ABOVE: Arider on afloat from Jaguar Athletics tosses beads Sunday along Harding Boulevard in BatonRouge during the Southern University Homecoming parade.
RIGHT: The Madison Prep band marches in the Homecoming parade.
FARRIGHT: GalaJ.Marcus, left, the95th Miss Southern University, wavesfrom afloat
STAFF PHOTOSByMICHAEL
JOHNSON
FifoletHalloween organizers fear this year’s will be last
BY QUINN COFFMAN |Staff writer
Weimer locked in ayearslong battle over specialfund
BY TYLER BRIDGES |Staff writer
JohnWeimer sits atop thejudicial system in Louisiana as the chief justice of the state SupremeCourt.
But Weimer has spent years running into abrick wall of opposition from judges when he tells them that they have to make adecision thatwould hit them in the pocketbook.
Weimer
Last week, they disregarded Weimer’s plea once again. One judge even engaged in atesty exchange with him over their disagreement.
For several years, Weimer has been trying to convince an obscure board called the Judicial Supplemental Compensation Fund to pay the Supreme Court for the time its staff spends to administer it.
ä See PAY, page 6A
BatonRouge nonprofithelps struggling teens youthOasis offers help forthose at risk of homelessness
BY AIDAN McCAHILL |Staff writer
JavoniFortner didn’thave aplan when she ran away from home.
Butorganizersfearthe 2025 parade, which rolls for its 15th year on Saturday,might be the last one they can affordtostage.
“We’rereally concerned,” said Kelley Stein,co-founder and chieffinancial officerof10/31 Consortium,whichhosts theparade. “I mean, we got it covered
When the Fifolet Halloween Festival comes to BatonRouge each year,residents expect a haunted ball, costumedonations forthe city’schildrenand aparade of spookily-decorated floats streaming through downtown.
this year OK, but we just don’t know what’sgoing to happen for next year.Weare preparing ourselvesfor this to be ourlast parade.”
The new financial pressure comes from achange in Baton Rouge Police Departmentpolicy surrounding event security.
Before 2025, when the BRPD took a$9million hit to its budget, thedepartment performed those duties free of charge.
In July,the Cortana Kiwanis canceled this year’sChristmas Parade, citing growingsecurity costs from the city-parish.
Stein said BRPD quoted
Specifically,organizersare now expected to pay labor costs for theofficers who block off streets and provide security at events.
At 12, Hurricane Katrina forced her family out of New Orleans. While they split timebetween Houston and Baton Rouge, Fortner was forced to spend most of it inside,babysitting her twoyoungerbrothers andsuffering physical abuse at the hands of her mother “One day it was really bad, and I just decided to leave,” she said. At 17,Fortner left in themiddleof the night, first hiding at the home of
Madagascar’s president says coup is underway
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar Madagascar’s president said Sunday that an attempted coup was underway in the Indian Ocean country, just a day after members of an elite army unit joined youthled protests against the government and called for the president to step down.
President Andry Rajoelina’s office offered no details on who was behind the attempt and no signs of violence were immediately visible on the streets on Sunday, although there was a large military presence.
A commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, Col. Michael Randrianirina, denied any coup had taken place, but the unit claimed to have taken control of all of Madagascar’s armed forces and said it had installed a new leader of the military, Gen. Demosthene Pikulas.
“We responded to the people’s call,” Randrianirina told reporters. Pikulas who spoke alongside Randrianirina, declined to say if they had asked Rajoelina to resign, but the CAPSAT army unit appeared to be in a position of authority Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of the most significant unrest in years in the nation. The protests were led by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar,” and the United Nations says the demonstrations have left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured. The government has disputed this number The whereabouts of the president were not immediately known on Sunday Community mourns factory blast victims
NUNNELLY,Tenn. — Just miles from a rural Tennessee plant leveled by a devastating explosion, the congregants of Maple Valley Baptist Church devoted Sunday’s service to the 16 deceased victims and their families.
Several of the dozens of people praying at the small church knew someone who worked at the plant owned by Accurate Energetic Systems, which supplies and researches explosives for the military and is a well-known employer in the area.
“There’s a somber kind of vibe right now in the community just because it’s so many lives that have been affected by it,” said Pastor Jimmy Andrews of the church in Nunnelly “It’s family and friends just trying to hold each other up during this most difficult time.”
Churches across many of the area’s small close-knit communities, including another one attended by Gov. Bill Lee on Sunday, did the same through vigils and services as many tried to make sense of the devastation.
“The losses are staggering,” Lee told reporters after surveying the damage by helicopter and attending Compassion Church in nearby Waverly
California beachgoers watch helicopter crash
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. A helicopter that was coasting above a popular Southern California beach Saturday suddenly lost control and began spiraling in midair, eventually losing altitude and slamming into a row of palms as stunned sunbathers and beachgoers looked on. Multiple videos posted online show the aircraft twirling clockwise above Huntington Beach, then plunging toward the edge of the beach, where it becomes wedged between palms and a staircase near Pacific Coast Highway The Huntington Beach Fire Department said five people were hospitalized, including two who were in the helicopter and were “safely pulled from the wreckage.” Three other people on the street were injured.
BY SAMY MAGDY, SARAH EL DEEB and MELANIE LIDMAN Associated Press
CAIRO Israel said Sunday that it expected all living hostages held in Gaza to be released Monday in its breakthrough ceasefire deal with Hamas, as Palestinians awaited the release of hundreds of prisoners held in Israel and a surge of aid into the famine-stricken territory.
“In a few hours, we will all be reunited,” Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement.
President Donald Trump planned to visit Israel and Egypt on Monday to celebrate the ceasefire announced last week in the two-year war
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said all 20 living hostages were expected to be released at one time to the Red Cross, then driven to a military base to reunite with families or, if needed, immediately to a hospital.
After the hostages are freed Israel was ready to release about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages believed to be dead.
An international task force will start working to
locate deceased hostages who are not returned within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing. Officials have said the search for their bodies, possibly under rubble, could take time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose name was booed repeatedly Saturday night at a weekly rally for the hostages in Tel Aviv, said in a statement that Monday would be a “path of healing.” Many Israelis have accused him of drawing out the war for political aims, which he has denied.
Timing has not been an-
nounced for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. They include 250 people serving life sentences in addition to 1,700 seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge.
A Palestinian official said a Hamas delegation was in Cairo speaking with mediators about the list of prisoners. The official said Hamas is pressing for the release of Marwan Barghouti, the most popular Palestinian leader and a potentially unifying figure, along with several others serving life sentences. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which views Barghouti as a terrorist leader Israel has warned Palestinians in the West Bank against celebrating after the releases, according to a prisoner’s family and a Palestinian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it. Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions. The Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid in Gaza said the amount of aid entering was expected to increase Sunday to around 600 trucks per day, as stipulated in the agree-
ment.
“Much of Gaza is a wasteland,” U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told The Associated Press. He said the U.N. has a plan for the next two months to restore basic medical and other services, bring in thousands of tons of food and fuel and remove rubble.
Egypt said it was sending 400 aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday for screening by Israeli troops. AP footage showed dozens of trucks crossing the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing. The Egyptian Red Crescent said the vehicles carried medical supplies, tents, blankets, food and fuel.
The United Nations has said it has about 170,000 metric tons of food, medicine and other aid ready to enter
The fate of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli- and U.S.-backed contractor that replaced the U.N. aid operation in May as the primary food supplier in Gaza, remained unclear
The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, which has the equivalent of 6,000 trucks of aid waiting in Egypt and Jordan, also had no clarity on its role. A spokesperson for the agency known as UNRWA, Jonathan Fowler, said the organization has enough food in its warehouses for Gaza’s entire population for three months.
BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE, AAMER MADHANI and JOSEPH KRAUSS Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump set off for Israel and Egypt on Sunday to celebrate the U.S.brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas and urge Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build a durable peace in the volatile region.
support of Israel’s decimation of Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Very excited about this moment in time,” Trump told reporters before Air Force One took off.
He said many people in both Israel and Arab countries were “cheering” the agreement, adding that “everybody’s amazed and their thrilled and we’re going to have an amazing time.”
It’s a fragile moment with Israel and Hamas only in the early stages of implementing the first phase of the Trump agreement designed to bring a permanent end to the war sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants.
Trump thinks there is a narrow window to reshape the Mideast and reset longfraught relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
It is a moment, the Republican president says, that has been helped along by his administration’s
The White House says momentum is also building because Arab and Muslim states are demonstrating a renewed focus on resolving the broader, decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, in some cases, deepening relations with the United States.
Trump’s comments as the trip began followed him saying Friday that “I think you are going to have tremendous success and Gaza is going to be rebuilt” and that “you have some very wealthy countries, as you know, over there. It would take a small fraction of their wealth to do that.
And I think they want to do it.”
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for the release of the final 48 hostages held by Hamas, including about 20 believed to be alive; the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel; a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza; and a partial pullback by Israeli forces from Gaza’s main cities.
Israeli troops on Friday
finished withdrawing from parts of Gaza, triggering a 72-hour countdown under the deal for Hamas to release the Israeli hostages, potentially while Trump is on the ground there He said he expected their return to be completed on Monday or Tuesday
Trump will visit Israel
first to meet with hostage families and address the Knesset, or parliament, an honor last extended to President George W. Bush during a visit in 2008. Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said Trump also was likely to meet with newly-freed hostages, too.
“Knock on wood, but we feel very confident the
BY LEWIS LEVINE Associated Press
ST HELENA ISLAND, S.C. — A mass shooting early Sunday at a crowded bar on an idyllic island considered to be the largest Gullah community on the South Carolina coast has left four people dead and at least 20 injured, officials said.
ment, which was packed for a high school alumni event, when he heard shots going off “in bursts” outside He described the scene: “Screaming and panic and fear.”
n A story and headline in the Sunday edition of The Advocate misspelled the first name of city judge election winner, Calli Boudreaux.
n A story in Sunday’s edition of The Advocate had the wrong day listed for this week’s Louisiana Inspired book club event. The meeting is at noon Thursday at the Main Library in Baton Rouge. The Advocate regrets the errors.
A large crowd was at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island when sheriff’s deputies arrived and found many people with gunshot wounds An estimated 5,000 or more Gullah people living on the island trace their ancestry back to enslaved West Africans who once worked rice plantations in the area before being freed by the Civil War.
Bar owner Willie Turral was inside the establish-
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on the social platform X that many people ran to nearby businesses seeking shelter from the gunfire.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the statement said.
“We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones.”
Among the injured, four were in critical condition at hospitals Sunday afternoon. The victims’ identities were not released.
Turral said the bar was hosting an event for alumni of Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, about 10 miles northwest of St. Helena Island. He said people were having a good time when the shots were heard.
“It was scary from the inside,” he said, with “people not knowing what’s really going on outside, people trying to get to safety.”
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace posted on X that she was “COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting.”
Willie’s Bar and Grill advertises itself as serving authentic Gullah-inspired cuisine and describes itself on its website as “not just a restaurant but a community pillar committed to giving back, especially to our youth.”
hostages will be released and this president is actually traveling to the Middle East, likely this evening, in order to meet them and greet them in person,” Vance told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Trump then stops in Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will lead a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with leaders from more than 20 countries on peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East.
It is a tenuous truce and it is unclear whether the sides have reached any agreement on Gaza’s postwar governance, the territory’s reconstruction and Israel’s
demand that Hamas disarm. Negotiations over those issues could break down, and Israel has hinted it may resume military operations if its demands are not met.
“I think the chances of (Hamas) disarming themselves, you know, are pretty close to zero,” H.R. McMaster, a national security adviser during Trump’s first term, said at an event hosted by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies on Thursday. He said he thought what probably would happen in the coming months is that the Israeli military “is going to have to destroy them.”
day
BY STEVE PEOPLES AP national political writer
Vice PresidentJDVance
on Sunday said there will be deeper cuts to the federal workforce the longer the government shutdown goes on, adding to the uncertainty facing hundreds of thousands who are already furloughed without pay amid the stubborn stalemate in Congress.
Vance warned that as the federal shutdown enteredits 12th day,the new cuts would be “painful,” even as he said the Trump administration worked to ensure thatthe military is paid this week and some services would be preserved for low-income Americans, includingfood assistance.
Still, hundreds of thousands of government workers have been furloughed in recent days and, in acourt filing on Friday,the Office of Manage-
ment andBudget said well over 4,000 federal employees would soon be fired in conjunction with theshutdown.
Theeffects of the shutdown also grew Sunday withthe Smithsonianannouncing its museums,research centers and the National Zoo are temporarilyclosedgoing forward for lack of funding.
“Thelonger thisgoes on, thedeeper the cuts are goingtobe,” Vance saidon FoxNews’“SundayMorning Futures.” “Tobeclear, some of these cuts are going to be painful. This is not asituation that we relish. This is not something that we’re looking forward to, but the Democratshavedealt usapretty difficult setofcards.”
Laborunions have already filedalawsuit to stop the aggressive move by President Donald Trump’s budgetoffice, which goes far beyond what usually happens in a government shutdown, further inflamingtensions between theRepublicanswho control Congress and the Democratic minority
The shutdown beganon Oct. 1after Democratsrejected ashort-term funding fix and demanded that the bill include an extension of federal subsidies for health insuranceunderthe Affordable Care Act. The expiration of thosesubsidies at the end of the year will result in monthlycost increases for millions
Trumpand Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiations on the health subsidies, but insist the government must reopen first.
For now,negotiations are virtually nonexistent.Dug in as ever,House leaders from both partiespointed fingers at each other in rivalSunday appearances on “Fox News Sunday.”
“Wehave repeatedly made clear that we will sit down with anyone,anytime, anyplace,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem JeffriesofNew York. “Republicans control theHouse, the Senate and the presidency. It’s unfortunate they’ve tak-
en amy-way-or-the-highway approach.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, blamed Democrats and said they “seem nottocare” about thepain the shutdownisinflicting.
“They’re tryingtheir best to distract theAmerican people from thesimple fact that they’ve chosen apartisan fight so that they can prove to their Marxist rising base
Alaska flooding carries away homes
BY KATHY MCCORMACK Associated Press
Anor’easter churnedits way up the East Coaston Sunday,washing out roads and prompting air travel delays as heavily populated areas of the Northeast experienced excessive rain, lashing winds and coastal flooding
Across the continent in western Alaska, the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought hurricane-force winds and catastrophic flooding to coastal communities, pushing entirehouses off their foundations.
Rescue aircraft were dispatched to the tiny Alaskan villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, where there were reports of up to 20 people possibly unaccounted for, said Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the state Division of HomelandSecurityand Emergency Management.
“Wehave received reports that people’s homes have floated away and that people were potentially in those homes,” Zidek told The Associated Press.
Alaska
Carolinas all the way north into New England. “The greatest effectsare goingtobethe coastal floodingpotential,” said meteorologist BobOravec with the National Weather Service in CollegePark,Maryland In Delaware, emergency management officials activated the state National Guard in response to rising floodwatersand harsh winds. Avoluntary evacuationorder wasissued for thetown of Bowers Beach, wherethe Murderkill River
na,where several motorists hadtoberescued whenrising watersinundated their cars,Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis told thePost and Courier on Sunday The weather service said partsofthe countyreceived up to seven inches of rain.
FurthersouthinCharleston, SouthCarolina, many downtownstreets were closed because of flooding. Homeowner David Graubnerspent theweekend pumping out his property,
ern counties in her state as thestorm gained strength Sunday evening. She urged people to monitor forecasts and avoid travel.
Parts of thestate are forecasttoexperience moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash flooding, winds up to 60 mph, up to 5inches of rain and high surf, potentially causing beach erosion. Somevolunteers were puttingsandbags at beaches.
The National Weather Service placed New York City, Long Island and southern WestchesterCounty under acoastal flood warning and wind advisory through at least Mondayafternoon. Coastal areas of suburban Long Island couldsee flooding, with up to 3inchesof rainand high winds, the weather service said.
Wind gusts of more than 30 mph were already being recorded in the region on Sunday morning.
Utilities in the area have added more than 1,600 workers to respond to the storm Someflight delays and cancellations were announced in airports from Washington,D.C., to Boston.
The storm was expected to moveout by Monday night
in the Democratic Party that they’re willing to fight Trump and Republicans,” he said.
Progressive activists, meanwhile, expressednew supportfor the Democratic Party’spositioninthe shutdown fight. Ezra Levin, co-founder of the leading progressive protest group Indivisible,said he is “feeling good about the strength of Dem position.”
He pointed to fractures in the GOP,noting that Georgia Rep.Marjorie TaylorGreene publicly warnedlast week thathealth careinsurance premiums would skyrocket foraverage Americans including her own adult children —ifnothing is done. “Trump andGOP are rightfullytakingthe blamefor the shutdown and for looming premiumincreases,” Levin said. “Their chickens are coming home to roost.” And yetthe Republican administration and its congressional allies are showing no signs of caving to Democratic demands or backing away fromthreatstouse the opportunity to pursue deeper cuts to the federal workforce.
Thousands of employees at the departments of Education, Treasury,Homeland Security and Health and HumanServices, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, areset to receive layoff notices, according to spokespeople forthe agencies and union representatives for federal workers.
BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
ABOARD AIRFORCE ONE
President DonaldTrumpon Sunday warned Russia that he may send Ukraine longrange Tomahawk missiles if Moscow doesn’tsettle its war there soon —suggesting thathecould be ready to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin’sgovernment using akey weapons system
“I might say,“Look: if this warisnot going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,” Trump toldreportersaboardAir Force One as he flew to Israel. “The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon,very offensiveweapon. Andhonestly,Russia does not need that.”
Trump said, “I might tell them that if the waris notsettled—that we may very well.” He added, “We may not, but we may do it Ithink it’s appropriate to bring up.”
His comments came after Trump spoke by phone earlierSundaywith Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy,and Trump said he mentioned possibly sending Tomahawks during that conversation.
“Dotheywanttohave Tomahawks going in that direction? Idon’tthink so,” Trump said of Russia.“I think Imight speak to Russia about that.” He added that “Tomahawks are anew step of aggression.”
His suggestions followed Russia having attacked Ukraine’spower grid overnight, part of an ongoing campaign to cripple Ukrainian energy infrastructure before winter.Moscow also expressed “extreme concern” over theU.S.potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Putinhimselfhas previously suggested that the UnitedStates supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington.
a nearby friend, then stumbling upon Youth Oasis, a small homeless shelter for teens on South Acadian Thruway
“I can’t even remember how I got to this side of town,” she recalls years later The 15-bed shelter converted from an old synagogue — wasn’t much, but it was what she needed to formulate a plan. She was too afraid to contact family members, she said, or staff at Woodlawn High School Three weeks into her stay at Youth Oasis, she was gone again
“I was scared my mom was going to find me again,” she said. “The people here were nice; they provided everything I needed. But I knew I wasn’t going anywhere if I just sat here.”
At 32, Fortner came back to the same building that briefly sheltered her, helping young people facing the same struggles she did The small Baton Rouge nonprofit, no longer a traditional group home, now offers services for young people at risk of homelessness, including those transitioning out of Louisiana’s foster care and juvenile justice systems.
“If I had the opportunities that they are giving out now, I probably would have finished high school,” Fortner said.
Tekoah Boatner, executive director of Youth Oasis, said Louisiana’s children and teens continue to face among the worst conditions in the country Drawing on publicly available data from federal and state agencies including the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, Louisiana Department of Education and the Office of Juvenile Justice — as well as nonprofits focused on teen homelessness and behavioral health Boatner recently compiled a report highlighting persistent challenges facing Louisiana’s youth. It found that in Louisiana, nearly 1 in 5 children live in poverty, while 17.7% of 16- to 24-year-olds are not in school or work.
“It’s a precarious time I worry about the kids,” Boatner said. “We have too many gaps for kids to fall through, (and) it is getting worse.”
Quality over quantity
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Youth Oasis welcomes any child seeking free counseling, therapy, health checkups or job training through its partnership with Empower 225. The brick building also serves as an after-school hub, where teens can learn to cook, play basketball and receive tutoring. But what sets Youth Oasis apart is its housing model. The organization, originally founded in 1998, rents five multi-bedroom homes across Baton Rouge that shelter 12 teens ages 16 to 18, and also provides apartments for 11 young adults up to age 24.
“There, they learn all the things they didn’t quite learn to do in a stable home,” said Boatner, including personal hygiene, cooking and a sense of independence she believes most institutional settings do not provide.
Between the residential program and the rest of their services, Youth Oasis serves about 50 to 70 young people a year with an operating budget of $3 million, Boatner said. Staff make a living wage, with the goal of making a bigger impact on a smaller group of kids.
“It’s absolutely quality over quantity.” Boatner said. “We want to see them actually change. It takes time.”
With a severe shortage of foster homes in Louisiana, many children are placed in group homes instead. Of the more than 4,300 children in the state’s foster care system, Boatner’s report found 742 live in one of 35 licensed group homes, each serving a specific niche ranging from facilities for female trafficking victims to homes for troubled boys or young people with psychiatric needs.
“Unfortunately, with all the models in place in Louisiana, there’s just not enough placements for the kids in need,” said Marcus Alexander, senior director of Gulf Coast Social Services, a nonprofit that supports at-risk youth and families across the state.
According to Boatner’s report, 23% of children in Louisiana’s foster care system have been placed more than three times. She recalls one teen who had been placed in 29 different foster care homes before arriving at Youth Oasis. At the time, children between the ages of 11 and 16 were housed together in close quarters. Funding was limited, fights were frequent and young people often waited months for counseling
“We found the kids just cycled through the system,” she said. “Kids should be in a group home setting for 90 days.”
Many young people instead stayed for years, often unwilling to leave once they reached the age of 18.
“There were some kids who would not leave when it was time. They could not
see life outside of here,”
Boatner said.
In one of the few studies that tracked a group in the Midwest aging out of foster care researchers found between 31% to 46% of the children experienced homelessness by the age of 26
The National Foster Institute estimates 50% of the nation’s homeless population spent time in the foster care system.
“Unfortunately, the outlook is bleak if a child ages out of a system and they have nowhere else to go,” Alexander said.
After two decades in nonprofit work, Boatner joined Youth Oasis in 2017 and soon began phasing out the group home model. Around the same time, the organization started taking in more teens completing sentences through the Office of Juvenile Justice. Boatner was struck by how many of them were better behaved, more motivated to work and more determined to move forward than their peers from foster care.
She believes children in juvenile detention generally receive closer supervision than those in foster care, where structure and accountability often vary Unlike most foster or group homes, schooling and health care are mandatory on-site. Among the 4,847 foster children enrolled in public schools, her report found that 23% were below grade level in reading and 31% in math.
“It’s a jail — that means it is subject to reforms, requirements and guidelines,” Boatner said. “It can be crappy but it’s there.”
Extended foster care is also being rolled out in Louisiana, giving young people ages 18 to 21 continued support, including a monthly stipend, job and education assistance, and a case manager Youth Oasis now serves this group, though the program is still a work in progress.
“It is another program on top of an already very taxed system,” Alexander said. “Resources are limited — financial and human.”
Giving youth their voice
Soon after leaving Baton Rouge, Fortner became a
“It just boils down to trust. We can’t trust our parents, we can’t trust nobody It just affects everything really.”
Years in institutionalized environments can also warp children’s behavior, which Boatner says can reveal itself in outbursts.
“When your ability to choose is gone and artificially suppressed because of your living circumstance, you don’t understand freedom of choice,” she said “The best thing to get something done in this system is to make a big deal, because asking gets ignored.”
lieve and understand that when you give the kid their voice back, you’re going to get better behavior and responses.”
Policy changes
mother and later earned her
GED. After several years in Houston, she returned to Baton Rouge this year and spent months as an employee at Youth Oasis. She worked mainly with young women — many of them mothers like she once was — who are learning to balance jobs and child care.
The organization is currently providing housing for four expectant mothers.
Watching their challenges was almost like listening to a broken record for Fortner — girls with too much idle time in the house not enough parenting and dealing with trauma that affects daily decision-making.
“I was scared to go anywhere, scared to be in one place at one time,” she said.
During the pandemic, Youth Oasis completely transitioned to housing young people in more individualized settings. It since has cut its contract with the Department of Children and Family Services, but still provides housing for the Office of Juvenile Justice and those in foster and extended foster care.
“We saw an improvement in behaviors because at least it felt like a place where it felt like a home,” she said.
Boatner also moved away from some of the rule-heavy tactics common in most group homes. Youth Oasis doesn’t require uniforms or use physical restraints, young people are free to say what they want, and staff avoid touching residents without consent. Fights still break out on occasion, she said, but when adults approach, they stop.
“We infantilize kids way up until 21. If you would not say something to another adult, don’t say it to a kid,” she said. “I fully be-
In her report, Boatner supports ways to make DCFS less of an isolated agency while pointing out existing laws that continue to present challenges for kids Louisiana’s recent repeal of the “raise the age” provision now requires that all 17-year-olds be charged as adults, regardless of the severity of their offense. Since funding from Office of Juvenile Justice is tied to juvenile charges, Boatner is now facing difficulty providing services to a significant portion of her residents.
“Raise the age screwed us a lot,” she said. “Money that might actually help them recover, they don’t get access to that anymore.”
Around two-thirds of Youth Oasis’s funding comes from the Federal Youth Service Bureau, under the Department of Health and Human Services. Due in part to bureaucratic headaches and the government shutdown, Boatner is unsure of where most of that money now stands.
“We’re still here; we’re OK,” Boatner said. Her biggest priority is getting the word out that any young person in the community can drop in to Youth Oasis for support.
