperiod of 30 years, which could comeout to $630 million to $726 million,according to a2023audit from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor But delays on the bridge’s opening due to sinking pavement resulted in fines of $10,000 per day forthe company —wellover $3.5 million total —until tolling began last May. Evennow,smaller componentsofthe project have yet to be ﬁnished, and Plenary continues to accrue $5,000 fines per day while the state waits for theentire project to ﬁnish.

PlaqueminesParishresidents have complained for months that thebridge’s newtolling system is rife with problems that haveleft them with insurmountably high ﬁnesand no relief, especially since thebridge is

taken to ahospitalincritical conditionwith multiple gunshot wounds.

State Police booked Sexton into the Pointe Coupee Parish jail earlier on Thursday on acount each of aggravated assaultonapeace ofﬁcer and resisting arrest with force.

PlaqueminesParish residents whoare registered with GeauxPass are charged 25 cents each time they cross thebridge, while anydriver without GeauxPass pays$2.26.

Butfees tacked onto that toll can bring the bill up signiﬁcantly,like a$25 fee for tollviolations and a3%hidden credit cardfee.

As aresult, Canova says she’sactually charged closer to $54 for every round trip she takes, not counting the times she’saccidentally doublecharged.

Herattemptstocontact GeauxPasscustomerservice have not ﬁxed theissue, and the nearest physical office is more than 75 miles away in Golden Meadow

“They have no reasonable answers,”Canovasaid. “Nobody hasany idea what’sgoingon.”

GeauxPass will open a temporary,90-day customer service center on the PlaqueminesParish Government Campus in Belle Chasse starting Oct. 10.

Small-business owners in the area also saythe tolls have hurt their wallets by scaring patrons outoftrav-

“You can’t blame it on the economy because my online sales have not changed,” Vujnovich told the committee. “We’re actually up,probably because people don’twant to comephysicallyintomy store.”

In that same hearing, representativesfrom Plenary told the committee that there hadbeen just under3 milliontransactions on the bridge thus far andthatthe number of complaintshad been “relatively modest” in comparison

J.B.Kendrick, president of customer serviceprovider and subcontractor Kapsch TrafficCom, said at the hearingthat herstaff “has failed someofthe citizens in their customerservice phone calls,” and has been retraining them. She later addedthatissues likethese are typical in new rollouts of tolling systems.

In avideo posted to social media earlier this week, Landrysaid thecrushing fees andother issueswere the result of former Gov JohnBel Edwardsnegotiating “a terrible deal”for the state, andthathewould executeabetter positionfor taxpayers. The DOTD approved the current tolls and fees in 2022.

Hervehicle thenrolled into theintersection, crashinginto asheriff’s deputy’s cruiser “(Calligan) wasanoutstanding lady,she had agood job, she wasa church-going member,”said District AttorneyHillarMoore, who convened the grand jury.“I wenttoher funeral.She was at Oasis Baptist Church, was amemberthere.Ispoketo herpastor, andeveryone knew her in the community.”

Calliganhad workedatthe Walls Project, whichteaches classesand providescommunity events for theworking poor.In2020, Calligan was named the director of the Futures Fund teencodingprogram Moore said Calligan had been returning from an election fundraiser fora judicial candidate the afternoon of her slaying. “I think it caused alot of turmoil and outrage in the communitythataladylike her would be killed,” Moore said. “She was for peace, she was apeaceful lady and to see her shot and killed like that just alarmed everybody in the community.Everyone’sheart was broken.”

Homicide victimsknow their killer in an overwhelming percentage of cases, Moore said, and are equally often engaginginsome criminalactivity prior to theirdeath

Calligan’s case was theopposite, he said.

Her employer at the Walls Project,Casey Phillips, told TheAdvocatein2024 that he believes Calligan was “absolutely” in the wrongplace at the wrong time.Moore agrees.

“Itsurely appears as if this was probablynot the person that they thought thatthey were going to kill,” Moore said. More details will come out in the trial,headded. Police believe allthree menare members of the “Bleedas” gang, named partially forCatherine’s own stage name: RealBleeda. The gang is considered a criminal enterprise operating primarily in theGlen Oaks neighborhood, which police have been monitoring for years. Catherine wasoriginally arrested in May2025by Monroe police for allegedly brandishing afirearm at a mall, according to policerecords. He was extradited to East Baton Rouge after being developedasasuspect in Calligan’s killing, aBaton Rouge policespokesperson saidearlierthis year Catherine infamously danced alongside students at Park Forest Middle School in March2025, prompting Attorney General Liz Murrill to complain that agang member was allowedto interact with students and seemingly promote his own career at the school Students allegedlydanced to RealBleeda’s song “Step 2k25” in aTikTok taken of the visit, pantomiming holdingguns and aimingthem at the camera alongside RealBleeda. Catherine was also recorded shaking hands with Principal Xavier Rawls-Stromile duringthe visit. Aschool district spokesperson said at thetime that Catherine had invited himself and that the principal accepted. The visit wasframed as motivation forupcomingstandardized testing.

Catherine’snext court date is Oct. 29 forabailreview withJudge KoryTauzin.

Sexton refused to comply and allegedly charged atan ofﬁcer,atwhich point the ofﬁcer shot him, investigators said. Sexton survived and was

Areport is beingcompiledbyinvestigators and will eventually bedelivered to the office of 18thJudicial District Attorney Tony Clayton “I’m waiting on them to package it up and get it to me so Ican take it,put it

in aform andbring it to a grand jury,” Clayton said Thursday Clayton added thathe’s seen video of the shooting already,but hasn’tyet gotten other documents, such as drone footage and medical records that show where Sexton’s entry and exit wounds are. He expects those records to be sent to him in aweek or two.

Thegrand jury will decide if theofﬁcer whoshot Sexton can be criminally charged

The shooting drew the attention of the New Roads

NAACPchapter. Chapter president Monica Battley-Fabresaidany officer-involved shooting in New Roads concernsthe NAACP,evenifSexton is White Battley-Fabre said she wantsmoreinformation aboutwhathappenedtobe made public,including the officer’sidentity,but that she doesn’twanttoexcuse Sexton’s actions. New Roads MayorTheron Smith’soffice did not respond to arequest for comment, nor did the New Roads Police Department

COCA-COLA

Continued from page1B Louisiana State Police investigators. Officers allegedly gave verbal commands for Sexton to stop, then deployed less-lethal efforts. State Police did not say which lesslethal efforts were used.

asked to return to work on areduced schedule so he could undergo hemodialysis forfourhours threedaysa week.His request was denied, allegedly because the company had no light-duty positions available.

Bradleyunderwent surgery that allowed him to undergo peritoneal dialysis from homeatnight. It would allow him to work full time.

SUGARFEST

Continued from page1B

community and where we camefrom,” Jeannie Luckett, director of programsat the West Baton Rouge Museum, said.

SugarFest is the annual free celebration of the sugar cane harvest. It will run from 11 a.m. to 4p.m. on Sunday on themuseum grounds, at 845 N. Jefferson Ave. in Port Allen.

The festival is acherished community event, Luckett said, last year welcoming between 3,000 and 4,000 people. It’ssotreasured that

the disappointment when COVID-19 forcedthe event to go virtualstill stands out.

“Somebody said, ‘You don’tunderstand. It’sjust not the same. Myfamily gets together three times ayear— Thanksgiving, Christmas andSugarFest,’” Luckett said.

At the event, visitors can sip on cane juice, watch demonstrations of candy making,blacksmithing and other handicrafts, participate in acakewalk and see performances from local musicartists, including bluesman Kenny Neal. The festival will alsofeature a “Café Français”area, where conversation is conducted

exclusively in French, and attendees can play thegame of bourré.

“We’re really kind of disguising an educational event as afestivalbecause we’re highlighting allthese Louisiana folk life traditions, so thatpeople can connect with the past,” Luckettsaid.

SugarFest includes alongrunning sweets contest, wherebakersbring their bestcookies, cakes, pies andcandiestobeevaluated by local celebrity judges. Among the judges thisyear is Stella Reese Chase, of New Orleans’ Dooky Chase Restaurant fame.

“The grand prize is this beautiful pewter sugar

shell, like this fancy little sugarspoon, and it’s engraved each year,” Luckett said. “And people justﬁght for that thing everysingle year.”

Mary Acosta, who has entered her bakedgoods in thecontestfor 10 years, once brought home thesugar spoon forher winning pound cake. She said it’s a “fun, old-fashioned” event

She’sbeen trying out recipesfor Sunday’scompetition

“Sometimesjustcooking up atraditionalrecipe is theway to go,”Acosta said. “I am goingtohavetosacrifice acup of real maple syrup.”

In July 2022, hisdoctor said Bradley could return to work with the restrictions that he start no earlierthan 7a.m., that he work no longerthaneight-hour shifts andthathenot lift more than 50 pounds,the lawsuit states.The restrictionswere needed so he could continue dialysis at night until or unless he obtained akidney transplant.

The lawsuit alleges that Bradley was told to apply for other jobs with the company that accommodated his restrictions. Thecompany did notassist him in locating anew job, but he applied forone that met his criteria, fountain installer

Another person was hired who did not have adisability

The companyallegedly provided no explanation as to why Bradley wasnot given the job, the lawsuit alleges, and on Aug. 23, 2022, Bradley wasfired. The commission alleges in itslawsuit that Coca-Cola denied Bradley the alternate position and fired him because of his disability Bradley is demanding a jury trial, financial compensation, back pay and punitive damages. “Coca-Cola Bottling Company United,Inc.isaware of the litigationthathas been filed. As amatter of policy,wedonot comment on pending legal matters. We take all allegationsseriously andare committed to an equalopportunityworkplace in compliance with all applicable laws,” Cassandra Mickens, senior manager, corporate communications, wrote in an emailresponse forthis story

Landry

theBaptistChurch,31925 LacroixRoad, White Castle,LAat1pm RhodesStalling, Delores NewSunlight BaptistChurch at 11am

Riegel,Olga

St.Rita’s Catholic Church,2729 LowerlineSt. at 11am

Robert,Jacqueline St.Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Donaldsonville,LAat12pm.

Saxton Sr., Joe CharletFuneral home in Zachary, Louisianaat12pm.

Thomas,Bonnie Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church,1414 Sora St BatonRouge LA,at11:00 a.m.

Lois

Dicharry, Gerald Paul

Denham Springs, LAGerald Paul Dicharry, 83,of Denham Springs, LA, passed away on September23, 2025. He was affectionately known as "Jerry" by those who loved him Born on November 20, 1941, in BatonRouge, LA, Jerry was the son of Therese and Lynn J Dicharry. He graduated from Catholic High School in 1959. Following graduation, he served as amember ofthe U.S. Air Force Reserve during the Vietnam War era. Jerry then taught at Tara High School before beginning acareer with Exxon, where he worked for more than 40 years until his retirement.

Jerryissurvived by his loving wifeof53years and 11 months,Clydia Evans Dicharry; his children, KevinP.Dicharryand Ashley M. Dicharry;his brothers, Dennis J. Dicharryand DanL.Dicharry(Patty);his sister-in-law, Mary Brasseaux (Bill); andhis brother-in-law,Clyde EvansJr. (Elizabeth). He was preceded in death by his father, Lynn J. Dicharry; hismother, Therese B. Dicharry; his sister, Gail M. Dicharry; and his sister-inlaw, Barbara Maehren. PallbearerswillbeJason Evans, Josh Dicharry, Josh Vaughn, Paul Holbrook, Jon "Blue"Loupe, and Clifton MillerJr. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles W. Maehren and Rob Hebert Jr Visitation will be held at SealeFuneralHome, 1720 S. Range Avenue,Denham Springs,LA, on Monday, October 6, from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00p.m. Burial will immediatelyfollow at Roselawn Memorial ParkinBaton Rouge,LA.

George,James Alton "Jim"

Jim,a long-time resident of Baton Rouge,Louisiana, beforerelocatingtoGulf Breeze, Florida in 2018, passed awayonSeptember 28, 2025. He wasborn inNew Orleans,Louisiana on September 16, 1934to MargaretBrock George and AltonParkerGeorge. HegrewupinLouisiana and earned abachelor's degree from LSU in 1956. He servedinthe United States Air Force for three and ahalfyears before returning to LSU to study at the LSULaw School.He loved the Law Profession and served in localand national legal organizations. In 1987, he held the position of President of the AmericanBoard of Trial Advocates.Hefoundedthe Dean HenryGeorgeMcMahon Inn of CourtinBaton Rouge in 1989and was instrumental in founding several otherInns of Court in the state of Louisiana. He was chairofthe Admiralty Law Section of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America in 1991. Jim was amemberof the Southeastern Admiralty Law Instituteand the MaritimeLaw Association of the UnitedStates. Jim served as national Vice President of the Board of TrusteesofThe American Inns of CourtFoundation from 1994to1996. Jim lovedclassical musicand was an active memberof both the Baton RougeSymphony and Opera Louisiane boards. As chair of the Governance Committee, Jim was instrumentalin bringingOpera Louisiane to prominence in the community. He served on the

BoardofDirectors of the Baton Rouge Food Bank and was amember of the Vestry at St. Margarets Episcopal Church and TrinityEpiscopalChurch. While living in Gulf Breeze, Jim servedasa member of the Advisory Councilofthe PensacolaSymphony Orchestra and on several committeesatSt. Francis Episcopal Church. He is survivedbyhis wife Judith ArnetteGeorge; sons James Alton George, Jr and Gregory Brock George; twobeloved fostergrandchildrenDarlaand Lila Cooper, who adopted him as their"Pop"; asister Carol, and numerous nephews and nieces, allof whom he loveddearly. He is preceded in death by his parents, brotherPeter Brock George, and sister ConnieGeorgeBushnell. Visitationwillbeon Wednesday,October 8, 2025, at Rose Lawn Funeral Home at 9:30 am, followed by services there at 11:00am. Internment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.Inlieuof flowers,donations may be madeinJim'shonorto Hillsdale College, where he was aproud member of thePresident's Club.(HillsdaleCollege,ATTN Gift Processing, 33 ECollege St, Hillsdale, MI 49242; 517-607 -2727; donorservices@hills dale.edu). Funeral services willbelivestreamed fromRose Lawn Funeral Home,www.roselawnfh.com.

Kennedy, AlicePowalski

Alice was lovedbymany and alwayseager to help anyone in need. She was a very successful Realtor and Landlord in the Baton Rougearea. She attended LeeHighSchool class of 72' and served as aDeacon at Faith Presbyterian Church. She is survivedby three children, Theresa Miller Roberts, Jennifer Lauren Frazier, DavidNeil Nethen and spouse Bernd Nethen as well as 9grandchildren.She will be missedbymanyfriends and family. Amemorial service will be held from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM on 202510-18 at Faith Presbyterian Church, 12855 Old Hammond Hwy.

Brother IvyLeBlanc, S.C. (née JosephIvy LeBlanc, Jr.) 1945 -2025-BROTHER IVY LEBLANC,S.C.,80, a Brother of theSacred Heart and aresident of NewOrleans, Louisiana, since 1972, passed into eternal life at theHospice and Palliative CareUnit at Ochsner Hospital in Jefferson, LA,onFriday, September 26, 2025. Brother Ivywas born JosephIvy LeBlanc, Jr on September 5, 1945, in BatonRouge,LA, to the late JosephIvy LeBlanc,

Sr., of Breaux Bridge, LA, and the late BridgetBabin of Dutchtown, LA.Heis survived by his sister, Mrs. NancyLeBlanc Guidry (Norman) of Baton Rouge LA;his blood brother, DavidLeBlanc; and several niecesand nephews. He is preceded in death by his paternalgrandparents, Elegie and MaeRees LeBlanc, with whomhe wasvery close As apre-novice, Brother Ivyenteredthe formation program forthe Brothers of theSacredHeart on August 26, 1967, in Mobile, AL.Hebecame anovice on August 14, 1968, at Belvidere, NJ,and he professed first vows in Metuchen, NJ, on August 15, 1969. His perpetual profession took place in Bay St. Louis, MS, on June 10, 1975, and in 2019, there wasa great celebration whenBrother Ivymarked the 50th anniversary of his first profession. Brother Ivyprepared for hisyears as aprofessional religious educatorbyearning three degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from LSU, a Master's degreesin Educational Administrationfrom TulaneUniversity, and a Master's degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University. During his 31-years in direct school ministry, Brother Ivyprefected at Catholic Boys' Home in Mobile,AL; taught and prefectedatSt. StanislausinBay St.Louis, MS; and taught at McGill InstituteinMobile, AL.The majority of his educational ministry,however,was spentinNew Orleans,LA, on ElysianFieldsAve. at Brother Martin High School.Itwas there that he servedasteacher, Assistant Principal for Discipline, Principal,and President from1972until 2000. An icon in the Assistant Principal's office, Brother Ivywas well re-

spected as ano-nonsense disciplinarian whocould balancefirmness with compassion.Asanadministrator, he was agifted leader whoblended adeep appreciationofthe past with acreative,visionary eye always lookingtowards thefuture.Hedemandedexcellencefrom everyone, especially himself, and gave hisall to provide aquality, Catholic, holisticeducational program for all in hischarge. Brother Ivy broughthis wisdom and vision to bear on hisleadership role in hisreligiouscommunity as well.Within theBrothersof theSacredHeart,he served as provincial for seven years, provincial councilortoseven provincials, adelegatetoevery legislative assembly of the Provincefrom1973 to 2024, adelegatetothreegeneral chaptersinRome, andasa member of many province boards. With soundjudgmentand abackground in finances, he functioned as treasurer for the Brothers of theSacredHeart on both theprovinceand world-wide Institute level. Agiftedspeakerand zealouspromoter of the charism of thefounder Brother Ivy made presentations to groups around theworld and mentored futureschool leaders in it Aquiet man with adeep spirituality, Brother Ivy managed his job-related stresswith practical outlets such as biking,running,workingout,and watchingsportsonTV.