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IcametoDr. LeBlancbecause I hadbeensuffering with sciatica forover20years.After starting Spinal Decompression treatments at LeBlancSpine Center, Iamnow 70%better! Oneofmypassionsinlife now that Iamretiredistraveling all overthe world. Iamnow able to continue travelingwithouthaving back pain on long-haul flights! This hasbeenagamechanger for me! Thestaff at here hasalwaysbeen so kind,friendly andefficient. I wouldrecommend treatment at LeBlancSpine Centerbecause making thecommitmentto receiveSpinal Decompression treatmentshas changedmylifefor thebetterbyallowingmetotake part in active andhealthy lifestyle. PatrickForet Hometown -Slidell,LA
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The board is unknown to the public but matters greatly to judges because it decides how much to augment their salaries from the fund, which is fed by fees on civil court filings across the state. The fund currently boosts salaries for the state’s 364 judges by $1,050 per month beyond their designated state salary.
Mike Waguespack, the Louisiana legislative auditor, has sided with Weimer, saying the 1985 legislative act that created the fund requires judges to cover the Supreme Court staff expenses to administer it. Those costs run about $50,000 per year
fice, Weimer estimated that having the fund pay the Supreme Court staff expenses would cost each judge about $150 per year and perhaps that much also in retirement pay, depending on how long he or she served.
The amount of money may be small, but Weimer has been pushing the fund to make the change, as a matter of law, and Supreme Court justices and the judges on the board have just as consistently rejected his view
A testy debate
But the judges on the board continue to ignore Weimer’s argument in an unusual public rift between a chief justice and the rest of the judicial branch. Covering the expenses would reduce judges’ monthly paychecks — and, perhaps most importantly, their retirement checks
In a 2023 letter to the Legislative Auditor’s Of-
Continued from page 1A
organizers a price of roughly $13,600 to pay for the parade security, which covers the extra-duty salaries of the officers needed to block off about 20 downtown intersections.
In the event’s 14 previous years, that cost had been zero.
At Fifolet’s annual meeting in July, board members presented the total operating budget for 2025 as $62,000. Stein said 10/31 Consortium has broken even each year, with no money to carry onto the next, since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization’s income is sourced through krewe dues, parade entries, charitable donations and business sponsors, Stein said, but the picture is a little more complicated Krewe dues are only $31 per person and total less than $400 a year Stein said parade entries have dropped from the 60 or so she’d see before 2020 This year, she expects less than 25. Donations are usually limited to the charity side of Fifolet and can’t be spent on parade or Halloween ball expenses.
A little less than half of Fifolet’s total budget goes toward its charitable pursuit, which Stein describes as the “Halloween version of Toys for Tots,” and mainly involves costume giveaways. Over the past 15 years, the group has given away more than 6,000 costumes to children in the greater Baton Rouge area. Otherwise, those children “don’t have costumes to wear on costume day at school. They
During the board’s hearing Oct. 6 at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, about 20 judges attending a conference at the hotel came into a meeting room to watch
Weimer tell the five-member board that they should respond to Waguespack before they decided how much judges should receive in supplemental pay going forward.
The auditor has determined that not paying those expenses “is a violation of the law,” Weimer said. Waguespack has also said the fund should pay the Supreme Court three years of expenses to cover its failure
don’t have costumes to go trick-or-treating in,” she said.
The other hurdle for Fifolet is a busy fall event calendar that often splits sponsors and parade attendees between many events
The city-parish is loath to let any organization host an event during an LSU home football game, which would stretch law enforcement thin. That leaves groups to schedule their events on top of each other in the few free fall weekends. According to Stein, events like the Ogden Park Prowl, the Baton Rouge Maker Faire, two 5K runs and Southern University’s homecoming game against Prairie View A&M are all happening next weekend on Saturday
“There are a lot of challenges with Halloween,” Stein said. “We have been up to that challenge, and we have been fighting hard for 15 years to overcome these challenges, but our participation has not gotten back up since COVID. And now on top of that we have this $13,600 for police.”
No exact science to costs
For Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse, much of 2025 has been spent finding creative ways to limit the department’s expenses following a budget deficit of more than $9 million, spurred by the creation of St. George.
This year, the BRPD has disbanded its Mounted Patrol Division and Youth Advisory Council, ended gunprevention overtime patrols and briefly stopped the city’s ShotSpotter program, all to save money
Throughout the year, Morse has also reiterated that labor is his depart-
to do so previously
According to Weimer, William Burris, a district court judge in St. Tammany and Washington parishes and the panel’s chair, had said at the previous meeting that he would listen to the Supreme Court rather than Waguespack because the justices were elected, while Waguespack was only an unelected bureaucrat. Burris was referring to a 2021 decision by six of the seven justices, with Weimer dissenting, that the fund was not required to cover the staff expenses.
On Oct. 6, Weimer noted that the Supreme Court had just voted to say that the Judicial Supplemental Compensation Fund is an independent entity This meant, he said, that they should disregard what the Supreme Court majority said in 2021.
The 1985 law, Weimer added, was “immensely clear”: the fund had to use money from the filing fees first to cover the staff time for the Supreme Court before sending out the supplemental paychecks.
Judge Richard Starling, an Alexandria City Court judge and one of the four judges on the supplemental compensation board, interjected that Waguespack’s
ment’s highest expense.
“I can tell you that we have saved quite a bit of overtime this year by limiting the number of holidays officers work,” Morse said, adding that less overtime is also being assigned in other areas outside of events.
He has thanked his officers during this belt-tightening, saying he is proud of them for doing “more with less.”
Morse said there is no set policy for event organizers to shoulder the cost of security, and that it’s still “kind of up in the air” which events are required to pay and which aren’t.
For example, Morse expects to spend more than $20,000 on close to 400 hours of officer overtime for Southern’s homecoming parade on Sunday Those costs will not be reimbursed by the university
But Morse said LSU will be paying the department for security at its events this year While the BRPD has a matrix to estimate the number of officers needed for an event, parades make those calculations much harder Morse said his staff has two members whose full-time jobs are to coordinate special events.
Those staffers work with event organizers to estimate the number of officers needed and an extra-duty wage that will attract that required amount of officers to volunteer Other factors, like minimum overtime wages for different positions within the department and if the event is on a traditional holiday, complicate that cost, Morse said.
Some positions, like drone operators or supervisors at command posts, will still be paid by the BRPD since
findings on the expenses were sent to the state Supreme Court and not the board. As a result, Starling said, the board could not respond to it.
“I haven’t seen a bill yet that says we owe the Supreme Court,” Starling told Weimer
The chief justice was undeterred.
He continued making his pitch and soon began to take up another pet peeve the high amount of per diems allowed for judges while traveling. Burris cut him off.
“You’re getting off subject,” Burris said.
“It’s all very much on topic,” Weimer said, interrupting Burris.
“I understand you think the judges are overpaid,” Burris said, cutting off Weimer again. “But let’s limit it to what we’re here talking about.”
“Judge, let me respond,” Weimer said.
“I don’t like being interrupted,” Burris said and then accused the chief justice of having “an agenda.”
Weimer apologized and complained a minute later when Burris cut him short again.
“You can interrupt me, but I can’t interrupt you?” Burris responded.
Weimer noted his previous
these positions are needed for regular police work at the event, not crowd control or traffic diversion.
“When you’re going to host an event, you know you have to pay the food vendor you know you have to pay the band. Well, security just needs to be added to that list,” Morse said. “It’s just part of the bill.”
Baton Rouge Mardi Gras
Robert King, president of the Society for the Preservation of Lagniappe in Louisiana, which organizes the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade, said he has been trying to speak with city-parish officials about how new security costs might affect his events.
apology and said, “I don’t have an agenda except doing the job I’m obligated to do.”
“That’s your interpretation of the law And everyone disagrees with your interpretation,” rejoined Burris. “We have disagreed with that definition of administrative expenses time and time again. You have made that same argument time and time again.”
Linda Lightfoot spoke up.
A longtime reporter and editor at The Advocate until 2007, Lightfoot is Weimer’s designee on the board. She urged the four judges on the board to offer a response to Waguespack.
“What the public is going to see is a report by the legislative auditor that’s going to make this board look not so good, unless we at least answer him and give him some reason for not paying these expenses,” Lightfoot said.
“The legislative auditor’s letter was sent to the Supreme Court and not to the board,” Burris replied, echoing Starling’s words. Civil court case fee
The supplemental fund is financed by a $31.50 fee on every civil court case in Louisiana, thanks to the 1985 law that aimed to give judges a pay raise without
Security costs for the Spanish Town parade have been estimated at $50,000, he said.
“We can afford it,” King said, but his concern is for the smaller parades, like Krewe Mystique and Shenandoah. He also said any new expense will “trickle down” to individual krewes, sponsors and charities.
“Instead of writing a $15,000 or $20,000 check to a charity, we might do $3,000,” King said. Lagniappe’s earnings are directed each year to local charities, including the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center Still, both King and Stein say they understand where
taxpayers directly footing the increase.
The fund currently contains $1.1 million but is obligated to have reserves of only $500,000. With so much extra money in its account, the board voted on Monday to reduce the surplus by giving all judges a one-time payment of $1,190 That’s in addition to the $1,050 monthly supplement. Only Lightfoot voted against it.
Afterward, Burris downplayed his sharp back-andforth with Weimer
“When attorneys disagree, things get tense,” Burris said in an interview “But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a great chief justice. It just means we disagree.” Weimer, for his part, remained unhappy
“It’s the Louisiana twostep with the public paying the band,” he said. “What’s happening is the Supreme Court is saying, ‘We’re not going to accept the funds.’ And the board is saying, hide behind the Supreme Court.”
Waguespack said afterward he plans to send his findings to the compensation board members and ask them to respond.
Email Tyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate.com.
the BRPD is coming from.
“I believe public safety is something that we should all be responsible for,” Stein said. “If you want to have these events that are special and unique to our home, then we’ve all got to pitch in and make it happen.” King said that even though Lagniappe can afford the additional cost, it’s going to be a “burden” on the whole city’s festivities. “If it happens, it’s a trickledown effect,” King said. “It’s gonna change the way Baton Rouge thinks about celebrating Mardi Gras.”
Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@ theadvocate.com.
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appoint Neilson,said in astatement.
BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer
Followingacombative legislative hearing that laid bare the almost nonexistentworking relationship between Bogalusa MayorTyrin Truong and the fiscal administrator appointed by the state tofixthe city’sbudget problems, Truong is asking astate judge to remove the administrator and restore someof his power Truong filed apetitioninstate court in Franklinton on Oct. 3seek-
BRCC students to help maintain vehicles
BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer
Acollaboration of state andlocal agencies is bringinga free, practical service to women who are survivors of domestic violence keeping their cars runningand in good shape.
Students enrolled in BatonRouge CommunityCollege’s technical classes will provide tire changes, tire rotations and oil changes, as well as replace burned-out lights and make vehicle inspections for clients of the IRIS Domestic Violence Center.
“It is extremely important,” said Patti Joy Freeman, executive director of the Baton Rouge-based center,which servesclients in nine parishes. “So much dependsona vehicle and asafe vehicle. Ifeel that it is an emergency need.”
The IRIS Domestic Violence Center repairs vehicles and sometimes even buys them for itsclients when funding is available, Freemansaid.
Under thenew program, Safe Wheels Alliance, the center will continue to buy the car oil and auto parts needed for maintenance, but the labor will nowbefreeof charge, supplied by students in BRCC’sdiploma programs for automotive technician anddiesel heavy truck technician, said Heather Guidry,dean of technical and adult education at the college.
The work will be carried out in the lab portion of theclasses, Guidry said.
“Wewanttobeable to support these survivors in ourcommunity,” she said.
Safe Wheels Alliance is the vision of Laurie Marien, who practiced family law before being named by Gov.Jeff Landry to head the Governor’sOffice of Women’sPolicyin 2024.
Marien has made it apoint to visit all 16 domestic violenceshelter organizations in the state; she has three left.
“Reliable transportation is abig hurdle to overcome” for survivors of domestic abuse, she said. “It’s how they get to work on time and take their kids to where they need to be.” The new alliance of BRCC, the IRIS Center, the Governor’s Office of Women’sPolicyand the Louisiana Community and Technical College Systemofficially begins its mission this month. It is apilot program, but organizers hope Safe WheelsAlliance will growacrossthe state through futurepartnerships with women’s shelters and community and technical colleges. For nearly 40 years,the IRIS Domestic Violence Centerhas offered crisis intervention,counseling, legal advocacy and housingto those who have suffered domestic abuse. The center’s24-hour crisis line is (225) 389-3001 or (800) 541-9706.
ing theremovaland replacement of fiscal administrator Robert “Bob” Neilson. He argues Neilson is “guilty of negligence” and that Neilson’sstatements andactions since his appointment “evidence adegree of unwarranted, seemingly personal hostility,tothe Mayor.” JudgeAlan Zaunbrecher of the22nd Judicial District appointed Neilson to run the Washington Parish city of about 10,000 peopleinFebruary after finding the city didnot have enough revenuetomeet its expenses. Neilson, an accountant with offices in Covington and Bogalusa, had been the city’s auditor for around 20 yearsuntil Truongtook office in
2023. Neilson rapidly reshaped city government, eliminating 12 positions, making emergency repairs to the sewer system, hiring back staff from the previous mayor’sadministration and promisingtoclean up the financial mess that he claimed Truong left behind, aclaim Truong strongly disputes. Neilson also didn’tcommunicate with thecity’s elected mayor,tellinga committee of state legislators in Baton Rouge on Sept. 8that he threwawayTruong’semails. He claimed they were not constructive and thatTruong threatened to sue him
Truong argues Neilson violated the fiscal administrator law by not allowing himtoprovide advice.
He also argues Neilson’sterminations of numerous city work-
ers contradict Neilson’sprevious testimony to Zaunbrecher that he was not going to “wholesale fire people” and alleges that Neilson has made no progress fixing the city’ssewagetreatment problems.
Neilson did not immediately respond to requests forcomment.
Truong was arrested in January by StatePolice on counts stemming from adrugtrafficking investigation, but Truong has not been formerly charged and has denied the allegations.
Legislative Auditor Mike Waguepsack, whoseoffice runs the fiscal administrator program, declinedto comment, saying Truong’s motion to remove Neilson was in Attorney General LizMurrill’shands.
“I plan to oppose the motion,” Murrill, who petitioned the stateto
In seeking Neilson’s appointment, Murrill’soffice hadargued thatunder Truong, the ailingsewer system had once overflowed into the Bogue Lusa Creek for 13 days, andsaid the city owed over $1 milliondelinquent federal andstate payroll taxes,delinquencies Truong said had mostly beenpaidoffbythetimeNeilsonwas appointed.
In his motion, Truong offers the name of two other certified public accountants, LutherSpeight and Achilles Williams, andsuggests thatone of them serveasa “limited jurisdiction fiscal administrator,” which wouldbelimited to aspecific department or function of the city.
AhearingonTruong’sfilinghas been set for Nov.5inFranklinton, accordingtothe Washington Parish Clerk of Court’s Office.
BYCLAIREGRUNEWALD Staff writer
Baton Rougepolicecontinue to investigatea shooting thatinjured two peoplenear LSU’scampus duringSaturday’shomecomingfootball game.
Baton Rouge Police Department spokespersonLt. L’Jean McKneely Jr.said Sunday afternoon no arrests have been made in connection withthe incident. The shooting took place near Highland Road and Dalrymple DrivenearLSU.A campus alert originally went out about 8:40 p.m. East Baton Rouge ParishEmergency Medical Services confirmedSaturday
BY DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press
Immigrantsselling food, flowers and other merchandise alongthe sidewalksof California will have new privacyprotections intended to keeptheir identities secret from federal immigration agents.
Themeasure,signedinto law this past week by Democratic Gov.Gavin Newsom, comes on the heels of other recently enactedstate laws meant to shield students in schools and patients at health care facilities from the reach of President Donald Trump’simmigration enforcement actions.
Democratic-led states are adding laws resistingTrump even as he intensifies his deportation campaign by seekingtodeploy NationalGuard troops to Democratic-led cities to reinforce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who are arresting people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally By contrast, some Republican-ledstates are requiring local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE agents.
“The actions of the states really reflectthe polarization of the country on thisissue,” said JessicaVaughan, director of policy studiesat the Center for Immigration Studies, which supportsimmigration restrictions. “We have seen some states move to cooperate to the greatest extent that they possibly can” with Trump’sadministration and others “doing whatthey can to try to thwart immigration enforcementintheir state.”
Across the U.S., state lawmakers this year have passed more than 100 bills relating to immigration, according to an Associated Press analysisaided by the bill tracking software Plural. The measures are divided almost evenly between those providing and denying protections to immigrants.
BY KEN MORITSUGU Associated Press
BEIJING Chinasignaled on Sunday that it would not back downinthe face of a100%tariff threat from President Donald Trump and urged the United States to resolve differencesthrough negotiations instead of threats. Trump responded by taking aless confrontational approachwithoutretreating from his demands, while his vice president seemed to warn Beijing not to react aggressively.
“China’sstance is consistent,” the CommerceMinistry said in astatement post-
Flower vendor Jose, an immigrant from Mexico,sits
Aug. 8outside agas station in Los Angeles.
merchandise along thesidewalks of California will have
to keep their identities secret from federal immigration agents.
Immigrants comprise a significant portion of California’surban sidewalk vendors. Some have been swept up in immigrationenforcement actions, in part, because their outdoor work in public places makesthem easier targetsthanpeople behind closeddoors.
California’sstreetvendors typically needpermits from cities or counties. The new law prohibits local governmentsfrominquiring about vendors’ immigrationstatus, requiring fingerprinting or disclosingpersonal information—name, address, birth date, social media identifiers and telephone,driver’s license andSocial Security numbers, among other things —withouta judicial subpoena
The law,which will take effect Jan. 1, waspromptedby concerns that vendordatabaseskeptbylocal governments could be accessed by federalimmigration agents to target peoplefor detentionand deportation.
“We’re talking about really security security for businesses, security for human beings, security for people whohave gone through so much,” saidSergioJimenez, astreet vending organizerwith the nonprofit Community Power Collective in LosAngeles.
Additionallaws recently signed by Newsomadd immigration status to alist of protected medical information and prohibit schools from granting access to
immigration enforcement officialswithouta court warrant. Another new California law directs schools andhighereducation institutions to immediatelynotify staffand students or parents when immigration officials areoncampus
Upon taking office, Trump reverseda policyrestricting federal immigration agents from arresting people at sensitive locations suchas schools, churches and hospitals. Like California, other Democratic-led states respondedwith laws attempting to create safe places for immigrants.
AMaryland law enacted earlier this year requires public schools, libraries and health care facilities to restrictaccessfor immigration enforcementofficials unless presented with a courtwarrant.Nevada’sRepublican governor vetoed a similar measure for schools that hadbeen passedbythe Democratic-led Legislature. Meanwhile, anew Colorado law allows civil penalties of up to $50,000 for public childcare centers, schools, colleges, health care facilitiesand libraries thatcollect information about people’s immigration status, with some exceptions.New laws in Rhode Islandprohibit health careprovidersand landlordsfrominquiring aboutpeople’simmigration status.Oregonalso enacted asimilar law for landlords.
By contrast, Republicanled states have passednu-
ed online. “Wedonot want atariff war but we are not afraid of one.”
It was China’sfirst official comment on Trump’sthreat to jack up the tax on imports from China by Nov.1 in response to new Chinese restrictions on the export of rare earths, which are vital to awide range of consumer andmilitary products.
Hours later,Trump used hisTruth Social platform to send amessagetoChinese leaderXiJinping.
“Don’tworry about China, it will all be fine!”the Republican president wrote. “Highlyrespected President Xi just had abad moment.
He doesn’twant Depression for his country,and neither do I. The U.S.A. wantsto help China, not hurt it!!!”
Trump may have had an eyetowardtoU.S.financial marketsontheeveofthenew business week.The stock marketwill be open Monday, though bond markets will close for the Columbus Day holiday.OnFriday,the broad S&P 500 stock market index plunged 2.7%, itsworst day in about sixmonths after Trump’stariff threat The back and forth threatens to derail apossible meeting between Trump andXiand end atruce in a trade war in which new tar-
and
merous laws intended to bolster Trump’simmigrationpolicies
Newlaws in Texas, Florida and Arkansasrequiresheriffs who run jails to enter into federalagreements for theirofficers to be trained to help U.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement. State and local participation in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program —named after thesection of law that created it —has exploded from 135 agreementsin21states before Trump took office in January to more than 1,000 agreements presently in place in 40 states
Butsome Democratic-led states have refused to take part. Anew Delaware law prohibits participation in the program, similar to statutes already in place in California andIllinois. Democratic-led Vermont alsotightened its restrictions on participatinginfederal immigration enforcementprograms, repealing an exemption that had allow it during emergencies.
AConnecticut law that took effect in October allows people to sue local governments thatcooperatewith federalimmigration authoritiesinviolation of thestate’s “Trust Act.”
In Washington, new state laws allow workers to take paid leave to attend immigrationproceedings for themselves or family members and prohibit employers from using immigration sta-
tus to coerce their employees.
ButsomeRepublican-led states have enacted laws limiting benefitsfor people in the country illegally
Anew Idaho law prohibits immigrantswithout legal status from receiving some publicly funded health benefits, including vaccinations, crisis counseling and prenatal and postnatal care for women.Anew Louisiana law requires applicants forpublic benefits to be screened for legal immigration status and, if lacking it, reported to federalimmigration authorities
Several Republican-led states —including Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Tennesseeand Wyoming— have adopted laws invalidating certain driver’slicenses issued to immigrants in the U.S. illegally
Entering intothis year, nearly half the statesprovided in-state tuitiontopublic colleges and universities for residentsliving in theU.S.illegally.But that number has dwindled since Trumptook office and the U.S. Department of Justice began suing states. Thefederal lawsuits assert states are violating the Constitution by providing in-state tuition for people without legalstatuswhile not offering the samebenefit to out-of-state U.S. citizens. Florida repealed its decade-oldlaw allowinginstate tuitionfor students lacking legal status, effective July 1. Republican-led Texasand Oklahoma both ended similar tuition policies aftergetting suedby the Justice Department. Kentucky,which has aDemocratic governor,also has takensteps to halt its policy after getting sued. California lawmakers attemptedtoenhance tuition benefits forimmigrants with afirst-of-itskind measure allowing community college students whoget deported or voluntarily leavethe U.S. to continue receiving in-state tuitionwhile taking online courses from afar But Newsom vetoed the measure earlierthis month, citing “significant constitutional concerns” that the tuitionbreak was offered only to students who left the country and not also to residents of other U.S. states.
iffs from both sides briefly topped 100% in April.
Vice President JD Vance said Trumpwas committed to protecting America’seconomiclivelihoodswhile makingthe U.S. more self-sufficient. He said the fact that China has “so much control over critical supply in the United States of America” is the definition of anational emergency and therefore justifies Trump’smoveto imposetough tariffs.
“It’sgoing to be delicate danceand alot of it is going to depend on how the Chineserespond. If they respond in ahighly aggressive manner,I guaranteeyou
the president of the United States has far more cards than the People’sRepublic of China,” Vance said on Fox News Channel’s“Sunday Morning Futures.”
“If, however,they’re willing to be reasonable, then Donald Trumpisalways willing to be areasonable negotiator.We’re going to find out alot in the weeksto come about whether China wantstostart atradewar with us or whether they actually want to be reasonable,” Vance continued. “I hope they choose the path of reason. The president of the United States is going to defend America regardless.”
Samuel James'Sam' Samuel JamesCollins, “Sam”,a resident of Clin‐ton,passedawaypeace‐fully on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025 from complications fromheart surgery. He was employedbyAtlas SSI in Slaughter.Hewas 22 years old.Visitationwillbeon Tuesday,Oct.14, 2025, from 5 pm until 8pmatCharlet FuneralHome, Inc. in Zachary.Visitationcontin‐ues on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, from 9amuntil ser‐viceat11am. Burial will be inMasonic Cemetery in Clinton.Heissurvivedby his parents, Sammyand HollieCollins,his sister LilyAnn Collins, grandpar‐ents, Jamesand AliceBass and CarolCollins.His great-grandmother,Nila Dixon andnumerousaunts, unclesand cousins. He is precededindeath by his grandfather,Lloyd Collins and hiscousin, Jacob LawrenceMcGuff. Pall‐bearers will be John Havard, Curt Pace,Cody Pace, ChrisSelf, Jason Maplesand Peanut McGuff. Honorary pallbear‐ers will be Travis Floyd, Chris “Baldy”Carsonand Wilson “Dog” Moore. Sam loved guitarsand music. Hewas a2021 graduate of Zachary ChristianAcad‐emy.Memorialdonations may be made to St.Jude Children’sHospital. Share sympathies, condolences, and memories at www.Cha rletFuneralHome.com
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More must be donetosupport survivorsof
To the diligent journalists who represent the voice of thestories andlives untold, Iwant to share some deeply concerning facts that have affected not only me personally but thousandsofother women and children. There is an epidemic of domestic violence in this state, but more disturbingis thelack of resources,care, solutions and protection, among other things.
After surviving physical, sexual,financial and emotional abuse, compounded withthe trauma of your experiences is the trauma of the ineffectiveness of thesocalled systems and programs in place,allegedly designed tohelp women and children fleeingthe complexdynamics of domestic violence. Ihave personally been gaslit even with proof of crimes committed against me that included stalking, harassment and financial abuse. Iwas doubted, dismissed, ignored and felt the energy of disdain as if Iwas an inconvenience.
I’m infuriated and terrified for myself and other women.As someone who has acollegedegree, works hard, comes from an educated family,doesn’tdodrugs and has never been accused of even amisdemeanor,it’sstillas if I’mtreated with disgust or perhaps doubt and even worse: as if I deserved this. My best friend was brutally murderedinadomestic violence incident. I’ve almost died myself. The trauma never goes away.Itjust absorbs into your body,waiting for somethingto wake it up from its usually short hibernation.This topic is not only apublic safety concern but it’s amental health crisis, and if not addressed, many more people will unnecessarily die. We need to start believing women and making supporting survivors a priority
MARTHABARLOW NewOrleans
If leaderswon’t lead, citizens must
National Motto: EPluribus Unum. President Donald Trump’sresponse when asked about how to combat the political extremism of the right and left: “I couldn’tcare less.” Only the voters can saveour country.The buck stops withus. JOSEPH BISHOP Abita Springs
LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR
AREWELCOME.HEREARE
Students walk the campus of SouthernUniversity near the John B. Cade Libraryafter a threatwas made Sept.30, which caused the building to be evacuated and triggered alaw enforcement response.
The recent terroristic threats and lockdowns atseveral historically Black colleges and universities should be awake-up call for many These incidents are not isolated; they underscore arisingdanger to campus safety, student mental healthand institutional stability.HBCUs already operate under financial andinfrastructural strain. Adding threats, fear and uncertainty to that burden impactsmore than just classrooms; it harms lives, community trust and opportunity In Louisiana, we know HBCUs represent far more than places of learning. They cultivate our state’sfuture teachers,doctors, engineers and public servants. They uplift entire neighborhoods by providing access to higher education for studentsfrom lowincomebackgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. HBCUs are engines of economic growth, not just throughimmediate jobsand commerce, butthroughlifetime earnings and leadership opportunities. Yetchronic underfunding has left many institutions with aging facilities,
outdated labs and limited resources forsafety,mental health and academic support.
What we see now,from reductions in government grants to cuts in civil rights oversight and overstretched safety protocols, only deepens thelong-standing deficits HBCUs have faced. HBCUs deserve morethan thebare minimum so they canensure safe learning environments, modern academic facilities and robust student services. Investing in these institutions is not afavor; it is a necessityfor equity,public safety and state prosperity.
Iurge Louisiana’selected officials and our congressional delegation to increase targeted investment in HBCUs, particularly for campus security,student support, STEM facilities and civil rights protections. Alumni, philanthropists, business leaders andeveryday citizens should hold our leaders accountable. Ourfuture depends on HBCUsnot merely surviving these threats but thriving despitethem
TRAMELLE HOWARD state director,EdTrust-Louisiana
Civicgroupsshouldnot be hampered from registeringnew citizenvoters
The League of Women Votersofthe United States has been welcoming new citizens to ournation by registering them to votesince theorganization’screation in 1920. The League of Women VotersofNew Orleanshas played animportant role in registering and educatingnewly naturalized citizens since the 1940s.
In New Orleans, theLeague participates in new citizen registration events on aweekly basisand hasregistered 1,000 new voters a year under this program.
The political cartoon by Matt Davies, published on Sept. 13, playing the race card and branding ICE as racists, was both ridiculous and despicable. The disastrous immigration policy of the Biden-Harris administration fedU.S. immigration law into the shredder
Approximately 10 million illegal immigrants crossed our open border.The cost of this policy to American taxpayers was approximately $152 billion per year.The number of unaccompanied children that crossed our border was 534,980. The Department of Health and Human Services, which is responsible for finding sponsors, lost contact with morethan 300,000 of these children. More than 2million immigrants are knownas“gotaways,” evading the border patrol. There wasnotelling whothey are or if they wereterrorists, here to do harm to the country
There have been consequences to this policy elsewhere. Cartels kidnapped members of caravans headed forthe U.S. and demanded ransom from their relatives. They have also trafficked humans as sex slaves and drugs across our border
TO SEND US ALETTER SCAN HERE
OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name and the writer’scity of residence.The Advocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.
The policy announced by theU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Aug. 29, stating that only stateand local elections officials may conduct voter registration at naturalization ceremonies, overburdens those election officials and impedes acore Leaguefunction.
The United States and our state of Louisianaare incredibly culturally diverse, as a result of waves of immigrants —somevoluntary,some fleeing persecution or brought in chains —throughout our history.Elected officials of both theRepublican and Democratic parties have championed legal immigration, while neglecting to provide fair and workable immigration policy for decades. Are these officials now prepared to pull up thewelcome mat by denying theopportunity for voter registration by groups like the League whichhave provided this service in anonpartisan manner alongside elected officials?
Registrars of voters, school boards and other government entities around the state
STAFF PHOTO By MATTHEW PERSCHALL Teisha Rezende, anew citizen, registers to
have enlisted League volunteers to provide nonpartisan voter registration and education around the state for decades —aservice that theLeague and other nonpartisan civil service organizations provide free of charge, so that busy election officials can concentrate on running our elections. Federal, stateand local governments should welcomegroups that welcome new citizens with information on how to exercise their core democratic rights and responsibilities as voters.
ROSALIND COOK president, LeagueofWomen Voters of
NewOrleans
Remember the 50 dead found in a big 18-wheeler,who died of dehydration? Trypublishing acartoon about that.
The Darien Gap, once apristine tropical jungle area, has been turned into acesspool from caravans trooping through.
The open-border Biden-Harris immigration policy did nothing for this country except contribute to its destruction. Now,inafitofhypocrisy,some Democrats are saying they are concerned about “due process.” What ajoke. That is the same as the vice president and the head of homeland security during the Biden-Harris administration having the audacity to tell us that “the border is secure.”
This policy did not benefit American citizens. It is just another tax burden on American citizens. HERBERT CANNON Baton Rouge
Operations at Munich’s airport were recently halted by drones. Several Danish airports, including Copenhagen’s, and amilitary air base where Denmark stations F-16s and F-35s, have been disrupted by drones. Denmark, whose support for Ukraine has been robust, willsoon host aUkrainian weapons manufacturer Poland and Romania have experienced harassing drones. In multiple instances, “shadow ships” (worldwide, the “shadow fleet” of ships that conceal their identities and activities numbers about 1,000) have been accused of cutting undersea cables crucial to Europe commercialand military infrastructure.
On Sept. 19, three Russian MiG-31s violated Estonia’sairspace before being repelled by NATO-assigned Italian F-35s. It was the fifth Russian incursion this year.Russia says blaming it forthese provocations (andfor acampaign of assassinations and sabotage in Europe) is provocative. Read on, remembering Estonia. Vladimir Putin’spurposes probably include intelligence gathering: monitoring the military responses the targeted nations make, and how quickly they make them. He also is measuring theWest’scontinuingcommitment to noncommittal dithering. Russia has launched this torrentof aggressions. The aggressed against still call this “hybrid” or “gray zone” war.Erase the adjectives. This is war
So, here are 119 pages of wartime reading: “If Russia Wins: AScenario” by Carlo Masala, professor of international politics at Munich’s Bundeswehr University,which serves Germany’sarmed forces. An immediatebestseller in Germany and then the Netherlands, the booklet has been published in London but not yet in America. His scenario is aliterary device to framea question: Suppose Russia’svictory in Ukraine “is only thebeginning”?
Masala’sscenario begins in March 2028, when two Russian brigades surge into Narva, Estonia’sthirdlargest city (population 57,000),on Russia’sborder.Eighty-eight percent of the residents are Russian-speaking, andmany have been supplied with smuggled small arms and machine guns.
Simultaneously,Russian soldiers disguised as tourists takeferries to seize the Estonian coastal island of Hiiumaa.The attack on thethree Balticstates, each aNATOmember,has begun. It is three years since Ukraine, pressured by China andthe United
States, signed acapitulation to Russia. Ukraine surrendered more than 20% of its territory, agreed to permanent neutrality (no NATO membership) and peacekeeping troops from many nations,including China.
Theproject of bringing all Russianspeaking regions in what Russia calls the“near abroad” under Moscow’s control mimics Hitler’sprewar absorption of German-speakers(in Austria,the Sudetenland, Danzig)
Afterthe victory over Ukraine, Putin resigns. His chosen 47-year-old successor is hailed in theWest as “a new Gorbachev,” draining urgency from protecting the Baltics.
To show the West itsinabilityto act,Russia’snew president mimics Hitler’s“remilitarization of theRhineland.”
In March 1936, 30,000 German troops marched across Rhine River bridges to nullify the demilitarization Germany hadaccepted in 1919. Germany in 1936 spoke soothingly of having no aggressive intentions regarding neighboring nations. Its action was accepted.
Next,Masala imagines, Russian operatives orchestrate aflotilla of migrants to inflame and distract European populations, and to draw NATO frigatesaway from the BalticSea. China,Russia’saccomplice, creates a micro-crisis with aU.S. ally,the Philippines, confident that America will not risk war over areef. Russiaisconfident that America will notriskwar over an Estonian border town. Although there is asuspicious assassination (byaground-to-air mis-
sile) of theCEO of Germany’sleading manufacturer of armored military vehicles.And suspicious explosions at theport where Britain’snuclear submarines are based. NATO convenes, and some member nations go wobbly,saying: Estonia has not properly respected the rightsof Russian-speakers. Russia’sgoals are limited. Russia’sbehavior is reprehensible but consider the “historical context.” Isn’tthe independence of the Balticstates an “artificial construct”?
The U.S. presidentopposes NATO acting, which it cannot do without U.S. reconnaissance and transport capabilities.France and Germany,withascending far-right populist parties, are also reluctant.So, Russia’snuclear arsenal deters aconventional response to alimited regional escalation —the taking of asmall Estonian town Now,return to Masala’sscenario-asquestion:What if Russia’swinning in Ukraine were only the beginning? The beginning of the enfeeblement of the United States?
Putin strolled down Donald Trump’s red carpet in Alaska, then took none of the stepsregarding Ukraine that Trump saidwere necessary for Russia to avoid“verysevere consequences.” Instead, Putin intensified Russian attacks.
Aconnoisseur of Western dithering, Putin probably anticipated the response his currentflurry of contemptuousaggressionshas elicited. Trump has said: “I don’tlove it.”
Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.
In the course of three days, six U.S.-based scientists have won Nobel Prizes. Every one of them studied or now works at America’s public universities. Five were affiliated with or educated by California’ssystem for higher education.
When the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal in 2015, I wondered what standard they would use should polygamists appeal for similarrights. In accepting acase from Colorado Springs about whether aChristian counselorcan advise minors with gender dysphoria and samesex attractions, the Court will again face the question of free exerciseofreligion vs. theestablishment clause in the First Amendment
thought to be “unalienable” have been eroded,could find they have lost the right to influence what they believe is themoral direction of their children, should thecourt deliver what they would regard as an adverse opinion, upholding the Colorado law,and denying the therapist’sright to tell patients what she believes will be best for them.
The case involves the parents of a teenager who claims to be adifferent gender than the one identified at birth. The Christian parentssought help from acounselor whosharestheir faith. AColorado law bans“conversion therapy” for minors.The therapist, Kaley Chiles, says the lawsilences her and deprives young people of help.She further says she does nottry to convert anyone to her faith.
In familiar secular progressivefashion, The Washington Post founda person it identifies as atransgenderman, who it says tried to commit suicide in 2010. That person, says thenewspaper, called conversion therapy bad medicine.
Parents, who have discovered that in many public schoolstheir rightsonce
As with abortion, thePost and other media regularly look for peoplewho will affirmtheir editorial and moral point of view They might have consulted World Magazine,a Christian publication to whichIcontribute. In October 2022, World published an article titled “Our voices cannolonger be denied.” It focused on de-transitioners,that is peoplewho have reversed or stopped their gender transition. The story profiled three women who had gone through gender transitions and later expressed regret andremorse. While the number is admittedly small (thanks in part,I think,tothe way themedia and medical profession refuse to consider the possibility of change), they do exist. Forpeople who wish to pursue a different life with its accompanying changeinlifestyle, it’scalled being born again. It’s an experience “dis-
covered” by thesecular media when Jimmy Carter announced in 1976 his own transformation. It means when one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior,that person is given thepower to live alife different from thelife he or she had been living. For thelaw to deny atherapist, or anyone else, the right to share amessage that goes back 2,000 years and has been responsible for altering thelives of billions of people —and still does today —would impose secularism as the state religion and deny individuals the right of choice, which is sacred tothe secularistswhen it comes to abortion. So long as there is no compulsion involved and the therapist acts in compliance with the wishes of the parentsof theteenager,the Court should uphold theright of the therapist and strike down lower-court rulings that seek to deny her constitutional rights. Those include the right to freely exercise her faith and that of the teen’sparents.
If theSupremeCourt doesn’trecognize astandardbywhich truthand moralitycan be judged, it should remove theimageofMoses, thegreat lawgiver, from themarble frieze outside the SupremeCourt building.
Email Cal Thomasattcaeditors@ tribpub.com
President Donald Trump’s assault on universities, both public and private, targets the engines of American greatness. He pinned muchofiton the colleges’ failure to defend free speech and stop unruly student behavior, some degenerating into antisemitism. Point taken.
But it’smainly taken the form of shaking down universities. For his gentler audience, Trump frames it as “saving” taxpayer money To quote the president: “Wewill cut funding by X$ and thereby save Y$.”
Over in the biology department, immunologists Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell are sharing the Nobel Prize in medicine with Shimon Sakaguchi. Brunkow studied at the University of Washington and Princeton. Ramsdell got both his bachelor’sdegree and doctorate from the University of California, first at San Diego, then at Los Angeles. Sakaguchi teaches at Japan’sOsaka University As for physics, three scientists, one British, one French and one American, shared the Nobel Prize. All three, however,are now associated with UC campuses at Berkeley or Santa Barbara. The American, John Martinis, earned all his degrees at Berkeley.They won the Nobel for having discovered —bear with me —“macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in an electric circuit.”
And one of the three scientists just awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry is Omar Yaghi, who occupies achair in chemistry at Berkeley.Born in Amman, Jordan, Yaghi obtained his undergraduate degree at the State University of New York’sAlbany campus. His Ph.D. camefrom the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Our colleges and universities should be sources of American pride as well as power They are areason why,ifCalifornia were its owncountry,itwould have the world’s fourth-largest economy. To think that Trump is threatening its public universities with layoffs, budget cuts and loss of federal grants. He’strying to freeze about $584 million in grants at UCLA alone. That’sinaddition to his attempted $1 billion shakedown over unrest at the UCLA campus.
With an economy larger than Japan’s, small wonder there’samove in California to take over federal funding for scientific research with its own. Specifically,state lawmakers talk about putting a$23 billion bond measure on the 2026 ballot to replace lost federal dollars. If voters passed it, that would give California the wherewithal to make grants and loans to its ownuniversities and research companies.
California would in effect be bypassing the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is the world’sbiggest funder of medical research. And who did Trump put in charge of the NIH? Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., an anti-vax ignoramus (excuse me,“skeptic”) who is, mentally,many cards short of afull deck.
At least 24 University of California and California State University campuses have lost NIH training grants. UC already runs six academic health centers. If California taxpayers take over that funding, universities in other states should not expect to receive a dime of it.
That said, other states share these concerns. Washington and Oregon have joined California in setting up acoalition to review scientific data and make recommendations on vaccines. An alliance with similar goals, though probably less money,isbeing set up on the East Coast. Harvard and Yale do have impressive endowments. What the great universities in the Trumpvoting heartland are going to do, Ican’t guess.
In sum, many of the smartest people in the country are being sat on by the political dunces. How dumb can America get? Trump is testing us for an answer
Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com
By TheAssociated Press
KABUL,Afghanistan Afghanistan said Sunday it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers inovernight border operations, in response to whatit called repeated violations of its territory and airspace. Pakistan’sarmy gave farlower casualty figures, saying23 troops were killed.
Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing the capital, Kabul,and amarket in the country’seast. Pakistan did not claim responsibility forthe assault.
The Taliban government’schief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid,said Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani army posts,leaving 30 Pakistani soldiers wounded.
“The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistanisundercomplete control, and illegal activitieshave been largely prevented,” Mujahid told anewsconference in Kabul.
Pakistan has previously struck locations inside Afghanistan,targeting whatitalleges are militant hideouts, butthese have been in remote and mountainous areas. Thetwo sides have also skirmishedalong the border in the past. Saturdaynight’sheavy clashes underscore the deepeningtensions.
The Taliban government’sDefense Ministry said early Sunday morning its forceshad conducted “retaliatory andsuccessful operations” along the border
“If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’sterritorial integrity,our armed forces are fully prepared to defendthe nation’sborders and willdeliver astrong response,” the ministry added.
The Torkham crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did
BY ANGELA CHARLTON Associated Press
PARIS France’snewly reappointed Prime Minister SebastienLecornu nameda new government Sunday,ashefaces pressure to urgently produce abudget and quell political turmoil that is scaring businessesand investors and staining thecountry’simage.
The Cabinet includes several familiar facesfrompreviousgovernments whohail from French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist camp as well as allied conservatives, and some people from outside the political sphere
It is unclear how long this new team will last. Macron, whose term ends in 2027, lacks amajority in the deeply fractured parliamentand is losingsupport from hisown ranks. Meanwhile Marine Le Pen’sascen-
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO
Afghan refugees sit Sundaynexttotheir belongings at acamp in Chaman, Pakistan, as theywait for opening of the border crossing point, which closed after Afghan and Pakistani security forces exchanged cross border firing
notopenonSunday at itsusualtime of 8a.m
The crossing at Chaman, southwest Pakistan, was also closed. People, including Afghan refugeesleaving Pakistan, were turned away due to the worsening security situation.
An Associated PressreporterinChaman heard jets overSpinBoldak, acity in Afghanistan’s southern Kandaharprovince,and saw smoke rising after an explosion.
Pakistan accuses Afghanauthorities of harboring membersofthe banned group Tehreek-i-TalibanPakistan. Islamabadsays thegroup carries out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, but Kabuldeniesthe charge, sayingitdoesnot allowits territory to be used againstother countries.
dant far-right National Rally party is callingfor newelections,while far-left France Unbowed wants the president to resign. Immediately after the president’soffice announcedthe newCabinet,the conservativeRepublicans party announced it was expellingthe sixparty members whoagreed to join thegovernment.
Lecornu, a39-year-old centrist and close ally of Macron, and his government will now have to seek compromisestoavoid an immediate vote of no confidenceinthe National Assembly,deeply fractured among far right, centrist and left-wing camps. Among new appointments is
NewEngland Patriotswide receiver Kayshon Boutte,
halfoftheir game on Sundayatthe CaesarsSuperdome.
BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer
Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler were taken 147 picks apart in last year’sNFL draft. The New EnglandPatriots, searching for TomBrady’ssuccessor,selected Maye with the expectation that the third overall pickcould one day be the franchise’snext great quarterback. The New Orleans Saints,by contrast, took Rattler under entirely different circumstances. The fifthrounder,drafted 150th overall, was not expectedtobethe next Drew Brees. Rattler,once thought to be a potential No. 1overall pick, wassimply too good avalue to passon. But here they were on Sunday afternoon, engaged in abattle in which
their draft statusseemed to matter little. The ball failed to touch the ground for long stretches. The two men raced their offenses up and down the field. It wasn’tquiteashootout reminiscent of these franchises’ legendary quarterbacks, but there was enough action to keep theCaesars Superdome crowd enthralled. By theend of Sunday’s 25-19 loss to the Patriots,Rattler stood at alectern again to explain how thenow 1-5 Saintslostagame on the margins. Maye, at his own lectern on theother side of the building, answered questions about howhis team —now 4-2 —already has matched its win total from ayear ago.
ä See SAINTS, page 4B
Throw thatWeek 3game against the Seattle Seahawks out the window,and you’ll have apretty good idea of who the New Orleans Saints are. Good enough to hang around long enough to make you thinkthey will win. Butnot quite good enough to actually do so. They’ll get your hopesup, but eventually aplay or two will happen to remindyou that they werejust teasingyou thewhole time. It happenedagain in Sunday’s 25-19 losstoaNew England Patriots team whose turnaround is happeningatamuchfasterrate than the Saints’. The Patriots,who haven’thad awinning season since 2021, are
Saints provethey’re closebut notquite good enough forawin ä See WALKER, page 5B
already trending in the right direction under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel. The Saints, meanwhile, under Kellen Moore, showed once again they are still a work in progress. Any thoughts you may have had that the Saints would carry over somemomentum from the first winofthe Moore era last week against the NewYork Giants probably went away on the Patriots’ opening possession, when Drake connected with DeMario Douglas fora53-yard touchdownpass. It wasaresponse to the Saints, whoconnected on a 53-yard pass play on their opening
10:50a.m.NorthernIreland
7p.m.Honduras
9p.m.Costa
5a.m.ATP
5:30
8p.m.Team V-A vs.Team Thompson ESPNU
Here arestorylines to watchinLCS roundofplayoffs
BY NOAH TRISTER
Associated Press
There are five current franchis-
es that have never won aWorld Series. Twoofthem still have a chance to break through this year Major League Baseball’s playoffs have reachedthe two League Championship Series, which will includethe LosAngeles Dodgers and their storied history —and three other teams that are products of the sport’spost-expansion era. The Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, both of whom began playing in 1977, meet in the ALCS. The Milwaukee Brewers, who spent ayear as the SeattlePilots before relocating to Wisconsin in 1970, face Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in the NLCS The Mariners and Brewers have never won aWorldSeries. Seattle is the only current team that has never even won apennant. The Marinersmade it to the ALCS via ascintillating 15-inning victory over Detroit in Game 5of theirALDivision Series. They’ll
have little time to savorthatvictory.Game1 in Toronto was slated to begin less than 48 hours later on Sunday night
Seattle had to use threeofits top starting pitchers —George Kirby, Luis Castillo andLogan Gilbert in that marathon Game 5against the Tigers.4 So the Mariners are set to start Bryce Miller —who had a5.68 ERAduring the regular season —onthree days’ rest in the opener against the Blue Jays.A rested Kevin Gausman takes the mound for Toronto, whicheliminatedthe New York Yankees in four games in their ALDS
Thereigning World Series champion Dodgers beat Philadelphia in four to earn areturn trip to the NLCS. That seriesstarts Monday night. Milwaukee won a five-gameNLDSover theChicago Cubs to advance.
Thetop seeds in both leagues —the 97-winBrewers and 94-win Blue Jays —are still alive.
What to know aboutthe League Championship Series
n The stars shined brightfor Toronto and Seattle in the ALDS. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.ofthe Blue Jays went 9for 17 withthree home runs and nine RBIs againstthe Yankees. Cal Raleigh, thecatch-
er whoslugged 60 homers in the regular season for theMariners, was6for 21 with ahomer andfour walks against Detroit.
n Ohtani, theDodgers’two-way star,did not have agreat series pitching or hitting against the Phillies,but another Japanese standout did. Roki Sasaki didnot pitch much during the regular season because of injury, but he has thrown 51/3 scoreless innings in theplayoffs,including three in Game 4ofthe NLDS, when Los Angeles beat Philadelphia in 11 innings to endthatseries. Sasaki couldbethe answer tosome of the Dodgers’ bullpen woes, which is important because Milwaukee’sstartingpitchersproduced abetter ERA during theregular season thanLA’sstar-studded crew.
n Milwaukeehas reached the NLCS nine monthsafter thedeath of Bob Uecker,the team’slongtime broadcaster. TheBrewers posedwith abannerwith Uecker’s signature after knockingout the Cubs.
n Dodgers-Brewersisarematch of the 2018 NLCS, which went the distance. Los Angeles won Game 7 in Milwaukeetodenythe Brewers their first World Series appearance since 1982. When the Braves were in Milwaukee, theDodgers
beat them in abest-of-three tiebreaker seriesfor the 1959 NL pennant. Part of the reason the Brewers finished with baseball’s best record this year was because they went 6-0against the Dodgers during the regular season. All of those games took place during an 11-game win streak that straddled theAll-Star break in July
n Although they entered the American League at the same time,there’s notmuchhistory between the Mariners and Blue Jays. However,the proximity to Canada might make for more fans of the visiting team at Seattle home games than theMariners would like.Seattleisinthe ALCS forthe first time since 2001, whenthe Mariners won 116 games during the regular season but were beaten by the Yankees forthe pennant. Toronto madethe ALCS as recently as 2016 but hasn’twon apennant since the second of itsback-toback WorldSeriestitles in 1993.
The Blue Jays went 4-2 against the Marinersthis year,but their seasonseries was over by mid-May.
n If the Mariners and Brewers reach the World Series, it’ll be the first Fall Classic to feature two teams that have never won it before sincethe Philadelphia Philliesbeat the Kansas City Royals in 1980.
Gauff beats Pegulatowin an all-U.S. final in Wuhan WUHAN,China Coco Gauffreeled offfour straight games to beat JessicaPegula 6-4, 7-5and win the WuhanOpenonSundayinallAmerican final.
The21-year-old Gauff won her secondtitle of the year,having won the FrenchOpen on clay,and she now has 11 career titles. The third-ranked Gauff served to save the second set at 5-3 down. She held and then broke the sixthranked Pegula to love for5-5. Pegula’s forehandvolleyatthe net landed wide to give Gauff a first match point and, with Pegula on secondserve,she clinchedit with aforehand winner following abrief rally It wastheir seventh career meeting and first in afinal. Pegula leads 4-3 overall against Gauff, with whomshe has won several WTAdoubles titles.
Ugandan, Ethiopian cruise to Chicago Marathon wins
CHICAGO Jacob KiplimoofUganda and Ethiopian HawiFeysa won the men’sand women’sraces at the Chicago Marathon by comfortable margins on Sunday Kiplimo crossed the line in a personal-best time of 2hours, 2 minutesand 23 seconds. He was 1minute, 31 secondsclear of Kenyan Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon winner, whose countrymanAlexMasai was third in 2:04.37. Conner Mantz was fourth in aU.S.-record time of 2:04:43. The 26-year-old Feysa also put in astellarperformance to win in 2:14:56 in a1-2 finish forEthiopia. She was 2:22 clear of Megertu Alemu with Magdalena Shauri of Tanzania third in 2:18:03.