Awakeand Mass of Christian Burial will be held forBrother Ivy on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in theConlinGym at Brother MartinHigh School (4401 ElysianFieldsAve NewOrleans,LA70122). Visitorsare asked to use thegym entranceonSt. Aloysius Drive.The wake will begin at 9:00 AM followed by the Eucharistic

ceptionwill be held in the Tomand Gayle Benson Student Mall immediately followingthe liturgy. Because of localfestivities in Bay St.Louis, MS,on October11, Brother Ivywill be interred in theBrothers' cemetery in Bay St.Louis on Monday, October13, at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donationscan be made in Brother Ivy'shonor to the Brothers of theSacred HeartFoundation (4600 ElysianFieldsAve New Orleans, LA 70122). Amass of christian burial willbe held at 11:00 AM on 2025-10 -11 at Brother Martin High School, 4401 ElysianFields Ave

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Obituaries

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Wall Street finishes its week with more records

NEW YORK Most U.S. stocks ticked higher on Friday, sending Wall Street to more records

The S&P 500 edged up by less than 0.1% to close out its seventh winning week in the last nine, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 238 points, or 0.5%. Both added to their all-time highs set the day before. The Nasdaq composite lost an early gain and slipped 0.3% from its own record

Usually, the first Friday of each month has Wall Street transﬁxed on the monthly jobs update that the U.S. government publishes. It shows how many jobs employers created and destroyed, while also updating the unemployment rate.

But the shutdown of the U.S government, now in its third day, is delaying the release.

Artiﬁcial intelligence stocks have become so dominant, and so much money has poured into the industry, that worries are rising about a potential bubble that could eventually lead to disappointment for investors.

Applied Materials fell 2.7%

The company, whose equipment helps make semiconductor chips, said it will take a roughly $110 million hit to its revenue in the fourth quarter because of a new U.S. Commerce Department rule expanding export restrictions to certain customers based in China. But gains for oil producers helped offset such losses. Exxon Mobil climbed 1.8%, and Diamondback Energy rose 3% as the price of crude clawed back some of its sharp losses from earlier in the week.

Apple removes ICE reporting apps

Apple has taken down an app that uses crowdsourcing to ﬂag sightings of U.S. immigration agents after coming under pressure from the Trump administration.

ICEBlock, a free iPhone-only app that lets users anonymously report and monitor activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ofﬁcers, was no longer available on Apple’s App Store as of Friday The developer had conﬁrmed its removal on Thursday evening.

“We just received a message from Apple’s App Review that #ICEBlock has been removed from the App Store due to “objectionable content’,” ICEBlock said in a social media post. “The only thing we can imagine is this is due to pressure from the Trump Admin. We have responded and we’ll ﬁght this!”

The developer said last month that it had more than 1 million users. Even though it has been removed from the app marketplace, those who have already downloaded the app should still be able to use it.

Apple said it removed apps like ICEBlock due to the potential for risks that were raised by law enforcement.

Nvidia, Fujitsu to work on AI robots together

TOKYO U.S. technology company Nvidia and Fujitsu, a Japanese telecommunications and computer maker, agreed Friday to work together on artificial intelligence to deliver smart robots and a variety of other innovations using Nvidia’s computer chips.

“The AI industrial revolution has already begun. Building the infrastructure to power it is essential in Japan and around the world,” Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang said, hugging his Fujitsu counterpart Takahito Tokita on stage.

“Japan can lead the world in AI and robotics,” Huang told reporters at a Tokyo hotel.

The companies will work together on building what they called “an AI infrastructure,” or the system on which the various futuristic AI uses will be based, including health care, manufacturing, the environment, next-generation computing and customer services. The hope is to establish that AI infrastructure for Japan by 2030.

Landlord groups agree to $141M deal

Greystar joins others to settle class-action suit on housing costs

BY R.J RICO Associated Press

ATLANTA Real estate giant Greystar and 25 other property management companies have agreed to collectively pay more than $141 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing landlords of driving up housing costs by using rentsetting algorithms offered by the software company RealPage.

Greystar, the nation’s largest landlord, would pay $50 million under the proposed settlement agreement, which was ﬁled Wednesday in a Tennessee federal court. The deal would still require a judge’s approval.

The companies have also agreed

to no longer share nonpublic information with RealPage for its rent algorithm — a key stipulation, since plaintiffs say RealPage used that information to enable landlords to align their prices and push up rents.

“This represents a fundamental shift in the multifamily housing industry and will help reverse the type of anticompetitive coordination alleged in the Complaint,” attorneys wrote in the settlement ﬁling.

All companies involved in the settlement deny wrongdoing and have agreed to help plaintiffs in the ongoing case against RealPage and more than a dozen other property management firms that have not reached settlements. RealPage and others are also fighting an antitrust lawsuit filed last year by the Department of Justice and several state attorneys general. Greystar reached a settlement in that case in August.

The settlement funds from the

class-action lawsuit would be distributed among millions of tenants included in the settlement class.

In a statement, Greystar said these settlements “allow us to move forward and remain focused on serving our residents and clients.” Headquartered in South Carolina, Greystar manages more than 946,000 units nationwide, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council.

RealPage has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and argues that the plaintiffs misunderstand how their product works.

RealPage, which is based in Texas, has said its software is used on fewer than 10% of rental units in the U.S., and that its price recommendations are used less than half the time.

“While the proposed settlements do not include RealPage, we are encouraged to see this matter move toward closure,” Jennifer

Bowcock, RealPage’s senior vice president for communications, said in a statement. “RealPage continues to believe that this litigation is without merit and that our revenue management products, and our customers’ use of them have always been legal.”

RealPage software provides daily recommendations to help landlords and their employees price their available apartments. The landlords do not have to follow the suggestions, but critics argue that because the software has access to a vast trove of conﬁdential data, it helps RealPage’s clients charge the highest possible rent.

RealPage argues that the real driver of high rents is a lack of housing supply It also says that its pricing recommendations often encourage landlords to drop rents since landlords are incentivized to maximize revenue and maintain high occupancy

Shutdown leaves U.S. hanging on monthly jobs report data

View of hiring, economy grinds to a halt

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON From Wall Street trading

ﬂoors to the Federal Reserve to economists sipping coffee in their home offices, the ﬁrst Friday morning of the month typically brings a quiet hush around 7:30 a.m. as everyone awaits the Labor Department’s crucial monthly jobs report.

But with the government shut down, no information was released Friday about hiring in September

The interruption in the data has occurred at a particularly uncertain time, when policymakers at the Federal Reserve and Wall Street investors would need more data on the economy, rather than less.

Hiring has ground nearly to a halt, threatening to drag down the broader economy Yet at the same time, consumers — particularly higher-income earners — are still spending and some businesses are ramping up investments in data centers developing artiﬁcial intelligence models. Whether that is enough to revive hiring remains to be seen.

It’s the ﬁrst time since a government shutdown in 2013 that the jobs report has been delayed. During the 2018-19 partial government closure, the Labor Department was one of several agencies that remained open because Congress had agreed to fund them. September’s jobs ﬁgures will be released eventually, once the shutdown ends.

If the shutdown continues for another week or more, it could also postpone the release of other high-proﬁle data, including the next inﬂation report, set for Oct. 15.

The Trump administration has blamed Senate Democrats for the shutdown, while Democrats levy similar charges against the White House.

“Businesses, families, policymakers, markets, and even the Federal Reserve are ﬂying blind at a key juncture in America’s economic resurgence because the Democrats’ government shutdown has halted the release of key economic data,” said White House spokesman Kush Desai.

Yet President Donald Trump himself has often trashed government jobs data when it has painted an unﬂattering picture of the economy In August, he ﬁred the then-head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after the

has been delayed.

agency reported that job gains in May and June had been sharply lower than previously reported.

For now, economists are turning to alternative measures of the job market provided by nonproﬁts and private-sector companies. Those measures mostly show a job market with little hiring, but not many layoffs either Those who have jobs appear to be mostly secure, while those looking for work are having a tougher time.

Payroll processor ADP, for example, said Wednesday that its estimate showed the economy had lost a surprising 32,000 private-sector jobs last month Companies in the construction, manufacturing, and ﬁnancial services industries all cut jobs, ADP found Restaurants and hotels, and professional services such as accounting and engineering, also shed workers.

Businesses in health care, private education, and information technology were the only sectors to add workers, ADP said. Austan Goolsbee, before becoming president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in January 2023, was one of those busy economists on the ﬁrst Friday morning of the month, often dissecting the data for the ﬁnancial news network CNBC. Now he still

checks the data Friday mornings and has a team of research economists that analyze the report.

“It’s still the best data — the BLS numbers are the best labor market numbers in the world,” Goolsbee said in an interview with The Associated Press. “And when we don’t have them, we suffer.”

Just last month, however, the Chicago Fed began issuing its own estimates of the unemployment rate and other job-market indicators, using a combination of public and private-sector data, which it updates every two weeks.

On Thursday, its latest figures put the unemployment rate in September at 4.3%, the same as in August and still low historically While there are alternative measures of hiring and unemployment, there are fewer sources of information on inflation, which the Fed is charged with keeping stable and low Prices have picked up in recent months for many imported goods, mostly because of tariffs, but Goolsbee said that he is closely watching inflation in services, which have perked up in the past two months. Higher services prices are a potential sign that inflation is spreading beyond just imported products.

Struggling soybean farmers look to Washington for help on tariffs

But fewer resources available this time

BY BROOKS JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER VONDRACEK and COLE REYNOLDS

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

The White House came to farmers’ rescue during President Donald Trump’s ﬁrst trade war This second time around: A bailout isn’t so simple. That’s because this summer Trump’s big tax and spending bill drained the Commodity Credit Corporation, a $30 billion ﬁnancing arm of the U.S Department of Agriculture, to instead fund cropstabilization programs.

Now, the White House and Congress are scrambling to deliver emergency aid to row-crop farmers after the administration’s trade war with China tanked their soybean markets.

“I don’t know if (farmers) can expect what happened last time to happen this time,” said Gbenga Ajilore, a former USDA staffer and chief economist at think tank Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

In 2018 and 2019 during the previous trade war with China, Trump paid farmers by tapping $28 million from the CCC. Former President Joe Biden also used the fund to offset fertilizer price increases after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. China, in retaliation for tariffs

on its exports, isn’t buying U.S. soybeans this year That’s pushed prices well below break-even for most farmers, especially given the rising costs of farming, from fertilizer to machinery When Republicans, via the spending bill, spent a large chunk of next year’s CCC funds on price-loss programs this summer it left very little money for tariff relief once the fund resets on Wednesday But soybean farmers are hurting now

“Everyone’s talking about, ‘How do we get farmers through to October of ’26,’” said Jennifer Ifft, an agriculture economist at Kansas State University “They might have to go to Congress.” Last week USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins spoke about aid for

farmers who, in her words, “are facing very very difﬁcult times.”

“We are currently in conversations here at the White House, across the government, on a farmer aid package,” Rollins said.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, said Congress should approve aid for soybean farmers but called any action a “short-term ﬁx.” Rather, she’d prefer pairing a bailout with restoring SNAP payments through a new farm bill and enacting year-round sales of E15 fuel.

“The farmers I know would rather have trade (than aid),” Klobuchar said. “The No. 1 thing is to get rid of these tariffs.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH

was the first time since a government shutdown in 2013 that the monthly jobs report

Bibi tells thetruth (again)

Israeli PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the U.N. General Assembly was partly aperformance, but mostly profound. The performance part included aQRcode on his lapel, which delegates were invited to zoom in withtheir camera phones and see atrocities committed by Hamas that are too gruesome for TV networks to show.Healsoarranged for his statement thatIsrael has not forgotten the hostages to be blasted over loudspeakers set up in Gaza for that purpose. The profound part included repetition of what he has said before with some twists. Netanyahu reminded the delegates that Israel’sbattle against terrorism is not limited to the region, but thatthe terroristswant to return the entire world to the “Dark Ages.”

Afew excerpts from hisspeech:

n “Iran’saggression, if not checked, will endanger every single country in the Middle East, andmany,many countries in the rest of the world, because Iran seeks toimpose itsradicalism well beyond the Middle East.”

n “Hamas steals the (humanitarian aid) and then they hike the prices and that’show they stay in power.”

n “Israel must also defeat Hezbollah in Lebanon It has tentacles that span all continents. It has murdered more Americans and more Frenchmen than any group since bin Laden. It’s murdered the citizens of many countries represented in this room. And it has attacked Israel viciously over the last 20 years.”

n “For 18 years, Hezbollah brazenly refused to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which requires it tomove itsforces away from our borders. Instead, Hezbollah moved right up to our border.They secretly dug terror tunnels to inﬁltrate our communities and indiscriminately ﬁred thousands of rocketsinto our towns and villages.”

n “In this battle between good and evil, there must be no equivocation. When you stand with Israel, you stand for your own values and your own interests.”

n “Wesee this moral confusion (about which side is good and whichside is evil) when Israel is falsely accused of genocide when we defend ourselves against enemies who try to commit genocide against us. We see thistoo when Israel is absurdly accused by the ICCProsecutor of deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza.”

n “No army has done what Israel is doing to minimize civilian casualties. We drop ﬂyers. We send text messages. We make phone calls by the millions to ensure that Palestinian civilians get out of harm’sway.”

Netanyahu strongly criticized the U.N., which he said hasn’tchanged itsnegative attitude toward Israel since he ﬁrst spoke from the same platform 40 years ago when he was Israel’s ambassador to that body.Hesaid: “The real war criminals are notinIsrael. They’re in Iran. They’re in Gaza, in Syria, in Lebanon, in Yemen. Those of you who stand withthese war criminals,those of you who stand with evil against good should be ashamed of yourselves.”

President Trump said he is optimistic that his 21-point peace plan for Gaza, which includes the release of the remaining hostages, will be accepted by Hamas and Israel. Unless Hamas and other terrorist groups renounce their charters, which call for Israel’sdestruction, the elimination of the Jewish people, and most importantly that their god has changed his mind about such things, any agreement will be written in the diplomatic equivalent of disappearing ink. Sellers of stocks, bonds and precious metals are required to tell prospective buyers: “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” The opposite is true whenitcomes tothe enemies of Israel, who are constantly on display at the U.N., on many U.S. college campuses and in many nations.

Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com.

The notion recently published that we should welcome the National Guard is acraven position to hold. While thespace in this form will not permit me to point out ﬂaws in thereasoning aguest columnist recently put forward (though sufﬁce to say,she seemstoput morestock in immediate brutal solutions than long-term solutions based in justice and addressing theroot causes of problems),one issue that people on this position overlook is simple: the National Guard is not alaw enforcementagency This is not adenigration of their branch, but simply amatter of fact They have different training and skill sets, even down to different meanings of phrases that one might shout out under pressure. We do not want any branch of the military working as crime prevention in any

Why are we sending troops to Los Angeles, D.C. and other U.S. cities where they are not wanted, instead of providing moreassistance to Ukraine, which has been brutally attacked and invaded by Russia and is begging for help as Russia murders itscitizens and destroys its infrastructure? Why did we give a red-carpet welcometoamurderous thug? Andwhy have we failed toimpose sanctions and tariffs on Russia when we have ignored or insulted our longtime friends, neighbors, and allies and imposed onerous tariffs on them?

Failure to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin has emboldened him to widen his attacks to include Poland, aNATOally

Why are we cuttingfederal employees and programsthat we

city

Beyond this idea, there is also the matter of separation of powers and government.While the balance between the rights of acity versus a stateversus thefederal government has always been delicate, the Trump regimeseeks to smash that balance with aseries of metaphorical sledgehammers. Setting precedent to deploy federal soldiers into American cities is one of those such hammers. There is adifference between providing extra security presence after an attack during ahigh-proﬁle event, such as during the Super Bowl, and attempting to police apopulation with abranch of the military.The government and people of New Orleansshould not welcome the National Guard as the latter TYSON ANSON NewOrleans

citizens rely on —Social Security, healthcare, FEMA, parks, the arts, news organizations —and instead spending moreonprisons, guards andborder patrols? Seventy percent of those imprisoned by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have no criminal records. Can we remember when we visit NewOrleans’ famed National WWIImuseum,that theheroes in that vast war were not thejack-booted Germans nor the brutal Gestapo whoseized people off the street and shipped them off to hastily constructed prisons, but thepeople —including our own American troops (the Greatest Generation) —who risked their lives to vanquish Nazi evil? Whose side is theU.S. on now?

NANCY PICARD Mandeville

E-editionprovidesadifferent kind of pleasure

West Point has becomeshamefulinmyeyes after hearing the newsthat it wascanceling an address scheduled by actor Tom Hanks. As of now,this shameis ahuge embarrassment and is irrevocable.

How could they cancel someone with the prestige and dedication of TomHanks? That is reprehensible. Has West Point lost all respectability?

What is this great fear of President Donald Trumpthat has overtaken our country? Is it about money? Is the fear due to the possibility of harm to family members? What has happened to this once noble and great country?

Donald Trumphas trampled on all things of value and respectability.Unfortunately,now the cowardly actions of West Point have been added to the wide public embarrassment of the United States of America. All Ican think of is that the administration of West Point has becomeanother yellow-bellied sycophant in the hands of Donald Trump. Trumpisadisgrace to our country.I cannot even begin to express my disgust at the actions of West Point. Shame on them.

CAROL POOLEY Donaldsonville

Iamcurious about whythere is no newsabout the Pelicans. Iknow the situation is not rosy but Ihaven’tseen aword in weeks. Are they out of business?

So please continue to produce the e-edition of the newspaper,but don’t neglect to providejoy to those of us who love the tactile text. THE REV.JULIUS R. TIPTON Baton Rouge

My wife and Iare retired. Oneof our morning pleasures is reading thenewspaper side-by-side. The online edition allows us not only to read together but to share thoughts and form opinions as we talk about those news items in our common view.This has becomean almostdaily practice as we enjoy this unexpected advantage of the online edition. Iadmit that Imiss an actual paper copy to accompany me as Isip my morning coffee. Still, I prefer conversation with my wife to silently internalizing what Iam reading.

JOHN LIUKKONEN Metairie

Cal Thomas

SPORTS

Pelicans win historic preseason opener

New Orleans is first NBA team to play in

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

The New Orleans Pelicans made history Friday and got a victory to go along with it. Trey Murphy and Zion Williamson led the way as the Pelicans won their preseason opener Friday in Melbourne, Australia

The Pelicans are the ﬁrst NBA team to play a game in Australia.

“It was electric,” Pelicans coach Willie Greensaid.“Thefanswereintune Theywere engaged. It was a really great platform to come here and play high-level competition.”

Murphy scored 18 points and Williamson ﬁnished with 15 points and ﬁve steals in the 107-97 victory over Melbourne United

The first basket of the preseason came on an assistfromWilliamsontoMurphy whoburied a jumper Williamson shot 5 of 8 from the floor “(Zion) came out and got started right away,” Green said. “I loved his activity defensively, getting steals and deflections. Then just getting out in the open floor and playing in fastbreak opportunities. Then when the game slows down, we know we can put the ball in his hands in the high post, and he makes plays for his teammates and for himself.”

They were two of six Pelicans to score in double figures against Melbourne United, which competes in the National Basketball League, which is Australia’s professional league.

Jordan Poole, making his Pelicans’ debut, scored 11 points to go with four rebounds and four assists. Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins also scored 11 points apiece, and

ä See PELICANS, page 5C

TSaints star Hill attacked rehab when he decided he wasn’t ready to ‘walk away’

aysom Hill wondered about his football future after the initial feedback from his surgeon and the rest of his medical team was less than encouraging.

Doctors informed Hill that while a return was possible, there were doubts question marks, he called them as to whether that realistically could happen in 2025. After all, he would be 35 years old. And Hill not only tore his ACL in December but he also suffered additional damage — four torn ligaments that stabilize the corner of the knee — that required a partial knee reconstruction “It was one of those things where you just put your head down, you go to work and see what happens,” Hill said.

So to be standing in the Saints’ locker room on the verge of possibly making his season debut Sunday against the New York Giants, Hill is proud that his longawaited return is in sight

ä See SAINTS, page 2C

BY STEVE MEGARGEE AP sports writer

MILWAUKEE Pitching generally has carried the Milwaukee Brewers as they’ve made their run of seven postseason appearances over the last eight years.

This year, they might have the type of offense that can produce more playoff success.

ä NLDS Cubs at Brewers 1:08 P.M. SATURDAy TBS

Milwaukee posted the best record in the major leagues this year while having the second-best ERA. But the Brewers also scored 806 runs their most since 1999 — to rank third in the majors. They’ve done it without hitting many homers and instead relying on plate discipline and speed They will try to keep that going Saturday when they host the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of an NL Division Series.

The Brewers swung at the fewest percentage of pitches outside the strike zone across the majors. Hitting coach Al LeBoeuf said the Brewers can preach that mentality up and down the lineup because 2018 National League MVP Christian Yelich believes in it. “Christian understands the fact that’s the way we have to play,” LeBoeuf said. “He just passes the baton and spreads the message, ‘Hey, here’s the way we’ve got to play.’ “ Manager Pat Murphy delivers his own pointed message.

“If you chase, you don’t play,” Murphy said. “The guys with the best ability to control the strike zone are going to play.”

That’s what the Brewers told ﬁrst baseman Andrew Vaughn when they called him up from the minors after acquiring him from the Chicago White Sox. Vaughn had an .869 OPS in 64 games with Milwaukee, up from .531 in his 48 games with the White Sox.

“The message was control the strike zone, get on base and score runs,” Vaughn said. “Just be stubborn.”

The Brewers’ .332 on-base percentage was the second-highest in MLB. They also wreak havoc once they reach

AP PHOTO By JEFF ROBERSON Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick watches his solo home run during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 19 in St. Louis.

Pelicans guard Trey Alexander left, goes around Melbourne United guard Milton Doyle during their exhibition game Friday in Melbourne, Australia.

AP PHOTO

JAMES ROSS

Rookie CB Riley gets chance to step up

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

The Saints already had been moving in this direction, but Sunday’s game against the New York Giants should be the biggest opportunity yet for rookie cornerback Quincy Riley After the Saints ruled out starting outside cornerback Isaac Yiadom with a hamstring injury Friday, Riley is in line to start in the New Orleans secondary Yiadom won the outside corner job out of training camp, but he steadily has ceded playing time to Riley as the season has progressed. Riley may have supplanted Yiadom this week without the injury

After playing strictly on special teams the

ﬁrst two weeks, Riley played 18 defensive snaps (31.6%) in Week 3 and 24 defensive snaps (40.7%) last week in Buffalo.

“He’s had his fair amount of opportunities the last couple of weeks. I thought he’s been productive, he’s made plays, a lot of positives coming out of that,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said of Riley “If the opportunity presents itself, he’ll be ready to go.”

The 2025 fourth-round pick forced a fumble against the Seattle Seahawks, and he’s been targeted only once in coverage through two games.

If Riley holds his own, this may be a decision the Saints stick with for the course of the season

If Yiadom crosses a certain playtime percentage the exact number is not clear, as it is the NFL’s proprietary formula the Saints would lose out on a compensatory draft pick after PaulsonAdebo signed with the Giants this offseason Four players ruled out

The Saints ofﬁcially ruled four players out for their Week 5 game against the New York Giants, but the more interesting part of the final injury report is the list of questionable players.

Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau — both of whom practiced for the first time this week after suffering

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

Hill, the do-it-all weapon who is listed on the roster as a quarterback once again, said his knee feels “super stable” after months of rehab and three days of practice this week. Though he has yet to take contact, Hill said he feels healthy and better than he expected a full 10 months after the injury

“It’s an emotional thing,” said Hill, who was listed as questionable against the Giants. “It’s one that you’re ﬁlled with gratitude. And a lot of people have been really involved with this process. So if you take a step back and you think about all those people and the experiences that you had along the way, it’s one that ﬁlls me with gratitude.”

Before he attacked rehab, Hill ﬁrst had to decide if the attempt was worth it. But the nine-year veteran said coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis let him take his time, and Hill came to the conclusion that he wanted to keep going

“I love playing football,” he said. Hill is no stranger to lengthy recoveries. But doing so at 35, he said, required a different perspective. And this was the ﬁrst time an injury stretched from one season to another

When he suffered a seasonending Lisfranc injury in college, for instance, he was ready by the start of the next season. This year, the Saints determined Hill would need to be placed on the physically unable to perform list, causing him to miss the ﬁrst

New Orleans Saints cornerback Quincy Riley, top, is tackled by Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz in a preseason game after pulling in an interception on Aug. 23 in the Caesars Superdome

ACL injuries late last season — are both ofﬁcially questionable. So is offensive lineman Dillon Radunz who returned to practice Friday after missing the last two weeks with a toe injury

“They’ve been able to do a couple things this week in practice, we’ve just got to see how their bodies are feeling after they go through a full week for the ﬁrst time this season,” Moore said about Hill and Moreau. “They’ve done some good things, but there’s a lot of work that would have to go into that.”

Also questionable for the Saints are tight end Juwan Johnson (ankle), left guard Trevor Penning (ankle) and defensive tackle John Ridgeway (shoulder).

Hill and Moreau are still on the physically unable to perform list, and Ridgeway is making his way back from injured reserve, meaning none of them currently hold a 53-man roster spot

If the Saints intend to use any of them Sunday, they will need to create spots on the roster by letting other players go.

Earlier this week, Moore ruled out right guard Cesar Ruiz (ankle) and defensive end Chase Young (calf). He added two more to the list Friday, ruling out Yiadom and receiver Trey Palmer (ankle).

Moore said Yiadom’s injury occurred in practice this week.

On the Giants’ side, the big one to watch is Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who missed the entire week of practice with an illness. Lawrence is questionable for Sunday’s game.

Running back Tyrone Tracy practiced in a limited capacity Friday, his ﬁrst practice this week, but is doubtful for Sunday OK with aggression

A week after his unit melted down against the Seahawks, special teams coordinator Phil Galiano

four games. Along the way Hill found solace in the fact that teammate Foster Moreau also was attempting to come back from his own serious knee injury Hill understood that few people could truly relate to what he was going through, but Moreau was one of them.

“That’s my PUP brother man,” Moreau said, later adding, “Through this process, it’s grueling. I’m glad I had him around.

He’s always got a smile on his face and some love in his heart.”

“I’d never wish that (injury) on

him, but I deﬁnitely became the benefactor to go through that with him,” Hill said. The Saints don’t have to activate either Moreau or Hill this weekend because NFL rules allow a 21-day window once players on PUP begin practicing. Teams will use that time to ramp up a player’s conditioning, and Moore said Friday the Saints would take the whole week to measure how the two respond to getting back into football shape. For Hill, there’s also the matter of his role. Moore didn’t get

Ravens QB Jackson ruled out against Texans Lamar Jackson has been ruled out for Baltimore’s game against Houston on Sunday after missing a week of practice because of a hamstring injury Jackson had to leave last weekend’s loss at Kansas City in the second half. Cooper Rush is now in line to start for the Ravens, who have lost nine of their last 11 games when Jackson doesn’t play The two-time MVP has missed only one game since the start of the 2023 season — a Week 17 matchup when Baltimore had little to play for Baltimore also ruled out All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) and All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) for this weekend, as well as cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring)

Athletics OF Butler gets patellar tendon surgery

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler underwent surgery on his right patellar tendon on Friday in hopes he will be ready for spring training next year

Dr Mike Banffy at the KerlanJobe Orthopedic Center in Los Angeles performed what the A’s announced was a successful procedure to repair the partial tendon tear as well as removal of scar tissue. Butler also was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left patella tendon because of tendonitis. Butler batted 234 this season with 21 home runs, 63 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.

The 25-year-old is the club’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee for his off-the-ﬁeld work. The A’s signed Butler in March to a $65.5 million, seven-year contract.

Tarleton places Gillispie on leave after complaint

said he was mostly pleased with how they responded last week against the Bills. There were two notable negatives in that game One was Blake Grupe mis-hitting a kickoff that landed short of the landing zone, and the other being a roughingthe-punter penalty that gave Buffalo new life after a third-down stop.

The mis-hit can’t happen, but Galiano did not take much issue with the roughing penalty on linebacker Nephi Sewell because of the situation New Orleans was in at the time.

“You’re down two scores with ﬁve minutes, right? So want to be aggressive and go block the punt,” Galiano said. “... We thought we had a really good scheme that showed up and was true, and we just missed it It’s an unfortunate penalty there, but at that point in the game you have to be aggressive.”

“That’s my PUP brother, man. Through this process, it’s grueling I’m glad I had him around. He’s always got a smile on his face and some love in his heart.”

FOSTER MOREAU, Saints tight end, on teammate Taysom Hill

to experiment with how he’d use Hill in training camp, so there’s a mystery about how he’ll deploy the former starting quarterback.

In the limited portion of practice open to reporters this week, Hill began the session lined up stretching with the tight ends, threw passes with the rest of the quarterbacks in individual drills and also ran routes with the quarterbacks throwing to him.

Even when injured, Hill sat primarily in quarterback meetings this season. This was done in part so Hill could learn the entire offense, the ins and outs of why concepts were run across the unit, and give him a better understanding of the entire picture.

But where will he play the most? Moore and Hill were coy on what to expect. Hill is just glad to be in this position, no matter what position he ends up playing.

“I wasn’t ready to walk away,” Hill said.

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

Tarleton State has placed men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie on temporary administrative leave after receiving an anonymous complaint, the school said Friday The former Kentucky coach who also led the programs at Texas A&M and Texas Tech has been at Tarleton State for ﬁve seasons. Gillispie faced allegations of player mistreatment at Texas Tech, where he spent one season. Tarleton State said associate head coach Glynn Cyprien is ﬁlling in for Gillispie. The school had no further comment. The Texans open the regular season Nov 3 at SMU. Gillispie, who turns 66 next month, has spent most of his coaching career in his native Texas, leading Texas A&M to the NCAA Tournament in 2006-07.

Sawdust helps Djokovic beat Cilic at Shanghai

Novak Djokovic launched his bid for a record-extending ﬁfth title at the Shanghai Masters by beating Marin Cilic in straight sets on Friday in the Serbian’s ﬁrst match since the U.S. Open.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic struggled to maintain a grip early in the second-round match and sprinkled sawdust on his hands to combat the humidity He prevailed 7-6 (2), 6-4. After breaking serve early in the second set, Djokovic fought off two break points in the ﬁnal game before sealing victory with his 10th ace. It was his ﬁrst match since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the U.S. Open semifinals. Djokovic next faces German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-1.

Pegula is 3rd U.S. player to reach China semifinals

Jessica Pegula became the third American to reach the semiﬁnals of the China Open after rallying to beat compatriot Emma Navarro on Friday The ﬁfth-seeded Pegula wasted six set points in the opener but dominated the next two sets to triumph 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1 “I told myself not to get too frustrated,” Pegula said. “Just stay calm, try to relax a little bit, and not try as hard.”

Pegula next faces Linda Noskova, who eased past Britain’s Sonay Kartal 6-3, 6-4. The 20-yearold Noskova became the youngest Czech player to reach a WTA

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER Saints tight ends Foster Moreau, left, and Taysom Hill talk on the sideline during minicamp practice on June 10 at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By GERALD HERBERT

Saints notebook

MAJOR LEAGUEBASEBALL

GausmanaimstokeepYanks at bay

BY IAN HARRISON Associated Press

TORONTO— From Aprilthrough September,the Toronto Blue Jays got the best of the NewYork Yankees, winning the American League East in atiebreaker based on an 8-5 head-to-head record that included a6-1 advantage northof the border

Starting Saturday,inthe first October postseason meetingbetween these longtime division rivals, they’ll battle for aspotinthe AL Championship Seriesagainst Seattle or Detroit.

Former LSU star Kevin Gausman will start Game 1for theBlue Jays, opposed by Luis Gil of the Yankees. Manager John Schneider said Gausman’ssteadinessmade him an easy choice.

“He’sthe same guy every single day,” Schneider said. “You don’t worry about him gettingcaught up in the noise.”