Sanchez is released from custody aweek after arrest INDIANAPOLIS Former NFLquarterback andsports analyst Mark Sanchez was released from custody Sunday,about aweek after policesaidhewas stabbed during afight with atruckdriveroutside an Indiana hotel. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Sanchez’srelease. He faces afelony battery charge, along with several misdemeanor charges, for what prosecutors have said was afight over parking.
Apolice affidavit says the 38-year-old Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted 69-year-old Perry Tole,who hadbackedhis truck into ahotel’s loading docksin downtown Indianapolis on Oct. 4. Tole claims in alawsuit filed MondaythatSanchez enteredthe truck without permission, thenphysically blockedand shoved Tole, who then doused Sanchez with pepper spray
Oregon State firescoach as Beavers fallto0-7
Oregon State fired coach Trent Bray on Sunday after the team fell to 0-7, its worst start to aseason since 1991.
Robb Akey will be the interim head coach forthe rest of the season pending anational search for Bray’ssuccessor,athletic director Scott Barnes said.
“I want to thank Coach Bray for the energy and determination he broughttothe role. Aformer student-athlete, proudgraduate, and dedicated mentor,Trent’sconnection to Oregon State runs deep —hewill always be aBeaver,” Barnes said in astatement.
BY STEVE MEGARGEE Associated Press
MILWAUKEE Ending their recent runofplayoff frustration earned the Milwaukee Brewers anew nickname from their manager
Pat Murphy has referred tohis team as the “Average Joes,” a nod to their small-market status and lack of big names But after the Brewers beat therival ChicagoCubs 3-1 in the decisive fifth game of their NL Division Series on Saturday night, Murphy decided it was time for an upgrade.
“You can call them the average Joes,”Murphysaid, “but Isay they’re the above-average Joes.”
The Brewers relied on contributions from just about all of them to get past the Cubs.
Andrew Vaughn hit atiebreaking homer in the fourth inning, and William Contreras and Brice Turang also went deep. Trevor Megill, JacobMisiorowski, Aaron Ashby,Chad Patrick andAbner Uribecombined on afour-hitter,
with Uribe getting six outs for the firstmulti-inningsave of his career
“It takes every single oneof theseguys in thelockerroom, and they’ve done it,” Turangsaid. “We’ve got to keep going.”
The Brewers, making their seventh playoffappearanceineight years, earned their first postseasonseries winsince sweeping Coloradoina 2018 NLDS.Milwaukeewas on thevergeofits second World Series berth that
year before losing Game 7ofthe National League Championship Seriesathometothe Los Angeles Dodgers. Now,the Brewers get another NLCS matchup with the defending World Series champion Dodgers, who beat the Philadelphia Philliesinfour games in the other NL Division Series. Game 1isMonday at Milwaukeeasthe Brewers chase their first pennant since 1982 —back when they played in the American League.
After losing slugging shortstop Willy Adames in freeagency and trading away All-Star closer Devin Williamslast winter,the scrappy Brewers finished the regular season with the best record in the majors at 97-65.
They’ve reached the NLCS nine months after the death of Bob Uecker,who broadcast Brewers games for 54 seasons andisprobably more synonymous withthe franchise thanany player
“It was important to these guys —because it’sthe rival —tofinish the job,”Murphy said. “And they know Ueck is smiling.”
Aweek ago, OregonState fired special teams coach JamieChristian, andBarnessaid he and Bray were evaluating the program with an eye toward making immediate changes.
Former NFL quarterback Dilfer fired as UAB coach
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer was fired as UAB’scoach on Sunday,a day after the Blazers fell to 2-4 with a 53-33 loss at Florida Atlantic. UABhas lost three straight, leaving it 9-21 in 21/2 seasons under Dilfer.The Blazers were 4-8 in 2023 and 3-9 last year
“Weagree that —unfortunately —our on-field performance has notlived up to the standard of winning we have forthe program,” athleticdirector Mark Ingram said in astatement.
Offensive coordinator/QBs coach Alex Mortensen will serve as interim coach. He’sthe son of late NFLanalyst Chris Mortensen
By The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C Rico Dow-
dle warned his former Dallas Cowboys teammates last week they’d better get ready and buckle up.
“They wasn’t buckled up,” Dowdle said.
The sixth-year running back went over 200 yards from scrimmage for the second straight week and rookie Ryan Fitzgerald kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Cowboys 30-27 in a wild back-andforth game on Sunday Bryce Young completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards and threw two of his three touchdown passes to rookie Tetairoa McMillan to help the Panthers (3-3) improve to 3-0 at home.
Dowdle, who spent five years with the Cowboys before signing earlier this year with the Panthers, ran for 183 yards on 30 carries and caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown as Carolina avenged home losses to Dallas the last two seasons.
Dowdle’s 473 yards from scrimmage over the past two weeks are a franchise record. He also became the seventh NFL player in the last 20 years to post backto-back 200 yards games. His 239 yards on Sunday also set a franchise record, breaking the previous mark of 237, set twice by Christian McCaffrey
“It was personal for him and we knew that. We want to have his back,” Young said. “That’s our brother and if it’s important to him and it’s personal to him it’s important to us.”
BRONCOS 13, JETS 11: In London, Bo Nix threw an early
touchdown pass, Wil Lutz kicked a late go-ahead field goal and Denver sacked Justin Fields nine times, with the final one sealing an ugly victory over winless New York.
The Broncos (4-2) won their third in a row, but found themselves trailing 11-10 after conceding a safety in the third quarter against a Jets team that managed just 82 total net yards on offense Nix, who was 19 of 30 for 174 yards, led Denver on a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Lutz’s 27-yard field with just over five minutes left.
Despite a horrendous offensive display, the Jets (06) still had the ball with a chance to drive for a potential winning score RAMS 17, RAVENS 3: In Owings Mills, Maryland, the Los Angeles Rams finished the first half with a goal-line stand and then Matthew Stafford guided them to a pair of touchdowns to begin the third quarter in a victory over Baltimore.
The Rams (4-2) weren’t at their best, but they didn’t have to be against a spiraling Baltimore team that was without injured quarterback Lamar Jackson for a second straight weekend. The Ravens (1-5) managed a field goal on their first drive and nothing more. It was tied at 3 late in the first half when the Ravens had first-and-goal from the 4.
After Derrick Henry ran to the 1, Baltimore tried backto-back tush push plays with tight end Mark Andrews lining up at quarterback and sneaking. Neither worked and then Henry was stopped on fourth down.
SEAHAWKS 20, JAGUARS 12: In Jacksonville, Florida, Sam Darnold threw touchdown
passes to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, and Seattle dominated both lines of scrimmage on its way to a victory at Jacksonville.
Smith-Njigba finished with eight receptions for 162 yards as the Seahawks (4-2) rebounded from a lastsecond loss to Tampa Bay at home. They had few issues traveling cross-country for an early start, controlled most of the way and improved to 22-6 over the last decade in 1 p.m. kickoffs on the East Coast
The Jaguars (4-2), meanwhile, looked every bit like a team that spent the week reveling in a Monday night victory against three-time AFC champion Kansas City Jacksonville’s first three snaps set the tone: a sack, a holding penalty and a 3-yard loss.
CHARGERS 29, DOLPHINS 27: In Miami Gardens, Florida, Justin Herbert escaped the
BY JOHN WAWROW Associated Press
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y — Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver couldn’t help but interrupt upon overhearing a conversation running back James Cook was having regarding his college days at Georgia.
With Buffalo (4-1) traveling to play Atlanta (2-2) on Monday night, Cook acknowledged never scoring a touchdown in three SEC championship game appearances with the Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which doubles as the Falcons’ home.
“That’s crazy to believe I don’t believe that,” Oliver said of Cook, who scored 20 times over four years at Georgia, where he was part of a formidable and crowded backfield.
“Never had one,” Cook responded. “But now I’m going to get one this week.”
Add another log to the motivational fire for Cook and the Bills following last weekend’s sloppy, threeturnover outing in a 23-20 loss to New England. Not only was the Josh Allenled offense held under 30 points for the first time this year, Cook was limited to a season-low 49 yards from scrimmage — all rushing — and had his franchise-record touchdown streak end at eight games.
“Just get back to playing our football and we’re going to get back on track,” he said. Cook’s emergence as a dual threat since taking over the starting job midway through his second NFL season in 2023 has been critical in providing the offense balance and taking the load off of Allen from having to do it all. He has combined for 23 touchdowns (21 rushing) since the start of 2024. Following a weeklong hold-in during training camp that led to Cook signing a fouryear contract extension, he has already begun proving his value. He enters Week 6 ranking second in the NFL
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook celebrates his touchdown against the Saints on Sept. 28 in Orchard Park, N.y
with 430 yards rushing and tied for second with five TDs rushing.
Cook also gets to showcase how his role in Buffalo has expanded since his college days. In his freshman season, he was third on the Bulldogs’ depth chart behind current Bears running back D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield. Over his final two seasons, Cook shared the backfield with now Raiders-backup Zamir White.
“Same mindset,” Cook said. “Keep doing what I do.”
Buffalo’s ground game could be key on Monday night The Falcons have been stingy while allowing an NFL-low average of 135 yards passing per outing, but rank in the middle of the pack in giving up an average 109 yards rushing.
Falcons first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is aware of the challenge ahead, especially after spending the previous four seasons with Buffalo’s division rival-New York Jets.
“There’s bags under my eyes for a reason,” Ulbrich said of devising a plan to contain Allen and Cook. “It felt a lot better when they didn’t have an elite running back there.”
Buffalo, meantime, will have its hands full in facing
Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson, who enters the weekend ranking fourth in the NFL with 584 yards from scrimmage — 45 ahead of Cook.
The two are elusive runners, threats in the passing game, and have similar body sizes at 5-foot-11, though Robinson is 25 pounds heavier at 215.
“He’ll get going one way, make a cut on a dime, and still have the same speed,” Bills linebacker Shaq Thompson said of Robinson, after previously having to defend against him with Atlanta’s divisionrival Carolina Panthers.
“James is the same way But we’re playing Bijan, so we got to bring our pads. He’s one of those guys who’s not going to go down off one tackle.”
The Bills have struggled against the run, including allowing 238 yards in their season-opening 41-40 win over Baltimore. The run defense was better in limiting the Patriots to 71 yards, though Rhamondre Stevenson scored twice on 4- and 7-yard runs.
“He tests every gap, so everything’s alive with him,” Thompson said of Robinson, before turning his attention back to Cook.
“He’s going to get one this week, for sure,” Thompson said, when reminded that Cook never scored at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Maybe two.”
Dolphins’ pass rush and connected with Ladd McConkey for a 42-yard catch-and-run in the final minute, setting up Cameron Dicker’s fifth field goal of the game, and Los Angeles rallied to beat Miami.
The Dolphins overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and took the lead when Tua Tagovailoa threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Darren Waller with 46 seconds remaining.
Nyheim Hines set the Chargers up at Miami’s 35 with a 40-yard return of the ensuing kickoff. On secondand-10, Herbert stepped up in the pocket, got free from the grasp of Jaelan Phillips and threw a short pass to McConkey, who broke a tackle and ran out of bounds at the Miami 17. Dicker’s 33yard kick won it for Los Angeles (4-2), which snapped a two-game skid.
STEELERS 23, BROWNS 9: In Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers
passed for 235 yards and two touchdowns, and Pittsburgh had little trouble with Cleveland.
The Steelers (4-1) strengthened their early grip on the AFC North by continuing their home mastery of the Browns (1-5). Cleveland’s regular-season losing streak at Acrisure Stadium hit 22 games after another lifeless performance by its offense.
Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel passed for 221 yards but couldn’t lead the league’s second-lowest scoring offense to the end zone as Cleveland failed to crack the 17-point barrier for the 11th consecutive game.
COLTS 31, CARDINALS 27: In Indianapolis, Daniel Jones threw two touchdown passes and Jonathan Taylor ran 1 yard for the go-ahead score with 4:32 left, giving Indianapolis a victory over Arizona.
Jones finished 22 of 30 for
212 yards with one interception. He also ran for a score. Taylor had 21 carries for 123 yards, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Indy (5-1) remained perfect at home by winning its sixth straight over the past two seasons at Lucas Oil Stadium.
PACKERS 27, BENGALS 18: In Green Bay, Wisconsin, Josh Jacobs rushed for two touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers held off Cincinnati for a victory in Joe Flacco’s Bengals debut. Jacobs had a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and opened the fourth by scoring on a 14yard burst up the middle. Jordan Love went 19 of 26 for 259 yards with an interception and a 19-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft.
Lucas Havrisik sealed the win by making the second of his two field goals, a 39-yarder with 1:52 remaining Havrisik also kicked a 43-yarder a day after signing with the Packers because usual kicker Brandon McManus had injured his quadriceps.
RAIDERS 20, TITANS 10: In Las Vegas, Geno Smith passed for 174 yards and a touchdown, and Devin White led a suffocating Raiders defense as Las Vegas defeated the Tennessee Titans. The Raiders (2-4) ended a four-game skid, and the Titans (1-5) missed an opportunity to win consecutive games for the first time since November of 2022, a 47-game stretch. Neither of the struggling teams did much on offense. They combined for 451 yards.
BY ROB MAADDI AP pro football writer
TAMPA,Fla.— Baker Mayfield shrugged off the “MVP!” chants the way he shook away from tacklers.
Mayfield’s heroics came early in the fourth quarter instead of the final minutes as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the San Francisco 49ers 30-19 on Sunday Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and had a spectacular scramble to set up the score that sealed the win. Fans serenaded him with “MVP!” chants and many were still hailing Mayfield as they left the stadium.
“It’s Week 6, (we) have a big one next week,” Mayfield said. “It’s awesome to have support. Don’t get me wrong but we’re just getting started.”
After winning four games with scores in the last minute, the four-time defending
NFC South champion Buccaneers (5-1) didn’t need a late comeback.
Up 20-19 early in the fourth, the Buccaneers faced a third-and-14 at their 41. Mayfield ducked away from a sack in the pocket, escaped another defender, scrambled out of trouble, eluded more tackles and dove headfirst, stretching the ball to get a first down on third-and-14.
“I was in disbelief like everybody else,” coach Todd Bowles said. “It happens every other week or so that he makes those types of plays an you just pray he doesn’t get hurt or anything happens to him but he has a knack. He has a knack that you can’t teach or coach. It was an unbelievable play.”
Told he looked like Michael Vick on the play, Mayfield said: “I can’t do what Mike Vick ever did.”
A few plays later, Mayfield connected with Tez
Johnson on a 45-yard TD pass down the middle to give the 49ers a 27-19 lead. Johnson made an outstretched leaping catch and the rookie celebrated his first career TD with an acrobatic flip. The 49ers were driving for a potential tying score when Mac Jones threw an interception to Jamel Dean on fourth-and-5 from the Buccaneers 33 with just under six minutes left. The turnover led to Chase McLaughlin’s 45yard field goal that extended the lead to 30-19 Playing through knee and oblique injuries, Jones threw for 347 yards with two picks, losing for the first time in four starts filling in for Brock Purdy “Obviously didn’t play my best,” Jones said. “I’m proud we went out there and fought. I just want to go out there and practice and see what I can do better.”
BY LUKE JOHNSON AND ROD WALKER Staff writers
Less than a year removed from a major knee injury that threatened his career, New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill scored his 34th rushing touchdown of his NFL career in the second quarter against the New England Patriots. That number is fairly significant in its own right: It moved him past NFL Hall of Famer John Elway on the all-time list for career rushing touchdowns by non-running backs into a tie for 15th place all time with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper
It’s more remarkable when considering what Hill had to endure to get there. Hill suffered multiple season-ending injuries during his time at Brigham Young University He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and was 28 years old when he carved out his first real offensive role with New Orleans in 2018.
Now 35 years old, Hill is coming off a major knee injury that he suffered last December He’d only gone through six practices this season before Sunday’s game against the Patriots, but the Saints still dialed his number for a critical red-zone play
On the play, Hill lined up under center before the Saints’ entire offensive formation shifted to a spread look, with backup offensive lineman Luke Fortner lining up in the slot to the left. New Orleans motioned Kendre Miller at the snap, also to the left, creating some flow in the Patriots defense.
RUSHING—New England, Maye 9-28, Henderson 9-27, Stevenson 13-18. New Orleans, Kamara 10-31, Miller 8-21, Rattler 4-20, Hill 1-1.
PASSING—New England, Maye 18-26-0-261. New Orleans, Rattler 20-26-0-227.
RECEIVING—New England, Boutte 5-93, Douglas 3-71, Diggs 3-28, Henry 3-27, Hollins 2-28, Henderson 1-9, Hooper 1-5. New Orleans, Olave 6-98, Kamara 5-45, Shaheed 4-28, Johnson 2-15, Cooks 1-21, Miller 1-11, Moreau 1-9.
PUNT RETURNS—New England, M.Jones 1-6. New Orleans, Shaheed 2-21.
KICKOFF RETURNS—New England, Chism 5-129. New Orleans, Tipton 4-89.
TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS—New England, Spillane 5-6-0, M.Jones 4-1-1, Gonzalez 4-1-0, Elliss 3-3-0, Woodson 3-3-0, Tonga 2-2-0, Davis 1-4-0, Gibbens 1-3-0, Barmore 1-2-0, Dugger 1-2-0, Farmer 1-1-0, M.Williams 1-1-0, Landry 1-0-1, Tavai 0-3-0, Durden 0-1-0. New Orleans, Werner 5-0-1, Taylor 5-0-0, Sanker 4-1-0, McKinstry 4-0-0, Godchaux 3-4-0, Bullard 3-0-0, Bresee 2-3-0, D.Davis 2-1-0, Shepherd 2-1-0, Stutsman 2-0-0, Reid 1-2-0, Jordan 1-0-0, Riley 1-0-0, Stalbird 1-0-0, C.Young 1-0-0, Granderson 0-1-0. INTERCEPTIONS—New England None. New Orleans, None. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.
OFFICIALS—Referee Adrian Hill, Ump Roy Ellison, HL Derick Bowers, LJ Julian Mapp, FJ Tra Boger, SJ Clay Reynard, BJ Greg Steed, Replay Bob Hubbell.
Hill took the snap and ran to the right, following a lead block from right tackle Taliese Fuaga into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown that cut the Patriots’ lead to 14-13. Including touchdowns as a passer and receiver, Hill has now accounted for 56 total touchdowns in his career
Grupe’s bounce back
Blake Grupe had been struggling this season The Saints kicker entered the game having made just 10 of 15 field goals, including two misses last week in a victory over the New York Giants.
Grupe was perfect Sunday, making all four of his field goal attempts from 34, 48, 38 and 54 yards.
“That’s how you hang around in this league,” Grupe said. “High stakes, everything is very important Every point on the board, we need to get. Everybody’s put in a lot of work. That’s the least I can do is go out there and do my job.”
Grupe credited the work that he and holder Kai Kroeger and long snapper Zach Wood put in this week.
“We were working on some little stuff, and it’s nice to be able to see
tage of the opportunities.”
us go out there and take care of business and see results.”
Returns to health
Saints defensive end Chase Young made his season debut after missing the first five games with a calf injury
Young finished with one tackle in the game. He didn’t record a sack, despite getting close to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye several times.
“It felt great to be out their running around with the guys,” Young said. “There’s nothing like it.”
Young said after the game that his calf felt great.
Young wasn’t the only Saints player making a return to the starting lineup. Right guard Cesar Ruiz returned after missing last week’s game with a high ankle sprain. Ruiz, like Young, didn’t feel any effects from the injury that sidelined him.
“It felt like I had fresh legs,” Ruiz said. “I felt great being back out there.”
Rookie gets on the field
Playing time has been hard to come by for Saints rookie linebacker Danny Stutsman this year, but he got on the field in the first half against the Patriots.
Stutsman entered the game in the second quarter in place of linebacker Pete Werner He played one defensive series, making a tackle on a first-and-10 run play and playing a part in the lone Saints’ defensive drive that kept New England off the scoreboard in the first half. Werner checked back in on the ensuing drive.
The Saints put Stutsman back on the field for a series in the third quarter Before Sunday’s game, Stutsman had only played four defensive snaps this season. The third-round
pick out of Oklahoma had primarily been used in special teams, where he has played 63% of the snaps. Odds and ends
Saints linebacker Demario Davis typically handles the pregame hype speech, but Sunday he turned it over to tight end Foster Moreau to close things out Saints safety Justin Reid, a Louisiana native, led the pregame Who Dat chant After releasing Velus Jones from the active roster this week the Saints gave kick return duties to wide receiver Mason Tipton, who finished with four returns for 89 yards Rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks briefly left Sunday’s game with the athletic training staff early in the second quarter, but he returned to the field before the drive was finished Mayorelect Helena Moreno was present for Sunday’s game, watching in team owner Gayle Benson’s suite.
Rattler could only offer a variation of the same answer that he had been giving for weeks.
“It didn’t feel like we played poorly,” he said. “That’s the thing. But you know (we were) a few plays away, so we just have to figure out how to make those plays.”
The higher-picked quarterback prevailed, but Rattler did well to keep pace with Maye throughout the afternoon. They both threw 26 passes. Rattler completed 20, Maye 18. Rattler finished with 227 yards. Maye? He had 261.
But the biggest difference between them was the number of thrown touchdowns — Maye’s three passing touchdowns were the reason the Saints ultimately couldn’t record a second straight victory The Saints, as well as Rattler played, only found the end zone once on a 1-yard Taysom Hill run. On Sunday, the Saints’ most consistent problem this season reared its ugly head again. The offense settles for field goals, not touchdowns. That’s been a through line through the first six games. And that’s not all on the quarterback
“That’s on me,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said. “We’re not doing a good enough job. I thought we moved it at a decent rate We just didn’t take advan-
The Saints are also in a constant position to need touchdowns in part due to how the defense has started these games For the fourth straight game, New Orleans’ defense gave up back-toback touchdowns on its opening series. And on Sunday, the Saints faced a quarterback they couldn’t afford to let get going.
Maye may only be in his second year, but he was still polished enough of a quarterback to exploit a young Saints’ secondary Fresh off the biggest win of his career — an upset victory to hand the Buffalo Bills their first loss of the season Maye carried that momentum into New Orleans. He saw a streaking DeMario Douglas completely fool cornerback Quincy Riley on a post route, hitting him for a 53-yard touchdown.
Maye also wasn’t fazed when a 60yard touchdown was overturned on a curious offensive pass interference penalty, rallying the Patriots with a 25-yard touchdown to former LSU standout Kayshon Boutte.
Maye was so sharp that his first incompletion, a throwaway under pressure, didn’t come until 6:39 left in the second quarter — an hour of real time into the game.
“He stayed calm and collected,” Saints safety Justin Reid said.
With the way Maye was playing, the Saints needed Rattler to keep pace — and for a while, he did just that. Fresh off the first win of his career — a victory over the New York Giants — Rattler also carried his momentum into Sunday’s contest against the Patriots. On the very first play of the game, Rattler saw the corner blitz and hit Chris Olave for a 53-yard strike. He also found a rhythm, with only one incompletion in his first 10 passes. But football is a team game. And as accurate as Rattler was early on, the Saints sent out Blake Grupe
too many times for field goals — including three plays after Olave’s big gain. Grupe hit four kicks total, two under 40 yards. The field goals didn’t allow the Saints to seize control of the game, even when Grupe’s 38-yarder gave them a 16-14 lead with 1:51 left in the first half. Maye and the Patriots instantly answered back with a textbook two-minute drill that ended with a 29-yard touchdown to
Boutte. Tack on a successful twopoint conversion, and the Saints trailed 22-16 at the half. And maybe then is when the differences in quarterback play came to haunt the Saints. Even after the Saints held the Patriots to only a field goal in the second half, Maye was still able to seal the game with a precise 21-yard, third-down conversion that let the Patriots run out the clock. Rattler lacked that kind of signature throw But that could also be considered an overreaction. The Saints missed pivotal chances to take the lead, even when Rattler had been precise. Juwan Johnson fumbled at midfield with 8:43 left. Olave’s second-down drop also loomed large on the following and final Saints possession; it could have given New Orleans a first down but instead led to a three-and-out. Afterward, Rattler was asked if he felt he had proven anything by going toe-to-toe with a member of his draft class. The 25-year-old seemed to agree with the premise of the question, telling reporters that his goal is to “put my best foot forward every game as best I can, every chance I can.”
Then he resorted to a familiar talking point.
“We’re better than our record is saying right now,” Rattler said “We’ve got to figure out a
to
these games out.”
The Saints had no answerfor DrakeMaye, especially in the first half.The second-year quarterback from North Carolinalooked likethe best playeronthe field for most of the day, completing 18 of 26 passes for 261 yards and threetouchdowns He also ran for ateam-high 32 yards. Maye’s biggest passwas his last one, a21-yard dime to Kayshon Boutte on third-and-11 to seal the game andkeep the Saints fromattemptinga game-winning touchdown driveinthe finalminutes. Maye did most of his damageinthe first half, when he strafed the Saints’ defense on 11-of-13 passing for 185 yards andthreetouchdowns. His passer rating was aperfect 158.3 in the first half.
Juwan Johnson’slate fumble wasa killer forthe Saints and did not occurwithout controversy. Officials originally ruled Johnson wasdownbefore losing the ball after his14-yard catch with 8:50 left. But theyreversed the call after a replayreviewand ruled thatJohnson fumbled, giving NewEnglandpossession at its own49. Ultimately,the Patriots had to punt, buttheywere able to runvaluable time off theclock and punt the Saints deep in their own territory because of the ruling. Kellen Moorewas not happywiththe decisionand advanced 20 yardsonto the field to dispute the ball with officials, to no avail. It was only the Saints’ second fumble of the season.