After using his top three startersinthis week’sWeJaysild Card Series winoverBoston, Yankees manager Aaron Boone picked Gil over Will Warren for Saturday.

“I feel like he’sready for this and he’sinline,” Boone said. “I trust him to handle the situation.”

Gausman, a34-year-old righthander,went 10-11 with a3.59 ERA and 189 strikeouts over 32 regularseason starts.

“I’m ready to go,” Gausman said. “I’m ﬁred up.”

Gausman went 2-1 in four outings against the Yankees. He allowed twohome runs,bothGiancarlo

Newyork

yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler delivers against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday in Newyork

ä Yankees atBlue Jays. 3:05P.M.SATURDAy,FOX

Stanton solo drives, in 222/3 innings.

Gilmissed mostofthe season because of aright latstrain.The 2024 AL Rookie of theYearwent 4-1with a3.32 ERAin11starts after returning in early August

“I feel really good,”Gil said throughatranslator.“Iﬁnally feel that I’m 100%.”

New York’sseven games in Torontoall came between June 30 andJuly 23,during an 8-13 slide by theYankees. TheYankees were much improvedaftertrade deadline acquisitions.

“The times we were hereinthe summer acouple of times wasn’tat ourbest, certainly, and still working through some things,” Boone said. “I feel like obviously the last couple of monthswereally started to play reallywell.”

New York went 34-19 in August and September, winning eight straight to ﬁnishthe season at 9468, the same record as the Blue Jays.

Boone said left-handerMax Fried will start Sunday’sGame 2, with CarlosRodónand rookie sensation Cam Schlittler expected to follow.Schneider didn’treveal who’d start Game 2.

Theleading candidates are 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber androokie right-hander Trey Yesavage, who rose from lowAtothe majors this season, going 1-0inthree September starts.

Yesavage struck out 160 batters

in 98 innings across four minor league stops andfanned16more in 14 big league innings.

The Blue Jays head intothe ALDS still uncertain, at least publicly,about the status of injured shortstop Bo Bichette.

The two-time AL hitsleader and two-timeAll-Star hasn’tplayed since Sept.6when he sprained his left knee in acollision with Yan-

Yankeesrookiehurler

snu

ffshurtfulcomments

BY IAN HARRISON Associated Press

TORONTO— Cam Schlittler silenced the people who made hurtful comments to his family on social media before his historic performanceinthe New York Yankees’ Wild Card Series winover theBoston Red Sox.

“They’re just tryingto get under your skin, but I thought they crossed the line alittle bit,” Schlittler said Friday.“At the end of the day,there’snot much they can say now.” Schlittler became the first postseason pitcher with at least eight scoreless innings and 12 strikeouts without allowing awalk, pitching New York to a4-0 clinching win Thursday Schlittler,who grew up aRed Sox faninWalpole, Massachusetts, said Friday he was disappointedhis

BREWERS

Continued from page1C

base. Milwaukee’s164 steals ranked second in the majors. That explains how the Brewers scored so many runs despite hitting just 166 homers to rank 22nd. Murphy compares his hitters to woodpeckers because they keep pecking away throughout games

“These guys are ahandful,” Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said “When you play them, even when you beat them, you’re tired. They have alot of ways to come at you.”

Outﬁelder Sal Frelick said he can tell how the Brewers’ speed bothers opposing defenses.

“It’snot even the actual stealing basespart. Just having the threat of it,” Frelick said. “Pitchers may-

family was targeted.

“I don’treally want to givethem the attention they’relooking for,”he said of those who made the hurtful posts. “I get it, it’s part of thegame. Ithink Iwas just kindofdisappointedin the fact that, justbeing from that area, Iwasn’treally expecting it to go thatfar.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone saidhewasn’tsurprised Schlittler was able to harness his emotions and hold the Red Sox in check.

“I know he’sgot areally good head on hisshoulders,” Boone said. “He’s gotareally,really good demeanor anddisposition about him, as well as being areally conﬁdentkid, and conﬁdent in his ability.”

Schlittlerkepthis head bowed when he walkedto thedugoutafter his final out in the eighth, showing only the slightest emotion

be have to slide-step,which makes them notthrow as many strikes. Andwitha speedyguy on first,ahitter is probably going to get more fastballs because (a pitcher) doesn’twantto throw curveballs in the dirt or off-speed pitches that you can stealon.” Although Milwaukee didn’thaveasingle All-Star position player,several Brewers outperformed their career norms. Frelick’sOPS is .756, up from .655 last season.Second baseman Brice Turang hasseen hisOPS soar from .585 in his2023 rookie season to .794 this year As alongtime Brewers minor league coachinthe majors for theﬁrst time this year,LeBoeufhas seen both Frelick and Turang develop. LeBoeuf noted Turang adjusted his swing to turn thebarrel out in front, giving him more bat speed. He mentionedFrelick’s

with asmall ﬁstpumpand tip of his cap to the capacity crowd of 48,833 at Yankee Stadium. The 6-foot-6Schlittler started the season at Double-A Somerset, was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 3 and debuted in the majors July 9after ClarkeSchmidt injured his elbow Schlittler said he did get some positive messages from childhood friends after his strong performance helped eliminate Boston from thepostseason.

“They’rehappy forme,” he said.“Ithinkthey’re bummed out,obviously. They’re allRed Soxfans. Itold them that’sexactly what was going to happen. They’ll get over it. Hockey season is comingup, basketball season is coming up. I’m sure they’vegot other things to distract them.”

“tremendous hands” and improved bat-to-ball skills. It tooka whilefor this lineup to get going. When theBrewerswere 25-28 on May 24, they were ranked 14th in MLB in total runs,21st in on-base percentage (.311) and 28th in slugging percentage(.354). Yelich was returning from back surgery,two-time AllStar catcher William Contreras was playingthrough abrokenfinger,and both had slow starts. Butthe Brewers ranked second in total runs, ﬁrst in on-basepercentage (.343) and eighthinslugging percentage (.426) the rest of the way.The lineup surged even afterLeBoeuf was away from the team for threeweeks in July to undergo surgery for prostate cancer.Leboeuf said last week he feels great and that “winning ballgames has madeita lot easier to digest.”

kees catcher Austin Wells. Schneider saidFriday that Bichette hasn’tbeen able to test himself by running or hitting against regular pitching speeds.

“For him to be on (the roster), he’d havetoplay pretty regularly,” Schneidersaid. “It’snot saving himfor aKirkGibsonat-batonce agame that may not come.”

Toronto bolstered itslineupby

welcoming back switch-hitting sluggerAnthony SantanderinSeptember after almost four months out because of aleft shoulder injury,but Bichette’s absencestill leaves abig hole.

“It’shard to playwithout Bo,” sluggerVladimir GuerreroJr. said through atranslator.“Obviously we didn’twantthat to happen, but it’sjust part of baseball.”

Rangers’ managerial search focusedononlyone candidate

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS AP baseball writer

ARLINGTON,Texas TheTexas Rangers’ search for Bruce Bochy’sreplacementiscentered on Skip Schumaker, aformer NL Manager of theYear who has worked in theirorganization for the past year “Wehavealead candidate internally that we’refocused on,” ChrisYoung, theteam president of baseball operations, said Friday Young acknowledgedthat he had begun what he would consider aformal interview process, and that therewere not yet any external candidates.

“At this point, we haven’t focusedthere yet,”hesaid.

“Our hope is that we don’t have to.”

Schumaker,aspecial adviserfor theRangers, was the 2023 NL Manager of the Year when Miami went 8478 and made the fourth postseason appearance in club history

That was the sameyear Texas, with Bochy in his debut there,won its ﬁrstWorld Series championship.

The Rangers andthe 70-year-old Bochy, afourtime World Series cham-

pion who wasbaseball’s winningest active manager mutually agreed Monday to endhis managerial stint That was the day after Texas ﬁnished 81-81 for its second non-winning record since its championship. Bochy was at theend of his three-year contract.

TheMarlinsslippedto62100 in 2024 after changesin the front ofﬁce and aroster decimated by trades and injuries. Schumakerand the team agreed thathewouldn’t return for this season.

Texashired Schumaker in November,amove viewed by many as making him theheirapparent to Bochy. Schumaker remains under contract with the organization through the end of October

There are seven other MLB teams also looking for new managers. Young wouldn’tsay whether any other teams hadrequested permission to speak with the 45-year-old Schumaker about their openings. When asked whetherthere wasworry about Schumaker in relation to those other openings, Young said: “I’m notoverlyconcerned at this point.”

Before going to Miami,

Schumakerwas abench coach for St. Louis, where he played for the Cardinals during their 2011 World Series win over Texas.Heplayed 11 big league seasons with St. Louis (2005-12), the Los AngelesDodgers (2013) and Cincinnati (2014-15).

Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said while Schumaker lives on the west coast, he has been very involved with the team in his advisory role.

“He’d spend timewithus and manydifferent folks in thefrontoffice, addhis perspective, his wisdom. He was around andavailable alot,” Fenstermaker said. “Weprobably talkedtohim every few days, if not daily, throughout the course of the year and bounce ideas off him and get his perspective.” Bochy has been offered an advisory role in the Rangers front office. He also could be in line forsucha position with the San Francisco Giants, though he isn’ta candidate forthe managerial opening of the team he led to three World Series titles from 2010-14. With 2,252 wins, Bochy is sixthamong all managers, with the ﬁve ahead of him all in the Hall of Fame.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByCHRISyOUNG

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher KevinGausman throws against the Tampa BayRaysduring agame in Toronto on Sunday

AP PHOTO By FRANK FRANKLIN II

THENATION

THINGS TO WATCHINWEEK6

Who, what andwhere to keep an eyeoninthisweek’sgames around thenation

Tide taking Commodores seriously No.10Alabama hoststhe surprising and16thranked Commodores on Saturday —and insists it won’tget blindsided like last year’s 40-35loss at Vanderbilt.Anareatowatch will be therun game.Vanderbilt gashed Alabamafor 166yards on thegroundlastyearand boasts oneofthe SEC’sbest rushing attacksin2025. The Commodores rank firstinthe league with 6.49 yardsa carryand 18 rushing touchdowns.Defensively,Vanderbiltisallowing thethird-fewestyards rushinga game at 79.8 Conversely,Alabama hasone of theworst rushing offenses anddefensesinthe SEC.

Ranked rivals meet in Tallahassee No.3Miami andNo. 18 FloridaState play Saturday nightasAPTop 25-rankedteams forthe firsttimesince 2016.Miami hasresume-building wins over NotreDameand Florida andislooking to addFlorida Statetothatlist. FSUislooking to reboundfromadouble-overtime loss at Virginia. Running back GavinSawchuk (234 yards rushing) andquarterback Tommy Castellanos(217yards rushing) lead Florida State’sgroundattack, whichranks second in theFBS at 336.3yards agame. Miamiistiedfor eighth in theFBS in rushingdefense at 76.3 yards agame.

Aggies seek to stay unbeaten Offtoa4-0 startfor the firsttimesince 2016 No.6 TexasA&M is quitepleased with itsearlyseason performance. MississippiState (4-1)is coming offits firstlossafter it fell to No.15Tennessee 4134 in overtime.Itwillbethe Bulldogs firstroadgamesince theiropeneratSouthernMiss andwillbeinfront of acrowd expected to exceed 100,000.The Bulldogs will seea familiar face in TexasA&M’s leadingreceiverMario Craver,who transferred from MississippiState.Craverranks second in thecountry by averaging119.2 yardsreceiving agameand leadsthe Aggies with four TD catches.

—AssociatedPress

agameSept. 27 in

Georgialooks to bounce back

BY PAUL NEWBERRY Associated Press

ATLANTA— The Georgia Bulldogs are hurting.

Kirby Smart doesn’tmind a bit. From his perspective, acrushing loss to Alabama will go along waytoward determining if this team has what it takes to make another championshiprun. So far,the coach likes what he sees “The more invested you are, the more you hurt,” Smartsaid.

“I know more about my team right now than Idid aweek ago. Ican guarantee you that. That’s whatﬁresmeup. And Igot alot of optimism after that game, because Ilearned ahell of alot more about my teamthan Ihad theprevious week.”

TheNo. 12 Bulldogs (3-1,1-1 Southeastern Conference) will be looking to bounce back when they host Kentucky (2-2, 0-2) on Saturday

“If Icould play right now,I would,” defensive lineman Jordan Hall said early in theweek.

“I’m just optimistic about what’s in front of us. We’ve got along seasonwaiting for us. We can’t be mad about the past. We’ve just got to use that as fuel.”

Stillinchampionship picture

While discouraging, the ﬁrst loss of the season was hardly a death blow to Georgia’shopes in the national championship race.

Ayear ago, the Bulldogslost apairofSEC games —toAlabama and Ole Miss— but still managed to claim the conference title and aspot in theCollege Football Playoff.

That said,they can’tafford another slip-up against one of the SEC’slesser teams, especially with games against No. 4Ole Missand No. 9Texas still lurkingonthe schedule.

“Different year,different season. Ithink what’sapplicable is that collegefootballteams are going to have this parity,” Smart said. “What’s going to separate teamsishow they either fractureordon’tfracture, or how their infrastructure’s built to sustainlosses. We’re built for this. We have infrastructure, we have plans, we know thepathway,soI’m excited to see where this team goes.”

Aworkinprogress

The Bulldogs have plenty of thingstowork on, starting with their propensity for sluggish starts.

Theyfell behind Tennessee 21-7inthe ﬁrst quarter before rallyingtowin in overtime.

Against the Crimson Tide, Georgia faceda 24-14deﬁcitat halftime. Even when taking on overmatched Austin Peay,the Bulldogs were only up 14-3at thehalf.

“We’ve got to do better at it. I don’treally know why it’shappening,” Hall said.“We’re going

through practice trying to come out withalittlebit more energy.”

But Smart likes what he sees in thetrenches. Georgiarushed for 227 yards against Alabama, while limiting the Tide to 117 on theground.

Chauncey Bowens has become the leader in the backﬁeld, ripping through Alabama for 119 yards anda touchdown on just 12 carries,averaging awhopping 9.9 yards each time he got theball. His emergence has been especially important as Nate Frazier dealsagain with fumbling issues. “Wecan run the ball, and we can stop the run,” Smart said. “The twothingsthatwestruggledwith lastyear,sowehave

to continue to improve in those areas.”

Apesky opponent

Georgia hasdominated the series with Kentucky,holdinga commanding 64-12-2 lead witha15-gamewinning streak

The Bulldogs haven’tlost to the Wildcats since2009.

Still, Kentucky has been a troublesome opponent at times forthe Bulldogs, who struggled to a13-12 victory ayear agoin Lexington

Smart expects his team to be ﬁred up on Saturday

“There’salot of college football teamsright nowthathave teams thatthe kids don’tcare,” he said. “When people hurt, you usually get abetter response.”

1. OLEMISS

Record: 5-0overall, 3-0 SEC

Previous rank: 6

Last week: DefeatedLSU 24-19

Thisweek: Idle

2. ALABAMA

Record: 3-1overall, 1-0 SEC

Previous rank: 11

Last week: DefeatedGeorgia 24-21

Thisweek: vs.Vanderbilt, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC)

3. TEXASA&M

Record: 4-0overall, 1-0 SEC

Previous rank: 3

Last week: DefeatedAuburn16-10

Thisweek: vs.Mississippi State,6:30 p.m. Saturday(SECNetwork)

4. GEORGIA

Record: 3-1overall, 1-1 SEC

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Lost to Alabama 24-21

Thisweek: vs.Kentucky,11a.m. Saturday (ABC)

5. LSU

Record: 4-1overall, 1-1 SEC

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Lost to Ole Miss 24-19

Thisweek: Idle

6. OKLAHOMA

Record: 4-0overall, 1-0 SEC

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Idle

Thisweek: vs.KentState,3 p.m. Saturday (SECNetwork)

7. TENNESSEE

Record: 4-1overall, 1-1 SEC

Previous rank: 9

Last week: DefeatedMississippi State 41-34

Thisweek: Idle

8. TEXAS

Record: 3-1overall, 0-0 SEC

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Idle

Thisweek: at Florida, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)

9. VANDERBILT

Record: 5-0overall, 1-0 SEC

Previous rank: 7

Last week: DefeatedUtah State 55-35

Thisweek: at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC)

10.MISSOURI

Record: 5-0overall, 1-0 SEC

Previous rank: 8

Last week: DefeatedUMass 42-6

Thisweek: Idle

11.SOUTH CAROLINA

Record: 3-2overall, 1-2 SEC

Previous rank: 13

Last week: DefeatedKentucky 35-13

Thisweek: Idle

12.MISSISSIPPI STATE Record: 4-1overall, 0-1 SEC

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Lost to Tennessee41-34

Thisweek: at Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m. Saturday (SECNetwork)

13.AUBURN

Record: 3-2overall, 0-2 SEC

Previous rank: 12

Last week: Lost to Texas A&M 16-10

Thisweek: Idle

14.FLORIDA

Record: 1-3overall, 0-1 SEC

Previous rank: 14

Last week: Idle

Thisweek: vs.Texas, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)

15.ARKANSAS

Record: 2-3overall, 0-1 SEC

Previous rank: 15

Last week: Lost to Notre Dame 56-13

Thisweek: Idle

16.KENTUCKY Record: 2-2overall, 0-2 SEC

Previous rank: 16

Last week: Lost to South Carolina 35-13 Thisweek: at Georgia, 11 a.m. Saturday (ABC)

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOSByCOLIN HUBBARD

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, left,runswith theball against AlabamadefensivebackKeonSabbduring

Athens,Ga. The Tide won24-21.