Thegamebox score shows that the Saints were 1for 2inthe red zone, but theyalso failedtoscore atouchdown on twoother tripstothe NewEngland 27- and 20-yard lines. Theirlone touchdown in the scoring zone came on ashortrun by tight end Taysom Hill in the second quarter of their game at the Superdome.As aresult of their shortcomings in the red zone, the Saints settled for four BlakeGrupe field goals. It was Grupe’s best game of the season aftersomeearlierstruggleswith accuracy,sothat’sa good thing.But the Saints need more touchdownsiftheywant to record more winsand reverse their 1-5start.
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
With achance to lead ago-ahead drive late in the fourth quarter,New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler felt pressuretohis left, rolled to his right and saw his top receiver come freedownfield.
On the run, Rattlerfired astrike that hit Chris Olave in the handsnear the midfield line. But it did not stay in his hands. The ball dropped to the turfincomplete, adrop in acritical moment. Had the play been made, the Saints would have had anew setofdowns pushing into NewEngland territory with about fourminutes lefttoplay trailing 25-19.
But the Saints experienced theother end of the what-if scenario.Rattler’s ensuing third-down pass sailed incomplete, New Orleans punted the ball away and never got it back
There were plenty of dirtyhands in the Saints’ 25-19lossSunday. Tight end Juwan Johnson fumbled the ball near midfield on the possession before Olave’sdrop. NewOrleans converted just three of its nine third downs. The Saints defense couldn’tget off the field in the closing minutes and generally had no answer for Patriots rising star quarterback Drake Maye. All of those things, not one play,added up toaloss.
“It’sthe NFL; the margins are really, really small, really tight,” said coach Kellen Moore. “They have good players;wehave good players. It’s amatter of taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented.
“We’renot getting it done.We’re not getting it done in those situations when we have opportunities. For myself,I have to figure out away to get us there.”
But Olave’smissed opportunities stood out because he is supposedto be the guy making the big plays when it matters. Olave was not in the locker room for comment after the game, buthis quarterback said the drops won’taffect whether the Saints go his way with the game on the line in the future.
“I’m not worried about him,”Rattler said. “He’sone of our best guys. Our top guy.And we’re going tokeep getting him the ball. We rely on him, and our confidence is high in him.”
Statistically,Sunday’sgame against the Patriots was the best of Olave’sseason by asignificant margin. He finished with six catches for 98 yards, and he
got off to agreat start The Patriots sent acorner blitz on the first play from scrimmage, sending Carlton Davis from the far left flank of the New England defense. New Orleans hadthe perfectplay ready for theblitz. Davishad been lined up over Olave, andwithnobodyinfront of him, Olave ran deep andraced past Patriots safety Kyle Dugger,hauling in a53-yard pass from Rattler on the Saints’ first play of the day. The catch matchedOlave’scareer long, which he’dset in his 2022 rookie season against the Los Angeles Rams.
It was awelcome beginning for Olave, who was averaging just 7.4 yards percatch coming into thegame, well below his career average (12.5).
Beforehehauled in that bomb to start thegame, his season long was 17 yards
He followed that up with some nice
catches that moved theSaints into scoring range lateinthe first half. Aftera failed Patriotsfourth-down conversion,the Saintstookover at New England’s47, and Rattler peppered Olave with quickpasses, hitting him for 9, 5, and8 yardstopushNew Orleans to the Patriots 20. On third-and-4, the Saints dialedOlave’snumberagain on aplaythey’d been working on in the week leading up to thegame.
Olave startedinthe slot and ranunderapair of in-breaking routesfrom his teammates, effectively running a wheel routetothe pylon. As intended, Patriotscorner Marcus Jones was slowed down by the traffic presented by the Saints receivers, andOlave flashed open. Rattler lofted apass toward the pylon, Olave ran under it and he could not quitehaul it in, with the ball glancing
off his fingertips at the goal line. The Saints ultimately settled fora field goal.
“I thought it wasawell-executed play,”Rattlersaid. “It’sa toughone We worked that all weekand felt great aboutit. It wasthe right look,and almostmade the play.”
Mooredid notcomment on Olave specifically after the game, choosing instead to take amore global approach when asked about Olave’sdrops.
“Obviously,we’ll look at the film to evaluate all the details of it, but we had some opportunities in the passing game,” Moore said. “Wedidn’tget it done. Those are challenging plays. I getit. We just have to find away collectively as agroup to come up with moresuccess.”
Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.
possession as well. The Saints ended up settling for afield goal, while the Patriots cashed in.
That’sbeen the Saints’ story much of the season. Their inabilityto make the most of their opportunities. Far too often, they have settled forfield goals instead of scoring touchdowns. And before Sunday,even those field goals weren’tsure things. But credit to kicker Blake Grupe for making all four of his field goals aftermaking just 10 of 15 coming into the game. But as is often the case with the Saints, they couldn’tget allthree phasesofthe game to play well in the same game. “We’re close, knocking on the door,” Moore said. “But we’re not opening it. Ihavetofind away to get better.”
The line between wins and losses in the NFL is athin one. The Saints are learningthat lesson the hard way They are now 1-5. It’stheir worst start after six games since 1999, Mike Ditka’sthird and final season as head coach. Making this start even more frustrating is the Saints have been close in games. Sunday was their third loss by seven points or less.
“Wedon’tlive in aleague where we get moral victories for being close,” said Saints safety Justin Reid. “That isn’twhat the NFL is. The NFL isn’tabout points. It’sabout W’sand L’s. We only have one Wso
far.Itisa bit frustrating. Everyman in the building knows what it takes to win. We’ve just gottogoout there and execute better.”
TheSaints’ defense, which forced five turnovers last week, struggled to stop Maye and Company.Ifyou wanted areason to party in theDome for the second weekinarow,you’ll have to wait until Thursday for Breezy Bowl (theconcert by R&B star Chris Brown). Thestar on this day was Maye, who threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Twoofthose were caughtbyNew Iberia native Kayshon Boutte. Boutte also hauled in a21-
yard reception on third-and-11 that wasthe final nail in theSaints’ coffin. While thePatriots were able to count on their key receivers, the Saintsweren’t. Chris Olave was unable to reel in what would have been atouchdown in thesecond quarter Andhealsohad adrop lateinthe fourth quarter that would have extended adrive. Andtherewas the costly fumble by tight end Juwan Johnson. It all added up to another loss for a team trying to findits way “Weknow we are abetter team than what our record says,” Rattler said.
“Wehave to findaway to winthese games that are one-score games.”
It’s the difference between being 1-5 and 4-2.
“Ifweeliminate the mistakes, we have achance against anybody,” Reid said. “Seriously.But we don’tstand a chance if we keep shooting ourselves in the foot. It’s just too manymistakes across the board.”
Reid, in his eighth NFLseason, says his role as aveteran is to makesure the accumulation of losses doesn’t fracture the team.
“We’re not going to let this turn into something where we’re going to start pointing fingers at each other,” Reid said. “I know the internet and everything is going to be wanting to tear us apart. The mostimportant thing is that the team stays ateam inside of the building. As long as we stay together,we’ll always have achance.”
The Saints had achance again on Sunday
“Wekeep putting ourselves in advantageous positions, but we keep drawing the wrong card,” said tight end Foster Moreau. “Wekeep drawing the adversity card. All we can do as ateam is keep putting ourselves in advantageous positions, and then when it’stimetogomake plays, that’s what we’ve got to go do. Follow the schemes. Then when it’syour turn, go makethe play.”
The Saints haven’tbeen able to do that.
They have a1-5 record to prove it.
Email RodWalkerat rwalker@theadvocate.com.
Despite knee injury, sophomore tight end has career-high night
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
On first and goal at the South Carolina 6-yard line, Trey’Dez Green lined up alone on the left side of the formation.
LSU’s 6-foot-7 sophomore tight end had just one man to beat: Cornerback Judge Collier Green’s eyes immediately lit up at the opportunity
“The defensive back was playing inside leverage, too,” Green said. “So I was like, ‘Yeah.’ “ Once the shotgun snap reached Nussmeier’s hands, he didn’t hesitate The fifth-year senior quarterback threw the ball up to the big tight end’s back shoulder, allowing him to make an easy grab for the touchdown.
It was LSU’s first time in the end zone on the night, but it wouldn’t be the last time Green made a big impact on the game. Green caught a career-high eight catches for 119 yards in LSU’s 20-10 win over South Carolina on Saturday He was a bright spot in an ugly game where LSU scored just three points on three trips to the goal line.
“Clearly, he’s a mismatch, right?” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “You can throw fade balls to him. He can catch the ball in quick game. He’s a unique talent, and we need to continue to feature him in our offense.”
His big performance included six catches that went for at least 11 yards Green’s final grab was a 24-yard catch that set LSU up at the South Carolina 1 with 3:13 remaining in the game.
His effort led to a short field goal that handed the Tigers a 20-10 lead,
essentially ending the contest with less than two minutes left to play
“See ball, get ball,” Green said. “I feel like, versus anybody, me oneon-one, I’m going to take myself every time.”
Green’s big night came despite not being 100% healthy After Saturday’s win, Green said that
his right knee is only at 80%, five weeks after he suffered a sprained MCL against Louisiana Tech.
LSU’s off-week helped him rest and recover allowing him to make cuts as a runner more easily now than before the Tigers’ open date.
“I got a chance to really heal up a lot,” Green said. “So like I said, I’m
No. 3 Indiana has its highest ranking ever
BY ERIC OLSON AP college football writer
Indiana moved up to No. 3 in The Associated Press college football poll Sunday for its highest ranking in program history and Texas was among five teams entering the Top 25 after eight ranked teams, three of them previously unbeaten, lost over the weekend. Ohio State and Miami remained the top two teams while the Hoosiers earned a four-spot promotion for their 10-point win at then-No 3 Oregon. No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 5 Mississippi traded places after the Aggies’ 17-point home win over Florida and the Rebels’ three-point home win over Washington State.
The Buckeyes strengthened their hold on No. 1 with a solid road win against then-No. 17 Illinois and received 50 first-place votes, 10 more than last week. Miami, which was idle, earned 13 first-place votes and Indiana got the other three Alabama moved up two spots to No. 6 and was followed by Texas Tech, Oregon, Georgia and LSU Oregon dropped five spots and has its lowest ranking in 20 polls since it was No. 8 in September 2024. Indiana’s groundbreaking run under second-year coach Curt Cignetti has been one of the biggest stories in college football since last season. The Hoosiers went into the Oregon game 0-46 on the road against top-five teams and, before Sunday, had never been ranked higher than No. 4 Their three first-place votes are their most in a poll since they got the same number when they were ranked No. 6 on Nov 5, 1945. Oklahoma plunged eight spots to No 14 with its first loss, 23-6 to Texas. The Longhorns were the preseason No 1 team, but a season-opening loss at Ohio State and Week 6 loss at Florida dropped them out of the Top 25. In beating the rival Soooners, they held a top-10 opponent without a touchdown for the first time since 1979 and re-entered the poll at No. 21. Missouri, which started 5-0, fell two spots to No. 16 after its threepoint home loss to Alabama.
Excitement continues in Week 8
Three ranked SEC games highlight the slate next week as No. 10 LSU heads to No. 17 Vanderbilt, No. 9 Georgia hosts No. 5 Ole Miss and No 11 Tennessee
Georgia Tech still buzzin’
Georgia Tech improved to 6-0 on Saturday with a 35-20 win against Virginia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets improved to No. 12, their highest ranking since coming in at No. 8 in the final poll of the 2014 season. Quarterback Haynes King continued to shine, completing 20 of 24 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown while tacking on 60 rushing yards and two rushing scores. King’s 60 rushing yards were the third most on the roster behind Jamal Haynes (69) and Malachi Hosley (129).
Texas Tech lands at No. 7
travels to Tuscaloosa to face No. 6 Alabama No 20 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame square off in a historic rivalry, this time in Irish territory, where the Trojans haven’t won since 2011. Notre Dame won the last two matchups, most recently beating USC 49-35 in late November
Over in the Big 12, an undefeated BYU team takes on Utah. It’s the 103rd faceoff between the two teams, with Utah holding the overall crown 52-30-4.
Texas Tech earned its highest ranking since November 2008, coming in at No. 7 after a convincing 42-17 win against Kansas.
Starting quarterback Behren Morton exited the game early with an injury for the third time this season. Backup Will Hammond finished the game at signal-caller What the Red Raiders lacked in the air they made up for on foot. In all, 372 of Texas Tech’s 505 yards
probably about like 80% this week. I’m gonna take some time and heal up to 100%. You all might see me without the knee brace.”
Green was LSU’s answer Besides redshirt sophomore wide receiver Kyle Parker no other Tiger had more than two catches on Saturday. Parker had five receptions for 75 yards, including a 43yard touchdown grab in the third quarter
Senior wide receiver Barion Brown, who led LSU in receptions heading into Saturday, only had two catches for 22 yards.
“Of course, Aaron is a big part in what we do in this offense,” Green said, “so I had to step up and make those plays.”
Green’s emergence Saturday came at a good time for LSU’s offense, which ran the ball more effectively against the Gamecocks than it had all year (166 yards) and featured a quarterback who appeared to be healthier this week than he ever had been this season.
The potential for a big game was always there for Green, a former high school basketball star and LSU forward. Saturday was the first time the Tigers fully unlocked it.
“He’s pretty good at football,” Kelly said. “I don’t know about the basketball thing. I’ll let Matt (McMahon, LSU men’s basketball) decide that.”
Lagniappe
Kickoff time and TV network for LSU’s game next Saturday at Vanderbilt are finally set.
The Southeastern Conference announced late Saturday night that the LSU-Vandy game will kick off at 11 a.m. in Nashville, Tennessee. The game will be shown on ABC. It will be the Tigers’ earliest kickoff so far this season Five of LSU’s first six games were night games and its game at Ole Miss kicked off at 2:30 p.m., also on ABC.
Without redshirt junior wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who didn’t play on Saturday because of an assortment of ailments, including a knee injury, LSU needed weapons to step up in his place. Anderson entered Saturday’s game leading the Tigers in receiving yards.
SU’s response to blowout loss: ‘Go back to work’
BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. BethuneCookman defenders unnecessarily knocked down Southern punter Kenny Pham at the Jaguars 29-yard line. The officials penalized the Wildcats 5 yards for running into the kicker, and Southern had a fourth-and-1 chance at its own 34 with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter Southern, with a 24-point deficit, went for it. New play-caller Fred McNair called a handoff up the middle for LSU transfer Trey Holly, who averaged 5 yards per carry for the game The fourthdown play was blown up as the edge wasn’t secured, and the interior of the offensive line was also fractured. Holly was tackled for a yard loss, and the team went to the sideline dejected.
The inability to move the ball on offense and the challenge of lacking any form of resistance on defense led to Southern’s downfall in its 45-14 loss to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at Daytona Stadium. Southern (1-5, 0-2 SWAC) lost to Bethune-Cookman (3-4, 2-1) for the first time in program history, now leading the series 7-1 The Jaguars are off to their worst overall record to start a season since 1971. The disastrous showing was a new low in a season of lows for a team that appeared in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game a little over 10 months ago.
While players and coaches looked shell-shocked immediately after the dismantling, they refused to dwell on the negative despite their disappointment. Southern’s mind-set is centered on fixing these issues.
“Just turning the page,” said safety Elijah West, who had a team-high 12 tackles. “Going back to practice and getting everything fixed, getting everything corrected. Try to come out (next week) and play our best ball.”
Coach Terrence Graves said his team’s play was not an indictment on how it prepared. While it leaves without the result it desired, the Jaguars are going to continue to do what they think will lead to a better product on the field.
“You just got to go back to
work,” the second-year coach said. “You got to keep playing. There’s no, you know, magic formula to it. You just got to watch film, got to correct it.”
The Jaguars were outmatched as a defense, allowing the Wildcats to score on six out of nine drives. Bethune-Cookman didn’t score on its first drive, its last drive entering halftime and its last drive in the fourth quarter when it ran the ball six times trying to expire the clock.
Southern’s only true defensive stand came in the unit’s first appearance. Even with that positive outcome, it only happened after a wide-open Bethune-Cookman player dropped a 34-yard pass in the end zone on third down, and their kicker followed with a 51yard field goal miss.
When asked how the defense returns to form, West, a senior, said it has “to go back to the drawing board” and become more disciplined in practice. Wide receiver Darren Morris, who had the team’s 66-yard touchdown reception to open the game, said the players have to remain connected and hold each other accountable.
“We gotta come together,” the redshirt junior said. “In the team meetings we have, we have to have a (players only) meeting. We just have to control practice from here on out. We just gotta push every day now.”
Southern’s only positive takeaway was the fine play of quarterback Ashton Strother, who relieved Cam’Ron McCoy at the 1:44 mark of the third period. Strother, a junior transfer from Coahoma Community College, swiftly led an 80-yard scoring drive. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in three drives.
Graves and players said they were committed to doing whatever it takes to collect wins for the remainder of the year “We have big dreams,” Morris said. “Going to the SWAC championship, those dreams are still attainable We still could do it. We just got to go 1-0 every week from here on out.”
Southern’s next showing will be its homecoming game against Prairie View (4-2, 3-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday at A.W Mumford Stadium.
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
As long as Blake Baker is coordinatingLSU’s defense, it willalways be vulnerabletoquarterback runs. The Tigers play too much mancoverage andsend toomany blitzes not to find themselves on the business end of along scramble or two.
That conventionalwisdom— which served as an explanation for at least acouple of the losses LSU suffered last season —isless true now,after atransfer-portal splurge infused the defense with more talent. Just ask LaNorris Sellers,the South Carolina star who ran all overthe Tigers in 2024 and struggled to find open field when he faced theirdefense again in 2025.
“He felt us today,” coach Brian Kelly said on Saturday after LSU’s 20-10 win. “He felt our football team. He felt our defense,and we made it toughfor him. We made it aphysicalgame where we got after him. And he did some really good things as well,but at the end of the day,weheld them to 10 points, and Ithink that’swhat we were hoping for.” LSU’srevitalized defense has nowprovenitcan contain mobile quarterbacks —animportant box to check ahead of thenext two games on its schedule. Both Vanderbilt and Texas A&M have signal-callers who can run.Diego Pavia gained nearly 1,000 yards on the ground last season for the Commodores, and Marcel Reedrushed for three touchdowns to defeat the
Tigers in 2024 for the Aggies. Quarterbacks aren’tbeating LSU that way this season. With sacks removed,Clemson’sCade Klubnik, Ole Miss’Trinidad Chambliss and Sellers combined to pickup only 170 rushing yards in their matchups against the No. 10 Tigers (5-1). Noneofthem have used their legs to find theend zone —or even break off arun longerthan 12 yards.
Last season, LSU let Sellers run free, giving up long rushes thatexposed flaws in the first defense it built during Baker’s tenure.
Baker’ssecond defense is much stingier.OnSaturday, theTigers limited Sellers to 74 yards on 17 carries. They tookaway his open receivers. They sacked him five times and forced him into two drive-killingintentionalgrounding penalties.
South Carolina became the fifth LSUopponent to score 10 or fewer points this season,eventhough LSU, according to ProFootball Focus, missed 24 tackles —more than double its defense’sprevious season high (11). Sellers forced 12 of those misses.
“Great quarterback,”star cornerback MansoorDelanesaid.
“Great athlete. CoachBaker preached, ‘Make him play quarterback. Make himthrow the ball.’
LSU wasn’tperfect. In the first quarter, it let South Carolina running back Matt Fuller loosefor a72yard touchdown run. On thatplay pre-snap motion moved linebackers West Weeks and Harold Perkins out of position, opening arushing lanefor Fuller.All he needed to do
wasclimb to thethirdlevel of the defense and break atackle attempt by safety Tamarcus Cooley, who was too flat-footed to take the correct angle and make astop
Last season,the Tigers made a habit of allowing those kinds of plays. No SEC defense allowed moreruns of 40, 50 and 60 yards in 2024 than LSU, whichfinishedthe year ranked 11thamong league teams in total defense.
Now the Tigersrarely allow chunk rushing plays. Through six games, they’ve givenuponly two runs of at least 20 yards —one to SouthCarolina and another to Southeastern Louisiana.Just five FBS teamshave allowed fewer this season.
“We’ve got to do somethings better on defense as well,” Kelly said. “Some coveragethings. Some fits.”
But LSU is still playing elitedefense. Only four FBS teamsare allowing fewer pointsper game (11.8) than theTigers, whorank 21st nationally in both total defense (297 yards per game) and rushing defense (102.5). LSU also leadsthe SECinpass break-ups (28),and it’stied for theleague lead in interceptions (eight).
It’sclear that the Tigers defense is better —way better
And so aretheir chances of slowing down mobile quarterbacks.
“If we clean up thosethings,”
Delane said, “if we cut those things, then every (game) we play fromnow on is gonna getbetter and better andbetter,sowehave to keep cleaning those things up, and thenwe’ll be the defense we want to be.”
BY TRAVISJOHNSON Associated Press
STATECOLLEGE, Pa.— From the day he was hired morethan adecade ago, James Franklin stressed the importanceofcreating afamily atmosphere at Penn State.
Over the course of 11-plus seasons in Happy Valley, that approach helped the Nittany Lions churn outpros anddouble-digit victory seasons with regularity
Yetitalsonever translated into Penn State beating the programsitconsiders its peers with regularity, either. Andwhile the stakes kept getting higher,the resultstookonacertain sameness. Until the last three weeks, anyway,when one tough loss turned into another improbable loss turned into one unforgivable loss that ended up costing Franklin his job.
PennState firedFranklin on Sunday,lessthan24hours after a22-21 home upset at thehands of Northwestern allbut ended whatever remote chance the preseasonNo. 2teamhad of reaching the College Football Playoff. Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach forthe rest of the season for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), whobegan theyear with hopes of winning thenational title only to have those hopes evaporate by early October with three consecutive losses, each one more stinging than the last.
Penn State, whichreached the CFPsemifinals 10 months ago, fell at home to Oregon in overtime in late September.A road setback at previously winless UCLAfollowed. Thefinalstraw came SaturdayatBeaver Stadium, where the Nittany Lions let Northwestern escapewitha victory and lost quarterback Drew Allar to injury for the rest of the season. Franklindeflected questions about his job security afterward, as always turning his attention towardthe players. It didn’tstop the administration from making the very expensive decision that it couldn’twait any longer to act.
Penn Stateswallowed anearly $50 millionbuyout to part ways with the coach who put the program back on the national map Franklin went 104-45 during his 11-plus seasons at Penn State. Yet the Nittany Lions often stumbled against top-tier opponents, going 4-21 againstteams rankedinthe top 10 during his tenure.
Hired in 2014 in the wake of Bill O’Brien’sdeparture forthe NFL, Franklin inherited ateam still feeling the effects of unprecedented NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Armed with relentless optimism and an ability to recruit, Franklin’sprogram regularly churnedout NFL-leveltalent, from Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley to Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons. Franklin guided the Nittany Lions to the 2016 Big Tentitle and a seemingly permanent spot in the rankings.
There was hope this fall might be the one whenPenn State would finally break through and win its third national championship and first since 1986. Yetafter three easy wins duringalight nonconference schedule, the Nittany Lions crumbled.
Athleticdirector Pat Kraft said the school owes Franklin an “enormous amount of gratitude” for leading the Nittany Lions back to relevance. YetFranklin’s inability to finish the job led to his ouster
“Wehold our athletics programs to thehighest of standards, and we believe this is the right momentfor new leadership at the helm of our football program to advance us toward Big Tenand national championships,” Kraft said.
Smith now will be tasked with tryingtostop thebleeding on whathas becomeadisastrous season.Hewill have his work cut out forhim:Penn State’snext threegamesare at Iowa on Saturday,atNo. 1Ohio State on Nov. 1and homeagainst No. 3Indiana on Nov. 8.
Indiana’ssignaturewin over Oregon was the biggest headline in aweekend filled with notable resultsaround the world of college football. After all of the dust settled, here’swhere Ilanded withmyAP Top25poll this week.
Koki’s poll afterWeek7
remarkable. Saturday’swin over Oregon not only proved that Indianaisprobably heading back to theCollegeFootball Playoff, but it also has achance at winning the whole darn thing
1. Miami, 2. Indiana, 3. Texas A&M, 4. Ohio State, 5. Texas Tech, 6. Alabama, 7. Georgia, 8. Notre Dame, 9. Oregon, 10. Oklahoma, 11. Tennessee, 12. Ole Miss, 13. Southern Cal, 14. Missouri, 15. LSU, 16. South Florida, 17. Texas, 18. Mississippi State, 19. Utah,20. Illinois, 21. Michigan, 22. Nebraska, 23. Cincinnati, 24. Vanderbilt, 25. Georgia Tech.
Just missed: Washington, BYU, Virginia, Louisville.
Indiana’sbig leap
What the Hoosiers havedonein
aseason and ahalf under coach
Curt Cignetti is nothing short of
This was notafluky result.Indianaearned ninemore first downs, had nearly100 more total yards andwon the time of possession battle on theroad against what heading into the weekend was the No. 2team in my poll. Combined with theblowoutwin over Illinois, it was obvious that theHoosiers deserved to crack my top 5. The question was where they belonged within that elite hierarchy
Placing them over Texas Tech and Ohio State was relatively easy.The Red Raiders have been extremely impressive, but they haven’tfaced atop-15 team this season, let alone anyone as talented as Oregon.The Buckeyes, on the other hand, earned adominant win over Illinois this week, but the victory still wasn’tasgrand as what Indianadid to theFighting Illini. Also, theOregon win for Indiana is stronger than anywin Ohio State has on its resume. Thereal debate began at No.