Georgia coach KirbySmart says he is optimistic his teamwill bounce back from aloss to Alabama.

Bethune-Cookman picking up steam

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN and TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writers

After Bethune-Cookman’s victory over Alabama A&M last week, there’s been a shake-up in The Advocate’s Southwestern Athletic Conference power rankings.

Bethune-Cookman’s 41-34 victory over the Bulldogs provided the most signiﬁcant statement from last week’s slate of competition

Here is where each SWAC program ﬁts in this week’s rankings:

1. Jackson State

Record: 3-1 overall, 1-0 SWAC

Previous rank: 1

Last week: 38-13 win at Southern

This week: vs. Alabama A&M,

4 p.m. Saturday Extra points: After getting a Boombox Classic win at Southern last weekend, the Tigers head to Mobile, Alabama, for the Gulf Coast Challenge against Alabama A&M. Jackson State has won its last four games against the Bulldogs. Coach TC Taylor is still focused on cutting down on the team’s penalties.

2. Alabama State

Record: 3-1 overall, 1-0 SWAC

Previous rank: 2

Last week: 42-14 win at FAMU

This week: vs. Bethune-Cookman, 2 p.m. Saturday Extra points: The Hornets arguably have this week’s must-watch game in the SWAC against BethuneCookman Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson said he has a lot of respect for Bethune-Cookman quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom, who he described as “a tough kid.” Robinson said the team will have to play a perfect game defensively with a fast start to win this week.

3. Prairie View

Record: 3-2 overall, 2-0 SWAC

Previous rank: 4

Last week: 28-13 win vs. Grambling

This week: at Alcorn State, 3 p.m.

Saturday Extra points: Coach Tremaine Jackson noted his team’s dropped passes in last week’s win over Grambling as something he wants to tighten up. Prairie View sealed the win with two fourth-quarter interceptions from Eric Zachery and Kamren Amao Jackson said Alcorn State hasn’t had success on the scoreboard, but watching the ﬁlm, the team has to be respected.

4. Bethune-Cookman

Record: 2-3 overall, 1-0 SWAC

Previous rank: 8

Last week: 41-34 win vs. Alabama

A&M

This week: at Alabama State, 2 p.m.

Saturday Extra points: Wildcats coach Raymond Woodie had a good laugh when a reporter congratulated him on last week’s big win over Alabama A&M, but he’s been “rewarded” by facing No 2 this weekend. To snap a four-game losing streak against Alabama State,

Healthy Higgo takes lead in Mississippi going into weekend

By The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. — Garrick Higgo kept his ball in play and took advantage of enough birdie chances for a 6-under 66 on Friday to build a one-shot lead in the Sanderson Farms Championship, a Fall Series event that feels like a new start to the South African. Higgo ran off three straight birdies late in his round at the Country Club of Jackson, one of them the short par-4 15th where he nearly holed his bunker shot and tapped in for birdie. He was at 13-under 131, one shot ahead of Eric Cole (67) and Taylor Montgomery, who had nine birdies in a 10-hole stretch — the exception was a bogey He holed a 25-foot birdie on his ﬁnal hole for a 63 to boost his chances of keeping a PGA Tour card for 2026.

Only the top 100 keep full PGA Tour cards after the Fall Series end in November Five tournaments are left on the schedule.

Cole had 10 birdies in the opening round, offset by a double bogey late in his round. He added seven more birdies on a calm, sunny afternoon to get in the ﬁnal round as Cole goes after his ﬁrst PGA Tour title.

Danny Walker (68) was two shots behind in an important week for him. Walker is at No. 104 in the FedEx Cup. Vince Whaley (No. 102 in the standings) had another 67 and Tom Kim (No. 99) saved par from a bunker on the 18th for a 66. They were three shots behind.

STANDINGS

the team needs to make necessary in-game adjustments, ﬁnish strong and capitalize early

5. Alabama A&M

Record: 3-2 overall, 0-1 SWAC

Previous rank: 3

Last week: 41-34 loss at BethuneCookman

This week: vs. Jackson State, 4 p.m.

Saturday

Extra points: Coach Sam Shade said his team “just ran out of time” in the showdown last week against Bethune-Cookman. The Bulldogs have their “work cut out for them” against No. 1 Jackson State, a matchup where A&M will try to take away the Tigers’ run game early

6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Record: 2-2 overall, 1-0 SWAC

Previous rank: 9

Last week: 24-20 win vs. Alcorn

State

This week: at Texas Southern, 6 p.m. Saturday

Extra points: The Golden Lions kicked off SWAC play with a win over Alcorn State in the Southern Heritage Classic. It’s the ﬁrst time since Alonzo Hampton became the coach that UAPB has won back-toback games. Last season, UAPB lost the matchup against Texas Southern 31-23.

7. Grambling

Record: 3-2 overall, 0-1 SWAC

Previous rank: 7

Last week: 28-13 loss vs. Prairie

View

This week: Bye

Extra points: Grambling coach Mickey Joseph took full responsibility for last week’s loss against Prairie View He said QB C’zavian Teasett struggled facing dropeight coverage, which led to him throwing three interceptions The team refuses to “play musical chairs” at the quarterback position and will keep Teasett in at the helm.

8. Southern

Record: 1-4 overall, 0-1 SWAC

Previous rank: 6

Last week: 38-13 loss vs. Jackson

State

This week: Bye

Extra points: Southern went scoreless in the second half against

Jackson State, and quarterback is still a question mark. The team also had 13 penalties, including a roughing-the-kicker flag from a true freshman and blown coverage against the Tigers. Coach Terrence Graves said he wants to increase “focus and concentration” to cut down on pre-snap penalties.

9. Texas Southern

Record: 1-3 overall, 1-1 SWAC

Previous rank: 11

Last week: 23-20 win at Mississippi

Valley State

This week: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6 p.m Saturday Extra points: Coach Cris Dishman said the Mississippi Valley State victory felt good because it proved his team can come back and win a game Texas Southern’s offensive strength starts with the rushing attack. Every Texas Southern-UAPB game has been decided by a touchdown or less since 2022, a stretch that features a 2-1 mark for the Tigers.

10. FAMU

Record: 1-3 overall, 0-1 SWAC

Previous rank: 5

Last week: 42-14 loss vs Alabama

State

This week: Game vs. Mississippi Valley State postponed until Nov 29

Extra points: The FAMU-Mississippi Valley State originally was scheduled to be played at MercedesBenz Stadium in Atlanta, but the two schools announced Tuesday it had been called off because of issues involving the organizer of the Georgia Football Classic The game now will be played Nov. 29 in Itta Bena, Mississippi.

11. Alcorn State

Record: 0-4 overall, 0-1 SWAC

Previous rank: 10

Last week: 24-20 loss vs. ArkansasPine Bluff

This week: vs. Prairie View, 3 p.m.

Saturday

Extra points: The Braves ﬁnally end a four-game road trip and open up their home slate this week against Prairie View Alcorn State coach Cedric Thomas said the team’s issues start with him and not having the team focus on the details on and off the ﬁeld.

12. Mississippi Valley State

Record: 0-4 overall, 0-1 SWAC

Previous rank: 12

Last week: 23-20 loss vs. Texas Southern This week: Game vs. FAMU postponed until Nov 29

Extra points: Coach Terrell Buckley described last week’s loss to Texas Southern as a “tale of two halves,” after being outscored 16-3 in the ﬁnal two quarters against the Tigers. MVSU is suddenly in a bye week after its game vs FAMU was postponed until Nov 29.

Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@theadvocate. com.

Higgo already has one PGA Tour win this year, a week after the Masters in an opposite-ﬁeld event in the Dominican Republic. But that nearly felt like the end. He suffered a labrum injury that all but wrecked the rest of the season.

Higgo debated having surgery on his hip after the regular season, but realized he could handle it with a change in his ﬁtness routine. He is lifting less and being smarter

“It wasn’t hurting me in my swing, but walking made it really bad, and then it would pinch the next day,” Higgo said “So just ﬁguring out how I can avoid that. I’ve changed the way I work out, just being a bit more clever with that, I would say.”

He said the pain level is now 1 out of 10, though he still fatigues quicker than usual. But he feels like he’s back on the right track.

Higgo played in the final group with Scottie Scheffler at the Procore Championship, where he tied for seventh. He’s in the midst of another good week at the Sanderson Farms. Unlike most players in the field, his FedEx Cup rank is of little consequence Having won the Puntacana Championship, he has his PGA Tour card locked up and is in The Players Championship The Fall Series events no longer get a Masters invitation.

The ﬁnal round with Schefﬂer was an eye-opener watching how the world’s No. 1 player operates and eventually wins.

“I’ve made a bunch of cuts and feel like I’ve played good the last six months,” Whaley said “It’s getting harder and harder out here, and you need those big ﬁnishes, and I don’t feel like I’ve had that.”

“I couldn’t tell you how much I learned, but I learned so much just by watching,” Higgo said. “He’s an inspiration for all of us. He’s set the bar so high. It’s just phenomenal how high his skill level is.”

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C

Bryce McGowens scored 10. It was the ﬁrst glimpse of the team that new executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars assembled in the offseason The Pelicans started three of the new players Dumars brought in. The starters Friday were Williamson, Murphy, Poole, Kevon Looney and Saadiq Bey None of the starters played more than 21 minutes. Williamson played just more than 15 minutes.

“We had a plan to play them a certain amount of minutes for the ﬁrst game,” Green said about his starters. Herb Jones, returning from a season-ending shoulder injury, missed the game with a left ankle sprain. Green said he isn’t sure whether Jones will be available for Sunday’s game.

“He’ll continue to be evaluated,” Green said. The Pelicans outscored United 60-38 in the paint, but United outrebounded the Pelicans 60-57. The Pelicans will play their ﬁnal game in Australia on Sunday (11 p.m. Saturday Central time) against South East Melbourne Phoenix.

“We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be in this country and see the excitement from the fans,” Green said. “This was a really competitive game. Our guys are really enjoying this

guard Jose

right, jumps to block a shot from Melbourne United forward Finn Delany during their exhibition game Friday in Melbourne, Australia.

experience.” After the two exhibition games in Australia, the Pelicans return to the United States for their ﬁnal two preseason games. They will play the Houston Rockets on Oct. 14 in Birmingham, Alabama. Two nights later, they’ll play on the road against the Orlando Magic. The regular-season opener is Oct. 22 when the Pelicans make the trip to Memphis, Tennessee, to play the Grizzlies.

Butbeforethat,thePelicansgetto enjoy one more game in Australia.

“I didn’t know we had this many fans in Australia, and I didn’t know how much they loved basketball here,” Murphy said. “It’s really a blessing.”

AP PHOTO By JAMES ROSS Pelicans

Alvarado,

STAFF FILE PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Bethune-Cookman quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom is sacked by Southern linebacker Derrick Williams during the fifth overtime to secure Southern’s 25-23 victory last season at A.W. Mumford

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MAX BECHERER Garrick Higgo walks down the fairway on the ninth hole during the third round of the Zurich Classic on April 23, 2022, at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. Higgo leads the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Miss., by one stroke heading into the weekend

THE VARSITY ZONE

St. James coughs up big lead over St. Charles, wins on ﬁnal play

BY PATRICK WRIGHT

Contributing writer

St. James receiver Jakias Villanueva capped a dramatic backand-forth game with a 12-yard touchdown reception on the game’s ﬁnal play to give the Wildcats a 34-28 win over St. Charles Catholic in a nondistrict battle between ranked powers Friday night at Wildcat Stadium Villanueva was guarded closely in the front-left corner of the end zone but managed to get his hands on the pass from JaJuan Johnson, pop it up in the air and grab it as he fell to the turf as the ﬁnal horn sounded.

“Coach (LaVanta Davis) trusted me on the final play call,” Villanueva said. “I wanted to be a bigtime player and needed to make a play, and I did.

St. James (4-1) trailed by 14 in the ﬁrst half, rallied to lead by 14 midway through the fourth quarter, then found itself in a tie game with just over two minutes left after a pair of special teams breakdowns.

Landree LeBlanc

The ﬁnal drive for St. James featured a 71-yard completion to Kanye Zenon that set the Wildcats up at the 18 with just under a minute remaining. Zenon finished with six catches for 168 yards and two scores.

“We were up 14 with six minutes left. We have to ﬁnd a better way to finish the game,” Davis said. “I am thankful that we came out with the win and being able to coach up all of our mistakes, especially on special teams”

St. Charles dominated most of the first half and led 14-6 at halftime. The Comets won time of possession in the ﬁrst half 17:52-6:08 and allowed St James to run only 17 plays.

“Coach (LaVanta Davis) trusted me on the final play call. I wanted to be a big-time player and needed to make a play, and I did.”

JAKIAS

VILLANUEVA, St. James wide receiver

The Wildcats led 28-14 with 6:33 remaining when Villanueva scored on a 1-yard sweep, but the seemingly comfortable margin and momentum was short-lived.

Chrisdon McClain returned the ensuing kickoff 81-yard for a St. Charles (4-1, No. 7 in Class 4A) touchdown, and when St. James was forced to punt on its next possession, disaster struck again on special teams.

Wildcats punter Jaden Villanueva was pressured and tackled at his own 1-yard line without getting a kick away and the Comets tied the game three plays later with 2:33 remaining on a 2-yard run by quarterback

The second half was a different story as Johnson threw for 197 yards and a score and St. James outgained St. Charles 272-30.

“We went in at halftime and made some adjustments and played a better second half,” Davis said. “We are coached all week to run uptempo on offense and it worked better”

After taking an early 14-0 lead the St. Charles offense struggled to gain traction.

“We relaxed. Our offense lost us the game,” St. Charles coach Wayne Stein said. “We couldn’t get anything going after St. James’ two scoring drives (in the second half), and our defense was gassed. Our special teams tried to keep us in it with a couple of plays, but St. James turned it up to a championship caliber and we couldn’t match it

“They (St. James) scratched and clawed and they wanted it more than us, and it showed.”

Comeback kids

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Dutchtown clung to a touchdown lead against St. Amant, but late in the fourth quarter the Grifﬁns needed one more stop.

The Gators were driving but faced fourth and 4 at the Grifﬁns 11. St. Amant senior quarterback Cooper Babin dropped back and rocketed a ball toward the end zone. The ball went through the hands of one Dutchtown defensive back, but senior Martell Rogers was right behind him to nab the game-sealing interception.

“Just adrenaline, man, having faith in my teammates,” Rogers said about his pick. “Being patient.”

Dutchtown (4-1) completed a second-half comeback on Friday to win 35-28 after trailing 28-14 at the break. The win moved the Grifﬁns to 2-0 in District 5-5A.

“I’m just so proud of them,” Dutchtown coach Guy Mistretta said. “So many growing pains that we’ve gone through, but we’ve gotten better every week.”

Grifﬁns junior quarterback Owen Fletcher helped spark the comeback with one rushing and passing touchdown each in the second half. He ﬁnished 10-of-16 passing for 74 yards. Fletcher ran the ball 26 times for 240 yards with two rushing scores.

“We circled this as one of the best teams that we’re going to play on our schedule,” Fletcher said. “To come back and beat them, amazing feeling.”

Dutchtown began to chip away on the ﬁrst drive of the third quarter On third down near midfield, Fletcher burst up the middle and shed several tackles for a 58-yard rushing touchdown to cut the deﬁcit to seven.

The Grifﬁns tied it late in the third after driving 76 yards down the ﬁeld in nine plays Junior Carter Hedden capped the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run.

St. Amant (4-1, 0-1) scored all 28 of its points in the second quarter

After Dutchtown scored the opening touchdown late in the ﬁrst, St. Amant responded with a ﬁve-play, 32-yard drive to tie the game. Later in the second quarter, Babin broke free for a 71-yard run that put the Gators in the red zone. Junior running back Jourdan Hickerson closed out the four-play, 95-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown to put St. Amant in front. Rogerstiedthegameupquicklyafterhereturned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown.