2. Indiana’swin over Oregon is slightly stronger than what Texas A&M accomplished on the road against Notre Dame. The Irish are the No. 8team in my poll, but theAggies won that gamebyjust apoint, and Indiana faced agreater time zone disadvantage by having to travel to the West Coast
Butthe rest of the Aggies’ resumeisvery impressive. They earned dominant wins over Auburn, Mississippi Stateand Florida, three programsthat have shown they can stick around with almost any team in thenation.Indiana has theIllinois win, obviously,but it hasn’tfaced the samedepthofcompetition. It also should be noted that the Hoosiers struggled to beat amiddle-of-theroad Iowa team last week. Basically,atleast in terms of resume, the margin between these two teams is almost nonexistent. ButIultimately landed with the Hoosiers over the Aggies this week because of how good quarterback Fernando Mendoza and theIndiana defense have played. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed has improved, but neither he nor theTexas A&M defense has con-
trolled contests as consistently well as Mendoza or the Hoosiers defense.
ATrojanhorse
Quietly,USC has pieced together astrong resume, with dominant wins over Purdue, Michigan Stateand now Michigan. The Trojans’ only loss came to aquality Illinois team in agame that started at 9a.m. Pacific twoweeks ago. It’sfair to note that this week USC had the time-zone advantage against Michigan. But USCstill has one of thebest offenses in the nation,and its winover the Wolverines this weekend was more impressive than anything Missouri or LSUhas done this season. LSU’sbest winiseither at Clemson or over Florida at home, and neither victory was by morethan 10 points. Missouri took down Kansas by 11 and hung around with Alabamathis weekend, but quarterback Beau Pribula looked unimpressive in his first start against an above-average defense this week.
Othernotes SouthFlorida’sblowout win
over undefeated North Texas was astatement winfor ateam that had already beaten Florida and blownout Boise State. The Bulls’ only blemish this season is alopsided loss to my No. 1team. Their victory over the Gators on the road was abig selling point in comparison to Texas, which lost to Florida away from home just aweek ago. That result, combinedwith Texas’ uneven resume, is why Igave the nodtoSouth Florida,which has been the much more consistent team on offense against strong competition.
The bottom of the poll was a messagain this week, but Virginia and BYU dropped out of it fordifferent reasons. The Cavaliers wereoff this week, but their winover Florida State has only lost significance as the Seminoles are now 0-3 in ACC play.BYU beat an improved Arizona team on the road in double overtime this week, but the Cougars still lack aquality win despite being undefeated. Email Koki RileyatKoki.Riley@ theadvocate.com.
By The Associated Press
YOKOHAMA, Japan Xander
Schauffele picked up another meaningful win in Japan, this coming after a frustrating year filled with injury He closed with a 7-under 64 for a one-shot victory in the Baycurrent Classic, his first title in what likely is his last PGA Tour event of the season.
Schauffele built a two-shot cushion over Max Greyserman with a birdie on the 17th hole at Yokohama Country Club. Greyserman needed to hole out from about 190 yards to have any chance, and his 7-iron stopped inches away for a tap-in birdie and a 65.
Greyserman was runner-up in Japan for the second straight year
Schauffele won the PGA Championship and British Open last year, but a rib injury cost him two months of the season and he never regained full form He missed the Tour Championship for the first time in his career He also became a father for the first time
Schauffele now has 10 career tour titles. It was his second big win in Japan, where his mother and mother-in-law grew up. He won the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021.
LPGA Tour
In Shanghai, Jeeno Thitikul came from four shots down with five holes to play to force a playoff with Minami Katsu, winning on the fifth extra hole to claim the Buick LPGA Shanghai and become the first two-time LPGA
Xander Schauffele, of the U.S. poses for a photo with his parents, Chen Ping-yi left, and Stefan Schauffele, after winning the Baycurrent Classic at the yokohama Country Club in yokohama, near Tokyo on Sunday It was Schauffele’s second big win in Japan, where his mother and mother-in-law grew up.
winner of the season.
The top-ranked Thitikul closed with a 9-under 63 and finished on 24-under 264 Katsu had a two-shot lead at the start and was still four ahead with five holes to play until the Thai made her charge, capped by an eagle on the 17th.
Katsu missed a birdie putt for
the win in regulation and shot 65.
Thitikul also won the Mizuho Americas Open in May Until Sunday, the LPGA had different winners in its previous 25 official tournaments this year
Korn Ferry Tour
In French Lick, Indiana, Chan-
Left, Will Little. T—2:36. A—42,743 (41,700) College football Major scores Saturday’s games EAST Army 24, Charlotte 7 CCSU 24, Robert Morris 12 Clemson 41, Boston College 10 Dartmouth 17,
dler Blanchet birdied his opening three holes closed with a 6-under 66 to win the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and be among 20 players who earned PGA Tour cards for 2026. There was little drama at French Lick Resort on the final day of the season with 20 cards at stake,
down from 30 cards awarded a year ago. No one moved into the top 20, with Pontus Nyholm of Sweden finishing at No. 20 with room to spare.
Barend Botha of South Africa came into the week at No. 54 and had to win to move into the top 20. He had the 54-hole lead and was one behind playing the 17th when he failed to save par from short of the green. He shot 70 and finished two shots behind.
Johnny Keefer tied for 12th, but finished atop the points list. He will have full status all of next year on the PGA Tour and earns a spot in the U.S. Open.
PGA Tour Champions
In Cary, North Carolina, Alex Cejka birdied his final two holes for a 1-under 71 to turn a tight lead into a three-shot victory over Ernie Els in the SAS Championship Cejka won for the fourth time on the PGA Tour Champions, but this was his first victory that was not a senior major Ernie Els had a 68 to put some pressure on Cejka, but the German never wavered. He finished at 9-under 207 and moved to No. 10 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. Els stayed at No. 4 as the circuit now moves into its three-tournament post season.
Bernhard Langer, the 68-yearold German who has won every year since becoming eligible for the PGA Tour Champions in 2007, played in the final group and started three shots behind but closed with a 75.
Seattle at Toronto (Yesavage 1-0), 4:03 p.m. (FOX/FS1) Wednesday, Oct. 15: Toronto at Seattle, 7:08 p.m. (FOX/FS1) Thursday, Oct. 16: Toronto at Seattle, 7:33 p.m. (FOX/FS1) x-Friday, Oct. 17: Toronto at Seattle, 5:08 p.m. (FOX/FS1) x-Sunday, Oct. 19: Seattle or Detroit, 7:03 p.m. (FOX/FS1) x-Monday, Oct. 20: Seattle or Detroit, 7:08 p.m. (FOX/FS1) National League (TBS, truTV, HBO Max) Los Angeles vs Milwaukee Monday: Los Angeles at Milwaukee, 7:08 p.m. (TBS/truTV/HBO Max) Tuesday: Los Angeles at Milwaukee, 7:08 p.m. (TBS/truTV/HBO Max) Thursday, Oct 16: Milwaukee at Los Angeles, 5:08 p.m. (TBS/truTV/HBO Max) Friday, Oct. 17: Milwaukee at Los Angeles, 7:38 p.m. (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
x-Saturday, Oct. 18: Milwaukee at Los Angeles, 7:08 p.m. (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
x-Monday, Oct. 20: Los Angeles at Milwaukee, 4:08 p.m. (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
x-Tuesday, Oct. 21: Los Angeles at Milwaukee, 7:08 p.m. (TBS/truTV/HBO Max)
3, Chicago
SOUTH Abilene Christian 30, West Georgia 13 Alabama A&M 45, MVSU 25 Alcorn St. 42, Lincoln (CA) Oaklanders 0 Appalachian St. 41, Georgia St. 20 Bethune-Cookman 45, Southern U. 14 Campbell 38, Hampton 21 Cent. Arkansas 49, North Alabama 21 Coastal Carolina 23, Louisiana-Monroe 8 E. Kentucky 34, Austin Peay 20 ETSU 45, VMI 10 FAU 53, UAB 33 Georgia 20, Auburn 10 Georgia Tech 35, Virginia Tech 20 Illinois St. 46, Murray St. 32 Jackson St. 38, Alabama St. 34 James Madison 24, UL 14 LSU 20, South Carolina 10 Mississippi 24, Washington St. 21 NC Central 45, Florida A&M 7 Pittsburgh 34, Florida St. 31 SC State 22, NC A&T 16 St. Thomas (Minn.) 57, Davidson 13 Stetson 21, Morehead St. 14 Tennessee 34, Arkansas 31 Tennessee Tech 27, Charleston Southern 13 Texas Southern 21, Grambling St. 20 The Citadel 38, Valdosta St. 14 UT Martin 32, W. Illinois 31 Villanova 29, Elon 21 W. Carolina 52, Furman 7 Wofford 31, Norfolk St. 14 MIDWEST Alabama 27, Missouri 24 Bowling Green 28, Toledo 23 Cincinnati 20, UCF 11 Dayton 41, Valparaiso 10 E. Michigan 16, N. Illinois 10 Gardner-Webb 21, E. Illinois 10 Iowa 37, Wisconsin 0 Kansas St.
14
-14 Takumi Kanaya
14 Alex Smalley
-14 Nicolas Echavarria
13 C. Bezuidenhout
Min Woo Lee
Keith Mitchell
Matt Wallace
Rasmus Hojgaard
11
-11
11
-11
10
Nicolai Hojgaard 68-70-72-64—274 10
Matthew McCarty 75-65-74-60—274 -10
Collin Morikawa 71-68-72-63—274 10
William Mouw 68-69-75-63—275 -9
Kazuki Higa 72-64-73-66—275 9 Sam
-8
20. 18. (4) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 267, 25. 19. (20) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 267, 18. 20. (17) Daniel Suárez, Chevrolet, 267, 17. 21. (30) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 267,
accident, 245, 4. 34. (10) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, accident, 244, 9. 35. (36) Cody Ware, Ford, accident, 243, 2. 36. (5) W. Byron, Chevrolet, accident, 235, 19. 37. (35) Ty
C.Hocevar 218-219; B.Keselowski 220-221; W.Byron 222231; K.Larson 232-240; C.Briscoe 241-243; J.Logano 244; C.Briscoe 245-263; D.Hamlin 264-267 Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led): K.Larson, 4 times for 129 laps; C.Briscoe, 3 times for 57 laps; W.Byron, 3 times for 55 laps; D.Hamlin, 3 times for 9 laps; C.Hocevar, 2 times for 6 laps; B.Wallace, 1 time for 5 laps; B.Keselowski, 1 time for 2 laps; T.Reddick, 1 time for 1 lap; J.Logano, 1 time for 1 lap; T.Gilliland, 1 time for 1 lap; C.Custer, 1 time for 1 lap. Wins: D.Hamlin, 5; S.Van Gisbergen, 5; C.Bell, 4; R.Blaney, 3; K.Larson, 3; W.Byron, 2; C.Briscoe, 2; C.Elliott, 2; J.Logano, 1; B.Wallace, 1; R.Chastain, 1; A.Cindric, 1; A.Dillon, 1; J.Berry, 1. Top 16 in Points: 1. D.Hamlin, 4036; 2. R.Blaney, 4034; 3. K.Larson, 4032; 4. W.Byron, 4032; 5. C.Bell, 4028; 6. C.Briscoe 4018; 7. C.Elliott, 4018; 8. J.Logano, 4008; 9. T.Reddick, 2187; 10. B.Wallace, 2177; 11. R.Chastain, 2172; 12. S.Van Gisbergen, 2142; 13. A.Bowman, 2110; 14. A.Cindric, 2094; 15. A.Dillon, 2092; 16. J.Berry, 2078.
BY ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN and SHELBY LUM AP science writer
WAPPINGERS FALLS,N.Y.— The pumpkin in Tony Scott’sbackyard weighsalmost as much as asmall car
He’sbeen tending to it for months, feeding it fertilizer and covering it with ablanket at night to keep itata stable temperature. Arollofmeasuring tape wrapped around thepumpkin gives him arough estimate of its size
“I’ve never seen anything grow this fast,” said Scott, asemiconductorengineer from upstate New York. Every year,growers like Scott push their pumpkins to thelimit They compete in annual weigh-offs with colossal fruits that are well over 2,000 pounds. Scott’spumpkin took third place this year,coming in at 1,931 pounds.
Pumpkins aren’tthe only crops that canget giant.Other membersof the gourd family like squashes,cucumbers andwatermelons are capable of asimilar feat. But the orange behemoths are especially massive and have earned aplace of honor at fall festivals and Halloween fairs. Howtogrowagiant pumpkin
Agiant pumpkin starts off asthe perfect seed. Growers choose seeds
PRESS FILE PHOTO By ERICRISBERG Apumpkin called ‘Michael Jordan,’isdisplayedalongsidemanyothers before being weighed at the Safeway50th annual WorldChampionship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, Calif., in 2023.
thathave yieldedlarge pumpkins in the pastortest new ones.Scott andmany other growers rely on the tried-and-trueAtlanticGiant pumpkinseeds. Afterthat, it comesdowntothe right combination of water, nutrients and care. Giant pumpkins can guzzle hun-
dreds of gallons of water in aday andmake their own food from sunlight just like regular-sized plants do Theirinternalplumbing system is more robust, allowingthemtodrink up sugary water and nutrientsfaster As theleafy patchbegins to expand,
What can caregivers do to de-stress?
Though caring forsomeone with Alzheimer’sorother dementias can be rewarding at times, it can also be terribly stressful forcaregivers and families.
It is critical that the caregiver takes frequent breaks to step away from caregiving, taking deep breaths, stretching and exercising even forafew minutes. Ashort walk outside or time sitting in aquiet space can offer ahelpful reset forthe mind and body.Additionally, if the caregiver has access to respite care, they should consider using these services as it allows time forthe caregiver to recharge while their loved one is in asafe and comfortable care setting. Pay attention to self-care when trying to lower stress levels. Caregivers should set aside some“me time” —even if it’sashort period —todo something that helps them unwind. Watching afavorite television show,reading, taking abath, or enjoying aspecial hobby are all waystoreduce stress and put the caregiver in abetter frame of mind. Adequate sleep is crucial for emotional and physical wellbeing. Caregivers should set relaxing nighttimebedtime routines, such as going to bed at aspecific time, turning off cellphones or other devices, drinking decaffeinated hot tea, or just listening to softmusic. Self-care also includes regular physical activity,even if it is 15 minutes aday.Daily walks, yoga and other formsof exercise can reduce stress and elevate mood
Caregivers should pay attention to good nutritional choices. Nourishing the body with healthy food can increase energy levels and improve the caregiver’shealth and ability to better cope with the stresses of daily responsibilities.
‘YOU
BY KELVIN CHAN Associated Press
BRANTFORD,Ontario Wearing protective gloves and earplugs, aworker feeds lengths of wood into amachine that makes an earsplittingwhine as it automatically cuts agroove into the endof each piece. Nearby,stacks of wooden wedges wait to be slotted into those grooves to form the begin-
nings of ahockey stick. Further downthe Roustan Hockey production line,other workers are busy shaping, trimming, sanding, painting and screenprintingas they turn lumber into aCanadian national symbol. It’s atypicalday on thejob forthe 15 workers at Canada’s last major hockey stick factory, 60 miles southwest of Toronto.
Wooden hockey sticks are stacked as theymove along the assembly lineat the Roustan Hockey factory, the last major manufacturer of hockey sticks in Canadain Brantford, Ontario.
Socialization is also important in reducing stress forthe caregiver.Leaning on friends and loved ones can offer emotional support or even assistance with caregiving needs or tasks. Additionally,many caregivers find it helpful to join support groups where they can share experiences with those whoare going through similar challenges. Further,caregivers may choose to seek professional help to manage their stress and to learn and develop coping strategies. There are various stressreduction techniques that caregivers can try to reduce stress. Mindfulness and meditation techniques can help the caregiver to stay grounded and reduce anxiety.Breathing and progressive muscle relaxation exercises are also stressreduction techniques forthe caregiver
When caregiving responsibilities get too overwhelming, caregivers can consider,if financially feasible, to hire professional sitters to assist in certain tasks. Accepting free help from family members and friends is often difficult
Dear Doctors: My 22-year-old son is severely bipolar,which impacts his life terribly.Ihave kept up with the studies that have shown success in treating bipolar witha fecal transplant. Do you know of any open studies right now that might take my son? We would travel anywhere to get it done. Dear Reader: Bipolar disorderis amental health condition that is marked by extreme swings in mood, energy,thoughts and behaviors. These repeatedshifts from intense elation to crushing depressioncan disrupt sleep, impede judgment and interfere with the ability to think clearly. As with manyconditions that affect mental health, bipolar disorder exists on aspectrum. That means eachcase is unique, and symptoms vary in severity,frequency andpresentation. But even in its
Continued from page1C
The operation has origins that date back to the 1800s and has survived decades of trade globalization to hang on as the last North American commercial manufacturer of traditional wooden hockey sticks. Now it’sfacing fresh headwindsfrom the trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has ripped up free tradedeals in North America andimposed tariffs on Canadian exports.
The uncertainty is making life aheadache for Roustan
“You never know” what Trump will do, said Bo Crawford, the factory’sgeneral manager.“Youjust have to roll with it and the president of the U.S. can change his mind day to day,week to week, hour to hour.Soyeah we have to dealwith it the best we can,” he said.
Roustan has spent months dealing with U.S. customer worries and navigating the trade challenges.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian imports, though many goods have ultimately remained exempted because they’re already covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiated during his first term.
Then, in late August, the Trump administration eliminated awidely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 that resulted in newuncertainty over cross-border trade, said owner and CEO Graeme Roustan.
“Even if somebody buys one or two or five or 10 sticks and it’s under $100,they’re going to be affectedbythe tariffs, so the jury is stillout on how that’sgoing to impact business,” Roustan said.
Roustan Hockey’s factory churns outabout 400,000 wooden hockey sticks ayear under the Christian, Northland and Sherwoodbrands,
Continued from page1C
growers remove smaller pumpkins so all the water and nutrients funnelinto a single fruit.
“That helps make it extra big in away that youmight not see in the wild,” saidAleca Borsuk, aplant scientist at theNew York Botanical Garden. Because of gravity,giant pumpkins grow wide but not tall. They oftenresemble lopsided, lumpypancakes. Scott’spumpkin is also lighter in color because he covers it with atarp during the day, protecting it from sunlight which can ripen and harden
Continued from page1C
as caregivers feel like they need to do everything themselves. Accepting help can prevent burnout, especially when the caregiver gives specific necessary tasks to others.
Caregivers go through arange of emotions from guilt and frustration to
Dr.Elizabeth Ko Dr.Eve Glazier ASK THE DOCTORS
milderforms,bipolar disorder can significantly impair qualityoflife. It is common for the first indications of bipolar disorder to emergeinlate adolescence and early adulthood. Diagnosis includes amental health assessment, medical history and physical exam.Oncediagnosed, treatment typically combines medications, such as mood stabilizersand perhaps antidepressants, with individual, group or
with about100,000 exported to the United States. It also makesplastic-bladed road hockeysticks and foam-core goalie sticks.
Crawford said shipments to theU.S. have been held up for manualinspections at theborder,where they’ve beenhit with surprise tariffs, whichthe company’s customs broker has managed to get waived
It’snot just sticks. Shipmentsofgoalie pads, which Roustan manufactures at a separate factory in Toronto, were recently flagged for an unexpected 200% tariff, which company managers said they’re trying to resolvewithnew formsfrom their shippingcompany
Thedisruption underscores the broader trade turmoil that’sleft theCanadian economy reeling Canada’seconomyshrank 1.6% in the second quarter,inthe first contraction since 2023 and the biggest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.Exports slumped 7.5%, as uncertainty over tariffs andtrade pummeled exports to thecountry’sbiggest trading partner,the United States. Those figures overshadow the longer-term decline of Canadianmanufacturing.
Some 37,800 manufacturing jobs were lost in the year to August, accordingtoofficial data.
Real investment in industrial machinery and equipment fell in the second quarter to the lowest level since records began in 1981, experts at the National Bank of Canada pointed out in a recent research note.
“How did we gethere?
Yearsofexcessiveregulation, and achroniclack of ambition by successive governments in promoting domestic transformation of our naturalresources— recently made worse by Washington’sprotectionist agenda,”wrote economists Stéfane Marion and Matthieu Arseneau. “That failure haseroded Canada’s
theskin. He waters it using an overhead sprinkler system.
Howlongcan they grow?
“The answer is no,” Borsuk said. No matter howbig apumpkin gets, it’ll eventually matureand its natural agingcycle will kick in.
Scotthas nurtured giant pumpkins for eight years. It still blowshis mind watching them inflate, putting on around40poundsto50 pounds aday.Hesets up reflectivepanelsand even a fake wolfcutout to ward off hungry deer and other intruders looking for an orange-colored snack. Woodchucks have nibbledonthe pumpkin’s vines in previous years. After the all-important weighingcompetition,Scott
sadness andevenanger These emotions are very normal;however, it’simportant for the caregivers to acknowledge andprocess them as bottlingupfeelings can cause unduestress. Overall, caregivers should focus on the aspects of caregivingthey can control andthrow perfection out the window.Taking one day at atime, setting boundaries,knowing limits,
family-focused psychotherapy Due to the unpleasant side effects of some of themedications, treatmentcan be challenging. The cause of bipolar disorder is not yet clearly understood. Previous research has suggested links to amix of heredity, mental health and environmental factors. More recently,though, growing awareness of aconnection between the gut microbiome and thebrain is leading researchers in an intriguing new direction. This connection, known as the gut-brain axis, is abidirectional communication systembetween the trillions of microbes in thegut and the brain. An imbalance in the gut microbiome has been found to contribute to inflammation, immune system dysfunction and the production of harmful metabolites This imbalance, known as gut
manufacturing baseand left us at risk of becoming irrelevant in global supply chains.”
The Roustan operation started life in 1847 as an agricultural workshop, 20 years before Canada became acountry and70years before theNational Hockey League was created.
It’sall that survives of the golden era of North American wooden hockey stick manufacturing in the1970s and’80s when there were numerous workshops in Ontario and Quebec, as well as U.S. production centeredin Minnesota.
Roustan,abusinessman whoalsoowns TheHockey News and once attempted to buy the Montreal Canadiens, acquired the operation in 2019 —bythen named Heritage Wood Specialties —and moved it from aging facilities in the town of Hespeler, 20 miles north of Brantford, hometown of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky
Nowadays,global production amounts to about 5millionhockey sticks ayear,but wood makes up only about a tenth.NoNHL player has regularly useda wooden stick in well over adecade, underlining the sport’sembrace of newer technology
Composite sticks, madeof carbon fiber and other lightweight advanced materials, are now far more popular and preferredbybothamateurs and professionals. But composite sticks are pricier becauseofthe advanced manufacturingprocesses involved.
Meanwhile, over the years, Canadianand U.S. production consolidated or moved to Asia and Mexico amid awider global shift by Western consumer brands in search of cheaper manufacturing overseas.
“It’s very hard to compete against some of the Asian markets and some of ourcompetitors that are in other countries,” said Crawford. “But our qualitykind of stands for itself.”
shows off the giant pumpkin at various themed events and drives it around on atrailer Eventually,hedonates it to be displayed or carved.
On the way to events, he often getsstopped by people who ask what he’sgot in the back.
“The first question they ask is, ‘Is it real?’ ”Scott said. “Where would you buy afake pumpkin this big?”
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from theHoward Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Educationand the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for allcontent
and creating aroutine are all ways to reduce overwhelming feelings, anxiety and stress levels.
Dana Territo is an Alzheimer’s advocate and author of “What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease.” She hosts“The Memory Whisperer.” Emailher at thememorywhisperer@ gmail.com.
dysbiosis, has been linked to a range of neurodegenerative diseases.These include Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’sdisease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. As you have pointed out, there is evidence thatgut dysbiosis mayplay arole in bipolar disorder as well. It is not suggested that gut dysbiosis is the sole causeofthese diseases. However,some researchers believe modulating the gut microbiome may have therapeutic benefits. This may be done through diet, the use of specific prebiotics and probiotics, and fecal transplants. This is when aperson’scolon is infused with asolution containing fecal matterfrom ahealthy donor Afew small studies have reported successinlessening the symptoms of severe bipolar disorder through fecal transplants.
We searched at clinicaltrials. gov,the United States National Institutes of Health’sclinical trials database. At this time, there do not appear to be any new or ongoing investigations into the use of fecal transplants to manage bipolar disorder.However,several bipolar studies are exploring probiotics. Youmay find it useful to browse all of the studies listed on the site associated with bipolar disorder.Even if none are right foryour son, they are an excellent way to keep abreast of new directions in research.
Sendyour questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla edu, or write: Ask theDoctors, c/oUCLA HealthSciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd.,Suite1450, Los Angeles CA, 90024.
By The Associated Press
Today is Monday,Oct.13, the 286thday of 2025. There are 79 days left in the year
Todayinhistory:
On Oct. 13, 2010, 33 men were rescued from acollapsed Chilean mineafter being lifted one by one in capsules 69 days after they were trapped 2,300 feet underground.
Also on this date:
In 1792, thecornerstone of the executive mansion, later known as the White House, was laid by President George Washington during aceremony in the District of Columbia.
In 1932, President Herbert Hoover and Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes laid the cornerstone for the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington.
In 1943, Italy declared war on Germany,its onetime Axis partner
In 1972, aUruguayan chartered flight carrying 45 people crashed in the Andes. In order to stay alive, survivors resorted to
feeding off the remains of someofthe dead; 16 people were rescued morethan twomonths later
In 1999, in Boulder, Colorado, the JonBenet Ramsey grand jury was dismissed after 13 months of workwith prosecutors saying there wasn’tenough evidence to charge anyone in the 6-year-old beauty queen’sslaying.
In 2011, Raj Rajaratnam the hedge fund billionaire at the center of one of the biggest insider-trading cases in U.S. history,was sentenced by afederal judge in NewYork to 11 years behind bars. He was released early,in2019.