St. Amant closed out the second with two touchdown passes by Babin, one for 75 yards and one for 14.

The Gators outgained Dutchtown 340 yards to 127 in the ﬁrst half. St. Amant was held to just 137 yards in the second half Dutchtown ﬁnished with 355 total yards.

“We knew we had to turn it on,” Fletcher said. “First half, made a lot of mistakes, but we picked it up and came back.”

Staff report Madison-Ridgeland Academy — thetop-rankedteaminMississippi, according to MaxPreps — entered Fridaynight’smatchupatMemorial Stadium averaging 45 points per game, but it was the defense that delivered the decisive play

The Patriots (6-1) stopped Catholic High running back Jayden Miles on a two-point conversion with 1:43 remaining to secure a 27-26 victory over the Bears.

Miles powered the Catholic (3-2) offense with 187 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 14 carries, including a 53-yard touchdown run on fourth down that set up the failed conversion.

After Madison-Ridgeland Academy jumped offside on the extra point, Catholic opted to go for two but was denied.

“Our team played with heart. That’s all you can ever ask a team to do,” Catholic coach Hudson Fuller said. “I take a lot of responsibility for where we’re at now, and we all have to move forward together.”

Colson Ocain led MadisonRidgeland Academy on the ground with 78 yards and two touchdowns.

Wade Hansford opened the scoring with a 25-yard ﬁeld goal after a nearly ﬁve-minute opening drive. Catholic answered with Baylor Graves’ 1-yard touchdown run, part of his 35 yards rushing and 44 yards passing on the night.

Beau Thomas was Catholic’s

leading receiver with two receptions for 23 yards.

After each defensive unit surrendered points on the ﬁrst drive, the defenses settled in.

Ocain’s 2-yard score late in the second quarter gave MadisonRidgeland Academy a 9-7 lead, and Hansford drilled a 50-yard ﬁeld goal at the buzzer to make it 12-7 at halftime.

Catholic regained the lead on Miles’ 16-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, but another failed conversion kept the advantage at just 13-12.

The Patriots answered with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Samuel Stockett to Michael McCrory and Stockett added the two-point run for a 20-13 lead. Stockett ﬁnished 21-of-37 passing for 242 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Case Thomas hauled in 10 catches for 101 yards.

Catholic pulled even at 20-20 in the fourth quarter when Ian Locklar returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown. Ocain responded with his second score, a 16-yard run, to put MadisonRidgeland Academy ahead 27-20 with 2:37 left.

“Our defense finds a way,” Patriots coach Herbert Davis said “They’ve done it in some other games for us this year

When we’ve needed a play, they made one They made a big one tonight.” Catholic will look to bounce back when it hosts Liberty at Olympia Stadium on Thursday

Dutchtown went in front early in the fourth quarter after drawing St. Amant’s defense closer to the line with ﬁve straight runs before Fletcher found a wide-open Hedden for an 11yard touchdown pass.

BY CHARLES SALZER Contributing writer

The Live Oak offense churned out morethan500yardsinFridaynight’s District 5-5A contest at East Ascension, but the story of the game was the Spartans defense.

East Ascension forced six turnovers and sacked Live Oak quarterback Cayden Jones ﬁve times as it pulled away in the second half for a 38-21 win.

Senior linebacker Tony Miles was one of the leaders for the Spartans, picking up three sacks and a fumble recovery Micah Levy had two interceptions and Carson Landry added two more sacks.

On offense, East Ascension (4-1, 2-0) stung Live Oak with big plays and had no turnovers.

“Our scout team did a great job getting us ready for (Live Oak’s) tempo (offense), and our defensive staff put together a great game plan,” East Ascension coach Brock Matherne said. “Our kids worked at it. It’s players that win games, and I’m proud of our guys.” Live Oak (2-3, 1-1) got 384 yards passing and three touchdowns

After struggling to score, St. Amant had two chances inside the red zone with less than two minutes to play Dutchtown forced an incompletion on fourth down from its own 3, and later, Rogers sealed the game with a pick.

“Your back is against the wall against a really good offense,” Mistretta said. “You just keep doing what you’re taught to do. We gave it on every play So proud.”

from Jones. He completed 34 of 51 passes, but he was intercepted four times. Three of those were tipped balls, and he also lost a fumble when the ball slipped out of his hand on a pass attempt.

“The ball didn’t bounce our way tonight,” Live Oak coach Randall Legette said. “It was going off of our hands and into theirs. I thought we moved the ball effectively, but you can’t have that many turnovers. Not against a good ball club like (East Ascension).”

East Ascension led 18-14 at the half and created all the separation it would need with three thirdquarter touchdowns. Zaylen Smith threw touchdown passes of 35 and 83 yards to Jayden Ursin In between those scores, Jason Blackburn broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run.

Live Oak moved into East Ascension territory on all four of its fourth-quarter possessions but came away with only one touchdown.

Smith completed 13 of 19 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Ursin added an 84-yard kickoff return for a score to his two receiving

touchdowns. Smith’s third TD pass was an 83-yarder to Jeremyah Merriweather The kickoff return came in the second quarter after Live Oak’s first touchdown. The long score gave East Ascension a 15-7 lead. An interception by Levy on Live Oak’s ensuing series led to a 28-yard field goal by Anthony Authement. That left Live Oak two minutes until halftime, and it was enough for one more score. Jones had five completions of more than 10 yards as he led the Eagles on a 69-yard drive in seven plays. He finished the drive with an 11-yard slant to Calvin Ursin for

PHOTOS By PATRICK DENNIS

Dutchtown quarterback Owen Fletcher completes a pass as St. Amant linebacker Kent Pearson

rst half of their game Friday in St. Amant. Dutchtown won 35-28.

THE VARSITY ZONE

Lafayette Christian holds on vs. Central

BY WILLIAM WEATHERS

Contributing writer

Lafayette Christian Academy continued to play up in weight class and eventually knocked out a state heavyweight.

A week after its ﬁrst loss to Archbishop Shaw — the reigning Division II select state champion the Knights’ torrid start and ability to keep Central — the reigning Division I nonselect state champion at arm’s length resulted in a 55-48 victory Friday at Wildcat Stadium.

“I was the interim coach when I made our schedule in March of 2024,” LCA coach Matt Standiford said. “We were begging people to schedule us. I told the parents it would be tough, but I knew we’d be able to compete and beat teams. It shows how tremendous our kids are.”

LCA, the No. 3 team in Class 2A, scored on four straight ﬁrst-half possessions and added a defensive touchdown for a 35-14 halftime lead. The Knights (4-1) held off a furious second-half rally from Central (4-1), which scored 34 points in the last 24 minutes.

The Wildcats, the No. 3 team in Class 5A, had an 11-game winning streak snapped.

“We told them that these guys were a super capable team and if we slept walked in the first quarter, or the first half, they had the capability of beating us,” Central coach David Simoneaux said “I’m super proud of our fight. We have to get a lot of stuff cleaned up, especially on the defensive side of the football. I don’t have a lot of qualms about what we did offensively expect for the turnovers in the second half.”

LCA’s offense piled up 438 yards behind the rushing Caiden Bellard (26-160, four touchdowns) and play

of quarterback Braylon Walker, a UL defensive back commitment.

Walker totaled 279 yards (131 passing, 128 rushing) and three touchdowns with his 58-yard scoring burst accounting for his team’s ﬁnal points with 4:44 remaining. Central, which suffered five turnovers, was efﬁcient as well.

The Wildcats had 356 yards of total offense with quarterback Max Gassiot combining for 225 yards (134, passing, 101 rushing) and three touchdowns including his second rushing TD with 2:05 to go.

Austin Adams added his sixth extra point.

Wide receiver Brody Diel led the Wildcats with 10 receptions for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns that fueled his team’s 20-point fourth quarter Bellard powered the team’s offense with touchdown runs of 1, 6

and 26 yards, helping the Knights to 240 yards, a unit that only faced three third downs and never punted in the first half. Walker also connected with Jace Babineaux in stride for a 33-yard scoring strike with 40 seconds to go before halftime.

The Knights added a defensive score midway through the second quarter for a commanding 21-0 lead when Jayden Arceneaux hit quarterback Jacori Platt on his delivery, enabling Joseph Adams to pick the ball out of the air and return it 45 yards for a touchdown.

“They’ve got some dynamic playmakers,” Simoneaux said.

“It’s a not a real complex scheme, but it’s very player-driven and those guys play really hard. They came into our house and earned victory We have to go back and learn something from it.”

Ohtani set for ﬁrst playoff start on mound

BY DAN GELSTON AP sports writer

Week 5 Scores Thursday Area Brusly 51, Belaire 12 East Feliciana 50, Capitol 6 Catholic-PC 44, Livonia 37 Denham Springs 41, Southern Lab 14 McKinley

Saturday for the Dodgers in the NL Division Series opener against the Phillies. The best-ofﬁve series between two franchises who have each played in a World

Series over the last three seasons — yet somehow haven’t met in the playoffs since 2009 — is loaded with star power Bryce Harper and Trea Turner Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Yet no player looms as large in the series as Ohtani.

The two-way global sensation didn’t pitch for the Dodgers last season while recovering from a second elbow surgery He still became the ﬁrst player with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases as the Dodgers won the World Series over the New York Yankees. Back on the bump this season, Ohtani struck out 62 batters over 47 innings with a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts. He has three straight scoreless starts for the Dodgers and is coming off his best outing of the season against Arizona. The right-hander’s

fastball was consistently in the 98100 mph range, hitting 101.2 on one delivery, over a season-high six innings. He struck out eight.

The 31-year-old Ohtani has slowly built up his pitch count as he returned from surgery He threw a season-high 91 pitches against Arizona

“I’m sure I’ll be nervous at times,” Ohtani said Friday through a translator “But more than that, I’m just really grateful that I get to play baseball at this time of the year And just being healthy is really important to me, so I’m just grateful for that.”

Ohtani pitched five hitless innings against the Phillies last month before the bullpen imploded in a 9-6 Philadelphia win. Ohtani struck out ﬁve and walked one. He threw 42 of 68 pitches for strikes and retired his ﬁnal 13 batters.

Patrick Taylor 27 D’Arbonne Woods 44, Green Oaks 42, OT Delta Charter 36, Cedar Creek 31 Destrehan 41, Terrebonne 28 E.D. White 49, South Lafourche 27 Ellender 10, South Terrebonne 9 Elton 41, Hanson Memorial 14 Erath 43, Westlake 15 Eunice 32, Welsh 29 Ferriday 26, Beekman 14 Franklin 36, Patterson 34 General Trass (Lake Providence) 32, Bastrop 30 Glenbrook 50, Plain Dealing 0 Grant 56, Bolton 0 Hahnville 48, H.L. Bourgeois 7 Hannan 34, St. Thomas Aquinas 7 Haynes Academy 44, Ben Franklin 29 Haynesville 56, Lincoln Preparatory School 19 Jesuit 20, Holy Cross 12 Karr 42, St. Augustine 21 Kinder 42, Logansport 30 LaSalle 36, Pickering 0 Lafayette 35, Sam Houston 28 Lake Arthur 47, Rosepine 8 Landry/Walker 18, Istrouma 8 Loreauville 21, Kaplan 20 Loyola Prep 71, Minden 48 Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Miss. 27, Baton Rouge Catholic 26 Mamou 20, Crowley 18 Mangham 42, Madison 8 Mansﬁeld 39, North Caddo 0 Marksville 46, Oakdale 8 McDonogh #35 53, East Jefferson 13 Merryville 22, Lena Northwood 20 Notre Dame 45, Cecilia 35 Natchitoches Central 42, Haughton 32 Neville 28, Sterlington 21 Catholic-New Iberia 49, Lake Charles College Prep 42 Newman 33, Riverdale 13 North DeSoto 44, B.T. Washington 16 North Iberville 46, Vinton 40 Northlake Christian 37, Breaux Bridge 7 Northside 49, Rayne 43 Northwest 44, Pine Prairie 0 Oak Grove 42, Delhi Charter 12 Opelousas Catholic 52, St. Edmund 30 Ouachita Christian 51, Rayville 6 Ouachita Parish 42, Franklin Parish 14 Parklane Aca., Miss. 35, Riverﬁeld Acad-

STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Lafayette Christian defender Jayden Arceneaux hits Central quarterback Jacori Platt to force an interception in the second quarter on Friday at Central.

Lafayette Christian quarterback Braylon Walker escapes from Central defensive back Marvin Joseph on Friday.

5tipsfor helpingpeople processacts of violence andterror

By 3p.m. on Sept. 10, my phone was blowing up with the news of conservative activist and radio host CharlieKirk having been shot at acollege campus event. It dominated the conversations between my clients and me for the next two days.

“Did you hear about Charlie Kirk?” they would ask. “I did. Did you watch the video?” I’d ask Most teens and young adults had seen the footage, now pulled down from media platforms, of the shooting.

“What was that like for you?”

Iasked them all Responses weremostly similar.Horrible, traumatizing and terrible were words used Many expressed sentiments of disbelief and described their shockedstate evendays later That’sunderstandable. Our psyche is not meant to witness such things, and when it does, it can experience trauma. Trauma occurs when we witness or experience something tragic and aren’table to make sense of it. There was a time when, in order to experience trauma, you had to experience it directly or witnessthe event

ﬁrsthand. But in today’sdigital age, many are traumatized by watching videos and even hearing secondhand accounts of atragedy.Add to that the ability to replay the video, for some multiple times, and one can worsen the traumatic experience.

Here are afew tips for helping people who have witnessed traumaticevents:

n Normalize their experience of the tragedy,but not the tragedyitself. It’simportant to know that it is normal and OK to experience feelingsof shock, fear and helplessness after witnessing such atraumatic event. Even if you didn’t experience the same thing, you can say,“It makes perfect sense to me that you’d be feeling these things considering what you’ve experienced.”

Be an empathic observer

This means asking them what it is like for them when they see or hear these things. For kids, we may want to offer them some options that we can guess they might be experiencing. “Was it scary for you to hear about that?” “What was the scariest part?” As they process what they’ve experienced, which may be brief, our paying attention and showing them that we care about their experience actually beginsor continues to heal the traumatic experience. Process your emotions with other adults, not kids. This can be tricky.It’sgood for young people to know that what has affected them has also affected you.This normalizes their experience. But we must be careful not to process all of our emotions withthem. Find friends, or evenaspiritual or psychological counselor,to help you process your emotions and experience.

Remind them that just because they can see things, doesn’tmean they should. You can’t “unsee” certain things, and it can be hard to heal from the experiencethe more our mind replays the event. Just becauseyou’ve already seen a tragic or violent video doesn’t mean that seeing it again won’tadd to the impact ofthe trauma

Assure them that youare available to talk withthem about it more than once. While mostkids know they can talk

Digital preservation

BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

Manypreferawork-lifebalance. Not Randy Wheeler

Hisworkday begins at the foot of his bed.

HisMid Citybedroom in Baton Rouge is one of his five physical mediatransferstationsinhis homewherehe started adigitaltransfer business in 2010. As technology has evolved, so has video, photoand audio playback formats, so Wheeler’scollectionofequipment grew

“It was aslow process,” Wheeler said of hisgrowing collection.“It started in one room and just sort of grew,and then you have to buy two or three of everything.”

The collection of equipment grew out of his ofﬁce, into hissecondofﬁce, living room, kitchenand bedroom.

Andnow,his home is aliving time capsule of ﬂoor-to-ceiling stacks of old video playback machines, ﬁlm reels, photoscanners and physical media capturing scenes across the world dating back acentury

be doing video. Thesubject matter varies alot.”

Allofitispreserved andrestored in one home.

Down therabbithole

Each of his ﬁve stations has different purposes, all less than a 10-second walk from each other

Wheeler hasseenthousands of weddings,birthday parties, high school football games and funerals.

He’swatched babies grow up, seen theevolution of Mardi Gras parades, viewed Vietnam Warfootageand listened to celebrityinterviews,including an audio interviewwith Jayne Mansﬁeldfour daysbefore shedied.

“That’sprobably why I’mstill doing it just because it’s awide range of stuff,” he said. “I’ll be doing audio one day and prints, and then I’ll

Right beside thefront door is his photo scanning and restoration station, taking form as adesk with abig monitor and an early 2000s Nikon photo scanner.Photo restoration is one of the many services Wheeler offers, ajob where he’s touched up photos datingbackto the 1920s. Someare so old they don’thave adate. His living room shelves are stockedwithold DVDs,CDs,cassettes, ﬁlm players or cardboard boxes holding what’sprobably even more oldﬁlm,camera gadgets andequipment parts that he bought from eBay

Down the hall leads to twooffice rooms, onefor film transfer and restoration, andthe otheroffice for

PHOTOSByMICHAEL JOHNSON

hishome in Baton Rouge.