In 2021, Hollywood’s Captain Kirk, 90-year-old William Shatner,blasted into space aboard aship built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company; the “Star Trek” actor and three fellow passengers reached an altitude of 66.5 miles during aflight lasting just over 10 minutes. Today’sbirthdays: Gospel singer Shirley Caesar is
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Focus on your health, wealth and security, and how you can look, feel and do your best Change maybecalling your name,but clever moves are the keytosuccess.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Forge ahead withaplan. Amotivated attitude, alongside intelligence, persistence and relentless courage, will your opponents takeastep back
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Proceed with caution.Hidden agendasand false information will put youina vulnerable position. Askquestions andbeaware of what others want before making a commitment.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Overthinking, letting emotions lead theway and takingontoo muchwill be your downfall. You have plenty to gain if you focusonwhatyou do best.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Be agood listener, andyou'll gain insight into howtohandle people youencounter. A domestic change that lowers overhead andstimulates growthwill payoff.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Interacting with others will enhanceyourabilityto grow, reinvent yourself andchart your next steps. It's timetotry newthings, meet interestingpeopleand stretch your imagination.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Concentrate on doing what's best for youwhile taking care of what concerns youmost. Your
input can lead to progress, newfriendships or additional income.
TAURUS (April20-May 20) Domestic changesyou implement will bring you closer to people youdeal with regularly. Alittle give andtakewill go along waytofoster tolerance and reduce prejudice.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Aphysical change will be uplifting andencourage youtoget outand do more. Socializing will lead to interesting encounters and prompt youtorethink howyou want to spend your energy.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) Think big, but don'toverspend in theprocess. It's crucial to be forward-thinking to accommodate your long-term plans. Don't let denialstandinthe way of progress.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Don't let angerset in whenrealizationand courage are your tickets forward. An innovative approach to whatworks best for you will lead to comfort andjoy
VIRGO(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Interact, share ideas andutilize theinformation you receive to adjusthow you live your life. It's timetomakechangesthatsuit your needsrather than accommodate others.
The horoscope, an entertainmentfeature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist.ByAndrews McMeel Syndication
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placingpuzzle basedona9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row,eachcolumn and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
Saturday’s Puzzle Answer
Bridge
BY PHILLIPALDER
Harold Wilson, whowas the British prime minister for twoseparate terms, said, “I believe thegreatest asset ahead of state can have is the ability to get a good night’s sleep.” It does notpay to be sleepy at the bridge table, whichiswhy many playersconsumecaffeinated drinks. Today’s deal, though, is about declarer making themost of his assets, the cards. Southisinfourhearts.Westleadsalow spade. How should declarer proceed? North gets three points for his singleton,soitiseasilyworththreehearts.(His hand also has eight losers.) TheNorth hand has few assets, but it is importanttomake the mostofthem. South must not call for dummy’s spade king at trickone.Itissounlikely that West is underleadingthe ace. And, here, if East does take the first trickwithhis ace over dummy’s king, declarer will losetwo spades, one heartand one diamond.
Instead,let dummy play low. After East wins the first trickwith his10, what does he do next?
If East cashes thespade ace, declarer will discard his diamond loser on the spade king, ruff his club three on the board, and lose only twospades and one heart. Suppose East does nottake his ace, shifting to aclub. Then declarer wins in hishand; draws one round of trumps;casheshistwotopclubs,sluffing dummy’s remaining spades;and, to get communication between the twohands, plays two rounds of diamonds. Whatever happens now, South can draw asecond round of trumps, ruff his last spade on theboard,ruffadiamondinhishand,and ruff the club three to get home.
©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. 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:
word game
InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of
or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four lettersbythe additionof“s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may notbeused. 4. Proper nouns,
or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
toDAY’sWoRD LYMPHoMA: lim-FOH-muh: Ausually malignant tumor of the lymph node tissue. Average
Canyou find 17 or more words in LYMPHOMA?
sAtuRDAY’sWoRD —BLustER
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
GREATER BATONROUGE AIRPORTAUTHORITY
EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION
CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS DISTRICT
CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE
Wednesday,September 24, 2025 4:00 PM
The Metropolitan Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and the City of Baton Rouge convened in regular session on Wednesday,September 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambers of the Governmental Building, Room 348, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Meeting was called to order by the Presiding Officer and the following members werepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel CONDEMNATIONS
LUCILLE F. BLAND 1532 N36TH ST.(HOUSE AND ANY AUXILIARY STRUCTURES), LOT 19-20, SQ.32, EDENPARK SUBDIVISIONCOUNCIL DISTRICT 7- HARRIS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on October 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ELVIN STERLING &NORMA G. STERLING 5358 CADILLAC ST LOTS 33 &34, SQ. 34, FORTUNE ADDITION SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
DREW M. LOUVIERE 758 NAPOLEONST.,LOT 6PT(E PORTION OF LOT 6, SQ. 46, BEAUREGARD TOWN, MEAS 64 FT.FRONT ON THE W SIDE OF NAPOLEON ST.) SQ.46, BEAUREGARD TOWN SUBDIVISIONCOUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
HINES ENTERPRISES OF BATONROUGE, LLC 2323 N. ACADIAN THWY W.,ANUNNUMBERED LOT IN AN UNNUMBERED SQ PROPERTYNO. 32921, SQ. O, NORTH FAIRFIELDSSUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT
7- HARRIS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion was adopted.
WILLIE HAWKINS &ELLEN C. HAWKINS 2842 PLOVER ST.(HOUSE, ABANDONED VEHICLES, AND ANY AND ALL OUTBUILDINGS), LOTS 27, 28, &29AND BEING APARTOFLOT “Q,” SQ. 36, SCOTLAND ADDITION SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 2– KENNEY
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion was adopted.
HENRYL.THURMAN, JR. 2845 79TH AVE. (HOUSE AND POOL), LOT 135+ (135 &136) SOUTHERN HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION, 1ST FILINGCOUNCIL DISTRICT 2-KENNEY
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion was adopted.
ICEOLA S. EDWARDS located at 505 New Rafe Meyer (Mayer) Rd., Lot 17 PT (Portion of Lot 17, Measuring 60 Ft. x100 Ft.), Shady Acres Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11646
NADIA J. RAUDALES MENDEZ3155 CHARLOTTE DR. (HOUSE, REAR SHED, POOL HOUSE,AND OPEN SWIMMING POOL), LOT98, OAKCREST SUBDIVISION, 3RD FILING, -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6- DUNN
JR. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on October 22, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as
follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion was adopted.
EMILYALEXANDER PERKINS, BETTY HOLMESWILSON,CHARLIE W. HOLMES, ELLA L. HOLMES, JACQUELINE H. MATTIRE,RANDOLPH HOLMES, KEITH A. HOLMES, LARITAM.HOLMES, CAROL JEAN CLARK PERKINS, MOSE PERKINS JR., THE ESTATEOFMOSE PERKINS, SR.,
OF DORIS HOLMES THYSSEN located at 1334 N44th St. (Side Building Only), Lot
32 &S 20 Ft. of Lot 31, Sq. 35, Greenville Extension Subdivision ,Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11647 FREDERICAN.PATRICK,THE ESTATEOFMYRTISPATRICK,THE ESTATE OF MILDRED JACKSON, &THE ESTATEOFJEFFERYPATRICK 1306 N47TH ST.(HOUSEAND ALL AUXILIARYSTRUCTURES INCLUDING SHED &ATTACHEDPARKING COVER),LOT 17, SQ. 55, GREENVILLE
EXTENSION SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 7– HARRIS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on October 22, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel
With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
EDWARD MITCHELL ANDMICHAEL MITCHELL1123 BLOUNT RD., LOT
A-2(SHOULD READ LOT A-2RESUB. OF LOT A),SQ. 31 NORTHBATON
ROUGE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- KENNEY
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel
With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ALINE WALKER SAMPSON located at 5730 Fairfields Ave., Lot B, Sq. 28,
East Fairfields Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11648
CARRIEBROWN 2393 CAROLINA ST LOT 17, SQ. 44 SOUTH BATON
ROUGE SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Amorosotodelete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel
With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
MARY MALLONEE DONNELLY, JOEL LYLE DONNELLY,BEVERLY RUSHING STANDIFORD, ANDWILLIAME.STANDIFORD 1927 FOUNTAINAVE., LOT 238 AUTUMN RUNSUBDIVISION,1ST FILINGCOUNCILDISTRICT 3– GAUDET
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
MELROSE URBAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPI 6776 CEZANNE AVE., ((ACQUISITIONREADS 6760 CEZANNE) ANYAND ALL BUILDINGS LOTS 423, 424, 425, 426, &427, MELROSE EAST SUBDIVISION, 6TH FILING -COUNCILDISTRICT 6- DUNN JR.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
JOHN HARLAN ANDERSON 11015 CHALICEDR. (ANY ANDALL OUTBUILDINGS,ABANDONED VEHICLES, ANDTRAILERS) LOT 207, NORTHRED OAK SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6-DUNN JR.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on October 22, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel
With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
TADARYL SCHEXNAYDER &COREY J. COLTON 3625 PRESCOTT RD. (HOUSEAND AUXILIARYBUILDINGS), LOT 7-B (RESUB. OF LOT 7 PLANKROAD SUBOFFAIRCARE FARMS),PLANK ROAD SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 7– HARRIS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on October 22, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
WILLIS (WILLIE)COMENAAND SULA M. COMENA431 EJOHNSON ST.(HOUSE, ABANDONED VEHICLES, YARD EQUIPMENT, AND TRAILER), LOT 15 PT (S ½OFLOT 15),SQ. 36, SOUTH BATON ROUGE
SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on October 22, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
JOHNNYEMERY,THE ESTATEOFSAM COLEMAN, THE ESTATEOF
SALLIECOLEMAN,AND THEESTATEOFMABLE COLEMAN EMERY 2501 SPAINST.,LOT 13, SQ. 2BELLEVIEW SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL
DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding.
Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMs. Amoroso to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on November25, 2025. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
PUBLIC HEARING /MEETING PROPOSEDORDINANCE
THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL SITTING AS THE BOARD OF REVIEW ON PARISH ASSESSMENTS. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed ordinance. Duetoalack of appeals, the proposed ordinance was consideredwithout action.
RESOLUTION 58890
PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE 18943, THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT JUDGES WILL RECEIVE THE EQUIVALENT SALARYORCOMPENSATION OF AN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH DISTRICTJUDGE. THEREFORE, EACH CITY COURTJUDGE WILLRECEIVE AONE-TIMESUPPLEMENT, AS PART OF THEIR COMPENSATION, IN ADDITION TO THEIR CITYPARISH BASE PAY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,006.00.
The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution was in orderatthis time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr Hudson andsecondedbyMs. Racca to adopt the proposed resolution as amended. AYea and“Nay” vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
PROPOSEDRESOLUTION
ARESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE, SALE AND DELIVERYOF THE NOT EXCEEDING$215,000 REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2025, OF THE CHANEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 7OFTHE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizens spoke eitherfor or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Hudson andsecondedbyMs. Amoroso to defer the proposed ordinance to the council meeting on October8,2025. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Vote:None
DidNot
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion wasadopted.
RESOLUTION 58891
AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION 09-24-25-01
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTAND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSION TO FORMALLY REQUEST THE LOUISIANA DOTD, DIVISION OF AVIATION TO PROVIDEFUNDS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE AIRPORTIMPROVEMENTS AT THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORTSPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE CAPITALIMPROVEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR’S 2026-2030 AND TO PROVIDE FOR $20,000.00 LOCAL CONTRIBUTION FOR EACH OF 100% STATEFUNDED PROJECTS LISTEDTHERE IN The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Hudson andsecondedbyMr. Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot
Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58892
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOACCEPT AGRANTON BEHALF OF LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD 21 FROM THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION,OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (LWC), TO ADMINISTER THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT PROGRAM (EMPLOYBR) IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,717,125 AND EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR AGRANTPERIOD OF JULY1,2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027.
The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson andsecondedbyMr. Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
RESOLUTION 58893
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND YOUTH OASIS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $70,000.00 WITH ATERM BEGINNING MAY1,2025, AND ENDINGMAY 30, 2026, AND FURTHERAUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution was in orderatthis time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet andsecondedbyMs. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion wasadopted.
RESOLUTION 58894
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOACCEPT THE GRANT AWARD FOR THE FFY 2026 HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $93,000 ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT FROM THE LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT’SDWI/SOBRIETY COURT. ADDITIONALLY AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE AND/OR INTERIM CLERK OF COURT/JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURTTOEXECUTE ALL RELATED GRANT AGREEMENTS AND/OR NECESSARYDOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. THE GRANT IS 100% FEDERALLYFUNDED THROUGH THE LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION.THE GRANTS REVIEW COMMITTEE SHALL REVIEW AND APPROVETHE LINE-ITEMBUDGET PRIOR TO THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution was in orderatthis time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Gaudet andsecondedbyMs. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58895
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTONBEHALF OF THE DIVISION
OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAND SERVICES, RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND ASUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH CAPITOLCITY FAMILY HEALTH CENTER (CARESOUTH) IN THE AMOUNT OF $90,438.00, AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT PERIODTHROUGH FEBRUARY28, 2026, FOR ATOTAL AWARDED AMOUNT OF $1,047,028.00, WHICH INCLUDES ALL FUNDING UNDER THE RYAN WHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIONOF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58896
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ONBEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAND SERVICES, RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND ASUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH HIV/AIDS ALLIANCE FOR REGION TWO, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF$120,010.00 AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT PERIOD THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2026, FOR A TOTAL AWARDED AMOUNTOF$1,305,441.00, WHICH INCLUDES ALL FUNDING UNDER THE RYAN WHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIONOF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58897
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ONBEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES,RYANWHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND ASUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH OURLADY OFTHE LAKE IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,743.00 AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT PERIOD THROUGH FEBRUARY28, 2026 FOR ATOTAL AWARDED AMOUNT OF $765,546.00, WHICH INCLUDES ALL FUNDING UNDERTHE RYAN WHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58898
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ONBEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAND SERVICES, RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND ASUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH FAMILYSERVICES OF GREATER BATONROUGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $104,427.00, AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT PERIOD THROUGH FEBRUARY28, 2026, FOR ATOTAL AWARDED AMOUNT OF $956,323.00, WHICH INCLUDES ALL FUNDING UNDER THE RYAN WHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIONOF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58899
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ONBEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAND SERVICES, RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND ASUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH NO AIDSTASKFORCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $64,620.00, AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT PERIOD THROUGH FEBRUARY28, 2026, FORA TOTALAWARDEDAMOUNT OF $732,236.00, WHICH INCLUDESALL FUNDING UNDERTHE RYAN WHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTIONTHEREWITH. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58900
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ONBEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES, RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND ASUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICASOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA IN THE AMOUNT OF $123,141.00 AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT PERIOD THROUGH FEBRUARY28, 2026 FOR ATOTAL AWARDED AMOUNT OF $1,406,175.00, WHICH INCLUDES ALL FUNDING UNDER THE RYAN WHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTIONTHEREWITH.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58901
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ACONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTIONSERVICES WITH RICHARD C. LAMBERTCONSULTANTS, LLC., FOR SERVICESASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR ENHANCEMENT PROJECT PLANK ROAD CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT SEGMENT 2(DAWSON DRIVE TO HARDING), BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO.20-EN-HC-0033, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $192,000. (ACCOUNT NO.9217100077 4372.000000000000000-653100). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet andseconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak,
Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58902
AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTALAGREEMENTTOCONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICESWITHFORTE &TABLADA, INC. FOR SERVICESASSOCIATED WITHMOVEBR CAPACITYPROJECT OLD HAMMONDHIGHWAY SEGMENT 1- PHASE C, BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECTNO. 12-CS-HC-0043C, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $1,826,025.49. (ACCOUNT NO.9217100034-4360 00003-0000000000653240). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58903
AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT9 FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH SHREAD-KUYRKENDALL &ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITHMOVEBR CAPACITYPROJECT PECUE LANE/I-10 INTERCHANGE,BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECTNO. 09-CS-US-0041, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $225,000. (ACCOUNT NO.921710003200000-4360.00000-0000000000-653100)
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58904
AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOENGAGE IN AND EXECUTE ACORPORATE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTWITHTHE STATEOFLOUISIANA VIADEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONAND DEVELOPMENT,INCONNECTIONWITHMODIFICATION OF STATE HIGHWAYUS61WITHIN THECITYOFBATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE,LOUISIANA.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel
With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58905
AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEANAMENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTBETWEEN THEASCENSION PARISH GOVERNMENT,EAST ASCENSION CONSOLIDATED GRAVITYDRAINAGE DISTRICT NO.1,IBERVILLE PARISH, ANDEAST BATON ROUGE PARISH TO INCLUDE THECITYOFST. GEORGEIN CONNECTIONWITHTHE BAYOU MANCHAC RESTORATIONAND WARDS CREEK REALIGNMENT PROJECT THROUGH THELOUISIANA WATERSHED INITIATIVE PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED
$30,000,000.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did NotVote:None Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION RESCINDING COUNCIL RESOLUTION 58620, AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR OLD HAMMONDHIGHWAY- SEGMENT 1S FLANNERYTOGOODWOOD, BEING PROJECT NO.12-CS-HC-0043A-5, TO RICHARD PRICE CONTRACTING CO LLC ANDAWARDING THE CONTRACT TO THENEXT LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, COMMANDCONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES, LLC, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,553,099.50 (ACCOUNTNO. 9217100034-4360 00106-0000000000653100; 9217100034-4370 00000-0000000000-653100).
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms Adams and seconded by Mr.Moak to defer the proposed resolution to the council meeting on October 22, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58906
AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOSIGN THECOLLECTION AGREEMENTWITHSOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO COLLECT ANDDISTRIBUTE THE1% SALES TAXAND 1% OCCUPANCY TAXLEVIED BY THEDISTRICT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025 THROUGH RESOLUTION NO.01OFTHE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTDISTRICT DATED
AUGUST 26, 2025. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submittingan emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. A motion was made by Ms.Racca and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58907
AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO SIGN THECOLLECTION
AGREEMENT WITHLOUISIANA STATEUNIVERSITY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO COLLECT ANDDISTRIBUTE THE1%
SALES TAXAND 1% OCCUPANCY TAXLEVIED BY THEDISTRICT
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025 THROUGH RESOLUTION NO.08OFTHE LOUISIANA STATEUNIVERSITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTDISTRICT
DATED AUGUST28, 2025.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested cit zen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotionwas made by Ms.Racca and seconded by Ms.Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
The following proposed resolution wasintroduced by Mr.Hudson and read in full at the meeting of the Metropolitan Council on September10, 2025. With apublic hearing calledthereon for this meeting, the proposed resolution wasread in full for asecond time
PROPOSEDRESOLUTION
ESTABLISHINGHEALTHINSURANCE RATES AND PLAN DESIGN FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES, EFFECTIVE JANUARY1,2026.
The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Racca and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Racca Nays: Hurst Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 6yeas, 1nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion failed.
ADJUDICATEDPROPERTIES
ORDINANCE 19619
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 27-A, BANK, 69TH AVENUE,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF ITS INTEREST IN SAME TO JOHN A. WILLIAMS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ONE HUNDRED &00/100 ($100.00) DOLLARSCASH, AND THE PAYMENTOFTHE ADVANCED COSTS REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT, AS AMOW TO OWN PROPERTY PURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ., AND PRIOR ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. A“Yea” and“Nay” vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Vote:None
DidNot
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
ORDINANCE 19620
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 2-B-1-B-1-A, FOSTER PLACE, PRIVATEDRIVEWAY OFF FOSTER ROAD PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF ITS INTEREST IN SAME TO CHARLESC.BREAUXFOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ONE HUNDRED &00/100 ($100.00) DOLLARS CASH, AND THE PAYMENTOFTHE ADVANCEDCOSTS REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT,ASAMOW TO OWN PROPERTY PURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ., AND PRIOR ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion wasadopted.
ORDINANCE 19621
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 45, SQUARE 32, EDEN PARK, NORTH 37TH STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF ITS INTEREST IN SAME TO SHEILAHOWARD FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ONE HUNDRED &00/100 ($100.00) DOLLARSCASH, AND THE PAYMENTOF THE ADVANCEDCOSTS REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT,ASA MOW TO OWN PROPERTYPURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ., AND PRIOR ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
ORDINANCE 19622
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 44, SQUARE 32, EDEN PARK, NORTH 37TH STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF ITS INTEREST IN SAME TO SHEILAHOWARD FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ONE HUNDRED &00/100 ($100.00) DOLLARSCASH, AND THE PAYMENTOF THE ADVANCEDCOSTS REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT,ASA MOW TO OWN PROPERTYPURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ., AND PRIOR ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL.
The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
ORDINANCE 19623
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 6, SQUARE 34, SOUTH BATON ROUGE, E. POLK STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF ITS INTEREST IN SAME TO MICHAELLEGGETT FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ONE HUNDRED &00/100 ($100.00) DOLLARSCASH, AND THE PAYMENTOF THE ADVANCEDCOSTS REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT,ASA MOW TO OWN PROPERTYPURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ., AND PRIOR ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL. he Presiding Officer announced thata public hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay” vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion wasadopted.
ORDINANCE 19624
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 9+ SQUARE 12, DUCHEIN PLACE SUBDIVISION, LAUREL STREET PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO PHAROAH JOHNSON, III HIS/HERAGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $20,500.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19625
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 5
SQUARE 16, ADDITION TO PROSPERITY SUBDIVISION, TUSCARORA STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH
LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOT TO ONE ACCORD PROPERTYSOLUTIONS,HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HEROFFERALONG WITH A CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEYORDERINTHE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19626
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOTS 2& 3SQUARE 16, ADDITION TO PROSPERITY SUBDIVISION, TUSCARORA STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOT TO ONE ACCORD PROPERTYSOLUTIONS,HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF$100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HEROFFER ALONG WITH A CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDERINTHE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19627
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT A, SWARTADDITION SUBDIVISION, ALICE STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOTTOMARK A.
WHEELER HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATIONOF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19628
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT B+, SWARTADDITION SUBDIVISION, ALICE STREET, PREVIOUSLY
ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOTTOMARKA WHEELER HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATIONOF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIEDCHECK OR MONEY ORDERIN THE AMOUNT OF $855.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19629
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 32-
A, COMITE ESTATES SUBDIVISION, JESSIE AVENUE, PREVIOUSLY
ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOT TO DE’SHAD LAWSON CONNORHIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $13,800.00 CASH, ORTOTHE HIGHEST
OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion was adopted. ORDINANCE 19630
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 42 SQUARE 15, BANK SUBDIVISION, 73RD AVENUE, PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOT TO PHAROAH JOHNSON, III HIS/HER AGENT ORASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $950.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19631
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 7+ SQUARE 1, LINCOLN PARK SUBDIVISION, N. 25TH STREET
PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATEDTOEAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOT TO MELISSA LEVYHIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE
CONSIDERATION OF $3,500.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFERALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $855.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted. ORDINANCE 19632 AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 24-C
ONE FLORIDA PLACEIISUBDIVISION,CASHEL AVENUE,PREVIOUSLY
ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA SURPLUS
PROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THESALE OF SAIDLOT TO DOMINIQUE BANKS HIS/HER AGENTORASSIGN FOR THECONSIDERATION OF $38,100.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/ HEROFFER ALONGWITHA CERTIFIEDCHECK OR MONEYORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19633
AUTHORIZING THEMETROPOLITANCOUNCILTODECLARE LOT 6 SQUARE 93, NORTHBATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION, CHINNSTREET PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THESALE OF SAIDLOT TO CARMEN AKINS HIS/HERAGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HEROFFER ALONGWITHA CERTIFIEDCHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THEAMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19634
AUTHORIZING THEMETROPOLITANCOUNCILTODECLARE LOT 152-A, and 152-B, ASHLEY SUBDIVISION,MARQUEANNE DRIVE, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANASURPLUSPROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THESALE OF SAIDLOT TO T.D. REAL ESTATEGROUP,LLC HIS/HERAGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THECONSIDERATION OF $2,000.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HEROFFER ALONGWITHA CERTIFIEDCHECK OR MONEYORDER IN THEAMOUNT OF $650.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote:None Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel
With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19635
AUTHORIZING THEMETROPOLITANCOUNCILTODECLARE LOT 0.52@ SEC 1WD2 SUBDIVISION,GREENWELL SPRINGS ROAD, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THESALE OF SAIDLOT TO BEAUCHAMPCONSTRUCTION ANDDEVELOPMENT, LLC
HIS/HER AGENTORASSIGN FOR THECONSIDERATION OF $1,700.00 CASH, OR TO THEHIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HER OFFER ALONGWITHA CERTIFIEDCHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19636
AUTHORIZING THEMETROPOLITANCOUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 3SQUARE 4, ROOSEVELTPLACE SUBDIVISION, CURTIS STREET PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THESALE OF SAIDLOT TO NAKEYAWHITEHIS/HERAGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HER OFFER ALONGWITHACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THEAMOUNT OF $775.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did NotVote: None
Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19637
AUTHORIZING THEMETROPOLITANCOUNCILTODECLARE LOT 8 SQUARE 4, NORTHHIGHLANDS ADDITION SUBDIVISION, SHERWOOD STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THESALE OF SAIDLOT TO SANDRA MITCHELLHIS/HERAGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $300.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HEROFFER ALONGWITHA CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THEAMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19638
AUTHORIZING THEMETROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 14
SQUARE 4, NORTHHIGHLANDS ADDITION SUBDIVISION,SHERWOOD STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANASURPLUSPROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THESALE OF SAIDLOT TO SANDRA MITCHELLHIS/HERAGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $300.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HEROFFER ALONGWITHACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THEAMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney,Noel With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 5absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19639
AUTHORIZING THEMETROPOLITANCOUNCILTODECLARE LOT 8& 9 SQUARE 7, FORTUNE SUBDIVISION,PACKARD STREET,PREVIOUSLY
ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,
HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,550.00. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr., Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion wasadopted.