Roy Petitfils

Dear Miss Manners: Inolonger give big birthday or holiday gifts. Ido this because afamily member died after Ihad purchased his Christmas gift.

Instead, Igive gifts irregularly throughout the year, as Imake or come across something that aperson will like. Imight alsorepair something for them as agift, or shovel their snow Once, Idrove someone to outpatient surgery and back, and cared for them until their spouse came home Everyone still gets atoken gift for their birthday and Christmas. Iwill say,“Youlikedlast year’s gift so well,Imade you another so you’d have apair.” Or,“Youbarely got any cookies last year,soI made

PROCESSING

Continued from page1D

toparents and other caring adults, it’sgood every once in awhile to remind them that you are asource of support forthem. This is truefor adults as well.We naturally hate to burden peoplewith our “stuff,” so reminding them multiple timesweare “here for you” makes iteasier to reach out. It can begood to check in with them even weeksafter by saying, “Hey,just checking in aboutwhat happened afew weeksago. How are you doing with that?” This doesn’tdrag it back up for them. It reminds them you care, and gives them another opportunity to do aselfcheck which can be healing in the wake of atraumatic event.

Petitﬁlsisalicensed professional counselor in Youngsville

your pajamas,” Mansfield said.

Andit’srelicslikethisinterview thatWheeler can access

at thetouch of afew buttons.

Acommunity service Wheeler,born and raised in

Chicago, came to Louisiana in 1988 whenheenrolled at Tulane,soon transferring to LSU before deciding he didn’t like college.Itwas theweather that drew him to Louisiana.

“I hadenough of the snow,” he said. “I’d rather be hot than cold.”

Hauling heavy video equipment through the snow just isn’tideal, he said. Since setting up shop in BatonRouge,his servicehas touched the hearts of community members. The endproductcan be emotional forclients, he said, particularly if they’re seeing old familyfootagefor the ﬁrst time. Clients oftenbring unlabeledboxes theyfound in attics or garages, so they may notknow what theﬁlm is

“You getpeople crying, because I’ll usually show part of it over there on the laptop,” he said, pointing to oneofhis stations. “And I’ll show them how the folder structure is of the ﬁles, but then you get something, and they’ll start crying.”

For Wheeler,the job keeps him content. He hasa couple of advertisements on Google and gets plentyofbusiness, he said. There’snonearby competitionoffering as manyservices as he does.

“I’m not getting bored with it.I don’tdislikeit,” Wheeler said. “I might as welldoitas much as Ican as long as Ienjoy doing it.”

STAFF PHOTOSByMICHAEL JOHNSON

Clothing give-away and health fair

Greater Divine Missionary Baptist Church, 6045 HooperRoad, Baton Rouge, will hold its annual Community Clothes Give-A-Way and Health &Wellness Fair for thesurrounding community from 9a.m. to noonSaturday

This free outreach event offers new andgently worn adult and children’sapparel along with accesstowellness resources. The public is invited. Donations are accepted

FOOTBALL

Continued from page1D

Afew seconds later

D’Antonio snapped the ball and surged toward Cillo, who at 6-foot-2 and 220 poundsis “small” only by football’s outsizedstandards. The whistle soon sounded to signal the end of the play following ashort gain. In that moment, Cillo was no longer burdened by the inescapable mid-life question of “what if?” He was no longer acuriosity,but an ofﬁcial, game-tested NCAA Division III college football player,just like everyone else in uniform on this sundrenched early fall Sunday

“It doesn’tcompare to the birth of your children,” the father of three said after making his debut as amember of Lycoming’sjunior varsity in a16-9victory on Sept. 28. “But I’m telling you, from acompetitor’s standpoint and aguy that’s loved to compete at different things over theyears, Ithink this goes to the top of the chart. This was awesome.”

How did aguy who is drawing from his pension and will be eligiblefor Social Security before he graduates end up leading his Gen Zteammates in an old-schoolpostgame cheer of “Hip Hip Hooray”? How didsomeone whodrivesto campus every day in asedan that might be older than some of his fellow freshmen become an unlikely —ifperfect —brand ambassador for atopical pain relieveras part of aNIL deal?

Dave Bellomo is glad you asked. Bellomo and Cillo who have known each other for 30 years —were chatting last spring when the conversation took aturn. Cillo had recently left his job as part of the Williamsport RecreationDepartment, where for more than threedecadeshekeptthe local streets and parks clean in the north-central Pennsylvania town most widely known as the home of the Little League World Series. He took amaintenancegig at Williamsport Area High School,where he graduated

through the Greater Divine Church app, available in the Google PlayStore. For more information,call thechurch ofﬁce at (225) 354-0459.

Church hosts service on breast cancer

Greater St. James Church, 1919 Arizona St.,Baton Rouge,will conductaBreast Cancer Awareness service at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Rev.Levie Wright invites all to wear pink and take part in this special service. Carolyn Gee will be the

guest speaker For moreinformation, call (225) 229-0762.

St. Francis Episcopal holdsblessing of pets

In honorofSt. Francis of Assisi’sfeast day,St. FrancisEpiscopal Church, 726 Maple St.Denham Springs, will host ablessing of the animals at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on the church lawn.

Clergy from St. Francis and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, members, friends and pets of all kinds

from in 1984, to give himself something to do.

Cillo could feel theclock ticking. He regretted not goingtocollege, not playing football beyond quitting after afew high school practices.

Bellomo, who served as Cillo’s de facto trainer as Cillo navigatedeverything from power lifting to marathons to triathlons, asked: Whynot now?

There have been AARP-eligible college football players before. TomThompson and Alan Moore were both 61 when they booted extra points.MikeFlynt returned fromalong break fromthe game to playone ﬁnalseason at linebacker for NAIAlevel Sul Ross State at 59. Joe Thomas Sr. moonlighted as arunningback forSouth CarolinaState at 55.

Allofthem, however,had some level of experience. And none of them played in the trenches. Bellomo had another question: Who cares?

Hearing someone else say out loud what he’d long told himselfprivately provided the sparkCillo needed.

“It’stimetoput regret, not even in the rearview mirror,but time to put it out of sight,” Cillo said. “Rearview mirror meansyou canstill seeit. Iwanted it out of the picturealtogether.Itwas time. It was now or never.”

Bellomo, who has trained athletes off and on since the 1990s, came up with aplan Strengthwasn’tgoing to be an issue, not for someone whocan pulla firetruck.

Conditioning, ﬂexibility and recovery were another matter entirely Enter what Bellomo called “‘Rocky’-type stuff.”

Sprinting up themassive hill that leads up to thehigh school.Thendoing it again, only this time while carrying a100-pound rock.Stretching exercises that would bring Cillo to the brink of tears. Cold immersion. Myofascial Therapy.Saunas. Cillo also needed to apply to Lycoming, asmall school of just over 1,000 students, and get accepted. Navigating thesea of paperwork wasn’texactlyeasyfor someonewho hadn’tbeen in the classroom for 40 years. Throw in the fiscal strain of paying for tuitionout of pocket —Cillo is using some of thatpension to offset the cost —and it’s alot.

“I’m taking ariskacademically,I’m taking arisk physically,deﬁnitelya risk financially,” Cillo said. “I smile alot, but I’msmiling through thestress.”

Being strong is one thing. Knowing howtouse that strengthtoplay football is something else. Forall of the wisdom gleaned from his lifeexperiences, Cillo was aneophyte when it came to Xs and Os

“Itwas tough,” Cillo said. “Some days I’dwake up andsay,‘You’ve gottoget around.’And my body would say,‘Pump the brakes, brother.’

Cillo willed his way through twoweeks of 12hour days of practices, meetings,walkthroughs and

areinvited. The church asks that all pets be safely contained or leashed for the comfort andsafety of everyoneatthe event.Photos of pets andstuffed animals also are accepted.

St. FrancisofAssisi is the patron saintofanimals and theenvironment,known for hislove of allcreation. He also careddeeplyfor the poor,sopet food forDenham Springs Animal Shelter will be collected on Saturday For moreinformation, call the churchoffice at (225) 665-2707.

meals

“He’staken some lumps, but he keeps coming back,” coach Mike Clark said. “He keeps learning, keeps working.”

Atypicalschool day begins with predawn hours spentstudying —Cillo is majoring in criminaljustice fornow —and chugging coffee. Then it’soff to campus in his black Chuck Taylors for classes. He’ll try to sneak in alittle treatment for whatever might be hurting on agiven day

While the rest of the Warriors head back to their dorms, Cillo insteadchecks in on his 90-year-old mother Rita, whoisdealing with a host of health issues. Sometimes that means staying the night to keep an eyeon her,which often means going withoutsleep.Nextday, samething.

The lastthing Cillo wants out of this is sympathy or preferentialtreatment in thelocker room or on the field. Clark, 54 and in his 18th season at Lycoming, never promised Cillo anythingother than an opportunity. If Cillo never plays in a varsity game, which would make him the oldestnonkickertoeversee action in an NCAA contest, so be it. He is fully committed to seeing this through as long as his body allows and it’s not just about the football.

Cillo provides countless rides and will occasionally pickupthe tab forapostpractice meal. He’ll give advice when asked, but doesn’t want to overstep. He ﬁgured that’swhat teammates do.

“Everyone just loves him,” fellow defensive lineman MasonWoodward said. “It’s like, ’Oh yeah, it’s Tom.’

Clarkcredits Cillo’s presence for helping the Warriors stay focused amid awinless start, intangiblesthatlast year’s groupstruggled with during adifficult season. If that’swhateventually becomes Cillo’slegacy at Lycoming, that’sﬁne with him Playing is just part of this experience. So is creating bonds with young men just starting to ﬁnd their way.If there’sanything he wants people to take away from this, it’s the message that it’s never too late.

Dear Heloise: Ihave been seeing lots of suggestions about recycling plastic bags. Isave all my plastic (and paper) bags. The majority are donated to my local food pantry as they are always in need of bags fortheir shoppers. Ieven save the plastic bags from itemsthat Iorder online. Someofthem are great forlining small trash cans. Someofthese bags are silver on the inside and can be turned inside out if you prefer this look. Someofthe bags have astrip that can be removed to seal the bag, in case you wanttoreturn the item(s). Youhave the option of resealing the bag once it’sfull. Someclothing items ordered online come in zip-close bags. Isave these forfood waste to reduce

By The Associated Press

Hints from Heloise

odors. Ihave also saved somefor packing items like shoes or bottles of shampoo when Itravel. Iput my pill caddy in one so that the pills are contained should one of the compartments open while traveling. Thanks forall your tips! Sandra, in Oxford, Ohio Securing information

Dear Heloise: At this timeof year,many organizations send out directories with updated personal information. When recycling old directories, Ishred the old itemsoratleast blackout anything personal with a black marker.You never know these days where your information can end up. —K.F., in San Pedro,California Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Today is Saturday, Oct. 4, the 277th day of 2025. There are 88 days leftinthe year

Todayinhistory: On Oct. 4, 1957, the Space Age began as the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, into orbit. Also on this date: In 1777, Gen. George Washington’stroops launched an assault on the British at Germantown, Pennsylvania, resulting in heavy American casualties and the retreat of Washington’sContinental Army In 1927, sculptor Gutzon Borglum began construction on what is now Mount Rushmore National Memorial. In 1965, Pope Paul VI became the first pope to visit the Western Hemisphere as he addressed the U.N. General Assembly In 1970, rock singer Ja-

nis Joplin was found dead in her Hollywood hotel room at age 27. In 2002, “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh received a20-year sentence after asobbing plea for forgiveness before afederal judge in Alexandria, Virginia. (He wasreleased from prison in May 2019.) In 2004, the SpaceShipOne rocket plane broke through Earth’s atmosphere to the edge of space forthe second time in ﬁve days, capturing the $10 million Ansari Xprize aimed at opening the ﬁnal frontier to tourists.

Today’sbirthdays: Baseball Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa is 81. Actor Susan Sarandon is 79. Actor Armand Assante is 76. Actor Christoph Waltz is 69. Singer Jon Secada is 64.

Actor Liev Schreiber is 58. Actor Abraham Benrubi is 56. Actor Alicia Silverstone is 49. Actor Caitríona Balfeis46.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Get in the game of life. Consider what makes you happy and head in that direction. It's up to you to create your destiny. Refuse to become a follower when you have so much to offer.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Muster up some time and energy to fix up your surroundings. The more comfort and convenience you surround yourself with, the better you'll feel and the more you'll accomplish.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Refuse to get trapped in someone else's drama. Distance yourself from downers and embrace those who enjoy the same things you do. Schedule an outing that offers a change of scenery.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Calculate your financial situation before taking on more expenses or debt. You are best not to fund someone else in good faith. Time is money, so map out your plans carefully.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb. 19) Pay attention; be ready to make a move on demand and set yourself up for success. Don't take on someone else's burden; offer advice, not hands-on help. Let your instincts be your guide.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Socializing is favored. Who you meet and what you learn will be helpful in something you want to pursue. Reuniting with someone special can be eye-opening, revealing new possibilities.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) The rewards will be astronomical if you go out of

your way to do something special for others. An outing or social event will offer insight into how you can improve meaningful relationships.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Adding to your skills will set you on a path that promises a bright future. Apply for seminars, network and establish yourself among people who can help position you for success.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Speak up, show discipline and interest, and offer alternatives that incorporate something you can offer into the mix. Getting along is half the battle when the competition is fierce.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) It's what you do that counts. Be the one to follow up and follow through, and you'll leave a lasting impression. Words mean nothing if you are all talk and no results.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Let your charm lead the way. A positive, entertaining attitude will draw a crowd. Take the high road, and you'll earn sympathy and admiration from those who matter.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Do what's best for you. Don't let a last-minute plan stop you from reaching your goal. It's time to simplify your life and your needs. Choose peace of mind over living beyond your means

FAMILY CIrCUS

TODAy'S CLUE: J EQUALS B

CeLebrItY CIpher For better or For WorSe

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

LAGoon

bIG nAte

nea CroSSwordS

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

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

BY PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Mark Twain said,“Necessity is the mother of taking chances.”

At the bridge table, the more chances you have to make your contract,the better. In today’s deal, South ended in five clubs.Westled the heart two. East won with the queen and, with nothing better todo,continuedwiththeheartace.After ruffing, what should South have done?

North sufferedgreatlyonthe second round of the auction. After opening one diamond, hearing Eastovercallone heart, and having partner respondtwo clubs, whatcould he do?Nothing was perfect.Eventually,hechosethreeclubs astheleastevil.ThenSouthcue-bidthree hearts,askinghispartnertobidthreenotrumpwith aheart stopper. WhenNorth could not, South settledinto five clubs.

South started with10top tricks: two spades,one diamond and sevenclubs. Heneededeitherathirdspadeorsecond diamond. Declarer initially wondered if either finesse would work, but then he saw he had abetter line of play.

South drew trumps, then maximized his chance for three spadetricksby playing aspade to dummy’s ace and leading aspade to his king. When the queen appeared, he wasplaying for an overtrick.ButifEasthadturnedupwith

queen-fourthofspades, Southwould have still hadthe diamond finesse on the back burner.

By AndrewsMcMeel Syndication

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

Previous answers:

InsTRucTIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Wordsthat acquire four letters by theaddition of “s,”

ToDAY’s WoRD sIDEBAR: SIDE-bar: Aconference between the judge and other parties unheard by the jury.

YEsTERDAY’s

thought

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer today’s

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard

Jury Type: Petit Judge: Alvin Batiste Jr.Date: Monday,November 10, 2025

AGOSTA, ANDREW P58500 VILLAGE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7421

ALBARADO, TODD J 59200-BNEW CAMP RDWHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-4141

AUSBON, TREMAINE R700-ABAYOU PAUL LN ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5402

BABIN, MELISSA GUIDRY23960 KIRTLEY DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5540

BALCUNS,JEREMY TATE59610 THOMAS ROSS DR PLAQUEMINE,LA70764

BALL, DARIEN FRANCES 58810 ISLAND DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764

BANKS, CARLYLE MARCELLE 58313 COURTSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2825

BARBAY, ERIN THIGPEN 5794 MONTICELLO ST ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4412

BARRILLEAUX, GERALD J4695 POINT CLAIR RD ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4108

BARROW,ALICIARAYE76905 JESSIE ROMIG DR GROSSE TETE, LA 70740-3438

BAYHAM, BARRYSCOTT 76750 FANNIE MAE LN GROSSE TETE, LA 70740

BEATTY,JOSEPH D58360 LABAUVE AVEPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3122

BELVIN, ALFRED MARTIN 3699 EVERGREENDRST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4647

BERTHELOT,TIMOTHY JOSEPH 59630 KEMBER DR PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-6559

BOOKSH, JEREMY PAUL 24165 CHARLES DR PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3523

BORRUANO, SUSIE PALAZZO 24675 KIRTLEY DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5507

BOSLEY,LATOYALETRICE 63120 BAYOUJACOBRDPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-5604

BOSS, VICKY DAVID 77355 MCBAYDRGROSSE TETE, LA 70740-3522

BOUDREAUX, ASHLEY NICOLE 33276 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7111

BOWERS, LA’MYRIA LIONESE 58920 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3032

BRANCH, MATARGEON

BRAHQUION MATTHEWS 5655 MAGNOLIA DE PERCY DR CARVILLE,LA70721

BROCK, WANDA RENA 58570 WARE DR PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-4248

BROOKS I, TAJMAH TAQUESHAGENNICE 1980 JAKE LN SUNSHINE,LA70780-3507

BROUSSARD, MIAH CARDWELL 510 SOUTH CLUB AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-4452

BROWN SR, MARIO DEJEAWN54850 BABIN DR WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2203

BRUNO, STEVEN WAYNE 20125 CHARLES ORY DR PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-5312

BULLOCK, RENEE CALLEGAN 58815 NEW CAMP RD WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-4137

BUSH, BLAINE DAVID 58185 MERIAM ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2720

CALLEGAN, CARRIE BORDELON 58385 HYMELSTWHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-4202

CANNON, LAURA MARIE 7220 BAYOUPAUL RD ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5718

CARRINGONE I, RYAN JOHN RANDOLPH 63250 BAYOURDPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5926

CARTER, CASSANDRA LYNN 58615 CAPTAIN THARRIS ST PLAQUEMINE ,LA70764-3001

CHARETTE, MATTHEW NORMAND PO BOX67ROSEDALE,LA70772

COCHRAN, SINTHIA MULLER57925 MCDANIELSTPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-2022

COLLINS, GERALD RAY24810 FRANK ST PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-4316

COSTLEY,LANELL 23946 JACKSONSTPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3030

COUSSOU, EMILYHEBERT24502 PECAN MEADOWDRPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-6055

CROUSILLAC, CONNER JACOB24020 BOUQUETLNPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3412

CRUMP,YOLANDA ANN 10845 GREENSTMARINGOUIN, LA 70757

CRUZ MELENDEZ, HONI 32175 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7100

DAIGLE, BARRYJAMES 36340 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7704

DAIGLE, DAVID J77505 WILLE DR GROSSE TETE, LA 70740-3531

DANNA, CAREY ELIZABETH 1695 SAN MIGUELDRST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5340

DAVIS, DOMINER RETILOR31835 DORCY RD WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-3617

DUHE, LAURA B195 SOUTH CLUB AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-4438

DUPLECHIN, SANDRA MARIE 25640 SPRING ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6319

DUPUY,CHERIE LYNN 58330 LABAUVE AVEPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3122

DUPUY,VONTEJAH SHANACIA 58085 NICHOLAS ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2238

EDWARDS, JALISA MICHELLE 32830 SHADY LN WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2316

EDWARDS, TAMMY TERRELL 56595 LAVIGNE ST BAYOUGOULA, LA 70788-3028

FALCON, NICHOLASBRADFORD 25465 HWY 77 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5432

FLENIKEN, STEVEN F79350 HURDLE RD ROSEDALE, LA 70772

FONTENOT,ANGEL BUNCH66315 STAMPLEYDRPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-7311

FONTENOT,JARRET M25740 TENANT RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6536

FOSTER, MARYAGNES 22930-B WARREN ST PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-2343

FOURROUX, BEVERLYANN 59120 OBIERAVE PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3454

FRANCIS, SHANDREKIA CAROLYN 6610 HWY 74 #905 ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4569

FRAZIER, GAIL L5627 POINT CLAIR RD CARVILLE, LA 70721

GAUDET III, JOHN L25365 FENNER ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4425

GHOLSON, COURTNEY BROOKE 16985 AUDREYLNGROSSE TETE, LA 70740-3028

GILBERT, DIANNA L57755 OURSO RD WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-3835

GILBERT, JERRIE STELLA 23919 JACKSON ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3029

GIVENS, DENISE SHANTELL 58454 WW HARLEAUX ST PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3136

GOFF,DIANA MICHELLE 1335 SPANISH LAKESAVE ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5335

GOODRUM, JAMES ALEXANDER1190 MADRID AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5332

GRANIER, JENNIFER E23940 FLORENCE DR PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3410

GRASSMAN, JEREMY JOSEPH 6962-B BAYOUPAUL RD ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5602

GRAVES, COREY MICHAEL 36605 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7707

GREAUD, KRISTEN DELAUNE 5645 BAYOUPAUL RD ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5108

GREEN, GABRIELLE L. 5455 SPRING LN #C CARVILLE, LA 70721-2149

GREVIOUS, KIYANNIE MAEISHA 10745 RAILROAD DR MARINGOUIN, LA 70757

GUERIN, RENEE LYNN BABIN 18745 SIDNEYRDGROSSE TETE, LA 70740-3207

GUILLOT,MARYS.23955 KIRTLEY DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5540

HANKS, JOHN CRAIG 25360 HACKBERRYLNPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4508

HARMASON, MARIOR 58310 WW HARLEAUX ST PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3116

HARRIS, ANDRES 1815 OAK WOODDRSTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5349

HARRIS, CLINTON FELIX 4880-B MARTIN LUTHERKING JR PKWY ST GABRIEL, LA 707764206

HARRIS, GLINDA M23919 JACKSON ST PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-3029

HARRIS, JOSEPH WAYNE 76375 GRIFFIN DR ROSEDALE, LA 70772

HARRIS, REGINALD 360 BAYOUPAUL LN ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5406

HARRIS, TARHONDA SHANTEL 77680 WHEELOCK LN MARINGOUIN,LA70757-3625

HART, JAMIE SALVADRAS 63690 BAYOU JACOB RD PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-5609

HAWKINS, BRENDA MARIE 77155 OAKS AVEMARINGOUIN, LA 70757

HAWKINS, SHELTON LEE 57749 MORRISON BLVD PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-7521

HAYDEL, KENNETH MITCHELL 20135 TONI LN #65PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764

HAYES, ELOISE JOSEPH 1700 JAKE LN SUNSHINE,LA70780-3509

HEBERT, KAYLANELIZABETH 30335 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6113

HERBERT, DESTINEE DELORES 55060 CYPRESS ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2550

HILL, KENDRA MONIQUE 5672 MAGNOLIA DE PERCY DR CARVILLE,LA70721-2103

HOLDEN, KAYLER DESHAN 2155 ELMCREST WAYSTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5354

HOLLAND, TIMOTHY DWAYNE 39575 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7736

HOWARD, CONSTANCE 5490 MORRIS ST CARVILLE, LA 70721

HUDSON, SETH PAUL 63837 BAYOUJACOBRDPLAQUEMINE,LA70764-5611

HUGUET,TRACY LEWIS29810 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6108

JACKSON SR, CHRIS NICHOLAS 2023 RAVIER LN SUNSHINE, LA 70780-3535

JENKINS, DEANDRE TYREE 23905 CASTLE CT PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3057

JOFFRION, MONICA ALEXIS 35175 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7601

JOHNSON, JOHN TRAVIS 25321 CLEMENT ST PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-4403

JONES JR, CARL DWAYNE 77925 BELMONT LN MARINGOUIN,LA70757-3003

JONES, CLAUDE DOUGLAS 30525 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6115

JORDAN, PHILICERE H58624 JETSONAVE PLAQUEMINE,LA70764-4236

JOSEPH, ALEXIS VICTORIA 5410 WILLIAM RD ST GABRIEL, LA 70776

KABAT, ALICIA BUCKELEW 1760 SHADOWBRUSH WAYSTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5350

KESSLER, DAVID LEON 32550 HWY 405 WHITE CASTLE,LA70788-2051

KNIGHT,ASHANTE BROWN56630 CPL HERMAN BROWN JR DR BAYOU GOULA, LA 707883115

KNIGHT III, HELLIONSHERRALD 32295 DOC DEANSTWHITE CASTLE,LA70788-2038

LACOMBE, TRINA SHORT19975 HWY 77 GROSSE TETE, LA 70740-3424

LAMAR SR, THOMAS 77055 SALARIE LN GROSSE TETE, LA 70740

LANDRY, ALYSSA SIMONEAUX2320 ELMCRESTWAY ST GABRIEL,LA70776-5357

LASSEIGNE, CHEYENNE NICOLE 16824 HWY 77 ROSEDALE, LA 70772-3710

LEBLANC, LOLA MARIE59655 HWY 1148 #101 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5336

LEE, DARELL B57678 TRUE HOPE LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4541

LEWIS II, MICHAEL JAROME32225 SONNY BARBIER ST WHITE CASTLE,LA70788

LITTEN,TODD H8240 MANCHAC RD ST GABRIEL,LA70776

LODGE, ALEXIS1500 BESSON LN SUNSHINE,LA70780-3537

MABERRY, JOLIE DUFRENE 140 POLITZ AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-4442

MAKER, ANITALYNETTE 24850 ALEXANDER ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4202

MARQUEZ, ARIEL ACHANTAY 29660 HWY 405 BAYOU GOULA, LA 70788-3026

MARTIN, KIMBERLY LADAWN 58826 ALLENSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3048

MARTIN, ZANERANDALL 34974 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7217

MCKINEY, TIAGIA RENEE 18515 HWY 77 GROSSE TETE, LA 70740

MELANCON,JERICA JON 1375 HWY 75 SUNSHINE,LA70780-3109

MELDRUM, ABIGAIL JOY1300 LAWRENCE PKY ST GABRIEL,LA70776

MERRITT,NATHANIELJOSEPH 58270 ELMSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3154

MIGLIACIO,JACQUELINE IRENE20120 SALLIE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5322

MILLER, MOLLYMCRAE 110 PECAN DR ST GABRIEL,LA70776-5500

MOORE, MANDY ELIZABETH 22740 JADE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5229

MORGAN,ANDREW T23910 FLENIKEN LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3012

MULMORE, WILLIE BEATRICE 22845 BLAKENEYLNPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5233

MULQUEENEY,REBECCA ENGLE 1680 SEVILLE DR ST GABRIEL,LA70776-5344

MYLES, TRAVISJAMARCUS 23995 HARMASON ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3069

NAQUIN JR,GARRETT MITCHELL 38855 BAYOU PIGEON RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7743

NELSON, DEVINDEVON 1400 ST FRANCIS LN ST GABRIEL,LA70776

NICHOLAS, TABREON JANEA 1695 RAVIER LN SUNSHINE,LA70780-3519

NICHOLSON,KELLYDENISE57610 RANDOM OAKS DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7001

OGLESBY,ANNIKAKATHERINE 58625 DELACROIX AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3527

ORILLION, PAULA FOSTER 57910 JOSEPH ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2019

ORTIZ, PATRICIA MORALES 39580 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7736

OUBRE SR, KEMPJEROID58886 ALLENSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3048

OURSO, JEFFREY MICHEAL 1455 BAYOU PAUL LN ST GABRIEL,LA70776-4925

OVERTON, RENEE 77215 RIDGEWOOD DR #2 MARINGOUIN,LA70757-3550

PANEPINTO, CASEY JOSEPH 749 RIVER RD SUNSHINE,LA70780-3203

PASSANTINO,KAREN R24435 TECHE ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4625

PATRICK,SAMUELJOSEPH 65225 QUALITY RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5941

PATTERSON,STEPHANIE JACKSON 10220 HWY 77 MARINGOUIN,LA70757

PAUL, DEWANNA LYNN 10705 1ST ST MARINGOUIN,LA70757

PAUL, LISA WICKS 59077 NATHAN GEORGETOWN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3035

PERKINS,DARREL L59405 KEMBER DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6569

PETERS, JONATHAN W5460 BETTY MARTIN DR #T4CARVILLE,LA70721-2130

PIERCE, TAMMY WASHINGTON 57120 CPL HERMAN BROWN JR DR BAYOU GOULA, LA 707883120

PIERSON,COSHANNON MARIQUISHA 24654 EUGENEPSTEVENS ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4018

PITRE, BESSIER 57889 ORANGE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2117

PUGH, TERRYWILLIAMS 23947 HARMASON ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764

RAY, REGGIE JERTELL 32670 LEONA AVEWHITE CASTLE,LA70788-2516

REED, JULIE ANN24285 GOLDEN SHORE AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5276

RICHARD, DWAYNE KEITH 36345 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7704

RICHARD JR, JEREMIE LAMOUND 32030 LACROIX RD WHITE CASTLE,LA70788-3560

RICHARDS, ERICJAMES 54950 BABIN DR WHITE CASTLE,LA70788-2201

RILLS, SCOTT OBLAIN36491 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7705

ROBERTSON,FEBBE BROWN 5617 POINT CLAIR RD CARVILLE,LA70721-2123

ROBERTSON,JAMES 24145 JASE ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5549

ROGERS, CHRISTINA LANEITHIA 58655 DELACROIX AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3527

ROMERO JR, BRIAN PAUL 20830 CHARLESORY DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5319

ROMIG, DEVIN JACOB 77305 JESSIE ROMIG DR GROSSE TETE, LA 70740

ROSALES-CALDERON, KAYLEM IANNELLI 23051 JADE DR #1CPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5263

ROTH, COREY MICHAEL 31235 HWY 1WHITE CASTLE,LA70788-3114

SANCHEZ, MARGARET MORELL 31815 ALOYSIA RD WHITE CASTLE,LA70788-3613

SAURAGE, BRYCEJOSEPH 24140 CALVIN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3604

SCOTT,DARIUS JERMAINE 32290 FRANCISE ST WHITE CASTLE,LA70788

SCOTT SR, TERRELL 59205 NATHAN GEORGETOWN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3071

SEXTON,SHERILYN76980 ROSEDALERDROSEDALE, LA 70772

SHAW,BIONCA CHANTE23465 MARSHALLSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2623

SMITH, BYRON TERRELL77375 AUGUSTAAVE #B ROSEDALE, LA 70772

SOLAR, GARY JAMES 38895 HWY75PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7729

SPRIGGS,SAMUEL58606 JETSON AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4236

STEWART, BRYANGEORGE27464 HWY 405 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6908

TAYLOR, SHANDREKIAJONTREA 32815 LEEST#B WHITE CASTLE,LA70788-2311

THERIOT,MORTY JUDE 36545 FIFTY FOOT RD WHITE CASTLE,LA70788-4421

TILLMAN, JONATHAN LEONARD 23900 MARSHALLSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3124

TIRCUIT,DANAANN 6400 BAYOU PAUL RD ST GABRIEL,LA70776-5523

TOBISON, STEPHANIE LYNN 1735 SHADOWBRUSH WAYSTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5350

TURNER, TISHA MARIE76460 COREY RD ROSEDALE, LA 70772

VAUGHN, RAYMONDJOSEPH 58355 ELMSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764

VIDEAU, DARRYLYNNNICOLE 5455 WILLIAM RD ST GABRIEL,LA70776-4226

WILBERT, JOHANNA60725 BAYOU RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6026

WILLIAMS, CHRIS 24840 RAILROAD AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4244

WILLIAMS, COURTNEY JAVAE1400-A BESSON LN SUNSHINE,LA70780-3538

WILLIAMS, NICHOLAS JULIAN 37155 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7712

WILLIAMS, REIONCEVANESSA 2053 RAVIER LN SUNSHINE,LA70780-3535

WILLIAMS, ROGER D58045 BELLSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2203

WILLIAMS JR, ROYAL JAMAR 57555 CPL HERMAN BROWN JR DR BAYOU GOULA, LA 707883124

WILLIAMS, SHIRLEYMITCHELL57665 TRUE HOPE LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4541

WILLIAMS SR, SIMONJALEEL 5540 MAGNOLIA SPRINGS PKWY #UNIT BCARVILLE,LA707212101

WILLIAMS, TERRANCE 58150 GAYSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4275

WILSON, CYNTHIA MARIE5686 MAGNOLIA DE PERCYDRCARVILLE,LA70721-2103

WILSON, JOYVANTE LEETRICE 22915 AIDAN RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764

WILSON, SHANIAMONIQUE 58545 WARE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4247

WOODFORK, ARNICKAKELMONI 57756 BRODE ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4540

WORLEY,ANGELA PATRICIA 57730 DESOBRYSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3756

ZITO JR, ANTHONY58089 MAIN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2515

Juror Count: 200

161131-563739

Baton Rouge Weather

Many Americans arefortunate to have dentalcoverage fortheir entire working life, through employer-providedbenefits. Whenthose benefits end with retirement, payingdental billsout-of-pocketcan come as ashock, leading people to put off or even go without care.

Simply put—without dental insurance, there maybe an importantgap in your healthcare coverage

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