ORDINANCE 19640
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 49 SQUARE 46, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION, TENNESSEE STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO KERMON WAKER HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $800.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $730.00.
The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion wasadopted.
ORDINANCE 19641
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 22 SQUARE 2, HERO PARK SUBDIVISION, DARE STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO ANDREA COSEYHIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHOSUBMITS HIS/ HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $725.00.
The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19642
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 413 MELROSE EAST,GOYAAVENUE,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF ITS INTEREST IN SAME TO VICTORY LANDSCAPE,LLC FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ONE HUNDRED &00/100 ($100.00) DOLLARSCASH, AND THE PAYMENTOFTHE ADVANCEDCOSTS REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT, AS AMOW TO OWN PROPERTYPURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ., AND PRIOR ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL.
The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERINTRODUCTIONS
None
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERITEMS
RESOLUTION 58908
AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION 09-24-25-02
AWARDINGTHE CONTRACT FOR PHASE II, TAXIWAY LEXTENSION AND DECOMMISSIONING RUNWAY 4R-22L AND TAXIWAY E., BEING PROJECT NO.9800000109, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, HENDRICK CONSTRUCTION, INC.; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK.
The Presiding Officerannounced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moakand seconded by Ms. Amoroso to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe With 7yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion wasadopted.
APPOINTMENTS
BROWNSFIELD VOLUNTEER FIRE CIVIL SERVICEBOARD
Consideration of reappointing or replacing Michael Reynerson whose term expiresonSeptember 29, 2025. This is athree (3)year term. (Fire Dept.Board Member)
Current Ballot
Michael Reynerson (requested reappointment)
Amotion was made by Mr.Moakand seconded by Ms. Adams to reappoint Michael Reynerson.AYea andNay vote wascalledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noel With 7yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and5 absent, the motion wasadopted.
COMPLETE STREETSCITIZENS ADVISORYCOMMITTEE:
One appointment to concur in the nomination of the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors. This is afour (4)year term.
Current Ballot
Cheryl Leatherwood (submitted application andrequest from Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors)
Amotion wasmade by Mr.Moakand seconded by Ms. Adams to concur in the nomination of Cheryl Leatherwood by the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote:None
Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris, Kenney, Noe
With 7yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and5absent, the motion was adopted.
EASTBATON ROUGE PARISHMOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT
(MARC) Consideration of reappointing or replacing Albert Andrews, whose term expiresonOctober8,2025. This is athree (3)year term. Requires 9votes.
Current Ballot
Albert Andrews(requested reappointment)
Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson andsecondedbyMr. Moak to reappoint Albert Andrews. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None
METROPOLITANCOUNCIL
1T. October 13, 2025
GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORTAUTHORITY
EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS DISTRICT
CITY OF BATON ROUGEAND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE Wednesday,September 10, 2025 4:00PM
TheMetropolitan Councilofthe Parish of East Baton Rougeand theCityof Baton Rouge convened in regular session on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambers of theGovernmental Building Room 348, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Meeting was called to order by thePresidingOfficer andthe following
members werepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Absent: None
CONDEMNATIONS
FREDERICAN.PATRICK, THE ESTATE OF MYRTIS PATRICK, THE ESTATE OF MILDRED JACKSON,& THE ESTATE OF JEFFERY PATRICK 1306 N 47THST. (HOUSEAND ALL AUXILIARYSTRUCTURES INCLUDING SHED & ATTACHED PARKING COVER), LOT 17, SQ. 55, GREENVILLEEXTENSION
SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7– HARRIS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceedingtothe council meeting on September 24,2025. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent,the motion was adopted.
MICHAEL LYRON DUPUY 18115 PLANK RD.(ABANDONED,UNSECURED BUILDING AND MOBILE HOME), SEC. 5(4.42 ACRESDESIGNATEDAS TRACT 5SUBDIV.OFTHE TRACT CONT.126.93 ACRESAND BEING APARTOFLOT 3, SEC. 9, T5S, R1E), WD 2, DUPUY TRACT- COUNCIL
DISTRICT2–KENNEY
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceedingtothe council meetingonOctober 8, 2025. AYea andNay vote was called forand resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
LILLIE VALLERYWILLIAMS located at 1133 N47thSt., Lot35, Sq. 53, Greenville ExtensionSubdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11636 VOTE LOUISIANA 2254 SCENIC HWY (ROOFLESS, FIRE-DAMAGED OUT BUILDING ON SOUTHEAST CORNER OFSCENIC AND ADAMS), LOTS 1 &2,SQ. 18 SUBURB ISTROUMA SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to thecouncil meeting on November 12, 2025. AYea andNay vote was called for andresulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
EDEASSA JONES LAWSON AND MARK JEROME LAWSON 11625 NIMITZ ST.(HOUSE AND ABANDONED VEHICLES), LOT 22-A HARDING HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 2– KENNEY
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceedingtothe council meetingonOctober 8, 2025.AYea andNay vote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr ,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, themotion was adopted.
DAVID GLEN PECK AND STEPHANIE BAPTIST PECK located at 6435 Kleinpeter Rd. (House and Boat in Back Yard), Lot 128-C, Brownfields Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11637
ALAINA WRIGHTlocated at 5192Byron St. (Shed Only),Lots 17 &18, Sq. 14, North Highlands Addition Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11638
SHERROD TODD located at 6057SaintKatherineAve., Lot 391,Brookstown Place Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11639
TYRON JEROME ROBERSON 4715FORD ST LOTS 3, 4, AND 5, SQ. 28, ZION CITY SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 5-HURST
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding.A Yeaand Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
TOM DREW WAFER, JR. 1834 WIMPOLEST.,LOT 62, BROADMOOR PLACE SUBDIVISION,2ND FILING -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6- DUNN JR.
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on October 8, 2025.AYea andNay vote was called forand resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr ,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
KINETIC ESTATES, LLC located at 6907Goya Ave., Lot405, Melrose East Subdivision, 5th Filing, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11640
JULIE ANN NEAL MARYMAN 377N WAVERLAND DR., LOT 9, HARRINGTON PLACE SUBDIVISION, 1ST FILING -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6-DUNN JR.
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens
spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceedingtothe council meetingonDecember 10,2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for andresulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
ROBINS RENTALS LLC located at 1277N 37thSt., Lot 27, Sq. 24, Eden Park Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11641
TOMMIE DYER, JR. AND FELECIA DYER located at 1731 N38thSt., Lot 28,
Sq. 17, Eden Park Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11642
KENDRO LATRAIL JOSEPH 6438 KINCAID AVE., LOT 53, BIRD STATION
SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding.Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to thecouncil meeting on December 10, 2025. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
DK FASHION LLC 4472 CLAYTON ST LOT 13&14, SQ. 3, NORTH
HIGHLANDSADDITIONSUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding.Amotion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to thecouncil meeting on October 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RYAN ANTONIO STARKS 4662 UNDERWOOD AVE., LOT 65, FOSTER HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding.Amotion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to thecouncil meeting on October 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
MATTHEWW.BINNING located at 1334 Julia St., Lot1-B (Being AllofLot 1 Except NE 30 x52Ft.), Sq. 276 (Sale OmitsSq. #), Suburb Swart Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11643
JOHN HULBERT, GEORGIA LEE HULBERT, AND GEORGE MILLER, III located at 2400 Willow St. (Rear Garage and Abandoned Car Only), Lot6+ (Lots 6, 7, and “E”), Sq. 4, Lawndale Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11643
ROBIN AUCLAIR TOLER 717 ASTERST.,LOT 5, SQ.E,UNIVERSITY
TERRACE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding.Amotion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding.A Yeaand Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
CARL JOSEPH ARMSTRONG located at 2088 TennesseeSt., Lot53, Sq. 12, SouthBaton Rouge Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11644
GREGORYLATHAN 118 N26THST.,LOT 7, SQ. 5, LINCOLN PARK
SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding.Amotion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to thecouncil meeting on October 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
MACK F. PALMER, III AND YVETTE RAVARE PALMER 1322 JULIA ST., LOT
2PT(E1/2 OF LOT 2), SQ. 276, SUBURB SWARTSUBDIVISION -COUNCIL
DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding.A motion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding.A Yeaand Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
PUBLIC HEARING /MEETING RESOLUTION 58848
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT,TOENTER INTO ACOOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (CEA) WITH THE EAST BATONROUGE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM (EBRPSS). THIS CEAESTABLISHES TERMS FORTHE REIMBURSEMENT OF BRPD PERSONNEL COSTS ASSOCIATEDWITH FURNISHING ASCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TO THE EBRPSS FORA
SCHOOL YEAR OF 2025- 2026.
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurstand seconded by Ms Amoroso to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet
Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0 notvoting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58849
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEAND FILE AN APPLICATIONWITH THE LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION, FORA GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,275, TO PROVIDEFUNDING FORTHE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL AND THE JUVENILE AND UNDERAGEDRINKING ENFORCEMENT (JUDE) TASK FORCE; APPROVING THE LINE ITEM BUDGET FORTHE JUVENILE AND UNDERAGE DRINKING ENFORCEMENT (JUDE) TASK FORCE; AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. BY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL.
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Harris and seconded by Mr Hudson to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent,
was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amorosotoadopt
Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58852
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH ABG CONTRACTORS, INC. FORDEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES, PACKAGE A10 IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $89,948.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Amorosotoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0 not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58853
AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION09-10-25-01
AUTHORIZATIONFOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTAND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSION TO EXECUTE WORK AUTHORIZATION NO.10TOTHE CONTRACT WITH AIRPORTMANAGEMENTGROUP LLC (AMG) FORPROGRAM MANAGEMENTSERVICES AT THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORTFOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER1,2025, THROUGHSEPTEMBER30, 2026, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $3,681,075.88(CONTINGENT ON ADEQUATEFUNDING). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms.Harris to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19609
AMEND THE 2025 ALLOTMENTOFPOSITIONS FORTHE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE, ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE #19434, DATED12/10/2024, SO AS TO CHANGETHE ALLOTMENTOF PURCHASING EFFECTIVESEPTEMBER11, 2025. PURCHASING, ADD (1) PURCHASING ANALYST II, JOB CODE 1314 AND(1) SENIOR PURCHASING ANALYST,JOB CODE 1316 ANDDELETE(1) ADMINISTRATIVESPECIALIST I, JOB CODE 2018. FINANCE/ACCOUNTING, DELETE (1) SENIOR FISCAL SPECIALIST,JOB CODE 2032. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Coleman to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58854
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENTTO CONTRACT NO.800002178 WITH HUNT,GUILLOT, ANDASSOCIATES, LLC BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE, INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $79,958.39 FORANEW TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $9,132,109.37 ANDEXTENDING THE AGREEMENTEXPIRATION DATE TO JANUARY 31, 2026. ANDAUTHORIZES THE EXECUTIONOFALL NECESSARYDOCUMENTS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58855
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENTTO CONTRACT NO.800003795 WITH WORKFORCE GROUP, LLC BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE, INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $104,710.25 FORANEW TOTALNOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $38,371,406.53 ANDEXTENDING THE AGREEMENTEXPIRATION DATE TO JANUARY 31, 2026. AND AUTHORIZES THE EXECUTIONOFALL NECESSARYDOCUMENTS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Ms.Amorosotoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58856
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENTTO CONTRACT NO.800006150 WITH TERRACONCONSULTANTS, INC.
BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE, EXTENDING THE AGREEMENTEXPIRATION DATE TO JULY 31, 2026. AND AUTHORIZES THE EXECUTIONOFALL NECESSARYDOCUMENTS
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Harris and seconded by Ms Amorosotoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58857
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE ASUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTTOCONTRACT FORPROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH ARCADIS US,INC., FORSERVICES ASSOCIATEDWITH MOVEBRCAPACITY PROJECTLEE DR (HIGHLAND RD -PERKINS RD), BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECTNO. 20-CP-HC-0044, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $136,148.46.(ACCOUNTNO. 9217100068- 4371-000000000000000-653240).
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19611
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITANCOUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 7+,
SQUARE 12, ZION CITY,FORD STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF ITS INTEREST IN SAMETOREALIA D. DAVISFOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ONE HUNDRED &00/100 ($100.00) DOLLARS CASH, AND THE PAYMENT OF THE ADVANCED COSTS
REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT,ASAMOW TO OWN PROPERTYPURSUANT TO LA.R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ., AND PRIORORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe aboveordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenneyand seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea andNay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted. ORDINANCE 19612
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITANCOUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 63, WHISPERING OAKS, MISTY OAKS AVENUE, PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EASTBATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOFITS INTERESTINSAMETOSHANTELE CORTEZ-PERKINS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OFONE HUNDRED & 00/100($100.00) DOLLARS CASH FOR EACH LOT, AND THE PAYMENT OF THE ADVANCED COSTS REQUIREDFOR THIS LOT, AS AMOW TO OWNPROPERTY PURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2202(B) ET SEQ.,AND PRIOR
ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe aboveordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenneyand seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed ordinance. A“Yea” and“Nay” vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent,the motion was adopted.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTIONS
PROPOSEDRESOLUTION
RESCINDINGCOUNCIL RESOLUTION58620, AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR OLD HAMMONDHIGHWAY-SEGMENT 1S.FLANNERY TO GOODWOOD, BEING PROJECT NO. 12-CS-HC-0043A-5, TO RICHARD PRICE CONTRACTING CO., LLCAND AWARDING THE CONTRACT TO THENEXT LOWEST RESPONSIBLEBIDDER, COMMAND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES, LLC, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,553,099.50(ACCOUNT NO. 9217100034-4360 00106-0000000000-653100; 9217100034-4370000000000000000-653100).
Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Ms. Amoroso that the introduction of the above proposed resolution be published in accordance with law and that apublic hearing thereon be called for the council meeting on September 24, 2025. AYea andNay vote was called for andresulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent,the motion was adopted.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER ITEMS
RESOLUTION 58879
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO AMENDTHE CURRENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH K3B, LLC, BEING CITYPARISH CONTRACTNO. A22-91873 TO EXTEND FOR ATERMOFAUGUST 1, 2025 THROUGH OCTOBER 31,2025 TO ADDRESS THE LANDSCAPE AND MAINTENANCENEEDS OFTHE CITY PARISH OWNEDLOTSAND FEMA PROPERTIES.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe aboveresolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Amorosoand seconded by Mr.Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr ,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58880
AWARDING THE CONTRACT FORRIVER RD PED &BIKE TRAIL PROJECT BEING PROJECT NO.N/A, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, ALFARO BROS CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACTCOVERING SUCH WORK.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe aboveresolution was in orderatthis time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet andseconded by Ms. Amoroso to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
APPOINTMENTS
CAPITAL AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS-CATS
ConsiderationofreplacingMelissa DeGeneres, whose term expireson January 31, 2027 she is resigning.
Current Ballot Gerald King
Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Kenney to appoint Gerald King. AYea andNay vote was called for andresulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent,the motion was adopted.
MUNICIPAL FIRE &POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD
Consideration of replacingPress Robinson,who is notseekingreappointment. This is athree (3) year term and must be made from anomination of (Southern University).
Current Ballot Todd Sterling (Received letter from SouthernUniverisity requesting appointment)
Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet andseconded by Mr.Hurst to appoint Todd Sterling. AYea andNay vote was called for andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.
VISIT BATON ROUGE
Consideration of reappointing or replacingMarty Engquist.Term expires December 31, 2025, effective January 1,2026. This is athree (3)year term andmust be made from anomination of the(Downtown Development District-DDD).
Current Ballot
Marty Engquist (Received letter from theDDD requesting appointment)
Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to reappoint Marty Engquist. AYea andNay vote was called for andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0 notvoting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
VISIT BATONROUGE
Consideration of replacing Kim Ginn, whoisnot seeking reappointment.
Term expires on December 31, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. This is a three(3) year term. (Must be aBRACnominee)
Current Ballot Jeremy Fontenot (BRACsubmitted letter requesting appointment) Amotion was made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to appoint Jeremy Fontenot. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0 notvoting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
VISIT BATONROUGE
Consideration of reappointing or replacing Robyn Merrick, whose term expires on December 31, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. This is athree (3) year term. (Must be an Arts Councilnominee).
Current Ballot Robyn Merrick (Received letter from theArts Council requesting reappointment).
Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to reappoint Robyn Merrick. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
VISIT BATONROUGE
Consideration of replacing Mary Stein, whose term expires on December 31, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. This is athree (3) year term.
Current Ballot Milo Kendall Karen Soniat
Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to appoint
Karen Soniat. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
ITEMS
CHANGE ORDERS
RESOLUTION 58881
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE, PARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE AND THE LUSTER GROUP,LLC, FORDOUGLAS AVE. ADA TRANSITION PROJECT,BEING PROJECT NO. 20-EN-HC-0065.
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Mr.Hursttoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0 notvoting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58882
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDERNO. 2, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE, PARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE AND M&JCIVIL CONSTRUCTION, LLC, FORMACHOST ROADCLEARING AND GRUBBING, BEING PROJECT NO. 20-EN-HC-0107A
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Noel and seconded by Mr Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0 notvoting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
FINAL ACCEPTANCES
None.
ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS
RESOLUTION 58883
AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR PORTHICKEY RD. BRIDGE OVER DRAINAGEBAYOU (RECALL NO. 800498), BEING PROJECT NO. 16-BR-PT-0019, TO THE LOWEST BIDDERTHEREFOR, MATT LGUINN CONSTRUCTION. LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK.
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Noel and seconded by Ms Coleman to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris,Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0 notvoting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58884
AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR PERKINS ROADCLEARING AND GRUBBING, DECORATIVE FENCE, AND DRAINAGE(SIEGEN LANE TO PECUE LANE), BEING PROJECT NO. 12-CS-HC-0015, TO THE LOWEST BIDDERTHEREFOR, TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION, LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK.
ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms.Amoroso to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
DidNot Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains,0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted. OTHER ITEMS None. OTHER ITEMS TO BE ADOPTED (EMERGENCY) RESOLUTION 58885
REVISING RESOLUTION 58767 AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYORPRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT TO EXECUTEAMENDMENT NO. 1TOSUB-RECIPIENT CONTRACT NO.
800006285 BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE, PARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE, AND VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION BY $485,000.00 FORAREVISED TOTAL NOTTOEXCEED $904,755.00, AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGHSEPTEMBER 30, 2026, FUNDEDTHROUGH THE FY 2024–2025 HUDHOUSING OPPORTUNITIESFOR PERSONS WITH
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: Dunn Jr Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted. RESOLUTION 58886
REVISING RESOLUTION 58768 AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYORPRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO EXECUTE AMENDMENTNO. 1TOSUB-RECIPIENT CONTRACT NO 800006292 BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE, ANDSTART CORPORATION, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATIONBY$355,990.50 FORA REVISED TOTALNOT TO EXCEED $655,990.50, ANDEXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, FUNDEDTHROUGHTHE FY 2024–2025 HUD HOUSING OPPORTUNITIESFOR PERSONSWITH AIDS (HOPWA) PROGRAM The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: Dunn Jr Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58887
REVISING RESOLUTION 58769 AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYORPRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO EXECUTE AMENDMENTNO. 1TOSUB-RECIPIENT CONTRACT NO 800006302 BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE, ANDBATON ROUGEBLACK ALCOHOLISM COUNCIL DBA METRO HEALTH, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION BY $310,000.00 FORA REVISED TOTALNOT TO EXCEED $600,258.83, AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGHSEPTEMBER30, 2026, FUNDEDTHROUGHTHE FY 2024–2025 HUD HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FORPERSONSWITH AIDS (HOPWA) PROGRAM
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: Dunn Jr Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 58888
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO.58731 FORTHE EXECUTIONOFA
CHANGEORDERTOTHE CONTRACT WITH TRAFFIC COMMANDER, LLC AND EXECUTING CHANGEORDERNO. 1TOTHE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATONROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE AND TRAFFIC COMMANDER, LLC, FORTRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS (SPEED SINGS), BEING PROJECT NO.23-EN-HC-0015, PURCHASE ORDER NO.800006305, SO AS TO PROVIDE AS FOLLOWS: CHANGE ORDER NO.1 –ADDITIONAL TIME TO INSTALL TWO (2) SIGNS WITHIN THE COUNTRYMANOR SUBDIVISIONAND FOUR (4) SIGNS ALONG LAKE SHERWOOD AVENUE SOUTH, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,436.00. BRING THE TOTALAMOUNT OF SAID CONTRACT TO THE CORRECTEDAMOUNT BEING $302,936.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: Dunn Jr Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted. RESOLUTION 58889
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE ACONTRACT FORCONSTRUCTIONINSPECTIONSERVICES WITH INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTING &ENGINEERING, LLC FORSERVICES ASSOCIATEDWITH MOVEBRPROJECTGROOM ROAD PHASE 1(MCHUGHRDTOPLANK RD.) BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO.19-EN-HC-0035, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $615,372.00 (ACCOUNT NO.9217100076-4372.000000000000000-653100). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Mr Kenney to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: Dunn Jr., Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19613
AMENDING AND REENACTING ORDINANCE 19440 ADOPTED JANUARY 8, 2025 WHICH ESTABLISHED VOTING PRECINCTS WITHIN WARDS 1, 2, &3 IN EAST BATONROUGE PARISH ANDDESIGNATING POLLING PLACES SO AS CHANGETHE FOLLOWING POLLING LOCATION:WARD 2, PRECINCTS 13 A&B&20, BAKERFIELD ELEMENTARY,BAKER, LA TO BAKER HIGH SCHOOL, 3200 GROOM RD BAKER, LA; ANDCHANGETHE NAME OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS; WARD 1PRECINCTS 12 A&B &47A& B: FROMBATON ROUGECENTERFOR V-PARTSTOMCKINLEY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, 7600 BOONE AVE, BATONROUGE; WARD 1 PRECINCTS 26, 28 &61: FROMWINBOURNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO BELFAIR MONTESSORI MAGNET SCHOOL, 4503 WINBOURNE AVE, BATONROUGE; WARD 1PRECINCTS 30 &63A& B: FROMGREENVILLE SUPERINTENDENTS ACADEMYTOEBR READINESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 1645 NFOSTER DR, BATONROUGE; WARD 1PRECINCTS 37 A& B: FROMBERNARD TERRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO EBRVIRTUAL ACADEMY 241 EDISON ST,BATON ROUGE; WARD 1 PRECINCTS 50 &62: FROMHOWELL PGARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO ARLINGTON ACADEMY, 6125 WINBOURNE AVE, BATONROUGE; WARD 1PRECINCTS 91 A&B&92A &B:FROMRYANELEMENTARYSCHOOL TO EBRREADINESS MIDDLE SCHOOL, 10337 ELMGROVE GARDEN DR, BATONROUGE; WARD 2PRECINCTS 2A& B: FROMBAKER HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO IMPACT CHARTER SCHOOL, 3750 HARDING ST,BAKER; WARD 2PRECINCTS 9A&B,FROMBAKER MIDDLE SCHOOL TO PARK RIDGE PERFORMINGARTSACADEMY 5903 GROOM RD, BAKER; WARD 2PRECINCT 15: FROMWHITE HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO GEO PREP BAKERSCHOOL, 5300 BENTLEYDR, BAKER; WARD 3 PRECINCTS 5& 57: FROMIDEAINNOVATIONSCHOOL TO AUDUBON BATONROUGE SCHOOL, 7800 INNOVATIONPARK DR, BATONROUGE. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: Dunn Jr Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
Amotion was made by Ms.Amorosoand seconded by Mr.Noel to adjourn. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Noel,Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent: Dunn Jr Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted. The Presiding Officer declared the meeting adjourned
CouncilAdministrator/Treasurer Mayor-President
"At McKinley Middle, Ican focus on my goals without giving up the creativity and fun that come with theater and thearts. Ilike that Ican work hard in class and still do what Ilove. The arts let me express myself andmake school feel less stressful—morelike aplace Iwant to be. That’s what makes McKinley special: you don’t have to fit into one box."
CHRISTEN Mayfair Lab FifthGrade Academic Mayfair Fifth Grade Academic
“I love being astudent at Mayfair Lab because the teachers alwayshaveafun way to teach, which makes us want to learn more. Ilikewhen we do projects to show what we learned. It makes me feel special that I’m at this school.”
A’ZYRIA SpelmanCollege Freshman Scotlandville High Graduate Governmental Affairs/Law Spelman College Freshman Affairs/Law
“I currently attend SpelmanCollege whereI will majorin Criminal Law.Mytime in Scotlandville High’s Governmental Affairs and Law program inspired me to upholdjustice to create sanctuarieswhere every citizen feels protected and heard.Mygoals are the blueprint for my aspirations, and upon those goals, Iwill build my future.”
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Mayfair Lab K-8
McKinley Middle 6-8
Scotlandville Middle 6-8
Sherwood Middle 6-8
Westdale HeightsK-5
WoodlawnMiddle 6-8
WoodlawnHigh 9-12
MONTESSORI
Belfair MontessoriPK-8
TheDufrocq School PK-5
BroadmoorElementaryK-5
Glen Oaks 9-12
IstroumaHigh 9-12
LibertyHigh 9-12
McKinley Elementary K-5
Southeast Middle 6-8
GOVERNMENTAFFAIRS/LAW
Scotlandville High 9-12
CREATIVESCIENCES&ARTS
BelaireHigh 9-12
Park Forest Elementary K-5
Park Forest Middle 6-8
Villa Del Rey K-5
VISUAL&PERFORMINGARTS
BRCVPA K-5
Forest Heights K-5
McKinley Middle 6-8
MEDICAL
Glen Oaks High 9-12
Liberty High 9-12
Baton Rouge FLAIM K-5
Westdale Middle 6-8
Liberty High 9-12
Scotlandville Middle 6-8
Scotlandville High 9-12
TaraHigh 9-12